The rate and extent of drug release under physiological conditions is a key factor influencing the therapeutic activity of a formulation. Real-time detection of drug release by conventional pharmacokinetics approaches is confounded by low sensitivity, particularly in the case of tissue-targeted novel drug delivery systems, where low concentrations of the drug reach systemic circulation. We present a novel fluorescence turn-on platform for real-time monitoring of drug release from nanoparticles based on reversible fluorescence quenching in fluorescein esters. Fluorescein-conjugated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were esterified with methotrexate in solution and solid phase, followed by supramolecular functionalization with a chemoenhancer (suramin) or/and a stealth agent (dextran sulfate). Suramin was found to increase the cytotoxicity of methotrexate in A549 cells. On the other hand, dextran sulfate exhibited no effect on cytotoxicity or cellular uptake of CNTs by A549 cells, while a decrease in cellular uptake of CNTs and cytotoxicity of methotrexate was observed in macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells). Similar results were also obtained when CNTs were replaced with graphene. Docking studies revealed that the conjugates are not internalized by folate receptors/transporters. Further, docking and molecular dynamics studies revealed the conjugates do not exhibit affinity toward the methotrexate target, dihydrofolate reductase. Molecular dynamics studies also revealed that distinct features of dextran-CNT and suramin-CNT interactions, characterized by π-π interactions between CNTs and dextran/suramin. Our study provides a simple, cost-effective, and scalable method for the synthesis of nanoparticles conferred with the ability to monitor drug release in real-time. This method could also be extended to other drugs and other types of nanoparticles.


This dissertation examines the designs of two of Scotland's most important architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Robert Lorimer, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively at the turn of the century. Their work is viewed in relation to international tendencies in progressive architecture and design, namely the Arts and Crafts Movement; also in relation to the existing strand of Romanticism in Scotland and the Scottish Baronial Revival which in some respects reported a particular manifestation of the same principles. Having outlined the theoretical basis of both the international Arts and Crafts Movement and National Romanticism in Scotland, I will go on to compare and contrast the design philosophies of Mackintosh and Lorimer through discussion of selected architectural and interior commissions.


Borohydride reduction of the imine groups in a pyruvate-derived cobalt(III) complex, (OC-6-33')-[Co(Aim(2)trien)](2)[ZnCl(4)], occurs with high diastereoselectivity. The major diastereoisomeric product, (OC-6-33'-ARSSR,CSRRS)-[Co(A(2)trien)]Cl has been isolated and crystallographically characterised. The results from base-induced isomerisation of the major isomer allow us to conclude that most of the remaining material from the reduction reactions (consisting of minor diastereoisomers) differs from the major isomer only in the relative configuration of the coordinated amines. Therefore the initial borohydride attack on the imine groups must have occurred predominantly on the same face of each imine as that which produces the major isomer. The diastereoselectivity of the reaction can be rationalised by proposing hydrogen bonding interactions between the incoming hydride reagent and other donor groups in the complex.


The trend of using wearables for healthcare is steeply increasing nowadays, and, consequently, in the market, there are several gadgets that measure several body features. In addition, the mixed use between smartphones and wearables has motivated research like the current one. The main goal of this work is to reduce the amount of times that a certain smartband (SB) measures the heart rate (HR) in order to save energy in communications without significantly reducing the utility of the application. This work has used an SB Sony 2 for measuring heart rate, Fit API for storing data and Android for managing data. The current approach has been assessed with data from HR sensors collected for more than three months. Once all HR measures were collected, then the current approach detected hourly ranges whose heart rate were higher than normal. The hourly ranges allowed for estimating the time periods of weeks that the user could be at potential risk for measuring frequently in these (60 times per hour) ranges. Out of these ranges, the measurement frequency was lower (six times per hour). If SB measures an unusual heart rate, the app warns the user so they are aware of the risk and can act accordingly. We analyzed two cases and we conclude that energy consumption was reduced in 83.57% in communications when using training of several weeks. In addition, a prediction per day was made using data of 20 users. On average, tests obtained 63.04% of accuracy in this experimentation using the training over the data of one day for each user.


New trend of learning ways is often initiated by fast changing technology and using social media tools to collaborate is a new way of experiential learning. This paper aims at exploring the student experiences in collaborative learning using social media tools in a blended learning course. Through the in-depth exploration of the individual student interviews, the paper attempts to provide an example on the use of social media tools in learning for the institutes to plan for the learning needs due to changes on online technology. The study results confirmed the students engaged in learning through use of social media. It was found that the collaborative learning using social media tools in the course was not instructed by the teachers but was initiated by the students. The collaboration was a non-prescribed activity. This study proposes that social dimension of learning autonomy, could be considered in the community of inquiry framework.


Hb-H disease is a form of alpha-thalassemia commonly found in south-east Asia. In this condition, numerous Hb-H bodies are found in erythrocytes using reticulocyte staining preparations. This is the first study addressing the possible interference of Hb-H inclusions in automated reticulocyte counting. In this study, seven Hb-H disease samples were tested. Results obtained by the visual method and the Technicon H*3 automated method agreed relatively well. This was in contrast to the Coulter STKS automated method which generally gave lower results. Furthermore, when the incubation time was extended to 180 min in the Coulter STKS method, two Hb-H disease samples gave results several-fold higher than those obtained using the 60 min incubation time. These discrepant results were likely to have been caused by the analyser using the wrong threshold to separate reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes. High and low interference in Hb-H disease samples was observed in the Coulter STKS automated reticulocyte method. Laboratories should be aware of this potential problem, particularly when samples are from patients of Asian origin.


CD200 is an immunomodulatory molecule overexpressed in childhood B cell precursor (BCP) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). In minimal residual disease (MRD) low risk cases it has been shown that only CD200+ cells could engraft and self-renew in NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl (NSG) mice, making CD200 a very attractive target for these cases. Parthenolide (PTL) has been shown to eradicate CD34+/CD19+, CD34+/CD19- and CD34- leukaemia initiating cell (LIC) populations in BCP ALL. However, the effects of PTL on CD200 subpopulations are not known. In vivo responses to therapy can be restricted by components of the bone marrow microenvironment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to protect T-ALL cells from PTL by modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity. This protection could be reversed with the use of sulfasalazine (SSZ), an inhibitor of the cystine uptake transporter xc-. SSZ blocks cysteine generation and release in MSC resulting in elevated ROS levels in T-ALL and increased sensitivity to PTL. This study investigated the effects of PTL and SSZ on unsorted, CD200+ and CD200- BCP-ALL subpopulations in the presence of MSC. Six MRD low risk and 4 risk cases were co-cultured on MSC, at a 2:1 ratio, 1 hour prior to addition of PTL at various doses up to 10mM. After 24 hours, cells were stained with Annexin V and PI and viability was assessed by flow cytometry. In the absence of MSC, low risk cases were slightly less sensitive to PTL with an IC50 of 2.23mM compared to risk ones (IC50 1.54mM, P=0.61). Interestingly, 4 of 6 low risk cases, which were less sensitive to PTL, had normal karyotypes, while the 2 responsive cases had t(12;21). When unsorted ALL cells were co-cultured with MSC, cell survival significantly increased following PTL treatment at doses up to 7.5mM. In low risk cases viability increased from 8.8±19.4% to 30.0±20.4% at 7.5mM PTL (P<0.0001) and in the risk group from 7.2±8.5% to 26.2±20.8% (P=0.04). To investigate whether the protective effect of MSC could be reversed and sensitivity to PTL re-established, SSZ (300mM) was added to MSC cultures 1 hour prior to the addition of ALL cells. In low risk cases, addition of SSZ significantly reduced survival from 47.9±26.2% to 36.0±21.5% at 5mM PTL (P=0.02) and from 30.0±20.4% to 13.7±11.5% at 7.5mM (P=0.001). In risk cases, SSZ reduced the IC50 from 4.29 to 3.37mM PTL and ALL viability decreased from 25±38% to 12±13% at 10mM. PTL was effective against all subpopulations in a subset of 3 low risk and 3 risk cases sorted into CD34+/CD200+, CD34+/CD200-, CD34-/CD200+ and CD34-/CD200- subfractions. In low risk cases, IC50 ranged from 1.3 to 1.8mM in CD34+/CD200+ and CD34-/CD200+ subpopulations with CD34-/CD200- cells slightly less responsive (IC50 2.4mM). Similar results were observed in risk cases, with IC50 ranging from 0.64mM in CD34+/CD200- cells to 3.1mM in CD34-/CD200- cells. The presence of MSC had limited effects on survival of 3 of these subpopulations in low risk cases where viability increased by only 1.5 to 3 fold after PTL treatment. Interestingly, in the CD34+/CD200+ subpopulation, median viability improved 43 fold from 0.7% to 30.2% (range 0.2-34.2%, P=0.32). SSZ reversed this MSC protection and ALL survival following PTL treatment was almost halved (16.9% viable, range 1.6-30.1%, P=0.59). A modest protective effect against PTL was also observed in 3 subpopulations in risk cases with viabilities 1.8 to 2.8 fold higher in the presence of MSC. CD34-/CD200+ cells benefited most from MSC support and median viability increased 21 fold from 3.0% to 63% (range 2.2-90.4%, P=0.5). The addition of SSZ reversed this protective effect and ALL survival was reduced to levels similar to those observed with PTL alone. In conclusion, this study has shown that PTL was very effective against unsorted and all CD200+ or CD200- subpopulations in both low risk and risk BCP ALL cases, confirming its potential as an effective agent in ALL, which is not limited by surface marker expression on target cells. While sensitivity to PTL was reduced in the presence of MSC, it was largely regained with the use of SSZ in the unsorted and CD34+/CD200+ cells in low risk cases and CD34-/CD200+ cells in the risk cases, indicating CD200+ LIC could be effectively targeted using this combination. These data highlight the importance of combining cancer therapies with agents that restrict the effects of the microenvironmental niche to overcome drug resistance in cancer.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Liver regeneration is a unique process to restore hepatic homeostasis through rapid and synchronous proliferation of differentiated hepatocytes. Previous studies have shown that hepatocyte proliferation is characterized by high expression levels of the "mitotic" cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) during S‐phase compared to other mammalian cells. In the light of findings showing that Cdk1 compensates for the loss of Cdk2 and drives S‐phase in Cdk2‐deficient cells derived from Cdk2 knockout mice, we took advantage of the models of liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy and primary cultures of normal rat hepatocytes to further examine the involvement of Cdk1 during DNA replication in hepatocytes and to dissect specific cell cycle regulation in hepatocytes compared to control human foreskin fibroblasts. In hepatocytes, Cdk1 exhibited a biphasic activation pattern correlating S‐phase and G2/M transition, bound to cyclin A or B1 and localized to the nucleus during DNA replication. Importantly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐mediated silencing of Cdk1 led to a strong decrease in DNA synthesis without affecting centrosome duplication. Furthermore, in hepatocytes arrested by the iron chelator O‐Trensox in early S‐phase prior to DNA replication, Cdk1/cyclin complexes were active, while replication initiation components such as the minichromosome maintenance 7 (Mcm7) protein were loaded onto DNA. Moreover, Mcm7 expression and loading onto DNA were not modified by Cdk1 silencing. Conversely, in fibroblasts, Cdk1 expression and activation were low in S‐phase and its silencing did not reduce DNA synthesis. Conclusion: Cdk1 is essential for DNA replication downstream formation of replication initiation complexes in hepatocytes but not in fibroblasts and, as such, our data exemplify crucial differences in the cell cycle regulation between various mammalian cell types. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)


Abstract Regulatory motivation is often done by some of the industries associated with strict regulatory supervision, such as banks and insurers. It is associated with one of them in fulfillment of the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Solvency Margin ratio which can create incentives for management to make earnings management in the interest of regulators. From previous studies found indications that the bank's management to practice earnings management in order to meet regulatory (regulator) and the investor. API is one of the policy on sole ownership in Indonesian banks (Single Presence Policy). Because these policies will have consequences that could affect the existence of banks in Indonesia and banking services. It is necessary for research on banking transactions of the party - affiliated parties in the use of the principles of fairness and the predominance of business (arm's length principle). The method used in this research is descriptive analysis and the results will be analyzed qualitatively. Keywords: Principles of fairness and the predominance of business, price comparison method, banking.


PREVIOUS articles in this series have emphasized the need for physicians to review with microbiologists ways of obtaining results from the microbiology laboratory that are more useful. Physicians and microbiologists must work together to facilitate interpretation of laboratory data used to guide antimicrobial therapy. The techniques used and the mode of reporting information should optimize therapy at minimum cost. ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY: 'S-I-R' VS MICs In recent years, much technological change has occurred in the in vitro testing of antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from clinical specimens. The disk method of testing was applied initially in a highly unstandardized manner and led to unreliable results in many instances. More recently, the Kirby-Bauer method has become highly standardized in the majority of laboratories. Still, most physicians are only vaguely aware of how the designations "S," "I," and "R," which stand for sensitive, intermediate (or indeterminate) sensitivity , and resistance , relate to achievable antimicrobial


Background: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is the persistence of the high pulmonary arterial pressure after birth which is a characteristic of the fetal circulation. PPHN is associated with substantial infant mortality and morbidity. Various treatment protocol are used according to the need of the patient. This study aimed to see the spectrum of the disease and its outcome in Bangladesh.Methods: 181 newborn babies were diagnosed as persistent pulmonary hypertension or persistent fetal circulation. After establishing diagnosis, all cases were kept in NICU and various management plans were prescribed according to necessity of a specific case. Repeat echocardiography was done after 72 hours to see the response of treatment. Residual congenital cardiac lesions were managed later on.Results: Most of the patient (69.06%) was diagnosed at first week of life. Minimum age of the patient was 1 day and maximum age 23 days. Among 181 cases 109 (66.22%) were male and 72(39.77%) were female. Associated congenital lesions like atrial septal defect was found in 52 (28.72%) cases, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was found in 14 (7.73%) cases and ventricular septal defect (VSD) was found in 2 (1.10%) cases. Combination of ASD & PDA was found in 75 (44.33%) cases. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure was more than 60 mmHg in 103 (56.91%) cases, more than 50 mmHg in 53 (29.28%) cases and more than 30 mmHg in 25 (13.81%) cases. Most of the patient (100%) received high flow oxygen therapy along with anti failure (66.30%) and sildenafil 98 (54.14%) therapy as per requirement of the patient. Complete cure was achieved in 95.58% cases and mortality was only 1.10%.Conclusion: These data showed a very impressive outcome of the PPHN in Bangladeshi Newborn even with minimally invasive management.Cardiovasc. j. 2018; 11(1): 17-22


BACKGROUND
Fungi are a well-known and valuable source of compounds of therapeutic relevance, in particular of novel anticancer compounds. Although seldom obtainable through isolation from the natural source, the total organic synthesis still remains one of the most efficient alternatives to resupply them. Furthermore, natural product total synthesis is a valuable tool not only for discovery of new complex biologically active compounds but also for the development of innovative methodologies in enantioselective organic synthesis.

METHODS
We undertook an in-depth literature searching by using chemical bibliographic databases (SciFinder, Reaxys) in order to have a comprehensive insight into the wide research field. The literature has been then screened, refining the obtained results by subject terms focused on both biological activity and innovative synthetic procedures.

RESULTS
The literature on fungal metabolites has been recently reviewed and these publications have been used as a base from which we consider the synthetic feasibility of the most promising compounds, in terms of anticancer properties and drug development. In this paper, compounds are classified according to their chemical structure.

CONCLUSION
This review summarizes the anticancer potential of fungal metabolites, highlighting the role of total synthesis outlining the feasibility of innovative synthetic procedures that facilitate the development of fungal metabolites into drugs that may become a real future perspective. To our knowledge, this review is the first effort to deal with the total synthesis of these active fungi metabolites and demonstrates that total chemical synthesis is a fruitful means of yielding fungal derivatives as aided by recent technological and innovative advancements.


Manufacturing SMEs are confronted with various difficulties, which fundamentally influence their authority and development, as a result, they stop to exist for a drawn out stretch of time. These difficulties and challenges immensely affect the innovation, leadership and sustainable growth of manufacturing SMEs as the failure rate of SMEs in South Africa is 63% to 75% in the first two years of trading. The critical factors identified in this study that halt business innovation, growth and sustainability include amongst others innovative leadership education and skills training, technology adoption, competition barriers, social factors, and the ever-changing business environment. A quantitative research method was used to understand and determine the critical factors that affect innovative leadership in obtaining innovation and sustainable growth in manufacturing SMEs. The target population was 400 manufacturing SMEs operating in KwaZulu-Natal. A quota and convenient sampling was used to determine the sample size. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire design was used as a data collection instrument. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 25.0). The results of this study indicated that innovation is affected by lack of educated leadership and qualified workforce. The results also showed that rapid technology changes impacts on innovative leadership ability to acquire up-to-date technology advancement. The findings are limited by the study's empirical, quantitative nature and small sample. The study findings can be used for generalizing but with considerable caution and further research with larger sample size consisting of various South African provinces is therefore recommended.


The financing through the credit allows to increase the productive activities of the farmers and the opportunities of access to the market, their income and in this way to improve the quality of life of the families. The objective of this paper was to analyze the distribution of credits made by the Credit Union 'Mixta Plan Puebla' (UCMPP) from 1993 to 2005, with the purpose of knowing if these have been destined to the less developed municipalities where its area of greatest dispersion and if the loans granted were tracked. To achieve this purpose, a field investigation was carried out that consisted of the application of 86 surveys to the partners, as well as the preparation of a historical database of the municipalities. Within the results, it is observed that 61% of the credits are distributed in urban communities, while 39% in rural communities, of which 56% are of medium marginalization and 59% of low migration.


This study evaluated the oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) in children with neutropenia. Twenty-seven children with neutropenia were compared to 33 healthy, age-matched control subjects. Previously validated age-specific, multidimensional and self-reporting child OHQoL questionnaires were used. Overall and subscale scores were compared between the two groups. Respondents in the group of children with neutropenia reported that their disease had a significant impact on their oral health in terms of oral symptoms (p < 0.0001), functional limitations (p < 0.0001), and social well-being (p < 0.0001). In global ratings, they rated their oral health to be markedly worse than that of the healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). However, there was no difference between the groups in the extent to which their oral condition affected their lives overall. These results, along with responses to individual measures of social and emotional well-being, suggest that children in this group with neutropenia have psychologically adapted to the oral health challenges they experience because of their condition.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the long-term sequelae and early predictors of sequelae for children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after the introduction of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG). Study design A cross-sectional case series of children with GBS, at least 2 years after recovery, was performed. Manual muscle strength testing was done on 34 muscle groups. The functional independence measure was used to assess function. A chart review was completed, identifying acute factors that may predict long-term sequelae.

RESULTS
Forty-seven children with GBS were identified, of whom 30 received IVIG. Persisting long-term muscle weakness with at least one muscle group at a grade 6 level (muscle moves the joint against gravity but only minimal resistance to an applied force) was found in 23% of cases. Each patient had a perfect score on the functional independence measure. Long-term muscle weakness was predicted by young age (P =.03) and a rapid progression to maximal weakness (P =.03).

CONCLUSIONS
Despite the introduction of IVIG, 23% of children with GBS had evidence of long-term mild muscle weakness, with minimal impact on function. Young age and a rapid progression during the acute GBS period predicted long-term sequelae.


As we delve deeper and deeper into the intricate processes of ecological systems, so it becomes obvious that the simplistic boundaries which we erected to facilitate the progress of our science are all-too-often out of keeping with the real world that we are striving to understand. The discovery of continua in Nature is widely overriding our artificial classifications, which stood only as long as our information was lacking in detail; now, in attempting to predict natural events, we can usually speak in terms only of probabilities, not of certainties. This predicament is exemplified by what has latterly come to be termed 'the island dilemma': in summary, the Earth's natural areas are tending more and more towards a state of insularity. As they are encroached upon and intentionally set aside as nature reserves, which become islands of wild Nature in 'seas' of man-altered habitat, so we can expect them —on island biogeographical grounds—to show increasingly diminishing returns as far as the natural diversity that they contain is concerned. The fallacy in which we have believed is that Nature can be preserved in small isolated pockets, scattered here and there across the surface of the Earth. The crux of the dilemma seems to be a vicious circle: wild Nature can only be preserved if we can come to reconcile its conservation with human development—in other words, prove that nature conservation is in our best long-term interests. Yet diverse Nature will only survive if left to itself, without being subjected to the values that human development imposes. It seems that Man and wild Nature—as we know it still in a few relict areas in the biosphere—can only coexist in unstable equilibrium. To most people, however, watered-down Nature is at least as good as its diverse predecessor: in spite of their popularity, even wild populations of lions, tigers, and elephants, for example, are being rapidly depleted, so what of all the unpopular creatures such as sharks, snakes, and poisonous plants, and of the myriads of lesser-known ones ? To people who still live in wild places, Nature is rarely more than an opponent to survival, while to those of the industrial world, Nature is to be admired occasionally, at most, and even then only with the assistance of technology. Conservationists have even been accused on occasion of putting 'wildlife before Man'; so how important are wildlife, wilderness, and natural diversity ? We know inter alia that some degree of natural diversity is essential to Man (for example as a genetic resource); that wild areas are to some extent a psychological resource allowing the spiritual fulfilment that is so inextricably a part of our cultures and minds, and that living Nature is part of the processes which somehow determine the climate and other biospheral processes on which our lives depend: in short, many of us recognize that Nature knows much that we do not. Science, however, regards this uncertainty as merely a passing problem; yet one need only look at the human communities of oceanic islands today to see how far life has been impoverished by lack of foresight in natural resource use. According to many, even the island dilemma which human expansion faces in the finiteness of the biosphere is a predicament that can be solved with more information of the appropriate kinds. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that the time-scale required for Man to transgress the natural boundaries of the biosphere is far greater than that for the appearance of critical problems for human development. It is obvious that science must come to terms with itself, and be able to assimilate and continually respond to its own edicts. We know now l that full natural diversity cannot survive in an insular form; yet clearly Man must recognize his limitations, for the 'ocean' that lies beyond the reaches of contemporary knowledge will not favour him for ever. N.V.C.P.


To develop a well-grounded project of engineering restoration of an architectural monument with taking cause-and-effect relations into account, engineering-geological diagnostics plays an important role, making it possible to explain the observed deformations. The author believes that such diagnostics should become an independent part of engineering-geological investigations, should have its own methods and should be a basis for the geological component of engineering restoration of architectural monuments. This requires changing the technology of information acquisition for reliable diagnostics of the state of cultural heritage objects. Introducing these changes into the restoration practice will makes it possible to carry out adequate surveys of the technical state of architectural monuments and to study the reduction of the bearing capacity of their soil bases.


Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). Japanese encephalitis is widespread in Asia and endemic in Taiwan. Virological surveillance in mosquitoes showed that the genotype III (GIII) strains of JEV were the predominant epidemic strains circulating in Asia before 1990; however, the genotype I (GI) strains have been introduced into China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Thailand, and cocirculated with or replaced the GIII strains in Asia. Previous studies showed that in Taiwan, all of the JEV strains obtained during 2005- 2007 belonged to GIII of JEV, but the predominant genotype has shifted from GIII to GI during 2008-2012. This study continued to report the genotype distribution, genetic variation, and mosquito species potentially involved in the transmission of JEV during 2013-2014. Overall, 37,637 mosquitoes were collected; 96 pools were tested JEV positive by RT-PCR, including Culex tritaeniorhynchus (94 pools) and Cx. annulus (2 pools). Phylogenetic analysis of envelope gene sequences of JEV isolated from mosquitoes demostrated that GI was the predominant genotype of JEV between 2013 and 2014, whilst only a few GIII strains of JEV were found in Eastern Taiwan. We will continue the monitoring of endemic and newly introduced JEV in Taiwan.


Introduction: Wide variations exist in the size, position, and shape of various body organs, finger prints, and proteins in different individuals. Some variations are of considerable clinical importance, such as the coronary arteries. Variations of coronary arteries can cause important clinical manifestation, including sudden death of the individual. Materials and Methods: Coronary arteries were dissected in 10% formalin-fixed cadaveric hearts. The normal and variant anatomy of coronary arteries was studied. Result: In 100% of cases, the right coronary artery (RCA) and main left coronary artery (LCA) were found to arise from anterior aortic sinus and left posterior aortic sinus, respectively. In 8% of cases, the conus was found to have independent origin from the anterior aortic sinus. The RCA was found to be dominant in 90% of cases. In 66.7% of cases, the length of RCA ranged from 4.5 cm to 7 cm. The average length of LCA was found to be 7 mm. In 10% of cases, the circumflex coronary artery was found to be dominant, where the length of the artery ranged 9-11 cm. In 10% of cases, LCA trifurcated, where the obtuse marginal branch was replaced by the ramus intermedius branch. Also, 43.3% of LAD showed myocardial bridging predominantly in the middle 1/3 rd segment, and 6.7% of cases of RCA showed myocardial looping. Discussion: Coronary arteries show immense variation in their origin, termination, branching pattern, myocardial bridging, looping, and dominance pattern. This knowledge is clinically and surgically important to manage coronary artery diseases.


The current review focuses on the malformations resulting from mutations in Pax3 and the interactions of Pax3 mutations with chemically induced teratogenesis, as well as other mutant genes or genetic strains, as a paradigm to illustrate the connections among genetics, protein function, and teratology. Splotch mice result from various mutations involving Pax3, and Waardenburg syndromes I and III in the human are due to mutations in PAX3. The human and murine phenotype/genotype correlations are thus compared and contrasted. The role of Pax3 in normal development, as well as the regulation of Pax3 expression and DNA binding, are also addressed on the premise that a mechanistic understanding of normal developmental processes is prerequisite to full comprehension of the mechanisms by which abnormal development is induced. Pax3 encodes a transcription factor involved in myogenesis, melanogenesis and neurogenesis, as well as regulating genes that may be involved in other cellular processes. The primary goal of this review is to examine the role of a single important developmental gene in the interaction of genetics and abnormal development.


The research question that this article attempts to address is: what are the main policy paradigms that guide the opinion leaders throughout energy security matters within protracted conflict environments? Using the de facto divided island of Cyprus as our single case study, we will deliberately follow grounded theory in order to create conceptual definitions out of rudimentary "working ideas" that involve "protracted conflict environment", "energy security" and stakes in "decision making". This research enterprise involves open-ended interviews with the opinion-makers on the Island and "political discourse analysis" that identifies the quintessential aspects of the recently emerged energy debate. Drawing upon the work of Correlje and van der Linde (2006), we highlight two main paradigms: "markets and institutions" and "regions and empire". In the first one, the business logic prevails upon political expediencies and geopolitical calculations, while in the second one, national and security concerns outweigh the business logic and the potential international economic integration. Through their interaction, we seek to explore how they drive the debate on energy security within the realm of a conflict environment.


Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a heterogeneous genetic disorder characterized by disrupted puberty and infertility. In most cases, HH is abiding yet 10-15% undergo reversal. Men with HH and absent and partial puberty (i.e., testicular volume <4mL and >4mL respectively) have been well-studied, but the rare fertile eunuch (FE) variant remains poorly characterized. This natural history study of 240 men with HH delineates the clinical presentation, neuroendocrine profile, rate of reversal and genetics of the FE variant. We compared three HH groups: FE (n=38), absent puberty (n=139), and partial puberty (n=63). The FE group had no history of micropenis and 2/38 (5%) had cryptorchidism (p<0.0001 vs. other groups). The FE group exhibited higher rates of detectable gonadotropins, higher mean LH/FSH levels, and higher serum inhibin B levels (all p<0.0001). Neuroendocrine profiling showed pulsatile LH secretion in 30/38 (79%) of FE men (p<0.0001) and 16/36 (44%) FE men underwent spontaneous reversal of HH (p<0.001). The FE group was enriched for protein-truncating variants (PTVs) in GNRHR and FGFR1 and 4/30 (13%) exhibited oligogenic PTVs. Findings suggest men with the FE variant exhibit the mildest neuroendocrine defects of HH men and the FE sub-type represents the first identified phenotypic predictor for reversible HH.


It is widely acknowledged that providing explanations is an important capability of intelligent systems. Explanation capabilities are useful, for example, in scenario-based training systems with intelligent virtual agents. Trainees learn more from scenario-based training when they understand why the virtual agents act the way they do. In this paper, we present a model for explainable BDI agents which enables the explanation of BDI agent behavior in terms of underlying beliefs and goals. Different explanation algorithms can be specified in the model, generating different types of explanations. In a user study (n=20), we compare four explanation algorithms by asking trainees which explanations they consider most useful. Based on the results, we discuss which explanation types should be given under what conditions.


Abstract. Using integral equation methods for the analysis of complex (M)MIC structures, the computation and storage effort for the solution of the linear systems of equations with their fully populated matrices still forms the main bottleneck. In the last years, remarkable improvements could be achieved by means of diakoptic methods and related preconditiners. In this contribution, we present a method based on the optimized decomposition of the system matrix depending on the circuit topology. The system matrix is splitted in a densely populated matrix and a mainly blockdiagonal matrix with overlapping submatrices. The latter matrix is used for the generation of high performance preconditioners within Krylov subspace methods using sparsified matrix storage methods, adaptive Cholesky decompositions and optimized forward/backward substitutions. Furthermore, we present an integration technique using a complete analytical treatment for the strongly oscillating parts of the spectral domain integrands allowing the analysis of very large structures as compared to the wavelength.


The loss and modification of freshwater ecosystems has led to high rates of imperilment for freshwater species. The Giant Gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) is among the species that have suffered declines in abundance and spatial distribution and is currently listed as a threatened species by the U.S. government and the State of California. Conservation and management of populations of T. gigas are hampered by a lack of information on its demography. Without estimates of demographic parameters, the status of the population is difficult to characterize, and identifying the parameters to target in management planning is problematic. We used capture–recapture data from two populations in the Great Central Valley of California to estimate annual survival probability. We also evaluated hypothesized causes of variation in survival probability among individuals and among years. Model-selection results for the population in the American Basin indicated that females have a higher survival probability than males and that survival probability and the amount of precipitation between 15 April and 15 May in a year are negatively correlated. Associations with other weather covariates were also supported, but the evidence was weaker. For the population in the Natomas Basin, the model-selection results indicated a positive association between survival probability and the body size of an individual (snout-to-vent length). There was also evidence that females have higher survival probabilities than males, but the support for this effect was weaker. This work fills gaps in our understanding of the demography of T. gigas by providing estimates of survival probability for males and age classes for which estimates were previously not available.


This is a comment on arXiv:physics/0608292, subsequently published in Phys Rev Lett, 98, 014501 (2007), in which Willis and Kerswell study in direct numerical simulations the statistics of turbulent lifetimes in pipe flow. They suggest that their data for six different Reynolds numbers support a divergence of the lifetime near a Reynolds number of about 1870. However, their conclusion is not compelling: a re-analysis of their data shows that it is also compatible with an exponentially increasing lifetime.


Theanine is a non-protein amino acid representing as much as 50% of the total amino acids in black tea and 1% - 2% of dry weight in green tea. It has been shown to be able to reduce high blood pressure, promote relaxation, and inhibit caffeine's side effects among others. This current study explored the effects of sunlight and withering durations on theanine levels in tea shoots. Theanine content from three leaves and a bud, two leaves and a bud and internodes were detected and quantified by using High Performance Liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sunlight exposure experiment was started at dawn (0600 HRS, GMT + 3.00) when the light intensity was low and tea was collected at three-hour interval throughout the day to (1800 Hrs, GMT + 3.00) when the light intensity had dropped. At the start of the experiment, the theanine levels were significantly high but as the intensity of sunlight increased during the day there was a significant drop in theanine levels, and as the sun set the theanine levels increased significantly again in all samples. The results also showed that theanine levels were significantly increased after 15 hours of withering. Three leaves and a bud withered for 3 hours had mean theanine levels of 1.41% and those withered for 15 hours had mean theanine levels of 3.11%. Internodes exhibited higher mean theanine levels than those of leaves. In the light of these results, it's evident that withering for a longer period of time and harvesting of tea when the light intensity is low ensure high amount of theanine in tea.


As there is no case study with current status, measurements or description on the state of actual site of rural area only, the delivery of actual conditions about such an area is significantly limited. The purpose of this study is to pinpoint issues with housing conditions of low-income family with disabled members in the rural area. For such a purpose, 25 households of disabled people have been visited for interview, on-site research and survey, of which results are summed up in this paper as following: First, average monthly income of such family turned out to be KRW 480,000, most of which is from the government subsidy. High ratio of such families has resided in a house with average size of approximately 56m2 for about 24 years. Secondly the most needed maintenance work with top priority was for the toilet, and many of the interviewees expressed their discomfort about small size of their bathrooms and inconvenient facilities therein. Thirdly, most of such houses had too high thresholds that posed danger and inconvenience. Such thresholds had average height of 13cm, which can be considered as completely inconsiderate of disabled users. Fourth issue was that these people needed safety handle that will enable them to stand up or to be in the standing posture in the living room and bedroom where they spend most of their time. Fifthly, they wanted finishing materials with waterproof functionality as well as replacement of finishing materials and wallpaper which were too old and caused hygiene issues. As these issues represent, current housing for disabled people in the rural area turned out to be poor and risky space rather than the place where difficulty of individual situation can be resolved or their disability can be complemented. Thus it can be determined that now is the time to arrange the solutions for such housing difficulties and to establish customized housing plan to ensure safety and convenience.


The low electronic conductivity of metallic oxides limits their electrocatalytic activity toward the VO2+/VO2+ redox reaction in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). In this work, antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles achieve higher electronic conductivity than tin dioxide nanoparticles. In addition, the doped Sb(V) enhances the negative charge on the surface of the SnO2, which contributes to adsorption of vanadium ions on the ATO surface. As a result, the reversibility of the VO2+/VO2+ redox reaction on ATO is much better than that on SnO2. The energy efficiency of the VRFB with optimized ATO nanoparticle loading on graphite felts is improved to 73.09% in comparison with that with pristine graphite felt (61.00%) or SnO2 nanoparticle-coated graphite felt (65.47%) at 300 mA cm−2. Thus, ATO nanoparticle-coated graphite felt is a desirable positive electrode for VRFB applications.


Post-stroke flexion synergy limits arm/hand function and is also linked to hyperactive stretch reflexes or spasticity. It is implicated in the increased role of indirect motor pathways following damage to direct corticospinal projections. We hypothesized that this maladaptive neuroplasticity also affects stretch reflexes. Specifically, multi-synaptic interactions in indirect motor pathways may increase nonlinear neural connectivity and time lag between stretch and reflex muscle response. Continuous position perturbations were applied to the elbow joint when eleven participants with stroke generated two levels of shoulder abduction (SABD) torques with their paretic arm to induce synergy-related spasticity. Likewise, the perturbations were applied to eleven control subjects while performing SABD and elbow flexion levels matching the synergy torques in stroke. We quantified linear and non-linear connectivity and the corresponding time lags between perturbations and muscle activity. Enhanced nonlinear connectivity with a prolonged time lag was found in stroke as compared to controls. Non-linear connectivity and time lag also increased with the expression of the flexion synergy, as induced by greater SABD load levels, in stroke. This study provides new evidence of changes in neural connectivity and long-latency time lag in the stretch reflex response post-stroke. The results suggest the contribution of indirect motor pathways to synergy-related spasticity.


In domestic, it defines the rules used to implement 'The Light Pollution' about the senseless outdoor lighting on February this year. However, there are only general standards to regulate the light pollution. Therefore, it is imperative to setup the database and classify the types of lightings so as to apply the light pollution standards to the media facades. Finally, this study suggests a viable lighting pollution regulation for the installation and management of the architectural lightings.


Thyone sperm undergo an explosive acrosome reaction resulting in the extension of a 90 microns long acrosomal process. In unreacted sperm, profilamentous actin is sequestered within the profilactin cup (Tilney: Journal of Cell Biology 69:73-89 1976), which consists of four major polypeptides: actin, profilin, and a 250/235 kDa equimolar doublet (TS 250/235). Dialysis of profilactin preparations into an actin assembly buffer resulted in the formation of acrosomal-like macromolecular aggregates containing actin, TS 250/235, and several other polypeptides as detected by SDS-PAGE. TS 250/235 was purified by subjecting extracts of pH solubilized profilactin cups to DEAE and phosphocellulose ion exchange chromatography. TS 250/235 demonstrated immunocrossreactivity with affinity purified polyclonal antibodies raised against S. purpuratus egg spectrin. As determined by biotinylated-calmodulin overlays, both subunits of TS 250/235 bound calmodulin in a Ca(++)-sensitive manner. Electron microscopy of low angle, rotary shadowed replicas of TS 250/235 revealed an elongate rod-shaped molecule with an average contour length of 203 nm. By indirect immunofluorescence, TS 250/235 was found to be uniformly distributed throughout the profilactin cup of the unreacted sperm. This distribution of TS 250/235 correlated with the location of monomeric actin as determined by localization studies utilizing fluorescent-DNase-1. Upon sperm activation, the cellular distribution of TS 250/235 dramatically changed and was observed both along the length and at the base of the extended acrosomal process.


We propose a new theoretical model for metal pad roll instability in idealized cylindrical reduction cells. In addition to the usual destabilizing effects, we model viscous and Joule dissipation and some capillary effects. The resulting explicit formulas are used as theoretical benchmarks for two multiphase magnetohydrodynamic solvers, OpenFOAM and SFEMaNS. Our explicit formula for the viscous damping rate of gravity waves in cylinders with two fluid layers compares excellently to experimental measurements. We use our model to locate the viscously controlled instability threshold in cylindrical shallow reduction cells but also in Mg–Sb liquid metal batteries with decoupled interfaces.


Background Polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) can cause an entire gene deletion. The current methodology can accurately identify GSTM1 and GSTT1 copy number variants (CNVs), which may shed light on the true contribution of each gene copy to the cellular detoxification process and disease risk. Because liver cirrhosis is becoming a critical worldwide health issue, this study determined the CNVs of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and their relationship to the risk of liver cirrhosis. Methods In this study, we compared 106 patients with liver cirrhosis to 104 healthy controls. Real-time PCR was used to identify the CNVs of GSTM1 and GSTT1. Logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate the relationship between liver cirrhosis and clinical chemistry variables with the CNVs, respectively. Results In 3.3% of the study participants, >2 copies of the GSTM1 or GSTT1 genes were detected. GSTT1 carriers had a significantly lower risk of liver cirrhosis (p<0.05) compared with individuals who had homozygous deletion (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.86). This risk reduction was significant (p<0.05) in patients with a single copy of the GSTT1 gene (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.91). Those with ≥2 copies of combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 also had a significantly (p<0.05) lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis compared with double null genotypes (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.91, p trend <0.001). Moreover, ≥2 copies of combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were associated with a substantial decrease in alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, respectively. Conclusion A single copy number of GSTT1, and ≥2 copies of combined GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes were associated with a reduced risk of liver cirrhosis in Ethiopians. These findings underscore the importance of gene–environment interactions in the multifactorial development of liver cirrhosis.


This introductory article explains the aims of the interdisciplinary conference "Masculinity and the Other" held at Balliol College, Oxford, August 29-30, 2007, at which all of the papers comprising this special issue of Thymos: Journal of Boyhood Studies were first presented. It points out the prominence which the notions of the "boy" and boyhood and the life-cycle enjoyed at the conference and seeks more generally to suggest the benefits a more fully integrated discussion of these topics might bring to the fields of masculinity and gender studies.


CD25+CD4+ regulatory T cells have major roles in controlling immune responses, and use heterogeneous regulatory mechanisms. It is possible that these different activities aremediated by different subsets. Here we show that CD103+CD25+CD4+ T cells (that control inflammatory bowel disease) are highly enriched in gut‐associated lymphoid tissue and have unique functional properties. In vivo, only this subpopulation is able to control wasting disease and peripheral T cell homeostasis. In vitro, only this subpopulation is able to regulate IL‐10 secretion, and it might also mediate infectious suppression. These results demonstrate that regulatory T cells can be divided into discrete subpopulations with defined functional properties and regulatory mechanisms.


The five human ING genes encode at least 15 splicing isoforms, most of which affect cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis through their ability to alter gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms. Since their discovery in 1996, ING proteins have been classified as type II tumour suppressors on the basis of reports describing their down-regulation and mislocalization in a variety of cancer types. In addition to their regulation by transcriptional mechanisms, understanding the range of PTMs (post-translational modifications) of INGs is important in understanding how ING functions are fine-tuned in the physiological setting and how they add to the repertoire of activities affected by the INGs. In the present paper we review the different PTMs that have been reported to occur on INGs. We discuss the PTMs that modulate ING function under normal conditions and in response to a variety of stresses. We also describe the ING PTMs that have been identified by several unbiased MS-based PTM enrichment techniques and subsequent proteomic analysis. Among the ING PTMs identified to date, a subset has been characterized for their biological significance and have been shown to affect processes including subcellular localization, interaction with enzymatic complexes and ING protein half-life. The present review aims to highlight the emerging role of PTMs in regulating ING function and to suggest additional pathways and functions where PTMs may effect ING function.


Fiscal policy ensures macroeconomic stability as a precondition for growth at the macro level. This study investigates the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth of South Africa from 1960 to 2014 through a Cointegrated Vector Autoregression approach. It seeks to contribute to the existing literature as well as in designing effective fiscal policy programmes which can propel economic performance. Theresults of the long run estimates revealed that government tax revenue has a positive and significant long run influence on economic growth, whereas the government gross fixed capital formation and budget deficit have a negative impact on real GDP. For that reason, the study recommends that some expansionary fiscal policy measures should be strengthened since they play a very important role in the economy so as to meet the government target of the National Development Plan Vision for 2030.


In a comparising study of 191 liver-patients, who were laparoscopical and most of them histological examined, the results of registrated varicose veins of the esophagus by x-ray and fiber-esophagoscopical examination were compared. Between x-ray and esophagoscopical examination in our material was a discrepancy in 29,3% of the cases (suspect findings were counted positive). The question was posed, if the premedication with spasmolytical substances and tranquillizers gives the wellknown advantages for the esophagoscopical examination compared with the x-ray examination by relaxation of the esophaguswall and thereby combined with a better visuability of the varicose veins. In the proposed analysis showed still 19,9% of the cases a positive result by esophagoscopical examination by negative x-ray finding, and there was only in 9,4% of the cases a positive finding by x-ray examination by simultaneous negative esophagoscopical result. Other comparising studies by equal pharmacological conditions (premedication!) are urgently necessary to get better results of examination and perhaps to eliminate or at least reduce the discrepancies between endoscopical and x-ray examination.


Objectives: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization for controlling spontaneous hemorrhage in patients with acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD). Methods: This retrospective study included 18 patients with ACKD (M:F=13:5; mean age, 56 years) who underwent renal artery embolization to control spontaneous hemorrhage between January 2001 and September 2020. The underlying etiology and clinical presentations were reviewed and previous computed tomography (CT) findings were analyzed. Furthermore, angiographic and embolization details, technical and clinical successes, and complications were assessed. Results: Subcapsular, perirenal, and pararenal hematomas were observed on CT scans for all patients. Contrast extravasation was observed in 15 / 17 patients (88%) on contrast-enhanced CT scans. Angiography showed active bleeding in 14 patients (78%; contrast extravasation [n=6], pseudoaneurysm [n=3], and both [n=5]), suspicious bleeding in 1 (5%), and no bleeding in 3 (17%). The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 94% (17/18), respectively. Total and partial embolization was performed in 14 (78%) and 4 (22%) cases, respectively. Subsequent surgical nephrectomy was required for one patient with clinical failure due to recurrent bleeding despite total embolization. Procedure-related complications included mild post-embolization syndrome in one patient and contrast-induced nephropathy in five patients (28%) without long-term complications. Conclusions: Renal artery embolization is safe and effective for controlling spontaneous renal hemorrhage in patients with ACKD.


Like bullying in general, bullying of students with disabilities represents both a civil rights and public health challenge. Amongst the possible effects of bullying the U.S. Department of Education (DOE, 2010) includes lowered academic achievement and aspirations, increased anxiety, loss of self-esteem and confidence, depression and post-traumatic stress, deterioration in physical health, self-harm and suicidal thinking, suicide, feelings of alienation, absenteeism and other negative impacts, both educational and health related. While both students with and without disabilities face significant negative emotional, educational and physical results from bullying, students with disabilities are both uniquely vulnerable and disproportionately impacted by the bullying phenomena. Despite this, there exists a dearth of both research and policy focusing on eliminating the bullying of students with disabilities. Furthermore, evidence suggests that existing legal and policy tools available to address bullying against students with disabilities remain significantly under-utilized. Additional focus is needed on the bullying of students with disabilities, both as part of a general strategy of bullying prevention efforts and as a specific area of focus in policy and practice.


This paper examines the ethnolinguistic vitality of the Tonga community of Mkoka in Gokwe South, with a focus on the Tonga language. The Tonga in Gokwe South have received little attention from researchers, if any, when compared to the other Tonga communities of Zimbabwe, who like them were displaced from the Zambezi valley when the Kariba dam claimed their homes in the 1950s. The research focuses on the way the Tonga of Mkoka in Gokwe South use their mother-tongue, Tonga and the second language, Shona, in the primary home/family domain and the secondary domains of language. Results show that Tonga vitality is based on social status, demographic and informal support variables, while its economic, socio-historical and formal support vitality is very low. In terms of language preferences, the Tonga mainly use their L1 in the family/home domain with interlocutors who are family, friends and neighbours for everyday language use and in social activities in their environments, while for the secondary language use domains, they shift to Shona, the economically more powerful language in the area. Shona was, however, found to be creeping into some Tonga homes, but reasons for this encroachment could not be concluded in this paper.


The derivations of a novel approach for simultaneous recursive weight adaptation and node creation in multilayer backpropagation neural networks are presented. The method uses time and order update formulations in the orthogonal projection method to derive a recursive weight updating procedure for the training process of the neural network and a recursive node creation algorithm for weight adjustment of a layer with added nodes during the training process. The proposed approach allows optimal dynamic node creation in the sense that the mean-squared error is minimized for each new topology. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated on several benchmark problems (the multiplexer and the decoder problems) as well as a real world application for detection and classification of buried dielectric anomalies using a microwave sensor.


Author(s): Lynch, Valerie | Advisor(s): Moineau, Sue | Abstract: ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION A Case Study: Exploring How Elementary School Teachers Build Relationshipsand Interact with Homeless School-Age Students in the ClassroombyValerie Ann LynchDoctor of Education in Educational LeadershipCalifornia State University San Marcos, 2017University of California, San Diego, 2017Professor Sue Moineau, ChairProfessor Erika DanielsProfessor Carolyn Hofstetter In 2008-2009, nearly one million children experiencing homelessness were enrolled in school. In 2012, over 1.5 million children were identified as homeless. In a 2013 U. S. Census report, 2.5 million children were identified as homeless in America. The number of homeless children in America continues to increase every year. Homeless students are among the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in schools. They experience daily trauma and encounter more risks than their non-homeless peers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth in educational research regarding how teachers work with homeless students and what they do to meet the children's educational needs. There is even less research on homeless school-age children. Through the lens of two theoretical frameworks of care theory and attachment theory, this inquiry explores what relationship building practices teachers engage and how elementary teachers build relationships and interact with their homeless students to meet the children's educational needs. By examining how homeless students' educational needs are currently being met, this study will contribute to a better understanding of the challenges homeless students face, the types of support they need to be successful, and the support needed to provide elementary school teachers with the tools and knowledge to help them meet the unique needs of homeless students.


Linearly polarized light propagating through an ionized region, with a nonzero component of the magnetic field parallel to the direction of propagation, experiences a rotation of the polarization plane due to the Faraday effect. Measurement of the rotation angle of the polarization plane can provide information regarding the electron density and discharge current of discharges in air. In this experiment, the rotation of the polarization plane of linearly polarized laser light propagating through an ionized region created by a spark discharge in air was examined. The rotation angle of the polarization plane was estimated from the change in the intensities of the mutually perpendicular polarization components. In the experiment using an air gap of length 1 m, the rotation angle was detected only when the laser beam intersected or passed through the immediate vicinity of the path of the spark discharge, and the measured rotation angle was 0.54 degrees. In another experiment using an air gap of length 0.77 m, the polarization rotation was confirmed to exhibit a temporal variation similar to the discharge current waveform. Furthermore, the effects due to the neutral density variation accompanying the discharge were shown to have no effect on the polarization rotation measurement. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


We introduce the computer algebra package PyCox, written entirely in the Python language. It implements a set of algorithms, in a spirit similar to the older CHEVIE system, for working with Coxeter groups and Hecke algebras. This includes a new variation of the traditional algorithm for computing Kazhdan–Lusztig cells and W -graphs, which works efficiently for all finite groups of rank ≤8 (except E 8 ). We also discuss the computation of Lusztig's leading coefficients of character values and distinguished involutions (which works for E 8 as well). Our experiments suggest a re-definition of Lusztig's 'special' representations which, conjecturally, should also apply to the unequal parameter case. Supplementary materials are available with this article.


We studied the argillaceous fractions of three wells carried out in Samo area, located in the South-Eastern part of Côte d'Ivoire sedimentary basin. Preliminary works whose results are presented in this paper related to the mineralogical studies of clays of the levels crossed by these wells. They precede the study aiming at establishing the palynostratigraphy as well as the variation of the depositional environments in connection with the eustatic episodes which occurred in this sector of the Northern Gulf of Guinea. On the Absence of Oligocene in Onshore Part of Cote D'ivoire Sedimentary Basin. Preliminary Results of Clays Study of Samo Area, South-East of Cote D'ivoire, West Africa 271 The results indicate that analyzed samples are mainly made up of quartz and kaolinite with a small proportion of illite. In the upper part sequence identified like the Continental terminal, the deposits are primarily made up of quartz and kaolinite. In bituminous gray clays of the lower section, the samples are dominated by quartz and illite. These results lead to distinguish two lithostratigraphical sequences: the variegated clays of Continental terminal Mio-Pliocene age are provided by Quaternary lateritic continental detritus; the Lower sequence of bituminous clays is mainly marine origin.


Consider a random measureon a locally compact Abelian group G acting on some random element X. Mass-stationarity - introduced in (6) - means (informally) that the origin is a typical location for (X,�) in the mass of �. It is an intrinsic characterization of Palm versions w.r.t stationary random measures. In this paper we show that mass-stationarity w.r.t. discreteis characterized by distributional invariance under shifts of the origin by certain mass-preserving transports involving a Bernoulli randomization of the group-identity and an allocation rule. We also show that mass-stationarity w.r.t. a generalis characterized by mass-stationarity w.r.t. a Cox process driven by �.


In this paper, we give quantitative bounds on the $f$-total variation distance from convergence of an Harris recurrent Markov chain on an arbitrary under drift and minorisation conditions implying ergodicity at a sub-geometric rate. These bounds are then specialized to the stochastically monotone case, covering the case where there is no minimal reachable element. The results are illustrated on two examples from queueing theory and Markov Chain Monte Carlo.


The rapid evolution of satellite imaging systems has resulted in sharp increases of image archive volumes. Multitemporal images constitute a sizeable portion of these time-series databases. Accordingly, development of accurate content based time-series retrieval (CBTSR) methods in massive archives of RS images attracts much research interest. Given a user-defined query time series, CBTSR aims at identifying within a massive archive image time series that show characteristics similar to those of the query time series. In this paper, we focus our attention to CBTSR in pairs of RS images, aiming to search and retrieve bi-temporal image pairs containing changes similar to those modeled in the query. To this end, we introduce two deep learning-based methods in the framework of CBTSR. The first method, called deep change vector retrieval (DVCR), is based on selected deep features extracted from the change vector analysis. The second method, called autoencoder with early fusion (AEEF) uses an autoencoder architecture to recreate the time difference images and the latent codes produced by this network. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed methods for CBTSR problems. The code of the proposed methods is available at: https://github.com/OnatV/ChangeRetrieval.


In this paper, we introduce the notion of the rainbow neighbourhood and a related graph parameter namely the rainbow neighbourhood number and report on preliminary results thereof. The closed neighbourhood N [v] of a vertex v ∈ V (G) which contains at least one coloured vertex of each colour in the chromatic colouring of a graph is called a rainbow neighbourhood. The number of rainbow neighbourhoods in a graph G is called the rainbow neighbourhood number of G, denoted by rχ(G). We also introduce the concepts of an expanded line graph of a graph G and a v-clique of v ∈ V (G). With the help of these new concepts, we also establish a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a rainbow neighbourhood in the line graph of a graph G.


This article summarises the findings of a corpus-based study of pragmatic markers. The study comprised quantitative and qualitative analyses of a small specialised corpus of Brazilian learners' oral production in English at CEFR B1 and comparisons with benchmark corpora. It examined the most common discourse marking adverbs used to mediate segments of discourse in conversations, the most common explicit and implicit adverbial hedges used to mitigate representative speech acts and the most common minimal response tokens used to express good listenership. Subjects produced a limited range of discourse marking adverbs and response tokens. Investigations followed a form-to-function approach and indicated that learners underused the pragmatic and discourse functions of "well" and "actually" but demonstrated a consistent use of "really"; they overused "maybe" to convey epistemic stance and underused "just" as an implicit adverbial hedge; they produced "yeah" and "uhuh" as minimal response tokens, mostly to convey convergence.


The intraclass and concordance correlation coefficients (ICC and CCC) are popular indices of reliability or agreement for continuous variables. While various versions of ICC are used according to study design, the CCC is solely used as an index of agreement among fixed raters. However, we considered other versions of CCC in connection with all types of ICC, as classified by McGraw and Wong (Psychological Methods 1: 30-46, 1996), and examined the similarities and differences between ICCs and CCCs. Because they were found to be compatibly similar to each other, it is considered that CCC has a wider range of applicability and ICC shares the framework of CCC including factors of precision and accuracy as well as applicability to pairwise sub-analysis among multiple raters. Although it is said that some version of ICC should selectively be used according to study purpose and design, useful information is added by the combined use with the other ICCs and CCCs and by pairwise sub-analysis. For a better understanding of the study results, additional information concerning the possible factors which could lower or enhance precision and/or accuracy will be necessary.


Micro-videos are six-second videos popular on social media networks with several unique properties. Firstly, because of the authoring process, they contain significantly more diversity and narrative structure than existing collections of video "snippets". Secondly, because they are often captured by hand-held mobile cameras, they contain specialized viewpoints including third-person, egocentric, and self-facing views seldom seen in traditional produced video. Thirdly, due to to their continuous production and publication on social networks, aggregate micro-video content contains interesting open-world dynamics that reflects the temporal evolution of tag topics. These aspects make micro-videos an appealing well of visual data for developing large-scale models for video understanding. We analyze a novel dataset of micro-videos labeled with 58 thousand tags. To analyze this data, we introduce viewpoint-specific and temporally-evolving models for video understanding, defined over state-of-the-art motion and deep visual features. We conclude that our dataset opens up new research opportunities for large-scale video analysis, novel viewpoints, and open-world dynamics.


Achieving sustainable development goals and realizing the goal of Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement and Glasglow Climate Pact to keep the world temperature rise lower than 2o C above pre-industrial levels, there is a need to engage some of the stakeholders who are part of the energy users in a society. Majority of the Saudi citizens are youths and a large number of them are still undergoing university education. This study assessed the awareness, perception and attitudes of university students in the college of business towards energy savings and renewable energy (RE) in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. The results using descriptive analysis revealed that the level of awareness of students about energy savings and renewable energy is at medium level. While few of them are concerned about energy-savings and RE usage, many of them are indifferent, which could be as a result of their poor knowledge and awareness about it. At least 3 out of 5 students believed that fossil fuels have negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, the results of logistic regression indicate that there is no statistical difference between gender, age and awareness of energy savings and RE. More so, the results also show that energy education and family factors are statistically significant in influencing students' awareness of energy savings and RE. Appropriate government policy in university academic curriculum which incorporates energy savings and renewable energy education is recommended in order to realize the government Vision 2030 which is also in line with the UN Climate goal.


When reasoning about evidence, we must carefully consider the impact of different structures. For instance, if in the process of evaluating multiple reports, we find they rely on the same, shared evidence, then the support proffered by those reports is dependent on that evidence. Critically, normative accounts suggest that such a dependency results in redundant information across reports (reducing evidential support), relative to reports based on distinct items of evidence. In the present work we disentangle the structural and observation-based indicators of this form of dependency. In so doing, we present novel findings that lay reasoners are not only insensitive to shared evidence structures when updating their beliefs, but also that reasoners do not necessarily prefer more diverse sources of evidence. Finally, we replicate prior effects in reasoning under uncertainty, including conservative sequential updating, and difficulty in integrating contradictory reports.


The success of cisplatin in clinic has stimulated great interest in the development and application of metal-based drugs for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. However, the treatment efficiency of metallodrugs suffers from side-effects and drug resistance. To overcome these challenges, targets of these metal-based drugs should be identified in order to understand the molecular mechanisms of actions of these compounds and to the intrinsic or acquired drug resistance by cancer cells and infectious microbes. This review summaries some of the recent developments in the identification of binding proteins and their target sites of platinum-, ruthenium-, gold-, arsenic- and bismuth-containing agents by proteomics and metalloproteomics, which may provide a rational basis for the design of new metal-based drugs.


A single feed system is developed to improve the axial ratio bandwidth of circularly polarized rectangular stacked microstrip antennas (CPSMAs) to about 18% by optimizing the feed location and a few other parameters. A main radiator and a parasitic patch of identical size are considered and the separation between them and location of the feed has been optimized to achieve a good AR bandwidth and minimum AR value. For improving the gain of antenna, surface mounted short horn (SMSH) has been used on the CPSMA. The structure has the directive gain of more than the 10dBic over the impedance bandwidth and a 3dB AR bandwidth of 18.8%. The 10dB return-loss bandwidth is 29.6%. The proposed feed system is very useful for rapid design of circularly polarized stacked microstrip antennas with high gain and large AR bandwidth and also very useful to design high gain and wide band microstrip antennas.


Model predictive thrust control (MPTC) is one of the most effective approaches for linear induction motor (LIM) drive system. It can achieve the optimization of multiple objectives. However, the process of tuning the weighting factors in the objective function is the main drawback of MPTC. It greatly increases the computation burden. In this paper, the tuning process of weighting factors is regarded as a random sampling process. Then, a novel weighting factor optimization method based on the stochastic programming technique is proposed to select the suitable control action for LIM. It will optimize with flux and thrust together to avoid the adjustment of weighting factor. In this paper, the optimal model can be solved by Monte Carlo simulation. At last, the simulation results have shown better dynamic and steady state performance of the proposed method.


The oral route of drug delivery is typically considered the preferred and most patient-convenient means of drug administration. The advances in the formulation technology of modified release dosage form with sustained release oral dosage form has been widely accepted approach as compared to conventional immediate release formulations of the same drug, over which it provides a prolong release of the drug over extended period of time there by giving the better patient compliance and enhanced bioavailability and resulting blood concentration-time profiles of drugs that otherwise suffer from few limitations. Sustain release system are considered a wiser approach for the drugs with short half-lives and which require repeated dosing, they are easy to formulate and are irrespective of absorption process from gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. Here this article concentrates on the preparation, factors influencing, design and formulation review of oral sustained release preparation.


We consider a quasistatic contact problem with coulomb friction in electro-viscoelasticity with long-term memory body. The contact is modelled with normal compliance. The adhesion of the contact surfaces is taken into account and modelled by a surface variable. We derive variational formulation for the model which is in the form of a system involving the displacement field, the electric potential field, the damage field and the adhesion field. We prove the existence of a unique weak solution to the problem. The proof is based on arguments of time-dependent variational inequalities, parabolic inequalities, differential equations and fixed points.


Abstract This study aimed at comparing the effect of different teaching techniques (Journal Writing and Writing Workshop Techniques) based on text types (recount and narrative texts) on students' writing competency. Post-test Only Comparison Group Design was applied as the research design. After the treatment sessions, post-test was administered to discover the impact of the treatments. The data obtained from the post-test were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Through descriptive analysis, it was found that the mean scores of the group who was taught both narrative and recount text by using Journal Writing Technique was higher than the group who was taught by using Writing Workshop. In other words, the group who was taught by using Journal Writing Technique tends to perform better than group who was taught by using Writing Workshop Technique. The difference between writing competency of the students who were taught using different teaching techniques was analyzed through two-way Anova. Based on the result of the hypothesis testing, it was found that there was a significant difference between the two teaching techniques on students' writing competency and there was no interactional effect between the two teaching techniques and the text types on students' writing competency. Keywords : writing competency, journal writing, writing workshop, text types


A case of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE) in a 6-year-old girl is reported. The presentation was typical for acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis, with acute onset of a rapidly progressive neurologic disorder with asymmetric involvement of brain, with polymorphonuclear predominant peripheral leukocytosis and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Cerebrospinal fluid findings not previously reported included elevation of IgG and the presence of myelin basic protein. Additional previously unreported findings were striking abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, in contrast to normal findings on computed tomography (CT). The child was treated with high dose intravenous steroids and made a full recovery, with a parallel disappearance of all of her cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities and almost all of her abnormalities on MRI. Detailed examination of cerebrospinal fluid and MRI of brain should facilitate early diagnosis in other cases of suspected acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis and high-dose steroid therapy may lead to improved clinical outcomes. (J Child Neurol 1997;12:448-454).


In this study, the conditions for coagulation and filtration to gain high phosphorus removal efficiency were investigated with a coagulation-filtration phosphorus removal system and its practicability was confirmed. Sand of 0.6 mm in diameter, anthracite of 1.2 mm in diameter and a mixture of both were examined as a filter media, and the dual filter bed proved to be superior in the aspects of pressure drop and breakthrough. This system can be operated continuously for over 20 hours. A blocked filter bed can be recovered by backwashing. Over 80% phosphorus removal efficiency is achieved at an LV of under 5.0 m·hr −1 . when the PAC dose is controlled so that the A1/P mole ratio would be 3.0 for the first period, and then subsequently around 2.0. Flocs caught in the filter further adsorb the soluble phosphorus in the wastewater, thus the chemical requirement can be reduced compared to the chemical precipitation method.


One of attractive features of electronic-pets (e-pets) is interaction between the user and the e-pet. The interaction, however, is usually limited to using the predefined commands. In this paper, we present a way of involving the user in helping an e-pet learn high-level behaviors based on basic actions. The high-level behaviors are derived with planning, and the execution of the behaviors is then trained with reinforcement learning. In this research, we explain how we use a partially observable Markov decision process and the hierarchical task network planning for designing behaviors. A Q-learning method is then applied to the training of the e-pet for achieving the correct behavior. A prototype is presented to show its feasibility and effectiveness.


Taste detection thresholds were determined in young men (18 to 25 years of age, n = 15), noninstitutionalized elderly men (63 to 88 years of age, n = 17), and institutionalized elderly men (61 to 92 years of age, n = 15). The technical procedure utilized a single blind format. The tastants were presented to the subjects in a multiple forced-choice sample presentation with an ascending series. Additional testing conditions included adequate oral hygiene, 10 ml of tastant, timed intervals, and deionized water rinses. The major findings were that sour, salt, and bitter thresholds increased with age. Sweet threshold did not change with age. The institutionalized elderly men had significantly higher sour detection thresholds when compared with the noninstitutionalized elderly men. The use of salt and tobacco had no apparent effect on detection thresholds for sweet, salt and bitter, but medication ingestion elevated the sour thresholds. Elderly subjects on antihypertensive medications had significantly higher salt detection thresholds.


Despite the rising commodification of heritage sites and practices, children engagement in their own cultures remains incredibly low, greatly endangering the future preservation of nations' unique nonrenewable resource. Considering children's very early engagement with cultural attitudes and identities, it is increasingly critical to develop a deeply rooted culture of responsibility and conservation from the earliest years, ensuring that children naturally feel invested in their surroundings. Unfortunately, heritage education remains largely undervalued, with most efforts relying on in-person experiences in formal cultural institutions. This paper thus aims to explore how heritage education can be redefined, using some of the most innovative virtual imaging and artificial reality technologies to at once expand access and engagement with one's own history. Though there have been introductory applications of this edutainment multimedia technology, it will require a multidisciplinary team to create heritage programming which is as entertaining as it is intellectually challenging for young children. With the rich resources of 3D imaging and interactive programming already at our disposal, we are well-equipped to do so, given a coordinated effort.


The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the economic conditions of the community of competitive ornamental fish cultivation business actors, find out what factors they did in empowering the community in the field of ornamental fish cultivation, and find out the efforts made by the local government in overcoming the obstacles that were found when conducting socialization related to community empowerment in the cultivation of competitive ornamental fish in Bogor Regency. The research method uses qualitative descriptive methods with an inductive approach; the data collection tools used are semi-structured interviews, documentation, and observation. The results of the study, with the existence of fisheries cultivation business actors in Bogor Regency, the people of Bogor Regency, currently the economic condition is quite good, this explanation is supported by the data of Bogor Regency's gross regional domestic product in 2011-2015 and 2014-2018, both the gross regional domestic product Prices Applicable from several indicators of business activity, as well as gross regional domestic product Constant Prices and gross regional domestic product Economic Growth Rates from the period 2011-2015 and 2014-2018, where the economic growth rate in 2018 is predicted to be around 6.21%, this prediction exceeds the prediction of national economic growth which is only 5.5%. The increase in income per capita, with shown in the ratio from 0.30 to 0.35 in 2017.
Keywords: Economic Improvement, Community Empowerment, Ornamental Fish Cultivation.


An effective orthogonal signal generation method for heterodyne-detection-based phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer systems is proposed to accelerate the phase demodulation process. The demodulation principle is based on the spatial phase shifting technique. By exploiting the relative phase difference between adjacent spatial sampling channels, the orthogonal signal is easily obtained from basic algebra calculations. The simulation and experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved >100% computation speed improvement compared with the conventional methods, with a slight trade-off in phase demodulation performance. Therefore, the proposed method is potentially beneficial for the distributed acoustic sensing technology for reducing the computation complexity of phase demodulation procedures.


Abstract Side-scan sonar imaging of the Central Lau Basin (SW Pacific) has revealed a Central Lau Spreading Centre (CLSC) propagating southwards at the expense of an Eastern Lau Spreading Centre (ELSC) with a small Intermediate Lau Spreading Centre (ILSC) forming a 'relay' between the two. Volcanic rocks sampled along these spreading centres, and from two adjacent seamounts, are glassy to fine-grained pillow lavas and sheet flows of basalts, ferrobasalts and andesites. The evolved rocks are mostly confined to the propagating tip of the CLSC and can be explained by a high rate of cooling relative to magma supply, as invoked for magma genesis at propagating ridges elsewhere. Compared with equivalent rocks from the eastern Pacific, the most evolved members of the CLSC suite require similarly high degrees (>90%) of fractional crystallization from their basaltic parents. Fractional crystallisation cannot, however, account for the compositional differences between CLSC and ELSC lavas. Whereas the composition of the CLSC lavas lies just within the compositional spectrum of typical N-MORB, the ELSC lavas are distinctly enriched in alkali and alkaline earth elements, reach oxide and apatite saturation at lower Fe, Ti and P concentrations and generally show greater vesicularity despite slightly greater depths of eruption, all indicative of a water-rich subduction component. They also have lower contents of Ni, Sc, Na and Fe and higher contents of Si at a given MgO concentration that indicate a more depleted and more hydrous mantle beneath the ELSC compared with the CLSC. These results provide further evidence that, beneath the Central Lau Basin, the source composition changes progressively from MORB-type to island arc tholeiite type as the subduction zone is approached, both eastwards from the CLSC to ELSC and southwards along the ELSC to the Valu Fa Ridge. They also indicate that the composition of the subduction component may vary systematically away from the arc, with Th, LREE, Ba, Rb and H (as H2O) all present close to the arc, only Ba, Rb and H2O present at intermediate distances and just H2O perceptible at the furthest distances.


We have developed a high TC SQUID probe microscope combined with a scanning tunneling microscope for investigation of samples at room temperature in air. A high permeability probe needle was used as a magnetic flux guide to improve the spatial resolution. The probe with tip radius of less than 100 nm was prepared by microelectropolishing. The probe was also used as a scanning tunneling microscope tip. Topography of the sample surface could be measured by the scanning tunneling microscope with high spatial resolution. The SQUID probe microscope image could be observed while keeping the distance from the sample surface to the probe tip constant. We observed a topographic image and a magnetic image of Ni fine pattern and also a magnetically recorded hard disk.


Ethnolinguistics deals with collective identities and reality-interpreting narratives. Collective identity (beliefs, values, and their symbolisations shared by a community) is defined as a mental construct, access to which can be obtained through complementary and linguistically "externalised" images. Inquiry into identity is the most effective when it is concerned with language, both in the narrower sense of linguistic structure and textual narratives, and in the broader semiotic sense. Whichever option is selected, the important issues to be addressed include the linguistic phenomena that make up identity, the methodology of identity research, as well as the data on the basis of which collective identity can be reconstructed.In this study, attention is paid to narrative linguistic phenomena: language is viewed as a most human phenomenon and a significant social fact that contributes to the construction of collective identity. The notion of "reality-interpreting narratives" pertains to subjectivised stories of the world, more or less stable judgements, stories that interpret reality and assume the shape of cognitive definitions.In the course of thirty years of work on and with the cognitive definition, two types of ethnolinguistic description have emerged: holistic (integrated) and separated (isolated). The former is preferred in the Dictionary of Folk Stereotypes and Symbols, the latter in the Axiological Lexicon of Slavs and Their Neighbours. Both types of description reveal the functioning of images (sterotypes/concepts) in a network of relationships that allows one to capture the system of values that underlies the languages and cultures being studied. These relationships are here illustrated with the Polish images of roza 'rose' and wolnośc 'freedom'.


This thesis is concerned with examining principles underlying ICT professional development that can enable teachers to change their pedagogical beliefs and practices. In this study an ICT professional development model considered effective for its transforming potential is produced from the literature reviewed. This tentative theoretical model provides structure for the research design and analysis of data. An amended ICT professional development model that identifies a dynamic interplay of three professional learning activities within a core reflective process is presented as an approach to ICT professional development that enables teachers to see the transforming possibilities of ICT and guide changes in teachers' beliefs and practices.
The research responds to an unmet need in the literature on ICT in learning and the concept of multiliteracies. Scholars in these fields acknowledge the impact of new technologies on contemporary education through discussion of new communication patterns that young people are engaging in, globalisation and cultural change, and the characteristics of today's students who are growing up immersed in digital worlds. This has led to the realisation that teachers' pedagogy needs to be transformed rather than making adaptations to teaching practices to accommodate ICT in learning. The study explores the idea of a transformed pedagogy that effectively infuses ICT in learning as an outcome of the implementation of an ICT professional development model. A transformed pedagogy requires ICT professional development to engage teachers with transforming intention. Models of ICT professional development have been found to focus on 're-tooling' intentions, that is they intend to augment the existing curriculum by developing teachers' competencies in ICT skills focusing on specific types of ICT applications. What is called for by the concept of multiliteracies and the needs of our digital clients is the move to a model that will enable teachers to see the transforming possibilities of ICT.
Working with teachers from the Suncoast Cyberschools, the implementation of the theoretical ICT professional development model was examined in two stages. In Stage 1 teachers were interviewed and observed to establish their existing beliefs and practices in regard to ICT in learning, multiliteracies and ICT professional development. These data had an informing role in the collaborative design of an ICT professional development activity for implementation and examination through action research methods in Stage 2.
Conceptualising a transformed pedagogy and transformative ICT professional development are the purposes of this study. The desired outcome of ICT professional development is to enable teachers to transform their pedagogy. Indication of movement towards a transformed pedagogy was found when teachers embraced pedagogical beliefs and practices representative of three guiding ideas: mindset, bifurcation of literate practices and the infusion of ICT. Mindset refers to a particular way of thinking about and living with technologies. A teacher displaying a digital mindset understands the ubiquitous fashion in which today's students access technology and caters for these different learning needs. The bifurcation of literate practices identifies the need for teachers to acknowledge students as users and creators of information rather than consumers and receivers of information. This is evident when teachers collaborate with their students to create knowledge through complex learning tasks. Lastly, the infusion of ICT refers to the way teachers use ICT in learning. The infusion of ICT was characterised by a learner-centred pedagogy that blends instructional and constructivist teaching approaches, where ICT are transparent to the learner and seamlessly integrated in learning experiences.
To enable a teacher to move towards a transformed pedagogy that effectively infuses ICT in learning, a dynamic interplay of three professional learning activities is required during ICT professional development. The three professional learning activities of investigation, reflection and constructive dialogue together form a core reflective process. This thesis argues that teachers can transform their pedagogical beliefs and practices when ICT professional development involves these activities within a core reflective process. It has been found that the greatest potential for pedagogical transformation is achieved when the interplay of the three professional learning activities requires a teacher to focus on pedagogical investigation, making ICT skill training contingent on classroom inquiry. Classroom investigation occurs simultaneously as teachers engage in verbal reflection supported by their written reflection. This can be actioned when required through critical discourse with peers and critical friends in collegial groups internal and external to the teacher's classroom. Elements internal to the school such as leadership, school vision and structures, and elements external to the school such as experts and workshops or events are linked to activities in the core reflective process.
The finding that a transformative approach to ICT professional development requires the dynamic interplay of three professional learning activities has important implications for the design of teacher ICT professional development. The capacity to enable teachers to transform their practice is reduced if any one of the three professional learning activities is not present during ICT professional development. The capacity for transformation is also reduced if teachers are unable to engage when required with each of the professional learning activities. The understandings that emerged in regard to defining a transformed pedagogy in which teachers effectively infuse ICT in classrooms provides scholars, educators and curriculum designers a further framework for thinking about ICT pedagogy. This study presents to classroom teachers a means of systematically changing their practice.


A list $\Lambda =\{\lambda_{1},\ldots,\lambda_{n}\}$ of complex numbers is said to be realizable, if it is the spectrum of an entrywise nonnegative matrix $A$. In this case, $A$ is said to be a realizing matrix. $\Lambda$ is said to be universally realizable, if it is realizable for each possible Jordan canonical form (JCF) allowed by $\Lambda$. The problem of the universal realizability of spectra is called the universal realizability problem (URP). Here, we study the centrosymmetric URP, that is, the problem of finding a nonnegative centrosymmetric matrix for each JCF allowed by a given list $\Lambda $. In particular, sufficient conditions for the centrosymmetric URP to have a solution are generated.