Conducting empirical studies and transferring their results into industry in a design discipline such as software engineering is ambitious. This is due to contextual restrictions, representativeness as well as problems in aggregating results from individual studies towards guidelines for practitioners. Nevertheless, they are necessary, as scientific contributions need to be challengeable. Significant progress in areas such as measurement, controlled experiments, industrial case studies, empirical based modeling, and packaging knowledge have been made over the past 30 to 40 years. External visibility has been increased significantly by means of books, conferences & journals! Future challenges include attracting more industrial contributions to the existing body of knowledge, using quantitative & qualitative studies to create more trustful evidences, and aggregation of empirical results. These challenges require community efforts.


A cDNA for equine insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) has been isolated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and subsequently sequenced. The sequenced fragment contained 465 bp including the coding regions for the signal peptide, the entire mature protein, and 4 amino acids into the E-peptide. Like its human counterpart, the mature equine IGF I peptide contains 70 amino acids and was 100% homologous between horse and man. The 49-amino-acid signal peptide had the threonine in position 26 of the human signal peptide substituted by isoleucine. The nucleotide homology across the entire clone was 96.3% between horse and man and 91.6% between horse and rat. The isolated cDNA hybridized to the same transcripts in fetal and adult tissues.


The extraterrestrial radiation is the solar radiation received at the top of the earth's atmosphere on horizontal surface. This quantity over selected stations in the tropics was investigated. Daily data of the extraterrestrial radiation on the earth horizontal surface for the year 2018 for stations: Iwo, Abuja, Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Sokoto and Maiduguri obtained from the archive of HelioClim website were analyzed using MATLAB and Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 20.0) to estimate the extraterrestrial radiation of the station considered. The results of the MATLAB revealed that the value of the coincidence is  across all stations. In January, the values between 15 - 20 peaks were observed in the year with the Irradiation ( ) and the maximum ( ). The results revealed the Root Mean Square Error RMSE for Sokoto (139.99), Abuja (162.72), Iwo (177.07), Maiduguri (171.34), Enugu (191.07), Port-Harcourt (212.27). The results also revealed that quadratic trend equation which accounted in the range 95.9% - 41.9%. The results then concluded that Sokoto and Maiduguri have the highest solar Irradiance as revealed by the result.


An in vitro model system for analysis of presynaptic inhibitory actions of spinal opioids has been applied. Embryonic sensory neurons derived from chick dorsal root ganglia were grown in primary cell culture, and the release of substance P was evoked by electrical field stimulation during exposure to drugs with well-demonstrated affinity for opioid receptors. This allowed a pharmacologic characterization of the inhibitory actions of specific opioid agonists on the release of substance P as measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Sufentanil (0.5 microM), a high affinity mu receptor agonist, U-50,488H (25 microM), a selective kappa receptor agonist, and morphine (10 microM), an agonist with high affinity for mu and delta receptors, inhibited the evoked release of substance P by approximately 60%, 40%, and 50%, respectively. For sufentanil the response was demonstrated to be dose-dependent. As is the case for its analgesic action in vivo, morphine was approximately 50-fold less potent than sufentanil on a molar basis in this assay. The actions of sufentanil, U-50-488H and morphine were mimicked by the endogenous opioid peptide met-enkephalin, and its stable synthetic analog D-ala2-met5-enkephalinamide (DAME). Naloxone (25 microM), an opioid receptor antagonist, blocked the inhibitory action of sufentanil (0.5 microM), morphine (5 microM), and DAME (5 microM), but not U-50,488H (10 microM). The action of U-50,488H was partially blocked by the antagonist naltrexone (25 microM). Stereo-selectivity of agonist action was confirmed by the failure of dextrorphan (50 microM), an inactive opioid isomer, to inhibit the release of substance P.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Author(s): Zhu, Zihan | Advisor(s): Vigneron, Daniel B. | Abstract: Hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging is an emerging medical imaging modality with powerful potential of probing a variety of diseases. With the recent technical breakthrough of dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization, the signal-to-noise ratio of 13C substrates enhanced drastically, enabling in vivo detection of metabolism, perfusion, pH, diffusion, and etc. The recent phase I and phase II human studies of hyperpolarized [1 – 13C]pyruvate on cancer patients have shown safety and feasibility of this new technique. This dissertation focuses on the development and application of novel hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging techniques to monitor therapy response, with a particular emphasis on the bioengineering technical developments required for clinical translations. In the first two chapters of this dissertation, preclinical studies on cancer therapy response monitoring with different therapy regimes, different imaging sequences, at different field strengths were successfully performed. These studies showed positive results for the capability of hyperpolarized 13C metabolic imaging for detecting and monitoring response to therapy, with correlations of histology staining. Clinical translation to cancer patients imaging requires special considerations, such as larger imaging volume, respiratory motion, spatial resolution limit for tumor size, coil peak power limit, and etc. Specifically, a new 13C transceiver coil was built for human liver metastases imaging, along with a rapid spectroscopy MR sequence for rapid data acquisition and a respiratory bellow to record motion. Additionally, to allow more uniform excitation, large volume acquisition, and parallel imaging capabilities, multi-channel coils were used with specially developed analysis methods for some patient studies. Effective coil combination methods were explored and evaluated, and an innovative method was developed for easy and efficient data combination of hyperpolarized 13C spectroscopy and imaging data.


This paper addresses a robust controller design technique for a nonlinear underwater glider with disturbances. We consider the buoyancy and pitching moment as control inputs, which generate additional nonlinearity on the plant dynamics. To deal with the nonlinearity, we utilize the optimal linearization technique. The conditions for the optimal linearization and the controller design are formulated in terms of matrix inequalities. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a simulation.


Acetyl-CoA carboxylase I (ACCase I) in developing oilseed rape embryos is predominantly cystosolic, based upon measurement of its propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity. Reduction of ACCase I by antisense expression reduces seed lipid content and affects carbohydrate metabolism.


Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is transdiagnostic therapy, found to be effective for both mental and physical health conditions. To date, much of the research has focused on evaluating ACT groups within single health conditions.

This study used a grounded theory methodology to develop an understanding of the therapeutic processes within liaison psychiatry ACT groups where individuals present with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) and accompanying psychological difficulties. Interview data from thirteen participants who had either attended or facilitated these groups was analysed. In line with the methodology, data analysis ran concurrent to data collection. As categories emerged theoretical sampling was used to facilitate the generation of a theory. This grounded theory model presents an explanatory framework of 'the individual journey through a transdiagnostic ACT group'. The theory suggests a combination of group processes and ACT processes enabled learning, which led to increased awareness. Learning extended beyond the group setting, but change was only maintained for some post group, with expectations and relationships to ACT appearing to influence longer term gains.

In conclusion, participants appeared to gain more therapeutically if they had low expectations and connected with values-based action. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.


The standard pedagogical model applied to the performance training of piano majors in the majority of Australian tertiary music institutions today is the one-to-one lesson. In addition and relatively commonplace to one-to-one lessons are master classes, an environment where the pedagogue as 'master' instructs students in an audience-oriented environment Less common is the group teaching of piano majors, this form of pedagogy traditionally applied in the context of training non-pianists basic keyboard skills. One of the key issues to emerge regarding the status quo is to what extent this standard procedure for instruction is based on research evidence, rather than the perpetuation of traditions. What is the most educationally viable and beneficial learning enviromnent for tertiary piano majors? Are there alternative models that might be explored? Is it possible that there may be more productive systems of pedagogy for our piano majors? While it is possible to argue that the majority of pedagogues and students have participated in and thus developed experientially-based perceptions related to the one-to-one and master class models, it is less likely that many will have a basis by which to form perceptions regarding group piano teaching models, particularly at the advanced level.


BACKGROUND
Due to potential toxicity, non-biodegradable polymers used in 3D (3-dimensional) printing of drugs could be dangerous for patient safety and the environment.

OBJECTIVE
This review aims to investigate the toxicity of non-biodegradable polymers and investigate the use of natural materials as an alternative in 3D printing medicines. The study evaluates the dangers connected to 3D printing.

METHODS
A review of the literature on various 3D printing processes, such as inkjet printing, fused filament manufacturing, and extrusion-related 3DP systems, was done for this study. Also, the use of cellulose derivatives and natural materials in 3D printing and their potential as active excipients was proposed.

RESULTS
The review identified potential toxicity risks linked to non-biodegradable polymers used in drug 3D printing. As a potential fix for this issue, the use of natural materials with improved mechanical and thermal properties was explored. The use of cellulose derivatives as an alternative to non-biodegradable polymers in 3D printing pharmaceuticals was also investigated in the study.

CONCLUSION
This study emphasises the significance of evaluating the risks connected to drug 3D printing and recommends using natural materials as an alternative to non-biodegradable polymers. More study is required to create secure and reliable 3D printing processes for pharmaceuticals.


Introduction Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most commonly reported work-related illnesses impacting on the quality of life of nurses. Absenteeism, work restriction, loss of income and disability are related outcomes. Nurses are at a higher risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) compared to other healthcare professionals because of the nature of their duties. Problem statement The relationship between work-related musculoskeletal disorders, absenteeism and visits to the staff clinic by nurses has not been established in South Africa. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of WMSD in nurses and its relationship to absenteeism and visits to the staff clinic by nurses in a selected eThekwini District hospital. Research method A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive survey was conducted in two stages namely the prospective cross-sectional survey of nurses and the retrospective review of records. A random sample of 231 nurses was selected, proportionally, from all nursing ranks and invited to fill in the self-administered musculoskeletal questionnaire. Results The lifetime prevalence of WMSD in nurses in this study was 77% with the twelve months prevalence of 67% and the seven days prevalence of 43%. The prevalence of low back pain was higher (21% for twelve months and 47% for seven days) than that of other body regions with a higher tendency (65%) of WMSD affecting more than two body regions. Although the prevalence and patterns of WMSD was almost the same across all nursing ranks, nurses working in the Out Patients Department reported the highest prevalence (22%). There was no significant relationship between age, gender and smoking; however, a strong correlation between WMSD and participation in physical exercise, work task and workload was noted. No relationship could be established between WMSD and staff visits to the staff clinic as well as amount of sick leave taken. Conclusion This study showed that WMSD is high in the selected hospital. Nurses working in the Outpatients department reported the most WMSD; body parts affected was not related to age, gender, nurse rank or unit in which the nurse worked. There is a problem of under- reporting of WMSD. Nurses working in this hospital have an option of attending their private health service providers even following a WMSD. In these cases the staff clinic is unable to keep accurate statistics of WMSD, conduct reviews and proper management of the WMSD.


Web service discovery is a challenging task that has received a lot of interest in the last decade. Several approaches have been proposed, however, many limitations remain. In this paper, we focus on collaborative semantic discovery of RESTful services according to the HATEOAS principle. We propose an approach based on 1) semantic links between services; 2) user profile clustering to dynamically measure user similarity for queries in a similar context, and 3) a user profile ontology to manage users and corresponding services. A prototype has been implemented to evaluate our proposal and show its effectiveness. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility ofKES International.


The short-term corrosion behavior of X70 steel and Q235 steel buried for 1 a in soil of a select site at Singapore were investigated in terms of characterizing the corrosion products by means of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, as well as the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, and measuring the corrosion mass lass. It was found that the soil at the select site was an acidic soil; where the average corrosion rate of Q235 steel was higher than that of X70steel; the two steels all suffered form local corrosion, while that of Q235 steel was more serious;the corrosion products of these two steels were similar and mainly composed of Fe2O3, Fe3O4,Fe OOH and Fe OCl, the surface of products were rough and there were some cracks in the products scale, which seemed harmful to its protectiveness.


Periodic arrays of antidots, i.e., nanoscale perforations, in graphene enable tight confinement of carriers and efficient transport barriers. Such barriers evade the Klein tunneling mechanism by being of the mass rather than electrostatic type. While all graphene antidot lattices (GALs) may support directional barriers, we show, however, that a full transport gap exists only for certain orientations of the GAL. Moreover, we assess the applicability of gapped graphene and the Dirac continuum approach as simplified models of various antidot structures showing that, in particular, the former is an excellent approximation for transport in GALs supporting a bulk band gap. Finally, the transport properties of a GAL based resonant tunneling diode are analyzed indicating that such advanced graphene based devices may, indeed, be realized using GAL structures.


The phenomenon of antisemitism has always been expressed in various forms. Nowadays, an obsessive hatred of Israel as the "Jew among nations" is the most prevalent form. On the Internet, especially, antisemitism in the shape of fundamental hostility toward Israel is spreading on a large scale. In this article, I present how Israel-related antisemitism is expressed in readers' comments on British and German news websites. The Guardian and Die Zeit – two left-liberal newspapers – provide the data for my study. On the basis of a qualitative content analysis, the many implicit forms of antisemitic hate speech are hereby taken into account. Readers of the examined journals tend to align themselves with the position taken by the newspapers. Despite their apparently left-wing oriented, democratic and humanistic positions, antisemitic stereotypes could be identified within many readers' comments. Next to the reproduction of stereotypes, my research reveals a discourse wherein commenters, when covering the Middle East conflict, tend to project onto Israel their own country's guilt over historical injustices committed. In Germany, even in the politically moderate discourse of Die Zeit, it is common for commenters to draw comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany. Through the discursive construction of a Nazi-like regime in the Middle East, the uniqueness of that period of German history (which represents the biggest obstacle to expressing national pride) can be more easily overlooked. In the left-liberal discourse of The Guardian, commenters frequently present Israel's policies as reminiscent of British colonial atrocities. Against the background of a negative evaluation of the British Empire's policies in related milieus, similar functions of relativisation as well as unburdening of guilt from the writer's own national community can be found. By projecting these guilt-laden historical chapters of one's own country onto Israel, commenters can (re-)establish the legitimacy of identifying with their national in-group.


Wlherever rock is to be excavated, in mining, tunneling or quarryinig, there of necessity we find the percussion drill. Until about a year ago, two types of drills held the field, the lhand drill and the direct-acting steamn or air drill. With the extension of electrical metlhods of power transmission to mining operations, came the urgent demand for an electrically operated percussion drill. The mechanical and electrical requirements of this machine are particularly severe. It is called upon to continuously endure an action that is, in almost all other machinery, studiously avoided, namely, a practically uncushioned reciprocation and a blow upon substances harder than cast-iron. The general requirements of an electric percussion drill for mining work are that it shall be light enough to be quickly handled by two or three men; it must be powerful enough to compete with an air drill that absorbs eight or ten horse power; it must be so simple in its design that it can readily be repaired by an ordinary mechanic without electrical experience; it must be so constructed that the complete machine and its several parts can be soaked in mud and water without injury; it should be incapable of burning out; it must be able to endure almost any amount of the roughest handling without injury, and the mnaterials employed should be as little subject to crystallization as possible. In the electrical soliution of the problem, the solenoid and plunger affords the simplest method of developing this action, and most of the work in this field has been confined to this line. Although the introduction of the percussion drill has been attended with many diffictilties, I believe that the obstacles have been so far overcomne that the machine is today in thoroughly practical shape.


A new species, Jaltomata atiquipa Mione & S. Leiva G. (Solanaceae), is described from Lomas de Atiquipa, Department Arequipa, Peru. Photographs of the novelty and a key to the Jaltomata Schltdl. species of the South American lomas formations are provided. Phytologia 93(2):203-207 (August 1, 2011)


Music creation is difficult because one must express one's creativity while following strict rules. The advancement of deep learning technologies has diversified the methods to automate complex processes and express creativity in music composition. However, prior research has not paid much attention to exploring the audiences' subjective satisfaction to improve music generation models. In this paper, we evaluate human satisfaction with the state-of-the-art automatic symbolic music generation models using deep learning. In doing so, we define a taxonomy for music generation models and suggest nine subjective evaluation metrics. Through an evaluation study, we obtained more than 700 evaluations from 100 participants, using the suggested metrics. Our evaluation study reveals that the token representation method and models' characteristics affect subjective satisfaction. Through our qualitative analysis, we deepen our understanding of AI-generated music and suggested evaluation metrics. Lastly, we present lessons learned and discuss future research directions of deep learning models for music creation.


Lake Bosomtwe has been subjected to anthropogenic perturbations that provide different scales of environmental stimuli in response to seasonal variation. This situation can overwhelm the capacity of lake to mitigate the impact on the water quality. Knowledge of seasonality will enhance the predictability of the water quality trends to advance management of the lake. The seasonal pattern of levels of physicochemical and nutrient parameters was examined, from March 2018 to February 2020, using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index model. Temperature, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, phosphate, sulphate, iron, lead, and zinc were studies. The results showed a decline in water quality from 'fair' status in the pre-rainy (65.7%) and rainy (67.2%) seasons through 'marginal' in the pre-dry seasons (46.5%) to poor in the dry seasons (44%). The lake is therefore losing its natural protection to the extent of occasional for the pre-rainy and rainy seasons, frequently for pre-dry seasons, and almost all the time for dry season, the period of low lake water volume and availability and hence high dependence. Thus, the threat of human and ecological health hazard associated with aquatic pollution is ordered by seasonality; being heightened in the dry season with alkalinity, sulphate, iron, temperature, total suspended solids and turbidity as the parameters of more concern. This provides adequate ground for a call for elaborate and systematic plan of action to manage the lake for sustainability.


The transmission performance of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) in time-varying channels can be adversely affected by intercarrier interference (ICI). Typical ICI countermeasures address a few dominant ICI terms only, yielding an error floor due to the residual ICI. We have shown in a previous work that the residual ICI has high normalized autocorrelation and that this autocorrelation is insensitive to a variety of system and channel conditions. Consequently, the residual disturbance (consisting of residual ICI plus noise) can be whitened and reduced in a nearly channel-independent manner, benefiting signal detection. In this work, we consider linear minimum mean-square error (LMMSE) and iterative LMMSE detection with the above partial whitening of additive disturbance, together with soft decision feedback. The method is shown to provide good performance-complexity tradeoff compared to other ICI countermeasures.


The shortbill spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris) is a rare, large pelagic fish that inhabits the tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and it is seldom incidentally captured by the purse seine and longline tuna fleets. It is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red list as data deficient, with the population likely decreasing. The main objective of this paper is to contribute basic knowledge of the species catch rate, spatial distribution, temporal trends, and association with different types of fishing sets. A 23-year (1993–2015) database of incidental catches was analyzed; data was gathered by the observers from the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission aboard vessels from the international tuna purse seine fleet in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. We also analyzed time series of sea surface temperature (SST) from different Niño regions, and 2 climatic indices, the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The database included information from a total of 422,970 sets; of these, ~1% resulted in a catch of 687 spearfish. Most incidental catches occurred in waters close to the equator (10oS to 10°N), with no apparent seasonal distribution pattern. Time-series analyses showed a significant positive trend in incidental catch (~4% per year). Weak negative correlations of incidental catches with El Niño SST and ONI suggest that spearfish prefer cool waters in zones near the Equator. The PDO seemed to be more important to spearfish than El Niño events, and it is likely playing an important role in the positive trend of incidental catches. Most spearfish catches were associated with sets made on floating objects, mainly south of the equator and west of 100oW, highlighting the oceanic behavior of this species.


Abstract : In this thesis, I analyze the role of participation in a Humanitarian Assistance/ Disaster Relief(HA/DR) operation on the mental health of Marines serving between 2001 and 2011 by examining thehazard of being diagnosed with four mental health disorders during and after the mission whilecontrolling for relevant demographic and service-specific variables. The four mental health illnessesexamined are depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and self-inflicted injuries. Thestatistical model used in the thesis is the Cox proportional hazard model, a standard nonparametricmethod of survival analysis. I found that during the year HA/DR participation occurred, Marines were atless risk of being diagnosed with each of the four mental illnesses relative to those never deployed. In theyears following participation in a HA/DR operation, Marines have comparable risk of being diagnosedwith each of the four mental health illnesses relative to those that were never deployed. In contrast,Marines who returned from OEF/OIF deployments have elevated risks of all four mental health illnessescompared to those never deployed. Additional analysis showed that the effect of HA/DR deployments aresimilar across segments of Marines, but the elevated risks following OEF/OIF deployments are larger formale Marines relative to female Marines and for enlisted Marines relative to officers.


In an attempt to isolate and clone the promotor and preprosequence of the yeast vacuolar protease carboxypeptidase Y, three, PRC-1-derived, Bsc I - Bam HI restriction fragments were ligated into a vector plasmid (pKS(^+)) and separately transformed into E. coli. Preliminary screening and restriction analysis suggested that one transformant (pCPYF3), contained the desired sequences. However, more detailed restriction analyses and ultimately DNA sequencing of the cloned insert, subsequently showed this not to be so. A reappraisal of the data indicated the likely location of the desired PRCl fragment in a different set of transformants (pCPYF2). Screening of these transformants however, yielded an inconclusive result. Legumin encoding cDNA sequences were successfully cloned into pKS(^+). Exonuclease III/mung bean nuclease deletion of both the PRCl and leg A derived sequences was performed in order to edit both genes in preparation for the construction of a PRCl-leg A gene fusion.


The 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been the largest ever of a known disease in a new context that produced an unprecedented impact and is changing the international approach to responding to public health emergencies. The unprecedented scale of the outbreak, the use of advanced technology for detecting and characterizing the infectious agent, along with the opportunity to treat patients in modern facilities have greatly increased our knowledge of the disease and its transmission. Also, for the first time, an important international effort has been deployed to control the spread of the epidemic by providing care to patients and by adopting basic measures of public health control. Apart from supportive treatment and intensive therapy with fluids and electrolytes, no new compounds have been proved to be clinically effective to treat Ebola virus disease; however, a specific vaccine has shown significant protection in clinical trials in Guinea, opening an expectation for controlling future outbreaks.


In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a public health emergency of international concern. Currently, in several countries globally, this pandemic continues to enforce the temporary closure of all nonessential shops and services aside from supermarkets and pharmacies. Workers in countries that are at a high risk of infection have been asked to work from home, as cities have been placed under lockdown. Even curfews to combat the spread of the virus have been imposed in several countries, with all this signaling an unprecedented disruption of commerce. Companies are facing various challenges regarding health and safety, supply chain, labor force, cash flow, consumer demand and marketing. People in the thousands are dying every day from the virus's symptoms, while a public health issue has forced the world to come to a halt and rethink what a sustainable future for our planet and existence is. These drastic recent events have raised the deliberation by the authors to redefine the concept of sustainability.


Construction of a single-pass free-electron laser (FEL) based on the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) mode of operation is nearing completion at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) with initial experiments imminent. The APS SASE FEL is a proof-of-principle fourth-generation light source. As of January 1999 the undulator hall, end-station building, necessary transfer lines, electron and optical diagnostics, injectors, and initial undulators have been constructed and, with the exception of the undulators, installed. All preliminary code development and simulations have also been completed. The undulator hall is now ready to accept first beam for characterization of the output radiation. It is the project goal to push towards full FEL saturation, initially in the visible, but ultimately to UV and VUV, wavelengths.


Based on the multivariate analysis, we analysed the weekly change of the antepartum cervical ripe (consistency, effacement, dilatation, position) and the station, then predict the labor onset and difficulty retrospectively. 1) According to longterm observation of the internal examination of 210 primipara, in third trimester, the ripe type increased, and the unripe type decreased are found. Because of the intermediate type increased and unmovable in incidence relatively, so based on the former scoring method of mere addition of scores, it appears ineffective to predict the labor onset. 2) We studied primipara 385 and multipara 434 from 6 weeks before labor. Based on the multiple regression analysis, we could predict the labor onset. The predict value is higher in multipara than primipara, on the primipara, 78.2% antepartum 6 weeks, 82.2% 4 weeks, 92.6% 2 weeks, and on the multipara 84.6%, 82.2%, 96.2% respectively. 3) Based on the method of Mahalanobis' generalized distance, we could predict the labor difficulty in the primipara and multipara. Accuracy of abnormal prediction are 77.1% at 4 weeks formula, 77.2% at 2 weeks formula on primipara; 69.0%, 69.2% respectively on multipara. Accuracy of normal prediction 53.3%, 56.9% on primipara; 30.9% (4 weeks formula) on multipara are found. The abnormal prediction is better than the normal prediction. This method can early predict the labor onset and difficulty than the former scoring method of mere additional scores.


This paper is devoted to the presentation and evaluation of different alternatives to couple two 1D hydraulic models based on the Saint-Venant's equations. This presentation is first giving a short description of the coupling platform we use for these tests, namely the PALM coupling platform developed by Cerfacs. Then, we present 2 classical methods for this coupling: 1-way and 2-way. The 2-way method has itself different options depending on the variables exchanged at the coupling interface. Since we are using the implicit Preissmann scheme to solve numerically the Saint-Venant's equations, we can imagine another option using the so-called RST equations. This method is not very intrusive into the source code since it does not require any additional calculation, and can improve a lot the results obtained by the 2 coupled models compared to the global one. This method can be implemented in an implicit way, being equivalent to the global model, or explicitly with some degradation of the results.


This paper features the modeling and design of a Fast Output Sampling (FOS) Feedback control technique for the Active Vibration Control (AVC) of a smart flexible aluminium cantilever beam for a Single Input Single Output (SISO) case. Controllers are designed for the beam by bonding patches of piezoelectric layer as sensor / actuator to the master structure at different locations along the length of the beam by retaining the first 2 dominant vibratory modes. The entire structure is modeled in state space form using the concept of piezoelectric theory, Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, Finite Element Method (FEM) and the state space techniques by dividing the structure into 3, 4, 5 finite elements, thus giving rise to three types of systems, viz., system 1 (beam divided into 3 finite elements), system 2 (4 finite elements), system 3 (5 finite elements). The effect of placing the sensor / actuator at various locations along the length of the beam for all the 3 types of systems considered is observed and the conclusions are drawn for the best performance and for the smallest magnitude of the control input required to control the vibrations of the beam. Simulations are performed in MATLAB. The open loop responses, closed loop responses and the tip displacements with and without the controller are obtained and the performance of the proposed smart system is evaluated for vibration control. Keywords—Smart structure, Finite element method, State space model, Euler-Bernoulli theory, SISO model, Fast output sampling, Vibration control, LMI


Introduces a class of spacetimes in which the metric tensor can be expressed covariantly in terms of the Minkowski metric and two vector fields, orthogonal to each other. It is shown that, when certain covariantly defined components of the Einstein tensor vanish ('main equations'), the remaining components satisfy a true conservation law. The author also obtains the conditions under which a solution of the linearized main equations is a solution of the full main equations. Several simple solutions to these equations-among them the Schwarzschild solution-are obtained. It is argued that these extra conditions are not overly restrictive and that physically interesting vacuum solutions may be obtained by the use of the proposed ansatz.


Abstract In 2018, 100 years had passed since the Central Statistical Office of Poland (since 2017: Statistics Poland – GUS) was established. This anniversary was considered an opportunity for preparation of a series of cartographic publications, i.e. 16 statistical atlases of Polish voivodships (first order administrative units) and the Statistical atlas of Poland. Publication of such a series of atlases is a new undertaking in the history of Polish statistics – it involved both the employees of the head office of Statistics Poland in Warsaw and the staff of statistical offices in 16 voivodships. Until 2018 Polish public statistics did not have many such publications. The first atlas publication of Central Statistical Office was Republic of Poland – statistical atlas released in 1930. The next Statistical atlas, covering all of Poland, was published only in 1970. Subsequent statistical atlases were published over 30 years later – the atlases of five voivodships, published in 2006−2016, and the Demographic atlas of Poland published in 2017. Atlases for individual voivodships were prepared by the relevant regional statistical offices. The project was managed by the head office of Statistics Poland which prepared the guidelines and provided technical and substantive supervision. Due to different sizes of voivodships, the atlases were prepared in scales from 1:900,000 (Opolskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodships) to 1:1,500,000 (Mazowieckie and Wielkopolskie Voivodships). A standard page contains a map of a voivodship divided into communes (gminas) or counties (powiats) and a map of Poland at the scale of 1:9,500,000 divided into voivodships. The number of pages of the voivodship atlas is 104 with 165 maps: 76 maps of voivodships, 76 maps of Poland, one administrative map of Poland at the scale of 1:3,800,000 and 12 maps of the European Union or Europe at the scale of 1:21,500,000. The Statistical atlas of Poland was published in early July 2018. It consists of 216 pages, with 281 maps (full-page maps of Poland at the scale of 1:3,800,000, quarter-page maps of Poland at the scale of 1:9,000,000, full-page maps of Europe or the European Union at the scale of 1:21,500,000, and half-page world maps at the scale of 1:200,000,000) and 175 charts/graphs. Maps made by using quantitative cartographic presentation methods predominate in the atlas – choropleth and diagram methods are used most frequently (they are observed on 263 maps). Statistical atlases of voivodships and the Statistical atlas of Poland count 1888 pages in total with 2934 maps, on which the development of the country is presented in relation to regional and local conditions. All atlases are bilingual, Polish-English. Publications printing was co-financed from EU funds within the Operational Programme Technical Assistance 2014–2020. Atlases are also available free of charge in the PDF format on the website of Statistics Poland: https://stat.gov.pl/statystyka-regionalna/publikacje-regionalne/podreczniki-atlasy/atlasy/.


Inter-organizational cooperation at both national and international level depends on many factors. Some can have negative influence and be perceived as obstacles to efficient inter-organizational cooperation. Obstacles could be caused by bureaucratic rivalries, parochial mentality, rigid organizational rules and procedures, inappropriate information, harmful leadership, etc. Due to a variety of hybrid threats, the logical response of states' leaders should be directed to gathering information from all available sources in order to become resilient and respond adequately to hybrid threats. Identification of obstacles and evaluation of their influence may contribute to the ability to resolve problems, to avoid obstacles or, at least, to clarify neds and opportunities for improvement.


The recent geologic history of Athabasca Valles, Mars, is controversial. Some studies report ice-rich sediment in its channels, whereas others find only lava. Data from the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera now confirm that, although certain features exhibit a superficial similarity to ice-related landforms, solidified lava coats the entire channel system.


The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition in 29 Japanese elite male athletes (age 25.6±3.7y, height 175.6±7.0cm, body weight 74.7±12.8kg, fat-free mass (FFM) 64.9±9.3kg). The subjects were classified into three groups according to their FFM. There was a significant difference in BMR/ FFM between S-group (less than 0.5SD of average FFM) and L-group (more than 0.5SD). The parcentage of RM to body weight in S-group was significantly higher than in L-group. In conclusion, high basal metabolic rate/fat-free mass ratio in Japanese elite male athletes can be attributed to body composition.


The electromagnetic field analysis of a helical slow-wave structure (SWS) is carried out based on a tape-helix model incorporating the effects of space-harmonic propagating modes and the surface current on the helix over the actual metallic area of the tape. Using this analysis, closed-form expressions are derived for the shunt capacitance per unit length and the shunt conductance per unit length of the transmission-line equivalent circuit of the structure. The analysis is interpreted for the circuit attenuation constant contributed by the loss of the dielectric helix-support rods. The analysis is accurate, amenable to easy computation, and validated against published results. The analysis is subsequently used for investigating the dielectric loss in an SWS due to the backward-wave (-1) space-harmonic mode of propagation.


The "But you are free..." (BYAF) technique is a well-known technique from commitment theory and reactance theory, with the addition of these little terms leading to higher compliance to confederates to, for example, give spare for the bus. In this pre-registered meta-analysis, we examine the effect of the BYAF technique in 52 studies (N = 28759). An analysis of 74 effect sizes showed medium effect (g = 0.44, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [0.36, 0.51]) for the BYAF technique. A moderator analysis found an effect stronger for Face-to-face interactivity over others. All the other moderators we used were non-significant, given too few studies involved in one condition. We did not find any differences between articles published before and after Carpenter's (2013) meta-analysis. Finally, we found several limitations. Most recent studies on the subject are too low-powered, there are some possibilities of publication bias, and recent research questioned the theoretical foundations. We propose some improvements to the design, experiments, and commitment theory to ensure the effects found in the literature exist and are replicable. All materials are available on https://osf.io/8eqa5/


The use of cells derived from the patient's tissue is an attractive approach to develop autologous tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) to bypass the diseased blood vessel. Multipotent human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into both smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). However, the disease conditions affecting the growth and differentiation potential of cardiovascular disease (CVD) patient's MSC (pADMSCs) is a hindrancee.

This study aimed to derive both endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and smooth muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs) from pADMSCs using a specific niche comprising fibrin and other inducers. pADMSCs were seeded on SMC-specific/EC-specific fibrin matrix coated on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) surface. In the third passage, pADMSCs were exposed to GFs for a specific period to induce pADMSCs to SMPCs. For inducing hADMSCs to EPCs, cells were exposed to GFs, followed by hypoxia. The EPCs were seeded in the lumen of a scaffold and applied shear stress to induce into ECs. The relative gene expressions at different stages were assessed by mRNA quantification and at the protein level by immunocytochemistry of final differentiated cells. A consistent matrix and GF dependent protocol facilitated derivation of SMPCs/SMCs with early, mid, and late markers. Sequential action by GF, hypoxia (HO), and shear stress (SS) differentiated pADMSCs to EPCs/ECS. The study established that patient-specific ECs and SMCs may be derived from ADMSCs for the construction of intimal and medial layers of TEVG aiming to fabricate autologous blood vessels.


BACKGROUND
Clonidine, an alpha 2 agonist, is known to prolong the action of local anesthetics, and to provide a satisfactory analgesia; hypotension and bradycardia have been observed after its intrathecal administration. The aim of our study was to determine whether intrathecal administration of clonidine can reduce the dose of local anesthetic, and the effects of clonidine on the cardiovascular system, and on arousal level.

METHODS
In a prospective, randomized study we evaluated 56 patients scheduled for minor surgical procedure (spermatic vein ligature) under unilateral spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine 1%. One half of patients received clonidine (105 micrograms) in addition to bupivacaine. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate were recorded baseline until 1 hour after surgery. Cardiac output, stroke volume, ejection fraction, systemic vascular resistance and left cardiac work were measured, by thoracic electric bioimpedance method, baseline until 1 hour after surgery. Sensory block, motor block and sedation level were measured at the beginning of anesthesia and for 6 hours after the end of surgery.

RESULTS
In the clonidine treated group we did not observe variations of cardiovascular parameters; in the same group we did observe sensory block and motor block significantly prolonged, a higher sedation level and a significant postoperative analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS
In summary, the addition of clonidine to hyperbaric bupivacaine seems to be particularly useful in unilateral spinal anesthesia, exerting minimal influence on haemodynamic parameters, and guaranting a satisfactory postoperative analgesia.


Background: Diseases of the thyroid gland are common endocrine disorders encountered globally and the incidence varies from one geographical region to another. The aim of this study is to determine the demographic, clinical and histopathological pattern of thyroid diseases as seen in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methodology: This is a 6 year retrospective study of all patients with thyroid diseases that were managed in the surgical department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 2006 and December 2011. Relevant data were retrieved from the case notes and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Results: A total of 80 patients with thyroid diseases were evaluated. They included 11 (13.7%) males and 69 (86.3%) females with a male to female ratio of 1: 6.3. Their ages ranged from 18 to 70 years with a mean of 40.3±4.4 years and peak age at 31-40 years. Colloid goitre was the commonest lesion encountered, seen in 21.3% of the patients with an average age of 37.4±3.1 years and peak age of 21-30 years. Cosmetic disfigurement was found to be the major indication for surgery and respiratory obstruction the commonest post-operative complication seen. Conclusion: Diseases of the thyroid gland are common in Port Harcourt and seen in both genders with a female preponderance. Colloid goitre was the commonest lesion encountered and respiratory obstruction the commonest surgical complication. Keywords: Thyroid diseases, clinical features, histopathology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria


The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of viscosity-enhancing agents on oral absorption of metoprolol (MPL) and bisoprolol (BPL). Although the viscosity values were similar for MPL and BPL in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, 1.2 % (w/w)) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 8.8 % (w/w)) solutions, the order of diffusion rate constants of the drugs in media were phosphate buffer solution (reference) > HPMC solution > PVA solution. In in vivo rat intestinal absorption experiments showed that the Cmax and AUC values of the drugs were lowest when they were administered into the rat jejunum in a PVA solution. In vitro binding studies showed that this may have been due to adsorption of the drugs to PVA molecules, resulting in decreased free fractions of the drugs. Our results indicated that intestinal absorption of the drugs in PVA solution was influenced both by decreased diffusion of the drugs and by interaction with PVA. Since various viscosity-enhancing agents are widely used as pharmaceutical and food additives, these findings may be of significance for understanding therapeutic efficacy and safety of oral drug products.


Previous publications combining the properties of multiple soil orders show that depth to carbonate (DTC) increases systematically between 350 and 1000 mm of mean annual precipitation (MAP). We hypothesize that carbonate in Vertisols (clay‐rich, shrink‐swell soils) respond differently to water flux than other soil orders because of lower permeability. To test this hypothesis, we compiled soil description and characterization data from multiple published sources across a late Pleistocene climosequence of the coast prairie of Texas to assess the relationship between MAP (700–1400 mm) and DTC. The DTC of carbonate nodules represents an index of accumulation and the DTC of calcium carbonate equivalent (total carbonate <2.0 mm diam.) an index of leaching. The DTC for 1%, 2%, and 5% abundances were assessed using regression analysis. The R2 values were highest for the DTC of 2% nodules and of 1% calcium carbonate equivalent in Vertisol microlows. Surprisingly, relatively high R2 values were calculated for regression between MAP and DTC in Vertisol microhighs, whereby the relationship is expressed as a parabolic curve and DTC is shallowest in the central part of the climosequence where gilgai expression is greatest. When compared with previous MAP‐DTC relationships, it is clear that Vertisols retain carbonate into rainfall isohyets exceeding 1400 mm, >400 mm higher than the preservation of carbonate in other soil orders. When replotted, the use of DTC to estimate paleoprecipitation with previous equations underestimates MAP in a Mississippian paleo‐Vertisol microlow by approximately 32% at a DTC of 100 cm for 5% nodules. Other paleosol proxies also project greater rainfall than previous DTC equations in this paleo‐Vertisol.


The main objective in this research is to test whether Company Size, Return on Assets, and Earnings per Share influence the practice of Income Smoothing. The data in this research is collected from 86 companies listed in manufacturing industry in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The period of the data collected is 3 years from 2013 – 2016. The research model used in this research is multiple regression where the classical assumption tests are conducted prior to find the result of the model by using SPSS 22. Quantitative approach is used in this research to test the raised hypotheses and solve the issues. In conclusion, the results of this research show that variable SIZE does have positive significant influence on Income Smoothing and variable ROA & EPS do not have significant influence on Income Smoothing.


BRIEF TONE audiometry, the measurement of pure tone thresholds with tones of extremely short duration, is a promising procedure in diagnostic audiology. The brief tone test is based on an interesting phenomenon of audition—the ability of the ear to accumulate and integrate acoustic energy over a period of time. Previous studies too extensive to summarize here have shown that the ear is less sensitive to a tone of very short duration than to the same tone with a more prolonged presentation. That is, if a listener's threshold is determined for a very short tone and then the stimulus length is gradually increased, the listener will experience an increasing loudness, even though the intensity of the tone is held constant. As the stimulus duration is increased, the ear is able to use the additional energy in the longer tone. Thus, in a given ear a threshold response will be obtained for


In 1958, A. M. Ugolev (1926-1991) discovered parietal (membrane) digestion (MD) that differs fundamentally from cavity and intracellular digestion in the strictly directed arrangement of active centers of enzymes and in coupling to the membrane transport systems. The three-stage sequential triad: cavity digestion--MD--absorption has given an insight into the mechanism responsible for an extremely high food assimilation rate in the gastrointestinal tract and become as the basis of the current digestion theory stated by Academician A. M. Ugolev. Membrane maldigestion results from atrophic changes in the small bowel mucosa in gluten-sensitivity celiac disease, enteric infections, excessive small intestinal microflora growth, and intestinal damages induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some antibiotics, and antimetabolites. Clinically, it presents with poor tolerability of nutrients containing oligomers, whose digestion is impaired, and with malabsorption symptoms. Indirect (load) and direct (perfusion) tests, as well as biochemical and histological studies of the activity of membrane enzymes are proposed for the diagnosis of membrane maldigestion. The detection and elimination of agents that damage the intestinal mucosa (gluten, lactose, pathogenic microflora, and pharmacologicals) form the basis for the etiotropic treatment of patients with impaired MD. A. M. Ugolev's discovery has led not only to the major general biological generalization--the current theory of digestion, but also to the revision of the pathogenesis, clinical signs, and treatment of diseases accompanied by enteric food malassimilation.


We propose a novel snake algorithm for object segmentation that can overcome the limitations found in cluttered backgrounds, overlapped object placements, and the problems of initial snake points. Our newly designed algorithm is developed by using disparity information taken from several sets of stereo images. The experiment results have exhibited a better performance over the well-known snake algorithm in terms of segmentation accuracy. It is also shown that our proposed new segmentation algorithm can be extended to the tracking of an object visible boundary and occlusion detection in the 3D disparity space.


Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis. Anemia is the defining cytopenia of MDS patients, yet the molecular mechanisms for dyserythropoiesis in MDSs remain to be fully defined. Recent studies have revealed that heterozygous loss-of-function mutation of DNA dioxygenase TET2 is 1 of the most common mutations in MDSs and that TET2 deficiency disturbs erythroid differentiation. However, mechanistic insights into the role of TET2 on disordered erythropoiesis are not fully defined. Here, we show that TET2 deficiency leads initially to stem cell factor (SCF)-dependent hyperproliferation and impaired differentiation of human colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) cells, which were reversed by a c-Kit inhibitor. We further show that this was due to increased phosphorylation of c-Kit accompanied by decreased expression of phosphatase SHP-1, a negative regulator of c-Kit. At later stages, TET2 deficiency led to an accumulation of a progenitor population, which expressed surface markers characteristic of normal CFU-E cells but were functionally different. In contrast to normal CFU-E cells that require only erythropoietin (EPO) for proliferation, these abnormal progenitors required SCF and EPO and exhibited impaired differentiation. We termed this population of progenitors "marker CFU-E" cells. We further show that AXL expression was increased in marker CFU-E cells and that the increased AXL expression led to increased activation of AKT and ERK. Moreover, the altered proliferation and differentiation of marker CFU-E cells were partially rescued by an AXL inhibitor. Our findings document an important role for TET2 in erythropoiesis and have uncovered previously unknown mechanisms by which deficiency of TET2 contributes to ineffective erythropoiesis.


Rearrangements involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene are defining events in several tumors, including anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). In such cancers, the oncogenic activity of ALK stimulates signaling pathways that induce cell transformation and promote tumor growth. In search for common pathways activated by oncogenic ALK across different tumors types, we found that hypoxia pathways were significantly enriched in ALK-rearranged ALCL and NSCLC, as compared with other types of T-cell lymphoma or EGFR- and K-RAS-mutated NSCLC, respectively. Consistently, in both ALCL and NSCLC, we found that under hypoxic conditions, ALK directly regulated the abundance of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), which are key players of the hypoxia response in normal tissues and cancers. In ALCL, the upregulation of HIF1α and HIF2α in hypoxic conditions required ALK activity and its downstream signaling proteins STAT3 and C/EBPβ. In vivo, ALK regulated VEGFA production and tumor angiogenesis in ALCL and NSCLC, and the treatment with the anti-VEGFA antibody bevacizumab strongly impaired ALCL growth in mouse xenografts. Finally, HIF2α, but not HIF1α, was required for ALCL growth in vivo whereas the growth and metastasis potential of ALK-rearranged NSCLC required both HIF1α and HIF2α. In conclusion, we uncovered an ALK-specific regulation of the hypoxia response across different ALK(+) tumor types and propose HIFs as a powerful specific therapeutic target in ALK-rearranged ALCL and NSCLC.


Objective To compare the effect of incentive spirometry with Acapella (Smiths Medical Inc, Carlsbad, California) in physiotherapy after coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods A randomized controlled trial comparing incentive spirometry with Acapella was conducted in the intensive care unit of Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology (CPEIC) Multan. The study began from December 2017 to August 2019 after getting approval from the ethical committee of the hospital. Informed written consent was taken from all 270 patients who were included in the study. Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were divided into two groups by the lottery method. The primary end-point of the study was to check the blood gases on Day 3 after the procedure at room air and compare it with the baseline and with blood gases immediately after the procedure. SPSS 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used to analyze the data of this study. For qualitative variables in data such as gender, place of living, patients with any comorbidities, and education status were statistically analyzed in percentage and frequencies. For numerical variables, such as age, body mass index, blood gases values, distance covered in a six-minute walk test, and spirometry values were analyzed and statistically measured as mean and standard deviation. A P-value of less than .05 was considered significant. Results The mean partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of incentive spirometry was 58.1±2.31 and 67.2±3.24 after extubation and after three days, respectively. While the PaO2 of Acapella was 56.3±3.43 and 66.4±3.54 after extubation and after three days, respectively. The mean PCO2 of incentive spirometry was 41.4±3.26 and 36.1±2.11 after extubation and after three days, respectively. While the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) of Acapella was 39.4±2.55 and 37.5±3.58 after extubation and after three days, respectively. The differences were statistically significant at p-value ≤0.05. Conclusion It was concluded that both Acapella and incentive spirometry treatment after coronary artery bypass graft improved blood gases.


Tourism is one of the biggest economic sectors, it has a significant impact on the environment. At the same time, the long-term development of tourism also greatly depends on the environment it affects. Experts are unanimous that it is necessary for the longterm existence and development of tourism that it becomes sustainable. Nevertheless, in tourism businesses, sustainable development strategies are not sufficiently present and put into practice. The author of the article presents the argument as a possible reason for this: the management of tourism enterprises as well as management of all the companies is focused on doing business successfully; and because the performance of management is assessed in terms of growth and security of its operations, and not in relation to the measures taken in the field of sustainable development, management gives priority to ensuring relatively short-term growth and security of operations.


Many household choices in developing economies are correlated with choices of nearby households, because nearby locations have unobserved factors in common and households and their neighbors interact. However, models recognizing these spatial correlations are rarely used because few surveys give exact household locations. In the present paper, we use unusual data from rural Indonesia, where distances between households can be measured, to examine spatial effects in equations for non-farm enterprises' share of household incomes and food's share of total household budgets. Our results indicate that ignoring spatial correlations in household choices might cause bias and inferential errors and could distort recommended policy interventions aiming to raise living standards in rural Asia.


Thin films of (Zr0.7Sn0.3)TiO4 on Si(100) were prepared by rf magnetron sputtering in the present study. Films of a highly preferred [020] orientation, as demonstrated by Xray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic examinations, were grown successfully on a Si substrate with in situ postannealing at 700°C. The chemical composition of the films, measured by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, exhibited a uniform concentration distribution for all species. A study by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further revealed some firm evidence of a molecular orbital that affected the chemical structure. The dielectric constants of 400-nm-thick (Zr0.7Sn0.3)TiO4 films in the present study were >18 for the films with a preferred orientation and ~11 for polycrystalline films.


Quantitative models are frequently used to analyze physical systems. A central problem in using quantitative models to reason about physical systems is that the complexity of the reasoning process increases drastically with the size and complexity of the model. Human modelers solve this complexity problem by introducing simplifying approximations. The resultant changes in the model tractability and behavior influence a modeler's choice of approximations. This paper addresses the question of how the behavior of a quantitative model changes when approximations to the model are introduced. We present results that show that model behavior changes in many modeling contexts can be derived by analyzing the model structure, the approximation, and the query to be answered. Our experience with a prototype implementation suggests that the techniques can be useful in the design of modeling support systems.


Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied biogas (LBG) as transport fuels constitute one of the pillars of the European clean fuel strategy. LNG and LBG often contain higher hydrocarbons up to C5, which leads to more complex ignition properties when utilizing them in gas engines. Therefore, it is essential to understand their combustion behavior and to quantify the abnormal combustion such as knocking propensity in correlation to the methane number (MN). Currently, there is no traceable standard to define the MN, and the literature algorithms give no consistent results for the same LNG/LBG mixtures. In this study, the correlation between the MN and ignition delays of several LNG/LGB mixtures containing C1-C5 alkanes and nitrogen was investigated at temperatures between 870 and 1,550 K, at 10, 20, and 40 bar, and with equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.2. Good correlations have been observed for mixtures with MN 50–90 at high temperatures. At intermediate temperatures, discrepancies were found between mixtures with same MN but different C1-C3 compositions. Moreover, the addition of butane and propane isomers at low vol.% showed no effect on the ignition delay times (IDTs) at intermediate temperatures.


The rapid growth in Islamic finance industry urges us to not only look for alternatives in the Islamic commercial banking, but also focus on the regulator and its role and functions to enable it to work in conformity with Islamic principles. This study reviews limited, but precious academic literature on central banking and monetary management in an environment where Islamic finance is in vogue. Refinance ratio and Qard-e-Hasan ratio and Mudarabah between central bank and Islamic commercial banks are in line with Islamic principles and helps meet liquidity requirements in the banking sector. Mudarabah can be done with profit sharing ratio benchmarked on economy's nominal income growth. We have presented the evidence on statistical equivalence of nominal Interest rates (being used in conventional banking) and Nominal GDP growth rate (we are recommending to use). The nominal GDP growth linked rate of remuneration can be used to benchmark for external loan arrangements including those from IMF, WB and IDA etc. We suggest central banks particularly in Muslim countries to use nominal income targeting as a rule for the conduct of monetary policy.


When treated with either butyllithium or lithium diisopropylamide, 1-(p-methoxybenzyl)pyrazole undergoes metalation at the exocyclic alpha-position but mutates to the 5-lithio species in the course of a few minutes or hours. Trapping the intermediates with a rapidly reacting electrophile such as chlorotrimethysilane or carbon dioxide offers selective access to either of the two possible regioisomers. On the other hand, the relatively inert 1-iodobutane and Bu triflate inevitably give rise to product mixts., as the 5-lithio species is more slowly intercepted than it can revert to the alpha-metalomer by a rapid, though intermol., dynamic equilibration process. [on SciFinder (R)]


Peripheral nerve injuries are a frequent and disabling condition, which affects 13 to 23 per 100.000 persons each year. Severe cases, with structural disruption of the nerve, are associated with poor functional recovery. The experimental treatment using nerve grafts to replace damaged or shortened axons is limited by technical difficulties, invasiveness, and mediocre results. Other therapeutic choices include the adjunctive application of cultured Schwann cells and nerve conduits to guide axonal growth. The bone marrow is a rich source of mesenchymal cells, which can be differentiated in vitro into Schwann cells and subsequently engrafted into the damaged nerve. Alternatively, undifferentiated bone marrow mesenchymal cells can be associated with nerve conduits and afterward transplanted. Experimental studies provide evidence of functional, histological, and electromyographical improvement following transplantation of bone-marrow-derived cells in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. This paper focuses on this new therapeutic approach highlighting its direct translational and clinical utility in promoting regeneration of not only acute but perhaps also chronic cases of peripheral nerve damage.


The Chino Battery Storage Project is the world's largest storage battery. This $13.5 million research project recently completed its two-year demonstration phase. This is a report of the operating and maintenance experiences of that phase of the program.


Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, which is among the top five causes of death in the United States. It is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes permanent loss of memory and cognition. The current pharmacotherapy for AD is based on providing symptomatic relief only and has many side effects. There is a need for a safer, disease-modifying drug for the treatment of AD. Experimental approach The PASS online software was used to screen phytoconstituents based on their predicted effects on various AD-related targets. Vanillin was selected as the compound of interest, as it has not been researched elaborately on any animal model of AD. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of vanillin was established in vitro. Thereafter, ameliorative effect of vanillin was evaluated using the exteroceptive memory model in scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment mice model. Results Vanillin showed an acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in vitro, and the IC50 value was calculated to be 0.033 mM. Vanillin significantly reversed the memory and behavioral deficits caused by scopolamine as demonstrated by significant improvement in memory in negative reinforcement, elevated plus maze, and spatial learning paradigms. Vanillin also proved to have a nootropic effect. Also, vanillin proved to have significantly better antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects in vivo than donepezil hydrochloride. The potential anti-AD activity of vanillin was also confirmed by the reduction in IL-6 levels and TNF-α levels. Conclusion Our results suggest that vanillin is a safe and effective natural drug candidate having a great potential for the treatment of AD. However, more research is required to evaluate its effect on A beta plaques and Tau neurofibrillary tangles in vivo.


In simultaneous machine translation, the objective is to determine when to produce a partial translation given a continuous stream of source words, with a trade-off between latency and quality. We propose a neural machine translation (NMT) model that makes dynamic decisions when to continue feeding on input or generate output words. The model is composed of two main components: one to dynamically decide on ending a source chunk, and another that translates the consumed chunk. We train the components jointly and in a manner consistent with the inference conditions. To generate chunked training data, we propose a method that utilizes word alignment while also preserving enough context. We compare models with bidirectional and unidirectional encoders of different depths, both on real speech and text input. Our results on the IWSLT 2020 English-to-German task outperform a wait-k baseline by 2.6 to 3.7% BLEU absolute.


Since cultural and professional contacts between representatives of different countries are actively developing, the ability to establish intercultural relations and solve operational problems in professional and social spheres is one of the critical professional characteristics of higher education graduates. The intensification of global integration processes determines the state's social order for the education of high-skilled, communicatively competent graduates, highly mobile and competitive in the European and global labor markets. The increasing scale of international cooperation requires future specialists not only the rapid and effective implementation of innovative technologies but also the use of foreign experience in the relevant professional sphere, effective professional communication with international partners, change, and adaptation to new social conditions. In the Ukrainian higher education sector standards, a communicatively competent specialist is characterized as a person who can understand and accept the ethical norms and models of communicative behavior of other cultures, shows adaptability and interpersonal skills in communication, and has tolerance to foreign partners. Furthermore, the future specialists' tasks include the organization of fruitful cooperation with foreign partners, including the lifelong learning ability, managing information flows, preventing potential communication difficulties, and identifying and eliminating the causes of conflict situations. Therefore, training professional skills that promote the development of foreign language communicative competence is a priority task of higher education. Thus, the ability to effectively communicate is one of the most popular qualities in today's market because, in different spheres of activity, there is a constant need for people who can present new projects, stand up for ideas, lead discussions, and refute and convince opponents. Understanding the importance of the multicultural society problem within the context of globalization and especially the Ukrainian society, and the need for multicultural education is becoming increasingly important. While applying the competence approach in education based on one's abilities and social status, it is crucial to form multicultural competencies and acquire the appropriate level of interpersonal relationships experience for successful social functioning. This research aims at the theoretical and practical study of the process components of forming students' foreign language communicative competence within the context of their activities in the educational and scientific sphere, taking into account the rapid development of social culture and worldwide globalization of education and science. Methodology. We used the analytical method of studying the set question together with synthesis, abstraction, generalization, explanation, and classification to analyze scientific research on this issue. We applied observations, comparisons, and measures to prepare the practical part of the work. Results. According to the study results, the research team systematized and determined the opinions of domestic and foreign scientists on the structure and specific features of foreign language communicative competence development and the ways of this communicative skills optimization type among students.


CONTEXT
Most protocols established to treat patients with functional ankle instability (FAI) have focused on taping the ankle. Orthotic intervention is a different treatment protocol that may have a positive effect on these patients, especially after an accommodation period.

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the use of a prefabricated orthotic affects postural stability in patients with FAI and a control group.

DESIGN
Randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING
Research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Forty patients with unilateral FAI.

INTERVENTION(S)
Postural stability was measured on both limbs using a force plate on 3 occasions. Participants were instructed to balance on 1 limb with their eyes closed for 20 seconds. In session 1, postural stability was measured with the patient wearing his or her own athletic shoes. The control group repeated this procedure in sessions 2 and 3. When those in the orthotic group returned for session 2, they received prefabricated, full-length Quick Comfort Insoles for both feet, immediately placed the orthotics in their shoes, and were tested for postural stability. Patients in the orthotic group were instructed to wear the inserts daily and return 2 weeks later for session 3 and repeat postural stability testing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Center of pressure.

RESULTS
In the orthotic group, postural stability improved between sessions 1 and 2 and sessions 1 and 3. In session 3, postural stability was different for the orthotic and control groups. We also identified a difference between the limbs such that the FAI ankle displayed worse postural stability than did the healthy ankle.

CONCLUSIONS
Prefabricated orthotics improved postural stability in participants with FAI. Similar to the findings of previous researchers, we found that postural stability was worse in FAI ankles than in healthy ankles.


The production of the hadronic resonances K*0(892), (1020), Σ*(1385), and Ξ*(1530) in central AA collisions at , 200, and 2760 GeV is systematically studied. The direct production of these resonances at system hadronization is described by the quark combination model and the effects of hadron multiple-scattering stage are dealt with by a ultra-relativistic quantum molecular dynamics model (UrQMD). We study the contribution of these two production sources to final observation and compare the final spectra with the available experimental data. The pT spectra of K*0(892) calculated directly by quark combination model are explicitly higher than the data at low pT 1.5 GeV, and taking into account the modification of rescattering effects, the resulting final spectra well agree with the data at all three collision energies. The rescattering effect on (1020) production is weak and including it can slightly improve our description at low pT on the basis of overall agreement with the data. We also predict the pT spectra of Σ*(1385) and Ξ*(1530), to be tested by the future experimental data.


The main objective of this research was to find out whether students' reading comprehensionimproved when taught using reciprocal teaching. The research method was classroom actionresearch. The subject of this research was the 35 students of class VIII B at SMP YADIKA 2,consisted of six males and twenty nine females students. The qualitative data obtained frominterview, observation, and researcher's diary notes, while the quantitative data obtained fromthe pre – test and post – test. The result indicated that there was an improvement of students'reading comprehension. It can be seen from the mean score of the students (Pre – test: 60.21;post – test cycle 1: 74.42; and post – test cycle 2: 86.78). In addition, from the interview resultthe researcher found that the students enjoyed learning reading using reciprocal teaching. Theconclusion of the research is that reciprocal teaching technique can improve the students' readingcomprehension. It is suggested that teachers should apply reciprocal teaching as a teachingtechnique in the classroom.Keywords: classroom action reasearch, reading comprehension, reciprocal teaching.


The article contains a summary of the published literature together with results of the author's investigations designed to study efficacies of combined herbal drugs as treatment of hypertension. Treated at length are pharmacological mechanisms of action and a clinical effectiveness of a new combined vegetal drug chomviotensin that has come to be widely used as treatment of hypertensive disease.


EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON THE EXECUTIVE FUNCTION AND THEORY OF MIND SKILLS OF PRESCHOOLERS By Andrea Molzhon, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016. Director: Geraldine Lotze, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology Executive function (EF) and theory of mind (ToM) skills develop rapidly during the preschool years and have been found to directly and indirectly contribute to school readiness. Evidence indicates that EF may influence ToM development, though this relation may not be consistent across children from different backgrounds. Additionally, socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to affect preschoolers' EF, while the literature is mixed regarding the effects – if any – that SES may have on ToM development. Though the relation between EF and ToM appears robust across the literature, the possible effects of SES on this relation have yet to be fully explored. As children from low-SES homes are more likely to fall behind at the start of school, and this achievement gap is likely to widen through the school years, it is important to understand how the cognitive components that contribute to school readiness develop and are affected by SES so that we may work toward improving preschool education for children across all socioeconomic backgrounds. The primary purpose of the current study was to determine whether SES affected the relation between EF and ToM among urban preschool children (ages 35 years) from various SES backgrounds. In addition to examining the EF-ToM relation, relations among SES, general cognitive skills, EF, and ToM, as well as relations among age, EF, and ToM, were examined. Results from correlational and regression analyses indicated that SES was related to EF but not ToM, and that EF was not related to ToM after controlling for age. Inconsistent with the majority of previous findings, the results did not support the hypothesized link between EF and ToM. However, the findings from this study do add support to the large body of literature pertaining to the positive relation between SES and EF, and provide evidence that ToM may be relatively protected from the negative effects of low-SES among preschoolers. Results also support previous reports of large age-related changes in EF and ToM that occur during the preschool years. The implications for preschool development and education are discussed.


[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pelvic tilt angle and disability associated with low back pain in adults. [Subjects] The subjects were 119 adults (56 males and 63 females) ranging in age from 18 to 55 years. Subjects with marked posterior pelvic tilt (PPT group) and marked anterior pelvic tilt (ATP group) were identified. The PPT group consisted of 6 males and 6 females with pelvic tilts of at least one standard deviation below the mean of healthy back subjects. There were 22 males 30 females in the APT group with pelvic tilt greater than one standard deviation above the mean. [Methods] Subjects completed a questionnaire about dominant working position and demographic variables. Pelvic tilt angle was measured using a modified inclinometer. [Results] Median disability scores of both males (9.1%) and females (10.9%) showed subjects were minimally disabled. Spearman correlation coefficients for the between pelvic tilt angle and the Oswestry disability index of male and female subjects in the PTT group, the APT group, and of all subjects were not significant. However, in the post hoc analysis a small but significant difference in pelvic tilt angle (p<0.001) between the normal and disability groups was discovered. Subjects with low back pain showed a significantly greater median pelvic tilt angle (6.0°) than those with healthy backs (3.5°). [Discussion and Conclusion] The results might indicate that low back pain suffers change their posture by increasing anterior pelvic tilt or it could mean that those with increasing pelvic tilt are more at risk of having back pain. Further study is recommended to investigate this relationship in subjects with moderate to severe disability.


Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of death in the Intensive care units and emergency departments with an estimated annual global mortality of 1.5 million people as a result of severe TBI. The prevalence of TBI varies according to regions. Despite this, there is limited data on the outcomes of patients following severe traumatic brain injury in southwestern Uganda. Herein, we studied the prevalence and outcome of severe traumatic brain injury at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) at discharge.Methods: A retrospective chart review of all TBI over six months (August 2016 - February 2017). The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at discharge. A favorable outcome was either good recovery or moderate disability while unfavorable outcome was severe disability, persistent vegetative state or death. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with GOS score at discharge. Data were analyzed using STATA v13.0.Results: A total of 196 hospital records of TBI patients were reviewed, 80 (40.8%) patients had severe TBI, with the average length of hospital stay at 4.3 ± 2.9 days. The mean patients' age was 35 ± 14 years with the most affected age group being 18 - 34 years (58.8%). The GOS score at discharge were; death (42.5%), persistent vegetative state (0%), severe disability (1.3%), moderate disability (3.8%) and good recovery (52.5%). Pupil size and response had a dose-response relationship with unfavorable outcome when both pupils were dilated and non-reactive to light and had a higher odd ratio (OR=6.05) and strongly associated with unfavorable outcome (p=0.011). However, surgery and seizure prophylaxis were significantly associated with favorable outcome (p=0.033), (p=0.016) and a lesser odd ratio (OR=0.29),(OR=0.31) of having unfavorable outcome respectively. Conclusion: Mbarara regional referral hospital, the prevalence of STBI is still high. Both surgery and seizure prophylaxis were associated with favorable outcome at discharge. However, unfavorable outcome was mainly seen amongst patients who develop a complication.


The authors previously developed a filter device containing immobilized protamine (termed "protamine filter") that could be used to remove heparin during extracorporeal perfusion. In vivo studies involving dogs showed that the protamine filter removed more than 50% of heparin from the animals' blood circuit in less than 20 min. In addition, the use of the protamine filter did not elicit statistically significant protamine induced hemodynamic and thrombocytopenic responses. Biocompatibility of the protamine filter was also evaluated, with the focus on its effect on the coagulation cascade, the complement system, and the blood antithrombin III levels. Results showed that heparin adsorbed to the protamine coated surface retained 20% of its original activated partial thromboplastin time activity, rendering the coated surface antithrombotic. Activation of the coagulation system by the protamine coated membrane and the untreated cellulose membrane, as measured by the elevation of prothrombin fragment F1 + 2 levels, was statistically identical. The CH50 hemolytic assay showed that the protamine coated membrane produced a reduction of 1.2 +/- 0.8% of the total complement levels, as compared to 9.4 +/- 1.6% by the untreated membrane. In addition, the change in C3a des Arginine levels after 30 min of circulation was 1.5 +/- 0.2 mg/ml by the protamine filter, as compared to 2.1 +/- 0.1 mg/ml by the untreated membrane. Unlike native heparin that would bind with antithrombin, heparin adsorbed on the protamine coated surface was devoid of such activity, and produced no depletion of circulating antithrombin. Because of the limited capacity of the protamine filter, the future system is envisioned to consist of two filters; while one filter is removing heparin the other will be regenerated. With a recently developed heparin sensor, it should be possible to design a sensor directed, biofeedback, two filter heparin removal system.


Background:

We tested, in an online survey, how well five different front-of-pack (FOP) labels helped Brazilian consumers make a healthier choice between two food or beverage products as compared to a no FOP label control.
Methods:

All 1072 respondents were randomly assigned to one of six groups 1) no FOP label (control), 2) ABIA label, 3) GGALIii Nutrient Profile label, 4) IdeC label, 5) Hybrid label or 6) Nutri-Score label and were all shown 9 food stimuli consisting of two products. The nutrient profile of the ABIA and Hybrid labels take into account the serving size of the food, while the other three labels score per 100 g. Respondents were asked which of the two products they thought was the healthier choice.
Results:

Overall, the Hybrid and ABIA labels performed best, resulting in a statistically significantly higher percentage of correct answers compared to the control for 9/9 and 8/9 of the food stimuli, respectively. Nutri-Score performed reasonably well and outperformed the control in 6/9 cases. The IdeC and GGALIii NP warning labels were the least useful, performing only one and two times better, respectively, than the control group.
Conclusion:

The Hybrid and the ABIA FOP labels, two interpretative traffic light labels that use colours and provide nutritional information per serving, were best suited to help Brazilian consumers choose the healthier product. They especially outperformed the other FOP labels when serving sizes differed significantly or when deeper consideration of nutritional information was needed to make an informed decision.


DSP operations are very important part of engineering as well as medical discipline. For the designing of DSP operations Multiplication is play important role to perform signal processing operations. Multiplier is one of the critical components in the area of digital signal processing and hearing aids. In this paper, efficient hardware architecture of MAC using a modified Wallace tree multiplier is proposed. The proposed MAC uses multiplier with novel compressor designs and adders as primitive building blocks for efficient application. Further, the Verilog-HDL coding of 8 bit MAC architecture and their FPGA implementation by Xilinx ISE 14.4 Synthesis Tool on Virtex7 kit have been done. The proposed compressor and adder based architecture used to be applied to MAC unit and in comparison to the previous design MAC unit and verified that the proposed architecture have reduce in terms of area, delay and power.


This paper presents a general 2D object characterization and matching scheme based on the information provided by color and shape. We focus on matching objects from generic images with complex scenes. In order to identify the region associated to each object, we use an unsupervised segmentation process based on a hierarchical representation of the image. The image is characterized using a uniform-scale chromatic space for the color, and morphological filters and deformable models for the shape and outline, respectively. Our method has been tested in order to retrieve objects of various colors and shapes. The proposed scheme is invariant to image rotation, affine transformations changes in illumination, and robust to small perspective and points of view deformations.


The emergence of drug resistance in fungal pathogens has a profound impact on human health given limited number of antifungal drugs. Antifungal resistance in Aspergillus spp. infection can be encountered in the antifungal drug-exposed patient due to selection of intrinsically resistant species or isolates with acquired resistance belonging to species that are normally susceptible. Resistance to triazoles is not common in Aspergillus spp., however, triazole resistance in A. fumigatus appears to be increasing in several European countries in recent years and can be clinically relevant. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing have developed breakpoints and epidemiological cutoff values that are now established for Aspergillus spp. Clinical microbiology laboratories will be employed commercial susceptibility assays, rather than reference broth microdilution methods and comparative studies are particularly important.


Mitochondrial Nuclear Exchange (MNX) mice, created by transferring the nucleus from an oocyte from strain x into an enucleated oocyte of strain y, showed that mammary tumor formation and metastasis can be regulated by inherited mitochondrial polymorphisms (PMID26471915). Besides genetic (cell autonomous) changes observed, we asked whether mitochondrial polymorphisms in non-cancer compartments could exert effects on tumor formation or metastasis. Tumor cells were injected into syngeneic wild type mice and tumor growth and metastasis were compared to similarly injected cells into MNX mice sharing the same nuclear but different mtDNA backgrounds. Orthotopic tumor growth rates were equal for all of the cell lines tested. However, the ability to form experimental lung metastases following i.v. injection were dramatically altered. Compared to injections into wild-type, syngeneic mice, E0771 mammary carcinoma and B16-F10 melanoma cells (both syngeneic to C57BL/6J), formed significantly (P MNX(C3H/HeN) and K1735-M2 melanoma cells (syngeneic to C3H/HeN) formed significantly fewer lung metastases in C3H/HeN mtMNXC57BL/6J . These results have been replicated at least three times using >10 mice per experiment. Interestingly, C57BL/6J mitochondria confer resistance to metastasis in both cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous experiments. Basal metabolic differences comparing mouse embryonic fibroblasts isolated from wild-type and MNX mice are among mechanisms being explored. Together, our findings highlight the striking influences that mitochondrial haplotypes can exert on tumorigenicity and metastasis via both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Support: Susan G. Komen for the Cure (SAC11037), Natl Fndn Cancer Res, Steiner Family Fund for Metastasis Research, Kansas Bioscience Authority, CA134981, P30-CA168524 Citation Format: Amanda E. Brinker, Carolyn J. Vivian, Danny R. Welch. Mitochondrial haplotype alters metastasis in a non-cell autonomous manner. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1696.


This study investigated those socio-economic conditions that help promote social actions in Nigeria and how these impinge on Nigeria's quest to attain socio economic development. It was emphasized that youths who presumably are the leaders of tomorrow are being consistently and persistently alienated from the social wealth which leads to frustration. These frustrations are expressed through different forms of social actions. In employing Karl Marx's Political Economy paradigm, this study acknowledged the fact that there are indeed two classes constantly in conflict with each other in the process of production and that the estrangement of one class by the other breeds social actions within the State. The historical, analytical and philosophical research designs were adopted for the study. The study discovered that a lot of factors were responsible for the incessant cases of social actions in the country some which include bad governance, corruption, poor educational opportunities amongst others. The study therefore recommends that government at all levels should endeavour to address the issue of poverty as it will help address the development crisis in the Nigeria.


OBJECTIVES
To determine the incidence of cholesteatoma formation associated with ventilation tube (VT) placement and to identify and analyze the variables and risk factors that may predict or predispose to this complication.

DESIGN
We reviewed the medical records of 2829 children following VT insertion between the years 1978 and 1997 to obtain 1- to 20-year follow-up data.

SETTING
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and outpatient clinics of 2 tertiary referral academic medical centers.

PATIENTS
A study population of 2829 children, ranging in age from 1.2 to 14 years (5575 ears), underwent a total of 6701 VT placements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Cholesteatomas were considered a complication of VT placement whenever they developed at or near the site of the tube insertion.

RESULTS
Cholesteatomas directly attributed to VT placement occurred in 1.1% of the ears that were operated on. A higher incidence occurred (1) in children younger than 5 years, (2) when Goode T-tubes were used, (3) in cases with repeated insertions of tubes, (4) with intubation exceeding 12 months, and (5) in cases with frequent post-operative otorrhea.

CONCLUSIONS
Cholesteatoma formation associated with VT placement occurs in 1.1% of the ears that are operated on, and therefore it should be discussed with patients or parents prior to surgery. Periodic and long-term follow-up microscopic examinations of the eardrum should be performed in all patients following tubal extrusion or removal, especially in those at high risk for developing a secondary cholesteatoma, to detect this complication as early as possible.