Nowadays social accounting is becoming ever more widespread, and as a result its principles and guidelines are coming under closer scrutiny. Social accounting and business ethics are closely interconnected. First of all this is because the ethical aspects of business and also social accounting both pose a series of specific ethical questions, such as transparency, neutrality and coherence in relation to all those involved in a business activity, secondly, because the objects of social accounting are often data and information 'with a high ethical content' such as, for example, standard business praxis or the attitude and behaviour of a company towards its employees and consumers. Social accountants often use stakeholders as a reference point. Indeed, the 'stakeholder approach' is commonly used, albeit acritically and without distinguishing between different approaches such as strategic, descriptive and ethical. For example, when senior management holds itself responsible to 'influential stakeholders' such as US consumers or large, established European trade unions, we must ask ourselves the following question: what criteria can we use to distinguish between the authentic application of ethical principles and the adoption of sophisticated business strategies? The debate on 'managing stakeholders' also needs to clarify terminology: who really are stakeholders and what procedures should companies adopt to guarantee transparency in their dealings with them? An interesting debating point could be to relate the stakeholder approach with 'solidarity.' This concept centres on the primary importance of the human personality and can serve as a link with and between individual stakeholders and the wider aspects of the motivations for social accounting. It is in this context that the paper examines relations between the Social Doctrines of the Catholic Church (focusing on Social Encyclicals, in particular, 'Centesimus Annus') and business ethics and social accounting.


People have the habitual pitch level which is used when people say something generally. However this pitch should be changed irregularly in the presence of noise. So it is useful to estimate SNR of speech signal by pitch. In this paper, we obtain the energy of input speech signal and then we detect a stationary region on voiced speech. And we get the pitch period by NAMDF for the stationary region that is not varied pitch rapidly. After getting pitch, each frame is divided by pitch period and the likelihood of closed pitch is estimated. In this paper, we proposed new parameter, NLF, to estimate the SNR of received speech signal. The NLF is derived from the correlation of near pitch periods. The NLF is obtained for each stationary region in voiced speech. Finally we confirmed good performance of the estimation of the SNR of received input speech in the presence of noise. Keywords—Likelihood, Pitch, SNR, Speech.


Based on a linear framework, this paper aims to examine the relationship between future spot rates and forward exchange rates using USD-TND data, thanks to traditional regressions and to the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) in order to check if the Unbiasedness Forward Exchange Rate (UFER) hypothesis is satisfied and if the forward premiums contain valuable information useful to forecast the subsequent path that will be taken by spot exchange rates. The empirical analysis reveals that the UFER hypothesis is rejected and that the forward premium is a crucial tool, particularly at short term, to detect the future movements of spot exchange rates. A potential enrichment of such a paper will rely on a non linear framework.


Recently, self-attention mechanisms have shown impressive performance in various NLP and CV tasks, which can help capture sequential characteristics and derive global information. In this work, we explore how to extend self-attention modules to better learn subtle feature embeddings for recognizing fine-grained objects, e.g., different bird species or person identities. To this end, we propose a dual cross-attention learning (DCAL) algorithm to coordinate with self-attention learning. First, we propose global-local cross-attention (GLCA) to enhance the interactions between global images and local high-response regions, which can help reinforce the spatial-wise discriminative clues for recognition. Second, we propose pairwise cross-attention (PWCA) to establish the interactions between image pairs. PWCA can regularize the attention learning of an image by treating another image as distractor and will be removed during inference. We observe that DCAL can reduce misleading attentions and diffuse the attention response to discover more complementary parts for recognition. We conduct extensive evaluations on finegrained visual categorization and object reidentification. Experiments demonstrate that DCAL performs on par with state-of-the-art methods and consistently improves multiple self-attention baselines, e.g., surpassing DeiT-Tiny and ViT-Base by 2.8% and 2.4% mAP on MSMT17, respectively.


The complex behavior of systems in nature is rooted in intricate mechanisms of interaction that often supersede human-made systems in terms of reliability, power efficiency, and computational capacity. Researchers have begun to realize that natural systems are a great source of inspiration for novel algorithms in computation and communication systems. The International Workshop on Natural Computing (IWNC) is a platform that brings together computer scientists, biologists, mathematicians, electronic engineers, physicists, and social scientists to critically assess present findings in the field and to outline future developments in novel and emerging paradigms of computation and computing architectures. This compilation contains the papers from the most recent workshop, held in Himeji, Japan. Presented by scientists of worldwide reputation, the topics include DNA computation, cellular automata, physics and computation, evolutionary computing, neural networks, amoeba-based computing, artificial chemistry, noise-driven computing, chaotic systems, and unconventional models of communication.


We study (dual) Longo–Rehren subfactors M ⊗ Mopp ⊂ ℝ arising from various systems of endomorphisms of M obtained from α-induction for some braided subfactor N ⊂ M. Our analysis provides useful tools to determine the systems of ℝ-ℝ morphisms associated with such Longo–Rehren subfactors, which constitute the "quantum double" systems in an appropriate sense. The key to our analysis is that α-induction produces half-braidings in the sense of Izumi, so that his general theory can be applied. Nevertheless, α-induced systems are in general not braided, and thus our results allow to compute the quantum doubles of (certain) systems without braiding. We illustrate our general results by several examples, including the computation of the quantum double systems for the asymptotic inclusion of the E8 subfactor as well as its three analogues arising from conformal inclusions of SU(3)k.


Scene flow in 3D point clouds plays an important role in understanding dynamic environments. Although significant advances have been made by deep neural networks, the performance is far from satisfactory as only per-point translational motion is considered, neglecting the constraints of the rigid motion in local regions. To address the issue, we propose to introduce the motion consistency to force the smoothness among neighboring points. In addition, constraints on the rigidity of the local transformation are also added by sharing unique rigid motion parameters for all points within each local region. To this end, a high-order CRFs based relation module (Con-HCRFs) is deployed to explore both point-wise smoothness and region-wise rigidity. To empower the CRFs to have a discriminative unary term, we also introduce a position-aware flow estimation module to be incorporated into the Con-HCRFs. Comprehensive experiments on FlyingThings3D and KITTI show that our proposed framework (HCRF-Flow) achieves state-of-the-art performance and significantly outperforms previous approaches substantially.


We investigate the conditional average and the conditional variance of dissipated energy considering, as a prototypical example, a driven spin-boson system. We follow a measurement protocol in which the spin is prepared in a certain initial state before undergoing a periodic driving. Subsequently, the spin is projected onto a post-selected final state. We compare the conditional average of dissipated energy to the lower bound which directly follows from the well known fluctuation relations. We further report that a special selection of the initial (pre-selected) and final (post-selected) spin states leads to an enhanced energy emission with simultaneous noise suppression at driving times of order of the relaxation time.


Automatic-repeat-request (ARQ) as a MAC layer mechanism and artificial noise (AN) as a physical layer mechanism along with the help of maximal ratio combining (MRC), are jointly designed to achieve secrecy. Basically, a special AN, which does not require null-space in the channel, is designed based on the quality of service requirements and the channel condition between the legitimate parties and injected to the data packet. If the same packet is requested by the legitimate receiver (Bob), an AN canceling signal is properly designed and added to the next packet. Then, an AN-free packet is obtained by using MRC process at Bob, while deteriorating the eavesdropper's performance. Furthermore, two simple closed-form expressions of the achievable secure throughput are derived. The first one is given in a closed-form for the case of ARQ scheme without AN, while the second one is given in an upper-bound form for the case of ARQ with AN. Moreover, this paper addresses two critical security-associated problems: 1) the joint design of secrecy, reliability, throughput, delay and the tradeoff among them, and 2) the increase in the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) due to the added AN. Finally, the proposed design is extended to OFDM to demonstrate its capability in not only enhancing the secrecy due to the frequency selectivity of the channel, but also in reducing the PAPR and out-of-band emission of OFDM-based waveforms, while maintaining secrecy.


The crystallographic and magnetic properties are presented for van der Waals antiferromagnetic FePS3. High-quality single crystals of millimeter size have been successfully synthesized through the chemical vapor transport method. The layered structure and cleavability of the compound are apparent, which are beneficial for a potential exploration of the interesting low dimensional magnetism, as well as for incorporation of FePS3 into van der Waals heterostructures. For the sake of completeness, we have measured both direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility. The paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition occurs at approximately . The effective moment is larger than the spin-only effective moment, suggesting that an orbital contribution to the total angular momentum of the Fe2+ could be present. The ac susceptibility is independent of frequency, which means that the spin freezing effect is excluded. Strong anisotropy of out-of-plane and in-plane susceptibility has been shown, demonstrating the Ising-type magnetic order in FePS3 system.


A 20-year-old male presented with an extremely rare spontaneous epidural pneumocephalus which was successfully treated by a single neurosurgical intervention. The patient had a habit of nose blowing and a 1-year history of progressive headache and nausea. Cranial computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2 x 7 cm right temporo-occipital epidural pneumocephalus with extensive hyperpneumatization of the mastoid cells. Right temporo-occipital craniotomy with a right superficial temporal artery and vein flap repair resulted in radiographic resolution of the pneumocephalus, and he remained neurologically free of symptoms at 1-year follow-up examination. Early identification and monitoring of symptomatic pneumocephalus followed by decompression and prevention of infection via closure of the bone defect can avoid possible serious consequences. The underlying mechanisms may involve a congenital petrous bone defect and a ball-valve effect due to excessive nose blowing in our case.


Background/Study Context: Many studies have found age-related declines in emotion recognition, with older adult (OA) deficits strongest for negative emotions. Some evidence suggests that OA also show worse performance in decoding complex mental states. However, no research has investigated whether those deficits are stronger for negative states. Methods: The authors investigated OA (ages 65–93) and younger adult (YA; ages 18–22) performance on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RME), a well-validated measure of the ability to decode complex mental states from faces. Results: The authors replicated findings showing OA deficits in this task. Using a multilevel logistic model, the authors found that the poorer performance of OA was due to worse performance on items for which a negative state was the correct answer. When analyzing each age group separately, OA scored worse on negative than positive items, whereas YA performance did not vary as a function of item valence. These age differences on the RME could not be explained by differences in lower-level visual function. Conclusion: These findings show that previously documented OA deficits in perceiving basic negative emotional expressions are also present in reading complex mental states.


Summary
Vessels can have acute and chronic impacts on marine species. The rate of increase in commercial shipping is accelerating, and there is a need to quantify and potentially manage the risk of these impacts.
Usage maps characterising densities of grey and harbour seals and ships around the British Isles were used to produce risk maps of seal co-occurrence with shipping traffic. Acoustic exposure to individual harbour seals was modelled in a study area using contemporaneous movement data from 28 animals fitted with UHF global positioning satellite telemetry tags and automatic identification system data from all ships during 2014 and 2015. Data from four acoustic recorders were used to validate sound exposure predictions.
Across the British Isles, rates of co-occurrence were highest within 50 km of the coast, close to seal haul-outs. Areas identified with high risk of exposure included 11 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC; from a possible 25). Risk to harbour seal populations was highest, affecting half of all SACs associated with the species.
Predicted cumulative sound exposure level, cSELs(Mpw), over all seals was 176·8 dB re 1 μPa2 s (95% CI 163·3–190·4), ranging from 170·2 dB re 1μPa2 s (95% CI 168·4–171·9) to 189·3 dB re 1 μPa2 s (95% CI 172·6–206·0) for individuals. This represented an increase in 28·3 dB re 1 μPa2 s over measured ambient noise. For 20 of 28 animals in the study, 95% CI for cSELs(Mpw) had upper bounds above levels known to induce temporary threshold shift. Predictions of broadband received sound pressure levels were underestimated on average by 0·7 dB re 1 μPa (±3·3).
Synthesis and applications. We present a framework to allow shipping noise, an important marine anthropogenic stressor, to be explicitly incorporated into spatial planning. Potentially sensitive areas are identified through quantifying risk to marine species of exposure to shipping traffic, and individual noise exposure is predicted with associated uncertainty in an area with varying rates of co-occurrence. The detailed approach taken here facilitates spatial planning with regard to underwater noise within areas protected through the Habitats Directive, and could be used to provide evidence for further designations. This framework may have utility in assessing whether underwater noise levels are at Good Environmental Status under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.


BACKGROUND
This study aims to formulate and characterize sorafenib-loaded resealed erythrocytes (SoRE) and investigate their anticancer activity in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS
SoRE were prepared by hypotonic dialysis of red blood cells obtained from Wistar rats using a range of drug-containing dialysis mediums (2-10 mg/ml) and osmosis time (30-240 mins). Optimized SoRE (8 mg/mL and 240 mins) were characterized for size, morphology, stability, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro release profiles, and in-vivo efficacy evaluations. For efficacy studies, optimized SoRE were intravenously administered to Wistar rats having hepatocellular lesions induced by aflatoxin B and monitored for in-vivo antineoplastic activity.

RESULTS
The amount of sorafenib entrapped was directly proportional to the drug concentration in the dialysis medium and duration of osmosis; highest for 10 mg/mL and 240 minutes and lowest for 2 mg/mL and 30 minutes, respectively. Optimized SoRE were biconcave with a size of 112.7 nm and zeta potential of -11.95  2.25 mV. Osmotic and turbulence fragility were comparable with native erythrocytes.

CONCLUSION
Drug release follows the first-order pattern. In-vivo investigations reveal better anticancer activity of SoRE formulation compared to sorafenib standard preparation. Resealed erythrocytes loaded with sorafenib displayed first-order in-vitro release and promising anticancer activity in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma.


In a hydroponic culture, different concentrations of PEG-6000 (0, 8.3%, and 12.6%, W/V) and NaCl (0, 25, and 50 mmol x L(-1) were added to simulate different degrees of drought and salt stresses, aimed to study their interactive effects on the winter wheat (cv. Cang-6001) seedlings growth and physiological characteristics of stress-resistance. The results showed that under the conditions of adding 8.3% and 12.6% of PEG-6000, the addition of 25 mmol NaCl x L(-1) increased the dry matter accumulation and water content in plant, the contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein in leaf and the Na+ content in shoot and root, while decreased the MDA and proline contents in leaf and the K+ content in shoot and root, compared with no NaCl addition. Adding 12.6% of PEG-6000 and 50 mmol x L(-1) of NaCl more inhibited plant growth, compared with no NaCl added. It was suggested that under drought stress, applying definite amount of salt could alleviate the deleterious effects of drought stress on winter wheat seedlings growth.


Now in its second edition, this book offers a comprehensive treatment of intellectual property law and interactive media. Having been thoroughly updated, this edition captures emerging trends and issues in a shifting landscape (including international contexts and games/virtual worlds), legislative and judicial history, and the efforts to balance public and private interests. It explains the details relating to procedural issues in connection with each of the varied and unique forms of intellectual property management (copyright, patent, open source/open publishing, trademark, trade secrets, personal torts -right of publicity, privacy, defamation - and digital rights management) and registration. Each chapter now includes a section that clearly introduces the fundamentals of the IP law aspect highlighted in the chapter. Each chapter also includes a new section dedicated to emerging Issues. Case coverage is revised in two important ways: the bulk of the case analyses have been moved to a second volume, Case Analyses for Intellectual Property Law and New Media (Baron, Lamoureux, and Stewart); and references to cases in the primary text direct readers to pertinent sections in the new book. The coverage allows this second edition to serve as an excellent resource for undergraduates studying interactive media, as well as being a primer for first year IP law students, a handbook for entrepreneurs, a guidebook for general lawyers to assist in referrals, and an interesting read for those simply curious about the field. The books are supplemented by freeforafee.com, a blog providing textual updates, online links to bibliographic materials, and extensive resource aggregation. Learning objectives for each chapter and a glossary of key terms is provided within the texts.


Background Stigma remains a barrier to female sex workers9 (FSW) access to health services, reflecting fears of being identified as engaging in a criminalised and marginalised occupation, and discrimination and mistreatment by health workers. For FSW living with HIV, the additional stigma can exacerbate discrimination and reluctance to seek care. Methods We describe intersecting patterns of anticipated and experienced stigma related to sex work and HIV status among FSW in Zimbabwe. As part of the baseline survey for the SAPPH-IRe cluster-randomised trial, we recruited 2722 FSW in 14 sites using Respondent Driven Sampling. We asked 9 questions on perceived sex-work-related stigma. Women self-identifying as HIV+ (n = 1011) answered an additional stigma scale. Results Sex work-related stigma was higher than HIV-related stigma. This held true for internalised, perceived and experienced forms. For instance, 37% of FSW reported "feeling ashamed" due to their occupation, compared to 20% of those with HIV feeling shame due to their status; 59% of FSW felt they had "lost respect or standing" as a result of being sex workers, while 23% among the HIV+ felt HIV had reduced their social status. In relation to being "talked about badly" for being FSW or HIV+, the figures were 47% and 12%. Similarly, 19% of respondents reported being insulted as FSW but just 5% of those living with HIV felt insulted due to their status. Denial of services by health care workers was low, but nonetheless considered higher for being a sex worker compared to being HIV+. Conclusions Sex workers in Zimbabwe have high HIV prevalence and experience layered stigma for their role as "immoral" women as well as "vectors of disease." That sex-work related stigma is more pervasive than HIV-related stigma may be due to "normalisation" of HIV following introduction of widespread treatment, with comparatively greater disapproval for sex work. Disclosure of interest statement The SAPPH-IRe trial is using Truvada donated by Gilead. We have no other relationships with commercial entities to disclose.


Initially published in 1998, The Spirit of the Child is a ground-breaking book providing a theoretical and practical text that attempts to offset the dearth of research and literature relating to children's spiritual experience. The original work is the product of a professional collaboration between David Hay, then Reader in Spiritual Education at the University of Nottingham, and Rebecca Nye, research assistant working on the Children's Spirituality Project, which investigated the dimensions of spiritual experience with primary school-aged children in Birmingham and Nottingham. The book explores the concept of spirituality, focusing on the relationship between more formal religious experience and less formal experiences. This is a complex domain and the text manages to explore these notions in a scholarly, intellectual and critical way. An undoubted strength of the book acknowledged by its earlier reviewers is the accessible, engaging style of writing – this is no mean feat given the rigour with which theoretical evidence is marshalled in part 1 of the work, which aims to orientate the reader into concepts and definitions of spirituality. In part 2, evidence from the research project generates a key theoretical notion with which to consider children's spiritual experience, i.e. relational consciousness. This is organized into four broad contexts, i.e. Child–God consciousness, Child–people consciousness, Child– world consciousness and Child–self consciousness. In part 3 of the book, a reflection is offered, which focuses on the implications for practitioners – a four-point strategy is offered in this respect:


It is well recognised that children and young people in out-of-home care require stability and a sense of security. Focus has been given to the importance of stable placements with the same carers and maintaining or establishing positive relationships with significant others, such as parents and siblings. Undoubtedly, placement and family relationships are critical, but there are additional avenues for enhancing children's wellbeing when planning for continuity and connections. This paper reports on how continuity and connections for children in out-of-home care are dealt with in the placement planning process. Sixteen case managers were interviewed from a non-government placement service in two Australian states about pre-placement planning, connections, continuity and discontinuity. The findings suggest that continuity and connection planning should be a more elevated and explicit part of the process of pre-placement planning, as it has the potential to create a more seamless and coherent experience for children.


Abstract Sedation esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has become more prevalent in many countries. However, owing to the limitation of health insurance payment for sedation EGD in Taiwan, non-sedation EGD still accounts for the majority of cases. This study was aimed to explore the differences between the sedation and non-sedation groups in terms of endoscopic findings, such as detection rate of gastric polyp of any size, number of detected gastric polyps, and location of the gastric polyps detected. We enrolled 10,940 patients who underwent EGD between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 at the Tri-Service General Hospital; among the patients, 1900 received intravenous sedation (IVS) and 9040 did not. The data reviewed included demographics, parameters of the polyp (number, size, and location), and pathology. Compared with the non-sedation group, the sedation group had a higher overall polyp detection rate (P < .001); a greater number of detected polyps (Odds ratio 1.50, P = .007); and a higher detection rate of smaller polyps, such as fundic gland polyp, and hyperplastic polyp (P < .001). Among the pathological findings, gastric neuroendocrine tumor (NET) was detected using EGD in 2 cases and manifested as small polyps (<0.05 cm), and it showed significantly better detection rates in the sedation EGD group than in the non-sedation EGD group (P = .002). Sedation EGD could enhance a patients willingness and cooperation during EGD. Furthermore, sedation EGD increased the detection rates of small gastric polyps and was more likely to enable identification of unusual findings, such as gastric NET.


The morphologic changes are described found in the gallbladder of a female patient, aged 40; she had xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis secondary to cholelithiasis combined with a hiatal hernia and multiple duodenal diverticulae (Saint's triad).


Using London as an example this paper demonstrates that the idea of tourism as 'pleasure and recreation' is wholly inadequate for an understanding of the published evidence on tourism in major cities. In the UK this results directly from the definition adopted by the main statistical sources such that tourists become travellers, irrespective of purpose, who stay overnight at their destination. In so doing the paper highlights two areas for future research, the growing trend in short-distance tourism and the increasing importance of visiting friends and relatives. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Although there are a wide variety of applications that require wind speed time series (WSTS), this paper emphases on WSTS to be used into wind turbine controllers tuning. These simulations involve several WSTS to perform a proper assessment. These WSTS must assure realistic wind speed variations such as wind gusts and include some rare events such as extreme wind situations. The architecture proposed to generate this WSTS is based on autoregressive models with certain post-processing. The methodology used is entirely described by precise notation as well as it is parametrized by means of data gathered from a weather station. Two main different simulations are performed and assessment; the first simulation is fed by weather data with high wind speed and great variability. The second simulation, on the opposite, use calm wind speed as a data source.Article History: Received 1st  June 2018; Received in revised form Sept 6th 2018; Accepted October 10th 2018; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: González, A.G. and Guede, J.M.L. (2018) Longitudinal Wind Speed Time Series Generated With Autoregressive Methods For Wind Turbine Control.  International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 7(3), 199-204.https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.7.3.199-204


Stroke is disease or functional disorder of the brain in the form of nerve paralysis (neurological deficit) due to obstruction of blood flow to the brain. One of the therapies given to stroke patients is by giving neuroprotectant drugs, namely citicoline injection and piracetam injection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of therapy and cost effectiveness of stroke patients' therapy between the use of alternative citicoline injection and injection piracetam in a pharmacoeconomic manner with a Cost Effectiveness approach in RSU Imelda Pekerja Indonesia Medan. This study uses a retrospective Cohort Study method. The sample of this study consisted of 44 patients, namely 22 patients treated with citicoline injection and 22 patients treated with piracetam injection. The results of this study were obtained from the comparison of ACER (Average Cost Effectiveness Ratio) and ICER (Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio) values. The ACER value of citicoline injection is Rp. 11.949.- less than the ACER value of piracetam Rp. 15.474.- so that the Cost Effective ACER value which has the lowest ACER value is citicoline injection. The ICER value of the comparison of citicoline injection and injection piracetam is Rp. -32.661.- . which means the ICER result is negative or getting smaller, it is considered more effective and cheaper, in accordance with quadrant II the plant's cost-effectiveness decreases so that the neuroprotectant drug class therapy with the most Cost Effectiveness of stroke patients in RSU Imelda Pekerja Indonesian Medan is citicoline injection.


In India, the success of a cadaveric transplant program is limited by the number of available organs. Major reasons for this organ shortage include ignorance and misconceptions about brain death and the organ retrieval process; mistrust in the medical system; fear of mutilation of the body, delay in the funeral ceremonies, and mistreatment in the hospital if the patient has pledged organs following death; nonexistence of an organ procurement agency; and an ineffective organ retrieval and sharing network. Nonexistence of efficient organ coordination is an important factor in the organ shortage. Now, as organ transplant programs are being conceived and implemented in full earnest, transplant coordinators must be included as an indispensable component. Their role will be to educate the public, act as a liaison between the hospital and the society, and coordinate the process of organ procurement by taking consent of grieving relatives of brain dead persons.


The study aims to study and evaluate the relationship between the implementation of Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) and value-added (VA) of firms. To achieve this aim, the literature related to the study had been reviewed, an applied study using data from financial statements and reports of El-Sewedy Electric Group of companies had been conducted. The findings of the study indicated that there is a statistically significant impact of the ERP systems on the annual interest, there is a statistically significant impact of the ERP systems on the annual profit, there is a statistically significant impact of the ERP systems on the annual taxes, there is a statistically significant impact of the ERP systems on the annual wages and salaries, there is a statistically significant correlation between ERP systems and VA of companies and there is a statistically significant impact of ERP systems on VA of companies.


A mild and novel palladium(II)-catalyzed domino Heck/Suzuki alpha,beta-diarylation-reduction of a dimethylaminoethyl substituted chelating vinyl ether was developed by using electron-rich arylboronic acids in combination with p-benzoquinone. Based on the preparative results, a catalytic cycle is proposed. Further, highly regioselective palladium(II)-catalyzed alpha- or beta-monoarylation of the chelating vinyl ether was achieved using either a bidentate ligand or by employing ligand-less conditions.


As the Higher Education sector has moved towards student-centred learning so too has the growth in electronic support for learning. E-assessment has been a part of this growth as increasingly assessment and its feedback is seen as an integral part of the students' learning process. Mature e-assessment systems exist, particularly where answers to questions are restricted to a prescribed list of alternatives. However, for free response artefacts, where there is a limited restriction placed on answers to questions, automated assessment systems are embryonic.

 This dissertation presents an investigation into the automated assessment of free response artefacts. Design diagrams and their accompanying source code implementations are examples of free response artefacts. A case study is developed that investigates how to automatically generate formative feedback for a design diagram by utilizing its accompanying implementation. The dissertation presents a two-staged solution, initially analysing the design diagram in isolation before comparing it with the implementation. A framework for this approach has been developed and tested using a tool applied to coursework submitted by undergraduate computer science students.

 The tool was evaluated by comparing the formative feedback comments generated by the tool with those produced by a team of computer science educators. Evaluation was undertaken via two Likert questionnaires, one completed by students and one completed by a team of computer scientists. The results presented are favourable, with the majority of comments produced by the tool being seen to be as least as good as those generated by the computer science educators.


Author(s): Castle, Eric | Advisor(s): Oberoi, Snehlata | Abstract: Introduction: Following orthodontic treatment, it is often critical that patients wear a retainer to prevent relapse. Removable retainers are commonly used, which rely on patient compliance, however it is well known that patients are not always compliant which can lead to a poor outcome. Recent technological advances have led to the development of removable retainers that record compliance, but to date none have incorporated Bluetooth technology to wirelessly transmit compliance information. Such technology would allow a clinician to intervene immediately upon non-compliance to prevent relapse. Aim: First to develop and conduct preliminary lab testing of the Innov8 Retainer and to develop the Innov8 software and webpage database. Then conduct a pilot study to test the clinical efficacy and accuracy of the newly developed Bluetooth enabled retainer and iOS mobile application. Methods: Following the development and preliminary testing the pilot study was designed. Five subjects were given an Innov8 Retainer, logbook and iPod Touch with the Innov8 mobile application (T0). Subjects were instructed to wear the retainer for 12 hours per day, record each time the retainer was inserted or removed and trained to sync the device daily to the mobile application. After the five-day study period (T1), statistical analysis was performed. Results: The median difference between the self- and device-reported data was 35 minutes or 5.1% and 13 minutes or 1.9% using the adjusted calculation method. Conclusions: Subjects were able to successfully wear the retainer and use the mobile application. The device showed a clinically acceptable level of accuracy and usability that validates it for further clinical testing.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of intellectual capital in the relationship between social capital and organizational performance in hospital organizations. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used, with a convenience sample of 390 nurses from 3 general hospitals in Gwangju and Chonnam province. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey done from May 1 to 15, 2009. Data was analyzed with descriptive statist ics, Pearson correlation coefficient and hierarchial multiple regression using the SPSS WIN 17.0 program. Results: There was a significantly positive relationship between social capital, intellectual capital and organizational performance. Intellectual capital showed partial mediating effects between social capital and organizational performance. However, intellectual capital did not show moderating effects. Conclusion: Accumulated social capital increased intellectual capital and the increased intellectual capital increased organizational performance. This finding suggests that as a contribution to the improvement of organizational performance in hospitals, creation and accumulation of social capital and intellectual capital are very critical.


The quality of the results of laryngotracheoplasties is clear evidence of the progress made in the treatment of stenoses involving the larynx and the trachea in children. the surgeon is no longer limited to helping the child breath correctly via the natural airways but can also concentrate on phonatrics since dysphonia is frequent after laryngotracheoplasty. Vocal production of 23 children who had undergone surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis was evaluated subjectively by a panel of listeners and objectively on the basis of the pitch and intensity of the voice, rate of speech and maximal time of phonation. In 11 children over the age of 5 years, assisted assessment of the voice completed the study. In 69.5% of the cases, the voice was subjectively considered to be satisfactory. Voice was considered clear in 52% of the cases. Speech flow was impaired in 39% due to frequent breath taking. Objective parameters revealed that pitch was slightly impaired (256 Hz) with a tendancy to normalize near puberty. The intensity of the voice (77 dB) and mean maximum phonation time (7 s) decreased. The phonotary quotient (270 ml/sec), jitter (1.4%) and leakage of the glottis (2.02 cm3/dB/s) were slightly above the normal range. The spectra of the voices were richly furnished with harmonics up to about 1 000 Hz above which air noises increased. An attempt was made to correlate the analysis of the voice with the characteristics of the stenosis and with the therapeutic methods used. The results would suggest the iatrogenic nature of prolonged canulation and of increasing the size the size of the posterior cricoid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


HIV remains a major public health concern four decades after its first clinical observations. In Western, industrialised countries like the UK, gay men are disproportionately affected by HIV. According to Public Health England (2019), approximately 48% of the 103,800 individuals living with HIV in the UK are gay men. In London, it is estimated that one in 11 gay men is living with HIV. There is evidence of a higher HIV incidence in gay men of ethnic minority background, which has been attributed, in part, to socio-economic inequalities faced by 'a minority within a minority' (Jaspal and Bayley, 2019). Overall, these epidemiological data suggest that traditional HIV prevention methods, such as condom use, have not been entirely effective and that novel approaches are needed in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In the last few years, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has emerged as a significant tool for preventing HIV. At the end of 2016, a significant drop in HIV incidence was observed for the very first time since the beginning of the epidemic, which was attributed partly to PrEP (Brown et al., 2017). Although PrEP is clinically effective – having contributed to this dramatic fall in new diagnoses – it has not been met with consensual approval from all sections of society. Uptake has not been sufficiently high in the groups at highest risk of HIV – not least gay men of ethnic minority background (Huang et al., 2018). Both public and patient acceptability of PrEP are important factors in determining its effectiveness – after all, if people are unwilling to use PrEP, they will be unable to benefit from it. There are differences in levels of PrEP awareness, acceptability and uptake of PrEP among distinct groups in society.
There have been studies of PrEP in many different groups, such as African women, transgender people and sex workers (e.g. Celum et al., 2015; Restar et al., 2017; Sevelius et al., 2016). However, the focus of much research into PrEP has been on gay men who are especially affected in Western, industrialised societies. It is important to note that PrEP is a global issue, and that there are varying levels of PrEP awareness, availability and uptake in distinct countries and societal contexts (e.g. Grant et al., 2010; Huang et al., 2018). This chapter focuses principally on PrEP among gay men in the UK. In this chapter, it is argued that social representations and identity play an important role in gay men's responses to PrEP. First, an overview of the HIV prevention tool is provided. Second, social representations theory and identity process theory from social psychology are described and their utility in PrEP research is outlined. Third, empirical research into public and patient understanding of PrEP is reviewed. Fourth, a broad set of principles for raising awareness among gay men at risk of HIV are presented.


This document reports the currently used term structure estimation method at the Bank of Finland and discusses interpretation of the results it generates.We start by introducing two widely used term structure estimation methods: the Cubic Spline Function method and the Nelson-Siegel approach.We compare their results, paying special attention to the smoothness of forward interest rates and distribution of pricing errors.Next, we introduce the Bank of Finland's method, commenting on its strenghts and weaknesses. Finally, we discuss interpretation of the term structure of interest rates with emphasis on the inflation expectations and the role of the time-varying risk premia. Key words: term structure of interest rates, cubic splines, Nelson-Siegel, forward interest rates, relative value, inflation expectations, time-varying risk premia.


Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is commonly used as an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound during wine production. Phenols naturally existence in plant extracts have been reported to possess antioxidative, antimicrobial activities, and as anti-inflammatory activities. Since few consumers preferred foods treated with natural preservatives, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of different natural plant extracts as an alternative of sulphur dioxide used in wines. Wine production was done according to the accepted conventional method for red wines (Cabernet sauvignon). The experimental design was achieved by using different plant extracts (grape pomace, rosemary, black blueberry) at different concentrations. As controls were used wine samples produced without natural extracts and second group samples produced without addition of sulphur dioxide (SO2). At the end of production basic analyzes (total acidity, volatile acidity, pH, dry matter, ash, free and total SO2), and colorimetric wine analyses (TWP, WC, CD, CI, %R, %Y, %B, Abs280, Abs420, Abs520, Abs620, %dA and tint values) were performed. Analyses on n-dimensional scale demonstrated that each used plant exact have different effects on required SO2 and wine quality parameters. The lowest concentrations of grape pomace extract caused reduction of SO2 and maintaining the required wine properties. The highest value of the end of first month of storage for TWP, WC, Abs280, Abs520, %R values were determined for grape pomace treatment wines. The highest value of the TPW were determined for samples treated with grape pomace (1 ml/L extract), rosemary (1 ml/L extract), and blue berry (1 ml/L extract with 25 mg/L SO2) 2.710, 2.550 and 2.520 respectively. Results emphasized the importance of used plant extracts and their concentrations. The study demonstrated the possibilities of SO2 optimization on the base of used natural plant extracts.


Historical events leading to the evolution of the present-day advanced practice nurse (APN) are discussed, as is the development of specialty nurses, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwives, clinicians, and nurse practitioners. A review of legislation, education, regulation, and events that influenced the role development of the APN is presented.


Abstract
Educational problems related to the quality of education have been felt in line with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are problems related to the quality of education that does not increase even though the curriculum has been replaced with a new one, and there is a decline in the quality of education even though the level of teacher education is getting better. Another problem is the presence of new competitors, which causes many PAUD institutions to lose interest. This study aims to determine the management of PAUD implementation through the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) and the Learning Organization of PAUD ELPIST Temanggung. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach. The subjects of this study consisted of principals, teachers, and staff of PAUD ELPIST Temanggung. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis using data triangulation. The result of this research is that PAUD ELPIST Temanggung has implemented TQM by improving the quality of education on an ongoing basis with a priority strategy on customer needs. Furthermore, learning organizations have been used in organizational structure, information systems, human resource practices, organizational culture, and leadership.


Increased concerns over the quality of wheat in domestic and export markets has focused attention on the consistency of wheat quality. This study utilized three measures to examine the effect of variability in characteristics on the milling value of wheat. Distributions and correlations for wheat quality characteristics were estimated from U.S. wheat export data from 1985-1997. Effects of variability of wheat characteristics on the value of wheat to the miller for each of the three measures were estimated using a simulation model. U.S. No. 1 exports of Hard Red Spring (HRS) had higher value to millers on each of the three measures (net wheat, millable wheat index, and value added in milling) than did exports of No. 2 or better (OB). However, the value to millers of No. 1 HRS was more variable than for No. 2 OB HRS, likely due to a larger negative correlation between the levels of moisture and shrunken and broken kernels in exports of No. 2 OB HRS than No. 1 HRS. Further, the value of wheat to millers for each of the three measures varied substantially by importing country. Sensitivity analysis indicated that increases in the consistency of moisture would provide the greatest reduction in the variability of value to millers, while increases in the consistency of foreign material, shrunken and broken kernels, and dockage had lesser impacts. This suggests that millers looking to increase the value of wheat lots used in milling may want to consider adding restrictions/incentives on moisture to limit the variability from lot to lot. However for dockage, shrunken and broken kernels, and foreign material, the focus should be on actual levels within lots rather than variability between lots.


We study the control of the rotation of a laser-cooled ion crystal in a Penning trap by a rotating electric field perturbation. We show that application of a small torque produces sudden angular jumps or "slips" of the crystal orientation spaced by intervals when the crystal is phase-locked or "stuck" relative to the rotating perturbation. The distribution of angular slips is described by a power law, where the power-law exponent depends on the applied torque. We believe this system is driven by a constant force and that small perturbations or thermal effects trigger the slips.


An entrepreneur finances her project via crowdfunding. She chooses a funding mechanism ( fixed or flexible), a price, and a funding goal. Under fixed funding, money is refunded if the goal is not met; under flexible funding, there is no refund. Backers observe signals about project value and decide whether to contribute or postpone purchase to the retail stage. Using the linkage principle, we show that the optimal campaign uses fixed funding. Furthermore, we show that an entrepreneur who is not financially constrained can approximately extract full surplus using fixed funding. Therefore, crowdfunding is attractive to both small and large entrepreneurs. (JEL D26, D82, G32, L26)


UNLABELLED
Obstructive disorders (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are associated with considerable emotional burden of the patient, with may result in the development of mood disturbances and anxiety disorders. However, the literature data are contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between subjective and objective obstruction symptoms and the intensity of anxiety as a condition, as well as estimation of the intensity of anxiety and depression in patients suffering from obstructive syndromes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study enrolled 32 patients diagnosed with obstructive disorders. Structuralized anamnesis was obtained and spirometry was performed in compliance with the standards set by the Polish Society of Lungs Diseases. Disturbances of ventilation and their severity were estimated according to the GINA Report and GOLD Guidelines. All the patients were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory and Spielberg State - Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The subjective dyspnoea levels were estimated with Borg scale. The study was carried out between October 2005 and September 2008 in the Specialist Outpatient Department of the Łódź Medical University Department of Pneumonology and Allergology.

RESULTS
A weak positive correlation was demonstrated between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of depression (p < 0.05) as well as the intensity of anxiety as a condition (p < 0.05) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). A weak negative correlation was found to exist between FVC EX and the level of anxiety as condition (p < 0.01) and anxiety as a trait (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlations between the values of spirometric parameters: FEV1, FEV1%, FEV1%FVC, and the levels of depression, anxiety and reported dyspnoea were found.

CONCLUSIONS
A positive correlation between the declared dyspnoea level and the intensity of anxiety and depression as a condition was demonstrated in the studied group of patients with obstructive disorders.


The authors report on low-density InAs quantum dots (QDs) grown on AlGaInAs surfaces lattice matched to InP using post-growth annealing by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. Clearly spatially separated QDs with a dot density of about 5 × 108 cm−2 are obtained by using a special capping technique after the dot formation process. High-resolution micro-photoluminescence performed on optimized QD structures grown on distributed Bragg reflector exhibits single QD emissions around 1.5 μm with narrow excitonic linewidth below 50 μeV, which can be used as single photon source in the telecom wavelength range.


BACKGROUND
Obesity has been considered a relative contraindication to performing a direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty (DAA-THA) since it is hypothesized to lead to component malpositioning and poor outcomes. Fluoroscopy-assisted DAA-THA has been reported to diminish variability in acetabular component positioning. However, fluoroscopy-assisted DAA-THA in the obese patients has not been well described. We report on a single surgeon consecutive series of fluoroscopy-assisted primary DAA-THA's examining the radiographic and perioperative outcomes in obese patients.

METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted of 509 consecutive unilateral fluoroscopy-assisted DAA-THAs on a specialized orthopaedic table performed by a single surgeon. All patients were divided into three cohorts according to their body mass index (BMI): Group I (< 30 kg/ m2 ), Group II (≥ 30 to < 35 kg/m2 ), and Group III (≥ 35 kg/ m2 ). Perioperative parameters, outcome scores (EuroQol 5 Dimension and hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome scores), and radiographs were comparatively assessed. Cup position was determined using Widmer's method.

RESULTS
A total of 492 DAA-THAs (minimum follow-up: 2.1 years) with appropriate radiographs were analyzed. Of which 356 (72.2%) were in Group I (average: 25.1 kg/m2 ), 105 (21.3%) in Group II (average: 32 kg/m2 ), and 31 (6.5%) in Group III (average: 38.6 kg/m2 ). There were no differences in any parameters between Group II and III. Group I differed in average age and included more female patients than Groups II and III. There was a statistically significant difference in cup anteversion between all groups with average measurements of 20.8°, 19.5°, and 17.6°, respectively. No other differences were identified in radiographic parameters or postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS
There were no clinically relevant differences in component positioning or perioperative parameters between obese and non-obese patients. We do not consider a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 to be a contraindication for fluoroscopyassisted DAA-THA when performed by a surgeon experienced in the technique.


Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen widespread in the environment. The majority of human listeriosis is associated with consumption of contaminated food. It has the ability to invade many types of nonphagocytic cells and spread from cell to cell, crossing important barriers in host organism. Despite intensified surveillance in food manufacturing serious cases of listeriosis are still reported. Before L. monocytogenes causes disease it has to endure adverse conditions encountered in food during its processing and storage, such as supraoptimal temperatures, low pH, high osmolarity, presence of oxidants. In the human intestinal tract L. monocytogenes must overcome another set of challenges as the low pH of the stomach, volatile fatty acids, low oxygen levels, osmotic stress, nutrient variability, bile stress and natural flora in the intestine. To survive in hostile environment bacteria adjust their metabolism which involves expression of stress response genes. Consequently, bacteria synthesize proteins that repair damages, maintain the cell stability, eliminate the stress factor, and restore homeostasis. The stress response not only affects L. monocytogenes resistance to subsequent doses of stress factors, but can also alter the pathogen's virulence.


All cells are constantly threatened by both physical and chemical stress factors that can damage e.g. the DNA and proteins. Whereas the molecular mechanisms responsible for DNA repair have been studied in great detail, the mechanism underlying the repair and disposal of damaged proteins are far less investigated and less understood. It is well known that DNA damage in combination with a malfunctioning repair mechanism may ultimately lead to diseases such as cancer. But also damaged proteins and impaired protein repair are implicated in disease, in particular neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntingtons disease, various types of Spinocerebellar ataxias, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease. All these diseases share a relative late age of onset and are currently incurable. To combat protein damage, cells contain large families of proteins, named chaperones, which assist in protein folding and repair. So far, only a minority of these proteins have been studied and the largest chaperone family in humans consists of the HSP70/HSP40 family. In this thesis, the results of the first elaborate and detailed study on the human HSP70/HSP40 family is presented. The characteristics of the family are systematically analyzed and compared using both bioinformatics as well as cell biological approaches. The functional chaperone activity is measured in various cellular models for neurodegenerative diseases. Our results show that a number of HSP40 chaperone proteins show a highly promising activity to suppress various progressive characteristics typical for neurodegenerative diseases.


Epidemiologic Evidence of anAbortion/Breast Cancer Link Thirty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court first determined that abortion was a right inherent in our Constitution. That decision, , gave women the right to obtain legal abortions in circumstances in which their lives were not endangered by their pregnancies. A reason cited for the decision was that modern aseptic technique and antibiotics made it possible for abortions to be performed safely. The court's opinion of abortion safety might have been different if the justices had been aware of earlier epidemiological research supporting a relationship between abortion and breast cancer.


This study is the first to examine a serial mediation model that includes environmental concern, self-green image congruence, green brand trust, and green purchase intention. Based on data from a sample that included 349 Saudi individuals, the analyses supported most mechanisms flowing from environmental concern to self-image congruence and green brand trust in serial. The direct relationship of environmental concern to green purchase intention was also statistically significant. This study provides an interesting perspective on the antecedents of green purchase intention. From a managerial perspective, the results show that cognitive, psychological and motivational mechanisms could enhance green markets in an Arab and Islamic country.


Neural networks have become increasingly prevalent in many real-world applications including security critical ones. Due to the high hardware requirement and time consumption to train high-performance neural network models, users often outsource training to a machine-learning-as-a-service (MLaaS) provider. This puts the integrity of the trained model at risk. In 2017, Liu et al. found that, by mixing the training data with a few malicious samples of a certain trigger pattern, hidden functionality can be embedded in the trained network which can be evoked by the trigger pattern [33]. We refer to this kind of hidden malicious functionality as neural Trojans. In this paper, we survey a myriad of neural Trojan attack and defense techniques that have been proposed over the last few years. In a neural Trojan insertion attack, the attacker can be the MLaaS provider itself or a third party capable of adding or tampering with training data. In most research on attacks, the attacker selects the Trojan's functionality and a set of input patterns that will trigger the Trojan. Training data poisoning is the most common way to make the neural network acquire the Trojan functionality. Trojan embedding methods that modify the training algorithm or directly interfere with the neural network's execution at the binary level have also been studied. Defense techniques include detecting neural Trojans in the model and/or Trojan trigger patterns, erasing the Trojan's functionality from the neural network model, and bypassing the Trojan. It was also shown that carefully crafted neural Trojans can be used to mitigate other types of attacks. We systematize the above attack and defense approaches in this paper.


PURPOSE
To delineate the expansion of the renal parenchyma using volumetric CT imaging before and after the laparoscopic cyst decortication procedure and to determine the possible associations between parenchymal expansion and laboratory parameters and cyst volume.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-five patients that underwent laparoscopic cyst decortication were included in this prospective study. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT was performed in all patients in the preoperative and postoperative period. Semi-automatic volume quantification was undertaken offline, and renal parenchymal volumes before and after cyst decortication, as well as serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared.

RESULTS
The changes in serum creatinine and eGFR in the postoperative period were non-significant. The mean postoperative renal parenchymal volumes were higher compared to the preoperative measurements for both observations (P = .014 and .034 for the first and second measurements, respectively). There was no correlation between the volumetric change and the cyst volume (r = -0.18, P = .560).

CONCLUSION
In patients undergoing laparoscopic cyst decortication, post-operative parenchymal expansion can be detected using volumetric CT imaging to confirm the immediate benefits of the procedure.


Twenty-four male patients aged 18-30 (mean = 27.4) years were catheterized either after myocardial infarction (22 patients) or because of angina pectoris (2 patients). In this highly-selected group, 18 of 24 smoked but only 5 had elevated cholesterol levels. Of 14 patients with anterior myocardial infarction (AMI), 7 had a significant left anterior descending obstruction while the other 7 had nonsignificant or no coronary stenosis. In 8 patients with inferior MI (IMI), 4 had significant multivessel disease. Five of 6 patients with multivessel disease smoked while 4 had hypercholesterolemia. Risk factors were absent in 3 of 16 patients with single or no coronary lesions. We conclude that angina pectoris and inferior MI carry high risk of multivessel coronary disease; there is often one or more risk factor in this subgroup. Finally, routine catheterization in young patients with AMI is not warranted.


The joint venture (JV) ownership model of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Asia has been responsible for the expansion of LCCs into their neighbouring countries, enabling them to operate interconnected networks under a single brand. The expansion has not been an easy feat. Respective national laws of these JV LCCs still dictate that 'effective control' should be vested with local investors. However, there are signs that this might not be what is actually happening. A closer look at Philippine AirAsia is taken to carefully examine how national government authorities deal with the issue of 'effective control' and to determine whether the observation on JV LCCs in general also rings true for this particular airline. This topic is timely since many JV LCCs recently established in Asia have developed increasingly significant roles in the market. The legal and regulatory aspects of JV LCCs in Asia will also be looked into to deal with how and why the 'effective control' test under domestic law has been mitigated for those airlines. It concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of such mitigation of the 'effective control' test and some observations which could possibly guide future actions of both regulators and airline companies.


This paper presents an adaptive failure detection service (ALTER), which incorporates the technique of unreliable failure detection service and the idea of R-GMA. ALTER is organized in a hierarchical structure. It can be adaptive to the system conditions and user requirements with changing the system parameters and system organizations. With experimental evaluation, ALTER shows good scalability and flexibility.


The reproductive histories of 4829 white women who participated in the Ten State Nutrition Survey of 1968-1970 were analyzed in the attempt to study socioeconomic interactions with physique and fertility. Socioeconomic data included per-capita income. The range of per capita incomes in the sample was from $12 per capita for those on public assistance to $30,000 per capita, and distinctly skewed to the lower incomes. Most incomes were clustered between $500 and $5000. Associations between 5 measures of physique and fertility were explained by socioeconomic influences -- the per capita income. The exact relation between social variables and physique, as part of this triangle, did not yield gracefully to delineation. The rich were systematically leanest and for females, at least decreasing socioeconomic status appeared to be associated with increasing fatness. Stature was less predictable, appearing to ascend with social class or income. There was a systematic decrease in number of liveborn children, for mothers of completed reproduction, with increasing income. The lowest 3 income levels were each significantly different from each other and contrasted with all other levels. This socially-determined differential fertility of physique categories appeared to be linear rather than modal in character; income and fertility interacted in a curvilinear manner. The data also suggest the existence of a secular trend for certain physical characteristics, particularly fatness, which are subject to social transmission between generations.


The method of dual steepest descent is used to solve ordinary differential equations with nonlinear boundary conditions. A general boundary condition is B(u) = 0 where where B is a continuous functional on the nth order Sobolev space Hn[0.1J. If F:HnCO,l] —• L2[0,1] represents a 2 differential equation, define *(u) = 1/2 IIF < u) li and £(u) = 1/2 l!B(u)ll2. Steepest descent is applied to the functional 2 £ a * + £. Two special cases are considered. If f:lR —• R is C^(2), a Type I boundary condition is defined by B(u) = f(u(0),u(1)). Given K: [0,1}xR—•and g: [0,1] —• R of bounded variation, a Type II boundary condition is B(u) = ƒ1/0K(x,u(x))dg(x).


The study focuses on the performance characteristics of single jersey, single pique, two thread fleece, 1x1rib and interlock knitted fabrics in relation to Elastane yarn presence in the combed cotton yarn. An Elastane yarn accounts for about 5% content (40denier = 133Ne) while cotton accounts for 95% content (35 Ne) in the 28Ne combed cotton/Elastane blended yarn (cotton/Elastane = 95/5%) and the Elastane is plied with the cotton yarn. The comparison was done between cotton/Elastane yarn knitted fabrics and 100% cotton yarn knitted fabrics and within the structures. The tests have been done on the bursting strength, abrasion and pilling resistances of single jersey, 1x1rib, single pique, two thread fleece and interlock knitted fabrics using digital bursting strength tester and Martindale abrasion and pilling tester by conditioning for 24hours at 21oc±1 and 65±2% RH. As found from the study, the presence of Elastane yarn influences significantly by decreasing the bursting strength and increasing an abrasion resistance of the five knitted fabrics. The pilling resistance of knitted fabrics such as 1x1rib and interlock decreased while single jersey, single pique and two thread fleece knitted fabrics increased significantly due to 5%Elastane yarn in 95% combed cotton yarn.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to analyze the effect of fabrication factors on both biological and physico-chemical features of 3-dimensional (3D) printed composite scaffolds.

METHOD
Electronic search was done according to the PRISMA guideline in PubMed and Scopus databases limited to English articles published until May 2021.Studies in which composite scaffolds were fabricated through computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM)-based methods were included.Articles regarding the features of the scaffolds fabricated through indirect techniques were excluded.

RESULTS
Full text of 121 studies were reviewed, and 69 met the inclusion criteria. According to analyzed studies, PCL and HA were the most commonly used polymer and ceramic,respectively. Besides,the Solvent-based technique was the most commonly used composition technique, which enabled preparing blends with high concentrations of ceramic materials. The most common fabrication method used in the included studies was Fused deposition modeling (FDM).The addition of bio-ceramics enhanced the mechanical features and the biological behaviors of the printed scaffolds in a ratio-dependent manner. However,studies that analyzed the effect of ceramic weight ratio showed that scaffolds with the highest ceramic content did not necessarily possess the optimal biological and non-biological features.

CONCLUSION
The biological and physico-chemical behaviors of the scaffold can be affected by pre-printing factors, including utilized materials, composition techniques, and fabrication methods. Fabricating scaffolds with high mineral content as of the natural bone may not provide the optimal condition for bone formation. Therefore, it is recommended that future studies compare the efficiency of different kinds of biomaterials rather than different weight ratios of one type.


Abstract Background: Spirulina is a cyanobacterium blue-green alga rich in a wide range of nutrients include; protein, lipids, high level of various B vitamins, and minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. Aims: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of nutritional rehabilitation using Spirulina platensis versus vitamins and minerals supplementation on the nutritional status, hematological profile, and anemia status of malnourished children less than 5 years of age. Method: The study utilized the experimental design in which 87 malnourished children aged less than 5 years attending an AEI rehabilitation program were enrolled. Children were stratified and simply randomized into two groups. Groups: Vitamin and Mineral group (A) 30 children treated daily with selected vitamins and minerals; and Spirulina group (B) 30 children of the same age range who were given 3 grams of Spirulina. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected at baseline and after 3 months of the trial. Results: Baseline anthropometric indices of all the children were; Weight for Age Z (WAZ) score was – 2.42, Height for Age Z (HAZ) score was – 2.13, and Weight for Height Z (WHZ) score was – 2.09, which indicated that the children had poor anthropometric characteristics. After 12 weeks of intervention, Spirulina supplementation showed more significant improving effect on weight (p<0.011) and height (p<0.016) when compared with Vitamin and Mineral group. Moreover, Spirulina supplementation was more effective treatment for increasing the ferritin (5.97 ng/ml-38.71 ng/ml) and iron levels (66.09 μg/dL to 95.52 μg/dL) in subjects with moderate malnutrition before intervention. The results of conducting one-way repeated measure ANOVA indicated that Spirulina supplementation has significant improvement in Haemoglobin (p<0.001), Mean Corpuscle Volume (p<0.001) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (p<0.023) before and after the intervention between the two groups. Conclusions: The results of the study reflected that Spirulina was a valuable and more effective in treating malnutrition and anemia and could be used in a wide range of settings since it is cheap compared to other conventional pharmaceutical preparations and formulas


The research centre of EI-Jouf in the north of Saudi Arabia is primarily turned on the pastoralism, the breeding cameline and the culture of olive. My intervention was within the framework of the project entitled "Camel breeding, protection and improvement Centre in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" (UTFN/SAU/021/SAU), supported by the national office of FAO (A. Ohaidi). Following the preceding mission, it was decided that I will ensure the follow-up of the research activities of the center at a rate of a mission every two months. It was about in the mission in process: (I) to establish the assessment of the work progress since my coming in May, (II) to program the activities for 2010 (formation, experiments, investigations in breeding, human resources, equipment, training courses), (III) to provide a program for the organization of an International Conference on the breeding cameline about the climate changes. In 2010, four months of mission (in six times) are programmed. (Resume d'auteur)


BACKGROUND
There is a need to more accurately enumerate workers with musculoskeletal injuries who make lost-time claims to workers compensation boards. The objective of this study is to develop an approach to more accurately enumerate these workers.

METHODS
Lost-time claims to the Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) were reviewed. Using neck pain as an example, nature of injury and part of body codes were identified to classify cases. Claims of a random sample of 434 claimants were reviewed. The proportion of claimants classified as having neck pain was computed.

RESULTS
The proportion of claimants classified with soft-tissue injuries to the neck varied from 0.88 for codes including "neck/cervical region," 0.69 for "back region" to 0.05 for those coded as "shoulder/upper arm."

CONCLUSIONS
Restricting the enumeration of injuries to specific part of body codes can lead to a gross underestimation of the magnitude of soft-tissue disorders in epidemiological studies using workers' compensation data. The proposed approach leads to more accurate enumeration.


We review essential elements in using the J = 1− channel as a probe for hot and dense matter as produced in (ultra-) relativistic collisions of heavy nuclei. The uniqueness of the vector channel resides in the fact that it directly couples to photons, both real and virtual (dileptons), enabling the study of thermal radiation and in-medium effects on both light (ρ, ω, φ) and heavy (Ψ, Υ) vector mesons. We emphasize the importance of interrelations between photons and dileptons, and characterize relevant energy/mass regimes through connections to QGP emission and chiral symmetry restoration. Based on critical analysis of our current understanding of data from fixed-target energies, we identify open key questions to be addressed.


The feasibility of programming microcontroller EPROM memory in the wafer sort operation instead of the backend test operation is studied. The major concern is EPROM charge loss due to heat treatments during the assembly processing. Theoretical and experimental evaluations as discussed in this paper have shown that wafer level sort programming is a viable option with no impact to quality and reliability.


A century ago an ambitious young anatomist in Rome, Primo Dorello, who sought to understand the cause of abducent nerve palsy that often occurred in patients with severe middle ear infections, conducted intricate studies on the intracranial course of the nerve. In his findings, he identified that the abducent nerve passes through a narrow sinus near the apex of the petrous bone, which formed an osteofibrous canal. Dorello suggested that in this enclosed region the abducent nerve may be particularly vulnerable to compression due to the vascular edema accompanying the infection. Although his work was widely appreciated, it was not well received by all. Interestingly, Giuseppe Gradenigo, one of the most prominent Italian otologists of the early 20th century, who was known for his work on a triad of symptoms (Gradenigo's syndrome) that accompanies petrous apicitis, a result of severe middle ear infections, was obstinate in his criticism of Dorello's findings. Thus a scientific duel began, with a series of correspondence between these two academics-one who was relatively new to the otological community (Dorello) and one who was well reputed in that community (Gradenigo). The disagreement ultimately ebbed in 1909, when Dorello published a report in response to Gradenigo's criticisms and convinced Gradenigo to change his views. Today Dorello's canal is widely recognized as a key landmark in skull base surgery of the petroclival region and holds clinical significance due to its relation to the abducent nerve and surrounding vascular structures. Yet, although academics such as Dorello and Gradenigo are recognized for their work on the canal, it is important not to forget the others throughout history who have contributed to the modern-day understanding of this anatomical structure. In fact, although the level of anatomical detail found in Dorello's work was previously unmatched, the first description of the canal was made by the experienced Austrian anatomist Wenzel Leopold Gruber in 1859, almost 50 years prior to Dorello's landmark publication. Another critical figure in building the understanding of Dorello's canal was Harris Holmes Vail, a young otolaryngologist from Harvard Medical School, who in 1922 became the first person to describe Dorello's canal in the English language. Vail conducted his own detailed anatomical studies on cadavers, and his publication not only reaffirmed Dorello's findings but also immortalized the eponym used today-"Dorello's canal." In this article the authors review the life and contributions of Gruber, Dorello, Gradenigo, and Vail, four men who played a critical role in the discovery of Dorello's canal and paved the way toward the current understanding of the canal as a key clinical and surgical entity.


This paper presents an overview on how uncertainty and variability of mechanical soil properties are dealt with in offshore site investigation and presents some ideas for utilizing the reliability tools in a more optimal manner for this purpose. Two types of problems are addressed. First, how to extract the maximum amount of information from geotechnical site investigation, which is often constrained by high costs. Second, how to establish characteristic or representative soil properties for design while taking into account the uncertainties caused by the natural variability of soil properties and the interpretation of the in situ and laboratory tests.


Water management agencies throughout Australia are attempting to find a balance between the water requirements of ecological and socio‐economic environments as part of a holistic approach to managing flow‐dependent river ecosystems. Environmental water provisions are under consideration for the Ord River in far northern Western Australia. This river has been regulated for irrigation and there are plans for substantial expansion. Like other semi‐arid and tropical rivers, however, the hydrology of the Ord River is highly variable and unpredictable, and therefore, proportionate water release strategies for the environment that are based on average monthly flows are unsuitable. Regulation continues to produce pronounced ecological changes throughout the river system as the impacts of flow regime are negated. There is a dichotomy in optimal flow regimes for the contrasting management aspirations of ecological restoration based on low seasonal flows, and the dilution flows required for the drainage of agricultural effluent. Whilst current agricultural land and water management practices continue, the two cannot coincide, and consequently, a decision should be made regarding which environmental water allocation holds the primary value. Such a decision would guide the appropriate dry season flow regime on the lower Ord River. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A problem that plagues robotic grasping is the misalignment of the object and gripper due to difficulties in precise localization, actuation, etc. Under-actuated robotic hands with compliant mechanisms are used to adapt and compensate for these inaccuracies. However, these mechanisms come at the cost of controllability and coordination. For instance, adaptive functions that let the fingers of a two-fingered gripper adapt independently may affect the coordination necessary for grasping small objects. In this work, we develop a two-fingered robotic hand capable of grasping objects that are offset from the gripper's center, while still having the requisite coordination for grasping small objects via a novel gear-type synchronization mechanism with a magnet. This gear synchronization mechanism allows the adaptive finger's tips to be aligned enabling it to grasp objects as small as toothpicks and washers. The magnetic component allows this coordination to automatically turn off when needed, allowing for the grasping of objects that are offset/misaligned from the gripper. This equips the hand with the capability of grasping light, fragile objects (strawberries, creampuffs, etc) to heavy frying pan lids, all while maintaining their position and posture which is vital in numerous applications that require precise positioning or careful manipulation.


The energy gap of a molecular crystal is one of the most important properties since it determines the crystal charge transport when the material is utilized in electronic devices. This is, however, a quantity difficult to calculate and standard theoretical approaches based on density functional theory (DFT) have proven unable to provide accurate estimates. In fact, besides the well-known band gap problem, DFT completely fails in capturing the fundamental gap renormalization occurring when molecules are packed in a crystal structures. The failure has to be associated to the inability of describing the electronic polarization and the real space localization of the charged states. Here we describe a scheme based on constrained DFT, which can improve upon the shortcomings of standard DFT. The method is applied to the benzene crystal, where we show that accurate results can be achieved for both the band gap and also the energy level alignment.


Purpose
The author is interested in how international (migrant) pre-service teachers use their educational background knowledge and worldviews to make sense of the educational system, the pedagogy and of power relations between staff members in the hosting country. The author seeks to unveil their understanding of successful intellectual integration and their strategies to navigate social, conceptual and pedagogical obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach
The author draws on the concept of "intercultural competence" to analyse how international STEM pre-service teachers respond to the challenges and opportunities of integration in the English system. A total of 18 participants were interviewed in focus groups in London to find out about their perceptions of the course and attitudes during their training journey. Five hours of audio recording were transcribed and a thematic analysis was carried out.

Findings
International STEM pre-service teachers experience challenges to intellectual integration, including understanding the new school culture, school structure, teaching methodologies and the use of specialist terminologies. However, they show little concern about networking and relations of power.

Practical implications
Mentors and tutors should not assume school systems are the same everywhere. Support from university tutors and school mentors must take into consideration that international students will very likely hold ethnocentric views. Mentors, tutors and pre-service teachers would benefit very much from bespoke support to help international students to integrate in a new educational system.

Originality/value
Very little has been reported on the experience of international STEM pre-service teachers in England, particularly those with no previous teaching experience. The objective of this study is to address this gap and contribute to the internationalisation of teacher training curricula.


Electronic structure calculations on a conjugated polymer chain by Hartree-Fock and density functional theory show a sequence of self-localized states, which stand in contrast to the single self-localized soliton state described by the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model Hamiltonian. An extended Hubbard model, which treats electron-electron interactions up to second neighbors, is constructed to demonstrate that the additional states arise from a strong band-bending effect due to the presence of localized electric fields of charged solitons. We suggest the optical response of these electronic states may be associated with the near-edge oscillations observed in photo-induced absorption spectra. Our calculations indicate further that in the presence of counterions, the additional localized states continue to exist. Implications regarding soliton mobility and high-resolution ion sensing are briefly discussed.


Hydraulic structures are, and will remain, relevant in the future, given the enormous problems in water engineering to come. After having been a key topic up to the Second World War, they have lost attractiveness until recent years, given the advance of mainly river and environmental engineering. Following the recent developments in laboratory instrumentation, a number of problems in hydraulic structures can be solved mainly using experimentation, thereby accounting for the flow complexities given by the often spatial and highly turbulent flow structures, combined with multi-phase flow. An outlook into the future of hydraulic structures further reveals the importance of updated hydraulic book series, from which students and practicing engineers profit from the knowledge available among the International Association for Hydro-environment Engineering and Research Committees. As a conclusion, hydraulic structures will play a dominant role in the future, given the enormous but fascinating problems posed by the scarcity and abundance of water on our planet.


Purpose. To evaluate the planning of long bone deformity on the basis of the model of 3D printing.
Materials and Methods. A dog with posttraumatic deformity of forearm bones served as the object of the study. Computed tomography of the deformed and contralateral ("healthy") segments performed with creating the mirror copy of the intact forearm, thereby making the image of ideal correction. The three-dimensional models printed to a 3D. Thereafter the planning and modeling the deformity correction performed. The deformity correction implemented using Ortho-SUV, and the results compared with the planned ones.
Results. The protocol of correction modeling divided into two stages according to the principles of correcting deformities of both forearm bones. The first stage included performing transosseous osteosynthesis with Ortho-SUV Frame, radius osteotomy at the apex of the deformity with its further isolated correction in order to restore the relations in the distal radioulnar articulation. At the second stage additional transosseous elements inserted into radius, its osteotomy performed with subsequent 25-mm lengthening of both forearm bones. Rendering this method to a dog led to optimal deformity correction which conformed to the planned one.
Conclusion. The rendering deformity correction in the 3D model according to "healthy" segment image and the correction implementation using the orthopedic hexapod based on computer navigation provided a good result being the basis for wider introduction of the method.


Background New-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) was more effective in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) compared with the first-generation DES. Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) and new-generation DES had been available strategies in treatment of bare-metal stents/DES ISR (BMS/DES-ISR). Six new randomized trials have recently examined the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new generation DES in BMS/DES-ISR. However, the optimal management for BMS/DES-ISR lesions remains controversial. Methods We searched the randomized clinical trials evaluating the angiographic outcomes and one-year clinical outcomes of DEB and new-generation DES in patients with BMS/DES-ISR. The primary endpoints were the angiographic outcomes, including the minimal luminal diameter (MLD), diameter stenosis % (DS%), late lumen loss (LLL), and binary restenosis (BR). Results A total of six randomized clinical trials with 1177 BMS/DES-ISR patients were included in our meta-analysis. For angiographic outcomes, there were significantly less MLD and more DS% with DEB compared to new-generation DES (MLD: MD = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.31– −0.04, P < 0.001; DS%: MD = 5.68, 95% CI: 1.00–10.37, P < 0.001). Moreover, for one-year clinical outcomes, DEB was associated with a significant increase risk in target lesion revascularization (TLR) (RR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.50–5.72, P = 0.002). However, DEB was associated with higher risks of major adverse cardiac event, target vessel revascularization, TLR, BR, and more DS% only in DES-ISR group. Conclusions DEB and new-generation DES have the similar clinical efficacy for the treatment of BMS-ISR. However, DES showed more MLD, less DS%, and a decreased risk of TLR for the treatment of DES-ISR.


Diffusion flames are described in which the fuels, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon disulphide, water, ammonia, hydrocarbons and organichalides are burnt with chlorine trifluoride. Chemical equilibrium is almost complete in the main reaction zone as in oxygen diffusion flames, but the chlorine trifluorido flames possess several unusual features. Carbon formation is very pronounced with hydrocarbon fuels. Radicals such as C2 and CN have a large partial pressure in mixed hydrogen +hydrocarbon/chlorine trifluoride flames, and their presence in a high-tem perature region enhances the luminosity of the flames. It is suggested that the persistence of these radicals may be due to the very rapid diffusion of hydrogen into the main reaction zone which effectively prevents the penetration of fluorine to the fuel side of the flame. Chlorine trifluoride flames are briefly com pared with fluorine flames.


Message authentication is one of the most effective ways to thwart unauthorized and corrupted messages from being forwarded in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). For this reason, many message authentication schemes have been developed, based on either symmetric-key cryptosystems or public-key cryptosystems. Most of them, however, have the limitations of high computational and communication overhead in addition to lack of scalability and resilience to node compromise attacks. To address these issues, a polynomial-based scheme was recently introduced. However, this scheme and its extensions all have the weakness of a built-in threshold determined by the degree of the polynomial: when the number of messages transmitted is larger than this threshold, the adversary can fully recover the polynomial. In this paper, we propose a scalable authentication scheme based on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). While enabling intermediate nodes authentication, our proposed scheme allows any node to transmit an unlimited number of messages without suffering the threshold problem. In addition, our scheme can also provide message source privacy.


The aim of the current study is to examine the role of green marketing tools, religiosity, supply chain management environmental attitude on green purchase behavior in the millennial generation based on these variables, then the Instruments are determined. Data collection methods in this study were questionnaires. The results of the collected 268 questionnaires of respondents were processed using descriptive and quantitative analysis tools using SEM (Structural Equation Model) analysis techniques with Stata 13. The greater green marketing tools which consist of Environmental Advertisement, Perception of eco-labels, Perception of an eco-brand, Trust in eco-label and eco brand the greater possibility to influence Green Behavioral Purchase (GBP). The greater Environmental Attitudes (EA) which consist of Environmental Knowledge (EK) and Environmental Value (EV) the greater positive effect on Green Behavioral Purchase (GBP). The greater religiosity value which consists of (religious belief), experiential ritualistic (religious feeling), Intellectual (religious knowledge), application consequences of religious effect the greater environmentally friendly attitude and Green Behavioral Purchase (GBP). Religiosity moderates the relationship between EA and GBP, so the relationship between EA and GBP is stronger for consumers with high Religiosity than consumers with lower Religiosity. This study will fill this gap. As a result, what this study proposes is the scarce and the new and original constructs respectively- The green purchasing behavior among millennials generation and also provides a framework for the study which makes it possible to explore the relation between green marketing tools, religiosity, environmental attitude and green purchase behavior.


Pranata mangsa is one form of local wisdom and cultural heritage whisch is slowly forgotten and should remain preserved and developed using scientific principles. This study was aims to assess the suitability of the pranata mangsa that have been used in the field, examines the differences in the catch per effort and incomes between ship captain who use the pranata mangsa , who only occasionally use the pranata mangsa and do not use pranata mangsa . Primary and secondary data collection was conducted using a survey method. Determination of the respondents conducted by proportional stratified random sampling. The primary data obtained from interviews with respondents in the form of data signs of nature, types of fish cathced, fishing gear, fishing trip and production data. Secondary data were obtained from the reference form the provincial fisheries statistics (East Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java), Fishery Port (Prigi, Sadeng, Cilacap) and Bakosurtanal. The study was conducted in the Indian Ocean in the southern of Java. The results showed that the natural signs of pranata mangsa that have been used was suitable in Prigi and Cilacap and were less suitable for Sadeng. The catch per unit effort from ship that did not used pranata mangsa was higher (5829.14 kg/ship/year) than ship that used the pranata mangsa (5219.79 kg/ship/year) and ship that only occasionally used the pranata mangsa (4,890.74 kg/ship/year). Revenue of ship that used pranata mangas (IDR. 196,282,199.00/ships/year) was higher than the income from ship that did not used the pranata mangasa (IDR. 131,145,173.00/ ships/year) and from ship that only occasionally using institutions prey (IDR. 111,405,847.00/ships/year). Pranata mangsa that had been used need improvements to be used in the Indian Ocean in the Southern of Java. Improved pranata mangsa need to be socialized in order to increase catch per unit effort and income of the ship captain, as well as the need for additional of more suitable fishing gear.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) using fresh graft with limbus, combined with conjunctival limbal autograft transplantation (CLAT) and amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), in treating severe symblepharon resulting from eye burns.

METHODS
Patients with severe symblepharon visited our hospital between February 1998 and February 2003 were divided into 4 degrees based on impairment of visual function. Pseudopterygium was partially dissected after separation of conjunctival adhesion, the corneal lesion was covered with partial (17 eyes) or total (9 eyes) lamellar corneal graft. Autologous limbal graft was placed onto the most seriously damaged limbus. Then the preserved pseudopterygium was receded with AMT to reconstruct fornix. All cases were followed up for 8 months to 3 years. Eye movement, diplopia, development of corneal grafts, preserved pseudopterygium and transplanted amniotic membrane were observed.

RESULTS
25 eyes, except that 1 eye because of irreformable lagophthalmos, got considerable improvement. Conjunctival adhesion was completely relieved and diplopia disappeared in 17 eyes. Adhesion recurred in the area covered only with amniotic membrane in 8 eyes, and 5 of them were completely relieved after one or two adhesion excisions combined with autologous conjunctival transplantation. Mild adhesion still remained in 3 eyes. Amniotic membrane began autolyzing at 1 week and completely disappeared 3 months after operation. Pseudopterygium began thinning at 1 to 3 months. Immune rejection occurred in 6 eyes, and 2 of them had second LKP.

CONCLUSIONS
LKP using fresh graft with limbus, combined with CLAT and AMT, is an ideal treatment for severe symblepharon resulting from eye burns. Pseudopterygium can partly substitute conjunctiva to reconstruct fornix. Amniotic membrane facilitates ocular surface reconstruction by temporary protection of lesions.


The Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of five Cretaceous guyots (Limalok, Lo-En, Wodejebato, MIT, and Takuyo-Daisan) within the West Pacific Seamount Province (WPSP) indicate that they originated from geochemically enriched mantle sources. They are characterized by large isotopic variations in Pb (Pb/Pb = 18.58-19.80, Pb/Pb = 15.55-15.68, and 208Pb/204Pb _ 38.68-39.54) and by moderate variations in Sr ( Sr/Sr = 0.70308-0.70486) and Nd (Nd/Nd = 0.512670.51307). Data from the Cretaceous guyots studied are within the overall isotopic range of the WPSP and are similar to those of oceanic basalts produced by currently active hotspots of the South Pacific isotopic and thermal anomaly (SOPITA). The WPSP basalts show a large isotopic variance, and they include samples with isotopic signatures of either enriched mantle sources (EMI and EMU), or mantle sources high in Pb/Pb and low in Sr/Sr (HIMU). These observations suggest that the WPSP and SOPITA basaltic rocks may have been produced from the same heterogeneous mantle source: either one that is isotopically distinct and more diverse from other oceanic and continental volcanic regions, or one that is produced by mixing the different mantle components inferred for these other regions. We strengthen previous arguments for the longevity of the isotopically unusual character of the SOPITA hotspots, in particular, for the Rurutu-Ratak-Marcus-Wake Seamount Chain (RRMW). Our data from the WPSP doubles the existing database and allows us to examine the temporal isotopic evolution of the RRMW Chain over a total time span of 110 m.y., excluding the time period between 25 and 50 Ma that has not been sampled yet. The RRMW isotopic data suggest that (1) the overall isotopic variance is constant over time; (2) the Sr and Nd variances are smaller than the total variance for the SOPITA and WPSP, whereas the Pb compositions show similar, large variances; and (3) the isotopic composition of the SOPITA, and specifically the Rurutu volcanics, gradually changed within the last 25 m.y. from a mantle source dominated by the HIMU mantle component to an EM-type mantle source. The latter is indicated by a decrease in Pb/Pb, 7/4Pb, and Δ8/4Pb paralleled by an increase in Sr/Sr. A similar evolution in isotopic composition may also be revealed from the Ratak-Marcus-Wake Chain over the period from 90 through 70 Ma, although this latter trend is obscured by a less dense sampling in the WPSP area.