In the Arctic (mainly in its European sector) there is statistically detectable seasonal reversal wind pattern. The combination of seasonally warm (cold) land surfaces in arctic areas together with cool (cool) sea surface of Arctic seas not covered by ice is conducive to the formation of a monsoon like system. On the other hand, the predominance of the cyclonic regime during all seasons makes it difficult to answer the question of whether the Arctic region belongs to the monsoon type pattern. In this study, the monsoon features of atmospheric circulation over the Barents and Kara Seas were analysed. To extract specific monsoon signs, atmospheric circulation systems (separately for areas of each sea) were divided into ten weather types. Their appearance and statistics were compared with indicators of regional circulation. A significant part of intra-annual monsoon variability is associated with the configuration of such modes as the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Scandinavia teleconnection patterns. For example, during the winter season, the monsoon currents (from land to sea) occur only with a positive North Atlantic Oscillation index. With the prevalence of other modes of variability, the direction of the winds can be different, and the regular monsoon circulation pattern is changed by chaotic regime. In summer, northern streams (from sea to land) are realized on the western periphery of cyclones, regenerating and stabilizing over the Kara Sea. As for anomalies, the nature of the monsoons is manifested in the statistics of extreme winds even without selecting data on the regimes of variability. So, in winter, maximum speeds fall on the southern streams, and in the summer—on the northern ones. Large precipitation anomalies during all seasons, as one would expect, are encountered most often with the cyclonic type of circulation.


One of the most important natural energy resources of our country stands to be as coal; our reserve with the newly discovered bed exceeds more than 14 billion tons. Although the higher quality coals are located at the western and inner part of Anatolia, there are some coal beds in the eastern Anatolia as well. The coals near Muş city are one of them. The coals are Tertiary (Pliocene) aged coals. Petrographical and chemical properties, as moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash content of the coals were determined in this study. The coals are of many thin layers and of a total thickness varying between 0.9-3.6 meters. The original coals contain of an average lower calorific value about 1200 Kcal/kg. Their ash content changes between 17-30 %, moisture with 30% average. The coals exhibit higher moisture content which is thought to be derived from high ground water level and of surfical water inputs. The dominant maceral of the coals is huminite, changing between 28 to 61 % amount. Gelinite is the most common huminites. Liptinite content changes between 2-5% and inertinite, between 2-11 %. The huminite reflectance (Ro) were measured as changing between 0.10 - 0.29 % (standard deviation as 0.01 - 0.02%) and corresponds to lignite rank. The low reflectance values are probably resulted from their shallow burials and their being remote to tectonic activities in the region. The coals comprise of 3-6% pyrite and 14-62 clay and other inorganic materials. Muş coals were classified as poor quality lignite, based on organic petrography, coal quality data and their low maturity index. Detail coal petrographical analysis seems to indicate depositional environment of the coals to be as limnic swamps. Total reserve of the coals is about 6.2 million metric tons.


We consider the three-loop singlet diagrams induced by axial-vector, scalar and pseudo-scalar currents. Expansions for small and large external momentum $q$ are presented. They are used in combination with conformal mapping and Pad\'e approximations in order to arrive at results for the polarization functions valid for all $q^2$. Results are presented for the imaginary parts which are directly related to physical quantities like the production of top quarks or the decay of scalar or pseudo-scalar Higgs bosons.


Ileal recovery of endogenous amino acids is important for determining balanced homeostasis of protein metabolism in pigs and the true digestibility of dietary protein. In this context, the ileal recoveries of endogenous amino acids were determined in growing pigs fed guanidinated Nutrisoy protein test meals with low and high concentration of soybean trypsin inhibitors (SBTI) using the homoarginine ratio method. Although, there were some differences in the amino acid composition between guanidinated and unguanidinated Nutrisoy the homoarginine ratio method was an effective approach to determine qualitative increases in endogenous recoveries of amino acids when the protein test meals had a higher concentration of SBTI. The in vitro incubation of soybean meal with a commercial protease increased protein solubility and decreased the content of SBTI. However, neither apparent or true ilea[ amino acid digestibilities were improved in newly weaned piglets fed protease-treated soybean meal. Recoveries of endogenous branched-chain and aromatic amino acids were higher on d 6 to 7 than d 15 to 16 after weaning, suggesting dietary change- and/or age-dependent adaptive increases in the secretions of pepsin and pancreatic proteases. In contrast, bacterial contributions to total and endogenous recoveries of nitrogen and amino acids in Ileal digesta of the piglets increased with time after weaning. In this respect, the enterobacteriaceae act as a nitrogen-sink by assimilating available dietary and endogenous amino acids, thereby, making them unavailable for absorption by the piglets. Total exchange of amino acids across the portal vein-drained tissue of pigs fed a cornstarch-based wheat gluten diet was 55.8 and 130.2 mmol/h for the plasma free amino acid and plasma peptide pools, respectively. The corresponding numerical estimate of 77.6 mmol/h for red blood cells was statistically not significant ( P >0.1) because of large standard errors from accumulated analytical variation. Similar amino acid profiles of wheat gluten and the plasma peptide pool indicate that a substantial proportion of dietary amino acids were exchanged into and transported by the portal vein blood in the form of plasma peptides. The high content of serine and threonine (intestinal mucus) and glutamate, aspartate and the branched-chain amino acids (pancreatic secretions) suggests that some plasma peptides were of endogenous origin. The exchange of amino acid across the portal vein-drained tissue of pigs is a dynamic process that involves the plasma free amino acid and plasma peptide pools and probably red blood cells.


Surveillance control and reporting (SCR) system for air threats play an important role in the defense of a country. SCR system corresponds to air and ground situation management/processing along with information fusion, communication, coordination, simulation and other critical defense oriented tasks. Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment (TEWA) sits at the core of SCR system. In such a system, maximal or near maximal utilization of constrained resources is of extreme importance. Manual TEWA systems cannot provide optimality because of different limitations e.g. surface to air missile (SAM) can fire from a distance of 5Km, but manual TEWA systems are constrained by human vision range and other constraints. Current TEWA systems usually work on target-by-target basis using some type of greedy algorithm thus affecting the optimality of the solution and failing in multi-target scenario. his paper relates to a novel two-staged flexible dynamic decision support based optimal threat evaluation and weapon assignment algorithm for multi-target air-borne threats.


To research the friction coefficient of rough surface under different contact loads. A mathematical model is proposed between the fractal parameters D and G and the non-dimensional real contact area based on M-B fractal contact model, surface profile curves are scanned by APE500 surface morphology, dimension change index k and size change index s are identified in tests, the model is verified on UMT-3 pin-on-disk wear apparatus. Results showed that the modeling method relying on limiting cases is feasible, this model could improve prediction accuracy of friction coefficient, and the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical prediction.


Theoretical analysis has revealed that considerable impact can be found on the operation of ultra high speed machines, caused by subharmonic components [1,2]. The system studied is applied to generate electric power by utilizing renewable energy resources. The results obtained by numerical calculations were confirmed by computer simulations and also by laboratory tests. The low level of subharmonics, superimposed on the fundamental and high frequency components poses a challenge for reliable laboratory measurement; furthermore the large amount of test data makes the process of evaluation laborious. The paper presents a test method developed for the measurement of subharmonic components in a fast and automated way by applying a test arrangement and a computer program developed for the analysis of the test data. The basic idea of the method is described in the paper presenting examples of test results obtained by the method described and comparison is made with the results of corresponding numerical calculations.


At present, most of the robots' intelligent level is not as high as needed and they can't accomplish some special tasks successfully under complicated circumstances. A kind of robot master-slave control system based on LabVIEW is designed, which allows operators control robots working in dangerous environment such as high radiation, ultrahigh temperature through outside input device. The device should connect with the master computer. This kind of operation mode can not only make full use of human intelligence, but also exploit the robots' ability of being able to work in the abominable environments, making human and the robot fully complement each other's advantages. At the same time, the robot master-slave control system based on LabVIEW is easy to develop and maintain for its good portability and scalability.


Using the semi-inverse method proposed by Ji-Huan He, variational principles are established for two nonlinear equations arising in physics, i.e., the Lax fifth-order equation and the (2+1) dimensional potential KdV equation.


The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H8O4·H2O, contains two organic molecules which are connected by the two water molecules through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming an R 4 4(12) ring. Further O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds assemble these rings through R 6 6(18) rings, giving rise to infinite helical chains arranged around the b axis. These helical chains are assembled by offset π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6432 (8) Å] between the aromatic rings of neigboring chains, forming a supramolecular network.


Scholars generally agree that 'independent' institutions such as the European Commission, the European Court of Justice and European Central Bank have created a space and role for themselves that has no equivalent in national political settings. However, we still lack a better understanding of the importance of this independent branch in the EU polity. This article contends that the central relevance of independence is connected to the historically rooted connection between 'independence' and 'international government' – a relationship the history of which can be traced back to the League of Nations' foundational period as the inaugural scene for the nexus between power and knowledge in international politics. Ultimately, this article questions the extent to which this specific grammar of international government has been constitutive of the EC polity in terms of valued modes of legitimacy and types of authority.


Improvement to the metallic structure for manufacturing electrical panels / cabinets, enclosing a structure of metallic cross sections (5), with the means for supporting the parts making up the external walls from folded sheets, as well as constituting the means for supporting and mounting the doors with its respective hinges, the upper (6) and lower enclosure with the base (7) and other electrical and electronic inside of the cabinet components.The said structure (5) can be presented semi-assembled, where four of its uprights or four of its cross sections (P1) are completely free whilst all the other cross sections are rigidly integrated into two equal rectangular frames (8) which form the two opposite sides of the said structure (5) and therefore at the corner point of the junction of each rectangular frame (8) there is a complementary device (9) cooperating for the interlinking at 90 DEG between two adjacent cross sections (P2) and (P3) of each frame (8), as also this selfsame device presents the means so that the extremities of the other cross sections (P1) may be coupled between the corners of the rectangular frames (8), thus forming the structure (5).


Objective:To develop novel metabolite-based models for diagnosis and staging in colorectal cancer (CRC) using high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy. Background:Previous studies have demonstrated that cancer cells harbor unique metabolic characteristics relative to healthy counterparts. This study sought to characterize metabolic properties in CRC using HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy. Methods:Between November 2010 and January 2012, 44 consecutive patients with confirmed CRC were recruited to a prospective observational study. Fresh tissue samples were obtained from center of tumor and 5 cm from tumor margin from surgical resection specimens. Samples were run in duplicate where tissue volume permitted to compensate for anticipated sample heterogeneity. Samples were subjected to HR-MAS NMR spectroscopic profiling and acquired spectral data were imported into SIMCA and MATLAB statistical software packages for unsupervised and supervised multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 171 spectra were acquired (center of tumor, n = 88; 5 cm from tumor margin, n = 83). Cancer tissue contained significantly increased levels of lactate (P < 0.005), taurine (P < 0.005), and isoglutamine (P < 0.005) and decreased levels of lipids/triglycerides (P < 0.005) relative to healthy mucosa (R2Y = 0.94; Q2Y = 0.72; area under the curve, 0.98). Colon cancer samples (n = 49) contained higher levels of acetate (P < 0.005) and arginine (P < 0.005) and lower levels of lactate (P < 0.005) relative to rectal cancer samples (n = 39). In addition unique metabolic profiles were observed for tumors of differing T-stage. Conclusions:HR-MAS NMR profiling demonstrates cancer-specific metabolic signatures in CRC and reveals metabolic differences between colonic and rectal cancers. In addition, this approach reveals that tumor metabolism undergoes modification during local tumor advancement, offering potential in future staging and therapeutic approaches.


ABSTRACT In the face of reduced public funding of science and increased demands for 'value for money', academic researchers find themselves hard pressed to produce relevant research and demonstrate their utility to society. These pressures are particularly prominent in the humanities and social sciences (HSS) where practical value is frequently questioned. This article investigates how HSS can be made 'relevant' through the qualitative case study of a funding instrument fostering immersive collaboration between HSS researchers and non-academic actors. The research is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with the funded researchers and representatives of the funding agency. The paper provides insights into the motivations and experiences of HSS researchers embarking on the quest for relevance and the difficulties they encounter. In particular, the study finds that the key challenge for HSS researchers lies in balancing the level of engagement required to be relevant with the requirements of an academic career.


Research funder mandates, such as those from the U.S. National Science Foundation (2011), the Canadian Tri-Agency (draft, 2018), and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (2018) now often include requirements for data curation, including where possible data sharing in an approved archive. Data curators need to be prepared for the potential that researchers who have not previously shared data will need assistance with cleaning and depositing datasets so that they can meet these requirements and maintain funding. Data de-identification or anonymization is a major ethical concern in cases where survey data is to be shared, and one which data professionals may find themselves ill-equipped to deal with. This article is intended to provide an accessible and practical introduction to the theory and concepts behind data anonymization and risk assessment, will describe a couple of case studies that demonstrate how these methods were carried out on actual datasets requiring anonymization, and discuss some of the difficulties encountered. Much of the literature dealing with statistical risk assessment of anonymized data is abstract and aimed at computer scientists and mathematicians, while material aimed at practitioners often does not consider more recent developments in the theory of data anonymization. We hope that this article will help bridge this gap.


Testing software to validate its functionality requires the development of carefully crafted test cases. Test cases can be developed algorithmically, they can be taken from existing data, or they can be developed from requirements. In this paper, we describe an Automated Test Case Generator (ATCG) that takes requirements statements as inputs and creates test cases as outputs. The ATCG represents a better, systematic way to develop test cases automatically from requirements, and provides multiple benefits and in the meantime, alleviates some potential issues with manually developing test cases from requirements.


This research describes a straightforward procedure for extracting the pigment of Methylene Blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions by utilizing a low-cost, safe, natural, and national source. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to determine contact time, adsorbent dose, and the starting concentration of the adsorbate. For the analysis, a UV spectrophotometer was employed. Dye adsorption equilibrium was obtained after 120 minutes of contact time. Temkin, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherm adsorption were used at solution concentrations of (3, 4, 6, and 8) mg/l. Adsorption data is used to predict the pseudo first and pseudo second order kinetic equations, Elovich kinetic models, and intra-particle diffusion using pseudo first and pseudo second order kinetic equations. The Langmuir adsorption model fits the MB adsorption data better than other isotherm models, with the MB capacity at 8 mg/l equal to 0.992 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption kinetic data are satisfactorily related.


Polysaccharide complex is excreted from great nettle, qualitative and quantitative monosaccharide composition is determined, its influence on physical activity, processes of phagocytosis, osmotic, thermic and peroxide resistance of erythrocyte membranes is studied.


Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) over conventional phototherapy in near-term and term Rh-compatible otherwise healthy neonates in resource-constrained settings. Design: This was a 3-year prospective observational study. Setting: The study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a teaching hospital. Patients: Near-term and term (≥35 weeks of gestation) Rh-compatible, otherwise healthy, newborns were included in the study. Interventions: Single surface LED or conventional phototherapy was performed. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome variable was the duration of phototherapy, and the secondary outcome variables were a rate of fall in the total serum bilirubin (TSB) and need for exchange transfusion. Results: A total of 406 patients constituted the study population. Two hundred and thirty patients received LED phototherapy, and 176 patients received conventional phototherapy. The birth weight, gestational age, gender, mean TSB, and other baseline laboratory parameters were similar in both groups. The median duration of phototherapy in the LED group (22.0 h [95% confidence interval: 20.47, 23.53]) was significantly less than that in the conventional phototherapy group (32.0 h [95% confidence interval: 29.8, 34.1]). Similarly, the rate of fall of TSB at 6, 12, and 18 h was significantly higher in LED group than in the conventional group. Fifteen patients (6.5%) received double volume exchange transfusion in LED group and twenty patients (11.4%) in the conventional group. Conclusions: LED phototherapy was found more efficacious than conventional phototherapy in resource-constrained settings, where the majority of jaundiced patients are managed with latter one and because of limited resources irradiance is never checked or checked inappropriately, which can be a source of serious error.


Both expenditure on healthcare and the functioning of the entire healthcare system in Poland stir up considerable controversy and are often discussed in the media. Hospital debts, the low quality of services, and the low availability of specialist medical services form the basis for the discussion of the effectiveness of the healthcare system. Statistical data are also bleak. Total health expenditure in Poland in 2019 amounted to 6.3% of GDP (estimated expenditure), whereas the average for health expenditure in the OECD countries was 8.8%. Therefore, Poland is below the average, and is placed last but four in the ranking (stat.oecd.org). The aim of this article is the presentation of public expenditure on healthcare in Poland from 2010 to 2020. In order to achieve this, the following research methods were used: a critical analysis of the literature, an analysis of statistical data, and - to make the research more transparent and the research results clearer - a tabular method was used. Also, widely accepted measurements were used, such as absolute values in domestic and international currencies, values per capita, and values in relation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).oduct (GDP).


The model of approximate computing can be used to increase performance or optimize resource usage in stream and graph processing. It can be used to satisfy performance requirements (e.g., throughput, lag) in stream processing by reducing the effort that applications need to process datasets. There are currently multiple stream processing platforms, and most of them do not natively support approximate results. A recent one, Stateful Functions, is an API that uses Flink to enable developers to easily build stream and graph processing applications. It also retains Flink's features like stateful computations, fault-tolerance, scalability, control events and its graph processing library Gelly. Herein we present Approxate, an extension over this platform to support approximate results. It can also support more efficient stream and graph processing by allocating available resources adaptively, driven by user-defined requirements on throughput, lag, and latency. This extension enables flexibility in computational trade-offs such as trading accuracy for performance. The user can choose which metrics should be guaranteed at the cost of others, and/or the accuracy. Approxate incorporates approximate computing (using load shedding) with adaptive accuracy and resource manegement in state-of-the-art stream processing platforms, which are not targeted in other relevant related work. It does not require significant modifications to application code, and minimizes imbalance in data source representation when dropping events.


These findings lead to the following conclusions:

All procedures which jeopardize the superior group of arteries must be avoided.

Prostheses with a stem as narrow as possible must be used, in order to spare as many intra-osseons vessels as possible.

Reaming and shaping of the neck is a dangerous operative procedure which may result in a weakening of the area which supports the prosthesis.

Too early weight-bearing must be proscribed.

For the past twenty-eight months, we have used a new design for the prosthesis, which was made essentially for a better redistribution of pressure on the cervical stumpt; however, it has several advantages as far as vascularization is concerned:

1. The diameter of the stem is smaller.

2. The collar has been given up; therefore, shaping the neck by means of a reamer is unnecessary. Reoperations performed in earlier cases had demonstrated frequent necrosis of the area covered by acrylic.

See Image in the PDF File

3. During oblique resection of the head, the inferior medial group of arteries is left intact; its contribution to the vascular supply of both the inferior cortex and the cancellous hone of the neck has been mentioned above.

All of these factors may improve the postoperative course in the future.

FRACTIRES OF THE NECK

In fractures of the neck, the prognosis does not rest on vascular factors alone. This problem has been studied by many authors1,7,10,15, 16, 17. Most of these authors have attempted to establish more precisely the contribution of the ligamentum teres artery to the vascular supply. Their main concern was the fate of the head which has been deprived of its mail1 arterial group. The importance of the vascularization of the head should not be overlooked, but we believe that the vascular condition of the stump must also be considered.

It is now an accepted fact, confirmed by our experiments, that the blood supply through the ligamentum teres does not decrease with age; Nordenson even thinks it increases.

It is also an accepted fact that the degree of vascular damage is in proportion to the displacement of the fracture fragments. A slight forward displacement of the fractured surface certainly leaves unchanged the majority of posterior and superior vessels. The displacement itself is related to the obliquity of the fracture line. When the angle made by the fracture line with the axis of the diaphysis is4 is acute (less than 40 degrees), the displacement may be significant. When this angle is wide, the displacement is always moderate. The latter type of fracture heals more easily than the former. Thus, we are brought back to the theories developed by Pauwels, which are based upon mechanical considerations.

In all types of fractures with marked displacement, whatever the site and the direction of the fracture line, the capital fragment is deprived of most of its vascular supply and what remains is insufficient to maintain viability of bone tissue. Therefore, for nutrition and for healing, the head fragment needs vessels coming from the neck.

However, the vascularization of the neck can also be affected by the very site of the fracture.

We have pointed out that in a number of cases (20 per cent. of the specimens examined) the main arterial group of the neck issued from a bifurcation of the cervicocapital arteries; this bifurcation may even be found in the head in some cases. If such a neck is fractured—that is, if there is a subcapital fracture or a transcervical fracture close to the head—the main part of the superior arterial group, as well as the medial inferior group, is destroyed. The only arteries remaining are the two or three belonging to the superior group which penerate the neck proximal to the trochanter, coursing toward the diaphysis.

Thus, a major part of the neck will be lacking in normal vascularization and, when the fracture has been reduced and nailed, both contacting fragments will be poorly vascularized (Fig. 18). In such a case, it is evident that, if the reduction of the fracture is not perfect, if immobilization is not complete, and if weight-bearing is started too early, all of these factors will result in a pseudarthrosis with resorption of the neck.

However, sometimes such fractures do heal, because of revascularization, first of the neck, and then of the head. This involves two processes: First, creeping substitution, described by Phemister and recently demonstrated experimentally by Tovee. This, however, requires perfect reduction and strict and prolonged immobilization. The second process is that of peripheral vascularization. This may occur even with an imperfect reduction, but vascularization remains abnormal; such abnormal vascularization results in deformities of the head, which remains poorly nourished in its center and is unexpectedly bordered by hypervascularized osteophytes (Figs. 19-A and 19-B).

Such factors might be the explanation for certain cases of shortening of the neck and for some pseudarthroses which occur even after proper treatment.

Finally, the case of fractures at the base of the neck, in which the fracture line follows the capsular insertion, is different. Such fractures heal badly, probably because they interrupt most of the arterial supply of the neck which will have to re-form later.


The preceding papers of this series presented an analysis of the brush-shifting a-c motor. Parts I and II dealt with the case when the voltage introduced into the stator coils from the commutator was collinear with the voltage induced in the stator coils by slip. Part III dealt with the case when the voltage introduced into the stator coils from the commutator was in quadrature with the induced voltage. This paper extends the earlier analysis to include all the possible phase positions of the voltage introduced into the stator coils from the commutator. Under these conditions power factor and speed are controlled simultaneously. Methods for constructing the circle diagram for these conditions are given, and the characteristics of the motor predicted from the circle diagram are compared with the characteristics obtained by laboratory tests.


Malaysia is located in the Coral Triangle of the South China Sea, with extraordinary reef coverage of approximately 3,600 km²; it is rich in marine biodiversity. The gazzettement of the Marine Park and establishing the park as a rural ecotourism site are aimed at protecting the fragile marine resources from the impacts of human activities. Tourism activities in Marine parks, if not properly managed, may destroy the natural resources which it depends on, and thus diminish the quality of experience. At the same time, local communities may depend on the very same resources for their livelihood. These human activities may affect the sustainability of tourism in the future. Thus, a sustainable tourism development requires a balanced environmental management and the balance should be measured before the critical level is reached. The main objective of this paper is to explore some of the significant issues faced by the management of Marine Parks in Malaysia, particularly to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park based on socio-cultural, economics, and environmental perspectives and to propose some recommendations to the management of Marine Park.


GPON is a technology that has been the horse power of many recent FTTH deployments. Being a mature technology it is far from being well supported by appropriate planning and dimensioning tools. This paper presents a modular and hierarchical approach for dimensioning and economically assess Fiber to the home (FTTH) - Gigabit Passive Optical Networks (GPON). It incorporates different deployment options (e.g.: fused or connected fibers, man-hole or street cabinet usage, drop cable architecture, etc.) and calculates the respective economic indicators: net present value (NPV) internal rate of return (IRR), cost per passed / served house, etc.)... In order to validate the presented ideas, the model is applied to a set of different scenarios (Urban dense, urban, suburban and rural).


Abstract : Two decades ago, most of the people of Africa associated terrorism with the PLO, IRA and "Carlos the Jackal" the legendary hero of most terrorists, otherwise known as Illich Ramirez Sanchez. They were least concerned with what they perceived as Palestinian-Israeli-European - American conflict. Beginning with the hijacking of Lufthansa Airline from Greece to Entebbe, Uganda in July 1976, followed by the revengeful bombing of Nairobi's Norfolk Hotel on 3rd December 1976, and most recently with the simultaneous bombings of the US Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, terrorists had finally shifted their theater of war to Africa. The aim of this paper is to critically analyze the term "Terrorism" as viewed by a cross section of the international community. In order to determine if this malice is on the rise or not, I will analyze trends in the formation of these organizations, their purpose and activities. My paper will then shift its focus to Africa and select a few cases of terrorism and their impact on the victims, the social fabric and the security apparatus in dealing with the after effects. I will further try to explain why Africa has been chosen as a new theater of conflict, and recommend what African governments need to do to reduce their vulnerability to terrorism. African nations need to consider the following bold steps: - Reject liberation wars that adopt methods of terrorism. - Join the international community in information exchange regarding all forms of terrorism. - Strengthen immigration security. - Set up, and train disaster management teams. - Educate and inform citizens to be conscious of terronsm. - Enact laws that make terrorist activities difficult to operate. - Whenever possible, deny terrorist organizations access to mass media.


The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of soybean and canola oil added in crescent levels on production performance indexes and internal and external egg quality of brown commercial layers of the strain Bovans Goldline during five periods of 28 days. Two hundred and eighty hens with 18 weeks old were distributed in a completely randomized design, with seven diets in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement (oil type and oil level, and an additional control), with 5 replicates of 8 hens per experimental unit. The soybean and canola oil levels did not affect the feed consumption; egg, albumen, yolk and shell weights; albumen, yolk and shell percentages, neither the specific gravity. There was an interaction between type and oils levels on egg production and mass conversion and per egg dozen. Better results for those characteristics were obtained as soybean oil increased. However, the egg mass conversion was negatively influenced by increase of canola oil. The addition of soybean oil promoted better performance as compared to canola oil.


Background: Mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs predominantly from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by periodic airflow limitation associated with sleep arousal and oxygen desaturation and is prevalent in patients with ESRD. Whether OSA increases the risk for SCD, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among hemodialysis patients remains unknown. Methods: In a prospective cohort of 558 incident hemodialysis patients, we examined the association of OSA with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and SCD using Cox proportional hazards models controlling for traditional CVD risk factors. Results: Sixty-six incident hemodialysis patients (12%) had OSA. Mean age (56 years) and percentage of males (56%) were identical in OSA and no-OSA groups. Fewer African Americans had OSA than non-African Americans (9 vs. 18%, respectively). Participants with OSA had higher body-mass index, Charlson comorbidity score, and left ventricular mass index and greater prevalence of diabetes and coronary artery disease. During 1,080 person-years of follow-up, 104 deaths occurred, 29% of which were cardiovascular. OSA was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.90 [95% CI 1.04–3.46]) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.62 [95% CI 1.36–9.66]) after adjusting for demographics and body-mass index. OSA was associated with a higher risk of SCD after adjusting for demographics (HR 3.28 [95% CI 1.12–9.57]) and multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: Incident hemodialysis patients with OSA are at increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and SCD. Future studies should assess the impact of screening for OSA and OSA-targeted interventions on mortality in ESRD.


. Temperature and humidity measurements provide useful information on multiple areas of civil engineering application such as Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Structural System Identification (SSI) and structures rehabilitation. Majority of the existing commercial systems are so costly and also these measurement paradigms need many reference spots for a full-scale structure. The aforesaid paradigms are based on collecting data through smart devices, transferring information to each other and in the final stage processing the obtained information collaboratively through cloud computing or the others technologies. Taking into account the above information and obstacles, utilizing the Open Source Platforms (OSP) microcontrollers like Arduino as well as low cost sensors are attracting more and more attention. This paper gives a comprehensive information about the most determinant aspects of the aforementioned kits in terms of their pros and cons, installation procedure, communication protocol, number of the required connections and specific characteristics of the data acquisition system.


The present situation shows that the Kurdish question plays a crucial role in the area and remains a thorn for regional stability. Turkey still has not openly accepted that it is dealing with a Kurdish problem and is always fearful of seeking a social, economic and cultural solution for the Kurds. It is afraid that fundamental rights – warranted in actual fact under international agreements – would be considered concessions, leading to ethnic claims and ultimately the division of the country. No party can contradict the principle of the indivisibility of the state, but the increased dissatisfaction among the business and middle classes concerning the war against the Kurds -it is the main drain on the economy - finally led them to speak out against the present state of affairs. Despite the many difficulties, some Kurds and Turks advanced the possibility of a political resolution of the Kurdish question. They published reports which gained considerable notoriety, arousing a great deal of controversy and criticism.


Gradenigo syndrome, first described in 1907, consists of a clinical triad of otitis media, facial pain, and abducens paralysis. Subsequent work located the site of the lesion at the apex of the petrous bone; it is here that the cranial nerves V and VI are anatomically in close proximity, being separated from the petrous bone only by dura mater. Causes include inflammation of the petrous bone, usually secondary to infection of the mastoid and middle ear, and, rarely, bone tumor, traumatic aneurysm cholesteatoma, and T-cell lymphoma. Report of a Case. An otherwise-healthy, 44-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a 1-week history of rightsided facial pain and diplopia. His medical history was significant for surgery on his right ear 3 months before admission and dental work on a right upper molar 2 weeks before admission. His social and sexual history was noncontributory. Physical examination revealed a wellnourished, febrile (38°C)


Waveguide antennas are the most powerful tool of Radar system. Slotted Waveguide antennas have been very popular from last two decades. Slotted Waveguide antennas are preferred for Radar System. Maritime Radar & aircraft radar system completely depends on the performance of Slotted Waveguide Antenna Lots of work have been done for the design of Planar arrays but very few are available for Slotted Waveguide. By Changing the position & inclination of the slot optimum gain can be achieved. A prototype microwave slotted designed waveguide antenna will be fabricated and tested to get the design results in accordance with the simulation. The purpose of research paper is to give an objective WaveguideTechnology.


MOTIVATION
The translation start site plays an important role in the control of translation efficiency of eukaryotic mRNAs. However, mRNAs with a suboptimal context of start AUG codon are relatively abundant. It is likely that at least some mRNAs with suboptimal start codon context contain the other signals providing additional information for efficient AUG recognition.

RESULTS
Frequency of AUG codons at the beginning of the coding part of eukaryotic mRNAs was analyzed in relation to the context of translation start codon. It was found that the observed downstream AUG content in the mRNAs with optimal start codon context was close to the expected value, whereas it was significantly higher in the mRNAs with a suboptimal context. It is likely that downstream AUG codons can often be utilized as additional start sites to increase translation rate of mRNAs with a suboptimal context of the annotated start codon and many eukaryotic proteins can be characterized by some N-end heterogeneity.


Current literature on aging in place highlights the socioemotional components that act as barriers to remaining in the home, but it often neglects actionable safety features of the home which may also pose a threat. Furthermore, this literature often neglects self-reported barriers to aging in place. Utilizing grounded theory, a retrospective review of home safety assessments completed in Philadelphia analyzed older adult reports to determine what factors older adults view as barriers to their aging in place plans. Overarching categories that were discovered through the data analysis process included barriers related to home mobility and safety, personal health, access to community services, home improvement and maintenance needs, general safety concerns, and bathroom safety. Results indicate that older adults can identify many barriers to aging within their home, but that accessing support and services to overcome these barriers requires additional resources and funding.


Introduction: In 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was first detected in dairy cattle herds in The Netherlands and Germany having since then spread across Europe. Today studies are starting to show a decrease in new SBV infections, a circumstance that raises alerts for possible re-emergence if ideal conditions for vector development occur. To assess the potential decrease in SBV circulation, we performed a 2-year longitudinal serological investigation for SBV infection at the herd level by using bulk-tank milk of a specific sheep breed from central Portugal. Materials and Methods: Bulk-tank milk samples from 68 flocks were collected in both 2015 and 2016, and lactosera were tested for IgG anti-SBV by EIA. Results and Discussion: Results show that in 2015, 92.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 83.9-96.8) of the bulk-tank milk samples were positive, whereas in 2016 only 77.9% (95% CI: 66.7-86.1 of the samples from the same flocks were positive. Differences in the 2015/2016 seroprevalences showed to be statistically significant (p = 0.027). This significant decrease at the herd level seems to be in agreement with reported data from other European countries and raise alerts, since increasingly favorable conditions (higher number of susceptible animals) are now present, potentially favoring SBV epidemics if improved conditions for midge replication occur in the future.


Story characters not only perform actions, they typically also perceive, feel, think, and communicate. Here we are interested in how children render characters' perspectives when freely telling a fantasy story. Drawing on a sample of 150 narratives elicited from Dutch children aged 4-12, we provide an inventory of 750 instances of character-perspective representation (CPR), distinguishing fourteen different types. Firstly, we observe that character perspectives are ubiquitous in freely told children's stories and take more varied forms than traditional frameworks can accommodate. Secondly, we discuss variation in the use of different types of CPR across age groups, finding that character perspectives are being fleshed out in more advanced and diverse ways as children grow older. Thirdly, we explore whether such variation can be meaningfully linked to automatically extracted linguistic features, thereby probing the potential for using automated tools from NLP to extract and classify character perspectives in children's stories.


We have noticed in α-LiIO 3 single crystals the following experimental facts: (1) Using the conoscopic observation method, it was found the contrast of layer imperfections increasing with the strength of a dc field. (2) Changes take place in the x-ray topography under the action of a dc field. (3) The grown-in spatial variation of lattice parameters were found and measured by an x-ray double-crystal spectrometer. Based on these observations, we infer that space charges (carriers, impurity ions and vacancies) are accumulated at the defects of macroscopic scale, which in turn produces a gradient of lattice parameters under the action of a dc field. We calculated the neutron Bragg scattering cross section for a distorted single crystal using the Born approximation and taking into account the extinction at the same time. Therefrom, the enhancement of diffraction in an α-LiIO 3 crystal under the action of a dc field were qualitatively interpreted with good agreement.


The behaviors that surround copulation are characterized as sociosexual behaviors. These behaviors displayed by males that are directed at females may include allogrooming, wrestling, chasing, approach, and time spent together. The data supported the hypothesis that the duration of sociosexual behaviors differs during the pre-copulatory, peri-copulatory, and post-copulatory phases of the mating bout in meadow voles. Voles spent more time approaching conspecifics during the pre- and peri-copulatory phases than during the post-copulatory phase. Voles spent more time allogrooming, wrestling, and chasing during the pre-copulatory phase than during the peri- and post-copulatory phases. Voles spent similar amounts of time together during the pre-, peri-, and post-copulatory phases. The data suggest that sociosexual behaviors displayed by males may be involved in set- ting the pace and temporal components of the mating bout. During the pre-copulatory phase particular behaviors by male voles may attract females, during the peri-copulatory phase some of these behaviors may stimulate or motivate the female to mate, and during the post-copulatory phase certain behaviors may prepare the male to mate again (Current Zoology 57 (1): 43-49, 2011).


Despite recent advances and new applications of molecular and biogeochemical methodology in aquatic microbial ecology, our perception of the aquatic microbial world remains one dominated by "free-living" bacteria that account for most of the microbial activities in the pelagic zone. Recent research has, however, shown that there exist vast and hidden "microbial networks" within the water column, connected via various microhabitats such as aggregates, fecal pellets and higher organisms. Bacterial abundance within these networks may rival or exceed that of the "free-living" bacteria. Hence, what we have learned in traditional aquatic microbial ecology represents merely a fraction of the microbial world. Within these networks a bacterium can travel long distances, communicate and closely interact with other bacteria, and efficiently exchange genetic information with one another. The presence of microbial networks within the water column demands better sampling strategies and a new way to understand bacterial ecology, evolution and functions within the broader context of systems biology.


Our interest in identifying magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia therapy has led to this study of the ac magnetic field induced heating of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Single-crystal MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 5.3 to 12.1 nm were synthesized by a thermal decomposition method. Oleic acid and oleylamine ligands used during synthesis were replaced by meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, which allowed the particles to be dispersed in water. Magnetic field induction heating of aqueous dispersions of the particles showed that the value of specific absorption rate (SAR) increased with increasing particle size until it peaked for particles with an average diameter of 10.5 nm and then decreased for particles with an average diameter of 12.1 nm. Theoretical calculations of the effect of particle size on the heat generation were in agreement with this trend and showed that, with the largest particles, there was a decrease in the contribution of Brownian relaxation to the heating, leading to a decrease in the SAR for these particles.


P-texture effect on the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) resistance in an Al-Cu-Mg alloy containing a small amount of Ag, is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD). Results shows that the high intensity P-texture sheet has lower σ0.2/σb, lower FCP rate and higher damage tolerance than random texture sheet. Fracture analysis indicates that the striations spacing of high intensity P-texture sheet is much smaller than that of random texture sheet and it has a rougher fatigue fracture surface, which causes a significant roughness induced crack closure (RICC) effect. The calculation results manifest that high intensity P-texture sheet possesses a higher crack closure level reaching 0.73 as compared to random texture sheet (only 0.25). The statistical analysis results reveal the P-grains have large twist angle of 105–170° and tilt angle of 5–60° with neighboring grains, which is similar to Goss-grains. This is the fundamental reason that P-texture sheet has the same FCP resistance and induces fatigue crack deflection as Goss-texture sheet. Additionally, the most {111} slipping planes of P-grains are distributed in the range of 30–50° deviating from transverse direction of the sheet. This results in more {111} slipping planes to participate in cyclic plastic deformation, which is beneficial to reduce fatigue damage accumulation and improve the damage tolerance of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy.


Although the popular view is that the Earth is "warming up and drying out," the present climate trend appears to be toward lower temperatures and more rain, according to papers presented by Earth scientists who met in Lincoln, Nebr., October 6–7.

Several speakers stated that actual data supporting the warming-up concept come from U.S. Weather Bureau stations, of which 97.5% are located in metropolitan areas where urban heat production is rising. These investigators found that the 2.5% rural stations show a cooling history for the latest 4 decades.


A realistic tight-binding model is developed and employed to elucidate the resistivity size effect due to steps on Ru thin films. The resistivity of two different film orientations, (0001) and (11̄00), is computed for transport along a [112̄0] direction both for smooth surfaces and for surfaces with monolayer-high steps. In the case of smooth films, the systems are also studied using solutions to the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). Interestingly, the resistivity of (11̄00) surfaces exhibits a significant size effect even in the absence of surface steps. When monolayer-high steps are spaced ∼ 10 nm apart, the resistivity is shown to increase due to scattering from the steps. However, only a small increase was found which cannot explain the large effect seen in recent experiments with Ru thin films. This highlights the need for further elucidation of the resistivity size effect. Theoretical analysis suggest that films made from materials with a relatively large ballistic conductance per area like Ru should exhibit a reduced resistivity size effect. This result points to Ru as a promising interconnect material. Finally, because a very efficient algorithm for computing resistivity based on the kernel polynomial method (KPM) is used, the approach fulfills a need for realistic models that can span length scales directly relevant to experimental results. The calculations described here include films approaching 5 nm in thickness, with in-plane distances up to ∼ 160 nm and 3.8× 10 atomic sites.


The value of SPOT and TM data for stratification of poplar stands prior to volume inventory is assessed. The stratification is based upon the poplar development stage, which is determined by canopy closure and tree height. The effect of development stage and type of understorey vegetation on the spectral radiance of poplar stands is analyzed throughout the vegetation period. The optimal acquisition date(s) and spectral range(s) and the most suited classification approach for discrimination of poplar development stages are determined. Satellite images recorded during the full growing season are preferred for poplar stand stratification according to development stage. In this period the interfering effect of the understory vegetation is minimal in proportion to the effect of the poplar stand development stage. Young poplar stands can accurately be classified as long as the appropriate spectral range of an image registered during the full growing period is selected. The discrimination between young and other popular development stages is accurate enough for use in a stratification prior to volume inventory. >


Tensor completion is an important topic in the area of image processing and computer vision research, which is generally built on extraction of the intrinsic structure of the tensor data. Drawing on this fact, action classification, relying heavily on the extracted features of high-dimensional tensors, may indeed benefit from tensor completion techniques. In this paper, we propose a low-rank tensor completion method for action classification, as well as image recovery. Since there may exist distortion and corruption in the tensor representations of video sequences, we project the tensors into a subspace, which contains the invariant structure of the tensors. In order to integrate useful supervisory information for classification, we adopt a discriminant analysis criterion to learn the projection matrices. The resulting multi-variate optimization problem can be effectively solved using the augmented Lagrange multiplier (ALM) algorithm. Experiments demonstrate that our method results with better accuracy compared with some other state-of-the-art low-rank tensor representation learning approaches on the MSR Hand Gesture 3D database and the MSR Action 3D database. By denoising the Multi-PIE face database, our experimental setup testifies the proposed method can also be employed to recover images.


Forced convection grain dryers are more efficient and achieve greater drying rates than natural convection dryers. However, it is necessary to dry an appropriate grain layer thickness in such a dryer for the drying process to occur efficiently and at an appropriate rate. A well sized fan is also essential if the drying process is to proceed effectively. An oversize fan will be unnecessarily expensive to buy and operate due to high fan power, while an undersized one will not be able to supply adequate air flow. The solar collector must be properly sized if it is to heat the air to the required temperature. All these factors need to be addressed during the design of a grain dryer. Lengthy and expensive trial and error processes can be avoided by applying simulation in the design process. This study developed an experimental grain dryer, addressing the above mentioned issues in the process. Simulation of air flow within an initial model of the dryer was done and the results used to size the fan and drying cabinet. The solar collector was also sized. The experimental grain dryer developed consisted of a drying cabinet of dimensions 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 1.0 m and was equipped with a 0.039 kW centrifugal fan. The solar collector area was of dimensions 1.2 m x 1.8 m.


In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of scientific reports in which the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique has played a key role in elucidating various aspects of biological materials and their interactions. This article illustrates some key advances in the development of a special variation of this technique called quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The main feature and advantage of QCM-D, compared with the conventional QCM, is that it in addition to measuring changes in resonant frequency (Deltaf), a simultaneous parameter related to the energy loss or dissipation (DeltaD) of the system is also measured. Deltaf essentially measures changes in the mass attached to the sensor surface, while DeltaD measures properties related to the viscoelastic properties of the adlayer. Thus, QCM-D measures two totally independent properties of the adlayer. The focus of this review is an overview of the QCM-D technology and highlights of recent applications. Specifically, recent applications dealing with DNA, proteins, lipids, and cells will be detailed. This is not intended as a comprehensive review of all possible applications of the QCM-D technology, but rather a glimpse into a few highlighted application areas in the biomolecular field that were published in 2007.


Background Data on the prevalence of cancer in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected patients and the severe illness incidence and mortality of COVID-19 patients with cancers remains unclear. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from database inception to July 15, 2020, for studies of patients with COVID-19 infection that had available comorbidity information on cancer. The primary endpoint was the pooled prevalence of cancer in COVID-19 patients and the secondary endpoint was the outcomes of COVID-19-infected cancer patients with incidence of severe illness and death rate. We calculated the pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using a random-effects model, and performed meta-regression analyses to explore heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on continent, country, age, sample size and study design. Findings A total of 107 eligible global studies were included in the systematic review. 90 studies with 94,845 COVID-19 patients in which 4,106 patients with cancer morbidity were included in the meta-analysis for prevalence of cancer morbidity among COVID-19 patients. 21 studies with 70,969 COVID-19 patients in which 3,351 patients with cancer morbidity who had severe illness or death during the studies. The overall prevalence of cancer among the COVID-19 patients was 0.07 (95% CI 0.05~0.09). The cancer prevalence in COVID-19 patients of Europe (0.22, 95% CI 0.17~0.28) was higher than that in Asia Pacific (0.04, 95% CI 0.03~0.06) and North America (0.05, 95% CI 0.04~0.06). The prevalence of COVID-19-infected cancer patients over 60 years old was 0.10 (95% CI 0.07~0.14), higher than that of patients equal and less than 60 years old (0.05, 95% CI 0.03~0.06). The pooled prevalence of severe illness among COVID-19 patients with cancers was 0.35 (95% CI 0.27~0.43) and the pooled death rate of COVID-19 patients with cancers was 0.18 (95% CI 0.14~0.18). The pooled incidence of severe illness of COVID-19 patients with cancers from Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America were 0.38(0.24, 0.52), 0.36(0.17, 0.55), and 0.26(0.20, 0.31), respectively; and the pooled death rate from Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America were 0.17(0.10, 0.24), 0.26(0.13, 0.39), and 0.19(0.13, 0.25), respectively. Interpretation To our knowledge, this study is the most comprehensive and up-to-date meta-analysis assessing the prevalence of cancer among COVID-19 patients, severe illness incidence and mortality rate. The prevalence of cancer varied significantly in geographical continents and ages. The COVID-19 patients with cancer were at-risk for severe illness and a high death rate. The European COVID-19 patients had the highest cancer prevalence among the three continents examined and were also the most likely to progress to severe illness and death. Although the Asia Pacific COVID-19 patients had the lowest cancer prevalence, their severe illness rate was similar to that of European.


Abstract:There is growing interest in embodiment in information seeking, which we use as an opportunity to reconsider what we as designers of information interfaces aim for. While we have become quite good at developing interfaces that are effective at supporting specific needs or needs that have been rendered specific, we are still not good at providing interfaces that reflect a key human characteristic and strength: being embedded in this world and being curious about it. While this discussion is related to research into serendipity (see, e.g., Erdelez et al. 2016), we stay clear of this body of work since we feel the issue is a broader one: we seem to have become stuck designing interfaces that are more suitable for patient, logical, rational robots (or Vulcans) than for mammals who get tired, bored, exited, irritated, intrigued, or distracted, and who even change their minds about what they want to do.


Scholars have researched the role of parents in the development of the child. Families play a critical role in the development of a young child. According to Freud, many adult symptoms of anxieties are rooted in childhood experiences, and that a child's development would influence how the child would behave as an adult and that their actions may correlate to something that occurred in their childhood. Erikson's theory of ego development stated that the ego, which is the centre of each person's individuality, could not be understood in isolation from the others and the wider world around it. Research has also been done on the way that a person's faith develops. In his book, Stages of Faith, Fowler developed a theory of six stages that people go through as their faith matures. Keeley, combined his knowledge of education with his passion for children's ministry and published a book with the title, Helping Our Children Grow In Faith. As a theology student with a background in Early childhood development, the researcher believes that these two academic areas should be utilised together to assist parents in the process of the child's faith development during its formative years. Osmer's core task of Practical Theology, and its four questions, will be used to determine parents' roles in the faith development of their children. Empirical data gathered in a study by Nel and Van der Westhuizen will be used. When all four questions are answered, this study will deduce useful guidelines for parents. The importance of the role that parents play in the faith development of children is immense. A baby's or an infant's interaction with his or her parents forms the basis on which he or she will build their developing faith. If this foundation is not placed down correctly, problems might arise later in the child's faith development.


It is well known that capture silk, the main sticky component of the orb web of a spider, plays an important role in the spider's ability to capture prey via adhesion. However, the detailed mechanism with which the spider achieves its unparalleled high-adhesion performance remains elusive. In this work, we combine experiments and theoretical analysis to investigate the adhesion mechanisms of spider silk. In addition to the widely recognized adhesion effect of the sticky glue, we reveal a synergistic enhancement mechanism due to the elasticity of silk fibres. A balance between silk stiffness, strength and glue stickiness is crucial to endow the silk with superior adhesion, as well as outstanding energy absorption capacity and structural robustness. The revealed mechanisms deepen our understanding of the working principles of spider silk and suggest guidelines for biomimetic designs of spider-inspired adhesion and capture devices.


The antitumor activity of the organometallic ruthenium(II)-arene complexes, RuCl(2)(eta(6)-arene)(PTA), (arene = p-cymene, toluene, benzene, benzo-15-crown-5, 1-ethylbenzene-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, ethyl benzoate, hexamethylbenzene; PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), abbreviated RAPTA, has been evaluated. In vitro biological experiments demonstrate that these compounds are active toward the TS/A mouse adenocarcinoma cancer cell line whereas cytotoxicity on the HBL-100 human mammary (nontumor) cell line was not observed at concentrations up to 0.3 mM, which indicates selectivity of these ruthenium(II)-arene complexes to cancer cells. Analogues of the RAPTA compounds, in which the PTA ligand is methylated, have also been prepared, and these prove to be cytotoxic toward both cell lines. RAPTA-C and the benzene analogue RAPTA-B were selected for in vivo experiments to evaluate their anticancer and antimetastatic activity. The results show that these complexes can reduce the growth of lung metastases in CBA mice bearing the MCa mammary carcinoma in the absence of a corresponding action at the site of primary tumor growth. Pharmacokinetic studies of RAPTA-C indicate that ruthenium is rapidly lost from the organs and the bloodstream.


In the last lecture, we proved an inapproximability result for the MAX-CUT problem. We also introduced the unique label cover problem and Khot's unique games conjecture. Today, we will see how well unique games can be approximated. In particular, we will see Trevisan's algorithm for approximating unique games on low-diameter graphs [Tre08]. We will then briefly discuss the algorithm of Arora et al. for approximating unique games on expanders [AKK+08], and a recent sub-exponential time algorithm for unique games on general graphs due to Arora et al [ABS10]. The references for this lecture include the above cited papers and Lecture 8 of the DIMACS tutorial on Limits of approximation [HC09].


The Post-9/11 GI Bill represents significant public investment in and commitment to veterans who have served in the armed forces and those who will serve in the future. Recent studies have examined its effect on veterans' college participation. In this study, Liang Zhang uses data from four waves of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study between 2004 and 2016 to examine the effect of the Post-9/11 GI Bill on veterans' college choices. This analysis finds, most notably, that veterans who received federal education benefits attended colleges in more expensive locations after the implementation of the bill. Moreover, a greater proportion of veterans attended private for-profit institutions instead of public institutions. Also, the bill had no significant impact on choices in terms of institution level as measured by four-year versus two-year colleges, Carnegie Classification, or program type (online versus in-person).


Different mitigation methods to reduce the potential interference risk of broadband PLC with short wave broadcast stations have been analyzed. Two distinct methods have been proposed to be added in the harmonized standard FprEN50561-1. One is dynamic power control and the other is cognitive frequency exclusion. This paper will solely cover the cognitive frequency exclusion. At the ISPLC 2011, a new method of cognitive frequency exclusion, called SNR based dynamic frequency exclusion, was presented. This paper shows the results of a large measurement campaign performed in three countries. A comparison between analyzer-based and SNR-based detection is presented, and its impact on the performance. Finally, the resulting PSD reduction is highlighted.


Background Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring can reduce the duration of anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of BIS monitoring during surgery for resection of colon carcinoma in elderly patients using the Attention Network Test (ANT) to study alerting, orienting, and executive functions, and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Material/Methods Eighty-one patients (65–75 years) underwent radical surgery for colon carcinoma with general intravenous anesthesia, propofol (6–8 mg/kg/h), vecuronium (0.03–0.05 mg/kg/min), and remifentanil (0.1–0.2 μg/kg/min). The BIS group (n=41) underwent adjustment of anesthesia to maintain a BIS value between 40–60; the non-BIS group (N=40) underwent standard intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring. Primary endpoints were alerting, orienting, and executive functions assessed pre-operatively and on postoperative days 1 and 5 using the ANT; the secondary endpoint was delirium during the first five postoperative days, assessed using the CAM. Results Propofol and remifentanil doses were significantly lower in the BIS group compared with the non-BIS group (P<0.001). Alerting, orienting, and executive functions showed no differences between the two groups pre-operatively but were impaired in both groups on postoperative day 1 compared with pre-operative levels (P<0.001). On postoperative day 5, alerting (P=0.607) and orienting (P=0.851) functions recovered in the BIS group but remained impaired in the non-BIS group (P<0.001). Delirium was significantly lower in the BIS group compared with the non-BIS group (17.5% vs. 27.5%) (P<0.001). Conclusions BIS-guided anesthesia was associated with reduced anesthetic exposure, early postoperative recovery of alerting and orienting functions, and reduced postoperative delirium.


Theories like the picture superiority effect state that the visual modality has substantial advantage over the other human senses. This makes visual information vital in the acquisition of knowledge, such as in the learning of a language. Words can be graphically represented to illustrate the meaning of a message and facilitate its understanding. This method, however, becomes a limitation in the case of abstract words, like accept, belong, integrate and agree, which have no visual referent. The current research turns to sign languages to explore the common semantic elements that link words to each other. Such visual languages have been found to reveal enlightening patterns across signs of similar meanings, pointing towards the possibility of creating clusters of iconic meanings along with their respective graphic representation. By using sign language insight and VerbNet's organisation of verb predicates, this study presents a novel organisation of 506 English abstract verbs classified by visual shape. Graphic animation was used to visually represent the 20 classes of abstract verbs developed. To build confidence on the resulting product, which can be accessed on www.vroav.online, an online survey was created to achieve judgements on the visuals' representativeness. Considerable agreement between participants was found, suggesting a positive way forward for this work, which may be developed as a language learning aid in educational contexts or as a multimodal language comprehension tool for digital text.


Objective : The vertebroplasty is an excellent procedure in spine compression fracture, but there are some problems as cement leakage and difficulties in bone biopsy. Recently, the osteoplasty system is developed to solve these problems, so we will report the usefulness of the osteoplasty system. there are 9patients with simple osteoporotic spine compression fracture, 2 compression fracture patients combined with suspicious spinal metastasis, 1patient with suspicious primary bone tumor, and 2patient with infection on spine. All patients were treated using the osteoplasty system. Results : All 11 compression fracture patients were relived the back pain after the osteoplasty and there is no complication. The bone biopsies in 3 suspicious cancer patients were also effectively performed using the osteoplasty system; negative result in 2patients and positive result in 1patient. The culture result of spontaneous discitis was no growth for 48hours. The spine tuberculosis was confirm using the osteoplasty system. Conclusion : The osteoplasty system has distinguished advantages in comparison with the vertebroplasty. That is, the risk of cement leakage is lower than vertebroplasty because of low pressure delivery system. And we can obtain the specimen effectively in bone biopsy because of large cannula. In conclusion, we emphasize that the osteoplasty system is a more useful procedure in spine compression fracture especially in the patient needed bone biopsy for diagnosis.


The generalized Shwartzman reaction can be produced in pregnant rats by dietary means in the absence of injection of exogenous bacterial endotoxin. The experiment consists of a period of exposure to a diet low in tocopherol followed by exposure to a diet containing oxidized lipids during the gestation period. Pregnancy near term is an essential requirement for the development of the generalized Shwartzman reaction in these experiments. Fibrin thrombi were found in the renal glomeruli in 88.5 per cent, in the lungs in 94.2 per cent, in the liver in 11.4 per cent, in the spleen in 11.4 per cent, and in the adrenal in 40 per cent of animals that died spontaneously. There were pathologic alterations in the placenta which consisted of degeneration of the trophoblast, thrombosis of maternal blood channels in the giant cell trophoblast layer and in the labyrinth, congestion of the labyrinth, hemorrhage into the uterine cavity, placental separation, intra-uterine fetal death, decidual and uterine vein thrombosis, and placentitis in 10 per cent of the cases. The mechanism by which the diet is instrumental in causing this reaction remains to be demonstrated.


The production of excited mercury ions in thermal collisions is studied theoretically. The adiabatic potentials and the nonadiabatic radial couplings are calculated within the multielectron pseudopotential method. The coupled equations for the nuclear motion are solved fully quantum mechanically in a diabatic representation. The partial transition probabilities, the incoming and outgoing currents, the partial cross sections and the partial rate constants are determined in the range of interest and compared with the available experimental data. It is found that the total rate constant is mainly determined by the partial rate constant for excitation of the state.


The study of Chinese legal history has undergone a tremendous change in the United States since the 1990s. Antiquated views and biased opinions of past decades have been rethought and criticized to a considerable extent. At the cutting edge of this new academic trend is the UCLA research group of Chinese legal history. Their scholarship as a whole exemplifies the features of what this article calls a "new Chinese legal history"—namely, conjoining the empirical (the extensive use of judicial archives in China) with the theoretical (drawing upon and dialoguing with well-established theories in social sciences), with the intention of formulating new and illuminating middle-level concepts. Moreover, their keen "historical sense" helps us understand the historical roots of contemporary problems, thus overcoming the epistemological problem of Chinese legal history studies often being regarded as useless.


The article looks at the world as a constantly changing organism, in which global mobility has become the new "normal" for international education, science, and work. The personality of the future teacher of foreign languages appears to start assuming new roles and responsibilities in higher education, and these roles need to meet the society demand in the globalizing world. In this regard, the personality of the of foreign language teacher is the bearer and leader of polyand / or multiculturalismof the globalized society, which means that without proper training such foreign language teacher will not be able to carry out pedagogical activities effectively in today's complex socio-cultural conditions. Therefore, one of the important tasks of higher education institutions in Ukraine and outside the country is to expand the polyand / or multicultural components in the content of higher education, make the requirements much tougher for future professionals in communication, as well as teaching foreign languages, in order to enhance quality in the educational and job markets. It is emphasized that the study of polyand multiculturalism is of good challenge in the post-Sovietic academic geographies. To this point, in the domestic science many scholars and researchers confuse the terms 'polycultural education' and 'multicultural education'; other scholars do not confuse, however, nor stipulate the differences between the polyand multicultural education; and there are scholars, which use these terms interchangeably, etc., as opposed to foreign researches in the similar domain. With the latter, it is clearly distinguished for what polyand multicultural education models stand. The research findings identify and group the stages of implementing polyand multicultural education in universities, which expressly relate to the technology of dialogic interaction by future foreign language teachers and instructors in a linguistically and ethnically diversified class. Polycultural education stresses out the heterogeneity of class, tolerance and respect in communication with one another, cultures and languages; multicultural education specifies the need in differentiation between the own and foreign cultures, ethnic and other specifics by representatives in group / class communication. The technology of dialogic interaction in higher education includes the following implementation stages to educate a poly/ multicultural personality of the future foreign language teacher: (a) motivational and preparatory (at the same time), (b) informationbased and organizational, (c) communication-based for in /out-of-class activities, (d) diagnostic and reflexive, and (e) analytical and corrective, where applicable. In conclusion, the implementation of the described stages in the technology of dialogic interaction proves that the designed approach, or model, provides a combination of purposeful, linguistic and cultural practice with cognitive, research-informational, value-oriented, socio-cultural, cultural and artistic-aesthetic activities for heterogeneous and / or ethnically


Objective To compare videonasendoscopy, lateral videofluoroscopy, and perceptual speech examination in the assessment of velopharyngeal dysfunction. Design Retrospective observational. Setting Multidisciplinary cleft palate team at a tertiary academic institution. Patients, Participants Patients who had undergone videonasendoscopy and lateral videofluoroscopy for suspected velopharyngeal dysfunction at our center were evaluated. Inclusion required that videonasendoscopy, lateral videofluoroscopy, and the perceptual speech exam were performed on the same day. A total of 88 patients were analyzed. Main outcome Measure(s) Primary outcome measures included percent closure on videonasendoscopy, percent closure on lateral videofluoroscopy, and quantitative scores for hypernasal resonance, nasal emission, and facial grimace. Additional outcome measures included linear and angular anatomic measurements obtained from lateral videofluoroscopy. Results Moderately strong correlation was found between closure estimates of videonasendoscopy and lateral videofluoroscopy (ρ = .583; p < .001). Lateral videofluoroscopy estimates of closure averaged 11.7% higher than videonasendoscopy. Closure correlated moderately with overall speech severity (ρ = .304; p = .005); whereas, a stronger correlation was seen with hypernasal resonance (ρ = –.479; p < .001). Patients exhibiting grimace had worse closure than those without (79.1% versus 70.7%; ρ = .035). Movement angle of the velum and change in genu angle correlated significantly with closure function (ρ = –.304; p = .034 and ρ = –.395; p < .001, respectively). Conclusions Videonasendoscopy and lateral videofluoroscopy closure estimates correlated moderately. Lateral videofluoroscopy tended to give smaller gap estimates. Hypernasal resonance and facial grimace are useful clinical indicators of large gap size. Velar movement angle and change in genu angle were identified as anatomical correlates of closure function.


Background : Streptococcus sanguinis is a bacterium that can cause failures in root canal treatments due its ability to penetrate the dentinal tubules to a depth of 400 μm in just two weeks. Irrigation material is needed to stop the growth of this bacteria so that no bacteria can pass through by using chemicals, irrigation materials that are widely used such as chlorhexidine 0,2% but still lack because it cannot be used as a single irrigation solution because its effectiveness will be reduced if it is related to protein and organic dentine matrix and low Ph saliva.Therefore, research is needed to find natural ingredient that can be an alternative such as Cocoa peel extract was chosen because it contains active compounds, in the form of saponins, tanins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids that have been known to have antibacterial properties a concentration of 6,25% is used in accordance with the MKC of Streptococcus sanguinis. Aim: To compare the antibacterial power between cocoa peel extract (Theobroma cacao L.) 6,25% and chlorhexidine 0,2% against Streptococcus sanguinis Method: This research is an experimental laboratory with a post-test only control group design. The diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of bacteria isolated from the material by planting the culture of Streptococcus sanguinis on the agar medium by swabbing the nutrient media which has been divided into 3 parts consisting of negative control, cocoa peel extract and chlorhexidine, then each nurient media so that it is given a paper disk and 0.01ml liquid on each section. The diameter of the inhibition zone was observed after 2x24 hours using the calipers. Results: The average inhibitory zone that was formed using cocoa peel extract was 20,40 mm against Streptococcus sanguinis and chlorhexidine was 18,36 against Streptococcus sanguinis. Conclusion


We report petrological and geochemical data for the 2*87 Ga Rio Maria sanukitoid granodiorite and associated rocks from Mesoarchean granite-greenstone terranes of the eastern Amazonian craton, Brazil. The dominant rocks have granodiorite to subordinate monzogranitic compositions, with minor proportions of intermediate quartz diorites or quartz monzodiorites, in addition to mafic endmembers occurring as layered rocks or as enclaves. The mineral assemblage is dominated by amphibole-plagioclase-biotite and epidote minerals, all of inferred magmatic origin, pyroxenes being notably absent. Textural and compositional criteria indicate that amphibole is a principal mineral on the liquidus of all the Rio Maria rocks. Crystallization conditions have been derived from a comparison between natural phase assemblages, proportions and compositions and experimental studies carried out on similar magma compositions. The comparison shows that the parental magmas were water-rich, with more than 7 wt % dissolved H2O, with crystallization temperatures in the range 950-680°C. The Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios of both amphibole and biotite indicate fO2 conditions in the range NNO + 0*5 to NNO + 2*5 (where NNO is nickel-nickel oxide buffer), therefore pointing to both water-rich and oxidizing conditions for sanukitoid magmas. Amphibole compositions indicate emplacement at around 200 MPa, and record a high-pressure stage of magma crystallization around 600-900 MPa. Sanukitoid magmas share two of the principal characteristics of modern arc magmas, elevated redox state and volatile contents, which suggest that they may have formed in a geodynamic environment broadly similar to present-day subduction zones.


B cell activating factor (BAFF) is known to be a powerful regulator of B-cell differentiation and proliferation. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of apoptosis among BAFF-expressing cells in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) salivary gland tissue. We performed double stainings of BAFF together with one of the markers, CD21, CD68, CD40, Fas, Bcl-2 or Bax, and monitored apoptosis among BAFF expressing cells by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick-end labeling method. A significantly lower level of apoptosis among the BAFF-expressing cells was detected in salivary glands from patients with SS compared with controls (p = 0.03). Furthermore, no difference in the coexpression of Fas or CD40 together with BAFF was detected between patients and controls. Coexpression of the pro apoptotic molecule Bax together with BAFF was nonsignificantly decreased in patients with SS compared with controls. Our results suggest that a reduced level of apoptosis among BAFF-expressing cells might lead to longer-existing BAFF expression within these cells and thereby maintain signaling for tissue-infiltrating B cells to proliferate and mature.


Background: Eruptive events in monogenetic volcanic fields create mosaics of lava fields that result in different successional times and stages, and environmental conditions. Such geomorphological heterogeneity may be related to patterns of vegetation structure, diversity, and composition across a landscape. Aims: To examine landscape-scale effects of geomorphological heterogeneity on the spatial variability of oak forest structure and composition in a monogenetic volcanic field. Methods: We sampled oak forests in six geomorphological units within a monogenetic volcanic field in El Tepozteco National Park and carried out redundancy analyses to relate environmental variables to forest composition and structure. Results: Geomorphological heterogeneity explained 28.8 and 25.7% of the variation in canopy structure and composition, respectively, and 21.6% of the variation in understorey composition. Exposed rock was the most important predictor of understorey composition and canopy structure, while elevation was a better predictor of canopy composition. The role of chronic human disturbance as a driver of forest composition and structure was minor compared to that of geomorphological heterogeneity. Conclusions: The geomorphological heterogeneity created by volcanic activity in this landscape drives oak forest variability; however, considerable unexplained variation in vegetation traits remains, which could be associated with unmeasured dimensions of environmental heterogeneity, neutral processes, and the effects of long-term human activity in the area.


required total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in November 2009. She subsequently developed partial bowel obstruction requiring multiple balloon dilations of a pinpoint anastomotic stricture. A repeat endoscopy was performed and the stricture was first dilated up to 10mm with a CRE balloon dilator (Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA; ●" Fig. 1a,b). A fully covered, metal, 18 × 80-mm esophageal Bonastent (Standard Sci Tech Inc., Seoul, South Korea) was then deployed across the stricture (●" Fig. 1c,d) under fluoroscopic guidance (●" Fig. 2). The patient tolerated the procedure well, without any complications. She was continuing to do extremely well when she returned for follow-up visits 1 month and 3 months later, with a barium enema showing a patent stent. She has declined to have the stent removed because she is finally symptom free. This case is unusual in that an esophageal stent was used to treat a colonic stricture. In patients with advanced malignancies, colonic stenting can provide palliative care by relieving acute colonic obstruction [1]. More recently, self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been placed in patients with benign colorectal disease [2]. The use of SEMS may be associated with a longer lasting dilatation and a lower rate of recurrence in cases of anastomotic stricture [2]. The majority of the previously reported cases have used colonic stents, either covered or uncovered [3]. However, for rectosigmoid lesions, esophageal stents may be another useful option because they are covered and the relatively short distance from the anus offers greater mechanical advantage in terms of manipulation of the stents [3,4]. One clinical trial that compared the migration rates of several stents in malignant colonic strictures reported that the Bonastent had the lowest rate of migration. This was attributed to its larger diameter and flared ends [4]. In conclusion, covered SEMS with flared ends can be used to relieve obstructions caused by anastomotic strictures. Further experience with these novel SEMS is required before they can be recommended for more generalized use.


Radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) is a serious concern for nuclear accidents and cancer radiotherapy, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. This injury differs from traditional wounds due to impaired healing and the propensity to recurrence and is divided into acute and chronic phases on the basis of the injury time. Unfortunately, there are few effective therapies for preventing or mitigating this injury. Over the last few decades, various studies have focused on the effects of stem cell-based therapies to address the tissue repair and regeneration of irradiated skin. These stem cells modulate inflammation and instigate tissue repair by differentiating into specific kinds of cells or releasing paracrine factors. Stem cell-based therapies, including bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF), have been reported to facilitate wound healing after radiation exposure. Moreover, stem cell-derived exosomes have recently been suggested as an effective and cell-free approach to support skin regeneration, circumventing the concerns respecting direct application of stem cells. Based on the literature on stem cell-based therapies for radiation-induced skin injury, we summarize the characteristics of different stem cells and describe their latest animal and clinical applications, as well as potential mechanisms. The promise of stem-cell based therapies against radiation-induced skin injury contribute to our response to nuclear events and smooth progress of cancer radiotherapy.


This paper uses mathematical modeling to show the spread of Herpes Simplex type-2 with and without the usage of condoms in a college population. The model uses four differential equations to calculate the data for the simulation. The dt increment used is one week. It also runs based on a fixated time period. The time period chosen was five years to represent time spent in college. The average age of the individual is 21, once again to represent the age of someone in college. In the total population, there are almost two times as many women who have Herpes Simplex Type-2 as men. Additionally, Herpes Simplex Type-2 does not have a known cure.

The goal of the model is to show how condom usage affects women's chances of receiving the virus in the hope of being able to reduce the number of women infected.

In the end, the model demonstrates that condoms offer significant protection to women from the virus. Since fewer women are infected with the virus when condoms are used, in turn, fewer males are infected. Since Herpes Simplex Type-2 affects the carrier for their whole life, a small increase could lead to large ramifications over time. Specifically, a small increase at a young age, such as college, could have a very big effect on the long-term number of people infected with the virus.


The gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase from an alkalophile, Bacillus sp., was cloned and sequenced. The cloned DNA fragment contained an open reading frame of 1,557 nucleotides which encodes a polypeptide composed of 519 amino acid residues (Mr 55,830). The predicted amino acid sequence was consistent with the partial amino acid sequences including the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences determined in a previous study. Sequence comparison with other flavoenzymes revealed high homology between the present dehydrogenase and Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase.


A non-contact technique for obtaining accurate profiles of optical quality surfaces with micrometric accuracy has been developed. The technique is based on the Ronchi test principle, that is, on the study of the interaction of a wavefront reflected on the surface to be profiled with a square-wave transmittance ruling. From the resultant fringe pattern and some basic geometrical optics principles it is possible to measure the local normal to the surface being tested at a set of given points. This local normal map may then be integrated, yielding the surface profile. By use of a theoretically expected surface shape, the main parameters of the surface may then be determined by surface fitting of the measured data to that expected surface shape. Results of the profilometric measurements both of a spherical and of a toroidal surface are presented. The measured profiles are validated by comparison of the radii of curvature obtained using a high precision radioscope with the ones obtained by surface fitting of the measured profiles to their expected surface shapes. Additionally, subtracting the best-fit theoretical surface from the measured profile allows the observation of surface deviations from the theoretical shape to within some tenths of a nanometres.


For the assessment of sarcopenia or other geriatric frailty syndromes, psoas major area may be one of the primary indicators. Aim to develop and cross-validate the psoas cross-sectional area estimation equation of L3-L4 of the elderly over 60 years old by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Ninety-two older adults with normal mobility were enrolled (47 females, 45 males), and were randomly divided into a modeling group (MG, n = 62) and validation group (VG, n = 30). Computed tomography (CT) was used to measure the psoas major area at the' L3-L4 lumbar vertebrae height as a predictor. Estimated variables were height (h), whole body impedance (Zwhole), whole body impedance index (h2/Zwhole, WBI), age, gender (female = 0, male = 1), and body weight (weight) by standing BIA. Relevant variables were estimated using stepwise regression analysis. Model performance was confirmed by cross-validation. BIA estimation equation for PMM obtained from the MG was: (PMMBIA = 0.183 h2/Z– 0.223 age + 4.443 gender + 5.727, r2 = 0.702, n = 62, SEE = 2.432 cm2, p < 0.001). The correlation coefficient r obtained by incorporating the VG data into the PMM equation was 0.846, and the LOA ranged from -4.55 to 4.75 cm2. PMMBIA and PMMCT both correlate highly with MG or VG with small LOA. The fast and convenient standing BIA for measuring PMM may be a promising method that is worth developing.


Current literature indicates classroom inquiry not only enhances the training of pre-service teachers but also increases the effectiveness of mentor teachers and improves student learning. However, designing an effective collaborative model has met with less success. This study examined the experiences of ten pre-service/mentor teacher teams in urban schools who participated in designing and implementing collaborative classroom-based research conducted in their classroom. The model sought to address issues noted in previous studies related to equal participation and anxiety surrounding the research process. Findings suggest that a university supported model employing a reflective practitioner approach enhances collaboration and promotes positive results for both pre-service and in-service teachers. Specifically, participants indicated the importance of collaboration, engagement with the teaching process, heightened awareness of student learning, and professional efficacy as significant outcomes.


The deposits of disarticulated human remains in caves, often associated with designated ceramic receptacles, is one of the most striking hallmarks of the Chalcolithic period in the southern Levant. Owing however to their perplexing variability, this phenomenon is still poorly understood. Approaching these sites as cemeteries and social institutions, this article presents a reconsideration of their structures, temporal trajectories and meanings. It is argued that at least two regional subgroups can be distinguished, differing in the identities they structure, their concerns and their underlying logic.


Abstract Most successful organizations worldwide use key performance indicators as an important part of their corporate strategy in order to forecast, measure and plan their businesses. Performance metrics vary in their purpose, definition and content. Therefore, the way organizations select what they think are the optimal indicators for their businesses varies from company to company, sometimes even from department to department. This study aims to answer the question of what is the most suitable way to define and select key performance indicators. More than that, it identifies the right criteria to select key performance indicators at shop floor level. This paper contributes to prior research by analysing and comparing previously researched selection criteria and proposes an original six-criteria-model, which caters towards choosing the most adequate KPIs. Furthermore, the authors take the research a step further by further steps to closed research gaps within this field of study.


The lasing characteristics of a circular grating-coupled surface-emitting laser (GCSEL) with an integrated focusing outcoupler are investigated. Measured near and far fields suggest lasing in two near orthogonal and mutually incoherent linear elements, rather than ideal circular modes of the planar circular resonator, resulting in a degradation of the focused spot quality. Modeling of the evolution of the emitted optical field by Fresnel diffraction calculations, using a new orthogonal projection scheme to account for polarization, supports this assumption. Using the theory, we have also estimated the degradation of the focused spot quality induced by random errors in the period of the focusing outcoupler caused by the limited resolution of the electron-beam lithography system used to fabricate the device. We found this effect to be small compared to the effect of the nonideal mode characteristics.