Forced Mixers are typically used in turbofan engines with low and medium bypass ratio to increase the cruise performance and to reduce the jet mixing noise. Most of the design criteria are still based on empirical considerations using qualitative visualisation methods such as smoke injections, or in case of water simulations with dye injection, chemical color reaction and the like. The judgement about the quality of different mixers is therefore based on visual impressions only. Since the flow fields in an engine are highly turbulent, it is nearly impossible to get a representative image of the flow with qualitative measurements. Quantification and subsequent averaging to obtain the steady state flow distribution is a necessity. The techniques used are large scale 2D-PIV to examine the axial, radial and circumferential velocity distribution at specific sections. A conductive method was used to determine the global mixing properties at the beginning and at the end of the mixing section and to deliver an empirical mixing coefficient.


The Island of Mauritius was affected by a large scale epidemic outbreak of Chikungunya Fever (CHIKF) from February to April 2006. It was observed that this epidemic was associated with an excess mortality during the months of March to May 2006 in Mauritius. This study was aimed to analyze the gender and age group distribution of the excess mortality. Population and mortality data were obtained from the Mauritius Central Statistics Office for the years 2000 to 2006. The excess monthly mortality was computed for 2006 and the distribution of excess mortality according to gender and age groups was analyzed. For both genders combined, the excess mortality was 91.5% in the age group ≥ 50 years. For the ≥ 50-year age group, the total male excess death rate (EDR) exceeded the total female EDR by 66%. Our results indicate that CHIKF is associated with an increased mortality particularly in the ≥ 50-year age group with males being more vulnerable than females to mortality. Although there have been reports of CHIKF related deaths in other studies, the profile of the excess mortality during a CHIKF outbreak has not been previously described.


Prolonged immobilization or physical inactivity has been shown to produce increased bone resorption due to enhanced osteoclastic activity and diminished bone formation. These skeletal changes are a typical complication in tetraplegic patients, who are at risk of developing hypocalcemia. Hypercalciuria is the most characteristic symptom. However, some patients develop hypercalcemia, which is infrequent in these patients, and the hypercalcemia can become a life-threatening complication. Until now, it has been unclear why a small percentage of immobilized patients develop hypercalcemia. Here we present a case of symptomatic hypercalcemia (serum calcium: 3.5 mM/l) following immobilization due to a critical illness polyneuropathy. The diagnosis could be established after malignant hypercalcemia, primary hyperparathyroidism, and other causes of hypercalcemia were excluded. Treatment with intravenous saline, furosemide, and calcitonin was not effective in lowering serum calcium. Treatment with pamidronate (Aredia) was successful and reduced the serum calcium to normal values.


Thanks to the digital technology revolution, cameras are everywhere-PDAs, mobile phones, anywhere you can put an imaging chip and a lens. Battling to usurp the market is a Silicon Valley company, Foveon, whose technology not only produces a superior image but also may become the eye in artificially intelligent machines. Behind Foveon are two legendary figures who made the personal computer possible: Carver Mead of Caltech, one of the founding fathers of information technology, and Federico Faggin, inventor of the CPU-the chip that runs every computer. George Gilder has an insider's knowledge of Silicon Valley and the unpredictable mix of genius, drive and luck that can turn a start-up company into a world leader. The Silicon Eye focuses on some of the brightest-and most colourful-people on earth and their race to transform an industry.


We introduce a class of Fourier-based fast algorithms for computing with Gaussian processes. Our approach relies on discretizing Gaussian processes via complex exponentials with equispaced frequencies. This discretization results in a weight-space linear system with a matrix that can be applied in O ( m log m ) operations where m is the number of frequencies, and can be solved efficiently with iterative methods. The efficient matrix-vector multiply of the weight-space linear system results in an efficient linear solve that is highly sensitive to discretizations that use large numbers of Fourier modes, enabling high performance for Gaussian processes in higher dimensions and kernels with fat-tailed spectral densities. We provide formulae for the error of discretizations, the condition number of the Gaussian process covariance matrix, convergence rates of iterative methods, and a general formula for the accuracy of the posterior mean at the data points for approximate methods. Numerical experiments are demonstrated for Gaussian processes over R d for d = 1 , 2 , 3. Equispaced Fourier representations enable fast iterative


In this paper we present a method for segmentation of fingernail patterns and differentiate them as distinct nail parts; fingernail plate with lunula and distal free edge of nail plate. In the research work, focus is on fixed area of the fingernail plate plus lunula, as it remains unchanged in structure, where as the distal nail edge extends and changes in structure over a period of time. In order to segment fingernail parts, we have devised an algorithm that automatically separates unchanging region of fingernail plate from free distal edge of nail structure. The fingernail plate that includes lunula within (may or may not be prominently present in fingernails), is used as biometric in our advance study. Theory suggests, every fingernail within finger formation comprises of the brightest regions amongst the captured finger data set (in our system). Proposed method is of two stages. In first stage, color image is converted to gray scale and contrast enhancement is applied using adaptive histogram equalization. In second stage, we perform segmentation using watershed method that exercises maxima and minima properties of marker controlled watershed principles. In order to verify the results of the algorithm, we have constructed a confusion matrix where evaluation has been done with ground truth. Additionally, the segmented object's from both the methods is considered for quality metrics assessment. Similarity accuracy between the ground truth and watershed result is 84.0% correctness for fingernail plate. Initial fingernail segmentation results are promising, supporting its use for biometric application.


Super-resolution is well known to increase the resolution of images below the pixel barrier. The work outlines the use case of super-resolution in astronomy science. The current state-of-the-art of high-resolution imaging in astronomy is reviewed, which leads to the problem of super-resolved images. Fundamental properties of astronomical images are demonstrated to define requirements. Astronomical images suffer from low illumination and noise. The range of spatial resolution is found from long-exposure image limited due to atmospheric blur, and a scale of perfect sampling adapted to diffraction-limited observations. Astronomical imaging is a trade-off between resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The success of super-resolution is interfered by the quality of data, selection of the method, and a proper definition of the image formation and image reduction pipeline. This work provides a precise definition of the ill-posed and ill-described problem of super-resolution imaging in astronomy. A new method of automatic image registration is presented, which is especially designed for astronomical imagery. Based on the exploration of real astronomical images, the new method provides an accuracy in the order of 0.05 of the pixel dimension. Future milestones are found as the selection of an appropriate method of image deconvolution. With astronomical wide-field imaging, certain optical effects introduce varying point spread and image distortion. These will define the requirements for an appropriate solution to image deconvolution and to complete the task of super-resolution in astronomy.


Polyelectrolyte hydrogels are emerging materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications due to their tunable biochemical properties, electrical conductivity, biocompatibility and similar network structure to the extracellular matrix in mammalian bodies. In this review, representative polyelectrolyte hydrogels carrying anionic, cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic and ionic liquid moieties are systemically cataloged to express their chemical structures and preparation strategies. Recent advance of polyelectrolyte hydrogels in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for drug delivery, skin healing, bone regeneration, cardiac tissue repair and anti-biofouling coating are also highlighted. Eventually, the outlook and challenges of polyelectrolyte hydrogels and their biomedical material applications are also discussed to offer future directions.


This supplement, like the 1969 edition, is not merely a set of keys; the additional descriptive and distributional information making it more of a 'flora'. It is a manual essential for all European lichenologists engaged in detailed floristic or phytosociological studies, and let us hope that the authors will soon find time to prepare a second supplement encompassing additional genera in a similarly authoritative way. B. J. Coppins


In Argentina, the field of anthropology and education encompasses numerous researchers primarily based in national universities. Ties to the research team that founded the field, directed by Elsie Rockwell in Mexico, remain strong. Research based principally in the national universities of Rosario, Buenos Aires, and Córdoba is responsible for an important part of the work in this field, although not all of it, and these locations integrate the network of researchers in this field. These researchers share an interest in the issues raised by approaching education as a right and they define themselves through what some call a "socio-anthropological" approach and others call "historical ethnography." This theoretical and methodological focus aims to produce knowledge about the social world by putting fieldwork in conversation with theoretical reflection. This includes an understanding of the conflictive nature of social relationships, the historicity caught in the fabric of everyday events, denaturalization, and reflections on the engagement of researchers on doing fieldwork. At the same time, researchers adopt a perspective called "relational," which aims to link different dimensions of the problem in question and approach them as articulated.


Introduction The importance of perfect apical seal in endodontics, more specifically in periradicular surgery, is the motivation/reason for development of root-end filling materials with favorable physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal adaptation of root-end filling materials using scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods Twenty five human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared using a K-File #50 to 1 mm short of the apical foramen and filled with gutta-percha and Sealapex using the lateral compaction technique. The apical 3 mm of the roots were sectioned perpendicularly to the long axis of the teeth. A 3-mm-deep root-end cavity was prepared using ultrasonic tips powered by an Enac ultrasonic unit. The teeth were randomly assigned to five groups according to the materials tested including IRM, amalgam, ProRoot MTA, Super-EBA and Epiphany/Resilon. Root-end cavities were filled with the materials prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions. The root apices were carefully prepared for sputter coating and later evaluation using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The images of root-end fillings were divided into four quadrants and distributed into five categories according to the level of marginal adaptation between the root-end material and the root canal walls. The Fisher exact test with Bonferroni correction was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at P = 0.005. Results SEM images showed the presence of gaps in the root-end filling materials. No significant difference was observed between the tested materials (P > 0.005). Conclusion ProRoot MTA, IRM, amalgam, Super-EBA and Epiphany/Resilon showed similar marginal adaptation as root-end filling materials.


ABSTRACT Populist surges, movements and parties often centre around radically simplifying policy proposals, sometimes anti-statist in intent (e.g. fix a limit to state borrowing in cash terms), and at other times pushing naïve statist solutions (e.g. build a giant wall to keep out migrants; or tax companies' activities in a given shed, not their profits). Most liberal political science condemns the crudity and often unrestrained vigour of populist "solutions". But on occasion, they can have value in counteracting the increasing complexities that elites often build into public policies. Two case studies show populist pressure for simplification working effectively in one instance – the "tax shaming" campaign against multinationals avoiding corporation taxes; and engendering only disorder in another instance – the effort to enforce national debt limits in nominal terms in the USA.


Oesophageal manometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH recordings from the distal oesophagus were carried out in 25 patients with complications of oesophagitis (stricture, Barrett's oesophagus or oesophageal ulcer) and compared with 25 patients with uncomplicated oesophagitis. Acid reflux was more severe in the complicated group with 26.2% of time below pH 4 compared with 11.3% in uncomplicated patients (p less than 0.01). This difference was most marked at night, when complicated patients had long periods of acid reflux with 35.6% time less than pH 4 compared with 5.2% uncomplicated (p less than 0.001). The mean duration of nocturnal acid reflux was 15.4 minutes (2.1 minutes uncomplicated, p less than 0.001). Oesophageal motility was markedly abnormal in all groups, but with no demonstrable differences in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure or peristalsis between the groups. Patients with complications of oesophagitis have different patterns of acid reflux from uncomplicated patients, with prolonged nocturnal bathing of the oesophageal mucosa, which may be the cause of stricture formation, metaplasia, or ulceration.


Simulations of platinum oxidation in literature have yet to fully replicate an experimental cyclic voltammogram. In this manuscript a mechanism for platinum oxidation is proposed based upon the results of in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, where it was found that PtO2 is present at longer hold times. A new method to quantify extended X-ray absorption fine structure data is presented, and the extent of oxidation is directly compared to electrochemical data. This comparison indicated that PtO2 was formed at the expense of an initial oxide species. From previous literature studies it can be concluded that the rate of platinum oxidation is not a function of only potential and coverage. To that end, the concept of a heterogeneous oxide layer was introduced into the model, whereby place-exchanged PtO2 structures of varying energy states are formed through a single transition state. This treatment allowed, for the first time, the simulation of the correct current-potential behavior at varying scan rates and upper potential limits.


HAP1, also known as APE/Ref-1, is the major apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease in human cells. Previous structural studies have suggested a possible role for the Asp-210 residue of HAP1 in the enzymatic function of this enzyme. Here, we demonstrate that substitution of Asp-210 by Asn or Ala eliminates the AP endonuclease activity of HAP1, while substitution by Glu reduces specific activity approximately 500-fold. Nevertheless, these mutant proteins still bind efficiently to oligonucleotides containing either AP sites or the chemically unrelated bulky p-benzoquinone (pBQ) derivatives of dC, dA and dG, all of which are substrates for HAP1. These results indicate that Asp-210 is required for catalysis, but not substrate recognition, consistent with enzyme kinetic data indicating that the HAP1-D210E protein has a 3000-fold reduced K(cat )for AP site cleavage, but an unchanged K(m). Through analysis of the binding of Asp-210 substitution mutants to oligonucleotides containing either an AP site or a pBQ adduct, we conclude that the absence of Asp-210 allows the formation of a stable HAP1-substrate complex that exists only transiently during the catalytic cycle of wild-type HAP1 protein. We interpret these data in the context of the structure of the HAP1 active site and the recently determined co-crystal structure of HAP1 bound to DNA substrates.


Simple Summary: People living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) (PLWH) are at increased risk of developing cancer despite successful antiretroviral therapy (ART). Here, authors suggest novel mechanism behind this phenomenon. HIV proteins, namely envelope protein gp120, accessory protein negative factor Nef, matrix protein p17, transactivator of transcription Tat and reverse transcriptase RT, are known to be oncogenic per se, to induce oxidative stress and to be released from the infected or expressing cells. These properties are proposed to underlie their capacity to affect bystander epithelial cells causing their malignant transformation, and to enhance tumorigenic potential of already transformed/cancer cells. HIV proteins can act alone or in collaboration with other known oncoproteins, specifically originating from the oncogenic human viruses such as human hepatitis B and C viruses, and human papilloma viruses of high carcinogenic risk, which cause the bulk of malignancies in people living with HIV-1 on ART. Abstract: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) are at increased risk of developing cancer, such as Kaposi sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cervical cancer, and other cancers associated with chronic viral infections. Traditionally, this is linked to HIV-1-induced immune suppression with depletion of CD4+ T-helper cells, exhaustion of lymphopoiesis and lymphocyte dysfunction. However, the long-term successful implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) with an early start did not preclude the oncological complications, implying that HIV-1 and its antigens are directly involved in carcinogenesis and may exert their effects on the background of restored immune system even when present at extremely low levels. Experimental data indicate that HIV-1 virions and single viral antigens can enter a wide variety of cells, including epithelial. This review is focused on the effects of five viral proteins: envelope protein gp120, accessory protein negative factor Nef, matrix protein p17, transactivator of transcription Tat and reverse transcriptase RT. Gp120, Nef, p17, Tat, and RT cause oxidative stress, can be released from HIV-1-infected cells and are oncogenic. All five are in a position to affect "innocent" bystander cells, specifically, to cause the propagation of (pre)existing malignant and malignant transformation of normal epithelial cells, giving grounds to the direct carcinogenic effects of HIV-1.


Discontinuous atmospheric pressure interfaces (DAPIs) with bent capillaries represent a highly simplified and flexible means for introducing ions into a vacuum manifold for mass analysis or gas phase ion reactions. In this work, a series of capillaries of different radians and curvatures were used with DAPI for studying the impact of the capillary bending on the ion transfer. The variation of transfer efficiency was systematically characterized for dry and solvated ions. The efficiency loss for dry ions was less than one order of magnitude, even with a three-turn bent capillary. The transfer of solvated ions generated by electrospray was found to be minimally impacted by the bending of the transfer capillary. For multiply protonated ions, the transfer efficiency for ions at lower charge states could be relatively well retained, presumably due to the lower reactivity associated with proton transfer reaction and the compensation in intensity by conversion of ions at higher charge states.


The paper focuses on the intellectual capital (IC) report in universities, a relevant theme actually for the growing interest in applying an IC approach in managing universities. The paper compares the experiences in reporting IC of two different university institutions, the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and the Austrian Universities, to highlight pros and cons of the two different IC models employed. In order to compare these two experiences, firstly we analyzed, through a literature review, the state-of-the-art in measuring and reporting IC, then we focus on the IC measurement models used as framework by the two institution, finally we turned our attention to the IC reports issued by the two universities. Both experiences presented refer to advanced IC measurement models, but both suffer of some limits in applying the models in practice. Like all measurement and management systems that deal with knowledge-based processes, Austrian and UAM's IC reports face the methodological problems of measuring non-physical processes and outputs. In detail, Austrian IC reports lack of qualitative indicators, UAM's IC report lacks of efficiency-related and activities-related indicators.The main research limit is that the theoretical comparison has been carried out on two experiences, due to the lack of awareness of IC relevance in managing universities. The establishment of an ad hoc IC measurement model for universities could have both internal and external benefits. As regards the policy implications, Government, ranking universities by their IC, can get information about their strengths and weaknesses and using it to reallocate resources. This study contributes to broaden the research community's understanding about a relevant management (internal) and communication (external) universities' tool, the IC report, through the examination of two real life European universities experiences in disclosing intangibles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that focuses on comparing the two best university practices in reporting IC.


Concentric tube robots, which are comprised of precurved elastic tubes that are concentrically arranged, are being developed for many medical interventions. The shape of the robot is determined by the rotation and translation of the tubes relative to each other, and also by any external forces applied by the environment. As the tubes rotate and translate relative to each other, elastic potential energy caused by tube bending and twisting can accumulate; if a configuration is not locally elastically stable, then a dangerous snapping motion may occur as energy is suddenly released. External loads on the robot also influence elastic stability. In this paper, we provide a second-order sufficient condition, and also a separate necessary condition, for elastic stability. Using methods of optimal control theory, we show that these conditions apply to general concentric tube robot designs subject to arbitrary conservative external loads. They can be used to assess the stability of candidate robot configurations. Our results are validated via comparison with other known stability criteria, and their utility is demonstrated by an application to stable path planning.


The treatment of hip fractures in the elderly has been under debate for decades. There is a lack of standardisation of treatment and rehabilitation and also concerning the measurements and follow-up times in studies on treatment. Two patient series with cervical hip fractures treated with Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty in Finland and hook pin osteosynthesis in Sweden were compared using matched-pair analysis in view of different age groups. Hip fracture treatments in six hospitals in Finland and one in Great Britain were surveyed. The adequacy of a short four-month follow-up was studied by comparing outcomes at four months and one year. Standardised Audit of Hip Fractures in Europe data collection sets were tested and used in three studies. Osteosynthesis resulted in lower one-year mortality but a higher reoperation rate in patients aged 55–75 years and was associated with a lesser need for walking aids, less pain and lower four-month mortality in patients aged 76–80 years. There were some differences in the patient characteristics and the methods of treatment between Great Britain and Finland. In Great Britain, more patients returned to their own homes, but one-year mortality after trochanteric fractures was higher. Hip fracture treatments and outcomes were quite similar between the six Finnish hospitals. There was a slight difference in adjusted postoperative mobility and mortality in two hospitals compared to the others. Six of the ten functional domains and residential status remained unchanged, while walking ability and four functional domains improved between four months and one year. The standardised data set was a practical and reliable way to acquire a great variety of information on hip fracture patients, treatments and outcomes. Hook pin osteosynthesis can be recommended for patients with cervical hip fractures younger than 80 years, whereas older patients can also be safely treated with Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty. The characteristics and outcomes of hip fracture patients were rather similar between Finland and Great Britain and between the different Finnish hospitals irrespective of the variety of methods used in treatment. Standardised Audit for Hip Fractures in Europe is a reliable data collection set and suitable as a basis of hip fracture surveys, audits and registers. Four-month follow-up is justified as the shortest feasible alternative in studies on rehabilitation and residential status after hip fractures.


The proliferative and functional units of the jejunum were studied every 3 hr during 24 hr in groups of control and sleep‐deprived hamsters. Peaks in kinetic parameters were evident during the sleep period in control hamsters; in the absence of sleep, peak values were significantly reduced. Sleep deprivation was associated with reduction of G2 to M flux and reduction of the circadian rhythm in mitotic index from 74% to 25%. the reduction in the number of cells passing through M was reflected by a drop in labelling index 9 hr later. These findings are consistent with the theory that sleep promotes restorative processes.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the therapeutic effect and its mechanism mainly using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of replenishing Qi and nourishing Yin (RQNY) with a small dosage of Tapazol for treatment of Graves disease (GD).

METHODS
The changes of thyroid function and the activity of sodium pump of human erythrocyte in the patients with Graves disease were observed and compared before and after treatment between the treated group (42 cases) by combining treatment mainly using TCM of RQNY and a small amount of Tapazol, and a control group (42 cases) by Tapazol alone.

RESULTS
After treatment for half a year, one and two years, the serum levels of T3, T4 in above two groups were markedly decreased than those of before treatment, the therapeutical effect of treated group was superior to that of control group. The activity of sodium pump in human erythrocyte in the GD patients was obviously higher than that of normal group and that of before treatment. After treatment for one and two years mainly by TCM or Western medicine, the erythrocyte sodium pump activity was obviously lower than that of before treatment and that of normal group. The decrease of erythrocyte sodium pump activity in group of combination therapy was markedly lower than that in group of Western medicine.

CONCLUSION
Combination therapy was much more effective on the functional remission of thyroid and energy metabolism in GD patients than that of using Tapazol therapy only.


Co(2.5)Mg(0.5)/Al1 and Co(2.5)Mg(0.5)/X(0.5)Al(0.5) hydrotalcite-like compounds (where X = Fe, Mn, Zr, La) were synthesized by a constant-pH coprecipitation. The derived oxides from hydrotalcites upon calcination at 800 degrees C for 4 h in static air are mainly of spinel phase, with a surface area of 14.2-23.8 m2/g, where new phase ZrO2 and La2O3 are segregated in Zr- and La-containing oxides, respectively. Incorporation of the fourth element has assisted the reduction of transition-metal cations in the oxide catalysts, which may lead to the enhancement of the NO storage capacity in O2 at 100 degrees C for all catalysts. However, at 300 degrees C, only Zr- and La-containing catalysts improve the NO storage performance. Substantially, La-containing catalyst excels over all other catalysts in NO storage capability both at 100 and 300 degrees C. More remarkably, the NO storage at 300 degrees C (7.56 mg/g) is much higher than that at 100 degrees C (4.69 mg/g). NO adsorption/desorption routes have been proposed to explain the NO storage, the NO-to-NO2 conversion, and the reduction (decomposition) of NO to N2O/N2 in O2 on the catalysts. In addition, the negative influences of CO2 or H2O on the NO storage/reduction have been further revealed in this research.


This paper presents a fuzzy multiobjective mixed-integer linear programming (FMOMILP) model for the optimal long-term energy planning of a power generation system for the case study of non-interconnected areas of Colombia. The proposed model determines: the optimal planning of power generation, selecting between solar photovoltaic, biomass gasification, wind turbines, small hydro, grid extension, and diesel engines alternatives; the type of fuels; and the plant locations so as to meet the expected electricity demand, while satisfying the fuzzy objectives concerns: the minimization of the total power system cost and CO2 emissions and take into consideration design, operational, and efficiency constraints. In order to capture more accurately the spatial and technical characteristics of the problem, the underlying geographical area is divided into a number of individual sub-zones. Two real case study concerning San Andres and La Macarena energy planning problem demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach. Finally, in the case of San Andres Island, the results indicate that the environmental objective favours the use of solar photovoltaic and wind turbines systems, while economic objective favours to continue using diesel plants. On the other hand, in the case of La Macarena, the environmental objective favours the use of small hydro, solar PV and the transmission, while the economic favours the biomass gasification.


We read with interest the article of Kosnett et al. (2007) in which the authors offered medical recommendations for the health management of lead-exposed adults. These recommendations were intended to apply to all workers who have the potential to be exposed by lead ingestion, even in the absence of documented elevations in air lead levels. Based on the literature and their experience, Kosnett et al. recommended that individuals be removed from occupational lead exposure if a single blood lead level (BLL) exceeded 30 μg/dL or if two successive BLLs measured over a 4-week interval were ≥ 20 μg/dL.

The definition of occupational lead toxicity is difficult because it is not possible to determine a precise BLL below which symptoms never occur, or a BLL at which symptoms are always reported. Moreover, individual susceptibility should always be recognized. Several attempts have been made over the years to define lead toxicity among adult workers based mainly on clinical investigations [Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 2007].

In Greece the occupational exposure to lead is regulated by the Presidential Decrees 94/1987 1987 and 338/2001 2001. According to these decrees, the diagnosis of lead toxicity in adult workers is based on the integration of data obtained from the patient's medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and tests of specific organ function. An employee with a BLL of ≥ 40 μg/dL and exposure to lead at concentrations > 75 μg/m3 of air per 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) require environmental and medical intervention (action levels). The maximum acceptable BLL for an adult worker is 70 μg/dL (BLL > 70 μg/dL should result in removal from lead exposure), but the permissible airborne exposure limit is < 150 μg/m3 per 8-hr TWA. Presidential Decree 94/1987 1987 prohibits "prophylactic" chelation for the prevention of elevated BLLs. Although these standards have provided guidance that has been beneficial for Greek occupational health physicians, they have not been substantially changed since 1987 [action level, BLL ≥ 50 μg/dL; maximum acceptable level, BLL = 70 μg/dL; permissible airborne exposure limit, air lead (workplace) < 150 μg/m3 (8-hr average)]. Therefore, a reformation of these standards is needed in Greece, on the basis of recent health effects studies, such as those on standards or regulations of health agencies.

Prevention of lead toxicity is a collaborative effort between primary care clinicians and public health agencies. Primary prevention is best achieved through the use of engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and good work practices. The occupational health physician can have the greatest impact on prevention through worker education and instruction in proper personal hygiene techniques. Also, the observance of up-to-date guidelines would contribute to the elimination of occupational lead toxicity in Greece.


Group I and II introns self-splice in vitro, but require proteins for efficient splicing in vivo, to stabilize the catalytically active RNA structure. Recent studies showed that the splicing of some Neurospora crassa mitochondrial group I introns additionally requires a DEAD-box protein, CYT-19, which acts as an RNA chaperone to resolve nonnative structures formed during RNA folding. Here we show that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria, a related DEAD-box protein, Mss116p, is required for the efficient splicing of all group I and II introns, some RNA end-processing reactions, and translation of a subset of mRNAs, and that all these defects can be partially or completely suppressed by the expression of CYT-19. Results for the aI2 group II intron indicate that Mss116p is needed after binding the intron-encoded maturase, likely for the disruption of stable but inactive RNA structures. Our results suggest that both group I and II introns are prone to kinetic traps in RNA folding in vivo and that the splicing of both types of introns may require DEAD-box proteins that function as RNA chaperones.


Summary
Objective. To assess the association between the number of allergen sensitizations and lung function variables in individuals with airway symptoms. Methods. Retrospective study with all individuals who performed lung function and skin-prick tests at CUF-Porto (01/2011-06/2016). Six allergen groups were considered. % predicted Pre-Bronchodilator test (BD) and % change after BD were analysed for spirometry and plethysmography parameters. Results. A total of 1293 individuals were included, 54% (n = 698) adults and 69% (n = 891) with sensitization to ≥ 1 allergen group. % FEV1 was significantly higher and % change in FEV1 significantly lower in non-sensitized individuals. % sRaw was higher in polysensitized (vs non-sensitized). Conclusions. The presence of allergen sensitizations was significantly associated with worse key lung function parameters.


We set out to bridge the gap between regular black-hole spacetimes and observations of a black-hole shadow by the Event Horizon Telescope. We explore modifications of spinning and non-spinning black-hole spacetimes inspired by asymptotically safe quantum gravity which features a scale dependence of the Newton coupling. As a consequence, the predictions of our model, such as the shadow shape and size, depend on one free parameter determining the curvature scale at which deviations from General Relativity set in. In more general new-physics settings, it can also depart substantially from the Planck scale. In this case, the free parameter is constrained by observations, since the corresponding curvature scale is significantly below the Planck-scale. The leading new-physics effect can be recast as a scale-dependent black-hole mass, resulting in distinct observational signatures of our model. As a concrete example, we show that two mass-measurements, extracted from the size of the shadow and from Keplerian orbital motion of stars, allow to distinguish the classical from the modified, regular black-hole spacetime, yielding a bound on the free parameter. For spinning black holes, we further find that the singularity-resolving new physics puts a characteristic dent in the shadow. Finally, we argue, based on the underlying physical mechanism, that the effects we derive could be generic consequences of a large class of quantum-gravity theories.


The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has initiated a major effort to minimize the bridge end bump problem associated with differential settlement. As a result, a new design for the approach slab was proposed, which requires increasing the slab flexural rigidity (EI), and using reinforced soil foundation (RSF) to support the slab and traffic loads at the roadway pavement/approach slab joint (R/S joint). Reinforcing the soil underneath the strip footing will result in increasing the soil's bearing capacity and reducing the embankment settlement by redistributing the loads imposed by the slab and traffic over a wider area. Bayou Courtableau Bridge was selected as a demonstration project to evaluate, validate, and verify the new bridge approach slab design method proposed in a previous study. The east and west approach slabs at Bayou Courtableau Bridge are 40 ft. long by 40 ft. wide. The west approach slab was designed using the proposed new method with slab thickness of 16 in., while the east approach slab was designed using the traditional method with slab thickness of 12 in. The pavement end side of the approach slab was supported by a 4.0-ft. wide strip footing with the soil underneath it reinforced by six layers of geogrid placed at a vertical spacing of 12 in. The geosynthetic reinforced soil below the strip footing was designed according to the methodology proposed in previous study. The west approach slab was instrumented with pressure cells to measure the pressure distribution underneath the footing and contact pressure underneath the slabs. Strain gauges were used to measure strain distribution along geogrid reinforcement and sister-bar strain gauges to measure strains within the slab. The east approach slab was instrumented with pressure cells to measure the contact pressure underneath slab. Two static load tests were conducted on both the west and east approach slabs at two different times after construction. The performance of the approach slabs, including deformation and internal stresses of concrete slab, contact stresses between slab and embankment, stress distributions within reinforced soil foundation, and strain distributions along the geogrid, was monitored during the tests. The test results indicated that the west approach slab (with new design) lost most of its supports from the soil; while the east approach slab (with traditional design) kept losing its contacts from the soil starting from the bridge side towards the pavement side after about a year and half. The roughness profiles show better performance of the new approach slab system with much lower International Roughness Index (IRI) values. The year and a half monitoring program at Bayou Courtableau Bridge demonstrated much better performance of the new approach slab design system (west approach slab) compared to the traditional design. The magnitude and rate of embankment settlement at Bayou Courtableau Bridge site was also monitored (for the two embankment sides) during and after the construction, and the results were compared with the laboratory calculated settlements and the piezocone penetration test (PCPT)-based settlement prediction methods. The results showed better predictions using PCPT methods as compared to laboratory results.


Objective To determine whether a routine ultrasonography (US) is necessary for diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH), presenting with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). Methods Cases of 133 patients (81 males, 52 females) diagnosed as CMT were reviewed, retrospectively. We reviewed the medical charts and diagnostic examination. We also assessed the coincidence of CMT and DDH, and investigated the clinical features of CMT related to DDH. Results Twenty (15.0%) patients out of 133 CMT patients were diagnosed as having DDH by US. Of whom, 8 patients were radiographically positive and 4 patients were both clinically and radiographically positive. Nine patients were treated with a harness and 1 of them needed closed reduction and casting. Out of 9 patients treated with a harness, only 4 were clinically positive. The difference and ratio of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle thickness between the normal and abnormal side was significantly greater in DDH patients (p=0.014). Further, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed when the SCM ratio is greater than 2.08 and the SCM difference is greater than 6.1 mm, the efficiency of US for the diagnosis of the DDH was found to be the best (p<0.05). Conclusion To evaluate DDH, physical examination showed low sensitivity and radiologic study has limitation for the child before 4 to 6 months of age. Therefore, we recommend that hip is screened by US for the diagnosis of DDH associated with CMT when physical examination is positive or CMT patients with large SCM difference and high SCM ratio.


The spread of misinformation, conspiracy, and questionable content and information manipulation by foreign adversaries on social media has surged along with the COVID-19 pandemic. Such malicious cyber-enabled actions may cause increasing social polarization, health crises, and property loss. In this paper, using fine-tuned contextualized embedding trained on Reddit, we tackle the detection of the propaganda of such user accounts and their targeted issues on Twitter during March 2020 when the COVID-19 epidemic became recognized as a pandemic. Our result shows that the pro-China group appeared to be tweeting 35 to 115 times more than the neutral group. At the same time, neutral groups were tweeting more positive-attitude content and voicing alarm for the COVID-19 situation. The pro-China group was also using more call-for-action words on political issues not necessarily China-related.


Background: Transition of the normal oral epithelium to dysplasia and to malignancy is featured by increased cell proliferation. To evaluate the hypothesis of distributional disturbances in proliferating and stem cells in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Aim: To evaluate layer wise expression of Ki-67 in oral epithelial dysplasia and in OSCC. Materials and Methods: Thirty histologically confirmed cases of oral epithelial dysplasia, fifteen cases of OSCC and five cases of normal buccal mucosa were immunohistochemically examined and nuclear expression of Ki-67 was counted according to basal, parabasal, and suprabasal layers in epithelial dysplasia and number of positive cells per 100 cells in OSCC as labeling index (LI). Results: Suprabasal expression of Ki-67 increased according to the severity of epithelial dysplasia and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean Ki-67LI was 12.78 for low risk lesions, 28.68 for high risk lesions, 39.45 for OSCC and 13.6 for normal buccal mucosa. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate the use of proliferative marker Ki-67 in assessing the severity of epithelial dysplasia. Suprabasal expression of Ki-67 provides an objective criteria for determining the severity of epithelial dysplasia and histological grading of OSCC.


We will propose a new structure for digital optical filters based on autoregressive moving average (ARMA) method and suitable combination of ring resonators. We show that, our proposed filters have enough smooth transfer function in pass band and high on-off ratio. These filters can be easily integrated. Also, our proposed structure completely compatible with fiber based optical communications.


SUMMARY This article investigates the spatial dimension of exports of automobiles from the Republic of Korea (ROK), the market for which has been dominated since 1986 by the United States (US). Two theories are reviewed which have been advanced to explain the pattern and nature of trade, comparative and competitive advantage. This paper examines these theories and assesses their explanatory utility in the light of the evidence from the ROK. The ROK trade patterns in the automobile industry are used to assess these theories and it is suggested that the results are applicable to other locations and industrial sectors.


Reality-based modeling of deformable tissues is critical for providing accurate haptic feedback to the surgeon in common surgical tasks such as grasping and cutting organs/tissues. In reality-based modeling, we are interested in modeling tissues as accurately as possible by determining the mechanical properties experimentally and developing a predictive model that is self consistent with the experimentally-determined properties. In this paper, we present the newly developed hardware and software to characterize the mechanical response of pig liver during (ex-vivo) cutting. The macroscopic cutting force-displacement curve shows repeating self-similar units of localized linear loading followed by sudden unloading. The sudden unloading coincides with onset of localized crack growth. This experimental data was used to determine the self-consistent local effective Young's modulus of the specimens to be used in finite element models. Results from plane-stress and plane-strain finite element analyses reveal that the magnitude of the self-consistent local effective Young's modulus varies within close bounds.


Severe poisoning may lead to life-threatening situation or death due to cardiovascular dysfunction, arrhythmia, or cardiogenic shock. The poisoning substance varies in different parts of world; in the Western world, the drugs with cardiotoxic potential are more common, while pesticides and other household toxins are common in the rest of the world. However, most of these patients are relatively young and otherwise healthy irrespective of poisoning substances. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has regained interest in recent past and now its use is being explored for newer indications. The use of ECMO in poisoning has shown promising results as salvage therapy and can be used as bridge to recovery, antidote, and toxin removal with renal replacement therapy or transplant. The ECMO has been used in those poisoned patients who have persistent cardiogenic shock or refractory hypoxemia despite adequate supportive therapy. ECMO may be useful in providing adequate cardiac output and maintain tissue perfusion which helps in the redistribution of toxins from central circulation and facilitate the metabolism and excretion. However, the available literature is not sufficient and is based on case reports, case series, and retrospective cohort study. In spite of high mortality with severe poisoning and encouraging outcome with use of ECMO, it is an underutilized modality across the world. Though evidences suggest that early consideration of ECMO in severely poisoned patients with refractory cardiac arrest or hemodynamic compromise refractory to standard therapies may be beneficial, the right time to start ECMO in poisoned patients, criteria to start ECMO, and prognostication prior to initiation of ECMO is yet to be answered. Future studies and publications may address these issues, whereas the ELSO (Extracorporeal Life Support Organization) data registry may help in collecting global data on poisoning more effectively. Abstract


We consider the problem of emulating (approximating) computer models (simulators) that produce massive output. The specific simulator we study is a computer model of volcanic pyroclastic flow, a single run of which produces up to 109 outputs over a space–time grid of coordinates. An emulator (essentially a statistical model of the simulator—we use a Gaussian Process) that is computationally suitable for such massive output is developed and studied from practical and theoretical perspectives. On the practical side, the emulator does unexpectedly well in predicting what the simulator would produce, even better than much more flexible and computationally intensive alternatives. This allows the attainment of the scientific goal of this work, accurate assessment of the hazards from pyroclastic flows over wide spatial domains. Theoretical results are also developed that provide insight into the unexpected success of the massive emulator. Generalizations of the emulator are introduced that allow for a nugget, which is useful for the application to hazard assessment.


Alcohol ingestion is a reason for hospital admission for what may be termed trivial or even spurious gastrointestinal bleeding. This clinical entity can be recognized and hospital admission avoided. It is suggested that in the case of men under the age of 40 who present with a history of hematemesis and who are intoxicated to a variable degree but without a history of recent salicylate ingestion or previous dyspepsia, and in whom the hemoglobin level is above 13.0 g/dl it is acceptable management to send them home with instructions to seek help only if there is fresh, authenticated bleeding. This attitude is further supported by a normal blood volume measurement and the absence of blood from a gastric aspirate.


Aim: This study aimed to identify Candida species recovered from the oral cavity of patients with kidney transplantation. Materials & methods: Two swabs were taken from the oral cavities of 40 patients before and after transplantation, cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar, and yeasts identified. Antifungal drug susceptibility testing was performed with fluconazole and itraconazole. Results: Candida glabrata was the most frequently isolated species in patients, followed by Candida albicans and Rhodotorula. C. glabrata isolates from patients before transplantation were resistant to fluconazole, whereas C. albicans was fluconazole-resistant both before and after transplantation. Conclusion: The importance of non-albicans Candida species in the oral cavity of patients sheds light on performing antifungal tests for achieving the best outcome to prevent therapeutic failure.


We survey the theoretical literature on market liquidity. The literature traces illiquidity, i.e., the lack of liquidity, to underlying market imperfections. We consider six main imperfections: participation costs, transaction costs, asymmetric information, imperfect competition, funding constraints, and search. We address three questions in the context of each imperfection: (a) how to measure illiquidity, (b) how illiquidity relates to underlying market imperfections and other asset characteristics, and (c) how illiquidity affects expected asset returns. We nest all six imperfections within a common, unified model, and use that model to organize the literature.


The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is conducting the Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) Program. This is a comprehensive hardware-oriented engineering research program focused on understanding the aging mechanisms of components and systems in nuclear plants. The NPAR program also focuses on methods for simulating and monitoring the aging-related degradation of these components and systems. In addition, it provides recommendations for effective maintenance to manage aging and for the implementation of the research results in the regulatory process. This document contains a listing and index of reports generated in the NPAR Program that were issued through May 1990 and summaries of those reports. Each summary describes the elements of the research covered in the report and outlines the significant results. For the convenience of the user, the reports are indexed by personal author, corporate author, and subject.


CONTEXT
The health care market is demanding increasing amounts of information regarding quality of care in health plans. Physicians are a potentially important but infrequently used source of such information.

OBJECTIVE
To assess physicians' views on health plan practices that promote or impede delivery of high-quality care in health plans and to compare ratings between plans.

SETTING
Minneapolis-St Paul, Minn.

PARTICIPANTS
One hundred physicians in each of 3 health plans. Each physician rated 1 health plan.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Likert-type items that assessed health plan practices that promote or impede delivery of high-quality care.

RESULTS
A total of 249 physicians (84%) completed the survey. Fewer than 20% of all physicians gave plans the highest rating (excellent or strongly agree) for health plan practices that promote delivery of high-quality care (such as providing continuing medical education for physicians, identifying patients needing preventive care, and providing physicians feedback about practice patterns). Barriers to delivering high-quality care related to sufficiency of time to spend with patients, covered benefits and copayment structure, and utilization management practices. Ratings differed across health plans. For example, the percentage of physicians indicating that they would recommend the plan they rated to their own family was 64% for plan 1, 92% for plan 2, and 24% for plan 3 (P<.001 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS
Physician surveys can highlight strengths and weaknesses in health plans, and their ratings differ across plans. Physician ratings of health plan practices that promote or impede delivery of high-quality care may be useful to consumers and purchasers of health care as a tool to evaluate health plans and promote quality improvement.


To improve the ability of color discrimination for dichromats and preserve the naturalness of the original images, a color image transformation method is proposed based on an improved adaptive mapping algorithm. Using the transformation, the color space of ordinary vision is mapped to the color plane of dichromats to avoid the main color confusion for dichromats. Experiments are conducted on both 15 color test images and 5 natural images. The results show that the invisible information for dichromats in original images stands out in re-colored ones so that the color information readability for dichromats is enhanced. The performance of the improved method is much better than that of the original one.


The principle of Reward-Biased Maximum Likelihood Estimate Based Adaptive Control (RBMLE) that was proposed in Kumar and Becker (1982) is an alternative approach to the Upper Confidence Bound Based (UCB) Approach (Lai and Robbins, 1985) for employing the principle now known as "optimism in the face of uncertainty" (Auer et al., 2002). It utilizes a modified maximum likelihood estimate, with a bias towards those Markov Decision Process (MDP) models that yield a higher average reward. However, its regret performance has never been analyzed earlier for reinforcement learning (RL (Sutton et al., 1998)) tasks that involve the optimal control of unknown MDPs. We show that it has a learning regret of $O(\log T )$ where $T$ is the time-horizon, similar to the state-of-art algorithms. It provides an alternative general purpose method for solving RL problems.


A study was conducted to identify genotypes present in a Moroccan fig germplasm collection and provide the first database for a reference collection in northern Morocco. In total, 75 fig samples were analyzed using 8 intersimple sequence repeat primers and 6 simple sequence repeat loci. From these samples, we identified 72 fig genotypes. In geneti- cally heterogeneous cultivars, genotypes under the same denomination were distinguished by both molecular markers and pomological traits. Molecular analysis was used to classify the germplasm into 46 well-defined cultivars and 6 caprifig trees. The remaining genotypes were not clearly identified due to three cases of mislabeling and four cases of homonymy. No evidence was found for the occurrence of geographically widespread genotypes.


River beds frequently exhibit a lateral variation of roughness. For example, in the case of an overflowing river, the main channel has a smoother topography compared to the adjacent floodplains where vegetation and land occupation yield an important hydraulic roughness. The lateral difference in roughness can induce a high lateral velocity gradient within the river cross- section that gives birth to a mixing layer. This mixing layer leads to fluid and momentum transfers between the two adjacent beds. To understand such mix- ing processes in rivers is important for predicting stage-discharge relationships and the velocity distribution within the cross-section. In order to address these issues in the context of a shallow water flow with a water depth h of the same order as the roughness elements of the bed, experiments were undertaken in a 26 m long and 1.1 m wide glass-walled open-channel flume. One half-side of the bed was covered with an array of cubes of height k arranged in a square configuration, the other side with smooth glass. Three different levels of cube submergence h/k were examined (h/k = 0.8, 1.5 and 2). The experiments and measurements were designed to yield the flow in the complete volume of the interstices across the cube array. To achieve this, 2C-3D linear-scanning PIV measurements with zero-parallax optics were developed and set up. The mea- surements revealed the complexity of the flow structure around the interface between the rough and smooth beds. The results show that the ability of the mixing layer to exchange momentum is highly dependent on the level of the cube submergence h/k.


Description: Handbook of Animal Models of Infection is a complete revision of a three-volume text that was published in 1986. It incorporates the major advances in the field during the past decade, in particular those concerning molecular biological procedures and new models that have been developed. It focuses on both methods and techniques, which makes it an essential and comprehensive reference as well as a benchtop manual. The Handbook will help investigators save time and effort in formulating an approach to test a new potential therapeutic agent or combination of agents for in vivo efficacy and to position the therapy for specific infections where it may have therapeutic promise. The book is divided into five sections; the first covering the general methodologies, followed by sections describing experimental bacterial, mycotic, parasitic, and viral infections.


The coefficient of consolidation (cv) is traditionally evaluated by fitting experimental settlement-time data to the theoretical percentage consolidation-time factor curve of a layer subjected to a uniform initial excess pore water pressure (ui) distribution. Over the years, numerous curve-fitting techniques have been developed for this experimental-theoretical correlation, the most popular of which are Casagrande's logarithm-of-time method and Taylor's square-root time method. These classical curve-fitting techniques have recently been generalized to account for a variety of different ui distributions. In this paper, basic consolidation principles have been applied in a novel fashion to both standard and tall oedometer tests on two clays to simulate a sinusoidal ui distribution (operating under either singly or doubly drained conditions) within a laboratory setting. The settlement-time data obtained from these tests were analyzed using the modified curve-fitting procedures previously put forward by the authors to determine appropriate values for cv, which were found to closely align with values of cv obtained using the traditional Taylor and Casagrande methods, when the ui distribution is considered uniform. The most valuable feature of these modified curve-fitting techniques was found to be their ability to analyze traditionally obtained settlement-time data to supplement any conventionally obtained cv values. This is useful in terms of validation when settlement-time data do not exhibit the usual trends and traditionally calculated values of cv require further authentication.


Cinema Komunisto is a documentary film about the use of the cinematic image in the creation of the political narrative of socialist Yugoslavia, taking as its starting point an abandoned film studio that had once been the crown-jewel of the Yugoslav film industry. An intensive five-year research process resulted in a story told through a montage of clips from fiction films and exclusive documentary archive, interspersed
with interviews with key filmmakers, actors and studio bosses, as well as President Tito's personal projectionist.

In the introduction, a brief historical overview establishes the central position of cinema in socialist Yugoslavia, its contribution to the 'imagined community' in it's articulation of political myths and the narration of the common past. Transitioning over
to the present-day, the commemorative function of cinema is discussed in the context of post-war and post-socialist public discourse.

A theoretical analysis of the relationship between cinema and history follows.Beginning with the concerns over the use of cinema as historical document, it extends to challenges faced by filmmakers seeking to 'revision' the past (Rosenstone, 2006)through the making of historical films. Starting with the Annales historians, such as Marc Ferro, and their contribution to the liberation of film from the requirements of
written historiography, the argument is made for separating visual historical discourse from historical evidence (Ernest, 1983) and the challenge of making films with cinematic language (de Baecque, 2008)) is taken on. The final theoretical section discusses the impact of the 'memory turn' on the meeting between cinema and history, and argues for adopting the key concepts of cultural memory, such as it's present-day
operation, instrumentality and mediality as useful tools for this inquiry. Pierre Nora's concept of lieux de memoire proves fundamental as an analytical tool of the analysis of films as 'memory sites'. The memory turn is then situated within the context of postsocialist societies, such as Yugoslavia, where films become a useful means ofrepresenting the 'transition of meanings' taking place.

Adopting the concepts of Robert Rosenstone, the next section responds to the challenge of developing 'rules of engagement' that would allow for a particular 'historical understanding.' By situating Cinema Komunisto within the tradition of refractive
cinema (Corrigan, 2011), particularly the use of cinema as an expression of history (Godard's Histoire(s) du cinema) or of history written by decree (Marker's The Last Bolshevik), I set out to assess and build on aesthetic and philosophical concepts developed by Marker and Godard. Closer to home, inspiration is drawn from filmmaker Dusan Makavejev and his approach of developing 'theory in practice' in Innocence
Unprotected.

The elaboration of rules of engagement involves re-working the visual material, including the free mixing of documentary archive and clips from feature films, decontextualising and interrogation of images. Use of concepts such as that of intentional disparity (Baron, 20014) allows the subversion of the intended use of images. Thesection on narrative voice questions the establishing of the right critical distance and
subjective positioning of the author as narrator. Following the decisions to eschew an all-knowing voice-over, and to rely on character-narration, the editing approach becomes vital. Montage allows the elaboration of a philosophical approach, invoking
Benjamin's concept of the dialectic image land the rapprochement of historical fragments to provoke critical reflection. Finally, temporal disunity and spatial articulation are discussed as narrative strategies. Temporal non-linearity and parallels
in the dramaturgy add the ability to chart transitioning historical meanings into the present-day, tying back to concepts of social memory as the traces of the past in the present. Spatial narration is discussed in light of situated testimonies in geographical lieux de memoire, and the narrative and symbolic meaning of ruins, as markers of
social forgetting. Both strategies prove to be valuable as 'rules of engagement', in particular because of the political dimension of constructing memory texts.
In conclusion it is argued that the historical understanding achieved by the adoption of the discussed 'rules of engagement' achieves a reconciliation of subjective truth and intimate lyricism, with the philosophical and pedagogical aim of a critical
reflection on conventional historical narration. As a memory text, Cinema Komunisto positions memory before historical truth, and ultimately managing to find meaning in ruins.


Abstract Current assessments of bioburden embedded in spacecraft materials are based on work performed in the Viking era (1970s), and the ability to culture organisms extracted from such materials. To circumvent the limitations of such approaches, DNA-based techniques were evaluated alongside established culturing techniques to determine the recovery and survival of bacterial spores encapsulated in spacecraft-qualified polymer materials. Varying concentrations of Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 spores were completely embedded in silicone epoxy. An organic dimethylacetamide-based solvent was used to digest the epoxy and spore recovery was evaluated via gyrB-targeted qPCR, direct agar plating, most probably number analysis, and microscopy. Although full-strength solvent was shown to inhibit the germination and/or outgrowth of spores, dilution in excess of 100-fold allowed recovery with no significant decrease in cultivability. Similarly, qPCR (quantitative PCR) detection sensitivities as low as ∼103 CFU ml−1 were achieved upon removal of inhibitory substances associated with the epoxy and/or solvent. These detection and enumeration methods show promise for use in assessing the embedded bioburden of spacecraft hardware.


An open randomized study was conducted in mild to moderate hypertensive patients to evaluate, over a 3 months treatment period, the efficacy and tolerability of carvedilol 25 mg OD and to compare, in case of insufficient results with 25 mg, the efficacy and tolerance of carvedilol 50 mg and carvedilol 25 mg coadministered with diuretics. Mean office blood pressure (sitting) of the 91 patients who completed the study according to the protocol was reduced from 161/100 to 147/91 mm Hg after 4 weeks of treatment carvedilol 25 mg OD. Continuation of carvedilol 25 mg produced no further reduction in blood pressure. Increasing carvedilol to 50 mg OD or addition of diuretics further reduced blood pressure. Ambulatory blood pressure measurements showed a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP after 3 months treatment in the three groups, as well as with respect to the circadian profile of blood pressure and heart rate. Large differences between ambulatory and office blood pressure were observed: 37% of the patients diagnosed as mild to moderate hypertensives according to office blood pressure before treatment had mean daytime DBP < 90 mm Hg and 39% mean daytime SBP < 140 mm Hg. Twenty-eight percent of the patients experienced adverse events; they occurred mainly at the beginning of treatment; less than 5% of participants withdrew due to adverse events. The most frequent adverse events were fatigue, vertigo and asthenia. This study showed that carvedilol is safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and that there is a high prevalence (nearly 40%) of low ambulatory blood pressure means in a population labelled as mild to moderate hypertensive.


The complications of right atrial catheters (RACs) in pediatric oncology patients are unknown for centers in developing countries. This study examined the complications of RACs at Ankara University Medical School, Turkey. A total of 90 RACs were placed in 61 children for long-term chemotherapy with a total experience of 15,536 catheter days. The rate of catheter-related sepsis was 4.9 episodes per 1000 catheter days. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Candida species were the most common organisms, accounting for 25.0 and 13.1% of all organisms, respectively. The most common reasons for the removal of the RACs were infection (42.4%) and dislodgement (32.2%). The rates of complications were significantly higher in this study than in western studies. This increase could be explained by the differences in catheter care practices in the Turkish center. In conclusion, the use of RACs in a developing country necessitates an appraisal of the benefits and risks for each patient and improvement of catheter care procedures.


This paper presents important concepts of using properly technical analysis as input system in neural networks to predict stock market.


Emergence of the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak identified in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, was declared a pandemic in March 2020. High fatality rate in afflicted patients prompted scientists and physicians to develop various vaccines against the virus. While administration of millions of doses of the adenoviral vector vaccines (e.g., Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2. S)) has helped control the disease, numerous cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with thrombocytopenia have been reported in vaccinated individuals. In this article, we aim to review the cases reported thus far and further discuss the association between the vaccine administration and subsequent cerebral thromboembolic events. Our study was performed and reported based on the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). PubMed, Google Scholar and Norris Medical Library databases were searched using the following terms: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines ("AstraZeneca" or "AZD1222 COVID vaccine" or "ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 COVID-19 vaccine" or "Janssen" or "Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine" or "Ad26.COV2 COVID vaccine"), coagulopathy ("cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)" and "vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT)" or "cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)") and thrombocytopenia. All the relevant studies within the English literature up to August 1, 2021, were included. Fourteen most recent articles reporting on 66 patients with CVST and VITT after adenoviral vector vaccination were reviewed by two independent authors. Age of the patients ranged from 18 to 60 years. The majority of cases were women (43 females versus 14 males). Platelet count was between 5 and 127 × 109/L. Above-normal D-dimer was found in 86% of the patients. A total of 68% of the patients had positive platelet factor 4 IgG assay in the absence of prior exposure to heparin. Among CVST cases following COVID vaccination, 44% succumbed to death. Early diagnosis and treatment of CVST plays a fundamental role in decreasing morbidity and mortality. Health care professional should be familiar with this rare complication post vaccination against COVID-19. Given the rarity of CVST after the COVID-19 vaccine, the benefit of vaccination outweighs the potential harm.


To investigate the interaction between magnetic domain walls and defects in an electrical steel sheet by transmission electron microscopy, size-controlled holes were artificially introduced into specimens by a focused ion beam. By applying an external magnetic field in a transmission electron microscope, the magnetic domain structures around the holes were dynamically observed by Lorentz microscopy. Similar magnetic domain structures were observed around the holes, but the domain-wall pinning strength was found to depend on the hole size. Micromagnetic analysis was performed to ascertain the magnetic domain structures around the holes and to investigate the change in the magnetic energy during domain-wall pinning. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2012099]


Research on fathers in Early Head Start (EHS) has provided an opportunity to study fathers from low-income families. We examined father-toddler social toy play in relation to EHS enrollment, fathers' psychosocial well-being, and children's developmental outcomes in a sample of 74 father-toddler dyads. Overall, our results show that father-toddler social toy play was more complex among fathers in an EHS program than among those in a comparison group. Greater complexity in father-toddler social toy play predicted better cognitive and social developmental outcomes for young children, especially in the program group, but it was limited by fathers' psychosocial well-being in the comparison group and by time availability in the program group. Nevertheless, the impact of EHS on father-toddler play suggests that an early intervention that targets father involvement can influence positive father-toddler interactions in ways that enhance early development.


This paper considers the popular geopolitical significance of cartoons and caricature. Using the work of the South African cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro), I consider how the generic properties of the cartoon question and critique agents of state power including President Jacob Zuma. Such properties include condensation, simplification, repetition and exaggeration. While traditions of cartooning and caricature are well established in Europe and North America, African cartoonists such as Zapiro are increasingly recognized as producing work that addresses critically the spatialities of power and governance in the post-colonial and post-apartheid era. The engagement and reactions of audiences to such artistic interventions within and beyond countries - let alone continents - is, as the Danish cartoons crisis brought to our attention, a salutary reminder of the capacity of images to circulate.


Introduction Just as in 1978, when two well-known Dutch cabaret performers were the first to call for a boycott by the Dutch national football team of the FIFA World Cup held in Argentina, the present discussion about a possible boycott of the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing was also initiated by a cabaret artist interested in football. In both cases, human rights violations by the host nation are taken as an argument in favour of a sports boycott. In the case of China, the issues specifically include use of the death penalty, the torture of prisoners, administrative detention, the violation of the freedom of speech (including freedom of the press) and religious freedom, the violation of minority rights and the intimidation and arrest of human rights activists. In addition, critics denounce the expropriation of land to free up space for the construction of facilities for the Games without offering satisfactory compensation. They also condemn the policy of the People's Republic with respect to Africa, pointing towards the Chinese support for the regime in Sudan (the Darfur question). The recent developments in Tibet, however (the protest demonstration and their violent suppression), formed the incidents that truly brought the debate about a possible boycott of the Olympic Games to the fore. What does a comparison of "China" and the case history and possible precedents from the past teach us with regard to international sports boycotts? (1) Who can take action in this context; and in which way; taking which action? What is possible, what is allowed? What is reasonable? To answer these questions, I will pass the various possible international and national actors/stakeholders in revue, starting with the United Nations, the European Union and the Dutch government on the one hand, the IOC, the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) and the individual Dutch Olympic competitor (athlete) on the other. Of course, China's responses will also be included in this summary. United Nations Statements made by the Security Council offer no foundation for a (binding) collective sports boycott. There is no case of a military intervention in Tibet. Tibet is a part of China, not an independent state; it is not a member of the UN and is not recognized as such by the international community. In other words, non-intervention in a state's internal affairs should be the primary aim, unless the Security Council were to qualify China's actions in Tibet at the very least as a threat to international peace and security, in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN Charter. This, however, is purely theoretical--an unreal conjecture. There is nothing that would suggest such a decision being reached. Indeed, "Tibet" is not on the Security Council's agenda. Furthermore, as a permanent member of this body, China would veto any resolution in this direction. The violation of human rights in China is even less likely to inspire a UN boycott. According to the annual report dealing with human rights violations throughout the world (2007 edition), the United States no longer considers China one of the worst offenders in the area of human rights. While the situation is bad, some progress is being made, and there have been various major legal reforms. At present, the People's Republic falls under the category of authoritarian regimes that are experiencing economic reforms and rapid social reforms, but are not yet implementing democratic political reforms. However, according to human rights organisations like Amnesty International, things have actually worsened in the run-up to the Olympic Games. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his concern about the violence in Tibet, and called on China to practice restraint in this area. As has the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who has urged China to speak with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader and political leader-in-exile, in order to arrive at a peaceful solution for the Tibet question. …


Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in the negative regulation of immune responses. Recent studies suggest that Tregs are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocarditis. Here, we investigated the involvement of Tregs on worsening heart failure (HF) in patients with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF). The study population consisted of 32 HF-REF patients who were hospitalized for worsening HF, and 18 control subjects. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. A single venous blood sample was collected before discharge. Circulating T cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Tregs were defined as CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+)T cells, and the correlations between the frequency of Tregs and CRP, IL-6 and several echoparameters were analysed. Furthermore, all HF-REF patients were followed up to 12 months from discharge to examine the predictors of recurrent hospitalization.In HF-REF patients, Tregs were significantly decreased (5.9 ± 1.4 versus 8.0 ± 2.2%, P < 0.01), while CD4(+)HLADR(+)T cells were increased (10.1 ± 5.4 versus 7.3 ± 3.1%, P < 0.05), compared with controls. Tregs were negatively correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, and levels of CRP and IL-6. Eleven of 32 HF-REF patients were rehospitalized for worsening HF within 12 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CD4/CD8 and frequency of Tregs were independent predictors for recurrent hospitalization. Furthermore, HF-REF patients expressing under 6% Treg/CD4(+)T cells showed a significantly higher incidence of recurrent hospitalization for worsening HF within 12 months.Our data suggest that Tregs might be involved in the pathogenesis of decompensated HF, and may be a novel predictor of poor prognosis in HF-REF patients.


The objective of this report is to examine the linkages between rural economic activity, food insecurity and poverty in Haiti as a means of determining the barriers to rural development. The analysis draws on a newly available set of house-hold level living standards measurement data collected in 2012 (ECVMAS). About 70.7 percent of all rural households are poor, and education levels are low with an average of 2.8 years of education for the household head. Agriculture dominates economic activity (78 percent of all households are involved in agricultural activities), although almost 25 percent of the agricultural households supplement their agricultural income by engaging also in some type of nonfarm activity. Overall nonfarm activity participation (including households that engage in agricultural activities and households that do not) is reported at 46 percent. Nonfarm activities can be related to agriculture upstream (input supply) or downstream (value-adding and processing), or they can be unrelated to the sector (retailing). This report identifies the main factors of production that correlate with increased productivity in the agricultural sector and examines the determinants of nonfarm participation, poverty and food security within rural Haiti. The information and analysis presented in this report point to two priority areas for rural development interventions in Haiti: (i) promoting diversification of livelihoods sources among rural households, and (ii) improving the performance of rural markets for inputs and outputs.


Abstract Background Neuropsychopharmacologic effects of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) in the context of chronic pain may result in subjective anhedonia coupled with decreased attention to natural rewards. Yet, there are no known efficacious treatments for anhedonia and reward deficits associated with chronic opioid use. Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), a novel behavioral intervention combining training in mindfulness with savoring of natural rewards, may hold promise for treating anhedonia in LTOT. Methods Veterans receiving LTOT (N = 63) for chronic pain were randomized to 8 weeks of MORE or a supportive group (SG) psychotherapy control. Before and after the 8-week treatment groups, we assessed the effects of MORE on the late positive potential (LPP) of the electroencephalogram and skin conductance level (SCL) during viewing and up-regulating responses (i.e. savoring) to natural reward cues. We then examined whether these neurophysiological effects were associated with reductions in subjective anhedonia by 4-month follow-up. Results Patients treated with MORE demonstrated significantly increased LPP and SCL to natural reward cues and greater decreases in subjective anhedonia relative to those in the SG. The effect of MORE on reducing anhedonia was statistically mediated by increases in LPP response during savoring. Conclusions MORE enhances motivated attention to natural reward cues among chronic pain patients on LTOT, as evidenced by increased electrocortical and sympathetic nervous system responses. Given neurophysiological evidence of clinical target engagement, MORE may be an efficacious treatment for anhedonia among chronic opioid users, people with chronic pain, and those at risk for opioid use disorder.


The main requirements for an intelligent measuring channel are considered in the article when designing automated control and control systems. The methods for estimating errors are classified and the constituent groups are classified, and some methods for calculating the errors of measuring means and measuring modules of automatic control systems are given.


Rapid industrialization and population growth have generated a worldwide interest in renewable energy resourcesto meet. In this context, microbial fuel cells serve the dual purpose of electricity generation and wastewater treatment in a sustainable way. Here, we conducted a set of experiments in two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) to study its efficiency in chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and electricity generation. The MFC was run at constant pH of 5.5 and mesophilic temperature of 30-32  C using mixed consortia of sediment as inoculum and candy industry wastewater as substrate. Of the five different initial substrate concentrations of 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 10000 mg COD/L studied, the highest COD removal efficiency of 96.0% and electricity generation of 810 mV was recorded at the initial substrate concentration of 4000 mg COD/L. The experiments conducted also revealed that iron oxide nanoparticles concentration of 0.10 g/L with an average size of 25.64 nm, increased the electricity generation potential to 870 mV by 6.9%. Among the different species of bioelectricity generating bacteria colonized, Corynebacterium variabile SMS-14 was documented as the most dominant species.


Because of the rising use of all kinds of power electronic devices in the electricity grid, a spectacular growth of power quality-related problems is noticed. Amongst them are power system harmonics, causing complicated energy transfer at harmonic frequencies. The registration and consequences of these energy-terms by different types of measuring devices are discussed, along with a new measurement method based on wavelet analysis.


We draw on extant literature on strategic sourcing and supply base rationalization to anchor our argument that measuring supplier performance diversity is germane to executing an effective supply base rationalization strategy. We explicate how a novel approach to data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency assessment can be utilized to measure this performance diversity. More specifically, our methods are anchored in cross efficiency analysis in DEA that allows for evaluating the efficiency of a supplier with respect to the optimal weights (strengths) of its peers. This methodology is applied to an actual supplier dataset of a large multinational telecommunications company in categorizing their supply base into groups for effective supplier rationalization. We conclude that measuring and analyzing the performance diversity within the framework of DEA provides a mechanism for firms to better balance a rationalized and diversified supply base with unique skills.


This paper, using data of the Greek economy and taking previous empirical work as its point
of departure, explores the linkage between budget deficits and interest rates. Within the
methodological framework of cointegration, ECM strategy, and several diagnostic and specification
tests, the main purpose of this paper is to test empirically the Keynesian proposition and
the Ricardian equivalence hypothesis. From the perspective of this study, the empirical findings
support the Keynesian model of a significant and positive relationship between budget deficits
and interest rates.


This volume in the highly successful New American series offers an in-depth look at cutting edge interior design in homes and apartments throughout the United States. More than 20 projects are featured by some of the most prominent and creative architects and interior designers in the United States. Selected for excellence in design and creative use of furnishings, colours, and materials, each project is treated as a case study that includes a floor plan, and rich, professional photography of the interiors. Readers will find diverse design strategies and solutions applied to interiors of all sizes in a wide range of styles and budgets.


Traditionally, intraplate stress orientations have been modelled using an isotropic elastic plate. For the Australian Plate this method has been applied successfully to model the first-order pattern of stress orientations. However, the distribution of intraplate earthquakes and the juxtaposition of strong, cold with hotter, younger lithosphere in many areas suggest that the spatial variation in mechanical strength of the plate may result in substantial regional anomalies in stress orientations and magnitudes. We explore this idea with a three-dimensional finite-element model to investigate the regional response of the Australian continent to tectonic forces. The model covers the area of -40 to -10° (S) and 111 to 155° (E) with a spatial resolution of 90 x 90 x 50 km. The relative magnitudes of the ridge-push and boundary forces, which act on the Australian continent, are estimated through an inversion analysis of in situ stress data. The differences between modelled and observed stress orientations are minimised in a least-squares sense. Major tectonic blocks and the differences in their elastic strength are included in the model, and the initial estimates of Young's modulus for the tectonic blocks are adapted from a published coherence analysis of gravity and topographic data. The values of Young's modulus are adjusted in the inversion analysis to best fit the stress orientations observed on the Australian continent. The inversion analysis of rheological parameters is most efficient for estimating Young's modulus for the Northern Lachlan Fold Belt, the New England Fold Belt, and the Southern Lachlan Fold Belt. The adjusted values for the flexural rigidity are 0.040 x 10 2 5 Nm for the Northern Lachlan Fold Belt, 0.037 x 10 2 5 Nm for the New England Fold Belt, and 0.040 x 10 2 5 Nm for the Southern Lachlan Fold Belt, which correspond to an effective elastic thickness of about 30 km. Based on the optimised body and boundary forces acting on the plate, a map of maximum principal-stress distribution is constructed so that variations of the relative magnitude of tectonic stresses can be assessed. We find a good match between predicted zones of stress concentration and the distribution of major belts of seismicity in Australia. The results show that while the overall pattern of stress orientations in the Australian continent is controlled by the forces which drive the Indo-Australian Plate, the maximum horizontal stress orientations and the pattern of the stress concentration manifested by seismicity are modulated by local/regional geological structures.


Plasma-based seeded soft x-ray lasers (PBSXRL) have the potential to generate high-energy, fully coherent, short pulse beam. Nowadays, PBSXRL have demonstrated experimentally 1 μJ, 1 ps (1 MW) fully coherent, aberration-free pulses. Nevertheless, most exciting applications (as single-shot coherent imaging) require pulses shorter than 200 fs and energy ranging from 10 μJ to several miliJoules. In this chapter we will review the theoretical modelling tools and the results obtained related to this source.


By examining diverse water-related tension and conflict situations from the Tonle Sap area of Cambodia, the article seeks to contest the view that water-related conflicts are always about water scarcity. Tackling different dimensions of water-related conflicts, the three cases studied here all point to the importance of social, political, and historical aspects in water-related resource management. They also indicate that the water and resource conflicts in Tonle Sap are strongly related to problems with existing property and access rights. Challenges of access to and control over resources, rather than changes in the abundance of water and related resources, have lead to increasing tensions in the area.


The use of generic models in the synthesis of FMSs, which allows for rapid modelling and analysis, does not reduce complexity of the verification model. This complexity can be reduced by replacing the constituent components (generic models) with their functional abstractions, which represent the external behaviour of the components. In the paper, for a class of Petri net models representing primary components of FMSs, a method that allows to systematically construct functional abstractions is presented. This method is then used to obtain the functional abstraction of the Petri net model of a machining station.<<ETX>>


In this paper, a domain decomposition approach for finite-element method calculation of electric field of insulators applied on high-voltage transmission lines is presented. Using this method, the electric stresses acting around and inside on insulators are determined considering the interactions of the three-dimensional environment. First, a large-scale model is used to determine the potential distribution near the insulator. Next, a local domain including the exact model of the insulator is investigated. Finally, a series of iterative solutions is applied on these overlapping domains to reach the correct field distribution along the insulator. This method gives the possibility to examine the effects of various hardware structures such as line and tower configurations and grading devices and ensures modelling of very complex geometry without extra high computational effort.


The compound U-74006F is one of a series of 21-aminosteroids that lack glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid activity. These potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation have been specifically developed for the acute treatment of central nervous system trauma and ischemia. This study evaluated the dose-response characteristics and capability of U-74006F to promote functional recovery in cats subjected to compression trauma of the upper lumbar (L-2) spinal cord. Thirty minutes following injury, randomized and investigator-blinded treatment was initiated with the intravenous administration of either vehicle (citrate-buffered saline) or one of eight doses of U-74006F. Initial doses of U-74006F ranged from 0.01 to 30 mg/kg. Subsequent doses consisted of intravenous bolus injections followed by a continuous 42-hour intravenous infusion. Over the 48-hour treatment period, cats received total U-74006F doses ranging from 0.048 to 160 mg/kg. The animals were evaluated weekly for neurological recovery based upon an 11-point behavioral scale. With the exception of two cats in one group, the animals receiving accumulated doses of U-74006F (ranging from 1.6 to 160.0 mg/kg/48 hrs) exhibited nearly 75% of normal neurological function by 4 weeks after injury. Lower total doses of 0.16 and 0.48 mg/kg/48 hrs were associated with approximately 50% return of normal function, which was not significantly better than the recovery in the vehicle-treated control group. The lowest total dose tested (0.048 mg/kg/48 hrs) gave results indistinguishable from those in vehicle-treated cats, which had recovered only 20% of their preinjury neurological function by 4 weeks. These findings demonstrate that over a 100-fold range of doses, U-74006F has a remarkable capacity to promote functional recovery in spinal cord-injured cats.


Bolted joints are generally used to connect two or more mechanical structures due to their ease of assembly and disassembly for maintenance. However, the problem of vibration is one of the main challenges when the tightness of the bolted joints is insufficient, causing failures such as looseness and resulting in disconnection. Looseness is the most common cause of dynamically loaded bolted joint structure failure. This study tested a simple bolt joint structure to observe the looseness indication of the bolt joint after it was vibrated using a shaker in a single-frequency excitation. A freely fixed beam consisting of two beams connected by a bolt and subjected to varying bolt tightening torques. Then the response measurement is carried out by recording the FRF graph obtained from loosening and tightening bolt torque effects. Modal parameters such as personal frequency and damping ratio were collected through experimental modal analysis (EMA). It was found that the structure's vibration could change the conditions of loosening or lower tightening torque indicated by shifting the structure's natural frequency. In addition, the damping characteristics are also affected by changes in the tightening torque. Especially when conditions are loose, the damping ratio becomes much higher than that of tightening.


In this letter, a hexaband planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) for mobile handset applications is proposed. Because the proposed antenna is a flat structure, it has a low profile and a simple structure that makes it easy to manufacture. The proposed structure covers the GSM (880-960 MHz), DCS (1710-1880 MHz), PCS (1880-1990 MHz), UMTS (1920-2170 MHz), WiBro (2300-2390 MHz), and Bluetooth (2400-2480 MHz) bands. A stable and omnidirectional radiation pattern with reasonable gains is observed within the operating bandwidth. Simulated scalar electric field distributions and parameter studies are used to analyze the operating principles of the proposed antenna.


The title of this study is Psychoanalysis of the Characters in Schneider's The Beginning of Everything where its aim was to find out the characterization of the characters, as well as the three major personalities concerning the Id, Ego, and Superego of the characters that are presented in the novel. The data in this study were taken from a novel entitled The Beginning of Everything written by Robyn ScHneider in 2013. The data were collected by using the documentation method supported by the note taking technique. In analyzing the data, the study applied the qualitative method and supported by the narrative descriptive technique.The theories used were two different kinds, the first one is from How to Analyze Fiction proposed by Kenney (1966), the second one is Theory of Psychoanalysis proposed by Freud (1896). The result of the study shows that the characterization of the characters could change according to the situations they are facing. The relationship between the Id, Ego, and Superego that was mentioned by Freud are applied in the novel where it has influenced every decision taken by the characters.