Localization of prostate cancer recurrence, particularly in the bones, is a major challenge with standard of care imaging in patients with biochemical recurrence following curatively intended treatment. Gallium-68-labeled prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (68Ga-PSMA PET/CT) is a novel and promising method for imaging in prostate cancer. The present study reports two cases of patients with prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence, with evidence of bone metastases on 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT images and low prostate specific antigen PSA levels (<2 ng/ml) and PSA doubling time >6 months. The bone metastases were verified by supplementary imaging with 18F‐sodium fluoride PET/CT and magnetic resonance imaging as well as biochemical responses to androgen deprivation therapy. Therefore, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT is promising for the restaging of patients with prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence, including patients with low PSA levels and low PSA kinetics. Introduction Localization of prostate cancer recurrence is a major challenge in patients with biochemical recurrence following curatively intended treatment. The currently applied imaging modalities such as bone scintigraphy and abdominal pelvic computed tomography (CT) are too insensitive, particularly at low serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) values (1). These two modalities only reliably show the site of relapse in patients with very high PSA levels (>10 ng/ml) (2). This is of particular importance as salvage radiotherapy in these patients is most effective at serum PSA values <0.5 ng/ml (3,4). Established positron emission tomography (PET) tracers such as 11Cor 18F-choline or 11C-acetate are able to directly detect tumor tissue, which is also true at the bone level, where these tracers show tumor tissue, as opposed to reactive bone as with bone scans and 18F‐sodium fluoride (NaF) PET/CT. This result may convey higher sensitivity for both osteoblastic and osteolytic bone lesions at low PSA levels (5). However, the majority of large series have included patients with a PSA level >2 ng/ml (6,7). Most studies that included patients with low PSA levels have shown infrequent bone metastases, and little information is provided concerning tumor characteristics in individual patients (8-11). Generally, choline PET is only indicated in biochemical failure if the PSA level is >2 ng/ml or the PSA level is rising rapidly (12). Gallium‐68‐labelled prostate‐specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) PET/CT has recently been introduced as a promising method for prostate cancer imaging, both for staging and restaging (13-17). In contrast to existing PET tracers, 68Ga-PSMA PET has revealed pathological sites of uptake, even with low PSA levels, in several retrospective series (13-17). In 2015, the present authors initiated two prospective trials with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in prostate cancer, including a study of PSMA-11 (DKFZ-PSMA-11, also known as PSMA-HBED-CC) PET/CT in recurrent prostate cancer in 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for the detection of bone metastasis in recurrent prostate cancer and a PSA level <2 ng/ml: Two case reports and a literature review LARS J. PETERSEN1,2, JULIE B. NIELSEN1,2, KATJA DETTMANN3, RUNE V. FISKER1,4, UWE HABERKORN5,6, LOUISE STENHOLT7 and HELLE D. ZACHO1,2 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital; 2Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9000 Aalborg; 3Department of Urology, Regional Hospital West Jutland, DK‐7500 Holstebro; 4Department of Radiology, Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark; 5Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Heidelberg; 6Clinical Cooperation Unit Nuclear Medicine, German Cancer Research Centre, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany; 7The Medical Library, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark Received March 14, 2017; Accepted May 23, 2017 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2017.1280 Correspondence to: Professor Lars J. Petersen, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18-22, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; 68Ga, Gallium-68; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NaF, 18F-sodium fluoride; PET, positron emission tomography; PSMA, prostate specific membrane antigen; PSA, prostate specific antigen; PSAdt, PSA doubling time; STARD, the standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy


Ethnographers in ordinary times constantly strike a balance between two core concerns: gaining access and being ethical Textbooks and handbooks on ethnographic research have provided good insights into the ethical considerations and practical protocols for how to obtain access to field sites But how is this balance altered in calamitous times - times when a globally-relevant disaster is rapidly making itself known? In times of a pandemic when the value of non-life-saving research is increasingly being called into question and when «social distancing» is not only a norm but an injunction, how can we position ourselves to achieve ethical access? In this paper, we do not claim to reach a conclusive position on these questions Instead, we discuss the challenges that ethnographers face in times of calamity and explore alternative ethnographic strategies Specifically, we explore the utility of online ethnography and interface ethnography during the time of Covid-19 © 2020 Societa Editrice il Mulino All rights reserved


— Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, silver carp H. molitrix, black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, collectively referred to as Asian carps, are invasive species that were either accidentally or intentionally introduced into the Mississippi River basin. The expansion of Asian carp into the Missouri River is not well understood and knowledge of population characteristics within this river were lacking. The objectives of this study were to describe the relative abundance, size structure, and spatial and temporal trends of Asian carp using multiple gears from three long-term fish community monitoring programs in the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota and Nebraska from 2003 to 2007. A total of 1,307 bighead, 1,280 silver, 624 grass, and 0 black carp were captured. The majority of adult bighead carp were captured in overnight hoop nets (38%) and adult silver (14%) and grass carp (23%) were most commonly caught in overnight experimental gill nets. Mini-fyke nets captured almost exclusively, young of the year Asian carp (≤ 80 mm), while gill, trammel, and hoop nets collected a wide length range of fish (81 – 1,200 mm). The relative abundance of all three Asian carp species did not significantly differ among years; however, spatial trends were found as relative abundance was highest in the Missouri River downstream of the Platte River. Short Asian carp weighed less in the Gavins Point reach compared to downstream of the Grand River in Missouri. Conversely, long Asian carp in the Gavins Point reach attained greater weights than fish of similar length downstream. We found that multiple sampling gears are necessary to monitor Asian carp population characteristics in the Missouri River. Asian carp populations appear to be well established in the Missouri River and it is increasingly important to understand the affects these invasive species have on the native fish community.


Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) regulates both cell survival and death in the heart. The function of FoxO1 is modulated by posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation. Mst1 (mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1), a stress-activated pro-apoptotic kinase, phosphorylates FoxO1 at Ser209/216/231/232. We investigated the molecular mechanism by which FoxO1 regulates both cell survival and death in the heart. Overexpression of FoxO1 significantly suppressed, whereas downregulation of endogenous FoxO1 exacerbated, Mst1 activity and Mst1-induced apoptosis. In the presence of Mst1, FoxO1 downregulated pro-apoptotic genes, including FasL, but upregulated antioxidant genes, including catalase. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Mst1 attenuated FoxO1 binding to the FasL promoter, but it enhanced binding to the catalase promoter. Reporter gene assays showed that C/EBP-β binding elements, but not the FoxO binding ones, in the catalase promoter, are critical for Mst1-mediated upregulation of the catalase gene. FoxO1 interacted with C/EBP-β and their interaction was enhanced in the presence of Mst1. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed that Mst1 phosphorylates C/EBP-β at Thr299 in its leucine zipper domain. Downregulation of endogenous C/EBP-β reversed the cell-protective effects of FoxO1 expression against Mst1-induced apoptosis. We evaluated the role of Mst1-mediated phosphorylation of FoxO1 and C/EBP-β in mediating survival and death of cardiomyocytes in response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The size of myocardial infarction (MI) in left ventricle (LV) after I/R was significantly greater in cardiac-specific FoxO1 knockout ( c-FoxO1-/- ) mice than in wild-type mice (MI/area at risk: 59±2, 41±1%, p <0.05, n=6). Injection of a C/EBP-β phospho-mimetic mutant adenovirus into the LV of c-FoxO1-/- significantly reduced the I/R-induced LV infarct size observed in c-FoxO1-/- (50±2%, p <0.05, n=6). In summary, Mst1-mediated phosphorylation of FoxO1 inhibits the DNA binding of FoxO1 to the cell death promoting genes whereas it enhances FoxO1-C/EBP-β interaction, Mst1-mediated phosphorylation of C/EBP-β, and C/EBP-β-mediated transcription, which activates cell-protective mechanisms in the heart.


Witnessing is a crucial, defining mechanism of dance/movement therapy that demands physical awareness, emotional recognition, and verbalization with humble honesty. Although witnessing has the potential to arise in nearly all encounters, as dance/movement therapists work directly with multifaceted and complex individuals, there has been a lack of delineating the various elements required to accomplish this task. This thesis is an attempt to begin outlining of the process and elements of witnessing. Beginning with the history of witnessing and its unique features within the field of dance/movement therapy, the author provides the essential qualities to consider in order to witness another individual. Because the process of witnessing has grown since its inception in the field through Authentic Movement, and the avenues to foster characteristics within oneself is a subjective process, the personal experiences of the author are provided and analyzed to shed light on possible avenues for growth. From these explorations, four themes of developing as a witness in dance/movement therapy emerged: awareness; continual self-discovery; subjectivity; bodily involvement.


: Problems of practical application of fucose-binding lectins as selective histochemical markers and their diagnostical and prognostical value under different pathological states are considered. Special attention is paid to carbohydrate specificity of the most investigated and perspective fucolectins which are already applied in investigation of regularity of cell's functioning and differentiation. It is shown that fucose-specific lectins are useful diagnostic reagents in pathomorphological and clinical investigations.


The most important teoretical aspects of the enteral insufficiency syndrome formation in an acute abdominal surgical diseases were suggested. Basing on the treatment results analysis of 19 patients with different abdominal surgical diseases, using hypertonic sorbitol solution, the authors confirm high therapeutic efficacy of the preparation, administration of which have had promoted the intestinal motor function restoration and optimization, as well as adapting action of the preparation in enteral probe nutrition conduction in patients during ealy postoperative period.


127 Background: For ovarian cancer (OC) survivors, serious sexual dysfunction is one of the most distressing long-term side effects of treatment, with up to 90% survivors reporting a loss of interest in sexual activity for years after diagnosis. Despite the prevalence and magnitude of the problem, treatment-related sexual dysfunction and accompanying psychological distress are not addressed for most survivors. There is a critical need to address these problems for OC survivors.

METHODS
We are currently piloting a novel psychosexual intervention to help women manage sexual changes and improve sexual functioning after ovarian cancer treatment. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, this group-based intervention also aims to enhance women's self-efficacy to address problems. Eligibility criteria include: OC diagnosis, functional ability, and sexual dysfunction. Women participate in a single half-day workshop, complete questionnaires, and engage in a booster telephone session. Detailed workshop evaluations are collected to assess women's feedback of the group session. This study is currently enrolling.

RESULTS
To date, 369 women have been contacted, of which 45 (12.2%) have attended or are scheduled to attend a group session. Preliminary feedback data indicate high favorability of the group session; 100% of the women (N = 16) agreed or strongly agreed that the content of the group session was easy to understand and that the group session gave helpful information for addressing treatment-related sexual problems. Additionally, 100% of participants agreed that they were satisfied with the group session and enjoyed participating in it.

CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary data show that women report multiple benefits from the session content and are highly satisfied with the group session. However, low response rates raise several questions with regard to timing and recruitment of a sexual health intervention after OC treatment. Next steps include quantitative analyses of changes in sexual function, sexual knowledge, and sexual self-efficacy consequent to the group intervention.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION
NCT02287519.


The remarkably complex textual traditions of the Acts of the Apostles reflect the theological developments and socio-cultural framework of early Christianity. The present volume contains studies of textual witnesses, textual traditions and translations of the Acts. They do not only focus on the traditions which occur in the manuscripts, or on the theological tendencies of the major ancient versions and their reception in the Early Church, but also consider the relevance of mostly neglected witnesses such as amuletts and tablets, and the relationship between the ancient translators and Jewish exegetical traditions.


The thesis is concerned with the qualifications, experience, education and training of people who submitted applications to work with deprived children in certain types of residential establishments in the North of England from January 1970 until December 1971.There is a description of the salient factors which have led to the demand for staff to work in residential homes for children and some indications of the developments which have influenced the job to be done. The thesis goes on to establish some basic factual information about persons who applied for, residential child care posts during the period under study; to determine whether there are discernible differences between those who were successful in their application and those who were not; and to assess how the applicants compared in terms of qualifications with those actually employed in the service. The raw data used was the completed application forms in respect of the total number of applicants upon whom information was available - 413 in all. It was collected in a way which rendered it amenable to computer-assisted analysis. The various findings are described and commented upon. In general, few major differences were found between those who applied and those who were successful. The study did, however, provide some information about persons entering this form of work and cast doubt on several popular notions about the sorts of people whom residential work with children attracts. Some details emerged about the availability of qualified staff in the North of England compared with other parts of the country. The study concludes with some personal viewpoints about the factors likely to influence residential work with children in the future and suggests some of the implications, of this for staffing.


This study is aimed to show passion for saving life in Deception point Novel by using existentialist perspective. It is done by establishing two objectives: the first is analyzing the novel based on its structural elements and the second is analyzing the novel based on the Existentialist Perspective. This research is qualitative research. Type of data of the study is text and image taken from two data sources: primary and secondary. The primary data source is the Deception Point movie written by Dan Brown released in 2001. While the secondary data sources are other materials taken from books, journals, and internet related to the study. Both data are collected through library research and analyzed by descriptive analysis. The study comes to the following conclusions. First, based on the structural analysis of each elements, it shows that the character and characterization, plot, setting, theme, and editing are related to each other and form a unity. Second, based on the Existential analysis, awareness of the meaning of life leads to meaningful action in human's life.

Keywords: Passion for saving life, Deception Point, Meaningful Action, Existentialist Perspective.


Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are pleiotrophic growth factors that influence diverse processes such as skeletal development, hematopoiesis, and neurogenesis. They play crucial roles in diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In PAH, mutants of the BMP type II receptors (BMPR2) were detected, and their functions were impaired during BMP signaling. It is thought that expression levels of these receptors determine the fate of BMP signaling, with low levels of expression leading to decreased Smad activation in PAH. However, our studies demonstrate, for the first time, that the localization of receptors on the plasma membrane, in this case BMPR2, was misdirected. Three BMPR2 mutants, D485G, N519K, and R899X, which are known to be involved in PAH, were chosen as our model system. Our results show that all three BMPR2 mutants decreased BMP-dependent Smad phosphorylation and Smad signaling. Although the three mutants reached the cell membrane and their expression was lower than that of BMPR2, they formed smaller clusters and associated differently with membrane domains, such as caveolae and clathrin-coated pits. The disruption of these domains restored the Smad signaling of D485G and N519K to the level of wild-type BMPR2, showing that these mutants were trapped in the domains, rather than just expressed at a lower level on the surface. Therefore, new treatment options for PAH should also target receptor localization, rather than just expression level.


Self-assembled InGaN quantum dots (QDs) were fabricated by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Abnormal temperature dependence of photoluminescence (PL) was observed. The integrated PL intensity of QDs sample shows a dramatic increase in a temperature range from 160 K to 215 K and reaches the maximum value at 215 K instead of 10 K as usual. To interpret this phenomenon, a theoretic model of temperature induced carrier redistribution mechanism is designed using rate equation, which fits closely with the experimental result. It is concluded that carriers' redistribution from shallow QDs or wetting layer to deep QDs gives rise to the unique behavior for InGaN QDs structure.


To the Editor: —There is no doubt that the intraperitoneal method of giving citrated blood is unnecessary for some men. For the same reason, I very much doubt the ability of the average man successfully to expose and utilize the median cephalic vein in the new-born. The mere fact that Helmholz recommends the sinus route; Robertson, the internal saphenous vein; Falls, the jugular vein; and Sidbury, the umbilical vein shows that difficulties have been encountered. The method was not intended as a substitute for Dr. Lewisohn's excellent pioneer work, but only as an addition of possible merit. I have never used the intraperitoneal route in hemophilia neonatorum, for I have found whole blood intramuscularly a satisfactory therapeutic agent. However, it is felt that this means of approach may be used. I know of no scientific reason why citrated blood in the peritoneal cavity should be dangerous, "especially in the new-born


Six phytopathogenic bacterial strains, MAFF 301512, MAFF 301513, MAFF 301514T, MAFF 301515, MAFF 301516 and MAFF 301517, were isolated from soft rot lesions of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Japan. The cells were Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile with one or two polar flagella and rod-shaped. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they belong to the genus Pseudomonas, with the highest similarities to Pseudomonas poae DSM 14936T (99.86 %), Pseudomonas simiae OLiT (99.85 %), Pseudomonas trivialis DSM 14937T (99.79 %) and Pseudomonas extremorientalis KMM 3447T (99.79 %). Their genomic DNA G+C content was 60.9 mol% and the major fatty acids (>5 % of the total fatty acids) present were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c /C18 : 1 ω6c) and C17 : 0 cyclo. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on the rpoD gene and whole genome sequences, respectively, demonstrated that the strains belong to the Pseudomonas fluorescens subgroup, but form a monophyletic and robust clade, with Pseudomonas azotoformans as their neighbour. Between the strains and P. azotoformans, the average nucleotide identity scores were 95.63-95.70 %, whereas the digital DNA-DNA hybridization scores of the strains against their closest relatives, including P. azotoformans, were 65.4 % or less, which are lower than the 70 % cut-off for prokaryotic species delineation. The strains were differentiated from their closest relatives by phenotypic characteristics, pathogenicity in onion and cellular fatty acid composition. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data showed that the strains represent a novel Pseudomonas species, proposed to be named Pseudomonas allii sp. nov., with MAFF 301514T (=ICMP 23680T) being the type strain.


Forensic handwriting examination is one of the most complex and controversial types of forensic research, the results of which are often disputed in court. One of the reasons for that is experts' subjectivity. Using quantitative methods and introducing computer technology in the process of handwriting examination can increase its objectivity. Thus, the article analyzes various ways to improve handwriting research, which in the future may increase its objectivity. The author examines the development trends of quantitative methods and the use of computer technology in handwriting examination process.


Background The term frail is frequently used to describe older people experiencing complex health problems. There is limited understanding of how older people experience frailty in the context of their daily lives. Understanding personal experiences of frailty will contribute to the holistic assessment and management of supportive care for older people in later life. Aim To explore how 'frail' older adults with complex problems who are living at home experience their daily life. Study Design A prospective, longitudinal case study design using ethnographic data collection methods. Ten participants aged 75 and over, receiving care from a Community Matron (CM), were recruited. Participants were followed up at monthly intervals for 6 months or until death. In total, 49 interviews were conducted with older people; 49 CM visits were observed. Medical documents were reviewed for 10 participants. Data analysis involved cross case comparison and identification of common themes. Findings Three themes illuminated the experience of living with frailty. Transitions in health and illness details the types and patterns of transition and the subsequent impact on daily life. Dimensions of frailty reports perceptions of frailty in later life; accounts of feeling frail relate to episodes of uncertainty. Working with health and social care services provides insights into the inter-relationship between the older person's world of declining health and the episodic interactions with health professionals. Discussion Older people work hard to maintain daily routines as they experience changes in their health. Maintaining independence, dignity and continuity of personhood provide a counterpoint to being frail. Health professionals' work is framed by a policy of risk and clinical assessment. Assumptions underpinning the label of frailty can be at odds with the older person's experience. Commissioners of community services for frail older people need to consider these competing demands so that health professionals can engage more effectively in supportive care provision.


This study examined the relationship between cognitive appraisal processes and the affective characteristics of youth sport involvement using Harter's competence motivation theory as a framework. Specifically, the present study extended Passer's (1983) research on patterns of competitive trait anxiety (CTA) in young male soccer players by including female athletes and athletes involved in different sports. Boy baseball players (N = 55) and girl softball players (N = 58) completed self-report measures of CTA, self-esteem, perceived physical competence, and frequency of evaluative and performance-related worries about athletic competition. Multivariate analyses revealed that high-CTA boys reported lower levels of self-esteem and more frequent worries about their performance than did their less anxious counterparts. For the girls, no significant relationships were found between levels of competitive trait anxiety and the cognitive variables. To enhance the experiences of youth sport participants, it is essen...


The successful transition from boyhood to manhood is one of the most important male life transitions. Teenage boys at risk of school exclusion, and thus social exclusion, face added difficulties when school participation becomes dysfunctional. Men's Sheds are community-based male-friendly places where men can connect with other members of their communities, while simultaneously providing opportunities to learn practical skills and develop new interests. Many Australian Men's Sheds are offering intergenerational mentoring programs, usually based on shared construction projects, specifically targeted at teenage boys who are considered at risk. This paper presents descriptive qualitative data about one such intergenerational mentoring program. Data were collected from interviews with 4 teenage boys, a school Transition Advisor, and written teacher evaluations. Descriptive findings suggest that such programs offer some teenage boys a positive space to learn, socialise, promote tangible notions of community service, and reinforce respectful relationships in the supportive presence of older men.


BACKGROUND
The highest risk of tuberculosis (TB) arises in the first few months after exposure. We reasoned that this risk reflects incipient disease among TB contacts. Blood transcriptional biomarkers of TB may predate clinical diagnosis, suggesting they offer improved sensitivity to detect subclinical incipient disease. Therefore, we sought to test the hypothesis that refined blood transcriptional biomarkers of active TB will improve stratification of short-term disease risk in TB contacts.

METHODS
We combined analysis of previously published blood transcriptomic data with new data from a prospective HIV negative United Kingdom cohort of 333 TB contacts. We used stability selection as an alternative computational approach to identify an optimal signature for short-term risk of active TB, and evaluated its predictive value in independent cohorts.

RESULTS
In a previously published HIV negative South African casecontrol study of patients with asymptomatic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, a novel three-gene transcriptional signature comprising BATF2, GBP5 and SCARF1 achieved a positive predictive value (PPV) of 23% for progression to active TB within 90 days. In a new UK cohort of 333 HIV negative TB contacts with a median follow up of 346 days, this signature achieved a PPV of 50% (95% confidence interval: 15.7-84.3) and NPV of 99.3% (97.599.9). By comparison, peripheral blood interferon gamma release assays in the same cohort achieved a PPV of 5.6% (2.1-11.8).

CONCLUSION
This blood transcriptional signature provides unprecedented opportunities to target therapy among TB contacts with greatest risk of incident disease.


This paper presents the results of study of histomorphologic (at the organ and cellular levels) and behavioral characteristics in rats under the influence of different-sized zeolite-containing tuffs from theVanginsky and Kholinsky deposits. It was showed that nano- and microforms possess the toxic properties and have the pathomorphological and pathophysiological effects. The tissue structure of the cerebral cortex visually doesn't change under the impact of any zeolite forms. The meso-forms of minerals demonstrates the benefits at the behavioral level (especially in rats belonging to the second behavioral type). Due to the physicochemical peculiarities the tuff from the Vanginsky deposit possesses the more evident positive biological effects in comparison with the Kholinskyy one.


Historically pervasive models of disability as a deficit negatively impacted thinking about the accessibility of educational assessments and how this issue should be addressed. In a deficit-based model, assessments are designed without consideration of individual differences and students with disabilities receive accommodations as an exception to the typical administration. With the shift to social models of disability, the assessment field has concomitantly adopted new approaches to designing and administering assessments that recognize variability in how individuals interact with assessments. Inclusive assessment requires that conditions are in place to support the validity of score inferences for their intended uses—for all students. Inclusive assessment requires moving past a deficit-based model and designing for examinee variability. An inclusive model requires knowledge of student characteristics and new ways of thinking about student-item interactions. Computer-based testing and other technologies such as alternative or augmentative communication devices provide support for flexible assessment administration. One way to ensure inclusive assessments meet professional standards for quality is to blend evidence-centered design and universal design principles. Evidence-centered design has five stages that span from construct definition to inferences made from test scores: domain analysis, domain modeling, conceptual assessment framework, assessment implementation, and assessment delivery. Assessment developers can use universal design principles to minimize construct-irrelevant variance by attending to the student's engagement when presented with assessment stimuli and items, articulating the information the student needs to know in order to respond correctly, and providing multiple means to communicate responses. When evidence-centered design and universal design are blended, these approaches support inclusive assessment design, administration, and scoring, as well as evidence for validity and technical adequacy. Shifts in policy and educational practice are also necessary to support inclusive assessment.


Technology adoption in low-income regions is among the key challenges facing international development projects. Nearly 40% of the world's population relies on open fires and rudimentary cooking devices exacerbating health outcomes, deforestation, and climatic impacts of inefficient biomass burning. Clean technology alternatives such as clean cookstoves are among the most challenging technologies to approach their target goals through sustainable adoption due to lack of systematic market-driven design for adoption. Thus, a method is needed to provide insight regarding how target customers evaluate and perceive causes for adopting a clean technology. The holistic approach of this study captures the three main aspects of technology adoption through lenses of social networks, individual and society scale beliefs, and rational decision-making behavior. Based on data collected in the Apac region in Northern Uganda, an Agent-Based Model is developed to simulate emerging adoption behavior in a community. Then, four different scenarios investigate how adoption patterns change due to potential changes in technology or intervention strategy. These scenarios include influence of stove malfunctions, price elasticity, information campaigns, and strength of social network. Results suggest that higher adoption rates are achievable if designed technologies are more durable, information campaigns provide realistic expectations for users, policy makers and education programs work toward women's empowerment, and communal social ties are recognized for influence maximization. Application of this study provides insight for technology designers, project implementers, and policy makers to update their practices for achieving sustainable and to the scale clean technology adoption rates.


The Bible is a religious masterpiece. Its authors cast a profound vision for the healing of humanity through the power of divine love, grace and forgiveness. But the Bible also contains "dark texts" that challenge our ethical imagination. How can one book teach us to love our enemies and also teach us to slaughter Canaanites? Why does a book that preaches the equality of all people -- male and female, slave and free, Greek and Jew -- also include laws that permit God's people to trade in slaves and to persecute those of a different faiths or ethnicities? In "Sacred Word, Broken Word" Kenton Sparks argues that the "dark side" of Scripture is not an illusion. Rather, these dark texts remind us that all human beings, including the biblical authors, stand in need of God's redemptive solution in Jesus Christ.


ABSTRACT Overexpression of the human multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) is a negative prognostic factor in leukemia. Despite intense efforts to characterize the gene at the molecular level, little is known about the genetic events that switch on gene expression in P-glycoprotein-negative cells. Recent studies have shown that the transcriptional competence of MDR1 is often closely associated with DNA methylation. Chromatin remodeling and modification targeted by the recognition of methylated DNA provide a dominant mechanism for transcriptional repression. Consistent with this epigenetic model, interference with DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase activity alone or in combination can reactivate silent genes. In the present study, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation to monitor the molecular events involved in the activation and repression of MDR1. Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase (5-azacytidine [5aC]) and histone deacetylase (trichostatin A [TSA]) were used to examine gene transcription, promoter methylation status, and the chromatin determinants associated with the MDR1 promoter. We have established that methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is involved in methylation-dependent silencing of human MDR1 in cells that lack the known transcriptional repressors MBD2 and MBD3. In the repressed state the MDR1 promoter is methylated and assembled into chromatin enriched with MeCP2 and deacetylated histone. TSA induced significant acetylation of histones H3 and H4 but did not activate transcription. 5aC induced DNA demethylation, leading to the release of MeCP2, promoter acetylation, and partial relief of repression. MDR1 expression was significantly increased following combined 5aC and TSA treatments. Inhibition of histone deacetylase is not an overriding mechanism in the reactivation of methylated MDR1. Our results provide us with a clearer understanding of the molecular mechanism necessary for repression of MDR1.


Observed degradation of aquatic systems at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, located in west-central Minnesota, have been associated with sediment-laden inflows from riverine systems. To support management, a study was conducted during 2013–2014 with overall goals of characterizing the aquatic invertebrate and vegetation communities of the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge and exploring relations between these communities and various water-quality parameters. Sample sites were located along an observed vegetation gradient and assigned to three predetermined habitat zones for comparison purposes: upstream, transition, and downstream. Of the 12 species of aquatic vegetation that were identified, invasive narrowleaf cattail Typha angustifolia dominated the upstream zone (observed at >90% of sample locations), coontail Ceratophyllum demersum and narrowleaf cattail were most common in the transition zone (collected or observed at 100 and 83% of sample locations, respectively), and coontail and narrowleaf pondweed Potamogeton strictifolius were most common in the downstream zone (collected at 100 and 64% of sample locations, respectively). Measured values for the water-quality parameters varied among dates, reflecting the continually fluctuating nature of riverine systems. Based on general observations across sample dates, turbidity and dissolved oxygen concentrations were greatest in the upstream zone sample sites, while oxidation-reduction potential was greatest in the downstream zone sites. There were 115 unique aquatic invertebrate taxa identified to varying levels of taxonomic resolution. Results suggested that there were overall differences in invertebrate biomass among the sample dates, but that there were no strong trends among the sample zones. Aquatic invertebrates and vegetation communities, along with the water-quality parameters, varied temporally and showed irregular relations among the sample zones. These general observations emphasize the importance of temporally and spatially intensive sampling to account for natural variation. Moreover, short- and long-term streamflow and water-level information obtained for this study demonstrated substantial variability that must be considered when conducting biotic inventories and monitoring water quality, as well as when using such data to assess management options. Periodic monitoring of wetlands and associated streamflows, along with sediment loads and water quality of inflows, should allow Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge staff to identify habitat degradation and potential contributing factors, and to develop strategies to achieve specific management objectives and goals.


This paper deals with the redesign of a machine tool substructure which reinforces the working table of a gantry type milling machine. The original design of the reinforcing structure is a grillage structure to strengthen the working table. In order to improve the design, the cutting edge technology of topology optimization is employed to redesign the reinforcing structure. The result obtained by topology optimization shows that the redesigned topology of the reinforced structure is totally different from that of the original design. With the same material used, the stiffness and the natural frequencies of the working table are much higher than the original design. Even with a less amount of material use, the stiffness and the natural frequencies are still improved significantly.


Centrifugal compressors have a critical impact on the performance of a jet engine and can be made out of aluminum, steel, or titanium alloy. However, if made out of Ti-6Al-4V it would be more lightweight than if steel were used and stronger than if aluminum were used. Compressors manufactured using traditional techniques can be relatively expensive to manufacture, therefore, fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) can help reduce the cost while maintaining structural integrity. FDM/FFF usually prints polylactic acid (PLA) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) layer-by-layer using an extruder with a spool of material feeding into the extruder. Recently, metal-polymer filaments have become commercially available using this same printing apparatus as common "hobby-class" FDM printers. Using FDM with a metal-polymer matrix allows for a lower cost of production because of the intricate designs it can accomplish with little to no machining involved. Even with the benefits of printing a spool of material using FDM, there has been very little research done of Ti-6Al-4V printed in a FDM format. This document records the feasibility of using Ti-6Al-4V for a centrifugal compressor using FDM by incorporating a 3D structured blue light scanner before heat treatments while also analyzing manufacturing capabilities at the tips of blades as well as the base. This analysis is a first-stage to quantify FDM metal print characteristics and properties.


The growing investment by governments and electric utilities in energy efficiency programs highlights the need for simple tools to help assess and explain the size of the potential resource. One technique that is commonly used in this effort is to characterize electricity savings in terms of avoided power plants, because it is easier for people to visualize a power plant than it is to understand an abstraction such as billions of kilowatt-hours. Unfortunately, there is no standardization around the characteristics of such power plants. In this letter we define parameters for a standard avoided power plant that have physical meaning and intuitive plausibility, for use in back-of-the-envelope calculations. For the prototypical plant this article settles on a 500 MW existing coal plant operating at a 70% capacity factor with 7% T&D losses. Displacing such a plant for one year would save 3 billion kWh/year at the meter and reduce emissions by 3 million metric tons of CO2 per year. The proposed name for this metric is the Rosenfeld, in keeping with the tradition among scientists of naming units in honor of the person most responsible for the discovery and widespread adoption of the underlying scientific principle in question—Dr Arthur H Rosenfeld.


With the increase in world population and the advancement of industries, demand for power and energy has also sharply increased. Consequently, power systems are usually loaded very close to the steady state stability limit to meet this growing demand. This threatens the secure operation of power systems, therefore schemes that are more intelligent are needed to effectively handle power systems disturbances. In the event of a generation-demand imbalance caused by generator outage under frequency load shedding (UFLS) schemes are implemented. In this paper we propose an UFLS scheme based on the minimum predicted frequency and the extrapolated disturbance magnitude. Based on polynomial curve fitting techniques the future behavior of the system frequency can be predicted. A few data points soon after the disturbance are required to predict the minimum frequency the system will reach. The load to be shed can then be determined from the linear relationship between the frequency drops and load to be shed.


Literature about ingratiation has mainly focused on non-Chinese societies with a Western viewpoint, which regards ingratiation as an attraction-seeking behavior. However, the viewpoint may not reflect accurately the meanings of ingratiation in Chinese societies, because ingratiation is a culture-specific behavior. Therefore, there is a limited understanding about the natures, motives, consequences and patterns of Chinese ingratiation. Since Chinese ingratiation is an everyday and everywhere occurrence affecting every social actor in Chinese societies, it is necessary to pay much attention to Chinese ingratiation. Therefore, this article attempts to theoretically analyze Chinese ingratiation from the guanxi perspective and then propose a theoretical framework of Chinese ingratiation for further studies. According to the guanxi perspective, Chinese ingratiation is regarded as a guanxi management strategy and defined as a set of social behaviors designed to establish, maintain and promote guanxi through the exercises of renqing, mianzi and attraction. Moreover, this article proposes Chinese ingratiation has three dimensions: renqing orientation, mianzi orientation and attraction orientation. Finally, the pattern of Chinese ingratiation is identified as the follows: (1) The ingratiatory intention decreases progressively along the direction from familiar persons to family and then to strangers in normal situations and (2) renqing and mianzi orientations would be more likely to occur than attraction orientation within familiar persons; attraction and mianzi orientations would be more likely to occur than renqing orientation within family; attraction orientation would be more likely to occur than renqing and mianzi orientations within strangers.


In this article, Professor Pushaw responds to recent scholarship by Lee Epstein and Christina Wells. Epstein and Wells each wrote 2004 law review articles regarding judicial review in times of international crisis. Although they apply different methodologies, Professors Epstein and Wells agree on two key points. The first is that the Supreme Court tends to sacrifice constitutional rights and liberties during emergencies, particularly war. Epstein supports this conclusion through an empirical analysis of cases over the past sixty years. Wells offers a psychological explanation for this neglect of individual rights: Federal courts blindly defer to the President, even though he engages in "skewed risk assessment" by overestimating threats to national security (e.g., sabotage and espionage) and undervaluing liberty interests (e.g., due process and freedom of expression). The second shared proposition is that the executive should be held more accountable. Professor Epstein suggests that Congress is the only institution that realistically can perform this task. Professor Wells recognizes this potential legislative check, but doubts its efficacy because members of Congress are prone to the same warped risk assessment and political pressure as the executive branch. Hence, she recommends the additional safeguard of federal courts applying a "hard look" review that requires the President to account for his response to perceived security risks by setting forth a reasoned justification for his actions.Professor Pushaw concludes that Epstein's and Well's arguments are all perfectly reasonable. Pushaw finds Professor Epstein's arguments in particular to be persuasive. Her rigorous empirical study establishes that the Court usually under-protects constitutional rights and yields to the President during wartime. Moreover, Epstein's observation that Congress is best suited to check executive excesses comports with constitutional theory. In short, Pushaw has no major criticisms of her paper. Professor Pushaw finds Wells' ideas as more susceptible to challenge, primarily because they are so novel. No one else has identified "skewed risk assessment" as the reason for both the President's often unduly draconian policies during wartime and the typical acquiescence of Congress and the judiciary to such actions. While Wells' thesis is plausible, Pushaw suggests that another explanation is at least equally tenable: The Constitution creates political and institutional structures that lead to strong executive-branch initiative in military affairs and fairly circumscribed judicial review. Those same constitutional considerations, as well as precedent, cast doubt on the viability of Wells' "hard look" proposal and suggest that the Court will -- and should -- continue its pattern of reviewing with deference wartime claims that the President has violated individual rights.


The inflation equation, more commonly known as the Phillips curve, lies at the heart of modern macroeconomic modeling. This Keynesian relationship between inflation and unemployment discovered by Phillips (1958) soon became widely adopted by policymakers in the 1960's. However, its empirical shortcomings led to competing theories such as the natural rate hypothesis by Friedman (1968), who alongside Phelps (1967) and Lucas (1972), condemned its implications of money non neutrality. More recently, the specification has adapted to capture nominal inertia led by the New Keynesian school of Fisher (1977) and Taylor (1980), as an answer to the classical result of neutrality. The Phillips curve remains as a relationship of interest to capture the aggregate behaviour of the supply side in the economy, connecting the labour market and the pricing decisions of firms. This Thesis consists of three self contained works, each of which are set out within their own chapter but connected by the employment of the theoretical framework of this inflation equation. They attempt to answer three specific economic questions related to inflation dynamics and labour market frictions. The first analysis concerns itself with the labour market policy of the working hours restriction; specifically with the question of how this labour market policy affects unemployment in the long run. I find weak evidence of a fall in unemployment shortly after the announcement of this policy. Secondly, whether or not one can capture the different characteristics displayed by the labour markets of the US and EU using labour market frictions in the determination of inflation dynamics. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that it is indeed possible to capture these characteristics when analyzing a Phillips curve specified in terms of unemployment. Lastly the question of whether aggregate prices are better represented by controlling for heterogeneity. The results obtained lead us to infer that controlling for heterogeneity of this kind does indeed affect the dynamics of the macro model and does not wash out in the aggregate.


Conspiracy theories in American politic are as American as apple pie. Bernard Bailyn first noted in 1965 the tendency of leading advocates of independence to suspect a design by of wicked ministers of the king. What has been less commented upon was the tendency of Thomas Hutchinson and other leading loyalists to charge their opponents with similar evil doing.


PURPOSE: Transcranial magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a new development in the field of functional neurosurgery. A comprehensive review of the current literature was performed to evaluate of transcranial MRgFUS in treatment of essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Articles available in electronic databases of PubMed, and Web of Science, as of July 2016 were reviewed. The strategy included a combination of key words 'MRgFUS', 'tremor', 'Parkinson', 'brain', ' head ', 'tumor', 'transcranial' and 'focused ultrasound' in the title and abstract of the manuscripts. In addition transcranial MRgFUS systems and cost-effectiveness of treatment were assessed. Finally, the major findings are summarized. RESULTS: Fifty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria for review. Among these, 15 studies eligible for inclusion in this review. The synthesis of the data demonstrated that, transcranial MRgFUS have been successfully used for treatment of essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. Lesions were created under real-time MRI guidance, with peak temperatures of between 52° C and 63° C. Adverse events during transcranial MRgFUS reported such as headache, dizziness, vertigo, lip paresthesia, and hypogeusia. However, there were no significant treatment-related complications or side effects. At present, one of the limitations of transcranial MRgFUS is high price of treatment. However, continued advances in technology can be expected to further refine the high price market of transcranial MRgFUS. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that essential tremor and Parkinson's disease can be effectively treated with transcranial MRgFUS method. Long-term clinical data are forthcoming.


The effects of the two physical parameters, background and gap, on the perception of small colour differences (AE* < 5) were investigated by use of 248 colour-difference pairs around 21 colour centres made from painted samples. Each pair was assessed by an average of 30 times under each viewing condition using a grey-scale method and/or a paired-comparison method. From the visual data, colour-difference ellipsoids (ellipses) or tolerances were determined by use
of a logistic or a probit maximum-likelihood analysis model, or by a least-square method.

The perceived tolerance sizes along the three colour-difference directions AL*, OC1 and AH` in the CIELAB space were found to be little influenced by a change of lightness of the grey background but significantly influenced (i. e., decrease in tolerance size) by a 0.51'g ap between a pair of samples. The gap factor for the lightness component was greater than that for chroma or hue components, both the latter having similar magnitudes. This could be an explanation for the increase of the lightness relative tolerance I (or parametric factor KL) by a factor of 2 in the three modified CIELAB formulae (CMC, BFD and CIE94) for acceptability judgements, in which textile samples, having an unclear dividing line between them, are mainly used. In addition, the value of the relative tolerance Q used is thought to be practically the ratio between the lightness
and chroma tolerances.

The experimental uncertainties from non-physical parameters were also quantified. The degrees of precision (i. e., standard error) of colour measurements and observer judgements were found to be good (±4% and ±7%, respectively). The different methods of scaling and data
analysis were found to have little impact on the results.

The lightness, chroma and hue tolerances with respect to the standard colour position in the CIELAB space were studied in detail using the various existing datasets and the set from this study. The lightness tolerance showed a clear dependency upon the metric lightness for medium
to light colours, but in the case of dark colours there was a discrepancy between the datasets. Both the chroma and hue tolerances showed dependency upon both the chroma and hue-angle and not the single dependency upon the metric chroma, as assumed in the CIE94 formula.

New weighting functions were derived from the above experimental evidence, and finally a new formula, LCD (Leeds Colour Difference) was proposed. The LCD formula is nearly as simple and flexible as CIE94 but smoothes the individual weighting functions compared to CMC and BFD, especially for lightness tolerances for light colours and chromaticity discrimination near the blue region. It was also found that the reliability of the BFD formula is improved when the size of the chroma weighting function is increased by 1.5 times and the form of lightness
weighting function is made parallel to those of the other modified CIELAB formulae.


Mentoring as a form of strengthening the competencies of teachers is widely accepted in the educational system of the Republic of Macedonia. Generally, experienced teachers and those who are new perceive this process as inevitable for strengthening and retaining quality staff. The goal is to explore what teachers think about mentoring novice teachers in teaching. In line with the stated goal, we tried to answer the following questions: Are there differences in teachers' views and opinions about the mentoring process regarding their work experience? Does mentoring as a process contribute to/ for teachers' professional development? Are there differences in views and opinion of teachers for the mentoring process regarding their experience and involvement in the mentoring of novice teachers? The obtained results pointed to the weaknesses that the mentoring process in our country is facing with. Although mentoring as a process is regulated by law, in practice there are still inconsistencies in its realization, both from the aspect of the approach and from the aspect of effectiveness. The recommendation to schools is to try, in addition to mentoring, to offer other forms of support to novice teachers and to try to support the teaching profession through a continuous investment (staff and financial). © 2018 IJCRSEE. All rights reserved. (IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education Vol. 6, No. 2, 2018.


The Diabetes mellitus (DM) it is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins metabolism. The goal of this study was to analyze the process of restoration patients bearers of Diabetes mellitus type 2 with high blood pressure associated. They were evaluated 80 individuals registered and accompanied in specialized clinic. The data were obtained by the application of a form contend socioeconomic and clinical data regarding the phenomenon Restoration of the International Classification for Nursing Practice version Alpha. The results were analyzed with the software SPSS version 13.0. It was presented the descriptive statistics and confidence intervals of 95%. It was identified larger proportions of female, age mean of 59,85 years of age, marital status married, retired, low education level, low family income, advanced time diagnosis, decompensate glycemia, blood pressure values and body mass index elevated. The phenomena of restoration process with larger prevalence were: Discontinuous sleep (71,3%), increased irritability (57,5%), sensibility decreased to the external stimulus (56,3%) and to difficulty initiating the decrease of the body activity (52,5%). It was concluded that the restoration process in diabetics is strongly pledged and that presents multiple phenomena with occurrence high proportion.


Background In paediatrics, 80% of the prescribed drugs are off label or unlicensed. From previous research its known that the amount of adverse drug reactions (ADR's) in off label or unlicensed drugs are higher in comparison to drugs who are registered.1 Reporting ADR's in The Netherlands is voluntary and can be done at Lareb, the Dutch national network for collecting and investigating ADR's. We aim to determine the quantity of reported and missed ADR's in paediatric medium care wards in an aca-demic hospital in The Netherlands. Methods Retrospective study of all patients who were hospitalised in June 2016 on the paediatric medium care ward in an academic hospital. Two researchers in-dependently looked at discrepancy in the numbers of ADR's which were reported in the medical file by medical doctors (MD's), and the number of ADR's the researchers found based on the medical file. MD's working at the ward were not informed about the study. Results 323 patients were hospitalised in June 2016; 310 patients received one or more drugs. 57 ADR's (possible ADR's included) were reported in the medical file by MD's. The researchers found 67 'missed' ADR's by reading the medical files. In total, 67 children (21.6%) suffered from one or more ADR's (reported ADR's and missed ADR's added together). None of the ADR's reported in the medi-cal file by MD's, was reported to Lareb (the Dutch national network for collecting and investigating ADR's). Conclusion more than 50% of (possible) ADR's are not reported in the medical file. Possible explanations are: 1) the poor training in ADR recognition, 2) MD's think expected ADR's don't need to be reported, and 3) MD's may have struggle admitting ADR's because they feel like causing them by prescribing the drug.


ABSTRACT An overview is presented of the recent advancements in research activities conducted to evaluate mosquito traps, insecticide-impregnated targets baited with combinations of attractants, and strategies for using mass trapping techniques for adult mosquito population management. Technologies that use semiochemicals (attractants), traps and targets, and mass trapping are relatively new for management of adult mosquito populations. To date, emphasis has been placed primarily on developing barriers of attractant-baited and insecticide-impregnated targets. The most successful continuous use of this type of technology has been at Stevens' Landing, Collier County, Florida. Recently, commercially available traps have been evaluated for their ability to reduce nuisance populations of mosquitoes. Whereas use of Mosquito MagnetTM Pro (MM-Pro) traps along a nature trail on an isolated island (Atsena Otie) in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in a significant reduction in annoyance caused by the black salt-marsh mosquito, Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (Wied.), a perimeter of the same traps did not result in the same level of mosquito reduction in a residential area in Gainesville, FL.


A bis-sulphur silane (BTESPT) was used to produce thin protective layers on AA2024- T3, a structural aluminium alloy widely used in the aeronautic industry, being the coatings analysed ex-situ by ellipsometry. Despite a slight degree of film anisotropy evidenced by measurements at different angles of incidence, an optical model of a single homogeneous phase could be employed to describe the silane based layer. The information obtained allowed to characterize the influence of the operational deposition parameters on the film thickness and structural organization of the silane phase (evaluated by its optical absorption). It is shown that the silane concentration of the solution and immersion time determine the final thickness of the formed layer while the curing time does not affect significantly this parameter. On the other hand, it was observed a marked decrease of the optical absorption of the coatings submitted to curing temperatures of at least 100°C, which should be ascribed to a structural reorganization phenomena induced by the removal of water molecules from the film. The data gathered by ellipsometry were successfully corroborated by independent surface profilometry analysis of the films.


Every year, in Spain 18,000 new cases of lung cancer (LC) are diagnosed. Approximately, 80-90% LC in men and women are directly attributable to tobacco abuse. Cigarette smoke contains over 300 chemicals, 40 of which are known to be potent carcinogens. In the last decade, as in Spain, prevalence of smoking in women has generally increased in the European Union. LC risk can be substantially reduced after smoking cessation, yet never reaches baseline. On the other hand, environmental tobacco smoke exposure (passive smoking) in nonsmokers appears to have a significantly increased risk of LC. An updated of etiology factors of LC, risk related to duration as well as intensity of smoking, relationship between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and LC risk, genetic predisposition and a variety of occupational and environmental exposures implicated as potential risk factors for the development of LC will be reviewed here.


Resources, the way they are defined in management, cover anything tangible or intangible. They are the most critical inputs for production in a firm when we consider it as a production unit. The Resource dependency theory (RDT) and the Resource based theory (RBV) were developed on the premise that resources which are valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable (VRIN) provide the path to competitive advantage when the dependencies on these were managed effectively. Firms are heterogeneous because they possess different bundles of such VRIN like resources. Of late there has been a realization that both RDT and RBV are Axiomatic in application and conceptual understanding but are extremely difficult to prove empirically. The reason for this has been that resources as defined are not linked to productive services as is necessary if a firm is to be viewed as a production unit. To elaborate further, this linkage must prove how the competitive advantage is achieved, sustained and how innovation impacts this ability to maintain such advantage. Incorporating answers to all these questions, we propose an integrated Resource based view of the firm. We take a Penrosian view and show how resources are treated as bundles of services. We show how technology interacts with strategy of a firm to generate alternate and more effective ways of delivering the same services or generate substitutes. We show that a productive service follows the same evolutionary path as technology with varying timelines between stages based on how new or substitute services emerge and get adopted. By proposing this integrated theory we hope to settle the age old and persisting problem of empirical assessment of any application of Resource based view including dependency. By doing so we hope that extension of these theories is facilitated.


A novel hepatitis-associated virus, hepatitis G virus (HGV) has recently been identified. The virus is known to be parenterally transmitted and has been found frequently in subjects chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We investigated the seroprevalence of HGV infection in 91 Egyptians infected with hepatitis C and/or B virus including 52 patients with chronic liver disease and 39 asymptomatic subjects. A newly developed immunoassay was used to detect antibody to HGV envelope protein E2. The overall prevalence of anti-HGV in study subjects was 34.1%. Hepatitis G virus antibody was more frequent in patients with chronic liver disease (36.4%-43.9%) than in asymptomatic persons (23.1%). Analysis of demographic features, risk factors and clinical history of the study population revealed that older age and history of schistosomiasis were the factors significantly associated with anti-HGV positivity. The study demonstrated that HGV is highly prevalent in individuals infected with other parenterally transmitted hepatitis viruses. The impact of such observation rises in view of the endemicity of hepatitis C and B viruses in Egypt.


We first give an example of a negatively associated measure which does not satisfy the van den Berg-Kesten inequality. Next we show that the class of measures satisfying the van den Berg-Kesten inequality is not closed under either of conditioning, introduction of external fields or convex combinations. Finally we show that this class also includes measure which have rank sequence which is not logconcave.


Multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) systems are under intense investigation for high bit rate wireless communications systems. Their equalization is based on the fast Fourier transform, allowing for an efficient implementation. Iterative receivers with joint detection and decoding have been shown to achieve very good performance for direct-sequence (DS)-CDMA systems. We apply this concept to MC-CDMA, the multiuser detector is implemented as parallel interference canceller with post-minimum mean squared error filtering. In this contribution a new pilot based channel estimation scheme based on random time sequences is developed. The presented simulation results for a multi path scenario show, that in a fully loaded system with 64 users the single user bound can be approached up to 1 dB. A bit error rate (BER) of 10/sup -3/ is reached already at an E/sub b//N/sub 0/ of 12 dB with a 4 state, rate 1/2 convolutional code.


Rockwell Collins, a world leader in the design, production, and support of communications and aviation electronics solutions for commercial and government customers, recently funded a benchmarking study. The study aimed to improve the ability of Rockwell Collins' applications development department to deliver software solutions to its internal customers. The deliverables from this study included current performance, recommendations for improvement, and a database containing the department's historical project performance.


The study is dealing with the evolution and the current patterns on marriage and family formation in Greece, as well as the related young population matters, by analyzing the demographic trends during the Post World War II, the temporary attitudes and behavior, especially of young people and the socio-economic factors associated with these trends. To meet these tasks, secondary and survey data are employed, demographic indicators are constructed and descriptive plus non parametric statistics are used. The similarities and differences across Europe are identified as Greece is partly following the southeastern demographic pattern and attitudes towards marriage and family formation, but also the particularities even from the other Mediterranean-Southern countries. The demographic and attitudinal differences among societies are due to the different time period that each of these passed through the certain phases of social and economic transformations


Auxillary bud cultures of two cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cultivars, UWI-1 and UWI-2, were subjected to salt stress using levels of crude sea salt varying from 0 g to 10 g L-1. Plantlets were allowed to develop and grow for eight weeks and shoot height, number of nodes and branches, levels of proline in leaf, stem, and root, levels of protein, soluble carbohydrate, Na and K in shoot (leaf plus stem) and root, and the activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase in the root and shoot were measured. Salinity levels up to 4 g L-1 were tolerated by cv. UWI-1 while cv. UWl-2 was tolerant up to 6 g L-1. Low concentrations of salts increased the proline content in the stem and leaf but not in the root. Concomitant with this, the levels of soluble carbohydrates decreased in the roots while there was not much change in the protein content. The levels of Na and K also increased. The activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase decreased in the shoot while in the roots, the activity was not affected or in some cases it increased. The present results indicated that in the two cassava cultivars, UWI-1 and UWl-2, salt stress was countered by increased influx of K and synthesis of proline and increased synthesis of carbohydrates in the shoot. It appears that cv. UWI-2 is more tolerant to salt stress than cv. UWI-1.


Poverty among workers is a perennial problem. Recently there has been much interest in the idea of living wages. As mechanisms to increase wages above the 'poverty line', living wages present an alternative to New Labour's 'making work pay' strategy; a combination of minimum wage regulation and means-tested, in-work relief. Through a comparison of living wages and the 'making work pay' strategy this paper critically examines both by focusing upon the aims of the two strategies, their ability to deliver higher incomes to workers and their families, and the assumptions upon which the two strategies are based. The paper demonstrates that while the 'making work pay' strategy is more sensitive to need than living wages, outside of wider changes in the social relations of capital and gender, the two strategies are similar in buttressing capitalism and institutionalizing stereotypes of women as dependants and carers.


This textbook will be designed for fixed-income securities courses taught on MSc Finance and MBA courses. There is currently no suitable text that offers a 'Hull-type' book for the fixed income student market. This book aims to fill this need. The book will contain numerous worked examples, excel spreadsheets, with a building block approach throughout. A key feature of the book will be coverage of both traditional and alternative investment strategies in the fixed-income market, for example, the book will cover the modern strategies used by fixed-income hedge funds. The text will be supported by a set of PowerPoint slides for use by the lecturer First textbook designed for students written on fixed-income securities - a growing market Contains numerous worked examples throughout Includes coverage of important topics often omitted in other books i.e. deriving the zero yield curve, deriving credit spreads, hedging and also covers interest rate and credit derivatives


The purpose of this master's thesis is to develop two Lean tools that support the daily
 operations at The Department of Radiology at the Hospital of Southern Jutland. The tools are
 respectively a model for mapping processes and a model for performance measurement and
 evaluation that support tactical follow-up by department management.
 In the beginning of 2007, the hospital management launched a comprehensive strategic plan
 encompassing 12 strategic goals to be fulfilled at the end of the year 2009, and thereby
 requiring each department to commence a series of initiatives in order to satisfy these
 demands. The Department of Radiology was at first focusing on ways to improve operations
 by using Lean principles. The analysis of operations should help management and employees
 to a better overview while identifying waste in work processes.
 In cooperation with external advisors from IPU/DTU a model capable of describing the
 complex work-, cross functional- and patient related processes that takes place at a Radiology
 Department, was developed. The purpose of the workflow model is to differentiate the work
 processes in operations. The workflow model indicates shifts in competences in four
 competency areas: Patient contact, back-office, IT and support systems, and co-workers. This
 subdivision is vital in order for the staff to be able to visualize a complex workflow. The
 mapping process will therefore be used as an example of best practice in the department. In
 the future these workflows could also be used as a starting point for a further streamlining of
 internal processes in the department.
 As support for daily operations in a working environment where personnel is facing
 constantly changing demands from society, the management requested a model for
 measuring and evaluating performance. The model is intended to function as a guideline for
 the tactical follow-up in the department. The model should contain overall performance
 parameters for the department, and be capable of evaluating individual performance. As a
 result of this management should obtain a starting point for handling operations by using
 known production methods, also enabling management to identify areas where optimization
 is necessary.
 The performance measurement model is developed as an interactive website, where the user
 navigates through Key Performance Indicators and workflows, providing the opportunity for
 employees to select performance measurements of interest. By using a website, management
 can easily get an overview of processes requiring attention. Furthermore, by implementing
 the website as part of the existing intranet at the hospital, employees can be given access to
 performance indicators, measurements and evaluations. An initiative of this kind will most
 likely imbue employees with the sense that making an extra effort does matter. By
 comprising all Lean initiatives in an interactive web based solution, the health care sector
 will be better prepared to cope with an ever-increasing demand for higher performance.


Ecosystems consist of pairwise relationships that determine the characteristics of communities. Host-pathogen relationships are unique in ecological communities since hosts can also be considered as an ecosystem in which commensal microorganisms, parasites and host tissues compete for resources. At all ecosystem levels, resource availability produces bottom-up effects that can determine the outcome of competitive interactions. Nutrients are key resources due to their ability to influence life-history. Theories such as nutritional geometry provide a framework for the investigation of nutrient interactions with life-history traits. Insect models are common due to their economic importance as pests as well as some similarities with human biology, hence much of what is known about nutrition and immunity comes from insects. Using the Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its natural pathogen Xenorhabdus nematophilus (Enterobacteriaceae) as a model system, this thesis investigates the influence of host nutrition on pathogen virulence and host resistance/tolerance. Findings confirmed the role of dietary protein intake on S. littoralis resistance against pathogens (Chapter 2) and indicated possible carbohydrate-use by the caterpillar to tolerate infection (Chapter 3). Dietary macronutrient intake altered the proportion of key nutrient groups in the haemolymph as well as concentrations of individual nutrients (Chapter 4). Both in vitro and in vivo, X. nematophilus exploited host carbohydrates for growth, indicating direct competition for host resources (Chapters 3 & 5). In vitro assays also revealed direct inhibition of bacterial growth by host haemolymph protein (Chapter 5). Altogether these results allude to a greater significance for the self-medication behaviour displayed by S. littoralis during infection.


The article presents a review of literature sources covering possibilities of peiforming in situ aortofemoral reconstructions in surgical treatment of infected aortofemoral grafts. This methodology makes it possible to improve the outcomes of treatment for paraprosthetic infection at the expense of decreasing lethality and morbidity, increasing parameters of patency of grafts and lower limb salvage in the remote postoperative period. Mention should be made that in situ secondary aortofemoral reconstructions are fraught with danger of relapsing paraprosthetic infection, therefore many publications are dedicated to search for prostheses most resistant to infection. The article also presents the results of works devoted to the use of various types of prostheses for in situ secondary aortofemoral reconstructions: prostheses made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), synthetic grafts saturated with various antibacterial drugs and gelatine, cadaveric allografts, synthetic prostheses treated with silver ions, autovenous conduits based on the femoral and popliteal veins.


Although Persian is the official language in Iran, legal provisions are available for the use of minority languages in the media. Recent scholarship describes 'Persianization' as the 'building block' of language policy, overlooking the use of minority languages in official media. This paper examines the scope of this minority language provision in the television programs broadcasted by the state in Kurdistan. It illustrates the use of translation and bilingualism working alongside official monolingualism, calling into question the issue of Persianization. The article first describes the use of non-Persian languages in Iranian state media and shows their proportion vis-a-vis official Persian. Second, it examines the use of Kurdish and the weight of translation in the television programs under study. Advocating translational justice, the paper calls for a clear translation policy and more translation to be offered for programs broadcasted for Kurdish minorities to ensure equal access to media.


Abstract Differentiation of Blattella asahinai Mizukubo, Blattella vaga Hebard, and Blattella germanica (L.) was investigated using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). DNA fragments corresponding to mitochondrial CO1, CO1/TL2 (small and large fragments), and ITS2 regions were amplified using PCR. The universal primers used for amplifying mitochondrial CO1 and CO1/TL2 (small and large fragments) were CO1-J-1718/CO1-N-2191, CO1-J-2441/TL2-N-3014, and CO1-J-1751/TL2-N-3014. Amplification was observed with all primer combinations, but diagnostic patterns were found only with Alu I digested amplicons of CO1 and CO1/TL2 (large fragments) regions. Both inter/intraspecific polymorphism was observed for the 517 bp CO1 region between German (A, B) and Asian (A, B, C) cockroach populations. Polymorphic form B of the Asian cockroach (374 and 179 bp fragments) was nearly identical to the field cockroach (370 and 178 bp fragments). The CO1 amplicon (517 bp) differentiated German and field cockroaches but not Asian and field cockroaches. The CO1/TL2 amplicons (1275 bp) digested with Alu I clearly differentiated all three species. The Asian cockroach had a distinct 540 bp fragment, whereas the field cockroach had a 403 bp fragment and the German cockroach lacked both fragments. Intraspecific polymorphs for CO1/TL2 amplicons (1275 bp) were observed with the German cockroach only. Portions of the CO1 and TL2 genes were sequenced, revealing 76% identity among German, Asian, and field cockroaches. Sequence data also revealed that German and Asian cockroaches were more closely related to each other than to the field cockroach.


The work presents the study of changes in the physical and mechanical properties of sea ice in bending. Strength limit σ в and deformation module Е в of ice under bending are conditional mechanical characteristics of sea ice. These characteristics do not reflect the actual stress state of ice destruction at the time. The ratio of the module to the strength limit Е в /σ в determines the relative radius of curvature of neutral layer in the place of ice destruction. It is shown that this ratio increases with the increase of ice temperature. Dependencies for determining of Е в and σ в of sea ice that generalize the experimental data are obtained.


W"Includes the plays The Pope and the Witch and The First Miracle of the Boy Jesus Two plays by the winner of the 1997 Nobel prize for Literature and one of Europe's greatest comic writers. For over thirty years Dario Fo has led the field in political satire. Capitalism, imperialism, the church and government corruption are the main targets in his anarchic farces."


Patient–centered care (PCC) is increasingly recognized as a key dimension of quality healthcare, but unfortunately remains poorly implemented in practice. This paper explores the current state of PCC in sub-Saharan Africa and potential barriers to its implementation, with a focus on public first line health services. We develop an analytical framework based on expert knowledge, field experience, and a conceptual literature review. Factors contributing to the (lack of) implementation of PCC are structured in three distinct but interacting layers. The first layer encompasses factors that influence and shape the performance of providers.  The training of health workers is key in that respect. Training models remain dominated by a biomedical perspective, with little attention for psychosocial dimensions of the illness experience. The second layer of determinants relates to the structural and organizational features of the health system. The emphasis in many African health care systems on specific programmatic outputs, and the subsequent pressure this creates on health workers,  jeopardize the delivery of PCC. The third layer is related to the broader socioeconomic environment in which health workers operate. Noteworthy is the gap between the "official" norms in the public sector and the actual behavior of providers. We then propose  possible avenues for change for each of these three layers. We conclude by arguing the need for further fine-tuning of the framework outlined in this paper, investing in the contextual validation of measurement tools for PCC, and testing solutions in a participatory action research framework.


The way how to decrease human victims in a disaster could be attempted before a disaster happened such as socializations and education to improve community awareness. This research used the descriptive qualitative method with an in-depth interview, observation, and documentation to collect data. The informants were collected as represented disaster mitigation institutions from Banyumas government and people who live in affected natural disaster areas. The result of this research shows that a s a district that frequently stricken by disaster, Banyumas government already gave several things to prevent the casualty . The preventive action that government did such as the installation of an early warning system technology, socialization about thedisaster, even regular security about the current situation. C ommunication regarding disaster does not leave the traditional communication media that already use by Banyumas society since long time ago. The traditional media are folk performance such as Gagrak Banyumasan shadows puppet and Banyumasan Gendingand . The folk performance could be as a complement media to educate people about the disaster , it would be easier for Banyumas society to understand because of the local language. For the tools of traditional communication media in this community such as kenthongan and bedug could be used as an early warning replacement, especially if the early warning system technology could not running well . The sound from these tools also could be symbolized security situation in this community. Basically, all of the traditional communication media are still needed by society in Banyumas area, included information sharing about disaster prevention.


Nowadays 40-50 % of the patients receive inappropriate antibiotic treatment. Evidence based recommendations are not considered and there is an increasing burden of resistant pathogens. Therefore, standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be implemented considering guidelines and resistant species in the specific ICU. The authors developed algorithms and generated a user friendly computer program available for all ICU physicians all the time.


Harold B. Carter, Sir Joseph Banks 1743-1820. British Museum (Natural History), London, 1988. Pp. 671. £45.00. ISBN 0 565 009931. Harold B. Carter, Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820): a guide to biographical and bibliographical sources. St Paul's Bibliographies, Winchester, 1987. Pp. 328. £45.00. ISBN 0906795 451. Judith Diment and C.J. Humphries (ed.), Banks' Florilegium: a publication in 34 parts of 738 copperplate engravings of plants collected on Captain Cook's first voyage. Alecto Historical Editions, London, 1980-88. About £147,000. Patrick O'Brian, Joseph Banks: a life. Collins Harvill, London, 1988. Pp. 328. £15.00. ISBN 0002173506. £6.95 pbk. ISBN 0002723409. Like moths round a flame, historians of science have a habit of clustering round particular key pivotal figures. They scrutinize their published works with ever closer and closer attention; they disinter their drafts and journals and letters; they argue endlessly about what exactly was meant, where the ideas came from and what happened when. The most salient of these scholarly 'industries' are those devoted to Darwin and Newton, each of them sufficiently epoch-making in what they thought and wrote to act as a lure for the more philosophical as well as for those whose primary relish is for the basic excavating. The latter, indeed, is all-important: a full-scale historical 'industry' can scarcely arise if the material calling for study has all along been fully in print. There needs to be a great deal as well buried out of sight, which, once revealed, is capable of modifying the received interpretations and thereby engendering continuing debate.


It is proposed a new methodology for calculating safety factors in triaxial casing design, regarding Ultimate Limit State (ULS) models. The definition of an equivalent axial force allows an unified graphical approach, in which both ULS and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) envelopes are represented in the same space. A review of the ULS casing design proposed in the API TR 5C3 (2008) standard is presented, and some considerations are made on the usage of Klever-Stewart and Kever-Tamano models. Both are defined for combined load analysis but are not effective for triaxial casing design routine, for they only compare the applied internal/external pressures to the design limit. Thus, two additional limit states are verified: axial and triaxial. Furthermore, the ULS envelopes (Klever-Stewart and Klever-Tamano) are plotted in the same load space as the SLS envelopes, allowing for an analysis on both limit states in a single graphic. During studies of the Klever-Stewart and Klever-Tamano formulations it was verified that, despite both being combined models (the external/internal pressure and axial load influence the internal/external pressure resistance), the consideration of their uniaxial safety factors might not be enough to ensure if the tubular is about to fail. There are some special load cases where other failures might occur prior to burst/collapse. The ULS envelopes are revisited, using the very same equations proposed by the API TR 5C3 (2008), but in a different load space, which also allows the representation of SLS envelopes, providing a complete evaluation of the tubular strength against the load scenario. The studies also revealed some drawbacks inherent to the Klever-Stewart and Klever-Tamano models, as the existence of inadmissible pressure resistance beyond the axial ultimate tensile strength. The new paradigm of ULS is challenging and it is not well established in terms of design practice. In the light of this, it is presented a new methodology for computing safety factors in ULS analysis, effectively comparing them to the SLS approach, in order to support the decision-making process in casing design and the well integrity verification.


Cyanogn bromide peptides derived from bovine type III collagen and containing reducible cross-links were isolated and identified. Two peptides, alpha 1 (III)CB7 and alpha 1 (III)CB9B, from within the helical portion of the molecule were shown to contain the 'amino donor' residues cross-linked to non-helical 'aldehyde donor' residues in the formation of cross-links. This information, in conjunction with previously published data for the order of the cyanogen bromide peptides [Fietzek, Allman, Rauterberg & Wachter (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 84-86], suggests that in type III collagen intermolecular cross-links are located in the end-overlap regions, so as to stabilize a quarter-stagger arrangement of molecules within the fibre in a similar manner to that proposed for type I and type II collagens.


Purpose:This study evaluates the visual, refractive, perimetric, and intraocular pressure (IOP) results following combined phacoemulsification, lens implantation, and trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. Methods:Twenty-nine consecutive eyes of 26 patients with cataract and glaucoma that had undergone combined phacoemulsification, posterior chamber lens implantation, and limbus-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C applied after the cataract removal and trabeculectomy had a minimal follow-up time of 12 months (mean follow-up 20 ± 6.3 months). Each eye was evaluated for visual acuity, corneal astigmatism. IOP, bleb persistence, optic nerve stability, visual field status, and complications. Goldmann visual fields were assessed by a semi-quantitative method and threshold static perimetry by statistical indices of diffuse damage (mean deviation) and focal loss (corrected pattern standard deviation). The preoperative and postoperative results were compared by Student's t-test. Results:All eyes that were free of pre-existing macular disease demonstrated significant improvement in visual acuity by at least 4.5 lines of Snellen acuity. Postoperative astigmatism was negligible (0.29 diopters). The average IOP reduction was 6.5 mm Hg, with the one year or more average of 13.4 mm Hg on virtually no antiglaucoma medicines (0.2 ± 0.5). Functioning filtering blebs persisted in 86% of eyes. Of 11 patients tested with pre- and postoperative Goldmann perimetry, only two showed visual field defect progression despite IOPs <15 mm Hg. Of the 12 eyes with pre- and postoperative static threshold perimetry, the mean deviation deteriorated in nine eyes (p = 0.003). The corrected pattern standard deviation changes were not statistically significant (p = 0.69). Complications (including two cases of late-onset endophthalmitis) were comparable with other studies reporting filtration surgery with adjunctive antimetabolites. We detected no untoward effects of applying the mitomycin at the end of the procedure rather than at the beginning. Conclusions:The combined procedure technique that we describe appears to be effective at restoring visual acuity and significantly reducing IOP. Nevertheless, many visual fields showed continued, diffuse glaucomatous progression in the year or two following surgery and the development of late endophthalmitis in two eyes is a concern.


A typical semi-supervised learning-based scheme is based on training a single model for labeled data. For unlabeled data, it uses the pseudo-labeling method to obtain labels. However, the samples during pseudo-labeling are often filtered using a probability threshold, which suffers from the challenge of effective threshold selection. In the case of a high probability threshold, correct samples may not be labeled, and in the case of a low threshold, samples can be wrongly labeled. This threshold issue degrades the overall performance of the model. This paper addresses this vital issue by proposing a novel approach of SSL named Binary-Classifiers-Enabled Filters for Semi-Supervised Learning (BSSL) for labeling the unlabeled data by using binary classifiers as data filters. That is, we train binary classifiers dedicated to each class. After training, we propose three methods for labeling the unlabeled data; cascading, non-cascading, and rank-based binary classifiers. Our extensive experiment shows rank-based binary classifiers are the best choice for labeling the data. Our approach eliminates threshold selection to improve the performance of the model. Comprehensive experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a variety of domains, including image classification, text classification and audio classification, datasets including MNIST, fashion-MNIST, EuroSat, ESC10, Free Spoken Digit dataset, Audio Emotion recognition, reuter and mice protein dataset. Rank based binary classifiers (BSSL) approach achieves absolute performance of atleast 10% and 5% over supervised learning(SL) and SSL, respectively on audio datasets in different number of sample cases except RAVDESS dataset. Moreover, BSSL shows tremendous performance on image datasets specifically when number of samples is very small. Overall, BSSL outperformed the purely supervised learning approach and SSL pseudo-labeling approaches in different number of samples cases.


Background: Complex temporal variations in coronary deaths, including diurnal, weekly, and seasonal trends, have been reported worldwide. Objective: To describe the magnitude of seasonal changes in coronary artery deaths in New South Wales, Australia. Design: Hospital morbidity data, mortality statistics, and meteorological data were modelled using time series techniques to determine seasonality of coronary deaths. Data were also analysed to determine whether there was an increase in deaths before or after the Christmas and New Year holidays. Results: A clear seasonality of coronary deaths was shown, with a peak in July. A mean of 2.8 excess coronary deaths per 100 deaths was estimated to occur from June to August each year, with a mean annual excess of 224 winter deaths a year. Mortality data did not show an increase in coronary death ratios before (p = 0.626) or after (p = 0.813) the Christmas and New Year holidays in December. Conclusions: There is a higher incidence of coronary deaths in winter, which may reflect winter respiratory infections, the direct effect of cold, seasonal changes in lipid concentration, and other factors associated with winter. Hospitals should have contingency plans during the winter months to manage larger numbers of cardiac admissions.


This study aimed to examine the effect of institutional ownership, independent commissioner and holding company on return on assets. The test results on a sample of 40 construction companies from 2014 to 2017 using regression analysis. Institutional ownership and independent commissioners had no effect on return on assets, while holding company had a significant effect on returns on assets in construction companies in IDX. When simultaneous testing of the three independent variables above had a significant effect on the dependent variable. The coefficient of determination is 16.2% which shows that the researchd capital framework is not good enough to explain the dependent variable.


Male strain A/J mice were exposed for 6 h per day, 5 days per week to a mixture of 89% cigarette sidestream smoke and 11% mainstream smoke. Total suspended particulate concentrations were 137 mg/m(3). In experiment 1, animals were exposed for 5 months to tobacco smoke and given a 4 month recovery period in air. Lung tumor multiplicity was 2.4 and incidence 89%. Animals exposed to filtered air had 1.0 tumor per lung (65% incidence). In animals kept for 5 months in smoke, removed into air and then fed a diet containing a mixture of myoinositol and dexamethasone, tumor multiplicity was 1.0 and incidence was 62%. These values were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than in animals exposed to smoke and identical to values seen in controls. In animals fed a diet containing 250 mg/kg each of phenethyl isothiocyanate and benzyl isothiocyanate during the entire 9 months, lung tumor multiplicity was 2.1 and incidence 96%, not significantly different from animals exposed to smoke and fed control diet. In experiment 2, animals were exposed for 5 months to smoke, followed by a 4 month recovery period in air and were fed during the entire period a diet containing either D-limonene or 1, 4-phenylenebis(methylene)selenoisocyanate (p-XSC). In animals exposed to tobacco smoke and fed control diet, lung tumor multiplicity was 2.8, whereas in the animals fed D-limonene it was 2. 6 and in the animals fed p-XSC it was 2.4. The differences to the controls were statistically not significant. It was concluded that myoinositol-dexamethasone successfully prevents the development of tobacco smoke-induced lung tumors even if administered when the animals have 'quit' smoking. On the other hand, agents otherwise shown to prevent lung tumor formation following administration of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone or benzo[a]pyrene were ineffective against tobacco smoke.