This article presents a reflective account of how and why the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) were used in doctoral research to explore the phenomenon of competence for social work practice. Research that is hermeneutic in nature situates power and influence with the researcher and therefore careful selection of method and a reflexive approach are essential. For an insider-practitioner researcher, who aims to consider perspectives of lived experience, the hearing of and theorisation from participants' voice is paramount. Therefore when designing research consideration is required to ensure alignment and coherence between the research questions, methodology and method to be able to hear voice, to work toward generating credible insights and to draw conclusions that the professional community will find value in. This article explores how IPA was adapted to enable engagement with the depth and breadth of co-constructed qualitative data. This adaptation included drawing upon the phenomenological principles of hermeneutic circling and bracketing, resulting in the development of an individualised three stage data analysis model. This model is illustrated by way of a flow chart and is presented to encourage the novice researcher to have confidence to personalise method to meet the needs of their own research project.


Case report: We present the case of a 54-year-old woman with papilledema associated to POEMS syndrome. The presence of intracranial hypertension was detected and treatment started with acetazolamide. Discussion: The most common ophthalmological pathology in POEMS syndrome is papilledema, the etiology of which could be infiltrative, intracranial hypertension, inflammation or an increase of the vascular permeability. The correct diagnosis and treatment of papilledema, depending on its etiology, should permit an acceptable visual outcome to be achieved (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2008; 83: 709712).


Accurate closed-form approximations to the sum of independent identically distributed eta-mu and kappa-mu random variables are provided. The proposed approximations turn out to be simple, precise, and useful for obtaining important performance metrics of communications systems where sums of variates arise. In particular, average bit error rate and level crossing rate of multibranch equal-gain combining receivers are attained to illustrate the applicability of the approximations. Some sample examples show that the intricate exact solution and the simple approximate expressions yield results that are almost indistinguishable from each other.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a self-criticism intervention addressing the link between appearance-motivated social media use and eating disorder risk. Another condition, designed to help users curate their social media feed to reduce negative impacts on wellbeing, was also trialed as an active and credible comparison.

METHOD
University students aged 17-25 (N = 170) were screened and randomized (n = 130) to the self-criticism intervention, social media curation, or waitlist control group. The intervention comprised self-guided cognitive behavior therapy delivered in four modules over 1 week. Primary outcomes were feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes were appearance motivations for social media use, appearance comparison, self-criticism, body image flexibility, and disordered eating (at baseline, one-week postrandomization, and two-weeks postrandomization).

TRIAL REGISTRATION
ACTRN12621000353897.

RESULTS
Participants completed an average of 82% of the intervention modules and 77% of the homework exercises within the week allocated. The intervention was well-accepted; participants reported a range of positive aspects, alongside suggested modifications to the intervention and study design to improve acceptability. Group by time interactions suggested groups changed at a different rate on three secondary outcomes; between-groups effect sizes suggested this was due to greater improvements in the self-criticism group than waitlist control.

DISCUSSION
This was the first study to evaluate an intervention for the link between appearance-related social media use and eating disorder risk for young adults. Positive findings relating to feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy suggest a larger randomized controlled trial, with modifications to the intervention and study design, is warranted.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE
Appearance-related social media use has been linked to poorer body image and disordered eating, necessitating treatments that can disrupt this relationship. The self-criticism intervention evaluated in this study shows promise as a strategy to address this need. It is the first intervention focused on appearance-related social media use to be designed for and tested in young adults, who are at heightened risk of developing an eating disorder.


Acicular nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA) was used to make a new biomaterial composite with polycarbonate by a novel technique. The physical and chemical characteristics of the composites were tested. It was found that the synthesized n-HA crystals were similar to bone apatite in size, phase composition and crystal structure. The TEM results indicated the biomimetic n-HA crystals were uniformly distributed in the polymer matrix. Chemical inter-action between inorganic n-HA and polycarbonate was investigated and discussed. These results indicate that the composite fulfills the basic requirement of bone substitute material, and has the potential for clinical applications.


The coffee has an economic prospective for Bengkulu PDRB since it is regional key commodity. But limitation of capital, production technology, and market information have made this business on stagnation condition. The research is aimed to elaborate the economic scale of coffee processing at Bengkulu Municipal. Processing coffee industries at Bengkulu city face with finacial, production technology and market information burdens,generally. Its later affect to the industrys' economic scale Commonly, the processoris stil in decreasing return to scale,where the optimalitation on production factors usage could lead the processor to optimal capacity of production Key words: e conomic s cale, c ost s tructure, c offe e processor


Book synopsis: Slave Portraiture in the Atlantic World is the first book to focus on the individualized portrayal of enslaved people from the time of Europe's full engagement with plantation slavery in the late sixteenth century to its final official abolition in Brazil in 1888. While this period saw the emergence of portraiture as a major field of representation in Western art, 'slave' and 'portraiture' as categories appear to be mutually exclusive. On the one hand, the logic of chattel slavery sought to render the slave's body as an instrument for production, as the site of a non-subject. Portraiture, on the contrary, privileged the face as the primary visual matrix for the representation of a distinct individuality. Essays address this apparent paradox of 'slave portraits' from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives, probing the historical conditions that made the creation of such rare and enigmatic objects possible and exploring their implications for a more complex understanding of power relations under slavery


Metals are typically good conductors in which the abilities to transport charge and to transport heat can be related through the Wiedemann–Franz law. Here we report on an abnormal charge and heat transport in polycrystalline metallic nanostructures in which the ability to transport charge is weakened more obviously than that to transport heat. We attribute it to the influence of the internal grain boundaries and have formulated a novel relation to predict the thermal conductivity. The Wiedemann–Franz law is then modified to account for the influence of the grain boundaries on the charge and heat transport with the predictions now agreeing well with the measured results.


Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this chapter is to help library managers and administrators understand the core processes of project management and how adopting a project management mindset as an approach to library administration can help libraries more efficiently achieve the goals and objectives outlined in their strategic plans and to simultaneously grow library leaders, at all levels of the organization.

Methodology/approach
The chapter is a combination of general overview, literature review, and conceptual paper. It will begin by discussing the basics of project management and project management processes, the shell, that makes project management such a valuable management tool to help guide staff through work processes. Next will be sections focusing on core literature resources for further understanding the value of project management and the project management mindset, both from the library and non-library literature. Relevant library literature presented will highlight the portions of the literature that tie to the core project management process and its value as a managerial, strategic planning, and leadership building tool. This will be followed by a slightly more in-depth examination of project management processes, followed by a section detailing the practical benefits to libraries. The chapter will end by summarizing the benefits of utilizing project management as a managerial tool and ties into the overall concept of employing a Project Management Mindset as one's approach to management or administration.

Practical implications
Practical implications to embracing a Project Management Mindset in libraries include improving efficiency, realizing goals and objectives tied to strategic plans, and building staff knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. The ideas gleaned from this chapter can be applied in any library type: academic, public, special, or school.

Originality/value
Library literature related to project management is solid, but generally focuses on processes and tools, and often has an IT focus. This chapter fills a gap in literature geared specifically to managers and administrators and focuses less on specifics and more on the higher-level benefits organizations such as libraries can gain from project management as well as the benefits to the library profession as a whole by increasing employee skills, knowledge, and leadership.


This research examined the adoption of indoor location-based services in Norway. By expanding the Technology Acceptance Model TAM, a research model, known as the mobile services acceptance model, was used. Based on the research model, seven research hypotheses were presented. The proposed research model and hypotheses were empirically tested using data collected from a survey of users of an indoor location-based service, finding reading rooms, at a Norwegian university. Support was found for five of the seven research hypotheses. Among the factors, the perceived usefulness has the strongest influence on the intention to use. The finding also indicated that trust did not have a direct positive effect on intention to use.


public libraries should be vigilant and responsive to the ever changing information needs of their clientele functioning in a society undergoing through rapid change due to technological innovations. china is currently experiencing a social and technological transformation of great magnitude in terms of metamorphosing itself from a traditional society to one that is driven by information technologies. our research study, taking this proposition into account, did a questionnaire survey on 954 library information users at five major public libraries. this research study has discovered that the information needs of public library users today reflect some of the peculiar characteristics of their society in changing times which is driven largely by the rapid development and application of new information technologies. it shows that there is a newly added demand emphasis on certain categories of library resources and services by the chinese reading public. our research findings have identified such needs basically in the following five functional areas of public libraries, namely, 1) increased demands for economic resources, 2) rising expectations for more effective and efficient library services, 3) a convenient location and an amicable environment congenial to learning, 4) a suitable place for engaging in intellectual dialogues and in socialization, and 5) a few other technological amenities and information technology-based digital resources and facilities in addition to a rich repository of library materials in print format. finally, our paper concludes its discussion with a few observation remarks about the changing trend of public libraries' visions, missions and operations vis-a-vis a contextual background of the ever heightened public expectations for getting quality information services in a timely manner in order for them to function effectively in an information-oriented society such as that of ours today.


To address the data review burden and improve the reliability of the ultrasonic (UT) inspection of large composite structures, automated data analysis (ADA) algorithms have been developed to make calls on indications that satisfy the call criteria. Certain complex composite structures with varying shape, thickness transitions, front-wall and back-wall curvature, and the presence of bonds can greatly complicate this interpretation process and produce false calls. In this effort, enhancements to the automated data analysis algorithms are introduced to address these challenges for complex composite panels. First, the thickness of the part and presence of bonds is estimated by tracking potential backwall signals, detecting the presence of multiple signals and step changes which are indicators of bonded sections, and through the application of smart spatial filters for estimating the panel thickness and additional bonded sections with varying signal levels. Once part boundaries, thickness transitions and bonded regions are identified, feature extraction algorithms are applied to multiple sets of through-thickness and backwall C-scan images, for evaluation of both first layer through thickness and layers under bonds. To verify the algorithm performance, a set of test data was selected to challenge the ADA algorithms that includes a wide range of complex parts and artificial defects located both above and below bond lines. Results are presented for a variety of test specimens that include inserted materials and discontinuities produced under poor manufacturing conditions, demonstrating the desired detection capability while minimizing false indication calls to a manageable level.


Existing mindfulness programmes traditionally encourage participants to direct attention deliberately to their breath, to develop skills needed for present-moment orientation, acceptance towards experiences, and enhance psychological functioning. However, such skills may be more easily acquired through orienting externally to soundtracks. Nature sounds and music were chosen as they separately confer benefits in psychological functioning. The current thesis involves focusing on nature sounds or music instead of breathing (the breath), to see if that encourages present-moment orientation, acceptance, improves psychological functioning, physiological wellbeing, and/or session attendance rates. The pilot study investigated the feasibility of mindful music listening activities in a structured programme focusing on developing mindful awareness, in healthy adults. The second and third studies determined if nature sounds or music will be viable alternatives in altering the mindful attentional skills acquisition process, psychological functioning, physiological wellbeing, and/or session attendance, with non-clinical and subclinical populations, respectively. Participants either mindfully focused on the breath (Control), nature sounds, or music. They completed self-report measures corresponding to mindfulness (observing, awareness, describing, nonjudgement and nonreactivity), psychological outcomes (resilience, depression, anxiety and stress), and physiological measures (heart-rate variability) was assessed noninvasively. Mindfully listening to nature sounds or music augmented session attendance, compared to the Control condition. Mindfully listening to nature sounds or music also enabled openness towards experiences, generalisation of mindfulness skills into daily life, acknowledgement of impermanence of experiences, conscious choices in adaptive coping, and led to specific within-condition improvements in psychological functioning. The breath, nature sounds and music were relatively equal in fostering skills acquisition. Future studies will involve extending the current protocol to suitable clinical populations. Future studies can also implement session-by-session tracking of skills and wellbeing, and to determine if other factors like rhythmic regularity, emotional content, intention to engage in mindfulness, meditation experience, music training and participants' perceived liking of soundtracks influenced their mindfulness training and psychological functioning.


Type-I interferon (IFN-I) has been increasingly implicated in HIV-1 pathogenesis. Various studies have shown elevated IFN-I and an IFN-I-induced gene and protein expression signature in HIV-1 infection, yet the elevated IFN-I species has not been conclusively identified, its source remains obscure and its role in driving HIV-1 pathogenesis is controversial. We assessed IFN-I species in plasma by ELISAs and bioassay, and we investigated potential sources of IFN-I in blood and lymph node tissue by qRT-PCR. Furthermore, we measured the effect of therapeutic administration of IFNα in HCV-infected subjects to model the effect of IFNα on chronic immune activation. IFN-I bioactivity was significantly increased in plasma of untreated HIV-1-infected subjects relative to uninfected subjects (p = 0.012), and IFNα was the predominant IFN-I subtype correlating with IFN-I bioactivity (r = 0.658, p<0.001). IFNα was not detectable in plasma of subjects receiving anti-retroviral therapy. Elevated expression of IFNα mRNA was limited to lymph node tissue cells, suggesting that peripheral blood leukocytes are not a major source of IFNα in untreated chronic HIV-1 infection. Plasma IFN-I levels correlated inversely with CD4 T cell count (p = 0.003) and positively with levels of plasma HIV-1 RNA and CD38 expression on CD8 T cells (p = 0.009). In hepatitis C virus-infected subjects, treatment with IFN-I and ribavirin increased expression of CD38 on CD8 T cells (p = 0.003). These studies identify IFNα derived from lymph nodes, rather than blood leukocytes, as a possible source of the IFN-I signature that contributes to immune activation in HIV-1 infection.


The increasing application of heat-sensitive microelectronic components such as a multitude of transistors, polymer-based microchips, and so on, and flexible polymer substrates including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyimide (PI), among others, for use in wearable devices has led to the development of more advanced, low melting temperature solders (<150°C) for interconnecting components in various applications. However, the current low melting temperature solders face several key challenges, which include more intermetallic compound formation (thus become more brittle), cost issues according to the addition of supplementary elements to decrease the melting point temperature, an increase in the possibility of thermal or popcorn cracking (reliability problems), and so on. Furthermore, the low melting temperature solders are still required to possess rapid electronic/electrical transport ability (high electrical conductivity and current density) and accompany strong mechanical strength sustaining the heavy-uploaded microelectronic devices on the plastic substrates, which are at least those of the conventional melting temperature solders (180–230°C). Thus, the pursuit of more advanced low melting temperature solders for interconnections is timely. This review is devoted to the research on three methods to improve the current properties (i.e., electrical and thermomechanical properties) of low melting temperature solders: (i) doping with a small amount of certain additives, (ii) alloying with a large amount of certain additives, and (iii) reinforcing with metal, carbon, or ceramic materials. In this review, we also summarize the overall recent progress in low melting temperature solders and present a critical overview of the basis of microscopic analysis with regard to grain size and solid solutions, electrical conductivity by supplementation with conductive additives, thermal behavior (melting point and melting range) according to surface oxidation and intermetallic compound formation, and various mechanical properties.


Background: The tenascin-C-derived peptide TNIIIA2 is capable of activating β1-integrins. Results: TNIIIA2 greatly enhanced cell survival and PDGF-dependent proliferation through potentiated and sustained activation of integrin α5β1, resulting in continuous proliferation even after reaching confluency. Conclusion: TNIIIA2-induced integrin α5β1 activation causes deregulated cell growth. Significance: These results offer a new insight into the physiological/pathological role of tenascin-C in tissues where it is highly expressed. Tenascin-C is an adhesion modulatory matrix protein that is highly expressed in tumors; however, its biochemical activity involved in tumorigenesis is not fully understood. On the other hand, increasing evidence indicates the importance of integrin α5β1 in cancer development. We previously demonstrated that tenascin-C harbors a functional site that can be released as a proadhesive peptide such as TNIIIA2. Peptide TNIIIA2 is capable of inducing activation of β1-integrins including α5β1 via syndecan-4. In this study the proadhesive effect of TNIIIA2 was characterized by potentiated and sustained activation of integrin α5β1. Based on this effect, TNIIIA2 rendered nontransformed fibroblasts (NIH3T3) resistant to serum deprivation-elicited anoikis through activation of the Akt/Bcl-2 pathway. Moreover, TNIIIA2 hyperstimulated PDGF-dependent proliferation of NIH3T3 by activating integrin α5β1. Tenascin-C, a parental protein of TNIIIA2, also stimulated PDGF-dependent proliferation, which was blocked by a matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 inhibitor and an anti-TNIIIA2 function-blocking antibody, suggesting proteolytic exposure of the proadhesive effect of TNIIIA2. Mechanistic analyses revealed that TNIIIA2 induced a lateral association of PDGF receptor β with the molecular complex of activated integrin α5β1 and syndecan-4 in the membrane microdomains enriched with cholesterol/caveolin-1, resulting in prolonged activation of PDGF receptor β and the subsequent Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in a PDGF-dependent manner. Of note, TNIIIA2 induced continuous proliferation in NIH3T3 in an integrin α5β1-dependent manner even after they formed a confluent monolayer. Thus, it was proposed that tenascin-C might be involved in deregulated cell growth through potentiated and sustained activation of integrin α5β1 after exposure of the proadhesive effect of TNIIIA2.


INTRODUCTION Of the many thermometers that have been proposed for metamorphic and igneous rocks, those that depend on the distribution of a pair of cations or groups of cations between two coexisting phases are perhaps the most widely appled and yet the most poorly calibrated for natural compositions. The most attractive feature of these systems is the apparent simplicity of their application, requiring only an analysis of the coexisting phases. Unfortunately, the partitioning of cations between co-exiting phases may depend on bulk compositions as well as temperature. In some systems—for example, Mg-Fe 2+ exchange between olivine and orthopyroxene—bulk composition has a more important effect than temperature on the distribution co-efficient (Ramberg and DeVore, 1951; Medaris, 1969; Matsui and Nishizawa, 1974). Consequently, it is important to test the effect of bulk composition as well as temperature when applying cation exchange (K D ) thermometry. (K D is defined as the ratio of a pair of cations between co-existing phases. For example, K D(Fe-Mg) (garn-cpx) = (Fe garnet/Mg garnet) (Mg cpx/Fe cpx).) The effect of pressure, on the other hand, is generally quite small, because the δV is usually very small for a given reaction of the type A (in phase X) + B (in phase Y) = B (in phase X) + A (in phase Y). Most often, the pressure dependence of K D is ignored for extrapolations within the crust—that is, for δP of less than 10 kb.


Today's business world has been revolutionized by the advent of video display terminals (VDTs). While more and more people are now working with VDTs, many are experiencing symptoms and will visit optometrists. One of the common complaints is dry feeling eyes. Studies have shown that the formation and stability of the pre-corneal tear film is dependent on the blinking action of the eyelids and that lack of blinking will result in a defective tear film and subsequently a dry feeling of the eyes. In this study, blink rates were compared to determine if part of the discomfort experienced by VDT users was induced by reduced blink rates, and thus dry feeling eyes.


The thesis work is carried out in Innventia AB and Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). The objective of the study was to numerically simulate the flow inside the disc refiner and to determine the factors influencing the development of flow in the rotor and the stator of the disc refiner. Simplified single groove model is used to analyze the flow in the rotor and stator of the refiner. Fluid is assumed to be Newtonian and single phase with dynamic viscosity 100 times higher than water. Model and mesh used for the rotor and stator are identical with different wall boundary conditions and fluid zone conditions. Simulations were performed with different pressure gradients and angular speed of the refiner. The study shows that the flow in the rotor depends on the pressure difference and the speed of the refiner. Flow in the stator depends on the pressure difference; speed has little effect on the flow in the stator. In the rotor fluid flows towards the periphery while in the stator direction of flow is towards origin. Rotational motion is observed both in the rotor and the stator groove. This rotational motion carries the fluid into the gap, fibres present in the fluid form flocs and got stapled at the bar edge. They get treated every time a rotating bar crosses a stationary bar. To study the intensity of refining, strain rate and shear force is determined. Shear force is due to the rotation of the rotor and due to the motion of the fluid down into the groove along its wall i.e. fluid that is carried along with the rotating plate.


During a life time we across several stages of learning and teaching, if you want to be a good student you must: Learn how to learn; learn and learn. But if you want to be a teacher you must had more skills, like: Teach how to learn; Teach and teach; Teach how to teach. A student should start by learn how to learn, this means the methodology of learning, which facilitates to be a good student and much benefit of your learning effort. If we consider a constructivist approach, we must consider three phases in three different levels evolution: Defining roles and moulding; Coaching; Built your own knowledge with Support and scaffolding. But before all, we have to investigate, "How does a human being learns" and from that define a proper methodology and technology to teach. Now you can define a student ́s learning guide. In parallel we must as well define what should be the compulsive and recommended skills that a teacher must have to be a good teach for the "school of the future".


I surveyed milk prices in 195 grocery stores in southern New England and neighboring areas of New York with four University of Connecticut graduate students two weeks ago. The average price for milk in Connecticut supermarkets was $3.05 per gallon. Yet dairy farmers are suffering because of the lowest prices for their product in 25 years - $1.06 per gallon in October. Adding insult to injury, retail and farm milk prices have been near these levels for a year.


Lucefin Group 41Cr4 and 41CrS4 are medium-carbon, 1% chromium, direct hardening alloy steels that are also suitable for flame and induction hardening. These steels are low hardenability steels in the 0.40 to 0.42 mean carbon content classification. They are used for small and medium size parts that require a higher degree of strength and toughness. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, tensile properties, and shear strength. It also includes information on forming, heat treating, machining, and joining. Filing Code: SA-860. Producer or source: Lucefin S.p.A..


decrease the concentration of prostaglandins. (PG) Whether PG have similar effect in human is not known. To evaluate the effect of indomethacin on human FBM, we studied 21 pregnant women who presented with preterm labor (gestational age: < 36 weeks). They were divided into a control group (n = 10) and a group treated with indomethacin (n = 11). For both groups, FBM were measured sonographically and recorded on videotape during a 1 hour baseline period. Then, the treated group received indomethacin in a dose of 2–3 mg/kg.. FBM measurements were repeated 24 h later for both groups. To quantify FBM, we reviewed the videotapes and recorded FBM with an event marker on a polygraph. In treated group, there were significant increases in incidence of FBM (x +/− s.e.: 23 +/− 5 vs. 37 +/− 8% of the time, p < 0.05, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test) and duration of the longest episode of FBM (84 +/− 13 vs. 196 +/− 25 sec, p < 0.05); the increase in average duration of episodes approached significance (21 +/− 3 vs. 37 +/− 8 sec, p = 0.09). The number of episodes of FBM did not change. In the control group there were no significant changes in any of the measured variables. We conclude that indomethacin given to pregnant women increases incidence and duration of FBM, possibly due to a decrease in fetal concentrations of PG.


1. The relationship between routine or 'steady' rate (Vo2s.r.) and maximum rate of metabolism after forced bursts of activity (V·o2max) was studied in the fry and young (weight range 0.08-7 g) of Salmo gairdneri at 4 and 12°C. 2. The relationship between metabolic rate (y) and body weight (x) can be described by the function y = axb. The mass exponent b equals 0.96 and 0.93 for the routine rate, and 1.11 and 1.14 for the maximum rate of metabolism at 4 and 12°C respectively, the two sets of b-values differing significantly from each other. 3. The difference between the routine and the active rate of metabolism is called the relative scope for activity. Expressed as a percentage of the routine rate it increases from 85–166% in the sac fry, to approximately 400% in fish weighing 10g. 4. Within each of four size classes there is a linear relationship between V·o2s.r. and V·o2max, the slope of the relationship always being greater than one and increasing with the weight of the fish from 1.1 in the sac fry to 5.3 in the 3–7g size class. That is, in the larger size class each increase in the steady rate of oxygen consumption by one unit adds 5.3 units to the aerobic scope for activity. 5. It is speculated that routine and active rate of metabolism are related by a constant factor of expansion so that, up to a limiting value, an increase of the former will lead to an increase of the amount of oxygen available to each fish for additional locomotor activity.


HfO2 thin films were prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at different RF powers. The influence of RF power on optical properties of HfO2 thin films were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) toghther with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that there is a SiO2 interface layer between HfO2 thin film and Si substrate. A four layer structured model consisting of SiO2 interfacial layer was used to fit the SE data. With the increasing RF power, the refractive index of the HfO2 thin films increases firstly and then decreases and, the extinction coefficient of the HfO2 thin films increases little.


The present study is based upon narrative, life‐history interviews with 20 polio survivors. The study focuses on the forming and reconstruction of identity with the late effects of polio as an important turning point for self‐understanding. In childhood and youth, the identities are described as adjustment‐oriented. The subjects inhabitated a dual world; the internal one, feeling different, and the external world, behaving as non‐disabled. As adults, before the onset of the late effects of polio, they were all somehow in the "normal mainstream"; by confirming important aspects of their normal identity on par with other non‐disabled people by means of marriage, parenthood and paid work. Their admittance to hospitals due to late effects of polio restored polio as an illness, but also enabled the emergence of the personal and emotional voices of the subjects through exchange of mutual awareness with other polio survivors. This appears to contribute to personal growth. The clinical implication from the study is that it is important to focus on the emotional and cognitive impact of early experiences in a narrative perspective in order for survivors to contribute to reconciliation with their life history


Several guidelines are available to guide the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. The recommendations in these guidelines show significant variability. Because there is no well-established evidence on when to start HAART, it is left to the discretion of the pediatrician which guidelines to follow. We conducted a survey concerning the indications for starting antiretroviral therapy among pediatricians involved in the treatment of HIV-infected patients in Europe and the United States. We compared the results of this survey with the guidelines available at the time, the recently adapted guidelines and literature evidence. Our results indicate that in clinical practice HAART was initiated at higher viral loads and lower CD4 counts than recommended by the guidelines. American guidelines recommended and still recommend more aggressive treatment than the European guidelines, and this is reflected in clinical practice. Until recently all guidelines were based on long term risk analyses of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death performed in cohort data. A recent short term risk analysis makes it possible to calculate the 6 or 12-month risk for progression to AIDS or death for an individual child. Because viral load and CD4 count are typically measured every 3 months, one can argue that it is clinically more relevant to base the decision of when to start HAART on the short term probability of disease progression. Guidelines in Europe are now based on this type of analysis. The American guidelines only adopted the thresholds for CD4 and viral load. The short term risk analysis also shows that the risk for developing AIDS varies markedly with age. This should be reflected in all guidelines. Determining the acceptable risk of disease progression is difficult and influenced by patient-, doctor- and culture-related factors. The controversy over whether or not to treat asymptomatic infants is unresolved as well. All infants have a very high risk of disease progression regardless of their viral load or CD4 count, but lifelong treatment with a potential for significant toxicities and risk of developing resistance is also not an appealing option. We recommend an attempt to achieve a consensus among the different working groups to reduce the number of different guidelines, which should be based on the literature evidence. Because all risk analyses are based on information from the pre-HAART era, a head-to-head trial comparing early versus deferred HAART would be useful. This may be difficult to accomplish. The first step could be an analysis of retrospective data from collaborative cohort data.


Cytomegalic infection of the immunocompetent adult is usually asymptomatic or expressed by a mononucleosic syndrome. We present a case of a young adult with rare and severe primary cytomegalic infection and multisystemic involvement, namely hematological, hepatic, gastrointestinal and respiratory, including pneumonia with severe pulmonary hypertension, to the best of our knowledge, not previously described. Also of note is the fact that these dysfunctions were treated successfully with ganciclovir, although a formal indication to antivirals on cytomegalic infection of the immunocompetent patients is not established yet. J Med Cases. 2015;6(10):480-482 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc2265w


The reactions of C1 and C2 chlorohydrocarbons and chlorocarbons have been studied with the Lewis acid catalysts fluorinated gallium(III) oxide and fluorinated indium(III) oxide, respectively. Product analysis shows chlorine-for-fluorine exchange reactions together with the formation of 2-methylpropane and its chlorinated analogues 2-chloromethyl-1,3-dichloropropane and 2-chloromethyl-1,2,3-trichloropropane. Reactivities of the chlorohydrocarbon probe molecules show fluorinated gallium(III) oxide to be a stronger Lewis acid than fluorinated indium(III) oxide. The formation of the symmetrical butyl compounds is consistent with the generation of surface radical species and is also consistent with a 1,2-migration mechanism operating within radical moieties at the Lewis acid surface.


We describe a compound made of paraffin and boron carbide (boraffin) deviced to enhance epithermal neutron shielding. The compound is easily prepared and is specially suited to be adapted to particular surfaces. Transmission experiments show a favourable comparison with a commercial rubber-boron carbide compound in the epithermal range. A detector shielding built with this material is described and the achieved background reduction experimentally determined is shown.


The bombing of the Sari Club on Legian Street, Kuta, Bali, on 12 October 2002 disrupted the natural balance that is sought for in Balinese religion. This article shows how a technically innovative shadow puppet performance that responds to the disaster is informed by the Balinese conception of the natural balance of human life governed by tri hita karana (three elements of harmony) and dasanama kerta (ten elements that cause harmonious prosperity). These ideas provide a context for healing through performance.


Even if the planet doubled the amount of solar and wind power available tomorrow, there would still be a shortage of clean electricity. We need to grab energy from wherever we can find it, which is why piezoelectricity the charge that gathers in solid materials like crystal and ceramic in response to strain has recently begun to pique the interest of entrepreneurs and scientists alike. One of the most popular uses for piezoelectricity in the past few years relies on roads and sidewalks. The present project deals with the generation of electricity through traffic pressure by placing piezoelectric generators on the roads the axial load of the traffic pressure deforms the generator and thus produces the electric energy as an output, this output may use for the street lighting, and many more aspects.


In reliable multicast, the multicast packets must be acknowledged. We propose a clustering structure which can be used by most of the existing reliable multicast protocols for collecting acknowledgements and for making local retransmissions. Given a network N and a multicast routing tree (or a set of trees) T, we consider a subgraph G of N induced by the members of a multicast group. We then form disjoint clusters (local groups) of multicast receivers such that the receivers within a cluster are densely connected in G. The goal is to obtain a balanced clustering structure (dependent on the topology of G) such that the number of clusters is constant and the cluster size is kept low. This structure enables different clusters to process acknowledgments concurrently. It is also used to localize retransmissions. That is, when a packet is missed at a node, we will obtain the lost packet from another node which resides in the same cluster or at a nearby cluster whenever possible.


1. The influence of some acetylcholinesterase reactivators (HI-6, obidoxime, pralidoxime) on the efficacy of antidotal treatment to eliminate soman-induced disturbance of respiration and circulation and to protect experimental animals poisoned with supralethal dose of soman (1.5 x LD50) was investigated in a rat model with on-line monitoring of respiratory and circulatory parameters. 2. Obidoxime or pralidoxime in combination with atropine were insufficient to enable soman-poisoned rats to survive for 2 hours when given 1 minute after the administration of soman. 3. On the other hand, the ability of the oxime HI-6 in combination with atropine to prevent soman-induced alteration of respiration and circulation was significantly higher. Some rats treated with HI-6 in combination with atropine were fully protected against the lethal toxic effects of soman within 2 hours following soman administration. 4. Our findings confirm that the oxime HI-6 seems to be a much more suitable and efficacious acetylcholinesterase reactivator for the antidotal treatment of severe acute soman-induced poisoning than currently used obidoxime or pralidoxime.


Goal-directed exploration, as an indicator of mastery motivation, may provide an important avenue of study to enhance learning by children with cognitive delays. Strategies to assess a child's use of mastery behaviors, however, have been based primarily on research conducted with nondelayed infants. It has been suggested that these assessment techniques may not be appropriate for children with cognitive delays, given their inclination to perseverate and to be motivated by easy rather than moderately challenging tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the basis of behaviors that may reflect mastery motivation with a group of young children with moderate and severe cognitive delays. The results supported the application of the mastery motivation model to this group of children. The children used mastery behaviors significantly more often than lower-level exploratory behaviors. The use of mastery behaviors was related to the occurrence of success, and there was a greater-than-chance likelihood that success would follow the use of mastery behaviors. These findings support, the continued investigation of the use of mastery behaviors as a vehicle of learning by young children with cognitive delays.


This paper investigates how counterterrorism targeting terrorist leaders affects terrorist attacks. This effect is theoretically ambiguous and depends on whether terrorist groups are modeled as unitary actors or not. The paper exploits a natural experiment provided by strikes by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) "hitting" and "missing" terrorist leaders in Pakistan. Results suggest that terrorist groups increase the number of attacks they commit after a drone "hit" on their leader compared with after a "miss." This increase is statistically significant for 3 out of 6 months after a hit, when it ranges between 47.7% and 70.3%. Additional analysis of heterogenous effects across groups and leaders, and the impact of drone hits on the type of attack, terrorist group infighting, and splintering, suggest that principal-agent problems—(new) terrorist leaders struggling to control and discipline their operatives—account for these results better than alternative theoretical explanations.


This research is aimed to investigate the strategies applied by the translator in
translating the Indonesian idioms in novel "Ziarah" into its English target language text
"The Pilgrim" and how effectively the meaning of the ST idioms conveyed to TT using
the strategies identified. The objectives of this study are: (i) to analyze the strategies
used in the translation of idioms in "Ziarah" from Indonesian into English, (ii) to find
out if the meaning of the idioms is conveyed effectively using the strategies identified,
and (iii) to describe the forms of idioms used in the TL text if the meaning of the idioms
is conveyed effectively. In this study, the researcher employs Baker's (2011) proposed
strategies of translating idioms, Nida's (1964) notion of equivalence in translation, as
well as Makkai's (1972) categorization of English idioms as the theoretical foundation
for answering the three research questions of this study. Besides that, this study also
classifies the Indonesian idioms into the three types of idioms, i.e pure idiom, semi
idiom, and literal idiom, as proposed by Fernando (1996).
Based on the results of this study, it was found that from the thirty three Indonesian
idioms contained in the SL text, 45.15% of the extracted idioms are translated into
English using the paraphrase stratgey; while 24.24% are translated by idiom of similar
meaning but dissimilar form; 15.15% by idiom of similar meaning and form; 6.07% by
omission of the entire idiom; and 9.09% are translated word for word. Moreover, the
findings also reveal that the message that was considered as conveyed effectively into
TT is 66.66% of the analyzed data; and less effectively conveyed in 21.21%; while the
translated message was found to be distorted is only 12.12%. In terms of Makkai's
(1972) classification of English idioms, the findings of this study have shown that
within the 22 (66.66%) of Indonesian idioms that are considered as effectively
conveyed to TL text, 6 idioms were translated effectively into the forms of English
"Phrasal Compounds Idiom"; 2 idioms were translated into the forms of "Tourneur
iv
Idioms"; 1 idiom was translated into the form of "Phrasal Verb Idioms"; and 13 idioms
were translated effectively into the forms of English non-idiomatic expressions. This
study has indicated that the most suitable strategy for conveying an inappropriate
translated idiom is to use Baker's (2011) strategy of translating an idiom by paraphrase.


Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is characterized by the clinical triad of micrognathia (small mandible), glossoptosis (backward, downward displacement of the tongue), U or V shaped cleft palate and airway obstruction defines the Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Airway obstruction and respiratory distress are clinical hallmarks. It occurs in 1:8500 live births with an equal male-to-female ratio. The mechanical theory which states that initiating event is mandibular hypoplasia which keeps the tongue high within the oral cavity; this in turn causes a cleft palate by preventing the closure of the palatal shelves, this syndrome is now called as Pierre robin sequence. These cases pose a challenge to the anesthetist as they present at a very young age, may have associated congenital anomalies, varying degrees of difficult airway, need repeated corrective surgeries, and lastly the airway has to be shared with the


type of atmospheric pollution—regardless of source, composition, or concentration—that creates a significant reduction in atmospheric visibility. Smog encompasses a broad category of air pollutants created through a multitude of processes that relate specifically to the atmospheric conditions of the formation region. In the early 1900s, London was plagued by a particular type of smog that resulted from a combination of dense fog and soot from coal combustion. In modern times, the Los Angeles Basin is often associated with dense photochemical smog, produced through a combination of vehicle exhaust and sunlight. These are two of many examples of pollution classified as smog, but they are in no way chemically related. Smog refers to a diverse category of air pollutants with varying chemical composition; however, all types of smog form a visible haze that reduces atmospheric visibility.


[1] Density of liquid iron alloy under high pressure is important to constrain the amount of light elements in the Earth's core. Density measurement of solid and liquid Fe3C was performed using X-ray absorption image technique up to 9.5 GPa and 1973 K. Density of liquid Fe3C increases from 6.94 g/cm3 to 7.38 g/cm3 with a pressure of 3.6–9.5 GPa at 1973 K. The bulk modulus of liquid Fe3C is obtained to be 50 ± 7 GPa at 1973 K. The effect of carbon on the compressibility of liquid iron is similar to that of sulfur, which significantly decreases the bulk modulus of liquid iron. Since carbon dissolution into liquid iron causes reduction of ρ and K0T, carbon could be excluded from the candidates of alloying light elements in the Earth's outer core.


The effect of therapeutic ultraviolet light (UV) radiation on the skin lesions of histiocytosis X (HX) was studied in two old patients. Histiocytosis X cells in the biopsy specimens were strongly reactive with OKT‐6, OK‐Ia1, an anti‐S‐100 protein antibody, and were weakly stained with Leu‐3a. Some HX cells outgrown from the explants bore immunoglobulin G receptors (Fc‐IgG) and C3 receptors. In accordance with clinical improvement after repeated topical 8‐methoxypsolaren (8‐MOP) plus UV‐A (PUVA) or UV‐B radiation, the density of infiltrating HX cells gradually was decreased. The PUVA therapy seemed to be more effective than UV‐B radiation in our treatment schedule. Even after repeated phototherapies, however, the reactivity of surface and cytoplasmic antigens related to OKT‐6, OK‐Ia1, and S‐100 protein in the remaining HX cells were the same as in untreated HX cells. Although the exact mechanism remains obscure, satisfactory therapeutic results were obtained in response to the phototherapies. New skin lesions eventually recurred after cessation of the treatments, but such eruptions resolved when additional PUVA was resumed. These studies confirm that HX cells share a battery of cytologic characteristics with epidermal Langerhans' cells (LC) and that repeated phototherapies provide a beneficial effect for skin lesions of HX without adverse reactions.


The literature on corporate governance reveals an emphasis on board characteristics and firm performance. The role of the NED is examined under board roles. The concept NED effectiveness is considered as part of board effectiveness revealing a lack of clarity of what distinguishes NED roles from board roles. The literature suggests that a consideration of board roles and effectiveness ultimately covers the purpose of NEDs. The research examined the roles of NEDs in listed companies in Nigeria. The research method utilised in this study was the semi structured interview method. Forty directors and company secretaries were interviewed for the research. The findings of the research revolves around five constructs namely board effectiveness, convergence or divergence with corporate governance principles, NED effectiveness, NED roles and power. The NED requires power to perform their roles, as a result their effectiveness as individuals and a group is restricted to, the weight of influence they carry and exhibit in board room deliberations. The NED is thus hindered by challenges such as information asymmetry. The findings also reveal that, collaboration and team work is crucial for NED and board effectiveness. The different director functions may create hierarchy in the board room. However, a board climate which encourages organisational, rather than performance hierarchy may increase cohesiveness in the board room. The findings reveal that understanding and team work are crucial for successful completion of board tasks. This is because NED roles are not independent of board functions.
The findings reveal that Nigerian NEDs in listed companies apply corporate governance best practices. The Nigerian listed companies have separated the roles of the CEO from that of the chairman. This suggests that listed company boards are most likely independent. However, Nigerian NED's are faced with the challenge of not having adequate company information, through which they can perform their roles. Interestingly, majority of the participants in this research seemed to agree that information asymmetry was the greatest challenge faced by Nigerian NEDs. However, the EXEC participants did not agree with the idea that, Nigerian NED's do not receive adequate information to perform their roles. As a result, the research indicates that NED's play more of a supervisory and supportive role in the board room. Furthermore, it reveals that Nigerian listed companies may comply with local and international best practices. However, the notion of board room independence is not enshrined in listed companies in Nigeria. The research findings also indicate that, the Nigerian institutional environment restricts the practice of good corporate governance. Furthermore, the control and monitoring role of Nigerian NEDs has been restated by the EXECs and the corporate environment. The findings indicate that Nigerian listed boards use private and public company meetings to create a front and influence shareholders and stakeholders' perceptions of directors and the company. Furthermore Nigerian directors use impression management strategies to influence the different actors in the company. There are rare occasions where, stakeholders control the impression management process and this leads a break in the frame and director accountability. The overall key finding of this research is that the findings five constructs are intertwined and are necessary ingredients for NED and board effectiveness.


Gene therapy has emerged as a powerful and very plastic tool to regulate biological functions in diseased tissues with application in virtually all medical fields. An increasing number of experimental and clinical studies underline the importance of genes as curative agents in the future. However, intense research is needed to evaluate the potential of gene therapy to improve efficacy and minimise the toxicity of the procedure.


'Chick lit' by young non-Western writers provides a rich field of investigation for critics interested in the interaction between local and global, cosmopolitan and vernacular, and between the different inflections of cosmopolitanism which emerge against a complex backdrop of contemporary popular culture and age-old traditional practices. The paper focuses on four novels modelled on Candace Bushnell's chick lit 'classic' Sex and the City: Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea, The People's Republic of Desire by Annie Wang and two novels by Indigenous Australian author Anita Heiss, Not Meeting Mr Right and Avoiding Mr Right. The veneer of consumer cosmopolitanism plays a part in all these books, but they can also be read as illustrations of the 'discrepant modernities' which have given rise to different cosmopolitanisms.


Non-ketotic hyperglycemia (NKH) is associated with a spectrum of symptoms and radiographic findings due to poorly-controlled diabetes mellitus. These lesions, which predominantly affect the parieto-occipital cortex, are commonly missed by neurologists and neuroradiologists due to their subtle hypointense appearance on T2-based imaging. We report four atypical cases of this syndrome to highlight its subtle, protean presentation in order to aid timely diagnosis. Based on our institutional case series, we describe four cases of NKH with atypical presentation and lesion burden affecting the anterior cortex. We review the clinical presentations, laboratory abnormalities, neuroimaging, and corresponding electroencephalography. Four patients with atypical NKH were characterized in our series. Presenting symptoms ranged from rhythmic hand-tapping to generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. Laboratory values were notable for marked hyperglycemia (range: 447 - 627 mg/dL), mild pseudo-hyponatremia (range: 127 - 136 mmol/L), and elevated hemoglobin A1C levels (range: 10.9 - 16.1%). All patients were found to have the classically described pattern of T2-based hypointensity; three with atypical distributions involving the "anterior" cortex. These lesions corresponded to the electrographic nidus of seizure burden. During follow-up, both seizures and T2-based hypointensity resolved within weeks of serum glucose normalization. Our series of four NKH patients with atypical findings of T2-based signal abnormalities expands the clinico-radiographic phenotype revealing a more protean distribution than previously described. Knowledge of these atypical imaging features will aid both the neurologist and radiologist in timely diagnosis and care of these patients.


ABSTRACT Increasing emphasis is being placed upon employer expectations in research on graduate employability, in response to the widely claimed gap between employer expectations and graduates' understanding of these expectations. For graduates, being uncertain of their employer's expectations may threaten the ease of their transition into the workplace and their job satisfaction, even leading to issues around graduate retention for employers. External influences on the graduate labour market such as differences in industry/sector level expectations and economic/political factors, can pose further complications. This paper presents a cross-industry analysis of employer expectations of graduates, drawing from four selected case study vignettes aimed at uncovering insights into these variances. Findings offer implications for policy makers and higher education providers around the design and delivery of a curriculum that appropriately prepares students for the graduate labour market, whilst also catering for industry-level expectations particularly in light of the UK's forthcoming departure from the EU.


The Laplace transform of the probability distribution of the end-to-end delay in tandem networks is obtained where the first and/or second queue are G-queues, i.e. they have negative arrivals. For the most general case the method is based on the solution of a boundary value problem on a closed contour in the complex plane, which itself reduces to the solution of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. We also consider the dependence or independence of the sojourn times at each queue in the two special cases where only one of the queues is a G-queue, the other having no negative arrivals.


Salinity and submergence have shaped coastal wetlands into one of the most productive and yet fragile ecotones worldwide. Sea-level rise alters both salinity and submersion regimes, threatening the future existence of these habitats. Still, the magnitude of the impacts is elusive. A current paradigm is that coastal communities will keep pace with sea-level rise through soil accretion, a process largely sustained by the interaction of plants and geomorphology. This thesis, however, rests on the assumption that submersion is the main driver of bio-geomorphic processes and does not include the effects of salinity on plant hydrologic function. Here, we show that salinity has a major influence on how tidal vegetation controls the depth of the water table - a key ecohydrological process regulating plant establishment, survival rate, and productivity. Our findings rely on long-term observations from the Florida Everglades and modeling results. They indicate that altered salinity regimes can suppress transpiration, undermining in this way the ability of tidal ecosystems to control water table movements and contrast other forms of plant stress like waterlogging. This effect is apparent in the mangroves of the Everglades' tidal fringe, where salinization has already yielded extensive decoupling between plant hydraulics and groundwater dynamics. This mechanism leads to shallow water tables and poor soil-aeration conditions, with sizable impacts on coastal wetlands' hydrologic function and elasticity.


INTRODUCTION
Premature ejaculation (PE) is a highly prevalent and complex syndrome that remains poorly defined and inadequately characterized. Pharmacotherapy represents the current basis of lifelong PE treatment.

AIM
The goal of this study was to assess the role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) in the treatment of patients with PE without associated erectile dysfunction (ED).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The posttreatment intravaginal ejaculatory latency time was used as the primary end point of efficacy.

METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was performed by electronically searching the MedLine database for peer-reviewed articles regarding the mechanism of action and the clinical trials of PDE5 in the management of PE. A meta-analysis of these clinical studies was performed to pool the efficacy.

RESULTS
Twenty-nine articles that examined the supposed mechanisms of action and 14 articles that reported data from clinical studies were reviewed. The PDE5 may exert their influence by increasing the levels of nitric oxide both centrally (reducing sympathetic drive) and peripherally (leading to smooth-muscle dilatation of the seminal tract). These drugs may also induce peripheral analgesia to prolong the duration of the erection, increase confidence, improve the perception of ejaculatory control and overall sexual satisfaction, and decrease the postorgasmic refractory time for achieving a second erection after ejaculation. Concerning the efficacy, the meta-analysis shows an overall positive effect for the use of PDE5 as monotherapy or as components of a combination regimen in the treatment of PE. The major limitations of the published literature included poor study design, the absence of solid methodology, which was characterized by the lack of a unique PE definition, and the lack of appropriate endpoints for outcome evaluation of a placebo control arm and of Institutional Review Board approval.

CONCLUSION
There is inadequate, partial basic, and clinical evidence to support the use of PDE5 for the treatment of PE.


One step ahead prediction based on short time series is presented. It will be shown here first that for the subject of short term prediction of electricity load, even though a large a-mount of data may be available, only the most recent of it may be of importance. That gives rise to prediction based on limited amount of data. We here propose implementation of some instances of architectures of artificial neural networks as potential systematic solution of that problem as opposed to heuristics that are in use. To further rise the dependability of the predicted data averaging of two independent predictions is proposed. Examples will be given related to short-term (hourly) forecasting of the electricity load at suburban level. Prediction is carried out on real data taken for one suburban transformer station. Implementation of an on-line real time prediction system is presented.


Learning models that gracefully handle distribution shifts is central to research on domain generalization, robust optimization, and fairness. A promising formulation is domain-invariant learning, which identifies the key issue of learning which features are domain-specific versus domain-invariant. An important assumption in this area is that the training examples are partitioned into"domains"or"environments". Our focus is on the more common setting where such partitions are not provided. We propose EIIL, a general framework for domain-invariant learning that incorporates Environment Inference to directly infer partitions that are maximally informative for downstream Invariant Learning. We show that EIIL outperforms invariant learning methods on the CMNIST benchmark without using environment labels, and significantly outperforms ERM on worst-group performance in the Waterbirds and CivilComments datasets. Finally, we establish connections between EIIL and algorithmic fairness, which enables EIIL to improve accuracy and calibration in a fair prediction problem.


In the year 2005, Brazil has decided to create a state-owned company for fractionating the country's plasma, and a society named Hemobras was put in place. The project took into account the plasma availability, local regulatory capability and the existence of an internal market for plasma derivatives. Transfer of technology process was initiated, with a foreign plasma fractionator, and a plasma toll fractionation was associated to the tech transfer, in order to accelerate, step by step, the technology incorporation. The main challenges regarding the project were related to engineering aspects, including elaboration of basic and detailed designs, since the country had little local expertise in this field. A mixed approach was used, consisting on hiring a specialized body of engineers as well as outsourcing national and international engineer companies. Manpower recruitment was another difficulty, because there were very few specialists in the manufacture of biological medicines and plasma fractionation. Hemobras has adopted a heavy training program to circumvent this issue. Finally, Hemobras developed a massive investment focused on improving plasma quality in a joint program with blood centers. This program was able to greatly increase the plasma availability in Brazil. Overall, installing a plasma fractionation facility is a very complex and expensive task, with many challenges to be carefully addressed.


As lithographers continue to implement more exotic and complex Resolution Enhancement Techniques (RET) to push patterning further beyond the physical limits of optical lithography, full-chip brightfield inspections are be-coming increasingly valuable to help identify random and systematic defects that occur due to mask tolerance ex-cursions, OPC inaccuracies, RET design errors, or unmanufacturable layout configurations. PWQ, or Process Window Qualification, is a KLA-Tencor product* using brightfield imaging inspection technology that has been developed to address the need for rapid full-chip process window verification. PWQ is currently implemented at IBM's 300mm facility and is being used to isolate features that repeatedly fail as a function of exposure dose and focus errors. We will demonstrate how PWQ results have assisted in: 1) qualification of reticles and new OPC models; 2) identification of non-obvious lithographic features that limit common process windows; 3) providing input for long-term design for manufacturability (DfM), OPC, and/or RET modeling. PWQ allows full or partial chips to be scanned in far less time than a multi-point common process window collected on a SEM. PWQ findings supplement these traditional analysis methods by encompassing all features on a chip, providing more detail on where the process window truly lies. Examples of marginal features that were detected by PWQ methods and their subsequent actions will be discussed in this paper for an advanced 65nm and a 90nm CMOS process.


This thesis presents design of a basic mathematical model of an aircraft system. The proposed model is implemented on a nonlinear aircraft system with six degree of freedom, which is linearized into lateral and longitudinal ight dynamics mode of an aircraft system. To achieve the specific transient performances of the both longitudinal and lateral ight dynamics mode, a model predictive control strategy is designed. The proposed model predictive control scheme is implemented on the developed aircraft model with six degree of freedom. Simulation were pursuit using Matlab / Simulink. The result obtained envisages that the aircraft system using the proposed model predictive controller achieves the good transient performances. This thesis also presents a design of Kalman Filter based diagnostic technique for deficiency identification and segregation of sensors and actuators in an air ship gas turbofan engine. A mathematical model of a two shaft turbofan engine is develop in Matlab / Simulink. The proposed Kalman Filter based diagnostic technique consist of a bank of Kalman Filters used to recognize and separate sensor aw. Each of the Kalman Filter is composed in view of a particular speculation for identifying a particular sensor issues. At the point when an issue happen, all channel aside from the one utilizing the right speculation will deliver huge estimation slip, from which a particular deficiency is secluded. The failure in the sensor in uence the attributes of the residual signal of the Kalman Filter. The proposed diagnostic technique is implemented on the developed two shaft turbofan engine. Simulation were pursuit utilizing Matlab / Simulink.


Trypanosoma cruzi has a complex life cycle that involves a vertebrate as well as an invertebrate host. In this, last two stages are present: trypomastigotes, the flagel-lated and infective stage and the amastigote, which is the replicative stage. T. cruzi is considered one of the most successful intracellular parasites, because it cannot be eliminated by the immune system and has the capacity of invading, surviving, and replicating inside the host cells. The effects that the infection has over the immune system have been widely studied at the molecular and cellular level. However, understanding the mechanisms that the parasite uses to evade the immune system to persist in the infected individual is necessary for the effective development of drugs and/or vaccines. In this chapter, a compilation of the already described mechanisms will be carried out.


Acute patellar dislocation is a common injury that occurs during a variety of activities and accounts for 2–3% of knee injuries.1 Since 1990, especially over the past 5 years, more attention has focused on the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) of the medial retinacular components. In several biomechanical studies, the MPFL has proved to be the primary restraint to lateral translation of the patella among the medial patellar stabilisers, and many clinical findings have shown that acute patellar dislocation is associated with MPFL injuries at a high rate.2–9

In 1999, Nomura6 classified MPFL injury in acute patellar dislocation into two types, avulsion tear and substantial tear. An avulsion tear is a detachment-type injury limited to the undersurface of the MPFL at the femoral attachment. It was suspected that this injury may result from a specific structure of the MPFL at the femoral attachment.

This study was to evaluate the histological findings of the avulsion tear-type injury of the MPFL in acute patellar dislocation.

A 23-year-old woman sustained initial dislocation of the left knee while climbing a step (case 1). Five days after the injury, we …


ABSTRACT Background: It is well documented that comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in chronic pain is associated with a more severe symptom profile with respect to pain, disability and psychological distress. However, very few intervention studies exist targeting both PTSD and pain. The current study is the first randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of the body-oriented trauma approach of Somatic Experiencing (SE) for comorbid PTSD and low back pain. Although the method is well recognized by clinicians and widely used, SE still needs to be tested in a randomized clinical trial in comparison with an active control group. Objective: The aim of the current study was to compare the effect of an SE intervention in addition to treatment-as-usual (TAU) for patients with chronic low back pain and comorbid PTSD compared to TAU alone. Method: The study was a two-group randomized controlled clinical trial. A cohort of patients (n = 1045) referred to a large Danish spine centre between February 2013 and October 2014 were screened for PTSD and randomized to either TAU (4–12 sessions of supervised exercises for low back pain) or TAU plus SE (6–12 sessions). In total, 91 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and volunteered to participate in the study. Treatment effects were evaluated by self-report questionnaires comparing baseline measures with 12-month follow-up measures. Results: The additional SE intervention significantly reduced the number of PTSD symptoms compared with TAU alone, corresponding to a large effect size. Also, fear of movement was significantly reduced (moderate effect size). Both groups achieved a large reduction in pain-catastrophizing, disability and pain. Conclusions: A brief additional SE intervention was found to have a significant effect on PTSD and fear of movement compared to TAU alone. However, the overall effect of SE was less than expected and the clinical importance of the effects can be questioned.


This paper reports on an interview study on information security incident management that has been conducted in organizations operating industrial control systems that are highly dependent on conventional IT systems. Six distribution service operators from the power industry have participated in the study. We have investigated current practice regarding planning and preparation activities for incident management, and identified similarities and differences between the two traditions of conventional IT systems and industrial control systems. The findings show that there are differences between the IT and ICS disciplines in how they perceive an information security incident and how they plan and prepare for responding to such. The completeness of documented plans and procedures for incident management varies. Where documentation exists, this is in general not well-established throughout the organization. Training exercises with specific focus on information security are rarely performed. There is a need to create amore unified approach to information security incident management in order for the power industry to be sufficiently prepared to meet the challenges posed by Smart Grids in the near future.


Occlusion and its relationship to the function of the stomatognathic system have been widely studied in dentistry since many decades. This series of articles describe about occlusion in the complete denture, fixed partial denture, and implants. Part I and II of this articles series describe concepts and philosophies of occlusion in complete denture. So far, available research has not concluded a superior tooth form or occlusal scheme to satisfy the requirements of completely edentulous patients with respect to comfort, mastication, phonetics, and esthetics. Since then, several balanced and nonbalanced articulation concepts were proposed in the literature. A balanced articulation appears to be most appropriate because of tooth contacts observed during nonfunctional activities of patients. This article discusses about evolution of different concepts of occlusion and occlusal schemes in complete denture occlusion.


Abstract. The Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGANv2.1) together with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) meteorological fields were used to create a global emission data set of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) available on a monthly basis for the time period of 1980–2010. This data set, developed under the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate project (MACC), is called MEGAN–MACC. The model estimated mean annual total BVOC emission of 760 Tg (C) yr−1 consisting of isoprene (70%), monoterpenes (11%), methanol (6%), acetone (3%), sesquiterpenes (2.5%) and other BVOC species each contributing less than 2%. Several sensitivity model runs were performed to study the impact of different model input and model settings on isoprene estimates and resulted in differences of up to ±17% of the reference isoprene total. A greater impact was observed for a sensitivity run applying parameterization of soil moisture deficit that led to a 50% reduction of isoprene emissions on a global scale, most significantly in specific regions of Africa, South America and Australia. MEGAN–MACC estimates are comparable to results of previous studies. More detailed comparison with other isoprene inventories indicated significant spatial and temporal differences between the data sets especially for Australia, Southeast Asia and South America. MEGAN–MACC estimates of isoprene, α-pinene and group of monoterpenes showed a reasonable agreement with surface flux measurements at sites located in tropical forests in the Amazon and Malaysia. The model was able to capture the seasonal variation of isoprene emissions in the Amazon forest.


The emerging infectious disease (EID) crisis represents an immediate existential threat to modern humanity. Current policies aimed at coping with the EID crisis are ineffective and unsustainably expensive. They have failed because they are based on a scientific paradigm that produced the parasite paradox. The Stockholm paradigm (SP) resolves the paradox by integrating four elements of evolutionary biology: ecological fitting, sloppy fitness space, coevolution, and responses to environmental perturbations. It explains why and how the EID crisis occurs and is expanding and what happens after an EID emerges that sets the stage for future EIDs. The SP provides a number of critical insights for changing scientific and public policy in a manner that allows us to begin coping with the EID crisis in an effective manner. It provides hope that we can anticipate EIDs and prevent them or at least mitigate their impacts.

This article has been produced in support of and with appreciation for the efforts by Gábor Földvári of the Institute of Evolution, Centre for Ecological Research, and the Centre for Eco-Epidemiology, National Laboratory for Health Security (both located at 1121 Budapest, Konkoly-Thege Miklós út 29-33, Hungary). Through his untiring efforts, team building, and leadership, he has secured the first EU-wide team research grant. This work was supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office in Hungary (RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00006) and the COST Action CA21170 "Prevention, anticipation and mitigation of tick-borne disease risk applying the DAMA protocol (PRAGMATICK)," which represent the first funded efforts to apply the principles of the DAMA protocol.


As the references of the world-class city pivot from traditional centers of finance in the West to include an ascendant Asia, cities dependent on foreign investment must modulate their governance to capture these flows of capital and urban development expertise. This article examines how institutions and individuals in Ho Chi Minh City, more commonly known as Saigon, deploy different modes of law and regulation to accommodate a diverse array of foreign capital producing the city. I offer two modes of governance: opacity and transparency. The first mode, opacity, affords government agencies and local developers flexibility to pursue new circuits of East and Southeast Asian foreign investment. These regulatory flexibilities are often framed and read as corruption under what I argue is another mode of urban development, transparency. Transparency is championed by international development institutions like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank that likewise produce urban infrastructure and urban development projects in the city. I argue that these flexible modes of city making are a way for state agencies to speculate on multiple and contradicting visions of the world-class city utilizing techniques of governance, law, and regulation.


Abstract In a recent study [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2014, 53, 9957–9960] a new concept of chiral separation has been suggested, which is based on functionalized, nanoporous sheets of graphene. In this follow‐up article we discuss the underlying principle in greater detail and make suggestions for suitable pore functionalizations with respect to a selection of chiral prototype molecules. Considering drug molecules as future targets for a chiral separation via membranes, the necessary pore sizes represent a big challenge for standard methods of computational chemistry. Therefore, we test two common force fields (GAFF, CGenFF) as well as a semiempirical tight‐binding approach recently developed by the Grimme group (GFN‐xTB) against the computationally much more expensive density functional theory. We identify the GFN‐xTB method as the most suitable approach for future simulations of functionalized pores for the given purpose, as it is able to produce reaction pathways in very good agreement with density functional theory, even in cases where force fields tend to an extreme overestimation of barrier heights.


The 1000 Journals Project: a series of blank journal books, inscribed with a volume number, brief instructions and a return address (mailbox and, crucially, website), passed globally from individual to individual – it is a DVD, a monograph publication, a website and a kind of mass archive. In thinking about this project, specifically as life writing, I am interested in what it might tell us about the kind of representative community these kinds of projects encourage and reward in this context. For example, there is a predominance of visual representation (embellishment, illustration, sketches, collage) in the journals, and this paper is attentive to the ways in which (literally) visual registers of expression have gained popularity and meaning in contemporary life writing. However, I also want to think about this in terms of genre: the project declares an allegiance to the journal form that is significant both for how contributors engage with the project and for how the project is framed by its curator. As a structuring principal and aesthetic mode, diary in this context brings into focus a discursive register to this project as autobiography: for example, the authentic life as an expressed (visible) life and creativity as therapeutic.


We study the properties of gold contacts on chemically derived graphene devices by scanning photocurrent microscopy and gate-dependent electrical transport measurements. In the as-fabricated devices, negligible potential barriers are found at the gold/graphene interface, reflecting the noninvasive character of the contacts. Device annealing above 300 °C leads to the formation of potential barriers at the contacts concomitant with metal-induced p-type doping of the sheet as a consequence of the diffusion of gold from the electrodes. The transfer characteristics of the chemically derived graphene devices point toward the suppression of Klein tunneling in this material.


CONTEXT
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will introduce the reporting of patient surveys in 2008. The Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Hospital Survey contains 18 questions about hospital care. Internal consistency reliability of the discharge information scale is relatively low and some important domains of care are not represented.

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether adding questions increases the reliability and validity of the survey.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING
Surveys of patients at 181 hospitals participating in the California Hospitals Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART), an initiative for voluntary public reporting of hospital performance in California.

STUDY DESIGN
CHART added nine questions to the CAHPS Hospital Survey; two to improve reliability of the discharge information domain, five to create a coordination of care domain, and two relating to interpreter services.

DATA COLLECTION
Surveys were sent to randomly selected patients from each CHART hospital.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
A total of 40,172 surveys were included. Adding the new discharge information questions improved the internal consistency reliability from 0.45 to 0.72 and the hospital-level reliability from 0.75 to 0.81. New coordination of care composites had good internal consistency reliabilities ranging from 0.58 to 0.70 and hospital-level reliabilities ranging from 0.84 to 0.87. The new coordination of care composites were more closely correlated with overall hospital ratings and willingness to recommend than six of the seven original domains.

CONCLUSIONS
The additional discharge information questions and the new coordination of care questions significantly improved the psychometric properties of the CAHPS Hospital Survey.


The World Bank has a large partnership portfolio, including international organizations and private actors. Due to their diversity and to the ambitious programs they pursue, partners are highly exposed to financial and operational risk. Curbing this risk takes different shapes in the legal design of partnerships. In particular, partnerships differ in terms of the degree of legal continuity along the stages of decision-making, management of funds and program implementation. This configuration raises several problems for the attribution of international legal responsibility for partnership-related activities. In some cases, the problem is one of attribution of conduct at the level of the partnership's governing body as well as at that of implementation. More broadly, the policy of risk management leads to a dilution of control within the partnership chain. This means that one can construe only certain partnership programmes, or certain segments of a partnership, as amassing enough control for responsibility to arise.


Advances in life science require knowledge of active molecules in complex biological systems. These molecules are often only present for a certain time and at limited concentrations. Integrated micro-analytical tools for sampling, separation and mass spectrometric (MS) detection would meet these requests and are therefore continuously gaining interest. An on-line coupling of analytical functions provides shorter analysis time and less manual sample handling. In this thesis, improved compatibility of microdialysis sampling and multidimensional separations coupled to MS detection are developed and discussed. Microdialysis was used in vitro for determination of the non-protein bound fraction of the drug ropivacaine. The sampling unit was coupled on-line to capillary column liquid chromatography (LC) followed by ultraviolet or MS detection. For MS detection, the system was extended with a desalting step and an addition of internal standard. A method for MS screening of microdialysates, collected in vivo, was also developed. The method involved sampling and measurements of the chemical pattern of molecules that generally are ignored in clinical investigations. Chemometric tools were used to extract the relevant information and to compare samples from stimulated and control tissues. Complex samples often require separation in more than one dimension. On-line interfaces for sample transfer between LC and capillary electrophoresis (CE) were developed in soft poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). MS detection in the LC-CE system was optimised on frequent sampling of the CE peak or on high resolution in mass spectra using time-of-flight (TOF)MS or Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR)MS, respectively. Aspects on electrode positioning in the LC-CE interface led to development of an on-column CE electrode. A successful method for deactivation of the PDMS surface using a polyamine polymer was also developed. The systems were evaluated using peptides and proteins, molecules that are gaining increased attention in bioscience, and consequently also in chemical analysis.


In this work we describe an architecture that supports the composition of web based lesson plans for math based on a database of fine grained mathematical components. Lessons can be tailored for different communities of users. For this research, the principal target community of users is middle school mathematics teachers. Our goal is to build a web accessible resource of pedagogical material for grades K- 12 math that can be used and reused in a variety of contexts from teacher remediation to lesson preparation through to student use of the lesson. The web based lessons are generated on the fly from a database of fine grained components that include explanations, interactive activities, worksheets, images, videos, audio, FAQ's, online questions and challenges. We present a prototype system based on this architecture that includes functionality for teachers, students and parents. The prototype also includes a graphical interface for easily creating and reusing lesson content.


Introduction The worldwide prevalence of Huntington's disease (HD) varies from 0.37 to 12.1 cases per 100 000 persons in different populations. Objective Our goal was to analyse prevalence of HD among citizens of Bashkortostan Republic of various ethnic origins and area of residence. The population of Bashkortostan is 4.06 million people. The population of Bashkirs is 1.2 million (29.5%) according to the 2010 census. Two other big ethnic groups are Russians (36.0%) and Tatars (25.4%). Materials and Methods According to National Genetic Register "Huntington's disease" by 1 January 2012 there are 152 HD patients, 28 obligate carriers and 151 possible carriers from 145 families. We have also registered 75 cases of deaths of HD. The prevalence of HD in Bashkortostan is 3.7 per 100 000 that is significantly higher than in our previous study (2.57 per 100 000 people). This is caused by improvements in diagnosis and registration of HD. The highest prevalence rate was among Tatars and Russians (6.42 and 5.39 per 100 000 respectively). The prevalence of HD in Bashkirs was only 1.56 per 100 000 people. This disease was registered in 27 of 54 administrative districts and in 15 of 21 cities of Bashkortostan. The prevalence of HD varies from 2.3 to 19.76 per 100 000 people. Conclusion A growth of HD prevalence rate and its geographical expansion in Bashkortostan Republic emphasise the importance of analysing epidemiological information of HD patients and carriers using National Genetic Register. DNA-diagnostics and improving physician awareness will help to early diagnosis and effective genetic counselling of HD.


In this paper, a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) algorithm of the finite element method (FEM), which can take into account the effects of geometric and material nonlinearities of the tank, buckling of the tank shell, and nonlinear sloshing behavior of the contained liquid, is utilized to evaluate the actual behavior of broad cylindrical steel tanks when subjected to strong earthquake motions. In order to clarify a key question—whether anchoring would prevent earthquake damage to tanks—numerical analyses are carried out on the same tank model having two different support conditions: anchored and unanchored. In addition to two horizontal components of ground motion, the vertical component is also taken into account in order to determine the relative importance of vertical ground motion in the behavior of tanks. The consistency of provisions presented in current design codes and numerical analysis results is evaluated.


Background Given the lack of evidence-supported guidance for therapeutic recommendations of primary mediastinal malignant germ cell tumors (PMMGCTs), our study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment strategies, and prognostic factors of PMMGCTs. Methods We carried out a consecutive retrospective evaluation on a series of patients diagnosed with PMMGCTs in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to August 2020. Results A total of 58 patients were eligible, consisting of 51 males and seven females. There were 15 patients with seminomas, 39 with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs), and four with mixed germ cell tumors (GCTs). The 5-year overall survival was 45%, with a median survival time of 32.37 months. Except for the lost follow-up of seven patients, a univariate analysis of overall survival on the remaining patients showed significant differences in pathological type (mixed GCTs were regarded as NSGCTs) (p=0.036), tumor size (>11cm) (p=0.006), and other sites metastases (OSM) (p=0.001), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that OSM and surgical resection were independently associated with overall survival in all kinds of PMMGCTs. Conclusion OSM was an independent risk factor for patients with PMMGCTs. Surgery was proved to contribute to long-term survival. More in-depth clinical evidence is urgently needed to guide the treatment of PMMGCTs.


The subject matter of the study is the mechanism of functioning and development of HR high-tech enterprise. In Ukraine, the most high-tech sector of the economy is represented by the information technology sector, namely the sub-sector of the development and implementation of information products and services. The relevance of researching HR processes in high-tech enterprises is due not only to the rapid growth of the IT sector of the Ukrainian market, but also to the need to study the work of the HR system taking into account the stages of the life cycle of such an enterprise. The development of a high-tech sector requires the continuous development of HR methods and tools. The goal of the work is to study the current state and directions of HR development in IT enterprises in accordance with the stages of the life cycle of such enterprises. The objectives of the work are to summarize the existing practical trends in HR and to study their structural characteristics; to improve the criterial approach to determining the relationship between the stage of the life cycle of a high-tech enterprise and the stage of development of the HR service. The general scientific and applied methods of theoretical and empirical research were used in the work: observation, comparison and analysis of empirical data, generalization, synthesis for posing a problem, studying the laws of the development of the object of research; statistical to assess the current state of the industry; graphic  to illustrate the results of the activities of enterprises and the formulation of findings of the studies. The result of the research is the formation of the fundamentals of a criterial approach to determining the relationship between the stage of the life cycle of a high-tech enterprise and the stage of development of the HR based on the ordering of existing trends in the field of HR. It is determined that strategic direction for modern enterprises is creation of HR-business partner, which will allow to solve complex problems of modern adaptive HR management tasks. The proposed indicators of HR performance evaluation depending on the stage of HR development.


The dimensional tolerancing knowledge management system presented in this paper uses Nested Ripple down Rules (NRDR) targeted towards incrementally capturing expert design knowledge. A demonstrated example of such captured knowledge is that which human designers utilize in order to specify dimensional tolerances on shafts and mating holes in order to meet desired classes of fit as set by relevant engineering standards. In doing so, NRDR interface was designed to receive mathematical functions with their specifications prior and during the KA process. This is necessary to be able to exploit relationships among several classes with respect to certain numerical features of the cases in order to accelerate the convergence of the NRDR knowledge acquisition process by generating artificial cases which are likely to trigger the addition of exception rules. The incorporation of equations constitutes a novel contribution to the field of knowledge acquisition with NRDR. The developed dimensional tolerancing knowledge management system would help mechanical designers become more effective in the time-consuming tolerancing process of their designs in the future.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


Under the rubrics of recent 'terror' attacks—especially 9/11 and 7/7—the discourses of security and surveillance, and the subsequent heightened awareness of risk and insecurity, have been framed within an increasingly global context. Through an appropriation of the Ban-opticon dispositif (Bigo 2006, 2011), this article analyses the changing urban transformations of civic space and mediated messages perpetuated within, and through, the London 2012 Olympic Games. In so doing, we deconstruct London 2012 through a post-panoptic lens, identifying how processes of social control are reiterated and (re)configured through the establishment of a clearly delineated "other", that which is deemed 'unwelcome' and situated as posing a threat to the safety of the normalised, and accepted, majority. Thus, through a reading of the cultural politics of class, race and gender that are embedded within sporting spectacle, we argue that London 2012 capitalised on the institutionalised culture of fear to convey, and thus contain, an accepted vision of multiculturalism, legitimising surveillance practices and security measures that became ingrained within the urban landscape and social fabric of the nation's capital. In so doing, we point towards a troubling yet all too tangible true London Olympic legacy, one that identifies and subjects specific yet significant 'others' to forms of social control and corporeal governance.


There is widespread agreement that the world's most successful developing countries in the 1980s were those in Southeast Asia. Following in the footsteps of postwar Japan and more recently Korea, the populations of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines have made enormous strides in income, industrial and agricultural production, exports, education, health, nutrition, consumption, and other development indicators. This book brings together political scientists, economists, officials of Asian governments, the United States, and representatives of the multilateral banks to analyze and explain Southeast Asia's extraordinary growth. Chapters and contributors to The Southeast Asian Economic Miracle include: "Recent Developments and Future Prospects of Indonesia" by Anwar Nasution; "The Economic Experience and Prospects of Thailand" by Sukhumbhand Paribatra; "The Development of the Former Indochina States" by Frederick Brown; "Trade and Investment in Southeast Asian Development" by Stephen Parker; and "Managing Renewable Resources in Southeast Asia: The Problem of Deforestation" by Gareth Porter. Among the critical questions that the contributors address are: Is the success of the 1980s and early 1990s a permanent part of the world's economic landscape? How will this region react to the growth of China's vast productive capacity and to the faltering of Japan's economy? What will be the effect of U.S. military disengagement caused by domestic budgetary concerns and the end of the cold war? The Southeast Asian Economic Miracle is an important study of the shifting winds of the political economy of growth in our time--the movement away from a command to a free market environment. It will be an essential resource for political scientists, Asia area scholars, economists, and policymakers.