In conventional delivery mode of Educational Enterprise Resource Planning (EERP) information systems, applications and databases are established for each college in universities independently. It not only causes resources to be wasted, but also brings about a series of problems related to data management. As technologies like virtualization assume important places within the IT landscape, higher education leaders will need to consider which institutional services they wish to leave to customer choice, which ones they wish to outsource "somewhere else: of course cloud," and which services they should operate centrally or locally on campus. In order to solve the problems mentioned above perfectly, Educational Enterprise Resource Planning information system begins to be constructed based on SaaS. In this paper, a schema of distributed database architecture in the SaaS-based multi-tenant Educational Enterprise Resource Planning information systems (OLTP) JEE based application is proposed and a distributed database access process module is implemented.


Recent advances in adaptive optics (AO) have led to the implementation of wide field-of-view AO systems. A number of wide-field AO systems are also planned for the forthcoming Extremely Large Telescopes. Such systems have multiple wavefront sensors of different types, and usually multiple deformable mirrors (DMs). Here, we report on our experience integrating cameras and DMs with the real-time control systems of two wide-field AO systems. These are CANARY, which has been operating on-sky since 2010, and DRAGON, which is a laboratory AO real-time demonstrator instrument. We detail the issues and difficulties that arose, along with the solutions we developed. We also provide recommendations for consideration when developing future wide-field AO systems.


Automated machine learning (AutoML) strives for the automatic configuration of machine learning algorithms and their composition into an overall (software) solution — a machine learning pipeline — tailored to the learning task (dataset) at hand. Over the last decade, AutoML has developed into an independent research field with hundreds of contributions. At the same time, AutoML is being criticized for its high resource consumption as many approaches rely on the (costly) evaluation of many machine learning pipelines, as well as the expensive large-scale experiments across many datasets and approaches. In the spirit of recent work on Green AI, this paper proposes Green AutoML, a paradigm to make the whole AutoML process more environmentally friendly. Therefore, we first elaborate on how to quantify the environmental footprint of an AutoML tool. Afterward, different strategies on how to design and benchmark an AutoML tool w.r.t. their "greenness", i.e., sustainability, are summarized. Finally, we elaborate on how to be transparent about the environmental footprint and what kind of research incentives could direct the community in a more sustainable AutoML research direction. As part of this, we propose a sustainability checklist to be attached to every AutoML paper featuring all core aspects of Green AutoML.


(→ = +0·56, p = 0·003 and → = +0·38, p < 0·0·001, respectively). RCF had an independent inverse correlation with bk-PWV (→ = −0·01, p = 0·01). Systolic blood pressure showed an independent positive correlation with ba-PWV only after adjustment for other biomarkers (→ = +0·1, p = 0·04). Cholesterol/HDL had an independent inverse correlation with ABPI (→ = −0·08, p = 0·046). There was no significant association between the other biomarkers and ABPI or PWV. Conclusion: Hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension need aggressive treatment in this population. Plasma Hcy and RCF levels correlated well with severity of PAD. They are easily measured markers of disease and provide possible targets for further risk factor modification.


Main aim of Identity -Based Access Control project is to store the important data from cloud. This mechanism is to carry out the rating system for preventing specific digital content like (audio, video, images etc) from being obtained by appropriate users. We introduce an access-control technique that we refer to as attribute-based encryption (ABE). An extension of the cryptographic technique of identity-based encryption (IBE), our proposed ABE scheme can serve as the basis of an access-control architecture where interaction is not require for entities with a trusted authority in order to gain access to sensitive data.In this paper, we proposed an identity based access control approach for digital content based on cipher text-policy attribute-based encryption. Only one copy of encrypted digital content is required to share with multiple users. In this paper we represent a system for realizing complex access control on encrypted data that we call Cipher text-Policy Attribute-Based Encryption. By using such techniques encrypted data can be kept confidential even if the storage server is untrusted; Previous Attribute- Based Encryption systems used attributes to describe the encrypted data and built policies into user's keys; while in our system attributes are used for describing a user's credentials, and a party for encrypting data determines a policy for who can decrypt. We present a ne w methodology for realizing Cipher-text Policy Attribute Encryption (CP-ABE) under concrete and non-interactive cryptographic assumptions in the standard model. Our solutions allow any encrypt to specify access control in terms of any access formula over the attributes in the system.As shown in our performance analysis with respect of security, space complexity, and time complexity, identity-based access control outperforms the traditional access control list based and encryption-based access control approaches.


In this paper, we discuss the greenhouse gas emission reduction potential from international shipping. Drawing from the International Maritime Organization's most recent assessment of maritime greenhouse gas emissions and other sources, we investigate the current level of emissions from international maritime activity and look at factors influencing future emission levels such as projected activity levels, GHG-reducing technology options and the rate of their uptake, operational measures – foremost speed reduction – and fuel switching. We do not discuss the marginal abatement costs of maritime GHG-reduction measures – with the exception of speed reduction – due to insufficient evidence. Finally, we discuss factors that may influence international responses to maritime GHG reduction policies, though these are discussed more thoroughly in a companion paper (Kageson, 2009). CO2 emissions from maritime transport are larger than has previously been estimated The IMO finds that international maritime activity accounted for 843 Mt of CO2 in 2007 or 45% more than previous emission estimates from marine bunkers. This finding, for illustrative purposes, places 2007 international shipping emissions between the 2005 national emissions of India and Germany. International shipping accounts for approximately 2.7% of world CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion with all shipping activity (fishing, domestic and international) representing approximately 3.3% of total CO2 from fuel combustion. Despite projected efficiency improvements, the IMO projects that CO2 emissions from international maritime activity will grow through 2050 though this growth may significantly slowed through uptake of fuel efficient technologies and operating procedures.


The theory of public administration offers a wide range of paradigms or approaches that are developed as a consequence of various triggers from internal and external environment. The classical model of bureaucratic organization as outlined by Weber is no longer appropriate in modern countries, although it still remains the basis of public administration because of numerous transformations and upgrades. The first major reforms were introduced to public administration via the more modern and market-oriented New Public Management. However, Post-New Public Management approaches have recently developed as a reflection of social and political changes. In this paper, we offer an overview of modern approaches, which do not appear in pure form, but in the form of hybrids. There is no consensus, either in science or in practice, on the optimal direction of public administration development or on the preferential approach. This decision is left to the governments, bearing in mind that each public administration reform and hybridization of approaches affect the complexity of public administration. Analysing the reform of the Slovenian public administration, we have found that the current Strategy of Public Administration Development for 2015-2020 is based on modern elements and values of Post-New Public Management approaches and that reforms strive for modernization, but (as shown by the current crisis) a serious effort will be required in the future to achieve this goal.


This first Technical report of the Coordination Center for Effects (CCE) presents European maps of critical loads of actual acidity, sulphur and nitrogen, and maps displaying European geographical patterns of exceedances of current deposition over critical loads. Methods and assumptions used to produce these CCE maps are summarized in this report but can be found in more detail in the Mapping Manual (UN ECE, 1990a) and its annexes, as well as the Mapping Vademecum (Hettelingh and de Vries), 1991), of which several drafts were produced during the mapping exercise. This report also aims to provide an preliminary evaluation of the CCE maps through (1) comparison with the Stockholm Environment Institute senstitivity map which has been used by the UN ECE Task Force on Integrated Assessment Modeling (TFIAM) to assess abatement strategies, and (2) comparison of braodscale European data to two cases of national data used in the mapping exercise.


BRIEF SESSION DESCRIPTION: This session will offer the use of haiku poetry as a method for promoting creativity in the classroom as part of a mindfulness exercise. ________________________________________________________________ FULL ABSTRACT: In this session, I will demonstrate the use of haiku to promote creativity in thinking and discuss the role of creativity in learning theory. This process can be used as a mindfulness exercise to transform the learning environment from a structured focus to a rich more open-ended engaged thought process. In distance learning and the traditional classroom setting, students can compose a haiku in a few minutes with no prior experience, given a few guidelines. In my graduate-level capstone course at Mason, I use haiku writing as a way for students to think about their practice, characterizing their work as a vision-based calling instead of a series of tasks. Such creative mindfulness exercises take a constructivist approach useful in any discipline, including the social and physical sciences to help students step back from a linear daily world and into a more creative learning environment. We will spend most of the session crafting and sharing our haiku creations to demonstrate the simplicity of the activity, the creativity locked inside all of us, and the value of transformative critical thinking. In this session, I will provide learning-focused images and objects to prompt participants in haiku crafting and they will write about a specific moment in classroom learning. I will also provide a reference guide citing informing principles and specific resources. Teachers in virtually any discipline could use this as an opening exercise to transform minds from a digital world into deeper thinking about the topic of the day. In my experience in teaching a range of subjects from astronomy to conflict analysis and resolution, this technique would be of value, in my view.


In the last years, a potential link between endometriosis and celiac disease has been hypothesized since these disorders share some similarities, specifically concerning a potential role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and immunological dysfunctions. We investigated the prevalence of celiac disease among Italian women with endometriosis with respect to general population. Consecutive women with a laparoscopic and histological confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis were enrolled; female nurses of our institution, without a known history of endometriosis, were enrolled as controls. IgA endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies measurement and serum total IgA dosage were performed in both groups. An upper digestive endoscopy with an intestinal biopsy was performed in case of antibodies positivity. Presence of infertility, miscarriage, coexistence of other autoimmune diseases, and family history of autoimmune diseases was also investigated in all subjects. Celiac disease was diagnosed in 5 of 223 women with endometriosis and in 2 of 246 controls (2.2% versus 0.8%; P = 0.265). Patients with endometriosis showed a largely higher rate of infertility compared to control group (27.4% versus 2.4%; P < 0.001). Our results confirm that also in Italian population an increased prevalence of celiac disease among patients with endometriosis is found, although this trend does not reach the statistical significance.


This paper evaluates and criticizes the account of international law given in Chapter Ten of H.L.A. Hart's book, The Concept of Law. Hart's account offers a few insights -- particularly on the relation between law and sanctions. But his account of international law is moistly quite impoverished. His observations about the absence of secondary rules (rules of change, adjudication, and recognition ) in international law are quite unjustified. His exaggeration of the difference between international law and municipal legal systems is so grotesquely exaggerated, as to deprive the former account of almost all its utility in jurisprudence. What is worse, his dismissive and misconceived account of international law has tended to drive practitioners of analytic legal philosophy away form addressing this important area of jurisprudence.


Although negotiation theory provides substantial understanding about negotiation process and outcome, it does not adequately consider the social context in which a negotiation is embedded. When the element of time is added to social context it appears as if a specific negotiation becomes surrounded by a flow-of-events. I argue that this flow-of-events, and hence context, may be more clearly understood through the application of linkage theory. This paper reviews the literature on linkage theory and proposes a three-part temporal model of negotiation linkage: simultaneous links, concurrent links and consecutive links. I apply this model and a rolebased framework (link-pin party and linked party) in examining case-study data from two discrete negotiations that are concurrently linked in time: Singapore - Australia free-trade negotiations (SAFTA: 11/2000 - 2/2003) and United States - Singapore free-trade negotiations (USSFTA: 11/2000 - 5/2003). Case analysis facilitates development of propositions and guidance that can assist in (1) determining the direction of influence in linked negotiations, (2) managing opportunistic behaviour in linked negotiations, (3) managing negotiation strategy and (4) gaining negotiation efficiency opportunity through linkage. Following an examination of the structural characteristics that appear to determine case-study linkage dynamics, this paper builds a four-part structural framework that identifies choices and consequences that parties confront in concurrently linked negotiations. The paper concludes by outlining a program of research based on a temporal model of negotiation linkage.


Abstract Background. Conflicts across professional workgroup and hierarchies inundate the clinical workplace. Early Career Doctors (ECDs) are also affected either as victims or as a provocateur/perpetrator. The effects of conflict at their workplaces have both significant positive and negative dimensions and impacts on ECDs. Little has been reported about conflict among ECDs in Nigeria. Thus, this study explored the issue of conflict and conflict resolution among ECDs in Nigeria, in a bid to elicit information on the causes, consequences, perpetrators and victims. Method. This was a qualitative study, using Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to explore information on conflict and conflict management among purposively selected key respondents (n = 14) from seven tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. The respondents are ECDs who were leaders and representatives of other ECDs in their various hospitals. Two FGDs were conducted. Results. The result showed that conflict is inescapable in clinical settings and occurred at different levels. The perpetrators are varieties of health workers, and most are task-related conflicts, although there are relational ones. The conflicts with the government on labour-related issues are also frequent. The lack of job description and specification and power struggle among others were highlighted as the drivers of conflicts between ECDs and other health-workers. Conclusion. The findings of the study were discussed, and suggestions were made to reduce its effect, which would require structural solutions to mitigate at different levels and the diverse players in the health sectors.


This paper presents estimates of the benefits of clearing landmines in two provinces in rural Cambodia using the contingent-valuation (CV) method. The data came from a survey where we asked respondents referendum-type questions that elicit their willingness to pay for landmine clearance. The survey also provides estimates of the injury risk-death risk trade-off and the implicit value of statistical injury. These estimates suggest that the value of lives and injuries saved from mine clearing is likely to be at least an order of magnitude greater than those used in existing studies of mine clearing. We show that the value of lives and injuries saved is likely to dominate benefit assessments when VSL estimates are used. Estimates previously obtained for rural Thailand are contrasted with the results for Cambodia, and the determinants of the VSL investigated using econometric techniques. While Harris (2000) found a significantly negative net present value of landmine clearance in Cambodia we show that when using VSL estimates the net present value is less negative, and the value of lives and injuries saved dominates the benefits


Evaluation is currently regarded as a central tool for learning and improving accountability in relation to public policies and social programmes. It is also understood as a process for boosting human development and social justice. Capability and feminist approaches have both been explored, separately, in evaluation theory, methodology and practice. This article explores the potentials, complementarities and limitations of mixing the two approaches. To this end, we present an evaluation design for the 'Programme Against Child Poverty' of Save the Children Andalucia (Spain). Our aim is to contribute to the development of transformative approaches and methodologies within the evaluation discipline.


The equilibrium contact angle of a droplet resting on a solid substrate can reveal essential properties of the solid's surface. However, when the motion of a droplet on a surface shows significant hysteresis, it is generally accepted that the solid's equilibrium properties cannot be determined. Here, we describe a method to measure surface tensions of soft solids with strong wetting hysteresis. With independent knowledge of the surface tension of the wetting fluid and the linear-elastic response of the solid, the solid deformations under the contact line and the contact angle of a single droplet together reveal the difference in surface tension of the solid against the liquid and vapor phases. If the solid's elastic properties are unknown, then this surface tension difference can be determined from the change in substrate deformations with contact angle. These results reveal an alternate equilibrium contact angle, equivalent to the classic form of Young-Dupré, but with surface tensions in place of surface energies. We motivate and apply this approach with experiments on gelatin, a common hydrogel.


Forests play a significant role in the global biogeochemical and -physical cycles and particularly the complex three-dimensional forest canopy structure influences the fluxes of energy and matter between the atmosphere and forests. Assessing this structure quantitatively using conventional fieldwork or traditional remote sensing methods is difficult, whereas airborne laser scanning (ALS) systems have proven to be suitable for providing explicit vertical information for large areas. However, most existing ALS based approaches include manual processing steps or need additional data about stand characteristics. To solve these issues, a robust and automatic multi-dimensional clustering method was developed to derive forest canopy structure types (CSTs) based on full-waveform ALS data. The results show that it is possible to develop an automatic, self-sustained and transferable method for: the extraction of CSTs without any previous knowledge about the forest stand; and the extraction of bio-physical parameters based on the resulting CSTs.


The acetic acid–water binary system is a classical hydroxy–carboxy mixed system, while new and interesting phenomena appear under stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). Compared with the weaker signal of the acetic acid–water binary system obtained in spontaneous Raman scattering, SRS provides a finer band and a relatively distinct structural transition point. The structural transformation points are respectively at 30% and 80% by volume ratio under the condition of spontaneous Raman spectroscopy, while they are respectively at 15% and 25% under the condition of SRS. This phenomenon is attributed to the generation of laser induced plasma and shockwave induced dynamic high pressure environment during SRS.


Purpose. The improvement in the management of knowledge and technology is leading to (re)thinking an innovative organizational model based on flexible work, namely "smart working." This paper presents the main benefits of smart working, the Italian legislation, and some case studies in Veneto small and medium enterprises (SMEs), one of the most prosperous and important economic areas in Europe. Design / methodology / approach. An exploratory approach was adopted to describe smart working and to investigate certain Italian SMEs to evaluate the real implementation of smart working according to the key variables of smart working implementation and the critical success factors of the smart working design. Findings. The research highlights a poor implementation of smart working in SMEs; however, there are already initiatives related to flexible work based on informal activities. Practical implications. By showing evidence on smart working in an economically advanced European region, it sheds light on how flexible work plays out in a real context.


A new computational tool is presented in this paper for suboptimal control design of a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems. First proper orthogonal decomposition based problem-oriented basis functions are designed, which are then used in a Galerkin projection to come up with a low-order lumped parameter approximation. Next, a suboptimal controller is designed using the emerging /spl thetas/-D technique for lumped parameter systems. This time domain sub-optimal control solution is then mapped back to the distributed domain using the same basis functions, which essentially leads to a closed form solution for the controller in a state feedback form. Numerical results for a real-life nonlinear temperature control problem indicate that the proposed method holds promise as a good suboptimal control design technique for distributed parameter systems.


At the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP) in southwestern Ohio, ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with sample introduction by peristaltic pumping, is used to determine total and isotopic uranium (U-234, U-235, U-236 and U-238) in soil samples. These analyses are conducted in support of the environmental cleanup of the FEMP site. Various aspects of the sample preparation and instrumental analysis will be discussed. Initial sample preparation consists of oven drying to determine moisture content, and grinding and rolling to homogenize the sample. This is followed by a nitric/hydrofluoric acid digestion to bring the uranium in the sample into solution. Bismuth is added to the sample prior to digestion to monitor for losses. The total uranium (U-238) content of this solution and the U{sup 235}/U{sup 238} ratio are measured on the first pass through the ICP-MS. To determine the concentration of the less abundant U{sup 234} and U{sup 236} isotopes, the digestate is further concentrated by using Eichrom TRU-Spec extraction columns before the second pass through the ICP-MS. Quality controls for both the sample preparation and instrumental protocols will also be discussed. Finally, an explanation of the calculations used to report the data in either weight percent or activity units will be given.


Recent studies have shown that a membrane p-glycoprotein, encoded by MDR1 gene, is involved in the transport of free cholesterol from the plasma membrane to endoplasmic reticulum, the site of cholesterol esterification by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Moreover, results deriving from our previous studies have shown that the rate of cell proliferation was positively correlated with cholesteryl ester levels as well as with ACAT and MDR1 gene expression. In this study, lipid content and the expression of the genes involved in cholesterol metabolism such as hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoA-R), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), ACAT and MDR1 have been investigated in control and atherosclerotic arteries. The results have shown that the levels of cholesteryl ester increase with the age of cadaveric donors in arteries prone to atherosclerosis (abdominal aorta, superficial femoral artery) and become predominant in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The mRNA levels of ACAT and MDR1 showed the same age correlation, reaching the highest values in atherosclerotic specimens. These results suggest that MDR1 may be involved in the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol ester levels found in atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, the levels of HMGCoA-R, LDL-R and ACAT gene expressions progressively increased with the age of cadaveric donors; conversely, in atherosclerotic specimens, the mRNA levels of HMGCoA-R and LDL-R drastically decreased while ACAT gene expression reached its maximum. These findings suggest a reactivation of normal homeostatic regulation of cholesterol in advanced and complicated lesions.


The 'Saving Mothers' Lives' report found that between 2006–8 ectopic pregnancies accounted for over 1% of pregnancies in the UK, and 6% of maternal deaths. The accident and emergency (A&E) department is the first port of call for many women with symptoms of abdominal pain, collapse or vaginal bleeding. NICE recommends assessment of any women of a reproductive age must include consideration into whether symptoms are due to an ectopic pregnancy. We performed a six-month retrospective review of adolescents attending the A&E department with abdominal pain and examined factors influencing sexual history taking and urine pregnancy testing. From April to September 2014, A&E notes of all female patients aged 13–16 years old presenting with abdominal pain were collated and screened using the computer system Symphony. Fifty patients fitted the selection criteria. The assessing doctor's department and grade was noted and information collected on presence of urine pregnancy test, sexual history taking, patient ethnicity and who, if anyone, accompanied the patient. Of the fifty patients, half had a urine pregnancy test documented. Of the patients with documented urine pregnancy tests, A&E doctors performed this 73% of the time and paediatric team 25% of the time. Only 21% of Indian adolescents had a urine pregnancy test performed. Black patients had the highest rate of documentation of urine pregnancy test (83%). There did not appear to be a correlation between the percentage of urine pregnancy tests performed and person accompanying the patient. The surgical team documented the patient's last menstrual period in 78% of cases, which was higher than the A&E department (62%) and paediatrics (53%). Only 11% of 16 year-old patients and 27% of 15 year old patients had sexual history taking documented. There appears to be ethnic bias when performing a urine pregnancy test, but there is no correlation between rate of pregnancy tests, patient age and presence of an accompanying adult. These results highlight the need for improvement in sexual history taking and pregnancy testing in this patient group.


In this paper, a more accurate battery state of charge (SOC) estimation method for electric drive vehicles is developed based on a nonlinear battery model and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) supported by experimental data. A nonlinear battery model is constructed by separating the model into a nonlinear open circuit voltage and a two-order resistance-capacitance model. EKF is used to eliminate the measurement and process noise and remove the need of prior knowledge of initial SOC. A hardware-in-the-loop test bench was built to validate the method. The experimental results show that the proposed method can estimate the battery SOC with high accuracy.


North Buzachi field is structurally located in the western part of Ustyurt Basin on the edge of Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan. It's a heavy oil reservoir with viscosity nearly 400 mPa·s at 33°C. After nearly 20 years of cold-water flooding, the oil production has fallen sharply. Low sweep efficiency and high water cut come to be the main severe challenges at this stage. Ways to improve efficiency and productivity need to be tried and evaluated.
 Water shut off tests, polymer flooding and adjusting perforations have been tried, but with little success. Thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods generally are effective options and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) was considered. But the high-water saturation and water cut make CSS get rapid economic decline after 1 or 2 cycle. Therefore, the feasibility of Gas-Steam Composite Stimulation (GSCS) on this field is studied and evaluated. This paper shows the prospect of GSCS in this reservoir by studying flow mechanisms and numerical simulation analysis.
 Gas-Steam Composite is a mixture of steam, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which is produced based on a high-pressure jet combustion mechanism. The mixed components are simultaneously injected into the formation at the same pressure and temperature. GSCS has been tried in other similar oil fields (Mortuk oil field in Kazakhstan) before, and the actual production results are better than predicted. The application prediction of North Buzachi field was based on the previous theory and experience. During the GSCS progress, gas overlap occurs underground, resulting in secondary gas cap drive and higher reservoir pressure. Along with other synergistic effects, the oil rate can theoretically increase to 4-5 times of water flooding in North Buzachi field. By the results of numerical simulation, the upper residual oil was swept and the sweep efficiency increase from 14% to 40%. The daily oil production per well grows from the initial 3.5 t/d to 15 t/d. Compared with the final recovery of 12% by water flooding, the recovery may reach 33.4% after 7 cycles of GSCS. Meanwhile, the water cut declines from 97% to 50% and the average cyclic oil-steam ratio reaches 4.24.
 Economical evaluation shows that cost per ton of oil can be reduced by 24%. With the remarkable increase in production, more economic benefits can be achieved with GSCS technology. This study not only lays the groundwork for future pilot of GSCS in this field, but also provides a significant reference for the development of similar heavy oil reservoirs.


The purpose of this article is to propose the integrated index of Public Governance efficiency based on the Fishburne's method, considering the impact's power and direction of the different sub-indexes (Worldwide Government Indicators) on macroeconomic stability and eliminating the issue of multicollinearity. The object of the study was 11 European countries that had two common features: 1) in the political sphere, during 1990–1992 the countries started the political transformation process by refusing the monopoly of the communistic regime; 2) in the economic sphere, the countries experienced transformation from planned to market economy. Based on these criteria, the following countries were selected: Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Armenia, Belorussia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The research findings proved a connection between the political and social determinants and the macroeconomic stability for the all the countries. Moreover, the research results confirmed the existence of a cycle of social and political conflict, which depends on inter-relation of Public Governance and the society, where the efficiency of Public Governance cannot be achieved without the support from the society, and the society cannot cooperate with non-effective Public Governance.


Meeting the 1.5 °C goal will require a rapid scale-up of zero-carbon energy supply, fuel switching to electricity, efficiency and demand-reduction in all sectors, and the replenishment of natural carbon sinks. These transformations will have immediate impacts on various of the sustainable development goals. As goals such as affordable and clean energy and zero hunger are more immediate to great parts of global population, these impacts are central for societal acceptability of climate policies. Yet, little is known about how the achievement of other social and environmental sustainability objectives can be directly managed through emission reduction policies. In addition, the integrated assessment literature has so far emphasized a single, global (cost-minimizing) carbon price as the optimal mechanism to achieve emissions reductions. In this paper we introduce a broader suite of policies—including direct sector-level regulation, early mitigation action, and lifestyle changes—into the integrated energy-economy-land-use modeling system REMIND-MAgPIE. We examine their impact on non-climate sustainability issues when mean warming is to be kept well below 2 °C or 1.5 °C. We find that a combination of these policies can alleviate air pollution, water extraction, uranium extraction, food and energy price hikes, and dependence on negative emissions technologies, thus resulting in substantially reduced sustainability risks associated with mitigating climate change. Importantly, we find that these targeted policies can more than compensate for most sustainability risks of increasing climate ambition from 2 °C to 1.5 °C.


Abstract This article presents a new parameterization of the global vegetation organizing carbon and hydrology in dynamic ecosystems (ORCHIDEE) model, modifying the assimilation, allocation, and phenology processes for a steppe ecosystem. It aims 1) to improve the modeled growth primary production (GPP) based on both in situ CO2 flux measurements and remote-sensing data of the fraction of absorbed photosynthetic radiation, and 2) to evaluate how GPP improvement results in better-modeled fluxes for ecosystem respiration, net ecosystem exchange, and latent heat. This new parameterization leads to a realistic annual GPP (comparable to the data within 10%), and a realistic seasonal variability of GPP (R2  =  0.80). Further, we found that improving GPP into ORCHIDEE immediately brings ecosystem respiration and net ecosystem exchange fluxes into better agreement with the eddy-covariance data, both on seasonal but also on interannual time scales. This result suggests that the response of this steppe ecosystem to interannual climate variations can be well reproduced from the response to seasonal variation, and that biotic effects are not interannual. This indicates the potential ability to reproduce climate-induced changes in the carbon balance of steppes with the use of a generic process-oriented vegetation model such as ORCHIDEE.


We present TextPro, a suite of modular Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools for analysis of Italian and English texts. The suite has been designed so as to integrate and reuse state of the art NLP components developed by researchers at FBK. The current version of the tool suite provides functions ranging from tokenization to chunking and Named Entity Recognition (NER). The system's architecture is organized as a pipeline of processors wherein each stage accepts data from an initial input or from an output of a previous stage, executes a specific task, and sends the resulting data to the next stage, or to the output of the pipeline. TextPro performed the best on the task of Italian NER and Italian PoS Tagging at EVALITA 2007. When tested on a number of other standard English benchmarks, TextPro confirms that it performs as state of the art system. Distributions for Linux, Solaris and Windows are available, for both research and commercial purposes. A web-service version of the system is under development.


Richard Meryman began an enduring friendship with Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) while on the job as a "Life" magazine editor in 1964. For Meryman, this unique friendship yielded more than four decades of recorded conversations with Wyeth, his family, friends and neighbors in Wyeth's homes in Pennsylvania and Maine. Meryman notes that, whether during formal interviews, shared meals, car rides or long walks, "Wyeth applied to himself the same sensitive understandings that fueled his art. A lifelong realist who swam against the art world tide of modernism, he showed himself to be fundamentally a painter of emotion--of people and objects that somehow embodied his memories and imagination, triggering feelings inexpressible in words, but recognized by viewers." In five skillfully crafted monologues composed by Meryman around key themes in Wyeth's work, we hear the voices of not only the artist but also his subjects, neighbors, relatives and critics. The book includes reproductions of the works of art discussed by Wyeth in his own words, as well as previously unpublished photographs of Wyeth's studio taken in 2009.Richard Meryman is the author of the acclaimed biography "Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life" (1996).


The METEOR trial of cabozantinib versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was reported by Prof Choueiri at the European Cancer Congress 2015. This presentation follows the publication in the New England Journal of Medicine of the METEOR trial back-to-back with the CheckMate 025 trial of nivolumab versus everolimus in the same patient setting. Excitingly, these trials demonstrated, for the first time, significant benefits over the standard of care for heavily pre-treated patients with advanced RCC. Cabozantinib, an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) aims to address the challenge of resistance to targeted therapy with TKIs. While the METEOR trial has not yet reached its final analysis of overall survival (OS), the clear progression-free survival (PFS) benefit, acceptable safety profile, and similar tolerability to other TKIs shown by cabozantinib indicate that this represents a promising new treatment option for second-line or subsequent therapy for patients with advanced RCC.


Magnetite nanoparticles have unique properties including superparamagnetism and low toxicity. They have been used as supports for immobilization of enzymes because of the advantage including easy separation and effective recycle under external magnetic field. Therefore, the present study aimed at developing a new enzymatic biocatalyst from the immobilization of Yarrowia lipolytica's (IMUFRJ 50682) lipase on magnetic nanoparticles for its use in free fatty acids and carotenoids extraction from palm oil (Elaeis guineenses). The lipase production conducted in a 4 L benchtop bioreactor generated a crude enzyme extract with hydrolytic p-nitrophenyl laurate activity of 58 U/ml after 24 h. Lipase was immobilized by adsorption on magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4). The crude enzymatic extract, both free and immobilized, were used in the hydrolysis of palm oil. Temperature, reaction time and substrate ratio (water/palm oil) were evaluated in a central composite experimental design. The initial concentration of fatty acids and carotenoids present in palm oil obtained via traditional extraction (using organic solvents) were 82.45% and 1892.3 mg/kg, respectively. Using crude lipase extract immobilized in nanoparticles, after 120 min, temperature of 24°C and water/oil ratio of 2, it was possible to obtain similar values, with the advantage of easily removing the catalyst from reaction media and reusing it. Copyright © 2018 VBRI Press.


In this study the effect of single and multiple doses of bismuth on the metabolism and excretion of endogenous metals(Cu,Zn)was investigated.Wistar rats were administered bismuth chloride subcutaneously(1×3mg Bi/g or 7×3mg Bi/kg).Rats were sacrificed at different time periods after bismuth injections.The levels of Cu and Zn were determined in the liver,kidneys and brain,as well as the concentrations of metallothionein(MT)in the liver and kidneys.Cu,Zn and total protein levels in the urine of control and exposed animals were estimated.Additionally,a histopathological examination of the kidneys and brain was carried out.The increase in the renal and hepatic Cu and Zn content was paralleled by an augmentation in the level of MT in these organs following both kinds of exposure to bismuth.Some changes in the ultrastructure of the kidneys were correlated with the dose of bismuth. Zinc content in the brains of exposed rats was lower than in control animals brains,but there was no difference in copper level and no histological changes.The excretion of copper and zinc was higher in the exposed groups than in control groups.The presente results indicate that the disturbances in the metabolism of Zn or Cu in the liver.,kidneys and brain and the increase in urinary output of metals may be a much more sensitive index than morphological damage and impaired renal function to the bismuth exposure.


Microbiological analysis of discharge from the genitals in passenger car conductors (5787 women and 1496 men aged 20 to 40) showed Gardnerella vaginalis to be the most frequent agent of urogenital infection. It was isolated in 26% cases, whereas Trichomonas were isolated in 2.5%, fungi in 1.5%, and gonococci in 0.27% cases. The diagnosis of gardnerellosis is reliable if the key cells are found. Monoinfection with G. vaginalis was diagnosed in 80% patients, the overwhelming majority (74%) of carriers of this bacterium had no inflammatory symptoms, and in only 26% the carrier state was associated with the presence of leukocytes and histiocytes, more often in the cervix. In men the carrier state was detected in 0.4% cases. The clinical picture of Gardnerella infection is similar to that of infection with Mobiluncus, which is little known. This infection occurred 10 times less frequently (2.5%) than gardnerellosis, but in 92% cases it was a component of mixed infection, most frequently in association with G. vaginalis. A little known fungus Leptothrix was found in the genital discharge of 4% examinees, mostly women, but sometimes in men as well; it is represented by 3 types of ramifying threads. The practitioners are to know these infections causing specific diseases, such as bacterial vaginosis, which are often responsible for serious complications in gynecology and obstetrics.


Abstract

 Crypto money is the currency that is created by the development of internet technology and the use of e-commerce, secured
by cryptographic systems, is not connected to a certain authority, and is used all over the world. The crypto parcels, which
have recently become quite popular, have begun to direct the financial sector. In this study, estimation of Bitcoin market
value that has seen as the most popular crypto-currency, in Turkey using artificial intelligence techniques has been carried
out. Successful results have shown that artificial intelligence can be used in the financial sector and can help in assessing
user investments.

 Editor: H. Kemal Ilter, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Turkey
Received: August 19, 2018, Accepted: October 18, 2018, Published: November 10, 2018

 Copyright: © 2018 IMISC Atlan et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author
and source are credited.


Physiological and psychological problems can arise from sleep disorders. The majority of older people experience a decrease in sleep quality with age, so it is necessary to do morning physical activity such as walking to improve sleep quality. Objective: To determine whether walking in the morning exercise can improve older people's sleep quality. Methods: It was a quantitative research with a quasi-experimental type using a one-group pre and post-test design. The sample consisted of 28 respondents selected by purposive sampling. Measurement of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to evaluate a person's sleep quality. The walking morning exercise intervention was carried out thrice a week for up to 4 weeks. Results: Wilcoxon test for bivariate analysis showed a significance level of 0.008 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Walking in the morning exercise improves sleep quality in older people.Keywords:  older people, sleep quality, walking morning exercise


Abstract Reservoir quality of the Fulmar Formation in the UK Central Graben depends on the original distribution of facies as well as subsequent modification by partly facies-dependant diagenesis. Numerous sequence stratigraphical analyses of the Humber Group have been published recently, each of which has elements which are convincing geologically. Nevertheless, it is our experience that facies and reservoir prediction within the Humber Group remain difficult. Sequence stratigraphical interpretations in the Group are clearly non-unique due to major uncertainties in the data. (1) Biostratigraphical uncertainties include species concepts, recognition of agediagnostic taxa in thermally altered floras, validity of repeated micropaleontological events and equivocal paleoenvironmental information. (2) Sedimentological uncertainties are due to the gross facies similarity of the Fulmar Formation over a large geographic area and throughout the Upper Jurassic, which make the detection of potential maximum flooding surfaces and especially sequence boundaries difficult even in many cored wells. Furthermore strong syndepositional subsidence variations due to both salt movement and tectonics, lead to aliased sampling of the subsurface in wells, which are mostly situated on highs. (3) Seismic correlation difficulties are due to persistent seismic imaging problems below the Late Cimmerian ('X') Unconformity. (4) The depositional and sequence stratigraphical models for Humber Group deposition need to be set in the context of a transgressively skewed, back-stepping system with strong local subsidence control. The overall transgression is thought to be due to the combination of sea-level rise, widening and deepening of the basin due to tectonics, and reduced sediment supply through time. In this situation existing models have to be applied with even more care than normal if they are not to be misleading (e.g. concepts of forced regressions). These difficulties are clarified in the context of a Kimmeridgian time slice through the Humber Group. Multiple options exist in well log correlations. As a result palaeogeographic reconstructions of the time-slice have an error margin of ±15 km, which has serious implications on the validity of reservoir quality predictions.


Abstract The primary objectives of this research were (1) to characterize intraspecific variation in Powell amaranth seed germination and emergence response to nitrogen fertilization, and (2) to evaluate whether germination and emergence characteristics varied between seeds from populations originating on organic vs. conventional vegetable farms. We hypothesized that nonherbicide–based weed management and use of slower-releasing forms of N on organic farms may have selected for seeds with lower dormancy and lower germination sensitivity to N fertilization than seeds from conventional farms. Seeds were collected from five conventional and five organic vegetable farms in central New York State. A second generation of seeds, produced under common greenhouse conditions and stored for at least 3 mo at 5 C was tested for both germination in petri dishes and emergence in the field under multiple rates of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3). Both seed germination and emergence were greater for seeds originating from organic compared with conventional vegetable farms. However, seed responsiveness to fertilization did not vary significantly by habitat of origin. Reduced rates or split applications of NH4NO3 significantly reduced emergence in the field in 2003 but had no significant effect on emergence in 2004. Large interpopulation variation in germination and emergence patterns suggests that for Powell amaranth and similar weed species, (1) species-level models of emergence may not be very robust across different farms, and (2) the effectiveness of manipulating emergence through soil fertility practices is likely to vary substantially according to farm and year. Nomenclature: Powell amaranth = green pigweed, Amaranthus powellii S. Wats. AMAPO.


The popularity and use of e-commerce are increasing day by day. Recent trends have shown that many people are now buying their products online through different e-commerce sites such as Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, etc. Customers review and rate the products they have bought over multiple independent review sites such as gsmarena, social networking sites like Facebook, blogs, etc. Customers can also comment on the quality of service they have received after buying their product. These online reviews are of immense help to potential buyers for that product in decision making and also to manufacturers/sellers to get an immediate feedback about the product quality, product performance, after sales service, etc. As the number of reviews for a product is usually large, it is next to impossible to go through all the reviews and form an unbiased opinion about the product. Also, there are multiple sources of these online reviews. Hence, online review mining is gaining importance. A product can have many product features, wherein some features are more important than others. Review usefulness can also be increased by ranking the product aspects as per their importance and popularity. Ranking product aspects manually is very difficult since a product may have hundreds of features. So, an automated method to do this is needed. This paper presents a methodology for co-extracting opinion targets and corresponding opinion words from online opinion reviews as well as for product aspect ranking.


This paper stems from curiosity as to whether there are differences in the outcomes or abilities of militaries to function effectively when females are included. Notions of high-stakes warfare, the physiology of both genders, tradition, and a culture built upon hypermasculine ideals deserve consideration within the context of both 21-century feminist thought and overall fighting aptitude. In the pages that follow, the militaries of the United States, Israel, and Sweden are examined to 1) determine what women specifically contribute within a military setting, and 2) argue that integration aligns with priorities of both feminism and national security. Specifically, I assert that optimized incorporation of women into American military roles will produce more cohesive, robust, and capable forces that ultimately better promote national security. Further, I argue that this progressive integration is essential to dissolving the outdated, gendered assumption that to include women is to shift the primary focus of a military from a necessary protective institution into a social experiment doomed to collapse. If women are successfully integrated and able to improve the overall outcomes of military operations, then there is reason to believe such inclusion is both necessary for security purposes and aligning nations with modern demands for gender equality.


During blast furnace operation, a cyanide-containing muddy waste referred to as blast furnace sludge is generated in large amounts. In Germany it was and is still common practice to pump this sludge into surface deposits. Depending on species, cyanide has very different toxicity. To this day there is no information about the type of cyanide occurring in blast furnace sludge deposits. In order to identify the type of cyanide we investigated by means of wet chemical and powder X-ray diffraction analyses 37 samples of three blast furnace deposits. Wet chemical results indicate that both the extremely toxic free cyanide (HCN and CN ) and toxic weak metal-cyanide complexes, for example [Zn(CN)4]2-, are not present in the sludge. By powder X-ray diffraction we identified the crystalline cyanide-containing compound potassium zinc hexacyanoferrate(II) nonahydrate, K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2 x 9H2O, as the cyanide-bearing compound. Our study is the first that identifies potassium zinc hexacyanoferrate(II) nonahydrate in the environment. As the iron-cyanide complex [Fe(CN)6] is not acutely toxic, any direct hazard comes from cyanide occurring in the investigated wastes. Under the predominant pH milieu of the sludge (pH about 8) the solubility of potassium zinc hexacyanoferrate(II) nonahydrate is low, thus minimizing the mobility of cyanide.


In this work I recommend a new DNPSec framework to enable confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity (CIA) placed directly in the DNP3. Such a framework requires some modifications in the data structure of the DNP3 Data Link layer. My main goal is to address the threats related to CIA in the DNP3 as part of SCADA architecture, with a minimum performance impact on the communication link; and without requiring modification to the much more expensive Master and Substation devices and the applications supporting them. Also, and as part of this work, I develop a proof of concept for the DNPSec framework by conducting simulation studies to measure the performance impact by adding DNPSec functionality on the communication links and end nodes. One other recommendation in my work is to enable authorization services by the usage of the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) model to define the users' security roles, permissions, authorization, and role hierarchy as one measure to access the SCADA system. Achieving the desired level of authorization and access control will involve integrating the security system with SCADA operations and building RBAC capabilities in the application level.


Fluorescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to investigate the anion binding properties of a luminescent, dinuclear Au(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex ([1](2+)) with a short Au(I)···Au(I) contact. The addition of Br(-) ions to a DMSO solution of [1](PF(6))(2) caused a red-shift in the fluorescence emission band from 396 nm to 496 nm. Similarly, the addition of Br(-) ions to [1](PF(6))(2) caused a decrease in the energy of the Au L(3)-edge in the X-ray absorption spectrum, consistent with the formation of an association complex between the cation [1](2+) and Br(-) ions. Solution-based structural studies of the association complex were carried out using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) modelling of the Au(I)···Au(I) core of the cation. These studies indicate that the association complex results from Au(I)···Br(-) interactions, with the Br(-) ions occupying two partially occupied sites at ~2.9 and 3.9 Å from the Au(I) atoms.


Orexin (hypocretin) is a neuropeptide secreted from hypothalamic neurons that is known to be activated during motivated behaviors and active waking. Presently, our knowledge of orexin is mainly limited to the central nervous system, and the involvement of the orexin system in peripheral tissues has received little attention. In the present study, we analyzed the existence of the orexin system in the adrenal medulla, which is part of the sympathetic nervous system. Orexin and its receptors are expressed in the bovine adrenal medulla. Orexins stimulated intracellular calcium changes and epinephrine release from cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. Applied orexin decreased expression of prepro-orexin, orexin receptor-1 and orexin receptor-2, suggesting negative feedback regulation in the adrenal gland. Our results indicate involvement of the orexin system in the sympathetic regulation of the adrenal medulla.


Excitability is observed in a variety of natural systems, such as neuronal dynamics, cardiovascular tissues, or climate dynamics. The stochastic FitzHugh-Nagumo model is a prominent example representing an excitable system. To validate the practical use of a model, the first step is to estimate model parameters from experimental data. This is not an easy task because of the inherent nonlinearity necessary to produce the excitable dynamics, and because the two coordinates of the model are moving on different time scales. Here we propose a Bayesian framework for parameter estimation, which can handle multidimensional nonlinear diffusions with large time scale separation. The estimation method is illustrated on simulated data.


Feature detection and extraction are essential in computer vision applications such as image matching and object recognition. The Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm is one of the most robust approaches to detect and extract distinctive invariant features from images. However, high computational complexity makes it difficult to apply the SIFT algorithm to mobile applications. Recent developments in mobile processors have enabled heterogeneous computing on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. In this paper, we present an OpenCL-based implementation of the SIFT algorithm on a smartphone, taking advantage of the mobile GPU. We carefully analyze the SIFT workloads and identify the parallelism. We implemented major steps of the SIFT algorithm using both serial C++ code and OpenCL kernels targeting mobile processors, to compare the performance of different workflows. Based on the profiling results, we partition the SIFT algorithm between the CPU and GPU in a way that best exploits the parallelism and minimizes the buffer transferring time to achieve better performance. The experimental results show that we are able to achieve 8.5 FPS for keypoints detection and 19 FPS for descriptor generation without reducing the number and the quality of the keypoints. Moreover, the heterogeneous implementation can reduce energy consumption by 41% compared to an optimized CPU-only implementation.


There is much international evidence that parental involvement in children's learning can positively influence achievement. New Zealand policy expects schools to nurture such involvement, particularly in relation to Máori and Pasifika learners. Despite policy imperatives and valuable professional development projects, such involvement has proved challenging to embed within many English-medium school settings. We examined policy, theoretical, and research literature to identify key supports and barriers to establishing strong parental involvement in children's learning, with a particular focus on the context of mathematics. A review of literature shows that parental involvement can be nurtured by school-wide commitment, learning-focused parent–teacher partnerships, effective communication, purposeful home-based learning, and shared home and school decision making. However, establishing sustained parental involvement in learning is challenging, with time constraints, language and cultural differences, and varied expectations posing barriers. Further guidance, support, and New Zealand-based research are needed to ensure such involvement can be maximised, including investigation into the effects of such involvement on achievement, affect, and well-being, particularly in relation to Máori and Pasifika students in English-medium settings.


BACKGROUND
Vaccine efficacy (VE) against vulvar human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has not been reported and data regarding its epidemiology are sparse.

METHODS
Women (n = 5404) age 22-29 present at the 4-year study visit of the Costa Rica Vaccine Trial provided vulvar and cervical samples. A subset (n = 1044) was tested for HPV DNA (SPF10/LiPA25 version 1). VE against 1-time detection of vulvar HPV16/18 among HPV vaccinated versus unvaccinated women was calculated and compared to the cervix. Prevalence of and risk factors for HPV were evaluated in the control arm (n = 536).

RESULTS
Vulvar HPV16/18 VE (54.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.9%-79.1%) was comparable to cervix (45.8%; 95% CI, 6.4%-69.4%). Vulvar and cervical HPV16 prevalence within the control arm was 3.0% and 4.7%, respectively. Independent risk factors for vulvar HPV were similar to cervix and included: age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.5 [95% CI, .3-.9] ≥28 vs 22-23]); marital status (aOR 2.3 [95% CI, 1.5-3.5] single vs married/living-as-married); and number of sexual partners (aOR 3.6 [95% CI, 1.9-7.0] ≥6 vs 1).

CONCLUSIONS
In this intention-to-treat analysis, VE against vulvar and cervical HPV16/18 were comparable 4 years following vaccination. Risk factors for HPV were similar by anatomic site.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
NCT00128661.


Consecutive layers of cationic polyallylamine and anionic polyacrylic acid have been deposited on both unbeaten and beaten fully bleached cellulosic fibres. By preparing sheets of these fibres and by forming 5-10 layers of these polyelectrolytes on the unbeaten fibres, it was possible to develop the same strength as can be achieved by conventional beating. Experiments show that considerable strength improvement can be achieved with this type of treatment also on beaten fibres. Atomic force microscopy investigations of multilayers of the polylectrolytes formed on silicon oxide surfaces showed that the thickness of 10 layers of polyelectrolytes was 52 nm. Since the strength improvement was significant with 5 layers, it is suggested that a 26 nm thick multilayer of polyelectrolytes is sufficient to create a strong joint between fibres. The structure of the polyelectrolyte multilayers formed on the fibres was not determined.


The present study provides a pilot examination of two types of possible selves group interventions. The study evaluates emerging adults' satisfaction with and outcome following participation in groups that were oriented on interpersonal-experiential and didactic-task interventions and that focused on possible selves. Analyses used data from 85 emerging adults who were randomly assigned to one of these intervention types and who completed pre- and post-intervention assessments. Overall, participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with both types of group intervention. Results indicate that significant improvement in personal growth initiative was achieved across both interventions, but only the interpersonal-experiential intervention was associated with an increase in participants' efficacy to pursue relational possible selves. Change in hope across both interventions was not statistically significant, and participants did not improve in their efficacy to pursue vocational possible selves. Follow-up analysis found that group engagement was associated with improvement in participants' efficacy to pursue relational possible selves through interpersonal-experiential intervention. While both interventions appear to be beneficial, interpersonal-experiential groups may be particularly useful in fostering emerging adults' sense of future relational selves.


We analyze, from the point of view of quantum probability, statistical data from two interesting experiments, done by Shafir and Tversky [1, 2] in the domain of cognitive psychology. These are gambling experiments of Prisoner Dilemma type. They have important consequences for economics, especially for the justification of the Savage "Sure Thing Principle" [3] (implying that agents of the market behave rationally). Data from these experiments were astonishing, both from the viewpoint of cognitive psychology and economics and probability theory. Players behaved irrationally. Moreover, all attempts to generate these data by using classical Markov model were unsuccessful. In this note we show (by inventing a simple statistical test — generalized detailed balance condition) that these data are non-Kolmogorovian. We also show that it is neither quantum (i.e., it cannot be described by Dirac-von Neumann model). We proceed towards a quantum Markov model for these data.


We present a new nonlinear monotone finite volume method for diffusion and convection-diffusion equations and its application to two-phase black oil models. We consider full anisotropic discontinuous diffusion/permeability tensors and discontinuous velocity fields on conformal polyhedral meshes. The approximation of the diffusive flux uses the nonlinear two-point stencil which reduces to the conventional 7-point stencil for cubic meshes and diagonal tensors. The approximation of the advective flux is based on the second-order upwind method with the specially designed minimal nonlinear correction. We show that the quality of the discrete flux in a reservoir simulator has great effect on the front behavior and the water-breakthrough time. We compare the new nonlinear two-point flux discretization with the conventional linear two-point scheme. The new nonlinear scheme has a number of important advantages over the traditional linear discretization. First, it demonstrates low sensitivity to grid distortions. Second, it provides appropriate approximation in the case of full anisotropic permeability tensor. For non-orthogonal grids or full anisotropic permeability tensors the conventional linear scheme provides no approximation, while the nonlinear flux is still first-order accurate. The computational work for the new method is higher than the one for the conventional dicretization, yet it is rather competitive.


We develop a methodology for studying "large deviations type" questions. Our approach does not require that the large deviations principle holds, and is thus applicable to a larg class of systems. We study a system of queues with exponential servers, which share an arrival stream. Arrivals are routed to the (weighted) shortest queue. It is not known whether the large deviations principle holds for this system. Using the tools developed here we derive large deviations type estimates for the most likely behavior, the most likely path to overflow and the probability of overflow. The analysis applies to any finite number of queues. We show via a counterexample that this sytem may exhibit unexpected behavior.


We derive a complex nonlinear optimal signal-processing algorithm for estimating target ranges from a set of frequency-stepped continuous wave (FSCW) measurements. It is a generalization of a prior optimization algorithm in that the reflection amplitudes are modeled as phasors rather than real-valued scalars. The algorithm solves this nonlinear problem by separating it into its linear and nonlinear parts. The amplitudes of the reflections are first optimized by solving a set of linear equations in the least-squares sense. A performance measure is then calculated and scanned to find its global minimum to yield a set of reflection amplitudes and time-delay estimates. We derive analytical expressions for the performance measure and for the effects of noise in the measurement data. Finally, we present experimental results to demonstrate the performance of our algorithm.


Bifunctional mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSN) with various Si/Al molar ratios of 7, 10, 20 and 50 in platinum supported (Pt/HAlMSN) were synthesized using sol–gel methods followed by post-synthesis methods. XRD and nitrogen sorption results confirmed the mesoporous structure with surface areas of 537–775 m2 g−1. 27Al NMR spectroscopy confirmed aluminium loading with tetrahedral, pentahedral and octahedral structures. Pyridine adsorption IR results indicated that incorporation of aluminium led to the generation of strong Bronsted and Lewis acidic sites. Catalytic activity was investigated for cumene hydrocracking in a pulse microcatalytic reactor in the temperature range of 323–573 K which revealed that this activity depends on the number of Lewis and Bronsted sites. The high yield of cumene conversion increased from Si/Al molar ratios of 50 to 10 and decreased for the Si/Al molar ratio of 7 due to the presence of pentahedral Al and/or inactive tetrahedral Al atoms in Pt/HAlMSN-7. The high selectivity of α-methylstyrene showed the important role of Lewis acid sites in these bifunctional catalysts. In spite of the coke formation in the Pt/HAlMSN catalysts, reactivation recovered the activity of the catalysts after 100 h of reaction. The molar absorption coefficients of Pt/HAlMSN were measured using pyridine followed by water adsorption monitored by FTIR.


Tetrathia[7]helicene-based phosphanes thiaheliphos (2a), nPr-thiaheliphos (2b) and di-nPr-thiaheliphos (2c) have been prepared from the 2,13-dilithio derivatives of thiahelicenes 1a–c by reaction with an excess of Ph2PCl. Protection of the air-sensitive products as BH3 adducts, from which the phosphanes 2a–c are easily regenerated on heating with ethanol, is described. New rhodium(I) complexes 8 and 9 were obtained by reaction of 2c with [Rh(COD)2]+[BF4]– and [BARF]–, respectively, which were converted by oxidation into the chelating phosphane–phosphane oxide RhI complexes 10 and 11. The monophosphane 5 was similarly prepared, andreaction of the dilithio species with ClP(O)(OEt)2 gave the diphosphonate 17, which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Comparison of data from DFT calculations (B3LYP/SVP) on 2c, 8 and 10 and X-ray data for 17 reveals a strong tension within the thiaheliphos ligands that is partially relaxed by increasing the Rh–P distances and the bite angle of the chelating ligand. Compound (P)-(+)-1c, obtained by chromatographic resolution, was transformed into optically pure (P)-(+)-2c, which was used in the asymmetric hydrogenation of itaconic acid ester and methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate (product ees up to 40%).


A country's most talented people typically organize production by others, so they can spread their ability advantage over a larger scale. When they start firms, they innovate and foster growth, but when they become rent seekers, they only redistribute wealth and reduce growth. Occupational choice depends on returns to ability and to scale in each sector, on market size, and on compensation contracts. In most countries, rent seeking rewards talent more than entrepreneurship does, leading to stagnation. Our evidence shows that countries with a higher proportion of engineering college majors grow faster; whereas countries with a higher proportion of law concentrators grow more slowly.


Product placement is a relatively new idea within marketing. Despite this, it has become a more accepted and used concept, especially within the motion picture industry. It has been noticed that exposure on screen has had a positive effect on sales of the showed products, even though there are still no clear method to measure its efficiency. Evidence has shown that there is an increased tourism to destinations exposed on screen. For example, the movie Braveheart increased tourism to Scotland, Notting Hill has brought attention to London's district Notting Hill, and the books of Wallander has benefited Ystad. We therefore see a possible development of product placement, which so far only has incorporated products, to also include placement of geographical places (cities, region or nations etc), i.e. location placement. The exposures that to this point has occurred has been random, with no active participation from marketers or filmmakers. Our purpose is to investigate if media placement of locations (defined as paying for the placement) is a possible future source of revenue for location marketers as well as film and product placement agencies. We have interviewed people from three main areas: marketer of a geographical location, product placement agency, and representatives from the film production. Since we had some problems collecting sufficient data, we decided to complement our empirical findings with secondary data. We see a potential development of location placements. It does however require some conditions to be fulfilled. First, the placement must be seamlessly placed, should lead the story forward and should not be the main focus before the script. Second, the placement must be communicated openly throughout the entire production process and with all parties involved. Finally we see that placement must be founded on good relationships and having the right channels. The actors involved in a location placement are the marketer, product placement agency, location shout, director and other film production crew. To sum up, a well thought-thru location placement that are consistent with the overall location brand image and the story, would benefit both the location and the film.


Copyright © 2015 by ASME. Large eddy simulations were performed for a transonic tur- bine blade on hybrid unstructured meshes. High order accuracy in both space and time discretization is achieved by using a space time extension of flux reconstruction method (STEFR), and in particular, local time-stepping is enabled for time-accurate un- steady simulations. A piecewise integration in-cell method is introduced for shock-capturing within the STEFR method. This method is completely local in both space and time directions, without any explicit addition to the discretisation, which is suit- able for the predictor-corrector type space time extension al- lowing local timestepping. A volume averaged compensation method is used to construct a conservative form of the Chain- Rule scheme for the flux divergence part of the flux reconstruc- tion discretisation, which is proved stable and efficient to solve flow problems with physical discontinuities. This work suc- cesfully extends the application of the STEFR method to solve transonic/supersonic unsteady flows. The numerical validation for the 1D burgers equation and its comparison with traditional multi-stage Runge-Kutta method with uniform time-stepping, in- dicate that this piecewise integration in-cell method is accurate and more robust with STEFR method using local time-stepping. A significant advantage of this method is the succesfully implementation on hybrid unstructured meshes, which makes it very efficient and scalable to solve multi-scale, complex geome- tries flow problems. The moving shock, shock-boundary layer interaction, shock-wake interaction were crisply resolved and analyzed for the transonic turbine blade, VKI-LS59, and detail post-procesing is presented with the comparison with experimental data in this paper.


Traditional inferential statistics require that hypotheses be evaluated at only 1 sample size. That is, researchers must choose how many participants will be included in a study before conducting analyses; they are not allowed to add data if initial results are not significant. This requirement forces researchers to choose among including more participants than necessary, risking inconclusive results, or violating the requirement by adding participants. This study presents a more flexible approach, called data monitoring, that allows repeating an analysis as the sample increases. First, the cost of the uncorrected data monitoring that researchers sometimes do is estimated. Second, the correction that is needed to allow data monitoring while holding an overall alpha at a desired level is estimated. Third, the power of data monitoring is compared with traditional approaches. This study also provides an example of the use of data monitoring. At least in some circumstances, data monitoring can reduce Type II error or the number of participants needed without sacrificing Type I error.


This study tests General Strain Theory (GST) as an explanation for associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and risk of violent and suicidal behaviors. Data comprise a census of archival information about the lives of 2,195 delinquent boys who resided at a U.S. treatment facility between 1975 and 2019. Logistic regression tests the effects of 12 combined ACEs, anger, low self-control, depression, race/ethnicity, and poverty on violent and suicidal behaviors. Interactive associations predicted by GST are examined by Zmediation and χ2 analyses. Nearly 93% of residents experienced at least one ACE, and 87% had ≥4. ACEs increase risk of violent and suicidal behaviors net of controls. They interact with low self-control and anger to increase risk of violence, and anger and depression mediate risk of suicidal behaviors. Rehabilitative programming for troubled boys should begin with thorough assessment of these experiences, and both outcomes require equal consideration in the ACEs research.


This paper describes a new development of an incremental, robot based sheet metal forming process for the production of sheet metal components for limited-lot productions and prototypes. The kinematic based generation of the shape is implemented by means of two industrial robots, which are interconnected to a cooperating robot system. Compared to other incremental sheet metal forming machines this system offers a high geometrical form flexibility without the need of any workpiece dependent tools. The principle of the procedure is based on flexible shaping by means of a freely programmable path-synchronous movement of two robots. So far, the final shape is produced by the incremental infeed of the forming tool in depth direction and its movement along the contour in lateral direction on each level. The counter tool, with its simple geometry, was used to support the sheet metal on the backside by moving synchronously along the outer contour, constantly on the same level. This corresponds to a fixed backplate used in other incremental sheet metal forming processes. Due to the use of a new robot system with extended control algorithms for cooperating robots, it will be possible to release the counter tool from its constant path on the outer contour and support the forming tool right on the opposite side of the sheet to generate a predefined gap between the two hemispherical tools. This way at each moment a small part of a full die, as it is used in other processes, is simulated without the need of producing a workpiece dependent die. The extended payload of the new robot system gives the opportunity to form steel blanks, for the first time.


Background and objective: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is gaining popularity because of its advantages i.e., smaller wounds, less pain and shorter hospital stay, nevertheless, pneumothorax, hydrothorax or hemothorax cannot be avoided.  Our department developed and promulgated a practice guideline (CPG) for prevention and management of these conditions in May 2012.  The objective of our study is to evaluate this CPG for its effectiveness and use the information to improve the CPG for continuous quality improvement. Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive study.  We recruited all cases of PCNL performed after implementation of the CPG between October 2012 and September 2013 in Srinagarind hospital. Results:  There were 66 cases of PCNL with 11 cases of pneumothorax, hydrothorax or hemothorax.  The incidence is 16.7%.  Most of the cases were females, aged more than 15 years, and with supracostal access.  Hydrothorax was 81.8% of the incidents.  Eight cases had mild symptom while the other three cases need intercostals drainage.  There was one case which the anesthetic personnel did not comply with the CPG and this patient was reintubated during PACU admission. Conclusions: The CPG facilitates the diagnosis and treatment of pneumothorax, hydrothorax or hemothorax in patients undergoing PCNL. Supracostal access is the contributing factor.   Most of the cases had mild symptoms.  Since some personnel did not comply with the CPG, reinforcement is needed.


Obesity is an increasing epidemic disease world-wide responsible for enhancing the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as well as cancer. However, it is unclear if and how obesity contributes to the transformation of pre-leukemic stem and progenitors (pre-LHSC/Ps) into full-blown leukemia such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or severe form of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). We hypothesized that obesity induced chronic inflammation might be responsible for clonal selection of pre-LHSC/Ps bearing pre-leukemic mutations such as DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and for promoting the progression of early-onset MPN towards severe forms of AML/leukemia. To test this hypothesis, we genetically crossed pre-leukemic Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice with leptin deficient obese (LepOb/Ob) mice to obtain Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ compound mutant mice. Further, the Dnmt3a gene was deleted by giving the PolyIC and the deletion was confirmed through PCR. After 12 days of post-PolyIC the myeloid cells (neutrophils and monocytes) were expanded in Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice compared to Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+, Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre-, Ob/Ob and WT mice. We have harvested and analyzed all these mice after 26 days of post-PolyIC. Interestingly, Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice showed increased BM cellularity, both the frequency of lineage negative, Sca-1+ and c-KIT+ (LSK) cells, short-term hematopoietic stem cells (ST-HSCs; LSK/CD48+/CD150-), granulocyte macrophage progenitor (GMPs; LSK/CD16+/CD34+), and reduction in LT-HSCs (LT-HSCs; LSK/CD48-/CD150+) compared to other groups. Flow cytometry analysis of PB, BM and spleen from Ob/Ob;Dnmt3a+/-;Mx-Cre+ mice demonstrated a significant increase in the frequency of mature myeloid cells (Gr-1+/Mac-1+) and a profound reduction in B220+ B cells compared to other groups. Remarkably, these mice also showed splenomegaly, elevated heart size and early signs of AML blasts as reflected by the presence of c-KIT+/CD11b+ double positive cells in the BM, consistent with severe MPN/AML development. Taken together, these results demonstrate that obesity induced inflammation cooperates with pre-leukemic Dnmt3a+/- mutation to induce an early-onset of severe MPN/AML like disease.


Special AT-rich sequence binding protein-2 (SATB2) is selectively expressed in the lower gastrointestinal tract mucosa and has been identified as a sensitive marker for colorectal adenocarcinomas. The goal of this study was to investigate the expression of SATB2 in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors to explore its potential as a diagnostic marker for hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. Immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody to SATB2 was performed on full tissue blocks in 167 well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of various origins. The staining was semi-quantitatively scored as 0 (no tumor cell staining), 1+ (1-25%), 2+ (26-50%), 3+ (51-75%) and 4+ (76-100%). Positive SATB2 staining was seen in 17% foregut (14/84, 12/66 primary and 2/18 metastatic), 12% midgut (3/22, 3/18 primary and 0/7 metastatic), and 90% hindgut (52/58, 44/49 primary and 8/9 metastatic) well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors. Most hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (41/58) showed 4+ staining. The specificity of SATB2 for foregut, midgut and hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors was 34%, 54% and 84%, respectively. Our results indicate that SATB2 is a sensitive marker for hindgut well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors though it is not entirely specific. SATB2 should be included in the immunohistochemical panel in working out metastatic well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of an unknown origin.


1. Mutants of Bacillus cereus 569/H/9 have been screened in a search for strains that synthesize variants of beta-lactamase II. 2. One of these mutants (strain 569/H/9/1) produces a beta-lactamase II-like enzyme that shows a selective decrease in cephalosporinase activity. 3. beta-Lactamase II from strain 569/H/9/1 has been purified to apparent homogeneity and its kinetic properties have been examined. This enzyme resembles the parent beta-lactamase II in its relative activity with benzylpenicillin as substrate when Zn(II) is replaced by other metal ions, but differs detectably from the parent enzyme in its isoelectric point.


Bernard Shaw is widely regarded as one of the most important playwrights in the English language, ranking often second only to Shakespeare. This literary prominence, however, is not matched by a significant number of stylistic analyses, much more so in the case of linguistically-oriented ones. One of the few studies in Shaviana with a clear stylistic approach is Ohmann's (1962) monograph. However, it focuses on Shaw's non-dramatic writings and, due to its publication date, it does not utilize software tools for corpus stylistics. The purpose of this paper is to analyze Bernard Shaw's use of certain comparative structures in his dramatic writings (what Ohmann calls 'Modes of Order' in his book) with the aid of the technical and methodological advances of computer-based stylistics, thus utilizing an innovative outlook because of the combination of stylistics and corpora research.


Using World Values Survey data from dozens of countries around the world, this article analyzes the relationship between postmaterialist values and attitudes towards bribery in a multi-level framework. This is an inherently interesting and under-researched topic because the various propensities attributed to postmaterialism lead to conflicting expectations about how these values affect attitudes towards bribery. On one hand, the alleged tendency of postmaterialists towards impartiality should lead them to condemn bribery. On the other hand, condemning bribery is a social desirability issue and postmaterialists are known to be less susceptible to desirability pressures and more relaxed about norm deviations. From this point of view, postmaterialists might be more tolerant toward bribery. Reflecting these conflicting expectations, we obtain an ambivalent result, evident in an inverted U-shaped relationship: as we move from pure materialism to mixed positions, people tend to justify bribery more, but then moving from mixed positions to pure postmaterialism, people become again more dismissive of bribery. What is more, the demographic prevalence of postmaterialists in a country moderates these values' effect on bribery: where postmaterialists are more prevalent, the disapproving effect on bribery outweighs the approving effect. This finding contributes to a better understanding of the pronounced negative correlation between corruption and postmaterialism at the country level and has some important implications.


Considering both the strengths and weaknesses of India's recent export performance, the author argues in this paper that it is difficult to conclude with conviction that Indian exports have now taken off for a self-sustaining rate of growth in real terms at the rate experienced in 1974 and 1975. There is indeed no room for complacency on the export front. The recent performance however does provide hopes that with concerted efforts at all levels, through a well formulated and implemented national export policy, the export sector can be made to yield the maximum potential contribution within limits which it can make to the national economy in the coming years. The author presents a set of twenty suggestions which could be considered by the policy makers while formulating the much-needed national export policy.


Finite element-based crashworthiness optimization is nowadays extensively used to improve the safety of vehicles. However, the responses of a crash simulation are notoriously noisy. In addition, the actual or simulated responses during a crash can be highly sensitive to uncertainties. These uncertainties appear in various forms such as uncontrollable random parameters (e.g., impact conditions).
 To address these challenges, an optimization algorithm based on a Stochastic Kriging (SK) and an Augmented Expected Improvement (AEI) infill criterion is proposed. A SK enables the approximation of a response while accounting for the noise-induced aleatory variance. In addition, SK has the advantage of reducing the dimensionality of the problem by implicitly accounting for the influence of random parameters and their contribution to the overall aleatory variance. In the proposed algorithm, the aleatory variance is initially estimated through direct sampling and subsequently approximated by a regression kriging. This aleatory variance approximation, which is refined adaptively, is used for the computation of the infill criterion and probabilistic constraints.
 The algorithm is implemented on a crashworthiness optimization problem that involves a sled and dummy models subjected to an acceleration pulse. The sled model includes components of a vehicle occupant restraint system such as an airbag, seatbelt, and steering column. In all problems considered, the objective function is the probability of traumatic brain injury, which is computed through the Brain Injury Criterion (BrIC) and a logistic injury risk model. In some cases, probabilistic constraints corresponding to other types of bodily injuries such as thoracic injury are added to the optimization problem. The design variables correspond to the properties of the occupant restraint system (e.g., loading curve that dictates the airbag vent area versus pressure). In addition to the inherent simulation noise, uncertainties in the loading conditions are introduced in the form of a random scaling factor of the acceleration pulse.


Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease where inflammatory processes disrupt auditory networks in the brain that are required for understanding speech. This thesis investigated how people with MS understand speech in noisy and distracting environments that are similar to what we experience on a daily basis in social, work and learning settings. Tests confirmed that people with MS are more susceptible to distracting background noise, particularly in the presence of several speakers. This thesis also identified a potential clinical use for speech processing tests to monitor disease changes due to their ease of use, speed, and cost effectiveness.


Serpent lore, dragon lore, and related ritual have long been of interest in religious studies, anthropology, and folklore. While works that provide rich ethnographic descriptions of particular cultural contexts are not to be neglected, broader comparative studies are also of value. Here a comparative approach is taken to the investigation of two themes widespread in African cosmic serpent lore: a shape-shifting Serpent Being with dragon-like features who is master controller of the waters and a related myth of a superboy who saves the world by slaying a dragon monster. Comparative analysis of tales from Lesotho indicates that Sotho-Tswana people retained ancient ideas common to other peoples in south and central Africa, and beyond. These two story lines are interpreted in terms of debates about diffusion, common origins, and independent invention. Both cognitive naturalism and inter-societal contact, in different ways, offer explanation of these shared themes.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to answer a fundamental question – are individual stock picks by a particular internet investment community informative enough to beat the market? The author observes that the stock picks by the CAPS community are reflective of existing information and portfolios based upon CAPS community stock rankings do not generate abnormal returns. The CAPS community is good at tracking existing performance but, it lacks predictive ability.

Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a unique data set of stock ratings from Motley Fools CAPS community to determine the information content embedded in these ratings. Observing predictive ability of this web-based stock ratings forum will raise questions about the efficiency of the financial markets. The author forms stock portfolios based on stocks' star ratings, and star rating changes, and test if the long-short portfolio strategy generates significant α after controlling for single, and multi-factor asset pricing models, such as Fama-French three-factor model and Carhart four-factor model.

Findings
The paper finds no evidence that the CAPS community ratings contain "information content," which can be exploited to generate abnormal returns. CAPS community ratings are good at tracking existing stock performance, but cannot be used to make superior forecasts to generate abnormal returns. The findings are consistent with the efficient market hypothesis. Furthermore, the author provides evidence that CAPS community ratings are themselves determined by stock performance rather than the other way around.

Originality/value
The study employs a unique data set capturing the stock ratings of a very popular web-based investment community to evaluate its ability to make better than random forecasts. Besides applying well-accepted asset pricing models to generate α, the study conducts causality tests to discern a causal relation between stock ratings and stock performance.


A novel VLSI efficient image compression technique employing fuzzy-ART neural network and 2D run-length encoding is presented. This technique involves the segmentation of the original image into smaller regular blocks and these blocks are subsequently applied to the fuzzy-ART network for classification. The class indices generated by the fuzzy-ART network are further reduced with 2D run-length encoding. For the implementation of the fuzzy-ART network in VLSI, a force class fuzzy-ART network had been derived, where the maximum number of possible output classes is fixed. In this new network, input vectors will be forced into its closest class, when all classes are occupied. The results for force class fuzzy-Art network demonstrate that it is capable of large compression ratios and this network can easily be ported into hardware architecture.


This study explored the scope and nature of career development services within organizations. One human resource/personnel department representative in each of the 30 largest organizations in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was interviewed. The Career Development Questionnaire provided the framework for the structured interviews. Participants outlined their conceptualizations of organizational career development, described the outcomes organizations hoped to achieve through the use of career development services, listed the services provided by their organizations, and rated the effectiveness of each service. Although the descriptions and the intended outcomes for career development services were consistent, specific services were not aligned with specific goals. This finding highlighted the need for practitioners to ensure they align services with their goals and for researchers to evaluate the effects of career development services on the basis of their specific intentions. Overall, results suggest that career development within organizations is still practiced in a part-time and informal manner.


PURPOSE
Recently, various types of radical surgery have been performed in Japan. To elucidate the surgical consequences, morbidity and mortality, and perioperative care, we conducted a nationwide survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Assisted by the Japanese Society of Endourology, perioperative data from 156 hospitals participating in this survey in 2007 were analyzed. Using a spreadsheet database, data were collected from each institution.

RESULTS
Open radical prostatectomy was performed in 3,138 patients at 143 hospitals, minimum incision endourological radical prostatectomy in 361 at 15 hospitals, laparoscopic radical prostatectomy via transperitoneal approach in 143 at 11 hospitals and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy via extraperitoneal approach in 337 at 13 hospitals. For open and minimum incision endourological radical prostatectomy, the surgical duration was shorter but the bleeding volume was greater than that in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy via both approaches. As a whole, perioperatvie mortality rate was 0.05% and morbidity rate was 23.4%. Rectal injury was similarly infrequent among the four types of surgery. Superficial surgical site infection was most frequent in open radical prostatectomy. Perioperative management significantly varied among the four types of surgery. In laparoscopic radical prostatectomy via extraperitoneal approach, urethral catheter was removed earlier but acute urinary retention frequently occurred.

CONCLUSIONS
In Japan, open radical prostatectomy was the most frequently performed surgery for prostate cancer. Surgical volume per hospital was small, however, mortality was low and morbidity was acceptable. Comparisons of complications and outcomes among the types of currently performed surgery should be useful to promote standardization of the perioperative care.


When I write my name on a piece of paper, the actions I perform can constitute a variety of different acts. For example, depending on the piece of paper on which I write, they might represent the act of making a contract or, if the piece of paper is a cheque, of paying a bill. I am drawing here, on the distinction that Harre and Secord (1972) make between movements, actions and acts in their book The Explanation of Social Behaviour, which can help us to make sense of a variety of aspects of human experience. In the past, for example (Fairbairn, 1995) I used it in helping to unpick the differences between suicide and other acts that resemble, but are different from suicide , including 'gestured suicide', in which a person enacts what looks like suicide in the hope and expectation, not of dying, but of having an effect on other people such as moving them to despair or to feelings of guilt; and 'cosmic roulette', in which a person acts apparently suicidally, not with the intention of dying, but of inviting God or the cosmos to decide whether he lives. The distinction between acts and actions will also prove useful in thinking about the question of whether we can have bullying without a bully.