In this article, we draw on a qualitative case study undertaken in 2008 and 2009 of staff working at community-based organisations for at-risk youth in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to examine staff members' perspectives of adolescent health-risk behaviours and resiliency. We use these data to explore how recent policy changes in Brazil have led to a shift in the ways in which adolescent risk taking is perceived by those working in youth services, and to suggest the influence that this has had on the way in which these entities promote resiliency among the population they serve. Specifically, we argue that Brazil's Child and Adolescent Act of 1990, a policy derived from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, has been instrumental in reframing for the community-based organisations the question of adolescent health-risk behaviours into a rights-based framework and has shifted the perceptions of those working at such organisations as to who a youth 'at-risk' is, why young people engage in risk taking and how best to promote resiliency. This work has implications for understanding both how risk and resiliency are constructed in different social and cultural contexts and how such concepts may change over time due to shifting socio-political climates.


The author discusses the challenges posed by emerging infectious diseases in 100 years of public health in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. With an advanced and organized public health system, Sao Paulo responded to the emergence of infectious diseases by creating research institutions and control programs. The late 19th century witnessed the first modern research institution in microbiology, in response to the bubonic plague. A changing economy led to constant changes in ecosystems. The late 20th century presents a wide array of both emerging and rapidly changing infectious diseases. The present situation calls for creative solutions. Ecosystem analysis and more agile epidemiological surveillance are seen as the best alternatives.


The synthesis of the two respiratory syncytial (RS) virus glycoproteins (VP66 and VP84) was examined under standard conditions and after treatment with tunicamycin and monensin. The protein backbone for VP66, the fusion protein (F1,2) is cotranslationally glycosylated to form F0, which is cleaved to form F1,2 by 20 min of chase. Monensin treatment inhibited the cleavage of F0 over an 80 min chase period, indicating that this occurred late in the transit of F0 through the Golgi apparatus or after exit from the Golgi apparatus. Tunicamycin treatment resulted in the synthesis of a 50K to 55K unglycosylated F0 which is cleaved to a 40K protein. VP84, the large glycoprotein, contains a protein backbone of only 26K to 30K which is modified by N-linked and probable O-linked glycosylation. Tunicamycin treatment results in the synthesis of a 70K protein (p70) which incorporates [3H]glucosamine and [3H]fucose but not [3H]mannose. Glycosylated precursors varying in mol. wt. from 29K to 45K (p45) are found in infected cells at regular 2K to 3K intervals, producing a 'ladder' effect. The step from p45 to VP84 is severely delayed by monensin treatment thereby enhancing the 'ladder' effect of the precursors.


This paper analyses employee perceptions of ethics education within a Swedish bank. It specifically compares two different employee categories, administrative staff and employees with close customer contact, to gain further knowledge on how ethics education is made relevant inside corporations. Some findings stand out. There is a very positive general reception of the ethics education and several positive consequences are reported. There is, however, a clear difference between the two subgroups of employees when it comes to evaluating the effects and relevance of the education. Among administrative staff there is less appreciation than among employees with close customer contact. A tentative explanation for this is that ethical problems have a tendency to occur in employee-customer relationships rather than in employee-employee relationships, which makes education less relevant for employees without much customer contact. Interestingly enough, however, both groups of employees tend not to see issues normally considered critical from an ethical point of view, such as insider trading or bribery and corruption, as the most pressing ethical issues. More employee concerns refer to secrecy and information issues, e-mail, and common daily security as 'grey areas' where more ethical discussion and education is needed.


The authors investigated the association between overweight at the time of or soon after cancer diagnosis and survival in a cohort of 1,455 breast cancer patients aged 25-64 years. The patients were recruited into the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study (Shanghai, China), a population-based case-control study, between August 1996 and March 1998. The median follow-up time for this cohort was 5.1 years (1996-2002) after breast cancer diagnosis, and 240 deaths were identified. Being overweight at cancer diagnosis or soon afterward, as measured by body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)(2)), was associated with poorer overall survival and disease-free survival. Five-year survival rates were 86.5%, 83.8%, and 80.1% for subjects whose BMIs were <23.0, 23.0-24.9, and >or=25.0, respectively (p = 0.02); the corresponding 5-year disease-free survival rates were 81.9%, 78.1%, and 76.6% (p = 0.05). The inverse association between BMI and survival persisted after adjustment for age at diagnosis and other known prognostic factors for breast cancer, including disease stage. The authors found neither waist:hip ratio nor waist circumference to be independently associated with overall survival or disease-free survival. These results suggest that excess weight may be an independent predictor of breast cancer survival among Chinese women.


Over several years Jamaica has suffered from a high crime rate which has negatively affected its economic growth. According to a United Nation Report (2008) Jamaica is categorized amongst the most dangerous countries in the world today. In such an environment the responsibilities of the police have increased, as more and more Jamaican gangs have international connections. This has negatively impacted the human and social capital, and security has become the primary focus area for all Jamaicans. For police to function effectively in such an environment the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is needed for managing knowledge from multiple sources. In this paper we present the current status of knowledge management practices in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) which could be used to transform the JCF into a knowledge organization.


Head injury is an increasingly common presenting complaint for older adults in the Emergency Department (ED). From 2007 to 2013, the number of traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related ED visits in adults 65 years and older increased from approximately 220 000 to 485 000 cases in the United States.1 Most of these injuries were fall-related. Fall-associated intracranial hemorrhages (ICH) in older adults are also increasing.2 The mortality rate associated with traumatic ICH is 15% and ICH accounts for onehalf of all fall-associated deaths in older adults.3,4 Clinical evaluation of geriatric trauma patients is complicated by frailty, polymorbidity, polypharmacy, anatomic and physiologic changes, and medication effects.5 Practice variation exists among emergency clinicians around when to obtain neuroimaging in older adults with falls, in part due to multiple clinical decision rules and misconceptions exist around their use. This article is a summary of the Journal Club on this topic held by the Geriatric EM Fellowship Journal Club series held on November 4, 2021, presented by the three authors. We review three articles that address the risk factors for ICH in older adults and that use clinical decision rules for guiding imaging in this population.


A novel 5-DOF upper limb rehabilitation robot, which can implement single joint and multi-joint complex motions and provide activities of daily living (ADL) training for hemiplegic patients, was presented. The solutions of the robot's kinematics equation were set up by the method of D-H according to the 5-DOF rehabilitation robot for upper limb. Based on the software of ADAMS, the mechanism was simulated and analyzed. Thus the movement of robot is determinate in a certain condition of importation. It offered important data for the trajectory planning and the actual intellective control of rehabilitating robot.


Sea level variations have been, are, and will always be taking place on local, regional, and global scales as well as on all temporal scales. Ranging from changes with frequencies of less than 1 Hz, such as capillary and small wind waves, to changes on time scales of several million years, regional and global sea-level changes have an enormous impact on coastal processes as well as on the coastal population. Sea level changes have been part of the earth history and, on geological time scales (millions of years), have been related to the geophysical processes forming the earth surface, such as plate tectonics and associated changes in the land-sea distribution. On shorter time scales, changes in the earth's climate and associated sea-ice distributions seem to be responsible for much of the observed variations. With the discussion about modern climate change and the impact of the anthropogenic contribution, studies about past sea-level changes, driven by climate change, have gained huge interest. A specific focus is, thereby, put on past periods, when sea levels have been higher or rising faster than what we currently experience. Both situations have previously occurred, although it should be noted that during those times the world's coasts had not yet been populated. During the last c. 7000 years, however, global sea levels have been remarkably stable as compared to previous time periods. The currently observed rapid increase in global sea levels is strongly related to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse
gases and will, in the future, lead to rates of sea level rise (SLR) that make it necessary for the coastal population to better adapt and protect themselves against marine hazards, such as storm surges. However, uncertainties related to the projection of future sea levels are high, with the largest uncertainties related to the nonlinear, threshold-driven behavior of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Hence, the analysis of Quaternary sea-level changes is particularly relevant, as these are primarily driven by glacial cycles, with extensive glaciers and ice sheets during cold climate periods (glacials) and small extents of glacier and ice sheets during warm climate periods (interglacials). This article gives an overview on the currently available literature about the causes and magnitudes of Quaternary sea-level changes as well as the potential impacts of current and future sea-level changes on the world's coastlines.


The utilization and capabilities of biotelemetry are expanding enormously as technology and access rapidly improve. These large, correlated datasets pose statistical challenges requiring advanced statistical techniques to appropriately interpret and model animal movement. We used satellite telemetry data of critically endangered Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) to develop a habitat-based model of their motility (and conversely residence time) using a hierarchical Bayesian framework, which could be broadly applied across species. To account for the spatiotemporally auto-correlated, unbalanced, and presence-only telemetry observations, in combination with dynamic environmental variables, a novel modeling approach was applied. We expanded a Poisson generalized linear model in a continuous-time discrete-space (CTDS) model framework to predict individual leatherback movement based on environmental drivers, such as sea surface temperature. Population-level movement estimates were then obtained with a Bayesian approach and used to create monthly, near-real time predictions of Eastern Pacific leatherback movement in the South Pacific Ocean. This model framework will inform the development of a dynamic ocean management model, ?South Pacific Turtle Watch (SPTW),? and could be applied to telemetry data from other populations and species to predict motility and resident times in dynamic environments, whilst accounting for statistical uncertainties arising at multiple stages of telemetry analysis.


The present study makes the case that the individual constituents of internet self-efficacy – search self-efficacy, communication self-efficacy, organisation self-efficacy, differentiation self-efficacy, and reactive/generative self-efficacy – may be of differential importance in predicting internet anxiety within web-assisted learning environments. Two hundred and eighty-nine undergraduate students enrolled in a blog-centric general education course on child development at a large mid-western university in the United States participated in this study. Based on inferences drawn from the socio-cognitive perspective and cognitive load theory, it was hypothesised that in a blog-centric constructivist learning environment, reactive/generative self-efficacy or the belief in one's ability to react meaningfully to others' posts and generate educationally valuable posts, would emerge as a unique predictor of internet anxiety after controlling for all of the other facets of internet self-efficacy. The results of a two-step hierarchical regression indicated that both reactive/generative self-efficacy and search self-efficacy are unique predictors of internet anxiety. The findings have several implications for researchers seeking greater insight into the relationship between internet self-efficacy and internet anxiety as well as instructors seeking to create a constructivist learning environment utilising the potential of the web.


SULFUR has long been used in general therapeusis. From the very inception of dermatological literature, sulfur compounds and preparations have been recommended for the therapy of a great variety of dermatoses, particularly parasitic infestations and seborrheic dermatitis. In the search for newer and more efficient substances in the topical treatment of the seborrheic dermatoses, selenium was considered for therapeutic trial because of its general properties and the group relationship of sulfur and selenium which was described by the periodic law of Mendelejeff. It seemed not unreasonable to suspect that similar and possibly more effective therapeutic properties would be exhibited if selenium were used in the conditions for which sulfur has proved to be of some value. The immediate clinical application of a preparation containing a selenium compound was regarded with considerable reservation in view of the many toxicological effects of selenium abundantly described in the literature since 1842. 1 On the


The evolution of the state from earlier forms of political organization is associated with revolutionary changes in the structure of inequality. These magnify distinctions in rank and power that outweigh anything previously known in so-called primitive societies. This volume explains how and why people came to accept and even identify themselves with this new form of authority. The introduction provides a new theory of legitimacy by synthesizing and uniting earlier theories from psychological, cultural-materialist, rational choice, and Marxist approaches. The case studies which follow present a wide range of materials on cultures in both Western and non-Western settings, and across a number of different historical periods. Included are examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the New World. Older states such as Ur, Inca, and medieval France are examined along with more contemporary states including Indonesia, Tanzania, and the revolutionary beginnings of the United States. Using a variety of approaches the contributors show in each instance how the state obtained and used its power, then attempted to have its power accepted as the natural order under the protection of supra-naturally ordained authority. No matter how tyrannical or benign, the cases show that state power must be justified by faith and experience that demonstrates its value to the participants. Through such analysis, the book demonstrates that states must be capable of enforcing their rule, but that they cannot deceive populations into accepting state domination. Indeed, the book suggests that social evolution moves toward less coercive rule and increased democratization. "Ronald Cohen" is a political anthropologist who has taught at the Universities of Toronto, McGill, Northwestern, and Ahmadu Bello, and is on the faculty of the University of Florida. He has carried out field research in Africa, the Arctic and Washington. His major works include "The Kanuri of Borno, Dominance and Defiance, Origins of the State, " and a book in preparation on food policy and agricultural transformation in Africa. "Judith D. Toland" is a lecturer at University College, Northwestern University, and the College of Arts and Sciences, Loyola University of Chicago. She is the director of her own corporate and non-profit consulting firm. She has done fieldwork in Ayacucho, Peru and has written widely on the Inca State.


In order to ensure that electrical energy reaches consumers uninterrupted, researchers constantly try to improve power transmission lines. To realize this improvement, probable faults should be analysed through every known method, and new methods should also be implemented. In this study, firstly, the Keban power transmission line located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey was modelled. After that, probable short circuit scenarios were applied on the model, and the short circuit faults in the scenarios were analysed by using the Fourier analysis. The Fourier analysis is a mathematical method that is used as an effective way to determine the sudden changes in the frequency and time band. The study was successful in determining phase and grounding faults through the analyses of the scenarios using Fourier analysis. The fact that the mathematical method was applied on the probable scenarios on a physical model increases the importance of the study.


BACKGROUND: Malignant nodular hidradenoma (MNH) is a malignant adnexal tumor of the eccrine sweat glands. The histology is similar to that of benign nodular hidradenoma, but MNH shows an infiltrative and invasive pattern, necrosis and angiolymphatic invasion. CASE: A 60-year-old woman, diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma 6 months before, underwent fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a nodule on the scalp. The aspirate smears showed (1) necrotic debris; (2) cohesive cell clusters and tissue fragments; (3) tubular formations; (4) globoid or cylindrical clear cells; (5) cells showing dense cytoplasm and a basaloid appearance; (6) cell sheets with anaplasia and squamous differentiation; and (7) multinucleated giant cells. The histology showed a lobulated pattern with necrosis and cyst formation. The clear cells that were seen on cytology occupied the periphery of the lobules, whereas the anaplastic cells were located in the central portion. Squamous differentiation and tubular formations were observed. CONCLUSION: Rapid, accurate diagnosis of these tumors is important, particularly when they develop at sites where a metastatic process must be ruled out. Cytology of FNA material provides this capability.


In this article, we explore the relationship between Americans' attitudes toward immigrants and immigration and their attitudes toward welfare. Using data from the Cumulative American National Election Study from 1992 to 2012, we find ample evidence of the influence of immigration attitudes on both individuals' attitudes toward welfare recipients and their attitudes toward increased welfare spending. These immigration effects persist even in the face of statistical controls for attitudes toward African Americans and attitudes toward the poor; indeed, in our models, the magnitude of the effects of immigration attitudes surpasses the magnitude of effects of attitudes toward blacks. Further, our findings of immigration effects withstand a range of robustness tests. Our results point to the possible "immigrationalization" of Americans' welfare attitudes and provide strong evidence that how Americans think about immigration and immigrants is a major factor in how they think about welfare.


Reliable biomass estimates by means of hydroacoustics largely depend on the correct identification of acoustic targets. Data collected during five summer acoustic surveys (2004-2008) in the North Aegean Sea (Greece) were analyzed to explore effective discrimination of small pelagic fish schools according to the species they belong. Discriminant Function Analyses (DFA) using bathymetric, energetic and morphometric school descriptors as explanatory variables were applied per research cruise as well as to pooled data from all surveys. Results revealed that the schools can be successfully classified into the five species considered (anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, sardine Sardina pilchardus , round sardinella Sardinella aurita , blue whiting Micromessistius poutassou, and Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus ). The percentage of correct classifications in terms of number of schools was higher in the analyses of the annual cruises (75.6%-95.36%) than in the analysis of pooled data (≈72%). This is because of (i) the lower number of species, as well as (ii) the reduced intraspecific variability, occurring in each separate cruise. Significant differences were detected among school descriptors for the different species, revealing discrete aspects of schooling behaviour for each species. The benefit of the specific approach is that the classification functions of the DFAs can be used to classify a larger set of schools, which has not been possible to assign to specific species. Overall the approach constitutes an objective, more automated and less time consuming procedure for the analysis of acoustic data and can contribute to the improvement of biomass estimates in the area.


For all Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen-type experiments on deterministic systems the Bell inequality holds, unless non-local interactions exist between certain parts of the setup. Here we show that in nonlinear systems the Bell inequality can be violated by non-local effects that are arbitrarily weak. Then we show that the quantum result of the existing Ei stein-PodolskyRosen-type experiments can be reproduced within deterministic models that include arbitrarily weak non-local effects.


We report a measurement of the ratio R(D*) = B((B) over bar (0) -> D*(+)tau(-)(nu) over bar (tau))/B((B) over bar (0) -> D*(+)l(-)(nu) over bar (l))where l denotes an electron or a muon. The results are based on a data sample containing 772 x 10(6) B (B) over bar pairs recorded at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider. We select a sample of B-0(B) over bar (0) pairs by reconstructing both B mesons in semileptonic decays to D*(-/+)l(+/-). We measure R(D*) = 0.302 +/- 0.030(stat) +/- 0.011(syst), which is within 1.6 sigma of the Standard Model theoretical expectation, where the standard deviation sigma includes systematic uncertainties. We use this measurement to constrain several scenarios of new physics in a model-independent approach.


Balkan endemic kidney disease surfaced in the 1950s and for decades defied attempts to finger the cause. It occurred near tributaries of the Danube River and struck hardest in farming communities. A combination of luck and careful scientific studies with sophisticated molecular tools has shown convincingly that an acid from a weed caused the kidney damage, and the convoluted, surprising discovery offers lessons to researchers struggling to determine what9s behind the chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology now afflicting Mesoamerica.


A DNA microarray was constructed for high‐throughput identification of the plant resource of commercial FDSH [Fengdu Shihu (Dendrobium officinale)]. The 5 S rDNA (ribosomal DNA) intergenic spacer region in D. officinale, D. nobile, D. moniliforme, D. hercoglossum, D. williamsonii, D. capillipes, D. wilsonii and D. jenkinsii was amplified by a single primer pair and sequenced. The sequences showed polymorphism. They were incorporated on a glass slide and hybridized with fluorescently labelled 5 S sequences from commercial Shihu. The DNA microarray enabled the differentiation of D. officinale from the other species tested. FDSH could thus be distinguished from its adulterants. It is evident that DNA microarrays provide a high‐throughput and reliable approach for the identification of plant resources, and the method presented here is useful for the authentication of FDSH.


The geometric and electronic structures of Na(N), Cu(N), and Ag(N) metal clusters are systematically studied based on the density functional theory over a wide range of cluster sizes 2<or=N<or=75. A remarkable similarity is observed between the optimized geometric structures of alkali and noble metal clusters over all of the calculated cluster sizes N. The most stable structures are the same for the three different metal clusters for approximately half the cluster sizes N considered in this study. Even if the most stable structures are different, the same types of structures are obtained when the metastable structures are also considered. For all of the three different metal clusters, the cluster shapes change in the order of linear, planar, opened, and closed structures with increasing N. This structural-type transition leads to a deviation from the monotonic increase in the specific volume with N. A remarkable similarity is also observed for the N dependence of the cluster energy E(N) for the most stable geometric structures. The amplitude of this energy difference is larger in the two noble metal clusters than in the alkali metal cluster. This is attributed to the contribution of d electrons to the bonds. The magic number is explicitly defined with a new criterion in the framework of total energy calculations. In the case of Na(N), a semiquantitative comparison between the experimental abundance spectra [Knight et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 52, 2141 (1984)] and the total energy calculations is carried out. The changing aspect of the Kohn-Sham eigenvalues from N=2 to N=75 is presented for the three different metal clusters. The feature of the bulk density of states already appears at N=75 for all of three clusters. With increasing N, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap clearly exhibits an odd-even alternation and converges to 0. Although there is a similarity in the N dependence of the HOMO-LUMO gap between the three metal clusters, it is much stronger between the two noble metal clusters. The growth aspect of the d band below the Fermi level of the noble metal clusters with increasing N is presented. A good correspondence is observed in the d characteristic of the electronic states between the cluster composed of 75 atoms and the bulk metal. The similarities observed in the N dependence of the geometric structures and E(N)s originate from the similarity in that of the electronic structures.


Rat superior oblique extraocular muscle was examined in serial sections by light and electron microscopy. By such analysis, it was possible to discriminate single versus multiply innervated fibres, characteristics of the internal structure of fibres, and topographical distribution of the respective fibre populations within the muscle. The superior oblique muscle was observed to consist of two distinguishable muscle portions; one portion originated proximally and the other muscle portion originated distally after passing through the trochlea tendon. Seven morphologically distinct fibre populations were discernible. Four populations, three singly innervated fibre populations and one multiply innervated fibre population, were localised in the global region; these differed in terms of diameter, mitochondrial richness, development of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and myofibrillar size. The orbital surface layer contained two singly innervated and one multiply innervated populations; all of these exhibited systematic morphological variability. The multiply innervated fibres displayed multiple, relatively superficial, neuromuscular junctions along their length, as well as end plate-like junctions which were apparently confined to the region of the singly innervated fibre innervation band, thus suggesting polyneuronal innervation. In the latter region, the multiply innervated fibres displayed morphological features characteristic of "twitch' fibres; away from this region these cells appeared to have morphological features typical of "tonic' fibres. In contrast, the global multiply innervated fibres were constant diameter and form along their length, and displayed only relatively superficial neuromuscular junctions.


This thesis comprises three essays that explore a number of research questions in the online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending industry from an international perspective. The first essay highlights an intriguing phenomenon in the Chinese online P2P lending market, whereby investors keep lending in platforms when the majority of them fail. This essay shows that investors are able to leverage nonstandard information, especially social capital information, in screening platforms and making investment decisions. Using a hand-collected sample of 6,190 Chinese platforms from June 2007 to June 2017, this essay provides robust evidence that social capital plays a significant role in platform survival inference and its economic significance is stronger than standard information such as financial capital. The findings highlight the contribution of social capital in reducing information asymmetry for investors, and offer policy and practical implications for regulators and risk managers in this innovative and fast-growing industry.

The second essay explores the diversity of borrowers' default behavior across credit grades in the online P2P lending market using data from the US P2P platform—Prosper.com. In this essay, prediction models are developed based on flexible parametric functions to separately capture the default probability for different credit grade borrowers. Using a comprehensive list of prediction variables, this essay identifies different sets of predictors affecting the loan default probability for borrowers in different credit grade groups. The findings highlight the importance of differential borrower credit grades on prospective loan default and are relevant to investors and regulators alike in this market.

The third essay empirically explores the indicators behind the survival of Chinese P2P platforms comprehensively from four perspectives, including investment, borrowing, platform background and operation environment, and further discusses their economic implications, using monthly data of 1,274 platforms during 2007-2016. Empirical results suggest the following: (i) good-quality assets is critical for platform survival; (ii) higher registered capital and stronger shareholder background infer higher survival probabilities; and (iii) government policy, the outstanding loan amount, interest rate, and location all play a significant role. Based on these findings, this essay's policy recommendations are to strengthen the regulation of loan quality, pay attention to industry entrance requirement, and establish day-to-day regulation system on those impact factors to improve platform survival.


Cu/Zn beta-phase alloy (beta-brass) colloid was successfully synthesized by reducing the organometallic complexes in the organic liquid phase. It was confirmed by X-ray diffraction that the material formed pure beta-phase. The morphology for the beta-brass particles was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The dispersion of the particle diameter was almost single modal, and the diameter was estimated at 8+/-2 nm. A clear peak around 520 nm was seen in the optical absorption spectrum for the beta-brass colloid, and it is attributed to the surface plasmon absorption. We also simulated the optical absorption spectrum using the bulk dielectric constant for beta-brass. The simulation qualitatively reproduced the experimental data well.


Bulk glassy alloys based on the Fe-Co-B-Si-Nb system have already achieved high levels of mechanical strength. The present work investigated the microstructural evolution of Fe43.2Co28.8B19.2Si4.8Nb4 alloy during the spray forming and wedge mold casting processes, with emphasis on the formation of amorphous phase. The microstructure was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The region outer the spray deposit showed the formation of an amorphous structure with a thickness of ~2.5 mm, while that of the wedge-shaped sample exhibited a thickness of up to ~1.5 mm, suggesting that both processes show a promising potential for the production of bulk glass alloys.


Interviewing respondents on cellphones poses challenges to survey researchers. Using data from the National Immunization Survey, a national, dual-frame random-digit dial survey, we examined whether respondents' level of cooperation varies by their telephone status and location at the time of the interview. Specifically, we used regression models to compare the cooperation rates for respondents who are contacted on landlines while at home, those who are contacted on cellphones while at home ("cell-at-home"), and those who are contacted on cellphones while away from home ("cell-away"). Our models included a number of respondent characteristics that may be related to the likelihood of cooperation versus breakoff during the survey. Results indicated that observed differences in cooperation between landline and cellphone-while-away respondents are primarily due to cell-away respondents being less likely to respond. Our results also suggest that time of interview is a significant predictor of likelihood to provide permission to access children's health care records. This research provides insight into the behavior of cellphone respondents and the conditions under which they may be most likely to respond.


A Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism is most general framework to construct consistent quantum field theories. Its mathematical structure is called a BatalinVilkovisky structure. First we explain rather mathematical setting of a BatalinVilkovisky formalism. Next, we consider deformation theory of a BatalinVilkovisky structure. Especially, we consider deformation of topological sigma models in any dimension, which is closely related to deformation theories in mathematics, including deformation from commutative geometry to noncommutative geometry. We obtain a series of new nontrivial topological sigma models and we find these models have the Batalin-Vilkovisky structures based on a series of new algebroids.


Children's conscience, including the ability to experience guilt and engage in rule-compatible behavior, develops across early childhood. The current study investigated whether within-family variation in children's baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and sibling conflict behavior were associated with individual differences in children's guilt and internalized conduct. Between-family differences across sibling dyad gender compositions were also examined. A within-family design that included 70 families with two siblings between the ages of 2 and 5 was utilized. Children's baseline RSA was measured while sitting quietly with their family. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires that assessed siblings' conflict behavior, guilt, and internalized conduct. Older siblings had higher levels of guilt and internalized conduct than younger siblings. Results from actor-partner interdependence models indicated that there were no direct effects of children's baseline RSA. The interaction effects approached significance (p's ≤ .08) suggesting that older siblings' conflict moderated the association between older siblings' baseline RSA and both older and younger siblings' guilt. In contrast, older siblings' conflict was positively associated with older and younger siblings' internalized conduct. Guilt and internalized conduct also differed for older and younger siblings in different dyad gender compositions. The results underscore the need for greater clarity regarding the function that siblings serve in promoting children's moral development during early childhood.


Cnicin was isolated as the major sesquiterpene lactone from Aegialophila pumila Jus. Boiss. The germacranolide salonitenolide was isolated as a minor constituent. Cnicin demonstrated pronounced cytotoxic activity when tested in vitro against TLX-5 mice lymphoma cells.


In this paper I propose to push the frontier of global value chain (GVC) governance analysis through the concept of 'polarity'. Much of the existing GVC literature has focused on 'unipolar' value chains, where one group of 'lead firms' inhabiting a specific function in a chain plays a dominant role in governing it. Some scholars have explored the dynamics of governance in GVCs characterized as 'bipolar', where two sets of actors in different functional positions both drive the chain. I expand this direction further to suggest conceptualizing governance within a continuum between unipolarity and multipolarity Empirically, I do so by examining the evolutionary dynamics of governance in biofuel value chains, with specific focus on the key regulatory and institutional features that facilitated their emergence and expansion. First, I examine the formation, evolution, and governance of three national/regional value chains (in Brazil, the US, and the EU); then, I provide evidence to support a trend towards the increasing but still partial formation of a global biofuel value chain and examine its governance traits.


Humans are exposed to a large number of environmental chemicals in their daily life, many of which are readily detectable in blood or urine. It remains uncertain if these chemicals can cause adverse health effects when present together at low doses. In this study we have tested whether a mixture of 27 chemicals administered orally to juvenile male rats for three months could leave a pathophysiological footprint. The mixture contained metals, perfluorinated compounds, PCB, dioxins, pesticides, heterocyclic amines, phthalate, PAHs and others, with a combined dose of 0.16 (Low dose), 0.47 (Mid dose) or 1.6 (High dose) mg/kg bw/day. The lowest dose was designed with the aim of obtaining plasma or urine concentrations in rats at levels approaching those observed in humans. Some single congeners were administered at doses representative of combined doses for chemical groups. With this baseline, we found effects on weight, histology and gene expression in the liver, as well as changes to the blood plasma metabolome in all exposure groups, including low-dose. Additional adverse effects were observed in the higher dosed groups, including enlarged kidneys and alterations to the metabolome. No significant effects on reproductive parameters were observed.


The main objective of this study is to highlight the upgraded role of culture in the policy of each country participating in the modern international system. The contribution of culture in policy making strategies is particularly promoted by the development of cultural diplomacy, which plays an important role in current international relations. Cultural diplomacy is an instrument of crucial importance for the transmission of culture and national values. The main role of cultural diplomacy is to promote the trans-national dialogue between different cultures and nations, particularly between the West and the Muslim world. The motivation for this study has been the fact that over the last decades several events (for instance, modern wars that have been influenced by ethnic, cultural and religious beliefs) highlighted the emergence of the critical role of culture in modern international politics. In this study, emphasis is placed on the goals and aspirations of developing cultural diplomacy. Cultural diplomacy can be conveniently used as a flexible and universally accepted means of approaching countries with which diplomatic relations are tense or, sometimes, even non-existent. After World War II, the structure of international relations underwent significant changes and a growing tendency towards cultural disagreements was observed. In this context, it seems that culture has evolved to a powerful factor in the field of international relations, a factor of continuously increasing influence and importance. Modern developments in the field of international relations show that the 21st century will be a golden age for the further development of cultural diplomacy.


Abstract. The reconciliation of mantle chemistry with the structure of the mantle inferred from geophysics and dynamical modelling has been a long-standing problem. This paper reviews three main aspects. First, extensions and refinements of dynamical modelling and theory of mantle processing over the past decade. Second, a recent reconsideration of the implications of mantle heterogeneity for melting, melt migration, mantle differentiation and mantle segregation. Third, a recent proposed shift in the primitive chemical baseline of the mantle inferred from observations of non-chondritic 142Nd in the Earth. It seems most issues can now be resolved, except the level of heating required to maintain the mantle's thermal evolution. A reconciliation of refractory trace elements and their isotopes with the dynamical mantle, proposed and given preliminary quantification by Hofmann, White and Christensen, has been strengthened by work over the past decade. The apparent age of lead isotopes and the broad refractory-element differences among and between ocean island basalts (OIBs) and mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) can now be quantitatively accounted for with some assurance. The association of the least radiogenic helium with relatively depleted sources and their location in the mantle have been enigmatic. The least radiogenic helium samples have recently been recognised as matching the proposed non-chondritic primitive mantle. It has also been proposed recently that noble gases reside in a so-called hybrid pyroxenite assemblage that is the result of melt from fusible pods reacting with surrounding refractory peridotite and refreezing. Hybrid pyroxenite that is off-axis may not remelt and erupt at MORs, so its volatile constituents would recirculate within the mantle. Hybrid pyroxenite is likely to be denser than average mantle, and thus some would tend to settle in the D" zone at the base of the mantle, along with some old subducted oceanic crust. Residence times in D" are longer, so the hybrid pyroxenite there would be less degassed. Plumes would sample both the degassed, enriched old oceanic crust and the gassy, less enriched hybrid pyroxenite and deliver them to OIBs. These findings can account quantitatively for the main He, Ne and Ar isotopic observations. It has been commonly inferred that the MORB source is strongly depleted of incompatible elements. However it has recently been argued that conventional estimates of the MORB source composition fail to take full account of mantle heterogeneity, and in particular focus on an ill-defined "depleted" mantle component while neglecting less common enriched components. Previous estimates have also been tied to the composition of peridotites, but these probably do not reflect the full complement of incompatible elements in the heterogeneous mantle. New estimates that account for enriched mantle components suggest the MORB source complement of incompatibles could be as much as 50–100 % larger than previous estimates. A major difficulty has been the inference that mass balances of incompatible trace elements could only be satisfied if there is a deep enriched layer in the mantle, but the Earth's topography precludes such a layer. The difficulty might be resolved if either the Earth is depleted relative to chondritic or the MORB source is less depleted than previous estimates. Together these factors can certainly resolve the mass balance difficulties.


Studies on innovation and technology management have emphasized the importance of integration between the research and development (R&D) department and others involved with the product development process (PDP) as a relevant practice for the good performance of technological innovation of product activities. This study addresses the topic of transfers of technologies to new product projects and also integration practices between the R&D department and others involved with the PDP. A qualitative study was conducted that was operationalized through two case studies at large high-tech companies: One is Brazilian and the other is a multinational subsidiary in Brazil. Among its main result, this paper represents and analyzes management practices that are favorable to integration in product development projects that demand development and transfer of technologies, such as: participation of R&D personnel in market activities, the adoption of virtual interaction mechanisms, and the application of methods such as technology roadmaps.


I tackle some major criticisms addressed to Pierre Bourdieu's notion of habitus by foregrounding its affinities with Ludwig Wittgenstein's notion of rule-following. To this end, I first clarify the character of the habitus as a theoretical device, and then elucidate what features of Wittgenstein's analysis Bourdieu found of interest from a methodological viewpoint. To vindicate this reading, I contend that Wittgenstein's discussion of rule-following was meant to unearth the internal connection between rules and the performative activities whereby rules are brought into life. By portraying rules as tools that allow agents to stabilize and renegotiate practices, I illustrate the active role social agents play in the production of shared accounts of practices. I conclude by showing that, if viewed through this prism, the habitus proves to be meant to provide guidance on how social theory helps historicize and denaturalize the social world.


Summary form only given. This tutorial presents recent developments in CMOS device and circuit technology, which enable the disruptive ascent of CMOS logic technology to the forefront of high performance RF/microwave communication circuit and system designs, fully integrated with high performance digital processors on the same die. Device level characteristics of CMOS and bipolar are compared vis-a-vis, and their meaning to circuit design and system performance are analyzed. Circuit level solutions to compensate for intrinsic drawbacks on logic CMOS technology are introduced and their adequacy to RF/microwave wireless integrated system stressed. New CMOS-compatible structures, already available as deep Nwell implants, are shown to be the only required device level addition to advanced CMOS processes to enable mixed-signal integration. The tutorial concludes with a prelude of what is ahead and where very promising research and product developments are likely to come from.


In a distributed fault-tolerant server system realized according to the open group model, inconsistency will (temporarily) arise between the dynamic membership of the replicated service and its client-side representation in the event of server failures and recoveries. The paper proposes techniques for maintaining this consistency and discuss their performance implications in failure/recovery scenarios where clients load balance requests on the servers. Comparative performance measurements is carried out for two of the proposed techniques. The results indicate that the performance impact of lacking consistency is easily kept small, and that the cost of the technique is small.


This paper is an evaluation of liver iron quantification using a simulated magnetic susceptibility measurement in the hepatic region. Susceptometers having homogeneous and non-homogeneous magnetizing fields coupled with axial second-order and planar first-order gradiometric magnetic detectors were considered. The intensity of magnetic flux threading the detector coils was evaluated considering samples with volume and susceptibility equivalent to liver iron, tissue and lung air individually. These volumes were represented by cylindrical and spherical geometries. The main sources of error in quantifying iron overload in susceptometric measurement of hepatic tissue were evaluated for four configurations of the susceptometer.


This thesis is an analysis of the language of joking relationships in Aboriginal Australia with a special focus on the Eastern Kunwinjku language of western and central Arnhem Land. The main hypothesis is that joking relationship language as a discrete style of speech is a pragmatic index of the absence or renunciation of actual or potential affinity. It is argued that joking language also plays a phatic and sociable role in ratifying relationships. The form which joking relationship speech and interaction takes can be understood as the inversion of interactive norms observed between affinal kin who stand in relationships of constraint or 'avoidance'. Special constrained styles of marked speech and behaviour are used with actual affines but the joking style of speech is used with classificatory or 'fictive' affines with whom no actual affinal relationship obtains. The theoretical perspective taken is in the vein of John Gumperz and the approach known as Interactional Sociolinguistics which seeks to analyse the totality of communicative signals both linguistic and paralinguistic used to convey meaning. There is great variance between the literal meaning of joking relationship language and the intended meaning which is reflected in some Aboriginal descriptions of joking relationship language as 'saying nothing'. That is, the literal meanings of joking relationship utterances are not the intended meanings and a variety of cues and shared background knowledge disambiguate the insults of joking interaction from those used in anger or serious abuse.


The relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) rest on an association regime in force for more than fifty years, as established by the Ankara Association Agreement. With the Athens Agreement signed with Greece, the Ankara Agreement constitutes one of the two association agreements that the EU has concluded with third countries providing the free movement of workers between the contracting parties under an ambitious framework. However, notwithstanding the explicit affirmations in existing legal texts, the arrangements put in place by the association law have not been realized and the external policies towards Turkish nationals have been tightened up. Indeed, there is a considerable gap, not only between the starting point of the contracting parties and their current state of affairs concerning the conception of social integration, but also between the wording of the provisions adopted and their practice. The present contribution strives to discuss the influence of political and economic momentum in the formation of this gap and especially on the European Court of Justice's ways of approaching the association regime concerning the freemovement of Turkish workers within the European Commission (EC), as established by the Association Agreement, the Additional Protocol and the decisions of the Association Council.


Basement membranes (BMs) are cell-associated extracellular matrices that support tissue integrity, signaling, and barrier properties. Type IV collagen is critical for BM mechanical and signaling functions, yet how it is directed into BMs in vivo is unclear. Through live-cell imaging of endogenous localization, conditional knockdown, and misexpression experiments, we uncovered distinct mechanisms of integrin-mediated collagen recruitment to Caenorhabditis elegans gonadal and pharyngeal BMs. The putative laminin-binding αINA-1/βPAT-3 integrin was selectively activated in the gonad and recruited laminin, which directed moderate collagen incorporation. In contrast, the putative Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-binding αPAT-2/βPAT-3 integrin was activated in the pharynx and recruited high levels of collagen independent of laminin. Through an RNAi screen, we further identified the small GTPase RAP-3 (Rap1) as a pharyngeal-specific PAT-2/PAT-3 activator that modulates collagen levels. Together, these studies demonstrate that tissues can use distinct mechanisms to direct collagen incorporation into BMs to precisely control collagen levels and construct diverse BMs.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of RNA interference of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 on atherosclerosis on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mouse.

METHODS
ApoE-/- mouse strain and three cell lines (293T, NIH3T3 and Raw264.7) were used in the present study to investigate the effect of MMP-9 silencing by RNA interference. Thirty 10-week-old ApoE-/- mice were randomly assigned to a control group, lentiviruses with naked vector group and Lentiviruses-MMP-9 intervention group (n = 10). Aortic atherosclerotic plaques of the mice were stained with immunohistochemical techniques, the MMP-9 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels of three groups were detected simultaneously. Expression of MMP-9 was significantly down-regulated in interference group. MMP-9 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in MMP-9 interference group were significantly lower than that of the control group.

CONCLUSION
The expression of MMP-9 is closely related to vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques. Silencing of MMP-9 expression acts as a positive role in maintenance of atherosclerotic plaque stability. The present study provides novel experimental insight for the treatment of vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis.


RNA decapping is an important contributor to gene expression and is a critical determinant of mRNA decay. The recent demonstration that mammalian cells harbor at least two distinct decapping enzymes that preferentially modulate a subset of mRNAs raises the intriguing possibility of whether additional decapping enzymes exist. Because both known decapping proteins, Dcp2 and Nudt16, are members of the Nudix hydrolase family, we set out to determine whether other members of this family of proteins also contain intrinsic RNA decapping activity. Here we demonstrate that six additional mouse Nudix proteins--Nudt2, Nudt3, Nudt12, Nudt15, Nudt17, and Nudt19--have varying degrees of decapping activity in vitro on both monomethylated and unmethylated capped RNAs. The decapping products from Nudt17 and Nudt19 were analogous to Dcp2 and predominantly generated m⁷GDP, while cleavage by Nudt2, Nudt3, Nudt12, and Nudt15 was more pleiotropic and generated both m⁷GMP and m⁷GDP. Interestingly, all six Nudix proteins as well as both Dcp2 and Nudt16 could hydrolyze the cap of an unmethylated capped RNA, indicating that decapping enzymes may be less constrained for the presence of the methyl moiety. Investigation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nudix proteins revealed that the yeast homolog of Nudt3, Ddp1p, also possesses decapping activity in vitro. Moreover, the bacterial Nudix pyrophosphohydrolase RppH displayed RNA decapping activity and released m⁷GDP product comparable to Dcp2, indicating that decapping is an evolutionarily conserved activity that preceded mammalian cap formation. These findings demonstrate that multiple Nudix family hydrolases may function in mRNA decapping and mRNA stability.


Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during embryogenesis, carcinoma invasiveness, and metastasis and can be elicited by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling via intracellular Smad transducers. The molecular mechanisms that control the onset of EMT remain largely unexplored. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) gene is induced by the Smad pathway during EMT. Endogenous HMGA2 mediates EMT by TGF-β, whereas ectopic HMGA2 causes irreversible EMT characterized by severe E-cadherin suppression. HMGA2 provides transcriptional input for the expression control of four known regulators of EMT, the zinc-finger proteins Snail and Slug, the basic helix-loop-helix protein Twist, and inhibitor of differentiation 2. We delineate a pathway that links TGF-β signaling to the control of epithelial differentiation via HMGA2 and a cohort of major regulators of tumor invasiveness and metastasis. This network of signaling/transcription factors that work sequentially to establish EMT suggests that combinatorial detection of these proteins could serve as a new tool for EMT analysis in cancer patients.


Digital forensics (DF) is a relatively new discipline with a lot of technical and non-technical terminologies that can be hard to comprehend. During a timeintensive digital forensic investigation process, for example, investigators may at times encounter several new terminologies. In such a scenario, the time required to unearth and analyse the root cause of a potential security incident might be influenced by the complexity involved in resolving the meaning of new terminologies encountered. The difficulty lies in the lack of an approach in DF that can help investigators in resolving the meaning of terminologies or even how these terminologies are perceived by individuals especially when used in their domain of expertise. If existing digital forensic tools, for example, were to be designed in such a way as to allow investigators to automatically resolve or incorporate the meaning of new terminologies used or encountered during investigations, then the time required to unearth and analyse the root cause of a security incident might be reduced extensively. The main problem addressed in this paper therefore, is that, there exists no approaches in DF that have the ability to help investigators in reasoning with regard to the perceived meaning of different digital forensic terminologies encountered during a digital forensics investigation process. Existing tools thus needs to incorporate new approaches that can help in resolving or clarifying the meaning of new terminologies used during investigation processes. For this reason, this paper examines the concept of building ontologies for digital forensic terminologies and proposes an ontological approach to resolve the meaning of different digital forensic terminologies. Besides, ontologies are known to provide a form of knowledge in a given discipline of interest. In the authors' opinion, thus, building ontologies for digital forensic terminologies can support the development of future investigative tools as well as new techniques to a degree of certainty.


Warfare has traditionally been considered unique to humans. It has, therefore, often been explained as deriving from features that are unique to humans, such as the possession of weapons or the adoption of a patriarchal ideology. Mounting evidence suggests, however, that coalitional killing of adults in neighboring groups also occurs regularly in other species, including wolves and chimpanzees. This implies that selection can favor components of intergroup aggression important to human warfare, including lethal raiding. Here I present the principal adaptive hypothesis for explaining the species distribution of intergroup coalitional killing. This is the "imbalance-of-power hypothesis," which suggests that coalitional killing is the expression of a drive for dominance over neighbors. Two conditions are proposed to be both necessary and sufficient to account for coalitional killing of neighbors: (1) a state of intergroup hostility; (2) sufficient imbalances of power between parties that one party can attack the other with impunity. Under these conditions, it is suggested, selection favors the tendency to hunt and kill rivals when the costs are sufficiently low. The imbalance-of-power hypothesis has been criticized on a variety of empirical and theoretical grounds which are discussed. To be further tested, studies of the proximate determinants of aggression are needed. However, current evidence supports the hypothesis that selection has favored a hunt-and-kill propensity in chimpanzees and humans, and that coalitional killing has a long history in the evolution of both species.


Agriculture is the main economic activity for Malawi where people depend on natural resources like fertile soils. Thus, Government recognizes the need to conserve natural resources in its development plans. Following the adoption of the Decentralization Policy and the Local Government Act of 1998, such responsibility mainly rests with District Councils. This paper provides information about the environmental situation of the land and agriculture sector for Machinga district; and also demonstrates the outlook of the sector by the year 2020. The study used data from Machinga District Agriculture Development Office and the 2012 Machinga District State of Environment and Outlook Report. Basing on governance and economic growth, the districts future has four possible scenarios, with Ikwenda Chenene scenario being preferred. To achieve this scenario there is need for concerted efforts for the conservation and management of natural resources by all stakeholders. This case study of Machinga district provides useful insights for Malawi and indeed several other communities in geographical locations with similar environment challenges.


Dimitré Dinev's novel Engelszungen presents a subversive variation of the traditional coincidence plot, which brings together characters with a prior connection seemingly by chance and under remarkable circumstances. Dinev functionalizes both the coincidence plot's ability to generate suspense and its promise to offer insights into deeper systems underlying life. By linking his protagonists' lives through a number of striking coincidences, the author keeps the readers wondering about the meaning and outcome of their impending encounter. However, he subverts the traditional coincidence plot's assertion of causality as explanatory system. In Engelszungen's narrative world, the coincidences are ultimately attributed to chance and randomness, undermining readers' belief in causal explanations as well as challenging a deterministic world view that understands certain events as unavoidable. (HS)


In this contribution we analyze modulation electron cyclotron resonance heating (MECH) experiment and discuss higher harmonic frequency dependence of transport coefficients. We use the bidirectional heat pulse propagation method, in which both inward propagating heat pulse and outward propagating heat pulse are analyzed at a radial range, in order to distinguish frequency dependence of transport coefficients due to hysteresis from that due to other reasons, such as radially dependent transport coefficients, a finite damping term, or boundary effects. The method is applied to MECH experiments performed in various helical and tokamak devices, i.e. Large Helical Device (LHD), TJ-II, Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR), and Doublet III-D (DIII-D) with different plasma conditions. The frequency dependence of transport coefficients are clearly observed, showing a possibility of existence of transport hysteresis in flux-gradient relation.


Due to accidental thermal attacks, industrial plants can be damaged or more seriously become themselves the centre of major accidents (domino effects). At the origin of these attacks, it is advisable to mention the "classical" fires such as pool fires, jet fires, but also more exceptional phenomena which generate fire balls with an intense radiation as BLEVE or Boil-Over. Therefore, as part of hazard surveys and more particularly survey of domino effects, some questions are asked about, for example: - the relevance to consider the explosion of such or such tank as a result of the contribution of heat since a close fire considered besides, - or again the quantitative earnings expected by the implementation of materials of heat insulation or the implementation of means of cooling. Now it concerns typical structures as pipes or tanks, there are not or few tools which are enough fine to answer the previous asked questions and at the same time there is not enough quick implementation to be compatible with the deadline constraints of usual studies. Thus a research programme focuses on the thermal impact of different fires on industrial pipes and tanks. Its objective is to develop, to validate and to produce one or several tools of calculation satisfying needs mentioned above in order to approach in a most realistic possible way the thermal impact of fires on equipment such as the industrial pipes and tanks. This paper presents an experimental campaign aiming to the analysis of the heat transfers being exerted on a pipe submitted at a fire jet. Thus, an experimental apparatus was set up making it possible to determine on the one hand, precisely the characteristics of jet fire and on the other hand, the thermal response of the pipe crossed by water. To characterise jet fire, measurements of gas temperatures, gas velocities and heat fluxes are realised for three gases that are the methane, propane and ethylene and for various gas release rates. Additionally, test monitoring has also been done, making use of both infrared camera and conventional video camera. These measurements make it possible to define dimensions of jet fires, its surface emissive power as well as the hot gas velocities for then deducing from them the heat transfers received by the pipe. In the second time, the pipe crossed by water is subjected to these various jet fires and the thermal response of pipe is quantified by monitoring the pipe with thermocouples. The experimental apparatus makes it possible to vary various parameters such as: - the presence or not of an heat insulator like rockwool, - the thermal attack (various gases and heat release rates), - the flow velocity in the pipe going from 0,1 to 1 m/s. This test campaign aims to validate the physical models concerning the thermal response of a structure to a thermal attack and to quantify the influence of the hot soots conduction in the heat transfers by testing jet fires of gas producing soots more or less.


Designing floating bridges for wide and deep fjords is very challenging. The floating bridge is subjected to wind, wave, and current loads. All these loads and corresponding load effects should be properly evaluated, e.g. for ultimate limit state design check. In this study, the wind-, wave- and current-induced load effects of an end-anchored floating bridge are numerically investigated. The considered floating bridge, about 4600 m long, was an early concept for crossing Bjørnafjorden, Norway. It consists of a cable-stayed high bridge part and a pontoon-supported low bridge part, and has a number of eigen-modes, which might be excited by the relevant environmental loads. Numerical simulations show that the sway motion and strong axis bending moment along the bridge girder are primarily induced by wind loads, while variations of heave motion and weak axis bending moment are mainly induced by wave loads. Current loads mainly provide damping force to reduce the variations of sway motion and strong axis bending moment. Turbulent wind can cause significantly larger low-frequency resonant responses than second-order difference-frequency wave loads.


Perpendicular medium with an average grain size of 8.2 nm have been produced by using a-CoCrPt/Ti/NiAl tri-layer structure. The signal-to-noise ratio for the tri-layer medium is 2-7 dB higher than CoCrPt/Ti bi-layer medium at low deposition temperatures. The medium noise is dominated by dc noise and exhibits little transition noise for densities less than 500 kFCI. The ultra-small grain size will improve the performance of perpendicular media for future high-density recording applications.


Random numbers represent an indispensable resource for many applications. A recent remarkable result is the realization that non-locality in quantum mechanics can be used to certify genuine randomness through Bell's theorem, producing reliable random numbers in a device independent way. Here, we explore the contextuality aspect of quantum mechanics and show that true random numbers can be generated using only single qutrit (three-state systems) without entanglement and non-locality. In particular, we show that any observed violation of the Klyachko-Can-Binicioglu-Shumovsky (KCBS) inequality [Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 20403 (2008)] provides a positive lower bound on genuine randomness. As a proof-of-concept experiment, we demonstrate with photonic qutrits that at least 5246 net true random numbers are generated with a confidence level of 99.9%.


If a manager has an outstanding track record, how can we tell how much this past success is due to luck versus skill? The complex nature of active portfolio management makes this assessment very difficult. This article provides a conceptual framework for thinking about this issue. A meaningful track record should reflect a significant number of investment decisions. It is not sufficient to simply outperform over what might appear to be a significant time horizon.


In this paper, novel finite-difference time-domain implementations of the Cole-Cole dispersion model for biological tissues, from 0.5 to 30 GHz, based on the sampling of the distribution of relaxation time, and the convolution integral formulation, are provided and verified. Moreover, shortcomings of the original relaxation time sampling implementation, with polarization formulation, were identified, and the improved polarization implementation is provided as well. These implementations are compared with the implementation utilizing the fractional derivative formulation. All compared implementations require storing the electric field and some related auxiliary quantities for only the previous time step. It is observed that, for a single-term Cole-Cole relation, relaxation time sampling implementations can provide accuracy, storage requirement, and simulation time comparable to the ones for the fractional derivative implementation. However, the latter does not exist for the more general multiterm Cole-Cole dispersion relation, for which the implementations based on the relaxation time sampling could be easily extended to.


Follistatin is a binding protein for the activin and inhibin family of hormones, regulating their biological activity. In the male reproductive tract, the interaction of these factors is likely to be involved in the regulation of the proliferation of several cell types. We have investigated the presence of follistatin and activin A in seminal plasma using specific immunoassays and have localized follistatin and activin/inhibin subunits in the adult human testis, prostate and seminal vesicle to establish their likely sources. High concentrations of immunoreactive follistatin were present in seminal plasma in normal men (mean 97.9 ng/ml; 1.43 ng/ml in peripheral plasma) and were similar in men with oligo/azoospermia and following vasectomy. Follistatin immunoreactivity was localized to both Leydig and Sertoli cells of the testis, and to epithelial cells of the prostate gland and seminal vesicle, which are likely to be the predominant sources of the hormone in seminal plasma. Activin A was also present in seminal plasma in normal men but was undetectable following vasectomy, thus deriving from the testis. Consistent with this finding, the betaA-subunit was immunolocalized in Sertoli and Leydig cells but was not present in seminal vesicle or prostate gland. The functional significance of the high concentrations of follistatin secreted into seminal plasma by the prostate gland and/or seminal vesicle is uncertain, but they may regulate the biological activity of testis-derived activin A and inhibin B.


Within 3.5 to 4 hours after thionine administration, numerous small osmiophilic bodies, liposomes, appear in the endoplasmic reticulum of the liver cells. By fusion, the liposomes lead to the formation of larger collections of fat, giant liposomes. Adenine administration to ethionine-treated rats removes the liposomes from the hepatocytes and causes the transitory appearance of osmiophilic droplets in the sinusoidal space of Disse. The characteristic disaggregation of hepatic polysomes seen in the liver after ethionine administration is corrected by the injection of adenine.


MOZ-TIF2 and MOZ-CBP are leukemogenic fusion proteins associated with therapy-induced acute myeloid leukemia. These proteins are thought to subvert normal gene expression in differentiating hematopoietic progenitor cells. We have previously shown that MOZ-TIF2 inhibits transcription by CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300-dependent activators such as nuclear receptors and p53. Here we have shown that MOZ-TIF2 associates with the RARbeta2 promoter in vivo, resulting in altered recruitment of CBP/p300, aberrant histone modification, and down-regulation of the RARbeta2 gene. In contrast, MOZ-TIF2 up-regulated transcription mediated by the MOZ/MYST3-dependent activator AML1/RUNX1. Both wild type MOZ and MOZ-TIF2 were found to colocalize with AML1, and MOZ-TIF2 was recruited to an AML1 target promoter. A MOZ-CBP fusion protein showed similar functions to MOZ-TIF2 in that it inhibited retinoic acid receptor-mediated transcription but enhanced AML1 reporter activation. Although it contains almost the entire CBP sequence, MOZ-CBP does not appear to associate with PML bodies. In summary, our results indicate that leukemogenic MOZ fusion proteins have differential effects on the activities of CBP-dependent and MOZ-dependent activators because of their ability to alter cofactor recruitment and chromatin modification at target promoters.


In the fall of 2016, a field study was conducted in the Uinta Basin Utah to improve information on oil and natural gas well pad pneumatic controllers (PCs) and emission measurement methods. A total of 80 PC systems at five oil sites (supporting six wells) and three gas sites (supporting 12 wells) were surveyed, and emissions data were produced using a combination of measurements and engineering emission estimates. Ninety-six percent of the PCs surveyed were low actuation frequency intermittent vent type. The overall whole gas emission rate for the study was estimated at 0.36 scf/h with the majority of emissions occurring from three continuous vent PCs (1.1 scf/h average) and eleven (14%) malfunctioning intermittent vent PC systems (1.6 scf/h average). Oil sites employed, on average 10.3 PC systems per well compared to 1.5 for gas sites. Oil and gas sites had group average PC emission rates of 0.28 scf/h and 0.67 scf/h, respectively. This difference was due in part to differing site selection procedures used for oil and gas sites. The PC system types encountered, the engineering emissions estimate approach, and comparisons to measurements are described. Survey methods included identification of malfunctioning PC systems and emission measurements with augmented high volume sampling and installed mass flow meters, each providing a somewhat different representation of emissions that are elucidated through example cases.


ABSTRACT Darwin's theory for the evolution of the long neck of giraffes is that height confers access to browse free of competition from smaller browsers. The theory predicts that survivors of a drought will be the tallest animals in a population. All studies so far have tested this hypothesis by analysis of feeding patterns and behaviour. We have studied it by analysing the demography of deaths in a drought. Using skeletal material from 26 giraffes that died as a result of a drought in southeastern Zimbabwe in 2008, we established the body mass, height, and age of the dead giraffes using allometric equations developed from culled animals. Typical giraffe populations consist of 55% adults (>6 years old), 15% young adults (3–6 years old), 15% juveniles (1–3 years old), and 15% neonates (<1 year old). Skeletons came from 54% adults, 14% young adults, and 32% juveniles. No neonatal skeletons were found. More juveniles died than expected because they have to compete with other browsers for nutrients. Most adult deaths occurred in the tallest and largest males because their daily requirements for browse are highest and could not be met by the amounts available at any level. Thus the survivors of this drought were young adults, a finding contrary to the predictions of Darwin's feeding hypothesis.


Utilizing facial recognition technology, the current study has attempted to predict the likelihood of student conceptual change with decision tree models based on the facial micro‐expression states (FMES) students exhibited when they experience conceptual conflict. While conceptual change through conceptual conflicts in science education is a well‐studied field, there is little research done on conceptual change through conceptual conflict in terms of students' facial expressions. As facial expressions are one of the most direct and immediate responses one can get during instruction and that facial expressions are often representations student's emotions, a link between students' FMES and learning was explored. Facial data was collected from 90 tenth graders. Only data from the 72 students who made incorrect predictions were analyzed in this study. The concept taught was the relationship between boiling point and air pressure. Through facial recognition software analysis and decision tree models, the current study found Surprised, Sad and Disgusted to be key FMES that could be used to predict student conceptual change in a conceptual conflict‐based scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]


This research aims at describing qualitatively the reality of curriculum, instruction, and academic tradition development in madrasahs (traditional Islamic schools) based on the school/madrasah accreditation standards in Indonesia. The findings from this research show that madrasahs in Indonesia generally have met the standards of curriculum development and the model of Education Unit Level Curriculum in terms of mechanism, document completeness and involvement of external parties in its development. The aspects of planning, learning document availability, instructional book, learning load and study group generally have met the standards of national accreditation. The weaknesses lie in the aspects of development, contents, strategy, study resources, media, model, approach and learning method that support the strengthening of students' Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). The creation of academic atmosphere is weak when it comes to 1) conditioning students to become true life-long learners, 2) enhancing students' skill to think creatively, productively, and critically, 3) applying scientific approaches such as study tours, practices in the laboratory, seminars, demonstrations, and exhibitions and 4) strengthening students' skill to act individually, collaboratively, and communicatively.


The large tumor antigen (T antigen) of simian virus 40 is necessary and sufficient for the neoplastic transformation of a number of established cell lines. Mutational analysis has revealed that a biochemical activity residing within the amino-terminal 121 amino acids of T antigen is sufficient to induce the transformation of some cell lines, such as C3H10T1/2. The same domain of the molecule also encodes the transactivation function of T antigen and the ability to complex with the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene product. However, the transformation of other lines, such as REF52, requires an additional activity that is affected by mutations in other portions of the molecule.


We propose an approach for approximating a fitness landscape by filtering its frequency components in order to accelerate evolutionary computation (EC) and evaluate the performance of the technique. In addition to the EC individuals, the entire fitness landscape is resampled uniformly. The frequency information for the fitness landscape can then be obtained by applying the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) to the resampled data. Next, we filter to isolate just the major frequency component; thus we obtain a trigonometric function approximating the original fitness landscape after the inverse DFT is applied. The elite is obtained from the approximated function and the EC search accelerated by replacing the worst EC individual with the elite. We use benchmark functions to evaluate some variations of our proposed approach. These variations include the combination of resampling of the global area, local area, in all n-D at once, and in each of n 1-D. The experimental results show that our proposed method is efficient in accelerating most of the benchmark functions.


In order to determine the most common bacteria implicated in conjunctivitis, and the effectiveness of the antibiotic Fluoroquinolone for its treatment, a total of 50 subjects (100 ) eyes, between the ages of 1-30 years with mean age of 16.94 ± 8.06 years with infected eyes, were examined at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria (LASUTH). Conjunctival swabs were collected and cultured in the laboratory to isolate the pathogens responsible for the infection. Sensitivity and antibiotic suscepticibility tests were carried out with discs impregnated with 0.3% concentration of ophthalmic topical solutions of chibroxin (Norfloxacin), ciloxan (Ciprofloxacin), and ocuflox (Ofloxacin), to ascertain the most sensitive of the three drugs. The results showed that the implicated bacteria in order of decreasing frequency were Staphylococcus aureus (34%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (22%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%), Hemophilus influenzae (9%), Escherichia coli (9%). All the isolated organisms were highly sensitive to the three drugs. However, a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference in the sensitivity of the three drugs (p< 0.05). ANOVA Post Hoc located Ciprofloxacin as the source of the significance. In conclusion therefore, Ciprofloxacin is the most sensitive of the three drugs and, hence should be the first choice of the fluoroquinolones for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.


AIMS
To synthesize and evaluate the psychometric properties of self-report instruments that measure patient dignity.

DESIGN
A psychometric systematic review.

DATA SOURCES
A comprehensive search of studies published from inception until February 17, 2022, was performed using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus.

REVIEW METHODS
The methodological quality of the psychometric studies was evaluated following the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

RESULTS
Eleven self-report instruments that evaluate dignity were identified. For most instruments, psychometric properties, including reliability, cross-cultural validity, responsiveness, and measurement error, had not been adequately examined. The Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), the Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale (JADS), and the Inpatient Dignity Scale (IPDS) had acceptable content validity, structure validity, and internal consistency to measure dignity among adult patients under palliative care, community-dwelling older adults, and inpatients receiving daily care.

CONCLUSION
The PDI, the JADS, and the IPDS are recommended for future clinical practice and research to measure dignity among adult patients under palliative care, community-dwelling older adults, and inpatients receiving daily care. Early identification of patients' dignity-related problems in nursing care can prevent negative health outcomes and help develop a timely intervention to promote patients' health and recovery.

IMPACT
Given that the psychometric properties of the existing self-report dignity instruments have not been systematically assessed, the present review utilized comprehensive methods according to COSMIN to evaluate and determine the most appropriate measure for research and practice. The PDI, the JADS, and the IPDS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and are, thus, recommended for clinical and research applications. Nursing professionals can employ these instruments to assess and promptly identify dignity issues among both young and older adults in hospitals and communities.


For decades, German agriculture has been responsible for high nitrogen inputs into the environment. Recent reductions in nitrogen surpluses that were originally caused by fertilization are not sufficient to meet European requirements. In the case of ammonia emissions, there has even been an upward trend despite contradicting national emission targets due to the expansion of animal husbandry. Both developments are not surprising, since German agricultural policy has for years been unable to adopt stricter measures that would reduce nitrogen surpluses and ammonia emissions and modernise existing regulatory concepts in line with European requirements. This paper presents the state of current emissions in section 1. Subsequently, sections 2 to 4 present the regulatory concepts for livestock facilities, agricultural fertilisation as well as the protection of Natura 2000 areas from agricultural intervention and identify their shortcomings in the light of recent rulings by the European Court of Justice. The paper offers a summary assessment that includes the most important areas for improvement.


Optimal design of support structure including foundation and turbine tower is among the most critical challenges for offshore wind turbine. With development of offshore wind industry heading for deeper ocean areas, new support structural concept such as a full lattice tower could be proven to be more advantageous than others when consideration of cost, safety and even environment aspects, etc are taken into. This thesis first gave introduction of present industrial applications of hybrid support structural concept combing a lattice foundation and monotower in relatively deep water areas before the presenting and introduction of challenges with the transition piece component. Conceptual model of transition piece design for a full lattice tower support structure proposal was discussed extensively which included consideration of structural form, functional requirement, mechanical condition, etc. A mechanical model of transition piece with regards to boundary condition and load conditions was also provided. Design and analysis of two different types of transition piece models under various load conditions were performed during preliminary design and with conclusion drawn, a refined final design of transition piece model for the full lattice tower support structural concept which has also included more practical aspects was assessed through investigation of its performance under varying load conditions and different load cases. This refined final design was found to be the most optimal design fulfilling all relevant requirements at a comparable structural cost. Conclusion and recommendation was therefore given in the last part. This thesis work is serving for a novel proposal of support structural concept for future offshore wind industry and relevant present experience is in fact nonexistent. The work applied present industrial information of hybrid support structure as basis along with consideration of offshore wind turbine structural and operational mechanism and their respective requirement. Structural analysis of transition piece design was conducted by means of finite element analysis technique and structural load conditions were simulated through up-to-date numerical modeling code for offshore wind turbine structure. Due to absence of relevant verification sources, advice and correction of the thesis content is much appreciated.


News diversity in the media has for a long time been a foundational and uncontested basis for ensuring that the communicative needs of individuals and society at large are met. Today, people increasingly rely on online content and recommender systems to consume information challenging the traditional concept of news diversity. In addition, the very concept of diversity, which differs between disciplines, will need to be re-evaluated requiring a interdisciplinary investigation, which requires a new level of mutual cooperation between computer scientists, social scientists, and legal scholars. Based on the outcome of a multidisciplinary workshop, we have the following recommendations, directed at researchers, funders, legislators, regulators, and the media industry: 1. Do more research on news recommenders and diversity. 2. Create a safe harbor for academic research with industry data. 3. Optimize the role of public values in news recommenders. 4. Create a meaningful governance framework. 5. Fund a joint lab to spearhead the needed interdisciplinary research, boost practical innovation, develop. reference solutions, and transfer insights into practice.


A longstanding challenge in astronomical spectroscopy is to uncover the carriers of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). They are broad absorption features due to the interstellar matter (ISM). They are seen in stellar spectra of background stars or other astronomical objects. Although we do not know utterly the carriers of the DIBs, they can be a promising tracer of the ISM. One of the interesting properties is their correlations with the interstellar (IS) extinction. For each band, the correlation has considerable dispersion and differences that possibly due to the IS physical conditions. Some DIBs are sensitive to the stellar radiation field, and some are not. To study the effect, we measured the DIB observed in Be/B stars spectra. The stars were observed by using Bosscha Compact Spectrograph at the Bosscha Observatory, Lembang, Indonesia. We performed an automated fitting of a combination of a smooth stellar continuum, the DIB profile, and a synthetic telluric transmission to the spectrum. The DIB measurements were compared to the general DIBs-extinction relationship. The correlation is found to be in good agreement with previous determinations.


The COVID-19 global pandemic has now risen as a public concern. Sunbathing is believed can kill the coronavirus. Sun ray is important in the metabolism of vitamin D that plays a significant role in the immune system. In order to increase their immunity, people are risking themselves to sunbathing without any knowledge about skin damage as the consequence. The effects of sunlight on the skin are very influential and estimated to account for up to 90% of visible skin aging. Direct sunlight exposure for long period may lead to premature skin aging, the so called photoaging. The phenotypic signs seen in aging are caused by changes in the loss of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen, which are part of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin. Losing HA will lead to ECM degradation with wrinkles as one of its manifestation. HA has been believed to be one of the solutions to improve skin aging, especially to treat wrinkles due to photoaging. HA can also increase skin hydration and has antioxidant effects. This review will discuss how to treat skin aging in the pandemic era by using HA as an alternative and efficient treatment. Furthermore, the correlation among skin aging, vitamin D, and COVID-19 phenomenon will be described.


The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) paddle-ski fishery in South Africa consists mainly of light-weight fishing kayaks operated by a single fisher in the marine nearshore environment. The social, economic, management and fisheries parameters of this sector were investigated during the period December 2006–February 2008. Socio-economic data were obtained by means of online and telephone surveys. Effort data were collected from three sources: launch site registers, daily counts conducted during shark-meshing operations of the KZN Shark Board, and from a bimonthly aerial survey. Catch data were collected primarily during compliance inspections undertaken by the provincial fisheries management authority. Because there are no formal data on the paddle-ski fishery, this study serves as a baseline assessment. It was estimated that there was a minimum of 650 participants in the fishery who annually undertook 6 685 outings, accounting for a total retained catch of 17 462 fish from 57 different species. This total estimated catch accounted for approximately 2% of the total cumulative catch of the two main provincial recreational fisheries (i.e. the shore-fishery and skiboat fishery). The catch comprised primarily of gamefish species (65%). On average, paddle-ski fishers had investments of around R12 000 in craft and fishing equipment, and an annual expenditure on tackle of R6 000 that equates to a total fishery investment of R7.8 million, with a total annual operating expenditure of at least R3.9 million. Respondents were satisfied with current fisheries regulations, but many were confused by the safety requirements for paddle-skis. The future management of this fishery is discussed in light of its comparatively low impact on coastal resources.


One of the aims of the Science and Technology Committee (STC) of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) was to establish a GEO Label- a label to certify geospatial datasets and their quality. As proposed, the GEO Label will be used as a value indicator for geospatial data and datasets accessible through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). It is suggested that the development of such a label will significantly improve user recognition of the quality of geospatial datasets and that its use will help promote trust in datasets that carry the established GEO Label. Furthermore, the GEO Label is seen as an incentive to data providers. At the moment GEOSS contains a large amount of data and is constantly growing. Taking this into account, a GEO Label could assist in searching by providing users with visual cues of dataset quality and possibly relevance; a GEO Label could effectively stand as a decision support mechanism for dataset selection. Currently our project - GeoViQua, - together with EGIDA and ID-03 is undertaking research to define and evaluate the concept of a GEO Label. The development and evaluation process will be carried out in three phases. In phase I we have conducted an online survey (GEO Label Questionnaire) to identify the initial user and producer views on a GEO Label or its potential role. In phase II we will conduct a further study presenting some GEO Label examples that will be based on Phase I. We will elicit feedback on these examples under controlled conditions. In phase III we will create physical prototypes which will be used in a human subject study. The most successful prototypes will then be put forward as potential GEO Label options. At the moment we are in phase I, where we developed an online questionnaire to collect the initial GEO Label requirements and to identify the role that a GEO Label should serve from the user and producer standpoint. The GEO Label Questionnaire consists of generic questions to identify whether users and producers believe a GEO Label is relevant to geospatial data; whether they want a single "one-for-all" label or separate labels that will serve a particular role; the function that would be most relevant for a GEO Label to carry; and the functionality that users and producers would like to see from common rating and review systems they use. To distribute the questionnaire, relevant user and expert groups were contacted at meetings or by email. At this stage we successfully collected over 80 valid responses from geospatial data users and producers. This communication will provide a comprehensive analysis of the survey results, indicating to what extent the users surveyed in Phase I value a GEO Label, and suggesting in what directions a GEO Label may develop. Potential GEO Label examples based on the results of the survey will be presented for use in Phase II.


Some properties of late after-potentials which appear following a train of impulses were examined in frog skeletal muscle fiber. The decay of the late after-potential followed a simple exponential time course. The time constant of the decay was larger in a viscous solution than in normal Ringer solution. It was proved by physical experiments that the diffusion of K ions was delayed in the viscous medium at the same rate as the decay. The effect of temperature on the decay was low and the Q10 for the time constant was 1.2. When the late after-potentials were recorded at membrane potentials variedly controlled by the polarizing current, the reversal potential shifted in the positive direction with the increase of impulses. These results suggest that the late after-potential may be dependent on K ions accumulated in the T system. During the initial 300 msec period immediately after the onset of the decay, the amplitude was smaller than expected by a simple exponential time course. This effect was especially apparent in the sucrose hypertonic Ringer solution in which the decay was extremely extended. The cause of this non-exponential component was discussed with respect to the K accumulation hypothesis.


Ion temperature gradient (ITG) driven instability is studied with gyro-kinetic theory in an internal transport barrier (ITB) of tokamak plasmas. The stabilization effects of a parallel velocity shear on the modes are investigated. It is found that the mode structures and stability properties, as well as the effects of a velocity shear, in an ITB are significantly different from that in off-ITB regions.