All of the papers on sensory evaluation deal with auditory processing, i.e., no reports describe evaluation of visual or vibrotactile perception, although the participants acknowledge the importance of these sensory inputs for deaf children. Reports on evaluating speechperception or production in deaf children also are absent from this symposium. Nevertheless, this collection of papers should interest audiologists, educators, and physicians involved with pediatric otolaryngology.


This research aims to identify the behaviours used by voluntary sector senior and first line managers when facilitating employee learning in the workplace. The thesis also considers the inhibitory behaviours used by line managers. The research topic is growing in importance given the increasing drive to devolve Human Resource Development responsibilities to line managers. Yet we have limited theoretical and empirical understanding of how managers deal with such responsibilities. Following an extensive literature review of the voluntary sector, learning, and the line manager as developer, five research questions were identified. These are: i. What do line managers do to facilitate learning. ii. What do line managers do to inhibit learning. iii. What motivates line managers to develop staff. iv. What influence do individual factors have on developmental behaviours. V. What influence do organisational factors have on developmental behaviours. Case study methodology, within the traditions of phenomenology, has been used to address these research questions The empirical research was conducted in two social care organisations in the voluntary sector. The culture and values of voluntary organisations provide relatively unexplored territory for management research and may provide an environment conducive for line managers to act as developers. Furthermore, exploration of the voluntary sector helps address a significant deficit in management knowledge. The findings reveal that environmental drivers such as the 'contract' culture created demand for learning in both organisations. Organisational factors such as organisational history, mission, strategy, structure, culture, the nature of the workforce, HRD strategy and learning climate all contributed to the nature of developmental interactions and relationships, and influenced the behaviour of line managers. In particular, the role of supervision in social care was seen to be significant. Individual factors such as educational background, career experience, learning style, motivation to learn and/or to support learning also influenced the growth of developmental relationships and the behaviours used by managers. The study has identified nine categories of facilitative behaviours: caring, informing, being professional, advising, assessing, thinking, empowering, developing developers and challenging. Eight categories of inhibitory behaviours, which mirror some of the facilitative behaviours, were identified and these are; being unassertive, not giving time, being task-orientated, withholding information, being dogmatic, not assessing, not thinking and controlling. The thesis concludes by discussing implications for theory and practice that have emerged from this study. This includes the presentation of a Developmental Manager model, a future research agenda and lessons for stakeholders, such as employers, HRD specialists, managers and the academic community. In this final chapter the author also engages in a process of epistemic reflexivity.


Evaluation of the effectiveness of "taboa" (Typha domingensis Pers.) and "batata-de-purga" (Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D.F. Austin & Staples) in natura on gastrointestinal nematodes of goats, naturally infected, in the semi-arid region. The effectiveness of Typha domingensis ("taboa") and Operculina hamiltonii ("batata-de-purga") in natura was evaluated on gastrointestinal nematodes of goats, naturally infected, in the semi-arid region. Thirty Moxoto goats were used, and the rhizome of "taboa" and the root of "batata-de-purga" were analyzed through phytochemistry. Feces were collected on days zero, seven and 25 after the treatment for FECs. The distribution of animals was completely at random, with five treatments and six replicates. Group I was treated with Moxidectin 0.2% in a single dose of 0.5 mg kg -1 ; Group II was treated with "taboa" at the dose of 10 g 20 Kg -1 body weight; Group III was treated with "batata-de-purga" at the dose of 9 g 20 Kg -1 b.w.; Group IV was treated with "taboa" at 10 g 20 Kg -1 b.w. associated with "batata-de-purga" at 9 g 20 Kg -1 b.w. during three consecutive days. All treatments were orally administered and Group V was used as control. Treated groups showed a reduction in the average number of FECs at seven and 25 days post-treatment when compared to the control group in the respective period; "batata de purga" had a greater reduction at seven days, while "taboa" showed a more pronounced reduction at 25 days. The highest effectiveness was observed for "batata de purga": 84% and 70% at seven and 25 days post treatment. "Batata-de- purga" was effective in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in the semi-arid climate and "taboa" associated with "batata de purga" have the potential to be used in alternative programs for parasite control.


This paper investigates simulation models for salient pole solid rotor synchronous machines through experimental model identification. Two different methods are used, the classical stand-still frequency response test method and the more recent prediction error method. The results are compared and analyzed. It is shown that a third order model is required to describe the machine dynamics accurately. Further, the impact of extra copper pole screen is investigated, and it is concluded that these could have a beneficial effect with inverter supply.


It is well-known that Ru-based Grubbs catalysts undergo a highly selective α-addition to alkynes to promote exo-cyclization during ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) or to produce conjugated polyenes containing five-membered rings during the cyclopolymerization (CP) of 1,6-heptadiynes. There are a few reports of β-selective addition to alkynes using Schrock catalysts based on Mo but none for readily accessible and easy-to-use Ru-based catalysts. We report the first example of β-selective addition to alkynes using Grubbs Z-selective catalyst, which produces only endo products during the RCEYM reaction of terminal enynes and promotes the CP of 1,6-heptadiyne derivatives to give conjugated polyenes containing a six-membered ring as a major repeat unit. This unique preference for β-selectivity originated from the side-bound approach of alkynes to the catalyst, where the steric hindrance between the chelating N-heterocyclic carbene ligand of the catalyst and the alkynes disfavored α-addition. To enhance the β-selectivity for CP further, one could increase the size of the substrates on the monomers and lower the reaction temperature to obtain conjugated polyenes containing up to 95% six-membered rings. Moreover, the physical properties of the resulting polymer were analyzed in detail and compared with those of the conjugated polyenes containing only five-membered rings prepared from the same monomer but with a conventional Grubbs catalyst.


Building on uncertainty-identity theory and the social identity theory of leadership we hypothesized that self-uncertainty would be associated with greater support for autocratic leaders, and less support for non-autocratic leaders. We surveyed organizational employees (N = 215); assessing the effect of self-uncertainty and how autocratic they perceived their organizational leader to be on measures of leader support. As predicted, less self-uncertain participants were more supportive of a non-autocratic than autocratic leader, whereas the opposite was the case for more self-uncertain participants—they were more supportive of an autocratic than non-autocratic leader. The effect was mediated by perceived group prototypicality of the leader. Implications for uncertainty-identity theory and for a wider analysis of the role of uncertainty in leadership are discussed.


Anthony A. Maciejewski received the BS, MS, and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from Ohio State University, Columbus in 1982, 1984, and 1987, respectively. From 1988 to 2001, he was a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University, West Lafayette. He is currently a professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Colorado State University. He is a fellow of IEEE. A complete vita is available at: http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ ̃aam.


The evolution and specific features of psychoneurotic symptoms were studied in 270 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Four stages of evolution of psychoneurotic disorders were identified. Their pattern and syndromes were described. Their diagnosis and correction were recommended for patients with tuberculosis.


Boron compound BOMes2 containing an internal B-O bond undergoes highly efficient photoisomerization, followed by sequential structural transformations, resulting in a rare eight-membered B, O-heterocycle (S. Wang, et al. Org. Lett.2019, 21, 5285-5289). In this work, the detailed reaction mechanisms of such a unique carbonyl-supported tetracoordinate boron system in the first excited singlet (S1) state and the ground (S0) state were investigated by using the complete active space self-consistent field and its second-order perturbation (MS-CASPT2//CASSCF) method combined with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). Moreover, an imine-substituted tetracoordinated organic boron system (BNMes2) was selected for comparative study to explore the intrinsic reasons for the difference in reactivity between the two types of compounds. Steric factor was found to influence the photoisomerization activity of BNMes2 and BOMes2. These results rationalize the experimental observations and can provide helpful insights into understanding the excited-state dynamics of heteroatom-doped tetracoordinate organoboron compounds, which facilitates the rational design of boron-based materials with superior photoresponsive performances.


"Stedman's GI & GU Words, Fifth Edition" provides fast and easy access to gastroenterology, urology, and nephrology terminology. Reflecting the latest advances in these fields, this edition features more than 10 per cent new terms obtained by thorough review of respected journals, catalogues, textbooks, and Websites. This edition's updated and expanded appendix section includes additional anatomical illustrations and brand-new sample reports.


This study of a racially and ethnically diverse group of homeless adults examined the relationship between perceived homelessness stigma and psychological distress, physical health, and avoidance of services. We also explored independent and interactive effects of perceived racial stigma and homelessness stigma on these outcomes for members of racially stigmatized groups. Women (n = 73) and men (n = 65) experiencing homelessness (81 Persons of Color, 57 White) completed survey questions about stigma, mental and physical health, service avoidance, and background characteristics. Homelessness stigma predicted greater psychological distress, poorer physical health, and increased avoidance of services after controlling for gender, race, age, chronic mental illness status, and time homeless. For Persons of Color, perceived racial and homelessness stigma interacted in predicting outcomes: among those reporting low and moderate levels of racial stigma, homelessness stigma predicted psychological distress and poor health, whereas for those reporting high levels of racial stigma, psychological and physical health was poor regardless of the level of homelessness stigma. Additionally, perceived racial stigma from service providers predicted higher levels of service avoidance. Persons of Color also reported higher levels of racial stigma than did White respondents. Glaring racial disparities in homelessness make understanding and addressing the burdens of racism for individuals experiencing homelessness a social justice imperative. Our findings suggest that social stigma and the intersections among stigmatized identities are important for understanding health and health-related behaviors in this vulnerable population.


The reductive perturbation method has been employed to derive the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation for small but finite amplitude ion-acoustic waves. The Lagrangian of the time fractional KdV equation is used in similar form to the Lagrangian of the regular KdV equation. The variation of the functional of this Lagrangian leads to the Euler-Lagrange equation that leads to the time fractional KdV equation. The Riemann-Liouvulle definition of the fractional derivative is used to describe the time fractional operator in the fractional KdV equation. The variational-iteration method given by He is used to solve the derived time fractional KdV equation. The calculations of the solution with initial condition A0*sech(cx)^2 are carried out. The result of the present investigation may be applicable to some plasma environments, such as ionosphere.


The full adder design is based upon the split path data driven dynamic logic (PROPAGATE and GENERATE).The adders were characterized for their performance and power consumptions when operated on different supply voltages and fan-outs. This paper involves the reduction in the leakage current and power consumption in the circuit. The static leakage power dissipations can be reduced by supply voltage gating technique which can be done through the transistor, placed between Vdd /Gnd rail and the circuit. This allows the supply voltage to flow through the circuit only during the needed time .As the transistor becomes ON condition then only the power is applied to the circuit. By this method the static power gets reduced and the speed of the process also improved with high drivability with comparing to the conventional dynamic domino adders. By this technique of reducing the leakage power, the expecting power consumption is about 30% less than the existing method .Thus the newly designed full adder with reduced power consumption is implemented in the array multiplier for better performance.


CONTEXT
TSH is the major growth factor for thyrocytes and may have a causative role in thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to systematically assess the association between serum TSH and thyroid cancer.

DATA SOURCES
The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using synonyms for TSH and thyroid cancer, supplemented with reference list searches and author contact.

STUDY SELECTION
Prospective cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies were identified with TSH the exposure and thyroid cancer the outcome.

DATA EXTRACTION
Three reviewers independently extracted data. Studies reporting odds ratio (OR) for TSH levels and thyroid cancer were analyzed via meta-analysis and generalized least-squares trend estimation for dose-response relationships.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Data extracted from 28 studies included a total of 42,032 subjects and 5,786 thyroid cancer cases. Dose-response spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship (P < 0.001). For TSH levels less than 1 mU/liter, the OR for thyroid cancer was 1.72 (1.42, 2.07) per milliunits per liter. However, the relationship changed for TSH levels 1 mU/liter and greater, with the OR thereafter being 1.16 (1.12, 1.21) per milliunits per liter. Studies controlling for autoimmunity reported the lowest OR [TSH below 2.5 mU/liter, OR 1.23 (1.02-1.47) per milliunits per liter; TSH 2.5 mU/liter or greater, OR 0.98 (0.89-1.09) per milliunits per liter]. Six groups assessed serum TSH in relation to markers of poor thyroid cancer prognosis, with three showing significant positive relationships.

CONCLUSIONS
Higher serum TSH concentration is associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Thyroid autoimmunity may partially explain the association, but further epidemiological assessment is required. Future clinical research should investigate the validity of including serum TSH in diagnostic nomograms, its prognostic importance, and the potential for therapeutic TSH suppression in thyroid cancer prevention.


In birds, obtaining information related to nest occupancy, offspring status or breeding success is essential for population monitoring, particularly for species of conservation concern. Traditionally, nest monitoring demands a lot of time and effort in order to gather accurate information and avoiding nest disturbance. Instead, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, hereafter drones) present an alternative to traditional methods, but few studies have been done measuring their influence on birds' behavior and reproductive success. We addressed the utility of drones equipped with an on‐board camera in examining nesting status of the endangered Chaco Eagle Buteogallus coronatus in semiarid environments of central Argentina, as well as the degree of disturbance of drone flights to individuals. We performed 76 drone flights at 41 Chaco Eagle nests registering flight duration, tree height, nest relative height and pilot proximity to nest. Of those, 38 flights were done over occupied nests where we recorded adult behavior. Before drone took off, most adult eagles remained in the nests or in the surroundings (<100 m away), particularly during the incubation period and in tall trees. During drone flights, only one adult flew as a response to drone flights. The rest of them remained vigilant or emitted alarm calls while incubating or perched on the nest platform. No attack toward drones was registered. The use of drones for monitoring Chaco Eagle's nests significantly reduced levels of disturbance when compared with traditional methods where all adults flew away during climbing. Additionally, this method was almost three times faster in comparison to traditional climbing (performed at the end of the reproductive season) and had no negative effects on reproductive success of Chaco Eagles. Although responses to drones could be species‐specific, our results encourage researchers to consider and test the use of drones as a less disturbing and rapid method to monitor breeding raptor populations.


In this paper, L-band microwave observations were assimilated using the ensemble Kalman filter to improve root-zone soil moisture (RZSM) estimates from a coupled soil vegetation atmosphere transfer (SVAT)-vegetation model linked to a forward microwave model. Simultaneous state-parameter updates were performed by assimilating both synthetic and field observations during a growing season of sweet corn every three days, matching the temporal coverage of observations from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity and Soil Moisture Active Passive missions. The sensitivities of parameters to the states were investigated using the information-theoretic measure of conditional entropy. Among the soil parameters, the pore-size index (λ) was the most sensitive to brightness temperatures (TB) during the early and midgrowth stages, while porosity (φ) was the most sensitive to TB during the reproductive stage. In the microwave model, the soil roughness parameters, root mean square (RMS) height (r), and correlation length (l) were the most sensitive during the early and mid stages, while the vegetation regression parameter (b) was the most sensitive during the reproductive stage. In the synthetic experiment, assimilation of TB provided RMS error reductions in RZSM estimates of 70% compared to open loop estimates. Minimal variations in performance were observed across different stages of the season during the synthetic experiment. However, when field observations of TB were assimilated, significant differences in RZSM estimates were observed during different growth stages. Maximum RMS difference (RMSD) reductions in RZSM estimates of 33.3% were observed compared to open loop estimates during the early stages, while improvements of 4.8% and 16.7% were observed in the mid- and reproductive stages, respectively. Further analyses of assimilation with field observations also suggest some improvements in the SVAT model are needed for moisture transport immediately following the precipitation/irrigation events. In the microwave model, the linear vegetation formulation for estimating canopy opacity, parameterized by b, was inadequate in capturing the complexities in TB during stages of high vegetative and reproductive growth rates.


AIM
This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore how the family members of older people who will undergo haemodialysis treatment for the rest of their lives perceive participation.

BACKGROUND
The rights of families to participate in treatment and health care are supported by international law, and by national law in Norway since 1999.

METHOD
This study, which employed an explorative qualitative approach, was carried out in Norway in 2008. Data were derived from transcribed interviews with seven family members underwent critical discourse analysis.

FINDINGS
Three discourse practices about the next of kin perception of participation were found: (1) to care and take control, (2) to struggle for involvement, and (3) to be forgotten and powerless. The next of kin said that they had no dialogue with the healthcare team, and some fought to be included in the decision-making process.

CONCLUSION
The dominant part of the discourse as expressed by the next of kin seems to be a paternalistic ideology. Thus, finding ways to enable the next of kin to participate in the decision-making process seems to be a major challenge for the healthcare team in the dialysis units.


Highly weathered soils in the tropics are low in fertility, negatively affecting plant growth. The potential of biochar for improving soil nutrient retention is reportedly promising, triggering this study to assess the nutrient retention capacities of two biochars when applied at 2% in combination with two composts also applied at 2% to an Ultisol (Ustic Kanhaplohumult, Leilehua series) and an Oxisol (Rhodic haplustox, Wahiawa series) of Hawai'i. Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa cv. Bonsai) was used as the test plant in two greenhouse plantings, which had a factorial completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment. The results indicated that the combined additions of biochar and compost significantly increased the pH, EC, P and K of the soils; improved Ca, Mg and Fe uptake; and increased shoot and total cabbage fresh and dry matter. Exchangeable aluminum in the Ultisol was decreased from 2.5 cmol+/kg to virtually zero. Extractable Mn and Fe in the high Mn-Oxisol were decreased by 55 and 42%, respectively. Chinese cabbage growth in the Ultisol amended with the lac tree (Schleichera oleosa) wood biochar and vermicompost was almost twice over lime at 2 cmol+/kg. Essential nutrients in the plant tissues, with the exception of N and K, were sufficient for the cabbage growth, suggesting increases in nutrients and reduced soil acidity by the additions of biochar combined with compost were the probable cause.


This study aims to assess the validity of the Online Multiliteracy Assessment for students in Years 5 and 6. The Online Multiliteracy Assessment measures students' abilities in making and creating meaning, using a variety of different modes of communication, such as text, audio and video. The study involved selecting two groups of students: the first group (n=19) was used in two pilot studies of the items and the second (n=299) was used in a field trial validating the functioning of the items and assessing the quality of the scale. The results indicated that the Online Multiliteracy Assessment has acceptable test–retest reliability; however, the fit to the Rasch model was less than ideal. Further investigation identified two important areas for improvement. First, the items assessing the higher order skills of synthesising, communicating and creating need to be more cognitively demanding. Second, some items need to be modified in order to improve their functionality.


In 2010, the world's focus on the global financial crisis shifted from financial markets and institutions to sovereign debt, especially in Europe. This has motivated a re-examination of techniques and traditional indicators to assess the health of individual countries. Since the potential financial and economic implosion of several European countries seemed to erupt fairly quickly, one might conclude that the existing scholarly and practitioner methods were not adequate. We believe that one can learn a great deal about sovereign risk by, in addition to observing traditional macroeconomic measures of performance, to also carefully assess the health and aggregate default risk of a nation's private corporate sector - - a type of "bottom-up" analysis. Models such as Altman's original Z-Score technique and more recently, the Z-Metrics' risk system, can provide important early warning measures of sovereign vulnerability. This study does just that by analyzing the Z-Metrics' median probability of default (PD) of nine European countries and the USA from two time periods prior to the clear recognition of serious financial difficulties in the Eurosector. Our measures of PDs are also compared to the implied probability of default from a prominent market indicator, the credit default swap market, with both general confirmation and some surprising results.


Aim: To investigate the determinants of adherence to amoxicillin in patients with acute lower respiratory tract infection. Materials and methods: Three European data sets were used. Adherence data were collected using self-reported diaries. Candidate determinants included factors relating to patient, condition, therapy, health care system/provider, and the study in which the patient participated. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to investigate the determinants of initiation, implementation, and discontinuation of amoxicillin. Results: Although initiation differed across samples, implementation and discontinuation were similar. Determinants of initiation were days waited before consulting, duration of prescription, and being in a country where a doctor-issued sick certificate is required for being off work for , 7 days. Implementation was higher for older participants or those with abnormal auscultation. Implementation was lower for those prescribed longer courses of amoxicillin ( $ 8 days). Time from initiation to discontinuation was longer for longer prescriptions and shorter for those from countries where single-handed practices were widespread. Conclusion: Nonadherence to amoxicillin was largely driven by noninitiation. Differing sets of determinants were found for initiation, implementation, and discontinuation. There is a need to further understand the reasons for these determinants, the impact of poor adherence to antibiotics on outcomes, and to develop interventions to improve antibiotic use when prescribed.


The family remains the basic societal unit of reproduction, consumption, asset-building and – in many parts of the world – production. Families bear the primary responsibility for the development, education and socialization of children. They provide material and nonmaterial care and support to their members and are the backbone of intergenerational solidarity and social cohesion. The achievement of development goals depends, to a significant extent, on how families are empowered to fulfill their numerous functions.


In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a strong and independent risk factor for adverse outcome in the population of patients on long-term dialysis. Published results of observational studies indicate that the problem of PH refers mostly to patients on long-term hemodialysis and is less common in peritoneal dialysis patients. The main cause of this complication is proximal location of the arteriovenous fistula, causing chronically increased cardiac output. This paper presents the usefulness of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for measurement of the Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) in the early diagnosis of PH in dialysis patients. Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension with TTE, especially in the case of HD patients, ensures the selection of the proper location for the first arteriovenous fistula and facilitates the decision to switch to peritoneal dialysis or to accelerate the process of qualification for kidney transplantation.


Evaporation of water using a spray pipe is required to expand the contact between hot air and water surface so that the rate of evaporation of water becomes faster. Salt production in the case of solar evaporation may take weeks to obtain salt. This study aims to observe the correlation of flow rate and evaporation time on salinity by considering several potential factors. The experiment was carried out in two stages, the first stage on a small scale where spray evaporation was carried out in an evaporation pond with an area of 1x2 m2, seawater rate 0.8 – 2.0 L/min, seawater volume 100 L. The second stage of spray evaporation is carried out on an evaporation pond of 3x15 m, a flow rate of 0.3-0.6 L/s, and a seawater volume of 220 L. Observation of the evaporation time for 30 h at an evaporation rate of 0.6 L/s obtained a salinity of 22.6 Be while at a rate of 2L/min it could reach a degree of salinity 23.8Be within 90 h.


This paper presents a semantic brain computer interface (BCI) agent with particle swarm optimization (PSO) based on a Fuzzy Markup Language (FML) for Go learning and prediction applications. Additionally, we also establish an Open Go Darkforest (OGD) cloud platform with Facebook AI research (FAIR) open source Darkforest and ELF OpenGo AI bots. The Japanese robot Palro will simultaneously predict the move advantage in the board game Go to the Go players for reference or learning. The proposed semantic BCI agent operates efficiently by the human-based BCI data from their brain waves and machine-based game data from the prediction of the OGD cloud platform for optimizing the parameters between humans and machines. Experimental results show that the proposed human and smart machine co-learning mechanism performs favorably. We hope to provide students with a better online learning environment, combining different kinds of handheld devices, robots, or computer equipment, to achieve a desired and intellectual learning goal in the future.


We previously reported an unsuccessful attempt to establish an advantage for schizophrenic patients treated with daily supplementation of niacin. The niacin hypothesis remains unconfirmed by independent controlled inquiry. We explored our original data to identify characteristics distinguishing patients who responded well in the niacin supplementation group from good responders in the controls. The good responders in the niacin group showed a premorbid history with relatively strong interpersonally oriented commitments; the good responders in the controls did not. Perhaps patients with dissociative psychosis and a history of interpersonal participation may respond well with high-dosage niacin as supplementary to other medication and treatment. This hypothesis is based on post hoc findings not yet submitted to cross-validating scrutiny. Unless these findings are confirmed, they should not be accepted as a practical guide in the treatment of patients.


AIMS
To assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for the symptomatic treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) from a review of studies using randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS
Electronic databases were systematically searched for articles reporting RCTs investigating acupuncture for TMD. The methodological qualities of eligible studies were assessed using the criteria described in the Cochrane Handbook.

RESULTS
Nineteen reports were systematically reviewed. There was moderate evidence that classical acupuncture had a positive influence beyond those of placebo (three trials, 65 participants); had positive effects similar to those of occlusal splint therapy (three trials, 160 participants); and was more effective for TMD symptoms than physical therapy (four trials, 397 participants), indomethacin plus vitamin B1 (two trials, 85 participants), and a wait-list control (three trials, 138 participants). Only two RCTs addressed adverse events and reported no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION
This systematic review noted moderate evidence that acupuncture is an effective intervention to reduce symptoms associated with TMD. There is a need for acupuncture trials with adequate sample sizes that address the long-term efficacy or effectiveness of acupuncture.


Bacterial pneumonia is among the most frequent diagnoses that bring elderly patients to the Emergency Department. The morbidity and mortality subsequent to these infections is very high among these individuals, and presenting symptoms and signs may be subtle. Gram-negative bacilli, H. influenzae, and mixed organisms more commonly cause lower respiratory tract infections in this population. The diagnosis and management of nursing home and community-acquired pneumonias are reviewed, as are important preventative strategies.


In the process of drilling well, the kinematics of drill string is quite complicated. The drill string not only vibrates in longitudinal, transverse and torsional direction, but also random impacts and contacts well wall. Considering the random load of drill bit and rock, contact impact of drill string and well wall, a model is proposed to simulate the contact-impact of drill string and formation. The results show that: in the condition of this article the first principal stress of the drill string can reach to 130 MPa, for the random impacts, the strength of drill collar will reduced under cyclic loading; contact-impact is the principal source of drill premature failure. In this paper, an explicit integration and nonlinear finite element was adopted to simulate the collision between the drill string and formation, the process of the collision between the drill string and formation can be revealed compressively and delicately. Through an example, we can obtain the foundation for nonlinear dynamic theory of drill string system collision in the actual work condition, and has important theory significance and academic value.


Amorphous Se100-x (Sn Sb)x glasses with (0 ≤ x ≤ 20 at. %) were prepared by the usual melt quench technique. Thin films for these compositions were prepared by thermal evaporation onto ultrasonically cleaned glass substrates kept at room temperature. From the spectral dependence of the absorption coefficient, a direct electronic transition was mainly responsible for the photon absorption inside these films. The effects of composition on the optical properties of Se100-x(Sn Sb) x thin films was investigated. The refractive index, n, for the as-prepared and annealed films has been analyzed according to the Wwmple–DiDominico single oscillator model. The effect of addition (Sn Sb) on the nature and degree of crystallization has been investigated by studying the structure using transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope.


Despite its importance to both tourism destinations and scholars, there is no record of research via bibliometric analysis of the length of stay (LOS). This paper, therefore, aims to provide a bibliometric analysis of LOS in tourism, based on publications in the Web of Science database (WOS). For this purpose, 60 documents published in top- tier tourism journals were analysed through bibliometric analysis. The research data was processed, and bibliographic display maps were created using the Visualisation of Similarities (VOS) viewer software. This study focuses mainly on 10 parameters, such as top contributing authors, countries and organisations, the most cited articles, the annual number of publications, the co-occurrence of author keywords in papers, the co-citation analysis of authors and journals, and the bibliographic coupling of countries and authors.


A Gujarat Gaurav Rath Yatra on the streets of New York City? This is the suggestion given to [Gujarat's] Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, by Non-Resident Gujaratis [NRGs] settled in the United States.... The president-elect of the Indian American Forum for Political Education, Sudhir Parikh, a consulting allergist in the U.S., expressed concern over the soiled image of Gujarat abroad following the communal riots and suggested that Mr. Modi take out "gaurav rath yatras" on the streets of New York and other cities in the U.S. to help improve the State's image (Dasgupta, 2003). (1) ********** THE ABOVE NEWS REPORT FROM A LEADING DAILY IN INDIA INDICATES THE exchange of culture and identity politics in a globalized world. The communal riots that have tarnished the "image of Gujarat abroad" refer to the extreme violence unleashed against Muslims in the Indian western state of Gujarat in February and March of 2002 that killed between 800 and 2,000 people. Although tensions and conflicts between various religious and ethnic communities are not new phenomena in India, political commentators and scholars agree that the recent campaign of extreme violence in Gujarat is a departure from previous episodes of communal violence in India (Human Rights Watch, 2002; Mander, 2002). Following from this, the two questions we explore in this article are: (1) What is the ideological basis of this new and extreme violence against minorities in India, particularly against Muslims? (2) How do we understand the support for this violence from the Indian community in the U.S.? The conjuncture we seek to address has deep historical roots and is tied to rapidly changing economic conditions in India. We focus on the specific violence in Gujarat (hereafter referred to as "Gujarat 2002") to highlight the ideology of the Hindu nationalist movement that makes such violence possible. In addition, we outline the contours of the Indian American community's investment, material and ideological, in furthering the movement's cause. This allows us to suggest new directions for research on the global nature of political violence. The first section of the article provides details of the seven days of horrific carnage of Gujarat 2002, and the continued violence and environment of fear that persists to this day. The brutality and systematic precision of the pogrom of February 28 to March 6 that spread rapidly from the cities to the villages of Gujarat is a window into the Hindu nationalist movement and its widening sphere of influence. The second section highlights the racialized discourse of the movement, which rests on a fabricated history of persecution and victimhood of Hindus, while Muslims are presented as the main perpetrators of violence in this mythical history. (2) The final section discusses how an important sector of the Indian diaspora in the U.S. foments this violence, straddling a minority and majority identity simultaneously and cleverly using the former to augment the latter. In conclusion, we suggest that an analysis of political violence should take into account the transnational and global relations by which dominating ideologies are reproduced and sustained. "Crime Against Humanity": Gujarat 2002 On February 27, 2002, the Sabarmati Express was attacked a few minutes after it pulled out of the Godhra station in central Gujarat, allegedly by a Muslim mob. One carriage, numbered $6, caught fire and 58 passengers were trapped inside and burnt alive--a large number of whom were Hindu religious volunteers returning from a controversial temple-building project sponsored by the militant Hindu nationalist movement, Hindutva. (3) Beginning February 28, the State of Gujarat witnessed unimaginable acts of cruelty and violence as large mobs of Hindu nationalist cadre roamed the streets and systematically massacred the Muslim community in Gujarat. No one was spared: young, old, men, women, children and newborns, the disabled and the destitute, Muslim members of the Opposition Party, and business establishments. …


We investigate the symmetry structure of inflation in 2+1 dimensions. In particular, we show that the asymptotic symmetries of three-dimensional de Sitter space are in one-to-one correspondence with cosmological adiabatic modes for the curvature perturbation. In 2+1 dimensions, the asymptotic symmetry algebra is infinite-dimensional, given by two copies of the Virasoro algebra, and can be traced to the conformal symmetries of the two-dimensional spatial slices of de Sitter. We study the consequences of this infinite-dimensional symmetry for inflationary correlation functions, finding new soft theorems that hold only in 2+1 dimensions. Expanding the correlation functions as a power series in the soft momentum q, these relations constrain the traceless part of the tensorial coefficient at each order in q in terms of a lower-point function. As a check, we verify that the 𝒪(q2) identity is satisfied by inflationary correlation functions in the limit of small sound speed.


Abstract Carbonaceous compression fossils in shales of the uppermost Doushantuo Formation (ca. 555–590 Ma) at Miaohe in the Yangtze Gorges area provide a rare Burgess-Shale-type taphonomic window on terminal Proterozoic biology. More than 100 macrofossil species have been described from Miaohe shales, but in an examination of published and new materials, we recognize only about twenty distinct taxa, including Aggregatosphaera miaoheensis new gen. and sp. Most of these fossils can be interpreted unambiguously as colonial prokaryotes or multicellular algae. Phylogenetically derived coenocytic green algae appear to be present, as do regularly bifurcating thalli comparable to red and brown algae. At least five species have been interpreted as metazoans by previous workers. Of these, Protoconites minor and Calyptrina striata most closely resemble animal remains; either or both could be the organic sheaths of cnidarian scyphopolyps, although an algal origin cannot be ruled out for P. minor. Despite exceptional preservation, the Miaohe assemblage contains no macroscopic fossils that can be interpreted with confidence as bilaterian animals. In combination with other late Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian body fossils and trace fossils, the Doushantuo assemblage supports the view that body-plan diversification within bilaterian phyla was largely a Cambrian event.


A substantial fraction of Australian university buildings are naturally ventilated. These buildings consume a significant amount of energy and frequently suffer from overheating problems, resulting in poor indoor thermal comfort. This paper presents an investigation on the effectiveness of a range of energy conservation measures (ECMs) that can potentially be used to enhance energy performance and thermal comfort of these buildings. The ECMs considered in this study include information technology (IT) equipment and lighting upgrades, and measures focussed on occupant behaviour change. The effectiveness of each ECM was evaluated through modelling of a case study building at the University of Wollongong using the building energy simulation software DesignBuilder™. The thermal comfort of occupants was evaluated using the adaptive thermal comfort standards ASHRAE Standard 55 and EN15251. Results indicated that both adaptive thermal comfort standards can be useful in providing a clear picture of occupant comfort conditions. It was found that office IT equipment and lighting upgrades can potentially result in 50% savings in total office energy consumption, which in turn led to a reduction of up to 50% in overheating hours, compared to the base case condition. It was also found that 40% energy savings and a 50% reduction in overheating hours could be achieved through modelled occupant behaviour changes (i.e. turning off IT equipment and lighting as far as possible and night-purging in summer).


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the content and some synthetic food colourants, total fats, nitrate and nitrite in both advertised foods (AF) and serum and urine samples of children (8 to 12 years) and their impact on childrens' diet and health.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the content of the AF was done by watching the three Egyptian children's channels (ECC) for 38 hours. Amaranth, Indigo Carmine, Tartrazine, nitrate and nitrite were analysed in all AF and in serum and urine specimens of children. However, total fats were only analysed in the advertised processed meats and in the restaurant dishes. Lipid profile was also estimated in children.

Findings

The AF accounted for 46-54 per cent of the total advertisements presented. The advertised restaurant dishes were predominantly high in fats, 63 and 55 per cent in restaurant dishes and processed meats, respectively. Tartrazine was the only food colourant found in soft drinks and jelly powders measuring 0.2-15 µg/ml and 25-125 µg/g, respectively. The average levels of total nitrate and nitrite were higher than the acceptable daily intake of the Egyptian and WHO limits (125 mg/kg). Urinary Tartrazine and serum and urinary total nitrate and nitrite were significantly higher in the viewers' children for the ECC and at borderline for lipid profile compared to non-viewers' children.

Research limitations/implications

The most harmful effect of these advertisements is the cumulative effect of AF that undermines progress towards a healthy diet for children. AF may expose children to non-communicable disease in the future.

Practical implications

The local policy context requires action to set clear rules for children's food advertising and monitor processed meat products to tackle exceeded levels of nitrate and nitrite.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to analyse colourants, fats, nitrate and nitrite in AF and in the serum and urine of children. This research shows a large number of AF (1,112) in the ECC for 38 hours with statistically significant increase of Tartrazine, nitrate and nitrite in AF (p<0.0001) and in biological fluids (p<0.05).


This book offers a concise and gentle introduction to finite element programming in Python based on the popular FEniCS software library. Using a series of examples, including the Poisson equation, the equations of linear elasticity, the incompressible NavierStokes equations, and systems of nonlinear advectiondiffusionreaction equations, it guides readers through the essential steps to quickly solving a PDE in FEniCS, such as how to define a finite variational problem, how to set boundary conditions, how to solve linear and nonlinear systems, and how to visualize solutions and structure finite element Python programs. This book is open access under a CC BY license.


ABSTRACT In the subsurface of the Wapiti area in west-central Alberta, the Notikewin Member of the Upper Cretaceous Spirit River Formation represents a conglomerate-rich shoreline unit that was deposited in the Western Canada Foreland Basin. The Notikewin Member can be divided into four allomembers (T1, R1, R2 and R3), separated by widespread bounding discontinuities. T1 is the lowermost unit and represents deposition in a transgressive, wave-dominated estuary. Conglomerate bodies in this unit are relatively limited in lateral extent and trend perpendicular to regional shoreline trends. R1 records the development of an extensive regressive strandplain unit. During deposition of R2, a barrier spit was formed as sediments were introduced into the shoreline as a result of channel avulsion. This barrier had little progradational extent, instead growing longshore, creating a large estuarine/lagoonal complex. R3 represents a basinward shift of the shoreline resulting in the accumulation of continental deposits. Division of the Notikewin Member into these units indicates that contrary to previous interpretations, barrier deposits formed in Notikewin time did not prograde a great distance as a barrier island/lagoon complex. Implications for gas field development and exploration include a greater understanding of the limited extent of transgressive deposits, and a greater predictability of shoreline geometries that results from division of the Notikewin Member into allostratigraphic framework. End_Page 57-------------------------


Understanding the behavior of water-in-crude-oil emulsions is necessary to determine its effect on oil and gas production. The presence of emulsions in any part of the production system could cause many problems such as large pressure drop in pipelines due to its high viscosity. Electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) and gas lift are commonly used separately in lifting crude oil from wells. However, the use of downhole equipment and instruments such as ESPs that cause mixing can result in the formation of an emulsion with a high viscosity. The pressure required to lift emulsions is greater than the pressure required to lift non-emulsified liquids. Lifting an emulsion decreases the pressure drawdown capabilities, lowers production rate, increases the load on the equipment, shortens its life expectancy and can result in permanent equipment damage. Methods and apparatus which reduce the load on the pump, therefore, are desirable. The present paper is directed to understand the behavior of water-in-oil emulsions in artificial lift systems, mainly through gas lift.
 Two stable water-in-oil synthetic emulsions were created in the laboratory and their rheology and stability characteristics were measured. One contained crude oil and the other, mineral oil. The second stage included measuring the effect of gas lift exposure on the emulsion behavior and characteristics. The results of the present work indicate that water-in-oil emulsions can be destabilized, and their viscosities lowered under gas exposure. The effect of gas injection on the emulsion was linked to the initial conditions of the emulsion as well as the gas type, injection rate and exposure time.
 The present study is directed to methods and systems for combining both ESPs and gas lift for the purpose of improving and simplifying the lift of water-in-oil emulsions from oil wells. The novel methods and apparatus are based on the discovery that by adding gas above the ESPs in the wellbore, the viscosity of an oil-in-water emulsion is actually reduced, thus making it easier to lift oil from the well and extending the life of the ESP. Therefore, in addition to the normal benefits of gas in aiding the lift of liquids, if the gas lift valve is installed at a calculated distance above the pump location, the emulsion viscosity can be reduced. This reduces the load on the ESP.


Background & Aims: Cancer carries a lot of complications in disease and treatment stages. The most important side effect of cancer is disrupting of spiritual wellbeing. It seems that the development of solutions based on spirituality and spiritual counseling can be especially effective factors in aforementioned Components. The main aim of this study is to survey the effect of spiritual counseling on spiritual well-being in patients with cancer who undergoing chemotherapy in Omid research-treatment hospital in Urmia. Materials & Methods: In this clinical study, 60 patients with cancer who hospitalized in Omid research-treatment hospital randomly were selected and divided equally into intervention and control groups as well. The intervention group received 8 approved spiritual counseling sessions, based on standard training plan, and the control group received routine hospital care. Data collection instrument used in this study was the Pallutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-Being questionnaire and the obtained data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The mean and standard deviation scores of spiritual well-being of patients, before and after the intervention were respectively 73/6 ± 67/54 and 19/6 ± 83/85. The mean and standard deviation scores in control group, before and after treatment, were respectively 74 76/5 ± 33/54 and 98/5 ± 80/54 as well. Fractional comparisons with independent t-test in two groups showed a significant difference in scores between the two groups (P< 0.001). There was no significant difference between pre-test scores in groups (P> 0.05). Furthermore, in comparing the mean scores with paired t-test score, no significant difference was observed before and after the intervention (P< 0.001). There was no significant difference in scores, before and after the intervention, in control group as well (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing the spiritual counseling plays an important role in the spiritual well-being of patients with cancer. This significant factor highlights the importance of the spiritual and running consultation plan in public centers where cancer patients are hospitalized.


One important recent trend in constitution-making around the world has been revolutionary constitutionalism: using the constitution-making process to attempt to institutionalize and bring to a successful conclusion a political revolution. Although a good deal of attention has been paid to the specific revolutions involved, there has been far less on the general phenomenon of revolutionary constitutionalism as such. This article attempts to begin redressing this gap by offering some reflections on the general phenomenon and then employing them to inform an analysis of constitution-making in the revolutionary context. It makes three main claims. The first is that revolutionary constitutionalism is a useful category within comparative constitutional law. Empirically, it encompasses a range of situations that implicate constitutionalism in a particular way and raise special challenges. Analytically, it is a distinct concept from the neighboring term "constitutional revolution." Recognizing this permits us to distinguish between, for example, the New Deal constitutional revolution and the American Revolution. The second is that revolutionary constitutionalism contains within itself certain paradoxes and practical problems that have their source in the combination of initial radical transition and subsequent resistance to further radical change that constitutionalization brings. The final claim concerns the role and importance of constitution-making in the revolutionary context. Although relative to a broad array of socio-political variables, this role is generally less central to the ultimate outcomes of revolutionary constitutionalism than constitutional lawyers often think, it can respond to one distinctive challenge: the need to reestablish political authority lost by the old regime. As the comparison between post-2011 experiences in Egypt and Tunisia suggests, constitution-making can make a key contribution here as one source of the legitimacy that the new regime must acquire.


Striving for maximum diversification we follow Meucci (2009) in measuring and managing a multi-asset class portfolio. Under this paradigm the maximum diversification portfolio is equivalent to a risk parity strategy with respect to the uncorrelated risk sources embedded in the underlying portfolio assets. Our paper characterizes the mechanics and properties of this diversified risk parity strategy. Moreover, we explore the risk and diversification characteristics of traditional risk-based asset allocation techniques like 1/N, minimum-variance, or risk parity and demonstrate the diversified risk parity strategy to be quite meaningful when benchmarked against these alternatives.


Background : Air pollution level in Addis Ababa is presumed to be high due to the prevalence of old vehicles and substandard road infrastructures. This study assessed CO concentration as a measure of traffic air pollution. Materials and methods : a total of 80 road side and 24 on-road daily traffic air samples during wet and dry seasons of 2007 and 2008, respectively, were taken using CO data logger. A structured checklist was used to document related data. Downloaded data from the CO sampler was used to generate summary statistics and data presentations. Data quality of CO measurement was ensured using calibration checks. Results : The mean for 15 minutes CO concentration was 2.1 ppm (GM=1.3) and 2.8 ppm (GM=2.2) for wet and dry seasons, respectively. The concentrations from season to season varied statistically. The CO temporal and spatial profiles among the two seasons were similar. The overall mean on-road CO concentration was 5.4 ppm (GM=5.3). Fifteen percent of roadside samples and all on-road samples exhibited more than 50% of the 8-hr CO WHO guideline.. Daily CO maxima were observed in early mornings and late afternoons. Conclusions : The consistency in spatial and temporal profiles and the variation on both on-road and road side traffic lines imply that vehicles are the main source of traffic air pollution. There is a concern that the CO 8-hr World Health Organization guideline might be exceeded in future.


Diving experiences of 53 Divers First Class attending the U.S. Navy Saturation Diver Training Program were compared to 155 Divers First Class performing routine operational dives. The two groups were matched for years of diving experience, total number of dives, and total number of SCUBA dives. The Diving Experience Questionnaire (DEQ), which consisted of 43 items dealing with specific diving conditions and activites, was used to document the diving backgrounds of the two groups. Five of the 43 items were found to significantly and uniquely differentiate between the two groups. Those attending the Saturation Diving Program a) made more dives between 46-61 m (151-200 ft), b) had more experience with semiclosed-circuit SCUBA, c) attended more deep-diving training courses, d) made fewer dives in water warmer than 70 degrees F, and e) had fewer specialized qualifications outside deep diving. The multiple regression analysis which differentiated between the two groups resulted in an R of 0.48. These five items indicate that volunteering for saturation diving is consistent or congruent with past deep-diving experience, while remaining in conventional diving is congruent with previous shallow-water experience. These results indicate that the DEQ may be a highly useful method of differentiating between experienced divers.


Innovation is a sine qua non for many businesses in today's competitive, complex and capricious environment. Plenty researches have highlighted that innovation is closely linked with business performance. Yet, to date, scant attention has been given to innovation in the world dominant form of business - family business. Even pertaining researches carried out in the past, the focuses are normally on the family versus nonfamily business dichotomy on innovation performance. However, in reality, family influence on business is multidimensional and continuous. The involvement and pattern of family influences vary from business to business. This dissertation seeks to fill these gaps by exploring the links between family influence, innovation and business performance.
The study was undertaken in Malaysia context using a sample of 174 public listed family businesses. The data were obtained through questionnaire survey conducted over a period of six months. The study involved three constructs: family influence, innovation and business performance. Family influence was operationalized using the F-PEC scale. There are three important dimensions in F-PEC scale: power, experience and culture. The innovation construct was measured using innovation in product/process and idea generation prevailing in the company. The business performance was measured by family goal performance and financial performance.
Data were analyzed using two tests: Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 20.0 and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 20.0. Whereas the former test was used in the pilot test to verify the reliability and screened the
iv
preliminary data, the latter was conducted to explore the direct and indirect effects of family influence on innovation and business performance.
Analysis of the structural relationship supports three out of the ten hypotheses. The hypothesized model results provided evidence that not all dimensions in F-PEC scale are statistically significant related with innovation. Among the dimensions in F-PEC scale, only culture is statistically significant related with innovation in family businesses. With regard to the direct effects of family influence on business performance, the study found that none of the dimensions in F-PEC scale is statistically significant related with business performance. Concerning the direct effect of innovation on business performance, as expected, innovation is positively linked with business performance. In the case of mediating effect, this study concluded that the influence of culture on business performance is mediated by innovation.
The findings of this study should help both practitioners and academicians understand the link between family influence, innovation and business performance better. It strikes to provide a foundation for ongoing research into family business' innovation, and the nature related family influence and their management.


We investigate spatio‐temporal relationships between soil CO2 flux (FCO2), meteorological variables, and topography over a ten‐day period (09/12/2006 to 09/21/2006) at the Horseshoe Lake tree kill, Mammoth Mountain, CA. Total CO2 discharge varied from 16 to 52 t d−1, suggesting a decline in CO2 emissions over decadal timescales. We observed systematic changes in FCO2 in space and time in association with a weather front with relatively high wind speeds from the west and low atmospheric pressures. The largest FCO2 changes were observed in relatively high elevation areas. The variations in FCO2 may be due to dynamic coupling of wind‐driven airflow through the subsurface and flow of source CO2 at depth. Our results highlight the influence of weather fronts on volcanic gas flow in the near‐surface environment and how this influence can vary spatially within a study area.


Bacteriocins are antibacterial proteins created by bacteria and its effective against   other strains of bacteria which are closely linked to the producing strains and a number of species from the same family. The aim of current study was to evaluate the activity of   bacteriocin  that extracted from  clinical  isolates of Klebsiella pneumonia against different  species of enterobacteriaceae in both planktonic and biofilm state. The antibacterial activity of bacteriocins (klebocins) from Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates  towards diverse pathogenic species  from enterobacteriaceae (by  well assay method) was demonstrated , however   the antibiofilm activity against some species of enterobacteriaceae  was studied also by   Tissue culture plate method (TCP) in first and last stages of biofilm formation .The results  revealed that klebocin with different concentrations  was efficient against  different pathogenic species by producing different inhibition zones. Results also showed that klebocins had a wide antibiofilm activity on  some pathogenic species of Gram-negative bacteria .In addition to these  finding it was observed that the antibiofilm activity of klebocin  on premature  biofilm of Klebsiella was higher than  its effect towards other  pathogenic species, while it was affected  on mature biofilm of other bacterial species as well as Klebsiella .


Reactions of DyCl3·6H2O or Dy2O3 with 2-quinolinecarboxylic acid (H-QLC) yielded two compounds, namely, [Dy4(QLC)12(H2O)6]·4H2O (1) and [Dy(QLC)3(H2O)2]n (2). Compound 1 is a linear tetranuclear structure with one central [Dy2(QLC)4(H2O)4] subunit and two terminal [Dy(QLC)3(H2O)] subunits linked by bridging QLC− ligands. Compound 2 has a one-dimensional (1D) chain wherein the [Dy(QLC)2] unit formed by two QLC− ligands chelating a Dy(III) ion is connected by the bridging QLC− ligands. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit slow magnetic relaxation behaviour in the absence of a static magnetic field, which is rarely observed in lanthanide-carboxylate compounds. During the structural evolution from a linear Dy4 cluster of 1 into a 1D chain of 2, the anisotropy energy barrier (Ueff) is enhanced from 45.4(2) to 144.2(1) K. Though the Dy(III) centers in 1 and 2 all are eight-coordinated with square antiprismatic coordination environments, the higher energy barrier observed for 2 could be the result of a more favorable crystal field for the Dy(III) ions in 2.


Physiological uniformity and genetic effects on canopy‐level gas‐exchange and hydraulic function could impact loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation sustainability and ecosystem dynamics under projected changes in climate. Over a 1‐year period, we examined genetic effects on mean and maximum mid‐day canopy conductance (Gs, Gsmax) and transpiration (E, max‐E) within a juvenile loblolly pine plantation composed of 'genotypes' (e.g. different genetic entries) from each of the three different genetic groups (clones, full‐sibs, open‐pollinated). We also compared reference canopy conductance (Gs−ref or Gs at a vapour pressure deficit (D) = 1 kPa), maximum E (Emax) in response to D, stomatal sensitivity to D, specific hydraulic conductivity (ks), and cavitation resistance among genotypes. Based on genetic and physiological principles, we hypothesized that (1) within genotypes, physiological uniformity will increase as inherent genetic diversity decreases and (2) genotypes with greater ks and higher canopy‐level gas‐exchange rates will be more sensitive to increases in D, and more susceptible to loss of ks. In our results, high‐ and low‐genetic diversity genotypes showed no differences in E and Gs uniformity over time. However, E and max‐E were significantly different among genotypes, and genotypes showed significant seasonal variability in Gs and Gsmax. Additionally, there were significant differences in Emax, Gs−ref, Gs sensitivity to D, and the pressure at which 50% loss of ks occurs (P50) among individual genotypes. We found no relationship between mean hydraulic conductivity parameters and overall Gs−ref or Gs sensitivity. However, the genotype full embolism point (P88) and loss of ks rate (LCrate) both showed a significant positive relationship with genotype Gs−ref during the spring, indicating that genotypes with higher Gs were less resistant to cavitation. Overall, genetic effects on canopy‐level gas‐exchange and cavitation resistance were significant, implying that physiological differences among genotypes might affect stand water use, carbon gain, drought tolerance, and hydrologic processes. Contrary to our expectations, uniformity in physiological process rates did not increase as inherent genetic diversity decreased, suggesting that clonal genotypes exhibit high physiological plasticity under plantation conditions. Lastly, our results imply that genotypes with higher spring‐time gas‐exchange rates may be more susceptible to catastrophic loss of ks. With changes in climate expected to continue, physiological differences among genotypes may affect loblolly pine plantation carbon and water cycling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This paper aims to explore the Indian government's responses to the protection needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in two Indian regions: Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast[1]. While refugees have attracted international attention and receive a formalised, institutionalised system for protection, IDPs fall into a largely unaddressed category where responsibility is arguably with the state in which they are displaced. In India, though the government's response mechanisms have been unsuccessful in addressing IDP needs, it has often rejected the aid of international organisations and attempted to address its IDP situation domestically at the state level.


Unlike the ideal conditions considered in most previous studies, the actual cooling flow passage inside gas turbine blades is extremely complex. This complexity is due to the geometrical restrictions resulting from the external cooling holes and blade shape, which change the secondary flow and flow non-uniformity of the internal cooling flow. This study conducted experimental and numerical analysis to characterize the secondary flow and flow non-uniformity in a realistic internal cooling serpentine passage. Magnetic resonance velocimetry was utilized to measure the average three-dimensional–three-components of the mean velocity. By integrating the flow field, parameters indicating the flow non-uniformity and secondary flow strength were obtained. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations were also conducted, and the Reynolds stress transport model showed relatively good performance when predicting the separation bubble in the U-bend. The secondary flow intensity exponentially decreases after the U-bend, but the rib turbulators maintain the secondary flow at a certain level. Additionally, the high-velocity regions in the inlet zone and beyond the separation bubble creates significant flow non-uniformity and inherent shear. At the same time, the turbulence intensity becomes strong at the low-velocity region, which is key for heat transfer enhancement. Therefore, high flow non-uniformity has the potential to enhance heat transfer.


The present study evaluates the effect of mesoporous multiphase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) as an electron transporting layer and investigates the influence of phase composition on the perovskite solar cell (PSC) performances. This study also aims to evaluate PSC performance using conductive silver ink as an alternative counter electrode. The heterogeneous PSC thin-film solar cells were successfully fabricated and assembled by using a simple a doctor blade and two-step spin coating methods under ambient conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph images investigate methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) crystal formation on the mesoporous TiO2 surface structure. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) spectra reveal excellent qualitative and quantitative analysis corresponding to the SEM images in the TiO2/MAPbI3 heterogeneous thin films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) characterization reveals that the TiO2/MAPbI3 thin films are thermally stable recording a maximum of 15.7% mass loss at 800 °C elevated temperatures. Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) characterized the effect of multiphase TiO2 phase transformation on the TiO2/MAPbI3 recombination efficiencies. A maximum of 6% power conversion efficiency (PCE) with the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.58 ± 0.02 V and short circuit current (Jsc) of 3.89 ± 0.17 mAcm−2 was achieved for devices with an active area of 3 × 10−4 m2 demonstrating that the synthesized multiphase TiO2 nanoparticles are promising for large surface area manufacturing. Therefore, it is apparent that multiphase TiO2 NPs play a significant role in the performance of the final device.


There are different ways in which training providers and recipients assess the value and outcome of training programmes. Generally, evaluations by clients of training services in the public sector do not receive serious attention as one cohort of officials succeeds another. Such an approach restricts the prospect of improvement, particularly since the providers are not subjected to undergo self-assessment of their programmes. This article seeks to achieve a better understanding of the assessment by soliciting opinions of both clients and providers of training programmes offered by the Civil Service Training and Development Institute in Hong Kong. The views of both the trainers and recipients were collected through a number of surveys and interviews. The response from trainees and trainers reveal significant differences about the expectations and actual content of the training programmes. Interestingly, there were similarities as well in their assessment in some areas. A common position declared by the trainees is that training keeps them informed about the latest developments but does not help them to adjust to changing circumstances. The other complaint was that adequate training was not provided for performing on the job. Trainers expressed different views, but agreed on the fact that the institute is unable to cope with the task and responsibility of training the entire public service and conceded that it is difficult to anticipate the future training needs in the rapidly changing environment in which public administration takes place.


Loneliness is an emotionally unpleasant experience which is associated with a host of psychosocial and mental health problems, such as low self-esteem, poor social skills, fewer and poorer quality friendships, social anxiety, depression, poorer life satisfaction, and suicidal thoughts and behaviour (e.g., see Heinrich & Gullone, 2006, for a review). It affects as many as 74% of adolescents in any given 12 month period (Fleming & Jacobsen, 2009), with painful and persistent feelings of loneliness experienced by 10% to 20% of adolescents (Brennan, 1982). Yet, despite loneliness appearing to be more prevalent in adolescence than in any other stage of the life cycle, adolescent loneliness has received relatively little research attention -particularly with regards to investigating possible causal mechanisms. Therefore, this thesis sought to redress this imbalance in the loneliness research literature by examining potential aetiological factors in adolescent loneliness. Since loneliness is "an enduring condition of emotional distress" (Rook, 1984, p. 1391), it was proposed that how adolescents manage their emotions and cope with distress may be an important factor underlying the development and maintenance of loneliness. Moreover, drawing upon attachment theory, it was argued that to the extent that the quality of attachment experiences influence social, cognitive, emotional, and personality development they may consequently influence loneliness. For Study I, both cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal designs were employed, and 323 adolescents (aged 12 to 17 years) completed measures of loneliness, attachment quality, emotion regulation, and coping. A substantial proportion (28%) of the adolescents surveyed experienced chronic feelings of global loneliness, and approximately half felt lonely at any given point in time. Attachment, emotion regulation, and coping were found to be predictive of loneliness both cross-sectionally, as well as seven months later. Supporting the assertion of a likely aetiological role in loneliness, the chronically lonely were found to have poorer attachment relationships with their parents and peers, and adopt more maladaptive emotion regulation and coping strategies than their nonlonely counterparts. Hence, it emerged that adolescents' attachment relationships, and their emotion regulation/coping strategies emerged as two salient mechanisms underlying loneliness. Attachment theory proposes that one's early experiences with caregivers are internalised in the form of working models which provide a blueprint that guides one's perceptions, expectations and social interactions, as well as how one experiences, expresses, and regulates emotion and distress into adulthood (Cooper, Shaver, & Collins, 1998). Study 1 did not permit the examination of interrelationships between attachment and emotion regulation/coping, and so a second study was conducted in which 202 adolescents (aged 13 to 16 years) completed the same measures used previously. Replicating the first study's findings, moderate-to-strong associations were found between adolescent loneliness and attachment, emotion regulation, and coping. Moreover, the results of the second study extended the Study 1 findings by demonstrating that the effects of attachment and emotion regulation/coping were interrelated, and therefore do not represent mutually exclusive mechanisms underlying adolescent loneliness. It was shown that the relationship between attachment and adolescent loneliness was at least partially mediated by emotion regulation and coping. Together, these two studies fill a void in the loneliness literature by revealing that adolescents' attachment relationships, and how they manage their emotions and cope with distress, play substantial roles in adolescent loneliness. However, whilst substantial proportions of the variability in global, social, and family loneliness were found to be accounted for by attachment, emotion regulation, and coping, this was not the case for romantic loneliness. Thus, further research is needed to better understand the nature of romantic loneliness in adolescence. Implications for interventions are also discussed.


Objective Fusiform intracranial aneurysms are challenging lesions that occur secondary to atherosclerosis or dissection. Although unclear, the prognosis of patients with fusiform aneurysms seems to be poor. We report our single center experience in the treatment of fusiform aneurysms involving the intracranial vertebral arteries using reconstructive endovascular techniques. Method The neurointerventional database of our institution was retrospectively reviewed from June of 2010 to February of 2012. Patients who underwent endovascular treatment of fusiform intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms using reconstructive techniques were included in the analysis. Patients treated with parent vessel sacrifice (deconstructive technique) were excluded. Clinical presentation, size, reconstructive technique used, procedural complication, clinical and angiographic follow-ups were included in the analysis. Results Seven patients met the inclusion criteria in our study. There were four men and three women with a mean age of 56 years (range 41–76 years). Two patients (two women) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and were treated with stent assisted coil embolization (SACE). Five patients had unruptured aneurysms; four patients were treated with SACE; the other patient had a partially thrombosed aneurysm and was treated with stent-reconstruction with deployment of two stents (no coiling). The mean of the largest diameter of the lesions was 8.7 mm. There was one asymptomatic procedural complication (non-flow-limiting cervical dissection). All patients had good clinical outcomes (mRS <2) with no late hemorrhage at a mean clinical follow-up of 12 months. One patient that presented with SAH was lost to angiographic follow-up; for all other six patients angiographic follow-up was obtained (mean of 9.6 months). Of these patients, five demonstrated aneurysm occlusion with complete vessel reconstruction in the follow-up. One patient that presented with SAH and was treated with SACE had aneurysm regrowth at 1 month and was retreated with further coil embolization and deployment of a 3rd stent with no complications. Conclusions The use of reconstructive techniques in the endovascular treatment of unruptured fusiform intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms is feasible, safe and effective in the mid-term. In patients presenting with SAH, however, the safety and effectiveness of these techniques remain unclear. Competing interests G Dabus: Codman Neurovascular. Surpass Medical. E Samaniego: None. I Linfante: Codman Neurovascular. Surpass Medical.


With rapid development of sauce industry, the production of the sauce is increasing in recent years. The sauce wastewater is doing greater harm to the water environment in China. In order to tackle this problem, the influent COD concentration influence on nitrogen variation of sauce wastewater was investigated. The results showed that the influent COD has a different effect for ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate. When the influent COD concentration was 600mg/L, 500mg and 300mg/L respectively, the effluent ammonia nitrogen was at 4.3mg/L, 1.8mg/L and 1.0mg/L. And the ammonia nitrogen removal efficiency was more than 90%. Meanwhile the nitrate and nitrite accumulated steadily with the same variation tendency.


The main findings in unilateral INO are paresis of adduction in the eye on the side of the lesion (for conjugate but not vergence eye movements) and abduction nystagmus in the eye on the side opposite to the lesion. A skew deviation (eye usually higher on the side of the lesion) or a dissociated, mixed vertical-torsional nystagmus, with the eye beating down on the side of the lesion, may also occur. The main findings in bilateral INO are paresis of adduction in both eyes, bilateral abduction nystagmus and, in the vertical plane, impaired gaze-holding, vestibular responses and smooth tracking. Abduction nystagmus in INO may have a number of causes; probably most common are a gaze-evoked nystagmus superimposed on adduction weakness and adaptation to adduction weakness. Most of the findings in INO can be explained by interruption of projections from abducens internuclear neurones, mediating adduction, and from the vestibular nuclei, mediating both canal- and otolith-induced reflexes as well as vertical gaze holding and pursuit. Extension of the lesion to structures near but outside the MLF, or involvement of cell bodies intermixed with MLF fibres, may also be important in the pathogenesis of the abduction nystagmus and the occasional slowing of abducting saccades.


Background and Purpose: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Large MCA stroke may evolve as malignant space occupying lesion and mortality rate reaches 80% despite maximal medical therapy. Early decompressive craniectomy is effective in reducing mortality and improving the functional outcome but is an extended and invasive surgical approach burdened with a significant complication rate. We report a surgical treatment based on partial strokectomy and basal cisterns opening with massive CSF drain. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected 15 cases of massive middle cerebral artery stroke treated with strokectomy between 2010 and 2017: nine males and six females, mean age 61.73 ± 9.5 years. The right side was affected in 66.7%. All patients show clinical deterioration despite standard medical therapy and indication for surgery was placed after collegiate evaluation by neurologists and neurosurgeons based on clinical and radiological data. Results: Surgical procedure was performed 24–96 h after the stroke onset. All the 15 patients survived the intervention, one patient died 20 days after the admission for massive lung embolism. Mean GCS and NIHSS at admission were 12.6 ± 1.18 (range 9–15) and 19.7 ± 2.3 (range 18–23), respectively. Mean mRS at 12 months was 3.6 ± 1.1 (range 2–6). Mean follow-up was 18.1 months (range 12–34). The outcome was evaluated as satisfactory (mRs ≤ 3) in 8 patients (53.3%). Mortality at 1 year was 6.7%. No patients developed hydrocephalus and 1 presented seizures. According to mRs outcome evaluation (mRs ≤ 3 vs. mRs ≥ 4) no quantitative variable resulted significantly different between the two groups, whereas the concomitant use of iv rTPA significantly differed (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Supratentorial strokectomy seems to be safe and could be a potential alternative to decompressive craniectomy for the acute management of malignant MCA stroke. Advantages of this approach could be low complication rate, avoidance of bone reconstruction procedure, and reduced occurrence of hydrocephalus or seizures. A co-operative multicentric, prospective pilot study will be necessary to validate this technical approach.


The DNA sequence of a 3.23-kilobase fragment of the Escherichia coli chromosome encoding biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase (ADC) was determined. This sequence contained the speA open reading frame (ORF) as well as partial speB and metK ORFs. The ADC ORF is 1,974 nucleotides long; the deduced polypeptide contains 658 amino acids with a molecular size of 73,980 daltons. The molecular weight and predicted ADC amino acid composition are nearly identical to the amino acid analysis of purified ADC performed by Wu and Morris (J. Biol. Chem. 248:1687-1695, 1973). A translational speA-lacZ fusion, pRM65, including 1,389 base pairs (463 amino acids) of the 5' end of speA was constructed. Western blots (immunoblots) with beta-galactosidase antisera revealed two ADC::beta-galactosidase fusion proteins in E. coli bearing pRM65: 160,000 and 156,000 daltons representing precursor and mature hybrid proteins, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of ADC contains a region of six amino acid residues found in two bacterial diaminopimelic acid decarboxylases and three eucaryotic ornithine decarboxylases. This conserved sequence is located approximately eight amino acids from the putative pyridoxal phosphate-binding site of ADC and is predicted to be involved in substrate binding.


—As Internet continues to grow, user tends to rely heavily on search engines. However, these search engines tend to generate a huge number of search results and potentially making it difficult for users to find the most relevant sites. This has resulted in search engines losing their usefulness. These users might be academicians who are searching for relevant academic papers within their interests. The need for a system that can assist in choosing the most relevant papers among the long list of results presented by search engines becomes crucial. In this paper, we propose Document Recommender Agent, that can recommend the most relevant papers based on the academician's interest. This recommender agent adopts a hybrid recommendation approach. In this paper we also show that recommendation based on the proposed hybrid approach is better that the content-based and the collaborative approaches.


Rationale: Calmodulin (CaM) mutations are associated with an autosomal dominant syndrome of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death that can present with divergent clinical features of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) or long QT syndrome (LQTS). CaM binds to and inhibits ryanodine receptor (RyR2) Ca release channels in the heart, but whether arrhythmogenic CaM mutants alter RyR2 function is not known. Objective: To gain mechanistic insight into how human CaM mutations affect RyR2 Ca channels. Methods and Results: We studied recombinant CaM mutants associated with CPVT (N54I and N98S) or LQTS (D96V, D130G, and F142L). As a group, all LQTS-associated CaM mutants (LQTS-CaMs) exhibited reduced Ca affinity, whereas CPVT-associated CaM mutants (CPVT-CaMs) had either normal or modestly lower Ca affinity. In permeabilized ventricular myocytes, CPVT-CaMs at a physiological intracellular concentration (100 nmol/L) promoted significantly higher spontaneous Ca wave and spark activity, a typical cellular phenotype of CPVT. Compared with wild-type CaM, CPVT-CaMs caused greater RyR2 single-channel open probability and showed enhanced binding affinity to RyR2. Even a 1:8 mixture of CPVT-CaM:wild-type-CaM activated Ca waves, demonstrating functional dominance. In contrast, LQTS-CaMs did not promote Ca waves and exhibited either normal regulation of RyR2 single channels (D96V) or lower RyR2-binding affinity (D130G and F142L). None of the CaM mutants altered Ca/CaM binding to CaM-kinase II. Conclusions: A small proportion of CPVT-CaM is sufficient to evoke arrhythmogenic Ca disturbances, whereas LQTS-CaMs do not. Our findings explain the clinical presentation and autosomal dominant inheritance of CPVT-CaM mutations and suggest that RyR2 interactions are unlikely to explain arrhythmogenicity of LQTS-CaM mutations.


AIM
Here, we set out to establish whether endogenous γ-H2AX is a biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer.

METHODS
We explored the association of γ-H2AX with mutation status and sensitivity to 139 different anticancer drugs in up to 41 breast cancer cell lines. Further, we correlated γ-H2AX expression in breast cancer tumor tissues with telomere length.

RESULTS
γ-H2AX positive breast cancer cells exhibit more mutations, and - when p53 mutated - have shorter telomeres. In breast cancer patients γ-H2AX is also related to shorter telomeres, which was in turn associated with poorer prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSION
Thus, endogenous γ-H2AX is associated with short telomeres, which might offer a specific target for therapy for triple-negative breast cancer patients.


Increasing atmospheric CO2 affects seawater pH and chemistry. This process, commonly known as ocean acidification (OA), has led to a decrease in oceanic seawater pH by 0.1 since the industrial revolution. Oceanic models show that mean pH may fall from the current 8.1 units to 7.8 and 7.5 by 2100 and 2300, corresponding to levels of about 1000 and 2000 µatm pCO2, respectively. Coastal habitats have been described to differ substantially from open ocean conditions. Not only absolute mean values and annual or daily fluctuations but even future predictions differs considerably from open ocean norms. These characteristics evolved over many years and likely formed species or populations, which are more robust to future OA than species or populations from more stable oceanic environments. Calcifying species as well as early life-history stages of marine organisms are considered to be mainly affected by OA. The acorn barnacle Amphibalanus improvisus is a dominant marine calcifier within the western Baltic Sea and has a complex life cycle with various stages such as feeding nauplii and non-feeding cyprids as well as settled calcifying juveniles. Thus, this species is an ideal organism to address a wide range of hypotheses. In this thesis, I investigated the sensitivity of the A. improvisus towards OA stress in combination with additional environmental parameters such as temperature and food availability. The organisms for this study came from the Kiel Fjord, Germany and the Tjarno Archipelago, Sweden, which, to a certain extent, allows interpretations on the population level. As one of the first cases, this study evaluates the entire life cycle of an invertebrate towards OA in combination with additional stressors.
Nauplius larvae of A. improvisus were affected neither by moderate ( 1500 µatm) OA under summer temperature conditions of 20 °C in the Kiel population or under slightly elevated temperatures (25 °C) in the Tjarno population. However, in cooler waters (12 °C) severe OA drastically slowed down the larval development of Kiel individuals. Warming generally increased the survival as well as the rate of development in barnacle nauplii but cypris larvae also suffered increased mortality with increasing temperatures. Cyprid size (Tjarno) and settlement (Kiel) were unaffected by temperature and OA but survival was enhanced under severe OA in the Kiel population. While survival, growth, condition index, reproduction, shell strength as well as development of the F1 generation of juvenile barnacles from Kiel were rather unaffected by OA over 20 weeks, moulting frequency increased with increasing acidification of the seawater. Net-calcification was reduced under increasing acidification with negative impacts on the shell maintenance of adults. This was true for barnacles cohorts collected in summer but when a cohort of juvenile barnacles was collected in autumn and investigated under OA scenarios over the winter, severe OA negatively impacted juvenile growth after 10 weeks. Seawater warming by 4 °C temporary effected the growth of juvenile barnacles. It also decreased the condition index and increased the breaking resistance, i.e. led to an increased investment in shell production compared to body growth. Juvenile barnacles from Tjarno showed a generally higher sensitivity to OA with reduced growth and survival under moderate and severe OA when combined with food limitation and under severe OA when food availability was increased. Food availability in general, seems to be the major factor driving the performance of juvenile barnacles (increasing growth, condition index, reproduction and shell strength), in both the Kiel and the Tjarno populations.
In the present study, barnacles have been shown to withstand predicted near-future OA well, with if at all, only sub-lethal effects on the different life-history stages. Larval stages of both the Kiel and the Tjarno populations were tolerant to even the highest OA levels applied (3250 µatm pCO2, pH 7.5). Nevertheless, the sensitivity of juveniles to OA differs remarkably between barnacle populations. Juveniles of A. improvisus from Tjarno responded more sensitively to OA than juveniles from Kiel. Juveniles of A. improvisus from Tjarno responded more sensitively to OA than juveniles from Kiel. These population-specific differences might be explained by the high natural variability in pH/pCO2 over the year in the Kiel Fjord and the possibility of barnacles to adapt to these fluctuations over many generations. Assuming that this adaptation is potentially also valid for other barnacle populations, A. improvisus from Tjarno will likely adapt to anthropogenic OA in the future. In conclusion, barnacles might be pre-selected to withstand strong small-scale as well as large-scale fluctuations in their natural environments. Nevertheless, habitat characteristics and thus population specific differences seem to play a role in determining the resilience of A. improvisus to OA. Even seasonality likely controls the resilience of this species to OA. Since OA is expected to increase more drastically in shallow coastal habitats in the future, the absolute OA tolerance limits of this species are still to be evaluated in more detail. Additionally, the synergistic effects of OA and factors such as warming or desalination need to be considered when future predictions are made. Community structures depend on the responses of various organisms and there will be "losers" and "winners" in the fate of future OA. Thus, although single species such as A. improvisus will be not lethally impacted in a future acidified ocean, community structures are likely to change due to the higher sensitivity of other organisms.


Abstract. The response of the mid-latitude ionosphere to geomagnetic storms depends upon several pre-storm conditions, the dominant ones being season and local time of the storm commencement (SC). The difference between a site's geographic and geomagnetic latitudes is also of major importance since it governs the blend of processes linked to solar production and magnetospheric input, respectively. Case studies of specific storms using ionospheric data from both hemispheres are inherently dominated by seasonal effects and the various local times versus longitude of the SCs. To explore inter-hemispheric consistency of ionospheric storms, we identify "geophysically-equivalent-sites" as locations where the geographic and geomagnetic latitudes have the same relationship to each other in both hemispheres. At the longitudes of the dipole tilt, the differences between geographic and geomagnetic latitudes are at their extremes, and thus these are optimal locations to see if pre-conditioning and/or storm-time input are the same or differ between the hemispheres. In this study, we use ionosonde values of the F2-layer maximum electron density (NmF2) to study geophysical equivalency at Wallops Island (VA) and Hobart (Tasmania), using statistical summaries of 206 events during solar cycle #20. We form average patterns of ΔNmF2 (%) versus local time over 7-day storm periods that are constructed in ways that enhance the portrayal of the average characteristic features of the positive and negative phases of ionospheric storms. The results show a consistency between four local time characteristic patterns of storm-induced perturbations, and thus for the average magnitudes and time scales of the processes that cause them in each hemisphere. Subtle differences linked to small departures from pure geophysical equivalency point to a possible presence of hemispheric asymmetries governed by the non-mirror-image of geomagnetic morphology in each hemisphere.


The authors interviewed ten library consortia leaders and studied the communication tools used by a number of consortia. Library consortia employ a broad range of communication tools to share information with their libraries. Different methods are used for different purposes, but a hierarchy of utility emerged from our study. Certain communication vehicles anchored nearly every communication message, some provided secondary support, and others suited highly specialized needs. This paper reviews shared communication methods, highlights communication best practices, and shares unique communication ideas employed by library consortia.


This paper surveys data on possessive constructions in a number of languages that have been involved in contact-induced language change. I have structured the material following the three-way division introduced by Thomason and Kaufmann (1988), distinguishing between shift, maintenance, and new creation scenarios. It turns out that the properties of possessive constructions are affected in different ways in these different scenarios. Finally, I try to draw some more general conclusions from the observations made in discussing these different scenarios.


The Giant Magneto-Inductive (GMI) effect in amorphous magnetic and conducting wires is analyzed using the concepts and words of electronics engineering to show the way high-sensitivity GMI magnetometers may be designed. Starting from a simple modeling of the magneto-impedance, direct and field-locked loop magnetometers are discussed, together with the implementation of a low-frequency noise-reduction technique that makes good use of a basic modulating method. It allows the removal of a part of the 1/f noise in the magnetometer. The unmodulated magnetometer characteristics are the following: bandwidth higher than 100 kHz and white noise level lower than 7 pT//spl radic/Hz above 40 KHz. Similarly, the main auxiliary modulated magnetometer characteristics are as follows: bandwidth of 4.8 kHz and white noise level lower than 60 pT//spl radic/Hz above 3 Hz. The slew rate in both cases is limited by the electronics to 5 mT/s. The dynamic of these magnetometers is about /spl plusmn/25 /spl mu/T, which corresponds to more than 120 dB in 1 Hz bandwidth above 1 Hz.