ABSTRACr The antibiotic 9-#-D-arabinofuranosyladenine is a drug with a broad spectrum of activity against animal viruses, with little or no effect on mammalian cells, when administered in vivo or in vitro. Here we report that the antibiotic markedly inhibited the incorporation of [asSjmethionine into malarial protein. Inhibition was apparent when the parasites were either exposed to the drug in vivo during the course of infection or incubated with the drug in vitro. Moreover, the antibiotic induced pronounced changes in the spectrum of proteins synthesized. Some proteins that are prominently apparent in the control disappear from the drug-treated parasites; others specific for drug-treated parasites appear, indicating changes in the commitment for gene expression as manifested by the appearance of the final protein product. Proteins synthesized were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels; the first dimension used isoelectric focusing in cylinder gels and the second dimension used electrophoresis in a lithium dodecyl sulfate slab gel. Proteins were visualized by radioautography.


The authors have identified six Southeast Asian patients ranging in age from 14 to 21 years with hemoglobin E-beta(0) thalassemia and a coagulopathy involving von Willebrand factor (vWF). These patients had normal or only slightly decreased plasma clotting factor levels. The activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged in four of the patients. The abnormal feature common to all patients was a qualitative loss of high molecular weight multimers of vWF by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (vWF:CIE). Plasma vWF antigen concentration (vWF:Ag) and ristocetin cofactor activity (vWF:RCo) also were decreased and bleeding time prolonged in three patients. Epistaxis was present in two. No family history of increased bleeding tendency was present in any patient. Coagulation parameters and vWF:CIE were normal in two first-degree relatives without this hemoglobinopathy. vWF abnormalities and clinical manifestations were greatest in those patients with the most severe anemia and hepatosplenomegaly. These six patients appear to have an acquired abnormality of vWF, although they lack the clinical characteristics of acquired von Willebrand disease. While the etiology of this abnormality is unclear, the authors speculate that proteolysis of vWF secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis or loss through high cardiac output shear stress in these anemic patients may be involved.


We investigate the rotational symmetry and absolute sign of the effective second-order susceptibility of the righthanded z-cut α-quartz crystal in different crystal orientations through the second-harmonic-generation phase interference between standard and reference of thin α-quartz plates. The D3 rotational symmetry of the z-cut α-quartz crystal shows 6 alternating sign sections of the second-order susceptibility in the 360° rotation, which leads to two distinctive interference patterns between the reference and standard second harmonic field. From this information, the sign of the interference pattern in the second harmonic phase measurement could be readily derived.


As Amish fiction that continues to appeal to a huge audience, "A Pocket Guide to Amish Life" gives readers a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world - what the Amish believe and how they live. Full of fun and fresh facts about the people who abide by this often-misunderstood faith and unique culture, this handy-sized guide by Mindy Starns Clark, author of "Shadows of Lancaster County", covers a wide variety of topics, such as: beliefs and values; clothing and transportation; courtship and marriage; shunning and discipline; teens and rumspringa; children and the elderly; and, education and work. Presented in an easy-to-follow and engaging style, this pocket guide to the Amish is a great resource for anyone interested in Amish life.


The need for practical tools to assess student learning at the course level is becoming a more pressing goal for all academic institutions. This is because learning assessment tools which monitor both student performance and conceptual change events that lead to improved learning ultimately provide the basis for the subsequent assessments of programs and institutions. In performing effectively in this capacity, a viable and efficient assessment tool at the course level possesses the following characteristics; 1) the ability to be integrated effectively within the existing course structure, 2) the ability to generate quantitative, measurable results, and 3) the ability to provide timely feedback. This paper proposes a model for assessing student learning at the course level which utilizes, in part, online assessment methods (eAssessments) to achieve these characteristics. More specifically, the model provides a description of how assessment may be embedded into an existing course and illustrates the utilization of online pre/post-tests and knowledge surveys as a source of assessment data. The data analysis, based in part upon Bloom's revised taxonomy, is then discussed together with how the results are used to determine the level of learning achieved. The paper concludes with a proposal for an experiment wherein the model is tested to determine its ability to detect changes in student learning originating from the implementation of a pedagogical strategy such as online tutoring.


Crisis is an unavoidable part of life in a world damaged by sin. A pastor and congregation must be prepared to help fellow believers through crises. This thesis will first seek to explain the factors that lead up to a crisis in a person's life, as well as identifying some of the symptoms of a person experiencing crisis. Second, it will distinguish between the roles of a professional clinical counselor and an unprofessional helper. It will outline several crisis counseling issues of which a non-professional counselor should be aware, with a special focus on transference and countertransference. It will also identify key mistakes many well-meaning helpers make. Finally, it will explore the role of the church when a member is in crisis, first from the perspective of a congregation which would make crisis counseling an intentional ministry, second from the perspective of congregational culture.


The role of material surface properties in the direct interaction with bacteria and the indirect route via host defense cells is not fully understood. Recently, it was suggested that nanostructured implant surfaces possess antimicrobial properties. In the current study, the adhesion and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis and human monocyte adhesion and activation were studied separately and in coculture in different in vitro models using smooth gold and well-defined nanostructured gold surfaces. Two polystyrene surfaces were used as controls in the monocyte experiments. Fluorescent viability staining demonstrated a reduction in the viability of S. epidermidis close to the nanostructured gold surface, whereas the smooth gold correlated with more live biofilm. The results were supported by scanning electron microscopy observations, showing higher biofilm tower formations and more mature biofilms on smooth gold compared with nanostructured gold. Unstimulated monocytes on the different substrates demonstrated low activation, reduced gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and low cytokine secretion. In contrast, stimulation with opsonized zymosan or opsonized live S. epidermidis for 1 hour significantly increased the production of reactive oxygen species, the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-10, as well as the secretion of TNF-α, demonstrating the ability of the cells to elicit a response and actively phagocytose prey. In addition, cells cultured on the smooth gold and the nanostructured gold displayed a different adhesion pattern and a more rapid oxidative burst than those cultured on polystyrene upon stimulation. We conclude that S. epidermidis decreased its viability initially when adhering to nanostructured surfaces compared with smooth gold surfaces, especially in the bacterial cell layers closest to the surface. In contrast, material surface properties neither strongly promoted nor attenuated the activity of monocytes when exposed to zymosan particles or S. epidermidis.


Increasingly international academic and industrial communities desire to better understand, implement and improve the sustainability of vehicles that contain embedded electrochemical energy storage. Underpinning a number of studies that evaluate different circular economy strategies for the electric vehicle (EV) battery system are implicit assumptions about the retained capacity or State-of-Health (SoH) of the battery. International standards and best-practice guides exist that address the performance evaluation of both EV and HEV battery systems. However, a common theme in performance testing is that the test duration can be excessive and last for a number of hours. The aim of this research is to assess whether energy capacity and internal resistance measurements of Li-ion based modules can be optimized, reducing the test duration to a value that may facilitate further End-of-Life (EoL) options. Experimental results for a Porsche Panamera Hybrid module and a Tesla Model S P85 module that highlight a reduction of the duration of a commercial battery module characterization test by circa 70%. This reduction is accompanied by levels of measurement accuracy for retained energy capacity in the order of 1% for module test temperatures equal to 25°C. Improvement of 85% is achieved for resistance testing while still retaining levels of measurement accuracy in the order of 2% for module temperatures equal to 25°C. Based on these experimental results, a quick characterization test sequence is proposed and within a robust system test framework would allow different organizations to prioritize the relative importance of test accuracy versus experimental test time when grading used Li-ion modules.


The intersection cut paradigm is a powerful framework that facilitates the generation of valid linear inequalities, or cutting planes, for a potentially complex set S. The key ingredients in this construction are a simplicial conic relaxation of S and an S-free set: a convex zone whose interior does not intersect S. Ideally, such S-free set would be maximal inclusion-wise, as it would generate a deeper cutting plane. However, maximality can be a challenging goal in general. In this work, we show how to construct maximal S-free sets when S is defined as a general quadratic inequality. Our maximal S-free sets are such that efficient separation of a vertex in LP-based approaches to quadratically constrained problems is guaranteed. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to provide maximal quadratic-free sets.


. This study aimed to investigate the level of push factors of brain drain among the academics in the Sudanese higher education system. The status of a university environment, lack of research policy, and intellectual freedom led Sudanese higher education institutions to lose a growing number of highly qualified professors. The study aspires to identify the power of work environment, career development, livelihood, and political factors in higher education and to what extent do these antecedents predict brain drain. The study used a convergent mixed research approach. To that end, 380 participants were taken through simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected from teachers using closed-ended questions. At the same time, vice-chancellors, faculty deans, and department heads were interviewed. Quantitative data was analyzed through mean scores, one-sample t-test, and linear regression analysis and ANOVA, respectively. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic narration. The study found that addressing push factors by improving the work environment to meet employers' expectations, going through career development barriers, stabilizing the political environment, restructuring wages and remunerations could control the brain drain. It is also found that improved governance creates an ideal academic environment by maintaining relevant legislation, supplying funds for activities, and pursuing training and capacity-building initiatives to prevent brain drain. The study recommended that leaders and stakeholders enforce proper strategies and policies for environmental improvement and encourage private sector investment in higher education. Also, policymakers and funding agencies should pass legislation to fill the wage gap, which absorbs migration.


PURPOSE
Previous reports have shown genetic predisposition for atopic dermatitis (AD). Some of the severe complications of AD manifest in the eye, such as cataract, retinal detachment, and keratoconjunctivitis. This study was conducted to examine the genetic association between the atopy-related genes and patients with ocular complications (ocular AD).

METHODS
Seventy-eighty patients with ocular AD and 282 healthy control subjects were enrolled in an investigation of the association between the atopy-related genes (FCERB, IL13, and IFNGR1) and ocular AD. Genetic association studies and functional analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were performed.

RESULTS
The -56TT genotype in the IFNGR1 promoter region was significantly associated with an increased risk of ocular AD under recessive models (chi(2) test, raw P = 0.0004, odds ratio 2.57). The -56TT genotype was more common in atopic cataracts. A reporter gene assay showed that, after stimulation with IFN-gamma, the IFNGR1 gene promoter construct that contained the -56T allele, a common allele in ocular AD patients, manifested higher transcriptional activity in lens epithelial cells (LECs) than did the construct with the -56C allele. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated higher IFNGR1 mRNA expression in the LECs in atopic than in senile cataracts. iNOS expression by IFNGR1-overexpressing LECs was enhanced on stimulation with IFN-gamma and LPS.

CONCLUSIONS
The -56T allele in the IFNGR1 promoter results in higher IFNGR1 transcriptional activity and represents a genetic risk factor for atopic cataracts.


Mortality rates of pneumococcal meningitis ranges from 13-60% in different parts of the world. Reports of pneumococci with multiple antibiotic resistance add urgency to the need for developing means of primary prevention. A 14-valent pneumococcal vaccine was licensed in 1977, and a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in 1983. In the present work 131 strains of pneumococci isolated from meningitis cases in Egypt were identified and serotyped by Quellung reaction. The most frequently isolated serotype was serotype 1 (32%). Serotypes 6A, 9L, 12A, 19A and 29 were next in prevalence. The age groups 0-18 years were the most frequently affected groups (79%) and over 18 years of age were only 21% of total cases. A vaccine formulation is suggested to have a coverage rate against pneumococcal meningitis cases of 79.3% and 89.3% of a proposed 14-valent vaccine and 23-valent vaccine versus to coverage rate of 48% and 54% of 14-valent and 23-valent International vaccines respectively. According to the age distribution of cases and the isolated serotypes a vaccination could be recommended during the first two years of age in order to protect the most frequently infected groups.


One requirement by which virtual environments (VEs) are judged, is the believability of the virtual agents (VAs). One aspect of believability, is that agent responses to situations should not create cognitive dissonance and thereby distract the observer. One approach to this problem is the use of institutional models providing social reasoning, in conjunction with classical AI techniques providing individual reasoning, to achieve the appropriate recognition of complex situations and provide guidance on the subsequent choice of action(s). We present a distributed approach that offers governance-rather than regimentation-of intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) situated in a VE. We aim to show that the combination of an institution providing social reasoning and BDI agents providing individual reasoning, establishes a framework for enhancing believability through the interplay between: (i) the institution and IVAs in VEs, and (ii) norms maintained by the institution and the mental states of IVAs. From an engineering point of view, the framework provides a separation of concerns because the BDI agent is augmented with the capacity to process social obligations, while the specification and verification of social structure resides in the institutional models.


Protein and starch determinants of maize kernel hardness and extruded products were characterized to better define the role of endosperm texture during extrusion. Maize physical properties were correlated with total proteins and zein subclasses (p < 0.01). The extrusion process significantly altered protein solubility and increased protein fragmentation as measured by RP-HPLC and size exclusion chromatography. Harder grits and extrudates demonstrated higher amylose content, lower degree of starch damage, and fragmentation at different screw speeds than softer grits and extrudates. Differences in extrudate expansion ratio, water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption capacity, and breaking stress between harder and softer hybrids were related to protein aggregation and fragmentation as well as starch damage and fragmentation.


The digitization of our lives cause a shift in the data production as well as in the required data management. Numerous nodes are capable of producing huge volumes of data in our everyday activities. Sensors, personal smart devices as well as the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm lead to a vast infrastructure that covers all the aspects of activities in modern societies. In the most of the cases, the critical issue for public authorities (usually, local, like municipalities) is the efficient management of data towards the support of novel services. The reason is that analytics provided on top of the collected data could help in the delivery of new applications that will facilitate citizens' lives. However, the provision of analytics demands intelligent techniques for the underlying data management. The most known technique is the separation of huge volumes of data into a number of parts and their parallel management to limit the required time for the delivery of analytics. Afterwards, analytics requests in the form of queries could be realized and derive the necessary knowledge for supporting intelligent applications. In this paper, we define the concept of a Query Controller ( Q C ) that receives queries for analytics and assigns each of them to a processor placed in front of each data partition. We discuss an intelligent process for query assignments that adopts Machine Learning (ML). We adopt two learning schemes, i.e., Reinforcement Learning (RL) and clustering. We report on the comparison of the two schemes and elaborate on their combination. Our aim is to provide an efficient framework to support the decision making of the QC that should swiftly select the appropriate processor for each query. We provide mathematical formulations for the discussed problem and present simulation results. Through a comprehensive experimental evaluation, we reveal the advantages of the proposed models and describe the outcomes results while comparing them with a deterministic framework.


Multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene encodes for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a Mr 170,000 transmembrane calcium-dependent efflux pump that is inactivated in prostate cancer. We hypothesize that inactivation of the MDR1 gene through CpG methylation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer. To test this hypothesis, CpG methylation status of the MDR1 promoter and its correlation with clinicopathological findings were evaluated in 177 prostate cancer samples and 69 benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) samples. Cellular proliferation index and apoptotic index were determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and single-strand DNA immunostaining, respectively. After 5-aza-2 -deoxycytidine treatment, increased expression of MDR1 mRNA transcript was found in prostate cancer cell lines (DU145, DuPro, and ND1). MDR1 methylation frequency was significantly higher in prostate cancer samples compared with BPH samples (54.8 versus 11.6%, respectively, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that PC patients are 11.5 times more likely to have MDR1 methylation than BPH patients (95% confidence interval 4.87–27.0) and that MDR1 methylation is independent of the age. Significant correlation of MDR1 methylation was observed with high pT category (P < 0.001), high Gleason sum (P 0.008), high preoperative prostate-specific antigen (P 0.01), and advancing pathological features. In addition, PCNA-labeling index were significantly higher in methylation-specific PCR (MSP)-positive than in MSP-negative prostate cancer samples (P 0.048). In contrast, no significant difference in apoptotic index was found between MSP-positive and -negative prostate cancer samples. These findings suggest that CpG hypermethylation of MDR1 promoter is a frequent event in prostate cancer and is related to disease progression via increased cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To examine and discuss the possible benefits and difficulties with recommending prophylactic mastectomy to BRCA1- and BRCA2-positive women.

DATA SOURCES
Published research articles, professional review articles, textbooks.

DATA SYNTHESIS
Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations face a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than the general population, with limited options available for prevention. Prophylactic mastectomy has been shown to have a survival advantage in young women who carry BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Challenges exist, however, in the use of prophylactic mastectomy and genetic testing.

CONCLUSIONS
Methods of preventing breast cancer in BRCA1- and BRCA2-positive women currently are limited to watch-and-wait surveillance, prophylactic mastectomy, and, perhaps, chemoprevention. Genetic testing and prophylactic mastectomy each present unique challenges while offering certain benefits as well. Recent studies have shown survival advantages to BRCA1- and BRCA2-positive women who undergo prophylactic mastectomy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE
Nurses need to be aware of the complex issues surrounding testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and prophylactic mastectomy to be able to provide current information to patients and assist in decision making.


Two radiocarbon excursions (AD 774–775 and AD 993–994) occurred due to an increase of incoming cosmic rays on a short timescale. The most plausible cause of these events is considered to be extreme solar proton events (SPE). It is possible that there are other annual C excursions in the past that have yet to be confirmed. In order to detect more of these events, we measured the C contents in bristlecone pine tree-ring samples during the periods when the rate of C increase in the IntCal data is large. We analyzed four periods every other year (2479–2455 BC, 4055–4031 BC, 4465–4441 BC, and 4689–4681 BC), and found no anomalous C excursions during these periods. This study confirms that it is important to do continuous measurements to find annual cosmic-ray events at other locations in the tree-ring record.


: Five patients are reported, 4 of whom had total ischiectomies and the other an extensive partial ischiectomy. In each, recurrent ulcers, extending into the perineum, developed subsequently. One patient had a urethrocutaneous fistula as a result of his perineal ulcer, and he had to undergo an ileal loop diversion. Following a unilateral ischiectomy, the pressure is shifted to the opposite ischium, and this favors the development of another ischial pressure sore on the opposite side. After bilateral ischiectomy there is much more pressure on the perineum, and these patients may go on to develop a perineal pressure sore--particularly if there is a dislocated hip. Recurrent pressure sores which extend into the perineum are difficult to treat, and usually they appear to be related to a previous extensive removal of the ischia.


The study investigated the relative effects of problem-solving and concept mapping strategies on students' achievement of some environmental concepts in senior secondary school chemistry. The study also sought to know the moderating effects of students' gender and verbal ability on students' achievement in environmental concepts. The study adopted pretest, post-test quasi-experimental design. The population was made up of all senior secondary school three (SS III) students in the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State. The sample consisted of 164 students of which 89 were males and 75 were females.Two instruments were used in the study. These were Environmental Education Achievement Test (EEAT) (r=0.80) and Verbal Ability Test (VAT), (r=0.89). Data were analysed using ANCOVA and t-test. The results revealed that there is a significant difference in the post test scores of subjects exposed to problem-solving, concept mapping and conventional strategies. The study also showed that there is a significant difference in the achievement scores of male and female subjects exposed to the treatments. It was also depicted that subjects of high verbal ability performed better than those of low verbal ability when exposed to problem-solving and concept mapping strategies. On the basis of these, it is therefore recommended that chemistry teachers should adopt the problem-solving and concept mapping strategies in the teaching of environmental aspects of chemistry to their students.


The dramatic growth in urbanization and population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have brought some environmental challenges that need to be efficiently dealt with. One of these challenges is finding the proper management for hugely produced municipal solid wastes (MSW). Recycling of MSW via composting is a possible option of its management and has recently received more attention, although compost ability and chemical characteristics of resulting compost are not widely studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the characterization of the municipal organic wastes fraction and composting process. In this study, the organic fraction of MSW was composted alone or with a chemical and/or organic additives using a windrows composting system for a period of 12 weeks. Changes in temperature, EC, pH, C/N ratio, total contents of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb were monitored over a regular interval throughout the composting process. All the measured parameters showed great differences among types of compost. The results indicated that medium temperature range was 33-64oC, EC was 2.85-4.50 dS m-1, and pH was 7.50-8.50. Moreover, C/N ratio was found within the acceptable average range (8.0-15). The produced composts contained a high level of total N (1.80 %), total P (0.50 %), and total K (0.25 %). The total contents of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb were within the permissible limits for compost.


A study of the gametogenic cycle of the carpet shell clam, Tapes decussatus, was undertaken in the inside and outside of Cakalburnu Lagoon, Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea from August 2006 to July 2007. Histological evidence showed that gametogenesis of T. decussatus continued throughout the year and six stages of gonadal development were observed in two sites. In males, except for November in inside and December and January in outside of lagoon ripeness (Stage III) clam was observed during a year. In addition, spawning (Stage IV or Stage V) continued throughout the year in inside and except for February and March in outside. In females, ripe clam (Stage III) was observed similar time with male in two sites. It was observed that Stage 0 (inactive or resting) was only 3.0-5.0% ratio in November, December and January in two sites. The male/female sex ratio for inside and outside of lagoon was 1:1.06 and 1:1.10, respectively (P>0.05).


In this paper we propose an efficient method for solving the spherically constrained homogeneous polynomial optimization problem. The new approach has the following three main ingredients. First, we establish a block coordinate descent type search method for nonlinear optimization, with the novelty being that we accept only a block update that achieves the maximum improvement, hence the name of our new search method: maximum block improvement (MBI). Convergence of the sequence produced by the MBI method to a stationary point is proved. Second, we establish that maximizing a homogeneous polynomial over a sphere is equivalent to its tensor relaxation problem; thus we can maximize a homogeneous polynomial function over a sphere by its tensor relaxation via the MBI approach. Third, we propose a scheme to reach a KKT point of the polynomial optimization, provided that a stationary solution for the relaxed tensor problem is available. Numerical experiments have shown that our new method works very efficiently: for a majority of the test instances that we have experimented with, the method finds the global optimal solution at a low computational cost.


Current museum metadata tends to be focused around the properties of the heritage object such as the artist, style and date of creation. This form of metadata can index a museum's collection but cannot express the relations between heritage objects and related concepts found in contemporary museum exhibitions. A modern museum exhibition, rather than providing a taxonomic classification of heritage objects, uses them in the construction of curatorial narratives to be interpreted by an audience. In this paper we outline how curatorial narratives can be represented semantically using our Curate Ontology. The Curate Ontology, informed by a detailed analysis of two museum exhibitions, draws on structuralist theories that distinguish between story (i.e. what can be told), plot (i.e. an interpretation of the story) and narrative (i.e. its presentational form). This work has implications for how events can be used in the description of museum narratives and their associated heritage objects.


In the Byzantine agreement problem, a set of n processors, any f of whom may be arbitrarily faulty, must reach agreement on a value proposed by one of the correct processors. It is a celebrated result that unless n > 3f, Byzantine agreement is impossible in a variety of computation and communication models. This is due to the fact that faulty processors can equivocate, that is, say different things to different processors. If this ability is mitigated, for example by assuming a global broadcast channel, then n > 2f is sufficient. With very few exceptions, the literature on Byzantine agreement has been confined to the n > 2f and n > 3f paradigms.
 We bridge the gap between these two paradigms by assuming partial broadcast channels among sets of three processors, observing that equivocation is fundamentally an act involving three parties: a faulty processor that lies (inconsistently) to two correct processors. We characterize the conditions under which Byzantine agreement is possible for all n = 2f + h, h an integer in [1..f], by giving asymptotically tight bounds on the number of necessary and sufficient partial broadcast channels. We prove these bounds by a reduction to a problem in extremal combinatorics, which itself is a natural generalization of a well-studied hypergraph coloring problem. Algorithmically, we show that deciding whether a given set of broadcast channels enables Byzantine agreement is co-NP-complete. Although partial broadcast channels have been studied in prior work, the bounds obtained on the number of required channels were sub-optimal by up to a factor of Θ(n2). Moreover, this work has been confined to the synchronous model. In contrast, we apply our results to several distinct models and provide stronger motivation for using partial broadcast channels in practice, drawing from recent work in the systems community.


Abstract We study a problem related to Kontsevich's homological mirror symmetry conjecture for the case of a generic curve Y with bi-degree (2,2) in a product of projective lines ℙ1 × ℙ1. We calculate two differenent monodromy representations of period integrals for the affine variety X(2,2) obtained by the dual polyhedron mirror variety construction from Y. The first method that gives a full representation of the fundamental group of the complement to singular loci relies on the generalised Picard-Lefschetz theorem. The second method uses the analytic continuation of the Mellin-Barnes integrals that gives us a proper subgroup of the monodromy group. It turns out both representations admit a Hermitian quadratic invariant form that is given by a Gram matrix of a split generator of the derived category of coherent sheaves on on Y with respect to the Euler form.


The critical-current density of grain boundaries in high-T/sub c/ superconductors was enhanced to values exceeding the previously known limits both at 4.2 K and at 77 K. Noting the importance of space-charge layers and of the d(x/sup 2/-y/sup 2/)-wave pairing symmetry on grain-boundary transport, we have established a model that provides a comprehensive description of the grain boundaries and proposes ways for their improvement, such as overdoping of the grains and of their boundaries. Exploring as example the effects of overdoping of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// with Ca, we enhanced significantly the critical current densities and decreased the normal-state resistivities of grain boundaries to unprecedented values. By introducing doping heterostructures to overdope grain boundaries selectively over a few nanometers by benefiting from grain boundary diffusion, the enhancement of the critical-current density is achieved at all temperatures up to T/sub c/. At 77 K, critical current densities are obtained which before had been found only at 4.2 K. This concept is proposed as a practical and cost-effective route to enhance the performance of high-T/sub c/ coated conductors fabricated by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) or by the rolling assisted biaxially aligned substrate process (RABITS).


In the field of Minimally Invasive Surgery, trainers based on virtual reality provide a very useful, non degradable, realistic training environment. The project of building this new type of trainers requires the development of new tools. In this paper, we describe a set of new measures that allow calculating the optimal position and orientation of haptic devices versus the virtual workspace of the application. We illustrate the use of these new tools applying them to a practical application.Copyright © 2011 by ASME


Objective: Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common tumors in the world and, despite the therapy currently available, most of the patients relapse. MicroRNA- 100 is down regulated in bladder cancer tissue in comparison to normal tissue; however, clinical significance of miR-100 in human bladder cancer has not been elucidated. The aim of study was to correlate miR 100 expression levels with tumor grade, stage and recurrence.
Methods: Expression of miR-100 in 26 pairs of bladder cancer and adjacent normal tissues were analysed by Sybergreen RT-PCR. The expression levels of miR 100 in tumor and normal were normalised with 18s gene. The expression levels of miR 100 expression were analysed in fold change (DDCT method). The difference between groups were analysed by student t test and Anova.
Results: Downregulation of miR-100 expression in tumor was an important finding in our study. MiR-100 expression were decreased (n=24) in tumour tissue in comparison with normal bladder urothelium. Mean expression of miR-100(fold change) was 0.33 ± 0.35 and significantly decreased on comparison to normal (p=0.001). There is no correlation of miR-100 expression levels with gender and age (p=0.583). Mean expression of miR-100 in low grade was 0.41 ± 0.38 whereas in high grade 0.22 ± 0.26 (p=0.182). Ta tumors had mean (fold change) 0.42 ± 0.39, T1 had mean value of 0.25 ± 0.30 and T 2 had mean value of 0.24 ± 0.30.(p=0.463) miR-100 expression levels were decreased in MIBC(T2) more than NMIBC (Ta,T1) (p=0.473).Mean levels 2^-DDCT (fold change) in recurrent tumors were 0.16 ± 0.19 whereas fold change in nonrecurring tumors was 0.40 ± 0.38.(p=0.045) 1 patient with T2 tumor underwent progression with all patients surviving till end of study.
Conclusions: miR-100 expression is down regulated in Bladder cancer tissue than normal bladder urothelium. The miR-100 expression levels were decreased in all bladder tumors however reaching significance in recurrent bladder tumor, suggesting use of miR 100 as potential marker for further risk stratification and prognosis in treatment of urinary bladder cancer.


Mass-independent isotopic anomalies of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous meteorites show a clear dichotomy suggesting an efficient separation of the inner and outer solar system. Observations show that ring-like structures in the distribution of millimeter-sized pebbles in protoplanetary disks are common. These structures are often associated with drifting pebbles being trapped by local pressure maxima in the gas disk. Similar structures may also have existed in the Sun's natal disk, which could naturally explain the meteorite/planetary isotopic dichotomy. Here, we test the effects of a strong pressure bump in the outer disk (e.g., ∼5 au) on the formation of the inner solar system. We model dust coagulation and evolution, planetesimal formation, as well as embryo growth via planetesimal and pebble accretion. Our results show that terrestrial embryos formed via planetesimal accretion rather than pebble accretion. In our model, the radial drift of pebbles fosters planetesimal formation. However, once a pressure bump forms, pebbles in the inner disk are lost via drift before they can be efficiently accreted by embryos growing at ⪆1 au. Embryos inside ∼0.5–1.0 au grow relatively faster and can accrete pebbles more efficiently. However, these same embryos grow to larger masses so they should migrate inwards substantially, which is inconsistent with the current solar system. Therefore, terrestrial planets most likely accreted from giant impacts of Moon to roughly Mars-mass planetary embryos formed around ⪆1.0 au. Finally, our simulations produce a steep radial mass distribution of planetesimals in the terrestrial region, which is qualitatively aligned with formation models suggesting that the asteroid belt was born low mass.


The question as to whether tactile stimulation alters proximal taste function in humans has never been answered, despite the suggestion of anatomical and physiological associations between somatosensory and gustatory function in a number of species. In this study, we established NaCl detection thresholds for a 25 mm anterior tongue region on four test occasions in each of 12 men and 12 women. Testing was performed using the Regional Automated Taste Testing System (RATTS), a device that allows for accurate temporal and spatial presentation of tastants to the lingual surface. On each test occasion, a different negative pressure (vacuum suction) was applied around the stimulus presentation field of the glass stimulation device (i.e. 40, 50, 60 and 70 mmHg). The order of presentation of the vacua was systematically counterbalanced among subjects across sessions using 4×4 Latin square sequences. Neither the vacua nor their order of presentation meaningfully altered the taste threshold values, even though the higher vacua produced persistent discernible discomfort in most subjects. On average, taste thresholds tended to be marginally lower in women than in men. These data indicate that static vacuum-induced tactile stimulation around a discrete anterior taste field has no meaningful influence on NaCl detection threshold sensitivity.


Introduction: The advent of precision medicine, including molecular testing (MT), has revolutionized the cancer care landscape and may provide a path forward in the sustainability of cancer care.

Methods: Americas Health Foundation (AHF) identified a panel of seven experts in MT with backgrounds in clinical oncology, molecular pathology, and bioethics from Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. They convened for a three-day virtual meeting on November 10-12, 2021, to discuss the need for widespread access and adoption of MT for solid tumors in Latin America (LA).

Results: The authors identified challenges in MT access in molecular medicine (MM) in LA and proposed suggestions to manage them. Development and implementation of human talent, infrastructure, and policy strategies are essential to provide MT in LA. This review outlines the substantial challenges faced by countries in LA to the widespread adoption of MT in oncology and provides recommendations on overcoming them.

Conclusions: Despite the many advantages of MT for solid tumors, the challenges for implementation in LA healthcare systems are sizable and multidimensional. These include regional deficiencies in trained teams, fragmented healthcare systems, and inefficiently distributed budget allocations.


Applications that rely on replicated data have different requirements for how their data is managed. For example, some applications may require that updates propagate amongst replicas with tight time constraints, whereas other applications may be able to tolerate longer propagation delays. Some applications only require replicas to interoperate with a few centralized replicas for data synchronization purposes, while other applications need communication between arbitrary replicas. Similarly, the type of update conflicts caused by data replication varies amongst applications, and the mechanisms to resolve them differ as well. The challenge faced by designers of replicated systems is providing the right interface to support cooperation between applications and their data managers. Application programmers do not want to be overburdened by having to deal with issues like propagating updates to replicas and ensuring eventual consistency, but at the same time they want the ability to set up appropriate replication schedules and to control how update conflicts are detected and resolved. The Bayou system was designed to mitigate this tension between overburdening and underempowering applications. This paper looks at two Bayou applications, a calendar manager and a mail reader, and illustrates ways in which they utilize Bayou's features to manage their data in an application-specific manner.


Spall signals from the Source Physics Experiments are presented, analyzed, and modeled for insight to the explosion source. The observed signal is similar in nature to nearby historical nuclear explosions, and the surface force-time history or velocity can be interpreted with the same model. We use the models for peak spall velocity, spalled mass, and spall depth and radius derived from historical nuclear explosions to parameterize the physical force-time history model from Stump (1985) and show that this parameterized model can be used for spall prediction. The spall signal is also investigated with a numerical continuum model that incorporates gravity. Peak velocity and dwell time are well predicted, and the multiple slap-down phases are captured if one includes a weak near-surface layer similar to the geologic observation.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between task variety and counterproductive work behavior (CWB) and the relationship between change in task variety and change in CWB. CWB is proposed as being a behavior that serves as an outlet by which employees can express displeasure and acts as a substitute for a lack of interest when task variety is low.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed survey data that were collected at two points in time (T1 and T2) from 515 employees with different occupations working in Switzerland.

Findings

Task variety at T1 negatively related to organizational CWB (CWB-O) at T2 and interpersonal CWB (CWB-I) at T2. Task variety at T1 was also related to a change in CWB-O and a change in CWB-I. However, change in task variety showed a non-significant relationship to change in CWB-O and change in CWB-I.

Research limitations/implications

Results indicated that employees tend to respond with CWB when task variety is permanently low and that CWB may even increase over time. Further studies that examine the dynamics between task variety and CWB are therefore recommended.

Practical implications

Findings inform the practice on the potentially harmful effects of unstimulating work designs and therefore have implications for how to better prevent CWB.

Originality/value

The two-wave data collection allowed for differentiation between the effect of the baseline level of task variety at T1 on CWB at T2 and the effect of a change in task variety on a change in CWB.


The friction stir spot welding of Al 6061-T6 alloy is experimentally studied to determine the behavior of micro-hardness, static strength and fatigue behavior of the lap shear specimens by changing of the rotational speed at three different values. Micro-hardness results show similarity in the regions far from the shoulder indentation region. By the static strength and fatigue results, the optimal behavior of the rotational speed is determined. Therefore, the speed of 1000 rpm shows much better mechanical behavior than the other conditions of this study. The fatigue results of different welding conditions demonstrate, in the same cycles, more divergences in the lower cycles than, the higher ones. Two different failure modes have been observed at different load levels. At high load levels, final failure was nugget pull out. At low load levels, the final failure was the crack growth transverse to the loading direction and separation from the plate. At medium load levels, although the final failure was similar to high load levels, the growth of the crack in the sheet outside the stir zone, just like low load levels, was also observed. Review History:


Abstract Street youth are children and adolescents who express, through their bodies and lives, misery and social abandonment. Paradoxically, they are also the embodiment of resistance and survival strategies in a very unfavourable environment. The current deterioration of citizens' rights and the social inequalities reflect the consequences of vicious cycles of economic and political crises in Brazil. Poverty conditions reach levels of misery and create strategies of survival that create multiple high‐risk health situations. Many other factors make up the complex dynamics of these conflicts in which the limit of rejection and social abandonment are expressed in the violence of extermination. The proposals and solutions cannot be dissociated from the reality of this country and of the street youth lifestyle. Effective health education within this social context is difficult, but possible with the development of appropriate audio‐visual material and the dissemination of preventive health information. A commitment to action must permeate all levels of decision making within the health system and in our society, for it is the essence of democracy and human rights.


Abstract—This work reports about an approach for an automatic adaptation of concrete formulations based on genetic algorithms (GA) to optimize a wide range of different fit-functions. In order to achieve the goal, a method was developed which provides a numerical description of a fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) mixture regarding the production technology and the property spectrum of the concrete. In a first step, the FRC mixture with seven fixed components was characterized by varying amounts of the components. For that purpose, ten concrete mixtures were prepared and tested. The testing procedure comprised flow spread, compressive and bending tensile strength. The analysis and approximation of the determined data was carried out by GAs. The aim was to obtain a closed mathematical expression which best describes the given seven-point cloud of FRC by applying a Gene Expression Programming with Free Coefficients (GEP-FC) strategy. The seven-parametric FRC-mixtures model which is generated according to this method correlated well with the measured data. The developed procedure can be used for concrete mixtures finding closed mathematical expressions, which are based on the measured data.


A study was conducted to determine the effect on driver performance of different length pavement markings commonly used in work zones. The study was conducted on a divided multilane facility, and the two nonpermanent, or temporary, marking patterns examined were 0.61-m stripes with 11.59-m gaps (2-ft stripes with 38-ft gaps) and 1.22-m stripes with 10.98-m gaps (4-ft stripes with 36-ft gaps). Both of these patterns were compared with the full complement of markings [i.e., 3.05-m stripes with 9.15-m gaps (10-ft stripes with 30-ft gaps) and edge lines]. The field data collection effort consisted of following randomly selected traffic stream vehicles through a segment of roadway marked with one of the patterns noted. The maneuvers of each of the 436 vehicles followed in this manner were recorded on videotape. The tape was then used to obtain the measures of effectiveness (MOEs) necessary to evaluate driver performance as related to the pavement marking patterns. The MOEs used included lateral placement of the vehicle on the roadway, vehicle speed within the test segment, number of edge line and lane line encroachments, and number of erratic maneuvers. For each operational measure examined, the results of the analysis indicated that drivers performed better with the 3.05-m (10-ft) markings that included edge lines. This result is reasonable and was expected. However, the analysis also indicated that drivers generally performed better with the 1.22-m (4-ft) lane lines than with the 0.61-m (2-ft) lane lines, particularly under adverse weather conditions.


This paper presents a clustering algorithm to discover low and high density regions in subspaces of multidimensional data for Data Mining applications. High density regions generally refer to typical cases, whereas low density regions indicate infrequent and thus rare cases. For typical applications there is a large number of low density regions and a few of these are interesting. Regions are considered interesting when they have a minimum "volume" and involve some maximum number of dimensions. Our algorithm discovers high density regions (clusters) and low density regions (outliers, negative clusters, holes, empty regions) at the same time. In particular, our algorithm can find empty regions; that is, regions having no data points. The proposed algorithm is fast and simple. There is a large variety of applications in medicine, marketing, astronomy, finance, etc, where interesting and exceptional cases correspond to the low and high density regions discovered by our algorithm.


This paper is aimed at assessing the in-service performance of asphalt pavements in tropical climate under severe conditions. The main defect observed on the asphalt pavement was rutting of the asphaltic surfacing, with top-down cracking being experienced on a few sections and not widespread but rather intermittent. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted as well as a review of design and construction records. The defects observed were confined to the wearing course layer of the surfacing with the other underlying layers performing well. Rutting was a result of heavily loaded trucks that moved at very slow speeds due to steep gradients, hence resulting in severely loaded sections. High temperatures due to the warm tropical environment exacerbated the situation and caused the asphalt to flow, hence resulting in rutting and deformation. Also, low air voids in the asphalt mix which were below the recommended design air voids specification aggravated the situation as well as the air voids after refusal density compaction being below the specified critical minimum of 3% after secondary compaction. Top-down cracking was due to binder age hardening and embrittlement resulting from overheating of bitumen during the construction process coupled with heavy truck axles and high tyre pressures. Defects observed, therefore, resulted from an unstable asphalt mix that was not suitable for severe loading conditions; hence, the asphalt concrete laid was out of specification. The Modified Marshall Mix Design method should be used for severe sites where slow speed or heavier traffic is expected.


Background Access to healthcare varies significantly across urban areas due to the uneven distribution of healthcare providers and consumers, as well as variations in the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of different population groups. To date, GIS-based assessment of geographic accessibility to emergency health care services in urban areas of Bangladesh has been hindered by the lack of a comprehensive, georeferenced dataset of health facilities. Moreover, previous studies have overlooked the impact that the unregulated traffic conditions typical of Bangladesh urban areas are likely to have on geographic accessibility to health services. Objectives This study provides the first GIS-based evidence of the geographic accessibility of emergency health care services in Dhaka city, using a unique georeferenced survey of health facilities conducted in 2013. Methods The impact of variable traffic conditions on geographical accessibility was quantified using statistical distributions of travel times for different time of the day and week measured in previous traffic surveys. Measures of geographic accessibility were overlapped with population distribution from census data as well as maps of urban poor settlements, in order to identify disadvantaged population groups suffering from poor accessibility. Result The main outcomes of this study are maps of the geographic coverage of emergency services in Dhaka, and quantification of the proportion of the population lacking timely access to emergency services. Variable traffic conditions are expressed in terms of probability spatial maps expressing the odds that a particular area will have insufficient access to emergency services. This results in the identification of geographic areas with persistent lack of accessibility to emergency services, with particular focus on disadvantaged population groups. Conclusion The evidence provided by this study will inform targeted policy interventions aimed at reducing travel time to emergency health care services.


This pilot study investigated the attitudes of preservice teachers at a major university in Arizona concerning the Structured English Immersion (SEI) program that is now being used with English language learners (ELLs). Using a survey, we examined how preservice teachers feel about potentially working with ELLs in this SEI context. We focused on their beliefs about language teaching and learning, including their perceived level of preparation to work with ELLs, their attitudes toward them, and the difficulties they anticipate in teaching ELLs in the future. The results show that preservice teachers lack some of the fundamental knowledge necessary to work with ELLs, and they highlight the importance of incorporating the insights of the larger TESOL field into K-12 teacher-training programs. We argue that K-12 teacher-training programs, especially in states with English-only policies, may be serving to marginalize the TESOL profession and the contributions it may provide to the education of ELLs.


Neutral antagonists and inverse agonists can produce different cellular responses in some systems. The effects of chronic (14-day) infusion of three ligands, ICI-118,551, carvedilol, and alprenolol were examined in cardiac tissue from wild-type and transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of the human beta2-adrenoceptor. These ligands vary in their negative efficacy at the human beta2-adrenoceptor, with two (ICI-118,551 and carvedilol) behaving as inverse agonists and one (alprenolol) behaving as a neutral antagonist. Cardiac tissue from the transgenic mice exhibited elevated levels of protein kinase A activity and G protein receptor kinase-2. Fourteen-day infusions of the three ligands lowered the elevated levels of protein kinase A activity of the transgenic hearts to control levels. Alprenolol and carvedilol also decreased G protein receptor kinase-2 amounts to control levels. The left atria from transgenic mice exhibited an impaired inotropic response to histamine relative to responses of wild-type mice atria. Infusions of the inverse agonists and a neutral antagonist at the beta2-adrenoceptor significantly restored the impaired histamine response. Restoration of protein kinase A activity and the impaired histamine responses in the atria from transgenic mice can be observed following 14-day infusions of both a neutral antagonist and inverse agonists. The reversal of the effects of the transgene by both inverse agonists and a neutral antagonist suggests that agonist occupancy, and not spontaneous activity, of the beta2-adrenoceptor is producing the elevated protein kinase A activity and the impaired histamine response.


Stem cell therapy represents a promising approach in the treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The beneficial effect of stem cells is exerted by paracrine mediators, as exosomes, suggesting a possible potential use of these extracellular vesicles as non-cell based therapy. We demonstrated that exosomes isolated from adipose stem cells (ASC) display a neuroprotective role in an in vitro model of ALS. Moreover, the internalization of ASC-exosomes by the cells was shown and the molecules and the mechanisms by which exosomes could exert their beneficial effect were addressed. We performed for the first time a comprehensive proteomic analysis of exosomes derived from murine ASC. We identified a total of 189 proteins and the shotgun proteomics analysis revealed that the exosomal proteins are mainly involved in cell adhesion and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. We correlated the protein content to the anti-apoptotic effect of exosomes observing a downregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 α, in an in vitro model of ALS after cell treatment with exosomes. Overall, this study shows the neuroprotective effect of ASC-exosomes after their internalization and their global protein profile, that could be useful to understand how exosomes act, demonstrating that they can be employed as therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.


Due to their simple design and easy maintainability jaw crushers are widely used as primary size reduction equipments in mechanical and mining industries. As jaw crushers break minerals & ores of high strength and the economy of many industries depends on its performance; it is essential to improve the efficiency of the present design. The kinematic analysis of single toggle jaw crusher shows that the forces on the moving jaw plate at different crank angle are different and hence power generated varies with crank angle. One way to increase the efficiency is to store the energy in a flywheel when the supply is more than the rate of consumption and to utilize the same when the supply falls down. Hence efforts are made to design a flywheel to minimize the wastage of power and to improvise the performance parameters of single toggle jaw crusher.

Jaw plate wear has considerable affect on the life of jaw Crusher which is caused by the slipping motion between the fed material and the jaws. This wear is predominantly serious in the fixed plate and hence the liners of the fixed jaw should be properly chosen. In addition to this the toggle bar which acts as a safety lever has to be precisely designed. The design aspects of flywheel, spring of tension bar and toggle bar are discussed in this paper.


This poster reports on an investigation with students taking a design course in a final-year Bachelor of Engineering programme to test the hypothesis that careful selection of the continuous assessment topic will lead to an integrative learning experience for the students, helping to unify the different strands of the module and developing the students' capabilities to apply their knowledge to new situations beyond the classroom environment. The course investigated in this study, Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit Design, incorporates a continuous assessment element which contributes 20% to the final module grade. In previous years the continuous assessment was based around the use of a Computer Aided Design tool used to perform detailed simulations of a circuit block that had been introduced in class. For the 2008/9 academic year, the continuous assessment was based around a technical research paper which incorporated some elements that had been previously discussed in class but also incorporated some elements not seen previously by the students. In this way, the students were challenged by a new application scenario for their knowledge while at the same time being encouraged to see how the different strands of the module could be combined to form a useful commercial product as outlined in the research paper. This paper outlines how different elements of integrative learning such as an emphasis on real-world problems, an emphasis on the interconnections between the course topics, the incorporation of a student seminar (student as teacher) and the use of reports and feedback were incorporated into the continuous assessment component of the design module. It presents the results of a questionnaire designed to uncover the students' own opinions about their learning and provides an overall review of the investigation to identify the strategies that helped to promote integrative learning with a view to further developing these for future years.


Two new aluminium hydrido complexes were synthesized by reacting AlH3 with the enaminone ligand N-(4,4,4-trifluorobut-1-en-3-on)-6,6,6-trifluoroethylamine (HTFB-TFEA) in different molar ratios to obtain mono- and di-hydrido-aluminium enaminonates. Both air and moisture sensitive compounds could be purified via sublimation under reduced pressure. The spectroscopic analysis and structural motif of the monohydrido compound [H-Al(TFB-TBA)2] (3) showed a monomeric 5-coordinated Al(III) centre bearing two chelating enaminone units and a terminal hydride ligand. However, the dihydrido compound exhibited a rapid C-H bond activation and C-C bond formation in the resulting compound [(Al-TFB-TBA)-HCH2] (4a), which was confirmed by single crystal structural data. The intramolecular hydride shift involving the migration of a hydride ligand from aluminium centre to the alkenyl carbon of the enaminone ligand was probed and verified by multi-nuclear spectral studies (1H,1H NOESY, 13C, 19F, and 27Al NMR).


Escherichia coli cells deleted for the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (Crp) gene (Δcrp) cannot utilize glycerol because cAMP-Crp is a required positive activator of glycerol utilization operon glpFK. We have previously shown that a transposon, Insertion Sequence 5 (IS5), can reversibly insert into the upstream regulatory region of the operon so as to activate glpFK and enable glycerol utilization. GlpR, which represses glpFK transcription, binds to the glpFK upstream region near the site of IS5 insertion, and prevents insertion. We here show that the cAMP-Crp complex, which also binds to the glpFK upstream regulatory region, also inhibits IS5 hopping into the activating site. This finding allowed us to identify conditions under which wild type cells can acquire glpFK-activating IS5 insertions. Maximal rates of IS5 insertion into the activating site require the presence of glycerol as well as a non-metabolizable sugar analogue that lowers cytoplasmic cAMP concentrations. Under these conditions, IS5 insertional mutants accumulate and outcompete the wild type cells. Because of the widespread distribution of glucose analogues in nature, this mechanism of gene activation could have evolved by natural selection.


This article seeks to explain the determinants of public entrepreneurship (PE) in two different organizational forms: the local government administration (LGA) and the local government corporation (LGC). Determinants belonging to external environment, managerial characteristics, strategy, and internal environment are considered and hypotheses are presented for each theme. These are tested on data from Swedish LGAs and LGCs in the sectors of waste management and water and sewerage. The analysis indicates that PE can be stimulated in both LGAs and LGCs, but also restrained, at least in LGAs. Furthermore, LGCs appear to have a wider set of PE-determinants than LGAs.


The effect of successful intracoronary thrombolysis on left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (10 patients with anterior and 13 with inferior infarction) was compared with an untreated matched control group (14 patients with anterior and 28 with inferior infarction). Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (LVWMA) and ejection fraction (EF) were assessed angiographically 6-8 weeks after the acute event in both groups. The severity and extent of LVWMA was less (P less than 0.01) and the EF was higher (P less than 0.01) in the treated patients with anterior infarction than in the control group. In treated patients with inferior infarction the severity of LVWMA was less (P less than 0.01) than in the control group. No significant difference was found in extent of LVWMA or in EF. These results suggest that thrombolysis reduces left ventricular damage especially in anterior myocardial infarction.


BACKGROUND
there are many people with advanced cancer who are cared for in the community, though little is known about patients' and family members' lived experiences during discharge from hospital to home.

OBJECTIVES
to describe the experiences of the patient-family caregiver dyad during the transition from hospital to home at a National Cancer Institute in Colombia.

METHODS
a descriptive phenomenological approach was taken for this study.

RESULTS
Forty-one nominal codes emerged, comprising seven themes that describe the experience of the individual in palliative care and their family caregiver during the transition from hospital to home care.

CONCLUSIONS
the patient-family caregiver dyad have to deal with symptoms while being confronted with the prognosis and progression of the disease at home. The economic costs in acquiring supplies needed for proper care provision are considerable. In addition there are administrative fees from consultations and accessing the health services. Emotional and spiritual support for the dyad is required.


A 'curious feminist' analysis, according to Enloe, starts in the lives of women and values all women's lives regardless of their status, identity, location or access to power. In this article I use this perspective to highlight the intersections of international development and patriarchy in the lives of three women of different generations and class status as they are affected by dislocations resulting from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) in the remote highland communities in rural Lesotho. I employ an intersectionality framework to demonstrate how their shared and divergent experiences, presented only partially and in my narrative form, tell a tale of the intertwining consequences of this multi-billion dollar international development project in the lives of rural poor women. Women's lived experiences of the LHWP reveal the contradictions of international development, exposing the masculinist imperatives that focus on generating national revenues to the exclusion of other development options, while organizing practices that dislocate the rural poor from their lands and livelihoods and implementing policies that reinforce patriarchy locally and globally. This article demonstrates the importance of bringing feminist scholarship to bear on development practice and argues specifically for the utility of intersectionality, narrative and curious feminist analyses.


OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a known neurotoxic regimen, such as the acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster 95 (ALL-BFM-95) protocol, on the function of the medial olivocochlear bundle, which was assessed by recording suppression of the amplitudes of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) when white noise was applied simultaneously to the contralateral ear. METHODS: Our population consisted of 3 groups of children with ALL. A baseline examination was performed before the beginning of therapy. DPOAE-suppression measurements were repeated after 4 weekly doses of vincristine in the first group (n = 12), after 8 weekly doses in the second group (n = 12), and 3 years after completion of the protocol in the third group (n = 23). In the third group, a subgroup of 12 children who were exposed to low-dose gentamicin (<13 days) and another 11 children who were exposed to high gentamicin doses (>23 days) were evaluated. RESULTS: At baseline examination, all groups presented significant suppression at all frequencies. Efferent mediated DPOAE suppression was still present after 4 sessions of vincristine. However, after 8 vincristine sessions, instead of suppression, an increase of amplitudes was noted at 5 (of 12) frequencies. In the subgroups examined 3 years after ALL-BFM-95, the olivocochlear reflex had recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancement or no significant suppression of OAEs by contralateral noise indicates a probable vincristine-induced insult to the efferent cochlear innervation. This adverse effect seems to take place early in the course of chemotherapy and is slowly reversed a few years after chemotherapy. The clinical implications of these findings may need additional investigation.


Objective:To construct risk indices predicting adverse outcomes following surgery for small bowel obstruction (SBO). Methods:The VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program contains prospectively collected data on more than 1 million patients. Patients undergoing adhesiolysis only or small bowel resection for SBO from 1991 to 2002 were selected. Independent variables included 68 presurgical and 12 intraoperative risk factors; dependent variables were 21 adverse outcomes including death. Stepwise logistic regression was used to construct models predicting 30-day morbidity and mortality and to derive risk index values. Patients were then divided into risk classes. Results:Of the 2002 patients, 1650 underwent adhesiolysis only and 352 underwent small bowel resection. Thirty-seven percent undergoing adhesiolysis only and 47% undergoing small bowel resection had more than 1 complication (P < 0.001). The overall 30-day mortality was 7.7% and did not differ significantly between the groups. Odds of death were highest for dirty or infected wounds, ASA class 4 or 5, age >80 years, and dyspnea at rest. Morbidity ranged from 22%, among patients with 0 to 7 risk points, to 62% for those with >19 risk points. Mortality ranged from 2% among patients with 0 to 12 risk points to 28% for those with >31 risk points. Conclusions:Morbidity and mortality after surgery for SBO in VA hospitals are comparable with those in other large series. The morbidity rate, but not the mortality rate, is significantly higher in patients requiring small bowel resection compared with those requiring adhesiolysis only (P < 0.001). The risk indices presented provide an easy-to-use tool for clinicians to predict outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for SBO.


Purpose

Change is normal in a healthy economy, and is intrinsically driven by continued acquisition of new knowledge – both scientific and otherwise (Drucker, 1985). Continued acceleration of knowledge attainment provides context for what is arguably the twenty-first century's single most critical socioeconomic characteristic: rapid change and continuous disruption of the free market (Carlson and Wilmot, 2006). In this unstable landscape, even the most resilient and successful companies, despite applying sound business management principles, are not immune to gradual erosion of their positions of growth and dominance (Christensen and Raynor, 2003). The life span of the average organization is shrinking, and a mainstay of past generations – "lifetime employment" – is no longer the status quo (Carlson and Wilmot, 2006, pp. 34-35).

Design/methodology/approach

Employees who wish to become leaders in the twenty-first century must develop the capability to exploit opportunities generated by the external pace of change and turn those opportunities into growth avenues for their organizations. Employees who master this process, and adopt the behaviors that drive it, will find themselves highly desirable to employers and in possession of a new version of the lifetime employment guarantee that stems from continuously creating value for their organizations. By understanding the relationship between innovation and organizational growth, organizations can better cultivate and leverage the multifaceted role that intrapreneurs can play in understanding the market, delivering value to the customer and formulating strategy.

Findings

Many organizations do not have the human resource capacities needed to create new growth. Managers at most established organizations have focused by necessity mainly on current operations. Doing this allows them and their employees to develop operational skills for solving problems related primarily to quality and cost-control, or to process implementation – but not for starting new growth areas (Christensen and Raynor, 2003, p. 179). While managers' current responsibilities are important, this workload draws them away from focusing on new opportunities for the sake of monitoring current ones. The problems encountered and skills required for intrapreneurial action are very different from those needed to conduct "business as usual" operations; however, the capacity and skillset is critical to develop so that the organization as a whole can experience long-term growth. Therefore, organizations need intrapreneurial leaders who have learned and practiced these skills through experience – leaders who demonstrate not only a deep knowledge of their market and how to create new customer value, but also a sustained commitment to turning that knowledge into a real source of growth for their organization. Fortunately, there is incentive for both organizations and employees to progress in this direction.

Originality/value

Organizations will benefit from the longevity provided by new growth if they make efforts to promote and foster intrapreneurial behavior by their employees and managers. Managers and employees, in turn, will benefit by becoming leaders who find themselves more and more employable, as organizations shift to hiring people who possess intrapreneurial skills. The significant value here is that innovation facilitated by intrapreneurs practically enhances organizational growth overall. The result is a future of growth and opportunity for both individuals and organizations alike, in which both the knowledge and the passion of intrapreneurial leadership light the way through the unfamiliar business environment of the twenty-first century.


Stating from the basic characteristics of economic production and based on the partial distribution [F.Dai, 2001], this paper advance the concept of development power, give its basic models, and try to establish a theory of describing and analyzing the macro-economy ©¤ the development power and derivative process. By means of the development power theory, we can explain and resolve some important problems in macro-economy researches, such as how the economic cycle be formed, what is the reason that economic outputs vary violently, etc. And by the derivative process model, we can give out the indexes of valuating development power and development vitality in economy process, analyze the macroscopic course of economic development, and compute the beginning time and ending time of the economy cycle depending on the accumulating and releasing development power. Finally, we analyze emphatically the DP movement in economy development of China and USA in recent several decades, in order to show the realistic background and the creditability of development power and derivative process


Zinc concentrations strongly influence aflatoxin accumulation in laboratory media and in food and feed crops. The presence of zinc stimulates aflatoxin production, and the absence of zinc impedes toxin production. Initial studies that suggested a link between zinc and aflatoxin biosynthesis were presented in the 1970s. In the present study, we utilized two zinc chelators, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN) and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) to explore the effect of zinc limitation on aflatoxin synthesis in Aspergillus parasiticus. TPEN but not DMPS decreased aflatoxin biosynthesis up to six-fold depending on whether A. parasiticus was grown on rich or minimal medium. Although we observed significant inhibition of aflatoxin production by TPEN, no detectable changes were observed in expression levels of the aflatoxin pathway gene ver-1 and the zinc binuclear cluster transcription factor, AflR. Treatment of growing A. parasiticus solid culture with a fluorescent zinc probe demonstrated an increase in intracellular zinc levels assessed by increases in fluorescent intensity of cultures treated with TPEN compared to controls. These data suggest that TPEN binds to cytoplasmic zinc therefore limiting fungal access to zinc. To investigate the efficacy of TPEN on food and feed crops, we found that TPEN effectively decreases aflatoxin accumulation on peanut medium but not in a sunflower seeds-derived medium. From an application perspective, these data provide the basis for biological differences that exist in the efficacy of different zinc chelators in various food and feed crops frequently contaminated by aflatoxin.


INTRODUCTION
To date, little information exists regarding urogenital diseases in those who have been exposed to sulfur mustard (SM). We report the self-reported history of urologic conditions and findings on physical examination in a group of male veterans 19 to 26 years after exposed to high-dose sulfur mustard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data on urologic health conditions of a nationwide health survey were used in this study. This survey included all 289 Iranian male veterans who had been exposed to high doses of SM between 1983 and 1989. Demographic data, exposure-related data, health status, and also self-reported lifetime history of urologic conditions were analyzed. History of benign prostatic hyperplasia, recurrent urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis, urinary calculi, kidney failure, and urogenital neoplasms were specifically concerned.

RESULTS
The mean age of the veterans was 45.0 ? 7.5 years (range, 30 to 75 years). An interval of 19 to 26 years had passed from exposure to SM. Fifty veterans (17.3%) had a positive history of urinary calculi, 25 (8.7%) had recurrent urinary tract infections, 5 (1.7%) had BPH, and 2 (0.7%) had kidney failure. None of them had experienced urogenital malignancies. Neither recurrent urinary tract infections nor urinary calculi were significantly associated with age, medications and their doses, or SM-induced late complications in other organs.

CONCLUSION
This study adds the prevalence of self-reported urologic conditions to our limited knowledge on SM-exposed veterans' health condition, without finding any link neither to demographic, nor to the severity of health complications related to the SM exposure.


Background Lack of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors are leading risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Web- and smartphone-based interventions are effective in increasing PA in older adults and in patients with NCD. In many countries, spa therapy, commonly prescribed to patients with NCD, represents an ideal context to initiating lifestyle changes. Objective This study aimed to evaluate, in patients attending spa therapy, the effectiveness of an intervention combining a face-to-face coaching and, when returning home, a web- and smartphone-based PA program on the achievement of PA guidelines (PAG) 12 months after the end of spa therapy. Methods This was a 12-month, prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Patients were enrolled during spa therapy and randomized 1:1 to intervention or control group who received PA usual advice. From the end of spa therapy, PA, weight, waist circumference, and quality of life of the participants were assessed by phone every 2 months. Primary outcome was meeting PAG (PA ≥600 metabolic equivalent of task) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were meeting current PAG at 6 months; sedentary time, weight, waist circumference, PA, and quality of life at 6 and 12 months. Objective use data of the web- and smartphone-based PA program were collected. Analytic methods included intention to treat and constrained longitudinal data analyses. Results The study sample included 228 participants (n=176, 77.2% females) with a mean age of 62.4 (SD 6.7) years and a mean BMI of 28.2 (SD 4.2) kg/m2. Approximately 53.9% (123/228) of the participants were retired. No group differences were found for any baseline variable. At 12 months, the proportion of patients achieving PAG was significantly higher in intervention group than in the control group (81% vs 67% respectively, odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.02-5.38; P=.045). No difference between intervention and control group was found neither in achieving PAG at 6 months nor for sedentary time, weight, and waist circumference at 6 and 12 months. Regarding quality of life, the physical component subscale score was significantly higher at 12 months in the intervention group than in the control group (mean difference: 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-6.3; P<.001). The mean duration use of the program was 7.1 (SD 4.5) months. Attrition rate during the first 2 months was 20.4% (23/113) whereas 39.8% (45/113) of the participants used the program for at least 10 months. Conclusions PA increased in both the intervention group and the control group. However, at 12 months, more participants met PAG in the intervention group compared with the controls. This indicates that the web- and smartphone-based program could have maintained PA in the intervention group. In addition, a spa therapy seems to be an ideal time and framework to implement PA education. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02694796; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02694796


Objectives: The popularity of minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids as an alternative to surgical procedures is increasing. The most widely used procedure of this type is uterine artery embolisation (UAE). During UAE embolic material is administered into bilateral uterine arteries to reduce the tumour's blood supply. This results in necrosis, fibroid volume reduction and relief of symptoms. In some cases tumour regrowth and recurrence of clinical symptoms after UAE are observed, due to fibroid revascularisation. In this study uterine fibroid vascularisation changes after UAE were analysed during a 3 months follow-up period. Methods: 64 premenopausal patients with symptomatic intramural fibroids qualified for UAE in the 3rd Chair and Department of Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, were included in the study. Dominant fibroid vascularisation was evaluated before UAE, 24 hours and 3 months after UAE using the VOCAL technique by calculating the vascular-flow index (VFI). Data were analysed using the repeated measures ANOVA with the post hoc Fisher's test. P values below 0,05 were considered significant. Results: Mean fibroid VFI before UAE was estimated at 0,85 (±0,11 SE), 24 hours after UAE at 0,03 (±0,01 SE), and after 3 months at 0,08 (±0,02 SE). Analysis of variance showed a significant (p <0.0001) effect of time after UAE on the vascularisation of uterine fibroids. A post hoc analysis showed that the fibroid VFI's assessed after 24 hours and 3 months after UAE were significantly lower than before UAE (p <0,0001). Fibroid VFI assessed 24 hours after UAE was not significantly different from VFI 3 months after UAE (p = 0.62). Conclusions: Statistically significant fibroid vascular-flow index reduction was observed at 24 hours after UAE. Three months after UAE this effect was maintained, with an insignificant increase of VFI between 24 hours and 3 months post UAE.


In this study, synchronous linkages of the North Sea–Caspian pattern (NCP), associated with large‐scale surface air temperature series selected from National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center of Atmospheric Research reanalysis (NCEP‐NCAR) for the region over 50°W–120°E and 0–80°N are investigated via teleconnection patterns based on phase synchronization. Phase synchronization is the process by which two or more cyclic systems (or subsystems) tend to oscillate with a repeating sequence of relative phase angles. Phase synchronization is usually applied to two waveforms of the same frequency with identical phase angles in each cycle. However, the notion of phase synchronization has been introduced as an extension of classical Huygens' synchronization in the case of interacting chaotic systems if there is an integer relationship of frequency, such that the cyclic systems share a repeating sequence of phase angles over consecutive cycles. The results of the phase synchronization method are compared with those of the classical cross‐correlation method in cases in which cross‐correlation method shows linear spatial cross‐dependency, but the phase synchronization yields nonlinear spatial phase dependency. In the analyses, teleconnection patterns derived from phase synchronization are first calculated for raw and de‐seasoned data (by removing periodic components in the surface air temperature series) in year‐month scale and then for the data in seasonal‐scale (namely, winter, spring, summer and autumn). Teleconnection patterns calculated by phase synchronization improve the experiential intra‐phase relationships between the NCP Index (NCPI) and large‐scale surface air temperature series, and ensures that the major modes of mid and high Northern Hemisphere variability in climate are characterized. Statistically significant phase synchronization patterns related to geopotential dipole heights of the NCPI extending over Greenland, the Balkans, Caspian Sea basin, eastern Mediterranean, Turkey and the Middle East, and further phase synchronization patterns over the circumpolar mode, which are utilized by phase interaction of Arctic oscillation (AO) with NCP, are obtained. In addition, significant phase synchronization patterns are also obtained over Tibetan plateau–Mongolia (Gobi Desert) interacting with the Siberian high, Asiatic monsoon and the intertropical convergence zone. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society


Perceptual learning is the improvement in perceptual performance through training or exposure. Here, we used fMRI before and after extensive behavioral training to investigate the effects of perceptual learning on the recognition of objects under challenging viewing conditions. Objects belonged either to trained or untrained categories. Trained categories were further subdivided into trained and untrained exemplars and were coupled with high or low monetary rewards during training. After a 3-day training, object recognition was markedly improved. Although there was a considerable transfer of learning to untrained exemplars within categories, an enhancing effect of reward reinforcement was specific to trained exemplars. fMRI showed that hippocampus responses to both trained and untrained exemplars of trained categories were enhanced by perceptual learning and correlated with the effect of reward reinforcement. Our results suggest a key role of hippocampus in object recognition after perceptual learning.


Pharmacokinetic concepts describe the relationship between drug dose and resulting plasma concentration. A drug's pharmacokinetic profile can be described by distribution and elimination half-lives, initial volume of distribution, steady-state distribution volume, and metabolic and distributional clearance. After initiating a fixed rate of drug infusion, four to five terminal elimination half-lives are required to reach a steady state of constant plasma concentration. If a loading dose is given, a steady state can be achieved more rapidly. The most rapid method of achieving a constant plasma concentration involves using a variable rate of drug infusion that adjusts for the metabolic clearance and distribution of the drug. Computer-driven infusion pumps can be used to rapidly achieve, then maintain, constant plasma concentrations of a drug.


Abstract Zinc ion is essential for normal brain function that modulates synaptic activity and neuronal plasticity and it is associated with memory formation. Zinc is considered to be a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of ischemia, but the association between zinc and ischemia on vesicular exocytosis is unclear. In this study, we used a combination of chemical analysis methods and a cell model of ischemia/reperfusion to investigate exocytotic release and vesicular content, as well as the effect of zinc alteration on vesicular exocytosis. Oxygen–glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGDR) was used as an in vitro model of ischemia in a model cell line. Exocytotic release and vesicular storage of catecholamine content were increased following OGDR, resulting in a higher fraction of release during exocytosis. However, zinc eliminated these increases following OGDR and the fraction of release remained unchanged. Understanding the consequences of zinc accumulation on vesicular exocytosis at the early stage of OGDR should aid in the development of therapeutic strategies to reduce ischemic brain injury. As the fraction released has been suggested to be related to presynaptic plasticity, insights are gained towards deciphering ischemia related memory impairment.


Organic vapor-jet printing, a maskless direct printing method, is used to fabricate high-performance pentacene thin-film transistors. By combining the optimal carrier gas temperature and the surface treatment of gate dielectrics, a mobility of 0.46 (±0.03) cm2 V-1 s-1 and an on-off ratio greater than 107 are achieved. Morphological analyses indicate that the relatively high carrier gas temperature and low surface energy of the dielectric surface are the keys in achieving the level of performance comparable to that of devices based on conventional technologies.


The level of interest suggests that knowledge management needs to be taken seriously as an issue for information professionals and for the fields of librarianship and information science. Knowledge management is perceived to offer a substantial enhancement of the role of the information professional. However, the confusion, variations and concerns expressed indicate that knowledge management is a difficult area still requiring significant exploration and development. The definition of the area is still very open and in some ways quite problematic. There is an understandable desire for this to be resolved. A recognised definition provides people with a more substantive base to explain the concept and to argue for its adoption. It enables them to establish their identity with respect to a specific concept, program or set of tools. Further, the current lack of status of many information professions, and the pervasive uncertainty in many industries suggest substantial reasons for developing a more coherent and strategically relevant professional identity. However, the breadth of approaches represented just by this group of information professionals suggests commonality may be difficult to achieve within the profession, let alone outside.


Triplumaria selenica Latteur, Tuffrau and Wespes, 1970 was redescribed from pyridinated silver carbonateimpregnated specimens. Triplumaria selenica has a slit of the vestibular opening extending posteriorly along the left side of the vestibulum. The wide C-shaped adoral polybrachykinety extends along the ventral side of the vestibular opening. The narrow perivestibular polybrachykinety extends laterally along the dorsal side of the vestibular opening from the right end of the adoral polybrachykinety and forms a loop extending posteriorly along the vestibular slit to join to the left end of the adoral polybrachykinety. The 18SSU rRNA gene of T. selenica as well as those of six other entodiniomorphid species, Raabena bella, Blepharocorys curvigula, Entodinium longinucleatum, Eudiplodinium rostratum, Metadinium medium, and Ostracodinium gracile was sequenced. The neighbor joining and maximum parsimony phylogenetic trees were constructed to discuss the evolution of entodiniomorphs. Our results will support and extend Wolska's hypothesis: the ancestral forms of blepharocorythids have evolved into ophryoscolecids and Cycloposthium species via the ancestor of Triplumaria. & 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.


At the point of transition into Higher Education, across all academic disciplines, there is the imperative to enable student participation and engagement in the new educational environment. The first year in H.E. should be a time of transformation, with learner identity gradually changing as a consequence of participating in the valued practices of the academy. This presentation will discuss data from a year long ethnography which followed Psychology undergraduates through their first year. The data sources included observation, informal conversation, semi structured and focus group interviews and document analysis. A socio-cultural approach to teaching and learning was taken, drawing upon the work of Vygotsky (1935), Lave and Wenger (1991) and Bronfenbrenner (1993) to understand the practices which influence transition. Narrative and theoretical thematic analyses were undertaken. The analysis revealed that whilst some practices were enabling, students also struggled to participate in taken for granted practices within the community, leaving their learner identities unchanged. A central recommendation is made to reconceptualise the foundation year as a transition year. This would involve critical reflection on practices at the institutional, departmental and individual level. The findings, whilst focused on the specific practices of Psychology, are generalisable to teaching and learning across STEM subjects.


The issue of assessment is critical to children's development. The adoption of suitable assessment tools/strategies would aid the process of judgment and decision making on children's developmental milestones and learning. Therefore, this study examined the assessment procedure adopted for the pre-primary school children in Nigeria and to determine their developmental appropriateness to children. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. One hundred and sixty-two public schools were purposively selected from two southwestern states in Nigeria based on the availability of pre-primary class(es). One instrument entitled 'Assessment Procedure Checklists (APC)' was used for data collection. The instrument has two sections with section A, focusing on the demographic variables of the number of early childhood education classes available, number of teachers, number of children and teachers' qualification. Section B assessed the type(s) of the assessment tool(s)/strategies adopted, when and how the procedure was carried out. Data were analyzed using simple percentages. Results indicated that the assessment procedure for pre-primary children in public schools was not developmentally appropriate for the children as paper and pencil's type is the prominent one. It is therefore recommended that teachers should be given training and retraining on assessment procedures that are developmentally appropriate and would help to make decisions on children.


The microgrid (MG) can be considered as a small-scale power grid that consists of distributed energy resources (DERs), loads, and controllers. One of the major advantages of the MG is that it can operate in grid-connected or islanded modes that can generate, distribute, and regulate the power flow to local consumers. The increasing interest in smoothly integrating renewable energy into the power grid is one of the main reasons for the development of the MG concept. In addition, most renewable energy systems provide the network with the needed power, which can be directly used or stored through energy storage systems, which enhances the overall performance of the MG. Developing a proper control and management system for MGs is not an easy task. There are many challenges to ensuring a reliable system and efficient operation. Recently, industry authorities have begun many efforts in the field of MG implementation and controls. This article provides a complete description of the main features and challenges of ac MGs and describes the hierarchical control architecture as an effective solution. A detailed discussion of the control levels is presented as well.


In this contribution we are presenting a simple impregnation method to synthesize 25 wt% of nanocrystalline Ni/SiO2 catalyst. The obtained powder was structurally characterized by using powder-XRD, TGA, DSC, SEMEDAX and particle size analyzer (BET) techniques. The synthesized catalyst was utilized for catalytic hydrogenation of soybean oil using Parr reactor and also comparative study of generated catalyst with commercially available Ni catalyst. Results indicate the generated 25 wt% of Ni/SiO2 catalyst exhibited good catalytic activity, thermal stability and selectivity for catalytic hydrogenation of soybean oil as compared to commercially available catalyst by reducing the formation of trans fat by 20-25%.