A 70-year-old male presented with transient ischemic attacks manifesting as right hemiparesis and motor aphasia due to severe left cervical internal carotid artery stenosis. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a flow-reversal system was performed without complications. However, the patient exhibited transient right hemiparesis and motor aphasia 10 days after CAS. Emergent angiography demonstrated in-stent restenosis. In-stent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and CAS were performed successfully using a distal protection system. However, duplex ultrasound scanning revealed progressive in-stent restenosis, 3 and 6 days after the re-treatment. Emergent angiography again demonstrated in-stent restenosis. Urgent stent removal and carotid endarterectomy were performed. Plaque had prolapsed through the stent. Histological examination revealed that the specimen was mainly plaque consisting of cholesterol crystals and macrophages. The patient was able to return to independent life without neurological deficit. Repeated endovascular surgery with appropriate antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy should be attempted initially to treat in-stent restenosis. Endarterectomy with stent removal should be considered as a rescue option, especially if plaque protrusion is identified.


Privatization has become a popular panacea for solving the organizational problems of governments by reducing the role of the state and encouraging the growth of the private sector enterprises. However, privatization takes a number of forms and has been approached in various ways during the move away from state control to other forms of ownership in developing and industrialized countries. Based on Iranian constitution, No.144, public companies must change to the private companies. The government of Iran urgently needs expanded and more dynamic private sectors, more efficient and effective infrastructure/utility provision, and increased investment from both domestic and foreign sources. The most important purpose of privatization in Iran is increasing the proficiency. In this article we will discuss about the reasons of this policy, forms and trends, privatization process and volume will be surveyed, article 44 and at the end performance of the government on privatization will be explained.


This thesis investigates the magmatic processes that operated at Ōkataina volcanic centre prior to and during the rhyolitic events of its most recent eruption sequence, the Rotorua Subgroup (erupted since 25.4 ka), with a specific focus on timescales of human interest. Further context is derived with data from the 52.8 ka Rotoiti (caldera-forming) and Earthquake Flat eruptions, and selected Mangaone Subgroup events that occurred between the 52.8 and 25.4 ka. The regular occurrence of these events provides regular snapshots of the magmatic system over this time period. Whole-rock, glass, and mineral compositional data and timescales modelled from diffusion gradients are compared within geographical and physical volcanological contexts. These data provide a picture of the recent evolution of Ōkataina, shedding light on how quickly the volcano could awaken from its current dormancy to produce a new rhyolitic event, and what that event might be like.
Geochemical data from Mangaone Subgroup eruptives show that the post-caldera magmatic system recovered over c. 27 kyr, with increasingly evolved and radiogenic compositions erupted during these events. The post-25.4 ka Rotorua Subgroup shows a more steady evolution, trending towards less radiogenic products towards the present day. Modern Ōkataina comprises three vent clusters, the intra-caldera Mt. Tarawera (formed by the 21.9 ka Ōkareka, 17.5 ka Rerewhakaaitu, 14 ka Waiohau and 1314 AD Kaharoa eruptive episodes) and Haroharo Massif (the 25.2 ka Te Rere, 9.4 ka Rotomā, 7.9 ka Mamaku and 5.5 ka Whakatāne), and the Ōkareka Embayment (the 25.2 ka Te Rere, 15.6 ka Rotorua) on the western edge of the caldera. Most eruptions were geochemically complex, with multiple magmas, some of which were repeated between eruptions. Variations in whole-rock and glass geochemistry are controlled by both the dominant mineral assemblage and external inputs, and relate to the geographical region and timing of when each magma erupted. Each vent region shows evidence for distinct features in its shallower magmatism (i.e. that producing the final-erupted magma compositions), super-imposed on temporal trends controlled by the deeper system. This deeper system beneath Haroharo and Tarawera appears to be more unitary or inter-connected. However, the Ōkareka Embayment is unique in that it appears to involve multiple magmatic systems.
Back-scattered electron imaging of orthopyroxenes from the Rotorua, Waiohau and Whakatāne eruptives (and selected plagioclase from the Rotorua), coupled with major-element analyses of the orthopyroxenes, imply that open-system processes are common at Ōkataina, at least in the early stages of eruptible magma body assembly. These processes are reflected in diverse core compositions and complex zonation patterns, narrowing to more uniform rims that are in equilibrium with the compositions of the host melts. Not all cores are in equilibrium with the associated whole-rock compositions, but are in equilibrium with whole-rock compositions from other magmas erupted nearby, further demonstrating open-system crystal exchange and the repeated tapping of some magma sources from one event to another. Melt segregation and magma body assembly takes place over decades up to a century or two, with magma residence times on the order of centuries to millennia, or (if prematurely triggered) as short as months. Priming or triggering events such as heating by basaltic injection (common in the Ōkataina rhyolite eruptions) occur over decades prior to eruption.
Quartz-hosted, sealed melt inclusions preserve volatile contents of c. 3-6 wt% H2O and c. 15-125 ppm CO2, with values tending to decrease in younger eruptions, although Waiohau samples have relatively low H2O, and the Rotorua samples have relatively low CO2. Overall, the Ōkataina eruptives have remarkably low CO2 contents compared with international datasets. There are weak correlations between H2O and CO2 contents coexisting in magmas within individual vent regions, but little system-wide coherence due to each region having differing trends (a step-wise drop at Tarawera versus a steady decrease in the young Haroharo eruptions). Scatter in data from sealed melt inclusions, and relatively lower H2O contents in open-ended inclusions (embayments) indicate pre-eruptive volatile losses, driven by crystallisation and/or open-system degassing. The H2O contents of the inner parts of embayments suggest an initial slow decompression at the start of the final magma ascent may also play a minor role. Magma ascent rates are low to moderate (0.1-4.4 m.s-1), with the Ōkareka Embayment eruptives having notably faster ascent rates than those from Tarawera or Haroharo. Both the sealed melt inclusion volatile contents and derived magma ascent rates are similar to those observed or inferred from other silicic eruptions worldwide and are notably comparable to those of super-eruptions, indicating that magma volume and overpressure do not influence ascent rate at eruption onset.
Current geophysical observations suggest that a viable magma source currently exists under the southwestern end of Haroharo, and that basaltic diking activity is ongoing in the Ōkataina area. While basaltic eruptions can occur with little warning (e.g. Tarawera, 1886 CE), it is more likely that a future Ōkataina event will be prolonged and rhyolitic. The volcano can rejuvenate into an eruption-ready state within human lifetimes (i.e. decades), and final pre-eruptive warnings from geophysical monitoring could be as short as only a few hours. A new rhyolitic episode could have major impacts, lasting several years and involving both voluminous lavas and widespread fall deposition.


The catalytic cracking of linear low density polyethylene (lldPE), polypropylene (PP) and plastic waste were investigated using commercial zeolites (ZSM-5, zeolite β, Mordenite, and USY), USY modified by ion-exchange, mixed catalyst (ZSM-5/ zeolite β, ZSM-5/USY), and nanocrystaline-ZSM-5. USY was modified by ion-exchange with ammonium salt at two different temperatures (298K and 353K) and for various reaction times. The cracking of PP and lldPE was performed using mixed catalysts and in addition a detailed study was carried out employing statistical design of response surface methodology to obtain the optimum reaction condition to produce maximum products. Nano crystalline ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared with/without the presence of alcohol (ethanol and isopropanol) and sodium and statistical analysis of completely random design was used to determine the effect of these constituents in the reaction mixture on the characteristics of ZSM-5 material and on their catalytic performance. The catalytic studies using commercial zeolites revealed that the zeolite β and mordenite produced higher liquid yield from lldPE and plastic waste, respectively. However, by using a modified USY, by ion-exchange at temperature 298K for 48hours, a further improvement to the liquid yield was achieved. Using a mixer of ZSM-5/ zeolite β it was possible to achieve very good conversions for both lldPE and PP with least amount of coke formation. Further studies on catalytic cracking of lldPE using nanocrystalline ZSM-5 indicate that the highest liquid yield that could be achieved was by using the material synthesised in the presence of alcohol and sodium in the starting solution. The effect of constituents in the starting gel mixture for ZSM-5 synthesis appears to influence surface area, acidity and particle size; however it appears that this does not affect the catalytic performance for cracking of lldPE. However the study suggest that control of external surface area and particle size is highly significant.


This paper reports the diffusion coefficients of various dopant counter-anions into electro synthesised polypyrrole films, the cyclic voltammetry behaviour of the doped polymers and the effects of the electrolyte on the morphology of the polymer. The diffusion properties of electrochemically-prepared poly (N-dodecylpyrrole) and polypyrrole films were investigated in electrochemical cells containinglithium perchlorate, tetra methyl ammonium chloride and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, and the effects of the size of the ions on their diffusion coefficients are discussed.


The Phytophthora sojae avirulence gene Avr3a encodes an effector that is capable of triggering immunity on soybean plants carrying the resistance gene Rps3a. P. sojae strains that express Avr3a are avirulent to Rps3a plants, while strains that do not are virulent. To study the inheritance of Avr3a expression and virulence towards Rps3a, genetic crosses and self-fertilizations were performed. A cross between P. sojae strains ACR10 X P7076 causes transgenerational gene silencing of Avr3a allele, and this effect is meiotically stable up to the F5 generation. However, test-crosses of F1 progeny (ACR10 X P7076) with strain P6497 result in the release of silencing of Avr3a. Expression of Avr3a in the progeny is variable and correlates with the phenotypic penetrance of the avirulence trait. The F1 progeny from a direct cross of P6497 X ACR10 segregate for inheritance for Avr3a expression, a result that could not be explained by parental imprinting or heterozygosity. Analysis of small RNA arising from the Avr3a gene sequence in the parental strains and hybrid progeny suggests that the presence of small RNA is necessary but not sufficient for gene silencing. Overall, we conclude that inheritance of the Avr3a gene silenced phenotype relies on factors that are variable among P. sojae strains.


5-Lipoxygenase (EC 188.8.131.52), a Ca2+-and ATP-requiring enzyme, catalyzes the first two steps in the biosynthesis of the peptidoleukotrienes and the chemotactic factor leukotriene B4. A cDNA clone corresponding to 5-lipoxygenase was isolated from a human lung lambda gt11 expression library by immunoscreening with a polyclonal antibody. Additional clones from a human placenta lambda gt11 cDNA library were obtained by plaque hybridization with the 32P-labeled lung cDNA clone. Sequence data obtained from several overlapping clones indicate that the composite cDNAs contain the complete coding region for the enzyme. From the deduced primary structure, 5-lipoxygenase encodes a 673 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 77,839. Direct analysis of the native protein and its proteolytic fragments confirmed the deduced composition, the amino-terminal amino acid sequence, and the structure of many internal segments. 5-Lipoxygenase has no apparent sequence homology with leukotriene A4 hydrolase or Ca2+ -binding proteins. RNA blot analysis indicated substantial amounts of an mRNA species of approximately equal to 2700 nucleotides in leukocytes, lung, and placenta.


Masculinity cannot be regarded as a single entity. Both within Western culture and across cultures, a wide variety of masculinities are easily observable. Yet masculinity is so often contrasted with femininity that the many differences among men are at times obscured. To in part correct this deficiency, various "psychologies" of men are explored, as well as the cultural components that shape a society's ideas of what constitutes masculinity. Male heterosexuality and homosexuality are also examined, as are a number of the fantasies and fears that men typically experience. What cannot be left out of any exploration of male psychology are those sources of strength that permit so many men to fiercely protect their families and, when called upon, to fight their country's wars. Nonetheless, the differences between individual men are significant and can even be said to be vast.


The regional/national question is central to Spanish politics, where different conceptions of the state co-exist. The 1978 Constitution sets out different paths to autonomy, although the end point is similar. State-wide parties have sought to contain autonomy and to make regional statutes uniform. Territorial parties in the historic nationalities have sought to maintain a differential status, while other regions have sought to catch up, creating a competitive dynamic. The recent round of statute reform involved more parties and more complex politics than previous rounds, with an active role for regional governments. Regional political elites used statute reform to make symbolic assertions and resource claims, as well as to demand more competences. Competition among regional elites to gain more symbolic status and substantive powers creates centrifugal dynamics. On the other hand, the normalisation of territorial politics at both centre and periphery may be an integrative factor. The dominance of parties is also a reflection of the weak institutionalisation of territorial relations and intergovernmental conflict.


This paper builds on the groundwork and setting up of methods for an innovative approach to analysing text. We have proposed that there is a hitherto unexplored textual feature, which we call "repulsion", which operates on the construction of meaning in an opposing way to that of word collocation. To illustrate, we do not say cheerfully happy even though we say blissfully happy. We focus on "lexical repulsion", by which we mean the intuitively-observed tendency in conventional language use for certain pairs of words not to occur together, for no apparent reason other than convention. Our goal is to establish how repulsion as a whole operates and whether it can be assigned the status of an objectively measurable "force". It is anticipated that this approach will have wide implications for corpus linguistics and NLP. In this paper, we take the particular case of repulsion between sense-related word pairs.


. We establish global existence and uniqueness theorems for the two-dimensional non-diffusive Boussinesq system with anisotropic viscosity acting only in the horizontal direction, which arises in ocean dynamics models. Global well-posedness for this system was proven by Danchin and Paicu; however, an additional smoothness assumption on the initial density was needed to prove uniqueness. They stated that it is not clear whether uniqueness holds without this additional assumption. The present work resolves this question and we establish uniqueness without this additional assumption. Furthermore, the proof provided here is more elementary; we use only tools available in the standard theory of Sobolev spaces, and without resorting to para-product calculus. We use a new approach by defining an auxiliary "stream-function" associated with the density, analogous to the stream-function associated with the vorticity in 2D incompressible Euler equations, then we adapt some of the ideas of Yudovich for proving uniqueness for 2D Euler equations.


Abstract Objective. To perform content validation of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© instrument to identify palliative needs in Colombian children and adolescents from 8 to 17 years of age with cancer. Methods. Psychometric study, which used the Lawshe model, modified by Tristan, to perform content validity of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© instrument through expert consensus. Results. The Surprise Question (SQ) Would it surprise you if this patient died within the next year? and the parameters Demand: Has there been any implicit or explicit expression of limitation of therapeutic effort or demand for palliative care from the patient, family, or team members?, Need: identified by professional members of the team, Checklist symptoms (ESAS) ≥ 2 persistent or refractory symptoms, Emotional Distress Detection (EDD) > 9, Social and family assessment", Oncological disease (advanced metastatic or locoregional cancer), Oncological disease (in progression (in solid tumors) and Oncological disease (Persistent symptoms poorly controlled or refractory despite optimizing specific treatment), were considered valid by the experts to identify palliative needs in Colombian children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years with cancer according to the Lawshe criteria, as modified by Tristán. Parameters specifically related to the oncological disease belonging to the dimension Indicators of severity/progression of the disease showed the highest CVR' per parameter, with indices of agreement between 0.714 and 0.857. Conclusion. The content of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO © 3.1 instrument is valid to identify palliative needs in Colombian children and adolescents from 8 to 17 years of age with cancer with a CVI of 0.68.


An automated burned area extraction routine that attempts to overcome the particular difficulties of remote sensing applications in complex landscapes is presented and tested in the mountainous region of northwest Yunnan, China. In particular, the lack of burned samples to use for training and testing, the rugged relief, the small size of fires and the constant presence of clouds during the rainy season heavily affecting the number of usable scenes within a year are addressed. The algorithm flows through five phases: creation of standardised difference vegetation indices time series; automatic extraction of multiclass training areas using adaptive z-score thresholds; Random Forests classification; Seeded Region Growing; and spatiotemporal clustering to form polygons representing fire events. A final database spanning the period 1987–2018 was created. Accuracy assessment of location and number of fire polygons using a stratified random sampling design showed satisfactory results with reduced omission and commission errors compared with global fire products in the same region (20 and 22% respectively). Mapping accuracy of single burned areas showed higher omission (27%) but reduced commission (13%) errors. This methodology takes a step forward towards the inclusion of regions characterised by small fires that are often poorly represented in impact assessments at the global scale.


Large speech corpora (LSC) constitute an indispensable resource for conducting research in speech processing and for developing real-life speech applications. In 2004 the Spoken Dutch Corpus (CGN) became available, a corpus of standard Dutch as spoken by adult natives in the Netherlands and Flanders. Owing to budget constraints, CGN does not include speech of children, non-natives, elderly people and recordings of speech produced in human-machine interactions. Since such recordings would be extremely useful for conducting research and for developing HLT applications for these specific groups of speakers of Dutch, a new project, JASMIN-CGN, was started which aims at extending CGN in different ways: by collecting a corpus of contemporary Dutch as spoken by children of different age groups, non-natives with different mother tongues and elderly people in the Netherlands and Flanders and, in addition, by collecting speech material in a communication setting that was not envisaged in CGN: human-machine interaction. We expect that the knowledge gathered from these data can be generalized to developing appropriate systems also for other speaker groups (i.e. adult natives). One third of the data will be collected in Flanders and two thirds in the Netherlands.


There is no shortage of studies regarding price forecasting and marketing strategies of producers. However, the majority of these studies take a normative approach, focusing on deriving an optimal strategy for producers to follow based on information received from producer surveys. Due to such things as psychological biases, producers may not actually use the marketing information that they say they do. This study uses actual producer transaction data to determine how producers marketing decisions correspond with those recommended by market advisory services and with those that use futures spreads to calculate expected returns. The results show that producers do respond to using futures spreads to represent expected returns to storage. Also, it appears that Oklahoma producers make marketing decisions opposite of those recommended by market advisory services.


P rofessor Bertrand's account of this interesting little Lycopod (" Sur une nouvelle Centradesmide," Assoc. Frang. pour l'Avancement des Sciences, 1894), is based on English material. He found fragments of leaves and twigs, associated with those of Lepidodendron FLarcouti,n preparations from the nodules of the Gannister beds at Hough Hill, sent him by Mr. Lomax. In describing these for the first time, he gave them the name of Miadesmia membranacea. The leaves bear a large ligule of a definite form and characteristic structure and insertion. They are provided also with a thin margin. This feature is noted by Professor Bertrand as exceedingly useful in the diagnosis of Miadesmia. The sporophylls have only recently been obtained, and it is with these the present paper is chiefly concerned. The megasporophylls were first recognised by Dr. Scott in a series* of sections passing tangentially through a single large Lepidocarpon megasporophyll. These new structures proved to be exceptionally interesting, on account of their advanced seed-like character. Not only are the sporangia equipped with an integument and physiological stigma, hut the single megaspore is retained in the sporange and resembles the embryo-sac of a Phanerogam in a very marked degree. I simultaneously received from Mr. Lomax a number of excellent preparations, and it is due to him to record that he recognised the seed-like nature of the new bodies. An investigation of older preparations in the B.H.C. Collection revealed several microsporophylls and foliage leaves of Miadesmia. Professor W eiss, moreover, has kindly lent from the Manchester Collection several slides which are rich in Miadesmia. Dr. Scott has contributed not only a large number of invaluable preparations, but has helped most fundamentally in all the more difficult problems connected with the work. To Dr. Scott, then, I offer my best thanks, and also to Professors Oliver and W eiss. The number of megasporophylls under investigation now amounts to over sixty, and in one case a young cone appears in longitudinal section (fig. 28, Plate 36).


The aim of this paper is conceptualize and illustrate how large-scale data and algorithms condition and reshape knowledge production when addressing international development challenges. Based on a review of relevant literature on the uses of big data in the context of development, we unpack how digital traces from cell phone data, social media data or data from internet searches are used as sources of knowledge in this area. We draw on insights from governmentality studies and argue that big data's impact on how relevant development problems are governed revolves around (1) new techniques of visualizing development issues, (2) a reliance on algorithmic operations that synthesize large-scale data, (3) and novel ways of rationalizing the knowledge claims that underlie development efforts. Our discussion shows that the reliance on big data challenges some aspects of traditional ways to collect and analyze data for development (e.g. via household surveys and deductive approaches), and we articulate intersections between different kinds of knowledge production, different ways of collecting and controlling data, and different epistemic foundations for addressing and governing development problems.


This paper deals with a novel way for representing and computing image features encapsulated within different regions of scale-space. Employing a thermodynamical model for scale-space generation, the method derives features as those corresponding to "entropy rich" image regions where, within a given range of spatial scales, the entropy gradient remains constant. Different types of image features, defining regions of different information content, are accordingly encoded by such regions within different bands of spatial scale.


Healthcare data in the United States often records only a patient's coarse race group: for example, both Indian and Chinese patients are typically coded as"Asian."It is unknown, however, whether this coarse coding conceals meaningful disparities in the performance of clinical risk scores across granular race groups. Here we show that it does. Using data from 418K emergency department visits, we assess clinical risk score performance disparities across 26 granular groups for three outcomes, five risk scores, and four performance metrics. Across outcomes and metrics, we show that the risk scores exhibit significant granular performance disparities within coarse race groups. In fact, variation in performance within coarse groups often *exceeds* the variation between coarse groups. We explore why these disparities arise, finding that outcome rates, feature distributions, and the relationships between features and outcomes all vary significantly across granular groups. Our results suggest that healthcare providers, hospital systems, and machine learning researchers should strive to collect, release, and use granular race data in place of coarse race data, and that existing analyses may significantly underestimate racial disparities in performance.


Despite Taiwan financial institutions' huge investments in online financial services systems, Taiwan consumers' adoption of online financial services has been slower than anticipated. So far, online financial services research in Taiwan is still in its infancy, hence receiving little academic attention. This suggests a need to understand Taiwan Internet users' adoption behavior of online financial services and to identify the potential factors that may motivate or impede Taiwan Internet users' acceptance of online financial services. The research framework of this study is constituted by the extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2). Other variables, which have proven academically important in influencing consumers' intentions to use information technology, were added to the conceptual framework. The results strongly support that the extended TAM (TAM2) is a valid model to predict Taiwan consumers' intention to use online financial services and to explain the intention difference between adopters and non-adopters. The results also demonstrated that perceived privacy protection, perceived security, and consumer innovativeness not only have a significant, positive relationship with Taiwan consumers' intention to use online financial services but also can significantly predict who is more likely to be an online financial service adopter in Taiwan. The research findings may help Taiwan financial institutions and other interested parties to formulate appropriate marketing strategies and design effective online financial services systems and accelerate the diffusion of online financial services in the future.


The study is primarily concerned with the need for effective teacher education. Problems investigated within this area are discusses and it is proposed that communication processes between lecturers and students are a central concern. Problems of effective communication are discussed within the context of research in social psychology which investigates such processes. Within this field research by Runkel (1956) is discussed in detail since his interesting results provide the basis for the investigation. Runkel suggests that cognitive similarity is a facilitating mechanism in communication and that students cognitively similar to a lecturer achieve greater success in courses that students who are cognitively dissimilar. Runkel measures cognitive similarity by means of an index of co-linearith. Runkel's research is discussed in relation to work by Triandis (1959.1960). Triandis explored other measures of cognitive similarity and suggests that cognitive similarity can be explained in terms of other intrapersonal variables. The possibility of viewing Bartlett's work (9158) as a exploratory measure is discussed. A critical appraisal of Runkel's research leads to the following main areas of investigation. investigation of the index of co-linearity over a wide range of subject areas. investigation of "transfer" groups i.e. those who throughout the course changed their position of cognitive similarity. investigation of an exploratory measure of cognitive similarity. The experimental design, statistical methods, sample, methods and measures are described. In general the results showcognative similarity as measured by the index of co-linearity was not significantly related to achievement. The trend of the results showed that "transfer" groups tended to have characteristics in common. The exploratory measure, although in effective as an index of cognitive similarity, has potential as a measure of intelligence. There is discussion of the research findings in relation to effective communication between lecturers and students and further areas of research are suggested.


The results and conclusions of the paper by Tong . [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. B10, 356 ( 1993)] are reexamined and discussed in the context of other measurements on similar systems. In particular, the role of photon diffusion in measurements of radiative rates with emitted photon detection schemes is addressed.


Three tropical grasses, green panic (Panicum maximum var, trichoglume), spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and the tropical legume siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), were grown in plots in a semi-arid field environment. The water relations characteristics of leaves from plants subjected to a soil drying cycle were compared with those of unstressed leaves from plants in irrigated plots. Minimum water potentials attained in the stressed leaves were c. -44, - 38, - 33 and - 13 bar for the four species, respectively. The grass leaves adjusted osmotically to water stress, apparently through accumulation of solutes, so that there was a decrease in osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100) of 5.5, 3.9 and 7.1 bar, and in water potential at zero turgor (Ψ0) of 8.6, 6.5 and 8.6 bar for green panic, spear grass and buffel respectively. Water stress appeared to increase slightly the proportion of bound water (B) and the bulk modulus of elasticity (e) of the grass leaves, but it did not alter the relative water content at zero turgor (RWC0) or the ratio of turgid water content to dry weight of the tissue. The Ψπ100 and Ψ0 of stressed siratro leaves decreased by 2.5-4 bar and 3-5 bar respectively when subjected to soil drying cycles. These changes could be explained by the marked decrease in the ratio of turgid water content to dry weight of the leaf tissue rather than by accumulation of solutes. The values of RWC0 and e for siratro leaves were not altered by stress but, in contrast to the grasses, B was apparently decreased although the data exhibited high variability. Adjustments in Ψπ100 and Ψ0 of stressed leaves of buffel grass and siratro were largely lost within 10 days of rewatering.


Software improvements from this project will enable new algorithms for RNA folding prediction to be explored. Issues with capacity, extensibility, multi-tasking, usability, efficiency, accuracy and testing in the original program have been addressed, and the corresponding software architecture changes are discussed herein. Previously limited to just hundreds of helices, the software can now display and manipulate million-helix RNAs. Actions on large data sets are now feasible, such as continuous zooming. A new scripting interface adds flexibility and is especially useful for repetitive tasks and software testing. Structural analysis of RNA can be streamlined using the new mechanisms for organizing experiments, running other programs and displaying results (helices, or arbitrary text and images such as statistics). Finally, usability has been enhanced with more documentation, controls and settings.


Chemical and physical stabilization of soil organic matter by the interaction of organic compounds with soil clay minerals may affect N mineralization in tropical forest soils. Nitrogen mineralization rates during long-term incubation were determined on soils of several mineralogies collected from native forests in Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Amounts of N mineralization were related to soil mineralogy, texture, and N fractions in order to determine the effects of these soil components on N mineralization and to evaluate measurements of these components for their use as potential N availability indices. Allophanic soils produced higher cumulative levels of mineralized N and had higher initial levels of several N fractions than soils with smectitic, oxidic, and kaolinitic mineralogies. This mineralogical effect was attributed to greater initial N stabilization in allophonic soils followed by greater N release after the addition of nutrient solution during incubation. Total soil N had the strongest correlation with N mineralization among the N measurements considered in this study. The active N pool, as calculated by a two-pool regression model of cumulative mineralized N, had the highest positive relationships with NH 4 + -N evolved in a 1-wk anaerobic incubation and soluble N. The stable N pool had the strongest correlations with total N and light-fraction N. The relationships between soluble N or NH 4 + -N evolved after a 1-wk anaerobic incubation and N mineralization were affected by soil mineralogy, which suggests the need for further evaluation of potential N availability indices for the effects of soil mineralogy.


This paper presents the second data release of the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program, a wide-field optical imaging survey using the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope. The release includes data from 174 nights of observation through 2018 January. The Wide layer data cover about 300 deg$^2$ in all five broad-band filters ($grizy$) to the nominal survey exposure (10 min in $gr$ and 20 min in $izy$). Partially observed areas are also included in the release; about 1100 deg$^2$ is observed in at least one filter and one exposure. The median seeing in the i-band is ${0_{.}^{\prime \prime }6}$, demonstrating the superb image quality of the survey. The Deep (26 deg$^2$) and UltraDeep (4 deg$^2$) data are jointly processed and the UltraDeep-COSMOS field reaches an unprecedented depth of $i\sim 28$ at $5 \, \sigma$ for point sources. In addition to the broad-band data, narrow-band data are also available in the Deep and UltraDeep fields. This release includes a major update to the processing pipeline, including improved sky subtraction, PSF modeling, object detection, and artifact rejection. The overall data quality has been improved, but this release is not without problems; there is a persistent deblender problem as well as new issues with masks around bright stars. The user is encouraged to review the issue list before utilizing the data for scientific explorations. All the image products as well as catalog products are available for download. The catalogs are also loaded into a database, which provides an easy interface for users to retrieve data for objects of interest. In addition to these main data products, detailed galaxy shape measurements withheld from Public Data Release 1 (PDR1) are now available to the community. The shape catalog is drawn from the S16A internal release, which has a larger area than PDR1 (160 deg$^2$). All products are available at the data release site, https://hsc-release.mtk.nao.ac.jp/.


Embedded systems are often operating under hard real-time constraints, for example in automotive applications. For such systems, robustness and reliability are crucial, which calls for rigorous system design and methodologies for validation. In this paper we advocate a design methodology for robust, real-time systems, based on Timber; a pure reactive system model that allows for formal reasoning about various system properties. We outline how system specifications in Timber can be "compiled" into efficient standalone executables for general light-weight microcontroller platforms. Methods for resource analysis and implications to system dimensioning and validation are further discussed


Kilen, Kronprins Christian Land, contains the thickest and stratigraphically most complete Jurassic and Cretaceous sediment succession in North Greenland. This study revises and formalises the lithostratigraphic framework of these deposits. The work is based on recent extensive stratigraphic field work supplemented by photogeological mapping and biostratigraphic studies, and builds on the earlier stratigraphic work conducted mainly in the 1980s and 1990s. According to the new stratigraphic scheme, the more than 500 m thick Jurassic succession is divided into four formations. The poorly dated Gletscherport Formation comprises lagoonal heterolithic sandstones. The Mågensfjeld and Birkelund Fjeld Formations consist of shallow marine fine-grained sandstones of Bajocian–Bathonian and Kimmeridgian age, respectively. The Kuglelejet Formation comprises mainly shallow marine sandy mudstone and sandstone of Volgian age and includes the mudstone-dominated Splitbæk Member. The Lower Cretaceous interval is estimated to be more than 1500 m thick and is divided into three formations. The Dromledome Formation comprises deep shelf to offshore transition, black mudstones of late Ryazanian to Hauterivian age. It is erosively overlain by unfossiliferous, fluvial and estuarine sandstones of the Lichenryg Formation. The overlying, late Aptian to middle Cenomanian Galadriel Fjeld Formation comprises six members, of which the Tågekyst and Kangoq Ryg Members occur in the Gåseslette area, whereas the Pil, Valmue, Stenbræk and Hondal Members occur in the Kilen Fjelde area. The Galadriel Fjeld Formation is characterised by interbedded mudstones and sandstones from offshore–shoreface environments. The 650 m thick Upper Cretaceous succession is assigned to the Sølverbæk Formation, which is undivided in the Gåseslette area and divided into the Skalbæk and Scaphitesnæse Members in the Kilen Fjelde area. The Sølverbæk Formation is dominated by marine mudstones and sandstonemudstone heteroliths of late Cenomanian to Santonian age. The new lithostratigraphic framework and significant biostratigraphic advances allow a closer correlation of the Mesozoic units between North Greenland and other Arctic basins.


Objective: The aim of this study was evaluate radiographically prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) in endodontically treated teeth (ETT) and relate with demographic factors, quality of endodontic treatment and coronal restoration . Material and methods : Data were collected from dental records wich contained full-mouth radiographic series. In ETT, arch, dental group and presence of AP were evaluated. Quality of root canal filling, presence and quality of coronal restoration and type of restorative material were also collected. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics and Chi-square Test. Results: Of 70 patients included in the final sample, the majority were female (54.3%) and age ranged from 13 to 77 years (47.14 ± 13.18). Of 1,333 teeth evaluated, 73 (5.4%) had endodontic treatment, being the majority maxillary (74%) and anterior teeth (52.1%). Of teeth without endodontic treatment, 320 (25.4%) had AP. Failure rate was high (52.8%) and quality of root canal filling and coronal restoration were considered inadequate in majority cases (58.3% and 47.7%, respectively). Dental group had a statistically significant relationship with presence of AP in ETT, being more frequent in anterior teeth (p = 0.019). Conclusion: It was concluded that prevalence of AP in ETT was high and dental group was the factor that most influenced prevalence of AP in ETT. Keywords Apical periodontitis; Radiography; Root canal filling.


One of the problems adaptive interfaces must solve is the issue of stability---users must be able to complete a familiar task reliably. Split Adaptive Interfaces, where a limited part of the screen contains copies of the interface elements predicted to be of immediate use, are one technique for resolving this difficulty. While prior work demonstrated that Split Adaptive Interfaces improve performance on average, the results of our study demonstrate systematic individual differences in the utilization of the adaptive features, which correlate with the stable user traits of Need for Cognition and Extraversion. Specifically, higher Need for Cognition (a willingness to undertake difficult mental activities) is correlated with increased utilization rates, while higher Extraversion (a general orientation towards seeking gratification from the external world) is negatively correlated with utilization rates. Our results also demonstrate a significant negative correlation between cognitive load induced by a secondary task and the utilization of the adaptive features. This effect, however, is very small (less than two percentage points). Together, these results provide additional evidence of the usefulness of the split adaptive interface approach and a negligible effect of additional cognitive load, but also demonstrate that the approach does not benefit all users equally.


It is well known that many physical properties of crystalline materials obtained by the method of directed crystallization are determined by the distribution of impurity in the melt and its ability to accumulate in the form of separate grains, cells etc. This occurs due to concentrated overcooling and leads to deterioration of the mechanical, electrical and physical properties of the material. It is one of the reasons for their fragility. A series of experiments is needed to investigate the optimal conditions for the growth of semiconductor materials with required properties. The time required is not always available, and the labor and material resources cost is rather high. Therefore, in recent years great attention is paid to the development of the technology of process simulation.
The tasks of heterogeneous dynamical systems numerical simulation are very relevant today, since they allow observing the evolutionary patterns of such systems in real-time, especially when it comes to problems with nonlinear parameters of materials, complex boundary and initial conditions, phase transitions with moving limits, etc. In the vast majority of such cases, it is almost impossible to obtain analytical solutions, and classical based on difference schemes solution numerical methods may be unstable. The classical model of physical processes is based on differential equations. But practical application of it does not allow us to receive acceptable results. In real practical tasks it is often used in the simplest cases with a number of limitations and assumptions. In this regard, alternative approaches are increasingly popular in recent years. There has been widely used imitation or agent models, where each agent can be attributed their own rules of conduct. The method of cellular automata (СA) is one of such simulation approach. It provides not only a description of the physical properties of the material but also can provide for changes at the micro-level. In particular, heat transfer processes are naturally approximated by continuous models of cellular automata. Just creation of a qualitative model of the process, on the basis of computational experiments, allows to predict the properties of the resulting material.
Cellular automata are the most effectively used to describe the behavior of a system the collective behavior of which is determined by the local behavior of its constituent elements, when the system is highly heterogeneous, and averaging of variables throughout the system can hardly reflect its status adequately as a whole. Therefore, while modeling the melting process, accompanied by the first order phase transition, we chose the cellular automata technique.
The work is devoted to the use of cellular automaton model for the study of some basic physical processes. The main approaches and the general methodology of the development of cellular automata models are considered on the example of heat transfer processes modeling. It is shown that these models can become an alternative to the use of classical differential equations. It is proved that the model in the form of a system of cellular automata equations is a very convenient tool for nonlinear heat transfer problems studying and can describe a rather complicated system behavior, despite the simplicity of its description. The typical problems of the thermal conductivity theory and their solving by the cellular automata method are considered. The analysis of accuracy of calculations by the CA-method was carried out. A comparison of the computational speed for the Stefan problem with the help of the CA-method and known net methods has been made.


E-literacy is the new literacy, the literacy of the digital age. However, many of the faults of the old information order - particularly its social dislocations - remain visible in today's new information world. Logically, the theory and practice of e-literacy will also show this pattern. Writers from South America see information functioning as a capital asset, one which is made to circulate and grow in a way that ignores the requirements of those who need it most. Information literacy and IT literacy are simply ways of maximising the information consumption of those who are already information-rich. In a world information order of over-production and data superabundance, it is vital to up-skill the saturated consumers of information assets in order to stimulate demand for the information output of the developed world. Ironically those who are most in need of information empowerment to overcome their economic disadvantage are rarely if ever the focus of the e-literacy industry - if information is regarded simply in terms of its economic value, then e-literacy initiatives for the poor are pointless, since they do not have the economic wherewithal to consume it. Inclusive information policies should involve more than facilitating access and removing economic barriers to networks and computing infrastructures (vital though this is). It is possible to aspire to a vision of information and IT literacy for the socially excluded which bridges the gap between infrastructure-based information initiatives and their target market of the excluded and dispossessed. This paper will examine attempts from South America and Sub-Saharan Africa to fulfil this aspiration.


FTIR and FT-Raman spectrum of (2E)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (BP4NP) have been recorded in the region 4000−400 cm −1 and 4000−50 cm −1 , respectively. The structural and spectroscopic data of the molecule in the ground state have been calculated by using B3LYP/6-31+G (d) and CAM-B3LYP/ 6-31+G (d) basis sets. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated and compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. NBO analysis has been performed in order to demonstrate charge transfer or conjugative interaction and delocalization of electron density within the molecule. The electronic absorption spectra have been investigated by the TD-DFT methods. Besides, the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (LUMO) and energy difference (HOMO–LUMO) between the frontier molecular orbitals, reactive descriptors and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) have been performed. The static and dynamic (frequency) average polarizability (α), first- and second- order hyperpolarizabilities (β and γ) have been investigated by using the CAM-B3LYP method. The solvent effects on the polarizability (α), first- and second- order hyperpolarizabilities (β and γ) have also been evaluated by IEFPCM model. The results display significant second- and third-order molecular nonlinearity of the title compound.


The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has led to rapid transformation of health care delivery and access with increased provision of telehealth services despite previously identified barriers and limitations to this care. While telehealth was initially envisioned to increase equitable access to care for under-resourced populations, the way in which telehealth provision is designed and implemented may result in worsening disparities if not thoughtfully done. This commentary seeks to demonstrate the opportunities for telehealth equity based on past research, recent developments, and a recent patient experience case example highlighting benefits of telehealth care in underserved patient populations. Recommendations to improve equity in telehealth provision include improved virtual visit technology with a focus on patient ease of use, strategies to increase access to video visit equipment, universal broadband wireless, and inclusion of telephone visits in CMS reimbursement criteria for telehealth.


Background Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common geriatric syndrome associated with physical and cognitive impairments. The association between type of UI and sedentary behaviour (SB) has not been explored. Aim To determine association between moderate-severe UI, or any stress UI (SUI) or any urgency UI (UUI) and SB in community-dwelling older women. Methods Women aged 60 and over from the 2005–2006 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with objectively measured (accelerometer) and self-reported SB and UI data were selected. Multivariate models exploring association between moderate-severe UI and SB, or SUI and SB, or UUI and SB were analysed using logistic regression adjusted for factors associated with UI. Results In the overall sample of 459 older women, 23.5% reported moderate-severe UI, 50.5% reported any SUI and 41.4% reported any UUI. In bivariate analysis objectively measured proportion of time in SB was associated with moderate-severe UI and UUI (p = 0.014 and p = 0.047) but not SUI. Average duration of SB bouts in those with moderate-severe UI or any SUI was no longer than older women reporting no continence issues, but it was significantly (19%) longer in older women with any UUI (mean difference 3.2 minutes; p = 0.001). Self-reported SB variables were not associated with any type of UI. Multivariate analysis showed an association between UUI and a longer average duration of SB bouts (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.09, p = 0.006) but no association with moderate-severe UI or SUI. Conclusion UUI was significantly associated with increased average duration of SB bouts in community-dwelling older women. The importance of objective measurement of SB is highlighted and suggests that decreasing time in prolonged sitting may be a target intervention to reduce UUI. Future studies are required to further explore the association between SB and incontinence.


This paper presents a novel inkjet-printed near-field ultra-high-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag/sensor design with uniform magnetic field characteristics. The proposed tag is designed using the theory of characteristics mode (TCM). Moreover, the uniformity of current and magnetic field performance is achieved by further optimizing the design using particle swarm optimization (PSO). Compared to traditional electrically small near-field tags, this tag uses the logarithmic spiral as the radiating structure. The benefit of the logarithmic spiral structure lies in its magnetic field receiving area that can be extended to reach a higher reading distance. The combination of TCM and PSO is used to get the uniform magnetic field and desired resonant frequency. Moreover, the PSO was exploited to get a uniform magnetic field in the horizontal plane of the normal phase of the UHF RFID near-field reader antenna. As compared with the frequently-used commercial near field tag (Impinj J41), our design can be readable up to a three times greater read distance. Furthermore, the proposed near-field tag design shows great potential for commercial item-level tagging of expensive jewelry products and sensing applications, such as temperature monitoring of the human body.


Thin Ni–Fe films were produced via electrodeposition onto silicon substrates using direct current and pulse current (with different pulse durations) regimes. The correlation between the technological regimes, chemical composition and microstructure of Ni–Fe nanogranular films was investigated. Analysis of the microstructure evolution revealed that the mechanism of film growth changes from Volmer–Weber (island film growth) to Stranski–Krastanov (layer by layer growth) with the shortening of the pulse duration below 10 μs. This anomalous behavior was explained by the increase of the binding energy between the initial film atoms and the substrate surface. The results showed that using electrodeposition regimes, which ensure growth with an average crystal size less than the critical value of 10 nm, provides less roughness and defectiveness and better film uniformity in thickness.


Fixation nail systems , such as DHS, DCS and the standard Gamma-nail, are widely applied for the 31-A2 intertrochanteric unstable fractures treatment, but which one would be of more curative effect is still remained as a disputed problem. In this work, precise femur model with 31-A2 fracture was rebuilt based on the CT data, and fixation nail models were built by CAD. By the means of finite element analysis (FEA), the biomechanical data of femur and nail systems were achieved under typical loading. The results show that under the same load, the maximal stresses on the fracture sections for DCS, DHS and Gamma nail systems are 48MPa, 24MPa and 19MPa, separately; and the directional deformation is the highest with DCS fixation systems, while lowest with Gamma nail fixation system. Considering the mechanical safety, Gamma nail is more suitable for 31-A2 intertrochanteric unstable fractures treatment.


Mine tailings inhibit the growth of living organisms and give rise to unstable living conditions for the existing flora and microorganisms. The abandoned iron mine site in Londonderry, Nova Scotia is almost completely barren save the occasional tree or bush. The area has not been used for nearly 90 years and should this land be able to be remediated, it could help revive the town or potentially become an area for agricultural purposes. Because they are proven to be somewhat effective on their own, this study attempted to combine microorganism remediation and phytoremediation together in order to execute a thorough bioremediation process. The purpose of this experiment was to test the theory that compost, biosolids and well-chosen native plants can help produce biodiversity on the abandoned Londonderry site. Various combinations of compost and biosolids were poured into plastic pots that had exactly 500mL of tailings from the Londonderry mine site. Roadside mix seeds were added. The replicates were watered every three days for 25 days and then plant height and weight for each replicate was determined. Compost was extremely effective on its own and biosolids were not. However, when biosolids were mixed into the tailings, they were effective at producing high biomass yields. The experiment showed that a threshold point for compost is present. 73.5mL of compost on top of the tailings and 25mL of both compost and biosolids mixed into the tailings to simulate tilling were hypothesized to be the ideal mixture for producing maximum yields. Further studies on the actual site to determine the validity of this hypothesis are required. A soil analysis determined that iron levels were still extremely high and wild blueberries were suggested as the plant to be used for phytoremediation as it is an iron-loving plant and is native to Nova Scotia. A cost analysis revealed that the organic material will cost a mere $4000 to remediate the Londonderry site but labour and transportation costs will likely drive the cost up to $80,000 or higher. However, it is unfair to the Londonderry residents to leave a mine site that was abandoned 90 years ago unremediated. The Government of Nova Scotia should take some accountability and fund the project especially since $100,000 or less is not an obscene amount of money. Table of


Estimation of a Hilbert-space valued parameter in a linear model with compact linear transformation is considered with both multiplicative and additive noise present. The unknown parameter is assumed a priori to lie in a compact rectangular parallelepiped oriented in a certain way in the Hilbert space. Linear estimators are devised that minimize reasonable upper bounds on mean-squared error depending on conditions on the noise. Under prescribed conditions the estimators are minimax in the class of linear estimators. With the prior constraint on the unknown parameter removed, the estimation problem is ill-posed. Restricting the unknown provides a regularization of the basically ill-posed estimation. It turns out the estimators developed here belong to a well-known class of regularized estimators. With the interpretation that the constraint is soft, the procedure is applicable to many signal-processing problems. >


We seem to be living in an age when the only way we can justify an organisational activity is with the use of numbers. Numbers, on the other hand, appear unarguable. The only way to argue with numbers is to find different numbers. To us numbers carry the imprimatur of truth. Yet, in 1979, Campbell documented his pessimistic laws of quantitative indicators. The more any quantitative indicator is used for decision making, the more subject it will be to corruption pressures and the more apt it will be to distort and corrupt the social process it is intended to monitor (p 85). Most recent analyses of the dysfunctional effects of performance indicators have focused on the content of the performance indicators. These analyses emphasise the sorts of responses that occur when the values and theories inherent in performance indicators conflict with those of people associated with the program. Is it possible then, to fill performance indicators with a new content and use them in the service of different values? Or do performance indicators, by their very nature, tend to promote particular value and theoretical positions? In this thesis I use the discourse analysis techniques of Foucault and Ellul to argue that those same factors that make performance indicators so powerful and so unarguable, also make it difficult to avoid their dysfunctional effects. The dysfunctional effects seem to be inherent in the discourse from which performance indicators gain their power, a discourse which justifies, and make possible, both modern approaches to production and the unrestrained development of technology. (Ellul calls this imperative progress of technology, "la technique".) The act of freeing performance indicators from their dysfunctional effects will inevitably destroy their main advantage, certainty the certainty that allows action the certainty that comes from a particular abridged form of thought that is dominant in our society; thought that depends on 'seeing' rather than reasoning. The key arguments of the thesis are diagrammed in figure 1 (p 18). Foucault uses Bentham's "panopticon" to demonstrate the way in which power operates in our society, of which performance indicators are a supreme example. The panopticon is a system of surveillance that turns those who are observed into their own, most vigilant, observers. As a system of power in the social, economic and political realms this produces compliance. However, as a system of knowledge production is produces reactivity. This mode of knowing has become the dominant determinant, not only of how we gain knowledge about the world, but also of how we come to know ourselves, (with severe consequences). Its purpose is to cause us to use our bodies productively and therefore the only aspect of "truth" with which it is concerned is 'product' or 'effectiveness'. This is a severe form of reductionism. If we stay within this framework performance indicators are unarguable. If we move outside it, they become almost trivial. This certainty and reduction are achieved through definitional operationism. The fundamental fallacy of performance indicators, (and the cause of many dysfunctional effects), is the assumption that the relationship between an indicator and what it is trying to measure, is constant. Many modern decision-makers would simply not know how to act without the certainty that this simplifying assumption brings. Thus the indicator (which I shall call a symbol) and its target diverge, the symbol is likely to be retained while the underlying goal disappears. Indicators can end up becoming more real than that which they are intended to measure. We can easily end up living in a world of symbols whose real world content has long since been forgotten. This analysis is informed by a case-study of the attempt to develop a non-damaging, performance indicator system in a private rehabilitation hospital for people with acquired brain damage (ABD). This case study demonstrates the subtle way in which the reductionism inherent in performance indicators could end up undermining the program. I conclude by proposing that we need to abandon our ideal of performance indicators as a form of 'seeing' and to learn to think in more complex terms. I suggest that the use of program theory, as an heuristic technique, can help us do justice to the true complexity of programs while still allowing us to act and make decisions.


A new service promises to break down some of the barriers to mental health care faced by people with hearing losses.

At Canada's first tertiary care Mental Health Services for the Deaf (MHSD) at Regional Mental Health Care (RMHC) in London, Ont., services are provided by hearing psychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Lock and by Canada's only deaf clinical psychologst, Dr. Cathy Chovaz McKinnon, along with a part-time nurse. Services are available in American Sign Language (ASL), total communication and in spoken English and French. Presently, the service isn't offered in La Langue des Signes Quebecoise (LSQ). Interpreters and intervenors are used when needed.

Lock says physicians don't receive regular training in treating deaf patients so "they are not aware of why the services are inaccessible."

Patients who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deaf–blind face tremendous barriers in accessing health care in general and mental health services in particular.

Commonly, when deaf patients attempt to communicate in sign language, "they are often mistaken by medical professionals to be exhibiting 'bizarre behaviours,' 'physical agitation' or 'violent gestures.'" Because they are often misunderstood, Lock says "deaf patients are frequently misdiagnosed, not communicated with, not given informed care" and have "unnecessarily long hospital stays."

Lock says many people think deaf people "should" or "can" communicate in English or French. Yet for many reasons most individuals who have been deaf since birth do not acquire facility in English, which is also often their second language. Lock stresses lip reading is also problematic because only 25%-30% of English sounds are visible externally. This makes conversation difficult to grasp, especially if one has never heard spoken language.

Lock adds that few physicians are aware of Supreme Court ruling (Eldridge v. British Columbia, 1997) or know how to get a certified interpreter. Certified interpreters must be provided for deaf patients; thus laypersons and families should not be used.

Miscommunication "can result in admissions to psychiatric facilities when there is no psychiatric problem," says Lock. In "such cases, the medical problem can be missed altogether." Similarly, when deaf people write answers on paper, they may do so using ASL grammar but English words," which can produce further misunderstanding or misdiagnosis".

Common misdiagnoses are psychosis, hyperactivity, ADHD or mental deficiency

Currently, MHSD offers tertiary care for deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and deaf–blind individuals in southwestern Ontario. This area is densely populated and London is home to Robarts School for the Deaf. An estimated 7000 persons will need the services in London. MHSD provides in-and outpatient mental health assessment and treatment and will provide mental health care to individuals with a serious mental health disorder. MHSD hopes eventually be able to service other parts of Canada.

"We guide our care based on the level of need and strive to work with family doctors, specialists and community services to provide shared care type of service. Our goal is that of mental wellness and to provide ethically, linguistically and culturally appropriate quality service," Lock advises.

MHSD also offers learning and research opportunities for University of Western Ontario medical, psychology and nursing students.

Both Lock and Chovaz McKinnon worked for years to create similar programs in different areas of Canada. Dr. Sandra Fisman, chair and chief of the department of psychiatry for St. Joseph's Health Care, London Health Sciences Centre and University of Western Ontario brought both professionals to RMHC London. — Lynne Swanson, London, Ont.

Figure. Dr. Cathy Chovaz McKinnon (left) signing with Dr. Elizabeth Lock Photo by: Mark Hamon, St. Joseph's Health Care


Numerous applications of Stoddart's 'blue-box', a pyridinium containing macrocycle of rectangular shape, encouraged us to seek successors of this amazing molecule. Using a one-step cyclization reaction we synthesized a square-shaped cyclic tetramer consisting of 4-methylenepyridinium units - pillar[4]pyridinium (P[4]P). Pillar[4]pyridinium is a quadruply positively charged water-soluble macrocycle with a highly symmetric, strained structure and an electron-deficient cavity. These features impel the macrocycle to assemble into channel networks in the solid state and render it an effective fluoride receptor in water.


In orthodontic practice, orthodontist frequently face the patients with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular second premolar. There are some treatment options for patients with congenitally missing second premolar such as keeping the deciduous second molar, extracting the molars and allowing space to close spontaneously, prosthetic replacement, autotransplantation and orthodontic space closure. Instead of treatment option for congenitally maxillary lateral incisor are orthodontic space opening for future restoration or orthodontic space closure using canines to replace missing maxillary lateral incisors. There are some factors must be consider before making a decision, such as the facial profile, dentoalveolar protrusion, the tooth size-arch length discrepancy, inclination and position of canine, dental esthetic of canines, occlusion, the dental relationship, patient's age, the stage of development of the adjacent teeth and the condition of the deciduous predecessors with regard to root resorption and infracclusion. In this paper it will be discussed about the indications, advantages and disadvantages of both treatment modalities to help clinicians to cope with the malocclusion cases with congenital missing teeth. In this regard it needed teamwork among the orthodontist, prosthodontist, dental surgeon and restorative dentist to analyzing some factors related to individual patients and establishing overall treatment plans. DOI:  10.14693/jdi.v16i1.18


The design, creation, and analysis of structure are central to both science and engineering. The paradox of structure is that, whatever its nature, any structure is both enabling and limiting at the same time. Each person manages this paradox differently, as described by the adaption-innovation theory of M. J. Kirton. This paper provides a summary of key points in adaption-innovation theory, as well as some of its applications in engineering research and education, including a new initiative by the author to explore the relationship between the cognitive styles of inventors and the types of inventions they create. The paradox of structure is also discussed here in the context of technical systems, with specific examples to illustrate its impact on the development of new ideas. Finally, the ramifications of this paradox are considered as the boundaries of science and engineering are moved forward in an age of increased vigilance and system security.


THE CASE: A 7-year-old boy has had left ankle pain for 2 days. Neither he nor his mother can recall any recent trauma to the joint. He is usually very active, but he has been unable to bear weight on the left foot and has been resting in bed. His mother reports that he had some tactile fevers, which were transiently relieved with ibuprofen, and that he has been eating and drinking normally. Despite the application of ice and elevation, the ankle has become red and swollen.


Objective: Previous small-scale studies have demonstrated the feasibility of providing remote specialty care via virtual visits. We assessed the feasibility and benefits of a one-time consultation between a remote Parkinson Disease (PD) specialist and an individual with PD at home on a larger scale. Methods: We conducted a multicenter noncontrolled cohort of virtual visits administered over videoconferencing between remote PD specialists and individuals with PD in their home. Specialists performed a patient history and a PD-specific physical examination and provided recommendations to patients and their local physicians. The primary outcome measures were feasibility, as measured by the proportion of visits completed as scheduled, and the 6-month change in quality of life, as measured by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39. Additional outcomes included satisfaction with visits and interest in future virtual visits. Results: A total of 277 participants from 5 states enrolled, 258 participants completed virtual visits with 14 different physicians, and 91% of visits were completed as scheduled. No improvement in quality of life was observed at 6 months (0.4-point improvement; 95% confidence interval −1.5 to 0.6; p = 0.39). Overall satisfaction with virtual visits was high among physicians (94% satisfied or very satisfied) and patients (94% satisfied or very satisfied), and 74% of participants were interested in receiving future care via virtual visits. Conclusions: Providing specialty care remotely into the homes of individuals with PD is feasible, but a one-time visit did not improve quality of life. Satisfaction with the visits was high among physicians and patients, who were interested in receiving such care in the future. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with PD, remote specialty care is feasible but does not improve quality of life. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02144220.


In order to mitigate the adverse effects that growth has had on Gwinnett County's aquatic resources, the county has developed a comprehensive Watershed Improvement Program (WIP). The focus of the WIP is to address areas negatively affected by increased stormwater flows and ongoing land use practices from urban development. The Lake Claiborne project is part of the Sweetwater Creek WIP Implementation. The goals of the restoration project were to improve water quality, habitat, biology, and the overall condition and health of Sweetwater Creek, its tributary and Lake Claiborne. Prior to construction, the lake had a surface area of approximately 5 acres. The lake drainage area is 554 acres, with an impervious cover of 25 percent. The lake was constructed in the 1960s with a significantly larger open water footprint. The lake filled in with sediment over the years from increased development within the watershed. As a result, the stream segments were aggraded and the depth of the lake decreased. Pre-construction water quality sampling and biological monitoring determined macroinvertebrate habitats were poor. Post-construction monitoring will be performed to measure improvements. Construction, completed in June 2011, included removing accumulated sediment to restore the original design capacity and increase flood storage capacity. The lake outlet control structure was modified to provide detention and peak flow attenuation. Stream restoration included redesigning the two streams flowing to the lake by restoring the channel geometry and profiles to improve transport of sediment load. Offline ponds for sediment accumulation were built within the original 100-year floodplain boundary of the lake. Grading was done around the lake to establish a functional littoral zone to provide additional filtering and habitat. Finally, enhancement of the riparian buffer was accomplished by removing invasive vegetation and replanting with native species.


The importance of physiological supply of folate is well recognized in human health; the crucial roles of folate in one-carbon metabolism for physiological DNA synthesis and cell division, as well as in the conversion of homocysteine (Hcy) to methionine, and subsequently, to S-adenosylmethionine, have been convincingly demonstrated. Improved folate status may reduce the risk of macrocytic anaemia, cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Inadequate folate status results in a decrease in the methylation cycle and in increased blood levels of the neurotoxic Hcy. The aim of this review is to provide insight into the influence of folate status on pregnancy health outcomes, and to consider increasing evidence of a link between the extent of genome/epigenome damage and elevated risk for adverse obstetrical endpoints. Pregnant women are at risk for folate insufficiency because of the increased need for folate for rapid fetal growth, placental development and enlargement of the uterus. Inadequate folate status may cause fetal malformations, impaired fetal growth, pre-term delivery and maternal anaemia. Even some diseases of the placenta may arise from folate deficiencies. Fetal growth seems to be vulnerable to maternal folate status during the periconception period, because it has the potential to affect both the closure of the neural tube and several epigenetic mechanisms within the placenta and the fetus. Mainly on the basis of the well recognized link between maternal folate status and fetal neural tube defects, women are advised to receive folic acid supplement during the periconceptional period. Because an adequate folate supply seems to play an important role in the implantation and development of the placenta and in improving endothelial function, folic acid supplementation in the late first trimester or early second trimester might also be beneficial.


This third and final volume of "The History of the European Family" series concludes a comprehensive work synthesising what is known about the history of the European family over the past five centuries. It places family history and the changing life experience of ordinary people at the heart of the new social history. The 20th century saw extraordinary events and changes that were without precedent in human history. It was the century of world wars, of economic crises, and of radically new ideologies and political regimes; yet it was also the century of guaranteed social rights, economic growth and the advent of the Welfare State. The profound political and social transformations that took place between 1914 and 2000 had a huge impact on European families, particularly in relation to women and contraception, work and migration, domestic instability, and the law. One of the fundamental questions raised by Marzio Barbagli and David I. Kertzer is whether, and to what extent, different European societies became more or less similar over the course of the 20th century, as far as the nature of family life is concerned. Bringing together ten contemporary scholars in the field from across Europe and America, the editors present a collection of essays which explore the influences of the economy, the state, the church, the world wars, and other demographic forces over the European family during the most violent century in history.


&NA; α thalassemia is rarely diagnosed in Australian families of British or Northern European ancestry. In 1972, a third generation Australian was shown to have α thalassemia. In the absence of known Mediterranean or South East Asian ancestry it was reported as being the first example of α thalassemia in an Australian family. Further study of the proposita in 1985 using DNA mapping of the α globin gene complex, shows a distinctive molecular defect identical to the British type of α thalassemia. The latter is clearly different from the commonly encountered Mediterranean and South East Asian α° haplotypes. Recognition that α° thalassemia occurs in Australians is important since it may produce a microcytic hypochromic anemia. Its inheritance together with other forms of α°thalassemia may lead to severe Hb H disease or Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis.


This paper has assessed the externalities of biomass for electricity production, and compared them with those of coal. The effects studied have been those on human health, CO2 balance, soil erosion, non-point-source pollution, and the employment. The methodology used has been the one developed by the ExternE Project of the European Commission, which has been extended by CIEMAT to cover socioeconomic impacts. A more site-specific methodology for dealing with soil erosion and non-point-source pollution is also proposed. This methodology has been applied to assess the externalities of a proposed biomass power plant in Spain, and also to a hypothetical coal power plant in the same location. In spite of the high uncertainty involved in the assessment, results show that, when externalities are introduced into the cost analysis, the total costs of biomass electricity is lower than that of coal, under the assumptions used. KeywordsExternalities; social costs; biomass; energy; methodology.


The rise of GPS (Global Positioning System) enabled smartphones, such as the iPhone and Google Android mobile operating system, together with the highbandwidth network access afforded by third generation (3G) networks, has meant the use of these devices progressing beyond their social networking and communication purposes to become creative tools employed in the art domain and for entertainment experiences. Smartphones are able to augment real world spaces by introducing a digital narrative that can alter one's experience of a space, allowing it to reveal details and experiences in a previously unseen manner, thereby providing a rich and new encounter of this new world. A number of applications currently exist that augment space using visual means, however, there are still only a limited number that use audio. This technology allows for new ways to experience the static audio installation, previously experienced in the studio or gallery. It is now possible to experience dynamic and interactive soundscapes, influenced by one's movements, location and environmental stimuli. Hence the experience is aural and unencumbered, creating an automated embodied encounter where one becomes the performer and the space an interactive soundscape. This paper presents the concept of interactive soundscapes and looks at a methodology for the use of mobile technology that challenges the tendency to simply extend traditional media onto the mobile sphere. Instead, location technology and the urban space can be viewed as an artistic canvas on which sound artists, musicians and composers can test the classical constraints of design, ruled so long by the physics of space, time, and material in order to experiment with new forms of art.


Background and Objectives: Prescription is one of the most important phases of medication use and so much so that it could be said that high quality of prescription overall indicates high quality of care. The most frequent number of medication errors occurs during drug prescription which leads to patient injury or death in the hospitals. Present study was carried out to evaluate the prescription quality of medication chart of hospitalized patients in Rafsanjan hospitals, 2007 . Material and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in three months during the year 2007. Drug order sheets of 800 patients from 20 wards were studied by systematic randomized sampling. Data were collected using a researcher made check list, include demographic characteristics of physicians and 18 items related to quality of medication chart and medication related indicators. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 18 software . Results : The mean score of total of checklists was 12.3±2.84 which indicated desirable conditions. Mean score of medication chart related indicators was 3.49 ± 0.74 which showed desirable status. Patient allergies were not recorded . Medication related indicators mean score was 8.89 ± 2.4 which shows semi desirable status. Conclusion : Based on the findings, observance of prescription standards such as legibly writing of drug order, documentation of patient allergies, drug preparation and its special precaution had undesirable status which are potential risk factors for medication errors. Key words: Drug, Prescription quality, Prescription Errors, Hospitalized Patients Funding: This research was funded by the Food and Drug organization of ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical education Conflict of Interest: Non decalred Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Food and Drug organization of ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical education approved the study. How to cite this article : Heidari Sh, Khodadadi A, Ravari A, Asadi Gh, Fatehi Z . Prescription Quality of Medication Chart of Hospitalized Patients in Hospitals Affiliated with Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 2007 . J Rafsanjan Univ Med Scie 2012 11(5): 437-48. [Farsi]


Social media has gained an increasingly important role in consumer life. Building a permanent social network presence and interacting through online communication have become a very popular and inevitable sphere of modern society. Social networks represent a great platform for gradual emergence and promotion of consumer-brand relationships, where both retailers and consumers participate in the creation of online brand communities. From the marketing perspective consumers all over the world are strongly connected to each other via engagement in online word-of-mouth communication, generating new patterns in brand purchasing processes. Having given that teens and young adults are considered main advocates of this trend, we extrapolated this idea to accessing the student population, with premise that their behavior is more specific to related research question than random sample perspective would be. The intention of the study was to investigate the role and the importance of social media among the student population in the Republic of Serbia, with a special emphasis on their opinions and attitudes towards gathering and using online information about brands. The results should be beneficial for marketing professionals in terms of better understanding consumer behavior, as one of the most complex and unpredictable phenomenon in the time when Internet creates a suitable environment for business success. In the era of social network platforms brands are considered to have their own persona that actively participates in life of customers by responding to communication via social media.


In this paper, we present a model describing the dynamics of a population of ice floes with arbitrary shapes and sizes, which are exposed to atmospheric and oceanic skin drag. The granular model presented is based on simplified momentum equations for ice floe motion between collisions and on the resolution of linear complementarity problems to deal with ice floe collisions. Between collisions, the motion of an individual ice floe satisfies the linear and angular momentum conservation equations, with classical formula applied to account for atmospheric and oceanic skin drag. To deal with collisions, before they lead to interpenetration, we included a linear complementarity problem based on the Signorini condition and Coulombs law. The nature of the contact is described through a constant coefficient of friction μ, as well as a coefficient of restitution (0≤e≤1) describing the loss of kinetic energy during the collision. In the present version of our model, this coefficient is fixed. The model was validated using data obtained from the motion of interacting artificial wood floes in a test basin. The results of simulations comprising few hundreds of ice floes of various shapes and sizes, exposed to different forcing scenarios, and under different configurations, are also discussed. They show that the progressive clustering of ice floes as the result of kinetic energy dissipation during collisions is well captured, and suggest a collisional regimes of floe dispersion at small scales, different from a large-scale regime essentially driven by wind forcing.


High elevation five-needle pines are rapidly declining throughout North America. The six species, whitebark (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.), limber (P. flexilis James), southwestern white (P. strobiformis Engelm.), foxtail (P. balfouriana Grev. & Balf.), Great Basin bristlecone (P. longaeva D.K. Bailey), and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (P. aristata Engelm.), have limited timber value but are of great ecological and symbolic importance to both the U.S. and Canadian West. A comprehensive International symposium, called the High Five symposium, was held June 28-30, 2010, in Missoula, Montana to: (1) bring together scientists, managers, and concerned citizens to exchange information on the ecology, threats, and management of these pines; (2) learn about the threats and current status of pine populations; (3) describe efforts to mitigate threats through restoration techniques and action plans; and, (4) build a foundation for the synthesis of research efforts and management approaches. These proceedings present reports of some of the presentations given at the conference in the form of abstracts, extended abstracts, papers, and plenary papers in the areas of ecology, disturbance dynamics, genetics, climate change, and restoration techniques.


The wine industry is currently shifting toward more sustainable production practices. Due to the growing globalized wine market and the increasing environmental impacts, producers have begun to pay more attention to organic and biodynamic products. Using a systematic literature review, this review aims to investigate the biodynamic production system in the viticulture and winemaking process. In particular, the review examines, 1) the biodynamic practice and its main characteristics including the certification system; 2) the biodynamic market characteristics and the recent trends, the production costs and the marketing strategies adopted by wineries; 3) the demand attributes and wine consumers' perception on sustainable practices and "green products" such as biodynamic products; and 4) the association between the biodynamic wine chain and the environment. The review highlights the research progress in this field and reflects on the potentiality and needs of the biodynamic viticulture and wine sector. The literature clearly indicates the lack of knowledge regarding, mainly, the biodynamic farming concept and the label. Moreover, while it is clear that consumers are willing to spend more for an organic wine than for a conventional one, there are no data about the willingness to pay for biodynamic wines. Finally, the review concludes with implications and suggestions for further research.


The solar radiation is the most important fator affeccting evapotranspiration, the mechanism of transporting the vapor from the water surface has also a great effect. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the potential of using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to predict solar radiation related to temperature. The three-layer backpropagation were developed, trained, and tested to forecast solar radiation for Ciriung sub Cachment. Result revealed that the ANN were able to well learn the events they were trained to recognize. Moreover, they were capable of effecctively generalize their training by predicting solar radiation for sets unseen cases.


We review our data on the measurement of catecholamines and their metabolites in 19 patients with pheochromocytoma. All the assays were specific high-performance liquid chromatographic procedures with electrochemical detection. The assay of fractionated metanephrines was 100% sensitive. Normal values for both urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine were found in two asymptomatic patients with pheochromocytoma. Normal values for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA) were found in two patients with pure epinephrine-secreting tumors and in one patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type II. Plasma catecholamines were usually less increased than their urinary counterparts. We recommend the specific measurement of norepinephrine and epinephrine as the initial test for patients with suggestive symptoms, and specific measurement of normetanephrine and metanephrine for patients in whom an adrenal mass is incidentally found. We argue against the use of total metanephrines, total catecholamines, and VMA because of their lack of diagnostic sensitivity.


This thesis investigates the possibilities of implementing a location awareness mechanism for the so-called lesswire localNavigator. The author claims that it is possible to implement such a mechanism within the given prerequisites and constraints, even though with today's technology it may not be economically feasible. Due to the lesswire's constraints: high accuracy (67%), high-resolution (12 m2) and no hardware modification allowed to the mobile device, the suggested scheme uses Time Difference Of Arrival technology (TDOA). The main advantage of TDOA, as stated in this thesis, is the fact that it is almost totally independent of the preferred wireless technology of the mobile device. TDOA technology therefore, can be applied to a wide range of wireless networks (primarily TDMA, CDMA, FDMA – based). A disadvantage of this scheme is the fact that the network infrastructure needs to be extremely well synchronized - which in turn implies higher costs. Depending on how the synchronization problem is solved, the proposed system may well be economically feasible in the near future.


Zacharias Huber (1669-1732) evaluated in the revised Heedensdaegse Rechtsgeleertheyt arguments, hitherto unknown, which were brought forward in a case, pursued before the Court of Friesland and decided on December 14th 1718. The case dealt with the ownership of a box with gold, found on the beach of Schiermonnikoog in 1710 and which came from the ship De Witte Haas, shipwrecked off the coast in 1674. Newly found civil records show that Maria Wilree (1667-1729) from Amsterdam started the procedure to recover the box with gold, because it purportedly belonged to her father Dirck Wilree (1636-1674), director-general for the West India Company in Guinea and who died in the shipwrecking. She took legal action against Henrica Helmhout, regent of Schiermonnikoog and receiver of wrecks, and Gillis Vermeersch, representative of the West India Company. Only Vermeersch was successful in his argument, which he based on the instructions of the Company: it was forbidden to transport unregistered private goods. Such goods forfeited immediately to the Company. Consequently, Wilree claimed for the Company ownership and possession of the box with gold. Helmhout claimed to be the owner by prescription. Their arguments appear not to have been convincing.


This dissertation examines Midwestern development and focuses on the early development of Marion County, Indiana, through the end of the Civil War and examines the ways that the region's overwhelmingly rural residents adapted to the challenges and successes of the urban growth and market interconnectivity that they sought from the moment of settlement. Starting with initial meetings of the Marion County Commissioners and examining major municipal turning points including the passage of the Mammoth Internal Improvements Bill, the Panic of 1837, the arrival of the first railroad a decade later, and the onset of the Civil War, it argues that Hoosiers, rather than trying to remain disconnected from external markets as proposed by some historians, immediately pushed for market participation but had difficulty dealing with the unforeseen consequences of their actions. It ultimately demonstrates that Americans had a powerful desire to foster market capitalism in the early republic but lacked the foresight to critically examine the potential for negative externalities. This dissertation has two goals. First, it reorients the history of the transition to capitalism toward the Old Northwest, a region relatively ignored by historians interested in the onset of the so-called "market revolution" along the eastern seaboard. This timely re-examination of Midwestern economic and social change allies itself with the "New History of Capitalism," and challenges historians to expand their focus beyond the Northeast to engage with the rest of the American experience during the long nineteenth century. Second, it engages a small but growing movement to reorient the history of American Western development east of the Mississippi River. Indianapolis presents historians with a unique opportunity to examine the process of the transition to capitalism


Aspects of different calibration procedures for erythemally weighing broadband radiometers are presented in this study. These instruments are common in projects dealing with ultraviolet radiation effects on humans. Many erythemally weighing broadband radiometers are still operated using a single calibration factor (cf) that is provided with the instrument. The individual characteristics of every instrument are strongly dependent on the total ozone amount and the solar elevation. Therefore, a calibration procedure also has to take into account the ozone concentrations and the solar elevation to compensate for the effects of the individual characteristics and to provide comparable measurements. Given the variation of the ozone concentrations and the solar elevation, an individual cf has to be calculated for every measurement. Using a simplified version of the calibration procedure, which is presented in this study, can lessen this effort. Taking into account the relevant meteorological conditions for a measuring site, a single cf is calculated to compensate the individual characteristics of the instruments and therefore deliver comparable measurements with less effort.