The recent considerable growth in the amount of easily available on-line text has brought to the foreground the need for large-scale natural language processing tools for text data mining. In this paper we address the problem of organizing documents into meaningful groups according to their content and to visualize a text collection, providing an overview of the range of documents and of their relationships, so that they can be browsed more easily. We use Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) (Kohonen 1984). Great efficiency challenges arise in creating these maps. We study linguistically-motivated ways of reducing the representation of a document to increase efficiency and ways to disambiguate the words in the documents.


Quercetin is a flavonol belonging to the flavonoid group of polyphenols. Quercetin is reported to have a variety of biological functions, including antioxidant, pigment, auxin transport inhibitor and root nodulation factor. Additionally, quercetin is known to be involved in bacterial pathogen resistance in Arabidopsis through the transcriptional increase of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying how quercetin promotes pathogen resistance remain elusive. In this study, we showed that the transcriptional increases of PR genes were achieved by the monomerization and nuclear translocation of nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related proteins 1 (NPR1). Interestingly, salicylic acid (SA) was approximately 2-fold accumulated by the treatment with quercetin. Furthermore, we showed that the increase of SA biosynthesis by quercetin was induced by the transcriptional increases of typical SA biosynthesis-related genes. In conclusion, this study strongly suggests that quercetin induces bacterial pathogen resistance through the increase of SA biosynthesis in Arabidopsis.


This paper is critically concerned with the recent attempts in contrastive rhetoric (CR) to interpret the linguistic and rhetorical differences found in the academic discourses produced by Anglophone and nonAnglophone academic and research writers. Framing this critique within a discourse view of language, culture and communication, this paper points to the need to go beyond such a priori, static, and too often vague concepts as language and culture as explanatory variables in intercultural (academic) rhetoric. Moreover, using data that examined the use of English in lingua franca contexts, the paper urges researchers in CR to consider the differences and misunderstandings arising from a history of socialization of academics to different discourse communities, varying assumptions of what constitutes appropriate academic genres, as well as the identities and meanings that are co-constructed in concrete and situated rhetorical action. It is believed that such a perspective on intercultural academic communication will not only help move the CR agenda forward, but will also lead to a better understanding of communicative and intercultural competence, and dialogue with the cultural academic "other".


A new algorithm for region of interest evaluation in computed tomography has been developed. Region of interest evaluation is a technique used to improve quantitation of the tomographic imaging process by summing (or averaging) the reconstructed quantity throughout a volume of particular significance. An important application of this procedure arises in the analysis of dynamic emission computed tomographic data, in which the uptake and clearance of radiotracers are used to determine the blood flow and/or physiologic function of tissue within the significant volume. The new algorithm replaces the conventional technique of repeated image reconstructions with one in which projected regions are convolved and then used to form multiple vector inner products with the raw tomographic data sets. Quantitation of regions of interest is made without the need for reconstruction of tomographic images. The computational advantage of the new algorithm over conventional methods is between a factor of 20 and a factor of 500 for typical applications encountered in medical science studies. The greatest benefit of the new algorithm (and the motivation for its development) is the ease with which the statistical uncertainty of the result is computed. The entire covariance matrix for the evaluation of regions of interest can be calculated with relatively few operations.


S. 27 (McCain-Feingold), the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001, was introduced January 22, 2001 in a form similar to prior versions of the last two Congresses. On April 2, after a two-week debate and adoption of 22 amendments, the Senate passed S. 27 by a vote of 59-41. That measure's companion Shays-Meehan bill, the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2001, was initially introduced as H.R. 380 in a form similar to House-passed versions of the prior two Congresses; on June 28, the bill was modified and offered as H.R. 2356. H.R. 2360 (Ney-Wynn), the Campaign Finance Reform and Grassroots Citizen Participation Act of 2001, was introduced and ordered reported favorably by the House Administration Committee on June 28. (Shays-Meehan was ordered reported unfavorably at the same time.) The two primary features of the bills are restrictions on party soft money and issue advocacy.


Technological advances have caused a decrease in the number of infant deaths. Pre-term infants now have a substantially increased chance of survival. One of the mechanisms that is vital to saving the lives of these infants is continuous monitoring and early diagnosis. With continuous monitoring huge amounts of data are collected with so much information embedded in them. By using statistical analysis this information can be extracted and used to aid diagnosis and to understand development. In this study we have a large dataset containing over 180 pre-term infants whose heart rates were recorded over the length of their stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We test two types of models, empirical bayesian and autoregressive moving average. We then attempt to predict future values. The autoregressive moving average model showed better results but required more computation.


Importance
Nonfatal opioid overdose may be a critical touch point when youths who have never received a diagnosis of opioid use disorder can be engaged in treatment. However, the extent to which youths (adolescents and young adults) receive timely evidence-based treatment following opioid overdose is unknown.

Objective
To identify characteristics of youths who experience nonfatal overdose with heroin or other opioids and to assess the percentage of youths receiving timely evidence-based treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This retrospective cohort study used the 2009-2015 Truven-IBM Watson Health MarketScan Medicaid claims database from 16 deidentified states representing all US census regions. Data from 4 039 216 Medicaid-enrolled youths aged 13 to 22 years were included and were analyzed from April 20, 2018, to March 21, 2019.

Exposures
Nonfatal incident and recurrent opioid overdoses involving heroin or other opioids.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Receipt of timely addiction treatment (defined as a claim for behavioral health services, for buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone prescription or administration, or for both behavioral health services and pharmacotherapy within 30 days of incident overdose). Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with receipt of timely treatment as well as with incident and recurrent overdoses were also identified.

Results
Among 3791 youths with nonfatal opioid overdose, 2234 (58.9%) were female, and 2491 (65.7%) were non-Hispanic white. The median age was 18 years (interquartile range, 16-20 years). The crude incident opioid overdose rate was 44.1 per 100 000 person-years. Of these 3791 youths, 1001 (26.4%) experienced a heroin overdose; the 2790 (73.6%) remaining youths experienced an overdose involving other opioids. The risk of recurrent overdose among youths with incident heroin involvement was significantly higher than that among youths with other opioid overdose (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 2.14-3.22), and youths with incident heroin overdose experienced recurrent overdose at a crude rate of 20 700 per 100 000 person-years. Of 3606 youths with opioid-related overdose and continuous enrollment for at least 30 days after overdose, 2483 (68.9%) received no addiction treatment within 30 days after incident opioid overdose, whereas only 1056 youths (29.3%) received behavioral health services alone, and 67 youths (1.9%) received pharmacotherapy. Youths with heroin overdose were significantly less likely than youths with other opioid overdose to receive any treatment after their overdose (adjusted odds ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49-0.83).

Conclusions and Relevance
After opioid overdose, less than one-third of youths received timely addiction treatment, and only 1 in 54 youths received recommended evidence-based pharmacotherapy. Interventions are urgently needed to link youths to treatment after overdose, with priority placed on improving access to pharmacotherapy.


The evaluation of BIM capabilities and repeatability enables a company or project to identify its current status and how to improve continuously; this evaluation can be performed with BIM maturity models. However, these maturity models can measure the BIM state but not specifically the application of BIM uses. Likewise, in interorganizational project teams with a diversity of factors from various companies, it is possible to evaluate the capacity at a specified time with specified factors, but it is not possible to evaluate the repeatability unless the client always works with the same project teams. Therefore, despite the existence of various BIM uses in the literature, there is no instrument to evaluate the level of implementation of them in construction projects. This research proposes a BIM Use Assessment (BUA) tool for characterizing the levels of application of the BIM uses in the planning and design phases of building projects. The research methodology was organized into three stages: (1) identification, selection, and definition of BIM uses; (2) proposal of the BUA tool for characterizing the level of BIM use application; and (3) validation of the BUA tool. The tool was validated using 25 construction projects, where high reliability and concordance were observed; hence, the BUA tool complies with the consistency and concordance analysis for assessing uses in the design and planning phases of construction projects. The assessment will enable self-diagnosis, stakeholder qualification/selection, and industry benchmarking.


Introduction: Assessing and developing managers' safety competence is one method for achieving high safety performance in the organisations. Objectives: The aim of this study is to construct a safety management competence development framework to help organisations in safety promotion. Materials and methods: This study comprises a theory-based construction of the safety management competence development framework and   an empirical study in a case organisation. Results: The framework consists of definition of safety management competence requirements, self-assessment of the competence, definition of development needs, and implementation of competence development activities. Conclusions: The framework provides the means for systematically improving managers' safety management competence as an integral part of general management competence development procedures in organisations.


Decerebration allows single-unit responses in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) to be studied in the absence of anesthesia and descending efferent influences. When this procedure is applied to cats, three neural response types (V, I, and O) can be identified by distinct patterns of excitation and inhibition in pure-tone frequency-response maps. Similarities of the definitive response map features with those of projection neurons in the auditory brain stem have led to the proposal that the ICC response types are derived from different sources of ascending input that remain functionally segregated within the midbrain. Additional evidence for the existence of these hypothesized parallel processing pathways has been obtained in our previous investigations of the effects of interaural level differences, brain stem lesions, and pharmacological manipulations on physiologically classified units. This study extends our characterization of the functional segregation of single-unit activity in the ICC by investigating how sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs) is related to the response types that are observed in decerebrate cats. The results of these experiments support our parallel-processing model of the ICC by linking the ITD sensitivity of type V and I units to putative inputs from the medial superior olive and lateral superior olive and by showing that most type O units lack a systematic sensitivity to binaural temporal information presumably because their dominant ascending inputs arise from weakly binaural neurons in the dorsal cochlear nucleus.


Nodal explants were inoculated with basal cut surface down on medium MSB with BAP. The different concentrations BAP ranging from 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/lit, were used for obtaining multiple shoots. After 45 days maximum number of multiple shoots were obtained on medium containing 2.0mg/ lit of BAP which was approximately 88 / culture. In the present study 2.0mg/ lit of BAP concentration was found to be the ideal concentration for high frequency of multiple shoots induction. This is the first report of such high frequency of multiple shoot induction. Maximum hyoscyamine 0.0390 mg/g DW and scopolamine 1.660 mg/g DW content was found at 2 mg/lit BAP. Minimum hyoscyamine and scopolamine content was found at 1 mg/lit BAP (0.0164 and 1.154 mg/g DW respectively). We found that difference in content of hyoscyamine and scopolamine was also affected by concentration of BAP i.e. increased concentration of BAP and increased number of multiple shoots showed correlation with increased concentration of hyoscyamine and scopolamine.


A survey of intestinal parasites was conducted on 198 foreign workers aged 19-27 from Inodonesia and Philippines. They work for a private company in Ishikawa Prefecture as technical trainee. On the base of stool examination, 94 (71%) out of 133 Indonesians and 48 (74%) of 65 Filipinos had intestinal helminths and/or protozoan infections. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura and Hookworm was 4.5, 64.1, 10.6%, respectively. In addition, the positive rate of the cyst of Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lumblia was 11.1, 5.6, 4.5 and 2.0%, respectively. No E. histolytica was found; however, counter current immunoelectrophoresis revealed that one out of 112 sera possessed the antibody against the antigen of HK-9 strain of E. histolytica. Sixty-three cases of trichuriasis were treated with mebendazole at a dose of 200 mg/day x 3 consecutive days. Re-examination revealed that 53 (85.5%) of them were cured.


Background Syndromic management of vaginal discharge is common in both developed and developing countries. No systematic review has evaluated the performance of the WHO syndromic management algorithms as a case-management tool for symptomatic women. Our evaluation will inform health care professionals whether these algorithms have sufficient discriminatory power in identifying patients who would benefit from treatment for cervical infections. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic studies on syndromic management of vaginal discharge. We searched Medline, Embase and Global Health databases; we also searched relevant lists of references. We included the studies that reported their findings in sufficient detail to allow data abstraction for symptomatic women. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic OR (DOR) were used to evaluate the algorithms. ROC curves were pooled using the HSROC random effects model. Findings We screened 896 abstracts for eligibility and included 101 articles for a full text review; 17 studies were included in the analysis. HSROC overall summary statistics were: sensitivity 0.58 (0.42–0.73), specificity 0.70 (0.61–0.78), DOR 3.25 (2.22–4.76) and sensitivity 0.81 (0.71–0.87), specificity 0.46 (0.40–0.52), DOR 3.71 (2.42–5.67) for the WHO algorithms without and with speculum examination respectively. For the algorithms that were modified to include local risk factors the overall sensitivity was 0.75 (0.51–0.90), specificity 0.58 (0.35–0.77) and DOR 4.18 (2.84–6.15) for the algorithms without speculum exam; sensitivity 0.70 (0.41–0.89), specificity 0.64 (0.42–0.82), DOR 4.24 (2.55–7.54) for the algorithms with speculum exam; and sensitivity 0.91 (0.68–0.98), specificity 0.54 (0.31–0.75), DOR 11.97 (4.93–30.0) for the algorithms with microscopy. Interpretation Overall, diagnostic algorithms for the management of vaginal discharge had poor to moderate performance in symptomatic women. Incorporating locally-identified risk factors resulted in small improvement in the performance of the algorithms, however, considerable number of women were overtreated due to low specificity.


Hong Kong for me is a fascinating city; it embodies many contradictory conditions while at the same time acts as a palimpsest -- a readable, but layered, whole. The city exists as a lamination of eastern and western forces that can be seen in both the social and built environment of the city. As the city has grown and become wealthier, these contradictions have intensified, and become increasingly asserted onto the built environment. As a result, a growing asymmetry exists between globalized space and local spaces. Such is the case with the site I have chosen, as 40 storey high-rise towers are being constructed within an existing fabric of 4-7 storey shop houses. For the design, I was inspired by the contradictory conditions mentioned above. The starting point for my research was in the most general sense a study of residential typology. I began with an analysis of the existing neigbourhood fabric to see which typologies were most common and what the specific characteristics of each type are. From this, I was motivated to investigate the forces which catalysed change in typology, many of which were related to demographic [population] and economic changes. Furthermore, research into the relationship between architecture and typology lead me to question the role of the luxury high-rise residential tower given the growing wealth disparity and increasing need for affordable housing in the city centre. Continuing along with the theme of typology, I began to investigate some traditional Chinese dwelling typologies such as the tu lou and siheyuan as a starting point for the design work. The courtyard house [siheyuan] was the most interesting because of the gradation of privacy embedded in the architectural layout. The courtyard house then became the basis for the design, and the public/private relationship was flipped to the vertical in order to develop the formal nature of the building. This reconceptualization of the courtyard house provides a new alternative to the isolated high-rise typologies prevalent in Hong Kong and infuses public space, green space and flexible dwelling typologies into the design.


Profiles of a sculpture provide rich information about its geometry, and can be used for model reconstruction under known camera motion. By exploiting correspondences induced by epipolar tangents on the profiles, a successful solution to motion estimation has been developed for the case of circular motion. Arbitrary general views can then be incorporated to refine the model built from circular motion.


The high content of alkali metals and chlorine in biomass gives rise to fouling/slagging and corrosion of heat exchange components, such as superheaters, in biomass fired power plants. Increasing the lifetime of these components, and in addition, preventing unwarranted plant shutdowns due to their failure, requires understanding of the complex corrosion mechanisms, as well as development of materials that are resistant to corrosion under biomass firing conditions, thereby motivating the current work. To understand the mechanisms of corrosion attack, comprehensive analysis of corrosion products was necessary. In the present work, two complementary methodologies based on analysis of cross sections and plan views were applied to achieve comprehensive characterization of corrosion products. The suitability of these methods for both laboratory scale and full scale corrosion investigations was demonstrated by the combined use of complementary information from microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and various X-ray diffraction characterization techniques. In light of the wide variation in operating conditions in biomass fired power plants, systematic and wellcontrolled, but realistic laboratory scale exposures were carried out to understand the effect of process parameters such as gas phase chemistry, time and temperature variations, on the corrosion process. By conducting corrosion exposures under: oxidizing, oxidizing-chlorinating, oxidizing-sulphidizing and oxidizing-chlorinating-sulphidizing gas mixtures, it was possible to observe the contributions of chlorination, sulphation and sulphidation on the complex corrosion mechanisms. Comparative exposure of KCl-coated and KCl-free samples under each of the gas atmospheres revealed that the corrosion attack due to the presence of a deposit overrules the effect of the gas phase chemistry. Further, using the oxidizing-chlorinating-sulphidizing gas mixture corresponding to straw-firing conditions, the evolution of corrosion with time and temperature variation was studied. Corrosion attack does not decrease with time after longer exposures under isothermal conditions and is accelerated once the material encounters a higher temperature. For the investigated austenitic stainless steels, FeCrAl alloys and Ni-based superalloy, the formation of a protective oxide layer that suppressed corrosion attack was not observed. However, it was established that among the alloying elements present in these alloys, Ni exhibits a relatively greater resistance to corrosion attack. Surface modification approaches with the aim to form resistant oxides or coatings on superheater surfaces were evaluated. This included preoxidation to obtain Al2O3 and Ti-Cr-rich oxides, as well as formation of SiOx coating, Ni electroplating and NiAl coatings on commercial alloys. For most -Al2O3 obtained by preoxidation, poor mechanical integrity of the oxide layer nullifies its otherwise excellent chemical integrity towards corrosion attack. Nonetheless, corrosion attack on most of the modified surfaces was substantially lower than attack on the virgin alloys. Thus, with further optimization, these approaches may provide alternative corrosion resistant materials for application in biomass fired power plants.


We introduce a method that allows to automatically segment images into semantically meaningful regions without human supervision. Derived regions are consistent across different images and coincide with human-defined semantic classes on some datasets. In cases where semantic regions might be hard for human to define and consistently label, our method is still able to find meaningful and consistent semantic classes. In our work, we use pretrained StyleGAN2 generative model: clustering in the feature space of the generative model allows to discover semantic classes. Once classes are discovered, a synthetic dataset with generated images and corresponding segmentation masks can be created. After that a segmentation model is trained on the synthetic dataset and is able to generalize to real images. Additionally, by using CLIP we are able to use prompts defined in a natural language to discover some desired semantic classes. We test our method on publicly available datasets and show state-of-the-art results.


With the rapid development of distribution network automation, the efficiency of the production, operation and management of the distribution network equipment need to be improved. The intelligent distribution network equipment includes the distribution overhead line malfunction indicator and the distribution terminal, which are important to the reliability of the power system. It is necessary to ensure the superior performance and reliability of the malfunction indicator and distribution terminal products. So, batch inspection needed carried out. In this paper, the intelligent industrial automatic detection system for the malfunction indicators and distribution terminals is designed. An intelligent industrial detection system is proposed for the batch inspection of distribution network equipment. The system is mainly composed of the automatic detection assembly line, the integrated management system and the control system. The appearance structure inspection, function performance test, data statistics, multi-dimensional analysis and the multiplex display can be performed by the assembly line. Based on the artificial intelligence vision recognition technology, the industrial robot technology and the big data analysis technology, the proposed system realizes the multi-level interaction of the detection procedure, improve the detection speed, and secures the accuracy of the equipment detection. The intelligent detection system is a pilot project for the largescale and high-precision inspection of the distribution network equipment.


State of the art CRPS therapy comprises medication, interventional therapies and non-pharmaceutical treatments like physiotherapy (PT), occupational therapy, PT with cognitive behavioural elements (mirror therapy, 'motor imagery', and 'graded exposure'), psychotherapeutic methods, local therapies and neurostimulation. These treatments are mostly as successful as medical or interventional treatment. These effects have been demonstrated in small but randomised controlled studies. Adjuvant therapies were shown to reduce pain and the severity of dysfunction in CRPS. Therefore, these non-drug therapies should be an essential part of any multimodal CRPS treatment.


The modeling technical in SOA needs to refer the architecture of UML/MDA modeling language. Modelers in different fields and levels are expected to have some capability of extending original modeling language. To make up the gap between the theoretical architecture of standard modeling language and the modelers' limited modeling capability, this paper discusses the procedure strategy (including implementing process, method and elicitation) of SOA's modeling language in three phases, such as phase of capturing extension requirement, creating a solution and optimizing the solution. With the help of the procedure strategy, the activities of extending SOA's modeling language have more precise, criterion and process guidance.


Synchronization plays an important role in multimedia systems at various levels of abstraction. We propose a set of powerful abstractions for controlling and synchronizing continuous media streams in distributed environments. The proposed abstractions are based on a very general computation model, that allows media streams to be processed (i.e. produced, consumed or transformed) by arbitrarily structured networks of linked components. Further, compound components can be composed of existing ones to provide higher levels of abstractions. The clock abstraction is provided to control individual media streams, i.e., streams can be started, paused or scaled by issuing the appropriate clock operations. Clock hierarchies are used hierarchically group related streams, where each clock in the hierarchy identities and controls a certain group, or subgroup of streams. Control and synchronization requirements can be expressed in a uniform manner by associating group members with control or synchronisation attributes. An important property of the concept of clock hierarchy is that it can be combined in a natural way with component nesting.


This article reports an attempt on the studies on resistance of oxidative stress by the prodrug, simvastatin (SV). Cetyltrimethylammonium dichromate has been used as a lipid compatible oxidant to study the oxidation kinetics of SV in organic media. The reaction undergoes via an ionic mechanism without any side product. The reaction is found to be acid catalyzed and sensitive to solvent polarity. The increase in the rate constant due to an increase in hydrophobicity (apolarity) of the solvent indicates the existence of a less polar transition state. Furthermore, the decrease in the rate constant due to an increase in [CTAB] suggests partitioning of the substrates and the oxidants into two different domains with different polar characteristics akin to a reversed micellar aggregates. Considering the above results and the thermodynamic parameters, a reaction mechanism has been proposed, wherein a complex formed at the interface of the two domains due to the reactant and the oxidant in a fast process decomposes to the products in a slow process in the nonpolar bulk. C © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 45: 236–242, 2013


Abstract We examine unequal outcomes in the implementation of India's national rural electrification program in Uttar Pradesh. We ask two questions: (1) to what extent did Dalits, the lowest group in India's caste hierarchy, receive less attention when the state electrified rural communities? (2) Was BSP, the state's Dalit party, able to reduce this inequality? Using data from a hundred thousand villages, we provide robust evidence for unequal outcomes. Villages inhabited solely by Dalits were 20 percentage points less likely to be covered by the program than villages without any Dalits. Moreover, a regression discontinuity analysis shows that the electoral success of BSP failed to reduce such differences. These results highlight the magnitude and persistence of caste inequality in the implementation of democratic public policy, despite political representation.


Patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paresis demonstrate impaired function of laryngeal muscles and swallowing. The cricopharyngeus muscle (CPM) is a major component of the upper esophageal sphincter. It was hypothesized that the RLN innervates this muscle. A nerve branch leading from the RLN to the CPM was found in adult sheep by anatomic dissection. Electrical stimulation of the RLN elicited a muscle action potential recorded by electrodes placed in the ipsilateral CPM. Swallowing was investigated by mechanical stimulation of oropharynx pre- and postsectioning of the RLN. Severing of the RLN resulted in a loss of the early phases of swallow-related CPM electromyographic activity; however, late-phase CPM electromyographic activity persisted. The RLN provides motor innervation of the CPM, which also has innervation from the pharyngeal plexus.


Iron oxide nanoparticles, γ-Fe2O3NP, were deposited onto the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and CNT/γ-Fe2O3NP hybrid nanomaterials were obtained. Then linear-dendritic ABA type block copolymers consisting of polyethylene glycol as B block and poly(citric acid) as A block, PCA–PEG–PCA, were synthesized and cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)—a platinum-based chemotherapy drug) was conjugated with their carboxyl functional groups and CDDP/PCA–PEG–PCA anticancer prodrugs were prepared. Noncovalent interactions between CDDP/PCA–PEG–PCA anticancer prodrugs and CNT/γ-Fe2O3NP hybrid nanomaterials led to CDDP/PCA–PEG–PCA/CNT/γ-Fe2O3NP drug delivery systems. There are several key features of these hybrid drug delivery systems: (i) their ability to cross cell membranes and also high surface area per unit weight for high drug loading assigned to CNTs, (ii) high functionality, water solubility and biocompatibility assigned to PCA–PEG–PCA linear-dendritic copolymers and (iii) targeting tumors using a magnetic field assigned to γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The efficacy of drug delivery systems for killing the cancer cells and targeting the drugs towards tumors was investigated.


The usage of telecentres has been the main initiative in many countries to provide information and communications technology in rural areas in a try to address the digital divide. In this paper, we analyse the situation in Sri Lankan semi-rural areas, discussing whether telecentres in the Nenasala network has a potential to act as local knowledge centres; bridging formal, non-formal, and informal learning. The visited telecentre is located about 50 kilometres east of Colombo. A qualitative design has been used where interviews with managers and users, and passive observations were conducted. Findings show that the visited telecentres play an important role in bridging formal, non-formal, and informal learning and education in the local community. Nevertheless, there are gender-based differences among pupils in the acquisition of provided content. Some children claim that they learn more by undergoing classes at the telecentres than in formal classes.


We report on the heteroepitaxial growth of 3C-SiC layers by Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) mechanism on various α-SiC substrates, namely on- and off-axis for both 4H and 6H-SiC(0001), Si and C faces. The Si-Ge melts, which Si content was varied from 25 to 50 at%, were fed by 3 sccm of propane. The growth temperature was varied from 1200 to 1600°C. It was found that singledomain 3C-SiC layers can be obtained on 6H-SiC off and on-axis and 4H-SiC on-axis, while the other types of substrate gave twinned 3C-SiC material. As a general rule, one has to increase temperature when decreasing the Si content of the melt in order to avoid DPB formation. It was also found that twinned 3C-SiC layers form at low temperature while homoepitaxy is achieved at high temperature.


BACKGROUND
Certain therapeutic drugs used in medical practice may trigger mitochondrial toxicity leading to a wide range of clinical symptoms including deafness, neuropathy, myopathy, hyperlactatemia, lactic acidosis, pancreatitis and lipodystrophy, among others, which could even compromise the life of the patient.

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work is to review the potential mitochondrial toxicity derived from drugs used in health care, including anesthetics, antiepileptics, neuroleptics, antidepressants, antivirals, antibiotics, antifungals, antimalarics, antineoplastics, antidiabetics, hypolipemiants, antiarrhythmics, anti-inflammatories and nitric oxide.

METHODS
We herein have reviewed data from experimental and clinical studies to document the molecular mitochondrial basis, potential biomarkers and putative clinical symptoms associated to secondary effects of drugs.

RESULTS
One hundred and forty-five articles were selected and the information was organized by means of the primary target to which pharmacologic drugs were directed. Adverse toxic events were classified depending on the mitochondrial offtarget effect and whether they had been demonstrated in the experimental or clinical setting.

CONCLUSIONS
Since treatment of acquired mitochondriopathies remains supportive and therapeutic interventions cannot be avoided, information of molecular and clinical consequences of toxic exposure becomes fundamental to assess riskbenefit imbalance of treatment prescription. Additionally, there is a crucial need to develop less mitochondrial toxic compounds, novel biomarkers to follow up mitochondrial toxicity (or implement those already proposed) and new approaches to prevent or revert unintended mitochondrial damage.


ABSTRACT This article is about how Indigenous students from Year 7 to 10 at three government schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) experience PE. The research question being, how do Indigenous students experience PE at the schools selected for the research? A process oriented approach was used to answer this question. In particular, figurational sociology was chosen because of its usefulness in interpreting sociological problems processually. The idea of the figuration or configuration was utilized to represent human power relationships, as well as systems and processes. The study also drew upon the complimentary figurational concept of habitus. An accompanying methodology sympathetic to figurational sociology reconstructed the macro and micro levels of the figuration studied. This figuration being the PE provision across the three sites. The macro level depicts the contemporary social structure or 'rules' of the figuration and the micro level the individuals that exist within this social structure. Data were collected over a two year period using semi-structured interviews, school websites, school based documentation and wider ACT Education and Training Directorate system level documents. The research found that Indigenous students experience almost entirely Eurocentric PE that lacks acknowledgment of their own culture. The PE provided is an example of 'superior' knowledge characteristic of dominant groups. The research also showed that the habituses of key players such as principals, Health and Physical Education curriculum writers and teachers were pivotal as long-term processes in upholding Eurocentric PE content. The findings suggest that for Indigenous perspectives to be included in PE as stipulated in national level documentation, policy directives alone are inadequate. For meaningful change to take place alteration at the habitus level of the mentioned key players has to occur and such change requires a multi-faceted approach.


Dr. Smartson. P. NYONI ZICHIRe Project, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe Mr. Thabani NYONI Department of Economics, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe ABSTRACT Using annual time series data on the number of adults (ages 15 and above) newly infected with HIV in Burundi from 1990 – 2018, the study predicts the annual number of adults who will be newly infected with HIV over the period 2019 – 2025. The study applied the Box-Jenkins ARIMA methodology. The diagnostic ADF tests as well as correlogram analysis show that the G series under consideration is an I (2) variable. Based on the AIC, the study presents the ARIMA (0, 2, 1) model as the optimal model. The residual correlogram and the inverse roots of the applied model further reveal that the presented model is stable and suitable for forecasting new HIV infections in adults in Burundi. The results of the study indicate that the number of new HIV infections in adults in Burundi will most likely decline, over the period 2019 – 2023, from approximately 698 to almost 90 new HIV infections. By 2025, Burundi could experience her first zero new HIV infections in adults! This implies that, despite the fact that Vision Burundi 2025 is a highly ambitious blue-print; Vision Burundi 2025 will largely be achieved as far as HIV/AIDS prevention and control is concerned. 1.0 INTRODUCTION


More than 350 Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) are currently in force and more than one-half of global trade is carried out under preferential terms. A strong set of results based indicators can help to illuminate the costs and benefits of policy initiatives and, thus, inform the broader public dialogue on complementary reforms. The following discussion takes stock of the monitoring practices in Africa with respect to regional trade initiatives and evaluates the need for further indicator development. The assessment thereby focuses on the downstream outcomes of existing trade commitments and the measurement of how regional trade policies affect ordinary traders, producers, and consumers. This spotlight on impact-monitoring for the general population also helps to establish whether decision makers have the necessary tools at hand to evaluate the linkages between regional trade arrangements and poverty reduction. This paper is divided into following sections: section one gives background and motivation for the analysis; section two briefly discusses integration monitoring systems and related indicators in general; section three presents an overview of regional trade indicators that are currently used by policy-makers in sub-Saharan Africa; section four surveys the respective monitoring practices in other regions of the world; and section five provides suggestions for indicator development in Africa based on the practices and gaps identified in the earlier parts of the report.


Introduction: The control of protein absorption is necessary to define biomaterials' properties and their specific uses. Blood plasma contains several different proteins, including fibrinogen, which plays an important role in cell adhesion and biocompatibility results in implants. This study's objectives were to evaluate in the laboratory rats subjected to the placement of nano-textured silicone mini-implants and polyurethane foam-coated mini-implants based on the measurement of serum fibrinogen and plasma proteins. Methods: Sixty albino rats were used, divided into two groups of 30 animals for each type of silicone mini-implant (nanotextured and polyurethane foam) and subdivided into three subgroups, according to the animals' euthanasia time (30, 60 and 90 days). The mini-implants were inserted in the animals' backs below the Panniculus carnosus. At the time of euthanasia, blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture. The thermal precipitation technique was used to determine total and serum plasma proteins, and the difference between the latter two obtained the fibrinogen value. Results: When the groups were compared, it was observed that the nanotextured group presented a higher amount of fibrinogen and plasma protein in the 90-day subgroup, with statistical significance (p=0.004). When comparing the subgroups among themselves, a significant difference was evidenced (p<0.001). Conclusion: The nanotextured miniimplants showed a lower protein absorption concerning polyurethane foam-coated implants in the 90-day subgroup. ■ ABSTRACT


We investigated the creation of a volcanic islet and emplacement of lava flows in the sea by analyzing data from the island-forming eruption at Nishinoshima, Japan, that has been continuing since November 2013. Aerial observations and satellite images were used to perform a quantitative analysis of the eruption processes. The most intriguing characteristic of the lava flows is the development of lobes and tubes from breakouts and bifurcations of andesitic 'a'ā-type lava flows. Internal pathways that fed lava to the active flow front were eventually developed by crust solidification and dominated the lava transport. The average discharge was ~2 × 10 5 m 3 /day, and the total volume of erupted material reached ~0.1 km 3 at the end of February 2015. Fractal analysis of the lava-flow margins suggests that the growth pattern is self-similar, with a fractal dimension (D) of ~1.08–1.18, which is within the range of subaerial basaltic lava flows. The morphological evolution of Nishinoshima is controlled primarily by effusion of lava with an apparent viscosity of 10 4 –10 6 Pa∙s, average discharge of ~2.3 m 3 /s, and eruption duration lasting ~2 yr. Our data and analyses suggest that the effect of lava coming in contact with seawater, as well as the variations in the lava discharge rate on local and overall scales, are important factors affecting the development of crust and the lava transport system.


US medical education requires cultural competence training, yet educators know how challenging this requirement can be to implement. Pre-clinical students may not believe that a patient's culture can affect medical care, or may believe that to be ''culturally competent,'' one must somehow understand every different racial or ethnic group – an impossible task. Traditionally, cultural competence training used a categorical approach which stressed the acquisition of cultural knowledge about specific, ethnicity-based groups of patients. In contrast, the skills-based approach provides tools for students to uncover and explore their patients' own sense of culture and their explanatory models of disease, followed by the negotiation of a treatment plan that includes input from the patient. This method avoids the pitfalls of ''knowledge-based'' approaches by avoiding stereotyping of ethnic groups, while providing the skills to successfully navigate clinical encounters with patients from all ethnic backgrounds. We developed a four-hour cultural competence workshop for pre-clinical students that consisted of several components, largely modeled on the work of Kleinman (1980). It included role plays focused on eliciting the health care beliefs of standardized patients. The workshop was evaluated using a modified Cultural Competence Assessment Tool (CCAT) in a pre/post-test design. Of the 228 students who attended, 54.4% were female, 65% were white, 12.1% were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 8.9% were Hispanic/Latino. Preand post-CCATs could be matched for 157 students. Total CCAT score increased significantly from preto post-administration (109.62 pre-test to 114.18 post-test, p5 0.001). The greatest increase was seen in the subscale that measured elicitation of health beliefs (average subscale score of 3.34 pre-test to 3.71 post-test, p5 0.001) Role plays using standardized patients were rated more highly than other workshop components and may be the most effective means to deliver cultural competence content in a short period of time. This workshop demonstrated that a brief, skills-based curriculum can help students understand cross-cultural patient dynamics. The built-in flexibility of this approach is more suitable to the increasingly diverse population of the US, and offers a better method for teaching cultural competence than knowledge-based models. A detailed version of this study is available from the first author.


Global snow water equivalent (SWE) products derived at least in part from satellite remote sensing are widely used in weather, climate, and hydrometeorological studies. Here we evaluate three such products using our recently developed daily 4-km SWE dataset available from October 1981 to September 2017 over the conterminous United States. This SWE dataset is based on gridded precipitation and temperature data and thousands of in situ measurements of SWE and snow depth. It has a 0.98 correlation and 30% relative mean absolute deviation with Airborne Snow Observatory data and effectively bridges the gap between small-scale lidar surveys and large-scale remotely sensed data. We find that SWE products using remote sensing data have large differences (e.g., the mean absolute difference from our SWE data ranges from 45.8% to 59.3% of the mean SWE in our data), especially in forested areas (where this percentage increases up to 73.5%). Furthermore, they consistently underestimate average maximum SWE values and produce worse SWE (including spurious jumps) during snowmelt. Three additional higher-resolution satellite snow cover extent (SCE) products are used to compare the SCE values derived from these SWE products. There is an overall close agreement between these satellite SCE products and SCE generated from our SWE data, providing confidence in our consistent SWE, snow depth, and SCE products based on gridded climate and station data. This agreement is also stronger than that between satellite SCE and those derived from the three satellite SWE products, further confirming the deficiencies of the SWE products that utilize remote sensing data.


Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy following kidney transplantation. We describe RCC risk and examine RCC risk factors among US kidney recipients (1987–2010). The Transplant Cancer Match Study links the US transplant registry with 15 cancer registries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to compare RCC risk (overall and for clear cell [ccRCC] and papillary subtypes) to the general population. Associations with risk factors were assessed using Cox models. We identified 683 RCCs among 116 208 kidney recipients. RCC risk was substantially elevated compared with the general population (SIR 5.68, 95% confidence interval 5.27–6.13), especially for papillary RCC (SIR 13.3 versus 3.98 for ccRCC). Among kidney recipients, RCC risk was significantly elevated for blacks compared to whites (hazard ratio [HR] 1.50) and lower in females than males (HR 0.56). RCC risk increased with prolonged dialysis preceding transplantation (p‐trend < 0.0001). Risk was variably associated for RCC subtypes with some medical conditions that were indications for transplantation: ccRCC risk was reduced with polycystic kidney disease (HR 0.54), and papillary RCC was increased with hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HR 2.02) and vascular diseases (HR 1.86). In conclusion, kidney recipients experience substantially elevated risk of RCC, especially for papillary RCC, and multiple factors contribute to these cancers.


Background and aims Internet use disorder (IUD), characterized as the inability to control one's internet use, is associated with reduced quality of life and mental health comorbidities such as depression, substance abuse, or anxiety. Evidence-based treatment options are scarce due to the novelty of the diagnosis. Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMI) may be an effective means to deliver psychological treatment to individuals with IUD as they address affected individuals in their online setting. This study presents a newly developed IMI for IUD disclosing treatment satisfaction and preliminary effects by exemplifying with a case report. Methods The case of a female participant with IUD, characterized by an excessive use of social media, is analyzed. The case report follows the CARE guidelines and presents qualitative and quantitative outcomes regarding potential symptom reduction measured by the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), treatment satisfaction measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) and feasibility by analyzing participant's written feedback during treatment. Results The case report shows that internet- and mobile-based interventions may be feasible in supporting an individual in reducing symptoms of IUD as well as depressive symptoms, anxiety and procrastination behavior. Treatment satisfaction was reported as good. Discussion and conclusions This case report illustrates that IMIs can have the potential to be an easily accessible and possibly effective treatment option for IUD. Case studies on IMIs may provide insights into important mechanisms for symptom change. Further studies are needed to expand our understanding of this diverse disorder to provide adequate treatment. Clinical Trial Registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/,DRKS00015314.


Background. Phosphate and magnesium disorders frequently develop in critically ill patients during the course of stay in paediatric intensive care unit. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypophosphatemia and low level of magnesium in children with acute respiratory failure. The study hypothesis was that the duration of mechanical ventilation and stay in PICU in children depend on the presence of electrolyte disorders. Setting. Tertiary children`s hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Lviv Regional Children Hospital "OCHMATDYT", Ukraine, July 2018 – July 2019. Patients. Children aged 1 month – 1 year, who needed invasive mechanical ventilation. Intervention. Measurement levels of phosphorus and magnesium on 1st, 3rd, 5th and then every five days during mechanical ventilation. Main outcome measures. The primary outcome was the time to liberation from mechanical ventilation and secondary outcomes were complications: reintubation, tracheostomy, prolonged ventilation, or death. Results. We find out that 100% patients at admission had severe hypophosphatemia and 44% had low level of magnesium. Hypomagnesemia was treated until 10th day and level of phosphorus could not reach normal values until discharge. The presence of hypophosphatemia was associated with prolonged PICU admission (duration ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.25), and a higher risk of complications (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.52). Conclusion. The presence of hypophosphatemia in children who were mechanically ventilated due to acute respiratory failure was associated with prolonged PICU admission and a higher risk of complications. Trial registration: ISRCTN registry. Identifier: ISRCTN84734652.


Context and Objective: Australian rural general practitioners (GPs) require public health knowledge. This study explored the suitability of teaching complex public health issues related to Aboriginal health by way of a hybrid problem-based learning (PBL) model within an intensive training retreat for GP registrars, when numerous trainees have no PBL experience. Methods: A mixed method evaluation. Pre-training surveys on PBL experience and post-training semi-structured telephone interviews exploring the impact of the model and its desirability. Thematic and discourse analysis of interview statements, coded independently by two researchers. Results: Seventeen GP trainees and four tutors participated. Six main themes emerged: experience; PBL impact; learning modalities; educational needs; educational expectations; and educational planning. Discussion: No discernable differences were identified between Australian and international graduates, the knowledge impact of the hybrid model or desirability of the problem. While scabies offers a suitable scenario to explore rural public health complexities, a tension regarding the desire for intensive learning and PBL format needs to be addressed to increase trainees' satisfaction. A reduction in the number of PBL sessions, PBL instruction and highly structured PBL groups will assist. Trainees value mixed modality education, including PBL, so a tailored hybrid PBL is worth consideration.


Book synopsis: Offering an insight into African culture that had not been portrayed before, Things Fall Apart is both a tragic and moving story of an individual set in the wider context of the coming of colonialism, as well as a powerful and complex political statement of cross-cultural encounters.

This guide to Chinua Achebe's compelling novel offers:

an accessible introduction to the text and contexts of Things Fall Apart
a critical history, surveying the many interpretations of the text from publication to the present
a selection of critical writing on Things Fall Apart, by Abiola Irele, Abdul JanMohamed, Biodun Jeyifo, Florence Stratton and Ato Quayson, providing a variety of perspectives on the novel and extending the coverage of key critical approaches identified in the survey section
cross-references between sections of the guide, in order to suggest links between texts, contexts and criticism
suggestions for further reading.
Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of Things Fall Apart and seeking not only a guide to the novel, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Achebe's text.


The UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF), administered by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), is seen by many as an attempt to raise the quality of learning and teaching in UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The UK is not alone in this ambition; other countries
in Europe have similar objectives (McAleese et al., 2013; Henard and Roseveare, 2012; Pleschova et al, 2012). Increasing numbers of UK HEIs are developing professional development frameworks accredited by the HEA to award one of four categories of HEA Fellowship and Kingston University's KAPS scheme was accredited by the HEA in February 2014.
The impact of the UKPSF on both the enhancement of teaching, learning and assessment practices and as a model of professional development is not well understood. An evaluation of the UKPSF (Turner et al 2013:7) found evidence "that the UKPSF has been influential across the sector in changing institutional practice" however the impact on the quality enhancement of teaching, learning and assessment was less clear. This case study is based on an evaluation of Kingston's KAPS scheme, undertaken in the spring of 2015. It investigates the impact of obtaining a Fellowship via KAPS in terms of enhancing professional practice and how it is perceived as a model for CPD. Outcomes from the evaluation will be used as an evidence base for the enhancement of the scheme at
Kingston and shared with colleagues elsewhere in the sector.


In this paper we consider the problem of real-time streaming of IP packet video over Peer-to-Peer networks (P2P) from multiple senders to a single receiver. P2P networks are characterized by a potentially large and highly dynamic population of hosts that join and leave the network frequently. We present the design and evaluation of a quality adaptation streaming mechanism in a multi-source streaming to a single receiver. Multimedia streaming is a real time application so, the main challenges in the design of this mechanism are (1) selection of senders peers nodes; (2) stream switching among the peers; (3) optimizing video quality by active measurements of links; and (4) enhancing the overall Quality of Service (QoS). Our key technique to provide quality adaptation is based on active measurements of network links and selection of sender peers to enhance the overall throughput. We used video traffic organized as MDC (Multiple Description Coding) layers, which provides high error resilient. Our simulations results using ns2 show that our solution allows to efficiently utilize available network bandwidth of sending peers and allow maximizing streaming qualities at the reception peer.


"The mating mind hypothesis", originally aimed at explaining human cognition, holds that the socio-sexual environment shapes cognitive abilities among animals. Similarly, general sexual selection theory predicts that mate competition should benefit individuals carrying "good genes" with beneficial pleiotropic effects on general cognitive ability. However, few experimental studies have evaluated these related hypotheses due to difficulties of performing direct tests in most taxa. Here we harnessed the empirical potential of the seed beetle study system to investigate the role of sexual selection and mating system in the evolution of cognition. We evolved replicate lines of beetle under enforced monogamy (eliminating sexual selection) or polygamy for 35 generations and then challenged them to locate and discriminate among mating partners (male assays) or host seeds (female assays). To assess learning, the same beetles performed the task in three consecutive rounds. All lines learned the task, improving both within and between trails. Moreover, polygamous males outperformed monogamous males. However, there were no differences in the rate of learning between males of the two regimes, and polygamous females showed no improvement in host search, and even signs of reduced learning. Hence, while sexual selection was a potent factor that increased cognitive performance in mate search, it did not lead to the general increase in cognitive abilities expected under the "mating mind" hypothesis or general "good genes" theory. Our results highlight sexually antagonistic (balancing) selection as a potential force maintaining genetic variation in cognitive traits.


Background: Collagen-binding proteins regulate tissue-specific extracellular matrices. Results: CHADL is enriched in cartilage, binds collagen, and modulates the chondrocyte phenotype. Conclusion: CHADL regulates the chondrocyte microenvironment. Significance: Characterizing novel collagen-associated proteins is crucial to understand the constitution and function of specialized extracellular matrices. The constitution and biophysical properties of extracellular matrices can dramatically influence cellular phenotype during development, homeostasis, or pathogenesis. These effects can be signaled through a differentially regulated assembly of collagen fibrils, orchestrated by a family of collagen-associated small leucine-rich proteins (SLRPs). In this report, we describe the tissue-specific expression and function of a previously uncharacterized SLRP, chondroadherin-like (CHADL). We developed antibodies against CHADL and, by immunohistochemistry, detected CHADL expression mainly in skeletal tissues, particularly in fetal cartilage and in the pericellular space of adult chondrocytes. In situ hybridizations and immunoblots on tissue lysates confirmed this tissue-specific expression pattern. Recombinant CHADL bound collagen in cell culture and inhibited in vitro collagen fibrillogenesis. After Chadl shRNA knockdown, chondrogenic ATDC5 cells increased their differentiation, indicated by increased transcript levels of Sox9, Ihh, Col2a1, and Col10a1. The knockdown increased collagen II and aggrecan deposition in the cell layers. Microarray analysis of the knockdown samples suggested collagen receptor-related changes, although other upstream effects could not be excluded. Together, our data indicate that the novel SLRP CHADL is expressed in cartilaginous tissues, influences collagen fibrillogenesis, and modulates chondrocyte differentiation. CHADL appears to have a negative regulatory role, possibly ensuring the formation of a stable extracellular matrix.


In the paper we study applications of integral transforms composition method (ITCM) for obtaining transmutations via integral transforms. It is possible to derive wide range of transmutation operators by this method. Classical integral transforms are involved in the integral transforms composition method (ITCM) as basic blocks, among them are Fourier, sine and cosine-Fourier, Hankel, Mellin, Laplace and some generalized transforms. The ITCM and transmutations obtaining by it are applied to deriving connection formulas for solutions of singular differential equations and more simple non-singular ones. We consider well-known classes of singular differential equations with Bessel operators, such as classical and generalized Euler-Poisson-Darboux equation and the generalized radiation problem of A.Weinstein. Methods of this paper are applied to more general linear partial differential equations with Bessel operators, such as multivariate Bessel-type equations, GASPT (Generalized Axially Symmetric Potential Theory) equations of A.Weinstein, Bessel-type generalized wave equations with variable coefficients,ultra B-hyperbolic equations and others. So with many results and examples the main conclusion of this paper is illustrated: the integral transforms composition method (ITCM) of constructing transmutations is very important and effective tool also for obtaining connection formulas and explicit representations of solutions to a wide class of singular differential equations, including ones with Bessel operators.


eywords: cosystem services ualitative assessment uantitative valuation ffshore wind farming orest and coastal ecosystem services ethodology integration Quantitative and qualitative approaches to assessing and valuing ecosystem services have been compared using case studies from Italy and Germany. This paper describes and analyzes two different methods of applying an ecosystem service approach and discusses their relative strengths, shortcomings and peculiarities. This allows the conditions to be identified that best support the application of one or other of these methods. Suggestions are offered on how to integrate both methodologies in order to improve the implementation of an ecosystem service approach in decision-making processes.


3D model is a valuable tool in reservoir management, provided its representativeness of reservoir dynamics.Traditional History Match mainly focuses on reproducing reservoir behavior at well scale. A good match is not always representative of fluid movements in the reservoir. The proposed approach for 3D model validation combines and compares the results of integrated production analysis, in particular flow paths identification, with history matching by using streamlines technology. Streamlines speed up the comparison process especially in complex 3D models.
 The workflow is based on a massive Production Data Analysis (PDA) where geological and dynamic data are integrated to identify preferential paths followed by the different fluid phases during the producing life of the field. The main result is the Fluid Path Conceptual Model (FPCM) where aquifer and injected water movements are clearly identified. Once the flooded areas are detected, streamlines are traced on the history matched model in order to easily compare the simulated connections with hard information from PDA. Actions to improve the model representativeness are suggested and integrated in an iterative tuning process.
 This paper presents the results of the methodology applied on two complex fields with different injection strategies. FPCMs resulting from PDA provided a powerful boost to drive the history match and speed up the whole process. Priority was given in reproducing the identified preferential paths rather than to perfectly match well production data (which can be also affected by allocation uncertainties) by means of local unrealistic adjustments.
 Streamlines were run on Intersect simulation, proving to be a fast and powerful tool for the visualization and understanding of fluid movements in the 3D Model. Since streamlines are used as visualization tool and are traced on a corner point geometry grid using fluxes provided by reservoir simulation, the reliability of the simulation output is preserved.
 Once the model is representative of the real field behavior, it can be used as predictive tool in Reservoir Management to optimize the current injection strategy, promoting most efficient injectors.


Our purpose was to analyze, by immunohisto-chemistry, the expression of activated serine-threonine protein kinase B (p-Akt) and phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in benign nevi and primary and metastatic melanomas and to correlate the expression level with clinical variables. We observed cytoplasmic and/or nuclear expression of p-Akt in 22 (54%) of 41 benign nevi, 112 (71.3%) of 157 primary tumors, and 50 (71%) of 70 metastases. Cytoplasmic PTEN staining was observed in 0 (0%), 152 (87.7%), and 64 (90%) of 41 nevi, 162 primary tumors, and 71 metastases, respectively. A significant positive correlation was seen between PTEN and p-Akt cytoplasmic expression (P < .001) in primary melanomas. Cytoplasmic p-Akt expression showed a positive association with cyclin A in superficial spreading (P = .038) but not in nodular (P = .22) melanomas. Cytoplasmic p-Akt and PTEN expression did not have an impact on disease-free and overall survival, but complete lack of nuclear p-Akt expression was a predictor of shorter disease-free survival (P = .025) for patients with superficial spreading melanoma.


In the current study, a number of wild animals were collected, examined, and dissected, and the following types of parasites were found: The parasitic protozoan: the genus Haemoproteus, and this is the first record of this genus in the lizard Uromastyx loricata. The genus Eimeria was found in the rabbit Lepus capensis and the turtle Mauremys caspica, while Entamoeba was found in the pig Sus sucrofa. The tapeworm's genus Anoplocephala in hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus, which is a "new" host for this worm, while three genera were isolated for the first time from the fox, Vulpes vuIpes which are Fossor angertrudae, Pericapsifer pagenstecheri, and Cycloskrjabinia taborensis. The nematode genera Rhaphidascaris acus and Cosmocerca trispinosa were found in the turtle Mauremys caspica. The Acanthocephalas theGenus AcanthocephaIa was isolated from the hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus for the first time.


Recently, a novel inorganic electride stable at room temperatures has been obtained by reducing a complex nanoporous oxide 12CaO.7Al2O3 (C12A7) in a Ca atmosphere (Matsuishi, S.; Toda, Y.; Miyakawa, M.; Hayashi, K.; Kamiya, T.; Hirano, M.; Tanaka, I.; Hosono, H. Science 2003, 301, 626). In this system, up to 2.3 x 1021/cm3 electrons can be accommodated in a three-dimensional network of cages formed by a positively charged oxide framework. We demonstrate theoretically that at all concentrations, ne, the electrons are neither associated with specific atoms nor fully delocalized. At low ne, the electrons are isolated from each other and resemble the color centers in insulating materials. They are well localized in some of the lattice cages and yield strong inhomogeneous lattice distortions that provide polaron-type cage-to-cage electron hopping. As ne increases, the electrons form a denser electron gas and become more evenly spread over all available lattice cages. At sufficiently high ne, the system becomes metallic but still retains partially localized character of the conducting electrons. We describe the nature of the electronic states at the Fermi level and predict the changes in the optical and magnetic properties of this system as a function of ne.


The Research Centre for Language Education and Acquisition in Multilingual Societies (RCLEAMS) is one of four Institute-level Research Centres at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd). The principal aim of RCLEAMS is to study multilingual acquisition, language contact and the respective roles of different languages of education in contexts where the languages are not cognate (and where the scripts are often different), in order to be able to better understand the processes and issues involved and to inform governments and language policy-makers. Our particular focus is on Asian languages, including, of course, Chinese, and English. Further details about RCLEAMS, including our specific objectives and international partners, can be found at the website (www.ied.edu.hk/rcleams/). While RCLEAMS itself is relatively small, with only four full-time researchers, we conduct collaborative research with colleagues from the Institute itself, other universities in Hong Kong and with a number of international partners. There are also some thirty doctoral students in the field of language education who work closely with the Centre. We invite anyone who might be interested in working collaboratively with us to get in touch. This report will summarise current and recently completed research projects.


Abstract
This study investigates national trends in students' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupational expectations by using Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2000, 2003, and 2006 data. The analyses in this study revealed several noteworthy national trends in STEM occupational expectations. In many countries students' computing or engineering (CE) occupational expectations changed between PISA 2000 and PISA 2006, while students' health service (HS) occupational expectations remained constant. In particular, many developed countries experienced downward national trends in CE occupational expectations among top performers in science. This study also found gender differences in national trends in STEM occupational expectations. In many countries boys' CE occupational expectations decreased between PISA 2000 and PISA 2006, while girls' occupational expectations remained unchanged in both CE and HS fields. Finally, the gender gaps in CE occupational expectations converged in many countries, but this convergence was not due to increases in CE occupational expectations among girls, but rather decreases in expectations among boys. Because one of the policy goals in many countries is to promote engagement in STEM education and occupations among students, especially academically talented students, the current findings – national declines in CE occupational expectations among top academic performers – will most likely be viewed as problematic in several countries. Future research should use data collected over longer periods to investigate whether students' interest in STEM education and occupations increased or decreased in a variety of countries, and whether these patterns varied by student characteristics and performance levels. Moreover, future research must focus on factors that can explain the national trends in student interest in STEM education and occupations.


Respiratory effects of an intravenous injection of capsaicin were investigated in nine vagotomized and subsequently laryngeally deafferentated, urethane- and chloralose-anaesthetized and spontaneously breathing rats. Bolus injection of capsaicin (5 micrograms/kg) into the right femoral vein induced an expiratory apnoea of 4.23 +/- 0.63 s duration (mean +/- SEM). In post-apnoeic breathing, tidal volume increased by 14% from the control level (P < 0.05) in all nine rats treated by vagotomy. Section of the superior laryngeal nerves (SLNs) precluded the occurrence of apnoea. Results of this study indicate that in vagotomized rats sensory input from the larynx constitutes an important pathway to the nodose ganglia endowed with capsaicin receptors.


The origin of the polytypes of SiC has been investigated from the viewpoint of surface reactions by the density functional theory (DFT) within the Projector Augmented Wave-Generalized Gradient Approximation. Three radicals were considered here as the major species in the crystal growth process: Si, Si2C and SiC2. We supposed that these radicals contribute to the crystal growth directly through the adsorption on the 4H-SiC (000-1) C-face surface. The DFT calculations showed that the Si2C, which relatively has a similar structure with the SiC crystal, had no activation barrier to be adsorbed chemically to the 4H-SiC C-face surface. On the other hand, SiC2 with Si showed an activation barrier of 0.79eV to form the 4H-SiC crystal. In order to investigate the arrangements to decide polytypism in SiC, we compared the adsorption energies between the different sites, which correspond to the 4H-SiC crystal and a disordered arrangement. The activation energies had almost no difference. Our calculations indicated that these radicals do not contribute to the origin of the polytypes of SiC.


Silicon photonics (SiPh) has been identified as a prime technology targeting cost-effective short-range optical links [1]. Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is an attractive approach for enabling high aggregate transceiver bandwidth without increasing the number of optical fibers used in the link. Ring-based optical modulators and wavelength-selective filters are attractive devices for scalable WDM SiPh transceivers owing to their compact footprint and moderate power required for thermal tuning. In this paper, we report on a thermally controlled ring-based flip-chip integrated CMOS-SiPh transceiver with 4 channels operating at 20Gb/s.


To improve the performance of fault diagnosis expert system based on ANN IN fields of convergence speed, locally optimal solution and the low accuracy, an missile fault diagnosis expert system based on GA-BPNN is proposed in this paper. The genetic algorithm (GA) is adopt to optimize the weight and threshold of matrix while BP neural network realizes the non-linear map relations between failure feature and failure cause. The simulation results indicate that the method proposed in this paper significantly increase the convergence speed and globally optimal solution of neural network, the fault diagnosis accuracy of expert system for a missile has been improved also.


In this article, we rely on data from the 2006 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES) to examine the impact of gender for U.S. senators running for reelection. We propose a theoretical explanation for why an incumbent's gender may influence how citizens evaluate senators, and we present empirical evidence showing that people develop distinct impressions of men and women senators during campaigns. In the 2006 election cycle, women senators were viewed more positively than their male counterparts. Some of the advantages women senators enjoyed were consistent with established gender stereotypes. In particular, women senators were viewed as more honest and more caring than male senators. Moreover, women senators were viewed as more competent at dealing with health-care issues. However, we did not find evidence for gender stereotypes that traditionally produce more positive views of male senators. For example, we did not find that male senators were viewed as stronger leaders or more experienced than women senators. People did not view male senators as better able to deal with economic issues.


Delamination is one of the most concern defects in drilling of composite material. Delamination depends on the factors such as feed rate, tool geometry and wear. The mechanics of drilling composite materials has been examined along with the quality of the hole and the effect of tool design parameters. The capacity of computerized tomography (CT) showing sample cross-section in a nondestructive way made it successful in measuring the drilling-induced delamination. In the experiment, the correlation between thrust force and the measured delamination extent in use of twist drill and core drill is illustrated and compared with the known ultrasonic C-scan. It is compared with the ultrasonic technique and is demonstrated a feasible and an effective tool for the evaluation of drilling-induced delamination.


CONCLUSION: Our study provides ageand sex-specific fitness reference standards in preschool children. This work complement the reference standards already published in children and adolescents. These findings can help professionals to identify preschool children with very low fitness level and also as screening element of poor cardiometabolic health levels in order to implement new public health strategies from very early ages. Supported by RYC-2011-09011, BES-2014-068829.


The Catak and Kureci skarn districts are located approximately 10 km NW of Emet (Kutahya) in Western Turkey. The skarn and associated ore formations mainly occur at the contact between intrusive rocks of the Egrigoz Plutonic Complex (EPC) and calcareous pelitic schists with limestone lenses of the Saricasu Formation and meta-carbonate rocks of the Arikaya Formation. The major, trace, and rare earth element analysis of the igneous rocks indicate that they are high level, subalkaline, calc-alkaline, peraluminous to metaluminous I-type intrusions, generated in a continental arc setting. Three distinct skarn-type mineralization, differing in their host rocks and distance from the intrusive body, were chosen to establish the ore-forming conditions in different episodes of skarn formation. The Kureci iron mineralization is hosted in a skarn zone with well-developed zoning from unaltered granodiorite and endoskarn, andradite-diopside exoskarn, to diopside-wollastonite exoskarn towards a marble reaction front. In Sakari, the iron mineralization and associated skarn have formed due to successive fracturing and infiltration processes. From early contact metamorphic rocks to late prograde skarn at the Sakari prospect, the composition of clinopyroxene ranges from (Di50-70 Hd28-53 Jo1-2) to (Di19-73 Hd26-77 Jo2-6) and the composition of garnet ranges from (Ad95-99 Gr1-5) to (Ad40-61 Gr36-58), respectively. The presence of anisotropic grossular garnet with high Fe2+/Fe3+ in crosscutting pyrrhotite-pyrite-bearing veinlets coupled with hedenbergitic pyroxene (Mg-poor clinopyroxene with higher Fe2+/Fe3+) is consistent with reducing conditions during the later stage of prograde skarn alteration. The Catak iron skarn is characteristic, with its high sulphide content due to the presence of pyrrhotite, pyrite, and arsenopyrite, and low proportion of garnet to pyroxene. The sulphur isotope (d34S) compositions in the pyrrhotite-dominant skarn zones range between +0.84 to -2.23&permil. We interpret the bulk of the sulphur in the system as of igneous derivation and there has not been any significant sulphur contribution from a crustal source. Fluid inclusion measurements conducted on skarn minerals of the proximal zone and distal zone+vein skarn revealed high homogenization temperatures (371 to >600°C) and varying salinity values (10.5 to >70 wt% NaCl). The fluid inclusion data indicate that there are at least three fluids associated with the genesis of the proximal skarn where the high garnet/pyroxene ratios are found. Fluid inclusions that represent the early stages both in garnet and pyroxene plot in 'Primary Magmatic Fluid' and 'Metamorphic Fluids' fields. A magmatic fluid, presumably located at deeper parts of the system, mixed with a metamorphic fluid during its ascent. Over all the Egrigoz skarn a weak or moderate retrograde skarn alteration envelope formed, dominated by the incursion of meteoric waters in the system, indicating limited fluid-rock interaction. Hydrofracturing resulted in pressure decrease and inclusions with Type III (L+V+S) inclusions that plot in the 'Secondary Magmatic Liquid' and 'Magmatic Meteoric Mixing' fields.


Abstract This article discusses how three Finnish regional newspapers represented older people's digital competences and internet use in their daily coverage. The study explored media representations from the perspective of social representations and sought to answer the following questions: In what kind of internet user roles do the articles portray older people? How and with what kind of images do the articles portray older people's digital competences in various internet user roles? How are older people positioned at a societal level in the articles? The analysis revealed that older people were portrayed as incompetent outcasts of a digitalised society. However, there was a clear difference according to whether older people were portrayed as recipients of public services or as consumers of private services. As targets of public services, older people were predominantly portrayed as happy targets, who welcomed the services provided for them. This result can be interpreted as part of the promotion of government digitalisation policies.


Purpose Haematoma expansion is a devastating complication of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) with no established treatment. Tranexamic acid had been an effective haemostatic agent in reducing post-operative and traumatic bleeding. We review current evidence examining the efficacy of tranexamic acid in improving clinical outcome after ICH. Method We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinical trial registers for studies using search strategies incorporating the terms 'intracerebral haemorrhage', 'tranexamic acid' and 'antifibrinolytic'. Authors of ongoing clinical trials were contacted for further details. Findings We screened 268 publications and retrieved 17 articles after screening. Unpublished information from three ongoing clinical trials was obtained. We found five completed studies. Of these, two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intravenous tranexamic acid to placebo (n = 54) reported no significant difference in death or dependency. Three observational studies (n = 281) suggested less haematoma growth with rapid tranexamic acid infusion. There are six ongoing RCTs (n = 3089) with different clinical exclusions, imaging selection criteria (spot sign and haematoma volume), time window for recruitment and dosing of tranexamic acid. Discussion Despite their heterogeneity, the ongoing trials will provide key evidence on the effects of tranexamic acid on ICH. There are uncertainties of whether patients with negative spot sign, large haematoma, intraventricular haemorrhage, or poor Glasgow Coma Scale should be recruited. The time window for optimal effect of haemostatic therapy in ICH is yet to be established. Conclusion Tranexamic acid is a promising haemostatic agent for ICH. We await the results of the trials before definite conclusions can be drawn.


This paper aims at defining the connection between "immortality" and "mortality" through the "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" of William Wordsworth. Generally speaking, two words "mortality" and "immortality" are regarded as opposite each other. But prefix "im-" has the function of "in" as well. Therefore the word "immortality" contains "mortality", and we can suggest that the "mortality" is the sign to denote what the "immortality" connotes. In fact, the immortal world is not easy to explain. Everything is always changing and cannot but be mortal. But each of all has one significant clue to "immortality", for whatever that exists is changing endlessly. So William Wordsworth realized the "immortality of changing" through "the meanest flower of his poetry" and himself. And in The Heart Sutra, "immortality" can be compared to emptiness, "mortality" to form. In conclusion, it is a kind of synecdoche, a part for the whole, the "mortality"(form) for the "immortality"(emptiness).


Following tooth loss, the mandible shows an extensive loss of bone in some individuals. This may pose a significant problem in the prosthodontic restoration of function and esthetics. The many factors which have been proposed as being responsible for the inter-individual variation in post-extraction remodeling mean that a perfunctory analysis of the literature, in which well-controlled, relevant studies are scarce, may not provide the whole story. This article reviews the local and systemic factors which may play a role in the post-extraction remodeling of the mandible. Since severe residual ridge resorption may occur even when the bone status in the rest of the skeleton is good and vice versa, it is concluded that local functional factors are of paramount significance. It is now essential to determine how they can be modified and applied to help maintain ridge height and quality in our aging, edentulous population.


In the past 20 years, the use of wave energy systems has significantly increased, generally depending on the oscillating water column concept. Wells turbine is one of the most efficient oscillating water column technologies. This article provides an updated and a comprehensive account of the state‐of‐the‐art research on Wells turbine. Hence, it draws a roadmap for the contemporary challenges, which may hinder future reliance on such systems in the renewable energy sector. In particular, the article is concerned with the research directions and methodologies, which aim at enhancing the performance and efficiency of Wells turbine. The article also provides a thorough discussion of the use of CFD for performance modeling and design optimization of Wells turbine. It is found that a numerical model using the CFD code can be employed successfully to calculate the performance characteristics of W‐T as well as other experimental and analytical methods. The increase of research papers about CFD, especially in the last 5 years, indicates that there is a trend that considerably depends on the CFD method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A group incentive program to encourage farmer adoption of best management practices is simulated for a typical watershed in central Illinois. The incentive payments, program costs and environmental impacts of the program are simulated. The results show that the best management practices may not actually reduce farm profits but may increase farm profits and reduce environmental pollution. The sponsor in most cases may not have to pay anything under the incentive contract. This may bring about a win-win situation for the sponsor, the farmer participating in the program, and society as a whole. The program could be implemented as an educational effort to demonstrate the benefits of sound management practices.


Introduction. Microembolization during the carotid artery revascularization procedure may cause cerebral lesions. Elevated C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) exert inflammatory activities thus promoting carotid plaque instability. Neuron specific enolase (NSE) is considered a marker of cerebral injury. Neoangiogenesis represents a crucial step in atherosclerosis, since neovessels density correlates with plaque destabilization. However their clinical significance on the outcome of revascularization is unknown. This study aims to establish the correlation between palque vulnerabilty, embolization and histological or serological markers of inflammation and neoangiogenesis.
Methods. Serum hsCRP, SAA, VEGF, NSE mRNA, PAPP-A mRNA levels were evaluated in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent filter-protected CAS or CEA procedure. Cerebral embolization, presence of neurologicals symptoms, plaque neovascularization were evaluated testing imaging, serological and histological methods. Results were compared by Fisher's, Student T test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results. Patients with hsCRP 5mg/l and SAA>10mg/l (16.5 vs 2.8 mean number, 3564.6 vs 417.6 mm3 mean volume).
Discussion. High hsCRP, SAA and VEGF levels are associated with significantly greater embolization during CAS and to the vulnerabiliy of the plaque. This data suggest CAS might not be indicated as a method of revascularization in this specific group of patients.


The determination of selenium (Se) has garnered increasing interest because of its importance to life as a nutrient element as well as its toxicological effects. Herein, a simple multimodal colorimetric method was developed for the detection of selenium. Firstly, thiol cotton is used as the functional material for simple solid-phase extraction separation of Se(IV). Then, the enriched Se(IV) oxidizes I− ions into I2 species, leading to the formation of linear triiodide ions that intercalate into the coil of starch molecules, producing a blue color. Based on the changes in the intensity of the blue color, multimodal detection methods using spectrophotometric detection, smartphone app-based colorimetric detection, and naked-eye colorimetric detection were developed for selenium detection. The spectrophotometric detection mode exhibited a linear response from 0.01 to 8.0 μg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.0047 μg mL−1; the smartphone app-based colorimetric detection mode was linear from 1.0 to 6.0 μg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.05 μg mL−1; and selenium levels of 0.1 μg mL−1 could be clearly distinguished by the naked eye. The colorimetric detection method was demonstrated to be applicable for the detection of selenium in real water and vegetable samples, giving recoveries of 94.1 to 108.4%.


Besides the issue of product, pricing and distribution of cooking oil Sari Murni, the promotion is also an important issue that should also be considered to introduce Sari Murni cooking oil to the public. Since the promotion is an activity to introduce a product to consumers, such as through advertising, direct sales, sales promotion or through this publicity, this research using causal design research. According to Umar (2009:139) that a causal research design is a useful research to analyze the relationships between one variable with another variable. The research shows, that are significant influences between products, price, promotion, and distribution to consumer decision to buy Sari murni


Abstract. The Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) is a threatened fish species that inhabits rivers and impoundments in south-eastern Australia. Previous studies have shown that Macquarie perch in impoundments exhibit synchronised upstream spawning migrations to shallow, fast-flowing habitats in the lower reaches of inflowing streams. There has been little study of movement behaviours of entirely riverine populations of Macquarie perch despite this being the species' natural habitat. Here, radio-telemetry is used to test the hypothesis that riverine populations exhibit synchronised migrations during the spawning season. Thirty Macquarie perch in the Yarra River, Victoria, a translocated population outside of the species' natural range, were radio-tagged before the late spring–early summer spawning season and their movements followed over a 10-month period (May 2011 to February 2012). Tagged fish typically occupied restricted reaches of stream (<450 m). Sixteen of the fish undertook occasional upstream or downstream movements (∼250–1000 m) away from their usual locations, particularly associated with large flow variations during the spawning season. There was no evidence of synchronised migratory behaviour or movement of multiple fish to specific locations or habitats during the spawning season. Whilst further research over more years is needed to comprehensively document the spawning-related behaviours of riverine Macquarie perch, our study demonstrates that management of riverine populations of this threatened species cannot necessarily be based on the model of spawning behaviour developed for lacustrine populations.


Bilingual machine translation permits training a single model that translates monolingual sentences from one language to another. However, a model is not truly bilingual unless it can translate back and forth in both language directions it was trained on, along with translating code-switched sentences to either language. We propose a true bilingual model trained on WMT14 English-French (En-Fr) dataset. For better use of parallel data, we generated synthetic code-switched (CSW) data along with an alignment loss on the encoder to align representations across languages. Our model strongly outperforms bilingual baselines on CSW translation while maintaining quality for non-code switched data.


How different are men and women's brains? Does altruism really exist? Are our minds blank slates at birth? And do dreams reveal our unconscious desires? If you have you ever grappled with these concepts, then this book is for you. Not only providing the answers to these questions and many more, a series of essays explore each of the central concepts, as well as the arguments of key thinkers. Adrian Furnham offers introductions to emotional behaviour, cognition, mental conditions - from stress to schizophrenia - rationality and personality development, among many others.


This report presents the results of a study to determine the suitability of various test specimens for the qualification of fillet welds for steel bridges. The present AWS/AASHTO/ANSI specification uses a groove weld to qualify a fillet weld. A large root opening is used to provide tensile and Charpy V-notch test specimens. The chemistry of a single pass or the first pass of a multiple pass fillet weld is diluted by the base metal. The groove test weld geometry is designed to minimize the dilution of the weld metal at the test location. In addition, the test location in the groove weld undergoes grain refinement from the overlaying welds. This refinement does not occur in single pass fillet welds. The test program evaluated three candidate test specimens in a factorial experiment design that included the following variables: heat input (high and low), type of consumables (weathering, neutral flux, and active flux), and single-sided and two-sided (Dart) welds. At least three replicate tests were performed for each condition. The results revealed that the present groove weld test specimen does not always provide toughness results comparable to the actual fillet welds. The weld root Charpy V-notch specimen provided a more meaningful measure of the toughness of the weld. The shear strength of the welds exceeded the estimated nominal strength by over a factor of 2. The macroetch "T" specimen presently required in the specification provides a simple means of evaluating both the welding procedure's ability to provide adequate penetration, and the influence of the heat input from a two-sided weld. Recommended changes to the bridge welding code for qualification requirements for fillet welds are presented.


Two adult patients with hypogammaglobulinemia and chronic synovitis were studied. Synovial tissue and fluid were examined by histologic, virologic, and immunologic methods. The synovium lacked characteristic histologic features of rheumatoid arthritis, and B lymphocytes were absent from the synovial tissue, fluid, and peripheral blood. These 2 patients may represent a form of chronic synovitis produced in the absence of any B lymphocyte response.


This essay attempts an overview of Peirce's pragmaticist doctrine of the truth of propositions. Relying on his writings, I try to characterize his conception of the real and discuss the ways in which his peculiar scholastic metaphysics, opposing that of nominalists, is a central tenet of the pragmaticist view of truth which he strived to develop. Peirce conceived indeed real possibilities and real necessities to be just as real as actualities, those realities corresponding in nature to qualities ("firsts"), laws ("thirds"), and existents ("seconds"), respectively. More specifically, I detail the peculiar mode of being of each kind of real elements and show that all three categories must be recognized at once in true propositions. This led Peirce to conclude that if propositions are general signs indeed and, as such, along with terms and arguments, are necessarily dependent on mind, it does not in the least preclude those propositions to be about, nor true of, a real world – a position which actually constitutes a necessary prerequisite for any meaningful conception of scientific inquiry. I believe that a focus on such interrelations between Peirce's categorial account of the real and Peirce's pragmaticist conception of truth constitutes an ideal testament to the systematic nature of his thought, which is an aspect often deflated in unspecialized literatures.