Author(s): Saini, Vaibhav Pratap Singh | Advisor(s): Lopes, Cristina V | Abstract: Code clone detection tools find exact or similar pieces of code, known as code clones. Code clones are categorized into four types of increasing difficulty of detection, ranging from purely textual (Type I) to purely semantic (Type IV). Most clone detectors reported in the literature, work well up to Type III, which accounts for syntactic differences. In between Type III and Type IV, however, there lies a spectrum of clones that, although still exhibiting some syntactic similarities, are extremely hard to detect { the Twilight Zone. Besides correctness, scalability has become a must-have requirement for modern clone detection tools. The increase in amount of source code in web-hosted open source repository services has presented opportunities to improve the state of the art in various modern use cases of clone detection such as detecting similar mobile applications, license violation detection, mining library candidates, code repair, and code search among others. Though these opportunities are exciting, scaling such vast corpora poses critical challenge.Over the years, many clone detection techniques and tools have been developed. One class of these techniques is based on software metrics. Metrics based clone detection has potential to identify clones in the Twilight Zone. For various reasons, however, metrics-based techniques are hard to scale to large datasets. My work highlights issues which prohibit metric based clone detection techniques to scale large datasets while maintaining high levels of correctness. The identification of these issues allowed me to rethink how metrics could be used for clone Detection. This dissertation starts by presenting an empirical study using software metrics to understand if metrics can be used to identify differences in cloned and non-cloned code. The study is followed by another large scale study to explore the extent of cloning in GitHub. Here, the dissertation highlights scalability challenges in clone detection and how they were addressed. The above two studies provided a strong base to use software metrics for clone detection in a scalable manner. To this end, the dissertation presents Oreo, a novel approach capable of detecting harder-to-detect clones in the Twilight Zone. Oreo is built using a combination of machine learning, information retrieval, and software metrics. This dissertation evaluates the recall of Oreo on BigCloneBench, a benchmark of real world code clones. In experiments to compare the detection performance of Oreo with other five state of the art clone detectors, we found that Oreo has both high recall and precision. More importantly, it pushes the boundary in detection of clones with moderate to weak syntactic similarity, in a scalable manner. Further, to address the issues identified in precision evaluations, the dissertation presents InspectorClone, a semi automated approach to facilitate precision studies of clone detection tools. InspectorClone makes use of some of the concepts introduced in the design of Oreo to automatically resolve different types of clone pairs. Experiments demonstrate that InspectorClone has a very high precision and it significantly reduces the number of clone pairs that need human validation during precision experiments. Moreover, InspectorClone aggregates the individual effort of multiple teams into a single evolving dataset of labeled clone pairs, creating an important asset for software clone research. Finally, the dissertation concludes with a discussion on the lessons learned during the design and development of Oreo and lists down a few areas for the future work in code clone detection.


The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) onboard Landsat 8 was tasked with continuing thermal band measurements of Earth as part of the Landsat program. From first light in early 2013, there were obvious indications, such as nonuniform banding and varying absolute calibration errors, that stray light was contaminating the thermal image data collected from the instrument. Stray light in this case refers to unwanted radiance from outside the field-of-view entering the optical system and being recorded by the focal plane. Standard calibration techniques used to flat-field and radiometrically correct the data were not sufficient to adjust the image products to within the accuracy that the Landsat community has come to expect. The development of an operational technique to remove the effects of the stray light in the TIRS data has become a high priority. A methodology is presented that makes use of a stray light optical model developed for the instrument along with knowledge of the out-of-field area surrounding the TIRS earth scene. Two versions of the algorithm are proposed in which one method utilizes near-coincident image data from an external sensor while another novel method is proposed that makes use of TIRS image data itself without the need for external data. Preliminary results of the algorithm indicate that banding artifacts due to stray light are significantly reduced when the methods are applied. Additionally, initial absolute calibration error estimates of over 9K are reduced to within 2K when applying the correction methods. Although both variations of the proposed algorithm have significantly reduced the stray light effects, the fact that the latter method utilizing TIRS image data itself does not rely on any external data is a significant advantage toward the development of an operational stray light correction solution. Ongoing work is focused on operationalizing the algorithm and identifying and quantifying potential sources of error when applying the method.


Abstract In compliance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) received from the European Commission a mandate to provide its reasoned opinion on the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for abamectin which might lead to consumers intake concerns on the basis of the lower toxicological reference values established during the peer review, the data currently available to EFSA and the outcome of the Member States' consultation. To identify the MRLs of potential concern that require a more detailed assessment, EFSA screened the existing MRLs for abamectin considering the new toxicological reference values and an acute risk could not be excluded for 12 commodities. Fall‐back MRLs for nine commodities were proposed based on the data received under the present assessment. For apples, pears and escaroles, fall‐back MRLs could not be derived, and thus, a lowering of the MRLs for these crops to the limit of quantification (LOQ) is proposed.


We have recently reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote early transcoelomic metastasis of ovarian cancer by facilitating TAM–ovarian cancer cell spheroid formation. ASK1 is known to be important for macrophage activation and inflammation-mediated tumorigenesis. In the present study, we show that ASK1 deficiency attenuates TAM-spheroid formation and ovarian cancer progression in an orthotopic ovarian cancer model. Interestingly, ASK1 in stroma, but not in TAMs, is critical for peritoneal tumor growth of ovarian cancer. Moreover, overexpression of an ASK1 inhibitory protein (suppressor of cytokine signaling-1; SOCS1) in vascular endothelium attenuates vascular permeability, TAM infiltration, and ovarian cancer growth. Mechanistically, we show that ASK1 mediates degradation of endothelial junction protein VE-cadherin via a lysosomal pathway to promote macrophage transmigration. Importantly, a pharmacological ASK1 inhibitor prevents tumor-induced vascular leakage, macrophage infiltration, and tumor growth in two mouse models. Since transcoelomic metastasis is also associated with many other cancers, such as pancreatic and colon cancers, our study provides ASK1 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer and other transcoelomic metastasis cancers. Research Article Oncology Therapeutics


Significance Birds are remarkably intelligent, although their brains are small. Corvids and some parrots are capable of cognitive feats comparable to those of great apes. How do birds achieve impressive cognitive prowess with walnut-sized brains? We investigated the cellular composition of the brains of 28 avian species, uncovering a straightforward solution to the puzzle: brains of songbirds and parrots contain very large numbers of neurons, at neuronal densities considerably exceeding those found in mammals. Because these "extra" neurons are predominantly located in the forebrain, large parrots and corvids have the same or greater forebrain neuron counts as monkeys with much larger brains. Avian brains thus have the potential to provide much higher "cognitive power" per unit mass than do mammalian brains. Some birds achieve primate-like levels of cognition, even though their brains tend to be much smaller in absolute size. This poses a fundamental problem in comparative and computational neuroscience, because small brains are expected to have a lower information-processing capacity. Using the isotropic fractionator to determine numbers of neurons in specific brain regions, here we show that the brains of parrots and songbirds contain on average twice as many neurons as primate brains of the same mass, indicating that avian brains have higher neuron packing densities than mammalian brains. Additionally, corvids and parrots have much higher proportions of brain neurons located in the pallial telencephalon compared with primates or other mammals and birds. Thus, large-brained parrots and corvids have forebrain neuron counts equal to or greater than primates with much larger brains. We suggest that the large numbers of neurons concentrated in high densities in the telencephalon substantially contribute to the neural basis of avian intelligence.


This work represents an essential step towards the understanding of the dynamics and thermodynamic characteristics of a novel family of ionic liquids, namely fluorinated ionic liquids based on the combination of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations with perfluoroalkylsulfonates or perfluoroalkylcarboxylates anions. The so far scarce information about these fluids constitutes a limiting factor for their potential applications. In this work, we provide detailed evidence on the influence of hydrogenated and fluorinated alkyl chain lengths in the final characteristics of the fluorinated ionic liquids. Different properties, namely, melting point, decomposition temperature, density, dynamic viscosity, ionic conductivity and refractive index, were determined and the experimental results were discussed taking into account the influence of the length of the hydrogenated and fluorinated alkyl chains. Molecular dynamic simulations were also performed to study the nanoscale structure of these novel compounds.


Traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine is widely used to treat numerous conditions. Kampo medicine includes herbal formulas, acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage. After the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), Kampo medicine was used to treat the imbalances in the body, mind, and soul in severely affected areas. The effects of the Kampo medicine saikokeishikankyoto (SKK) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been proven in our clinical study. In this chapter, we have summarized both our reports from the Kampo medical clinics that were set up after the GEJE disaster and our findings of the clinical study on PTSD treatment in disaster survivors.


A new retroviral vector, pSXLC/pHa, was constructed to coexpress drug-selectable markers with a second gene of interest as a part of a bicistronic mRNA in a retroviral vector using an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) from encephalomyocarditis virus. This system was used to develop a new retroviral vector pHa-MDR-IRES-TK which expresses a single mRNA from which translation of the MDR1 gene is cap dependent and translation of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene is IRES dependent. The pHa-MDR-IRES-TK transfectants showed high levels of P-glycoprotein expression and multidrug resistance. More than 95% of the vincristine-resistant cells transfected or transduced with pHa-MDR-IRES-TK showed hypersensitivity to ganciclovir, which selects against cells expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase. An amphotropic retrovirus titer of 7.8 x 10(4)/ml was obtained with this vector. This safety-modified vector should be useful for introducing the MDR1 gene into bone marrow cells to protect normal cells from the toxic effects of cancer chemotherapy because this vector allows the elimination of cancer cells that have been unintentionally transduced with the MDR1 vector.


Code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems are interference limited, and therefore efficient interference management is necessary to enhance the capacity of a CDMA system. In this paper, we consider combining two effective receiver-based interference management strategies: multiuser detection (temporal filtering) and receiver beamforming (spatial filtering). We formulate and examine the performance of several two-dimensional linear filter structures, which are all based on minimum mean squared error (MMSE) criterion but differ in how the MMSE problems are defined in the temporal and spatial domains, i.e., jointly or in cascade. It is shown that while the joint optimum MMSE filter achieves the maximum signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) among all possible matrix filters, the constrained optimum MMSE filter which results in a single temporal and single spatial filter, outperforms all combined single-user/multiple-user approaches and cascaded optimization approaches either uniformly or asymptotically. The constrained optimum MMSE filter is near-far resistant in all but very highly loaded systems and enjoys low complexity.


Many schools refer children who have sustained an injury, directly to the local Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This prospective study monitored these referrals for one school term (08.01.96-31.03.96). During this time 200 children under the age of 14 years presented from school to the A&E department of the Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital (RACH). The majority presented with trivial or mild injuries and 45% of parents felt that attending A&E was inappropriate. Half the accidents happened to unsupervised children. Rural children and children of working parents were less likely to attend A&E. In Grampian Region school referrals to A&E generate a significant workload for the A&E department with resultant cost implications. It would appear that a large number of these attendances are medically unnecessary and result from a desire by the school to avoid any complaint or litigation.


That citizens engage in retrospective voting is widely established in the literature. But to what extent is retrospection affected by the expectations that leaders set in advance? We develop a theoretical framework of how expectation setting affects voters' retrospective evaluations of incumbent performance. To test the theory, we conduct a series of between-subjects experiments in which we independently manipulate both expectation setting and the eventual outcome. In domains where politicians have practical authority, or direct influence over outcomes, setting high expectations incurs a cost in public support if the projected outcome is not attained. The same is true in domains where politicians have theoretical authority, or limited influence, but where expectation setting sends a signal about the leader's judgment. However, in domains where politicians have neither practical nor theoretical authority, setting high expectations is unambiguously beneficial, implying that optimism is valued by voters as a...


BACKGROUND
Posttransplantation bone disease is a significant problem, with few well-evidenced therapeutic options. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with hip fracture in the general population and are widely prescribed for kidney transplant recipients.

STUDY DESIGN
A case-control study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS
From the US Renal Data System, we identified from diagnoses and procedures 231 kidney transplant recipients with a first hip fracture. Cases were matched at the hip fracture index date with 15,575 controls on age, sex, race, and transplantation year.

PREDICTOR
PPI use.

OUTCOMES
First hip fracture.

RESULTS
In the year prior to the index date, a PPI was prescribed to 65.4% of cases and 57.4% of controls. Additionally, in 34.6% of cases and 28.9% of controls, a PPI was prescribed for >80% of the year preceding the index date (higher PPI users). Unadjusted ORs of hip fracture associated with any and higher PPI use were 1.55 (95% CI, 1.18-2.05) and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.2-2.27), respectively. When adjusted for baseline demographic, clinical, and pharmacologic covariables, any and higher PPI use remained associated with hip fracture, with ORs of 1.39 (95% CI, 1.04-1.84) and 1.41 (95% CI, 1.02-1.95), respectively.

LIMITATIONS
Potential residual confounding through either incorrectly ascertained or unavailable confounders; cohort limited to Medicare beneficiaries receiving low-income subsidy.

CONCLUSIONS
In summary, PPI use was associated with hip fracture risk in the US kidney transplant population.


Objectives To study the employment and occupational outcomes of workers who were diagnosed with upper limb musculoskeletal disorders (UL-MSDs) or had complained of upper limb musculoskeletal pain a few years before compared with workers who had no upper limb pain. Methods In 2002–2005, an epidemiological surveillance system was set up. Occupational physicians examined 3710 randomly selected workers. It focused on six UL-MSDs: rotator cuff syndrome, lateral epicondylitis, flexor-extensor peritendinitis of the hands and fingers, de Quervain's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar tunnel syndrome. Three groups were constituted: a 'UL-MSD' group (workers with a clinically diagnosed UL-MSD at baseline, 13% of the cohort); a 'PAIN' group (workers with pain in the previous 7 days at baseline and without any clinically diagnosed form, 38%); and a 'HEALTHY' group (workers with no disorder or upper limb pain in the previous 7 days, 49%). They completed a questionnaire between 2007 and 2009. Results A total of 2332 responded. Fewer subjects were still in work in the 'UL-MSD' group (79.3%) than in the 'PAIN' (85.9%) and 'HEALTHY' (90.4%) groups, the difference remaining significant after adjusting for gender, age, occupational category, type of company and comorbidities. Of the subjects still in work, 24% had changed their work station in the same company in the 'PAIN' group compared with 19% in the 'HEALTHY' group and 21% in the 'UL-MSD' group. Conclusions This study showed the impact of musculoskeletal pain on employment outcome and the difficulty of keeping workers with musculoskeletal problems at work.


Background: Palliative care programs have played a significant role during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the financial impact of the pandemic and operational challenges for palliative care programs have raised concerns for their future viability. Objectives: To explore palliative care program leaders' perceptions of the future viability of their programs in the context of the pandemic and inform future educational and program development. Methods: Surveys were sent to 1430 specialist palliative care program leaders, identified through the Center to Advance Palliative Care's contact lists, via email in May 2020 and January 2021. Leaders were asked why they were or were not concerned about the viability of their palliative care programs. Qualitative content analysis was applied to determine themes. Results: We received 440 responses. Most programs served hospital settings and were geographically located across all US regions. We identified four themes: 1) The importance of being valued by organizational leadership and peers, 2) The importance of adequate and supported palliative care staff, 3) The pandemic validated and accelerated the need for palliative care, and 4) The pandemic perpetuated organizational financial concerns. Conclusion: Findings provide insights about palliative care program viability from the perspective of program leaders during a global pandemic. Technical assistance to support palliative care teams and their relationships with stakeholders, methods to measure the impact of peer support, efforts to educate administrators about the value of palliative care, and efforts to reduce burnout are needed to sustain palliative care programs into the future.


growth rates decrease from 20 X lo-' cmis to the saturation one (8 X when  the  undoped  region  width L increases  from 1 pm to the infinite. Such results are, of course, very useful from a view point of device applications. X-ray analyzing SEM shows that no diffusion and/or no migrations of impurities from the doped into the undoped regions in the amorphous layers. Therefore, these phenomena could not be explained by the doping effect for the undoped regions by heating or snowplow effects. At a moment, we speculate that these phenomena were caused by the retardation of (1 11) facets formation at the boundary between the doped and undoped regions. As a preliminary experiment, we have fabricated MOSFET's by using the undoped recrystallized region as n-channel region. The maximum field effect mobility was 160 cm2/V * s . Optimization of fabrication conditions is expected to produce yet better performances and is being carried out presently.


Traditional developmental biology laboratory classes have utilized a number of different model organisms to allow students to be exposed to diverse biological phenomena in developing organisms. This traditional approach has mainly focused on the diverse morphological and anatomical descriptions of the developing organisms. However, modern developmental biology is focusing more on conserved genetic networks which are responsible for generating conserved body patterns in developing organisms. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new pedagogical tool to educate undergraduate biology students in the laboratory class of developmental biology with the genetic principles which are responsible for generating and controlling the developing body patterns. A new undergraduate laboratory class for developmental biology was developed in order to offer students the opportunity to explore a wide range of experimental procedures, also incorporating the instructor's on‐going research. Thereby the course can serve as a bridge between research and education by combining both into a single theme. The course design involves a sequence of exercises which can be easily adapted to the faculty's ongoing research. This style of laboratory coursework could be a transitional form between a regular laboratory course and a discovery‐based laboratory course. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(2):141–150, 2018.


Background: Neonatal presentation of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) with intractable cardiac failure is considered a poor prognostic sign. Interventional neuroradiology with embolisation has been shown to control cardiac failure, but there is a perception that neurological outcome in survivors is poor. Objective: To determine if aggressive intensive care and anaesthetic management of cardiac failure before urgent embolisation can influence morbidity and mortality. Patients: Nine newborns (four boys, five girls) were diagnosed with symptomatic vein of Galen malformations in the neonatal period during the period 1996–2001. Eight developed intractable high output cardiac failure requiring initial endovascular treatment in the first week of life. Results: The immediate outcome after a series of endovascular procedures was control of cardiac failure and normal neurological function in six (66%) patients, one death from intractable cardiac failure in the neonatal period, and two late deaths with severe hypoxic-ischaemic neurological injury (33% mortality). Clinical review at 6 months to 4 years of age showed five infants with no evidence of neurological abnormality or cardiac failure and one child with mild developmental delay (11%). Conclusions: Aggressive medical treatment of cardiac failure and early neurointervention combined with modern neuroanaesthetic care results in good survival rates with low morbidity even in cases of high risk VGAM presenting in the immediate perinatal period with cardiac failure. Systemic arterial vasodilators improve outcome in neonates with cardiac failure secondary to VGAM. Excessive β adrenergic stimulation induced by conventional inotropic agents may exacerbate systemic hypoperfusion.


Diet high in fructose and cholesterol may lead to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). One of the first drugs of choice in DN treatment is captopril. Prolonged use of this drug may lead to some adverse effects and the treatment can be optimized through using other therapy options. Acalypha indica Linn. (AI) may be an alternative herbal therapy for DN. The objective of this research is to investigate the renoprotective effect of AI on DN. For seven weeks, thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups receiving normal diet and high-fructose and high-cholesterol diet (HFCD). Then, the HFCD-fed rats were divided into four groups receiving different treatment: negative control, AI root extract (250 mg/kgBW), captopril (2.5 mg/kgBW), and combination of captopril and AI. Normal diet group was divided into AI and no treatment. After four weeks of treatment, the rats were terminated and serum urea and creatinine levels were measured. In the normal group, AI therapy decreased serum urea and creatinine levels. In the HFCD groups, AI and captopril monotherapy groups had increased serum urea levels, but lower compared to negative control. Meanwhile, serum creatinine levels decreased in both groups. However, these findings are not statistically significant. We found that combination therapy group had the highest increase in serum urea level, which was significantly different with captopril group (p=0.01). Serum creatinine level was also increased in this group. Our present study showed that AI tend to reduce serum urea and creatinine levels in normal diet group and inhibit the increase of serum urea and creatinine levels in rats fed with HFCD diet. Antagonistic interaction between captopril and AI might be present.


Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating, highly prevalent condition. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend trauma-focused psychotherapy (eg, cognitive processing therapy; CPT) as the first-line treatment for PTSD. However, while these treatments show clinically meaningful symptom improvement, the majority of those who begin treatment retain a diagnosis of PTSD post-treatment. Perhaps for this reason, many individuals with PTSD have sought more holistic, mind–body, complementary and integrative health (CIH) interventions. However, there remains a paucity of high-quality, active controlled efficacy studies of CIH interventions for PTSD, which precludes their formal recommendation. Methods and analyses We present the protocol for an ongoing non-inferiority parallel group randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the efficacy of a breathing meditation intervention (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga [SKY]) to a recommended evidence-based psychotherapy (CPT) for PTSD among veterans. Assessors are blinded to treatment group. The primary outcome measure is the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version and a combination of clinical, self-report, experimental and physiological outcome measures assess treatment-related changes across each of the four PTSD symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions or mood and hyperarousal/reactivity). Once the RCT is completed, analyses will use both an intent-to-treat (using the 'last observation carried forward' for missing data) and a per-protocol or 'treatment completers' procedure, which is the most rigorous approach to non-inferiority designs. Ethics and dissemination To the best of our knowledge, this is this first non-inferiority RCT of SKY versus CPT for PTSD among veterans. The protocol is approved by the Stanford University Institutional Review Board. All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation. Results from this RCT will inform future studies including larger multi-site efficacy RCTs of SKY for PTSD and other mental health conditions, as well as exploration of cost-effectiveness and evaluation of implementation issues. Results will also inform evidence-based formal recommendations regarding CIH interventions for PTSD. Trial registration number NCT02366403; Pre-results.


Abstract We argue that there is scholarly potential in linking theory on industry clusters with theory on value networks. To date, these two theoretical streams have developed largely in parallel, limiting understanding of how the two are integrated in practice. By considering these theories in combination and the unique context of creative industries, we generate insight on the management of clusters as value networks. Our ongoing longitudinal empirical case is a new media cluster called 'Mediapolis' in the city of Tampere, Finland. The case study commenced at the time the cluster was in the planning and early operational stage. Results demonstrate the usefulness of linking the two theories, and support a future research agenda examining the types of cluster configurations meeting the criteria of value networks, and the conditions under which value network cluster configurations are more sustainable than simply a spatial agglomeration of clusters.


Fragilariopsis kerguelensis has been reported to be the main driver of the Southern Ocean silicate pump,
thereby substantially affecting silicate supply in lower latitude surface water masses of the world ocean. In
order to investigate the potential responses of this species to climate change, we have explored the use of
species distribution modeling (SDM). These methods aim at predicting the potential distribution of a species
using statistical or machine learning approaches by combining geo-referenced taxon occurrence data and
layers of environmental parameters. During the last two decades, the methodology became a standard
approach in biogeography as well as conservation and climate change science, though with a strong bias
towards terrestrial organisms. Marine organisms are clearly underrepresented and there is little experience
with the applicability of SDMs for planktonic organisms. We harvested taxon occurrence records from the GBIF
network and other public resources. Environmental parameters included nutrient concentrations and
oceanographic variables like sea surface temperature and salinity. The main modeling method used is
maximum entropy.
Results of this study will be presented to give an overview to the current availability of data records, a selection
of environmental parameters, model evaluation and a projection of the model on expected environmental
conditions predicted for future climate scenarios to explore potential biogeographic shifts in response to
climate change. Further, a novel workflow currently under development will be presented, which will enable
the integration of molecular-based taxon observation records with traditional occurrence records for
distribution modeling.
In summary, the resulting potential distribution maps of the models agree well with species distributions
expected based on background knowledge. Our experiments clearly show that SDM methods are suitable to
model the geographic distribution of pelagic diatoms, and suggest that the distribution range of the main silica
carrier of the Southern Ocean might shift pole wards and substantially shrink during the upcoming decade.


Abstract There are many economic, social and environmental reasons to reduce the occurrence of food that is wasted. As communities consider options for managing their food waste streams, an understanding of the volume, composition and variability of these streams is needed to inform the decision-making process and potentially justify the capital investments needed for separation and treatment operations. This more detailed inventory also allows for the estimation of embodied resources in food that is wasted, demonstrated herein for greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Pre- and post-consumer food waste was collected from four all-you-care-to-eat Campus Dining Services (CDS) facilities at the University of Missouri, Columbia over 3 months in 2014. During the study period approximately 246.3 metric tons (t) of food reached the retail level at the four facilities. 232.4 t of this food was served and 13.9 t of it (10.1 t of edible and 3.8 t of inedible), was lost as pre-consumer waste. Over the same time period, an estimated 26.4 t of post-consumer food waste was generated at these facilities, 21.2 t of the waste edible and 5.3 t of it inedible. Overall, 5.6% of food reaching the retail level was lost at the pre-consumer stage and 10.7% was lost at the post-consumer stage. Out of the food categories examined, 'fruits and vegetables' constituted the largest source of food waste by weight, with grains as the second largest source of food waste by weight. GHGs embodied in edible food waste were calculated. Over the study period an estimated 11.1 t CO2e (100-yr) were embodied in the pre-consumer food waste and 56.1 t were embodied in post-consumer food waste for a total of 67.2 t. The 'meat and protein' category represents the largest embodiment of GHG emissions in both the pre- and post-consumer categories despite ranking fourth in total weight. Beef represents the largest contribution to post-consumer GHG emissions embodied in food waste with an estimated 34.1 t CO2e. This distinction between the greatest sources of food waste by weight and the greatest sources of GHG emissions is relevant when considering alternative management options for food waste.


We address the problem of fusing ESM reports by two evidential reasoning schemes, namely Dempster-Shafer theory and Dezert-Smarandache theory. These schemes provide results in different frames of discernment, but are able to fuse realistic ESM data. We discuss their advantages and disadvantages under varying conditions of sensor data certainty and fusion reliability, the latter coming from errors in the association process. A thresholded version of Dempster-Shafer theory is fine-tuned for performance across a wide range of values for certainty and reliability. The results are presented first for typical scenarios, and secondly for Monte-Carlo studies of scenarios under varying sensor certainty and fusion reliability. The results exhibit complex non-linear functions, but for which clear trends can nevertheless be extracted. A compromise has to be achieved between stability under occasional miss-associations, and reaction time latency under a real change of allegiance. The alternative way of reporting results through Dezert-Smarandache theory is studied under similar conditions, and shown to provide good results, which are however more dependent on the unreliability, and slightly less stable. In this case however, the frame of discernment is larger, and permits additional interpretations, which are outside the scope of Dempster-Shafer.


The balance of the world has been built on various empires, kingdoms, civilizations and economic systems for centuries. This study is written in the belief that the center of the world rule started to change. The determiners are not the leaders or the systems anymore but the individuals themselves. People are aware of that their voice can easily reach to the rest of the world. For most of the people it is not onlysharing their ideas on various social networks but also playing an active role in the world order.Since every human being has different ways of expressing themselves, their active role will also differ from each other. This study focuses on the active role of Art, which is one of the important ways when it is about self-expression. By this research, it is aimed to find answers to the following questions: "How can art be effective in the change of the world?" and "In what point activist art differs from propaganda?"


Measuring value (quality and cost) continues to be a major challenge in health care as providers respond to societal pressures (primarily from the payer) to standardize processes and patients assume the role of consumer. Relatively few studies report the extent to which report cards affect patient outcomes of care. Survey results indicate high levels of public distrust in report cards. The information that patients desire often is not what is reported because traditional indicators of quality often serve institutional needs rather than patient needs. Patients understand and value information framed as risk avoidance more so than as an opportunity for better health. Effective report cards are brief and simple. The model surgical report card for patients suggested herein includes ratings for patient satisfaction, functional status and well-being, specific symptom assessment, biologic indicators of disease progress, and costs. Successful report cards strike a balance between quality and cost that meets the needs of the stakeholder for whom they are intended.


OBJECTIVE
Several theories of suicide suggest that people will only attempt suicide if they have both the desire to die and the capability for suicide. Fearlessness about death is a key component of capability for suicide. There is little information in the literature about the prospective relationship between fearlessness about death and suicide attempt in adolescents.

METHOD
We obtained baseline fearlessness about death from adolescents (N = 122; ages 12-18; 80% girls; 82% Caucasian) who received intensive outpatient treatment for active suicidal ideation and/or a recent attempt. We tested if fearlessness about death at treatment entry predicted an attempt (n = 14) between entry and six-month follow-up after discharge from the program.

RESULTS
Fearlessness about death significantly predicted the presence of an attempt between treatment entry and six-month follow-up after controlling for common covariates (Quade F = 2.15, p < .02).

CONCLUSIONS
In a preliminary analysis of a group of suicidal adolescents, fearlessness about death was a significant independent predictor of attempt between treatment entry and six months post-discharge, even when controlling for other commonly cited risk factors.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategy for HCC. Methyl gallate (MG), from plant-derived phenolic gallic acid, has exhibited antitumor efficacy. However, the effect of MG on HCC is unclear. In vitro growth activity was detected by a sulforhodamine assay. A zebrafish xenotransplantation was applied to evaluate the inhibitory effect of MG. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, autophagy, and lysosome formation were detected by specific dyes. Finally, apoptosis was examined using annexin V-FITC/PI staining and western blot was performed to determine the molecular mechanism. It was demonstrated that MG treatment inhibited the proliferation of Hep3B, Mahlavu, and HepJ5 cells. Xenotransplantation also showed that MG inhibited the growth of Hep3B and HepJ5 cells. MG treatment increased cellular levels of superoxide and oxidative stress. Increases in autophagy and lysosome formation were found after MG treatment. The western blot analysis showed that MG activated cleavage of caspase-3 and poly (SDP ribose) polymerase (PARP), modulated levels of the Bcl2, Bax, and Bad ligands, and induced apoptosis. MG induced autophagy with notable activation of beclin-1, autophagy related 5+12 (ATG5+12), and conversion of light chain 3-I (LC3-I) to II. Our study showed that MG exposure inhibited HCC proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. And blocking autophagy enhanced MG-induced cytotoxicity in HCC cells. These findings suggested MG might serve as a powerful therapeutic supplement for human HCC patients.


This article analyzes Hungarian and Soviet-bloc policies vis-à-vis the German question and European security in the period preceding the signature of the Helsinki Final Act, based on extensive use of records of the Warsaw Pact's highest-level multilateral meetings. During these crucial years, the leaders of the Soviet bloc were sharply divided, and the formulation of a unified position concerning the Helsinki process was possible only after fierce internal fights between the "security-concerned" countries of the Warsaw Pact (the GDR, Poland, Czechoslovakia) and the "economy-oriented" sub-bloc (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria). Soviet leaders initially cooperated with the first group, but from 1969 on they mostly sided with the second.


Forty-five cases of canine Achilles mechanism disruption were reviewed, mostly involving medium-sized dogs, among which dobermanns, labradors and border collies were most commonly represented. Most cases were acute in onset (66.7 per cent), and were usually closed injuries (75.6 per cent). In the majority of cases, the damage involved all tendons (26.7 per cent), all tendons except the superficial digital flexor tendon (22.2 per cent), or the gastrocnemius alone (20 per cent). Damage most commonly occurred at the tendo-osseous junction (60 per cent), with injury occurring less commonly at the musculotendinous junction (20 per cent) or in the body of the tendon (13.3 per cent). A plantigrade posture was not predictive of involvement of specific tendons, but was more likely if the injury involved the musculotendinous junction. The most common method of treatment was a primary tendon repair using polydioxanone suture in a locking-loop pattern, with placement of a temporary calcaneotibial screw and cast. The outcome was not significantly influenced by whether the injury was open or closed, the duration of the injury, the tendons involved, or the method of repair. Complications were recorded in 16 cases (35 per cent), of which 10 were minor and six major. Complications were significantly more likely if the damage involved the body of the tendon. Long-term follow-up was available for 19 dogs; the outcome of surgery was considered to be good to excellent in 18 dogs. S. A. Corr, D. Draffan, E. Kulendra, S. Carmichael, D. Brodbelt Retrospective study of Achilles mechanism disruption in 45 dogs


The major effects of breathing dense gas during physical exercise in hyperbaric environments can be traced to high airway resistance during inspiration and expiration and especially to an increased tendency for lung airways to become "choked" during expiration. The body's responses to the high resistance include decrease of alveolar ventilation, which leads to CO2 retention. This hypoventilation is aggravated by poor mixing in the lung because of low diffusivity of gases in the dense environment. Also, there is a tendency for the person to let the end-expired volume of the lung enlarge; this causes a marked increase of work against elastic recoil of pulmonary structures. Because the elastic work occurs during the inspiratory phase of a breath, there is a disproportionate increase of the work of the inspiratory muscles that may lead to fatigue of inspiratory musculature and consequent aggravation of the hypoventilation.


Neural approach can be used for the detection of cyber attacks. Confidentiality of data due to the unauthorized access can cause compromises over the user's system. Cyber Attacks are prominently increasing in recent years where the users lose their confidentiality and privacy over the data. IoT is used nowadays everywhere in this digital era. For the classified approach and for detecting the network intrusion deep neural approach is implemented. IoT applications are used in industrial and technological sectors. Determine the dataset with accurate parameters to get precise result over the detection of cyber attacks. Generally, the network traffic can be reduced by using neural approach rather than machine learning approach. The increase in the cyber attacks in IOT field has to be identified to avoid the breach over cyber physical system (cps). Some of the cyber attacks can be detected by anomaly detection. The intruder tries to attack the victim by explicating the protocols and websites. Define the attack by classifying the network approach using dnn. The back end of the applications gets compromised resulting data confidentiality and privacy breach over data. The malicious activity can be ensemble by an Ann approach. To determine the cyber attacks in an advanced way, hypo testing approach has been implemented.


A 19-year-old woman with von Recklinghausen's disease was referred to our hospital because of right adrenal pheochromocytoma. The tumor was detected incidentally with the abdominal ultrasonography when she complained epigastralgia to the home doctor who treated her hypertension. Plasma and urinary catecholamines level were elevated. The tumor was removed by laparoscopy assisted adrenalectomy without pneumoperitoneum. The resected specimen was 35 x 60 x 75 mm in size and weighed 70 g. Pathological diagnosis was adrenomedullary pheochromocytoma. Postoperative course was uneventful. She has been well with no signs of recurrence after 7.5 years. We reviewed 67 Japanese patients previously reported as von Recklinghusen's disease with pheochromocytoma. Of the 60 patients whose details were described, 16.7% had metastases and pathological malignancy from pheochromocytoma.


The understanding and acknowledgement of Aboriginal rights has grown in importance within Canada as a result of the ever changing legal landscape and as Aboriginal groups more forcefully confront decades of colonial rule to assert their historic rights. While this has predominantly come out of First Nations issues, there has been a gradual increase in the rights cases by Metis communities. Primary among these was the 2003 Supreme Court of Canada Powley decision which introduced how Metis identity and community identification are key in a successful litigation claim by Metis. This research considers questions surrounding the contentious nature of Metis identity including how Metis see themselves and how it is prescribed by others including the state, through tools such as the Census of Canada.


The promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is similar to the rhetoric of the Space Race. Only 19% of U.S. degrees are in STEM fields, compared to over 50% in China (National Science and Technology Council, 2013). Policy makers like President Obama, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley tie STEM investment directly to economic impact, using language similar to the rhetoric President Eisenhower utilized to promote the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) of 1958. Florida Governor Rick Scott places STEM in zero-sum competition against liberal arts subjects with the rationale of stimulating economic growth.

I surveyed and interviewed Florida policy makers to explore their perceptions of STEM and liberal arts fields. I wanted to know how these perceptions influenced policy formation. I examined press releases to identify trends and messaging from Governor Scott's office. The majority of policy actors supported balanced positions on the 7-point Likert scale survey items, recognizing the economic importance of STEM education while also noting the value of liberal arts disciplines. However, when given the freedom to respond in open-ended survey items and semi-structured interviews, many policy makers revealed positions closer to the zero-sum strategies of Governor Scott. They were dismissive of the utility of liberal arts subjects, and saw them as frivolous and unnecessary. Other participants defended the value of the liberal arts and saw them as a necessary component of a tertiary education.

My research demonstrates that the relationship between higher education and economic impact is unpredictable. To maximize economic growth, universities should produce opportunistic communicators who recognize opportunities in the Information Age economy and communicate to consumers across state and national borders. Zero-sum competitions between STEM and the liberal arts are unnecessary and detrimental in a non-zero-sum global economy.


A Kelvin contact resistance test structure has been developed for accurate measurement of highly-doped, shallow n/sup +/ and p/sup +/ implantations, which are self-aligned to the contact window. Here the structure has been integrated, without additional processing, in a 30 GHz washed-emitter-base n-p-n bipolar process, for the purpose of monitoring the emitter contact resistance. Diffusion taps to the emitter have been made with the phosphorus collector-plug implantation. Phosphorus evaporation from the contact window during the anneal step and the low sheet resistance of the collector-plug implantation, together with the overall design of the test structure, assure a very accurate determination of the emitter contact resistance even in situations where complete junction isolation of the diffusion taps is not directly possible. Results are presented for the optimization of the emitter anneal cycle with respect to the emitter contact resistance.


Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are becoming increasingly widespread with the advent of more powerful computers and more sophisticated software. The aim of these developments is to facilitate more accurate reactor design and optimization methods compared to traditional lumped-parameter models. However, in order for CFD to be a trusted method, it must be validated using experimental data acquired at sufficiently high spatial resolution. This article validates an in-house CFD code by comparison with flow-field data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a packed bed with a particle-to-column diameter ratio of 2. Flows characterized by inlet Reynolds numbers, based on particle diameter, of 27, 55, 111, and 216 are considered. The code used employs preconditioning to directly solve for pressure in low-velocity flow regimes. Excellent agreement was found between the MRI and CFD data with relative error between the experimentally determined and numerically predicted flow-fields being in the range of 3-9%. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).


Hereby we present a case with a common carotid-internal jugular fistula caused by gunshot wound. The patient was a 32-year old male who had an entrance hole of a bullet on his right anterior cervical area, at the C4 level with a hematoma surrounding it. The exit hole could be detected at the sublingual area. By palpation a thrill and on auscultation a souffle was noted. Neither crepitation, nor any neurologic deficit or any symptom of Horner's syndrome was present. The emergency digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed a fistulisation to internal jugular vein (IJV) approximately 0.5 cm below the common carotid artery (CCA) bifurcation level. During the operation a hematoma and a false aneurysm was observed on the CCA. Also, proximally to the bifurcation, a communication of CCA with IJV was noted. The wall of the JJV was rather thinned and the size of the vessel had considerably enlarged. Following the evacuation of the hematoma and debridement, the integration of the artery was achieved by placing a double layered autogenous vein graft patch over the 0.5 x 1.5 cm defect. The 0.3 x 1.5 cm defect laterally over the IJV was primarily sutured. The patient was discharged on the fifth day. The control DSA taken on the twelfth day showed a perfect integration of the vessels. We considered the case noticeable due to its rather rare incidence and the double layered autogen vein patch graft reconstruction.


In the protein-deficient media plasminogen stimulated the vital functions of cells and in concentrations 10(-7)-10(-10) M it protected cells of sympathetic ganglia, neocortex and continues cell lines under damaging actions of H2O2 (0.0001 M), NH4CI (0.01 M) and cooling. Streptokinase essentially influenced the mode of damaging effect of ATP(0.001 M). Even a short-term exposition (20 min) of PC12 cells with both proteins (each in the concentration 10(-9) M) led to sharp alterations in intracellular ATP- or Ca(2+)-activated proteolysis. In some cases plasminogen and streptokinase provided acceleration of cultured tissue maturation, improvement of cell adhesion, high survival rate, the increase in quantity and length of processes and their arborisation. Electronic microscopy established the character of structural rearrangements of nervous tissue cells (neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes), reflecting the protective action of plasminogen and streptokinase. In the presence of plasminogen and especially streptokinase, the total number of cultured glioma C6 and neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells, the intracellular contents of protein, RNA and DNA increased several-fold. Addition of plasminogen promoted formation of processes by neuroblastoma cells, this suggests initiation of differentiation of cellular elements. In cultures of sensitive and sympathetic ganglia streptokinase increased proliferation of Schwann cells. These proteins did not cause transformation of PC12 enterochromaffine cells to neurons, though plasminogen facilitated it. Plasminogen addition to cell cultures did not increase fibrinolytic activity of the culture medium in the culture medium, and streptokinase did not lose its plasminogen-activating capacity.


Background: The best operative management for open-book pelvic injury with anterior sacroiliac disruption (OTA/AO B1.1 classification) is still debated. This biomechanical study aimed to find the best internal fixation technique for such injury. Methods: Open-book injury with anterior sacroiliac joint disruption was simulated on 25 artificial pelvic bones. Twenty five artificial pelvic bones were divided into 5 groups (n=5 /group) and fixated with five different fixation techniques: 1). 1SP+1IS; 2). 2SP; 3). 2SP+2SIP; 4). 1SP+2IS S1, and 5). 1SP+1IS S1+S2. Biomechanical properties of each fixation technique were assessed using Tensilon® RTF-1310 to measure the resistance to translation and load to failure. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Bonferroni test. Results: The highest mean load to failure of axial forces (1490.36 N) was achieved by the fixation technique using one symphyseal plate and two iliosacral screws located at S1 dan S2. The addition of one iliosacral screw significantly increased the mean load to failure for axial compression (p<0.05). Conclusion: The addition of sacroiliac joint posterior fixation, either with plate or screw, will increase the fixation biomechanical strength. Single symphyseal plate and two iliosacral screws on S1 and S2 provided the best mechanical resistance to axial loading. Thus, it can be concluded that such fixation technique is best for open-book pelvic injury with anterior sacroiliac disruption.


Abstract. Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) VPM-4225, a carnivoran dentary, is described here for the first time, 82 years after it was collected in the Duchesnean (late middle Eocene) portion of the Galisteo Formation in New Mexico. It evidently corresponds to the specimen—never identified by its catalog number, never described, and considered missing for the last 41 years—that formed the basis for the purported occurrence of the early carnivoraform Uintacyon in the formation reported in 1943. The specimen is here reidentified as one of the earliest amphicyonids, Angelarctocyon, which was previously known from only two specimens from the Chambers Tuff of Texas. With this reidentification, there is no longer a valid occurrence of Uintacyon postdating the Uintan North American Land Mammal Age, adding to the evidence for rapid replacement of ancient carnivoramorphan lineages by early crown-clade carnivorans in the late middle Eocene, across a period of severe climatic fluctuations 42–40 million years ago.


The objectives of this study were to investigate the significance of yeasts as animal disease agents in the West of Scotland, to study the commensal association of yeasts with animals and, in particular, to assess the possibility of applying serological tests in the diagnosis of feline cryptococcosis. Examination of pathological specimens from various animal sources revealed that animal diseases attributable to yeasts were not common in this area. Apart from otitis externa in dogs, with which Pityrosporum pachydermatis was associated, other disease conditions were only sporadically encountered. Candida albicans was associated with 2 cases of oral thrush in adult guinea-pigs and with 3 cases of gastrointestinal ailments in puppies. Torulopsis pintolopesii was incriminated in causing a fatal gastrointestinal and systemic infection in a racing pigeon. No previous systematic studies have been done to investigate the commensal existence of yeasts on and in dogs and cats. In this study, cultural surveys were undertaken to investigate the prevalence of yeasts in those hosts. It was established that yeasts might occur as commensals on normal canine skin and in the nasal cavities of apparently normal dogs and cats. Besides its association with canine otitis externa, Pit, pachydermatis was found in association with skin infections in dogs. The association of C . albicans with oral infection in 2 guinea-pigs prompted a cultural study to see if this and other yeasts were prevalent in the oral cavity of healthy guinea-pigs. Candida albicans and Saccharomyces telluris were found to exist as normal inhabitants in this site . The value of serological methods in the diagnosis of animal cryptococcosis has not previously been determined. A serological survey owas undertaken to test sera from apparently normal cat and dog populations for the presence of antibody to Cryptococcus neoformans. Three tests, namely, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, immunodiffusion and agglutination tests were employed. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis proved more sensitive than the other tests. Using it, precipitating cryptococcal antibody was demonstrated in a proportion of cats and dogs. The antibody response was thought to have resulted from exposure to the yeast in the environment. The use of serology in the diagnosis of feline cryptococcosis was evaluated in experimentally infected cats. The 3 tests were used to examine sera and other body fluids from experimental cats for the presence of antibody and/or antigen. It was established that the presence of serum cryptococcal antigen was proof of active cryptococcosis in the cat. On the other hand, the presence of circulating cryptococcal antibody alone could not be regarded as evidence of such disease. Its presence, however, may suggest early or past infection, or simply exposure to the organism. The role of black yeasts as disease agents in domestic animals is not known and has not previously been investigated. In this study, 3 black yeast isolates from animal sources were identified and their pathogenicity for mice determined. One isolate, a Cladosporium species, was found to be non-pathogenic. Two isolates of Fonsecaea dermatitidis were highly virulent to mice and had a marked neurotropic affinity. Although not yet determined, the possibility that this species is pathogenic to domestic animals, could not be dismissed. The literature on diseases caused by yeasts in animals is reviewed.


Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) are a significant risk to paediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients on lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Children progressing to end-stage organ dysfunction are unable to mount a robust immune response. Hence, it is important to plan vaccination early in the course of disease, especially if a child is anticipated to be a SOT candidate. Vaccine recommendations need to be individualised in this population based on vaccine history and serology. Catch-up or accelerated schedules may be used to complete vaccinations before transplant. Post-transplant, immunisation is recommenced in consultation with the transplant team taking into context the time since transplant and the intensity of the immunosuppressive regime. Inactivated vaccines are safe post-transplant but postexposure prophylaxis may still be required in children with inadequate immunity to VPD. Specific vaccines may be advised for SOT recipients travelling abroad (in consultation with a travel clinic) or those entering high-risk professions. Additionally, the vaccination status of all household members and close contacts should be reviewed and optimised, offering additional protection to the transplant recipient.


This paper investigates the effects of official families on their children entrepreneurship, and further analyzes its internal mechanism based on the data of Chinese General Social Survey. It comes to the following conclusions:firstly, the official families significantly restrain entrepreneurial behavior of their children, and reduce the probability of occurrence of entrepreneurship; secondly, education screening mechanism is suitable for explaining the phenomenon of curbs on children entrepreneurship in official families, namely the children from official families generally have longer educational life, and thus do not tend to be more likely to choose riskier entrepreneurial jobs; thirdly, the curbs on entrepreneurship in official families come mainly from fathers as the officials, and mothers as the officials do not have significant effects on children entrepreneurship. In addition, it further identifies two possible mechanisms of curbs on entrepreneurship possibly coexisting with education screening. Although official families similarly restrain children entrepreneurship owing to avoiding arousing suspicions, education screening is still the most important realistic mechanism. Robust classification test supports the above conclusions and concludes the policy ideas for encouraging entrepreneurship and ensuring equitable employment.


This paper proposes some suggestions to perfect our current green building assessment system. Green building and ecological building is undoubtedly the trend of construction industry. Green building assessment systems play a directional function for the design, the construction and the use of green architecture. This paper introduces the development of green building assessment system at China and other country firstly. Through the comparison and analysis for some kinds of green building assessment systems, found that that the applicability for buildings and areas and the fairness for ecological environment and surrounding people of current assessment system should be optimized. Finally,proposed that several aspects must be considered, and thus establish the new system-A Green Building Assessment Method Which Based on the Environmental Disturbance and Ecological Compensation.


Here is the first scholarly study of the life and thought of Benoit Malon (1841-1893), the most persuasive and visible spokesman for reformist socialism during the early years of the French Third Republic. Active in the generation of the French Left that came of age under the Second Empire, Malon was a prominent member of the First International in Paris and later joined the Paris Commune. As a result, he was forced into exile in Switzerland and Italy during the 1870s, where he became entangled in the struggles within the International. Malon attempted to steer a course between Marxist authoritarianism and anarchist utopianism, which he continued on his return to France in 1880. Vincent analyzes Malon's role as activist, editor, and author, arguing that Malon drew on a strong tradition of left-wing French republicanism. In his mature works, Malon articulated a socialism that emphasized broad moral and socioeconomic reform and advocated parliamentary rule as the appropriate source of national sovereignty. In helping the republican socialist Left shed its revolutionary associations, he pointed the way for later reformist socialists from Jean Jaures to Francois Mitterrand.


Digital games have become an increasingly visible and popular leisure activity in the 21st century. Despite this proliferation in our society, it seems that they are not valued as part of our culture in the same way as products such as film and music. Furthermore, digital games are a largely ignored part of our cultural heritage. Dismissed as "at best recreational, and at worst desensitizing and degenerate" (Neiburger, 2007, p. 28), they have not specifically been addressed in most of the academic literature on digital preservation and represent a serious omission in past research.
This essay discusses this gap in the research in relation to evidence of the cultural significance of digital games, the potential barriers to their acceptance as part of our cultural heritage, and how this relates to the preservation of digital games as cultural artifacts. First, the current status of digital games in our society and the size and strength of the digital games industry is considered. Second, the current interest from academia in digital games is explored. Third, the current preservation activities and the limitations of these initiatives are reviewed. Finally, the barriers to the preservation of digital games in relation to their status as a new cultural phenomenon, their relationship to traditional institutions, and perceptions of their value in terms of selection policies for preservation are examined.


The papers on the following pages were presented and discussed at a workshop on "Modelling aspects of the inflation process and the monetary transmission mechanism in emerging market countries", held at the BIS on 15-16 January 2001. It was the first time that the BIS had arranged a meeting of this kind and twelve central banks from emerging market countries had accepted to participate in the workshop with papers or as discussants. Four papers by the BIS staff are also included in this volume. The workshop had three sessions on specific modelling aspects, with the first focusing on modelling the inflation process in emerging market countries; the second on estimating the impact of asset prices and the pass-through of exchange rate movements; and a third devoted to modelling the transmission mechanism. In a final session, participants discussed policy implications and areas of future work. Four main conclusions emerged from the papers and the discussion. First, lack of reliable data or of data series with sufficient length often force researchers to rely on small models rather than large, fully specified macro-models. Second, in virtually all countries, a major problem is finding a robust link between the output gap and the rate of inflation. Third, several papers found a marked decline in the pass-through of exchange rate changes into domestic prices, though some uncertainty remains as to the sustainability of the change. Fourth, several papers also found a surprisingly large influence of administered prices on overall inflation, raising concerns over the ability of central banks to tightly control inflation.


The relationship between changes in intracolonic volume related to propulsive contractions and synaptic potentials recorded intracellularly in neurons in the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) was investigated in vitro. Distension of the colon induced propulsive contractions (frequency, 2-5/min), which reduced intracolonic volume by 88%. Each propulsive contraction was sustained for 10-12 s, after which time the colon refilled. The sustained propulsive contractions were associated with a decrease in the amplitude and frequency of fast cholinergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and partial repolarization of the slow EPSP. The pressure-volume relationships of the colonic segments had two limbs: at distension pressures less than 15 cmH2O ("volume limb") the intracolonic volume was proportional to the distension pressure; greater than 15 cmH2O ("pressure limb") the intracolonic volume did not increase further. The changes in synaptic input were related to these pressure-volume relationships. In the volume limb, the frequency and amplitude of fast EPSPs were proportional to intracolonic volume and maximized with volume. In the pressure limb, there was a slow depolarization of the membrane that increased with greater distension pressures. Under isovolumic conditions, the changes in intraluminal pressure associated with colonic contractions were not associated with changes in excitatory synaptic input to IMG neurons. These experiments demonstrate that colonic mechanoreceptors to IMG neurons are sensitive to both intracolonic volume and pressure.


PARTICLE PHYSICSRecent studies probing deep inside the proton are revealing much more than the expected three quarks and the gluons holding them together. Physicists are finding a churning and bubbling sea of "virtual" particles that pop into existence for an instant, then disappear again, bathing the more enduring components in a quantum flux. The more researchers study this sea, the more surprises it throws up, but charting it is important for future experiments: The world's most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider now being built at the CERN particle physics lab near Geneva, will slam protons together at enormous energies. Knowing what is in the proton is essential for calculating what will come out of those collisions.


This Article, delivered as the 2017 Oldham Lecture at the University of Akron School of Law, focuses on the federal Trademark Counterfeiting Act (TCA), the primary source of federal criminal trademark sanctions. That statute was intended to increase the penalties associated with the most egregious form of trademark infringement — use of an identical mark for goods identical to those for which the mark is registered and in a context in which the use is likely to deceive consumers about the actual source of the counterfeiter's goods. The TCA was intended to ratchet up the penalties associated with counterfeiting, but only in cases involving particularly egregious conduct.
Several recent trends in the application of the TCA, however, suggest that doctrinal creep is afoot. Not only has Congress twice broadened the statute and increased the associated penalties, but courts also have played an active role in expanding the range of conduct that is subject to liability under the TCA. These trends are consistent with a number of parallel developments in and around intellectual property law in which provisions created on the promise of narrow application to the most serious violations have in fact been applied far more broadly than originally claimed. Collectively these developments suggest a strong tendency for this form of regulation (particularly the use of extreme, but supposedly narrowly-tailored, sanctions) to fail along the scope dimension. Indeed, that evolution is so common that one might think it is inevitable. This should give lawmakers real pause when considering these types of legal responses. To put it simply, if these provisions are initially justifiable only to the extent they are limited to the truly egregious cases, then their costs are likely to exceed their benefits over time because narrow application will not hold.


Most Transformer language models are primarily pretrained on English text, limiting their use for other languages. As the model sizes grow, the performance gap between English and other languages with fewer compute and data resources increases even further. Consequently, more resource-efficient training methods are needed to bridge the gap for languages with fewer resources available. To address this problem, we introduce a cross-lingual and progressive transfer learning approach, called CLP-Transfer, that transfers models from a source language, for which pretrained models are publicly available, like English, to a new target language. As opposed to prior work, which focused on the cross-lingual transfer between two languages, we extend the transfer to the model size. Given a pretrained model in a source language, we aim for a same-sized model in a target language. Instead of training a model from scratch, we exploit a smaller model that is in the target language but requires much fewer resources. Both small and source models are then used to initialize the token embeddings of the larger model based on the overlapping vocabulary of the source and target language. All remaining weights are reused from the model in the source language. This approach outperforms the sole cross-lingual transfer and can save up to 80% of the training steps compared to the random initialization.


Abstract: Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an unusual plant. It is distinguished from all other cultivated plants by its single stem and conspicuous, large inflorescence. A sunflower plant is influenced by both the growth stages from planting to maturity, as well as temperature, day length, nutrition and humidity. Hybrid maturity and crop area also have an effect on the length of the growing season. The study investigated the phenology of three sunflower hybrids grown in the western part of Romania. The yield of these hybrids from the morpho-phenological perspective is being sought in order to identify their adaptability to the cultivated area. To grow best, sunflowers need full sun. They grow best in fertile, moist, well-drained soil with heavy mulch. The results obtained from the measurements show that the studied hybrids behave differently from the environmental conditions encountered in the western part of Romania. In order to reach the objectives, the most important characteristics were measured which reflected the behavior of the hybrids in relation to the environmental factors, namely, the height of the plant, the length of the roots, the number of leaves, the length and width of the leaves, the diameter of the stem, the diameter of the flower buds and the diameter of the inflorescence. Those characteristics determine somewhat the use of the plant-as a source of edible oil, as food for people and animals, or as forage. Floriculturists are interested in the variability in flower color, petal structure, and petal size. Descriptive classes are proposed herein for some morphological characters to improve the uniformity of descriptions of inbred lines and cultivars. Many descriptive characters are affected by the environment, so measurements should be made of plants grown under optimum field conditions. The statistical calculation was performed in Microsoft Office Excel 2016, establishing the coefficient of variation, the standard deviation of the mean and the average of the observed variants.


In this article, we discuss how the Harvard Method of case study, Interactive Communication Technologies and Cognitive Flexibility Theory may contribute to case-based learning about business decision-making. In particular, we are interested in designing learning environments that foster critical thinking, creativity, and reasoning that entertain multiple hypotheses from multiple perspectives. One such learning environment is the Panteon Interface, a web-based system for collaborative organizational analysis. We posit a framework for implementation and evaluation based upon Jonassen's "Meaningful Learning" model and Iowa's "Integrated Thinking Model." Based upon this framework, we briefly describe the design of Panteon and the results of a study utilizing focus group interviews, observations, and questionnaires to investigate participants' evaluation of the hypertextual methodology in comparison to the Harvard Case approach. The preliminary results indicate that both students and business experts favoured Panteon for its affordances to stimulate higher order cognitive skills. The implications and limitations of this study are discussed.


The current subdivision of the clausiliid subfamily Alopiinae relies for a large part on genital-anatomical characters. Based on a few such characters Carinigera is placed within the tribe Montenegrinini, whereas Isabellaria and Sericata are included within the tribe Medorini. This classification might not be expected on the basis of two observations: (1) Carinigera is conchologically indistinguishable from Sericata and highly similar to Isabellaria and (2) Carinigera, Isabellaria and Sericata have mosaic distributional patterns in central and northern Greece, which are difficult to explain given the low vagility of snails of these genera. The complete ITS1&ITS2 and partial 18S rRNA, 5.8S rRNA and 28S rRNA sequences used in this study reveal that all Carinigera sensu auct. species are nested among Medorini, and should therefore be placed within that tribe. Apart from this, the results largely support the current higher classification of the Clausiliidae. Carinigera sensu auct. consists of at least two clades, which are not sister groups. Both are related to geographically close species hitherto classified with Sericata or Isabellaria. The two groups of Carinigera do not correspond to the alleged subgenera Angiticosta and Carinigera s.s. This study shows that, like conchological characters, the traditional diagnostic genital-anatomical characters used at tribe level suffer more often from homoplasy than previously thought. Therefore, classifications based on only a few of such characters can be erroneous and should be mistrusted, especially when they conflict with both conchological and distributional patterns, as in Carinigera.


Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea, Unionidae), a freshwater bivalve species widely distributed in China and commercially exploited for freshwater pearl production, was chosen as the reference model to investigate the protein signature in the organic scaffold matching calcium carbonate crystallization mode. This study takes advantage of different calcium carbonate habits production by the organism: aragonite in shell and pearl and vaterite in alternative pearl formation. Amino acid global composition and proteomics analysis have been undertaken to study the amino acid imbalance with respect to biominerals and microstructures. Forty peptides sequences were obtained by proteomics, of which ten are shared by all the different samples, nine are laced with aragonite; another nine with vaterite and twelve are related to pearls. Bioinformatics analysis allowed the peptides to be matched to the deduced protein sequences from EST databases and allowed functional assignment (e.g. scaffolding, strain strength, chitin binding or carbonic anhydrase function) to the proteins found in the different materials. Such panel of motifs tailored in vaterite and aragonite habits produced in a freshwater mollusk gives food for thought about organic control of the biomineralization processes.


Neurotransmitters, including catecholamines and serotonin, play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the human body. Studies on these neurotransmitters mainly revolved around their role in the "fight or flight" response, transmitting signals across a chemical synapse and modulating blood flow throughout the body. However, recent research has demonstrated that neurotransmitters can play a significant role in the gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA), and serotonin have recently been a topic of interest because of their roles in the gut physiology and their potential roles in GI and central nervous system pathophysiology. These neurotransmitters are able to regulate and control not only blood flow, but also affect gut motility, nutrient absorption, GI innate immune system, and the microbiome. Furthermore, in pathological states, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Parkinson's disease, the levels of these neurotransmitters are dysregulated, therefore causing a variety of GI symptoms. Research in this field has shown that exogenous manipulation of catecholamine serum concentrations can help in decreasing symptomology and/or disease progression. In this review article, we discuss the current state‐of‐the‐art research and literature regarding the role of neurotransmitters in regulation of normal GI physiology, their impact on several disease processes, and novel work focused on the use of exogenous hormones and/or psychotropic medications to improve disease symptomology. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2359–2372, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Trust allows the behavior evaluation of individuals by setting confidence values, which are used in decisions about whether or not to interact. They have been used in several fields, and many trust and reputation models were developed recently. We perceived that most of them were built upon the numeric and cognitive paradigms, which do not use affective aspects to build trust or help in decision making. Studies in psychology argued that personality, emotions, and mood are important in decision making and can change the behaviors of individuals. Based on that, we present links between trust and affective computing, showing relations of trust dimensions found in trust models with affective aspects, and presenting why affective computing approaches fit trust issues often addressed by research in this field. We also discuss trust relationships and decision making, emotions, and personality. Affective computing concepts have been used in a dispersed way and specifically in some models, so we aim to bring them together to encourage the growth of fuller trust models similar to those used by humans. We aim to find relations between both fields so it will be possible to employ such concepts to develop trust models using this new paradigm, defined as the affective paradigm.


An unsupervised or nonsupervised adaptive algorithm for linear decision boundaries is applied to two pattern recognition problems: the classification of spoken words, and the classification of hand-printed characters. The term unsupervised indicates that the class identification of the input patterns is not continuously available to the adaptive system. The algorithm discussed offers two advantages for pattern recognition applications. First, the number of patterns which must be labeled with class identification is reduced. Second, the adaptive system can follow changes in the class distributions over time, due to data fluctuation or hardware degradation. These advantages are demonstrated for each of the two applications.


: A villitis is a focal or multifocal inflammatory reaction of chorionic villi with infiltration of mononuclear cells and usually is associated with fibrinoid necrosis. The aetiology of villitis could be a transplacental infection of the fetus, especially with virus (VIV), in normal placentae however, the presence of villitis is referred as villitis of unknown ethiology (VED). This study was designed to characterize villitis lesions of 11 placentae, four VIV and seven VED, ultrastructural descriptive comparisons of both types of villitis are discussed. Biopsies were processed with the conventional optic and electronic microscopy techniques. Our ultrastructural observations confirmed the presence of virus in four placentae whereas no virus or bacteria were found in seven placentae. Microvilli were absent or markedly diminished, this finding was associated to the presence of fibrinoid necrosis in the stroma and clinically to intrauterine growth retardation, 4 preterm pregnancies and one obitus. Trophoblast alterations were found in both types of villitis, basal membrane thickness, is some cases associated to electrodense material similar to calcium deposites, vascuolization and the presence of edema in the stroma was observed. In some cases we noted the presence of focal fibrin deposits associated to necrosis zones in the stroma, calcium precipitates and mielinic bodies. Fetal vessels obliteration and intravascular thrombi were found in the syncitiotrophoblast placentae with viral particles CMV or rubivirus associated to an increment in Hofbauer cells and basal membrane calcifications. From our ultrastructural observations, we conclude that both types of villitis are associated to a typic immunologic reaction that induce lose of trophoblast microvilli, mononuclear infiltration and edema. This placental alterations reduce dramatically the maternofetal exchange of gases, nutrients and other active peptides and could be the cause of fetal growth retardation, inmadurity or death.


The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs) play crucial roles in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is an important mechanism in many physiological and pathological processes, and is involved in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival, then leads to further tubulogenesis, and finally promotes formation of vessels. This series of signaling cascade pathways are precisely mediated by VEGF/VEGFR-2 system. The VEGF binding to the IgD2 and IgD3 of VEGFR-2 induces the dimerization of the receptor, subsequently the activation and trans-autophosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase, and then the initiation of the intracellular signaling cascades. Finally the VEGF-activated VEGFR-2 stimulates and mediates variety of signaling transduction, biological responses, and pathological processes in angiogenesis. Several crucial phosphorylated sites Tyr801, Try951, Try1175, and Try1214 in the VEGFR-2 intracellular domains mediate several key signaling processes including PLCγ-PKC, TSAd-Src-PI3K-Akt, SHB-FAK-paxillin, SHB-PI3K-Akt, and NCK-p38-MAPKAPK2/3 pathways. Based on the molecular structure and signaling pathways of VEGFR-2, the strategy of the VEGFR-2-targeted therapy should be considered to employ in the treatment of the VEGF/VEGFR-2-associated diseases by blocking the VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway, inhibiting VEGF and VEGFR-2 gene expression, blocking the binding of VEGF and VEGFR-2, and preventing the proliferation, migration, and survival of vascular endothelial cells expressing VEGFR-2.


The effectiveness of model-driven engineering relies on our ability to build high-quality models. This task is intrinsically difficult. We need to produce sufficiently complete, adequate, consistent, and well-structured models from incomplete, imprecise, and sparse material originating from multiple, often conflicting sources. The system we need to consider in the early stages comprises software and environment components including people and devices.
 Such models should integrate the intentional, structural, functional, and behavioral facets of the system being developed. Rigorous techniques are needed for model construction, analysis, and evolution. They should support early and incremental reasoning about partial models for a variety of purposes, including satisfaction arguments, property checks, animations, the evaluation of alternative options, the analysis of risks, threats and conflicts, and traceability management. The tension between technical precision and practical applicability calls for a suitable mix of heuristic, deductive, and inductive forms of reasoning on a suitable mix of declarative and operational models. Formal techniques should be deployed only when and where needed, and kept hidden wherever possible.
 The talk will provide a retrospective account of our research efforts and practical experience along this route, including recent progress in model engineering for safety-critical medical workflows. Problem-oriented abstractions, analyzable models, and constructive techniques are pervasive concerns.


The formation of low shear strength surface-adhered thin films mitigates excessive friction in mixed or boundary regimes of lubrication. Tribo-films are formed as a consequence of molecular chemical reactions with the surfaces. The process is best viewed in the context of a lubricant-surface system. Therefore, it is usually surmised that the adsorption of lubricant molecular species to the contact surfaces is underlying to the formation of ultra-thin lubricant films. The paper considers contact between smooth surfaces at close separation. This may be regarded as the contact of a pair of asperity summits, whose dimensions, however small, are far larger than the size of fluid molecules within the conjunction. In such diminishing separations the constraining effect of relatively smooth solid barriers causes oscillatory solvation of fluid molecules. This effect accounts for the conjunctional load capacity but does not contribute to mitigating friction, except when molecular adsorption is taken into account with long chain molecules which tend to inhibit solvation. The paper presents an analytical predictive model based on the Ornstein-Zernike method with the Percus-Yevick approximation of a narrow interaction potential between conjunctional composition. The predictions confirm the above stated physical facts in a fundamental manner.


The tympanic membrane (TM) is a dynamic structure that separates the middle ear from the external auditory canal. It is also integral for the transmission of sound waves. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of using Raman spectroscopy to identify early chemical changes resulting from inflammation in the TM that can serve as an indicator of acute otitis media. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected trans-tympanicaly in a murine model. Presence of inflammatory response was assessed with binocular microscopy, confirmed with histopathology and immunofluorescence staining. Successful discrimination suggesting spectral differences among the control and LPS treated groups was achieved using principal component analysis. Raman imaging revealed major differences in collagen distribution and nucleic acid content. Image segmentation analysis on the trichrome stained tissue sections was performed to corroborate the Raman spectra. The spectral co-localization study suggests changes in the expression of collagen IV specific signals in LPS treated samples. The overall findings of the study support prospective application of RS in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of otitis media.


Orobanche cumana is a holoparasitic plant naturally distributed from central Asia to south-eastern Europe, where it parasitizes wild Asteraceae species. It is also an important parasitic weed of sunflower crops. The objective of this research was to investigate genetic diversity, population structure, and virulence on sunflower of O. cumana populations parasitizing wild plants in eastern Bulgaria. Fresh tissue of eight O. cumana populations and mature seeds of four of them were collected in situ on wild hosts. Genetic diversity and population structure were studied with SSR markers and compared to weedy populations. Two main gene pools were identified in Bulgarian populations, with most of the populations having intermediate characteristics. Cross-inoculation experiments revealed that O. cumana populations collected on wild species possessed similar ability to parasitize sunflower to those collected on sunflower. The results were explained on the basis of an effective genetic exchange between populations parasitizing sunflower crops and those parasitizing wild species. The occurrence of bidirectional gene flow may have an impact on wild populations, as new physiological races continuously emerge in weedy populations. Also, genetic variability of wild populations may favour the ability of weedy populations to overcome sunflower resistance mechanisms.


In view of the importance of proper gate location and size in mould design process, with the basic analog theory for simulating the filling process of plastic melts in the cavity of injection moulds, injection moulding CAE technology was proposed for the optimum design of gate location and size. Based on Moldflow software, the analysis process of the best gate location and size was stated. The gate location and size and injection moulding technical parameters were optimized in this paper by example. The optimal rectangular gate dimension was 5mm×2.5mm, filling state was fine, filling time was reduced from 0.72s to 0.69s. It was resulted in products of high previewed quality, reduced the cost of production and enhanced the competitive power of mould enterprises.


Initiation of thrombus formation involves the platelet adhesion receptors, glycoprotein (GP)Ib-IX-V and GPVI, that bind von Willebrand factor (vWF) and collagen, respectively. These interactions trigger intracellular signals leading to degranulation, elevation of cytosolic Ca2+, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and "inside-out" activation of the integrin, GPIIb-IIIa (alphaIIbbeta3) that binds von Willebrand Factor (vWF) or fibrinogen and mediates platelet aggregation. GPIbalpha (the vWF-binding subunit of GPIb-IX-V) of the leucine-rich repeat protein family and GPVI of the immunoglobulin superfamily not only have a parallel physiological function, but recent studies of these receptors have revealed structure-activity relationships amongst snake venom toxins which target them. Two families of venom proteins, the C-type lectin-like proteins and metalloproteinase-disintegrins, target GPIbalpha, GPVI and/or the collagen-binding integrin, GPIa-IIa (alpha2beta1). Members of the C-type lectin family interact specifically with GPIbalpha (echicetin, alboaggregin-B, agglucetin), GPVI (convulxin, ophioluxin) or GPIa-IIa (rhodocetin), whereas related proteins accomplish dual receptor occupancy and bind GPVI and GPIbalpha (alboaggregin-A, alboluxin), or GPIbalpha and GPIa-IIa (aggretin). These latter venom proteins mimic physiological ligands, vWF or collagen, which also recognize more than one receptor. Similarly, metalloproteinase-disintegrin family proteins target GPlbalpha (mocarhagin, crotalin), GPVI (alborhagin) or GPIa-IIa (jararhagin), resulting in inhibition or induction of platelet aggregation by proteolytically dependent or independent mechanisms. Anti-thrombotics based on snake venom GPIIb-IIIa inhibitors have been investigated clinically, however analogous proteins recognizing GPIb-IX-V or GPVI are yet to be therapeutically exploited.


Background: Legumes are beneficial for the environment, nutritious and coupled with various health benefits. However, they lack the essential vitamin B12 and a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to hazardous health problems. Tempeh is a fermented legume product that has the potential of carrying vitamin B12.Aim: The aim of this thesis is to investigate consumers' awareness of vitamin B12 and explore the indications for the possibility to introduce tempeh - a fermented legume product.Method: A quantitative survey was carried out within four different areas of Stockholm using a clustering sample technique with 195 participants who were recruited outside supermarkets through convenience sampling.Results: The majority of the subjects had moderate consumption of legumes and was open to trying tempeh even though they had never heard about it. While their knowledge of vitamin B12 was limited, the biggest risk groups, vegans and the elderly, were aware that they were a risk group but only a minority of them knew the correct vitamin B12 food sources.Conclusion: The participants in this study had little knowledge about vitamin B12 food sources, deficiencies or risk groups. Since their legume consumption was regular and they were positive towards trying tempeh even though they had never heard about tempeh before, there is potential for it in the market. However, more studies are needed to research the bioavailability of vitamin B12 in tempeh even though new research gives hope that it can be a possibility.


A social health insurance needs opinions on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures - for the single question regarding the individual patient and as general assessments (health technology assessments) as well. The Medical advisory services of social health insurance (their federal branches and their central board) have to do more than 9 Mio individual expert opinions and more than 100 general assessments or HTA-reports a year. Several examples are to be shown.


This paper is based on a project that was attempting to develop the educational use value of computers with young school children 6-9 years as tools for learning to write and read. Often it is taken for granted that everything runs smoothly in empirical research. But what happens to research and school development in a school under change when components in the organization and running of schools begin perhaps to break down? This can occur when social structures change. But what consequences does this have for an action research approach in an ongoing study? One can speak of certain principles of action research and certain conditions that are required in order to implement these principles in practice. One of these is continuity of participation and access to the field, another is time for reflection and a third is the development of stable social relations and critical friendship groups.