SIR,-Dr Nancy Redfern reported a case of dihydrocodeine overdose in a patient with hepatic and renal impairment of unknown aetiology. It is likely that rhabdomyolysis, occurring as a result of the patient lying in a semiconscious state for a prolonged period of time and, to a lesser extent, as a result of the trauma of the assault, would have led to the biochemical abnormalities observed on the patient's admission. Muscle necrosis would result in the high activities of alanine and aspartate transaminase measured, without producing appreciable abnormalities in the other indices of liver function. The discrepancy between the slightly raised y-glutamyltransferase activity and the considerably raised aspartate and alanine transaminase activities is against the presence of appreciable hepatocellular damage. There is further discrepancy between the grossly raised potassium (7 4 mmol (mEq)/l) and creatinine (614 imol/l (6-9 mg/100 ml)) concentrations and the moderately raised urea concentration (20 3 mmol/l (120 mg/100 ml)), which is characteristic of rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis would also have contributed to the deterioration of renal function and the need for temporary peritoneal dialysis. It would be interesting to know whether other metabolic features suggestive of rhabdomyolysis were present in this patient, including a raised creatine kinase activity, myoglobinuria, hypocalcaemia, and hyperphosphataemia. Rhabdomyolysis is a more common cause of acute renal failure than was once appreciated and is probably still underdiagnosed.


MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells were selected for attachment and growth in the presence of increasing concentrations of a synthetic peptide containing the cell attachment-promoting Arg-Gly-Asp sequence derived from the cell-binding region of fibronectin. Cells capable of attachment and growth in 5-mM concentrations of a peptide having the sequence Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro overproduce the cell surface receptor for fibronectin. In contrast, these cells show no differences in the numbers of vitronectin receptor they express as compared with the parental MG-63 cells. In agreement with the resistance of the selected cells to detachment by the peptide, 25-fold more Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide is required to prevent the attachment of these cells to fibronectin-coated surfaces than is needed to inhibit the attachment of MG-63 cells to the same substrate. However, similar concentrations of this peptide inhibit attachment of both cell lines to vitronectin- coated surfaces. The increase in fibronectin receptor is due to an increase in the levels of mRNA encoding the fibronectin receptor. Because of the nature of the selection process, we reasoned that this increase might be due to amplification of the fibronectin receptor gene, but no increase in gene copy number was detected by Southern blot analysis. The peptide-resistant cells display a very different morphology from that of the MG-63 cells, one that has a greater resemblance to that of osteocytes. The resistant cells also grow much more slowly than the MG-63 cells. The increased fibronectin receptor and altered morphology and growth properties were stable for at least 3 mo in the absence of peptide. The enhanced expression of the fibronectin receptor on the resistant cells indicates that cells are capable of altering the amount of fibronectin receptor on their surface in response to environmental factors and that this may in turn affect the phenotypic properties of the cell.


Trajectory similarity computation is a core problem in the field of trajectory data queries. However, the high time complexity of calculating the trajectory similarity has always been a bottleneck in real-world applications. Learning-based methods can map trajectories into a uniform embedding space to calculate the similarity of two trajectories with embeddings in constant time. In this paper, we propose a novel trajectory representation learning framework Traj2SimVec that performs scalable and robust trajectory similarity computation. We use a simple and fast trajectory simplification and indexing approach to obtain triplet training samples efficiently. We make the framework more robust via taking full use of the sub-trajectory similarity information as auxiliary supervision. Furthermore, the framework supports the point matching query by modeling the optimal matching relationship of trajectory points under different distance metrics. The comprehensive experiments on real-world datasets demonstrate that our model substantially outperforms all existing approaches.


Mending Fences: How Heterosexual Married Individuals Perceive Breaks in Their Connection to Their Spouses, and How Couples Repair Them Jane B. Abrams Jeffrey Applegate, Ph.D., Supervisor Family life in the United States is in a state of flux. Half of all marriages are ending in divorce, more couples are cohabiting and more children are being born to cohabiting and single mothers. While the meaning of marriage as an institution is shifting, most young people in the U.S. still want to marry and they marry in search of companionship and lasting love. The field of marital therapy is in a state of flux as well. Existing theories of adult intimate relationships provide incomplete explanations of the role of conflict in marital satisfaction and longevity. Empirical studies have failed to identify any one particular set of interventions that are more effective than others in helping couples repair the breaks in their connection. This qualitative study was intended to add to the knowledge base concerning the meaning of conflict in modern heterosexual marriages and the ways in which couples resolve their disagreements. A semi-structured interview, lasting approximately one hour, was conducted with 22 subjects who have been married between 7 and 10 years. Findings included four types of repair achieved by the subjects and their spouses and the identification of relational elements that appear to comprise relational resilience. Implications for theory, practice and social work education are discussed. Limitations included the small size and homogeneity of the study sample. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Social Work (DSW) First Advisor Jeffrey Applegate Second Advisor Ram A. Cnaan Third Advisor Richard A. Mackey This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations_sp2/9


The present study aimed at examining the combined effects of pre-task and online planning time on complexity, accuracy, and fluency in narrativebased texts produced by Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Overall, the implemented studies in this regard point to the facilitative impacts for both pre-task and careful online planning on complexity, accuracy, and fluency with some recorded trade-off effects. Using a between-groups design, sixty homogeneous participants were randomly assigned to four performance conditions: no planning (NP), careful online planning (OLP), pre-task planning (PTP), and both pre-task and careful online planning (POLP). The findings revealed that pre-task and careful online planning don't have any significant effects on the level of complexity. The results also suggested that whereas the provision of abundant online planning time increases the accuracy level, the opportunity to plan prior to performance leads them to generate more fluent written discourse. In addition, compared with the NP condition, pre-task in tandem with careful online planning time enable the participants to produce more accurate, and fluent written discourse that lend support to the Dual-Mode system and Limited Attentional Capacity Model. The findings are of pedagogical significance in that they speak of the efficacy of planning as an important metacognitive learning strategy capable of helping teachers achieve the desirable pedagogical objective of enhanced complexity, accuracy, and fluency of learners' task-based production. Theoretically, the results underscore the effectiveness of planning time in helping language learners overcome the limitation of their attentional capacity and direct them towards aspects of form and meaning.


An unprecedented example for the selective and efficient synthesis of an FBT–thiophene structural motif via dual C–H functionalization, catalyzed by palladium, has been developed. Fluorinated benzotriazole is also applicable to the reaction. This protocol provides facile access to unsymmetrical and symmetrical thienylated FBTs that can be applied in the development of high performance photovoltaics, in particular in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells.


Summary Background There is limited empirical evidence about the efficacy of fiscal transfers for a specific purpose, including for health which represents an important source of funds for the delivery of public services especially in large populous countries such as India. Objective To examine two distinct methodologies for allocating specific‐purpose centre‐to‐state transfers, one using an input‐based formula focused on equity and the other using an outcome‐based formula focused on performance. Materials and Methods We examine the Twelfth Finance Commission (12FC)'s use of Equalization Grants for Health (EGH) as an input‐based formula and the Thirteenth Finance Commission (13FC)'s use of Incentive Grants for Health (IGH) as an outcome‐based formula. We simulate and replicate the allocation of these two transfer methodologies and examine the consequences of these fiscal transfer mechanisms. Results The EGH placed conditions for releasing funds, but states varied in their ability to meet those conditions, and hence their allocations varied, eg, Madhya Pradesh received 100% and Odisha 67% of its expected allocation. Due to the design of the IGH formula, IGH allocations were unequally distributed and highly concentrated in 4 states (Manipur, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland), which received over half the national IGH allocation. Discussion The EGH had limited impact in achieving equalization, whereas the IGH rewards were concentrated in states which were already doing better. Greater transparency and accountability of centre‐to‐state allocations and specifically their methodologies are needed to ensure that allocation objectives are aligned to performance.


Purpose: To demonstrate feasibility and present postoperative outcomes for femtosecond laser–assisted keratoplasty (FLAK) in the setting of previous failed conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and previous open-globe trauma with corneal laceration. Methods: In this retrospective case series, data were collected for 12 consecutive patients at the Casey Eye Institute (Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR) with the primary diagnosis of either failed PK or open-globe trauma with corneal laceration that underwent zigzag incision FLAK. Outcome measures included topographic astigmatism, best spectacle–corrected visual acuity, uncorrected visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and timing of selective suture removal (or adjustment) over various follow-up intervals up to 18 months postoperatively. Results: Mean follow-up was 10.42 months. Mean postoperative topographic astigmatism ranged between 3.56 and 6.81 diopters (D). Mean best spectacle–corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) in logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) equivalents ranged between 0.18 and 0.61 as compared with 1.28 for preoperative BSCVA (P = 0.0064). Thirty-three percent (4 of 12) of patients had significantly increased intraocular pressure develop during the first year of follow-up that required glaucoma therapy. No adverse events or complications occurred as a result of either the femtosecond laser procedure itself or during the transportation of the patient from the laser suite to the operating room. Conclusions: FLAK is a feasible transplantation technique in the setting of previous failed PK and open-globe trauma with corneal laceration. Significant globe pressure associated with laser applanation did not cause rupture of old corneal wounds among our case series. Postoperative astigmatism is within previous reported limits in the literature under varying suturing techniques. Development of ocular hypertension within 1 year of follow-up was comparable with historically reported rates for PK in the setting of previous trauma and failed grafts.


Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare, ulcerative, cutaneous condition. First described in 1930, the pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum remains unknown, but it is probably related to a hyperergic reaction. There are various clinical and histological variants of this disorder. Pyoderma gangrenosum often occurs in association with a systemic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatologic disease, paraproteinaemia, or haematological malignancy. The diagnosis, mainly based on the clinical presentation and course, is confirmed through a process of elimination of other causes of cutaneous ulcers. Local treatment may be sufficient for mild disease, while for severe cases, systemic immunosuppressants are the mainstay. Long‐term treatment with these agents is often required, but this can expose patients to adverse side‐effects.


. For consumers, online product reviews have become an important source for product-related information. Furthermore, they represent a beneficial addition to online retailers' websites. Due to the increasing amount of available product reviews, identifying the most helpful product reviews represents an important task in order to reduce information overload. Therefore, the factors influencing review helpfulness have to be identified. Thus, in order to explain review helpfulness, we build upon and extend review diagnosticity theory with concepts from marketing research and propose a research model that includes product quality, review sentiment and review uncertainty. Based on a sample of amazon.com product reviews, we evaluate our research model and find that statements about product quality positively influence review helpfulness. Furthermore, we identify that sentiment as well as uncertainty expressed in product reviews have an impact on review helpfulness. Finally, we confirm that the product category has a moderating effect on these relationships.


Introduction Life-threatening critical illness affects over a quarter of a million children and adolescents (0–18 years old) annually in the USA and the UK. Death from critical illness is rare; however, survivors and their families can be exposed to a complex array of negative physical, psychological and social problems. Currently, within the literature, there is a distinct paucity of child and adolescent survivor self-reports, thus limiting our understanding of how survivors perceive this adversity and subsequently cope and grow in the long-term following their critical illness. This study aims to explore and understand psychosocial well-being and needs of critical illness survivors, 6–20 months post paediatric intensive care admission. Methods and analysis A longitudinal, qualitative approach will provide a platform for a holistic and contextualised exploration of outcomes and mechanisms at an individual level. Up to 80 participants, including 20 childhood critical illness survivors and 60 associated family members or health professionals/teachers, will be recruited. Three interviews, 7–9 weeks apart, will be conducted with critical illness survivors, allowing for the exploration of psychosocial well-being over time. A single interview will be conducted with the other participants enabling the exploration of contextual information and how psychosocial well-being may inter-relate between critical illness survivors and themselves. A 'tool box' of qualitative methods (semi-structured interviews, draw and tell, photo-elicitation, graphic-elicitation) will be used to collect data. Narrative analysis and pattern matching will be used to identify emergent themes across participants. Ethics and dissemination This study will provide an insight and understanding of participants' experiences and perspectives of surviving critical illness in the long term with specific relation to their psychosocial well-being. Multiple methods will be used to ensure that the findings are effectively disseminated to service users, clinicians, policy and academic audiences. The study has full ethical approval from the East Midlands Research Ethics Committee and has received National Health Service (NHS) governance clearance.


The authors describe the background of factor investing in its smart beta form and discuss why factor investing has become a popular investing style. They also discuss a number of reasons for skepticism regarding ex ante expected factor returns. TOPICS: Portfolio management/multi-asset allocation, factors, risk premia, style investing Key Findings • Factor investing is typically discussed using the language and machinery of efficient-markets models, yet investors are primarily expecting anomalous excess returns. • There is reason to be skeptical of claims that factor investing is delivering gross investment returns similar to that of traditional active managers but with lower fees. • For factors with risk-based explanations, even in the presence of significant factor premiums, the market portfolio is still likely to be the optimal portfolio for most investors.


This paper focuses on networks as determinants of rural migration and the importance of networks in a rural development perspective. Furthermore the impact of public goods and amenities on migration decisions in rural regions is investigated. Special attention is paid on heterogeneity in peoples migration-decisive components. Data base is a non-farm household-survey of four rural communities in Poland. The estimations show that migration decisions are influenceable in different ways: Social networks as well as socio-economic components and the regional public-good endowment are important drivers of migration, but the direction and amount of influence depends on individual-preferences and on individual network-structures - among other things especially on the network-localization.


T HE OVERWHELMING majority of stroke events are ischemic, and up to one-quarter of these can be related to atherosclerotic disease of the cervical internal carotid artery. Carotid stenosis causes ischemic stroke by acting as an embolic source and/or causing hypoperfusion of the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere. Carotid endarterectomy is an established treatment for preventing stroke associated with high-grade carotid stenosis. Carotid angioplasty with stenting is evolving as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy, particularly in patients who have a higher complication rate with carotid endarterectomy. This article will briefly review the indications and limitations of carotid endarterectomy in patients withcoexistingcoronaryarterydisease. Carotidangioplastyandstentingcould be a safe and viable alternative in the treatment of these high-risk carotid endarterectomy candidates.


With the initiation of new economic policy in 1991 and subsequent reforms process, India has witnessed a change in the flow and direction of foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country. This is mainly due to the removal of restrictive and regulated practices. Foreign direct investment in India increased from US $ 129 millions in 1991-92 to US $ 40,885 million in March, 2005, an increase of about 316.9 times. However, the country is far behind in comparison to some of the developing countries like China. In so far as growth trend of FDI is concerned, there has been quite impressive growth of FDI inflow into the country during this period. However, negative growth rate is noticed during the period 1998-2000 primarily due to falling share of major investor countries, steep fall of approval by 55.7% in 1998 compared to 1997 and slackening of fresh equity. However, traditional industrial sectors like food processing industries, textiles, etc. which were once important sectors attracting larger FDI, have given way to modern industrial sectors like electronics and electrical equipments, etc. In this paper analysis on the factors affecting potentiality and challenges of FDI in the country is discussed and open a room for future discussion.


This study modeled the future trends of physical, chemical, and biological changes in the Sri Lankan ocean region after examining their trends, similarities, and differences. Many types of satellite data were used to extract oceanographic and atmosphere variables. The atmospheric and hydrologic interactions were identified and the time series expert modeler criteria were used to predict the future trend of each analysed variable. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to reveal patterns in the overall variability of ocean and atmosphere variables. In order to identify the relationship between the atmospheric and other affecting variables with the oceanographic variables, the canonical correlation analysis was conducted. Time series plots within the past 30 years clearly show Sea surface temperature, sea salt surface mass concentration, specific humidity, Carbon monoxide (CO) emission, Iron concentration, Ultra-violet (UV) aerosol index have clear increasing trends. Sulphate (SO4) extinction, SO4 column mass density, Sulphide (SO2) surface mass concentration, methane total column concentration, Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission have shown extreme increments within the past 15 years. According to the time series expert modeler criteria predictions, carbon dioxide (0.0058-mole fraction month-1), organic carbon surface mass concentration (1×10-13 kgm-3 month-1) has drastic increments in the future.


Today's computing architectures and device technologies are unable to meet the increasingly stringent demands on energy and performance posed by emerging applications. Therefore, alternative computing architectures are being explored that leverage novel post-CMOS device technologies. One of these is a Computation-in-Memory architecture based on memristive devices. This paper describes the concept of such an architecture and shows different applications that could significantly benefit from it. For each application, the algorithm, the architecture, the primitive operations, and the potential benefits are presented. The applications cover the domains of data analytics, signal processing, and machine learning.


Background: Penicillin is the most common reported drug allergy. Previous literature suggests that there is increased prevalence of penicillin drug allergy in female patients in the outpatient setting. However, this is poorly described in the inpatient setting. Objective: This study was performed to determine whether female sex is an independent risk factor for penicillin allergy in the inpatient setting. Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records (January 1, 2001-December 31, 2017) was performed for patients with a history of penicillin allergy who underwent penicillin skin testing (PST). Each chart review included the age at initial skin testing, sex, medications, and medical co-morbidities. The study was approved by the institutional review board. Results: 30,883 patients underwent PST with 29,354 and 1,529 occurring in the outpatient and inpatient setting respectively. 170 patients tested positive with a ≥ 5x5 wheal. Of the 170 positive patients, 122 were female (72%) and 48 were male (28%). 15 patients tested positive in the inpatient setting. Of the 1506 adult patients tested in the inpatient setting, 809 were female and 697 were male. 12 females (92.3%) and 1 one male (7.7%) tested positive with a ≥ 5x5 wheal (OR-10.5; 95% CI-1.4-80.8; p-value=0.02). 23 pediatric patients were tested in the inpatient setting. Two pediatric male patients were positive and no female pediatric patients tested positive (OR-1.7; 95% CI-0.5-5.9; p-value=0.5). Conclusion: In the inpatient setting, adult females are 10 times more likely to have a positive PST compared to males. Female sex may be a potential risk factor for objective penicillin drug allergy in the inpatient setting.


Numb is an adaptor protein that functions in the endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of membrane receptors and adhesion molecules. Previous studies have indicated that Numb localization and function are regulated through phosphorylation by atypical protein kinase C at several key sites. Here, using LC‐MS/MS, we report the identification of 25 serine/threonine Numb phosphorylation sites, and a single tyrosine phosphorylation site. Amino acid sequences flanking several of the sites identified conform to consensus motifs for cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (CDK5). In vitro kinase assays and immunoblotting confirmed that CDK5 phosphorylates Numb. LC‐MS/MS analysis identified specific CDK5‐directed phosphorylation of Numb at position S288 and at two additional regions. Therefore, Numb is likely to exist in multiple phospho‐isoforms, and may be subject to phosphorylation‐mediated regulation downstream of CDK5. These findings provide a basis for further investigations into the complex role of Numb phosphorylation in regulating its subcellular localization, protein interactions, and function. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000997 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000997).


Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a lengthy and complex journey. The ability to Return to Work (RTW) is often severely compromised and not easily predicted by medical sequelae. Recent qualitative research has highlighted the importance of the environment and the support available. Despite this, little is known about how people present in their workplaces, manage their own impressions and how they use support to re-establish their workplace identity. This qualitative study using a multiple case study approach explores two RTW journeys. Each case includes the person with TBI and others identified as being helpful in the process. Data were collected over two years at six time points using semi-structured and unstructured interviews, genograms and social networks diagrams. Analysis has been informed by the work of Goffman (1959). The findings are presented in keeping with Goffman's dramaturgical metaphors. Individuals offer many performances that are shaped by their interactions with others, each performance requiring the actor to project an accepted front so that the audience may view their performance as authentic. The thesis highlights how workplace fronts become disconnected in four key areas (appearance, manner, emotion and work skills) following a TBI and how a sense of connectedness is re-established over time. The findings highlight the importance of stage areas and how these distinct areas impact on the type of performance given and how it is supported by workplace and non-workplace actors to shape and save the performances that a person with a TBI is required to give in the workplace. I conclude that RTW is not a simple linear process but involves complex interactions between the individual with TBI and the workplace environment, employers, health care professionals, family and friends. I propose that the dramaturgical metaphor offers a way of understanding the complexities associated with RTW and re-framing the possibilities for RTW programmes.


Mobile video streaming is one of multimedia services that has developed very rapidly. Recently, bandwidth utilization for wireless transmission is the main problem in the field of multimedia communications. In this research, we offer a combination of scalable methods as the most attractive solution to this problem. Scalable method for wireless communication should adapt to input video sequence. Standard ITU (International Telecommunication Union) - Joint Scalable Video Model (JSVM) is employed to produce combined scalable video coding (CSVC) method that match the required quality of video streaming services for wireless transmission. The investigation in this paper shows that combined scalable technique outperforms the non-scalable one, in using bit rate capacity at certain layer.


Summary
Samples of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells were taken for electron microscopy at various times after infection with bluetongue virus. A quantitative electron microscopic cell sampling technique was used in observing ultrathin sections of the cell population, and various morphological features were tabulated. The appearance of virus within phagocytic vesicles and lysosomes, and the distension of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, were early ultrastructural changes resulting from the virus infection. Granular inclusions which were usually juxtanuclear and tubular structures were other features observed later in cells infected with bluetongue virus. Progeny virus particles were seen within granular inclusions, amidst tubular structures, and within cytoplasmic vesicles. There was agreement between the infectivity data from plaque counts of cell-associated virus and direct electron microscopic counts of cells containing intracellular virus, granular inclusions, and cytoplasmic tubular structures. The large tubules associated with bluetongue infection had a mean outer diameter of 47.2 nm., more than twice the size of classic cellular microtubules. The mean diameter of bluetongue virus measured in ultrathin sections and negatively stained preparations was 63 nm. Even at late stages of infection, small numbers of intracellular virus particles were observed with the electron microscope. This agreed with the low titres obtained from plaque counts of cell-associated virus. Bluetongue virus did not, therefore, accumulate in the cell and undergo a burst-like release. Instead, it appeared to be extruded from the cell as it was made. There was no evidence for virus release by budding from the plasma membrane, nor for the presence of an envelope around complete particles.


Impairment of executive and memory functions was repeatedly observed in various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. As the pharmacological treatment does not influence the deficit sufficiently, the significance of cognitive remediation increases in importance. The presented study introduces the virtual Supermarket Shopping Task (vSST), a novel method aimed at memory and executive functions, designed in ecologically valid environment. The results of the first pilot study showed significant difference in the performance between the males and females. In the second pilot, the difference between males and females was eliminated subsequently to adding other items besides groceries to the shopping list. The debriefing of participants pointed out the importance of elected encoding strategy. Considering adjustable parameters that allow us to increase the task difficulty and complexity, vSST represents potentially well-adjustable remediation method.


Background: Primary splenic lymphoma approximately comprises 2% of all NonHodgkin's lymphomas. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a rare disease, is responsible for 33% of primary splenic lymphomas. In this study a case of primary splenic diffuse large Bcell lymphoma is reported. Case Report: The case is a 57 years old woman admitted because of weakness' malaise' abdominal fullness' early satiety and weight loss and no lymphadenopathy. Except for huge splenomegaly, no significant finding was found on her physical examination. No positive finding was found for infections and inflammatory diseases in virology and serology tests. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were hypercellular. Except for huge spelenomegaly, central lymphadenopathy was not seen in chest and abdominopelvic CT. The patient had anemia' elevated ESR' CRP' and LDH. Based on findings, a diagnostic-therapeutic splenectomy was planed. Pathology tests reported a non-hodgkin's diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a positive CD20 in mmunohistochemistry. Following spelenectomy the patient received chemotherapy (RCHOP) regimen. Conclusion: In classical approach to splenomegaly, after ruling out any common causes' primary splenic lymphoma must be kept in mind. Splenectomy in these patients is considered not only as a diagnostic' but also a therapeutic attempt.


Almost more than a decade ago, the Surgeon General of the United States released a report on oral health disparities existing in the United States' underserved populations. Low-income populations face high rates of untreated dental diseases due to low access to dental treatment. The barriers underserved communities experience are poor distribution of dentists, lack of participating dentists in government insurance, and transportation problems. Different age groups deal with dental diseases that progress over time leading to poor oral health and quality of life. The most common oral diseases that manifest in underserved populations are dental caries and periodontal diseases. Untreated oral diseases are often seen in low-income communities and are preventable through public health prevention programs and dental safety nets.
The literature review examines the barriers to accessing oral health care in the United States and preventive community oral health based services, such as dental treatment and education distributed in underserved communities. Along with the literature review, a project of an oral health needs assessment was done for three community centers around the Pittsburgh, PA area. The needs assessment was administered to find what community center managers need for their clients in regard to oral health. The interviews provided information about what the staff were delivering to their clients in regards to educational material. After analyzing the interviews, all three educational curriculums were in dire need of an update, both in the content and the format. The materials will allow their personnel to effectively promote prevention of oral health diseases amongst the underserved communities.


Significance
 The ambassador to Brazil and two top energy officials also resigned following the revelation of a secret agreement with Brazil that would reduce Paraguayan benefits from utilisation of energy from the binational Itaipu hydroelectric plant in the period up to the expiry of the Itaipu Treaty in 2023. The resignations followed widespread protests at the agreement, including opposition calls for the impeachment of President Mario Abdo Benitez, forcing him to postpone an official visit to Turkey.

 Impacts
 Paraguay will aspire in future to use all of its half share, either for domestic consumption or for re-export to third countries.
 Suspicions are mounting that the agreement on Itaipu purchases was a dry run for a 'sell-out' to Brazil when the treaty is renegotiated.
 Only one year into his five-year term, Abdo Benitez's position looks increasingly weak.


Most economic analyses of climate change have focused on the aggregate impact on countries of mitigation actions. The authors depart first in disaggregating the impact by sector, focusing particularly on manufacturing output and exports because of the potential growth consequences. Second, they decompose the impact of an agreement on emissions reductions into three components: the change in the price of carbon due to each country's emission cuts per se; the further change in this price due to emissions tradability; and the changes due to any international transfers (private and public). Manufacturing output and exports in low carbon intensity countries such as Brazil are not adversely affected. In contrast, in high carbon intensity countries, such as China and India, even a modest agreement depresses manufacturing output by 6-7 percent and manufacturing exports by 9-11 percent. The increase in the carbon price induced by emissions tradability hurts manufacturing output most while the Dutch disease effects of transfers hurt exports most. If the growth costs of these structural changes are judged to be substantial, the current policy consensus, which favors emissions tradability (on efficiency grounds) supplemented with financial transfers (on equity grounds), needs re-consideration.


The present paper firstly points out the defect of typical temperature and emissivity separation algorithms when dealing with hyperspectral FTIR data: the conventional temperature and emissivity algorithms can not reproduce correct emissivity value when the difference between the ground-leaving radiance and object's blackbody radiation at its true temperature and the instrument random noise are on the same order, and this phenomenon is very prone to occur rence near 714 and 1 250 cm(-1) in the field measurements. In order to settle this defect, a three-layer perceptron neural network has been introduced into the simultaneous inversion of temperature and emissivity from hyperspectral FTIR data. The soil emissivity spectra from the ASTER spectral library were used to produce the training data, the soil emissivity spectra from the MODIS spectral library were used to produce the test data, and the result of network test shows the MLP is robust. Meanwhile, the ISSTES algorithm was used to retrieve the temperature and emissivity form the test data. By comparing the results of MLP and ISSTES, we found the MLP can overcome the disadvantage of typical temperature and emisivity separation, although the rmse of derived emissivity using MLP is lower than the ISSTES as a whole. Hence, the MLP can be regarded as a beneficial complementarity of the typical temperature and emissivity separation.


The existence of various natural objects such as grass, trees, and rivers along with artificial manmade features such as buildings and roads, make it difficult to classify ground objects. Consequently using single data or simple classification approach cannot improve classification results in object identification. Also, using of a variety of data from different sensors; increase the accuracy of spatial and spectral information. In this paper, we proposed a classification algorithm on joint use of hyperspectral and Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) data based on dimension reduction. First, some feature extraction techniques are applied to achieve more information from Lidar and hyperspectral data. Also Principal component analysis (PCA) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) have been utilized to reduce the dimension of spectral features. The number of 30 features containing the most information of the hyperspectral images is considered for both PCA and MNF. In addition, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has been measured to highlight the vegetation. Furthermore, the extracted features from Lidar data calculated based on relation between every pixel of data and surrounding pixels in local neighbourhood windows. The extracted features are based on the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) matrix. In second step, classification is operated in all features which obtained by MNF, PCA, NDVI and GLCM and trained by class samples. After this step, two classification maps are obtained by SVM classifier with MNF+NDVI+GLCM features and PCA+NDVI+GLCM features, respectively. Finally, the classified images are fused together to create final classification map by decision fusion based majority voting strategy.


As people increasingly rely on interactive decision support systems to choose products and make decisions, building effective interfaces for these systems becomes more and more challenging due to the explosion of on-line information, the initial incomplete user preference and user's cognitive and emotional limitations of information processing. How to accurately elicit user's preference accompanyingly becomes the main concern of current decision support systems. This paper is a survey of the typical preference elicitation methods proposed by related research works, starting from the traditional utility function elicitation and analytic hierarchy process methods, to computer aided elicitation approaches which include example critiquing, needs-oriented interaction, comparison matrix, CP-network, preferences clustering & matching and collaborative filtering.


The observational record shows a substantial 40-yr upward trend in summertime westerly winds over the Southern Ocean, as characterized by the southern annular mode (SAM) index. Enhanced summertime westerly winds have been linked to cold summertime sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. Previous studies have suggested that Ekman transport or upwelling is responsible for this seasonal cooling. Here, another process is presented in which enhanced vertical mixing, driven by summertime wind anomalies, moves heat downward, cooling the sea surface and simultaneously warming the subsurface waters. The anomalously cold SSTs draw heat from the atmosphere into the ocean, leading to increased depth-integrated ocean heat content. The subsurface heat is returned to the surface mixed layer during the autumn and winter as the mixed layer deepens, leading to anomalously warm SSTs and potentially reducing sea ice cover. Observational analyses and numerical experiments support our proposed mechanism, showing that enhanced vertical mixing produces subsurface warming and cools the surface mixed layer. Nevertheless, the dominant driver of surface cooling remains uncertain; the relative importance of advective and mixing contributions to the surface cooling is model dependent. Modeling results suggest that sea ice volume is more sensitive to summertime winds than sea ice extent, implying that enhanced summertime westerly winds may lead to thinner sea ice in the following winter, if not lesser ice extent. Thus, strong summertime winds could precondition the sea ice cover for a rapid retreat in the following melt season.


This paper focuses on the development of a multi-axis post-processor engine with a curvature-based feed adaptation module, capable of extracting generic CNC data for high precision machining. The motivation of this work stems from the drawback of standard and commercial post-processors to modify their internal source codes so as to be implemented to newly-developed functions which integrate modern CNC units. The multi-axis post-processor proposed in this work operates as a stand-alone function of an artificial intelligent module that optimizes machining parameters for standard swept cut multi-axis surface tool-paths. The post-processor developed receives APT source files previously been optimized by means of a genetic algorithm that handles cutting tool selection; radial cut engagement; maximum discretization step; lead and tilt angles. The algorithm optimizes the aforementioned machining parameters towards the minimization of the number of cutter locations found in a specific APT source file as well as the surface machining error as a combined effect of chordal deviation and scallop height. The final APT output is then properly handled by the post-processor engine so as to extract the final ISO code for a double-pivoted head 5-axis CNC machine and compute optimal values for feed rate in each NC block considering the interpolation error and curvature analysis given the surface properties. To simulate and verify our proposals, the MAZAK Vortex 1000 gantry-type 5-axis CNC machine tool equipped with a Fanuc 15i CNC unit has been selected as the manufacturing resource corresponding to the final CNC output that the proposed post-processor computes. A benchmark sculptured part is created and used for the virtual material removal simulation in CATIA® V5 R18. For that part, both the proposed post-processor engine and a commercially available post-processor were employed to extract G-code data whilst it was shown that identical outputs were obtained.


William Dickson Lang, Keeper of the Department of Geology in the British Museum (Natural History) from 1928-1938, died at Charmouth, Dorset, on 3 March 1966 in his 89th year. He was the second son of Edward Tickell Lang and Hebe, daughter of John Venn Prior. His father was a civil engineer, engaged at the time of the boy's birth, at Kurnal in the Punjab on 29 December 1878, in the construction of the Jumna Canal. William was very much a product of the professional classes, all four of his grandparental branches, the Langs, Tickells, Priors and the Templers, being plentifully adorned with members of the fighting services, mostly the army—including at least two generals, and a collateral Field Marshal—the Indian Civil Service, the Church, the law and medicine, with a wealthy land-owning ancestor in the near distance, whose property had either passed to another branch or been largely dissolved by the multiplicity of descendants. His immediate relatives formed a well-knit, cultured clan whose nineteenthcentury standards and self-sufficiency were perhaps not always an advantage in dealing with a brash twentieth-century society. Lang himself summed up his ancestry thus: 'The Langs and Tickells were very similar and homogeneous in their status, occupation and outlook, most of them entering one of the services (generally the army) and a few, the Church. It is recorded that one or two Langs showed (dilettante) artistic leanings, and one Tickell was a minor poet. None is mentioned as exhibiting a mathematical or scientific faculty; but a collateral Tickell branch threw up a naturalist. Most led straightforward and competent, if somewhat conventional, lives without exhibiting very outstanding abilities.


The supernatant fraction from lysed human eosinophils, when separated by gel-filtration chromatography, contains a protein with lysophospholipase activity of approximate molecular mass 74 kDa. This mass differs substantially from the 17 kDa of a previously cloned eosinophil lysophospholipase (Charcot-Leyden crystal protein), but is similar to that reported for a pancreatic enzyme. We have therefore further characterized this pancreatic-like lysophospholipase in human eosinophils. A rabbit polyclonal antibody was produced against a synthetic peptide consisting of amino acids 325-349 from the 74 kDa rat pancreatic lysophospholipase. Western-blot analysis of eosinophil extracts indicate that this antibody recognizes a single 74 kDa band in these preparations. Incubation of the supernatant fraction from sonified eosinophils with this antibody, followed by precipitation of antibody-antigen complexes with Protein A, removes the majority of the lysophospholipase activity. Indirect immunofluorescence examination with this antibody indicates this protein to be localized to granules of eosinophils and not in other leucocytes. Moreover, reverse transcriptase PCR of polyadenylated RNA from eosinophils and from rat pancreatic tissue with primers to rat pancreatic lysophospholipase resulted in readily detectable 1 kb DNA products in both samples. Sequencing revealed this DNA fragment to be identical with the human pancreatic lysophospholipase cDNA sequence. Taken together, these data indicate that eosinophils contain a lysophospholipase that is similar to the human pancreatic enzyme.


The boomerang attack is a cryptanalysis technique that allows an attacker to concatenate two short differential characteristics. Several research results (ladder switch, S-box switch, sandwich attack, Boomerang Connectivity Table (BCT), ...) showed that the dependency between these two characteristics at the switching round can have a significant impact on the complexity of the attack, or even potentially invalidate it. In this paper, we revisit the issue of boomerang switching effect, and exploit it in the case where multiple rounds are involved. To support our analysis, we propose a tool called Boomerang Difference Table (BDT), which can be seen as an improvement of the BCT and allows a systematic evaluation of the boomerang switch through multiple rounds. In order to illustrate the power of this technique, we propose a new related-key attack on 10-round AES-256 which requires only 2 simple related-keys and 275 computations. This is a much more realistic scenario than the state-of-the-art 10-round AES-256 attacks, where subkey oracles, or several related-keys and high computational power is needed. Furthermore, we also provide improved attacks against full AES-192 and reduced-round Deoxys.


A detailed structural mapping and geometrical analysis of distinct bedding-(sub)perpendicular and bedding-parallel quartz veins has been performed in the northeastern part of the High-Ardenne slate belt (Rursee, North Eifel, Germany), with the aim to reconstruct the local fracturing/veining history. The structural relationship of these two types of veins as well as their relationship with cleavage, folds and faults allows attributing a pre- to early-Variscan age to these veins. The first type of veins is oriented (sub)perpendicular to bedding and consists of several, mutual cross-cutting generations, which clearly predate Variscan deformation. The second type of veins, bedding-parallel veins, post-dates the bedding-(sub)perpendicular veins and reflects bedding-parallel thrusting at the onset of Variscan deformation, predating folding. Subsequently, during progressive Variscan compression both types of veins were passively folded within characteristic, NW-vergent, overturned folds. Locally, due to flexural slip folding, reactivation along the bedding-parallel veins may have taken place.


Third level science students are normally provided with laboratory manuals which include test procedures and criteria to support the practical element of the modules. The student then performs the laboratory work and compiles a report which is submitted and assessed. This conventional approach to teaching and assessment of practical work is focussed on lower level thinking skills.The level 8 B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Science in the Institute of Technology, Tallaght is designed to meet the specific needs of the pharmaceutical industry. Industry requires science graduates who can interpret, apply and evaluate scientific and regulatory resources. Systems Validation is a module taught at year 4 of this course to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge for working in validation and related departments. The teaching and assessment strategy of the practical element of this module was designed to address the needs of industry and maximise learning in the cognitive domain. Interpretation of legal and scientific information and generation of validation protocols are important learning outcomes for science graduates. Over the semester, the student is given three systems to validate, is directed to research test methods and criteria from resources commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. The student must then apply this information to the specific topics and generate validation protocols. The student performs the testing, records and compares results to criteria which would be applied if the testing was performed in a GMP regulated facility. The lecturer meets the student and provides guidance in the class room, library and laboratory.This workshop summarises the teaching and assessment approach for the systems validation practical module, the findings and conclusions.


The COOL database in ATLAS is primarily used for storing detector conditions data, but also status flags which are uploaded summaries of information to indicate the detector reliability during a run. This paper introduces the use of CherryPy, a Python application server which acts as an intermediate layer between a web interface and the database, providing a simple means of storing to and retrieving from the COOL database which has found use in many web applications. The software layer is designed to be RESTful, implementing the common CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) database methods by means of interpreting the HTTP method (POST, GET, PUT, DELETE) on the server along with a URL identifying the database resource to be operated on. The format of the data (text, xml etc) is also determined by the HTTP protocol. The details of this layer are described along with a popular application demonstrating its use, the ATLAS run list web page.


PURPOSE
This study investigated university students' knowledge of and attitudes toward the professions of communication sciences and disorders (CSD), with a goal to determine if there were any differences between responses received from minority students compared with responses from White/Caucasian students. The survey collected information about the experiences and exposure that university students have to these professions and professionals before and during their undergraduate years, along with possible reasons male students and students from diverse backgrounds are less likely to enroll in CSD programs.

METHOD
Surveys were distributed via Qualtrics and hard copy over 12 weeks of a fall semester to a sample of over 4,000 undergraduate students at a middle-sized public research university in southwest Pennsylvania. Responses were obtained from a total of 524 students.

RESULTS
In this group of university students, more students reported having obtained information from their high schools regarding speech-language pathology than audiology. More females than males were aware of CSD professions prior to entering college, and non-White students reported knowing less about both the degree programs and professions of audiology and speech-language pathology than their White peers. Neither the non-White group nor males reported much interest in pursuing CSD degrees or professions.

CONCLUSIONS
Non-White students and males reported being exposed less to CSD professions (thus knowing less) than their White and female counterparts, but overall interest in these professions appeared to be lacking for the non-White and male students within this study. Additional research from a larger group of minority and male students nationwide is needed to determine if CSD is universally not attractive to these groups.


We present a new methodology for detecting out-of-distribution (OOD) images by utilizing norms of the score estimates at multiple noise scales. A score is defined to be the gradient of the log density with respect to the input data. Our methodology is completely unsupervised and follows a straight forward training scheme. First, we train a deep network to estimate scores for levels of noise. Once trained, we calculate the noisy score estimates for N in-distribution samples and take the L2-norms across the input dimensions (resulting in an NxL matrix). Then we train an auxiliary model (such as a Gaussian Mixture Model) to learn the in-distribution spatial regions in this L-dimensional space. This auxiliary model can now be used to identify points that reside outside the learned space. Despite its simplicity, our experiments show that this methodology significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art in detecting out-of-distribution images. For example, our method can effectively separate CIFAR-10 (inlier) and SVHN (OOD) images, a setting which has been previously shown to be difficult for deep likelihood models.


Mainstream Zionism (now comprising both Labor and Likud) is increasingly being challenged by the Right and Left. Post-Zionism has exposed the intellectual fallacies underlying traditional Zionism9s attempt to combine ethnic segregation with an open society, but it is the moral and ideological substitute offered by neo-Zionism, opting for ethnic segregation as an ultimate goal, that is mounting the real political challenge. This article argues that while mainstream Zionists will delineate the space of a future Israel (by drawing the borders in a settlement with the Palestinians), the neo-Zionists will cast the ideological content into this space (by defining the identity and orientation of Israeli society).


BACKGROUND
Increasing the recruitment of doctors, including general practitioners (GPs), to rural areas is recognised as a health priority internationally. Australian GP trainees (registrars) complete a mandatory minimum of 6 months training in a rural area. The rationale for this includes the expectation of increased likelihood of a future choice of rural practice location.

METHOD
A qualitative study employing semistructured in-depth interviews and a modified grounded methodology. Participants were 15 registrars from an Australian GP postgraduate training program.

RESULTS
Though generally a rewarding clinical learning experience, negative aspects of the rural placement included the disruption to personal lives of rural relocation and the stresses involved in higher levels of clinical responsibility. These stressors could undermine rather than enhance clinical confidence. Anxiety and depression were accompaniments for some registrars. Intention to practice rurally was little influenced by this compulsory placement.

CONCLUSIONS
Findings of positive effects on rural practice destination in studies of medical undergraduates should not be generalised to GP registrars. The positive clinical learning experience of most registrars in rural terms must be balanced with the social dislocation involved in rural relocation and the adverse effects of the rural experience, for some registrars, on professional confidence and psychological well being.


Early marriage is a marriage carried out by couples less than 20 years old. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship and the influence between emotional maturity and family interaction on marital satisfaction in early married families. Examples in this study are families who married early age selected by way of purposive sampling amounted to 30 people. The research was conducted in Bojong Gede Village, Bojong Baru Village, Rawa Panjang Village, Ragajaya Village and Pabuaran Village, Bojong Gede District, Bogor Regency. The results showed that husband and wife age at married, income per capita, emotional maturity and family interaction had a positif significant relationship with marital satisfaction, but famiy size and age of marriage had a negatif significant relationship with family satisfaction. Husband age faktor and family interaction have positif effect to marriage satisfaction, but education level of husband and age of marriage have negatif effect to marriage satisfaction.


There are many effective researches about tunnel at home and abroad, because the complexity of design and construction for Y-shape tunnel, in public there is no research about it yet, with the background of nanliang-tunnel which merge two single-beam into a two-lane tunnel as Y-shape. This paper obtains the rock mass mechanics parameters on the basis of nonlinear Hoek-Brown criterion first, and has a numerical simulation according the tunnel construction with FLAC-3D. we arrange many monitor sections in this model and discuss the law of deformation and failure in different section, at last have a comprehensive analysis of displacement, stress, plastic zone of different sites which caused by tunnel construction and discover that: with the distance of two single tunnels decreased, the interaction caused by the merging increase together with the compressive stress, tensile stress. The displacements of surrounding rock increase corresponding, the amplitude of variation is up to 44.8%, After the two-lane tunnel is 15m long, the stress and displacements redistribution of surrounding rock become stable.


We develop E-variables for testing whether two data streams come from the same source or not, and more generally, whether the difference between the sources is larger than some minimal effect size. These E-variables lead to tests that remain safe, i.e. keep their Type-I error guarantees, under flexible sampling scenarios such as optional stopping and continuation. We also develop the corresponding always-valid confidence intervals. In special cases our E-variables also have an optimal 'growth' property under the alternative. We illustrate the generic construction through the special case of 2× 2 contingency tables, where we also allow for the incorporation of different restrictions on a composite alternative. Comparison to p-value analysis in simulations and a real-world example show that E-variables, through their flexibility, often allow for early stopping of data collection, thereby retaining similar power as classical methods.


While indices are common in the areas of stock and bond investment, in recent years a number of performance indices which track the performance of hedge fund managers have also come into existence. In the following, two individuals with experience in the area of hedge fund index creation offer their views on the index creation process and their own index product.


Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with relentless course and limited therapeutic options. Nintedanib (BIBF-1120) is a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of IPF. The precise antifibrotic mechanism(s) of action of nintedanib, however, is not known. Therefore, we studied the effects of nintedanib on fibroblasts isolated from the lungs of patients with IPF. Protein and gene expression of profibrotic markers were assessed by Western immunoblotting and real-time PCR. Autophagy markers and signaling events were monitored by biochemical assays, Western immunoblotting, microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining. Silencing of autophagy effector proteins was achieved with small interfering RNAs. Nintedanib down-regulated protein and mRNA expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, fibronectin, and collagen 1a1 while inhibiting transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. Nintedanib also induced beclin-1-dependent, ATG7-independent autophagy. Nintedanib's ECM-suppressive actions were not mediated by canonical autophagy. Nintedanib inhibited early events in TGF-β signaling, specifically tyrosine phosphorylation of the type II TGF-β receptor, activation of SMAD3, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Nintedanib down-regulates ECM production and induces noncanonical autophagy in IPF fibroblasts while inhibiting TGF-β signaling. These mechanisms appear to be uncoupled and function independently to mediate its putative antifibrotic effects.


This paper studies the reception and development of animal magnetism in Spanish medicine. It analyses in turn: the initial rejection of animal magnetism influenced by the reports of the French Royal Commissions of 1784; the first attempts to implant Mesmerism around 1816; its reluctant acceptance with the introduction of phrenology from 1842 onwards; and, finally, its critical revision, provoked by issues of legal responsibility, from 1856 to 1860. Hypnotism, as a term, began to appear in Spanish medical publications around 1860.


Global optimization of nanosized clusters is an important and fundamental problem in theoretical studies in many chemical fields, like catalysis, material, or energy chemistry, etc. In this paper, the powerful artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm, which has been applied successfully in the global optimization of atomic and molecular clusters, has been developed for nanosized clusters of complex structures. The new ABC algorithm is applied to the global optimization of 4 systems of different chemical nature: gas phase Au55, ligated Au82+, graphene oxide and defected rutile-supported Au8, and cluster assemble [Co6Te8(PEt3)6][C60]𝑛. These clusters have sizes that lie between 1 to 3 nm and contain up to 1000 atoms, raising great challenges to the algorithm. Reliable global minima (GMs) are obtained for all cases, some of which are better than those reported in literature, indicating the excellent perfor-mance of the new ABC algorithm. These GMs provide chemically important insights into the systems. The new ABC algorithm has been coded into the latest version of ABCluster, making it a convenient and powerful tool for chemists from broad fields to rapidly carry out global optimizations of nanosized clusters.


We study the association of startup firm spending with firm survival. We propose that spending per employee (the "normalized burn rate") captures entrepreneur's ability to avoid failure better than total spending (the popular "burn rate").
We derive an analytical model to describe how spending per employee reflects entrepreneur's knowledge about the contribution of human and non-human input flows to firm value. The model prescribes a U-shape relationship between the level of spending per employee and firm failure, and that most firms spend below the optimum. These hypotheses are borne out by a seven year representative panel dataset of U.S. businesses founded in 2004. The data also show that high levels of education and work experience (proxies for precise knowledge) lead entrepreneurs to spend closer to the optimum.
These results suggest that spending per employee can be a useful metric to compare across firms and to assess managerial decisions within firms.


Spherical tokamak (ST) research in Japan has produced many innovative results: (i) plasma start-up to I p > 70 kA was achieved by electron cyclotron wave (ECW) with N ∥ = 0.75, while electron heating to T e > 500 eV was achieved with N ∥ = 0.26 on QUEST. (ii) The radiofrequency (RF)-induced transport model was combined with the x-ray emission model, and extended magnetohydrodynamics equilibrium with kinetic electrons was developed to interpret fast-electron-dominated lower hybrid wave sustained plasmas on TST-2. (iii) Density as high as 30 times the cutoff density was achieved by electron Berstein wave current drive combined with electron beam injection on LATE. (iv) Multiple plasmoids formed by tearing instability in the elongated current sheet were observed, and flux closure and ion heating by plasmoid-mediated fast magnetic reconnection were observed on HIST. (v) Optimization of ECW-assisted inductive start-up with a vertical field with positive decay index was performed on TST-2. (vi) Stabilization of the vertical displacement event by a set of upper and lower helical field coils was demonstrated on TOKASTAR-2. (vii) A 6 h discharge was achieved by cool-down of the center stack cover on QUEST, where the plasma duration limit was consistent with the wall saturation time estimated by modeling. (viii) Extension of ion heating by plasma merging was achieved on TS-3U, TS-4U, UTST, MAST, and ST40.


A common surgical complication of clipping aneurysms with a calcified neck is the calcified atheroma compromising the parent arteries after clipping the neck. Clips can slip downward at the calcified neck or cause calcified atheroma encroaching the parent arteries. This video demonstrates a reconstructive clip technique to avoid these issues. A fenes-trated clip is placed first to reconstruct the distal parent artery-aneurysm neck with the fenestrated ring over the thickest calcification. Then, a straight clip reconstructs the proximal artery-aneurysm junction, leaving the thickest point of calcified walls pinching together by themselves to achieve aneurysm occlusion while preserving the parent arteries. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/9CM3o5_qlNQ.


Millions of electric vehicles (EVs), especially plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs), will be integrated into the power grid in the near future. Due to their large quantity and complex charging behavior, the impact of substantial PHEVs charging on the power grid needs to be investigated. Since the charging behavior of PHEVs in a certain regional transmission network or a local distribution network is determined by different uncertain factors, their overall charging demand tends to be uncertain and in this situation probabilistic power flow (PPF) can be applied to analyze the impact of PHEVs charging on the power grid. However, currently there is no suitable model of the overall charging demand of PHEVs available for PPF calculations. In this paper, a methodology of modeling the overall charging demand of PHEVs is proposed. The proposed methodology establishes a single PHEV charging demand model, and then employs queuing theory to describe the behavior of multiple PHEVs. Moreover, two applications are given, i.e., modeling the overall charging demand of PHEVs at an EV charging station and in a local residential community, respectively. Comparison between PPF calculations and Monte Carlo simulation are made on a modified IEEE 30-bus system integrated with the two demand models proposed.


The establishment of e-businesses has often been implemented from the inside of companies rather than from the customer perspective and the knowledge about customer needs from traditional businesses have been applied directly into new e-business systems. The overall objective of this study is to identify how to better understand customer needs and how to integrate these needs in order to create customer value when developing and establishing e-business systems for products and services. In order to better understand customer needs the study is undertaken to understand and interpret peoples' opinions and feelings about e-business systems. The research at hand are qualitative and based on an action case method, with the main empirical input from interviews and observations. The research has mainly an inductive approach with empirical findings linked together with theories of customer value, service development, customer behaviour and process mapping. Two cases form the basis of empirical input to the study. The first case was with an internal service provider, Tetra Pak Business Support AB, during the time when they developed and introduced a new web system for internal services. The second case was with the Swedish Pharmacy Direct, an organisation whose objective is to develop and introduce a web-system for purchase of pharmaceuticals to consumers. Based on a value process framework of understanding, creating and delivering value, the study agrees to the importance of conceiving all steps in that value process when developing web-systems for end customers. The study concludes that the first phase of understanding value has to be included in the development of e-business in order to capture the customer's need. It is suggested in the thesis, to integrate the method of mapping the customer's process with the value process. By this integration the understanding value phase will be included and the development of the web-based system will turn from an internal into a customer perspective development. (Less)


In recent years, shoreline development has increased exponentially, especially in the Southeast. As a result, concern about coastal erosion has mounted. In order to minimize the economic risk of shoreline erosion and to address recreational and business interests, coastal managers have adopted various beach modification practices, including beach nourishment. Each of these has significant financial, hydrological, and ecological impacts, with associated political consequences. By altering the physical structure of the beach and the near-shore environment, beach nourishment can have significant short and long term effects on beach ecology, including the invertebrates, birds, fish, and even nesting sea-turtles. Economically, beach nourishment procedures are very expensive because it enlists a large amount of equipment and man-hours, requires costly maintenance, monitoring, and assessment, and lasts only a few years. This paper will focus mainly on the many potential economic and biological impacts of beach nourishment, leading to recommendations about the precautions and analysis needed in responsibly undertaking such projects.


Most pesticides used in cowpea have some effects on the utilization of the grains. There is a need for a functional biopesticide that will have no adverse effect on cowpea utilisation or application in food system. This study was carried out to evaluate the functional properties of cowpea grains preserved with mixtures of neem and moringa oils. Graded mixtures and concentrations of neem and moringa seed oils (ratio 1:2/2.5µl/g, 1:2/5.0µl/g, 1.3/2.5µl/g, and 1:3/5.0µl/g) were investigated. Cowpea grains were treated with the seed oils in ratio 1:2 and 1:3 at concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 µl/g, and stored for a period of 270 days. The functional properties (bulk density, foaming property and stability, emulsification capacity, oil and water absorption capacity, viscosity and least gelation concentration) of the differently treated grains were determined every 90 days. The data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version 9.2 and means that were significantly different were compared using Least Significant Difference at P<0.05. The results showed that there were no significant (P<0.05) differences between the functional properties of the cowpea flours from grains treated with ratio 1:3/2.5µl/g and 1:3/5.0µl/g but significant differences were observed in the bulk density, emulsification capacity, foaming capacity, least gelation capacity, water absorption capacity and viscosity of the flours from cowpea grains treated with ratio 1:2/5.0µl/g and the control . There were Ssignificant (P<0.05) reduction in the bulk density, emulsification capacity, foam capacity, oil absorption capacity, viscosity and water absorption capacity of the treated cowpea flour as storage progressed except for the gelatinization temperature that was the same throughout the period.. Preservation of cowpea grains with ratio 1:3/5.0µl/g neem-moringa seed oil retained best functional properties of the treated cowpea grains flour thus showing that it has potential to be applied for cowpea preservation without compromising the desired functional properties.


Using anatase and flake graphite as starting material, titanium nitride was prepared by carbothermal reduction nitriding method under nitrogen gas pressure 0.05 MPa and flow rate 0.3 m3/h, at 1673K(1400°C).The proportion of nc and nTiO2 are 1.5:1,2.0:1,2.2:1 and 2.5:1. The phase composition and microstructure of titanium nitride were investigated by XRD and SEM. The results show that: titanium nitride can be prepared with anatase and flake graphite by carbothermal reduction nitriding method. When the proportion of nc and nTiO2 is 2.2:1 the quantity of titanium nitride is the most. Because the reacting temperature is low and the contact area of the anatase and flake graphite is small the large grain size and uniform grain size titanium nitride can not be obtained.


In each volume of Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, the editors select one article for our Beyond the Manuscript podcast interview with the authors. Beyond the Manuscript provides authors with the opportunity to tell listeners what they would want to know about the project beyond what went into the final manuscript. Beyond the Manuscript podcasts are available for download on the journal's website (www.press.jhu.edu/journals/ progress_in_community_health_partnerships/multimedia.html). This Beyond the Manuscript podcast is with James Sanders of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Mary Jo Baisch of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Institute for Urban Health Partnerships authors of "Community-based Participatory Action: Impact on a Neighborhood Level Community Health Improvement Process. Associate Editor Patricia Tracey conducted the interview. The following is an edited transcript of the Beyond the Manuscript podcast.


The new 'basic allowance for job seekers' ('Hartz IV') introduced in Germany in 2005 was accompanied by a claim that 'activating' labour market policies would increase gender equality, not least by requiring mothers without a breadwinning partner to take up paid work and supporting them in doing so. At the same time, the reform gave rise to concerns that the enforcement of formal gender equality in terms of work obligations – hence a 'de-institutionalisation of gender differences' – might paradoxically increase gender inequality by forcing women to accept any job in the strongly gender-segregated labour market and by not adequately taking account of their caring responsibilities. However, the article, which is based on job centre case studies carried out in the first few years after the reform, shows that caseworkers' strategies for implementing the new law were, in part, quite similar to the routines established under the previous system. This was not due simply to the traditionalist attitudes of street-level bureaucrats anxious to 'protect' mothers against the 'adult worker model', but at least as much to the principles of the 'new managerialism' and its associated incentives that stabilise traditionalist attitudes and the resulting gender asymmetries.


The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the websites of social science research institutions in India; especially Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) sponsored institutions and ranked them accordingly. Using various online SEO tools websites of these institutes have been analyzed. Gujarat Institute of Development Research holds the numero uno status on the basis of Simple Web Impact Factor (0.6736) and Internal-link Web Impact Factor (0.6551). Institute for Studies in Industrial Development holds the rank one position on the basis of External-link Web Impact Factor of 0.0404. Centre for Policy Research with 53 Domain Authority score and Page Authority score of 49 tops the list in both cases and signifies the website's good rank on search engine result pages. Search engines often display the meta description in search results where they can highly influence user click-through rates but it is really unfortunate that out of the 29 institutes only 6 have used meta tags in their websites. Giri Institute of Development Studies and Centre for Development Studies hold the top ranks in SEO score and speed score categories respectively. Centre for Policy Research with the GPR of 3,52,513 tops the list among all the institutes. Link topology of the websites reflects that the Giri Institute of Development Studies (gids.org.in) is linked with 5 other research institutes.


We present a method for identifying the flexural rigidity and external loads acting on a beam using the finite-element method. We used mixed beam elements possessing transverse deflection and the bending moment as the primary degrees of freedom. The first step is to determine the bending moment from the transverse deflection and boundary conditions. The second step is to substitute the bending moment into the final equations with respect to the unknown parameters (flexural rigidity or external load). The final step solves the resulting system of equations. We apply this method to some inverse beam problems and provide an accurate estimation. Several numerical examples are performed and show that present method gives excellent results for identifying bending stiffness and distributed load of beam.


L-Dopa methyl ester has been shown to be a novel antitumor agent. Furthermore, the L-dopa analogs, D-dopa, alpha-methyldopa, and dopamine, also exhibit significant antitumor activity in the L1210 and P388 lymphocytic leukemia systems. Structure-activity studies confirmed that the presence of a catechol moiety was essential for activity. Two analogs, 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine and N-acetyldopamine, which were much less neurotoxic, exhibited the greatest antitumor activity. In vitro, at concentrations from 0.5 to 3.0 mM, there is a rapid and profound inhibition of radiolabeled thymidine incorporation as compared to uridine or leucine incorporation. Continuous exposure of exponentor up to 24 hours resulted in a block of traverse of cells through the cell cycle in G1 coupled with a depletion of cells with a G2 complement of DNA. In vivo, toxicity of these compounds appears to be mediated principally by conversion to dopamine. Similar effects upon thymidine incorporation were observed in human leukemia cells in vitro.


Sustaining innovation and collaboration in teaching and learning beyond short-term projects is difficult. Laurillard (2012) argues that a 21st century education system needs teachers who work collaboratively to design effective and innovative teaching, and digital technologies are the key to making that work. Building global communities of practice is one way to approach sustained collaboration. Wenger et al. (2002) identified the nurturing of communities of practice as a critical element in their sustainability, positing social media as a tool for doing this (Wenger, White, & Smith, 2009; Wenger, White, Smith, & Rowe, 2005). With the ubiquity of mobile social media in 2014, we consider communities of practice in the wider context of networked communication and networked learning in higher education. In this paper we build upon previous work of establishing a framework for utilizing mobile social media to support collaborative curriculum development focused upon redefining pedagogy across international boundaries (Cochrane et al., 2013; Cochrane & Keegan, 2012). We present and critique a case study of global collaboration in practice in higher education. The iCollab project is an international community of practice connecting students and lecturers in seven modules across seven higher education institutions, in six countries, to explore and evaluate mobile web tools, engage in participatory curriculum development, and create opportunities for students to develop international collaboration and cooperation skills. The iCollab project challenges the typical format of modules/courses/programmes which run for a set period of time, with units of assessment leading to grades; iCollab students work across cohorts, levels, institutions, countries and academic terms, using social media and mobile tools for international collaboration, multimedia production and reflective practice -- as well as exploring the creation and negotiation of digital identities. The hashtag #icollab aggregates activities and conversations across time and space (see TAGSExplorer analysis: http://bit.ly/19O0cpp). This paper describes the inception and evolution of the iCollab project; how iCollab participants create, share and aggregate work and interact with one another; and the challenges and opportunities of openness -- particularly learning, teaching and engaging with our students in networked publics.


Fair-trade activities in the South have tended to be studied in relation to the internal aims of the fair-trade organisations themselves. This article argues that it is also critical to consider the wider fair-trade 'arena' or set of interactions. The authors focus on Tanzania and Nicaragua and study the role of four key actors—small-scale producers, co-operatives, development partners, and public authorities. Using comparative data from field studies conducted in 2002–2003, the article identifies key national and international issues affecting local producers. Illustrating how fair trade evolves differently according to context, the article examines how the co-operative movement in Nicaragua has been strengthened by fair-trade production, in contrast to the situation in Tanzania. It concludes by discussing some of the challenges faced by fair trade, including how to reconcile the demands of the market with building solidarity.


Electronic information networking in Building and Construction (BC) has been thesubject of research for the last two decades and indeed much progress has been made. Forexample, the exchange of electronic technical drawings, geometry models and buildingproduct models is possible today. Also in the eCommerce area much progress has beenmade, with the Internet dramatically increasing ICT awareness in BC. Several softwarevendors are marketing interesting Internet based systems that support eProcurement,sometimes even including back office-integration (job costing, accounting).Despite these positive developments, progress in open, meaningful (BC semantics)communication over the Internet has been limited, and subsequently Internet basedproject information communication in large projects hardly exists. The reason is thatthere is still no common multi lingual BC vocabulary that can be used by both humansand computer applications. Such a vocabulary, that contains BC notions like 'beam','paint', 'door', 'foundation pile', cannot be implemented with the existing, HTML-based,Internet technology. HTML, the Hyper Text Mark-up Language, is what it says, a markuplanguage, not a language to define human and computer understandable content.With the new Internet language XML, eXtensible Mark-up Language [1], it is possible todefine and communicate both content and mark-up. This means that XML supports thedevelopment of XML vocabularies as required by BC. The European IST 10303'eConstruct' Project is doing just this with the development of bcXML (BuildingConstruction XML).The paper presents the latest results of the project focusing on the aspects related toinformation networking in Building and Civil Engineering.


Clinical studies on tuberculosis have shown a correlation between low drug exposure and treatment failure and acquired drug resistance. Objective was to develop a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Stable isotope-labelled isoniazid-D4 and ethambutol-D4 were used as internal standards. Protein binding of isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol was investigated and proved low. Therefore, sample preparation using ultrafiltration could be applied, resulting in linear calibration curves in the range of 0.2-8 mg/L for isoniazid and ethambutol and 2-80 mg/L for pyrazinamide. The method was validated according to the guidelines of the FDA. A fast, simple and reliable LC-MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol in human serum for therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies.


This thesis covers the application of fade counter measure techniques to satellite links using small terminals in the 20/30 GHz band. The case for using the 20/30 GHz band for very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks is presented together with applications proposed for VSAT networks. A study of the propagation impairments that affect these networks is presented and the propagation environment is determined with particular reference to the problem and severity of rain fading. Relevant equations are presented allowing the calculation of link budgets and performance for VSAT networks operating via a 20/30 GHz satellite transponder. The various methods that may be employed to detect and overcome the high attenuation levels found at 20/30 GHz are presented. Candidate fade counter measure (FCM) schemes, fade detection mechanisms and control methods are discussed, together with their applicability to VSAT networks and their expected performance. The design of the prototype 20/30 GHz VSAT Earth station developed is presented, together with performance simulations, backed up by measurements, made on the prototype. The application and performance of fade counter measure schemes and fade detection methods is determined by computer simulation. Finally recommendations are made for a complete fade counter measure system applicable to a 20/30 GHz VSAT system.


Abstract Cross-sectional data and long-period time series data have generally shown an inverse relationship between income and fertility. But short-period time series data over the business cycle have shown a direct relationship. The first part of this paper resolves this apparent paradox by showing that it arises from a statistical illusion-specification bias due to omitted lagged variables. The second part of the paper then considers the likely unconditional effect of income on fertility in several sorts of situations: (a) secular income increase in less developed countries; (b) cyclical income change in industrialized countries; (c) secular income increase in industrialized countries; and (d) incentive payments for higher and lower fertility.


Financial support for affordable housing competes with many other municipal priorities. This work seeks to explain the variation in support for affordable housing among U.S. cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Using multivariate statistical analysis, this research investigates political explanations for the level of city expenditures on housing and community with a particular interest in the influence of housing advocacy organizations (AOs). Data for the model were gathered from secondary sources, including the U.S. Census and the National Center for Charitable Statistics. Among other results, the analysis indicates that, on average, the political maturity of AOs has a statistically significant, positive effect on local housing and community development expenditures.


Community based ecotourism is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world, and also an economic activity that can encourage local people in developing countries to protect and preserve natural resources. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Wunania Konoye for conservation and community-based ecotourism development. Cross sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative methods was used to describe the existing situations. A total of 200 participants completed a questionnaire and interviews were conducted with key informants. Data were analyzed by using SPSS Version 20. The three kebeles in the study area (Chirambezo, Kosoye Ambarsa and Gunda Chugie) were rich in natural and cultural attraction, though there was significant difference between Chirambezo and Kosoye Ambaras in this respect. In terms of accessibility, there is significant difference among the three kebeles. The human resources, accessibility and infrastructure were sufficient to develop and promote an ecotourism destination. The area has huge potential to develop community-based ecotourism, but amenities were either poorly developed or nonexistent. Therefore, amenities such as electricity, water supply, security and information centers should be developed based on ecotourism standards.

 Key word: Conservation, ecotourism, Ethiopia, tourism resources, Wunania Kosoye.


Highly efficient and stable organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are demonstrated by incorporating solution‐processed hydrogen molybdenum bronzes as anode interlayers. The bronzes are synthesized using a sol‐gel method with the critical step being the partial oxide reduction/hydrogenation using an alcohol‐based solvent. Their composition, stoichiometry, and electronic properties strongly correlate with the annealing process to which the films are subjected after spin coating. Hydrogen molybdenum bronzes with moderate degree of reduction are found to be highly advantageous when used as anode interlayers in OPVs, as they maintain a high work function similar to the fully stoichiometric metal oxide, whereas they exhibit a high density of occupied gap states, which are beneficial for charge transport. Enhanced short‐circuit current, open‐circuit voltage and, fill factor, relative to reference devices incorporating either PEDOT‐PSS or a solution processed stoichiometric molybdenum oxide, are obtained for a variety of bulk heterojunction mixtures based on different polymeric donors and fullerene acceptors. In particular, high power conversion efficiencies are obtained in devices that employed the s‐HxMoO2.75 as the hole extraction layer.


One of eight large-scale pictorial maps of midwestern states showing routes and post offices of the Railway Mail Service. Designed by Chicago railway mail clerk Frank H. Galbraith to help employees of the Railway Mail Service quickly locate counties and post offices. The maps were rented for practicing or prospective workers who numbered over 6,000 and traveled over a million miles a year on the rails sorting mail. A printed title cartouche accompanied by a list of counties for each of the states by McEwen Map Company of Chicago is pasted on the maps. For published maps showing the routes of the mail service see entries 283 and 313.
Scale not given.
LC has another copy in 8 sheets.
LC Railroad maps, 220
Description derived from published bibliography.
Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image.
Vault


Earthquake response of liquid storage tanks isolated by the sliding systems is investigated under bi-directional earthquake motion (i.e. two horizontal components). The frictional force of sliding systems is modeled by two ways referred as conventional and hysteretic model. The continuous liquid mass is lumped as convective mass, impulsive mass and rigid mass. The corresponding stiffnesses associated with these lumped masses are worked out depending upon the properties of the tank wall and liquid mass. The governing equations of motion of the tank with sliding system are derived and solved by Newmark's step-by- step method with iterations. The frictional forces mobilized at the interface of the sliding system is assumed to be velocity independent and their interaction in two horizontal directions is duly considered. For comparative study the earthquake response of isolated liquid storage tank obtained by conventional model is compared with corresponding response obtained by hysteretic model. In order to measure the effectiveness of isolation system the earthquake response of isolated tank is also compared with non-isolated tank. A parametric study is also conducted to study the effects of aspect ratio of the tank on the effectiveness of seismic isolation of the liquid storage tanks. It is found that the sliding systems are quite effective in reducing the earthquake response of liquid storage tanks. In addition, the same earthquake response of liquid storage tanks is predicted by conventional and hysteretic model of the sliding system.


Financial and business applications utilize decimal information and invest the majority of their energy in decimal number-crunching. Programming usage of decimal number-crunching is common, at any rate, multiple times slower than paired math actualized in equipment. This paper proposes a reduced delay binary coded decimal (BCD) adder that improves BCD addition delay by expanding parallel processing. The ordinary BCD adders are delayed because of the utilization of two binary adders. we structured and executed a new double mode BCD adder which utilizes just a single adder that produced the sum and sum+6. Using a pipeline procedure, an additional 128-bit BCD adder was implemented. The proposed BCD adder was planned and implemented using VHDL with XILINX 9.2 modification. The sequences of the regular BCD adder contrast with the proposed BCD adder. Experimental results show that the proposed BCD adder is 16.7% quicker than a traditional BCD adder. The proposed BCD 128-bit adder is 61.2% faster than the regular BCD 128 adder.


Surface gravity waves play a vital role in the air-sea interaction. They can alter the turbulence ofthe bottom atmospheric layer as well as the upper-ocean layer. Accordingly, they can affect themomentum flux, heat fluxes, as well as the upper-ocean mixing. In most numerical models, waveinfluences are not considered or not fully considered. The wave influences on the atmosphereand the ocean are important for weather forecasts and climate studies. Here, different aspects ofwave impact on the atmosphere and the ocean are introduced into numerical models.In the first study, a wave-state-dependent sea spray generation function and Charnock co-efficient were applied to a wind stress parameterization under high wind speeds. The newlyproposed wind stress parameterization and a sea spray influenced heat flux parameterizationwere applied to an atmosphere-wave coupled model to study their influence on the simulationof mid-latitude storms. The new wind stress parameterization reduces wind speed simulationerror during high wind speed ranges and intensifies the storms. Adding the sea spray impacton heat fluxes improves the model performance concerning the air temperature. Adding the seaspray impact both on the wind stress and heat fluxes results in best model performance in allexperiments for wind speed, and air temperature.In the second study, the influence of surface waves on upper-ocean mixing was parameter-ized into a 1D k − e ocean turbulence model though four processes (wave breaking, Stokes driftinteraction with the Coriolis force, Langmuir circulation, and stirring by non-breaking waves)based mainly on existing investigations. Considering all the effects of surface gravity waves,rather than just one effect, significantly improves model performance. The non-breaking-wave-induced mixing and Langmuir turbulence are the most important terms when considering theimpact of waves on upper-ocean mixing. Sensitivity experiments demonstrate that vertical pro-files of the Stokes drift calculated from 2D wave spectrum improve the model performancesignificantly compared with other methods of calculating the vertical profiles of the Stokes drift.Introducing the wave influences in modelling systems, the results verified against measure-ments. Concluding from these studies for the further model development, the wave influencesshould be taken into account to improve the model performance.


Conventional wisdom, derived from standard economic theory, is that affirm should differentiate itself from its rivals to mitigate intense price competition. Yet there are many examples of firms positioning themselves to mimic their rivals. In this paper we examine the role of context-dependent preferences in explaining this phenomenon. Behavioral researchers have long argued that consumers consider not only the absolute utility of a product but its utility relative to a reference in the choice set as well. Using this premise we construct a game theoretic model of competition between two firms. We consider two horizontally differentiated firms where some consumers own the product of one firm while the rest own the other firm's product. One firm upgrades its existing product by adding a new feature. In the absence of any cost or capability constraints, to protect its competitive position, the other firm would prefer to update its product by adding a differentiated new feature. We show that if consumers' preferences are context-dependent, then under some conditions the second mover would tend to imitate the first mover by adding the same feature even when with no cost disadvantage it can differentiate itself. This happens because context-dependent preferences cause consumers to dislike brands that are very differentiated from one another and value common features among the brands more than distinct features. As a result of this, when consumers exhibit context-dependent preferences and the proportion of second-mover's consumers who enjoy the first mover's new feature is not too small, if the second mover mimics the first mover both firms can charge higher prices for their upgraded products. This outcome, in turn, leads the first mover to pick a new feature to upgrade its existing product such that it would encourage the second mover to imitate itself. Therefore, unlike the extant literature, our analysis shows that mimicking/co-location does not necessarily require a tradeoff between higher demand and lower prices.