The object of this report is to present development-caused displacement and resettlement as a highly diverse global social problem occurring in all regions of the world, as a human rights issue, and as a source of challenges to public international law and and institutions providing humanitarian assistance. More in-depth analysis has been preceded by an introduction which draws attention to the specific nature of DIDR as one of the categories of internal displacement. Equal attention has been devoted to the origins of research into this subject already undertaken during the fifties. Initially the field was limited to a small group of applied anthropologists, who analyzed the social consequences of construction of dams in Africa. The political character of this problem and its large social consequences have in recent years caught the attention of scholars in a growing number of disciplines. Another purpose of this report is to analyze the main causes of development-induced displacement worldwide. In order to maintain the transparent character of the analysis, I have distinguished eight main causes of the process. These include: a) construction of dams, hydropower plants, artificial reservoirs, irrigation projects and channels, b) development of transportation (building of roads, highways, railways, airports, ports, etc.), c) urbanization, re-urbanization and other transformations of urban space (expansion of urban areas, demolition of poverty-stricken districts such as slums and favelas, urban transport, underground and water supply projects, d) mining and transportation of resources (especially expansion of open-cast mining), e) deforestation and development of agriculture (especially large monoculture plantations, such as palm oil plantations on Borneo Island), f) population redistribution schemes (such as the politics of villagization in Ethiopia and Tenzania), g) conservation of nature: the creation of national parks, reserves or other biosphere protection units (the problem of so-called conservation refugees or conservation-induced displacement), and h) other reasons. The next task undertaken in this report is the analysis of DIDR specificity in the several regions of the world most acutely affected by this problem. I analyze the most spectacular or best-known examples of development projects which have led to involuntary resettlement having a negative impact on the living standards of local communities. I devote much attention to the methods of humanitarian assistance for DPs and to relations between DIDR and international human rights law and protection. Recently adopted documents relating to the protection of displaced people (Guiding Principles of Internal Displacement, the Great Lakes Pact, Convention of Kampala) treat this problem in a very selective and limited manner. Increased involvement of national and international actors in this issue should be accompanied by adequate action on the part of international humanitarian agencies including the UNHCR. In another section of the publication I draw attention to the activities of international institutions on issues of development-induced displacement and resettlement. The World Bank is currently the only international institution significantly engaging with this issue. A substantial part of the report is devoted to analysis of the consequences of development-induced displacement and resettlement on the basis of the concept of human security which has evolved since the early nineties. The displacement caused by economic development, like all other categories of forced migration, is related to the significant decrease in the level of human security of people forced to flee their homes. The concept of human security can be used to analyze both the individual and community consequences of global social problems. The report is supplemented by the author's extensive bibliography, over 50 pages long, of material related to development-induced displacement.


: Partial canaliculus transplantation is a suitable method of substituting the canaliculus when the nasal lower lid region has been damaged by tumor. Two cases are described, illustrating that the area of indication may be extended to substitution surgery of parts of the canaliculus next to the lacrimal sac and that, analogously to complete lid transplantation, the method can be combined with sliding plasty. During the observation period, which lasted for 17 to 20 months, the partial canaliculus transplantations followed up proved to be patent.


Since 1978, the authors have collected ashes from Sakurajima volcanic eruption in Kagoshima City, and the ashes were administered to rats and rabbits through different routes and forms injecting into the trachea in order to see the effect of ashes on the respiratory organs. The authors experimentally and histopathologically demonstrated bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, atelectasis lung, degeneration of blood vessel, dust nodes and induction of pneumoconiosis due to dust fibrosis in the study of the effect of volcanic ashes on the respiratory organs.


This study surveyed the attitude of students towards computerized library services at Ibrahim Babangida Library (IBL) Modibbo Adama University of Technology, (MAUTech) Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data was collected through questionnaire. The study used population of 158 students who visited the university library as at the time the study was conducted. The findings revealed that Internet is the most available computerized service in the library as well as students have positive attitude towards the computerized services in the library. Among others, the problem of inadequate power supply as major hindrance to the use of the computerized library services. The study concluded that there is a positive attitude from the students towards computerized library services. It is therefore recommended among others that library management should provide alternative source of power to curtail power outages and librarians should increases the level of awareness of its users towards the computerized library services.


Mouse hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV3) provides an excellent model for studying viral-B lymphocyte interaction in the immune system, which plays an important role in the outcome of an acute disease. Bone marrow B lymphocyte subpopulations, at various times postinfection, were studied in genetically C57BL/6 and resistant A/J mice, infected with pathogenic L2-MHV3 and its nonpathogenic variant, YAC-MHV3. B lineage cell subpopulations were identified by double immunofluorescence assays using mAb of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, 14.8 and cytoplasmic (cu) or surface (su) Ig mu-chains. Results revealed diminished percentage and absolute number in the bone marrow 14.8+ mu+ B lymphocyte subpopulations, including pre-B (cu+ su-) and B (cu+ su+) cells of L2-MHV3-infected susceptible C57BL/6 mice; whereas, slight or no increase was evident in the cell subpopulations of L2-MHV3 infected resistant A/J mice or in YAC-MHV3 infected in both strains of mice. Abnormal large-sized forms of the 14.8+ mu+ cells occurred, at 48-h postinfection, in L2-MHV3-infected susceptible C57BL/6 mice only. In contrast, no change in the percentage and absolute number of precursor cells (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase positive) and pre pre-B cells (14.8+ mu-) were detected in all infected mice. In vitro L2-MHV3 infection of C57BL/6 bone marrow purified B lineage cell subpopulations showed that pre-B (cu+ su-) and B (cu+ su+) cells became abnormally large in size and depleted in number as a result of a productive and lytic viral replication. Low L2-MHV3 viral replication occurred in these cell subpopulations of A/J mice but no YAC-MHV3 virus was produced in the cells of both strains of mice. Pre pre-B (14.8+ mu-) cells in both strains were not permissive to L2-MHV3 or YAC-MHV3 viral replication. These results are discussed with regard to the role of humoral immunodeficiency in the pathogenic process.


The aim of this study is to analyze Electromyogram (EMG) signals in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep using different techniques to detect the level of normality and abnormality of normal and abnormal (patients with a lack of REM sleep atonia) subjects and predict the development of Parkinson's disease in abnormal subjects.

Quantitative elctromyogram (EMG) signal analysis in the frequency domain using classical power spectrum analysis techniques have been well documented over the past decade. Yet none of these [sic] work have been done on EMG during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Stage of sleep. In this work three techniques for classifying chin movement via EMG signals during sleep is presented. Three methods (Autoregressive modeling, Cepstrum Analysis and Wavelet Analysis) for extracting features from EMG signal during sleep and a classification algorithm (Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA)) were analyzed and compared. EMG data are used to detect and describe different disease processes affecting sleep. Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD) is an example of EMG abnormality in which patients lose their muscle control while in REM stage of sleep resulting in physically acting out their dreams. An adaptive segmentation based on Recursive Least Square (RLS) algorithm was analyzed. This algorithm was used to segment the non-stationary EMG signal into locally stationary components, which were then autoregressive modeled using the Burg-Lattice method. The cepstral measurements described was used and applied to modify the coefficients computed from the autoregressive (AR) model. Yet due to the nature of the EMG, frequency analysis cannot be used to approximate a signal whose properties change over time. To address this problem a time varying feature representation is necessary for analysis to extract useful infomration from the signal. As a consequence Wavelet coefficients were computed using discrete and continuous wavelet transforms. Furthermore, the classification performance of the above three feature sets were investigated for the two classes (Normal and Abnormal). Results showed wavelet analysis compared to AR modeling and cepstrum analysis is a better assessment in finding EMG abnormalities during sleep. However, these methods may be useful in distinguishing EMG patterns that predict the emergence of Parkinson disease in humans.


The problem of time-constrained multi-agent task scheduling and control synthesis is addressed. We assume the existence of a high level plan which consists of a sequence of cooperative tasks, each of which is associated with a deadline and several Quality-of-Service levels. By taking into account the reward and cost of satisfying each task, a novel scheduling problem is formulated and a path synthesis algorithm is proposed. Based on the obtained plan, a distributed hybrid control law is further designed for each agent. Under the condition that only a subset of the agents are aware of the high level plan, it is shown that the proposed controller guarantees the satisfaction of time constraints for each task. A simulation example is given to verify the theoretical results.


REACH regulation demands information about acute toxicity of chemicals towards fish and supports the use of QSAR models, provided compliance with OECD principles. Existing models present some drawbacks that may limit their regulatory application. In this study, a dataset of 908 chemicals was used to develop a QSAR model to predict the LC50 96 hours for the fathead minnow. Genetic algorithms combined with k nearest neighbour method were applied on the training set (726 chemicals) and resulted in a model based on six molecular descriptors. An automated assessment of the applicability domain (AD) was carried out by comparing the average distance of each molecule from the nearest neighbours with a fixed threshold. The model had good and balanced performance in internal and external validation (182 test molecules), at the expense of a percentage of molecules outside the AD. Principal Component Analysis showed apparent correlations between model descriptors and toxicity.


Although companies are increasingly using integrative communication processes to develop and improve market information dissemination, research in marketing has typically conceptualised and measured dissemination in terms of the use and frequency of information-sharing activities. In view of this asynchrony between theory and practice, this research explores the above neglected domain of market information dissemination, proposing a new construct that we call 'integrated market-related internal communication' (IMIC), which encompasses the integrative communication processes implemented by firms aimed at enhancing employees' market information processing. After conceptualising IMIC as a fourdimensional construct, we developed and validated a measurement instrument for assessing this emergent concept. In particular, the proposed dimensions were confirmed as reflective factors of the higher order-construct IMIC, and nomological validity was assessed by demonstrating the positive influence of IMIC on both employees' capacity to assimilate market information and shared interpretation of this information.


In this epidemiological investigation, we assessed the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 10,061 adults participated in the study. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were 2 to 3 times higher compared with prepandemic samples. Participants who predominantly socially distanced themselves revealed substantially higher symptoms than their counterparts. Females, ethnic and sexual-orientation minorities, younger adults, unemployed individuals, and participants with a psychiatric diagnosis reported higher prevalence of psychological symptoms. Worry about prolonged duration of physical-distancing protocols and frustration of autonomy was associated with elevation in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Increased competence to deal with the pandemic crisis was associated with fewer adverse symptoms. Physical exercise, experiencing nature, and distraction with activities were associated with reduced depressive symptoms but not anxiety. The extent of information access about the pandemic was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, adherence to mitigation protocols was investigated. Younger adults and males reported lowest adherence. Altruistic attitudes, in addition to mandatory as opposed to voluntary adherence, were associated with higher adherence rates. Worrying about the health of significant others was associated with higher adherence rates, whereas worry about duration of pandemic protocols was associated with lower adherence rates.


In this work the functions of the microtubule motors kinesin-1, -2 and -3 have been analysed in various settings. The reconstitution of microtubule-dependent motor activity in vitro has been primarily used to dissect the contributions of individual motors to cargo motility in two specific scenarios. Initially the regulation of kinesin-1 in a cell cycle-dependent manner has been examined by studying the ability of rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules to move in cytosols prepared from Xenopus laevis egg extracts arrested in interphase, meiosis or mitosis. It was found that kinesin-1-driven ER motility is significantly disrupted during metaphase in vitro. This is likely due to the recruitment or loss of binding partners which has a concomitant influence upon kinesin-1 activity. This work presents the first evidence that kinesin-1-driven ER movement, and not simply network morphology, varies during cell division. Furthermore, it is postulated that the replication of such regulation of kinesin-1 activity in vivo may contribute to the well documented changes in organelle positioning and cargo transit through membrane trafficking pathways which occur during cell division.The fungal metabolite brefeldin A (BFA) induces tubulation of several compartments located within the secretory and endocytic pathways in a microtubule-dependent fashion. The identity of the motor(s) responsible for this motility remains unconfirmed and controversial since several reports with conflicting data have been published. The contributions of kinesin-1, -2 and -3 to these processes have been investigated using in vitro motility assays in which rat liver Golgi membranes were combined with Xenopus laevis egg extract cytosol in the presence of BFA. Function blocking antibodies and dominant negative proteins were used to perturb the activities of various kinesin motors. This data indicates a particular isoform of kinesin-3, KIF1C, is solely responsible for the movement of BFA-induced tubules in vitro. This work was complemented by in vivo immunofluorescence studies using the HeLaM cultured cell line. Transient transfections of dominant negative proteins, or siRNA-mediated depletion, were used to disrupt the activities of various kinesin motors, either in isolation or in combination with each other. This approach revealed a contribution of KIF1C and kinesin-1 to the movement of early endosomal BFA-induced tubules in vivo.


Subtrochanteric fractures are a typical pathology in the elderly patient, they are not very common and they are difficult to treat. The general conditions of these patients, often at the limit of operability, are further compromised by surgery and time spent in bed, leading to the death of the patient in a high percentage of cases. The fracture is often spyroid, it has multiple fragments, with interruption of the medial cortical bone. The quality of the bone, because of the marked osteoporosis, does not guarantee the good hold of the means of fixation used. The use of intramedullary nailing is a safe method, that allows for stabilization of the fracture without excessive blood loss, it allows for early partial weight-bearing and it has a lower number of complications as compared to other methods. Between 1-1-97 and 31-12-00 a total of 59 persubtrochanteric fractures were treated; there were 15 males and 44 females. A Gamma Long nail was used in 46 cases, a Gamma Standard in 13. Eleven of the patients died within 6 months. A total of 27 patients aged an average of 78 years (minimum 65, maximum 87) were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 10 months (minimum 7, maximum 27). A Gamma Long nail had been used in 18 cases, and Gamma Standard in 8. Partial weight-bearing was allowed after a mean of 20 days (minimum 10, maximum 35), total weight-bearing after a mean of 60 days (minimum 40, maximum 75). Consolidation was obtained after a mean of 4 months (minimum 3, maximum 7). There were no significant complications.


This paper describes the deposition of PZT/oxide electrode thin film capacitors on Si(100) substrate with a CSD (Chemical Solution Deposition). Highly (100)&(001)-oriented SRO/LNO electrode films with a perovskite structure were obtained by the annealing at 700 °C from a precursor solution of Sr and RuCl3·2H2O for SRO and from a precursor solution of La(NO3)3 and Ni(CH3COO)2 for LNO. In addition, highly (100)&(001)-oriented PZT/oxide electrode capacitor were deposited on SRO/LNO/Si substrate by annealing at 650 °C, showing a good ferroelectricity of Pr=22μC/cm2 and Ec=55 kV/cm. In addition, the resultant PZT/oxide electrode thin film capacitors exhibited no fatigue up to 108 switching cycles.


Global environment is getting deteriorated at an alarming rate. Eco-school could be one of the effective solutions to protect our environment and a good sample of architecture to economize in total energies, resources and greenhouse gases. In case of our country, the study of eco-school planning is not sufficient compared with other countries, so this paper would be a good study on the indoor environment of the classroom by surveying their opinions and ideas from the group of users in elementary school. The result of this study shows that the proper installation of building equipment and nature ventilation system is necessary to provide delightful environment for the students and to save the energy. To ensure that we have adequate saving and protection, it is necessary to change the existing appraisal standard.


This paper aims at better understanding on how the production phase of housing
refurbishment projects is managed in the context of a housing association in the UK.
This refers to the way that refurbishments are carried out, the typical problems faced
at the construction stage, the influential factors affecting planning and control
effectiveness, and the identification of the current managerial practices adopted by
construction companies for managing production. Information was collected through
semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations of project management
meetings and works on site, and documental analysis. The information gathered was
validated through a workshop involving project participants. The paper concludes
presenting the good managerial practices identified and the opportunities for
improvement.


Murine anti-V region antibodies against a human monoclonal protein Gl with anti-gamma-globulin activity and bearing the Wa cross-reactive idiotype were prepared in several strains of mice. Antibodies were obtained that were specific for the Gl idiotype, the Wa cross-reactive idiotype, and for various framework antigenic determinants that were distinguished by a variety of procedures. Synthesis of such antibodies were found to be independent of MHC and Igh gene complexes. These anti- V region antibodies, produced by a majority of mouse strains investigated, also share a cross-reactive idiotype recognized by BALB/c anti-anti-V region Gl antibodies. A fraction of BALB/c anti-anti-V region Gl antibodies displayed human Fc gamma binding activity and, therefore, can be considered homobodies, as described in other systems. Two of the anti-idiotype antibodies obtained in this system exhibited a peculiar property: they interacted not only with their own antigen (IgM Gl), but also with the Fc fragment with which IgM Gl reacts. Thus, A/J anti-V region Gl antibodies bind to the human Fc gamma fragment in addition to IgM Gl. Similarly, a monoclonal CB6 F1 anti-anti-V region Gl antibody interacted with the V region of IgM Gl as well as with the syngeneic anti-V region antibodies. We called these anti-idiotypic antibodies epibodies because they interact with epitopes of the primary antigen. These homobodies and epibodies, obtained by immunization across heterologous barriers, represent new examples of recognition of the internal image of the antigen within the immune system.


The soiling and damage of building surfaces may be enhanced by particulate air pollution, reducing the aesthetic value and lifetimes of historic buildings and monuments. This thesis focuses on the deposition of atmospheric particulate material to building surfaces and identifies potential sources of this material. It also identifies environmental factors influencing two deterioration effects: surface soiling and black crust growth. Two soiling models have been compared to assess their effectiveness in predicting the soiling rates of two materials - stone and wood - in five cities in Europe. An exponential decay model was found to describe the reduction of reflectance well at two of these sites, while a square root relationship is not as effective. Different measures of weekly particulate concentration were not statistically related to soiling rate, whereas S02, rainfall, and temperature were statistically related to reflectance loss over time. Wind speed and solar insolation were also indicated to influence soiling rates. Concentrations of total suspended particulate (TSP), particulate elemental carbon (PEC), total organic carbon (TOC) and thirty-nine particulate-associated hydrocarbons were measured in airborne particles at two sites in London, for one year. These hydrocarbons were also measured in black crusts from St Paul's Cathedral to relate atmospheric and deposited material, and to identify potential sources of the deposited particulate matter. Detailed scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis of black crust \ similarly indicated potential sources of these deposition layers. Analysis revealed the complex structure of these crusts, comprising gypsum "growth stems ", calcite and large numbers of particles mainly originating from oil combustion. Hydrocarbon analysis supported the fact that oil combustion - probably at Bank power station - was the dominant source of this deposited layer. Other particle morphologies were commonly found, such as those typical of coal combustion and diesel engine exhaust. Metals analyses also indicated other possible sources such as vehicles.


We investigate the effect of monetary policy on stock market bubbles and trading behavior in experimental asset markets. We introduce the possibility of investing in interest bearing bonds to the widely used laboratory asset market design of Smith et al. (1988). Treatment groups face a variable interest rate policy which depends on asset prices, while control groups are subjected to a constant interest rate. We observe a strong impact of our interest rate policy on liquidity in the stock market but only a small impact on bubbles. However, we find that announcing the possibility of reserve requirements significantly reduces bubbles.


The background of this research was the importance of pronunciation to support the use of a language in a commuication. English, as an International language has quite different rules from our native language, Indonesian language. One of those rules is the matter of pronunciation. In English, there are long and short vowels. We can't find this case in our language. Despite the fact that long & short vowels are important in pronouncing English words, our people sometimes feel difficult to pronounce them. Graphonics method is a new, simple, and innovative method that can be used to teach pronunciation. This method makes students easy to pronunce English words by recognizing the patterns of letters to represent certain sounds.
This research was conducted to respond the following questions:
1. How is the implementation of graphonics methods to facilitate 4th grade students of MI Al-Khoiriyyah 1 Semarang in the academic year of 2014/2015' ability in pronouncing long & short vowels?
2. How is the improvement of 4th grade students of MI Al-Khoiriyyah 1 Semarang in the academic year of 2014/2015' ability in pronouncing long & short vowels after being taught using graphonics methods?
3. How is the engagement of 4th grade students of MI Al-Khoiriyyah 1 Semarang in the academic year of 2014/2015' in joining English lesson using graphonics methods?

The participants were 4 graders of MI al-Khoiriyyah 1 Semarang in the academic year of 2014/2015. There were 15 students in the class, consisted of 10 male students and 5 female students. It was Classroom Action Research with 1 preliminary cycle and 2 cycles. This research was conducted from January, 12th 2015 until January, 26th 2015.
Data collection technique were tests. Observations were done in each cycle. Tests' form was by asking the students to read 10 words contain long and short vowels. Then, the data were analyzed using mean (descriptive statistics) to find out the improvements.
Graphonics methods were applied in the teaching learning process by giving vowel rules to the students. It aimed to make students consider when and how some certain vowels occurred in a word and the way to read them. It also aimed to ease students in recognizing and differing long and short vowels.
After collecting the data, the result showed the improvements of the students. Students' average score in pre cycle test was 35. 6. In the first cycle, the average score increased 21. 6 point became 51. 6. This score hadn't met the minimum standard score yet (75). Therefore, second cycle was conducted. Students' average score increased 32. 3 point became 83. 9. Students' engagements also increased since the first cycle. So, the objectives were reached. Based on the result, it could be concluded that graphonics methods is effective to facilitate students in pronouncing long & short vowels.

Keywords : Graphonics, Pronunciation, Long & Short Vowels


Knowledge of the duration of action of common local anesthetic agents is required for decision making in equine lameness investigation. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of two local anesthetic agents in a palmar digital nerve block (PDNB). The investigation was performed in two phases. The first phase aimed to assess the reliability of the experimental lameness model to induce and maintain a consistent lameness. The aim of the second phase was to establish the efficacy, onset and duration of action of mepivacaine and lidocaine based on objective, quantifiable lameness and skin sensitivity, and to compare the response across those outcomes. An interventional crossover, cohort study with balanced randomization was used. In the first phase, reversible forelimb lameness was induced in 6 horses, and lameness was quantified and assessed for consistency with an inertial sensor system for up to 180 minutes. In the second phase, reversible forelimb lameness was induced in 8 horses and a palmar digital nerve block (PDNB) was applied with lidocaine or mepivacaine. Quantitative lameness and skin sensitivity data were collected with an inertial sensor system and a force gauge. The times to lameness resolution/skin desensitization (T1), consistent lameness detection/partial return of skin sensitivity (T2) and complete return of lameness/skin sensitivity (T3) were established and compared between treatments and assessment methods. Mepivacaine resolved the lameness in 8/8 horses, lidocaine in 3/8 horses. The remaining 5/8 horses for lidocaine showed persistent lameness. Both treatments achieved complete skin desensitization in 8/8 horses within a mean of 11 minutes and 10 minutes for mepivacaine and lidocaine, respectively. Detection of consistent lameness after PDNB was significantly later for mepivacaine than lidocaine (T2_lameness mepivacaine 169 minutes, lidocaine 36 minutes). Mepivacaine had a significantly longer duration of action for complete return of lameness and skin sensitivity (mean T3_lameness mepivacaine 366 minutes, lidocaine 113 minutes (P=.038); T3_skin mepivacaine 195 minutes, lidocaine 63 minutes [P=<.001]). Skin sensitivity returned significantly sooner than lameness for lidocaine at T3 (P=.015).


In the present investigation, a total of 30 soil samples were collected from five different sites in Makurdi metropolis to investigate the effect of cypermethrin on some soil bacteria. Physicochemical properties of the soil samples from various sites were determined using standard procedures. Some selected soil bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Proteus spp. were isolated by the use of serial dilution and pour plating method. The percentage prevalence of Isolates shows that a total of 10 bacteria were isolated with samples from high level accounting for 50% of the isolates, North bank 30% and Wurukum samples 20%. Klebsiella spp. accounted for 30% of the isolates, Escherichia coli 10%, Staphylococcus and Bacillus spp. accounted for 20%. The resistance pattern of the isolates at different concentration (1-3%) of cypermethrin showed that all the isolates could grow in the presence of cypermethrin at 1% except Bacillus spp. However at 2%, only Klebsiella spp. grew; Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Bacillus spp. were inhibited and therefore showed no growth. These findings revealed that cypermethrin had effects on the soil bacteria at higher concentration inhibiting their growth but tolerated at lower concentration. Therefore, indiscriminate use of insecticides should be avoided and more eco-friendly means of pest control should be employed to reduce the negative impact of synthetic pesticides on beneficial soil organisms.

 Key words: Cypermethrin, resistance, pesticide, biomass, eco-friendly.


A belief in one's ability to enact change is central to personal motivation, and thus the way we behave (Bandura, 1993). More particularly, mathematics teaching efficacy beliefs encompass the extent to which a teacher believes that his/her teaching is capable of bringing about change in the mathematical understanding of his/her students, and the extent to which teaching in general supports the learning of mathematics for all students. Bandura (1993) further posits that teachers with a low sense of efficacy are less inclined to support students in responding constructively to challenge and may thus undermine students' sense of self efficacy in relation to mathematics. This is particularly significant when students' transition from primary to secondary school, a change that frequently has a negative impact on students' achievement and enthusiasm for mathematics (Grootenboer & Marshman, 2016).
This cross border research study sought to capture the mathematics efficacy beliefs of 6th class and Year 7 teachers in Ireland (Ire) and Northern Ireland (NI), respectively, as well as 1st Year and Year 8 teachers through the use of a questionnaire. Altogether, a representative sample of 428 primary teachers responded, 298 from Ire and 130 from NI and 248 secondary mathematics teachers, 173 from Ire and 75 from NI.
The findings show a disparity in relation to teachers' impressions of mathematics. Primary school teachers (57.8% NI, 57.5% Ire) consider mathematics easier than most subjects to teach with only around 10% of secondary teachers agreeing (8.1% NI, 12.9% Ire) (chi sq p<0.0001). All teachers reported a high sense of self-efficacy in relation to answering students' questions in class as well as teaching all strands across the mathematics curriculum. Primary teachers were more likely to consider that students were well prepared in all strands of the curriculum upon exiting primary school than secondary teachers. This disagreement is more pronounced when considering Algebra than in any other strand (89% primary, 11% secondary). Particularly significant is that in NI, 72% of secondary teachers as opposed to 51.5% of primary teachers agreed that students have their minds made up about mathematics before they start in secondary school (p=0.006) pointing to a lower outcome expectancy.
These findings are particularly pertinent considering that the national Growing Up in Ireland study capturing the transition of students from primary school concluded that the quality of students' interaction with secondary teachers emerged as having a significant relationship with attitudes to mathematics (ESRI, 2017, 52).


The study of the diffusion of scientific knowledge on aids from the perspective of social representations takes an important role in the socialization of knowledge generated by science about the illness. The experimental and survey studies reported in this article focused on the influence of media, social interaction and different forms of diffusion of scientific knowledge about HIV/Aids on the informative dimension of social representations, summarizing research conducted by the Social Psychology of Communication and Cognition Laboratory (LACCOS). Results indicated that providing conditions for the individual to receive the message and giving him/her the possibility to have a position of towards it is fundamental for the acquisition of attitudes and knowledge that favor prevention practices. This implies promoting interaction between scientific and consensual representations in the frame of actions directed to the scientific popularization of aids.


Integrity agencies investigate the decisions and actions of public sector employees and members of parliament. Integrity agencies include the range of agencies that have oversight across the sector, including Ombudsman offices, Auditors General, Public Sector Commissions, Information Commissioners and offices that focus on anti corruption processes, these include: ICAC (NSW), CCC (WA), ICAC (SA), IBAC (Vic), CMC (Qld) and IC(Tas.) and the Australian Government also began developing a National Anti-Corruption Plan in 2011 (Australian Government 2011). As agencies that specialise in scrutinising the behaviour of public figures, they constitute a form of accountability that is integral to the processes of modern democratic practice. While most of the integrity agencies have a broad range of powers, the agencies that address corruption have extensive powers to undertake their investigations; these include: covert investigations, telecommunication intercepts, assumed identities, integrity testing and the authority to search public premises (see for example, The Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2003). For all integrity and oversight agencies however, these powers can result in tensions between the integrity agency, the parliament, the public sector and the broader community. In some cases the tension exists around jurisdiction, such as between police and the integrity agency (Brown and Head 2005); for others, the tensions reside in relationship between parliamentary privilege and the investigative powers of integrity bodies (Sheen 2012); for the broader community however, tensions can result from legislation that authorises the covert intrusion into citizens' lives.


Micronutrient malnutrition, particularly of iron, is widespread on the South Asian subcontinent and economic losses due to reduced productivity of afflicted population groups are believed to be substantial. This paper examines the impact of micronutrient intake on productivity of house-hold engaged in agricultural labor in India by applying a two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation technique. The micronutrient under investigation is iron. The results indicate that productivity, measured in wages is indeed affected through insufficient intake, and that wages would on average be 5 to 17.3 percent higher, if households would achieve recommended intake levels of the micronutrient discussed here. The results demonstrate that policy interventions that aim at enhancing micronutrient intake can be regarded as investments in improved productivity and higher household incomes. Enhancing micronutrient intake will contribute significantly to overall economic growth and development.


Tissue engineering has been a promising field of research, offering hope of bridging the gap between organ shortage and transplantation needs. However, building three-dimensional (3D) vascularized organs remains the main technological barrier to be overcome. One of the major challenges is the inclusion of a vascular network to support cell viability in terms of nutrients and oxygen perfusion. This paper introduces a new approach to the fabrication of vessel-like microfluidic channels that has the potential to be used in thick tissue or organ fabrication in the future. In this research, we investigate the manufacturability of printable micro-fluidic channels, where micro-fluidic channels support mechanical integrity as well as enable fluid transport in 3D. A pressure-assisted solid freeform fabrication platform is developed with a coaxial needle dispenser unit to print hollow hydrogel filaments. The dispensing rheology is studied, and effects of material properties on structural formation of hollow filaments are analyzed. Sample structures are printed through the developed computer-controlled system. In addition, cell viability and gene expression studies are presented in this paper. Cell viability shows that cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) maintained their viability right after bioprinting and during prolonged in vitro culture. Real-time PCR analysis yielded a relatively higher expression of cartilage-specific genes in alginate hollow filament encapsulating CPCs, compared with monolayer cultured CPCs, which revealed that printable semi-permeable micro-fluidic channels provided an ideal environment for cell growth and function.


Results of simultaneous measurements of fluid flow and motion of large solid particles in homogeneous turbulent flow (at the Taylor microscale Reynolds number Re λ = 250) are presented. Velocity, acceleration and spatial distribution of particles in a three-dimensional volume along with the surrounding flow velocity and velocity derivatives fields (incl. vorticity and the strain-rate tensor) are obtained by means of two synchronized and cross-calibrated three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (3D-PTV) systems. The main focus of the present investigation is on the two-way coupling between the turbulent flow and solid particles which are significantly larger (∼900 μm) than the Kolmogorov length scale (∼200 μm) and heavier than the surrounding liquid (ρ p = 1400 kg m−3>ρ f = 1000 kg m−3). Joint statistics of the local particle concentration and the local strain and vorticity fields indicate that (1) large particles tend to cluster in strain-dominated regions and that (2) preferential concentration (clusters and voids) occur on scales comparable with the Taylor microscale, λ. We infer that the observed clustering of large particles can be related to the same mechanisms applying for clustering of sub-Kolmogorov size particles and that, in analogy, the time scale λ/u r.m.s. can replace the Kolmogorov time scale as a normalization of the particle response time in the definition of the Stokes number.


Previous research has shown that the urban environment could influence people's behavior and wellbeing. However, little is still known about how the objective and subjective measures of the momentary experience of urban public spaces could contribute to the satisfaction with the urban environment of cities, which eventually could influence the momentary and long-term subjective wellbeing (SWB) of citizens. Therefore, the aim of this research is to gain insight into how momentary experience and satisfaction with the urban public space could contribute to the SWB of citizens, and thereby control for personal, contextual characteristics. Relationships were simultaneously analyzed using a multi-level path analysis approach based on a sample of 1056 momentary experiences of urban public spaces reported by 161 citizens of the urban area Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The results showed that personality and personal characteristics are highly important for explaining long-term SWB and subsequently long-term SWB positively influences momentary SWB (the degree of feeling secure, comfortable, happy and annoyed) together with the momentary satisfaction of urban public space characteristics. In addition, contextual characteristics, such as time/day and distance to facilities are important for explaining people's momentary SWB. Policy makers and urban planners can use these results when developing policy and designing a healthy, attractive, livable and safe living environment for citizens.


Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpenic acid compound a wide range of biological activities, but it has a very low water solubility. γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) can be used in order to increase water solubility of UA. To study the water solubility improve mechanism of UA and γ- cyclodextrin (γ-CD) inclusion compounds. Host-guest simulation system of UA and γ-CD under ultra high pressure is firstly investigated using molecular simulations. The results indicated that the most stable conformation is carboxyl of UA forward to smaller cavity of γ-CD and hydroxyl of UA to bigger cavity of γ-CD. In the inclusion compound, hydrogen bonds were formed between UA and γ-CD. In water environment, total energy and potential energy in 500 MPa is smaller than under normal pressure in 500MPa, the density is less than under normal pressure for that increased pressure can compress system volume. These demonstrate that ultra high pressure is a useful method for improve solubility of UA and γ-CD inclusion compounds.


Design has a significant impact on building maintenance. Aside from catering to the specific needs of various end users, a hospital building is one of the most complex and heavily used buildings. In Malaysia, the number of public hospitals is increasing because of the increasing population. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors contributing to problems related to faulty hospital design which have direct implications on public hospital maintenance in Malaysia, and to propose possible solutions to these problems. A survey was conducted in 15 public hospitals located in the Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia. Thirty respondents from the service provider agreed to participate. The study concludes that faulty hospital design contributes to difficulties in building maintenance. Factors such as inefficiency and inadequate knowledge of the design group lead to their inability to judge or consider the possible factors that could arise during maintenance. In this regard, the design team agrees that increasing their awareness, efficiency, knowledge, and experience is necessary to enhance their expertise in designing hospital buildings. A good coordination between design teams is also necessary to ensure the use of appropriate and suitable materials, as well as a good construction method to enhance the life cycle and value of the buildings.


To effectively support interaction with humans, embodied agents should be implemented using cognitively plausible models such as task models. Even so, these embodied systems should not bear the entire burden for making domain-specific interactions cognitively tractable for humans. Further, embodied systems need not model their users directly; only the necessary and relevant consequences of user state changes or actions should be modeled. The remaining gaps between an embodied system's implementation and the need to support human interaction should be addressed by human-centered software. We describe the use of liaison agents to bridge these gaps.


This study aimed to explore the utilisation of conversational interfaces (CIs) by local care service providers (CSPs) and their potential applications in improving the quality of life for older adults. Two workshops were conducted with stakeholders to gather insights and requirements. Although currently not yet utilised by CSPs, stakeholders expressed their openness towards CIs and believed that older adults are very likely to appear receptive to them. Loneliness and isolation were identified as significant challenges, even among older adults living in care institutions. Key requirements for chatbots included complementarity to in-person interactions, user-friendliness, 24/7 availability, and seamless integration into daily life. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and security were emphasised, also highlighting the importance of transparency and limited data retention. Various use cases were discussed, such as assistance, self-management tools, and reminders. The financing issues remained inconclusive, but health insurances showed their potential interest in solutions targeting loneliness.


In a recent paper read before this Society, I endeavoured to show that certain gneisses in Southern Anglesey were formed out of plutonic rocks. Fragments of these gneisses have been identified in younger pre-Cambrian strata lying to the north, and these, in their turn, yield an abundance of rounded derivatives to the basal Palaœzoic conglomerates of the island. These newer pre-Cambrians, which I have provisionally referred to the Pebidian system, display great variations in their degree of crystallization. Hence arises one of the chief difficulties in unravelling the geology of Anglesey. It has become increasingly evident that the questions still in dispute in this complicated area can be settled only by (1) carefully mapping the ground in minute detail, and (2) determining the nature and degree of alteration which many of the rocks have undergone. Mr. Edward Greenly has devoted himself with great enthusiasm to the former task, and the first-fruits of his work promise highly satisfactory results. The present paper is offered as a further contribution to the series of problems arising under the latter head. It is here proposed to examine a series of grits and shales in Northern Anglesey, and to show that they are transformed into true crystalline schists as we follow them in a southerly direction. I. The Area Described. North and north-west of Amlweh the ground is much disturbed and mixed up with faulted fragments of Palæozoic strata. To avoid controversial topics, I shall confine myself to a patch about 3 miles square, lying


Pop Art and the Origins of Post-Modernism examines the critical reception of Pop Art in America during the 1960s. Comparing the ideas of a group of New York-based critics, including Leo Steinberg, Susan Sontag, and Max Kozloff, among others, Sylvia Harrison demonstrates how their ideas - broadly categorized as either sociological or philosophical - bear a striking similarity to the body of thought and opinion which is now associated with deconstructive post-modernism. Perceived through these disciplinary lenses, Pop Art arises as not only a reflection of the dominance of mass communications and capitalist consumerism in post-war American society, but also a subversive commentary on worldviews and the factors necessary for their formation.


This paper employs a modified investment game to study how online reputation ratings are assigned, and thus how electronic reputations are formed in transactions where buyers and sellers interact anonymously. Of particular interest are the important questions of how online reputations evolve and how specific reputation information is interpreted by market participants. We vary the level of uncertainty in the transaction environment, and measure the effects of this manipulation on buyers' trust and their subsequent rating behaviors. We distinguish between a reputation mechanism and specific reputation information, finding the former has an association with the overall decision of whether to transact in the marketplace, while the latter shows significance in purchase decisions regarding specific sellers. We also find that aggregate reputation information is weighted differently than singular reputation information. Finally, we show that when reputations are increasingly noisy, buyers are less likely to react negatively to poor ratings and are more likely to give sellers the benefit of the doubt when seemingly uncooperative outcomes occur.


This study explores how a global network of people construct an idea(l) of leadership, by combining authenticity, spirituality and leadership in (con-)text of current socio-cultural movements, CSR, 'ethical profit', and stages of leadership history.

The concept of a unity of authenticity, spirituality and leadership is highly controversial and has attracted considerable critical scrutiny, which makes it interesting to examine how members of this community manage their accounts of ASL. With multiple qualitative methods this study investigates (self-proclaimed) texts of 'ASL' ('ASL talk'), and compares the texts on a content level to the claims of critics.

The research was carried out from an 'insider's' perspective (which has both advantages and disadvantages) and explored the discursive work of members through in-depth interviews.

The aim was not to scrutinise ASL as a religious concept or theory, but to examine it as an idea which people share with one another. Thus, this inductive study of the concept of ASL explores what holds a group of people together on a belief level.


Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disease of the bile ducts that causes inflammation and destruction of the intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts. It is also a progressive disorder that leads to fibrosis and liver failure, and increases the risk of malignancy. PSC is a heterogeneous disease that is often associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis (UC). As of now, there is no established medical therapy for PSC and many patients will eventually require liver transplantation. PSC is the fifth leading cause for liver transplantation, but transplantation does not guarantee a cure since there is a 20% chance of disease recurrence in the graft. At present the mainstay of therapy is Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) which has largely been studied in various randomised control trials but has failed to alter the long-term outcome and natural course of the disease. Pathogenesis of PSC is still not clearly understood but recent advances have paved way for trial of new therapeutic agents. Here in this review article, we present information gathered from published case reports/series and randomised control trials on the relationship between the microbiota and PSC pathogenesis with a purpose of understanding whether vancomycin is a potential effective pharmacotherapy for patients with this disease. Journal of Nature and Science (JNSCI), 3(9):e440, 2017


Learning the causal structure of observable variables is a central focus for scientific discovery. Bayesian causal discovery methods tackle this problem by learning a posterior over the set of admissible graphs that are equally likely given our priors and observations. Existing methods primarily consider observations from static systems and assume the underlying causal structure takes the form of a directed acyclic graph (DAG). In settings with dynamic feedback mechanisms that regulate the trajectories of individual variables, this acyclicity assumption fails unless we account for time. We treat causal discovery in the unrolled causal graph as a problem of sparse identification of a dynamical system. This imposes a natural temporal causal order between variables and captures cyclic feedback loops through time. Under this lens, we propose a new framework for Bayesian causal discovery for dynamical systems and present a novel generative flow network architecture (Dyn-GFN) tailored for this task. Dyn-GFN imposes an edge-wise sparse prior to sequentially build a k -sparse causal graph. Through evaluation on temporal data, our results show that the posterior learned with Dyn-GFN yields improved Bayes coverage of admissible causal structures relative to state of the art Bayesian causal discovery methods.


Abstract Objectives. Myocardial scar will lead to heterogeneous left ventricular deformation. We hypothesized that a myocardial scar will display an elevated standard deviation (SD) of phase and that this effect could be compared with mechanical dispersion. Design. Thirty patients (three women and 27 men) were investigated over 4–8 weeks after ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Seventeen had a scar area > 75% in at least one antero- or inferoseptal segment (scar) and 13 had a scar area < 1% (non-scar). The phase delays of velocity, displacement, and strain were measured in the longitudinal direction, tangential to the endocardial outline, and in the radial direction, perpendicular to the tangent. Results. The SD of phase in radial measurements differentiated scar patients from those without scar (p < 0.01), while longitudinal measurements did so only for longitudinal strain. Likewise, the SD for radial measurements of time to peak for segmental velocity, displacement, and strain performed better than longitudinal measurements and equal to the results of phase. Conclusion. Phase dispersion in deformation imaging may be used for detecting heterogeneous left ventricular contraction.


A series of photolabile o-nitrobenzyl derivatives of serotonin (caged serotonin) were synthesized: the amine-linked serotonin derivatives N-(2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (Bz-5HT) and N-(alpha-carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (N-CNB-5HT), and O-alpha-carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (O-CNB-5HT), which has the caging group attached to the phenolic OH group. All the derivatives released free serotonin when excited by 308-nm or 337-nm laser pulses. The time constant of serotonin release from N-CNB-5HT was 1. 2 ms, with a quantum yield of 0.08. This is too slow for rapid chemical kinetic measurements. O-CNB-5HT is suitable for transient kinetic investigations of the serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor. It released serotonin with a time constant of 16 micros and a quantum yield of 0.03. The biological properties of O-CNB-5HT were evaluated, and the applicability of the compound for kinetic studies of the 5-HT(3) receptor was demonstrated. O-CNB-5HT does not activate the 5-HT(3) receptor by itself, nor does it modulate the response of a cell when co-applied with serotonin. When irradiated with a 337-nm laser pulse, O-CNB-5HT released free serotonin that evoked 5-HT(3) receptor-mediated whole-cell currents in NIE-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells.


This paper investigates the use of algebraic-geometric codes for data transmission over a packet network, by comparing their encoding/decoding speeds to those of the ubiquitous Reed-Solomon Codes. We take advantage of the fact that AG codes allow the construction of longer codes over a given alphabet, which in turn means we can create an [n, k]-code over a smaller field in which the encoding/decoding algorithms run faster. We also obtain some probabilistic bounds on the overheads required for the codes we use.


The thesis has two main aims; firstly, to examine generally labour costs in entering establishments situated in Greater London; secondly, to identify the main determinants of labour costs. The first three chapters of the thesis are of an introductory nature and are intended to provide the necessary factual and theoretical background for a more detailed study of labour costs in further chapters. Chapter I sets out the main objectives of the study, reviews the existing relevant published work, defines the type of establishment dealt with and the geographical area covered and postulates the main determinants of labour-cost behaviour. Chapter II deals with the location and number of catering establishments in Greater London and provides an analysis of such establishments by type and size. Chapter III is devoted to the labour force employed by catering establishments in the Greater London area. Chapters IV, V and VI constitute a general examination of labour costs in catering establishments. The purpose of Chapter IV is to examine the nature of labour costs in the context of catering operations. It considers the factors making for the fixity of labour costs and deals with the main consequences and implication of labour-cost fixity. Chapter V examines the structure of departmental labour costs in the five groups of establishments involved for the purpose of this study, and deals with the infrastructure of such costs vis-a-vis the size of the establishment. Chapter VI deals with the basic weekly rates of pay of twelve typical grades of staff and the main pay differentials. Finally, Chapters VII and VIII are devoted to the identification of the main determinants of labour costs. Chapter VII deals with short-run and Chapter VIII with long-run determinants of labour costs.


802.15.4 was developed to meet the needs for simple, low-power and low-cost wireless communication. In the past couple of years it has become a popular technology for wireless sensor networks. This paper focuses on developing MatLab/ Simulink models for the Zigbee protocol that can be used in a model-based design environment to provide opportunities for co-design of the application and the parameters of the communication stack. We provide examples of results relating the signal Bit Error Rate and Packet Reception Rate when varying the data rate, Signal to Noise Ratio, type of modulation, bit per symbol and number of nodes for three different channel models, AWGN, Rician and Rayleigh fading at different K-factor.


Changes in strain path represent one of the most important processing parameters that characterise hot metal forming processes. In the present study, the effect of strain path change on dynamic recrystallisation, strain-induced precipitation processes and phase transformation behaviour in plain carbon and Nb-microalloyed steels was investigated. To assess the effect of strain-path change, forward/forward and forward/reverse torsion tests were conducted. It has been shown that the strain reversal delays the dynamic recrystallisation kinetics whereas its effect on strain-induced precipitation process of Nb(C,N) is rather negligible. Also the onset of austenite-ferrite transformation is delayed; its products however doesn't change significantly. This can be due to the fact that ferrite nucleation density plays the second order role compared to the geometry of deformation.


A source of confusion has existed since the turn of the century about the reddish brown, weakly birefringent "sphaerocrystals" located in the intestines of strongyle nematodes, Strongylus and Ancylostoma. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometric analyses were used for accurate determination of the crystalline order and elemental composition of the granules in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum. The composition of the intestinal pigmented granules was identified unequivocally as zinc sulfide. It seems most probable that the granules serve to detoxify high levels of metallic ions (specifically zinc) present due to the large intake of host blood.


This study examines the effect of land rights on agricultural outcomes in Rwanda. We characterize the effects of land rights from two perspectives. The first one is land rights indicated by the right to sell and guarantee land and the second one is land titling. The agricultural outcomes include agricultural productivity, food security and nutritional diversity. From the results, land rights are found to have a positive relationship with all the outcome variables. The effect of land rights on agricultural productivity is larger if the household head is male. Joint titling has a negative effect on food security but the effect is not conclusive in the case of agricultural productivity and nutritional diversity. We conclude that land rights are important for the three outcome variables. Women land rights have a positive effect on agricultural productivity although the effect is larger in the case of male land rights.


The overlapping genes encoding phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GraP-DH) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus have been cloned and sequenced. PCR primers based on highly conserved regions of different PGK sequences were used to isolate an internal region of the pgk gene. This was then used to screen a genomic library to isolate the full length pgk gene. A 2.5-kb BglII fragment of S. solfataricus DNA contained both the pgk gene and the gap gene immediately downstream. Unexpectedly, the pgk and gap genes were found to overlap by 8 bp, with the initiation codon of the gap gene preceding the termination codon of the pgk gene. Evidence that the two genes are co-transcribed was obtained by Northern-blot analysis. The S. solfataricus PGK amino acid sequence shows 43% and 45% identity to the PGK sequences of the Archaea Methanobacterium bryantii and Methanothermus fervidus, respectively. High level expression of the S. solfataricus PGK and GraP-DH in Escherichia coli was achieved, with heat treatment at 80 degrees C proving an effective first step in the purification of these recombinant enzymes from extracts of the E. coli host. Purified recombinant S. solfataricus PGK and GraP-DH showed half lives of 39 min and 17 h, respectively, at 80 degrees C. Unlike bacterial GraP-DH enzymes, S. solfataricus GraP-DH was able to use both NAD+ and NADP+ as cofactors, but exhibited a marked preference for NADP+.


Purpose. Family members' responsibilities for patients with cancer have increased dramatically over the past decade and will likely continue to rise. Given that caregiving is associated with declines in self-care, there is a need for research on caregivers' perceptions of their own health. The purpose of this study was to examine whether personality is associated with four self-report perceived health items from the SF-36. Methods. The sample consisted of 114 spouses of lung cancer patients who completed cross-sectional measures as part of a larger cohort study on adjustment to the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Predictors of interest were Neuroticism and Extraversion scores from the NEO-FFI. Covariates were age, gender, conscientiousness, depressive symptoms, and objective illness burden. Results. Multivariate analyses revealed that caregivers with higher Extraversion scores were less likely to respond affirmatively to the item "I expect my health to get worse" (OR = 0.90, p < 0.05). Neuroticism was associated with poorer perceived health (ORs from 1.11 to 1.12, p's < 0.05). Conclusions. The present cross-sectional findings suggest that personality is associated with responses to SF-36 perceived health items beyond what can be accounted for by objective illness burden and other covariates. The potential overestimation of health among extraverted caregivers may have implications for their health outcomes.


Schneirocksie Electric is an asset-focused company that has been a successful manufacturer of high-quality electrical components that transmit, control, and monitor electrical power. Management has long considered sales and marketing's job as selling what the plants make. However, customer demand indicates that this approach will no longer work; lower-cost competitors are now capable of duplicating Schneirocksie's products and services. The company must transition to providing and selling solutions to its customers, but doing so will involve the creation of an effective strategic account sales position. The current company structure, compensation system, and culture are significant obstacles to this transition and must also be changed. Finally, the company's management must learn to focus first on the job its customers are hiring it to do and then redesign itself to do this job.

To make students aware of the design changes required to move from an asset-based organization to one that is market/customer focused. The case invites students to consider (1) whether a traditional company should make this transition with gradual internal change or via an acquisition that already incorporates the change; (2) how to transform a product-focused sales force into one capable of solutions selling; and (3) how one should create an effective strategic account position.


The Depression era saw the first mass student movement in American history. The crusade, led in large part by young Communists, was both an anti-war campaign and a movement championing a broader and more egalitarian vision of the welfare state than that of the New Dealers. The movement arose from a massive political awakening on campus, caused by the economic crisis of the 1930s, the escalating international tensions, and threat of world war wrought by fascism. At its peak, in the late 1930s, the movement mobilized at least a half million collegians in annual strikes against war. Never before, and not again until the 1960s, were so many undergraduates mobilized for political protest in the United States. The movement lost nearly all its momentum in 1939, when the signing of the Hitler-Stalin pact served to discredit the student Communist leaders. Adding to the emerging portrait of political life in the 1930s, this book is the result of an extraordinary amount of research, has fascinating individual stories to tell, and offers the first comprehensive history of this student insurgency.


In search of genes possibly involved in the regulation of hindbrain segmentation, we have isolated mouse cDNA clones corresponding to putative protein kinase genes by polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA from 9.5-day-old embryo hindbrains. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that one of these genes, Sek, was expressed in an alternating segment-restricted pattern in the developing hindbrain. Isolation and analysis of Sek cDNAs covering the entire coding sequence indicated that Sek encoded a putative receptor protein tyrosine kinase, belonging to the Eph family. These data are consistent with a role of the Sek gene product in a signal transduction process involved in pattern formation in the hindbrain.


Marketing channel interactions typically feature three characteristics that have not been incorporated together in an analytic study: 1 the parties can do business repeatedly over time, often under different terms of trade e.g., prices may vary, 2 the terms that the seller offers one buyer may be different from those she offers another, giving each interaction the flavor of bilateral monopoly bargaining, and 3 the buyer and seller come to the interaction uncertain about the valuations each holds for the good, but they do know each other's reputation for valuation. The seller might, for example, come to the bargaining table aware that the buyer has a strong reputation for being willing to pay only low prices, and the buyer might come aware that the seller is strongly reputed for high cost and is, therefore, willing to offer only high prices.

The latter characteristic raises an interesting question: When engaged in a marketing channel interaction, what type of reputation is best for a buyer or seller to take to the bargaining table? In this paper, we answer that question by incorporating each of the characteristics that typify channel interactions in a formal game-theoretic bargaining model. We determine how the reputations that buyers and sellers bring to the bargaining table affect their equilibrium strategies and payoffs.

Our analysis shows that, in general, the best reputation for the seller to take to the bargaining table is one that makes the buyer nearly certain in his belief that the seller's cost is high, a result that matches intuition. The best reputation for the buyer, however, is counterintuitive. We show that an increase in the buyer's reputed willingness to pay can actually cause the seller to offer a lower price. The best reputation for the buyer to take to the bargaining table is, therefore, one that makes the seller believe that there is a significant chance that he is willing to pay a high price. This result is new to the literature and brings with it immediate managerial implications that we discuss. Our analysis also shows that modeling the buyer as a forward-looking strategic player yields different results than does following the normal convention of modeling the buyer as a nonstrategic price-taker. We discuss why future research on channels and on reference-dependent utility theory should consider these differences.


The mechanical behavior of nanoscale materials is strongly influenced by the working conditions. The corresponding research about plastic properties, however, is very limited especially in liquid environments. In this work, the effect of a water film on the plastic deformation of monocrystalline copper (Cu) is performed by a nanoindentation process using molecular dynamics simulations. The results indicate that the water film induces strong fluctuation of the load–indentation depth curves and increase of the load at the same indentation depth. The plastic deformation of monocrystalline Cu is obviously strengthened due to the water film facilitating dislocation propagation sufficiently into the inner Cu substrate. In addition, the mechanism of plasticity response to the nanoindentation process is discussed based on the interaction force. The results reveal that with the water film thickness increasing, the interaction force between the indenter and monocrystalline Cu exhibits obvious delay and its value is significantly smaller compared with that of the nanoindentation without a water film. The water molecules under and around the indenter transmit the force stemming from the indenter to the Cu substrate, which strengthens the dislocation propagation into the inner substrate but blocks the dislocation propagation to the surface, leading to a larger plastic deformation of monocrystalline Cu. In addition, the effect tendency of the water film on the nanoindentation property of the Cu substrate slows down rather than increases continuously once the thickness is large enough. Our findings can help us to understand more thoroughly the plastic deformation mechanism of nanomaterials under liquid or humid conditions.


Cardiac output can be measured in the conscious rabbit without blood withdrawal by use of a modified dye-dilution method. Blood flows continuously from the central ear artery through a Silastic catheter that passes through a modified cuvette lumen and back into an ear vein. Blood flow through this shunt was 1.5 ml/min. This modified technique was evaluated by comparison with a simultaneously performed cardiac output measurement using radioactive microspheres and by making consecutive dye-dilution measurements at short time intervals. A correlation coefficient of 0.96 was obtained when comparing dye-dilution and microsphere cardiac outputs. The difference between 11 paired measurements was 7.09 +/- 5.24% (mean +/- SD). Consecutive outputs measured within 3 min of each other by the flow-through technique had a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a difference between the first and second determinations of 3.52 +/- 2.38%. The method permits dye-dilution cardiac output measurement in the conscious rabbit while avoiding the potential error caused by blood withdrawal from small animals.


SURGICAL TREATMENT of Meniere's disease has been of two basic types, destructive and conservative. Relief of vertigo without loss of cochlear function is the objective of conservative surgery, but this is a difficult ideal, and until recent times most operations performed were destructive in nature. Loss of hearing was felt to be a tolerable disability to secure relief of incapacitating vertigo, particularly in a disease which usually terminated in severe hearing loss. Early methods of surgical treatment were intercranial section of the auditory nerve ( 1904) 1 and opening of the semicircular canals and vestibule ( 1904). 2,3 The earliest attempt at conservatism was that of Barany 4 who in 1912 described relieving vertigo by elevation of the dura from the posterior face of the temporal bone. In 1927 Georges Portmann 5 described the procedure bearing his name. Portmann felt that by opening the endolymphatic space, relief of the hydrops could be


The implementation of PCR-based tools for characterisation of organisms has greatly advanced our understanding of the phylogenies and species boundaries in entomopathogenic fungi, especially the widespread taxa Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. These fungi have received a lot of interest due to their potential as biocontrol agents of pests. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the fundamental ecology of these fungi in both managed and natural ecosystems, but such information is necessary both for risk assessments prior to release of biocontrol agents in the environment as well as if we wish to understand the distribution of the fungi and their impact on host populations. This latter focus is essential if the fungi are to be included in pest management strategies based on conservation biological control.
 A series of unspecific PCR methods have been used to characterise isolates of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, and many studies have concluded that the fungi contain a lot of genetic diversity. The problem with these methods is that they provide little phylogenetic information of the fungi and the characters can not be used to explicitly compare data between studies. Sequences from specific targets in the DNA provide tools for explicit comparison between isolates across studies. There is now a range of primer sets published along with reference sequences in GenBank to make these comparisons possible. Multi-gene phylogenies have revealed that both B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are complexes of species that contain cryptic taxa or clades. Using merely morphological characteristics will not result in the same degree of taxa identification as will the use of DNA sequence data. Similarly, when using microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of fungal communities, it is necessary to first separate the populations in clades as allele sizes can convert across populations. In the near future, USDA-ARS in Beltsville will launch a web-based platform (MBID, Metarhizium-Beauveria ID) including lists of primers, databases of reference sequences and type isolates of new described species for the reliable identification of taxa for the scientific community. This tool should provide a common framework and nomenclature for scientists and create basis for making comparisons among studies. There should be great potential to learn more about the ecology of the entomopathogenic fungi with the application of these molecular markers. However, designing an appropriate sampling scheme in the environment is absolutely necessary to conduct these ecological studies. The use of isolates from culture collections should be avoided.


A total of 232 sows was used to determine the effects of an additional 50 ppm of Lcarnitine in the gestation diet on sow and offspring performance. No differences were observed in either the immediate or subsequent number of pigs born or born alive per litter (P>.10). No differences were observed in pig weight at birth, weaning, or d 60 of age. Muscle fiber analysis of newborn pigs indicated a tendency for a larger cross-sectional area of the semitendinosus muscle; increased primary (slow-twitch, red) fibers; and a higher ratio of primary to secondary fibers (fast-twitch, white). No differences were observed in the hot carcass weight, but loin depth and percentage lean were increased in offspring of sows fed L-carnitine during gestation. Therefore, although feeding L-carnitine during gestation had no effect on the number of pigs born, it improved carcass leanness of the offspring consistent with changes in muscle fiber characteristics. More research is needed to determine the optimum level of L-carnitine to use in the gestation diet.


Global health education has been expanding rapidly and several universities have created an undergraduate major degree (bachelor's degree) in global heath or global health studies. Because there are currently no national guidelines for undergraduate degrees in global health, each of these programs was developed along individual lines. To guide the development of future global health majors, we conducted a systematic review of undergraduate majors in global health. We identified eight programs and invited program directors or representatives to a symposium at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health 2016 conference to review their existing undergraduate major in global health and to discuss lessons learned and recommendations for other colleges and universities seeking to develop undergraduate degrees in global health. We noted significant diversity among the existing programs in terms of required courses, international field experiences, and thesis research projects. In this review, we describe these global health programs, their student characteristics, as well as the key educational competencies, program requirements, and core global health courses. Based on program reviews and discussions, we identify seven recommendations for the development and expansion of an undergraduate major in global health and discuss issues that have arisen in the curricular development of these programs that warrant further exploration. As the field of global health education continues to expand, following these students after graduation will be essential to ensure that the degree programs in global health both meet student needs and launch students on viable career pathways.


For a long time, and well beyond the publication of John Wilkins's Essay Towards a Real Character (1668), a latent tension characterised the orthographic tradition. It was caused by two incompatible principles whose problematic relationship had never been addressed. One is the idea of the logical, chronological and semiotic primacy of speech over writing, or of sound over character, a principle which lives on in modern linguistics. The other is the doctrine of an abstract unity of sound/potestas and character/figura in the letter/littera, an axiom that appears to have been abandoned only with the emancipation of modern phonetics from its former orthographic frame of reference. With the advent of the real-character movement in the 17th century, a way was suddenly opened up for the problematic issue to be discussed and resolved. Since a real, i.e., non-sound-related, character implied at least a non-priority of speech over writing — if not a priority of writing —, the first principle could be reformulated so as to be made consonant with the idea of an abstract littera. This paper tries to bring out Wilkins's sophisticated discussion of the littera, his attempt to localise the abstract unity of sound and character in the configuration of the articulatory organs, as well as the utilisation of his littera concept for his design of a real character of sounds. In a parallel line of argument, it is claimed that Wilkins's orthography, or doctrine of letters, forms the conceptual equivalent to his metaphysics, or science of things. More than that, the two disciplines are so interlocked that things and letters can be seen to converge in letter-things, or thing-letters.


Analyses of relapse in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were performed in 443 evaluable patients included in two multicenter trials. The time to first progression mainly depended on best response to therapy. Nearly all patients with no change (NC) suffered from progression within 6 months. In patients with partial remission (PR), progression occurred within 12 months in nearly all cases. If complete remission (CR) was achieved, no relapse was seen within the first 6 months after the onset of treatment. Between the 6th and 8th month a slowly increase and after the 8th month a rapid increase of relapse was noticed. In the majority of patients with limited disease relapse was localized in the area of the primary tumor, whereas in patients with extensive disease relapse mostly was due to the development of distant metastases. Of the 443 patients, 35 achieved 2-year survival (8%). Main prognostic factors for the achievement of 2-year survival were extent of disease and sex. Patients with distant metastases and CR had a poor chance of achieving a 2-year survival, while patients without distant metastases and CR had a 30% chance. Females with limited disease and a Karnofsky score of 70% or more had a 40% chance of achieving 2-year survival, the corresponding probability for males was less than 10%. Because of the high frequency of relapse in SCLC, the stabilization of best response has to be considered as a main objective in therapy. In our opinion, two different strategies may be useful in order to achieve higher 2-year survival rates: a) periodic controls and renewal of therapy as soon as possible after relapse has occurred or b) reinduction therapy in intervals of about 8 weeks or more in order to delay or prevent the development of relapse. To find out if one of these strategies is superior to the other, is one of the objectives of our new randomized trial in SCLC.


Nutrients are defined as not only having nutritive values of participating in the metabolism and building the structures of cells but also being safe for human body. Nutrients are divided into two types, macronutrient and micronutrient, according to the proportion of the human body. Commonly, micronutrients include trace elements (trace mineral) and vitamins (complex organic molecules). It is difficult to demonstrate micronutrient deficiency because the symptoms are varied and laboratory analyses are limited. Since parenteral nutrition became an established therapy, micronutrient deficiency syndromes are being identified more frequently and emphasize the importance of a complete nutritional support. In this article, we review various specific trace element deficiency states such as zinc, copper, and selenium and briefly discuss the use of dietary supplements. (Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2012; 15: 145∼150)


As a one of big industry that have contribution for Indonesian economy, the growth of Indonesian's paper industry in 3 years later always declines. Especially, there are 3 paper industries at East Java that have international market orientation. Because of the big size of employee, the research and development of the quality of human resources is urgent to be done. The purposes of this study are analyze and examine the influence of discipline, work motivation, and organizational commitment upon the employee job satisfaction in paper industries at East Java. The population in this study are 5.021 operational employees in 3 paper industries at East Java. Data collecting was obtained by field observation, distributing the quistionare and interviewing to 100 employees as sample. Then, data was processed and analyzed by using multiple linier regression analysis, with SPSS version 13.0. The results of this study are: (1) discipline has significant influence upon the job satisfaction; (2) work motivation has significant influence upon the job satisfaction; (3) organizational commitment has significant influence upon the job satisfaction. Keywords : discipline, work motivation, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction.


In this study, the application of a systematic plant layout planning (SLP) to assist the optimum design of process areas and locations is proposed. The number of machines and space requirement in pulley factory is determined. The operation process chart, flow of material and activity relationship chart have been investigated. The relationships between machines, operation sections and material flow are used to determine the suitable position of each activity. The SLP method has been employed to design the two alternative plant layouts and compare the performances between new layout and present layout in term of material flow. The new plant layout is modified by moving a disassembly and surface finish that significantly decrease the distance of material flow, so it is effective increasing production.


Faculty members are responsible for demonstrating excellence in the tripartite mission of teaching, scholarship, and service, yet few faculty members have formal training in these areas.1-5 Faculty development programs can help close this educational gap by promoting desirable teaching, leadership, and scholarly behaviors, but they are often plagued by low attendance and participation by faculty members.1,6 This may be attributable largely to the limited "free time" available for professional development, a reason commonly cited by faculty members at academic health centers or health-related universities.7

Many colleges and schools of pharmacy have explored ways of increasing attendance and participation in faculty development by using online or on-demand programs such as Education Scholar (Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, Alexandria, VA), Mediasite Education Grand Rounds (Sonic Foundry, Inc, Madison, WI) presentations, and Webinars.8 The popularity of social networking sites also presents a new, innovative opportunity for "virtual" faculty development. The impact of using online book clubs to increase participation in faculty development is largely undocumented in the literature.

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Women Faculty Special Interest Group (SIG) has begun offering an online book club focused on academic and leadership skills to engage its members in faculty development. Since spring 2009, the SIG Networking Committee has sponsored a series of 4 online book discussions using a social networking site (www.ning.com). Book titles relevant to faculty members were selected to promote self-development in the areas of teaching, communication, and leadership, while stimulating opportunities for networking among members. While reading and reflecting on new knowledge are important first steps in professional development, active learning and peer collaboration were structured in this forum to improve learning and accountability.

Assessment of the outreach achieved by the book club series was evaluated informally. Reading and discussing professional literature about academic and leadership skills appeared to be an attractive self-development and networking opportunity for SIG members, with over 100 members registering on the book club Website. The level of interest in this innovative form of faculty development was evident and promising, so it was surprising to see an inverse relationship between member interest and level of participation in the online book club discussion.

The conundrum and concern is that while SIG members want the book club to continue, and they remain interested in participating in future book club offerings, few have taken the opportunity to actively engage in the book club discussions. Data from an informal survey of SIG members suggest 2 main reasons for the low level of participation in the online book club. First, members indicated that they did not know how to register for or access the online book club to participate. This feedback suggests that the level of e-mail communication about registering and accessing the book club was insufficient and requires modification. Second, members reported lack of time to read books. The SIG appreciated such time constraints after the first year of the book club, and limited the 2010 selections to "quick read" books with a length of approximately 100 pages. Despite this change, few faculty members acquired the books and even fewer commented on the postings. Various attempts to increase discussion, via e-mail reminders and the development of a reader's guide, also had little impact on participation.

The Women Faculty SIG online book club will continue to offer an intentional way of growing academic and leadership skills while inviting a virtual dialogue among faculty members with varying experience and expertise. The challenge faced by any group using this format is to optimally stimulate and continually engage participation, thereby fostering a more meaningful form of professional development. We continue to review and test methods for improving member engagement in meaningful use of the professional development and networking opportunities offered in a virtual book club environment.

Individual faculty development takes time and deliberate attention. Time always will be a limited commodity, so the question becomes what form of professional development faculty members prefer. Furthermore, this begs the question in the academy why we struggle to make time for faculty development and networking opportunities. Many educators and clinicians are challenged to find time in our busy schedules to read, reflect, discuss, and network, yet we encourage and expect students, residents, and fellows to engage in these very activities. Should we not step back and secure "protected time" to advance our personal and professional development to complement that being developed in those we teach and mentor? Have we become too busy for our own good?


A free-ranging maternity colony of big brown bats Eptesicus fuscus roosting in rock crevices along the South Saskatchewan River in south-eastern Alberta, Canada, was studied to understand better the discrepancy that exists in the literature regarding torpor use by reproductive female bats. Using radio-telemetry, thermoregulatory patterns and roost microclimate were recorded for pregnant, lactating and post-lactating females. Relative torpor use is described in several ways: the proportion of days on which torpor was used, depth, minimum body temperature, time spent in torpor, and a comprehensive torpor unit (degree-min). Pregnant and lactating female E. fuscus used torpor to the same extent overall (degree-min), but pregnant bats used torpor less frequently and with more time in deep torpor. Torpor was used to the greatest extent after weaning (post-lactation). Evidence is presented that the cost : benefit ratio for deep and prolonged periods of torpor may be highest during lactation. Microclimates of rockcrevice roosts mirrored the use of torpor throughout reproduction by bats. Lactation roosts (deeper, larger opening size) were more thermally stable and remained warmer at night compared to the shallow roosts used by pregnant and post-lactating females. It is shown that conclusions about relative use of torpor can differ depending on the units of comparison, necessitating measurement of all aspects of torpor (depth, duration and frequency). Comprehensive measurements, individual-based normothermic temperatures, and a definition of torpor that accounts for all energy savings, allow a more accurate depiction of patterns and facilitates inter-study comparisons.


We present K-band images of 31 radio quasars selected from the B3-VLA quasar sample. A new method has been developed to detect and restore the host galaxies of these quasars. We have detected the host galaxies of 16 of them. Using these data together with previous data from the B3-VLA quasars (Carballo et al. 1998, hereafter Paper I) and literature data from other samples, we have analyzed a sample of 69 hosts of radio quasars, covering a redshift range between 0 < z < 3. The host galaxies are large (r e ∼ 15 kpc) and luminous elliptical galaxies (∼75% of them brighter than L* K ), with an evolution similar to that of radio galaxies. A significant fraction (∼40%) of them shows evidence of a possible collision/merging process. They follow a μ e -r e relation similar to that of normal elliptical galaxies. The morphological and photometric similarities between these galaxies and radio galaxies in this wide range of redshifts is a good test of the reliability of unification schemes. All of them show little evolution from z = 3 to the present epoch. Their K - z distribution is consistent with a no-evolution model, with a fraction of the dispersion due to differences in radio power. We have found a correlation between the quasar radio power and the host luminosity. We have also found a correlation between the host and nuclear source luminosities. These correlations could be induced by a physical relation between the central black hole and the bulge mass (Magorrian et al. 1998).


Of all 908 livebirths weighing less than 1750 g at birth who were born in Scotland in 1984, 896 (99%) were enrolled in a prospective study to document survival and determine the prevalence of neuromotor and sensory impairments and disability. At the age of 4.5 years, 636 (71%) had survived and 611 (96%) were assessed. Overall 16% were disabled; 47 had cerebral palsy (52.5/1000 livebirths), seven were blind (7.8/1000 livebirths), and 11 were deaf and using aids (12.3/1000 livebirths). Among those not overtly disabled, the prevalence of poor neuromotor competence was high and related to birth weight. All growth measures had mean values below the standard population mean indicating a downward shift in the distribution which was related to birth weight. In addition the height distribution was negatively skewed.


The Program Students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree offered by the Department of Communication must first complete all courses associated with the Pre-Communication requirements. Once all Pre-Communication courses and requirements are met, students submit the transition form, available on the department's website, to their advisor. After verification of accuracy, the student is accepted into the professional program and can continue pursuing a degree in the Department of Communication.


In today's buyer market, the key question for an enterprise is how to sell products rather than how to produce products. That is why the study on distribution part of a supply chain is attracting extensive attentions from both academics and industry. In this dissertation, an integrated methodology is developed to design a istribution chain. According to this methodology, a distribution chain is designed by following three phases:(1) Problem formulation phase. In this phase, the present situation for the host enterprise is analyzed, and the goal to design this distribution chain is set. By this analysis, the objective and constraints for designing the distribution chain are determined.(2) System design phase. In this phase, first, all possible istributors are evaluated through a trilogy:-Determine the factors needed to be considered when evaluating a possible distributor.- Collect data from geographically distributed distributors by a mobile agent based information acquisition system.- Evaluate possible distributors quantitatively by a FL (Fuzzy logic)-ABL (Array Based Logic) inference engine.After evaluation, a set of eligible distributors are selected as andidates for designing this distribution chain.With these candidates at hand, a set of models, formulae and lgorithms are developed to design a distribution chain. To determine the exact customer demand at each retailer (candidate), an ANN Artificial Neural Network) model is developed to estimate the retailer's market share in its customer zone. By this estimated market share, the customer demands at retailers are determined, and the configuration of a distribution chain, including the number and location of distributors, is determined by MIP (Mixed Integer Programming) model. The inventory control parameters at each node of this distribution chain are optimized by probability theory, and routes for vehicles to deliver products between different nodes are optimized by genetic algorithm. After this, the designing process for a distribution chain is finished.(3) Performance evaluation phase. To verify the design result, a new form of Petri net, combinatorial Petri net, is developed, and the performance of the distribution chain designed above is evaluated by this newly developed Petri net form. If the performance is not satisfactory, the distribution chain needs to be re-designed.All models, algorithms and formulae used in this dissertation have been implemented by computer applications. This gives possibility to realize automatic design of a distribution chain. At last, a umerical example is given to illustrate how to apply this methodology in practice.