Introduction: Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC. (Mp) has been used in the treatment of numerous diseases in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, mainly for delaying the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), and has as its main component levodopa (L-DOPA). The aim of this work is to systematically review the effects of Mp supplementation on experimental models of PD due to its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. MATERIALS AND Methods: The search was conducted through PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, where a number of relevant articles were found. Results: Mp demonstrated significant positive responses in the experimental models of PD by improving motor deficits and by enhancing the activity of the antioxidant systems, reducing oxidative stress. In addition, it presented some advantages when compared to a conventional antiparkinsonian drug as it minimized the occurrence and severity of dyskinesias. Conclusion: Thus, considering that the use of herbal medicines decreases the likelihood of side effects associated with the pharmaceutical drugs, this work aims to summarize and evaluate the data available regarding the mechanism of action of Mp and the reported benefits of this plant as an alternative to improve the quality of life of individuals with PD.


The association between glycaemic control of type 1 diabetes and mental health issues within the family is well recognised, but the degree of difficulty that is associated with modest sub-optimal control is not. 66 families agreed to take part in the study, and they were divided into two groups according to the quality of metabolic control (good or sub-optimal). Of the 37 boys, 19 had suboptimal metabolic control, and of the 27 girls, 15 did not have a good control. Mother and child participants provided demographic information, and mothers completed the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the revised version of the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP IV), elements of the Ontario Child Health Scale, and the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV). The results from these scales were compared to the quality of the children's glycaemic control. Sub-optimal control was associated with the increased emotional symptoms and behavioural difficulties in the young person (p < 0.0001), and increased mental health difficulties in their mothers (p < 0.001). These elements had an adverse impact on the level of satisfaction with family life. Having sub-optimal glycaemic control is associated with an increased risk of having mental health symptoms, and a possible mechanism for this association is explored. Even modest deterioration in a family's mental health can have an
adverse effect upon glycaemic control, and should be assessed as a routine in review clinics.


This paper unifies the approaches of kinematic and static modelling, and singularity analysis for tendon-driven parallel continuum robots under constant curvature as well as pseudo-rigid-body assumptions with those implemented in conventional rigid parallel robots. Constraint conditions are determined for the legs of this type of parallel continuum robots, based on which the velocity equations and Jacobian matrices are derived. These are further exploited for inverse kinematic and singularity analysis. Static models for the robot as well as for each of the continuum links under pseudo-rigid-body assumption are derived. Finally, a simulation example is given to validate the kinematic models. It is shown that singularities can be determined using Grassmann line geometry or by detecting the numerical values of three performance indices.


The additive manufacturing (AM) technologies bring in a number of benefits over traditional subtractive manufacturing technologies. However as-built surface finish of AM produced components is often not satisfactory and usually needs further post-process. Surface roughness is vitally important to the product's functional performance. However, the measurement and characterization of the complex functional AM surfaces is difficult due to their complicated shape or intricate internal geometries. XCT is current the only valid method that can measure complete internal and external geometry without constraints of traditional tactile and optical techniques. Nonetheless, XCT measurement posts two obstacles to standard roughness characterisation: the measured surface form and the non-uniform sampled measurement data structure. Aiming for a holistic and reliable roughness assessment, it is proposed to use the linear diffusion equation to achieve a Gaussian filtering effect on complex surfaces and to extend the roughness areal parameters on a triangular mesh.


We have characterized optical property of small-angle (SA) grain-boundaries (GBs) in high-pure multicrystalline Si by using cathodoluminescence (CL). Prior to CL measurement, the electrical activity of GBs were evaluated by using electron-beam-induced current (EBIC). The SA-GBs are categorized into two groups with room temperature (RT-) EBIC contrast. The SA-GBs with misorientation angle about 1º give weak RT-EBIC contrast and yield D3 and D4. The SA-GBs with 2.5º show strong EBIC contrast and yield D1 and D2. These correspondences reflect the dislocation density at the SA-GBs. We also found the curious distribution of D1 emission in some special GBs, which is now difficult to explain. It is noticed that large-angle GBs do not show any D-line emissions at all.


There is a common belief that, owing to the highly teacher-centered form of education, Chinese students are passive learners. As a result, a student-centered approach such as process writing is believed to be difficult to implement in classes that consist mainly of Chinese students. This study tested these beliefs by introducing peer feedback, the backbone of process writing, to Chinese students enrolled in university writing classes and by measuring the effectiveness of the feedback both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study showed that, with proper training, Chinese students could quickly adapt to a student-centered approach, and also provide rich and useful feedback on the writing of their peers. This study has promising implications for educational contexts where students are considered passive learners, teacher-centered learning is the norm, or the process approach to writing faces daunting challenges to its implementation.


During acrobatic flying the acceleration tolerance of healthy and hypotensive pilots was studied under hot climate conditions. From the professional point of view pilots were very similar. The tolerance was determined on the basis of indirect indices derived from flight accelerograms (maximum and median acceleration values, number of peaks over 4 g. time of flying). The maximum value and the number of peaks of acceleration (+Gz) over 4 g can be recommended as practically indicative of the tolerance. The observations showed an adverse effect of initial hypotension occurring in hot climate on the acceleration tolerance. As compared with the controls, the tolerance decline in 12 hypotensive pilots was I.I. g and 0.6 g of the maximum and median values, respectively.


By renal ultrasound examination, urological anomalies may be demonstrated in 1-2% of fetuses and in about 0.5% of newborns. Boys have about twice the frequency of girls. Surgical treatment is indicated in about one fourth of these urological anomalies. If all pregnant women in Denmark were to have fetal ultrasound examination of the kidneys and the urinary tract, about 70 children would be born each year with a prenatally diagnosed urological anomaly for which surgical procedure is or will be indicated. This paper provides Danish guidelines for prenatal diagnosis, follow-up and intervention in cases of urological anomalies and guidelines for post-natal diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of these anomalies, especially hydronephrosis.


It is well recognized that sex allocation strategies can be influenced by sexual selection, when females adjust offspring sex ratios in response to their mates' attractiveness. Yet the reciprocal influence of strategic sex allocation on processes of sexual selection has only recently been revealed. Recent theoretical work demonstrates that sex allocation weakens selection for female preferences, leading to the decline of male traits. However, these results have been derived assuming that females have perfect knowledge of mate attractiveness and precise control over cost‐free allocation. Relaxing these assumptions highlights the importance of another feedback: that adaptive sex allocation must become difficult to maintain as traits and preferences decline. When sex allocation strategies erode not only traits and preferences but also their own selective advantage, predictions can no longer be expressed as a simple linear correlation between ornament exaggeration and adaptive sex allocation. Instead, strongest sex ratio biases may be found at intermediate trait levels.


This paper begins by challenging the use of "domestication" in the phrase the "domestication of utopia" because of the term's gendered, raced, and classed histories. It emphasizes how "domestication" is both a (patriarchal) metaphor for femininity, and a potential site of resistance, particularly within Black feminism. Instead, a range of alternative terms, such as co-option or appropriation are offered in its place. The paper then moves on to argue for the importance of centring fundamental, systemic change in engagements with utopian art (drama in this instance). It discusses the difficulty of discovering utopian theatre texts, and suggests that one of the reasons for this might be the tightly circumscribed field of utopian studies itself, which has been historically preoccupied with measurement, categorisation, narrow definitions, and exclusions. The paper then proposes that drama and performance are potentially rich sites for the exploration of new, utopian forms of subjectivity, social relationality, and utopian affective attachments. The paper ends by noting the importance of encouraging an ongoing process of self-critique within the field of Utopian Studies, as well as pointing to the limitations of academic critique and practice for a utopian politics.


A bireplicon controlled-expression vector pPS10 was developed based, on trpIBA genes of Pseudomonas putida. It is a low-copy-number vector in Pseudomonas bacteria, and a high-copy-number vector in Escherichia coli. The vector is 10.4 kilobase pairs (kb), determines resistance to kanamycin, carries a replicon of cryptic Pseudomonas pMK1 plasmid; a pBR322 replicon; the par locus of pMT2 plasmid; and the trpI gene of P. putida, which encodes the activator protein and the promoter Pba of trpBA genes. Expression of the promoter is induced by the TrpI protein activator and the precursor of tryptophan, indole-3-glycerolphosphate (InGP). InGP is an unstable compound, and its accumulation in bacterial cells is ensured by using trpE mutants grown in the presence of anthranilate; no InGP is produced among trpE mutants on the media supplemented with tryptophan. As shown in the pheA gene of E. coli, the expression of genetic material cloned under control of the Pba promoter into the pPS10 vector, may be enhanced more than 70-fold in cells of Pseudomonas under conditions of InGP accumulation.


Abstract. Emissions from oil and natural gas development during winter in the Upper Green River basin of Wyoming are known to drive episodic ozone (O3) production. Contrasting O3 distributions were observed in the winters of 2011 and 2012, with numerous episodes (hourly O3 ≥ 85 ppbv) in 2011 compared to none in 2012. The lack of O3 episodes in 2012 coincided with a reduction in measured ambient levels of total non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC). Measurements of speciated NMHC, and other air quality parameters, were performed to better understand emission sources and to determine which compounds are most active in promoting O3 formation. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analyses of the data were carried out to help achieve these goals. PMF analyses revealed three contributing factors that were identified with different emission source types: factor 1, combustion/traffic; factor 2, fugitive natural gas; and factor 3, fugitive condensate. Compositional signatures of the three contributing factors were identified through comparison with independently derived emission source profiles. Fugitive emissions of natural gas and of condensate were the two principal emission source types for NMHC. A water treatment and recycling facility was found to be a significant source of NMHC that are abundant in condensate, in particular toluene and m+p-xylene. Emissions from water treatment have an influence upon peak O3 mixing ratios at downwind measurement sites.


The protocol of the national multicentre study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a method of screening for breast cancer in women at genetic risk is described. The sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced MRI will be compared with two-view X-ray mammography in a comparative trial. Approximately 500 women below the age of 50 at high genetic risk of breast cancer will be recruited per year for 3 years, with annual MRI and X-ray examination continuing for up to 5 years. A symptomatic cohort will be measured in the initial phase of the study to ensure consistent reporting between centres. The MRI examination will comprise an initial high-sensitivity screening measurement, followed by a high-specificity measurement in equivocal cases. Retrospective analysis will identify the most specific indicators of malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity, together with diagnostic performance, diagnostic impact and therapeutic impact will be assessed with reference to pathology, follow-up and changes in diagnostic certainty and therapeutic decisions. The psychological impact of screening in this high-risk group will be ascertained.


BACKGROUND
Understanding the attitudes of medical students towards individuals from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community is a prerequisite for informing competencies-based medical education (CBME) guidelines to make them LGBTQIA+ inclusive. The present study was conducted to assess the attitudes of medical undergraduate students from Indian medical colleges towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

METHODS
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in medical undergraduate students across India, which measured the opinions, beliefs, and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people using a structured questionnaire uploaded on Google Forms. After data collection, the datasheet was downloaded, cleaned, and anonymised before being imported into RStudio for analysis.

RESULTS
A total of 273 valid entries were assessed from the online survey. There was significant gender-based differences on most traditional opinions and beliefs regarding the LGBTQIA+ population (P<0.05). The female participants appeared to be more accepting of and comfortable with all denominations of LGBTQIA+. Many of the participants believed that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are more prone to sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. However, a few participants also opined that the increased susceptibility to HIV/AIDS may be due to increased prevalence of intravenous drug abuse in the LGBTQIA+ community.

CONCLUSIONS
There are some misconceptions about the LGBTQIA+ community among medical students. Therefore, in order to ensure LGBTQIA+ sensitive healthcare provision, there needs to be a concerted, informed effort to incorporate necessary changes in the CBME curriculum.


Hardware faults (i.e., soft errors) are projected to increase in modern HPC systems. The faults often lead to error propagation in programs and result in silent data corruptions (SDCs), seriously compromising system reliability. Selective instruction duplication, a widely used software-based error detector, has been shown to be effective in detecting SDCs with low performance overhead. In the past, researchers have relied on compiler intermediate representation (IR) for program reliability analysis and code transformation in selective instruction duplication. However, they assumed that the IR-based analysis and protection are representative under realistic fault models (i.e., faults originated at lower hardware layers). Unfortunately, the assumptions have not been fully validated, leading to questions about the accuracy and efficiency of the protection since IR is a higher level of abstraction and far away from hardware layers. In this paper, we verify the assumption by injecting realistic hardware faults to programs that are guided and protected by IR-based selective instruction duplication. We find that the protection yields high SDC coverage with low performance overhead even under realistic fault models, albeit a small amount of such faults escaping the detector. Our observations confirm that IR-based selective instruction duplication is a cost-effective method to protect programs from soft errors.


CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES Falls are a serious public health problem and are one of the biggest reasons for hospitalization, morbidity and mortality among elderly people. Moreover, few studies on predictors of falls have been conducted in low and middle income countries. The aim here was to identify elderly outpatient profiles according to sociodemographic, clinical, physical and functional variables and correlate them with occurrences of falls among these subjects. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional descriptive study forming part of the project "Quality of Life of Frail Elderly People", carried out in Campinas, Brazil. METHODS The subjects were 145 elderly individuals (76.3 ± 7.8 years old), of whom 65% were women, who were living in the city of Campinas or nearby and were attended at the geriatric outpatient clinic of a University Hospital. Sociodemographic, clinical, physical and functional data, as well as fall occurrence data, were gathered. Cluster analyses and comparisons between groups were carried out. RESULTS Cluster analysis identified two distinct groups related to the study variables, and the determinants for this distinction were: gender, marital status, physical performance, handgrip strength and functional independence. These groups were compared according to occurrences of falls over the last year, and significant differences between them were found. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that greater occurrences of falls were associated with a profile of elderly people comprising female gender, single status, lower muscle strength and physical performance regarding balance and gait, and lower independence in motor tasks for activities of daily living.


BACKGROUND

With the increasing demand for microalgae it is clear that new industrial culturing techniques are needed. Current microalgae growth is done either in open or closed systems. In various situations, it has been reported that closed systems offer many advantages over open systems including lower contamination and better control over operating parameters. However, in industrial scale-up of closed tubular photobioreactors, hypercritical oxygen concentration is one of the dominating detrimental factors limiting the mass culture of microalgae in tubular systems. However, published accounts on alleviating oxygen stress imposed on large-scale tubular photobioreactors are scarce.

RESULTS

Results from this work showed that perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions, acting as gas-carrier vehicles, increased algal photosynthesis and biomass at least 4-fold in a closed tubular photobioreactor by decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration from 47% (generated in the photobioreactor without using PFC emulsions) to 4% after 9 days of culture.

CONCLUSION

In order to tackle the problem of high concentrations of dissolved oxygen strongly inhibiting microalgal biomass production, an innovative methodology has been developed which involves gradually supplying carbon dioxide and removing the accumulated oxygen through the use of PFC emulsions. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry


With a view to providing a scientific basis for evaluation of the role of mangrove plantation in reducing greenhouse gases - a foundation for the building and implementation of forest planting projects under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in Vietnam, a research has been undertaken on "Carbon accumulation of Kandelia obovata (Sheue, Liu & Yong) plantations of 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9 years old in Giao Lac commune, Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province. After a period of time of study, (from January 2005 to December 2007), we have figured out that Kandelia obovata plantation is able to accumulate a large amount of carbon, creating a carbon sink and contributing to decreasing CO 2 in the atmosphere. The content of annually accumulated carbon of the plantation (corresponding to the content of CO 2 credit) has increased with forest age. The accumulation is found the highest in 9 year old forest (27.138 ton/ha/year) equivalent to the amount of CO 2 of 99.596 ton/ha/year (or 39.35%), 1.5 times as much as that of 8 year old plantation and 2.4 - 2.7 times as much as that of 6 and 5 year old plantations. The newly planted mangroves (1 year old) have also stored 2.207 tons of carbon/ha/year in trees and soil or 8.099 tons of CO 2 /ha/year (or 3.20%). The content of carbon accumulated in forest trees and soil is higher than the content of CO 2 emitted; this is a scientific basis for the building and implementation of mangrove planting projects under CDM in coastal belts of Vietnam aimed at environmental protection, response to climate change, life improvement, hunger eradication and poverty alleviation for local people.


Bitcoin has experienced rapid growth in the transactions number and in their value since its appearance in 2008. Its success is mainly due to the innovative use of a peer-to-peer network to implement all aspects of the currency life cycle, from creation to transfer between users. Bitcoin offers cash transactions that are almost instant and non-refundable, while allowing truly global transactions processed at the same speed as local ones. It offers a public transactions history, which allows untrusted audibility, and introduces many new and innovative use cases such as smart property, micropayments, contracts and escrow transactions for disputes mediation. However, the same features that make Bitcoin attractive to its end users are also its main limitations. Its decentralized nature limits the number of transactions and the speed at which transactions can be carried out and confirmed. The problem with slow confirmations is combined with the semantics of the confirmations which are not definitive, requiring several confirmations and further delaying the transaction acceptance. In this paper, we described the operating principles of peer-to-peer cryptographic currencies and especially security of bitcoin system. Moreover, For Bitcoin enhancements and additional mitigations we provide ideas for node auditing users in the network in aim to keep clients from the trusted transaction branch database generated by the attackers.


This paper examines a game-theoretic model of attack and defense of multiple networks of targets in which there exist intra-network strategic complementarities among targets. The defender's objective is to successfully defend all of the networks and the attacker's objective is to successfully attack at least one network of targets. In this context, our results highlight the importance of modeling asymmetric attack and defense as a conflict between "fully" strategic actors with endogenous entry and force expenditure decisions as well as allowing for general correlation structures for force expenditures within and across the networks of targets. JEL Classification: C7, D74


The following cases are reported because of some fallacies connected with the patch tests. Report of Cases Case1.—A farmer's wife, 51 years of age, was hospitalized because of a severely infected acute dermatitis of the face, neck, and arms. As the patient's original dermatitis was suspected to be a contact dermatitis, numerous patch tests were performed, including oleoresins of weeds and molds. * Positive patch tests repeatedly were observed with oleoresins from Alternaria and Trichophyton gypseum. They consisted of erythema and swelling, reached a maximum after 48 hours, and faded away after two more days. There was never an eczematous dermatitis or vesiculation. Intradermal tests with commercial Alternaria and Trichophyton extracts produced minor delayed reactions, consisting of small papules of a few millimeter in diameter. Several other intradermal tests caused similar delayed reactions. Histological Examinations .—Biopsy was done at the site of a patch test reaction provoked by


This paper examines the relationship between the volume of sand and the time measured by a sand timer. The problem was approached by simplifying the shape of a sand timer and assuming the sand can be described by hydrodynamics. The results showed that the total time measured is dependent on the dimensions of the sand timer.


Evidence has suggested that self-weighing may be beneficial for weight control in adults, but few studies have independently assessed the contribution of this behavior to weight loss. This study experimentally tested daily self-weighing and visual feedback (the Caloric Titration Method (CTM)) as a weight loss and weight loss maintenance intervention over 2 years. 162 overweight individuals were randomized to the CTM intervention or delayed treatment control group. In year 1, weight change was compared between groups, and in year 2, the control group started using the CTM while the intervention group continued using the CTM for maintenance. A significant difference in weight loss over the first year (CTM n = 70; 2.6 ± 5.9 kg versus control n = 65; 0.5 ± 4.4 kg, p = 0.019) was qualified by a group × gender × time interaction (p = 0.002) such that men lost more weight using the CTM. In year 2, the CTM group maintained their weight and the control group lost an amount similar to the intervention group in year 1. Daily self-weighing and visual feedback facilitated a minimal amount of weight loss and maintenance of this loss. Future research investigating characteristics of those who benefit from this type of self-directed intervention is warranted.


This thesis is concerned with the analysis of constrains of temporal coding in visual selective attention. It is well known that despite the great amount of visual information present in the environment the human visual system is only capable to attend and select some of it. How the brain is able to selectively prioritize relevant information and de-prioritize the irrelevant information in order to guide us through space, has been extensively investigated (Treisman and Gelade, 1980; Posner, 1980). Less is known about how this occurs over time. In the present thesis I investigate the role of temporal limitation of selective attention in brain damaged patients and in normal participants by using a simplified version (attentional dwell time paradigm, Duncan et al., 1994), of the Attentional Blink (AB) paradigm which involves the identification of two or more visual targets when stimuli are presented rapidly in temporal succession always at one location (Broadbent and Broadbent, 1987; Raymond, Shapiro and Arnell, 1992). Within this paradigm I have manipulated different factors which may influence this limitation such as: temporal binding, perceptual similarity among stimuli, task switching, integration of audio-visual information and working memory. In addition, by examining the AB in different brain lesioned groups, this thesis attempts to throws light on the neural mechanisms underlying temporal coding and selection. Evidence was provided of the influence of all these mechanisms in coding, selecting and consolidating visual information over time which suggest a multi components nature of temporal selection as well as possible involvements of a temporo-parietal network (Corbetta and Shulman, 2002) which governs their integration.


Background. Endometriosis is a condition, in which the endometrial cells grow outside the uterus. It is a cause of chronic pain, which may disturb a woman's well-being. In addition, women suffering from endometriosis often remain infertile. The treatment is problematic and the disease has a tendency to recur. Case Report. The patient was a 41 year old woman with diagnosed endometriosis in the scar after caesarean section. The implant caused boring and burning pain (10/10 points in the Visual Analogue Scale for pain). The endometriosis was surgically treated with the use of Plasma Technology. The time of hospitalization was 4 days. During the period of a 6 month observation, the patient did not have any pain complaints and re-surgery was not necessary. Conclusion. The use of innovative argon plasma method enabled to dissect the entire implant of endometriosis with no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The surrounding tissues were undamaged. After 5 years of suffering the patient remained pain-free and her mental condition ameliorated.


We introduce a formal model of teaching in which the teacher is tailored to a particular learner, yet the teaching protocol is designed so that no collusion is possible. Not surprisingly, such a model remedies the nonintuitive aspects of other models in which the teacher must successfully teach any consistent learner. We prove that any class that can be exactly identified by a polynomial-time algorithm with access to a very rich set of examplebased queries is teachable by a computationally unbounded teacher and a polynomial-time learner. In addition, we present other general results relating this model of teaching to various previous results. We also consider the problem of designing teacher/learner pairs in which both the teacher and learner are polynomial-time algorithms and describe teacher/learner pairs for the classes of decision lists and Horn sentences.


High tunnels have been successfully used in Iowa to modify the climate and extend the growing season for tomatoes and other crops. Without the use of supplemental heat these ventilated, single layered plastic structures have typically increased average inside air temperatures by 10°F or more over outside temperatures for the growing season. The same tunnel, however, will only increase the daily low temperature by about 1 or 2°F, thus making early season high tunnel plantings without additional heat or plant coverings risky in Iowa. Fabric row covers are commonly used in high tunnels to provide for an additional 2-4°F frost protection during cold evenings. The recommended planting date for high tunnel tomatoes in Iowa has been about April 16 (4 to 5 weeks ahead of the recommended outside planting date). Producers are also advised to have some sort of plant covering material available to protect plants during a late spring frost.


We consider the formation of RbCs by an elliptically polarized laser pulse. By varying the ellipticity of the laser for sufficiently large laser intensity, we see that the formation probability presents a strong dependence, especially around ellipticity 1/ √ 2. We show that the analysis can be reduced to the investigation of the long-range interaction between the two atoms. The formation is mainly due to a small momentum shifts induced by the laser pulse. We analyze these results using the Silberstein's expressions of the polarizabilities, and show that the ellipticity of the field acts as a control knob for the formation probability, allowing significant variations of the dimer formation probability at a fixed laser intensity, especially in the region around an ellipticity of 1/ √ 2.


This article provides a discourse analysis of a large corpus of televised psychic readings. The goal of this study is to uncover the relationship between the linguistic structure of psychic readings and the psychics' linguistic agenda. The findings of this study suggest that the psychics' engage in linguistic tactics that allow them to negotiate and extract specific information from their subjects. The discourse structure of psychic readings facilitates deception, since the subjects, rather than the psychics, are the actual source of subject-specific information in a reading.


Flipped learning pedagogy assumes that students can attend class for rich human-interactive learning experiences. However, student engagement is an important factor in successful studies, and students who cannot engage in the on-campus experience need to be considered. This paper reports on the redesign of a large first year unit in an on-campus learning institution to ensure engagement and participation in online and in-class learning and assessment activity, and specifically accommodate the needs of students who for reasons of location or learning difficulties may be unable to fully participate in a flipped learning approach and its assumptions of online and rich face-to-face learning activities. The three phases of this project were: to evaluate the current flipped learning approach to improve the quality for all learners, to interview staff and students as representatives of these non-standard students, and to propose pedagogical adjustments that would promote engaged and participatory learning for all students.


ABSTRACTThe spatial distribution of rainwater chemistry over the densely-populated and highly polluted Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) was investigated using samples (total = 687) collected during three consecutive summer monsoon seasons from 2009 to 2011. The concentrations of secondary ionic species (SO42– and NO3–) were measured along with the other major ions (F–, Cl–, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and NH4+) and pH and specific conductivity. The weighted mean pH (± std) and conductivity of rainwater were 5.73 (± 0.17) and 31.6 (± 31.0) µS cm–1, respectively. Approximately 16% of rainwater samples were acidic (pH 5.61) (mean pH = 6.34 for the more basic samples). Specific conductivity was ~39% lower (20.6 µS cm–1) for the acidic rain compared to the more basic (33.6 µS cm–1) samples. The mean sum of all of the measured ions is 351.6 ± 130.1 µeq L–1 with the highest contributions being Ca2+ (30%) and SO42– (15%). Mean [SO42–] (52 µeq L–1) and [NO3–] (29 µeq L–1) were approximately five and ten times higher, respectively, compared to background hemispheric values. Secondary ions had the highest deposition fluxes (SO42–, 25.2 kg ha–1 y–1 and NO3–: 18.3 kg ha–1 y–1). The mean ratio of H+/(NO3– + SO42–) was 0.02 indicating ~98% of the acidity was neutralized. Ca2+, (57%), Mg2 (25%), NH4+ (15%) and K+ (4%) were important neutralizing species. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) was applied to the deposition fluxes. Five factors were identified and identified as ammonia neutralized, sea salt, soil, biomass burning, and calcium neutralized.


This collection of critical and scholarly essays addresses the state of cataloging in the world of librarianship. The contributors, including Sanford Berman, Thomas Mann, and numerous front-line library workers, address topics ranging from criticisms of the state of the profession and traditional Library of Congress cataloging to methods of making cataloging more inclusive and helpful to library users.Other essay topics include historical overviews of cataloging practices and the literature they generate, first-person discussions of library workers' experiences with cataloging or metadata work, and the implications behind what materials get cataloged, who catalogs them, and how. Several essays provide a critical overview of innovative cataloging practices and the ways that such practices have been successfully integrated in many of the nation's leading libraries.


Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The e-cigarette has seen a dramatic increase in its use in Europe and America, and while it was originally used as a smoking cessation proposal, its role is now being challenged. The smoke produced by the electronic cigarette does not contain the combustion products produced in the traditional cigarette and thus has been characterized by many researchers as safer. Taking nicotine through the e-cigarette initially raised expectations that the e-cigarette could be an alternative option for reducing or quitting smoking, similar to nicotine replacement therapy. Especially, in smokers who want to quit smoking, the e-cigarette could help to quit smoking at six months, however, there are no studies that compare the effectiveness of its use with other treatments for smoking cessation and therefore drawing conclusions to general population is precarious. Smoking cessation is a key goal in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and the nurse is the cornerstone of this effort. Ongoing studies, as well as the design of new randomized control trials, are expected to provide answers about the potential risks of e-cigarette use, as well as the role its use in smoking cessation.


The green marketing strategies attempt to assign greater value to products highlighting their aspects related to preservation of the environment and sustainability. The present study sought to verify whether the application of the green marketing strategies in the marketing of organic products aggregates, in consumer perception, greater value to food products. The study was conducted in three stages with distinct methodological nature and character, in which it sought to identify the provision of consumers to pay more for organic products, understand the reasons why there is or is not available and discuss the strategies used in the marketing of these products. The results demonstrated that the green marketing strategies applied on the marketing of organic products really created greater value in the design of a good part of the consumers, and that a considerable portion of them, demonstrates willingness to pay an additional amount to consume such products. However, many of these consumers don't have a real concept of what is an organic product, what are the benefits, and in these cases, more effective strategies for communicating value are required.


The processing and recycling experiments of dust from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) in industrial conditions aimed at highlighting the minimizing possibility of this waste by transforming it into a by-product that can represent either a secondary raw material for steel making in EAF or to recover iron, zinc and lead (the Waltz process). Electric-arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a by-product of steel production and recycling. This fine-grained material contains high amounts of zinc and iron as well as significant amounts of potentially toxic elements such as lead, cadmium and chromium. Therefore, the treatment and stabilization of this industrial residue is necessary. Leaching test is a method of evaluating the impact of waste that is stored (soil, water table).


Dear Editor, In clinical practice, Occam's Razor is a principle that can usually be applied to diagnose patients with rare neuromuscular conditions. However, a second aetiology needs to be considered if a single cause cannot account for all the symptoms seen in patients. We report the rare case of a patient who developed acute progressive generalised myopathy associated with fever and eosinophilia shortly after returning from a tropical island endemic for muscular sarcocystosis. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with possible coexistent renal cell carcinoma (RCC)-associated antinuclear matrix protein 2 (antiNXP2) myositis with muscular sarcocystosis. She was successfully treated with immunomodulatory treatment, tumour resection and antiparasitic treatment. She made a full and complete clinical recovery.


: In 1974, Congress passed the Health Care Amendments to the National Labor Relations Act, thus bringing nonprofit health care institutions within the purview of the Act and within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board. Since the passage of these Amendments, the Board consistently has held that hospital no-solicitation rules prohibiting employees from engaging in union organizational activities on hospital premises in other than immediate, patient-care areas are presumptively invalid. In N.L.R.B. v. Baptist Hospital Inc., 442 U.S. 773 (1979), however, the U.S. Supreme Court questioned the rationality of the Board's presumption, although the Court did not specifically overrule the presumption itself. By examing the special interests arising in the hospital setting, as well as the legislative intent behind the Health Care Amendments, this Note evaluates the Board's presumption in light of the four Supreme Court opinions in Baptist Hospital. The Note concludes that the Board's presumption--that hospital non-solicitation rules are invalid in all areas of a hospital except for those areas directly involved in immediate patient care--is rational and reasonable (1) because it properly balances the interests of the hospital, of the employees, and of the patients, and (2) because it is consistent with the legislative intent behind passage of the Health Care Amendments. In addition, this Note contends that the Board has expanded its "immediate patient-care area" standard in an effoft to address the Supreme Court's concern in Baptist Hospital that the Board's balancing of interests had weighted the patients' well-being too lightly.


The preparation of optically pure fine chemicals is among the most important and challenging tasks met by organic chemists. Recently, significant efforts have been focused on the development of green and sustainable procedures for the synthesis of these high value-added compounds. Asymmetric heterogeneous catalysis has provided efficient solutions to these challenges. The application of heterogeneous chiral catalysts in one-pot processes combines the advantages of use of these materials with time, material, and energy savings associated with cascade or sequential procedures. This review surveys these asymmetric one-pot reactions reported until July 2017, in which a heterogeneous chemical catalyst has been applied either as a single multifunctional catalyst or in combination with a second catalytically active material. These processes include one-pot procedures catalysed by carefully designed solids obtained by the immobilization of chiral metal complexes, by anchoring chiral organocatalysts, or by modifying catalytic surfaces with optically pure compounds, which may also incorporate uncatalyzed and homogeneously catalysed steps. Methods applying achiral heterogeneous catalysts in combination with soluble chiral chemical catalysts or biocatalysts are also presented. Sophisticated, finely tuned materials have been applied in most of these reactions, which have been discussed along with the main requirements necessary to perform these transformations in a one-pot manner.


When a total of 531 soil samples collected from 1976 to 2000 from various locations distributed in every county on the island of Taiwan was assayed, sixteen isolates of Phytophthora katsurae and nine isolates of P. heveae were recovered from three and four counties, respectively. Phytophthora katsurae and P. heveae were isolated from a protected natural forest located atop a hill at Lenhuachih without higher land within the range of vision, suggesting that both species are indigenous to Taiwan. Phytophthora katsurae is distinguished from the similar P. heveae by its verrucose oogonial wall. The number of protrusions produced by the Taiwanese isolates of P. katsurae varied greatly ranging from 2 to 23 per oogonium, indicating the unsteadiness of this taxonomical characteristic. Oogonia produced by isolates of P. katsurae obtained from Hawaii contained very few protrusions. Moreover, most oogonia produced by two of these isolates did not have any protrusions and were indistinguishable from those produced by P. heveae. Results suggest the development of P. heveae directly from P. katsurae by loss of oogonial protrusions. The high level of ITS sequence similarity between P. heveae and P. katsurae in comparison with their relationships to other Phytophthora species tested also support the possibility of the recent development of one species from the other species.


In the solar corona, the free energy, i.e., the excess in magnetic energy over a ground-state potential field, forms the reservoir of energy that can be released during solar flares and coronal mass ejections. Such free energy provides a measure of the magnetic field nonpotentiality. Recent theoretical and observational studies indicate that the presence of nonpotential magnetic fields is imprinted into the structures of infrared, off-limb, coronal polarization. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of exploiting such observations for mapping and studying the accumulation and release of coronal free magnetic energy, with the goal of developing a new tool for identifying "hot spots" of coronal free energy such as those associated with twisted and/or sheared coronal magnetic fields. We applied forward modeling of infrared coronal polarimetry to three-dimensional models of nonpotential and potential magnetic fields. From these we defined a quantitative diagnostic of nonpotentiality that in the future could be calculated from a comparison of infrared, off-limb, coronal polarization observations from, e.g., the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter or the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, and the corresponding polarization signal forward-modeled from a potential field extrapolated from photospheric magnetograms. We considered the relative diagnostic potential of linear and circular polarization, and the sensitivities of these diagnostics to coronal density distributions and assumed boundary conditions of the potential field. Our work confirms the capacity of polarization measurements for diagnosing nonpotentiality and free energy in the solar corona.


This thesis focuses on host and pathogen specific interactions during invasive disease. We have investigated the role and impact of different virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis and Streptococcus pyogenes on host epithelial cells and in vivo. N. gonorrhoeae cause the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea and N. meningitidis is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and may be leathal to the host within hours of infection. The neisserial type IV pili were shown to have an important impact on host cells for the induction of pro-inflammatory and other cellular defence transcriptional responses. Furthermore, N. meningitidis generally induced an earlier response compared to N. gonorrhoeae, probably as a result of the meningococcal capsule. The role of N. meningitidis serogroup B lipooliogsaccharide was investigated during invasive disease. Bacterial invasion of host cells and blood survival as well as virulence in vivo was dependent on the integrity of the LOS structure. S. pyogenes may cause a variety of diseases ranging from uncomplicated diseases such as 'strep-throat' to more severe invasive diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. S. pyogenes ScpC protease degrade interleukin 8 during necrotizing fasciitis. We investigated the role of ScpC in systemic disease and observed enhanced virulence by bacteria unable to degrade IL-8. Following an intravenous infection of mice pro-inflammatory cytokines and complement activation was induced by the ScpC negative mutant compared to the wild-type and correlated with higher bacteremia. These data indicate that the precense of the ScpC protease has an important impact on the host for the outcome of streptococcal sepsis. Another phagocytic escape mechanism of S. pyogenes is their ability to coat themselves with host proteins. We observed that released complement control protein, CD46, bound to the streptococcal cell surface. CD46 has been shown to interact with the streptococcal M protein and have now been found to bind to the surface of the bacteria in a growth phase dependent manner. We observed a more aggressive disease development in CD46 transgenic mice after an intravenous infection with an M6 serotype, resulting in higher mortality of CD46 transgenic mice compared with control mice. These data indicate that CD46 may confer a protection to the streptococci during early stage of systemic infection and contributes to the understanding of immune evsion of S. pyogenes.


In this paper, we present a strategy for producing multiqubit gates that promise high fidelity with minimal tuning requirements. Our strategy combines gap protection from the adiabatic theorem with dynamical decoupling in a complementary manner. Energy-level transition errors are protected by adiabaticity and remaining phase errors are mitigated via dynamical decoupling. This is a powerful way to divide and conquer the various error channels. In order to accomplish this without violating a no-go theorem regarding black-box dynamically corrected gates [Phys. Rev. A 80, 032314 (2009)], we require a robust operating point (sweet spot) in control space where the qubits interact with little sensitivity to noise. There are also energy gap requirements for effective adiabaticity. We apply our strategy to an architecture in Si with P donors where we assume we can shuttle electrons between different donors. Electron spins act as mobile ancillary qubits and P nuclear spins act as long-lived data qubits. Furthermore, this system can have a very robust operating point where the electron spin is bound to a donor in the quadratic Stark shift regime. High fidelity single qubit gates may be performed using well-established global magnetic resonance pulse sequences. Single electron-spin preparation and measurement has also beenmore » demonstrated. Thus, putting this all together, we present a robust universal gate set for quantum computation.« less