Purpose

Home-based business (HBB) literature identifies variation in the sector, such as differences in technology use, knowledge capital. It also asserts HBB may have specific value for specific groups of business starters. Despite this diversity, HBB is treated as one conceptualisation, as a single business model. Consequently, our knowledge is based on disparate studies with different research agendas and results are inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. This paper outlines a means by which the heterogeneity of HBB can be revealed via a framework within which diversity might be viewed.

Method

Largely conceptual, this paper draws from a study of 30 HBB owners to test the framework using the business model dimension of in or from home and the distinguishing feature example of knowledge. The empirical work was qualitative, based on interviews.

Findings

We find variation in HBB types and distinct business models, exposing heterogeneity. The framework provides a means by which the reality of HBB may be better revealed.

Value

Value lies in the provision of a means by which we might view the diversity of HBB. Using the framework, different research agendas may be serviced and afford sight of issues that affect HBB as they vary by business model. This is of value for research clarity, and also for informing policy and support of small businesses as the needs of different types of HBB will vary.


Copper corrosion in the presence of orthophosphate and chlorine has indicated the formation of a protective scale containing either CuO or Cu2O depending on the pH. Furthermore, the scale forms relatively quickly, after 15 days of immersion EIS showed very little change. The scale is initially porous, but after prolonged immersion, the porous structure disappears, as evidenced by SEM. The equivalent circuit that is used to model the EIS spectra fits the data well and yields useful information on values, such as Rct, which varies from 2 to 10 kohms and Rfilm, which varies from 15 to 80 kohms when the immersion time is extended from 2 to 30 days.


A rare case of brain metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma is reported. The cerebral metastasis was surgically treated without irradiation despite the presence of a spinal metastasis. No recurrence was demonstrated by computed tomography 1 year postoperatively. We suggest that surgery is indicated for a brain metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma even if other metastatic lesions are present.


ABSTRACT Media portrayals of terrorism, particularly right-wing terrorism, have been understudied. In response, this study focuses on understanding how right-wing terrorism is portrayed by the New York Times and the Washington Post. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on five cases. Framing theory and thematic analysis were used to inform the research methods. Four main themes emerge: "officially, we cannot be sure this was terrorism"; "just a man – the obfuscation of motive"; "on normalisation and humanisation"; and "eventually we have to talk about gun policy." The results show that the news providers did not label these cases as terrorism, and that the ideology of the attackers was minimised as a motive. By searching so extensively for "other reasons" for the violence, the threat of right-wing violence was minimised. As a result of these incomplete or misleading portrayals, the threat from these individuals goes unchecked.


Bendamustine and rituximab (BR) are widely used in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) previously treated with conventional immunochemotherapy, but the role of consolidation radioimmunotherapy in these patients is unknown. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of consolidation with 90Yttrium‐ibritumomab tiuxetan (90Y‐IT) after re‐induction therapy with BR in patients with previously treated FL. This study included adult patients with relapsed FL who had undergone one or two prior therapies. Re‐induction therapy with BR was administered every 4 weeks up to 4–6 cycles. If patients achieved at least partial response, 90Y‐IT was administered as consolidation therapy. The primary endpoint was 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) after consolidation. A total of 24 FL patients (median age 60 years) who had undergone one (n = 17) or two (n = 7) prior treatments received BR. After BR therapy, 22 patients proceeded to consolidation with 90Y‐IT, resulting in an overall 88% response rate to the protocol treatment. Within a median observation period of 46.8 months, the estimated 2‐year PFS rate after the consolidation among the 22 patients receiving 90Y‐IT was 59% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38%–77%). Patients whose remission after previous treatment had lasted ≥2 years had a significantly higher 2‐year PFS rate than patients whose remission after previous treatment had been <2 years (68% vs. 33%, Wilcoxon p = 0.0211). Major adverse events during the protocol treatment and within 2 years after the consolidation were hematological toxicities, but they were generally acceptable. Consequently, the estimated 2‐year overall survival after the consolidation was 95% (95% CI, 74%–99%). In conclusion, in a subset of patients with previously treated FL, 90Y‐IT consolidation after BR re‐induction conferred a durable remission, indicating that consolidation therapy using 90Y‐IT may be a novel therapeutic option for patients with relapsed FL (UMIN000008793).


PURPOSE
Respiratory drug delivery has been attracted great interest for the past decades, because of the high incidence of pulmonary diseases. However, despite its invaluable benefits, there are some major drawbacks in respiratory drug delivery, mainly due to the relatively high drug deposition in undesirable regions. One way to improve the efficiency of respiratory drug delivery through metered-dose inhalers (MDI) is placing a respiratory spacer between the inhaler exit and the mouth. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of type and shape of spacer on the aerosolization performance of MDIs.

METHODS
A commercial Beclomethasone Dipropionate (BDP) MDI alone or equipped with two different spacer devices (roller and pear type) widely distributed in the world pharmaceutical market was used. The effect of spacers was evaluated by calculating aerosolization indexes such as fine particle fraction (FPF), mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD) and geometric standard deviation (GSD) using the next generation impactor.

RESULTS
Although one of the spacers resulted in superior outcomes than the other one, but it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION
The results confirmed that the type and shape of spacer did not substantially influence the aerosolization performance of MDIs.


Coumarin has been reported to be a reliable probe for the determination of human microsomal CYP2A6 activity. Coumarin is converted to 7-hydroxycoumarin by CYP2A6. A high pressure liquid chromatographic assay for the estimation of CYP2A6 activity in microsomes was evaluated. A RP C-18 Novapak Waters (15 cm x 3.9 mm, 5 µm) column was used for the assay. The mobile phase composition was methanol : 1% glacial acetic acid (35:65 v/v) (pH~3.1), with a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min, injection volume of 100 µl and detection at 320 nm. The retention times for coumarin and 7-hydroxycoumarin were 8.7 min and 5.3 min, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 µM, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.1 µM, for 7-hydroxycoumarin. The percent coefficient of variation associated with 7-hydroxycoumarin determination after duplicate estimation was found to be in the range 0.03 to 3.6% for buffer matrix and 0.1 to 6.5% for microsomal matrix. The mean rate of 7-hydroxycoumarin formation in guinea pig liver microsomes was 0.084 nmol/min/nmol P450. Coumarin 7-hydroxylase activity was absent in rat liver microsomes. No interference was observed from incubation mixture components.


Background Hyperthyroidism is related to vascular atherosclerosis. Propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole, other than their antithyroid effects, may have different mechanisms in preventing atherogenesis in Graves' disease. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of antithyroid drugs on markers of vascular atherosclerosis in Graves' hyperthyroidism. Methods This study was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted on 36 patients with Graves' disease in Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 2019 until July 2020. Graves' disease was diagnosed from clinical manifestation of hyperthyroidism with diffuse goiter and then confirmed by thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH), free T4 (fT4), and TSH-receptor antibody (TRAb) measurements. Participants were randomly assigned to either a PTU or a methimazole treatment group and followed up for 3 months. Markers of vascular atherosclerosis were represented by adhesion molecules [intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin], carotid artery stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV)], and thickness [carotid intima media thickness (cIMT)]. Results By the end of the study, 24 participants reached euthyroid condition (13 from the PTU group and 11 from the methimazole group). After 3 months of follow-up, in the PTU group, we noticed an improvement of ICAM-1 [pretreatment: 204.1 (61.3) vs. posttreatment: 141.6 (58.4) ng/ml; p = 0.001], VCAM-1 [837 (707–977) vs. 510 (402–630) ng/ml; p < 0.001] and E-selectin [32.1 (24.1–42.7) vs. 28.2 (21.6–36.8) ng/ml; p = 0.045] in the PTU group. In the methimazole group, only VCAM-1 improvement [725 (565–904) vs. 472 (367–590); p = 0.001] was observed. Meanwhile, we found no significant changes in PWV or cIMT in either group. Conclusion Antithyroid treatment in Graves' disease leads to improvement in adhesion molecules, with a lesser effect on methimazole, whereas there were no significant changes in PWV or cIMT. PTU may have a better mechanism compared with methimazole in terms of improving adhesion molecules.


The question in the title is examined from the standpoint of economic thinking. Three ideas are sustained: (1) if made an objective of economic policy, the necessity of work could be minimized in the distant future; (2) this is not what is desirable or will tend to happen. Even in extreme scenarios of robot adoption considerable demand for human labor should persist in tasks related to the expansion of the knowledge frontier and in those where the humanity of the executor is of the essence for the definition of the task (performing, sports, care, companionship, and so on); (3) redistributive taxation may well be in order. Guaranteed income schemes, and the link with entitlement through work, are discussed.


Behavioural traits can strongly influence fitness and survival and are important mediators of life history trade-offs. This study explored the links between mortality trade-offs associated with fast growth during larval life and behaviour of individuals during an important life history transition. Longitudinal sampling of a cohort of damselfish settling on a reef at the end of their larval stage found that individuals with small otolith sizes at hatching and low otolith growth rates were selectively removed from the local population, while there was no apparent selection for size or body condition over the first 24 h after settlement. Selection against slow growth (initial larval growth and maximum growth) and small size at hatching and settlement were accentuated over the first month after settlement. Detailed behavioural assessments of naive larvae settled onto habitat patches and monitored for 24 h found that initial boldness aided survival, but individuals that ventured larger distances from shelter suffered higher mortality. Correlations of growth with behavioural attributes were generally poor; however, there was a weak correlation between boldness and maximum growth. A measure of flexibility in the maximum distance ventured from shelter was positively related to initial otolith growth. Our results suggest that although early growth which is relatively slow leads to higher mortality later in life, and behavioural attributes influenced survival, there were only weak correlations between growth history and behaviour. This may be due to strong selective pressures on young fish to learn novel behaviours rapidly after settlement. Selection may promote behavioural flexibility at this key ecological transition.


Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common after anaesthesia and surgery. We decided to evaluate metoclopramide, dexamethasone, and their combination in preventing PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Method: 396 patients were studied. Four groups were created: group 1 received metoclopramide postoperatively; group 2 received dexamethasone following anaesthesia; and group 3 received dexamethasone following anaesthesia and metoclopramide before end of anaesthesia. Results were compared to group without anti-emetic. PONV incidence, basal and active mean visual analogue pain scores, time to first analgesia request, side effects, and well-being score were recorded at first 24 h postoperatively. Results: Literature total incidence of PONV was 60% in control group devoid of anti-emetic but 45% of PONV was seen in Group 1 with metoclopramide, Group 2 -23% with dexamethasone, and Group 3 - 12% with the combination of dexamethasone and metoclopramide. Anti-emetic rescue was not required in dexamethasone plus metoclopramide group or group with only dexamethasone, compared with four patients in the metoclopramide group and six patients in the control group. Conclusion: Dexamethasone or dexamethasone + metoclopramide combination was more effective in preventing PONV than metoclopramide or lack of anti-emetic.


Decoding the Experimental Architecture of Latin America; Focus on the construction details made with traditional materials, it is an analysis and summary of Works of particular interest with the intention to explain projects of great significance for architecture and construction due to its use of materials, leveraging its potentials, innovative systems and structural elements that are made through a process of experimentation. Methods of searching the answers by testing, changing, failing and experimenting, are some of the elaborated focus points.
The aim is to show examples of intelligent design where the lack of advanced technology is not considered as a problem, but as an opportunity and a reason for innovation and experimentation by optimizing the use of available materials.
Analysis is structured in three groups, defined by the three materials (wood.brick-concrete). Each group contains two examples of the work of architecture, with focus on innovative details.
Studied examples made of Wood are: La Escalera de la Casa del Grande by Rafael Iglesia and the Boveda de Pallets/House Umbraculo de Javier Corvalan; in brick House Abu and Font with the focus on the "cantielevered" slab made of reinforced ceramic brick and Brick Pillars and the Boveda de Teleton made by architect Solano Benitez; in concrete; Inverted Beams of Altamira by Rafael Iglesia and House Surubi of Javier Corvalan.
By decoding experimental architecture and construction of Latin America, one understands the beauty of innovating by experimenting. By building through experimentation and by making the most with what you have, you may relate to the manner of living life. We are all capable to open our minds and try to make conscious quality constructions, modest yet original from the resources that are available to us, researching sustainability and humanity. Built for users and with users. Something different, creative and profound.


The problem of routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks consists in routing a set of lightpaths and assigning a wavelength to each of them, such that lightpaths whose routes share a common fiber are assigned different wavelengths. This problem was shown to be NP-hard when the objective is to minimize the total number of wavelengths used. In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm with random keys for routing and wavelength assignment with the goal of minimizing the number of different wavelengths used in the assignment. This algorithm extends the best heuristic in the literature by embedding it into an evolutionary framework. Computational results show that the new heuristic improves the state-of-the-art algorithms in the literature.


One of the most important characteristic features of a low-density thermally bonded nonwoven material is its discontinuous and non-uniform microstructure, resulting in a complicated and unstable deformation mechanism of the material. In order to estimate the effects of such microstructure on the overall mechanical properties of the non-woven material, tensile tests are carried out for specimens with different systems of marks for both two principle directions—machine direction and cross direction—with images being captured with high-speed camera. The non-uniform strain fields are analysed based on the obtained images. Discontinuous finite-element models are developed to study the deformation mechanism of nonwoven specimens in both principle directions, and the effects of the discontinuous and non-uniform fibrous network and different arrangements of bond points are analysed numerically.


Anti-angiogenic therapy induces the apparent normalization of vascular structure, decreases microvessel density (MVD), and improves tumor oxygenation in glioblastomas (GBMs). Six initial and recurrent tumor pairs after bevacizumab (Bev) treatment were compared with GBMs from nine patients resected under neoadjuvant Bev treatment with regard to histological characteristics; MVD; MIB-1 index; and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, hypoxia markers (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha, carbonic anhydrase 9), and nestin as a marker of glioma stem-like cells. In recurrent tumors post-Bev treatment, while the MVD remained low compared with the paired initial tumors (pre-Bev tumors), the expression of hypoxic markers were increased and were even higher in expression compared with the paired pre-Bev tumors in three of the six cases. MIB-1 indices were similar among the initial GBMs, neoadjuvant group, and recurrent tumors post-Bev treatment. The nestin-positive cell ratio of the post-Bev recurrent tumors was as high as that of the pre-Bev tumors. The expression of VEGF and VEGFR1 was increased in the post-Bev recurrent tumors in three and four cases, respectively, compared with the paired pre-Bev tumors. In the majority of Bev-refractory GBMs, tumor hypoxia was present with a paradoxical decrease in MVD. These findings suggest that re-activation of tumor angiogenesis is not initially involved in the acquisition of resistance to Bev.


While most part of the complex network models are described in function of some growth mechanism, the optimization of a goal or certain characteristics can be desirable for some problems. This paper investigates structural optimization of networks in the highlevel classification context, where the classification produced by a traditional classifier is combined with the classification provided by complex network measures. Using the recently proposed social learning particle swarm optimization (SL-PSO), a bio-inspired optimization framework, which is responsible to build up the network and adjust the parameters of the hybrid model while conducting the optimization of a quality function, is proposed. Experiments on two real-world problems, the Handwritten Digits Recognition and the Semantic Role Labeling (SRL), were performed. In both problems, the optimization framework is able to improve the classification given by a state-of-the-art algorithm to SRL. Furthermore, the optimization framework proposed here can be extended to other machine learning tasks.


The need for healthcare workers (HCWs) to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heightens their risk of thermal stress. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCWs from India and Singapore regarding PPE usage and heat stress when performing treatment and care activities. One hundred sixty-five HCWs from India (n = 110) and Singapore (n = 55) participated in a survey. Thirty-seven HCWs from Singapore provided thermal comfort ratings before and after ice slurry ingestion. Differences in responses between India and Singapore HCWs were compared. A p-value cut-off of 0.05 depicted statistical significance. Median wet-bulb globe temperature was higher in India (30.2 °C (interquartile range [IQR] 29.1–31.8 °C)) than in Singapore (22.0 °C (IQR 18.8–24.8 °C)) (p < 0.001). Respondents from both countries reported thirst (n = 144, 87%), excessive sweating (n = 145, 88%), exhaustion (n = 128, 78%), and desire to go to comfort zones (n = 136, 84%). In Singapore, reports of air-conditioning at worksites (n = 34, 62%), dedicated rest area availability (n = 55, 100%), and PPE removal during breaks (n = 54, 98.2%) were higher than in India (n = 27, 25%; n = 46, 42%; and n = 66, 60%, respectively) (p < 0.001). Median thermal comfort rating improved from 2 (IQR 1–2) to 0 (IQR 0–1) after ice slurry ingestion in Singapore (p < 0.001). HCWs are cognizant of the effects of heat stress but might not adopt best practices due to various constraints. Thermal stress management is better in Singapore than in India. Ice slurry ingestion is shown to be practical and effective in promoting thermal comfort. Adverse effects of heat stress on productivity and judgment of HCWs warrant further investigation.


Damage evolution and characterization in semi-crystalline polymer filled with particles under various loadings is still a challenge. A specific damage characterization method using Digital Image Correlation is proposed for a wide range of strain rates considering tensile tests with hydraulic jacks as well as Hopkinson's bars. This damage measurement is obtained by using and adapting the SEE method [1] which was developed to characterize the behaviour laws at constant strain rates of polymeric materials in dynamic. To validate the characterization process, various damage measurement techniques are used under quasi-static conditions before to apply the procedure in dynamic. So, the well-known damage characterization by loss of stiffness technique under quasi-static loading is applied to a polypropylene. In addition, an in-situ tensile test, carried out in a microtomograph, is used to observe the cavitation phenomenon in real time. A good correlation is obtained between all these techniques and consequently the proposed technique is supposed suitable for measuring the ductile damage observed in semi-crystalline polymers under dynamic loading. By applying it to the semi-crystalline polymer at moderate and high speed loadings, the damage evolution is measured and it is observed that the damage evolution is not strain rate dependent but the failure strain on the contrary is strain rate dependent.


This article examines the institutional, political, and legal development of employment arbitration as it shifted from a Progressive Era form of justice enhancement to one co-opted by business-friendly conservatives arguably more concerned with protecting employers from litigation. While arbitration has a long history in the United States, the expanding use of mandatory, employer-promulgated arbitration clauses has more than doubled since the 2000s. In examining the nature of the shift, this article argues that it occurred through a gradual process of conversion in three institutional realms (1) legislative conversion, (2) private-sector conversion of public regulation, and (3) judicial conversion. Facilitated by a growing divide among Democrats on the value of arbitration, conservatives began to promote it in the 1970s and 1980s as backlash to the expansion of statutory employment rights. I argue that they did so by converting the institutional infrastructures of labor and commercial arbitration, a process continued by the private sector and Supreme Court. As such, this article argues that conversion is the product of multiple actors targeting multiple institutions, over decades, and with consequences for both the literature on institutional change and conceptions of equality under the law.


A novel high frequency hybrid power distribution system for telecommunication applications is presented. The proposed hybrid system combines the advantages of both the sinusoidal voltage and current types of high frequency distribution systems and it has advantages such as connectorless power transfer, fuseless protection, sinusoidal voltage and current distribution and, high overall system efficiency. The different operating modes of the proposed power distribution system are described in detail and performance characteristics are presented. Finally experimental results are given to validate the concepts developed and to demonstrate the system performance.


Over the past twenty years, macroeconomic performance has improved markedly in industrialized and developing countries alike. Both inflation and real growth are more stable now than they were in the 1980s. This stability has been accompanied by dramatic changes in financial structure. We examine the connection between these concurrent events using data from 23 developed and emerging markets countries. There are a number of possible explanations for the widespread improvement in economic outcomes over the past two decades. There is the very real possibility that the world has become a more stable place. Alternatively, monetary policymakers may have become more skillful in carry out their stabilization objectives. That is, the monetary policy of the 1990s may have been more efficient than it was in the 1980s. We provide evidence that policy has in fact improved, suggesting that a rise in the competence of central bankers. But the ability of policymakers to carry out their job depends crucially on their having the tools necessary to reduce inflation and output volatility. The transmission of these interest rate movements to domestic output and prices depends on the structure of the country's banking system and financial markets. We show that a reduction in direct state ownership of banking system assets and the introduction of explicit deposit insurance can help explain the simultaneous improvement in the efficiency of monetary policy and stabilization of the macroeconomy.


Elizabeth Astrid Papazian, Manufacturing Truth: The Documentary Moment in Early Soviet Culture. 282 pp., illus. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 2009. ISBN-13 978-0875803890. $39.00. Masha Salazkina, In Excess: Sergei Eisenstein's Mexico. 221 pp., illus. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2009. ISBN-13 978-0226734149. $40.00. Rimgaila Salys, The Musical Comedy Films of Grigorii Aleksandrov: Laughing Matters. 352 pp., illus. Bristol, UK: Intellect, 2009. ISBN-13 978-1841502823. $35.00. Over the last two decades, scholars of literature, cinema studies, art history, and other humanistic disciplines have increasingly turned their attention toward objects of study and problems that have traditionally fallen into the purview of historians. Although literary works, films, or authors often remain in the center of attention in these disciplines, analysis tends to locate them in ever broader historical contexts and even to "speak back" to those larger territories, presenting arguments concerning social, political, and institutional history. In short, more and more of my disciplinary colleagues are doing varieties of cultural history, as I am myself, and their analysis of cultural objects tends to derive significance from increasingly larger swaths of social and historical experience. (1) The three books under review illustrate these tendencies. They are linked together not by shared subject matter but rather by a number of elective affinities, one of which is their common relevance to Soviet film studies. The topic and period they investigate--early Soviet avant-garde and Stalinist culture--are well suited for a broad approach to cultural history. Much of Soviet avant-garde culture, as in modernist culture more generally, was dedicated to overcoming the distinction between "art" and "life," whether this meant the transformation of the lived biography into a kind of artwork or the transformation of the artwork into an overt instrument for shaping social life--by means of political agitation, documentation of the real, or reconstruction of human society. This concern was carried over, modified, and amplified in the Stalinist period, in which culture was maximally instrumentalized as a handmaiden of socialist construction. In the process of recalibrating or collapsing the relationship between cultural production and the social or political during those decades, many other boundaries and wires were crossed--between high and low (or mass) culture, between artistic and scientific or technological discourse, between national and global contexts. In short, then, this is an era in cultural history that demands an expansive demarcation of humanistic scholarship's proper purview. (2) Yet this broadened vision also raises questions of method, analytical priority, and even genre of scholarly writing. Scholars of literature and film most often construct books by stringing together readings of works. Is there a limit to the attention toward "context" that can be interpolated into readings, beyond which the analysis of cultural objects becomes lost in the intricacies of overly thick descriptions? What is the proper distribution of analytical energy among interpretations of literary works, films or works of art, and the larger narratives and arguments that tie these interpretations together? At the end of the day, is a cultural-historical reading of a film or novel still oriented toward interpretation of the work at all, or is the work simply a pretext for analysis of culture at large--in a fully anthropological sense? If the latter is true, could the reading be dispensed with entirely? After addressing each of the books below on its own terms, I return to these questions in an effort to offer my own take on them or, perhaps, simply to stir up what are already some rather muddy waters. Elizabeth Astrid Papazian's Manufacturing Truth: The Documentary Moment in Early Soviet Culture takes on one of the key elements of a range of avant-garde attempts to overcome the art-life distinction in the early Soviet period--the documentary approach. …


Abstract : The interactions between populations can be positive, neutral or negative. Predation and parasitism are both relationships where one species benefits from the interaction at the expense of the other. Predators kill their prey instantly and use it only for food, whereas parasites use their hosts both as their habitat and their food. I am particularly interested in microbial parasites (including bacteria, fungi, viri, and some protozoans) since they cause many infectious diseases. This thesis considers two different points in the population-interaction spectrum and focuses on modeling host-pathogen and predator-prey interactions. The first part focuses on epidemiology, i. e., the dynamics of infectious diseases, and the estimation of parameters using the epidemiological data from two different diseases, phocine distemper virus that affects harbor seals in Europe, and the outbreak of HIV/AIDS in Cuba. The second part analyzes the stability of the predator-prey populations that are spatially organized into discrete units or patches. Patches are connected by dispersing individuals that may, or may not differ in the duration of their trip. This travel time is incorporated via a dispersal delay in the interpatch migration term, and has a stabilizing effect on predator-prey dynamics.


This paper presents the seismic hazard levels for the Northern Tanzania Divergence (NTD) and adjoining areas by using area seismic source zones. The 15 source zones were considered based on the major geological and tectonic features, faulting style, and seismicity trends. For each source, earthquake recurrence parameters were computed by using the earthquake catalogue with events compiled from 1956 to 2011. The peak ground accelerations (PGA) and spectral accelerations (SA) at 0.2 and 2.0 second, respectively, were computed for a 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years at sites defined by a 0.1° x 0.1° grid. The recurrence parameters of 15 zones and attenuation relations developed by Akkar et al. (2014) and Chiou and Youngs (2014) were integrated into a logic tree. Obtained results that are presented as hazard maps show strong spatial variations ranging from 60 to 330 cm/s/s for PGA, from 100 to 650 cm/s/s at 0.2 sec and from 6 to 27 cm/s/s at 2 sec for 475 years mean return period and 5% damping. Hazard levels depict the general tectonic setting of the study area with the western (Eyasi-Wembere) and central (Natron-ManyaraBalangida) rift segments having relatively high PGA values compared with the eastern Pangani rift. This work provides indications of seismic hazards to policymakers and planners during planning and guidelines for earthquake-resistant design engineers.


Abstract A sudden subsidence under a footpath which led to the tragic death of a pedestrian was followed by a series of further subsidences over a period of several years, all incidents apparently located within an area no more than approximately 1 km square. The area is one of high density housing of the terraced style which was largely developed in the period 1900-1940. Further housing estates have been added in the period since the 1950s. Increasing public concern over the incidents led to the commissioning of a preliminary study by the Rochester-upon-Medway City Council to collate and assess relevant archival information to determine whether the subsidence occurrences in the area could be related to some common cause. The study included reference to local museums, libraries and societies, visits to the British Library Map Department, a review of the geological literature and a collation of the industrial history of the area. Several potential causes of subsidence were discovered; these included the existence of old water wells and dene holes and, more significantly, extensive excavations associated with brick production at the turn of the century. In addition, a canal had been tunnelled under the area in 1823, subsequently partly infilled and converted to railway use. The probable cause of the incidents at Frindsbury has been attributed to the existence of chalk mines associated with the brickfields and further investigation is now taking place to locate these. Clues to all of the features discussed above were available as open file information in public records. This paper describes how the information was acquired and assimilated and emphasizes the importance of the role of desk study in the initial stages of any development project.


The field of Green IS research addresses the environmental challenges of our rapidly growing economy. IS-based solutions are valuable tools for emissions reduction and waste mitigation. The development of novel sustainable IS artifacts falls in the domain of Design Science Research. Applying the Design Science Research paradigm helps to design, develop, improve and implement IS related artifacts to solve prevailing problems or challenges. Hence, regarding sustainability, it acts as an aid to the goals of Green IS. Thus, the development of novel sustainable artifacts falls in the intersection of Green IS and Design Science Research. We analyze the relationship between Design Science Research and Green IS by providing a deeper understanding of current research knowledge and opportunities at the intersection of these two important IS topics. Based on these findings, we present five directions for future research that aim to facilitate further contributions to theoretical knowledge, Design Science Research, and sustainable solution development in the field of Green IS.


An evangelical voice in Africa: the worldview background of the theology of Tokunboh Adeyemo (1 October 1944- 17 March 2010) Africa was blessed with a son of the calibre of Dr Tokunboh Adeyemo. Since he only recently passed away, we do not yet have (as far as the author is aware) an assessment of the legacy of this eminent Christian leader. This article is the first preliminary evaluation written from a reformational worldview perspective. The set-up of the investigation is as follows: Firstly, a brief out- line is given of his life history, especially his training in the Evangelical tradition. Then, the decor (the overall situation of African Christianity) that was the background against which he lived and worked is painted. Thirdly, it is followed by the strengths and weaknesses of Evangelical Christianity of which Adeyemo was a representative. Fourthly, it is indicated how Adeyemo thought in line with post-Lausanne Evangelicalism. In the fifth place a preliminary worldview evaluation of his legacy is given. To assist possible future research a bibliography of his most important publications concludes the investigation.


Pictorial symbols are, in some respects, superior to words as a form of communication. If well designed, they can be understood by people of all different races and cultures and can be recognised by children even years before they learn to read. Symbols can be identified more quickly than words, making them especially useful in situations where fast reactions are required. As a result, symbols are of the utmost importance to graphic designers and their ever-present challenge to create effective visual communication for their clients. Like Rockport's other 1000 series books, this collection of designs provides a virtual catalogue of ideas for designers to look to for creative inspiration. No matter what type of job or client presents itself, designers can view the work of 1000 other talented designers to find unique and distinctive elements and influences.


We estimate the weight gain for range calves as a polynomial function of calf age accounting for weather, sex, lagged calf weights relative to the growth function, and compensatory gains. Birth weights plus single day weighings that occurred around 3, 8, 12, and 20 months of age are the data used to estimate our growth function. This function is then used to determine the economic trade-off between herd size and calf sale weights, for both spring and fall sale dates. In addition, we evaluate the profitability of feeding supplement by increasing the rate of gain associated with our growth function when forage and nutrients are limiting for the two grazing environments of Southeast and Central Arizona. Using prices from 1980 to 1998, results indicate that the most profitable herd mix, sale date, and feeding protocol is 450 lb. calf sales with no supplemental feeding and sales occurring in May for both regions. Although, feeding supplement was not associated with the most profitable outcome, supplement increased the average return by $45 to $70 per AUY for sale weights of 550, 650, and 750 lbs.


This study examines entrepreneurial opportunity to predict entrepreneurial intention of star hotels emloyee in Bali. Respondents of this study were star hotels employees in Bali total 156 people with 100% response rate. The initial evaluation was carried out by evaluating the measurement model, namely the validity and reliability of each reflective construct. Next is the evaluation of the structural model for testing the research model where each research instrument uses a 5 Likert scale measurement, with the WarpPLS 4.0 program. The parameters significance is determined by resampling bootstrapping and using 500 sub-samples of equal size to that of the original sample. The results and discussion show that the hypothesis testing showing innovation and growth of star hotel employees in Bali are able to predict entrepreneurial intention not significantly. Financial return can predict employee star hotels in Bali significantly entrepreneurial intention. The investment return of star hotel employees in Bali can predict significant entrepreneurial intention. The hypothesis testing indicates that the internal factor is able to predict entrepreneurial intention the star hotel employee in Bali significantly. And this research indicates that the customer predicts entrepreneurial intention star hotel employee in Bali not significantly.


Introduction The diagnostic test Peptest™ detects pepsin, which is exclusively produced by the stomach, in expectorated saliva and is a quick and easy unique marker of the reflux of gastric contents responsible for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).1 A study into the ability of Peptest to detect patients with GORD was performed. The optimal sampling strategy to give the highest diagnostic yield was investigated. Method Patients attending routine endoscopy clinic at Rotherham General Hospital with symptoms of GORD with erosive oesophagitis (EO) or if the score of the GERDQ2was ≥8. The patients provided 1–10 saliva samples with randomised strategies thats were blindly analysed for the presence of pepsin using Peptest™ and concnof pepsin determined (≥16ng/ml). Results 59 GORD subjects (30M:27F; mean age 57; 83% on PPI) provided 283 expectorated saliva samples of which 149 samples (53%) were Peptest positive representing 47 GORD subjects with at least 1 Peptest positive sample (80%) [significantly greater than a control group138%, p < 0.0001 Fisher's exact test]. Pepsin concnranged from 0–500 ng/ml with median 30 ng/ml (IQR 0–164) and mean 94 ng/ml (SD 133) [significantly greater than a control group1p < 0.0001, Mann Whitney U test]. There were 22 patients with EO, 35 patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and 2 patients with Barrett's Oesophagus (BO) with at least 1 sample pepsin positive: 68% for EO (mean 68 ng/ml), 86% for NERD (mean 105 ng/ml) and 100% (mean 152 ng/ml) for BO. Peptest results based on timing of the sample is given in Table 1.Abstract PTH-190 Table 1 The breakdown of Peptest results in GORD patients by sample timing Time Number samples Mean pepsin concn ng/ml % samples positive All 283 94 53% On first waking 37 55 38% Symptomatic 57 111 60% 0–120 min PP 108 116 60% 0 min PP 18 108 56% 5–55 min PP 14 143 71% 60 min PP 43 151 70% 65–115 min PP 24 78 42% 120 min PP 9 29 44% Conclusion Optimal sampling time for diagnosis of GORD by Peptest is 60 min after a meal or within 15 min of a symptomatic episode. The ease of the test allows for saliva samples to be taken before commencing treatment, but even amongst pre-treated EO patients (where gastroscopy is often negative) Peptest can still recognise the underlying reflux. Peptest, therefore, has the potential to be used as the first line investigation in patients suspected of reflux. Those without 'alarm' symptoms and who test 'positive' could therefore be managed in general practice. Referral for gastroscopy or for other invasive investigations can be reserved for those for whom there is separate need (e.g. to check BO, if reflux symptoms are refractory, or for opportunistic cancer screening). Disclosure of interest V. Strugala Employee of: RD Biomed Ltd, P. Dettmar Shareholder of: RD Biomed Ltd, Conflict with: RD Biomed Ltd, K. Bardhan: None Declared. Study was part funded by Technology Strategy Board References Hayat JO, et al. Gut 2015;64:373–380 Jones R, et al. APT 2009;30(10):1030–1038


Water resources have become an increasingly important topic of discussion in natural resources and environmental management courses. To address the need for more critical thinking in the classroom and to provide an active learning experience for undergraduate students, we present a case study based on water competition and manage- ment in the Lerma-Chapala basin of Mexico. This case was designed to promote critical thinking and enhance learning in undergraduate students through their engagement in a relevant contemporary management issue. We discuss the value of a case-study approach for natural resource and environmental courses, as well as approaches to using this case study in the classroom. The case study contains background information and stakeholder profiles relevant to the issue of water management in the Lerma-Chapala basin. It also provides sample discussion questions to help inspire higher-level think- ing among students.


Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have shown great potential as bio-compatible imaging probes in various biological applications. Probing nanomaterials in live cells is essential to reveal the interaction between them. In this study, we used a transient absorption microscope to selectively image AuNRs in live cells. The transient absorption signals were monitored through lock-in amplification. This provides a new way of observing AuNRs with no interference from background autofluorescence.


Negotiation is best accomplished in collocated settings, and negotiation in geographically distributed settings is prone to failure with a risk of conflicts. Investigating distributed software development, we were surprised to discover that a software development team, located in different parts of Brazil, was able to negotiate successfully and reach an agreement to change from ticket-oriented processes towards release-oriented processes for bug fixing activities using only chat technology. In this paper, we explore how the chat technology allowed the distributed software team (including both vendor and client team members) to successfully negotiate and reach agreement about adopting and implementing a new collaborative workflow in the governmental IT-project. Our research method is based upon an ethnographically informed empirical study of the software development involved in a Brazilian software company. Thus, the data collected shows that the chat technology provided a platform for the team to engage informally in important discussions across locations. The chat technology allowed participants to navigate both within and across diverse subgroups (collocated client-developers; distributed client-developer, and distributed developers-developers), which supported successful subgroup dynamics avoiding the risk of conflicts emerging from faultlines.


The Survey of Parent Contributions to Basic Education was required as a deliverable of ACDP 6, Free Basic Education Strategy. Its draft methodology and instruments were approved as a part of the project's Inception Report. Documents outlining the survey's methodology and instruments are provided as Appendices 1 - 8. The sample size of the survey, as proposed in the Inception Report, was to include 4,032 parents from 336 schools/madrasahs in 14 districts/cities. Budgetary constrains resulted in the sample having to be reduced to 2,781 parents in 228 schools/madrasahs in 10 districts/cities.
The study was carried out to establish the education-related costs borne by parents of children in basic education. In addition, data gathered from the schools/madrasahs in the sample included information about their total budgets and total contributions received from parents during the 2010/2011 school year, as well as information about how these funds were used.
By utilising data from the Education and Social Module of the National Economic and Social Survey (Susenas), the study was also able to analyse the trends in parental contributions over time, and the effect of the provision of School Operational Funding (BOS) on parents' expenditure in educating their children. The Education and Social Module is administered every three years, with the most recent one administered in 2009. Data for years 2003, 2006, and 2009 were analysed to determine overall trends in parents' contributions over time including an analysis of the change in sub-sets of the expenses such as fees, uniforms, snacks and transport.


The standard fan beam geometry is extended to a generalized geometry accounting for source, detector, and axis of rotation displacements as well as detector tilting. The standard fan beam convolution backprojection algorithm is modified so as to reconstruct from projections recorded in an arbitrary fan beam geometry. The new generalized fan beam algorithm is applied to various nonideal geometries, such as reconstruction from center-displaced projections, nonredundant single-sided projections, and partially redundant projections. It is shown that the algorithm is capable of reconstructing from truncated and partial projection data and can be applied to tomographic synthetic scanner arrays. A novel method of resolution enhancement in microtomography is presented. The generalized fan beam algorithm is shown to reconstruct from projection data recorded with a tilted detector arbitrarily stretching tiny projection images over a larger portion of the available detector range. Optimal detector use is achieved through horizontal scanner displacement compensating for the asymmetric magnification of fan beam projections onto tilted detectors. It is shown that tilted-detector microtomography possesses a number of desirable properties such as superior signal-to-noise ratio, contrast, stability, and artifact suppression in the reconstructed images. Moreover, the new algorithm substantially reduces blurring artifacts in the presence of penumbral broadening that is due to finite-size point sources. The generalized fan beam algorithm is efficiently implemented, and its run-time performance compares with that of the standard fan beam method.


The interaction of inorganic nanomaterials with biological fluids containing proteins can lead not only to the formation of a protein corona and thereby to a change in the biological activity of nanoparticles but also to a significant effect on the structural and functional properties of the biomolecules themselves. This work studied the interaction of nanoscale CeO2, the most versatile nanozyme, with human serum albumin (HSA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the formation of HSA-CeO2 nanoparticle conjugates. Changes in protein conformation, which depend on the concentration of both citrate-stabilized CeO2 nanoparticles and pristine CeO2 nanoparticles, did not affect albumin drug-binding sites and, accordingly, did not impair the HSA transport function. The results obtained shed light on the biological consequences of the CeO2 nanoparticles' entrance into the body, which should be taken into account when engineering nanobiomaterials to increase their efficiency and reduce the side effects.


1. Rat hearts were perfused with 32Pi, and contractile force was increased by positive inotropic agents (agents that increase contractility). The inhibitory subunit of troponin (troponin I) was then isolated by affinity chromatography in 8M-urea, and its 32P content measured. Incorporation of phosphate into the subunit was calculated on the basis of the [gamma-32P]ATP specific radioactivity in the hearts. 2. When hearts were perfused with 30 nM-DL-isoprenaline (N-isopropylnoradrenaline), there was an increase in contractile force over 30s which was paralleled by an increase in troponin I phosphorylation. When hearts were perfused for 25s with increasing concentrations of isoprenaline from 1 NM to 0.6 muM, there was again a parallel increase in contractile force and troponin I phosphorylation. The maximum phosphorylation observed was 1.5 mol of phosphate/mol of troponin I, which was reached after 25s with 0.1 muM-isoprenaline. 3. Hearts were stimulated with a 15s pulse perfusion of 30nM-DL-isoprenaline. There was an increase in contractile force which was followed by a return to the control value within 50s. Troponin I phosphorylation increased to a plateau value which was reached within 30s, and remained constant for 60s after the isoprenaline pulse. Phosphorylase a and 3':5'-cyclic AMP concentration showed changes similar to that of the contractile force. There was no change in 3':5'-cyclic GMP concentration. 4. When hearts stimulated with a 15S pulse of isoprenaline were subsequently perfused with 0.6 muM-acetylcholine, the changes in contractile force, phosphorylase a and 3':5'-cyclic AMP were very similar to those seen with the 15s pulse of isoprenaline alone. Troponin I phosphorylation increased to a maximum 30s after the end of the isoprenaline pulse, but then rapidly decreased during the subsequent 30s. This decrease was preceded by a 60% increase in the concentration of 3':5'-cyclic GMP. 5. Hearts were perfused with 0.2 muM-glucagon for periods up to 60s. Contractile force showed little change for the first 30s, but then increased rapidly. This was paralleled by changes in 3':5'-cyclic AMP concentration. Troponin I phosphorylation increased slowly, but the increase in contractile force had reached a maximum before significant phosphorylation had occurred. 6. It is concluded that under certain conditions, e.g. immediately after beta-adrenergic stimulation, there is a good correlation between contractile force and troponin I phosphorylation. However, under other conditions, e.g. when contractile force is decreasing after removal of beta-adrenergic stimulation or in the presence of glucagon, contractile force and troponin I phosphorylation are not well correlated. These results suggest that mechanisms for modifying cardiac contractility, other than troponin I phosphorylation, must be present in rat heart.


To achieve diversity with a single antenna, a fractional sampling (FS) scheme in OFDM has been proposed. FS achieves path diversity with a higher sampling rate and multiple demodulation branches. In the previous literatures for FS, the sampling interval is fixed even though the initial phase selection of the sampling has been investigated. The fixed sampling interval limits the diversity gain through FS. Thus, in this study, a non-uniform sampling point selection scheme according to the frequency response of a channel is proposed. Numerical results through computer simulation show that the proposed scheme improves the BER performance by about 2 dB when the number of the demodulation branches is 2. While the proposed scheme further improves bit error rate (BER) performance it requires a larger rate and more computational complexity for the selection of the sampling points. Therefore the complexity reduction for the sampling point selection is also investigated. The complexity reduction scheme eliminates the specific sets of the sampling points and reduces the computational complexity of the sampling point selection for the proposed scheme by a factor of 2. Computer simulation also shows that the low complexity version of the proposed scheme even achieves the equivalent BER compared to the original proposed scheme.


wastage, assuming this is possible, would only increase the gene frequency, and the incidence of haemophilia, by a factor of about one quarter per generation-this due to new mutations. The suggestion that the incidence of haemophilia could double in a generation by propagation of defective genes is clearly inaccurate. Dr. Discombe's arguments in respect of Mendelian recessives are even more misleading. If the gene frequency of each of the disorders he cites is accepted as 0-007 then for every homozygous patient there are 140 heterozygous, symptom-free carriers in the population. The bulk of the genetic load is carried by the heterozygotes-98-6% of the defective genes are in symptom-free carriers. For this reason it would take 50 generations of total non-reproduction by the homozygous patients for the gene frequency to be reduced to only half its present level if no new mutations arose. Put in another way, if the reproductive rate of these patients could be raised to the level of the rest of the population it would be 20 centuries before the gene frequency doubled, not one generation, as Dr. Discombe states. And this doubling would be due to new mutations also. It can be clearly stated that genetic defects can be propagated from one generation to the next by reproduction but cannot be "spread through the population," if this phrase means increased in frequency, unless they are associated with special advantages. It is a fundamental and easily proved tenet of population biology, the Hardy-Weinberg law, that the frequency of any gene in a population tends to remain the same from one generation to the next unless there are strong selective pressures. Fears that "genetic cripples" could "spread their genetic abnormality through the population" are thus quite unfounded. The only increase is due to new mutations, and what can we do about them? My personal view is that as we can do very little to control the incidence of genetic disease in future generations discussion of the ethics of doing so is at present academic. -I am, etc., NICHOLAS J. GROSS


A steel footbridge with a 27m net span, a worm-shaped curve and a vine bridge style was proposed to be constructed in Diexi city of Sichuan, China. Considering the appearance and the functional requirement, the bridge is designed as follows: the section outline is composed of 21 different ellipse-shaped transverse ribs with 1.5m spacing, and the transverse ribs are connected by 12 longitudinal ribs. Comparison between two optional structure schemes is carried out. Considering the mechanical performance and economy, the structure scheme, a truss structured system at lower part of the bridge, is adopted. Internal force analysis, member design and deformation calculation of the structure are accomplished. Finite elements analysis with ANSYS shows that the welded joints can meet the bearing capacity requirement. Connection between the bridge and the foundation platform is also presented in this paper.


The insulinotropic intestinal hormone GLP-1 is thought to exert one of its effects by direct action on the pancreatic beta-cell receptors. GLP-1 is rapidly degraded in plasma, such that only a small amount of the active form reaches the pancreas, making it questionable whether this amount is sufficient to produce a direct incretin effect. The aim of our study was to assess, in a dog model, the putative incretin action of GLP-1 acting directly on the beta-cell in the context of postprandial rises in GLP-1 and glucose. Conscious dogs were fed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal, and insulin response was measured. We also infused systemic glucose plus GLP-1, or glucose alone, to simulate the meal test values of these variables and measured insulin response. The results were as follows: during the meal, we measured a robust insulin response (52 +/- 9 to 136 +/- 14 pmol/l, P < 0.05 vs. basal) with increases in portal glucose and GLP-1 but only limited increases in systemic glucose (5.3 +/- 0.1 to 5.7 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P = 0.1 vs. basal) and GLP-1 (6 +/- 0 to 9 +/- 1 pmol/l, P = 0.5 vs. basal). Exogenous infusion of systemic glucose and GLP-1 produced a moderate increase in insulin (43 +/- 5 to 84 +/- 15 pmol/l, 43% of the meal insulin). However, infusion of glucose alone, without GLP-1, produced a similar insulin response (37 +/- 6 to 82 +/- 14 pmol, 53% of the meal insulin, P = 0.7 vs. glucose and GLP-1 infusion). In conclusion, in dogs with postprandial rises in systemic glucose and GLP-1, the hormone might not have a direct insulinotropic effect and could regulate glycemia via indirect, portohepatic-initiated neural mechanisms.


A solid-state crosspoint array compatible with electromechanical switches has been developed in order to realize high-performance telephone exchange networks. The optically-coupled high breakover voltage crosspoint array discussed in this paper has achieved complete isolation of the speech path from the triggering circuit while it can be triggered directly by a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) level signal from the control circuit. The crosspoint array has a unique photo-coupling structure which allows four p-n-p-n elements to be triggered effectively by only one LED, maintaining up to 200 V/0.1 /spl mu/s dv/dt characteristics. It provides breakover voltage of up to 450 V, gate trigger LED current less than 20 mA, ON-state resistance within 4.5 /spl Omega/ and OFF-state capacitance less than 7 pF. The matrix arrangement is a 1/spl times/4 configuration; it is composed of a two wire bidirectional circuit and packaged in a 16-pin ceramic DIP. These device characteristics make possible the realization of solid-state crosspoint array practically compatible with the conventional electromechanical switch, particularly meeting requirements of miniaturization, low-power dissipation, and inexpensive construction. Accordingly, direct interface with conventional telephone sets is possible.


Summary In the year 1976, during the reproductive season, a severe problem occurred on a pheasant farm. Eggs were infertile and male pheasants developed an atrophy of the testes with a more or less complete aplasia of the seminiferous tissue. The outstanding feature was the severe lesions in the male genital organs and absence of changes in the female. Initial inquiries did not provide a satisfactory explanation for this observation but led us to suspect the toxic action of Zearalenone and its derivatives. Injecting sexually active male pheasants with dihydrogenated Zearalenone reproduced the lesions in the testes. It therefore seems reasonable to suggest that the problem seen in 1976 was caused by contamination of the feed with Zearalenone. Pheasants react to this compound in the same way as geese, turkeys and hens.


The London Sinfonietta's reputation as a contemporary music ensemble comes from the continuing commitment by its players and artistic directors to its quality of performance. The ensemble also developed a sense of its musical identity by generating a repertoire of commissioned works. This article looks at some of the ways that the Sinfonietta defined its musical ideology and has functioned as a performance-centred art world in which composers are invited to collaborate but are not there by right. It examines the Sinfonietta's strategies for audience building, the ensemble's contribution to the development of London's concert life since its foundation in 1968, and looks at the ways that it has sought to renew itself in response to the different funding and aesthetic environments it has encountered in its history. The Sinfonietta's venture into Broadway repertoire is discussed in terms of social identity. The article argues, after Jürgen Habermas and T. W. C. Blanning, that one of the most significant contributions of the Sinfonietta has been its continued commitment to the concert event as a forum for critical engagement and cultural debate.


This dissertation describes the impact of changing network configuration on power quality and performance of existing compensation devices in the transmission network. The underlying theory was assessed and thereafter the Everest substation network case scenario was selected to study the above due to; the number of reconfigurations it has experienced in the past, increased capacitor bank failures and also due to the harmonics problems experienced.
The study involved the installation of harmonic current measuring instruments at Everest 132kV feeders to identify the potential sources of harmonics and to determine the dominant harmonics. A dig Silent Power Factory model was then constructed to perform various simulations in order to determine the impact of the changes done on the Everest network as well as the impact of capacitor switching on the harmonics amplification at Everest 132kV Bus-bars. The study also focussed on analysing the performance history of the capacitor banks at Everest and to determine if high harmonic amplification had an impact on capacitor bank performance.
The simulation results revealed that network reconfigurations have negatively impacted power quality at Everest. The results showed that there is also a correlation between the switching of the two 72MVAR capacitor banks and the amplification of the harmonics at Everest. The highest amplification occurred when both capacitor banks were switched in and the resonance point occurred around the 5th harmonic which coincided with the data from field measurements. There was a 61% increase in 5th harmonic impedance amplitude after the Everest network was reconfigured, for the condition when both capacitors are switched in. The lowest amplification occurred when none of the capacitor banks were switched in.
Three options were assessed to eliminate the problem of harmonics at Everest, the first one was to prohibit the switching in of both capacitors at Everest and utilise other available means around the Everest network for voltage support. The second option was to change the capacitor size, thus moving the resonance point away from the 5th harmonic. The last option was to install a harmonic filter at Everest to filter out the problematic harmonics. The first option is recommended as it has been successfully tested, can be readily implemented and is much more cost effective compared to the others.


There is a growing body of literature shedding light on processes of strategy making within public universities. Yet, to date, only a handful of studies have analysed the role that organizational identity plays in such processes. This paper addresses this knowledge gap, by investigating how identity mediates processes of organizational change across two comprehensive universities based in Northern Europe. Our data and analysis reveal that identity has the potential to provide organizations, like universities, with substantial flexibility during strategic change processes, not only as a tool for legitimating change in the eyes of internal and external constituencies, but also as a strategic mechanism for coping with an increasingly turbulent and volatile external environment. The paper is part of recent re-discovering of the role played by the more tacit dimensions of organizations (culture, identity, logics, etc.) operating within highly institutionalised environments.


The purpose of this paper is to describe an algorithmic ``solution'' to the assignment problem of synchronous sequential machines. The figure of merit used provides a mathematical evaluation of the reduced dependencies that may exist in the set of logic equations. If desired, the algorithm can assign the input, state, and output symbols of a given machine so as to ``minimize'' the total logic, i.e., reduced dependencies of both the state and output logic on state and input variables are optimized. The method is nonenumerative in the sense that the first assignmnent found is optimal. A restricted version of the algorithm has been programmed for an IBM 7094 computer.


Adding functional fillers is a simple but efficient way to improve the dielectric properties of polymer materials. However, the improvement of dielectric constant is usually accompanied by a decrease of breakdown strength (BDS), and vice versa, which results in only a limited increase of the energy storage density of polymer composites. In this work, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), an insulator with high theoretical BDS (800 kV mm−1), were used to improve the dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). To improve the dispersion of BNNSs and the interfacial interaction with the PVDF matrix, the grafting of hydroxyl groups onto the surface of BNNSs was first carried out to obtain surface modified BNNSs (OH-BNNSs). Interestingly, the surface hydroxylation of BNNSs could realize simultaneous enhancement both in BDS and dielectric constant. Therefore, a high energy storage density of 13.1 J cm−3 has been achieved for PVDF/OH-BNNS nanocomposites with only 6 wt% filler content, which represents an impressive enhancement compared with neat PVDF (440%) or PVDF/BNNS (166%) nanocomposites. Moreover, decreased dielectric loss tangent, and improved thermal and mechanical properties of PVDF have also been achieved by adding OH-BNNSs. This research provides a new dimension of the surface modification of BNNSs and broadens their practical applications in the field of dielectric energy storage.


The focus of this thesis was the study of the policy decision-making process in the healthcare services network in order to understand the behaviour of key actors involved in the UK health network. Additionally, the study examined about the use of the "policy networks" approach, and the application of the Dialectical Relationships Model in the healthcare service networks. A number of factors, internal and external to the network, are interacting and determine policy decisions while in turn influence the process and its outcome.
The research demonstrated that there were formal and non-formal rules within the network and actors interacted according to what was agreed. Actors worked and cooperated in order to produce a favourable outcome, and interacted accordingly in different situations. Another key research finding was shown to be the importance of individuals within organizations and within networks. The network was generally influenced by several factors: past conflicts, asymmetry in resources and power, the socio-economic and political context within which the network operated, governmental intervention were some; they were influencing the operation of the network and the role of actors and of individuals within actors. The application of the Dialectical Model had shown that the Model provided a general framework for studying policy making process.


Background/Aims: To investigate the effects of peritubular capillary (PTC) loss and hypoxia on the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a rat model of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Methods: Female Wistar rats received Caulis aristolochiae manshuriensis (CAM) decoction by gavage for 8 weeks, and were sacrificed at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, respectively, after administration. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and urinary protein were monitored prior to sacrifice. PTC loss and tubulointerstitial hypoxia were assessed by CD34 immunostaining and hypoxia-inducible factor-α subunit 1 (HIF-1α) expression, respectively. Myofibroblasts were assessed by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. The expression of angiogenic factor was assessed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: AAN rats differed from controls by increased BUN, Scr and 24-hour urinary protein excretion rates. There was a progressive loss of PTCs in the AAN model, which was associated with the decreased expression of VEGF. A significant increase in nuclear localization of HIF-1α was seen 16 weeks after treatment with CAM decoction in the context of severe tubulointerstitial damage. Multifocal tubulointerstitial fibrosis was seen in AAN rats at weeks 12 and 16, predominantly in the area of the outer stripe and outer medulla. No significant pathologic changes were found in control rats. Conclusion: Following the reduction of PTCs density and up-regulation of HIF-1α, the tubulointerstitial fibrosis area increased. Ischemia and hypoxia are the important causes of severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis in AAN rats.


Data communication over polymer optical fibers (POF) is a good alternative method for local area networks to use an optical medium to transmit data in short-range environments like cars or copper in-house networks on the basis of IEEE 802.3. Many companies offer transceivers for the area of Ethernet networks in the visible wavelength range. In the first part of the chapter, a system comparison of manufacturers with interoperability check is presented. Here, the real transfer rates within a manufacturer and between all manufacturers are measured as a cross-check. In the second part of the chapter, the limitation of band- width due to the use of only one wavelength channel is discussed. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a promising candidate to significantly increase bandwidth in POF to more than 40 Gbit/s. Here, the problems in the development and manufacture of a demultiplexer (DEMUX) for WDM over POF as well as the results of the optical separa- tion of four wavelength channels are described. At least, the possible extension of a WDM grid of ITU G.694.2 is discussed, which seems to be a hopeful candidate to introduce a standardized WDM grid for POF in the visible range to reach data rates of 40 Gbit/s up to


Background: The main objective of the present research was to discuss the relationship between locus of control and the rate of depression among high school students who resided in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and Methods: Random cluster sampling method was to select 300 students from the Western RoodbarAlmot region, 150 of whom were females and the remainder were males. Locus of control was evaluated by Rotter's Locus of Control Questionnaire. Students' depression was evaluated by Bech's depression questionnaire. Data analyses were performed by using SPSS software through calculating Pierson's correlation coefficient and the independent t-test. Results: Results showed a correlation between external locus of control and depression. There appeared to be a higher relationship between females' internal locus of control and depression, which was not seen for males. This relation was statistically significant. Regression results showed that locus of control might predict the rate of depression. Conclusion: Females' locus of control and their rate of depression showed the highest percent of prediction. It was suggested that additional studies consider this issue in different educational grades, at the national and regional levels.


Background: Data show that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress is more among medical students compared to general population and thus proving that the community of the medical students is a vulnerable group or high-risk group, where we need to take adequate measures to counter this issue among this particular community. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among one of the private Medical college students. Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a private medical college among 450 medical students of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year and interns and postgraduate (PG) students for 6 months. "Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21" which was already validated and standardized was used for the present study. "The internal consistency, i.e., Cronbach's alpha value was 0.87 that was suggestive of high reliability." Data collection was done in batches for undergraduates and for interns and PGs, whenever they were free and available. Anonymity was maintained. Results: Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students was 58.2%, 68.7%, and 35.3%, respectively. The most common was moderate grade of depression (30.7%), severe anxiety (39.6%), and moderate stress (15.8%). After testing for associated factors with depression, anxiety, and stress, it was fond that only belonging to joint family type and being undergraduate were found to be significantly associated with high levels of stress (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among medical students was very high in this medical college. These results cannot be generalized to other medical students of other medical colleges but definitely reflect that medical students are depressed, anxious, and stressed.


A study was carried out to compare the fertility of soils under improved soil  management practice with that of prevailing conventional practice and to assess the farmers' perception on the improved practice in the upland   farming system. The study was carried out in Nasikasthan Sanga of Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal. Soil samples were collected from fields under improved conventional practice. Samples were taken at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths and were analyzed for various physico-chemical properties to  compare the fertility status of the soils under both the practices. Altogether 68 farmers were interviewed to have information on farming practices and information pertinent to improved soil management practice being adopted by them. Results from soil physico-chemical analysis showed higher fertility of soils under improved practice in terms of more favorable pH level,  contents of exchangeable bases, available phosphorus and soil organic matter compared to prevailing conventional soil management practice. Moreover, majority of the farmers believed that soil fertility and physical condition of their upland soils had improved and that the productivity of major upland  crops had also increased after the adoption of improved soil management practice. Improved practice could play an important role in the sustainable management of upland soils in the mid hills of Nepal. It is however, desirable to conduct long-term research to further ascertain the effect of the practice on soil fertility of different soil types and land uses. Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009 , pp. 27-39 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11639


Scientists suggest we are entering a new geological epoch called the Anthropocene. It is an epoch that signals an altogether more unpredictable and unstable period in Earth's geological history compared to the state of relative Earth system stability, resilience and harmony that have hitherto prevailed in the Holocene. The Anthropocene's imagery reveals the socio-ecological impacts occasioned by the ever-expanding project of human development the world over, including humans' ability to change biogeochemical cycles; unprecedented species loss and species extinction; appropriation of non-human resources for exclusive human use; wide-spread land use conversion; alteration of evolutionary processes and outcomes; and changing the climate through the release of massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.


Energy scavengers are a promising alternative for powering the thousands of sensors of next-generation air vehicles. Genetically Optimized Neural Network Systems (GONNS) is proposed as the fi rst step for the optimization of energy scavengers by considering the ambient vibration, available space, and allowable weight. GONNS conveniently represents the complex systems with multiple artifi cial neural networks (ANNs) and are used to determine optional operating conditions using one or more genetic algorithms (GAs). Single- and multiple-cluster modes of the GONNS were used in the study to match the dynamic characteristics of the energy scavenger to the ambient vibrations and to fi t the system into the available space. The single-cluster mode represented the relationship between the inputs (frequency, beam length, and mass) and two outputs (voltage and displacement amplitudes) with separate ANNs and optimized the system using a single GA. Six ANNs and three GAs working in three groups optimized the system in the multiple-cluster mode of the GONNS.


On freeze-fracture replicas, gap junctions are frequently colocalized with tight junctions. In this study, to elucidate the relationship between gap- and tight-junction proteins, we investigated the localization of gap-junction proteins Cx32 and Cx26 and tight-junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, and ZO-2 in primary cultured rat hepatocytes, using confocal laser microscopy. In hepatocytes cultured in 2% DMSO and 10(-7) M glucagon medium, Cx32- but not Cx26-immunoreactive lines were observed on the most subapical plasma membrane at cell borders, while on the basolateral membrane both Cx32- and Cx26-positive spots were colocalized. Occludin-, claudin-1-, ZO-1-, and ZO-2-immunoreactive lines were also linearly observed on the most subapical plasma membrane and were colocalized with only Cx32-immunoreactive lines. In freeze-fracture analysis, many small gap-junction plaques were observed within a well-developed tight-junction strand network. The fence function of tight junctions in the cells, as examined by diffusion of labeled sphingomyelin, was well maintained. We also carried out Western blotting for Cx32 following immunoprecipitation with anti-occludin, anti-claudin-1, or anti-ZO-1 antibodies. Cx32 was detectable in all immunoprecipitates. These results suggest that Cx32 gap junctions, but not those with Cx26, are closely coordinated with the expression and function of tight junctions in hepatocytes and that Cx32 gap-junction formation may affect cell polarity through modification of tight-junction expression.


Abstract On 19 July 2019 an estimated 20 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were observed in the Marsdiep, a tidal inlet connecting the North Sea and the Dutch Wadden Sea, between Den Helder and the island of Texel. Photographs and video recordings were made and nine individuals were matched with known dolphins from the Moray Firth, NE Scotland. These are the first matches of this east coast of Scotland population outside the UK and Ireland. Subsequent observations of individuals from this group show that at least some of the animals have returned to Scottish waters, while others were photographed in Danish waters. Furthermore, we report on a photo identification match of a solitary bottlenose dolphin between France and the Netherlands. These matches suggest that bottlenose dolphins, in the Netherlands, originate from two different genetically distinct populations: 'Coastal South' and 'Coastal North'. This evidence of previously unknown long-range movements may have important implications for the conservation and management of this species in European waters.


IntroductionRoutine health care information systems only capture a portion of violence against women because some victimized women may not seek health care and some events may not require medical attention. Population-based estimates of the risk of violent injury (VI) among women with a history of intimate partner victimization (IPV) are lacking.
Objectives and ApproachTo determine the risk of violent injury following IPV among women living in Manitoba, Canada, 2004-2016. Linked administrative justice, healthcare, and social databases were used. Exposure began after a woman was first involved with the Manitoba Justice system as a victim of IPV, assessed through provincial prosecution and disposition records. IPV victims (n= 20,469) were matched to three non-victims (n= 61,407) on age, relationship status and place of residence at the date of the IPV incident. The main outcomes were first health care use for violent injury and violent death. Outcomes were assessed through emergency department, hospital and vital statistics records. Conditional Cox Regression was used to obtain Hazard Ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
ResultsThe crude risk of VI was 8.5 per 1000 women among non-victims and 55.8 among victims of IPV. Compared to non-victims, IPV victims were 3.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4, 4.3] times more likely to suffer IIIO and 4.5 [95% CI: 2.3, 9.0] times to have a violent death, after adjustment. Victims had approximately half the risk of VI if the accused is on probation.
Conclusion / ImplicationsJustice System-identified victims of IPV are at higher risk of assault and violent death than women not exposed to IPV. Justice involvement represents an opportunity for prevention of violent injury and homicide among IPV victims.


Classical conditioning and conditioned inhibition are fundamental for cognitive processes in both animals and humans. Conditioned inhibition is involved in a wide range of normal behaviour – and its disruption could produce a wide range of behavioural deficits. For example, lack of inhibitory control has been argued to lie at the core of impulsivity (Buss & Plomin, 1975). Impulsivity is one of the core features in some of the clinical groups, such as schizophrenic patients and patients with cluster B personality disorders (PD), especially patients with PD within forensic populations (Hare et al., 1991; Munro et al., 2007). Previous research studied impulsivity by using some laboratory behaviour learning tasks (e.g. Go-NoGo tasks). People with higher impulsivity have difficulty withholding responding which is demonstrated by poor performances in these tasks. Such tasks measured participants' ability to inhibit pre-potent motor responses, and these tasks are usually thought to involve inhibition of stimulus-response (S-R) association. To date, little research has explored the inhibition of stimulus-stimulus (S-S) associations (formally 'conditioned inhibition', CI) in relation to individual differences, and no research has explicitly examined CI learning in any clinical groups.

The present study developed a suitable procedure to examine human participants' conditioned inhibition in a summation test and explored CI learning performance in relation to individual differences and disorders. Two hundred and thirty-seven participants in the University of Nottingham completed a set of questionnaires [BIS/BAS, UPPS, EPQ-RS, O-LIFE (short) and STB] to assess their individual differences and a computer-based experiment to test their excitatory and conditioned inhibitory learning. The results suggested various correlations between the scores of questionnaires and the measures of excitatory and inhibitory learning, which confirmed that the higher impulsivity, neuroticism and schizotypy levels, the less evidence of the excitatory learning. At the same time, the higher anxiety, neuroticism and schizotypy levels, the less evidence of the conditioned inhibition.

Twenty-five schizophrenic patients in community-based and 24 patients with PD in forensic settings were also tested using the CI learning task. The results suggested that schizophrenic patients showed a clear reduction in their excitatory and inhibitory learning performance. Moreover, schizophrenic patients with higher negative scores on PANSS, perform worse on the CI learning task. For PD patients at Rampton hospital, the CI effect was abolished in the samples. There was also a significant difference in the CI effect between patients in the PD and the DSPD units. Specifically participants in the DSPD unit showed significantly less CI. Within the clinical samples used in the present study, it was unable to demonstrate any relationship between the levels of CI and medication. Implications of these findings for personality dimensions affect learning in normal populations and clinical groups would be discussed, and further research would be suggested in this thesis.


In Philip K. Dick's short story The Minority Report (later made into a movie by Steven Spielberg), 3 fortune tellers called "precogs" predict crime before it happens, which allows the police to arrest criminals before any harm is done. Needless to say, treating malignancy before it occurs is any oncologist's ultimate dream. While such prognostic capabilities are not at our disposal today, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a kind of cancer, which typically occurs in a specified population which in turn can be kept under surveillance. Therefore, all international guidelines recommend screening measures for patients at risk who are suited for treatment.(1-3) The guidelines differ to some extent regarding patient selection, but cirrhotic patients with Child-Pugh stage A and B, noncirrhotic hepatitis B virus infected patients at increased risk of HCC, and noncirrhotic F3 patients with bridging fibrosis based on an individual risk assessment appear to be good candidates for surveillance. Here, the most widely accepted procedure is ultrasound-sometimes in combination with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) measurements. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Abstract Peritonitis, a common complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), arises from various bacterial pathogens. We report the case of a patient with CAPD-associated peritonitis caused by Serratia marcescens. This case was further complicated by the development of osteomyelitis believed to have occurred from hematogenous seeding of Serratia marcescens.


Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness that has been largely ignored by the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health. This is particularly notable because it is associated with a higher suicide rate than schizophrenia and has a greater burden of disability. The NSF offers little guidance on service models that specifically consider BD. This is of concern because of the complexities that are inherent in the management of BD. These deficiencies in the NSF may have far-reaching implications for resource allocation, service organization, and patient management and well-being. Moreover, the standards and performance targets laid out in the NSF will be difficult to meet if this important and common mental illness is not specifically catered for in mental health services. Local Implementation Teams would be well advised to take note of the recently published British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the management of BD.


The propsed project addresses the recently introduced claim that the socio-cultural relevance of parent-child engagement in home book reading needs to be at the heart of new interventions in this area. The rationale for this project was to offer a practical solution to concerns about the challenges posed by traditional shared book reading interventions and about the need to take account of multiple, rapidly changing home learning environments. The proposed project brings together this broad range of issues by evaluating the benefits and effectiveness of an intervention which uses self-made personalised books, in various formats, languages and forms. As such, the project acknowledges the socio-cultural variety of home learning environments and taps into the motivational issues for parents' (non)participation in traditional early book intervention programmes.

In this paper, we identify the project's core principles, concentrating on two major tenets of the study. Firstly, the importance of story book sharing being personally meaningful to both parents and children, and secondly, the socio-cultural and temporal relevance of a home book reading intervention.


Culture as a concept impacts organization development (OD) in two fundamental ways. First, it is increasingly evident that the practice of OD has to learn to deal with the cultures and subcultures of client systems. Dealing with cultures and sub-cultures requires conceptual models and intervention skills that deal realistically with what culture is and how culture works. Second, OD as an occupational community has developed a culture and sub-cultures within itself and has to learn what the strengths and weaknesses are of those occupational cultures and sub-cultures. Of particular importance is the recognition that the sub-cultures within OD may be in conflict with each other and not be aware of this. In this paper I will present a working model of culture and then analyze each of the two issues.


Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), of which there are more than 200 types, infect epithelial cells of the skin and mucosal surfaces by direct contact and, as a whole, are fairly ubiquitous in the human population. These viruses are intraepithelial pathogens that enter but do not kill the host cell and have evolved numerous mechanisms to evade the host immune system. Of clinical significance, over five percent of human cancers are initiated by infection with HPV. These include cervical, oropharyngeal, anal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, which are driven by sexually transmitted HPVs, types 16 and 18. The incidence of cervical cancer, the most common women's cancer worldwide, has decreased in the western world following widespread implementation of expensive "Pap" screening programs paired with early clinical intervention. Certain HPV-driven cancer types are however on the increase, including oropharyngeal and anal cancers, especially in men. Additionally, a significant fraction of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) and basal cell carcinomas (cBCCs) are associated with HPV 5 infection or with the dozen or so other cancer-causing HPV types (1,2).


Poly(etherether-ketone)-alumina coating were deposited by EPD. In order to densify the coatings, conventional thermal treatments were performed at a temperature equal or higher than the melting point of the polymer. The samples treated at the lower temperature showed an increase in the quality of crystallinity of the polymer. As an alternative method, an excimer laser was used to treat the surface of the composite coatings. The laser beam irradiation did not induce any modification in the crystalline structure of the polymer and at the same time did not produce strong degradation of the polymer molecule, also when the laser beam fluence was higher than the ablation limit. The most relevant modification induced by both the treatments was a change in the morphology and the porosity.


: Methods of conservative and complex rehabilitation of patients with cicatricial eyelid malpositions are proposed. Conservative treatment included developed regimen of antihomotoxic agents, different techniques of graduated extension of scar tissues, special eyelid exercises. In complex management conservative treatment was provided along with surgery, in some cases botulinum toxin A was administered. Duration, time and priorities were determined.


The objective of this research is to analyse smart technologies implemented in Croatian marinas and their impact upon the safety and service quality improvement, sustainability, and environmental protection, as well as energy consumption and operations optimisation. Key performance indicators and a definition of smart marina concept have been derived based on the smart port concept. The analysis has been conducted on a sample of 78 marinas in six different counties along the Croatian coast. Ultimately, the SWOT analysis has been performed in order to determine the advantages and disadvantages of introducing smart technologies in marina management. The results indicate that the Croatian marinas are undergoing a revolution in terms of facilitating booking management process and achieving greater safety and service quality, but still need to improve in the field of monitoring and controlling nautical tourism impact upon the environment.


In the next years, the LHC accelerator will be upgraded with an increase of instantaneous and integrated luminosity, so that the particle rate will drastically increase. The ATLAS goal is to cope this large particle rate and at the same time trying to conserve the high muon detection efficiency. For this purpose the current innermost stations of the Muon Spectrometer end-caps, the Small Wheels , will be replaced in the year 2019/2020 shutdown with the New Small Wheel detector for high luminosity LHC runs. The New Small Wheel will feature two new detector technologies: resistive Micromegas will be used as a precision detector while small strip Thin Gap Chambers will provide the trigger.
An overview of the design, construction and assembly procedures of the Micromegas modules will be reported with particular reference to the SM1 chambers built in Italy. Results and characterizations will also be presented.


Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health problem and is driven by HIV. Recent studies indicate that anti-retroviral therapy (ART) initiated during the first two months of anti-TB treatment (ATT) reduces risk of HIV morbidity and mortality. In Sanyati district, 14% of TB/HIV co-infected patients were initiated on ART during TB treatment, in 2010. The study was conducted to determine the magnitude and determinants of delay in ART initiation, in TB/HIV co-infected patients. Methods An analytic cross sectional study was conducted at three study sites in Sanyati district. The outcome was delayed ART initiation, being failure to be initiated on ART during the first two months of ATT. Respondents were interviewed using pre-tested questionnaires. Epi-Info™ was used to generate frequencies, means, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Stratified and logistic regression analysis was done. Results Of the 186 respondents, 63% had delayed ART initiation. Median delay from initiation of ATT to ART was 48 days (Q1=20; Q3=82). Risk factors for delayed ART initiation were: being treated for TB first time, AOR=2.23 (p=0.03); initially registered for HIV care outside Sanyati, AOR=3.08 (p<0.01); staying more than 5km from a clinic, AOR=3.29 (p<0.01). Enabling factors for early ART initiation was having a family member on ART, AOR=0.23 (p<0.01). Conclusion Significant delay and barriers to ART initiation were identified. Decentralization of ART initiation should be expedited. ART initiation should be expedited in patients with identified risk factors for delaying ART initiation. Peer support should be strengthened in families and community. Periodic evaluation of magnitude of delay and impact of early ART initiation in TB/HIV patients is recommended.


The thesis examines the fatigue life of weld ends, where very little usable research previously has been conducted, and often the weld ends are the critical parts of the weld. It is essential knowing the fatigue life of welds to be able to use them most efficiently.The report is divided into two parts; in the first the different calculation methods used today at Toyota Material Handling are examined and compared. Based on the results from the analysis and what is used mostly today, the effective notch approach is the method used in part two.To validate the calculation methods and models used, fatigue testing of the welded test specimens was conducted together with a stress test. New modelling methods of the weld ends that coincide with the test results were made in the finite element software Abaqus. A new way of modelling the weld ends for the effective notch method is also proposed. By using a notch radius of 0.2 mm and rounded weld ends the calculated fatigue life better matches the life of the real weld ends.


The personal software process is a process improvement methodology aimed at individual software engineers. It claims to improve software quality (in particular defect content), effort estimation capability, and process adaptation and improvement capabilities. We have tested some of these claims in an experiment comparing the performance of participants who had just previously received a PSP course to a different group of participants who had received other technical training instead. Each participant of both groups performed the same task. We found the following positive effects: the PSP group estimated their productivity (though not their effort) more accurately, made fewer trivial mistakes, and their programs performed more careful error-checking; further, the performance variability was smaller in the PSP group in various respects. However, the improvements are smaller than the PSP proponents usually assume, possibly due to the low actual usage of PSP techniques in the PSP group. We conjecture that PSP training alone does not automatically realize the PSP's potential benefits (as seen in some industrial PSP success stories) when programmers are left alone with motivating themselves to actually use the PSP techniques.