Relapse rates back into addiction post detox can be quite high. Ongoing support may be overlooked and individuals who are connected with community groups or have fellow peers who are also in recovery have a higher chance of remaining clean. Quality of life can be limited for those battling to stay clean and is often routed in a lack of self -compassion or acceptance about themselves and their past using history and its ramifications. Vital therapy work may be omitted, and individuals may return to work or family life to make up for time lost in active addiction. It is essential in therapy to understand and make consideration for the lack of resilience brought on by years of addiction. Struggles to regulate emotions can be very difficult in early recovery.Self-compassion and self-acceptance are key in providing this platform of resilience as well as having loving relationships with people who understand and who those in recovery can share honestly with. Ongoing healthy recovery and happiness is increased for those who demonstrate self-acceptance, hold a compassionate view of themselves, can forgive others, manage resentments and also find a community or at least close friends and family who accept them for who they are and their past.


Developing Watershed Improvement Plans (WIPs) to improve conditions in streams and watersheds has been a challenging activity. The goal has been to create an objective, quantifiable, defensible, performance based system that would be applicable to all watersheds and conditions. Issues encountered along the way have included: data collection and defining the scope and extent of stream walks, selecting sound, defensible project evaluation criteria and procedures, identifying the source of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and developing a reliable water quality / total suspended solids (TSS) model to evaluate existing condition and impacts of project implementation. The evaluation process required determining project benefits for stream restoration and upland best management practices (BMPs) based on water quality and habitat improvements. Potential projects are required to be evaluated and prioritized based on watershed benefits and then screened with regard to implementation issues and factors such as ownership, service requests, and permitting. An objective has been to develop an interactive, "live" WIP that can be easily updated as projects are implemented and evolve with new data, technology, regulatory issues and requirements, and other programs.


Multi-level inverter has emerged as an attractive choice in the field of medium and high power applications. Multilevel inverter synthesizes the staircase voltage waveform from several DC sources which has reduced harmonic content. Multi-level inverter reduces dv/dt, switching losses. A comparative study of various PWM schemes for diodeclamped five-level inverter with three phase induction motor as a load is presented in this paper. A Matlab Simulink model is created and simulated using various PWM control schemes. These schemes are compared for THD analysis. Keywords— DCMLI, SPWM, SVPWM, PD, POD, APOD, THD.


Data management is growing in complexity as large-scale applications take advantage of the loosely coupled resources brought together by grid middleware and by abundant storage capacity. Metadata describing the data products used in and generated by these applications is essential to disambiguate the data and enable reuse. Data provenance, one kind of metadata, pertains to the derivation history of a data product starting from its original sources.In this paper we create a taxonomy of data provenance characteristics and apply it to current research efforts in e-science, focusing primarily on scientific workflow approaches. The main aspect of our taxonomy categorizes provenance systems based on why they record provenance, what they describe, how they represent and store provenance, and ways to disseminate it. The survey culminates with an identification of open research problems in the field.


The aim of the Cloud "as-a-service" concept is provisioning of software services to facilitate access to resources to a range of different users in different locations. Service adaptation through localization in this context can facilitate the internationalization and localization of services by allowing their adaption to different locales. Three localization dimensions are investigated: (1) lingual localization by providing service-level language translation techniques to adopt services to different languages; (2) regulatory localization by providing standards-based mappings to achieve regulatory compliance with regionally varying laws, standards, and regulations; and (3) social localization by taking into account preferences and customs for individuals and the groups or communities in which they participate. The objective is to support and implement an explicit modelling of aspects that are relevant to localization and runtime support consisting of tools and middleware services to automating the deployment based on models of locales, driven by the two localization dimensions.


The study seeks to describe the current state of the promotion of learner autonomy in Thailand, from the perspectives and practices of university language lecturers. The study employed a mixed method approach with emphasis on the qualitative phase. The research was conducted in two sequential phases, a quantitative survey followed by qualitative cases studies. The first phase aimed to investigate the extent to which learner autonomy has been valued by lecturers. The second phase aimed to describe how learner autonomy is currently practiced among Thai lecturers. In the first phase, the survey questionnaire was completed by 297 lecturers who taught foreign languages in universities in Bangkok and the south of Thailand. The survey findings suggest an inconsistency between the lecturers' beliefs and practices. The lecturers reported strong beliefs in learner autonomy, but moderate practices. The lecturers also reported low levels of confidence in their students' ability to be autonomous learners. Using the survey results, five lecturers were purposely selected to be included in the second, qualitative phase. Data in the second phase were collected through interviews, class observations, follow-up discussions and document analysis. Results show that the lecturers promoted learner autonomy in their class through communication strategies, teaching pedagogy and the learning atmosphere. The link from Phase 1 to Phase 2 reveals a pathway to the promotion of learner autonomy. The pathway begins with the lecturer beliefs in learner autonomy and ends with the practices of promoting learner autonomy. Along this pathway, the lecturers may experience four main factors that might support or prevent them from promoting learner autonomy. These factors include the lecturer's understanding of the principles of learner autonomy; the organizational climate of their university; student attributes; and the social and educational elements of Thai society. Finally, the findings of both phases are used to develop a framework for ways to promote learner autonomy in Thailand. This framework includes activities that lead to dialogic teaching, shift of responsibility, and power symmetry between lecturers and students. The framework serves as a preliminary guideline for Thai lecturers to promote learner autonomy in their classes.


Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a serious 3-dimentional deformity of the spine affecting mostly girls. The prevalence rate is 3%-4% in Hong Kong. Generalised osteopenia are found in AIS patients. This study attempted to study whether low bone mineral density (BMD) is related to calcium intake in AIS. 582 AIS patients & 206 healthy controls aged 11-16 years were enrolled. Areal BMD (aBMD) and volumetric BMD (vBMD) were evaluated by DXA (Norland-XR-36) and pQCT (Densiscan-1000) respectively. Calcium and other nutrients intakes were assessed by a food-frequency method. The results showed that absolute calcium intake of the subjects were low (< 500 mg/d). Mean calcium intake of AIS girls was significantly higher than that of controls[(441 +/- 344) mg/d vs. (390 +/- 281) mg/d, P = 0.015]. BMD of AIS was significantly lower than that of controls at most skeletal sites from age 11-16 years (P < or = 0.05). The percentage difference in BMD increased with age between the AIS and control group. Furthermore, calcium intake was significantly correlated with BMD at most skeletal sites from age 15-16 years. However, this association was not found in the controls. Calcium intake was an independent determinant to predict variation of BMD after controlling for confounding variables in multivariate analysis. It is suggested that absolute calcium intake of AIS was low. BMD at various skeletal sites of the AIS was consistently lower than those of controls across different adolescent years, and that the correlation between calcium intake and BMD occurs only in AIS but not in healthy control girls implying the importance of calcium in bone mineral gain among the AIS, and it also reflected an abnormal mechanism of calcium homeostasis and bone turnover in AIS. Further calcium interventional study is warranted to confirm the effect of calcium on BMD acquisition in AIS.


Background: A growing number of epidemiological cases are proving the possibility of airborne transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Ensuring adequate ventilation rate is essential to reduce the risk of infection in confined spaces. Methods: We obtained the quantum generation rate by a COVID-19 infector with a reproductive number based fitting approach, and then estimated the association between infected probability and ventilation rate with the Wells-Riley equation. Results: The estimated quantum generation rate of COVID-19 is 14-48 /h. To ensure infected probabolity less than 1%, ventilation rate lareger than common values (100-350 m3/h and 1200-4000 m3/h for 15 minutes and 3 hours exposure, respectively) is required. If both the infector and susceptibles wear masks, the ventilation rate ensuring less than 1% infected probability is reduced to 50-180 m3/h and 600-2000 m3/h correspondingly, which is easier to be achieved by normal ventilation mode applied in some typical scenarios, including offices, classrooms, buses and aircraft cabins. Interpretation: The risk of potential airborne transmission in confined spaces cannot be ignored. Strict preventive measures that have been widely adopted should be effective in reducing the risk of airborne transmitted infection.


Rapid development in the area of ambient intelligence introduced numerous applications. One of the fundamental underpinnings in such applications is an effective and reliable context-aware system able to recognize and understand activities performed by a human, and context in which it happened. However, there are two pending issues: (i) transferability, i.e., a specific implementation is tightly interrelated with a selected algorithm, available sensors, and a scenario/environment where they are employed; and (ii) comparability, i.e., there is no established benchmark problem that would enable a direct comparison of the developed context-aware systems. This paper first reviews some recent initiatives that address the abovementioned problems and then proposes a centralized collection of resources related to design and evaluation of context-aware systems. The main idea is to establish an online repository of datasets accompanied with the task, result and applied approach. Ideally, the contributors will provide the dataset with short description of the data, task and results, relevant paper, and link to resources such as implementation of the approach, preprocessing tools, and filtering. This would allow the community to quickly start building upon the latest state-of-the-art approaches, to benchmark newly developed techniques, and ultimately, to advance the frontiers in ambient intelligence.


Vapor deposition can yield glasses that are more stable than those obtained by the traditional melt-quenching route. However, it remains unclear whether vapor-deposited glasses are "allowable" or "forbidden," that is, if they are equivalent to glasses formed by cooling extremely slowly a liquid or if they differ in nature from melt-quenched glasses. Here, based on reactive molecular dynamics simulation of silica glasses, we demonstrate that the allowable or forbidden nature of vapor-deposited glasses depends on the temperature of the substrate and, in turn, is found to be encoded in their medium-range order structure.


This exploratory study is the first to examine how convicted felons view the jury process and their role in that process. Data derived from interviews with former and prospective felon-jurors in Maine, the only US jurisdiction that does not restrict a convicted felon's opportunity to serve as a juror, reveal that participants displayed an idealized view of jury service, stressing a commitment to serve conscientiously. Additionally, inclusion in the jury process affirmed their transitions from "offenders" to "nonoffenders." In response, participants exhibited a sense of particularized self-worth, emphasizing that negative experiences with the criminal justice system make one a more effective juror. In sum, this study suggests that among convicted felons, inclusion in the jury process may prompt conformity with the "ideal juror" role, facilitate prosocial identity shifts by mitigating the "felon" label, and help former offenders to find personal value.


This PhD dissertation investigates migrant fathers' experiences of home-school cooperation. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a public school in Copenhagen, a social housing complex and various fathers' groups, the dissertation sheds light on how migrant fathers are navigating the terrain of home-school cooperation differently, and how certain constrains in these interlocutors' lives hindered some fathers from performing as "visible" and "active" fathers - performances, appreciated by the school. The dissertation also identifies a social phenomenon termed as mistrusted masculinity. We see how certain negative controlling images of the Muslim, migrant man, is figuring in political and media rhetoric, where this 'kind of man' is represented as controlling, a patriarch and as a brake on integration and equality of gender. Migrant fathers express how they, in various ways, had to relate and navigate according to this negative controlling image, in their struggle to be acknowledged as good school-fathers.


Informal investors have proved to be highly valuable for the growth of the firms in which they have invested. Therefore, it is important to understand what motivates potential informal investors to make their initial investment as well as how already active investors develop their entrepreneurial careers. Such an understanding may prove helpful in directing efforts to locate and attract potential and existing informal investors. This paper investigates the entrepreneurial career of four informal investors. Based on the personal stories of these individuals, we explore their career patterns and present the central concepts of the different career phases they have progressed through. The results indicate that informal investors have experienced three overall career phases: (1) the corporate career phase; (2) the entrepreneurial learning phase; and (3) the integrated investment career phase. Each career phase provides informal investors with possibilities for learning and developing valuable competencies in order to advance in their entrepreneurial career. During the corporate career phase, the investors learn a 'managerial logic' and create a platform on which they can build up their managerial competence, establish a network, and legitimize their reputation. In the following entrepreneurial learning phase, the investors make use of this platform in varying entrepreneurial projects, mainly as consultants, which in turn provides them with the possibilities for learning the 'logic' behind entrepreneurial processes. During the integrated investment career phase, informal investors extend the platform by making use of their managerial and entrepreneurial competence in the firms in which they invest, and thus act as both entrepreneurs and informal investors in the firms in which they are involved.


The linguistic turn revealed the hermeneutic interaction between content/ideas and their literary form/structure. Recently, this insight has been applied to the oeuvre of Augustine of Hippo – his Confessiones in particular, though conclusions in recent research very much differ. This is why, in the current article, we adopt different approaches based on this linguistic turn. Our focus is in particular on the so-called Ostia-ecstasy in Confessions IX,10,23, a scene in which we try to distinguish more clearly the role of grace. By investigating how literary/philosophical structural elements (for instance, the motive of three gardens, the narrative of separation, the neoplatonic scheme of ascent of the soul) co-determine Augustine's (early) reflections about grace, we show that the latter actually escape any attempt to unilaterally interpret them.


The Elizabethan age was a tumultuous time, when long-cherished certainties were crumbling and life was exhilaratingly uncertain. Shakespeare's Restless World uncovers the extraordinary stories behind twenty objects from the period to re-create an age at once distant and yet surprisingly familiar. From knife crime to belief in witches, religious battles to the horizons of the New World, Neil MacGregor brings the past to life in a fresh, unexpected portrait of a dangerous and dynamic era.


The chorus in favor of integrating behavioral and physical health services is strong and diverse, both at the federal level and in New Jersey. Providers, payers, regulators, patients, and academics are uniting behind the strong clinical behavioral health literature highlighting integration's positive effects on access and clinical outcomes. But integration requires providers to share health information so they may coordinate care. Health care providers often report experiencing barriers to the exchange of health information with other providers. As care has been siloed, so too have many patient records, and it is not always clear who has the legal authority to access them.
The Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy at Seton Hall University School of Law (the Center) was asked to conduct a legal analysis, as part of New Jersey's State Innovation Model Grant, of the barriers related to the sharing of patient health information in connection with the integration of physical and behavioral health care. To inform the legal analysis, the Center conducted a number of interviews with providers, regulators, health information exchanges (HIEs), health information organizations (HIOs), trade and professional associations, consultants, privacy attorneys, advocates, and researchers, to learn more about the specific problems providers face and the questions that need answering.
This Report has three main goals:
1. To summarize the Center's legal analysis of federal and New Jersey laws regarding the sharing of patient health information among treatment providers;
2. To identify challenges to health information sharing among treatment providers that relate to these legal requirements; and
3. To suggest opportunities for the State to support provider exchange of treatment information for integration.


TDDB lifetime projections at operating voltages for backend of line (BEOL) dielectrics have been based on accelerated testing at high fields and extrapolation to operating conditions based on electric field dependent dielectric wear-out models. In this paper, we examine the veracity of common TDDB models by using a large set of failure data spanning 3 pitches. Key components of the approach include (i) investigating the universality of failure time data at 3 pitches and different test structure areas using area scaling, (ii) using the universal curve of failure time data to test the acceleration model for 3 pitches and (iii) examining the ability of the models to extrapolate to low field data using high field data for fitting and vice versa. While almost all models seem appropriate when entire set of data (low and high field) is used to fit, fitting only high or low field data and testing the ability to predict low and high fields respectively, shows that power-law and impact damage models extrapolate much better than the root-E model that shows systematic deviation during extrapolation.


Abstract Aims The EUropean Comparative Effectiveness Research to Assess the Use of Primary ProphylacTic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (EU-CERT-ICD), a prospective investigator-initiated, controlled cohort study, was conducted in 44 centres and 15 European countries. It aimed to assess current clinical effectiveness of primary prevention ICD therapy. Methods and results We recruited 2327 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and guideline indications for prophylactic ICD implantation. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Clinical characteristics, medications, resting, and 12-lead Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs) were documented at enrolment baseline. Baseline and follow-up (FU) data from 2247 patients were analysable, 1516 patients before first ICD implantation (ICD group) and 731 patients without ICD serving as controls. Multivariable models and propensity scoring for adjustment were used to compare the two groups for mortality. During mean FU of 2.4 ± 1.1 years, 342 deaths occurred (6.3%/years annualized mortality, 5.6%/years in the ICD group vs. 9.2%/years in controls), favouring ICD treatment [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.682, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.537–0.865, P = 0.0016]. Multivariable mortality predictors included age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association class <III, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Adjusted mortality associated with ICD vs. control was 27% lower (HR 0.731, 95% CI 0.569–0.938, P = 0.0140). Subgroup analyses indicated no ICD benefit in diabetics (adjusted HR = 0.945, P = 0.7797, P for interaction = 0.0887) or those aged ≥75 years (adjusted HR 1.063, P = 0.8206, P for interaction = 0.0902). Conclusion In contemporary ICM/DCM patients (LVEF ≤35%, narrow QRS), primary prophylactic ICD treatment was associated with a 27% lower mortality after adjustment. There appear to be patients with less survival advantage, such as older patients or diabetics.


OBJECTIVE
How do caregivers' life satisfaction shift upon the recovery of an ill spouse? Paradoxically, there is a greater increase in life satisfaction upon death than recovery of a spouse. Our analysis explores this paradox.

METHOD
We follow the two groups of exiting caregivers longitudinally for four years from when the partner is still in need of care until the death (N= 152) or recovery (N= 112) of a previously ill partner, comparing their trajectory of life satisfaction. We use the years 2001-2016 of the German-Socio-Economic Panel Study and a growth-curve analysis.

RESULTS
Contrary to our expectations, bereaved caregivers experience a significantly stronger increase in life satisfaction than spouses whose partners recover from a serious illness, even when we stratify by age, gender and initial life satisfaction to account for significantly different subsample composition. Surprisingly, life satisfaction remains unchanged when the partner recovers. Only if a heavy burden in terms of unpaid care and housework hours or prior care need is lifted, do we observe an increase in life satisfaction among spouses with recovering partners, which is like the one experienced by bereaved caregivers.


The morphological method—based on the topology and singularity theory and originally developed for the analysis of the scattering experiments—was extended to be applicable for the analysis of biological data. The usefulness of the topological viewpoint was demonstrated by quantification of the changes in collagen fiber straightness in the human colon mucosa (healthy mucosa, colorectal cancer, and uninvolved mucosa far from cancer). This has been done by modeling the distribution of collagen segment angles by the polymorphic beta-distribution. Its shapes were classified according to the number and type of critical points. We found that biologically relevant shapes could be classified as shapes without any preferable orientation (i.e. shapes without local extrema), transitional forms (i.e. forms with one broad local maximum), and highly oriented forms (i.e. forms with two minima at both ends and one very narrow maximum between them). Thus, changes in the fiber organization were linked to the metamorphoses of the beta-distribution forms. The obtained classification was used to define a new, shape-aware/based, measure of the collagen straightness, which revealed a slight and moderate increase of the straightness in mucosa samples taken 20 and 10 cm away from the tumor. The largest increase of collagen straightness was found in samples of cancer tissue. Samples of healthy individuals have a uniform distribution of beta-distribution forms. We found that this distribution has the maximal information entropy. At 20 cm and 10 cm away from cancer, the transition forms redistribute into unoriented and highly oriented forms. Closer to cancer the number of unoriented forms decreases rapidly leaving only highly oriented forms present in the samples of the cancer tissue, whose distribution has minimal information entropy. The polarization of the distribution was followed by a significant increase in the number of quasi-symmetrical forms in samples 20 cm away from cancer which decreases closer to cancer. This work shows that the evolution of the distribution of the beta-distribution forms—an abstract construction of the mind—follows the familiar laws of statistical mechanics. Additionally, the polarization of the beta-distribution forms together with the described change in the number of quasi-symmetrical forms, clearly visible in the parametric space of the beta-distribution and very difficult to notice in the observable space, can be a useful indicator of the early stages in the development of colorectal cancer.


Approximately 4 million persons in the United States and probably more than 100 million persons worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus. The virus has the unique ability to cause persistent infection in susceptible hosts after parenteral or percutaneous transmission, and its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The immunologic correlates of protection and viral clearance and the pathogenesis of liver injury are yet to be defined, but recent studies suggest the importance of cell-mediated immune responses. Although 70% to 80% of infected persons become chronic carriers, most have relatively mild disease with slow progression. However, chronic and progressive hepatitis C carries significant morbidity and mortality and is a major cause of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer. Development of an effective hepatitis C virus vaccine is not imminent, but recent advances in technology and basic knowledge of molecular virology and immunology have engendered novel approaches to the fundamental problems encountered in vaccine development. Current therapy for hepatitis C, although effective in some patients, is problematic and still evolving. Advances in modern biology and immunology promise new therapies for this important disease.


1. The effects of 7-day infusion of dopexamine (50 and 200 micrograms kg-1h-1) were examined on beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig left ventricular membranes. 2. Receptor binding performed using the high affinity radioligand (-)-[125I]-cyanopindolol (CYP) and the beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712A showed that treatment with dopexamine 200 micrograms kg-1h-1 caused a 45% reduction in beta 2-adrenoceptors and a small but not significant increase in beta 1-adrenoceptors. 3. Functional effects of dopexamine were examined in the guinea-pig isolated electrically driven left atria and K(+)-depolarized uterus. Dopexamine was an antagonist at beta 1-adrenoceptors in left atria (pKB = 4.49), and a partial agonist at beta 2-adrenoceptors in the uterus (alpha = 0.78, pD2 = 6.59). 4. The effects of dopexamine on beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor density in guinea-pig ventricular myocardial membranes may be related to agonist activity at beta 2-adrenoceptors and antagonist activity at beta 1-adrenoceptors.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES
To explore perceptions of spirituality in women who had undergone a breast diagnostic experience.

RESEARCH APPROACH
Qualitative, phenomenologic study using Giorgi's approach.

SETTING
An outpatient comprehensive breast assessment center.

PARTICIPANTS
20 Caucasian women, aged 30-89, who had just completed the diagnostic process, including definitive diagnosis, regarding a breast abnormality.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH
In-depth, semistructured, tape-recorded, and transcribed interviews analyzed using the Giorgi method of coding, transforming, and synthesizing data.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES
Descriptions of spirituality, spiritual needs, and supporting spirituality.

FINDINGS
Two themes emerged: creating a focused isolation and seeking connections. Women created a private mental world in which to concentrate on the stressful diagnostic process. Within the isolation, women explored their personal strength and their connection to God or their spiritual beliefs. When the stress began to overwhelm, they sought out loved ones for support and diversion. Women found the center's staff to be supportive; however, many did not wish to speak to an agency chaplain during the uncertain period.

CONCLUSIONS
Women needed to handle the stress alone, with reliance on spirituality and God that was balanced with a need for specific connections to family members or close friends.

INTERPRETATION
Nurses can support women's need to focus and can assist family members to understand their role during the diagnostic period. The diagnostic period can be used to talk with women about their spiritual beliefs, their needs, and possible referral to a chaplain.


Since climate governance gained political traction in China, NGOs have emerged as an active stakeholder. Media work, one of NGOs' main activities with significant implications for Chinese climate journalism, remains underexplored. This study fills this lacuna by examining how NGOs interact with Chinese journalists and discussing how their interactions affect their mutual relations and climate reporting. A group of Chinese climate NGO professionals and journalists were followed over a period of two years (COP21–COP23) on WeChat. Drawing on the concept of community of practice, group chats are analyzed in terms of members' expertise construction and interpersonal networking. Through online observation, supplemented by fieldwork at COP21 and COP23 and interviews of key members during COP25, this study argues that when analyzing Chinese climate NGO–journalist relations, it is necessary to take into account interpersonal ties and climate expertise, two shaping factors for a potential interwoven community among the two actors.


Ever since Michel Foucault shared a number of intuitions on 'other spaces' at a conference in 1967, a growing number of studies in social sciences have been focusing on what he then called heterotopias. Over the past 10 years, organization scholars have started to use the concept in their analysis, from leadership and marketing to queer practices and critical management studies (CMS). This article presents the origin and diffusion of the concept of heterotopia in management, using social movements as an illustration of its heuristic potential. We conclude by presenting two promising future avenues of research in our field: heterotopic entrepreneurship and organizational heterotopology.


Post-COVID-19, a paradigm shift has occurred in the adoption of technology in arbitration. Leading arbitral institutions have adapted quickly, highlighting the foresight of institutions who have existing technological infrastructure in place. This article proposes a 'Digital Readiness Index', which aims to evaluate arbitral institutions on their level of digital readiness based on five evaluative indicators. Crossreferenced against Institute for Management Development (IMD's) 2019 World Digital Competitiveness Rankings, the findings reveal synergies between an economy's digital competitiveness and the adoption of technology in dispute resolution. To further the development of dispute resolution processes under the Belt and Road Initiative, strategic cooperation is required under the Beijing Joint Declaration of the 'Belt and Road' Arbitration Institutions, to advance best practices and protocols in the use of technology in arbitration, and address challenges such as cybersecurity and data protection.
international arbitration, belt and road initiative, digital competitiveness, technology and arbitration, remote hearing, arbitration institutions, cybersecurity and data protection


Introduction Inhaler adherence in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a crucial component of disease management with studies reporting relationships with both morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of inhaler adherence. Methods Over a 3-year period data was collected on 265 patients with COPD whose inhaler adherence was monitored for one month. Data on personal factors (i.e., cognition, anxiety and depression), disease severity and socioeconomic factors was collected. In addition, after one month of recruitment, information on exacerbations, re-admissions, quality of life, symptoms, self-reported adherence, beliefs in medicines and psychological status were collected. Inhaler adherence was calculated as a combination of timing of use, interval between doses and technique of use (Actual Adherence). Results At one month, patients who reported worse breathlessness (5 on the MRC Dyspnoea Scale) had worse Actual Adherence (p = 0.03). Interestingly, patients who had an exacerbation of their COPD within the month after recruitment had significantly lower Actual Adherence than those that didn't (p = 0.01). In addition, patients with poorer cognition (p = 0.02), poorer cough PEFR (p < 0.01) and more severe COPD (GOLD Stage IV, p = 0.05) had worse Actual Adherence. Conclusion In the large observational study of severe COPD patients, poor inhaler adherence was associated with worse symptoms, poorer cognition, more severe COPD and more exacerbations. This has significant implications for the long-term treatment of this patient population and may guide future interventions.


When needing to search for data in multiple datasets there is a risk that not all da-tasets are of the same type. Some might be in XML-format; others might use a re-lational database. This could frighten developers from using two separate datasets to search for the data in, because of the fact that crafting different search methods for different datasets can be time consuming. One option that is greatly overlooked is the usage of regular expressions. If a search expression is created it can be used in a majority of database engines as a "WHERE" statement and also in other form of data sources such as XML. This option is however, at best, poorly documented and few tests have been made in how it performs against traditional search methods in databases such as "LIKE". Multiple experiments comparing "LIKE" and "REGEXP" in MySQL have been performed for this paper. The results of these experiments show that the possible overhead by using regular expressions can be motivated when considering the gain of only using one search phrase over several data sources.


We examine the formation of dark matter (DM) cores in dwarf galaxies simulated with the eagle model of galaxy formation. As in earlier work, we find that the star formation (SF) gas density threshold (ρth) plays a critical role. At low thresholds (LT), gas is unable to reach densities high enough to dominate the gravitational potential before being dispersed by feedback from supernovae. LT runs show little effect on the inner DM profile, even in systems with extended and bursty SF, two ingredients often cited as critical for core formation. For higher thresholds, gas is able to dominate the gravitational potential before being ejected by feedback. This can lead to a substantial reduction in the inner DM content, but only if the gas is gravitationally important over an extended period of time, allowing the halo to contract before gas removal. Rapid assembly and removal of gas in short SF bursts is less effective at altering the inner DM content. Subsequent gas accretion may draw DM back in and reform a cusp, unless SF is bursty enough to prevent it, preserving the core. Thus, for the eagle SF + feedback model, there is no simple relation between core formation and SF history, contrary to recent claims. The dependence of the inner DM content of dwarfs on ρth hinders robust predictions and the interpretation of observations. A simulation of a $(12 \rm \ Mpc)^3$ volume with high ρth results in dwarfs with sizeable cores over a limited halo mass range, but with insufficient variety in mass profiles to explain the observed diversity of dwarf galaxy rotation curves.


Empathetic conversational models have been shown to improve user satisfaction and task outcomes in numerous domains. In Psychology, persona has been shown to be highly correlated to personality, which in turn influences empathy. In addition, our empirical analysis also suggests that persona plays an important role in empathetic conversations. To this end, we propose a new task towards persona-based empathetic conversations and present the first empirical study on the impacts of persona on empathetic responding. Specifically, we first present a novel large-scale multi-domain dataset for persona-based empathetic conversations. We then propose CoBERT, an efficient BERT-based response selection model that obtains the state-of-the-art performance on our dataset. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments to investigate the impacts of persona on empathetic responding. Notably, our results show that persona improves empathetic responding more when CoBERT is trained on empathetic conversations than non-empathetic ones, establishing an empirical link between persona and empathy in human conversations.


World population has already exceeded 6.5 billion, out of which about 850 million (13 percent) are undernourished. With the current growth rate, the world community faces even a greater challenge of hunger and food security as the estimated the population will catch 9 billion by the year 2050 with doubled needs for food. At the same time, preservation of biodiversity, stopping deforestation and reduced environmental footprint caused by agricultural practice are the main concerns towards sustainable agriculture. The progressive adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including GM crops and trees can make a decisive contribution to improve harvest and alleviate hunger and poverty. In addition to the environmental benefits, the introduced GMOs can improve water use efficiency and reduce the need for fossil based fuels and pesticide application and reduce thousands of tons of emissions of green house gases. In this respect, several social issues are still of concern. On one hand, many beneficial advantages of GMOs have encouraged a wide spectrum of large or small farmers to cultivate transgenic plants which is translated to food security and job opportunities. On the other hand, while ideological debates have hindered, or even ceased, technology provisions in developing and underdeveloped countries, GMO seed and food productions are monopolized by a quite small number of transnational companies. For instance, seeds that were previously available at low or no cost, mainly through public institutes, international entities or seed exchange among farmers, would be offered at higher prices due to exclusive right of producers and additional cost of patent royalties. Cartagena protocol is going to regulate the relationship among countries aiming at preservation of world biodiversity. Although the developing countries outnumbered developed nations that cultivate transgenic plants in recent years, current statistic shows that around 84 percent of GMO crops are cultivated by only four countries, USA, Brazil, Argentina and Canada. Scientist and scholars, particularly in Islamic states, as well as decision makers are the major responsible bodies that must take roles for the current and future situations. Despite the fact that most of scientists or scholars are not in navigation positions, however, they can discuss socioeconomic issues and raise public awareness in order to harmonize their efforts towards proper utilization of


The Government Pension Fund Global and its investment strategy is widely discussed and criticised by many. Financial institutions solely investing in development projects, like Norfund, have in some studies been identified to outperform traditional profit maximizing investment strategies, like the Government Pension Fund Global. In this thesis, the return of capital for the Government Pension Fund Global and Norfund are predicted from a simple neoclassical production model and the subsequent Lucas Paradox, and compared to the funds' actual historical returns. The research does however not provide any significant evidence supporting the funds' mean of returns to be unequal. Acknowledging the two funds' return on capital to be statistically equivalent implies that neither the prediction from the simple neoclassical model nor the Lucas Paradox can be observed in the sampled data. Accordingly, the provided empirical analysis does not support the above statement of Norfund outperforming the Government Pension Fund Global. The further discussion points out limitations regarding human capital, technology and infrastructure and institutions as possible explanations for the differences between the neoclassical predictions and the observed returns.


The chemokine CXCL4/platelet factor‐4 is released by activated platelets in micromolar concentrations and is a chemoattractant for leukocytes via an unidentified receptor. Recently, a variant of the human chemokine receptor CXCR3 (CXCR3‐B) was described, which transduced apoptotic but not chemotactic signals in microvascular endothelial cells following exposure to high concentrations of CXCL4. Here, we show that CXCL4 can induce intracellular calcium release and the migration of activated human T lymphocytes. CXCL4‐induced chemotaxis of T lymphocytes was inhibited by a CXCR3 antagonist and pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (PTX), suggestive of CXCR3‐mediated G‐protein signaling via Gαi‐sensitive subunits. Specific binding by T lymphocytes of the CXCR3 ligand CXCL10 was not effectively competed by CXCL4, suggesting that the two are allotopic ligands. We subsequently used expression systems to dissect the potential roles of each CXCR3 isoform in mediating CXCL4 function. Transient expression of the CXCR3‐A and CXCR3‐B isoforms in the murine pre‐B cell L1.2 produced cells that migrated in response to CXCL4 in a manner sensitive to PTX and a CXCR3 antagonist. Binding of radiolabeled CXCL4 to L1.2 CXCR3 transfectants was of low affinity and appeared to be mediated chiefly by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as no specific CXCL4 binding was observed in GAG‐deficient 745‐Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing CXCR3. We suggest that following platelet activation, the CXCR3/CXCL4 axis may play a role in T lymphocyte recruitment and the subsequent amplification of inflammation observed in diseases such as atherosclerosis. In such a setting, antagonism of the CXCR3/CXCL4 axis may represent a useful, therapeutic intervention.


Although the road safety in China has made great achievement, the current situation is still not optimistic. The new situations and challenges of road safety in China are analyzed. There are still many factors affecting road traffic safety, and the foundation of road safety is still weak. Currently, the accidents are likely to relapse, the accident rate and lethality rate are very high, the road safety in rural areas is not optimistic, the accidents caused by commercial vehicles frequently happened, and the devastating accidents with group deaths and injuries are still very frequent. The challenges include: the hidden dangers are prominent, the safety awareness of citizens is very poor, and the management, enforcement of road safety and emergency rescue skills are low. With a series of policies and measures gradually taking effect, road traffic accidents in China went down quickly. China has successfully achieved the objectives of curbing high incidence and gradually reducing accidents, gradually improving road safety year on year. Although the road traffic safety has been keeping a relatively stable level, there are still many factors affecting road traffic safety, and the foundation of road safety is still weak.


ABSTRACT Introduction: Studies show that pediatric trauma centers produce better outcomes and reduced mortality for injured children. Yet, most children do not have timely access to a pediatric trauma center and require stabilization locally with subsequent transfer. Investigators have demonstrated that pediatric transport teams (PTT) improve outcomes for critically ill children; however, these studies did not differentiate outcomes for injured children. It may be that moderate to severely injured children actually fare worse with PTT due to slower transport times inherent to their remote locations and thus delays in important interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if outcomes for injured children are affected by use of PTT for inter-hospital transfer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 1,177 children transferred to a pediatric trauma center for injury care between March 1st, 2012 and December 31st, 2013. We compared children who were transported by PTT (ground/air) to those transported by ground advanced life support (ALS) and air critical care (ACC). We described patient characteristics and transport times. For PTT vs. ALS and ACC, we compared hospital length of stay (LOS), transport interventions and adverse events. Results: 1,177 injured children were transferred by the following modes: 68% ALS, 13% ACC, 11% Ground PTT, and 9% Air PTT. Children transported by PTT were younger and had higher ISS and lower GCS scores. PTT had a longer total transport time, departure preparation time, and patient bedside time. After controlling for age, ISS, GCS, transport mode, distance, and time, we found no significant difference in LOS between PTT vs. ALS and ACC. A subgroup analysis of children with higher ISS scores demonstrated a 65% longer LOS for children transported by ACC vs. PTT. There were no differences between transport teams with regard to acidosis, hypocarbia or hypercarbia, or maintenance of tubes and lines. Conclusions: Children transported by PTT were younger and sicker (vs. ACC and ALS). Despite longer transport times, children transported by PTT did not have a longer hospital LOS or adverse events during transport. However, for those children with higher ISS, transport by ACC resulted in longer hospital LOS vs. PTT.


It has been more than one year after the April 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Various support and aid flooded into the affected region, within the entire country and countries around the globe, with extensive media coverage and billion of dollars raised in support of relief/recover efforts. This paper presents analysis of various datasets related to this disaster, including GDELT dataset, showing the rise and fall of people's attention to this event. In addition, financial transaction flows reveal a lot about sources of funds and donations, flow of funds among various organizations or sources, and how these funds and donations have been spent or utilized for relief and recovery efforts. Surveys from citizens in affected areas along with the reconstruction dataset help us to capture the efforts of the international and local organizations and governments made on the post-earthquake relief.


This paper uses annual variation in climate to examine the impact of temperature and precipitation on national economies. We find three primary results. First, higher temperatures substantially reduce economic growth in poor countries. Second, higher temperatures appear to reduce growth rates, not just the level of output. Third, higher temperatures have wide-ranging effects, reducing agricultural and industrial output, investment, innovation, and political stability. Decade or longer increases in temperature also show substantial negative effects on poor countries' growth. These findings inform debates over climate's role in economic development and suggest substantial negative impacts of future climate change on poor countries.


Carbonation curing was adopted to accelerate the hydration of foam concrete with lower density of around 450 kg/m3. After standard curing in mold for 2d, the foam concrete samples were marked into two groups. The first one is directly cured in 'Carbonation Test Chamber for Concrete' with CO2 concentration 20%, RH 70% and temperature 20°C (it was called 'carbonation curing') for 3d to 56d. The second one is cured in 'Standard Curing Room for Concrete' with RH ≥95% and temperature 20°C (it was called 'standard curing') for 7d, and then at carbonation curing for 3d, 7d and 21d. The strengths of harden foam concrete were tested, the hydration products were analyzed by means of XRD and TG/DSC. The results were compared with those of standard curing samples. It indicates that foam concrete with lower density is easier to be carbonated; the hydration of both C3S and C2S accelerates by carbonation curing, which results in higher early strength improvement. Vaterite is popular in the second group of samples, while it only appears in the first group of sample with longer carbonation time of 56d. Vaterite was considered to be formed from the further carbonation of CxSHy.


Context: Premature canities is a common, yet unexplored disorder. Oxidative stress levels have been evaluated within the greying hair follicle but not in the sera of patients with premature canities. Aims: To evaluate the oxidative stress parameters in the sera of patients with premature canities. Settings and Design: A pilot case-controlled study, conducted in a tertiary care setup in Delhi during November 2011 to December 2012. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two self-reporting cases of premature canities (age of onset <20 years) and 30 healthy controls were recruited from outpatient Department of Dermatology. Oxidative stress parameters (serum malonaldehyde (MDA), whole blood reduced glutathione (rGSH) and serum ferric reducing antioxidant potential [FRAP]) were assessed in cases and controls. Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the oxidative stress parameters between the two groups (SPSS version 17.0, SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA; P < 0.05 considered as significant). Results: The age and sex distribution of cases and controls was comparable. The mean serum levels of MDA were higher in cases than controls (3.7 ± 1.6 nmol/ml vs. 2.8 ± 1.5 nmol/ml; P = 0.01). The GSH levels were lower in the cases than controls (31.5 ± 8.9 mg/dl vs. 36.6 ± 16.9 mg/dl; P = 0.064). Similarly, the mean FRAP levels were lower in the cases than controls (400 ± 70 nmol/ml vs. 430 ± 80 nmol/ml; P = 0.038). Conclusions: Patients with premature canities had a higher level of pro-oxidants and lower levels of antioxidants than controls. This is the first humble attempt to document the oxidative stress parameters in sera of patients with premature canities, further studies with larger sample size are required to reach a definite conclusion.


The purpose of this study is to identify secondary computer science (CS) teachers' pedagogical needs in the United States. Participants were selected from secondary teachers who were teaching CS courses or content in a school setting (public, private, or charter) or an after-school program during the time of data collection. This is a qualitative study using CS teachers' discussions in Computer Science Teachers Association's (CSTA) email listserv, responses to open-ended questions in a questionnaire, and discussions in follow-up interviews. Content analysis, thematic analysis and constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis were used to analyze the data. The most common pedagogical need expressed was learning student-centered strategies for teaching CS and guiding students' understanding with the use of scaffolding and team-management strategies in CS classes. Furthermore, addressing students' beliefs in CS and their preconceptions in math and reading were important factors influencing teaching CS effectively in secondary schools.


Efforts to improve the effectiveness of global health aid rarely take full account of the micro-politics of policy change and implementation. South Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic is a case in point, where the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has provided essential support to the national AIDS response. With changing political context, PEPFAR has shifted focus several times-most recently reversing the policy of 'transition' out of direct aid to a policy of re-investing in front-line services in priority districts to improve aid effectiveness. However, this policy shift has not led to the expected impact on health services. This paper reports the findings of a study on the implementation of the recent policy through interviews at randomly selected sites in high HIV-burden districts of South Africa that capture the experiences of public-sector health leaders. We find little evidence to support the explanation that the new aid policy displaced government staff and resources. Instead, our findings suggest that legacies of the previous policy remained as local aid managers did not shift funding and practice at sufficient scale to drive the planned service delivery expansion. Human resource support, the main PEPFAR contribution to service delivery at front-line facilities, was not adequate or distributed based on the size of the HIV programme, leaving notable gaps in outreach, defaulter tracing, and community service delivery. Instead, services that better fit the previous policy paradigm, like training and data-sharing, are common at site-level but provide diminishing returns. Together, our findings suggest opportunities for PEPFAR South Africa to revisit its model and increase service delivery intensity, in particular through community-based services. More broadly, this case illustrates the need for greater attention to the multiple actors with discretion in the policy system of health aid and the mechanisms through which political priority is translated into programming as policy shifts are made.


The aim of this thesis was to treat olive oil mill waste with onion peroxidase with regard to the removal of polyphenols and decolonization. Determination of the optimum conditions for the treatment of olive mill wastewater was another objective of this study. Results showed a pH optimum of around 2.65 and a concentration of H2O2 of around 2.58 mM. Moreover o-diphenols could be removed in a short period of time in comparison to the total phenols. The results showed that 3 hours were sufficient for 75% removal of o-diphenols. Dilution 1 over 20 of the olive mill wastewater and the addition of some additives (NaCl and PEG) in the treatment of Olive Mill Waste (OMW) could enhance the efficiency of total phenol removal as well as, a decrease in the color intensity of the olive oil wastewater. In addition, HPLC analyses were carried out on samples representing OMW before and after the treatment. Results showed that the degradation of some phenols was carried out with the use of onion peroxidase, as well as with the use of the optimal conditions regarding the pH and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. It was concluded that onion peroxidase could catalyze the degradation of total phenols and o-diphenols and that such degradation could also influence the change in color and the antioxidant activity of the olive oil mill wastewater.


This commentary focuses on the role played by constructions of women's violence in the maintenance of male control over women. While actual women's violence tends to be denied, pathologized or minimized, cultural constructions (particularly in the media) of women's violence tend to demonize it. Both of these androcentric cultural processes fail to illuminate the actual sources of the gender gap in violent behavior and instead tend to normalize male aggression and to cultivate female passivity.


The human body is made of a complex system of ascending and descending pathways that permit communication between the brain and spinal cord. There are also pathways connecting different areas of the brain. These pathways are called white matter tracts in the central nervous system (CNS). These are all nerve fibers covered with myelin sheaths which are derived from oligodendrocytes. The corticospinal tract belongs to one of the most important descending tracts of the CNS. It contains fibers from the upper motor neurons to synapse on the lower motor neurons. Upper motor neurons (UMN) can be described as the nerve fibers responsible for the communication between the brain to the spinal cord. Lower motor neurons (LMN) are the nerve fibers responsible for the communication between the spinal cord to muscle. Although damage to both UMN and LMN result in muscle weakness, damage to upper motor neurons may result in increased reflexes, increased tone, (+) Babinski, and spastic paresis. On the other hand, damage to lower motor neurons is usually accompanied by muscle atrophy, fasciculations, and flaccid paralysis. Descending tracts are responsible for relaying information from cortical regions to the periphery to initiate and modulate movement. The corticospinal tract is the largest descending tract present in humans and is divided into anterior and lateral components. The lateral corticospinal tract sends fibers predominantly to the extremity muscles, and the cortical innervation is contralateral, in other words, the left motor cortex controls the right extremities. The anterior corticospinal tract sends fibers mainly to the trunk or axial muscles. The control is both ipsilateral and contralateral. Therefore, trunk muscles are generally bilaterally cortically innervated.


This thesis deals with spectral analysis. A number of new techniques are proposed which improve the computational efficiency of discrete orthogonal transform algorithms, and the accuracy of spectral analysis with applications to harmonic signal analysis. The techniques for computing discrete orthogonal transforms using adaptive filtering are systematically investigated. Firsdy, a general relationship between orthogonal transforms and adaptive filtering is established, which sets the foundation for these techniques. Secondly, the issue of computing block-based discrete orthogonal transforms using the adaptive Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm is examined. Sufficient conditions for implementing block LMS-based discrete orthogonal transforms are proposed, and the performance of the techniques for computing block LMS-based discrete Walsh transforms and discrete cosine transforms is analysed. Thirdly, the thesis proposes LMS-based techniques for computing running orthogonal transforms, including running discrete Hartley transform, running discrete Cosine and Sine transforms, as well as running discrete W transforms. Finally, the thesis examines the possibility of orthogonal analysis using other adaptive processing algorithms. It is shown that the sample matrix inversion (SMI) algorithm can be used to compute all the discrete orthogonal transforms, while the adaptive Howells-Applebaum loop can be used to implement a spectral analyser for continuous signals. The running computation of discrete orthogonal transforms based on their shift properties is studied in detail. A number of discrete orthogonal transforms, including the discrete Hartley transform, the discrete cosine and sine transforms, and the discrete W transforms are considered. The shift properties of these transforms are developed, which are in effect recursive equations that connect the previous and updated transform coefficients. Both the first order shift properties and the second order shift properties are proposed for these transforms. As expected the first order shift properties are in the form of first order difference equations. These first order difference equations involve two transform coefficients of different transforms (for example, a discrete cosine transform and its corresponding discrete sine transform). This is a source of extra computational burden. For some transforms such as the discrete Hartley transform and the discrete W transform, this extra computational burden can be eliminated by using the reverse symmetrical properties of the transform coefficients. However, for the discrete cosine and sine transforms, the computation associated with the first order shift properties is not very efficient. The second order shift properties (that is, second order difference equations) are proposed, which can independently update transform coefficients thus reducing the computational burden. It is shown that for the discrete cosine and sine transforms, the computational burden associated with second order shift properties can be considerably reduced in comparison to the first order shift properties. A time domain interpolation pre-processing algorithm is proposed in an effort to reduce leakage effects associated with the DFT analysis of periodic signals. The leakage effect refers to the spreading of energy from one frequency bin into adjacent ones. To avoid leakage, the sampling frequency should be an integer multiple of the signal frequency. The basic idea of the proposed time domain interpolation pre-processing algorithm is to modify the actual samples towards an ideal sample sequence whose sampling frequency is an integer multiple of the signal frequency. The algorithm is based on a first order approximation of the Taylor's series. It is shown that the proposed algorithm can reduce quite significantly both the DFT leakage and the truncation error associated with digital wattmeter power measurement. Finally, frequency estimation techniques based on adaptive IIR notch filtering are considered. In order to improve the steady state error performance of existing techniques, a block-gradient based adaptive algorithm is proposed for adaptive IIR filtering. The input signal sequence is arranged into data blocks and the filter coefficients are kept constant within each block. The gradients are evaluated for each complete block of data and the filter coefficients are updated on a block by block basis. Application of the proposed block gradient algorithm to the problem of sinusoidal frequency estimation is studied. It reveals that the proposed algorithm is characterised by a lower steady state error as well as reduced computational complexity. vil


The information essence of the Universe dominates over its physical aspect. Its dynamic hierarchic information structure is a manifestation of a divine Mind with its Idea (Intelligence), so the Universe is rational and comprehensible for us. Our individual consciousness as a part of universal consciousness of God deals with information carried by energy. Only consciousness can give the real sense to information coming to us from the objective world through energy supporters. Divine universal as well as our individual consciousness (subject) create the internal side of the Universe reflecting its external side (object) represented by structured quantum energy as a holder of divine information structure and architecture. Information encodes the creative power of consciousness. The physical Universe (non-living and living Nature) with its unbelievably rich information contents is a true food for our senses and our mind in the process of our conscious cognition and creativity.


We present an approach to estimate a persons light exposure using smartphones. We used web-sourced weather reports combined with smartphone light sensor data, time of day, and indoor/outdoor information, to estimate illuminance around the user throughout a day. Since light dominates every human's circadian rhythm and influences the sleep-wake cycle, we developed a smartphone-based system that does not require additional sensors for illuminance estimation. To evaluate our approach, we conducted a free-living study with 12 users, each carrying a smartphone, a head-mounted light reference sensor, and a wrist-worn light sensing device for six consecutive days. Estimated light values were compared to the head-mounted reference, the wrist-worn device and a mean value estimate. Our results show that illuminance could be estimated at less than 20% error for all study participants, outperforming the wrist-worn device. In 9 out of 12 participants the estimation deviated less than 10% from the reference measurements.


This review describes studies on drug discovery using a rational formulation design and innovative, drug delivery systems (DDS) for biomaterials such as therapeutic peptides and nucleotides. The microcapsules of the LH-RH superagonist leuprorelin acetate prepared using the new in-water drying method and biodegradable polymers, such as PLGA and PLA, could achieve a long-term sustained release for 1-6 months thereby facilitating easily treatment of hormone-dependent diseases, prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty. This DDS technology showed an improvement in patient QOL and highly promoted the clinical value of the agonist. Moreover, PLGA microcapsules of siRNAs against VEGF, cFLIP, Raf-1, and Int6 have also been developed to treat various cancers and arteriosclerosis obliterans. To develop therapeutic nucleotides, a particle design is created using functional peptides, such as cell penetrating peptides (CPP), nuclear localizing signals (NLS), tight junction reversible openers (AT1002), bombesin, and dynein light chain-associated sequences. siRNA use should lead to a paradigm shift in drug discovery against various diseases. Tat analog with NLS could enhance the potency of a vaginal DNA vaccine. The artificial Tat CPP of STR-CH(2)R(4)H(2)C synthesized in our laboratory could efficiently deliver siRNAs into many types of cells and enhance the therapeutic effects for treating sarcoma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma by intratumor injection and inhalation of the nanoparticles. Tat and AT1002 analogs used to treat atopic dermatitis in mice increased cell membrane permeability to siRelA, a siRNA against a subclass of NF-κB, and exhibited striking therapeutic and preventive effects.


This research explores the links between Connexions 'Active Involvement' agenda and integrated working, and focuses upon local examples and interviews from Coventry and Warwickshire. Connexions One Stop Shops are taken as a particular focus of the report. Some of the issues arising from part of a wider national debate about the principles of statutory work with young people and the differences between professions and disciplines were explored as part of this work. This report highlights some of these important dilemmas, and indicates where there may be scope for further reflection or research by practitioners and strategists working in the integrated youth support services.

The report features examples of how returning to the views of young people can be helpful in unlocking tensions. It also explores some of the different meanings, expectations and purposes of participation by young people within the context of youth support work. The report discusses the different theoretical bases of young people's professions as they increasingly converge around the integrated working agenda.

The key learning points from the research include:
• the integrated working agenda throws up some genuine theoretical dilemmas about the basis on which different professionals are working with young people
• co-located 'hub' working can force different services to confront the different ideological positions of their profession
• young people's participation can be one tool which helps professionals re-evaluate organizational priorities and unlock conflicts by reverting back to young people's actual experiences.


The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, its aim is to ascertain the major aspects of job satisfaction for South Australian construction workers including the main ramifications of job satisfaction in the working environment. Secondly, it investigates the influence of key age-related factors i.e. chronological age, organisational age and length of service on major aspects of job satisfaction. The collected data for this study comprised 72 questionnaires completed by construction practitioners working at operational levels in the South Australian construction industry. Based on the responses from the target group, this study deduced that job dissatisfaction was predominantly related to the adverse impact on personal health and quality of life. In addition, indifference and the perception of dejection in the workplace are the main consequences of low levels of job satisfaction. Inferential analyses revealed that none of the age-related factors could significantly affect the major aspects of job satisfaction of construction workers in the South Australian context. The study concludes with providing practical suggestions for redesigning human resources practices for increasing the level of job satisfaction within the South Australian construction industry. Keywords: Job satisfaction, workers, age, construction industry, South Australia


The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical sealing ability of Total Fill BC sealer and AH Plus sealer with single cone and continuous wave condensation obturation techniques using dye extraction leakage method.

 Eighty-four extracted human single-rooted teeth with round canals were decoronated at 12 mm length and instrumented using crown down technique with the iRace rotary file system to apical file size 40 with 0.04 taper. The roots were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n=20). Group (A1) contained roots which were obturated with Total Fill BC sealer with a single cone. Group (A2) contained roots which were obturated using Total Fill BC sealer with continuous wave condensation. Group (B1) contained roots which were obturated using epoxy resin sealer (AH Plus) with a single cone. Group (B2) contained roots which were obturated using AH Plus sealer with continuous wave condensation.
 Apical microleakage was assessed with dye extraction method where the absorbance of leaked 1% methylene blue dye was measured using a spectrophotometer. The absorbance values were converted into concentrations, and the data was analyzed using One way ANOVA test.

 The mean dye concentration values were 0.012, 0.016, 0.011 and 0.015 for Group A1, Group A2, Group B1 and Group B2, respectively.
 One-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference in dye leakage between the investigated groups (F = 0.938).

 With the limitation of the study, it was concluded that Total Fill BC was equivalent to AH Plus in apical sealing ability when using single cone or continuous wave condensation. The single cone can provide a similar apical seal of canal filling as can be achieved by using continuous wave condensation methods, in the round canal.


Abstract Kang, Z., Scott, T. M., Wesolowski, C., Feng, L., Wang, J., Wang, L. and Liu, H. Ex Vivo Evaluation of a Novel Polyiodinated Compound for Early Detection of Atherosclerosis. Radiat. Res. 160, 460–466 (2003). Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of heart disease and stroke; it is the underlying cause of about 50% of all deaths in Western countries. It is known that early detection of atherosclerotic lesions would significantly reduce the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to develop a radioimaging method for early detection of atherosclerotic plaques. A novel polyiodinated cholesterol analog, cholesteryl 1,3-diiopanoate glyceryl ether (C2I, patent pending), was synthesized and radiolabeled with 125I. 125I-C2I was incorporated into acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL), which is considered to be an atherosclerotic plaque-seeking carrier. 125I-C2I was also prepared as a chylomicron-like emulsion. Transgenic mice deficient in apoE and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), known as apoE/LDLR double knockout, were used as an animal model of early atherosclerosis. 125I-C2I/AcLDL or 125I-C2I emulsion was injected into the apoE/LDLR knockout mice via the tail vein, and the mice were killed humanely 24 h after injection. Various tissues including aorta were removed and radioactivity was determined. The aorta samples were also imaged to determine the accumulation of radioactivity from C2I. The images were compared to the atherosclerotic lesions revealed by histological studies. It was found that both 125I-C2I/AcLDL and 125I-C2I emulsion resulted in accumulation of radioactivity at the site of early atherosclerotic lesions, and they therefore may be useful for early detection of atherosclerosis.


In 1986 the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was invented by Gerd Binnig, Christoph Gerber, and Calvin Quate [1]. Since then, numerous analytical techniques have been developed and implemented on the AFM platform, evolving into what is collectively called the Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM). The SPM has since become well established as a mainstream analytical instrument with a continually increasing role in the development of nanoscale semiconductor technologies providing critical data from initial concept to technology development to manufacturing to failure analysis [2].
 Scanning Capacitance Microscopy (SCM) has a longstanding, well-established track record for detecting dopant-related mechanisms that adversely affect device performance on planar (Field Effect Transistor) FETs as well as other structures (e.g., diodes, capacitors, resistors). The semiconductor industry's transition to three dimensional FinFET devices has resulted in many challenges with regard to device analysis. This is especially true when it is necessary to perform detailed dopant analysis on a specific device; the device may be comprised of a single or multiple fins that have been called out specifically through traditional fault localization techniques. Scanning Capacitance Spectroscopy (SCS) is an analytical method, implemented on the SCM platform in which a series of DC bias conditions is applied to the sample and the carrier response is recorded using SCM [3]. SCS has a proven history of highlighting dopant related anomalies in semiconductor devices, which, in some instances, might not otherwise be "visible". This paper describes successful application of SCM and SCS in showing, in full detail, a dopant-related failure mechanism on an individual, location-specific 14 nm FinFET.


Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" (1949) presents the working-class masculinity under threat. This paper has sought to argue that the threat is posed not only by the protagonist's inability to assert his working-class masculine identity due to his (fear of) unemployment, but also by the instrumental use of reason by the employer and hegemonic masculinity. It has tried to unfold this threat in terms of R. Connell's idea of 'hegemonic masculinity' and CALM report on crisis of modern masculinity published in 2014. The assumption is that Miller has depicted this threat by presenting the male protagonist in such an unfavorable situation that it relegates him to the vulnerable position of not being able to assert his masculine identity. It is also assumed that this threat is further validated by the presence of dominant masculinity. This research has sought to dramatize the playwright's consciousness of the masculinities in conflict and its outcome in America. This research is critically significant because reading this drama from the perspective of the crisis of subordinate or working-class masculinity is a far cry.


We present noble gas data for 16 shergottites, 2 nakhlites (NWA 5790, NWA 10153), and 1 angrite (NWA 7812). Noble gas exposure ages of the shergottites fall in the 1–6 Ma range found in previous studies. Three depleted olivine‐phyric shergottites (Tissint, NWA 6162, NWA 7635) have exposure ages of ~1 Ma, in agreement with published data for similar specimens. The exposure age of NWA 10153 (~12.2 Ma) falls in the range of 9–13 Ma reported for other nakhlites. Our preferred age of ~7.3 Ma for NWA 5790 is lower than this range, and it is possible that NWA 5790 represents a distinct ejection event. A Tissint glass sample contains Xe from the Martian atmosphere. Several samples show a remarkably low (21Ne/22Ne)cos ratio < 0.80, as previously observed in a many shergottites and in various other rare achondrites. This was explained by solar cosmic ray‐produced Ne (SCR Ne) in addition to the commonly found galactic cosmic ray‐produced Ne, implying very low preatmospheric shielding and ablation loss. We revisit this by comparing measured (21Ne/22Ne)cos ratios with predictions by cosmogenic nuclide production models. Indeed, several shergottites, acalpulcoites/lodranites, angrites (including NWA 7812), and the Brachina‐like meteorite LEW 88763 likely contain SCR Ne, as previously postulated for many of them. The SCR contribution may influence the calculation of exposure ages. One likely reason that SCR nuclides are predominantly detected in meteorites from rare classes is because they usually are analyzed for cosmogenic nuclides even if they had a very small (preatmospheric) mass and hence low ablation loss.


SUMMARY We have recently identified 2 surface proteins in Entamoeba histolytica as intermediate subunits of galactose- and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine-inhibitable lectin (EhIgl1 and EhIgl2); these proteins both contain multiple CXXC motifs. Here, we report the molecular characterization of the corresponding proteins in Entamoeba dispar, which is neither pathogenic nor invasive. Two Igl genes encoding 1110 and 1106 amino acids (EdIgl1 and EdIgl2) were cloned from 2 strains of E. dispar. The amino acid sequence identities were 79% between EdIgl1 and EdIgl2, 75–76% between EdIgl1 and EhIgl1, and 73–74% between EdIgl2 and EhIgl2. However, all the CXXC motifs were conserved in the EdIgl proteins, suggesting that the fold conferred by this motif is important for function. Comparison of the expression level of the Igl genes by real-time RT-PCR showed 3–5 times higher expression of EdIgl1 compared to EdIgl2. Most EdIgl1 and EdIgl2 proteins were co-localized on the surface and in the cytoplasm of trophozoites, based on confocal microscopy. However, a different localization of EdIgl1 and EdIgl2 in intracellular vacuoles and a different level of phenotypic expression of the two Igls were also observed. These results demonstrate that Igls are important proteins even in non-pathogenic amoeba and that Igl1 and Igl2 may possess different functions.


The idea of Defect Correction Method (DCM) has been around for a long time. It can be used in a number of different ways and can be applied to solve various linear and non-linear problems. Most defect correction related methods were used in conjunction with discretisation methods and two-level multigrid methods. This thesis examines how various iterative methods, both for linear and nonlinear problems, may be built into a unified framework through the use of defect correction. The framework is extended to the area of Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) where sound waves generated by the pressure fluctuations are typically several orders of magnitude smaller than the pressure variations in the main flow field that accounts for flow acceleration. A decomposition of variables is used to break down the components of a typical flow variable into (1) the mean flow, (2) flow perturbations or aerodynamic sources of sound, and (3) the acoustic perturbation. The framework as discussed in this thesis would incorporate such variable decomposition. The basic principle of DCM can be applied to recover the propagating acoustic perturbation through a coupling technique. This provides an excellent concept in the re-use of existing commercial CFD software based on the framework and in the retrieval of acoustic pressure. Numerical examples demonstrating the defect correction framework for a typical car sun-roof problem was examined with promising numerical results. To this end the complete process of coupling Reynolds average Navier-Stokes and the Helmholtz equation is also presented using the DCM framework.

The DCM framework is also extended to handle higher order numerical methods for the numerical solutions of partial differential equations leading to an easy re-use of existing software approximating derivatives with a lower order discretisation. Numerical experiments were performed to demonstrate the capability of the DCM framework. It is also used to a simplified 2-D problems aiming at the understanding of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and filtering techniques. To this end the framework of DCM leads to an efficient and robust software implementation for many CFD and aeroacoustic computation in a simple nutshell.


Chronic diarrhoea is a frequent complaint in clinical practice. Microscopic colitis is the cause of this symptom in 10% of these cases and the prevalence is rising. To exclude microscopic colitis a colonoscopy with multiple biopsies of different regions of the colon is mandatory. A sigmoidoscopy alone is insufficient. Two histopathological types of microscopic colitis can be distinguished: collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. Nowadays, there is sufficient evidence to recommend budesonide as the first-choice treatment. Bismuth can also be recommended, but this drug is not easily available in the Netherlands. Evidence of efficacy of other drugs is scant.


: Objective: To trace the development of disorders intravascular platelet activity in experimental form of the metabolic syndrome. The study included 61 rat male Wistar rats at the age of 2.5-3 months. Animals were divided into 2 groups: 32 rats were given free access to drink 10% solution of fructose for 8 weeks and 29 rats were the control group. The level of the total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLD cholesterol) and triglycerides were determined using colorimetric enzymatic method. The blood plasma content of endothelin-1 was determined by radioimmunoassay, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1α)--by ELISA. The total content of nitrogen oxide metabolites was revealed in blood. Intravascular platelet activity was assessed using phase contrast microscopy. In terms of fructose load in rats simultaneously with the increase of body weight and the development of biochemical disorders that are characteristic for the metabolic syndrome, there comes a marked progressive increase in intravascular platelet activity [reduction of the number of discocytes from 81.0 ± 0.1 to 61.3 ± 0.2%, increase in the number of reactive platelets from 19.0 ± 0.1 to 38.7 ± 0.2%, an increase in the number of freely moving in the blood of small units from 2.4 ± 0.0 to 14.6 ± 0.1 per 100 free platelets, and of medium and large units (from 4 or more cells) from 0.1 ± 0.03 to 2.3 ± 0.06 per 100 free platelets], largely due to the increase (p < 0.01) of the synthesis of thromboxane B2 (from 145.9 ± 0.2 to 232.6 ± 0.7 pg/ml), endothelin-4 (from 6.9 ± 0.2 to 12.5 ± 0.4 pg/ml) and reduction (p < 0.01) of the generation of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (from 75.9 ± 0.2 to 62.3 ± 0.4 pg/ml), and the total amount of nitric oxide metabolites (from 27.9 ± 0.3 to 23.2 ± 0.1 mmol/l).


Cardiovascular risk factor variables were examined in a cohort of 440 infants from birth through 7 years of age. Anthropometric measures, BP, serum lipid and lipoprotein values, and dietary intake data were obtained according to detailed protocols. Various quality controls to ensure the collection of valid and reliable data were instituted. Participation remained high throughout the study with 80% of the children examined at 6 months and 60% at 7 years of age. Rates were slightly higher for black than for white children. Children born in the private hospital were more likely to continue in the study than children born in the charity hospital. Children of parents examined when the child was 2 years of age were more likely to be examined during the preschool phases, but parental examination was not related to child examination when the child was 7 years of age. As in studies of school-aged children, measurement errors were lowest for height, weight, and serum total cholesterol. Measurement errors for BP were highest at the younger ages, particularly for diastolic BP. Examination of a newborn cohort throughout time affords the opportunity to study early development of relationships and tracking of cardiovascular risk factors.


The COVID-19 pandemic forced a large section of Peruvian universities to design systems for emergency virtual education. This required professors to quickly learn how to use teaching platforms, digital tools and a wide range of technological skills. In this context, it is remarkable that formative assessment may have been the pedagogical action with the greatest number of challenges, tensions and problems, due to the lack of preparation of many professors to apply performance tests and provide effective feedback. Given this, it is presumed that these insufficiencies (previously exhibited in face-to-face education) were transferred to virtual classrooms in the framework of the health emergency. A survey study was carried out on 240 students from a private university in Lima to find out their perceptions and preferences regarding the tests that their professors administered in the virtual classrooms. It was found that the students were assessed, for the most part, with multiple choice tests. In addition, it was found that the students recognized that the essay tests were the most important for their education, but they preferred multiple choice tests. Finally, it was found that law school students were mostly assessed with essay tests and psychology students with oral tests.


Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress has been suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Vitamins C and E play important roles in the antioxidant defense system. It is likely that both vitamins act in a synergistic manner, with vitamin E primarily being oxidized to the tocopheroxyl radical and then reduced back to tocopherol by vitamin C. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation of vitamins C and E (VCE) on diabetic rat kidney. Adult female Wistar rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into three groups. Group I: the control group; Group II: diabetic group, streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) was administered group; Group III: diabetes+VCE group, received a diet containing a combination of ascorbic acid and di-tocopheryl acetate per kg of feed. Rats were killed on day 21 and renal tissues were taken and fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution for electron microscopic examination. When compared with the control group, congestion of the glomerular capillaries, increased mesangial cells and distinct mesangium, shortened podocyte processes and disappearance of filtration slit pore of diabetic rat kidney were observed. In the group treated with VCE, glomerular changes were less distinct than the diabetic group. Lengths of the pedicles were similar to the control group. In conclusion, VCE reduced the changes in the glomerular structures due to diabetes.


Background Chronic migraine is associated with significant headache-related disability and psychiatric comorbidity. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) is effective and well tolerated in the prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine. This study aimed to provide preliminary data on the efficacy and safety of prophylactic onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with chronic migraine and comorbid depressive symptoms. Methods This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter pilot study. Eligible patients met International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd edition Revision criteria for chronic migraine and had associated depressive symptoms, including Patient Health Questionnaire depression module scores of 5–19. Eligible participants received 155 units of onabotulinumtoxinA, according to the PREEMPT protocol, at baseline and week 12. Assessments included headache frequency, the Headache Impact Test™, the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Beck Depression Inventory®-II, the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression module, and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire. Adverse events were also monitored. Results Overall, 32 participants received treatment. At week 24, there were statistically significant mean (standard deviation [SD]) improvements relative to baseline in the number of headache/migraine-free days (+8.2 [5.8]) (P<0.0001) and in the number of headache/migraine days (−8.2 [5.8]) (P<0.0001) per 30-day period. In addition, there were significant improvements in Headache Impact Test scores (−6.3 [6.9]) (P=0.0001) and Migraine Disability Assessment scores (−44.2 [67.5]) (P=0.0058). From baseline to week 24, statistically significant improvements were also seen in Beck Depression Inventory-II (−7.9 [6.0]) (P<0.0001), Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (−4.3 [4.7]) (P<0.0001), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (−3.5 [5.0]) (P=0.0002) scores. No serious adverse events were reported. Adverse events considered related to treatment occurred in 30% of patients and were mild or moderate. Conclusion Prophylactic onabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated in patients with chronic migraine and comorbid depression, and was effective in reducing headache frequency, impact, and related disability, which led to statistically significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms.


This paper examines the impact of power in the supervision process as experienced by the PhD students, the institutional influence upon this, and implications for the quality of the doctoral outcome. This research paper is based on findings of a larger, recently completed PhD with the aim to develop a participant-driven theory of the lived experience of being a PhD student. This was done by analyzing the reported experiences of 23 PhD students in various disciplines and stages of their PhD studying at Australian Universities over a period of 12 months. Participants were given the freedom to choose and prioritize the experiences to report on and how they reported on them. Core to the supervision findings was the issue of power and how institutional influences distort the power relationship between the supervisor and the supervisee. Adopting French and Raven's (1959) Bases of Social Power, the institutional power sources that play on the PhD candidate are enacted through 'actors' in the institutional process including the supervisor who are presented. The findings support the need for institutions to systematically review their practices to meet their duty of care to their PhD students to provide high quality HDR supervision and improve doctoral outcomes. This research addresses a gap in contemporary supervision literature by addressing the impact of institutional power and institutional practices on the academic supervisor and how these play out in the utilization of power on and over the PhD student and the doctoral outcome.


Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene represents an intracellular hub of developmental processes and has been related to cognitive dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. Mice with whole-brain DISC1 knock-down show memory and executive deficits as result of impaired prefrontal-hippocampal communication throughout development, especially when combined with early environmental stressors, such as maternal immune activation (MIA). While synaptic dysfunction of layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in neonatal prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been recently identified as one source of abnormal long-range coupling in these mice, it is still unclear whether the hippocampus (HP) is also compromised during development. Here we aim to fill this knowledge gap by combining in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics with morphological and behavioral assessment of immune-challenged mice with DISC1 knock-down either in the whole brain (GE) or restricted to pyramidal neurons in CA1 area of intermediate/ventral HP (i/vHP) (GHPE). Both groups of mice show abnormal network activity, sharp-waves (SPWs) and neuronal firing in CA1 area. Moreover, optogenetic stimulation of CA1 pyramidal neurons fails to activate the local circuits in the neonatal PFC. These deficits that persist until pre-juvenile development are due to dendrite sparsification and loss of spines of CA1 pyramidal neurons. As a long-term consequence, DISC1 knock-down in immune-challenged mice leads to poorer recognition memory at pre-juvenile age. Thus, besides PFC, hippocampal CA1 area has a critical role for the developmental miswiring and long-lasting cognitive impairment related to mental illness. Significance Statement Developmental miswiring within prefrontal-hippocampal networks has been proposed to account for cognitive impairment in mental disorders. Indeed, during development, long before the emergence of cognitive deficits, the functional coupling within these networks is reduced in mouse models of disease. However, the cellular mechanisms of dysfunction are largely unknown. Here we combine in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics with behavioral assessment in immune-challenged mice with hippocampus-confined DISC1 knock-down and show that pyramidal neurons in CA1 area are critical for the developmental dysfunction of prefrontal-hippocampal communication and cognitive impairment.


In this study, two deflection functions due to flexure and shear have been obtained for the global form of composite materials. Two different composite materials are selected for comparison of these deflection functions. These composites are: polymer matrix composite simply supported beam, reinforced by unidirectional fibers; and thermoplastic simply supported beam, reinforced by woven Cr-Ni steel fibers. In accordance with these different material properties, analytical and numerical solutions have been carried out. For 0, 30, 45, 60, and 90 fiber orientation angles, static and dynamic behavior of the two different composite materials are examined. Numerical solutions are given as graphical forms. In addition to modal analysis, two different composite materials have been realized. Natural frequencies and vibration modes are given as graphical forms. ANSYS and MATLAB software are used for numerical analysis of the different composite materials.


In this paper, the maximum spacing method is considered for multivariate observations. Nearest neighbour balls are used as a multidimensional analogue to univariate spacings. A class of information‐type measures is used to generalize the concept of maximum spacing estimators. Weak and strong consistency of these generalized maximum spacing estimators are proved both when the assigned model class is correct and when the true density is not a member of the model class. An example of the generalized maximum spacing method in model validation context is discussed.


Joining European Union is one of the priorities of Serbian foreign policy. Closing the Stabilization and Association Agreement is a significant step towards getting a status of a candidate country. The Agreement requires fulfilling numerous political, legal and economic conditions, as well as significant mutual compromises in transition period. In that period, a free trade zone should be set between Serbia and EU. The most significant concessions are in agricultural sector. European Union allows, with very little exceptions, duty-free import of agriculture products from Serbia, while Serbia has been granted a period in which it will reduce and eliminate tariffs on the import of those products from the EU countries. During that time, the agriculture of Serbia should become more competitive for reducing the pressure of those products from EU on local market, as well as placing its products on foreign markets.
This paper is about analysis on influence of the SAA on Serbian agricultural sector.


Although evidence in relation to enhancing employability, readiness for practice, and meeting workforce needs, exists from previous dietetic studies in Australia, Canada, and the United States, there is a lack of research into these areas in the United Kingdom. The focus of this study, therefore, was to identify graduate and employers perceptions of the dietetic programmes offered at one of the United Kingdom's Higher Education Institutions, namely the University of Chester. It is expected that the benefits of the findings will be twofold; firstly, they will potentially impact on the curriculum content of the University of Chester's dietetic programme in relation to producing graduates who are fit for practice, and secondly, it is envisaged that they will improve the employability prospects and readiness to practice of dietetic graduates. Postal and email questionnaires were sent to 218 graduates from the University (response rate 27% n=59) and one-to-one semi structured taped interviews were conducted with NHS dietetic managers (n=8). Mixed research paradigms were employed. Qualitative data was analysed using SPSS (V19.0) and qualitative data analysed using thematic analysis processes. Results showed that 64% (n=38) of the graduates who responded felt satisfied that their dietetic programme ensured that they were fit for purpose as a graduate level dietitian. Significant differences existed between undergraduate and postgraduate responses in 4 skill areas namely; communication (p=0.015) interpersonal skills (p=0.013) professional attitude (p=0.015) and initiative (p=0.029). Two common themes occurred from the NHS department managers and graduate questionnaire responses, namely; the need for further development of motivational interviewing and behavioural change techniques and job application support and interview skills. In conclusion the results of this study suggest that both the needs of graduates and NHS department managers, in relation to preparedness for practice and fitness for purpose, are being met. However, graduates and NHS managers identified the development of motivational interviewing and behavioural change techniques and job application support and interview skills as an important need within the curriculum.