The question of the origin of consciousness has engaged scientists and philosophers for centuries. Early scholars relied on introspection, leading some to conclude that attention is necessary for consciousness, and in some cases equating attention and consciousness. Such a tight relationship between attention and consciousness has also been proposed by many modern theorists (Posner, 1994; Merikle and Joordens, 1997; Mack and Rock, 1998; Chun and Wolfe, 2000; O'Regan and Noe, 2001; Mole, 2008; De Brigard and Prinz, 2010; Prinz, 2011; Cohen et al., 2012). The relationship between attention and consciousness has come under increasing scrutiny with the development of neuroscientific methods. In modern neuroscience, the effects of attention are often objectively defined and measured as reduced reaction time and improved performance. Similarly, conscious awareness of an object is established by a subjective report in combination with objective forced-choice performance (Seth et al., 2008; Sandberg et al., 2011). With these measures in place, a variety of methods has been used to manipulate attention (e.g., cueing, divided attention, etc.) and consciousness [e.g., masking, crowding, and binocular rivalry (Kim and Blake, 2005)]. These empirical studies have culminated in recent proposals that attention and consciousness are supported by different neuronal processes and they are not necessarily correlated all the time (Iwasaki, 1993; Baars, 1997; Hardcastle, 1997; Kentridge et al., 1999; Naccache et al., 2002; Lamme, 2003; Woodman and Luck, 2003; Bachmann, 2006; Koch and Tsuchiya, 2007; van Boxtel et al., 2010). Our original motivation to edit this Research Topic was threefold: (1) to gather and collect current, diverse views on the relationship between consciousness and attention, (2) to invite reviews on consciousness and attention in non-vision modalities, (3) and to invite empirical studies of consciousness and attention. As summarized below, our goals are largely achieved thanks to 17 contributions to this issue.


Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product that is widely used in the interior design of buildings and in furniture because of its good performance, ease of use and cost efficiency. However, like all wood products, MDF poses a fire risk. While the literature contains a lot of studies for wood pyrolysis and burning, MDF has not been thoroughly investigated yet. In this work, we study the pyrolysis of MDF subjected to transient irradiation in the form of parabolic pulses. While the majority of studies in literature employ a constant heat flux, we use transient irradiation to obtain a more comprehensive case. A one dimensional model was set up in GPyro, a generalized pyrolysis code. The model uses heat and mass transfer and temperature dependent properties for each material. We use a kinetics scheme that includes drying and 4 competing reactions in which the four components of MDF (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and resin) decompose into char. For the surface temperature, the model predictions experiments show very good agreement with experimental measurements that were performed in an FPA (Fire Propagation Apparatus).


The ubiquity of distributed machine learning (ML) in sensitive public domain applications calls for algorithms that protect data privacy, while being robust to faults and adversarial behaviors. Although privacy and robustness have been extensively studied independently in distributed ML, their synthesis remains poorly understood. We present the first tight analysis of the error incurred by any algorithm ensuring robustness against a fraction of adversarial machines, as well as differential privacy (DP) for honest machines' data against any other curious entity. Our analysis exhibits a fundamental trade-off between privacy, robustness, and utility. To prove our lower bound, we consider the case of mean estimation, subject to distributed DP and robustness constraints, and devise reductions to centralized estimation of one-way marginals. We prove our matching upper bound by presenting a new distributed ML algorithm using a high-dimensional robust aggregation rule. The latter amortizes the dependence on the dimension in the error (caused by adversarial workers and DP), while being agnostic to the statistical properties of the data.


Summary and Conclusions
1.
Water centrifugal sedimentation is a simple rapid method of stool examination for detecting eggs of Schistosoma japonicum in the stools of infected patients.
2.
This method requires no chemical reagents and only a minimum amount of standard laboratory equipment.
3.
In our experience it was more efficient than direct smear examination of stool material free of grossly visible bloody mucus, or examination by acid-ether, zinc sulfate, or brine flotation. Viability of eggs found after treatment can be determined.
4.
Direct smear examination of mucus present in some stools revealed a high percentage of positives for S. japonicum in such material. Occasionally, trophozoites of E. histolytica were also found in this material.
5.
Water centrifugal sedimentation done repeatedly in the course of the diagnosis of suspected schistosomiasis or for evaluation of specific therapy will frequently detect the presence of other protozoa and helminths in addition to S. japonicum.
6.
In our experience in these studies the stool method of choice in the study of schistosomiasis japonica patients was as follows:
(a)
Careful visual examination of the gross stool for the presence of bloody mucus. Direct smear examination of this material if present.
(b)
Water centrifugal sedimentation of all specimens not containing grossly visible bloody mucus and specimens negative by direct smear of bloody mucus if present.
(c)
Routine zinc sulfate and brine flotation for the detection of protozoa and helminths other than S. japonicum which may or may not be found by water centrifugal sedimentation, and which may be present in a high percentage of patients under observation for schistosomiasis japonica.
7.
From 20 to 30 stool examinations during a period of 4 to 6 weeks were required to detect light asymptomatic infections in a group of patients exposed on Leyte. Eggs had not been detected previously in any of these individuals and none had received treatment.
8.
Stool examinations should be begun 30 days after completion of treatment and continued for 8 to 10 weeks, 3 stools weekly. Most treatment failures are discovered from 5 to 12 weeks after completion of therapy with fuadin or tartar emetic.
In the interval between these studies at Moore General Hospital and the present, numerous techniques have been introduced which were designed to increase the probability of detecting eggs of schistosomes. These methods are critically evaluated in a recent review by Stoll (37). In follow-up studies of schistosomiasis japonica in veterans and prisoners of war subsequently to be reported we have carried out most of these techniques. The method we now use is a combination of alcohol sedimentation, (38) hatching, and treatment of the alcohol sediment with ether, hydrochloric acid, sodium sulfate and Triton NE. (39).
Summary and Conclusions
(1)
An analysis was made of 315 electrocardiograms taken on 100 patients during various stages of treatment with tartar emetic and fuadin for schistosomiasis infection.
(2)
Eleven per cent of the patients showed an increased amplitude of P-waves in leads II and III.
(3)
Forty-five per cent of the patients showed a fusion of S-T segment and T-waves.
(4)
Ninety-nine per cent of the patients showed varying degrees of decrease in amplitude of T-waves in all leads resulting in deep inversion in many cases. This change was more pronounced during tartar emetic treatment than during fuadin treatment.
(5)
The Q-T interval was prolonged beyond the limits of normal in 27 per cent of the patients in this study.
(6)
The etiology and significance of these changes is unknown. It is our opinion that they represent a transient side action of antimony not indicative of cardiac damage or serious impairment of cardiac function.
(7)
Recent antimony therapy must be considered in evaluating abnormal EKG's found in veterans.
C) Effect of Treatment on the Intradermal Antigen Test. As previously noted, one of the main purposes in conducting tests with the intradermal cercarial antigen was an attempt to evaluate cases which had been previously diagnosed as having schistosomiasis and who had been treated before they reached this hospital. In a group of 57 men who had been reported to have positive stools overseas, but in whom repeated stool examinations were negative, 23 or 40 per cent had a positive skin test. In examining these cases an attempt was made to correlate this observation with the amount of treatment each group had received. It was found that the group with positive skin tests had had an average of 61 cc. of fuadin, while the negative group had an average of 48 cc., a difference of no statistical significance. The length of time which had elapsed between the last date of treatment and the skin test was of no significant difference either, it being an average of 6.6 months in the positives and 6.1 months in the negatives. This observation was of considerable interest in view of the statement made by Culbertson (78) that "positive skin reactions persist for years after the need for treatment is ended." In our experience, the skin test with 1:5000 dilution became negative in at least 60 per cent of proven cases within 6 months after completion of successful therapy. It is of interest in this connection that Alves and Blair (58) recently reported that 85 per cent of a group of 53 patients treated intensively for S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections developed negative skin tests to cercarial antigen two to three months after completion of successful treatment.
The proper evaluation of the treatment given patients with schistosomiasis japonica presents many difficulties in view of the fact that a single course o treatment is frequently found to be insufficient, and because of the necessity for repeated stool examinations to determine whether or not therapy has been adequate. It would, therefore, be of considerable value if a simple means could be found to determine the effectiveness of therapy. A number of patients with schistosomiasis were skin tested 30 days or more following completion of treatment in whom stools and skin tests were positive prior to therapy. Of 49 patients treated with 1.8 to 2.08 grams of tartar emetic, 25 still had positive skin reactions 30 to 90 days after completion of treatment, and 24 were found negative. Stools were examined at least 3 times weekly for 90 days or more after completion of treatment. No treatment failures, i.e. positive stools, were discovered in the 24 patients whose skin reactions had become negative, while in the 25 patients whose skin reactions remained positive, 4 treatment failures were subsequently discovered. Of 31 patients treated with 100 cc. of fuadin during 14 days, 20 still had a positive skin test 30 days or more after completion of treatment. Three treatment failures occurred in this group.


Purpose The occurrence of iatrogenic retinal breaks (RB) in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a complication that compromises the overall efficacy of the surgery. A subset of iatrogenic RB occurs when the retina (rather than the vitreous gel) is cut accidentally by the vitrector. We developed a smart vitrector that can detect in real-time potential iatrogenic RB and activate promptly a PPV machine response to prevent them. Methods We fabricated the smart vitrectors by attaching a miniaturized fiber-based OCT sensor on commercial vitrectors (25G). The system's response time to an iatrogenic RB onset was measured and compared to the literature reported physiologically limited response time of the average surgeon. Two surgeons validated its ability to prevent simulated iatrogenic RB by performing PPV in pigs. Note that the system is meant to control the PPV machine and requires no visual or audio signal interpretation by the surgeons. Results We found that the response time of the system (28.9 ± 6.5 ms) is 11 times shorter compared to the literature reported physiologically limited reaction time of the average surgeon (P < 0.0001). Ex vivo validation (porcine eyes) showed that the system prevents 78.95% (15/19) (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.43–93.95) of intentional attempts at creating RB, whereas in vivo validation showed that the system, prevents 55.68% (30/54) (95% CI 41.40–69.08), and prevents or mitigates 70.37% (38/54) (95% CI 56.39–82.02) of such attempts. A subset of failures was classified as "early stop" (i.e., false positive), having a prevalence of 5.26% (1/19) in ex vivo tests and 24.07% (13/54) in in vivo tests. Conclusions Our results indicate the smart vitrector can prevent iatrogenic RB by providing seamless intraoperative feedback to the PPV machine. Importantly, the use of the smart vitrector requires no modifications of the established PPV procedure. It can mitigate a significant proportion of iatrogenic RB and thus improve the overall efficacy of the surgery. Translational Relevance Potential clinical adoption of the smart vitrector can reduce the incidence of iatrogenic RB in PPV and thus increase the therapeutic outcome of the surgery.


OBJECTIVES: to describe the social and work characteristics of the nursing staff at a tertiary hospital in the Public Health Service of Andalucía, to assess the degree of professional professional burnout and job satisfaction of those professionals and to study the possible relation between the professional burnout variables and the stress and job satisfaction levels on the one hand and social and employment variables on the other. METHOD: descriptive and cross-sectional study in a sample of 258 baccalaureate and auxiliary nurses. As research instruments, an original and specific questionnaire was used to collect social and employment variables, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Nursing Stress Scale and the Font-Roja questionnaire. Descriptive, inferential statistics and multivariate analysis were applied. RESULTS: average scores were found for professional stress and satisfaction, corresponding to 44,23 and 65,46 points, respectively. As regards professional burnout, an average score was found on the emotional exhaustion subscale; a high score for depersonalization and a low score for professional accomplishment. Studies are needed to identify the scores on these subscales in health organizations and to produce knowledge on their interrelations.


: There is overwhelming evidence that England's education system is built on and sustains complex patterns of inequality. A 'comprehensive' system, introduced in 1965, was never fully implemented and so remains as an aspiration rather than a reality. Focusing mainly on the social, economic and political aspects of comprehensive schooling rather than matters relating to the curriculum and teaching, this paper outlines the current state of comprehensive education and its link to inequality levels in English schools. It seeks to provide some underlying reasons for this state of affairs: legacy thinking concerning educational differentiation and the role that government policy makers have played in creating a weak form of comprehensivisation and then, though an emphasis on school diversity, competition and parental 'choice', weakening the system further.


Decline in kidney function is a major concern for patients with type 2 diabetes. The importance of serum uric acid level as the risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unconfirmed. We therefore evaluated the relationship between baseline serum uric acid level and the risk of incident CKD among men with untreated type 2 diabetes at baseline examination in a 10-11 years prospective cohort study. We included 717 middle-aged Japanese subjects with fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥6.5% at baseline who were not taking hypoglycemic medications nor insulin, who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, who did not have proteinuria nor malignant tumors, and who were not taking anti-hypertensive medications nor urate-lowering medications at baseline. CKD was defined as eGFR During the 5961 person-years follow-up period, 87 subjects developed CKD. Higher serum uric acid level was associated with an increased risk of CKD after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, smoking habits (nonsmokers, past smokers, and current smokers), regular leisure-time physical activity (yes/no), daily alcohol consumption (g ethanol/day), and eGFR at baseline. Multiple-adjusted hazard ratios of CKD for quintile 4 (6.2-6.9 mg/dL) and quintile 5 (≥7.0 mg/dL) of serum uric acid levels were 1.30 (95% CI, 0.73-2.30) and 1.80 (95% CI, 1.04-3.11), respectively, compared with quintile 1 to 3 (0.7-6.1 mg/dL). Moreover, when we modeled serum uric acid level as a continuous variable, serum uric acid level per 1.0 mg/dL increase was significantly associated with a 25% increased risk of incident CKD. In conclusion, higher serum uric acid level is independently and significantly associated with an increased risk of CKD in patients with untreated type 2 diabetes. Disclosure Y. Okada: None. K.K. Sato: None. M. Shibata: None. S. Uehara: None. H. Koh: None. K. Oue: None. H. Kambe: None. M. Morimoto: None. T. Hayashi: None.


Approaches to study and learning may enhance or undermine educational outcomes, and thus it is important for educators to be knowledgeable about their students' approaches to study and learning. TheApproaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students(ASSIST) – a 52 item inventory which identifies three learning styles (Deep, Strategic, and Surface), was given to first year undergraduate students undertaking an introductory chemistry course. Completed inventories (n=103, 85% response), included 30 BSc Biomedicine, 15 BSc Food and Nutrition, 22 BSc Geology, 18 BSc Science students, and a further 18 students on unnamed BSc pathways. The dominant learning style adopted was the Surface approach, with a mean score (SD) of 2.94 (0.54). The preference of the surface approach was consistent for all BSc pathways.There was a higher mean score for the strategic learning style in males (n= 59) compared to females (n=44) with no gender-based differences in either the deep or the surface learning styles.A surface approach may not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in chemistry, rather chemistry may be perceived as being peripheral to the students' interests – this may be a problem when students with a diverse range of career aspirations study common content in large, first year introductory courses. Identifying students that adopt a surface learning style at an early stage in the undergraduate education journey is an important step in effectively targeting educational resources aimed at enhancing students' learning habits.


A rare case of gastric leiomyoblastoma in a boy of 11 years of age is reported. The patient complained of abdominal pain and presented with a palpable mass. Ultrasonography showed a typical aspect with mixed solid and liquid components. At surgery simple excision of the tumour was sufficient for radical exeresis, and there was no recurrence after 2 years. 13 further cases in patients under 20 years of age were collected from the literature and briefly reviewed.


Western Bahr el Ghazal State is located in northwestern South Sudan, which is a tropical area subject to Plasmodium falciparum malaria epidemics. The aim of this study is to explore the epidemiological and clinical features of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in United Nations personnel stationed in this area. From July 2006 to June 2009, epidemiological data and medical records of 678 patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria at the U.N. level 2 hospital were analyzed. The U.N. personnel were divided into individuals not immune to Plasmodium falciparum and individuals semi-immune to Plasmodium falciparum. The patients were divided into a chemoprophylaxis group (non-immune individuals who complied with the chemoprophylaxis regimen, 582 cases) and a no/incomplete chemoprophylaxis group (non-immune individuals who either did not fully comply with chemoprophylaxis or did not use it at all and semi-immune individuals who did not use chemoprophylaxis, 96 cases). Overall morbidity was about 11.3%. There was a significant difference in the morbidity of semi-immune and non-immune individuals (1.3% vs. 15.1%, P<0.001). Out of the total, 82.9% of cases occurred during the rainy season. The incidence of fever in the chemoprophylaxis group was significantly lower than in the no/incomplete chemoprophylaxis group (36.8% vs. 96.9%, P<0.001). Significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to all other malaria-like symptoms except gastrointestinal symptoms, serum glucose level, platelet count, and alanine aminotransferase level. The incidence of complications was 1.2% (chemoprophylaxis group) and 44.8% (no/incomplete chemoprophylaxis group).The most common complication was thrombocytopenia, which was seen in 40.6% of the no/incomplete chemoprophylaxis group. In summary, Plasmodium falciparum malaria mainly occurred in rainy season. Gastrointestinal symptoms are an important precursor of malaria. Blood smears and rapid diagnostic tests should be performed after the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. Appropriate chemoprophylaxis is necessary for reducing the severity of malaria.


Jean Pisani-Ferry and Indhira Santos observe that the crisis and the national responses to it have started to reshape the global economy. But beyond the specifics of shock transmission, the crisis has also exposed that, in spite of regional integration and the emergence of new economic powers, the global economy lacks resilience. The authors explain how they believe the international community could build a stronger and more legitimate globalised governance out of the crisis.


The current harsh climatic and high thermal conditions observed across the globe due to climate change is a challenge for indoor thermal comfort in buildings. In most developing nation, educational buildings where formal teaching and learning is conducted are designed to function without mechanical ventilation in an attempt to save energy costs hence relying solely on Natural ventilation. However, the effects of orientation on effective natural ventilation in educational buildings in the hot-humid tropical environments have not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of orientation of the classroom buildings with respect to cardinal and wind directions on effective natural ventilation desired for thermal comfort in buildings of public primary schools in the city of Enugu, Nigeria. It adopted a combination of experimental and descriptive survey research design. Instruments for data collection were two thermo-anemometer data logging device (AZ 9871) for determining both indoor and outdoor temperatures, wind velocities and relative humidity of classrooms of selected 60 public primary school building in the metropolis based on stratified sampling technique. Data analysis was done using linear regression analysis, the global coefficient of ventilation and building orientation standards. The research results showed that there was a correlation between classroom building orientations and effective natural ventilation coefficient and that the mean natural ventilation efficiency of 80% above the 60% global ventilation efficiency standard was achieved. In addition, orientation of classroom buildings in terms of inlet window planes to the dominant wind direction had positive significant effect on natural ventilation efficiency, invariably influencing the thermal comfort conditions of the investigated classrooms. The research concludes that adequate attention should be given to the orientation in classroom buildings especially in the hot humid tropical environments by architects and building designers to ensure thermal comfort is achieved for effective teaching and learning.
Keywords: Building orientation, Natural ventilation, Tropical environment, Classroom buildings, Thermal comfort


The article compares the major features of pension provision in the UK and in France. It considers why the UK population appears to be at best indifferent to their system of provision, when overall it is financially secure, whereas the French system, which is faced with increasing costs, receives wide support. The significant differences in provision, apart from the method of funding, are in the level of coverage and the extent of member involvement. The article concludes that, if the UK system took some steps in this direction, perhaps employees would begin to perceive pension provision as the valuable benefit it is, and more employers would be encouraged to introduce, or retain, defined benefit occupational pension schemes.


Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of the 2 different tissue adhesive materials as a barrier for guided bone regeneration and to compare them with resorbable collogen membrane on autogenous grafted critical-sized cortical bone defects. Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups: Group M, Group G, and Group B. A 5-mm diameter critical-size defect was created in the calvarium of each animal. All defects were filled by autogenous graft harvested from tibia. In group M, resorbable collogen membrane was applied to defect area. In groups G and B, defects were closed by Glubran2 and Bioglue. All animals were euthanized at 28 days postoperative. Stereologic analyses were performed. New bone area and connective tissue volumes were measured. Mean new bone volumes were 0.97 ± 0.28, 0.59 ± 0.2, and 0.8 ± 0.32 mm3 in groups M, G, and B, respectively. The differences between groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In group M, mean connective tissue volumes were 4.25 ± 0.7 mm3, in groups G and B, 2.9 ± 1.82 and 4.54 ± 0.64 mm3. Connective tissue volume differences were not statistically significant between groups. Glubran2 and Bioglue may play a role as a barrier for guided bone regeneration in treatment of critical size defects.


It has been shown that monAb's 2d-2a and their Fab-fragments are specific and effective inhibitors of fibrinogen clotting. Only one IgG molecule of monAb's 2d-2a can bind with one of their epitopes situated around peptide bond B beta Arg14-Gly15 in dimer fibrinogen molecule reducing the rate of protofibril lateral association and clot turbidity with only one fibrinopeptide B splitting off per fibrinogen molecule by thrombin. But two molecules of Fab-fragments of monAb's 2d-2a join to both of their epitopes and inhibit fibrinogen clotting dramatically without clot formation and with no fibrinopeptide B splitting off. These data suggest that the site of fibrin protofibril lateral coalescence is localized in NH2-terminal part of fibrin (ogen) B beta-chain, i.e. central E-domain of fibrin molecule takes part in protofibril lateral association. The mutual space orientation of NH2-terminal regions of fibrinogen B beta-chains is discussed.


This monograph aimed to reposition London's status as a fashion city, moving away from celebratory accounts that have emphasized its familiar role as a centre for traditional crafts (Savile Row) and avant-gardism (Central Saint Martins) towards a more historically-rooted and geographically-aware examination of local clothing cultures, and their impact on the development of global fashion and the role played by the fabric of the city and its inhabitants in forming a shifting sense of London style.

It also shows how the production and consumption of clothing in the city has maintained a close relationship with London's economic fortunes, cultural status and demographic character. Most importantly, by looking towards the methods employed by cultural geographers, literary theorists and sociologists of the 'everyday' the book fore-grounded fashion as a memorializing practice which has the potential to underpin conceptions of space and time as vividly as the built environment or the social, economic and cultural infrastructures through which cities have commonly been read.

As a form of historical writing the book deliberately experimented with a poetic treatment of the fragmentary evidence provided by surviving dress, autobiographical accounts, journalism, trade ephemera and street photography to reflect the subjective, romantic and fragile nature of the subject-matter.


The mathematical concept of strongly real functions of positive and negative types is introduced to network theory for the first time. The driving-point reactance/susceptance of a pure Foster network, made up of only ideal positive inductance and capacitance elements, is a strongly real function of real frequency of positive type. As a corollary, for a pure non-Foster network made up of only ideal negative inductance and capacitance elements, the driving-point reactance/susceptance is a strongly real function of real frequency of negative type. It is shown that a condition for a purely reactive passive network to exhibit a positive or negative reactance/susceptance-frequency gradient is that the driving-point immittance should have alternating poles and zeroes lying on the real frequency axis. Finally, it is shown that either purely Foster or non-Foster networks can be constructed by combining ideal Foster and non-Foster reactive elements.


On a hot summer day, Los Angeles, CA, like Baltimore, MD, Phoenix, AZ, Washington, D.C., and Tokyo, Japan, is c. 6-8 degrees F hotter than its surrounding areas. Dark buildings and pavement have replaced urban vegetation in these cities, absorbing more solar heat. The urban heat islands that are created result in increased air-conditioning costs, energy use, and pollution. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have been studying the effects of roof system color and type on the energy used to cool a building. The results of this research indicate that roofing professionals should consider the reflectance (albedo) and emittance (release of absorbed heat) of the roof systems they install.


OBJECTIVE Of children diagnosed with cancer, approximately one fourth die of the disease or disease related complications. The aim of this study was to investigate survival and causes of death in children with cancer in Iceland. METHODS This study is retrospective; population based and includes all children, less than 18 years of age, diagnosed with cancer in Iceland from 1981 to 2006. Information was extracted from the Icelandic Cancer Registry, patients hospital records and data from Statistics Iceland. RESULTS Of 279 children diagnosed with cancer in the research period 215 were alive at the end of 2008. The overall 5-year survival was 81.2% and 10-year survival was 76.7%. There was not a significant survival difference with respect to age at diagnosis, year of diagnosis, gender or geographical residence. The small cohort size could be the explanation. Eleven individuals developed secondary neoplasm, eight of whom died. Sixteen of the 64 nonsurvivors were treated with curative intent until death, 12 of them died of therapy related complications. CONCLUSIONS Survival rate in childhood cancer in Iceland is comparable to other Western countries. As previously reported, prognosis of patients with secondary neoplasm is unfavorable. Therapy related complications are the most common cause of death in patients treated with curative intent.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the implementation of a quality improvement (QI) project that aimed at improving and standardizing glucose checks on patients with diabetes undergoing hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy.

METHODS
This is a prospective cohort study. Following the Model for Improvement, nurses and physicians ran several Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles over a four-month period, with multiple iteration and testing changes. They developed and implemented a nurse-led protocol that was tested prospectively.

RESULTS
Compared to the pre-protocol baseline (N = 332), glucose checks per session guided by the protocol decreased by 37.7% (2.84 vs. 1.77 per session, P⟨0.001). Compliance with the new protocol was higher than compliance with the existing protocol (97.3% to 84.2%, P⟨0.001). There were no cases of a symptomatic hypoglycemic event after the implementation of the protocol.

CONCLUSIONS
A quality improvement project implemented by a multidisciplinary team in a hyperbaric practice was feasible and has improved the management of diabetic patients undergoing HBO₂ therapy. Considering how the hyperbaric community values the culture of safety and considering the feasibility of this project, more QI training and projects in hyperbaric programs should be performed.


The invention relates to a problem cable and support translation progressive identification method on the basis of the strain monitoring during temperature variation. According to the problem cable and support translation progressive identification method, on the basis of the strain monitoring, the temperatures of cable structures, the environment temperature and the health state of an evaluated object are monitored to determine whether a mechanical calculation reference model of the cable structures needs to be updated so as to obtain a mechanical calculation reference model of the cable structures, in which the temperatures of the cable structures and the environment temperature are counted; on the basis of the model, a unit change matrix of a unit damage monitored quantity is obtained by calculation; according to approximate linear relations between a current value vector of the monitored quantity and a current initial value vector of the monitored quantity, the unit change matrix of the unit damage monitored quantity, a unit damage or unit translation displacement vector and a current nominal damage vector to be obtained of the evaluated object, a noninferior solution of the current nominal damage vector of the evaluated object is calculated, so that when the temperature is changed, damaged cables, slack cables and the translation displacement of a support can be rapidly identified.


While the reality of online distribution is not new, the continual advances in infrastructure have allowed this disruptive technology to encompass various media.  Online distribution allows for the precipitous and selective acquisition of media.  Online distribution has enormous positive potential for various people.  It allows for the free flow of information that can provide an individual with college level knowledge on any subject.  It can also introduce upstart artists and manufactures to individuals that would otherwise never be exposed to their products.  However, this technology presents serious implications for businesses associated with media distribution.  With its ability to give users unprecedented access to media, such as songs and books, online distribution enables the replacement of physical media all together.  This process can already be seen in the music industry and is on the precipice of occurring in both the gaming and book industries.  Additionally, online distribution introduces new concerns over copyright protection as it allows individuals to provide the products of others for all people to view and own free of charge.  This reality has forced many companies to institute policies to curb these acts of piracy that arguable hurt actual paying customers.  Perhaps most significantly, online distribution is beginning to change the culture of modern society.  As advances in bandwidth, compression algorithms, integrated devices, and even 3D printers allow for the distribution of ever growing and changing products, society will continue to shift from a materialistic culture to an ever more socialist culture.  This disruptive technology, while having enormous positive potential, may present negative implications to both commercial industries and commercial culture.  In this paper, I provide an overview of online distribution, present a logical framework that defines online distribution as a disruptive technology, and describe the potential negative implications to both the commercial industry and commercial culture.


Understanding the intrinsic pathways that regulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) proliferation and self-renewal responses to external signals offers a rational approach to developing improved strategies for HSC expansion for therapeutic applications. Such studies are also likely to reveal new targets for the treatment of human myeloid malignancies because perturbations of the biological processes that control normal HSC self-renewal divisions are believed to drive the propagation of many of these diseases. Here, we review recent findings that point to the importance of using stringent functional criteria to define HSCs as cells with longterm repopulating activity and evidence that activation of the KIT receptor and many downstream effectors serve as major regulators of changing HSC proliferative and self-renewal behavior during development.


Driven by alterations in national and global economies, international competition and the rapid pace of technological change, personnel downsizing, company mergers, expansions, privatisation and restructuring have become important and on-going characteristics of modern working life. Regardless of whether organisational change is an effective business strategy resulting in better corporate performance, there is growing concern about the potential deleterious consequences of organisational changes on employee health.1 ,2 In line with this concern, a large body of observational studies suggests that perceived stressful work conditions, such as high demands in combination with low control over work, are associated with poor health and early exit from the labour market.3–5 Quinlan and Bohle found 86 studies for their review showing an association between major organisational changes and occupational health and safety (OHS) outcomes undertaken over the past 20 years.1 Of these studies, 85% found adverse OHS outcomes, 8% found mixed effects, 6% found no effect, and only one study (1%) found a positive effect. However, a recent systematic review analysing the association between organisational changes and mental health outcomes found only 17 relevant studies.6 An association between exposure to changes and decreased mental health was found in 11 studies, with a weaker association in longitudinal studies than in cross-sectional studies.

Recent systematic reviews and observational research have focused on intervention studies. Findings from observational studies strongly suggest the benefits of organisational-level participation and task-restructuring interventions for workplace reorganisation to decrease job demands and increase control by giving employees the opportunity to participate in decision-making. However, intervention studies showed only weak evidence for …


The causes and consequences of child labour are examined theoretically and empirically within a household decision framework, with endogenous fertility and mortality. The data come from a nationally representative survey of Indian rural households. The complex interactions uncovered by the analysis suggest that mere prohibition of child labour, or the imposition of school attendance, could make things worse, and would be difficult to enforce. Beneficially reducing child labour requires changing the economic environment to which the work of the children constitutes, in the great majority of the cases, the rational response. Suitable policies include reductions in the cost of attending school, and public health improvements. The effects of these policies go far beyond direct impacts. Health policies have favourable indirect repercussions on the school attendance, demand for educational material, and labour participation of children. Educational policies have favourable indirect repercussions on the nutritional status of children. Both types of policies discourage fertility. Income re-distribution may be helpful, but land re-distribution could be counterproductive.


According to the analysis of friction distribution on radial direction in the precision forging spur gear, the reason that the tooth corner was difficult to fill is revealed. Changing the motion mode of the floating die will change the friction condition between billet and floating die, as well as the filling situation of tooth corner. Finally, the scheme was further validated by DEFORM-3D, and the results show that the validity of floating die to tooth corner filling.


Active methods of the influence upon the person with the aim of forming special states of the brain in order to obtain reproducible and strong perception of low level signals are compared. If the human brain is immediately exposed to the force by penetrating physical fields (i.e. magnetic, electromagnetic, acoustic) than best results can be obtained while using electromagnetic and acoustic fields; in this case the effectiveness of the tests on perception grows from (50 +/- 6) to (79 +/- 9)%. If the brain is forced through the peripheral sensory systems (visual and acoustic analyzers and skin receptors) than perception grows from (50 +/- 6) to (85 +/- 10)%. Special device for influence upon the brain through visual analyzer with the help of bylatheral photo-stimulation is described. The outlook of the control upon special states of brain with the aim to reveal abilities to the low level perception is discussed.


The authors consider enhancing the performance of the traditional linear partial-response (PR) equalizer by using noise prediction techniques. The resulting noise-predictive PR equalizer consists of a forward linear PR equalizer followed by a linear predictor to whiten the noise and the residual distortion at the equalizer output. Assuming correct decisions and applying results from prediction theory, it is shown that the minimum mean-square error of a noise-predictive PR equalizer equals that of a decision-feedback equalizer which employs no PR shaping. This result shows that the performance of a receiver with a PR shaping equalizer can always be improved by attaching a noise-whitening predictor. Simulation results are presented for channels typically encountered in wire transmission and magnetic recording, i.e., channels with a spectral null at DC and strong high-frequency attenuation. The results show a substantial performance improvement when a noise-predictive PR equalizer is used.<<ETX>>


Optimization of relief networks in humanitarian logistics often exemplifies the need for solutions that are feasible given a hard constraint on time. For instance, the distribution of medical countermeasures immediately following a biological disaster event must be completed within a short time-frame. When these supplies are not distributed within the maximum time allowed, the severity of the disaster is quickly exacerbated. Therefore emergency response plans that fail to facilitate the transportation of these supplies in the time allowed are simply not acceptable. As a result, all optimization solutions that fail to satisfy this criterion would be deemed infeasible. This creates a conflict with the priority optimization objective in most variants of the generic vehicle routing problem (VRP). Instead of efficiently maximizing usage of vehicle resources available to construct a feasible solution, these variants ordinarily prioritize the construction of a minimum cost set of vehicle routes. Research presented in this dissertation focuses on the design and analysis of efficient computational methods for optimizing high-consequence variants of the VRP for relief networks. The conflict between prioritizing the minimization of the number of vehicles required or the minimization of total travel time is demonstrated. The optimization of the time and capacity constraints in the context of minimizing the required vehicles are independently examined. An efficient meta-heuristic algorithm based on a continuous spatial partitioning scheme is presented for constructing a minimized set of vehicle routes in practical instances of the VRP that include critically high-cost penalties. Multiple optimization priority strategies that extend this algorithm are examined and compared in a large-scale bio-emergency case study. The algorithms designed from this research are implemented and integrated into an existing computational framework that is currently used by public health officials. These computational tools enhance an emergency response planner's ability to derive a set of vehicle routes specifically optimized for the delivery of resources to dispensing facilities in the event of a bio-emergency.


The aim of this study was to determine whether the adoption of new performance processes reduced the door-to-balloon time for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To reduce the door-to-balloon time, we adopted 3 new performance processes: concurrent activation at the emergency department rather than stepwise activation; direct phone call rather than using a pager or message; patient transferred to catheterization laboratory before the PCI team arrive. A total of 139 consecutive patients were compared before and after the new performance processes. After the adoption of the new processes, median door-to-balloon time reduced significantly from 133 to 76 minutes (P < .0001) and patients undergoing primary PCI within 90 minutes increased significantly from 16% to 72% (P < .0001). Among the subdivisions of the door-to-balloon time, door-to-consent time and door-to-laboratory arrival time decreased significantly (50.0 vs 20.5 minutes, P < .0001; 95.0 vs 40.0 minutes, P < .0001, respectively).


This Article explains how and why sustainable development emerged as a conceptual framework, the basic concepts or principles on which this framework is based, why sustainability is primarily a matter for domestic national governance, and why the United States needs to play a leading role in fostering sustainable development. Because "sustainable" modifies "development," it is first important to understand what development means. Since the end of World War II, development has included at least four related elements: peace and security, economic development, social development, and supportive national governance. Each element is reflected in major multilateral treaties that provide a common framework for relations among sovereign nations as well as a shared set of national purposes. These elements together are intended to foster human quality of life and opportunity. While the development model has been successful on its own terms, it has not addressed or prevented two related problems - environmental degradation or the large number of people living in poverty. Sustainable development modifies the traditional development model by adding a fifth element, protection of the environment, but the idea of fostering human quality of life and opportunity remains the same. Key principles include integration of the environment into decision making, the polluter-pays principle, the precautionary principle, intergenerational equity, public participation, and common but differentiated responsibilities for developed and developing countries. Because of national sovereignty, sustainable development is primarily the responsibility of national governments. While environmental and conservation laws provide a foundation for sustainable development, they do not reflect the range or depth of necessary actions, nor are they necessarily the most economically efficient means of achieving sustainable development. The United States should play a leading role in addressing sustainable development because of the contribution it has made to global environmental challenges and because of its enormous potential capability to address these challenges.


There is at least one more use of ultrasound in the ICU. A patient was admitted to our ICU after having undergone major abdominal surgery. Her blood pressure was monitored intra-operatively by left ulnar artery cannulation as the anaesthetist had difficulty in cannulating either radial artery. At the end of the operation her left hand was found to be slightly cold compared with her right hand. The ulnar artery was decannulated in theatre and in the ICU further examination revealed a slightly cold left hand but no sensory or motor deficit. Both the ulnar and radial artery pulses were palpable. The capillary refill was 3 s compared with normal in the right hand. A modified Allen's test was negative and the plethysmographic trace returned after release of pressure on ulnar artery. To be absolutely sure about the flow, we used 2D ultrasound and colour Doppler, which demonstrated the flow through both ulnar and radial arteries. Since 1929 when Allen described a non-invasive evaluation of the patency of the arterial supply to the hands, several other tests such as plethysmography, pulse oximetry [1] and digital pressure measurement [2] have been described to assist in confirming the adequacy of the palmar circulation. A digital pressure measuring device was not available. Ultrasound clearly demonstrated the flow through the vessels and prevented further intervention.


The paper proposes a network security monitoring protection model with synergetic mechanism based on the basic principle of human immune system and the state quo of network hacking inspection research and the analysis and appraisal on the original artificial immune model. This model proposes human-computer interaction disaster warning system based on computer dangerous operation and the advantage of agent technology and proposes free-state anti-virus technology based on the human body apoptotic cells. The test results show that the methods proposed in this thesis remedy the illegal program escaped from monitoring security scanning and the system security hidden danger caused manually and at last proposes the development trend of the future artificial immunity in computer protection field.


There is a close and complex relation between the value of the initial density of the Dunaliella salina Teod. culture and its growth on basic nutrient medium. An increase of the initial density decreases the effect of substrate inhibition in the lag-phase and considerably increases the asymptotic density of the culture without changing the true growth rate. A factorial experiment led to a significant improvement of the composition of the nutrient medium, this allowing to double the asymptotic density of the culture.


Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus. The etiology remains largely unknown. Despite adequate treatment, patients can still experience symptoms or side effects resulting in therapy incompliance and in self-management strategies such as dietary measures is increasing. A gluten free diet is thought to be contributory in reducing endometriosis-related pain, thereby optimizing quality of life. However, data is conflicting and currently provides no evidence for causality. This narrative review aims to put the effect of dietary self-management strategies on endometriosis in a balanced perspective, especially the effect of gluten and a gluten free diet. Several studies have found a strong overlap in symptoms, metabolic and immune responses associated with endometriosis and those associated with celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and non-celiac wheat sensitivity. However, it remains unclear whether these diseases and/or disorders are causal to an increased risk of endometriosis. Some studies have found a positive effect on the risk of endometriosis, endometriosis-related symptoms and quality of life (QoL) when women either avoided certain nutrients or foods, or applied a specific nutrient supplementation. This includes the avoidance of red meat and omega-3, an increasing intake of foods rich in anti-oxidants, micronutrients and dietary fibers (e.g., fruit, vegetables) and the appliance of a gluten free diet. However, data from the available studies were generally graded of low quality and it was noted that placebo and/or nocebo effects influenced the reported positive effects. In addition, such effects were no longer seen when adjusting for confounders such as overweight, when a translation was made from in vitro to in vivo, or when the nutrients were not supplemented as isolated sources but as part of a mixed daily diet. Finally, some studies showed that long-term adherence to a gluten free diet is often associated with an impaired diet quality and nutrient intake, leading to negative health outcomes and reduced QoL. Concluding, scientific evidence on the efficacy of dietary interventions on well-defined clinical endpoints of endometriosis is lacking and recommending a gluten free diet to women solely diagnosed with endometriosis should therefore not be advised.


Marketing can be the strategical difference between two companies. It identifies the way to sell a product, emphasizing the characteristics of the product. The paper aims to examine the relationship between green marketing strategy by food companies and consumers shopping behaviour. In order to better analyse the two factors of green marketing tools, their use and advantages are described, highlighting benefits of their application by food companies. The European Organic standard certification process is fully described by a comparison between quality and ecological labels. The European law set different requirements that companies must follow for the implementation of that standard. The last part of the paper shows data about customer satisfaction obtained by the comparison of the different behaviour of the populations leaving in two cities, Tarragona, located in the east side of Spain, and Catania, located in the south side of Italy. The survey allows to understand the people attitude in buying food product and how this process is influenced by green marketing techniques. This study allows understanding the new green marketing approach, showing a different point of view useful as a starting point to introduce a new marketing strategy to better face competitors.


Scientific article reading is an important competence for undergraduate students in sciences. To help acquire this skill we chose to propose students a poster session with peer evaluation. Students are grouped in teams to which subjects are assigned. Each team prepares a poster during the semester and prints it before the exam. Students then enter a rotation system in which they alternatively present their poster to their peers and one teacher, or evaluate the posters of other groups. Each session is composed of a presentation, questions and evaluation. The evaluation is performed both by the teachers and the peers. Students are also evaluated for their ability to evaluate their peers, comparing their evaluations to those performed by others (teachers and/or peers). The evaluation is normalised thanks to a dedicated evaluation grid. After 2 years of manual management, the need to scale up our approach to larger cohorts of students lead to the development of a digital system. This article details our motives and method/protocol. Finally observations, limits and improvements are reported.


Isoscallop height toolpath planning method is a high-efficient way to generate toolpaths. However, for some sculptured surfaces, the toolpaths generated via this method may be not smooth, e.g. the cutting direction may alter sharply which badly affecting the machining surface quality. If the curvature of toolpaths can be restricted, paths will be smooth and surface quality can be guaranteed. On the other hand, the machining efficiency may decrease comparing with toolpaths generated via Isoscallop height method. To balance efficiency and surface quality, a modified isoscallop height toolpath planning method based on curve fitting is proposed in this paper. Toolpaths generated via the new method can keep smooth and the efficiency is as high as possible under the restriction of the curvature set by users.


Combining historical and philological method with contemporary literary analysis, this study of Pindar's longest and most elaborate victory ode, the Fourth Pythian, traces the underlying mythical patterns, implicit poetics, and processes of mythopoesis that animate his poetryOriginally published in 1986.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.


The use of psychoactive substances in adolescence enables one to experiment with what the psyche cannot approach. For Max, a gifted boy, drug use is more than a need for freedom, it is a way of defining his identity and facing the violence of the pubertary process. His drug use has a mediating function that will come to be part of a therapeutic relationship, especially in his experience of limits and of writing as sublimation.


Given the importance of the assertion or prevention of regional leadership for the future global order, this paper examines the strategies and resources being used to assert regional leadership as well as the reactions of other states within and outside the respective regions. Secondary powers play a key role in the regional acceptance of a leadership claim. In this article we identify the factors motivating secondary powers to accept or contest this claim. Two regional dyads, marked by different degrees of "contested leadership" are analyzed: Brazil vs. Venezuela and India vs. Pakistan. The research outcomes demonstrate that the strategies of regional powers and the reactions of secondary powers result from the distribution of material capabilities and their application, the regional powers' ability to project ideational resources, the respective national interests of regional and secondary powers, and the regional impact of external powers.


Abstract. Dynamical networks – networks inferred from multivariate time series – have been widely applied to climate data and beyond, resulting in new insights into the underlying dynamics. However, these inferred networks can suffer from biases that need to be accounted for to properly interpret the results. Here, we report on a previously unrecognized bias in the estimate of time delays between nodes in dynamical networks inferred from cross-correlations, a method often used. This bias results in the maximum correlation occurring disproportionately often at large time lags. This is of particular concern in dynamical networks where the large number of possible links necessitates finding the correct time lag in an automated way. We show that this bias can arise due to the similarity of the estimator to a random walk, and are able to map them to each other explicitly for some cases. For the random walk there is an analytical solution for the bias that is closely related to the famous Levy arcsine distribution, which provides an upper bound in many other cases. Finally, we show that estimating the cross-correlation in frequency space effectively eliminates this bias. Reanalysing large lag links (from a climate network) with this method results in a distribution peaked near zero instead, as well as additional peaks at the originally assigned lag. Links that are reassigned smaller time lags tend to have a smaller distance between them, which indicates that the new time delays are physically reasonable.


Improving the quality of construction schedules calls for development of an advanced productivity measurement system. Existing on-site construction productivity measurement methods have some common limitations, such as not providing data necessary for engineers and project managers to conduct real-time analyses and share data with other project participants. A wireless real-time productivity measurement (WRITE) system was developed to address those shortfalls. The field experiment was conducted at two different stages: asphalt paving projects, including hot-mix asphalt and hot-in-place recycling, and a bridge reconstruction project. Productivity data collected from the WRITE system were also compared with productivity data collected from construction documents, such as contractors' daily logs and pay estimate documents, to identify the feasibility of this system for measuring the performance of construction projects. For data analyses, statistical methods such as normality test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. The result of statistical analyses proved that the developed system generated identical productivity measurements compared with the stopwatch method and construction documents. The success of this research project made several major contributions to the advancement of the construction industry. First, the research advanced the application of wireless technology in highway construction operations. Second, it provided an advanced technology for engineers and project managers to determine productivity in real time. Third, productivity data can be shared between project participants via the Internet. With these advancements, communication and coordination will be improved at construction sites. Consequently, the WRITE system will enhance owners' and contractors' ability to manage construction projects.


BACKGROUND: The population of children requiring home mechanical ventilation has evolved over the years and has grown to include a variety of diagnoses and needs that have led to changes in the care of this unique population. The purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive analysis of pediatric patients requiring home mechanical ventilation after hospitalization and how the evolution of this technology has impacted their care. METHODS: A retrospective, observational, longitudinal analysis of 164 children enrolled in a university-affiliated home mechanical ventilation program over 26 years was performed. Data included each child's primary diagnosis, date of tracheostomy placement, duration of mechanical ventilation during hospitalization that consisted of home mechanical ventilator initiation, total length of pediatric ICU stay, ventilator settings at time of discharge from pediatric ICU, and disposition (home, facility, or died). Univariate, bivariate, and regression analysis was used as appropriate. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis requiring the use of home mechanical ventilation was neuromuscular disease (53%), followed by chronic pulmonary disease (29%). The median length of stay in the pediatric ICU decreased significantly after the implementation of a ventilator ward (70 d [30–142] vs 36 d [18–67], P = .02). The distribution of subjects upon discharge was home (71%), skilled nursing facility (24%), and died (4%), with an increase in the proportion of subjects discharged on PEEP and those going to nursing facilities over time (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of home mechanical ventilation has allowed earlier transition out of the pediatric ICU and with increasing disposition to skilled nursing facilities over time. There has also been a change in ventilator management, including increased use of PEEP upon discharge, possibly driven by changes in ventilators and in-patient practice patterns.


In this study, wireless communication technologies used in road and marine traffic are compared and analyzed to develop a collision warning system for small maritime autonomous surface ships based on sufficient testing and technologically advanced wireless access in vehicular environment (WAVE) communication technology. Outstanding communication technologies, such as WAVE, have been used as the core technology for the infrastructural development of an intelligent transport system (ITS) as well as autonomous vehicles in many countries and industries. In WAVE communication, information is transmitted in 100-ms intervals. Therefore, it is feasible to maintain control of ships by fully supplementing the update interval of small automatic identification system (AIS) Class B ships using an autonomous navigation system for small ships, thus establishing a safe autonomous navigation system. Additionally, as information is retransmitted every 0.1 s, such a system can sufficiently handle sudden and unexpected risk situations encountered by small ships such as fishing boats. To evaluate the appropriateness of the proposed collision warning system based on WAVE communication, real ship tests were conducted for a comparative analysis using AIS communication-derived results. Based on the real ship test results, calculations were appropriately conducted according to the criteria of collision warning determination when confronting dangerous collision situations. In particular, systems based on AIS were found to often miss collision warnings owing to frequent variations in small ships. However, systems based on WAVE were found to have detected all collision risks.


ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of endodontic treatment and the quality of root canal fillings in Brazilian undergraduate dental students. The study was similar those conducted 10, 20, 30, and 40 years earlier. Methods: A total of 407 undergraduate dental students were evaluated by using questionnaires to identify endodontic treatments, with each treatment being radiographed for the analysis of the presence of a periapical radiolucency and the quality of the root canal filling. Results: Forty root canal fillings were found: 32 (80%) completely filled, seven (17.5%) incompletely filled, and one (2.5%) overfilled. Conclusion: This study showed a low prevalence of endodontic treatment in dentistry students, and the evaluated root canals that were filled were high quality, with few cases suggesting periapical lesions.


Applications of fractional time derivatives in physics and engineering require the existence of nontranslational time automorphisms on the appropriate algebra of observables. The existence of time automorphisms on commutative and noncommutative C*-algebras for interacting many-body systems is investigated in this article. A mathematical framework is given to discuss local stationarity in time and the global existence of fractional and nonfractional time automorphisms. The results challenge the concept of time flow as a translation along the orbits and support a more general concept of time flow as a convolution along orbits. Implications for the distinction of reversible and irreversible dynamics are discussed. The generalized concept of time as a convolution reduces to the traditional concept of time translation in a special limit.


Although an insufficient supply of water is commonly associated with reduced crop yields, the manner in which water deficits affect the functioning of many common field crops is not well established. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of a water deficit on some physiological processes of spring oats (Avena sativa L. 'Jaycee'). The plants were subjected to water deficits under a field environment far 9 to 11 days at the boot stage, at anthesis through early grain formation stage, and at both stages in combination. Relative leaf water content (RLWC) as determined by the relative turgidity method was used as a measure of water deficit. Leaf diffusion resistance (LDR) was monitored using a diffusion porometer. The net photosynthetic rate (NPR) of the oat plants was determined using an infrared gas analyzer. Severe water stress at all stages of development studied caused about an 80% decline in NPR. LDR increased with a decrease in RLWC. Stress during boot stage reduced the photosynthetic sensivity of the plants to subsequent stress at the anthesis through early grain formation stage. On rewatering, LDR and RLWC recovered completely within 1 to 6 days; however, the net photosynthetic rate of plants stressed at the anthesis through grain formation stage showed a more gradual and incomplete recovery than plants stressed at other stages. The plants stressed during boot stage alone, but adequately watered thereafter, exhibited significantly higher NPR than the control plants. The results indicate that leaf diffusion resistance and net photosynthetic rate of oats show acute sensitivity to plant water deficits. Hence, these parameters hold promise as aids in determining permissible water deficit limits and in irrigation scheduling.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death, and constitutes a major medical and an increasing economic problem for acute and long term care. A low level of irreversible airway obstruction when in stable condition, hypercapnia, hypoxia, the presence of comorbid heart disease, right ventricular failure, and low serum albumin are the main factors related to risk of exacerbations. Bronchial infections, bronchospasm, left ventricular failure, pneumonia, pneumothorax and thromboembolism are described as the most frequent relapsing causes of COPD. During exacerbation, the inflammatory process, the ventilation/perfusion (V'A/Q') mismatching, an increased airflow resistance and dynamic hyperinflation (PEEPidyn) expose the respiratory muscles to the risk of fatigue, eventually leading to ventilatory pump failure and rising hypercapnia. Prevention of exacerbations and subsequent hospitalisations may be obtained with careful rehabilitation programs, a strict drug protocol, long term oxygen therapy and sometimes using home noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NMV). During exacerbation proper management of infection and lung mechanics derangement has to be adopted using an accurate assessment of severity and standardized treatment protocols. Patient history and examination and functional tests are beneficial to decide how and where to treat these patients. Mechanical ventilation (possibly noninvasive) may be required to reverse the acute episode. The aims of all these procedures remain: i) to prolong length and quality of life; ii) to save costs. Both hospital and post-discharge mortality of exacerbated COPD remain high while quality of life appears to be poor. Future studies will elucidate the relation between number and severity of exacerbations and prognosis.


While high-income countries have made significant strides since the 1970s in improving air quality, air pollution continues to rise in many developing countries and the world as a whole. A significant share of the pollution burden in developing countries can be attributed to production for export to consumers in high-income nations. However, it remains a challenge to quantify individual actors' share of responsibility for pollution, and to involve parties other than primary emitters in cleanup efforts. Here we present a new spatially explicit modeling approach to link SO2, NOx, and PM10 severe emissions hotspots to final consumers via global supply chains. These maps show developed countries reducing their emissions domestically but driving new pollution hotspots in developing countries. This is also the first time a spatially explicit footprint inventory has been established. Linking consumers and supply chains to emissions hotspots creates opportunities for other parties to participate alongside primary emitters and local regulators in pollution abatement efforts.


BACKGROUND
The application of music in pain management has become popular in the past two decades. This article describes the responses of primiparas to the use of music therapy during the births of their children.

METHOD
Eleven women who attended childbirth education classes in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, volunteered to participate in a music therapy exercise. During pregnancy each participant selected preferred music, listened to it daily, and received instruction about focused listening. Within 72 hours after birth they were interviewed about their use of music as a coping strategy during labor.

RESULTS
Women selected the combination of music and labor support as a helpful coping strategy during labor. All women used the music during labor to help distract them from the pain or their current situation.

CONCLUSION
The planned use of music by mothers and caregivers can be an aid to prenatal preparation and an important adjunct in pain and stress management during labor and birth.


Environmental collaboration between civil society organisations (CSO) and large business companies have been increasing in Japan since the 1990s. This increase implies a significant social change, which is worth examining for various reasons: Business companies and CSOs are environmentally important actors but follow different rationalities (profit-seeking respectively environmentalism). However, cross-sector collaboration between such different actors may result in synergies and innovation as well (e.g. institutional change or new interaction patterns). Therefore, this leads to the question what kind of innovation arises from environmental collaboration in Japan. Moreover, it investigates how these innovation effects contribute to environmental governance. Precisely, this paper elaborates possible innovation effects by taking advantage of the concept of social innovation and by discussing a typical case study of cross-sector collaboration in Japan. Overall, this study underlines that civil society organisations serve as important drivers for social innovation. By this means, I argue that they are vital for effective governance, because their competences go (partially) beyond political capacities, although state interventions remain crucial for implementing binding environmental standards in society as a whole.


An increasing number of situations where international responsibility of states is engaged, involve wrongful acts committed by two or more states. Examples of such situations of shared responsibility can be found in the context of multinational military operations, extra-territorial migration policies, or acts that contribute to global environmental problems. The principles applicable to cases of shared responsibility are not well developed. In order to lay a foundation for further study on the topic, this paper systematizes the case law of the International Court of Justice pertaining to shared responsibility. It assesses how the ICJ has treated certain core aspects pertaining to shared responsibility in such cases as Corfu Channel, Certain Phosphate Lands in Nauru, East Timor and the Legality of the Use of Force, and identifies the questions that require further theoretical work.


Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs) are typically found in autoimmune thyroid diseases and, more rarely, in nonautoimmune thyroid diseases and healthy subjects. To determine whether TgAbs associated with different conditions recognize different epitopes on the thyroglobulin molecule, we studied 28 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 30 with Graves' disease, 21 with thyroid carcinoma, 18 with nontoxic goiter, and 25 healthy subjects. All patients were selected for the presence of TgAbs; 4/25 healthy subjects also had TgAbs. The sera were assayed for the their ability to inhibit the binding of monoclonal antibodies to thyroglobulin in an ELISA assay. We found that: 1) TgAbs in Hashimoto's patients preferentially recognized three clusters of epitopes (II, III and typically VI), with no difference between the goitrous and the atrophic variants; 2) TgAbs in Graves' patients were directed toward cluster II, with no difference between the presence or the absence of ophthalmopathy; 3) TgAbs in thyroid carcinoma patients recognized the same clusters as Hashimoto's patients; 4) TgAbs in nontoxic goiter patients and in the four healthy subjects showed no restriction in epitope recognition. We suggest that in individuals with no overt clinical or biochemical thyroid abnormalities but with TgAbs, the finding that these TgAbs recognize particular immunodominant clusters may be utilized to predict full-blown thyroid disorders. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the possible clinical application of this methodology.


Abstract Theory and experiments have demonstrated that the initially flat surface of an elastically strained solid is morphologically unstable. The elastic strain energy of a rough, corrugated surface is lower than that of a flat one. Hence, stress forces the surface into a rough structure, but the associated increase in surface energy counteracts this roughening. In this way an equilibrium surface roughness consisting of μm-scale grooves and ridges can develop if the solid is transported, e.g. by diffusion through an aqueous solution, from sites of high stress to sites of low stress. We report in situ experimental observations of the surface of elastically strained potassium (K-) alum single crystals held in K-alum solution. The observations confirm earlier reports of the development of stress-induced μm-scale grooves on the surface of this material. The in situ observations show, however, that the stress-induced surface morphology is not a static, but a dynamic structure. The grooves are mobile, and may for example propagate or increase or decrease in length. They may move upwards, downwards, or remain where they are. Others rotate and undulate. It is suggested that if stress is high enough, grain boundaries in (wet) rocks could posses a similar structure of channels, continuously changing position and orientation, in line with the so-called 'dynamically stable' island-channel grain boundary structure that is essential to several pressure solution models.


Previous research has shown that, despite the low-income levels in developing countries, cost recovery is a prerequisite for sustainability of urban water services. The challenge for service improvement is continually growing, as it is projected that 88% of the increase in global population will live in urban centres of low-income countries by the year 2015. Yet bill collection efficiency in some African urban water utilities is lower than 50%. In order to improve cost recovery levels, the new public managerialism paradigm suggests that water utility managers need to change their business philosophy from being supply-driven to engendering customer focus. This study used empirical data, obtained through a cross-sectional survey in 11 major towns in Uganda to establish customer perceptions that influence bill payment behaviour of water utility customers. Regression analysis of data obtained showed that service value and customer satisfaction contribute about 20% of the variation in customer loyalty, which in turn significantly influences bill payment behaviour. Therefore, in order to improve cost recovery, utility managers have to work towards improving customer satisfaction and perceived value of the services delivered. The effect of corporate image, of significance in high-income countries, was not found to be relevant in Uganda.


The belief amongst most electrochemists that the appropriate models, representing "homogeneous" and "heterogeneous" nucleation in the context of electrocrystallization, are spherical and spherical-cap shapes, respectively, is challenged. A proper foundation for modelling heterogeneous nucleation is introduced. The free energy required for the formation of a nucleus within an indent is derived and compared with that required for the formation of a nucleus onto a flat surface of an electrode. It is shown for the first time, using the classical theory of nucleation, that a much smaller free energy is required for nucleating within an indent on the surface of an electrode than nucleating onto a flat electrode surface. The applicability of the model, with the corresponding equations, to nucleation in the context of electrocrystallization is established.


Polyethylene (PE), particularly linear medium density PE (LMDPE), is the most widely used thermoplastic in the rotational moulding (RM or rotomoulding) industry, possessing a balance between melt flow characteristics and mechanical properties best suited to the RM process relative to alternative thermoplastics. Reliance of the RM industry on LMDPE limits the application envelope for manufacturers due to the inherently low modulus of the material; manufacturers overcome this low modulus by increasing the wall thicknesses of their products which is costly and energy intensive. The addition of filler particles to PE as a method of modulus enhancement was considered a feasible alternative to increasing the wall thickness. The resulting composite material could down gauge part thickness and potentially expand the application envelope of RM. Phase 1 of this study observed the behaviour of RM grade PE's with the introduction of filler particles in order to double the modulus (namely garnet, sand, cenospheres or fly-ash and the latter two combined). The PE/filler composites were mixed by dry blending or melt compounding, moulded and mechanically tested in tensile, flexural and Charpy impact mode. The aim of doubling the tensile modulus of rotomoulding grade PE was achieved by the melt compounded, rotomoulded PE/fly-ash composites. The introduction of maleic anhydride grafted linear low density polyethylene (MA-g-LLDPE) coupling agent also increased the modulus and tensile yield stress of LMDPE with the addition of fly-ash. However, the beneficial melt flow rate and impact toughness of PE decreased significantly with the addition of fly-ash. The latter was especially true for rotomoulded samples.
As the RM industry typically uses finite element analysis (FEA) to numerically approximate the stress or deflection of load-bearing parts, phase 2 of this study focused upon developing numerical material properties for FEA of the new PE/fly-ash composites. Physical measurements from compression tests on rotomoulded PE/fly-ash safety steps were close to FEA approximations (confirming the practical value of the numerical materials data), except in the case of the unfilled and highest filled PE samples. The significant differences observed between physical measurements and FEA were probably due to complex factors such as the non-linear behaviour of PE and the variation in wall thickness of rotomoulded parts, highlighting the importance of properly understanding the finite element method (FEM) for RM.


— Lately, the dynamic fast pace of modern world has led people to live a sedentary lifestyle, which is defined as lifestyle with lack of physical activity. Such kind of lifestyle would have an effect on Body Mass Index (BMI), Physical Fitness Level (PFL) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP). The fact that our future sustainability depends much on survival of the late adolescent makes it important for us, to prevent them from any diseases in the future. However, there are only few studies about detection of BMI, PFL and SBP of late adolescent. This study aim is to explore the correlation between BMI, PFL and SBP through a descriptive, correlation study with cross-sectional approach. It involved 32 female and male late adolescents as the research participants with age range between 10-24 years old selected through a total sampling. The exclusion criteria were the late adolescent with cardiovascular and respiration disorder. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to analyze the data. Based on data, it revealed that there is no correlation between BMI, PFL and SBP with p value of 0,20 and p value of 0,75 (p >0,05).


High frame rate (HFR) videos are becoming increasingly common with the tremendous popularity of live, high-action streaming content such as sports. Although HFR contents are generally of very high quality, high bandwidth requirements make them challenging to deliver efficiently, while simultaneously maintaining their quality. To optimize trade-offs between bandwidth requirements and video quality, in terms of frame rate adaptation, it is imperative to understand the intricate relationship between frame rate and perceptual video quality. Towards advancing progression in this direction we designed a new subjective resource, called the LIVE-YouTube-HFR (LIVE-YT-HFR) dataset, which is comprised of 480 videos having 6 different frame rates, obtained from 16 diverse contents. In order to understand the combined effects of compression and frame rate adjustment, we also processed videos at 5 compression levels at each frame rate. To obtain subjective labels on the videos, we conducted a human study yielding 19,000 human quality ratings obtained from a pool of 85 human subjects. We also conducted a holistic evaluation of existing state-of-the-art Full and No-Reference video quality algorithms, and statistically benchmarked their performance on the new database. The LIVE-YT-HFR database has been made available online for public use and evaluation purposes, with hopes that it will help advance research in this exciting video technology direction. It may be obtained at https://live.ece.utexas.edu/research/LIVE_YT_HFR/LIVE_YT_HFR/index.html.


Introduction Autologous fat grafting is a valuable tool in the correction of facial soft tissue asymmetry and volume deficits. Pubertal growth and fluctuations in body mass present unique challenges to achieving satisfactory results after autologous fat transfer in the pediatric population. Few studies exist describing the outcomes and complications of pediatric facial fat grafting. The objective of this study is to identify the complication profile and outcomes after autologous fat grafting for the correction of facial asymmetry and volume deficits in the pediatric population. Methods Retrospective chart review was performed identifying 19 patients having undergone autologous fat grafting to the face for correction of facial volume deficits or asymmetry. Intraoperative variables were analyzed including blood loss, tumescent volume, lipoaspirate volume, graft volume transferred, donor fat processing technique, and donor site. Patient growth parameters were evaluated using body mass index (BMI) at the time of grafting and most recent follow up. Outcomes were evaluated based on adequacy of the graft, number of revisions or corrections, and complications. Results A total of 19 patients were identified. The median age at the time of primary fat graft was 17 years. The average change in BMI from preoperative to the latest recorded date was +0.60 ± 1.90. The average time from primary procedure to most recent follow up was 1.7 years. Abdomen was the most common donor site utilized. Adequate correction was achieved with an average of 1.4 graftings. Complications included contour irregularity (n = 1) and persistent overcorrection (n = 3). One patient required lipoaspiration for treatment of overcorrection. An unpaired t test demonstrated no significant difference in preoperative BMI (P = 0.58), postoperative BMI (P = 0.28), or change in BMI after grafting (P = 0.56) between adequately corrected and overcorrected patients. Conclusions Fat transfer is a safe and viable method for the correction of facial asymmetry in the pediatric population. Repeat fat grafting procedures may be required to achieve adequate correction; however, postoperative overcorrection is unlikely to resolve spontaneously in the pediatric population and is unrelated to changes in BMI. Care should be taken to minimize the degree of primary overcorrection when treating facial asymmetry in the pediatric population.


This paper outlines the origin, meaning and benefits of Transitional Justice (TJ). It looks at the various mechanisms or processes used to implement transitional justice. The paper also re-assessed transitional justice in Southern African states with focus on South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola. The historical background to transitional justice in these countries is given then their various TJ mechanisms examined. These portray the strengths and shortcomings of TJ in these Southern African states. The paper is based on a literature review and secondary sources on TJ in South Africa, Mozambique, and Angola. It shows written academic works of the transitional justice mechanisms in these Southern African states. Basically, the paper is descriptive in nature and historical method or Ex-post facto is employed. The paper shows that TJ processes do not necessarily have to be Western oriented or liberalist in approach. They can be locally driven or traditionally crafted depending on the context of the country. The article argues that in South Africa, Mozambique and Angola, different approaches were employed and all had some level of success. Therefore, Africa can always use African post-conflict mechanisms, not Western, to promote peace and reconciliation on the continent.


As technology advances, the need for lightweight materials for equipments, aircrafts, vehicles and space stations, has become imperative. In view of this, Microstructural analysis of aluminium alloys becomes very essential in establishment of their physical properties. 16 samples were cast and heat treated at 450oC for 1 hr, after which the samples were annealed, and quenched in water and used engine oil. Tensile, fatigue and hardness tests were carried out on the samples (Using ASTMB557, E466 and E10 respectively). Microstructural analysis was effected using metallurgical microscope with magnification of 400x and digital camera attachment. The samples were characterized by hardness of 59.8, 60.5, 69.1 and 79.6 BHN for as-cast, annealed, used engine oil quenched and water quenched samples respectively. The results show that the hardness increased with increasing quench severity. When the samples were subjected to 3.924, 7.848 and 11.772 Nm, the yield at varying stresses, and number of cycles for each of the samples, the ultimate tensile strength observed were 115.159, 77.057, 70.772 and 61.164 MN/m2 which increased with decreasing quench severity of quench media. The microstructure showed the presence of pores and magnesium grains validating the fact that aluminium and magnesium generate pores during casting.


In 1995, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) established captive broodstock programs to aid in the recovery of Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). These programs were intended to provide safety nets for Salmon and Grande Ronde River Basins spring/summer chinook salmon stocks. They also provide a basis of examining the efficacy of captive rearing and captive breeding programs as tools for recovering listed salmonid populations. In years when no or few naturally produced fish return from the sea, captive fish and their progeny can be used to maintain populations in these two Snake River Basin tributaries. The NMFS facility at Manchester, WA, provides the crucial seawater environment needed to culture anadromous salmonids during the marine phase of their life cycle. At the Manchester Research Station, the fish are cultured in 6.1m diameter circular tanks housed in a fully enclosed and secure building. The tanks are supplied with seawater that has been processed to eliminate most marine pathogens. The fish are fed a commerciallymore » prepared diet and held at densities and loading rates designed to maximize fish quality. When fish begin to mature, they are transferred to ODFW or IDFG freshwater facilities in Oregon and Idaho for final maturation. The states then release the mature fish (Idaho) or their progeny (Oregon) back into their native Snake River tributary waters in restoration efforts. In FY 2002, NMFS cultured 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 broodyear fish at its Manchester Facility. This report addresses program activities from September 1, 2001 to August 31, 2002.« less


Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The government has introduced some measures to improve the health of its people, but a number of major problems remain. One of these is the lack of essential medicines in government health clinics – known as 'stock-outs'. These medicines should be free to poor people, but most find that they have to pay. This case study – one of a series of Programme Insights on Local Governance and Community Action – looks at an innovative campaign which aimed to tackle this problem by enhancing the capacity of local communities and civil society organizations to demand the right to access these medicines. The campaign lobbied for a commitment to increased availability and accessibility in rural areas and carried out budget and resource tracking. The case study looks at the difficulties the campaign faced and outlines the factors that contributed to its success.


1. Experiments were performed on pregnant guinea‐pigs with gestations of about 44 days to term (65 days). Under anaesthesia, one fetus in each litter was given a volume equal to 1.31% of estimated body weight (v/w) of a 40% solution of 60k‐90k dextran in Ringer solution by I.P. injection. One control litter‐mate received the same amount of Ringer solution, but without dextran. Other litter‐mates served as non‐injected controls. 2. At 20.4 (+/‐ 4.7 S.D.) hr later, the sow was re‐anaesthetized and all fetuses were removed and weighed. They were then dried to constant weight. Wet weights and dry weights were corrected for the weights of the injected materials. 3. Wet weights were normalized by dry weights to account for differences in body size. The average normalized wet weight of the fetuses injected with the dextran solution was 10.9% greater than that of the injected controls and 16.0% greater than that of the non‐injected controls. 4. The results were not affected by the removal of all amniotic fluid at the time of the injections. 5. The results could not have been due to non‐colloid osmotic forces. The Ringer solution was slightly hypo‐osmotic compared to guinea‐pig plasma and the dextran contained negligible amounts of non‐colloids. 6. The applied colloid osmotic pressure of less than 20 torr caused the transfer of a physiologically significant volume of water in a period of 1 day.


Estimating the spectral characteristics of a nonstationary random process is an important but challenging task, which can be facilitated by exploiting structural properties of the process. In certain applications, the observed processes are underspread, i.e., their time and frequency correlations exhibit a reasonably fast decay, and approximately time-frequency sparse, i.e., a reasonably large percentage of the spectral values are small. For this class of processes, we propose a compressive estimator of the discrete Rihaczek spectrum (RS). This estimator combines a minimum variance unbiased estimator of the RS (which is a smoothed Rihaczek distribution using an appropriately designed smoothing kernel) with a compressed sensing technique that exploits the approximate time-frequency sparsity. As a result of the compression stage, the number of measurements required for good estimation performance can be significantly reduced. The measurements are values of the ambiguity function of the observed signal at randomly chosen time and frequency lag positions. We provide bounds on the mean-square estimation error of both the minimum variance unbiased RS estimator and the compressive RS estimator, and we demonstrate the performance of the compressive estimator by means of simulation results. The proposed compressive RS estimator can also be used for estimating other time-dependent spectra (e.g., the Wigner-Ville spectrum), since for an underspread process most spectra are almost equal.


After myocardial infarction, optimal clinical management depends critically on cardiac imaging. Remodelling and heart failure, presence of inducible ischaemia, presence of dysfunctional viable myocardium, future risk of adverse events including risk of ventricular arrhythmias, need for anticoagulation, and other questions should be addressed by cardiac imaging. Strengths and weaknesses, recent developments, choice, and timing of the different non-invasive techniques are reviewed for this frequent clinical scenario.


Much has been learned in recent years about the mechanisms by which breastfeeding improves child health and survival. However, there has been little progress in using these insights to improve pediatric care. The aim of this study was to review all clinical studies of lactoferrin (LF) in children in an effort to determine which interventions may improve pediatric care or require further research. We conducted a systematic and critical review of published literature and found 19 clinical studies that have used human or bovine LF for different outcomes: iron metabolisms and anemia (6 studies), fecal flora (5 studies), enteric infections (3 studies), common pediatric illnesses (1 study), immunomodulation (3 studies), and neonatal sepsis (1 study). Although the efficacies have varied in each trial, the main finding of all published studies is the safety of the intervention. Protection against enteric infections and neonatal sepsis are the most likely biologically relevant activities of LF in children. Future ...


In order to understand and perceive the true message of art works, exhibition design and as a related subject information design are popular interdisciplinary subjects of last few decades. The exhibitions and art museums that is rooted back to 15th century, evolved in time and designed more aesthetically in consideration of scientific studies and artistic approach of modern understanding of 20th century. In this progressive globalism,Turkish Republic of North Cyprus could not complete its intellectual evolution because of ethnic and political conflicts that goes back 1930's, rose in 50's and ended up with Turkey's intervention in 1974. The aim of this study is  to investigate the contribution of Universities that was established after 1974 in TRNC to the artistic developments of Art museums and sellected Gunsel Art Museum will be explored as the case study for this article.