In a recent paper, Professors Jill Fisch, Assaf Hamdani, and Steven Davidoff Solomon argue that passively-managed funds have incentives to engage meaningfully with their portfolio companies because they compete for investors with actively-managed funds. Since passively-managed funds that track indices cannot trade out of the index, Professors Fisch, Hamdani, and Davidoff Solomon argue that passive funds will engage with portfolio companies to increase the companies' stock return performance. In this short response, I highlight four problems with their argument. First, their argument is premised on the assumption that active managers have a comparative advantage over passive funds - the ability to trade in and out of stocks - that passive funds must address, but the empirical evidence - unaddressed in the paper - is that passive investment consistently outperforms active, suggesting there is no such comparative advantage to overcome. Second, the authors ignore a crucial structural problem with their view of passive investment managers: the fund complexes that manage the largest passive funds also sell active management services to some of the largest active managers. This matters because the profitability of actively-managed strategies is an order of magnitude greater than the profitability of the passive strategies. Third, while it costs passive funds little to vote for corporate governance improvements, and while it might be good marketing or relationship-building with their institutional clients, there is no evidence that these improvements give the passive funds any advantage over their active competitors. Finally, but perhaps most importantly, the authors fail to address the fact that passive investing appears to beat active investing not because of interventions of the type they study, but because passive investment in broad-based indices dramatically increases the probability of capturing the gains of the handful of stocks responsible for most equity returns.


These three elegant essays develop principles central to the understanding of the diverse ways in which imperfect information affects the distribution of resources, incentives, and the evaluation of economic policy. The first concerns the special role that information plays in the allocation process when it is possible to improve accuracy through private investment. The common practice of hiring experts whose information is presumably much better than their clients' is analyzed. Issues of cooperative behavior when potential group members possess diverse pieces of information are addressed. Emphasis is placed on the adaptation of the core concept from game theory to the resource allocation model with differential information.The second essay deals with the extent to which agents can influence the random events they face. This is known as moral hazard, and in its presence there is a potential inefficiency in the economic system. Two special models are studied: the role of moral hazard in a monetary economy, and the role of an outside adjudicatory agency that has the power to enforce fines and compensation.The final essay discusses the problem of certainty equivalence in economic policy. Conditions under which a full stochastic optimization can be calculated by solving a related, much simpler certainty equivalence problem are developed. The reduction in the complexity of calculation involved is very great compared with the potential loss of efficiency."


Homelessness rates in both Canada and the United States have increased dramatically over the past 10 years. Among the homeless, there is a high prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders.


National organizations funded through public and private dollars have been setting cancer screening guidelines for more than a generation. While guidelines are a lightning rod for practitioners and people at risk for cancer, their actual effect on behavior is unclear. In this presentation I will review what we can expect regarding the association between guidelines and behavior based on conceptual models. I will also review what we know from published work about the association between guideline changes and screening for breast, colon, cervical, and prostate cancer. Finally I will summarize changes in the USPSTF in the last 10 years and examine their association with changes in screening rates for breast, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancer. To do the latter I will compare rates of screening as reported in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) using survey data from the following years 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 and comparing screeing rates before and after significant USPSTF guideline changes in 2002 (breast), 2003 (cervix), and 2009 (breast, colorectal cancer). Lively discussion, insight, but no lightning will be sought. Citation Format: Stephen H. Taplin. The effect of the new screening guidelines on uptake of screening tests. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN03-04.


In order to assess future sea level rise and its societal impacts, we need to study climate change pathways combined with different scenarios of socioeconomic development. Here, we present sea level rise (SLR) projections for the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) storylines and different year-2100 radiative forcing targets (FTs). Future SLR is estimated with a comprehensive SLR emulator that accounts for Antarctic rapid discharge from hydrofracturing and ice cliff instability. Across all baseline scenario realizations (no dedicated climate mitigation), we find 2100 median SLR relative to 1986–2005 of 89 cm (likely range: 57–130 cm) for SSP1, 105 cm (73–150 cm) for SSP2, 105 cm (75–147 cm) for SSP3, 93 cm (63–133 cm) for SSP4, and 132 cm (95–189 cm) for SSP5. The 2100 sea level responses for combined SSP-FT scenarios are dominated by the mitigation targets and yield median estimates of 52 cm (34–75 cm) for FT 2.6 Wm−2, 62 cm (40–96 cm) for FT 3.4 Wm−2, 75 cm (47–113 cm) for FT 4.5 Wm−2, and 91 cm (61–132 cm) for FT 6.0 Wm−2. Average 2081–2100 annual SLR rates are 5 mm yr−1 and 19 mm yr−1 for FT 2.6 Wm−2 and the baseline scenarios, respectively. Our model setup allows linking scenario-specific emission and socioeconomic indicators to projected SLR. We find that 2100 median SSP SLR projections could be limited to around 50 cm if 2050 cumulative CO2 emissions since pre-industrial stay below 850 GtC, with a global coal phase-out nearly completed by that time. For SSP mitigation scenarios, a 2050 carbon price of 100 US$2005 tCO2−1 would correspond to a median 2100 SLR of around 65 cm. Our results confirm that rapid and early emission reductions are essential for limiting 2100 SLR.


The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of cognitive dissonance bias on investors' decision-making, with an emphasis on the moderating effect of emotional intelligence. Cognitive and emotional stages may obstruct rational investment decision-making. This study provides empirical evidence demonstrating how cognitive dissonance bias affects an investor's ability to make emotionally informed decisions. The analysis is conducted using primary data. A questionnaire has been designed to collect data from the sample. Simple regression is used to test the direct relationship between cognitive dissonance and investor's decision; for testing the moderation effect of emotional intelligence Hayes process model 1 is used. All the results of the study have been proved to be significant.


Abstract: Background: Brain injuries are a significant public health problem, particularly among the pediatric population. Brain injuries account for a significant portion of pediatric injury deaths, and are the highest contributor to morbidity and mortality in the pediatric and young adult populations. Several studies focus on particular mechanisms of brain injury and the cost of treating brain injuries, but few studies exist in the literature examining the highest contributing mechanisms to pediatric brain injury and the billed charges associated with them. Methods: Data were extracted from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) from member hospitals on all patients admitted with diagnosed head injuries and comparisons were made between ICU and non-ICU admissions. Collected data included demographic information, injury information, total billed charges, and patient outcome. Results: Motor vehicle collisions, falls, and assaults/abuse are the three highest contributors to brain injury in terms of total numbers and total billed charges. These three mechanisms of injury account for almost $1 billion in total charges across the five-year period, and account for almost half of the total charges in this dataset over that time period. Conclusions: Research focusing on brain injury should be tailored to the areas of the most pressing need and the highest contributing factors. While this study is focused on a select number of pediatric hospitals located throughout the country, it identifies significant contributors to head injuries, and the costs associated with treating them.


Audio watermarking techniques can be used to embed extra information into audio signals. The goal is to hide prespecified data carrying some information into the audio stream such that it is not audible to the human ear (i.e., transparent) and is, at the same time, resistant to removal attacks (i.e., robust). In the currently known watermarking systems, the above challenges are not always adequately resolved. We present an alternative audio watermarking technique that mitigates these and other related shortcomings. The system is referred to as modified audio signal keying (MASK). In MASK, the short-time envelope of the audio signal is modified in such a way that the change is imperceptible to the human listener. The MASK system can easily be tailored for a wide range of applications. Moreover, informal experimental results show that it has a good robustness and audibility behavior.


Tissue expansion is a technique used by plastic and restorative surgeons to cause the body to grow additional skin, bone or other tissues. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an example of tissue expansion which has been widely applied in lower limb surgery (trauma/congenital), and congenital upper limb reconstruction (e.g. radial dysplasia). This complex and tightly regulated expansion process has resulted in adverse effects such as severe soft-tissue contractures and loss of nerve function as well as microtrauma and micro-haematoma formation (Natu et al., 2014). Thus far, the procedure can only be optimised by long-term animal or human experimentation. This thesis explains the development of an in vitro model that will allow extension regimes (µm/h, continuous/ intermittent) and molecular pathways involved in soft tissue damage related to DO to be explored.

Cells cultured onto polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer films can be stretched at very low, adjustable speeds, using a stepper motor and various 3D printed and laser cut designs. The idea here is that plastic flow of PCL can be utilised to enable the material to stay extended upon strain being released, to represent permanent stretching of soft tissue. PCL film for the purposes of this project was made using a solvent in conjunction with a spin-coating process; A semi-crystalline and amorphous derivative of the polymer was made (C-PCL and A-PCL respectively). Testing the two polymer sheets indicated that C-PCL is a more rigid material and that strain occurs in more localised regions when it is stretched in comparison to A-PCL. The profile of the stress-strain curve for both C-PCL and A-PCL closely resemble that of a typical soft tissue after it has passed its yield point (33% strain).

Due to the known involvement of fibroblasts in mechanical loading of tissue (B. Hinz, 2004), they were used as an initial cell line to develop an in vitro model for growth by stretch. Both A-PCL and C-PCL were used as substrates and were stretched passed their yield point (33% strain) before cells were cultured on. Following fibroblast proliferation to confluency substrates were further stretched by 1mm (2.5% strain) over 24 hours (stepped stretching at 0.04mm per hour). Orientation analysis indicated that cells grown on C-PCL initially elongate and orient to the direction of pre-stretch (when substrates are initially stretched passed their yield point), then contract upon being further stretched by 1mm over 24 hours. Cells cultured on A-PCL, under the same stretching regime initially align to the direction of pre-stretch; after being further stretched by 1mm the majority of cells remain aligned, but also elongate in the direction of stretch. Initial alignment on both materials was deemed a result of tension in the material and/or or topographical features which formed during stretching of substrates before cells were cultured on. The alignment was more pronounced on the C-PCL substrate and cell nuclei were analysed to be more elongated indicating the topography caused the fibroblasts to reside in a stressed state. This aligned cell effect was lost on C-PCL during further 1mm stretching due to; stress relaxation after each step of stretching; and/or localised strain regions causing cells to round during the stepped 1mm stretch. A-PCL was further investigated as a substrate to model soft tissue expansion in relation to DO where MRTF-A nuclear translocation was shown to increase in response to stretch (by 3-fold). F-actin texture analysis further implied cytoskeletal involvement in the stretching regime utilised for this project.

Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that A-PCL with the stretching regime detailed (where plastic flow is utilised), provides the basis for a representative in vitro model of stretching soft tissue in relation to DO. Future work outlined to build on this model would be to: further investigate the relation between strain and cell response at the cell level for both materials using live imaging (in conjunction with fiducial markers in the substrate) and atomic force microscopy methods; and to develop understanding of extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions with cells in response to the stretching in the plastic flow region by again using live imaging methods (fluorescently tagging ECM components).


We consider an assembly system with multiple stages, multiple items, and multiple customer classes. The system consists of m production facilities, each producing a different item. Items are produced in variable batch sizes, one batch at a time, with exponentially distributed batch production times. Demand from each class takes place continuously over time according to a compound Poisson process. At each decision epoch, we must determine whether or not to produce an item and, should demand from a particular class arise, whether or not to satisfy it from existing inventory, if any is available. We formulate the problem as a Markov decision process and use it to characterize the structure of the optimal policy. In contrast to systems with exogenous and deterministic production lead times, we show that the optimal production policy for each item is a state-dependent base-stock policy with the base-stock level nonincreasing in the inventory level of items that are downstream and nondecreasing in the inventory level of all other items. For inventory allocation, we show that the optimal policy is a multilevel state-dependent rationing policy with the rationing level for each demand class nonincreasing in the inventory level of all nonend items. We also show how the optimal control problem can be reformulated in terms of echelon inventory and how the essential features of the optimal policy can be reinterpreted in terms of echelon inventory. Subject classifications: production and inventory control; systems with multiple echelons; inventory rationing; Markov decision processes; make-to-stock queues.


Abstract Treating the signs and symptoms of anxiety is an everyday challenge in clinical practice. When choosing between treatment options, anxiety needs to be understood in the situational, psychiatric, and biological context in which it arises. Etifoxine, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug belonging to the benzoxazine class, is an effective treatment for anxiety in response to a stressful situation. In the present review, we focused on several aspects of the cerebral and somatic biological mechanisms involved in anxiety and investigated the extent to which etifoxine's mode of action can explain its anxiolytic activity. Its two mechanisms of action are the modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission and neurosteroid synthesis. Recent data suggest that the molecule possesses neuroprotective, neuroplastic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Etifoxine was first shown to be an effective anxiolytic in patients in clinical studies comparing it with clobazam, sulpiride, and placebo. Randomized controlled studies have demonstrated its anxiolytic efficacy in patients with adjustment disorders (ADs) with anxiety, showing it to be superior to buspirone and comparable to lorazepam and phenazepam, with a greater number of markedly improved responders and a better therapeutic index. Etifoxine's noninferiority to alprazolam has also been demonstrated in a comparative trial. Significantly less rebound anxiety was observed after abrupt cessation of etifoxine compared with lorazepam or alprazolam. Consistent with this finding, etifoxine appears to have a very low dependence potential. Unlike lorazepam, it has no effect on psychomotor performance, vigilance, or free recall. Severe adverse events are in general rare. Skin and subcutaneous disorders are the most frequently reported, but these generally resolve after drug cessation. Taken together, its dual mechanisms of action in anxiety and the positive data yielded by clinical trials support the use of etifoxine for treating the anxiety signs and symptoms of individuals with ADs.


Based on Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner's classic book "The Leadership Challenge", this Workbook will be your hands-on guide for improving your ability to put into action the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership[registered] model and become a leader who models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process, enables others to act, and encourages the heart. The Workbook's easy-to-use worksheets make efficient planning simple and practical and supports your success in three ways: Reflection: think about your approach to leadership and become more conscious about how well you engage in each of the Practices; application: apply the Practices and commitments to all your projects; and, implications: record what you've learned about yourself, your team, your organization, and your project. Develop your leadership potential with "The Leadership Challenge Workbook"!


Good health is a determinant of economic growth and a component of well-being. This paper discusses and synthesizes economic models of individual and household behavior, showing how they may be used to illuminate health policy making in low-income countries. The models could help address questions such as: How can the health of the poor be improved, and what are the economic consequences of better health? What policies would improve intra-household distribution of health outcomes? An extensive literature on health human capital and household models, and on related field experiments is reviewed in an attempt to answer these questions. It is found that there are large returns to health improvements in low-income countries. Moreover, health improvements in poor nations can be achieved through implementation of simple interventions such as dietary supplements, control of parasitic diseases, and pro-poor social expenditures. The paper concludes with a discussion of these policy options.


The aim of this study is to propose a set of adaptive strategies and design solutions to manage floods and storm water in cities from the perspective of an architect and urban planner, based on empirical evidence and the level of effectiveness of the suggested measures. The study takes as an example the city of Bilbao due to its high risk of suffering fluvial and pluvial flooding exacerbated by tidal variations and see level rise projections.Based on the application of adaptation strategies grounded on the use of green solutions and innovative design, scientific literature and ongoing initiatives an projects in cities have been reviewed to prepare a complete state-of-the-art of measures and experiences to minimize the risk of flooding and provide co-benefits to Climate Change such as fresh water storage, biodiversity, water treatment, quality public spaces, etc.The applicability of this inventory of solutions is analyzed in detail for the case study of Bilbao, taking into account the current situation with regard: a) plans, b) stakeholders involved, c) needs and d) opportunities, and in order to give a respond to the lack of concreteness of many of the existing proposals against adaptation to Climate Change and flooding.The result are four different projects in hotspot areas of the city that put into practice the previously gathered measures organized in drainage systems (from the source to the downstream control). Recommendations are suggested for plans (General Master Plan) and policies to accompany the physical solutions and to set a complete basis for its operative use by public institutions (Bilbao City Council) or even professional practitioners (architects, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers).In sum, the paper seeks to propose alternatives to the traditional defensive approach of flooding prevention by implementing measures that provide other benefits for cities against Climate Change.


Aim To describe air regurgitation as a complication in patients on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) following dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery with or without Lester–Jones tube (LJT) insertion. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with air regurgitation on CPAP therapy who previously underwent a DCR/LJT procedure. Patient demographics, lacrimal surgical history, CPAP therapy and outcome were recorded. Results Four male patients were identified. The mean age at presentation was 54 years. Two patients had an LJT inserted, and two patients had a DCR procedure, one was external, and one was endonasal. All four patients had resolution of their epiphora. Three patients had superficial epithelial keratopathy requiring lubricant therapy. All patients attempted using ointment to act as a barrier over the neo-ostium, which was unsuccessful. One patient had the LJT removed with resolution of the air regurgitation. Two patients changed their CPAP machines to variable, and three patients reduced the pressure of their CPAP therapy without any improvement. All three patients had persistence of air regurgitation at a mean follow-up of 18 months. Conclusions Air regurgitation can occur following naso-lacrimal surgery in patients on CPAP therapy. Although this is an unusual complication, it should be discussed with the patient at the time of obtaining informed consent.


Engineering technology plays a pivotal role in the delivery of health care in under-resourced countries by providing an infrastructure to improve patient outcomes. However, sustainability of these technologies is difficult in these settings oftentimes due to limited resources or training. The framework presented in this editorial focuses on establishing medical and laboratory equipment sustainability in developing countries and is comprised of four steps: 1) establishing reliable in-country relationships with stakeholders, 2) identifying needs for sustainable solutions locally, 3) exploring potential solutions and assessing their effort-to-impact ratios, and 4) working with strategic partners to implement solutions with clear performance metrics. By focusing on the sustainability of donated equipment instead of the equipment itself, this method presented distinguishes itself from other philanthropic endeavors in the field by seeking to establish preventive maintenance habits that can impact clinical outcomes of a community long term. Application of this methodology is reported in the Original Research Article "A Low-Cost Humidity Control System to Protect Microscopes in a Tropical Climate" by Asp et. al.


This article considers whether the demand for legal advice about potential liability for future acts is socially excessive. using the standard model of accidents, we find that the answer depends on the type of advice and the form of liability. When advice provides information about properly determined liability, the demand for advice is socially optimal under strict liability but is socially excessive under the negligence rule. When advice identifies errors the legal system is expected to make, the demand for advice is socially excessive under both liability rules.


This letter discusses a miniature low profile ultrawideband (UWB) spiral. The antenna is miniaturized using a combination of dielectric and inductive loading. In addition, a ferrite coated ground plane is adopted in place of the traditional metallic ground plane for profile reduction. Using full-wave simulations and measurements, it is shown that the miniaturized spiral can achieve similar performance to a traditional planar spiral twice its size.


INTRODUCTION: After evaluating the technique chosen for unilateral cleft lip surgery, we notice a negative outcome of the nose aspect, what lead us to introduce and evaluate a new method of nasal molding with a silicone strut. METHODS: There were evaluate 20 patients operated by the same technique, 10 patients with immediate silicone strut molding and 10 patients without nasal molding. The results were analyzed with pre-operatory pictures, post operative pictures and a movie of the child in the present date by three expertise cleft lip surgeon, whose did not know which use or not the silicone molding. RESULTS: The age of the patients after the surgery range from 1 to 9 years, which only 60% were operated on the pre set age (3 months), the average time using the Silicone molding strut were 4 months. After statistics analysis, it demonstrated that there was not a better outcome in the nose aspect on patients who's used the nasal molding. CONCLUSIONS: After statistics analysis, the group of patients underwent the Goteborg Technique, using immediate silicone strut molding, shown no better results than the group without nasal molding.


The amphidinolides are marine macrolides extracted from dinoflagellates of the
genus Amphidinium. To date, 37 amphidinolides have been isolated and identified, most of them possessing cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. Among these, amphidinolides C, F, C2 and C3 represent synthetic targets of interest owing to their scarcity, structural complexity and promising biological activities.
This thesis describes the work realised towards the total synthesis of
amphidinolides C and F, with a focus on the different strategies investigated and the key fragments synthesised. In the first approach, the C18−C29 fragment of amphidinolide F was prepared using an intramolecular etherification of an epoxide under acidic catalysis to produce the 2,5-trans-disubstituted tetrahydrofuran ring featured in the natural product. Unfortunately, dithiane alkylation with the C1−C17 iodide counterpart generated the desired coupling product in low yield. A second approach proposing to build the C17−C18 bond by a silicon-tethered RCM proved unsuccessful, because the requisite diene could not be obtained. It was then envisioned to form the C18−C19 bond by displacement of a triflate with an alkyne and install the ketone at C18 by a protoborylation/oxidation sequence. To this end, the C19−C29
triflate precursor was synthesised. Displeasingly, the C1−C18 alkyne counterpart
(work by Dr Filippo Romiti) could not be prepared and coupling of the two
fragments was not attempted. In the latest approach, the C10−C29 fragment of
amphidinolide F was obtained employing a boron-mediated aldol condensation
and a dithiane alkylation to form the C13−C14 and C18−C19 bonds. Several endgame strategies were examined including the successful Yamaguchi esterification of the C13-epi C10−C29 fragment and the C1−C9 acid. A challenging Stille crosscoupling was then effected to close the macrocycle but only yielded the desired macrolactone in trace amounts after global desilylation.


We analyze the noise properties of both electric charge and heat currents as well as their correlations in a quantum-dot based thermoelectric engine. The engine is a three-terminal conductor with crossed heat and charge flows where heat fluctuations can be monitored by a charge detector. We investigate the mutual influence of charge and heat dynamics and how it is manifested in the current and noise properties. In the presence of energy-dependent tunneling, operating conditions are discussed where a charge current can be generated by heat conversion. In addition, heat can be pumped into the hot source by driving a charge current in the coupled conductor. An optimal configuration is found for structures in which the energy dependence of tunneling maximizes asymmetric transmission with maximal charge–heat cross-correlations. Remarkably, at a voltage that stalls the heat engine we find that in the optimal case the non-equilibrium state is maintained by fluctuations in the heat and charge currents only.


The first part of the paper is devoted to diffraction phenomena that can be expressed by fractional Fourier transforms whose orders are real numbers. According to a scalar theory, diffraction acts on the amplitude of the electric field as well as on its spherical angular spectrum, and Wigner distributions can be defined on a space--frequency phase space. The phase space is equipped with an Euclidean structure, so that the effects of diffraction are rotations of Wigner distributions associated with optical fields. Such a rotation is shown to split into two specific elliptical rotations. Wigner distributions associated with transverse modes of a resonator are invariant in theses rotations, and a complete theory of stable optical resonators and Gaussian beams is developed on the basis of this property, including waist existence and related formulae, and naturally introducing the Gouy phase.


Combined grasping and manipulation by multifingered hands was studied. A method of force allocation by optimizing the friction angles at finger contacts was combined with the computed torque method to find the torques to be commanded at finger joints for multifingered systems. In this way, the chance of slip can be minimized when the object is grasped or manipulated. A rolling motion between the grasped object and the fingertips was studied in simulation. A history-based method was proposed to improve the smoothness of the input torque commands, and force feedback was used to compensate for the uncertainty of the system. Any finger which moved beyond the boundaries of its working volume was also moved to a new position for regrasping. The proposed method can be efficiently used to find the necessary actuator torques, and is applicable for real-time application. Three dimensional simulation results are given in this paper.<<ETX>>


This paper addresses the use of panoramic images to avoid obstacles in mobile robot indoor navigation. A catadioptric sensor installed onboard a mobile robot is used to acquire panoramic views covering 180 degrees of the horizon in front of the robot. The optical flow field corresponding to two of such views is calculated, which is used to guide the robot to reactively avoid obstacles. A strategy to define how much the current robot orientation should be changed and a controller to guarantee that such a change is accomplished are here proposed. Experimental results validating such a system are also presented. The main contribution of the proposed system is that the robot becomes able to avoid wide obstacles, which would be too much difficult using a camera with a narrow field of vision. An important aspect, regarding the narrow-field-of-vision case, is that the object becomes wider as the robot gets closer to it.


BACKGROUND
Nocebo phenomena are common in clinical practice and have recently become a popular topic of research and discussion among basic scientists, clinicians, and ethicists.

METHODS
We selectively searched the PubMed database for articles published up to December 2011 that contained the key words "nocebo" or "nocebo effect."

RESULTS
By definition, a nocebo effect is the induction of a symptom perceived as negative by sham treatment and/or by the suggestion of negative expectations. A nocebo response is a negative symptom induced by the patient's own negative expectations and/or by negative suggestions from clinical staff in the absence of any treatment. The underlying mechanisms include learning by Pavlovian conditioning and reaction to expectations induced by verbal information or suggestion. Nocebo responses may come about through unintentional negative suggestion on the part of physicians and nurses. Information about possible complications and negative expectations on the patient's part increases the likelihood of adverse effects. Adverse events under treatment with medications sometimes come about by a nocebo effect.

CONCLUSION
Physicians face an ethical dilemma, as they are required not just to inform patients of the potential complications of treatment, but also to minimize the likelihood of these complications, i.e., to avoid inducing them through the potential nocebo effect of thorough patient information. Possible ways out of the dilemma include emphasizing the fact that the proposed treatment is usually well tolerated, or else getting the patient's permission to inform less than fully about its possible side effects. Communication training in medical school, residency training, and continuing medical education would be desirable so that physicians can better exploit the power of words to patients' benefit, rather than their detriment.


The exaggerated intonation and special rhythmic properties of infant-directed speech (IDS) have been hypothesized to attract infant's attention to the speech stream. However, studies investigating IDS in the context of models of attention are few. A number of such models suggest that surprising or novel perceptual inputs attract attention, where novelty can be operationalized as the statistical predictability of the stimulus in a context. Since prosodic patterns such as F0 contours are accessible to young infants who are also adept statistical learners, the present paper investigates a hypothesis that pitch contours in IDS are less predictable than those in adultdirected speech (ADS), thereby efficiently tapping into the basic attentional mechanisms of the listeners. Results from analyses with naturalistic IDS and ADS speech show that IDS has lower overall predictability of intonation across neighboring syllables even when the F0 contours in both speaking styles are normalized to the same frequency range.


The stability and activity of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) preparations as interferon inductors were studied. They were found to be stable upon long storage and ultrasonic treatment for aerosol preparation. Data on dsRNA toxicity for mice and rabbits are presented. The kinetics of interferon production and its distribution in tissues in relation to the routes of inoculation were studied. Investigation of dsRNA antiviral activity in various experimental viral infections demonstrated a protective effect of the preparation after a single prophylactic administration of the inductor.


We investigated the contribution of medium range weather forecasts with lead times of up to 14 days to seasonal hydrologic prediction skill over the conterminous United States (CONUS). Three different Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) based experiments were performed for the period 1980–2003 using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrology model to generate forecasts of monthly runoff and soil moisture (SM) at lead-1 (first month of the forecast period) to lead-3. The first experiment (ESP) used a resampling from the retrospective period 1980–2003 and represented full climatological uncertainty for the entire forecast period. In the second and third experiments, the first 14 days of each ESP ensemble member were replaced by either observations (perfect 14-day forecast) or by a deterministic 14-day weather forecast. We used Spearman rank correlations of forecasts and observations as the forecast skill score. We estimated the potential and actual improvement in baseline skill as the difference between the skill of experiments 2 and 3 relative to ESP, respectively. We found that useful runoff and SM forecast skill at lead-1 to -3 months can be obtained by exploiting medium range weather forecast skill in conjunction with the skill derived by the knowledge of initial hydrologic conditions. Potential improvement in baseline skill by using medium range weather forecasts for runoff [SM] forecasts generally varies from 0 to 0.8 [0 to 0.5] as measured by differences in correlations, with actual improvement generally from 0 to 0.8 of the potential improvement. With some exceptions, most of the improvement in runoff is for lead-1 forecasts, although some improvement in SM was achieved at lead-2.


Astronomy is a spatial science that requires connecting and comparing different points of view on astronomical systems to understand their complex mechanisms. Textbooks' illustrations often fail to provide such connections, whereas 3D models of astronomical systems that students can "manipulate" are more conducive to learning. But providing learners with different perspectives simultaneously on an astronomical model can be difficult. One way to achieve this goal is by using a smartphone's or tablet's camera to capture the geocentric point of view, and sending the image in real-time via a casting device on a TV monitor or projecting a video image on a screen for all students to see. This way, learners can easily switch from their own "space-based" (i.e., allocentric) perspective on the model to what an observer on Earth (i.e., the view captured by the camera) would see at the same time. In this Best practice paper, presented principally as a resource for educators, we review the relevant literature on teaching astronomy with concrete models and promote classroom activities that use cameras, casting devices and projectors to teach the diurnal cycle, the phases of the Moon and eclipses, the seasons, and planetary motion.


Searching for a comprehensive explanation of the nature of legal change is like searching for an honest man: the quest is often more illuminating than the conclusion. The quest has recently been undertaken by a new generation of legal historians who have focused upon the development of modern private law doctrines in nineteenth-century America.' One such doctrine, the Fellow Servant rule, presents a stark and self-contained example of common law development. This Comment examines the development of the rule to see if such an examination can clarify the interplay between competing explanations of nineteenth-century legal change. The Fellow Servant rule was a rule of tort law created in the midnineteenth century. It carved out an exception to the well-established rule of respondeat superior, and relieved employers of liability for injuries negligently inflicted by any employee upon a "fellow servant." The rule did not exist until 1837, when it was first pronounced in England by Lord Abinger in Priestley v. Fowler. 2 In 1842 Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw of Massachiusetts gave the rule its American reception and rationale in the leading case of Farwell v. Boston & Worcester Rail Road.By 1880 the rule, in one form or another, was so firmly entrenched in nearly every American jurisdiction that late nineteenth-century treatise writers warned legislatures and courts against tampering with "a rule of the common law, based upon the wisdom and precedents of the ages." 4


OBJECTIVES: This is the experience with the Stratos system in two surgical centres for the management of two types of rib fractures: flail chest and multiple dislocated rib fractures with significant chest wall deformity. METHODS: From January 2009 to May 2012, 94 consecutive patients were included. Selected indications were extended anterolateral flail chest (n = 68) and dislocated painful rib fractures (n = 26). The open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) system consists of flexible titanium rib clamps and connecting plates. The postoperative course was assessed. Clinical and functional outcomes were evaluated at 6 months. Functional assessment consisted of measurement of the functional vital capacity (FVC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination with determination of the radiological vital capacity (rVC) in patients with a flail chest. RESULTS: The median operation time and length of hospital stay were 122 min and 19 days, respectively, in patients with a flail chest, and 67 min and 11 days, respectively, in patients with dislocated painful rib fractures. The morbidity rate was 6.4% and the overall 30-day mortality rate was 1.1%. Clinical evaluation and pulmonary function testing at 6 months revealed no deformity of the chest wall, symmetrical shoulder girdle mobility in 88% and a feeling of stiffness on the operated side in 19% of the patients operated for a flail chest. Median ratio of FVC was 88%, not suggesting any restriction after stabilization. MRI was performed in 53% (36 of 68) of the patients with a flail chest. The analysis of the rVC showed, on average, no clinically relevant restriction related to the operation, with a mean rVC of the operated relative to the non-operated side of 92% (95% confidence interval: 83, 100). Stabilization of more than four ribs was associated with a lower median rVC than stabilization of four or less ribs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that stabilization of the chest wall with this screwless rib fixation device can be performed with a low morbidity and lead to early restoration of chest wall integrity and respiratory pump function, without clinically relevant functional restriction. Owing to the simplicity of the fixation technique, indications for stabilization can be safely enlarged to selected patients with dislocated and painful rib fractures.


Provided are a paste material for forming an aluminum electrode that has excellent water resistance and that can maintain good electrode characteristics, and a solar cell provided with a back electrode formed using the paste material. The paste material contains aluminum powder, a glass binder, an organic vehicle, and a phosphorus supply agent including phosphorus (P) in the chemical composition. With regard to the amount of phosphorus supply agent, phosphorus (P) is contained at an amount of 30 ppm to 700 ppm in an aluminum electrode obtained by firing the paste material.


In this paper we derive, by means of Γ-convergence, the shallow-shell models starting from non-linear three-dimensional elasticity. We use the approach analogous to the one for shells and plates. We start from the minimization formulation of the general three-dimensional elastic body, which is subjected to normal volume forces and free boundary conditions and do not presuppose any constitutional behavior. To derive the model we need to propose how the order of magnitude of the external loads is related to the thickness of the body h, as well as to the order of the 'geometry' of the shallow shell. We analyze the situation when the external normal forces are of order hα, where α > 2. For α = 3 we obtain the Marguerre–von Kármán model and for α > 3 the linearized Marguerre–von Kármán model. For α ∈ (2,3) we are able to obtain only the lower bound for the Γ-limit. This is analogous to recent results for the ordinary shell models.


This essay focuses on "hermaphrodites" to examine how ideas about sexual difference shaped the human-nonhuman distinction in medieval Europe. When constructing a definition of the human, medieval authors repeatedly pointed to a particular kind of sexual difference as a key indicator of humanness: a binary and stable sex, a singular means of reproduction, and a restricted set of possible sexual acts. The boundaries between male and female and animal and human also intersected with how medieval authors imagined boundaries between Christians and non-Christians and Europeans and non-Europeans, who were thought to possess bodily appetites that were more animal than human in nature. During the period, some European texts ascribed hermaphroditic, monstrously misshapen genitals to those living outside the geographic bounds of Europe, linking imagined deviations in anatomy to "race," a logic that was ultimately applied to Jews and Muslims, and which had a long legacy in both Europe and the Americas. This essay argues that sexual difference is wrapped up in the very taxonomy of the human-nonhuman divide. A turn toward nonhumanism—as modern scholars have proposed in an effort to queer the liberal human subject—is thus not necessarily emancipatory, and in the premodern period it was not. While this essay makes no easy equations between medieval and modern systems of sexual and racial difference, it suggests that engagement with earlier periods of history can help us to think about species difference and its connection to sexual and racial difference in contemporary contexts.


Abstract. Chlorine dioxide (OClO) is a by-product of the ozone depleting halogen chemistry in the stratosphere. Although being rapidly photolysed at low solar zenith angles (SZAs) it plays an important role as an indicator of the chlorine activation in polar regions during polar winter and spring at twilight conditions because of the nearly linear dependence of its formation to chlorine oxide (ClO). Here we compare slant column densities (SCDs) of chlorine dioxide (OClO) retrieved by means of differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) from spectra measured by the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) with meteorological data for both Antarctic and Arctic regions for the first three winters in each of the hemispheres (November 2017–October 2020). TROPOMI, a UV-VIS-NIR-SWIR instrument on board of the Sentinel-5P satellite monitors the Earth's atmosphere in a near polar orbit at an unprecedented spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio and provides daily global coverage at the equator and thus even more frequent observations at polar regions. The observed OClO SCDs are generally well correlated with the meteorological conditions in the polar winter stratosphere: e.g. the chlorine activation signal appears as a sharp gradient in the time series of the OClO SCDs once the temperature drops to values well below the Nitric Acid Trihydrate (NAT) existence temperature TNAT. Also a relation of enhanced OClO values at lee sides of mountains can be observed at the beginning of the winters indicating a possible effect of occurring lee waves on chlorine activation. The dataset is also compared with CALIPSO Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) observations. In general, OClO SCDs coincide well with CALIOP measurements for which PSCs are detected. Very high OClO levels are observed for the northern hemispheric winter 2019/2020 with an extraordinarly long period with a stable polar vortex being even close to the values found for Southern Hemispheric winters. Also the extraordinary winter in 2019 in the Southern Hemisphere with a minor sudden stratospheric warming at the beginning of September was observed. In this winter similar OClO values were measured in comparison to the previous (usual) winter till that event but with a 1–2 week earlier OClO deactivation.


Using the femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect technique, we investigate the off-resonant nonlinear optical response of an Ag:TiO2 composite film prepared by a vacuum magnetron sputtering method. The third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of the composite film with silver nanoparticle size of about 30 nm is estimated to be 1.9×10−10 esu at the incident laser wavelength of 800 nm. When the photon energy of the incident beam is lower than that for surface plasmon or the interband transition of silver nanoparticles, the observed third-order optical nonlinearity is attributed to the intraband transition of the free electrons. Based on the linear limit of the electric field within micro-spherical model, we assign this large optical nonlinearity to the local field enhancement of the third-order nonlinearity.


Objective: To observe the characteristics and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the chronic total rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treatment by the 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in young adults and to analyze the related factors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for the young adults who underwent the 23-gauge PPV for the chronic total RRD at the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from 2011 to 2018. A total of 54 eyes of 48 patients were included in this study. The preoperative vision ranged from 2.00 to 1.00. The mean duration of RRD was 9 ± 0.6 months with a range from 4 to 18 months. The proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade D1 and grade D2 was diagnosed in 48 eyes and 6 eyes, respectively. About 37 eyes were filled with C3F8 and 17 eyes were filled with silicone oil tamponade. The follow-up ranged from 9 to 78 months with a mean of 23 ± 2.2 months. Results: The postoperative visual acuity increased in all the eyes at the final observation. The retinal attachment was achieved in 49 eyes (90.7%) in the primary PPV. Five eyes (9.3%) with the failed retinal attachment finally achieved the attachment after the second procedure. The postoperative complications mainly included temporary intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, hyphema, and retinal redetachment. Conclusion: Chronic total RRD can be treated via the 23-gauge PPV with a great anatomical and visual prognosis in the young adult. The successful treatment of the chronic total RRD in young adults is mainly associated with the complete dissection of the severe vitreoretinopathy, especially for the epiretinal membrane at the retinal breaks and degenerations and the subretinal proliferation during surgery.


Detailed organic petrography analysis were conducted on drill core and cutting samples from the Nahr Umr (Middle Albian), Burgan (Lower Albian) and Ratawi (Hauterivian) formations on the Soroosh and Nowrooz fields, NW part of the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf. The thermal maturity of the Middle Albian Nahr Umr Formation appears to have reached the top of the oil window. The underlying Burgan (Kazhdumi) Formation shows vitrinite reflectance values less than those within the Nahr Umr Formation. The Burgan organic matter is terrestrial in origin and appears to be formed in a coal measures part of the section. Lamalginite is not prominent within the Burgan samples that were examined. The vitrinite found is texturally immature. The association of low reflectance values and textural immaturity could be due to early impregnation with oil, presumably from deeper horizons within the section. The Ratawi samples are lithologically dominated by carbonate and contain abundant lamalginite macerals. Much of the lamalginite is unusual in having a diffuse form. Most of the lamalginite macerals are associated with free oil inclusions. The Ratawi Formation is within the zone of active oil generation at present.


: The conditions of synthesis of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine, an antiviral nucleoside by intact cells of Escherichia coli capable of adenine transarabinosylation were studied. The cells were grown in meat-peptone broth supplemented with yeast extract. Cytosine arabinoside served as a donor of the arabinose residues. The pH value, temperature of the reaction medium and concentration of phosphate ions in it were shown to be significant factors defining the cell activity. Under optimal reaction conditions: 0.03 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.75; 0.03 M cytosine arabinoside; 0.01 M adenine; 5 per cent of the cells; incubation time 12 hours; incubation temperature 60 degrees C the efficiency of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine synthesis reached 90-95 mol % with respect to the initial adenine level.


Background: Unwanted pregnancy is one of the major maternal problems in developing countries including Ethiopia, which is mainly caused by contraceptive failure, early marriage, premarital sex, rape and poor knowledge of family planning method. Nowadays, from all births occurring in developing countries 20-40% is unwanted. In Ethiopia, more than half of pregnancy encountered by adolescents is unwanted pregnancy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess female students' knowledge and experience of unwanted pregnancy among preparatory school, and technical and vocational education training students in southeast Ethiopia.

Methods: A school based cross sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires. The study was conducted among regular female students in technical and vocational education training college and preparatory school in Ginnir town. We used random sampling method to select the study participants. We used pretested and structure questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were done for each variable. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.

Result: A total of 177 female students were participated in the study. Out of the total participants about 79% of them mentioned that they have knowledge about unwanted pregnancy. Around twenty percent of respondents have experienced pregnancy and all the pregnancies were unwanted. Socio-economic status (28.23%), failure of contraceptive (33.9%), rape (36.16%), premarital sex (45.2%) and lack of awareness (44.63%) were cause of unwanted pregnancy.

Conclusion and recommendation: In this study the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy is high. Unwanted pregnancy is a sensitive issue and one fifths of the female students still have no awareness about it; especially those who came from rural areas. Therefore; technical and vocational education training college, Ginnir high school administration and other concerned bodies have better to give special attention on the impact of this current problem.


The study of cultural heritage involves many different activities, including digital data visualization, information analysis and sharing results. Current technologies focus on providing better tools for data representation and processing, neglecting the importance of analysis and sharing. In this paper, we present a software system, CHER-Ob, which offers powerful tools for evaluation and publication of the results of cultural heritage research, and at the same time supports visualization of various data formats. CHER-Ob also introduces the concept of Cultural Heritage Entity, which serves as a template for cultural heritage research and a model to manage projects. We use typical case studies of cultural heritage research to evaluate the system and demonstrate how it works.


In the near future, a pervasive computing environment can be expected based on the recent progresses and advances in computing and communication technologies. Next generation of mobile communications will include both prestigious infrastructured wireless networks and novel infrastructureless mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). A MANET is a collection of wireless nodes that can dynamically form a network to exchange information without using any pre-existing fixed network infrastructure. The special features of MANET bring this technology great opportunities together with severe challenges. This paper describes the fundamental problems of ad hoc networking by giving its related research background including the concept, features, status, and applications of MANET. Some of the technical challenges MANET poses are also presented, based on which the paper points out some of the key research issues for ad hoc networking technology that are expected to promote the development and accelerate the commercial applications of the MANET technology. Special attention is paid on network layer routing strategy of MANET and key research issues include new X-cast routing algorithms, security & reliability schemes, QoS model, and mechanisms for


A comprehensive medical evaluation to identify persistent and untreated tropical infections among members of the Sudanese group "Lost Boys of Sudan" living in Atlanta, GA, was initiated. Medical examinations and laboratory testing including blood cell counts, liver function tests, stool studies for parasites, hepatitis B serologies, and serologic testing for Schistosoma spp., Strongyloides, and filariae were performed. Preliminary results showed a high prevalence of untreated active schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis infections in this group, 5 years after their resettlement in the United States. In addition, we found that many of them were infected with onchocerciasis and hepatitis B. We suggest that based on these preliminary results, pre-departure presumptive treatment and/or testing algorithms need to address some of these persistent tropical infections.


Objective To estimate the proportion of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and mild motor function impairment for different categories of neuroimaging findings. Methods Children born in 1991–9 were included and described in the population-based register of cerebral palsy of Madrid following surveillance of cerebral palsy in Europe recommendations. Motor function was assessed with gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and bimanual fine motor function (BFMF) scales. Motor function was considered mildly impaired when (GMFCS  =  1 and BFMF  =  1). Haemorrhage (I–III), parenchymal lesions (I–IV) and ventriculomegaly (I–III) were described in neonatal ultrasounds. Brain maldevelopment, parenchymal white matter lesions and grey matter lesions were described in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For each category of neuroimaging finding, the proportion of children with mild motor impairment is presented. Results 89/103 (86%) children registered with cerebral palsy had neuroimaging examinations performed: ultrasound, 66%; computed tomography (CT), 54%; MRI, 62%. Neuroimaging abnormalities were reported in 76% of ultrasound; in 80% of CT; in 91% of MRI. Overall, 38% of CP children present a mild motor function impairment. The proportion of children with mild motor function was 11% when a ultrasound–haemorrhage was present (0% for II–III); 37% when ultrasound–parenchymal lesions; 23% when ultrasound–ventriculomegaly (0% for II–III); 29% when MRI–brain maldevelopment; 33% when MRI–grey matter lesions; 53% when MRI–white matter lesions were present. Conclusions Most children with CP, but not all, have neuroimaging documented lesions. Mild motor function impairment is very unlikely when haemorrhage III is present.


We introduce Gripmarks, a system that enables users to opportunistically use objects they are already holding as input surfaces for mixed reality head-mounted displays (HMD). Leveraging handheld objects reduces the need for users to free up their hands or acquire a controller to interact with their HMD. Gripmarks associate a particular hand grip with the shape primitive of the physical object without the need of object recognition or instrumenting the object. From the grip pose and shape primitive we can infer the surface of the object. With an activation gesture, we can enable the object for use as input to the HMD. With five gripmarks we demonstrate a recognition rate of 94.2%; we show that our grip detection benefits from the physical constraints of holding an object. We explore two categories of input objects 1) tangible surfaces and 2) tangible tools and present two representative applications. We discuss the design and technical challenges for expanding the concept.


This study is focused on the wide variety of chemical spills in waterways and shipped in bulk world-wide, raising concerns regarding the ecological and human health risks. In this research, a model is developed to predict the location of the spill at any point on a waterway and also to disperse the chemical in a safe place, beyond which water can be used without any harm. This paper discusses, axial dispersion model, which can be applied to waterways to quantify the distribution of chemicals spilt. The credibility of the model is to predict the concentration profile from the released area to any given distance.


Abstract We consider the question of when an expansion of a first-order topological structure has the property that every open set definable in the expansion is definable in the original structure. This question has been investigated by Dolich, Miller and Steinhorn in the setting of ordered structures as part of their work on the property of having o-minimal open core. We answer the question in a fairly general setting and provide conditions which in practice are often easy to check. We give a further characterisation in the special case of an expansion by a generic predicate.


This paper deals with a special case of estimation with grouped data, where the dependent variable is only available for groups, whereas the endogenous regressor(s) is available at the individual level. In this situation, the solution adopted by researchers is to aggregate the individual data and then use standard 2SLS estimation. However when some data is available at the individual level, it might be possible to gain efficiency by estimating the first stage using the available individual data, and then estimating the second stage at the aggregate level. This estimation procedure yields a consistent and asymptotically normal estimator that we refer to as Mixed-2SLS. Depending on the parametric configuration of the model, the Mixed-2SLS estimator can be more or less efficient than standard 2SLS. The standard 2SLS estimator of this literature is asymptotically equivalent to the OLS estimator based on group data alone. ∗We wish to acknowledge useful comments received from the participants of a seminar at Princeton University


Wave effects of phonons can give rise to controllability of heat conduction in nanostructures beyond that by particle scattering at surfaces and interfaces. In this paper, we propose a new class of three-dimensional nanostructures: a silicon-nanowire-cage (SiNWC) structure consisting of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) connected by nano-cross-junctions. We perform equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and find an ultralow value of thermal conductivity of SiNWC, $0.173\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, which is one order lower than that of SiNWs. By further modal analysis and atomistic Green's function calculations, we identify that the large reduction is due to significant phonon localization induced by the phonon local resonance and hybridization at the junction part in a wide range of phonon modes. This localization effect does not require the cage to be periodic, unlike the phononic crystals, and can be realized in structures that are easier to synthesize, for instance in a form of randomly oriented SiNW network.


The authors report a dual signal amplification strategy for improving the sensitivity of an electrochemical immunosensor. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) served as supports for aptamers and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and then the modified SCNTs were utilized as electrochemical probes. The aptamer contains phosphate groups, while ALP can hydrolyse one molecular pyrophosphate into two molecular phosphate ions. The phosphate can react with molybdate to form a redox-active molybdophosphate precipitate on the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). With applying a relatively low voltage of 0.21 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the generated electrochemical current intensity is proportional to the concentration of the analyte. The cancer biomarker platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) was chosen as a model antigen (analyte). The immunosensor was prepared by sequential capturing of the antibodies against PDGF-BB, analyte (PDGF-BB) and modified SCNTs on the GCE to form a sandwich structure. The current signal is linear in the concentration range of 0.1 pg mL−1 to 50 ng mL−1 PDGF-BB, with a detection limit as low as 50 fg mL−1. The immunosensor was finally applied in the determination of PDGF-BB concentration in serum samples. Our perception is that this signal amplification strategy can be adapted to the preparation of other immunosensors and will find wide applications in the detection of different biomarkers and related species.


Langerhans cells (LC) are a unique subset of dendritic cells (DC), present in the epidermis and serving as the first line of defense against pathogens invading the skin. To investigate the role of human LCs in innate immune responses, we examined TLR expression and function of LC-like DCs derived from CD34+ progenitor cells and compared them to DCs derived from peripheral blood monocytes (monocyte-derived DC; Mo-DC). LC-like DCs and Mo-DCs expressed TLR1–10 mRNAs at comparable levels. Although many of the TLR-induced cytokine patterns were similar between the two cell types, stimulation with the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) triggered significantly higher amounts of the IFN-inducible chemokines CXCL9 (monokine induced by IFN-γ) and CXCL11 (IFN-γ-inducible T cell α chemoattractant) in LC-like DCs as compared with Mo-DCs. Supernatants from TLR3-activated LC-like DCs reduced intracellular replication of vesicular stomatitis virus in a type I IFN-dependent manner. Finally, CXCL9 colocalized with LCs in skin biopsy specimens from viral infections. Together, our data suggest that LCs exhibit a direct antiviral activity that is dependent on type I IFN as part of the innate immune system.


This thesis has been done at the powder department (GH) at AB Sandvik Coromant in Gimo. With a rheometer measurements has been made on raw materials and powder blends. The focus of this report has been to find correlations between raw material powders and press data, comparisons have also been made between raw materials and powder blends.The rheometer can show information of how a powder act in flow conditions, together with air and with pressure. Analyses has been done comparing the rheometer data with press parameters (for example: rejected orders, weight variations and the compaction pressure) with the goal to find correlations between the powders flow properties and the powders compaction in production.The measurements and analyses have been showing that the powder flow properties depends on the powders composition and that properties like flow rate, aeration and permeability varies between powder blends and batches of the same powder sort. It seems to exist a correlation between the pressure force and the flow rate of a raw material. This flow rate seems to belong together with the flow rate of the powder blend. No correlations were found between the rheometer measurements and press rejections, weight variations and hall flow values.The statistical analyses that has been used in this report consist of a few number of measured values and for the analyses to be statistic correct it is necessary to have a larger sample in the analyses.


Analyzing and explaining relationships between entities in a knowledge graph is a fundamental problem with many applications. Prior work has been limited to extracting the most informative subgraph connecting two entities of interest. This paper extends and generalizes the state of the art by considering the relationships between two sets of entities given at query time. Our method, coined ESPRESSO, explains the connection between these sets in terms of a small number of relatedness cores: dense sub-graphs that have strong relations with both query sets. The intuition for this model is that the cores correspond to key events in which entities from both sets play a major role. For example, to explain the relationships between US politicians and European politicians, our method identifies events like the PRISM scandal and the Syrian Civil War as relatedness cores. Computing cores of bounded size is NP-hard. This paper presents efficient approximation algorithms. Our experiments with real-life knowledge graphs demonstrate the practical viability of our approach and, through user studies, the superior output quality compared to state-of-the-art baselines.


Introduction: Multi-nodular goiter is a common presentation of many thyroid diseases. Thyroid nodules are present in 4%- 7% of the people on neck palpation. Multi-nodular goiter was thought to be at a low risk for malignant changes, as compared to its single nodule, but many studies showed a significant risk. Aim: To determine the incidence of thyroid cancer in longstanding multinodular goiter after histopathological examination of thyroid specimens following near total or total thyroidectomy.
Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational study was done in the surgical Department of Baghdad Teaching Hospital, by our team in the first surgical unit-second floor, over a period of twenty five months from December 2014 to January 2017. All the patients with multinodular goiter were evaluated and they were offered surgery by near total or total thyroidectomy. The specimens were sent for histopathological examination to assess the incidence and the types of various types of thyroid cancer in Multi-nodular goiter.
Results: Among the 147 Multi-nodular goiter cases which were studied, 19 (12.9%) cases had a thyroid malignancy. Papillary carcinoma constitutes 74% of the cases and it was the most common type of malignancy observed.
Conclusions: Multinodular goiter could be assign of different types of thyroid malignancy. The most common type was papillary carcinoma.


In this paper we explore the likely implications of the entry of Big Tech platforms into retail banking and the appropriate response of regulators and policy makers to this new industry development. We find that the entry of Big Tech platforms may transform the banking industry in radical ways: although it may possibly increase competition to the benefit of consumers in the short term, within a few years Big Tech companies may succeed in monopolizing the origination and distribution of loans to consumers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), forcing traditional banks to become "low cost manufacturers," which merely fund the loans intermediated by the Big Techs. This situation may harm competition, reduce consumer welfare, and bring about an increase in financial instability in the medium or long term. We analyze alternative policy responses aimed at maximizing the positive impact on consumer welfare of Big Tech entry while limiting the risk of monopolization as well as the potential adverse implications of such entry on market integrity and financial stability.


In order to develop a nontoxic radioprotector, 60 kinds of Chinese traditional medicines were chosen, and their aqueous extracts tested for their survival effects against the lethal effect of X-irradiation in mice. Radiation factors used were as follows: soft X-rays, 2100R (5.418 x 10(-1) Ckg-1), 70 kVp, 10 mA, 10 mm acrylic filter, 70R (1.806 x 10(-2) Ckg-1)/min. Among 60 medicines tested by intraperitoneal injection immediately before the irradiation, 15 are shown to have the significant survival effect. These 15 effective medicines were also tested by intraperitoneal injection after the irradiation, and the survival effect was recognized in Keisi-syakuyaku-chimo-to, Keigai-rengyo-to, Simotu-to, Syakuyaku-kanzo-to and Hange-syasin-to. On the other hand, the survival effects of 25 medicines including the above-mentioned 15 medicines were investigated by the oral administration at various times before or after the irradiation. As the result of these studies, only Keigai-rengyo-to and Bukuryo-in are shown to have the significant survival effect when administered 2 h before the irradiation.


In the Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake on 12th May 2008, a large number of primary and secondary school buildings were seriously damaged. Therefore, considerable attentions have been paid to earthquake resistance capacity of school facilities and some relevant national codes in China have been updated after earthquake. Recently, many approaches to seismic retrofit of school buildings have been proposed and applied. The focus of this paper is on application of energy dissipation technology to C-category frame structure of school buildings retrofitting, with the objective of increasing one grade of precautionary intensity, while the C-category buildings are designed in conformity with China's code for seismic design of buildings (GB 50011-2001). Since the seismic precautionary classification of school buildings has been changed from standard precautionary category to major precautionary category, the structural ductility requirements are stricter with the increase of seismic precautionary intensity. Thus, this paper presents the retrofitting difficulties in C-category frame structure of school buildings for the restriction of ductility requirements, and also explores how to apply energy dissipation technology to seismic retrofit of such buildings for achieving expected retrofitting objective and reducing heavy strengthening tasks. In the end, a retrofitting example of C-category frame structure of school building is cited to demonstrate the feasibility of energy-dissipating retrofit method. The analysis results indicate that energy dissipation technology can be well applied to C-category frame structure of school buildings retrofitting for increasing one grade of precautionary intensity.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the current research was to test the efficacy of a group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for partner aggression, compared with a support and discussion control group, in a clinical sample of adults.

METHOD
One hundred one participants (mean age = 31; 68% female; 18% minority) who endorsed recently engaging in at least 2 acts of partner aggression were randomly assigned to receive ACT or a support-and-discussion control condition. Both interventions consisted of 12 weekly 2-hr sessions. Assessments at pretreatment, during treatment, posttreatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment measured psychological aggression (Multidimensional Measure Emotional Abuse Scale [MMEA]), physical aggression (Conflict Tactics Scales [CTS-2]), experiential avoidance (Avoidance and Action Questionnaire [AAQ]), and emotion dysregulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale [DERS]).

RESULTS
RESULTS of growth curve modeling analyses demonstrated that participants in the ACT group had significantly greater declines in psychological and physical aggression from pre- to posttreatment and from pretreatment to follow-up and that 6-month treatment outcomes were partially mediated by levels of experiential avoidance and emotion dysregulation at posttreatment.

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this first trial of ACT for aggressive behavior indicate that the ACT group significantly reduced both physical and psychological aggression and that these changes were significantly greater than those of the control group, suggesting that an ACT approach to aggression may serve as an efficacious treatment for aggression.


Abstract. At the leaf level, stomata control the exchange of water and carbon across the air-leaf interface. Stomatal conductance is typically modeled empirically, based on environmental conditions at the leaf surface. Recently developed stomatal optimization models show great skills at predicting carbon and water fluxes at both the leaf and tree levels. However, it has not been evaluated how well the optimization models perform at larger scales. Furthermore, stomatal models are often used with simple single-leaf representations of canopy radiative transfer (RT), such as big-leaf models. Nevertheless, the single-leaf canopy RT schemes do not have the capability to model optical properties of the leaves or the entire canopy. As a result, they are unable to evaluate the impact of vertical gradients within the canopy, or directly link canopy optical properties with light distribution within the canopy to remote sensing data observed from afar. Here we incorporated one optimization-based and two empirical stomatal models with a comprehensive RT model in the land component of a new Earth System model within CliMA, the Climate Modelling Alliance. The model allowed us to simultaneously simulate carbon and water fluxes as well as leaf and canopy reflectance and fluorescence spectra. We tested our model by comparing our modeled carbon and water fluxes and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) to two flux tower observations (a gymnosperm forest and an angiosperm forest) and satellite SIF retrievals, respectively. All three stomatal models quantitatively predicted the carbon and water fluxes for both forests. The optimization model, in particular, showed increased skill in predicting the water flux given the lower error (c. 14.2 % and 21.8 % improvement for the gymnosperm and angiosperm forests, respectively) and better 1 : 1 comparison (slope increases from c. 0.34 to 0.91 for the gymnosperm forest, and from c. 0.38 to 0.62 for the angiosperm forest). Our model also predicted the SIF yield, quantitatively reproducing seasonal cycles for both forests. We found that using stomatal optimization with a comprehensive RT model showed high accuracy in simulating land surface processes. The ever-increasing number of regional and global datasets of terrestrial plants, such as leaf area index and chlorophyll contents, will help parameterize the land model and improve future Earth System modeling in general.


We study mechanisms to incentivize demand response in smart energy systems. We assume agents that can respond (reduce their demand) with some probability if they prepare prior to the realization of the demand. Both preparation and response incur costs to agents. Previous work studies truthful mechanisms that select a minimal set of agents to prepare and respond such that a fixed demand reduction target is achieved with high probability. In this work we additionally consider the balancing responsibility of a retailer under a given demand forecast and imbalance price: the retailer is responsible to purchase additional reserve capacity at a high imbalance price to cover any excess in the demand. In this extended setting we study mechanisms that request only a subset of prepared agents to respond since the reduction target depends on the realization of the demand. We propose: (i) a sequential mechanism that in each round embeds a second-price auction and is truthful under some mild assumptions for the setting, and (ii) a truthful combinatorial mechanism that runs in polynomial time and uses VCG payments. We show that both mechanisms guarantee non-negative utility in expectation for both agents and the retailer (mechanism), and can further be used for simultaneous downward and upward flexibility. Last, we verify our theoretical findings in an empirical evaluation over a wide range of mechanism parameters.


Chemicals from Sigma Netherlands). Human plasma fibrinogen and thrombin were purchased from Enzyme Research Laboratories Kingdom). Fibrino-gen stock solution was diluted to 8 mg/mL in assembly buffer (150 mM NaCl, 20 mM HEPES and 5 mM CaCl 2 ) at a pH of 7.4. Dense networks (fine clots) with an average pore size of 0.08 µ m were obtained in fine-clot assembly buffer (400 mM NaCl and 50 mM Tris-HCl) at a pH of 8.5 [1]. The mixtures were prewarmed to the desired polymerization temperature and 0.5 U/mL thrombin was added to initiate network formation. The fibrin gels were allowed to polymerize in situ for at least 12 hours (22 (cid:176) C and 27 (cid:176) C samples) or 4 hours (37 (cid:176) C samples) between the prewarmed cone and plate geometry of an Anton Paar rheometer (Physics MCR 302, Graz). Polyacrylamide gels were polymerized by preparing a mixture of polyacrylamide and N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide)(Bis)


Augustinus en de Astrologie . . . door L. C. P. J. DE VREESE. Pp. 119. Maastricht: Veltman, 1933. Paper. T H I S doctoral dissertation is in Dutch, but an English summary of its conclusions is provided on pp. 112-116. The author must not be confused with his namesake, whose Petronius 39 und die Astrologie (1927) has commanded considerable attention. The subject chosen by the writer with whom we have to deal is one which deserved discussion. I have in fact long wished that someone would undertake it. Readers of the Confessions remember the considerable references to astrology as influencing the life of the young Augustine. It has been no light task to go through Augustine's other voluminous works and collect allusions to astrology in them. They are, as a»matter of fact, not very definite, nor could we expect them to be so, but the work of assembling them is now done, and the author deserves gratitude. It is rather significant of the Dutch attitude to British learning that J. v. Wageningen's edition of Manilius is given in the bibliography, while there is no reference to Housman's far more important edition; and what occasion there was for dragging in the over-praised work of St. Teeuwen on Tertullian's language it is difficult to see. Kroll (sic) and Skutsch's edition of Firmicus is imperfectly described. The first edition of P. de Labriolle's history of LatinChristian literature is referred to, instead of the second, and why introduce the rather elementary book of Rauschen on Latin Patrology and ignore Teuffel and Schanz? Bardenhewer's book is not properly described, as it is in five volumes. The barbarism coelo occurs on p. 14, and there are two misprints on p. 112.


The regulation of speed limits in the US had been centralized at the federal level since 1974, until decisions were devolved to the states in 1995. However, the centralization debate has reemerged in recent years. Here, we conduct the first econometric analysis of the determinants of speed limit laws. By using economic, geographic and political variables, our results suggest that geography -which affects private mobility needs and preferences- is the main factor influencing speed limit laws. We also highlight the role played by political ideology, with Republican constituencies being associated with higher speed limits. Furthermore, we identify the presence of regional and time dependence effects. By contrast, poor road safety outcomes do not impede the enactment of high speed limits. Overall, we present the first evidence of the role played by geographical, ideological and regional characteristics, which provide us with a better understanding of the formulation of speed limit policies.


The interactions between climate and the environment are highly complex. Due to this complexity, process‐based models are often preferred to estimate the net magnitude and directionality of interactions in the Earth system. However, these models are based on simplifications of our understanding of nature and thus are unavoidably imperfect. Conversely, observation‐based data of climatic and environmental variables are becoming increasingly accessible over global scales due to the progress of spaceborne sensing technologies and data‐assimilation techniques. Albeit uncertain, these data enable the possibility to start unraveling complex multivariable, multiscale relationships if the appropriate statistical methods are applied. Here we investigate the potential of the wavelet cross‐correlation method as a tool for identifying time/frequency‐dependent interactions, feedback, and regime shifts in geophysical systems. The ability of wavelet cross‐correlation to resolve the fast and slow components of coupled systems is tested on synthetic data of known directionality and then applied to observations to study one of the most critical interactions between land and atmosphere: the coupling between soil moisture and near‐ground air temperature. Results show that our method is able to capture the dynamics of the soil moisture‐temperature coupling over a wide range of temporal scales (from days to several months) and climatic regimes (from wet to dry) and consistently identify the magnitude and directionality of the coupling. Consequently, wavelet cross‐correlations are presented as a promising tool for the study of multiscale interactions, with the potential of being extended to the analysis of causal relationships in the Earth system.


The main focus of my thesis is boss battles, unique enemies in video games that are normally tougher than normal enemies. I explore their place in the gaming industry in order to formulate an idea of how the concept came to be, how they are created, how the concept has evolved, and how I can implement them into my future games. I've separated my thesis into five chapters, barring the introduction and conclusion. The first is a timeline of boss battles that have influenced the video game market and introduced new concepts. This chapter encapsulates the first boss ever in 1975 up to the late '90s and early 2000s. The second chapter details six roles I believe most bosses occupy in a game to justify their inclusion, along with specific examples for each. The third chapter discusses various mechanics and how they impact the quality of a boss fight. I also lay out a few shortcomings that are common amongst boss battles. In the fourth chapter, I mention several games that have been released in recent years that have manipulated the formula of bosses. I discuss the impact of these changes and my overall opinion of the movement. In the final chapter I present my thesis game, Living Fortresses, including my plans for its gameplay, art, and story. This game serves as the culmination of my affinity and research of boss battles. In the end I hope to use the information I have gathered to have a better understanding of the concept and create my own boss battles that serve vital purposes in my games and provide players with enjoyable, memorable experiences.


AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the extraoral and transbuccal approaches for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures with regard to postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An electronic search for relevant articles without language and date restrictions was performed in July 2016. Inclusion criteria were studies in humans including randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), prospective studies (PS), and retrospective studies (RS). In total, 107 patients were included from four studies (transbuccal = 48, extraoral = 59). The follow-up period varied from 3 months to 24 months. RESULTS: In extraoral group the average of unsightly scar, facial nerve weakness, infection, malocclusion, plate removal were found to be 55% (range, 10% -100%), 26.5% (range, 0%-53%), 11.7% (range, 0% - 20%), 22.5% (range, 0% -50%), 6.7% (range, 3.3% - 10%) respectively while these parameters in the transbuccal approach were found to be no obvious unsightly scar, 6.6 % (range, 0%-13.3%), 8.1% (range, 0% - 20%), 4.8% (range, 0% - 12.5%), 0%. The incidence of postoperative trismus and nonunion/malunion were 0% in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that transbuccal approach shows fewer complications than extraoral approach when used for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures.


Three reasons of the deviation of the fuel injection quantity for the electronic fuel injection (EFI) motorcycle engine during the transient conditions were analyzed, including the presence of fuel injection dead time, the engine load measurement deviation and the existence of fuel film attached to the inlet pipe wall. The control strategy of fuel film compensation was studied at conditions of starting, acceleration and deceleration, which was based on the changes of engine velocity, inlet air pressure and inlet air temperature. During the transient condition, the basic fuel film compensation and correction coefficient were calibrated at motorcycle dynamometer, and the modified fuel film compensation MAP were achieved correspondingly, in order to keep the excess air coefficient stable.


Objective : To describe the relationships between acceptance of disability, attitudes towards disability, quality of life, functional ability, community integration, and demographic markers, in individuals with acquired brain injuries. Method : Forty subjects completed four self-report instruments, including the Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities Scale O-Version, the Acceptance of Disability Scale, the Rand-36 Health Status Inventory, and the Community Integration Questionnaire. An observer completed the Functional Independence Measure and the Functional Assessment Measure as a measure of the subject's level of disability. Results : Significant correlations appeared between positive regard for one's own and other's disabilities and one's acceptance of disability, as well as both higher health status and community integration. No significant correlations appeared between positive attitudes and either physical functioning, age, age of onset, or time since injury. Conclusion : Situational factors, such as community integration, can be manipulated to potentially influence the attitude of an individual with acquired brain injury towards themselves and towards others with disabilities.


Household energy behaviour has been studied across a range of disciplines including economics, social psychology, diffusion of innovation and sociological models. Recognising that energy decisions are not economically 'rational' this study draws on approaches from social psychology and sociology. These recognise that whilst individual behaviour can be influenced to be proenvironmental it is often heavily constrained by contextual factors. This study explored whether a relationship existed between electricity conservation in households and the socio-political environment in New Zealand during a hydroelectricity shortage in 2008. This was done so that constraints on demand-reduction initiatives might be better understood. A mixed methods approach was used. Study 1 used a thematic analysis of media reports to examine the sociopolitical context of the shortage period. It found that the issue was deeply political and debate was dominated by a focus on supply whilst conservation was predominantly portrayed as detrimental to households and the economy. Study 2 entailed a nationwide longitudinal survey that examined electricity conservation attitudes and behaviour. It found that householders increased conservation actions during the shortage by a small degree compared to everyday behaviour. Study 3 examined residential electricity consumption data from the period and estimated savings were lower than during previous similar shortages. The research suggests that a relationship did exist between the socio-political context and individual behaviour during the shortage. The research makes a case for a truly interdisciplinary approach to managing residential energy demand which takes into account the personal and social context within which energy consumption occurs and the multi-faceted social drivers of demand.


ABSTRACT The in vitro activities of caspofungin plus amphotericin B against 50 Candida glabrata isolates were evaluated by the time-kill, disk diffusion, and Etest methods. In vitro experiments showed a positive interaction. Even though each of these methods uses different conditions and endpoints, the results of the different methods frequently agreed.


To provide satisfactory Quality of Service (QoS) on the move, efficient mobility management is indispensable to provide mobile users with seamless and ubiquitous wireless connectivity. However, both the conventional centralized mobility architecture and the upcoming distributed mobility management face fundamental challenges such as sub-optimal routing, scalability, and so on. The emerging software-defined networking (SDN) architecture can efficiently manage network operations, and accordingly provides a new direction to address the challenges in mobility management. In this paper, we propose an SDN-based Mobility Management (SDN-MM) scheme to support seamless Intro/Inter domain handover with route optimization. SDN-MM decouples mobility management and packet forwarding functions by installing route optimizing and mobility control logics in an SDN controller, but exempting it from traffic redirecting. In SDN-MM, a comprehensive set of signaling operations are designed in order to provide transparent and efficient mobility support for ongoing sessions in each handover scenario, which prevents packet loss and tunneling overhead, and accordingly provide improved QoS to mobile users. For data communications, an SDN controller in SDN-MM pre-calculates the optimal end-to-end route before a handover, and decides whether to migrate traffic to the route by balancing the performance gain and the signaling overhead, which greatly improves bandwidth resource utilization. Finally, we develop a novel analytical model to evaluate the performance of SDN-MM, including signaling overhead, handover latency, and packet delivery cost. The simulation results have been provided to demonstrate that the proposed SDN-MM can greatly improve handover performance and maintain high resource utilization efficiency as well.


This is a review and a summary of some of the key arguments presented by Mian and Sufi in their recent book "House of Debt." It highlights the contribution of Mian and Sufi by showing how they have solved the mystery of why there was a huge drop in aggregate demand during the Great Depression of 1929 and also following the recent Global Financial Crisis of 2007-8. The article shows how major economists like Keynes, Friedman, Lucas and others tried and failed to provide an adequate explanation of this mystery. The key to the mystery is the huge amount of levered debt present during both of these economic crises. The solution suggested by Mian and Sufi is to replace interest based debt by equity based contracts in financial markets. This solution resonates strongly with Islamic teachings on finance. These links are also highlighted in this article.


Catalysis using gold nanoparticles supported on oxides has been under extensive investigation for many important application processes. However, how to tune the charge state of a given Au species to perform a specific chemical reaction, e.g. CO oxidation, remains elusive. Here, using first-principles calculations, we show clearly that an intrinsically inert Au anion deposited on oxygen-deficient TiO2(110) (Au@TiO2(110)) can be tuned and optimized into a highly effective single atom catalyst (SAC), due to the depletion of the d-orbital by substrate doping. Particularly, Ni- and Cu-doped Au@TiO2 complexes undergo a reconstruction driven by one of the two dissociated O atoms upon CO oxidation. The remaining O atom heals the surface oxygen vacancy and results in a stable bow-shaped surface "O–Au–O" species; thereby the highly oxidized Au single atom now exhibits magnetism and dramatically enhanced activity and stability for O2 activation and CO oxidation, due to the emergence of high density of states near the Fermi level. Based on further extensive calculations, we establish the "charge selection rule" for O2 activation and CO oxidation on Au: the positively charged Au SAC is more active than its negatively charged counterpart for O2 activation, and the more positively charged the Au, the more active it is.


Privacy related to context information is becoming an increasingly important issue due to the wide range of new applications using computational, location and personal context information. In this article, we propose a privacy service, called Context Privacy Service (CoPS), to control how, when and to whom disclose a user's context information. In order to identify the end-user privacy concerns, we carried out a survey where we asked approximately 100 people about their willingness to use context-aware services and to disclose their context information. Based on the results of this survey and experience reported by other research groups, we identified the main service requirements and designed CoPS aiming flexibility, generality, simplicity and fine-grained privacy control. CoPS is supposed to aid the end-user to define and manage his privacy policies regarding his context information.


Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) is one of the most promising ideas to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics with the help of information technology. However, despite the rapid increase in the use of technology in mathematics education over the last decade or so, the number of studies investigating the effects of its use in schools has been surprisingly low. The reality seems to be that the integration of technology into mathematics curriculum at secondary school is not widespread. The introduction of technology into mathematics instruction raises new possibilities for teaching and learning. International as well as national curriculum documents have pointed out that computers can be a valuable tool in the enhancement and representation of mathematical concepts. They also stress the importance of utilising technology to allow students to explore mathematics. The study of attitudes toward using computers in mathematics learning has a relatively short but intensive history when compared to studies investigating attitudes toward mathematics in general. The emphasis has tended to be toward interaction with technology rather than on its use in particular learning contexts. In response to this, we have designed teaching materials that use computer spreadsheets in the learning of algebraic concepts at secondary school, particularly in the area of Financial Mathematics. We have designed a study that compares technology-based instruction with equivalent pencil-and-paper based instruction via quantitative and qualitative analysis. This paper will present a brief literature review, the materials used as well as the methodology and design of the study.