A novel iterative technique is proposed by the authors in order to build a discrete-time nonlinear dynamical system predictor from experimental input-output pairs. The iterative technique is capable of representing a class of dynamical systems as static multidimensional mappings. The practical solution of the prediction problem is strongly related with the availability of suitable representations of multidimensional mappings. The proposed technique, belonging to the memory-based techniques, highly reduces the memory amount required to store the representation of the mapping. The iterative technique is very well suited to work in conjunction with an associative memory structure as the monodimensional CMAC and in presence of on-fly data. An application example to dynamical system output prediction is presented. Moreover, a convergence discussion for the proposed algorithm is provided. Finally, computer simulations verify the stated theory.


About one person in eight remains employed past 65, the average age for retirement in the U.S. These persons tend to be highly reliable. They can adapt and learn new technology, but may require extra time to do so. Older workers have particular needs in the workplace due to physiological changes that accompany aging. They may require more lighting, and they may have decreased mobility, physical strength, and dexterity. These factors often have no impact on their ability to accomplish job duties. This chapter underscores the significant contributions that older workers often provide, and also addresses retirement planning.


Article 25 of the International Centre on the Settlement of Investment Dispute Convention limits the jurisdiction of the Centre to legal disputes arising directly out of an investment between a contracting state and a 'national' of another contracting state. Treaty protection, that is, is conditioned by the recognition of the 'foreign' nature of an investment, by way of either a place of incorporation or a control test. In practice, arbitrators recently had to elaborate on the significance of 'nationality' and to establish what constitutes a 'foreign' investment. Arbitral tribunals have had to consider cases opposing host-states to their own nationals as well as to foreign investors who allegedly did not have the nationality of the other Contracting Party. This comment compares facts and corporate structures in Tokios Tokeles v. Ukraine and TSA Spectrum v. Argentina Republic as well as the differences in BIT provisions explaining the tribunals' respective findings. Two questions are also considered. First, does ICSID arbitrators' jurisdiction encompass lifting the corporate veil in the absence of an explicit authorisation to do so in the Convention? Second, notwithstanding 'BIT-shopping' discussions which overall remain policy-oriented, should the real source of authority of the investment be looked for in claims opposing states to their own nationals?


Abstract The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the implementation of stress management strategies in schools. The specific objectives are to describe the essence and nature of stress management in schools and to outline the features of an action plan for strategic management in schools. The authors used an evaluative and integrative literature review to investigate information that pertains to related concepts such as strategy formulation in education, the elements of strategies in education and imperatives of stress management in education. This paper's findings point towards the necessity of introducing stress management strategies in schools. It is recommended that the Department and its officials accept responsibility for managing strategic issues proactively and reactively. At the same time a framework of structures and processes through which individuals can be engaged in conversations and dialogues about the strategic direction of the school, must be generated.


In order to realize digital signature and vote validly and reliably in multi-user environment, a controllable quantum sequential signature and vote scheme is put forward. The signature of cryptograph and users validation are achieved by using the property of quantum entanglement swapping in Bell states;The choice of target users and the transmission of signature-information between users are implemented by controllable quantum teleportation; The quantum key and one-time pad ensures the safety of our scheme. The verification for each terminal and the center is required in this scheme, so it can position where the error happens accurately; The signature-user is ensured unknown to other users in this scheme, and the same to the comment by the signature-user. It has better performance in confidentiality and practicability compared with previous work.


N-Continuous OFDM systems have been proposed to achieve an important reduction of the out-of-band emitted power compared to conventional OFDM. However, system complexity has been increased and some resource demanding operations are necessary. So, this work considers the implementation in FPGA of the transmitter and also provides a novel analysis on the influence of the IFFT length in the representation of the continuity condition. Spectral measurements are practiced in the model to evaluate the performance.


Between 1878 and 1965, the Catholic Church in Scotland changed from a small, reclusive and relatively unassertive community to become a force to be reckoned with in social and political terms. The thesis (the first to be based on a thorough examination of the episcopal correspondence of St Andrews and Edinburgh 1878-1965 held in the Scottish Catholic Archives, Edinburgh), argues that this change was caused by the combination of two momentous but unexpected and unconnected events in the 1850s and after— first, the arrival in Scotland of large numbers of economic migrants from Ireland (most of them Catholics) and second, the conversion (through the influence of John Henry Newman) of influential members of the Scottish aristocracy. The former were mainly confined to what is today the geographically small but very densely populated province of Glasgow, the latter, to the geographically more extensive province of St Andrews and Edinburgh, where Irish migrants, much fewer in numbers, integrated more successfully. While Irish migration has been extensively studied by scholars, the conversion of the aristocracy has, with some notable exceptions, remained unappreciated. The thesis contends that it was principally the simultaneous impact of these two phenomena which accounted for the development of the Catholic community in modern Scotland; that it was not only the critical mass ofmigrants which gave the Catholic Church political leverage but also the networking skills and the funds of the convert elites. Other changes in the Catholic Church were subsumed into this larger picture: the role of the clergy was transformed from a pastoral one in 1886 to a combative one in the 1930s and 1940s, while at the same time shifting vis-a-vis the laity (who were themselves moving from subjugation to co-responsibility). The thesis, however, deals not only with the secular clergy but also with the activities of religious orders — the important national provincial Council of Fort Augustus (1886), for example, and the consecration in 1929 of the dynamic Benedictine Abbot Andrew J. McDonald as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. By 1918, the virtual collapse of the Catholic school system played into the hands of the government; the resulting financial compromise was mutually beneficial but its price (while it affirmed the Catholic community by providing the educational tools for better employment opportunities), was the loss of autonomy and control. After a series of financial scandals in the 1880s and other examples of mismanagement in the first two decades of the twentieth century, episcopal and parish finances gradually recovered as stricter safeguards were imposed. Between the first and second Vatican Councils a sea-change is visible, not only in the relationship between pope and bishop but also between clergy and laity. The pressure of social and political events


We study the two-body momentum correlation signal in a quasi one dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of a sonic horizon. We identify the relevant correlation lines in momentum space and compute the intensity of the corresponding signal. We consider a set of different experimental procedures and identify the specific issues of each measuring process. We show that some inter-channel correlations, in particular the Hawking quantum/partner one, are particularly well adapted for witnessing quantum non-separability, being resilient to the effects of temperature and/or quantum quenches.


It depends. If volatility fluctuates in a forecastable way, then volatility forecasts are useful for risk management; hence the interest in volatility forecastability in the risk management literature. Volatility forecastability, however, varies with horizon, and different horizons are relevant in different applications. Moreover, existing assessments of volatility forecastability are plagued by the fact that they are joint assessments of volatility forecastability and an assumed model, and the results vary not only with the horizon, but also with the assumed model. To address this problem, we develop a model-free procedure for assessing volatility forecastability across horizons. Perhaps surprisingly, we find that volatility forecastability decays quickly with horizon. Volatility forecastability, although clearly of relevance for risk management at the short horizons relevant for, say, trading desk management, may not be important for risk management more generally.


The issue of learning has been frequently approached within the academic environment. Learning is a generic concept used to describe different processes that change people's behavior. Also, learning is a fundamental activity for students involved in higher education, as it provides the basis for the further development of professional and cross-sectional competencies. The study aims at approaching two research objectives, namely to analyze the students' learning process (why they learn; how many techniques of learning they know and use) and to identify to what extent students are interested in learning new and efficient learning techniques. The study has been accomplished during the second semester of the university year 2014-2015 on a sample of 72 students attending the first year of study at the Faculty of Agriculture of a Romanian university. The data was collected using a questionnaire of opinion as a tool that contained a total number of 10 items, 6 items with closed, pre-coded answers, 2 items having semi-opened answers and 2 with open answers. The analyses of answers for each item underline the fact that students are using a limited number of learning techniques and they are very interested in receiving more information regarding other efficient learning strategies. This research brings some openings for the higher education theory and practice, its results being useful to researchers in the field of pedagogy, to teachers involved in university education, pre-service teachers as well as to all those involved in the initial and continuous formation of educators.


Background: Respiratory distress syndrome is one of the main complications associated with low birth weight, and a main cause of mortality in premature neonates. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of ventilator continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bubble CPAP in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature neonates. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 119 neonates diagnosed with RDS, with the gestational age of 28-34 weeks and birth weight of 1000-2200 grams, who were admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Infants were allocated to two groups of ventilator CPAP (VCPAP) and bubble CPAP (BCPAP) therapy. Results: Mean weight, gestational age, and one-minute Apgar score were not significantly different between the two groups. However, duration of treatment with mechanical ventilation in the BCPAP group was significantly lower compared to the VCPAP group. In addition, frequency of complications had no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: In the treatment of RDS, duration of mechanical ventilation was lower in the BCPAP group compared to the VCPAP group in premature neonates


Background: The altered stress reactivity in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may constitute a link between depression, overweight, and cardiovascular risk factors. Aims: To study the effects of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) on the stress levels of PCOS patients and their influence on the cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects and Methods: This prospective pilot project was conducted on 100 PCOS patients in a tertiary care hospital of West Bengal, after receiving approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee and informed consent of the subjects. The stress levels were assessed and conventional autonomic function tests and the lipid profi les were analyzed. The subjects were divided into two groups using an online randomizer. One group received medication, while the other group received medication and practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for three months. All parameters were re‑evaluated at the end of three months. Results: The perceived stress scale was significantly less in subjects practicing relaxation exercises, as compared to subjects only on medication. The waist/hip ratio, pulse rate, and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower, while there was no difference in the body mass index (BMI) and diastolic blood pressure. Results of the autonomic function tests showed a significant parasympathetic tilt in subjects practicing PMR. In patients with PCOS, who were on PMR, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low‑density cholesterol (LDL) were significantly lower and high‑density cholesterol HDL was significantly higher. Conclusions: PCOS patients are a high‑risk group for developing the metabolic syndrome and relaxation therapies may be recommended as an adjuvant therapy, to tilt the autonomic balance to parasympathetic dominance, to improve the cardiovascular profile. Keywords: Autonomic functions, cardiovascular system, polycystic ovarian syndrome, stress


This research topic is the Participatory Development of Communities around Sukhothai Historical Park, Sukho thai province that is based on the Cultural Knowledge for Tourism and focuses on communities' cultural tourism development in Sukhothai province. The research team conducted a participatory action research work that consists of academic activities and the development of various data collection activities such as exploration and field data collection and seminar. This research focuses on data collection from twelve communities and related organizations that take parts in participatory tourism development, project evaluation before the operations of some activities and sub-activities, planning arrangement in tourism development project, tourists' satisfactory evaluation by using questionnaires and project evaluation, and meetings to disseminate research results to the public. To boost the effectiveness of the study, a new tourism principle was designed on the basis of community participatory which is composed of many cooperative meetings between Sukhothai Tourism Association and research team. Finally, every unit agreed to use identity cultural knowledge from community participation, such as legend, history, tradition, rituals, performance arts, arts and crafts, for developing communities around Sukhothai Historical Park as new tourism destinations. The use of cultural community identity inbasic structural and systematic development such as lodgings, restaurants, souvenir and hand craft shops, and the publication of local products and festivals that reflect local nature and the characteristics of people in surrounding communities. In addition, it is also suggested that community guide development, security system, community approaching condition, tourism information and landmark, private and public transportation information, tourism facility and service information, as well as public relations media, such as website, publication, radio media, television media, poster and brochure, should also be paid attention to.


In social contexts, we refer to strategic sophistication as the ability to adapt our own behavior based on the possible actions of others. In the current study, we explore the role of other-oriented attention and cognitive reflection in explaining heterogeneity in strategic sophistication. In two eye-tracking experiments, we registered eye movements of participants while playing matrix games of increasing relational complexity (2x2 and 3x3 matrices), and we analyzed individual gaze patterns to reveal the ongoing mechanisms of integration of own and others' incentives in the current game representation. Moreover, participants completed the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), in addition to alternative measures of cognitive ability. In both classes of games, higher cognitive reflection levels specifically predict the ability to incorporate the counterpart's incentives in the current model of the game, as well as higher levels of strategic sophistication. Conversely, players exhibiting low cognitive reflection tend to pay less attention to relevant transitions between the counterpart's payoffs, and such incomplete visual analysis leads to out-of-equilibrium choices. Gaze patterns appear to completely mediate the relationship between cognitive reflection and strategic choices. Our results shed new light on the cognitive factors driving heterogeneity in strategic thinking and on theories of bounded rationality.


Hysteroscopy is a procedure that may appear minimally invasive, but may result in potentially disastrous complications. A hysteroscopy requires the insertion of a hysteroscope into the uterine cavity and the installation of a suitable distention medium for the visualization of the endometrium. Fluid overload due to the absorption of distention media during hysteroscopy can cause mild to severe complications, including hyponatremia, hypoosmolarity, nausea, vomiting, headache, arrhythmia, blindness, confusion, seizure, cerebral edema, brain herniation, and death. We report a case of a 41 year-old female patient who underwent elective hysteroscopic myomectomy under general anesthesia. Approximately 4 hours after the beginning of the surgery, the patient's serum sodium concentration dropped to 109 mM. She was treated with furosemide and recovered without sequelae.


We demonstrate a method for generating a 3D virtual character performance from the audio signal by inferring the acoustic and semantic properties of the utterance. Through a prosodic analysis of the acoustic signal, we perform an analysis for stress and pitch, relate it to the spoken words and identify the agitation state. Our rule-based system performs a shallow analysis of the utterance text to determine its semantic, pragmatic and rhetorical content. Based on these analyses, the system generates facial expressions and behaviors including head movements, eye saccades, gestures, blinks and gazes. Our technique is able to synthesize the performance and generate novel gesture animations based on coarticulation with other closely scheduled animations. Because our method utilizes semantics in addition to prosody, we are able to generate virtual character performances that are more appropriate than methods that use only prosody. We perform a study that shows that our technique outperforms methods that use prosody alone.


ABSTRACT Objective After completing formal stroke rehabilitation programs, most patients do not achieve full upper limb motor function recovery. Music-supported Therapy (MST) can improve motor functionality post stroke through musical training. We designed a home-based enriched Music-supported Therapy (eMST) program to provide patients with chronic stroke the opportunity of continuing rehabilitation by themselves. We developed an app to conduct the eMST sessions at home with a MIDI-piano and percussion instruments. Here, we tested the feasibility of the eMST intervention using the novel app. Method This is a pilot study where five patients with chronic stroke underwent a 10-week intervention of 3 sessions per week. Patients answered feasibility questionnaires throughout the intervention to modify aspects of the rehabilitation program and the app according to their feedback. Upper limb motor functions were evaluated pre- and post-intervention as well as speed and force tapping during daily piano performance. Results Patients clinically improved in upper limb motor function achieving the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) or Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) in most of motor tests. The app received high usability ratings post-intervention. Conclusion The eMST program is a feasible intervention for patients with chronic stroke and its efficacy should be assessed in a clinical trial.


Margolis, R. D., & Zweben, J. E. (2011). Treating patients with alcohol and other drug problems: An integrated approach. (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. [ISBN 978-1-4338-0965-1; hardbound; 270 pages; $59.95] Treatment of patients with alcohol and other drug addictions is a very complex and challenging endeavor. This book assists in that task by presenting new research and treatment methods in the field. The book is organized into eight chapters with an introduction that precedes the chapters. The introduction presents an overview of alcohol and drug problems. It discusses the therapeutic orientations of abstinence and harm reduction models. The section introduces basic terminology and presents an overview of contents of the book. The section is useful in setting the stage for this book. The first chapter is about the role of psychology in the alcohol and drug abuse field. It discusses the rift between psychologists and the mainstream addiction treatment field which is highly medical oriented. The chapter presents the difficulties in working with patients suffering from addiction and emphasizes the rewards such work entails. It would have been nice if the chapter included examples of actual interventions conducted by psychologists in treatment of alcohol and other drugs. The second chapter presents models and theories of addiction. The first model that is presented is the disease model with research evidence, neuroimaging studies, and research on relapse. The second set of models include the learning theory models that discuss modeling behavior, positive and negative reinforcement, expectancies, self-efficacy, conditioned responses and cue reactivity, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The third model that is discussed is psychoanalytic theory. The fourth set of models is the family model. The final model that is discussed is the biopsychosocial model or an integrated approach. The underpinnings of the models are discussed in this chapter and it would have been good if practical applications were described in greater detail. The third chapter is about assessment of substance abuse and dependence. The role of the clinical diagnostic interview is discussed. The various screening and assessment measures are presented. A section on assessing adolescents is included. The chapter concludes with a discussion on feedback and treatment goals. This chapter is written well but it would have been good if a section on assessing geriatric patients was also included in this chapter. …


As the synthetic aperture has been widely used in remote sensing and imaging system. Various methods have been used to enhance the imgaing speed of the system. Optical method has been proved to have the high imaging speed in processing microwave signals. The received signal can be modulated in optical carrier by the electro-optic amplitude modulation. The optical signal is processed by relevant optical instruments. The article compares the new electro-optic imaging system with the original system. The principle of the new system has been proved to be similar with the original system. The structure of the new system has been verified to have the possibility to realize real-time imaging. The key point of the new system has been analysed and the main challenge in the new system has been checked in the article.


Dr Alvan Feinstein in his article, "ICD, POR, and DRG: Unsolved Scientific Problems in Nosology of Clinical Medicine," in this issue of theArchives, 1 has quite clearly and quite succinctly discussed an extremely important problem. Diagnoses and procedures coding systems are the basic building blocks for the development of almost any type of patient classification system. Problems in the coding system are translated directly to the classification system. I agree that most physicians have never heard of nosology, and, also, most have no knowledge at all of the currently used coding system or of the various rules, guidelines, and interpretations applied to the system. See pp 2269-2274. The present coding system in this country, which is mandated by the federal government for all hospital patients, is the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). 2 In spite of the fact that this is a "clinical modification," there


Androgens are an important output of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis that controls reproduction in all vertebrates. In male teleosts two androgens, testosterone and 11‐ketotestosterone, control sexual differentiation and development in juveniles and reproductive behavior in adults. Androgenic signals provide feedback at many levels of the HPG axis, including the hypothalamic neurons that synthesize and release gonadotropin‐releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1), but the precise cellular site of androgen action in the brain is not known. Here we describe two androgen receptor subtypes, ARα and ARβ, in the cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni and show that these subtypes are differentially located throughout the adult brain in nuclei known to function in the control of reproduction. ARα was expressed in the ventral part of the ventral telencephalon, the preoptic area (POA) of the hypothalamus and the ventral hypothalamus, whereas ARβ was more widely expressed in the dorsal and ventral telencephalon, the POA, and the ventral and dorsal hypothalamus. We provide the first evidence in any vertebrate that the GnRH1‐releasing neurons, which serve as the central control point of the HPG axis, express both subtypes of AR. Using quantitative real‐time PCR, we show that A. burtoni AR subtypes have different expression levels in adult tissue, with ARα showing significantly higher expression than ARβ in the pituitary, and ARβ expressed at a higher level than ARα in the anterior and middle brain. These data provide important insight into the role of androgens in regulating the vertebrate reproductive axis. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:57–73, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The tendering process has become the dominant and now traditional approach to the allocation of research and consultancy projects. This is largely built around the notion that it ensures accountability and probity within the allocative procedure, and that high quality of work and 'value for money' are the outcomes. It appears to have become an institutionalized and unchallengeable process. Yet it is rarely costed in terms of the true resource implications for all the organizations involved, nor is quality assessed in terms of alternative processes that might be employed. This paper explores the tendering process in terms of factors that may suggest that the quality of work produced via the tendering process is not always as good as it might be. Also in a hypothetical example involving the university sector and the National Health Service, data are presented indicating that the overall cost to the public sector is often actually greater than the value of the contract being allocated. An alternative preferred provider relationship-based allocative process is advocated as an improvement to the current established tendering procedure.


Long-term binge alcohol consumption alters the signaling of numerous neurotransmitters in the brain including noradrenaline (NE) and serotonin (5-HT). Alterations in the signaling of these neuronal pathways result in dysfunctional emotional states like anxiety and depression which are typically seen during alcohol withdrawal. Interestingly, studies have demonstrated that the development of alcohol-induced negative affective states is linked to disrupted neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of the hippocampus in alcohol-dependent animals. We have previously shown that modulation of NE and 5-HT activity by pharmacological targeting of β-adrenoreceptors (β-ARs) and 5-HT1A/1B receptors with pindolol reduces consumption in long-term alcohol-consuming mice. Since these receptors are also involved in emotional homeostasis and hippocampal neurogenesis, we investigated the effects of pindolol administration on emotional and neurogenic deficits in mice consuming long-term alcohol (18 weeks). We report that acute administration of pindolol (32 mg/kg) reduces anxiety-like behavior in mice at 24 h withdrawal in the marble-burying test (MBT) and the elevated plus-maze (EPM). We also show that chronic (2 weeks) pindolol treatment (32 mg/kg/day) attenuates alcohol-induced impairments in the density of immature neurons (DCX+) but not newborn cells (BrdU+) in the hippocampal DG. Pindolol treatment also restores the normal proportion of newborn proliferating cells (BrdU+/Ki67+/DCX−), newborn proliferating immature neurons (BrdU+/Ki67+/DCX+) and newborn non-proliferating immature neurons (BrdU+/Ki67−/DCX+) following long-term alcohol intake. These results suggest that pindolol, through its unique pharmacology may rescue some but not all deficits of long-term alcohol abuse on the brain, adding further value to its properties as a strong pharmaceutical option for alcohol use disorders (AUDs).


: Neuroscience is the science of the 21st century. The theoretical research results of neuroscience are affecting daily life, environment, space, context, and place profoundly. It provides a new way of thinking and method to explain human's mind and behavior. In the context of post- modernism, the understanding of self-consciousness in human geography has become fragmented. Non-presentation theory and embodied cognitive geography claim that in most of the time, people are "unconscious". Subject self- consciousness is irrational, which takes place in the "outflows" daily life world. It emphasizes the showing, performance, and practice of the body. The meaning of the real world should be obtained through embodied cognition and behavior. They found evidence from neuroscience that led to a "neural turn" in geography. The "neural turn" devotes to linking human's mind and behavioral traits to biological evidence. It is different from inter-disciplinary debates that are breaking down the disciplinary boundaries between social culture and natural sciences. The laboratory methods cannot reflect the real world, and the social science methods are difficult to get rid of subjective factors. The "neural turn" can provide a research perspective of combining the-first-person and the-third-person for human geography. This article reviewed the recent studies on the "neural turn" in Western human geography. "Neural turn" research mainly concentrated in three aspects: space perception, embodied affect, and behavior practice. It has involved economic, political, social, cultural, public policy, tourism, and education topics. The application of neuroscience in human geography can also be applied to multiple scales of space such as country, city, community, and body. Neuroscience perspective as a new path is used in urban planning, environmental design, tourism development, and public policy, among others. At the same time, the technical tools of neuroscience have become new data collection methods in human geography. Neural technology can capture imperceptible physiological changes in the human body in order to detect neural activity caused by mind and behavior in a particular environment and context. The collection of physiological data can surmount the representation of text and symbols to discover non- representational results. Brain images and eye tracking technologies have been applied in geography, presenting predictable visions for the future. At present, Chinese human geography pays little attention to neuroscience. This article is hoped to provide some reference and enlightenment for the study of Chinese human geography. The dialogue between neuroscience and human geography is still in its infancy and needs more empirical research. In this process, human geography can carry out more cooperative research to produce more knowledge spillover. At the same time, these studies need to explore the topic of Chinese localization in order to better realize the people-oriented approach in the research and application of Chinese human geography.


The majority of music consumption nowadays takes place on music streaming platforms. Whichever artists, albums, or songs are exposed to consumers on these platforms therefore greatly influences what music is ultimately consumed. As a result, the impact of these platforms on artists—their main item providers—is considerable. The recommender systems at the core of streaming platforms, though, have traditionally been developed focusing on end consumer objectives. Only recently, researchers have started to include item provider objectives, though rarely through reaching out to item providers directly. By omitting this important stakeholder's point of view, we risk not understanding what artists value most, and might miss first-hand ideas on how to improve streaming platforms and recommender systems. Therefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews to capture the artists' view. Specifically, we explore artists' considerations regarding fairness, transparency, and diversity in music recommender systems, and the role artists envision for streaming platforms regarding those topics. We identify some topics with a clear consensus among artists, such as desiring more control over which music is recommended to whom, and expecting streaming platforms to actively increase music diversity in recommendations. In contrast, artists' opinions differ on whether platforms should actively intervene in recommender systems to, e.g., increase localization or gender balance. Further, we observe that artists often take user preferences into account and even suggest new platform functionality to benefit both users and item providers. We encourage utilizing these insights when designing and evaluating music streaming platforms and recommender systems.


In this paper, a real-time QRS beat classification system devised based on a nonlinear trimmed moving averaging filter is presented. Such a nonlinear system aims to identify the abnormal beat of ventricular origin from the normal one. The proposed beat classifier can function in parallel with a real-time QRS detector, permitting the tasks of beat detection and diagnosis to alternate with each other. Algorithm performance was evaluated against the ECG recordings selected from the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Numerical results demonstrated that over 99.8% beat identification rate can be achieved by the algorithm.


Community Question Answering (cQA) provides new interesting research directions to the traditional Question Answering (QA) field, e.g., the exploitation of the interaction between users and the structure of related posts. In this context, we organized SemEval2015 Task 3 on Answer Selection in cQA, which included two subtasks: (a) classifying answers as good, bad, or potentially relevant with respect to the question, and (b) answering a YES/NO question with yes, no, or unsure, based on the list of all answers. We set subtask A for Arabic and English on two relatively different cQA domains, i.e., the Qatar Living website for English, and a Quran-related website for Arabic. We used crowdsourcing on Amazon Mechanical Turk to label a large English training dataset, which we released to the research community. Thirteen teams participated in the challenge with a total of 61 submissions: 24 primary and 37 contrastive. The best systems achieved an official score (macro-averaged F1) of 57.19 and 63.7 for the English subtasks A and B, and 78.55 for the Arabic subtask A.


Background and Purpose— We aimed to characterize acute ischemic stroke patients who have an immeasurable deficit on the admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and to evaluate their long-term outcome. Methods— We retrospectively compared all acute ischemic stroke patients with an admission NIHSS of 0 in the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne from 2003 to 2013 with all other acute ischemic stroke patients. We compared demographics, clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. Outcome was considered favorable at 3 months if the modified Rankin Scale score corrected for prestroke disability was ⩽1. Stroke recurrences >12 months were also assessed. Results— Comparing 108 NIHSS zero (NIHSS=0) patients with the 2889 other strokes by multivariate analysis, NIHSS=0 had lower prestroke disability, longer onset-to-hospital delays and more lacunar and infratentorial strokes. NIHSS=0 patients were less likely to have early ischemic changes on acute computed tomography, had less arterial pathology and lower creatinine levels. They were more likely to have favorable modified Rankin Scale score after correction for prestroke modified Rankin Scale score (zero versus others: 83.2% versus 44.6%) and less likely to die (3.9% versus 13.3%) at 12 months. Stroke and transient ischemic attack recurrence rates were similar (11% versus 11.4%), however. Conclusions— Patients with NIHSS=0 strokes are characterized by lacunar and infrantentorial strokes, normal acute computed tomography, and less arterial pathology. However, a significant proportion face recurrent ischemic events and persistent handicap at 12 months. Therefore, NIHSS=0 stroke patients require aggressive secondary prevention and adequate follow-up.


The aim of this empirical study is to present and analyze the most frequent family names of two remote areas in Switzerland: the Entlebuch in Lucerne and Frutigen in Berne. On the one hand I present a general methodology of how typical surnames can be investigated. On the other hand I exemplify this methodology with the data of the aforementioned areas. The surnames are analyzed with respect to their etymology, the frequency of semantic types, their phonology and spelling as well as name formation. One of the sources of data is the fixed network telephone lines from 2002. A second source that provides a diachronic perspective is the so called Familiennamenbuch (book of family names) of Switzerland. It alphabetically lists surnames with citizenship in Switzerland, naming the communities and the year resp. the century in which the citizenship was granted. Information of both sources mapped together can show centers, "nests", historical growth and geographical distribution of surnames. I found that the frequency of the five semantic types corresponds with the sociological conditions of rural areas: names based on the place of residence, patronyms and nicknames are the most frequent ones. The surnames reflect Alemannic phonology and spelling. The formation of the surnames shows common German patterns next to specific upper German respectively Alemannic ones.


This research aims at critically examining the theoretical notion of gender resistance in Qaisra Shahraz (2013)'s 'A Pair of Jeans & Other Stories' to explore the dynamic and complex nature of gender representation in all of its intricacies within the context of Pakistani patriarchal society. Therefore, the primary focus of the research is to analyze whether selected short stories of Qaisra Shahraz reproduce or challenge traditional and stereotypical notion of femininity. This research paper, further, exclusively focuses on the female characters as depicted in the short stories to investigate the ways through which females resist the patriarchal assumptions embedded in hegemonic gender ideology to redefine their positions and/or to empower themselves. The data for this research is purposefully selected from the key epistemological site of short fiction which is not only the reflection of real life but also critically important in exploring the issues which have social and cultural relevance and gender is the most important of them. The theoretical and methodological approach of Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (Lazar, 2005) is used to analyze the data for its potential strength in decoding and deciphering gendered discourses since it entails the theoretical and methodological insights from two key fields to the study of gender i.e. feminism and critical discourse analysis. On the basis of conclusion drawn from the data analysis, the research reveals that Qaisra Shahraz's short stories do not reproduce traditional and stereotypical notion of feminity and her female characters often contest and challenge the patriarchal assumptions embedded in hegemonic gender ideology to carve out new identities for them. In the light of conclusions drawn, it is safe to assert that Qaisra Shahraz's selected short fiction is predominantly feminist in nature.


Many modern theories which try to unify gravity with the Standard Model of particle physics, such as e.g. string theory, propose two key modifications to the commonly known physical theories: the existence of additional space dimensions; the existence of a minimal length distance or maximal resolution. While extra dimensions have received a wide coverage in publications over the last ten years (especially due to the prediction of micro black hole production at the Large Hadron Collider), the phenomenology of models with a minimal length is still less investigated. In a summer study project for bachelor students in 2010, we have explored some phenomenological implications of the potential existence of a minimal length. In this paper, we review the idea and formalism of a quantum gravity-induced minimal length in the generalized uncertainty principle framework as well as in the coherent state approach to non-commutative geometry. These approaches are effective models which can make model-independent predictions for experiments and are ideally suited for phenomenological studies. Pedagogical examples are provided to grasp the effects of a quantum gravity-induced minimal length. This paper is intended for graduate students and non-specialists interested in quantum gravity.


Until now there has been little recruitment of women in clinical trials and this fact led to extrapolate data obtained in male gender also for women. The finding that gender differences are more numerous than one might think, suggests the importance of recruitment of women in the intervention studies.
Moreover, the hormonal fluctuations that characterize woman's life (menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, menopause) and the use of oral contraceptives (CO) select different subsets of women.
In this context we try to identify differences across a range of biomarkers blood, often used to measure the effectiveness of certain classes of drugs, by gender (males and females) and after stratification of the female population according the assumption of OC. For the current importance of epigenetic in the etiology of various diseases we analyze the degree of methylation of DNA in whole blood samples.
We, also analyzed the behavior of macrophages (both in basal conditions and after stimulation with LPS), for their involvement in inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis in order to assess whether the administration of CO could affect their functionality.
Our results confirm that gender differences exist between male and female but, more interesting, data evidence that female treated with OC behaved differently from untreated women versus some plasmatic parameters and in the degree of DNA methylation.
All this shows that, in clinical trials of intervention, it is necessary to introduce different populations of women in view of the fact that 1/3 of women assumes OC, in the awareness to respect the complexity of the gender dimension in accordance with the recommendations of WHO and the European Commission.


IN 2002 a collaborative program of breeding and research was commenced, aiming to utilise wild germplasm from China for sugarcane improvement in both China and Australia. Some results and recommendations arising from this program to date are reported here. The program aimed to: 1. Characterise genetic diversity in Chinese S. spontaneum and Erianthus arundinaceus; 2. Conduct crossing between Chinese S. spontaneum and Erianthus spp. and sugarcane, and initial evaluation of the resulting progeny; 3. Assess if and how DNA markers can be used to identify genome regions of positive or negative value from wild clones, and to assist in programs aiming to introduce new genes from wild canes into commercial cultivars; 4. To quantify genotype × environment interactions between Australia and China. Results from the genetic diversity studies indicated a high level of genetic diversity in both S. spontaneum and Erianthus arundinaceus in China, and provide a basis for targeted sampling and use of this material in future breeding efforts or for core collections. Two hundred and two crosses from a range of S. spontaneum and Erianthus clones generated viable seeds, and 100 of these crosses have been verified (to date) using DNA markers as producing true hybrids. These results were significant in relation to Erianthus spp. in providing (to our knowledge) the first report of verified fertile Saccharum × Erianthus hybrids in the world, despite many past efforts. Several case study populations derived from S. spontaneum and Erianthus were used for Quantitative Trait loci (QTL) mapping. Several apparently important QTL for cane yield were identified from S. spontaneum. An approach to apply DNA markers in future introgression breeding in sugarcane is recommended, based on the results and experience obtained. Another significant result was the first (to our knowledge) documentation of genotype × country interactions. Somewhat surprisingly, moderate to high (>0.6) genetic correlations in performance of families and clones between trials in China and Australia were observed, despite some contrasting environmental and management conditions. This result supports ongoing collaboration between China and Australia via exchange of selection trial results and selected germplasm.


Summer camps for older people - senior camps - has in various forms been established around Sweden, not least since the early 2000s. They are usually arranged in a natural setting that will allow staying outdoors and the days alternate between planned group activities and free time. Recurrent is the positive effect senior camps are described to have on the participants' health, wellbeing and quality of life. The stay at a senior camp is said to break a socially exclusive everyday life and lead to new habits and long-term friendships. Summer camps are usually associated with children and childhood, where urban children are given an opportunity to get out of the country and play, swim and breathe fresh air. In this report it is discussed how these associations affect how senior camps are organized and experienced?


Groundwater always plays a vital role in socio-economic development. One of the components of groundwater resource potential is the recharge from rainfall and surface water. The paper presents finite element modeling in the moisture transfer simulation in unsaturated soils through the relationship between soil moisture, soil suction, unsaturated permeability, and moisture dispersion coefficient. Parameters required for moisture transfer in four subsurface soil types have been collected and analyzed: Saturated permeability, porosity and field moisture content. Hourly rainfall data of 2015 have been studied and grouped into different rainfall duration (1-hour, 2-hour,... 36-hour continuous rainfall). The different duration rainfall and temporal infiltration determined by the moisture transfer modeling allow calculating the groundwater recharge from the downpour. We had applied the methodology to coastal district Thai Thuy, Thai Binh province. The results show that during the rainy months from June to October 2015, the groundwater recharge from the rainfall is: Through silty clay 0.233 m, through silt 0.338 m, through sandy silt 0.374 and through silty sands 0.561 m. The rainfall recharge to groundwater through those four soil types in terms of percentage of total 2015 rainfall respectively is 12.85%, 18.65%, 20.63% and 30.95%. The methodology may be applied to other areas with an advantage in the minimal expense of budget and time and relatively high reliable results.


Laguna Cuyutlán, the only large wetland in a span of 1,150 km along the Pacific coast of Mexico, has been neglected as to its importance for waterbird conservation. At least 25 waterbird species nest there, with some of their colonies being very relevant, and at least 61 waterbird species use the lagoon during their non-breeding season. This lagoon has been subject to several structural modifications, including levees and artificial channels which connect it to the sea, while water supply from continental sources has diminished, although its role has not been assessed yet. Salt extraction and artisanal fishery, the main economic activities, do not seem to pose a threat to waterbirds. Among potential threats to this acquatic ecosystem, are the raw sewage discharges that exist near urban areas, and pesticides from the surrounding agricultural lands might reach the lagoon. Seemingly, the most serious threat comes from waterway development in connection with a re-gasification plant to be built, and planned future port expansion, which could potentially increase water levels and alter important habitats for nesting and foraging. We recommend that: the area be declared an Important Bird Area; the development of the re-gasification plant and future port includes a levee to prevent alterations in water level in the remaining sections of the lagoon; supply of exogenous chemicals and waste products be prevented and monitored; alleged benefits from water interchange between the lagoon and the sea through artificial channels should be re-evaluated; and the role of fresh water supplies to the lagoon should be paid attention to.


We present ViMPIOS, a novel MPI-IO implementation based on ViPIOS, the Vienna Parallel Input Output System. ViMPIOS inherits the defining characteristics of ViPIOS, which makes it a client-server based system focusing on cluster architectures. ViMPIOS stands out from all other MPI-IO implementations by its "truly" portable design, which allows not only applications to be transferred between parallel architectures easily but also to keep their original performance characteristics on the new platform as far as possible. This is kept by the "smart" AI-blackboard module of ViPIOS, which is responsible for an appropriate data layout. Specifically in this paper we concentrate on the algorithm, which maps MPI-IO data structures on respective ViPIOS structures, and thus allows to exploit the ViPIOS properties.


OBJECTIVE
African American children are at higher risk of obesity than White children and African American women are more likely to undergo caesarean-section (CS) delivery than White women. CS is associated with childhood obesity; however, little is known whether this relationship varies by race. We examined if the association of CS with obesity at age 2 years varied by race.

DESIGN
Longitudinal birth cohort.

SETTING
Birth cohort conducted in a health care system in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan with follow-up at age 2 years.

PARTICIPANTS
639 birth cohort participants; 367 children (57.4%) were born to African American mothers and 230 (36.0%) children were born via CS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Obesity defined as body mass index ≥95th percentile at age 2 years.

RESULTS
Slightly more children of African American (n=37; 10.1%) than non-African American mothers (n=18; 6.6%) were obese (P=.12). There was evidence of effect modification between race and delivery mode with obesity at age 2 years (interaction P=.020). In children of African American mothers, CS compared to vaginal birth was associated with a significantly higher odds of obesity (aOR=2.35 (95% CI: 1.16, 4.77), P=.017). In contrast, delivery mode was not associated with obesity at age 2 years in children of non-African American mothers (aOR=.47 (95% CI: .13, 1.71), P=.25).

CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence for a race-specific effect of CS on obesity at age 2 years; potential underlying mechanisms may be racial differences in the developing gut microbiome or in epigenetic programming. Future research is needed to determine if this racial difference persists into later childhood.


The internet provides a powerful tool to terror organizations, enhancing their public messaging, recruitment ability, and internal communication. In turn, governments have increasingly moved to disrupt terror organizations' internet communications, and even democracies now routinely work to censor terrorist propaganda, and related political messaging, in the name of national security. We argue that democratic states respond to terror attacks by increasing internet censorship and broadening their capacity to limit the digital dissemination of information. This article builds on previous work suggesting this relationship, substantially improving measurement and estimation strategy. We use latent variable modeling techniques to create a new measure of internet censorship, cross nationally and over time, from internet firm transparency reports, and compare this measure to an expert-survey based indicator. Leveraging both measures, we use a variety of panel specifications to establish that, in democracies, increases in terror predict surges in digital censorship. Finally, we examine the posited relationship using synthetic control methods in a liberal democracy that experienced a large shock in terror deaths, France, showing that digital censorship ramped up after several large terrorist attacks.


The competence of distance educators has a significant impact on learners' success. The paradigm shift for universities to become distance and electronic learning environments justifies the urgency to address competency gaps in distance educators' competencies efficiently. From a strategic human resource development perspective, the systems theory is used to explain the idea of maximising outputs with the minimum inputs (Biddle, 1986). In this study, distance educators at Unisa reflected on their experienced competency gaps. Where previous studies mainly focus on the size of the gaps, the aim of this article is to highlight the competency gaps likely to have the biggest impact. For this study, we used stratified non-probability sampling, and selected 407 academics who were, at the time of the study, permanently employed at a mega ODL university in South Africa. These academics represented a wide range of colleges, campuses, ages, and genders. The results of this study have implications for capacity building of academic staff in developing world contexts and other contexts where resources are scarce.


WHERE do languages come from? That is a question as old as human beings' ability to pose it. But it has two sorts of answer. The first is evolutionary: when and where human banter was first heard. The second is ontological: how an individual human acquires the power of speech and understanding. This week, by a neat coincidence, has seen the publication of papers addressing both of these conundrums.


A range of models have been developed recently to describe the dynamic seismic response of fractured in-situ rock. These models require the specification of an unknown transition frequency. This frequency is in general different from the standard "squirt-flow frequency" which is understood from laboratory rock physics measurements. Recent theoretical work establishes a link between these two concepts. We show how to use published laboratory data to calibrate the fracture models. We note that our theoretical framework matches a range of laboratory observations, and the inferred values of the squirtflow frequency are reasonably consistent between the different cases.


The first articulated remains of ophiuroids for the Mesozoic of South America are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Neuquén Basin, Argentina. The taxonomic analysis allows the assignment of the material described herein to the extinct genus Ophiopetra. The specimens belong to a new species, but considering the poor preservation, a new name is not introduced, as it would be based on an incomplete diagnosis. Certain characteristics (e.g., the diameter of the disc, the width/height ratio of the vertebrae) suggest that these ophiuroids are paedomorphic specimens. In light of the latest classification of the Ophiuroidea, and new insights on the spine articulation microstructure of Ophiopetra lithographica presented herein, a transfer of Ophiopetra to the family Ophionereididae within the order Amphilepidida is proposed. This material expands the palaeogeographic record of this genus, since it represents the first remains of Ophiopetra described in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also the first Cretaceous record of the genus worldwide.


Introduction Syphilis remains a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso. However, few published data are available on the prevalence of syphilis in the general population. This study had two main objectives: to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis in a cohort of 37,210 first time blood donors and to study socio-demographic factors associated with the risk of infection by Treponema pallidum. Methods Antibodies to Treponema pallidum were screened for, by using Reagin Rapid Test (RPR) and their presence was confirmed by treponema pallidum haemagglutination test (TPHA). Results The overall seroprevalence of syphilis was 1.5% among first time blood donors and was significantly different between centers (p <0.001). The infection was significantly higher in men than women among blood donors in Ouagadougou and Fada N′gourma (P = 0.001 and P = 0.034). The overall seroprevalence of syphilis among blood donors was not associated with either age group or HIV status. In contrast, a significantly high seroprevalence of syphilis was observed in blood donors with HBsAg (P = 0.014) and anti-HCV (P = 0.007) positive. Conclusion Our report shows a low seroprevalence of syphilis in the representative sample of the population of Burkina Faso. The seroprevalence of syphilis remains unequally distributed between urban and rural areas and was not associated with HIV infection.


This paper proposes the use of the Cox proportional hazard model (Cox PHM), a statistical model, for the analysis of early-failure data associated with power cables. The Cox PHM analyses simultaneously a set of covariates and identifies those which have significant effects on the cable failures. In order to demonstrate the appropriateness of the model, relevant historical failure data related to medium voltage (MV, rated at 10 kV) distribution cables and High Voltage (HV, 110 kV and 220 kV) transmission cables have been collected from a regional electricity company in China. Results prove that the model is more robust than the Weibull distribution, in that failure data does not have to be homogeneous. Results also demonstrate that the method can single out a case of poor manufacturing quality with a particular cable joint provider by using a statistical hypothesis test. The proposed approach can potentially help to resolve any legal dispute that may arise between a manufacturer and a network operator, in addition to providing guidance for improving future practice in cable procurement, design, installations and maintenance.


This article argues that the expansion of marine fishing in south-western England from the late fourteenth century to the early sixteenth was part of the maritime sector's critical, but unappreciated, contribution to the rising prosperity of the region. Revenues from fishing represented a substantial supplement to the income of the fisher-farmers who dominated the industry; promoted employment n ancillary industries such as fish curing; improved the seasonal distribution of maritime work; and stimulated capital investment in ships, nets, and other equipment because of the share system that characterized the division of profits within fishing enterprises. In offering what was probably the chief source of employment within the maritime sector, fishing also provided the 'nursery of seamen' so prized by the Tudor navy, and built the navigational experience that underpinned later voyages of exploration.


This volume deals with aspects of orality and oral traditions in ancient Greece, specifically literature, rhetoric and society, and philosophy, and is a selection of refereed papers from the fourth biennial Orality and Literacy in Ancient Greece conference, held at the University of Missouri Columbia in 2000.


Due to crisis-ridden banks and new regulation (Basel III, IFRS, Mifid), there was a significant growth in innovative financing sources for SMEs in recent years. This paper uses the introduction of SME equity and bond segments as quasi-exogenous shocks and studies their effect on firm behavior. First, we find that the introduction of dedicated equity segments for SMEs increases their equity financing significantly (around 6% in relative terms). Equivalently, the introduction of SME bond segments increases bond financing of SMEs significantly (around 9.5% in relative terms). Our results suggest a positive complementarity of introducing SME bond and equity segments, as higher disclosure costs can be leveraged across segments. Second, we document significant real effects. In line with theory, an easier access to external finance increases investment and decreases the amount of cash holdings.


Introduction: The aim of our study is to assess the 3 years oncological outcomes (survival rates and predictive factors of impaired Overall survival) in low rectal cancer patients operated with curative intent in the National Oncology Institute of Rabat. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study, including all patients operated for low rectal cancer in the surgical department of the national oncology institute of Rabat from January 2011 to December 2015 Preoperative characteristics, clinical and pathological variables including the histological type, the grade of tumor and TNM staging as well as perioperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed to determine the predictive factors of imaired overall survival using cox regression and Kaplan Meier representation . Results: In 81 low rectal adenocarcinoma operated in this period, the average survival period was of 55. 8 months. The Overall survival rate after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years are respectively of 94%, 89. 1%, and 82. 8%. Predictive factors of impaired survival were age and advanced tumor staging with respectively a HR: 3.5; 95CI:1.111.4; p=0.03 and HR: 3.9 95CI:1.2-12.4; p=0.01. Conclusion: This study showed survival rates after curative surgery for low rectal adenocarcinoma similar to those reported in the literature. Independent factors associated with overall survival were high age and advanced T stage, highlighting the importance of early cancer detection particularly in elderly subjects in order to improve the overall survival in rectal cancer Moroccan patients.


The number of people researching the supercritical CO2 power cycle has largely increased in the last few years. Just to mention, in contrast to the one or two technical papers in the topic submitted yearly to Turbo Expo until 2011, the number of contributions in the topic has rocketed to twenty in the last conference held in Copenhagen. Such astounding and unexpected growth has eventually given rise to the International Gas Turbine Institute creating a new dedicated technical committee. Nevertheless, in spite of the large attention captured by the SCO2 power cycle, most efforts are devoted to the adaption of existing equipment (turbomachinery and heat exchangers) rather than to analysing the particular features of this unconventional working fluid. Hence, the test plants already in operation as well as the numerous CFD analyses under development rely on the existing ideal-gas based knowledge typically used by the gas turbine industry. This is the reason why the compressors in these test plants are far from their theoretical performance (typically 65% real vs. 80% theoretical efficiency).The partnership formed by the University of Seville and Altran has engineered a first-of-a-kind wind tunnel for aerodynamic testing of carbon dioxide flows at high pressure. This unique facility incorporates special features like new seals, variable pressure operation and remote data acquisition which cannot be adapted from conventional wind tunnels. This development is expected to provide the industry with a tool to increase the efficiency of SCO2 turbomachinery by large what would eventually allow for a faster and wider deployment of the technology. The university of Seville and Altran are currently raising capital to construct the facility.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Objectives: Compare continuous infusions of morphine and midazolam in addition to intermittent doses with an intermittent only strategy for pain and sedation after pediatric cardiac surgery. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Advocate Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL. Patients: Sixty patients 3 months to 4 years old with early extubation after pediatric cardiac surgery. Interventions: Patients received a continuous infusion of morphine and midazolam or placebo for 24 hours. Both groups received intermittent morphine and midazolam doses as needed. Measurements and Main Results: Gender, age, bypass time, and surgical complexity were not different between groups. Scheduled ketorolac and acetaminophen were used in both groups and were not associated with adverse events. The mean, median, and maximum Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, And Consolability score were not different between groups. There was no significant difference in number of intermittent doses received between groups. The total morphine dose was higher in the continuous/intermittent group (0.90 vs 0.23 mg/kg; p < 0.01). The total midazolam dose was also higher in the continuous/intermittent group (0.90 vs 0.18 mg/kg; p < 0.01). The hospital length of stay was longer in the continuous/intermittent group (8.4 vs 4.9 d; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Pain was not better controlled with the addition of continuous infusions of morphine and midazolam when compared with intermittent dosing only. Use of continuous infusions resulted in a significantly higher total dosage of these medications and a longer length of stay.


The sediment contents of algal pigments and live planktonic diatoms were measured in cores sampled at 6 stations with aphotic sediments at depths between 27 and 55 m located in the transition zone between the Baltic Sea and the Skagerrak. Five of the stations were sampled before and after the spring phytoplankton bloom in 2001. Within the area, there was a highly significant increase after the bloom in the sediment content of viable planktonic diatoms, quantified by the dilution extinction method, and in the sediment content of the pigments chlorophyll a and fucoxanthin. The composition of algal pigments as well as the number of germinable diatoms suggested that live pelagic diatoms were the source of almost the entire pool of chlorophyll a in the sediment both before and after the spring bloom. In the northern Kattegat, Great Belt, Femer Belt and in the Arkona Sea, the pools of diatoms increased 10- to 100-fold during the spring bloom. In total, the sediment received between 0.3 and 4 million germinable units of pelagic diatoms cm -2 . In terms of organic nitrogen, the enrichment of live diatoms in the sediment corresponded to on average 202% of the total spring bloom production, calculated from the pool of nitrate consumed in the water column during the spring bloom. A similar calculation based on the enrichment of the pigments chlorophyll a and fucoxanthin indicated input corresponding to 24 and 64 % respectively of the potential production during the spring bloom. There was considerable variation among stations; in the central Kattegat there was no detectable sedimentation of diatoms or pigments. Here, the pools of pigments and diatoms decreased during the spring bloom and the shape of the pigment profiles also indicated that these pools did not originate from a recent input. Other stations received twice as much diatom biomass than could be produced from the pool of inorganic nitrogen in the mixed layer before the bloom. It is hypothesized that the unequal distribution of the spring bloom sedimentation is a result of episodic sedimentation events in combination with advection of the water masses. The potentials of using sediment profiles of pigments to quantify spring bloom sedimentation are discussed.


This study began with a challenge from program area managers at Sandia National Laboratories to technical staff in the energy, climate, and infrastructure security areas: apply a systems-level perspective to existing science and technology program areas in order to determine technology gaps, identify new technical capabilities at Sandia that could be applied to these areas, and identify opportunities for innovation. The Arctic was selected as one of these areas for systems level analyses, and this report documents the results. In this study, an emphasis was placed on the arctic atmosphere since Sandia has been active in atmospheric research in the Arctic since 1997. This study begins with a discussion of the challenges and benefits of analyzing the Arctic as a system. It goes on to discuss current and future needs of the defense, scientific, energy, and intelligence communities for more comprehensive data products related to the Arctic; assess the current state of atmospheric measurement resources available for the Arctic; and explain how the capabilities at Sandia National Laboratories can be used to address the identified technological, data, and modeling needs of the defense, scientific, energy, and intelligence communities for Arctic support.


The refractive index (RI) is a key quantity in calculating many aerosol properties required for climate models. To accurately describe the RI of aerosol, the wavelength and temperature dependence as well as the variation with aerosol water content must be considered. Aside from water, aged ambient aerosol can contain both inorganic salts and a myriad of organic molecules. Determining the optical properties of each organic molecule and their contribution to the aerosol as a whole would be an incredibly time consuming and, in many cases, intractable task. Using single aerosol particle spectroscopy measurements and an effective oscillator model, we are able to measure parameters that can be used to accurately calculate the wavelength-dependent RI of mixed organic-inorganic aqueous aerosol particles. Measured oscillator parameters are presented for a number of atmospherically relevant inorganic ions and surrogate organic species. Finally, the effect of temperature on the oscillator parameters is investigated.


Human natural killer (NK) lymphocytes should not damage autologous cells due to the engagement of inhibitory receptor superfamily (IRS) members by HLA-I. Nevertheless, NK cells kill self cells expressing low levels or lacking HLA-I, as it may occur during viral infections (missing-self hypothesis). Herein, we show that human NK cells can be activated upon binding with self antigen presenting cells or stromal cells despite the expression of HLA-I. Indeed, NK cells can kill and produce proinflammatory and regulating cytokines as IFN-g, TNF-a and IL10 during interaction with autologous dendritic cells or bone marrow stromal cells or skin fibroblasts. The killing of antigen presenting and stromal cells is dependent on LFA1/ICAM1 interaction. Further, the natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) NKp30 and NKp46 are responsible for the delivery of lethal hit to DC, whereas NKG2D activating receptor, the ligand of the MHC-related molecule MIC-A and the UL16 binding protein, is involved in stromal cell killing. These findings indicate that different activating receptors are involved in cell to self cell interaction. Finally, NK cells can revert the veto effect of stromal cells on mixed lymphocyte reaction further supporting the idea that NK cells may alter the interaction between T lymphocytes and microenvironment leading to autoreactivity.


The present study was to find out through histopathological records the most frequently occurring disease of the prostate from suspected prostate diseases in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A total number of 324 cases of prostatic biopsies and autopsy materials recorded in the histopathology laboratory of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar between 1986 and 1995 were used for this study. Benign prostatic hypertrophy was observed as the major pathology among all the diseases of the prostate gland recorded in UCTH in Calabar having accounted for 76.3% (261 out of 342) while prostatic carcinoma accounted for 19% (65 out of 324), rest 4.7% (16 out of 342) were inflammatory lesions. The result indicated that benign prostatic hypertrophy occurs in men from 40 years and above. The frequency increased with age, reaching a maximum of 34.5% (90 out of 261) in the age group (70-79) years old. The people in Cross River State should be informed of the high frequency of benign prostatic hypertrophy and should be advised to seek health care promptly in suspected prostate related illness.


Synopsis Whilst public awareness of environmental issues currently enjoys the highest profile, both nationally and internationally, understanding of the physical component of the natural world remains weak. There is an almost universal appreciation of many issues relating to ecological aspects of the environment, such as the need to conserve endangered species or threatened wildlife habitats, but by contrast, there is little understanding of the physical processes that have shaped our world. So the loss of key geological sites or landforms would be unlikely to occasion much public attention or comment. The challenge for the new millennium is that the geological profession reach out to a wider audience than hitherto, thereby ensuring a greater empathy with the physical component of the environment and its relevance to our everyday lives.


In the years after the U.S. Supreme Court decided its trio of cases on the admissibility of scientific, technical, and other expert evidence in the federal courts – Daubert (1993), Joiner (1997), and Kumho Tire (1999) – numerous issues have arisen as to how the Daubert rule applies to various types of causation evidence in toxic tort cases. Most toxic tort plaintiffs rely, at least in part, on the testimony of treating physicians regarding the injuries suffered and the likely cause of those injuries. These opinions have been formed through the process of differential diagnosis in the clinical setting, and in the context of the physicians' broader experience and expertise. This type of evidence is distinguishable from the laboratory science that was sought to be introduced in both the Daubert and Joiner cases. Accordingly, how should the rules of admissibility apply to clinical medical evidence of causation? In Kumho Tire, the Supreme Court stated that the Federal Rules of Evidence and Daubert apply to all expert evidence subject to Rule 702. To the extent that Daubert does not provide workable factors to assist the court in ruling on the reliability and relevance of a particular type of evidence, the court may develop its own set of factors appropriate to the evidence. This article argues that a properly conducted process of differential diagnosis in the clinical setting which results in an opinion regarding the cause of the plaintiff's condition would meet the requirements of reliability and relevance under the Federal Rules and Daubert.


In this paper the newly established rules for trading milk quotas in Germany are analyzed. These regulations have been in force since April 2000. Following a brief historical review of the quota system, the major changes in economic incentives regarding trading milk and the expected welfare implications are derived. Next, the effects of the new trading rules on quota prices in comparison to a reference system (sealed bid double auction) are discussed. In the empirical part the significance of the theoretical effects is illustrated. Recent changes in the regulations for quota trade are shown to have little effect in terms of mitigating these problems.


This study set to examine the proficiency of students in using mathematical terminology and the related concepts. The need to carry out the study arose from the concern by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the general public over the perennial poor results in mathematics. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the extent to which meanings of some mathematical terms are understood and/or confused by students for whom English is a second language in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya. The basis for the study is the constructivist theory by J. Bruner and the cognitive flexibility theory of R. Spiro, P. Heltovitch and R. Coulson which advocates for teaching learners to construct their meanings of mathematical terms. The descriptive survey utilized written tests as the main data collection instrument. The target population was standard eight pupils within Eldoret Municipality. Public schools were ranked according to performance in last year's KCPE results. Systematic random sampling technique was used to sample out 9 of the 34 public schools. Simple random sampling was then used to select a study sample of 270 pupils. Data analysis involved the use of both descriptive statistics such as the frequencies and the means and inferential statistics. The Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study showed that students have difficulties in using mathematical terms and the related concepts. Suggestions of possible ways of teaching these terms so as to generate more meaning to the learners were also made. The study could assist mathematics teachers, curriculum planners, and textbook authors to deal with the challenges that learners face in understanding mathematical language as a contributory factor to performance in the subject.


We consider a simple mathematical approach to the rise and fall of societies based on population growth and its effects on the environment, both beneficial and detrimental. We find that in any simple model of population dynamics with environmental coupling, stable cultures are impossible. Populations inevitably grow or decline exponentially. Further, if the parameters defining a civilisation are allowed to evolve towards an evolutionarily stable state, the only possible solutions are those where each culture ultimately declines. However, computer simulation with multiple competing cultures show that while each eventually collapses, some are always extant and the system is robust. In this broad class of models, individual death is a requirement for system survival.


Objective: To evaluate clinicodemographic features and outcome of acute myocarditis in children admitted at Jinnah hospital. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences, Nawabshah from January 2015 to December 2015. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients aged 1 month to 16 years who were admitted Jinnah Hospital, Nawabshah and discharged with a diagnosis of myocarditis were studied in retrospect. Clinical and demographic features and outcome were chronicled. Results: Files of total of 50 patients with the diagnosis of myocarditis were collected and data was extracted between January 2018 and December 2018. Median age of affected children was 48 months with (35%) 13 females and (64.86%) 24 males. The primary complaint with which patient presented was respiratory distress (56%) and least common symptom was abdominal pain (5%) while the most recurrently occurring examination finding was tachycardia (68%). Average days in hospital were 11 days. The outcome regarding death and discharge was; 64.5% expired and rest was discharged. Conclusion: Although Myocarditis is not a very common disease but its presentation mimics with symptoms of common diseases like RTI and our study also showed that the most common presentation was respiratory distress. Hence it is very important to look carefully at children presenting with such common symptoms but donot improve on antibiotics. Key Words: Acute Myocarditis, Clinicodemographic Features, Children


guide as to where the general-practitioner obstetrician is to practise in the future; if he is to practise in general-practitioner units, where are they to be situated, and what will be their purpose; and make comment on his obstetric education both in the primary training and the continuing education fields.-I am, etc., DAVID BROWN. Postgraduate Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Johns Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex.


Of the more than two hundred collections of pildamchanghwa scattered around the world that are being catalogued and translated, more than forty are medical in nature. This paper organizes and charts the medical written conversations by their dates of publication and examine the various aspects of their publication. Medical written conversations have been collected since the Fourth Envoy. There are no records of medical written conversations or poetry exchange in Tsushima even though that was the first port of arrival for the Tongsinsa. Instead, sources show that written conversations and poetry exchanges mostly took place in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka; indeed, these three cities, in that order, also have yielded the highest volumes of publication. The first commercially published collection of medical written conversations was Sanghaneuidam, published in 1713 following the Eighth Envoy. Though Gyerimchanghwajip was published two years earlier in 1711, it is clear from the usage of the word changhwa in the title that this collection was not strictly limited to medical written conversations. Sanghaneuidam was an attempt by Japanese medicine to collect questions and answers in order to publish as medical textbooks. The Japanese medicine that was involved in the most written conversations was Kawamura Shunko, who was the editor of Sanghaneuimundap and Joseonpildam following the Tenth Envoy. Publications with titles containing 'eui' explicitly contemplates the targeted readership. Kitao Shunpo(北尾春圃) was one Japanese medicine who was less interested in meeting a literary scrivener, but instead sought to converse with a respected medicine. When the Eighth Envoy of 1711 arrived in Ogaki(大垣), Kitao followed around the Joseon medicines and attempted written conversations. He enlisted the aid of his second son Shunrin(春倫) in organizing the written conversations, and published the collection, complete with preface, postscript, and appendices?an editorial decision that fully contemplated his audience. Prior to meeting Gi Du-mun (奇斗文), Kitao meticulously planned out the order of questions?that is, the table of contents for Sanghaneuidam. Kitao drafted his questions to serve the purpose of a medical textbook, edited the contents of the written conversations, and added illustrations before presenting the collection to the public. Seomulyuchan, one of the most famous leishu in Japan, contains a preface by Lee Hyeon, a scrivener of Joseon. Kitao, who had studied Dongeuibogam, had already possessed a vast and systematic knowledge of materia medica; however, he sought Lee's contributions, hoping that a preface written by a renowned Joseon scholar would lend his publication more credibility. As such, it can be inferred that the preface to Seomulyuchan was created as an extension of the medical written conversations.


Marked regional differences in dissolved dimethylsulphide (DMS), atmospheric DMS and DMS flux were recorded during July 1997 through the northern Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, Gulf of Papua, Solomon and Bismarck Seas. Highest concentrations of dissolved DMS occurred in the Coral Sea, Gulf of Papua and Bismarck Sea, with lower concentrations in the Great Barrier Reef and Solomon Sea. Elevated levels of atmospheric DMS often occurred in south-easterly to southerly trade winds sampled in the region 18°32′–8°12′S to 145°–151°E, where the highest biomass of coral reefs occurred. Atmospheric DMS often increased in the day after low tides and was positively correlated with tidal height in the northern Great Barrier Reef (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). For tides less than 1.6 m, atmospheric DMS increased on the rising tide for the northern GBR and NW Coral Sea (r = 0.66; P < 0.05) and for the whole voyage (r = 0.25; P < 0.05). As coral reefs have been identified as significant sources of DMS, it is suggested that the daytime increase in atmospheric DMS over much of the study area was mainly a result of high winds and extremely low tides in July, which exposed the reefs during the day.


Extracted from text ... 4 Siviele Ingenieurswese | Januarie 2006
TrADiTionALLY, the roles of the human
resources (hr) head and department have
been to look after operational issues such
as payroll, recruitment, selection and performance
management - basically ensuring
that a company's staff contingent performs
optimally to impact on a business in the most
efficient and profitable manner possible.
however, over the last few years hr
practice has gradually started to undergo a
metamorphosis with companies finally realising
that the department is not only there to
recruit and retain staff but ultimately to play
a very important strategic function in its business
operations.
BECOMING A ..


Free Primary Education has made many parents in Kenya of low level households to heave a sigh of relief. Majority of the Kenyan children before the advent of Free Primary Education were not able to access Primary Education due to the escalating cost of education. The Government in 2003 introduced free primary education to public schools in Kenya. However, according to the International Regional Information Network, (2003) public primary schools' resources have been over stretched with the increased number of enrolled pupils in schools and the level of performance has gone down. Therefore this study assessed the effect of free primary education on human resource performance in these schools. Specifically this study established the teachers' attitude and motivation in relation to human resource performance in schools establish the teachers' student ratio in relation human resource performance in schools and establish the challenges to teachers' management that affects the schools' performance. This was a descriptive research design targeting 76 primary schools in Butere district in Western province. From each school two respondents were targeted and from which a sample of 76 respondents was selected using systematic random sampling method. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data from the respondents, which was analysed using descriptive statistics and findings presented for effective communication to ultimate users. The ultimate findings were invaluable in understanding the effect of human resource performance in public primary schools by introduction of free primary education in Kenya. The introduction of free primary education in Kenya had negative effect on the teachers' human resource performance. Most of the teachers started planning for their work setting targets and reviewing the performance so as to cope with the changed situation in schools. However, most teachers had negative attitude towards the appraisal policies as they regarded the appraisal to be non competitive and enhancing rivalry among teachers in schools. The teachers' motivation in schools in Butere district was negatively affected by the free primary education. The free primary education resulted into a direct effect on the teacherstudents ratio and hence human resource performances in public primary schools in Butere district. Some of the challenges identified by the study were inability to handle more students in schools by teachers in such schools due to free education, financial restrictions in the schools, the availability of bureaucracies in schools and inability to cover the schools syllabus. Schools should enhance their performance planning so as to improve on their performance in schools given that there are more students in school. The school managements should improve on their management styles so as to motivate teachers in their schools. Together with the TSC the schools should strive to use effective performance appraisal methods which are acceptable to all teachers in schools and this could improve the attitude of teachers towards the increased teaching responsibilities. The government should continue to improve the terms and conditions of teachers in the country by improving their salary and other benefits in schools. The study did not look into other factors that affect human resource performances in public primary schools apart from the four main variables in free primary education. Also the factors affecting human resource performance of teachers in post primary education system apart from the primary school teachers was not surveyed. The study was limited only to Butere district in Western province. Future studies could be extended to other parts of Kenya.


The goal of this paper consists in characterizing the capacity region of a broadcast system based on analog antenna combining and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In particular, we consider the maximization of a weighted sum of the rates, which results in a highly non-convex optimization problem. The proposed iterative approach is based on the alternative optimization of the beamformers, and the power and subcarrier allocation. Finally, our experiments show that in most practical situations, the complexity of the optimal approaches (subcarrier sharing and power allocation) is not justified by the marginal gains in the capacity region.


We make a prediction of the cosmic supernova rate history as a composite of the supernova rates in spiral and elliptical galaxies. We include the metallicity effect on the evolution of Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitors and construct detailed models for the evolutions of spiral and elliptical galaxies in clusters and the field to meet the latest observational constraints. In the cluster environment, the synthesized cosmic star formation rate (SFR) has an excess at z ≳ 3 corresponding to the early starburst in ellipticals and a shallower slope from the present to the peak at the redshift of z ~ 1.4 compared with Madau's plot. In the field environment, we assume that ellipticals form over a wide range of redshifts as 1 ≲ z ≲ 4. The synthesized cosmic SFR has a broad peak around z ~ 3, which is in good agreement with the observed one. The resultant cosmic SFRs lead to the following predictions for the cosmic SN Ia rate: (1) the SN Ia rate in spirals has a break at z ~ 2 because of the low-metallicity inhibition of SNe Ia, regardless of whether the galaxies are in clusters or in the field; (2) at high redshifts, the SN Ia rate has a strong peak around z ~ 3 in clusters, whereas in the field much lower rate is expected, reflecting the difference in the formation epochs of ellipticals.


textabstractThe increase in life expectancy followed by the burden of chronic diseases contributes to disability at older ages. The estimation of how much chronic conditions contribute to disability can be useful to develop public health strategies to reduce the burden. This paper introduces the R package addhaz, which is based on the attribution method (Nusselder and Looman, 2004) to partition disability into the additive contributions of diseases using cross-sectional data. The R package includes tools to fit the additive hazard model, the core of the attribution method, to binary and multinomial outcomes. The models are fitted by maximizing the binomial and multinomial log-likelihood functions using constrained optimization. Wald and bootstrap confidence intervals can be obtained for the parameter estimates. Also, the contribution of diseases to the disability prevalence and their bootstrap confidence intervals can be estimated. An additional feature is the possibility to use parallel computing to obtain the bootstrap confidence intervals. In this manuscript, we illustrate the use of addhaz with several examples for the binomial and multinomial models, using the data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, 2013.


Objectives:To evaluate the responsiveness of the SF-36 Health Survey in drug trials and to determine how often clinically efficacious treatments produce meaningful functional health changes across medical conditions. Research Design:We conducted a systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled drug trials published from 1995 to 2011 that documented results for primary clinical endpoints and SF-36 outcomes. PubMed and a database of SF-36 publications were searched. We evaluated responsiveness as concordance (both statistically significant or both nonsignificant) between primary clinical and SF-36 outcomes. To determine how often SF-36 physical and mental component summary (PCS, MCS) score changes were of meaningful magnitude, mean net of placebo changes with treatment were compared against the developer's recommended 3-point threshold for a minimal important difference (MID) across groups of medical conditions. Results:Of 805 screened trials, 185 met eligibility criteria. Primary clinical and SF-36 outcomes were concordant in 151 trials (82%). Among clinically efficacious trials, 58% reported net mean SF-36 improvements ≥MID threshold; however, SF-36 changes were often modest (PCS IQR, 1.6–4.1; MCS IQR, 0.8–3.5). Variations in treatment impact were apparent across conditions. Clinically efficacious therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis consistently achieved the largest SF-36 improvements, with 87% exceeding MID, whereas no efficacious therapies for peripheral arterial disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease achieved MID threshold. Conclusions:The SF-36 responds to treatment impact, distinguishing drug therapies that, on average, produce meaningful functional health benefits. Overall, just over half of clinically efficacious trials report meaningful functional health improvements, and results vary widely by medical condition.


Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008

B27

Background Women's beliefs about the causes of cancer may influence the preventive actions they undertake to reduce their risk. Little is known about the beliefs women have about the causes breast and colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to describe and compare causal beliefs about breast and colorectal cancer among unaffected women in the general population.

Methods A total of 439 unaffected women in the general population were recruited to complete a web-based survey assessing causal beliefs for either breast (N = 211) or colorectal cancer (N = 228).

Results Heredity was ranked as the most important causal factor, followed by diet or eating habits for both cancer sites. Women endorsed the following causes of breast or colorectal cancer respectively: heredity (84.4%, 78.5%), diet or eating habits (46.4%, 69.7%), pollution in the environment (57.6%, 40.3%), aging (48.8%, 57.5%), alcohol (29.9%, 40.8%), smoking (58.3%, 50.8%), stress (27.5%, 29.4%), and lack of exercise (35.7%, 44.3%). Other factors such as prior surgery on the breast (23.7%) and colon (32.9%), or changes in one's immune system (60.6% - breast; 59.2% - colon) were also endorsed by some women. Significant differences between cancer sites were noted, in particular, for heredity, diet, pollution, aging, alcohol, and lack of exercise.

Conclusions Both genetic and non-genetic risk factors are endorsed by unaffected women as causes of breast and colorectal cancer. Notably, causal beliefs differ for breast and colorectal cancer. Misconceptions about the causes of these cancers may be important targets for risk communication efforts.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B27.


This new device operates by the controlled transfer of polarization through two or more ferroelectric dielectric sections in series and therefore is named "transpolarizer." It represents a new basic means for storing and gating electrical signals and, in general, means to control circuit impedance in any predetermined manner according to a stored setting. The operation of a two section transpolarizer is described. The unique storage, switching, and control properties of the transpolarizer open a large field of new applications and permit production of new devices and systems such as: recording and reproducing of intelligence in general and, more particularly, switching with a permanent setting, small and large scale storage devices with nondestructive readout, decoders, function generators, etc.