VioLit summary: OBJECTIVE: This study by McCord was designed to follow up the subjects who had participated in the Cambridge-Somerville Youth study after 1942. Criminal behavior, health, lifestyle, and beliefs/attitudes were primary subjects of inquiry. METHODOLOGY: The original study was a quasi-experimental design which followed 253 problem boys and 253 matched controls who were selected by various public sources and identified as "difficult" or "average." Boys were paired by age, delinquency-prone histories, family background, and home environments and then randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group. Treatment began in 1939 when the subjects were 5-13 (median, 10.5) and continued for an average of 5 years (except those dropped from the program during 1941 because of counselor shortage). Counselors visited the home an average of twice a month and encouraged families to call on the program for assistance. This assistance included family counseling, tutoring, medical and/or psychiatric attention, summer camps, and connection with Boy Scouts, YMCA, or other community programs. The control group only participated insofar as they gave information about themselves. Each group included boys from "difficult" and "average" groups. The study this author conducted was a follow-up, thirty years later, on the men who had participated in the original study. Official records (court records, mental hospital records, statistics from alcohol treatment centers, and vital statistics) and personal contacts were used to obtain information about the long-term effects of the Cambridge-Somerville Youth Study. The follow-up took place in 1975 and 1976. The men were located using telephone calls, city directories, motor-vehicle registration, marriage and death records, and researcher intuition. 480 (95%) of the men were located; 48 (9%) of these had died and 340 (79%) were living in Massachusetts. Questionnaires were mailed to 208 men from the treatment group and 202 men from the control group. The items in the questionnaire covered the topics of family, occupation, drinking, health, and attitudes. Former members of the treatment group were asked how (if at all) the treatment program had been useful to them. Responses to the questionnaire were received from 113 men in the treatment group (54%) and 122 men in the control group (60%). Men who lived outside of Massachusetts were significantly (p= FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: The treatment and control groups were compared on a variety of measures for criminal behavior. With the exception of Crime Prevention Bureau records for unofficial crimes committed by juveniles, court convictions served as the standard by which criminal behavior was assessed. Almost equal numbers of each groups had committed crimes as juveniles on both official and unofficial measures. On dimensions of "difficult" and "average" distinctions, there were also no differences. As adults, equal numbers (168) had been convicted for some crime. From the treatment group, 119 committed minor crimes, and 49 had committed serious crimes against property or person as adults. For the control group, 126 had committed minor crimes, and 42 had committed serious crimes. 29 of the treatment group and 25 from the control group had committed serious crimes after age 25. When comparing adult criminal records controlling for juvenile records, there was no evidence that the treatment program had any effect. There were no differences in number of serious crimes committed, age at which the first crime was committed, age at which first serious crime was committed, or age after which no serious crime was committed. Chi-square revealed that a significantly higher proportion of criminals from the treatment group committed more than one crime. 78% of the treatment group committed at least two crimes versus 67% of the control group who had. Dimensions of health that were evaluated were alcoholism, stress-related diseases, and early death. There were no differences in mental hospitalization/alcohol treatment between the groups. A significantly higher proportion of the treatment group mentioned that they were alcoholic or were judged by the CAGE test be alcoholic when compared to the control group (17% versus 7%). Of those men who had received treatment in mental hospitals for non-alcoholic problems, a significant majority of the men who had been in the treatment group were diagnosed with more serious diagnoses (71%) whereas the control group was diagnosed with less serious diagnoses (67%). A significantly higher proportion of the men from the treatment group reported stress-related diseases than the control group, particularly for heart trouble. In comparisons of family and work, the only significant difference was in the number who were white collar professionals (43% for the control group, 29% for the treatment group) and, in general, the control group had a significantly higher level of prestige in their jobs. Among blue-collar workers, a significantly greater number of the treatment group expressed dissatisfaction (p=.02). There were no significant differences in authoritarianism, political orientation, or identification of the best periods of their lives. The majority of the men (2/3) who had been in the treatment program reported that it had been helpful to them, and some responded that the program had helped keep them out of trouble and made them more law-abiding. In general, the author concluded that the program did not, according to objective measures, improve the lives of the treatment group. AUTHOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS: The author suggested a cautious stance to intervention programs, though it is also suggested that new programs should be developed with attention to the problems of potential damage through the use of pilot projects with mandatory evaluations. EVALUATION: This study serves as an interesting follow-up to one of the best known experiments in delinquency prevention. It is surprising to see the negative effects the author found in the treatment group thirty years after being in the program. This study, however, cannot make a strong empirical claim that the program did not work. First, the initial selection and identification of youth casts doubts on the original methodology. Additionally, the present study relies upon mailed questionnaires. It has been shown that there is a likely self-selection bias which makes findings difficult to generalize to the population which confounds the usual difficulties with mailed questionnaires. Face-to-face interviews or even telephone interviews would add some credibility. Thirdly, the data collection could have been tightened up (for example, using FBI rap sheets as an additional measure of criminal activity). Finally, the data analysis techniques do not provide for an adequate level of control to establish the causal linkages which one would want to see. Additional analyses using regression techniques would have been helpful. This study was published in 1978, and methodology has improved since then. It would be insightful to do another follow-up or a reanalysis of the original data to see if the lack of effect or opposite effects of treatment hold. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) KW - Massachusetts KW - Geographic Location KW - Long-Term KW - Criminal Behavior KW - Delinquency KW - Diagnosis KW - Follow-Up Studies KW - Problem Behavior KW - Life Course KW - Prevention KW - Nutrition-Health KW - Ideology KW - Perceptions KW - Lifestyle KW - Juvenile Offender KW - Male Offender KW - Adult Offender


Despite decades of clinical research, sepsis remains a global public health crisis with high mortality, and morbidity. Currently, when sepsis is detected and the underlying pathogen is identified, organ damage may have already progressed to irreversible stages. Effective sepsis management is therefore highly time-sensitive. By systematically analysing trends in the plethora of clinical data available in the intensive care unit (ICU), an early prediction of sepsis could lead to earlier pathogen identification, resistance testing, and effective antibiotic and supportive treatment, and thereby become a life-saving measure. Here, we developed and validated a machine learning (ML) system for the prediction of sepsis in the ICU. Our analysis represents the largest multi-national, multi-centre in-ICU study for sepsis prediction using ML to date. Our dataset contains $156,309$ unique ICU admissions, which represent a refined and harmonised subset of five large ICU databases originating from three countries. Using the international consensus definition Sepsis-3, we derived hourly-resolved sepsis label annotations, amounting to $26,734$ ($17.1\%$) septic stays. We compared our approach, a deep self-attention model, to several clinical baselines as well as ML baselines and performed an extensive internal and external validation within and across databases. On average, our model was able to predict sepsis with an AUROC of $0.847 \pm 0.050$ (internal out-of sample validation) and $0.761 \pm 0.052$ (external validation). For a harmonised prevalence of $17\%$, at $80\%$ recall our model detects septic patients with $39\%$ precision 3.7 hours in advance.


In this paper, we explore the use of fixed point methods to evaluate the performance of a large population of TCP flows traversing a network of routers implementing active queue management (AQM) such as RED (random early detection). Both AQM routers that drop and that mark packets are considered along with infinite and finite duration TCP flows. In the case of finite duration flows, we restrict ourselves to networks containing one congested router. In all cases, we formulate a fixed point problem with the router average queue lengths as unknowns. Once these are obtained, other metrics such as router loss probability, TCP flow throughput, TCP flow end-to-end loss rates, average round trip time, and average session duration are easily obtained. Comparison with simulation for a variety of scenarios shows that the model is accurate in its predictions (mean errors less than 5%). Last, we establish monotonicity properties exhibited by the solution for a single congested router that explains several interesting observations, such as TCP SACK suffers higher loss than TCP Reno.


We investigate the effects of the accretion of phantom energy with non-zero bulk viscosity onto a Morris-Thorne wormhole. We have found that if the bulk viscosity is large then the mass of wormhole increases rapidly as compared to small or zero bulk viscosity.


The dynamics of rotating tool commonly employed in deep hole honing is considered. Mathematical model of a process including the dynamic model of tool and model of workpiece surface and honing sticks interaction is analyzed. It is shown that interaction forces are nonconservative. Honing tool is modeled as a continuous slender beam with honing mandrel attached at intermediate cross section. Multi-stone tool rotates and has reciprocational motion in axial direction. Honing tones are expanded to the machined surface by special rigid mechanism that provides cutting of workpiece cylindrical surface. The tool vibrates in the transverse and axial directions. The transverse oscillations cause the variation of expansion pressure and change the interaction forces on the surface of the workpiece. Hence the vibrating tool shaft is under act of nonconservative forces depending on its position. The expansion pressure is a critical parameter in honing since its influence on process is different. The removal of stock increase linearly with pressure but the lowest expansion pressure and feed rate possible should be used to increase accuracy. The process productivity can be improved by increasing expansion pressure but may in a certain conditions cause a dynamic instability of tool shaft lateral oscillations. Another method of process productivity increasing is applying additional axial vibration of tool. In this case the tool passes more distance along the machined surface at the same time. But this method requires special machine tool with vibration actuator and additional research of system dynamic stability. Methods of vibratory process rational conditions evaluation are considered. The derived partial differential equations of rotating beam motion are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations by the Galerkin approximation method. The derived differential equations with time periodic functions are numerically analyzed by Floquet method. The system response is studied for different technology and geometric parameters in non-dimensional form. That makes it possible to analyze a set of real processes applying the similarity conditions.


Dependability (also known as consistency) is one of four criteria in rigor and trustworthiness in qualitative research. In this article, the process of establishing consistency is discussed through the lenses of constructivism and interpretivism, as the observed social reality is viewed as epistemologically counter-intuitive. Two strategies were used to establish consistency. First, method, source, and data triangulation were conducted concurrently to overcome differences in data collection methods from two qualitative intrinsic case studies. Second, code and meaning saturation were used in ATLAS.ti to identify similar meanings and interpretations despite different data collection methods. The findings showed that consistency can still be achieved, and similar meanings and interpretations can be established despite different data collection methods.


Ensuring the comprehensive coverage, recording and preservation of the UK national published output is one of the British Library's key responsibilities. A significant proportion of the Library's cultural heritage collections will be in digital formats and require long term access, so the Library has to be at the forefront of national and international efforts to develop digital preservation. The Library is addressing digital preservation by establishing policy, negotiating and legally obtaining the rights to preserve and provide access digital publications. It is participating in research and test-bed projects, and working collaboratively in research and distributed archiving with other national and international organisations with similar interests.


A key issue in neuroscience is to determine the connection between neuronal circuits and behaviour. In the adult brain, all neuronal circuits include a glutamatergic component. Three proteins designated Vesicular glutamate transporter 1-3 (VGLUT1-3) possess the capability of packaging glutamate into presynaptic vesicles for release of glutamate at the nerve terminal. The present study aimed at determining the role of VGLUT2 in neuronal circuits of higher brain function, emotion, and reward-pocessing. A conditional knockout (cKO) strategy was utilised, and three different mouse lines were produced to delete VGLUT2 in specific neuronal circuits in a temporally and spatially controlled manner. First, we produced a cKO mouse in which Vglut2 was deleted in specific subpopulations of the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus from preadolescence. This resulted in blunted aspects in cognitive, emotional and social behaviour in a schizophrenia-related phenotype. Furthermore, we showed a downstream effect of the targeted deletion on the dopaminergic system. In a subsequent analysis of the same cKO mice, we showed that female cKO mice were more affected their male counterparts, and we also found that female schizophrenia patients, but not male patients, had increased Vglut2 levels in the cortex. Second, we produced and analysed cKO mice in which Vglut2 was deleted in the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus already from midgestation, and could show that this deletion affected emotional, but not cognitive, function. Third, we addressed the role of VGLUT2 in midbrain dopamine neurons by targeting Vglut2 specifically in these neurons. These cKO mice showed a blunted activational response to the psychostimulant amphetamine and increased operant self-administration of both sugar and cocaine reinforcers. Further, the cKO mice displayed strongly enhanced cocaine-seeking in response to cocaine-associated cues, a behaviour of relevance for addiction in humans. In summary, this thesis work has addressed the role of the presynaptic glutamatergic neuron in different neuronal circuits and shown that the temporal and spatial distribution of VGLUT2 is of great significance for normal brain function.


For 3D object manipulation, methods that build an explicit 3D representation perform better than those relying only on camera images. But using explicit 3D representations like voxels comes at large computing cost, adversely affecting scalability. In this work, we propose RVT, a multi-view transformer for 3D manipulation that is both scalable and accurate. Some key features of RVT are an attention mechanism to aggregate information across views and re-rendering of the camera input from virtual views around the robot workspace. In simulations, we find that a single RVT model works well across 18 RLBench tasks with 249 task variations, achieving 26% higher relative success than the existing state-of-the-art method (PerAct). It also trains 36X faster than PerAct for achieving the same performance and achieves 2.3X the inference speed of PerAct. Further, RVT can perform a variety of manipulation tasks in the real world with just a few ($\sim$10) demonstrations per task. Visual results, code, and trained model are provided at https://robotic-view-transformer.github.io/.


A number of functional systems are involved in the control of eye movements. The vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic reflexes are automatic responses that compensate for the movements of the head and those of the visual environment in order to stabilize the retinal image on a given fixation point. The saccadic movements are quick displacements of fixation from one to another point in the visual field. The smooth pursuit movements consist in the gaze following a moving target. Finally, there are some involuntary movements of very small amplitude during fixation maintenance. Each functional modality of movement depends on specific neuronal circuits that work in a coordinated manner for encoding the contraction of the oculomotor muscles to reach an adequate position at every moment. These neuronal systems can be altered by many neurological processes of different kinds and localizations, causing a broad variety of oculomotor disturbances. The most salient aspects of the physiopathology and the recording systems of eye movements are reviewed.


In a previous theoretical study we investigated whether adaptive or non-adaptive processes are more important in the evolution of senescence. We built a model that combined both processes and found that mutation accumulation is important only at those ages where mortality has a negligible impact on fitness. This model, however, was limited to haploid organisms. Here we extend our model by introducing diploidy and sexual reproduction. We assume that only recessive (mutated) homozygotes experience detrimental effects. Our results corroborate our previous conclusions, confirming that life histories are largely determined by adaptive processes. We also found that the equilibrium frequencies of mutated alleles are at higher values than in haploid model, because mutations in heterozygotes are hidden for directional selection. Nevertheless, the equilibrium frequencies of recessive homozygotes that make mutations visible to selection are very similar to the equilibrium frequencies of these alleles in our haploid model. Diploidy and sexual reproduction with recombination slows down approaching selection-mutation balance.


Background: This study conducted to assess publications of diabetes treatments to understand research gaps and priorities to guide a management map for future strategy of diabetes research in Iran. Methods: All studies published from the beginning until 2015 in national and international journals by Iranian authors conducted in the field of diabetes. This comprehensive search strategy without any limitation obtained 8668 publications in international journals and 16921 documents in national journals (25589 documents). Finally, 1019 diabetes management articles were included in this study. Each article categorized based on the study design, subject area, the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and Australian Standard Research Classifications. Results: There was an increasing trend in a number of publications. Top subject areas were "traditional treatment" with global publication share of 25.8% and "Control of diabetes" ranked the second (24.9%). According to WHO classification, the highest number of productions was in "Basic Research" area (39%) and Australian Standard Research Classification showed 59% of the articles were in "Clinical Medicine and Science" area. Study design of 39.9% articles was basic studies, 23.1% were randomized clinical trial and 21.9% were cross-sectional. Conclusion: This study showed a relatively ascending trend of scientific publications in the field of diabetes managements in Iran. We can identify the research gaps and research priorities for diabetes management research for future studies. In Future, management map with other diabetes area research maps will be compiled into a single "Roadmap for Diabetes Research in Iran".


Myocarditis is an underdiagnosed cause of acute heart failure, sudden death, and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy. In developed countries, viral infections commonly cause myocarditis; however, in the developing world, rheumatic carditis, Trypanosoma cruzi, and bacterial infections such as diphtheria still contribute to the global burden of the disease. The short-term prognosis of acute myocarditis is usually good, but varies widely by cause. Those patients who initially recover might develop recurrent dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure, sometimes years later. Because myocarditis presents with non-specific symptoms including chest pain, dyspnoea, and palpitations, it often mimics more common disorders such as coronary artery disease. In some patients, cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy can help identify myocarditis, predict risk of cardiovascular events, and guide treatment. Finding effective therapies has been challenging because the pathogenesis of chronic dilated cardiomyopathy after viral myocarditis is complex and determined by host and viral genetics as well as environmental factors. Findings from recent clinical trials suggest that some patients with chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy have a progressive clinical course despite standard medical care and might improve with a short course of immunosuppression.


In this study, the development of carbonation resistance in blast furnace slag (BFS) mortar when using silicone oil (SO) is investigated. Moreover, the influence of SO on drying shrinkage and frost resistance are investigated. The results indicate that SO tends to improve the carbonation resistance of BFS blended mortar and reduces drying shrinkage; however, it decreases frost resistance. The water repellency of SO has a positive effect on carbonation and drying shrinkage. Furthermore, there is a possibility that SO prevents the consumption of calcium hydroxide (CH) by carbonation and hydration in portland blast furnace slag cement type B (BB) samples. SO exists in the form of oil droplets in hardened cement pastes and inhibits the relaxation of water pressure at freezing. This is a probable cause for why SO decreases frost resistance.


Objective. To determine the frequency of production of enterotoxin A and B strains of S.aureus isolated from children with various forms of intestinal dysbiosis. Methods. 74 strains of S.aureus, isolated from the feces of young children with intestinal dysbiosis were studied. 16 strains isolated from children aged 1—6 months, 13 strains — from children aged 6—12 months and 42 strains from children aged 1—3 years. 24 (36,5%) children were an asymptomatic carrier of S.aureus (compensated intestinal dysbiosis), 51 (63,5%) children were diagnosed with symptomatic staphylococcal intestinal dysbiosis. Determination of strains of S.aureus to the production of enterotoxin A (SEA) and B (SEB) was performed by IHT. In this work we used staphylococcal erythrocytic diagnostic tools developed in NIIEM them. NF Gamal. As a control enterotoxigenic strains of S.aureus (producer SEA-FRI-722 and producer SEV S 6715 H) and enterotoxins SEA, SEV company «Serva» (Germany) and enterotoxins SEA, SEV, obtained in the laboratory NIIEM them. N.F. Gamal. Results. 74 enterotoxigenic strains of intestinal S.aureus, isolated from young children with intestinal dysbiosis were analyzed. The ability to produce SEA was detected in 5,3% SEB — in 10,7%, SEA+SEB in 1,3% of the cultures studied. Enterotoxigenic strains isolated from children with normal stool were detected in 16,1%, in children with bowel dysfunction — in 18,2% of cases. Conclusion. SEA and SEB does not play essential role in the development of bowel dysfunction in intestinal dysbiosis. Asymptomatic colonization of enterotoxigenic strains of S.aureus young children can exist.


Realistic humanoid robots (RHRs) with embodied artificial intelligence (EAI) have numerous applications in society as the human face is the most natural interface for communication and the human body the most effective form for traversing the manmade areas of the planet. Thus, developing RHRs with high degrees of human-likeness provides a life-like vessel for humans to physically and naturally interact with technology in a manner insurmountable to any other form of non-biological human emulation. This study outlines a human–robot interaction (HRI) experiment employing two automated RHRs with a contrasting appearance and personality. The selective sample group employed in this study is composed of 20 individuals, categorised by age and gender for a diverse statistical analysis. Galvanic skin response, facial expression analysis, and AI analytics permitted cross-analysis of biometric and AI data with participant testimonies to reify the results. This study concludes that younger test subjects preferred HRI with a younger-looking RHR and the more senior age group with an older looking RHR. Moreover, the female test group preferred HRI with an RHR with a younger appearance and male subjects with an older looking RHR. This research is useful for modelling the appearance and personality of RHRs with EAI for specific jobs such as care for the elderly and social companions for the young, isolated, and vulnerable.


In recent years, improving quality of rail services by increasing availability, saving energy, and cutting the costs of infrastructure and rolling stock maintenance has become a central concern in the railway industry. Furthermore, considerable research efforts have been devoted to develop monitoring and health management solutions for the rail transportation systems. Streaming data from trains, infrastructure and signaling systems became a key subject for an implementation of a predictive maintenance. Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) is an approach that aims to support a predictive maintenance program. Basically, the first step to develop a PHM system is to identify critical components. This paper emphasizes on the critical components selection step. It presents a methodology to identify the critical components for the design of a PHM solution. The proposed methodology is based on objectives definition for PHM and it is applied to an Overhead Contact System (OCS)


For the least-developed countries and small-island states, excluding a standalone provision for loss and damage in the Paris Agreement constituted a red line, one that the negotiating groups refused to cross. For the developed world—and the United States in particular—any possible pathway to liability and compensation that a loss-and-damage provision might introduce was an equally bright and impassable red line. In the end, negotiators remained steadfast. Both lines remained more or less unbreached, and compromise language emerged in the Paris Outcome. 1 This article describes the process leading up to the Outcome, the language included in the loss-and-damage provision and its implications, and identifies questions that remain. In particular, the absence of a clear funding stream, the treatment of climate-related displacement, and questions regarding compensation for climate impacts are not completely resolved. These are, perhaps, the most compelling, confounding, and impactful elements of the loss-and-damage debate thus far. Based on the conclusion of the Paris COP , they are likely continue to animate the loss-and-damage discussion for the foreseeable future.


Biocompatible coatings with suitable chemistries for the immobilization of biomolecules are increasingly in demand, as they can be applied in a wide range of biomedical applications. In particular, multifunctional polymer coatings displaying reactive functional groups for the immobilization of specific biological factors that can influence the cellular response while at the same time exhibiting low nonspecific protein adsorption and cell attachment properties have the potential to significantly advance the fields of biomaterials and regenerative medicine. In this study, multifunctional polymer surface chemistries were developed for a cell microarray application with the aim of screening cellular interactions with surface immobilized factors. Coatings were prepared by the deposition of an allylamine plasma polymer pinning layer followed by the deposition of random copolymers of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA). Coatings were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements. A variety of proteins as well as synthetic polymers were printed onto copolymer-coated slides using a high-precision contact microarrayer. Printing conditions were optimized for a fluorescently labeled model protein in regard to the temperature, humidity, pin geometry, concentration, and pH of the printing solution. Finally, the suitability of the surface chemistry for the evaluation of cellular responses to surface immobilized factors in a microarray format was demonstrated using HeLa cells.


We report the evaluation of four techniques for Giardia lamblia diagnosis in children's stool. The Iron haematoxilin staining and direct examination with lugol showed lower positivity, while the method of Faust et al. Continues to be a good option for G. lamblia diagnosis and Immunoenzymatic assay increases the detection of this parasite.


Multiple-shot damage thresholds of dielectric reflectors have been measured at 248 and 308 nm. Standard irradiation conditions were a 10 ns pulsewidth, a 0.6 mm spot diameter, and a 35 Hz pulse repetition frequency. The reflectors, from various sources, were composed of oxide and fluoride films. Although damage was generally initiated at visible film defects, there was no correlation between damage susceptibility and the appearance of these defects. At levels near threshold, damage was most often observed as an increase in white-light scatter of a site with no growth upon continued irradiation; at higher levels the damage site grew with successive shots. Test sites were subjected to at least 103shots and some sites received as many as 2.5 \times 10^{4} shots; however, with only one exception, damage was found to occur within the first few shots or not at all. Reflectors at 248 nm typically had damage thresholds in the 1.0-1.8 J/cm2range with two samples exhibiting unexpectedly high thresholds of 2.8 and 3.0 J/cm2. In some cases, a subthreshold preirradiation treatment resulted in a 20-25 percent enhancement in damage resistance.


Background: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in medical schools has been continuously increasing, escalating the use of antidepressants. Despite this, a huge treatment gap persists, especially in traditional societies like India, where stigma towards mental illnesses is highly prevalent. Prejudice persists not only in the general population but also among medical students. Research on stigmatizing attitudes among medical students towards depression and its treatment is crucial to ensure timely interventions and promote mental wellbeing. Hence this paper aims to assess stigmatizing attitude towards depression and its treatment among medical and paramedical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Material and Methods: Google form was created and data collection was conducted through online platforms that included 474 students. All participants were assessed for depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, antidepressants awareness, and stigmatizing attitude towards depression and antidepressants by using a 21 item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and 28-item self-administered Depression and antidepressants knowledge and awareness scale (DAKAS) respectively. Results: In study population the mean age was of medical students was 22.07 (SD-3.17) years and paramedical students was 25.88 (SD-5.03) respectively. 80.4 % of participants were medical students and 19.8 % of participants were paramedical students. 12.2% of the medical students and 10.2% of paramedical students reported depression. 44.4% of the student's strongly agreed that happiness achieved through anti-depressants is fake happiness, while 51.9% strongly agreed that antidepressants are addictive. Conclusion: The findings suggest that awareness and proper knowledge about mental health are lacking among medical profession students and proper measures like medical education must be arranged to promote awareness.


In "The Birth of Purgatory," Jacques Le Goff, the brilliant medievalist and renowned "Annales" historian, is concerned not with theological discussion but with the growth of an idea, with the relation between belief and society, with mental structures, and with the historical role of the imagination. Le Goff argues that the doctrine of Purgatory did not appear in the Latin theology of the West before the late twelfth century, that the word "purgatorium" did not exist until then. He shows that the growth of a belief in an intermediate place between Heaven and Hell was closely bound up with profound changes in the social and intellectual reality of the Middle Ages. Throughout, Le Goff makes use of a wealth of archival material, much of which he has translated for the first time, inviting readers to examine evidence from the writings of great, obscure, or anonymous theologians.


A study has been carried out to evaluate the effect of passing electrical current through wiping palladium contacts. Different magnitudes of dc current, from 0 to 4 A, are used, and at 0 A the wipe amplitudes change from 50 /spl mu/m to 1 mm. Two types of contact resistance are examined: one is dynamic contact resistance monitored and stored during wiping by a digital oscilloscope, and the other is static contact resistance measured at the start of sliding by a digital voltmeter. In light of dynamic contact resistance measurements we propose a tentative mechanism for explaining the contact resistance degrading process; the comparison of static contact resistance during wiping with and without current demonstrates that passing electrical current through the wiping contacts can restrict the contact resistance degradation. This occurs by a self-cleaning action which scrapes the wear debris accumulated at the end of the wear track far away from the contact spot caused by thermal expansion. The evidence demonstrates that the critical wiping number, (N/sub c/), where the contact resistance begins to increase rapidly, is strongly dependent on the wipe amplitude at 0 A, but slightly affected by current. AES analysis results show that oxides mainly exist within the wear track, while polymers concentrate at the ends of the wear track. >


Advanced Computing, Networking and Informatics are three distinct and mutually exclusive disciplines of knowledge with no apparent sharing/overlap among them. However, their convergence is observed in many real world applications, including cyber-security, internet banking, healthcare, sensor networks, cognitive radio, pervasive computing amidst many others. This two volume proceedings explore the combined use of Advanced Computing and Informatics in the next generation wireless networks and security, signal and image processing, ontology and human-computer interfaces (HCI). The two volumes together include 132 scholarly articles, which have been accepted for presentation from over 550 submissions in the Third International Conference on Advanced Computing, Networking and Informatics, 2015, held in Bhubaneswar, India during June 2325, 2015.


This paper examines the impact of macroeconomic conditions on the education and employment outcomes of youths in school-to-work transition. The dataset is based on five different cohorts from the Youth in Transition surveys (YIT) and the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) and covers the period from 1985 to 2006, which is long enough to control explicitly for both poor and positive macroeconomic conditions. The multivariate analyses show that both the unemployment rates, and to a lesser extent economic growth rates, have an impact on youths' education and employment outcomes. Although the effects vary significantly by gender an education level, overall the results reveal that poor macroeconomic conditions tend to drive young people out of full-time work and into inactivity or part-time work. In addition, poor macroeconomic conditions tend to discourage further education. A result worth noticing is that males who did not complete secondary school suffer the largest increase in unemployment risks as the unemployment rate increases.


1. Digital tags were used to describe diving and vocal behaviour of sperm whales during 198 complete and partial foraging dives made by 37 individual sperm whales in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Ligurian Sea. 2. The maximum depth of dive averaged by individual differed across the three regions and was 985 m (SD = 124.3), 644 m (123.4) and 827 m (60.3), respectively. An average dive cycle consisted of a 45 min (6.3) dive with a 9 min (3.0) surface interval, with no significant differences among regions. On average, whales spent greater than 72% of their time in foraging dive cycles. 3. Whales produced regular clicks for 81% (4.1) of a dive and 64% (14.6) of the descent phase. The occurrence of buzz vocalizations (also called 'creaks') as an indicator of the foraging phase of a dive showed no difference in mean prey capture attempts per dive between regions [18 buzzes/dive (7.6)]. Sperm whales descended a mean of 392 m (144) from the start of regular clicking to the first buzz, which supports the hypothesis that regular clicks function as a long-range biosonar. 4. There were no significant differences in the duration of the foraging phase [28 min (6.0)] or percentage of the dive duration in the foraging phase [62% (7.3)] between the three regions, with an overall average proportion of time spent actively encountering prey during dive cycles of 0.53 (0.05). Whales maintained their time in the foraging phase by decreasing transit time for deeper foraging dives. 5. Similarity in foraging behaviour in the three regions and high diving efficiencies suggest that the success of sperm whales as mesopelagic predators is due in part to long-range echolocation of deep prey patches, efficient locomotion and a large aerobic capacity during diving.


This paper presents an improved multi-objective group search optimizer (IMGSO) that is based on Pareto theory that is designed to handle multi-objective optimization problems. The optimizer includes improvements in three areas: the transition-feasible region is used to address constraints, the Dealer's Principle is used to construct the non-dominated set, and the producer is updated using a tabu search and a crowded distance operator. Two objective optimization problems, the minimum weight and maximum fundamental frequency, of four truss structures were optimized using the IMGSO. The results show that IMGSO rapidly generates the non-dominated set and is able to handle constraints. The Pareto front of the solutions from IMGSO is clearly dominant and has good diversity.


HIV testing and divination are both performances that offer access to privileged knowledge about grave problems. In comparing this relatively new technology with a very old technology of knowledge, we consider the experience-near analogies in the ritual performance of discovery and the handling of uncertainty. Specialists must convince inquirers that the knowledge revealed is true. Inquirers test the provisional truths these practices offer by seeking a second opinion and by considering the outcomes in the light of previous and subsequent experience. The kinds of evidence deployed and the nature of the institutional landscape in HIV testing differ sharply from those of divination. Yet both practices show how tests must be embedded in the worlds they purport to affect.


We propose a fair and accurate peer assessment method for group work using a multi-agent trust network. Although group work is an effective educational method, accurately assessing individual students is not easy. Mutual evaluation is often used to assess group work because students can observe the contributions of other students. However, mutual evaluation presents some potential problems to discuss such as irresponsible evaluations and collusion. Our proposed method identifies and excludes such cheating and unfair ratings on the basis of trust networks that are often used to evaluate sellers in e-market places by using customers' ratings. We assume a group-work course in a semester in which students mutually evaluate other group members a few (three to five) times since too many chances for evaluation burden students. We introduce the iterative method for alternately generating trust networks and calculating cluster-trust values, which represent similarity of evaluations in a cluster network. Using a multi-agent simulation, we experimentally show that our method can find the irresponsible students and collusive groups and considerably improve accuracy of final marks with only a few chances for mutual evaluations. Thus, our method can provide useful information for assessments to instructors and reduce free-riders' incentives for cheating behaviors.


The present thesis describes the incidence and risk factors for pneumonia and especially ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Bacteria in samples from the lower respiratory tract of patients receiving mechanical ventilation are reported, including the duration of treatment prior to the first occurrence of different pathogens. The frequency of VAP using Swedish criteria (Swedish Intensive Registry, SIR) was compared with the VAP rate measured with international criteria (US Centre for Disease Control, CDC). Data were extracted from a local infection surveillance database (Paper I-IV) and a trauma registry (Paper II). In paper I the incidence and risk factors for pneumonia and associated death over a two-year period was studied in 221 patients on mechanical ventilation. In Paper II pre-hospital and hospital parameters associated with pneumonia within 10 days of ICU admission were evaluated in 322 ICU-treated trauma patients. Paper III focus on 443 bacterial isolates from the lower respiratory tract of 346 mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The occurrence of different pathogens was correlated with duration of hospital stay and time on mechanical ventilation at the time of sampling. In paper IV patients with (n=112) and without (n=224) a new lung infiltrate after ≥48 hours of mechanical ventilation were studied to evaluate the proportion of patients meeting different criteria used to define VAP according to CDC and SIR, respectively. Paper I shows that 15% of patients developed VAP, corresponding to a rate of 29 VAP/1000 ventilator days. Risk factors were aspiration, recent surgery and trauma. The 28-day mortality in patients with VAP was 33% as compared to 16% in those without ICU-acquired pneumonia. In Paper II risk factors for pneumonia were intubation at the site of injury, shock, an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of ≤8, major surgery within 24 h of admission to hospital, massive transfusion of blood and ISS > 24. Enterobacteriacae and Stafylocoocus aureus were the most common pathogens. Paper III shows that duration of hospital care and mechanical ventilation prior to sampling was ≤2 days for Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-streptococci and Haemophilus influenzae. With the exception of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the median duration of time on mechanical ventilation was short and similar for most bacteria. In samples taken on the first day of mechanical ventilation, the rate of pathogens expected to be resistant to cefotaxime was 23%. In Paper IV the SIR and CDC criteria for VAP was met in 84% and 93%, respectively, in 112 situations with a new infiltrate when applying a ± 48 hours time frame for the other criteria in relation to the occurrence of the lung infiltrate. It is concluded that VAP is a common complication in the ICU, especially among trauma patients. The most important risk factor for VAP in a general ICU patient is aspiration and for a trauma patient an initial GCS of <8. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriacae are the most common bacteria in samples from the lower respiratory tract in both general ICU patients and in a trauma population. Occurrence of pathogens resistant to common antibiotics increases with the duration of hospital care and mechanical ventilation. The diagnosis of VAP should rely on presence of lung infiltrate and microbiological samples from the lower respiratory tract; clinical criteria add little value. ISBN 978-91-7549-155-4


Airborne remote sensing, whether performed from conventional aerial survey platforms such as light aircraft or the more recent Remotely Piloted Airborne Systems (RPAS) has the ability to compliment mapping generated using earth-orbiting satellites, particularly for areas that may experience prolonged cloud cover. Traditional aerial platforms are costly but capture spectral resolution imagery over large areas. RPAS are relatively low-cost, and provide very-high resolution imagery but this is limited to small areas. We believe that we are the first group to retrofit these new, low-cost, lightweight sensors in a traditional aircraft. Unlike RPAS surveys which have a limited payload, this is the first time that a method has been designed to operate four distinct RPAS sensors simultaneously—hyperspectral, thermal, hyper, RGB, video. This means that imagery covering a broad range of the spectrum captured during a single survey, through different imaging capture techniques (frame, pushbroom, video) can be applied to investigate different multiple aspects of the surrounding environment such as, soil moisture, vegetation vitality, topography or drainage, etc. In this paper, we present the initial results validating our innovative hybrid system adapting dedicated RPAS sensors for a light aircraft sensor pod, thereby providing the benefits of both methodologies. Simultaneous image capture with a Nikon D800E SLR and a series of dedicated RPAS sensors, including a FLIR thermal imager, a four-band multispectral camera and a 100-band hyperspectral imager was enabled by integration in a single sensor pod operating from a Cessna c172. However, to enable accurate sensor fusion for image analysis, each sensor must first be combined in a common vehicle coordinate system and a method for triggering, time-stamping and calculating the position/pose of each sensor at the time of image capture devised. Initial tests were carried out over agricultural regions with geometric tests designed to assess the spatial accuracy of the fused imagery in terms of its absolute and relative accuracy. The results demonstrate that by using our innovative system, images captured simultaneously by the four sensors could be geometrically corrected successfully and then co-registered and fused exhibiting a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of approximately 10m independent of inertial measurements and ground control.


ABSTRACT Industrial diversification depends on spillovers from related industries and nearby regions, yet their interaction remains largely unclear. We study economic diversification in China during the period 1990–2015 and present supportive evidence on both spillover channels. We add to the literature by showing that these two channels behave as substitutes when explaining new entries and exits, and by using acceleration campaigns of high-speed rail to address some endogeneity concerns with regional spillovers. Our findings confirm the role of relatedness and geographical distance in the diffusion of economic capabilities and support the idea that improvements in transportation can facilitate the diffusion of productive capabilities.


Peracetic acid (PAA), a well known powerful antimicrobial agent in hospitals and in agribusiness (Fraser, 1986), has recently been used to disinfect urban effluents. It appears to be highly competitive against chlorine (Audic, 1990; Baldry, French, Slater and Desprez, 1990; Giodani, Iacoponi, Polidori, 1989), the most widely used disinfectant for sewage disposal. As PAA is a new biocide, not much quantitative data is available on its action against the faecal indicator bacteria and viruses. An on-site experimental study investigated the disinfectant action of PAA against these indicator bacteria and viruses as well as against Salmonella and enterovirus. To complete this study we will test its action on suspended solids to find out whether there is regrowth of the microorganisms after treatment. Multi-factor analysis in terms of criteria like inactivation efficiency, safety environmental impact, and cost will be used to compare PAA to chlorination and ozonation, the most commonly used techniques.


Historical Pattern Archive: Women's Clothing 1837–1969 is the first book of its kind to capture such a wide range of women's period patterns in one book, featuring 83 patterns spanning over a century of clothing.
 The book offers an accurate pattern of each garment on a 1/8" graph that can be used to scale the pattern up to its original size, drawings of each piece from multiple angles, and instructions about how the original garment was constructed and what materials were used. Capturing research and information about garments that would have otherwise stayed hidden or disappeared permanently due to age, wear, or poor storage conditions, this volume is designed to be a tool to preserve history through documenting vintage clothing.
 Written for historians, reenactors, costumer makers, and costume designers, Historical Pattern Archive will enable readers to study the history behind each piece, implement their original techniques, and recreate unique garments that are both beautiful and historically accurate.


BACKGROUND
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurs in approximately one in 1000 adults every year, and has an annual mortality of 14.6%. In particular, iliofemoral DVT can lead to recurrent thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a painful condition which can lead to chronic venous insufficiency, oedema, and ulceration. It causes significant disability, impaired quality of life, and economic burden. Early thrombus removal techniques have been advocated in patients with an iliofemoral DVT in order to improve vein patency, prevent valvular dysfunction, and reduce future complications, such as post-thrombotic syndrome and venous ulceration. One such technique is pharmacomechanical thrombectomy, a combination of catheter-based thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy versus anticoagulation (alone or with compression stockings), mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, or other endovascular techniques in the management of people with acute DVT of the iliofemoral vein.

SEARCH METHODS
The Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Specialised Register (last searched December 2015) and the Cochrane Register of Studies (last searched December 2015). We searched clinical trials databases for details of ongoing or unpublished studies and the reference lists of relevant articles retrieved by electronic searches for additional citations.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials in which patients with an iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis were allocated to receive pharmacomechanical thrombectomy versus anticoagulation, mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolysis (systemic or catheter directed thrombolysis), or other endovascular techniques for the treatment of iliofemoral DVT.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors independently assessed studies identified for potential inclusion.

MAIN RESULTS
We found no randomised controlled trials that met the eligibility criteria for this review. We identified one ongoing study.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There were no randomised controlled trials that assessed the effects of pharmacomechanical thrombectomy versus anticoagulation (alone or with compression stockings), mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, or other endovascular techniques in the management of people with acute DVT of the iliofemoral vein that met the eligibility criteria for this review. Further high quality randomised controlled trials are needed.


The price of agricultural commodity shows seasonal nature with low price immediately after harvest which increases gradually to reach maximum just prior to next harvest. The price of sweet orange and lime also exhibits strong seasonality due to their seasonal nature of production and higher perishability which may exacerbate the poverty of small holding farmers but also can increase the profit of farmers if it can be properly utilized. However, the knowledge about seasonal price movement of these fruits in Nepal is inadequate. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the seasonal price variation and business opportunities of Lime and Sweet oranges in Nepal which may be useful in developing appropriate policy response for price stabilization. The ratio-to-moving average method was used to study the seasonal price variation and business opportunities. The results from this study revealed the strong seasonal nature of price movement with the highest seasonal index in Baishakh for lime and Ashad for sweet orange whereas the lowest seasonal index for lime and sweet orange in Poush and Kartik respectively. The magnitude of price variability was high and the gross storage return for both lime and sweet orange was also higher. Similarly, the wholesale price of sweet orange and lime showed significant and increasing trend. This concludes that the earning from sale of lime and sweet orange is highly unstable due to the seasonal nature of their prices and the storage and sale of these commodity during the lean season of production would be profitable.


The Phylogenetics and Networks for Generalized HIV Epidemics in Africa (PANGEA-HIV) consortium has been vital in the generation and examination of near full-length HIV-1 sequences generated from sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we examined a subset (n=275) of sequences from Rakai, Uganda collected between August 2011 and January 2015. Sequences were initially screened with COMET for subtyping and then evaluated using bootscanning and phylogenetic inference. Among 275 sequences, 38.6% were subtype D, 19.3% were subtype A, 2.9% were subtype C, and 39.3% were recombinant. The recombinants were structurally diverse in the number of breakpoints observed, the location of recombinant segments, and represented subtypes, with AD recombinants accounting for the majority of all recombinants (29.8%). Within the AD subpopulation, we identified a potential new circulating recombinant form in five individuals where the polymerase gene was subtype D and most of env was subtype A (D-A junctures at HXB2 6760 and 8709). While the breakpoints were identical for the viruses from these individuals, the viral fragments did not cluster together. These results suggest selection for a viral strain where properties of the subtype A and D portions of the virus confer a survival advantage. The continued study of recombinants will increase our breadth of knowledge for the genetic diversity and evolution of HIV-1 which can further contribute to our understanding towards a universal HIV-1 vaccine.


The quality and developmental capacity of oocytes derived from in vitro maturation (IVM) remain unsatisfactory, which greatly impairs the efficiency and application of embryo technologies. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the supplementation of EGF, IGF-1, and Cx37 in an IVM medium on the maturation quality and development ability of bovine oocytes. The cytoplasmic maturation events of oocytes and the quality of in vitro fertilization (IVF) blastocysts were examined to investigate the relative mechanisms. Our results showed that the nuclear maturation and blastocyst development after the IVF of oocytes treated with 25 μg/mL Cx37 or the combination of 50 ng/mL EGF and 100 ng/mL IGF-1 were significantly increased compared to those of the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the blastocyst rate, and blastocyst total cell number and survival rate after vitrification of the EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group, were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), but lower than those of the FSH+LH+EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group (p < 0.05). The transzonal projection (TZP) intensity, glutathione (GSH) level, and mitochondrial function of the EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group were significantly higher than that of the control group, and lower than those of the FSH+LH+EGF+IGF-1+Cx37 group, in contrast to the results of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In conclusion, our results showed that the supplementation of 50 ng/mL EGF, 100 ng/mL IGF-1, and 25 μg/mL Cx37 in the IVM of bovine oocytes significantly improved their quality and developmental ability by increasing the TZP, mitochondrial function, and GSH level.


Evolution in Health and Disease. Stephen C. Stearns, Ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999. 344 pp. $95, £55. ISBN 0-19-850110-2. Paper, $45, £23.50. ISBN 0-19-850445-4. Stearns and the more than 60 participants at a 1997 conference on evolutionary medicine have produced a surprisingly broad yet readable volume, which demonstrates the applicability of evolutionary biology to problems of disease and suffering.


Chasing The Vote: Developments in the ways political parties conduct election campaigns By Timothy Andrew Jones The methods political parties use to engage the electorate during election campaigns undergo a continual process of re-evaluation and modification; this study seeks to further understanding of this process by proposing the concept of a toolkit of techniques from which those who plan campaigns make selections, based on the type of campaign and the resources they have available. Using data gathered from interviews of experienced campaigners, a case study from the 2007 local elections, and the author's own experience as a political campaigner, the development of campaigning is considered from the perspective of the candidate and campaigner 'on the ground'. Three main drivers of change are considered: increasing levels of partisan dealignment and a decline in party membership, the opportunities that technological innovations have afforded, and regulatory change. The development of new communication channels and the ease of accessibility to sophisticated technology are changing the basic processes of electioneering. Several of the new techniques now gaining favour place less emphasis on the need for face-to-face communication, allowing 'campaigning at a distance'. New data manipulation techniques allow campaigners to target voters in more precise ways, using personalised literature, email and the internet. Greater dependence on technology has led to the role of central party organisations becoming more dominant; many of the new approaches are also more costly than traditional methods, raising concerns about the abilities of minor parties


We investigated the dependence of temperature uniformity dufing millisecond annealing (MSA) on the pattern density and its effect on device characteristics and static random access memory (SRAM) yields with 45-nm node technology. By comparing flash lamp annealing (FLA) and laser spike annealing (LSA), we found FLA was difficult to use in our multiple MSA scheme without absorbing layers because of its high temperature uniformity sensitivity to pattern density. LSA was found to be more promising due to its lower sensitivity to pattern density and higher potential for enhancing performance. We also found hot spots were generated during LSA; however, these can easily be avoided by introducing LSA-friendly design rules.


The mutual fund industry has developed rapidly over the past 20 years; this can be attributed to the various advantages associated with mutual fund as opposed to other investment vehicles. Survival of the fund is solely determined by its performance in the market; this is determined by growth of fund investments and amount of periodic returns to investors for growth and value funds respectively. Kenyan fund market is still at its nascent and of late it has not been performing as well as compared to other developed fund markets in the world. Despite this, little research has been carried out to determine the reasons for poor performance and especially in studying the fundamentals that determine the fund performance. The purpose of the research was to study the fundamentals that predict mutual fund performance in Kenya. The essentials studied in the research included; Investment styles, fund characteristics, behavioral patterns, managerial capabilities and managerial capabilities. The research findings will be of utmost importance to the fund managers, investors, government and also academic fraternity. The study involved all the registered fund managers in Kenya which according to RBA stands at 16. The research design was descriptive and the researcher will . , employed census method of study where 2 questionnaires were issued to each registered fund manager; one to investment manager and the other to fund administrator. 27 questionnaires out of 32 questionnaires issued were duly completed and returned. The .data collected was first subjected to descriptive statistics including frequencies, . . percentages, means and standard deviations. Inferential statistics was also used in the study; in this case, Pearson's moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the magnitude of relationship between variables. The research established a positive relationship between fund performance and investment style, fund characteristic, managerial capabilities and persistence of returns. There is negative relationship between fund performance and behavioral patterns. The research recommends that the various fund regulators comes up with the necessary policies and laws to regulate the industry and also training of fund managers and investors on the funds best practice to improve performance. '


Author(s): Proyecto Derechos Civiles, The Civil Rights Project / | Abstract: Social science research strongly supports the Fifth Circuit's conclusion that the holistic consideration of race in admissions is a necessary complement to the percent plan for UT Austin to further its educational mission. UT Austin has a compelling interest in creating a meaningful level of inclusion of students from different racial groups and generating rich diversity to dispel racial stereotypes and foster educational excellence.A substantial body of rigorous social science research supports the Fifth Circuit's conclusion that the extensive outreach and recruitment efforts UT Austin implemented to obtain racial diversity under the percent plan, on their own, have not been sufficient complements to the percent plan to achieve UT Austin's educational mission. The claim that the percent plan is an effective alternative to a race- sensitive admissions policy relies on the Petitioner's effort to problematically lump African American and Latino students into a single category, concealing important differences related to the workability of the plan for each group. The percent plan, which relies on segregated school attendance patterns in the state, has not yielded the desired results at UT Austin. Whereas as a complement to the plan, the individualized consideration of race has enabled UT Austin to create a more stimulating and productive educational environment for all of its students.UT Austin's experience with the percent plan and analyses based on statistical simulations for other states show that percent plans alone, even in states where secondary schooling is largely segregated by race (as it is in Texas), do not yield the level of diversity needed to obtain the educational benefits of diversity. Giving weight to socioeconomic status alone does not produce the diversity needed to further UT Austin's academic mission, and relying largely or solely on socioeconomic status to achieve diversity is not a feasible alternative. The extensive experience of selective colleges and universities using alternatives to race-sensitive admissions decisions in other states, including California and Michigan, underscores the need for UT Austin's holistic policy. This evidence compels the conclusion that there are no effective substitutes for race-sensitive admissions decisions in generating the diversity required to further UT Austin's educational mission.There are great costs in not considering race in admissions in the narrowly tailored manner that UT Austin employs. Research on the impact of laws that ban the consideration of race in admissions shows that at selective schools these bans have led to de- clines in racial and ethnic student body diversity, including in the important fields of medicine, law, business, and science. Not only do these declines degrade the educational experiences of students, but they harm the nation's future. Research shows that barring the kind of consideration that UT Austin gives race in its holistic admissions system cannot only isolate and stigmatize admitted students, but may also harm race relations by limiting cross campus racial integration and preventing institutions from addressing and countering the ways in which race shapes the educational experiences of all students.


This paper presents aspects of the design, development and integration of open educational resources (OERs) on serious games design principles and gamification to foster good practices among faculty members of Higher Educational Institutions and other interested educators. The paper presents the methodology followed for the design and integration of OERs in this topic. The resulting modules are delivered through a synchronous e-learning platform and consist of thematic lectures, a variety of asynchronous tools for communication and support integration of OERs, serious games and gamification practices. Through its pilot implementation, learners became aware of aligning educational objectives to methodological principles and relevant tools using existing platforms, serious games and gamification aspects; they accessed videos and animations and they played games that let them realize the potentials of serious games in formal education or other learning contexts. Some preliminary results on their assessment are included.


Mathematic model of electro-hydraulic pressure servo test bench was obtained based on xPC technique. In order to improve the tracking performance of the pressure servo system a new nonlinear hybrid controller was developed according to the mathematic model, which composed of a classical PID controller and a fuzzy controller based on self-adjusting modifying factor. And interpolation method was used in the modifying factor fuzzy number model; a fuzzy switching mode was employed to avoid the undesirable disturbances caused by the switchover between the two control methods. The hardware-in-the-loop simulation results show that the problems of steady-state error for fuzzy control and rapidity for PID control are solved, and the comprehensive performance of electrohydraulic pressure servo is enhanced when load rigidity and mass changed.


The chemical and physical properties of Natural Hydraulic Limes (NHL) from a given manufacturer can change over time. Some quarries are deactivated or the extracted raw material properties vary depending on their geographical location. These variations in property make it harder for practitioners to predict how changing new products can be best used to match the requirements of a mortar for heritage conservation in terms of mechanical performance and durability. NHL in the UK market have been show to meet the requirements of BS EN 459-1. Although important for a consistent production quality this requirement employs tests based on standard samples which are unrepresentative in their nature. As a consequence, these seldom reflect the performance of mortars produced and used 'on-site'. Mortars formed from the same class of NHL often exhibit distinct variations in property. In this work, a selection of NHL binders were characterised using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and thermo-gravimetric analysis. In addition physical properties including bulk density, surface area and particle size were obtained. Initial chemical and physical properties were correlated to the final mechanical properties of the mortars produced with a readily available sand in a 1:2 mix ratio (binder:aggregate by volume). Distinct mechanical properties at the ages of 7, 14, 28 and 90 days were measured for the same class of NHL. These initial studies will be used to develop a model to predict the final mortar performance from an understanding of the chemical and physical properties of lime binders


Currently the base of the neuro-rehabilitation is the combination of neuroplasticity and functional task-based therapies. The stimulation of the brain and changes in the effective application of joint in the therapeutic use of robots. These devices are applicable for the purpose of functional replacement assistance or treatment. We present a review of the current state of technology and clinical evidence, as well as ongoing projects and future research in the area.


This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of vigorous athletic training on the ballistocardiogram. Ten varsity college basketball players were tested twice before the season began, twice during the season, and once from 4 to 6 weeks after the season was concluded. Ballistocardiograms were recorded before and after a standard exercise at each testing period. While the heart rates, particularly after the standard exercise, decreased with training, there was no statistically significant effect of training on the ballistocardiogram. This was thought to be due to limitations of the direct-body ballistocardiograph, particularly as influenced by changes in skin-fold fat of the subject. The immediate effects of exercise were an increase in amplitude and areas of the I plus J waves and the amplitude of the K wave. No immediate effects of exercise or of training were observed on the I-J or J-K intervals or on the respiratory effects on the ballistocardiogram. Submitted on October 1, 1959


In this thesis, a new design methodology and new tools for modeling and synthesis of real-time video processing systems are presented. A real-time video processing system is a system that performs computations on a continuous sequence of images. Image processing is a memory intensive application. This, in turn, leads to the design challenge of bridging the classical gap of speed between memories and computational units. Several techniques exist for building memory hierarchies that exploit data- locality and reuse in order to overcome this memory gap. However, the support from tools to aid the designer in dataflow analysis and memory design is very modest. Additional constructs for modeling electronic systems enable well-known sequential programming languages such as C/C++ to be used for system modeling. Ocapi and SystemC, two object-oriented specification methods are compared in a case study. In this study, SystemC is found to be the most suitable specification method for video processing systems. Most operations invoked in video processing are neighborhood oriented. For a video system designer, this spatio-temporal collection of pixels represents a natural abstraction. In addition, the same pixel neighborhood reflects data dependencies that are crucial to system synthesis. An extended SystemC modeling methodology, called IMEM is presented. IMEM can be used to capture memory transactions and stream interfaces based on the pixel neighborhood as an abstraction. Two important steps towards synthesis of video systems onto Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are presented. These two steps are parts of a decomposition of the complete synthesis task. Firstly, the optimal sizes and placements of all FIFO-buffers in the memory system are optimized. Bit-widths, pipelining and possible sharing of FIFO-buffers among several data flow dependencies are considered at this step. Secondly, the set of FIFO-buffers are allocated onto a set of dual-ported fined grained memories. Both synthesis steps are formally modeled using network flow techniques and linear programming. In addition, a synthesis method that can automatically transform an IMEM model of a single spatial neighborhood into a multimedia processor implementation is presented. The cache and the instruction scheduler performance are both optimized by the tool. IMEM is an application specific methodology that provides the nonhardware skilled video designer with an easy programming model and an FPGA synthesis tool. Memory usage is modeled separately from computation. This is a key feature since memory usage is accepted as being the biggest design bottleneck for video processing.


In this paper aluminum oxide thin film was prepared by anodic oxidation in various acid baths such as sulphuric acid, chromic acid and phosphoric acid with different concentrations. The thickness and appearance of the anodized films formed has been compared. The thicknesses of anodic oxide film, coating weight per unit area and coating ratio of anodic oxide film variation were determined with respect to the different electrolyte concentrations by using the thickness determination formula. Sulphuric acid gives the highest thickness aluminum oxide films, in the operation condition of 15% H2SO4 solution composition, 15V, 30±2°C, 100 mA, 60 mins.


This paper presents a theory of parliamentary systems with a proportional representation electoral system, a formateur selected based on party representation in parliament, and parties that cannot commit to the policies they will implement once in government. Government formation involves efficient proto-coalition bargaining, and elections yield unique strong Nash equilibrium outcomes. Depending on the status quo, minimal-majority, surplus, or consensus governments can form. If parties and voters are myopic and the status quo is subject to shocks, consensus governments and centrist policies occur only in a crisis. Otherwise, governments are minimal winning, and policies reflect only the preferences of the government parties.


The human natural killer-1 (HNK-1) carbohydrate comprising a sulfated trisaccharide (HSO3-3GlcAβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-) is expressed on N-linked and O-mannose-linked glycans in the nervous system and involved in learning and memory functions. Although whole/core glycan structures and carrier glycoproteins for the N-linked HNK-1 epitope have been studied, carrier glycoproteins and the biosynthetic pathway of the O-mannose-linked HNK-1 epitope have not been fully characterized. Here, using mass spectrometric analyses, we identified the major carrier glycoprotein of the O-linked HNK-1 as phosphacan in developing mouse brains and determined the major O-glycan structures having the terminal HNK-1 epitope from partially purified phosphacan. The O-linked HNK-1 epitope on phosphacan almost disappeared due to the knockout of protein O-mannose β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1, an N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase essential for O-mannose-linked glycan synthesis, indicating that the reducing terminal of the O-linked HNK-1 is mannose. We also showed that glucuronyltransferase-P (GlcAT-P) was involved in the biosynthesis of O-mannose-linked HNK-1 using the gene-deficient mice of GlcAT-P, one of the glucuronyltransferases for HNK-1 synthesis. Consistent with this result, we revealed that GlcAT-P specifically synthesized O-linked HNK-1 onto phosphacan using cultured cells. Furthermore, we characterized the as-yet-unknown epitope of the 6B4 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which was thought to recognize a unique phosphacan glycoform. The reactivity of the 6B4 mAb almost completely disappeared in GlcAT-P-deficient mice, and exogenously expressed phosphacan was selectively recognized by the 6B4 mAb when co-expressed with GlcAT-P, suggesting that the 6B4 mAb preferentially recognizes O-mannose-linked HNK-1 on phosphacan. This is the first study to show that 6B4 mAb-reactive O-mannose-linked HNK-1 in the brain is mainly carried by phosphacan.


Background Alteration of the gut microbiota through diet and environmental contaminants may disturb physiological homeostasis, leading to various diseases including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because most exposure to environmentally persistent organic pollutants (POPs) occurs through the diet, the host gastrointestinal tract and commensal gut microbiota are likely to be exposed to POPs. Objectives We examined the effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), a persistent environmental contaminant, on gut microbiota and host metabolism, and we examined correlations between gut microbiota composition and signaling pathways. Methods Six-week-old male wild-type and Ahr–/– mice on the C57BL/6J background were treated with 24 μg/kg TCDF in the diet for 5 days. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics, targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triplequadrupole mass spectrometry, and biochemical assays to determine the microbiota compositions and the physiological and metabolic effects of TCDF. Results Dietary TCDF altered the gut microbiota by shifting the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. TCDF-treated mouse cecal contents were enriched with Butyrivibrio spp. but depleted in Oscillobacter spp. compared with vehicle-treated mice. These changes in the gut microbiota were associated with altered bile acid metabolism. Further, dietary TCDF inhibited the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling pathway, triggered significant inflammation and host metabolic disorders as a result of activation of bacterial fermentation, and altered hepatic lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis in an AHR-dependent manner. Conclusion These findings provide new insights into the biochemical consequences of TCDF exposure involving the alteration of the gut microbiota, modulation of nuclear receptor signaling, and disruption of host metabolism. Citation Zhang L, Nichols RG, Correll J, Murray IA, Tanaka N, Smith PB, Hubbard TD, Sebastian A, Albert I, Hatzakis E, Gonzalez FJ, Perdew GH, Patterson AD. 2015. Persistent organic pollutants modify gut microbiota–host metabolic homeostasis in mice through aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. Environ Health Perspect 123:679–688; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409055


Damage induced by ultraviolet light or x-rays to the DNA of a eucaryotic organism, Tetrahymena pyriformis, is repaired by a process similar to the repair system present in bacteria. This repair process, which involves defect excision and subsequent resynthesis of the damaged section of DNA, occurs in the dark. Photoreactivation of damage induced by ultraviolet light is also indicated by a reduction in observed repair synthesis. An improved method for detecting repair synthesis is described. Repair synthesis is measured in parental DNA strands isolated from cultures that have undergone normal DNA replication after the repair process.


Background: The viability of using objective refraction techniques in the geriatric population for on-site nursing home care was assessed. The results of the three objective methods of refraction, manual retinoscopy, and two commercially available infrared autorefactors (handheld Nikon Retinomax and the table mounted Nidek), were compared. Methods: One hundred and eighteen eyes from patients in area senior centers were initially evaluated ophthalmically. The pupil size, media opacities, and macular appearance were graded following template guides. The eyes were then refracted manually and using the two autorefractors. Autorefractor measurements were repeated per manufacturer's instructions. LogMAR visual acuity was recorded with the manual and the autorefractor corrections; as well as with the patient's initial spectacle prescription if applicable. Results: Visual acuity with the Nidek autorefraction corrections was on average one line better than with the Retinomax autorefraction corrections. There was, however, no statistical significance in visual acuity when evaluating the three methods of refraction in eyes with opacities of Grade 2 or more, or in the category of small pupils ( < 2.5mm). The mean dioptric difference between all three methods of refraction was less than 0.25D in all categories. A total of twenty-eight eyes was rejected due to the instruments' inability to yield a refraction or because of missing visual acuities. The Nidek autorefractor had the most rejected measurements with eighteen eyes, the Retinomax had three rejections, and retinoscopy had none; the remaining rejections were due to missing visual acuities. Conclusion: The results suggested that all three methods of refraction yield similar equivalent sphere results. The refractive error corrections obtained from the Retinomax did, however, on average provide one line less visual acuity, but of the two autorefractors it had significantly less rejected measurements than the table mounted Nidek. Ease of measurement for the practitioner and the patient, as well as its portability make the Retinomax a viable option for the geriatric population.


Purpose: Histotripsy is an exciting new mechanism for ablating tissue in that it completely emulsifies tissue, leaving nothing behind but a liquid‐like slurry. Although clinical applications of this approach are still to be tested, it offers high promise for the use of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for therapy. Accordingly to the conventional approach, short (microsecond‐length) pulses of very high amplitude ultrasound are used to induce intense cavitation, which mechanically disrupts the tissue. We have developed an approach that involves longer (millisecond‐length) pulses. These high amplitude pulses develop into shock waves that induce superheated boiling in the tissue, resulting in very efficient tissue emulsification. Methods. Experiments have been undertaken in a variety of tissues and tissue phantoms; we particularly prefer transparent tissue mimicking materials that permit high‐speed photography. Histotripsy lesions (essentially holes in tissue) were generated in these materials under acoustic exposures that have been reported in clinical applications. Imaging modalities include MR, ultrasound, and high‐speed photography.Results. When ultrasound imaging is used to examine HIFU‐induced, thermal‐lesion formation, the appearance of hyperechogenicity often occurs. Although this hyperechogenicity has typically been associated with the occurrence of cavitation, we have determined that cavitation seldom generates enough backscatter to be detectable; rather, hyperechogenicity is more often associated with boiling. In particular, we have observed that when the HIFU intensity is sufficiently high that shock formation occurs, boiling can occur in milliseconds. The appearance of a hyperechoic echo is an accurate focus monitoring technique. Modeling, using weak shock theory, supports this occurrence of boiling. The time‐to‐boil can accurately be predicted by modeling and is very reproducible. Conclusions: Histotripsy can be generated by shock‐wave‐induced boiling, an approach that offers many attractive features.


The KROMM, "Knee Range of Motion Monitoring" is a knee wearable electrogoniometer composed of a knee angular sensor and a three-axis accelerometer placed on the thigh. The clinical relevance of this device is guarantee to the clinicians the possibility of an accurate assessment of the knee range of motion during walking and stair ambulation and to the patients with knee osteoarthritis a personalized rehabilitation also in the home setting. The aim of this stage of the study is developing the next version of the KROMM system achieving three main goals: 1.improving the activity detection capability of the algorithm incorporated into the sensors; 2.improving the ergonomics of the design for avoid sudden breaks and uncomfortable usability; 3.improving the user- friendliness of the app on the smartphone for help the patients in the home environment giving information about the time spent in each activity. In particular, the focus of this thesis is the implementation of the activities detection mechanism of this platform that will construct more flexible and refined decision boundaries around the clusters of walking and stairs ambulation amongst dynamic, heterogeneous, and individualized free living activities. In the first session of the study 17 healthy subject, aged 18-64 years, working in the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, were selected to perform the following instructed activities: sitting, standing, walking, ascending stairs, descending stairs, riding an exercise bicycle, using a rowing machine. Walking, rowing and bicycling were performed at different speeds. These scripted data were segmented, filtered and used for the construction of the model. The features selection step was performed using the relief and the DBI index and the classification with the application of a hierarchic random forest classifier with 100 trees. The first classifier of the cascade classified between "activities of interest" and "activities of no interest"; then between the "activities of interest" the second one discriminated between "walking ", "descending stairs" and "ascending stairs". The hypothesis is that the segmentation and the label of the instances will influence the features selection step and the classification and that the method of cross validation will affect the classification step. For verifying this hypothesis different attempts have been effectuated, changing one parameter at the time, starting from a model with the following parameters: -??Window of 5 s with no overlap -??Different labels for all the activities -??10 cross fold validation method This model was then validated on the unscripted data, data recorded for 9 hours for 4 of this 17 subjects, comparing the predictions of the classifier with the labels obtained from the images of a wearable camera that was wore facing the anterior direction of the human body. In this second part of the study to the subjects was given also a mobile phone with an application for reminding the activities to do. The aim of this thesis is providing a flexible classifier for a personalized rehabilitation a systematic approach to detect instances of ground walking and stair ambulation in uncontrolled living conditions and to understand how the borders of the clusters of the activities move depending on the number, the correlation and the labels of these instances.


A sensor design is presented based on waveguides of the order of 1 mm in diameter and 1 meter in length for the application of high temperature process monitoring. The critical issues of temperature dependence of the acoustic waveguide is discussed. Insertion loss data are presented on several waveguide systems for comparison.


: The causes, diagnosis, and treatment of candidal cystitis are reviewed. It is necessary to differentiate between colonization and infection because Candida organisms reside normally in the digestive tract of humans and do not normally exist in the urine. A diagnosis of candidal cystitis is based on a urine sample culture growth of more than 10,000 colonies/ml. Initial treatment involves removing as many of the precipitating factors as possible. The current treatment of choice is irrigation of the bladder with amphotericin B. Continuous irrigation with a three-way catheter is recommended over intermittent instillations. Oral flucytosine can be added to exert synergistic action in persistent infections, or when renal infection is suspected, or if catheterization is not desirable. The major problem with flucytosine is that many strains of Candida are initially resistant, and some strains may develop secondary resistance during the course of therapy. Because of its potential for toxicity, intravenous amphotericin B is reserved for systemic infections and for those infections refractory to more conservative therapy.


Abstract An investigation into the values of the Energy Release Rate (ERR) at the band crack's front in the rectangular plate made of multilayered composite material is carried out for the opening mode. The corresponding boundary-value problem is modelled by using threedimensional linear theory and solved numerically by using 3D FEM (Three Dimensional Finite Element Method). The main purpose of the current investigation is to study the influence of mechanical and geometrical parameters on the Energy Release Rate (ERR) at this crack front. The numerical results related to the ERR, and the effect of the mechanical and other problem parameters on the ERR are presented and discussed.


Norman Silber's exploration of a near-century of jurisprudential subjectivity reveals an extraordinary hunger for uniformity in the conception of the public good. In 1961, the New York Court of Appeals effectively ended the practice of substantive judicial review of nonprofit charters when it ordered the lower court to approve the articles of a white supremacist group. In the end, judicial discretion over charity incorporation fell during the general social rebellion against orthodoxy, the rise of advocacy and identity groups (notably the NAACP), the legal-process reform against ad-hoc judicial rulings in favor of administrative deliberation and consistency, and the reconception of property rights to include government licenses. The great irony that Professor Silber observes is that the corporate form no longer was the bane of liberals, but rather their salvation: as his book is titled, a 'corporate form of freedom.' As Professor Silber's study shows, we can add the act of obtaining nonprofit corporate status to the list of once-hotly-debated legal issues that no longer trouble us, but whose ghostly outlines remain. To the perplexity of law students, corporate statutes continue to explicitly grant perpetual life, the right to acquire and alienate property, and the power to sue and be sued. Going forward, the legal system will concern itself more with the harder questions of regulating charitable activity, and less with how charitable activity is organized.


Objectives Flight attendant occupational exposures include cosmic ionising radiation and circadian disruption. We wanted to determine whether these and other occupational exposures were associated with spontaneous abortion among female flight attendants. Method Female flight attendants from three US airlines in three cities were interviewed. Company records of over 1.9 million individual flights during the study period were assessed for exposure to galactic cosmic radiation, solar particle event radiation, and circadian disruption. Measures of physical job demands and other occupational factors were obtained from the interview. Cox proportional hazards regression models were adjusted for age, parity, and nonflying status. Results Among 2273 women interviewed, 840 pregnancies among 673 women met inclusion criteria. There was evidence to suggest that cosmic radiation exposure of 0.1 mGy or more may be associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion in weeks 9–13 of the first trimester (odds ratio (OR)=1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95–3.20). The risk of a first trimester spontaneous abortion was significantly increased with 15 h or more of flying during home base normal sleep hours (OR=1.54; 95% CI 1.07–2.21) and with high physical job demands (OR=2.49; 95% CI 1.49–4.16). Conclusions Spontaneous abortion was associated with several flight attendant occupational exposures. This is the first report of these associations based on a quantitative assessment of distinct exposures generated from individual flight records.


Polycarbonates were successfully synthesized for the first time through the anionic copolymerization of epoxides with CO2, under metal-free conditions. Using an approach based on the activation of epoxides by Lewis acids and of CO2 by appropriate cations, well-defined alternating copolymers made of CO2 and propylene oxide (PO) or cyclohexene oxide (CHO) were indeed obtained. Triethyl borane was the Lewis acid chosen to activate the epoxides, and onium halides or onium alkoxides involving either ammonium, phosphonium, or phosphazenium cations were selected to initiate the copolymerization. In the case of PO, the carbonate content of the poly(propylene carbonate) formed was in the range of 92-99% and turnover numbers (TON) were close to 500; in the case of CHO perfectly alternating poly(cyclohexene carbonate) were obtained and TON values were close to 4000. The advantages of such a copolymerization system are manifold: (i) no need for multistep catalyst/ligand synthesis as in previous works; (ii) no transition metal involved in the copolymer synthesis and therefore no coloration of the samples isolated; and (iii) no necessity for postsynthesis purification.


Hypertension in various experimental models, including spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), is associated with elevated rates of vascular collagen synthesis. The sympathetic nervous system is an important factor in the etiology of hypertension in SHR. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the α1adrener-gic receptor antagonist doxazosin on aortic collagen synthesis and on systolic arterial pressure in SHR. Doxazosin was administered either short-term (20 or 200 mg/kg/day by gavage over 5 days) or long-term (0.02 or 0.20 g/L in the drinking water over 8 weeks). Rates of collagen synthesis were determined by incubating aortic segments with 14C-proline in vitro and then measuring either the formation of 14C-hydroxyproline by means of high-performance liquid chromatography, or the amount of radioactivity liberated by collagenase digestion. Systolic arterial pressure was monitored with the standard tail-cuff technique. Both doses of doxazosin depressed aortic collagen synthesis at 8 weeks of treatment, but neither dose had any effect at 4 weeks. In the short-term study only the higher acute dose of doxazosin significantly reduced aortic collagen synthesis; the lower dose had no effect. In the short-term study doxazosin reduced systolic arterial pressure, with a maximum effect at 1–2 days. Tolerance to the depressor effect developed over the remaining 3–4 days, especially with the higher dose. In the 8-week study, the lower doxazosin dose had no effect on systolic arterial pressure, and the higher dose exerted a biphasic effect, moderately but significantly reducing systolic arterial pressure at 1 and 8 weeks of treatment. Assays of serum doxazosin levels suggested that the tolerance to the depressor effect was partially, but not completely, pharmacokinetic. The higher dose of doxazosin significantly reduced serum triglycerides, but none of the other treatment regimens affected serum lipid profiles (very-low-density, low-density or high-density lipoproteins or total cholesterol). The results suggest that the inhibition of vascular collagen synthesis by doxazosin in SHR may be to some extent independent of reductions in arterial pressure.


The design of linear analog circuits lacks models for state-of-the-art MOS transistors to accurately describe distortion effects. This is mainly due to inaccurate modelling of the mobility degradation effect i.e. the dependence of carrier mobility in the inversion layer on the normal electric (gate) field. A new mobility relation in agreement with experiment was obtained using quantum mechanical transport analysis.


During the last years, a remarkable breakthrough has been made in AI domain thanks to artificial deep neural networks that achieved a great success in many machine learning tasks in computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition, malware detection and so on. However, they are highly vulnerable to easily crafted adversarial examples. Many investigations have pointed out this fact and different approaches have been proposed to generate attacks while adding a limited perturbation to the original data. The most robust known method so far is the so called C&W attack [1]. Nonetheless, a countermeasure known as fea- ture squeezing coupled with ensemble defense showed that most of these attacks can be destroyed [6]. In this paper, we present a new method we call Centered Initial Attack (CIA) whose advantage is twofold : first, it insures by construc- tion the maximum perturbation to be smaller than a threshold fixed beforehand, without the clipping process that degrades the quality of attacks. Second, it is robust against recently introduced defenses such as feature squeezing, JPEG en- coding and even against a voting ensemble of defenses. While its application is not limited to images, we illustrate this using five of the current best classifiers on ImageNet dataset among which two are adversarialy retrained on purpose to be robust against attacks. With a fixed maximum perturbation of only 1.5% on any pixel, around 80% of attacks (targeted) fool the voting ensemble defense and nearly 100% when the perturbation is only 6%. While this shows how it is difficult to defend against CIA attacks, the last section of the paper gives some guidelines to limit their impact.


This research work deals with the implication of modern retailing at not only in Dhaka, Bangladesh but also the whole district in Bangladesh with main objectives to find out technological activity, impact on modern welfare..