Objectives To examine the individual and combined associations of unhealthy behaviours (low/intermediate physical activity, consuming fruit and vegetables less than once a day, current smoking/short term ex-smoking, never/former/heavy alcohol drinking), assessed at start of follow-up, with hazard of disability among older French adults and to assess the role of potential mediators, assessed repeatedly, of these associations. Design Population based cohort study. Setting Dijon centre of Three-City study. Participants 3982 (2410 (60.5%) women) French community dwellers aged 65 or over included during 1999-2001; participants were disability-free at baseline when health behaviours were assessed. Main outcome measure Hierarchical indicator of disability (no, light, moderate, severe) combining data from three disability scales (mobility, instrumental activities of daily living, basic activities of daily living) assessed five times between 2001 and 2012. Results During the 12 year follow-up, 1236 participants (861 (69.7%) women) developed moderate or severe disability. Interval censored survival analyses (adjusted for age, sex, marital status, and education) showed low/intermediate physical activity (hazard ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.48 to 2.00), consuming fruit and vegetables less than once a day (1.24, 1.10 to 1.41), and current smoking/short term ex-smoking (1.26, 1.05 to 1.50) to be independently associated with an increased hazard of disability, whereas no robust association with alcohol consumption was found. The hazard of disability increased progressively with the number of unhealthy behaviours independently associated with disability (P<0.001); participants with three unhealthy behaviours had a 2.53 (1.86 to 3.43)-fold increased hazard of disability compared with those with none. Reverse causation bias was verified by excluding participants who developed disability in the first four years of follow-up; these analyses on 890 disability events yielded results similar to those in the main analysis. 30.5% of the association between the unhealthy behaviours score and disability was explained by body mass index, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, trauma, chronic conditions, and cardiovascular disease and its risk factors; the main contributors were chronic conditions and, to a lesser extent, depressive symptoms, trauma, and body mass index. Conclusions An unhealthy lifestyle is associated with greater hazard of incident disability, and the hazard increases progressively with the number of unhealthy behaviours. Chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, trauma, and body mass index partially explained this association.


We combine the formalism of a principal–agent framework with a value-based analysis in order to investigate the micro-foundations of business partner selection and the division of value in contracting relationships. In particular, we study how the key contracting parameters such as efficiency, transactional integrity, incentive alignment, and gaming affect outcomes when buyers face competing suppliers. We show that integrity and efficiency increase value creation and capture for all parties and are complements. While incentive gaming is unambiguously bad for value creation, and reduces buyers' value capture, it can benefit some suppliers. For alignment, we find that neither party has an incentive to use fully aligned performance measures that maximize total value creation. We conclude by analyzing buyers' and suppliers' incentives to invest in integrity


Ridge regression is a variant of regularized least squares regression that is particularly suitable in settings where the number of predictor variables greatly exceeds the number of observations. We present a simple, iterative, sketching-based algorithm for ridge regression that guarantees highquality approximations to the optimal solution vector. Our analysis builds upon two simple structural results that boil down to randomized matrix multiplication, a fundamental and wellunderstood primitive of randomized linear algebra. An important contribution of our work is the analysis of the behavior of sub-sampled ridge regression problems when the ridge leverage scores are used: we prove that accurate approximations can be achieved by a sample whose size depends on the degrees of freedom of the ridge-regression problem rather than the dimensions of the design matrix. Our empirical evaluations verify our theoretical results on both real and synthetic data.


ABSTRACT Title: Care coordination experiences of people with traumatic brain injury and their family members 4-years after injury: A qualitative analysis. Aim: To explore experiences of care coordination in the first 4-years after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A qualitative study nested within a population-based longitudinal cohort study. Eighteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted 48-months post-injury with six adults living with severe TBI and the family members of 12 other adults living with severe TBI. Participants were identified through purposive sampling from the Victorian State Trauma Registry. A thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: No person with TBI or their family member reported a case manager or care coordinator were involved in assisting with all aspects of their care. Many people with severe TBI experienced ineffective care coordination resulting in difficulty accessing services, variable quality in the timing, efficiency and appropriateness of services, an absence of regular progress evaluations and collaboratively formulated long-term plans. Some family members attempted to fill gaps in care, often without success. In contrast, effective care coordination was reported by one family member who advocated for services, closely monitored their relative, and effectively facilitated communication between services providers. Conclusion: Given the high cost, complexity and long-term nature of TBI recovery, more effective care coordination is required to consistently meet the needs of people with severe TBI.


Foreword. 1. Introduction. 1.1 What Is Veterinary Clinical Research?. 1.2 What Is The 'Scientific Method'?. 1.3 Errors And Truth. 1.4 Why Do We Perform Veterinary Clinical Research?. 1.5 Research From Practice. References. 2. Establishing The Hypothesis. 2.1 What Is The Question?. 2.2 What Are The Characteristics Of A Good Research Question?. 2.3 Selecting The Research Questions. 2.4 The Hypothesis. 2.5 The Question Doesn't Translate Into A Hypothesis. 2.6 Initial Study Design. 2.7 Problems With The Research Question And Study Design. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 3. Sampling, Subject Selection Criteria And Recruitment. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Surveys. 3.3 Observational Clinical Studies And Clinical Trials. 3.4 The Calculation Of Sample Size. 3.5 Summary. Reference. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 4. Variables. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Types Of Variable. 4.3 Measurement Scales. 4.4 Precision And Accuracy. 4.5 Summary. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 5. Introducing Statistics: Preparing To Make A Sample Size Estimation. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Statistical Principles. 5.3 Testing For Statistical Significance. 5.4 Other Statistical Tests And Choosing The Appropriate Statistical Test. Reference. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 6. How Many Animals/Patients Are Needed? Estimating The Sample Size. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Producing The Sample Size Estimate. 6.3 Sample Size Required Per Group For The Comparison Of Two Means. 6.4 Sample Size Required Per Group For The Comparison Of Multiple Means. 6.5 Sample Size Required Per Group For The Comparison Of Two Proportions. 6.6 Sample Size Techniques For Analytic Studies And Experiments. 6.7 Further Considerations When Estimating Sample Size. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. Appendix 6.1: Tables Estimating Sample Size Group For Comparing Two Proportions. Appendix 6.2 Tables For Estimating The Sample Sizes When Comparing The Means From Two Groups. Appendix 6.3 Tables For Estimating The Sample Size To Obtain The Value Of A Proportion. Appendix 6.4 Table For Estimating A Sample Size To Obtain A Value For A Continuous Variable With A Particular Confidence Width. Appendix 6.5 Tables For Estimating Sample Sizes For Studies Determining If Correlation Coefficients Differ From Zero. 7. Observational Studies: Cohort Studies. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Cohort Studies. 7.3 Prospective Cohort Studies. 7.4 Retrospective Cohort Studies. 7.5 Combined Prospective And Retrospective Survival Cohort Studies Across Time Andplace. 7.6 Nested Case-Control And Case Cohort Studies. 7.7 Multiple-Cohort Studies. 7.8 Planning A Cohort Study. 7.9 Cohort Studies And Prognosis. 7.10 Summary. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 8. Cross-Sectional And Case-Control Studies. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Cross-Sectional Studies (Prevalence Studies). 8.3 Case-Control (Retrospective) Studies. 8.4 Clinical Questions, Evidence And Experimental Design. 8.5 Summary. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 9. Clinical Randomized Controlled Trials. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Randomized Controlled Trials. 9.3 Cross-Over Designs. 9.4 Factorial Design Trials. 9.5 Features Of Randomized Clinical Trials. 9.6 Poorly Controlled Or Uncontrolled Trials. 9.7 Protocols. 9.8 Summary. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 10. Studies On Diagnostic Tests. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Measuring The Specificity, Sensitivity And Prevalence. 10.3 Tests With Continuous Measures. 10.4 Studies That Compare Two Tests To Find Out Which Is Better. 10.5 Prognostic Tests. 10.6 Studies Of Test Reproducibility (Precision). 10.7 Studies On The Impact Of A Test On Patient Outcomes. 10.8 Studies On The Feasibility, Costs And Additional Risks Of Tests. 10.9 Summary Of Clinical Test Study Designs. 10.10 Sources Of Bias In The Evaluation Of Diagnostic Tests. 10.11 Checklist For Studies Of Diagnostic Tests. 10.12 Examples. 10.13 Summary. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 11. Designing Questionnaires. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Designing A Good Questionnaire. 11.3 Designing Good Questions. 11.4 Design And Structure Of The Questionnaire Forms. 11.5 Reply-Paid Envelope. 11.6 The Covering Letter. 11.7 Pilot Testing. 11.8 Maximizing Response. 11.9 Follow-Up Letters. 11.10 Administration Of The Questionnaire. 11.11 Validation. 11.12 How Things Can Go Wrong. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 12. Study Implementation. 12.1 Pilot Studies And Pretesting. 12.2 Quality Control. 12.3 Revising The Protocol Once The Study Has Begun. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 13. Data Management. 13.1 General Considerations. 13.2 Computing Requirements. 13.3 Planning The Management Of Data. 13.4 Definition Or Coding Of Variables. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 14. Writing A Research Protocol And Applying For Funding. 14.1 Writing A Proposal. 14.2 The Elements Of A Proposal. 14.3 What Are The Characteristics Of A Good Proposal?. 14.4 What Happens Once The Proposal Has Been Sent?. 14.5 Sources Of Funding. Further Reading. 15. Writing And Reviewing Scientific Papers. 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Writing Scientific Papers. 15.3 The Structure Of A Scientific Paper. 15.4 Selecting A Journal. 15.5 Instructions To Authors. 15.6 The Peer Review Process. 15.7 Copyright And Proofs. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 16. Ethical And Legal Considerations. 16.1 Ethical Considerations. 16.2 Ethical Principles. 16.3 Ethical Review. 16.4 Informed Consent. 16.5 Criteria For Informed Decision Making. 16.6 Practical Guidelines On Obtaining Consent And Avoiding Problems. 16.7 Other Ethical Issues. 16.8 Data Protection Legislation And Confidentiality. 16.9 The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. 16.10 Veterinary Medicines Directorate Animal Test Certificates. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. 17. Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analysis, Critically Appraised Topics, Decision Analysis, Case Series And Case Reports. 17.1 Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analysis. 17.2 Critically Appraised Topics. 17.3 Decision Analysis. 17.4 Case Series And Case Reports. References. Further Reading. Mcqs. Answers To Mcqs. Index


If the international migration of doctors has been part of the "brain drain" debate, few
studies have focused on the question in depth due to statistical data limitations. An innovative
data source based on foreign-trained doctors over the period 1991 to 2004, made it
possible to draw up an overview of the migration flow of doctors, to study its impact and
draw economic policy implications.
The Asian countries record the highest emigration rates for doctors (India, the Philippines),
followed by Canada and the United Kingdom with France in 25th position. In 2004,
Subsaharan Africa recorded the lowest density of doctors in the world but a relatively high
emigration rate at 19%. In 2004, 60% of foreign-trained doctors were located in the United
States, the country receiving the highest number of doctors in the world, and 20% in the
United Kingdom. Australia, Canada and Germany each receive 3%, Belgium 2% and France
1.34%.
What effect do these migrations have on the origin countries both from an economic
point of view and in terms of health indicators? What lines of action or public policies can
be envisaged in the face of emigration? What form of international cooperation can be
envisaged in terms of health professionals' international mobility? What are the impacts
on the receiving countries' in terms of health profession regulation policies?


Purpose: To investigate the geometric and dosimetric properties of the moving average tracking algorithm compared with real time tracking and static beam. Method and Materials: Patient motion traces from the Cyberknife Synchrony™ were categorized into 3 types of motion: a regular motion with/without baseline drift and irregular motion. Each motion trace was reproduced with the help of a 4D motion platform. Time averaged mean position of the phantom was used to control dMLC position in the perpendicular direction to the leaf travel. Geometric accuracy, delivery efficiency and dose distribution were evaluated for static, IMRT step‐and‐shoot and sliding window plan using simulated and patient motion traces. The geometric accuracy was calculated from the displacement between the target center and the beam center using a real‐time beam's‐eye‐view videos with a circular aperture. For dosimetric measurements, PTW ion chamber array (model 729) was sandwiched between 2 cm thickness of solid water phantoms and irradiated for one field. Dosimetric impact was quantified via gamma index with a 3% dose‐3mm criterion. Results: The difference of RMS geometric error (mm) between the real‐time tracking and moving average tracking was about 3 mm which was similar to errors caused by random motion. The percentages of failing points in the gamma analysis for moving average tracking were reduced by above half of the percent difference between no compensation and real‐time tracking. Delivery efficiencies for moving average tracking were above 97% comparable to static delivery case. Conclusions: Mean position tracking was useful for compensating a baseline drift to improve a geometric and delivery accuracy with high delivery efficiency.


The T‐box gene family, encoding related DNA‐binding transcriptional regulators, plays an essential role in controlling many aspects of embryogenesis in a wide variety of organisms. The T‐box genes exhibit diverse patterns of spatial and temporal expression in the developing embryo, and both genetic and molecular embryological studies have demonstrated their importance in regulating cell fate decisions that establish the early body plan, and in later processes underlying organogenesis. Despite these studies, little is known of either the regulation of the T‐box genes or the identities of their transcriptional targets. The aim of this review is to examine the diverse yet conserved roles of several T‐box genes in regulating early patterning in chordates and to discuss possible mechanisms through which this functional diversity might arise. Developmental Dynamics 229:201–218, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Direct measurements of the phase separation relative humidity (RH) and morphology of aerosol particles consisting of liquid organic and aqueous inorganic domains are presented. Single droplets of mixed phase composition are captured in a gradient force optical trap, and the evolving size, refractive index (RI), and morphology are characterized by cavity-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Starting at a RH above the phase separation RH, the trapped particle is dried to lower RH and the transition to a phase-separated structure is inferred from distinct changes in the spectroscopic fingerprint. In particular, the phase separation RHs of droplets composed of aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG-400)/ammonium sulfate and a mixture of C6-diacids/ammonium sulfate are probed, inferring the RH from the RI of the droplet immediately prior to phase separation. The observed phase separation RHs occur at RH marginally higher (at most 4%) than reported in previous measurements made from studies of particles deposited on hydrophobic surfaces by brightfield imaging. Clear evidence for the formation of phase-separated droplets of core-shell morphology is observed, although partially engulfed structures can also be inferred to form. Transitions between the different spectroscopic signatures of phase separation suggest that fluctuations in morphology can occur. For droplets that are repeatedly cycled through the phase separation RH, the water activity at phase separation is found to be remarkably reproducible (within ±0.0013) and is the same for the 1-phase to 2-phase transition and the 2-phase to 1-phase transition. By contrast, larger variation between the water activities at phase separation is observed for different droplets (typically ±0.02).


Agricultural activities have historically had great importance in the Economy, and within such context the environment was relegated to secondary importance. Major impacts occurred in environmental degradation terms, leading to the question about which effects towns would have withstood and which similar characteristics are among them. This study attempted to quantify the environmental degradation level of Minas Gerais State's towns. Specifically, a multivariate analysis attempted to determine such economic, population and biological indicators causing environmental degradation; next, to quantify the degradation in those cities and, finally, to group them according to their similarities. The results showed an average degradation indicator (ID) of 86% for Minas Gerais State; it should be pointed out that more than 40% of those cities had ID values equal to 1. Additionally, other index values were shown above 0.70 that means 70% of the area degraded. The exceptions were the cities of Senator Amaral and Bom Repouso with minimum IDs of 0.04 and 0.10, respectively.


BACKGROUND
The cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene encodes one of the most important enzymes of the Phase I drug metabolism, which is involved in the metabolism of many lipophilic xenobiotics, such as haloperidol, theophylline, phenacetine, and others. The recently discovered single nucleotide polymorphisms CYP1A2*1C (-3860G-->A) in the 5' flanking region of the gene and CYP1A2*1F (-163C-->A) in intron 1 seem to interfere with the expression rate or catalytic function of the enzyme. Polymorphism carriers may either have a risk of reduced drug degradation and side effects, or may present with an increased induction of enzymatic activity resulting in clinical non-response to the prescribed therapy. We investigated two populations, a mental disease group and a healthy control group, to identify whether these two genetic variants are correlated with the general development of a mental disorder and if they could potentially be used as predictive markers for manifestation of the same.

METHODS
Using specifically designed primers, we established a high-throughput multiplex screening realtime PCR method for the two polymorphisms on the CYP1A2 gene with the Roche LightCycler instrument.

RESULTS
We analysed the two cohorts to identify whether one of the two described genetic variants may be associated with the manifestation of a mental disorder in general. For the CYP1A2*1C variant, we identified an allele frequency of 1.7% for both cohorts. For the CYP1A*1F polymorphism, we found an allele frequency of 74.5% for the mental disease group and 68.6% for the healthy control group.

CONCLUSIONS
This new diagnostic method of multiplex detection may be helpful to routinely identify carriers of CYP1A2 variants and to improve the therapeutic effectiveness by selection of the most appropriate therapeutic regimen. As a result of this pilot study, there appeared to be no significant correlation between the existence of one of the investigated genetic variants and the development of a mental disorder.


Earlier studies on the equilibrium properties of standard dynamic macroeconomic models have shown that an inflation-targeting central bank imposes strict budgetary requirements on fiscal policy needed to obtain a unique and stable equilibrium. The failure of only one fiscal authority within a monetary union to meet these requirements already results in non-existence of equilibrium and an unstable monetary union. We show that such outcomes can be averted if fiscal authorities can make a credible commitment to switch to more sustainable fiscal regimes in the future. In addition, we illustrate how alternative policy measures, such as fiscal bailouts and debt monetization by the central bank, also broaden the range of policy stances under which monetary unions are stable.


Free radicals generated within subcellular compartments damage macromolecules which lead to severe structural changes and functional alterations of cellular organelles. A manifestation of free radical injury to biological membranes is the process of lipid peroxidation, an autooxidative chain reaction in which polyunsaturated fatty acids in the membrane are the substrate. There is considerable evidence that damage to polyunsaturated fatty acids tends to reduce membrane fluidity. However, adequate levels of fluidity are essential for the proper functioning of biological membranes. Thus, there is considerable interest in antioxidant molecules which are able to stabilize membranes because of their protective effects against lipid peroxidation. Melatonin is an indoleamine that modulates a wide variety of endocrine, neural and immune functions. Over the last two decades, intensive research has proven this molecule, as well as its metabolites, to possess substantial antioxidant activity. In addition to their ability to scavenge several reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, melatonin increases the activity of the glutathione redox enzymes, that is, glutathione peroxidase and reductase, as well as other antioxidant enzymes. These beneficial effects of melatonin are more significant because of its small molecular size and its amphipathic behaviour, which facilitates ease of melatonin penetration into every subcellular compartment. In the present work, we review the current information related to the beneficial effects of melatonin in maintaining the fluidity of biological membranes against free radical attack, and further, we discuss its implications for ageing and disease.


Health in Colombia is now a fundamental right that has to be provided and protected by the government. We evaluated the strengths and difficulties of the health system with respect to the statutory law enacted in February 2015, using methodologies for analysis of health systems proposed by the WHO and the World Bank. The challenges include the fragmentation and specialization of services, access barriers and incentives that are not aligned with the quality, weak governance, multiple actors with little coordination and information system that does not measure results. The government needs to find a necessary social agreement, a balance between the particular and the collective benefit.


Development of doubled haploid lines of upland rice through anther culture is one way to obtain superior upland rice varieties tolerant to drought. The objectives of this research were to determine the response of doubled haploid lines to drought stress at seedling stage and to select tolerant doubled haploid lines. The research was conducted at a screenhouse of Muara Research Station, Indonesia Center of Rice Research (ICRR) from November to December 2017. Fourteen doubled haploid lines and 4 check varieties, namely Inpago 10 and Limboto, Salumpikit (drought tolerant check) and IR 20 (drought sensitive check) were used in this study. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The observations were conducted on leaf rolling, leaf drought, and recovery ability. Based on Friedman nonparametric analysis, HR-5-7-1-1 and HR-7-15-2-1 had moderate response with estimated median values for leaf rolling of 3.44 and 3.00, respectively. Three doubled haploid lines namely HR-2-27-2-7, HR-2-34-1-3 and HR-7-15-2-1 had moderate response to drought with estimated median value of leaf drought of 3.56. Nine lines of doubled haploid had tolerant response with estimated median value of recovery ability of 1.00-1.56. Based on weighted selection index, nine doubled haploid lines with positive and high selection index were identified; however, only two lines (HR-7-15-2-1 and B3-2) had selection index higher than Inpago 10 and Limboto.Keywords: drought tolerance, leaf rolling, recovery, weighted selection index


The beneficial effects of beetroot juice supplementation (BJS) have been tested during cycling, walking, and running. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether BJS can also improve performance in swimmers. Fourteen moderately trained male master swimmers were recruited and underwent two incremental swimming tests randomly assigned in a pool during which workload, oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), and aerobic energy cost (AEC) of swimming were measured. One was a control swimming test (CSW) and the other a swimming test after six days of BJS (0.5l/day organic beetroot juice containing about 5.5 mmol of NO3−). Results show that workload at anaerobic threshold was significantly increased by BJS as compared to the CSW test (6.3 ± 1 and 6.7 ± 1.1 kg during the CSW and the BJS test respectively). Moreover, AEC was significantly reduced during the BJS test (1.9 ± 0.5 during the SW test vs. 1.7 ± 0.3 kcal·kg−1·h−1 during the BJS test). The other variables lacked a statistically significant effect with BJS. The present investigation provides evidence that BJS positively affects performance of swimmers as it reduces the AEC and increases the workload at anaerobic threshold.


BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression lead to extensive utilization of the health service. Frequency and extent of symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed in the elderly general population. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD In a random community sample of 622 elderly persons aged above 60 years (mean age 69.55 years; 56.1% women), the frequency of anxiety and depression was assessed by means of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS Probable anxiety was found in 7.6% of the elderly, probable depression in 27.5%. Negative affectivity (based on the total scale) was found in 31.7% of the elderly. Self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms correlated to a considerable extent (r = 0.69). There were higher rates of probable anxiety and depression in women than in men. However, a significant effect of the sex on anxiety and depression scores was not found. There was a significant effect of age, with higher depression rates with increasing age. Anxiety and depression correlate significantly positively with the fatigue syndrome and with subjective bodily complaints and significantly negatively with different aspects of quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Physical complaints in the elderly cannot be directly traced back to age-correlated multimorbidity. Rather, elderly persons with nonspecific bodily complaints and fatigue should also be screened for anxiety and depression.


Fan motors assy in the air conditioning system of the vehicle are one component that works to blow air into the vehicle room, and also serves to increase the air pressure volume that will be flowed in the vehicle room. In the assembly process of the motor motor assy the XXX model is by using a pressing method to combine the motor blower with the impeller, in the impeller pressing process, the reject product occurs which is crack in the impeller hole during the pressing process. This happens because the dimensions of the impeller are not standard, namely the dimensions of the hole in the impeller has experienced a shift deviation of 0.15 mm from the standard tolerance ┴ 0.1 mm. At 0.15 mm shift deviation, it is found that the slope of 1° has the potential to crack in the impeller hole during the pressing process, because the material on the impeller PPGF-20, is unable to withstand the twisting force of 1.388 KN when pressing process.


From the era of globalization every country is cautious about its image among other countrymen. In recent years, India is looking forward for good relationship with the USA. For measuring these relationships Indian government is aggressively trying to find new ways to understand 'how the USA persuading India?'. Newspaper media plays a crucial role in developing a personal view on any topic as people trust more on newspaper media than any other means of media. News headlines are articulated in such a way that it stands for the whole news. By doing the sentiment analysis on news headlines related to India in the USA newspaper can help Indian government to understand the USA sentiments in real time. In this research project Semantic Oriented Approach which is based on SentiWordNet lexicon and machine learning techniques such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Nave Bayes, Long Short-Term Memory, Concurrent Neural Network used for sentiment analysis. Results and findings of these techniques can help Indian government to do real time sentiment analysis on news headlines related to India in the USA newspapers.


Imaging of the structure of single proteins or other biomolecules with atomic resolution would be enormously beneficial to structural biology. X-ray free-electron lasers generate highly intense and ultrashort x-ray pulses, providing a route towards imaging of single molecules with atomic resolution. The information on molecular structure is encoded in the coherent x-ray scattering signal. In contrast to crystallography there are no Bragg reflections in single molecule imaging, which means the coherent scattering is not enhanced. Consequently, a background signal from incoherent scattering deteriorates the quality of the coherent scattering signal. This background signal cannot be easily eliminated because the spectrum of incoherently scattered photons cannot be resolved by usual scattering detectors. We present an ab initio study of incoherent x-ray scattering from individual carbon atoms, including the electronic radiation damage caused by a highly intense x-ray pulse. We find that the coherent scattering pattern suffers from a significant incoherent background signal at high resolution. For high x-ray fluence the background signal becomes even dominating. Finally, based on the atomic scattering patterns, we present an estimation for the average photon count in single molecule imaging at high resolution. By varying the photon energy from 3.5 keV to 15 keV, we find that imaging at higher photon energies may improve the coherent scattering signal quality.


Within the framework of this Final Year Project in Mechanical Engineering an investigation is done for a Suitable Bonding Method for a Multi-Material Glove Compartment for Lightweight Design. The industrial partner of this Project is Swedfoam. Decreasing fuel consumption and lowering the carbon foot print for automobiles, lightweight construction is one of the key factors to achieve these regulations and more crucial these aims as future needs. Often a simple idea already has a great potential, such as replacing conventional materials with lighter ones in certain applications. Exactly this is done for the lid of a glove compartment; a metal plate, used as a core of the application beforehand is disposed and replaced with a composite, which decreases the weight of the lid significantly. A problem is faced with the new design of the inner lid of a glove compartment, because due to the lighter material the joining method is changed to bonding. Previously the bonding failed mainly due to temperature changes. A literature survey on the material data is done, as well as lab experiments on the used composite in order to characterize crucial material parameters required for the occurred problems when using bonding as joining method. The results from the experiments and literature survey are used to simulate different bonding methods with the commercial software Abaqus. Results from the simulation are presented using adhesive and tape as bonding methods. Finally it is shown, that it is most important for a successful bonding, where or respectively on which surfaces the bonding is done.


Human performance on various visual tasks can be improved substantially via training. However, the enhancements are frequently specific to relatively low-level stimulus dimensions. While such specificity has often been thought to be indicative of a low-level neural locus of learning, recent research suggests that these same effects can be accounted for by changes in higher-level areas–in particular in the way higher-level areas read out information from lower-level areas in the service of highly practiced decisions. Here we contrast the degree of orientation transfer seen after training on two different tasks—vernier acuity and stereoacuity. Importantly, while the decision rule that could improve vernier acuity (i.e. a discriminant in the image plane) would not be transferable across orientations, the simplest rule that could be learned to solve the stereoacuity task (i.e. a discriminant in the depth plane) would be insensitive to changes in orientation. Thus, given a read-out hypothesis, more substantial transfer would be expected as a result of stereoacuity than vernier acuity training. To test this prediction, participants were trained (7500 total trials) on either a stereoacuity (N = 9) or vernier acuity (N = 7) task with the stimuli in either a vertical or horizontal configuration (balanced across participants). Following training, transfer to the untrained orientation was assessed. As predicted, evidence for relatively orientation specific learning was observed in vernier trained participants, while no evidence of specificity was observed in stereo trained participants. These results build upon the emerging view that perceptual learning (even very specific learning effects) may reflect changes in inferences made by high-level areas, rather than necessarily fully reflecting changes in the receptive field properties of low-level areas.


The importance of accurate mathematical modelling in the development of image reconstruction algorithms for electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been discussed in a number of recent papers. It is particularly important in iterative reconstruction schemes where the forward problem of calculating the electric potential from Neumann boundary data is solved many times. One area which needs to be considered is the mathematical modelling of the electrodes used in the technique. In this paper we discuss one of the more sophisticated models which has been proposed and present the results of a number of numerical and analytic calculations which we have made as a contribution to the understanding of this question.


We introduce a novel approach for conservation of endangered plant species in which ex situ collections maintained in natural or semi-natural environment are a part of a complementary ex situ – in situ conservation strategy. We provide detailed guidelines for 1) representative sampling of the populations; 2) collection maintenance; and 3) utilization for in situ actions. Our approach is the fi rst that explicitly takes into account ecologically signifi cant (i.e. adaptive) variation of plants in both ex situ and in situ conservation actions. We propose that an important part of the conservation strategy is preserving both neutral and adaptive genetic diversity through a quasi in situ conservation approach. Finally, we demonstrate this approach using a critically endangered plant species, Iris atrofusca from the northern Negev, Israel.


Clinical course of wound process in the eye was studied in 279 patients with penetrating wounds of different severity. Modern microsurgical and drug treatment of penetrating wounds results in a favorable course in 2/3 (77.4%) of patients, while in the rest 22.6% the course of healing was complicated by intraocular infection (10.7%) and chronic noninfectious posttraumatic uveitis (11.7%). Risk factors of a complicated course were defined, among which of special importance are specific features of the injury and secondary immunodeficiency, clinically manifesting by chronic inflammatory diseases, predominantly of the ENT organs and bronchopulmonary system.


Governments are particularly salient stakeholders for business ethics. They act on societal needs and social expectations, and have the political and legal powers to restrict or expand the economic freedoms of business as well as the legitimacy and often urgency to do so. We draw on two examples: the Business & Human Rights regime from a UN Global Compact perspective; and mandatory CSR reporting. Supplying integrated teaching notes and generalising on the examples, we explain how legal method may help students of business ethics, organisation and management – future managers – in their analysis of governments as stakeholders and their interests that drive expectations on firms. With a focus on analysis for responding adequately to stakeholder concerns, this article contributes to the emerging literature recognising the relevance of public regulation for CSR. More specifically, we contribute to the business ethics literature by explaining how legal method complements stakeholder theory for organisational practice.


Virtual Reality (VR) systems have been applied for education, training and entertainment purposes in the areas of military, safety training and flying simulators. In particular, Web-based VR training systems (WBVRTS) have been claimed to have great potential for many applications in training. However, WBVRTS are more complex compared with the traditional training methods which rely on manuals, instructions, and videos. Since VR not only reinforces the visual presentation of the training materials but also provides ways to interact with the training system, it becomes more flexible and possibly more powerful in designing the training system. In this study, we propose a WBVRTS framework based on SRK framework. A combat vehicle maintenance training system was developed into WBVRTS following the framework and structure. The proposed SRK framework for VR training system proved useful in guiding the design and development of the training materials. The study suggests that the design of VR as training tools should be based on user interaction and cognitive theories that support effective learning.


A child is described with chronic rhinitis, isolated absence of cilia in the nasal mucosa and findings suggestive of the Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. We believe that the cilia deficiency is primary and not secondary to infection since the nasal epithelium, other than lack of cilia, was normal, and because the history of rhinitis began at such an early age.


Due to its structural features, ZIF-11 is one of the most interesting materials for gas separation applications. Herein, we report a systematic study on the synthesis of ZIF-11 as a supported membrane. For this, we adapted optimized conditions for the ZIF-11 powder synthesis, identified in our previous works, to form ZIF layers on symmetric and asymmetric stainless-steel and asymmetric α-Al2O3 supports. Different techniques were investigated for the challenging layer formation, namely, in situ crystallization (ISC), multiple in situ crystallization (MISC), and the seeding and secondary growth (SSG) method. It was possible to deposit ZIF-11 on different supports by ISC and MISC, although it was difficult to obtain complete layers. SSG, in turn, was more effective in forming dense and well-intergrown ZIF-11 layers. This agrees well with the generally accepted fact that seeding considerably facilitates layer formation. Systematic studies of both individual steps of SSG (seeding and secondary growth) led to a basic understanding of layer formation of ZIF-11 on the different supports. The best membranes prepared by rub seeding and secondary growth achieved Knudsen selectivity. Improved gas separation performance is expected if the formation of defects can be avoided.


In this experiment, the ultrastructural effects of orally administered lead acetate on rat (Rattus rattus) spleen were studied. Rats weighing approximately 200-250 g were used in this experiment. They were divided into five groups, each one including five rats. Group I served as the normal control group while the others served as the experimental groups. The rats were exposed to oral administrations of lead acetate of 2.5 mg dissolved in 1 mL of drinking water per day. The administration lasted 96, 144, 336, and 432 h. The animals were anesthetized using chloroform inhalation and the peritoneum was stripped open and the spleen was removed and prepared for histological observation using a staining technique. Hypocellular white pulp, enlargement of venous sinusoids, clustering of heterochromatin in nucleus, vacuolation in the cytoplasm, swelling of mitochondria, and the distortion of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisterns were observed upon electron microscopic examination of the spleen tissue cells. These cytopathologic alterations indicate that lead acetate has some drastic toxicological effects on cellular structures.


Several attempts have been made towards implementing strong and protective firewalls on the network system as well as on the host systems, however, the traceability of the malware remains undetected in instances when the same lies in the lower layers of the network security. With respect to malwares, beaconing is the behaviour that encompasses of the practice of sending short as well as regular communications to an attacker or controlled host, from the infected host, for communicating that the infected host malware has been activated, and the same is alive as well as functioning, thereby ready to take the instructions. Beacons are considered as one of the suitable means for the detection of the malwares in the network security and therefore, focus has been made towards the same. The current study had employed the use of PSO and AES techniques for the detection of the malware beaconing to determine the threats within the network security. A model has been proposed based on these two techniques and the same was implemented to determine the efficacy of the proposed model. Based on the results that have been acquired from the tests that were conducted using the proposed model, it can be concluded that the utilisation of models based on AES and PSO techniques are indeed effective and therefore, can be used for the detection of the malware beaconing in any network security during cyber-attacks, so that the necessary steps can be taken for overcoming the issue.


In this study, a hybrid method is proposed to investigate the nonlinear vibrations of pre- and post-buckled rectangular plates for the first time. This is an answer to an existing need to develope a fast and precise numerical model which can handle the nonlinear vibrations of buckled plates under different boundary conditions and plate shapes. The method uses the differential quadrature element, arc-length, harmonic balance and direct iterative methods. The governing differential equations of plate vibration have been extracted considering shear deformations and the initial geometric imperfection. The solution is assumed to be the sum of the static and dynamic parts which upon inserting them into the governing equations, convert them into two sets of nonlinear differential equations for static and dynamic behaviors of the plate. First, the static solution is calculated using a combination of the differential quadrature element method and an arc-length strategy. Then, putting the first step solutions into the dynamic nonlinear differential equations, the nonlinear frequencies and modal shapes of the plate are extracted using the harmonic balance and direct iterative methods. Comparing the obtained solutions with those published in the literature confirms the accuracy and the precision of the proposed method. The results show that an increase in the nonlinear vibration amplitude increases the nonlinear frequencies.


It's 1903 and Mr. Tweedle has decided to roll with the times, purchasing a brand new automobile for his bicycle-riding family. But a noisy, gasoline-powered contraption doesn't suit this freethinking crew; instead, they roll through town in their electric car, excitedly proclaiming its virtues ("It's green!"; "It's smart!") to their fellow motorists. At least, Papa, Mama, and eight-year-old Frankie do, though twelveyear-old Frances barely glances from her books to acknowledge the car "with an electric heart." When an emergency forces her into the driver's seat, quite literally, Frances finds that not only can she operate the car, but she loves doing so—and doesn't even get a nosebleed speeding along at ten miles per hour. This charming portrayal of the eccentric, unselfconscious Tweedles winks at its audience through both its sly text and playful pictures, where Lafrance's graphite and mixed-media drawings in a fitting palette of greens and yellows capture the family's quaint but rapidly expanding world. The characters' expressive features and body language, coupled with the authentic-feeling language and dialogue, make this perfect for a classroom readaloud, where the Tweedles can demonstrate not only the merits of environmental stewardship but also the beauty of daring to be different. AA


This paper reports on the implementation of a didactic sequence which addresses the oral genre selection interview, as a support in the construction of a didactic model, focusing particularly on the evaluation process implemented. The interview was constructed as an oral genre, hence as a communicative social practice and the aim was to develop students' oral skills through activities grounded in Conversation Analysis (CA). The proposal was motivated on account of the research problem that investigates whether it is possible to develop, potentialize and optimize oral skills through the teaching and approach to text/discursive genres in high school, purposely designed for students who are concluding their technical/vocational education. From the research problem, the educational product developed encompasses a common situation to workers, whose preparation lacked a model directed at the applicant (interviewee). The integration of the oral element involved in a text production requires, firstly, a social practice that is built in a collective context, the text is produced by means of interactions. Results bespeak a more conscious learning process involving language adequacy for manifold social practices, especially for formal situations of linguistic-discursive interactions, as is the case of a selective process.


Albeit being widespread and abundant in soils worldwide, bacteria of the phylum Acidobacteria have remained grossly understudied due to difficulties in their cultivation and isolation. To date, only 48 species have been validly described, including a single member of the phylogenetically diverse Acidobacteria subdivision 6. Here, we report the polyphasic characterization of strain HEG_-6_39T, a novel representative of Acidobacteria subdivision 6 isolated from a grassland soil in Thuringia, Germany. Cells of HEG_-6_39T are Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-capsulated short rods that form small dark yellow colonies. This slow growing bacterium is psychrotolerant and grows between 0 and 36 °C. It displays a narrower pH tolerance (5.3-8.3) than most acidobacteria. The strain is an aerobe that grows chemo-organotrophically utilizing mostly sugars and proteinaceous substrates such as peptone, yeast extract, casein hydrolysate and casamino acids as substrates. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids are identified as polar lipids. Major fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c), C18 : 1ω9c and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The major respiratory quinone is MK-8. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 64.7 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this bacterium was related to Vicinamibacter silvestris Ac_5_C6T with 93.6 % sequence similarity. Based on the present taxonomic characterization, strain HEG_-6_39T represents a new species of a novel genus for which the name Luteitalea pratensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of the type species is HEG_-6_39T (=DSM 100886T=KCTC 52215T).


During the last several years metachromatic stains have been applied to cultured cells derived from patients with a variety of inherited diseases. The initial studies on the genetic mucopolysaccharidoses (1, 2) showed that the appearance of metachromasia in fibroblast cultures from affected individuals and heterozygous carriers was correlated with the presence in the cells of chemically identified glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides). However, the metachromatic reaction employed in the conventional manner is not specific; it results from the reaction of the dye (toluidine blue) with negatively charged substances (3, 4) including intracellular lipids, nucleic acids, polypeptides, and metaphosphates. Since the initial observation on the mucopolysaccharidoses, metachromasia has been demonstrated in fibroblast cultures derived from clinically affected and normal heterozygotes in a number of genetic disorders and in a small number of presumed Ironcarrier individuals (5). Thus, the question has been raised (6--8) concerning the limitations of metachromasia as a diagnostic tool. Identification of glycosaminoglycans in tissues has been based on the observation (9) that cetylpyridinium precipitates of polyanions from solution can be selectively resolubilized by the progressive addition of electrolytes. The analogous histochemical method, (10) which uses Alcian blue in place of cetylpyridinium chloride, seems a feasible way to detect and identify specific glycosaminoglycans within the cultured cells. We describe here the application of this histochemical method to fibroblast cultures.


A control strategy named model-reaching control is applied to control the motion of robot manipulators. It is proposed to achieve this goal using the theory of dynamic variable-structure systems. For this purpose a dynamic compensator is introduced, forming the switching function such that the dimension of the sliding mode equals that of the manipulator system. The resulting motions of the system reach and stay on the desired motion of an ideal model. In this manner, good dynamic performance of the sliding mode can be prescribed. Several reaching strategies are proposed to steer the trajectory towards the sliding manifold. The associated reaching conditions are specified such that the desired motion of the model can be reached in a finite interval of time. A variety of algorithms are recommended to govern the rate of reaching the model while satisfying the reaching conditions.<<ETX>>


ABSTRACT Mycoplasma synoviae can cause worldwide respiratory diseases, synovitis, or subclinical symptoms in poultry. M. synoviae infection occurs throughout the yr and causes significant economic losses, including increased mortality, condemnations, medication, and live production cost. In the present study, the seroprevalence of M. synoviae among 44,395 non‐vaccinated chickens from 21 provinces in China from 2010 to 2015 was estimated using ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 41.19%. Seropositive rates in different yr ranged between 24.70 and 57.20%; the highest seropositive rate was observed in 2010, and the lowest was observed in 2013. The prevalence rates varied greatly in different provinces from 5.10 to 100%. Of the 463 commercial flocks tested, 375 (80.99%) were positive for M. synoviae by ELISA. The seasonal distribution ranged between 26.83% (in October) and 53.98% (in July). An investigation of chickens according to age further showed that M. synoviae can infect chickens at any age. Our findings indicate that M. synoviae infection is very common in China and should prompt further research into its prevalence to develop effective control and prevention strategies.


This paper proposes the solvency/liquidity spiral as an failure mode affecting large financial institutions in the recent crisis. The essential features of this mode are that a combination of funding liquidity risk and investor doubts over the solvency of an institution can lead to its failure.

We analyse the failures of Lehman Brothers and RBS in detail, and find considerable support for the spiral model of distress.Our model suggests that a key determinant of the financial stability of many large banks is the confidence of the funding markets. This has consequences for the design of financial regulation, suggesting that capital requirements, liquidity rules, and disclosure should be explicitly constructed so as not just to mitigate solvency risk and liquidity risk, but also to be seen to do so even in stressed conditions.


Does religiosity act as a buffer to all negative life circumstances? To explore this question, I study the relationship between income and happiness and I analyze the effect religiosity has on this relationship. I propose that income will have a bigger impact on the happiness of those who are non- or less religious compared to those who are very religious. The very religious believe that tough times are tests and they believe that God will, in due season, bless them too. This helps them stay happy and hopeful, even if they are not living in the best conditions. I use the General Social Survey, face-to-face interviews with adults (18 years and older) living in U.S. households, of 2016. I analyze the responses of 1,569 respondents. Consistent with existing research, income is significantly and positively correlated with happiness. However, the correlation between happiness and income is greater among those who are non- or less religious than among those who are very religious. The results confirm that religiosity acts as a buffer to negative life circumstances.


The functional testing of individual circuits is essential for device manufacturers when integrated circuits have not satisfied design specifications. What is required for the functional testing of modern high-density and fast IC and large scale integration (LSI) circuits is a method which has a time resolution in the subnanosecond region and a spatial resolution in the submicrometer region. Furthermore, the test probe must be easy to position on the circuit, and inspection should be possible without having to remove the passivation glass oxide. The authors show that all of these requirements can be satisfied by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the stroboscopic voltage contrast mode. A microcomputer-controlled SEM allows the testing of internal circuit operations with a time resolution of 0.2 ns, a spatial resolution of 0.2 /spl mu/m, and a voltage resolution of 50 mV. Application to a bipolar hex-inverter IC, a quadruple-multiplexer IC, and a 1024 bit PROM in the megahertz region is reported to demonstrate the efficiency of the system.


Understanding the evolution of reaction norms remains a major challenge in ecology and evolution. Investigating evolutionary divergence in reaction norm shapes between populations and closely related species is one approach to providing insights. Here we use a meta-analytic approach to compare divergence in reaction norms of closely related species or populations of animals and plants across types of traits and environments. We quantified mean-standardized differences in overall trait means (Offset) and reaction norm shape (including both Slope and Curvature). These analyses revealed that differences in shape (Slope and Curvature together) were generally greater than differences in Offset. Additionally, differences in Curvature were generally greater than differences in Slope. The type of taxon contrast (species vs. population), trait, organism, and the type and novelty of environments all contributed to the best-fitting models, especially for Offset, Curvature, and the total differences (Total) between reaction norms. Congeneric species had greater differences in reaction norms than populations, and novel environmental conditions increased the differences in reaction norms between populations or species. These results show that evolutionary divergence of curvature is common and should be considered an important aspect of plasticity, together with slope. Biological details about traits and environments, including cryptic variation expressed in novel environmental conditions, may be critical to understanding how reaction norms evolve in novel and rapidly changing environments.


Bacillus cereus was embedded in powdered activated carbon to prepare immobilized granule. Then, the granules was used to treat the Cr(VI) in tannery wastewater. The results showed the removal effect of Cr(VI) removed by the immobilized Bacillus cereus was better than either the single powdered activated carbon or the single Bacillus cereus. SEM photograph showed that the Bacillus cereus in the granules grew well. After the total chromium and the Cr(VI) in the solution and the granules were detected before and after treatment, it was found that the Cr(VI) in the solution and the granules was decreased, but the total chromium was changeless, which indicated that the removal of Cr(VI) with the granules was mainly as the results of both the chromate reductase produced by Bacillus cereus and the adsorption of activated carbon. The kinetics data of Cr(VI) removed by immobilized Bacillus cereus could be well-described by pseudo-second-order rate model. The experiments demonstrated that the immobilized Bacillus cereus could be selected as a new biomaterial to remove Cr(VI) in tannery wastewater.


Abstract : The Mission Routing Problem (MRP) is the selection of a vehicle path starting at a point, going through enemy terrain defended by radar sites to get to the target(s) and returning to a safe destination (usually the starting point). The MRP is a three-dimensional, multi-objective path search with constraints such as fuel expenditure, time limits, multi-targets, and radar sites with different levels of risks. It can severely task all the resources (people, hardware, software) of the system trying to compute the possible routes. The nature of the problem can cause operational planning systems to take longer to generate a solution than the time available. Since time is critical in MRP, it is important that a solution is reached within a relatively short time. It is not worth generating the solution if it takes days to calculate since the information may become invalid during that time. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) technique that tries to find optimal solutions to complex problems using particles that interact with each other. Both Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Ant System (AS) have been shown to provide good solutions to Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). PSO_AS is a synthesis of PSO and Ant System (AS). PSO_AS is a new approach for solving the MRP, and it produces good solutions. This thesis presents a new algorithm (PSO_AS) that functions to find the optimal solution by exploring the MRP search space stochastically.


I. Introduction "If you have to ask whether you are crossing the line, then you probably are standing too close to it. "1 Legal ethics demands continuous line-drawing and evaluation of attorney conduct. Unfortunately, the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the corresponding state rules provide little guidance for the litigator's daily practice of law. This is especially true with regard to the attorney's role in preparing witnesses for deposition and trial. In fact, witness preparation is the "dark secret" of the legal profession because it is neither taught in law school nor directly regulated, and it is rarely litigated or even discussed in scholarly literature.2 Yet witness preparation occurs in practically every lawsuit,3 since an attorney would be derelict in his professional duties if he did not prepare his witnesses for deposition and trial.4 Moreover, many judges and commentators have furnished advice on what an attorney can and should do to prepare witnesses for trial.5 Despite this, little is said about what an attorney should not do when preparing a witness,6 except for the obvious warning to avoid suborning perjury.7 Tension exists between an attorney's ethical duty to proffer only truthful evidence and an attorney's duty to represent his client zealously, because under the latter an attorney's allegiance is to the client, not the truth.8 Which duty prevails when allegiance to a client means damage to the truth? "In pursuing [the] role of zealous advocate, it remains unclear to what lengths the attorney may go in distorting or hiding the truth."9 When coaching witnesses, attorneys often suggest "better" answers which either contradict the witness's original answer or "subtly but effectively shade, dissemble or distort the truth. "lo Part I of this Note discusses the rules of professional conduct applicable to witness preparation and the role of witness preparation in litigation, as well as provides a few initial examples of attorney behavior that raises ethical questions. Part II identifies categories of witness coaching and their ethical implications, including suborning perjury, improperly lecturing on the law, inappropriately refreshing the witness' memory, suggesting word choice or demeanor that affects the witness's testimony, and affecting testimony through repeated rehearsals. Finally, Part III offers steps for the proactive attorney to take to ethically prepare witnesses. A. Rules of Professional Conduct The American Bar Association has promulgated the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (and its forerunner, the Model Code of Professional Responsibility), which outlines the ethical obligations of attorneys. Nearly all of the states have either adopted a version of the Model Code or Model Rules." A few states do not follow either, but it appears that their rules are substantially similar to either the Model Rules or the Model Code.l2 The Model Rules and the Model Code contain only a few provisions generally applicable to witness preparation. For instance, Model Rule 1.29(d) states that in the scope of representation of a client, a "lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a client, in conduct that the lawyer knows is criminal or fraudulent."13 Model Rule 3.4(b) mandates that a "lawyer shall not . . . assist a witness to testify falsely."14 Although Rule 3.4 does not specifically state when this mandate applies, it should apply to witness preparation.l5 Model Rule 8.4(c) states that "[i]t is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. SS 16 Similarly, the Model Code states that in the representation of a client, a lawyer shall not counsel or assist a client in conduct that the lawyer knows to be illegal or fraudulent, nor participate in the creation or preservation of evidence when he knows, or it is obvious, that the evidence is false."7 From the language of the rules, it seems that the only conduct in which the attorney cannot engage is subornation of perjury or creation of false evidence. …


We performed a clinical trial of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for cholangiocarcinoma with a preoperative diagnoses of clinical Stage III and IV. We examined the effect of preoperative chemoradiation for cStage II bile duct cancer. From 2008 until 2011, 75 cases were compared in terms of the preoperative diagnosis and pathological diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in our department. Additionally, 19 cases had been diagnosed as cStage II. However, 12 cases were higher than pStage III in their pathological diagnosis. We did not obtain pCur A in only 12 cases(63%). On the other hand, we obtained HM0, DM0, EM0, and pCur A in 5 patients with cStage II cholangiocarcinoma who underwent preoperative chemoradiation therapy. The neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for cholangiocarcinoma may control local cancer progression, thereby improving the surgical results of cStage II cholangiocarcinoma in this study.


For biotechnological purposes, protein expression refers to the directed synthesis of large amounts of desired proteins. The aim of the present work was to produce reverse transcriptase Moloney murine Leukaemia Virus retro-transcriptase and Taq DNA polymerase, as bioactive products. In the present paper, we report the preparation of recombinant enzymes, expressed in E. coli strains. The enzymes produced exhibited quite good activity, compared with commercial enzymes, allowing us to replace the last ones for several lab applications. We are reporting changes and modifications to standard protocols described. The standard protocols were modified, i.e. for the purification step of Taq , a temperature dependent procedure was designed. The enzymes produced were used in different applications, such as PCR, RT-PCR, PCR Multiplex and RAPDs molecular markers.


The primary objectives of the project was to design an effective lighting layout at different places of work to ensure safe visual working environment in an opencast mining project with keeping in view to meet the statutory standards. The research work was carried out with the objectives to conduct illumination survey and check whether the adequacy of lighting meet the standards set by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) as well as design of appropriate illumination systems based on illumination requirement for: ? Different places of work in the mine and ? Different Heavy Earth Moving Machineries (HEMMs). The illumination survey was performed in a mechanized opencast manganese mine project of Manganese Ore India Limited during March, 2015. It included an illumination survey of the existing lighting system in various working areas e.g. haul road, service road, dump yard, dumping road, road to stack yard followed by analysis and improvement measures. The lux meter used for the survey was a Metravi-1332. The existing illuminance levels were found inadequate in the mine dumping yard (at dump edges). The roads though had required level of illuminance but optimization was necessary. The illumination models for various working places in the mine were developed using DIALux software and virtual Philips luminaires were used for the design. DGMS standard for opencast mine lighting was used for both assessment and design of illumination systems. The luminaires used for the design were 250 watts HPSV. For dump yard lighting arrangement model was obtained using 1000 watts HPSV lamps fitted on high mast tower and the design satisfied DGMS standards with a minimum illuminance of 3 lux at the dump edges. The following recommendations were proposed for consideration to improve the visual level in the work places ? Installation of 250 Watt lamps for the roadways so that the number of poles can be reduced resulting less cost for pole installation and more free areas for movement of vehicles. ? Truck mounted illumination system can be used instead of fixed lighting system at the places which are vulnerable to damage caused by blasting. ? The cabin lighting of HEMMs can be improved by installing proper luminaries. ? High mast lighting tower must be installed in the dump yard to meet the standards at the edges of the dump yard.


PURPOSE
To determine the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for initial and delayed inactivation of cells by a modulated proton beam suitable for the treatment of tumours of the eye, within the spread-out Bragg peak and in its distal declining edge.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Human tumour SCC25 cells were irradiated with the 65 MeV proton beam at the Cyclotron Medicyc in Nice. Perspex plates of different thickness were used to simulate five positions along the beam line: 2mm corresponding to the entrance beam; 15.6 and 25 mm in the spread-out Bragg peak; 27.2 and 27.8mm for the distal edge. At each position clonogenic survival of the irradiated cells and of their progeny were determined at various dose values. 60Co gamma-rays were used as reference radiation.

RESULTS
RBE values evaluated at the survival level given by 2 Gy of gamma-rays increased with increasing depth from close to 1.0 at the proximal to about 1.2 at the distal part of the peak. Within the declining edge it reached the value of about 1.4 at 27.2 and about 2 at 27.8 mm. For the progeny of irradiated cells, the RBE value ranged from 1.0 to 1.1 within the spread-out Bragg peak and then increased up to a value of 2.0 at the last position. The dose-effect curves for the progeny always had a larger shoulder than for the irradiated progenitors, their alpha parameters being lower by a factor of about 4 and their beta parameters always being higher. The alpha/beta ratio was about 50 Gy for the progenitors and about 6 Gy for their progeny. The incidence of delayed effects increased with dose and with the depth within the beam.

CONCLUSIONS
RBE values for the inactivation of cells irradiated in the spread-out Bragg peak are compatible with the value currently assumed in clinical applications. In the distal declining edge of the beam, the RBE values increased significantly to an extent that may be of concern when the region of the treatment volume is close to sensitive tissues. The yield of delayed reproductive cell death was significant at each position along the beam line.


Risk management is the key factor to obtain safety in the working environment and its effectiveness increases with accuracy assessment and robust analysis. However, it is hard to succeed because of uncertainties in the working environment. Therefore, there are a lot of risk assessment methods in the literature to assess occupational health and safety risks. The traditional risk assessment methods handle each activity in the working environment separately and they do not consider the interactions among them. Furthermore, in these methods, potential outcomes of the risk parameters are considered based on the most possible outcome although there may be more than one potential outcome. Differ from the traditional methods, The House of Safety method has been proposed to consider all potential outcomes and handle the interactions among the activities. In this study, an extension of The House of Safety is proposed to consider interactions among potential risks and to determine the most effective prevention method based on the potential risks. Hence, this extension provides an evaluation of the whole system. The proposed model has been developed by integrating Fuzzy Inference System (FIS), Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP), and DEMATEL into Quality Function Deployment (QFD). In this direction, FIS is used to determine activity-related probabilities, "FAHP" is utilized to identify all possible damage potentials of risks, and the DEMATEL is used to clarify interactions among risks. Finally, all information produced by these methods were aggregated to obtain total risk scores by using QFD. In addition, a second home has been created to link prevention and risks. Therefore, an effective prevention plan has been made to eliminate priority risks with all effective parameters. This stage provides the opportunity for optimum prevention plan against risk or risk groups dominating the system at the same time. In this study, unlike traditional methods including a partial risk assessment perspective, an integrated method that takes into account the risks on their own and the interactions between them is proposed in the literature, and the proposed approach has been applied to an open pit mine.


Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication in patients with diabetes, and PDR has become an important cause of blindness; however, the mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs can play an important role in DR, and they can accurately regulate the expression of target genes through a new regulatory model: competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). We isolated total RNA of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the serum of healthy individuals (Con) and individuals with diabetes mellitus without DR (DM-NDR), non-proliferative DR (NPDR), or proliferative DR (PDR), and subjected them to deep sequencing. We found aberrantly low expression of PPT2-EGFL8, and significantly increased level of miR-423-5p. PPT2-EGFL8 adsorbs miR-423-5p as a molecular sponge, and inhibits hypoxia-induced hRMEC proliferation. In an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model and a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model, Egfl8-OE treatment reduces diabetes-related reactive gliosis, inflammation and acellular capillaries, attenuates the development of pathological neovascularization. In addition, PPT2-EGFL8 targeting miR-423-5p plays an important role in hypoxia-induced PPARD/ANGPTL4 signaling activation, especially the expression of C-terminal (cANGPTL4) fragment. Finally, ANGPTL4 significantly induces retinal vessel breakage in the inner limiting membrane (ILM) and facilitate retinal vessel sprouting into the vitreous in the OIR mice. Thus, either new biomarkers or new therapeutic targets may be identified with translation of these findings.


The kinetics of thermocompression gold ball bonding were studied for gold metallization contaminated with organic films. The contaminants studied were residual photoresist and atmospheric contamination. For gold metallization contaminated with organic films, thermo-compression gold bonding is a two-stage process. The first stage occurs within a fraction of a second and results from the mechanical disruption of barrier films by shear displacements at the faying surface. Bonding during this initial stage is a strong function of the interface temperature, the bonding force, and the contaminant films. The second stage involves growth of the metal-metal interfaces by a sintering phenomenon. Growth of bonds by sintering also occurs in the absence of external loads though at a decreased rate. Analysis of the rate data leads to the conclusion that the growth mechanism follows a parabolic rate law and, in the absence of external loads, exhibits an activation energy of approximately 11 kcal/mole. Under high external loads, the rate of second-stage growth exhibited little temperature dependence, indicative of a stress-assisted process. Bond growth rates for the atmospherically contaminated metallization were an order of magnitude higher than that for the photoresist contaminated samples.


Early preterm birth (<32 weeks) is associated with in utero infection and inflammation. We used an ovine model of in utero infection to ask if exposure to Ureaplasma serovar 3 (UP) modulated the response of the fetal skin to LPS.


In the few decades, there has been exponential growth in the field of herbal medicines. Most of the traditional system of medicine is effective but they lack standardization. So there is a need to develop a standardization technique. Standardization of herbal formulation is essential in order to assess the quality, purity, safety and efficacy of the drug. Dabur Triphala Churna is used for immune system stimulation, improvement of digestion, relief of constipation, gastrointestinal tract cleansing, relief of gas, treatment of diabetes and treatment of eye disease. The present research study deals with standardization of Dabur Triphala Churna [i.e. Emblica officinalis (Garetn.) (Amla), Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. (Baheda) and Terminalia chebula (Retz.) (Harada)]. The standardization of this formulation, the organoleptic characters, physical properties, the various physico-chemical properties such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values were carried out. Heavy metal content studies were also carried out to ascertain the quality, purity and safety of this herbal formulation.


A back reflector (BR) that can efficiently scatter weakly absorbed light is essential to obtain high-efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells. We present the design routes of plasmonic BR based on self-assembled silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for high-efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells. Both optical and electrical effects on solar cells are considered. The shape of Ag NPs, the thickness of ZnO:Al spacer layers, materials on top of Ag NPs, and nanoparticle size are crucial for the performance of plasmonic BR. Increased annealing temperature lead to the formation of more appropriate shapes (more spherical and regular shapes) for a good light scattering and, thus, increase the photocurrent. The ZnO:Al layer between the Ag NPs and the Ag planar film has an optical effect on solar cells, while the ZnO:Al layer between the Ag NPs and the doped a-Si:H has both optical and electrical influence on the device. Larger NPs have less parasitic absorption and can preferentially scatter light into larger angles, thus increasing the spectral response in the solar cell. However, for larger Ag NPs, the fill factor deteriorates due to the rougher surface in the plasmonic BR, indicating a compromise between light trapping and electrical performance. Following the design routes, we obtained 8.4% high-efficiency plasmonic a-Si:H solar cell.


Twenty four patients with biliary pancreatitis were divided into three groups: A (18 subjects underwent surgery on the biliary tract seven days after admission to hospital when acute signs disappeared); B (3 cases were operated two months later), and C (3 patients underwent emergency surgery for acute cholescistitis with simultaneous acute pancreatitis). A cholecistectomy-choledochostomy through a Kehr tube was performed in all patients. Pressure in the main biliary duct (MBD) was measured. Only group A was significant (18 cases). As a control, another group, group D was considered (52 biliary cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis patients without pancreatitis and without transduodenal sphincterotomy). Group A: 1) The mean pressure in MBD on the fourth postoperative day (11 days after onset of pancreatitis) was low (p < 0.0001) in relation to that of group D with Oddi's sphincter (SO) normal; 2) in group A, no significant differences (p-NS) were found in relation to positions: during fasting, 4.4 +/- 4 cm H2O in the upright position, and 5.3 +/- 2 when lying (in group D, 9.9 +/- 4.1 cm H2O upright, and 7.76 +/- 3.6 lying with p = 0.0001), and 3) a slow improvement of pressure was observed and, on the 25th day after operation, it was nearly normal (9 cm H2O upright and 7 cm lying with p < 0.001). Group B: biliary surgery at 2 months; mean pressure in MBD meartly normal. Group C: 1) 4 days after emergency surgery, the pressure in MBF (15 cm H2O upright and 11.7 lying) was higher than in subjects with normal SO, probably due to compression of the distal part of MBD by the inflamed pancreas, and 2) from the 11th day the pressure followed the same evolution as that of group A. In conclusion, in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis, operated on the biliary tract when acute signs disappeared, MBD pressure is low (p < 0.0001) in reference to normal on the fourth post-operatory day (11 days after onset of pancreatitis) and no significant differences were found in relation to positions (upright and lying). The pressure changes are transient (4-5 weeks) and most probably due to the lesions and malfunction of the SO related to pancreatitis.


Recent research demonstrates that the e↵ects of early childhood environments last a lifetime. There is a vast literature on how parental characteristics and household environment a↵ect investment in children's human capital, but little about how parents' investment decisions and the structure of family dynamics behave. The pathways linking parental characteristics to long-term child outcomes remain unclear. A better understanding of these relationships requires novel modes of inquiry that transcend those of any particular discipline. In this thesis dissertation, I study early skill formation and which factors motivate parental human capital investments by using dynamic behavioural models. Over the four chapters of this dissertation, I address some crucial and unknown research questions as What are the processes (biological, neurological, psychological) that govern the components of human flourishing? How do acquired skills generate new skills and how do they vary at di↵erent stages of early ages? What are the determinants of parental investments in children and what are the constraints they face? What are the channels, if any, through which parents' decisions a↵ect child outcomes? Do their decisions respond to incentives/stimulation? Can parents' decisions/behaviour be a↵ected through public policies and by doing so change child outcomes? Doing this, I aim to expand the scope of research on child development to explicitly account for the dynamic interpersonal relationships of attachment, interaction, and sca↵olding emphasised in the literature on early child development as well as the fact that it is indispensable to develop more complex economic analysis where preferences, technologies, parental decisions and the importance of dynamics are simultaneously considered in a model. Using models as the ones that I develop in this thesis dissertation it is possible to understand the mechanisms behind decision-making and use them to simulate policies ex-ante that are crucial to addressing all these questions.


Acute renal failure definitions have changed dramatically over the last 5 to 10 years as a result of criteria established through the following consensus statements/organizations: RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of function, End stage renal disease), AKIN (Acute Kidney Injury Network), and KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes). In 2002, the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative was tasked with the goal of establishing a consensus statement for acute kidney injury (AKI). The first order of business was to provide a standard definition of AKI. Up to this point, literature comparison was challenging as studies lacked uniformity in renal injury definitions. Implementing results into evidence-based clinical practice was difficult. The panel coined the term "acute kidney injury," encompassing previous terms, such as renal failure and acute tubular necrosis. This new terminology represented a broad range of renal insults, from dehydration to those requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). This review provides an algorithmic approach to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of AKI. Also discussed are special circumstances, including rhabdomyolysis, contrast-induced nephropathy, and hepatorenal syndrome. Tables outline the AKIN criteria, most current KDIGO consensus guidelines for definition of AKI, differential diagnosis of AKI, agents capable of causing AKI, treatment for specific complications associated with AKI, and options for continuous RRT. Figures show the RIFLE classification scheme and KDIGO staging with prevention strategies.

This review contains 1 management algorithm, 2 figures, 6 tables, and 85 references.
Keywords: Kidney, renal, KDIGO, azotemia, critical, urine, oliguria, creatinine, dialysis


Background and aim Dietary proteins are of special interest for the heterogeneous group of older adults, since these people do not always have an adequate protein intake. When protein-rich products are better aligned with the requirements of older persons, an adequate nutrient intake is more likely. In this thesis we therefore explored two approaches for tailoring protein-enriched meals to older consumer subgroups; emotion-based and functionality-based. We expected a better 'product-cluster fit' (i.e. a more positive meal experience) when the clusters' meal associations are congruent to their mealtime expectations. Methods We conducted an online survey in which vital community-dwelling older adults (n=392) reported their mealtime-related emotions and mealtime functionality. Using a hierarchical clustering analysis we described clusters within our population. Subsequently, we explored the extent to which the expectations of these clusters can be applied for the development of tailored protein-enriched meals. For the emotion-based approach, we conducted two central location tests (CLTs, n=461) to explore older adults' food-evoked emotions. For the functionality-based approach we conducted in-depth interviews in order to get further insights regarding functional mealtime expectations and attitudes towards proteins and protein-enrichment. Based on the latter insights we tailored PE meal concepts to two functionality-based segments. In a final home-use test, the members of the functionality-based segments (n=91) prepared and evaluated the tailored PE meal concepts. Results The emotion-based approach resulted in four clusters; pleasurable averages, adventurous arousals, convivial indulgers, and indifferent restrictives. These emotions that these segments associated with their mealtimes varied along the two dimensions valence and arousal. However, from both CLTs we learned that the variation in valence-arousal as observed for mealtime-related emotions was not observed for emotions related to actual foods. The latter makes it challenging to identify products that evoke emotions congruent to the mealtime expectations of the emotion-based clusters. With regard to the functionality-based approach, we encountered three clusters; physical nutritioners, cosy socialisers, and thoughtless averages. The cosy socialisers value the social interactions and cosiness during their mealtimes, whereas the physical nutritioners focus more on the health and nutrient aspects of meals. Thoughtless averages have the least distinctive mealtime expectations. We translated these functional mealtime expectations into two PE meal concepts; one tailored to cosy socialisers and one tailored to physical nutritioners. These meal concepts were well-accepted by the participants. However, congruency between mealtime expectations and functional meal associations did not result in a better 'product-cluster fit'. Conclusions Given the challenge to identify congruency between the meal associations and the mealtime expectations of the emotion-based clusters, we consider the emotion-based approach to be not yet actionable enough as a basis for tailoring PE products to older consumers. In contrast, the functionality-based approach appeared to be more promising, since the functional meal expectations could be translated to well-accepted tailored PE meal concepts. However, the effectivity of our functionality-based approach was not yet confirmed in this thesis, since congruency between functional meal associations and functional meal expectations did not necessarily result in a better 'product-cluster fit'. Future studies, focussing on e.g. other meal types, are recommended to further explore mealtime functionality as a basis for tailoring PE meals to older consumer subgroups.


Calcium hydroxide is a widely used endodontic medicament with antibacterial activity. When excessive pressure is applied during injection of calcium hydroxide paste or apical perforation occurs, calcium hydroxide can leak into the maxillary sinus and is adsorbed onto the sinus membrane. Although a leakage of calcium hydroxide may not usually cause clinical symptoms, when a large amount of leakage occurs, it can cause degeneration of adjacent tissue and functional disorder, requiring immediate surgical removal. However, due to adsorption to the sinus membrane, calcium hydroxide leaked into the maxillary sinus is difficult to remove completely. Here, we describe the case of a 47-year-old patient in whom a large amount of calcium hydroxide leaked into the maxillary sinus and was successfully removed using modified endoscopic-assisted sinus surgery, and favorable bone regeneration and sinus membrane regeneration were achieved. In addition, histological and ultrastructural changes of the membrane resulted from the calcium hydroxide were presented.


We hypothesized that the consequences of upward social comparisons are mediated by independent versus interdependent content of self-construals. Independent self-construals emphasize personal uniqueness; thus comparison to an outstanding other should undermine one's sense of uniqueness and lower current self-evaluations. Conversely, interdependent self-construals focus on interpersonal connectedness. Hence, interdependent individuals should be able to bask in the reflected success of a personally relevant other in an upward comparison task, thus increasing self-evaluations. In a study involving 66 US undergraduates the latter predictions were supported. The psychological dimension of interdependence predicted differential outcomes of upward social comparisons, but this was not the case for the dimension of independence. Also, differential consequences of social comparison were more pronounced for current self-evaluations than for participants' possible selves. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A novel approach is proposed to obtain a record of the patient's occlusion using computer vision. Data acquisition is obtained using intra-oral video camera. The technique utilizes shape from shading to extract 3D information from 2D views of the jaw, and a novel technique for 3D data registration using genetic algorithms. The resulting 3D model can be used for diagnosis, treatment planning, and implant purposes. The overall purpose of this research is to develop a model-based vision system for orthodontics to replace traditional approaches. This system will be exible, accurate, and will reduce the cost of orthodontic treatments.


The Navier-Stokes equations together with the continuity equation are one of the long
standing problems in mathematical physics. They form a system of nonlinear partial
differential equations that describe the fluid flow phenomena, whether laminar or
turbulent. The nonlinearity of the equations is obscure which defies all conventional
methods of analytical solution to the differential equations. The analytical methods
are found to be very important to model physical phenomena. They form basic
understanding of the phenomena at different circumstances, at least qualitatively. In
addition to their physics, the analytical methods are also useful to find and extend the
class of existence, uniqueness and regularity in the pure mathematics sense.
This thesis introduces new analytical methods of finding solutions of the
incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The work is based on the criteria of wellposed
problem which is then solved by the proposed special classes of the solution
either qualitatively or quantitatively.
Firstly, general qualitative properties of solutions to the three-dimensional
incompressible flows are presented. The method rs performed from the
implementation of vector analysis into the energy equation with the consideration of
zero rate energy. Trivial solution is obtained from any initial-boundary value
problems. For the cases of non trivial solution, the analyticity of the solutions is
assumed to investigate the triviality at intersection regions. Some physical
consequences due to violation of the trivial solutions are also performed with the
application of the vorticity equations, which are related to the onset of turbulence.
Therefore, non trivial solutions will also represent turbulence whether they have
singularity or not.
This hypothesis is supplemented by investigation on the solution in the special
classes of v = v x and v = V + V x of the three-dimensional incompressible
Navier-Stokes equations. Analysis is taken using the vorticity equations rather than
the original Navier Stokes equations based on qualitative mathematical work. Results show that the corresponding problem admits a unique and regular solution because the
original problems can be transformed to class of linear parabolic and elliptic
equations.
The first analytical solution is then produced using the four components coordinate
transformation .; = kx + ly + mz- ct. While, the second solution is produced using the
three components coordinate transformation .; = ly + mz- ct . Velocity vector in the
solutions is based on the relation v =Vet>+ v x ct> where is a potential function that is
defined as =P(x,~)R(~). The potential function is firstly substituted into the
continuity equation. The solution for R is produced using a certain mathematical
condition and the resultant expression is used sequentially in the Navier-Stokes
equations to reduce the problem to the class of nonlinear ordinary differential
equations in P terms. Here, more general solutions are also obtained based on the
particular solutions of P . The two solutions are based on a zero and constant pressure
gradients which are given to illustrate the applicability of the method.
The third analytical solution utilises a potential function m the form
ct> = P(x,y,q)R(y)s(.;) with the application of the transformed coordinate ~ = kz- dt).
In this solution, the pressure term is presented in a general functional form. The
solutions for R and S are obtained by imposing a certain mathematical condition.
General solutions are then obtained based on the particular solutions of P where the
equation is reduced to the form of linear differential equation. A method for finding
closed-form solutions for general linear differential equations is proposed and
uniqueness of the solution is proved and regularised.
The fourth analytical solution is derived using the vorticity equation. The solution
is produced by implementing a potential function in the form ct> = P(x,y,,;)R(y)s(.;)
with the application of the transformed coordinate ~ = kz- c; (t) . The pressure is then
solved by applying the velocity vector into the Navier-Stokes equations to complete
the solutions. Two examples are given to illustrate the applicability of the theorem.
The uniqueness of the solution is also proved.
Validation against two laminar flow experiments and three different turbulent flow
cases including numerical case are carried out and reported in this work. The flow
cases used in the validation are laminar jet flow, turbulent jet flow, boundary layer
flow, turbulent channel flow and combustion. Generally, the solution is able to follow the trends in the corresponding cases. Although the analytical solution is derived for
non-reacting flows, it proved capable of reproducing trends of cases including
combustion.
ix


Computer viruses pose a considerable problem for users of personal computers. The recent emergence of macro viruses as a problem of some importance may heighten virus awareness in general. Yet most people have little or no understanding of common anti-virus measures, the varieties of viruses that exist today, and the strategies which they use to accomplish infection and to defeat anti-viruses. It is well-known that the virus problem is most severe for users of IBM PCs and compatibles; however, users of other platforms, such as the Macintosh, should not become complacent viruses exist for many platforms in varying numbers. The ease with which macro viruses may be written is discussed, and a new virus attack for the Macintosh is presented which closely resembles an attack under DOS for the PC. Disciplines Physical Sciences and Mathematics Publication Details Horton J and Seberry J, Computer Viruses: an Introduction, Proceedings of the Twentieth Australasian Computer Science Conference (ACSC'97), Feb. 1997, Aust. Computer Science Communications, Vol. 19, No. 1 (ed. M. Patel), (1997), 122-131. This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/infopapers/1143 Computer Viruses An Introduction


Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease of unknown aetiology but increasing evidence suggests that cutaneous angiogenesis plays an important role. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the pro-angiogenic cytokines which is related to the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Our study evaluated the influence of imiquimod (IMQ) on VEGF in IMQ-induced mouse model. Balb/c female mice (n=16) 8-12 weeks of age were randomly divided into an experimental group (5% IMQ cream) and the control group (Vaseline cream). Serum levels of circulating VEGF-A were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. VEGF protein expression in tested skin was measured by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The tested skin in the experimental group expressed higher levels of VEGF protein than in the control group (p=0.012); immunohistochemical staining revealed that the cells over-expressing VEGF localized predominantly in the epidermis and vascular endothelium. Circulating VEGF-A levels showed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p=0.445). The IMQ-induced mouse psoriatic model showed an upregulation of VEGF in the skin lesions mimicking human psoriasis but the circulating VEGF-A levels showed no difference. This model may be useful to investigate the role of angiogenesis in psoriasis.


Motion detection is an important computer vision problem that has been used in different applications including surveillance. Most of the applications require fast processing due to their real time nature. The GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) is used as a cost-efficient tool that provides great opportunities for parallel processing. This paper studies the performance of the GPU in implementing a realistic motion detection application and compares the performance of multiple GPUs and CPU for this class of applications. The experimental results have shown that the GPU based system demonstrated high speedup and it is therefore a good low cost solution for real-time scenarios such as in video surveillance systems.