Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome (RTH) is a rare disorder characterized by elevated levels of circulating free thyroid hormones, inappropriate TSH secretion, and reduced peripheral tissue responses to iodothyronine action. On the basis of clinical features, at least two different forms of RTH have been described: generalized resistance (GRTH) in which patients are asymptomatic with few clinical signs and pituitary resistance (PRTH) where patients present with some signs and symptoms associated with thyrotoxicosis. However, a review of the literature and our own experience indicates that there is a wide overlap of symptoms and signs exhibited by individuals with GRTH or PRTH. Assessments using biochemical and physiological indices of thyroid hormone action are useful, but limited by their lack of precision and also show an overlap between values recorded in GRTH and PRTH. In addition, we have observed significant temporal variations in clinical signs as well as in parameters of thyroid hormone action in the same individuals, with no correlation with their subjective symptoms. Recent genetic analyses indicate that patients with either GRTH or PRTH are heterozygous for mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) gene. Indeed, different clinical features have been observed in affected individuals within a kindred harboring the same Tr beta mutation, and identical mutations have been identified in unrelated kindreds classified as GRTH or PRTH. These data support the view that GRTH and PRTH are variable manifestations of a single genetic entity. Nevertheless, this clinical distinction will remain useful as a guide to the most appropriate treatment. The variable phenotypic spectrum of thyroid hormone resistance may be related to factors other than mutations in Tr beta that have yet to be elucidated.


Half of coral species that occur on Caribbean reefs have also been reported living in mangroves. Given the vulnerability of corals living on reefs to environmental change, populations of the same species living in mangroves may prove critical to long-term survival of these coral species and the resilience of nearby reefs. To date, few studies have addressed the health and viability of mangrove coral populations, which is necessary if we are to understand their role in the broader meta-community. Here we present the first longitudinal study of the distribution, survival, growth, and recruitment of a mangrove coral population over multiple years. From 2014 to 2018, we fully censused a population of Porites divaricata along 640 meters of a mangrove-lined channel at Calabash Caye, Belize, and beginning in 2015, we tagged individual colonies for longitudinal monitoring. Year-to-year survivorship averaged 66.6% (±3.9 SE), and of the surviving colonies, on average, 72.7% (±2.5 SE) experienced net growth. The number of colonies, their spatial distribution, and population size-structure were essentially unchanged, except for an unusually high loss of larger colonies from 2016 to 2017, possibly the result of a local disturbance. However, each annual census revealed substantial turnover. For example, from 2016 to 2017, the loss or death of 72 colonies was offset by the addition of 89 recruits. Integral projection models (IPM) for two consecutive one-year intervals implicated recruitment and the persistence of large colonies as having the largest impacts on population growth. This 5-year study suggests that the P. divaricata population in the mangroves is viable, but may be routinely impacted by disturbances that cause the mortality of larger colonies. As many corals occur across a mosaic of habitat types, understanding the population dynamics and life-history variability of corals across habitats, and quantifying genetic exchange between habitats, will be critical to forecasting the fate of individual coral species and to maximizing the efficacy of coral restoration efforts.


Abstract : Intelligent Tutoring Systems are often modeled after human tutors; however, the effectiveness of this strategy is yet to be determined. Research on media interactions suggests that behaviors with humans are similar to those with computers. Intelligent Tutoring System studies have said the opposite. In this study we compared a human-human and a humancomputer tutoring system in terms of metacognitive, social, and nonsense statements to dig deeper into these interactions. We discovered that the interactions were quite different between human-human and human-computer tutoring. With a human participants expressed more positive metacognitive statements and social statements. When interacting with a computer tutor students were more likely to make negative metacognitive statements and social statements. In addition, the interpretation of these results differed between the two corpora. In humanhuman tutoring, the more often a participant made positive metacognitive statements, the worse their learning gain. Their social dialogue had no impact on learning gain. In humancomputer tutoring, the more negative and positive metacognitive statements and the more negative social statements they gave the worse their learning gain. It is clear from this study that students do not act the same with a human tutor as they do with a computer tutor. Therefore, designers of ITS systems should not just blindly model their systems after human tutors. The differences in human and computer interactions should also be considered.


Toward materializing the recently identified potential of cognitive neuroscience for IS research (Dimoka, Pavlou and Davis 2007), this paper demonstrates how functional neuroimaging tools can enhance our understanding of IS theories. Specifically, this study aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that underlie technology adoption by identifying the brain areas activated when users interact with websites that differ on their level of usefulness and ease of use. Besides localizing the neural correlates of the TAM constructs, this study helps understand their nature and dimensionality, as well as uncover hidden processes associated with intentions to use a system. The study also identifies certain technological antecedents of the TAM constructs, and shows that the brain activations associated with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use predict selfreported intentions to use a system. The paper concludes by discussing the study's implications for underscoring the potential of functional neuroimaging for IS research and the TAM literature.


Introduction: Liquid-based cytology has become a widely adopted, automated screening system for gynecologic and nongynecologic cytology. Automated screening systems function by distinguishing atypical cells based on their cytoplasmic and nuclear areas, densitometric measurement, and so on. However, the morphological influence of the washing solution has not been fully considered. Here, we examined the morphological effect and temporal change resulting from saving the cytologic samples in various solutions. Methods: Cytologic specimens were obtained from the ascites (AS) of patients with peritoneal cancer. Various solutions of a physiological saline, a Ringer's solution, a low-molecular dextran L injection, VOLUVEN 6% solution, MIXID L injection (ML), RPMI-1640 medium, and horse serum (HS) were added to aliquot sediments. All samples were refrigerated at 4°C, and aliquots were subsequently processed at specific time points (0, 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days). For all samples, cytoplasmic and nuclear size of the Papanicolaou-stained specimens were measured. Results: In terms of cytoplasmic and nuclear areas, samples stored in ML and HS showed no significant difference compared to the AS sample; in contrast, the other samples were significantly larger in both cytoplasmic and nuclear areas than the AS sample. In examining the temporal change among the solutions, we found that the cytoplasms and nuclei became small over the time course for all of the tested solutions. Conclusion: We showed that cells swell in the solution after 1 h of storage and contract as time progresses. Together, our findings have important implications for how mathematical analysis is applied during the automated screening process.


Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) plays an important role in the reorganization of the cytoskeleton, leading to disruption of vascular barrier integrity in multiple organs, including the blood–brain barrier (BBB), after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MLCK has been linked to transforming growth factor (TGF) and rho kinase signaling pathways, but the mechanisms regulating MLCK expression following TBI are not well understood. Albumin leaks into the brain parenchyma following TBI, activates glia, and has been linked to TGF‐β receptor signaling. We investigated the role of albumin in the increase of MLCK in astrocytes and the signaling pathways involved in this increase. After midline closed‐skull TBI in mice, there was a significant increase in MLCK‐immunoreactive (IR) cells and albumin extravasation, which was prevented by treatment with the MLCK inhibitor ML‐7. Using immunohistochemical methods, we identified the MLCK‐IR cells as astrocytes. In primary astrocytes, exposure to albumin increased both isoforms of MLCK, 130 and 210. Inhibition of the TGF‐β receptor partially prevented the albumin‐induced increase in both isoforms, which was not prevented by inhibition of smad3. Inhibition of p38 MAPK, but not ERK, JNK, or rho kinase, also prevented this increase. These results are further evidence of a role of MLCK in the mechanisms of BBB compromise following TBI and identify astrocytes as a cell type, in addition to endothelium in the BBB, that expresses MLCK. These findings implicate albumin, acting through p38 MAPK, in a novel mechanism by which activation of MLCK following TBI may lead to compromise of the BBB. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Abstract Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia is correlated with age. Men seeking treatment options with a low side effect profile often turn to prostate artery embolization (PAE). PAE continues to be refined with advanced tools and optimized techniques. Nonetheless, there exist controversies in terms of best practices for the management of lower urinary track symptoms (LUTS) with PAE. These controversies are essential for medical progress. Herein we suggest best practices moving forward based on currently available data. Given extensive safety data, we recommend PAE be considered alongside medical management and as a precursor to surgery. Given demonstrated efficacy across gland sizes, PAE can be performed in a single session, ideally in a hybrid angio-CT suite, without preoperative cross-sectional imaging. PAE should be initially performed with 300- to 500-μm size particles, and instead consider exploring other particles and sizes for repeat PAE. Finally, PAE can also be considered as first-line option for recurrent disease given the efficacy and excellent safety profile. This article is not meant to purport a dogma, but rather to serve as a guide to the experienced practitioner in challenging his or her own biases when performing PAE.


If X loves Y does it follow that X has reasons to love a physiologically exact replacement for Y? Can love's reasons be duplicated? One response to the problem is to suggest that X lacks reasons for loving such a duplicate because the reason-conferring properties of Y cannot be fully duplicated. But a concern, played upon by Derek Parfit, is that this response may result from a failure to take account of the psychological pressures of an actual duplication scenario. In the face of the actual loss of a loved one and the subsequent appearance of a duplicate, how could we resist the inclination to love? Drawing upon duplication scenarios from Parfit and from Stanislaw Lem's Solaris, this paper will argue that there could be reasons for X to come to love a duplicate of Y but that these would not be identical with the reasons that X had (and may still have) to love Y. Nor (in the case of an agent with a normal causal history) could they be reasons for a love that violates the requirement that love is a response to a relationship and therefore takes time to emerge.


The purpose of the current study was to investigate cue competition in rat foraging. Rats were placed in a food tower maze comprised of 25 towers arranged in a 5 x 5 matrix. Four towers within the maze were baited and arranged in a diamond spatial pattern. The rat's objective during each trial was to find each baited tower. The rats in the Visual + Pattern (V+P) condition had an additional, visual cue in the form of striped sleeves placed on all four baited towers. There were 80 trials in total, split into two phases of 40 trials. Rats in the V+P group had the baited towers marked with stripes during Phase 1 and these visual cues were removed during Phase 2. Rats in the Pattern Only (PO) group had no visual cues identifying baited towers in either Phase 1 or Phase 2. Results of the experiment indicated that the V+P group significantly outperformed the PO group during Phase 1 in terms of choices required to find the fourth baited tower. During Phase 2, both groups of rats decreased in performance. However, there was no significant differences between the two groups of rats during Phase 2. Thus, the V+P rats learned the pattern in spite of the visual cues, demonstrating that salient visual cues did not overshadow less-salient pattern cues.


This paper considers content addressability and discusses its potential impact on software engineering in the context of its affinity to, and thus efficient implementation of, common abstract data types. More generally, the authors present an approach to language design based on the abstracted characteristics of the implementing hardware. Based on the perceived needs of common data types, a prototype MOS VLSI content addressable memory component is designed together with enhancements leading to large fault-tolerant memory systems. A novel computer architecture is introduced to include this component and to provide an example target machine. The specification of a high level programming language, using a tractable set of extensions to conventional language syntax, then completes the programming environment.


In Generations of Exclusion, Telles and Ortiz bring unique data to bear on the question of assimilation of the largest immigrant community in the United States, Mexican Americans. The book is the result of a serendipitous 1992 discovery of archives that formed the empirical basis for Grebler, Moore, and Guzmán's 1970 book, Mexican American People: The Nation's Second Largest Majority. From 1998 to 2002, the Mexican American Study Project conducted extraordinary follow-up work to reinterview 684 of the original respondents and interview 758 of their children. Carefully weighted to account for selectivity in both samples, these data allow the authors to distinguish the effects of "family generation" from the more common "generation-since-immigration" approach. This innovative research design, unlike more typical cross-sectional approaches, allows the authors to be theoretically specific about the assimilation patterns they uncover. For example, they find backward assimilation in education from the perspective of "generation-since-immigration," which is indicative of segmented assimilation. Yet, when they assess the data from a historical perspective of "family generation," they find gradual educational assimilation over the latter half of the last century. The focus on two major southwest cities, Los Angeles and San Antonio, is both an asset and a liability to the study. In the 1960s these cities represented the largest concentration of Mexican Americans. However, today, as a 2008 Pew Hispanic Center study makes clear, Mexican Americans have dispersed significantly into the Midwest, East, and South. Even so, the comparison of these two cities—which possess distinct industrial and political histories—provides substantial analytical leverage for the study. The two cities differed markedly—in the original sample and in the current one—on important indicators such as Spanish language retention and political affiliation. On other indicators, such as voting rates, trends in the two cities have converged over time. Nonetheless, by 2000, Los Angeles and San Antonio shared many of the same troubling attributes such as educational inequality, lack of mobility, and third-generation decline. Urban sociologists will be particularly intrigued by Chapter 7, which discusses the dynamics of increased residential segregation from 1965 to 2000, fueled largely by increasing immigration rates.


The formation and evaporation of two-dimensional black holes are discussed. It is shown that if the radiation in minimal scalars has positive energy, there must be a global event horizon or a naked singularity. The former would imply loss of quantum coherence while the latter would lead to an even worse breakdown of predictability. $\mathrm{CPT}$ invariance would suggest that there ought to be past horizons as well. A way in which this could happen with wormholes is described.


Introduction: When there is a pain requiring focused clinical attention and is associated with emotional and functional disorders, it is called pain disorder. The present study aims to study the role of selective attention, vigilance and ambivalence over emotional expressiveness for predicting pain severity in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pains. Methods: The study population included 180 patients with chronic musculoskeletal entered the study by accessible method sampling from 2 hospitals in Tehran (Iran): Imam Khomeini and Atyeh. They completed Selective Attention Test, questionnaires for Vigilance and Ambivalence over emotional expressiveness and Pain severity Scale. Results: Step-by-step multivariate regression analysis showed that ambivalence can significantly predict emotional expressiveness in patients with selective attention and vigilance were not significant. Conclusion: In musculoskeletal chronic pain, ambivalence can be considered as an emotional determinant influencing pain severity.


Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare, heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of neutrophil precursors presenting with pyogenic infections and severe neutropenia in infancy. We hereby describe an infant with persistent omphalitis and severe neutropenia. The diagnosis of SCN was confirmed by typical bone marrow findings. However, the response to usual dose of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was suboptimal. The requirement of high dose G-CSF suggests a higher risk of malignant transformation into myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukaemia, and close monitoring for clonal changes and progression to frank leukaemia is needed. In this article we discussed the clinical approach to omphalitis, a condition commonly encountered by paediatricians, as well as differential diagnosis of neutropenia in neonates and infants. We also summarise the molecular etiologies and pathogenesis underlying SCN, which has only been unraveled in the past few years. While majority of patients with SCN respond to G-CSF which significantly reduces the risk of infections and mortality, dosage of G-CSF should be carefully titrated. Patients requiring high-dose G-CSF should be closely monitored for developing malignant transformation, which is uniformly associated with poor prognosis despite chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.


Introduction The forearm is the most common fracture location in children, with an increasing incidence. Displaced forearm shaft fractures have traditionally been treated with closed reduction and cast immobilisation. Diaphyseal fractures in children have poor remodelling capacity. Malunion can cause permanent cosmetic and functional disability. Internal fixation with flexible intramedullary nails has gained increasing popularity, without evidence of a better outcome compared with closed reduction and cast immobilisation. Method and analysis This is a multicentre, randomised superiority trial comparing closed reduction and cast immobilisation to flexible intramedullary nails in children aged 7–12 years with >10° of angulation and/or >10 mm of shortening in displaced both bone forearm shaft fractures (AO-paediatric classification: 22D/2.1–5.2). A total of 78 patients with minimum 2 years of expected growth left are randomised in 1:1 ratio to either treatment group. The study has a parallel non-randomised patient preference arm. Both treatments are performed under general anaesthesia. In the cast group a long arm cast is applied for 6 weeks. The flexible intramedullary nail group is immobilised in a collar and cuff sling for 4 weeks. Data are collected at baseline and at each follow-up until 1 year. Primary outcome is (1) PROMIS paediatric upper extremity and (2) forearm pronation-supination range of motion at 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes are Quick DASH, Paediatric Pain Questionnaire, Cosmetic Visual Analogue Scale, wrist and elbow range of motion as well as any complications and costs of treatment. We hypothesise that flexible intramedullary nailing results in a superior outcome. Ethics and dissemination We have received ethical board approval (number: 78/1801/2020) and permissions to conduct the study from all five participating university hospitals. Informed consent is obtained from the parent(s). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications. Trial registration number NCT04664517.


OBJECTIVES
A regulation from CMS required that, starting January 1, 2021, all US hospitals publicly display the cash price and minimum and minimum negotiated charge for 300 "shoppable services." We evaluated compliance with CMS requirements among highly respected US hospitals.

STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a cross-sectional study of hospital websites.

METHODS
We evaluated the public websites of the 20 hospitals listed in the 2020-2021 US News & World Report honor roll between February 1 and February 14, 2021. We selected 2 imaging studies (brain MRI and abdominal ultrasound) and 3 hospital services (cardiac valve surgery, total joint replacement, and vaginal childbirth). For each service and hospital, we determined whether the discounted cash price and minimum negotiated charge were displayed and, if displayed, what the prices were.

RESULTS
Among our 20 hospitals, 13 (65%) displayed the cash prices for the MRI and ultrasound, 8 (40%) for valve surgery, 10 (50%) for joint replacement, and 10 (50%) for childbirth. Only 1 (5%) displayed the minimum negotiated price for the 2 imaging studies and none for any of the hospital services. The mean (range) cash price for MRI was $3793 ($464-$6215) and for ultrasound was $767 ($136-$1391). The mean (range) cash price for cardiac surgery was $236,125 ($72,250-$349,782); for joint replacement, $46,008 ($22,170-$71,985); and for childbirth, $19,568 ($7314-$29,068).

CONCLUSIONS
In an early assessment, a significant percentage of US hospitals were not in compliance with new price transparency legislation. Moreover, there is wide variation in prices among hospitals for identical services. These price differences suggest the potential for significant cost savings for patients.


Lt;emgt;Behavior of sexual violence to children (Child lt;/emgt;lt;emgt;Slt;/emgt;lt;emgt;exual lt;/emgt;lt;emgt;Alt;/emgt;lt;emgt;buse) is indication of any disturbance on mental health of someone. Data P2TP2A and LK3 assessed of sexual violence case on children were still high in Karawang City, data from the police station of Karawang city in 2014 -2015 were as many as 83 cases with the criteria for violence in the dating scene 56 cases, obscene/molestasi were 27 cases. Research purposes are looking at the social phenomena in the form of sexual violence on children in lt;/emgt;lt;emgt;Klt;/emgt;lt;emgt;arawang City with obtain information about abuse in sexual behavior, review of anticipatory measures and alternative solutions to overcome sexual violence on children.lt;/emgt;

lt;emgt;The study was done with a qualitative approach, it is phenomenology namely the study who studies all relevant scene of sexual violence on children in lt;/emgt;lt;emgt;Klt;/emgt;lt;emgt;arawang City, data collecting were done with interview observation, study documentation and FGD. The subjects of study were 21 respondents with the criteria of key informants, main informants/triangulation additional data analysis used the contents or analysis content analysis.lt;/emgt;

lt;emgt;Sexual violence on children in lt;/emgt;lt;emgt;Klt;/emgt;lt;emgt;arawang City, it was triggered by the sexual disorientation in adult people, lack of supervision parents against children, there is no control sources of information and social and cultural factors that are still taboo with sex education an early age. It is expected that the increasing the role of the police officers, P2TP2A , BKBPP, the social department or LK3 and stakeholders.lt;/emgt;


Based on the sketchbooks and notebooks from Johann Rudolf Rahn's stays in Rome and Ravenna (1866/67), his methods of studying an object with his pencil are illuminated in connection with the Swiss art historian's seldom-discussed early scholarship. In choosing to write his dissertation on "Christian Central Plan Buildings and Dome Construction", the young Rahn deftly managed to insert himself in the international research discussions in the mid 19th century on the terminological and conceptual separation of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture. His thesis on Rome's primacy in the development of Christian architecture caught the attention of Carl Schnaase, who invited him to contribute to the new edition of the third volume of his Geschichte der Bildenden Kunste in der Schweiz. After being appointed lecturer, Rahn abandoned the "early Christian" line of research around 1870, which also meant the end of his work's international orientation. The material relating to early Christian and mediaeval art recorded in sketchbooks while in Rome thus remained unused.


Colorblind ideology is a dominant mode of thinking about race matters in the United States, but it is not the only racial ideology that operates today. The United States appears to be shifting toward becoming more race conscious. We add to the critical diversity studies literature, and argue that even though we see a greater appreciation for the presence of nonwhite bodies in various spaces, we are not likely to see real systemic change in the American racial hierarchy because of a reliance on diversity ideology. Through an analysis of semistructured interviews with 43 white Millennials, this article outlines the ways in which diversity ideology's four tenets—diversity as acceptance, commodity, intent, and liability—help whites maintain power in multiracial spaces. This article pinpoints how whites employ these tenets to subvert policy efforts that aim to incorporate people of color into predominately white institutions, introducing a new principle-policy gap for the twenty-first century.


This study evaluates the accuracy of using the open-source wave energy converter modeling Wave Energy Converter-SIMulator (WEC-Sim) code to model an oscillating water column (OWC) as a virtual point absorber. WEC-Sim is a free open-source hydrodynamic modeling extension of MATLAB/Simulink and is designed primarily for ease of use and the modeling of oscillating body wave energy converters (e.g., point absorbers). OWCs are a different class of wave energy converter and can be difficult to model. If OWCs can be accurately modeled as oscillating bodies, it may more easily enable the use of well-established hydrodynamic theory and control theory that exists for oscillating bodies for better simulated estimation of performance. A comparison of simulation and experiment was conducted on OWCs in the OH Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, Oregon State University. Results show good agreement between the experimental OWCs and the simulated virtual point absorber over most ranges of operation, with the exception of near-resonant frequencies, in which case the virtual point absorber over-predicts performance. For regular waves, the accuracy of modeling an OWC as a point absorber was generally within 5%, except near the device resonant period, in which case the heave amplitude modeling error was 11.4% and the power modeling error was 25.0%. For an irregular sea state of dominant period 2.6 s, the modeling error in power was 2.0%.


An outline is given of some criteria which must be met for the eradication of brucellosis in this country. The incidence of this zoonosis and the financial loss it causes are considered, along with the ultimate benefits to be derived by the farming industry and public health from its eventual eradication. Diagnostic tests, vaccination policy, financial incentives, educational methods, the question of notification, and the necessity for full collaboration between the medical and veterinary professions are discussed in relation to the problem as a whole. The debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords are mentioned as historic landmarks in the campaign against brucellosis in this country, and the progress of the present eradication scheme is summarized.


"In the middle of these mountains is our immortality," said Shabari Bai, a female Hindu renouncer (sadhu) from a Bhil (tribal) community in North India. Located in Chirva village (Udaipur district), Rajasthan, Shabari Bai's ashram is nestled in the Aravalli Mountains, one of the oldest mountain chains in South Asia. She continued, "The earth [bhumi] is the most precious life [jiv] on the planet. She is alive just as we are alive. She bears the pain of the world and has all the knowledge [jnan] that will heal our suffering and keep us from destroying ourselves." Shabari Bai's incisive statement calls attention to the earth and, more specifically, to landforms such as mountains, as the seat of energy, power, and salvific knowledge. More significantly, Shabari Bai suggests that mountains possess a form of consciousness (jiv) and, thus, represent a "precious" natural resource—or life—precisely because they contain invaluable substances such as metals, minerals, and gems that promote the health and healing of all life on the planet, including the planet itself. Like Shabari Bai, sadhus in the North Indian state of Rajasthan, in which I conducted extensive field research with Hindu sadhus from the Shaiva (Dashanami and Nath) and Vaishnava (Ramananda/Tyagi) renouncer traditions, associate naturally occurring substances like metals, minerals, and gems with power and immortality and use them in their everyday ritual/healing practices. In my experience, preferring naturopathic—or, in Indian terms, Ayurvedic—methods over allopathic methods, sadhus, men and women, commonly wear stones, gems, and metals on their bodies as an efficacious means to heal, cure, and prevent ailments from poor digestion to anaemia. To take an example, according to many of the sadhus I knew, wearing copper on the big toe aids digestion. In another context, following an almost fatal dog attack and only after allopathic methods failed, Kailash Das, a Ramanandi (Tyagi) sadhu, started to wear thick silver rings on each of her toes. "It keeps the veins open and causes the blood to move in my feet. Since I've been wearing these [rings], I suffer no pain in my feet at all." Based on over a decade of ethnographic fieldwork in Rajasthan, this essay describes and analyzes sadhus' knowledge and use of metals, minerals, and gems in order to shed light on a level of vernacular practice and experience that has been underrepresented in the scholarship on sannyas in South Asia. Special attention is paid to the sadhus' gendered representations of metals, minerals, and gems and the ways that their practices shape and reconfigure the more standard definitional parameters for what sannyas is all about in contemporary India. The essay is divided into two parts. Part 1 analyzes what I have characterized as the sadhus' "rhetoric of renunciation," the stories (kahani) and songs (bhajan) that they perform about the earth, its properties, and humans' responsibility to the planet. In addition, this section explores sadhus' ideas about ecological sustainability in a consumer-based economy through means of their performances. Part 2 examines the sadhus' use and classification of metals, minerals, and gems, the deities associated with these substances, the problems they are thought to cure and/or prevent, and the sadhus' personal experiences of illness that catalyzed their knowledge and use of metals, minerals, and gems. In sum, this essay contributes new research to academic studies of sannyas in South Asia and shows that sadhus draw on indigenous knowledge about minerals, metals, and gems in their practices both to address and redress the deleterious effects that Rajasthan's mining industry is wreaking on the earth in a rapidly changing, postindustrial India.


Fiber is not digested or absorbed in the small intestine. The main site of action of fiber is in the colon. In the colon, fiber will increase stool output and frequency, increase stool water, dilute the colonic content, reduce the toxins, bile acid, increase colonic fermentation and also stimulate probiotic growth. Some meta-analysis of observational epidemiologic and case control studies have found a protective effect of dietary fiber against colon cancer that increase with intake. Therefore, the high fiber diet is healthy recommendation to prevent various gastrointestinal disorders.


Faculty in agricultural teacher education programs are responsible for preparing future teachers to lead effective school-based agricultural education programs. However, agriculture teachers are having difficulty implementing supervised agricultural experience (SAE), even though they value it conceptually as a program component. In an effort to improve SAE instruction in teacher education, the American Association for Agricultural Education has adopted a guiding philosophy and competencies for teacher preparation in SAE. Using these documents, the purpose of this national descriptive study was to identify where and to what extent SAE instruction was included within agricultural teacher education curriculum and describe the level of SAE instruction occurring in agricultural teacher education programs in the United States. Findings of this study indicate that there was a broad range in the level of instruction occurring for each of these competencies among teacher education programs. These results provide a snapshot of one-moment-in-time and serve as a starting point for a conversation about how supervised agricultural experience should be taught in agricultural teacher education. It is recommended that supervised agricultural experience competencies be taught using inquiry-based or problem-solving methods guided by the experiential learning process.


During the 1971 eruption, water and air quenched samples of lava were taken along a single flow, the one from near Rifugio Citelli to Fornazzo. The results of one atmosphere melting experiments on these samples, some of which were under controlled oxygen fugacity are discussed in relation to chemical and petrographic variations along the length of the flow as well as at its source. No significant element variation was found, particularly in respect of alkalis and water (volatilization effects). The FeO/Fe2Os ratio similarly lacks any significant variation except for a slight initial oxidation effect. With a liquidus of about 1200 °C, crystallization with in the flow was well advanced, with over 50 % of crystalline phases.


Comments on the determination of calcium and magnesium in limestone, dolomite and other related materials using capillary electrophoresis is presented. As stated and discussed, the use of highly sensitive capillary electrophoresis technique for the chemical analysis of major concentration of calcium and magnesium content in limestone and dolomite samples is never justified in comparison with the well established EDTA complexometric titration methods. Complexometric titration methods satisfy all the essential requirements of: Reliability (accurate and precise, comparable, traceable) Applicability (applicable to diverse sample matrices) and Practicability (simple, rapid, cost-effective, no requirement of standards and calibration of instrument, no expensive instrumentation and are widely recommended for the determination of calcium and magnesium at percentage level for such matrices. Surprising, there is no comment or discussion by the authors in their manuscript on complexometric titration methods. There are contradictory and highly misleading statements.


Observations and reanalysis products are used to investigate the substantial weakening in the southeastern tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) variability since 2000. Relative to 1982–1999, the March‐April‐May SST variability in the Angola‐Benguela area (ABA) has decreased by more than 30%. Both equatorial remote forcing and local forcing are known to play an important role in driving SST variability in the ABA. Compared to 1982–1999, since 2000, equatorial remote forcing had less influence on ABA SSTs, whereas local forcing has become more important. In particular, the robust correlation that existed between the equatorial zonal wind stress and the ABA SSTs has substantially weakened, suggesting less influence of Kelvin waves on ABA SSTs. Moreover, the strong correlation linking the South Atlantic Anticyclone and the ABA SSTs has reduced. Finally, multidecadal surface warming of the ABA could also have played a role in the weakening of the interannual SST variability. Plain Language Summary Every few years, the southeastern tropical Atlantic Ocean experiences anomalous sea temperatures that affect fisheries and rainfall. Using observations and reanalysis data, we quantify the Angola‐Benguela area (ABA) sea surface temperature (SST) variability during the last decades. Relative to 1982–1999, the March‐April‐May SST variability in the ABA has decreased by more than 30% since 2000. Remote equatorial forcing through equatorially and coastally trapped oceanic waves and variations in the local winds are the main drivers of ABA SST variability. Since 2000, we find that ABA SSTs are less connected to equatorial winds and exhibit a weaker link with the South Atlantic Anticyclone. Finally, the surface warming of the ABA observed during the post‐2000 period also could have played a role in the weakening interannual SST variability.


The present study was designed to evaluate the sildenafil induced retinal changes in male rats, relate it with alterations in nitric acid and phosphodiesterase level in the eyeball.Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were divided into control group and experimental groups containing six rats in each group. Experimental animals were injected with the solution of sildenafil citrate dissolved in distilled water for the duration of the experiment. Retinal changes were observed in histological sections with light microscopy and level of nitric oxide and phosphodiesterase in eyeball was calculated and analyzed. Retinal thickness increased significantly in one month group animals. In three months group at 8mg/kbw did not show any significant differences whereas at 10mg/kbw thickness significantly decreased (p<0.01) when compared to that of control group. Histological examination revealed changes in the thickness of retina significantly in the form of retinal edema. The results observed in the present study were dose dependent and dependent on the duration of the exposure of sildenafil. There was an increase in the retinal thickness in one month group in this study which was coinciding with increased level of nitric oxide.


We describe a method of fabricating multilevel diffractive optics by excimer laser ablation. A portion of a chrome mask containing many patterns is illuminated by 193-nm laser light and imaged by an objective lens onto a poly(imide) substrate. Ablation of an entire single pattern is achieved in a single laser pulse. Multiple pulses are used to vary the ablation depth, and multiple patterns are used to create a variety of multilevel optics. We have successfully fabricated arrays of eight-level diffractive microlenses with varying focal lengths and decenters. The optics performed with diffraction-limited focusing and near-theoretical diffraction efficiency (92%).


Microliquid jets have many applications, in particular in the fields of spectroscopy/analysis of samples susceptible to beam damage. Herein, we report a microliquid jet, manufactured with 3D printing technology, with a tuneable nozzle diameter output. This strategy increases the breadth of techniques that can be covered with a single microliquid jet.


Do intergovernmental transfers reduce revenues collected by local government authorities (LGAs)? There is already a well-established body of literature in public finance, which argues that intergovernmental grants 'crowd out' local revenues. Most existing studies, however, explore the fiscal implications of intergovernmental transfers in high-income countries where sound fiscal systems are taken for granted. In this paper, I explore the impact of intergovernmental transfers on local revenues in sub-Saharan Africa, a region where local fiscal capacity is limited and endogenously determined by financial support from international donors and the central government. I argue that in places where the existing capacity of LGAs to administer tax collection is weak and political costs of enforcing taxation are low—which are perennial features of many rural districts in Africa—intergovernmental transfers facilitate local revenue generation instead of undermining it. Analysing newly available quarterly fiscal data on local revenues in Tanzania, I show that intergovernmental grants improve the mobilization of local revenues, and also that the positive effect of fiscal transfers on local revenue collection is particularly pronounced in rural districts.


We report here the design and experimental demonstration of optically pumped photonic crystal bandedge membrane lasers on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and on bulk silicon (Si) substrates, based on heterogeneously integrated InGaAsP multi-quantum-well membrane layers transfer printed onto patterned photonic crystal cavities. Single-mode lasing under room-temperature operation was observed at 1542 nm, with excellent side mode suppression ratio greater than 31.5 dB, for the laser built on SOI substrate. For the laser built on bulk Si substrate, single-mode lasing was also achieved at 1452 nm with much lower thermal resistance, as compared to that of the laser built on SOI substrates. Such improved thermal characteristics are favorable for lasers operating potentially at higher temperatures and higher power.


We have found that Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our Sun, will pass close to a pair of faint background stars in the next few years. Using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images obtained in 2012 October, we determine that the passage close to a mag 20 star will occur in 2014 October (impact parameter 1.″6), and to a mag 19.5 star in 2016 February (impact parameter 0.″5). As Proxima passes in front of these stars, the relativistic deflection of light will cause shifts in the positions of the background stars of ∼0.5 and 1.5 mas, respectively, readily detectable by HST imaging, and possibly by Gaia and ground-based facilities such as the Very Large Telescope. Measurement of these astrometric shifts offers a unique and direct method to measure the mass of Proxima. Moreover, if Proxima has a planetary system, the planets may be detectable through their additional microlensing signals, although the probability of such detections is small. With astrometric accuracies of 0.03 mas (achievable with HST spatial scanning), centroid shifts caused by Jovian planets are detectable at separations of up to 2.″0 (corresponding to 2.6 AU at the distance of Proxima), and centroid shifts by Earth-mass planets are detectable within a small band of 8 mas (corresponding to 0.01 AU) around the source trajectories. Jovian planets within a band of about 28 mas (corresponding to 0.036 AU) around the source trajectories would produce a brightening of the source by >0.01 mag and could hence be detectable. Estimated timescales of the astrometric and photometric microlensing events due to a planet range from a few hours to a few days, and both methods would provide direct measurements of the planetary mass.


This paper investigates the effect of alkali treatment and mechanical properties of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)fibre
for the development of yarn. Two different fibre sources are used for the yarn production. Kenaf fibres were treated with
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the concentration of 3, 6, 9, and 12% prior to fibre opening process and tested for their tensile strength and Young's modulus. Then, the selected fibres were introduced to fibre opener at three different opening processing parameters; namely, speed of roller feeder, small drum, and big drum. The diameter size, surface morphology, and fibre durability towards machine of the fibres were characterized. The results show that concentrations of NaOH used have greater effects on fibre mechanical properties. From this study, the tensile and modulus properties of the treated fibres for both types
have improved significantly as compared to untreated fibres, especially at the optimum level of 6% NaOH. It is also interesting to highlight that 6% NaOH is the optimum concentration for the alkaline treatment. The untreated and treated fibres at 6% NaOH were then introduced to fibre opener, and it was found that the treated fibre produced higher fibre diameter with better surface morphology compared to the untreated fibre. Higher speed parameter during opening was found to produce higher yield of opened-kenaf fibres.


Growth and grazing mortality of marine heterotrophic bacteria were measured in the summer of 2000 in coastal waters of the NW Mediterranean Sea. Serial-dilution experiments were performed with water from surface and deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layers. Bacterial abun- dances (mean ± SD) were very similar at the surface (7.2 ± 2.9 × 10 5 cells ml -1 ) and DCM (7.4 ± 1.1 × 10 5 cells ml -1 ). Intrinsic bacterial growth rates (mean ± SD) were 0.88 ± 0.43 d -1 in the surface layer and 0.71 ± 0.23 d -1 at the DCM. Grazing rates on bacteria (mean ± SD) were 0.75 ± 0.23 and 0.58 ± 0.29 d -1 , in the surface and DCM layers, respectively. Nucleic acid content analysis by flow cytometry revealed different intrinsic growth rates and grazing pressure on bacteria of high (HNA) and low (LNA) content depending on their location in the water column. Generally, growth and grazing rates were balanced in both groups in both layers. At the surface, HNA bacteria revealed significantly higher intrinsic growth rates than LNA bacteria (1.18 ± 0.60 and 0.47 ± 0.28 d -1 , respectively). Aver- age growth rates at the DCM were higher for LNA (0.90 ± 0.46 d -1 ) than for HNA (0.36 ± 0.23 d -1 ), but not significantly. At the surface, grazing rates on HNA bacteria were also significantly higher than on LNA bacteria (1.02 ± 0.31 and 0.37 ± 0.19 d -1 , respectively). At the DCM, the opposing tendency, though not statistically significant, was observed (0.26 ± 0.17 and 0.77 ± 0.50 d -1 ). Bacteria were responsible for a large portion of the C flux through the system. Bacterial C flux was funneled mostly by HNA bacteria at the surface (70%) and by LNA at the DCM (80%). HNA bacteria were the most active component of the bacterial community in the surface layer. However, we found that LNA bac- teria were also active, particularly at the DCM, suggesting differences in structure and functioning of the corresponding microbial networks. The most significant result was the clear relation between depth and activity of each bacterial fraction.


I. INTRODUCTION This Essay will examine how the networked economy may affect the cause of liberty. The traditional view, very evident in the novels 1984 (1) and Brave New World, (2) has been pessimistic about information technology's probable effect on liberty. My own view is that the new networks, spawned by the Internet and other information technology, are hopeful developments. I will defend this optimistic viewpoint by looking at the history and nature of the state, including the despotic state, and then examine how information technology will predictably alter the balance between liberty and despotism. II. PRIOR THEORIES OF THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE I will examine four provocative theories of the origin of the state and then develop a synthesis from them, hopefully adding something new in this last step. The four theories are the Hobbes-Buchanan contractarian theory, (3) Karl Wittfogel's hydraulic despotism theory, (4) Robert Carneiro's circumscription theory, (5) and Mancur Olson's stationary bandit theory. (6) These theories of the origin of the state do not all make claims about how a state whose origin is so conceived will respect human liberty but are at least suggestive of such claims. Only the Hobbes-Buchanan theory describes a constitution, but the other theories can be significantly improved if we add the potential for a constitution along lines Michael McGuire and I have previously suggested. (7) A. The Hobbes-Buchanan Contractarian Theory Thomas Hobbes famously began his analysis with a consideration of the state of nature. He assumed that before formal governments existed people were reasonably equal in endowments. (8) From this rough equality of mental and physical assets, each had an equal hope of acquiring the same ends, which were scarce. Hence, individuals fell into competition with each other, which resulted in the "war of every man against every man." (9) In such a state, opportunities for production, investment, learning, and exchange were limited, because each individual possessed "continual fear and danger of violent death." (10) In order to relieve themselves of eternal conflict, individuals have an incentive to organize themselves into a commonwealth, which is a hierarchy that "tie[s] them by fear of punishment to the performance of their covenants and observation of th[e] laws of nature...." (11) They institute this commonwealth by giving a monarch or an assembly the right to represent them. (12) Two hallmarks of Hobbes's analysis are that people at least hypothetically agree to a constitution that (1) legitimizes private law and (2) does not otherwise limit the sovereign's appropriations from his (or its) subjects. In fact, Hobbes was fairly adamant that the constitution did not limit sovereign appropriations. His analysis constantly emphasized that the constitutional problem was the legitimacy of private law. Because Hobbes thought that worthy private law rules could not arise in the state of nature, he had to posit a commonwealth, created by the hypothetical contract among subjects or citizens, as the foundation for these rules, which he analyzed in detail. Correspondingly, when it came to the natural limits that might exist for the sovereign's appropriations, Hobbes found few. For instance, he asserted that no subject had the right to defend another against any government imposition, just or unjust, though he did admit the right of any subject to defend at least his own person against violent force, whether wielded by the commonwealth or by another subject. (13) Nevertheless, despite Hobbes, the real constitutional problem is the legitimacy of the sovereign's appropriations, as most constitution framers have recognized. Even so able an analyst as James Buchanan has followed Hobbes in stressing as a problem the constitutional legitimacy of private law rules. More explicitly than Hobbes, Buchanan has claimed that the problem of sovereign appropriation is inextricably linked to the legitimacy of private law rules. …


Simple methods are formulated using an ensemble forecast to identify the sensitive initial perturbations that grow in a specified region at the verification time. These methods do not require the tangent-linear or adjoint models, but use an ensemble forecast to obtain approximated solutions. Input to the sensitivity calculation can be any ensemble forecast integrated from initial conditions perturbed with the bred vector, singular vector, or ensemble Kalman filter methods. Two formulations are presented here to approximate the adjoint and singular vector methods using an ensemble forecast. The ensemble singular vector sensitivity, which has already been applied in previous studies, is obtained with a single eigenvector calculation. The ensemble adjoint sensitivity only requires an even simpler matrix-vector multiplication. To validate the formulations, ensemble-based sensitivity analysis has been conducted in a few cases. First, the two methods were applied to identify the sensitive initial perturbations that grow in the verification region over Japan in January and August 2003. The first singular vector mode indeed achieves the largest amplitude at the verification time, but that is not necessarily true after the verification time. Both methods can identify the sensitive regions more specifically than the regions with large ensemble spread in cases with a mid-latitude cyclone and with a tropical cyclone. The monthly-mean sensitivity in January 2003 indicates the effect of Rossby waves and synoptic disturbances in upstream sensitive regions over Siberia, Tibet, and a downstream sensitive region in the north-western Pacific; the sensitivity in August 2003 suggests the influence of the Asian summer monsoon. Next, for an August 2002 storm case in Europe, global 20-km resolution simulations were conducted from the initial conditions perturbed by the ensemble singular vector method to compare with the unperturbed simulation. In the perturbed simulation, the cyclone is deeper by a few hPa in its north-east sector with more precipitation north of the Alps more consistently with observations. These results indicate that reasonable sensitive regions can be identified with our methods.


A new heteroaromatic thiophene containing organoimido functionalized hexamolybdate has been synthesized and characterized in both solid form and solution. Structural analysis shows successful introduction of the organoimido ligand through replacement of one terminal oxo site on [Mo6O19]2− to yield the singly functionalized hexamolybdate. Spectroscopic and theoretical analysis indicates charge transfer between the inorganic and organic components, with a significantly red-shifted lowest lying transition of 399 nm vs. the parent Lindqvist ion of 325 nm. Additional characterization includes, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared (IR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies.


The purpose of this research is to develop the process of methodology in designing adaptable façade. This study focuses on the processes of façade operation control for each resident's unit according to the user's lifestyle. This study aims to develop the design methods that are applicable to the adaptable facade, which is inspired by the design inspiration of the biomimicry. The ideal façade to increase comfort in internal space is an adaptable façade that can constantly respond to changes in the environments. This chapter attempts in active adoption of adaptable facade that makes it possible to respond to changing requirements and environments, eventually enabling the creation of customized services for users. This chapter explores the processes of designing an adaptable façade controlled by three rules inspired by the behaviors of flocks of birds. This chap ter shows how adopted bird intelligence can produce various façade controls. Also, this chapter demonstrates biomimetic façade control that has been implemented by behavior-based design. Through this demonstration, this chapter identifies the potentials of biomi - metic design in facade using rules of bird flocking as source of design inspiration. This study concludes that a behavior-based approach provides flexibly responding façade to environments increasing users' quality of life.


Creativity is most often perceived to be a highly desirable and exclusively positive attribute, yet both history and a growing body of research remind us that creativity is not always benevolent. When creativity is deliberately used to cause harm, it is known as "malevolent creativity." An extreme example of malevolent creativity is the development of the atomic bomb. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the production of malevolently creative products and problem solutions, this study investigated the degree to which demonstrations of benevolent creativity (commonly referred to simply as creativity), creative self-efficacy (a personal judgment of one's own creative ability), and psychological entitlement (feelings that one is more deserving than others) influenced demonstrations of malevolent creativity among college students. Additionally, the potential role played by culture in the manifestation of malevolent creativity was explored by recruiting participants from the US (n1 = 60) and China (n2 = 60). In the present study, creative self-efficacy was found to be a significant predictor of malevolent creativity for both US and Chinese participants. However, benevolent creativity only predicted malevolent creativity for US participants, suggesting that malevolent creativity emerged as a more separate construct from benevolent creativity in China than in the US.


To judge by The Synoptic Problem: A Way Through the Maze (London: Continuum, 2001. L14.99pp. 178. ISBN I-84I2'~-23g-8), Mark Goodacre must be an exciting lecturer, who is aware of the problems that his students face. In this introduction he sets out the arguments with extreme clarity, providing many examples (in English translation) and inserting summaries in boxes and at the end of each chapter. After explaining what the problem is, he discusses the priority of Mark, the case for Q and his rejection of that hypothesis in favour of the Farrer theory that Matthew used Mark and Luke used Mark and


Background The recommended starting dose of vancomycin is 25–30 mg/kg followed by 15–20 mg/kg/12–8 h (adjusted if there is renal impairment). Early plasma concentrations (PC), after 3 doses, should be obtained as soon as possible to determine if therapeutic levels (TL) have been reached (10–20 µg/ml). Purpose To describe patients and indications, and to analyse treatments and a pharmacokinetic monitoring plan. To assess efficacy and its relation with PC and AUC/MIC, and nephrotoxicity (0.5 mg/dL or 50% creatinine increase). Material and methods Retrospective study of vancomycin treatment guided by pharmacokinetic monitoring (Bayesian method) over 5 months. ICU, haemodyalisis, paediatrics, duration <5 days and de-escalations were excluded. Descriptive analysis through median and interquartile range (IR); frequency distribution for categories; quantitative variables comparison with clinical cure using the Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05 for significance). Results 87.9% of treatments were monitored (n = 22). Patients were 64 years (IR=22), CrCl=96 mL/min (IR=71.5) and 77.3% showed some nephrotoxicity risk factor. 22.7% were skin/soft tissue (40% E faecium, 20% MRSA, 20% CNS), intra-abdominal 18.2% (66.7% E faecium, 33.3% CNS), bacteraemia 13.6% (100% CNS), catheter 13.6% (100% CNS), pneumonia 9.1% (100% MRSA), urinary tract 9.1% (100% Enterococcus), 9.1% without a clear focus and 4.5% non-pneumonia respiratory infections (100% MRSA). 100% E faecium showed MIC ≤4, 100% MRSA MIC ≥1.5, 50% CNS MIC ≥2. No loading dose was administered. Initial dosage was appropriate in 31.8%; 68.2% was under dosed. The first PC was obtained after 3 days (IR=2.25); 50% were delayed beyond the third dose and 42% were subtherapeutic. TL were obtained after 5 days (IR=4). Pharmacokinetically guided dosing showed 72.7% of patients achieved TL (18.2% above; 9% under range). Clinical cure rate was 77.3%. By indication: 100% bacteraemia, urinary and non-pneumonia respiratory infections were cured; 80% skin/soft tissues; 75% intra-abdominal; 66.6% catheter; 50% pneumonia; and 50% without focus. By microorganism: 87.5% CNS; 66.7% E faecium; and 66.7% MRSA. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical cure related to PC or AUC/MIC although there was a tendency to higher PC in the cure group (16.7 µg/mL vs 12.13 µg/mL). 9.1% of patients developed nephrotoxicity. Conclusion Although most treatments were pharmacokinetically monitored, the first level was delayed in half of the patients; 68.2% of treatments were initially under dosed. This led to delay in achieving TL. A relationship was not found between clinical cure and PC or AUC/MIC, probably due to the small sample size. No conflict of interest.


In Malaysia, the issue of financing gap in Small Medium Enterprise (SME) financing is common, but hardly discussed nor researched. The issue of financing gap or lacuna arises due to the mismatch between the demand and supply of institutional funds for SMEs. SMEs contend that finance for SMEs are abundant, however, the supply of bank financing is largely unavailable to them. Banks, on the other hand, maintain that lending to these SMEs remains low because of lack of qualified demand. This brought to the forefront the issue of financing lacuna; a perennial issue in many developing countries, including Malaysia. The objective of this paper is to discuss the financing lacuna in Malaysian SMEs, focussing on the supply side. This paper focuses on the supply perspective to fulfil the research gap in understanding the financing lacuna, which has often been overlooked due to the tendency to analyse financing lacuna from the demand side only. This has been based on surveyed data of SME entrepreneurs. This paper outlines the theoretical approaches and practices of SMEs financing in Malaysia, followed by an analysis of the factors that shaped the financing lacuna (gap).


This thesis deals with the assembly and composition of cytoskeletal components in the mammalian organ of Corti. It mainly concentrates on large cell surface-associated microtubule bundles in certain supporting cells called inner pillar cells. Two distinct microtubule arrays assemble in each cell. One of the arrays spans the entire length of a cell (transcellular array) whereas the other is confined to its lower portion (basal array). The basal array is situated more than 10|im from the apically situated centrosomal region. Serial cross sectional analyses indicate that the transcellular array elongates from the cell apex to the cell base but that the basal array elongates towards the cell apex and is nucleated at the cell base. However, antibodies to centrosomal proteins reveal that each inner pillar cell probably contains only one microtubule nucleating site which is situated in the apical centrosomal region. Therefore, basal array microtubules do not appear to be nucleated at the cell base. Assessment of microtubule polarities support this hypothesis; they provide evidence that both arrays have their plus ends (elongating ends) directed towards the cell base. A sophisticated assembly sequence which involves the escape and capture of centrosomally nucleated microtubules is proposed to account for the assembly of the basal array. The microtubules in the supporting cells are post translationally modified. However, the microtubules of the neighbouring sensory hair cells are not post-translationally modified. Two kinds of cytokeratins are deployed in a cell type-specific manner in the supporting cells and may help to link the ends of microtubule bundles to cell junctions.


Purpose The aim of this work was to develop a clinical practice guideline for the prevention and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children and adolescents with cancer and pediatric hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. Methods An international multidisciplinary panel of experts in pediatric oncology and infectious diseases with patient advocate representation was convened. We performed systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials for the prevention or treatment of CDI in any population and considered the directness of the evidence to children with cancer and pediatric HSCT patients. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to generate recommendations. Results The panel made strong recommendations to administer either oral metronidazole or oral vancomycin for the initial treatment of nonsevere CDI and oral vancomycin for the initial treatment of severe CDI. Fidaxomicin may be considered in the setting of recurrent CDI. The panel suggested that probiotics not be routinely used for the prevention of CDI, and that monoclonal antibodies and probiotics not be routinely used for the treatment of CDI. A strong recommendation to not use fecal microbiota transplantation was made in this population. We identified key knowledge gaps and suggested directions for future research. Conclusion We present a guideline for the prevention and treatment of CDI in children and adolescents with cancer and pediatric HSCT patients. Future research should include randomized controlled trials that involve children with cancer and pediatric HSCT patients to improve the management of CDI in this population.


Abstract Limited academic attention has been afforded to young workers relative to their adult counterparts. This study addresses a phase of the employment relationship for young people that is very infrequently examined – during or around the time when the relationship ends. It examines the relative frequency of different forms of dismissal and the circumstances preceding the dismissals via a content analysis of 1259 cases of employee enquiries to a community advocacy organisation in Australia. Results indicate that dismissal was most commonly associated with bullying, harassment, and taking personal leave. Young men, compared to young women, were disproportionately likely to report allegations of misconduct as preceding dismissal, while females experienced higher rates of sexual harassment and discrimination. The research highlights the types and circumstances of dismissal across a range of employment contexts and reveals the complexities of youth employment relationships which may differ from those of the general workforce.


For most people, the creation and editing of mathematical text in electronic documents is a slow, tedious and error-prone activity. For people with disabilities, especially blindness or severe visual impairments, this is far more of a problem. The lack of easy access to good mathematical resources limits the educational and career opportunities for people with such disabilities.Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) could enable both able-bodied and people who are physically disabled gain better access to mathematics. However, whilst ASR has improved over recent years, most speech recognition systems do not support the input and editing of dictated mathematical expressions.
In this thesis, we present results of studies of how students and staff at Kingston University, of various levels of mathematical achievement, read-out given expressions in English. Furthermore, we analyse evidence, both from our own studies, and from transcriptions of mathematics classes recorded in the British National Corpus (BNC), that people do consistently place pauses to mark the grouping of subexpressions. The results from this enabled us to create an innovative context-free attribute grammar capable of capturing a high proportion of GCSE-Ievel spoken mathematics, of which can be syntactically incorrect and/or incomplete. This attribute grammar was implemented, tested and evaluated in our prototype system TalkMaths. We also compiled statistics of "common sequences" of mathematics-related keywords from these two sources, with a view to using these to develop a "predictive model" for use in our system.
We implemented and evaluated a prototype system TalkMaths, that enables the dictation of mathematical expressions, up to approximately GCSE level, and converts them into various electronic document formats Our evaluations of this system showed that people of various levels of mathematical ability can learn how to produce electronic mathematical documents by speech. These studies have demonstrated that producing mathematical documents by speech is a viable alternative to using the keyboard & mouse, especially for those who rely on speech recognition software to use a computer. A novel editing paradigm, based on a "hybrid grid" is proposed, implemented and tested in a further usability study. Although the evaluation of this editing paradigm is incomplete, it has demonstrated that it is promising and worthy of further research.


It has been demonstrated in recent years that blood pressure is automatically regulated by alterations in the intra-arterial pressure. This automatic regulation is maintained by a system of pressoreceptor innervations localized in different areas of the vascular tree. The most important areas of such innervations are in the aorta and, especially, in the carotid sinus regions. Because the carotid sinus regions have easily accessible nerve terminals and because they contain the most active pressoreceptors, these areas in man have been subjected to considerable investigation in recent years. It was the illuminating experimental work of Hering 1 which first demonstrated the presence of nerve connections between the carotid sinus regions and the medullary centers. He 2 was also the first to demonstrate the occurrence of a drop in pressure on stimulation of the carotid sinus. Hering found that in the adventitial coat of the pouched-out area of the internal carotid artery,


Human rabies, mainly transmitted by dog bites, remains a major public health problem in developing countries. In Asian countries, such as India or the Philippines, where large free-ranging dog populations exist, the human death toll stays high. Children under the age of 15 y are at particular risk, representing up to half of the dog bite victims. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is commonly used in travelers from developed countries visiting areas of high endemicity, rabies vaccination is rarely used in highly endemic countries in contrast to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Purified Chick Embryo Cell Vaccine (PCECV, Rabipur®/RabAvert®, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics) is approved for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, either by the intramuscular route, or—where registered—by the intradermal route of administration. In more than 25 y of use, PCECV has been widely used for PrEP in children. This review summarizes the pediatric pre-exposure clinical trials using PCECV. In total, PCECV has been administered to more than 1,200 children in clinical trials, from toddlers to those in elementary school, using intramuscular and intradermal schedules, demonstrating safety and immunogenicity. PrEP as part of routine pediatric vaccination programs may have a major role to play in human rabies prevention. Extensive clinical experience with PCECV supports intramuscular and intradermal PrEP in children as one pillar of human rabies prevention in developing countries.


Introduction Studies demonstrate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can decrease HIV transmission among heterosexual men and women. To inform targeted promotional campaigns, it is necessary to identify those most likely to benefit from this intervention and assess their knowledge and attitudes towards PrEP. Methods We recruited individuals>18 years old from 4 community-based rapid HIV counselling and testing sites in Philadelphia. They completed a brief survey and screener for PrEP eligibility. Eligibility was based on reporting "yes" to: sex with a partner of unknown or HIV positive status, sex in exchange for drugs/money, recent sexually transmitted infection, or syringe sharing. Chi-squared tests were used to examine factors associated with eligibility, knowledge, and attitudes among 111 self-identified heterosexuals. Results The sample is 61% male, with race/ethnicity of Black (48%), Latino (40%), White (9%) and other (3%), and median age 44. 31% screened PrEP eligible. Among males and females, eligibility was associated with reporting sex exchange, sex with persons of unknown HIV status, and recent STI (all p<0.05). By race/ethnicity, only syringe sharing differs significantly: 41.7% of Latinos, 42.9% of White participants and no Black or Other participants (p<0.04) reported sharing. Only 24% of participants had heard of PrEP; knowledge did not vary by group. A sizable minority reported concerns about side effects (44%) and talking to a doctor about PrEP (30%). However, 23% were extremely likely or somewhat likely (30%) to use PrEP to prevent HIV in the future. Conclusion We identified a diverse and at-risk heterosexual population within community-based HIV counselling and testing. Most participants were unaware of PrEP, signifying promotional information is not reaching this population. Having rapid HIV testers screen for PrEP eligibility and educate clients about PrEP may be an effective way to increase PrEP awareness and acceptability among heterosexuals.


Soil erosion is one of the primary environmental problems in China, and it can lead to serious water, soil, and nutrient losses. However, the mechanism of action of the dynamic factors of erosion on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loss remains unclear. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were carried out to characterize the N and P loss and its influencing factors under freeze–thaw conditions. Two slope treatments (i.e. LS: loess and FTS: freeze–thaw soil) and five soil water content (SWC) (i.e. 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%) were considered. The results showed that the total runoff was higher under 30% SWC and lower under 20% SWC for the LS and FTS treatments. The freeze–thaw action caused higher sediment loss under low water content (10% and 15%). The runoff-associated total nitrogen (RTN), runoff-associated total phosphorus (RTP), and sediment-associated total phosphorus (STP) loss rate showed a larger fluctuation for FTS than for LS. The freeze–thaw action not only caused the instability of the nitrogen and phosphorus loss behavior but also caused increased diversity among individual samples. The soil erodibility, runoff energy, and runoff power were important dynamic factors associated with erosion, and the freeze–thaw action has a very large impact on these factors. For the LS treatments, the SWC could explain 60% of the variation in RTN loss and 63% of the variation in RTP; the runoff and infiltration both explained 90% of the variation in STN loss and the runoff time explained 97% of the variation in STP. For the FTS treatments, the runoff time explained 63% of the variation in STN and 53% of the variation in STP. The results enable us to understand further the relationship between dynamic factors of rainfall erosion and nitrogen and phosphorus loss under freeze–thaw conditions.


This paper examines some salient features of the balances of payments of the developed countries outside the Group of Ten since 1968, first comparing their current accounts to those of the other main groups in the world, then relating their export performance to that of the OECD area as a whole and finally examining the financing of their current-account deficit and the resulting indebtedness. Despite the diversity of the countries in the ODC group, they have not generally suffered pronounced, prolonged external disequilibria as a result of autonomous disturbances, thanks to tight monetary policy and structural reforms. The policy reaction of ODCs to the two oil shocks has differed with regards to the financing of the consequent deficits (from reserves in the case of the first shock; by external borrowing in the case of the second), resulting high levels of indebtedness for some ODCs.


lexible electronic devices are currently being developed using polymer substrates. Such devices present advantages like conformability, are light-weight and are expected to be manufactured in roll-to-roll (R2R) schemes accounting for cost-reduction. These advantages may be compromised by the high levels of thermo-mechanical stresses often present in R2R processing, and associated risk of mechanical failure of the fragile devices. A key challenge is therefore to develop a stable process, especially due to the strong mechanical contrast between the compliant polymer substrate and the brittle inorganic device layers. We divide our presentation in three parts. First, a study of the mechanical properties of inorganic films on polymer substrates manufactured in R2R coating units will be presented. Second, we will explore the influence of the mechanical anisotropic effects naturally induced by the R2R processing on film integrity, with focus on residual stress. Third, we shall compare the results obtained in R2R processed structures with those of conventional S2S (sheet-to-sheet) methods. Our study is based on different cases including ITO-based transparent conducting electrode thin films deposited on PET substrates. This work reflects the importance of an accurate control of the mechanical properties and internal stress state of thin films on polymers, based on in-depth understanding of anisotropy issues in R2R processed structures. Finally we will present strategies to improve the mechanical limits in flexible electronic devices.


A study was conducted to investigate the response of weaner rabbits to graded dietary replacement of wheat offal with dried citrus pulp (DCP) at 0, 10, 20 and 30% (weight/weight) respectively .A total of Sixty-four, male and female weaner rabbits of 56 days old, were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with sixteen rabbits each and consisting of four rabbits per replicate in a completely ran- domized design. The study lasted for 112 days during which data was obtained on nutrient intake, performance characteristics and carcass yield. The crude protein intake of the rabbits decreased (P<0.05) significantly as the DCP inclusion in the diets increased. There were significant (P<0.01) differences in the values obtained for the final weight, total weight gain, average weight gain, meta- bolic weight gain and growth rate across the treatment groups. The growth rate was 10.29 g/d in the control fed rabbits but further decreased with increasing level of DCP in the diets with values of 11.29, 6.30 and 5.80g/d obtained respectively for rabbit fed with 10%, 20%, and 30% DCP inclusion level. The lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained at the 0% level of DCP inclusion. The retail cut parts indicated a significant (P<0.05) difference in the values for rack and ranged from 11.92 to 18.06g. It was concluded that although, rabbits fed with control diet had the highest overall performance, 10% dietary inclusion of DCP supported improved growth and better carcass yield.


Abstract The vertical structural dynamics is a crucial factor for structural health monitoring (SHM) of civil structures such as high-rise buildings, suspension bridges and towers. This paper presents an optimal GPS/accelerometer integration algorithm for an automated multi-sensor monitoring system. The closed loop feedback algorithm for integrating the vertical GPS and accelerometer measurements is proposed based on a 5 state extended KALMAN filter (EKF) and then the narrow moving window Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis is applied to extract structural dynamics. A civil structural vibration is simulated and the analysed result shows the proposed algorithm can effectively integrate the online vertical measurements produced by GPS and accelerometer. Furthermore, the accelerometer bias and scale factor can also be estimated which is impossible with traditional integration algorithms. Further analysis shows the vibration frequencies detected in GPS or accelerometer are all included in the integrated vertical defection time series and the accelerometer can effectively compensate the short-term GPS outages with high quality. Finally, the data set collected with a time synchronised and integrated GPS/accelerometer monitoring system installed on the Nottingham Wilford Bridge when excited by 15 people jumping together at its mid-span are utilised to verify the effectiveness of this proposed algorithm. Its implementations are satisfactory and the detected vibration frequencies are 1.720 Hz, 1.870 Hz, 2.104 Hz, 2.905 Hz and also 10.050 Hz, which is not found in GPS or accelerometer only measurements.


The main objectives of this doctoral thesis were to develop sensitive and versatile electrochemical detection systems, taking advantage of the unique analytical characteristics of microelectrodes, and apply them to selected biomedical analyses. In order to broaden the applicability of electrochemical detection following capillary electrophoresis (CE), a system was developed which enabled reductive electrochemical detection to be earned out following capillary electrophoresis. This greatly broadens the number of compounds that can be detected electrochemically following separation by CE The analytical potential of the system was demonstrated for both mtroaromatic compounds and quinones It was shown to possess major advantages over reductive LCEC, including very short deoxygenation times and low limits of detection. The system was also applied to the analysis of an antitumour compound, mitomycin C, in human serum without the need for prior extraction procedures.

In another project, continuous in vivo microdialysis sampling was used in conjunction with capillary electrophoresis and electrochemical detection, to monitor the levels of tryptophan and its metabolites in the extracellular fluid of rat brain. The relative changes in the concentration of these metabolites in the extracellular fluid were monitored following mtrapentoneal administration of tryptophan and kynuremne, respectively. The advantages of capillary electrophoresis for sample volume limited analyses were demonstrated, and the high sensitivity of electrochemical detection was shown to be very desirable in this field of research.

In the area of biomedical analysis one of the major objectives is to develop very sensitive techniques for the determination of therapeutic compounds in biological fluids. The advantages of microelectrodes and adsorptive stripping voltammetry were combined by developing a mercury thin film ultramicroelectrode using a carbon fibre substrate. Using phase-selective AC stripping voltammetry, a very sensitive technique was developed for the analysis of methotrexate, aminoptenn, and edatrexate, members of the very important ptendine class of chemotherapeutic drugs. These compounds were analysed in human unne and serum, both with and without the employment of prior extraction procedures.

Carbon fibre electrodes were also modified with the polymer
[Os(bipy)2(PVP)2()Cl]Cl for the flow amperometnc determination of nitrite. This redox polymer greatly enhances the kinetics of nitrite reduction compared with the reaction at bare carbon electrodes Due to the electrocatalytic effect, a less extreme working potential could be employed which minimised the responses from the commonly present interferents present in real samples. The electrode was applied to the flow amperometnc determination of nitnte in processed meat samples. The electrode exhibited excellent selectivity and long term stability.


Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the most water-scarce metropolises in the world. The present water policies are leading to serious water scarcity in agriculture. The proportion of agricultural water to total water has been dropping continuously in Beijing in past years. The influence of water scarcity on grain yield and planting production value has been analyzed in this paper. The problems of ecological environment and rural social problems that arise from water scarcity are also discussed in the paper. Based on the above analysis, the paper gives some suggestions for alleviating the tension, such as developing water-saving agriculture, adjusting planting structure and properly developing sewage irrigation.


Semi-supervised learning approaches have emerged as an active area of research to combat the challenge of obtaining large amounts of annotated data. Towards the goal of improving the performance of semi-supervised learning methods, we propose a novel framework, HierMatch, a semi-supervised approach that leverages hierarchical information to reduce labeling costs and performs as well as a vanilla semi-supervised learning method. Hierarchical information is often available as prior knowledge in the form of coarse labels (e.g., woodpeckers) for images with fine-grained labels (e.g., downy woodpeckers or golden-fronted woodpeckers). However, the use of supervision using coarse-category labels to improve semi-supervised techniques has not been explored. In the absence of fine-grained labels, HierMatch exploits the label hierarchy and uses coarse class labels as a weak supervisory signal. Additionally, HierMatch is a generic-approach to improve any semi-supervised learning framework, we demonstrate this using our results on recent state-of-the-art techniques MixMatch and FixMatch. We evaluate the efficacy of HierMatch on two benchmark datasets, namely CIFAR-100 and NABirds. HierMatch can reduce the usage of fine-grained labels by 50% on CIFAR-100 with only a marginal drop of 0.59% in top-1 accuracy as compared to MixMatch.


The detailed movements of 32 acoustically tagged broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus were documented in and around north-east Pacific Ocean estuarine embayments from 2005 to 2007. Arrangements of passive acoustic receivers allowed analysis of movement at several spatial scales, with sex and size examined as possible factors influencing the pattern and timing of these movements. Notorynchus cepedianus exhibited a distinctly seasonal pattern of estuary use over three consecutive years, entering Willapa Bay in the spring, residing therein for extended periods of time during the summer and dispersing into nearshore coastal habitats and over the continental shelf during the autumn. Notorynchus cepedianus within Willapa Bay showed spatio-temporal patterns of segregation by size and sex, with males and small females using peripheral southern estuary channels early in the season before joining large females, who remained concentrated in central estuary channels for the entire season. Individuals displayed a high degree of fidelity not only to Willapa Bay (63% were documented returning over three consecutive seasons), but also to specific areas within the estuary, showing consistent patterns of site use from year to year. Cross-estuary movement was common during the summer, with most fish also moving into an adjacent estuarine embayment for some extent of time. Most winter and autumn coastal detections of N. cepedianus were made over the continental shelf near Oregon and Washington, U.S.A., but there were also examples of individuals moving into nearshore coastal habitats further south into California, suggesting the feasibility of broad-scale coastal movements to known birthing and nursery grounds for the species. These findings contribute to a better understanding of N. cepedianus movement ecology, which can be used to improve the holistic management of this highly mobile apex predator in regional ecosystems.


Kongsvegen, a surge‐type glacier in Spitsbergen, Svalbard, shares a tide‐water margin with the glacier Kronebreen. The complex has been in retreat since a surge advance of Kongsvegen around 1948. The surface of Kongsvegen displays suites of deformational structures highlighted by debris‐rich folia. These structures are melting out to form a network of sediment ridges in the grounded terminal area. The structures are also visible in a marginal, 1 km long, 5–20 m high cliff‐face at the terminus. Current models for the evolution of deformational structures at Kongsvegen divide the structures into suites based on their orientation and dip, before assigning a mechanism for genesis based on structure geometry. Interpretation of aerial photographs and field mapping of surface structures suggest that many structures were reorientated or advected during the surge. We suggest that many of the deformational structures highlighted by debris‐rich folia represent reorientated, sediment‐filled crevasses. Some evidence of thrusting is apparent but the process is not as ubiquitous as previously suggested. Many deformational structures also appear to have been offset by more recent structures. Mechanisms of structural development must, therefore, be considered within the context of distinct stages of glacier flow dynamics and multiple surge episodes. Furthermore, evidence for thrusting and folding within the glacier systems of Svalbard has been used as the basis for interpreting Quaternary glacial landforms in the UK. The findings of this paper, therefore, have implications for interpretations of the Quaternary record. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


BACKGROUND
Despite the widespread practice of Japanese traditional Kampo medicine, the characteristics of patients receiving various Kampo formulations have not been documented in detail. We applied a machine learning model to a health insurance claims database to identify the factors associated with the use of Kampo formulations.

METHODS
A ten-percent sample of enrollees of the JMDC Claims Database in 2018 and 2019 was used to create the training and testing sets, respectively. Logistic regression with lasso regularization were performed in the training set to construct models with prescriptions of 10 commonly used Kampo formulations in one year as the dependent variable and data of the preceding year as independent variables. Models were applied to the testing set to calculate the C-statistics. Additionally, the performance of simplified scores using 10 or 5 variables were evaluated.

RESULTS
There were 338,924 and 399,174 enrollees in the training and testing sets, respectively. The commonly prescribed Kampo formulations included kakkonto, bakumondoto, and shoseityuto. Based on the lasso models, the C-statistics ranged from 0.643 (maoto) to 0.888 (tokishakuyakusan). The models identified both the common determinants of different Kampo formulations and the specific characteristics associated with particular Kampo formulations. The simplified scores were slightly inferior to full models.

CONCLUSIONS
Lasso regression models showed good performance for explaining various Kampo prescriptions from claims data. The models identified the characteristics associated with Kampo formulation use.


Choosing scaled stiffened cylindrical shell model as simulation object, the simulation model of stiffened cylindrical shell subjected to underwater explosion load is built by using MSC-DYTRAN finite element analysis software, the typical test conditions which shock factor is 1.1 is simulated, the damage properties of stiffened cylindrical Shell is analyzed, numerical results are compared with experimental data, it is proved that the simulation method is effective and feasible. By performing a series of numerical experiments, the influence of attack angle of explosive and submergence depth of model on the elastic-plastic dynamic response were investigated. It is shown that angle of 90 degrees is the most serious attack angle, angle of 0 degrees is less serious than other angle, the submergence depth of stiffened cylindrical shell has obvious influence on dynamic response, the more deep cylindrical shell is, the more serious cylindrical shell is damaged.


Abstract: The dwarf dog-faced bat, Molossops temminckii (Burmeister, 1854), is a small molossid bat that occurs from Colombia, Venezuela, and Guyana, southwestward through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It is one of two species in the genus Molossops and usually roosts in man-made structures, rock crevices, and hollow trees. The species is insectivorous, inhabits a variety of habitats, and is typically found in low altitude zones. Diagnostic characters include triangular ears separated by a wide space, one lower incisor in each ramus, and a last upper molar with three clearly marked commissures. Molossops temminckii is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.


Skeletal muscle monitoring provides valuable information about the muscle contractile properties which could be useful in various clinical applications. A wearable ultrasonic sensor (WUS) was constructed using a 110-µm thick polyvinylidene fluoride polymer piezoelectric film to perform a continuous and hands-free muscle monitoring. The lightweight and flexible properties of WUS enables the stable attachment to the skin surface without affecting the tissue motion of interest which results in less motion artifacts. In order to perform reliable estimation of tissue thicknesses by the WUS in an ultrasonic pulse echo mode, the accuracy of selected signal analysis techniques was evaluated using a laser displacement measurement result as a reference. In addition, the effects of moving averaging on the signal-to-noise ratio of the ultrasonic signals and the estimation accuracy of the tissue thickness were investigated. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed ultrasound technique for in-vivo measurements, continuous monitoring of the lateral head of triceps muscle of a healthy male subject was performed using the WUS. The tissue thickness changes due to the evoked muscle contraction by an electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) were monitored. It was observed that the muscle was unable to fully relax at the EMS frequency at 16 Hz, indicating the tetanic contraction.


Gas-liquid flow commonly occurs in oil and gas production and processing system. Large diameter vertical pipes can reduce pressure drops and so minimize operating costs. However, there is a need for research on two-phase flow in large diameter pipes to provide confidence to designers of equipments such as deep water risers.

In this study a number of experimental campaigns were carried out to measure pressure drop, liquid film thickness and wall shear in 127mm vertical pipe. Total pressure drop were studied systematically through a data bank of 600 experimental runs. Magnitude and directional wall shear stress measurements have been made selectively using commercial non-directional probes and directional hot films. The latter were produced at Nottingham University during this study. Experimental data on liquid film characteristics were obtained by measuring total pressure drop, wall shear stress and film thickness simultaneously. In addition, the data were supported by some high speed video images through a visualization campaign.

The pressure drop profile (time-averaged total pressure drop as a function of gas flow rate) introduced is visibly different from that for smaller pipes as it does not show a clear minima in the chum-annular transition region and not in both bubble-slug and slug-chum region.
No completely unidirectional upward flow has been observed in the range of the conditions studied from the results of directional wall shear stress measurement which provided information on both time-varying and time-averaged wall shear stress. A condition of zero wall shear stress not reached.

However, there was a minimum observed in the plot of mean wall shear stress against dimensionless gas velocity. This minimum occurred at the same dimensionless velocity for the present data at those from small diameter pipes. The change in the direction of the liquid film also supported by the measurements of local film thickness and high speed video images which have shown waves move both upward and downward and not purely in axial direction.


Aims: To determine if asymptomatic carriers from a previously identified large pedigree of the Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) 11778 mtDNA mutation have colour vision deficits. Methods: As part of a comprehensive analysis of over 200 members of a large Brazilian LHON pedigree spanning seven generations, colour vision tests were obtained from 91 members. Colour vision was tested one eye at a time using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 (FM-100) hue colour vision test. The test was administered under uniform conditions, taking into account: ambient light levels, daylight colour temperature of 6700 kelvin, and neutral uniform background. Tests were scored using the FM-100 MS-Excel computer scoring program. Defects were determined and categorised as tritan, deutan, or protan. Categorisation of each dyschromatopsia was based on review of demonstrated axis computer generated plots and age adjusted error scores which coincided with Verriest 95% confidence intervals. Only the axis with the greatest magnitude error score was used to classify the defect. 55 of the 91 test subjects were LHON mtDNA 11778 J haplotype mutation carriers, proved by mtDNA analysis. The remaining 36 subjects were age matched non-blood relatives (off pedigree), who served as controls. Results: 27 of 55 carriers (49.10%) were shown to have colour vision defects in one or both eyes. 13 of the 27 (48%) abnormal tests in the carrier group were tritan defects and the remaining 14 (52%) were deutan defects. Nine of the 27 (33%) abnormals in the carrier group were identified as having bilateral defects. Six of these were deutan, and the remaining three were tritan dyschromatopsias. Only six of the 36 (16.66%) age matched controls were found to have any type of dyschromatopsia. Five (83.3%) of these were deutan defects. The remaining one was a tritan defect. The difference between the two groups using a χ2 test with one degree of freedom was statistically significant with a p value less that 0.001. Conclusions: Until now, LHON has always been characterised by a sudden, devastating vision loss. Asymptomatic carriers, those without vision loss, were considered unaffected by the disease. It now appears that asymptomatic carriers of the LHON mutation are affected by colour vision defects and may manifest other subtle, yet chronic, changes.


The famous impossible trilemma is well known: only two out of these three objectives can be achieved: fixed exchange rates, absence of capital controls and the possibility of having an independent monetary policy. Central banks have themselves rendered the choice of the impossible trilemma unsustainable because of the resulting instability of exchange rates. But a return to fixed exchange rates is also impossible, as they would also be destabilised by large-scale speculative capital flows. What alternative should be taken into consideration? Classification JEL : E58, F02, F32, F62.