In the era characterized by significant dynamics of the environment traditional methods of anticipating the future, assuming the immutability of the factors affecting the forecasted phenomenon, may be in the long term ineffective. The modern approach of predicting the future of technology, taking into account the multidimensionality of the environment, is, among other things, the Future-Oriented Technology Analysis (FTA). Designing the FTA research procedure is a complex process, both in organizational and methodological terms. The catalogue of methods that can be used in this process is extensive and constantly open. However, in the source literature the rules for the selection of methods appropriate for the type of research were not specified. The ways of combining methods in the research process were also missing. The main aim of this article was to present the author's classification of methods of future-oriented technology analysis and indicate the possibilities of its application. In the text, using statistical methods and artificial neural networks, the classification of methods with the potential of exploitation in prospective technology analysis was carried out. Each of the received classes was analysed, the characteristics of particular groups of methods were selected, and authorial names characterizing the given classes were chosen. According to the author, the application of the proposed classification of methods of future-oriented technology analysis facilitates the design of the FTA research process. It will contribute to the systematization and standardization of the manner of selection of research methods. It will also allow for the selection of complementary methods.


What really makes a difference when it comes to improving outcomes in the NHS? Certainly not wholesale dismantling of systems and processes that are working well or pitting groups of professionals against each other and inviting commercial providers to pitch for services to reduce costs, argues Roger Boyle.

He retired last week after 11 years as England's national director for heart disease and stroke, because he disagrees so strongly with the coalition government's plans for the NHS.

"No reorganisation ever saved anybody's life. The thing that remains the same, year after year and reorganisation after reorganisation, is the clinician, the patient, and the disease, all in a room together. Everything else is secondary to that.

"Whether this is in primary, secondary, or tertiary care, it is this relationship—and how it is dealt with—that is absolutely crucial."

Professor Boyle acknowledges that NHS care must be cost effective, but he considers that the complete dismantling of NHS structures is unnecessary and won't help improve efficiency. "I get fed up with people decrying the NHS. We vie with the Netherlands and Scandinavia for having some of the best quality health services in systematic comparisons.

"In terms of value for money, we always come out as being the most efficient, with some of the …


In this article we present a self-organizing hybrid modular approach that is aimed at reduction ofprocessing task complexity by decomposition of an initially complex problem into a set of simpler sub-problems. This approach hybridizes Artificial Neural Networks based artificial intelligence and complexity estimation loops in order to reach a higher level intelligent processing capabilities. In consequence, our approach mixtures learning, complexity estimation and specialized data processing modules in order to achieve a higher level self-organizing modular intelligent information processing system. Experimental results validating the presented approach are reported and discussed..


We have recently developed a novel type of gel, called the slide-ring gel or topological gel, which is different from physical and chemical gels, utilizing supramolecular architecture with topological characteristics. In this gel, polymer chains with bulky end groups exhibit neither covalent cross-links, as in chemical gels, nor attractive interactions, as in physical gels, but are topologically interlocked by "figure-of-eight" cross-links. These cross-links can move along the polymer chains freely to equalize the tension of the threaded polymer chains, in a manner similar to pulleys; this is called the pulley effect. The slide-ring gel consisting of movable cross-links and free uncross-linked cyclic molecules shows peculiar mechanical properties, different from conventional chemical gels, due to microscopic slidability at the cross-link. In this review, we describe our recent designs of materials and findings on the mechanical properties of the slide-ring gels attributed to the slidable cross-links that are built on a synthetic breakthrough that yields a new series of slide-ring materials composed of various polymer backbones. The finding of a sliding transition reveals the dynamics of sliding, the significance of the alignment entropy of uncross-linked cyclic compounds, and helps in determining the mechanical properties of slide-ring materials.


This study reports a controlled eye tracking experiment (N = 65) that shows the combined effectiveness of 20 guidelines to improve interactive online forms when applied to forms found on real company websites. Results indicate that improved web forms lead to faster completion times, fewer form submission trials, and fewer eye movements. Data from subjective questionnaires and interviews further show increased user satisfaction. Overall, our findings highlight the importance for web designers to improve their web forms using UX guidelines.


Date Presented 4/20/2018 This mixed methods study explored the experience of low back pain (LBP) and effects of a self-management intervention for active duty service members in Initial Entry Training. Satisfaction with occupational performance increased significantly; levels of psychosocial risk factors remained low. Primary Author and Speaker: Enrique V. Smith-Forbes. Contributing Authors: Cortney M. Schoonover, Dan I. Rhon


In Brussels, multilingualism is considered an important asset. Especially knowledge of French, Dutch (Belgium's two main national languages) and English is a pre-requisite for good career opportunities. In this context, students' attitudes towards languages and language learning are of interest to both language teachers and educational policy makers, especially since these attitudes are assumed to have an (indirect) influence on the success rate of second and foreign language acquisition (Ellis, 1994; Gardner, 1985; MacIntyre, 2002; Dornyei, 2003). The purpose of our study was to investigate the relationship between language images, attitudes and language learning motivation in a multilingual environment. The findings indicate that learner characteristics such as linguistic background and contact with the target language are variables modifying this relationship.


The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the psychosocial components of Personal Investment Theory and exercise behavior among 237 adolescents. Specifically, the adolescents' personal incentives for exercise, perceptions of sense of self, and perceived options for exercise were examined as predictors of physical activity level. A secondary purpose was to determine the interdependence between the components reflecting personal investment and self-reported exercise behavior separately by gender and activity level. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the personal investment variables accounted for 19% of the variance in exercise behavior among male adolescents and 25% of the variance in exercise behavior among female adolescents. Discriminant analysis correctly classified 76.5% of the males and 71.8% of the females as well as 80.4% of high-active adolescents and 73.3% of low-active adolescents on the basis of the three meaning components. Further, the results indicated that the significant predictors of exercise behavior varied as a function of gender as well as the adolescents' level of physical activity.


Pendulum stations occupied by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey at locations chosen for their geologic significance provide a net in southern New England, eastern New York, and northern New Jersey comprising about 120 stations. Numerous supplemental stations have been added with a modem gravimeter. Specific gravities of representative rocks near the pendulum stations have been determined. Isanomaly maps based on isostatic, Bouguer, and free-air anomalies are remarkably alike in their major features. Some groups of anomalies reflect bedrock units that have exceptional densities. When corrections are applied for these local masses, regional tendencies are clarified. Two belts of negative anomalies are separated by a belt of positive anomalies. The negative belts correspond in a general way to axes of subsidence during Paleozoic periods. The entire region experienced orogenic deformation, followed by peneplanation. Since the groups of Bouguer anomalies are little affected by the ordinary isostatic corrections, and are related only in minor degree to the visible bedrock, it appears that they either indicate considerable departures from isostatic balance or reflect differences in density that are concealed. Glennie9s hypothesis of crustal warping, in a modified form, offers an attractive explanation of the outstanding anomalies.


There is a growing dichotomy between Islamic ideology and the application of Islamic values. If this trend continues, the notion that Islam, as a religion, is not a reliable source of knowledge or a moral guide may become the norm, with religion destined to remain separate from the real world. Thus, the impact of Islam as a way of life could be jeopardized. The ensuing consequence may result with formal worship becoming isolated from everyday application, whereby worship becomes limited to rituals. The treatment of this chasm should address the cause: a lack of educating and preparing students to live an Islamically aligned life, which serves both God and their community. A significant contribution toward a solution is to structure an Islamic Educational Institution (IEI). This paper proposes a conceptual model for an ideal Islamic Educational Institution that is Shari'ah-Compliant. This model may provide a contribution toward bridging the gap between the ideology and application of Islamic values and knowledge, thereby cultivating principled Muslims.


Diamond/NiCrAl composite powder with a diamond content of 40vol.% is prepared by mechanical alloying process with diamond powder and NiCrAl alloy powder. Cold spraying is employed to deposit diamond/NiCrAl composite coating. To enhance the bonding between diamond particles and NiCrAl matrix, annealing treatment is applied to the as-sprayed coating. The effect of annealing treatment conditions on the microstructure and microhardness and abrasive wear performance of the coating is investigated. The results show the microstructure of the composite powder is completely retained in the coating owing to the low temperature of spray powder during cold spray process. The interface between diamond and NiCrAl matrix is enhanced by the CrxCy layers formed during annealing treatment. Moreover, the cohesion of deposited particles in the coating is improved through metal element diffusion during heat treatment. The hardness and wear performance of the coating is related to coating microstructure and the bonding at the interfaces between diamond particles and NiCrAl matrix.


ABSTRACT This paper presents design of a concept for an integrated head restraint and car seat system to mitigate whiplash in rear-end vehicle collisions. The main emphasis is on a concept, which combines a reactive head restraint with a reactive seat. The chosen concept is developed in the form of mechanical linkages using linkage analysis software, SAM 6.1. A human model positioned in a 'good' driving posture is used to show how the head restraint and seat would operate using a typical crash pulse used for dynamic sled testing of automotive seats. The head restraint system is capable of translating into an optimal position of 40 mm forwards and 60 mm upwards in 12 ms, before whiplash-induced injuries start to take place. The reactive seat is also capable of reclining 15 degrees. The combination of reducing the backset and reclining the seat to reduce the relative motion between the head and torso has the potential to reduce the whiplash-effect-related injuries in rear-end collisions.


Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) on the prevalence of HBsAg carrier rate and immunity developed against HBV infection among schoolchildren in southeast Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 147,200 healthy schoolchildren between 6 to 17 years of age living in the Mardin area. A total of 802 children were randomly selected by systematic sampling method. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were analyzed in blood samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA General Biological Corp., Taiwan). Results: This study involved 420 (52.4%) male and 382 female (47.6%) schoolchildren with a mean age of 10.4 ± 2.3 years. The overall anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and HBsAg were positive in 724 (90.2%), 56 (7%), and 22 (2.7%) children, respectively. The overall HBV seroprevalence rate was 2.7% . Conclusions: The introduction of the national EPI has successfully decreased the HBV seropositivity possibly by preventing perinatal and horizontal HBV transmission among schoolchildren in southeast Turkey.


There can be no question that the existence of regional human rights courts and commissions has been an essential element in the enforcement of international human rights in those regions of the world where such tribunals exist. In the specific area of mental disability law, there is now a remarkably robust body of case law from the European Court on Human Rights, some significant and transformative decisions from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and at least one major case from the African Commission on Human Rights.In Asia and the Pacific region, however, there is no such body. Although the ASEAN charter refers to human rights, that body cannot be seen as a significant enforcement tool in this area of law and policy. Many reasons have been offered for the absence of a regional human rights tribunal in Asia; the most serious of these is the perceived conflict between what are often denominated as "Asian values" and universal human rights. What is clear is that the lack of such a court or commission has been a major impediment in the movement to enforce disability rights in Asia.The absence of such a body has become even more problematical since the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been ratified. Finally, there is now "hard law" clearly establishing the international human rights of persons with disabilities, but, without a regional enforcement body, we cannot be overly optimistic about the "real life" impact of this Convention on the rights of Asian and Pacific region persons with disabilities.The research is clear. In all regions of the world, persons with mental disabilities - especially those institutionalized because of such disabilities - are uniformly deprived of their civil and human rights. The creation of a Disability Rights Tribunal for Asia and the Pacific (DRTAP) would be the first necessary step leading to amelioration of this deprivation. It would be a bold, innovative, progressive, and important step on the path towards realization of those rights. It would also, importantly, ultimately be a likely inspiration for a full regional human rights tribunal in this area of the world. If, however, it were to be created, it is also clear that it would be an empty victory if there were not lawyers available to represent individuals who seek to litigate there. In this paper, I first consider the existence and role of regional human rights tribunals in other parts of the world, and I then briefly discuss some of the important disability rights cases litigated in those regions so as to demonstrate how regional tribunals can have a significant impact on the lives of persons with disabilities. Then, I consider why there is a need for the DR-TAP, looking at the absence of such bodies in Asia and the Pacific, the need for such a body, focusing specifically on the gap between current domestic law "on the books" and how such law is practiced in "reality," as well as the importance of what is termed the "Asian values" debate, concluding that this debate leads to a false consciousness (since it presumes a unified and homogenous multi-regional attitude towards a bundle of social, cultural, and political issues), and that the universality of human rights must be seen to predominate here. I then explain why the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a paradigm-shattering Convention that, truly, is the "first day of the rest of our lives" for anyone who does work in this area, and why the creation of the DRTAP is timely, inevitable and essential, if the Convention is to be given true life. I then briefly summarize the work that has already been done on the creation of a DRTAP, and how this work needs to continue in the future. I conclude by looking at the role of counsel in the representation of persons with mental disabilities, the current lack of counsel experienced in this subject matter in Asia and the Pacific, with a brief mention of how distance learning programs can train lawyers to provide adequate representation before DR-TAP, insuring that this Tribunal has an authentic impact on social change.


The ability to regenerate missing body parts is one of the great mysteries of biology. Planarians are flatworms and a classic regeneration model system. The regenerative abilities of planarians are dramatic: following decapitation, a new head is regenerated in a week and an entire animal can be regenerated from a tiny body fragment. A newly developed arsenal of molecular tools have turned planarians into a powerful molecular genetic system for in vivo investigation of the replacement of missing cells. We determined that there exist pluripotent stem cells, called cNeoblasts, that persist into adulthood and provide the cellular basis for planarian regeneration. We have identified dozens of genes required in vivo for normal cNeoblast physiology. How do wound sites specify what is missing? We investigate the instructions that guide cNeoblasts for the regeneration of appropriate missing structures to understand the molecular basis for regeneration.


This paper attempts to provide a new reading of the works of David Foster Wallace. Wallace, as a writer and as a person, is susceptible to readings which focus on mind and mental states, and whilst this is appropriate and effective, it also leads to what I propose is Wallace's main interest being overlooked. That interest can be
summed up by the question: what is it like to have, and to be, a body that both is and is not us? Persons have bodies, and bodies are, in a very real way, agents; they are composites of drives and response mechanisms, and these may not always be in accord with our thoughts about ourselves. This paper demonstrates the presence of extraordinary bodies in Wallace's works, and argues that Wallace considered the body to be a useful means of investigating the metaphysical aspects of 'being'. The paper explores this via a brief overview of Wallace's early works, before
moving on to a reading of Hal from Infinite Jest (1996), and
David Cusk from The Pale King (2011).


The death penalty is a cancer on this country's legal system, particularly its commitment to fairness, due process, and equal protection of the law. Whether it is the number exonerations, the mental illnesses and neurological disorders of inmates who are executed, the problems with lethal injection procedures, the ability of judges to Alabama to override a jury's recommendation of life imprisonment, the quality of defense counsel, or the substantial barriers to meaningful appellate review, the death penalty is plagued with problems that make its existence contrary to any sense of common decency. Put simply, to the extent that death is really different, the most significant difference is the unfairness and arbitrariness with which it is imposed. When the Supreme Court decides Foster v. Chatman, it should not merely focus on whether the prosecution violated Batson v. Kentucky when striking all African-Americans from the jury pool. The Court should remember the words spoken by Justice Brennan in Gregg v. Georgia and Justice Breyer in Glossip v. Gross and hold that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. In so doing, the Court will breathe life into the notion that the "arbitrary imposition of punishment is the antithesis of the rule of law."


Cybersecurity has rapidly emerged as a grand societal challenge of the 21st century. Innovative solutions to proactively tackle emerging cybersecurity challenges are essential to ensuring a safe and secure society. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a viable approach for sifting through terabytes of heterogeneous cybersecurity data to execute fundamental cybersecurity tasks, such as asset prioritization, control allocation, vulnerability management, and threat detection, with unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness. Despite its initial promise, AI and cybersecurity have been traditionally siloed disciplines that relied on disparate knowledge and methodologies. Consequently, the AI for Cybersecurity discipline is in its nascency. In this article, we aim to provide an important step to progress the AI for Cybersecurity discipline. We first provide an overview of prevailing cybersecurity data, summarize extant AI for Cybersecurity application areas, and identify key limitations in the prevailing landscape. Based on these key issues, we offer a multi-disciplinary AI for Cybersecurity roadmap that centers on major themes such as cybersecurity applications and data, advanced AI methodologies for cybersecurity, and AI-enabled decision making. To help scholars and practitioners make significant headway in tackling these grand AI for Cybersecurity issues, we summarize promising funding mechanisms from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that can support long-term, systematic research programs. We conclude this article with an introduction of the articles included in this special issue.


Background :Hypoxia may be the indicator of serious medical illness, if not corrected can have its impacts on mortality and morbidity.Diagnosing hypoxemia using pulse oximeter is a routine in well resourced clinical settings but in limited resourced settings,it is a rarity. Objective :To find the frequency of undiagnosed hypoxia in admitted patients due to any illness. Materials and Methods :This cross sectional study is conducted in Nishtar Hospital Multan, a tertiary care hospital.We included patients by simple random probability,from various wards.Oxygen saturation (SpO2) was checked with a handheld pulse oximeter.Hypoxia was diagnosed when resting room air SpO2 was less than 90%. Results:296 patients were enrolled. 46 children (less than 15 years) and 250 were adults (15 years or older).Hypoxia was found in 25 patients (8.44%) in total,7 children (15.21%) and 18 adults (7.2%).In children,Pneumonia was most common while nephrotic syndrome and meningitis were other common illnesses found.In adults,hypoxia was more frequently noticed in post-operative cases of general surgery.Other hypoxic adults had respiratory ailments,IHD,CNS infections and CVA.None was previously diagnosed to have respiratory failure and none was on supplemental oxygen therapy at the time of diagnosis.Hypoxia was an incidental finding.Pulse oximetry enabled us to diagnose undiagnosed hypoxia and changed management leading to application of oxygen and further diagnostic testing. Conclusion :Undiagnosed hypoxia was found in significant number of admitted patients.This supports that oxygen saturation checking with pulse oximeter should be the part of vitals monitoring of all admitted patients as their 5 th vital sign.


Lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), which has been shown to be toxic to the lens in organ culture, is markedly elevated in uveitic eyes. These findings have led to the suggestion that LPC is an initiator of cataractogenesis in uveitis. We report here that a factor not considered by previous investigators, i.e. the presence of serum proteins, can modulate LPC toxicity in vitro. First, the toxicity of LPC to lens epithelial cells or to whole lens in organ culture was effectively neutralized by addition of serum or serum albumin to the test cultures, thus suggesting that the potential toxicity of the increased LPC in the uveitic eye might be neutralized by the concomitant increase in serum protein. Secondly, the susceptibility to LPC toxicity of lens epithelial cells was no greater than that of lymphocytes which are normally exposed to LPC levels higher than those in the uveitic eye.


Heterogeneous disk arrays are becoming a common configuration in many sites and especially in storage area networks (SAN). As new disks have different characteristics than old ones, adding new disks or replacing old ones ends up in a heterogeneous disk array. Current solutions to these kinds of arrays do not take advantage of the improved characteristics of the new disks. The authors present a block-distribution algorithm that takes advantage of these new characteristics and thus improves the performance and capacity of heterogeneous disk arrays compared to current solutions.


Using radioimmunoassay (RIA) we discovered 8 chronic healthy carriers of HBsAg among 1,370 sanitary workers in our hospital (0.58%) and we studied, also with RIA, their immunological profile. We have also made an epidemiological and immunological study of their family contacts. Comparing the results of both studies, we emphasize the significance of some immunological markers of these carriers, especially the HBe/anti-HBe system, in the evaluation of potential infective danger to their contacts. On the other hand, the results of our study reveal that the infection risk from the carriers of HBsAg is very slight by extra-hematic way. We correlate this smaller infectivity with HBe antigen absence and anti-HBe antibody presence in their serum. Finally, based on the results of the study, some prophylactic measures are proposed and certain social and working considerations are discussed concerning the health-care workers as chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg.


Craniosynostosis (CS) is a major birth defect in which one or more skull sutures fuse prematurely. We previously performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for sagittal non-syndromic CS (sNCS), identifying associations downstream from BMP2 on 20p12.3 and intronic to BBS9 on 7p14.3; analyses of imputed variants in DLG1 on 3q29 were also genome-wide significant. We followed this work with a GWAS for metopic non-syndromic NCS (mNCS), discovering a significant association intronic to BMP7 on 20q13.31. In the current study, we sequenced the associated regions on 3q29, 7p14.3, and 20p12.3, including two candidate genes (BMP2 and BMPER) near some of these regions in 83 sNCS child-parent trios, and sequenced regions on 7p14.3 and 20q13.2-q13.32 in 80 mNCS child-parent trios. These child-parent trios were selected from the original GWAS cohorts if the probands carried at least one copy of the top associated GWAS variant (rs1884302 C allele for sNCS; rs6127972 T allele for mNCS). Many of the variants sequenced in these targeted regions are strongly predicted to be within binding sites for transcription factors involved in craniofacial development or bone morphogenesis. Variants enriched in more than one trio and predicted to be damaging to gene function are prioritized for functional studies.


We investigated the effect of zinc oxide addition for the defects in the dense SnO2 ceramics. Cathode and photoluminescence properties revealed the luminescence originated to oxygen vacancies in SnO2 grains and the presence of non-radiative defect at the grain boundaries. The oxygen diffusion profile showed that the oxygen diffusion was controlled by the limited process at the surface and uniform concentration of 18O at the grain boundaries inner side of sample. This sample exhibited a low Zn concentration in grains and a high Zn concentration at grain boundaries. We conclude that segregation of Zn at grain boundaries prevents SnO2 from decomposing at high temperatures, enabling dense SnO2 ceramics to be obtained.


The primary calibration of acoustic and vibration transducers are well standardized and confirmed by a round‐robin inter‐laboratory test. Secondary calibration is also very common with traceability to primary calibration. Examples of setups for microphone and accelerometer secondary calibration are discussed regarding accuracy, frequency response testing, etc. Field check methods using reference sources and other methods like Phantom calibration are discussed regarding advantages and shortcomings.


A highly sensitive and tissue equivalent LiF:Mg,Cu,P thermoluminescent (TL) phosphor in powder form has been developed. The TL sensitivity of this phosphor is about 1.5 times that of Harshaw-Bicron LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD100-H) by peak height measurements. Its dose against TL response is linear up to 10 Gy. The annealing temperature was found to affect the glow curve shape and sensitivity. Defect centres formed in the LiF:Mg,Cu,P phosphor after high gamma dose were studied using electron spin resonance. Two centres assigned to (PO4)2- and an F-centre were observed at room temperature. Step annealing measurements indicate possible association between the (PO4)2- centre and the TL peak at 120 °C. Phosphorus appears in the form of the (PO4)3- moiety in the lattice and is responsible for the high TL sensitivity.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Injection therapies play a major role in the treatment of lower back pain and are to date performed mainly under CT- or fluoroscopic guidance. We conducted this study to evaluate the accuracy, time savings, radiation doses, and pain relief of US-guided pararadicular injections versus CT-controlled interventions in the lumbar spine in a prospective randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult patients were consecutively enrolled and assigned to a US or CT group. US-guided pararadicular injections were performed on a standard US device by using a broadband curved-array transducer (9–4 or 5–1 MHz). In the in-plane technique, the needle was advanced through the respective segmental intertransverse ligament. The needle tip position was verified by CT. The CT-guided approaches were performed under standardized procedures by using the CT-positioning laser function. RESULTS: The accuracy of US-guided interventions was 90%. The mean time to final needle placement in the US group was 4.0 1.8 minutes, and in the CT group, 7.6 2.1 minutes. The mean radiation doses, including CT confirmation for study purposes only, were 20.3 9.0 mGy cm for the US group and 42.6 36.1 mGy cm for the CT group. Both groups showed the same significant pain relief (P .05) without relevant "intermethodic" differences of pain relief (P .05). CONCLUSIONS: US-guided pararadicular injections show a therapeutic effect similar to that in the time-consuming, expensive, ionizing CT or fluoroscopically guided pararadicular injections and result in a significant reduction of procedure time expenditure and avoidance of radiation. ABBREVIATIONS: PAP pararadicular aditus plane; US ultrasound; VAS Visual Analog Scale


This study sought to determine how typographic features in brand name designs impact attitudes of bilingual consumers toward the brand. An online study was conducted with a sample of 210 Chinese students who have studied in the United States for at least one year. Each participant was randomly assigned to one of five groups. Based on semantic theories and a proposed model of the role of typography in advertising-based persuasion, two hypotheses were explored. This study found that: (1) a prominent Chinese name in terms of type size in bilingual bands had a positive effect on consumers' attitude toward the brand, (2) consumers evaluated brand names with same size Chinese and English names more positively than those with a prominent English name, (3) consumers evaluated brand names with highly ornate Chinese type more positively than those with highly ornate English type and (4) brand names with low ornate Chinese type and low ornate English type were evaluated higher in terms of attitude toward brand than brand names with highly ornate English and low ornate Chinese. The contribution of this study is to assist international companies in their local brand name selection process by helping them to understand the aesthetic value of Chinese characters in brand name design, as well as to provide practical suggestions for logographic designers and font designers.


Exploring Resistance Training as a Potential Standalone Treatment for Anxious Adults Who Screen Positive for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder James W. Whitworth Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling psychological disorder that affects about 7% of adults in the United States. PTSD and its symptoms have consistently been shown to have an inverse relationship with exercise participation. The strongest reported associations have been between high intensity exercise, and the hyperarousal and avoidance symptom clusters. Importantly, resistance training (i.e., weight lifting) is thought to have beneficial effects for several conditions that commonly co-occur with PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality. However, no studies have examined the effects of high intensity resistance training on PTSD symptoms. Purpose: This study sought to examine the effects of a 3-week high intensity resistance training program on the PTSD hyperarousal and avoidance symptom clusters, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression symptoms in anxious adults who screened positive for PTSD. Additionally, this study explored potential mechanisms of action (e.g., cognitive appraisal, perceived exertion, acute changes in affect, arousal, and distress) between exercise and PTSD. Methods: Thirty trait anxious individuals who screened positive for PTSD were randomly assigned to either a 3-week high intensity resistance training intervention, or a 3-week time-matched attention control group, while blocking for gender. Both groups were required to attend 3 on-site sessions per week, for 3 weeks (i.e., 9 total sessions). Each resistance training session consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of high intensity resistance training, and a 5-minute cool-down. Each control session consisted of a brief 30minute educational video on topics not relating to exercise or PTSD. Changes in PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, anxiety and depression were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, and potential mechanisms of action were explored with a series of longitudinal mixedeffects regression models. Results: Participants were 73.3% female, with a mean age of 29.1 years (SD = 7.4), and 63.3% identified as a racial minority. Groups did not significantly differ at baseline. There was a Time*Group interaction for hyperarousal symptoms (F = 4.7, p = .04, η .18), demonstrating a significantly larger reduction in hyperarousal symptoms for the resistance training group (d = -1.84) relative to the control (d = -1.13). The Time*Group interaction for avoidance symptoms was not significant (F = 1.7, p = .20, η = .08); however, the effect size of resistance training was larger (d = -2.71) than the control (d = -1.16). There was a significant Time*Group interaction for sleep quality (F = 4.7, p = .04, η = .19), demonstrating greater improvements in global sleep quality for resistance training (d = -1.06) relative to the control (d = -.15). However, there was no significant effect of Time on PTSD-related sleep disturbances (F = 3.0, p = .1, η = .13) nor was there a significant Time*Group interaction (F = .09, p = .80, η < .01). Similarly, Time*Group interactions for anxiety (F = 3.5, p = .08, η = .14) and depressive symptoms (F = 2.7, p = .12, η = .11) were not significant. However, resistance training had a large effect on anxiety (d = -.81), and small effect on depression symptoms (d = -.41). Regarding the potential mechanisms of action, changes in cognitive appraisal significantly predicted changes in PTSD symptoms during the resistance training intervention (b = 7.1, SE = 2.9, p = .02). Similarly, changes in perceived exertion during exercise was a significant predictor of PTSD symptoms over the 3-week intervention period (b = -3.1, SE = 1.2, p = .01). However, changes in affect, arousal, and distress did not significantly predict changes in PTSD (p's >.05). Conclusion: This is the first randomized attention-controlled trial testing the effects of high intensity resistance training on PTSD symptoms. The overall results support the hypothesis that resistance training can beneficially affect PTSD symptoms and its commonly co-occurring conditions, such as poor sleep quality. Future adequately powered studies are warranted.


It would be too simple to assert that the root of the "Continental/Analytic divide" grew out from the "dispute" between Heidegger and Carnap. There are other, earlier candidates for this "divide" through which significant topoi separated off into differing currents of philosophy.1 Roberta Lanfredini2 describes one of the conflicts between the two fathers of phenomenology and logical positivism,, Husserl and Schlick, respectively, in this case, over the significance of "qualitative aspects" for the constitution of knowledge. Schlick, prefiguring the language of Russell, Carnap, and Ayer, advocated the elimination of these aspects from the domain of rigorous, scientific knowledge. Husserl, for his part, sought to found the qualitative aspect of the lifeworld in a phenomenology of pure consciousness. Yet, as we can gather from Heidegger (Husserl's dissident student) in one of his many Marburg lecture courses, History of the Concept of Time (1925), Husserl (along with the Neo-Kantians) tacitly upholds the ontology of Descartes and his "mythology of consciousness."3 That of which Husserl and Schlick are in agreement is an isomorphism between the structure of experience and the logical form of knowledge,4 even if they disagree on the "details" of the project. In light of the tentativeness of both sides of this dispute, it would be difficult to fathom any ultimate ontological difference between the positions of Schlick and Husserl. When the latter identifies being, via his eidetic reduction, with pure consciousness (and denies the necessity of the world for its existence), he reveals his phenomenology, as Heidegger insists, as empty, formal, and thus, as un-phenomenological. Adjacent to Schlick's non-subjective, logico-linguistic exclusion of quality, it is not surprising that this particular "dispute" is little known. At the end of the day, nothing was at stake.5 That which distinguishes the clash between Heidegger and Carnap from that between Schlick and Husserl however is that the question of the task of philosophy itself is raised and this immediately raises the question of truth and of its possible modes of disclosure. What is "truth," how is it constituted and how is it to be expressed? Are there differing senses of truth which induce specific ways of expression, and are these variegated senses still philosophy? Must these senses stand or fall on whether they find expression in a world of mere logic and empiricism (scientific fact) or are there other modalities of expression for differing topologies of truth? This controversy follows the Davos Disputation between Heidegger and Cassirer, and it never generated the interest or the intensity to really constitute a significant "dispute."6 Indeed, the only real party in the disagreement was Carnap, as he was merely reacting to Heidegger's Inaugural Address at Freiburg (and his apparent dislike for Heidegger during his Marburg years). Heidegger, for his part, as Gottfried Gabriel notes, gave a few-sentence response to Carnap, re-affirming his desire for a criteria of rigor that would allow for the disclosure of differing topographies of phenomena (a la qualitative aspects). The questions posed to Carnap, as the latter sought to bar him from philosophy, are: Why is there something rather than nothingand how is it with the nothing? And how is such a truth "encountered" and expressed? In the following, in light of our guiding questions of the task of philosophy and of the way by which differing senses of truth can find expression, I will explore in detail each of the texts in this "dispute." After an initial reading of Gabriel's work on this topic, I will explore Heidegger's foray into the metaphysical question of the "Nothing" in "What is Metaphysics?"7 I will then turn to Carnap's criticism of the Address in "The Elimination of Metaphysics through Logical Analysis of Language."81 will consider the question of the force and relevance of this essay as to its pretensions to exclude Heidegger from the domain of meaningfulness, and indeed, from philosophy itself. …


The behaviour of a coating is directly related to its microstructure as well as the crystal structure and composition of different phases that are formed in the deposition process. A comprehensive study of the microstructure and local phase assembly in coatings would help in arriving at structure-property correlations that can help understand the coating behaviour. SEM-based diffraction techniques provide a simple method for obtaining local crystallographic information without the need for complex synchrotron sources. In this study, we present a method for characterization of coatings using SEM-based microdiffraction which involves the combined use of the EDS and EBSD capabilities, citing a Ti-Al-Cr-N multilayer coating as an example. The different layers in the coating were observed and the electron beam focused in each region to first obtain Energy Dispersive Spectra and electron backscatter patterns (EBSPs). The elemental constituents were identified from EDS maps and used to shortlist the possible phases present. The diffraction pattern for each possible phase was then calculated and the EBSPs of the observed and calculated patterns were compared for the closest match. The identified phase was then used as an input to set up EBSD scans across the coating. A qualitative picture of the compositional variation in multilayer coatings was obtained that could help in arriving at the exact stoichiometry of the different layers. Hence, SEM-based microdiffraction allows identification of local crystallographic phases and composition, permitting detailed microstructural studies that would find special application in the study of coatings.


Proxy Credentials serve as a principal for authentication and authorization in the Grid. Despite their limited lifetime, they can be intercepted and abused by an attacker. We counter this threat by enabling Grid users to track their credentials' use in Grid infrastructures, reporting all authentication and delegation operations to an auditing service. Our approach combines modifications to the security infrastructure with a Bayesian classifier in order to provide a reliable method for detecting abusive Grid credential usage and alerting the legitimate user. To validate this approach we created an extensive Grid simulation, simulating different types of legitimate and illegitimate use of credentials. Our experiments show that we can detect 99.5% of all abuse and our solution can thus help to increase security in the Grid.


Traffic speed prediction, as one of the most important topics in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), has been investigated thoroughly in the literature. Nonetheless, traditional methods show their limitation in coping with complexity and high nonlinearity of traffic data as well as learning spatial-temporal dependencies. Particularly, they often neglect the dynamics happening to traffic network. Attention-based models witnessed extensive developments in recent years and have shown its efficacy in a host of fields, which inspires us to leverage graph-attention-based method to handling traffic network speed prediction. In this paper, we propose a novel deep learning framework, Spatial-Temporal Graph Attention Networks (ST-GAT). A graph attention mechanism is adopted to extract the spatial dependencies among road segments. Additionally, we introduce a LSTM network to extract temporal domain features. Compared with previous related research, the proposed approach is able to capture dynamic spatial dependencies of traffic networks. A series of comprehensive case studies on a real-world dataset demonstrate that ST-GAT supersedes existing state-of-the-art results of traffic speed prediction. Furthermore, outstanding robustness against noise and on reduced graphs of the proposed model has been demonstrated through the tests.


The catalytic activity of Pd/TOMPP (TOMPP: tris(2-methoxyphenylphosphine) in the telomerization of 1,3-butadiene was screened with carbohydrates and phenolics that can be potentially derived from lignocellulosic biomass. High conversions and selectivities were obtained and clear structure-activity relationships were found for all of the tested classes of substrates. These results demonstrated the high potential of the Pd/TOMPP catalyst for the telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with biomass-based oxygenates. In case of aldose and ketose sugars, catalyst deactivation was observed, which was related to the participation of the anomeric hydroxyl group. For phenolic substrates it was observed that the composition of the reaction medium strongly influences the product selectivity. These observations could not be easily explained using the well-known telomerization mechanism and prompted detailed mechanistic studies which emphasize the influence of the substrate properties on catalytic activity and selectivity. Analysis of reaction mixtures showed that the ligand is alkylated towards phosphonium species during catalysis and that the extent of this reaction correlates to the deactivation found for sugars. It was concluded that phosphine depletion caused the observed deactivation. Coordination of the phosphonium species to palladium complexes resulted in the formation [PdI(1-3η-octa-2,7-dien-1-yl)(TOMPP)] (F) and [Pd(1-3,7,8η-octa-2,7-dien-1-yl)(TOMPP)]BF4 (C), which are known reactive intermediates of the telomerization cycle and demonstrated that the alkylation reaction is reversible. Similarly, the reversibility of the telomer product formation reaction was studied a led to the development of a simple one-pot procedure for the efficient synthesis of complexes of type C. The influence of ligand structure on the reactivity of these complexes was studied by nucleophilic addition reactions and the reactivity trend could be rationalized by steric, electronic and electrostatic considerations. The reaction of the C with 1 eq. phosphine was studied in different solvent compositions and showed that the stability of cis-[Pd(1-3η-octa-2,7-dien-1-yl)(TOMPP)2]+ (E), another key intermediate which is known to exhibit lower regioselectivity than C, is heavily dependent on the solvent composition. Equilibration reactions of linear phenol telomers also confirmed that product formation via E is also reversible. Furthermore, the formation of 1,3,7-octatriene was also observed and a new mechanism was proposed to account for the increasing selectivity towards the Z-isomer of this byproduct. Two new heterogeneous catalyst systems were tested in combination with biomass-based substrates. First, layered double hydroxide materials were use as basic, ion-exchange material for the immobilization of Pd/TPPTS (TPPTS: 3,3',3''-phosphinidynetris(benzenesulfonic acid) trisodium salt) complexes. The immobilized catalysts were tested in the heterogeneous, solvent-free telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with ethylene glycol and methanol and performed comparably to the homogeneously catalyzed reaction. Next to the expected C8 products, higher telomers with C16 or C24 chains were observed and a chain-transfer mechanism was proposed which accounts for this change in selectivity. Second, a novel porous phosphine-based covalent framework, PolyPPh3 was prepared used as a support Pd(acac)2 complexes. The loaded material was tested as catalyst in the heterogeneous, solvent-free telomerization of 1,3-butadiene with phenol and glycerol and high conversions and selectivities were observed. In case of glycerol, Pd/PolyPPh3 outperformed its homogeneous analog Pd/PPh3.


Objective: In this study, we aimed to document the effects of a well-known agent — "insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I)" — on the microvascular anastomosis site.
Methods: Sixteen Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were classified randomly into two equally numbered groups (eight rats each): the control (Group 1) and the experiment group (Group 2). The femoral artery was dissected completely in all rats. Following division of the artery, anastomoses were conducted with microvascular techniques. Forty-five minutes after the anastomoses, an Acland milking test was performed in order to check the patency and the first surgical session was terminated. In the second stage, LONG® R3 IGF-I human (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri, United States) solution was introduced to Group 2 (experimental group) intraperitoneally in doses of 2 mg/kg on the day of the surgery in addition to the third and seventh days postoperatively. On the 4th postoperative week, the patency of the anastomoses was evaluated with the Acland milking test. In addition, one centimeter of a vascular segment including the anastomosis site was excised and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. They were evaluated for edema, inflammation, vascular wall injury, intimal hyperplasia, medial atrophy, thrombus, calcification, foreign body reactions, and the endothelial proliferation.
Results: The Acland milking test showed a 100% vascular patency in both groups. A statistically significant difference was found between the experimental and control groups in terms of edema and vascular wall injury (p0.05).
Conclusion: Under the light of the obtained data, IGF-I was effective in preventing the edema and vascular wall injury at the anastomosis site. However, the net positive clinical effect on anastomosis patency necessitates further studies.


Formulators are charged with the responsibility to formulate a bioequivalent product (in case of ANDA) product which is physically and chemically stable, manufacturable at commercial scale. Different crystal structures in polymorphs arise when the drug substance crystallizes in different crystal packing arrangements and/or different conformations. Besides, Polymorphs cocrystallization is now important method to achieve crystalline forms of molecules where alternative polymorphs or salts or solvates are desired. Regulatory road map for polymorphs approval is quite clear and for cocrystals draft guidance is on scientific advisory form public. From Intellectual property perspectives polymorphs and cocrystal patents are approved in different countries within the meaning specified in the act. Overall the patentability of polymorphs and cocrystals directly affects the business driven strategy for research based Pharmaceuticals as well as collaborative research universities for science updation for better health care.


In the relatively young history of the secondary market for life insurance, a great deal of attention has focused on the due diligence necessary to adequately gauge life expectancies. Still, many investors overlook various other life settlement transaction risks that have potentially significant consequences, including assuring that policies owned by trusts are saleable and otherwise what they seem to be, adequately following the patchwork of vastly differing state laws and regulations, potential misuse of the accredited investor exemptions of settlement regulation, and more. Thoughtfully manage and eliminate life settlement transaction risk through stringent due diligence procedures. Otherwise, even the simplest aspects of such a transaction may prove to be ticking time bombs.


Thermal stimulation techniques are widely used to exploit Western Canadian heavy oil assets. These techniques rely on injection of steam into the formation, inducing complex geomechanical stresses in the reservoir and surrounding strata during the life cycle of the project. In SAGD wells, the collapsed oil sand around the liner undergoes a stress buildup which causes gradual sand compaction. The stress buildup is influenced by several factors such as the in-situ stresses, reservoir poroelastic and thermal expansion, and reservoir shear dilation. However, the impact of stress level and anisotropy around the liner is not properly accounted for in previous research on slotted liner design. This paper investigates the effect of anisotropic stress buildup around slotted liners on their sanding and plugging performance under multiphase flow conditions.
 A Scaled Completion Testing (SCT) facility was utilized to emulate multi-axial stress and multiphase flow conditions near the sand control liner. Brine, oil, and gas were used as flowing fluids. Sand-pack samples were prepared using commercial sands by matching the particle size, shape and, composition of the McMurray Formation oil sands. A constant lateral stress and several axial stresses were applied to simulate the stress conditions around the liner. The three-phase flow condition was used to evaluate the role of the steam breakthrough on the liner performance.
 Experimental results indicate the critical role of stress conditions around the liner on its sanding and plugging responses. Results show gradual sand-pack compaction with the gradual increase of the axial stress. Higher axial stresses result in a smaller amount of produced sand, which can be attributed to the stronger inter-particle frictional resistance, hence, stronger and more stable sand bridges behind the slots. The higher compaction results in a lower porosity and permeability, hence, altering the plugging and sanding response of the liner. Also, higher retained permeabilities are found for stronger anisotropic stress conditions. Besides, it is found that the three-phase flow condition could cause a stronger fines migration and production, compared to single-phase flow.
 The results of this study indicate that the stress and multiphase flow effects are crucial factors in the evaluation of slotted liner performance. The findings from the innovative experimental studies provide insights into the practicability of evaluating slotted liner performance with the consideration of sophisticated field conditions and optimizing the selection of the slotted liner aperture for the entire well lifespan.


3-Nitrophthalic anhydride was reacted with urea and cobalt salt in nitrobenzene under N2 at 185°C and cobalttetraanitrophthalocyanine (CoTNP) was produced. Cobalt-tetraaminophthalocyanine (CoTAP) was produced by reduction of CoTNP caused by Sodium borohydride under N2(g). CoTAP and chloromethylpolystyrene was refluxed in nitrobenzene or DMF at 180 oC for 12h. The mixture was cooled down to reach the room temperature and then solvent removed and the resulting precipitate was washed with water to remove excess CoTAP, and dried it to get a light green solid (CoTAP-linked-polymer).


To identify the nuclear protein(s) that interact with the putative cAMP response element (CRE) of the rat angiotensinogen (ANG) gene (i.e. nt 806-779 upstream of the transcriptional start site), mouse liver nuclear proteins were prepared for the present studies. The DNase 1 footprinting protection analysis revealed that nt -799/-788 in the 5'-flanking region of the rat ANG gene are protected by the mouse liver nuclear protein. Gel mobility-shift assays revealed that the addition of the unlabelled DNA fragment, ANG nt -806/-779 competed effectively with the binding of the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 to the mouse liver nuclear proteins but the addition of unlabelled mutants of ANG nt -806/-779 were only weakly effective in competing with the labelled ANG nt -806/-779. The addition of unlabelled CRE of the somatostatin (SOM) gene and the CRE of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene was also ineffective in competing with the labelled ANG nt -806/-779. Southwestern blot analysis revealed that the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 interacted with two mouse liver nuclear proteins with apparent molecular masses of 52 and 43 kDa, whereas the labelled SOM-CRE, TAT-CRE and the CRE of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene interacted with one molecular species of 43 kDa. The binding of the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 to the 52 kDa protein was effectively competed for by the addition of unlabelled ANG nt -806/-779 but not by unlabelled SOM-CRE, TAT-CRE and PEPCK-CRE. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed that polyclonal antibodies against the CRE-binding protein (CREB) interacted with the mouse liver nuclear 43 kDa protein but not with the 52 kDa protein. These studies demonstrate that the CRE of the rat ANG gene (ANG nt -806/-779) interacts with the 43 kDa CREB and a novel 52 kDa protein from mouse liver. The novel 52 kDa protein is immunologically distinct from the 43 kDa CREB. These studies suggest that the 52 kDa protein might have a role in the expression of the hepatic ANG gene.


Background
The purpose of this article was to examine individual- and community-level factors associated with childhood anemia, severe anemia, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in Malawi.

Methods
Using data from the 2010 Malawi demographic and health survey (MDHS), the multilevel regression models were constructed to analyze 2597 children aged 6-59 months living in 849 communities.

Results
The results showed that both childhood anemia and severe anemia were negatively associated with child's age, no fever in the previous 2 weeks and height-for-age, and positively associated with residing in poor household. Childhood anemia was negatively associated with community female education. Child's age, no fever in the previous 2 weeks and maternal Hb levels were positively associated with child Hb concentration, while residing in poorest households was negatively associated with children's Hb concentration.

Conclusion
Comprehensive public health strategies aimed at reducing childhood anemia need to focus more on the significant characteristics addressed in this study.


The sustainable management of post-industrial coasts is a major emerging issue globally. Along such coasts, there may be a significant legacy of both contaminated land (including historic landfills and non-managed waste disposal) and contaminated sediments in and around urban and industrial areas, which require new strategies for cost-effective and integrated risk management under future sea-level rise and climate change scenarios. Here, we review current approaches to managing contamination in post-industrial coastlines, discuss emerging integrated management strategies (building on low input approaches to sustainable brownfields regeneration) and present an approach and framework for assessing and comparing different scenarios for coastal brownfield regeneration to soft re-use and other end-points. This framework can be applied to explore the opportunities for synergy and realization of wider environmental, economic and societal benefits between coastal protection, dredged material re-use and the management of brownfield land. As such, the approach we propose supports planning and options appraisal to realize maximum benefit and value from integrated coastal management strategies.


Introduction: Organ transplantation is the most preferred treatment modality for end-stage organ disease and organ failures as it improves the quality of life. Patients deemed fit for transplantation by the transplant team often wait expectantly for a donor organ. Each year thousands of individuals wait for organs to be donated for transplantation. There remains, therefore, a great need for increasing organ donation and harnessing of donor organs. Aims and Objectives: To determine knowledge, attitude, and practices of the general population for organ donation. To determine the factors which facilitate or inhibit general population from organ donation. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total of 120 patient attendants attending outpatient department in the age group of 18–65 years at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Results: One hundred and twenty participants were enrolled in the study, but only 119 participated. The mean age of males was 37.7 ± 14.7 years while that of females was 32.7 ± 11.5. Maximum awareness was found to be for kidney donation, least awareness for ear drums, and intestine donation. About 49.1% males and 51.6% females were aware of the legislation related to organ transplantation. The majority of female respondents (73.3%) showed their willingness to donate their organs in contrast to males only 16.7% were ready to donate in any situation. Females (60.7%) outnumbered males (45.8%) in their readiness to sign an organ donor card. About 73.3% females and 64.4% males were ready to participate in any promotion campaign related to organ donation. Conclusion: The magnitude of organ retrieval for the execution of a successful donor program is heavily dependent upon the level of knowledge and attitudes of the general public, so the need of hour is to increase the awareness among masses.


The ability to predict the future cash required to fulfil government responsibilities and public services deliveries is crucial not only for the domestic economy but also for a potential spread to other communities. Discussions on the interconnection between government spending and economic development has been a prominent research area in the field of economic studies. However, the 2010 Greek crisis taught world a lesson that, regardless of existing causality, sustainable economic growth relies on the ways in which government manages expenditure. Moreover, public expenditure management (PEM) sees the national budget as an instrument to influence the economy through several features. One of them is cash management which focuses on ensuring the availability of government money to deliver public services in the most effective way. An effective government cash management (GCM) facilitates the requirements for the government to fulfil its responsibilities and public services deliveries while maintaining economic stability. Furthermore, a reliable government cash forecasting model is essential for an effective GCM.

In this thesis, the researcher has developed a government cash forecasting model that meets an acceptable level of accuracy and materiality for use by government cash managers. In doing so, the most appropriate variables were identified for use in the model and a number of statistical methods were evaluated and tested to be used to construct the model.

The methodology undertaken by this study was as follow. The government cash forecasting model developed utilised historical daily data of Indonesian government expenditure following three steps: (1) attribute selection, (2) modelling, and (3) performance evaluation processes. Several techniques based on statistical, machine learning, and hybrid methods were tested independently and then each was compared with the other to assist in developing the most accurate forecasting model based on performance evaluation measurements.

In the modelling phase, the following methods were used. The Autoregressive Integration Moving Average with Exogenous Variables (ARIMAX) technique was chosen to represent the statistical modelling method. The machine learning methods tested utilised multiple artificial neural network techniques including Feed-forward Neural Networks (FFNN), Cascade-forward Neural Networks (CFNN), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFN), Generalised Regression Neural Network (GRNN), Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). For the hybrid method, a combination of ARIMAX and Nonlinear Autoregressive Neural Network (NARNN) techniques was used.

The results show that an accurate government cash forecasting model that meets an acceptable level of materiality for the cash manager can be achieved by identifying and including the most significant variables which influence government expenditure through an attribute selection process and the application of an artificial neural network machine learning-based method. In this study, it was found that the most appropriate variables to build a government cash forecasting model are the total daily available fund for intermittent expenditure, the week of the month, the month of the year, and policy implementation, while the GRU was the most accurate technique.

This study contributes to the existing literature and practice in its development of a statistically robust and accurate method to forecast government expenditure. Notwithstanding that Indonesian data only was used in this research, the procedures used in this study and the forecasting model developed are applicable to other governments and public sectors.


Antiabsence drug ethosuximide (300 mg/kg/day in drinking water for 17 days) produced an antidepressant effect (a decrease in immobility time in forced swimming test) only in WAG/Rij rats genetically predisposed to absence epilepsy only at age of 5 months when spike-wave discharges well pronounced. On rats without spike-wave discharges (21-day-old WAG/Rij and Wistar rats at the age of both at 21 day and 5 months), ethosuximide didn't produce the antidepressant effect but tended to increases the immobility time and significantly decreases the number of divings (active behavior oriented to escape from stressful situation). Ethosuximide didn't substantially change the anxiety level in WAG/Rij rats but significantly enhanced anxiety in 21-day-old Wistar rats. The results suggest that ethosuximide is not possessed of antidepressant potential unrelated to its suppressive effect on spike-wave discharges.


Real‐time estimates of potential output are used for the calculation of the cyclically adjusted budget balance, one of the main indicators in the assessment of the fiscal performance of EU member states. The estimation of potential output involves a decomposition of actual output into a cyclical and a structural component based on arbitrary assumptions about the statistical properties of the two unobserved components. With a very high degree of smoothing, variations in GDP are mostly taken to be temporary, as are the ensuing changes in the budget deficit. Conversely, with a low degree of smoothing, variations in GDP are mostly taken to be permanent, leading to different policy conclusions. Our paper examines whether and how different potential output estimates would have supported different decisions in the EU budgetary surveillance in terms of both timing and substance. The results show that only a very high degree of smoothing of potential output would significantly reduce the reliability of the surveillance indicators. We conclude that a higher degree of smoothing compared with current practice would not be harmful for EU fiscal surveillance, while it could contribute to more cautious policies by signalling larger and longer periods of economic 'good times'.


Porphyrin-2,3-diones and porphyrin-2,3,7,8- and porphyrin-2,3,12,13-tetraones were shown to have a redox-active unit that can function independently of the macrocycle at large. Electroreduction of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin-2,3-diones [(P-dione)M] and the corresponding -2,3,12,13-tetraones [L-(P-tetraone)M] and -2,3,7,8-tetraones [C-(P-tetraone)M], where M = 2H, CuII, ZnII, NiII, and PdII was investigated and the products were characterized by ESR and thin-layer UV-visible spectroelectrochemistry. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical data show that the first two reductions of the porphyrin-diones and the first three reductions of the porphyrin-tetraones occur at the dione units. This was confirmed by ESR spectra of first reduction products which show that the electron spin is totally localized on a semidione unit, independent of the central metal ion and of the number and location of dione units. ESR spectra of the radical anions derived from free-base porphyrin-2,3-dione [(P-dione)2H] and porphyrin-2,3,12,13-tetraone [L-(P-tetraone)2H] confirm the trans-arrangement of the two inner protons and their location on nonsubstituted pyrrolic rings, thereby maintaining an 18-atom 18-pi electron bacteriochlorin-like aromatic delocalization pathway. The redox unit is not similarly isolated in the corner free-base porphyrin-2,3,7,8-tetraone [C-(P-tetraone)2H]. A one-electron reduction of C-(P-tetraone)2H leads to the formation of a tautomer with trans inner hydrogens with one residing on the N of the ring with the reduced unit as the only detectable product. This process is favorable because it creates a more delocalized 18-atom 18-pi electron aromatic pathway. This result is consistent with the measured redox potentials which show the first reduction of C-(P-tetraone)2H to be substantially easier than (P-dione)2H or L-(P-tetraone)2H.


This paper looks at the transformation of male-to-female transgender identities in Japan since the Second World War. The development of print media aimed at a transgender readership is outlined, as is the development of bars, clubs and sex venues where transgendered men sought both partners and commercial opportunities. The origin of various transgender 'folk categories' such as okama, gei bōi, burūbōi and nyūhāfu is discussed and their dependence upon and relationship to the entertainment world is outlined. Finally, the paper looks at how the resumption of sex-change operations in Japan in 1998 has led to a new public discourse about transgender phenomena that utilizes a range of medical terminology. While the recent establishment in Japan of clinics for individuals who consider themselves to be transsexual is an important development, it is argued that other transgenders who identify with indigenous categories are sceptical about the new medical model which they regard as both reductionist and pathologizing, and that their experience should not be overlooked when giving an account of constructions of transgender experience in contemporary Japan.


Article history: Received: June 2014 Received in the revised form: August 2014 Accepted: August 2014 Carrying out studies connected with application of plants protection products for chemical methods of plants protection against pests and diseases requires to use databases in order to collect the obtained results. Databases, and more precisely information stored in them, may be used not only in the process of conducting further trials, but they may also be helpful for users of the bases, for example with their scientific work. This article presents a database application, "Documents archive", based on the relational database designed and implemented by using SZBD Microsoft Access 2010. The software allows recording results of research and experiments related to efficacy of plant protection products at the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice, and effective usage of results obtained earlier in the research process of this unit. Uncomplicated, user-friendly and fully automated interface of the presented database application was implemented based on diverse forms, with the usage of macro and VBA language procedures. Possibility of cooperation with diverse software significantly increases the possibilities that are offered by database application "Documents archive" in finding and processing the stored data, which makes it a very useful tool (IT tool) for research connected with plant protection. In this way, based on the research and experiments results stored in the base, the database application allows a quick evaluation of the applied plants protection products, as well as selection of the most effective scenario of their usage for a specific crop or pest.


There is considerable capacity to increase community levels of cycling in Sydney. This qualitative study aimed to explore factors that influence personal decisions to initiate and maintain cycling, or not to cycle, in inner Sydney, and to identify differences according to current cycling behaviour. Three types of riders were identified and 70 participants (24 males and 46 females) recruited. Of these, 22 were classified as non-riders, 23 were occasional riders and 25 were regular riders. Twelve focus groups were held in inner Sydney during October and November 2005 and explored perceptions of cycling, specific barriers and enablers for recreational and commuter cycling, as well as environmental and socio-cultural influences. Data were audiotaped, transcribed and thematically analysed using the 'template analysis' technique. Personal factors and the built environment had greater influence for occasional and non-riders, while on-road infrastructure and socio-political issues were more significant for regular riders. Major themes centred on safety concerns due to a lack of cycling infrastructure and low recognition and respect of cyclists' needs by other road and path users. Political will and leadership are required to support programs that legitimise cycling as an essential form of transport that deserves infrastructure, investment and promotion.


Diversity is integral to socio-ecological sustainability at all scales and dimensions of education practice. The Australian Journal of Environmental Education (AJEE) has published research and reports of practice from a variety of novel and established perspectives and methodologies, recognising both small and large research studies and, in the process, becoming an energetic record of what we have been thinking about gender and culture and difference over the past 30 years. The editors of the AJEE have promoted diversity, given the purpose of environmental education is to change how we think about our social arrangements and to reconsider how it is possible to act within our world. As with any long-existing journal, the articles reflect historical scholarly trends and societal change, and the publications track what has been counted as legitimate in terms of being and knowing within the academy. Many kinds of useful knowledge were delegitimised and ignored until quite recently, so one of the tasks of researchers and educators and their AJEE editors has been to redress these silences and absences. If progress has been imperfect, this is a reflection of the difficulties of the task and not a reflection of the quality of the journal.


Applications for atmospheric pollution monitoring and modelling are fundamental tools to develop environmental policies oriented to control and possibly reduce the impact of pollution on ecosystems and human health. However, differences among monitoring systems and data availability are an important limitation in environmental management. In order to standardize protocols and procedures, the EU directives (e.g., INSPIRE, Air Quality Directive) and international programs (i.e., GEOSS) have oriented the community towards developing interoperable standardized systems that assure real time data analysis and dissemination. To coordinate national earth and cross-disciplinary systems for promoting GEOSS and to support the INSPIRE implementation, the GIIDA (Integrated and Interoperable Management of Environmental Data) project was launched. Within GIIDA the working group on air quality was instructed to develop an interoperable system for air quality information management. The system is based on open-source tools compliant with standards and designed to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), which will contain information collected at ground-based as well as at off-shore monitoring sites. This infrastructure aims to store, mine and visualize information. The SDI will support modelling activities and environmental assessments for different scenarios in order to evaluate the impact of atmospheric pollution ecosystems and human health. In this paper we discuss the application of the IT framework and methodologies for the SDI development, which was built on open-source components: Postgis for data storage, Geoserver to export services and GeoNetwork for metadata generation. Finally, we describe the ICT pluggable framework GeoInt, which was developed to simplify the SDI component's complexity for end users by supporting data input from different sources, as well as metadata management.


Hybrid systems employing different kinds of renewable energy sources, like wind and solar energy conversion systems, are used to reduce generation costs and the pollution of traditional fossil fuel-based electrical generation methods. The current paper presents the design of an off-grid hybrid connection of an 852 W photovoltaic (PV) panel with a 1 kW small-scale wind turbine. This work is based on a study of the effect of the changes in the pulse width modulation (PWM) of a DC/DC converter that was connected to each renewable energy source at various loads. The pulse width can be varied by changing its duty cycle value (D). In this paper, the D value is changed manually for each renewable energy source and automatically using an incremental conductance (IC) and Perturb and Observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. The IC algorithm is used for the PV system whereas the P&O algorithm with a smaller step size is used for the PMSG wind turbine. The hybrid system is exposed to different environmental conditions to test the validity of the MPPT algorithm for both renewable energy sources. The results of manual and automatic changes of D values are compared for different loads. The AC output voltage is regulated to obtain a constant RMS voltage at different loads. The hybrid system is tested and simulated using MATLAB SIMULINK R2017a software.


The present study investigated the effect of type of context (single sentence vs. paragraph) on the learning of English colligations. For this purpose, 23 Iranian EF learners in three intact classes participated in the study. Two sets of colligations (adjective+ preposition and preposition+ noun) were selected to be included in the study and the classes were randomly assigned to one control and two experimental groups. The control group (CG) received the colligations in a list, experimental group 1 (EG1) received each colligation in a single sentence, and experimental group 2 (EG2) received the same colligations in paragraphs of four to five lines. Two tests (a multiple- choice and a fill-in-the-blank) were administered to investigate the effect of type of context on the learners' recognition and production of the colligations. A one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Scheffe test were run to analyze the data. The results revealed that the participants in the paragraph group (EG2) significantly outperformed the participants in the list group (CG) in terms of both recognition and production. However, there was no significant difference between the performance of the participants in EG1 and EG2 both on recognition and production tests. Besides, the difference in the performance of the participants in EG1 and CG in terms of recognition and production was not significant, either. It was concluded that contextualization would maximize learning and that a single sentence context would not serve a good definition of context.


This paper presents the design of a fully-integrated CMOS frequency synthesizer for PCS- and cellular-CDMA wireless systems. The proposed charge-averaging charge pump scheme suppresses fractional spurs and the VCO combined with coarse tuning improves phase noise characteristics. The improved architecture of the dual-path loop filter makes it possible to implement a large time constant on a chip. Fabricated in 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, this circuit provides 10 kHz channel spacing with phase noise of -106 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset. Power dissipation is 60 mW with 3.0 V supply.


High-throughput flow cytometry (HTFC), enabled by faster automated sample processing, represents a promising high- content approach for compound library screening. HyperCyt® is a recently developed automated HTFC analysis system by which cell samples are rapidly aspirated from microplate wells and delivered to the flow cytometer. The formylpeptide receptor (FPR) family of G protein–coupled receptors contributes to the localization and activation of tissue-damaging leukocytes at sites of chronic inflammation. Here, the authors describe development and application of an HTFC screening approach to detect potential anti-inflammatory compounds that block ligand binding to FPR. Using a homogeneous no-wash assay, samples were routinely processed at 1.5 s/well (~2500 cells analyzed/sample), allowing a 96-well plate to be processed in less than 2.5 min. Assay sensitivity and accuracy were validated by detection of a previously documented active compound with relatively low FPR affinity (sulfinpyrazone, inhibition constant [Ki]=14 μM) from among a collection of 880 compounds in the Prestwick Chemical Library. The HyperCyt® system was therefore demonstrated to be a robust, sensitive, and highly quantitative method with which to screen lead compound libraries in a 96-well format.


We study a heavy piston that separates finitely many ideal gas particles moving inside a one-dimensional gas chamber. Using averaging techniques, we prove precise rates of convergence of the actual motions of the piston to its averaged behaviour. The convergence is uniform over all initial conditions in a compact set. The results extend earlier work by Sinai and Neishtadt, who determined that the averaged behaviour is periodic oscillation. In addition, we investigate the piston system when the particle interactions have been smoothed. The convergence to the averaged behaviour again takes place uniformly, both over initial conditions and over the amount of smoothing.


France is the only country in the world ever to operate a commercial scale (1,200 MWe) sodium cooled, plutonium fuelled fast breeder reactor, the Superphénix at Creys-Malville. However, the French fast breeder reactor program turned out to be too costly and could never compete with light water reactor technology. Numerous technical problems, low uranium prices and massive opposition exacerbated the poor economic and operational performance of the fast breeder reactor. Superphénix only operated about half of the time that it was officially connected to the grid and was shut down in 1998 with a lifetime load factor of less than 7%. The Superphénix predecessor, Phénix at Marcoule, which began operating in 1973 and will be shut down later in 2009, has experienced numerous sodium leaks and fires and a series of potentially serious reactivity incidents. The lifetime load factor of approximately 45% is one of the lowest in the world.


We examine the effects of the lepton number violating R parity odd interactions, $\lambda_{ijk} $, on single production of fermion (charginos and neutralinos) and scalar (sleptons and sneutrinos) superpartners at leptonic colliders for center of mass energies up to $500GeV - 1TeV$. The probability amplitudes for all the five relevant $2 \to 2$ body processes and the decays branching ratios for the produced superpartners are calculated at tree level. A semi-quantitative discussion is developed within a supergravity model assuming grand unification of gauge interactions and universal (flavor independent) soft supersymmetry breaking parameters at the unification scale. The predictions obtained for the total and partial rates show that the single production reactions have a good potential of observability at NLC (Next Linear Colliders) energies. For values of the R parity violating coupling constant, $\lambda _{ijk}= 0.05$, close to the current bounds, the $\tilde \chi^{\pm, 0}$ reactions could probe all the relevant intervals for $\tan \beta$ and $m_0$ and broad regions of the parameter space for $\mu$ and $M_2$, while the $\tilde \nu $ and $\tilde l $ productions could probe sneutrinos and sleptons masses up to the kinematical limits. Using the hypothesis of a single dominant R parity violating coupling constant, a Monte Carlo events simulation for the $ \tilde \chi^{\pm, 0} $ reactions is employed to deduce some characteristic final states dynamical distributions.


This research aimed to investigate mobile 3D scanning technologies to improve the 3D data capture methods and workflow efficiency for Canvasman Ltd a SME company based in Otley near Leeds, UK. At this phase in the Collaborative Venture Fund (CVF) project the researchers have provided results to the company and a detailed scoping case based technical report. The report includes a product market survey of handheld 3D scanners, product evaluation matrix, 3D software review, and user testing and analysis experiments into each selected 3D portable scanning hardware and software from a range of providers including: Faro, Artec, and the Structure Sensor for IPad.
The presentation, focused on communicating the key phases of the CVF project with the company and other industry partners. And outlined some of the exciting interdisciplinary applications of 3D scanning technologies for colleagues and practitioners across disciplines, not only in art, design, architecture, and engineering, to improve efficiency of data capture, visualisation, archive, design and development of any object, or interior and exterior spaces within the human centred and built environment.
The session in which the research was presented in is titled, ADA in materials and visual culture, and it addressed the role of materials in the production of new knowledge in art and design practice and theory. Historically art and design has always involved collaborative exchanges: between artists, historians, theorists, consultants, designers, technicians, engineers and policy makers. Today new technologies and innovations - capturing form with data is just one example – offer opportunities for artists and designers to engage in novel trans-disciplinary research relationships. This poses the question how to initiate, develop and sustain research collaborations beyond the conventions of our traditional disciplinary boundaries?


Background We hypothesized that oral LTRA with ICS and LABA combination would improve small airways function in moderate-to-severe asthmatics.

Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, parallell study performed in 38 patients treated with salmeterol/fluticasone (SFC) plus montelukast (SFC+M) or SFC plus placebo over 24 weeks. Small airways function was assessed by physiological studies and HRCT image analysis.

Results Over 24 weeks of treatment, RV/TLC was improved by 15.41 ± 6.67 % in patients receiving SFC+M while RV/TLC was decreased by 8.57 ± 10.26% in patients receiving SFC, the difference was siginificant ( P =0.02).

![Figure][1]

There was a trend towards a significant difference in FEV1/FVC in SFC+M group compared to that in SFC group (17.87 ± 8.17% vs 12.28 ± 9.2%, P =0.056).

![Figure][1]

There was no significant change in wall area. Patients receiving SFC+M showed significant improvement in E:I ratio (0.894 ± 0.005 vs 0.871 ± 0.003, P =0.002).

Conclusions We have shown that montelukast improves distal lung function reflected by air trapping, but not airway wall thickness, in moderate-to-severe asthma.

 [1]: pending:yes


Abstract Chordomas of the cranial base are locally destructive tumors since they are surrounded by significant complex neurovascular structures. Thus, their surgical removal is challenging, recurrence rates are high, and their therapeutic strategies remain controversial. In this video, we present a 47-year-old man with a recent onset of swallowing difficulties, hoarseness, and weight loss for several weeks. In the neurological examination, he had complete paralysis of the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th cranial nerves. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a heterogeneously enhancing expansile invasive mass lesion centered within the clivus and involving the C1, the occipitocervical junction, the retropharynx, and the hypoglossal canal. The decision was made to proceed with multiple staged surgeries. In the first surgical stage, we performed a mastoidectomy with the infralabyrinthine approach to perform a test clip ligation of the sigmoid sinus and to resect the tumor component that extended into the infralabyrinthine space. In the second stage, we performed a far-lateral transcondylar approach for tumor resection and occipitocervical fusion. In the third stage, we used a transoral approach with endoscopic assistance to complete the excision of the remaining tumor in the retropharyngeal space and anterior aspect of C1 and C2 bodies that were not accessible in the first two stages. The surgeries and postoperative course were uneventful. Postoperative MRI showed a gross total resection of the tumor. Histopathology indicated a chordoma. The patient subsequently received proton radiotherapy and has continued to do well without recurrence at 14 months' follow-up. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/uP9OSlKg_rE.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
To assess the effect of propofol supplemented with alfentanil or fentanyl on cognitive functions for sedation during elective colonoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients (n=150, 18-65 years old, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk group I-III) scheduled undergo elective colonoscopy were included. They were randomized into three groups using the closed envelope methodpropofol-alfentanil (Group A), propofol-fentanyl (Group F), and propofol only (Group P).Group A patients were given an alfentanil (10 mcg/kg)-supplemented propofol bolus infusion and 5 mcg/kg alfentanil when necessary. Group F patients were given fentanyl (1 mcg/kg)-supplemented propofol and 0.5 mcg/kg fentanyl when necessary. Group P patients were given 1 mg/kg propofol and 0.5 mg/kg propofol when necessary. Vital signs, depth of sedation, recovery parameters, and patient and endoscopist satisfaction were recorded. Trieger dot test (TDT) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) were performed post procedure.

RESULTS
Demographic data were similar among all patients in the groups. Bispectral index values were lower in Group P (p<0.001). DSST scores were higher in Group A (p=0.004). TDT scores and Facial Pain Scale scores were higher in Group P (p<0.005). Apnea incidence (p=0.009) and Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation Scale scores (p=0.002) were also higher in Group P. Patient satisfaction and endoscopist satisfaction were similar among all patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Compared with propofol-alfentanil and propofol-fentanyl, propofol alone is associated with an increased incidence of apnea, drug consumption, and reported pain. Propofol-alfentanil has a less negative effect on cognitive functions than propofol alone or propofol-fentanyl.


A correlation between the rate of H +/Ca2+ exchange and the content of free fatty acids in mitochondria has been found. Fatty acids were isolated from mitochondria with different activities of H"7Ca 2+ exchange. It has been shown that these free fatty acids are able to induce Ca2+ release in exchange to protons after being added to freshly isolated mitochondria.


�We raise the question how Ireland can become an innovative knowledge economy. Questioning received orthodoxy we show that Irish culture should put more value on scientific skills, pro mote a scientifically literate culture, and reform institutional and structural support systems to develop an innovative knowledge-based economy. Developing the idea of knowledge as essentially a complex emergent phenomenon we illustrate the importance of system supports for the development of knowledge and learning through the idea of a national system of innovation. Using the Priority Pointing Procedure, derived from Nomology we explore the key priorities for Ireland.


Lodging control of irrigated spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through both crop management practices and cultivar improvement is needed to increase yield and grain quality in farmer fields, especially in developing countries where wheat production under irrigation predominates. The objectives of this research were to: (i) determine how different planting systems combined with cultivar choice can alter lodging incidence; (ii) provide a better understanding of planting system × genotype interactions to identify improved management alternatives for farmers facing chronic wheat crop lodging; and (iii) assess potential lodging consequences that may be associated with the translocation containing the Lrl9 gene which has been shown to contribute to increased grain yield potential. Lodging behavior and yield potential were studied for 16 spring wheat genotypes under disease free, irrigated conditions at the CIMMYT (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo) experiment station near Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, during the 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 crop cycles. Among the genotypes tested were SUPER SERI, which carries the Lrl9 gene, and Seri 82, which is a near isogenic cultivar lacking the gene. Comparisons were made between the widely used, flat planting system with flood irrigation versus an innovative bed planting system with furrow irrigation that has been widely adopted by many farmers in northwest Mexico. An additional treatment using support nets to eliminate lodging for the flat planting system was included to estimate yield losses attributable to lodging. There were yield differences among planting systems and genotypes and their interactions were significant for yield and most other traits. Bed planted genotypes demonstrated over 50% less lodging compared with flat planting providing evidence that bed planting irrigated spring wheat may be beneficial where chronic lodging occurs. Although SUPER SERI significantly out-yielded Seri 82, it also exhibited significantly more lodging.


The introductory programming lab, with small cycles of teaching, coding, testing, and critique from instructors, is an extraordinarily productive learning experience for novice programmers. We wish to extend the availability of such critique through automation, capturing the essence of interaction between student and instructor as closely as possible. Integrated Development Environments and Automated Grading Systems provide constant feedback through static analysis and unit testing. But we also wish to tailor automated feedback to acknowledge commonly recurring issues with novice programmers, in keeping with the practice of a human instructor. We argue that the kinds of mistakes that novice programmers make, and the way they are reported to the novices, deserve special care. In this paper we provide examples of early programming antipatterns that have arisen from our teaching experience, and describe different ways of identifying and dealing with them automatically through our tool WebTA. Novice students may produce code that is close to a correct solution but contains syntactic errors; WebTA attempts to salvage the promising portions of the student's submission and suggest repairs that are more meaningful than typical compiler error messages. Alternatively, a student misunderstanding may result in well-formed code that passes unit tests yet contains clear design flaws; through additional analysis, WebTA can identify and flag them. Finally, certain types of antipattern can be anticipated and flagged by the instructor, based on the context of the course and the programming exercise; WebTA allows for customizable critique triggers and messages.