Glucuronidation is an enzymatic process that terminally inactivates steroid hormones, including estrogens and androgens, thereby influencing carcinogenesis in hormone-dependent cancers. While estrogens drive breast carcinogenesis via the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), androgens play a critical role as prohormones for estrogen biosynthesis and ligands for the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, the expression and regulation of two androgen-inactivating enzymes, the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases UGT2B15 and UGT2B17, was assessed in breast cancer. In large clinical cohorts, high UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 levels positively influenced disease-specific survival in distinct molecular subgroups. Expression of these genes was highest in cases positive for ERα. In cell line models, ERα, AR, and the transcription factor FOXA1 cooperated to increase transcription via tandem binding events at their proximal promoters. ERα activity was dependent on FOXA1, facilitated by AR activation, and potently stimulated by estradiol as well as estrogenic metabolites of 5α-dihydrotestosterone. AR activity was mediated via binding to an estrogen receptor half-site 3' to the FOXA1 and ERα-binding sites. Although AR and FOXA1 bound the UGT promoters in AR-positive/ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines, androgen treatment did not influence basal transcription levels. Ex vivo culture of human breast tissue and ERα+ tumors provided evidence for upregulation of UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 by estrogen or androgen treatment. ERα binding was evident at the promoters of these genes in a small cohort of primary tumors and distant metastases. Collectively, these data provide insight into sex steroid receptor-mediated regulation of androgen-inactivating enzymes in ERα+ breast cancer, which may have subtype-specific consequences for disease progression and outcomes. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5881-93. ©2016 AACR.


In sport science and physiology, exercise performance tests are frequently used to examine the influence of experimental interventions on endurance performance. The reliability (or reproducibility) of performance of a test refers to the consistency or reproducibility of performance when someone performs the test repeatedly. The reliability of time-to-exhaustion and time-trial performance test protocols has not been studied extensively. To date, the studies of Jeukendrup et al (cyling) and Laursen et al. (running) are the only studies that directly compared the reliability of TTE versus TT exercise tests. The reliability of TTE versus TT in healthy untrained subjects needs to be studied since athletic status, exercise intensity and duration are factors that affect the reliability of performance tests. Therefore, the purpose of this study was 1) to evaluate the reproducibility of comparable TT and TTE tests in healthy untrained male subjects; and 2) to evaluate the performance (time to completion) in the TT and TTE test with similar intensity. Methods: Eleven healthy male students volunteered to participate in this study. All participants performed a maximal incremental exercise test, followed by three time-trial (TT) tests and three time-to-exhaustion (TTE) tests. In three consecutive sessions, participants performed a cycle TT test at 65%W peak on the Excalibur Sport ergometer. The first TT was a familiarization trial. After a 5 min 100W warm-up, participants were asked to finish the TT (total amount of work; approximately 30 min cycling) in the fastest time possible. In the TT protocol, participants received no verbal encouragement and visible information about elapsed time and pedaling rate throughout the trial. During the last three sessions of the test protocol, participants performed a TTE cycle protocol, at the same individual mean power output as the previous time trials. After the standard 5 min, 100W warm-up, participants performed a TTE cycle protocol until exhaustion. In the TTE protocol, participants received no verbal encouragement and visible information about elapsed time and pedaling rate and performed work (kJ) throughout the trial. Results: The CV of the TT (3.4) was significantly lower than the CV of the TTE test (14.1) (P=0.0018). There was no difference in mean time to complete the three TT (2029 ± 150s) and the mean time-to-exhaustion of the three TTE tests (1900 ± 974s) (P=0.641). No differences were found tor the time-to-completion, power, RPM, HR, %HR max and RPE completion of the TT the TTE tests (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The main finding of this study is that the time-trial is a reliable test for performance evaluation in healthy untrained subjects. The reliability of time-to-exhaustion protocols in healthy untrained subjects was poor.


Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), two growth-regulatory peptides with opposite effects on arterial smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation, were examined for their influence on the synthesis of two small chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (CS/DS PGs) called biglycan and decorin. Quiescent ASMCs treated with either PDGF or TGF-beta 1 for 24 hours increased [35S]sulfate incorporation into biglycan 3.3- and 2.9-fold, respectively, whereas the incorporation of [35S]sulfate into decorin was not significantly affected. Treatment with TGF-beta 1 but not PDGF more than doubled the steady-state level of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts hybridizing to a complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding biglycan. Both growth factors had little or no effect on steady-state levels of mRNA transcripts hybridizing to a decorin cDNA. Incorporation of [35S]sulfate into biglycan glycosaminoglycan (GAG) was maximal by 12 to 18 hours after either PDGF or TGF-beta 1 addition. Both PDGF and TGF-beta 1 increased the molecular sizes of biglycan and decorin. This increase was a result of the synthesis of longer GAG chains substituted on the core proteins of both PGs. PDGF but not TGF-beta 1 led to an increase of more than twofold in the ratio of 6'- to 4'-sulfated disaccharides in these newly synthesized GAG chains. These results indicate that PDGF and TGF-beta 1 have specific but different effects on the synthesis of small CS/DS PGs by monkey ASMCs in culture.


According to EU-law, third country national labour migrants shall be treated equally to local workers with regard to wages. The aim of this working paper is to clarify whether Swedish law meets this demand with regard to highly qualified labour migrants. The analysis reveals that the combined effect of entry conditions and the content of the collective agreements applicable in the sectors where highly qualified labour migrants work makes it difficult to safeguard that they are treated equally with comparable national workers. The study also demonstrates that Swedish law does not provide highly qualified labour migrants with any robust means to enforce equal treatment. Hence, it is not likely that Swedish law complies with EU law, at least not for those workers employed by an entity in Sweden. For labour migrants intra-corporate transferred or posted to Sweden in other ways the EU law demands are less clear.


Objective The objectives of this study were to describe residents' experiences with end-of-life (EOL) education during a rotation in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to understand the possible influence of the 3 Wishes Project. Design We enrolled dying patients, their families and 1–3 of their clinicians in the 3 Wishes Project, eliciting and honouring a set of 3 wishes to bring peace to the final days of a critically ill patient's life, and ease the grieving process for families. We conducted semistructured interviews with 33 residents who had cared for 50 dying patients to understand their experiences with the project. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, then analysed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Setting 21-bed medical surgical ICU in a tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital. Results 33 residents participated from internal medicine (24, 72.7%), anaesthesia (8, 24.2%) and laboratory medicine (1, 3.0%) programmes in postgraduate years 1–3. 3 categories and associated themes emerged. (1) EOL care is a challenging component of training in that (a) death in the ICU can invoke helplessness, (b) EOL education is inadequate, (c) personal connections with dying patients is difficult in the ICU and (d) EOL skills are valued by residents. (2) The project reframes the dying process for residents by (a) humanising this aspect of practice, (b) identifying that family engagement is central to the dying process, (c) increasing emotional responsiveness and (d) showing that care shifts, not stops. (3) The project offers experiential education by (a) intentional role modelling, (b) facilitating EOL dialogue, (c) empowering residents to care in a tangible way and (d) encouraging reflection. Conclusions For residents, the 3 Wishes Project integrated many forms of active learning for residents. Practice-based rather than classroom-based programmes may engage trainees to develop EOL skills transferable to other settings.


Iridology as a way of revealing human organs and tissues conditions is done by iridologist by taking the image of both irises of the patients. This can be done by using a digital camera and observe each iris on the LCD display or connect the camera to a computer or a television set and observe it through the display. Research on computerized iridology has been performed before by using artificial neural network of back propagation, which is a kind of supervised learning algorithm, as the classifier [13]. Such system should be able to retain its stability while still being plastic enough to adapt to arbitrarily input patterns. Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART), another kind of artificial neural network which uses unsupervised learning algorithm, has some important traits, such as real-time learning, self-stabilizing memory in response to arbitrarily many input patterns, and fast adaptive search for best match of input-to-stored patterns [9]. That way, ART architecture is expected to be the best stable and adaptable solution in changing environment of pattern recognition. In this research, the lung disorders detection is simply designed through the steps of segmentation, extraction of color variations, transformation of lung and pleura representation area in iris image to binary form as the input of ART 1, and pattern recognition by ART 1 neural network architecture. With 32 samples and 4 nodes of output layer of ART1, the system is able to determine the existences of the four stadiums of lung disorders (acute, subacute, chronic and degenerative) in relatively short time process (approximately 1.8 to 3.2 seconds) with the accuracy of stadium recognition 91.40625% by applying the vigilance parameter value of 0.4.


In this work, an absorption technology   was used actually to investigation the  mass transfer coefficient of carbon dioxide from a gaseous mixture (air, carbon dioxide) in  blended solution Monoethanolamine (MEA) and Diethanolamine (DEA)  in a bubble column reactor (BCR) . The bubble column reactor(BCR) was made of Plexiglas with 1.5 m high and 0.1 m inside diameter.
The overall mass transfer coefficient (  was evaluated at different operating conditions , gas flow rate, air Flow rate ,liquid flow rate .Where the gas flow rates were 10, 15 and 20 L /min ,  air flow rate 100,150 and 200 L/h ,and liquid flow rate 5 ,10,15 L /min . This experiment  by   using  continuous   process with helping centrifugal  pump  . High-performance gas chromatographic (GC) was performed to evaluate  loading during absorption experiment . The  experimental results have shown that the   loading in range of  0.581-1.367 (mol  /mole amine),and the maximum value of overall mass transfer coefficient ( KG) was 0.04 S-1 .


The pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has been widely used for simulating multiphase flow due to its concise concept and computational simplicity. In this paper, based on the weighted orthogonal transformation matrix, a three-dimensional (3D) weighted multiple-relaxation-time pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann method (WRMT-LBM) is developed, in which the standard lattice stencil D3Q19 is adopted. Compared with the classical multiple-relaxation-time pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann method (CMRT-LBM) based on the orthogonal transformation matrix, the expressions of the equilibrium density distribution function and discrete force term in moment space are simplified in the present model, which contributes to simplifying the program implementation and improving the computational efficiency. Moreover, an additional discrete source term in moment space compatible with the proposed model is introduced to achieve tunable surface tension. A series of numerical tests are then implemented to investigate the performance of the proposed model. Compared with the CMRT-LBM, the results of the present model can achieve lower spurious velocity and higher computational efficiency while keeping comparable accuracy. Furthermore, using the present model, three benchmark cases, including droplet oscillation, droplet impacting on wall and droplet impact on thin film, are performed to investigate the performance of this model. The numerical results are in good agreement with the analytical solutions or the empirical correlations in the literature, which demonstrates that the present model can simulate the multiphase flow with large density ratio.


The main science goal of the Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST) is to understand the physical mechanisms and dynamics of large slip earthquakes, which is fundamental to understanding the huge tsunami that caused extensive damage during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Specifically, the level of frictional stress during the earthquake rupture and the physical characteristics of the fault zone are investigated through drilling. The objectives of JFAST include locating the fault that ruptured during the Tohoku event using logging while drilling (LWD); characterizing the composition, architecture, and fundamental mechanisms of dynamic frictional slip and healing processes along the fault by taking core samples; and estimating the frictional heat and stress within and around the fault zone by placing a temperature measurement observatory across the fault.
During the main JFAST expedition (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program [IODP] Expedition 343 in April and May 2012), LWD was completed in a borehole drilled to 850.5 meters below seafloor (mbsf) (total depth [TD] = 7740 meters below sea level [mbsl]), and a coring hole was drilled to 844.5 mbsf (TD = 7734 mbsl) to acquire 21 cores that spanned the two main fault targets. Because of delays associated with severe weather and technical challenges of operating in great water depths, installation of the observatories for temperature and pressure measurements was not completed during the main expedition; however, temperature sensors were successfully deployed during a short technical extension of JFAST, IODP Expedition 343T (JFAST II), in July 2012.
Principal results of Expedition 343/343T include the following:
1. The overall structure at the drill site consists of a prism of faulted and folded
clayey to silty mudstones above, and in fault contact (at ~820 mbsf) with, a
largely undeformed, relatively thin sequence of hemipelagic and pelagic sediments
that were deposited on top of the incoming Pacific plate. The primary
constituents of the mudstones that make up the prism are terrigenous silt and
clay, vitric ash, and biogenic silica. The fault contact, interpreted as the plate
boundary decollement, is defined by a subhorizontal, <5 m thick zone of highly
sheared clay that displays penetrative scaly fabric and localized slip surfaces.
2. Faults and bedding are variable in dip magnitude, but faults and bedding at all
depths in the prism show a preferred northeast strike direction reflecting horizontal
contraction and local extension (at shallower depths) approximately parallel
to the plate convergence direction.
3. Borehole breakouts are evident in image logs from the LWD hole and indicate
several different in situ stress domains along the borehole. At shallow depths (from <200 to
~500 mbsf), the maximum horizontal compressive stress (SHmax) is variable and shows a complicated
pattern. At deeper levels in the prism (537–820 mbsf), SHmax displays a single preferred
orientation approximately 20° clockwise from the convergence direction.
4. Fault slip during the 2011 event and other past earthquakes likely occurred on the plate
boundary decollement. However, slip on other faults cutting the prism could have also occurred
during the Tohoku event. One possible location of re- cent fault slip is identified at ~700 mbsf
on the basis of a local H2, methane, and chlorinity anomaly. Several core samples from a
fractured and brecciated zone at
~720 mbsf contain faults, the largest of which is a high-angle reverse fault that occurs at the same depth as a low-resistivity feature identified in image logs. The fault at ~720 mbsf and the
decollement at ~820 mbsf are the two primary targets for the temperature measurement observatory.
5. Successful recovery of ~1 m of highly sheared clay and neighboring sediments from the plate
boundary decollement provide plenty of material for mechanical and physical properties testing, as
well as for geochemical, mineralogical, and microstructural analyses. Three special interest
structural whole-round samples taken from the sheared clay of the decollement, as well as two
other structural whole rounds capturing secondary faults, will provide material for coordinated
nondestructive and destructive investigations of structure, chemistry, and min- eralogy of the
faulted sediments.
6. An observatory consisting of 55 temperature sensors and autonomous data log- gers was
successfully installed across the two fault targets. These instruments are monitoring the
temperature distribution across the lower portion of the bore- hole to estimate the amount of
frictional heat dissipated along the slip zone of the Tohoku earthquake in order to estimate
the level of dynamic frictional
strength during the earthquake.


This study tests whether evidence supports the hypothesis that rural immigrant populations are more sensitive to relative returns to human capital and living costs will be more elastic than those of native-born citizens. An empirically tractable model of incentive to migrate is developed following work of Huang et al (2001). The model is tested using Census data from 1950-1990 for a sample of rural counties from 18 Midwest and South central states. Preliminary results show that residential decisions of the rural foreign-born population are more sensitive to relative returns to human capital and relative costs of living than are native-born populations. Consequently, rural areas can attract immigrants if they offer earnings opportunities relative to housing costs that are superior to urban markets. Fears that immigrants will form a pocket of rural unemployed appear to be unfounded--immigrants will leave if rural job opportunities are not present.


Postnatal development of autonomic control of heart rate was evaluated in the sinus nodes of isolated, perfused right atria obtained from 21 sibling puppies in three different litters between 3 and 11 wk postpartum. Age-related changes in response to autonomic blockade indicated that propranolol administered after atropine had its most profound direct depressive effect on less mature atrial cells. In the youngest sinus nodes the familial antimuscarinic action (increase in sinus rate) of atropine was regularly preceded by a brief period of cholinomimetic action (a marked slowing of sinus rate) in the youngest sinus nodes. These two opposing effects of atropine underwent a developmental change during the 2-mo study. The cholinomimetic action diminished, whereas the antimuscarinic action increased as a function of age.


Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) offers an attractive operation for the separation of mixtures at atmospheric pressure with reasonable energy requirement. A new simultaneous heat and mass transfer model in DCMD in a hollow fiber configuration is presented. Flow regime in feed and permeate side, the variations of mean temperature and concentration along the membrane module, the length of the membrane, and various properties of membrane characteristics are taken into account in the present model. A system of nonlinear equations describing the DCMD process is solved numerically for each cell using the FSOLVE coding, which is a built-in function in MATLAB® to find the influence of the temperature and velocity of the feed and permeate streams, and the salt concentration of the feed along the module on the permeate flux. The predicted results by the new model show a good accord with a wide range of various experimental results available in the literature. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 589–603, 2013


Trigger's work integrates insights from archaeology, history, ethnology, linguistics, and geography. This wide knowledge allows him to show that, far from being a static prehistoric society quickly torn apart by European contact and the fur trade, almost every facet of Iroquoian culture had undergone significant change in the centuries preceding European contact. He argues convincingly that the European impact upon native cultures cannot be correctly assessed unless the nature and extent of precontact change is understood. His study not only stands Euro-American stereotypes and fictions on their heads, but forcefully and consistently interprets European and Indian actions, thoughts, and motives from the perspective of the Huron culture. The Children of Aataentsic revises widely accepted interpretations of Indian behaviour and challenges cherished myths about the actions of some celebrated Europeans during the "heroic age" of Canadian history. In a new preface, Trigger describes and evaluates contemporary controversies over the ethnohistory of eastern Canada.


Defect in software systems continue to be a major problem. High quality of software is ensured by Software reliability and Software quality assurance. A software defect causes software failure in an executable product. A variety of software fault predictions techniques have been proposed, but none has proven to be consistently accurate. The objective in the construction of models of software error prediction is to use measures that may be obtained relatively early in the software development life cycle to provide reasonable initial estimates of quality of an evolving software system. Here various data mining classification and prediction techniques viz. Neural Network (NN), Naïve Bayes, k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN) have been analysed and compared for software defect prediction model development. For this DATATRIEVETM project carried out at Digital Engineering, Italy has been used to validate the algorithm. The results showed that model using NN classification technique was a better prediction model.


Cleft lip and palate patients often exhibit severe dentofacial deformities that necessitate orthognathic surgery. Orthognathic surgery in these patients generally includes not only maxillary advancement, but also sagittal, horizontal, and vertical movement of both jaws. Surgical planning and execution presents many difficulties, caused by the presence of extensive scar tissues from previous surgeries, tissue deficiencies, the difficulty of aligning multiple segments of bone and soft tissues. Other challenges in cleft patients are complications related to post-surgical airway, speech, velopharyngeal insufficiency, nerve damage, and infections. This review is focused on orthognathic surgery in cleft lip and palate patients, management, techniques, success, and complications.


A fast and sensitive method for the specific detection of E. coli and coliform bacteria in water samples based on the Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) technology was developed by transferring the standard slide-based FISH protocol to a filter membrane-based method. For detection and quantification two different strategies were implemented and tested: (1) the direct detection of single E. coli and coliform bacterial cells on the filter membranes (single cell protocol) and (2) the detection of micro-colonies after incubation of the filter membranes on a nutrient agar plate (micro-colony protocol). Both protocols were validated using drinking water samples spiked with pure cultures as well as naturally contaminated water samples including heat treated and disinfected water samples (chlorine, UV).
The single cell approach was shown to be very fast. Yet especially for low cell numbers the microscopic evaluation can become very labour-intensive. For routine application, an automated cell detection and quantification would be necessary which so far could not be implemented. Moreover, the approach showed some limitations with disinfected samples
Due to the incubation step the micro-colony approach is more time consuming but it yielded very good results for all different samples and conditions tested. This approach has the potential of practical use as only a low magnification factor is needed for microscopic evaluation, making even manual quantification feasible. In addition automated quantification can be implemented. Consequently this approach can be recommended as an alternative method to detect E. coli and coliform bacteria in water samples.


The problem of treating patients with malignant neoplasms of the extrahepatic bile ducts and the large duodenal papilla remains relevant due to the growing incidence, high mortality, and a pronounced decrease in the quality of life of patients, despite the radical surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in inoperable patients with malignant tumors of these localizations.The study is based on the treatment of 79 patients with adenocarcinoma of large duodenal papilla and extrahepatic bile ducts. 29 patients received palliative bile drainage operations with PDT. 50 patients in the control group only had palliative bile drainage operations. Patients in the study group received from 1 to 3 PDT courses in a year. In total, 29 patients received 52 PDT courses. The tolerance to the method and the life expectancy of patients were evaluated. The median survival of patients who underwent PDT was 18 months (11–60 months); in the control group – 11.5 months. PDT, in combination with bile drainage operation, is an effective method for the treatment of inoperable patients with malignant neoplasms of the extrahepatic bile ducts and the large duodenal papilla in the absence of severe complications and with easy tolerance to therapy by patients. For the treatment and prolongation of life of patients whose radical surgical treatment is associated with a high risk of death, PDT seems to be the best treatment option. Results of PDT treatment for cancer of this localization are comparable with the results of radical surgeries and exceed those for palliative surgeries.


Following the 2004 London mayoral election, the successful candidate, Ken Livingstone, set up a Living Wage Unit to produce a figure for a living wage for London and to push for its implementation across a number of London-wide public employers. This article critically examines the way in which the living wage for London has been calculated and the assumptions on which it is premised. The article argues that while the Greater London Authority should be applauded for being the first local authority in Britain to commit itself to a wage premised on a notion of need, it is difficult to consider its suggested wage to be a living wage because of flaws in the way it has been calculated.


Dish-Stirling concentrating solar power systems is an efficient and reliable source of renewable energy. In this paper, the proposed model showed the idea of Parabolic Dish (PD) systems with control system model which vary the amount of working gas in the Stirling engine. The control systems were designed using Matlab /Simulink 2012a. Based on the developed linearized model, an improved temperature controller with transient droop characteristic and Mean Pressure Control (MPC) has been proposed. This temperature controller was effective in reducing the temperature and improving performance of the PD system. The overall performance of the system improved more than 78% in output power and energy. Besides, the system improved in term of sensitivity compared with the PD system without compensated. In addition, thermal losses decreased to 97.6% which is directly have significant improvement for the output efficiency to the system. The analysis shows that the PD system is feasible in term of technical but not economically feasible in the Malaysia environment.


Purpose - This paper aims to determine the maturity of real estate markets in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with focus on the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of South Africa. These individual markets are investigated on the basis of market maturity features such as market transparency, connectivity with international capital markets, commercial building offer, domestic and international corporate base.Design/methodology/approach - The present study is placed on an empirical investigation of the assessments of local real estate experts concerning the Tanzanian and South African real estate market. The survey is based on self-administrated questionnaires regarding the countries characteristics and their real estate markets within categorical rating scales.Findings - The comparison between nascent Tanzania and emerging or even mature South Africa represents the diversity of the real estate market characteristics in the SSA region. Potential foreign real estate investors are provided with objective information concerning the real estate market activity in order to identify the opportunities and risks in comparison to global investment alternatives.Research limitations/implications - As Sub-Saharan Africa represents all African countries located south of the Sahara the region is characterized by diverse geographical, socio-cultural and historical conditions. Given that the real estate market maturity indicators cannot be generalized and adapted to any other African country without analyzing the real estate market efficiency the need to enrich future studies was noted.Originality/value - Benchmarking tools such as the Market Maturity could close the gap between investment opportunities and the absence of foreign real estate investments activity in Sub-Saharan Africa.


Since Arend Lijphart's development of the theory of consociationalism in 1969, dominant schools of thought have accepted that 'power sharing' and 'group autonomy' are the basic preconditions of democratic governance in divided societies. The constitution and electoral framework adopted by post‐invasion Iraq instituted many of Lijphart's recommendations, including proportional representation, federalism and a parliamentary system with a weak presidency. But this democratic framework has failed Iraq. Eight months on from its 2010 parliamentary election and still struggling to establish an effective government, Iraq is facing constitutional crisis. This article uses the case study of Iraq to uncover fundamental flaws in orthodox arguments about democracy in divided societies and it goes on to recommend changes that would better enable stable and effective governance.


Background The recent marketing of new high-cost antifungal agents (echinocandins and azoles) requires the design of cost-effective treatment protocols. Purpose A new treatment guide for candidaemia and other invasive fungal infections for non-haematology adult patients was approved in June 2011. The main objective was to evaluate the cost reduction by introducing this protocol in a 737-bed University Hospital serving a population of more than 400,000 inhabitants. Materials and Methods Retrospective observational study between June and December 2011. We reviewed the medical records of patients whom were prescribed antifungal treatment during that time and we assessed the adjustment to the approved treatment guidelines. To quantify the avoided costs we extracted consumption data and costs of antifungals from the pharmacy service management system (SAP®) and compared them with the same period the previous year. Results During the study 43 non-haematology patients were treated with antifungal agents. In 38 patients (88.4%) the approved treatment guidelines were followed and in 5 patients (11.6%) they were breached.The most significant breaches occurred in internal medicine (22.2%) and in critical care (3.7%). Regarding avoided costs for the six months of the study, antifungal costs were reduced by 240,616 euros. We observed a 61.9% and 48% increase in use in fluconazole and anidulafungin, and a 42.8% and 41.7% decrease in caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B use. These results are consistent with the recommendations contained in the guide (first line use of fluconazole in non-immunosuppressed patients and in azole resistance use anidulafungin). Micafungin use was restricted to the paediatric population with consumption equal to that in the previous period. Conclusions The treatment guideline compliance was excellent at our hospital, resulting in a significant decrease in antifungal expenses. Implementation of these guidelines in the management of high-cost drugs resulted in significant cost reductions and therefore in a more rational use of healthcare budgets. No conflict of interest.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Recent literature has suggested that longitudinal continuity (ie, the patient is seen by the same practitioner for the entire course of treatment) may be linked to high degrees of patient satisfaction with medical care. The purpose of this study was to provide preliminary information regarding the association between longitudinal continuity and reports of patient satisfaction with physical therapy outpatient care.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A sample of 1,502 adult subjects completed the MedRisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction With Physical Therapy Care at the time of discharge from outpatient physical therapy. Relationships between satisfaction measures and the presence or absence of longitudinal continuity were assessed by use of binary logistic regression.

RESULTS
Overall, 36.8% of the subjects reported complete satisfaction on the internal subscale (patient-therapist), and 47.9% of the subjects reported complete satisfaction on the external subscale (patient-support staff). Higher percentages of women (40.2% and 51.1% for internal and external subscales, respectively) than of men (31.9% and 43.3% for internal and external subscales, respectively) were completely satisfied with care. Of subjects who reported complete satisfaction on the internal subscale, 71.2% had longitudinal continuity of care, and 28.8% did not. A similar trend was noted for the external subscale (patient-support staff); 66.8% of subjects who reported complete satisfaction had longitudinal continuity, and 33.2% did not. Odds ratios describing the probability of complete satisfaction with care for subjects who had longitudinal continuity and for those who did not were significant and ranged from 2.7 to 3.5.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Subjects who received their entire course of outpatient physical therapy from only 1 provider were approximately 3 times more likely to report complete satisfaction with care than those who received care from more than 1 provider. These findings suggest that clinicians and managers should make efforts to preserve longitudinal continuity of care as a means of improving patient satisfaction with care.


Free-standing, 8 nm diameter, rare-earth doped nanoparticles Re(10)Pb(25)F(65) have been prepared, where Re stands for either single rare-earth ion, such as Er(3+), Yb(3+), Eu(3+), Dy(3+), Ho(3+), Tm(3+) or combinations of those ions. The nanoparticles have been extracted by chemical etching from the oxyfluoride nano-glass-ceramics template and analyzed by transmission electron microscope with energy dispersion spectroscopy. The nanoparticles show durable up-conversion photoluminescence, which is neither concentration nor impurity quenched after 6 months ageing in ambient atmosphere. High doping levels in these nanoparticles ensure high, up to 15%, quantum yield of up-conversion luminescence.


This course provides students with a systematic approach to restaurant operations management. Students apply functions of management to operations and delivery of excellent dining service through integrated teamwork and participation.


: The effect of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) administered in a dose of 500 micrograms/kg body weight/day for 15 days to adult monkeys is reported. It altered the functional integrity of the testis and accessory sex organs as reflected by the changes in the estimations of the alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase in the testis, sialic acids in caput and cauda epididymis, citric acid in the seminal vesicles, and fructose in the prostate and seminal vesicles. Histologically, PGE2 produced a marked decrease in the sperm count and an increase in the number of and size of exfoliated granulocytes was observed, which might have been due to the stimulatory effect of PGE2 on gonadotrophin release. The alterations induced in the electroencephalograph also suggest an involvement of hypothalamic mechanisms for gonadotrophin release, for which certain plausible explanations have been provided. The results suggest that the changes in reproductive parameters might be a consequence of endocrinological and functional disturbance induced by PGE2 and there is a strong likelihood of involvement of hypothalamo-pituitary integration in this complex.


The Arctic-Barents Region is facing numerous pressures from a variety of sources, including the effect of environmental changes and extractive industrial developments. The threats arising out of these pressures result in human security challenges. This book analyses the formation, and promotion, of societal security within the context of the Arctic-Barents Region. It applies the human security framework, which has increasingly gained currency at the UN level since 1994 (UNDP), as a tool to provide answers to many questions that face the Barents population today. The study explores human security dimensions such as environmental security, economic security, health, food, water, energy, communities, political security and digital security in order to assess the current challenges that the Barents population experiences today or may encounter in the future. In doing so, the book develops a comprehensive analysis of vulnerabilities, challenges and needs in the Barents Region and provides recommendations for new strategies to tackle insecurity and improve the wellbeing of both indigenous and local communities. This book will be a valuable tool for academics, policy-makers and students interested in environmental and human security, sustainable development, environmental studies and the Arctic and Barents Region in particular.


The main purpose of this thesis was to develop a printed circuit board for Autoliv Electronics AB. This circuit board should be placed in their test equipment to support some of their camera vision systems used in cars. The main task was to combine the existing hardware into one module.To be able to achieve this, the most important factors in designing a printed circuit board was considered. A satisfying power distribution network is the most crucial one. This was accomplished by using decoupling capacitors to achieve low enough impedance for all circuits. Calculations and simulations were executed for all integrated circuits to find the correct size and numbers of capacitors.The impedance of the circuit board was tested with a network analyzer to confirm that the impedance were low enough, which was the case. System functionality was never tested completely, due to delivery problems with some external equipment.


Brachystemin A (\textbf{1}) is a biologically active peptide from a Chinese traditional plant \textit{Brachystemma calycinum} D. Don. (Caryophyllaceae). The current study describes the complete solid-phase total synthesis of peptide \textbf{1} by using Kenner's sulfonamide safety-catch linker strategy. It was identified by QTOF/MS data and NMR studies. Synthetic peptide \textbf{1} was tested for its immunomodulatory effect on different inflammatory parameters, including production of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha $ (TNF-$\alpha )$, and interleukin-1$\beta $ (IL-1$\beta )$, and generation of nitric oxide (NO$^{.})$. The synthetic peptide \textbf{1} showed a moderate to low level of inhibition on the production of IL-2 (35.2{\%}), TNF-$\alpha $ (19.3{\%}), and IL-1$\beta $(7.5{\%}) at a concentration of 25 $\mu $M. The effect of the compound on viability of cells was also evaluated, and it was found to be nontoxic on 3T3 cells.


Online peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms become a critical channel for financing. However, lenders suffer from economic lose due to dishonest behaviors of platforms and borrowers. By identifying risk correctly, lenders can make appropriate investment decisions to survive from risk and gain profits. Yet the existing empirical literature remains unclear about which factors influence lenders' risk perceptions and investment decision. Therefore, we draw on elaboration likelihood model to examine how lenders make their investment decisions away from problematic platforms and risky bids. Specifically, we identify argument frame as a central route of perceived risk, and platform reputation and source credibility as peripheral cues. We also examine roles of lender personal factors, i.e., cognitive capability and risk preference. We plan to conduct a laboratory experiment to collect data and test hypotheses. This study contributes to the cognition research in online financial products and provides insights for risk control and website design.


Introduction: The use of mobile-health (m-health) technology in public health is rapidly growing in developing countries. Objective: The objective of this study was to critically analyze the role and incorporation of m-health into public health systems of developing countries. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of related studies in the literature published in the last 10 years on key search word m-health role in developing countries was conducted using abstracting databases such as PubMed, World Health Organization, Cochrane, Google scholar and Bio-med Central. m-health studies on impact, effectiveness and evaluation of m-health in public health were the three main criteria's taken for inclusion and studies on m-health in developed world as well data from thesis/dissertation were excluded in this review. This study is unique in methodology as similar kind of studies with this type of method and focus has not been carried out previously in the literature. Results and Discussion: From 23 articles, which finally met the inclusion criteria it was found that, a variety of m-health applications and m-health strategies are available in the mobile phone market of developing countries; however, lack of appropriate governmental regulation and oversight from health-care authorities are impacting the results in terms of costs, benefits and utility of these applications. Conclusions: m-health technology has the potential to impact greater health-care access to larger segments of rural populations and an improved capacity to meet the demand in developing countries as seen from Indian strategies, provided it is also intelligently used for improving health-care of people in developing countries.


Fluorosis is a major public health problem in India affecting nearly 20 states. Despite more than three decades of fluorosis prevention efforts, fluorosis continues to be a widely prevalent disease in India. The debilitating effects of skeletal fluorosis are well documented and pose a serious health risk to people who consume excess fluoride. In order to understand whether fluorosis was being given importance as a public health problem by elected politicians, we analyzed parliamentary questions posed in both the houses of the Indian parliament during the question hour. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes, namely health hazards, fluorosis control, and magnitude of fluorosis. The analysis revealed that politicians have posed questions regarding all the aspects that are necessary for fluorosis control in India. However, we have identified the certain key issues which have to be improved and certain obligations that the Government of India has to fulfill for successful fluorosis mitigation in India.


OBJECTIVE
The study examined the effectiveness of a three-month structured outpatient intervention developed for women with severe depression and childhood trauma that used brief psychodynamic psychotherapy by comparing it to standard treatment recommended in clinical guidelines issued by the Chilean Ministry of Health.

METHODS
Eighty-seven women who sought treatment from a public health service in Curicó, Chile, and who had severe depression and a history of childhood traumatic experiences were randomly assigned to receive either the intervention (N=44) or standard treatment (N=43). The participants were assessed at baseline and at three months (completion of the intervention) and six months with use of the Hamilton Depression Scale (Ham-D); Lambert's Outcome Questionnaire (OQ-45.2), which rates psychiatric symptoms, interpersonal relationships, and social role functioning; and the Post-traumatic Stress Treatment Outcome scale (PTO 8), which assesses symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. An intent-to-treat design was used with multiple analyses of variance.

RESULTS
At three months significant differences were found in favor of the intervention group in Ham-D scores (p<.001) and OQ-45.2 scores (p<.05). At six months a significantly greater proportion of the intervention group had indicators of remission as measured by the OQ-45.2 (39% versus 14%, p<.05) and by the Ham-D (22% versus 5%, p<.05). Scores on the PTO 8 indicated significant improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms at six months, although there were no significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS
An outpatient intervention that screened for and focused on childhood traumas and that helped patients understand current psychosocial difficulties as a repetition of past traumas was effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms and improving interpersonal relationships and social role functioning among women with severe depression and a history of childhood trauma.


Objective To explore risk factors for preterm birth (PTB) between 24+0 and 34+0 gestational weeks in the UK's largest maternity unit, with a particular focus on low risk pregnancies and the effect of socioeconomic status. Design Retrospective cohort study of routinely collected obstetric and neonatal data. Setting 50 486 singleton pregnancies booked at the Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust for all women delivering after 24+0 weeks gestation over a 7-year period from 2002 to to 2008. Main Outcome Measure The primary outcome was preterm birth. Pregnancies were stratified into three groups: low risk; those complicated by medical problems; pregnancies in women with a history of preterm delivery. Multiple logistic regression and generalised additive models were used to explore the effect of covariates including area deprivation, smoking status, BMI, parity and ethnicity. Results The proportion of PTB was significantly different in the three groups: 1.35% (95% CI 1.24 to 1.47, n=38 994) in the low risk group, compared to 6.55% (CI 6.09 to 7.03, n=10 760) in the medical disorder group and 9.2% (CI 7.39 to 11.61, n=732) in the previous preterm group. 64% of the women delivering at LWH were in the most deprived quintile relative to the English population. The unadjusted odds of preterm delivery in the most deprived quintile compared to the least was 1.60 (CI 1.28 to 2.00) in the uncomplicated group. In a multiple regression model, ever having smoked (OR 1.68 CI 1.35 to 2.08), underweight (OR 1.65 CI 1.005 to 2.56) and highest quintile of area deprivation (OR 1.59 CI 1.19 to 2.11) were associated with increased the risk of PTB. Being overweight decreased the risk of PTB (OR 0.76 CI 0.59 to 0.97). In the medical disorders group, age (OR 1.02 CI 1.011 to 1.04), highest quintile of area deprivation (OR 1.46 CI 1.14 to 1.88), underweight (OR 1.68 CI 1.09 to 2.51), ever having smoked (OR 1.19 CI 1.00 to 1.44), nulliparity (OR 1.37 CI 1.13 to 1.66) and black ethnic group (OR 1.61 CI 1.00 to 2.48) were associated with PTB. Conclusions Preterm delivery contributes to inequalities in infant mortality. In a cohort of women with no identifiable risk factors for PTB at booking, deprivation of area of residence is associated with higher risk of PTB, even with adjustment for smoking and underweight, which are also important independent risk factors. Deprivation of area of residence needs to be considered when comparing obstetric outcomes in units around the UK.


Current knowledge of the fiscal impacts of alternative land uses comes largely from cost of community services (CCS) case studies, the results of which are viewed skeptically in the literature due to methodological concerns. To address these issues, we develop an econometric approach that allows us to capture both the direct and indirect relationships between a complete accounting of community fiscal measures and the full distribution of acres of land uses in a jurisdiction. Using a novel panel data set, we extensively document empirical correlations that have not yet been formally established in the literature. Our results are inconsistent with the broad conclusions of CCS studies: neither a shift from agricultural to residential land nor a shift to commercial land is associated with a significant change in the budget. We provide support for and insights into our results by extending our analysis to finer revenue/expenditure and land-use subcategories.


This master thesis presents a comparative analysis of the starting performance and losses at rated operation for a 15 kW, 4-pole industrial induction motor, mounted with standard skewed, unskewed and unskewed asymmetrical die-cast aluminium rotors through measurements and simulations. It is a well-known fact that rotor skewing suppresses the synchronous torques at low speeds and also reduces the audible noise of the machine. However, the casting process results in a low resistive path between the rotor bars and the iron laminations, for skewed rotors, this promotes the flow of inter-bar currents. These currents, flowing between the rotorbars, increase the harmonic torques during a start and create additional losses at rated operation. For standard unskewed rotors, these losses are ideally zero, but these rotors may produce high audible noise. Studies have shown that rotors with asymmetrical rotor slot pitch can reduce the audible noise level in unskewed machines. By removing the skew, the inter-bar current losses are suppressed to a negligible level; ultimately increased machine efficiency is obtained. In this work the electrical performance is verified through measurements on the built prototypes. Direct-on-line starts and rated performance for motors with different rotor slot arrangements is simulated using 2D FEM tool FCSmek. The three prototypes are tested in the laboratory according to IEC 60034-2-1 standard and the simulation results are in good agreement with the measured results. An additional test for the measurement of high frequency delta connected stator winding currents for each prototype machine is also performed, in order to study the losses induced in the stator winding. Results have shown that by introducing the proposed asymmetry in the rotor slots, the synchronous torques at low speeds are suppressed effectively, thus, improving the starting performance of the asymmetrical rotor compared to the standard unskewed rotor. Additionally, a higher pull-out torque is obtained for the unskewed rotor motor compared to the standard skewed rotor motor. However, the losses were more or less re-distributed in the unskewed rotor motor, resulting in similar efficiency as the standard skewed rotor motor. One important observation is that; to capture the inter-bar current losses which are estimated to be 5.5% of the total losses, requires more accurate methods of measurements than the existing. And sufficient repeatability must be achieved; alternatively one should rely on statistical data obtained from measurements on several number of motors.


Research into the evolutionary origins of sociality in insect colonies is changing emphasis from understanding how eusociality is maintained to how insects transition from solitary to social lifestyles. The pygmy carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.) offer an excellent model for investigating such factors as they have been historically thought of as solitary but have recently been shown to be socially polymorphic, which may indicate that they are currently in a transitive phase. By utilizing behavioural observation and experimental removal protocols, I show that extended parental care, as well as sibling care in Ceratina calcarata plays an important role in offspring development. I found, upon removal of the mother, that specifically produced 'dwarf' female offspring take over parental care roles in the nest. The existence of alloparental care and generational overlap suggests that although they are classified as solitary bees, C. calcarata possess the prerequisite behavioural repertoire for sociality.


Abstract: This article identifies the social and cultural history of the early modern tidal water ferry, its skippers and passengers, by way of evidence from a northern Scottish rural coast. Evidence from the region's 'firthlands' reveals an amphibious communications network which transformed gradually prior to the early nineteenth century. The article argues that the defining local topography of coastal adjacency both influenced, and was influenced by, the people who lived their lives within and around the littoral. A system of short range communications over and between the estuaries and firths is highlighted from a Coastal History perspective, leading to the examination of a 'pluriactive' microhistorical space, linking south-east Sutherland, the eastern edges of Easter Ross and the Black Isle and the Nairnshire seaboard. The article thereby opens up possibilities for comparison with other peoples, places and periods, in which being 'alongshore' was integral to rural community construction, coalescence, dynamism and friction.


Kuantan watershed located in the flood prone area and experienced flood event almost every year due to monsoon season on the Peninsular Malaysia in month of November to February. Based on the condition of the watershed that has high probability in subjected to the flood occurrence, it shows that there was a need to develop a hydrologic model for the watershed. The study aims to develop the rainfall-runoff relationship using hydrological model and GIS in Kuantan watershed, assess the performance of HEC-HMS model in runoff prediction and evaluate the accuracy of modified SCS-CN in tropical area. HEC-HMS model was used to stimulate the storm event that occurs in the watershed based on the selected event where the calibration and validation also were carried out. The method used in the model was the SCS Unit Hydrograph for the Transform Method, SCS-CN as the Loss Method, and Lag Time as the Flood Routing Method. The simulation was carried out based on two selected storm event which was on the month of December 2006 and month of January 2012. The value of initial abstraction ratio used was 0.2 and 0.05 which the result based on both application of the ratio will be compared. The model was calibrated based on the antecedent moisture condition which considering the wet condition in the watershed which was known as AMC III, where the calculated curve number based on the land use and hydrological soil groups criteria was assumed in the normal condition. The efficiency of the simulated result over actual result was access using the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE). For the simulated result based on selected event, the NSE value for the model before and after calibration was range from 0.7 to 0.9 for both value of initial abstraction ratio which shows that the model perform well but the model seem to underestimate the actual peak discharge in the watershed. The efficiency for the model based on event on December 2006 was higher without calibration with initial abstraction ratio of 0.2 while for event on January 2012; the efficiency of the model was higher after the model calibrated which has almost the similar efficiency for both ratio of abstraction use. The application of two different equations to calculate the Lag Time also gives slight changes in the result as the used of Kirpich Equation gives a better result compare to the use of SCS Lag Equation for the prediction of the peak discharge.


In this paper we describe the IBM Audio-Indexing System and present some experimental results on the performance of the system on an audio indexing task.


The problem of secure quantized target tracking in wireless sensor networks (WSN) is investigated. Due to the limited energy supplies of nodes in WSN, optimizing their design under energy constraints, reducing their communication costs, securing their data aggregation are of paramount importance. To this goal and in order to efficiently solve the problem of target tracking in WSN with quantized measurements, we propose a new method for jointly selecting the appropriate group of candidate sensors that participate in data collection, detecting the malicious sensors and estimating the target position based on quantized proximity sensors. Firstly, we select the best group in order to provide the required data of the target and to balance the energy dissipation in the WSN. This selection is also based on the transmission power between one sensor and the cluster head. Secondly, we detect the malicious sensor nodes from learned data based on the information relevance of their measurements. Then, we estimate the target position using Quantized Variational Filtering (QVF) algorithm. The performance of the proposed method is validated by simulation results in target tracking for WSN.


This paper argues for designing geo-technologies supporting non-visual sensory knowledge. Sensory knowledge refers to the implicit and explicit knowledge guiding our uses of our senses to understand the world. To support our argument, we build on an 18 months field-study on geography classes for primary school children with visual impairments. Our findings show (1) a paradox in the use of non-visual sensory knowledge: described as fundamental to the geography curriculum, it is mostly kept out of school; (2) that accessible geo-technologies in the literature mainly focus on substituting vision with another modality, rather than enabling teachers to build on children's experiences; (3) the importance of the hearing sense in learning about space. We then introduce a probe, a wrist-worn device enabling children to record audio cues during field-trips. By giving importance to children's hearing skills, it modified existing practices and actors' opinions on non-visual sensory knowledge. We conclude by reflecting on design implications, and the role of technologies in valuing diverse ways of understanding the world.


To allow skilled object manipulation, the brain must generate a motor command specifically tailored to the object properties. For instance, in object lifting, the forces applied by the fingertips must be scaled to the object's weight. When lifting a series of objects, forces are usually scaled according to recent experience from previously lifted objects, an effect often referred to as sensorimotor memory. In this study, we investigated the specific time period during which stored information from previous object manipulation is used to mediate sensorimotor memory. More specifically, we examined whether sensorimotor memory was based on weight information obtained between object contact and lift completion (lifting phase) or during stable holding (holding phase). Participants lifted objects in virtual reality that could increase or decrease in weight after the object was lifted and held in the air. In this way, we could distinguish whether the force planning in the next lift was scaled depending on weight information gathered from either the dynamic lifting or static holding period. We found that force planning was based on the previous object weight experienced during the lifting, but not holding, phase. This suggest that the lifting phase, while merely lasting a few hundred milliseconds, is a key time period for building up internal object representations used for planning future hand-object interactions. HIGHLIGHTS When lifting objects, fingertip force scaling is based on the most recent lift We investigated what time period is critical for acquiring sensorimotor memory Sensorimotor memory is based on weight experienced during previous lift, not hold The lifting phase is a key period for building up internal models of object lifting


which can serve as a basis for new studies. What I foresee is a gradual systematization of dynamic adjustment patterns both at the level of individual behavior and at the level of interactions and transactions among economic agents. Indeed, the distinction between these levels may well be blurred and reclassified. In the course of this development, the very notion of what constitutes an economic theory may well change. For a century, some economists have maintained that biological evolution is a more appropriate paradigm for economics than equilibrium models analogous to mechanics. Evolutionary theory is a point of view rather than a complete theory such as has been the desideratum of economists, and economic theory may well take an analogous course. Methodology will also change. Formal theory-building, with assumptions and logical inferences, will never disappear, but it will be increasingly supplemented by simulation approaches. These need, of course, to be guided by deductive reasoning, but they will acquire independent significance. Kenneth J. Arrow Department of Economics Stanford University


This study offers a legal analysis of the "intermediary service providers of non-hosting nature". It analyses the technological and legal evolution around non-hosting intermediary services and the way the existing legal framework for such services could be upgraded in the forthcoming Digital Services Act. The liability privilege is one of the most central aspects in the regulation of online intermediaries ("intermediaries") both in Europe and other jurisdictions. In Europe, the liability exemptions benefiting certain intermediaries are included in the e-Commerce Directive (ECD).

We use a broad understanding of "non-hosting" as a categorisation of intermediary services other than those covered by Article 14 ECD, which essentially focuses on the storage of information. Thus, we concentrate on Articles 12 ("mere conduit") and 13 ("caching"), as well as on related intermediary services, which may be covered by these provisions. The overall goal of the study is to provide insights to answer the question of whether Articles 12 and 13 ECD are still fit for purpose, and –where applicable– to provide recommendations on how the current framework might be updated.

It is a paradox that it is required to have a sound understanding of the technology in order to describe a technology-neutral regulation. Therefore, Section 2 contains a technical typology of non-hosting intermediary services and functions covering "mere conduit" services, "caching" and content delivery networks, as well as auxiliary network services and combinations of different types. 20 years after the adoption of the ECD it is not surprising that this typology includes services that did not exist in this form when the Directive was conceived. It also describes the technical mechanisms available to such service providers to address illegal content.

Section 3 turns towards the current legal framework and provides an analysis of Articles 12 and 13 ECD, describing their traditional scope, mechanism, as well as relevant case law and a brief description of grey areas. After a brief overview on Article 15 ECD, it turns towards the related aspect of injunctions. Finally, it looks at self- and co-regulation in the non-hosting landscape.

Section 4 introduces an analytical framework with possible parameters for (future) regulation, which also serves as a methodological basis of the in-depth analysis of selected grey areas. For the purpose of this study, we emphasise proximity to content and the availability of proportionate measures as potential analytical categories.

Section 5 examines in detail the Domain Name System (DNS), WiFi hotspots, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), processing in the cloud and live-streaming. The DNS has existed since before the adoption of the ECD, but this study concludes that the role of DNS- functions might fall outside the existing liability exemption regime. Consequently, the provision of DNS-functions –despite conceptually and technically being far from content– might be less priviliged than e.g. hosting in the current framework. Regarding WiFi hotspots, the legal uncertainty around their positioning within the liability exemption framework has been resolved by the CJEU. CDNs are complex business models which offer a variety of functions that did not exist when the ECD was adopted. These intricate functions are difficult to locate within Articles 12-14 ECD. Also processing in the cloud may give rise to legal uncertainty. Similarly, live-streaming is not easily located within the current liability exemption regime.

In summary, the landscape of non-hosting intermediaries has developed significantly since the adoption of the ECD, for example, with regard to the development from caching to CDNs and content adaptation, as well as developments related to cloud computing. We conclude that despite rapid technological developments, the focus of and the rationale for the intermediary liability exemption regime in relation to non-hosting intermediaries have aged well. We therefore recommend that the main regulatory approaches of Articles 12 and 13 ECD should be kept; this includes both the specific conditions for services falling under Articles 12 and 13 ECD as well as basic principles established by the ECD.

This study identifies, however, several aspects where the current framework could be upgraded. This relates both to new intermediary functions as well as old intermediary functions, which may be uncertain under the current liability exemption regime. Based on the findings of this study, Section 6 concludes with recommendations including updated principles and suggestions for resolving grey areas and closing reguilatory gaps.


Metamorphic AlInAs/GaInAs high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) of 150-nm gate length with very good device performance have been grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition, with the introduction of an effective multistage buffering scheme. By using a combined optical and e-beam photolithography technology, submicrometer mHEMT devices have been achieved. The devices exhibit good dc and RF performance. The maximum transconductance was 1074 mS/mm. The nonalloyed ohmic contact resistance Rc was as low as 0.02 Ω·mm. The unity current gain cutoff frequency (fT) and the maximum oscillation frequency (fmax) were 279 and 231 GHz, respectively. This device has the highest fT yet reported for 150-nm gate-length HEMTs. Also, an input capacitance to gate-drain feedback capacitance ratio Cgs/Cgd of 3.2 is obtained in the device.


Aviator Xpro EC 225 containing the active substance bixafen was assessed by VKM in spring 2013, and it was concluded that the metabolite M44 has potential for groundwater contamination. Furthermore, VKM assessed in late 2013 the relevance of this metabolite in accordance with the EU guidance document on metabolites in groundwater, and concluded that the malformations observed in rabbits exposed to the metabolite should be considered treatment related. VKM also concluded that the data presented to evaluate the possible genotoxic properties of the metabolite was insufficient to reach a conclusion. Based on this, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority rejected the approval of Aviator Xpro EC 225.
The applicant has now submitted results from an in vivo study to strengthen the basis for assessment of genotoxic properties, and also submitted new historical controls in relation to the experimental studies on foetal developmental effects in rabbits. The VKM Panel on Plant Protection Products has discussed the questions raised by The Norwegian Food Safety Authority on the basis of the new data, and has the following opinion:
On the assessment of genotoxic properties of the M44 metabolite of bixafen, one of the active ingredients of Aviator Xpro EC 225.
It is the view of VKM Panel on Plant Protection Products that the new in vivo mouse micronucleus study, supplemented together with a separate study demonstrating bioavailability, overrides the results of the in vitro clastogenicity studies. Taken together, it is the opinion of VKM that under the conditions studied, M44 should be considered as non-genotoxic.
On the assessment of the relevance of the foetal malformations in M44 exposed animals.
VKMs Panel on Plant Protection products has assessed the arguments and new historical control data presented by the applicant, intended to show that metabolite M44 is not teratogenic. It is however the opinion of the Panel that the arguments and the new historical data provided by the applicant do not alter the panel's previous conclusion; that the malformations observed in rabbits exposed to the metabolite M44 should be considered treatment related.


The surface roughness between the liner and the piston rings, plays an important role for good engine performance (friction, oil consumption, wear in the engine, energy losses, etc.). In this paper, an analytical model was developed to study the Tribological performance of a piston rings and rough liner taking into account different roughness orientations. A simplified model of the distribution of the hydrodynamic pressure and the load capacity in the contact are obtained from a simultaneous solution of the Reynolds equation and the equation of motion of the piston rings. A numerical model has been developed to predict the friction and the oil film thickness in mixed lubrication regime, and to evaluate the lubricant viscosity influence and the surface roughness on the engine performance. Keywords : Friction – Wear - Piston ring pack- Roughness- Hydrodynamic lubrication.


This work explores shifting attitudes about aging in the first half of the twentieth century by tracing the rise of four figures, and by examining discussions that surrounded their work on aging in the press. Bacteriologist Elie Metchnikoff, food scientist Gayelord Hauser, and advice columnists Josephine Lowman and Elizabeth Thompson were seen as authorities on their subjects and wrote during a period of significant change: increased longevity, the advent of retirement, and growing scientific interest in aging produced a plethora of press discussion that plunged into the "problem" of old age. Their 'prescriptions' captivated attention in both Canada and the United States, illustrating the growing search for management and improvement that dominated discussions of aging. It is argued that while aging became the specialization of experts who studied it objectively, popular messages relayed that there was an "art" to growing old, its success determined by preparation, attitude, and personal will.


Tearing is a common failure type during the service life of woven fabric. In this paper, tongue-tearing strength of a tight twill-woven fabric with weave structure of was tested on the Material Test System (MTS810.23). A Finite Element (FE) model was developed with FE simulation software ABAQUS based on the geometrical characteristics of the woven fabric. With this meso-modeling method, the whole tongue-tearing process was dynamically displayed. Tearing strength and failure morphologies were compared between FE simulation and experiment result, and good agreements were found. Also, a mesh scheme independent research was conducted for this FE model.


The snail hosts of schistosomiasis have found ideal conditions for rapid colonization in many irrigation and drainage canal systems. By studying the hydrodynamic aspects of snail dislodgment it may be possible to devise a control method based on engineering the snail's microenvironment. For Australorbis glabratus, a velocity exceeding 33 cm/sec at shell height produces a hydrodynamic drag force sufficient to dislodge the snail from its position on the solid boundary of a canal.


Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases and causes testicular damage by rising oxidative stress. Using antioxidants reduces oxidative stress and the amount of testicular damage. In this study, the effect of garlic extract on markers of oxidative stress in diabetic rats testes has been studied. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control, Diabetic and Diabetic with garlic extract. Control and diabetic groups received distilled water (1ml/100g BW) and diabetic with garlic extract received garlic extract (1ml/100g BW,equivalent to 400 mg/100 g BW) for 6 weeks. Diabete was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dosage of 60 mg/kg BW. After 6 weeks, the right testis removed and activity of oxidative stress enzymes including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied. Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with garlic extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels (p less-than 0.001). Also during diabete, the level of MDA enzymes activity was increased and the level of SOD and CAT enzymes activity decreased in the testes. Treatment with the garlic extract significantly improved these parameters (p less-than 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the antioxidant role of garlic extract on improving the testicular damage caused by diabete. Key words: Oxidative Stress, Diabetes Mellitus, Garlic Extract, Testis Funding: This research was funded by Mashhad University of Medical sciences. Conflict of Interest: None declared. Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences approved the study. How to cite this article: Salimnejad R, Jalali M, Nikravesh MR, Fazel AR. Effect of Garlic Aqueous Extract on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats Testes. J RafsanjanUniv Med Sci 2014 13(4): 371-82. [Farsi]


OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence of iron deficiency among children with cyanotic heart disease.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.

SETTING
The study was carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital and Mater Hospital from August to December of 2007. A total of 112 children meeting the eligibility criteria were recruited from the wards and the cardiac clinics.

SUBJECTS
These were children less than 18 years of age, with cyanotic heart disease confirmed on ECHO, presenting at the paediatric cardiac clinic of the two hospitals or admitted in the wards at Kenyatta National Hospital. These were patients who had not undergone surgical correction.

RESULTS
The prevalence of iron deficiency was found to be 16.9% (95% CI 9.8-24.1%).

CONCLUSION
There is a high prevalence of iron deficiency among patients with congenital heart disease with cyanosis in the two institutions. Routine screening for iron deficiency is recommended for these children and those found to be deficient should be treated.


From the Publisher:
LATEX is an accessible and effective tool for typesetting written documents. Users at all levels of experience, however, sometimes require help not readily available: techniques for defining new commands, styles for producing tables or graphics, explanations for changing fonts. This book, The LATEX Companion, is packed with information needed to use LATEX even more productively. It is a true companion to Leslie Lamport's original user's guide, also published by Addison-Wesley, and indeed, it is a valuable complement to any LATEX introduction. It is designed to enhance, not to replace, your basic documentation.
Coinciding with the publication of The LATEX Companion is the availability of a revised LATEX standard- LATEX 2. This new release incorporates important LATEX developments over the past several years and provides a common basis for all LATEX enhancements. Some new styles, improve font handling, and a facility to produce PostScript graphics are included in the release. As part of the broad and unique coverage of this book, you will find complete documentation for all these added features.
HIGHLIGHTS
Covers all versions of LATEX now in use, including LATEX 2. Describes over 150 convenient styles for floats, graphics, tables, and much more Shows how to define new commands and environments Explains the use of PostScript Covers the latest extensions and programs for producing pictures, indexes,bibliographies, and advanced mathematics Includes techniques for multi-language support Describes the New Font Selection Scheme


ABSTRACT Commercial real estate occupier markets are analysed in the context of the debate over the role of real estate lending in financial stability and the search for long-term valuation methods to complement market value estimations. Models of sustainable rent, including a long-term trend model and an econometric equilibrium rent model, are tested to examine whether they provide early warning of upcoming corrections in real rental values. Models were estimated using rental value data for the UK and predictions of corrections from the mid-1980s through to 2018/9 and were then compared against actual real rental growth. The models were successful in identifying the occupier market crash of the 1990s and the more muted downturn of the early 2000s, but were less successful at predicting the falls in real rental value that followed the GFC in 2008/9. There is a late reaction to this downturn in estimates from the econometric model, while other approaches struggled to identify it at all. Econometric modelling of sustainable rental values is the recommended approach and could be used in conjunction with a model of sustainable cap rates to develop long-term valuations. This would aid lending decisions and provide evidence for regulators of cyclical movements in CRE markets. For the UK, there are data issues related to this recommendation, especially concerning stock data.


Stiff and tough conductive composites were manufactured using carbon black compounded with high and low density polyethylene, as well as linear low density polyethylene. A low percolation threshold value for the composites was achieved at 2 wt% carbon black. The impact strengths of the composites incorporating low density and linear low density polyethylene were found to be almost 16 and 26 times greater, respectively, than that of high density polyethylene composites. On the other hand, the modulus of high density polyethylene filled with carbon black was 2 times as high as low and linear low density polyethylene-based composites. Tensile modulus increased with the content of carbon black, however the impact strength of the composites decreased.


Enterprise architecture (EA) is a collection of artifacts describing various aspects of an organization from an integrated business and IT perspective. EA practice is an organizational activity that implies using EA artifacts for facilitating decision-making and improving business and IT alignment. EA practice involves numerous participants ranging from C-level executives to IT project teams and effective engagement between these stakeholders and architects is critically important for success. However, the notion of engagement has received insufficient attention in the EA literature and the problem of establishing engagement has not been examined in detail. Based on a single in-depth case study, this paper explores the problem of achieving engagement in EA practice. Using the grounded theory method, we identify 16 direct and two indirect inhibitors of engagement and unify them into a holistic conceptual model. The model explains how the inhibitors of engagement undermine the ability to realize value from practicing EA.


Summary Food-grade bacteria capable of producing bacteriocin with desirable preservation attributes have been isolated from traditional Indian fermented food dal vari, which has not been investigated so far. Among different isolates, Bacillus subtilis R75, isolated on MRS agar, exhibited antagonism against a wide range of foodborne pathogens that cause serious spoilage. Extracellularly produced bacteriocin was purified by single step gel exclusion column chromatography. The purity rate and molecular mass of 12 kDa of this compound were determined using SDS-PAGE. Activity units (AU) of bacteriocin were increased in each step of purification, reaching up to 5·10 6 AU/mL. The increase in the activity units directly affected the antimicrobial activity of purified bacteriocin, resulting in an increase up to 200, 333 and 175 % of the inhibition zones against indicator bacteria. Continuous decrease in the number of viable cells of microorganisms within 10 h after adding purified bacteriocin proved its bactericidal action. It withstood very high temperature, up to 121 °C, for 10 min, wider pH range, from 4.0 to 11.0, complete inactivation in the presence of proteolytic enzymes and storage stability up to 2.5 months.


A modified (frequency-shifted) Michelson interferometer uses a laser, an acoustooptic cell, and a movable mirror to produce a wide-band FM signal having a center frequency of 80 MHz. The basic concepts are reviewed, and a report of an operating system is given. The angle modulation scheme may be used to produce very wide-band FM or PM. Systems configurations are explored that allow several communication channels in a frequency-division multiplexing arrangement.


Magnetic enhancement of Chinese loess‐paleosol sequences has been used extensively as a proxy for East Asian summer monsoon variations. However, the pedogenic magnetic particles contributing to this magnetic enhancement are difficult to extract, so it is not clear how they formed. In this study, we reveal pedogenic magnetite and hematite using electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation X‐ray diffraction, and rock magnetic methods. First‐order reversal curves indicate that superparamagnetic/single domain/vortex state magnetic properties dominated both loess and paleosol samples. Samples of muscovite and chlorite, which are paramagnetic, have weak spontaneous magnetization. The 1‐ to 10‐μm‐sized fraction of host silicatesis responsible for most of the magnetic enhancement of paleosols. In the paleosol fraction, we found weathered phyllosilicates (muscovite/chlorite), including many elongated submicron to a few microns authigenic magnetite and hematite particles between layers; however, few such interlayer particles were found in phyllosilicates of the loess fraction. The concentration of magnetite/hematite particles within paleosol muscovite/chlorite grains and in aggregates of phyllosilicate fragments is much higher than that of the submicron iron oxides found on silicate surfaces. Interlayer magnetite particles are dominantly prism‐shaped with aspect ratios >~4. The authigenic magnetite must be mainly responsible for the spontaneous magnetization of the muscovites and chlorites and the paleosol magnetic properties. The protective silicates account for the low extraction efficiency and also the near absence of surface oxidation of pedogenic magnetite. Based on our results, we suggest that magnetite/hematite in weathered phyllosilicates contribute significantly to the magnetic enhancement of mature paleosols.


The early mammalian embryo (blastocyst) contains three co-developing types of stem cells. Two supporting extraembryonic types - the trophectoderm and the primitive endoderm - encase and guide the pluripotent epiblast that eventually forms all body tissues. Unlike embryos, stem cell-based models of the embryo can be generated in large numbers and subjected to high-content screens as a basis for basic and biomedical discoveries (Rivron et al., 2018a; Vrij et al., 2016b). Here, we show that aggregates of naive Embryonic stem cells cultured in chemically-defined conditions and exposed to combinatorial screens of signaling molecules, rapidly (48 hours) and efficiently (80%) set apart PrE-like cells. These cells produce a basal lamina, generate progenitors resembling both visceral and parietal endoderm, and polarize co-developing Epiblast cells to form a proamniotic cavity. In blastoids, stem cell-based models of the early blastocyst (Rivron et al., 2018b), this combination of signals increases the ratio and number of Gata6+/Nanog+ cells and promotes the survival, growth and morphogenesis of a post-implantation-like Epiblast in vitro. Modeling early embryonic development in chemically-defined in vitro conditions shows that the primitive endoderm forms via a specific combination of signaling pathways and sufficient to drive the development of the Epiblast.


Hitherto, nodular prurigo has not been studied in any detail although there have been sporadic reports of nodular prurigo associated with malabsorption. We have studied ten cases (three male and seven female) of nodular prurigo, clinically, biochemically and histologically. Biopsies of the nodules were divided into three parts, one part for routine histology, one for vital staining using a modified methylene blue technique and one processed for electron microscopy. The patients were investigated haematologically and biochemically for a possible underlying cause for their pruritus. The age at onset of nodular prurigo varied widely (23-68 years). Two cases were found to have co-existent diseases which may have contributed to their pruritus; their clinical course improved when their conditions were treated. In the others the disease tended to be chronic and relapsing. None of our patients had any biochemical evidence of malabsorption and a small bowel biopsy (normal) was performed in only one patient. Histologically the nodules showed characteristic changes with varying degrees of localized lichenification and an increase of neural material in the upper and mid dermis. The modified methylene blue nerve stain showed hyperplasia and degeneration of unmyelinated nerve fibres. Electron microscopically it was seen that each Schwann cell encircled numerous axons (20-30) of differing diameter. The neural proliferation is thought to be a reactive phenomenon. These changes differ from those seen in hypertrophic lichen planus and lichen simplex chronicus. Although none of our patients showed any evidence of malabsorption, we feel that in an otherwise intractable condition every effort should be made to eliminate a possible underlying cause for pruritus.


In this paper, a computational modeling study of stream propagation in the atmospheric-pressure helium plasma in ambient atmosphere (oxygen) is presented. A coupled fluid model between time-dependent plasma dynamics and steady state neutral gas flow is employed to provide a fundamental insight into the evolution of the streamers. The obtained simulation results showing that the sheath forms near the dielectric surface and shields the axial stream propagation. The stream front propagates with axial velocity in a range of 104 m/s–105 m/s. And, the increasing accumulated surface charge should be responsible for reducing the propagation velocity of the streamer front in the axial direction. Besides, when the gas flow rate is 1.1 standard liter per minute (SLM), we find that the concentration of oxygen drastically increases at a larger radial position near a treated surface. Therefore, Penning ionization by helium metastables and oxygen peaks at an off-axis position, corresponding to the ring-shaped emission profile in cylindrical coordinates. In this case, the simulated results show the ring-shaped ground atomic oxygen density profile near the treated surface (z = 0.5 mm) at a large gas flow rate of 1.1 SLM, which is consistent with the observation in a similar experiment.


Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is a potent mitogen, which is known to activate phospholipase Cbeta by stimulating the alpha-subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G(q). PMT also activates RhoA and RhoA-dependent pathways. Using YM-254890, a specific inhibitor of G(q/11), we studied whether activation of RhoA involves G proteins other than G(q/11). YM-254890 inhibited PMT or muscarinic M3-receptor-mediated stimulation of phospholipase Cbeta at similar concentrations in HEK293m3 cells. In these cells, PMT-induced RhoA activation and enhancement of RhoA-dependent luciferase activity were partially inhibited by YM-254890. In Galpha(q/11)-deficient fibroblasts, PMT induced activation of RhoA, increase in RhoA-dependent luciferase activity, and increase in ERK phosphorylation. None of these effects were influenced by YM-254890. However, RhoA activation by PMT was inhibited by RGS2, RGS16, lscRGS, and dominant negative G(13)(GA), indicating involvement of Galpha(12/13) in the PMT effect on RhoA. In Galpha(12/13) gene-deficient cells, PMT-induced stimulation of RhoA, luciferase activity, and ERK phosphorylation were blocked by YM-254890, indicating the involvement of G(q). Infection with a virus harboring the gene of Galpha(13) reconstituted the increase in RhoA-dependent luciferase activity by PMT even in the presence of YM-254890. The data show that YM-254890 is able to block PMT activation of Galpha(q) and indicate that, in addition to Galpha(q), the Galpha(12/13) G proteins are targets of PMT.


The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of the co-regionalization of the distanceto-river topographic variable with the soil properties topsoil clay and sand can improve their mapping. The interpolation techniques: ordinary kriging, kriging combined with regression (two models) and heterotopic co-kriging were applied to data from 153 observation points. The two models of kriging combined with regression involve: (a) linear regression of the two soil variables with the distance-toriver variable on the 153 observation points followed by kriging and (b) summation of the kriged regression values and kriged regression residuals. For co-kriging 350 additional observations for the distanceto-river-variable were employed. The distance-to-river data were easily obtained from the map of the area which was stored in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The performances of the methods were evaluated and compared using the cross-validation method. The mean error of prediction indicates reasonably small bias of prediction for the two soil variables by almost all the methods. The mean square error showed that heterotopic co-kriging produced better estimates of the soil variables than kriging but there was a clear advantage in using the first model of kriging combined with linear regression technique. The second model of kriging combined with regression does not show any particular advantage over the other methods.


Among the various routes of drug delivery, the vaginal route offers many advantages due to its large permeation area, rich vascularization, avoidance of first pass metabolism and relatively low enzymatic activity. Several studies have shown that the vaginal cavity is an effective route for drug administration intended mainly for local action. In addition, it has the potential of delivering drugs for systemic effects and uterine targeting. Use of the vaginal mucosa for drug absorption was first attempted by Sobrero and since then much research has been done on the administration of drugs through this route. In recent years, the level of interest in the design and application of different dosage forms for vaginal use has increased considerably. Vaginal drug delivery specifically refers to the delivery of drugs within or through the vaginal mucosa for local or systemic pharmacological action. The rate and extent of drug absorption after intravaginal administration may vary depending on vaginal physiology, age of the patient, stage in the menstrual cycle, pathological conditions and formulation factors. This review highlights the benefits and limitations of vaginal drug delivery, methodology in evaluation of vaginal drug delivery systems, pharmaceutical aspects and gives a summary of recent advances made in the field of vaginal drug delivery. The various dosage forms in different stages of development and in the market are also reviewed.


Population aging is a social phenomenon that demands the attention of health professionals. This article seeks to analyze the influence of possible intervening factors on the quality of life of the elderly. It was a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive and exploratory study, in which 182 elderly of both genders participated. They were aged ≥ 60 years and were enrolled in programs for senior citizens from three universities located in the cities of Sao Paulo, Sao Caetano do Sul and Mogi das Cruzes. To evaluate the subjective perception of quality of life, the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref) was used. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed on the dependent and independent variables. A significance level of 5% was adopted. The results showed that the absence of disease positively influenced the quality of life on the four domains evaluated. In the environmental domain, full tertiary education, old age, the absence of disease and being a resident in Sao Caetano do Sul positively influenced the quality of life of the elderly. The factors associated with better quality of life were: full tertiary education, old age, the absence of disease and being a resident in Sao Caetano do Sul, in that order of importance.


The near-field and far-field second harmonic(SH) responses of a metal spherical nanoparticle placed in the focal region of a highly focused beam are investigated by using the calculation model based on three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain(FDTD) method. The results show that off-axis backward-propagating SH response can be reinforced by tightly focusing, due to the increase of the relative magnitude of the longitudinal field component and the phase shift along the propagation direction.


This study concerns the history of Italian prisoners of war in the United States during World War II through an analysis of the art and architecture they created. These crafted expressions highlight how Italian culture was transported and reshaped during the war and suggest alternate understandings of Italian diasporic culture and wartime experiences. They reinforced cultural heritage, mediated personal and community identities, and negotiated some of the atrocities of war. As a cultural studies scholar engaging with Italian transnational concerns, my approach emerges from an interest in the use of space, place-making, and the meanings ascribed to the material world.


Changes in the concentration of interstitial iron in multicrystalline silicon wafers after high temperature annealing (900°C) have been monitored by carrier lifetime measurements. Two cooling rates were investigated. The first was considered 'fast', meaning the interstitial Fe had no time to diffuse to precipitation sites, and should therefore be frozen-in, despite being far above the solubility limit at lower temperatures. A second 'slow' cool down to 650°C allowed ample time for the Fe to reach the surfaces or other internal precipitation sites. Surprisingly, in both cases the Fe remained in a supersaturated state. This indicates the precipitation process is not diffusion-limited, and that another energetic barrier to precipitate formation must be present. Since the slow cooling used here is similar to the cooling rate experienced by multicrystalline ingots after crystallisation, this precipitate-impeding mechanism is probably responsible for the surprisingly high interstitial Fe concentrations often found in as-grown multicrystalline silicon wafers.


Autoethnography offers leadership study opportunities as it allows the texts to move between the self of the subject and the researcher who can themselves be a co-researched subject. In this sense texts moving between 'selves' represents a hermeneutical concern (or 'language game'); that is it is possible to see the self as a text, in a context, and moving between selves, although not to gain access to the 'original intent' of the author; the text in this instance is in 'our' hands and as such transforming from the author in a new direction. As such, in this domain: "all understanding is interpretation, and all interpretation takes place in the medium of language which would allow the object to come into words and yet is at the same time the interpreter's own language" (Gadamer, 1975: 350).