This talk will explore how bodies became so productive in contemporary and recent political vernaculars, and will attempt to trace a line from biopolitics to mimesis. With the emergence of 'the body' as the central signifier of much poststructuralist and post-foundationalist cultural theory and philosophy some decades ago, and the more recent terminology of 'bodies' as the loci of political agency ('bodies assembling', 'Parliament of Bodies'), an ostensible move beyond the humanist confusions of 'subject' and 'people' rather presents us with the possibility of pseudo-concreteness that often accompanies theoretical projects intolerant of (real) abstraction. The discourse of the body and of bodies elides the question of how and why bodies are produced, accepting the bio-, if not necro-, political, premises of the current dispensation – one that capitalises on the fragile, isolated and suffering body - and converting them into an ethical victory. This then tends to exemplify rather than challenge a scenario in which 'the reproduction of capitalism and the reproduction of organisms become indistinguishable' (Johnson). In other words, what form of social relation makes such a thing as 'the body' not just legible but a departure point for any political subjectivation? Another suggestion comes from the somewhat recessed category of mimesis, here understood as the suspension of the human/nature, human/technology divide by means of struggle, play and performance. I will conclude with a close analysis of Valie EXPORT's Body Configurations series.


The U.S. sheep inventory declined from 49 million head in 1942 to 9 million in 1989. Lamb imports have also declined and, in relation to U.S. production, are not seen as a major cause of the sheep industry's problems. Production has declined despite positive returns to producers. Government payments under the wool program provide an important source of income for the sheep industry. In recent years, the industry, including the marketing sector, has stabilized. Imports have followed the downward trend in domestic production and respond counter-cyclically to domestic price fluctuations. A major challenge to the industry is to expand consumption of lamb, a relatively expensive red meat. This study, prepared in accordance with section 4508 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988, focuses on production of lamb and lamb products, returns in the sheep industry, demand and marketing trends for lamb, and lamb imports, both live and product.


Nitrate (NO3−) from artificially drained corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) fields is a major contaminant of surface waters in the US Midwest. A saturated riparian buffer is a new field-edge practice developed to remove NO3− from artificial subsurface drainage (tiles) before it reaches surface waters by diverting tile water into riparian buffer soil via shallow distribution pipes. Nitrate is removed primarily by denitrification as it infiltrates from the distribution pipe into the buffer soil and flows as shallow groundwater to the adjacent stream. Often a saturated buffer cannot infiltrate all of the tile water. Thus, there is interest in the possibility of increasing tile water infiltration by either changing the location of the distribution pipe or adding a second distribution pipe. We used numerical modeling to examine the effect of adding a second distribution pipe for increasing infiltration for a range of soil permeabilities and depths. Adding a second, midbuffer distribution pipe midway between a pipe located near the buffer-field boundary (field edge) and the stream was found to increase infiltration under constant flow conditions by 68% to 133%, depending on buffer soil permeability and the thickness of the permeable layer. However, under real-world conditions, when tile flow is intermittent and variable over the year, the increase in infiltration was closer to 50%. In contrast, when a single distribution pipe is located midbuffer, adding a second distribution pipe at the field edge increased infiltration into the buffer by only 3% to 58% under constant flow conditions and by roughly 15% under real-world conditions. For both scenarios, the impact of adding a second distribution pipe on infiltration was greatest for soils with lower permeability. Moving a single distribution pipe closer to the stream or adding a second distribution pipe increases infiltration. However both of these scenarios reduces the distance that water and NO3− moves through the buffer, reducing opportunities for denitrification and perhaps reducing overall NO3− removal.


The application of the seismic reflection method is often limited in complex terrain areas. The problem is the incorrect correction of time-shifts caused by topography. To apply normal moveout (NMO) correction to reflection data correctly, static corrections are necessary to be applied in advance for the compensation of the time distortions of topography and the time-delays from near-surface weathered layers. For environment and engineering investigation, weathered layers are our targets so that the static correction mainly serves the adjustment of time-shifts due to an undulating surface. In practice, seismic reflected raypaths are assumed to be almost vertical through the near-surface layers because they have much lower velocities than layers below. This assumption is typically acceptable in most cases since it results in little residual error for small elevation changes and small offsets in reflection events. Although static algorithms based on choosing a floating datum related to common midpoint gathers or residual surface-consistent functions are available and effective, errors caused by the assumption of vertical raypaths often generate pseudo-indications of structures. This paper presents the comparison of applying corrections based on the vertical raypaths and bias (non-vertical) raypaths. It also provides an approach of combining elevation and NMO corrections. The advantages of the approach are demonstrated by a synthetic example of multi-coverage seismic reflection surveys on rough topography.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of halal meat consumption within a Turkish Muslim migration population in Germany using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a conceptual framework. The role of self-identity as a Muslim, dietary acculturation in the host culture, moral obligation to purchase halal food and trust on the authenticity of available halal food are explored.

Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative cross-sectional survey design for the current study was adopted. Purposive sampling through self-administered questionnaires was used to collect data from 517 Muslim consumers originated from Turkey and currently living in Germany. The analysis includes exploratory factor analysis, means scores, linear correlation and multiple regressions to examine the determinants of halal meat consumption.

Findings
A positive personal attitude towards the consumption of halal meat, motivation to comply with the opinion of important persons and institutions and the perceived control over consuming halal meat predict the intention to eat halal meat among Muslims.

Research limitations/implications
This study used self-identity, dietary acculturation, trust and moral obligation as moderator variables. Future research should also examine the moderating effects of values such as individualism/collectivism and materialism and demographic factors such as age, country of origin, education level and income level to increase the predictive power of the current TPB model.

Practical implications
Practical implications can be extended to those policymakers, marketing managers and advertising agencies dealing with food-related products. They can pursue strategies based on religious self-identity, dietary acculturation, trustworthiness and moral obligation factors in their distribution and communication efforts targeted at the growing local and international market of halal food.

Originality/value
This is one of the few studies investigating the determinants of halal meat consumption in a Muslim population in Germany using the TPB within a food, religion and migration context.


Ultrathin nanowires with <3 nm diameter have long been sought for novel properties that emerge from dimensional constraint as well as for continued size reduction and performance improvement of nanoelectronic devices. Here, we report on a facile and large-scale synthesis of a new class of electrically conductive ultrathin core-shell nanowires using benzenethiols. Core-shell nanowires are atomically precise and have inorganic five-atom copper-sulfur cross-sectional cores encapsulated by organic shells encompassing aromatic substituents with ring planes oriented parallel. The exact nanowire atomic structures were revealed via a two-pronged approach combining computational methods coupled with experimental synthesis and advanced characterizations. Core-shell nanowires were determined to be indirect bandgap materials with a predicted room-temperature resistivity of ∼120 Ω·m. Nanowire morphology was found to be tunable by changing the interwire interactions imparted by the functional group on the benzenethiol molecular precursors, and the nanowire core diameter was determined by the steric bulkiness of the ligand. These discoveries help define our understanding of the fundamental constituents of atomically well-defined and electrically conductive core-shell nanowires, representing significant advances toward nanowire building blocks for smaller, faster, and more powerful nanoelectronics.


Intense exercise leads to accumulation of the inducible member of the 70-kDa family of heat shock proteins, Hsp70, in male, but not female, hearts. Estrogen is at least partially responsible for this difference. Because androgen receptors are expressed in the heart and castration leads to decreases in calcium regulatory proteins and altered cardiac function, testosterone (T) or its metabolites could also be involved. We hypothesized that removal of endogenous T production through castration would reduce cardiac Hsp70 accumulation after an acute exercise bout, whereas castrated animals supplemented with 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) would show the intact male response. Fifty-four 8-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into intact, castrated, or castrated + DHT groups (n = 18/group). At 11 wk of age, 12 animals in each group undertook a 60-min bout of treadmill running at 30 m/min (2% incline) while the remaining 6 in each group remained sedentary. At 30 min or 24 h after exercise (n = 6/time point), blood and hearts were harvested for analysis. Serum T was undetectable in castrated and DHT-treated castrated rats, whereas serum DHT was significantly reduced in castrated animals only (approximately 60% reduction) (P < 0.05). Although there were no differences in constitutive levels of Hsp70 protein, exercise significantly increased cardiac hsp70 mRNA and protein in intact and DHT-supplemented rats, but not in castrated animals (P < 0.05). To examine whether castration eliminated the ability to respond to stress, another six intact and six castrated animals were subjected to a 15-min period of hyperthermia (core temperature raised to 42 degrees C) and killed 24 h later. As opposed to exercise, castrated animals subjected to heat shock exhibited increases in Hsp70 above nonshocked (i.e., sedentary) animals, similarly to intact males (P < 0.05). These data suggest that androgens, in addition to estrogen, play a role in the sexual dimorphism observed in the stress response to exercise but not heat shock.


In this paper we develop a test a tentative framework of effectual board governance in high potential start-ups aimed at understanding how entrepreneurial founders think and behave in relation to their boards of directors when creating new firms and markets. Overall we draw on the theory of effectuation to suggest that entrepreneurial founders see their board of directors largely as a mechanism to explore and exploit uncertain situations. Based on this conceptual base, we develop theoretical explanations why some founders of high-potential start-ups are more likely to prefer effectual board practices than others. We test our hypotheses on a unique sample of founders who are actively operating and running high-potential start-ups.


The efficient uptake of decentralized solar rooftop photovoltaics (PV) is in some cases hindered by ineffective energy and political framework conditions. These may be based on inaccurate and uncertain potential assessments in the early development stage of the solar market. This paper develops a more accurate, cost-effective, and robust potential assessment for emerging and developing economies. Adjusting the module efficiency corresponding to regional and household conditions improves the output accuracy. The rooftop PV market changes are simulated regarding different input changes and policy designs, including changing the Feed-In Tariff (FIT), grid tariff, and technology development. In the case study, the market potential in Vietnam is estimated at 260–280 TWh/a and is clustered into six groups in priority order, in which Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh need the most policy focus. Changing the FIT from 8.83 to 9 Euro cent/kWh and using different regional FITs can activate an additional 16% of the market and lead to a possible 28 million Euro benefit. Increasing the grid tariff to 8.7 cents/kWh could activate the self-consumption model, and the self-sufficient market can be guaranteed in the case of CAPEX and OPEX being lower than 650 Euro/kWp. Future developments of the method should focus on combining this top-down method with detailed bottom-up approaches.


Curt Holmer was well known to me while I was a graduate student in England through the chapter in Noise and Vibration Control that he co‐wrote with Istvan Ver. In a book that may be the most commonly referred to on acoustics, his was the chapter that I found most useful for both its qualitative and quantitative insights. When I came to Purdue in 1984 it was a pleasant surprise to find both that Curt was working nearby in Indianapolis and that he had an interest in noise control foams of the type that I had studied during my Ph.D. I soon found an opportunity to invite myself down to meet him at EAR, and, like many others before, discovered him to be a gracious and generous host. We became good friends, and over the next decade he actively encouraged my interest in both theoretical and practical aspects of noise control foams (even though when we first met he gently revealed that EAR was already selling a product based on what I had thought was my own ''revolutionary'' insight: see title). In this presentat...


Abstract. This study presents a new epistemological analysis of drought
chronology through a well-defined methodology for reconstructing past
drought series, as well as series of other associated ecological and societal
impact variables. Instead of building a grading system based on mixed
criteria, this method facilitates transparency in the reconstruction process and
enables the statistical examination of all variables when building series. The
data for the present study are derived mainly from the REACHES (Reconstructed East Asian Climate Historical Encoded Series) database;
however, other archival documentary and index data from independent sources
are also applied to understand drought narratives and to cross-check and
validate the analysis derived from REACHES. From the time series analysis,
six severe drought periods are identified in the Qing dynasty, and then a
spatial analysis is performed to demonstrate the spatial distribution of drought
and other variables in the six periods, as well as a social network analysis to
reveal connections between drought and other ecological and societal
variables. Research results clearly illustrate the role of human
intervention in influencing the impacts of drought and their societal consequences.
Particularly, the correlation between drought and socioeconomic turmoil is not
strong; crop failure and famine are important intermediate factors,
while ecological factors such as locust and disaster relief measures are
all imperative to intervene between crop production and famine. Implications
of the study on drought impact are provided, as well as the significance of drought on
historical climate reconstruction studies.


Multiplatform content broadcasts are one way of securing the position of public-service broadcasting in a competitive and changing market. This research focuses on the cross-media fiction series Aguila Roja (Red Eagle) and Isabel , produced by Globomedia and Diagonal TV for Radio Television Espanola (RTVE), the Spanish radio and television corporation. RTVE is a public-service broadcaster that has recently undergone a significant reconversion as a consequence of the recession and a new funding system based exclusively on financial contributions from the state, with a ban on paid advertising, which had been permitted in the past. We examine the way this organization creates productions for multiple platforms and the innovation strategies that support these processes. Using a comparative case study approach based on the actor-network theory, we found a strong 360-degree cross-media production logic in RTVE's fiction series. However, a detailed analysis reveals difficulties and contradictions regarding the efficacious use of each of the technological platforms available as well as limitations on the actions undertaken in the social media.


Abstract. Data compression, in the process of Satellite Earth data transmission, is of great concern to improve the efficiency of data transmission. Information amounts inherent to remote sensing images provide a foundation for data compression in terms of information theory. In particular, distinct degrees of uncertainty inherent to distinct land covers result in the different information amounts. This paper first proposes a lossless differential encoding method to improve compression rates. Then a district forecast differential encoding method is proposed to further improve the compression rates. Considering the stereo measurements in modern photogrammetry are basically accomplished by means of automatic stereo image matching, an edge protection operator is finally utilized to appropriately filter out high frequency noises which could help magnify the signals and further improve the compression rates. The three steps were applied to a Landsat TM multispectral image and a set of SPOT-5 panchromatic images of four typical land cover types (i.e., urban areas, farm lands, mountain areas and water bodies). Results revealed that the average code lengths obtained by the differential encoding method, compared with Huffman encoding, were more close to the information amounts inherent to remote sensing images. And the compression rates were improved to some extent. Furthermore, the compression rates of the four land cover images obtained by the district forecast differential encoding method were nearly doubled. As for the images with the edge features preserved, the compression rates are average four times as large as those of the original images.


This paper seeks to explore the herder/farmer conflicts in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with a view to situating its nature, causes, dynamics, effects and implications. By way of qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources, anchored on the political ecology perspective, the paper posits the conflicts have been informed by the desperate struggle for competitive survival and subsistence in an environment characterized by ecological scarcity and livelihood insecurity. The paper observes that the situation has been exacerbated by the phenomenon of climate change, whose dynamics tend to have been aggravating natural resource conflicts across the world. The paper submits that the conflict situation under review portends negatively for sustainable societal progress, nay national security in Nigeria.


Emerging evidence indicates the association between an unhealthy gut and chronic diseases. A healthy gut comprises an intact gut epithelium and balanced gut microbes. Diet is one of the critical factors that modulate gut health by positively or negatively affecting the intestinal barrier and gut microbes. Blueberries are an excellent source of health-promoting bioactive components, and this systematic review is conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary blueberries on gut health. A literature search is conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases to review relevant studies published between 2011 and 2022 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias (SYRCLE-RoB) tool is used for methodological quality assessments. Sixteen studies included from four countries are reviewed and the results are synthesized narratively. This data analysis indicates that blueberry supplementation improves gut health by improving intestinal morphology, reducing gut permeability, suppressing oxidative stress, ameliorating gut inflammation, and modulating the composition and function of gut microbes. However, there are significant knowledge gaps in this field. These findings indicate that further studies are needed to establish the beneficial effects of blueberries on gut health.


The peroxidases are a ubiquitous subset of enzymes found in both the animal and plant kingdoms. Of all the peroxidases, the majority of research has focussed on the Class III Horseradish Peroxidase (E.C. 18.104.22.168). The basic form, HRP-C, is the most common and is utilised in this study. Recombinant HRP-C was first expressed over fifteen years ago; however, its production has been plagued by the formation of inclusion bodies and low yields. In this present study, the HRP gene and a PelB leader sequence were directionally cloned to form a fusion protein, expressed to the bacterial periplasmic envelope. By manipulating subsequent expression conditions, fully functional HRP was successfully produced, with the inclusion of a poly-Histidine tag permitting single step purification.

Site directed mutagenesis was utilised to probe the stability of the recombinant enzyme. Two methodologies were employed to select residues for mutation, initially a rational approach, based on previous knowledge proposed 16 mutations. The second method based on a peroxidase sequence alignment utilising novel bioinformatic software, proposed 6 mutations. These mutants were generated, expressed and purified via optimised conditions. All mutants were characterised based on thermal, solvent and H2O2 stabilities, as well as kinetic analysis. Important stabilising roles for Glutamic Acid 238, Glutamine 106 and the helical secondary structure within the HRP protein were noted. Peroxidase structure evolution could be followed via a novel archetype peroxidase sequence generated. Mutations, which increased hydrogen bonding in the Lysine 232/Lysine 241 axis, improved stability.

Genetic engineering was also employed to generate a recombinant HRP-C that permitted simple directed immobilisation (one triple mutant and one pentuple mutant), allowing maximal accessibility to the enzymes' active site. Improved immobilisation capacity was achieved, however, at the cost of free and immobilised stability. Application o f wildtype recombinant HRP-C to screen-printed and etched platinum electrode biosensors was investigated. Improved direct electron transfer was noted for recombinant HRP over plant HRP for both configurations.


Preparation for the CEN Review Course is time-consuming, but when the above steps are followed, it will prove successful and rewarding for both the sponsors and participants. As members of a professional association and coordinators of an education offering, a vital role as a CE provider can be filled. It is through the efforts of those planning the course that the ENA and its members are able to meet the CE needs of nurses.


Age and growth of Bigeye Kilka, Clupeonella grimmi, were studied in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea from early May 2006 to April 2007. The sagitta otoliths were removed for each 5 mm length interval up to a total number of 262 fish. Fork length and weight ranged from 92.5 to 142.5 mm and 4.2 g to 23.4 g, respectively. The largest lengthgroups was observed from December to February and the lowest in April, which was coincided with spawning period and feeding during wintering, respectively. The overall sex ratio (male:female) was 0.33:1 which differed significantly from the expected ratio of 1:1. The length-weight regression was W= 0.0000744 FL for females and W=0.0000341FL for males, indicating the Caspian Bigeye grew isometrically for both sexes. Age determination based on otoliths readings showed that the population was composed of sixgroups from 2 to 7 years old which observed a rapidly growth during the second year. In the age compositions, the four years old specimens with a mean fork length and weight 115.5±7.8 mm and 11.9 ± 2.8 g were the most abundant age group and accounted for 40.1%. The condition factor was 0.7-0.8 which varied in difference months and coincided to the gonad development. Age-at-length data were used to determine von Bertalanffy growth parameters for this population in both sexes, indicating that K value and L∞ of females was more than that of males. The results showed that C. grimmi is a rapidly-growing species in the southern parts of the Caspian Sea.


Objective Population-based studies on colorectal malignant polyps (MPs) are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe time trends in the incidence of colorectal MPs before and after the introduction of a colorectal mass-screening programmein 2003 and to assess outcomes (survival and recurrence) after endoscopic or surgical resection in patients with MPs. Design We included 411 patients with MPs diagnosed between 1982 and 2011 in a well-defined population. Age-standardised incidence rates were calculated. Univariate and multivariate 5-year recurrence and net survival analyses were performed according to gross morphology. Results Age-standardised incidence of MPs in patients aged 50–74 years doubled from 5.4 in 1982–2002 to 10.9 per 100 000 in 2003–2011. Pedunculated MPs were more frequently resected endoscopically (38.2%) than were sessile MPs (19.1%; p<0.001). For patients with pedunculated MPs and a pathological margin ≥1 mm, the 5 -year cumulative recurrence rate did not differ significantly between surgical and endoscopic resection (8.2% and 2.4%, respectively). For patients with sessile MPs, it was 3.0% after firs t-line or second-line surgical resection, 8.6% after endoscopic resection and 17.9% after transanal resection (p=0.016). The recurrence rate decreased dramatically for patients with sessile MPs from 11.3% (1982–2002) to 1.2% (2003–2009) (p=0.010) and remained stable for pedunculated MPs at 4.6% and 6.7%, respectively. Five-year net survival was 81.0% when pathological margins were <1 mm and 95.6% when ≥1 mm (p=0.024). Conclusion Outcomes following polypectomy in patients with a pathological margin ≥1 mm are similar to those following surgery in the general population. Endoscopic resection needs to be completed by surgery if pathological margins are less than 1 mm.


A Greenspan viscometer is a Helmholtz resonator that has been optimized for viscosity measurements in gases. It consists of two chambers connected by a duct. The model, design considerations, and performance of such a device have been described elsewhere [Gillis et al., ''Acoustic Greenspan viscometer for gases,'' submitted to Rev. Sci. Instrum.]. The model represented the effects of nonuniform flow near the ends of the duct as a complex acoustic impedance Zend, based on the numerical calculations by Mehl [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 3327 (1995) and unpublished calculations]. In this work, the ''end corrections'' were measured in a Greenspan viscometer with interchangeable ducts and a detector located in each chamber. This new design enabled a series of viscosity measurements to be performed with the same chambers and transducers, and with three different duct lengths and two duct diameters. The consistency between the experiments and the model will be presented. [Work supported by the Office of Naval Research.]


Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is caused by mutations either in the gene encoding emerin or in the gene encoding A-type lamins (lamins A and C). Several roles for emerin and A-type lamins have been proposed, including their involvement in nuclear structure, gene expression, cell cycle progression, and DNA replication. However, their functions are poorly understood and thus the mechanisms by which mutations cause different inherited diseases are not clear. In this project, the endogenous and exogenous distribution of emerin, and A- and B-type lamins in lymphoblasts and fibroblasts carrying mutations in emerin and A-type lamins have been investigated. For this purpose, anybodies against emerin, and A- and B-type lamins as well as GFP-, and DsRed- tagged fusion proteins (GFP-emerin, GFP-lamin A, and DsRed-lamin C) were used. From the immunofluorescence microscopy results of lymphoblasts, it is suggested that the distribution of emerin and lamins is possibly affected in these cells in EDMD. However, in fibroblasts there was no evidence of structural abnormality for the proteins investigated. The effects of emerin and A-type lamins mutations on growth and progression of cells through the cell cycle have also been investigated in fibroblasts of EDMD patients, using flow cytometry. The results obtained here suggest that emerin and lamin mutations may cause a cell cycle arrest at the G0 phase of the cycle.


Knowledge of soil water retention is fundamental to quantify the flow of water and dissolved substances in the subsurface. Water retention is often quantified with models fitted to observed retention points. Interpretation and conversion of parameters from different models is subjective and prone to error. We examined 461 retention curves from the UNSODA database and 660 from the GRIZZLY database. Parameters of the Brooks-Corey (BC) and van Genuchten (vG) equations were fitted to the retention data. The shape parameters in these functions (, m, and n) are closely correlated to soil texture and may be predicted with so-called pedotransfer functions (PTFs). Among the scale parameters, the saturated water content s proved to be a robust fitting parameter regardless of parameterization. Reliable optimization of the residual water content r is more difficult; without any constraint it was negative for 54.4% of the GRIZZLY samples, and its value was strongly correlated to the shape parameters. The BC- and vG-shape parameters are often converted assuming = mn, which is incorrect when or mn is large (e.g., > 0.8). To facilitate the interpretation, conversion, and optimization of retention parameters, we introduce a water retention shape index P. This index constitutes an integral measure of the slope of the retention curve and characterizes the retention behavior of a particular soil with a single number. A value for the index can be estimated directly from retention data. For the majority of the samples P ranged between 0 and 0.4; rarely did P exceed 3, which is the maximum expected for fractal behavior. The value for P was related to soil texture: fine-textured soils tend to have smaller values than coarse-textured soils. The shape index provides a benchmark for conversion and comparison of parameters.


The recent meltdown of the world's financial systems presents a unique opportunity to examine the very nature of the corporate form and to consider whether other models of business operation are needed. This article explains the idea of "social businesses" – profit-making, but not profit-maximizing entities that operate to further social good instead of exclusively generating returns for their shareholders. The article then explores the current legal regime for both profit and non-profit businesses under United States law, and suggests there is no ideal business structure currently available under which to operate a social business. In light of the increasing recognition that corporations can and should do more than profit-maximize, the article suggests a need for more flexibility to laws governing business entities.


Thymosin beta 4 (Tb4) is a peptide that exists in various kinds of biotissues. Recently, a report on its restorative and regenerative actions on the myocardium has attracted attention. Several studies have already reported on the myocardial-restorative effect of Tb4 peptide in mice.  Based on the consideration that local injection of a Tb4 plasmid construct might increase the effect of Tb4, in this study, I compared the effect of locally administered Tb4 plasmid with that of Tb4 peptide.  A rat heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation model (Ono-Lindsey method) was employed. At one week after the transplantation, when the transplanted heart in the model rats became stable, both the left anterior descending (LAD) and circumflex (CX) branches of the left coronary artery of the transplanted heart were ligated, which led to the development of a large myocardial infarct. The rats were then divided into four groups; Tb4 plasmid (50 μg/50μl) group, the Tb4 peptide (4.0μg/50μl) group, the control PBS injection group, and the sham group. In each group, injection into the myocardium was given at three or four sites in the myocardial infarct area. The myocardial tissues were harvested 4 weeks later, and the myocardial-restorative effect of Tb4 was assessed. The harvested myocardial specimens were evaluated using Masson Trichrome stain, and the myocardial scar volume rate was examined.  The myocardium scar volume rate was reduced significantly in both the Tb4 plasmid and Tb4 peptide groups: Tb4 plasmid group (21.7% ± 10.5%; n = 8; p = 0.004 vs. control); Tb4 peptide group (22.7% ± 6.9%; n = 7; p = 0.016 vs. control); control group (39.1% ± 13.8%; n = 7; p = 0.020 vs. sham (n = 6).  Significant reduction of the myocardial scar volume rate was observed in both the Tb4 plasmid and Tb4 peptide groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the degree of reduction of the myocardial scar volume.


Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) comprise primarily two disease manifestations, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), each with distinctive clinical and pathological features. Environmental and clinical factors strongly affect the development and clinical outcomes of IBDs. Among environmental factors, cigarette smoke (CS) is considered the most important risk factor for CD, while it attenuates the disease course of UC. Various animal models have been used to assess the impact of CS on intestinal pathophysiology. This chapter examines the suitability of animal inhalation/smoke exposure models for assessing the contrary effects of CS on UC and CD. It presents an updated literature review of IBD mouse models and a description of possible mechanisms relevant to relationships between IBD and smoking. In addition, it summarises various technical inhalation approaches, in the context of mouse disease models of IBD.


NOAA's National Status and Trends Program (NS&T) collected oyster tissue and sediments for quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum associated metals before and after the landfall of oil from the Deepwater Horizon incident of 2010. These new pre- and post- landfall measurements were put into a historical context by comparing them to data collected in the region over three decades during Mussel Watch monitoring. Overall, the levels of PAHs in both sediment and oysters both pre- and post-landfall were within the range of historically observed values for the Gulf of Mexico. Some specific sites did have elevated PAH levels. While those locations generally correspond to areas in which oil reached coastal areas, it cannot be conclusively stated that the contamination is due to oiling from the Deepwater Horizon incident at these sites due to the survey nature of these sampling efforts. Instead, our data indicate locations along the coast where intensive investigation of hydrocarbon contamination should be undertaken. Post-spill concentrations of oil-related trace metals (V, Hg, Ni) were generally within historically observed ranges for a given site, however, nickel and vanadium were elevated at some sites including areas in Mississippi Sound and Galveston, Terrebonne, Mobile, Pensacola, and Apalachicola Bays. No oyster tissue metal body burden exceeded any of the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) shellfish permissible action levels for human consumption.


This study was performed to investigate the effects of the hot water extract of red garlic (RG) and RG-composites on fecal lipid levels and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity in rats fed a high fat-cholesterol diet. Three different types of RG-composites prepared: RG and green tea (RGT), RG and dietary fiber (RGF), and RG, green tea, and dietary fiber (RGTF). Rats were divided into six groups: the control, the group fed a high fat-cholesterol diet (HFC), the RG-supplemented group (HRG), the RGT supplemented group (HRGT), the RGF supplemented group (HRGF), and the RGTF supplemented with HFC group (HRGTF). The antioxidant activity of these composites was tested, in vitro. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was higher RGT and RGTF than RG. ABTs radical scavenging activity of RGT was similar to RGTF. Their activities were significantly higher than RG. The reducing power was similar to their radical scavenging activities. Total lipid levels in the liver and triglyceride levels in the heart were lower in the groups fed RG-composites than the HRG group. Fecal total lipid level was higher in the HRGF and HRGTF groups than the HRG group after 4 weeks diet supplementation during 4 weeks. Lipid peroxide content was reduced to anywhere between 6.2% and 12.1% in the groups fed RG-composites, compared to the HFC group. Antioxidant activity was significantly higher in the groups fed RG-composites than the HFC group. Hepatic SOD activity was higher in the groups fed RG-composites than the HRG group. The HRGT group in catalase activity, and the HRGT and HRGTF groups in GSH-px activity were increased significantly compared to the HFC group. Hepatic UDPGT activity was increased significantly in the HRGT and HRGTF groups to the HFC group, as well. These results indicate that antioxidant activities of the RG-composites were related to the decrease of lipid levels by increasing the fecal excretion and enhancement of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity in rats fed a high fat-cholesterol diet.


Although the visit of H.M.S 'Bristol' to Fernando Noronha, situated in the South Atlantic, was limited to one full day, the following notes on the geology of the seldom visited group, of which, it forms by far the largest, may be of some interest. So little known are these islands, except to whalers, and the Brazilians, who have converted them into a penal settlement, that the present Admiralty chart, an imperfect one from French authorities, dates as far back as 1735. The chief object of the 'Bristol's' visit was to ascertain the height of the principal peak (one of singular shape) and the nature of the anchorage, &c. Fernando Noronha itself is about four miles long, and on an average one mile broad, and consists chiefly of an undulating plateau from 100 to 300 feet above the sea-level, sloping steeply towards sandy beaches and bays, or ending in bold bluffs or cliffs and rising occasionally into what the inhabitants term "mountains," of which there are four or five, from 500 to 700 feet high. At the eastern end of Noronha lie the remaining islets, five or six in number, chiefly small and almost unused. The surface rock of the group appears to consist of a very coarse conglomerate, composed of large rounded basaltic boulders and pebbles, enclosed in a hard dark-red clayey matrix, of which (disintegrated) the abundant and highly fertile soil apparently consists, dry and fissured during the sultry season, but soft, tenacious, and muddy during the heavy rains


Background/Aims Our study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes and risk factors for relapse after anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cessation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients because they are not well established. Methods A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted involving patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) from 10 referral hospitals in Korea who discontinued first-line anti-TNF therapy after achieving clinical remission. Results A total of 109 IBD patients (71 CD and 38 UC) with a median follow-up duration of 56 months were analyzed. The cumulative relapse rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 11.3%, 46.7%, and 62.5% for CD patients and 28.9%, 45.3%, and 60.9% for UC patients. Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that discontinuation owing to the clinician's decision was associated with lower risk of relapse (vs patient's preference hazard ratio [HR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04 to 0.48; p=0.002) and adalimumab use was associated with higher risk of relapse (vs infliximab HR, 4.42; 95% CI, 1.24 to 17.74; p=0.022) in CD patients. Mucosal healing was associated with lower risk of relapse (vs nonmucosal healing HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.83; p=0.031) in UC patients. Anti-TNF re-induction was provided to 52 patients, and a response was obtained in 50 patients. However, 25 of them discontinued retreatment owing to a loss of response (n=15), the patient's preference (n=6), and other factors (n=4). Conclusions More than 60% of IBD patients in remission under anti-TNF therapy relapsed within 5 years of treatment cessation. Anti-TNF re-induction was effective. However, half of the patients discontinued anti-TNF therapy, and 50% of these patients discontinued treatment owing to loss of response. (Gut Liver 2021;15-762)


This paper summarizes the dramatic changes in relative educational attainment by men and women over the past three decades. Stock measures of education among the entire adult population show rising attainment levels for both men and women, with men enjoying an advantage in schooling levels throughout this interval. Cohort-specific analysis reveals that these stock measures mask two interesting patterns: (a) gender difference at the cohort level had vanished by the early 1950 birth cohort and has been reversed in sign ever since; (b) for several cohorts, attainment rates were flat for women and flat and falling for men. This last is puzzling in the face of the large college premia that these cohorts observed when making their schooling choices. We present a simple human capital model showing how the anticipated dispersion of future wages should affect educational investment, and find that a model which includes measures of future earnings dispersion fits the data for relative schooling patterns quite well.


This article investigates the local social process through which boys are portrayed as having emotional, social and behavioral problems and, as part of this, categorized in terms of neuropsychiatric diagnoses. The invocation of biomedical categorizations, are here treated from an ethnomedodological and anti-mentalist view as people's resources for conducting institutional business. Data draws on ethnographic work in a special educational needs unit attended by mainly boys diagnosed with ADHD. It was found that the boys' through their resistance towards teachers' authority forced the teachers to account for their actions. The boys' resistance was mainly read as symptoms of inner emotional and mental states, warranting a solidi␣- cation of their category incumbency as 'boys with ADHD'. Overall, our study demonstrates that the school is an important player in indexing boys' troubling classroom conduct in terms of biomedical explanatory resources


Concentrations of dimethylsulphide (DMS) and its precursor compound dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), two sulphur compounds that are involved in the formation of clouds, were measured for mucus ropes, coral mucus, surface films and sediment pore waters collected from three coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The concentrations of DMS (61–18 665 nm) and DMSP (1978–54 381 nm) measured in mucus rope samples are the highest yet reported in the marine environment. The values exceed concentrations of DMS and DMSP reported from highly productive polar waters and sea ice algal communities. Concentrations of DMSP in coral mucus ranged from 1226 to 25 443 nm, with mucus from Acropora formosa containing the highest levels of DMSP. Dimethylsulphide and DMSP in surface microlayer samples from three coral reefs were two to four times subsurface (0.5 m) concentrations. In coral-reef sediment pore waters, concentrations of DMS and DMSP were substantially higher than water-column concentrations, suggesting that coral sediments may be a significant source of these two compounds to reef waters. Overall, the results strongly suggest that coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef are significant sources of these two sulphur substances.


The objective of this work was to evaluate, by genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), pairing configurations as potential indicators of recombination between chromosomes of different parental genomes, in two interspecific hybrids (elephant grass x pearl millet) artificially polyploidized. Anthers from young flower buds were used in the chromosomal preparations. The genomic probe was prepared with pearl millet DNA and labeled with biotin-16-dUTP by the nick translation reaction. Blocking DNA was prepared with genomic elephant grass DNA. The homoeologous intergenomic pairing, observed in the two hybrids, indicates the possibility of recombination between chromosomes of the parental genomes.


1. This note presents a class of finite Neumann-Morgenstern2 solutions to certain M-person games, corresponding to a transparent principle of organization. If the minimal winning coalitions generally consist of k persons, there may be a finite solution representing the possible formation of any of these (^-person) coalitions, or of certain losing coalitions of k persons. That is, a small losing set may be able to appropriate to itself all the proceeds of the game simply because it blocks the formation of small winning sets (although its large complement wins). It has been believed, and the author still believes, that a fully developed game theory must take explicit account of the cost of communication and organization. But it is interesting to note that the present theory, without being designed to consider such matters, seemingly does implicitly consider them.


Objectives In this commentary we analyze how much data will in fact be generated within REACH. Conclusions We conclude that the data requirements for many end points still have not been determined but depend on prioritization criteria and waiving practices that will be decided in the years to come. We propose six important steps toward an improved REACH: a) Clarify prioritization and waiving criteria. Implement decisions to ensure that sufficient data are obtained to make first hazard assessments of as many substances and end points as possible. b) Increase data requirements. Introduce data requirements similar to those currently required for substances produced or imported in quantities of ≥ 10 metric tons/year for substances produced or imported in quantities of ≥ 1 metric tons/year. c) Develop the tests and approaches needed to satisfy the information requirements taking into account resource limitations and the aim to reduce animal testing. d) Promote substitution of high risk chemicals. Create an effective process for identifying substances of very high concern and for making the appropriate risk management decisions for these substances. e) Address the control of substances incorporated in articles. And f) acknowledge uncertainties. Systematically report lack of data and include this as a basis for risk management.


As the demand for higher quality and higher resolution video increases, many applications fail to meet this demand due to low bandwidth restrictions. One factor contributing to this problem is the high bitrate requirement of the intra-coded Instantaneous Decoding Refresh (IDR) frames featuring in all video coding standards. Frequent coding of IDR frames is essential for error resilience in order to prevent the occurrence of error propagation. However, as each one consumes a huge portion of the available bitrate, the quality of future coded frames is hindered by high levels of compression. This work presents a new technique, known as Spatial Resampling of IDR Frames (SRIF), and shows how it can increase the rate distortion performance by providing a higher and more consistent level of video quality at low bitrates.


Over the last thirty years historical attention has been directed toward analytic philosophy: some analytic philosophers have begun reflecting on the philosophical tradition they belong to, while many other scholars have been working on what has now become a well-established discipline known as "history of analytic philosophy" (for a comprehensive bibliography see Beaney 2013). Yet this historiographical perspective mainly focuses on the origins of analytic philosophy or on the central decades of the 20th century. These two periods can be labelled respectively as early analytic philosophy (Frege, Russell, Moore, the early Wittgenstein, etc.) and as middle analytic philosophy (Carnap, Ryle, the later Wittgenstein, Quine, etc.) The use of the former label is firmly established, whereas the latter is less common, yet fairly natural. By contrast, a proper historical investigation of the most recent stages of analytic philosophy is greatly needed. Some contributions towards a better understanding of this issue are available. Among them: Baldwin (2001), Priest (2003), Soames (2003: vol. II, 461-476), Williamson (2007, chapter i and "Afterword"), Beaney (2013), Williamson (2014), Tripodi (2015, chapter iv). But they are still few and far between. This special issue of Philosophical Inquiries is intended to be a further stimulus for such an investigation. Full-text PDF of this introduction is available in open access.


Proteomics is the large-scale study of the structure and function of proteins in complex biological sample. Such an approach has the potential value to understand the complex nature of the organism. Current proteomic tools allow large-scale, high-throughput analyses for the detection, identification, and functional investigation of proteome. Advances in protein fractionation and labeling techniques have improved protein identification to include the least abundant proteins. In addition, proteomics has been complemented by the analysis of posttranslational modifications and techniques for the quantitative comparison of different proteomes. However, the major limitation of proteomic investigations remains the complexity of biological structures and physiological processes, rendering the path of exploration paved with various difficulties and pitfalls. The quantity of data that is acquired with new techniques places new challenges on data processing and analysis. This article provides a brief overview of currently available proteomic techniques and their applications, followed by detailed description of advantages and technical challenges. Some solutions to circumvent technical difficulties are proposed.


We present results from spectroscopic observations of AT 2018hyz, a transient discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernova survey at an absolute magnitude of MV ∼ −20.2 mag, in the nucleus of a quiescent galaxy with strong Balmer absorption lines. AT 2018hyz shows a blue spectral continuum and broad emission lines, consistent with previous TDE candidates. High cadence follow-up spectra show broad Balmer lines and He i in early spectra, with He ii making an appearance after ∼70–100 d. The Balmer lines evolve from a smooth broad profile, through a boxy, asymmetric double-peaked phase consistent with accretion disc emission, and back to smooth at late times. The Balmer lines are unlike typical active galactic nucleus in that they show a flat Balmer decrement (Hα/Hβ ∼ 1.5), suggesting the lines are collisionally excited rather than being produced via photoionization. The flat Balmer decrement together with the complex profiles suggests that the emission lines originate in a disc chromosphere, analogous to those seen in cataclysmic variables. The low optical depth of material due to a possible partial disruption may be what allows us to observe these double-peaked, collisionally excited lines. The late appearance of He ii may be due to an expanding photosphere or outflow, or late-time shocks in debris collisions.


Objective: The Curative Climate Questionnaire measures the curative factors in group psychotherapy. The Curative Climate Questionnaire has three subscales: Cohesion, Insight, and Catharsis. These three factors are suggested to be the main curative factors implicated in progress in group psychotherapy. Even though group psychotherapy is an effective method in providing services to alleviate psychological difficulties, the resources which measure curative factors, group dynamics or processes are limited in Turkey. This study aimed to translate and adapt the Curative Climate Questionnaire into Turkish to allow for its future uses in clinical and research settings. Method: Fifty psychotherapists were administered the Curative Climate Questionnaire and Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire on the fourth day of the group psychotherapy training. The training had didactic, supervision, and experiential parts. Factor structure was analyzed by employing Principal Component and Confirmatory Factor Analyses. Results: Turkish version of the Curative Climate Questionnaire had a three factor structure similar to the English version. Three items were omitted for the data to fit the model. The Cronbach Alpha level for Insight was .87, for Catharsis was .88, and for Cohesion was .84. Criterion validity was established by the Multidimensional Relationship Questionnaire. Conclusion: The findings showed that the Curative Climate Questionnaire Turkish version had good reliability and validity. The findings supported inclusion of the Catharsis subscale in the Curative Climate Questionnaire.


Deep inference is a proof theoretic methodology that generalizes the standard
notion of inference of the sequent calculus, whereby inference rules become
applicable at any depth inside logical expressions. Deep inference provides
more freedom in the design of deductive systems for different logics and a rich
combinatoric analysis of proofs. In particular, construction of exponentially
shorter analytic proofs becomes possible, however with the cost of a greater
nondeterminism than in the sequent calculus. In this paper, we show that the
nondeterminism in proof search can be reduced without losing the shorter proofs
and without sacrificing proof theoretic cleanliness. For this, we exploit an
interaction and depth scheme in the logical expressions. We demonstrate our
method on deep inference systems for multiplicative linear logic and classical
logic, discuss its proof complexity and its relation to focusing, and present
implementations.


Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) has been evaluated as an alternative to the conventional furnace process for the gate oxide formation of SiC lateral MOSFETs. We show that this innovative oxidation method has not only the advantage to significantly reduce the thermal budget compared to classical oxidation, but also produces a significant improvement of MOSFET performance when using N2O as oxidizing gas. Studying different surface preparation before gate oxidation, we demonstrate that in-situ surface preparation by H2 annealing increases considerably the channel mobility and also the electrical stability with respect to constant bias stress at low-field.


Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a transient disease consisting of one or more of the following findings: congenital complete heart block with or without congestive heart failure, photosensitive erythematous macular cutaneous lesions, thrombocytopenia, and cholestatic liver disease.1 In almost all cases, mothers of infants who have NLE have anti-Ro/Sjogren's Syndrome A antigen (Ro/SSA) autoantibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class. NLE is believed to be caused by the placental transmission of these maternal autoantibodies. The heart block typically begins during the second or third trimester. Although the disease process of NLE is transient, the atrioventricular node may be replaced by scar tissue, resulting in permanent heart block. In those infants who have heart block accompanied by heart failure, pacemaker placement is necessary and is usually sufficient to resolve symptoms. However, at least 10% of infants who have heart block due to NLE have heart failure that does not respond adequately to pacing, and it has been presumed that the cardiac muscle may also be affected by the disease process.1,2 In these most severely affected infants, heart failure is typically apparent at birth or very shortly after birth.

We describe two infants who were unique because of the late onset of cardiomyopathy. The infants had congenital complete heart block and pacemaker placement in the perinatal period and did well for the first few months of life. Symptoms of heart failure developed at 8 and 4 months of age, respectively, and they were noted to have dilated cardiomyopathy. We confirm the persistence of substantial quantities of maternal anti-Ro/SSA antibodies in the infants' sera at the time of development of the dilated cardiomyopathy and speculate that the prolonged presence of high levels of maternal autoantibodies in the sera facilitated the unusually prolonged disease course in these children.

### Case 1

The patient …


Despite the ubiquitous use of materials maps in modern rendering pipelines, their editing and control remains a challenge. In this paper, we present an example‐based material control method to augment input material maps based on user‐provided material photos. We train a tileable version of MaterialGAN and leverage its material prior to guide the appearance transfer, optimizing its latent space using differentiable rendering. Our method transfers the micro and meso‐structure textures of user provided target(s) photographs, while preserving the structure and quality of the input material. We show our methods can control existing material maps, increasing realism or generating new, visually appealing materials.


Among the pillars of sustainability in health care units is environmental protection. Although an EU-wide dental amalgam phase-out legislation exists, quantities of this material are still to be found in the market, dental offices or in the mouths of patients. The purpose of this study is to record the views of dentists and dental students in Greece regarding the use and safety of dental amalgam for people and the environment as well as their attitudes towards its restriction and disposal. Materials and methods: Two different questionnaires, through Google forms, were filled by each group. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables. The chi-square test or the chi-square test with Yates correction was used to examine potential differences per group (p-value = 0.05). Overall, 564 people participated in this study; 462 (81.9%) dentists (N1) and 102 (18.1%) dental students (N2). Results: Both groups agreed that they no longer use dental amalgam often. Dentists (39.8%) and students (36.4%) consider amalgam to have a moderate burden on the environment. This answer differed significantly per year of profession and year of undergraduate studies, respectively, with dentists from 6–25 years in the profession and 4th-year students, being the least aware on the environmental footprint of dental amalgam. Further, professionals (70%) and students (60%) believe that dental amalgam has a hazardous impact on patient's health, at all or to a small extent. For staff health, dentists reported at a moderate degree dangerous impact (32.9%) while students (36.4%), respectively. The impact on patients and staff health, were found to differ significantly per region of practicing dentistry for both groups. Finally, there were suggestions made from both groups about the necessity of information sharing on amalgam and mercury safety and the impact on the environment at the level of professional organizations. Conclusions: Students, younger dentists and those living in non-urban regions seem to be more sensitive to the environmental impact of amalgam use, disposal, and health of people. Environmental issues should be addressed thoroughly by professional organizations, enhancing relevant activities for all people involved.


[1] Land surface temperature and emissivity (LST&E) data are essential for a wide variety of surface-atmosphere studies, from calculating the evapotranspiration of the Earth's land surface to retrieving atmospheric water vapor. LST&E products are generated from thermal infrared data acquired from sensors such as ASTER and MODIS on NASA's EOS platforms. NASA has identified a major need to develop long-term, consistent products valid across multiple missions, with well-defined uncertainty statistics addressing specific Earth science questions. These products are termed Earth System Data Records (ESDRs) and LST&E have been identified as an important ESDR. Currently a lack of understanding in LST&E uncertainties limits their usefulness in land surface and climate models. To address this issue, a LST&E uncertainty simulator has been developed to quantify and model uncertainties for a variety of TIR sensors and LST algorithms. Using the simulator, uncertainties were estimated for the MODIS and ASTER TES algorithm, including water vapor scaling (WVS). These uncertainties were parameterized according to view angle and estimated total column water vapor for application to real data. The standard ASTER TES algorithm had a RMSE of 3.1 K (1.2 K with WVS), while the MODIS TES algorithm had a RMSE of 4.5 K (1.5 K with WVS). Accuracies in retrieved spectral emissivity for both sensors degraded with higher atmospheric water content, however, with WVS the emissivity uncertainties were reduced to <0.015. Accurately quantifying uncertainties in LST&E products not only improves their utility and understanding but will also enable the data to be fused into long-term, well characterized ESDRs.


Abstract Advanced and accurate forecasting of COVID‐19 cases plays a crucial role in planning and supplying resources effectively. Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have proved their capability in time series forecasting non‐linear problems. In the present study, the relationship between weather factor and COVID‐19 cases was assessed, and also developed a forecasting model using long short‐term memory (LSTM), a deep learning model. The study found that the specific humidity has a strong positive correlation, whereas there is a negative correlation with maximum temperature, and a positive correlation with minimum temperature was observed in various geographic locations of India. The weather data and COVID‐19 confirmed case data (1 April to 30 June 2020) were used to optimize univariate and multivariate LSTM time series forecast models. The optimized models were utilized to forecast the daily COVID‐19 cases for the period 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2020 with 1 to 14 days of lead time. The results showed that the univariate LSTM model was reasonably good for the short‐term (1 day lead) forecast of COVID‐19 cases (relative error <20%). Moreover, the multivariate LSTM model improved the medium‐range forecast skill (1–7 days lead) after including the weather factors. The study observed that the specific humidity played a crucial role in improving the forecast skill majorly in the West and northwest region of India. Similarly, the temperature played a significant role in model enhancement in the Southern and Eastern regions of India.


Dalits, a modern term for untouchables in India, are underprivileged people in all social, economic, cultural and political fronts of our society which led to their misery, discrimination, exploitation and oppression by the caste dominated social stratification of India. These pitiable conditions of Dalits were seen and addressed by some eminent social and political philosophers like Jyotiba Phule, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and others, Dr. Ambedkar who was born in a poor Dalit (schedule caste) family rose to become the chief architect of Indian Constitution. The constitutional text prepared by him provides constitutional guarantees and protection with a wide range of civil liberties for all the Indian citizens. The Constitution of India classifies Dalits as Scheduled Castes (SCs). They are the people who tend to have engage themselves in occupations such as cultivate the land, mend the shoes, wash the clothes, clean the toilets, scavenge the dead animals or unknown human bodies and do all types of menial works, but share the stigmas of untouchability and are frequently denied the any accessibility to eat, smoke and even seat with the members of upper castes. They are often forced to use separate wells and tube wells from those maintained for others. Several Articles in the Indian Constitution are framed to minimize this discrimination of the Dalits. The articles provide equal status to Dalits with other segments of society, abolishment of untouchability and discrimination against them, provisions of fundamental rights to all, equal protection of laws, voting rights and reservation in education, jobs, promotion and political fields to them. Besides these several programs in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, stipend etc. are being provided to Dalits by the States.


The Euclidean 'Division of the canon' and Pythagorean harmonics: The article presents the first Polish translation of a short Ancient Greek treatise entitled The division of the canon, which is commonly dated to the 3rd century BC, with a doubtful assumption that the author of the treatise is Euclid himself. It is the oldest surviving text derived from the mathematical school of harmonics, which combined the mathematical theory of proportion with the musical laws of harmony. The main purpose of this Euclidean treatise is to describe the instrument called canon (or monochord), which consists in determining the successive notes of the Greek musical system by means of mathematical principles. The treatise essentially consists of two distinct parts: an introduction and twenty propositions in the style of Euclid's Elements. To bring this highly esoteric text closer to the modern reader, the translation is preceded by a brief introduction, which deals with the basic issues of the transmission of the text, its structure, and the problem of authorship. The philosophical problems of the treatise and its basic concepts are also discussed. An underlying idea of both the introduction and the work on the translation is that The division of the canon is an eminently Pythagorean text, which both expressed and proved their conviction about the mathematical structure of the universe.


Traveltimes information is convenient for parameter estimation especially if the medium is described by an anisotropic set of parameters. This is especially true if we could relate traveltimes analytically to these medium parameters, which is generally hard to do in inhomogeneous media. As a result, I develop traveltimes approximations for horizontaly transversely isotropic (HTI) media as simplified and even linear functions of the anisotropic parameters. This is accomplished by perturbing the solution of the HTI eikonal equation with respect to η and the azimuthal symmetry direction (usually used to describe the fracture direction) from a generally inhomogeneous elliptically anisotropic background medium. The resulting approximations can provide accurate analytical description of the traveltime in a homogenous background compared to other published moveout equations out there. These equations will allow us to readily extend the inhomogenous background elliptical anisotropic model to an HTI with a variable, but smoothly varying, η and horizontal symmetry direction values.


The physical and chemical properties of tundra soils overlying ice wedges are determined and the role of ice wedge growth in the genesis of these soils is evaluated. Ice wedges form in perennially frozen ground as a result of repetitive winter cracking of the ground and filling in by ice. A thin layer of soil is isolated over the enlarging wedge in narrow depressions which result in polygonal ground. The soil thaws seasonally from the surface downward and freezes from both the top and bottom. Accompanying moisture migration results in a dehydrated midsection. No significant migration of cations or mineral grains was observed in a 70-cm deep tundra soil. The ice wedges are subjected to melting which creates new soil environments. Evidence of these changes have been traced over a 14,000-year period at Barrow, Alaska.


Purpose This talk will overview the pathophysiology of non‐infectious uveitis in relation to recent SUN (standardised uveitis nomenclature) disease classification.


The modified polymeric precursor method (Pechini method) was successfully used for the preparation of epitaxial and polycrystalline ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) thin films. Films were deposited on LaNiO3 (LNO) – coated silicium (1 0 0) and platinum substrates (Pt (1 1 1)/Ti/SiO2/Si) by spin coating technique. LNO electrodes were also prepared by the Pechini method and treated under different thermal treatment conditions to obtain films with different structural and microstructural properties. Investigation of PZT microstructure was performed as a function of orientation and morphology of the bottom electrode, as well as of thermal treatment conditions. Grain size and morphology were analyzed by AFM, while the quality and orientation of PZT films were determined by GIXRD analysis. It has been found that the proposed thermal treatment on a hot plate, with slow heating rate and long annealing time, can result in the formation of epitaxial PZT films on Si and LNO-coated Si substrates.


CONTEXT
The existence of sex bias in the delivery of cardiac care is controversial, and little is known about the association between sex and delivery of care and outcomes at an early point in the diagnostic sequence, such as when patients present for the evaluation of chest pain.

OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that female sex is negatively associated with care delivered to and outcomes of persons diagnosed as having unstable angina.

DESIGN
Inception population-based cohort study with an average of 6 years of follow-up.

SETTING
Emergency departments (EDs) in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

PATIENTS
A total of 2271 Olmsted County residents (1306 men and 965 women) who presented to the ED for the first time with symptoms meeting criteria for unstable angina between 1985 and 1992.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Use of cardiac procedures within 90 days of ED visit, overall mortality, and cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal cardiac arrest, and congestive heart failure), compared by sex and Agency for Health Care Policy and Research cardiovascular risk category (low, intermediate, or high).

RESULTS
Women were older (P<.001), more likely to have a history of hypertension (P = .001), and less likely to present with typical angina (P = .004) than men. Men were more likely than women to undergo noninvasive cardiac tests (relative risk [RR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.40) as well as invasive cardiac procedures (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.51-1.97). After adjustment, male sex was associated with a 24% increase in the use of cardiac procedures. Survival of both men and women in the high and intermediate risk categories was significantly lower than expected per the general population (P<.001). Women had a worse outcome than men, but after multivariate adjustment, male sex was associated with a trend toward an increase in the risk of death (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.99-1.54) and significantly associated with increased risk of cardiac events (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.42).

CONCLUSIONS
Our population-based data indicate that after an ED visit for symptoms of unstable angina, the use of cardiac procedures was lower in women, but after taking into account baseline characteristics, men experienced worse outcomes.


In this paper, we analyze the effect of bursty packet losses, caused by a correlation in the multipath fading process, on the throughput and delay performance of a multichannel wireless access protocol. M equal-capacity, orthogonal, traffic channels are shared by N mobile users (N/spl ges/M) on the uplink (mobile-to-base station link). Transmission attempts on the uplink are made based on the busy/idle status of the M receivers, which is broadcast by the base station, in every slot, on the downlink (base station-to-mobile link). Following a Markov chain analysis, we derive the analytical expressions for the average per channel throughput and the mean message transfer delay. Simulation results are shown to verify the analysis. We compare the effect of Doppler bandwidth on the performance of both the basic protocol without link layer error recovery and a modified version of the protocol that employs a "persist-until-success" link layer retransmission strategy to recover erroneous data packets.


This study is a comparison of two distinct approaches to governance: the cosmopolitan democracy approach and, the economy-oriented approach. By situating governance at the heart of their analysis of social, economic and political change, these two approaches help us problematize our own political imagination about the limits of politics. While the primary concern of the cosmopolitan democracy approach is democracy, the economy-oriented approach sees governance as a device of economic management. Whereas the first approach sees the nation-state as inherently a problematic structure for the realization of democracy (globalization confirms and accentuates this already problematic nature), for the second approach, it is globalization that makes the nation-state problematic. However, both approaches are problematic: The first model defines democracy only vaguely and its procedures do not guarantee democratic accountability. The second approach subordinates justice and democracy to economic management.


In this paper, the author does research on the surface modified of nanometer ZrO2/SiO2 composite and makes it a good dispersivity in organic solvents. As lubricating oil additive, added it into the base oil with different concentration. Anti-wear and reducing friction performances measured by the four ball test and the thrust-ring tribotester. The results showed that the average friction coefficient decreased 21.14%, the weight lost of the thrust-ring was no wear or negative wear when the additive concentration was 1wt%. The worn surfaces were quite different compared without additive, the grooves formed during the friction experiment become smooth and finally a narrow wear scar. There were many white particles and dimples on gray surface, the white particles were higher than those of gray parts. The white particles was ZrO2/SiO2 composites according to EDS and XRD analysis. The Si and Zr elements appeared on the worn surfaces can not be cleaned out in petroleum ether and ultrasonic ambiance, this is a dynamic self-healing mechanism .


While interest in research data management (RDM) services have grown, clarifying the path between traditional library responsibilities and RDM remains a challenge. While the literature has provided ideas about services and student-/researcher-focused data information literacy (DIL) competencies, nothing has yet brought these skill sets together to provide a pathway for librarians engaging in RDM. The Data Engagement Opportunities scaffold was developed to provide a strategic trajectory relating information science skills, the DIL competencies, the stages of the data life cycle, three levels of RDM engagement activities, and potential measurable outcomes. This scaffold provides direction for librarians looking to identify their current abilities and explore new opportunities.


The present case illustrates a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding which MiroCam capsule endoscopy showed erosions and ulcers from distal jejunum to ileum. Considering that ileal ulcers where closer to ileocecal valve, ileoscopy was repeated. Diagnosis with new biopsies was Crohn disease. Capsule endoscopy is an innovative technology, which let us have high resolution color pictures through gastrointestinal tract for more effective and diagnostic view of small bowel in a minimal invasive way. New guidelines in obscure GI bleeding agreed that initial diagnostic imaging of the small bowel should be performed using capsule endoscopy. Ballon assisted enteroscopy, angiography and laparoscopy should be used as a follow-up procedure for targeted endoscopic treatment or for obtaining histopathological diagnosis.


This paper will demonstrate an advanced work in progress, the digitised manuscript and transcription of Samuel Beckett's novel Watt (composed in 1941-45 and first published in 1953). Discussion of the project will centre upon the digital resources buttressing the presentation of manuscript material and a range of related analytic features, and will outline some of the more significant ways in which specifically digital treatment of the material opens up new lines of literary and textual analysis. Indeed, some foundational concepts of textuality come into sharp focus by virtue of digital treatment of textual materials. Some of these concerns will be illustrated by way of examples taken from the Watt project, and by a fuller view of the complex relationship between text and manuscript arising from the project.


OBJECTIVE
Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are leading threats to health and well-being in the Caribbean. A study was undertaken in the latter part of 2005 to compute the economic burden of diabetes mellitus and hypertension within the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). This report critiques the quality and availability of health information which can be used to facilitate cost burden analysis of diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

METHODS
A form was developed and disseminated to obtain epidemiological and health service utilization data. Subsequent visits were made to seven CARICOM member countries to collect the data.

RESULTS
The results revealed (i) a number of deficiencies in the reliability and validity of the data received, in particular, those needed to facilitate the analysis of cost-specific complications such as ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, chronic renal failure, hypertensive and diabetic retinopathy and peripheral circulatory complications; (ii) data management systems in hospitals were not linked to facilitate generation of cost-effectiveness estimates and other information required to compare options for health investment; (iii) despite repeated attempts by regional governments to develop/strengthen Health Information Systems within the Caribbean, sustainability has been significantly hampered by human, material and financial resource constraints and ongoing monitoring and evaluation is generally poor.

CONCLUSION
There are deficiencies in the quality and availability of health information to facilitate cost burden analysis of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the Caribbean Strong commitment from CARICOM governments will be necessary to address these concerns if economic evaluations are to be undertaken more frequently as part of the effort to reduce the morbidity and mortality from these diseases.


This special issue revisits an extraordinarily influential paper for L2 pronunciation research and teaching (Munro & Derwing, 1995) by looking again at the original paper with new eyes and new analyses. The
 special issue also includes invited papers addressing current approaches based on the three key constructs in Munro and Derwing (1995): Intelligibility, comprehensibility, and accentedness. Papers in the issue include a
 reconsideration of the Intelligibility and Nativeness principles from Levis (2005), applications
 of the constructs to L2 Spanish (Nagle & Huensch), a consideration of how everyday L2 use affects comprehensibility (Zielinski &
 Pryor), long-term effects of intensive instruction (French, Gagné & Collins), influences on listener reaction to L2 speech (Isaacs &
 Thomson), empirical evidence for the dynamic nature of comprehensibility (Trofimovich et al.), a study on ELF intelligibility and functional
 load considerations (Thir), the relationship between comprehensibility and social evaluation of speech (Vaughn & Whitty), and one book
 review.


Between 1954 and 1963, typhus, both epidemic and recrudescent, has been studied in Bosnia. The recrudescent typhus cases occur sporadically throughout the year, whereas epidemic typhus occurs mainly between November and June. During 1954-63, some 10-20 years after the extensive typhus epidemics of the Second World War, the highest incidence of recrudescent typhus was in the 20-50 year age-group, whereas epidemic typhus reached its highest incidence in the 2-30 year age-group. Field observations support Zinsser's hypothesis that man is the interepidemic reservoir of typhus. Recrudescent typhus is not likely to cause epidemics of primary epidemic typhus in environments where lice are scarce. However, if typhus is to be eradicated, it seems that it will be necessary to destroy all lice in areas where there are people who have at some time had the disease.


We investigate the effectiveness and applicability of electroosmotic augmentation in flexural plate wave (FPW) micropumps for enhanced capabilities. Flow rates generated in FPW micro-scale flow systems are restricted particularly when the channel height is greater than the acoustic wave length. The proposed concept can be exploited to integrate micropumps into complex microfluidic chips improving the portability of micro-total-analysis systems along with the capabilities of actively controlling acoustics and electrokinetics for micro-mixer applications. A computational study of electroosmotic augmentation in FPW micropumps is presented where FPWs are considered by a moving wall model. A transient analysis of compressible flows of water is performed for microchannels. An isothermal equation of state for water is employed. The nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann and Laplace equations are used to model the induced electric double layer (EDL) potential and the applied electric potential. Coupled electroosmotic and acoustics cases are investigated for two channel heights while the electric field intensity of the electrokinetic body forces and actuation frequency of acoustic excitations are varied. For deeper microchannels, increasing the actuation frequency of the wall motion does not improve the generated flow rate significantly. Inclusion of electroosmotic effects is more efficient than increasing the intensity of acoustic perturbations whenever high flow rates are required in micro-mixer applications.


Nanoparticles (NP) have emerged as a novel class of therapeutic agents that overcome many of the limitations of current cancer chemotherapeutics. However, a major challenge to many current NP platforms is unfavorable biodistribution, and limited tumor uptake, upon systemic delivery. Delivery, therefore, remains a critical barrier to widespread clinical adoption of NP therapeutics. To overcome these limitations, we have adapted the techniques of image-guided local drug delivery to develop nanoablation and nanoembolization. Nanoablation is a tumor ablative strategy that employs image-guided placement of electrodes into tumor tissue to electroporate tumor cells, resulting in a rapid influx of NPs that is not dependent on cellular uptake machinery or stage of the cell cycle. Nanoembolization involves the image-guided delivery of NPs and embolic agents directly into the blood supply of tumors. We describe the design and testing of our innovative local delivery strategies using doxorubicin-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (DOX-SPIOs) in cell culture, and the N1S1 hepatoma and VX2 tumor models, imaged by high resolution 7T MRI. We demonstrate that local delivery techniques result in significantly increased intratumoral DOX-SPIO uptake, with limited off-target delivery in tumor-bearing animal models. The techniques described are versatile enough to be extended to any NP platform, targeting any solid organ malignancy that can be accessed via imaging guidance.


We present a new method to identify phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) in the Mediterranean Sea from ocean color data (GlobColour data in the present study) and AVHRR sea surface temperature. The principle of the method is constituted by two very fine clustering algorithms, one mapping the relationship between the satellite data and the pigments and the other between the pigments and the PFTs. The clustering algorithms are constituted of two efficient self‐organizing maps, which are neural network classifiers. We were able to identify and estimate the percentage of six PFTs: haptophytes, chlorophytes, cryptophytes, Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and diatoms. We found that these PFTs present a peculiar variability due to the complex physical and biogeochemical characteristics of the Mediterranean Sea: Haptophytes and chlorophytes dominate during winter and mainly in the western Mediterranean basin, while Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus dominate during summer. The dominance of diatoms was mainly observed in spring in the Balearic Sea in response to deep water convection phenomena and near the coastline and estuaries due to important continental inputs. Cryptophytes present a weak concentration in the Aegean Sea in autumn. The validation tests performed on in situ matchups showed satisfying results and proved the ability of the method to reconstruct efficiently the spatiotemporal patterns of phytoplankton groups in the Mediterranean Sea. The method can easily be applied to other oceanic regions. Plain Language Summary The identification and spatiotemporal distribution of phytoplankton assemblages give powerful insights on the dynamics of the marine food web and the ocean role in climate regulation in the context of the global change. A new method to identify phytoplankton functional types from satellite observations has been developed and applied in the Mediterranean Sea. It is based on artificial intelligence clustering, the so‐called self‐organizing maps. The method was able to differentiate multiple phytoplankton assemblages and to provide their different pigment compositions. This approach had been validated successfully with in situ data sets and the spatiotemporal variability of the phytoplankton functional types showed a significant coherence. The method is very general and can be applied to other regions.


The situation of two independent observers conducting measurements on a joint quantum system is usually modelled using a Hilbert space of tensor product form, each factor associated to one observer. Correspondingly, the operators describing the observables are then acting non-trivially only on one of the tensor factors. However, the same situation can also be modelled by just using one joint Hilbert space, and requiring that all operators associated to different observers commute, i.e. are jointly measurable without causing disturbance. The problem of Tsirelson is now to decide the question whether all quantum correlation functions between two independent observers derived from commuting observables can also be expressed using observables defined on a Hilbert space of tensor product form. Tsirelson showed already that the distinction is irrelevant in the case that the ambient Hilbert space is of finite dimension. We show here that the problem is equivalent to the question whether all quantum correlation functions can be approximated by correlation function derived from finite-dimensional systems. We also discuss some physical examples which fulfill this requirement.


We present a new parametric macromodeling technique for lossy and dispersive multiconductor transmission lines. This technique can handle multiple design parameters, such as substrate or geometrical layout features, and provide time-domain sensitivity information for voltages and currents at the ports of the lines. It is derived from the dyadic Green's function of the 1-D wave propagation problem. The rational nature of the Green's function permits the generation of a time-domain macromodel for the computation of transient voltage and current sensitivities with respect to both electrical and physical parameters, completely avoiding similarity transformation, and it is suited to generate state-space models and synthesize equivalent circuits, which can be easily embedded into conventional SPICE-like solvers. Parametric macromodels that provide sensitivity information are well suited for design space exploration, design optimization, and crosstalk analysis. Two numerical examples validate the proposed approach in both frequency and time-domain.


Acute hepatitis C has a high propensity to become chronic, which provides the rationale for treating patients with acute disease attempting to prevent chronicity. Almost all published studies on therapy of acute hepatitis C have been small in size, uncontrolled, and highly heterogeneous as to patient features, dose and duration of treatment, follow‐up evaluation, and criteria used to define efficacy and safety. The published studies on treatment of acute hepatitis C have used standard alfa or beta interferon monotherapy: none have evaluated combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin or peginterferon. Several meta‐analyses of published studies have concluded that initiation of interferon monotherapy during the acute phase of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection significantly reduces (by 30% to 40%) evolution to chronic hepatitis. The tolerability of interferon in acute hepatitis C has been excellent, even in symptomatic and icteric patients; the side effects and adverse events being similar in type and frequency to those seen when treating chronic cases. Thus, currently available data support treatment of patients with acute hepatitis C, but data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions about which patients to treat, when therapy should be started, or what regimen is optimal. Future studies of adequate size and design should focus on efficacy and tolerability of peginterferons and whether therapy should be started immediately after diagnosis or delayed for 2 to 4 months to avoid treatment of patients who spontaneously recover.


The graphene edge state is essential for graphene electronics and fundamental in graphene theory, however it is not observed in deposited graphene. Here we report the discovery of the epigraphene edge state (EGES) in conventionally patterned epigraphene using plasma-based lithography that stabilizes and passivates the edges probably by fusing the graphene edges to the non-polar silicon carbide substrate, as expected. Transport involves a single, essentially dissipationless conductance channel at zero energy up to room temperature. The Fermi level is pinned at zero energy. The EGES does not generate a Hall voltage and the usual quantum Hall effect is observed only after subtraction of the EGES current. EGES transport is highly protected and apparently mediated by an unconventional zero-energy fermion that is half electron and half hole. Interconnected networks involving only the EGES can be patterned, opening the door to a new graphene nanoelectronics paradigm that is relevant for quantum computing.


Active learning is well-suited to many problems in natural language processing, where unlabeled data may be abundant but annotation is slow and expensive. This paper aims to shed light on the best active learning approaches for sequence labeling tasks such as information extraction and document segmentation. We survey previously used query selection strategies for sequence models, and propose several novel algorithms to address their shortcomings. We also conduct a large-scale empirical comparison using multiple corpora, which demonstrates that our proposed methods advance the state of the art.


This paper presents a connection admission control (CAC) method that uses a type-2 fuzzy logic system (FLS). Type-2 FLSs can handle linguistic uncertainties. The linguistic knowledge about CAC is obtained from 30 computer network experts. A methodology for representing the linguistic knowledge using type-2 membership functions and processing surveys using type-2 FLS is proposed. The type-2 FLS provides soft decision boundaries, whereas a type-1 FLS provides a hard decision boundary. The soft decision boundaries can coordinate the cell loss ratio (CLR) and bandwidth utilization, which is impossible for the hard decision boundary.


Discovery of moganite in a lunar meteorite indicates the possibility of H2O ice accumulated in the Moon's regolith. Moganite, a monoclinic SiO2 phase, has been discovered in a lunar meteorite. Silica micrograins occur as nanocrystalline aggregates of mostly moganite and occasionally coesite and stishovite in the KREEP (high potassium, rare-earth element, and phosphorus)–like gabbroic-basaltic breccia NWA 2727, although these grains are seemingly absent in other lunar meteorites. We interpret the origin of these grains as follows: alkaline water delivery to the Moon via carbonaceous chondrite collisions, fluid capture during impact-induced brecciation, moganite precipitation from the captured H2O at pH 9.5 to 10.5 and 363 to 399 K on the sunlit surface, and meteorite launch from the Moon caused by an impact at 8 to 22 GPa and >673 K. On the subsurface, this captured H2O may still remain as ice at estimated bulk content of >0.6 weight %. This indicates the possibility of the presence of abundant available water resources underneath local sites of the host bodies within the Procellarum KREEP and South Pole Aitken terranes.


This paper introduces the intelligent home appliance control system, the system is developed through ARM microprocessor, embedded Linux operating system, ZigBee wireless communication technology and network technology. It gives the overall framework of hardware and software design, and describes ways to implement the system. User can control appliances through hand-held mobile terminal.


Non-work-related computing (NWRC) refers to any voluntary act of employees using their companies' Internet access during office hours for non-work purposes. This study attempts to investigate the causes of NWRC. The model was developed based on rational decision-making and tested through a survey of 167 employees in China and Singapore. Results reveal that NWRC intention is a significant predictor of NWRC behaviour, and NWRC attitude and subjective norms are significant predictors of behavioural intention as in many prior studies. Besides, the perceived benefits and costs affect NWRC attitude. However, it turns out that habit may overrule other rational decisional factors when habit is included in the model. Finally, the comparison between two groups with different levels of control mechanisms shows the moderating effect.


Clinical Legal Education (CLE) can be defined in broad terms as the study of law through real, or simulated, casework. It enables students to experience the law in action and to reflect on those experiences. CLE offers an alternative learning experience to the traditional lecture/seminar method and allows participants to take the study of law beyond the lecture theatre and library. CLE has been a part of English law schools for several decades and is becoming an increasingly popular component of a number of programmes. It is also well established in North America, Australia and many other countries around the globe. In some law schools, CLE is credit-bearing; in others, it is an extracurricular activity. Some CLE schemes focus on social-welfare law, whilst others are commercially orientated. A number are run in conjunction with third-sector organisations and many are supported by private practice law firms. This edited collection brings together academics, lawyers, third-sector organisations and students to discuss the present experience and potential of CLE. As such, it will be of interest to a wide and diverse audience, both within and outside the UK.


The population of incarcerated sex offenders in Malaysia is steadily growing. Objective: This is a descriptive study to look at what clinical and developmental characteristic are present amongst the sex offenders in Malaysia, which could be possible mitigating factors. Methods: Data was collected from offenders located in 3 prisons where the offenders are held. Results: a total of 147 prisoners participated in the study. Slightly more than half of the victims were below the age of 18, of which 10% were below the age of 12. Three quarters of offenders were thirty years and older, while 12% were below 18 years. However their problems begun much earlier in their life with 50% of the offenders reporting that they had difficulties in their primary support group, resulting in them feeling their families were less expressive, their parents were distant and unsupportive.29% of the offenders had not lived with their parents from the age of 16. More than half of the offenders reported academic, behavior and developmental difficulties; they reported losing interest in their studies and were struggling during their schooling days. 43% had history of aggressive behaviour during their adolescent years and 76% had peers who often indulged in risky behaviors. 85% of the offenders were Muslim. 40% made the criteria of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and conduct disorder while a quarter were diagnosed with having personality disorder. Slightly more than half of the offenders had alcohol and drug-related problems, 36% had history of previous crimes, mainly drug and theft offence. Conclusion: The findings show that the sex offenders are indeed a heterogeneous group with pervasive familial, behaviour, academic and social problems which are possible risk that can be identified early in the lives of offenders.