The prognostic impact of transfer to another hospital among acute heart failure (AHF) patients has not been well elucidated. Of the 800 AHF patients analyzed, 682 patients were enrolled in this study for analysis. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their discharge location: discharge home (Group-H, n = 589) or transfer to another hospital for rehabilitation (Group-T, n = 93). The Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a poorer prognosis, including all-cause death and heart failure (HF) events (death, readmission-HF), in Group-T than that in Group-H (P < 0.001, respectively). A multivariate Cox regression model showed that Group-T was an independent predictor of 365-day all-cause death (hazard ratio: 2.618, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.510-4.538, P = 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aging (per 1-year-old increase, odds ratio [OR]: 1.056, 95% CI: 1.028-1.085, P < 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.128, 95% CI: 1.287-3.521, P = 0.003), endotracheal intubation during hospitalization (OR: 2.074, 95% CI: 1.093-3.936, P = 0.026), and increased Controlling Nutritional Status score on admission (per 1.0-point increase, OR: 1.247, 95% CI: 1.131-1.475, P < 0.001) were associated with transfer to another hospital after AHF admission. The prognosis, including all-cause death, was determined to be significantly poorer in patients who were transferred to another hospital, as their activities of daily living were noted to lessen before discharge (n = 11) compared to others (n = 82). Elderly AHF patients suffering from malnutrition were difficult to discharge home after AHF admission, and transfer to another hospital only led to adverse outcomes. Appropriate rehabilitation during definitive hospitalization appears necessary for managing elderly patients in the HF pandemic era. (Int Heart J 2021; 62: 1310-1319)


Speedrunning describes activities related to the development and performance of strategies to complete games quickly, and is a valuable source of historical and technical information, while producing specialized aesthetic explorations of a videogame's environment. Most research on speedrunning emphasizes its metagaming or documentary function. However, speedrunning also changes the aesthetic experience of gameplay, both for players and in spectated performance. Aesthetic investigation informed by art historical perspectives, such as Angela Ndalianis' theory of the Neo-Baroque and H.S. Becker's study of Art World formations, offers new insights into the experience of speedrunning and how discontinuous and disjointed simulated space is experienced and appreciated as aesthetic phenomena by players and spectators. While Nidalianis has applied her theory to videogames, among other types of contemporary entertainment, further investigating speedrunning performances through this lens extends her analysis and problematizes the idea of a videogame as a singular aesthetic work, instead drawing attention to alternative aesthetic experiences videogames can offer.


The foundation for lucrative corporate/academic media partnerships was established in the late 1920s and early 1930s. This study examines the role of Maj. John L. Griffith—the Big Ten's first full-time commissioner and a leader in the National Collegiate Athletic Association—in promoting the expansion and commercialization of intercollegiate athletics. In his public speeches, private correspondence, and editorial commentary in his monthly publication, the Athletic Journal, Griffith positioned intercollegiate sports as the antithesis of the emerging social welfare policies of the New Deal. His anti-Socialist rhetoric reflected the themes used by the new radio corporations in their successful effort to dominate the airwaves at the expense of non-profit broadcasters, and it facilitated the gradual accommodation to commercialized broadcasts of college sports by yoking intercollegiate football to ideals of democracy and capitalism.


Determination of Camera position and orientation is a basic research subject in photogrammetry and computer vision. This paper introduces a new explicit approach to determine the camera-point distances based on the computer algebraic software of Matlab, then derives the basic mathematic model of pose estimation, and puts forward the analytical calculus of rotation matrix based on the Gibbs vector or Rodrigues matrix, finally presents explicit formulae of camera orientation and position. A simulative case is studied, and the result shows the presented algorithm is correct and efficient for arbitrary pose angles image.


In this paper, we present an improved approach of the multitemporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) for detecting land subsidence in coastal areas by using the time series of high-resolution SAR images. In particular, our algorithm extends the capability of the temporarily coherent point InSAR (TCPInSAR) technique that can be used to detect subsidence even in the case of a small number of SAR images available for a study area. The proposed approach is implemented by using the interferograms with ultrashort spatial baselines (USBs) through several procedures, including the selection of USB interferometric pairs, TCP identification, TCP networking and modeling, as well as TCP solution by a least squares estimator. As the topographic effects in coastal areas are negligible in the USB interferograms, an external digital elevation model is no longer necessary for differential processing, thus simplifying both TCP modeling and parameter estimating. The USB-based TCPInSAR algorithm has been tested with the high-resolution TerraSAR-X images acquired over Tianjin (close to Bohai Bay) in China, and validated by using the ground-based leveling measurements. The testing results indicate that the density and coverage extent of TCPs can be increased dramatically by using the proposed algorithm, and the quality of subsidence measurements derived by the USB-based TCPInSAR can be raised.


The UK digital divide, whereby sections of society have limited use of digital technology, results in unequal access to information, knowledge, goods and services. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the push to a digital world, and this has challenged people who suffer digital exclusion, including older people, who are more likely to lack digital skills and understanding. Public libraries play a key role in tackling digital exclusion, providing digital skills training and support, and access to equipment and Wi-Fi thereby enhancing the social inclusion of marginalised groups. During the Covid-19 pandemic innovative solutions were piloted to help tackle digital exclusion and social isolation despite closure of face-to-face library interventions, particularly during lockdowns. This article explores evaluation of the Housing Plus Pilot, providing remote digital skills training and support to older people living in sheltered housing in Newcastle upon Tyne during 2021, delivered through partnership between Your Homes Newcastle, and Newcastle City Libraries. A qualitative case study approach examined a small sample of older people's perceptions regarding the success of the pilot, and their digital literacy before and after training using semi-structured interviews via telephone. Findings showed that the pilot enabled older people to gain the necessary digital knowledge and skills required to boost confidence in becoming digitally literate citizens. Tackling digital fears and enabling them to reinforce learning through the provision of their own tablet, and free access to Wi-Fi in their sheltered housing provided a springboard for digital behaviour change. Use of a social setting in sheltered housing not only kept older people safe during socially distanced times, but also provided a supportive environment in which to learn and practice skills, together with a step-by-step training approach that focussed on the individual, which was wellsuited to this demographic.


Dimension stone quarry is believed to be type of mining operation that always result to low recovery since what is expected from the extracting operation is a cubical block with no fracture. It is noticed that majority of the damage in the natural blocks are always from poor extraction method. In aggregate quarry, series of work have been done on powder factor that gives economical blasting. In this research work, breaking factor is used in place of powder factor since breaking is required not powder. The aim of this research work is to establish a standard breaking factor for bench blasting in dimension quarries that will improve recovery. Two cases were considered. In case 1, gun powder is used for basal cutting. Of the seven patterns considered, pattern3 gives highest recovery (70%) with breaking factor of 23.15g/m 3 (i.e. 5kg of Gun powder for (6 by 6 by 6) m bench design). In the case 2, dynacord is used for basal cutting. Of the four patterns considered, pattern 2 gives highest recovery (55%) with breaking factor of 15g/m 3 ( i.e. 3.24kg of explosive for (6 by 6 by 6) m bench design. Keywords: Extracting, powder factor, aggregate, recovery, breaking factor


A tender is a document that a purchasing agent publishes to announce his request for certain goods or services and through this process an offer is made by the buyer to accomplish work at an acknowledged price by the supplier. The intent of the Online Tendering is to develop, promote and manage an internetbased tender registration, document distribution, proposal submission and Internet based payment of Tender document and earnest money deposit system for the benefit of suppliers and buyers. In our proposed Online Tendering system the buyers can publish their tender notice and the offer is made by the suppliers is arranged by the system according to the buyers specification. The system also handles the payment procedure and generates reports at each step to control the Tender process in a well-organized manner.


Radioactive isotopes have been applied for determining the transport rate of bed load in an alluvial river on the basis of: centroid velocity of the tracer particles, size and material-transporting width of mobile layer. These parameters were found by detailed measurements in the field. Computed values were produced on the basis of Engelund and Fredsoe9s model on sediment transport (1976) and on the propagation of bed forms. When comparing measured and computed values, the difference was about 25%. Finally, the applicability of tracer methods for solving practical problems is discussed.


Objectives & Background Adverse drug reactions represent a major burden on healthcare, causing between 3–5% of all hospital admissions.1 This impact is magnified in older patients; studies have shown that up to 51.3% of older patients were prescribed potentially inappropriate medications.1 These findings are highly relevant to Emergency Medicine with ever increasing emphasis being placed on attendance avoidance, and increasing numbers of older patients. Methods We utilised the STOPP/START criteria2 and Anticholinergic burden scoring3 to assess the drug histories of all patients over the age of 65 who presented over the course of a year to a major London A+E department with three common presentations: bleeding, confusion and falls. Results We found consistently high levels of potentially inappropriate prescribing with 64% of patients presenting post a fall, 92% with new confusion and 23% with bleeding, having drug histories that warranted a medications review. 22% of patients presenting after a fall also had clinically relevant anticholinergic scores and higher re-attendance rates than those with low anticholinergic scores. Conclusion We designed a pilot study using a digital app designed by a Geriatrician to analyse and prompt potential medication changes for patients admitted to our Clinical Decision Unit with the aim of future attendance avoidance.


Recently the author (1993) introduced a new unsupervised competitive learning rule for adaptive scalar quantization. The rule, called boundary adaptation rule (BAR), directly adapts the boundary points demarcating the quantization intervals and minimizes the mean absolute error distortion. In this article the author extends the BAR concept towards the mean squared error distortion minimization in a high resolution case. The performance of this extended rule is shown for stationary as well as non-stationary input probability density functions, such as speech- and image signals. The rule yields near-optimal performance.<<ETX>>


In this work, the temperature dependent magnetization M(T) and the electrical resistivity rho (T) of Nd1-xCaxMnO3 (x=0.1-0.5) are measured. From the M(T) curves, the ferromagnetic (FM) phase is observed for samples of x=0.1 and 0.2. However, the canted-antiferromagnetic (CAF) phase which coexists with the charge-ordering (CO) phase occurs at low temperature for samples x=0.3-0.5. By systematically changing the Ca concentration from x=0.1 to 0.5, a detailed phase diagram is established. Based on the result of magnetic field dependent rho (T), the magnetoresistance ratio is calculated, which shows a maximum in the x=0.4 sample. These results are helpful for improving the MR effect in these manganites.


The recent developments in electronic cards such as the network equipment are characterized by the miniaturization of the board size and the increasing complexity of the layout. Because of these requirements, multi-layered printed circuit boards are commonly used and vias connecting signal lines on different layers, or integrated circuit devices to power and ground planes, are frequently used and often essential. However, a via is not an ideal transmission line. Besides, it creates discontinuities at high frequencies leading to high insertion loss degradation of signal which limits the performances of integrated circuit and systems. In this paper, the impacts of coupling between via and parallel-plates cavity on the response of microwave integrated devices are highlighted in the first part. Then, to describe the intrinsic interaction between the via transition and parallel-plate modes, the notion of parallel-plates matrix impedances is presented and new boundary conditions like open or plated through holes shielded boundaries of the cavities are introduced. Then, using this physics-based model, an intuitive equivalent circuit has been developed. Finally, the proposed approach and the equivalent circuits were validated by using comparisons with electromagnetic simulations and measurements in different scenarios.


This study takes Lin'an City which early carries out the experiment of ecological operation of hickory as the study site. On the basis of the input-output data on hickory and farmers' land, we analyze the input-output status of hickory land which practises ecological operation, the operators' willingness to accept ecological operation and the influencing factors. The results show that in the short term, ecological operation of hickory will have a certain negative impact on the economic benefits; within the experimental area, the degree of operators' willingness to accept ecological operation of hickory is high, and the operators have a clear understanding of long-term comprehensive benefits which may be brought by ecological operation; the ecological experiment and demonstration of hickory have achieved certain results; family income level, characteristics of householders, education and training, and so on, are the main factors that affect the operators' willingness to choose ecological operation. Finally, for how to further improve the promotion efficiency of ecological operation of hickory, we put forth some constructive recommendations.


We mapped an ~120 km offshore portion of the northern San Andreas fault (SAF) between Point Arena and Point Delgada using closely spaced seismic reflection profiles (1605 km), high-resolution multibeam bathymetry (~1600 km 2 ), and marine magnetic data. This new data set documents SAF location and continuity, associated tectonic geomorphology, shallow stratigraphy, and deformation. Variable deformation patterns in the generally narrow (∼1 km wide) fault zone are largely associated with fault trend and with transtensional and transpressional fault bends. We divide this unique transtensional portion of the offshore SAF into six sections along and adjacent to the SAF based on fault trend, deformation styles, seismic stratigraphy, and seafloor bathymetry. In the southern region of the study area, the SAF includes a 10-km-long zone characterized by two active parallel fault strands. Slip transfer and long-term straightening of the fault trace in this zone are likely leading to transfer of a slice of the Pacific plate to the North American plate. The SAF in the northern region of the survey area passes through two sharp fault bends (∼9°, right stepping, and ∼8°, left stepping), resulting in both an asymmetric lazy Z–shape sedimentary basin (Noyo basin) and an uplifted rocky shoal (Tolo Bank). Seismic stratigraphic sequences and unconformities within the Noyo basin correlate with the previous 4 major Quaternary sea-level lowstands and record basin tilting of ∼0.6°/100 k.y. Migration of the basin depocenter indicates a lateral slip rate on the SAF of 10–19 mm/yr for the past 350 k.y. Data collected west of the SAF on the south flank of Cape Mendocino are inconsistent with the presence of an offshore fault strand that connects the SAF with the Mendocino Triple Junction. Instead, we suggest that the SAF previously mapped onshore at Point Delgada continues onshore northward and transitions to the King Range thrust.


Abstract:Jewish exceptionalism has been considered from many different perspectives. One perspective that has been neglected is whether Jewish Americans age differently than other Americans, and whether any difference that is observed can be attributed to their religion or religiosity, or to other characteristics such as socioeconomic status (e.g., higher education and relative affluence) and family characteristics (e.g., fewer divorces, fewer children). In the current paper, Jewish women ages 50–74 are compared to similarly aged women of non-Jewish religions and of no religion in terms of objective health and subjective aging, controlling for educational attainment, objective and subjective house-hold income, work status, volunteer activity, family status, number of children, social support, and religiosity. Jewishness does not have significant relationships with objective health or subjective aging when age, education, socio-economic status, work status, volunteer activity, family variables, supportive relationships and religiosity are controlled. Moreover, religiosity does not have a significant relationship with Jewish women's objective health or subjective perception of their aging when these other variables are controlled, in contrast to non-Jewish women.


Purpose: Human uveal melanoma develops in one of the most capillary-rich tissues of the body and has a pure hematogenous dissemination. Radiodiagnostic examinations, such as ultrasonic diagnostic resonance imaging and chest radiographs plus liver enzyme studies in blood, are methods to detect liver and other distant metastases in patients. Nevertheless, the mortality rate is high, because of the frequent occurrence of metastases and the lack of systemic therapy. Therefore, the development of novel anticancer strategies is urgent, and more sensitive and less invasive methods of detecting and monitoring in vivo tumor growth and metastatic disease in cancer models are needed. Methods: A luciferase (luc)-positive human uveal melanoma cell line (OCM-1 FRT/luc) was established. Tumor cells were inoculated into the anterior chamber of murine eyes for induction of orthotopic growth or into the left heart ventricle to mimic hematogenous micrometastatic spread. Development of metastases and tumor growth was monitored weekly by whole-body bioluminescent reporter imaging (BRI). Results: Injection of cancer cells into the anterior chamber of the eye of mice closely mimicked orthotopic tumor growth of uveal melanoma. Tumor progression could be quantitatively monitored 3 weeks after inoculation of 105 OCM-1 FRT/luc cells. Of the mice injected, 83% exhibited a detectable tumor within 5 weeks. Intracardiac injection of tumor cells resulted in metastatic growth, especially in bone. Mice had bone (maxillofacial region and femora) and visceral (lung and mediastium) metastases after 4 to 6 weeks. OCM-1 FRT/luc cells may also have a propensity to colonize the eye after intracardiac inoculation. Conclusions: BLI enables continuous quantitative monitoring in the same animal of growth kinetics for each tumor and its metastases. This model will accelerate the understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of uveal melanoma and metastasis. Whole Body Bioluminescent Imaging of Human Uveal Melanoma 35


For pt. I see ibid., vol.48, no.7, p.2105-18 (2000). In this paper, we analyze four typical sequential Hopfield (1982) neural network (HNN) based algorithms for image restoration and reconstruction, which are the modified HNN (PK) algorithm, the HNN (ZCVJ) algorithm with energy checking, the eliminating-highest-error (EHE) algorithm, and the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. A new measure, the correct transition probability (CTP), is proposed for the performance of iterative algorithms and is used in this analysis. The CTP measures the correct transition probability for a neuron transition at a particular time and reveals the insight of the performance at each iteration. The general properties of the CTP are discussed. Derived are the CTP formulas of these four algorithms. The analysis shows that the EHE algorithm has the highest CTP in all conditions of the severity of blurring, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a blurred noisy image, and the regularization term. This confirms the result in many previous simulations that the EHE algorithms can converge to more accurate images with much fewer iterations, have much higher correct transition rates than other HNN algorithms, and suppress streaks in restored images. The analysis also shows that the CTPs of all these algorithms decrease with the severity of blurring, the severity of noise, and the degree of regularization, which also confirms the results in previous simulations. This in return suggests that the correct transition probability be a rational performance measure.


We developed an analog 60-GHz module for RF/optic conversion by using an electroabsorption modulator (EAM) device associated with a traveling-wave electrode. The impedance matching of the module was accomplished with the 30-/spl Omega/ termination such that the resonance was precisely located at 60 GHz and the fractional bandwidth at S/sub 11/=-15 dB was as large as 1.0 GHz. The RF/optic conversion gain of the EAM device revealed a strong dependence on the input optical power and was closely related with the slope change in the optical transmission characteristic with reverse bias. From the EAM module with the composite-type multiple-quantum-well electroabsorption core consisting of both 8- and 12-nm quantum wells, we obtained the optimal RF/optic conversion gain at the reverse bias between 1.5-2 V in a wide range of input optical power from -6 to +9 dBm. In the same bias range, the third-order intermodulation distortion was <-49.5 dBc as obtained with RF input of -7.5 dBm.


Although simulation is one of the most innovative and cost-effective tools for modeling and analyzing a system, simulation studies often fail to provide any useful results. One reason is attributed to the fact that model formulation depends on the skills of the analyst. This paper describes a research to develop a conceptual modeling infrastructure to assist a simulation analyst in specifying components for studying physical security systems. The modeling framework has been programmed as an Internet-based Web application. Using the application, the successful development and implementation of a physical security simulation model will be aided by a defined scientific methodology rather than simply the skills of the analyst. Further the modeling framework is simulation language independent, thus allowing for a top-down or bottom-up approach to developing the conceptual model. This offers support for an object-oriented modeling design.


ABSTRACT As experts predict that at least some irreversible climate change will occur with potentially disastrous effects on the lives and well-being of vulnerable communities around the world, it is paramount to ensure that these communities are resilient and have adaptive capacity to withstand the consequences. Adaptation and resilience planning present several ethical issues that need to be resolved if we are to achieve successful adaptation and resilience to climate change. In this paper, we present six core discussions that should be an integral part of adaptation and resilience planning: (i) Where does 'justice' feature in resilience and adaptation planning and what does it require in that regard?; (ii) How can it be ensured that adaptation and resilience strategies protect, take into consideration, and represent the interest of the most vulnerable individuals and communities?; (iii) How can different forms of knowledge be integrated within adaptation and resilience planning?; (iv) What trade-offs need to be made when focusing on resilience and adaptation and how can they be resolved?; (v) What roles and responsibilities do different actors have to build resilience and achieve adaptation?; (vi) Finally, what does the focus on ethics imply for the practice of adaptation and resilience planning?


The dependence of ferroelectric properties of sol-gel derived BaTiO3 thin (0.35 μm) films on various Si substrates was investigated. It was found that only films deposited on p+ Si (1020 cm−3 B, 2% Ge) are (110) oriented and possess a few percent of the spontaneous polarization of single-crystal BaTiO3. The direction of polarization self restored after being reversed by external bias or heated above the Curie temperature. It was found that the pyroelectric coefficient was not zero above the Curie point, which indicated that the films are permanently subjected to an electric field, which originates from the contact potential between the film and the substrate. This conclusion was confirmed by surface photovoltage spectroscopy. Orientation of the films was attributed to the presence of Ge in the substrate, which decreased lattice mismatch between the (100) vector of the Si substrate and (110) vector of BaTiO3. The possibility of a paraelectric to ferroelectric transition driven by an electric field due to t...


We propose a multi-touch interface for character motion control with which a user can control a character's pose freely and make the character perform various actions by simply dragging the character's body parts using a multi-touch input device. We use style-based inverse kinematics to synthesize a natural-looking pose that satisfies given constraints using a learned model of sample postures. However, the style-based inverse kinematics is suited to posture editing and not motion control. It cannot handle various types of actions and cannot generate continuous and physically valid motions. To overcome these limitations, we prepare different learned models for each action and choose an appropriate learned model according to the user's input. More specifically, we use a single learned model for posing and different learned models for each type of action. We also use different motion generation methods for posing and action controls. Furthermore, we introduce tracking control as a post-process after posing and action controls to generate continuous and physically plausible motion. We implemented the proposed method using a Windows 7 Touch API on a multi-touch-enabled personal computer, and demonstrated the power of our interface.


Much of the special literature deals with examining textbooks, and during their analyses the underrepresentation of women in the world of teaching aids always comes out. The National Curricula (1995, 2003, 2007, 2012, and the new draft of the NC) serve as the basis for writing textbooks, thus it would be worth starting the examination of horizontal segregation according to gender here. In the current study, the goal is to identify and to map theoretical dimensions. This research introduces female education and stereotypes of women in Hungary, their theoretical background as regards horizontal segregation according to gender, and also introduces "hidden curriculum". Horizontal segregation according to gender in higher education is easily seen, the goal of this study, however, is to examine its presence in primary school education through the teaching of three subjects: music, history, and physics. This dissertation is the first step in the research which furthers the mapping of the theoretical background.


This paper discusses smartphone spectatorship with a focus on user participation, interactivity, and the fusion of digital media and moving images. In the renaissance of mobile filmmaking and participatory culture, there is no longer a definite difference in the quality of cinema and mobile media tools. Instead, users' embodied and social presences define the framework of viewing and production. By reflecting on the sovereignty of smartphone film culture, this paper highlights the behavioural and cultural trajectories of mobile movie consumption, where content access merges with content production.


Galaxies are gravitationally bound systems in the Cosmos, mostly made of stars, interstellar dust, gas and dark matter. The dark matter alone constitutes 85% of the total mass of the universe, but it does not interact with electromagnetic radiation, such as light. So, we can not 'see' this dark matter. However, it does interact gravitationally, and one of the best ways to detect dark matter is therefore via 'gravitational lensing'. Matter that is concentrated in galaxies or in clusters of galaxies, situated between an observer (like us on earth) and a distant source (like another galaxy in the background), can act similar to a 'lens', and is able to gravitationally deflect the trajectory of light that travels from the source to the observer. This phenomenon is one of the most profound predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The research presented in this thesis attempts to quantify the distribution of mass in massive elliptical galaxies using gravitational lensing, especially the presence of this mysterious dark matter on small sub-galactic scales, as well as other contributions that play their role as 'gravitational lens', but which are difficult or almost impossible to detect otherwise. This thesis reports the development of novel statistical techniques to quantify these mass distributions, and also computational frameworks for simulating artificial images of 'lensed' galaxies. Moreover, theoretical research has been connected and applied to real astronomical observations, along with other applications such as artificial intelligence to find gravitational lenses and creating mock lenses using cosmological simulations.


Cadmium-plated high-strength steel bolts were used to facilitate quick disassembly of a vehicle. One bolt was found fractured across the root of a thread after being torqued in place for one week. The bolts were made of 8735 steel heat treated to a tensile strength of 1241 to 1379 MPa (180 to 200 ksi) with a hardness of 39 to 43 HRC, followed by cadmium plating. The bolt that failed and several that did not were examined. It was found that failure of the bolts was the result of time-dependent hydrogen embrittlement. Had the remaining bolts been torqued to the normal stress levels, all would have failed within two weeks. The bolts were baked, as specified by ASTM B 242, at 205 deg C (400 deg F) for 30 min. No further failures occurred. Baking for 30 min is the minimum baking time; however, baking times up to 24 h are recommended for greater safety.


Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the methylphenidate (MPH) treatment response in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without epilepsy. Methods: Ninety-four children and adolescents with ADHD consisting of 47 with and 47 without epilepsy were enrolled into the study. The patients were evaluated by DSM-IV-TR, the Stroop test, the Conners' Parent and Teacher Rating Scales. The groups were matched with regard to age, gender, ADHD subtype and comorbidity. The Stroop test was performed three times: during baseline (S-1); at the third month of the MPH treatment (S-2); after drug holiday of the treatment with MPH which lasted for six months (S-3). Stroop total time (ST) and Stroop total error+correction (SEC) scores were analyzed. Results: The mean ST-3 and SEC-3 scores were significantly higher in cases with ADHD-attention deficit (ADHD-AD) subtype with the epilepsy group compared to ADHD-combined type (ADHD-CT) in the epilepsy group, whereas there was no significant difference detected in the non-epilepsy groups. While in the boys with/ without epilepsy and the girls without epilepsy and were demonstrated significant reductions in all recorded ST and SEC scores during/after treatment in comparison with the initial scores, a similar relationship could not be shown for the girls with epilepsy. Conclusion: It is noted that gender and the ADHD subtypes may affect drug choice in patient with ADHD cases comorbid with epilepsy. One of the noticeable results of our study is was that the Stroop scores is no significant change with methylphenidate treatment in especially in girls with ADHD and epilepsy.


Members of the megadiverse insect order Diptera (flies) have successfully colonized all continents and nearly all habitats. There are more than 154 000 described fly species, representing 10–12% of animal species. Elucidating the phylogenetic relationships of such a large component of global biodiversity is challenging, but significant advances have been made in the last few decades. Since Hennig first discussed the monophyly of major groupings, Diptera has attracted much study, but most researchers have used non‐numerical qualitative methods to assess morphological data. More recently, quantitative phylogenetic methods have been used on both morphological and molecular data. All previous quantitative morphological studies addressed narrower phylogenetic problems, often below the suborder or infraorder level. Here we present the first numerical analysis of phylogenetic relationships of the entire order using a comprehensive morphological character matrix. We scored 371 external and internal morphological characters from larvae, pupae and adults for 42 species, representing all infraorders selected from 42 families. Almost all characters were obtained from previous studies but required revision for this ordinal‐level study, with homology assessed beyond their original formulation and across all infraorders. We found significant support for many major clades (including the Diptera, Culicomorpha, Bibionomorpha, Brachycera, Eremoneura, Cyclorrhapha, Schizophora, Calyptratae and Oestroidea) and we summarize the character evidence for these groups. We found low levels of support for relationships between the infraorders of lower Diptera, lower Brachycera and major lineages of lower Cyclorrhapha, and this is consistent with findings from molecular studies. These poorly supported areas of the tree may be due to periods of rapid radiation that left few synapomorphies in surviving lineages.


This paper studies a linear economic geography model under general equilibrium and iceberg transportation costs from a linear random utility point of view. A motivation is given by previous work on spatial product differentiation establishing a connection between demands generated by linear random utility optimization and demands due to CES-utility. Two interpretations of random utility are considered. First, the utility of a representative consumer from one unit of a given variety is assumed to be random e.g. due to a random linear trade cost or unobservable quality. In the second interpretation, as in mainstream random utility theory, the uncertainty is due to the incomplete information of the modeller regarding the utility and/or trade cost parameters. Discrete choice can be assumed within this second linear model. The approach to stochastic utility is based on maximizing linear random utility functions via probabilistic constraints. This allows to deal with both normally and log-normally distributed network link coefficients. The main focus is on the case where the random utility/cost coefficients are independent and identically distributed random variables. Linear random utility in both the first case, where utility/cost is random (or hard to measure), and the second case, where the modeller does not know the utility functions, implies demand for variety. This is different from the outcome under expected linear utility maximization. (Unlike in linear random utility models optimization in this paper is performed before the realization of the random variable, like in models of state dependent utility.) In economic geography the demand for diversity due to linear random utility can explain intra-industry trade between symmetric regions. The outcome of individual stochastic utility optimization coincides with the modeller's predicted solution to an aggregate consumer's income allocation under discrete choice (like in previous work). In addition to the relation to economic geography, the paper is related to recent work on noncooperative network formation under linear utility functions. The main conclusions from the stochastic programming approach to resource allocation in the presence of spatial differentiation can be summarized as follows: (1) A stochastic programming framework for the study of linear random utility models is introduced. The uncertainty in utility can be the consequence of the lack of complete information available either to the modeller or the consumer. In the former case discrete choice can be assumed within this linear model. Unlike in other random linear models, it can be assumed in the stochastic programming framework introduced that any fixed number of varieties (not just one) is demanded. When the utility parameters are i.i.d. normal or lognormal random variables, it is optimal for the representative consumer to demand either all varieties or use all income as money, unless the consumer is restricted to buy at most a single variety. Increasing the product diversity both increases the utility estimated by the modeller and the utility that can be obtained by consumers optimizing stochastic utility. (2) In related work on random utility, the assumption of a joint logconcave distribution of the random utility parameters is a sufficient condition for the existence of a decentralized solution to resource allocation. In this paper it is argued that a logconcave distribution of the random utility/cost coefficients is a sufficient condition for the existence of a Pareto-efficient resource allocation. (3) The linear stochastic programming model in this paper is related to recent work on endogenous network formation under linear utility functions (ref 1). The model in (ref 1) resulting to either an empty network (with no links formed) or a fully connected network (with all possible links) network is extended to firstly allowing for the network link coefficients measuring the decay between the different nodes to be i.i.d. random variables, and secondly, to an endogenous link formation price. In the random utility interpretation, the transactions between a pair of nodes can be interpreted either as communication (ref 1) or more generally as trade in any goods that can be considered substitutes to one another. Ref 1. V. Bala and S. Goyal: "A Noncooperative Model of Network Formation", Econometrica 2000 Ref 2. S. Anderson, A. De Palma and J.-F. Thisse, "Discrete Choice Theory of Product Differentiation"


New data for zircon (external morphology, cathodoluminescence zoning, and sensitive high resolution ion microprobe [SHRIMP] U-Pb ages) from the Carvers Gap granulite gneiss of the Mars Hill terrane (Tennessee and North Carolina, United States) require reevaluation of interpretations of the age and origin of this rock. The new results indicate that the zircon is detrital and that the sedimentary protolith of this gneiss (and related Cloudland gneiss) was deposited no earlier than ca. 1.02 Ga and was metamorphosed at ca. 0.98 Ga. Tectonic models that included the gneiss as a piece of 1.8 Ga Amazonian crust (perhaps as part of the hypothetical Columbia supercontinent) are now untenable. The remarkably fast cycle of exhumation, erosion, deposition, and deep burial also is characteristic of other late Grenvillian (post-Ottawan) Mesoproterozoic paragneisses that occur throughout the Appalachians. These rocks provide new evidence for the duration of the formation of the Rodinia supercontinent lasting until at least 0.98 Ma.


This book presents the main concepts in handling digital images of mixed content, traditionally referenced asmixed raster content (MRC), in two main parts. The first includes introductory chapters covering the scientific and technical background aspects, whereas the second presents a set of research and development approaches to tackle key issues in MRC segmentation, compression and transmission. The book starts with a review of color theory and the mechanism of color vision in humans. In turn, the second chapter reviews data coding and compression methods so as to set the background and demonstrate the complexity involved in dealing with MRC. Chapter three addresses the segmentation of images through an extensive literature review, which highlights the various approaches used to tackle MRC segmentation. The second part of the book focuses on the segmentation of color images for optimized compression, including multi-layered decomposition and representation of MRC and the processes that can be employed to optimize the coding rates of those different layers. Rounding out the coverage, the final chapter examines the segmentation of color images for optimized transmission.


Objective:To describe the evolving epidemiology, management, and risk factors for death of invasive Candida infections in intensive care units (ICUs). Design:Prospective, observational, national, multicenter study. Setting:One hundred eighty ICUs in France. Patients:Between October 2005 and May 2006, 300 adult patients with proven invasive Candida infection who received systemic antifungal therapy were included. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:One hundred seven patients (39.5%) with isolated candidemia, 87 (32.1%) with invasive candidiasis without documented candidemia, and 77 (28.4%) with invasive candidiasis and candidemia were eligible. In 37% of the cases, candidemia occurred within the first 5 days after ICU admission. C. albicans accounted for 57.0% of the isolates, followed by C. glabrata (16.7%), C. parapsilosis (7.5%), C. krusei (5.2%), and C. tropicalis (4.9%). In 17.1% of the isolates, the causative Candida was less susceptible or resistant to fluconazole. Fluconazole was the empirical treatment most commonly introduced (65.7%), followed by caspofungin (18.1%), voriconazole (5.5%), and amphotericin B (3.7%). After identification of the causative species and susceptibility testing results, treatment was modified in 86 patients (31.7%). The case fatality ratio in ICU was 45.9% and did not differ significantly according to the type of episode. Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with death in ICU were type 1 diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] 4.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72–11.79; p = 0.002), immunosuppression (OR 2.63; 95% CI 1.35–5.11; p = 0.0045), mechanical ventilation (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.33–4.82; p = 0.0045), and body temperature >38.2°C (reference, 36.5–38.2°C; OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.17–0.77; p = 0.008). Conclusions:More than two thirds of patients with invasive candidiasis in ICU present with candidemia. Non-albicans Candida species reach almost half of the Candida isolates. Reduced susceptibility to fluconazole is observed in 17.1% of Candida isolates. Mortality of invasive candidiasis in ICU remains high.


Urban renewal and gentrification are current catchphrases in many urban initiatives, mostly centering on housing development, new urbanism, and community building. By focusing on reenvisioning community building, development, and social services in urban contexts, religious institutions and organizations adapt to urban changes and adjust accordingly with various initiatives to address social needs, put their spirituality and faith into practice, and attract adherents. This paper is the theoretical piece of a larger work in progress that provides the context for understanding the changes brought about by gentrification in "inner cities" and how religious organizations operate within the changing sociological landscape brought about by urbanization, urban decay, and gentrification. The focus of this article is specifically on faithbased organizations, drawing out the implications of gentrification on evangelical and faithbased organizations to highlight the fiscal, structural, and demographic changes associated with the gentrification process.


The following design paper reports on a serious game project being made by interdisciplinary researchers at the North-West University (NWU), Vanderbijlpark Campus. The aim of this venture is to develop a trading card game based on specific History content, using similar mechanics found in popular card games such as Magic: The Gathering and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The game is called Dogs of War (DoW) and the historical figures will be depicted as various dog breeds to subvert player expectations and assuage a grim period of human History. The game itself is designed in such a way that up to six people can play together, with each player representing a faction that was involved in the war. These factions include: Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, Fascist Italy, Great Britain, United States of America and Soviet Russia. The conceptualisation of DoW has already reached the initial play-testing phase, wherein the basic mechanics and units already having been designed. The game will be implemented in a third year History class at NWU in 2020, with the aim of researching whether the game itself can enhance self-directed learning through tangential and exciting gameplay. Focus group interviews will be held at the end of the first semester (2020) to gauge this prototype's overall effectiveness.


Introduction Sexual violence (SV) is an important public health concern which may induce important and long lasting mental health problems. However, studies on SV and its mental health impact on older adults and more specifically gerontopsychiatric patients are currently lacking. Objectives This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the prevalence, risk factors and mental health impact of SV in a gerontopsychiatric patient population. Methods Between July 2019 and March 2020 100 patients (66%F, 34%M) participated in a face to face interview on health, sexuality and wellbeing during their admission at an old age psychiatry ward in one general hospital and two psychiatric hospitals across Flanders, Belgium. Participation rate was 58%. Interviews were performed by a psychiatric trainee and especially trained master students in medicine. Results 58% (65%F; 42%M) of the participants were sexually victimised during their life, 45% (51%F, 33%F) experienced hands-off SV, 43% (48%F, 33%M) sexual abuse with physical contact and 16% (6%M, 21%F) was raped. 7% were sexually victimised in the past year. Compared with non-victimized respondents, hands-on SV victims (incl. rape) described more symptoms of depression (p=0.007) and anxiety (p=0.003) and reported lower resilience (p=0.022). Conclusions SV appears to be common in the gerontopsychiatric population and is linked to even worse mental health outcomes. These findings confirm the long-lasting mental health impact of SV and highlight the importance of attention to (sexual) trauma in mental health care in old age. Disclosure No significant relationships.


The suspicion that national governments were in various forms promoting or defending domestic national champions (or discouraging foreign ones) arose in a long list of recent merger cases. This paper provides an analysis of the determinants of merger policy in international markets. We discuss two approaches. First, we examine the strategic policy arguments that may lie behind "national champions" positions on mergers in an international economy. Second, we study a political economy approach to merger policy, where we move beyond the assumption that governments are pure welfare-maximizers and consider the effects of lobbying by domestic firms. We argue that standard "strategic trade policy" arguments are probably not the most useful in understanding governments' attitudes towards mergers. Rather, a combination of "economic" and "political" motives helps explaining merger policy in international markets.


Foreign religion and civilization have been adduced for the modification or perhaps total eradication of some aspects of African cultural life especially in the Yoruba nation. The impact is felt mostly in the once cherished cultural festivals of which Oloku festival of Okuku, Osun State of Nigeria is inclusive. Relying on the eye-witness account of Ulli Beier of 1956 and other available literatures on the festival, this researcher was at Okuku in 1992 to capture the event for his Master's Degree Dissertation in the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, but unfortunately, the festival was abrogated two years after. Therefore, this field investigation intends to find out the circumstances or factors surrounding this act.


There is significant evidence that Th2 (T helper 2)-mediated inflammation supports the pathogenesis of both human and experimental animal models of pulmonary hypertension (PH). A key immune regulator is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is produced by Th2 inflammation and can itself contribute to Th2 pulmonary responses. In this study, we interrogated the role of VEGF signaling in a murine model of schistosomiasis-induced PH with a phenotype of significant intrapulmonary Th2 inflammation, vascular remodeling, and elevated right ventricular pressures. We found that VEGF receptor blockade partially suppressed the levels of the Th2 inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in both the lung and the liver after Schistosoma mansoni exposure and suppressed pulmonary vascular remodeling. These findings suggest that VEGF positively contributes to schistosomiasis-induced vascular inflammation and remodeling, and they also provide evidence for a VEGF-dependent signaling pathway necessary for pulmonary vascular remodeling and inflammation in this model.


Background: Given the long-term progressive nature of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is associated with reduced physical activity. The use of different measurement methods may, however, yield differing results on actual physical activity levels in persons with the disease. The purpose of this study was to examine free-living physical activity in persons with mild and moderate MS and to compare it with that of sedentary healthy control persons.
Materials and methods: The study applied a cross-sectional design. Ambulatory (Expanded Disability Status Scale scores between 0 and 5.5) persons with MS (n=22) and sex- and age-matched, mostly sedentary, healthy control subjects (n=20) took part in the study. Physical activity was measured with an accelerometer and a pedometer during the waking hours of a 7-day period. After the period the participants completed a 7-day recall physical activity questionnaire.
Results: Physical activity was reduced in persons with MS as compared to the healthy only as assessed by a pedometer (P=0.01), but not by an accelerometer (P=0.90) or a questionnaire (P=0.63).
Conclusions: Levels of habitual physical activity in MS vary depending on the measure used. Compared to mostly inactive healthy subjects, ambulatory persons with MS may be equally physically active.


We consider the effects of large structures in the Universe on the Hubble diagram. This problem is treated non-linearly by considering a Swiss Cheese model of the Universe in which underdense voids are represented as negatively curved regions of space-time. Exact expressions for luminosity distances and redshifts are used to investigate the non-linear effects of structure on the magnitudes of astrophysical sources. It is found that the intervening voids we consider, between the observer and source, produce changes in apparent magnitude of less than 0.012. Sources inside voids, however, can be affected considerably at redshifts below z ~ 0.5. By averaging observable quantities over many randomly generated distributions of voids we find that the presence of these structures has the effect of introducing a dispersion around the mean, which itself can be displaced the background value. Observers in an inhomogeneous universe, who take averages of observables along many different lines of sight, may then introduce systematic biases, and underestimate errors, if these effects are not taken into account. Estimates of the potential size of these effects are made using data from simulated large-scale structure.


This simulation-based research produces a set of forecast land use data of Qinghai Province, China, applying the land use change dynamics (LUCD) model. The simulation results show that the land use pattern will almost keep being consistent in the period from 2010 to 2050 with that in 2000 in Qinghai Province. Grassland and barren or sparsely vegetated land will cover more than 80% of the province's total area. The land use change will be inconspicuous in the period from 2010 to 2050 involving only 0.49% of the province's land. The expansion of urban and built-up land, grassland, and barren or sparsely vegetated land and the area reduction of mixed dryland/irrigated cropland and pasture, water bodies, and snow or ice will dominate land use changes of the case study area. The changes of urban and built-up land and mixed dryland/irrigated cropland and pasture will slow down over time. Meanwhile, the change rates of water bodies, snow and ice, barren or sparsely vegetated land, and grassland will show an inverted U-shaped trajectory. Except for providing underlying surfaces for RCMs for future climate change assessment, this empirical research of regional land use change may enhance the understanding of land surface system dynamics.


BACKGROUND
Age-related change in body composition is associated with adverse health outcomes, including functional decline, disability, morbidity, and early mortality. Prevention of age-related changes requires a greater understanding of the associations among age, lifestyle factors, and body composition.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to comprehensively determine lifestyle factors associated with age-related differences in body composition assessed by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

DESIGN
We analyzed baseline (cross-sectional) data collected from 2002 to 2005 for approximately 1200 men in the Florey Adelaide Male Aging Study, a regionally representative cohort of Australian men aged 35-81 y.

RESULTS
Mean values for whole-body lean mass (LM) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) decreased, whereas mean values for abdominal fat mass (FM) and whole-body and abdominal percentage FM (%FM) increased with age. No significant age-related differences were found for whole-body FM. Multiple adjusted odds of being in the highest tertiles for whole-body and abdominal %FM decreased for smokers (63-71%) but increased with age group and for lowest energy (43-50%), carbohydrate (92-107%), and fiber (107%) intake tertiles. Multiple adjusted odds of being in the highest aBMD tertile decreased for lowest body mass (92%) and carbohydrate intake (63%) tertiles and for men aged > or = 75 y (78%) but increased for Australian birth (58%) and for participation in vigorous physical activities (82%).

CONCLUSIONS
Age-related differences in body composition indicate that whole-body FM remains stable but increases viscerally and that whole-body %FM is confounded by LM, whereas aBMD decreases with age. Age-related differences in %FM and aBMD are associated with demographic and lifestyle factors.


This research investigates the effectiveness of messaging strategies to reduce negative tourist stereotyping by residents given the detrimental effects of stereotyping on host–tourist relations. Study 1 examines the effects of two strategies: "prevalence of stereotyping message" (PSM) and "prevalence of counter-stereotyping message" (PCSM), compared to a control group via a between-subjects experimental design. Study 2 investigates whether eliciting a common identity between residents and tourists could further improve these strategies via a 2 (stereotype reduction: PSM vs. PCSM) × 2 (identity: tourists as residents vs. residents as tourists) between-subjects experimental design. Study 3 examines the boundary conditions of these strategies with a group of nonlocal, subgroup residents. The findings show that tourist stereotypes are malleable, and stereotype reduction efforts through communication messages could reduce biases against tourists by residents. This research contributes by connecting concepts on stereotype reduction, social norms, and social identity with tourism stereotype research.


One of the challenges in the assessment of children with phonological disorders is the collection of a valid and reliable speech sample. Whichever framework is used, the sample can bias the analysis, sometimes in a way that fails to elucidate key phonological patterns. This article discusses sampling in terms of a current framework, nonlinear phonological analysis. It provides an overview of the theory and relevant sampling criteria and gives suggestions for elicitation. Nonlinear analyses examine multiple aspects or levels of a child's phonological system, providing a comprehensive basis for identifying strengths and needs. Whether or not nonlinear analyses are used, the principles and suggestions included provide general guidance for adequate sample elicitation.


We report the first inorganic/organic hybrids that show outstanding mechanical properties (withstanding cyclic loading) and bone bioactivity. This new hybrid material may fulfil the unmet clinical need for bioactive synthetic bone grafts that can withstand cyclic loading. A SiO2/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH sol-gel hybrid system, that combined inorganic and organic co-networks at the molecular level, previously demonstrated unprecedented synergy of properties, with excellent flexibility and promoted formation of articular cartilage matrix in vitro. Here, for the first time, calcium and phosphate ions were incorporated into the inorganic component of the hybrid network, to impart osteogenic properties. Calcium methoxyethoxide and triethyl phosphate were the calcium and phosphate precursors because they allow for incorporation into the silicate network at low temperature. The hybrid network was characterised with ATR-FTIR, XRD and solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, which proved calcium and phosphate incorporation and suggested the Ca2+ ions also interacted with PCL-diCOOH through ionic bonds. This resulted in an increased strength (17–64 MPa) and modulus of toughness (2.5–14 MPa) compared to the original SiO2/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH hybrid material (which showed strength of ∼3 MPa and modulus of toughness of ∼0.35 MPa), while also maintaining the ability to withstand cyclic loading. The presence of calcium and phosphates in the silicate network resulted in a more congruent dissolution of the inorganic and organic co-networks in TRIS buffer. This was shown by the presence of silicon, calcium and phosphate ions along with PCL in the TRIS buffer after 1 week, whereas Ca-free hybrids mainly released PCL with negligible Si dissolution. The presence of calcium and phosphates also enabled deposition of hydroxycarbonate apatite following immersion in simulated body fluid, which was not seen on Ca-free hybrid. All hybrids passed cell cytotoxicity tests and supported pre-osteoblast cell attachment. The phosphate-free hybrid showed the best mechanical behaviour and supported better cell attachment, spreading and potentially differentiation of cells. Therefore, the SiO2-CaO/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH hybrid represents a promising biomaterial for use in bone regeneration.


Dormant seeds of a California chaparral annual were induced to germinate by smoke or vapors emitted from smoke-treated sand or paper. Nitrogen oxides induced 100 percent germination in a manner similar to smoke. Smoke-treated water samples inducing germination were comparable in acidity and concentration of nitrate and nitrite to nitrogen dioxide (NO2)–treated samples. Vapors from smoke-treated and NO2-treated filter paper had comparable NO2flux rates. Chaparral wildfires generate sufficient nitrogen oxides from combustion of organic matter or from postfire biogenic nitrification to trigger germination of Emmenanthe penduliflora. Nitrogen oxide–triggered germination is not the result of changes in imbibition, as is the case with heat-stimulated seeds.


Since their emergence as a distinct fields of inquiry in the early post World War II period there has been an uneasy relationship between growth economics and development economics. The emergence of a richer new growth economics' has opened up the possibilities of a more fruitful dialogue between the two subdisciplines. In spite of recent advances, particularly with respect to the human capital, and understanding of differences in growth rates and income levels across countries remains elusive. Further advances will require that growth economists broaden their research agenda to embrace a number of concepts that have become conventional in development economics.


Real-time monitoring of blood glucose density is essential for managing diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have been developed to help address this need. Many CGM systems are built around an electrochemi- cal biosensor that may be inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of an individual and allows for nearly continuous monitoring of an electrical current generated by glucose molecules near the sensor site. This electrical current is correlated with blood glucose density and, in principle, provides a means for real-time monitoring of blood glucose density. One of the major challenges in CGM is developing algo- rithms for converting sensor measurements into accurate estimates of blood glucose density in real time. In this paper, we describe fundamental statistical problems that arise in developing CGM algorithms. We propose statistical algorithms based on Kalman filtering, nonparametric empirical Bayes methods, and ideas from se- quential change-point detection, and apply them to a very rich CGM dataset. The performance of our methods compares favorably to that of an existing widely used CGM algorithm. A simulation study sheds light on other interesting and important aspects of the problem. More broadly, this paper highlights an important appli- cation that has received little attention in the statistics literature and our results suggest that the appropriate application of statistical methodology may lead to significant contributions in diabetes technology research.


This paper introduces the hydraulic control system of a novel tube straightener, in which the position of the rolls is controlled by the proportional valves controlled cylinders through a PLC in order to adjust the gap and compensate the deviation automatically. This hydraulic control system enables the straighter to have the characteristic of a high degree of automation and accuracy. This article focuses on the study of the symmetrical proportional direction valve controlled unsymmetrical cylinder since it is more difficult to be controlled than the symmetrical ones. In this article, firstly, the model of the symmetrical valve controlled unsymmetrical cylinder is built using DSHplus and the effectiveness is tested by referring to the practical measured value. Then, the characteristic of the model is discussed further by comparing with the model of the symmetrical valve controlled symmetrical cylinder. Finally, two common used compensation methods that are applied to the symmetrical valve controlled unsymmetrical cylinder system are analyzed separately and their effectiveness is compared. This is meaningful for hydraulic designers to select the proper compensation ways in the design.


Abstract Along with portraits of historical figures, images relating to the culture and history of a particular nation, the presence (or absence) of languages on banknotes is also an element of symbolic politics and part of the manifestation of the language policy of a particular state. In this paper, banknotes are seen as an element of the linguistic landscape, and the linguistic landscape – as a reflection of language policy, its peculiar public expression. This paper analyses the way in which the text displayed on multilingual banknotes constructs and reproduces linguistic hierarchies, reflecting the relative status of the languages within two multi-ethnic states: the Czechoslovak Republic and the Soviet Union. The study explores which languages were represented in the inscriptions of the various series of banknotes issued, based on the assumption that banknotes participate in the official language practices constituting the linguistic landscape and as such mediate language ideologies. The authors conclude that even multinational states that issue multilingual banknotes guarantee that the state language should be in a dominant position.


This book details Britain's neckwear of distinction, with 472 regimental, college, university, and club ties pictured in full colour. The guide takes readers on an easy-to-follow tour of the ties that distinguish Royal Armoured Corps from Regiments and Yeomanry, the Gurkha, Indian, and Colonial regiments from Naval and Army Corps, and the Royal Marines from Air Force. In addition, the official ties for London colleges, medical schools, Oxford colleges, and universities are pictured, along with Old Boys, clubs, and national and county designs. This book includes an introduction by Christopher Sells of P L Sells & Co, Britain's last remaining manufacturer of a complete line of today's regimental stripe ties.


This Article explains how the making of lifetime transfers can reduce the New York estate tax burden, thereby increasing the benefits for decedents' beneficiaries. The Article focuses on lifetime transfers made close to death for decedents who are New York residents at death. The Article provides a brief explanation of the New York estate tax system, examples of when the New York estate tax will be imposed, and an explanation of the relationship between New York estate tax and federal estate tax systems. The author also provides lifetime planning strategies to reduce the New York Estate tax, including brief rules of thumb for reducing New York estate taxes.


We develop a theoretical model for a direct and a coherent RF photonic receiver front-ends based on optical whispering gallery mode resonators. We show that the coherent receiver has much higher sensitivity and wider dynamic range compared with the direct one. We argue, that the coherent photonic receiver is able to have a spurious free dynamic range in excess of 55 dB and sensitivity in excess of −100 dBm in a 5 MHz reception band. We also discuss recent advances in the practical implementation of the receivers by OEwaves Inc. and compare the experimental results with the theoretical predictions.


A pair of U.S. Supreme Court cases in the mid-1980s created the exhaustion doctrine of federal Indian law - that cases within federal jurisdiction that raise a colorable claim of tribal jurisdiction should be litigated first in tribal court. Only when tribal remedies are exhausted may the losing party seek review in federal court. This federal post-exhaustion review raises two central questions: First, what standard of review should the federal courts employ in reviewing tribal court determinations? And second, what exactly are the federal courts entitled to review once tribal remedies have been exhausted? Underlying these questions is the issue of differentiating between tribal law and federal law. The existing standard of review between the two varies dramatically. Tribal court determinations of tribal law are entitled to absolute deference while tribal court determinations of federal law are generally reviewed de novo. Although federal courts may redetermine at least some issues of federal law on post-exhaustion review, proper respect for tribal courts and legislatures mandates that federal courts not review issues of tribal law. Thus, this article argues that proper deference to the sovereign powers of Indian tribes and tribal courts requires the federal courts, on post-exhaustion review, to scrupulously distinguish tribal court rulings on tribal law from rulings on federal law. Given that federal courts have apparently taken de novo review powers over all questions of federal law decided by tribal courts (whether that is legitimate or not), tribal courts are in some danger of serving merely as preliminary fact finders for federal district courts. This article proposes that federal courts can preserve the rights and values of tribal courts as instruments of tribal self-government only by carefully limiting questions of federal law to appropriate issues.


Abstract Female participation rates in ultra-running is considerably lower than that of males, but the reasons for this are not fully understood. In this study, online questionnaire responses were collected from ultra-runners taking part in the Scottish Jedburgh 3 Peaks ultra and Highland Fling race. One-to-one-semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with a subset of runners to further explore themes from questionnaire responses. Similar experiences among male and female ultra-runners were identified. Enablers were: wanting a challenge, nature/outdoors, and the friendliness of the ultra-community. The main barrier was training time. Qualitative responses suggested negotiation-efficacy was important for factoring in training around work and family commitments, and although a greater proportion of males had dependants compared to females, female participation was considerably lower than males. This may be due to the historical influences of traditional gender roles however this effect may be diminishing as female participation in Scottish ultra-races appears to be increasing.


Illustrations are an integral part of many dictionaries, but the selection, placing, and sizing of illustrations is often highly conservative, and can appear to reflect the editorial concerns and technological constraints of previous eras. We might start with the question 'why not illustrate?', especially when we consider the ability of an illustration to simplify the definition of technical terms. How do illustrations affect the reader's view of a dictionary as objective, and how illustrations reinforce the pedagogic aims of the dictionary? By their graphic nature, illustrations stand out from the field of text against which they stand, and they can immediately indicate to the reader the level of seriousness or popularity of the book's approach, or the age-range that it is intended for. And illustrations are expensive to create and can add to printing costs, so it is not surprising that there is much direct and indirect copying from dictionary to dictionary, and simple re-use. This article surveys developments in illustrating dictionaries, considering the difference between distributing individual illustrations through the text of the dictionary and grouping illustrations into larger synoptic illustrations; the graphic style of illustrations; and the role of illustrations in 'feature-led' dictionary marketing.


Interactions of light and electricity within matter have been known and studied for quite a long time. However, a systematic exploration of many relations among optical and electronic phenomena has a more recent history. Solid state optoelectronics is concerned with the technological exploitation of these relations.
Photoconductivity studies illuminate the internal electronic processes in semiconductors and helps in the development of highly sensitive materials and devices. Photoconductivity is the increase in electrical conductivity of a material due to adsorption of radiation by it. Materials with special imperfections incorporated during preparation, give large signals.
Cadmium sulphide and cadmium selenide are the II – VI compound semiconductors which are useful in the visible and near infrared range. For low levels of illumination ( <=301x), cadmium sulphide is sluggish in response (response time 100 v m.sec.) while cadmium selenide has a faster response under similar conditions (~30 m.sec.). Cadmium sulphide and cadmium selenide form a continuous series of substitution solid solutions and it is reasonable to expect some of these solid solutions might exhibit a broader spectral sensitivity coupled with faster response.
Of the various methods available for the preparation of II – VI compound semiconductor layers, sintering of screen printed layers is, by far, the most flexible and inexpensive method for large scale preparation of highly sensitive layers. No systematic studies are reported on sintered cadmium sulphoselenide layers, though quite a large numbers of patents and reports on these for specific purposes are available besides some published literature.
Systematic studies on the preparation of photoconductive grade CdS and CdSe powders and sensitization and sintering of these powders to obtain optimum photosensitivity stability have been made. Analyses of the powders and sintered layers by AAS, polarography and EPMA as well as X-ray characterization for true solid solution formation have been made.
The effect of various electrode materials like indium, silver, graphite, cadmium oxide and copper are examined and the effect of diffusion of the corresponding ions into the photoconductive layers on the current-voltage behavior both in the dark illumination are examined in detail.
The optoelectronics properties like spectral distribution of sensitivity with composition, lux-ampere characterization and response time studies have been measured and correlated.
An attempt has been made for the first time in the case of sintered layers to further enhance the sensitivity CdSxSe(1-x) layers, by several methods, where such high sensitivity is called for, in specific applications.
The possibility of using these CdSxSe(1-x) layers in sintered CdSxSe(1-x) : Cu2S/Cu2Se and CdSxSe(1-x) : Tl2S photovoltaic solar cells has also been examined.
Photoconductive CdSxSe(1-x) cells will continue the interest of the solid state scientists and future applications may include image intensifiers and image storage panels in solar energy conversion and in electro photography. Logic flexibility can be incorporated into optoelectronic network using threshold of photosensitivity. Such devices will tend resemble more and more that of biological neural network such as neuro-retina in vertebrates, which will response only to inputs which are characteristic of some specific behavior. Intelligence coding, language transformation and automation of thought processes are some of the lines which will continue to interest the optoelectronic scientists.


Indonesia is located in an area of active tectonic plate. This area suffers from natural disasters. Recorded almost every year disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and fires, occur in several regions in Indonesia. One of the major city in Indonesia is Jakarta. Jakarta as a capital city with urban area has an important position in terms of economy and government. The issue of earthquakes with the magnitude of 8 SR is one of the major disasters that threatening Jakarta. The effort to alleviate losses caused by disasters, it is necessary to inform the community regarding preparation in the face of disasters that will occur. This preparation is needed especially in densely populated areas as part of disaster mitigation measures like Matraman District in East Jakarta. The initial step in this program is to distribute questionnaires to determine the level of knowledge and information about the disaster. Furthermore, by utilising the geographical information system (GIS), evacuation routes when a disaster occurs can be made to adjust the situation of the area. The evacuation routes produced include the fastest and safest routes in evacuation by considering conditions such as road width, car parking, electricity poles, railroad crossings, and blind alley. This evacuation route will be modelled with 3D simulation in several conditions such as railroad crossings, spill markets, crossroads, and one-way lanes when a disaster occurs. This simulation will be the end result in a program to increase public awareness of potential disasters that threaten their area. This research obtains evacuation routes and 3D simulations that have been made are information media that can facilitate people to get the right knowledge about disaster mitigation. The results of the community awareness raising program on potential disasters can be used as a reference for other regions in the effort to mitigate disasters.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate by the means of Doppler ultrasound and phlebography the relationship between Meniere's disease (MD) and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and to test whether angioplasty is effective in improving symptoms. Phase 1: 50 patients diagnosed with definite MD (American Academy of Otolaryngology 1995) who had gained no benefit from routine therapy, underwent echoenhanced color Doppler sonography using the Zamboni protocol to check for CCSVI. Onehundred healthy subjects matched for age and gender acted as controls. Phase 2: in 20 of echo-color Doppler positive Meniere's cases we performed a venogram and the diagnosis of associated CCSVI was confirmed. These patients were simultaneously treated by angioplasty of the internal jugular vein, then re-tested respect the baseline scales of MD. Out of a total of 50 patients with MD, an ultrasound diagnosis was made of CCSVI in 45 patients (90%). In the healthy population CCSVI is found in only 3% of cases (P<0.001). Twenty patients were given venograms that confirmed the CCSVI diagnosis. Finally, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) proved to be effective in 90% of patients, with significant improvement of several scales of vestibular function at six months follow-up. There is a significant prevalence of CCSVI in patients with MD and treatment with PTA seems useful because of an improvement in symptoms and vestibular function recorded in the majority of patients.


Background: The association of cancer stem cells with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is receiving attention. We found in our previous study that EMT existed from CD24 phenotype cells to their differentiated cells. It was shown that cyclin D1 functioned in sustaining self-renewal independent of CDK4/CDK6 activation, but its effect on the EMT mechanism in ovarian cancer stem cells is unclear. Methods: The anchorage-independent spheroids from ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line 3AO were formed in a serum-free medium. CD24 - and CD24 + cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Cell morphology, viability, apoptosis, and migratory ability were observed. Stem-related molecule Bmi-1, Oct-4 and EMT-related marker E-cadherin, and vimentin expres-sions were analyzed. Cyclin D1 expression in CD24 - phenotype enriched spheroids was knocked down with small interfering RNA, and its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration ability, and EMT-related phenotype after transfection were observed. Results: In our study, CD24 - cells presented stronger proliferative, anti-apoptosis capacity, and migratory ability, than CD24 + cells or parental cells. CD24 - cells grew with a scattered spindle-shape within 3 days of culture and transformed into a cobblestone-like shape, identical to CD24 + cells or parental cells at 7 days of culture. CD24 - cells or spheroids highly expressed cyclin D1, Bmi-1, and vimentin, and seldom expressed E-cadherin, while CD24 + or parental cells showed the opposite expression. Furthermore, cyclin D1-targeted small interfering RNA resulted in decreased vimentin expression in spheroids. Transfected cells also exhibited an obvious decrease in cell viability and migration, but an increase in cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Cancer stem cell-like cells possess mesenchymal characteristics and EMT ability, and cyclin D1 involves in EMT mechanism, suggesting that EMT of cancer stem cell-like cells may play a key role in invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.


Day care, as a type of care in between residential care and home help, has been available for several years, and is often referred to as an adequate alternative form of care for people with dementia. The goals of Swedish day care are to create a meaningful day for participants, offer family caregivers respite, and provide care for persons with dementia. The aim of this Swedish study was to describe day care clients with dementia problems over a 12-month period, and to discuss what distinguished those who discontinued day care from those who stayed with it. Of the clients, 76 percent were diagnosed by a doctor as having dementia between level one and four out of a total of six levels, according to the Berger rating scale of severity of senility. The results showed that one third of the people with dementia discontinued within four months. Another third dropped out within 12 months. People with behavioral problems and those who needed assistance with dressing and toileting discontinued earliest. All caregivers found some benefit of day care for their relatives and for themselves, with the exception of some caregivers of those who ended within four months. Most of the clients who lived alone at the start of day care, and ended within 12 months, went to a nursing home. Two differing conclusions may be drawn from the findings: (1) that offering day care services to persons with dementia who also show signs of behavioral problems is questionable; or (2) that the planning of day care in Sweden should be adjusted to also meet the needs of persons with behavioral problems, such as depression. In its current form, day care in Sweden seems only partially to fulfil its goals.


Wall slip boundary condition is first introduced into twin-screw extrusion with the Navier slip law. Three-dimensional isothermal flow in the twin-screw extruder is simulated by using the finite element package POLYFLOW. Profiles of velocity contours in the screw channel and shear rate distributions in the intermeshing region are presented for different slip coefficients. Curves of axial pressure difference, average shear rate and dispersive mixing index vs. the slip coefficient are plotted and discussed. Comparisons are also made between the wall slip conditions and the non-slip condition. The simulation results indicate that, as the level of wall slip decreases, the axial pressure difference rises, the shear effect is intensified and the axial mixing is also enhanced. All these flow characteristics seem to level off with the increase of the slip coefficient. However, because of the inherent limitation of the Navier slip law, use of an overestimated slip coefficient would predict an over-sticky state between the screw surface and the polymer melt.


A web-based database system for intelligent remote monitoring of an artificial heart has been developed. It is important for patients with an artificial heart implant to be discharged from the hospital after an appropriate stabilization period for better recovery and quality of life. Reliable continuous remote monitoring systems for these patients with life support devices are gaining practical meaning. The authors have developed a remote monitoring system for this purpose that consists of a portable/desktop monitoring terminal, a database for continuous recording of patient and device status, a web-based data access system with which clinicians can access real-time patient and device status data and past history data, and an intelligent diagnosis algorithm module that noninvasively estimates blood pump output and makes automatic classification of the device status. The system has been tested with data generation emulators installed on remote sites for simulation study, and in two cases of animal experiments conducted at remote facilities. The system showed acceptable functionality and reliability. The intelligence algorithm also showed acceptable practicality in an application to animal experiment data.


This thesis is a compilation of two studies, which I have called 'chapters.' The first chapter, "Restoring Semi-Arid Thornscrub Forests: Seedling Growth and Survival in Response to Shelter Tubes, Grass-Specific Herbicide, and Herbivore Exclosures," was a large study involving multiple techniques used to improve revegetation success, and the second chapter, "Shelter Tube Effects on Microclimate and Seedling Growth in Semi-arid Thornscrub Forests," focused on the use of shelter tubes in semi-arid forest revegetation. These studies were concurrent evaluations of restoration efforts in thornscrub forests of South Texas. Revegetation is a common effort used to restore forest ecosystems that have been lost due to worldwide anthropogenic land-use changes. In semi-arid environments, little research has been done on reforestation, or the improvement of restoration methods, and little work has been done on thornscrub forest ecology and restoration. The first study focuses on the idea that multiple stressors, such as drought, competition with invasive grasses, and herbivory, threaten seedling success in restoration efforts. In order to overcome these stressors, multiple restoration techniques (shelter tubes, grass-specific herbicide, and herbivore exclosures) were used to improve seedling growth and survival in a recent revegetation effort in South Texas. The second study in this thesis further evaluated shelter tubes and their effects on microclimatic conditions. Shelter tubes are used in restoration efforts, as they improve seedling growth, but little is known on their use in semi-arid environments. Overall, this thesis highlights the necessity of implementing post-planting treatments in semi-arid thornscrub forests to improve habitat restoration success.


Information for restocking is needed on habitats of trochus in Western Australia (W.A). An investigation into the habitat preferences of trochus on reefs in King Sound W.A. was conducted, in two parts, on a macro-habitat and micro-habitat scale. Broad-scale surveys were done on four reefs in King Sound, W.A. Surveys along transects were used to examine the density and size distribution of juvenile ( 50 rnm) trochus among 4 intertidal reef habitats: reef platform, patch reef, sand/seagrass, and rocky/boulder. No single habitat was preferred exclusively by juvenile or adult trochus. A two-factor ANOV A showed that the distribution of juvenile trochus on these reefs was highly patchy at scales within habitats (predominantly), among habitats and among reefs. Trochus rarely occurred in habitats dominated by sand. Analyses suggest that greater sampling effort (15 to 30 transects) is required to increase precision of abundance estimates to a level of 0.2 or 0.1. High densities of larger size classes in the rock habitat indicate its suitability for translocation of large juveniles. Higher abundances of smaller juveniles in the reef platform and patch reef habitats, occupying most reef area, indicate that both habitats are suitable for seeding of small juveniles. Fine scale surveys were conducted on 3 reefs. Sampling rings (paired) were used to examine differences of percentage abiotic and biotic area cover around juvenile trochus and in random areas, among 2 intertidal habitats: reef and rock. Frequency distributions of juveniles (mouthparts) in contact with substrates and biota were calculated. Randomised block univariate and multivariate ANOV As showed juveniles preferred different substratum and algae in different habitats but this was similar among reefs. Juvenile trochus were selecting micro-habitats within macro-habitats with substrates that offered refuges and abundant crustose algae. Juvenile and adult trochus broad-scale and fine-scale habitat preferences relate to preferred stock enhancement habitats and improved stock assessment methods.


The view that impairments of attention may constitute an important factor underlying impaired language performance in aphasia has gained support in recent years. Aphasiologists taking this view have generally proceeded from resource allocation models of attention, with little or no attention given to alternative models. One alternative model of dual-task performance is the central bottleneck model, which proposes a single-channel limit at response selection or other central processing stages. The first purpose of the present experiments was to further examine the effects on word production of lexical frequency in the context of the psychological refractory period (PRP) dual-task method. The second purpose was to examine whether the reaction time (RT) patterns obtained under conditions promoting equal task emphasis are more consistent with the central bottleneck or central resource models. Three dual-task experiments were conducted using speeded picture naming and tone identification tasks presented at varying timulus onset asynchronies (SOAs). In experiment 1, lexical frequency affected primary-task naming and secondary-task tone identification RTs approximately equally. In experiment 2, lexical frequency affected secondary-task naming RTs similarly at all levels of SOA, after potentially confounding variables were taken into account. It was concluded that frequency-sensitive lexical processing in picture-naming participates in the central processing stage of the dual-task models under study. In the third experiment, the two tasks were presented in variable order and subjects were instructed to give equal attention to both. On tone-primary trials, tone RTs increased with decreasing SOA, a result consistent with the central resource model and inconsistent with the central bottleneck model, unless augmented by the assumption that particpants grouped responses on short SOA trials. Also, additional analyses restricted to those participants demonstrating a lexical frequency effect on the secondary naming task found that lexical frequency and SOA interacted on primary-task tone RTs such that tone responses preceding low-frequency naming responses were slower than those preceding high-frequency names. This further suggests that these subjects allocated more central processing capacity to the naming task on low-frequency trials. Comparison of results across the three experiments suggested that participants in Experiment 3 demonstrated less dual-task interference than predicted by either model.


CN12-01 Our current theory of neoplastic progression specifies that clones arise through genetic or epigenetic instability, and if they have a reproductive or survival advantage over other cells in the neoplasm, within their microenvironment, they will expand in the neoplasm in a selective sweep. Thus, we believe neoplastic progression is characterized by a series of selective sweeps. However, virtually all data on that process to date is cross-sectional, with observations of genetic diversity and large clonal expansions within neoplasms at a single time point. I will describe data that, for the first time, tracks the evolutionary dynamics of clones in a solid neoplasm over time. We have analyzed the frequency of large clonal expansions, the rate of those expansions and changes in clonal diversity over time in a cohort of 174 patients with Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus is a premalignant condition that predisposes to the evolution of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Unlike most other premalignant neoplasms, the Barrett's tissue is not resected upon detection due to significant mortality and morbidity associated with esophagectomies. Instead, serial endoscopic surveillance for the early detection of cancer is the recommended management of the condition. This allows us to study neoplastic progression over both space and time in unprecedented detail. In the Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Project, we also gather data on host and environmental factors that may impact progression, including use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have been associated with a dramatic reduction of risk for progression to cancer. I will relate the factors associated with clonal expansions and genetic diversity to the parameters that determine the rate of evolution: mutation rate, population size, stem cell generation time and the fitness effects of mutations. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):CN12-01.


Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs continue to encounter schedule delays and cost overruns despite past reforms. Global threat uncertainties and high-velocity technological advances are also prevailing. Given the current rate at which program offices are fielding weapon systems, the United States (US) may be fighting with obsolete weapons and technology. Gaining superiority demands a new approach – to expedite the rate of capability delivery through rapid acquisition programs who have demonstrated success in delivering capabilities with speed. This research examines whether the attributes in the people dimension of an expedited framework contribute to success of rapid defense acquisition programs. Through standard statistical techniques, this research finds the following nine attributes— autonomy and empowerment, customizable team, SME in traditional acquisition process, retention of good talent, customer involvement, tangible connection, motivated culture, debrief culture, and government technical competence—are critical to success of rapid programs. Out of those factors, retention of good talent, debrief culture, and autonomy and empowerment emerge as the best predictors for rapid programs. This research also finds that the attributes autonomy and empowerment, retention of good talent, and motivated culture are embodied by rapid programs but not by traditional (non-rapid) programs.


-The focus of this paper is to get a bird's eye view of the various factors that could be analyzed to present schools and governments timely indicators of school dropouts. With the help of EDM, one could have access to enormous amounts of data. The crux of the matter would be to identify the data in line with plans and ideas that would eventually lead to the formulation of policies that enhance the teaching and learning process.


Research ethics committees '(RECs) members' perceptions of their role in regard to the science of research proposals are discussed. Our study, which involved the interviewing of 20 participants from amongst the UK's independent (Phase I) ethics committees, revealed that the members consider that it is the role of the REC to examine and approve the scientific adequacy of the research – and this notwithstanding the fact that a more competent body will already have done this and even when that other body has the legal responsibility for this function. The problematic nature of this situation, tantamount to double jeopardy, is considered: it can delay research and so add to costs whilst offering no countervailing benefits, or the double jeopardy may be just the cost society imposes, through its RECs, on researchers as the price for research on human subjects.


This paper proposes a knowledge representation framework for intelligent design platform. The main objective is to develop a schema to represent the explicit as well as the implicit design knowledge, and a method to incorporate it in the design repository. The framework is based on the ontological model composed of the elements: function, behavior, structure and constraint. While structure represents the explicit knowledge of design, function, behavior and constraint incorporate the implicit ones. By an example for injection mold design case, it is shown how and to what extent major intents of a design can be represented.


For every contact that is made in a database, a digital trace will potentially be left and most of the database breaches are mostly aimed at defeating the major security goals (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Authenticity) of data that reside in the database. In order to prove/refute a fact during litigation, it is important to identify suitable investigation techniques that can be used to link a potential incident/suspect to the digital crime. As a result, this paper has proposed suitable steps of constructing and Integrated Incident Response Model (IIRM) that can be relied upon in the database forensic investigation field. While developing the IIRM, design science methodology has been adapted and the outcome of this study has shown significant and promising approaches that could be leveraged by digital forensic experts, legal practitioners and law enforcement agencies. This is owing to the fact, that IIRM construction has followed incident investigation principles that are stipulated in ISO guidelines.


Past research has found that third party pressure makes the signing of a ceasefire more likely, but also more likely to break down. What explains this variation? I argue that third party pressure is more likely to lead to a durable ceasefire if pressure is applied to persuade the conflict parties to continue to negotiate and produce a detailed ceasefire document, whereas pressure solely aimed at making the conflict parties sign a ceasefire document undermines the durability of the ceasefire. A comparison of four ceasefires concluded in Sudan supports this argument. Third party pressure that led to the Nuba Mountains Ceasefire and the Agreement on Security Arrangements helped move the negotiations on security arrangements forward. By contrast, the N'Djamena Ceasefire Agreement and the Darfur Peace Agreement were imposed on the parties without regard for political and technical aspects of the ceasefire. This explains why violence soon resumed.