Transforming Leadership at Madeira Church Through an Understanding that "The Kingdom of God is at Hand" Thomas Payne Sweets Doctor of Ministry School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary 2015 The purpose of this doctoral project is to build vital leaders at the MadeiraSilverwood Presbyterian Church through a dynamic understanding of the power and authority of the Kingdom of God revealed during a forty day study involving sermons, small groups, and service. The Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church is located in first generation suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. During its 130 year history Madeira has been transformed from a small village into a town of nine thousand. This middle/upper-middle class community is known for its safety, tight-knit relationships, and excellence in education. With its own school system, police, fire and library it feels like a small town, but it is just one mile from the finest mall in the region and ten miles from downtown Cincinnati. Madeira is going through a revival as young professionals move in. The busy lifestyles of the upwardly mobile do not leave much time for spiritual development. This project is designed to immerse the congregation into a forty day study of the Kingdom of God in such a way that the power of God's reign comes alive in the hearts of the members and transforms the church. This project should introduce a new understanding of the "Kingdom of the Heavens" (Matthew 5-7) in four ways. First, a seven week sermon series will introduce the Kingdom of God to the whole congregation. Second, daily devotions will allow personal growth. Third, small groups will give perspective and support to the theological insights. Fourth, service will give a missional emphasis to the new theological understanding. Part One will explore the history of the community and its development into a major suburb of Cincinnati. For more than 120 years, this community has lived in a tension between the priorities of secular education and those of the Kingdom of God and the church. Madeira has a desire to produce high achieving students, athletes, musicians and artists. This culture of success appears to have surpassed the desire for parents to produce disciples of an eternal kingdom. This project will gather leaders to develop a kingdom vision for the community. Part Two will look at the gospel message of Jesus as he said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15, RSV). The theological implications of living in the Kingdom will be explored in Scripture, the historical context of the early church, and in the contemporary context. This will provide the foundation for the congregation to enter into forty days of growth. Part Three will focus on creating a pilot project to train leaders in a new and dynamic understanding of the kingdom of God. This phase will create a seven week study program for leaders who will then lead the congregation into a deeper understanding of the Kingdom. Participants will be taught new theological truths, led into deeper relationships with one another, and encouraged to seek avenues of service, as they come to understand the power and authority of God's Kingdom. Content Reader: Randy Rowland, DMin Word Count: 499


In the field of agriculture, it is necessary to make right decisions for determining various things. Among others is in determination of plants to be planted with several criteria such as knowledge, budget, land area, human resources, and investment value possessed. Therefore, decision support systems constitute appropriate method to facilitate farmers or nonfarmers to make decisions. The expert system will be developed is desktop-based and uses Decision Expert (DEX) method to generate recommendations for most appropriate decision selection therefore it can be reference for all users. This study will define criteria on value set of Salad Garden application in the DEX evaluation model. To be prepared for all possible combinations of input and output criteria values. Rules specified by decision maker with aggregation function declared point-by-point for all possible combinations of attribute values. From test results based on DEX method calculation, decision for plant species to be planted through determination of each criterion and rule.


Amid coronavirus (nCOVID-19) pandemic, the trending pieces of advice for 'social distancing' and 'stay-at-home' have become two of the most pushed recommendations from the WHO and governments across countries. This paper presents some exploratory graphs and analyses to show the relationships among the governments' initiatives during coronavirus pandemic and people's responses to keep them staying at home. Overall, governments' decisions on social distancing, movement restrictions and lockdowns have negative associations with people's mobility to retail and recreation centers, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, and workplaces. The same decisions have a positive association with people's stay-at-home. However, social distancing decision alone does not sufficiently work to keep people staying at home. When a government decides on social distancing together with movement restriction orders or lockdowns, it works. For the analyses, this paper utilizes two sources of data: Google's data (2020) on community mobility and ACAPS (Assessment Capacities Projects) data on governments' measures (2020) to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.


Here, we report new chemical entities that exhibit highly specific binding to the 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro) present in the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Because the viral 3CLpro protein controls coronavirus replication, 3CLpro is identified as a target for drug molecules. We implemented an enhanced sampling method in combination with molecular dynamics and docking to reduce the computational screening search space to four molecules that could be synthesized and tested against SARS-CoV-2. Our computational method is much more robust than any other method available for drug screening (e.g., docking) because of sampling of the free energy surface of the binding site of the protein (including the ligand) and use of explicit solvent. We have considered all possible interactions between all the atoms present in the protein, ligands, and water. Using high-performance computing with graphical processing units, we were able to perform a large number of simulations within a month and converge the results to the four most strongly bound ligands (based on free energy and other scores) from a set of 17 ligands with lower docking scores. Additionally, we have considered N3 and 13b α-ketoamide inhibitors as controls for which experimental crystal structures are available. Out of the top four ligands, PI-06 was found to have a higher screening score compared to the controls. Based on our results and analysis, we confidently claim that we have identified four potential ligands, out of which one ligand is the best choice based on free energy and the most promising candidate for further synthesis and testing against SARS-CoV-2.


Cell adhesion is essentially mediated by specific interactions between membrane receptors and ligands. It is now apparent that the mere knowledge of the on- and off-rate of association of soluble forms of these receptors and ligands is not sufficient to yield accurate prediction of cell adhesive behavior. During the last few years, a variety of complementary techniques relying on the use of hydrodynamic flow, atomic force microscopy, surface forces apparatus or soft vesicles yielded accurate information on i) the dependence of the lifetime of individual bonds on applied forces and ii) the distance dependence of the association rate of bound receptors and ligands. The purpose of this review is, first to recall the physical significance of these parameters, and second to describe newly obtained results. It is emphasized that molecular size and flexibility may be a major determinant of the efficiency of receptor mediated adhesion, and this cannot be studied by conventional methods dealing with soluble molecules.


This paper analyses the potential of computer games and interactive projects within the learning programmes for cultural heritage institutions through our experiences working in partnership between higher education and a museum. Gamification is cited as a key disruptive technology for the business and enterprise community, and developments in games technology are also driving the expansion of digital media into all different screen spaces, and various platforms. Our research aims to take these as beneficial indicators for pedagogic development, using gaming to support knowledge transfer related to a museum setting, and using the museum as a key scenario for our students to support the practice of game development. Thus gamification is applied as both a topic and a methodology for educational purposes.


Abstract : Shifting globalization and securitization processes and concerns about the militarization of humanitarian space have introduced new theoretical-critical questions regarding the civilian-military relationship. Given significant value differences, the goal of effective civil-military collaboration has proven to be a challenge. Contributing to this is the question of gender, as militaries consist mostly of men, while humanitarian civilian organizations tend to include comparatively more women. As few psychologists have examined gender in this context, this analysis sought to address this gap theoretically and critically. Two main gender-related themes emerged from qualitative interviews with military and civilian workers involved in recent international engagements: (1) challenges faced by civilian women in terms of not being viewed by military men as an equal collaborative partner or credible leader, and (2) perceptions that women and men do humanitarian work differently. The themes are considered in light of liberal and cultural feminist theories and work on transformational dialogue.


In this paper, a method is proposed to quantitatively estimate the decrease in threshold stress intensity factor (SIF) range due to high maximum SIF, that is observed for some materials in constant maximum SIF fatigue crack growth tests. The parameters for the simulation were inversely determined from the experimental data of carbon steel, Al and Ti alloys with the aid of genetic algorithm. The set of candidate parameters named as a "generation" were repeatedly generated and evaluated until the experimental data were reproduced by the simulation. A very interesting fact was that though the test conditions for these three materials were different, the obtained simulation parameters seemed to be independent of material. Finally, the proposed method was validated by comparing predictions with experimentally determined values of the decrease in threshold on an embrittled carbon steel.


How to access quality information about Public Speaking and Oral Communication, including books, periodical articles, and web sites. Links to websites with speeches and quotations are included.


Anti-Igh-1b antiserum induced allotype-specific suppression of adult mouse spleen cells in an adoptive transfer system. Suppression of Igh-1b anti-sheep red blood cell plaque-forming cells was measured as late as 4 wk after the injection of allotype heterozygous (Igha/b) spleen cells, antiserum, and sheep red blood cells. Suppression was maintained on retransfer of the allotype-suppressed spleen cells to further irradiated recipients in the absence of additional exogenous anti-allotype antibody. Mixing experiments were performed to test the putative inhibitory effects of allotype-suppressed spleen cells from the first adoptive transfer (stage I) on the antibody response of normal spleen cells in a second adoptive transfer (stage II). No suppression was observed by using unfractionated stage I spleen cells. In contrast, when these allotype-suppressed spleen cells were depleted of T cells, they strongly inhibited the antibody production of admixed normal spleen cells in stage II. This inhibitory activity of antibody-induced stage I spleen cells was directed primarily toward the target allotype, but some suppression of the Igh-1a plaque-forming cell response and total IgG production also occurred. Although removal of adherent cells did not affect the inhibitory activity of allotype-suppressed spleen cells from stage I, removal of Ig+ cells completely abrogated the inhibitory activity. These results suggest that antibody-induced regulatory B cells may play a role in maintaining long term allotype suppression.


Translocations involving the T cell receptor alpha/delta (TCRalpha/delta) chain locus, which bring oncogenes in the proximity of the TCRalpha enhancer, are one of the hallmark features of human T cell malignancies from ataxia telangiectasia (AT) and non-AT patients. These lesions are frequently generated by the fusion of DNA breaks at the TCRalpha/delta locus to a disperse region centromeric of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus. Aberrant VDJ joining accounts for TCRalpha/delta associated DNA cleavage, but the molecular mechanism that leads to generation of the "oncogene partner" DNA break is unclear. Here we show that in ATM deficient primary mouse T cells, IgH/TCRalpha/delta fusions arise at a remarkably similar frequency as in human AT lymphocytes. Recombinase-activating gene (RAG) is responsible for both TCRalpha/delta as well as IgH associated breaks on chromosome 12 (Chr12), which are subject to varying degrees of chromosomal degradation. We suggest a new model for how oncogenic translocations can arise from two non-concerted physiological DSBs.


Purification of skeletal muscle myoblasts from other cells such as fibroblasts is essential in basic research and cell-based regenerative medicine. In this report a simple non-serological method is proposed to purify desmin-positive myoblasts using Brefeldin A. Ordinary passaged human skeletal muscle-derived cells were cultured for 3 days with five exocytic pathway inhibitors (Brefeldin A, Monensin, AACOCF3, Exo-1 and Golgicide A). The myoblasts identified by desmin exhibited relatively superior growth compared to the other cells, both in 7 15 ng/mL of Brefeldin A and in 850 – 2500 ng/mL of Golgicide A. In the case of 10 ng/mL Brefeldin A, the cell numbers increased 6.7-fold in desmin-positive cells and 2.4-fold in desmin-negative cells while they increased 11.7-fold and 15.6-fold in absence of Brefeldin A, respectively. In addition, 7-day cultures in 10 ng/mL Brefeldin A of four independent cell strains suggested that moderate starting purities resulted in high purities over 90%, while extremely low starting purities (< 1%) did not support stable purifications. Lastly, a strain purified through a 7-day culture with 10 ng/mL Brefeldin A was subjected to myotube induction culture. Fluorescent imaging using a confocal microscope revealed their ability to form multinucleated myotubes and myofibers with sarcomeric structures. In conclusion, the purification of desmin-positive cells by culturing human skeletal musclederived cells with Brefeldin A provides a simple method to obtain purified myoblasts for use in basic research and cell-based regenerative medicine.


This work-in-progress paper proposes a design methodology that addresses the complexity and heterogeneity of cyber-physical systems (CPS) while simultaneously proving resilient control logic and security properties. The design methodology involves a formal methods-based approach by translating the complex control logic and security properties of a water flow CPS into timed automata. Timed automata are a formal model that describes system behaviors and properties using mathematics-based logic languages with precision. Due to the semantics that are used in developing the formal models, verification techniques, such as theorem proving and model checking, are used to mathematically prove the specifications and security properties of the CPS. This work-in-progress paper aims to highlight the need for formalizing plant models by creating a timed automata of the physical portions of the water flow CPS. Extending the time automata with control logic, network security, and privacy control processes is investigated. The final model will be formally verified to prove the design specifications of the water flow CPS to ensure efficacy and security.


Work progresses on the design of a sixty by 8-meter diameter telescope. This 77+ m diameter, optically phase controlled, almost-filled aperture interferometer can see atmospheric biomarkers and even the thermal footprints from Earth-like civilizations on exoplanets. This talk describes the motivation, enabling new technologies, and status of the group now planning the Colossus telescope.


In the past few years, an increasing number of machine-learning and deep learning structures, such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have been applied to solving a wide range of real-life problems. However, these architectures are vulnerable to adversarial attacks. In this paper, we propose for the first time to use hardware-supported approximate computing to improve the robustness of machine learning classifiers. We show that our approximate computing implementation achieves robustness across a wide range of attack scenarios. Specifically, for black-box and grey-box attack scenarios, we show that successful adversarial attacks against the exact classifier have poor transferability to the approximate implementation. Surprisingly, the robustness advantages also apply to white-box attacks where the attacker has access to the internal implementation of the approximate classifier. We explain some of the possible reasons for this robustness through analysis of the internal operation of the approximate implementation. Furthermore, our approximate computing model maintains the same level in terms of classification accuracy, does not require retraining, and reduces resource utilization and energy consumption of the CNN. We conducted extensive experiments on a set of strong adversarial attacks; We empirically show that the proposed implementation increases the robustness of a LeNet-5 and an Alexnet CNNs by up to 99% and 87%, respectively for strong grey-box adversarial attacks along with up to 67% saving in energy consumption due to the simpler nature of the approximate logic. We also show that a white-box attack requires a remarkably higher noise budget to fool the approximate classifier, causing an average of 4db degradation of the PSNR of the input image relative to the images that succeed in fooling the exact classifier


Developing rapid and sensitive diagnostic methods for dengue virus (DENV) infection is of prime priority because DENV infection is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease. This work proposes an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based genosensor for the label-free and nucleic acid amplification-free detection of extracted DENV RNA intended for a sensitive diagnosis of DENV infection. A concentration ratio of 0.04 mM 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (MHA) to 1 mM 6-mercapto-1-hexanol (MCH) was selected to modify thin-film gold electrodes as a link to control the coverage of self-designed probe DNA (pDNA) at a density of 4.5 ± 0.4 × 1011 pDNA/cm2. The pDNA/MHA/MCH-modified genosensors are proven to improve the hybridization efficiency of a synthetic 160-mer target DNA (160mtDNA) with a 140-mer electrode side overhang as compared to other MHA/MCH ratio-modified genosensors. The MHA(0.04 mM)/MCH(1 mM)-modified genosensors also present good hybridization efficiency with the extracted DENV serotype 1 (DENV1) RNA samples, having the same electrode side overhangs with the 160mtDNA, showing a low detection limit of 20 plaque forming units (PFU)/mL, a linear range of 102–105 PFU/mL and good selectivity for DENV1. The pDNA density-controlled method has great promise to construct sensitive genosensors based on the hybridization of extracted DENV nucleic acids.


Glycogen synthase kinase‐3ß (GSK‐3ß) is involved in a wide variety of cellular processes, and implicated in a growing list of human diseases. Recent drug inhibition studies have suggested a role for GSK‐3ß in mitosis in animals. Here, we take an alternative approach to understanding GSK‐3ß function in mitosis by genetic mutational analysis in Drosophila. GSK‐3ß function is well conserved between Drosophila (Zw3) and humans, frequently operating similarly in pathways, as diverse as the Wnt signaling and circadian rhythm pathways, and sharing a key role in the development of the neuromuscular junction. Unlike drug inhibitor studies, we find that loss of function mutations of zw3 result in markedly curved, or bent, metaphase spindles that exhibit metaphase delay. These defects do not routinely result in mitotic catastrophe, and argue that Zw3 plays a role in the maintenance of the mitotic spindle, rather than an essential role in spindle morphogenesis. Consistent with a mitotic function, we observe a complex and dynamic localization of Zw3 during cell division. These studies provide genetic data that validate and extend drug inhibition studies on a novel mitotic role for glycogen synthase kinase in the maintenance of the mitotic spindle. This work was supported by NIH grant # GM066328.


Introduction: Globally the HIV/AIDS consider being the most serious infection/ disease in the recent decades. The health care workers are considered as a high risk group for diseases transmitted through body fluids. The present study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of the dental students and inters regarding dental management HIV infected patients.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 722 (324 males, 398 females) dental students and interns at southern and central region of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire comprised of 16 questions consists of three main domains. Chi-square test was executed to compare the descriptive data by using SPSS (version 20.0, IBM Corporation, USA) to assess the level of knowledge and attitude towards HIV positive patients.
Results: The overall response rate was 91.6%. The overall knowledge and attitude of the participants was acknowledged as poor. The difference in knowledge between the academic levels was significant (p-value<0.05). Female shows more positive attitude and a good level of risk perception as compared to male participants (p-value<0.00). Gradual shift in risk perception was observed among the academic levels the difference was statistically significant (p-value<0.00). Conclusion: Over all this study showed a lack in the knowledge and attitude of dental students and interns about HIV infected patients. Extensive courses and training program should be implemented in the curriculum of dental collage to improve their knowledge and attitude.


In remote areas with geography barriers, lack of healthcare and financing, many cardiac patients lack access to face-to-face cardiac care. Telemedicine is an efficient way to reduce the long wait for consultations with several applications, probable reason why it is being developed in many countries including Brazil. In February 2020, the Brazilian government launched an official program for teleconsultation in cardiology, with a telemedicine team from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in the region with the largest number of isolated and low-income cities in Brazil (North region). Teams were provided no training (in loco and telemedicine) for consultations carried out according to the conduct of each professional. Teleconsultation in cardiology mainly aims to allowing better access to specialists, implying accurate diagnosis, better treatment, reduced mortality and significant reduction in costs, but speed of implementation is relatively slow with no standardization of care. The objective of this study was to survey attendance data, create a basis for standardization of attendance and conduct, educational actions, assist in the effectiveness of teleconsultation, rational use of resources, allow sustainable expansion of the program and assist to implement other projects. It is a retrospective and descriptive study with a single telemedicine center (Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein) reference for 120 outpatient clinics in the northern region of Brazil. Data obtained anonymously from care routine of all patients treated by the program from 02/17/2020 to 03/31/2020 was analyzed, including the referral reason, demographic profile, clinical characteristics, physical examination, medications, previous examinations and after teleconsultation.


In Senegal, we encountered a situation in which a minority group of migrant fishermen had completely different sets of expectations regarding a collective action depending on the location where they operated. In one village expectations were pessimistic, while in the other village they were optimistic. Understanding this contrast and its implications provides the main justification for the paper. To be able to account for the contrast between the two areas, pessimistic expectations in the first area have to be traced back to a preceding conflict that could never be settled satisfactorily. A perverse path-dependent process had thus been set in motion that could not be changed by a simple act of will of a determined leadership. To demonstrate the links between expectations and actions that fit with the story told, we propose a simple model of collective action with asymmetric information.


While text-based and cyberspace campaigns against compulsory veiling in Iran have received much attention, Iranian diasporic creative writers have also engaged in this resistance through their writings, but they have remained almost unacknowledged. This article argues that diasporic literary narratives have functioned as part of what has led to today's online platforms and cyberactivism. The article approaches these literary narratives as forms of counterdiscourse, rearticulating alternative narratives about women's movements against compulsory veiling. Produced in diaspora, these transnational feminist works raise questions of authenticity and legitimacy. However, these authors emerge as activists from their position abroad, pushing back against the limits placed by the state on women's bodies; in posing these challenges, they contribute to dissent from the mainstream narrative and to a rearticulation of the movement even as their works are viewed as marginal.


Since 1999, a population of Speke's gazelles (Gazella spekei) has been managed at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) in Doha, State of Qatar. As the population at AWWP seems to have suffered unprecedented declines, as compared to other gazelles at AWWP, over the last few years, it was decided to retrospectively evaluate all 206 necropsy reports recorded between 2001 and 2007 to investigate the reasons behind the observed mortality. Postmortem findings
indicating lung infections accounted for almost 30 % of all deaths, followed by traumatic injuries (17.9 %) and maternal neglect leading to starvation and death in neonatal animals (13.5 %).
Animals between 10 days and 1 year of age showed a higher tendency toward problems with lung infections, whereas animals between 2 and 3 years of age died more often because of traumatic injuries. Individuals older than 3 years of age often suffer from lung infection but usually
in combination with other illnesses, such as renal and gastrointestinal diseases.


Construction wastes have attracted more and more public attention with the development of the city construction. On the basis of summarizing the existing slurry treatment technologies in relevant area, a new slurry treatment process is proposed according to the characteristics of waste bored pile slurry. Three steps included in this process: slurry purification, flocculation and pressure filtration. A practical application is used to demonstrate the feasibility of this process. The results show that the slurry is disposed without pollution, achieving zero discharge of pollutants.


In this publication genetic programming (GP) with data migration for symbolic regression is presented. The motivation for the development of the algorithm is to evolve models which generalize well on previously unseen data. GP with data migration uses multiple subpopulations to maintain the genetic diversity during the algorithm run and a sophisticated training subset selection strategy. Each subpopulation is evaluated on a different fixed training subset (FTS) and additionally a variable training subset (VTS) is exchanged between the subpopulations at specific data migration intervals. Thus, the individuals are evaluated on the unification of FTS and VTS and should have better generalization properties due to the regular changes of the VTS. The implemented algorithm is compared to several GP variants on a number of symbolic regression benchmark problems to test the effectiveness of the multiple populations and data migration strategy. Additionally, different algorithm configurations and migration strategies are evaluated to show their impact with respect to the achieved quality.


We address the problem of sensor fault diagnosis in complex systems. The motivation for this work is the common problem encountered in industrial setting, i.e. sensor shift, drift and outright failure. The approach proposed in this paper is based on auto-associative neural networks but has been extended to address some intrinsic deficiencies of these types of networks in practical setting. In particular, it is shown that the proposed approach provides the basic functionality needed for single sensor fault detection in a multi-sensor environment with limited additional computational burden. This work is presently under further development to address multi-sensor failures.


2 Abstract: Innovations in optical fiber technology are revolutionizing world communications. As we can se that optical fiber long period grating can be used in designing of devices which are used to meet the growing demands for various ranges in the field of optical communication systems. Thus, this paper deals with the descriptive study of long period fiber grating (LPG) and its applications in emerging field of optical communication systems. LPG forms an important component of optical communication. The paper covers the analysis of long fiber grating and their fabrication. This paper also deals with the cladding mode analysis of the fiber which describes the inaccuracies of two layer model of the fiber and implementation of three layer fiber geometry to calculate the effective refractive index of the fiber so that it can effectively couple the signal for its efficient transmission. In the cladding mode analysis the whole mathematical derivation along with the requisite mathematical expressions are explained to find the effective refractive indices of the various cladding modes being supported by the fiber which are used to plot the transmission spectrum of the LPG designed for a particular frequency or wavelength used for telecommunication purposes.


This dissertation overview summarizes a study exploring how community engagement professionals (CEPs) can build their capacity to practice inclusion of racially minoritized students. With a foundation in empowerment evaluation, this participatory action research (PAR) project was designed as a professional development experience within a research study. Study participants included eight CEPs who were recruited through their affiliation with one state Campus Compact network. Qualitative data analysis revealed that as a result of the experience, participants demonstrated mostly cognitive and affective outcomes rather than behavioral outcomes. Positive outcomes were largely attributed to being a part of a community of learners, among individuals with a shared purpose and context. Participants improved their capacity to address personally mediated racism rather than institutionalized racism, reflecting a gap between the values CEPs develop through their education and field experience and the skills they actually practice in their professional roles.


Weight gain is one side effect of many antipsychotic drugs (APDs). A small number of lateral hypothalamic/perifornical area (LH/PFA) neurons express the orexins, peptides that are critically involved in body weight regulation and arousal. We examined the ability of APDs to activate orexin neurons, as reflected by induction of Fos. APDs with significant weight gain liability increased Fos expression in orexin neurons, but APDs with low or absent weight gain liability did not. The weight gain liability of APDs was correlated with the degree of Fos induction in orexin neurons of the lateral LH/PFA. In contrast, amphetamine, which causes weight loss, increased Fos expression in orexin neurons of the medial but not lateral LH/PFA. We compared the effects of amphetamine and clozapine, an APD with weight gain liability, on orexin neurons innervating the prefrontal cortex. Clozapine induced Fos in 75% of the orexin neurons that project to the cortex, but amphetamine induced Fos in less than a third of these cells. These data suggest that APD-induced weight gain is associated with activation of distinct orexin neurons and emphasize the presence of anatomically and functionally heterogeneous populations of orexin neurons.


Alternative bases that can fit into the DNA double helix have now been used in vivo to direct the synthesis of proteins incorporating unnatural amino acids. This bioengineering feat is significant at both the conceptual and the practical levels.


THE IMPACT OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES ON THE INTENSITY OF CARE RECEIVED IN THE ACUTE CARE SETTING IN OLDER ADULTS Marsha Helen Tyacke, PhD(c), MSN, RN, APNP, ACNP-BC Marquette University, 2018 The proportion of older adults in the U.S. is rapidly increasing. One-third of Medicare expenditures occur in the final year of life, with nearly half resulting from acute exacerbations of chronic, progressive diseases(Riley & Lubitz, 2010). Older adults prefer comfort over life-sustaining care, and decreased intensity of care is associated with improved quality of life at the end-of-life (EOL). Advance directives (ADs) have been proposed as mechanisms to improve congruence between patient wishes and EOL care; however, the impact of ADs on care delivered in the acute care setting at the EOL for this population is unclear. A retrospective, correlation design framed by the Quality Health Outcomes Model was used to describe (a) the relationship between ADs and the intensity of care received by older adults in the acute care setting at the EOL, and (b) the congruence between patient preferences within ADs and actual care received. Four hundred and ninety-six patients, aged 65 and older who died while admitted to a large, academic medical center, were identified using electronic health records. Regression analyses, to determine the association between ADs and indicators of intensity of care, and content analysis, to describe congruence of care, were conducted. Advance directives were not independently associated with any indicators of high-intensity (i.e., high-cost, high-technology) care. While ADs were independently associated with palliative and hospice referrals, effect sizes were small, and referral timing was late. In a subset of one hundred patients with ADs, less than half received care that was congruent with documented preferences. In approximately one-fourth, patient preferences were vague, and congruence could not be determined. Advance directives may be ineffective, in their current form, to decrease aggressive care in the acute care setting. Further research is necessary to determine whether this is a function of how ADs are used within acute care or ambiguous preferences within the document. A shift in the approach of healthcare providers may be necessary to promote engagement in advanced care planning discussions, with patients and family members, with an AD serving as the product of those discussions rather than a document completed out of context.


How extinct, non-avian theropod dinosaurs moved is a subject of considerable interest and controversy. A better understanding of non-avian theropod locomotion can be achieved by better understanding terrestrial locomotor biomechanics in their modern descendants, birds. Despite much research on the subject, avian terrestrial locomotion remains little explored in regards to how kinematic and kinetic factors vary together with speed and body size. Here, terrestrial locomotion was investigated in twelve species of ground-dwelling bird, spanning a 1,780-fold range in body mass, across almost their entire speed range. Particular attention was devoted to the ground reaction force (GRF), the force that the feet exert upon the ground. Comparable data for the only other extant obligate, striding biped, humans, were also collected and studied. In birds, all kinematic and kinetic parameters examined changed continuously with increasing speed, while in humans all but one of those same parameters changed abruptly at the walk-run transition. This result supports previous studies that show birds to have a highly continuous locomotor repertoire compared to humans, where discrete 'walking' and 'running' gaits are not easily distinguished based on kinematic patterns alone. The influences of speed and body size on kinematic and kinetic factors in birds are developed into a set of predictive relationships that may be applied to extinct, non-avian theropods. The resulting predictive model is able to explain 79–93% of the observed variation in kinematics and 69–83% of the observed variation in GRFs, and also performs well in extrapolation tests. However, this study also found that the location of the whole-body centre of mass may exert an important influence on the nature of the GRF, and hence some caution is warranted, in lieu of further investigation.


THE IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing (TMC) has completed fi ve years since its inception in January 2002. The quality and quantity of submissions TMC receives is a clear indicator of its good reputation within the research community. The editorial board is working hard to maintain and, indeed, further improve this reputation. To handle the large number and breadth of submissions, over the last year, we added several new associate editors with diverse backgrounds, and also increased the publication frequency to once a month. We plan to add new associate editors to further diversify the editorial board and to improve the timeliness of the review process. These changes are expected to help maintain relatively low submission to publication delays. In this issue, I would like to introduce two new associate editors, Sumit Roy and Stephan Weiss. Sumit Roy's biography is included below. Stephan Weiss' biography is unfortunately not available for publication at this time. I would also like to thank the following people for the services they have provided: John Heideman, Jean-Pierre Hubaux, Ravi R. Jain, Robin Kravets, P.R. Kumar, and Wenwu Zhu, who have stepped down recently from their associate editor positions. We are able to maintain the high standards of TMC only due to the help of such dedicated associate editors, as well as the referees who volunteer their time to evaluate the manuscripts. Let me take this opportunity to thank our readers and authors for their support of TMC. Please feel free to contact me if you have any feedback or suggestions for the editorial board.


If the combination of bearing material, lubricant, and journal material is well chosen, wear in lubricated journal bearings has a mildly abrasive character, the asperities of the journal surface slowly grinding away material of the inner surface of the bearing. It is shown that this process can be simulated adequately on a pin-and-ring apparatus. Experiments performed on such equipment show that the specific wear rate of bronzes, white metals, aluminum-tin alloys, copper-lead, zinc-aluminum and copper-aluminum increases linearly with increasing surface roughness of the mating component, i.e. a journal made from carburized steel AISI 5120 with a Vickers hardness of 680 · 107 N/m2 . It is also shown that, when in contact under conditions of boundary lubrication with copper-tin, copper-aluminium, copper-lead, lead babbitt or tin babbitt the roughness asperities of the hard steel journal gradually disappear by a polishing process. This effect does not occur if the steel journal is in contact with either aluminium-tin or zinc-aluminium. The effect is tentatively explained in terms of an electrochemical interaction between the nonferrous alloys and the steel.


Due to low power consumption and fast response, magnetorheological (MR) dampers are widely used in various engineering applications. To enhance the performances, efforts have been made to increase the field dependent force with the same power consumption. However, the fluid viscous force is also increased significantly, which is undesirable in practical use. To tackle this problem, the focus of this paper is to design and test a new MR damper with micro-grooves for performance enhancement.
 First, the detailed design of the proposed MR damper is provided. A prototype of the new MR damper is fabricated. Silicon steel circular rings with thickness of 0.25 mm are installed around the damper piston to form two-layer micro-grooves. Experimental results of the two MR dampers without and with micro-grooves are then compared.
 The advantages of MR damper with micro-grooves over the one without micro-grooves are validated. The damping force and controllable force range of MR damper with micro-grooves are larger than the one without micro-grooves. When designing MR damper, making micro-grooves can also decrease the increment of fluid viscous force while keeping the same increase of field dependent force. With micro-grooves, the field dependent force is increased by 92.7% with the same power consumption, while the fluid viscous force is increased by 43%.


Project-based learning (PjBL) has been widely promoted in educational practice, for example, computer programming education. While PiBL may help learners to connect abstract knowledge with authentic practice, the complexity of completing an authentic project may overwhelm learners, making them unable to achieve the desired learning outcomes. This study proposes a visualisation-based and progressive learning environment as a cognitive tool to support PjBL of programming. The cognitive tool is designed to externalise the complex process of completing a realistic programming project. It aims to scaffold the complex project process, foster effective thinking and reflection, and allow the teacher to track and give feedback on individual performance throughout the project process. Moreover, simple-to-complex sequencing of whole-task projects is incorporated into the cognitive tool to support progressive learning with authentic projects. Senior college students participated in this study by completing a project-based programming learning module using the proposed cognitive tool. The results showed that after incorporating the simple-to-complex approach, the visualisation-based cognitive tool is more effective in improving students' programming performance and better perceived by students in terms of its support for scaffolding and articulating the complex project process.


Objectives: The dimensional changes that occurs during the healing of the grafting material in external sinus lift procedure is always present and sometimes may lead to difficulties in placing the dental implants in the second stage. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of adding a titanium mesh as a new fixed floor of the sinus to minimize these changes. Materials and Methods: this randomized clinical trial included 8 patients who needed bilateral 2-stages sinus lift. On one side sinus lift was carried out using Deproteinized Bovine Bone Matrix (DBBM) mixed with A-PRF+ (Group A) while on the other side a titanium mesh was fixed as a new sinus floor above the same mixture (Group B). CBCT radiographs were taken preoperatively (T0), directly postoperatively (T1), and 9 months after surgery (T2). Linear measurements were recorded in the same points in all three radiographs, graft volume was measured and compared using 3D Slicer software. Results: the mean bone height (BH) at T1 was 13.08 and 13.56 mm while at T2 was 11.56 and 13.56 mm in groups A and B respectively. The mean reduction in BH was 1.68 and 0.00 mm in groups A and B respectively. The graft volume (GV) at T1 was 1.49 and 1.63 cc and at T2 was 1.19 and 1.53 cc, the mean volume shrinkage was 0.29 and 0.1 cc in groups A and B respectively. The differences between the groups in both linear and volumetric changes were statistically significant. Conclusions: within the limitation of this study it may be concluded that adding a titanium mesh as a new floor of the sinus helps limiting the shrinkage of both the linear dimensions and overall graft volume.


Several lines of evidence now indicate that type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) function may be particularly important in the pathogenesis of the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma. Modulating the expression of specific genes involved in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis could provide a much needed alternative treatment strategy for poor prognosis disease. We now report construction of an antisense expression vector to the IGF1R that markedly reduces cellular IGF1R levels and inhibits the proliferation and clonogenicity of neuroblastoma cells in vitro but not that of IGF1R null cells. This antitumor activity is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death in transfected cells, as measured by annexin V staining and flow cytometry. Direct injection of this vector into established tumors growing in syngeneic mice results in a marked inhibition of tumor growth with complete and durable tumor regression in one-half of the animals. This effect appears to be immunologically mediated in that vector injection of neuroblastoma tumors growing in severe combined immunodeficiency mice results in only modest delay of tumor growth. Our results suggest that inhibition of IGF1R expression by direct intratumoral delivery of an antisense construct could provide a novel therapeutic approach in the management of poor prognosis neuroblastoma.


Static analysis tools may produce false positive results, which negatively impact the overall usability of these tools. However, even a correct static analysis report is sometimes classified as a false positive if a developer does not understand it or does not agree with it. Lately developers' classification of false positives is treated on a par with the actual static analysis performance which may distort the knowledge about the real state of static analysis. In this paper we discuss various use cases where a false positive report is not false and the issue is caused by another aspects of static analysis. We provide an in-depth explanation of the issue for each use case followed by recommendations on how to solve it, and thus exemplify the importance of careful false positive classification.


CHEMISTRY
Many of the most useful organic reactions are catalyzed by noble metals, which not only are expensive but also can be hazardous if released into the environment. One example is the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction, in which the cross coupling of an aromatic halide and an arylboronic acid is catalyzed by a Pd(0) complex or supported catalyst. Thathagar et al . explored the use of nanoparticles (typically 1.6 to 2.1 nanometers in diameter) of copper, noble metals (ruthenium, palladium, and platinum), and copper-noble metal alloys. For the simplest example, which produces biphenyl, pure Cu nanoparticles were active and stable catalysts, although the yields and reaction rates were lower than for pure Pd particles. However, a Cu-Pd alloy was actually more active than pure Pd. These results outline a potential compositional space for exploration of alternative catalysts for this reaction. — PDS

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 10.1021/ja027716+.


We present the results of a photometric redshift analysis designed to identify z≥ 6 galaxies from the near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope imaging in three deep fields [Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), HUDF09-2 and Early Release Science] covering a total area of 45 square arcmin. By adopting a rigorous set of criteria for rejecting low-redshift interlopers, and by employing a deconfusion technique to allow the available ultradeep IRAC imaging to be included in the candidate-selection process, we have derived a robust sample of 70 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) spanning the redshift range 6.0 < z < 8.7. Based on our final sample, we investigate the distribution of ultraviolet (UV) spectral slopes (f_λ∝λ^β), finding a variance-weighted mean value of 〈β〉=−2.05 ± 0.09 which, contrary to some previous results, is not significantly bluer than displayed by lower redshift starburst galaxies. We confirm the correlation between UV luminosity and stellar mass reported elsewhere, but based on fitting galaxy templates featuring a range of star formation histories (SFHs), metallicities and reddening, we find that, at z≥ 6, the range in mass-to-light ratio (M_★/L_(UV)) at a given UV luminosity could span a factor of ≃50. Focusing on a subsample of 21 candidates with IRAC detections at 3.6µm, we find that L^★ LBGs at z≃ 6.5 have a median stellar mass of M_★= (2.1 ± 1.1) × 10^9 M_⊙ (Chabrier initial mass function) and a median specific star formation rate (sSFR) of 1.9 ± 0.8 Gyr^(−1). Using the same subsample, we have investigated the influence of nebular continuum and line emission, finding that for the majority of candidates (16 out of 21), the best-fitting stellar masses are reduced by less than a factor of 2.5. However, galaxy template fits exploring a plausible range of SFHs and metallicities provide no compelling evidence of a clear connection between SFR and stellar mass at these redshifts. Finally, a detailed comparison of our final sample with the results of previous studies suggests that, at faint magnitudes, several high-redshift galaxy samples in the literature are significantly contaminated by low-redshift interlopers.


Objective Prolonged monitoring times (72 hours) are recommended to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (pAF) after ischemic stroke but this is not yet clinical practice; therefore, an individual patient selection for prolonged ECG monitoring might increase the diagnostic yield of pAF in a resource-saving manner. Methods We used individual patient data from 3 prospective studies (ntotal = 1,556) performing prolonged Holter-ECG monitoring (at least 72 hours) and centralized data evaluation after TIA or stroke in patients with sinus rhythm. Based on the TRIPOD (Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis) guideline, a clinical score was developed on one cohort, internally validated by bootstrapping, and externally validated on 2 other studies. Results pAF was detected in 77 of 1,556 patients (4.9%) during 72 hours of Holter monitoring. After logistic regression analysis with variable selection, age and the qualifying stroke event (categorized as stroke severity with NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≤5 [odds ratio 2.4 vs TIA; 95% confidence interval 0.8–6.9, p = 0.112] or stroke with NIHSS score >5 [odds ratio 7.2 vs TIA; 95% confidence interval 2.4–21.8, p < 0.001]) were found to be predictive for the detection of pAF within 72 hours of Holter monitoring and included in the final score (Age: 0.76 points/year, Stroke Severity NIHSS ≤5 = 9 points, NIHSS >5 = 21 points; to Find AF [AS5F]). The high-risk group defined by AS5F is characterized by a predicted risk between 5.2% and 40.8% for detection of pAF with a number needed to screen of 3 for the highest observed AS5F points within the study population. Regarding the low number of outcomes before generalization of AS5F, the results need replication. Conclusion The AS5F score can select patients for prolonged ECG monitoring after ischemic stroke to detect pAF. Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that the AS5F score accurately identifies patients with ischemic stroke at a higher risk of pAF.


Erik Doxtader and Charles Villa-Vicencio, eds. Through Fire with Water: The Roots of Division and the Potential for Reconciliation in Africa. Trenton, N.J.: Africa World Press, lnc, 2003. 405 pp. Maps. Notes. $29.95. Paper. Carolyn Nordstrom. Shadows of War: Violence, Power, and International Profiteering in the Twenty-First Century. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004. 293 pp. Photographs. Notes. Bibliography. Index. $50.00. Cloth. $19.95. Paper. Through Fire with Water and Shadows of War document the pervasive, endless, and complex political conflicts that have afflicted sub-Saharan Africa in the later twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. As such they are essential reading for specialists and nonspecialists alike who would seek to understand in greater depth the weakness, fragility, and even collapse of postcolonial sub-Saharan African states. Each volume, moreover, brings to the table atypical perspectives on these conflict syndromes. Carolyn Nordstrom offers the insights of an anthropologist on subjects that have tended to be dominated by political scientists. Erik Doxtader and Charles Villa-Vicencio have assembled the much-too-infrequently heard perspectives of African scholars and practitioners and others who have immersed themselves in the postindependence stories of African countries. Through Fire with Water is a collection of essays profiling the historical roots and course of internal conflicts in fifteen sub-Saharan African countries, together with assessments of prospects for peace-building and reconciliation. It is introduced by the distinguished jurist Richard Goldstone. The essays are arranged according to estimates of the status of the conflicts: countries in the process of healing with potential for transitions to stable polities; countries in the midst of ongoing and recurrent conflicts; and finally those that are wrestling with the challenges of democratic consolidation. The countries selected are from all regions but with a predominance of southern and eastern African entries, although Nigeria and Sierra Leone are included among the countries estimated to be in healing phases. All five of the essays focused on democratic consolidation are about southern African countries. A remarkable and important inclusion is Botswana. Long recognized as one of two sub-Saharan African stable democracies since independence (the other is Mauritius), Botswana nonetheless exhibits weak opposition parties, low and declining voter turnout, simmering ethnic tensions, a globe-leading HIV/AIDS pandemic, and shortfalls in observance of human rights. Presumably for reasons of length, there are no chapters on major conflicts in Liberia and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa besides Somalia. The essays are all detailed, comprehensive, and, it would appear, balanced. …


One of the main reasons for Muslims' decadence was the philosophical system which inculcates self-negation and self-abandonment. This system advocates an attitude of lack of interest in action, renunciation of the world, and an asceticism which are against the original spirit of Islam. Iqbal was opposed to this system, and he introduced a unique concept of khudi or selfhood. The concept of self is the most important views to be discussed because it is the central idea of his philosophy on which the rest of his thought-structure is based. For Iqbal, understanding the nature of the self is essential for an understanding of the nature of society and the principle of its growth. Self, according to Iqbal, is an active and creative force in which a person should strive towards the achievement of a rich personality as well as participate in the affairs of the universe to suit his highest position as the vicegerent of God on earth. This is in line with the Qur'anic perception of man as an ascending spirit who is capable of changing the entire course of history. Thus, the moral and religious ideal of man, according to Iqbal, is not self-negation, but it must be self-assertion or self-realization. This paper attempts to discuss the nature of the self as expounded by Iqbal and how the self grows into a strong and powerful personality. Iqbal does not only preach self-realization by individuals, but his idea also prescribes suppression of individualism, which precludes any collective and concerted effort. Iqbal has recognized a necessary relationship between the individual and society. He sees society as a must for the proper growth and development of human and it is only in society that man can achieve self-realization. It is at this juncture that this paper also tries to discuss the nature of mutual relationship between the individual and society wherein man lives, moves, and exists.


: The influence of fixation on the intensity and specificity of the fluorescence of PAS-reaction (F-PAS) in the rat's liver cells was examined. 1.4 types of fixatives, routinely used in polysacchride cyto- and histochemistry, were tried: 100% metanol, 100% and 80% ethanol, acetone, 10% neutral formalin, buffered neutral formalin, mixtures of various fluids: ethanol : acetone (1 : 1), ethanol : formalin (9 : 1), ethanol : acetic acid (3 : 1), formaline : ethanol : acetic acid (1.0 : 8.5 : 0.5), fixatives of Carnoy, Bouin, Rossman and Shabadash. The cell fluorescence intensity after F-PAS reaction with Schiff's reagent auramine--SO2 and the cell autofluorescence were measured cytofluorometrically. It was shown that all the fixatives, besides Bouin's and Shabadash's fluids provide rather good preservation of the cell glycogen. Results obtained from the cytofluorometry of F-PAS reaction, autofluorescence and from the morphological studies of F-Pas stained cells, suggested that the best fixatives were 100% metanol and 100% ethanol.


This study aims to assess the validity of maternal recall for several perinatal variables 8–10 years after pregnancy in a twin sample. Retrospective information was collected 8–10 years after the delivery event in a cohort of mothers from the University of Southern California Twin Study (N = 611) and compared with medical records for validity analysis. Recall of most variables showed substantial to perfect agreement (κ = 0.60–1.00), with notable exceptions for specific medical problems during pregnancy (κ ≤ 0.40) and substance use when mothers provided continuous data (e.g., number of cigarettes per day; r ≤ 0.24). With the exception of delivery method, neonatal intensive care unit admission, birth weight, neonatal information, and post-delivery complications were also recalled with low accuracy. For mothers of twins, maternal recall is generally a valid measure for perinatal variables 10 years after pregnancy. However, caution should be taken regarding variables such as substance use, medical problems, birth length, and post-delivery complications.


External fixation is accepted treatment for some distal radius fractures. Ligamentotaxis is the basis for the technique, and failure to recognize its limitations can lead to excess distraction. This paper discusses potential complications of excess distraction as well as its effect on outcome. Supplemental fixation techniques and multiplanar ligamentotaxis are advocated to improve outcome when external fixation is used.


The cost and weight reduction requirements in automotive applications are very important targets in the design of a new car. For this reason all the components of the vehicle have to be optimised, and the design of the damping material layout has to be deeply analysed in order to have a good NVH performance with the minimum of weight and cost. A tool for the optimisation of the damping material layout has been implemented and tested; the need to explore the entire design space with a big number of variables suggested the use of a genetic multi-objective algorithm for the optimisation. These algorithms require a large number of calculations and the solution of the complete NVH model would be too expensive in terms of computation time. For this reason, a new software tool has been developed based on the simulation of the damping material treatments by means of an auxiliary mass and stiffness matrix to be added to the baseline modal base; using this procedure the required time for the simulation of each damping material layout configuration is reduced to a few minutes, allowing to exploit the genetic algorithm capability to efficiently explore the design space. As a result, some configurations with an important weight reduction or a much better acoustic performance have been found. This method has been verified on a simple Aluminium box in order to verify all the assumptions and to test the effectiveness in predicting the vibration levels of plates with free layer damping added to it.Copyright © 2006 by ASME


Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) enables noninvasive spatial mapping of free radical metabolism and has recently been shown to provide in vivo physiologic information regarding alterations in the redox state of tumors and neoplastic tissues. With the use of nitroxide spin probes, it has been shown that certain tumors possess a highly reduced state. To determine whether EPRI can be used for early detection and visualization of gastric carcinoma based on its altered redox metabolism, studies were performed in a rat gastric cancer model induced by 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine. Using a specialized 750 MHz resonator and EPRI instrument, a technique was developed for imaging nitroxide radicals in the whole stomach. In vivo three-dimensional EPRI of the stomach of rats with continuous intravenous administration of nitroxide 3-carboxamido-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl (3-carbamoyl-proxyl) [3-CP] was performed. Whereas electron paramagnetic resonance images from untreated controls provide a uniform visualization of the stomach mucosa and wall, in the treated rats with gastric cancer, holes were present in the image at the locations of tumors. With localized spectroscopy, it was confirmed that the tumor regions were devoid of signal, and this was largely due to the presence of a more reduced state with rapid reduction of nitroxide. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that 3-CP in tumors was rapidly reduced to an undetectable level, whereas the 3-CP levels in normal stomach tissue persisted. Near-infrared reflectance measurements of indocyanine green dye uptake indicated that there were no significant differences in tumor versus normal mucosal perfusion. From these results, we concluded that gastric cancer tumors could be distinguished from normal tissue based primarily on the marked difference in their rate of radical metabolism. Because alterations in cellular redox state and radical metabolism are of critical importance in tumor biology and treatment, this methodology should provide an important new tool for the study and visualization of gastric carcinoma and may also be of use in other cancer models.


The book discusses vocabulary learning strategies as an integral subgroup of language learning strategies. It defines language learning strategies in general and their features on the basis of cognitive theory and relevant models of second language acquisition as the basis for empirical research. Furthermore, the book gives a survey of research on vocabulary learning strategies and describes three original empirical studies. Thus, the book attempts at integrating the approaches of theories of second language acquisition, the theory and practice of instructed foreign language learning, and the findings of current empirical research.


Due to their relatively low cost and ability to scale, crowdsourcing based approaches are widely used to collect a large amount of human annotated data. To this aim, multiple crowdsourcing platforms exist, where requesters can upload tasks and workers can carry them out and obtain payment in return. Such platforms share a task design and deploy workflow that is often counter-intuitive and cumbersome. To address this issue, we propose Crowd\_Frame, a simple and complete framework which allows to develop and deploy diverse types of complex crowdsourcing tasks in an easy and customizable way. We show the abilities of the proposed framework and we make it available to researchers and practitioners.


Full correlation matrix analysis (FCMA) is an unbiased approach for exhaustively studying interactions among brain regions in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from human participants. In order to answer neuroscientific questions efficiently, we are developing a closedloop analysis system with FCMA on a cluster of nodes with Intel © Xeon Phi TM coprocessors. We have proposed several ideas to modify the algorithm to improve the performance on the coprocessor. Our experiments with real datasets show that the optimized single-node code runs 5x-16x faster than the baseline implementation using the well-known Intel © MKL and LibSVM libraries, and that the cluster implementation achieves near linear speedup on 5760 cores.


Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) over the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) has already been shown to decrease craving for food. However, it remains unclear whether a single session of tDCS combined with a cognitive bias modification (CBM) task may affect explicit and implicit measures of craving for chocolate. Fifty-one healthy volunteers (38 females; mean age: 22.12 ± 3.38) were randomly allocated to CBM training based on the Approach Avoidance task and either Sham, Right anodal-Left cathodal (RALC), or Left anodal-Right cathodal (LARC) tDCS. Results show that there was an increase in the explicit craving for chocolate, as assessed by the Visual Analog Scale [F(2, 46) = 3.239, p = 0.048], from the baseline to post-intervention. Participants which received LARC tDCS were explicitly self-reporting more craving for chocolate than those that received RALC tDCS (p = 0.023). Moreover, this effect was also observed on the implicit measure [F(2, 46) = 4.168, p = 0.022]. LARC tDCS significantly increased the implicit preference for chocolate when comparing to both RALC (p = 0.009) and Sham tDCS (p = 0.034). Previous studies have shown that RALC tDCS over the PFC is able to effectively decrease craving for food. Interestingly, the present data not only does not reproduce such result, but instead it suggests that LARC tDCS can actually increase the preference for chocolate. This result is compatible with recent models of brain laterality, in which cue craving seems to be more dependent on the left hemisphere. Thus, shifting the activity to the left hemisphere (while simultaneously reducing the activity over the homotopic region) may have led to this increased implicit as well as explicit preference for chocolate.


This paper presents an accurate classification method of harmonic signal in power distribution system by using S-transform (ST).  ST has a capability of representing signals in jointly time-frequency domain and known as time frequency representation (TFR). The spectral parameters are estimated from TFR in order to identify the characteristics and to classify the harmonic signals. The classification of harmonic signals with the utilization of pattern recognition approach which is rule-based classifier of 100 unique signals is according to the IEEE standard 519:2014. The accuracy of the proposed method is determined by using MAPE and the results proved that the method provides high accuracy of harmonic signal classification. Additionally, S-transform also gives 100 percent correct classification of harmonic signals. It is proven that the proposed method is accurate in detecting and classifying harmonic signals in the distribution system.


National parks in the United States are major attractions for international tourists. Evidence suggests that the demand for outdoor recreation by these travelers is increasing and likely to continue in the near future. However, when considering recreation on public lands, the importance of international visitors has generally been overlooked. In order to promote parks and natural areas on an international basis, it is critical to establish the "market potential'' for parks and identify the sources that visitors use most heavily in their search for information about the United States. This paper examines the market potential of parks for international travelers and investigates the information sources used by visitors from West Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The paper also makes specific suggestions on how public agencies can reach and inform international visitors, both at their points of origin and at the destination areas.?


In this paper, the domestic old book paper(DOBP) was subjected to deinking process. Surface and colloid characterisitics of DOBP deinking pulp(DIP) system was investigated. The relation between surface and colloid characterisitic changes and efficiency of deinking (brightness and residual ink particles content) was studied. Technical conditions that affect the deinking pulp's colloid chemical behavior were also analyzed here.The results showed that colloid-chemical behavior of DOBP deinking system could be changed during the deinking process. The colloid-chemical behavior, such as Zeta potential and surface tention, had a certain corresponding relation with deinking efficiency of DOBP deinking system. When Zeta potential of the deinking system was more great, and surface tension was more low in a certain range(Zeta potential was -17.0~ -16.0mV and surface tension was 59.0~61.0mN/m), brightness and ink removal efficiency of DOBP will be improved.


The current study conducted in purpose to illustrate the utility of EST-derived SSR in characterizing wild populations of M. rosenbergii in Malaysia"s rivers. A novel set of EST-SSR generated from RNA of M. rosenbergii were validated in a full panel of 120 samples from four wild populations through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Seven EST-SSR loci were identified, characterized, and evaluated on 30 individuals each from the populations namely Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Sarawak, and Terengganu. The average polymorphic informative content value (PIC) for these seven primers was found to be 0.6208 indicating considerable degree of polymorphism with number of alleles detected ranged from 4 to 10. The observed heterozygosity value count during multi-population analyses ranged from 0.5333 to 0.8333, whilst the expected ranged from 0.6288 to 0.7009. There was no linkage disequilibrium (LD) observed between all pairs of EST-SSRs loci. All loci, except for EST MR8 conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) suggesting factors violating the neutral expectation such as selection might have caused the locus to deviate from equilibrium. The FIS index demonstrated no indication of inbreeding among individuals of each population. There was evidence that all populations assessed in this study are drawn from a single, large panmictic population; no genetic heterogeneity observed in population structure analysis, estimate of fixation index value in pairwise comparisons among the four localities revealed very low magnitude of differentiation (FST ranged between 0.00888 to the highest of 0.10644).
iii
The results indicated that these polymorphic EST-SSR derived from M. rosenbergii would be useful for population genetic structure analysis and genetic diversity assessment in prawn populations as part of management policies of natural resources to ensure sustainability of wild broodstock for future development of prawn culture industries.


This paper proposes the Contract Analytics Framework (CAF), which provides guidance for incorporating textual analysis into audits of large numbers of contracts. Contracts are used extensively in auditing for risk assessment, analytical procedures, substantive testing, and audit review. While material contracts are carefully examined to assess financial implications, contracts perceived to be low risk are typically audited using standard sampling techniques. This proposed CAF facilitates effective and efficient audit analyses on full populations of contracts. We identify and describe six functional areas in the CAF: (1) Document Management, (2) Content Identification, (3) Cutoff Testing, (4) Record Confirmation, (5) Term Verification, and (6) Additional Audit Tasks. Based on auditing standards, we discuss the application of the CAF in the audit stages of risk assessment, substantive tests, and review. The framework is then implemented on a group of reinsurance contracts to demonstrate the feasibility of auditing full populations of contracts.
 JEL Classifications: M42; C88; O39.


Global climate fluctuated considerably throughout the Pliocene–Pleistocene period, influencing the evolutionary history of a wide array of species. Using the phylogeographic patterns within the hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus (Pallas, 1766)) complex, we evaluated the evolutionary consequences of such environmental change for a typical large mammal ranging on the African savannah. Our results, as generated from two mitochondrial DNA markers (the D–loop and cytochrome b), suggest an origin of the hartebeest in eastern Africa from where the species has colonized other parts of the continent. Phylogenetic analyses revealed an early diversification into southern and northern hartebeest lineages, an event that may be related to the formation of the Rift Valley lakes. The northern lineage has further diverged into eastern and western lineages, most probably as a result of the expanding central African rainforest belt and subsequent contraction of savannah habitats during a period of global warming. The diversification events appear to have coincided with major climatic changes and are highly correlated in time. These observations strongly suggest that large–scale climatic fluctuations have been a major determinant for the species' evolutionary history and that hartebeest evolution has mainly taken place in isolated yet environmentally favourable refugia during periods of global warming. Indications of sudden population expansion for two putative ancestral hartebeest populations provide further support for a refugia–based explanation of the diversification events. Reciprocal monophyly between southern and northern lineages may suggest that reproductive barriers exist and that the hartebeest complex comprises two different species.


Multi-skilling for front-line managers in hotels in Taiwan is the main focus of this thesis. The literature suggests that multi-skilling addresses two industrial problems in Taiwan; the shortage of qualified workers and the high turnover rate of staff in the 5-star hotel industry. Both factors have negatively impacted on the productivity and performance of 5-star hotels in Taiwan, as a high level of service delivery cannot be sustained by inexperienced staff in accordance with a service profit chain model (Heskett, Jones, Loveman, Sasser, & Schlesinger, 1994). In addition, as multi-skilling enhances an employee's knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), this has an effect on attitude and the attitude of an employee determines the output of service performance in relation to tasks assigned (Tesone, 2008; Wilton, 2008). Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to examine whether multi-skilling exists and the beneficial factors of multi-skilling for 5-star hotels in Taiwan.
The scope of this thesis is delimited to the quantitative approach. A conceptual model of multi-skilling has been established based on the literature and developed into eight research hypotheses for this study. The first research hypothesis explores whether or not training for multi-skilling has occurred in the hotel industry in Taiwan, as there is little or no evidence of multi-skilling knowledge within the Taiwanese hotel context. The other seven research hypotheses attempt to examine the effectiveness of the beneficial factors of multi-skilling, namely organisational productivity, service quality, retention, job satisfaction, remuneration, promotion and organisational efficiency.
The scale of hotels is delimited to 5-star hotels in Taiwan, and the level of employees is delimited to front-line managers, such as supervisors and assistant managers who work across front office, restaurant and housekeeping departments. In addition, the geographic location is also delimited to the areas of metropolitan cities in the north and south in Taiwan. A mail questionnaire survey was used.
The findings have identified that 5-star hotels in Taiwan have adopted multi-skilling plan for their front-line managers. The findings have also identified some significant similarities and differences between the responses from all three departments. More importantly, though, the findings have identified that multi-skilling can help 5-star hotels in Taiwan to improve labour productivity and service quality, and mitigate the problems associated with high staff turnover.
Labour flexibility via multi-skilling, along with a positive employment relationship is suggested to provide a stable and qualified multi-skilled workforce for 5-star hotels in Taiwan in order to cope with these two industrial problems. It has been found that multi-skilling can increase labour flexibility by moving staff from one post to another without any difficulty. In addition, a high level of service delivery can be maintained by the promotion of a positive employment relationship. Based on the findings, a set…


Andrew Murphy's new book marks his triumphant return to the seventeenth century and the transatlantic debates about religious toleration that inspired his first book, Conscience and Community: Revisiting Toleration and Religious Dissent in Early Modern England and America (2001). Published more than fifteen years ago, that text remains a touchstone for political theorists and intellectual historians of tolerance and toleration, both for its conceptual acumen and historical rigor. In it, Murphy pioneered a distinctive, "historically-informed" approach to political theory, one that built upon the intellectual history of the Cambridge School while exceeding it, eschewing Whig history and emphasizing the distance of early modern theories and practices from our own, while nevertheless mining them for insights into contemporary challenges. Liberty, Conscience, and Toleration displays the same masterful balance of historical judgment and theoretical incisiveness while diving deeply into the life and works of one ofConscience and Community's central characters. This is the first of Murphy's two planned works on William Penn, the second being a long-awaited intellectual biography. It begins by reminding us of the curious absence of the latter in the densely populated fields of early modern intellectual history and Quaker studies. Trying to understand exactly why Penn's life and works have been neglected by scholars motivates much of Murphy's argument throughout. Still, the book in hand is something else: a contextual account of Penn's political thought organized around the key "episodes" (p. x) in which he was involved. These include just about every notable controversy about religion and politics in England after the Restoration, including one or two of Penn's own making. Most memorable is Penn's account of his own trial for "causing a riot" (and his subsequent imprisonment for contempt, along with the jury), The Peoples Ancient and Just Liberties Asserted (1670). This shining example of what Murphy calls "performative political theorizing" (p. 62), in both form and content, turned Quaker persecution and jury independence into causes célèbres for a century. Murphy easily establishes Penn's story as a rich, varied, and ultimately tragic tale worth recovering in its own right. Born into aristocratic notability, with a front-row seat to the coronation of Charles II, Penn took a path to notoriety that led him—via Quaker "convincement" in Ireland while managing his father's estates, multiple imprisonments, and celebrity dissent—to renewed royal favor and the gift of his own colony, before anti-Catholic backlash against the tolerationist efforts of James II, discord and schism in Pennsylvania, and financial difficulties (including a stint in debtor's prison) brought him crashing back down to earth. But Penn's eventful life also led him to cross paths with some of the key actors and intellects of the period—not only James, but also George Fox, Margaret Fell, Benjamin Furly, Algernon Sidney, and especially John Locke, with whom Murphy draws illuminating comparisons throughout his book. Indeed, the contrast between Locke and Penn (who both spent time at Christ Church College, Oxford, along with John Owen, famed schismatic and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell) guide much of Murphy's analysis and serve as a helpful shorthand in establishing Penn's significance for political theorists, for whom Locke's 1689 Letter Concerning Toleration remains the first and final word on toleration and the early modern origins of something they call "liberalism." Yet as Murphy reminds us, Penn's writings in defense of liberty of conscience contained all of the same arguments, while offering a more inclusive toleration and predating Locke's Letter significantly. Moreover, while Locke denied authorship of all of his controversial writings on religion or politics during his lifetime and rose to bureaucratic respectability as a member of the Board of Trade, Penn put his theory into practice and his reputation on the line by founding a tolerant society himself. Given the fascination with capital-F "Founding" in our discipline, political theorists' neglect of Penn and of the other founding figures associated with the colonies of British North America cries out for explanation. The relatively cursory involvement of canonical thinkers like Locke (in Carolina) and even Hobbes (in Virginia) has caught the attention of scholars, especially those eager to indict them and the "liberal" tradition for founding crimes in the New World. Still, as Murphy notes, the often frustrating experiences of an earlier generation of colonial founders on the ground, as it were, like Penn has been


The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to examine whether there exists a hegemonic relationship between librarians and users of libraries with a focus on the librarians point of view. The future of movies in the library is also going to be examined. Qualitative interviews were conducted and were examined for signs of hegemony and habitus according to the respective theories. The results of these interviews showed that librarians were in favor of user suggestions to improve the libraries collection. We found that there exists a hegemonic relationship in the libraries, but that it was subliminal and unwanted. The concept of quality has been proven to be subjective for the medium of movies and also for the libraries' collections. The future is uncertain but hope is that movies in libraries will be preserved, though possibly in a different form.


A total of 672 sera from apparently healthy commercial and indigenous chickens of different ages were screened for antibodies to infectious bronchitis (IB) virus using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples obtained from breeder, layer, grower and indigenous chicken flocks in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos states of southwestern Nigeria were screened. The total seroprevalence was 82.7% with ELISA units of 77.0 ± 8.0. Among the groups of birds, layers had the highest ELISA units of 80.0 ± 9.0, breeders had 73.0 ± 8.0 while indigenous chickens had 73.0 ± 7.0 ELISA units. These chickens, except the breeders, had no history of vaccination against infectious bronchitis. The higher prevalence observed in layers, growers and indigenous chickens may be due to field infection since maternal antibody wasexpected to have waned between three and four weeks of life. These findings indicate a high infectious bronchitis virus activity in southwestern Nigeria chickens hence there is an urgent need for the development of prevention and control policies against IB in Nigerian poultry farms and a national control programme for infectious bronchitis virus infection should be planned.

 Key words: Chickens, infectious bronchitis virus, Nigeria, prevalence, southwest.


We study the Ginzburg-Landau model of type-I superconductors in the regime of small external magnetic fields. We show that, in an appropriate asymptotic regime, flux patterns are described by a simplified branched transportation functional. We derive the simplified functional from the full Ginzburg-Landau model rigorously via Γ-convergence. The detailed analysis of the limiting procedure and the study of the limiting functional lead to a precise understanding of the multiple scales contained in the model.


Purpose
This study documented the efficacy of visual-acoustic biofeedback intervention for residual rhotic errors, relative to a comparison condition involving traditional articulatory treatment. All participants received both treatments in a single-subject experimental design featuring alternating treatments with blocked randomization of sessions to treatment conditions.

Method
Seven child and adolescent participants received 20 half-hour sessions of individual treatment over 10 weeks. Within each week, sessions were randomly assigned to feature traditional or biofeedback intervention. Perceptual accuracy of rhotic production was assessed in a blinded, randomized fashion. Each participant's response to the combined treatment package was evaluated by using effect sizes and visual inspection. Differences in the magnitude of response to traditional versus biofeedback intervention were measured with individual randomization tests.

Results
Four of 7 participants demonstrated a clinically meaningful response to the combined treatment package. Three of 7 participants showed a statistically significant difference between treatment conditions. In all 3 cases, the magnitude of within-session gains associated with biofeedback exceeded the gains associated with traditional treatment.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the inclusion of visual-acoustic biofeedback can enhance the efficacy of intervention for some individuals with residual rhotic errors. Further research is needed to understand which participants represent better or poorer candidates for biofeedback treatment.


The assessment of sympathetic denervation to the upper extremities during surgery for hyperhidrosis is essential in predicting postoperative outcome, particularly for endoscopic thoracic chain sympathotomy, a recently described, minimally destructive technique that minimizes postoperative compensatory hyperhidrosis. To test the hypothesis that skin blood flow (SkBF; laser Doppler flowmetry) provides a faster and more reliable indication of denervation than temperature (temp), we prospectively compared palmar SkBF and fingertip temp in 10 patients undergoing endoscopic thoracic chain sympathotomy for essential hyperhidrosis. From baseline to peak values, palmar SkBF (mean ± sem) increased 273.3 ± 24.7 arbitrary units and 252.4 ± 30.1 arbitrary units, whereas temp increased 0.9°C ± 0.3°C and 1.5°C ± 0.6°C on the right and left, respectively. Upon effective sympathotomy of the right thoracic chain, the time to peak SkBF was 43 ± 13 s, whereas the time to peak temp was 277 ± 53 s (P < 0.001). On the left, the time to peak SkBF was 81 ± 14 s, and time to peak temp was 305 ± 34 s (P < 0.001). All patients considered the sympathotomy successful. We conclude that laser Doppler SkBF is superior to temp in temporal resolution for assessment of denervation during sympathotomy and that it provides a superior qualitative and quantitative adjunct to monitoring denervation.


Introduction: Childhood obesity is a problem that leads to many serious health effects including early maturation, decreased quality of life and increased risk for cardiovascular disease. In 2012, over one third of children were considered obese (Childhood Obesity Facts 2015). Efforts have been made to reduce this number but they have not been fully successful (Nutrition Standards for School Meals 2015, Prevalence of Childhood obesity in the United States 2011-2012 2015). What other factors are causing kids to choose foods that lead to weight gain. Literature Review: In research regarding psychological motivations of overeating, there has been a correlation between decreased executive function and overeating in a population of middle aged women (Manasse et al. 2014). It was also shown that when asked to complete a complex mental task, a person is more likely to choose an unhealthy food option (Truong and Sterm 2015). The body reacts similarly to the sight of food as it does to substances like cocaine (Cohen 2008, Executive Functions Profile 2012, Imaging Dopamine Transmission in Cocaine Dependence 2011). What makes certain individuals more susceptible to giving in to this urge? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how a child's ability to make decisions may correlate with their weight status. H0: There is no statistically significant correlation between problem solving scores, as tested using "Word Generation" and "Animal Sorting, to BMI in 3rd grade children. Methodology: The population was 3rd grade students at Pea Ridge Elementary School. Problem Solving skill was evaluated using the "Animal Sorting" and "Word Generation" sections of the NEPSY II assessment. These results were compared to Body Mass Index. Results: Out of the 19 students in the final population, 3 were considered overweight, 3 underweight and 13 healthy weight. For the Animal Sorting Test, 3 students scored below average, 12 students scored average, and 3 students scored above average. Data was not recorded for two participants. For the Word Generation Semantic Test 4 students scored below average, 12 students scored average, and 2 students scored above average. For the Word Generation Initial Letter, 1 student scored below average, 12 students scored average and 5 students scored above average. Analysis: Results were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test. The results were not significant. The null hypothesis could not be accepted or rejected. Conclusion: Because of limitations in population size, additional research would be beneficial to gain further knowledge about the association between problem-solving skill and BMI. Using a different tool for analysis may also provide more conclusive results. Problem Solving Skill and Obesity in Children


The impact of environmental stimuli on the production of the widespread cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) is under debate. Whereas transcriptional studies of the biosynthetic genes suggest a clear influence of light conditions on toxin production the data for the metabolite itself are inconsistent and highly strain-specific. Here, we have reassessed the MC content by using two immunological detection techniques that allow a parallel quantification of MC in the methanolic extracts and the residual pellet fraction that contains high molecular weight proteins. Our results show a significant proportion of MC in the protein bound fraction in strains of Microcystis and Planktothrix and of the related toxin nodularin (NOD) in Nodularia. Moreover, we could show a very strong increase of MC after high light illumination in the protein fraction contributing to a significant overall increase in MC production under these conditions that is not seen in extracts analysed by LC-MS and ELISA. The fact that a considerable portion of MC is neglected with current analysis techniques was also confirmed for selected field samples. Immunofluorescence studies suggest strain-specific differences in the amount of MC conjugate formation.


ABSTRACT Experimental study was performed on a single basin active solar distillation system augmented with a solar collector using evacuated solar tubes. Field tests were conducted over several days under the climatic conditions of West Texas to evaluate the effect evacuated solar tubes have on the daily distillate yield rate. To investigate the feasibility of the solar tubes, active and passive solar stills with and without exterior insulation were examined. The maximum daily production rate for the active distillation system using evacuated solar tubes and the passive distillation system was 3.6 and 1.4 kg/m2day, respectively. The results showed the augmentation of the still with evacuated solar tubes increased its production capacity by a factor of 2.63. It also increased the maximum temperature of the water in the still basin by at least 20 °C. Economic analysis shows that it is feasible to use evacuated tubular collector coupled solar still as an alternative means for reclaiming water in farmlands with a payback period of approximately 6 years.


Parkinson's disease (PD) is a frequent neurodegenerative process at old age. Accumulation and aggregation of the lipid-binding SNARE complex component alphasynuclein (SNCA) underlies this vulnerability and defines stages of disease progression. Determinants of SNCA levels and mechanisms of SNCA neurotoxicity are intensely investigated. In view of physiological SNCA roles in blood to modulate vesicle release, we studied blood samples from a new large pedigree with SNCA gene duplication (PARK4 mutation), to identify effects of SNCA gain-of-function as potential disease biomarkers. The expression of other Parkinson's disease gene was not, but complexin-1 (CPLX1) mRNA downregulation was correlated with genotype. In global RNAseq profiling of blood from presymptomatic PARK4, bioinformatics detected significant upregulations for platelet activation, hemostasis, lipoproteins, endocytosis, lysosome, cytokine, toll like receptor signalling and extracellular pathways. In PARK4 platelets, stimulus-triggered degranulation was impaired. Strong SPP1, GZMH, and PLTP mRNA upregulations were validated in PARK4. When analysing cases with REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), the most specific known prodromal stage of general PD, only blood CPLX1 levels were altered. Validation experiments confirmed an inverse mutual regulation of SNCA and CPLX1 mRNA levels. In the 3'-UTR of the CPLX1 gene we identified a SNP that is significantly associated with PD risk. In summary, our data define CPLX1 as PD risk factor and provide functional insights into the role and regulation of blood alpha-synuclein levels. The novel blood biomarkers of PARK4 in this Turkish family may become useful for PD prediction. D is ea se M o de ls & M ec ha ni sm s • D M M • A dv an ce a rt ic le


In this paper, a LE (logarithmic envelope) algorithm is proposed for estimating the maximum Doppler frequency of the channel. The algorithm is based on the LE autocorrelation of received pilot signals, which is strongly related with maximum Doppler frequency in a fading environment. The computer simulation is utilized to evaluate the proposed algorithm, and the results show that the proposed algorithm is very simple and achieves good performance over wide Doppler frequency range.


Formal ethical review of research proposals is now almost the default requirement for all – staff and students – planning research under the auspices of colleges and universities in many parts of the world. With notable exceptions, the extant literature discussing educational research ethics takes a meta-ethical overview, is negatively critical about the ethics review process per se, or comes from America and focuses specifically on the workings of the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) there.

This book, however, contains stories of lived experience from the UK, Spain, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Australia dealing with, inter alia: dissatisfactions with criteria against which research proposals and designs and, by extension, researchers themselves, are judged to be ethical; problems encountered in obtaining ethical clearance; changes which have had to be made to plans which are believed to have affected the ensuing research process and outcomes; cases where ethical issues and difficulties arose and required considered responses despite permission to undertake the research in question being granted; and benefits perceived to accrue from ethical review procedures.


Sulla (Sulla coronarium L.) forage is valued for its positive impact on ruminant production, in part due to its moderate content of condensed tannin (CT). The duration of daily grazing is a factor affecting the feed intake and milk production of ewes. In this study, the effects of grazing sulla pasture compared with annual ryegrass, and the extension of grazing from 8 to 22 h/day, were evaluated with regard to ewe forage intake and milk production, as well as the physicochemical properties and fatty acid (FA) composition of cheese. During 42 days in the spring, 28 ewes of the Comisana breed were divided into four groups (S8, S22, R8 and R22) that grazed sulla (S) or ryegrass (R) for 8 (0800 to 1600 h) or 22 h/day, and received no feeding supplement. In six cheese-making sessions, cheeses were manufactured from the 48 h bulk milk of each group. Compared with ewes grazing ryegrass, those grazing sulla had higher dry matter (DM) intake, intake rate and milk yield, and produced milk that was lower in fat and higher in casein. Ewes grazing for 22 h spent more time eating, which reduced the intake rate, increased DM and nutrient intake and milk yield, and reduced milk fat. Due to the ability of CT to inhibit the complete ruminal biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the FA composition of sulla cheese was more beneficial for consumer health compared with ryegrass cheese, having lower levels of saturated fatty acids and higher levels of PUFA and n-3 FA. The FA profile of S8 cheese was better than that of S22 cheese, as it was higher in branched-chain FA, monounsaturated FA, PUFA, rumenic acid (c9,t11-C18:2), and had a greater health-promoting index. The effect of short grazing time on sulla was attributed to major inhibition of PUFA biohydrogenating ruminal bacteria, presumably stimulated by the higher accumulation of sulla CT in the rumen, which is related to a higher intake rate over a shorter eating time. Thus, grazing sulla improved the performance of ewes, thereby increasing, especially with short grazing time, the nutritional properties of cheese fat.