Sung in Christian liturgies from the earliest period, biblical Odes—a set of songs excerpted from the biblical and apocryphal books—were central to emerging Christian practices and texts, yet their significance as textual witnesses has rarely been studied. Overlooked by text critics and editors, the Odes have largely been omitted from contemporary critical editions of the biblical books, including the very recent twenty-eighth edition of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece. This analysis suggests, however, that the liturgical setting of the Odes had a double impact: whereas some of the readings possibly reflect liturgical adaptation, public performance could also set limits on how much these texts could change.  Comparison of the biblical Odes as they appear in the great fifth-century majuscule Codex Alexandrinus, both in their place among the Odes and within their appropriate biblical book, demonstrates that these songs are in fact a valuable textual resource, a conclusion that is further confirmed by an examination of the textual and paratextual features of early Odes manuscripts. A more focused study of the Song of Mary offers additional support to the hypothesis: this song remained remarkably fixed even as Odes traditions and collections remained unsettled. As this study shows, interactions between oral and written forms of transmission are complex, and thus no textual witness can be dismissed solely on the basis of its liturgical setting.


SUMMARY Objectives: We investigated the effectiveness and safety of three different methods of colon cleansing and we also recorded the outcome and findings of lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in patients with chronic renal failure. Methods: We prospectively collected 39 patients with chronic renal failure The patients who were referred for endoscopy were randomly given one of the following: For colonoscopy (a) Method I; liquid diet for three days, enemas with sodium phospate (Fleet) and X-Prep (senna-based laxative), and (b) Method II; gut n irrigation with a commercially available polyethylene glycol and electrolytes solution. For sigmoidoscopy (c) Method III; enemas with sodium phosphate (Fleet). A gastroenterologist graded the cleanliness of the segments of colon during endoscopy. Safety profile including renal function and electrolytes were recorded prior to preparation and prior to endoscopy for each patient. In addition, patient acceptance of bowel preparation methods (tolerance) was recorded, including any symptoms of discomfort. Results: We found that among cleansing methods, method I and II were equally effective. Method III had a good cleansing effect on the rectosigmoid (10/12) but only fair cleansing effect on the descending colon (6/12). The tolerance of preparation was similar for all three methods. The safety profile was acceptable for all three methods. Twelve out of 39 patients had at least one positive endoscopic finding Conclusions: Colon cleansing methods are safe for chronic renal failure patients, provided that adequate monitoring of electrolytes and renal function markers is available and an experienced nephrologist is reviewing the patientis records and current condition.


BACKGROUND
The endoscopic observation of a bile lake in the stomach, antral gastritis, or ulcerations and the histologic finding of foveolar hyperplasia or chronic gastritis have been implicated as indicators of excessive duodenogastric reflux. The accuracy of these criteria was evaluated in 135 patients with nonspecific symptoms in the foregut suggestive of duodenogastric reflux and no evidence for alcohol- or drug-induced gastric mucosal injury.

METHODS
The presence of excessive duodenogastric reflux was objectively determined by means of both gastric pH monitoring and cholescintigraphy with cholecystokinin stimulation.

RESULTS
Endoscopy showed antral gastritis in 67 patients, gastric ulcers in 19, and a bile lake in the stomach in 39 (total of 135 patients). Of 90 patients who underwent biopsy, histologic findings showed foveolar hyperplasia in 26, chronic gastritis in 19, and active gastritis in 28 patients. The latter condition was associated with Helicobacter pylori in 20 patients. When gastric pH monitoring, cholescintigraphy, or both were used as "gold standard," the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value of endoscopic and histologic criteria to diagnose the presence of excessive duodenogastric reflux were poor except in the rare case of active gastritis but no Helicobacter pylori.

CONCLUSIONS
The presence of duodenogastric reflux disease cannot be accurately diagnosed with endoscopic or histologic criteria. The diagnosis should be made with objective techniques, particularly when surgical therapy is considered.


After World War II (WW II), productivity growth in Europe and Japan was driven by catching up with the US. Institutions in Europe were different too and well suited for economic growth through imitation and adaptation of the technology to local circumstances. Catching up is, however, a self defeating process. It ends when the technology frontier is attained or when in case of conditional convergence institutions set a limit to the process of catching up. Once this situation is reached, the existing institutions may no longer be appropriate. Regression analysis on a panel of 21 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries reveals that Employment Protection Legislations (EPL) had a positive impact on productivity growth in the period of rapid convergence in the sixties and seventies. However, from the eighties onwards, the total effect of EPL on labour productivity growth was negative.


We studied 145 clinically euthyroid patients on maintenance methadone therapy for narcotic withdrawal, to characterize abnormalities in thyroid-function tests induced by methadone. About a third had increased total thyroxin (T4) and total triiodothyronine (13) concentrations in serum. The mean concentrations of T3, T4, and thyroxin-binding globulin (TBG) in serum were significantly greater (P <0.001 each) in these patients than in a euthyroid control group. There was a corresponding decrease in the T3 uptake (T3U) test, but the free thyroxin index (FTI) failed to correct for the increased TBG concentration in 15.9% of the patients. Individual and mean concentrations of free 13 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) in serum and results of an "ultrasensitive" test for thyrotropin (TSH-IRMA) were within normal limits and confirmed the euthyroid state. We conclude that prolonged therapy with methadone causes increases in TBG, T3, and 14 in serum. FT3, FT4, and TSH-IRMA estimations are recommended as the diagnostic thyroid tests to use for patients on methadone maintenance therapy.


Multi-threaded code is becoming very common, both on the server side, and very recently for personal computers as well. Consequently, looking for intermittent bugs is a problem that is receiving more and more attention. As there is no silver bullet, research focuses on a variety of partial solutions. We outline a road map for combining the research within the different disciplines of testing multi-threaded programs and for evaluating the quality of this research. We have three main goals. First, to create a benchmark that can be used to evaluate different solutions. Second, to create a framework with open application programming interfaces that enables the combination of techniques in the multi-threading domain. Third, to create a focus for the research in this area around which a community of people who try to solve similar problems with different techniques can congregate. We have started creating such a benchmark and describe the lessons learned in the process. The framework will enable technology developers, for example, developers of race detection algorithms, to concentrate on their components and use other ready made components (e.g. an instrumentor) to create a testing solution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Anatomy of dreams and bamboo reality
Hemingway used to say "if you want your people to build a boat, don't give them hammers, saws and tools – give them a longing for the sea." Today, we have lots of tools. We have computers, software, virtual reality, smart facades and offices, and various attractive systems... but we're somewhat lacking in longing ... In order to have longings, one has to have dreams, and to have dreams, one has to have courage. Antoon had it. Wanting to design with the people and for the people, he took his art into the streets, using the cheapest materials, such as black plastic bags and bamboo sticks bound with rubber bands. This simplicity was soon to manifest its power.
Antoon Vesteegde's art is closer to architecture than anybody else's. His works have architectural scale, they create public places and often refer to architecture, and conduct a dialogue with it. Their great potential is the social aspect of the building process. His work, which he begins in the morning with a group of friends, attracts dozens of people willing to help during the day. He has even come up with the new concept of "social sculpture".
A few years ago an idea emerged that a Zeppelin could be built of bamboo—a perfect means of transport for the Third World. Antoon himself admitted to me that his belief in it was limited, but his role was not to extinguish but rather to encourage dreams. He was inspired by this idea and made a sculpture of six circles of a Zeppelin situated in two countries. In Germany, the first one seemed partly buried in the ground, the other two were on the ground... and in Holland it hovered high above the grass. "If anything is to come from Germany—let it be a Zeppelin" said the motto... And that slogan was so beautiful that it became interwoven into the idea of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp exhibition last year, staged in the European Parliament in Brussels. The prostrate "Zeppelin fragment" became the scaffolding skeleton of the exhibition. Thus, bamboo sculptures create a living space that becomes the venue of meetings, concerts, poetry readings, and a public space—permeated with dreams.
His own works often begin to live their own lives and builders relate to him by placing their own dreams in them. The sculptures do not refer to sentimental stories, but create new phenomena. The impact of their rather simple forms does not consist so much in their shape as in their scale and the juxtaposition of the everyday surroundings with an unusual phenomenon. The sculptures do not depict any idea (which is understandable considering that Antoon Versteegde started out as an abstractionist). That is how they avoid any didactic or moralising quality. It is, however, hard to appreciate fully the ambience of fun and cooperation that they create (which, in a competitive, hectic society, is a valuable idea in itself). And yet, ideas, such as the Zeppelin, emerge spontaneously. This is the magic of creating dreams.
Yet another application for bamboo trusses has been found. Antoon built a copy of a building that was the subject of a public debate: "rebuild or not?" That was the beginning of the idea that Versteegde calls bamboo reality as opposed to virtual reality. Building such models is inexpensive and yields results that are often better than a computer image, especially in urban debates where the community's opinion is what counts.
To quote Bruce Goff, Antoon does not create "small dreams for great people but great dreams for small people


Results of combined surgical and radiation therapy for invasive carcinoma in 266 patients treated between 1945 and 1970 are presented. Treatment protocol included radical Wertheim hysterectomy, Taussig node dissection, and deep pelvic irradiation. All cases were staged according to the International Staging System. The five-year survival for patients with disease in stages I, II, and III was 80.5%. All of the 32 patients with cervical stump carcinoma or cervical carcinoma complicated by pregnancy survived. Of the 52 patients with lymph node metastasis, 55.7% survived.


Purpose: The article aims to study the foreign economic relations of the European Union countries and to identify problems and contradictions arising within the integration process. It also suggests approaches in terms of their further cooperation in the light of the growing geo-economic imbalances. Design/Methodology/Approach. In modern conditions, the problem of inequality between developed and developing countries of the European Union significantly affects the prospects for their medium- and long-term cooperation. In addition, the consequences of the first wave of the global crisis (2008-2011) did not allow the countries of the EU South to enter the growth path. On this basis, authors revealed a negative trend for the growth of public debt in almost all countries of the South within the EU, which could lead to destabilization of the entire integration process. As a theoretical and methodological basis, the article utilizes historical-logical, statistical, and comparative analysis, systemic and situational approaches for the study of foreign economic relations between the EU countries. Findings: Four sectoral clusters in the European Union are identified that can use the 'consolidation of sectoral clusters' mechanism in practical terms. As the study shows, these approaches will help smoothing out economic inequality between developed and developing countries of the European Union. Practical implications: Authors are considering the consistent application of horizontal and sectoral (industrial) approaches within the European Union, which will reduce inequality between the partner countries in the integration group. Originality/value. Since economic contradictions lead to the transformation of the integration group in the short and medium term, it is necessary to develop new approaches and mechanisms for foreign economic cooperation between the partner countries.


A number of human protein misfolding disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are closely related to the accumulation of β-sheet-rich amyloid fibrils or aggregates. Neuronal toxicity in AD has been linked to the interactions of amyloid-β (Aβ) with metals, especially Zn(2+), Cu(2+), and Fe(3+), which leads to the production of reactive oxygen species. Nucleation-dependent Aβ aggregation, or "seeding", is thought to propagate fibril formation. In this surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) study, we have shown that the fibril seeds formed with the incubation of Aβ in the presence of metals are better at promoting monomer elongation compared to Aβ alone or in the presence of a well-described polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This is a novel attempt to simultaneously monitor the effects of multiple modulators on fibril elongation using a single chip. EGCG was shown in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thioflavin T (ThT) studies to promote the formation of off-pathway, highly stable unstructured oligomers, supporting the SPRi results. These findings suggest that SPRi provides a promising platform as a screening tool for small molecules that can affect the aggregation pathways in neurodegenerative diseases.


Early screening for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial for disease management, intervention, and healthcare resource accessibility. Medical assessments of AD diagnosis include the utilisation of biological markers (biomarkers), positron emission tomography (PET) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These methods are resource intensive as well as physically invasive, whereas neuropsychological tests are fast, cost effective, and simple to administer for providing early AD diagnosis. However, neuropsychological assessments contain elements related to executive functions, memory, orientation, learning, judgment, and perceptual motor function (among others) that overlap, making it difficult to identify the key elements that trigger the progression of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This research investigates the elements of the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) an early screening method using a data driven approach based on feature selection and classification. The aim is to determine the key items in the FAQ that may trigger AD advancement. To achieve the aim, real data observations of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) project have been processed using the proposed data driven approach. The results derived by the machine learning techniques in the proposed approach on data subsets of the FAQ items with demographics show models with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity all exceeding 90%. In addition, FAQ elements including Administration and Shopping related activities showed correlations with the progression class; these elements cover four out of the six Diagnostic and Statistical Manual's (DSM-5's) neurocognitive domains.


The practice of exports by the companies in India leads to generating foreign exchange, builds international relations and reputation for both countries as well as the firm irrespective of the type of industry. Particularly the intensity of competition is a bit more among manufacturing companies in export orientation. The success of any business entity in the international market is dependent on the level of seriousness with respect to the intensity of export orientation and technological capabilities. The primary objective of conducting this research is to understand the relationship of variables such as export orientation and technological capabilities of the firm with the export performance of auto component manufactures in south India. Pertinent variables are used to test the hypothesis with the help of linear regression analysis. It is also understood that it is a firm's ability of export orientation and technological capabilities have an influential impact on auto component manufacturing companies' export performance in south India. The significant contribution of the study helps South Indian Auto component manufacturers to formulate better export strategies to capture market share and export revenue.


AIM
To determine the relationship between inguinal hernia (and inguinal hernia subtypes) and low urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), that could be more common than we think.

METHOD
The study was designed retrospectively and was done in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, including 100 patients aged > 50 years that were divided into 2 groups: patients with BPH (BPH group) and patients with BPH and inguinal hernia (BPH-IH group 2). In addition, the BPH-IH group was subdivided according to 2 inguinal hernia subtypes; patients of BPH-IH subgroup A had direct inguinal hernia (n = 25) and those of BPH-IH subgroup B had indirect inguinal hernia (n = 25).

RESULTS
There was no statistical relationship and difference in rates between IPSS scores in both groups (p = 0.659) and there wasn't a significant correlation between IPSS symptom severity and type of hernia, based on chi square analysis (p = 0.104) Conclusion: We were not able to prove our hypothesis that patients with inguinal hernia and BPH would have higher IPSS scores because of voiding dysfunction.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this presentation is to inform the medical community about causal therapy (transhumeral head plasty or massive osteochondral allograft transplantation) for large Hill-Sachs lesions which frequently cause failure of anterior stabilisation following ventral shoulder dislocations. MATERIAL: Seven men with an average age of 26 years (19 to 33 years) undergoing surgery in 2006 and 2007 were evaluated. The minimum follow-up was 18 months (41 to 18 months). Impressions on more than 30 % of the articular surface, or those whose critical size was larger than one-eighth of the humeral diameter (on CT scan) were taken as indications for surgery. Four patients had had previous surgery for anterior instability and three had a primary procedure. Four men underwent acute surgery and three had elective operations.Trans- humeral head plasty was used in five and massive osteochondral allograft in two patients. METHODS: In the patients with large lesions in the anterior aspect of the shoulder joint, transhumeral head plasty involving repair of the ventral structures from the anterior approach was indicateduuu in those with an isolated posterior bony defect, a massive osteochondral allograft was transplanted through the posterior approach. The Constant-Murley score was used to assess clinical status before (not in acute conditions) and after surgery. RESULTS: All patients reported improved clinical status. The average Constant-Murley score at final follow-up was 95.9 points (83-100 points). In the patients not having an acute procedure in whom pre-operative Constant-Murley scores were obtained, the average improvement was by 22.7 points (8 - 37 points). No general surgical complications were recorded. All patients reported subjective satisfaction and willingness to undergo surgery under the same conditions again. DISCUSSION: A Hill-Sachs lesion is a frequent injury to the humeral head resulting from anterior shoulder dislocation. To distinguish between major and minor defects in terms of clinical significance is essential for the choice of appropriate shoulder treatment. Up to now large lesions have mostly been managed by non-causal techniques affecting shoulder biomechanics. Transhumeral head plasty or transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft, on the other hand, offers a causal treatment. However, these two methods have rarely been mentioned in the international literature, and usually only as case reports. CONCLUSIONS: Transhumeral head plasty and transplantation of a massive osteochondral allograft offer a causal therapy for the management of Hill-Sachs lesions that does not alter shoulder biomechanics. They are not associated with a higher percentage of post-operative complications. Neither technique is more demanding than non-causal procedures. Operations carried out as primary and not as "salvage" procedures restored the function of the shoulder joint to normal. After secondary surgery, occasional shoulder pain may persist as well as its restricted range of motion.


UNLABELLED
A retrospective study of patients with traumatic injuries to the head of the pancreas involving the main pancreatic duct but not the duodenum identified five cases comprising 0.5% of all abdominal, and 21% of pancreatic injuries managed operatively. Four of the injuries resulted from penetrating, and one from blunt trauma. Two patients treated with pancreaticoduodenal resection died of septic complications caused by the pancreatic procedures. Three patients undergoing duodenum-preserving pancreatic resection survived without developing diabetes during five months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic trauma with proximal duct injury can in some cases be managed with distal subtotal pancreatectomy. If the resection would include more than 80% of the gland, a duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas with distal Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy is a viable option providing the duodenum with its vasculature, the common bile duct, and the ampulla of Vater are uninjured. Unstable patients with severe associated injuries can be managed with external drainage alone.


Folate receptor alpha (FRalpha) is overexpressed on ovarian cancer cells and is a promising molecular target for ovarian cancer gene therapy, but there was still no related report. In this study, folate modified cationic liposomes (F-PEG-CLPs) for ovarian cancer gene delivery were developed for the first time. Folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-succinate-cholesterol (F-PEG-suc-Chol) was firstly synthesized and then used to prepare folate-targeted cationic liposomes/plasmid DNA complexes (F-targeted lipoplexes). F-targeted lipoplexes were prepared by post-insertion method, and displayed membrane structure by transmission electron microscopy observation with the diameter of 193 nm-200 nm and the zeta potential of 35 mV-38 mV. DNase degradation experiments showed that plasmid DNA could be effectively shielded by F-targeted lipoplexes in vitro. F-targeted lipoplexes could transfer gene into human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV-3, and 0.1% F-PEG-CLPs composed by DOTAP/Chol/mPEG-Chol/F-PEG-suc-Chol (50:45:5:0.1, molar ratio) had the highest transfection efficiency. The transfection activity of F-targeted lipoplexes could be competitively inhibited by free folic acid, demonstrating that folate-FRalpha interaction caused high transfection efficiency of F-targeted lipoplexes. The uptake mechanism of F-targeted lipoplexes was further validated on human oral carcinoma cell line KB and human liver carcinoma cell line HepG2. The concentration-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxicity of targeted material F-PEG-suc-Chol was observed by MTT assay on SKOV-3 cell and its application would not increase the cytotoxicity of F-targeted lipoplexes in SKOV-3 cells. All the data indicated that F-PEG-CLPs would be a promising gene vector targeting for ovarian cancer therapy.


Summary Our objective was to develop clinical guidelines based on the best clinical evidence to help the staff of medical setting of all levels (first, second and third medical attention levels) to provide evidence based care and diagnosis of hypothyroidism in adults nationwide. The guidelines were built using structured and relevant clinical questions. A strategy was developed to identify the main clinical guidelines for hypothyroidism in adult patient. The working group selected six documents. For aspects not considered in those documents, structured searches using Pubmed, Medical Disability Advisor and Cochrane Library publish were done. The results were qualified according its level of evidence and grade of recommendation. The diagnosis of hypothyroidism should be done precisely and without delay. Specialized care should be used rationally, using primary care units as the main resource for the treatment of hypothyroidism. This is the reason why the first primary care physicians should understand and apply a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in adulhood.


ABSTRACT Crowding is a complex stress that can affect organisms' physiology, especially through decreased food quality and accessibility. Here, we evaluated the effect of larval density on several biological traits of Drosophila melanogaster. An increasing gradient, from 1 to 1000 eggs per milliliter of food, was used to characterize life-history traits variations. Crowded conditions resulted in striking decreases of fresh mass (up to 6-fold) and viability, as well as delayed development. Next, we assessed heat and cold tolerance in L3 larvae reared at three selected larval densities: low (LD, 5 eggs ml−1), medium (MD, 60 eggs ml−1) and high (HD, 300 eggs ml−1). LT50 values of MD and, to a lesser extent, HD larvae were repeatedly higher than those from LD larvae, under both heat and cold stress. We investigated potential physiological correlates associated with this density-dependent thermotolerance shift. No marked pattern could be drawn from the expression of stress-related genes. However, a metabolomic analysis differentiated the metabotypes of the three density levels, with potential candidates associated with this clustering (e.g. glucose 6-phosphate, GABA, sugars and polyols). Under HD, signs of oxidative stress were noted but not confirmed at the transcriptional level. Finally, urea, a common metabolic waste, was found to accumulate substantially in food from MD and HD larvae. When supplemented in food, urea stimulated cold tolerance but reduced heat tolerance in LD larvae. This study highlights that larval crowding is an important environmental parameter that induces drastic consequences on flies' physiology and can affect thermotolerance in a density-specific way. Summary: Mild crowding improves thermotolerance of Drosophila melanogaster larvae through potential hormetic mechanisms triggered by exposure to metabolic waste.


Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used to alleviate muscle pain, and there is some evidence it may affect healing in chronic wounds. An 80-year-old male patient with a chronic left lower extremity wound and a history of peripheral arterial disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer presented for treatment. Previous protocols of care, mainly consisting of sharp debridement and daily dressing changes, had not resulted in a decrease in wound size. The patient had right and left iliac artery stenosis — not amenable to surgical intervention — and an ankle brachial index (ABI) of 0.63 on the left and 0.59 on the right lower extremities. On presentation, the wound measured 3.0 cm x 2.0 cm with a depth of 0.3 cm and a 0.5-cm tract at the 5 o'clock position. Treatment was changed to application of an ionic silver-containing HydrofiberTM dressing and low-frequency TENS. Electrodes were applied 2 cm superior and inferior to the wound margin at a frequency of 2 Hz with a pulse width of 250 microseconds and amplitude of 33 mA. Treatment time was 45 minutes, twice daily, for 3 months, performed at home by the patient and his caregiver. After 4 weeks, wound dimensions decreased by 1.51% per day, and the wound was completely healed (100% epithelialized) after 12 weeks. At that time, the ABI of the left (treated) leg had increased to 0.71. Research is needed to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of low-frequency TENS to help clinicians provide evidenced-based treatment for wounds complicated by decreased blood flow.


A carp leucocyte cell line (CLC), originating from peripheral blood, was characterised to assess its suitability for studies into carp macrophage functions. The cells reacted with a monoclonal antibody raised against carp head kidney macrophages. Other macrophage characteristics observed were: binding to an antibody against complement component C3, suggesting that the cells expose a complement receptor; the presence of acid-phosphatase positive cytoplasmic granules; the capacity to phagocytose sheep red blood cells and the upregulation of respiratory burst activity by phorbol myristate acetate, by lipopolysaccharide and by co-culture with carp peripheral blood leucocytes. Moreover, CLC cells produced and secreted an interleukin-1-like factor, as culture supernatants stimulated proliferation of carp peripheral blood leucocytes and proliferation of the interleukin-1-dependent mouse D10(N4)M T cell line. It is concluded that the CLC cell line is suitable for studies on macrophage activation, respiratory burst activity and may also be useful as a source of interleukin-1.


We determine the quark mass ratio m(c)/m(s) on the lattice, using Wilson-type fermions. Configurations with N(f)=2 dynamical clover-improved fermions by the QCDSF Collaboration are used, which were made available through the ILDG. In the valence sector we use a sophisticated, mass-independently O(a)-improved Wilson-type action with small cutoff effects even in the charm mass region. After an extrapolation to the physical pion mass, to zero lattice spacing and to infinite box volume, we find m(c)/m(s)=11.27(30)(26).


The paper presents comprehensive evidence on the relationship between working capital management (WCM) and SMEs' performance by taking into consideration of the plausible effect of cash flow. The paper adopts a panel data regression analysis on a sample of 802 British quoted small and medium enterprises listed on the alternative investment market for the period from 2004 to 2013. The results of the study demonstrate the importance of cash flow on SMEs' WCM and performance. According to our findings, WCM has a significantly negative impact on SME performance. However, with the available cash flow, we find a significantly positive relationship. Additionally, our evidence revels that the cash flow constrained (non-constrained) SMEs are able to enhance their performance through decreased (increased) investment in WCM. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of cash flow availability on SMEs' working capital needs. Our findings suggest that in an event of cash flow unavailability (availability) managers should strive to reduce (increase) the investment in working capital in order to the improve performance. This current study incorporates the relevance of cash flow in assessing the association between WCM and firm performance.


Issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), it is no stranger to the world of law and the company's preformance, when CSR is associated with Islamic law, if in fact Islam has been set in this regard? So that the activities undertaken by these companies is worth worship for businesses. Besides, CSR is an activity undertaken humanitarian nature. Maslahah mursalah While this is a law where there is no dail about the commands and prohibitions. CSR itself is a commitment of the Company to participate in the sustainable economic development to improve the quality of life and environment benefits the Company itself, the local community and society in general. While maslahah mursalah itself has a definition that is a benefit that is not covered by the Personality 'and nor are the arguments sent to work or leave it, whereas if done will bring great good or benefit.


Nano-sized HA (nHA) was applied to the surface of glass and titanium substrates using electrostatic atomisation spray (EAS) deposition. The phase purity of nHA was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The nHA suspension consisted of rod–like particles 20-30nm in width and 50-100nm in length. The viscosity and conductivity of nHA suspension were 321 mPa s and 5.6 x 10-4 S/m, respectively. EAS of nHA in cone-jet mode was achieved at flow rate of 10-9 m3s-1 with the applied voltage between the needle and the ring-shaped ground electrode of ~6 kV. Micrometer- to submicrometerscaled nHA islands were successfully deposited on the substrate surface. Image analysis showed that the area percentage of nHA increased with deposition time, it covered 50% of the surface area after 10s of spraying. Partial dissolution of nHA was observed after immersion in deionised water for 1 month, particularly on the submicrometer sized nHA islands. Formation of a bone-like apatite layer was found after incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF K9) for 5 days, indicating the high bioactivity of the nHA deposits. In vitro culture with human osteoblast cells showed that the nHA islands were able to support the growth of HOB cells during 7 days of culture; the HOB cell activity increased with culture time as well as EAS deposition time. Immunofluorescence study showed that HOB cells expressed well-organised actin stress fibres on nHA deposited surfaces after 3 days of culture. The result indicated that nHA deposition provided more favourable surfaces for cell attachment. Therefore, electrostatic atomization spray deposition of nHA offers great potential for the creation of bioactive surfaces on bioinert implant surface to provide improved interfacial bonding with host tissues.


MOL 210 | CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY | 4 quarter hours (Undergraduate) This course is an interdisciplinary blend of the classical traditions of myth, literature and philosophy, concentrating on myth. It endeavors to place Classical literature into its historical, social and cultural contexts. Students will learn significant myths and the names and functions of the most important characters in them. They will investigate how the ancients used traditional narratives and images to explore, explain and experiment with ideas about themselves and their surroundings in those contexts. Learning about how myth is variously interpreted (as for example by means of theories of myth-interpretation) as well as basic methods of literary criticism (e.g., analysis of language, content, structure, etc.), students will employ ways to identify, understand and interpret the different types of communication present in myth-literature. As they move chronologically through the ancient world students will observe how myths change to reflect differing individual and collective concerns, as well as the specific interests (and so the significant aspects of discourse) of authors and audiences as conditions change. Students will also learn about literary genres, including poetry, tragedy and prose, their properties and distinctions and discover how genres also reflect audiences and times. Students will read and evaluate modern views of myth in order to understand how myth is open to multiple interpretations and upon what sounder bases myth is to be interpreted. While analyzing myths' diversity in various forms of literature, students will come to comprehend what mythology meant to the ancients, as well as those facets and ingredients of myth that are universal, enduring, and meaningful today. MOL 211 | ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN EPIC | 4 quarter hours (Undergraduate) This course centers upon the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey and Vergil's Aeneid and endeavors to place these epic poems into their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Students will learn the definition of epic as a literary genre and discover how this genre evolved to reflect audiences and times. They will learn the components of epic language, in particular, literary devices and structural features (e.g., formulas, nested stories, epic similes). They will be able to describe the plots of the three epics and know the mainand mid-level human characters, gods, and goddesses. They will be able to define and better understand the meanings of "hero" and "heroism." Students will be able to express mature appreciation for the epics as whole works. Learning how the epics are variously interpreted as well as basic methods of literary criticism (e.g., analysis of language, content, structure, etc.), students will employ these as ways to understand and interpret the poems. As they read, learn and evaluate modern views of the epics, students will also acquire better means to distinguish critically between views and interpretations. A strong emphasis in this class will be upon the vital connections between past and present, and how students can become more aware of and understand important lasting concepts such as heroism, leadership, self-definition, etc. Finally, students will relate these stories to modern story-telling in order to understand how the heroes of the ancient Greeks live with us today. In short, they will interpret what epic poetry offered ancient listeners and what it has to teach modern readers. The classical tradition is rich with meaning and significance, even to modern 21st century adults and this class will not only be an exploration of the culture and instruction of the ancient world through epic, but an investigation of what classic motifs remain with us today.


Starch provides a large proportion of the dietary energy consumed worldwide. The breakdown of dietary starch is driven by α-amylase produced by the salivary glands and pancreatic acini and is completed by a range of brush-border bound enzymes. This enzymatic digestion is aided by mechanical and secretory actions of the gastrointestinal tract. The absorption of the resultant glucose in the small intestine is primarily driven by two separate transport proteins – SGLT1 and GLUT2. The control of processes that govern starch digestion is complex and still not fully understood, although it appears that the human gut has the ability to sense both glucose and non-sweet glucose oligomers. Recent work has also suggested that variations in the genes encoding for α-amylase also appear to be associated with health outcomes. The authors consider the physiological factors that govern starch digestion and absorption, consider other dietary factors that may impact on this process and attempt to highlight the limitations in current knowledge to help focus future research needs in relation to starch digestion the upper gastrointestinal tract.


OBJECTIVE
Tertiary Health Research Intervention via Email (THRIVE), a very brief, freely available, multicomponent Web-based alcohol intervention originally developed and tested among students in Australia and New Zealand, was tested in the United States. We also evaluated effects of systematically varying the protective behavioral strategies (PBS) component of the intervention to include shorter, focused lists of direct (e.g., alternating alcoholic with nonalcoholic drinks) or indirect (e.g., looking out for friends) strategies.

METHOD
Undergraduates with past-month heavy drinking (N = 208) were randomized to education/assessment control or one of three U.S.-THRIVE variants, including direct PBS only, indirect PBS only, or full (direct and indirect PBS).

RESULTS
After 1 month, compared to the control condition, full condition participants reported fewer drinks per week (rate ratio [RR] = .62) and lower peak drinking (RR = .74). The indirect-only condition reported reduced peak drinking (RR = .74) and a trend toward fewer drinks per week (RR = .78). Changes in drinking relative to control were significant through 6 months for the full and indirect-only conditions. There were no significant differences between the direct-only and control conditions. U.S.-THRIVE was not associated with decreased heavy drinking or alcohol-related problems relative to control.

CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this was the first study to systematically vary the types of PBS provided in an intervention. Initial results suggest U.S.-THRIVE is efficacious. Compared to control, presenting indirect PBS only as part of U.S.-THRIVE was associated with lower drinks per week and peak past 30-day drinking. Targeting indirect PBS may be more appropriate for non-treatment-seeking young adults receiving a brief intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record


The development of robust 3-D geological models involves the integration of large amounts of public geological data, as well as additional accessible proprietary lithological, structural, geochemical, geophysical, and diamond drill hole data. 3-D models and maps have been available, particularly in the petroleum industry, for more than 10 years. Here, we demonstrate how robust 3-D maps can be used as interactive tools for mineral deposits exploration. In particular, we show how the interrogation of 3-D data sets can constrain exploration targets at depth. The main advantages of this technique for the mining industry are the homogeneity of data treatment and the validation of geological interpretations, taking into account geophysical and geochemical data. Data integration and cross-correlation of geology and geophysics can be achieved in two dimensions in any good GIS package. However, the added strength of 3-D analysis is the integration of separate data sets in three dimensions to build more complete, more realistic models, and in delineating areas of high economic potential at depth. Furthermore, these models can be modified and improved at any time by adding new data from ongoing drilling and geoscientific surveys. This paper presents two examples of 3-D models used for mineral exploration: the Joutel VMS mining camp and the Duparquet gold camp, Quebec. In both examples, the creation of the model is discussed and queries specific to the relevant exploration model are introduced. Eight potential exploration targets are generated at Joutel and seven at Duparquet. Although the targets defined are dependent on the details of the chosen queries, it is apparent that this technique has the potential to generate promising exploration activity that can engender new targets. © 2006 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. All rights reserved.


In this paper, we detail the main simulation methods used in practice to measure one-year reserve risk, and describe the bootstrap method providing an empirical distribution of the Claims Development Result (CDR) whose variance is identical to the closed-form expression of the prediction error proposed by Wuthrich et al. (2008). In particular, we integrate the stochastic modeling of a tail factor in the bootstrap procedure. We demonstrate the equivalence with existing analytical results and develop closed-form expressions for the error of prediction including a tail factor. A numerical example is given at the end of this study.


It is an exciting time for broadband fixed wireless with key developments in frequency bands from 1 to 60 GHz and a range of new technologies being developed. While working on these new technologies, it is easy to forget that fixed wireless access will form part of an integrated communications environment of the future where users will have one communications device working in the home, at the office, and outdoors. This article predicts the communications environment of the next 20 years and looks at the role of fixed access within that environment. This involves assessing how fixed access systems will interface and integrate with in-home wireless networks, how their architecture will enable multiservice operators to utilize the same core network across a range of different access technologies, and how they will act as a channel to carry mobile traffic originating within the building. Based on the requirements this vision and architecture implies, this article critically assesses the different fixed wireless technologies available to date and compares their capabilities to provide future-proof broadband fixed wireless platforms.


In this article, the authors examine teacher identity development to understand more completely the intellectual and pedagogical demands of the profession. Drawing on interviews, observations, and reflections of two alternatively certified mathematics teachers, and contextualizing these data with surveys from 157 teachers in the same certification program cohort, the authors examine how identities evolved over the course of the teachers' first year of teaching. These identities are explored in relation to the teachers' knowledge of mathematics, their mathematics teaching, and their relationships to urban youth.


Contemporary wireless multi-hop networks operate much below their capacity due to the poor coordination among transmitting nodes. In this paper we present XPRESS, a cross-layer backpressure architecture designed to reach the full capacity of wireless multi-hop networks. Instead of a collection of poorly coordinated wireless routers, XPRESS turns a mesh network into a wireless switch. Transmissions over the network are scheduled using a throughput-optimal backpressure algorithm. Realizing this theoretical concept entails several challenges, which we identify and address with a cross-layer design and implementation on top of our wireless hardware platform. In contrast to previous work, we implement and evaluate backpressure scheduling over a TDMA MAC protocol, as it was originally proposed in theory. Our experiments in an indoor testbed show that XPRESS can yield up to 128% throughput gains over 802.11.


A digital recording device developed to monitor heart rate (HR) and breathing sounds (snoring), and used to screen subjects for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), was investigated. This device is called the MESAM and is currently commercially available in some western European countries. The computer-based automatic scoring systems provided with the equipment and a hand-scoring technique developed at Stanford and requiring 10-15 min to perform, were used. Polysomnography and MESAM recordings were performed simultaneously on two groups of 25 sleep disorder patients (each with respiratory disturbance index greater than or less than 10). Patients were randomly monitored and records were analysed by two teams blind to the initial clinical impression, to the events which occurred during the recordings, and to each other's findings. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for each of the MESAM scoring techniques considered, with polysomnography being selected as the recording standard, With "automatic HR scoring" specificity was 12%, sensitivity 92%; with "automatic breathing sounds (snoring)" scoring, specificity was 8% and sensitivity 96%; with "hand-scoring" specificity was 72% and sensitivity 92%. If the three scoring techniques were combined, all patients with a respiratory disturbance index (RD) greater than 10 were recognized as having OSAS.


Summary
A virus from Agrostis stolonifera (tribe: Aveneae) with filamentous particles about 685 nm long was serologically closely related to, and considered to be a strain of, ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV). This strain caused symptoms in Polypogon monspeliensis (tribe: Aveneae) more readily and in Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass) less readily than did RMV from Lolium and Festuca spp. (tribe: Festuceae).
In L. multiflorum and P. monspeliensis the Agrostis isolate induced pinwheel inclusions with associated laminar aggregates and tubes, but Lolium isolates induced pinwheels with laminar aggregates only. The intracellular distribution of the pinwheels differed with the severity of host response. Thus, in plants with mild symptoms most pinwheels were contiguous with the plasmalemma close to plasmodesmata, but in plants with severe symptoms the pinwheels were free in the cytoplasm.
Virus particles occurred either randomly or in bundles in the cytoplasm of mesophyll and phloem companion cells. In P. monspeliensis infected with the Agrostis isolate, fibrous inclusions, possibly virus particles, occurred in some nuclei. When symptoms were severe, mitochondria and chloroplasts were amorphous and the latter had many marginal vesicles.


We use here the results on the innuence graph 1 to adapt them for particular cases where additional information is available. In some cases, it is possible to improve the expected randomized complexity of algorithms from O(n log n) to O(n log ? n). This technique applies in the following applications : triangulation of a simple polygon , skeleton of a simple polygon, Delaunay triangulation of points knowing the EMST (euclidean minimum spanning tree).


The present invention relates to a scrap compactor and to an apparatus for manufacturing same. The apparatus for manufacturing scrap compactors includes a core by means of which a through-hole can be formed in a scrap compactor (S), improves the melting behavior of the scrap compactor by means of the through-hole (h), and also has the effect of preventing the deliberate misrepresentation of the weight of the contents of the scrap compactor carried out by inserting heavy substances into the scrap compactor instead of scrap.


It is well recognized in projection radiography that low-contrast detectability suffers in heavily attenuating regions due to excessively low x-ray fluence to the image receptor and higher noise levels. Exposure equalization can improve image quality by increasing the x-ray exposure to heavily attenuating regions, resulting in a more uniform distribution of exposure to the detector. Image quality is also expected to be improved by using the slot-scan geometry to reject scattered radiation effectively without degrading primary x-rays. This paper describes the design of a prototype scan equalization digital radiography (SEDR) system implemented with an amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin-film transistor (TFT) array-based flat-panel detector. With this system, slot-scan geometry with alternate line erasure and readout (ALER) technique was used to achieve scatter rejection. A seven-segment beam height modulator assembly was mounted onto the fore collimator to regulate exposure regionally for chest radiography. The beam modulator assembly, consisting of micro linear motors, lead screw cartridge with lead (Pb) beam blockers attached, position feedback sensors and motor driver circuitry, has been tested and found to have an acceptable response for exposure equalization in chest radiography. An anthropomorphic chest phantom was imaged in the posterior–anterior (PA) view under clinical conditions. Scatter component, primary x-rays, scatter-to-primary ratios (SPRs) and primary signal-to-noise ratios (PSNRs) were measured in the SEDR images to evaluate the rejection and redistribution of scattered radiation, and compared with those for conventional full-field imaging with and without anti-scatter grid methods. SPR reduction ratios (SPRRRs, defined as the differences between the non-grid full-field SPRs and the reduced SPRs divided by the former) yielded approximately 59% for the full-field imaging with grid and 82% for the SEDR technique in the lungs, and 77% for the full-field imaging with grid and 95% for the SEDR technique in the subdiaphragm. The SEDR technique demonstrated a substantial improvement in PSNRs over the anti-scatter grid technique. The improvements of PSNRs varied with the regions and are more pronounced in heavily attenuating regions.


The inadequately treated child with hypothyroidism may present diagnostic problems related to growth, and because of this a tendency has arisen to ascribe to understature an element of anterior pituitary growth deficiency and to administer anterior pituitary extracts containing the growth-stimulating factor, exclusively or combined with wholly inadequate thyroid therapy. 1 The pallor associated with this condition occasionally leads to a diagnosis of secondary anemia of unknown cause. The constipation, protuberant abdomen and megacolon that may be observed in the inadequately treated cretin may be mistaken for Hirschsprung's disease. We are presenting a case in which these diagnostic difficulties were encountered. REPORT OF CASE In October of 1939 M. B., a white boy aged 15 years, was referred to the hematology department because of anemia. Hematologic studies, including a sternal puncture, revealed an anemia which was not characteristic of any definite disease. This patient was referred to us in January


OBJECTIVE
Radiosurgery is increasingly being used to treat cranial base tumors. Since 1989, 55 patients with cranial base meningiomas were treated at Stanford University Medical Center with linear accelerator radiosurgery. An analysis of the clinical and radiographic results of this patient population was the focus of this study.

METHODS
The mean patient age was 55.1 years (range, 28-82 yr). The mean tumor volume was 7.33 cm3 (range, 0.45-27.65 cm3). The radiation dose averaged 18.3 Gy (range, 12-25 Gy), delivered with an average of 2.2 isocenters (range, 1-5). Patients were evaluated retrospectively through clinic notes from follow-up examinations, and residual tumor volume was measured during follow-up imaging studies. The length of follow-up averaged 48.4 months (range, 17-81 mo).

RESULTS
Tumor stabilization after radiosurgery was noted in 38 patients (69%), shrinkage in 16 patients (29%), and enlargement in only 1 patient (2%). The results of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated decreased central contrast uptake in 11 meningiomas (20%), possibly indicating evidence of central tumor necrosis or tumor vessel obliteration. Neurological status was improved in 15 patients in the series (27%) and unchanged in 34 patients (62%). Three patients (5%) died during the follow-up period, all as a result of causes other than tumor progression. Three patients (5%) developed new permanent symptoms (one patient with seizures, one patient with mild right hemiparesis, and one patient with both vagal and hypoglossal nerve palsy). All other complications were transient, including partial trigeminal nerve palsy in seven patients and diplopia in three patients. The 2-year actuarial tumor control rate was 98%.

CONCLUSIONS
Although our follow-up period is short, this experience corroborates previous reports that radiosurgery can be used to ablate selected small cranial base meningiomas, with good clinical results and modest morbidity.


Online privacy policies are difficult to understand. Most privacy policies require a college reading level and an ability to decode legalistic, confusing, or jargon-laden phrases. Privacy researchers and industry groups have devised several standardized privacy policy formats to address these issues and help people compare policies. We evaluated three formats in this paper: layered policies, which present a short form with standardized components in addition to a full policy; the Privacy Finder privacy report, which standardizes the text descriptions of privacy practices in a brief bulleted format; and conventional non-standardized human-readable policies. We contrasted six companies' policies, deliberately selected to span the range from unusually readable to challenging. Based on the results of our online study of 749 Internet users, we found participants were not able to reliably understand companies' privacy practices with any of the formats. Compared to natural language, participants were faster with standardized formats but at the expense of accuracy for layered policies. Privacy Finder formats supported accuracy more than natural language for harder questions. Improved readability scores did not translate to improved performance. All formats and policies were similarly disliked. We discuss our findings as well as public policy implications.


Introduction: cervical cancer is a common cancer. It is accessible for early detection and treatment. The aim was to describe and analyze the lesions observed and
their management with a view to reducing the rate of female cancer morbidity and death in Gabon.
Methodology: this was a 31-day descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study over two successive years (2017 and 2018), 62 days. All women who consulted for
cervical cancer screening were enrolled. Visual inspection methods (VIA/IVIL) were the procedure method, a biopsy was indicated or not, and management was
codified. A simple descriptive analysis and the results expressed as a percentage and on average were performed.
Results: the target population was 629 women (45.45%) in 2017 and 755 (54.55%) in 2018, or 1,384 women and an increase of 9.10%. The average age of women
was 37.02±1.2 years [15-72 years]. The 25-39 age groups were the most represented (51.5%), 24.4% were over 50 and 68.56% were single. There were as many
IELG (4.77%) as there were IELHG (4.48%). Eight cases of invasive cancer (0.58%) were found including 3 cases in the 15-24 age. All precancerous lesions were
immediately treated and all 8 cancers were surgically treated after Multidisciplinary Consultation Meeting (MCM)
Conclusion: organized screening and efficient use of resources reduce the mortality of women from cervical cancer.
Key words: cervical cancer-screening-VIA/VIL-mother mortality.


Increasing satellite attitude requirements demand high accuracy estimation methods capable of operating under significant constraints. To meet these demands, dynamical modeling has been used as an effective alternative to ADCS rate hardware for small satellite missions. However, current dynamical models and estimators generally do not respect the Hamiltonian nature of attitude dynamics. This nature confers unique geometric properties to the system which must be preserved for accurate modeling. This thesis addresses the inconsistency by considering estimation from a geometric point of view. It proves that the nonlinear and first-order attitude equations form a single Hamiltonian system with joint structure. This motivates the first known unified geometric treatment of nonlinear and first-order Hamiltonian equations. The resulting nonlinear maps and state transition matrices are shown to offer considerable advantages, including better state accuracies and integral invariant preservation for comparable computational expense compared to standard solutions of the same order. Additionally, a new unified attitude integrator is presented that exactly preserves the Hamiltonian structure of the nonlinear/first-order attitude system. These geometric methods are employed in the Kalman Filter, and it is demonstrated that qualitative properties preserved by the geometric maps are preserved with high accuracy by the estimators. Simulations reveal distinct geometric properties of the geometric filters' state estimates and error bounds that nongeometric estimators do not possess. Substantially improved state estimates are also demonstrated. A geometric investigation of the general nonlinear estimation problem follows. Probability density functions are shown to be conserved properties of deterministic Hamiltonian systems, and appropriate geometric integrators exactly preserve the functions as they evolve in time. Based on these insights, a new iterative filter is derived which preserves qualitative properties of nonlinear dynamics, first-order dynamics, and the general estimation problem. Comparisons with a benchmark iterative filter demonstrate substantially reduced computational burden and superior convergence properties given high nonlinearity.


Different parameters used for photoactivation process and also composition provide changes in the properties of dental composites. In the present work the effect of different power density of argon laser and filler loading on solubility (SL) and water sorption (WS) of light-cure dental nanocomposites was studied. The resin of nanocomposites was prepared by mixing bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) with a mass ratio of 65/35. 20 wt.% and 25 wt.% of nanosilica fillers with a primary particle size of 10 nm were added to the resin. Camphorquinone (CQ) and DMAEMA were added as photoinitiator system. The nanocomposites were cured by applying the laser beam at the wavelength of 472 nm and power densities of 260 and 340 mW/cm2 for 40 sec. Solubility and water sorption were then measured according to ISO 4049, which in our case, the maximums were 2.2% and 4.3% at 260 mW/cm2 and 20% filler, respectively. The minimum solubility (1.2%) and water sorption (3.8%) were achieved for the composite containing 25% filler cured at 340 mW/cm2. The results confirmed that higher power density and filler loading decreased solubility of unreacted monomers and water sorption and improved physico-mechanical properties of nanocomposites.


In order to increase the transmissible power level of the plastic spur gears, a non-standard tooth is designed, with a variable geometry along the gear facewidth. The variation of the tooth flank geometry, generated by a simple kinematics, is a consequence of a specific cutting-tool geometry and position. Due to the gear tooth complex geometry, the traditional numerical modeling and analysis of the 3D surfaces is replaced by the solid modeling technique. The non-standard gear generation process is simulated and the virtual gears are further used to investigate the gear basis formats and other criteria of gear quality. The data base unable the selection of the tooth flank geometry that would lead to a proper gear mesh.


In this paper we present a context-sensing component that recognizes meetings in a typical office environment. Our prototype detects the meeting start and end by combining outputs from pressure and motion sensors installed on the chairs. We developed a telephone controller application that transfers incoming calls to voice-mail when the user is in a meeting. Our experiments show that it is feasible to detect high-level context changes with "good enough" accuracy, using low-cost, off-the-shelf hardware, and simple algorithms without complex training. We also note the need for better metrics to measure context detection performance, other than just accuracy. We propose several metrics appropriate for our application in this paper. It may be useful, however, for the community to define a set of general metrics as a basis to compare different approaches of context detection.


This thesis presents a study of how science can most effectively be used to engage and educate the global public and specifically describes the role of astronomy in doing this. Astronomy has a special place in the field of science education and public engagement with science. It has great appeal for large sections of the public for several reasons. We shall use astronomy as a case study to consider the effect and impact of transnational collaborations with innovative approaches and centralised coordination in science education and public outreach. The thesis is based on eight years of designing, implementing and evaluating transnational collaborative programmes in astronomy education and public outreach, from the perspective of the practitioner. We shall also show that large global science EPO projects can result in sustainable outcomes that outlive the projects themselves and analyse the various aspects of global science communication project that are necessary for their success.


Calytrix breviseta Lindl. subsp. breviseta is a critically endangered, obligate-seeder shrub within fire-prone kwongan of southwest Western Australia. Little is known about the species' reproductive biology and how threatening processes, particularly altered fire regimes and exotic species invasion, will impact the long-term viability of the species. This study aims to elucidate the species' reproductive biology and patterns of seedling recruitment during succession after fire. This work also describes general changes in floristic structure of the kwongan community in which the species resides, including an examination of species diversity and changes in dominant life-forms during succession after fire. This facilitates a determination of whether exotic species are competitively displaced during the successional process. The effects of changes to the fire return interval and exotic species invasion on the long-term viability of the species is also described.

The species exhibits abundant recruitment following fire and the application of a smoke treatment significantly improves germination, similar to many other Western Australian shrubs. However, significant inter-fire recruitment was observed up to 10 years following fire, leading to the presence of multi-aged subpopulations, although seedling recruitment was negligible > 20 years after fire. The juvenile period is short at 3 years to first flowering. While shrub species displaced perennial herbs during post-fire succession, exotic annual herbs, graminoids and geophytic perennial herbs are consistently observed during post-fire years, reflecting the susceptibility of the community to invasion by exotic species. Population viability analysis (PVA) predicted that the optimal fire return interval to maintain C. breviseta subsp. breviseta was dependent on the carrying capacity (K) of the community and the number of individuals present. Interpretation of carrying capacity will be influenced by site quality and competition from invasive species. PVA suggested that if K remains high, then the optimal fire return interval is approximately 15-20 years but under lower carrying capacity, (i.e. weed competition) fires decrease the likelihood of population survival.

The management implications of this study are that fire should be used, rather than excluded from the landscape, and exotic species monitored and controlled to ensure the continued persistence of C. breviseta subsp. breviseta. Ongoing demographic monitoring should also occur to validate the results of the PVA and to provide the basis for future analysis.


This study seeks to disentangle claims of institutional and organizational learning theories and to shed light on the impact of Knightian (environmental) uncertainty in discovery opportunities. This article suggests, and finds empirical support for, the concept that emerging professional service industries retain high levels of causal ambiguity. High uncertainty interferes with institutional theory's claim of mortality reduction through isomorphism, but leads to superstitious learning, increasing organizational mortality hazard. Education and experience of entrepreneurs help them identify discovery (exogenous) opportunities for entrepreneurial rents, while high (but untheorized) levels of uncertainty interfere in their ability to successfully exploit these same opportunities. Copyright © 2012 Strategic Management Society.


We compared the viral suppressive efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) mono‐rescue therapy (TDF group) and TDF plus entecavir (ETV) combination‐rescue therapy (TDF + ETV group) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with lamivudine resistance and entecavir resistance. One hundred and thirty‐three CHB patients with lamivudine and entecavir resistance were investigated. Ninety‐six patients were treated with TDF and 37 with TDF + ETV for at least 6 months. We compared the virologic response rate (HBV DNA level <20 IU/mL) between the two groups and identified the predictive factors of treatment outcome. There were no significant differences between the two groups in demographic characteristics. Up to 24 months [median: 18 (range 6‐24) months], 85.4% and 89.2% of the TDF group and TDF + ETV group, respectively, achieved a virologic response (P=.068). Only the HBV DNA level at baseline was significantly associated with a virologic response in the multivariate analysis. In a subanalysis of patients with HBV DNA levels ≥4 log (IU/mL) at baseline, a higher proportion of patients in the TDF + ETV group than the TDF group achieved a virologic response (92.9% vs 68.3%; P<.001), while 90% of patients with HBV DNA (IU/mL) levels <4 log in all both TDF and TDF + ETV groups achieved a virologic response. TDF mono‐rescue therapy is a reasonable option in patients with lamivudine resistance and entecavir resistance. However, the combination strategy should be considered in patients with high baseline HBV DNA levels.


This paper addresses the problem of learning similarity-preserving binary codes for efficient retrieval in large-scale image collections. We propose a simple and efficient alternating minimization scheme for finding a rotation of zero-centered data so as to minimize the quantization error of mapping this data to the vertices of a zero-centered binary hypercube. This method, dubbed iterative quantization (ITQ), has connections to multi-class spectral clustering and to the orthogonal Procrustes problem, and it can be used both with unsupervised data embeddings such as PCA and supervised embeddings such as canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Our experiments show that the resulting binary coding schemes decisively outperform several other state-of-the-art methods.


Fresh human brain-tumor samples were assayed for their plasminogen activator (PA) content. Specific molecular weight patterns were identified for each of five common brain tumors and for normal brain, suggesting a cell-specific origin of the various PA forms. Malignant tumors contained higher PA activity and a larger number of molecular weight patterns than benign tumors, with the exception of acoustic neurinomas. Irradiated tumors contained lower PA activity than nonirradiated tumors. Finally, a slight but definite correlation between brain edema and PA activity was detected. The future role of brain-tumor PA's for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is discussed.


The aim of this article is to highlight the empowerment of coaching in the process of change in an organization using case study a real life change project in an institution. The article hopes to demonstrate the critical importance of coaching during change, for successful change to occur, and any sustaining change requires ongoing coaching as an integral part of the process. The article tries to heed a call on adopting coaching to support organizational learning and change. It also attempts to open further research interests in the link between the process of change and coaching, and the benefits of coaching in change management today.


The Pennyroyal Plain of Kentucky and the Western Highland Rim of Tennessee provide a 25,000 karst-depression population for detailed study of karst landform evolution. Application of the contagion model and cogent logistic growth functions revealed fundamental Principles governing the initiation and evolution of this complex, multifaceted karst geomorphic system. Accurate mapping of karst depressions is a complex process involving multiple data sets with high resolution and the development of a spatial database containing relevant geologic and geomorphic karst parameters. Implementation of spatial analysis and a geographic information system is necessary for spatial data presentation and developing karst hazards predictions. Rates of urban development in the karst landscape of the Western Highland Rim are among the highest in the southeastern United States. Therefore, understanding karst evolution, mapping karst landforms and developing hazards maps are important goals for efficient land use and urban planning. This paper develops a link between quantitative assessment of karst terrane and application of spatial coregionalization theory.


INTRODUCTION
Within our modern society we are all continuously requesting more and more capacity in
communication systems. Consequently, research within components for future
communications systems have, until this point in time, focused on components that secure
the possibility of supporting the request for a continued increases in needed capacity.
An important, optical component is the optical amplifier. Based on a demand for
capacity, Raman amplifiers and fiber optical parametric amplifiers (FOPAs) that may provide
gain at a broader range of wavelengths compared to conventional optical amplifiers based
on rare-earth-doped fiber materials, and in addition offer an improved noise performance,
are currently very popular. Improved properties are achieved by neglecting the energy
efficiency of the amplifiers though.
OUR PROJECT
In this work we focus on the fiber used in the parametric amplifier, see figure 1. The two
important fiber parameters are the nonlinear coefficient and the loss. In general, the higher
nonlinear coefficient the better, however materials with a larger nonlinearity also exhibit a
larger loss.
We consider various proposals for fibers and use numerical calculations to try and optimize
the fiber such that the amplifier requires less energy for the same amplification.
REFERENCES
Hansryd, J. et al. (2001). Fiber-Based Optical Parametric Amplifiers and Their Applications, IEEE J. Sel.
Topics Quant. Elec. 8(3), 1041-1135.


This paper focuses on the location estimation of legacy GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) handsets. Three network-based software location methods using CI (cell identity), TA (timing advance), and RXLEV (received signal strength) information available in GSM are presented and their implementation is discussed. Experimental performance of the methods in a commercial GSM network is presented and a comparative analysis is carried out. It is shown that the location error of the most accurate method tends to scale according to the average cell size.


In Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication systems, the pilot pollution in high-rise building area is an increasingly prominent and long-standing problem, which seriously affects Quality of Service (QoS) and User Experience (UE). This paper presents a predicting method of pilot pollution in high-rise building area covered by Outdoor Base Station (OBS).The method, which is based on Operation Maintenance Center (OMC) and location (LOC) data, can predict pilot pollution severity occurred in high-rise and pertinently recommend a prioritization scheme, by analyzing the relationship of pilot strength, distance and angle between target area and OBS. The validity and feasibility of this prediction method have been verified by Call Quality Test (CQT). Operators Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expense (OPEX) could be greatly reduced with the efficient and convenient prediction.


The possibility of applying Linear or Quadratic Programming to the problem of optimizing nuclear reactor fuel recycle, is investigated. It is demonstrated, that the methods mentioned, may be applied successfully to a simplified model of a nuclear reactor. An appropriate representation of the fuel recycle as a feedback control system is proposed. An iterative algorithm to establish the refueling times, which are unknown a priori, is formulated and implemented to some specific examples. The convergence of the algorithm, proposed in this paper, has been established numerically.


. The accurate prediction of strata pressure is the base for safely, quality and efficiently drilling, decreasing hole problems and reasonable development of the reservoir. Because of the high cost, long cycle of the formation pressure measured method, which may influence the safety of drilling operation, thus a new method for predicting strata pressure, based on the BP neural network, is presented in this paper, and establishing process of the neural network forecast model are discussed in detail. This method takes the acoustic time, natural potential, natural gamma ray log data and pipe pressure test data as study sample, which has a very high accuracy. The paper predicts strata pressure of the Saertu oil field and Xingshugang oil field in Daqing, and the results show that relative error between the predicted data and experimental data is less than ±8.9%.


Gramene (http://www.gramene.org), a knowledgebase founded on comparative functional analyses of genomic and pathway data for model plants and major crops, supports agricultural researchers worldwide. The resource is committed to open access and reproducible science based on the FAIR data principles. Since the last NAR update, we made nine releases; doubled the genome portal's content; expanded curated genes, pathways and expression sets; and implemented the Domain Informational Vocabulary Extraction (DIVE) algorithm for extracting gene function information from publications. The current release, #63 (October 2020), hosts 93 reference genomes-over 3.9 million genes in 122 947 families with orthologous and paralogous classifications. Plant Reactome portrays pathway networks using a combination of manual biocuration in rice (320 reference pathways) and orthology-based projections to 106 species. The Reactome platform facilitates comparison between reference and projected pathways, gene expression analyses and overlays of gene-gene interactions. Gramene integrates ontology-based protein structure-function annotation; information on genetic, epigenetic, expression, and phenotypic diversity; and gene functional annotations extracted from plant-focused journals using DIVE. We train plant researchers in biocuration of genes and pathways; host curated maize gene structures as tracks in the maize genome browser; and integrate curated rice genes and pathways in the Plant Reactome.


In media and content industries, the main effect of digitization has been a radical transformation of information formats and displays. In fact, these formats and displays are responsible for the shifting perceptions of users-consumers concerning how they relate and interact with information. However, in spite of its considerable relevance, the bidirectional relationship between formats/displays and users has been seldom studied. This brief paper presents an overview of the evolution of displays and devices in some key media and content subsectors -publishing and distribution of books and newspapers- with the main objective of hinting at the next steps in their evolution.


The main objective of this study was to assess the extent of gender effects on adoption of intensive commercial poultry production system by peri-urban farmers. The sample frame was divided into two strata made up of adopters and non-adopters. To select respondents, systematic sampling procedure was applied for both strata. To identify those variables that influence the gender control of poultry enterprise, a two-limit tobit model was used. The results from the two-limit tobit model identified three variables: production system, education and employment of woman as significant determinants of the degree of control by women. In conclusion, this study found that adoption of this system makes greater demands on women's unpaid labour without a matching increase in access to benefits. To improve adoption of intensive production, it is recommended that women-farmers should be involved in on-farm research activities and farmer-to-farmer should be involved in on-farm research activities and farmer-to-farmer linkages.

 Key words: Commercial poultry production, two-limit tobit model, peri-urban farmers, Kenya.


Complex microbial communities play an important role in the human health and co-evolved with human in the form of symbiosis. Many literatures provide new evidences that the increased prevalence of obesity cannot be attributed solely to changes in the human genome, nutritional habits, or reduction of physical activity in our daily lives. The intestinal flora was recently proposed as an environmental factor responsible for the control of body weight and energy metabolism. A number of studies suggest that the modulation of gut microbiota affects host metabolism and has an impact on energy storage and demonstrated a role for the gut microbiota in weight gain, fat increase, and insulin resistance. Variations in microbiota composition are found in obese humans and mice and the microbiota from an obese mouse confers an obese phenotype when transferred to an axenic mouse. As well, the gut microbial flora plays a role in converting nutrients into calories. Specific strategies for modifying gut microbiota may be a useful means to treat or prevent obesity. Dietary modulations of gut microbiota with a view to increasing bifidobacteria have demonstrated to reduce endotoxemia and improve metabolic diseases such as obesity. The fermentation of medicinal herbs is intended to exert a favorable influence on digestability, bioavailability and pharmacological activity of herbal extract. Therefore we also expect that the fermented herbal extracts may open up a new area to treat obesity through modulating gut microbiota.


As an increasing number of large corporations branch out into many fields of industry, public concern over the lateral extension of their power is aroused. Arguing that entry by large firms into concentrated industries may instead stimulate competition, Charles H. Berry analyzes the effect that such diversification has on corporate growth and on the structure and functioning of industrial markets. To identify a relationship between the growth of large corporations and the pattern of their diversifying activities, Professor Berry examines 460 of the largest U.S. industrial corporations. In tracing the effects of their entry into some 200 manufacturing industries, he develops new and striking evidence of the protected position of leading firms in concentrated industries, a position that can be effectively undermined by the diversification of more powerful corporations into these industries. Originally published in 1975. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.


Introduction: Density and co-expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors may vary among cell populations. However, the role and potential of these changes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the density of expression and co-expression of TNFR1/2 and the dose-dependent effect of soluble TNF on these parameters. Methods: Epithelial-like (HEp-2, K-562, MCF-7, ZR-75/1) and lymphoblast-like (MOLT-4, HL-60, Raji, RPMI-8226, IM-9) cell lines were characterized for co-expression of TNFR1/2 using a modified flow cytometry protocol. The dose-dependent effects of rhTNF on TNF receptor expression in these lines were studied. Results: This study reports a protocol for the simultaneous quantitative evaluation of the of TNF receptor number and co-expression of membrane-bound TNFR1/2. Cells within one tumor cell line were found to differ regarding their expression of type 1 and 2 TNFα receptors; simultaneously, cells with all 4 variants of co-expression may be present in culture. Conclusion: We demonstrated a dose-dependent effect of TNF on changes in the expression of TNFR1/2 by the percentage of positive cells and by the number of receptors, which may be used to control TNF-mediated processes in target cells.


A role for NK cells in the regulation of autoimmunity has been demonstrated. Since there is a strong association between Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and HLA-B27, which is specifically recognized by the NK-inhibitory receptor KIR3DL1, this study evaluated the potential involvement of NK cells in AS. We studied 19 AS patients and 22 healthy volunteer donors and assessed the percentage, activity and receptor expression of peripheral blood NK cells. We also evaluated candidate-inflammatory mediators in sera. We found that AS patients have significantly higher percentages of NK cells. However, we found no differences between the ability of NK cells derived from AS and healthy controls to recognize target cells expressing HLA-B27. Remarkably, we observed that the NK-inhibitory receptor CEACAM1 (carcino-embryonic antigen-cell adhesion molecule) is highly expressed among AS-derived NK cells. Furthermore, engagement of CEACAM1 inhibited NK activity in these patients. Finally, we demonstrated that CEACAM1 expression is induced by IL-8 and SDF-1 (stromal cell derived factor), both of which are present in high levels in the sera of AS patients. These results may indicate that NK cells and CEACAM1 play a role in AS pathogenesis and implicate chemokines in the mechanism of CEACAM1 expression.


ABSTRACT In 2018 the OECD added a set of global competence measures to its PISA programme, and reported on the outcomes in November 2020. In this paper I explore the provenance of the idea of global competence underpinning the OECD-PISA Global Competence framework and measure. The official account by the OECD references the OECD PISA Governing Board, Expert Panels, National Teams and Consortia engaged in the creation and delivery of this assessment tool. However, in this paper I problematise this narrative and sketch out an alternate genealogy that seems to operate in the shadowlands of the official account. I describe a web of relationships and projects and identify nodal actors like Asia Society, experts and brokers in élite US universities, agencies involved in the circulation of results. I argue that this rendering of global competence is not only provincial in that its ideational base can be linked to US corporate interests, but its pedagogical impulse is in shaping the culture of the new capitalism, on the one hand, and managing its tendencies to reduce social cohesion, on the other.


Obtaining quantitative information about the timescales associated with sediment transport, storage, and deposition in continental settings is important but challenging. The uranium-series comminution age method potentially provides a universal approach for direct dating of Quaternary detrital sediments, and can also provide estimates of the sediment transport and storage timescales. (The word "comminution" means "to reduce to powder," reflecting the start of the comminution age clock as reduction of lithic parent material below a critical grain size threshold of ~;;50 mu m.) To test the comminution age method as a means to date continental sediments, we applied the method to drill-core samples of the glacially-derived Kings River Fan alluvial deposits in central California. Sediments from the 45 m core have independently-estimated depositional ages of up to ~;;800 ka, based on paleomagnetism and correlations to nearby dated sediments. We characterized sequentially-leached core samples (both bulk sediment and grain size separates) for U, Nd, and Sr isotopes, grain size, surface texture, and mineralogy. In accordance with the comminution age model, where 234U is partially lost from small sediment grains due to alpha recoil, we found that (234U/238U) activity ratios generally decrease with age, depth, and specific surface area, with depletions of up to 9percent relative to radioactive equilibrium. The resulting calculated comminution ages are reasonable, although they do not exactly match age estimates from previous studies and also depend on assumptions about 234U loss rates. The results indicate that the method may be a significant addition to the sparse set of available tools for dating detrital continental sediments, following further refinement. Improving the accuracy of the method requires


This paper discusses ways of fostering people-to-people connections in the creative industries between Australia and China, through a series of multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural workshops and exhibitions in both countries to engage creative practitioners and companies to foster partnerships and to increase cultural awareness amongst students in the areas of arts, design and health. Not only is China a leading exporter in the global market, it is also a rising importer of cultural products and services. A burgeoning middle class is boosting up creative consumption. China's government is shifting its policy focus from "made in China" to "created in China". As a result, Chinese governments and industries are actively engaging overseas partners for collaboration to pursue a new configuration of value. With the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, Australian creative practitioners are well placed to engage with China specifically in the area of design for health and the aged population. An imbalanced ageing population is a growing concern not only in China but also globally and designers are well placed to create new design solutions to address concerns in the area of care services, urban environments and products for healthy ageing. However, the lack of knowledge about local language, culture and business practice presents a major barrier for Western companies and students to reach the potential of Chinese opportunities. To address this barrier, this paper reflects on a series of workshops and exhibitions via a partnership between the UC Cross-Cultural Design Lab, Cheung Kong School of Art and Design, the South China Agricultural University, South China Normal University, Guangxi Arts University, Shantou University, and Monash University. Another layer of the workshop program is connecting Australian and Chinese creative practitioners with students and practitioners in the area of Health Sciences. This type of multi-disciplinary collaboration can bring about new knowledge and understanding of each other's' respective cultures and give them skills on how to work together effectively from the perspective of different cultural and disciplinary backgrounds. The ultimate goal of this paper is to introduce ways of working between cultures to create objects, designed environments and new services that will be of value to a global audience to stimulate new areas of creative production between cultures.


Location-based services have brought significant convenience to people in their daily lives, and the collected location data are also in high demand. However, directly releasing those data raises privacy and liability (e.g., due to unauthorized distribution of such datasets) concerns since location data contain users' sensitive information, e.g., regular moving patterns and favorite spots. To address this, we propose a novel fingerprinting scheme that simultaneously identifies unauthorized redistribution of location datasets and provides differential privacy guarantees for the shared data. Observing data utility degradation due to differentially-private mechanisms, we introduce a utility-focused post-processing scheme to regain spatiotemporal correlations between points in a location trajectory. We further integrate this post-processing scheme into our fingerprinting scheme as a sampling method. The proposed fingerprinting scheme alleviates the degradation in the utility of the shared dataset due to the noise introduced by differentially-private mechanisms (i.e., adds the fingerprint by preserving the publicly known statistics of the data). Meanwhile, it does not violate differential privacy throughout the entire process due to immunity to post-processing, a fundamental property of differential privacy. Our proposed fingerprinting scheme is robust against known and well-studied attacks against a fingerprinting scheme including random flipping attacks, correlation-based flipping attacks, and collusions among multiple parties, which makes it hard for the attackers to infer the fingerprint codes and avoid accusation. Via experiments on two real-life location datasets and two synthetic ones, we show that our scheme achieves high fingerprinting robustness and outperforms existing approaches. Besides, the proposed fingerprinting scheme increases data utility for differentially-private datasets, which is beneficial for data analyzers.


Many Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and climate models exhibit too warm lower tropospheres near the midlatitude continents. The warm bias has been shown to coincide with important surface radiation biases that likely play a critical role in the inception or the growth of the warm bias. This paper presents an attribution study on the net radiation biases in nine model simulations, performed in the framework of the CAUSES project (Clouds Above the United States and Errors at the Surface). Contributions from deficiencies in the surface properties, clouds, water vapor, and aerosols are quantified, using an array of radiation measurement stations near the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains site. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis is shown to attribute the radiation errors to specific cloud regimes. The net surface shortwave radiation is overestimated in all models throughout most of the simulation period. Cloud errors are shown to contribute most to this overestimation, although nonnegligible contributions from the surface albedo exist in most models. Missing deep cloud events and/or simulating deep clouds with too weak cloud radiative effects dominate in the cloud-related radiation errors. Some models have compensating errors between excessive occurrence of deep cloud but largely underestimating their radiative effect, while other models miss deep cloud events altogether. Surprisingly, even the latter models tend to produce too much and too frequent afternoon surface precipitation. This suggests that rather than issues with the triggering of deep convection, cloud radiative deficiencies are related to too weak convective cloud detrainment and too large precipitation efficiencies.


A number of promising techniques which allow treatment of very large-scale plastic truss layout optimization problems incorporating multiple load cases, self weight and practical nodal stability constraints have been developed recently and collaboration with innovative structural engineering consultants Buro Happold has now provided an invaluable opportunity to investigate the effectiveness of these in practice. In use it was found that the recently developed member adding technique in particular was pivotal in permitting real-world scale problems to be tackled in the first place (this allows single load-case problems containing up to approx. 1,000,000,000 potential truss members to be solved on a desktop PC). However, many practically important issues requiring resolution were identified, and these are briefly discussed in the paper. One specific issue is considered in more detail in the paper; this concerns the specification of external applied loads, something which appears to have received scant attention in the literature to date. Whereas in a conventional layout optimization problem the spatial locations of external applied loads are predefined, in practice, e.g. for roof structures, this may be inappropriate since this strongly influences the form of the resulting 'optimum' structure. In an attempt to overcome this, loads were instead applied to groups of nodes. The technique proved to be remarkably successful, and typical results are presented in the paper.


Owing to its relative expense, radiative heating is often not calculated for every time step in numerical simulations of the atmosphere. This is justified when the radiation field evolves slowly in comparison to the atmospheric flow. However, when the effects of variable water vapor and clouds are taken into account, the radiation field can change rapidly, and the finite time between calls to the radiation scheme can introduce a destabilizing time lag. In the worst case, this lag gives rise to an exponential numerical instability with a growth rate proportional to the time interval between radiative calculations. In less drastic circumstances, in which the radiation would damp oscillations of the real system, numerical instability occurs when the time interval between calls to the radiation scheme exceeds a critical value that depends on the Doppler-shifted natural oscillation frequency and the radiative damping rate. It is shown that this type of instability occurs in a single-column model as well as in an idealized general circulation model. The critical frequency at which the radiative heating rate should be computed is found to depend on several factors, including the large-scale circulation and the model resolution. Several potential remedies are discussed.


The article had the purpose of commenting on studies on polypharmacy in the elderly, focusing on diagnosis and control. Polypharmacy is defined as the use of a number of medications at the same time and the use of additional drugs to correct drug adverse effects. The fact that the elderly take more medications for the treatment of several diseases makes them more susceptible to the occurrence of adverse reactions. Prophylactic actions such as balanced prescriptions are vital to reduce the incidence of these reactions and prevent longer hospital stay, increased costs and aggravation of the elderly health condition.


We describe a type system for the linear-algebraic lambda-calculus. The type system accounts for the part of the language emulating linear operators and vectors, i.e. it is able to statically describe the linear combinations of terms resulting from the reduction of programs. This gives rise to an original type theory where types, in the same way as terms, can be superposed into linear combinations. We show that the resulting typed lambda-calculus is strongly normalizing and features a weak subject-reduction.