Background The Pharmacy Division of Salerno University Hospital distributes medicines to patients referred to the Provincial Centre for Multiple Sclerosis, and since November 2011 has begun monitoring treatment plans to probe the degree of pathology more deeply and patients' use of the drugs. Purpose The study draws a general profile of patients in the first six months of monitoring. Materials and Methods Monitoring the treatment plans presented in period 15/11/2011–15/05/2012, the total number, age and sex prevalence of patients were extrapolated, which were classified into: new diagnosis or following a therapeutic programme; severity of neurological disability, according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); drugs used; therapeutic switches; recent interruptions; association with neurological drugs. Results 165 patients were being assisted, mean age 44 ± 10 years. 115 were females. 5% of the subjects correspond to new diagnoses; 67% were following a therapeutic programme. 77.94% had an EDSS score in the range 0.0–3.0. 5.4% had scores over 7.0. Patients were starting or continuing treatment with the following medicines: interferon B1a 30 mcg/0.5 ml solution for injection (34%); interferon B1b 250 mcg/ml solution for injection (24.2%); interferon B1a 44 mcg/0.5 ml solution for injection (13.3%); interferon B1a 22 mcg/0.5 ml solution for injection (2.5%); glatiramer 20 mg/ml solution for injection (23%); fingolimod 0.5 mg capsules (3%). Of the subjects in continuation, 30% were taking interferon B1a, 16.4% glatiramer. 28% changed treatment because of new neurological abnormalities (50%), recurrent relapses (37%), problems of adherence to the previous regimen (12%). One patient each discontinued interferon B1b 250 mcg/ml and glatiramer due to elevated transaminases. More patients were switched from glatiramer to interferon B1b (33.3%). 20% were also taking neurological drugs such as escitalopram 10 mg (20%), baclofen 25 mg (16%), carbamazepine 400 mg (10%). Conclusions A high percentage of patients emerge who, despite having neurological deficits, are living independently. In this stage there may be less full awareness of the disease, and pharmacists, with personalised counselling, can detect, correct and prevent poor compliance. No conflict of interest.


Timber-concrete composite panels enables to combine advantages of pure timber and pure concrete panels in one structural member especially in the case, when the rigid timber-concrete connection is provided. The effectiveness of timber and concrete use and load-carrying capacity of the timber-concrete composite panels will grow in the case. The new concept of rigid timber to concrete connection was developed by the using of the granite chips as the keys to provide high quality of the glued connection. Behaviour of the timber-concrete composite panels were investigated by finite element method and laboratorian experiment. Three timber-concrete composite panels in combination with carbon fibre reinforced plastic composite tapes in the tension zone with the span 1.8 m were statically loaded till the failure by the scheme of three-point bending. One specimen was produced by dry method, by gluing together cross-laminated timber panel and prefabricated concrete panel. Timber-concrete connection of the other two specimens was provided by the granite chips, which were glued on the surface of the cross-laminated timber by epoxy, and then wet concrete was placed. Dimensions of the crushed granite pieces changes within the limits from 16 to 25 mm. The current study focuses on determining the effect of the use of granite chips for timber-concrete composite panels with adhesive connection between layers. The effect of the use of granite chips in rigid connection is determined by comparison of mid-span displacements and level of failure load of the two variants of the timber-concrete composite panels. Three-dimensional finite element models of timberconcrete composite with rigid connection was developed and validated by experiment data. Obtained results shown, that the use of the granite chips in rigid timber to concrete connection allow to make a quality rigid connection. Possibility to increase by 28% level of failure load of the timber-concrete composite panels by the adding of granite chips was stated. Maximal vertical mid-span displacements of the panels decrease about 3.8 times at the same time.


Abstract. The performance of the miniature Versatile Aerosol Concentration Enrichment System (m-VACES; Geller et al., 2005) was investigated in laboratory and field studies using online instruments. Laboratory tests focused on the behavior of monodisperse ammonium sulfate (AS) or dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles in the m-VACES measured with the aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). The ambient measurements were conducted at an urban site in Helsinki, Finland, where the operation of the m-VACES was explored in conjunction with a Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS) in addition to the SMPS. In laboratory tests, the growth of particles in water vapor produced a stable droplet size distribution independent of the original particle size. However, when the droplets were dried with the goal of measuring the original size distribution, a shift to larger particles was observed for small particle sizes (up to ~ 200 nm in mobility diameter). That growth was probably caused by water-soluble organic compounds absorbed on the water droplets from the gas phase, but not evaporated in the drying phase. In ambient measurements, a similar enrichment was observed for nitrate and sulfate in the m-VACES whereas the presence of acidic ambient particles affected the enrichment of ammonium. Gaseous ammonia was likely to be absorbed on acidic particles in the m-VACES, neutralizing the aerosol. For organics, the enrichment efficiency was comparable with sulfate and nitrate but a small positive artifact for hydrocarbons and nitrogen-containing organic compounds was noticed. Ambient and concentrated organic aerosol (OA) was analyzed further with positive matrix factorization (PMF). A three-factor solution was chosen for both of the data sets but the factors were slightly different for the ambient and concentrated OA, however, the data set used for the PMF analysis was limited in size (3 days) and therefore had substantial uncertainty. Overall, the operation of the m-VACES was not found to lead to any severe sampling artifacts. The effect of acidity could be an issue in locations where the aerosol is acidic, however, in those cases the use of a denuder (which was not used in this study) is recommended. Further ambient tests are needed for the characterization of the m-VACES as the time period for the ambient measurements was only 5 days in this study. Especially for OA additional tests are important as the chemical properties of organics can differ widely depending on time and location.


Homogenized tissue from the frontal cortex of normal human brains obtained at postmortem examination was used to absorb lymphocytotoxic antibody from the serum of six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Four absorptions of all of the SLE sera with equal volumes of homogenized brain tissue at 4 degrees C depleted their cytotoxic capacity more than 90%. Three of the six sera, however, retained some lymphocytotoxicity despite extensive brain absorption. Absorbed lymphocytotoxic antibodies were eluted from brain tissue absorbents at 37 degrees C. Cytotoxicity of the brain eluates was blocked by antibodies to human IgM (mu-chain specific) but not anti-IgG. The unabsorbed SLE sera, brain-absorbed sera, and brain eluates were equally cytotoxic to T (thymus-derived) and B (bone marrow-derived) cells fractionated from normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Thus, the lymphocytotoxic antibodies in SLE serum exhibit no preference for circulating human T cells. An analysis of the clinical records of 40 patients with SLE whose serum cytotoxic capacity had been determined revealed that circulating lymphocytotoxicity is greater in sera of patients with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations than in other SLE patients. This observation suggests a possible role for brain-reactive lymphocytotoxic antibodies in the development of CNS disease in SLE.


The wet sprayed concrete technique has good virtue of improving the working condition within the tunnel, fewer reflective concrete loss and higher sprayed concrete quality. The concrete mixed with polypropylene fiber could improve the concrete inner structure, the flexural strength, tensile strength and anti-penetrating ability. The application of the wet sprayed polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete in the construction of tunnel lining structure could improve the stability of tunnel rock mass. The nonlinear finite element analysis is performed on rock mass stability of the railway tunnel lining structure and the rock mass stability is analyzed both for the un-lining tunnel and the lining tunnel. The computation result shows that the rock mass plasticity zone distribution with the lining structure is fewer than that without lining structure. To measure the deformation behavior, tunnel deformation measurement sensors are installed in the railway tunnel transverse section. The measured railway tunnel deformation result also shows that the lining structure deforms little and the rockmass is in stable state.


Abstract In pure metals or homogeneous alloys, the number of electrons per atom as well as the pressure are constant in a temperature gradient, and the electrochemical potential of the electrons is a unique function of the temperature. That is why it is possible to obtain the thermopower of these materials not only in the conventional evaluation of the Onsager equations, which involves the calculation of two transport coefficients, but also with an alternative approach, which involves the calculation of the temperature dependence of the electrochemical potential. The method is illustrated with the calculation of the thermopower of Cr, Mo, and W from the density of states of these metals.


The aim of this essay is to describe the development of two prototypes, a physical one and a computer one, for a ball game involving interaction with an industrial robot.The purpose of the game is to attract young people, especially young women, to engineering, for amusement or education, at exhibitions or other student environments. This project in Product Design Engineering was initiated by the Centre for Intelligent Automation, a research group of Skovde University who offered the task in cooperation with two other areas of engineering, i.e Automation Engineering and Computer Science. The entire robot game project was developed by a five-woman team, which resulted in three different projects belonging to each study. The design engineering task was carried out by analysing the component needs, taking in consideration all the important factors involved, to recognize problems and limitations, and focus on prototypes. The development process included concept generation and evaluation, prototyping and detail design and testing and refinement of the physical prototype. As a result the prototype showed an intuitive way to play the game, and a 3D CAD model was developed to show an alternative design which found solutions to some of the problems shown by the physical one.


Contemporary Music Notation for the Flute: A Unified Guide to Notational Symbols for Composers and Performers Eftihia Victoria Arkoudis David Cope stated: "There are two basic approaches to the study of New Music Notation: codification and comprehension [...] what really needs to be done is not to keep listing the diverse ways each composer symbolizes his music or create substantially new and negating systems of notation, but to concentrate on codifying one way for future composers to symbolize their music." In an attempt to limit the inconsistency and complexity characterizing contemporary notation idiomatic to the flute, this paper is the first to adopt Cope's statement and ultimately apply it in relation to the notation of non-standard extended flute techniques. Following thorough examination of significant pre-existing literature pertaining to new music instrumental notation as well as comprehensive guides to contemporary flute notation, and the studying of over thirty scores for solo flute and flute ensemble, this work presents the various symbols of extended techniques employed in works since before the twentieth century, and suggests one-way to symbolize key clicks, pizzicato, tongue ram, singing and playing, speaking and playing, and aeolian sound. The final selection of symbols in this study is based upon criteria directly related to their visual effectiveness in communicating the function of the extended technique they represent. Any symbol that resembles another preceding symbol, or is too abstract, has been rejected, and symbols that are a logical extension from traditional notation and immediately communicate the action a flutist should take to successfully produce the technique, has been retained. 1 David Cope, New Music Notation (Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Pub, 1976), xi.


Almost all real-world datasets contain missing values. Classification of data with missing values can adversely affect the performance of a classifier if not handled correctly. A common approach used for classification with incomplete data is imputation. Imputation transforms incomplete data with missing values to complete data. Single imputation methods are mostly less accurate than multiple imputation methods which are often computationally much more expensive. This study proposes an imputed feature selected bagging (IFBag) method which uses multiple imputation, feature selection and bagging ensemble learning approach to construct a number of base classifiers to classify new incomplete instances without any need for imputation in testing phase. In bagging ensemble learning approach, data is resampled multiple times with substitution, which can lead to diversity in data thus resulting in more accurate classifiers. The experimental results show the proposed IFBag method is considerably fast and gives 97.26% accuracy for classification with incomplete data as compared to common methods used.


In this work we present a data-driven approach for predicting the behavior of (i.e., profiling) a given non-linear audio signal processing effect (henceforth "audio effect"). Our objective is to learn a mapping function that maps the unprocessed audio to the processed by the audio effect to be profiled, using time-domain samples. To that aim, we employ a deep auto-encoder model that is conditioned on both time-domain samples and the control parameters of the target audio effect. As a test-case study, we focus on the offline profiling of two dynamic range compression audio effects, one software-based and the other analog. Compressors were chosen because they are a widely used and important set of effects and because their parameterized nonlinear time-dependent nature makes them a challenging problem for a system aiming to profile "general" audio effects. Results from our experimental procedure show that the primary functional and auditory characteristics of the compressors can be captured, however there is still sufficient audible noise to merit further investigation before such methods are applied to real-world audio processing workflows.


This paper aims to provide a descriptive and analytical account of the extent to which agriculture in the developing economies has become integrated with external markets. For most developing economies (DEs), the 1980s were a time of crisis when liberal reforms, including domestic and external liberalization of agriculture, were also initiated. This was followed by the coming into force of the Agreement on Agriculture under WTO aegis. The evidence on trade flows does indicate increased agricultural globalization in developing economies (DEs) following these regime shifts. But increased trade flows have not been accompanied by relative price convergence as between the DEs and the advanced economies (AEs) suggesting both that the policy shifts have been asymmetric and that significant parts of agricultural trade between North and South remain complementary rather than, as is often assumed, competitive. Moreover, the "fallacy of composition", implicit in any global imposition of trade liberalization and not confined to primary products as such, also seems to have been at work for most of the period. At the same time, the threat of higher consumer prices (especially for the poor and vulnerable in both importing and exporting DEs) looms large. Its impact will be felt as and when production and export subsidies in the AEs are dismantled. Meanwhile, the regime shifts seem to have induced, on the one hand, excessive faith in the efficacy of agricultural prices to produce agricultural supply response and, on the other, reduced fiscal and organizational capacities to provide public agricultural inputs and services. These conclusions are consonant with a structuralist understanding of global trade and production possibilities that DEs confront.


Boards are crucial to shareholder wealth. Yet little is known about how shareholder oversight affects director incentives. Using exogenous shocks to institutional investor portfolios, we find that institutional investor distraction weakens board oversight. Distracted institutions are less likely to discipline ineffective directors with negative votes. Consequently, independent directors face weaker monitoring incentives and exhibit poor board performance; ineffective independent directors are also more frequently appointed. Moreover, we find that the adverse effects of investor distraction on various corporate governance outcomes are stronger among firms with problematic directors. Our findings suggest that institutional investor monitoring creates important director incentives to monitor.


This quantitative study examines the relationship between implementation of the 21st Century Afterschool Centers on Education (ACE) program and fourth grade student performance on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR).  Data was collected from public elementary schools in South Texas via the 2018-2019 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) published by Texas Education Agency (TEA) for each campus. The study applied a quantitative, ex-post facto research approach, which analyzed data from fourth grade students enrolled in elementary schools. Results indicated no significant differences in STAAR performance between those campuses, which implemented ACE, and those, which did not. Thus, the findings dictate a need for policymakers' and school leaders' attention to ensure that enrichment programs are implemented with fidelity and appropriately designed to deliberately effect increases in student learning. Future research may seek to determine more effective enrichment program approaches for students in low-performing, high-minority serving schools.


Many states have created Hispanic/Latino commissions to focus on the needs of their Hispanic/Latino populations. By viewing these state agencies as informational and capacity-building resources, Extension personnel can use the agencies to advance their own organizational and programmatic diversity agendas. To illustrate this point, this article describes the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, the agency's web page, its publishing of a Statewide Schedule of Events brochure in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, and use of the agency's outputs by Extension personnel as tools for planning activities that target Hispanics.


The pharmacokinetics of isoxicam 200 mg administered orally in 10 healthy male volunteers was studied before and during administration of acetylsalicylic acid 3.9 g daily by mouth starting 5 days after isoxicam. There was a statistically significant decrease in plasma isoxicam concentrations, but no significant change in time to reach maximum plasma concentration or disappearance time. The mechanisms of this interaction is probably competitive displacement of isoxicam from albumin by acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate. These results are consistent with the known effect of ASA in producing competitive displacement of other protein bound antiinflammatory drugs.


The close association of overpressured shales and the coincident flattening of listric normal faults has been noted and is usually explained in terms of gravity-sliding models. However, incorporation of overpressure into Mohr-Coulomb frictional-faulting theory does not predict normal faults dipping at angles less than 45°, even for very low coefficients of friction. We suggest that low-angle normal faults may form because of a rotation of the maximum principal stress away from vertical with depth. Such a rotation occurs if a significant contrast in viscosity exists between two adjacent strata, such as a normally pressured sandstone and an underlying overpressured shale or evaporite. The stress-refraction model renders the presence of a preexisting fault plane or an extremely low coefficient of friction unnecessary to explain listric fault geometry and offers a failure mechanism in agreement with frictional-faulting theory based on rheological arguments.


Introduction This article reports on a study of 196 teachers who shared their experiences and opinions related to how they were taught to use the Cranmer abacus. Methods In February and March 2012, the participants completed an online survey to gather information about their preparation in using and beliefs about computation with the Cranmer abacus. Results The participants resided in both the United States and Canada and had various years of experience. The majority (n = 112) reported learning computation with an abacus in their personnel preparation programs. The participants rated their level of agreement with belief statements. Statements with the highest level of agreement included one that indicated that when sighted individuals use pencil and paper for computation, an individual with a visual impairment should be allowed to use an abacus, and another that an abacus is an accessible and inexpensive tool. Discussion The self-report data from 196 participants indicated that computation with an abacus is taught in university programs, although there is variability in what computational skills are taught and what methods are used. There was a higher level of agreement with statements that implied the positive attributes of using an abacus for computation than with those that implied negative attributes (for example, the abacus is obsolete). Implications for practitioners University preparation programs are continuing to teach some level of abacus computation skills to their students. It is not clear if the level of instruction is adequate. Further studies are warranted that examine what pre- and in-service teachers of students with visual impairments are learning and how they are learning in their university preparation programs and through other methods.


Neural networks appear to have mysterious generalization properties when using parameter counting as a proxy for complexity. Indeed, neural networks often have many more parameters than there are data points, yet still provide good generalization performance. Moreover, when we measure generalization as a function of parameters, we see double descent behaviour, where the test error decreases, increases, and then again decreases. We show that many of these properties become understandable when viewed through the lens of effective dimensionality, which measures the dimensionality of the parameter space determined by the data. We relate effective dimensionality to posterior contraction in Bayesian deep learning, model selection, width-depth tradeoffs, double descent, and functional diversity in loss surfaces, leading to a richer understanding of the interplay between parameters and functions in deep models. We also show that effective dimensionality compares favourably to alternative normand flatnessbased generalization measures.


National Health Insurance (JKN) is a part of National Social Insurance Systems (SJSN) held through social health insurance mechanism which is required (mandatory) aiming to satisfy appropriate main health need, given to those who already paid the premium or being paid by government. This study aimed to describe implementation of JKN program in Konawe district in 2014 in term of socialization, participation, health facility readiness, and referral system, using phenomenological approach through indepth interview, observation and documentation. The data were gained from 6 key informants and other 7 common informants who directly involved in implementing JKN program. The result of the study showed that implementation of JKN program socialization in Konawe district was already done by BPJS, health department, hospital, and public health center through some mass and electronic media, either directly or indirectly. In term of BPJS participation, it reached 53.31% of inhabitants already both of PBI membership and non PBI membership and will be increasing due to cooperation between central and district government in order all society will be covered by JKN program. The health facility readiness generally all health service providers, either hospital or public health centers supported by health department were ready to implement JKN, including facility, infrastructure, and human resources and keep increasing the quality of service. The referral system used in health services was already referred to health ministry regulation about gradually referral system, where society has to take medical check at primary health services firstly.
 Keywords: JKN, BPJS,  Socialization, Participation, Health facility readiness, Referral system.


This paper addresses the problem of automatic generation of features for value function approximation in reinforcement learning. Bellman Error Basis Functions (BEBFs) have been shown to improve policy evaluation, with a convergence rate similar to that of value iteration. We propose a simple, fast and robust algorithm based on random projections, which generates BEBFs for sparse feature spaces. We provide a finite sample analysis of the proposed method, and prove that projections logarithmic in the dimension of the original space guarantee a contraction in the error. Empirical results demonstrate the strength of this method in domains in which choosing a good state representation is challenging.


Black sesame melanin, a kind of biopolymer was degraded by alkali fusion to study structure characterization. The degraded products were derivatized with bis-(trimethylsilyl) trifloroacetamide in a sealed tube at 125 degrees C for 30 min. The silylanization derivatives of degradation products were analyzed by GC/MS. Catechol, 1,4-dihydroxy benzene and catechuic acid were detected. This method can be used to characterize the structure type of black sesame melanin.


Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau, known as "the third pole of the Earth", is a region susceptible to climate change. With little human disturbance, lake storage changes serve as a unique indicator of climate change, but comprehensive lake storage data are rare in the region, especially for the lakes with an area less than 10 km2 which are the most sensitive to environmental changes. In this paper, we completed a census of annual lake volume change for 976 lakes larger than 1 km2 in the endorheic basin of the Tibetan Plateau (EBTP) during 1989–2019 using Landsat imagery and digital terrain models. Validation and comparison with several existing studies indicate that our data are more reliable. Lake volume in the EBTP exhibited a net increase of 193.45 km3 during the time period with an increasing rate of 6.45 km3 year−1. In general, the larger the lake area, the greater the lake volume change, though there are some exceptions. Lakes with an area less than 10 km2 have more severe volume change whether decreasing or increasing. This research complements existing lake studies by providing a comprehensive and long-term lake volume change data for the region. The dataset is available on Zenodo ( https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5543615 , Wang et al., 2021).


DE Boo is a unique system, with an edge-on view through the debris disk around the star. The disk, which is analogous to the Kuiper belt in the Solar System, was reported to extend from 74 to 84 AU from the central star. The high photometric precision of the Characterising Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS) provided an exceptional opportunity to observe small variations in the light curve due to transiting material in the disk. This is a unique chance to investigate processes in the debris disk. Photometric observations of DE Boo of a total of four days were carried out with CHEOPS. Photometric variations due to spots on the stellar surface were subtracted from the light curves by applying a two-spot model and a fourth-order polynomial. The photometric observations were accompanied by spectroscopic measurements with the 1m RCC telescope at Piszk\'estet\H{o} and with the SOPHIE spectrograph in order to refine the astrophysical parameters of DE Boo. We present a detailed analysis of the photometric observation of DE Boo. We report the presence of nonperiodic transient features in the residual light curves with a transit duration of 0.3-0.8 days. We calculated the maximum distance of the material responsible for these variations to be 2.47 AU from the central star, much closer than most of the mass of the debris disk. Furthermore, we report the first observation of flaring events in this system. We interpreted the transient features as the result of scattering in an inner debris disk around DE Boo. The processes responsible for these variations were investigated in the context of interactions between planetesimals in the system.


A simple and sensitive derivative spectrophotometric method based on the zero-crossing technique using 6-(2-naphthyl)-2,3-dihydro-1,2,4-triazine-3-thione(NDTT) for simultaneous determination of Hg(II) and Pd(II) was developed. The reagent, NDTT, reacts with mercury and palladium ions to form stable yellow and yellowish green complexes in basic media which is easily extractable with chloroform.
The second order derivative absorbance with Dλ = 31.5 at 375.5 nm and 309.0 nm were selected for the determination of Hg(II) and Pd(II), respectively. The absorbance of the complex obeys Beer's law in the concentration range of 5-50 μg/mL and 2-35 μg/mL with r= 0.9982 and 0.9946    for Hg and Pd, respectively.
The within-day and between-day variations showed coefficient of variation (%CV) values not more than 2.8% and 3.46% for Hg and Pd respectively. The error of determination was less than 2.40%.
The proposed method was suitably applied to a synthetic and a tea sample successfully and the results were compared with atomic absorption method. The results showed that there was no significant difference between two methods.


Importance
Knowledge is lacking on the prevalence and prognosis of individuals with a β-amyloid-negative, tau-positive (A-T+) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker profile.

Objective
To estimate the prevalence of a CSF A-T+ biomarker profile and investigate its clinical implications.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This was a retrospective cohort study of the cross-sectional multicenter University of Gothenburg (UGOT) cohort (November 2019-January 2021), the longitudinal multicenter Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort (individuals with mild cognitive impairment [MCI] and no cognitive impairment; September 2005-May 2022), and 2 Wisconsin cohorts, Wisconsin Alzheimer Disease Research Center and Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer Prevention (WISC; individuals without cognitive impairment; February 2007-November 2020). This was a multicenter study, with data collected from referral centers in clinical routine (UGOT) and research settings (ADNI and WISC). Eligible individuals had 1 lumbar puncture (all cohorts), 2 or more cognitive assessments (ADNI and WISC), and imaging (ADNI only) performed on 2 separate occasions. Data were analyzed on August 2022 to April 2023.

Exposures
Baseline CSF Aβ42/40 and phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181; cognitive tests (ADNI: modified preclinical Alzheimer cognitive composite [mPACC]; WISC: modified 3-test PACC [PACC-3]). Exposures in the ADNI cohort included [18F]-florbetapir amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET), and cross-sectional tau-PET (ADNI: [18F]-flortaucipir, WISC: [18F]-MK6240).

Main Outcomes and Measures
Primary outcomes were the prevalence of CSF AT biomarker profiles and continuous longitudinal global cognitive outcome and imaging biomarker trajectories in A-T+ vs A-T- groups. Secondary outcomes included cross-sectional tau-PET.

Results
A total of 7679 individuals (mean [SD] age, 71.0 [8.4] years; 4101 male [53%]) were included in the UGOT cohort, 970 individuals (mean [SD] age, 73 [7.0] years; 526 male [54%]) were included in the ADNI cohort, and 519 individuals (mean [SD] age, 60 [7.3] years; 346 female [67%]) were included in the WISC cohort. The prevalence of an A-T+ profile in the UGOT cohort was 4.1% (95% CI, 3.7%-4.6%), being less common than the other patterns. Longitudinally, no significant differences in rates of worsening were observed between A-T+ and A-T- profiles for cognition or imaging biomarkers. Cross-sectionally, A-T+ had similar tau-PET uptake to individuals with an A-T- biomarker profile.

Conclusion and Relevance
Results suggest that the CSF A-T+ biomarker profile was found in approximately 5% of lumbar punctures and was not associated with a higher rate of cognitive decline or biomarker signs of disease progression compared with biomarker-negative individuals.


AIMS
This study aims to examine the associations between various non-insulin-based insulin resistance (nIIR) indices and subclinical atherosclerosis assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in young adults.

BACKGROUND
nIIR indices, e.g., serum triglycerides (TG) have been reported with an association with cIMT in middle- and old-aged adults.

OBJECTIVE
We examined the associations of various well-known nIIR indices reported before with cIMT in young adults.

METHODS
A total of 1,822 young adults free of diabetes in Taiwan were included in 2018-2020. nIIR indices were assessed by TG concentrations, the TyG index, defined as Ln (TG *fasting glucose/2), the TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, defined as TG divided by HDL-C, and the metabolic score for IR (METS-IR), defined as Ln[(2*fasting glucose)+TG) * body mass index (BMI)/(Ln(HDL-C))]. Multivariable linear regression analyses with adjustments for age, sex, anthropometrics, smoking, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, and total cholesterol were used to determine the associations. For TG only, HDL-C and fasting glucose were additionally adjusted.

RESULTS
In the overall participants, there was an association between cIMT and TG (β: 0.057, p =0.04). In subgroup analyses, cIMT was associated with TG (β: 0.127, p =0.004), the TyG index (β: 0.119, p =0.01), and TG/HDL-C (β: 0.081, p =0.03) in the overweight /obese (BMI ≥25 kg/m2), while not in the normal weight individuals. However, cIMT was correlated with TG (β: 0.086, p =0.01) and TG/HDL-C (β: 0.077, p =0.01) in those without hyperuricemia, while not in those with hyperuricemia. No association between the METS-IR and cIMT in any young adult subgroups was observed.

CONCLUSION
This study highlights that some nIIR indices could be used to assess cIMT in young adults, particularly for those with obesity and those without hyperuricemia. The TG-based indices instead of the novel marker, METS-IR, are suggestive as stronger predictors of greater cIMT in young adults.


This paper describes a novel evolutionary data-driven model (DDM) identification framework using the NSGA-II multi-objective genetic algorithm. The central concept of this paper is the employment of evolutionary computation to search for model structures among a catalog of models, while honoring the physical principles and the constitutive theories commonly used to represent the system/processes being modeled. The presented framework provides high computational efficiency through connecting a series of NSGA-II runs which share results. Furthermore, the employment of a multi-objective optimization algorithm enables a unique way of incorporating different aspects of model goodness in the model selection process, and also, at the end of the search procedure, provides a number of potential optimal model structures, making it possible for the modeler to make a choice based on the goal of the modeling. As an illustration, the framework is used for modeling wash-off and build-up of suspended solids (TSS) in highway runoff. The performance of the discovered model confirms the potential of the proposed evolutionary DDM framework for modeling environmental processes.


Background: The retroauricular-temporal or Washio flap has been introduced for reconstruction of partial nose and cheek defects, and has many advantages. We decided to evaluate the extended use of this technique in order to repair full thickness nasal defects. Methods: Superficial temporal and retroauricular arteries are identified with Doppler flowmetry. Selection points A, B, C and D are delineated. Point Ais the point around which the entire flap rotates, and is a fixed point in front of the anterior end of the helix and behind the superficial temporal artery. The next step is the selection of point C for the flap to reach the defect.We operated 8 cases utilizing this method to reconstruct alar and columellar defects with chondrum. Results: We found this technique very useful. The advantages of this technique include suitable flap color, good texture, no need for microsurgery experience, donor and recipient sites for surgery are in one field, and the donor site scar is inconspicuous. Conclusion: We find this technique very effective in repairing total subunit (nasal tip) defects. To fully appreciate it, we have to expand the distal part of the flap by including conchal cartilage with it.


Cubic and octahedral Cu2O nanocrystals and Au–Cu2O core–shell heterostructures are used as sacrificial templates for the growth of Cu2S nanocages and Au–Cu2S core–cage structures. A rapid sulfidation process involving a surface reaction of Cu2O nanocrystals with Na2S, followed by etching of the Cu2O cores with HCl solution for ≈5 sec, results in the fabrication of Cu2S cages with a wall thickness of 10–20 nm. Transmission electron microscopy characterization reveals the formation of crystalline walls and the presence of ultrasmall pores with sizes of 1 nm or less. Formation of Cu2O–Cu2S core–shell structures and their conversion into Cu2S cages is verified by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. X‐ray photoelectron spectra further confirm the composition of the cages as Cu2S. The entire hollowing process via the Kirkendall effect is recorded using in‐situ transmission X‐ray microscopy. After shell formation, continuous ionic diffusion removes the interior Cu2O. Intermediate structures with remaining central Cu2O portions and bridging arms to the surrounding cages are observed. The nanocages are also shown to allow molecular transport: anthracene and pyrene penetration into the cages leads to enhanced fluorescence quenching immediately upon adsorption onto the surfaces of the encapsulated gold nanocrystals.


The article presents the problem of social exclusion, which in the context of such challenges of global society as poverty, inequality, migration, aging of population, has become one of the most urgent in different countries and continents. It is actual both, for the residents of the USA and for the citizens of Ukraine. While living in different countries, we are the residents of our common "house"Earth and many problems of modern global world make us more close to each other than we even can think. Among them a problem of social exclusion and aging of population, which destroyes the democratic and human rights both of the inhabitants of Appalachians and the hutsuls, living in Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine. The social, cultural and behavioral aspects of the problem of exclusion and aging of population are analyzed in the article. Peculiarities of aging, cognitive and emotional state of personalities in the period of aging, the personality's attitude towards aging and social exclusion reflect the feelings and experience of people and show that they are similar as for residents of Appalachian region and for gutsuls of Carpathian mountains. In the article it is stressed that social exclusion is dangerous for people of all ages, especially for people from families, for residents of mountain regions, for orphans and disabled. Not having sufficient capacity to manage the situation, they all feel powerless and unable to manage their life. That is why most countries of the world pay great attention to overcome social exclusion. And since the second half of the 90-th the fight with social exclusion is an integral part not only of the EU's and of the USA's social policy, but it also has become an important direction of the social work in Ukraine.


Background: In keeping with the rights perspective, the rehabilitation needs of the women under long-term admission (LTA) in 'closed wards' of Tertiary Care Hospitals (TCHs) are different, often unfulfilled, and need to be addressed. Methodology: The study used a qualitative exploratory research design. In phase, I, the rehabilitation needs of Women with Mental Illness (WMI) were assessed. In phase II, a rehabilitation program was developed and implemented in the ward where WMI were admitted. In phase III, the feasibility of the implementation of the Rehabilitation Program was tested. Results: The needs expressed by WMI were personal, economic, vocational, social, emotional, educational, relationship, recreation, reintegration, and health needs. They also expressed needs related to their rights such as privacy, making personal choices, access to mobile phones, holding bank accounts, etc. The stakeholders felt that WMIs who get well should be segregated from people who are acutely ill and given access to interact with other groups of people. Based on the themes elicited, a rehabilitation program was developed and implemented through networking and liaising with various departments of the institute, other Government, Non-Governmental Organizations, volunteers, and corporates. The rehabilitation program was found to be feasible with systemic changes being brought about at the institutional level. Conclusion: In keeping with a rights-based approach TCHs need to implement need-based rehabilitation programs for WMI under LTA to improve their living conditions and quality of life


Shrinkage experiments were done to determine the influence of the volume fraction of steel fiber-reinforcement on the bonding behavior between new concrete and old concrete. The mechanics of the model of restricted shrinkage upon the adherence of new steel fiber reinforced concrete to old concrete are described. The results demonstrate that the difference of shrinkage between the new and the old concrete can been reduced by adding steel fiber to the new concrete. The decrease of shrinkage difference reduces the shrinkage force at the adhesive interface, which improves the adhesion of new concrete to old concrete and the magnitude of the decrease of shrinkage difference is correlated to the steel fiber volume fraction.


Upper Devonian sediments from western Venezuela have yielded palynomorphs that exhibit the palynomorph re-darkening and cracking phenomenon during post-oxidation mounting. A preparation technique has been developed, utilizing a diluted Schultze solution for prolonged periods, that appears not to affect substantially the structure of the palynomorphs, and thus prevents re-darkening. The use of PVA and Petropoxy 154 for mounting ensured the post-oxidative stability of the palynomorphs at room temperature. Conversely, the use of Elvacite 2044 as a mounting medium may cause cracking of the palynomorphs, related to shrinkage during solvent evaporation.


ABSTRACT Knowledge and collaboration are the basis of value co-creation in coworking-spaces. The unique and flexible settings found in there enable companies and individuals to engage in fruitful discourse. The diversity of participants allows for multisided exchange relationships leading to highly innovative outcomes. Referring to literature on service management and value co-creation we present a qualitative study which analyses under which boundary conditions knowledge exchange and value creation is expected to exceed predictions. We analyse data from 12 coworking-spaces and show that contradictory to established literature, in coworking-spaces there appears to be an optimal degree of diversity regarding individuals' social background and the knowledge bases. Additionally, we found that a likeminded work ethos between co-workers is crucial for value co-creation, relativising the diversity as driver of co-creation. We also show that participants can take differing, non-pre-determined roles in the process of value co-creation and, contributing to different forms of value creation.


We utilize an experimental 'Speed Dating' service to examine racial preferences in mate selection. Our data allow for the direct observation of individual decisions of randomly paired individuals; we may therefore directly infer racial preferences, which was not possible in prior studies. We observe stronger same race preferences for blacks and Asians than for Hispanics and whites, with insignificant overall level of racial preferences for female Hispanics and males of all races. Females exhibit stronger racial preferences than males. Differences in self-reported shared interests largely mediate the observed racial preferences. Collectively, our results imply strong but very heterogeneous racial preferences. Finally, we compare our experimental results with the levels of marital segregation in the United States.


Purpose
This paper aims to propose an automatic imaging network design to improve the efficiency and accuracy of automated construction progress monitoring. The proposed method will address two shortcomings of the previous studies, including the large number of captured images required and the incompleteness and inaccuracy of generated as-built models.

Design/methodology/approach
Using the proposed method, the number of required images is minimized in two stages. In the first stage, the manual photogrammetric network design is used to decrease the number of camera stations considering proper constraints. Then the image acquisition is done and the captured images are used to generate 3D points cloud model. In the second stage, a new software for automatic imaging network design is developed and used to cluster and select the optimal images automatically, using the existing dense points cloud model generated before, and the final optimum camera stations are determined. Therefore, the automated progress monitoring can be done by imaging at the selected camera stations to produce periodic progress reports.

Findings
The achieved results show that using the proposed manual and automatic imaging network design methods, the number of required images is decreased by 65 and 75 per cent, respectively. Moreover, the accuracy and completeness of points cloud reconstruction is improved and the quantity of performed work is determined with the accuracy, which is close to 100 per cent.

Practical implications
It is believed that the proposed method may present a novel and robust tool for automated progress monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles and based on photogrammetry and computer vision techniques. Using the proposed method, the number of required images is minimized, and the accuracy and completeness of points cloud reconstruction is improved.

Originality/value
To generate the points cloud reconstruction based on close-range photogrammetry principles, more than hundreds of images must be captured and processed, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. There has been no previous study to reduce the large number of required captured images. Moreover, lack of images in some areas leads to an incomplete or inaccurate model. This research resolves the mentioned shortcomings.


Abstract Objective The CLOSER (CLarifying Vaginal Atrophy's Impact On SEx and Relationships) survey investigated how postmenopausal vaginal atrophy (VA) affects relationships between Brazilian women and male partners. Methods Postmenopausal women (age 55–65 years) with VA, and male partners of women with the condition, completed an online survey on the impact of VA and local estrogen treatment on intimacy and relationships. Results A total of 360 women and 352 men from Brazil were included. Women (83%) and men (91%) reported that they were comfortable discussing VA with their partners. Women's key source of information on VA was health-care providers (HCPs), but 44% felt that not enough information is available. VA caused 70% of women to avoid sexual intimacy and resulted in less satisfying sex. VA had a negative impact on women's feelings and self-esteem. Women (76%) and men (70%) both reported that treatment with vaginal estrogen improved their sexual relationship, primarily by alleviating women's pain during sex. Women (56%) and men (59%) felt closer to each other after treatment. Conclusions VA had a negative impact on sexual relationships for both women and men in Brazil, and reduced women's self-confidence. Vaginal hormone therapy improved couples' sexual relationships. A proactive attitude of HCPs is essential to educate women on VA and the potential benefits of treatment.


Abstract. The goal of this paper is 3D shape completion: given an incomplete instance of a known category, hallucinate a complete version of it that is geometrically plausible. We develop an adversarial framework that makes it possible to learn shape completion in a self-supervised fashion, only from incomplete examples. This is enabled by a discriminator network that rejects incomplete shapes, via a loss function that separately assesses local sub-regions of the generated example and accepts only regions with sufficiently high point count. This inductive bias against empty regions forces the generator to output complete shapes. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach on synthetic data from ShapeNet and ModelNet, and on a real mobile mapping dataset with nearly 9'000 incomplete cars. Moreover, we apply it to the KITTI autonomous driving dataset without retraining, to highlight its ability to generalise to different data characteristics.


A crucial problem of evaluating, discovering, and creating the value of resources remains at the center of the subject of business strategy. The present article draws on reliability theory to advance an analytical platform that can address part of this problem, the evaluation of resource value. Reliability theory offers a way to model managerial ability and to derive the evaluation properties of organizations, boards, teams and committees. It is shown how the problem of resource evaluation can be remedied by proper evaluation structures. An evaluation structure that is build out of a very few agents can achieve significant improvements. A simulation of the classical n-armed bandit problem shows how evaluation structures can help managers select innovations of better economic value.


This paper highlights the theory of common-sense knowledge in terms of representation and reasoning. A connectionist model is proposed for common-sense knowledge representation and reasoning. A generic fuzzy neuron is employed as a basic element for the connectionist model. The representation and reasoning ability of the model is described through examples.


In the ionosphere, there are dense free electrons because the atmosphere is very thin. Free electrons are very high energy and, unlike stable neutral atoms, are not in plasma state, but consist of partially negatively charged electrons and positively charged cations. Therefore, when a radio wave such as a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal passes, refraction and diffraction may occur, which can seriously affect the amplitude and phase of the radio waves, which is called ionospheric irregularity. This greatly affects the quality and accuracy of the GNSS signals. There are several methods to detect ionospheric irregularity using signal degradation due to the ionospheric effect, such as the use of amplitude variation detection and the use of carrier measurements. In general, the above indicators have a problem of using an expensive receiver that outputs data at a high speed of 50 Hz or more, or a dedicated ionospheric monitoring receiver for measuring signal strength.
A relatively practical and easy methodology has been suggested to detect irregularities and to estimate their horizontal velocities using Rate of Total Electron Content (ROT) signature and their correlation of receiver network in 2019 (Park, 2019), This paper introduces that this ROT-based technique can detect ionospheric irregularity using low-cost android smartphones without using ionospheric monitoring dedicated receivers. ROT can be estimated by time difference of dual frequency carrier phase based on that ionospheric errors included in GNSS carrier-phase measurements are reflected differently according to frequency. Geometry-free combination of dual frequency carrier phase can extract precise ionospheric error from other geometry terms such as distance between a satellite and a receiver, satellite and receiver clock error, satellite orbit error and tropospheric error, even though it includes unknown bias. As long as any cycle slip does not occur the unknown bias is kept constant, and accurate ROT can be calculated by time differentiating the biased precise ionospheric error estimation. The ROT-based ionospheric irregularity detection technique can be used without the inherent knowledge of GNSS or sophisticated bias estimation using a relatively simple formula and is suitable for detecting small fast-moving irregularities due to its high resolution and high rate characteristics.
In normal condition at mid-latitude region, ROT variation is very similar to white noise with an average close to zero. When a GNSS signal passes through the ionospheric irregularity, however, the ROT value increases and then decreases shortly because the signal goes from low density to high density and then low density again. Accordingly, the signal that passed through the ionospheric irregularity remain a unique pattern, and the horizontal velocity of the irregularity can be estimated by correlating the patterns obtained from receiver network. One thing we should consider when we use this method is that the irregularity detection depends on the relative magnitude of ionospheric irregularity gradient and the receiver noise level.
Android devices could be one option to detect the ionospheric irregularity and recently released flagship smartphones (Galaxy S10 & Note10, Pixel 4, Xiaomi Mi8 & mi9, Huawei P30 Pro etc.) of leading brands such as Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and Huawei are providing dual-frequency (L1/E1 and L5/E5) measurements. As the needs for high accurate position information in smart devices increases, more future smartphones are likely to support dual-frequency. To check the feasibility of the Android device detecting the irregularity, we conducted an experiment at the Alaska Fairbanks Poker Flat Research Range where geomagnetic storms occur often. We installed three Xiaomi phones close to a ground reference station at the Poker Flat and collected Android GNSS data on August 7 to 9, 2019. Noise level of ROT estimates of android smartphones is about 1.3 cm/s(1?) and the ROT values of the three locations rose up to 20 cm/s then then fall to -15 cm/s at 2019/08/09 08:29:00 UTC, which was confirmed as a proper detection after comparing with the result of a near Septentrio PolaRX receiver.
Therefore, we can conclude that the ionospheric irregularity can be detected even with android smartphones, when its ROT is larger than 4 cm/s (3?). To avoid false detections due to instability of GNSS measurements and inherent frequent cycleslips of android smartphones, it is necessary to compare the ROTs of a lot of smartphones. Two extra smartphones installed near were very effective to find out the real irregularity from many false alarms.
Based on this experimental results and analysis, we suggest a data clouding server that can collect GNSS data from multiple smartphones in different regions of the world and detect ionospheric irregularity by applying ROT-based technique to the collected data. To avoid personal privacy problem, we collect Android L1/L5 carrier phase measurement and NMEA position information without any personal information. The gathered data is sent to the module that calculate ROT for each device, and then determine if an irregularity has occurred at current time after comparing the ROT values estimated by near devices. We expect the suggested Android GNSS data clouding server to be a dense network enough to catch a small-scaled local ionospheric irregularity.

[1] Byungwoon Park, Cheolsoon Lim, Sejong University, South Korea; Jun Wang, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Y. Jade Morton, University of Colorado Boulder, A New Method to Estimate Ionospheric Irregularity Drift Velocity Using ROT Variation and Spaced GNSS Reference Stations:, ION GNSS+ 2019


The Performance of a novel hybrid Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) system consisting of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG), fuel cell system, electrolyser and synchronous condenser is investigated in this paper. The fuel cell system is used to provide power during under-generation scenarios whereas the electrolyser absorbs excess power during over-generation conditions. A synchronous condenser is incorporated into the RAPS system to provide better reactive power and inertial support. Individual controllers for each system module have been developed and implemented. A control coordination methodology is established with a view to regulate the active and reactive power balance of the RAPS system while extracting maximum power from wind for optimal operation of the RAPS system. The entire system was modelled using SimpowerSystem block set in MATLAB and through simulation studies, it has been demonstrated that the proposed RAPS system is able to regulate the voltage and frequency within acceptable limits throughout its operation even during wind speed and load changes.


The North American invasive signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus was designated as an 'Invasive Alien Species' by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan on 1 February 2006. We report the first record of P. leniusculus from the Kanto region (Chiba Prefecture), central Japan. Adult specimens of P. leniusculus were collected from the Tone River basin between September 2009 and January 2010. Ectosymbiotic crayfish worms (Annelida, Clitellata, Branchiobdellidae) were found on the crayfish and all specimens were identified as Sathodrilus attenuatus, which outside of its home range in North America occurs only in the Hokkaido and Fukushima Prefecture populations of P. leniusculus; thus suggesting that P. leniusculus in the Tone River basin was introduced from Hokkaido or Fukushima Prefecture. Signal crayfish is considered a cool water species and has been reported mostly in Hokkaido, northern Japan, but our findings strongly indicate that P. leniusculus has become established in a warm water area in central Japan, where the maximum water temperature is above 30°C in summer. These results indicate that P. leniusculus can inhabit warm water areas as well as cool areas and would be able to extend its distribution over a wide range in Japan.


This paper examines the representation of humans in large-scale, networked virtual environments. Previous work done in this field is summarized, and existing problems with rendering, articulating, and networking numerous human figures in real time are explained. We have developed a system that integrates together some well-known solutions along with new ideas. Models with multiple level of details, body-tracking technology and animation libraries to specify joint angles, efficient group representations to describe multiple humans, and hierarchical network protocols have been successfully employed to increase the number of humans represented, system performance, and user interactivity. The resulting system immerses participants effectively and has numerous useful applications.


We reviewed 280 patients with breast cancer to evaluate the significance of auxillary nodal status in relation to the natural course of disease. Based on axillary node involvement, we classified our patients into three groups. With negative nodes (localized phase) 73% of patients survived more than 10 years; with one to three positive nodes (latent phase) 48% of patients survived 10 years; and with massive nodal metastases (generalized phase) 20% of patients survived 10 years.


Management of stage II endometrial cancer still has many controversies. We evaluated patients with stage II (FIGO 1988) endometrial cancer operated in our clinic in terms of treatment modalities, surgico-pathological factors, recurrence rates and patterns. Fifty-three patients with 1988 FIGO stage II endometrial cancer who underwent staging surgery between January 1993 and December 2012 were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 57 years. Cervical invasion couldn't be detected in the preoperative pelvic examination in 47 patients (88.7%). Thirty-eight patients received simple hysterectomy (SH) and 15 patients had radical hysterectomy (RH). All patients received pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Forty-two patients took adjuvant radiotherapy. The median follow-up time of the patient population was 39 months (range 1-139 months). Recurrence was observed in four patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the RH and SH groups in terms of recurrence (p= 0.53). Advanced age, deep myometrial invasion and the lower number of harvested lymph nodes were associated with recurrence. Systemic adjuvant therapy may be involved in the first-line treatment plan in order to prevent distant failures, since they continue to be responsible for the most of the recurrences and mortality despite radical surgeries and different protocols of adjuvant radiotherapy.


COVID-19 pandemic which has spread to 216 countries in eight months resulted in 7.50 lakh deaths across the globe. SARS CoV-2, highly infectious causative agent of this disease is transmitted through droplets, contact routes and aerosols. Even the most developed nations are experiencing difficulty to limit its spread and the disease is still spreading at an alarming rate. For filling the gaps and lacunas in the healthcare system this is high time to integrate different healthcare systems available to meet the ever emerging health challenges. Ayurveda has documented the first reference of epidemics as Janapadodhwamsa and has given a scientific insight to its causes, effect and prevention along with management strategies. No established and approved treatment of COVID-19 is yet available and off label drugs are being tried for prophylaxis and therapeutic purpose. Variation in host susceptibility and outcomes has been observed and host factors are being explored along with fast track vaccine development. Ayurveda treatment always take into account the host factors to alleviate the disease by improving the Agni and providing nutrition and strength to the host by means of Rasayana, Panchakarma, lifestyle measures and using drugs of varied origin. The clinical profile of COVID-19 matches with Vata-Kapha dominant Sannipataja Jwara for which detailed treatment guidelines and array of pharmaceutical preparations are described in Ayurvedic literature which are being practiced by qualified Ayurvedic physicians effectively since long. This paper highlights the Ayurvedic perspective of the COVID-19 along with its prevention, prophylaxis and management strategies through Ayurveda.


Infusion of nanotechnology applications into modern life is in progress. Nanoscale innovation comes with the ever-pressing need to provide citizens and learners with scientific knowledge for informing perceptions and attitudes surrounding the societal impact of nanotechnology. In rising to the challenge, this paper reports the first developmental phase of a broader research agenda concerned with building and investigating virtual environments for communicating nano-ideas. Methods involved elucidating core nano-principles upon which two purposefully contrasting nanotechnology "risk" and "benefit" scenario tasks were designed for incorporation into an intended virtual environment. The result was construction of a 3D immersive virtual architecture where users' multisensory interactive experiences of conducting the two tasks are anticipated as a gateway for engendering nano-related understanding underpinning perceived hopes and fears. In this revised paper, post-acceptance for presentation, initial results from a pilot study are also presented attained from exploring learners' and citizens' interaction with the constructed virtual environment.


One leading question of this paper is, whether the postulate of true authorship can be generally applied to all learning and research environments in higher education. Experience shows at least that this postulate has no global reach. I am referring to the cultures and traditions in East Asia where other concepts of authorship and intellectual property rights exist. However, Western standards of ethical behaviour in science demand academic integrity everywhere in order to fight the violation of intellectual property and copy rights known as plagiarism and piracy. This generalized claim does not consider the diversity of epistemic traditions which can be also found in Western history. Moreover, it seems to ignore the collaborative background of knowledge construction. This paper aims to contribute to the ethical discussions with another than a moralistic view at the problem. In the first place it has to be asked how the idea of authorship and its protection by intellectual property laws became crucial. It will be necessary to focus on the historical background of intellectual property and how it gained importance in the West and in the East. Findings regarding differences in the adoption of this idea due to diversity in Asian culture and tradition have to be discussed. Experiences in the learning environment of East Asian higher education institutions will be confronted with the general demand for authentic authorship in academia. It has to be asked if the function of protected intellectual property opposes cooperative structures in higher education. The discussion on educational issues leads to the question what role protected authorship plays today in academic research.


Summary The aim of this study is to determine suitable conditions for egg disinfection of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), and common dentex (Dentex dentex) with glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide and iodine. The eggs were disinfected with 200 ppm glutaraldehyde (T= 2, 4, 8, 16 min), 300 ppm hydrogen peroxide and iodine (T= 5, 10, 15, 20 min) at four different contact times. The hatching rate was determined in triplicates for each treatment. Also, bacteria colonies were counted on tryptic soy agar (TSA) and thiosulphate citrate bile salt sucrose agar (TCBS). At the end of the experiment, bacterial load and hatching rate were assessed together. For glutaraldehyde treatment, optimal hatching rates and bacterial colonies were estimated as CT (Disinfectant concentration in mg.l -1* exposure time in minute) 800 for sea bream eggs, CT 1600 for red porgy eggs and CT 800-1600 for common dentex eggs. Also, for hydrogen peroxide treatments, they were determined as CT 3000 for sea bream and red porgy and CT 4500 for common dentex. Finally, in iodine treatments, these parameters were measured as CT 4500-6000 for all species' eggs. However, in our study, it is clear that the glutaraldehyde showed the optimum disinfection effect against the microorganisms because the bacteria could be eliminated completely.


While the distinction between complex and complicated may seem negligible, the key is understanding that complexity applies to a system that cannot be simulated, modeled and predicted. Website architecture within the Internet environment may be just such a system with evolving underlying technologies and demands, and handling their complexity is the information architect's challenge. Complexity is added by the undercurrent of social, cultural and economic influences, infusing pervasive layers of extra meaning, often indirect and detached from the immediate content in a postmodern sense. Progress has moved to postdigital, where the focus is on the user, not the technology, generating pseudo-modern cultural products dependent on user interaction. The result is a new need for place and meaning that supports the user's cross-channel experience. Resulting websites, still complex, may elude modeling, but with new meanings and structures emerging from a new style of usage, they can still be designed. In my undergraduate and graduate courses, a sizable fraction of the time is spent working on hands-on projects, and in the past two years these projects have largely become cross-channel projects [1]. We tackle transportation, healthcare, student services, media-oriented services, all of them from an ecological perspective where the single device, channel or platform plays second violin to the overall user experience. The initial reaction of many of my students to the one-page project briefs I hand over is a plain and simple, "This is way too complex." I usually spend a little time there being the pedant old guy in the room and explaining that there is a difference between complex and complicated. I write the two words on the whiteboard (how is that for pedantry?), and proceed to lecture them on the fact that what they are actually trying to tell me is that the project brief they have in their hands seems very complicated to them – complicated as in "not easy to understand or analyze." Which is to be expected, of course. And yes, I argue, you can find similar definitions for complex in the dictionary, but the word has now so many attachments to the theory of complexity, we cannot really use it technically that way anymore. So, what does complex mean, Mr. Pedant? Well, I'll tell you what I tell my students: I don't know.


BACKGROUND
Pro-brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP) is synthesized in the left ventricle. In response to transmural pressure, it is secreted into the circulation and consequently cleaved to yield the active hormone BNP and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP). Determination of NT-proBNP is used as an aid in the diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction.

METHODS
We analyzed NT-proBNP-levels before left-heart catheterization in 115 patients. At the end of the study, we compared the NT-proBNP values to the invasively measured hemodynamic indices (left ventricular ejection fraction, maximum change in pressure over time [dP/dt(max)] and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure) and the clinically observed New York Heart Association (NYHA) classifications.

RESULTS
A significant (P=0.008) increase of the NT-proBNP values was observed in cases of low ejection fraction (less than 41%). Furthermore, a significant (P=0.03) increase of the NT-proBNP values was measured in cases of heavily reduced dP/dt(max) (less than 1500 mmHg/s). The increase of NT-proBNP values in cases of high end-diastolic pressures was distinct but not significant. In the clinical observation (NYHA classification), a significant increase of NT-proBNP levels corresponded to increasing severity of heart failure. However, a large standard deviation was seen in all groups.

CONCLUSION
Concerning low ejection fractions, a high end-diastolic pressure and strong reduced dP/dt(max) in all cases an increase of pro-BNP-values was seen. However, the partly reported strong correlation of the BNP value to the left ventricular ejection fraction, dP/dt(max) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure results was not found in the cases of middle and moderate heart failure, in contrast to the clinical observation. Regarding the large standard deviation, it may be possible to discriminate an unfavourable course of heart failure in an early stage.


Proliferation of bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASCs) is essential for epithelial repair. XB130 is a novel adaptor protein involved in the regulation of epithelial cell survival, proliferation and migration through the PI3K/Akt pathway. To determine the role of XB130 in airway epithelial injury repair and regeneration, a naphthalene-induced airway epithelial injury model was used with XB130 knockout (KO) mice and their wild type (WT) littermates. In XB130 KO mice, at days 7 and 14, small airway epithelium repair was significantly delayed with fewer number of Club cells (previously called Clara cells). CCSP (Club cell secreted protein) mRNA expression was also significantly lower in KO mice at day 7. At day 5, there were significantly fewer proliferative epithelial cells in the KO group, and the number of BASCs significantly increased in WT mice but not in KO mice. At day 7, phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3β, and the p85α subunit of PI3K was observed in airway epithelial cells in WT mice, but to a much lesser extent in KO mice. Microarray data also suggest that PI3K/Akt-related signals were regulated differently in KO and WT mice. An inhibitory mechanism for cell proliferation and cell cycle progression was suggested in KO mice. XB130 is involved in bronchioalveolar stem cell and Club cell proliferation, likely through the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.


Summary Despite the availability of vaccines, equine influenza virus (EIV) continues to pose a threat to the racing industry. The virus spreads rapidly in unprotected populations and large scale outbreaks, such as those in South Africa in 2003 and Australia in 2007, can cost billions of pounds. Like other influenza viruses, EIV undergoes antigenic variation, enabling it to evade antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination. The UK has an active surveillance programme to monitor antigenic drift and participates in an international collaboration with other countries in Europe, Japan and the USA to select suitable vaccine strains. Selection is primarily based upon characterisation of the viral haemagglutinin (HA), the surface protein that induces a protective antibody response; this protein is an important component of commercial vaccines. In recent years vaccine technology has improved and diagnostic methods have become increasingly sensitive, both play a crucial part in facilitating the international movement of horses. Mathematical modelling techniques have been applied to study the risk factors involved in outbreaks and provide valuable information about the impact of vaccination. Other factors, such as pathogenicity, are poorly understood for EIV yet may play an important role in the spread of a particular virus. They may also affect the ability of the virus to cross the species barrier, as seen with the transfer to dogs in the USA. Severity of infection is likely to be influenced by more than one gene, but differences in the NS1 protein are believed to influence the cytokine response in the horse and have been manipulated to produce potential vaccine strains.


This article introduces an analytical framework to trace and compare leaders' different types of behaviours to the health crisis posed by COVID-19, following the analytical benefits of Leadership Trait Analysis. It examines Boris Johnson's and Nicola Sturgeon's diverging initial responses to the pandemic's onset. We employ the Leadership Trait Analysis to shed light on three main differences in their respective leadership styles: risk-proneness versus risk-aversion; flexibility versus rigidity and rule advocacy versus rule ambivalence. Crises are one of the more fruitful situations in which to study leaders as their personal characteristics become central to the decision-making process. Thus, we employ an agent-centred and political psychology approach to analyse leaders' behaviour and make sense of their divergent management styles. The results show that the differences between these leaders' approaches to handling this global health crisis can be partly explained by their level of openness to information and their task versus relationship focus.


This report compares the Austroads Data Standard with buildingSMARTS's IFC4 and Uniclass 2015. All are works in progress. The Data Specifications Inventory of 32 object classes within Austroads' draft standard (Draft 2 Version 2 which is to be published in the first half of 2018) has been mapped as far as possible to buildingSMART's IFC4 Add2 and to the UK Government's Uniclass 2015. This reveals gaps and inconsistencies in all three documents, which need to be addressed as roads infrastructure asset management, across the asset lifecycle, moves towards adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The report recommends that Austroads revises its Data Standard, and contributes to the development of IFC Infrastructure (which is developing more physical objects in the realm of infrastructure), and of Uniclass 2015 (which does not yet include a Properties table). Contributions from industry bodies such as Austroads are welcomed by both buildingSMART and the NBS team managing the development of Uniclass 2015.


Economic returns to stocker production were estimated using results of a grazing experiment. If resources to buy cattle are not limited, traditional ownership was superior to contract grazing under all but extremely unfavorable price spreads. If capital to purchase stockers is limited, contract grazing may provide more returns.


Australia's Deaf community, whose members consider themselves part of a distinct socio-cultural minority group identified by their use of Australian Sign Language (Auslan), is experiencing significant and rapid change. Recent social and technological influences such as cochlear implants, telecommunications technology, mainstreaming and the closure of Deaf Clubs are changing the way Deaf people communicate, socialise and identify. Some research suggests that these influences combined with advances in medical care and genetics have the potential to wipe out deafness altogether, taking with it the entire community, its unique culture and one of the world's few native signed languages (Johnston 2004). Through some aspects of ethnographic field work such as focus groups and participant observation, this article presents an exploration of the Australian Deaf community. Specifically, it examines how and why the community has changed over recent years, and where it may be headed within a social context that favours dominant hearing ideologies associated with medical and scientific perspectives on deafness. In drawing on the collective memory and collective identity of Deaf people, this study reveals the complexity of the Australian Deaf community, illustrating how it re-affirms itself through its agency and how recurring themes of power, control and dominance play out in the lives of Australian Deaf people today. While demonstrating the strength and resilience of a community galvanised by a shared history, language, identity and world view, this study also draws out the Australian Deaf community's unease about the future, signified by feelings of loss, disconnection and a weakening sense of Deaf identity. This study further uncovers the importance of "place" for the Deaf community and feelings of displacement as the community changes, and as Deaf Clubs, which represented feelings of home, identity and control, disappear from the Deaf landscape. Conclusions drawn from this study infer the need for consideration of the role of the Deaf community, as well as issues of Deaf leadership and place in the development of public policy on education, medical intervention and other policy areas affecting the wellbeing and future of Deaf people.


Drugs and life style choices such as alcohol consumption and smoking are capable of independently altering levels of essential trace elements as well as tissue or organ function. The purpose of the study is to determine how differences in degree of exposure to cigarette smoke and alcohol consumption will alter serum magnesium (Mg), Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) levels in female subjects using combined oral contraceptives. Thirty female subjects who have used combined oral contraceptive for at least 5 years as well as 30 age-matched control women who are using rhythm method as birth control method were recruited from drinking joints/bars by random sampling technique. Serum trace element concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry and K+, Na+, albumin, globulin, total protein, urea and creatinine were also determined. Data obtained were analyzed using Student't' test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Na+ was significantly higher in combined oral contraceptive users compared with controls (p<0.05), whereas Mg was decreased (p<0.05). Co, Mn, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, K+ were not significantly different in combined oral contraceptive users compared with the controls (p>0.05). MANOVA results revealed that binge drinkers/smokers group recorded a significant lower (p<0.05) magnesium level than the passive smokers/social drinkers group and controls. The results of this study suggest that subjects using combined oral contraceptive, consuming alcohol and exposed to cigarette smoke may be at greater risks of diseases linked with magnesium depletion.


Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet but are declining because of human activities. Despite general recognition of the human role in the plight of coral reefs, the vast majority of research focuses on the ecological rather than the human dimensions of reef ecosystems, limiting our understanding of social relationships with these environments as well as potential solutions for reef recovery. General frameworks for social-ecological systems (SESs) have been advanced, but system-specific approaches are needed to develop a more nuanced view of human-environmental interactions for specific contexts and resource systems, and at specific scales. We synthesize existing concepts related to SESs and present a human dimensions framework that explores the linkages between social system structural traits, human activities, ecosystem services, and human well-being in coral reef SESs. Key features of the framework include social-ecological reciprocity, proximate and underlying dimensions, and the directionality of key relationships and feedback loops. Such frameworks are needed if human dimensions research is to be more fully integrated into studies of ecosystem change and the sustainability of linked SESs.


Objective. Emergency management of pediatric fractures and dislocations requires effective analgesia, yet children's pain is often undertreated. We compared the safety and efficacy of fentanyl- versus ketamine- based protocols. Methodology. Patients 5 to 15 years of age needing emergency fracture or joint reduction (FR) were randomized to receive intravenous midazolam plus either fentanyl (F/M) or ketamine (K/M). Measures of efficacy were observational distress scores and self- and parental-report. Measures of safety were frequency of abnormalities in and need for support of cardiopulmonary function and other adverse effects. Results. During FR, K/M subjects (n = 130) had lower distress scores and parental ratings of pain and anxiety than did F/M subjects (n = 130). Although both regimens equally facilitated reductions, deep sedation, and procedural amnesia, orthopedists favored K/M. Recovery was 14 minutes longer for K/M. Fewer K/M subjects had hypoxia (6% vs 25%), needed breathing cues (1% vs 12%), or required oxygen (10% vs 20%) than did F/M subjects. Two K/M subjects required assisted ventilation briefly. More K/M subjects vomited. Adverse emergence reactions were rare but equivalent between regimens. Conclusions. During emergency pediatric orthopedic procedures, K/M is more effective than F/M for pain and anxiety relief. Respiratory complications occurred less frequently with K/M, but respiratory support may be needed with either regimen. Both regimens facilitate reduction, produce amnesia, and rarely cause emergence delirium. Vomiting is more frequent and recovery more prolonged with K/M.


A majority of traditional array sensors combine several sensing units, which can hardly be miniaturized. In order to solve the deficiency, it is suggested to design a sensing unit, which can obtain multidimensional information. Herein, taking the three-dimensional (3D) optical properties including phosphorescence (Ph), fluorescence (FL) and resonance light scattering (RLS) of the Mn–ZnS quantum dots (QDs) as signals, single-unit 3-signal mucopolysaccharide (MPS) sensors on the basis of Mn–ZnS QD/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDC) nanohybrids (Mn–ZnS+ QDs) were built with positively-charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDC) as a receptor. These 3D sensors took advantage of the static interactional difference between Mn–ZnS+ QDs and different mucopolysaccharides (MPSs), and utilized different responses of Ph, FL and RLS to differentiate and identify four MPSs including heparan sulfate (Hep), hyaluronic acid (Hya), dermatan sulfate (Der) and chondroitin sulfate (Cho). Since the static interactional difference can be discriminated in virtue of the linear discriminating analysis, single-unit 3D sensors were constructed for differentiating MPSs of different types and concentrations. The three-dimensional sensor can still identify and analyze the target mucopolysaccharide in the presence of biological sample matrix, showing its good application prospects.


IntroductionCurrent approaches to the development and application of predictive studies is inefficient and difficult to reproduce. Thousands of predictive health algorithms have been developed; however, less than 2\% have been assessed outside their original setting and even fewer have been applied and evaluated in practice.
Objectives and ApproachObjective: To develop a standardized workflow for algorithm development, dissemination and implementation.
Existing predictive analytics workflow and open standards were adapted and expanded for health research and health care settings. The approach was designed to work within multidisciplinary teams and to improve research transparency, reproducibility, quality, efficiency and application. Key components include standardized algorithm description files, documentation and code libraries. All libraries and programming packages, which were created for/with open-source software, can be used for a wide range of statistical and machine learning models. Publicly-available repositories contain the algorithms, validation data, R code and other supporting infrastructure.
ResultsAlgorithm development involves variable pre-specification and documentation of model variables, followed by creation of data preprocessing code to generate model variables from the study dataset. Preprocessing uses algorithm specification documentation and a function library, building upon and integrating with existing algorithms when possible to preventing code duplication. Models are output as a Predictive Modelling Markup Language (PMML) file, a portable industry standard for describing and scoring predictive models. A separate scoring "engine" is used to implement PMML-described algorithms in a range of settings, including algorithm validation at other research institutions. Algorithm applications currently include the Project Big Life (www.projectbiglife.ca) online calculators, population, health services and public health planning uses and an algorithm visualization tool. An API permits use of the calculator engine by other organizations.
Conclusion/ImplicationsBarriers to the implementation of predictive analytics in real-world settings—such as within electronic medical records or decision aid applications—can be mitigated with well described algorithms that are easy to replicate and implement, especially as access to big health data increases and algorithms become increasingly complex.


Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have promising potential for diverse biological application, but it has not been completely determined whether Au-NP has potential toxicity in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, toxicity of Au-NP was evaluated in human intestinal cells as well as in rats after 14-day repeated oral administration. Biokinetic study was also performed to assess oral absorption and tissue distribution. The results demonstrated that Au-NP did not cause cytotoxic effects on cells after 24 h exposure in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation, membrane damage, and oxidative stress. However, when a small number of cells were exposed to Au-NP for seven days, colony forming ability remarkably decreased by Au-NP treatment, suggesting its potential toxicity after long-term exposure at high concentration. Biokinetic study revealed that Au-NP slowly entered the blood stream and slightly accumulated only in kidney after oral administration to rats. Whereas, orally administered Au ions were rapidly absorbed, and then distributed in kidney, liver, lung, and spleen at high levels, suggesting that the biological fate of Au-NP is primarily in nanoparticulate form, not in ionic Au. Fourteen-day repeated oral toxicity evaluation showed that Au-NP did not cause severe toxicity in rats based on histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical analysis.


Residential therapy is intended for those needing mental health crisis intervention. The wellbeing of these people cannot be overlooked and should take an active role in the treatment process, especially for those struggling with the symptomology of posttraumatic stress. By utilizing both positive psychology and posttraumatic growth theory and practice, participants in residential therapy may strengthen personal well-being thus encouraging the posttraumatic growth process. Focusing on positive affect, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement can stimulate and support posttraumatic growth in an intentional setting such as residential therapy. This will shift treatment goals and outcomes away from deficit diagnosis and recovery and, instead, prioritize healthy well-being practices, strength development, and encourage growth opportunities. PTG AND RESIDENTIAL THERAPY 3


The life of the Rev. J. E. Holloway belonged wholly to New Zealand. Distance isolated him, though isolation in such an environment was to the advantage of his scientific work. Unfortunately it prevented those in this country who appreciated his investigations from knowing about the conditions under which they were carried out or the other activities of his very full life. They could also know little of the interest and charm of the man. Not until 1939 did a few have the opportunity of short meetings with him, when he came on a hurried visit to England. It was thus clear that any obituary notice that could be written here would be quite inadequate unless help was forthcoming from some who knew Holloway's life in New Zealand intimately. This essential help has come from his son, Mr J. T. Holloway, himself a botanist and in close touch with his father's work. It is owing to the information he has freely given, and obtained from others, that it has been possible to go beyond a mere outline of biographical facts and an account of Holloway's published work. If this article conveys some impression of a remarkable personality it is due to what I have thus learnt only recently. Others will, I believe, be as grateful for these personal details as I have been. I may in this place express my thanks for their valuable assistance to Dr C. M. Focken and Professor Benson, F. R. S., of the University of Otago, and above all to Mr J. T. Holloway.


Asymptotic formulations are derived to estimate the dynamic response of a fluid‐loaded infinite plate subject to a line force excitation in mean flow. Analysis shows that mean flow may have significant effects on the plate flexural waves when the excitation frequency is above the plate coincidence frequency, moderate effects around the coincidence frequency, and little effects below the coincidence frequency. This is because at high frequencies, most of plate vibration energy is converted to acoustic energy. Since mean flow can greatly modify the radiated acoustic pressure, the effect of mean flow on plate flexural vibration becomes obvious. At low frequencies, there is no sound radiation and most of plate vibration energy stays close to the surface. Consequently, the effect of mean flow on plate vibration is greatly reduced. The asymptotic behaviors of the branch cut integrals at large distances from the point of excitation are also investigated. It is shown that the leading terms of the branch cut integ...


Biomass is an important source of renewable energy which is derived from the living mechanism such as photosynthesis of plant due to the lower contents of sulfur and nitrogen in the biomass. Pyrolysis is a technology that can directly produce a liquid fuel from biomass which can be readily stored or transported. However, many researches have reported the negative properties of the bio-oils compare with the conventional fuel oil. The undesirable properties of the bio-oils included low heating value, low pH value, incompatibility with conventional fuels, high viscosity, and chemical instability. These undesirable properties of the bio-oils are mainly brought about by the high oxygen content in the biomass. On the other hand, it is known that the oxygen content in the biomass could be reduced by the torrefaction at the temperatures below 300°C. So, in this study we try to upgrade the biomass first by torrefaction at the temperatures below 300°C. It was found that the oxygen content of Leucaena leucocephala decreased from 46.2 wt% to 36.7 wt% when torrefy at 303°C whereas the torrefied lecaena yields decreased with the increase in torrefaction temperature. Then, the torrefied leucaena will be pyrolysed at 550°C to produce bio-oils. The bio-ols were fractionated into light oil and heavy oil fractions which were analyzed by GC-MS to examine the effect of fraction on the bio-oils properties. It was found that the acetic acid and furans were decreased in light oil fraction with the increase in torrefaction temperature. The pH value of bio-oils was slightly increased that was consistent with decreasing of acetic acid in light oil fraction. These results indicated that torrefaction process could improve bio-oils properties prior pyrolysis process.


This work develops a time varying residential electric load model based on the philosophy that the availability of people to turn on electrical appliances and their tendency to do so at particular times are significant factors in determining the time varying nature of the residential load. Additional contributions to the load are the result of peoples availability and tendency to perform direct actions (e.g. dish washing) that indirectly cause electrical appliances (e.g. water heaters) to turn on and off under the control of their sensors. The availability and tendencies of the residents also affect, to some extent, the contribution to the load caused by weather conditions since the residents determine the settings of heating and cooling devices. A general availability function is developed to estimate the number of persons available in the residence at a particular time. Proclivity (tendency) functions are developed to specify the probability that an appliance will be used at a particular time by an available person or that the person will perform an action which will result in the operation of some appliance. Models for individual appliances, selected on the basis of their load significance, are developed using the foregoing functions together with operating characteristics of the appliances and estimates of power consumption for prevalent sizes. The individual appliance models are combined into a residential model with provisions for specifying characteristics of the residence. The model is used to simulate individual residences and groups of residences. Heating and cooling loads are not included in the simulation. The load curves generated by the simulation are compared to test data obtained during the Connecticut Light and Power Company Residential Load Test {1} for equivalent residences and groups of residences. The results indicate that the model has potential for estimating the time varying residential electric load.


uring the past ten years, particularly since the 1990 MENC preconference symposIum on Multicultural Approaches to Music Education in Washington, DC, music educators have come to recognize the need to include a variety of world musics in all music curricula, from elementary classrooms to advanced performing ensembles. Accordingly, a significant increase in the availability of teaching materials has occurred, both in new classroom basal series and in teaching anthologies that specifically target world music cultures. Given this new wealth of multicultural resource material, music educators can now select books, recordings, and other resources that will enable them to involve students in many new forms of