The study assesses determining factors to adopt package of technology among
poor rural goat farming communities in Rajasthan state of India.
This study used a sustainable livelihood framework and innovation diffusion
theory for primary data analysis. The primary data collected with survey,
focus group and personal interview research tools in a village of Nagour District.
The paper found that adoption of package of technology (Vaccine, Dewormer,
Dairy Cattle feed and use of Bradizo-castraor) is influenced by socioeconomic
characters, resources and perception of technology. In socioeconomic
characters, age, social group, education are key decisive factors to
uptake technologies. Middle age group (31-40 years) of goat peasants, other
back word cast category and eights standard passed goat peasants adopted four
technology package while others adopted zero to three technologies. Moreover,
large goat flock size, land ownership and available family's member of labor
for goat grazing are promoting factors to adopt technologies. Perception
of technology, for instances, easy to handle, economic advantages, and available
local animal health worker are necessarily encouraging factor to adoption of
technology. It can derive from field findings that poor resource and weak socio-
economic condition of peasants lead to deprivation from technology.
On the basis of empirical data, the study concludes goat farming is a potential
activity in order to reduce poverty. Today, it requires paying attention of
researcher, policy maker, academician, development professions to bring it at
centre in development agenda.


A small but growing body of research is addressing the important issue of small business strategic planning. Planning in large corporations has been studied extensively, but only recently has the process been studied in smaller firms, which numerically dominate the American business scene. This article reports on a longitudinal study of strategic planning among a sizable sample of small firms in Texas. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Small business planning behavior has been characterized as unstructured, irregular, and comprehensive, and as incremental, sporadic, and reactive. The small business manager's goals have been described as "vague or inadequately defined, and . . . generally pragmatic and short-range." In one of the first empirical studies of small business planning, Mayer and Goldstein concluded that lack of systematic planning was a major reason for small business failure. In a more recent study, Potts examined twenty-one successful and twenty-one unsuccessful small manufacturers over a five-year period. He discovered that the successful firms made much more extensive use of outside accounting and financial services. Robinson also assessed the importance of outsiders to small business success, finding that small firms which engaged in "outsider-based" strategic planning achieved significant performance improvement in profit, sales growth, employment, and productivity. In a more recent study, however, Robinson and Pearce investigated the relationship between planning and performance in fifty small South Carolina banks. They found no significant differences in financial performance between the banks that engaged in strategic planning and those which did not. In a 1981 study of 357 small companies in Texas, it was found that only a small minority of firms carried on true strategic planning, defined as: anticipating sales levels, estimating local industry sales levels and the firm's net profits, and planning to accommodate anticipated changes in sales and profits. A sizeable percentage of the sample, however, did engage in less rigorous types of planning. The results reported in this article are derived from a follow-up longitudinal study of that 1981 sample of Texas firms. METHODS In 1981, the authors classified 357 Texas small businesses according to the degree of strategic planning they exhibited. Interviews were conducted with the owners or chief executives of each firm. The firms were classified according to five levels of planning: Strategy level 0 (SL0): no knowledge (predictive ability) of next year's sales, profitability, or profit implementation plans. Strategy level (SL1): knowledge only of next year's sales, but no knowledge of coming industry sales, company profit, or profit implementation plans. Strategy level 2 (SL2): knowledge of next year's company and industry sales, but no knowledge of company profit or profit implementation plans. Strategy level 3 (SL3): knowledge of company and industry sales and anticipated profit, but no profit implementation plans. Strategy level 4 (SL4): knowledge of next year's company and industry sales, anticipated company profits, and profit implementation plans. Only those firms designated SL4 were true strategic planners; i.e., they not only planned ahead for changing levels of sales and profit, but also made specific plans for attaining the anticipated sales and profit levels. Strategic planning was thus defined as managerial planning designed to adapt a small firm to its external environment in a manner perceived to achieve sales and profit goals. Table 1 summarizes the 1981 strategy level classifications arranged by standard industrial code (SIC). Only 18 percent of the sample's small firms attained the SL4 level of strategic planning. Two years later, in 1983, interviews were again held with the same sample to determine each firm's level of strategic planning. …


The limitations and the effect of the performance of the binary phase detector on the overall performance of the digital phase-locked loop is the main focus of the research presented in this proposal. In the first part of the research, the gain limitation of the binary phase detector on the performance of the digital Bang-Bang PLLs (BBPLL) is investigated. Then to validate the concept that is explained and to improve the performance of the digital loop under the gain limitation, two schemes are explored and explained. In one scheme a random bit-stream which is noise-shaped using a software defined ΣΔ modulator is used to dither the reference and improve the performance and in the second scheme a Time-Amplifier (TA) is used to improve the digital loop performance by preventing the phase detector from operating in metastable region.
The second part of the research focuses on a novel multi-bit phase detector for high-speed applications where high-resolution performance is needed and the jitter budget is stringent. In this design a Transmission Delay Line (TDL) is used to generate the delayed versions of the input clock. The performance of this phase detector is analyzed in detail using stochastic analysis.
In the second multi-bit, TDL based phase detector a search algorithm is used to find the closest delayed reference to the feedback clock. This scheme provides superior performance compared to the first scheme as its performance is not affected by the mismatch of the binary phase detectors used in the first scheme. The performance of the two design are compared and example of the performance in the loop is provided.


Purpose/Aims: This pilot study explored nurse family member perceptions of nursing care and patient quality of death and dying during and after withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment within Intensive Care Units (ICU). Rationale: Past research that examined physician, nurse, and family member experiences of End-of-Life (EOL) care within the ICU found significant differences between the three groups. Background: Approximately 500,000 people die within an ICU each year in the United States. End-of-Life and Palliative Care programs focused primarily on physician interventions to improve quality of EOL care have had little impact on family member perceptions of quality of care or patient death, with nurses rating quality lower than family or physicians. Methods: This descriptive study examined the perceptions of nursing care and patient quality of death and dying using the family member version of the Quality of Death and Dying (QODD) instrument and Family Satisfaction in the ICU (FS-ICU). Qualitative data related to the nurse family member experience was elicited through additional openended questions. Findings: Respondents (N=17) tended to view the quality of patient death somewhat favorably with a total QODD mean score of 60.75 (SD = 21.05) on a scale of 1-100. Results also indicated a moderate level of satisfaction with care within the ICU, with a total FS-ICU mean score of 67.75 (SD = 21.51) on a scale of 1-100. The FS-ICU care subscale total mean score was 67.82 (SD = 21.05), while the FS-ICU decision-making subscale mean score was 69.30 (SD = 23.48), indicating the highest level of satisfaction was with decision making within the ICU. Qualitative extreme positive and negative data supported total QODD, total FS-ICU, and FS-ICU subscale scores. In comparison to previous research, nurse family member satisfaction with care and perceptions of quality of patient death and dying tended to align with nurse rather than family member scores. Implications: Nurse family members perceive the quality of care and patient death and dying differently than non-nursing family members. To improve their experience of EOL care, further examination of the particular needs of nurse family members is warranted.


Background: We previously reported a higher expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) together with higher interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-a levels, total proteolytic activity, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) prevalence, and neutrophil-protease 3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to healthy control patients. The aim of the present study is to expand this observation by considering the site level according to the presence of Pg. Methods: Microbiologic and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected from patients with chronic periodontitis. Pg presence was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and PAR2 mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Total proteolytic activity in the crevicular fluid was analyzed by using a specific substrate benzoylarginine nitroanilide, and the proinflammatory mediators IL-1a, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-a were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In Pg–positive periodontal sites, the mean probing depth and clinical attachment level, the prevalence of bleeding on probing sites, and crevicular fluid volume were higher (P <0.05) compared to Pg–negative sites. In addition, with the exception of IL-8, all other inflammatory mediators were positively (P <0.05) associated with Pg presence. Pg presence was also positively associated with a higher proteolytic activity (P = 0.0037) and higher PAR2 mRNA expression (P = 0.0271). Conclusions: We conclude that in chronic periodontitis, periodontal pockets presenting Pg show an upregulation of PAR2 gene expression, and higher proinflammatory profile associated with advanced clinical destruction, therefore suggesting that Pg plays a pivotal role on PAR2-mediated periodontal inflammation in humans. J Periodontol 2011;82:1596-1601.


Multidisciplinary research of surface geodynamic processes is important for understanding mechanisms that lead to sudden release of accumulated strain energy, i.e. earthquakes. It requires development of an original scientific approach which combines data from various geosciences such as geodesy, geology and seismology. This implies that each geoscience contributes to a better understanding by providing specific direct or indirect information on activity (spatial movements) and properties of seismogenic sources (faults). In recent years, new and accessible sources and types of geoinformation have greatly enhanced, enabling a more comprehensive investigation of ongoing geodynamic activity on faults and, therefore, improve our ability to develop approaches to assess and mitigate the seismic hazard and risk within the earthquake-prone areas. In this paper, we seek to identify the geoinformation required to improve the current knowledge on regional and local geodynamic processes in the Republic of Croatia. Focusing on the complementarity of geodetic, geological and seismological data, we discuss possible sources of the diverse sets of site-specific geospatial data. Examples include: ground/surface movement observations with Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Satellite Radar Interferometry (InSAR); data about historical and instrumental seismicity (e.g. focal mechanism solutions, number of earthquakes, b-value, etc.); fault location, fault geometrical properties and information on their neotectonic activity, paleoseismological data, etc. Challenges regarding the integrated use of these data, such as heterogeneity of data sources, access protocols, metadata standards, data quality, up-to-dateness, and other limitations are also addressed. * Corresponding author


The Budalangi area of Kenya exhibits high levels of rural poverty despite its natural resources potential and favourable climate. The area was mapped using multi-temporal remote sensing image data from 1973 to 2009 and participatory data collection. Floods are a recurrent environmental hazard and impede access to environmental resources and agricultural production. The physical setting of Budalangi at the floodplain of Nzoia River and increased runoff from degraded catchments are contributory factors to the flooding. Floods lead to disruption of human settlements and destruction of crops, shelter, dykes and infrastructural facilities. Disease outbreaks also increase due to destruction of sanitation facilities and relocation of settlements in makeshift camps. This implies that the policy measures that have been instituted by the government to mitigate the problem have had dismal impact in the Budalangi and Yala Swamp area. The degradation of the catchment is reflected in its sediment loading and deposition into Lake Victoria which has seen the morphology of the coastline at the mouth of Nzoia River and the aerial coverage by water in the lake change over the years. The overall loss in the area under Yala Swamp is 54 Kmfrom 186 Kmin 1973 to 132 Kmin 2009. The encroachment has significant implication on the wellbeing of the Yala Swamp and the Nzoia Floodplain ecosystem. The study therefore underscores the need to evolve an integrated watershed management plan for effective management of Budalangi and Yala Swamp area and the region in general.


This three part paper addresses the task of modelling the right hand tail of a severity distribution. In Part I the excess ratio function is used to de…ne a discrete sequence of loss distributions with related moments and similar tail behavior. Part II extends this to continuous one-parameter families and provides some examples. Part III provides the main result: that under some reasonable conditions, each such family has a limiting distribution which is exponential. The paper then exploits this to 1) group loss distributions based on tail behavior and 2) promote the choice of (mixed) exponentials to model tail behavior.


Abstract : This thesis examines intelligence strategies that law enforcement officials may use to combat transnational Islamic terrorism in the United States. Many of the concepts discussed in this thesis come from U.S. Intelligence Community approaches. Others are familiar to both intelligence and law enforcement professionals. The thesis focuses on Islamic terrorism, most notably promoted and conducted by al-Qa eda, though a number of the techniques can apply to other terrorist threats. The religious foundations of Islamic terrorism and the milieu in which it flourishes provides both a strategic and tactical backdrop for what has been cast as a global jihad a violent, worldwide religious campaign with political objectives. The unique ethnic and religious characteristics also present specific challenges for law enforcement intelligence operations, most notably in collecting human intelligence. Processing collected threat intelligence and developing defensive plans require a broad, multi-layered strategy to be successful in meeting the challenges posed by a geographically pervasive terrorist threat. As this thesis argues, local jurisdictions must work in tandem with national-level organs to create an effective system that will identify and prevent potential terrorist operations in the United States.


In recent years, mathematical modeling approaches have played a central role to understand and to quantify mechanisms in different viral infectious diseases. In this approach, biological-based hypotheses are expressed via mathematical relations and then tested based on empirical data. The simulation results can be used to either identify underlying mechanisms, provide predictions on infection outcomes, or evaluate the efficacy of a treatment. Conducting parameter estimation for mathematical models is not an easy task. Here we detail an approach to conduct parameter estimation and to evaluate the results using the free software R. The method is applicable to influenza virus dynamics at different complexity levels, widening experimentalists capabilities in understanding their data. The parameter estimation approach presented here can be also applied to other viral infections or biological applications.


As vehicles become intelligent for the convenience and safety of drivers, in-vehicle networking (IVN) systems and smart modules are essential components of intelligent vehicles. However, there are obstacles for the wide acceptance of smart modules. First, there exist numerous IVN protocols that a smart module should be able to support. Second, the whole smart module has to be replaced when only the sensor of the module fails. In order to overcome these obstacles, a smart module is implemented as two units; one responsible for network communication and the other for sensor/actuator operations. In addition, the modules use an interface between the two units as defined by the IEEE 1451 standard. This paper presents a design of the smart module based on the IEEE 1451 standard along with the experimental evaluation for time delays.


The project "Everything is Number" started in the year 2008 with a calendar illustrated by the Swiss artist Eugen Jost. All paintings deal with mathematical topics. The interplay of arts and mathematics provides fascinating insights into mathematics especially for students at school. Sponsored by the German employers' association Gesamtmetall the calendar paintings became part of an exhibition at more than 150 schools all over Germany. Students were invited to discover new access to mathematical problems and tasks. The feedback of the public towards the calendar and the exhibition was overwhelming. In the meantime the nonprofit project grew and we could publish books and a second calendar in 2010. In special workshops for teachers we show how to work with Jost's paintings in the classroom to motivate students for mathematics. Since October 2009 the project hits another peak with a temporary exhibition at the Museum of Technology in Berlin.


Because cardiovascular disease remains a serious problem in modern human society, the aim of this study was to establish the rat model animal and to compare the heart dysfunction and fibrosis with SD and LE rats when treated with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion operation. A 20-minute thoracotomy was performed on the rat at the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion; then the perfusion was carried out. The left ventricular diastolic diameter and left ventricular systolic diameter (LVEDd and LVEDs) were both reduced in LE and SD rats after surgery. Compared with the sham group, the performance of the left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) significantly decreased, indicating systolic dysfunction was affected after surgery, and SD was significantly higher than LE at LVFS decreasing rate. The significant areas of collagen fibers were detected by Masson's tri-chrome staining after surgery. These results suggest that SD rat is more suitable than LE rat for successful establishment of the model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Also, the rat model can provide good experimental materials for regenerative medicine and drug testing to enhance research results in the future. Key words : Myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, animal model.


This study examines the effect of emotionally-charged stimuli on surprise recall rates of self-referentially processed words. In a between-subjects experimental design, 101 undergraduate students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (positive words, negative words, or neutral words) and presented with a list of seven adjectives describing appearance (e.g. cute, appalling, tall); experimental procedures were carried out through the UCF Qualtrics online survey design platform. After self-referential processing, a significant difference between all three groups was demonstrated by completion of a one-way ANOVA, with recall rates decreasing from the neutral, to the positive, to the negative group, respectively. Self-Esteem and Contingencies of Self-Worth (CSW) scores for participants were also investigated as possible moderating variables, but no significant interaction effect was identified.


Adding the air entraining agent which has larger expansion ratio and smaller bleeding rate can improve the workability of dry-mixed mortar efficiently, with the fly ash replacing some cement, the influencing rules of two kinds of air entraining agent on the mortar's workability and mechanical properties are studied, and the best mix proportion of binding material mortar is optimally selected. The experimental results show that when the water to cement ratio is 0.53 and the air entraining agent volume is about 0.5%, the fresh mortar's fluidity, water retention and dry shrinkage can meet the standard requirement, the 7d and 28d compressive strength of dry-mixed coating mortar are 11.2MPa, 8.6MPa and 18.8MPa, 15MPa respectively, all meet the strength requirement of M10. In addition, under the mixing two kinds of air entraining agent in 0.5%, fly ash replacing about 20% cement, the fresh mortar's workability can also meet the standard requirement.


Background: The efficacy and safety of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) through mini-incision and posterior laminoplasty for long-level cervical spondylosis were investigated. Method: From January 2018 to September 2019, clinical patients data with 3-4 segments (C3-7) cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, cervical spondylotic myelopathy, or mixed cervical spondylosis who received ACDF (42 cases) throughwith mini-incision or LAMP (36 cases) treatment were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The operative time, bleeding volume, incisive length, and hospital stay were recorded. Moreover, the intervertebral height, functional segment height, cervical lordosis, cervical hyperextension and hyperflexion range-of-motion (ROM) and ROM in all directions of the cervical spine before and after the operation were measured. Additionally, all relevant postoperative complications were also recorded. Then, the therapeutic effects of both surgical methods were investigated.Results: Patients in the ACDF group had less bleeding, shorter incision, and fewer hospitalization days than the LAMP group. Postoperative intervertebral height and functional segment height in the ACDF group were significantly higher than those before the operation, and postoperative functional segment height of the ACDF group was significantly higher than that of the LAMP group. Moreover, the postoperative cervical lordosis angle in the ACDF group was significantly larger than the LAMP group. There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative ROM in all directions of the cervical spine for the two groups.Conclusions: Both ACDF through mini-incision and LAMP are effective treatments for long-level cervical spondylosis. However, ACDF through mini-incision shows minor trauma, less bleeding, fast recovery, and it is beneficial for cervical lordosis reconstruction.


Background: Every day children use backpacks to get their books back and forth from school. Many children carry very heavy backpacks and there are some concerns that this could be contributing to back pain in children. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to assess, using the literature, what is the recommended weight limit that should be carried by school-aged children. Discussion: Many organizations, such as Back Pack Safety International, are trying to educate children on how to wear their backpacks properly and on the weight limit those children should carry to minimize back pain. However, many factors such as design, weight, how it is worn, and children's physical fitness have been shown to have an influence on the development of pain caused by backpacks. As well, parents and teachers have a determining role in helping children be better organized to have lighter backpacks. The literature does not seem to agree on a set weight limit but it is shown that to prevent back pain it should definitely not exceed 10-15%. Conclusion: Backpacks have an influence on back pain in children and the weight limit should not exceed 10-15% of the child's body weight.


This study presents the psychometric properties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a sample of 386 Northern Irish adolescents. Structural validity was evaluated by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Agreement was found with 3 of the 5 original factor structures: Emotional Problems, Prosocial, and Hyperactivity. However, unlike in the original SDQ, there appeared to be 2 distinct and separate Conduct factors, an Aggressive Conduct and an Antisocial Conduct factor. Furthermore, there appeared to be a Good Behavior factor, which is not present in the original factor structure. The findings imply that when using the SDQ with children and adolescents exposed to community and political conflict, results should be interpreted with caution. Further research is warranted to explore the reliability of the original factor structure with these young people who experience unique developmental trajectories compared with their peers who do not grow up in such an environment.


Integrating non-Western refugees into the highly specialised Scandinavian labour markets has proven difficult. This highly ideological policy field is an interesting case for the study of policy learning versus ideas as drivers for institutional change or continuity. Using the Norwegian Introductory Programme as a case study, we show that the application of core programme measures remains largely unaffected by evaluations that show that such measures tend to have very modest effects on the labour market integration of refugees. Concurrently, incremental changes in the disciplining elements of the programme have resulted in an increasingly controlling activation regime. Our interpretation is that a major driver behind the intensification of disciplinary elements has been the assumption that participants lack the motivation to integrate into the labour market. Moreover, we find that this assumption presents an obstacle to policy learning with regard to programme quality. Within activation, policy ideas seem to function simultaneously as path-reinforcing cognitive locks and as drivers for political change.


Rocuronium, a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug has a rapid onset of action, a comparatively low potency and, with a more favourable side effects profile than succinylcholine, it has become a popular alternative to that drug for rapid sequence inductions in anaesthesia. The rocuronium-binding cyclodextrin derivative sugammadex, prepared by per-6 substitution of the primary hydroxyls of γ-cyclodextrin with thiol ether-linked propionic acid side chains to extend the hydrophobic cavity to accommodate rocuronium, is used to reverse neuromuscular blockade by encapsulating the drug as an inclusion complex and removing it from the neuromuscular junction to the plasma. It has recently been suggested that sugammadex might also be of value in the management of rocuronium-induced anaphylaxis and this has been potentially supported by recent case reports. However, before sugammadex can be recommended for this purpose, it is important to establish whether or not the allergenic substituted ammonium groups at each end of the rocuronium molecule in the inclusion complex are masked within the cavity or left exposed for interaction with rocuronium-reactive IgE antibodies in the sera of rocuronium-allergic patients. Detailed experimental strategies and experimental protocols to investigate the allergenic potential of the sugammadex-rocuronium inclusion complex are presented and a possible explanation of the apparently rapid and successful reversal of anaphylaxis by administration of sugammadex is advanced and discussed.


Through more than 200 works, the representation and pictorial meaning of the window in the Western Art Since the Renaissance, the window has been both a metaphor and an essential conceptual tool in Western painting. A Window on the World seeks to thoroughly analyze the gradual changes which have occurred in the representation and pictorial meaning of the window, in particular in the course of the twentieth century. It explores the radical change in perspective whereby artists developed and offered us a global vision, a formal perception freed from the need to imitate the objective world. The catalogue is structured into four main sections: Historical introduction, Seeing through, Grids, From the Window to the Screen. These sections include specific analysis consecrated to artists who have chosen the window as the privileged means of their artistic research or to recurrent themes such as the fascinating relationship between window and still life.


The article studies the issues of resistance of winter wheat varieties selected by the State Center of grain n.a. P.P. Lukyanenko and the Institute of Agriculture of the KBRC of the RAS to pests. The studies were conducted in the steppe zone of Kabardino-Balkaria in the conditions of insufficient moisture in 2017-2018. Main diseases of winter wheat were identified, a valuable source material resistant to the main pathogens was isolated, and dominant diseases were established. The most adaptive, highly productive varieties of winter wheat were identified. The most ecologically plastic and stable varieties of winter wheat which can be used as donors were identified. Phytosanitary monitoring of the cotton moth was carried out in corn areas; phytophagous plants and the damage share were determined; progressive diseases were assessed; the species composition and frequency of pathogens were identified in grain areas.


Abstract Comparative studies are made on the development of lamination in Recent, Paleogene and Permian lake sediments. The study concentrates on the relationship between primary production and lamina formation. The main phytoplankton development in lakes is correlated with environmental changes and it is often preserved in the lamination in chronological succession. Seasonal patterns may be especially represented. Morphological identification and classification of laminities is achieved by studies of Recent lake sediments. This leads to possible comparison, even in badly preserved ancient examples. Paleogene lamination can be clearly correlated with the Recent lamination by the relatively tenuous relationships of the phytoplankton. Permian lake sediments, however, are difficult to decipher, as the phytoplankton species are different or absent as a result of taphonomy. Nevertheless, morphological comparisons suggest periodic sedimentation and lamination development that is clearly similar to that in lakes today. As the same physical properties apply, this seasonal sedimentation can also be used as an additional tool for the reconstruction of environmental and climatic changes in the Carboniferous-Permain boundary strata.


The regulatory domain of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was studied using monoclonal antibodies. Of the 22 monoclonal antibodies tested, a monoclonal antibody designated LKH-18 was found to activate MLCK in the absence of Ca2+/calmodulin. This activation was even greater when an Fab fragment of LKH-18 was used. Consequently, the actin-dependent smooth muscle myosin ATPase activity and the superprecipitation of actomyosin were significantly activated by MLCK plus LKH-18, even in the absence of Ca2+/calmodulin. The antibody-binding site was studied using proteolytic fragments and synthetic peptide analogues of MLCK. Immunoblot analysis revealed that LKH-18 reacted with the 66 kDa calmodulin-dependent active fragment but not with the 64 kDa inactive fragment or with the 61 kDa calmodulin-independent active fragment. Furthermore, LKH-18 reacted with MLCK-(796-815)-peptide but not with MLCK-(786-801)-peptide or with MLCK-(796-807)-peptide. Therefore the LKH-18-binding site was assigned to amino acid residues 808-815 of MLCK, which are thought to be a part of the calmodulin-binding site. The present results suggest that the binding of ligand to this region induces a conformation change in MLCK and that this abolishes the action of the inhibitory region which exists next to the N-terminal side of the calmodulin-binding site.


The paper examines the nature and degree of instability in yields, prices and gross returns of different crops in Jessore district. Considering the coefficient of variation around the trend (CVt) of prices and gross returns, cereal crops were found to be relatively less risky compared to other crops. Price instability was higher than yield instability. The study emphasizes the need for price stabilization of agricultural commodities. Crop yield instability was also high. This necessitates intensive training of farmers and extension agents in matters of farm management and planning.


The synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties, and theoretical analysis of a series of tetraaza porphyrin analogues (H-Pn: n=1-4) containing a dipyrrin subunit and an embedded 1,10-phenanthroline subunit are described. The meso-phenyl-substituted derivative (H-P1) interacts with a Mg(2+) salt (e.g., MgCl(2), MgBr(2), MgI(2), Mg(ClO(4))(2), and Mg(OAc)(2)) in MeCN solution, thereby giving rise to a cation-dependent red-shift in both the absorbance- and emission maxima. In this system, as well as in the other H-Pn porphyrin analogues used in this study, the four nitrogen atoms of the ligand interact with the bound magnesium cation to form Mg(2+)-dipyrrin-phenanthroline complexes of the general structure MgX-Pn (X=counteranion). Both single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the corresponding zinc-chloride derivative (ZnCl-P1) and fluorescence spectroscopy of the Mg-adducts that are formed from various metal salts provide support for the conclusion that, in complexes such as MgCl-P1, a distorted square-pyramidal geometry persists about the metal cation wherein a chloride anion acts as an axial counteranion. Several analogues (HPn) that contain electron-donating and/or electron-withdrawing dipyrrin moieties were prepared in an effort to understand the structure-property relationships and the photophysical attributes of these Mg-dipyrrin complexes. Analysis of various MgX-Pn (X=anion) systems revealed significant substitution effects on their chemical, electrochemical, and photophysical properties, as well as on the Mg(2+)-cation affinities. The fluorescence properties of MgCl-Pn reflected the effect of donor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (d-PET) processes from the dipyrrin subunit (as a donor site) to the 1,10-phenanthroline acceptor subunit. The proposed d-PET process was analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and by femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy, as well as by theoretical DFT calculations. Taken together, these studies provide support for the suggestion that a radical species is produced as the result of an intramolecular charge-transfer process, following photoexcitation. These photophysical effects, combined with a mixed dipyrrin-phenanthroline structure that is capable of effective Mg(2+)-cation complexation, lead us to suggest that porphyrin-inspired systems, such as HPn, have a role to play as magnesium-cation sensors.


Stimuli-responsive dendrimers are attractive nanocarriers for cancer drug delivery due to their inherent structure, biodegradability and precise control of release of a payload in response to specific triggers. However, the efficient and precise synthesis of such dendrimers with site-specific responsiveness is challenging. We report an efficient synthesis of enzyme-responsive phosphoramidate (PAD) dendrimers from a pair of monomers using click and click-like reactions. These dendrimers were stable in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) but degradable in the presence of phospholipase C (PLC) that was overexpressed on cancer cells. The surface modification of the dendrimers with zwitterionic groups (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, MPC) greatly reduced the nonspecific binding of the plasma proteins and therefore enhanced blood circulation time. The PAD-MPC dendrimers easily encapsulated hydrophobic drugs such as doxorubicin (DOX). The DOX-loaded PAD-MPC (PAD-MPC/DOX) showed PLC-responsive drug release and efficient delivery of DOX to cancer cells by overcoming multidrug resistance. The PLC-responsive PAD-MPC/DOX was highly toxic to cancer cells and less effective on normal cells. The PAD-MPC/DOX showed improved therapeutic effects and reduced toxicity in athymic nude mice bearing xenografts of MCF-7/ADR breast cancer.


Extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to investigate the intercalative binding of 9-hydroxyellipticine to the DNA oligonucleotide d(ATATATATATAT)2. Four independent simulations differing in the initial orientation of the drug at the intercalation site were carried out, and compared both with each other and a control simulation of the free DNA sequence. The structure of the latter was compared with structures obtained from x-ray crystallography and nmr spectroscopy, as well as the theoretically derived "alternating B-DNA" model [A. Klug et al. (1979), Journal of Molecular Biology, Vol. 131, p. 669]. The alternation of twist angles observed in experimental structures was reproduced in the simulation. All four independent simulations of the drug-DNA intercalation complex converged in placing the pyridine ring of the ellipticine chromophore in the major groove; in one case this involved a 180 degrees rotation of the drug at the intercalation site. At a more detailed level, the drug is seen to be capable of adopting several distinct orientations, each stable over a period of hundreds of pico-seconds. Despite the presence of several polar groups in the drug, however, no direct hydrogen bonding to the DNA occurs; instead, interactions between the methyl groups of the drug and the thymine bases at the intercalation site appear important in determining the orientational preferences of the drug. Comparison of the intercalation complexes with the free DNA sequence shows a degree of unwinding resulting from intercalation, in good agreement with experimental results, but spread over the three central base-pair steps, not confined to the intercalation site itself. Measurements of torsional rigidity indicate only a slight stiffening of the DNA restricted to the immediate site of intercalation. The structures obtained from the MD simulations were used to calculate theoretical CD spectra, with separate simulations giving very different results. This appears to indicate that given an accurate assignment of the main electronic transition dipole moment of the ellipticine chromophore, discrimination of the more realistic binding geometries may be possible. The relative merits of the various drug orientations observed in the simulations are discussed and a perpendicular orientation of the drug at the intercalation site is considered to be the most consistent with experimental data. While the simulations themselves represent a total of over 2 ns, however, the differences apparent between independent runs indicate that longer simulation times will be required before a complete, unequivocal view of DNA intercalation is obtained.


A new myxobolid species, Myxobolus zaikae n. sp., was found in the connective tissue near the kidney and liver blood vessels of the common roach Rutilus rutilus, while fish myxosporean fauna were being investigated in Lake Baikal, Russia. The parasites were studied on the basis of spore morphology as well as with histological and molecular methods. Mature spores of M. zaikae n. sp. are round or ellipsoidal in the frontal view and lemon-shaped in the lateral view, measuring 11.37 ± 0.11 µm (10.2-14.0 µm) in length, 10.29 ± 0.10 µm (9.6-11.0 µm) in width, and 6.3 ± 0.08 µm (5.8-7.1 µm) in thickness (mean ± SD; n = 50). Polar capsules are equal and pyriform, measuring 4.5 ± 0.07 µm (3.4-5.2 µm) in length and 2.9 ± 0.03 µm (2.6-3.3 µm) in width. Polar capsules contained polar filaments coiled with 5 to 6 turns. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this newly described species clusters with other myxobolid species infecting the connective tissue of different organs from Palearctic cyprinid fish.


Speculative and Critical Design (SCD) methods can produce provocative artifacts that help audiences recognize the political worlds in which all designed objects participate. Similarly, SCD can be leveraged in educational settings to help design students engage with social and political theory through their design work. SCD practices, however, are rarely seen outside of arts and creative design spaces, which limits any potential political impact they may have. This article traces the integration of SCD practices into "the hard case" of engineering education—a space with radically different, and at times oppositional, intellectual, and political traditions than creative design. I argue that the SCD platforms must reflexively account for and bridge radical epistemological differences among design disciplines, including those disciplines that may have an innate aversion to "political" content, if they are to have transformational impact outside of art and creative design worlds.


Here we present a high-resolution marine sediment record from the El Nino region off the coast of Peru spanning the last 20,000 years. Sea surface temperature, photosynthetic pigments, and a lithic proxy for El Nino flood events on the continent are used as paleo–El Nino–Southern Oscillation proxy data. The onset of stronger El Nino activity in Peru started around 17,000 calibrated years before the present, which is later than modeling experiments show but contemporaneous with the Heinrich event 1. Maximum El Nino activity occurred during the early and late Holocene, especially during the second and third millennium B.P. The recurrence period of very strong El Nino events is 60–80 years. El Nino events were weak before and during the beginning of the Younger Dryas, during the middle of the Holocene, and during medieval times. The strength of El Nino flood events during the last millennium has positive and negative relationships to global and Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstructions.


ABSTRACT Aim: Tivo is a selective oral VEGF TKI with a long half-life and activity against all 3 VEGFRs. Preclinical data showed antitumor activity of tivo when added to chemotherapy (chemo). In a phase 1b study of tivo + mFOLFOX6 in mCRC and other GI cancers, partial responses were shown and the combination was well tolerated. Based on these results, a randomized, open-label, phase 2 trial of tivo + mFOLFOX6 (arm A) vs bev + mFOLFOX6 (arm B) in previously untreated mCRC was initiated. Methods: Eligible patients had no prior systemic chemo, no fluorouracil-containing adjuvant therapy in the previous 6 mo, and an ECOG PS ≤1. No prior VEGF therapy, including bev was permitted, nor a history of significant thromboembolic or vascular disorders within 6 mo before study entry. The primary end point was PFS by investigator radiologic assessment. Secondary end points included PFS by IRR, OS, ORR, DOR, TTF, and biomarker subgroup analysis of LDH; VEGF A, C, D; CD68; myeloid-derived gene signature and serum soluble cytokines. Subjects were randomized 2:1 and stratified by LDH, origin of cancer, and number of metastatic sites, and received mFOLFOX6 q2w on days 1 and 15 of each 28-day cycle with either tivo 1.5 mg qd for 21 days followed by 7 days off treatment or bev 5 mg/kg q2w. Results: Between 12/20/11 and 4/28/13, 265 subjects were randomized: 177 to arm A and 88 to arm B. A prespecified interim analysis included 95 PFS events and met prespecified futility criteria. mPFS (arm A vs arm B) was 9.4 mo vs 10.7 mo (P = .706); mORR: 45.2% vs 43.2% (P = .718). The overall safety profile was comparable between arms, but there were more drug-related ≥grade 3 treatment-emergent AEs in arm A (57.1% vs 35.6%), higher ALT or AST elevations >3 × ULN (16.6% vs 5.7%), and increase in grade for platelets (65.9% vs 43.7%). The most common toxicities included diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, neutropenia, and hypertension. Conclusions: The addition of tivo to mFOLFOX6 vs bev + mFOLFOX6 met prespecified futility criteria and resulted in comparable PFS, ORR, TTF, and DOR with an acceptable safety profile. At the interim analysis, there were no significant associations between serum/tumor biomarkers and outcomes. Disclosure: J.A. Bridgewater: • Advisory board: 2013, 1; I. Kiss: • Ad bds: Roche, Merck, Bayer • Speakers' bureau: Roche, Merck, Amgen, Bayer, Sanofi; J. Chen, C. Sasse, S. Vossen, C. van Sant, H. Ball, A. Keating, A. Krisvoshik: Astellas employee • Stock • Salary; All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


Recently, the awareness of protecting the environment has changed the way business activities are conducted.Thus, many public and private agencies are moving towards sustainable development which would encourage event organisers to practice event greening process and eventually would increase demand for attending green
events.However, despite the demand of the attendees, green practice is also influenced by other motivation such as competitiveness, legitimation and so on. Due to the fact that path to greenness is varied, motivation to adopt
green practice may differ between event companies because different types of event company would display different types of motivation.Therefore this paper will highlight numerous types of motivation that motivate event practitioners to practice green. In doing so, it provides an extensive review of the literature associated with
motivation that may encourage practitioners to implement event greening process. Consequently, motivations that lead to practicing green event are listed.Practitioners are recommended to observe these motivational factors so that they can plan and channel their efforts towards practicing event greening wisely.It is noted that
this paper is elementary and more research must be conducted in order to encourage green practice in event industry.


This study examines the level of awareness of organizational culture (OC) of hotel managers in middle and upper level Hotel Units (HU) in Greece. A random sample of 140 hotel managers from middle and upper Hotel Units (HU) in Greece were surveyed using the Organizational Culture Assessment Questionnaire (OCAQ), a 30-item OC scale developed by Sashkin (1997). The results indicated that the mean values of the OC factors "managing change", "achieving goals" and "cultural strength" are considered as average, while "coordinated teamwork", "customer orientation" and the total OC score are considered to be high, when compared to Sashkin (1997) norms. Further results revealed significant differences only for the "customer orientation" factor. Generally, no significant differences were found among managers of middle and upper level HU for general awareness of OC. It is concluded that the results are rather homogenous, with all HU managers placing more or less the same importance to Sashkin's five OC factors, with each HU manager reporting a rather satisfactory organizational culture.


Cyclic codes are defined and described from a new viewpoint involving polynomials. The basic properties of Hamming and Fire codes are derived. The potentialities of these codes for error detection and the equipment required for implementing error detection systems using cyclic codes are described in detail.


Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) was used to analyse force signals during sustained sub-maximal grip contraction (SSGC) of three types of patients suffering from a metabolic muscle disorder (glycogen storage disease type III (GSD III), glycogen storage disease type V (GSD V) and mitochondrial myopathies (MITO)) compared to control subjects. Recurrence plots (RP) of patients showed clear non-uniformity, in comparison to control subjects who displayed quasi-periodic patterns. Quantitative analysis of the RP showed significant differences between patients with metabolic disorders and the control group for four RQA parameters. The results showed that the SSGC signals of patients had decreased L max , which indicated more chaotic patterns. In addition the deterministic component of the signals was less complex for patients than for controls. The differences of SSGC signal observed using RP and RQA were possibly related to the underlying changes in metabolism of muscle fibres due to the disease. Results of this study illustrate that the RQA technique is well suited to analyse sustained grip-force signals.


Agriculture of the inland arid region in Xinjiang depends on irrigation, which forms oasis of Northwest China. The production and water use of wheat, a dominant crop there, is significantly affected by undergoing climate variability and change. The objective of this study is to quantify interannual variability of wheat yield and water use from 1955 to 2006. The farming systems model APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator) was used to evaluate crop yield, evapotranspiration (ET), and water use efficiency of winter and spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Xinjiang from 1955 to 2006. The APSIM model was first calibrated and validated using 6 years of experimental data. The validated model was then applied to simulated wheat yield and ET using climatic and soil data for present crop cultivar. Simulated wheat yield under full irrigation have no significant decreasing trend from 1955 to 2006. Simulated growth duration of winter wheat was significantly decreased. Simulated ET of winter wheat was significantly correlated with measured pan evaporation. Simulated ET of winter wheat decreased significantly during the 52 years, with a decrease rate of 0.813 mm year -1 . Cluster analysis showed that the variations of ET were mainly determined by solar radiation, nothing to do with the changes in temperature. The results identified the change trend of field ET under historical climate change, and determined the main meteorological factors which affect ET in this oasis. These results provide a measure for water demand, crop production and irrigation management under climate change in the oasis.


Our previous study found that 2-phenyl-4-quinolone (2-PQ) derivatives are antimitotic agents, and we adopted the drug design concept of scaffold hopping to replace the 2-aromatic ring of 2-PQs with a 4-aromatic ring, representing 4-phenyl-2-quinolones (4-PQs). The 4-PQ compounds, whose structural backbones also mimic analogs of podophyllotoxin (PPT), maybe a new class of anticancer drugs with simplified PPT structures. In addition, 4-PQs are a new generation of anticancer lead compounds as apoptosis stimulators. On the other hand, previous studies showed that 4-arylcoumarin derivatives with 5-, 6-, and 7-methoxy substitutions displayed remarkable anticancer activities. Therefore, we further synthesized a series of 5-, 6-, and 7-methoxy-substituted 4-PQ derivatives (19–32) by Knorr quinoline cyclization, and examined their anticancer effectiveness. Among these 4-PQs, compound 22 demonstrated excellent antiproliferative activities against the COLO205 cell line (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 0.32 μM) and H460 cell line (IC50 = 0.89 μM). Furthermore, we utilized molecular docking studies to explain the possible anticancer mechanisms of these 4-PQs by the docking mode in the colchicine-binding pocket of the tubulin receptor. Consequently, we selected the candidate compounds 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, and 28 to predict their absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiles. Pharmacokinetics (PKs) indicated that these 4-PQs displayed good drug-likeness and bioavailability, and had no cardiotoxic side effects or carcinogenicity, but we detected risks of drug–drug interactions and AMES toxicity (mutagenic). However, structural modifications of these 4-PQs could improve their PK properties and reduce their side effects, and their promising anticancer activities attracted our attention for further studies.


This study compares the performance of different rebalancing strategies under realistic market conditions by reporting statistical significance levels. Our analysis is based on historical data from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany and comprises three different classes of rebalancing (periodic, threshold, and range rebalancing). Despite cross-country differences, our history-based simulation results show that all rebalancing strategies outperform a buy-and-hold strategy in terms of Sharpe ratios, Sortino ratios, and Omega measures. The differences in risk-adjusted performance are not only statistically significant, but also economically relevant. However, the choice of a particular rebalancing strategy is of only minor economic importance.


Higher insulation and air tightness levels of buildings, increase the risk on overheating. Ventilative cooling as passive technique can limit overheating and decrease cooling energy consumption. The national energy performance regulations (EPBD) determine whether, how and under which requirements ventilative cooling can assist to reduce cooling demand and overheating. Therefore, those regulations are a key factor in the market uptake of ventilative cooling. Without a realistic and achievable approach, ventilative cooling will marginally be applied in buildings. In this study, actual and possible requirements imposed on devices or systems for ventilative cooling are described. Besides, a sensitivity analysis is performed to assess the impact of parameter variation on the ventilative cooling effect. One reference dwelling is selected and introduced into the EP software of Belgium, The Netherlands and France. In that way, differences in buildings characteristics between countries on the output are ignored. Of course, the presented results are only valid for the selected reference dwelling. In the three countries ventilative cooling by means of openable windows can be taken into account, in Belgium and France as a percentage of openable windows, in The Netherlands as present or not. Burglary resistance and water tightness of ventilative cooling devices are requirements (for The Netherlands) or have an impact on the performance of the ventilative cooling device (for Belgium). In France, openable windows are not allowed in case of active cooling. When there are openable windows in France, they are supposed to be opened during the heating season as well, resulting in an increased heating demand due to ventilative cooling. As can be expected, ventilative cooling always decreases the cooling demand (26 to 96% in Belgium, 10 to 35% in The Netherlands), especially in combination with mobile solar shading. Similar to the cooling demand, the risk on overheating in Belgium decreases by applying ventilative cooling. In France, summer indoor temperature can be strongly reduced by using openable windows, although the fraction openable windows has no effect. Next to ventilative cooling, thermal capacity as well as solar shading can have a considerable impact on summer comfort and should be considered as complementary means. The overall primary energy consumption of the reference dwelling is lower when ventilative cooling is applied (5 to 12% in Belgium, up to 4% in The Netherlands) except for France where openable windows remarkably increase the heating demand (up to 38%). The lowest primary energy consumption is achieved by applying ventilative cooling in combination with sun shading.


This editorial address is intended as an opening reflection on food research dynamics at European level where the issues to be faced and the approaches to doing so are increasingly complex. Our proposal here is to consider these issues and the activities within which they are embedded as a series of communicative processes. We will seek to provide an overview of some of the intense and controversial debates around food, health and communication that open up a range of topics for research in Europe. These debates involve negotiations within and between public institutions, private organizations, a multiplicity of stakeholder groups, traditional and social media and consumers. Controversial processes of sense making span across corporate communications, social movements' insights, and an increasingly visible and established rhetoric around individual choices and responsibilities. These processes result in a fertile and productive terrain both for food and health campaigns across Europe and an associated wide ranging research agenda. Our networked era, moving beyond traditional media is thus changing and challenging organizational and institutional forms of communication. This becomes visible in the hard struggle for constituting and imposing claims about food and its meanings.


The collapse of communism in the Soviet Union has not put an end to the longstanding debate over the pertinence of the concept of totalitarianism or on its more or less limited usage. [1] Its physiognomy has, however, changed. Uncertainties over the future of the Soviet regime no longer weigh down on protagonists of the concept as they once did and science has taken the lead over political judgement, even though it sometimes retains the imprint of the old ideological oppositions. Discussions now tend to revolve around the circle of historians. What seems to me more remarkable is the persistence of the objections and reservations to characterising the communist system as totalitarian, or more generally to the idea of a new social formation emerging beneath the opposed traits of communism and fascism. Some of the arguments advanced under the sign of scientific rigour deserve to be examined inasmuch as they can help us to clarify the problem. I shall discuss four of these arguments: (i) communism and fascism are fundamentally different; (ii) the totalitarian phenomenon can only be detected in Germany and Russia during limited periods; (iii) the concept, as suggestive as it may be, has no practical value for the historian; (iv) it only becomes pertinent if it is introduced as an idealtype in the Weberian sense of the term.


Damage evolution and time-to-failure are investigated for a model material in which damage formation is a stochastic event. Specifically, the probability of failure at any site at time t is proportional to sigma(i)(t)(eta), where sigma(i)(t) is the local stress at site i at time t and differs from the applied stress because of the stress redistribution from prior damage. An analytic model of the damage process predicts two regimes of failure: percolationlike failure for eta less than or equal to 2 and ''avalanche'' failure for eta textgreater 2. In the percolationlike regime, failure occurs by gradual global accumulation of damage culminating in a connected cluster which spans the system. In the avalanche regime, failure occurs by rapid growth of a single crack after a transient period during which the critical crack developed. The scalings of the transient period, the subsequent crack dynamics, and the time-dependent probability distribution for failure are determined analytically as functions of the system size and the exponent eta. Specific predictions are that failure is more abrupt with increasing eta, failure times scale inversely with a power of the logarithm of system size, and the distribution of failure times is a double exponential and broadens with increasing eta, so that the failure becomes less predictable as it is becoming more abrupt. The conditions for the transition to the rapid growth regime are identified, offering the possibility of early detection of impending failure. In a companion paper, numerical simulations of this failure process in two-dimensional lattices are compared in detail to the analytical predictions.


The interaction of ultra-high energy cosmic rays with the atmosphere nuclei has long been seen as a unique opportunity to study hadronic interactions above energies attainable by accelerators. However, so far the multiparticle production properties of the first interaction have been difficult to assess as they are masked by the many interactions that outline the shower development.
In this work, we demonstrate, that relevant properties of the ultra-high energy first interaction can be accessed through the analysis of the shower-to-shower distribution of muons arriving at the ground. In particular, it is shown that the slope of the low-tail of the number of muon distribution measured at the ground is a direct link to the high energy spectrum of neutral pions produced in the interaction of the primary protons.
In this presentation, it will also address the experimental feasibility of such measurements and their connection with physical quantities being currently measured at the Large Hadron Collider.


Purpose -The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and explore that the women leaders characteristics contributory to the effectiveness of financial organizations. Objectives – This objective of this research is to seek the insight about the pertinent performance and effectiveness of women leaders and male leaders in financial institutions. Methodology – This research is based on survey study and quantitative and cross sectional in nature. Data is collected from the banks and financial institutions to analyze the responses of the selected sample which was conveniently selected from the targeted population of corporate sector and learning organizations in Lebanon. 88% response rate was attained. The reliability of data was within limits of cut off points. Data collected was tested for missing values, normality and descriptive statistics on SPSS V. 20 and SEM was applied to test the model and items. Results and implication The results and findings displays that women leaders are much better and effective in attainment of organizational effectiveness in financial institutions due to their feminist characteristics and exposure at different levels and psychological moves and turns of life. Recommendations and Implication – The research study recommends that due to feminism attributes in women leaders they must be taken to top positions where changes is to be brought as they bring change, instill it among the workers and collaboratively refreeze the change. Female leaders are more likely to nurture transformational leadership as compared to men. Future line of research Future research will be conducted to sort out the difficulties faced by the women to attain the top level positions globally and factors to be identified in-order to reach the root cause of women lacking at top and strategic positions. KeywordsWomen Leadership, Leadership, Leader, Feminine Leadership Characteristics, Leadership Roles


Context. The host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been claimed to have experienced a recent inflow of gas from the intergalactic medium. This is because their atomic gas distribution is not centred on their optical emission and because they are deficient in molecular gas given their high star formation rates (SFRs). Similar studies have not been conducted for host galaxies of relativistic supernovae (SNe), which may have similar progenitors.
 Aims. The potential similarity of the powering mechanisms of relativistic SNe and GRBs allowed us to make a prediction that relativistic SNe are born in environments similar to those of GRBs, that is, ones which are rich in atomic gas. Here we embark on testing this hypothesis by analysing the properties of the host galaxy NGC 3278 of the relativistic SN 2009bb. This is the first time the atomic gas properties of a relativistic SN host are provided and the first time resolved 21 cm-hydrogen-line (H I) information is provided for a host of an SN of any type in the context of the SN position.
 Methods. We obtained radio observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) covering the H I line, and optical integral field unit spectroscopy observations with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Moreover, we analysed archival carbon monoxide (CO) and multi-wavelength data for this galaxy.
 Results. The atomic gas distribution of NGC 3278 is not centred on the optical galaxy centre, but instead around a third of atomic gas resides in the region close to the SN position. This galaxy has a few times lower atomic and molecular gas masses than predicted from its SFR. Its specific SFR (sSFR ≡ SFR/M*) is approximately two to three times higher than the main-sequence value, placing it at the higher end of the main sequence, towards starburst galaxies. SN 2009bb exploded close to the region with the highest SFR density and the lowest age, as evident from high Hα EW, corresponding to the age of the stellar population of ~5.5 Myr. Assuming this timescale was the lifetime of the progenitor star, its initial mass would have been close to ~36 M⊙.
 Conclusions. As for GRB hosts, the gas properties of NGC 3278 are consistent with a recent inflow of gas from the intergalactic medium, which explains the concentration of atomic gas close to the SN position and the enhanced SFR. Super-solar metallicity at the position of the SN (unlike for most GRBs) may mean that relativistic explosions signal a recent inflow of gas (and subsequent star formation), and their type (GRBs or SNe) is determined either (i) by the metallicity of the inflowing gas, so that metal-poor gas results in a GRB explosion and metal-rich gas (for example a minor merger with an evolved galaxy or re-accretion of expelled gas) results in a relativistic SN explosion without an accompanying GRB, or (ii) by the efficiency of gas mixing (efficient mixing for SN hosts leading to a quick disappearance of metal-poor regions), or (iii) by the type of the galaxy (more metal-rich galaxies would result in only a small fraction of star formation being fuelled by metal-poor gas).


Worldwide sea surface temperatures (SST) have increased on average by about 1oC since 1900 with the exception of a region of the North Atlantic subpolar gyre (SPG) near 50oN which has cooled by up to 0.9oC over the same period, generating the negative feature on temperature anomaly maps which has been colloquially described by Rahmstorf et al. (2015) as the 'cold blob' (abbreviated here CB). This unique long term surface cooling trend is most evident in February but in August net warming is observed even at CB epicentre and the CB itself is reduced to a mere 'warming hole'. These seasonal changes in the intensity of the CB are the product of two separate factors: (1) a long term winter cooling specific for the CB region which appears to be associated with cooling of Greenland coastal waters in autumn, plausibly linked to summer meltwater from icebergs and sea ice and (2) summer warming effects which derive from (a) dramatic reductions in summer sea ice cover in the sub‐Arctic over the last 30 years that allows enhanced absorption of sunlight by the new open water in summer and (b) an unusual period of increased summer sub‐Arctic ice cover in the early 20th century which lowers the SST baseline measured from 1900, thus increasing the calculated linear rate of change of SST with time. Both of these effects could contribute to the observed Arctic amplification of warming.


Objective: To evaluate the functioning of a trauma and dissociation unit that has run for the past 8 years in a private hospital, with particular regard to operating philosophy, operating parameters, challenges encountered, research and educational initiatives, and the applicability of the treatment model to other settings. Conclusions: Despite the challenges associated with significant difficulties in the corporate management of a private health-care system, it has been possible to operate an inpatient and day hospital programme tailored to the needs of patients in the dissociative spectrum, and the lessons learnt from this experience are valid considerations in the future planning of mental health services overall


Natural killer (NK) cell activity has been postulated to be an immunologic link between β-carotene and cancer prevention. In a cross-sectional, placebo-controlled, double-blind study we examined the effect of 10-12 y of β-carotene supplementation (50 mg on alternate days) on NK cell activity in 59 (38 middle-aged men, 51-64 y ; 21 elderly men, 65-86 y) Boston area participants in the Physicians' Health Study. No significant difference was seen in NK cell activity due to β-carotene supplementation in the middle-aged group. The elderly men had significantly lower NK cell activity than the middle-aged men ; however, there was no age-associated difference in NK cell activity in men supplemented with β-carotene. β-carotene-supplemented elderly men had significantly greater NK cell activity than elderly men receiving placebo. The reason for this is unknown ; however, it was not due to an increase in the percentage of NK cells, nor to an increase in interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression, nor to IL-2 production. β-carotene may be acting directly on one or more of the lytic stages of NK cell cytotoxicity, or on NK cell activity-enhancing cytokines other than IL-2, such as IL-12. Our results show that long-term β-carotene supplementation enhances NK cell activity in elderly men, which may be beneficial for viral and tumoral surveillance.


The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of love styles, sexual coercion, and victimization among men. Men were classified in two categories: perpetrator (either inexperienced, consensual, or coercive) and victim (never victimized, verbally victimized, physically victimized, or both verbally and physically victimized). Love styles were indicative of both perpetrators and victims of sexual coercion. Men who reported engaging in coercive strategies were more likely to endorse Ludus (game-playing love) love style, and less likely to endorse Agape (unconditional love) love style than noncoercive men. Men who reported love styles of Storge (a friendship-first attitude toward love) and Pragma (a selective, practical approach toward love) were more likely to report being victims of sexually coercive behaviors. Those men who reported being sexually victimized were also more likely to report using coercive strategies. The results can further our understanding of male victimization and usage of sexually coercive strategies.


This ethnographic study, set against the backdrop of the National Effective School Reform of 1998 and situated within the context of the National Language Act of 1967 and the Quota System Policy of 1970, focuses on the relationship between ethnic Chinese youths' resistance modes and identity formation. The language act and quota system, designed to facilitate national unity and reduce social inequity, actually sharpen racial differences and create internal hegemony. Extensive fieldwork consisting of observations, interviews, and surveys provide empirical data for three central research questions examined. I trace the origins and trends of the language act and quota system to contextualize the empirical evidence and review three sets of empirical scholarships (critical theories, postcolonial studies, and sociolinguistics) to conceptualize research findings. Facing Malay-centric, teaching practices and disciplinary approaches for the first time, ethnic Chinese students in national high schools exhibit two distinct resistance modes. High achievers downplay ethnic ancestry, accumulate language capital through tutoring, and obey school rules. Low achievers highlight ethnic ancestry, accumulate vocational capital through apprenticeship, and defy school rules. Substantial support and higher expectation from parents contribute to the academic success of male high achievers. Inadequate support and low expectation from parents result in the academic failure of female low achievers. Furthermore, parental belief in the rewards of school success, but distrust toward school personnel contributes to the compliance of high achievers. Parental trust toward school personnel, but disbelief in school rewards leads to the defiance of low achievers. This ethnographic study provides policymakers and educators with first-hand information to evaluate the national effective school reform. More specifically, it generates intimate insights into the types of academic challenges and behavioral problems facing students. In addition, this study adds to the youth resistance literature in two ways. First, through its basis in grounded theory methodology, this study develops an empirically relevant and practically applicable conceptual framework to improve educational quality and to facilitate social equity. Second, by weaving together personal narratives and systemic analysis, this study demonstrates a joint analysis from both the micro and macro perspectives through the effective use of social dramas, portraitures, and vignettes to represent data.


Simply stated, understanding how hospitals receive money enables materiel managers to save money. Reimbursement in the health care industry is a complex phenomenon, and the rules and regulations change annually, so that it is sometimes difficult to budget appropriately and estimate the hospital's bottom line accurately. The savvy materiel managers who can utilize the reimbursement concepts effectively will be highly regarded within their institutions.


In this paper, we study new network information flow called multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) two-way relay interference channels where two links of relay systems are interfering with each other. In this system, we characterize the achievable total degrees of freedom (DOF) when all user nodes and relays have M and N antennas, respectively. We provide three different methods, namely, time-division multiple access, signal space alignment for network coding (SSA-NC), and a new interference neutralization (IN) scheme. In the SSA-NC scheme, one relay is selected to fully exploit the dimension of the chosen relay for network coding. For the IN, we propose a new relay transmission scheme where two relays cooperatively design the beamforming vectors so that the interference signals are neutralized at each receiver. By adopting three different relaying strategies, we show that the DOF of max { min(4N,2M ), \min (2N,2 ⌊\frac{4}{3}M ⌋ ), min(2N-1,4M) } is achieved for MIMO two-way relay interference channels.


OBJECTIVE
To assist correct decision-making about antimicrobial treatment of equine neonates with septicaemia.

DESIGN
Retrospective study of microbial blood culture results obtained from foals less than 7 days of age.

METHODS
Microbial blood culture results from foals less than 7 days of age admitted to an intensive care unit between July 1999 and December 2004 were reviewed. Antimicrobial sensitivity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Antimicrobials were defined as an effective first-line choice antimicrobial if greater than 70% of isolates were susceptible. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) was defined as resistance to at least three antimicrobials in different chemical classes or with different mechanisms of resistance.

RESULTS
Of the 427 Thoroughbred foals included in the study, a positive blood culture was obtained in 110 foals and 124 microorganisms were isolated. Gram-positive isolates, predominantly Streptococcus/Enterococcus spp, were obtained in 41% of foals. Gram-negative isolates were predominantly of the Enterobacteriaceae family, in particular Escherichia coli. The overall antimicrobial sensitivity of the isolates was low. The Gram-positive organisms had unpredictable sensitivity patterns. MDR was recorded in 32% of isolates. In total, 81% of foals were discharged from hospital and 74.5% of foals with a positive blood culture were discharged.

CONCLUSION
With the increasing prevalence of Gram-positive microorganisms and their unpredictable sensitivity patterns, blood cultures remain important in the diagnosis and treatment of equine neonatal septicaemia.


Asthma is a heterogeneous malady analyzed by the nearness of discontinuous side effects of wheeze, hack and chest snugness, ordinarily identified with a reversible wind current hindrance, for the most part settle precipitously or with asthma treatment. Throughout the years, clinicians have characterized a few phenotypes dependent on the introduction and period of beginning of side effects, the seriousness of the infection, and the nearness of different conditions, for example, hypersensitivity and eosinophilia with various long-terms results and reaction to treatment with corticosteroids. Regardless of the acknowledgment of these phenotypes of asthma, the way to deal with the administration of asthma suggested by the worldwide Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) rules keeps on being founded on the seriousness of the condition, with drugs included the premise of asthma control.
In the period of the customized medication, so as to convey this methodology for asthma, it is critical to have the option to phenotype the condition in a fair manner and to characterize biomarkers ready to foresee the course of the infection and the reaction to treatment. A biomarker is a quantifiable marker that can assess a typical or neurotic natural procedures or pharmacologic reaction to a helpful mediation. A substantial biomarker would have a few key attributes: to recognize infection and wellbeing with high positive and negative prescient qualities, to give data about ailment anticipation and clinical results, to change with malady movement and "standardize" with fruitful treatment, to be dependable and reproducible in the clinical setting with practically zero everyday variety, to be anything but difficult to gather in "this present reality" setting, to be quantifiable in an investigative framework with all around characterized execution, and to be savvy.
Notwithstanding the continued exploration endeavors during the most recent years concentrated on the distinguishing proof of biomarkers appropriate in clinical practice for the administration of asthma, just a couple of biomarkers demonstrative of T2-high asthma have been depicted (for example IgE, eosinophils in blood or potentially sputum, Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide [FeNO], periostin), and their utility in finding, guess and treatment is as yet questionable.
Sputum eosinophils are gotten by sputum acceptance and are communicated as a level of provocative cells.2 Upper constraint of typical for sputum eosinophil differential is commonly characterized as roughly 1% to 2%,2–4 with female sexual orientation and atopy related with higher sputum eosinophil counts. Sputum eosinophil include is expanded in suggestive people with asthma, and raised eosinophils can be found in half of corticosteroid-rewarded patients, and in 70% to 80% of corticosteroid-gullible patients. Sputum eosinophil tally is raised by allergen challenge and diminished by corticosteroids. Studies of breathed in corticosteroid (ICS) decrease in patients with asthma show that an expansion in sputum eosinophil tally might be prescient of asthma compounding.
Purpose: There is a developing examination intrigue planned for foreseeing the guess of patients with straightforward blood tests related with foundational aggravation. Neutrophil to lymphocyte proportion (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte proportion (PLR) are as of late characterized novel fiery markers, which are promptly accessible, and they have been concentrated in various incendiary conditions. We meant to explore the job of NLR and PLR in foreseeing results in patients conceded with asthma worsening.

Method: Reflectively we evaluated the clinical and demographical qualities of 162 patients who were conceded for asthma intensification in a network emergency clinic from Jan 2016 to December 2018. These patients were separated into 3 equivalent tertiles dependent on their affirmation NLR and PLR proportion. We additionally audited the graphs of 70 stable asthma patients who were found in the workplace for routine follow up visits.

Result: The main, second and third NLR tertiles were NLR 6, separately. The principal, second and third PLR tertiles were PLR 188, separately. Among the NLR gathering, contrasted with the patients in the first tertile, patients in third tertile had higher normal length of remain (7 days versus 3 days, p<0.006), requirement for mechanical ventilation (16.5% versus 2.5%, p<0.001) and multi day readmission rate (17% versus 4%, p<0.03).
Conclusion: The aftereffects of this examination indicated that NLR and PLR acquired at the hour of affirmation are helpful in foreseeing the clinical results in patients conceded with asthma worsening. Patients with NLR proportion over 6 and PLR proportion over 188 at the hour of clinic affirmation had higher normal length of remain, requirement for mechanical ventilation and higher 30-day readmission rate. NLR and PLR are expanded in stable asthmatic patients contrasted with typical subjects. Further investigations are required to more readily explain the jobs of these novel fiery markers in asthma.


Both empirical evidence and theoretical discussion have long emphasized the impact of %u201Cnews%u201D on exchange rates. In most exchange rate models, the exchange rate acts as an asset price, and as such responds to news about future returns on assets. But the exchange rate also plays a role in determining the relative price of non-durable goods when nominal goods prices are sticky. In this paper we argue that these two roles may conflict with one another. If news about future asset returns causes movements in current exchange rates, then when nominal prices are slow to adjust, this may cause changes in current relative goods prices that have no efficiency rationale. In this sense, anticipations of future shocks to fundamentals can cause current exchange rate misalignments. Friedman%u2019s (1953) case for unfettered flexible exchange rates is overturned when exchange rates are asset prices. We outline a series of models in which an optimal policy eliminates the effects of news on exchange rates.


Thin film technology is of vital importance in microtechnology applications. For instance, thin films of metals, of dielectrics such as SiO2, or Si semiconductors are important components of microelectronic devices. The reduction of the device size to the microscale has the advantage of enhancing the switching speed of the device. The reduction, on the other hand, increases the rate of heat generation that leads to a high thermal load on the microdevice. Heat transfer at the microscale with an ultrafast pulsed-laser is also a very important process for thin films. Hence, studying the thermal behavior of thin films or of micro objects is essential for predicting the performance of a microelectronic device or for obtaining the microstructures. The objective of the research is to develop a numerical method for solving three-dimensional heat transport equations in a double-layered cylindrical thin film with microscale thickness. To this end, the three-dimensional heat transport equations are discretized using the finite element method for the x-y directions and the finite difference method for the z direction. Since the obtained scheme is implicit, a preconditioned Richardson iterative method is employed so that the systems of equations become only two block tri-diagonal linear systems with unknowns at the interface. Using a parallel Gaussian elimination procedure to solve these two block tri-diagonal linear systems, a domain decomposition algorithm for thermal analysis of a double-layered thin film is developed. The numerical procedure is employed to investigate the temperature rise and temperature distribution in a double-layered thin film with a cylindrical gold layer being on top of a cylindrical chromium padding layer. Numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained in previous research. The numerical method can be readily applied to the heat transport problem, where the shape of the film can be arbitrary in the x-y direction and where the film has multilayers.


We report an ablation enhancement (both deepening and widening in ablation profiles) on nickel by ultrashort double-pulse laser irradiation, an exception of the typical reduction trend observed in ablation rates for metals irradiated with double-pulse excitations. Maximized at a pulse-separation (τs) of approximately 4 ps, the enhancement was observed before τs was increased to approximately the electron-lattice energy relaxation time. An achievement of ablation, by temporal shaping a weak pulse with energy well below the single-pulse ablation threshold into two considerably weaker pulses, was demonstrated. It is proposed that the enhanced electron-phonon coupling and drop of electronic heat conductivity, both of which result from the reductions in electron temperature (by pulse shaping), co-contribute to the widening in ablation profiles, while the former one is responsible for the deepening. This letter proposed an ablation enhancement approach to ultrashort laser processing of nickel.


The present note offers further examples where the Hebrew word חיים seems to indicate "maintenance," "livelihood," "manner of living," and "what sustains life." Many dictionaries list this definition of the word, but they usually cite just one passage in which the word has this meaning. The additional examples I provide derive mainly from the Wisdom of Ben Sira and suggest that this nuance to the word was common at least at the time when Ben Sira's work was composed, ca. 180 B.C.E.


The net energy (NE) system describes the useful energy for growth better than the metabolizable energy (ME) system. Therefore, the NE system should demonstrate a more predictable animal response when a wide range of ingredients are used, but this fact needs to be demonstrated in practice. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the NE system in diets containing a diverse set of ingredients. Two experiments were conducted: the first experiment consisted of comparing growth performance, carcass characteristics and the efficiency of dietary energy of 2,054 pigs housed in pens in a commercial research barn. Pens were assigned to one of 5 different feeding regimes. A corn-soybean meal control diet served as the basis to establish baseline levels of ME and NE for both programs. Two treatments added DDGS to the control diet formulated using the ME or the NE system and another set of diets that added both DDGS and corn germ meal and was formulated using the ME or the NE system. Diets formulated with the ME and the NE system maintained overall whole body growth performance. However, carcass parameters (except carcass G:F and lean percentage) declined with the addition of coproducts especially in diets formulated with the ME system. The intake of NE decreased in the same fashion that carcass gain did, suggesting a relationship between energy intake and energy retention. Additionally, NE per kg of carcass was similar among diets suggesting that NE is better at explaining carcass results. The second experiment compared the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and of nutrients and the nitrogen retention (NR) of 40 gilts. The 5 dietary treatments included a control corn soybean meal-based diet, a diet similar to the control diet but containing 6% each of corn distillers dried grains with soubles (DDGS), corn germ meal and wheat middlings with NE constant relative to the control diet, or allowed to decline. A last set of diets contained 12% each of the same co-products and NE held constant or allowed to


Flaw assessment according to Fitness-For-Service (FFS) codes is usually based on equations describing the impact of a single flaw in piping or pressure vessels components. However, when multiple flaws are detected, combination rules are to be taken into account to evaluate whether these flaws should be combined into a larger flaw or should be evaluated as separate ones. In recent years, numerous works have been done to evaluate the conservatism of the combination rules required by FFS codes and, if needed, establish new characterization rules. These new characterization rules are based on the distance between flaws, their depths, their lengths or a combination of these three parameters in order to reflect the level of interaction between adjacent flaws. A comparison, focusing on multiple surface planar flaws, between ASME B&PV Section XI current combination rules, other Fitness-For-Service codes and other combination rules established by fellow authors is presented in this paper.


Research on soil genesis often assumes a "top-down" model, in which the soil profi le develops downward from a stable land surface. This model is inapplicable to upland landscapes affected by frequent dust deposition, where soils grow upward as they develop. On the central Great Plains, late Quaternary loess sections proximal to immediate source areas contain the Brady Soil, a prominent marker separating late Pleistocene Peoria Loess from Holocene Bignell Loess. Farther from immediate dust source areas, the Brady Soil and Bignell Loess are not recognizable in the fi eld. On loess tablelands in these distal regions, surface soils typically contain a prominent, clay-rich B horizon below a thick silty A horizon. Assuming top-down pedogenesis, this could be interpreted as a postglacial soil profi le formed in Peoria Loess, with the B horizon produced by weathering and clay illuviation. We propose a strikingly different interpretation, in which the upper B horizon at distal sites is the Brady Soil A horizon that has been transformed by burial, organic matter loss, and modern subsoil structure formation processes. The overlying modern A horizon represents Bignell Loess. Properties of the Brady Soil at proximal sites (a distinctive burrowed zone, high clay content and TiO 2 /ZrO 2 , and low volcanic glass content) can be traced to the B horizon in distal soils. A decrease in smectite abundance above the Brady Soil at proximal sites is identifi able at the top of the clay-rich B horizon in distal soils. The spatial variation of clay content in loess and soil horizons is best explained by eolian sedimentation patterns. The higher clay content in the Brady Soil and distal B horizons defi nes a fi ne-grained zone that represents a late phase of Peoria Loess accumulation. Evidence of chemical weathering is minimal, and illuvial clay is rare to absent in the clay-rich B horizons. Illuvial clay does often occur deep in the solum and is related to the depth below the top of the Brady Soil. The depth of occurrence of illuvial clay is not related to modern climate parameters, although depth to secondary carbonate appears to be in equilibrium with modern climate. Upland soils in the central Great Plains are composite soils; their properties are the result of a pedosedimentary history linked to regional climate change that has infl uenced sedimentation and pedogenesis since the late Pleistocene.


Using annualized pooled data fo r the period 1996 2006, this study examines determinants o f interest rate spreads in the commercial hanks in Botswana. The study finds that intermediation costs, herfindahl index, inflation and exchange rate depreciation are the main drivers o f interest rate spreads while liquidity, equity and overhead costs proved to be statistical insignificant. The study concludes that interest rate spreads is taking an upward trend instead o f converging to international standards by narrowing. The study further recognizes the important role exchange rate plays in determining spreads and its role in attracting foreign direct investment and hence the need fo r proper and efficient management o f exchange rate policy. On the policy level, more emphasis is placed on the policy implementation as compared to formulation. This is because there are many policies and initiatives developed to improve efficiency in the financial sector but lacks on the implementation


This paper focuses on inequality trends in contemporary China and their implications for the motivations and productivity of ordinary Chinese citizens. Based upon this analysis, it is my contention that, at least regarding patterns of inequality and opportunity, China's experience does not require us to abandon conventional formulas in favor of a new set of prescriptions for growth, whether a Beijing Consensus or otherwise. Instead we need to consider Chinese institutional arrangements today against the backdrop of the arrangements that prevailed in the last stages of China's socialist planned economy. Viewed in this light, property rights and opportunity structures in China today might be viewed as ―sub-optimal‖ rather than ―bad,‖ but at the same time as vastly improved compared to the very poor institutions of the late-Mao era. I will draw on evidence from China national surveys colleagues and I carried out in 2004 and 2009, focusing on popular attitudes toward inequality in China and comparisons with other societies, to reinforce my claim that current opportunity structures in China are compatible with the kinds of high citizen motivations needed for economic


Incited by the tempestuous political histories that engender the repressive conditions of the country's social reality, South African artists often conspire toward activism. For Cameron Platter, who lives in the urbanized province of KwaZulu-Natal near the former battlefield of Rorkes Drift, mining the country's past has vitalized his historical imagination. Platter's "expanded collage" reflects the explanatory narrative of the country's industrial economy and it's capitalistic dimensions of desire and consumption, and therefore a deviant contemporaneity: large-scale linocuts, mural paintings, and public installations co-opt the linguistic forms and pictorial metaphors of poster-strewn urban sidewalks. Deriving from the noble visions of John Muafangejo's politically charged linocuts, Platter's satirical drawings make textual references to familiar street advertisements bearing straplines and slogans promising services from reincarnation to sexual longevity. These universally resonant signs indexing the unity of cross-cultural depravity open a transcendental void and thus exist as chronicles of apparently self-destructive times in which mass consumption serves to palliate a darker reality.


Objective: to assess food consumption and physical activity patterns of school children from the Aysen Region in order to develop an obesity prevention program. Patients and methods: the group studied was a representative sample from the school children from playground to fourth grade (n = 340). Sociodemographic, as well as food and physical activity patterns were obtained from interviews conducted at each participant's house. Frequency and intake level of selected foods were studied and compared with Ministry of Health recommendations. An index of overall diet quality was developed based on Chilean food pyramid and food consumption guidelines. Results: average age was 7.7± 1.6 years. Vegetables, fruits, and dairy products were among foods with low frequency of consumption. On contrast, high consumption frequency of mayonnaise, lard, and soft drinks were observed. High-fat meats and lacteous products were commonly consumed. Adequacy by food groups showed low figures regarding vegetables, fruits and dairy products, and high values on fats (oils), sugar and meats, mainly in women. Median for quality index was 3 (p 25 = 2, p 75 = 4), over a maximum of 7, without significant differences neither by age, sex nor nutritional status. Median of physical activity was considered as low: 6 walked blocks/day (95% CI 4.5-6.0), sports and active games 4 hours/week (95% CI 4-4). Conclusion: the food and physical activity patterns of school children from Aysen are inadequate. It is necessary to elaborate plans to promote healthy life stiles as preventing measures for obesity


It has been proposed that certain cytokines secreted by islet-infiltrating leukocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by participation in beta-cell destruction. In the present study, the impact of various cytokines on replication and long-term insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells was investigated. To this end, fetal rat pancreatic islets containing a high fraction of beta-cells were exposed in culture for 1-3 days to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at different concentrations. It was found that IL-1 beta markedly decreased beta-cell DNA synthesis during the first day of exposure, an effect that vanished after 2 days and was turned into a potent and dose-dependent stimulation by 3 days of exposure. At this latter time point, IL-1 beta also amplified the mitogenicity of growth hormone (GH) and 16.7 mM glucose. In contrast, basal as well as glucose- and GH-stimulated insulin secretion was consistently suppressed by IL-1 beta from days 1-3. IL-1 beta also lowered the islet adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content at all time points studied. However, addition of the stimulatory cAMP analogue Sp-diastereomer of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate or pertussis toxin, which themselves enhanced DNA synthesis and insulin secretion, failed to prevent the inhibitory actions of IL-1 beta on these parameters, making it unlikely that a decrease in cAMP is an important event in transduction of the inhibitory effects of the cytokine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)