The paper aims at commenting and closely inspecting two types of sources, which concern the debated issue of the Quantitatskollaps in the so-called Vulgar Latin. The first group consists in the metalinguistic testimonia of Roman grammarians between the 3 rd and the 5 th century AD, with special reference to Augustine's treatise De musica , where many crucial judgments occur upon the speakers' insensitivity for the old syllabic length oppositions. These passages, together with a handful of texts coming from the metricists, convincingly confirm the progressive spread of the vocalic isochronism in stressed syllables along a wide range of spoken varieties. The second group of testimonies, namely the metrical funerary inscriptions discovered in North African Provinces ( Africa Proconsularis , Numidia , Mauretania Caesariensis , and Mauretania Tingitana ) and the two poems of Commodian, is the object of a meticulous analysis. The study of the verse structures argues ( pace Herman and his followers) for the development of a new prosodic opposition between stressed (also under metrical ictus ) and unstressed syllables (regardless of the old syllabic structure). This opposition was clearly based, from an acoustic point of view, on a segmental length perceptibly different in the two syntagmatic positions. To summarize, the two groups of testimonies converge toward the same point: 'Vulgar Latin' in its early phase was characterised by the collapse of vowel quantity, whose outcome was a sheer neutralization. As a matter of fact, this neutralization surfaced as a general lengthening of stressed vowels, both in heavy and light syllables, and, conversely, as a general shortening of unstressed syllables, regardless of the syllabic structure.


This study, the modeling and hardware implementation of semiconductor circuit elements very frequently used in electronic circuits are carried out by using artificial neural networks and field programmable gate array chip. Initially the artificial neural network models obtained has been written in very high speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL). Then, these configurations have been simulated and tested under ModelSim Xilinx software. Finally, the best configuration has been implemented under the Xilinx Spartan-3E FPGA (XC3S500E) chip of Xilinx. The modeling of electronic circuit elements is very important both in respect of engineering, and in respect of practical mathematics. The main aim is to shorten the simulation time and to examine the real physical system applications easily by using the model elements instead of using the ones used in real applications. The effectiveness of the implemented artificial neural network models on field programmable gate array was found successful.


Purpose: We sought to find new immune-based treatments for pancreatic cancer. Experimental Design: We detected IL18 expression in plasma and specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer. We then investigated whether IL18 had a therapeutic effect for pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo and any underlying mechanisms. Results: Higher plasma IL18 was associated with longer overall survival (OS), but higher IL18 in pancreatic cancer tissues was associated with shorter OS and increased invasion and metastasis. Recombinant IL18 alone had no antitumor effect in the syngeneic mice with orthotopically transplanted tumors and promoted tumors in immunocompromised mice; it also facilitated immune responses in vitro and in vivo by augmenting the activity of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes. However, IL18 promoted the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo, through the NF-κB pathway. Nevertheless, by coadministrating IL18 with BAY11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor, we were able to prevent the procancerous effects of IL18 and prolong the survival time of the mice. Conclusions: IL18 has both cancer-promoting and cancer-suppressing functions. Although its single-agent treatment has no therapeutic effect on pancreatic cancer, when combined with the NF-κB pathway inhibitor, IL18 improved survival in a murine pancreatic cancer model. Our study implies the possibility of a combinational immunotherapy that uses IL18 and targets NF-κB pathway. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5939–50. ©2016 AACR.


This study was undertaken to investigate the impact of formulation factors and adjuvants on the expression of biological activity of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. The adaptogenic effect of three samples of Guduchi ghrita, prepared using plain ghee (clarified butter) obtained from three different sources was studied in albino rats and compared with expressed juice of stem of Guduchi. The test preparations were evaluated against forced–swimming induced hypothermia, gastric ulceration and changes in the hematological parameters. The test drug given in the form of 'ghrita' produced better effect in comparison to the expressed juice. Among the three 'ghrita' preparations evaluated, only the 'Solapur Guduchi ghrita' (SGG) was found to produce significant inhibition of stress hypothermia and gastric ulceration. The other two preparations 'Nanded Guduchi ghrita' (NGG), and 'Wardha Guduchi ghrita' (WGG) could produce only a marginal effect. In hematological parameters 'Guduchi' juice produced better reversal of the stress-induced changes in comparison to the test 'ghrita' preparations. The present study provides evidence highlighting the importance of formulation factors for the expression of biological activity.


The Xhaul architecture presented in this article is aimed at developing a 5G integrated backhaul and fronthaul transport network enabling flexible and software-defined reconfiguration of all networking elements in a multi-tenant and service-oriented unified management environment. The Xhaul transport network vision consists of high-capacity switches and heterogeneous transmission links (e.g., fiber or wireless optics, high-capacity copper, mmWave) interconnecting remote radio heads, 5G points of attachment (5GPoAs, e.g., macro- and small cells), centralized- processing units (mini data centers), and points of presence of the core networks of one or multiple service provider(s). This transport network shall flexibly interconnect distributed 5G radio access and core network functions, hosted on network centralized nodes, through the implementation of a control infrastructure using a unified, abstract network model for control plane integration (Xhaul Control Infrastructure, XCI); and a unified data plane encompassing innovative high-capacity transmission technologies and novel deterministic-latency switch architectures (Xhaul packet Forwarding Element, XFE). Standardization is expected to play a major role in a future 5G integrated front haul/backhaul architecture for multi-vendor interoperability reasons. To this end, we review the major relevant activities in the current standardization landscape and the potential impact on the Xhaul architecture.


The Bacillus subtilis chemotaxis pathway employs three systems for sensory adaptation: the methylation system, the CheC/CheD/CheYp system, and the CheV system. Little is known in general about how these three adaptation systems contribute to chemotaxis in B. subtilis and whether they interact with one another. To further understand these three adaptation systems, we employed a quantitative in vitro receptor‐kinase assay. Using this assay, we were able to determine how CheD and CheV affect receptor‐kinase activity as a function of the receptor modification state. CheD was found to increase receptor‐kinase activity, where the magnitude of the increase depends on the modification state of the receptor. The principal new findings concern CheV. Little was known about this protein before now. Our data suggest that this protein has two roles depending on the modification state of the receptor, one for sensory adaptation when the receptors are modified (methylated) and the other for signal amplification when they are unmodified (unmethylated). In addition, our data suggest that methylation of site 630 tunes the strength of the CheV adaptation system. Collectively, our results provide new insight regarding the integrated function of the three adaptation systems in B. subtilis.


In the field of medicine, X-ray Computerised Tomography (CT) has been applied to determine the density variation within a body non-destructively. The internal structure of many industrial objects is also of great importance, for example the wing of an aircraft. Thus CT is currently used in an industrial environment. This thesis investigates the methods by which the scanner architecture and image reconstruction software can be optimised for real-time computerised tomography of industrial objects using parallel computing. Since industrial objects are generally dense the choice of radiation source used to generate projection profiles of such objects was examined. The speed of image reconstruction is largely dependant on two factors; one is the speed at which data can be acquired from the scanning system and the other is the speed at which such data may be reconstructed to yield an image. The speed of data acquisition can be enhanced by using a configuration of multiple detectors. This requirement has a great bearing on the choice of architecture of the scanning system. Image reconstruction is a computationally intensive task, it therefore requires novel processing techniques to maximise the efficiency of execution. This can be accommodated by implementing the reconstruction algorithm on a multiple processor system. A scanning system that contains multiple detectors for data acquisition and more than one processor to implement image reconstruction is complex, the method of control of such hardware is described within this work. The images reconstructed from data acquired using a purpose built fan beam scanner are the subject of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The quality of the images is related to the scan parameters architecture of the fan beam scanner. A discussion of future work is included which outlines ways in which the scanner hardware and software may be improved to further enhance the speed of real-time image reconstruction.


Recently, increasingly fierce competition among enterprises leads a higher level of employees' work pressure. As a result, enterprises pay more and more attention to workplace well-being. A mass of empirical studies have confirmed that high levels of employee well-being can lead to positive outcomes. Therefore, exploring the influencing factors of employees' workplace well-being has become an important topic for both enterprises and academia. Existing studies have mainly discussed personal and environmental factors respectively, which ignores the joint effect on well-being. The role of leaders, as the key external source for promotion, supporting and training, is the focus of this study. Accordingly, the influence of fit between leaders and followers in proactive personality on workplace well-being has aroused more and more concern. However, the affect and mechanism have not been fully explored.As an important form of expression in interpersonal relationship, trust has attracted more and more attention on the impact of well-being. And from the view of team, matching between followers and leaders promotes the dependence of both sides, improves the quality of information exchange and finally generates trust. As a factor that has a more direct effect on followers' well-being in the work situation, trust in leaders plays a key role in improving the positive perception about work. In response to this, and based on the data from a questionnaire survey of 1495 leaders and 6179 subordinates in an IT industry, we can see the analysis results by polynomial regression and response surface show that:(1)Comparing with the congruence of proactive personality of leaders and followers, followers show more trust in leaders in the case of incongruence.(2)When the proactive personality of leaders and followers is congruent, the combination of "high-high" leads to a higher level of trust than "low-low".(3)In the case of incongruence, leaders and followers' "high-low" combination makes followers less likely to show trust than that of the "low-high" combination.(4)The incongruence of proactive personality between leaders and followers can influence workplace well-being through followers' trust in leaders.Theoretical contributions are reflected on the following: Firstly, based on the dominance complementarity theory, this study not only broadens our understanding of the effects of different forms of personality matching, but also helps us clarify workplace well-being from the perspective of dyadic interaction. Secondly, our research expands the antecedent study of trust in leaders. Thirdly, this study widens the research about trust in leaders as a mediation. In practice, contributions are first shown as guides for recruitment and selection. Second, leaders with high proactive personality should actively satisfy followers with high proactive personality. Finally, for followers with low proactive personality, leaders' more efforts when interacting to gain trust equally deserve the same attention.


In order to understand fully the effect of strong ground motion containing velocity pulse on constant-ductility long-period inelastic spectra, we synthesize two time histories, not containing velocity pulse, whose elastic spectra are identical to that of original time history containing velocity pulse, and whose peak accelerations are as big as that of the original time history. The reason why we synthesize two time histories for one original time history is to avoid the effect of randomicity in selecting sample. We select two time histories of 1999 CHi-CHi earthquake as original time histories, one of which has two synthesized counterparts. It is found that although the elastic response spectra of original time histories are identical with those of their synthesized counterparts, their constant-ductility long-period inelastic spectra are different. We consider that the difference results from the velocity pulses which exist in the original time histories.


Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single subcutaneous injection of meloxicam on scrotal healing, inflammatory response, and behaviour in castrated or castrated and branded beef calves for 42 d post procedure. Seventy-two 2-mo-old Angus crossbred bull calves were used to assess the effects of procedure (Trt): (1) sham control, (2) knife castration, and (3) knife castration and hot-iron branding; and pain mitigation (Med): (1) nonmedicated and (2) medicated with meloxicam according to a 3 × 2 factorial design. Body weight, scrotal circumference (SC), and healing scores were collected weekly until day 42. Blood samples were collected weekly until day 42 to assess haptoglobin, serum amyloid-A, and complete blood cell count. Hair was collected on day −1 and day 42 to assess cortisol concentrations. Lying and standing behaviour were recorded for 42 d, whereas pain-related behaviours were recorded on days 7, 15, 22, 29, and 34 post procedure. The inflammatory response (SC) and duration of standing was greater (P < 0.05) in calves castrated and branded than those only castrated. However, meloxicam did not reduce inflammation or improve wound healing in either castrated or castrated and branded calves.


Alloys of Ru-Al-Cr with compositions between Ru-10Al-35Cr and Ru-3Al-39Cr (at.%) were directionally solidified and heat treated to produce single phase hcp-Ru(Cr,Al) and two phase B2-hcp microstructures. The room temperature fracture toughness, tensile behavior, and cyclic oxidation behavior at 1100°C were investigated and compared to previous results measured from RuAl and Ru-Al-Mo alloys. For microstructures consisting of a Ru(Cr,Al) matrix with fine RuAl precipitate, a good room temperature fracture toughness, tensile ductility, and oxidation resistance at 1100°C were measured.


Based on a hybrid transfer-matrix method, a new standing wave-duct system with four microphones for acoustical property prediction of multi-layered noise control materials is developed in this paper. In this system, the two-load method (TLM) and two-cavity method (TCM) are used for computing the transfer matrix of each material sample. The transfer matrices saved in a database in the system hardisk may be selected for predicting both the absorption ratio and transmission loss of a multi-layered treatment of materials. Verification results suggest that the newly designed standing wave-duct system is effective for acoustical prediction of multilayer material configurations.


This thesis is based on nine papers, all concerned with parameter estimation. The thesis aims at solving problems related to real-world applications such as spectroscopy, DNA sequencing, and audio processing, using sparse modeling heuristics. For the problems considered in this thesis, one is not only concerned with finding the parameters in the signal model, but also to determine the number of signal components present in the measurements. In recent years, developments in sparse modeling have allowed for methods that jointly estimate the parameters in the model and the model order. Based on these achievements, the approach often taken in this thesis is as follows. First, a parametric model of the considered signal is derived, containing different parameters that capture the important characteristics of the signal. When the signal model has been determined, an optimization problem is formed aimed at finding the parameters in the model as well as the model order. An important aspect when formulating the optimization problem is to include the characteristics and properties inherent in the signal model. For instance, if we know that the true set of parameters are smooth, this should also be a requirement reflected in the optimization problem. In the ideal case, the optimization problem is convex, in which case powerful solvers exist that may be used for finding the solution. In many cases, however, the original optimization problem is rather complex and definitely not convex. In this case, a common approach is to use a convex relaxation that approximates the original problem. In papers A, B, C, E, F, and H, this approach is utilized, however in different variations and for different applications. Paper A deals with estimation of periodic signals in symbolic sequences used in DNA sequences, paper B looks at the estimation of multi-dimensional sinusoids for NMR data, paper C considers the estimation of an unknown number of chirps for audio signals, papers E and F study pitch estimation, where the first paper considers online estimation and where the second paper proposes an off-grid method. Paper D proposes a generalization of a popular estimation method, whereas paper G introduces a new approach to frequency estimation. Paper I investigates how to sample a partially know signal to minimize the number of samples needed given a lower bound on the desired estimation performance. In all papers, the proposed methods are examined using simulated and/or measured data and compared to competing state-of-the-art methods.


This paper is an all-embracing introduction to HTTP performance, which encompasses all areas of importance concerning application layer performance. We highlight seven areas to consider before implementing HTTP/1.1 in an embedded web server, these were identified by a careful survey of previous research. The highlighted topics are the new request methods, persistent connections, chunked encoding, byterange operations, content negotiation, digest authentication and caching, all new or improved features in HTTP/1.1. We explore why the old design rationale of HTTP/1.1 has become obsolete in an embedded setting. We also suggest new guidelines which are more suitable for an embedded web server.


In order to improve the capacity of the hidden secret data and to provide an imperceptible stego image quality, a new image steganography method based on image contrast is presented. A group of 2×2 blocks of non-overlapping spatially adjacent pixels is selected as the valid block for embedding the secret message. The modulo 4 arithmetic operation is further applied to all the valid blocks to embed a pair of binary bits using the shortest route modification scheme. Each secret message is also encrypted by RSA encryption algorithm to provide the system with more security. Data will be embedded inside the image using the pixels. Then the pixels of stego image can then be accessed back in order to retrieve back the hidden data inside the image. However, a secret key is needed by the receiver in order to retrieve back the data. This secret key is generated using the RSA decryption algorithm. By using the secret key to retrieve the data, it maintains privacy, confidentiality and accuracy of the data. The proposed method was tested on different gray scale images. From the experimental results, compared with the some well-known adaptive and non-adaptive steganography algorithms, the proposed method provides larger embedding capacity, while being less detectable by steganalysis methods.


In this article, three co-authors share their narratives and clay figurines sculpted during the Mesoamerican Figurine Project of Rio Hondo College (Garcia, in press-a). Through reflective writing exercises and the sculpting of small-scale clay figurines, Los Angeles-based Mexican-American students unearthed parts of their Mesoamerican ancestry and materialized their stories of displacement and violence to assist in meeting student learning outcomes (SLOs). After interpreting these data alongside the medical tools observed on the four Tezcatlipocas of Mesoamerica (Acosta, 2007), the supposition is that Indigenous Mesoamerican students benefit when engaged through the following topics: 1) land and cosmology, 2) trauma and medicine, 3) resiliency and self-determination, and 4) community and family. To support all students' educational and mental health goals, and to prevent further trauma accumulation, the Mesoamerican figurine is modeled as a pedagogical tool with a wide range of therapeutic values. By employing a critical autoethnographic approach (Ohito, 2017), Instructor Garcia's ancestral knowledge—combined with his students' insights—enabled his conceptualization of a medical archaeopedagogy of the human body as a trauma-informed teaching strategy (Cole, Eisner, Gregory, & Ristuccia, 2013) to begin to address the mental health challenges prevalent in the Mexican-American community related to the cultural genocide of Native Americans.


The advances in technology have paved the way for student centred learning environment which allows for higher students' engagement, active participation, deep meaningful learning, and critical thinking. One of the technology applications which have gained popularity at the beginning of the 1990s is the use of e-portfolio. Studies in many professional fields have shown exceptional findings on the adoption of e-portfolio. Nonetheless, the development of e-portfolio affordances over a period of time has yet to be explored to ascertain its usefulness particularly in the area of teacher education. This article presents the process of systematic literature on the e-portfolio pedagogical affordances in teacher education programs and issues to be addressed for successful implementation. Using the content analysis method, 28 articles which focused on e-portfolio, teacher education, English as a second language, scientific research, and secondary school were reviewed. The findings of the review have mainly shed positive lights on its use in documenting student teachers' learning experiences particularly on assisting and assessing student teachers learning how to teach. This article implicates the relevance of having a holistic view and understanding of the e-portfolio pedagogical affordances and the need to recognize issues to be addressed prior to its implementation in a teacher education program. With this understanding, the university and teacher education institutions can have a well-defined policy on the adoption of e-portfolio into their teacher education programs.


Frontotemporal neurodegeneration can cause three typical clinical syndromes: frontotemporal dementia (FTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and semantic dementia (SD). In the present paper we review these syndromes, highlighting FTD. Four case examples are presented. At the early stage of FTD changes of personality and social conduct are prominent, whereas cognitive functions are relatively well preserved. Since the usual dementia tests are not sufficiently sensitive to disclose non-cognitive symptoms, clinical diagnosis as well as differentiation from non-organic psychiatric disorders can be difficult. Detailed history, thorough clinical examination, and neuropsychological testing are required to establish the diagnosis. EEG and functional brain imaging may be helpful. The choice of therapeutic options for FTD is extremely limited. Medications may be used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms. There is little experience with non-pharmacologic behaviour modification and milieu treatment approaches. The problems that FTD imposes on caregivers are dissimilar to those arising from Alzheimer's disease. Families receive little or no support so that early nursing home admission of patients is common.


Successfully predicting visual attention can significantly improve many aspects of computer graphics: scene design, interactivity and rendering. Most previous attention models are mainly based on low-level image features, and fail to take into account high-level factors such as scene context, topology, or task. Low-level saliency has previously been combined with task maps, but only for predetermined tasks. Thus, the application of these methods to graphics (e.g., for selective rendering) has not achieved its full potential. In this article, we present the first automated high-level saliency predictor incorporating two hypotheses from perception and cognitive science that can be adapted to different tasks. The first states that a scene is comprised of objects expected to be found in a specific context as well objects out of context which are salient (scene schemata) while the other claims that viewer's attention is captured by isolated objects (singletons). We propose a new model of attention by extending Eckstein's Differential Weighting Model. We conducted a formal eye-tracking experiment which confirmed that object saliency guides attention to specific objects in a game scene and determined appropriate parameters for a model. We present a GPU-based system architecture that estimates the probabilities of objects to be attended in real- time. We embedded this tool in a game level editor to automatically adjust game level difficulty based on object saliency, offering a novel way to facilitate game design. We perform a study confirming that game level completion time depends on object topology as predicted by our system.


Protein quality control is pivotal to cellular homeostasis and integrity of cardiomyocytes for maintenance of normal heart function. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive process to modulate protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, and is accordingly termed UPRER and UPRmt, respectively. Lon protease (LonP1) is a highly conserved mitochondrial protease to modulate UPRmt, which is involved in regulating metabolism, mitophagy, and stress response. However, whether LonP1 regulates UPRER remains elusive. To investigate the regulation of protein quality control in cardiomyocytes, we generated cardiac-specific LonP1 deletion mice. Our findings show that LonP1 deficiency caused impaired mitochondrial respiratory function and fragmentation. Surprisingly, both UPRER and UPRmt is substantially induced in LonP1-deletion heart suggesting of LonP1 as a novel regulator of UPRER; however, the activation of UPRER occurs earlier than UPRmt in response to LonP1 deletion. Consequently, cardiac-specific LonP1 deficiency causes aberrant metabolic reprogramming of cardiomyocytes, pathological heart remodeling, as well as impeded heart function. Thus, we uncovered the novel function of LonP1 as an UPRmt mediator, and reciprocal orchestration of UPRmt and UPRER and mitochondrial dynamics regulated by LonP1 in the cardiomyocytes that is critical to maintain heart function, which offers exciting new insights into the potential therapeutic strategy for heart failure.


The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has been established in the UK as an open-sea grid-connected test facility for wave and tidal devices. Developers receive detailed site information regarding the resource available, environmental characteristics, and meteorological data. There is a range of additional support, including assistance with legislation and consenting, as well as technical and operational matters. Whilst being primarily an operational test centre serving individual device developers, there is additional scope at EMEC for investigation of a range of unknown issues which need to be addressed by the wave and tidal industries in general as they develop to commercial viability. In addition to providing an update on the current situation at EMEC, this paper also discusses some of the work being undertaken at the centre on data provision and interpretation, in particular regard to the tidal test site. For its tidal test site, EMEC is currently developing Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) survey methodologies in order to address developers' needs for an appropriate picture of the raw energy. The tidal flow is not homogeneous. It is therefore necessary to capture waveinduced velocities which can be particularly important during high sea states and turbulence, especially within the seabed boundary layer. Progress in this ongoing work is also presented.


Creditworthiness and trustworthiness are almost synonyms since the act of conferring a loan has the indirect effect of signaling the trustworthiness of the borrower. We test the creditworthiness-trustworthiness nexus in an investment game experiment on a sample of participants/non participants to a microfinance program in Argentina and find that trustors give significantly more to (and believe they will receive more from) microfinance borrowers. Trustees' first and second order beliefs are also consistent with this picture. Our findings identify a "horizontal trustworthiness externality" which creates a direct (loan-performance) causality nexus since the mere loan provision increases the borrower's attractiveness as a business partner.


ABSTRACT: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of eleven commercial models of propane combustion traps for catching male and female Phlebotomus papatasi. The traps differed in physical appearance, amount of carbon dioxide produced and released, type and location of capturing device, and the method by which the trap suction fans were powered. The traps tested were the Mosquito MagnetTM(MM)-Pro, MM-Liberty, MM-Liberty Plus, MM-Defender, SkeeterVac®(SV)-35, SV-27, Mosquito DeletoTM(MD)-2200, MD-2500, MT150-Power Trap, and two models of The Guardian Mosquito Traps (MK-01 and MK-12). All trap models except the SV-35, the SV-27, the MD-2500, and the MK-12 attracted significantly more females than males. The SV-35 was the most efficient trap, catching significantly more females than all the other models. The MD-2200 and MK-12 models were the least effective in catching either female or male sand flies. These data indicate that several models of propane combustion traps might be suitable substitutes for either CO2-baited or unbaited light traps for adult sand fly surveillance tools. One advantageous feature is the traps' ability to remain operational 24/7 for ca. 20 days on a single tank of propane. Additionally, the models that produce their own electricity to power the trap's fans have an important logistical advantage in field operations over light traps, which require daily battery exchange and charging.


This article is the introduction to a new series in the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde about the value of physical examination. Associated with this series, on the website (www.ntvg.nl) there are chapters of the new textbook on physical examination and films about carrying out physical examinations. Although physical examination is an essential part of the diagnostic process, often little attention is paid to the correct execution of the examination and there is insufficient knowledge of the value of the findings. The diagnostic process usually involves analysing all the information from the patient's history and a physical examination. However, research has only been done on the value of specific tests and even that is very limited. The most important measure we use for the results of a physical examination is the likelihood ratio, which shows how the likelihood of presence or absence of a disease changes depending on the examination results.


The authors review physical and psychosocial development in adolescents with chronic medical illness and the available data with regard to their sexual behavior. The relationship of various chronic diseases and their therapies to health-related outcomes of sexual behavior and the management of sexuality in adolescents with chronic illness are discussed.


Encoded hydrogel microparticles mounting DNA probes are powerful tools for high-performance microRNA (miRNA) detection in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and multiplex detection capability. However, several particle rinsing steps in the assay procedure present challenges for rapid and efficient detection. To overcome this limitation, we encapsulated dense magnetic nanoparticles to reduce the rinsing steps and duration via magnetic separation. A large number of magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated into hydrogel microparticles based on a discontinuous dewetting technique combined with degassed micromolding lithography. In addition, we attached DNA probes targeting three types of miRNAs related to preeclampsia to magnetically encoded hydrogel microparticles by post-synthesis conjugation and achieved sensitivity comparable to that of conventional nonmagnetic encoded hydrogel microparticles. To demonstrate the multiplex capability of magnetically encoded hydrogel microparticles while maintaining the advantages of the simplified rinsing process when addressing multiple samples, we conducted a triplex detection of preeclampsia-related miRNAs. In conclusion, the introduction of magnetically encoded hydrogel microparticles not only allowed efficient miRNA detection but also provided comparable sensitivity and multiplexed detectability to conventional nonmagnetic encoded hydrogel microparticles.


Abstract Intertidal dunes provide crucial information on sand movements and hence the present state of growth or decay of the particular tidal flats. However, evaluation of sand transport based merely on the dune configuration, emerging on subaerially exposed intertidal flats or ancient deposits, could be misleading without considering the degree of tidal asymmetry. Given the literature focused mostly on dune migration by predominant tidal currents, quantitative relationships between dunes and overlying flows need to be established for tidal flats governed by strong, symmetrically reversing tidal currents. To fulfill such a requirement, a field experiment site on macrotidal and symmetrically tidal flats in Garolim Bay, Korea, was chosen and investigated for the mechanical processes of dune migration. An extensive field of 2D, simple dunes occurs on the lower tidal flat of Garolim Bay, all year round, with spacing and height averaging 5 m and 0.4 m, respectively. To unravel movements of dunes during tidal cycles, a self-contained instrument (TISDOS) was deployed recording a variety of parameters such as water depth, current velocity, wave height, suspended-sediment concentrations, and bed-level fluctuations about 0.5 m above the dune surface. The 18-day measurements in April 2003 show that the dune being monitored continued to move back and forth during tidal cycles at varying speeds controlled by a neap-spring tidal regime. The net displacement of the dune at the end of the measurements was almost nil under nearly equal reversing currents. However, the dune moved approximately half its wavelength at flood and ebb each during peak spring, in strong contrast with partial modifications limited to the upper cap of the dune during the rest period of time. Although waves up to 0.2 m high were recorded during the measurements, these had negligible effects on both the pattern and intensity of the dune migration. The Garolim dunes may be hydrodynamically related to the representative values of depth-averaged flow velocity and water depth, 0.8 m/s and 2.5 m, respectively, derived from the peak spring measurements.


Most types of off-road vehicles (ORVs; this includes snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and dirt bikes) were originally used for work and travel. Such use remains common in Canada, although their recreational use has also gained popularity in recent years. An epidemiological injury profile of ORV users is important for better understanding injuries and their risk factors to help inform injury prevention initiatives. The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) partnered with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to study the epidemiology of ORV-related injuries. The primary aim was to analyse crash and injury data in Canada, including the extent of alcohol involvement. Secondly, the burden of injury among children and teen ORV drivers in Canada, as well as passengers, was investigated. Descriptive epidemiological statistics were generated using three data sources: first, TIRF's National Fatality Database, which is a comprehensive, pan-Canadian, set of core data on all fatal motor vehicle crashes; second, TIRF's Serious Injury Database, which contains information on persons seriously injured in crashes; and, third, PHAC's Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), a surveillance system currently operating in the emergency departments of 11 paediatric and four general hospitals across Canada. Between 1990 and 2010, fatality rates per 100,000 population increased among ATV/dirt bike operators while the fatality rate among snowmobilers declined. Of particular concern, among fatally injured female ATV users, children aged 0-15 years comprised the highest proportion of any age group at 33.8%. Regarding alcohol use, among fatally injured snowmobile and ATV/dirt bike operators tested for alcohol, 64% and 59% tested positive, respectively. Alcohol involvement in adult ORV crashes remains an important factor. While no data were available in this study regarding the per-mileage risk associated with the use of ORVs, it is clear that this risk is not insignificant. The use of ORVs can be dangerous, as reflected by the fatality and serious injury data available for Canada. Of great concern, alcohol seems to be an important contributing factor to this problem. In light of the growing popularity of ORVs, prevention and mitigation measures are required to address this issue


Objective: The study identifies the ability of relatives of adult patients in the intensive care unit at Clínica Universidad de La Sabana, in Chía, Colombia, to cope and adapt. Materials and methods: This was a quantitative descriptive research initiative developed during the second half of 2010. It included 61 family members. Callista Roy's Coping and Adaptation Process Scale was used to collect the data, which was analyzed with measures of central tendency and Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. The age of the participants ranged from 18 to 65 years, with the majority being females (67.2 %) as opposed to male (32.8 %). Results: In terms of the capacity to cope and adapt, 85.2 % scored high and 14.8 % scored low. It was found that, within a range of strategies for coping and adapting, those used most frequently by family members were the physical and focused factor (factor 2, associated with a limited ability to cope), and the recursive and centered factors combined (factors 1 and 3, associated with a high ability to cope). Conclusions: The coping strategies used by family members were aimed at solving the problem and were distinguished by dealing with the situation from the beginning, planning activities to change behavior, and pursuing specific objectives that contribute to a solution.


Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated using low-cost materials and a simple fabrication process; these advantages make them attractive candidates for research on next generation solar cells. In this type of solar cell, dye-sensitized metal oxide electrodes play an important role for achieving high performance since the porous metal oxide films provide large specific surface area for dye loading and the dye molecule possesses broad absorption covering the visible region or even part of the near-infrared (NIR). Recently, metal-free sensitizers have made great progress and become the most potential alternatives. This review mainly focuses on recent progress in metal-free sensitizers for applications in DSSCs. Besides, we also briefly report DSSCs with near-infrared (NIR) organic sensitizers, which provide the possibility to extend the absorption threshold of the sensitizers in the NIR region. Finally, special consideration has been paid to panchromatic engineering, co-sensitization, a key technique to achieve whole light absorption for improving the performance of DSSCs.


One of the peaceful and best pickling methode to maintain freshness of product is depository at low temperature (freezer). Through depository of process industrial balance and availability of processing result of fishery will remained to be taken care of. Depository of fish raw material specially of fish flesh expected will be more be economic in course of depository at low temperature (freezer). The fat rate before is depository (0 day) that is 5,14%, while  at depository 1 day until 3 day of it fat is 9,43%, 14,70%, 15,30%, and to 4 until 7 days the fat content is downhill that is 7, 15%, 5, 50%, 3,96%. The rate irrigate before is depository (0 day) that is 26, 96%. While at depository 1 day until 3 day of its water that is 27, 87%, 27, 44%, 27,20%, and depository to 4 day until 7 days water content mount that is 27,94%, 27,97%, 28,10%, 28,40%. Depository of lamuru fish flesh (sardinella longiceps) conducted by at low temperature (freezer -3oC) during 7 day can cause degradation quality of good fish flesh of fat rate and also lamuru fish flesh colour changing from squeezing colour to become to squeeze to turn pale. While its water content is depository longer progressively increase.


How do architects address the ambiguity of practice, being on the one hand tasked with making buildings that perform well in terms of energy use and environmental strategy, and on the other facilitating the production of
capital, through their service to ensuring that the performance of the occupants (efficiency, productivity and wellbeing) is satisfied?

In this PhD by practice, I use the theoretical concept of 'the performative' through both the written thesis and project to interrogate the various ways in which thermal management becomes entangled with management processes. The context is specific: the workplace at a moment
of convergence between smart technology with architecture; where notionally, agency is given over to autonomous environmental systems to do the right thing, and work environments that are embedded in performative-linguistic company cultures that urge their occupants to 'do
the right thing'. In other words – where machines do things with fans and boilers, and humans do things with emails, meetings, performance reviews and corporate culture. I invoke Lucy Schuman's question 'who is doing what
to whom?' to draw attention to the way that actions are elicited from employees through discursive and constitute organisational practices.
At a point where new-build non-domestic buildings, which are
specifically designed to perform environmentally well, are failing to do so- I invoke Isabelle Stengers' ethical proposition 'what are we busy doing?' to ask whether architects' actions are fundamentally compromised by this
entanglement. I propose a strategy for architects to address their practice in relation to these propositions, and trace the actions as they migrate through discursive fields – sustainability, organisational management, theories of
motivation, workplace politics, technological innovation, activism and resistance.
The narrative of the written thesis is asynchronous, and is
interconnected with the project in multiple ways, it is structured in such a way so as to introduce strategies of encountering the various discursive fields which form the context of study. The project work, on the other hand, immerses the reader directly within these fields. The database that reveals the multiple realms that embed the concepts of power, economics, desire, love, productivity and war into the architectural concerns for comfort and
energy use; while the performance video places two subjects constituted by management, whose passions are put to work and situate them within a discursive environment latent with the full cultural significance of its metaphors in the workplace of the knowledge economy.

The first part of the written component of the thesis opens up discussions about performance and action – which are generally applicable for the discourse of environmental performance, as mediated by the occupant and the use of technology, within the contemporary workplace. I move into the second part of the written thesis, which places the context specifically within the conceptual domain of thermal management, elaborates on the implications of taking a performance oriented approach to 'heat', and reveals how performance and the domain of heat converge on issues of productivity, subjectivity, and wellbeing.
The two actors who perform in the video can only continuously improve their performance, every action can be subverted or appropriated, presenting the urgency for my conclusion in the written thesis, that as we,
in architecture, are expected to also act entrepreneurially – the question is not how we do so subversively, or as a mode of critique. We should instead pay attention to Stengers' and Suchman's questions, and paying attention to what is brought about, and for whom, and focus our work on care for precarious, exhausted and hyper-active subjectivities that are produced through these actions.


Despite the renewed interest in technical education, only a handful of studies analyze its effect on academic outcomes. In this paper we apply a regression discontinuity design to oversubscribed technical high school tracks in Pernambuco, Brazil, to identify the impact of technical education during high school on student academic outcomes. We find that students above the technical high school admission exam score cutoff drop out less from high school and have Math and Portuguese standardized test scores over 0.1 standard deviations higher than students below the cutoff. We also find that students above the cutoff were more likely to attend schools offering a longer school day and better school, teacher, and peer characteristics. Comparing technical high schools with academic schools with similar characteristics, we find no differences in terms of achievement but significantly lower dropout rates. This evidence suggests that the estimated effect of having the opportunity to enroll in technical high schools on student achievement may be driven by the school characteristics while the nature of the instructional content seems to be effective in reducing dropout rates during high school.


Background: Syndemics are characterized by the clustering of two or more health conditions, their adverse interaction, and contextual factors that create the conditions for cluster- ing and/or interaction that worsens health outcomes. Studying syndemics entails drawing on diverse disciplines, including epidemiology and anthropology. This often means collaboration between researchers with different scholarly backgrounds, who share and – ideally – inte-grate their findings. Objective: This article examines how context within syndemics has been defined and studied. Methods: A literature review of empirical studies focusing on syndemics involving non- communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions was conducted and the full text of 13 articles was analyzed. The review was followed-up with semi-structured interviews with 11 expert researchers working in the field. Results: The review and interviews highlighted a relatively consistent definition of syndemics. The reviewed studies of NCD-related syndemics tended to focus on micro-level context, suggesting a need to analyze further underlying structural factors. In their syndemics research, respondents described working with other disciplines and, although there were some challenges, welcomed greater disciplinary diversity. Methodological gaps, including a lack of mixed methods and longitudinal studies, were identified, for which further interdisciplinary collaborations would be beneficial. Conclusions: NCD-related syndemics research would benefit from further analysis of structural factors and the interconnections between syndemic components across multiple levels, together with more ambitious research designs integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Research on the COVID-19 pandemic can benefit from a syndemics approach, particularly to understand vulnerability and the unequal impacts of this public health crisis.


Experiments aiming at 'day long operation at high performance' have been carried out. The record value of the discharge duration was updated to 5 h and 16 min. Steady-state tokamak operation (SSTO) is studied under the localized PWI conditions. The distributions of the heat load, the particle recycling flux and impurity source are investigated to understand the co-deposition and wall pumping. Formation and sustainment of an internal transport barrier ITB in enhanced current drive mode (ECD) has been investigated by controlling the lower hybrid driven current profile by changing the phase spectrum. An ITER relevant remote steering antenna for electron cyclotron wave ECW injection was installed and a relativistic Doppler resonance of the oblique propagating extraordinary wave with energetic electrons driven by lower hybrid waves was studied.


The Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) are the basis for building monitoring tools that enable the supervision of local and remote systems. A variety of communications and data transmission system has been adopted DAS to exchange information. The special-purpose DAS has a very important practical value. This paper presents the circuit and system design for a new micro type of remote data acquisition system. It consists of an integrated circuit, a phone dialer, modulation devices, central processing unit, buttons, input devices and display devices. The system and circuit design has been described in detail. It can be used to transmit data through the public switched telephone network. It is suitable for constructing a mini scale communication network at low cost for data acquisition through the PSTN.


The interface is critical for the design of polymer nanocomposites with desirable properties. The effect of interface behavior on the properties of polymer nanocomposites with low nanoparticle loading has been well documented. However, our understanding of the role of the interface in highly filled polymer nanocomposites is still limited because of the lack of comprehensive research work. In this contribution, by using BaTiO3 nanoparticles with six kinds of surface chemistry, we have prepared highly filled epoxy nanocomposites (50 vol% nanoparticle loading). The role of nanoparticle surface chemistry on the dielectric properties of epoxy nanocomposites is investigated at a wide frequency and temperature range by using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Combining the microstructure analysis of the highly filled nanocomposites with a comprehensive X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization of the surface chemistry of the BaTiO3 nanoparticles, an understanding is formed of the correlation between the nanoparticle surface chemistry and the dielectric properties of the nanocomposites. The functional group density, functional group type, and electrical properties of the modifier-the three parameters that are inherent from the nanoparticle surface modification-have a strong impact on the temperature and frequency dependence of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent. This work demonstrates the great importance of surface chemistry in tuning the electrical properties of dielectric polymer nanocomposites.


Objective: To compare the prevalence and degree of noise induced hearing loss at speech frequency and at 4000Hz among textile workers of Surat city and also to compare the effect of duration of exposure to noise on them.

Material and Methods: 50 male Hindu workers of the textile mill of Surat city between 20-50 years of age were examined by audiometry. Controls were selected from Surat city between the age group of 20-50 years. All were male and Hindu by religion with no history of any kind of exposure to noise

Results: Among 50 workers exposed to high level of sound, at speech frequency 80% workers had some degree of hearing loss and 20% were normal whereas at 4000Hz 90% workers had hearing loss and 10% were normal. At speech frequency 62% workers had mild degree hearing loss and 18% had moderate degree of hearing loss whereas at 4000Hz 4% worker had mild degree, 36% had moderate degree, 38% had moderately severe degree and 12% had severe degree of hearing loss. When the duration of exposure to noise is considered—workers with 20 years, at speech frequency all workers were suffering from hearing loss--- 60% had mild and 40% had moderate. At 4000Hz again all workers were suffering from hearing loss--- 20% had moderate, 50% had moderately severe and 30% had severe degree of hearing loss. When the prevalence of hearing loss was compared between speech frequency and 4000Hz no significant difference was observed but highly significant difference was observed when degree of hearing loss was calculated. Similarly, duration of exposure does not have any significant difference between speech frequency and 4000Hz as far as prevalence is concerned. But degree of hearing loss is significantly higher at 4000Hz than at speech frequency.

Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that the degree of hearing loss was very high at 4000Hz than speech frequency, although the difference in prevalence could not be established statistically.


We have used medium-energy ion scattering (MEIS) to quantitatively analyze the structure of holmium silicide islands grown on the Si(100) surface. Structure fitting to the experimental data unambiguously shows that the tetragonal silicide phase is present and not the hexagonal phase, which is associated with the growth of nanowires at submonolayer coverages. Islands formed with a lower holmium coverage of 3 ML are also shown to be tetragonal, which suggests that the hexagonal structure is not a low coverage precursor to the growth of the tetragonal phase. MEIS simulations of large nanoislands, which include the effects of lateral strain relief, have been performed and these compare well with the experimental data.


Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease that has a definite genetic component. Only a few OA susceptibility genes that have definite functional evidence and replication of association have been reported, however. Through a genome-wide association study and a replication using a total of ∼4,800 Japanese subjects, we identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7775228 and rs10947262) associated with susceptibility to knee OA. The two SNPs were in a region containing HLA class II/III genes and their association reached genome-wide significance (combined P = 2.43×10−8 for rs7775228 and 6.73×10−8 for rs10947262). Our results suggest that immunologic mechanism is implicated in the etiology of OA.


Previous studies have shown that alpha oscillations (8–13 Hz) in human electroencephalogram (EEG) modulate perception via phase-dependent inhibition. If entrained to an external driving force, inhibition maxima and minima of the oscillation appear more distinct in time and make potential phase-dependent perception predictable. There is an ongoing debate about whether visual stimulation is suitable to entrain alpha oscillations. On the one hand, it has been argued that a series of light flashes results in transient event-related responses (ERPs) superimposed on the ongoing EEG. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that alpha oscillations become entrained to a series of light flashes if they are presented at a certain temporal regularity. This raises the question under which circumstances a sequence of light flashes causes entrainment, i.e., whether an arrhythmic stream of light flashes would also result in entrainment. Here, we measured detection rates in response to visual targets at two opposing stimulation phases during rhythmic and arrhythmic light stimulation. We introduce a new measure called "behavioral modulation depth" to determine differences in perception. This measure is capable of correcting for inevitable artifacts that occur in visual detection tasks during visual stimulation. The physical concept of entrainment predicts that increased stimulation intensity should produce stronger entrainment. Thus, two experiments with medium (Experiment 1) and high (Experiment 2) stimulation intensity were performed. Data from the first experiment show that the behavioral modulation depth (alpha phase-dependent differences in detection threshold) increases with increasing entrainment of alpha oscillations. Furthermore, individual alpha phase delays of entrained alpha oscillations determine the behavioral modulation depth: the largest behavioral modulation depth can be found if targets presented during the minimum of the entrained oscillation are compared to those presented during the maximum. In the second experiment stimulation with higher light intensity during both rhythmic and arrhythmic stimulation lead to an increased behavioral modulation depth, supposedly as a consequence of stronger entrainment during rhythmic stimulation. Altogether, our results reveal evidence for rhythmic and arrhythmic visual stimulation to induce fundamentally different processes in the brain: we suggest that rhythmic but not arrhythmic stimulation interacts with ongoing alpha oscillations via entrainment.


Wireless Video Sensor Networks (WVSNs) have been widely proposed for monitoring spatial environments. Dissimilar from traditional Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) where nodes such as thermal and light sensors are often considered in 2D and with omni-directional sensing ranges, the sensing range of a video sensor in WVSNs is deemed as directional and usually cognized as a rectangular pyramid shape in 3D environments. Moreover, within indoor spaces, obstacles such as ceiling lights and furniture can easily block the line-of-sight of a video sensor. These new challenges render the traditional deployment solutions for WSNs or 2D modeling environments as impractical to solve the WVSN deployment problem for 3D indoor monitoring. In this paper, we strive to tackle the WVSN deployment problem for 3D indoor monitoring with the consideration of ensuring coverage, connectivity and obstacle awareness. We first model the general problem in a continuous 3D space to minimize the total number of required video sensors. We then convert it into a discrete version problem by incorporating 3D grids, which can achieve arbitrary approximation precision by adjusting the grid granularity. We develop a series of mechanisms to handle the obstacles in the 3D environment and propose an efficient greedy heuristic algorithm yielding high quality solutions. Based on this, we also propose an enhanced Depth First Search (DFS) algorithm that can not only further improve the solution quality, but also return optimal solutions if given enough time. Our extensive simulations demonstrate the superiority of both our greedy heuristic and enhanced DFS solutions.


This Editorial highlights an article in the current issue by Tapia‐Rojas and Inestrosa suggesting that attenuation of Wnt signalling may be a triggering factor for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the J20 mouse model of AD. Their study utilises Wnt signalling inhibitors that operate at different points in the signalling pathway. The molecular changes of several key Wnt signaling components are examined, along with a thorough analysis of both the amyloid and tau based pathologies in the mouse brain. Studies focusing on inhibition of Wnt signalling in AD mice have the potential to provide much needed information regarding the pathological mechanisms by which attenuated Wnt signalling impacts on AD.


Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a lethal disease with no specific treatment. It promotes a systemic inflammatory response syndrome that results in a highly catabolic stress state. The early phase of AP is based on mitochondrial damage, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and subsequent necrosis in pancreatic cells. A lack of enteral feeding predisposes the increase of intestinal wall permeability and translocation of bacteria that is related to the development of pancreatic infection. Nutritional support is a subject of discussion and plays an important role when AP is diagnosed. The concept of "bowel rest" has evolved over the years. Up to now, current evidence-based guidelines for the initial management of AP prefer enteral nutrition (EN) over parenteral nutrition (PN) as a primary therapy. It decreases mortality rate, reduces risk of multiple organ failure, infectious complications and operative interventions. Also, EN is associated with shorter length of hospital stay (LOS), when compared to PN. EN initiated after 48 h of admission has no statistically significant differences in the risk of multiple organ failure, infectious complications or mortality, when compared with PN. Parenteral feeding initiated early (within 24 h of admission) can worsen the outcomes, compared to standard therapy (no artificial nutrition support). Both of nasogastric (NG) and nasojejunal (NJ) routes are equally beneficial in patients with predicted severe or necrotizing pancreatitis requiring enteral tube feeding. NG feeding, compared to NJ feeding, has no statistical significant differences in the incidence of mortality, tracheal aspiration, diarrhea and pain exacerbation. It is being discussed what is the right time to start nutrition support in patients with AP. Early (within 24 h of admission) enteral feeding is highly recommended in order to preserve gut-mucosal barrier function and reduce bacterial translocation. In summary, current guidelines and recent analyses confirm that EN is considered as a "gold standard" in the management in patients with severe AP and should be administered within 24 h of admission.


Malware analysts face novel challenges related to increasing number of malware variants emerging every year. With new emerging malware types, families and variants, conventional classification of binaries into benign and malicious became inefficient and needs refinement when it comes to detecting similar functionality. Microsoft Windows is considered to be one of the most targeted OS by malware developers through the development of PE32 files that look similar to system files. Static files analysis for malware detection is losing efficiency due to extensive utilization of obfuscation, encryption and polymorphic when an anti-virus is no longer able to detect the malware. Thus, it is important to explore sources of multiple dynamic characteristics that can substantially improve similarity-based malware detection through indicators of compromise from disk, network and memory artefacts. This paper suggests an approach for the reliable multifamily malware classification using dynamic characteristics from community-accepted Cuckoo Sandbox. The best-achieved classification results using Random Forest was 87.5% for 10 malware families using information about modified and opened registry keys, created and modified files, loaded DLLs and the resolved hosts. This result, however, can be further improved by adding more dynamic features or combine in combination with selected static features in the future.


Objective Death of a parent in childhood can diminish both the nurturing that promotes healthy development, and household income. We consider, for the first time, whether this adverse childhood experience is associated with self-rated health decades later, among seniors and whether this lifelong effect is different for women and men. Methods The International Mobility in Aging (IMIAS) study is a prospective cohort with survey information and biophysical measures and markers from 2000 community-dwelling 65–74 year olds in Canada, Colombia, Brazil and Albania. We assessed the independent impact of death of a parent, early hunger, and witnessing violence, while controlling for current income sufficiency and other early adversities on self-rated health using baseline (2012) IMIAS data. Regressions grouping and then separating women and men were compared. Results Approximately 17% of the 1991 participants had experienced early parental loss. Overall 56% rated their health as good however parental loss predicted poorer adult health, as did early hunger but not witnessing violence. Disaggregated analyses revealed that the health consequences of parental loss were significant only among men (p = 0.000 versus p = 0.210 for women) whereas early hunger predicted poor self-rated health for both (p = 0.000). Conclusion Parental loss should be considered as a potent adverse childhood experience with life-long consequences for health. The gender difference in its effect, speaks to unidentified and modifiable traits that appear to be more common among women and that may build resilience to long-term harms of early parental death.


During storage after harvest, both sweetpotato (SP) and cassava (CV) showed different stress responses. When wounded, SP cured injury by forming a lignin layer at the cells very close to the surface, while CV suffered from physiological deterioration (PD), followed by microbial deterioration (MD). In wounded SP tissue, many enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), acid invertase, peroxidase (PERO), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were induced. Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid (CA) and isoCA were produced and respiratory rates of tissue and mitochondria (Mt) were increased, including CN-insensitive respiration. When penetrated by some fungi such as Ceratocystis fimbriata or by larvae of some weevils such as Cylas formicarius, these changes appeared more vigorously, and additional ones occurred. There were productions of coumarins (umbelliferone), about 30 sesquiterpenes (ipomeamarone), ethylene, and cell death and discoloration by the penetration. Storage proteins were degraded and converted to other proteins. In wounded CV tissue, various changes involving PD were caused principally in the same way as in infected SP tissue. Both roots suffered from chilling injury, CV being more sensitive in the cold than SP.


Aims In 2009 the Department for Children, Schools and Families published 'Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice Guidance'. This states that disabled children are more likely to be abused than non disabled children. Evidence for this comes from North American studies which suggest that disabled children are 3.4 times more likely to be abused in general and 3.8 times and 3.1 times more likely to be physically abused and sexually abused respectively. We therefore undertook a local clinical audit of all medical examinations of children for suspected non-accidental injury or sexual abuse to see if doctors are identifying those children who are disabled and how the rates of disability in this population compare with the published data. Methods Locally, the paediatric team serves a population of 120 000 children. When a child is referred for a medical examination as part of an investigation of suspected physical or sexual abuse the paediatrician completes a locally devised proforma which records whether the child has a disability as well as the medical findings. Data were collected from all proformas completed between 1 October 2008 and 1 October 2010. Results 546 proformas had been completed. 50 of 350 children examined for signs of physical abuse had a disability (14%). 28 of 196 children examined for signs of sexual abuse had a disability (14%). There were some differences in who first initiated the concerns of possible abuse. 27% of disabled children were referred by an educational professional while only 18% of non disabled children were. Yet rates for parents and social workers initiating the concerns were similar between both groups. Conclusion Knowing that the local paediatric team serves a population of 120 000 children of which 10% will have a disability, our data indicates that local disabled children are 1.5 times more likely to be examined for physical or sexual abuse than non disabled children. This is less than would be expected from the Practice Guidance. Questions now need to be addressed: are we missing the abuse of disabled children locally or is the American data describing a different population? More detailed analysis of local data is being undertaken.


An efficient, scalable speech recognition architecture combining topic detection and topic-dependent language modeling is proposed for multi-domain spoken language systems. In the proposed approach, the inferred topic is automatically detected from the user's utterance, and speech recognition is then performed by applying an appropriate topic-dependent language model. This approach enables users to freely switch between domains while maintaining high recognition accuracy. As topic detection is performed on a single utterance, detection errors may occur and propagate through the system. To improve robustness, a hierarchical back-off mechanism is introduced where detailed topic models are applied when topic detection is confident and wider models that cover multiple topics are applied in cases of uncertainty. The performance of the proposed architecture is evaluated when combined with two topic detection methods: unigram likelihood and SVMs (Support Vector Machines). On the ATR Basic Travel Expression Corpus, both methods provide a significant reduction in WER (9.7% and 10.3%, respectively) compared to a single language model system. Furthermore, recognition accuracy is comparable to performing decoding with all topicdependent models in parallel, while the required computational cost is much reduced. key words: Speech Recognition, Topic Detection, TopicDependent Language Modeling, Support Vector Machines, Multidomain Spoken Dialogue


Background: Diabetes is a global health challenge that cusses high incidence of major social and economic consequences. As such, early prevention or identification of those people at risk is crucial for reducing the problems caused by it. The aim of study was to extract the rules for diabetes diagnosing using genetic programming. Methods: This study utilized the PIMA dataset of the University of California, Irvine. This dataset consists of the information of 768 Pima heritage women, including 500 healthy persons and 268 persons with diabetes. Regarding the missing values and outliers in this dataset, the K-nearest neighbor and k-means methods are applied respectively. Moreover, a genetic programming model (GP) was conducted to diagnose diabetes as well as to determine the most important factors affecting it. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the proposed model on the PIMA dataset were obtained as 79.32, 58.96 and 90.74%, respectively. Results : The experimental results of our model on PIMA revealed that age, PG concentration, BMI, Tri Fold Thick and Serum Ins were effective in diabetes mellitus and increased risk of diabetes. In addition, the good performance of the model coupled with the simplicity and comprehensiveness of the extracted rules is also shown by the experimental results. Conclusions: GPs can effectively implement the rules for diagnosing diabetes. Both BMI and PG Concentration are also the most important factors to increase the risk of suffering from diabetes. Keywords: Diabetes, PIMA, Genetic programming, KNNi, K-means, Missing value, Outlier detection, Rule extraction.


Over the past 20 years both Israel and Germany have become destination countries for unaccompanied minors (UM), albeit at different speeds and scales and in contrasting geopolitical settings. This article compares the reception and integration of UM in the two countries with a particular focus on their access to education and employment. The movement of UM over borders goes hand in hand with the drawing of legal, ideological, and conceptual boundaries within these two countries that discriminate between citizens and foreigners. However, the answers provided by the respective migration regimes could not be more different, even though both countries are signatories to the relevant international conventions on UM: while in Germany the primacy of child and youth welfare is applied, the Israeli authorities consider UM as illegal 'infiltrators' and a threat to national security and the Jewish State.


The von Neumann graph entropy (VNGE) facilitates measurement of information divergence and distance between graphs in a graph sequence. It has been successfully applied to various learning tasks driven by network-based data. While effective, VNGE is computationally demanding as it requires the full eigenspectrum of the graph Laplacian matrix. In this paper, we propose a new computational framework, Fast Incremental von Neumann Graph EntRopy (FINGER), which approaches VNGE with a performance guarantee. FINGER reduces the cubic complexity of VNGE to linear complexity in the number of nodes and edges, and thus enables online computation based on incremental graph changes. We also show asymptotic equivalence of FINGER to the exact VNGE, and derive its approximation error bounds. Based on FINGER, we propose efficient algorithms for computing Jensen-Shannon distance between graphs. Our experimental results on different random graph models demonstrate the computational efficiency and the asymptotic equivalence of FINGER. In addition, we apply FINGER to two real-world applications and one synthesized anomaly detection dataset, and corroborate its superior performance over seven baseline graph similarity methods.


In this paper, a new control system for the current-source active power filter is presented. The harmonic current compensation is realized using combined feedforward control of the load currents and closed-loop control of the supply currents. The control system includes a simple method for compensating the sampling and calculation delays of the digital control system. The compensation in the proposed method is achieved using the regular LC filter of the active power filter as an energy storage for load currents, and no additional components is needed in the main circuit. Furthermore, the calculation power demand of the compensation method is very low and is, therefore, suitable for single-chip microcontroller implementations. The proposed control system is realized using a 32-bit Motorola MPC555 microcontroller. The simulation and experimental results show effective filtering performance also for higher order harmonics of the distorted load currents.


Project Based Learning (PBL) has been recently introduced to a final year structural design course at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and one assessable requirement associated with the project is teamwork. Unfortunately, when teamwork was first introduced to the course in 2010, most students chose to work individually. The project was re-designed and teamwork was made compulsory when the course was offered in 2011. In order to maximise the benefit of teamwork, a questionnaire was sent to students to identify their perceived strengths and weaknesses related to the design project before it commenced. The distance education team members were then matched up based on the questionnaire. A second questionnaire was sent to students after the project was completed to check if students valued teamwork more compared with the responses from the previous year. This paper will discuss the analysis of student feedback before and after the project, compare the outcomes between distance education (external) and on-campus students and explore potential means of promoting teamwork to distance students.


Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) is a financing tool used by cities large and small across the country. Chicago, whose history includes several instances of de jure and de facto racial discrimination, is an especially prolific TIF user. This Note examines TIF distribution in each of Chicago's 50 wards. Both a regression analysis and full population data show that White wards receive substantially greater TIF allocations than Black and Hispanic wards. To solve this disparity, this Note proposes amending the Illinois TIF statute to narrow the circumstances in which TIF is available. This Note further proposes changing Chicago's TIF allocation process to restrict TIF dollars to wards experiencing extreme poverty and wards with little racial disparity, concluding that the latter is the best and fastest short-term option to correct the imbalance.


There is increasing evidence demonstrating the importance of healthcare systems for improvement of chronic illness care. The aims of this study were to develop a comprehensive assessment of the health services capacity to provide tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care but also to enhance patient empowerment, social network and community support. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 31 of August 2007 in 3 districts of Burkina Faso. We used a step-by-step model and the assessment of chronic illness care (ACIC) scale to assess capacities of 24 first line health centres (FLHC) and 3 district hospitals (DH) for providing TB and HIV/AIDS care. Data for the step-by-step model were extracted from medical records of 75 TB and 66 HIV patients. The ACIC scale was completed by health professionals, 6 medical doctors and 18 nurses, working at the DH level and at the FLHC level, respectively. The biological test for confirmation was free of charge for all the TB patients but only for 10.6% (7/66) HIV cases. Up to the time of the survey, 5 TB (6.6%) and 18 HIV+ patients (27.3%) have been hospitalised for care at least once, 64 TB (85.3%) had been declared cured and 38 HIV (54.5%) were under antiretroviral treatment. Health care process organisation for TB and HIV care had distinct areas of weaknesses. From a maximum ACIC score of 11, the overall score for TB care ranged between 1.9 and 4.9 with a median of 3.7 and for HIV care between 2.1 and 6.7 with a median of 4.1. This study provides an illustration of assessing the HIV and TB care combining data from the routine information system and from the chronic illness care assessment tool, to encompass both disease control and patient health perspective. It provides to health managers arguments for clear conclusions and sufficient data for action.


The formation and unimolecular reactions of primary ozonides and carbonyl oxides arising from the O(3)-initiated reactions of isoprene have been investigated using density functional theory and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The activation energies of O(3) cycloaddition to the two double bonds of isoprene are found to be comparable (3.3-3.4 kcal mol(-1)), implying that the initial two O(3) addition pathways are nearly equally accessible. The reaction energies of O(3) addition to isoprene are between -47 and -48 kcal mol(-1). Cleavage of primary ozonides to form carbonyl oxides occurs with a barrier of 11-16 kcal mol(-1) above the ground state of the primary ozonide, and the decomposition energies range from -5 to -13 kcal mol(-1). OH formation is shown to occur primarily via decomposition of the carbonyl oxides with the syn-positioned methyl (alkyl) group, which is more favorable than isomerization to form dioxirane (by 1.1-3.3 kcal mol(-1)). Using the transition-state theory and master equation formalism, we determine an OH yield of 0.25 from prompt and thermal decomposition of the carbonyl oxides.


In this work, we present a new method for analyzing cardiac tagged Magnetic Resonance Imaging (tMRI). The method combines two major tracking techniques: Harmonic Phase (HARP) and Optical Flow (OF). The results of the two techniques are fused together to accurately estimate the displacement of each myocardium point. The developed methods were tested using numerical MRI phantom at different SNR levels and deformation rates. The results show that the proposed method is more accurate and reliable than the HARP and the OF methods.


In "Call Me Ishmael", Charles Olson exclaims "SPACE to be the central fact to man born in America". Indeed, from the start, history and identity in America have been intricately tied to issues of space: from the idea of the "city upon a hill" to the transnational (soft) power of the United States, space has always served as an important parameter of power gained or lost and of the struggles to maintain or resist it. With contributions that range from the construction of America in (European) academic discourses to children's fiction, this collection provides an extensive and insightful study of how space influences our understanding of America.


We introduce so-called analytic stationary wavelet transform thresholding where, using the discrete Hilbert transform, we create a complex-valued 'analytic' vector from which an amplitude vector is defined. Thresholding of a real-valued wavelet coefficient at some transform level is carried out according to the corresponding value in this amplitude vector; relevant statistical results follow from properties of the discrete Hilbert transform. Analytic stationary wavelet transform thresholding is found to produce consistently a reduced mean squared error compared to using standard stationary wavelet transform, or 'cycle spinning', thresholding. For signals with extensive oscillations at some transform levels, this improvement is very marked. Furthermore we show that our thresholding test is invariant to phase shifts in the data, whereas, if complex wavelet filters are being used, the filters must be analytic or anti-analytic at each level of the wavelet transform. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.


Long-term pumping from the Upper Floridan aquifer in the Savannah, Georgia, area has lowered ground-water levels, resulting in increased salinity of ground water by seawater encroachment at Hilton Head Island, S.C., and by saltwater intrusion at Brunswick, Ga. Increased pumpage could cause further salinization of the ground-water resources. The Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers can be considered potential water-supply sources for the Savannah area, on the basis of historic streamflow records and water-quality constituents and properties examined. Analyses of stream-discharge data indicate that the minimum average discharge for seven consecutive days for 10-year recurrence interval (7Q10) was 5,460 cubic feet per second (ft 3 /s) at Savannah River near Clyo, Ga., and 192 ft 3 /s at Ogeechee River near Eden, Ga. For example, 90 percent of the time, flows in excess of the 7Q10 discharges are about 900 and 200 ft 3 /s at these respective localities. However, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, imposes a nondepletable flow criterion; thus, the actual quantity of water available for withdrawal probably would be less than flows in excess of minimum flow criteria, such as the 7Q10. A ground-water flow model was developed and used in conjunction with other previously calibrated models in the coastal area to simulate the effects of additional pumping on water levels near sites of seawater encroachment at Hilton Head Island and saltwater intrusion at Brunswick. Based on model simulations and the constraint of preventing water-level declines at locations of encroachment and intrusion, the potential of the Upper Floridan aquifer to supply additional water in the Savannah area is limited under present (1985) hydrologic conditions. The water-supply potential ranges from less than 1 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) in Liberty, McIntosh, most of Bryan, and southern Chatham Counties, Ga., and in southern Beaufort County, S.C., to more than 5 Mgal/d in northern Jasper and northern Beaufort Counties, S.C. Because of the limited water-supply potential, hypothetical alternatives involving redistributions, redistributions and small increases, and decreases in pumpage were simulated to determine the effects on water levels. These simulations indicate that reductions and redistributions of pumping would not adversely affect water levels at locations of encroachment and intrusion. Increased pumping would cause water-level declines, which might increase salinization of the freshwater aquifer.


In an Intelligent Environment, the user and the environment work together in a unique manner; the user expresses what he wishes to do, and the environment recognizes his intentions and helps out however it can. If well-implemented, such an environment allows the user to interact with it in the manner that is most natural for him personally. He should need virtually no time to learn to use it and should be more productive once he has. But to implement a useful and natural Intelligent Environment, the designers are faced with a daunting task: they must design a software system that senses what its users do, understands their intentions, and then responds appropriately. In this paper we argue that, in order to function reasonably in any of these ways, an Intelligent Environment must make use of declarative representations of what the user might do. We present our evidence in the context of the Intelligent Classroom, a facility that aids a speaker in this way and uses its understanding to produce a video of his presentation.


Introduction: Carpal Tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy involving the median nerve across the transverse carpal ligament. The diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by neurophysiological evaluation. Management varies from conservative as well as surgical. Since most of the patients prefer medical management we decided to compare the efficacy of benfotiamine, a neuro protective agent and pregabalin, a third generation anticonvulsant drug used for symptom relief. Aim: The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of pregabalin in combination with benfotiamine, and pregabalin as monotherapy in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Materials and Method: Fifty eight patients with CTS, who were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by nerve conduction study, were included through convenience sampling method. They were allocated to two groups: (i) treatment with pregabalin(n=30) and (ii) treatment with pregabalin in combination with benfotiamine (n=28) by simple randomization method. Symptom severity and functional status of these enrolled patients were compared before the intervention at recruitment and 12 weeks after the intervention using Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). Result: The mean difference in symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale(FSS) scores between two treatment groups were analyzed by intention to treat method. Statistically significant differences were observed after 12 weeks of treatment in the FSS and SSS in both the groups, compared to the baseline.Patients who received combination treatment had higher scores after 12 weeks in the FSS as well as the SSS compared to pregabalin group [12 weeks score in SSS: pregabalin: 0.33±0.29, pregabalin+benfotiamine group: 2.16±0.58, p=0.0001, mean reduction in FSS: pregabalin: 0.14± 0.25, pregabalin+benfotiamine group:1.81±0.24, p=0.0001] . Conclusion: Combining benfotiamine with pregabalin is found to be effective in the conservative management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome due to the different modalities of action. The long term efficacy of these drugs needs to be studied.


A method based on the mixed potential integral equation for the analysis of flat microstrip antennas in a double-layer substrate is presented. The method is used to compute the input impedance of a stacked patch configuration. This structure permits a larger bandwidth and may also provide dual-frequency operation. The Green's functions are discussed in detail, and numerical results are obtained for the propagation constant of the dominant surface wave. Theoretical and experimental results are compared for a dual-frequency and a broadband stacked patch antenna. Theoretical results for the input impedance are in good agreement with measurements. The difference between theoretical and experimental results for the resonant frequency is less than 4.5% in all cases. >


Introduction: Medication errors are at forefront and common provision of modern healthcare and one of the many hazards of hospitalization. The problem is of multidisciplinary and multifactorial in nature. Objective: Identification and prevention of medication errors. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care hospital. Patients were selected randomly by considering the study criteria. Medication errors were analyzed by using Treatment chart review. The severity levels of medication errors have been analyzed by using the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCCMERP) proposed index for categorizing medication errors. Results: A total of 681 cases were selected randomly, in which 199 (29.22%) patients showed, 221 medication errors. Out of which 128 (57.91%) errors were actual errors and 93 (42.08%) errors were categorized as potential errors. Prescribing errors were 82.80%, followed by Administration errors 23 (10.40%), Dispensing errors 08 (3.61%) and 07 (3.16%) were Monitoring errors. Anti-infective drugs were the most common class of drugs in which errors occurred 45 (21.02%). Most of the errors in our study resulted in No Error 42.53% (category A), 44.34% (category B, C and D) resulted in Error No Harm, 13.12% (category E, F, G, H) resulted in Error Harm. No incidence of Error Death was reported. Conclusion: The incidence of medication errors was significantly high and it is essential to establish medication error reporting system. Study results shows that there were more number of potential errors which can be preventable. Clinical pharmacist can play a vital role in Identification and prevention of medication errors


Referring to robustness of SVMs in high dimensional space, they are reliable tools for classification of hyperspectral imagery. However their performance is directly affected by two aspects: parameter determination and optimum feature subset selection. According to capacity of population based meta-heuristic optimization algorithm such as Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), they can find optimum or near optimum solution in complex optimization problems. This paper evaluates the potential of Binary ACO (BACO) in parameter determination, feature selection and both of them simultaneously in SVMs based classification system for hyperspectral imagery. Obtained results in comparison with genetic algorithm show superiority of BACO.


This paper looks at some aspects of memory and identity in relation to male
prisoners and their sense of place. Prison is, for those entering it, an exemplary
life event, in terms of the jolt it gives to memory and self-image. In prison,
there is all the time in the world to sit and think, and remember. Memory is a
source of joy and of torment.
I begin by offering a brief illustration of this. James (L6), a prisoner in his
late thirties, told me about the house he lived in for the first nine years of his
life. He could remember every detail of every room, even down to the roses
around the small garden shed in the garden, and he talked me through each
detail. He dreamed of going back to this house in south-west London, and one
day buying it out of his burglary earnings. Then he became embarrassed and
berated himself for sounding 'daft'. He had never voiced this desire before.
What he was disclosing was an aspect of his identity - a profound
attachment to place, and to the person he used to be in that place. It lodged in
his memory and became woven into his personal identity and his sense of
place.
When he was nine, his parents split up, and the house was sold. That was
the end of his life in that place, but not the end of that place in his life.


BACKGROUND: Many host factors even in immunocompetent patients may have an influence on development of a fungal diseases within the paranasal sinuses. Fungal sinusitis can occur in an acute form or more often to a chronic type of the disease. These mainly relatively asymptomatic chronic forms and further divided into a chronic noninvasive, chronic allergic, and chronic invasive disease. Endonasal microsurgery has significantly changed the management of chronic fungal sinusitis and allows adequate removal of pathologic tissue even in advanced situations. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of endonasal surgery in chronic fungal sinusitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study we assessed a group of 40 patients who had endonasal surgery for chronic fungal sinusitis. Patient records, CT and MRI scans, microbiology and histology as well as the postoperative clinical follow-up including endoscopic photo documentation were evaluated over a period of 5 years. All patients underwent endonasal surgery using endoscopic techniques. The microscopic was of additional help in a few cases with extended disease and multiple dehiscences of the skull base. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had a chronic noninvasive of fungal sinusitis and 16 patients had a chronic invasive form. All these patients underwent endonasal surgery without external incision. The fungal disease was erradicated in 39 cases, and revision surgery was required in only one case in which involvement of the contralateral side was not initially detected. in two cases scar tissue in the middle meatus was later excised but without evidence of residual fungal disease. Only in 6 cases was antifungal chemotherapy required, where the disease had spread into surrounding tissue or the patient had severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Endonasal microsurgical techniques are today the appropriate approach for managing chronic fungal sinus disease even in severe cases with radiologic evidence of expansion or invasion of surrounding tissue. Additional antifungal chemotherapy is only rarely indicated, specifically when the fungal disease invades surrounding tissue.


A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Microbial, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis
Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of
Science in Biology (Biomedical Sciences)


Cloud computing, is also known as on-demand computing, and provides services to customers over the internet. It serves users by allowing them to store and access data from cloud server at anytime, anywhere, using any devices. Users upload their private data on to the cloud which has to be kept a secret. For such secure information storage many go for encryption approach before outsourcing to cloud. An efficient search scheme needs to be used in order to search data over the encrypted cloud. While having a large number of data users, and documents on the cloud, it is essential to give multi-keywords in the search query to get documents only relevant to these keywords in a ranked order. Coordinate matching and inner product similarity are the multi-keyword concepts used to get the relation between the documents and search queries and similarity measures, respectively.


I analyze a model of electoral competition in which candidates' need of credibility restricts their policy choice to a subset of the policy space, their ideology set. I focus on three party competition where candidates care about winning and their share of votes. I show that centrist parties are highly disadvantaged compared to leftist and rightist ones losing the election under a wide range of parameters. I also show that centrist parties' winning opportunities increase under a run-off system.


In recent years much attention has been paid to the study of radiation-induced defects in laser and luminescent materials, since they affect the optical and stimulated emission properties. Defects in : powder prepared by solid state diffusion have been studied by thermoluminescence (TL) and fluorescence measurements. The defects were accumulated and/or generated by exposing the powder to gamma rays. The influence of radiation defects was studied by comparing the fluorescence spectra of unirradiated and gamma-irradiated samples. The fluorescence output was found to decrease with the presence of defects. Broad and weak characteristic bands at 425 nm due to were observed along with emission lines at 575, 594, and 616 nm due to transitions (j = 0,1 and 2) respectively. Two TL peaks were obtained in the doped powder, whereas only a single peak appeared in the pure samples. The TL emission was also highly enhanced in the doped powder and this increase was attributed to the presence of impurities. Defect accumulation was noted to be strongly dependent on the level of gamma exposure. A suitable explanation of these results is suggested.


We describe a low-cost power-electronics system (PES) for a solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power system which achieves an efficiency η > 93%. The PES comprises of a DC/DC boost converter followed by a soft-switched multi-level high-frequency (HF) inverter and an AC/AC converter. The DC/DC converter comprises zero-ripple boost inductor, which reduces the switching current ripple of the SOFC-stack output current, thereby, possibly improving the durability of the SOFC. Additionally, the design of the inductor yields higher power at a reduced cost. Finally, preliminary experimental results and efficiency estimates for individual subsystems of the PES are demonstrated.Copyright © 2004 by ASME