Categories of objective response to chemotherapy for 460 advanced relapsing prostate cancer patients evaluated in the initial first four randomized clinical trials of the National Prostatic Cancer Project were compared by survival and other patient and disease characteristics. The response criteria for stable were shown to delineate patients with markedly improved survival and other disease conditions relative to those designated as progression. Survival was similar for stable and partial regression patients despite more frequent reduction of primary tumor and subjective improvement in performance status, pain, and body weight in the partial regression patients. Consequently, we feel that in these studies the stable category is valid and useful for determining efficacy of treatment in patients with advancing prostate cancer.


One of the first and potential strategies used in order to develop language learning is using dictionary. Digital dictionaries have changed this process dramatically in the last two decades. The current study was intended to investigate the impact of electronic dictionary on learning and long term retention of language collocation of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. In order to this end, Oxford Placement Test (OPT) was run among 340 learners in 6 different language institutes. In total, 100 participants whose scores were between 40 to 50 were chosen as the intermediate level and were assigned to experimental and control groups. The participants in both groups received the treatment in 8 sessions, 45 minutes each. Two groups were taught 64 collocations during the eight sessions of the treatment. The experimental group used electronic collocation dictionary (ECD) to find meaning and definition of a new taught collocation, while the control group recognized collocation through the prior knowledge. Each group acquired pretest in one form (fill in the blank), an immediate posttest was run immediately after the treatment and a delayed posttest administered two weeks later. The outcomes of the study showed that the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group. Hence, using electronic dictionary to teach collocation can improve the process of acquiring collocations, but it cannot guarantee long term retention of collocations. This study also provides pedagogical implications to utilize ED as an effective learning tool.


A shock jolted the electric power industry in April 1994, when the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced its intention to restructure the industry. The proposal, commonly referred to as retail wheeling, is based on the principle that market deregulation and competition will bring down the cost of electricity for all classes of customers. It would effectively break up the monopoly status of the regulated utilities and allow customers to purchase electricity directly from competing suppliers. According to the original CPUC proposal, cost alone would be the basis for determining which generating resources would be used. The proposal was modified in response to public inputs, and issued as a decision at the end of 1995. The final proposal recognized the importance of renewables, and included provisions for a minimum renewables purchase requirement (MRPR). A Renewables Working Group convened to develop detailed proposals for implementing the CPUC`s renewables program. Numerous proposals, which represented the range of possible programs that can be used to support renewables within the context of a restructured electric utility industry, were received.


Abstract Selected species of mosquitoes and Ornithodoros ticks were evaluated for their potential to transmit Karshi and Langat (tick-borne encephalitis virus complex) viruses in the laboratory. Although there was no evidence of replication of Karshi virus in either of the two mosquito species tested [Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) or Culex pipiens (L.)], Karshi virus replicated in and was transmitted by all three species of Ornithodoros ticks tested (Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley, Ornithodoros sonrai Sautet & Witkowski, and Ornithodoros tartakovskyi Olenev). When inoculated with Karshi virus, 90% of Ornithodoros ticks (44/49) transmitted this virus by bite to suckling mice, and transmission continued to occur for at least 1 yr, the longest extrinsic incubation tested. After feeding on a suckling mouse with a viremia of ≈105 suckling mouse subcutaneous lethal dose50 units of Karshi virus per milliliter of blood, all three species of Ornithodoros tested became infected with and transmitted Karshi virus both trans-stadially and horizontally by bite to suckling mice. In addition, female O. tartakovskyi transmitted Karshi virus vertically to their progeny. In a continuation of a previous study, O. sonrai, orally exposed to Langat virus, were able to transmit this virus after >3 yr, the longest interval tested. Therefore, Ornithodoros spp. should be considered as potential vectors and as possible long-term maintenance hosts for Karshi virus and other members of the tick-borne encephalitis virus complex.


Xeroderma Pigmentosum protein C (XPC) is involved in recognition and repair of bulky DNA damage such as lesions induced by Ultra Violet (UV) radiation. XPC-mutated cells are, therefore, photosensitive and accumulate UVB-induced pyrimidine dimers leading to increased cancer incidence. Here, we performed a high-throughput screen to identify chemicals capable of normalizing the XP-C phenotype (hyper-photosensitivity and accumulation of photoproducts). Fibroblasts from XP-C patients were treated with a library of approved chemical drugs. Out of 1280 tested chemicals, 16 showed ≥25% photo-resistance with RZscore above 2.6 and two drugs were able to favor repair of 6-4 pyrimidine pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4PP). Among these two compounds, Isoconazole could partially inhibit apoptosis of the irradiated cells especially when cells were post-treated directly after UV irradiation while Clemizole Hydrochloride-mediated increase in viability was dependent on both pre and post treatment. No synergistic effect was recorded following combined drug treatment and the compounds exerted no effect on the proliferative capacity of the cells post UV exposure. Amelioration of XP-C phenotype is a pave way towards understanding the accelerated skin cancer initiation in XP-C patients. Further examination is required to decipher the molecular mechanisms targeted by these two chemicals.


Badmen, Bandits, and Folk Heroes: The Ambivalence of Mexican American Identity in Literature and Film. By Juan J. Alonzo. (University of Arizona Press, 2009. Pp. x +208, introduction, epilogue, photographs, notes, bibliography, index. $49.95 cloth.)Juan J. Alonzo 's Badmen, Bandits, and Folk Heroes looks at Chicano(a) Studies through the lens of literature and film. This interdisciplinary approach allows the author to formulate convincing arguments regarding Chicano(a) identity and its contingency on and rejection of stereotypes. Alonzo argues that stereotypes are a social construct that need to be studied within the theoretical framework of ambivalence. By examining stereotypes from the perspective of ambivalence, the author moves the discussion of stereotypes from an essentially structuralist understanding of the term to a more complex reading of this social phenomenon. This idea of ambivalence toward Mexicans in American film and literature, from the late nineteenth century up to the Chicano(a) films of the new millennium, runs deep throughout the book. In fact, the concept of ambivalence, and how it manifests differently in the works of various Anglo-American authors and auteurs, forms the backbone of Alonzo's book.Alonzo's research material not only helps illustrate ambivalence at work, but also showcases the author's breadth of knowledge and mastery of a wide range of disciplines. He carefully selects examples from American cinema, western novels, and other American genres - including early American plays, theater reviews, newsprint articles, and hard-to-find films from Hollywood's nascent period - that incorporate Mexican characters in their plots in order to objectify, extoll, or denigrate them, further reinforcing his argument about ambivalence. By culling from such varied sources, the author is able to trace the origins of some of these negative/positive stereotypes about Mexicans.Alonzo's book is a must read for anyone interested in Chicano(a) history and ethnic studies in general. This book would also appeal to scholars focusing on the construction of stereotypes in Greater American cinema and literature. The book itself provides some interesting photographs depicting American and British actors impersonating "Mexicans" in Hollywood. From these snapshots and the chapters that follow, Alonzo traces a history of attitudes (i.e., acceptance/rejection, tolerance/abhorrence, attraction/repulsion) that some Americans have shown toward people of Mexican origin. From the often contradictory or ambivalent depictions of Mexicans by D.W. Griffith in movies such as The Greaser's Gauntlet (1908), to the more amicable and humane literary renditions of Jack London's "The Mexican," Stephen Crane's "One Dash-Horses," and "The Three White Mice," Alonzo challenges readers and spectators to revisit these early works and question any preconceived ideas they might have regarding the work of these giants of American film and literature. By venturing into the ideological world of these canonical writers and directors, one develops a broader picture of these individuals' often contradictory and ambivalent attitude towards the "Other."For instance, one will be surprised to discover that Griffith did not always display the same racist attitude toward all minorities (certainly not to die degree he did toward African Americans and Asians) . …


Background The interleukin-1 (IL-1) mediated systemic autoinflammatory diseases, including the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and deficiency of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (DIRA), belong to a group of rare immunodysregulatory diseases that primarily present in early childhood with variable multiorgan involvement. When untreated, patients with severe clinical phenotypes have a poor prognosis, and diagnosis and management of these patients can be challenging. However, approved treatments targeting the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 have been life changing and have significantly improved patient outcomes. Objective To establish evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of patients with IL-1 mediated autoinflammatory diseases to standardise their management. Methods A multinational, multidisciplinary task force consisting of physician experts, including rheumatologists, patients or caregivers and allied healthcare professionals, was established. Evidence synthesis, including systematic literature review and expert consensus (Delphi) via surveys, was conducted. Consensus methodology was used to formulate and vote on statements to guide optimal patient care. Results The task force devised five overarching principles, 14 statements related to diagnosis, 10 on therapy, and nine focused on long-term monitoring that were evidence and/or consensus-based for patients with IL-1 mediated diseases. An outline was developed for disease-specific monitoring of inflammation-induced organ damage progression and reported treatments of CAPS, TRAPS, MKD and DIRA. Conclusion The 2021 EULAR/American College of Rheumatology points to consider represent state-of-the-art knowledge based on published data and expert opinion to guide diagnostic evaluation, treatment and monitoring of patients with CAPS, TRAPS, MKD and DIRA, and to standardise and improve care, quality of life and disease outcomes.


Nowadays, high-degree switches are available as building blocks of the interconnection network of clusters of PCs. An alternative to take advantage of the high number of switch ports is to connect every pair of switches through not only one but also several links (this is known as link trunking in other environments). This extra connectivity can be exploited by using adaptive routing algorithms, thus improving network throughput and reducing network congestion. However with low traffic loads, all the links that compose the trunk link will not be utilized, but this idle links continue consuming power. Power consumption reduction techniques are being applied everywhere in computer systems and the interconnection network is not an exception, as its contribution is not negligible. In this paper, we present a mechanism that dynamically switches on and off network links as a function of traffic. It is specially targeted to those networks where trunk links are used. The mechanism can switch off any link, provided that network connectivity is guaranteed, (i.e. every pair of switches should be connected through at least one active link). Indeed, this restriction makes possible to use the same routing algorithm regardless the power saving actions taken, thus simplifying router design. Our simulation results show that the network power consumption can be greatly reduced, at the expense of some increase in latency. Nevertheless, it is shown that the power reduction is always higher that this latency increases.


Classroom observation is an important tool to help achieve the United Nations' fourth sustainable goal on quality and inclusive education. However, manually deploying this tool is expensive and not congruent with resource constraints in parts of the world where it is needed the most; Sub Saharan Africa and South and Central Asia. This paper presents the design of an initial implementation of an automated classroom observation system based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) which was optimized using the Hyperband approach. The system implements parts of the Stallings class observation system on a teacher's smartwatch and uses audio data only. Based on 'data in the wild' collected in Pakistan, the CNN performed close to the level of human experts on unseen data (Cohen's Kappa = 0.687 with human annotated data). F1-measure was 0.78 on unseen data. An Apple 4 smartwatch natively running the CNN was able to provide real-time inference (< 1 second for 3 second audio segments).


Introduction While much research relating sex hormones to bone health has centred on oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women, far less is known regarding the potential for sex hormone levels to influence bone health in men. We investigated the influence of sex hormone concentrations on bone health in men at age 50, using data from the Newcastle Thousand Families Study. Methods The study included 171 men who attended for DEXA scanning (giving measures of bone mineral density (BMD) for the hip and lumbar spine) and also gave blood samples allowing measurement of concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), free oestrogen index (FEI), luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), free testosterone and serum β C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), a biochemical marker of bone resorption. Results There were significant correlations between total hip BMD and FEI (p=0.03), total spine BMD and SHBG (p=0.006), FEI (p=0.008) and FAI (p=0.008) and serum CTX and free testosterone (p=0.016). After adjustment for body weight the only associations that remained were between total spine BMD and FAI (p=0.046) and between serum CTX and free testosterone (p=0.014). Conclusions Our results suggest that while there are associations between serum sex hormone concentrations and BMD, they are mostly explained by an adjustment for contemporary body weight. The inverse association between serum CTX and free testosterone is more robust, remaining significant after adjustment. This suggests that free testosterone levels are independently associated with bone resorption levels.


The paper evaluates how increases in banks' and nonfinancial corporates' default risk are transmitted in the global economy, using in a vector autoregression model for 30 advanced and emerging economies for the period from January 1996 to December 2008. The results point to two-way causality between bank and corporate distress and to significant global macroeconomic and financial spillovers from either type of distress when it originates in a systemic economy. Corporate distress in advanced economies has a larger impact on economic growth in emerging economies than bank distress in advanced economies has. In contrast, activity in advanced economies is more vulnerable to bank distress than to corporate distress.


Sediment acoustic models contain two connected components, the geo-physical description of the sediment and the model of acoustic processes. Geo-physical descriptors are used in the classification of sediments, and they are based on grain size, density and other physical descriptors. Acoustic sediment models were initially fluid approximations that were simple to implement. As the need for accuracy increased, the fluid model was extended to stratified fluid and visco-elastic models. The latter, with five frequency-independent parameters, appeared to be consistent with sediment acoustic data up to the 1980s. More recent experimental data have revealed discrepancies in the frequency-dependence of attenuation and sound speed, particularly in the case of sandy sediments, which cover a large fraction of the continental shelves. Broad-band acoustic measurements of wave speeds and attenuations are more consistent with a poro-elastic model, consisting of Biot's theory with extensions to account for the physics of granular media. Aside from terminology, there is a fundamental difference between visco-elastic and poro-elastic theories. The former is based on two types of waves, a compressional wave and a shear wave, while the latter has an additional compressional wave, often called the Biot wave. There are currently two approaches to the development of sediment acoustic models: (a) visco-elastic models with frequency dependent parameters that mimic the observed behavior, and (b) poro-elastic models that reflect the physical processes. It is shown that (a) would be a significant improvement over existing models, but (b) is the preferred solution.


One of the most powerful influences on the patient is the family and its characteristics. In the recent decades families have changed, one of the most well known changes was a shift from extended to nuclear families. The consequences of this shift on health have been poorly researched, although family factors are being taught at medical schools. The aim of this study is to explore differences and similarities in factors between nuclear and extended families which may affect health and health care of family members. We conducted the qualitative study of family reports. The reports were done by students of family medicine. We examined the reports according to fourtheme: (1) Relations between the members of the family and between them and society, (2) Lifestyle, (3) Use of medical services and confidence in doctors and medicine, (4) Ilnesses and attitude towards illnesses. Differences were found in relations between the closest members of the family, close family interactions, domination issues and family roles, attitudes towards independence, parents and children, interaction with other people, attitude towards medicine, taking care of the sick member of the family and the way families endure illnesses. A quantitative research is needed to verify all the differences which we came across in this study. The qualitative data support the importance of family on health.


Purchasing and supply leaders continually search for ways to improve the quality, delivery, and cost of production inputs. Their participation in these proactive supply chain activities can be a significant driver of purchasing and supply management's use of information technology (IT). Using a transaction cost analysis perspective, we surveyed purchasing and supply professionals at the director level or above from the Institute for Supply Management database to determine whether five common purchasing activities increase the need for purchasing professionals to use IT. The purchasing activities studied are (1) supplier alliance; (2) market monitoring; and (3) cost management (including cost analysis, total cost of ownership, and target costing). Of these activities, supplier alliances and cost analysis were found to significantly influence purchasing and supply management use of IT. In addition, industry effects were also discovered, where purchasing professionals in organizations that focus on producing high technology products and services utilize IT to a greater extent than purchasing professionals in traditional manufacturing and service organizations. The findings suggest that while there is evidence of a relationship between purchasing and supply management's participation in proactive activities and actual use of IT, more research is needed to understand how information and technology can better facilitate purchasing and supply management activities.


The optical design principles of the two-mirror Ritchey-Chretien telescope objective system are developed systematically, starting from fundamentals. The third-order aberration coefficients of Buchdahl are derived for such a system and based on these coefficients, expressions for the first of the extra-axial curvature coefficients of the mirrors which provide aplanatic condition at the Cassegran focus are derived.
numerical example (proposed Anglo-Australian 150-inch telescope) is considered to illustrate the principles. Third-order correction to achieve aplanatism is found to be inadequate when spot diagram analysis is made. The expressions for the fifth-order spherical aberration coefficient, `μ_1`, and linear coma coefficients, `μ_2`, `μ_3`, for the two-mirror system are then derived and are used to achieve aplanatic condition to fifth-order. When this is applied to the numerical example, the performance of the system is found to be extremely good. The profiles of the mirrors of the seventh-order aplanatic system are found to be scarcely distinguishable from those of the fifth-order aplanatic system. The mirrors are then considered as two hyperboloids, based on third-order aberrations, and it is noticed that the curvature coefficients of these mirrors and the performance of such a system is not far removed from that of the fifth-order aplanatic system, justifying the popular view. A consideration of the aberration balance technique has brought the hyperboloid system still closer to the fifth-order system.
The design principles of two types of secondary focus correctors to eliminate the residual astigmatism and field curvature of the aplanatic system are outlined. These are an aspheric plate with field flattener and a Rosin type doublet. The principles are successfully adopted to develop these correctors for the numerical example. With the farmer type of corrector, it is noticed that best correction canbe achieved if the Ritchey-Chretien mirror constants are slightly changed Rosin type corrector is associated with colour problems:
Expressions for the prime focus aberrations are derived and the design principles of single plate and three-plate correctors to correct these aberrations are discussed: Two-plate correctors provide no practicable arrangement: The single plate corrector provides a small useful field, whereas the three-plate corrector offers more useful field. With these correctors in place, the prime focus largely suffers from higher order aberrations.
The conclusions are mostly derived from the numerical example. However, they are valid for a wide range of parameters.


Complementing the medical history and physical examination, the semen analysis has been an essential laboratory test for the evaluation of male fertility for over 50 years. However, the concept that fertility is defined by threshold values of semen parameters is fundamentally flawed (1). At best, the semen analysis suggests that the probability of achieving fertility is lower than normal (2). In addition, the definition of "normal" semen parameters is constantly challenged: witness the five editions of WHO manuals in which fertile semen parameters have been redefined over 36 years (3). Lastly, wide intra-individual variation in semen quality (2), and seasonal (4) and geographic variations (5) further complicate the potential of the semen analysis to predict fertility. So, something better is needed to help us determine male fertility potential.


Durability and reliability of machines and mechanisms are determined, mainly, by their fatigue resistance as far as, in the most cases, variable load impacts on machine components. Accordingly, the problem of fatigue failure is extremely topical, still. Its complexity is connected with a wide range of factors. First of all, at cyclic load the compatibility relations of a material surface layer, which is loaded over the yield point and the elastic-loaded substrate layer, play a very important role. This fact determines involvement into plastic flow and failure of all the scale hierarchy of deformation structural levels. Reverse loading under the condition of the elastic-loaded substrate layer causes strong localization of plastic deformation in the surface layers. In the deformation localization areas the material reaches its limit state, when fatigue cracks arise and expand. The paper presents the mechanisms of fatigue deformation for technical aluminum at various fatigue stages.


The present study compared the quality characteristics of boar semen diluted with three extenders of different proposed preservation times (short-term, medium-term and long-term). A part of extended semen was used for artificial insemination on the farm (30 sows/extender), while the remaining part was stored for three days (16–18 °C). Stored and used semen was also laboratory assessed at insemination time, on days 1 and 2 after the collection (day 0). The long-term extender was used for a short time, within 2 days from semen collection, with the aim to investigate a possible advantage over the others regarding laboratory or farm fertility indicators at the beginning of the preservation time. Viability, motility, kinetic indicators, morphology and DNA fragmentation were estimated. The results showed reduced viability, higher values for most of the kinetics, and higher immotile spermatozoa from day 1 to day 2 in all extenders; however, the long-term extender was superior compared to the other two on both days. With regard to morphology and chromatin integrity, the percentage of abnormal and fragmented spermatozoa increased on day 2 compared to day 1 for all of the extenders. However, based on the farrowing rate and the number of piglets born alive after the application of conventional artificial insemination within 2 days from semen collection/dilution, it was found that the medium-term diluents were more effective. In conclusion, it seems that the in vivo fertilization process involves more factors than simply the quality of laboratory evaluated sperm indicators, warranting further research. DNA fragmentation, ejaculate, in vitro quality, in vivo fertility, semen analysis, semen storage


This article studies the challenges of modernity in Tharu people's way of life and how successfully they have sustained to maintain aesthetics of ethnicity coping together with modernity. The scholarly discussion of the impact of ritual performances of Tharu people to identify themselves in the national and international domain through the socio-cultural aspect of homestays provides us insight into how Tharus have become successful in preserving the memory of identity through cultural heritage. This study confines its approach within the Bhada village of Kailali district. It examines the progressive changes institutionalized after the homestay programmes in socio-cultural development of Tharu people's cultural performances facing urbanization. Homestay programmes in the Tharu village of Kailali district have accelerated their financial advancement chiefly by their exceptionally distinct social-cultural legacies of rituals and performances. With the assistance of various exploration reports, it essentially analyzes the part of social execution like dance melodies among Tharu people to bear the progressions for economic exercises and vocation. With the assistance of Devkota and Bhattarai's notion of homestays and rural development, the paper legitimizes the imminent practical development in the indigenous community by analyzing the issues from culture to modernity.


The paper encompasses the views of 13 Swedish graduating social work students on their education, competence, skills and expectations for their future roles as social workers. It presents the findings of the first phase of a longitudinal study where students in Sweden and Australia are followed from university and during the first 18 months in the profession. A qualitative methodology was employed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with the students just prior to graduating. The most salient theme was the strong wish for more time in contact with the field. All of the students would have preferred at least one additional period of field placement. A strong wish for clarity, particularly in relation to understanding what it means to practise social work, emerged. Although most of the graduates talked about their self-development and described themselves as having become more critical and more self-confident, they perceived themselves as more or less unprepared for most social work positions and expected to receive considerable support and guidance in their workplaces. The proportion of theoretical and research courses in comparison to the teaching of practice skills and field placements within Swedish social work education is discussed.


: The authors elaborate the population-genetic approach to study the genetic basis of individual psychological differences. Psychodynamic parameters characterized by a more complex organization tend to be more phenotypically variable and less hereditable, as compared with parameters of lower organization levels. The results obtained are interpreted in relation to the genetic and social structure of populations.


A novel iron-catalyzed synthesis of substituted N-aryl oxazolidines was developed via C-N bond formation and methylenation. The reaction of aryl hydroxylamines with allyl alcohols, in the presence of formaldehyde or its equivalents, afforded variety of oxazolidine heterocycles in very good yields. This catalytic method is most effective for para-substituted aryl hydroxylamines and 3-methyl allyl alcohols. Furthermore, acid catalyzed demethylenation of oxazolidines allowed access to N-aryl amino alcohols in good yields.


In this paper, we show the potential of combining multi‐proxy analysis of lake sediments with catchment geomorphology to better understand palaeoenvironmental changes. Previous studies have suggested that alpine lakes in N Sweden may be highly sensitive to variations in catchment erosion and precipitation, and that this sensitivity may influence ecologically based reconstructions of past temperature changes. We analysed lake sediments covering the last 5100 years from the alpine Lake Vuoksjávrátje in NW Sweden in order to identify different erosional regimes in the lake catchment, sediment sources and lake sedimentary processes, which ultimately affect the palaeoecological record. The measured proxies include elemental geochemistry from XRF core scanning, grain size, sediment accumulation rates, fraction of terrestrial organic carbon and geomorphological mapping, supported by previously published chironomid and total organic carbon data. From the integrated results we identified time intervals when increased intensity of precipitation altered sedimentation and lake catchment erosional processes. The most prominent event occurred c. 2900 cal. a BP and is interpreted to be the result of excessive precipitation, possibly related to the climatic shift towards cooler and wetter conditions referred to as the 2.8 ka event.


and the right ventricle, presence and absence of holosystolic tricuspid regurgitation and VCC, and the pulsatility of blood flow pattern in the ductus venosus were analyzed. Results: Six pregnancies were terminated, 1 intrauterine death occurred, 1 ongoing pregnancy and 7 fetuses were lost to follow-up, leaving 28 patients for the analysis. One child died preoperatively. Biventricular repair was performed in 18 cases by interventional opening of the pulmonary valve and in 3 cases by surgical valvolotomy; one of these children died postoperatively. Single ventricle palliation (starting with Blalock-Taussig-Shunt) was performed the other 6 cases. Size of the right ventricle, tricuspid valve size, presence or absence of VCC were correlated with the possibility of biventricular repair and outcome. Tricuspid regurgitation was correlated with absence of VCC and sufficient size of right ventricle and tricuspid valve for biventricular repair. Conclusions: Prenatal echocardiography can accurately diagnose right ventricular outflow tract obstructions. Size of right heart structures and presence or absence of VCC are important for selecting the postnatal treatment and to therefore for prognosis and prenatal counselling.


Skutterudite-based thermoelectric materials have great potential for use in waste heat recovery, but the conventional melting–quench–annealing process is not suitable for large-scale fabrication. In this study, we developed a rapid fabrication technique that combines scanning laser melting and spark plasma sintering to synthesize bulk n-type and p-type filled skutterudites. The kinetics process and microstructure evolution during the scanning laser melting and annealing were systematically investigated. Due to fast solidification in scanning laser melting, the peritectic segregation size of precursor resultants is confined to several microns, which leads to great shortening of the fabrication period of filled skutterudites. The as-synthesized n-type and p-type filled skutterudites achieve excellent dimensionless figures of merit: ZT ∼ 1.23 at 850 K for Yb0.4Co4Sb12.1; ZT ∼ 1.09 at 700 K for In0.5Co4Sb12.1; ZT ∼ 0.79 at 750 K for Ce0.95Fe3CoSb12.1, which are among the highest values of single filled skutterudites. The shortened processing period and enhanced thermoelectric performance make this novel synthesis method suitable for industrial-level large-scale fabrication of skutterudite-based thermoelectric materials.


The rapid growth of urban informal settlements, or slums, poses a particular challenge for balancing developmental and environmental goals. In South Africa, high levels of inequality, poverty, and unemployment contribute to widespread migration. The influx of migrant workers to cities, however, is rarely matched with adequate housing and infrastructure, resulting in the formation and growth of urban informal settlements. Despite the persistence of the slum phenomenon, very few studies provide an in‐depth understanding of the metabolic processes that link these spaces, and informal economies, to the broader urban environment and economy. This article therefore utilized a multiscale integrated assessment of the societal and ecosystem metabolism approach to examine human activity and land use in Enkanini, an urban informal settlement in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The results highlight a number of issues to be addressed through spatial, developmental, and local economic policy, such as the need for improved transport linkages. The time‐use results show that Enkanini is a net provider of labor to the surrounding area. Further, geographical mapping indicates Enkanini as a small, but vibrant, informal economy, while being grossly underserviced in terms of water, waste, and sanitation infrastructure. Key implications are discussed in terms of the theoretical, methodological, societal, and policy impact of the study, including the need for city observatories that conduct regular data collection and analysis.


This study examines the interview narratives of owners of 73 small and medium-sized businesses from a large metropolitan area located in the southwestern U.S. Our analysis focuses on owner discussions of their motivations and goals for starting and running their own businesses. Our findings reveal three central motivational narrative themes: (1) traditional business-centered success outcomes—a category we refer to as "Business is Business"; (2) owners' personal and family well-being and fulfillment, labeled as "Business is Personal"; and (3) social responsibility concerns directed toward the betterment of other people and society more generally that we labeled as "Business is Doing Good." Owner narratives typically referenced motives in more than one of these three realms. However, relatively, they expended considerably more time and energy discussing altruistic or social responsibility goals compared to strictly business or personal motives. Our study reveals the importance of norms of social responsibility in the discursive constructions of small and medium-sized businesses.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of fetal tracheal occlusion on sodium and chloride concentrations in amniotic and tracheal fluid.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA
Intrauterine tracheal occlusion has been proposed to reverse pulmonary hypoplasia, an important prognostic factor in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. In early human trials, technical failure of the obstructive device has been reported.

METHODS
Eight fetal lambs (gestational age = 95 days) were subjected to fetal tracheoscopy, and amniotic and tracheal fluid samples were taken. In multiple pregnancies (n = 6), amniotic fluid was also sampled from the contralateral amniotic sac and used as a control. Subsequently, endotracheal obstruction, using a detachable balloon, was performed. After 14 days, all fetuses were delivered, and sodium and chloride concentrations in amniotic and tracheal fluid were measured again. Statistical analysis was done using a two-tailed Student's t test, paired or unpaired as appropriate.

RESULTS
In controls, between 95 and 109 days gestational age, no significant changes occurred in sodium or chloride concentrations in amniotic or tracheal fluid. After 2 weeks of tracheal obstruction, however, chloride and sodium concentrations in amniotic fluid decreased (chloride = 76.7 mEq/L vs. 107.6 mEq/L, p = 0.0003; sodium = 109.6 mEq/L vs. 125.9 +/- 5.2 mEq/L, p = 0.019). A concomitant increase in chloride and sodium concentration was observed in tracheal fluid (chloride = 145.4 mEq/L vs. 130.0 mEq/L, p = 0.047; sodium = 153.1 mEq/L vs. 142.9 mEq/L, p = 0.051). When comparing groups at 109 days, chloride and sodium concentrations in amniotic fluid were markedly lower in the treated group versus controls (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.05 for chloride and sodium, respectively).

CONCLUSION
Complete tracheal occlusion in ovine fetuses results in a significant decrease of amniotic fluid sodium and chloride concentrations.


ABSTRACT Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation in joints. Ageratum conyzoides L. (Babandotan) leaves are proven to be used in inflammation therapy, yet there is a little data regarding the effects of the leaves on RA. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-RA activity of the ethanolic extract of A. conyzoides L. leaves (EEAL) harvested from Bogor, Indonesia, in rats. Methods: The phytochemical screening analysis and thin-layer chromatography were performed to analyze the constituents of the EEAL. This study used white male Sprague Dawley rats which were divided into 6 groups; normal control and negative control groups, both given 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose; the positive control group, given methotrexate suspension (0.05 mg/200 g bw.); the dose variation extract is 40 mg, 80 mg, and 160 mg/200 g body weight. All the groups were induced with 0.1 ml Complete Freund's adjuvant on day 1, except normal control group. Some parameters will be measured, such as paw edema, levels of leukocyte and lymphocyte, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the number of osteoclasts per mm2. Results: For 21 days the rats have given treated the EEAL in three doses, was showed the decreasing volume of paw edema, levels of blood leukocytes and lymphocytes, concentrations of TNF-α and the number of osteoclasts, compared to the rat model of RA. Conclusion: This study showed that the leaves of A. conyzoides L. harvested from Bogor, Indonesia, have activity as anti-RA in a rat model, in which flavonoid plays a role in inhibition of chronic inflammatory processes. Keywords: Ageratum conyzoides L. leaves, Anti-rheumatoid arthritis, Complete Freund's adjuvant, Flavonoids.


Through a consideration of the reception history of the so-called "Diatessaron," Tatian's second-century gospel compilation, we can learn much about the nature of this peculiar text. Of paramount importance here is the Syriac Commentary on the Gospel attributed to Ephrem of Nisibis. In this article I argue that the ordering of pericopae in the opening section of Tatian's gospel, which interweaves Matthean and Lukan passages within a broadly Johannine incluisio, prompts the Syriac exegete to an unexpected interpretation of these narratives. By reading these pericopae as a single, continuous narrative, he creatively combines the divine "Word" and "Light" of the Johannine prologue with the Synoptic traditions about John the Baptist as the "voice" and about the star that shone to guide the magi, presenting the star and the voice as extensions of the Son's own agency. This remarkably original interpretation of the nativity of Jesus illustrates the degree of artistry that went into the making of Tatian's text and the novel interpretations it elicited from its readers.


Introduction Sex differences in susceptibility to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have been demonstrated both in basic and clinical settings. Female hearts show better functional recovery after I...


Owl monkeys Aotus spp have the potential to be a great model to accomplish a thorough integration of zoo and field research. Their most salient features are their nocturnal habits, monogamous social organization and paternal care, features that should make them of interest to the public. Following a brief historical perspective on our knowledge of owl monkey biology, I describe in detail, drawing from research with both captive and wild animals, those aspects that make owl monkeys unusual among primates and mammals. First, owl monkeys are the only anthropoids with nocturnal habits, and the study of their remarkable activity patterns has benefited enormously from an integrated approach that combined field research with research in semi-natural conditions and the laboratory. Second, up until recently, our understanding of social monogamy and the involvement of the ♂♂ in infant care, two defining characteristics of the genus, have been primarily informed by studies of captive individuals. In the future, a truly integrated laboratory–field approach that focuses on certain areas that cannot be examined in only one or the other setting (e.g. reproductive biology, communication, energetics) will offer unique opportunities for synergistic interactions between zoo and field research that will have both intellectual and practical benefits.


The search for water in our solar system is one of the primary driving forces for planetary science and exploration because water plays an important role in many geologic processes and is required for biologic processes as we currently understand them. Excluding Earth, Mars is the most promising destination in the inner solar system to find water, as it is undoubtedly responsible for shaping many geomorphologic features observed on the present-day martian surface; however, the water content of the martian interior is currently unresolved. Much of our information about the martian interior comes from studies of the basaltic martian meteorites (shergottites). In this study we examined the water contents of magmatic apatites from a geochemically enriched shergottite (the Shergotty meteorite) and a geochemically depleted shergottite (the Queen Alexandria Range 94201 meteorite). From these data, we determined that there was little difference in water contents between the geochemically depleted and enriched shergottite magmas. The water contents of the apatite imply that shergottite parent magmas contained 730–2870 ppm H 2 O prior to degassing. Furthermore, the martian mantle contains 73–290 ppm H 2 O and underwent hydrous melting as recently as 327 Ma. In the absence of plate tectonics, the presence of water in the interior of Mars requires planetary differentiation under hydrous conditions. This is the first evidence of significant hydrogen storage in a planetary interior at the time of core formation, and this process could support elevated H abundances in the interiors of other terrestrial bodies like the Moon, Mercury, Venus, large differentiated asteroids, and Earth.


Abstract Attractive quality has for two decades been accentuated as a strong driver of loyalty, word-of-mouth and saleability. Recent elaborations of the concept of attractive quality however point to obstacles to the development of quality practices, such as engineering methods, to support the creation of attractive quality in practice. One obstacle is the lack of explanations as to why certain aspects of an offer are perceived as an attractive quality. There is a need to understand why attractive quality occurs. This paper aims to address these obstacles by presenting the results of a search for mechanisms claimed to cause attractive quality in literature. As a result, the paper identifies and relates two fundamentally different mechanisms considered important for the generation of attractive quality. The need-based roots of attractive quality point at an explanation in terms of the satisfaction of high-level needs. This is in sharp contrast to the currently dominant explanation of attractive quality as the exceeding of expectations. The two mechanisms are further distinguished and related to each other resulting in the classification of three different types of attractive quality. The three types are designated as 'Surprisers', 'Life Enrichers', and 'Attraction Boosters'. The 'Life Enrichers', which are defined as satisfying high-level needs of the customer, are highlighted as an important and promising area for future research.


Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable diseases in the United States. Smoking accounts for more than 400,000 deaths yearly and 30% of all cancer deaths. Primary care physicians have access to 70% of smokers, approximately 60% of whom are perceived to be in excellent health. Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of nicotine addiction, including nicotine nasal spray, nicotine inhaler, bupropion hydrochloride, and over-the-counter transdermal nicotine patches, have increased the treatment options physicians can offer to smokers. Physicians, especially those in primary care specialties, should familiarize themselves with these products to improve efforts to help their patients stop smoking. This article reviews scientific data on the efficacy of approved medications, benefits, adverse effects, and appropriate use of these products. We also discuss nicotine addiction and treatment for special populations, including women, ethnic minorities, light smokers, and patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate control options for contagious ecthyma (scabby mouth) in Australian sheep exported live to the Middle East.

DESIGN
Prevalence, vaccination and modelling studies.

PROCEDURE
One hundred and forty weaner sheep (less than 1 year old) on each of 106 farms in Western Australia (WA) and 18 farm groups of adult wethers received at a WA commercial feedlot were examined for lesions of scabby mouth. Sheep on a total of 26 farms in 3 States were divided into treatment and control groups for the vaccination study. A simple deterministic compartmental model was developed to establish which parameters had the greater effect on disease prevalence.

RESULTS
The proportion of farms with evidence of scabby mouth in weaner sheep was 23.6% and, on those farms with the disease, the overall prevalence was 6.1%. At the feedlot, 4 out of 18 farm groups had 5 or more sheep with lesions on arrival. The overall prevalence in the 4 diseased groups was 5.2%. Sheep vaccinated on farm before trucking to the feedlot had a lower prevalence of scabby mouth at the end of simulated shipping than controls. The main determinant of scabby mouth prevalence was the proportion of sheep immune to the disease.

CONCLUSION
A program of vaccination for scabby mouth will reduce the prevalence of disease during live export. However, using current technology it is not possible to deliver shipments of sheep to the Middle East that are guaranteed completely free of scabby mouth.


The transformation process seen in the Ottoman bureaucracy after the proclamation of the Tanzimat was also experienced in the criminal law system. The new penal codes, shaped by the initiatives and recommendations of foreign diplomats and ambassadors, are developing in parallel with the penal systems that are undergoing transformation in Europe. With the 1851 Kanun-i Cedid (New Law) and the 1858 Penal Code, the Ottoman bureaucracy desires a radical break from the medieval penal system and a transition from the bodybased punishment system based on retaliation-diet to time-space imprisonment. In this case, Ottoman statesmen did not hesitate to get support from British statesmen, and names such as Statford Canning, Gordon and Henry Bulver submitted their reports on prison reforms. Naturally, the status of existing prisons was widely covered in the reports, and recommendations were given on issues such as lack of hygiene, capacity and security gaps. In this context, it can be said that the developing prison architecture is widely reflected in archive documents. Over a hundred prison sketches and drawings that have survived to date shed light on the architecture and architects of the prison, especially in the period of Abdulhamid II and after. Three original projects prepared in three different time periods for the prison building, which is planned to be built in Ankara, and which do not have any connection with each other in terms of architectural features, are discussed within the scope of this study, the construction processes and architectural character are examined.


Two cases of severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in the neonate are reported. The first case was poorly tolerated because of predominant stenosis of the right ventricular outflow tract causing right to left shunting through a patent foramen ovale. The second case presented with severe syncope at 6 weeks of age. The first patient was treated with propranolol without any success. Regression of the clinical and electrocardiographic signs was obtained in both cases with lidoflazine, within a few weeks. Red blood cell calcium concentrations were abnormally high in both patients before treatment and returned to normal levels with clinical and echocardiographic improvement. Abnormal accumulation of intracellular calcium in the myocardium is a possible mechanism of this cardiomyopathy. The relation between this type of accumulation and the effects of catecholamine discharge are recalled. The possible initiating role of an enzymatic abnormality of calcium entry is discussed: the chaotic geometric alignment of the myocardial fibres, characteristic of this type of hypertrophy, would therefore be a secondary phenomenon. Once constituted, the hypertrophy would then become irreversible. However, it may be possible to reverse it in the neonate by calcium antagonists as suggested by these two cases.


The purpose of this paper is to test the main hypotheses of the recent theoretical literature on the political economy of reform for the case of the Latin American countries between 1985 and 1995. The paper first reviews the literature and extracts the main testable hypotheses. Then, a system of indices that measure the extent of reform in five policy areas is presented. These indices are used as the dependent variables in panel regressions where the main explanatory variables are indicators of crisis, political variables and indicators of channels of contagion. We find very strong support for the well-known hypothesis that crises make reform viable and also for the (less theoretically sound) hypotheses that reforms are more likely at the beginning of government periods. None of the hypotheses on the role of political and distributional variables, the importance of compensation schemes or contagion, finds support in our results. Rather disappointingly, however, most of the reforms seem to have responded to a process of convergence.


Background Glomerular basement membrane (GBM), a key component of the blood-filtration apparatus in the in the kidney, is formed through assembly of type IV collagen with laminins, nidogen, and sulfated proteoglycans. Mutations or deletions involving α3(IV), α4(IV), or α5(IV) chains of type IV collagen in the GBM have been identified as the cause for Alport syndrome in humans, a progressive hereditary kidney disease associated with deafness. The pathological mechanisms by which such mutations lead to eventual kidney failure are not completely understood. Methods and Findings We showed that increased susceptibility of defective human Alport GBM to proteolytic degradation is mediated by three different matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)—MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9—which influence the progression of renal dysfunction in α3(IV) −/− mice, a model for human Alport syndrome. Genetic ablation of either MMP-2 or MMP-9, or both MMP-2 and MMP-9, led to compensatory up-regulation of other MMPs in the kidney glomerulus. Pharmacological ablation of enzymatic activity associated with multiple GBM-degrading MMPs, before the onset of proteinuria or GBM structural defects in the α3(IV) −/− mice, led to significant attenuation in disease progression associated with delayed proteinuria and marked extension in survival. In contrast, inhibition of MMPs after induction of proteinuria led to acceleration of disease associated with extensive interstitial fibrosis and early death of α3(IV) −/− mice. Conclusions These results suggest that preserving GBM/extracellular matrix integrity before the onset of proteinuria leads to significant disease protection, but if this window of opportunity is lost, MMP-inhibition at the later stages of Alport disease leads to accelerated glomerular and interstitial fibrosis. Our findings identify a crucial dual role for MMPs in the progression of Alport disease in α3(IV) −/− mice, with an early pathogenic function and a later protective action. Hence, we propose possible use of MMP-inhibitors as disease-preventive drugs for patients with Alport syndrome with identified genetic defects, before the onset of proteinuria.


: The neuropsychiatric sequelae of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have not been discussed previously since most patients did not survive. The affective disorder, personality change, and cognitive deficits which resulted from TTP in a 55-year-old man who had already survived stage IIIB Hodgkin's disease are described. The neurologic and psychiatric residua did not indicate a chronic form of the disease.


The integration of a Heat Pump with a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) to control the inlet air temperature is a promising technology to meet the requirements imposed by the current electricity systems in terms of efficiency and flexibility. If the HP is coupled with a Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in an Inlet Conditioning Unit (ICU), it can be exploited in different modes to enhance the off-design CCGT's efficiency or to boost the power output at full load. Furthermore, fuel-saving would be reflected in avoided emissions. The optimal sizing of the ICU, as well as an accurate estimation of the benefits, is a complex problem influenced by several factors such as the local climate and electricity market prices. The paper aims to systematically investigate, utilizing a MILP model for optimal dispatch, the feasibility of an ICU integration in different scenarios (EU and US). Different electricity markets have been analyzed and classified according to the parameters describing the average and variability of prices, the interdependency with the gas market, the ambient temperature, or the local carbon pricing policy. The most favorable conditions are identified and the dependency of the optimal ICU sizing on the climate and the electricity market is highlighted. The paper provides information for a first viability assessment: the concept appears to be highly profitable in hot regions with high price variability. Additionally, even in less profitable conditions (i.e., stable low prices in a cold climate), the system increases operating hours and reduces economic losses.


Utilizing open-close returns, close-close returns and volume data, we examine the reaction of the Treasury futures market to the periodically scheduled announcements of prominent U.S. macroeconomic data. Heterogeneous persistence from scheduled news vs. non-scheduled news is revealed. Strong asymmetric effects of scheduled announcements are presented: positive shocks depress volatility on consecutive days, while negative shocks increase volatility. Announcement-day shocks have small persistence, but great impacts on volatility in the short run. Investigation into volume data shows that announcement-day volume has lower persistence than non-announcement-day volume. No statistically significant risk premium manifests on the release dates. Compared with the implied volatility and realized volatility data, we find our model successful in forming both in-sample and out-of-sample multi-step forecasts. Distinctions are made and tested among microstructure theories that differ in predictions of the impact of scheduled macroeconomic news on volatility and volatility persistence. Asymmetric effects between positive and negative shocks from scheduled news call for further exploration of microstructure theory.


The shortage of doctors, especially in remote areas, is a critical issue for the development of national health systems and has thus been the focus of a number of international cooperation projects. An exploratory and qualitative study was conducted to examine cooperation between Brazil, Angola and Cuba. A nonsystematic literature review was conducted of selected open access articles and official documents addressing relevant health cooperation initiatives. Previously selected characteristics of actions designed to redress the shortage of doctors were compared. It was concluded that the interactions between the three countries were fruitful and potentially beneficial for the health of the population of these countries. South-South cooperation between these countries showed positive results in the educational and regulatory dimensions and adopted a non-dependence perspective that seeks to strengthen endogenous capacity, which are important factors for evaluating the structural components of health systems.


Animals foraging on variable food sources can refine their estimates of patch quality by monitoring the success of others (i.e. collect 'public information'). Here, we show that both three–spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) use past cues provided by others to locate food but only nine–spined sticklebacks use prior public information to assess patch quality, regardless of whether demonstrators were conspecifics or heterospecifics. Moreover, nine–spined but not three–dspined sticklebacks preferentially hid in vegetation during the demonstration, a position from which they could observe both patches simultaneously and collect public information. We conclude that species differences in the use of public information can be explained by variations in habitat choice and response to predation. Our findings expand current understanding of the scope of public–information use in animals by showing that fishes can use public–information in a foraging context and from heterospecifics. The study suggests that public–information use is an adaptation that allows animals vulnerable to predation to acquire valuable foraging information at low risk.


Solving cubic equations is a historically rich problem in mathematics. Unlike with quadratic equations, cubic equations do not have a "cubic formula." However, over the years many techniques have been presented that often find the solutions of cubic equations. This research investigates one of these techniques known as Cardano's Method. This method provides an algebraic technique for solving the general cubic equation. Since its inception, this technique has suffered a significant drawback. In some instances, the application of Cardano's Method results in what Cardano termed the "irreducible case." The irreducible case occurs when a complex number is needed to complete the process. This research investigates the relationship among the coefficients of the general cubic equation and the irreducible case, and it has determined that these relationships fall into one of three categories: always reducible, always irreducible, or conditionally irreducible. This research has discovered which relationships fall into each of the aforementioned categories. One possible result of this research is the formulation of a general algorithm to easily determine whether a given cubic equation will produce Cardano's irreducible case.


INTRODUCTION: Physical therapy during phase I of cardiac rehabilitation (CPT) can be started 12 to 24 hours after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, it is common to extend the bed rest due to fear of patient's instability. OBJECTIVES: To assess the hemodynamic and autonomic responses to post-AMI patients when subjected to first day of phase I protocol of CPT, as well as their safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 51 patients with first uncomplicated AMI, 55 ± 11 years, 76% men. The patients were subjected to first day protocol phase I CPT, on average, 24 hours after AMI. The Instantaneous heart rate (HR) and RR interval were acquired by HR monitor (Polar™S810i) and blood pressure (BP) checked by auscultation. HR variability was analyzed in the time (RMSSD and RMSM-Ri in ms) and frequency domains. Power spectral density was expressed in absolute (ms2/Hz) and normalized (nu) units for the bands of low (LF) and high frequencies (HF) and as LF/HF ratio. RESULTS: The RMSSD, HF and HFnu have reduced performance of the exercises in relation to rest and post-exercise (p < 0.05), LFnu and LF/HF ratio increased (p < 0.05). HR and systolic BP showed an increase during the execution of the exercises in relation to rest (p < 0.05). There were no any signs and/or symptoms of exercise intolerance. CONCLUSION: The exercise was effective, because it caused changes hemodynamic and autonomic modulation in these patients, without causing any medical complications.


Grounded in a view of the therapeutic alliance as a process of intersubjective negotiation between patient and therapist, this study examines therapist reflective functioning (RF) as a predictor of process and outcome of psychotherapy in 43 cases of brief relational therapy. Psychotherapy process was measured with the Working Alliance Inventory, Session Evaluation Questionnaire, and a measure of rupture resolution. Outcome was measured with the Symptom Checklist Revised–90 (SCL-90) and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems–32 (IIP-32) at intake, termination, and 6-month follow-up. Analyses revealed that higher therapist RF predicted greater therapist-reported Working Alliance Inventory, greater patient-reported depth, and greater reported degree of resolving ruptures from both patients' and therapists' perspectives. Therapist RF was correlated with increased self-reported symptoms on SCL-90 and IIP-32 from intake to termination. Therapist RF was correlated with a decrease in symptoms on SCL-90 and interpersonal problems on IIP-32 from termination to 6-month follow-up. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that therapists' capacity for mentalization is associated with greater depth of in-session exploration and greater success in resolving in-session ruptures allowing for the potential facilitation of greater patient change.


The aim of this work is to develop new methodology to detect influential observations in cross-over design models with random individual effects. Various case-weighted perturbations are performed. We derive the exact solution of influence of the perturbations on each parameter estimate and their dispersion matrix. Closed-form maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of variance parameters as well as fixed effect parameters in the cross-over design models are utilised. The work exhibits the possibility to produce closed-form expressions of the influence using the residuals in mixed models. A discussion on restrictions of the case-weighted perturbation schemes is given. Some graphical tools are also presented.


The aim of this study was to determine if a change in neckform compliance could influence maximum principal strain in the brain white and grey matter, the brain stem and the cerebellum. This was done by impacting a Hybrid III headform with a 16.6 kg impactor arm at 5 m/s. Three different Hybrid III neckforms were used: 1) one 50th percentile male neckform - standard neckform; 2) one 50th percentile male neckform plus 30 per cent compliance - soft neckform; 3) one 50th percentile male neckform minus 30 per cent compliance - stiff neckform. The kinematic data obtained was then used to drive a finite element model developed by University College Dublin. The results showed that a decrease in neckform compliance had a significant effect on maximal principal strain in the cerebellum, where the stiff neck (0.050 ± 0.004) generated higher maximum principal strains than the standard neck (0.036 ± 0.003) and the soft neck (0.037 ± 0.001). There were no significant differences between the stiff (0.122 ± 0.013), standard (0.114 ± 0.020) and soft neck (0.119 ± 0.019) in the white matter; the stiff (0.168 ± 0.011), standard (0.176 ± 0.011) and soft neck (0.176 ± 0.007) in the grey matter; or the stiff (0.080 ± 0.003), standard (0.081 ± 0.006) and soft neck (0.085 ± 0.009) in the brain stem. The results were not linked to brain injury due to the absence of a commonly accepted threshold.


Introduction: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) associated with pregnancy and puerperium has long been recognized, with poor information in terms of functional outcomes. Our objective was to analyze risk factors, clinical, imaging, and laboratory variables to predict functional outcome and death in this population. Methods: CVT registries from three referral centers from Pakistan, Turkey, and Mexico, recruiting prospective cases, were combined for CVT associated with pregnancy or puerperium. Datasets and variables were standardized. Demographic characteristics, presentation, risk factors, and functional outcomes in pregnancy/puerperium-related CVT were analyzed. Binary logistic regression was used to assess predictors of outcome. The main outcome was modified Rankin score >2 at 30 days and mortality at 30 days. Results: Five hundred fifty-three cases (median age 28 years [IQR 23–34]) of CVT associated with pregnancy and puerperium were included; 439 cases (79.4%) happened in the puerperium and 20.6% during pregnancy (53.5% occurred during the first trimester). Anemia (36.7%) and dehydration (22.9%) were the commonest obstetric risk factors identified. Predictors of poor outcome (mRS >2) were encephalopathy (OR 12.8, p < 0.001), cases from Mexican origin (OR 3.1, p = 0.004), fever/puerperal infection (OR 2.7, p = 0.02), and anemia (OR 2.2, p = 0.01). Cases from Mexican origin (OR 12.0, p = 0.003) and Encephalopathy (OR 7.7, p < 0.001), presented with the highest mortality association in the final adjusted model. Discussion/Conclusion: In CVT associated with pregnancy and puerperium, encephalopathy, fever/puerperal infection, and anemia are associated with bad functional outcomes, meanwhile encephalopathy and cases from Mexican origin with higher mortality in the acute (30-days) of CVT onset. Anemia and infection are potential reversible predictors of poor outcome that clinicians should be aware of in order to prevent poor outcomes in these patients.


The eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, like other forms of starvation, has been associated with an increased risk and severity of infectious diseases. However, there is conflicting evidence about the true risk of infection in anorectic patients. Indeed, some anorectics appear to be less susceptible to minor viral illnesses, possibly analagous to the attenuation of viral infections observed in protein-starved mice. Leukopenia and neutrophil dysfunction, including abnormal chemotaxis and depressed microbicidal activity, have been well documented in some anorectic patients. Abnormalities of the complement system and impaired immunoglobulin synthesis have also been reported. Patients with severe anorexia nervosa are often anergic to skin testing but other abnormalities in cell-mediated immune function have been difficult to document. Increased spontaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lower cell-mediated cytotoxicity have been reported in patients with anorexia nervosa. Further studies are needed to define the true risk of infection in anorexia nervosa and to clarify the types and extent of immune system abnormalities in this patient population.


Transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde is an important reaction (MPV reaction) for the synthesis of allyl alcohol because of its high selectivity for the hydrogenation of the carbonyl group. This reaction can proceed over many oxide catalysts but the role of acidic and basic sites on the oxide catalyst surface has remained an issue of debate. We report herein the catalytic data of serial Al2O3 and SiO2–Al2O3 catalysts for the MPV reaction of cinnamaldehyde at 150 °C using 2-propanol as the H-donor. The surface acidity of the catalysts is adjusted by changing the calcination temperature between 400 and 1000 °C and quantified to correlate with the catalyst performance. Surface Lewis acidic sites that are poisoned by pyridine but not by hindered pyridine (lutidine) under catalyst working conditions are identified as the catalytic sites for the MPV reaction. Lutidine-sensitive surface Bronsted acidic sites, which are among the spectator sites during the MPV reaction, are shown to serve as the catalytic sites for cascade cross-etherification reaction between cinnamyl alcohol and 2-propanol. The MPV reaction is also conducted under high-pressure CO2, the results of which exclude possible involvement of surface basic sites during the reaction.


Control of covalent coordination polymer structures using non-covalent interactions is a promising way for obtaining functional materials by self-assembly in solution. Here we report the crucial role of halide anions in the formation of interpenetrating frameworks based on cyanometalate clusters. It was found that the interaction of [Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]5− cluster anions and Cd2+ cations in aqueous ammonia led to the formation of the 1D polymeric compound {[Cd(NH3)5]2[Cd(NH3)4]3[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]2}·5H2O (1). Compound 1 is unstable outside the mother liquor due to the rapid loss of NH3 and H2O molecules. Addition of KX (X = Cl, Br, I) to the reaction mixture led to selective formation of 3D framework compounds {[Cd(NH3)4]3[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]}X (2–4 for X = Cl, Br, I, respectively) stabilized by N–H⋯X hydrogen bonding. Compounds 2–4 demonstrate high thermal stability as well as reversible loss of ammonia and reversible oxidation in the solid state.


Background— Higher levels of physical activity are associated with fewer cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Although the precise mechanisms underlying this inverse association are unclear, differences in several cardiovascular risk factors may mediate this effect. Methods and Results— In a prospective study of 27 055 apparently healthy women, we measured baseline levels of hemoglobin A1c, traditional lipids (total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), novel lipids [lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein A1 and B-100], creatinine, homocysteine, and inflammatory/hemostatic biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1) and used women's self-reported physical activity, weight, height, hypertension, and diabetes. Mean follow-up was 10.9±1.6 years, and 979 incident CVD events occurred. The risk of CVD decreased linearly with higher levels of activity (P for linear trend <0.001). Using the reference group of <200 kcal/wk of activity yielded age- and treatment-adjusted relative risk reductions associated with 200 to 599, 600 to 1499, and ≥1500 kcal/wk of 27%, 32%, and 41%, respectively. Differences in known risk factors explained a large proportion (59.0%) of the observed inverse association. When sets of risk factors were examined, inflammatory/hemostatic biomarkers made the largest contribution to lower risk (32.6%), followed by blood pressure (27.1%). Novel lipids contributed less to CVD risk reduction compared with traditional lipids (15.5% and 19.1%, respectively). Smaller contributions were attributed to body mass index (10.1%) and hemoglobin A1c/diabetes (8.9%), whereas homocysteine and creatinine had negligible effects (<1%). Conclusions— The inverse association between physical activity and CVD risk is mediated in substantial part by known risk factors, particularly inflammatory/hemostatic factors and blood pressure.


Infrastructure supporting vehicular network (V2X) capability is the key factor to the success of smart city because it enables many smart transportation services. In order to reduce the traffic congestion and improve the public transport efficiency, many intelligent transportation systems (ITS) need to be developed. In this paper, a smart traffic signal control (STSC) system is designed and implemented, it supports several smart city transportation applications including emergency vehicle signal preemption (EVSP), public transport signal priority (TSP), adaptive traffic signal control (ATSC), eco-driving supporting, and message broadcasting. The roadside unit (RSU) controller is the core of the proposed STSC system, where the system architecture, middleware, control algorithms, and peripheral modules are detailed discussed in this paper. It is compatible with existed traffic signal controller so that it can be fast and cost−effectively deployed. A new traffic signal scheme is specially designed for the EVSP scenario, it can inform all the drivers near the intersection regarding which direction the emergency vehicle (EV) is approaching, smoothing the traffic flow, and enhancing the safety. EVSP scenario and the related control algorithms are implemented in this work; integration test and field test are performed to demonstrate the STSC system.


Food allergy is a chronic disease that can only be managed through avoidance of problematic proteins in the diet. Inappropriate communication about food allergens can cause stress and insecurity, which may have a negative impact on quality of life. The aim was to investigate whether information provided through current labelling practices meets the need of food allergic consumers. A total of 40 participants (20 adult food allergy suffers and 20 parents of food allergic children) were recruited from two different European countries (Greece and The Netherlands), and interviewed while shopping in a supermarket. Participants were asked to purchase 15 potentially problematic food items as if for their own household. Their information search behaviour was observed, and participants were questioned about their preferences for food allergen information provision. Participants reported experiencing problems associated with current food allergy information provision. It was reported that inappropriate use of fonts, colours and languages, application of precautionary labelling and lack of harmonization in labelling practices across countries can cause (un)necessary dietary restrictions for food allergic consumers. Research is needed to investigate the feasibility and implementation possibilities for new information delivery strategies and amendments to existing European labelling policy.


The structure and dynamics of coherent vortex tubes in the zero-absolute-vorticity state (ZAVS), which is realized in a rotating uniformly sheared flow with zero mean absolute vorticity, are investigated by the use of the results of direct numerical simulations. A coherent vortex tube consists of two parts; two end parts and an intermediate part between them. The end parts keep the inclination angle against the tilting mechanism by the mean shear flow and rotate the vortex tubes from the direction of the mean-shear vorticity at their birth period to that of the system rotation as time proceeds. The generation of the Reynolds stress is activated in the regions near the end parts. The change in the direction of the vortex tubes toward that of the system rotation contributes to the stabilization of the whole turbulent flow field. The vortex tubes are deformed and flattened as they are turned toward the direction of the system rotation, which leads to the decay of the vortex tubes. The deformation of the vortex tubes also causes the decrease in the Reynolds stress, which suppresses the growth of the turbulence kinetic energy. The interaction between coherent vortex tubes are also investigated in various configurations.


The rise of sophisticated tools for tracking audiences online has begun to change the way media producers think about media audiences. This study examines this phenomenon in journalism, building on a revised theoretical model that accounts for greater audience engagement in the gatekeeping process. Research suggests that news editors, after long resisting or ignoring audience preferences, are becoming increasingly aware of and adaptive to consumer tastes as manifest via metrics. However, research also finds a gap in the news preferences of editors and audiences. This study asks: Who influences whom more in this disparity? Through longitudinal secondary data analysis of three U.S. online newspapers, and using structural equation modeling, this study finds that (a) audience clicks affect subsequent news placement, based on time-lagged analysis; (b) such influence intensifies during the course of the day; (c) there is no overall lagged effect of news placement on audience clicks; and (d) the lagged effect of audience clicks on news placement is stronger than the inverse. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.


Results from a global coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model and a model with specified tropical convective heating anomalies show that the South Asian monsoon was an active part of the tropical biennial oscillation (TBO). Convective heating anomalies over Africa and the western Pacific Ocean associated with the TBO altered the simulated pattern of atmospheric circulation for the Northern Hemisphere winter mid-latitude over Asia. This alteration in the mid-latitude circulation maintained temperature anomalies over South Asia through winter and helped set up the land-sea temperature contrast for subsequent monsoon development. South Asian snow cover contributed to monsoon strength but was symptomatic of the larger scale alteration in the mid-latitude atmospheric circulation pattern.


While guilty pleas are the primary mode of criminal case dispositions across different legal jurisdictions, this topic remains an understudied area. The assumption is that defendants are 'playing the system' and that a sliding scale of sentence discounts is necessary to encourage early guilty pleas, which offer utilitarian benefits of efficiency. These assumptions lack a solid empirical foundation. This book offers a comprehensive investigation of how the timing of guilty pleas affects various facets of the criminal process, from the factors that affect this timing, to the effects that the sliding scale of sentence discounts have on sentences and public opinions about them. It also draws comparisons between Western and Asian legal systems, specifically those of England and Wales and Hong Kong. This book is addressed to scholars, legal practitioners, policymakers and those interested in criminal justice, socio-legal studies and empirical legal research.


Ornaments are a way to describe changes in datatype definitions reorganizing, adding, or dropping some pieces of data so that functions operating on the bare definition can be partially and sometimes totally lifted into functions operating on the ornamented structure. We propose an extension of ML with higher-order ornaments, demonstrate its expressiveness with a few typical examples, including code refactoring, study the metatheoretical properties of ornaments, and describe their elaboration process. We formalize ornamentation via an a posteriori abstraction of the bare code, returning a generic term, which lives in a meta-language above ML. The lifted code is obtained by application of the generic term to well-chosen arguments, followed by staged reduction, and some remaining simplifications. We use logical relations to closely relate the lifted code to the bare code.


The synthesis of a new class of ring peptides that selectively increase the permeability of bacterial cell membranes is reported in Nature (2001;412:452-5). The accompanying in vitro and pilot studies in mice demonstrating the efficacy of these peptides against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus are encouraging. New antimicrobial agents are urgently needed to counter growing drug resistance.

The difficulty of accurately charting the spread of an emerging infectious disease is illustrated by a seroepidemiological survey undertaken six weeks after New York's first epidemic of West Nile encephalitis (Lancet 2001;358:261-4). The 1999 outbreak was thought to have affected 2.6% of the population, but the survey data show that 90% of mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic infections were missed.

The side effects of treatment may take time to become apparent. In this instance a man with schizophrenia developed restless toes, a movement disorder associated with flupentixol decanoate, a depot antipsychotic drug. The condition was detected only when holes appeared in his …


Compressive strength; curing time; Fly ash; Modeling; Normal and high strength concrete; Statistical analysis. One of the main challenges facing Civil Engineering community is to modify cement quantity in the mix design by admixtures to enhance the mechanical properties. According to more than 1000 data from literature, mechanical characteristics of concrete modified with FA were discussed. The statistical variation with modeling were achieved by set of data. The cement was replaced up to 70% with FA (weight of dry cement) and by cube of concrete testing up to 90 days of curing time and different w/c ratio. The compressive strength of concrete varied from 18-67 MPa, while, for modified concrete with FA, compressive strength ranged from 21-94 MPa, tensile strength ranged from 1-9 MPa and flexural strengths ranged from 3 10 MPa. The w/c ratio of concrete modified with FA varied from 0.24-0.53, also the FA content varied from 0-50 %. Vipulanandan correlation model was effective by connecting mechanical properties and compare with Hoek-Brown model. The nonlinear model was used to investigate the effect of FA on properties of normal and high strength concrete. Study results presented a worthy correlation between compressive strength and curing time, w/c ratio and FA content. By using the interactive linked (model) for compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of concrete quantified well as a function of w/c ratio, curing time and FA content by using a nonlinear relationship. How to cite this article: S. Mustafa, J. A. Saeed and A. Mohammed "The characterization and modeling the mechanical properties of high strength concrete (HSC) modified with fly ash (FA)," Engineering and Technology Journal, Vol. 38, Part A, No. 02, pp. 173-184, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30684/etj.v38i2A.278 Engineering and Technology Journal Vol. 38, Part A, (2020), No. 02, Pages 173-184


The history of specific and unspecific immunomodulation is shortly discussed. While repository adjuvants are already established drugs for specific immunomodulation, no unspecific immunomodulator has successfully passed clinical trials in tumor patients yet. As this is in striking contrast to the effects seen with unspecific immunomodulators in experimental immunological and tumor test systems, the value of those screening models to predict clinical success may be asked for. To improve the success rate, it is recommended to test compounds for their immunomodulatory effects as broad as possible in ex vivo and in vivo test systems. Subsequently, the prophylactic as well as therapeutic potency of selected immunomodulating drugs should be evaluated in various models of aptitude, such as chronic infection, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory reactions. Those diseases are at least to a certain extent influenced by the immune system, in contrast to the uncertainty in case of tumour diseases. Screening of immunomodulating compounds in tumor models should be done with special consideration of minimal residual diseases and formation of metastases.


High growth is increasingly forcing development of hazard prone land in the coastal city of Tauranga.  A multi-hazard mapping tool developed to guide strategic growth planning in this natural hazard rich environment gives direct comparison of total hazard levels across the city. By aggregating individual hazards into a summative multi-hazard rating for each part of the city, urban planners and engineers have a decision support tool to aid city planning over the next 100 years.
Tauranga growth requires 40,000 new homes over the next four decades in addition to the existing 57,000 homes. This 70% growth must squeeze within tight geographic constraints as Tauranga's 137,000 residents nestle around a harbour and are bound by open coast to the north and steep terrain to the south.
This research quantifies Tauranga's natural hazards of sea level rise, storm surge, coastal erosion, tsunami, earthquake shaking, liquefaction, landslides volcanic ashfall and flooding. Each hazard is spatially represented through hazard maps. Individual hazards are combined into a multi-hazard model to represent the aggregated hazard exposure of each point of the city. The multi-hazard exposure is spatially mapped using GIS allowing an area with tsunami, liquefaction and storm surge as dominant hazards to be directly compared with an area of different hazards such as flooding and landslides. Mapping of these hazards provides strategic input for building city resilience through land use planning and mitigation design. A pilot study area of 25 km2 selected from the Tauranga City Council total area of 135 km2 demonstrates the accumulated mapping approach. The pilot area contains a thorough representation of geology, elevation, landform and hazards that occur throughout the city.
Our findings showed the highest aggregated hazard areas in Tauranga are along the coast. As is common with many beach resort towns this corresponds with the most popular living areas. The lower hazard areas suitable for urban growth are distributed mostly away from the open coast in the slightly elevated topography.


Literary works have been widely believed to be meaningful resources of linguistic input, cultural input, and values that can be used to teach native language or foreign language. The exploration of such belief in the postmethod era and at particular context like Indonesian Islamic university is still under research. This research is aimed at describing the teachers' and students' beliefs, attitudes, preferences, and experiences concerning the use of literary works at language classrooms. The research was a case study involving 8 lecturers and 9 students from Ma'arif Islamic Institute NU of Metro, Muhammdiyah University of Metro, and State Islamic Institute of Metro. The research data were collected through semi-structured interview, analyzed qualitatively, and validated through member checking technique. The findings of the research show that all respondents believe that literature is a pleasurable resource to teach language skills, enhance cultural and intercultural understanding, and inculcate transcendental dimension. Literature could be flexibly used in the opening, instructional, and closing phases of a lesson delivery. Literary works from various traditions are basically welcome. Developing a literature-based learning materials is feasible when it promotes language skills and contains values related to Indonesian multicultural education.


We consider planar massless scalar waves impinging upon a Kerr black hole, for general angles of incidence. We compute the absorption cross section via the partial wave approach, and present a gallery of results. In the low-frequency regime, we show that the cross section approaches the horizon area; in the high-frequency regime, we show that the cross section approaches the geodesic capture cross section. In the aligned case, we extend the complex angular momentum method to obtain a `sinc' approximation, which relates the regular high-frequency oscillations in the cross section to the properties of the polar null orbit. In the non-aligned case, we show, via a semi-analytic approximation, that the reduction in symmetry generates a richer, less regular absorption cross section. We separate the absorption cross section into corotating and counterrotating contributions, showing that the absorption is larger for counterrotating waves, as expected.


The distribution of rat liver epoxide hydrolase in various subcellular fractions was investigated by immuno-electron-microscopy. Ferritin-linked monospecific anti-(epoxide hydrolase) immunoglobulins bound specifically to the cytoplasmic surfaces of total microsomal preparations and smooth and rough microsomal fractions as well as the nuclear envelope. Specific binding was not observed when the ferritin conjugates were incubated with peroxisomes, lysosomes and mitochondria. The average specific ferritin load of the individual subcellular fractions correlated well with the measured epoxide hydrolase activities. This correlation was observed with fractions prepared from control, phenobarbitone-treated and 2-acetamidofluorene-treated rats.


Ireland has emerged from an era of protracted conflict, which claimed almost 4,000 lives and left a legacy of thousands of victims. It is difficult for people who lived through this era to speak openly with each other about what went wrong. This thesis acknowledges the presence of deep-rooted societal silence that accompanies violent conflict and explores the role of silence in post conflict communities. It describes the significance of education in enabling dialogue to deepen between communities of 'others'. It describes the transitional processes impacting on the lead up to the most recent peace agreement, the Good Friday Agreement (1998). This thesis is an analysis of the dialogical process involved in it's negotiation. It illuminates post peace building challenges for the community education sector. This research provides insights for community educators into ways to negotiate silence and to transcend difference through dialogue. The Agreement (GFA) promised parity of esteem to nationalist and unionist communities. Fifteen years after the GFA was signed and endorsed by both communities, the spiral of violence spins out of control during contentious commemorative parades. This thesis examines the complexities of conflict transformation as experienced by protagonists. It describes a philosophy of education that emerged within communities as a response to the challenges they faced. This philosophy of education is Ireland's pedagogy of peace. As we face into an epoch of truth recovery and dealing with the past the role of community education in imagining a philosophy of unity is critical.


In the four decades since 1980, U.S. colleges and universities have seen the number of students from abroad quadruple. This rise in enrollment and degree attainment affects the global supply of highly educated workers, the flow of talent to the U.S. labor market, and the financing of U.S. higher education. Yet, the impacts are far from uniform, with significant differences evident by level of study and type of institution. The determinants of foreign flows to U.S. colleges and universities reflect both changes in student demand from abroad and the variation in market circumstances of colleges and universities, with visa policies serving a mediating role. The consequences of these market mechanisms impact global talent development, the resources of colleges and universities, and labor markets in the U.S. and countries sending students.


This action research project provides a description and analysis of the unique career development needs of rural Alberta students and of a career curriculum program designed to meet these needs. As a teacher/researcher, I developed this new program, called Career Preparation 10, and taught it to five groups of students. The participants in this project were 23 rural grade 10 students who completed course evaluations. The results of a preliminary program evaluation are discussed as well as final project results, which indicated these students did find Career Preparation 10 useful in meeting their career development needs. Detailed evaluation results, a teacher's guide, and recommendations for course implementation are also included.


In two-tier networks consisting of a macrocell overlaid with femtocells in cochannel deployment and closed-access policy, spatial reuse is achieved at the price of severe intratier and cross-tier interference from concurrent transmissions. The interference causes significant performance degradation, particularly when coordination among base stations (BSs) is infeasible. Cognitive radio (CR) is a promising technique for interference mitigation, where femto-BSs with cognitive information accomplish concurrent transmissions while meeting a per-tier outage constraint. This paper studies the role of information sensed at femto-BSs on the transmission capacity. By exploiting different cognitive information, we propose spectrum-sharing schemes between macrocell and femtocell, as well as among femtocells, to improve spatial reuse gain. Bounds on the maximum intensity of simultaneously transmitting femtocells that satisfy a given per-tier outage constraint in these schemes are theoretically derived via a stochastic geometry model. We conduct simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed schemes in terms of transmission capacity. The results confirm that, when femto-BSs acquire the knowledge of user channel statistics or user location information, significant spatial reuse gain can be achieved by exploiting the avoidance region and multiuser diversity.


Performance appraisal has increasingly become part of a more strategic approach to integrating Human Resource activities and business policies. In order to ensure continued efficiency and effectiveness of members of staff each organization has to carry out employee performance appraisal from time to time so as to keep them in check and replace, motivate, retrain or take any other appropriate action. The objective of the study was to determine employee perception of the performance appraisal process in Telkom Kenya limited. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all Telkom Kenya employees. The study used primary data which were collected through selfadministered structured questionnaires. The data was analyzed and presented using mean and percentages. The Findings of the study was that the employees of the study were not satisfied with performance appraisal process in the organization as individual objectives were not clearly communicated to the employees, they were not involved in setting targets, do not receive feedback after every performance review, the rater do not hold reviews periodically on performance, no communication on the purpose of performance appraisal process, employees were not given reasonable deadlines to achieve targets, opportunity was not given to suggest improvements on the performance appraisal process and that training needs are identified through formal performance appraisal mechanism. The study further revealed that a number of aspects touching on employee perception on performance appraisal were not accorded adequate attention at Telkom Kenya. These include; whether it motivates employees, opportunity to discuss performance appraisal results, appraiser being fair and objective during the performance appraisal exercise, investment in training, appraisers being professional, alignment of performance appraisal and career growth, knowledge of employees' career aspirations, investment in research to continuously improve the performance appraisal process, allocation of funds for planning performance appraisal, offering performance related coaching and counseling sessions and alignment of compensation and reward system with performance appraisals.


Audience effects on sexual behavior, including changes in copulation frequency and duration in the presence of conspecifics, have been reported in multimale–multifemale groups of several primate species. We examined the interaction of male sexual behavior with group composition and within-group mating pattern in a population of siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus) containing unimale–unifemale groups and multimale–unifemale groups using mixed models. Aggression in a sexual context was never observed. As predicted, however, copulation rates were lower and copulations were significantly shorter in duration in two-male groups than in unimale groups, even if copulations involving subordinate males were excluded. Dominant males monopolized copulations with the group female in most groups, but copulations were shared among males in three stable two-male groups. When both resident males copulated with the group's female, there was no evidence that copulating pairs moved to secluded areas, and the duration of copulations did not differ between males. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that male–male tolerance in multimale siamang groups is facilitated by adjustments to sexual behavior in the presence of a sexual competitor.