Two studies examined how children between ages 4 and 6 use body shape (i.e., the waist-to-hip-ratio [WHR]) for sex categorization. In Study 1 (N=73), 5- and 6-year-olds, but not 4-year-olds, selected bodies with increasingly discrepant WHRs to be "most like a man" and "most like a woman." Similarly, sex category judgments made by 5- and 6-year-olds, but not 4-year-olds, varied with WHR. In Study 2 (N=41), eye movements indicated the functional use of waist and hips in sex categorization. Visual scanning behavior predicted the degree of association between WHR and judgment. Collectively, these results suggest that the ability to exploit sexual dimorphism to compel categorization develops between the ages of 4 and 6. Implications for theories of gender development and psychological essentialism are discussed.


Introduction The formation of unstable and leaky neovessels underlies the pathogenesis of a large number of chronic inflammatory diseases. Granzyme B (GZMB) is a serine protease that is expressed and released by a variety of immune cells and accumulates in the extracellular matrix (ECM) during chronic inflammation where it cleaves a number of ECM proteins, including fibronectin (FN). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent vascular permeabilizing agent that is sequestered in the ECM by binding FN in both normal and diseased tissue. We hypothesize that GZMB cleavage of FN will release VEGF from its extracellular stores and promote vascular permeability as a mechanism that contributes to neovessel leakage during chronic inflammation. Methods GZMB-mediated VEGF release from either FN coated wells or endogenously produce endothelial cell (EC) matrix was measured by VEGF ELISA. VEGF-release supernatants were used to treat EC and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) activation was evaluated by immunoblotting for phosphorylated VEGFR2. Evan's blue was injected intravenously to CD1 mice followed by ear injection of either mouse GZMB, saline control, GZMB + neutralizing mouse VEGF antibody or GZMB+ IgG control (n=5 for each experimental group). Vascular leakage was evaluated by Evan's blue dye extraction. Results GZMB effectively releases VEGF from both FN and from EC matrix, while inhibition of GZMB prevented VEGF release. GZMB-mediated VEGF release resulted in significant activation of VEGFR2 in EC monolayer signified by increased VEGFR2 phosphorylation. GZMB ear injection resulted in a significant increase in vascular permeability in vivo. Importantly, co-injection of GZMB and neutralizing mouse VEGF antibody significantly reduced vascular leakage compared to co-injection of GZMB and matching IgG control. Conclusions and Impact GZMB increases VEGF bioavailability by releasing it from the ECM leading to VEGFR2 activation and increased vascular permeability in vivo. These findings present a novel role for GZMB as a modulator of vascular response during chronic inflammation.


Application of superposition principle to non-linear gas governing equations has been an elusive goal in early-transient production data analysis and has been so far limited to the use of empirical and approximate methods best applicable to boundary-dominated flow conditions. This paper presents a novel and rigorous semi-analytical model that is applicable for the analysis of production data from multi-fractured horizontal gas wells (MFHWs) producing under early-transient variable rate/pressure production conditions. Nonlinear, pressure-dependent hydraulic diffusivity retained in pseudo-pressure-based gas diffusivity equation is straightforwardly and rigorously captured without approximation. The resulting formulation of superposition applied in nonlinear gas system is written in terms of the classical solution for linear PDE plus an analytical adjustment factor that quantifies the nonlinearity of the system. Numerical examples are presented to test the validity and showcase the capabilities of proposed approach. Comparisons against available empirical and approximate models are also provided for these cases.


ABSTRACT This article presents a review of the methods used for subjective evaluation of discomfort from glare, focusing on the two procedures most frequently used in past research – adjustment and category rating. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that some aspects of these procedures influence the evaluation, such as the range of glare source luminances available in an adjustment procedure, leading to biased evaluations and which hence reduce the reliability and validity of the data. The article offers recommendations for good practice when using these procedures and also suggests alternative methods that might be explored in further work.


A patient with giant left atrium due to rheumatic mitral valve disease with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in the giant left atrium is presented in this case report. The left atrial diameter reduction from dimensions of 118 × 104 mm to 80 × 77 mm was attained by excision of two-centimeter wide strips of left atrium on both sides by widely plicating the left atrial appendage from the inside with running polypropylene sutures. Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast disappeared in the postoperative echocardiographic control. The patient had uneventful recovery in the postoperative period and was discharged on the fifth day after the operation.


The common exams that have been administered in elementary school since 2007-2008 academic year are inter-classes mid-term evaluations. With these exams, measuring the teachers' performance as well as revealing the differences among the classes are aimed at. Therefore, evaluating these exams in terms of teachers' opinions is essentially important to realize the aim mentioned above. This study aims to get the teachers' considerations on common exams, if any, to determine the problems and their solutions related with common exams. Case study, one of the qualitative research methods, has been used in this research. The research group is consisted of 60 teachers working in a variety of elementary schools in Ankara province in 2009-2010 academic year. The interview form, prepared by the researcher, was administered to elementary school teachers in research group. The interview form was structured to explore teachers' views on common exams by using five questions. The content analysis was used in order to analyze, sort and quantify the written and verbal data. At the end of the study, it is stated that according to the teachers, the purpose of the common exams is to state the level of classes and the cooperation between classes and to determine whether the objectives of the courses has been achieved. It is concluded difficulties in giving lectures synchronously in school, non-existence of cooperation between teachers and having difficulties during the preparation of the exam questions are the main problems, which teachers faced with. Teachers participated in the interviews emphasized the advantages of the common exams rather than disadvantages of it.


Hypernuclear physics offers a unique playground for understanding the physics of the strong interaction beyond the up- and down-quark sector. A particularly attractive feature is that hyperons, particles containing at least one strange quark, offer us an opportunity to probe nuclear interior without being affected by the Pauli principle. Due to the lack of two-body bound systems, three-body NNΛ systems take a prominent role for understanding hypernuclear physics. In recent years the focus has been on two particular systems, the hypertriton and the Λnn system in the isospin I=0 and I=1 sector respectively. Although the first has been known for many decades it is still not fully understood. Recent results by the STAR Collaboration question the binding energy established in the past. In addition experimental results for the hypertriton width vary over a large range and are therefore inconsistent. The hypertriton is considered to be a shallow S-wave bound state with a Λ separation energy of a few hundred keV at most.

 The nature of the Λnn, however, remains controversial. In 2013 first results have shown evidence that this system might be bound, however the possibility of a resonance or a virtual state are also up for debate. Since typical momenta of these systems are small compared to the pion mass, we can utilize pionless effective field theory to explore these systems.

 In the first part of this thesis we exploit this separation of scales within the systems in an effective field theory approach analyzing the structure of these hypernuclei. Effective field theory offers a unique model-independent approach with controllable uncertainties. Utilizing this method we calculate scattering properties for both systems. Since the scattering lengths of the two-body systems are large, both systems show universal behavior due to the Efimov effect. We therefore calculate universal relations for both systems, connecting different observables. In a next step we extend our efforts by calculating matter radii and wave functions.

 In the second part of this work, we focus on the other open question about the lifetime of the hypertriton against the weak interaction. We calculate the four most important mesonic decay channels in a fundamental deuteron approximation. For this part, we utilize isospin symmetry to connect charged and uncharged channels. In light of the new resuls for the binding energy, we discuss the lifetime and related properties relating binding energy data to lifetime date. In addition we take recent results for the weak Λ decay parameters into consideration.


Sphagnum-dominated peatlands represent a major stock of the global soil carbon (C) pool (Gorham, 1991). Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exports through runoff and leaching could reduce their potential C storage function (Billett et al., 2004) and impact downstream water quality (Ritson et al., 2014). DOC dynamics in peatlands is strongly controlled by site hydrology, especially by water table depth (WTD), and disturbances such as drainage can lead to increased DOC export (Strack et al., 2008). In addition, hydrological restoration (e.g. rewetting) can be undertaken to restore peatland functioning with a potential impact on DOC dynamic and export.
While changes in DOC net production resulting from WTD drawdown can be assessed through field studies, the contribution of DOC production and consumption are more difficult to evaluate (Strack et al., 2008). In this case, process-based biogeochemical models simulating DOC dynamics combined with hydrological models adapted to peatlands specific settings are relevant tools to study factors controlling DOC production and consumption in such environments.
In this study a module simulating DOC production and consumption was added to an existing WTD dependent hydrological model. The model was applied to two sites of a peatland, one of them having experienced rewetting. The objective is to identify factors controlling DOC dynamics and to assess the impact of rewetting on DOC export in a Sphagnum-dominated peatland.


Computer programs and processes that take into account the goals and needs of the user meet with the greatest success, so it behooves software engineers to consider the human element inherent in every line of code they write.Human Factors in Software Development and Design brings together high quality research on the influence and impact of ordinary people on the software industry. With the goal of improving the quality and usability of computer technologies, this premier reference is intended for students and practitioners of software engineering as well as researchers, educators, and interested laymen.


We have subjected Zr59Cu20Al10Ni8Ti3 glassy sample to internal friction thermal cycle (IFTC) measurements under various conditions involving changes in heating/cooling rate, strain amplitude and frequency. Additional low temperature internal friction peaks (ALTIFP) were found to occur with the characteristic low temperature internal friction peak (CLTIFP) observed for some glassy alloys. The ALTIFP were enhanced on heating and reduced on cooling. Their strength increase following the number of IFTC can be related to a stress concentration in some zones of the glassy structure, which is abruptly relaxed by the viscous flow creating interfaces in the glassy structure. These interfaces are likely to be formed between atomic clusters. The growth of the ALTIFP increases significantly the whole IF level (IFL) from 10-4 to 10-2 enhancing the damping capacity of the glassy sample.


Although sufentanil in high doses may result in deep coma sufficient to conduct coronary-bypass surgery painlessly in patients, its side effects, e.g., bradycardia and hypotension, may lead to complications in some patients. Since ketamine causes central sympathetic stimulation, we attempted to counteract the vagomimetic effects of sufentanil by ketamine. Anaesthesia was induced in patients, (n = 15), for elective coronary artery-bypass surgery with 0.12 mg.kg-1 midazolam IV, followed by 1 mg.kg-1 ketamine and 0.6 micrograms.kg-1 sufentanil IV eight minutes later. Subsequently, pancuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1 was given to facilitate tracheal intubation. Three minutes later, the trachea was intubated, and ketamine 1 mg.kg-1.hr-1 IV infusion was started. Incremental doses of 0.6 micrograms.kg-1 sufentanil were given whenever a greater than 15 per cent increase in rate-pressure product was observed. The mean +/- S.E.M. dose of sufentanil before cardiopulmonary bypass was 6.5 +/- 0.6 micrograms.kg and 9.1 +/- 0.9 micrograms.kg for the entire procedure. Although midazolam alone caused reductions in systolic BP, SVR and LVSWI, other haemodynamic variables were not altered. The administration of this anaesthetic technique caused no clinically important adverse haemodynamic changes and/or ST-segment changes and prevented the adverse haemodynamic changes caused by intubation, skin incision, sternotomy and periaortic dissection. Adequate analgesia, complete amnesia and early recovery of wakefulness were observed.


Abstract Scholz, H.: On the identity of Brachypodium firmifolium (Poaceae) from Cyprus. — Willdenowia 37: 215–220. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2007 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.37.37111 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) Brachypodium glaucovirens is the correct name for B. firmifolium formerly regarded either as a Cyprus endemic or as a synonym of B. sylvaticum. The most important diagnostic features against B. sylvaticum are the erect racemes and finely prickled to shortly hairy longitudinal ribs on the adaxial leaf blade surface. Constancy of these characters was proven by cultivation in experimental plots (source plants from Cyprus and the S Aegean region). A key to the species and its relatives is provided. The names B. glaucovirens and B. firmifolium are lectotypified.


We propose a second-order accurate method to estimate the eigenvectors of extremely large matrices thereby addressing a problem of relevance to statisticians working in the analysis of very large datasets. More specifically, we show that averaging eigenvectors of randomly subsampled matrices efficiently approximates the true eigenvectors of the original matrix under certain conditions on the incoherence of the spectral decomposition. This incoherence assumption is typically milder than those made in matrix completion and allows eigenvectors to be sparse. We discuss applications to spectral methods in dimensionality reduction and information retrieval.


This article pieces together a complex genealogy of the multiple contexts that helped reshape women's international organizing and create a global women's human rights movement following the United Nations (UN) Decade for Women, 1975–85. It maps a multilayered history consisting of many different strands of women's activities around the globe that increasingly converged in the 1970s, although in unanticipated ways. Through its broad focus on women in distinct social, political, and intellectual arenas, it links the UN human rights system and its oversight committees and commissions with the first two UN Development Decades of the 1960s and 1970s. And it interconnects these global structures, discourses, and activities with old and new patterns of women's postwar organizing and with the emerging challenges to canons of knowledge and research methodologies from feminist theory and epistemology. Starting in the mid-1970s, four distinct yet overlapping endeavors converged: the work for international human rights, colonial and postcolonial expectations of economic development and well-being, women's rights and liberation movements, and women's studies in their global translations. This critical history, however, has all but been lost in the fraught contemporary debates about human rights as a vehicle for radical gender and social change.


Racial/ethnic variations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) caregiver network composition were examined in a nationally representative sample of elders, using task specificity and hierarchical compensatory theoretical perspectives. Logistic regressions tested network differences among White, Black, and Mexican American elders (n = 531 married, n = 800 unmarried). Findings concerning racial/ethnic differences were partially dependent on marital status, differentiation of spouses from other informal helpers among married elders, and which racial/ethnic groups were compared. Networks including formal caregivers did not differentiate married or unmarried Black from White elders but were more common among unmarried Mexican American elders than for comparable White and Black elders. Married Black elders with solely informal networks were more likely than comparable White elders to have informal helpers other than the spouse. Racial/ethnic similarities and differences in caregiver networks are discussed relative to their sociocultural context, including marital status, elder's and spouse's health, and financial resources


PurposeThe study investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) domain on millennials' brand relationship quality (BRQ). It also attempts to understand how the relationship between CSR domain and millennials' BRQ is moderated by consumer moral foundation and skepticism.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed a 2 (CSR domain: individual versus group) × 2 (moral foundation: individualizing versus binding) × 2 (consumer skepticism: high versus low) between-subjects experimental design. MANCOVA was performed to examine the hypothesis.FindingsThe results show that group domain CSR practices have more impact on millennials' BRQ compared to individual domain CSR practices. The findings also reported the moderating effect of skepticism and consumer moral foundation in influencing the relationship between CSR domain and millennials' BRQ.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study was conducted in India, the findings are not generalizable to customers from other countries.Practical implicationsPractically, the findings will help marketers in designing their CSR practices to enhance BRQ among millennials.Originality/valueThe study has considered CSR as a heterogeneous action (CSR domain: individual versus group-oriented) and measured its impact on millennials' BRQ. The study is the first of its kind to examine the impact of CSR domain (heterogenous CSR action) on millennials' BRQ (BRQ as a multi-dimensional construct) in services industry, specifically for the banks. This study enriches bank marketing literature by adding a new CSR perspective.


Training improves performance on most visual tasks. Such perceptual learning can modify how information is read out from, and represented in, later visual areas, but effects on early visual cortex are controversial. In particular, it remains unknown whether learning can reshape neural response properties in early visual areas independent from feedback arising in later cortical areas. Here, we tested whether learning can modify feedforward signals in early visual cortex as measured by the human electroencephalogram. Fourteen subjects were trained for >24 d to detect a diagonal grating pattern in one quadrant of the visual field. Training improved performance, reducing the contrast needed for reliable detection, and also reliably increased the amplitude of the earliest component of the visual evoked potential, the C1. Control orientations and locations showed smaller effects of training. Because the C1 arises rapidly and has a source in early visual cortex, our results suggest that learning can increase early visual area response through local receptive field changes without feedback from later areas.


Mutations in the gene encoding the methyl-CG binding protein MeCP2 cause neurological disorders including Rett syndrome. The di-nucleotide methyl-CG (mCG) is the canonical MeCP2 DNA recognition sequence, but additional targets including non-methylated sequences have been reported. Here we use brain-specific depletion of DNA methyltransferase to show that DNA methylation is the primary determinant of MeCP2 binding in mouse brain. In vitro and in vivo analyses reveal that MeCP2 binding to non-CG methylated sites in brain is largely confined to the tri-nucleotide sequence mCAC. Structural modeling suggests that mCG and mCAC may be interchangeable as minimal structural perturbation of MeCP2 accompanies binding. MeCP2 binding to chromosomal DNA in mouse brain is proportional to mCG + mCAC density and defines domains within which transcription is sensitive to MeCP2 occupancy. The results suggest that MeCP2 interprets patterns of mCAC and mCG in the brain to negatively modulate transcription of genes critical for neuronal function.


A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intra-uterine infusion of killed boar semen and quantify any changes in the reproductive efficiency of gilts. Twenty-four (24) gilts were randomly assigned to three treatments: T1-Control (infusion of 100 ml distilled water), T2-single infusion of 100 ml killed semen (KS1), and T3-double infusion of 100 ml killed semen (KS2). Each treatment had eight breeding gilts, wherein four were bred by artificial insemination (AI) and the other four by natural insemination (NI). Infusions using AI catheters were done during the 2nd estrus in T1 and T2, whereas infusions in T3 were made during the 1 st and 2 nd estruses. Regular breeding were subsequently made during the 3rd estrus. All gilts that returned to cycle were rebred within the 30-day period. Under natural breeding, T3 had the highest (P<.05) litter size born alive (10.9 piglets), total pigs born (11. 7 piglets) and live litter weight at birth (15.3 kg). Slight incidence of stillbirth (0.5 piglet) was also noted in T3. For artificially inseminated gilts, T3 had the highest (P<.05) litter size (10.3 piglets) and heaviest (P<.05) litter weight (74.1 kg.), followed by T2 (9.8 piglets and 65.0 kg, respectively) at 28 days weaning while T1 had the lowest (7.5 piglets and 47.0 kg, respectively). Total pigs born was higher (P<.05) in T2 (12.8 piglets) and T3 (11.3 piglets) than in the control (10.5 piglets). Results indicate that pre breeding intra-uterine infusion of killed boar semen (either single or double) improved the reproductive performance of gilts.


Purpose: To determine the mean difference of central corneal thickness measurements by using ultrasound Pachymetry and oculus Wave light Occulyzer II. Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study using non-probability consecutive sampling. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, Liaquat National Hospital Karachi from November 2018 to June 2019. Material & Methods: After approval from ethical committee, patients were included in our study on the basis of inclusion & exclusion criteria. Central corneal thickness measurements were taken by using ultrasound Pachymetry & oculus Wave light Occulyzer II. All the data was collected by single researcher. The results were plotted, compared & analyzed. Paired t-test was used for the comparison of quantitative variables. Results: There were 130 patients included in the study out of which 73 (56.2%) were males and 57 (43.8%) were females. Mean age of these patients was 33.9 � 8.9 years. The mean � SD thinnest oculus Wave light Occulyzer II measurement was 538.61 � 23.46 ?m and ranged between 476.0 and 619.0 ?m whereas the mean thinnest ultrasound Pachymetry measurement was 535.1 � 21.816 ?m and ranged between 482 and 601 ?m. There was highly significant correlation of central corneal thickness between both the instruments. (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a high correlation of central corneal thickness between the readings obtained from ultrasound and optical pachymetry machines therefore oculus Wave light Occulyzer II can be used as an alternative technique to ultrasound pachymetry while assessing CCT in clinical settings. Key Words: Central corneal thickness, Ultrasound Pachymetry, Optical Pachymetry.


The street food sector plays an important role in urban areas of many developing countries. Street food represents a significant part of urban food consumption for millions of low and middle-income consumers in urban areas daily. Street foods may be the least expensive and most accessible means of obtaining a nutritionally balanced meal outside the home for many low-income people. In Davanagere city most of the vendors are poorly educated, untrained in food hygienic food, and most of the foods are not well protected from flies; street food is relatively cheap. You can get to try a wide selection of different foods in one place. Street food stands are a source of income for many families. Some street food vendors are facing problems like those that don't have their van or shop. They have to pay a limited amount of money for this. And they earn only a little profit.


Afton Canyon is a >150-m-deep canyon that formed as a result of overflow and drainage of Lake Manix, an ∼215 km2 late Wisconsin pluvial lake in the central Mojave Desert. Because the canyon age is within the range of conventional radiocarbon dating, it is possible to provide a time-based chronology of events and resultant landscape changes due to a >120 m base-level drop. Analysis of erosion volumes upstream of Afton Canyon and a review of public and private well logs downstream of the canyon mouth indicate that late Wisconsin surfaces are deeply buried downstream of Afton Canyon. Burial depths are ∼55 m at the mouth of Afton Canyon, 27 m in the Cronese basin, and 18 m at Crucero. The well logs also indicate that Soda Lake was far more areally extensive prior to late Wisconsin time. Stratigraphic and geomorphic evidence suggests that Afton Canyon was cut rapidly sometime after 14,230 ±1325 yr B.P. The rapid draining of Lake Manix and subsequent basin dissection have important implications for late Quaternary lake fluctuations in Death Valley, base-level changes and resultant alluvial-fan adjustments in the Cronese basin, the sand source for the Kelso Dunes, and the absence of old artifacts in the Cronese basin and the Mojave River wash region.


The purpose of this study was to explore one South Korean (hereafter Korean) mother's literacy practices after she had migrated to Canada for the purpose of overseeing her children's education. Using a case study method, we focused on language, media, domains, and purposes of literacy practices in Korea and Canada. Data were obtained through two semi-structured interviews, two home visit observations, a questionnaire, and collection of literacy artifacts. The documented changes in the mother's literacy practices, along with the theoretical and methodological approaches used to document them, offer promising areas and approaches for future research about the out-of-school literacy practices of (im)migrant students.


Educational aims To provide a comprehensive introduction to the physiological basis of integrative exercise testing. To identify the indications and the protocols used in clinical settings. To discuss the clinical applications of exercise testing with special reference to lung and heart diseases. To understand the utility of exercise testing in the prescription and evaluation of therapeutic interventions and in rehabilitation. Summary Exercise intolerance is the hallmark of pulmonary and cardiac diseases. However, measurements of lung and cardiac function obtained at rest (e.g. forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), pulmonary diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL,CO), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF)) are poorly predictive of the degree of exercise intolerance. Therefore, it is necessary to directly assess an individual's exercise intolerance and, where possible, establish its cause(s). The "gold standard" approach for this is cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). CPET has also proven to be very useful in the following applications: prognostic evaluation of patients with chronic lung and heart diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), interstitial lung diseases (ILD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic heart failure (CHF); and evaluating the effects of interventions such as drug therapy, oxygen and heliox supplementation during exercise, and pulmonary rehabilitation based on exercise training.


The initial steps in the biosynthesis of the tetrapyrrolic dyes, called the 'pigments of life', are highly convergent. The formation of porphobilinogen, the pyrrolic precursor of the tetrapyrrolic skeleton, uses δ-aminolevulinate as the starting material. This amino acid is dedicated to the biosynthesis of tetrapyrroles. However, the chemical condensation of δ-aminolevulinate leads to a symmetric pyrazine. Attempts to imitate the biosynthesis using one of the proposed pathways for the biosynthesis of porphobilinogen as a guideline has allowed us to synthesize a protected precursor of porphobilinogen in an efficient way. Based on the two major proposals for the biosynthesis, a series of specifically synthesized inhibitors was also tested. The inhibition behavior and the potency of the inhibitors expressed as their Ki value has unraveled an interesting relationship between the structure of the inhibitor and the strength of its interaction with the active site. The concerted use of mechanistic analysis, synthesis and kinetic studies of inhibitors has increased our knowledge about the enzyme porphobilinogen synthase. Structural studies of enzyme-inhibitor complexes will hopefully complement the kinetic results accumulated so far.


SIV infection of nonhuman primates is the principal model system for assessing HIV disease progression and therapeutic development. HPβCD has recently been incorporated as a solubilizing agent in coformulations of ARVs in SIV-infected nonhuman primates. ABSTRACT Experimental simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of Asian macaques is an excellent model for HIV disease progression and therapeutic development. Recent coformulations of nucleoside analogs and an integrase inhibitor have been used for parenteral antiretroviral (ARV) administration in SIV-infected macaques, successfully resulting in undetectable plasma SIV RNA. In a cohort of SIVmac239-infected macaques, we recently observed that administration of coformulated ARVs resulted in an unexpected increase in plasma levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14), associated with stimulation of myeloid cells. We hypothesized that the coformulation solubilizing agent Kleptose (2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin [HPβCD]) may induce inflammation with myeloid cell activation and the release of sCD14. Herein, we stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy macaques with HPβCD from different commercial sources and evaluated inflammatory cytokine production in vitro. Treatment of PBMCs resulted in increased sCD14 release and myeloid cell interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production—with stimulation varying significantly by HPβCD source—and destabilized lymphocyte CCR5 surface expression. We further treated healthy macaques with Kleptose alone. In vivo, we observed modestly increased myeloid cell activation in response to Kleptose treatment without significant perturbation of the immunological transcriptome or epigenome. Our results demonstrate a need for vehicle-only controls and highlight immunological perturbations that can occur when using HPβCD in pharmaceutical coformulations. IMPORTANCE SIV infection of nonhuman primates is the principal model system for assessing HIV disease progression and therapeutic development. HPβCD has recently been incorporated as a solubilizing agent in coformulations of ARVs in SIV-infected nonhuman primates. Although HPβCD has historically been considered inert, recent findings suggest that HPβCD may contribute to inflammation. Herein, we investigate the contribution of HPβCD to healthy macaque inflammation in vitro and in vivo. We observe that HPβCD causes an induction of sCD14 and IL-1β from myeloid cells in vitro and demonstrate that HPβCD stimulatory capacity varies by commercial source. In vivo, we observe modest myeloid cell activation in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens absent systemic immune activation. From our findings, it is unclear whether HPβCD stimulation may improve or diminish immune reconstitution in ARV-treated lentiviral infections. Our results demonstrate a need for vehicle-only controls and highlight immunological perturbations that can occur when using HPβCD in pharmaceutical coformulations.


Recent genetic evidence has highlighted how the IFNL4 gene acts in a counterintuitive manner, as patients with a nonfunctional IFNL4 gene exhibit increased clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) but also increased liver inflammation. This suggests that the IFNL4 gene acts in a proviral and anti-inflammatory manner. These surprising but quite clear genetic data have prompted an extensive examination of the basic characteristics of the IFNL4 gene and its gene product, interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4). We have investigated the expression of the IFNL4 gene and found it to be poorly induced by viral infections. A thorough investigation of the IFNL4 promoter revealed a highly conserved and functional promoter, but also one that lacks the defining characteristic of interferons (IFNs), i.e., the ability to be effectively induced by viral infections. We suggest that the unique function of the IFNL4 gene is related to its noncanonical transcriptional regulation. ABSTRACT Interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4) is a recently identified enigmatic member of the interferon (IFN) lambda family. Genetic data suggest that the IFNL4 gene acts in a proviral and anti-inflammatory manner in patients. However, the protein is indistinguishable in vitro from the other members of the interferon lambda family. We have investigated the gene regulation of IFNL4 in detail and found that it differs radically from that of canonical antiviral interferons. Being induced by viral infection is a defining characteristic of interferons, but viral infection or overexpression of members of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family of transcription factors only leads to a minute induction of IFNL4. This behavior is evolutionarily conserved and can be reversed by inserting a functional IRF3 binding site into the IFNL4 promoter. Thus, the regulation of the IFNL4 gene is radically different and might explain some of the atypical phenotypes associated with the IFNL4 gene in humans. IMPORTANCE Recent genetic evidence has highlighted how the IFNL4 gene acts in a counterintuitive manner, as patients with a nonfunctional IFNL4 gene exhibit increased clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) but also increased liver inflammation. This suggests that the IFNL4 gene acts in a proviral and anti-inflammatory manner. These surprising but quite clear genetic data have prompted an extensive examination of the basic characteristics of the IFNL4 gene and its gene product, interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4). We have investigated the expression of the IFNL4 gene and found it to be poorly induced by viral infections. A thorough investigation of the IFNL4 promoter revealed a highly conserved and functional promoter, but also one that lacks the defining characteristic of interferons (IFNs), i.e., the ability to be effectively induced by viral infections. We suggest that the unique function of the IFNL4 gene is related to its noncanonical transcriptional regulation.


Among daily computer users who are proficient, some are flexible at accomplishing unfamiliar tasks on their own and others have difficulty. We hypothesize that extrinsically motivated users have difficulty with unfamiliar computer tasks and skill transfers, whereas intrinsically motivated daily users accomplish unfamiliar tasks readily. Nine extrinsically motivated users and seven intrinsic users were directed and observed with qualitative ethnographic methods using a think-aloud-type verbal protocol. The observations were coded based on a rubric. The coding was checked with two additional raters, and inter-rater reliability was greater than 90%. The data were then statistically analyzed. Findings show that extrinsically motivated users in all age groups and competence levels have weak productivity when faced with unfamiliar tasks or software, while intrinsically motivated users have few difficulties. This work draws attention to an underrepresented group of competent but extrinsically motivated computer users who become unproductive when operating in unfamiliar conditions. The data suggest that researchers should control for motivation style when evaluating user interface designs.


Three members are informally distinguished in this formation (A, B, and C from base to top). They are present at the western part of the outcrop (thickness ca. 246 m). On the eastern and southeastern part, only member A and basal part of member B are present and the thickness is reduced to ca. 20 m. A sharp surface of discontinuity separates member A from member B. The Portilla Formation abounds in reef-building elements associated with other groups. Five major carbonate facies types are established that belong to a complex biostromal 'reef' facies. Vertical and lateral facies changes are demonstrated. The carbonate facies was deposited in a shallow-marine environment. Towards end of deposition of member A, sharp changes in depositional conditions occurred, soon followed by a notable influx of siliciclastics. A distinctive barrier 'reef' pattern was established during deposition of member B. It protected a back-reef area from the open shallow sea. This back-reef environment was separated from an area of dominantly siliciclastic deposition in the southeast by an extremely shallow marine or shoal area which might have been emergent. During deposition of member B there occurred a rhythmic alternation of the back-reef carbonates and the carbonates continuous with the 'reef' barrier, probably reflecting minor changes in sea level likely due to epeirogenetic movements of the bottom. Eventually organic growth and associated carbonate sedimentation exceeded the rate of subsidence and as a result the 'reefs' laterally shifted seawards, followed by the back-reef facies. The facies pattern suggests an increasingly emergent tendency of the marginal part of the carbonate basin due to bottom movements. The barrier 'reef' pattern of member B probably terminated due to changes in relative subsidence during deposition of member C. A strong supply of siliciclastics during the deposition of the Nocedo Formation brought an end to the carbonate sedimentation of the Portilla Formation. The variation in thickness in the Portilla Formation has been mainly due to a slow and prolonged differential subsidence of the carbonate depositional basin. The absence of a large part of member B and member C in the easterly and southeasterly directions is probably largely due to non-deposition of sediments. Seventeen species are described of rhynchonellid brachiopods, out of which four species are new. Three new genera are established. Wherever available some critical German rhynchonellid species have been sectioned for comparison. The rhynchonellid and atrypid brachiopod fauna from the Portilla Formation show a great affinity with the Middle Devonian fauna of Eifel region, Germany. The Spanish fauna could be assigned to the mixed or Eifel facies, or close to this type. Striking similarity exists also between the Spanish fauna and the Middle Devonian fauna from the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland. The rhynchonellids and atrypids strongly suggest that the Eifelian — Givetian boundary lies in the basal part of member B. It is suggested that member A is of Eifelian age and that members B and C, apart from the basal part of member B are of Givetian age.


When the geometric features of plasmonic nanostructures approach the subnanometric regime, nonlocal screening and charge spill-out of metallic electrons will strongly modify the optical responses of the structures. While quantum tunneling resulting from charge spill-out has been widely discussed in the literature, the near-field enhancement saturation caused by the nonlocal screening effect still lacks a direct experimental verification. In this work, we use surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of graphene to probe the in-plane near-field enhancement limit in gold nanosphere-on-film nanocavities where different layers of graphene are sandwiched between a gold nanosphere and a gold film. Together with advanced transmission electron microscopy cross-sectional imaging and nonlocal hydrodynamic theoretical calculations, the cavity gap width correlated SERS and dark-field scattering measurements reveal that the intrinsic nonlocal dielectric response of gold limits the near-field enhancement factors and mitigates the plasmon resonance red-shift with decreasing the gap width to less than one nanometer. Our results not only verify previous theoretical predictions in both the near-field and far-field regime but also demonstrate the feasibility of controlling the near- and far-field optical response in such versatile plasmonic particle-graphene-on-film nanocavities, which can find great potential in applications of graphene-based photonic devices in the visible and near-infrared region.


Teaching multilingual, multilevel language classes presents many challenges including helping students learn level-appropriate language. This learner-centred approach is complicated in a multilevel classroom where the teacher cannot always focus on each student's needs. As a result, learner motivation and attendance are frequent problems. This article details the adaptation of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) into a badge system to help learners in a community English as a Second Language (ESL) program set and track personalized language learning goals. The authors explain the purposes of badges, including motivation and assessment, and describe how to create a CLB-based badge system for curriculum and assessment purposes. The authors also share feedback from students and instructors in the community ESL program about the badge-based curriculum.


This paper introduces a `low-rank prior' for small oriented noise-free image patches: considering an oriented patch as a matrix, a low-rank matrix approximation is enough to preserve the texture details in the properly oriented patch. Based on this prior, we propose a single-patch method within a generalized joint low-rank and sparse matrix recovery framework to simultaneously detect and remove non-point wise random-valued impulse noise (e.g., very small blobs). A weighting matrix is incorporated in the framework to encode an initial estimate of the spatial noise distribution. An accelerated proximal gradient method is adapted to estimate the optimal noise-free image patches. Experiments show the effectiveness of our framework in removing non-point wise random-valued impulse noise.


There is a wide consensus amongst economists that a cash-flow tax, in concept, is superior to an income tax. The most difficult problem is the transition, which can create either a huge fiscal cost, very large compliance costs or economic dislocation. This paper explores a set of rules that could potentially avoid economic disruption yet keeps fiscal and compliance costs to a manageable level. Features are a general tax exemption for interest and dividends, a cash-flow tax for increments to the existing capital invested in business activities and continuation of income tax rules for existing capital. The paper identifies general areas where further development of the rules is required.


Increasing the switching frequency of the power semiconductor devices (PSDs) reduces the size and cost of the passive elements, thereby positively affecting the power density of a high-frequency (HF) power electronic system (PES). To achieve a higher switching frequency of a PES, yet low switching losses, the speed of switching transitions of PSDs need to be increased. However, such fast transitions adversely affect PES performance in terms of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and device stress. Hence, a switching transition control (STC) scheme is developed to create optimality between switching PSDs with higher transitions yet maintaining safe levels of parasitic oscillations, that result from reducing the transition time of these devices. The switching transition control (STC) framework helps the HF PES achieve a target efficiency improvement by controlling the high di/dt and dv/dt regions of a PSD on the fly. Results are shown to validate that this improvement of efficiency is not feasible with a passive gate drive. An HF Ćuk PES using a Cree SiC MOSFET half-bridge module is fabricated for the testing purpose of the STC framework. The STC network is based on a simple switched resistor network, synthesized using high-speed GaN-FETs and built across two generations, Gen-1, and Gen-2. Practical operational issues of the STC network with fast switching GaN-FET in the Gen-1 board are analyzed and are overcome with design modification in Gen-2. The work has ramifications in meeting a system-level goal of an HF WBG PES, like a target efficiency increment, while not deteriorating the EMI performance and PSD stress levels that result due to parasitic oscillations in such PES.


ABSTRACT In recent years, character education has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in different national contexts. In England, the publication of a 'Character and Resilience Manifesto' by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Mobility in 2014 put character education on the government's agenda, primarily as a means to improve social mobility. Drawing on Foucault's notion of 'problematisation', this article examines how 'problems' and 'solutions' are constructed and legitimised through expert knowledges in the Manifesto. We find that by drawing on evidence from psychology and behavioural economics, 'character' is predominantly understood as a set of skills and dispositions to be developed in order to boost individual labour market outcomes and wider economic growth. Hence, social mobility is framed in (increasingly) biological and psychological terms following a logic of human capital enhancement. Contextualising the findings in Foucault's work on 'governmentality' and 'biopolitics', we argue that the call for character education is part of a wider intensification of the demand for self-government and self-investment—a demand that is particularly pronounced for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.


Chapter 1: Introduction. Advanced Nursing Practice: A Growing Presence. Advanced Nursing Practice: Patterns of Development. Definition of Advanced Practice Nurse. Conclusion. References. Chapter 2: Nature of Practice. Introduction. Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Characteristics. - ICN Official Position on APN Characteristics. - Country Illustrations. Labelling the Role. - Titling. - Title Protection. Scope of Practice. - What is Scope of Practice?. - What Influences Scope of Practice?. - Points to Consider When Defining Scope of Practice?. Core Competencies. Competency: The Basis for Education and Practice. - Creating a Competency Map. - Formulating Competency Statements. Advanced Tasks versus Advanced Roles. Controversial Practice Topics. - Prescriptive Authority. - Approaching APN Prescribing. - The Diagnosis Debate. - Approaching APN Diagnosing. - Hospital Privileges. - Approaching APN Hospital Privileges. Domains of Practice. Practice Settings. Conclusion. References. Chapter 3: Role and Practice Development. Introduction. Striving for the Ideal: Transitional Processes. Assessing the Opportunity and Need for Advanced Nursing Practice. Scanning the Environment. - Stakeholder Analysis. - SWOT Analysis. Introducing and Supporting Advanced Nursing Practice. Interfacing with Nurses, Physicians, Organisations and the Public. - Interface with Nursing. - Collegial Respect and Encouragement. - Strategies for Promoting Positive Nursing Interface. - Interface with Medicine. - Collaboration. - Strategies for Promoting Positive Medicine Interface. - Interface with Organisational Structures. - Strategies for Interfacing with Organisational Structures. - Interface with the Public. - Strategies for Interfacing with the Public. Socialisation: Role Support. - Strategies to Support New APNs. Ethical Dimensions of the Advanced Nursing Practice Role. Conclusion. References. Chapter 4: Regulation. Introduction. The Regulatory/Legislative Framework. Factors Influencing the Regulatory/Legislative Systems. Credentialing Advanced Nursing Practice. Components of the Credentialing Framework. - The Credentialee. - Credentialing mechanisms. - Credentialing the Advanced Practice Nurse. - Accrediting Educational institutions and Programmes. - Credentialer. - Purpose. - Powers. - Standards. - Processes. - Term or Duration. - Costs. - Effectiveness. - Mutual Recognition Agreements. Model for a Regulatory System for Advanced Nursing Practice. Exploring Your Regulatory Environment. - Preparation. - Forming an Overview of the Legislative/Regulatory Systems. - Understanding Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for Advanced Nursing Practice Advocating For Regulatory/legislative Change. - Document Analysis. - Advocacy Strategies. Conclusion. References. Chapter 5: Education for Advance Nursing Practice. Introduction. Characteristics of Advanced Nursing Practice Education. - The Case for Masters Level Education. - Debate Around Masters Level Education. - Country Variation in Education Philosophy, Approach and Development. Paths of Entry Into Programmes. Vignettes of Advanced Nursing Practice Educational Development. Assessment of Prior Experience and Bridging Mechanisms. Curriculum Development. - A Curriculum Framework to Promote Flexibility. - Curriculum: Course Distribution. Advanced Practice Clinical Experience. - Settings for Clinical Experience. - Preceptors and Quality of Clinical Placements. - Planning for the Precepting Experience. - Examples of APN Student Practicum in New Settings. Faculty Background and Preparation. Professional Development and Continuing Education. Educational Standards and Programme Accreditation. Conclusion. References. Chapter 6: Research. Theoretical Perspective of Advanced Nursing Practice. Exploring the Research Perspective. - Promoting Diverse and Analytical Research. - Research for Advocacy. Enhancing Knowledge and Skills in Research. - The Research Culture. - Research Competence. - Writing for Publication. - Starting to Write. - Writing. - Manuscript Preparation. Searching for Research Funding. International Classification for Nursing Practice (r) (ICNP): A Tool for Collaborative Nursing Research. An International Research Agenda for Advanced Nursing Practice. Conclusion. References. Chapter 7: Future Prospects and Critical Challenges for Advanced Nursing Practice. Introduction. Future Prospects. - Preparing a Health Care Workforce for the 21st Century. - Primary Health Care Services. - Chronic Conditions and Home Care. - Technology and Telehealth. - Nurse Entrepreneurs. Critical Challenges. - Critical Challenge 1: Integrating Advanced Practice Nurses Into Workforce Planning. - Critical Challenge 2: International Consensus Building Around Definitions, Scope of Practice, Core Competencies and Education. - Critical Challenge 3: Capacity Building to Strengthen Advanced Nursing Practice in Health Systems Internationally. - Critical Challenge 4: Defining the Gaps and Finding the Evidence. Conclusion. References. Appendix 1 Key Informant Survey on Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) Self-Administered Questionnaire. Appendix 2 Scope of Practice Examples. Appendix 3 Strengthens, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats SWOT). Appendix 4 Principles to Guide Standards Development. Appendix 5 Samples of Course Descriptions in an Advanced Nursing Practice Curriculum. Appendix 6 Preceptor Guidelines, Student and Preceptor Evaluation Form. Appendix 7 Checklist for authors preparing to submit an article for publication. Appendix 8 Example of statements in an ICNP(r) Catalogue on Adherence to Treatment. Resources. Bibliography from Key Informants. Glossary


Characteristic features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include intrusive memories, avoidance, memory and concentration difficulties, and hyperalertness. Neuropsychological investigations of individuals with PTSD have suggested global and specific impairments of performance on standardized tests of memory. The use of the Emotional Stroop test has shown that trauma-related words are a sensitive measure of clinical state in PTSD patients. The Stroop paradigm has also shown that patients with PTSD appear to be characterized by implicit, explicit and autobiographical memory impairment. Available treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder include cognitive-behaviour therapy, psychodynamic therapy and pharmacotherapy. Whereas drug treatment alone can rarely alleviate the suffering in PTSD, it appears to be most useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Tricyclic antidepressants are generally thought to be effective in alleviating symptoms, including nightmares, depression, sleep disorders and startle reactions, but are less able to relieve numbing. On the other hand, selective re-uptake blockers may be effective in decreasing numbing. However, rigorous clinical trials with double-blind placebo-controlled designs need to be performed to confirm these results. With new scientific discoveries in the understanding of PTSD, a new generation of pharmacological treatment is likely to emerge. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:3-18).


There is a clear need in computing to attract and retain good students. One way is to incorporate game programming into the curriculum [8, 10, 11, 14, 22]. This paper presents the detail design of an introductory, leveling, programming course using game programming, elaborates on the course outcomes and expectations regarding student achievement, and discusses curriculum context, operational details, and the benefits of the standardized approach selected for the course delivery. It is of interest to those who would like to alter the curriculum of their introductory programming course using a contemporary theme in order to motivate a generation raised on gaming.


A comprehensive experimental study was conducted to investigate wind turbine aeromechanics and wake interferences among multiple wind turbines sited in onshore and offshore wind farms. The experiments were carried out in a large-scale Aerodynamic/Atmospheric Boundary Layer (AABL) Wind Tunnel available at Iowa State University. An array of scaled three-blade Horizontal Axial Wind Turbine (HAWT) models were placed in atmospheric boundary layer winds with different mean and turbulence characteristics to simulate the situations in onshore and offshore wind farms. The effects of the important design parameters for wind farm layout optimization, which include the mean and turbulence characteristics of the oncoming surface winds, the yaw angles of the turbines with respect to the oncoming surface winds, the array spacing and layout pattern, and the terrain topology of wind farms on the turbine performances (i.e., both power output and dynamic wind loadings) and the wake interferences among multiple wind turbines, were assessed in detail. The aeromechanic performance and near wake characteristics of a novel dual-rotor wind turbine (DRWT) design with co-rotating or counter-rotating configuration were also investigated, in comparison to a conventional single rotor wind turbine (SRWT). During the experiments, in addition to measuring dynamic wind loads (both forces and moments) and the power outputs of the scaled turbine models, a high-resolution Particle Image Velocity (PIV) system was used to conduct detailed flow field measurements (i.e., both freerun and phase-locked flow fields measurements) to reveal the transient behavior of the unsteady wake vortices and turbulent flow structures behind wind turbines and to quantify the characteristics of the wake interferences among the wind turbines sited in non-homogenous surface winds. A miniature cobra anemometer was also used to provide high-temporalresolution data at points of interest to supplement the full field PIV measurement results. The detailed flow field measurements are correlated with the dynamic wind loads and power output measurements to elucidate underlying physics in order to gain further insight into the characteristics of the power generation performance, dynamic wind loads and wake interferences of the wind turbines for higher total power yield and better durability of the wind turbines sited in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) winds.


For Computer Organization and Architecture and Computer Systems courses in CS and EE and ECE departments.Developed out of an introductory course at Carnegie Mellon University, this text explains the important and enduring concepts underlying all computer systems, and shows the concrete ways that these ideas affect the correctness, performance, and utility of application programs. The text's concrete and hands-on approach will help students understand what is going on "under the hood" of a computer system.


Sepsis is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially in vulnerable preterm populations. Immature immune defenses, and environmental and maternal factors contribute to this risk, with as many as a third of very preterm infants experiencing sepsis during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Epidemiologic and twin studies have suggested that there is a genetic contribution to sepsis predilection. Several investigators have conducted candidate gene association studies on variants of specific interest and potential functional significance in neonatal sepsis. In this review, we describe details of studies that have evaluated genetic susceptibility in neonatal sepsis, and summarize findings from a review of candidate gene association studies.


Low rainfall during the wheat growing season in Mediterranean climates leads to variation in growth period and this may constrain yield. Low seedling survival is among the factors that can limit yield in the Western Cape. Seedling survival rates of 50-70% are expected with conventional tillage, necessitating high sowing rates. Conservation tillage practices which can help to improve seedling survival have been readily adopted in the Winter Rainfall production region of South Africa, but require wider row widths than previously used in conventional tillage and seeding systems to facilitate stubble handling. Replicated, factorial experiments with spilt-split plot arrangements were established in commercial wheat fields during the 2005 and 2006 seasons at five localities. Treatments included three cultivars, split into row widths (250-350 mm) which were split into different planting densities. Seedling counts (3-4 weeks after planting) were used to determine seedling emergence and survival rates. Results indicated that seedling establishment was significantly reduced by increasing row widths (RW), higher planting densities (PD) and in PD x RW interactions in some trials, but that seedling survival of more than 80% were obtained when planting conditions were favourable. The lowest seedling survival of 63% occurred when dry conditions prevailed after planting at one locality in 2005. Anecdotally the no-till planting method as used in this region, can improve on the 50-70% seedling survival of previously used conventional planting methods.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Efforts to advance patient safety have been hampered by the lack of high quality measures of adverse events (AEs). This study's objective was to develop and test the Global Assessment of Pediatric Patient Safety (GAPPS) trigger tool, which measures hospital-wide rates of AEs and preventable AEs. METHODS: Through a literature review and expert panel process, we developed a draft trigger tool. Tool performance was tested in 16 academic and community hospitals across the United States. At each site, a primary reviewer (nurse) reviewed ∼240 randomly selected medical records; 10% of records underwent an additional primary review. Suspected AEs were subsequently evaluated by 2 secondary reviewers (physicians). Ten percent of records were also reviewed by external expert reviewers. Each trigger's incidence and positivity rates were assessed to refine GAPPS. RESULTS: In total, 3814 medical records were reviewed. Primary reviewers agreed 92% of the time on presence or absence of a suspected AE (κ = 0.69). Secondary reviewers verifying AE presence or absence agreed 92% of the time (κ = 0.81). Using expert reviews as a standard for comparison, hospital-based primary reviewers had a sensitivity and specificity of 40% and 91%, respectively. As primary reviewers gained experience, their agreement with expert reviewers improved significantly. After removing low-yield triggers, 27 and 30 (of 54) triggers met inclusion criteria to form final manual and automated trigger lists, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GAPPS reliably identifies AEs and can be used to guide and monitor quality improvement efforts. Ongoing refinement may facilitate future interhospital comparisons.


The tassel-eared squirrel ( Sciurus aberti ) is confined to a montane archipelago of mixed conifer forests in the American Southwest. Explanations for its fragmented distribution vary, invoking historical scenarios that stress late-Pleistocene vicariance, dispersal, or some combination thereof. To test among these hypotheses, we examined the phylogeography of S. aberti , as determined by variation in mtDNA restriction sites among 22 populations sampled range-wide. Genetic distance and maximum-parsimony analyses revealed three distinct lineages of mtDNA, which in turn form two major phylogeographic assemblages; eastern (Mexico; New Mexico-Colorado-Utah) and western (Arizona-southwestern New Mexico). Comparisons between the maximum-parsimony tree and an area cladogram of regional mountain ranges showed marked topological discordance, dismissing late-Pleistocene vicariance as a principal phylogeographic factor. Certain mtDNA data support the post-Pleistocene dispersal hypothesis, in which squirrels dispersed northward in conjunction with the rapid range expansion of ponderosa pines ( Pinus ponderosa). However, divergence levels observed between assemblages (1.8%) also suggest a significant, underlying vicariant event responsible for major separation of lineages during the early Pleistocene. Thus, the evolutionary genetics of 5. aberti has been influenced profoundly, and perhaps repeatedly, by climatic change during the Pleistocene.


This paper reviews the evidence that certain growth factors, particularly leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), play a crucial role in regulating the development of the pre-implantation mammalian embryo. LIF was originally implicated in regulating the early development of the mouse embryo because it inhibited the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells, pluripotential cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Subsequent studies on its role in vivo revealed, surprisingly, that it is essential for the growth rather than the differentiation of the blastocyst. In vivo, overtly normal blastocysts can be produced in a LIF-deficient environment that are capable of forming viable fertile adults. However, in the absence of LIF, they fail to implant and enter into a state resembling that exhibited by blastocysts undergoing delayed implantation, which is characterized by a cessation of cell proliferation. This failure to implant occurs because the principle sites of LIF production are the endometrial glands of the uterus. These synthesize and secrete LIF at implantation, with LIF synthesis essential for implantation. Preliminary evidence indicates that LIF synthesis is required both by the uterus for it to undergo decidualization and by the blastocyst for implantation. These data indicate that the maternal environment plays a crucial role in the development and growth of the pre-implantation embryo, by supplying factors that regulate these processes in the embryo.


Analysis of prevalent document management practices shows the popular use of categories (e.g., folders) to organize documents for subsequent searches and retrievals. The coherence and distinction of an existing document category can diminish considerably as influxes of new documents arrive over time. The complexity of and effort requirements for document-category management favor an automated approach that can be supported by appropriate document-clustering techniques. A review of the extant literature shows a predominant focus on document content analysis in automated document-category management, which cannot preserve the user's document-grouping preferences. This research develops two advanced evolution-based techniques for preserving user preferences in their management of document categories. The first technique (CE2), which supports the automated evolution of a set of flat (i.e., nonhierarchical) document categories, extends a promising evolution-based technique (category evolution, CE) by addressing its fundamental limitations inherent to the use of holistic measures. The second technique, category hierarchy evolution (CHE), is developed on the basis of CE2 to support scenarios where document categories are organized with a hierarchical structure. Empirical evaluations of the effectiveness of each technique in various category evolution scenarios created using two different document corpora (i.e., news documents from Reuters and research articles from the ACM digital library), as compared with those of associated salient techniques for benchmark purposes, show that CE2 and CHE outperform their respective benchmark techniques. Their performance is reasonably robust and appears more effective when the quality (coherence) of the previously created categories does not deteriorate excessively. According to our results, the evolution-based approach is viable, appealing, and capable of preserving user preferences in automatic reorganizations of document categories.


With the growth of information technologyand the Internet in particularmany new communication channels and platforms have emerged. These platforms are focused on being not only user friendly, but also highly interactive, providing many unique ways to create and distribute content.Capturing, Analyzing, and Managing Word-of-Mouth in the Digital Marketplace explores the way these new channels and platforms affect our everyday interactions, particularly as they relate to meaning, growth, and recent trends, practices, issues, and challenges surrounding the world of modern marketing. Featuring a special emphasis on social media, blogging, viral marketing, and other forms of e-communication, this timely reference source is essential for students, researchers, academics, and marketing practitioners.


HYPOTHESIS
In patients with truly unresectable melanoma of the extremities, results after isolated limb perfusion (ILP) are absent in the literature. Complete response rates are probably lower than the reported 54% for locoregional recurrent melanoma. In these patients, ILP with melphalan and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) could be superior to ILP with melphalan alone.

DESIGN
Retrospective analysis with a median follow-up period of 21 months (interquartile range, 9-40 months).

SETTING
Two tertiary care cancer centers in the Netherlands.

PATIENTS
We assessed all 130 consecutive patients who underwent ILP for unresectable melanoma of the extremities, performed between 1978 and 2001. Of these patients, 38% had stage IIIA melanoma and 45% had stage IIIAB melanoma according to criteria of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Lesions were considered unresectable on the basis of their size, number, or localization.

INTERVENTIONS
Forty ILPs were performed with melphalan, and 90 were done with TNF-alpha and melphalan.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Response rate, disease-free survival, limb salvage rate, and overall survival.

RESULTS
In 45% of the patients, a complete response was attained after ILP with melphalan (95% confidence interval, 29%-61%) compared with 59% after ILP with TNF-alpha and melphalan (95% confidence interval, 49%-69%; P = .14). The time to complete response was 3 months (interquartile range, 2-6 months) vs 2 months (interquartile range, 1-3 months; P = .01), respectively. The recurrence rate and median limb recurrence-free survival were not significantly different for both ILP types. The overall limb salvage rate was 96%. Overall 5-year survival was 29% (95% confidence interval, 20%-38%). The ILP type was not an independent prognostic factor for complete response, nor was limb recurrence-free survival, whereas stage IIIA was a favorable prognostic factor (P = .01 and P = .02, respectively). Favorable prognostic factors for improved survival were complete response (P<.001) and a tumor size of 3 cm or less (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS
In more than half of the patients with truly unresectable melanoma of the extremities, a complete response was obtained after ILP with melphalan with or without TNF-alpha. The ILP type was not an independent prognostic factor for complete response, limb recurrence-free survival, or overall survival.


In this paper we introduce the first efficient external-memory algorithm to compute the bisimilarity equivalence classes of a directed acyclic graph (DAG). DAGs are commonly used to model data in a wide variety of practical applications, ranging from XML documents and data provenance models, to web taxonomies and scientific workflows. In the study of efficient reasoning over massive graphs, the notion of node bisimilarity plays a central role. For example, grouping together bisimilar nodes in an XML data set is the first step in many sophisticated approaches to building indexing data structures for efficient XPath query evaluation. To date, however, only internal-memory bisimulation algorithms have been investigated. As the size of real-world DAG data sets often exceeds available main memory, storage in external memory becomes necessary. Hence, there is a practical need for an efficient approach to computing bisimulation in external memory. Our general algorithm has a worst-case IO-complexity of O(Sort(|N |+ |E|)), where |N | and |E| are the numbers of nodes and edges, resp., in the data graph and Sort(n) is the number of accesses to external memory needed to sort an input of size n. We also study specializations of this algorithm to common variations of bisimulation for treestructured XML data sets. We empirically verify efficient performance of the algorithms on graphs and XML documents having billions of nodes and edges, and find that the algorithms can process such graphs efficiently even when very limited internal memory is available. The proposed algorithms are simple enough for practical implementation and use, and open the door for further study of externalmemory bisimulation algorithms. To this end, the full opensource C++ implementation has been made freely available.


The noncentrosymmetric lead borate Pb6[B4O7(OH)2]3 has been synthesized by hydrothermal method with a yield of ∼85% based on Pb. It structurally features three crystallographically independent [B4O7(OH)2]4− helical chains with B12O29 fundamental building blocks (FBBs), which is unique in borate system. It has a wide transparency range from UV to NIR with the shortwave cut-off edge about 260 nm. The phase-matching second harmonic generation (SHG) response at 1064 nm fundamental wave was identified by the Kurtz–Perry method. First principles calculations on the band structure and partial density of states (PDOS) show that the title compound has a direct band gap determined by the interaction between lead and oxygen atoms. Stereochemically active lone pair lead cations and the BO3 groups with π-conjugated system make main contribution to the nonlinear optical (NLO) effect according to the SHG-density method.


Metastable alloys with transformation/twinning-induced plasticity (TRIP/TWIP) can overcome the strength-ductility trade-off in structural materials. Originated from the development of traditional alloys, the intrinsic stacking fault energy (ISFE) has been relied to tailor TRIP/TWIP in high-entropy alloys (HEA), but with limited quantitative success. Herein, we demonstrate a new strategy for designing metastable HEAs and validate its effectiveness by discovering seven new alloys with experimentally observed metastability for TRIP/TWIP. We propose unstable fault energies as the more effective design metric and attribute the deformation mechanism of metastable face-centered cubic alloys to UMFE (unstable martensite fault energy)/UTFE (unstable twin fault energy) rather than ISFE. Among the studied HEAs and steels, the traditional ISFE criterion fails in more than half of the cases, while the UMFE/UTFE criterion accurately predicts the deformation mechanisms in all cases. The UMFE/UTFE criterion provides a new paradigm for developing metastable alloys with TRIP/TWIP for enhanced strength-ductility synergy.


The reported returns of U.S. private equity funds are benchmarked against passive exposures from public equity markets. Over the full sample period, private equity returns display three factors: market beta of less than one, small transaction size and growth, and a four-quarter lag behind public markets. Buyout funds delivered alpha of about 5.5% per annum; venture capital performed poorly. Closer examination reveals that these estimates are inconsistent over time, cautioning against extrapolation from historical averages.


An increased worldwide protein demand for food and feed and the necessity to release the water soluble proteins in the first stage of the cascade biorefinery require the development of mild protein extraction technologies. Cell disintegration is the first hurdle and is considered as one of the most energy consuming steps. Therefore, this thesis focused on the development of a mild, scalable and energy efficient disintegration technology for green microalgae and macroalgae (seaweed) aimed on extraction of water soluble components (like proteins and carbohydrates). For microalgae disintegration, two main technologies were investigated. First of all the conventional technology bead milling and second a novel approach using Pulsed Electric Field (PEF). In Chapter 2 a benchmark was set by means of bead milling for the release of water soluble protein from the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. Overall, protein yields between 32 and 42% were achieved, while the energy consumption was reduced with 85% by selective protein extraction to values as low as 0.81 kWh kgDW-1. Remarkably, the benchmark was much better than expected. In Chapter 3 the bead mill was further optimized by decreasing the applied bead size, furthermore the applicability of bead milling on two additional microalgae species (Neochloris oleoabundans, Tetraselmis suecica) was shown. In addition, to be able to better understand the disintegration mechanism, the so-called stress model was applied. This model describes the comminution process in a bead mill as function of the amount of bead contacts and the force of each impact. The release kinetics could be improved and thereby the specific energy consumption could be reduced to 0.45‒0.47 kWh kgDW-1 by using 0.3 mm beads for all algae. Chapter 4 describes a screening on the applicability of PEF, over a broad range of operating conditions, for the extraction of water soluble proteins from the microalgae C. vulgaris and N. oleoabundans. No substantial protein yields were observed under the investigated conditions. This led to the conclusion that PEF is not suitable to release water soluble proteins, not even at specific energy consumptions much higher than those for the benchmark, bead milling. In Chapter 5 it was attempted to improve the performance of PEF by investigating the synergistic effect with the processing temperature. The PEF experiments were performed using a pilot scale continuous flow electroporation unit in which the processing temperature was controlled between 25 – 65 °C. The results showed that under the tested conditions, the combined PEF-Temperature treatment did not cause substantial disintegration of the algal cells to effectively release water soluble proteins. In addition to the microalgae, macroalgae were subject of investigation in the search for new protein sources in Chapter 6. Four batch technologies were used to disintegrate the green macroalgae Ulva lactuca, being; osmotic shock, enzyme incubation, PEF and High Shear Homogenization (HSH). In descending order the highest protein yields per treatment; HSH (~40%) > enzyme degradation (~25%) > osmotic shock (~20%) > PEF (~15%). In the final chapter the main results and remaining bottlenecks are discussed and a future outlook on microalgae disintegration is presented. To date, bead milling is the only technology able to disintegrate fresh microalgae at specific energy consumptions below 10% of the total energy available from the algae and release substantial amounts of water soluble protein. The future outlook was based on a techno-economic evaluation, which showed that the cultivation costs are limiting the economic feasibility of microalgae biorefinery. Future focus should be on the cultivation.


The views of veterinary professionals were surveyed to inform the New South Wales Government about the extent, cost and nature of services they provide to free-living native animals and their interactions with the volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector. Our aim was to better understand the challenges faced by veterinarians and veterinary nurses and the veterinary practices they work from. The survey was part of an extensive review of the New South Wales wildlife rehabilitation sector to inform strategic improvements to volunteer standards and service delivery. We found New South Wales private veterinary practices and their staff provide an essential network of support for the rehabilitation of sick and injured free-living native animals. Nearly all responding private veterinary practices provided some type of service pro-bono. The annual value of free services and products was estimated to be $1,038,650. Reported average weekly animal caseload was about five with birds the most frequent patients. Cost of services was the main challenge faced by practices, followed by knowledge and skill of staff. Veterinarians and veterinary nurses considered their formal training to not be very useful in teaching skills relevant to free-living native animals and sought further professional development opportunities in animal assessment, treatment and rehabilitation techniques. Most respondents were satisfied with the standard of care afforded to native animals by volunteers. Complaints focused on delays in native animal pick-ups and communication with practice staff. We make recommendations for improving veterinary capacity and strengthening relationships with the volunteer wildlife rehabilitation sector.


Under the current accounting systems, emissions produced when biomass is burnt for energy are accounted as zero, resulting in what is referred to as the 'carbon neutrality' assumption. However, if current harvest levels are increased to produce more bioenergy, carbon that would have been stored in the biosphere might be instead released in the atmosphere. This study utilizes a comparative approach that considers emissions under alternative energy supply options. This approach shows that the emission benefits of bioenergy compared to use of fossil fuel are time‐dependent. It emerges that the assumption that bioenergy always results in zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to use of fossil fuels can be misleading, particularly in the context of short‐to‐medium term goals. While it is clear that all sources of woody bioenergy from sustainably managed forests will produce emission reductions in the long term, different woody biomass sources have various impacts in the short‐medium term. The study shows that the use of forest residues that are easily decomposable can produce GHG benefits compared to use of fossil fuels from the beginning of their use and that biomass from dedicated plantations established on marginal land can be carbon neutral from the beginning of its use. However, the risk of short‐to‐medium term negative impacts is high when additional fellings are extracted to produce bioenergy and the proportion of felled biomass used for bioenergy is low, or when land with high C stocks is converted to low productivity bioenergy plantations. The method used in the study provides an instrument to identify the time‐dependent pattern of emission reductions for alternative bioenergy sources. In this way, decision makers can evaluate which bioenergy options are most beneficial for meeting short‐term GHG emission reduction goals and which ones are more appropriate for medium to longer term objectives.


Studies on topical repellent efficacy conducted with caged mosquitoes in the laboratory are important to both the development and regulation of insect repellents. Guidelines for laboratory studies stipulate specific densities, sex ratios, and biting rates, whereas those for field studies are governmentally required before a promising repellent can be registered for human use. These protocols stipulate minimum biting rates alone. Relatively little is known, however, about the influence of mosquito density and sex ratio on their biting propensity, either in the field or laboratory. Using Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for cage testing, we studied the influence of mosquito density and sex ratio in laboratory repellency tests of the biopesticide Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (IR3535™) (20%) against three mosquito species (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles aquasalis, and Culex quinquefasciatus). DEET [3-(N-acetyl-N-butyl) aminopropionic acid ethyl ester] (20%) in a laboratory prepared formulation was used as a comparison article. Studies were conducted by trained investigators at the BioAgri Laboratories in Brazil. We found that higher mosquito density generally decreased protection time, but that the influence of sex ratio was more complex. The presence of male mosquitoes increased protection times against Aedes and Anopheles perhaps because mate-seeking males interfered with female feeding. Interestingly, by contrast, protection times decreased against Culex in the presence of males. Such considerations may potentially assist in improving the match between cage and field testing under a broader range of conditions that permit more accurate labeling of repellents for safe and effective use by consumers.


Robotic-assisted surgery is now well established in clinical practice and has become the gold-standard clinical treatment option for several clinical indications. The field of robotic-assisted surgery is expected to grow substantially in the next decade, with a range of new robotic devices emerging to address unmet clinical needs across different specialties. A vibrant surgical robotics research community is pivotal for conceptualizing such new systems as well as for developing and training the engineers and scientists to translate them into practice. The da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK), an academic and industry collaborative effort to repurpose decommissioned da Vinci surgical systems [Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISI), California, USA] as a research platform for surgical robotics research, has been a key initiative for addressing a barrier to entry for new research groups in surgical robotics. In this article, we present an extensive review of the publications that have been facilitated by the dVRK over the past decade. We classify research efforts into different categories and outline some of the major challenges and needs for the robotics community to maintain and build upon this initiative.


A new genus of Agaricales, Leucocalocybe was erected for a species Tricholoma mongolicum in this study. Leucocalocybe was distinguished from the other genera by a unique combination of macroand micro-morphological characters, including a tricholomatoid habit, thick and short stem, minutely spiny spores and white spore print. The assignment of the new genus was supported by phylogenetic analyses based on the LSU sequences. The results of molecular analyses demonstrated that the species was clustered in tricholomatoid clade, which formed a distinct lineage.


Objective Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease, typically affecting limb, bulbar and respiratory muscles. Cognitive and behavioural change are also key features of the disease in up to 50% of patients (1). Neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede motor symptoms. A recent study highlighted that depression may be an independent risk factor for MND (2). We aimed to review the frequency of i) premorbid neuropsychiatric disease ii) premorbid psychotropic medication use iii) neuropsychiatric presentation of MND and iv) neuropsychiatric evolution of MND in an incident Scottish cohort. Method Patients were recruited via the Scottish MND Register (SMNDR). Patient characteristics (past medical and drug history, symptom onset and progression) were collected via the Scottish Clinical Audit Research and Evaluation for MND (CARE-MND) national care proforma. Results Incident cases of MND diagnosed in 2015/16 from a population-based national cohort will be presented. At interim analysis, 267 patients were eligible for review. 38 (14%) of patients had a documented past history of neuropsychiatric disease; 29 (11%) of mood disorder. 66 (25%) of patients had a history of psychotropic medication use. Frequency of premorbid neuropsychiatric disease will be compared with recent UK survey results (3). In 11 (4%) of patients, emotional lability, memory change or behavioural change was the presenting symptom. 32 (12%) of patients developed these features later in disease course. Conclusion From our preliminary analysis, rates of premorbid neuropsychiatric disease in patients with MND are comparable with population estimates. However, symptoms of low mood have been shown to have a negative impact on quality of life and are associated with faster disease progression (4). Clinical teams need to be mindful of these symptoms in all aspects of patient care, and ensure that appropriate therapies are offered and monitored.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the strategies for improving the competitiveness of Ecuador (ECU), Colombia (COL) and Peru (PER). It is one of the first studies using 36 indicators within the context of three South-American countries. It fulfills the lack of knowledge at the scientific work and its practical objective by identifying the factors that public policy may take into consideration urgently to improve the global competitiveness level of the countries for a sustainable development and considerations for a long-term integration.

Design/methodology/approach

It analyzes data of four-year average of international sources such as: The International Monetary Fund, The World Bank, The United Nations, among others. The factors were selected after a careful literature review, the final selection and the weight of each determinant was calculated using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. The calculation of the national and international competitiveness indexes used the double diamond for competitiveness theoretical frame.

Findings

From a national perspective, it was found that COL is the most competitive country followed by PER in the second place and ECU is in third. Internationally, the authors have found also that COL is the most competitive economy, PER in second place and ECU is in third.

Research limitations/implications

This study has found that in order to improve the level of national competitiveness, ECU has to concentrate on improving and strengthening formal and non-formal institutions, which are reflected in: four factors, PER four, and COL three. To reach international competitiveness, ECU should improve four factors, PER five, and COL five formal and non-formal institutions.

Practical implications

This research is the first one on its field, it uses 36 competitiveness indexes and the PLS-SEM statistic methodology to assign the weight of competitive indicators and the DD theoretical frame to determine the relevance of its factors and it is oriented to advise decision-makers and provides the appropriate police guidelines for the national competitiveness strategy and improve their quality of life of its residents from: ECU-COL-PER. On the other hand, the academic implications of these results appear when calculating the weight-load competitiveness indexes using inferential multivariate analysis; it provides researchers and practitioners an analysis tool for comparing competitive factors of emerging countries from the DD approach without any weaknesses, as a framework to assist in formulating economic policy at the national and regional level.

Social implications

Due to the difficulty of competitiveness operationalization, this research uses PLS-SEM to correlate its factors as the statistical methodology and the DD as the tool for the identification of theoretical indicators. This work may be taken into consideration for an immediate and sustainable improvement in order to win competitiveness than its neighbors.

Originality/value

This study is unique because the factors were selected after a careful literature review; the final selection and the weight of each determinant was calculated using PLS-SEM. The calculation of the national and international competitiveness indexes used the DD for competitiveness theoretical framework applied for the first time in a research for South America with 36 determinants. The result of this analysis compares the weak and strong determinants of these three member countries of UNASUR for the development of their complementarities and therefore the recommendations of public policy.


While Escherichia coli is widely used as an indicator of fecal contamination of waterways, recent studies suggest that this bacterium may become "naturalized" to soils. In this study, we investigated the survival and growth of naturalized E. coli in temperate soil in northern Minnesota. A spontaneously-occurring, antibiotic resistant E. coli strain, KS7-NR, was added to a field site at 10(3) cells (g soil)(-1). The survival and growth of E. coli KS7-NR were followed from June to October, by using colony counts on agar plates supplemented with antibiotics, and by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) with strain-specific primers developed based on suppressive subtractive hybridization. Both plate count and qPCR analyses indicated that E. coli KS7-NR survived for more than 2 months in the field soil. Laboratory experiments showed that soil temperature, moisture, nutrients, and the presence of other soil organisms influenced growth and survival of E. coli KS7-NR in soil. Moreover, our results indicated that summer drought conditions that occurred during the field study likely limited in situ growth of E. coli at the field site. Taken together, these results suggest that E. coli strains can survive long-term and grow in soils, provided that abiotic factors are within their tolerance limits.


In this paper, the riding comfort and handling safety of vehicle are regarded as control aims. An adjustable fuzzy control algorithm which fuzzy control rule table can be obtained with the numerical calculation is advanced. Because the algorithm can adjust the rectification factor of fuzzy controller, it not only can reflect the advantage of fuzzy logic in nonlinearity system but also can improve the disadvantage of common fuzzy control method strongly depending on the experience. For two degree-of-freedom (DOF) vehicle model, the simulation of vehicle performance in road signal is studied, its results show the adjustable fuzzy algorithm can effectively control the vibration of vehicle system


Central to my analysis of Woolf's work are five novels: Jacob's
Room, Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, Orlando, The Waves. These are
written in pursuit of Woolf's modernist project, but as I shall argue
below, her modernism was at the same time a feminist subversion of
conventions, and I will analyze the ways in which Woolf actually effects
this fusion of her concerns in her texts. I will concentrate on her
fiction in this thesis, an area of her work that has been, surprisingly,
comparatively underemphasized in the recent, intense revival of interest
in Woolf. Directed towards her centenary in 1982, the revival has at its
centre a 'family' industry which includes Quentin Bell's biography, the
publication of Woolf's innumerable letters and diaries, and previously
unpublished material. As a consequence of this extensive, new access to
Woolf's personal life, there has flourished a biographical and psychoanalytical
criticism, but this latter has tended to focus on her actual
mental illness rather than the possibilities of new readings of her
texts, a relative neglect which this thesis hopes, to a degree, to
remedy. The linkage of psychoanalysis and Woolf is not an arbitrary one,
since the Hogarth Press has been Freud's English publisher since 1921.
Leonard himself reviewed Freud's Psychopathology of Everyday Life.
Though she was never treated by Freudian psychoanalysts, Woolf did meet
Freud when he took refuge in England just before the war. It is not
until towards the end of the 1930s that we can be certain, from the
entries in her diary and her reading notebooks, that Woolf was actually
reading Freud. ' Yet we can sense the great impact of Freudian psychoanalysis
in her references to 'our psychoanalytical age'(CE II 142). She
wrote a review called 'Freudian Fiction', in which she showed her
dissatisfaction, not with Freud's own discoveries, nor with the principle
of their use in fiction, but with the way a particular novelist
(J. D. Beresford) had done so: 'It simplifies rather than complicates,
detracts rather enriches'(CW, 154). shall seek to heed this caveat in the studies that follow.
Contemporary feminism has, since the seventies, given impetus to
this prodigious revival of interest in Woolf; its recent major emphasis
has been the re-assessment of Woolf as a radical political thinker.
Feminist assessments of Woolf's aesthetics (E. Showalter, Sidney Jane
Kaplan) have often been on the whole negative, fundamentally continuous
with the criticism of her by the politically committed writers of the
1930's or of Scrutiny: Virginia Woolf as hypersensitive, as a sheltered
invalid lady unable to cope with a harsh 'reality'. A pioneer book by
Herbert Marder in 1968 stressed the crucial importance of feminism in
Woolf's art: 'far from being a mere excrescence on her work, feminism...
is essential to her conception of reality.' But the major shift in
evaluation was initiated by American feminists around Jane Marcus, who
aim to revolutionize the commonly accepted accounts of Woolf by
emphasizing the political dimensions of her writing.
These recent books
and articles have valuably uncovered previously unknown or repressed
aspects of Woolf, which offer the possibility of a new and fuller
comprehension of her literary endeavours. Yet, because these works are
eager to dispel the old image of ethereal aestheticism, they tend to
eschew fullscale dealings with Woolf's formal experimentation, that
series of works from Jacob's Room to The Waves which have conventionally
been regarded as quintessentially Woolfian, which have supported the
image of her work as beautiful, pure artefact, subjectivistic and
hypersensitive. What is needed now is to radicalize the reading of
precisely these novels and of the aesthetic behind them, and I have
sought to bring the resources of contemporary critical and psychoanalytic
theories upon them, stressing those aspects of theory which seem to me
most germane and illuminating for each particular novel.
I shall argue that Woolf's series of major experimental works, which
are traditionally assigned to a gender-free category of 'modernism', can be interpreted as a quest for what she refers to as a 'woman's sentence'
that would allow 'a woman [to] write exactly as she wishes to write',
and what I refer to, in my title and throughout this thesis, as 'feminine
writing'. Both modernism and literary feminism - projects which, as I
shall suggest below, are uniquely conjoined in Woolf - are a questioning
of a previously dominant mode of writing, and the crisis-of narrative
that they represent is also a crisis of the self. Lacanian psychoanalysis
illuminates this crisis of the subject by bringing Freud's work
into relation with structuralist theories of language, and allows us to
define feminine writing as a concern which addresses itself to the
position of mastery maintained in the order of discourse. The 'feminine'
can then be seen as the subversion of a mastery guaranteed by the
'Cartesian' subject or self which also sustains the narrative conventions
that Woolf's experimental novels so effectively interrogate. Far from
being a flight from social commitment into an arcane modernism, her
experimental texts can, I shall argue, best be seen as a feminist
subversion of the deepest formal principles - of the definitions of
narrative, writing, the self - of a patriarchal social order.