ABSTRACT Puji Rahayu. EXISTENCE OF BATIK TULIS CRAFT ( Development Studies and Socio-Economic Impact of Rural Community Kebon, Bayat district, Klaten) . Thesis . Surakarta: Teacher training and education faculty in Sebelas Maret University. July 2012. The aim of this study is to determine: (1) the development of Batik Tulis production in the Kebon village, (2) market network system of batik tulis craft in the Kebon village, (3) the influence of Batik Tulis craft for social and economic life of the villagers Kebon. The methodology of this research was qualitative descriptive. On this research used a single fixed case study which the object would be observed has limited and centralized on certain location which has special characteristics. The data sources used were the source object, places, events, informants and documents. The technique of collecting data used were observation, interviews, and documents analysis. The technique of sampling used was purposive sampling is getting sampling based on the purpose of the research, the place where the researcher choose informant  who know the issues deeply and can be trusted. In this research used two triangulation techniques to find out the validity of the data namely triangulation data and triangulation method. Technique of analyzing data used was interactive analysis which the analysis process that moves between three components there was data reduction, data presentation and verification or inference which took place in a cycle. Based on this research can be concluded that: (1) the development of  batik tulis production in Kebon village since 2007, its production process is still using the traditional way, using the coloring and motifs of nature (2) market network system of the batik tulis craft to Semarang, Yogyakarta and Jakarta and marketed through exhibitions and internet (3) the existence of batik tulis craft in the Kebon village bring influence to the surrounding community, namely the influence of the social field, such as adding a good relationship between citizens and the changing social status of the unemployed become crafters. While the economy is able to increase income and welfare.


Fifty-three patients with chronic arterial disease were examined with colour-coded duplex sonography and the results compared with those of arteriography. In those vessels where direct demonstration was possible, there was complete agreement regarding the localisations and severity of lesions. There was some difficulty in evaluating distal high-grade stenoses and occlusions. The results indicate that by means of colour-coded duplex sonography, rapid and accurate evaluation of the vessels in the lower extremities can be achieved. The new method represents a significant improvement in noninvasive diagnosis, particularly as compared with traditional duplex sonography.


Background: Isoniazid (INH, H) is a key drug of the standard first-line regimen for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), yet some reports have suggested that treatment efficacy was maintained even though INH was omitted from the treatment regimen. Methods: One hundred forty C57BL/6 mice were infected with the H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis with using a Glas-Col aerosol generation device, and this resulted in depositing about 100 bacilli in the lung. Four weeks after infection, anti-TB treatment was initiated with varying regimens for 4-8 weeks; Group 1: no treatment (control), Group 2 (4HREZ): 4 weeks of INH, rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E), Group 3: 1HREZ/3REZ, Group 4: 4REZ, Group 5: 4HREZ/4HRE, Group 6: 1HREZ/3REZ/4RE, and Group 7: 4REZ/4RE. The lungs and spleens were harvested at several time points until 28 weeks after infection, and the colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were determined. Results: The CFU counts increased steadily after infection in the control group. In the 4-week treatment groups (Group 2-4), even though the culture was negative at treatment completion, the bacilli grew again at the 12-week and 20-week time points after completion of treatment. In the 8-week treatment groups (Groups 5-7), the bacilli did not grow in the lung at 4 weeks after treatment initiation and thereafter. In the spleens of Group 7 in which INH was omitted from the treatment regimen, the culture was negative at 4-weeks after treatment initiation and thereafter. However, in Groups 5 and 6 in which INH was taken continuously or intermittently, the bacilli grew in the spleen at some time points after completion of treatment. Conclusion: TThe exclusion of INH from the standard first-line regimen did not affect the treatment outcome in a murine model of TB in the early stage of disease. Further studies using a murine model of chronic TB are necessary to clarify the role of INH in the standard first-line regimen for treating TB. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;65:177-182)


Water is a basic essential for every human being. In many remote parts of Western Australia, the water quality often ranges from brackish to saline. The provision of a safe and reliable water supply is essential for every community to avoid the spread of water-borne diseases and to provide the foundation for a satisfactory standard of living. The conventional water supply system is a means of providing a safe and reliable water. However, due to the diseconomies of small scale, many small remote communities are not able to enjoy the benefits provided by the conventional water supply system.

This thesis is an attempt to design a solar powered electrodialysis reversal (S.P.E.D.) desalination system suitable for application in small remote communities. Two designs were presented -- the Indirectly-coupled S.P.E.D. and the Directly-coupled S.P.E.D. systems. In the Indirectly-coupled S.P.E.D. system, solar energy is collected and stored in battery bank to enable the system to operate throughout the 24 hour day. In the Directly-coupled S.P.E.D. system, the solar panel array is directly coupled to the electrodialysis unit. Such a system operates only when the sun shines.

The S.P.E.D. systems proposed in this thesis compare favourably, in terms of energy consumption, to two reverse osmosis systems of similar capacity. Though the proposed designs may just be a dream, an illusion at this present moment, it is hoped that they will have the opportunity to materialize in the near future for there
is potential for them to become a means of treating brackish waters in remote communities.


OBJECTIVE
The long-term performance stability of minimally invasive glucose biosensors was evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS
Coil-type glucose biosensors were constructed using an epoxy-polyurethane membrane. Seven sensors were continuously polarized for 12 weeks in a 5 mM glucose-phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, and the sensor sensitivities were tested weekly. Glucose biosensors (n = 44) were also subcutaneously implanted in rats, and the in vivo sensitivities were determined for up to 4 weeks. Histological analysis was performed on the tissue surrounding the sensors.

RESULTS
During a period of 12 weeks, the normalized sensitivity (S/S(0)) of the sensors tested in vitro first increased from 1.10 +/- 0.13 (week 1) to 2.30 +/- 0.90 at week 6 and then decreased to 1.07 +/- 0.24 at week 12 (n = 7). After 6 weeks, the sensors showed a much more significant response to acetaminophen. With continuous polarization in 5 mM glucose-PBS, the sensor functioned for at least 3 months, or about a half of the observed lifetime of sensors stored in the solution with occasional sensitivity measurements (e.g., tested twice each month). For the 15 implanted sensors that lasted for at least 28 days, the average sensitivities values were 4.4 +/- 2.0 (S(0), in vitro), 3.5 +/- 1.3 (day 7, in vivo), 3.3 +/- 1.1 (day 14), 3.6 +/- 1.4 (day 21), and 2.9 +/- 2.2 nA/mM (day 28). Histological analysis showed that the implanted sensors were covered by a 200-800-mu-thick fibrous capsule after 1 week. Blood vessels were found in the fibrous tissue from day 7 through day 34. In addition, the background current that was observed during in vivo sensor testing could be successfully eliminated by using an enzyme-free sensor.

CONCLUSION
This study confirms that coil-type glucose biosensors based on an epoxy-polyurethane membrane can perform stably in vitro for months and in vivo for weeks.


Since the development of the theory of social representations (Moscovici, 1961/1976), many studies have focused on health-related objects. Although the social representation of health has already been studied through a socio-genetic/anthropological approach (Herzlich, 1969), it has never been studied in relation to the central core theory (Abric, 1994). Health is a complex and composite object, but it is also normative and normalised. The aim of this research was to underline the representational content of such an object of social representation. To do so, 120 participants took part in the study. They were asked to complete a verbal association task and the data were processed by using both rank-frequency processing and importance-frequency processing as well as similarity analysis. Findings showed an impact of the method on the centrality hypothesis. Well-being and (absence of) illness appeared as the central elements in the case of rank-frequency processing, while only well-being was highlighted as a central element in the case of importance-frequency processing. In addition, the similarity analysis enabled us to identify five clusters around which health-related representation is organised (positive feelings and health-related assets, overall health, health-related expressions, medical health, and health management/monitoring). The discussion of these results will focus on the characteristics of the object, but also on theoretical-methodological aspects.


There is a strong case to be made for using telecollaboration in foreign language education: learners are engaged in regular, semi-authentic interaction; can develop strategies for learner independence (O'Rourke, 2007); be exposed to opportunities for negotiation of meaning (Kotter, 2003) and become aware of cultural differences in communicative practices (Belz & Kinginger, 2003), whilst at the same time exchanging with 'real informants' of the target culture and its behaviour (O'Dowd, 2013). In telecollaboration, several conditions may lead us to believe that learners are participating in a symmetric learning situation. They share a 'symmetry of status' (Zourou, 2009) as both interlocutors have the same status as language learners. Learners also spend equal amounts of time using each of the languages and we can imagine that there is 'symmetry of knowledge' (Dillenbourg, 1999) with participants sharing similar language levels. This paper details the evolution of a telecollaborative project's learning design and focuses on its asymmetrical nature before describing the students' learning experience. The practical study reports on a telecollaborative project run between Universite Blaise Pascal (UBP) and the London School of Economics (LSE). The project brings together, every autumn semester, 8-10 English-as-a- foreign-language (EFL) students and 8-10 students of French-as-a-foreign-language (FFL). Both groups are of B2 CEFR level (Council of Europe, 2003). The exchange is centred on online synchronous sessions and the analysis of parallel texts. The presentation will initially focus on the evolution of the project's learning design since 2010 and what the teachers have learnt in terms of running the project. Three topics will be covered. Firstly, the evolution of the platform chosen for the online synchronous interaction that started out with a synthetic world before moving to a video-conferencing environment and then to an audio-graphic conferencing environment. The reasons for this evolution, the affordances of each for our learning design and hindrances for student learning will be discussed. Secondly, we will describe the evolution of the synchronous sessions' content and examine reasons for initially providing students with materials before asking students to source materials themselves. Thirdly, the evolution in the grouping of participants will be considered. The paper will then detail the current learning design and concentrate on its asymmetrical characteristics. Due to different institutional set-ups, the project is integrated into a two-year University language module for the EFL students whilst the FFL students partake voluntarily on a yearly basis. Consequences include different learning objectives and the fact that the project must be assessed for the EFL students but not for the FFL students. The different University calendars also allow a ten-week period to be devoted to the project by the EFL students but five weeks for the FFL students. We will outline how the learning design tried to reconcile this asymmetry. Our final focus will be the students' experience of telecollaboration. We will report on students' reactions to the learning design's evolution and, using post-project questionnaire data, the students' thoughts and feedback on the learning experience, including attitudes towards the asymmetrical design. We hope to offer practical leads concerning the learning design of telecollaborative projects and strategies for reconciling asymmetrical set-ups.


ABSTRACT In this study, the epidemiology of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) recovered from the sputum of 75 patients attending the Genoa Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center at the Gaslini Children's Hospital (Genoa, Italy) was investigated, and the clinical course of the CF patients infected with the different species and genomovars of Bcc was evaluated. All isolates were analyzed for genomovar status by recA gene polymorphism and subsequently random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting. Burkholderia cenocepacia is the predominant species recovered from the CF patients infected with Bcc at the Genoa CF Center. Of the other eight species comprising the Bcc, only a few isolates belonging to B. cepacia genomovar I, Burkholderia stabilis, and Burkholderia pyrrocinia were found. Of the four recA lineages of B. cenocepacia, most patients were infected by epidemic strains belonging to lineages IIIA and IIID, whereas only a few patients harbored IIIB strains. Patient-to-patient spread of Bcc among CF patients was mostly associated with B. cenocepacia, in particular with strains belonging to recA lineages IIIA and IIID. The mortality of CF patients infected with Bcc at the Genoa CF Center was significantly higher than mortality among CF patients not infected with Bcc. All of the deaths were associated with the presence of B. cenocepacia, except the case of a patient infected with B. cepacia genomovar I. Within B. cenocepacia, infection with epidemic strains belonging to lineages IIIA and IIID was associated with higher rates of mortality than was infection with lineage IIIB strains. No significant differences in lung function, body weight, and mortality rate were observed between patients infected with epidemic strains belonging to either B. cenocepacia IIIA or B. cenocepacia IIID.


This study explored the possible link between five dimensions of social axioms (social cynicism, social complexity, religiosity, reward for application, and fate control) and perceived academic control. Tentative hypotheses were made on the basis of the argument that social axioms that define more personal control over life outcomes will positively predict perceived academic control. Using data from 183 Filipino university students who were asked to respond to questionnaires measuring their social beliefs and perception of control over academic outcomes, a multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine if social axioms are predictors of perceived academic control. Results indicated that only reward f application and religiosity significantly and positively predicted perceived academic control.


Objectives: To compare the speed of action of three weekly intra-articular injections of a combination of hyaluronic acid and mannitol (HAnox-M) with that of hyaluronic acid alone (BioHA), in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double blind, controlled trial demonstrating the non-inferiority of an association HAnox-M compared to BioHA at month 6 after injections. Data from 205 patients with symptomatic knee OA (Intent-to-Treat population) were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was 1 and 2 week change in the WOMAC pain subscale (0-20). The number and percentage of improved patients at week 1 and 2 were also studied, as well as the level of improvement. Results: HAnox-M and BioHA groups were not statistically different at baseline and month 6. The median WOMAC pain score at baseline was 9 in both groups. It was 6.0 and 5.0 in the HAnox-M group at Week 1 and Week 2 respectively. It was 7.0 and 6.0 in the BioHA group, namely a decrease of 1 more point in favor of HANOX, obtained from as soon as the 1st injection. At month 3 and 6 the results were identical (5.0 and 4.0 respectively) for both groups. In subjects with grade 3 joint space narrowing (N=84) the decrease of pain (SD) was significantly greater at week 3 in patients treated with HAnox-M than in those treated with Bio-HA:-4.2 (3.2) versus -2.8 (2.6) respectively (p=0.048). Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, addition of mannitol to HA may shorten the onset of action of viscosupplementation, chiefly in patients with advanced stage of the disease.


A 5 m x 50 mum capillary column with 0.05 mum stationary phase film thickness, with a calculated efficiency of almost 20,000 plates per metre (under optimum conditions), was used for very fast high resolution GC analysis of lime essential oil. The total analysis time of this volatile essential oil was less than 90 s. Fast GC is shown to be appropriate for essential oil quality assurance analysis, and quantitative results of key components are comparable with those obtained by using conventional GC analysis. The fast GC analysis is approximately 33 times faster than the conventional GC method.


The radar sounder on the Mars Express Spacecraft is able to make measurements of electron densities in the Martian ionosphere from both local electron plasma oscillations and remote soundings. A study of thousands of orbits shows that in some cases the electron plasma oscillations disappear and reappear abruptly near the upper boundary of the dayside ionosphere. In some cases, the Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA‐3) data show clear evidence of upwardly accelerated ionospheric ions, on interconnected magnetic field lines. In other cases, ASPERA‐3 data show that when the plasma oscillations disappear, the spacecraft is in the magnetosheath and when they return, the ionospheric plasma reappears. These intermittent appearances of plasma suggest the multiple crossings of the magnetosheath boundary. The motion of the boundary or plasma clouds and ionospheric streamers (a relatively narrow strip of plasma attached to the ionosphere) can cause these multiple crossings.


The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum beam quality in terms of kVp and filtration for a tungsten-target x-ray source for a newly developed cone beam computed mammotomography application. The optimized beam is expected to yield enhanced image quality along with a low dose, equal to or less than that of dual view x-ray mammography. X-ray spectra were computer generated for a range of tube potentials, filter materials, and filter and breast thicknesses. The uncompressed breast was modeled from 8, 12, and 16 cm thick tissue, and breast lesions were modeled as a 0.5 cm thick striated muscle mass and a 0.02 cm thick microcalcification. The detector was modeled as a digital flat-panel detector with a 0.06 cm thick CsI x-ray absorption layer. Figures of merit computed included the ratio of the mean beam energy post-breast to pre-breast as an index of beam hardening, ratio of lesion contrasts with and without filtering, and SNR/exposure. Tube potentials between 50 and 70 kVp provided continuous spectra that, when filtered with Z-filters between 56 and 62 yielded quasi-monochromatic x-ray spectra with optimal SNR/exposure and contrast while providing minimum beam hardening. Figures of merit improve with increasing filter thickness, but diminishing returns are seen beyond the 500th value attenuation layer. While uncompressed breast thickness affected absolute values of the measurement criteria, they had little effect on beam hardening and contrast ratio and did not alter the optimal operating range. Filter thickness near the 500th value layer is expected to be well within the operating range for an intended commercial x-ray tube, indicating that these highly attenuating filters can provide superior performance for mammotomography.


This article discusses the theoretical and practical problems related to encoding manuscript abbreviations in TEI P5 XML. Encoding them presents a challenge, because the correspondence between the orthographic sign indicating abbreviation and what the sign stands for is more complex than in non-abbreviated words. The article consists of a review of the terminology used to describe the abbreviations, looking at their history from antiquity to abolition and taxonomies of abbreviations in paleographical handbooks between 1745 and 2007. It discusses the editorial treatment of abbreviations in printed editions and relates them to the terminology used in the handbooks, offering criticism of it from a linguistic and editorial point of view and how to best represent the abbreviations in TEI P5 mark-up. Traditional taxonomies of abbreviation divide the abbreviations into groups based on the shape of the abbreviating symbol or the position of the abbreviated content. Some of the distinctions, such as the one between contractions and suspensions are not at all relevant for digital encoding. However, the system outlined in this article allows for tagging them in a way which will enable quantitative corpus study of them. The data comes mainly from a digital edition of The Trinity Seven Planets, a TEI P5-based digital edition.


This paper presents the nonlinear response of an earthfill dam subjected to spatially varying ground motion, which includes the wave-passage, incoherence and site response effects. An equivalent linear method is considered in the nonlinear response formulation. The importance of the site response effect, which arises from the difference in the local soil conditions at different support points of the structure, is investigated particularly. The mean of maximum and variance response values obtained from a spatially varying ground motion case are compared with those of specialized ground motion models. It is observed that the variation in local soil conditions has important effects on the nonlinear response of earthfill dams.


The specificity of the IgM response in acute human coxsackievirus B infections was examined by indirect solid phase enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot techniques. IgM antibodies detected by ELISA were either strictly type-specific, type-predominant or group-reactive to coxsackieviruses B-1 to B-5. Homotypic and type-dominant responses were clearly correlated with the serotype isolated from the patient. Analysis of ELISA antigens by SDS-gel electrophoresis, protein transfer and subsequent immunodetection of individual virus polypeptides, revealed VP1 as the major antigen; it was detected by homotypic as well as heterotypic serum specimens.


I. Introduction The history of modern research ethics can be traced to the ten articles of the Nuremberg Code, a response to the atrocities that Nazi physicians had perpetrated upon their hapless victims in so-called "medical experiments." Informed consent to research was the first and most prominent of those ten articles. In spite of this attempt to regulate human subjects research, however, some twenty years later Dr. Henry K. Beecher published a critical survey of twenty-two research projects conducted in the United States in the years subsequent to Nuremberg. (1) Beecher observed that in the vast majority of cases research subjects were never adequately apprised of the nature of the research conducted upon them. He reiterated the need for informed consent as a necessary component of morally acceptable research on human subjects. At the same time, however, he acknowledged that in practice it is often difficult to obtain adequately informed consent. Hence Beecher insisted on a second component in order for patients to be s afeguarded in the research process, namely "intelligent, informed, conscientious, compassionate, responsible investigators." (2) There can be no doubt that the conduct of ethical research rests ultimately in the hands of persons of integrity. Yet Beecher's own investigations indicated that we would be foolish to assume this high standard is always or usually attained. In the years subsequent to Beecher's article a consensus has emerged that independent review of proposed research on human subjects is essential. This is the position set forth in the World Medical Association's Declaration of Helsinki, (3) and it serves as the historical basis of the contemporary Research Ethics Board (REB). Prior review by a duly constituted committee has become the ethical sine qua non of modem human subjects research. Despite the widespread implementation of REB review, however, difficulties persist with regard to the matter of ensuring informed consent on the part of prospective research subjects. (4) The 1980 Supreme Court decision in Reibl v. Hughes (5) established the Canadian standard for informed consent to therapeutic treatment. However, the leading Canadian case for consent in the context of research and experimentation was established some 15 years earlier in Halushka v. University of Saskatchewan et al. (6) In Halushka Justice Hall argued that the duty owed by researchers toward prospective subjects is greater than that owed by medical practitioners to their patients. (7) A stricter standard of disclosure in the research context is now generally accepted in law. (8) To quote one authority on the subject, it is "the most exacting duty possible, requiring 'full and frank disclosure' of all risks, no matter how remote or how rare." (9) Canadian legal (10) and ethical (11) commentators continue to cite Halushka as the leading case on informed consent to research. This is understandable in that it is one of the few cases of this nature that has made its way through the courts. (12) It is also the case that established that the standard for consent to research is stricter than that applied to therapy. However, it can be argued that Halushka in fact invoked a weaker standard of informed consent than that which was later applied in Reibi v. Hughes. Since so much commentary on consent to research continues to invoke Halushka, it is necessary to examine what this judgment did in fact establish, how it is related to the later judgment in Reibl, and to consider the combined implications of these and subsequent cases for consent to research. This paper considers what can be learned from Halushka v. University of Saskatchewan, Reibl v. Hughes and subsequent decisions (13) with regard to consent to participate in clinical trials. In particular it is argued that the standard of information disclosure utilized currently in many clinical trials fails to meet the strict standard set in Reibl v. …


Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics that make information systems useful in gathering and processing information with the aim of organizational learning and subsequent structural adaptation for better fitting to market requirements. Design/methodology/approach: Adaptation is a must when turning to foster the competitiveness and sustainability of the organization. Findings and Originality/value: It is clear that information systems can really create a difference in the way an organization acquires information from its environment and from itself in order to achieve a high-quality decision taking process. Research limitations/implications: Organizations have to look inside themselves in order to ensure the comprehension of their core competencies and the way they carry them out. Practical implications: Organizational learning is one of the means employed by organizations to get adapted to their surrounding environment. Social implications: Systems engineering techniques can be applied in order to leverage these core competencies and make organizations adaptable to the organizational environment requirements through the use of information systems. Originality/value: To obtain competitive advantages in the market. Keywords: competitive advantage, information systems, knowledge management, & the learning organization.


Consider an ill-posed inverse problem of estimating causal factors from observations, one of which is known to lie near some (unknown) low-dimensional, nonlinear manifold expressed by a predefined Mercer-kernel. Solving this problem requires simultaneous estimation of these factors and learning the low-dimensional representation for them. In this work, we introduce a novel non-linear dimensionality regularization technique for solving such problems without pre-training. We re-formulate Kernel-PCA as an energy minimization problem in which low dimensionality constraints are introduced as regularization terms in the energy. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first attempt to create a dimensionality regularizer in the KPCA framework. Our approach relies on robustly penalizing the rank of the recovered factors directly in the implicit feature space to create their low-dimensional approximations in closed form. Our approach performs robust KPCA in the presence of missing data and noise. We demonstrate state-of-the-art results on predicting missing entries in the standard oil flow dataset. Additionally, we evaluate our method on the challenging problem of Non-Rigid Structure from Motion and our approach delivers promising results on CMU mocap dataset despite the presence of significant occlusions and noise.


Abstract Including information and values from patients in HTA has the potential to improve both the process and outcomes of health technology policy decisions. Accordingly, funding and structural incentives to include patients in HTA activities have increased over the past several years. Unfortunately, these incentives have not yet been accompanied by a corresponding increase in resources, time, or commitment to responsiveness. In this Perspectives piece, we reflect on our collective experiences participating in, conducting, and overseeing patient engagement activities within HTA to highlight the ethical challenges associated with this area of activity. While we remain committed to the idea that patient engagement activities strengthen the findings, relevance, and legitimacy of health technology policy, we are deeply concerned about the potential for these activities to do ethical harm. We use this analysis to call for action to introduce strong protections against ethical violations that may harm patients participating in HTA engagement activities.


BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Evolution of autonomous selfing may be advantageous because it allows for reproductive assurance. In co-flowering plants competing for pollinators, the least common and/or attractive could suffer pollen limitations. Silene niceensis and S. ramosissima are taxonomically related species sharing the same habitat, although S. ramosissima is less abundant and has a more restricted distribution. They also have the same a priori nocturnal pollinator syndrome, and show an overlapping flowering phenology. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a selfing strategy in S. ramosissima allows it to avoid pollinator competition and/or interspecific pollen transfer with S. niceensis, which would thus enable both species to reach high levels of fruit and seed set.

METHODS
The breeding system, petal colour, flower life span and degree of overlap between male and female phases, floral visitor abundance and visitation rates were analysed in two sympatric populations of S. niceensis and S. ramosissima in southern Spain.

KEY RESULTS
Autonomous selfing in S. ramosissima produced very high fruit and seed set, which was also similar to open-pollinated plants. Silene niceensis showed minimum levels of autonomous selfing, and pollen/ovule ratios were within the range expected for the breeding system. In contrast to S. niceensis, flower life span was much shorter in S. ramosissima, and male and female organs completely overlapped in space and time. Upper surface petals of both species showed differing brightness, chroma and hue. Flowers of S. niceensis were actively visited by moths, hawkmoths and syrphids, whereas those of S. ramosissima were almost never visited.

CONCLUSIONS
The findings show that different breeding strategies exist between the sympatric co-flowering S. niceensis and S. ramosissima, the former specializing in crepuscular-nocturnal pollination and the latter mainly based on autonomous selfing. These two strategies allow both species to share the restricted dune habitat in which they exist, with a high female reproductive success due to the absence of pollinator competition and/or interspecific pollen flow.


Under constant nominal operating conditions, internal combustion engines can exhibit substantial variation in combustion efficiency from one cycle to the next. Previous researchers have attempted to explain these variations as resulting from stochastic, linear, or chaotic physical processes. Our investigations indicate that cyclic combustion variations can be explained as the result of interactions between a global low-dimensional nonlinearity and small-scale, high-dimensional processes that perturb the nonlinearity. Using this approach, we have proposed a simple model that accurately simulates experimentally observed patterns in cyclic combustion variations. Our model also explains the apparent discrepancies among previous investigators regarding the basic nature of cyclic variations. Further, it appears that symbol dynamics are useful for characterizing the observed model and experimental behavior.


Based on the recent progress in the spherical torus approach (ST), it is meaningful to revisit the possibility of establishing D{ 3 He fusion reactor using both the ST and the tokamak scaling. Fundamental requirements then are obtained and some important issues are discussed. The wall re(cid:13)ection of the synchrotron radiation is very important for a good reactor merit.


Large earthquake occurrence and the subsequent postseismic period are the most dramatic part of a seismic cycle that usually lasts months to years. However, the fault dynamics that account for the postseismic events are yet to be fully understood. Here, we use the repeating aftershock sequences (RASs) to investigate postseismic slips following the Mw 6.6 Lushan, Mw 6.5 Jiuzhaigou, Mw 6.1 Jinggu, and Mw 6.2 Ludian earthquakes in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau and find 135 RASs following the mainshocks. The RAS seismicity suggests that seismogenic faults began to creep in depth within a few hours after the Lushan, Jiuzhaigou, and Jinggu mainshocks. The deep creeps mainly follow a velocity-strengthening friction mode and decay with an Omori law p-value of ∼1. The results suggest that the combination of fault healing and geometry together controls deep fault behaviors. We develop two conceptual models to explain our observations. Our results provide new insights into spatiotemporal fault evolution after large earthquakes.


: Quality deterioration in maize grain as judged by changes in proximate composition caused by S. zeamais after three months post infestation was determined by proximate analyses of the maize grain before and after the infestation. Fifty grammes of maize were treated with 0.5 g and 1.0 g of each plant powder (i.e. kernel of Azadiracta indica , bulb of Allium sativa , rhizome of Zingiber officinale , leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and Ocimum basilicum and along with conventional insecticide, Coopex). The results showed that the percentage total protein determined by the estimate of total nitrogen content did not decrease much after three months of post infestation. The percentage ash in the maize grain decreased with storage period. The percentage fibre was higher in the untreated control (7.02%), than on the treated grains (3.23%). The percentage carbohydrate however, decreased (69.85%) with increase in infestation period. The minerals content in infested grains decreased substantially due to insect feeding. The findings have indicated that all the tested materials have potentials of reducing effect of S. zeamais on the nutritional composition of maize grains at 1.0g of powder/50g of grains, but A. indica is more efficacious.


Bubo bubo is one of the largest owls from our country who has a diet generally consisting of insects, rodents and a small quantity of birds. The collection of pellets of Bubo bubo was made around the wintering places, around nests in the village of Satchinez (Timis county). Some of the samples were from some older and already abandoned nests from Sânicolau Mare, but at several sites we also found and collected fresh Bubo bubo pellets. Observations on the Bubo bubo species were carried out in captivity at the Timisoara Zoological Garden, where observation were made on the behavior of the species in captivity, mode, type of food and the consumption time. To determine the feeding behavior of owls the pallets were collected weekly during Octomber 2018 March 2019. At the Bubo bubo species, measurements were made on the length, width, and weight of 100 pellets. The food behavior of the Bubo bubo species was studied at the Timisoara Zoological Garden, based on the quantity of food administered by the caretakers and the pellets found in the shelter. The feeding at Bobo bubo, in captivity, takes place at seven o'clock a.m. in a single meal, the food consisting of chicken breast weighing 311g. The consumption time was about 24 minutes, and it was interrupted several times being influenced by our presence in the area that caused a state of agitation. Due to the fact that the food is administered without bones, the pellets at Bubo bubo from captivity, found in the shelter were consisting of dried grasses, feathers and some of them had bones from the captured prey that entered the cage (mice, rabbits). The pellets of Bubo bubo is gray to black. At Bubo bubo species the size of the pellets is larger, the maximum length of the pellet was 6.12 cm, and the minimum length was 4.13 cm. The average length was 4.8 + 0.6 cm. Regarding the width of the pellet and it averaged 2.83 + 0.75. The average thickness was 2.94+ 0.77cm. Regarding the dry weight of the pellets, it has an average of 8.07 + 2.33g. The winter prey of these species are rodents, voles (Microtidae) and field mice (Muridae).


Surface defects passivation of ZnO nanocombs was performed through a Ti plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) with low bias voltages ranging from 0-10 kV. The room temperature near-band-edge emission was enhanced for modified ZnO nanostructures while the defect-related green band was completely quenched. Detailed temperature dependence PL revealed that the deep-level emissions were surface related and it was the most affected recombination processes by PHI, whereas the surface exciton related emission was slowly quenched as the ion energy increased. Time-resolved PL shows that the lifetime of the UV emission has been enhanced whereas the long lifetime of visible emission of the untreated ZnO nanocombs has been largely shortened. Our work demonstrates that metal ion PIII can be an effective way for surface modification/passivation of ZnO nanostructures to improve the optical properties.


The solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenquimal neoplasm, found originally in association with the pleura. Recently, SFT was reported in others sites. The extension into adjacent structures is not uncommon. The meningeal involvement by SFT is rare and there has only twenty-six cases been reported previously in the literature. We report a case of a 25 years-old female patient with generalized tonic clonic seizures in the last six years. During the neurologic investigation, a tumor in the left occipital region of the brain was found. The patient underwent an occipital craniotomy with total resection of the tumor. The histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis was STF. After three years of follow-up, the patient remains stable, with a normal neurological exam. There is no sign of tumor recidive in the postoperative cranial tomography. We will briefly review the literature about STF.


The longer-term problems of stroke are well documented but are often poorly addressed by community services. The Longer-Term Stroke (LoTS) care system of care aimed to address this gap through enhancing the practice of health care professionals termed 'Stroke Care Coordinators'. The system was evaluated in a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) that measured patient and carer outcomes in comparison to usual care. These outcomes do not reveal how, why or to what extent the system enhanced the practice of the Stroke Care Coordinators. This study was designed to complement the RCT using a theory-driven approach to explore the
implementation and the impact of the system at two community stroke services (both multidisciplinary teams). The theory of change (how and why the system was expected to work) was elicited for comparison against service practice. The study drew on the principles of realist evaluation, which hypothesise that successful outcomes (O) will be realised if appropriate ideas and opportunities (mechanisms (M)) are introduced into appropriate contexts (C). CMO propositions were drawn out from the wider theory for testing at the two research sites. Qualitative methods were employed for data collection including observations of service practice, interviews with stakeholder groups and a review of service documentation. The findings revealed that local facilitators and barriers shaped how the system was
implemented, resulting in two distinct applications of the intervention that deviated from the theory of change. The extent to which the system enhanced the Stroke Care Coordinators' practice was dependent on context e.g. their background and experience. Further to this, the system's impact was mediated by the information and support available from within the multidisciplinary teams. For this reason, the extent to which the service enhancements realised in practice impacted on the
patient and carer outcomes measured was hard to discern.


CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STYLES OF PASTORS AND ORGANIZATION SERVANT LEADERSHIP: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY Raymond Iao-Man Chu The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011 Chair: Michael S. Wilder, Ph.D. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the relationship between the conflict management styles among senior pastors and the organizational servant leadership tendencies in their churches. This study should help senior pastors to understand how their conflict management styles and servant leadership behaviors may relate to the organizational servant leadership tendencies in their churches so that they may improve the congregational health and effectiveness of their churches. This research presented theological foundation about servant leadership by extracting biblical principles from two Old Testament and six New Testament passages: 1 Samuel 15:22, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:1-12, 20:20-28, Mark 9:33-37, John 12:20-26, 13:1-35, and Philippians 2:1-11. It was followed by a detailed discussion on the theoretical foundation of servant leadership and the Organizational Leadership Assessment (OLA) instrument (Laub 1999) for measuring organizational servant leadership tendency. A theological foundation of conflict management and a discussion on the Rahim Organizational Conflict Instrument II (ROCI-II) (Rahim 2001) for measuring the level of the five interpersonal conflict management styles (integrating, obliging, dominating, avoiding, and compromising) were also provided. The research instrument was a Web-based composite survey that consisted of (1) a 9-item demographic questionnaire, (2) the 28-item ROCI-II Form-C, and (3) the 66item OLA. The research population was limited to the senior pastors of the 44,848 member churches of the 1,182 associations in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). With this population, a minimum response rate of 381 surveys was needed for this study to achieving a 95% confidence level with a confidence interval of ±5%. Cluster sampling on the 1,182 SBC associations was used to obtain a smaller but sufficient sample frame of 2,562 churches. A total of 406 usable responses were collected and analyzed. Pearson r was used to analyze the collected data in order to answer the research questions. It was found that (1) there existed a statistically significant, positive, and weak correlation between the level of organizational servant leadership tendency of a church and the integrating style (r = 0.314, p = 0.000); (2) there was no statistically significant correlation between the organizational servant leadership tendency of a church and the obliging style (r = 0.064, p = 0.202); (3) there existed a statistically significant, positive, and very weak correlation between the organizational servant leadership tendency of a church and the compromising style (r = 0.106, p = 0.033); (4) there was no statistically significant correlation between the organizational servant leadership tendency of a church and the dominating style (r = -0.052, p = 0.292); and (5) there existed a statistically significant, inverse, and weak correlation between the organizational servant leadership tendency of a church and the avoiding style (r = -0.200, p = 0.000). The findings implied that as pastors embrace the integrating style and refrain from the avoiding style when handling interpersonal conflict in pastoral ministry, they model Jesus' character directly to the parties involved and indirectly to their congregations. This is discipleship at its core, and it has a positive influence on the servant orientation of their congregations. VITA Raymond Iao-Man Chu PERSONAL Born: April 11, 1963. Macau Parents: Wing Lok Gee and Vai Keng Young Married: Salina Lau, July 2, 1988 EDUCATIONAL Diploma, Seward Park High School, New York City, New York B.E.E.E., City College of New York, 1986 M.S.E.S., Penn State University Great Valley, 1993 M.Div., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2006 MINISTERIAL Senior Systems Analyst, International Mission Board, SBC, VA 2006– Deacon of Education, Chinese Baptist Church of Richmond, VA 2010– Youth Counselor, Chinese Baptist Church of Richmond, VA 2006– Family Ministry Coordinator, Louisville Chinese Christian Church, KY 20052006 Summer Conference Speaker, Kings Christian Church, NY 2003 Director of Mission, Brooklyn Chinese Baptist Church, NY 2000-2001 Director of Discipleship, Brooklyn Chinese Baptist Church, NY 1990-1996 ACADEMIC Instructor in Computer, Boyce College, Louisville, KY, 2004-2006 ORGANIZATIONAL North American Professors of Christian Education


In Sub-Sahara Africa, adoption rates of improved crop varieties remain relatively low, which is partly due to farmers' limited access to information. In smallholder settings, information often spreads through informal networks. Better understanding of such networks could potentially help to spur innovation and farmers' exposure to new technologies. This study uses survey data from Tanzania to analyze social networks and their role for the spread of information about improved varieties of maize and sorghum. Regression models show that network links for the exchange of agricultural information are more likely between farmers who have similar educational but different wealth levels. Moreover, network links are more likely when farmers have direct contacts to extension officers, suggesting that information flows through informal channels can support but not replace formal channels. Social networks play a significant role for the spread of information about open-pollinated varieties. This is not the case for maize hybrids, which are sold by private seed companies.


John R. Connon (1862-1931) was a photographer and inventor who lived in Elora, Ontario, Canada during a time of remarkable innovations in the medium of photography. In 1886, Connon began to develop one of the earliest cameras to be capable of a full 360-degree photographic panorama using a single exposure. His early dedication to the use of flexible roll film, introduced by the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company in 1885, allowed Connon to invent a camera that was ahead of its time. Through an agreement with C. P. Stirn, of C. P. Stirn's Patent Photographic Concealed Vest Cameras, Connon's design was transformed into the Wonder panoramic camera, further inspiring a succession of full-circle panoramic cameras including the Kodak Cirkut cameras. This thesis explores the history of Connon and his invention while acknowledging the history of this little-known Canadian inventor's important contribution to the history of photographic technology.


This paper describes the results of a numerical study of a full-scale adobe building model tested on a shaking table. Material properties of adobe masonry were calibrated to represent the wall in-plane seismic behavior, based on a prior numerical analysis of an adobe wall carried out by the authors. The inelastic part of the constitutive model was represented by a softening curve in tension and by a hardening/softening behavior in compression; thus, the fracture energy is a key issue in the modeling process. A finite element model that relies on a homogenous continuum approach was developed in Abaqus/Explicit software. The damage evolution in the numerical simulation represented fairly well the experimental crack pattern, for in-plane and out-of-plane seismic effects. Overall, the calibrated material properties and the explicit solution scheme proved to be appropriate for simulating the seismic behavior and predicting capacity of unreinforced adobe structures subjected to seismic loading.


Focus+context interfaces provide in-place magnification of a region of the display, smoothly integrating the focus of attention into its surroundings. Two representations of the data exist simultaneously at two different scales, providing an alternative to classical pan & zoom for navigating multi-scale interfaces. For many practical applications however, the magnification range of focus+context techniques is too limited. This paper addresses this limitation by exploring the quantization problem: the mismatch between visual and motor precision in the magnified region. We introduce three new interaction techniques that solve this problem by integrating fast navigation and high-precision interaction in the magnified region. Speed couples precision to navigation speed. Key and Ring use a discrete switch between precision levels, the former using a keyboard modifier, the latter by decoupling the cursor from the lens' center. We report on three experiments showing that our techniques make interacting with lenses easier while increasing the range of practical magnification factors, and that performance can be further improved by integrating speed-dependent visual behaviors.


In this review we highlight novel aspects of diagnostic imaging in gynaecological cancers, the paradigm shift in the surgical management of certain female pelvic cancers, as well as potential new molecular targeted therapies. In the last decade, ultra-radical surgery has been shown to increase survival in advanced ovarian cancer (OVC) when extended surgical procedures are included during primary cytoreductive surgery or at interval debulking procedures after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In cervical cancer (CVC) and endometrial cancer (EMC) endoscopic (laparoscopic or robotic) operations have been shown to significantly reduce the morbidity without altering the cancer-related survival. Although the sentinel lymph node concept is already established in early-stage vulvar cancer, its diagnostic accuracy in EMC and CVC is still under debate. Novel molecular targeted therapies including blocking agents against new blood vessel formation (anti-angiogenesis) and polyadenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors have been shown to prolong the progression-free survival in advanced OVC. Other molecular therapies, single or combined, are under investigation in OVC and EMC.


ABSTRACT We present the first population genetics study of the calcifying coralline alga and ecosystem engineer Corallina officinalis. Eleven novel SNP markers were developed and tested using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping to assess the population structure based on five sites around the NE Atlantic (Iceland, three UK sites and Spain), spanning a wide latitudinal range of the species' distribution. We examined population genetic patterns over the region using discriminate analysis of principal components (DAPC). All populations showed significant genetic differentiation, with a marginally insignificant pattern of isolation by distance (IBD) identified. The Icelandic population was most isolated, but still had genotypes in common with the population in Spain. The SNP markers presented here provide useful tools to assess the population connectivity of C. officinalis. This study is amongst the first to use SNPs on macroalgae and represents a significant step towards understanding the population structure of a widespread, habitat-forming coralline alga in the NE Atlantic.


An International Red Cross Conference is an ideal moment to review the present situation and look to the future. Meeting every four years and assembling as it does the governments and the entire Red Cross family (ICRC, National Societies and the League), this "supreme deliberative body of the International Red Cross" reflects the concerns of the entire movement at a certain point in time. Its resolutions are a gauge of progress achieved in the various fields of Red Cross activity and an indication of the direction that activity should take in future, or in any case until the next International Conference.


Critical thinking has gained popularity in the English as a foreign language (EFL) educational arena of late in Japan due to the Ministry of Education (MEXT) updating its requirements of English education to include logical thinking. This has caused the need for educators in Japan to quickly adapt to the inclusion of logical thinking, and by extension, critical thinking in their curriculum (MEXT, 2011) from 2013. Even though MEXT has required critical thinking to be included in the classroom, it seems very little has been done to include true critical thinking into textbooks and institutions' curriculum designs. One crucial component of the language teaching curriculum is the ability to think rationally, objectively, and deeply about a topic, or in other words, to think critically. Critical thinking has been shown to foster students' abilities to analyze, evaluate, and judge the value of the information presented to them both inside, and outside, the classroom (Lund, 2016). Critical thinking also helps students to make their own decisions related to their academic, and future employment, success (Nold, 2017). In a university-level reading and writing course in Japan, for example, students must create manuscripts at beginner to advanced levels that somewhat adhere to the expectations of academic English communities (Fang & Schleppegrell, 2010) when it comes to topic development and utilizing source information. In order to reflect on, and thereby judge the veracity of, the information presented to them either by their textbook in the classroom or by external sources, critical thinking skills allow students to deconstruct, reflect upon, and assign value to information sources. This also allows them to construct their own content on two levels, one, projecting their creativity as independent thinkers, and two, linguistically as writers who can think about a topic more deeply. The purpose of this paper is to share the planning, design, and implementation of a critical thinking reading and writing project which was introduced into the second-year EFL reading and writing focused courses at Tokai University from the spring and fall semesters of 2019. The reading and writing course, named Academic English (AE), was split into three levels depending upon the students' performance in their first-year English courses. Each level of the AE course had a project book that was individualized for their corresponding textbook and level. The project's focus, for all levels, was to develop critical thinking skills through the introduction of reflective thinking, logical fallacies, and research skills. At the end of the project, students were asked to apply their critical thinking skills to their textbook and research the veracity of the information presented to them in one of their required readings during the course. The overall reception of the project by the students was positive and results of a post-project questionnaire showed that students felt they had gained some mastery over critical thinking on subjects both in the classroom and in their lives. The project has seen success in allowing students to become learners who are more independent in their thinking, more critical in their reception to information provided to them, and better writers who are able to think on a topic more deeply and logically.


In this paper, we deal with imitation learning of arm movements in humanoid robots. Hidden Markov models (HMM) are used to generalize movements demonstrated to a robot multiple times. They are trained with the characteristic features (key points) of each demonstration. Using the same HMM, key points that are common to all demonstrations are identified; only those are considered when reproducing a movement. We also show how HMM can be used to detect temporal dependencies between both arms in dual-arm tasks. We created a model of the human upper body to simulate the reproduction of dual-arm movements and generate natural-looking joint configurations from tracked hand paths. Results are presented and discussed


The study of the multi-billion dollar industries of pornography and erotica, known in the academy as 'Porn Studies', has recently been revised with contributions from authors such as Linda Williams, Debbie Nathan, Gail Dines, Pamela Paul, Harry Brod, Bernard Arcand, and Joseph Slade. Previous to this paradigm shift in theorizing about pornography and erotica, arguments made by authors such as Andrea Dworkin, Catherine MacKinnon, Robin Morgan, Susan Brownmiller, and others traditionally discussed pornography in terms of a pro-censorship anti-pornography dualist framework.
The last three decades have witnessed a paradigm shift as feminists and gender theorists have reexamined pornography and erotica and anti-porn proponents such as Susan Brownmiller began to question their earlier positions and even validated pornography with a cost-benefit equation on the individuals. This thesis reviews the more traditional perspectives as well as the influx of new perspectives on pornography and erotica.
This research project is not solely about pornography and erotica. This project examines the history of sexual representation and the changing cultural and technological landscape of values, relationships, sex, our bodies, and the wider 'pornification' of society as proposed by author Pamela Paul. This work provides a detailed literature review of relevant sources and a historical examination of representations of sex in 'restricted' or taboo genres such as pornography and erotica, as well as mainstream media and classical art. The nature of this research is not evaluative and does not rely on participant interviews. However interviews with a convenient sample indicate a range of reactions to pornography. While most of this thesis explores the debates about pornography, and erotica, I did informal, interviews with seven individuals — whose take on Internet pornography added some value to the "expert" testimony and a range of values and perspectives. This research provides readers with comprehensive information on pornography and erotica, so that they may make a decision about how to deal with pornography and the so-called 'pornification' of society.


This research aims to analyze efficiency  and  profitability  of  Islamic  Rural  Banks  in  Indonesia  using Variable Returns to Scale model of Data Envelopment Analysis and efficiency-profitability matrix.  The  results  of  this  research  show  that  most  of  Islamic  Rural  Banks  are included in the Dog quadrant (high efficiency but low profitability) and Sleeper quadrant (low efficiency but high profitability). Meanwhile, the result of correlation analysis between efficiency and profitability indicates that efficiency has a negative correlation with profitability. Negative correlation of efficiency and profitability is in accordance with the result of efficiency-profitability matrix. The results of this research show that not all of Islamic Rural Bank which have high efficiency are also having high profitability. DOI: 10.15408/aiq.v7i1.1354


Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of roller mill configuration on growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs, feed preference, and feed mill throughput. The four experimental treatments included corn ground through a roller mill using two, three, four sets of rolls in a fine-grind configuration, or four sets of rolls in a coarse grind configuration. The same roller mill was used for all configurations with the appropriate lower rolls completely open when using the two or three roll pair configurations. Across all studies, mean particle size averaged approximately 540, 435, 270, and 385 µm for the four roller mill configurations, respectively. In Exp. 1, 320 pigs (DNA 400 × 200, initially 10.7 ± 0.27 kg BW) were randomly allotted to treatments with five pigs per pen and 16 pens per treatment in a 21-d growth trial. While there were no evidence of differences observed for ADG or ADFI, pigs fed corn ground using the 4-high coarse configuration had a marginally significant (P = 0.091) improvement in G:F compared with those fed with the 2-high configuration, with others intermediate. In Exp. 2, 90 pigs (PIC 327 × 1050, initially 12.1 ± 0.25 kg BW) were randomly allotted to one of three diet comparisons to determine feed preference between the 2-high, 4-high fine, and 4-high coarse configurations. When given a choice, pigs consumed more (P < 0.05) of the diet containing corn ground through the 2-high roller mill (67%) or 4-high coarse configuration (63%) compared with corn ground through the 4-high fine configuration. In Exp. 3, 922 finishing pigs (PIC TR4 × [FAST Large white × PIC Line 2], initially 40.1 ± 0.36 kg BW) were used in a 97-d experiment with pens of pigs randomly allotted by initial BW to the same experimental treatments used in Exp. 1. There were 21 pigs per pen and 11 pens per treatment. Pigs fed corn ground with the 2-high configuration had greater (P < 0.05) ADG compared with those fed corn ground using the 3-high configuration. Pigs fed corn ground with the 4-high fine configuration had the poorest (P < 0.05) ADG. No differences were observed in G:F. Grinding rate (tonne/h) was greatest (P < 0.05) for the 4-high coarse configuration, while net electricity consumption (kWh/tonne) was lowest (P < 0.05) for the 2-high configuration and greatest for the 4-high fine configuration. In summary, nursery pig G:F tended to be greatest using the 4-high coarse configuration, and finishing pig ADG was maximized using the 2- and 4-high coarse configurations.


OBJECTIVE
Multiresistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) infections are mainly increased in hospitalized patients. We have studied the activity of vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin and linezolid in methicillin-resistant CNS strains, isolated from true blood cultures.

METHODS
We collected 87 strains of different CNS species from positive blood cultures. Staphylococci were identified by MicroScan Walkaway (Dade Behring, Siemens) and with the Api ID 32 Staph (BioMerieux, France). The susceptibility to oxacillin, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin was performed by automatic microdilution plate as cited above. The susceptibility to daptomycin and linezolid was performed by Etest (AB BioMerieux, Solna, Sweden). Interpretative criteria were done following the CLSI guidelines.

RESULTS
Eighty-seven CNS strains were studied: 55 (63%) were S. epidermidis, 15 (17%) S. haemolyticus, 10 (12%) S. hominis, and 7 (8%) other species. Fifty-three (61%) strains showed loss of susceptibility to vancomycin, MIC = 2 mg/L. Ciprofloxacin resistance, MIC > 2 mg/L, was observed in 56 (64%) strains. Daptomycin resistance was not observed, with a susceptibility range between 0.032-1 mg/L and modal value of 0.25 mg/L. Ten strains (11.5%) resistant to linezolid were observed. Nine patients were in ICU, where the average length of stay was 38 days (range 16-58 days) and one belonged to Hepato-Pancreatic Surgery, where he stayed for 64 days.

CONCLUSIONS
Low susceptibility to vancomycin is frequent in the CNS strains studied in our hospital. Daptomycin shows a high efficacy against CNS, and it could be useful for the treatment of primary bacteremia or catheter associated bacteremia. The massive and continuous use of linezolid has led to the appearance of resistance.


To account for the effect of the stress concentration factor (SCF) at the weld toe on stress intensity factor range ΔK, a magnification factor Mk is used. The existing Mk solutions given in BS 7910 were developed for the fatigue assessment of flaws at the toes of fillet and butt welds and may not be suitable for assessing flaws at single-sided girth weld root toes, where fatigue cracking often initiates and the weld width is relatively small. Finite element (FE) modeling was performed to determine a 2D Mk solution for engineering critical assessment (ECA) of a flaw at the weld root bead toe. The weld root bead profile was uniquely characterized by five variables including weld root bead width, weld root bead height, hi-lo, weld root bead angle, and weld root bead radius. Following a parametric sensitivity study, defect size, weld root bead height, and hi-lo were identified as the governing parameters. A total of 6000 FE simulations was performed, covering different combinations of weld root bead height and hi-lo. A series of automation scripts were developed in the python programming language and the Mk solution for each type of defect model was developed and provided in a parametric equation. The accuracy of the 2D Mk solutions was confirmed by the experimental data. It was found that the methods and Mk solutions currently recommended in BS 7910 and DNVGL-RP-F108 are inappropriate for assessing a flaw at a girth weld root toe.


This technical report gives an introduction to Distributed Interactive Applications (DIA), including a brief background with some examples. An outline of the three classes of challenges that drive the design of DIA architectures the users, the physical restrictions, and the required capabilities is given. The manner in which the designer addresses these challenges, namely dynamic extensibility, scalability, interactibility and interoperability, is explored in detail in terms of the software and network architectures.


The Krim Mountain and its surroundings are characterized by Upper Triassic to Middle Jurassic rocks, which were deposited on the northern margin of the Dinaric Carbonate Platform. Upper Triassic beds are represented by Main dolomite that exhibits suprato subtidal Lofer facies. The uppermost Triassic is characterized by approximately 40 m thick horizon of dolomitic breccia. Upper Triassic beds pass gradually into Lower Liassic dolomitic breccia, coarse-grained dolomite and micritic limestone. Presence of dolomitic breccias and absence of supra-intertidal sedimentary structures indicate sea-level rise. Middle Liassic beds consist of oolitic-oncolitic and lithiotid limestones deposited in alternating restricted lagoonal and open shallow-water environment. Upper Liassic beds are characterized by oolitic-oncolitic limestones, bituminous dolomitized limestones and dolomitic breccia deposited in high-energy shallow-water environment. Middle Jurassic beds consist of oolitic, oolitic-oncolitic and micritic limestones, formed predominantly in high-energy subtidal environment.


The demand for, and sophistication of Enterprise Architecture (EA) has grown significantly in recent years. This paper aims to better understand industry?s expectations of enterprise architects and to help university educators design curricula to meet these needs. In this study, we conduct interviews with enterprise architects and identify the skills sets important to their role. We also examine the curricula of architecture-related courses and programs in Australia and New Zealand. Our review reveals that, disappointingly, less than one-third of universities in these countries offer architecture-related courses and/or programs. We identify the shared visions and the gaps between practitioners and academia. This paper also proposes a curriculum for a Master of Enterprise Architecture program.


SUMMARY: Mutant Mir M7 of Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibits a pH-dependent morphological interconversion; growing cells are rod-shaped at pH 5.5 but round at pH 7. Round cells cannot divide or make DNA, RNA and proteins at pH 5.5. At this pH, cell division and DNA synthesis are resumed either when substances such as Mg2+, Na+, sucrose or spermine are added to the growth medium or immediately after the appearance of a normal rod morphology. Round cells, but not rods or the wild type, are lysed by low concentrations of detergents and are killed by DL-amino acids. Their growth rate is not improved by vigorous aeration and they make spheroplasts at an incubation temperature of 8 °C. This behaviour is the opposite of that of rods and the original strain. The transition from rods to round cells at pH 7 does not occur when cell division is inhibited by penicillin. Round cells must divide several times in an acid medium to give regular and uniform rods.
The possibility of a different state of the membrane in round and rod-shaped cells and a dependence of cell division, DNA synthesis, and morphology on the state of the membrane are discussed.


You, L. 2019. Network Optimization of Evolving Mobile Systems with Presence of Interference Coupling. Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 1843. 37 pp. Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis. ISBN 978-91-513-0726-8. The rapid development from 4G to 5G of mobile communications poses significant challenges in providing high rate and capacity, making it more crucial for efficient utilization of timefrequency resource via optimally configuring the network. Mathematical optimization serves as a powerful tool for addressing this type of problems. However, gauging its potential in largescale cellular networks is non-trivial due to the inherent coupling relation of interference among cells. To address this issue, the dissertation adopts a so-called load-coupling system that mathematically formulates the mutual influence caused by radio resource allocation among cells. The model defines the time-frequency resource consumption in each cell as the cell load. The load of one cell governs the interference that the cell generates to the others, since the cell transmits more frequently with higher load. The model enables joint optimization of resource allocation in multiple cells with respect to the dynamics of resource occupancy of cells. Under the load coupling model, the dissertation applies mathematical optimization to resolve resource management problems with respect to a number of evolving technologies, such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission, wireless relays, cloud radio access networks (C-RAN), and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). Six research papers are included in the dissertation. Paper I addresses the question of how network planning and coordination may increase the efficiency of spectrum usage, by jointly optimizing user association and resource allocation with CoMP. Paper II investigates the potential of relay cooperation for energy saving. As an extension of Paper I, Paper III studies the capacity maximization for a target group of users, while keeping the quality-of-service (QoS) of other users being strictly met. Paper IV provides a general framework and a series of theoretical analysis for algorithmically enabling resource optimization in multi-cell NOMA with load coupling, where users are allowed to group together for sharing time-frequency resource by successive interference cancellation (SIC). Under this framework, Paper V explores the potential of NOMA networks. For a restricted setup of NOMA, the paper achieves globally optimal resource usage efficiency, in terms of power allocation, user pair selection, and time-frequency resource allocation. Finally, Paper VI, serving as a complementary note, overcomes a key obstacle in analyzing convergence of applying load coupling in NOMA networks.


Leukocyte chemotactic factor-2 (LECT2) amyloidosis has been described as being associated with kidney disease; however, no clinical manifestations outside of the kidney have been previously reported. We describe a patient presenting with pulmonary-renal syndrome found to have deposition of amyloidogenic LECT2 (ALECT2) within both the lung and the kidney. This case is unique in regard to both the patient's clinical presentation of pulmonary-renal syndrome in the setting of amyloidosis and the biopsy finding of ALECT2 deposition within the lung. It also emphasizes the importance of tissue diagnosis in such cases, given that amyloidosis was not initially considered in the differential diagnosis.


Extreme weather events have increased and are causing severe impacts on the electricity grid. Heat waves and ice storms are becoming more intense and frequent in Ontario, Canada. During an extreme weather event, the electricity demand fluctuates and the reliability of the electrical grid decreases due to equipment failure and shortage of electricity supply, which leads to blackouts. An initial stage simulation model is developed using the computational technique agent-based model. This thesis analyzed the impact of extreme weather events based on severity and frequency levels on two sector of Ontario's electricity grid which are generation plants and distribution network. The simulation output showed multiple grid failures in different regions during extreme severity levels and increased frequencies of weather events. The model also showed heat waves and ice storms resulting differently depending on the month, extreme temperature months were more prone to failures than average temperature months.


For centuries the pituitary gland has been one of the most mysterious structures of the humanbody; some have considered it the seat of the soul, others have looked on it as a rudimentary organ, while most physiologists have confessed total ignorance as to its functions in the human economy. The discovery in 1886 by Pierre Marie of the association of changes in the structure of this gland with acromegaly has stimulated further and detailed studies of the physiology of the epiphysis, and it was found that it is endowed with a number of vital functions, such as regulation of blood pressure, contraction of smooth muscle, particularly the uterus; the sexual functions, and the growth of connective tissue and of the skeleton. Moreover, it was found that the pituitary has a great influence on the mentality of its possessor. Among the pioneers in the study of the physiology of the pituitary


The effects of electrolytes, chemical modifications of amino groups, and inhibitor binding on the hydration and intrinsic compressibility of lysozyme have been studied using precise ultrasound velocity measurements. The interaction of lithium ions with lysozyme accompanied by cooperative decrease of hydration contribution has been revealed. The neutralization of positively charged amino groups due to their modification is shown not only to decrease the hydration of lysozyme but also to increase its intrinsic compressibility. Binding of tri-N-acetylglycosamine to lysozyme is found to induce the 10-15% decrease in globule intrinsic compressibility. The changes observed in intrinsic compressibility of lysozyme correlate with those of its dynamic properties.


ABSTRACT Non-destructive monitoring of damage evolution within material or bonding assembly becomes an essential tool to better understand its mechanical behavior, and therefore to prevent failure risks of engineering structures that involve adhesive bonding matters. This paper presents the experimental results of monotonic tests that were conducted firstly to investigate the effects of bi-axial loadings (with different shear/peel ratios) on the mechanical damage evolution of metal/metal bonded joint, and secondly to both detect and identify the acoustic emission (AE) signatures of the different failure mechanisms involved in the bonded joint damage. Results from specimens with modified scarf joint show that the loading configuration (shear/peel ratio) strongly influences the normal stiffness of the adhesively-bonded joint. For each loading configuration, repetitive tests were performed, and loading rate effects on the mechanical behavior of adhesively-bonded joint were analyzed. In addition to these results, a k-means++ algorithm was used to achieve a cluster analysis of AE data, and to allow AE events that were generated by damage evolution of the bonded joint to be identified. A particular AE signature is highlighted since it allows monitoring damage evolution of the adhesively-bonded joint. Test results also show that the highest value of acoustic energy is detected when the slope of the mechanical behavior curve (macroscopic scale) drastically changes. This finding is used to perform a real-time detection of the adhesive yield strength.


The expression of variant isoforms of the adhesion molecule CD44 is correlated with the onset of neoplasia in many carcinomas. We have previously shown that noninvasive detection of bladder carcinoma is possible by analysis of anomalous CD44 expression in exfoliated urothelia. Although the sensitivity and specificity values obtained for the detection of bladder tumors using RT-PCR and Western blotting methods were superior to those obtained using urine cytology, the application of such techniques is inconvenient for routine diagnostic use. We now report the design and development of a sandwich-ELISA system for the reliable detection of CD44 protein extracted from sedimented urothelial cells in voided urine. Naturally micturated urine samples were obtained from 53 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer and from 65 subjects with no evidence of disease; patients with gross hematuria were excluded because of interference with the assay. To demonstrate the diagnostic potential of the system, a "gate" was imposed at N (max), i.e., the highest absorbance value obtained from a sample known to be tumor free. All values above this value were assumed to be indicative of the presence of a tumor. Using this parameter, 42 of 53 (81.1%) patients with histologically confirmed bladder tumors were correctly diagnosed. Correspondingly, under these conditions, the assay is 100% specific for tumor detection, with a sensitivity of 81.1%, which equates to a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 81.1%. A further 54 patients who had previously received treatment for bladder cancer but were currently clinically disease-free were also investigated. Of these, 47 of 54 (87%) were correctly diagnosed to be tumor-free, which in this group equates to a positive predictive value of 87% and a negative predictive value of 100%. The data presented demonstrate that the rapid and accurate detection of elevated levels of CD44 protein isoforms in exfoliated urothelial cells is applicable to the identification and monitoring of primary and recurrent bladder cancer.


Background : Pain during labor is a physiological condition that is generally experienced by almost all women giving birth. Medical measures to overcome labor pain can be with non pharmacological treatment, such as counter pressure and endorphine massage. When given counter pressure and endorphine massage, there is an increase in parasympathetic activity that can increase heart rate, reduce blood pressure, increase heart rate variability, increase blood flow and increase relaxation substances so as to reduce the tension of relative nerves. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of counter pressure and endorphine massage to reducing the level of pain during the first stage of labor. Method: The design of this study used an observational analytic pre-experimental model with two groups pre post test design with 48 sample at the Narmada Hospital in West Lombok. The purposive sampling was used for sampling technique with the t-independent test for statistical analysis. Results: The scale of labor pain before and after treated with counter pressure respectively is respondents (58.3%) at medium level and 16 respondents (66.7%) at low level of labor pain. Mean while, the result after given endorphine massage, there was no significant in the results of the analysis of labor pain distribution at the medium level is 16 respondents (66.7%). The results of the statistical test obtained a value of t calculated > t table for the group with counter pressure and massage endorphine. Conclusion: The group with counter pressure was better at reducing the level of labor pain compared to the group with endorphine massage.


Giant-cell tumors have been considered capable of producing metastases. Goforth (1) attempted to grade the microscopic picture to show the gradual transition of benign giant-cell tumor to osteogenic sarcoma. Geschickter and Copeland (2) analyzed forty-one cases of giant-cell tumor showing clinical or microscopic evidence of malignant tendencies. "In the clinical group, twenty-six cases recurring after primary curettement were studied. Recurrence in this group was found to depend not on histologic structure, but on a poor selection in the type of treatment applied in the individual case or on an incomplete operation. Advanced destruction of the bone shell, incomplete curettement, failure to use chemical or thermal cauterization or needless sacrifice of cortical bone at the operation, as well as an age over thirty-five, were found to be factors predisposing to recurrence after curettage.

"In seven cases showing a microscopic resemblance to malignancy, the histologic change was usually found to be the result and not the cause of the recurrence, being dependent on intervening infection, necrosis or an accentuated healing reaction following irradiation. In two cases, actual sarcoma with giant cells was found to be erroneously placed in this group."

Bloodgood in a foreword to a paper by Geschickter and Copeland, cites one death from metastasis from a possible giant-cell tumor of the epiphysis. In this case a restudy of the sections of the original tumor led to its classification as a malignant variant of the giant-cell tumor, of which eight cases were found in the authors' series, only one of which metastasized.


The opinion that the extended family can fulfil its supportive role in assisting child-headed households continues to exist. How these households encounter support, what this support entails, and how they experience this support is an under-researched subject. Most research literature on this topic emphasises child-headed households' material and financial support. However, although financial support is vital, emotional support to cope with the loss of loved ones, or with loneliness and insecurity, is also much needed, as well as adult assistance in obtaining formal support, such as social welfare grants. Thus, to what extent are child-headed households capable of capitalising on existing (extended) family and community members' care and support? This article addresses this question by exploring the 'use-value' of social relationships among child-headed households in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The coping strategies of the child-headed households are discussed and analysed, indicating the children's interpretations and valuation of social relationships and support, whether this increased their potential access to other resources, and whether this support could be considered sufficient. Despite some exceptions, we argue that support from relatives or neighbours is often ambiguous and of little use-value from the viewpoint of a child-headed household. Insights from these findings might be of interest to those involved in support programmes for these households, including the assignment of an adult mentor — which is based on the assumption that existing networks of extended family and community members will help orphaned and vulnerable children to cope.


In South Africa many people suffer from serious, incurable health conditions that may render them incapacitated and/or terminally ill. Such persons may inevitably require holistic care such as palliative care. The adoption in 2017 of the National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care 2017‒2022 (NPFSPC) in line with the Health Assembly Resolution 67.19 "Strengthening of Palliative Care as a Component of Comprehensive Care Throughout the Life Course" thus marked a significant milestone for advocates of palliative care, as well as for persons affected by terminal illness. Despite this positive step towards the fulfilment of the right to access healthcare, terminally ill persons who are inmates in South African correctional centres are not sufficiently protected by the NPFSPC. While the policy may be lauded for its detailed provisions aimed at affording appropriate care to free persons, it makes but a few fleeting references to inmates who are terminally ill – a very vulnerable group, given the often appalling conditions in correctional centres, the limited resources generally available to inmates and the stigma attached to them. It is therefore submitted that palliative care should be available to all inmates diagnosed with a terminal illness from the moment they are diagnosed. This article also analyses the stated purpose of the NPFSPC in relation to correctional settings, as well as the impact of disease on correctional centres, and the importance of fostering partnerships.


Despite the growing scholarly interest in comparative public law, there remain relatively few works on the subject. Contemporary French Administrative Law aims to redress that imbalance, offering English-language readers an authoritative introduction to the key features of French administrative law and its institutions. The French legal system is among the most well-developed and influential in the world, and, as procedures continually adapt to European and international influences, it has never been more worthy of research, study and interrogation. This book employs a wide range of recent, illustrative cases to demonstrate how French administrative law works both in theory and in practice. Using a systematic approach and covering everything from judicial review to public contracts, this is a highly valuable text for any student or researcher with an interest in French law. The book is also available as Open Access.


Knowledge of the local groundwave-propagation characteristics is essential in wireless systems. Although Maxwell's equations establish the theoretical background, only a limited number of highly idealized groundwave-propagation problems have mathematically exact and/or approximate solutions. Therefore, semi-analytical/numerical and pure numerical simulation methods are almost the only way to handle realistic groundwave-propagation problems. To a certain extent, numerical simulators should be capable of taking non-flat, penetrable terrain and inhomogeneous atmospheric effects into account. Unfortunately, a generally applicable simulator has not yet appeared; there are many methods that have been developed under different assumptions and approximations, valid in different parameter regimes. It is therefore a challenge to apply these methods to the same physical problems, to do comparisons, and to evaluate numerical results. With all these factors in mind, a new MATLAB-based package GrMoMPE is introduced. It is first validated and calibrated, and then applied to some characteristic groundwave-propagation problems. The introduction of GrMoMPE has made it possible to do direct and accurate comparisons and reliable physical interpretations.


With the Irish tourism industry maturing, destination marketing organisations (DMOs) must meet tourists' changing expectations. For rural tourism destinations, the challenge lies in ensuring that they obtain a position of sustainability in the Irish tourism industry (Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, 2011). Due to the highly volatile nature of the Irish rural tourism industry, treating rural tourism like any other product does not comply with the new approach to destination marketing management, which considers the resources available, the environment, the tourist, and the residents themselves (Buhalis, 2000; Pike, 2008). The aim of this study is to carry out a comprehensive review of extant literature to identify the critical success factors in destination marketing management and assess how these success factors compare with the practice of destination marketing management by a small rural destination management organisation (DMO) in Ireland, namely Ballyhoura Fáilte. The paper finds that Ballyhoura Fáilte has been largely successful in identifying and carrying out the CSF activities that are vital to drive strategy and ensure sustainable competitive advantage. This paper also proposes a full set of Critical Success Factors (CSFs), or essential tasks, important for ensuring the long-term success of DMOs.


SYNOPSIS:  Changes in the audit industry after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including mandatory audits of internal control over financial reporting and PCAOB oversight and inspection of audit work, have potentially changed the nature and extent of audit sampling in the largest accounting firms. However, little academic evidence exists on these firms' current audit sampling policies (Elder, Akresh, Glover, Higgs, and Liljegren 2013). As such, we administer an extensive, open-ended survey to the national office of the Big 4 and two other international accounting firms regarding their firm's audit sampling policies. We find variation among the largest auditing firms' policies in their use of statistical and nonstatistical sampling methods and in inputs used in the sampling applications that could result in different sample sizes. Sampling experts' internal reviews indicate that projecting and resolving identified misstatements is one of the biggest difficulties that audit engagement teams face when using sampling...


Historically, thermal carbon black was used in hose compounds as an extender, Because of its low surface area and structure, MT N990 allows achieving high degrees of filler loading. However because of the current market situation, the price of the thermal carbon biack is substantially higher than prices of furnace carbon blacks. There-fore application of N990 to reduce cost of hose compounds became unreasonable. This Btudy presents data to show that it is possible to Spheron 6000A and Spheron 4000 to replace N990 in typical polychloroprene compounds. In addition, substitution of a 50/50 blend N550/MT-N990 with Spheron 6000 in peroxide cured EPDM radiator hose compound is considered. Thus, Cabot offers several distinctive furnace blacks that provids a potential to lower cost, while retaining processing and physical properties of rubber compounds for hose.


Using the well-behaved features of the thermal entangled state representation, we solve the diffusion master equation under the action of a linear resonance force, and then obtain the infinitive operator-sum representation of the density operator. This approach may also be effective for treating other master equations. Moreover, we find that the initial pure coherent state evolves into a mixed thermal state after passing through the diffusion process under the action of the linear resonance force.


Differential item functioning (DIF) analyses are used to determine whether certain groups respond differently to a particular item of a test or questionnaire; however, these do not explain the reasons for observed response differences. Many studies have used external reviews of items, sometimes using blinded reviewers, to help interpret these results. The authors conducted a literature review of this topic to describe the current usage of external reviews alongside DIF analyses. It concentrated on studies of health-related quality of life instruments, but studies in other fields were also considered. Relatively few examples of blinded item reviews were identified, and these were mostly from educational studies. A case study using blinded bilingual reviewers alongside translation DIF analyses of a health-related quality of life instrument is described. Future researchers should consider conducting external item reviews alongside DIF analyses.


Introduction: Dental caries and periodontal disease are probably the most common oral chronic diseases in worldwide, and their prevalence is progressively increasing from day to day. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between caries and periodontal disease. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 237 panoramic radiographies of patients aged 10 to 65 years (110males and 127 females) were selected utilizing convenience sampling. In order to measure the variables, a graduate caliper with 0/2 mm accuracy and Negatoscope with optimum light were used. Moreover, in order to diagnose the caries and minimize the errors, "calibration" method was selected. Results: There was no significant relationship between crown caries and mean of alveolar bone loss. (p=0/19). As the age increased in patients, the mean of alveolar bone loss also increased and a significant association was detected between the severity of caries, alveolar bone loss and male gender. Conclusion: Generally, no relationship was observed between dental caries and periodontal disease in this


Metal oxides represent an abundant and non-toxic class of photocatalysts for organic transformations. However, their use in larger scale processes is complicated by incompatibilities with continuous flow processing – a proven scale-up route for photochemistry. We detail the development of an efficient atom transfer radical addition protocol using a sustainable solvent system (acetone : PEG 400) and a low loading (2 mol%) of Bi2O3, which can be handled in an oscillatory flow reactor. Optimization of the reaction and oscillatory parameters led to high throughput (36 g in 4 h, 89% yield, 599 g L−1 h−1), with a process mass intensity (PMI) of just 8.5. The process also facilitates high recyclability (3 cycles with no loss of yield), and was demonstrated to be applicable to a range of other substrates on multigram scale, in moderate to excellent yields.


Obesity relays a threatening disease that born of hyper nutrition and unbalanced nutrition in nowadays communities. In this study it is aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children come from lower socioeconomic classes in Ankara, Turkey. Totally, 891 students (446 female, 445 male) aged and between 7-14 years from lower socieconomic classes were measured anthropometrically. and their the body mass indices were calculated. Obesity and overweight ratios were assessed using by the reference values obtained from NHANESI and II (National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey) conducted in U.S children. The children who take place of 85-94.9th percentile of the reference data were accepted to be "overweight", and the ones take place in the 95th percentile and over accepted as "obese". Our analyses showed that 7.69% of boys and 3.82% of girls were overweight and 1.49% of boys and 2.29% of girls were obese; The ratios of obesity and overweight are lower than those of other studies Which were conducted in lower socieconomic status. As a conclusion, present study indicated that obesity is not a common problem among lower socioeconomic classes in our country.


Bargaining is fundamental in social activities. Game-theoretic methodology has provided theoretic solutions for certain abstract models. Even for a simple model, this method demands substantial human intelligent effort in order to solve game-theoretic equilibriums. The analytic complexity increases rapidly when more elements are included in the models. In our previous work, we have demonstrated how co-evolutionary algorithms can be used to find approximations to game-theoretic equilibriums of bargaining models that consider bargaining costs only. In this paper, we study more complicated bargaining models, in which outside option is taken into account besides bargaining cost. Empirical studies demonstrate that evolutionary algorithms are efficient in finding near-perfect solutions. Experimental results reflect the compound effects of discount factors and outside options upon bargaining outcomes. We argue that evolutionary algorithm is a practical tool for generating reasonably good strategies for complicated bargaining models beyond the capability of game theory.


Protocols that solve the consensus problem have been widely recognized as important building blocks for the design of reliable distributed systems. This fact explains why considerable amount of work has been devoted both to establish the minimal system requirements that allow a solution to the problem, as well as to provide efficient protocols to solve it. We propose the use of global state digests to design efficient and adaptable consensus protocols. A global state digest is a bounded and consistent summarized representation of the local states of all processes that run the protocol. By frequently providing processes with new global state digests, it is possible to allow processes to terminate the protocol soon after the minimal condition necessary to solve the problem holds, whatever are the contention levels experienced by the system. We present the design of a family of fast adaptable consensus protocols using this abstraction. Further, a global state digest provider can be implemented whenever the same assumptions required to implement perfect failure detectors hold (basically the ability to convey a bounded amount of information within a bounded interval of time).