We analyse the cross-country dimension of financial cycles by studying cyclical co-movements in credit, house prices, equity prices and interest rates across the G7 economies. We use wavelet-based statistics to assess at which frequencies cyclical fluctuations and their crosscountry co-movements are important and how these change over time. We show cycles in interest rates and equity prices to be at least as synchronised as cycles in real GDP while cycles in credit and house prices are less synchronised. As a result, cross-country common cycles in equity prices and long-term interest rates account for a larger share of the volatility of these variables at the country level than common cycles in credit aggregates and house prices. A cluster analysis shows a high degree of similarity in the spectral characteristics of cycles in interest rates and equity prices across all countries but less similarities for cycles in credit and house price. For credit and house price cycles country-specific developments turn out to be more important than the common cross-country cycles.


The coastline of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in the Mackenzie –Beaufort region of the western Canadian Arctic is characterized by rapid erosion of ice-bonded sediments with abundant excess ground ice, resulting in widespread thermal and mechanical process interactions in the shore zone. Coastal communities within the ISR are acutely aware of the rapidly eroding coastline and its impacts on infrastructure, subsistence activities, cultural or ancestral sites, and natural habitats. Tuktoyaktuk Island is a large natural barrier protecting the harbour and surrounding community from exposure to waves. It is threatened by coastal erosion, a better understanding of which will inform adaptation strategies. Using historical and recent aerial imagery, high-resolution digital elevation models, cliff geomorphology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology, including ground-ice content, this study documents erosional processes, recession rates, volume losses and sediment delivery since 1947, and projected into the future. Erosion along the northwest-facing (exposed) cliff, primarily by thermo-abrasional undercutting and block failure, has accelerated since 2000 to a mean of 1.8 ± 0.02 m/yr, a 22% increase over the previous 15 years and 17% faster than 1947-2000. Lower recession rates on the harbour side of the island increased more than two-fold. Projection of future shoreline vectors by extrapolation, using the post-2000 accelerated coastal recession rates at 284 transects, points to breaching of this vital natural harbour barrier by 2044, after which rapid realignment is expected to occur as the new inlet evolves. Further acceleration of rates, as seems highly likely, brings the breaching date closer.


Field experiment was conducted at Chencha Woreda with the objective of evaluating faba bean varieties for better yield and chocolate spot disease resistance during 2015 main cropping season. Ten improved faba bean varieties and two local controls were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Field performances of varieties were evaluated for grain yield and yield parameters on sampled plant. Chocolate spot disease severity was recorded following 1 to 9 disease scale and used for area under disease progress curve (AUDPC)  calculation. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference among the varieties for yield and resistance to chocolate spot disease. Higher yield was recorded in Moti, Gora and Wolki varieties while low yield was recorded from Hachalu and Degaga. Maximum chocolate spot severity and AUDPC were recorded on Baela, Degaga, Gora and Gebelcho varieties while minimum disease severity and AUDPC were recorded from Tumsa, Moti, Hachalu and CS-20DK varieties with a mean severity of 29.63, 24.69, 25.93 and 25.93%, respectively. Moti, CS-20DK, Hachalu and Tumsa varieties showed moderately resistant to chocolate spot disease severity while Dosha was moderately susceptible varieties. From the result it could be concluded and recommended that varieties Moti, Gora and Tumsa are promising at high lands of Chencha, and may used them in larger plot for identification of adaptable variety.

 Key words: Faba bean, varieties, yield, disease severity, chocolate spot.


Recent scholarship has exposed the " EU 's pathological power", which has undermined the creation of the rule of law in South Eastern Europe ( SEE ) and beyond. This paper discusses the "pathological turn" in Europeanization studies by identifying and providing evidence for several "pathologies of Europeanization", i.e. legal and political deficiencies related to rule of law reform, such as legal instability, lack of generality and enforcement, and increased politicization. These pathologies result, among others, from a deficient approach of the EU to rule of law promotion and assessment. In particular, the author highlights three main fundamental problems of Europeanization in the area of the rule of law: 1) valuing quantity over quality; 2) partisan empowerment of domestic change agents; and 3) biased assessment of the rule of law. These problematic issues are further clarified on selected country examples of reform failure from SEE and the 2012 "rule of law crisis" in Romania. It is argued that given the EU 's inability to objectively assess and effectively promote the rule of law, the EU should either abstain from evaluating rule of law or radically revise its approach and methodology, for instance by following the policy advice provided in this paper.


Essays that offer original theoretical contributions in Distributed Morphology and highlight the lasting influence of Morris Halle, a founder of the field. This collection offers a snapshot of current research in Distributed Morphology, highlighting the lasting influence of Morris Halle, a pioneer in generative linguistics. Distributed Morphology, which integrates the morphological with the syntactic, originated in Halle's work. These essays, written to mark his 90th birthday, make original theoretical contributions to the field and emphasize Halle's foundational contributions to the study of morphology. The authors primarily focus on the issues of locality, exploring the tight connection of morphology to phonology, syntax and semantics that lies at the core of Distributed Morphology. The nature of phases, the notion of a morpho-syntactic feature, allomorphy and exponence, the synthetic/analytic alternation, stress assignment, and syntactic agreement are all shown to link to more than one grammatical module. Animated discussion with students has been central to Halle's research, and the development of Distributed Morphology has been shaped and continued by his students, many of whom have contributed to this volume. Halle's support, advice, and enthusiasm encouraged the research exemplified here. In the Hallean tradition, these papers are sure to inspire all generations of morphologists. Contributors Karlos Arregi, Jonathan David Bobaljik, Eulalia Bonet, David Embick, Daniel Harbour, Heidi Harley, Alec Marantz, Tatjana Marvin, Ora Matushansky, Martha McGinnis, Andrew Nevins, Rolf Noyer, Isabel Oltra-Massuet, Mercedes Tubino Blanco, Susi Wurmbrand


ABSTRACT Based on the results of sampling experiments performed on a map of sedimentary environments of the Mississippi Delta region of south-east Louisiana, it is concluded that systematic sampling is the most efficient sampling strategy overall for mapping sedimentary facies. This is true whether or not prior information about the spatial structure of the underlying pattern has been obtained. For the map area subdivided into 4034 separate sampling cells, systematic sampling based on 100 point-samples achieved an accuracy in the estimated map close to 63%. Sampling experiments which made use of spatial correlation existing in the underlying pattern achieved no higher accuracies for the same size sample. Only when virtual knowledge of the underlying pattern was assumed did the accuracy achieve increase notably, namely, 71% for sample size of 100. In future, it is recommended that sediment mapping programs be conducted wherever possible by sampling along a grid.


The Effects of Water Exercises and Swimming on Physical Fitness of Children with Mental Retardation The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of water exercises and swimming on physical fitness of children with mental retardation. Nine trainable and 7 educable male children (n = 16) were recruited from a rehabilitation center. The mean ages of the groups were 12.22±0.49 and 14.71±0.52 years, respectively. Training program was applied for 10-week, two times a week for 40 minute each session. Pre- and post-tests measurements were taken for cardiovascular endurance, muscle endurance, speed, static balance, and agility. Results showed that both groups improved significantly (p<0.05) in all dependent variables. Water exercises and swimming appear to be a viable and effective way to improve physical fitness capacity of the children with mental retardation.


Large –omics experiment datasets are being generated at an increasingly fast pace. They present bountiful opportunities for insight into complex diseases and systems but also new challenges in analysis. Novel approaches are needed to make sense of these high-throuput data and especially to consider them jointly for a more complete picture of the system's biology. In this dissertation, we have focused on improving clustering in high-throughput biological datasets by developing a variety of new features that are specifically tailored to reflect the biological properties of the systems we are trying to understand. We started by proposing new features for representing transcription factor binding sites that capture both the DNA sequence composition of the binding region and the TF-DNA binding strength. We observed that these new features aided clustering for improved DNA binding motif discovery. Next, we presented a new method, single sample network perturbation assessment (ssNPA), and demonstrated how causal network learning algorithms could be used to build features that capture the complex interactions of variables within biological systems such as gene regulatory networks and cluster samples based on how these networks are deregulated in different subtypes. We validated this method in a murine liver cell development dataset and with transcriptomic datasets comparing breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma tumor samples to normal tissue. Then we used ssNPA to describe new subtypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that were based on their relative gene network deregulation compared to normal samples. Finally, we applied causal network modeling techniques to two datasets of chronic lung diseases, exploring the systems biology of lung function decline in COPD at the body systems level and cell type interactions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at the scale of the gene expression in single cells.


After World War II agrarian problem and the organization of agricultural credit in the newly formed Kingdom of SHS broke out in the foreground. The problem of agrarians' access to credit, since before the First World War, only prolonged the creation of the new state. Instead of enlarging the capital, which was a feature of Western European countries, continued with the establishment of small banks and the process of fragmentation of capital. The resolution of the agrarian question happened with the adoption of the privileged Agrarian Bank in 1929. The establishment of a state bank, with more capital and increased grant loans approval to agrarians with a lower interest rate, began to solve a problem that has burdened the agrarians in 19 century.


The nonlinearity of a power amplifier or loudspeaker in a large-signal situation gives rise to a nonlinear distortion of acoustic signal. A conventional acoustic echo canceller using linear adaptive filters is not able to eliminate the nonlinear echo component. In this brief, a novel nonlinear echo cancellation technique is presented by using a nonlinear transformation in conjunction with a conventional linear adaptive filter. The nonlinear transformation is derived from a raised-cosine function and is exploited to compensate for the nonlinearity of a loudspeaker. The transformation parameters are updated using the normalized least mean square algorithm according to the unknown nonlinear characteristic of the loudspeaker. Computer simulations show that the proposed method yields, in general, a satisfactory cancellation performance while having a very low computational complexity


Main-sequence stars are commonly surrounded by debris disks, composed of cold dust continuously replenished by a reservoir of undetected dust-producing planetesimals. In a planetary system with a belt of planetesimals (like the solar system's Kuiper Belt) and one or more interior giant planets, the trapping of dust particles in the mean motion resonances with the planets can create structure in the dust disk, as the particles accumulate at certain semimajor axes. Sufficiently massive planets may also scatter and eject dust particles out of a planetary system, creating a dust-depleted region inside the orbit of the planet. In anticipation of future observations of spatially unresolved debris disks with the Spitzer Space Telescope, we are interested in studying how the structure carved by planets affects the shape of the disk's spectral energy distribution (SED) and consequently whether the SED can be used to infer the presence of planets. We numerically calculate the equilibrium spatial density distributions and SEDs of dust disks originated by a belt of planetesimals in the presence of interior giant planets in different planetary configurations and for a representative sample of chemical compositions. The dynamical models are necessary to estimate the enhancement of particles near the mean motion resonances with the planets and to determine how many particles drift inside the planet's orbit. On the basis of the SEDs and predicted Spitzer colors we discuss what types of planetary systems can be distinguished and the main parameter degeneracies in the model SEDs.


OBJECT
Digital subtraction (DS) angiography is the gold standard for detecting cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Computed tomography (CT) perfusion is a recently developed modality for the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of using CT perfusion to detect vasospasm in patients with SAH.

METHODS
Fourteen patients between the ages of 41 and 66 years with aneurysmal SAH underwent 23 CT perfusion scans for suspected vasospasm. All patients underwent DS angiography within 12 hours of the CT perfusion scans. The presence of vasospasm on CT perfusion images was determined based on qualitative reading using color maps of mean transit time, cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume as criteria. The presence or absence of vasospasm as retrospectively determined using CT perfusion was compared with DS angiography findings. Of the 23 CT perfusion scans performed, 21 (91%) were concordant with angiography findings in predicting the presence or absence of vasospasm. In 15 of 23 scans, the presence of vasospasm was detected on CT perfusion scans and confirmed on DS angiography studies. In two cases, vasospasm was revealed on DS angiography but was not confirmed on CT perfusion. The degree of agreement between CT perfusion and DS angiography for detection of vasospasm was high (K = 0.8, p , 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS
Computed tomography perfusion is an accurate, reliable, and noninvasive method to detect the presence or absence of vasospasm. It can be used as a tool to help guide the decision to pursue DS angiography with the intent to treat vasospasm.


The main objective of this thesis was to investigate the different factors affecting the embryo recovery in superovulated buffaloes. Several hypotheses have been formulated over the years to explain the low embryo recovery recorded in this species after superovulatory treatment, among which the most likely is a failure of ovum capture. Before addressing the major issue, other experiments were carried out in order to select both the donors and the most suitable superstimulation treatment. Indeed, another critical factor limiting the application of this technology in buffalo is the high between-animal variability in the number of embryos produced. Therefore, the aim of Experiment 1 was to evaluate whether the Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) can be used as a reliable marker to select good donors in addition to the screening of the antral follicular count (AFC), before enrolling buffaloes in embryo production programs. In order to do so, 54 multiparous Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows were synchronized by double prostaglandin administration spaced 11 days apart and were slaughtered at a local authorized abattoir 6 days after the second administration. On all animals AFC, recovery rate and oocyte quality were recorded, and both plasma and follicular fluid (FF) were collected for AMH determination. In a representative number (n=22) the mRNA expression of six genes (AMHR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, LHR, TP53INP1, and CASP3) was analysed in granulosa cells (GCs). Finally, buffaloes were classified according to the AFC as good (≥ 12 follicles) and bad (< 12 follicles) donors, in order to evaluate the differences in reproductive parameters. Differences in AMH concentration in FF and gene expression in GCs among classes of follicles were analysed by ANOVA. Pearson correlation analysis was carried out to evaluate the relationship between AMH and the AFC, as well as among other reproductive parameters. The differences in AMH plasma levels and reproductive parameters between good and bad donors were analysed by Student's t test. The results of Experiment 1 showed a positive correlation (r = 0.31; P<0.05) between intrafollicular AMH concentration and the AFC in buffalo. Interestingly, good donors had a higher (P < 0.05) concentration of AMH in FF and AMHR2 levels in small follicles and higher (P < 0.05) LHR levels in large follicles than bad donors. However, no correlation was found with the plasmatic AMH levels, likely due to the poor sensitivity of the available kits. Thus, one of the future objectives could be to assess a more reliable specific assay in order to use this as a marker to screen donors. The aim of Experiment 2 was to evaluate the efficacy of replacing the last four FSH injections with a single administration of 1000 IU of eCG compared to the conventional FSH decreasing doses superovulation protocol. The study was carried out on 20 multiparous Italian Mediterranean buffaloes synchronized with a common double prostaglandin protocol. Then, animals were divided in two groups: one treated with a superovulatory protocol with FSH decreasing doses and one with the eCG replacing the last four FSH administrations. All cows were artificially inseminated at oestrus and ultrasonographic investigations in the two groups were carried out to assess follicular dynamics and to establish the number and size of corpora lutea on the ovaries. Differences between treatments were analysed by Student's t test. It was demonstrated that the replacement of the last four injections of FSH with a single administration of eCG within a superovulation protocol in buffalo is not recommended, due to the presence of a high number of anovulatory follicles at the moment of flushing, and a reduced number of ova compared to the conventional FSH treatment (3.0 ± 0.6 vs 6.6 ± 0.9 and 2.0 ± 1.2 vs 0.8 ± 0.6 respectively). However, a poor recovery rate in relation to the number of corpus luteum (CL) recorded in both protocols remains. In order to select the most reliable control group for the superovulation study, the aim of Experiment 3 was to evaluate the relationship between the ovarian follicular response at the start of an Ovsynch program and the pregnancy outcome. The study involved 116 pluriparous buffaloes that were synchronized by Ovsynch–TAI program, involving the administration of GnRH on Day 0 (GnRH1), PGF2a on Day 7, and GnRH on Day 9 (GnRH2), with timed artificial insemination (TAI) carried out on Day 10. Ovarian ultrasound examinations were undertaken on days 0, 2, 7, 9, 10, and 11 to record total follicles, the dimensions of follicles greater than 0.75 cm, dimensions of the CL, and the occurrence of ovulation. Blood concentrations of progesterone (P4) were measured on days 0 and 10 and 10 days after TAI. Pregnancy status was determined on days 27 and 45 after TAI to calculate late embryonic mortality. The data were analysed by ANOVA and multiple logistic regression. The results of Experiment 3 showed that only 60% of the buffaloes ovulated after the first GnRH on day 0 of the Ovsynch-TAI program. A higher proportion (P <0.01) of buffaloes that ovulated after GnRH1 had a vascularized corpus luteum (CL) on day 7. Furthermore, a greater proportion (P<0.05) of buffaloes that ovulated after GnRH1 was in oestrus and both a higher ovulation rate and pregnancy to AI were observed compared to buffaloes that did not ovulate. The results of the experiment 3 showed how important is the ovulation after the 1st GnRH to the pregnancy outcome, during Ovsynch-TAI program. This is due to both an optimized response of the CL to PGF2α on day 7 and a better response of the preovulatory follicle to second GnRH on day 9, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy to TAI. The results of this experiment allowed us to better plan the experiment 4, by selecting the animals that ovulated after the 1st GnRH as a control group to compare with superovulated animals. Therefore, the aim of Experiment 4 was to compare the morphological parameters of the follicles and the steroid profile (progesterone and oestradiol) both in plasma and follicular fluid in the peri-ovulatory period in superovulated vs synchronized buffaloes. Thirty-five multiparous Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows were randomLy divided into two groups: a group (n = 25) was synchronized by Ovsynch and another group (n=10) was superovulated with conventional FSH protocol and all of them were sacrificed 18 h after GnRH. On all animals AFC, recovery rate and oocyte quality were recorded, and both plasma and FF were collected for steroid profile determination. In addition, out of 10 animals (5/group), GCs were collected to analyse the mRNA expression of gonadotropin receptors LHR and FSHR while oviducts were collected to evaluate the mRNA expression of steroid receptors ER1 and PGR, VEGF and the VEGF receptor FLK1. Differences in morphological follicular parameters, as well as in the concentration of progesterone and oestradiol both in plasma and in follicular fluid were analysed by ANOVA, while differences in the recovery rate and in the percentage of oocytes showing cumulus expansion were analysed by Chi Square Test. Experiment 4 demonstrated that in superovulated animals the E2 and P4 concentrations in FF were lower (P<0.05) than in synchronized animals. Interestingly, both the recovery rate and the percentage of oocytes exhibiting proper cumulus expansion decreased (P<0.05) in the superovulated animals. Finally, in superovulated buffaloes a decreased expression of both ER1 and the VEGF receptor FLK1 in the infundibulum and an increased expression of FSHR in granulosa cells were observed (P<0.05). The results of the latter experiment suggest that the exogenous FSH treatment has probably increased the expression of FSHR in granulosa cells that was not followed by a parallel increase of oestradiol synthesis, eliciting an alteration of the granulosa cell function. The consequent altered steroid profile could affect in turn both the cumulus cells expansion during maturation, and the contraction-relaxation of the infundibulum, confirming the hypothesis of a failure in ovum capture in superovulated buffaloes. In conclusion, the results of this thesis taken together highlight the limitations of MOET in buffalo, suggesting that at present the only way to improve the intensity of genetic selection, through the maternal lineage, in this species is the OPU-IVEP technology. Indeed, buffaloes do respond to the gonadotropin treatment with multiple ovulations but the ova capture is severely impaired, resulting in poor embryo recovery. Nevertheless, the outputs of this thesis led to an improved knowledge and understanding of the limiting factors of the superovulation technique in this species.


The present work is directed to the analysis, design and construction of web-based systems capable of catalysing processes of stakeholder participation in such ways as to realise changes that are judged by these stakeholders as positive in the water sectors of both the human and the natural economies. The thesis is advanced that the judgement that is so passed is a recognition on the part of the stakeholders of a realisation of social justice. This paper is thus given over in its first part to an analysis of the origins and the nature of social justice in this sector. It is emphasised that, although the resources of hydroinformatics in this endeavour are largely based upon quantitative assessments, the ways in which these translate through stakeholder participation into experiences of social justice are essentially qualitative. Thus, although we are currently concerned for the most part with a hydroinformatics of the quantities , this now has to be extended into a hydroinformatics of the qualities .


This chapter provides a review of the evolution of oral health literacy including its impact on oral health outcomes, the current status of oral health literacy initiatives and future research needs. Using the Healthy People 2010 definition, the chapter describes opportunities needed to improve oral health literacy among health providers as well as individuals/patients, communities and policy-makers. Studies of the two most prevalent dental diseasesâĂŤdental caries and periodontal diseases - reveal that increasing the oral health literacy of the public and health care providers can play a major role in reducing these diseases. Increasing oral health literacy by creating access to accurate knowledge and supporting use of science-based preventive measures is essential. A major part of the chapter describes oral health literacy's influence in the integration of dental and medical care. The chapter provides an extensive list of research needed to further our understanding of the impact of oral health literacy on health disparities and the health of the population.


The Integrated Pipeline (IPL) project which involves a 147 mile pipe line is a joint effort between the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) and Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) that will bring additional water supplies to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. As a part of the pipe line layout and construction, large amounts of soil will be excavated during the pipeline construction installation process. Similarly, large amounts of soil need to be imported for bedding and backfilling of the trench. Importing new fill material and exporting excavated trench material for landfilling will have serious implications on both economic and environmental aspects of this mega construction project. As a result, a research study was initiated to study the reuse potential of the native soils as pipe backfill material. It was observed that a large portion of the native soils along the pipeline alignment could not be reused in their native form. Hence, chemical amendment studies were conducted to evaluate the possible reuse of chemically amended native materials. Sustainability concepts such as Economic and Environmental impacts of such reuse methods are discussed in this paper. Both cost benefits and environmental benefits of using ameliorated native soil vs. imported material for bedding and backfilling are discussed in this paper. This study shows that there are considerable cost advantages and environmental benefits in using chemically modified native excavated soils as bedding and haunch material.


A two-stage batch dryer for farmer stock peanut was developed by a commercial grain dryer manufacturer and tested at a commercial peanut buying point during the 1996 and 1997 harvests. A 7.3-m diameter grain bin provided the superstructure for two peanut curing chambers. Each chamber had an approximate capacity of 18,000 kg of in-shell peanuts. Comparisons between conventional peanut curing wagons and the bin dryer were conducted. Recorded data included temperature and relative humidity in both type dryers, drying time, moisture content throughout curing, farmers stock grades, milling quality, and seed germination. A total of 451,717 kg were cured in the two-stage dryer and 215,460 kg in conventional dryers. The initial moisture content of peanuts averaged 19% wet basis and dried at an average moisture removal rate of 0.45%/hr. The moisture removal rates for the two dryers were not significantly different. The final moisture content averaged 11%. Moisture content at the time of grading averaged 9%. Farmers stock grades and milling quality were not significantly different. The average quota support price, including LSK for peanuts cured in conventional dryers, was $630.47/1000 kg compared to $636.08/1000-kg peanuts cured in the two-stage dryer. Seed germination averaged 75.8 and 76.1% for conventional and bin-dried peanuts, respectively. The twostage batch dryer was comparable to the current wagon-drying system. A single batch in the two-stage dryer was equivalent to three peanut wagons.


Current research in Agronomy has produced a vast amount of genomic, genetic and phenomic data. To deal with the Volume, Variety and Velocity of those data, it is necessary to first refine to candidate datasets through data discovery then to integrate them through semantic web technologies. Data discovery is an approach that allows to easily search for datasets based on keywords and metadata. The plant bioinformatic node of the Institut Francais de Bioinformatique (IFB) gives access to several public information systems hosting domain specific data. It is composed of five bioinformatics platforms : the South Green platform, the LIPM platform, the Roscoff platform ABiMS, the platform for Arthopods for Agroecosystems Arthropods and the URGI platform. The later one plays a key role in several national an international projects like the Whea Initiative. Those platforms integrate several plant genomic, genetic and phenomic data, which they need to expose in data discovery and integration systems. The distributed data discovery system need an ETL (Extraction, Transformation and Loading) based integration pipeline implemented on each platform. This ETL can either be developed from scratch or be based on existing technologies such as KarmaWeb, Talend or Open Refine. The pipeline is being developed at the URGI, and will be deployed on all IFB plant nodes. The data discovery system is based on SolR (implemented in the Transplant portal http://www.transplantdb.eu) which uses the Lucene search framework at its core for full-text indexing. Here, we will present the data discovery system architecture and the ETL solutions evaluation and comparison. Work funded by IFB investment for the future infrastructure project, IFB_Plant node.


A semiquantitative 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scoring method (the Curie score, or CS) was previously examined in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) high-risk neuroblastoma trial, COG A3973, with a postinduction CS of more than 2 being associated with poor event-free survival (EFS). The validation of the CS in an independent dataset, International Society of Paediatric Oncology European Neuroblastoma/High-Risk Neuroblastoma 1 (SIOPEN/HR-NBL1), is now reported. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 123I-MIBG scans obtained from patients who had been prospectively enrolled in SIOPEN/HR-NBL1 was performed. All patients exhibited 123I-MIBG–avid, International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage 4 neuroblastoma. 123I-MIBG scans were evaluated at 2 time points, diagnosis (n = 345) and postinduction (n = 330), before consolidation myeloablative therapy. Scans of 10 anatomic regions were evaluated, with each region being scored 0–3 on the basis of disease extent and a cumulative CS generated. Cut points for outcome analysis were identified by Youden methodology. CSs from patients enrolled in COG A3973 were used for comparison. Results: The optimal cut point for CS at diagnosis was 12 in SIOPEN/HR-NBL1, with a significant outcome difference by CS noted (5-y EFS, 43.0% ± 5.7% [CS ≤ 12] vs. 21.4% ± 3.6% [CS > 12], P < 0.0001). The optimal CS cut point after induction was 2 in SIOPEN/HR-NBL1, with a postinduction CS of more than 2 being associated with an inferior outcome (5-y EFS, 39.2% ± 4.7% [CS ≤ 2] vs. 16.4% ± 4.2% [CS > 2], P < 0.0001). The postinduction CS maintained independent statistical significance in Cox models when adjusted for the covariates of age and MYCN gene copy number. Conclusion: The prognostic significance of postinduction CSs has now been validated in an independent cohort of patients (SIOPEN/HR-NBL1), with a postinduction CS of more than 2 being associated with an inferior outcome in 2 independent large, cooperative group trials.


Foraging on avian faeces by birds is uncommon apart from the consumption of nestling faeces by songbird parents. Here, observations made of five Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, three Green-winged Teal A. crecca and one Baikal Teal A. formosa seen feeding on Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus faeces, on the ice in Lake Izunuma, Japan, on 10 February 2010, are described. The faeces of herbivorous Whooper Swans contained undigested vegetation which, when dissolved in water on top of the ice, was available for consumption by the ducks.


This article discusses the importance of educating female children in India. There is ample evidence worldwide that improvements in girls' education benefit the status of the family and empower women. The World Declaration of Education for All was adopted in Jomtein, Thailand in 1990. It urged access to and improvement in the quality of education of girls and women to remove obstacles that hamper active participation. 1990 was the Year of Literacy and the Year of the Girl Child. Girls lag in education worldwide. The gender gap is widest in India in levels of literacy, school enrollment, school dropouts, and opportunities for vocational training. There is a need to educate the public, particularly mothers, about the value of girls. In rural and backward areas of India, there is fear of educating girls that is related to prevalent practices of exploitation and violence against women. Education and vocational training should be linked with anti-poverty programs. Adult literacy should be linked with girls' education. The National Policy on Education in 1986 targeted removal of sex stereotyping from school curricula and promoted diversified curricula and access of girls to vocational and professional training programs. The policy recommended integrated child care services and primary education. The national action plan for the 1990s focuses on protection, survival, and development of the girl child in India. Special schools for developing skills in nutrition, cooking, sewing, home economics, and child development should be set up in villages for girls 12-20 years old. The gap in girls' education is attributed to apathy and resistance of parents, unfavorable attitudes toward coeducation, poverty of parents, shortages of schools, and poor quality instruction. Girls' continuing education should be ensured by incentives, such as free books and clothes; time tables conducive to work; support systems; and work schemes.


Jerome C. Curran ESC Team QNA Mailstop ESC 24 Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 Mark R. Kolody ESC Team QNA Mailstop ESC 24 Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 Evaluation of metals to predict service life of metal-based structures in corrosive environments has long relied on atmospheric exposure test sites. Traditional accelerated corrosion testing relies on mimicking the exposure conditions, often incorporating salt spray and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and exposing the metal to continuous or cyclic conditions similar to those of the corrosive environment. Their reliability to correlate to atmospheric exposure test results is often a concern when determining the timescale to which the accelerated tests can be related. Accelerated corrosion testing has yet to be universally accepted as a useful tool in predicting the long-term service life of a metal, despite its ability to rapidly induce corrosion. Although visual and mass loss methods of evaluating corrosion are the standard, and their use is crucial, a method that correlates timescales from accelerated testing to atmospheric exposure would be very valuable. This paper presents work that began with the characterization of the atmospheric environment at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Beachside Corrosion Test Site. The chemical changes that occur on low carbon steel, during atmospheric and accelerated corrosion conditions, were investigated using surface chemistry analytical methods. The corrosion rates and behaviors of panels subjected to long-term and accelerated corrosion conditions, involving neutral salt fog and alternating seawater spray, were compared to identify possible timescale correlations between accelerated and long-term corrosion performance. The results, as well as preliminary findings on the correlation investigation, are presented.


Abstract Ethiopia has diverse topographic features and climatic conditions with a diverse flora. The liverwort flora of southwest Ethiopia is practically unknown, despite a favourable climate and the occurrence of suitable ecosystems such as montane rainforests. During an ecological study of diversity patterns of bryophytes and vascular plants in relation to land use, we recorded many bryophyte species. In this paper we report the finding of 89 species of liverworts, and give short ecological notes and describe the distribution (locally and in Africa) for each species. Of these, 51 species are newly reported from Ethiopia. It is thus obvious that Ethiopia is considerably richer in liverworts than might be expected from previous checklists.


Abstract Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus , form social units, called coveys, during the nonbreeding season (approximately September–April). Because the evolutionary advantage of this behaviour is generally unknown, we used controlled group size manipulations within an aviary to investigate whether group size influences (1) the time that the covey spends feeding, (2) the percentage of the covey that is vigilant, (3) the overall vigilance of the group and (4) the time to predator detection. We found that increasing group size increased the time that coveys spent in an exposed feeding area, reduced individual vigilance, improved group vigilance and decreased the time to detection of a potential predator. Additionally, we used experimental reductions of wild northern bobwhite coveys to test whether groups size influences (1) individual and covey survival, (2) daily movement in maintaining covey size and (3) mass change. We conducted field research on 12 independent 259-ha study areas (6 control plots and 6 treatments, where 60% of the population was removed) in east-central Kansas, U.S.A. between 9 November and 31 January, 1997–2000. We radio-marked 386 radiocollared individuals that comprised 137 groups on the study areas. Covey size did not differ between or within years or treatments ( X ±SE: 10.98±0.22 individuals). Our results indicate that a stable group size existed between 1 and 22 individuals, with 11 being an optimal group size. Small coveys (1–7 individuals) had lower group persistence and individual survival, and used increased movement to create or join larger groups where survival was higher. Large groups (15–22) had lower individual survival, increased group movement and individual mass loss. Density-dependent feedbacks (e.g. lower survival and increased competition) may have lowered larger coveys to a stable size. Our results suggest the regulation of an optimal covey size of 11 was promoted by high group persistence, low group movement, improved feeding efficiency, improved individual predator detection and improved individual survival. Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.


SUMMARY. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to bone fracture. Bone tissue undergoes constant remodeling. Under the physiologic conditions, bone formation and resorption are in a fair balance. After the third decade of life, bone resorption exceeds bone formation and leads to osteopenia and, in severe situations, osteoporosis. The result is fragile bones and an increased risk for fracture with even minimal trauma. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is thought to result from gonadal (ie, estrogen) deficiency. Estrogen deficiency have been reported to make decrease in 1-25 vitamin D, PTH levels and also calcium absorbsion and increased of some cytokines (ie. IL-1, TNF-alpha) may cause. it was noticed that Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may descrease these cytokines and increase fractional calcium absorbsion . Consequently, we hypotesize that UDCA might be useful Postmenopausal osteoporosis.


This country assessment of the private health sector in Mali is part of a series of studies designed to deepen understanding of ways to enhance the health policy framework, business environment, and investment climate in which the private health sector operates in African countries. The Malian health system has evolved dramatically since the middle of the 1980s. A large part of the analysis in this report relies on the reprocessing and the mining of existing databases, the financial and macroeconomic models based on those data, and elements reconstructed through triangulation. Those calculations proved indispensable for assessing the main demographic trends in the private sector, for estimating the growth of community centers (CSCOMs) and private mutual insurance, and identifying how to reinforce them. The growth of the private sector is further held back by insufficient educational preparation for practice in the private sector and in rural areas. For-profit and not-for-profit health care providers, pharmacies, and schools should be given beefier access to funding during start-up. Other financial engineering strategies (participation, etc.) could also be devised. The government of Mali has an opportunity to take advantage the large and dynamic private health sector in contributing to its national health care objectives and outcomes. The study describes the various instruments of stewardship towards the private sector that could be used such as information, regulations, financing and direct provision of public services in areas of significant market failure.


In order to determine the behavior of glutamic oxalacetic (GOT), glutamic-pyruvic (GPT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) transaminases after a period of asphyxia, a study was conducted in 120 newborn children which were placed into two groups: group 1 of the asphyxiated children who were given oxygen at intermittent positive pressure for more than a minute and group 2 of healthy children with an Apgar greater than 7 after the first and five minutes and without any apparent pathology. The results showed a real increase in the quantities of all three transaminases among those in the group of asphyxiated children, which on the other hand did not occur in the healthy group of children where levels remained normal. There was statistical differences (P less than 0.001) by which we can conclude that the quantification of these enzymes can be useful as a diagnostic tool in cases of perinatal asphyxia.


The process of value creation cannot be an exclusive preserve of designers, but it is rather the result of a diffuse problem solving capability. The creation of new value is also connected to the concept of innovation and can happen in different logical contexts, from limited and confined contexts (niches) to consolidated structures (regimes) and to wider sociotechnical contexts (landscapes). In all those contexts, design can have a different role and whoever designs should use different capabilities and tools. Furthermore, design capabilities can also be useful when aligning value creation and change in different levels, thus contributing to understand the relationships between small scale interactions and wider scale transformation of sociotechnical landscapes. This paper proposes a framework to understand the contribution of design to the value creation process at the three levels, focusing on design capabilities and tools to work across different logical contexts.


We report the electronic structure and related properties of the superconductor Ta2PdSe5 as determined from density functional calculations. The Fermi surface has two disconnected sheets, both derived from bands of primarily chalcogenide p states. These are a corrugated hole cylinder and a heavier complex shaped electron sheet. The sheets contain 0.048 holes and a compensating number of electrons per formula unit, making the material a semimetallic superconductor. The results support the presence of two band superconductivity, although a discrepancy in the specific heat is noted. This discrepancy is discussed as a possible consequence of Pd deficiency in samples.


Several human continuous lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) having T or B characteristics were infected with low and high passage strains of measles virus. All of the cell lines were susceptible to one or the other or to both strains of measles virus with the production of typical syncytial giant cells and released cell-free infectious virus into the supernatant medium. There was no consistent pattern of susceptibility of LCL with either T or B characteristics to infection by measles virus. Viral induced cytolysis of the lymphoblastoid cells in many of the lines was marked, but in the LCL that could be maintained over longer periods of time, a state of chronic, less cytolytic and persistent infection could be established. The infection was characterized by the production of moderate amounts of cell-free infectious virus for up to 4 1/2 months after initial infection with little change in the number of viable cells in culture. Long-term low multiplicity of infection (MOI) experiments demonstrated that the cell-free infectious virus was being produced only by a small number of cells, but the majority of cells in culture contained measles antigen that was in a cell-restricted, noninfectious, or defective form. Electron microscopic examination of the chronically infected cells demonstrated that many of them contained aggregates of hollow tubular intranuclear nucleocapsids whose "stripped" appearance was in marked contrast to the larger granular intracytoplasmic nucleocapsids found during earlier stages of infection. It is theorized that the persistent infection of LCL may serve as a model in understanding the immune mechanisms which permit latent and chronic measles infection in man.


We describe a novel imaging technique, second-harmonic-generation optical coherence tomography (SHOCT). This technique combines the spatial resolution and depth penetration of optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the molecular sensitivity of second-harmonic-generation spectroscopy. As a consequence of the coherent detection required for OCT, polarization-resolved images arise naturally. We demonstrate this new technique on a skin sample from the belly of Icelandic salmon, acquiring polarization-resolved SHOCT and OCT images simultaneously.


: The activity of hexokinase, glycose-6-phosphatase, phosphofructokinase, fructose diphosphate aldolase and ketose-1-phosphate aldolase was studied in kidneys, blood serum and urine or rats, the proximal and distal areas of their nephron being affected with the chemical substances. A pronounced decrease in the activity of the mentioned enzymes in the renal tissue was greater with afection of the nephron proximal area. The activity of the mentioned enzymes in urine, vice versa, increases sharply and in blood serum it was almost unchanges (exception for keto-1-phosphate aldolase). The pronounced enzyme uria may reflect the deep changes in epithelium cells of canals, especially of proximal ones where the enzymes under study are mainly localized.


One of the most challenging problems in system identification is that of model structure selection. In this thesis we investigate how three different kinds of prior process knowledge can be utilized to deal with this fundamental issue.The material is presented in four parts. The first one reviews some basic modeling and identification concepts, algorithms and ideas from which the following main three parts take off.The second part considers linear model structures that benefit from prior knowledge about the time constants and resonance frequencies of the underlying system. The idea is to generalize FIR modeling by replacing the delay operator with discrete so-called Laguerre or Kautz filters. While the nice properties of the FIR structure (stability, linear regression formulation, good approximation capability, etc.) are retained, the prior is used to reduce the number of parameters typically needed in the models. Tailored and efficient identification algorithms for these structures are developed and analyzed. The usefulness of the proposed methods is also demonstrated through a number of concrete simulation and application studies.The next approach is termed semi-physical modeling. Starting with simple physical insight into the application, often in terms of a set of unstructured equations, we are here looking for suitable nonlinear transformations of the raw measurements, so as to come up with a reasonable model structure. The suggested modeling procedure shows a first step where symbolic computations are employed to determine a set of physically motivated regressors. We discuss and show how constructive tools from commutative and differential algebra can be applied for this. Then, to avoid unnecessarily complex models, we address the intertwined problem of selecting a "good" subset of these regressors and how to estimate the corresponding parameters. More informal tools such as the programming environment are also treated.The fourth part concerns fuzzy identification where the prior structural knowledge comes in terms of a set of linguistic production rules. We emphasize the close connections between a particular fuzzy model structure on one hand and neural networks, model trees, etc. on the other hand. Several estimation related issues for this fuzzy structure are discussed, e.g., what algorithms to use, the need for regularization, and so on. It is also shown that the expert knowledge easily can be lost in the estimation procedure, unless special parameter restrictions are imposed. In addition, we propose a simplified fuzzy model structure customized to reflect a monotone steady-state behavior. Two applications, a tank and a water heating system, are investigated and successfully modeled within this framework.Finally and quite importantly, prototype software tools supporting the suggested approaches have been designed and implemented. The usefulness of these is illustrated in a number of identification applications.


Cleft of the lip, the alveolar process and the palate (CLP) is the most common congenital malformation of the head. Whereas the cleft lip is a malformation that affects aesthetics, cleft palate is a malformation that affects function. Functional disorders due to a palatal cleft include problems of nutrition, swallowing, breathing and grimacing. Moreover, speech and voice quality are commonly affected. Speech and voice disorders may persist after repair of the palatal cleft. Speech is primarily affected by hypernasality or increased nasal resonance as well as nasal air escape, and secondarily by misarticulations, decreased intelligibility and hoarseness. Hypernasality and nasal air escape are commonly treated by surgery, while misarticulations and hoarseness are treated by speech therapy.

The superiorly based posterior pharyngeal wall flap with a Z-plasty to cover the wound surface of the flap is one of the surgical techniques that can be used to treat hypernasality in speech due to velopharyngeal insufficiency. Velopharyngeal insufficiency occurs when the soft palate is unable to separate the oropharynx from the nasopharynx. Hypernasality is one of the parameters that may influence intelligibility of speech. As speech is the cornerstone of social integration and peer acceptance, the ultimate goal of the flap operation is to obtain speech with a normal nasal resonance and with a pleasing quality. However, if after pharyngeal flap surgery speech outcome with regard to hypernasality is disappointing, revisional surgery is usually performed in order to obtain a more favourable outcome. The incidence of revisional surgery may be used as a measure to describe speech outcome after pharyngeal flap surgery. To assess speech before and after pharyngeal flap surgery, as well perceptual judgment as instrumental measures can be performed. In clinical situation, the perceptual impression is the first tool used to judge the severity of the abnormalities in speech before and after therapy. For scientific reasons it is important to know the reliability of the perceptual judgment. Unfortunately, the current research points out that the reliability of this perceptual judgment is only moderate. For a more objective support for diagnosis and decision making for therapy, instruments to measure hypernasality in speech have been developed. One of these instruments is the Nasometer®. The nasometer claims to provide measures which are based on physiology. During standardized speech, nasal acoustic energy is measured separately from oral acoustic energy. The ratio of acoustic energy proceeding from the nasal cavity and the total acoustic energy is used as a measure for nasal resonance. The correlation between the perceptual judgment and the instrumental measure is an important issue. From the current research appears that the correlation between perception and nasometry is only moderate, probably meaning that measurement by nasometry and judgment by perception reflects different dimensions of speech. Therefore, acoustic nasometry must not be considered as a substitute for the perceptual judgment, but as a tool to quantify nasal resonance before and after therapy as part of a multidimensional diagnostic process (beside aerodynamics, imaging and self-evaluation).


A large percentage of transmission line outages in Malaysia are due to lightning activity with backflashover being the main cause. Previous investigations have indicated that tower footing earth resistance is one of the main factors in reducing the occurrence of backflashovers. The present studies review some of the tower earthing design options. From this standard designs are proposed together with a practical method of optimising the design based on soil resistivity measurement data. The process is presented via a flowchart which includes the main measurement and design steps. This allows different standard designs to be selected to suit the type of soil structure at the site of the proposed transmission tower. Where measurements indicate a high resistivity layer with underlying low resistivity soil, an electrode design relying more on driven rods is used. Conversely, a design using more horizontal electrode would be selected where the soil structure is of low resistivity above high. Some practical methods are also described which can be included in the design to improve the ease with which maintenance testing can be carried out. The results of trial installations on selected towers have been performed and the results are discussed.


This article explores the various presumptions and arguments of Canadian courts in largely denying queer children a legal presence. An analysis of the intersection of homosexuality and children is explored with a view to arguing that legally, queer children deserve a voice. The author begins by outlining the development of the legal conceptualization of the "child". This conceptualization led to the notion of the child as innocent, and thus in need of protection. In comparison, homosexuals came to be characterized as "aberrant" and "predatory". Protecting children from homosexuals then became a simple step of logic, which ultimately led to the larger legal construction of the "nascently heterosexual" child. This presumption underlies many of the court decisions reached in this area, often leading to a complete failure on the part of the law to acknowledge and confront the complex and sensitive issues facing queer children. Heterosexual normalization and homosexual "abnormalization" pervades the legal landscape, such that any child exhibiting non-heterosexual tendencies is presumed to have been influenced by an "aberrant" and "predatory" homosexual adult. Legal institutions respond by "protecting" children from homosexual influences, thus denying these children access to gay norms and contexts. The author canvasses the manner in which major institutions and devices -- in the context of family and custody; religion; education; and harassment and verbal abuse -- are used to ensure the invisibility of the queer child. In conclusion, it is noted that while some courts are beginning to recognize the queer child, much progress is needed before the queer child is accorded full legal visibility.


Based on LMI and proper Lyapunov functions, under the assumption that the uncertainty is norm-bounded and the states of the system are available, H_∞ stated feedback controllers for a class of generalized uncertain time-delay systems are designed. The H_∞ stated feedback controllers can be obtained by solving the corresponding LMI. This approach is proved that can make the closed-loop systems asymptotically stable, meanwhile, the H_∞ norm of the transfer function from the disturbance to the controlled output is reduced to a given constant. At last, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the validity of this approach.


Because the human eye is practically blind to the polarization of light, biologists dealing with polarization vision of animals, or engineers designing robots using polarization-sensitive computer vision to enhance contrast in the optical environment need a technique to image the spatial distribution of polarized light in the visual environment. Recently, different kinds of imaging polarimetry were developed to measure the polarization patterns of objects and natural scenes in a single, two-dimensional, wide field of view. As a further development of this technique, we report here on the realization of the addition of depth to scenes imaging the distribution of polarized light: One kind of stereo videopolarimetry was designed to measure and visualize in three dimensions the polarization patterns in nature and to mimic the ability of animal-eyes to receive visual information from a binocular field of view. We demonstrate the power of stereo videopolarimetry on an applied problem representing (in parallel view stereo format) a three-dimensional object, a car with a shiny bodywork and also having strong reflection polarization. The technical difficulties and hitches of stereo videopolarimetry as well as the importance of the distance of observation, the role of the angle of view, the influence of the color of the object, and the possibility to state differences between metallized and non-metallized paints are discussed.


Abstract. Studies of climate change impacts on the terrestrial biosphere have been completed without recognition of the integrated nature of the biosphere. Improved assessment of the impacts of climate change on food and water security requires the development and use of models not only representing each component but also their interactions. To meet this requirement the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) land surface model has been modified to include a generic parametrisation of annual crops. The new model, JULES-crop, is described and evaluation at global and site levels for the four globally important crops; wheat, soybean, maize and rice. JULES-crop demonstrates skill in simulating the inter-annual variations of yield for maize and soybean at the global and country levels, and for wheat for major spring wheat producing countries. The impact of the new parametrisation, compared to the standard configuration, on the simulation of surface heat fluxes is largely an alteration of the partitioning between latent and sensible heat fluxes during the later part of the growing season. Further evaluation at the site level shows the model captures the seasonality of leaf area index, gross primary production and canopy height better than in the standard JULES. However, this does not lead to an improvement in the simulation of sensible and latent heat fluxes. The performance of JULES-crop from both an Earth system and crop yield model perspective is encouraging. However, more effort is needed to develop the parametrisation of the model for specific applications. Key future model developments identified include the introduction of processes such as irrigation and nitrogen limitation which will enable better representation of the spatial variability in yield.


Aims To evaluate the prevalence of and factors associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a rural population of southwestern Japan. Methods This population-based cross-sectional study of all residents aged 40 years or older was conducted on the island of Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan. Of 4632 eligible residents, 3762 completed a comprehensive questionnaire and underwent ocular examination (participant rate, 81.2%). A non-mydriatic fundus photograph was used to grade AMD lesions according to the Wisconsin protocol. Prevalence of AMD was calculated and factors associated with AMD were identified by logistic regression. Results Of 3068 subjects with gradable photographs, 469 had early AMD and 4 had late AMD. Age-adjusted prevalence was 13.4% for any AMD, 13.3% for early AMD and 0.09% for late AMD. In multivariate analysis, any AMD was positively associated with age (OR 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.05), male sex (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.75) and history of cataract surgery (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.82) and was negatively associated with longer axial length (OR 0.85 per millimetre, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.96). Early AMD similarly showed significant associations with these same factors. Conclusions Prevalence of early or late AMD in a southwestern island population of Japan was 13.4% or 0.09%. Our data suggest relatively high prevalence for early AMD and low prevalence for late AMD in this sample of rural Japanese population. Significant factors associated with any or early AMD were mostly similar to that of previous studies.


Purpose: To evaluate the levels of oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in eyes with pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma treated with and without topical coenzyme Q10 (CQ10) and vitamin E (Coqun drop). Methods: This prospective, randomized clinical study was conducted on 64 eyes of 64 patients. All patients underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation surgery. Aqueous humor samples were aspirated from the anterior chamber at the beginning of cataract surgery. The pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma + Coqun group received topical Coqun (100 mg CQ10, 500 mg Vitamin E TPGS) twice daily for 1 month preoperatively, while the pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma group consisted of pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma cases who had not taken Coqun. Pseudo-exfoliation syndrome cases formed the pseudo-exfoliation syndrome group. The main outcomes were the superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels of aqueous humor in both groups. Results: The mean aqueous humor superoxide dismutase level was significantly higher in the pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma group than in pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma + Coqun and pseudo-exfoliation syndrome groups (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively). Also, the mean aqueous humor superoxide dismutase level was significantly lower in the pseudo-exfoliation syndrome group than in pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma + Coqun group (p = 0.009). The mean malondialdehyde levels showed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: Our study showed lower aqueous humor level of superoxide dismutase in pseudo-exfoliation syndrome patients compared to pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma patients. Significantly lower superoxide dismutase level was observed in pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma patients who received topical Coqun compared to pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma patients without Coqun treatment. No significant change was observed on the malondialdehyde level during 1-month follow-up period.


Amongst the monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotics, selected monophosphams were potent mechanism-based inactivators of the P99 and E2 cephalosporinases of Enterobacter cloacae. Inhibition of these enzymes was time-dependent with second order rate constants for inactivation of 100,000 to 20,000,000 l/mol/min. After incubation for 24 h at least 99% of the enzymatic activity was inhibited when enzyme was exposed to a ten-fold excess of inactivator. Amongst the monophosphams three classes of inhibitors were seen: irreversible inactivators as described above, transient inactivators and competitive (inhibitory) substrates.


Due to the uncertainty of possible reduced models prior to data collection, this paper considered using experimental designs that are robust across the set of potential models. In this study, blocking effects were combined into all possible models which were obtained from weak heredity principle (WH). The objective of this article was to propose the geometric mean of G-optimalities as a new alternative for finding robust response surface designs against model misspecification. The proposed criterion is so-called a weighted G-optimality criterion (Gw). The genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to optimize the weighted G-optimality criterion for finding designs. Robust designs having 2 and 3 design variables in hypercube were generated with an appropriate number of design points in each blocks and the number of blocks in this study are 2, 3, and 4. The scheme for weighting the criteria was to give more weight to a model with a larger number of parameters. The resulting weighted G-optimal designs have higher G-efficiencies compared to those of G-optimal designs if a true model is the first-order or interaction models. The G-efficiency of a weighted G-optimal design is slightly less than that of a G-optimal design even when the true model is a second-order model. Furthermore, design points identified from the GA are also presented, which would be very useful in practice for those intending to implement an experimental design for data collection.


Summary There has been limited research on the attitudes of family carers and the part they play in helping people with a learning disability choose accommodation. A postal questionnaire was sent to family carers of people with Down's Syndrome, to identify their attitudes to supported living, their experience of the application process, and the support they provided to residents. It was found that main family carers of people with Down's Syndrome in supported living were generally satisfied with the housing and support provided, particularly with respect to activities of daily living. There was less satisfaction with the help received with managing finance and employment. There had been a mean of 2 years delay between application and securing accommodation. The large number of people providing care at home who wished their family-member to move into supported living suggests that there is a large unmet need for this type of accommodation. Almost all family carers continued to provide support after participants moved into supported living, particularly with more complex tasks such as financial management, and with responding to crises and ill-health. This indicates that people with a learning disability in supported living who do not have active contact with their family may be vulnerable financially and less likely than others to receive help at times of crisis. The proportion of residents in supported living who experience such problems will increase as family carers die or otherwise become too infirm to continue to provide support.


In this study on "Genocidal anti-Bosnianism", five elements of anti-Bosnian ideology are looked at with reference to past and potential genocides: (1) orientalism and self-orientalization and Turkification and self-Turkification as applied to the Muslim section of the Bosnian people; (2) the ideological justification of the war against Bosnia and her people by reducing it to a Civil War; (3) the ideological inversion (and so undermining) of any potential politically conscious Bosnian identity (Bosnianhood); (4) the means and mechanisms for anamnesis in understanding the genocidal anti-Bosnian project; and (5) psychological and epistemological shortcomings in current research into genocidal ideologies. In the author's view, this analysis at least suggests potential ways to overcome our failure to come to terms the present and future threat of genocide and other crimes being repeated.


At present, the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM) is becoming more and more extensive in the field of materials examination. But it may be restricted since most of the SEM sample stages just have single function and the existing multifunctional SEM sample stages are poor practicability. In this schematic design, two multifunctional SEM sample stages are designed by means of reforming the construction of SEM sample stage. Specifically, the aims of conducting structural dynamic observation in the process of stretching or compressing samples and detecting flexible long samples are achieved by installing different mechanical clamping devices on the SEM sample stage base. Furthermore, the two multifunctional SEM sample stages have advantages of relatively simple construction, low lost and strong practicability.


Robots can now learn how to make decisions and control themselves, generalizing learned behaviors to unseen scenarios. In particular, AI powered robots show promise in rough environments like the lunar surface, due to the environmental uncertainties. We address this critical generalization aspect for robot locomotion in rough terrain through a training algorithm we have created called the Path Planning and Motion Control (PPMC) Training Algorithm. This algorithm is coupled with any generic reinforcement learning algorithm to teach robots how to respond to user commands and to travel to designated locations on a single neural network. In this paper, we show that the algorithm works independent of the robot structure, demonstrating that it works on a wheeled rover in addition the past results on a quadruped walking robot. Further, we take several big steps towards real world practicality by introducing a rough highly uneven terrain. Critically, we show through experiments that the robot learns to generalize to new rough terrain maps, retaining a 100% success rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to introduce a generic training algorithm teaching generalized PPMC in rough environments to any robot, with just the use of reinforcement learning.


: During the neonatal period, sonography mostly represents the primary imaging modality of choice. Noninvasiveness, no exposure to ionizing radiation and no harmful side effects in biologic tissues contribute to the advantages of this technique. Validity of ultrasonic imaging in the neonatal age group lies primarily in the detection of congenital anomalies. Intraacerebral (2.39 per 1000 live births) as well as intracardiac (6 per 1000 live births) and intraabdominal anomalies can be diagnosed sonographically. Anatomic sites of origin of neonatal abdominal masses are renal (55%), genital (15%), gastrointestinal (15%), non-renal retroperitoneal (10%) and hepato-spleno-biliary (5%). Furthermore, changes of echogenicity reflect structural changes and thus impairment of function in various organs. Finally, Duplex sonography, the combination of real time imaging and Doppler flow measurement, can differentiate between vascular and avascular lesions and normal and abnormal flow patterns. The application of diagnostic ultrasound in the neonatal period is demonstrated.


Purpose
This paper aims to look at the effects of different levels of involvement (high and low) on social media (Facebook) users' engagement (likes, shares and comments) with different types and formats of brand content.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors analyzed user reactions to 1,156 Facebook posts from eight business-to-consumer brands (goods and services). Based on a post hoc test, four product/services were identified as belonging to the group of high-involvement and the other four as low involvement.

Findings
The data suggest that, when involvement is low, users in general engage more with brand posts regardless their format (text, image and post) or type (hedonic and informative), or even the interaction of both. Moreover, low involvement leads users prefer to comment on brand content, whereas higher involvement is associated with to sharing it. Exceptions were observed for images (both hedonic and informative) and for hedonic image and video in both low and high involvement users.

Research limitations/implications
The goal was not to measure users' attention to each type of post. Moreover, the authors did not have access to information regarding which devices were used to access the online content and whether that aspect might have an impact on users' reactions. Neither do they claim that engagement necessarily reflects positive reactions, as any content analysis of users' reactions was beyond the scope of this project.

Practical implications
These findings are expected to help brand managers and social media strategists to better select content based on their marketing goals, as well as to provide a potential explanation for the success of campaigns.

Originality/value
As far as we are aware, no previous study has attempted to observe the mediated effect of consumer involvement on brand posts considering their type and format. We also believe that this is the first observation of how behavior differentiates according to the target audience's level of involvement. This paper also proposes a convenient framework for categorizing social network sites content. Suggestions for future research are made at the end.


Rare and diagnostically challenging, paraneoplastic syndromes can appear months to years before detection of their underlying neoplasms and are associated with rapidly progressive neurologic deficits, including cochleovestibulopathy and death. Less than 20 cases of paraneoplastic cochleovestibulopathy have been reported in the online database PubMed. We present three recent cases: one patient with a history of B-cell follicular lymphoma who developed dermatomyositis and hearing loss before detection of lymphoma recurrence in his anterior chest wall, a second patient with sudden asymmetric hearing loss, found to have a 12-cm renal mass before death, and a third with fluctuating bilateral hearing loss who was ultimately found to have a thymoma. Although characterized as type VI (non-immune rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss) within the Harris autoimmune inner ear disease classification system, the mechanism of paraneoplastic cochleovestibulopathy is not well understood. Although specific anti-neuronal antibodies such as anti-Hu may be associated with other paraneoplastic neurologic disorders, these antibodies have limited diagnostic utility with paraneoplastic cochleovestibulopathy. Steroids have limited efficacy with regard to hearing recovery, whereas intravenous immunoglobulin has been shown to be of benefit. These recent cases demonstrate how auditory and vestibular deficits may be indicative of a rare but potentially life-threatening occult neoplasm where timely diagnosis is critical. We believe that understanding paraneoplastic cochleovestibulopathy is of interest across a broad range of clinical practices.


Two rigid plates are vertically suspended by thread such that they are parallel to and opposite each other. The plates are partially submerged in a dish of liquid that is attached to the top of a vertical shake table. When the shake table is driven with noise in a frequency band, random surface waves are parametrically excited, and the plates move toward each other. The reason for this attraction is that the waves carry momentum, and the wave motion between the plates is visibly reduced. The behavior is analogous to the Casimir effect, in which two conducting uncharged parallel plates attract each other due to the zero-point spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. The water wave analog can be readily demonstrated and offers a visual demonstration of a Casimir-type effect. Measurements of the force agree with the water wave theory even at large wave amplitudes, where the theory is expected to break down. The water wave analog applies to side-by-side ships in a rough sea and is distinct from the significant ...


The standard regimen for the treatment of newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) remains regimens that contain high-dose methotrexate (MTX). While these regimens can provide control for some patients, there is a dearth of options for the treatment of patients with PCNSL who cannot tolerate MTX-containing regimens, or whose cancers are refractory to MTX. In this article, we review a promising new option; ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for patients with relapsed and refractory PCNSL.


Past efforts to conceptualize the effects of welfare on work have failed to consider the full range of incentives and disincentives that low-skill single mothers perceive and act upon when making the choice between welfare and work. They also have neglected the fundamental economic reality of these mothers' lives-neither welfare nor low-wage work gives single mothers enough income to meet their families'expenses. In-depth interviews with 379 low-income single mothers in four U.S. cities show that welfare recipients and low-wage workers employ a set of survival strategies to make ends meet. The range of strategies available to mothers is shaped by the social-structural characteristics of the cities in which they live and by the quality of their private social safety nets. The authors argue that because some survival strategies are more compatible with work than others, the strategies a mother employs may affect her ability to move from welfare to work. Most welfare recipients want to leave welfare for work. However, most also believe that unless they can lower the costs associated with work or increase their earning power through investments in further education, they will be unable to meet their expenses by working


It is very likely that genetic factors play a role in the pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH). As CH shares its paroxysmal character with migraine, and migraine has been described in coexistence with CH in some families, we hypothesized that both diseases might share a genetic aetiology. In this study, we tested whether the migraine CACNA1A gene on chromosome 19 is involved in CH in an extended pedigree. Haplotype analysis did not reveal an obvious disease haplotype, and SSCP analysis of all 47 exons of the CACNA1A gene did not reveal a causative mutation. CH in this family is not caused by mutations in the CACNA1A gene.


We develop a Bayesian framework for supervised dimension reduction using a flexible nonparametric Bayesian mixture modeling approach. Our method retrieves the dimension reduction or d.r. subspace by utilizing a dependent Dirichlet process that allows for natural clustering for the data in terms of both the response and predictor variables. Formal probabilistic models with likelihoods and priors are given and efficient posterior sampling of the d.r. subspace can be obtained by a Gibbs sampler. As the posterior draws are linear subspaces which are points on a Grassmann manifold, we output the posterior mean d.r. subspace with respect to geodesics on the Grassmannian. The utility of our approach is illustrated on a set of simulated and real examples. Some


It is a well-known phenomenon that earthquake ground motion can be amplified by local site conditions. In this paper we present the results of distribution of shallow shear-wave velocity in depth in Almeria city. In our study, several S-wave refraction surveys were performed. The SR-waves have been generated using hitting a side of a plank which was firmly contacted with ground by placing a big weight. The observational system used has 4 seismometers. Four shots were made for each seismometer array pattem and then, seismometers were removed for a new recording test. Totallenght ofthe surveying lines was 45 or 50 meters. The shear velocity values ofthe ground vary from 1689 mis in hard rock to 298 mis in soft soil. These results are useful for understanding the uppermost soil characteristics and are used for soil classification.


BACKGROUND
During the 1980s data became available from randomized trials concerning the clear benefits of treating hypertension in the elderly. In three large communities, we examined the impact of these findings on rates of treatment, use of specific antihypertensive drugs, and rates of elevated blood pressure as well as distributions of levels.

METHODS
In 1981 the National Institute on Aging initiated population-based cohort studies in the residents of three communities who were 65 years and older. East Boston, Mass; Washington and Iowa counties, Iowa; and New Haven, Conn. Participation rates ranged from 80% to 85% across sites with 10,294 community-dwelling participants in the combined cohorts. Baseline evaluation included inhome blood pressure assessment and medication inventory. Repeated in-home evaluations occurred 3 and 6 years after baseline and follow-up rates ranged from 71% to 88%.

RESULTS
Use of antihypertensive drugs increased over time in all three communities: the age- and sex-adjusted rates of use were between 14% and 32% higher in 1988 and 1989 relative to 1982 and 1983. Parallel declines in the use of thiazide diuretics occurred in all three populations along with large increases in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. In East Boston and New Haven mean systolic blood pressure decreased substantially over time and the prevalence of elevated systolic pressure (> or = 160 mmHg) decreased overall as well as by age and sex. In Iowa the mean levels of systolic blood pressure were lowest at baseline and increased slightly.

CONCLUSIONS
The reported evidence about the benefits of treatment for hypertension in the elderly was followed by substantial increases in treatment rates. The use of drugs with proven efficacy declined while the use of newer agents with theoretical advantages, not yet tested in clinical trials of mortality, increased. In the United States, the ongoing therapeutic efforts to lower elevated blood pressure in elderly populations may be contributing to the continuing decline in cardiovascular and stroke mortality.


the morphological appearance of subcellular components, such as mitochondria, by light microscopy. Several papers were devoted to hypothermia, in view of the general clinical interest. These include the effects of lowered body temperature (_3° to 5° or 20° to 25° C.) on brain oxygen consumption and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and high-energy phosphates. Barbiturates and chlorpromazine are reported as decreasing considerably the capacity of the body to resist cold. Another group of reports deals with the effects of radiation (beta, gamma and X rays) on the general metabolic processes In brain, with particular regard to proteins, carbohydrates, creatine phosphate and adenosine triphosphate. As well as the papers on hypothermia and radiation, reports on the changes in brain biochemistry as a result of oxygen intoxication, cerebral cedema, poliomyelitis and tetanus may appeal to readers of this Journal. The book is attractively set out; the translation reads smoothly and concisely. Apart from Professor Palladin's introduction, the material is free from the ideological exhortations often found in earlier Russian scientific literature.


Background and Objective: In this study, we explored expression rate, some biomarkers affecting the prognosis of the breast carcinoma, and the relationship between these markers and clinicopathologic features of the disease as well as the relationship between each of these markers through a tissue array technique. Materials and Methods: This study was an observational and cross-sectional study. From 100 breast samples which had been diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma, blocks were prepared through a tissue array method and were stained by monoclonal antibodies of the markers. All data were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: The appearance rate of EGF-R marker had a direct relationship with the degree of malignancy (p=0.026), metallothionein marker with the mean number of mitosis (p=0.044), sialylTn marker with the macroscopic size of tumor (p=0.036), the appearance of cyclin B1 marker with the appearance of metallothionein marker (p=0.012), and the appearance rate of EGF-R marker had a reverse relationship with Nm23 (p=0.020). Conclusion: Through investigating the relationship between some biomarkers such as EGF-R and metallothionein and the clinicopathogenic features of tumor or the relationship between each marker and the other parameters, we can assess the state of invasion and metastasis process or the degree of its malignancy or determine its prognosis.


Personal health record (PHR) is often seen as a patient-centric model of health information exchange. How- ever there has been privacy concerns when information is outsourced to be stored at a third party. Also when patient is given full control of his own PHR, he proves to be inefficient in maintaining the information. Yet, issues such as risks of priva- cy exposure, Scalability in key management, flexible access and efficient user revocation, have remained the most important challeng- es toward achieving fine-grained, cryptographically enforced data access control. Thus, in this paper, we propose a novel framework and a suite of mechanisms for data access control to PHRs stored in semi-trusted servers. To achieve fine-grained and scalable data access control for PHRs, we leverage attribute based encryption (ABE) techniques to encrypt each patient's PHR file. Different from previous works in secure data outsourcing, we focus on the multiple data owner scenario, and divide the users in the PHR system into multiple security domains that greatly reduces the key management complexity for owners and users. A high degree of patient privacy is guaranteed simultaneously by exploiting multi-authority ABE. Our scheme also enables dynamic modification of access policies or file attributes, supports efficient on-demand user/attribute revocation and break-glass access under emergency scenarios. Extensive analytical and experimental results are presented which show the security, scalability and efficiency of our proposed scheme.


Background: Breast metastases from extra mammary tumors are extremely rare. Case Report: Here we report the case of a 50-year-old female with histologically-confirmed gastric cancer metastasis to the breast who was adequately treated with loco-regional hyperthermia plus standard second-line chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus ramucirumab). The best response achieved was a relatively long disease stabilization. Conclusion: Chemotherapy plus regional hyperthermia has been shown to have a synergistic antitumor effect and possible favorable immunomodulatory effects. Such an approach merits further investigation especially for the treatment of rare superficial metastatic sites.


Environmental awareness is increasing globally and the demand for composite materials that possessed 'green' characteristic such as degradability and recyclability along with excellent mechanical and physical properties are also increased. Bamboo being a type of grass that is commonly available almost in every part of the world can be a suitable candidate. The main objective of this study is to determine the suitability of Beting bamboo (Gigantochloa thoii) as a raw material for bamboo-aluminum sandwich composites fabrication. Prior to that, the evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of Beting bamboo such as specific gravity, equilibrium moisture content, flexural and compression strength and stiffness, pH, buffering capacity and wettability were carried
out. Additionally, surface properties of modified aluminum alloy and bamboo surface treated using silane coupling agent in water medium and also the adhesive shear strength between the bamboo-bamboo laminate and bamboo-aluminum laminate were also conducted. Prototype of bamboo-bamboo aluminum composites was prepared in the laboratory and the mechanical properties of the composites were also evaluated. It was concluded from the study that the prototype of composites exhibit good mechanical properties and Beting bamboo was technically suitable as a raw materials for fabrication of composites products although the specific gravity was found to be higher than other
woody materials. The output of this research might contribute in development of green composites materials to meet the demand of rapidly rising market demand for green composites


Some amino acids, particularly glycine and serine, favour the accumulation in the fermentation broth of three phosphorylated amino sugar compounds that are intermediates in the pathway of neomycin biosynthesis by Streptomyces fradiae 3535. The compounds were separated and purified further by Amberlite IRC-50 (NH(4) (+) form). The intermediates were characterized by physicochemical methods as neomycin B pyrophosphate (C(23)H(48)N(6)O(19)P(2),3H(2)O), neomycin C pyrophosphate (C(23)H(48)N(6)O(19)P(2),3H(2)O) and neomycin C dipyrophosphate complex (C(24)H(66)N(8)O(33)P(4)).


Callus differentiation is a key developmental process in plant regeneration from cells. A better understanding of the genetic architecture of callus differentiation timing can help improve tissue transformation and the efficiency of artificial propagation. In this study, we investigated genotypic variation in callus differentiation capacity among 297 diverse P. euphratica trees sampled from a natural population. We employed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of binary and growth-based parameters to identify loci and characterize the genetic architecture and genetic network underlying regulation of callus differentiation in P. euphratica. The results of this GWAS experiment suggested potential associations controlling whether the callus could differentiate and the process of callus differentiation. We identified multiple significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs), including the genes LOG1 and LOG7 and a locus containing WOX1. We reconstructed a genetic network that visualizes how each QTL interacts uniquely with other variants, and several core QTLs were detected that are involved in the degree of callus differentiation, providing potential targets for selection. This study represents one of the first to identify genetic variants affecting callus differentiation in a forest tree. Our results suggest that callus differentiation may be a typical qualitative-quantitative trait controlled by a major gene as well as polygenes across the genome of P. euphratica. This GWAS will help to design more complex and specific molecular tools for systematically manipulating organ regeneration.


Abstract The glassy-winged sharpshooter is an invasive insect capable of transmitting the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa. As rates of pathogen spread are a function of vector abundance, identification of factors contributing to glassy-winged sharpshooter egg production will aid in predicting population growth. Here, effects of stored energy reserves and adult diet on glassy-winged sharpshooter egg maturation were evaluated.To estimate energy reserves available to adult females at the beginning of feeding assays, residuals from a regression of wet weight on size were used. Analysis of a subset of females sacrificed at the beginning of feeding assays, demonstrated that females with a positive residual wet weight had higher lipid content and carried more eggs than females with a negative residual wet weight.To evaluate effects of diet and energy reserves on egg maturation, energy reserves available to females entering feeding assays on cowpea and grapevine were estimated. For females held on cowpea, residual wet weight and quantity of excreta produced over a 6-d feeding period affected egg production. In contrast, for females held on grapevine, only residual wet weight affected egg production. Comparison of cowpea and grapevine xylem sap determined that eight amino acids were more concentrated in xylem sap from cowpea than from grapevine. Collectively, the results suggest that glassy-winged sharpshooter population growth within crop monocultures will not depend solely on the nutritional quality of the specific crop for producing mature eggs but also on the quantity of energy reserves accumulated by females prior to entering that crop habitat.


Egypt has joined to COMESA since May 1998 in order to promote its economic relations with the rest of member states, especially the trade relations, so the aim of the paper is to assess COMESA regional integration efforts and to identify the most effective and important variables that determine trade intensity of Egypt with COMESA countries. To achieve the aim of the paper, estimation of Trade Intensity Index (TII) of Egypt with COMESA was adopted, and econometric methodology (gravity model) was used to estimate the variables that have the major effect on Egypt's trade with COMESA. The paper concludes that there are opportunities to increase Egypt's Trade with COMESA, after applying gravity model paper concludes that Gross Domestic Product and existence of sharing borders are the most effective variables that determine Egypt trade with COMESA, paper also defined the major obstacles of regional integration in COMESA and presented some policy implication.


Franklin and Marshall College Archives, Undergraduate Honors Thesis, 2008. Permission to access this thesis electronically (via Scholars Square) has not been granted by the author. To access this thesis in print, please visit the Archives & Special Collections Reading Room, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA.


BACKGROUND
Loneliness is suggested to be one of the most prominent feelings nursing home residents are struggling with, and is related to various negative health outcomes and impaired quality of life. While there has been some research on social predictors and the impact of depression and loneliness on social relationships in nursing home residents, there has been very little qualitative research in investigating their own perception of such feelings.

OBJECTIVE
To explore general feelings among nursing home residents, with a specific interest in loneliness in order to develop strategies for support and relief.

METHOD
This phenomenological study used an interview guide with open-ended questions to ensure focused in-depth data collection. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews (n = 11). Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data analyses.

RESULTS
Loneliness is more than being alone among others. The residents' unfulfilled need for meaningful relationships plays a crucial role in feelings of loneliness. Losing their self-determination due to institutionalisation was strongly related to loneliness and caused strong emotions, such as grief.

CONCLUSION
It is vital that healthcare professionals are aware of these feelings and pay much attention to resident preferences while developing (individualised) interventions to prevent loneliness.


Objectives: Cancer survivors are more related with healthy life-style including healthy diet after diagnosis. We evaluate inhere the dietary habit of Turkish breast or colon cancer patients after diagnosis in addition the changing dietary habit during follow-up period. Methods: Totally 228 breast or colorectal cancer patients were included. Dietary patterns were evaluated with food consumption frequency questionnaire. Any difference and related socioeconomical factors of patients with dietary changings were evealuated by logistic regression analysis. Results: Over two third of survivors had breast cancer with the median age of 57. The mean follow-up period of the patients was found to be 4.19±3.55 years. Most of patients (71.7%) reported the changing in food intake after the diagnosis. The most common changings were an increase of consuming fruit and vegetables, lower intake of red and processed meat, and sugar. Physical activities (p=0.003), presence of chronical illness (p=0.003) and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (p=0.001) were correlated with changing dietary habit. Conclusion: The appropiate diet is important for management of cancer survivors. Our study shows the importance of adaptation of healthy dietary habits of cancer survivors that reflects Turkish population. Abstract


A new arbitrary waveform generator based, chirped
pulse spectrometer for high- resolution, millimeter wave rotational
spectroscopy of gas mixtures is presented. The spectrometer band
covers the frequency range from 260 – 295 GHz, a favorable spectral
window for room temperature analysis of small molecules with a
molecular mass of less than 150 amu. The design leverages the state
of the art in solid-state millimeter light sources and high-speed
digital electronics to introduce significant advances for
millimeter/submillimeter spectroscopy, which is conventionally
addressed by direct absorption techniques. By efficient use of a
high power millimeter wave light source, the chirped pulse
spectrometer is 10,000 times faster than modern direct absorption
counterparts. In addition to speed, the time resolved emission
spectroscopy approach enables analytical tools that can be used to
speed spectral assignment in unknown samples. Results of
sensitivity, dynamic range, and chemical selectivity are presented
using compressed gases as an initial benchmark followed by
extensions to real gas mixtures. The results have implications to a
broad set of basic science research applications and make a strong
case for wider application to analytical challenges as a new
commercial platform.