In this paper, a new 3D roughness parameter, Sreg, is proposed to quantify the regularity of a surface, independent of the amplitude and the scanning length units of the surface. The efficiency of this parameter is tested on noisy periodical surfaces with degrees of anisotropy. This parameter lies between zero (perfect noise) and 100% (a perfect periodic surface). This parameter enables the identification of the anisotropy directions of regularity for a given surface. For a periodical surface, the greater the noise, the lower the anisotropy. A direction function is proposed to analyse the direction of regularity of a rough surface, which then permits characterization of the directional regularity of the topography. The regularity parameter can be used for several purposes: to identify the direction of periodical structures formed by laser-pulsed radiations on the surface of solid workpieces; to examine the reproducibility of surface machining methods such as finishing process; and to identify the surface regularity produced by abrasive machining, such as precision surface grain, abrasive slotting, and lapping.


obtain A such tha t A conv Al)B; in fact we may take A to be HH where His \y[(yy)Z>B]. From AZ>A we have by conversion A"^[AZ)B], hence by a familiar law of the propositional calculus AZ3B, hence by conversion A. But A and A"DB together yield B, by modus ponens. Thus we have a method of proving an arbi t rary B.—The method of constructing A should be compared with earlier formulations of the Russell paradox by the reviewer (3594, p . 347) and by the author (3967, pp. 588-589). The author ' s formulation of Grelling's paradox consists in a second method of constructing A so tha t A conv AZ)B. I t should be compared with another formulaton of this paradox by the reviewer (VI 171(1), p . 71), from which i t differs by not using negation. While not using negation, of course these derivations of the paradoxes do use implication 13, and are therefore not applicable, e.g., to such a system as Fi tch ' s "basic logic." Erratum. I n the theorem on page 115, for " I . h 5WZ>9t," read " I . 19K32K."


Molecular imprinting technology is a field of analytical chemistry of ever-increasing importance, offenng an effective and economic means of producing molecule-specific synthetic materials, with potential application in separation, sensing and catalytic technologies. This thesis descnbes a detailed investigation of the method and examines how it may be incorporated into a typical analytical application (solid phase extraction of the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical preparation), and investigates some of the practical considerations of such an approach - choice of appropriate functional monomer, the possibility of swelling effects affecting recognition properties of the polymers, and the use of pH control to adjust selectivity when recognition is based on ionic interactons. The performance of the MIPs presented in the second chapter is then used as a platform for probing more fundamental aspects of MIP behaviour. Properties of pre-polymerisaton mixtures which have consequences for final MIP recognition behaviour are examined in detail in Chapters three and four, with NMR spectroscopy (coupled with subsequent HPLC evaluation of the MIP recognition capabilities) playing an important role. The impact of more subtle effects, such as n-n stacking and phase partition, is of particular note Chapter five shows how spectroscopic data, as acquired in Chapter 4, can be used to refine simulated models of pre-polymerisaton complexes, which may be of significant benefit in predicting MIP properties and ultimately in creating a step-by-step protocol for designing efficient MIPs.


Disturbances introduced in wall-bounded flows can grow and lead to transition from laminar to turbulent flow. In order to reduce losses or enhance mixing in energy systems, a fundamental understanding of the flow stability and transition mechanism is important. In the present thesis, the stability, transition mechanism and early turbulent evolution of wall-bounded flows are studied. The stability is investigated by means of linear stability equations and the transition mechanism and turbulence are studied using direct numerical simulations. Three base flows are considered, the Falkner–Skan boundary layer, boundary layers subjected to wall suction and the Blasius wall jet. The stability with respect to the exponential growth of waves and the algebraic growth of optimal streaks is studied for the Falkner–Skan boundary layer. For the algebraic growth, the optimal initial location, where the optimal disturbance is introduced in the boundary layer, is found to move downstream with decreased pressure gradient. A unified transition prediction method incorporating the influences of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence is suggested. The algebraic growth of streaks in boundary layers subjected to wall suction is calculated. It is found that the spatial analysis gives larger optimal growth than temporal theory. Furthermore, it is found that the optimal growth is larger if the suction begins a distance downstream of the leading edge. Thresholds for transition of periodic and localized disturbances as well as the spreading of turbulent spots in the asymptotic suction boundary layer are investigated for Reynolds number Re = 500, 800 and 1200 based on the displacement thickness and the free-stream velocity. It is found that the threshold amplitude scales like Re for transition initiated by streamwise vortices and random noise, like Re for oblique transition and like Re for the localized disturbance. The turbulent spot is found to take a bullet-shaped form that becomes more distinct and increases its spreading rate for higher Reynolds number. The Blasius wall jet is matched to the measured flow in an experimental wall-jet facility. Both the linear and nonlinear regime of introduced waves and streaks are investigated and compared to measurements. It is demonstrated that the streaks play an important role in the breakdown process where they suppress pairing and enhance breakdown to turbulence. Furthermore, statistics from the early turbulent regime are analyzed and reveal a reasonable self-similar behavior, which is most pronounced with inner scaling in the near-wall region. Descriptors: Boundary layer, suction, wall jet, streaks, waves, periodic disturbance, localized disturbance, turbulent spot, algebraic growth, exponential growth, stability, transition thresholds, transition prediction, PSE, DNS.


In this paper, an iterative high-resolution DOA algorithm is presented for DOA estimation for CDMA systems. The algorithm iteratively removes detected signals from the received data and searches the residue spatial spectrum for further signals. It does not require any computationally expensive eigen decomposition or spatial smoothing in coherent multipath scenarios. Results are presented illustrating high-resolution at significantly lower SNR levels than those obtained by classical DOA algorithms such as MUSIC and MVM


Sterols are essential factors for endocytosis in animals and yeast. To investigate the sterol structural requirements for yeast endocytosis, we created a variety of ergDelta mutants, each accumulating a distinct set of sterols different from ergosterol. Mutant erg2Deltaerg6Delta and erg3Deltaerg6Delta cells exhibit a strong internalization defect of the alpha-factor receptor (Ste2p). Specific sterol structures are necessary for pheromone-dependent receptor hyperphosphorylation, a prerequisite for internalization. The lack of phosphorylation is not due to a defect in Ste2p localization or in ligand-receptor interaction. Contrary to most known endocytic factors, sterols seem to function in internalization independently of actin. Furthermore, sterol structures are required at a postinternalization step of endocytosis. ergDelta cells were able to take up the membrane marker FM4-64, but exhibited defects in FM4-64 movement through endosomal compartments to the vacuole. Therefore, there are at least two roles for sterols in endocytosis. Based on sterol analysis, the sterol structural requirements for these two processes were different, suggesting that sterols may have distinct functions at different places in the endocytic pathway. Interestingly, sterol structures unable to support endocytosis allowed transport of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein Gas1p from the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi compartment.


We present a carefully selected sample of short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) observed by the Swift satellite up to June 2013. Inspired by the criteria we used to build a similar sample of bright long GRBs (the BAT6 sample), we selected SGRBs with favorable observing conditions for the redshift determination on ground, ending up with a sample of 36 events, almost half of which with a redshift measure. The redshift completeness increases up to about 70% (with an average redshift value of z = 0.85) by restricting to those events that are bright in the 15-150 keV Swift Burst Alert Telescope energy band. Such flux-limited sample minimizes any redshift-related selection effects, and can provide a robust base for the study of the energetics, redshift distribution and environment of the Swift bright population of SGRBs. For all the events of the sample we derived the prompt and afterglow emission in both the observer and (when possible) rest frame and tested the consistency with the correlations valid for long GRBs. The redshift and intrinsic X-ray absorbing column density distributions we obtain are consistent with the scenario of SGRBs originated by the coalescence of compact objects in primordial binaries, with a possible minor contribution (�10%– 25%) of binaries formed by dynamical capture (or experiencing large natal kicks). This sample is expected to significantly increase with further years of Swift activity.


The low frequency vibrations of two-headed musical drums are known to couple. However, little is known regarding the factors that determine the degree of coupling at higher frequencies. In this study, the effects that depth, diameter, and head tension have on the tendency of the drumheads to couple are investigated. Commercial finite element software was used to model a wide range of drums and to identify trends of coupling according to these factors. The numerical results were used to guide which parameters should be tested in the lab. Experimentally, two oppositely facing Electronic Speckle-Pattern Interferometry systems were used to optically view the simultaneous vibrations of both heads of a drum. Several snare and tom tom drums with different diameters, depths, and tensions were observed. To closely analyze the effect of drum depth a tom tom was modified so a range of depths from 1.5'' to 40'' could be tested while keeping the diameter and tension constant. The optical and numerical data are used to...


Angiotensin II induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but its consequences on cardiomyocyte metabolism and energy supply are not completely understood. Here we investigate the effect of angiotensin II on glucose and fatty acid utilization and the modifying role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of metabolism and proliferation. Treatment of H9C2 cardiomyocytes with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 M, 4 h) increased [ 3 H]leucine incorporation, up-regulated the mRNA expression of the hypertrophy marker genes MLC, ANF, BNP, and-MHC, and decreased the phosphorylation of the negative mTORregulator tuberin (TSC-2). Rat neonatal cardiomyocytes showed similar results. Western blot analysis revealed a timeand concentration-dependent down-regulation of AMPKphosphorylation in the presence of angiotensin II, whereas the protein expression of the catalytic -subunit remained unchanged. This was paralleled by membrane translocation of glucose-transporter type 4 (GLUT4), increased uptake of [ 3 H]glucose and transient down-regulation of phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), whereas fatty acid uptake remained unchanged. Similarly, short-term transaortic constriction in mice resulted in down-regulation of P-AMPK and P-ACC but up-regulation of GLUT4 membrane translocation in the heart. Preincubation of cardiomyocytes with the AMPK stimulator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1--D-ribofuranoside (AICAR; 1 mM, 4 h) completely prevented the angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocytes hypertrophy. In addition, AICAR reversed the metabolic effects of angiotensin II: GLUT4 translocation was reduced, but ACC phosphorylation and TSC phosphorylation were elevated. In summary, angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes is accompanied by decreased activation of AMPK, increased glucose uptake, and decreased mTOR inhibition. Stimulation with the AMPK activator AICAR reverses these metabolic changes, increases fatty acid utilization, and inhibits cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.


The study of fracture arrangement is important for the understanding of fluid flow and has a wide application in several areas as slope stability analysis, geothermal fields, deep aquifers and oil exploration. The facture arrangement is an essential characteristic of the spatial distribution of the fractures, although the relation of the spatial arrangement of fractures with variables such as the rock type, the kilometric faults, and structural inheritance is unknowns. We explore de influence of these variables in the facture arrangement through of detail study of Miocene rocks in the Mexico basin. The Miocene rocks in the Mexico Basin are affected by three fracture systems oriented NE-SW, NNW-SSE and ~E-W. All fracture families present a cluster array, where the degree of clustering is related to the rock type that constitute the Miocene volcanic succession (lava flows and volcaniclastic deposits). In addition, the intensity of fracturing is stronger in lava flows than the volcaniclastic deposits, with an inverse relationship to the degree of clustering (Lyapunov Exponent). The F1 family (NE-SW) has groups of fractures characterized by a fractal distribution in mesoscopic scale. Meanwhile, the fractures F2 (NNWSSE) present groups that are associated with mechanical anisotropy in pre-Miocene rocks. This phenomenon is related to structural inheritance and/or reactivation. Finally, the fractures F3 (~E-W) form groups with a random distribution.


In this paper, two global optimization algorithms, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and mean-adaptive real-coding genetic algorithm (MAD-RCGA), are applied to a problem of optimization of non-traditional dielectric electromagnetic bandgap structures (EBG). The problem is formulated in nine dimensions with the goal of finding as large frequency gap between the eight lowest TM bands as possible. Maximizing the frequency gap enables to improve properties of planar patch antenas in wide band.


This thesis examines the labour force experiences of refugees living in Britain. By
describing and exploring the employment, unemployment, training and job-search
experiences of refugees from Vietnam it seeks to fill gaps in the existing literature. The
literature currently recognises the importance of employment in the resettlement process,
but fails to provide much insight into the long term experiences of refugees. Further, this
thesis presents a new conceptual framework for understanding refugee labour force
experiences.
Literature from a wide range of disciplines informs a theoretical framework which
stresses the complex and diverse nature of influences on refugee labour force
experiences. The review of the experiences of refugees from Vietnam, draws on existing
literature and novel quantitative analysis of the 1991 census, before giving a voice to the
refugees themselves. Workers at 27 Vietnamese Community Associations around
Britain describe labour force experiences in the areas they serve, while half also detail
their own individual labour force careers. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the
refugees' own interpretations of what has influenced their labour force experiences, and
their reactions to those experiences.
This thesis confirms that the refugees from Vietnam are spatially concentrated in
locations which are characterised by high unemployment and a high ethnic Chinese
population. This is reflected in their labour force experiences, which are dominated by
unemployment or manual employment, particularly within the ethnic sector.
Employment remains a minority experience for Vietnam refugees living in the majority of
locations, although location specific differences in labour force experiences are identified.
Self-reliance within the community of refugees from Vietnam is strong, as is the
significance of access to labour force opportunities with the ethnic Chinese population.
Both factors, do however have benefits and drawbacks.
The evidence presented in this thesis supports the proposed framework for
understanding refugee labour force experiences. Accordingly, this thesis argues for a
refugee policy which recognises both the importance of employment in the resettlement
process, and the complexity of factors which influence labour force experiences. A
comprehensive programme of intervention is recommended to improve refugee labour
force experiences, and community development is seen as a key element of this. A call
for a permanent refugee resettlement organisation is also made.


This educational symposium, sponsored by Britannia Pharmaceuticals Limited, was held during the 1st Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), which took place from 20th-23rd June 2015 in Berlin, Germany. The symposium reviewed the role of non-oral drug delivery strategies in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and how they can overcome problems that occur with the gastrointestinal (GI) route of administration in many patients. GI dysfunction is recognised as a common problem in PD and may in fact be a preclinical marker of the disease. It can affect the absorption of oral medication resulting in OFF periods and unreliable control of motor symptoms, which in turn can have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Delayed time-to-ON (TTO) after an oral levodopa dose and dose failures are known to be significant contributors to total OFF time. Results of the recently completed AM-IMPAKT trial in patients with morning akinesia due to a delay in the onset of oral levodopa effect demonstrate that apomorphine intermittent injection (penject) is able to provide rapid and effective resolution of such complications, restoring patients to the ON state quickly and allowing them to get on with their daily activities.


The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the development of the marine economy, especially the salt business of Madurese Indonesian people, to experience a decline. Some government programs are marketplace training, providing people's credit assistance, providing appropriate technical assistance such as geomembranes, and online marketing. There are difficulties in running and implementing government programs, so a decision-making system is needed for mapping salt farmers. The purpose is construct a multi-criteria group decision-making model by performing a hybrid interval type 2 FAHP and FTOPSIS method for mapping salt farmers with interval Triangular Fuzzy Number (TFN). The contribution is to determine recommendations based on TFN with the same middle point and group support system. Interval type-2 FAHP is used to determine the most influential indicator on salt farmer mapping, Interval type2 TOPSIS is used to determine salt farmer recommendations. Fuzzy type-2 provides more accurate modeling, better rating value performance, and high flexibility. The findings of this study are indicators that most influence 2 KUSTIYAHNINGSIH, RAHMANITA, PURBANDINI, RACHMAD, PURNAMA recommendation of salt farmers are marketing models, production yields, and profit. The results of the recommendations stated that 45% received good recommendations, 35% entered into moderate recommendations and 20 % entered into bad recommendations.


We present time-resolved ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of the SW Sex star DW UMa in the high state. We confirm that shortward of 1500 Å, the high-state UV continuum level is lower than the white dwarf (WD) dominated low-state level. We also do not see the WD contact phases in the high-state eclipse light curves. These results confirm our earlier finding that the WD in this system is hidden from view in the high state. On the basis of this, we caution that eclipse mapping of high-inclination SW Sex stars in the high state may yield incorrect or misleading results. In the context of DW UMa, we demonstrate explicitly that distance estimates obtained by recent eclipse-mapping studies cannot be reconciled with the WD-dominated low-state spectrum. We also show that the fluxes of the UV emission lines in the high state drop near orbital phase 0.5. This is the first detection of a UV counterpart to the class-defining phase 0.5 absorption seen in the optical emission lines of SW Sex stars.


The empirical study of international conflicts has in the last two decades undergone a remarkable development. Careful examination of results so far obtained can however only produce feelings of dissatisfaction. The few correlations uncovered are usually so limited in scope that it is difficult to draw any conclusions whatsoever from them. This essay first of all suggests certain possible developments for empirical research, especially in areas which have been most neglected. The author goes on to show that the road on which such works are embarked, no matter how interesting, contains radical limits which can only invalidate the claims of practitioners of the empirical analysis of international conflicts to an elaboration of a truly explanatory theory. It will only be possible to discover explanatory elements if one undertakes a theoretical leap consisting in reorienting the study of international conflicts. The broad outlines of such a theoretical reorientation are described in the last part of the essay.


Local fire station, station 15, in the community of Los Osos was in need of a deck to be built in the rear of the station. There was public support, funding, and a desire for an upgrade. With the help of the firefighters and admin staff at South Bay Fire Department, a 285 square foot structure was constructed to operate as a relaxing area for on duty staff to use between emergency calls. The plan creation, estimating, and building of the deck took approximately a year to complete. An estimated 305 man hours were spent collectively on the project, with great care given to the needs of the department and attention to detail. On June 11, 2016 the project was completed. The project took longer than scheduled and cost more than originally estimated.


Laser rapid forming (LRF) is a new manufacturing technology, which has been developed on the basis of multi-layer laser cladding. In the LRF process, the microstructure has important effects on the mechanical properties of the partsbut the control of microstructure is a problem. In this study, the influences of crystallography orientations of substrate and profile of solid/liquid interface on microstructure were discussed. Further, with the combining of the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) model during alloy solidification, the growth law of microstructure of Rene88DT alloy was established. It has been found that the temperature gradient was lowest and the solidification velocity was greatest at the solid/liquid interface of the tail of molten pool, and hence the CET occurs easily at this position. The temperature measurement system of molten pool was developed by using a two-color infrared thermometer in this study. With the measurement of temperature gradient of the tail of molten pool by using a two-color infrared thermometer, the process parameters of laser multi-layer cladding were optimized. Finally, directional solidification even single crystal was achieved in laser multi-layer cladding.


Long-term outcomes data after modified 2-stage ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA), defined as completion proctectomy (CP) and IPAA without loop ileostomy, is lacking. We aimed to describe long-term functional results, patient satisfaction, and pouch survival in a cohort of patients from a high-volume center. We hypothesized selective m2-stage can result in comparable long-term pouch survival relative to a 3-stage approach.

 Our institutional ileal pouch database was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who underwent index IPAA surgery from 1983–2019. Adults >18 years of age who underwent CP with IPAA were included. At our specialized institution, m2-stage is performed selectively based on surgeon judgement. Patients were stratified into 2 groups (3-stage vs m2-stage) and matched on a 1:1 basis based on age ±5, year of operation ±3, gender, preoperative diagnosis, double-stapled vs handsewn, and laparoscopy. Primary outcome was pouch survival, with pouch failure defined as permanent diversion, pouch excision, or conversion to a Kock pouch.

 In total, 2,433 patients were included, of whom 2,198 (90.3%) underwent 3-stage IPAA and 235 (9.7%) m2-stage IPAA. Matching resulted in 223 matched pairs, and long-term pouch survival (95.5% vs 93.2%, p=0.32) did not significantly differ (Figure 1). Short-term outcomes in the matched pairs revealed a shorter postoperative length of stay in the 3-stage patients (5 vs 8 days, p<0.001), but no significant difference in postoperative complications (12.1% vs 17%, p=0.09) was seen between the matched 3-stage and m2-stage patients, respectively. Functionally, there was no difference in the number of stools/24 hours (7 vs 7, p=0.33) or in proportion of patients requiring seepage protection at night (29.7% vs 24.6%, p=0.31). However, 3-stage patients required significantly more seepage protection during the day (25.1% vs 15.0%, p=0.02). Regarding pouchitis, there was no difference in the proportion of patients reporting recent symptoms (33.4% vs 33.3%, p=1.0), episodes in the last year (0 vs 0, p=0.51), or pouchitis requiring continuous medication (16.7% vs 10.1%, p=0.10). Patient satisfaction was similar as no difference in the proportion of those who would have surgery again (90.4% vs 93.7%, p=0.34), those who would recommend surgery (94% vs 95.5%, p=0.68), or overall patient satisfaction with surgery on a scale of 1 – 10 (highest) (3 vs 7, p=0.07) was reported.
 Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier curve for pouch survival (matched pairs)

 Long-term outcomes were similar in patients who underwent modified 2-stage and 3-stage IPAA. Modified 2-stage IPAA is an alternative for selected patients with limited options if performed at high-volume centers in experienced hands.


Leveraging location information in location-based services leads to improving service utility through geocontextualization. However, this raises privacy concerns as new knowledge can be inferred from location records, such as user's home and work places, or personal habits. Although Location Privacy Protection Mechanisms (LPPMs) provide a means to tackle this problem, they often require manual configuration posing significant challenges to service providers and users. Moreover, their impact on data privacy and utility is seldom assessed. In this paper, we present PULP, a model-driven system which automatically provides user-specific privacy protection and contributes to service utility via choosing adequate LPPM and configuring it. At the heart of PULP is nonlinear models that can capture the complex dependency of data privacy and utility for each individual user under given LPPM considered, i.e., Geo-Indistinguishability and Promesse. According to users' preferences on privacy and utility, PULP efficiently recommends suitable LPPM and corresponding configuration. We evaluate the accuracy of PULP's models and its effectiveness to achieve the privacy-utility trade-off per user, using four real-world mobility traces of 770 users in total. Our extensive experimentation shows that PULP ensures the contribution to location service while adhering to privacy constraints for a great percentage of users, and is orders of magnitude faster than non-model based alternatives.


This work ha for objective to analyze the park of the agricultural tractors in Mexico, to present a vision of the curret status to the drawees of decisions, based on national and international data, but to modernize the data on the tractorization in the country, a serious problem of lack of data is confronted, having to appeal to elaborate estimates starting from incomplete and not very reliable information. For that when revising the literature in this respect it is used the pattern of analysis of the park of tractors of Reina & Slater, which estimate the demand of power of the existent tractors and he is discounted the power contributed by the work animals and the humans employees in the agriculture, likewise it is determined the necessary hours of work of the tractor according to the surface of the main cultivations and the total of necessary tractors is obtained less the current existence and it is divided yearly among the hours of use with that which the current lack of tractors is determined. Finally the author proposes an alternative for his increment according to the local conditions and the possible solution to this problem. The conclusions of the st udy on the park of tractors in Mexico are; the demand of hour's tractor a year is of 780´562 191, 5. The park for the 2011 it is of 223 526. The lack of tractors it is of 557 036.


New forms of 'smart' mobility have emerged with the advance of information technology. From a public sector perspective, these ambitions have been framed both in terms of innovation and sustainability. The development work of these technologies is in part being subsidised by public actors investing in and funding different types of pilots or experiments in order to 'test' these technologies in what is called a real-life environment. This is part of a larger trend of experimental governance in which smart mobility is an important and a possibly growing part. This chapter offers a conceptual analysis of experimental governance by analysing three underlying assumptions in literature and practice (1) the need for extraordinary solutions, (2) the importance of learning by doing and (3) the necessity of collaboration. These three assumptions are analysed in relation to smart mobility experiments in Sweden, and discussed in relation to public values. The concluding discussion elevates a number of normative implications of using experimental governance as a policy instrument for the development of smart mobility.


Questions: How does maternal condition and regional variation in resource abundance affect fetal sex ratio allocation, timing of litter conception, and decreased fecundity due to senescence? Data studied: We used female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) maternal age and mass and reproductive tract data (number and sex of fetuses) collected from 1995 to 2011 throughout Alabama. Methods: Fetal sex ratio allocation: We aged collected fetuses to determine conception date and examined the effects of maternal age and mass, litter size, and conception timing (relative to site-specific average conception timing). Timing of litter conception: We examined effects of maternal characteristics. Fecundity: We examined effects of maternal age and mass. In all models, we assessed the effect of regional variation in resource abundance. Conclusions: Fetal sex ratio allocation: The only significant predictor was conception timing, and sons were more likely as conception date was closer to the peak of breeding. We did not find support for Trivers-Willard or the local resource competition hypothesis. Timing of litter conception: Maternal age, mass, and their interaction (maternal age × mass) explained conception timing, with smaller females conceiving further from the mean conception date among younger females and larger females conceiving further from the mean conception date among older females (likely related to reproductive output in the prior breeding season). Fecundity: Not previously demonstrated, we found support for age-related reproductive senescence in female white-tailed deer.


We present a perturbative method for calculating the optical Hall conductivity in a tight-binding framework based on the Kubo formalism. The method involves diagonalization only of the Hamiltonian in absence of the magnetic field, and thus avoids the computational problems usually arising due to the huge magnetic unit cells required to maintain translational invariance in presence of a Peierls phase. A recipe for applying the method to numerical calculations of the magneto-optical response is presented. We apply the formalism to the case of ordinary and gapped graphene in a next-nearest neighbour tight-binding model as well as graphene antidot lattices. In both case, we find unique signatures in the Hall response, that are not captured in continuum (Dirac) approximations. These include a non-zero optical Hall conductivity even when the chemical potential is at the Dirac point energy. Numerical results suggest that this effect should be measurable in experiments.


Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate performer nonverbal behaviour in popular music performance in order to understand the use and functions of gestures, postures, and facial expression. To this end, the study begins by reviewing relevant psychological and sociological research including Ekman and Friesen and Argyle's categorisations of nonverbal behaviour. Drawing on these specific categories, functions of nonverbal behaviours in popular music performance are proposed. These include: to maintain performer self-control; to provide musical, narrative, emotional and personal information; to regulate and manipulate relationships between performer, co-performer and audience. The investigative work focuses on a case study of The Corrs and is carried out by observing two commercially available film recordings of the band in live performance. The songs demonstrate that within this band, three of the four members take turns singing solos. In the first performance, What can I do? is sung by Andrea (principle vocal), and in the second performance, No frontiers is sung by Sharon and Caroline. Focusing on the soloists, all their nonverbal behaviours are classified in terms of types (e.g., emblem, illustrator, regulator, adaptor, affect display) and frequency of behaviour. The results demonstrate that Ekman and Friesen and Argyle's categorisations provide a complete description of the nonverbal behaviours found in the performances. Moreover, the analysis reveals differences between individuals and the two songs. With these findings, the paper concludes that nonverbal behaviours in this type of performance are crucial to the development, production and perception of the musical performance. Though preliminary, the study indicates a need for much more detailed research of this topic if performers, educators and researchers are to understand and exploit the nonverbal aspects of a musical communication fully.


Low-, intermediate-, and high-wavenumber components of P- and S-wave velocities jointly influence the elastic wave propagation and scattering in an isotropic medium. By taking advantage of all information in the data, elastic full-waveform inversion (E-FWI) has the potential to recover these model components. However, if the transmitted wave data are insufficient to illuminate the deeper part of the subsurface, we should rely on the solutions using reflection data. To reduce the nonlinearity of waveform inversion, we choose to decouple the effects of the model background and perturbation on the reflected waves within a linearized inversion framework. This resorts to three stages aiming to gradually fit the traveltimes and waveforms of the reflected PP and PS waves based on data or gradient preconditioning through P/S mode decomposition. For the first two stages, once the multicomponent seismograms have been separated into PP and PS reflection recordings, reflection traveltime inversion using an acoustic wave propagator (A-RTI) can successively recover the low-wavenumber components of P- and S-wave velocities. In the last stage, starting from the models having reliable low-wavenumber components, elastic reflection waveform inversion (E-RWI) can easily get out of the local minima and continue to retrieve the increasing wavenumber features sensitive to the waveform and amplitude variations. This is supported by gradient preconditioning through P/S mode decomposition of the extrapolated normal and adjoint wavefields, and alternately updating model background and high-wavenumber components in terms of linearized least-squares inversion. Numerical examples have demonstrated the performance of our E-RWI approach and the validity of the three-stage inversion workflow.


We present a case of a 61 year old man admitted for epigastric pain and fatigue. Computed tomography and endoscopy revealed the presence of a gastric mass and multiple polyps in the duodenum. The patient also had widespread lymphadenopathy, ascites and pleural effusion. Genetic and immunohistochemical testing confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated mantle cell lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to describe a case of simultaneous gastric and duodenal mantle cell lymphoma.


ABSTRACT Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that are ubiquitous in nature and have been recognized as causing an important emerging disease among immunocompromised individuals. Limited knowledge exists about the immune response against these organisms, and virtually nothing is known about the receptors involved in host recognition. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are pattern recognition receptors that bind to specific molecules found on pathogens and signal a variety of inflammatory responses. In this study, we show that both Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis are preferentially recognized by TLR2 and not by TLR4 in primary human macrophages. This is the first demonstration of host receptor recognition of any microsporidian species. TLR2 ligation is known to activate NF-κB, resulting in inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). We found that the infection of primary human macrophages leads to the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in as early as 1 h and the subsequent production of TNF-α and IL-8. To verify the direct role of TLR2 parasite recognition in the production of these cytokines, the receptor was knocked down in primary human macrophages using small interfering RNA. This knockdown resulted in decreases in both the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 after challenge with spores. Taken together, these experiments directly link the initial inflammatory response induced by Encephalitozoon spp. to TLR2 stimulation in human macrophages.


Healthcare professionals need to keep themselves updated with the latest medical developments by finding and reading relevant articles in order to provide the best possible care to their patients. The most popular technique for retrieving relevant articles from a digital library is keyword matching, which is known to retrieve a large amount of irrelevant articles without taking into account the knowledge requirements the user. Currently, the research community is making progress, but is still far from resolving this problem. In this paper, we propose a new method for generating rule-based stereotypical profiles to capture the knowledge requirements based on user roles, and an information filtering technique that combine content-based and rule-based filtering to deliver relevant articles to a user.


We discuss two types of algorithms for selecting relevant examples that have been developed in the context of computation learning theory. The examples are selected out of a stream of examples that are generated independently at random. The first two algorithms are the so-called "boosting" algorithms of Sehapire [Schapire, 1990] and Freund [Freund, 1990], and the Query-by-Committee algorithm of Seung [Seung et al., 1992]. We describe the algorithms and some of their proven properties, point to some of their commonalities, and suggest some possible future implications.


Objective To examine how individuals experience the process and consequences of receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods A systematic literature search of qualitative studies up to May 2016 was performed. Twenty-eight reports including information on patients' diagnostic experiences were subjected to an interpretive analysis in accordance with the principles of meta-ethnography. Results Years were normally spent consulting specialists in an attempt to confirm the reality of symptoms and make sense of the illness. Great relief was felt at finally achieving the fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis. However, relief waned when therapies proved ineffective. Health professionals and others questioned whether individuals were genuinely ill, that the illness had a psychological nature, and whether they were doing their best to recover. The diagnosis did not provide a meaningful explanation of individuals' suffering and had limited power to legitimate illness. Patients felt blamed for their failure to recover, threatening their personal credibility and moral identity. Conclusion The fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis has limitations in validating and making sense of patients' illness experiences and in providing social legitimation of their illness. Social relationships are strained during the diagnostic process and in the course of ineffective therapies.


Packed with real life examples, taken from a life on the road, Paul brings his latest fun and inspirational guide to learning BIRT to fruition. Not only can this book teach you BIRT quickly and easily, with lots of practical, step by step examples, but it is also a darn good read, says Paul's mum. Admittedly she doesn't know much about software so you may just have to delve into these pages yourself to learn: Report Templates, Libraries and Master Pages. Switching between databases dynamically. BIRT with Oracle. Applying style sheets to BIRT reports. How to debug your BIRT JavaScript. How to hide empty fields. Using a stored procedure as a data set. How to edit, insert and delete records from a database with BIRT. Using web services as a data source. A Twitter feed built in BIRT. Building reports into Java Server Pages. Installing BIRT on Ubuntu and more. Also get to find out where the worlds best B&B is and how far you need to travel to see the sand dunes in the cover photos!


The aim of this paper is to introduce the present state of sustainable development strategies of rehabilitation centers in Finland. Methodology: The triple bottom line approach to sustainability is used to understand the sustainability of Finnish rehabilitation centers. The data from the rehabilitation centers is gathered with walkthrough audits and interviews in 6 case rehabilitation centers in Finland. Additionally a sustainability matrix was filled using the data from the web-pages of all 100 Finnish rehabilitation centers. Findings: The findings suggest that the importance of sustainability related issues is well acknowledged in Finnish rehabilitation centers but they lack the knowledge, ability and monetary resources to carry out large scale alterations in the premises and processes. Thus improving the sustainability should be done in small steps and must be well justified in monetary terms. Research limitation: The research findings are limited to Finnish context and the material from interviews and walk-through audits to just 6 Finnish rehabilitation centers. Still, the experiences from other Finnish rehabilitation centers suggest that the results may quite well be generalized to at least the Finnish context. Originality/value: Sustainability of rehabilitation centers has not been studied neither in the Finnish or international context, even though the realm of rehabilitation is vast and the sustainability related challenges remarkable.


The optimum dose for cement kiln dust (CKD), lime, Ferric chloride, alum required 60, 40, 40, 60 mg/L to bring down the turbidity of grey water from 29.3 to 3 NTU. Ferric chloride and Lime reduced the grey water COD 50 mg/L at 40–60 mg/L of dose. The aerobic migrating column reactor (AMCR) performance showed that CKD and lime at 60 and 40 mg/L to reduce the turbidity less than 1.3 and 0.6 NTU. Whereas, from lime and ferric chloride 3.5 and 4.5 NTU at 30 hr operation of AMCR. The efficacy of disinfection was found highest with CKD 105, ferric chloride 254, alum 505 and lime 525 CFU /100 mL. In addition, the shapes of sweep flocs showed from CKD 590 mm compared to alum 320, ferric chloride 210 and lime 460 mm, resultant for TS and COD removal was found 96 and 76% at 60 mg/L of CKD.


In this paper, we construct the two-parameter semigroup of operators associated with a certain one-dimensional inhomogeneous diffusion process and study its properties. We are interested in the process on the real line which can be described as follows. At the interior points of the half-lines separated by a point, the position of which depends on the time variable, this process coincides with the Wiener process given there and its behavior on the common boundary of these half-lines is determined by a kind of the conjugation condition of Feller-Wentzell's type. The conjugation condition we consider is local and contains only the first-order derivatives of the unknown function with respect to each of its variables. The study of the problem is done using analytical methods. With such an approach, the problem of existence of the desired semigroup leads to the corresponding conjugation problem for a second order linear parabolic equation to which the above problem is reduced. Its classical solvability is obtained by the boundary integral equations method under the assumption that the initial function is bounded and continuous on the whole real line, the parameters characterizing the Feller-Wentzell conjugation condition are continuous functions of the time variable, and the curve defining the common boundary of the domains is determined by the function which is continuously differentiable and its derivative satisfies the Hölder condition with exponent less than 1/2.


A dielectric pipe waveguide is successfully demonstrated as a terahertz refractive index sensor for powder and liquid-vapor sensing. Without additional engineered structures, a simple pipe waveguide can act as a terahertz resonator based on anti-resonant reflecting guidance, forming multiple resonant transmission-dips. Loading various powders in the ring-cladding or inserting different vapors into the hollow core of the pipe waveguide leads to a significant shift of resonant frequency, and the spectral shift is related to the refractive-index change. The proven detection limit of molecular density could be reduced to 1.6nano-mole/mm3 and the highest sensitivity is demonstrated at around 22.2GHz/refractive-index-unit (RIU), which is comparable to the best THz molecular sensor [Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 171113 (2009)].


The rationale of the study is to broaden the knowledge on the contemporary sport spectator's relationships with sports teams and sport governing bodies. By including the spectator, the team, and the governing body in a holistic Fan-Relationship- Management-Model, this study gives insights in the formation of loyalty within the spectator-team-governing body-triad. A structural equation modelling approach is used to test, refine and validate the model among samples of four hundred fifty-five and five hundred five football spectators from France and Germany. Further, a latent profile analysis is implemented to uncover spectator profiles based on a two- dimensional loyalty conceptualisation. Additional latent profile analyses with covariates from the model, allow identifying variables that facilitate profile belongingness. The final model revealed major country-specific differences in the relationships within the spectator-team-governing body-triad. In both samples we found non-loyal, latent loyal, and loyal spectators. For France, however, satisfaction and trust do not contribute to loyalty; a notable contradiction to the established marketing literature. This study is useful to appreciate a sport governing body's role in the spectator-team relationship. Also, it offers new perspectives on spectator profiles and encourages the implementation of a credibility variable when investigating relationship management in sports. Overall, the study's holistic approach in analysing relationships and loyalty is unique in the sport marketing literature


Two types of unsupervised learning techniques for nonparametric multivariate density estimation are discussed, where no assumption is made about the data being drawn from any of known parametric families of distribution. The first type is based on a robust kernel method which uses locally tuned radial basis (Gaussian) functions. The second type is based on an exploratory projection pursuit technique which uses orthogonal polynomial approximation to 1-D density along several projections from multidimensional data. Performance evaluations using training data from mixture Gaussian and mixture Cauchy densities are presented.<<ETX>>


The aim of the study was to analyze the results of long-term antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in patients with HIV-infection basing on epidemiological, clinical and economical parameters in the Northwestern Federal District (NFD) of Russia. Materials and methods . Epidemiogical analysis was conducted using the data of reports from 10 NFD regions in the period from 2005 to 2018: morbidity rate, prevalence of HIV-infection, number of people living with HIV-infection (PLWH) and being under regular medical check-up. For clinical analysis were used some key indices of ARV effectiveness such as patients' therapy coverage, clinical stages of HIV-infection, mortality rate and lethality rate in patients. Health costs were calculated basing on ARV procurement in the District from federal and regional programs as well as from funds allocated on diagnostic products and prevention programs. Study results . On the top of administered ARV, rates of mortality and prevalence of HIV-infection in the RF and NFD had increasing tendency. The rate of mortality in PLWH increased in several times while the lethality rate changed insignificantly. Number of PLWH on the stage of clinical signs grew sixfold reaching 63,1%. Questionnaire survey was held in 74 infectious disease physicians with the following estimation of values of some reasons of low effectiveness of ARV and transformation of epidemic into severe and comorbid forms. By reason rating, low ARV coverage in patients was the most common, late detection of HIV-infection and treatment onset, poor adherence and therapy discontinuation, qualified staff shortage, low accessibility of medical organizations, insufficient choice and quality of ARV. In considering financial costs on ARV, insufficient appropriation of funds and insufficient support of other activities including organizational and preventive measures were revealed.


The antimicrobial resistance to 10 antibiotics was determined in 132 staphylococcal isolates. These representing Staphylococcus aureus (n=66) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=66). All isolates were from milk samples obtained from subclinical mastitis from Awassi ewes, local goats and Fresian cows. Results indicated that among all the antimicrobial agents tested the highest resistance of staphylococcal isolates was to ampicillin. The frequency of resistance to ampicillin was 75.8 and 66.7% against S. aureus and S. epidermidis isolates, respectively. Resistance to amikacin, cefepime, vancomycin, tobramycin or chloramphenicol was rare. None of staphylococcal isolates was susceptible to all tested antibiotics. Resistance to at least 3 drugs was found in (35) 53% and (28) 42.4 % of S. aureus and S. epidermidis isolates, respectively.


Cardiac transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to an accepted mode of therapy that prolongs life in patients with severe heart failure. The University of South Florida-Tampa General Hospital began performing cardiac transplantation for the treatment of end-stage cardiac disease in June 1985. Since then, 50 heart transplantations have been performed and 37 patients are alive and well. The one-year actuarial survival is 78% and the two-year actuarial survival is 72%. Multiple complications have been encountered, most notably rejection and infection. The recent approval of the USF/TGH program as a Medicare funded cardiac transplantation center is expected to greatly expand the number of potential recipients and will provide the residents of Florida, the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean with an additional health care resource.


Based on current information, aerobic exercises offer the greatest benefit to patients with back pain. Evidence supports the use of abdominal and extension exercises in a selected group of patients, but indications are limited, as are the useful types of exercises in both of these approaches. No support exists for the use of preprinted handouts, which assume that every patient with back pain, regardless of clinical presentation, requires the same six or eight exercises. Rather, selectivity of exercises based on a thorough clinical evaluation is recommended. Use of a specific exercise should be governed by the sound scientific principles presented in this paper. Many other types of therapeutic exercises not mentioned in the present paper are currently utilized in the care of patients with back pain.


Purpose We introduce a novel focus shaping concept for intrastromal corneal dissection that facilitates cleavage along corneal lamellae, and we analyze laser–tissue interactions governing cutting effectiveness and mechanical side effects. Methods Focus shaping was achieved by a spiral phase plate that converts an incident Gaussian beam into a Laguerre–Gaussian beam with a helical phase. Such vortex beams have zero intensity at their center, are propagation invariant, and possess a ring focus equal in length to the Gaussian focus but with a larger diameter. Cutting precision and the required absorbed energy for flap dissection were compared for Gaussian and vortex beams on ex vivo porcine corneal specimens at pulse durations between 480 fs and 9 ps. Cutting quality and bubble formation were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and macro photography. Results With the vortex beam, the cuts were much smoother. Bubble formation was markedly reduced because cutting can be performed close to the bubble threshold, whereas with the Gaussian beam energies well above threshold are needed. Although the incident energy at the flap dissection threshold was slightly larger for the vortex beam, the absorbed energy was much smaller and contributed more effectively to cutting. This reduced plasma-induced pressure more than sevenfold. Conclusions The vortex beam approach for corneal dissection is a simple, versatile, and cost-effective way of improving the precision of refractive surgery while reducing bubble formation and pressure-related mechanical side effects. Translational Relevance Phase plates for propagation invariant vortex beams are easily implemented in the beam path of next-generation clinical devices.


Context: After the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple reviews have documented the success of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Patients who experience hypoxemia but have normal contractility may be switched to veno-venous-ECMO (VV-ECMO). Purpose: In this review, we present three protocols for anesthesiologists. Firstly, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) aids in cannulation and weaning off inotropes and fluids. Our main objective is to assist in patient selection for the Avalon Elite single catheter, which is inserted into the right internal jugular vein and terminates in the right atrium. Secondly, we propose appropriate anticoagulant doses. We outline day-to-day monitoring protocols to prevent heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) or resistance. Once the effects of neuromuscular paralysis subside, sedation should be reduced. Therefore, we describe techniques that may prevent delirium from progressing into permanent cognitive decline. Methods: We conducted a PubMed search using the keywords VV-ECMO, TEE, Avalon Elite (Maquet, Germany), and quetiapine. We combined these findings with interviews conducted with nurses and anesthesiologists from two academic ECMO centers, focusing on anticoagulation and sedation. Results: Our qualitative evidence synthesis reveals how TEE confirms cannulation while avoiding right atrial rupture or low flows. Additionally, we discovered that typically, after initial heparinization, activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is drawn every 1 to 2 hours or every 6 to 8 hours once stable. Daily thromboelastograms, along with platelet counts and antithrombin III levels, may detect HIT or resistance, respectively. These side effects can be prevented by discontinuing heparin on day two and initiating argatroban at a dose of 1 μg/kg/min while maintaining PTT between 61 - 80 seconds. The argatroban dose is adjusted by 10 - 20% if PTT is between 40 - 60 or 80 - 90 seconds. Perfusionists assist in establishing protocols following manufacturer guidelines. Lastly, we describe the replacement of narcotics and benzodiazepines with dexmedetomidine at a dose of 0.5 to 1 μg/kg/hour, limited by bradycardia, and the use of quetiapine starting at 25 mg per day and gradually increasing up to 200 mg twice a day, limited by prolonged QT interval. Conclusions: The limitation of this review is that it necessarily covers a broad range of ECMO decisions faced by an anesthesiologist. However, its main advantage lies in the identification of straightforward argatroban protocols through interviews, as well as the discovery, via PubMed, of the usefulness of TEE in determining cannula position and contractility estimates for transitioning from VA-ECMO to VV-ECMO. Additionally, we emphasize the benefits in terms of morbidity and mortality of a seldom-discussed sedation supplement, quetiapine, to dexmedetomidine.


HyperMacs and HyperBlocks are polymers with highly branched architectures. The building blocks for these materials, AB(_2) macromonomers, are synthesized by living anionic polymerization and are well-defined in terms of molecular weight and polydispersity. The nature of the coupling reaction used to generate the highly branched HyperMacs results in branched polymers with a distribution of molecular weights and architectures. Previously a strategy for the synthesis of polystyrene HyperMacs has been reported in which the extent of reaction was limited by an unknown factor. In this thesis the modifications made to the synthetic strategy are reported for the production of more highly branched polystyrene HyperMacs or 'super' HyperMacs. Other variations along this theme include the addition of a B3 core creating core HyperMacs. Modifications to the improved HyperMac synthesis enabled the construction of polybutadiene AB(_2) macromonomers, resulting in polybutadiene HyperMacs; as well as triblock copolymer AB(_2) macromonomers constructed from polystyrene and polyisoprene forming block copolymer HyperMacs termed HyperBlocks. Characterisation of the materials above involved techniques including rheology, thermal analysis including differential scanning caliorimetry, (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis, (DMA), x-ray scattering (small angle x-ray scattering, SAXS) and transition electron microscopy, (TEM).Melt rheology showed polystyrene HyperMacs to be thermorheologically simple and HyperMacs showed little evidence for relaxation by reptation. Their rheological behaviour agreed well with the Cayley tree model for hierarchical relaxation in tube models of branched polymers. HyperBlocks showed phase separated morphologies with two distinct glass transition temperatures for their constituents. However the highly branched architecture of HyperBlocks disrupts long-range order seen in the macromonomers, as observed by SAXS and TEM


OBJECTIVE: The goal was to study the hemodynamics and regional pathophysiological changes in the spinal cord after transient vascular occlusion in cats. METHODS: We measured spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) continuously in the lumbar region with a laser-doppler flowmeter, before, during, and after spinal cord ischemia induced by balloon occlusion of the thoracic aorta, in 24 cats (divided into three groups) and simultaneously recorded the evoked spinal cord potentials (ESPs). In each group (n = 8), 10-, 20-, and 30-minute ischemic loading was performed. All animals were evaluated neurologically 36 hours later, and then their spinal cords were examined histologically. RESULTS: The amplitude of ESPs decreased 10 minutes and disappeared 20 minutes after occlusion. SCBF increased to as much as 2 times the control values after reperfusion and decreased gradually in all groups. Then, in all animals in the 10-minute group and six animals in the 20-minute group, SCBF returned to the control values, which were subsequently maintained throughout the experiment, and ESPs returned to normal patterns within 1 hour. For all animals in the 30-minute group and two in the 20-minute group, hypoperfusion after recirculation, irreversible amplitude changes in ESPs, postischemic paraparesis, and pathological ischemic changes in the lower thoracic and lumbar spinal segments were recognized. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that >20-minute occlusion of the thoracic aorta in cats resulted in irreversible spinal perfusion disorders and that the monitoring of SCBF and ESPs could be useful for predicting potential neurological deficits. Furthermore, postischemic hypoperfusion may have an important role in the development of secondary spinal cord ischemia, resulting in severe neurological dysfunction. This observation suggested the possibility of therapeutic modification of the secondary processes inducing hypoperfusion after spinal ischemia.


In 2009, a suite of revised GCSEs was introduced for first teaching. For the first time, all subjects were offered in modular specifications, where previously the majority were only offered linearly. For some time, modular assessment – and resits in particular – have featured in the public discourse on standards. Despite Ofqual incorporating rules to limit resit opportunities and to require forty per cent terminal assessment in new GCSEs, the coalition government expressed concerns over modular assessment early on, particularly at GCSE. In anticipation of a consultation on reverting to linear assessment, a study was conducted to gain some understanding of schools' experiences of using the newly modularised GCSEs. A series of semi-structured interviews was conducted with (mainly) deputy head teachers in a variety of schools, sampled according to governance model. Participants were asked about the effect of modular assessment on teaching and learning, and the wider impact on financial and organisational aspects of schools. The findings suggest that the burden of assessment associated with modular GCSEs limited the number of subjects in which schools adopted a modular approach. There was also an apparent divide between independent/selective schools and comprehensive schools: the former generally teaching fewer modular subjects than the latter. Nonetheless, schools with mixed and lower ability pupils reported a number of benefits to teaching modular GCSEs compared with linear ones. These included greater motivation and engagement following success in early exams and the spreading of the workload for pupils who, for various reasons not necessarily related to ability, tend to underperform in terminal examinations. Before the interviews were completed but, more importantly, before the modular GCSEs had time to bed in, the government announced that all GCSEs would revert to linear assessment from 2012. Nonetheless, with A Level Reform in progress and the school leaving age set to rise to 18, some of the findings of this study could still prove useful.


Double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by ionizing radiation are often accompanied by ancillary oxidative base damage that could prevent or delay their repair. In order to better define the features that make some DSBs repair-resistant, plasmid DSB substrates were constructed with two blunt ends, one having the oxidatively modified nonplanar base thymine glycol at the first, second or third positions from the 3′ terminus (Tg1, Tg2 and Tg3, respectively). End joining was examined in extracts of Bustel fibroblasts, wherein end joining is completely dependent on addition of exogenous recombinant XLF, and therefore reflects classical nonhomologous end joining. Tg at the third position had almost no effect on end-joining even when present on both ends of the break. However, the Tg1 and Tg2 substrates yielded tenfold to twentyfold less head-to-tail joins and no detectable head-to-head joins, suggesting that Tg as the terminal or penultimate base is a serious barrier to NHEJ and an absolute barrier when present at both ends. For all substrates, Tg-containing ligation products predominated at early times, and remarkably, a 3′ terminal Tg was in some cases directly ligated to an undamaged blunt end. Dideoxy trapping of base excision repair intermediates indicated that Tg was excised in the extracts, but largely if not exclusively after DSB ligation. For all substrates, accurate blunt end ligation without end trimming predominated. However addition of excess Artemis nuclease to the extracts resulted in a slightly shorter ligation product, and a slight increase in yield, for the Tg2 substrate only. For the Tg1 substrate, there was a distinct 2-hr delay between addition of substrate and the detection of ligated products, while the unmodified and Tg3 products showed a much shorter delay of ∼30 min. Overall, the results suggest that Tg can be a major impediment to DSB repair when present as the terminal or penultimate base, being relatively resistant to both trimming and ligation. Citation Format: Duaa Bafail, Sri Lakshmi Chalasani, Mohammed Al mohaini, Konstantin Akopiants, Lawrence F. Povirk. Tolerance and intolerance of proximal thymine glycol in DNA double-strand break repair by nonhomologous end joining. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3028. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3028


Ultra-weak photon emission in the visible range was measured on palm and dorsal side of left and right hand by means of a low noise photomultiplier system. To study the dynamics of this photon emission in a 24 h period photon emission was recorded in 2 h intervals in 5 experiments, utilizing strict protocols for dark adaptation and recording of subjects. Fluctuations in photon emission in the course of 24 h period were demonstrated for each anatomic location. Mean photon emission over the 24 h period differed both between subjects and hand locations. To detect a pattern in the fluctuations the mean value for each location of each subject in each experiment was utilized to calculate fluctuations during the course of 24 h for each anatomical location. The fluctuations in photon emission in the course of 24 h were more at dorsal sides than palm sides. The correlation between fluctuations in palm and dorsal side was not ap- parent. During the 24 h period a change in left-right symmetry occurred for the dorsal side but not for the palm of the hands. Photon emission at the left dorsal location was high at night, while the right dorsal side emitted most during the day. It is concluded that a daily rhythm in photon emission can be recorded from both the dorsal and palm sides of the hands.


Robust perception is a vital capability for robotic manipulation in unstructured scenes. In this context, full pose estimation of relevant objects in a scene is a critical step towards the introduction of robots into household environments. In this paper, we present an approach for building metric 3D models of objects using local descriptors from several images. Each model is optimized to fit a set of calibrated training images, thus obtaining the best possible alignment between the 3D model and the real object. Given a new test image, we match the local descriptors to our stored models online, using a novel combination of the RANSAC and Mean Shift algorithms to register multiple instances of each object. A robust initialization step allows for arbitrary rotation, translation and scaling of objects in the test images. The resulting system provides markerless 6-DOF pose estimation for complex objects in cluttered scenes. We provide experimental results demonstrating orientation and translation accuracy, as well as a physical implementation of the pose output being used by an autonomous robot to perform grasping in highly cluttered scenes.


Origami has emerged as a promising tool for the design of mechanical structures that can be folded into small volume and expanded to large structures, which enables the desirable features of compact storage and effective deployment. Most attention to date on origami deployment has been on its geometry, kinematics, and quasi-static mechanics, while the dynamics of deployment has not been systematically studied. On the other hand, deployment dynamics could be important in many applications, especially in high speed operation and low damping conditions. This research investigates the dynamic characteristics of the deploying process of origami structures through investigating a Miura-Ori sheet (Fig. 1(b, c)). In this study, we have utilized the stored energy in pre-deformed spring elements to actuate the deployment. We theoretically model and numerically analyze the deploying process of the origami sheet. Specifically, the sheet is modeled by bar-and-hinge blocks, in which the facet and crease stiffnesses are modeled to be related to the bar axial deformation and torsional motion at the creases. On the other hand, the structural inertia is modelled as mass points assigned at hinges. Numerical simulations show that, apart from axial contraction and expansion, the origami structure can exhibit transverse motion during the deploying process. Further investigation reveals that the transverse motion has close relationship with the controlled deploying rate. This research will pave the way for further analysis and applications of the dynamics of origami-based structures.


With funding from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, Catholic Relief Services implemented the Kom-Yilma project, "Happy and Healthy Children." The program served 118 schools in two provinces in the Central North region of Burkina Faso, Bam and Sanmatenga, from March 2014 to August 2017. The purpose of the program was to encourage the adoption of key hygiene practices by the teachers, students, as well as to facilitate access to water and sanitation through social behavior change strategies and by building sex segregated, child-friendly latrines and boreholes. The Kom-Yilma team developed a community accountability approach to more effectively empower and involve local communities in the process of constructing sound infrastructure. This strategy not only ensures the construction quality of the latrines and boreholes, but also sustainable buy-in and community ownership of these new latrines and boreholes so the communities maintain them after the project.


Cultural heritage is a set of artefacts consisting of architecture, crafts, folk art and intangible elements orally handed down from generation to generation Globalization is, to a high degree, responsible for the vanishing of these phenomena It is, therefore, important to take actions in order to preserve it. One example of such an action is adopting the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Archives can often play a fundamental role here. The Polish Ethnographic Atlas Laboratory is one of the centres possessing a great collection of archives. The materials deposited there come from all over the country and are related to many aspects of rural culture. Despite the great effort put into the analysis of the material and the editing of the Atlas, a number of issues are yet to be elaborated. For example, the issue of bringing up a child. This paper is the first attempt at interpreting informants' statements on this issue. Engaging in this subject matter was essential not only because these practices are still alive in the informants' memories but also because until recently, the informants had practiced these customs themselves. Each birth was a significant moment in the life of a family. For this reason pregnancy and infancy were accompanied by particular rituals. The aim was to ensure welfare of the offspring in the future and to protect them from death, sickness and evil powers. The rituals did not only refer to the children, but also to things related to them. The cradle seemed to be of particular importance and many restrictions were placed by custom on the use of it.


This paper adopts Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) and monthly time series data from January 2017 to November 2020 to explore the impact of the March 2020 COVID-19 induced national lock down on Lesotho's Consumer Price Index (CPI) and selected sub-components. The baseline level for CPI during the pre-lockdown period was estimated at 4.61 per cent, per month, on average. The trend in CPI was positive in the post-intervention period and higher than the positive counterfactual trend by 0.002 per cent. The level of CPI declined by 0.004 per cent in the first month of the lockdown, owing to a fall in the level of the housing, water, electricity and gas price index, despite an increase in the food price index. The CPI's postintervention trend averaged 0.006 per cent, supported by positive trends in all selected subcomponents, the highest being the food price index, at 0.014 per cent. The study concludes that the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown was not large enough to result in a structural break in the long-term CPI series.


Relatively little is known about the development of the neuromuscular junction of extraocular muscles (EOMs). In recent years, chicks have been increasingly used as a developmental model in ophthalmological research. To utilize this model system for understanding the development and plasticity of the extraocular motor system, we investigated the structural changes that occur at the developing neuromuscular junction in the chick between embryonic day 14 (E14) and posthatch day 2 (P2). Axons and nerve terminals were visualized with fluorescent neurofilament antibodies and motor endplates with rhodamine-conjugated alpha-bungarotoxin. Nerve fibers and endplates were colabeled within the same tissue samples. Motor endplates (density, length, width, and area) were measured and numbers of axons per neuromuscular junction were counted using confocal and conventional microscopy. In P2 chicks, densities of motor endplates were significantly greater in the superior oblique muscle when compared with the superior rectus and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. EOMs showed a two- to threefold larger area of motor endplate size as compared to gastrocnemius muscle. Motor endplate size also differed among EOMs with the superior oblique muscle having endplates with a larger area than those of the superior rectus muscle. The period of synapse elimination was similar between EOM and gastrocnemius muscle. Synapse elimination began at about E18 and was completed by P2. By describing the normal morphological changes in developing EOMs, this study provides a baseline for future work to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms that regulate EOM innervation and strength.


We have studied a new high-affinity competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, D-CPP-ene (SDZ-EAA 494), in two models of focal cerebral ischemia. In the cat middle cerebral artery occlusion model (6 hours' survival), pretreatment with D-CPP-ene reduced infarct size by 64% (15 mg/kg dose) and 60% (4.5 mg/kg dose). There was no reduction in infarct size at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Treatment 1 hour after the occlusion reduced infarct size slightly, but not significantly. In a new model of subdural hematoma in the rat, the zone of cortical ischemic damage beneath the blood clot was reduced by 54% with D-CPP-ene pretreatment. Neuroprotective efficacy in a gyrencephalic species comparable to that of noncompetitive antagonists thus can be achieved with this agent. These experiments also indicate that competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists may be clinically useful after traumatic intracranial hematomas.


Human-mediated disturbances have altered every ecosystem on the planet and these changes may have important consequences for biodiversity and community structure. We tested how the degree of urbanization impacts a tri-trophic interaction among the Florida scrub endemic plant Palafoxia feayi , a gallmaking midge, and the associated parasitoid wasps. A combination of field surveys and laboratory rearings were used to determine whether habitat disturbance associated with housing development (e.g., land clearing, fire suppression) was correlated with changes in plant architecture, gallmaker abundance, or parasitoid diversity. We found significant differences in the number of side branches of plants at urban sites, and that the number of galls per plant increased with both the number of side branches and plant height. More parasitoids were found in galls collected from urban sites, but parasitoid diversity was unchanged by urbanization. We conclude that although urbanization influenced plant architecture, there was only a minor impact on gallmaker abundance and parasitoid diversity.


This thesis examines the depiction of mass blindness in three works: H.G. Wells's "The Country of the Blind", Edgar Wallace's "The Black Grippe" and John Wyndham's The Day of the Triffids. In their description of a near-universal impairment, blindness, these texts challenge the typical portrayal of disability in fiction, as an affliction affecting an individual. They reflect how society has been constructed around particular assumptions of ability and how that might be different in another society, be it an isolated village or a world changed by infection or Cold War era weapons. In their depictions of the sighted people in these worlds, they highlight the distinction between disability and impairment, including in one case a sighted man disabled by a society constructed for and by blind people. I place these texts in a context of the time of writing and argue that they themselves give context to more recent discussions of disability – and diversity generally – in speculative fiction. They demonstrate the unique potential of speculative fiction to move beyond an individualised representation of disability by the creation of new worlds.


Abstract : The AFIT combustion optimization and analysis laser (COAL) lab is now completely operational and is state-of-the-art in combustion diagnostics. The objective of this research is to perform a validation of a laser diagnostic system and to begin the characterization of a small-scale model of an ultra-compact combustor (UCC). Validation of the laser system was accomplished by using planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) on a laminar premixed hydrogen-air flame produced by a Hencken burner. OH species concentrations are measured. Flame temperatures are determined with a two line fluorescence technique using different transitions in the (1,0) band of the OH (A-X) electronic transition system. Comparisons are made to existing research to prove accuracy. Characterization of the UCC began by developing an operational procedure. A proper starting condition and operating regime has been established. Pressures, temperature, and emissions data have been recorded for a range of equivalence ratios. Comparisons are made to previous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) research. Combustion efficiencies of over 99% have been recorded when operating the small-scale UCC. Future work will involve using PLIF to take non-intrusive measurements inside the combustor through optically clear quartz windows to study cavity-vane interactions.


Data reported since 1975 indicate that the natural hormone estrogen may act as a carcinogen when unopposed by an adequate amount of progesterone. Carcinogenesis may proceed when it is present at a high level for a short time. It is generally accepted that 3 groups of women have been at risk of developing cancer from exogenous estrogen exposure: 1) women who took sequential oral contraceptives; 2) post-menopausal women who received estrogen replacement therapy; 3) girls with ovarian dysgenesis who received unopposed estrogen therapy at puberty. Similarly, 4 groups of women appear to be at risk of developing cancer form endogenous estrogen sources: 1) women with granulosa-cell or theca-cell ovarian tumors; 2) anovulatory women; 3) obese postmenopausal women; 4) women with liver disease. The falling incidence of endometrial cancer associated with diminished estrogen sales is the final proof of an association of estrogen exposure with development of disease.


Leukotrienes (LT) are potent lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid (AA) via the 5-LO pathway [1]. AA is converted to 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6-trans-8,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE), which in turn is metabolized to LTA4. In the cell, 5-LO activity depends on a crucial translocation from the soluble compartment to the nuclear membrane-bound 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) to achieve endogenously released AA as substrate for LT biosynthesis [2]. Although 5-LO and LT biosynthesis is known for more than 35 years, a role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, and Alzheimer`s disease besides chronic allergic diseases like asthma has only recently been discovered [3]. Inspired by the therapeutic potential, BRP-7 was identified as a new class of FLAP inhibitors with high efficacy to inhibit LT biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, a powerful mammalian stable expression system of 5-LO and FLAP in HEK293 cells was established to clearly determine putative FLAP inhibitors and study FLAPs undisputed significance for cellular LT biosynthesis. FLAP increases cellular 5-LO product formation by enhancing the LTA4 synthase activity, and supports 5-LO membrane accumulation. For the first time, we provide strong evidence for an effective in situ interaction of native 5-LO and FLAP at the nuclear membrane in primary human leukocytes and stable transfected HEK293 cells by proximity ligation assay (PLA). 5-LO/FLAP interaction occurs delayed to 5-LO activity and translocation. FLAP antagonists prevent the 5-LO/FLAP interaction, and AA and/or 5-HPETE function as regulating molecules for the 5-LO/FLAP complex assembly.


This book is concerned with the practical aspects of solving angular momentum problems. The novel but fully tested-out method (the Invariant Graph Method) allows one to write down from a single graph the complete final result of the problem. The drawing of the graph involves very few simple, essentially self-evident rules. Still it is a powerful tool to easily solve the most involved physical problems.The method is introduced step-by-step in a sequence of examples, beginning with the simplest matrix elements, and ending with the most general case of a reaction including angular distributions and correlations. The many-body and particle anti-particle systems are fully developed. All aspects: wave functions, vectors, operators, Fock space state vectors and operators, etc., are treated on the same footing. All concepts of angular momentum theory acquire a transparent meaning. Hence the book is valuable not only as a handbook in problem solving, but extremely so as an adjunct in any course on advanced qunatum physics, atomic, molecular, nuclear and particle physics.


Aim : The present study aimed to compare the eradication rate of H. pylori by traditional amoxicillin, metronidazole, bismuth, and omeprazole regimen, with a new one using clarithromycin, omeprazole and ampicillin/sulbactam (penbactam). Background : Due to the appearance of Amoxicillin-resistant H. pylori strains all over the world, the decreased efficacy of conventional Amoxicillin-containing treatment regimens has become a matter of concern. Patients and methods : A total of 332 dyspeptic patients whose H. pylori infection was confirmed by endoscopy and rapid urease test (RUT) were randomized into two groups: group A, comprising 162 patients who received the traditional quadruple treatment regimen for H. pylori (bismuth 240 mg, omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1gr, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily) and  group B, containing 170 patients who received clarithromycin 500mg, penbactam (ampicillin 250 mg plus sulbactam 175 mg) and omeprazole 20 mg twice daily. Both groups were given the treatment for 2 weeks, and both underwent UBT 4 weeks after the end of treatment; UBT negative patients were considered responders and the rate of treatment response was compared by per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis between two groups. Results : The eradication rate was 56.4% in group A and 87%in group B by per protocol analysis. The eradication rates were 48.8% and 81.7% according to intention-to-treat analysis in groups A and B respectively. The eradication rate was higher in group B patients taking penbactam, omeprazole and clarithromycin (P Conclusion : Our study showed that using ampicillin/sulbactam instead of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole increased the eradication rate of H. pylori significantly.


This paper presents the results of regression models (linear, nonlinear and stochastic regression) and artificial neural network models (ANN) using observed data of daily maximum air and water temperature at Bai Chay station in the coastal areas of Northern Delta, Vietnam. The accuracy of the models was evaluated and compared by R, RMSE, RMSE% and E indicators. The ANN model was highlight results with the RMSE = 1.24; R = 0.98; E = 0.9; RMSE% = 4. The results of the study also show that daily water temperature is affected by daily maximum and average air temperature of previous 1 and 2 days. The main contribution of this study is to identify the appropriate models and time lag factors for water temperature prediction from the air temperature applied to neighboring meteorological stations without water temperature monitoring data. The results of the study could be used as a basis for determining the spatial distribution of water temperature risk to aquaculture in the coastal areas of Northern Delta, Vietnam.


Our legal system is shifting from a model based on deterrence and retribution through punishment to proactive harm prevention, thus pushing the threshold of criminal liability away from causation harm, and toward creation of risk. This Article cautions against rushing to embrace that trend. First, the Article identifies two different levels at which the concept of "harm" — usually treated as a unitary concept in the literature — operates. These two levels are the ex-ante concept of harm (or "harm in the abstract") and the ex-post concept of harm (or "harm in the concrete"). The Article argues that the ex-post concept of harm is what is relevant for purposes of justifying the emphasis on results in criminal law. Then, the Article proceeds to provide such justification through historical and comparative analysis. First, the Article traces the origins of modern criminal law to the Enlightenment revolution. After illustrating the historical reasons that led to focus on resulting harm, the Article advances several arguments to keep the focus on resulting harm as a pillar of substantive criminal law today. The Article claims that the emphasis on resulting harm provides a check against government overreach and abuse; that it offers an empirically verifiable measure of culpability while guaranteeing a minimum of proportionality; and that it constitutes the right political choice in a liberal democracy. Finally, the Article briefly expounds some systemic consequences of its approach, looking at how the proposed theory would impact several problematic areas of criminal law. In the Conclusion, the Article stresses that moving away from a model based on resulting harm and toward a model based on risk creation comes at a price, and suggests that such trade-off is worth it only in exceptional circumstances.


Objective: to study the effects and mechanisms of ultrasonic on ability of learning and memory in Kunming mice. Methods: changing the time of irradiation can get different dose of ultrasonic. Using Morris water maze analyzes the activity of Kunming mice on different time points. Remain the same ultrasonic irradiation time, and find the rule of platform latency by comparing the ultrasonic method with no ultrasonic. According to statistics analyzing related experiments data by SPSS and the theory of ultrasonic biological effects, how ultrasonic affects the ability of learning and memory in mice can be found. Results: small doses of ultrasonic have positive significance on the learning and memory ability in mice .But more than regular doses, the ability of learning and memory will be badly damage. After ultrasonic irradiation, the latency is discrete distribution while no ultrasonic irradiation the latency is stable. Conclusion: ultrasonic has certain effects on the learning and memory ability in Kuming mice. Its mechanism is the mechanical, thermal, cavitation effect of ultrasonic.


Human action recognition from skeletal data is a hot research topic and important in many open domain applications of computer vision, thanks to recently introduced 3D sensors. In the literature, naive methods simply transfer off-the-shelf techniques from video to the skeletal representation. However, the current state-of-the-art is contended between to different paradigms: kernel-based methods and feature learning with (recurrent) neural networks. Both approaches show strong performances, yet they exhibit heavy, but complementary, drawbacks. Motivated by this fact, our work aims at combining together the best of the two paradigms, by proposing an approach where a shallow network is fed with a covariance representation. Our intuition is that, as long as the dynamics is effectively modeled, there is no need for the classification network to be deep nor recurrent in order to score favorably. We validate this hypothesis in a broad experimental analysis over 6 publicly available datasets.


While ample experience with end-user studies exists, only little is known about studies with software developers in a security context. In past research investigating the security behavior of software developers, participants often had to complete programming tasks. However, programming tasks require a large amount of participants' time and effort, which often results in high costs and small sample sizes. We therefore tested a new methodology for security developer studies. In an online study, we asked freelance developers to write code reviews for password-storage code snippets. Since developers often tend to focus on functionality first and security later, similar to end users, we prompted half the participants for security. Although the freelancers indicated that they feel responsible for security, our results showed that they did not focus on security in their code reviews, even in a security-critical task such as password-storage. Almost half the participants wanted to release the insecure code snippets. However, we found that security prompting had a significant effect on the security awareness. To provide further insight into this line of work, we compared our results with similar password-storage studies containing programming tasks, and discussed code reviewing as a new methodology for future security research with developers.


In order to assess their practical capability for the absorption and accumulation of Cu, two common crop plants, i.e. Centro (Centrosema pubescens Benth) and Mucuna plants (Mucuna pruriens var pruriens) were tested in pot experiments using simulated crude oil polluted soil in the concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 % (v/w). A range of amendments of various types was tested for increasing the copper uptake with the test species and these included UREA fertilizer, NPK fertilizer and Chicken manure. Cu concentrations of the soil ranged from 201.1 to 271.5 mg/kg after spiking. Cu uptake and translocation into the shoots of Mucuna and Centro plants were 91 mg/kg and 6.25 mg/kg respectively, in the un – amended treatments at the highest contaminant dose of simulated spill. Amendments further took the observed levels to 90.1, 63 and 117 mg/kg Cu and 8, 23, and 10.92 mg/kg Cu for NPK, UREA and POULTRY amendments in Mucuna and Centro plants respectively. Cu root concentrations were markedly higher than those of the shoots for all Centro plants and the reverse for Mucuna species respectively. While POULTRY MANURE – assisted phytoextraction with Mucuna plants by all indices proved efficient, our study showed that Centro plants were not feasible to remediate the heavily or moderately contaminated soils simulated in order to achieve the target total metal soil concentrations irrespective of the amendments employed. Tests with NPK and UREA fertilizers indicated detrimental effects on copper uptake, biomass yield, and the translocation of copper from roots to shoots in Mucuna species.


The main goal of this article is investigation of the model description of an early childhood education as a type of pedagogical discourse. We understand the term ''discourse'' as a common type of verbal behavior of the subject due to the socio-historical conditions, as well as stereotypes of interpreting the components of this type of verbal behavior. We researched pedagogical discourse as a type of verbal behavior directed on the socialization of new members of the society. Pedagogical discourse has different types: discourse of early childhood education (a kindergarten), discourse of secondary education (a school), higher education discourse, and so on. The main specific feature of the discourse of early childhood education (discourse of preschool education) is an initial degree of involvement of its members in the society. The description of the main parameters of the discourse is dependent on this particularly. In this article we rely on the description model of institutional discourse developed by V. Karasik. We consider a number of parameters, which determine the specificity of verbal behavior to primary socialization: the communicative purpose of the discourse, the speech strategies, the participants of the discourse, the values, the time and space of the discourse, the coding system of the discourse and the genre content. The communicative purpose of the discourse is the transfer of the basic concepts of the world and the society. The speech strategies of pedagogical discourse in general are typical for the discourse of early childhood education: informative, estimating, controlling, imperative strategies. Types of participants of the discourse of the early childhood education are institutionalized: it is the kindergarten teacher and children of the kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher is the agent of the discourse and the children are its client. The values of the discourse of the early childhood education are related to the basic value of pedagogical discourse the ability to adapt, to accept the information society, which allows the child to become a full member of the society. The time and space features of the discourse depend on the leading communication channel, which at the initial stage of socialization is contact communication, that is, a natural type of oral communication. The coding system of the discourse is the verbal code of communication. The genre content of the discourse includes the nuclear discourse genre, preschool classes for children as an alternative lesson in general. Thus, the discourse of early childhood education is a type of pedagogical discourse, which is characterized by the initial degree of socialization of its members.


Protein aggregation, leading to amyloid deposition in the brain, is implicated in the pathology of a number of increasingly prevalent neurodegeneration states such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases. The body's protective response to the formation of such deposits is to generate specific autoimmune antibodies. Alpha-synuclein, a natively unfolded protein relatively abundant in the brain, is the main constituent of Lewy body amyloid dispositions in PD. Previous assays determining content of alpha-synuclein in bodily fluids have proven to be largely inconclusive. Here we have taken a novel approach in utilising alpha-synuclein modified electrodes to sample the autoantibodies generated as the body responds to changes in its homeostasis. We show that these electroanalytical assays not only robustly distinguish between disease state and control individuals but also map out disease progression with unprecedented sensitivity and clarity. The impedimetric electrode surfaces are highly specific, reusable, exhibit a linear range from 0.5 to 10 nM and a detection limit of 55 ± 3 pM. We believe electroanalyses such as these, possible with less than 10 microlitres of fluid and a total assay time of only a few minutes, to be of value for early diagnosis of PD and possibly other alpha-synucleinopathies, and for monitoring disease progression and effects of possible disease modifying interventions.