This article adopts a critical position regarding the 'illness is not disability' debate by framing hepatitis C both as a lived, physical impairment and a socio-cultural disability/illness. This article draws on qualitative in-depth interviews with 21 people who live(d) with hepatitis C in the UK and examines the financial impact of living with hepatitis C and the process of applying and being found eligible for welfare benefits. This article contributes to the discussion around the inclusion of people with HCV within disability studies and argued that there should be greater recognition of the disabling processes and barriers they face in accessing information, support, recognition and treatment. At present, the institutional processes used to define the ability to work and determine eligibility for benefits frequently exclude and marginalize the experience of people with hepatitis C.


With findings from a study conducted at the Museum of Science, Boston showed how family and school visitors used signing dictionaries in situations that involve physical interaction with phenomena. Research described in this article extended this study to an examination of how school visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing use the dictionaries in a setting, in which interactions with the phenomena are primarily observational. This additional research was conducted by TERC at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH). Its purpose was to examine the degree to which use of a Signing Science Pictionary and a Signing Science Dictionary results in gains in knowledge of the science content incorporated into exhibits focusing on Arthropods. The study involved 20 grade 1-6 students from a school for the deaf. They were divided into a treatment and a control group. The mixed methods design incorporated a protocol that involved a pre-test, a treatment group that used the dictionaries and a control group did not, and a post-test. Results from the pre- and post-test scores show that both groups, on average, demonstrated some gain in content knowledge. They also show that gains were similar for the treatment group and control group. Students' perceptions that they learned something support these findings. This first-of-its kind study confirmed how challenging it is to measure how the dictionaries enhance content learning beyond vocabulary learning. It also showed that additional research is needed to demonstrate impacts of the signing dictionaries on informal learning for this population.


Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate a qualitative PCR based method for detection of clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in patients of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It was a descriptive Cross sectional and it was conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Rawalpindi between Aug 2009- Jan2010. Method: 61 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate/unstained bone marrow smears. PCR amplification of the IgH gene was done by a VH primer homologous with a highly conserved sequence near the 3' end of the FR3 region and a consensus sequence JH primer. The amplified DNA was seen by electrophoresis on 6% polyacrylamide gel. Results: A sharp clonal band ranging from 90-200 bp indicated a positive reaction. At the time of diagnosis 50 out of the 61 patients (82%) showed clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement by qualitative PCR using a single pair of primers. Eleven (18%) patients did not show the Ig gene rearrangement. Conclusion: Clonal Ig gene rearrangements can be demonstrated in a vast majority of patients of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia by simple PCR using a single pair of primers.


A series of three castable polyurethane elastomers were prepared from 2,4- toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 3,5-dimethyl-thioltoluenediamine (DMTDA) chain extender, with polyethylene adipate (PEA), polyoxytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) soft segments. The polyol molecular weight employed was 2000g/mol. The polyurethane elastomers were characterized by an electronmechanical universal testing machine, a LX-A Shore durometer and a Dynamic Mechanical analyzer (DMA). In addition, fractured surface of the polyurethane elastomers was investigated by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The test results showed PCL based elastomer exhibits the excellent tear and stress-strain properties that polyester based elastomers offer, while retaining superior resilience similar to polyether based elastomers. The static and dynamic properties of PCL based elastomer were more suitable for dynamic applications. SEM micrographs of all polyurethane samples indicated the existing of microphase separation structure. Particles of the dispersed phase formed by hard phase and crystalline part of the soft phase grow bigger with increasing crystallinity of the soft segments. The hard domains are irregular shapes and with size of a few micrometers.


Abstract The studies presented in this article longitudinally examined preschool children's learning behavior, which has received increased attention in recent years because of its positive influence on school readiness. The first study used a statewide database (N = 23,434) to examine whether and how learning behavior changed over time. The second study (N = 275) examined whether children's behavioral adjustment and classroom quality significantly predicted learning behavior baseline scores (learning behavior at the beginning of the preschool year) and rates of change throughout the year. Results from both studies indicated that children's learning behavior became more adaptive throughout the year. Results from the second study suggested that children's shyness was negatively associated with baseline scores and classroom organization was positively associated with rates of change over time. These findings highlight the importance of identifying children who exhibit underactive behavior such as shyness, as well as the potential role classroom quality may play in fostering adaptive learning behavior.


Since 2008, the Dahya concept has been portrayed by journalists, independent experts, and scholars as an official policy of Israel to address the threat of Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, there has been no official Israeli document formulating a Dahya strategy. Although this Dahya concept is not officially endorsed by the Israeli Defense Forces, it is a key reflection of the state of the Israeli military vis-à-vis Hezbollah debate since the 2006 war. This debate reflects a significant evolution of Israeli threat assessment and the remedies for these challenges. It acknowledges not only the political support and military strength of the Lebanese organization, but also its rationality. Conceding the extreme difficulty of dismembering Hezbollah's power, the Dahya concept postulates a deterrence system that, as a matter of fact, finds its roots in traditional Israeli strategic doctrine.


Euthanasia plays an important role in small animal practice. When it comes to killing animals, animals, their owners, public interests, as well as the legal framework, have to be considered by veterinarians. In cases where the interests of veterinarians and owners diverge, ethical conflicts can occur, and different concerns have to be taken into account. Data about the attitudes of Austrian veterinarians with regards to euthanasia have been gathered by means of a 53-item questionnaire. In total, 514 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Among other things, factors that influence the veterinarian's satisfaction with euthanasia, reasons given by the owners for wanting to have their healthy animal euthanized and questions concerning preparation and support regarding euthanasia were addressed. The results of this study emphasize that euthanasia constitutes an important topic for Austrian veterinarians and that acting in the assumed interest of the animal contributes to the veterinarians' satisfaction. Further, the ethical principles concerning the protection of the animal's life and avoidance of suffering play a central role for decision-making.


Exaggerated onychodermal bands and a unilateral racket thumb nail occurred in a healthy 36-year-old primiparous female. Each condition is described and the relationship of exaggerated onychodermal bands to chronic renal disease (systemic disease) is reviewed. We are reporting this patient since we have been unable to find a similar reported case with both abnormalities and because of the paucity of information on these conditions in the dermatology literature.


This paper investigates how economies of scope in multi-product firms interact with comparative advantage in determining the effect of trade liberalisation on resource reallocation, using Belgian manufacturing firm- and firm-product-level data over the period 1997-2007. We first provide evidence on industry integration induced by multi-product firms producing simultaneously in multiple industries and on the extent to which industry integration occurs between industries that have different degrees of comparative advantage. We then examine the impact of opening up trade with low-wage countries on both inter- and intra-industry resource reallocation, taking into account heterogeneity in the integration rate across sectors and industries. Our results indicate that, within more closely integrated sectors, trade liberalisation with low-wage countries leads to less reallocation from low-skill-intensity (comparative-disadvantage) industries to high-skill-intensity (comparative-advantage) industries, both in terms of employment and output. We also find that more integrated industries experience less skill upgrading after trade liberalisation with low-wage countries. Furthermore, we find that within sectors with a low integration rate, trade liberalisation with low-wage countries induces relatively more aggregate TFP and average firm output growth in comparative-advantage industries than in comparative-disadvantage industries, in line with the prediction of Bernard, Redding and Schott (2007), while the opposite is true in highly integrated sectors. Decomposition of the industry-level aggregate TFP changes reveals that the result is mainly driven by reallocation between incumbent firms within industries. Overall, the results are highly consistent with the predictions of the Song and Zhu (2010) model.


MapReduce, the popular programming paradigm for large-scale data processing, has traditionally been deployed over tightly-coupled clusters where the data is already locally available. The assumption that the data and compute resources are available in a single central location, however, no longer holds for many emerging applications in commercial, scientific and social networking domains, where the data is generated in a geographically distributed manner. Further, the computational resources needed for carrying out the data analysis may be distributed across multiple data centers or community resources such as Grids. In this paper, we develop a modeling framework to capture MapReduce execution in a highly distributed environment comprising distributed data sources and distributed computational resources. This framework is flexible enough to capture several design choices and performance optimizations for MapReduce execution. We propose a model-driven optimization that has two key features: (i) it is end-to-end as opposed to myopic optimizations that may only make locally optimal but globally suboptimal decisions, and (ii) it can control multiple MapReduce phases to achieve low runtime, as opposed to single-phase optimizations that may control only individual phases. Our model results show that our optimization can provide nearly 82% and 64% reduction in execution time over myopic and single-phase optimizations, respectively. We have modified Hadoop to implement our model outputs, and using three different MapReduce applications over an 8-node emulated PlanetLab testbed, we show that our optimized Hadoop execution plan achieves 31-41% reduction in runtime over a vanilla Hadoop execution. Our model-driven optimization also provides several insights into the choice of techniques and execution parameters based on application and platform characteristics.


Laminitis is an extremely painful condition which requires intensive andoften long-term treatment, Even after months or years of therapy theoutcome might still be unfavourable, the condition prooving to beincurable. Considering the economical questions and the severe welfareconsequences caused by this problem the importance of a reliableprognosis becomes evident. The coffin bone is suspended in the hoofcapsule. The bond between the coffin bone and the wall of the hoofcapsule is established by the suspensory apparatus of the coffin bone.Laminitis is the most important disease of this apparatus. X-ray andultrasonography have turned out to be insufficient in visualising thesuspensory apparatus of the coffin bone. In computertomography howeverpathological changes can be localized and demonstrated in great detail.On ct-scans of healthy hooves two zones of the suspensory apparatus canbe distinguished: A section of low radiographic density adjacent to thecoffin bone and a section of higher radiographic density in theperiphery. The sections are separated by a distinct line levelling withthe border of the basal third of the horny lamellae. In light cases oflaminitis this line is blurred. Chronic laminitis is accompanied byexcessive production of cap horn in the wall segment (scar horn inclinical terms) represented by a line of lower radiographic density inthe ct-scan. In severe cases of chronic laminitis necrosis of thelamellar apparatus and production of new lamellae can be observed in thescan. Reactive changes in structure (atrophy, sclerosis) and contour(exostosis) of the coffin bone are frequent consequences of chroniclaminitis. Localisation and extension of these alterations are importantcriteria for prognosis and can be assessed in the ct-scan. In comparisonto conventional radiography, computertomography holds fundamentaladvantages. Type, severity and extension of pathological changes in thesuspensory apparatus of the coffin bone can be diagnosed clearly.Reactive changes of the coffin bone can be assessed. In conclusion dataobtained by the technique of computertomography offer valuableinformation for prognosis and treatment strategy of laminitis.


Precise localization of the needle tip during CT-guided percutaneous biopsy is considered to be a key element of a successful procedure. To ensure accuracy, the true needle tip must be differentiated from a false or simulated tip which appears when the CT slice encompasses only the shaft of an angled needle. By obtaining images of an aspiration biopsy needle inserted vertically into a phantom and then incrementally tilting the gantry, the authors were able to compare the characteristic features of the true tip to the simulated tip. The true tip was abrupt and distinct and had an adjacent flame-like low density artifact. The simulated tip was indistinct and tapered, yet still produced the adjacent artifact. We concluded that the shape and distinctness of the end portion of the needle itself, rather than the attendant artifact, were the most reliable criteria for accurate needle tip identification.


Fertilization is one of the most effective ways to increase crop productivity, and the use of slow release fertilizers could be advantageous, allowing the assimilation of nutrients as the plants grow. The objective was evaluating the effect of slow release fertilizers in a Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis stand in order to reduce the number of fertilization applications. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four treatments. Treatments were applied with the same amounts of nutrients: T1-Convetional fertilizer with split application; T2-Conventional fertilizer in a single dose at 3 months; T3-Controlled-release fertilizer applied at planting; and T4-Controlled-release fertilizer applied 3 months after planting. We evaluated the mortality, initial growth, leaf nutrition and N and K in the soil solution. The experiment showed an average mortality of 4%, height of 8.5 m, DBH of 7.5 cm and volume of 24 m3.ha-1 at 18 months of age, with no difference among treatments for these characteristics. There were no differences in foliar concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg and S, only the K differed among treatments, with the lowest concentration at conventional fertilizer split application treatment. The application of slow release fertilizer at 3 months showed the lowest concentrations of N and K in the soil solution. The split application of nutrients showed no improvement in eucalypt growth or nutritional benefits. The use of slow-release fertilizer is possible to reduce the number of fertilization application with no risk of nutrients leaching.


Cars were burning from rioting on the streets. Moroccan and Algerian youth were running amok in the suburbs of Paris and Lyon. Helpless police forces were unable to control the escalating violence. Then-Minister of Internal Affairs Nicolas Sarkozy threatened the mob with announcements of tighter law enforcement and stricter legal penalties. Eventually, the situation was brought under control, but those events left a lasting impression. In 2005, Europeans realized they were confronted with a young migrant generation that was at-risk and in need of serious attention. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Several other European countries wondered whether France's experience could occur in their societies as well. Would migrant minorities take over the streets and threaten the social balance in Germany, Spain, or the UK? Reactions from politicians, scientists, and the media were quite diverse. While some argued for improved integration policies, others said that violently protesting immigrants should be sent back to their country of origin. Still others stated that within their country, immigrants and the autochthonous population not only lived together in peaceful cohabitation, but were also developing a fruitful exchange of cultures, ideas, innovations, and trade. The 2005 riots in France and the subsequent public outcry highlighted that immigration had decidedly become a central issue in European societies. Europe had been the source of emigrants to North America between 1850 and 1950. Now, it has become a net recipient of immigrants. After World War II, the states of what became the European Union became a popular destination for immigrants from Africa, Asia, and the former Warsaw Pact states. In addition, immigration from Eastern and Southern Europe has resulted in a tremendous change in the ethnic composition of northern and western European nations like France, the UK, and Germany. Since the countries of origin of the immigrants are very diverse, the migrant populations of states in the European Union vary widely. For example, in Germany the most prominent group of immigrants came from Turkey in the late 1950s through 1970s. Later, Polish and Russian immigrants entered the country after the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. The UK, due to its historical bonds, attracted people primarily from India and Pakistan. And the Netherlands attracted immigrants mainly from its former colonies in South and Central America, such as Suriname. Denizen Demography Citizens of Non-member Countries Resident in the EU-27 by Continent of Origin Oceania 0.9% Africa 25.2% Asia 20.9% Americas 16.4% Europe 36.5% Note: Table made from pie chart. This heterogeneity of non-native populations makes it difficult to conceive of a single European response to the riots in France. In France, young Moroccans and Algerians who lack clear educational or career prospects cannot be easily compared with relatively educated and successful Russian immigrants in Germany or to adolescents of Indian descent in the UK. A closer look at the historical immigration flows in Europe reveals that there is not one generic migrant youth, but rather several different groups from varied backgrounds who interact individually or as part of migrant youth movements within the European societies where they now live. They Came From Anywhere and For Any Reason The patterns of migration flow have changed over time, and the size and composition of migrant populations reflect both current and historical patterns. The heterogeneity of the migrant population has two sources: historical patterns of migration and social differences between migrant groups. Over the course of the last 60 years several distinct migration waves have taken place. While shortly after World War II refugees and displaced persons mainly marked the migrant population, the 1950s to 1970s witnessed migration due to industrial needs. …


The perennial life strategy of temperate trees relies on establishing a dormant stage during winter to survive unfavorable conditions. To overcome this dormant stage, trees require cool (i.e., chilling) temperatures as an environmental cue. Numerous approaches have tried to decipher the physiology of dormancy, but these efforts have usually remained relatively narrowly focused on particular regulatory or metabolic processes, recently integrated and linked by transcriptomic studies. This work aimed to synthesize existing knowledge on dormancy into a general conceptual framework to enhance dormancy comprehension. The proposed conceptual framework covers four physiological processes involved in dormancy progression: (i) transport at both whole-plant and cellular level, (ii) phytohormone dynamics, (iii) genetic and epigenetic regulation, and (iv) dynamics of nonstructural carbohydrates. We merged the regulatory levels into a seasonal framework integrating the environmental signals (i.e., temperature and photoperiod) that trigger each dormancy phase.


While the use of acupuncture has been recognised by the World Health Organisation, its efficacy for many of the common clinical conditions is still undergoing validation through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A credible placebo control for such RCTs to enable meaningful evaluation of its efficacy is to be established. While several non-penetrating acupuncture placebo devices, namely the Streitberger, the Park and the Takakura Devices, have been developed and used in RCTs, their suitability as inert placebo controls needs to be rigorously determined. This article systematically reviews these devices as placebo interventions. Electronic searches were conducted on four English and two Chinese databases from their inceptions to July 2014; hand searches of relevant references were also conducted. RCTs, in English or Chinese language, comparing acupuncture with one of the aforementioned devices as the control intervention on human participants with any clinical condition and evaluating clinically related outcomes were included. Thirty-six studies were included for qualitative analysis while 14 were in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis does not support the notion of either the Streitberger or the Park Device being inert control interventions while none of the studies involving the Takakura Device was included in the meta-analysis. Sixteen studies reported the occurrence of adverse events, with no significant difference between verum and placebo acupuncture. Author-reported blinding credibility showed that participant blinding was successful in most cases; however, when blinding index was calculated, only one study, which utilised the Park Device, seemed to have an ideal blinding scenario. Although the blinding index could not be calculated for the Takakura Device, it was the only device reported to enable practitioner blinding. There are limitations with each of the placebo devices and more rigorous studies are needed to further evaluate their effects and blinding credibility.


This paper presents a new method of scene recognition for manipulator real-time visual servoing, which utilizes a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) in combination with a model shaping a target of known shape, and the unprocessed gray-scale image of a scene. The scene recognition method presented here is concerned with the simultaneous recognition of the shape and detection of the position and orientation in the two-dimensional raw-image, of a three-dimensional target being imaged. The proposed hybrid GA employs the "global" search feature of a two-point crossover of a GA, to search a target, together with a GA-based "local" search that focuses on the target of interest found so far, in order to detect accurate target's position in a short time by intensive searching. In order to appraise the proposed hybrid GA recognition method, experiments to pick up a natural fish swimming in a pool by hand net of a robot manipulator by using the visual servoing, have been conducted to show the performances with respect to recognition accuracy in time response and the real-time feature.


This chapter reviews research in which economic laboratory experiments are used to shed light on the processes that influence organizational formation and change. An organization, in these experiments, is represented by an abstract collective production activity that takes place in a controlled laboratory setting with incentivized human subjects. The studies typically attempt to identify factors that enhance efficient production and coordination. Our review focuses on studies that explore key features of how organizations originate, grow, and implement change, and the roles of communication and leadership in managing these processes. Our survey concludes that laboratory experiments of this type present a useful way to identify important factors that influence the relationship between individual behaviors and organizational performance at critical stages, which might otherwise be difficult to isolate outside the laboratory. Moreover, this research presents a valuable complement to traditional approaches in organizational research.


The degree of filler dispersion has a major influence on the physical properties of rubber compounds. Typical fillers, e.g. carbon black and silica, are difficult to disperse, particularly if they are fine and low structured. As a result, the quantity of undispersed fillers generally amounts for 1% to 10% of the compound. The elimination, or at least the reduction, of agglomerates will result in rubber parts (e.g. tires, seals, belts) with improved properties and higher reliability. Clearly, a better understanding of the physics of batch mixers would help improve their mixing performance. Due to the complexity of the real process, experiments on a representative device were held from which a model has been deduced. It appears to be a generalization of the law of Kao and Mason, but for high viscous matrices. The next step was to get a model available for statistically large number of pellets as can be found in any sample taken out of the mixer. A statistical approach is used where we define a model describing the evolution of mass density function of agglomerate sizes. Eventually, we implement this model within available numerical simulation tools to estimate dispersion in real mixers.


The communication networks of today can greatly benefit from autonomous operation and adaptation, not only due to the implicit cost savings, but also because autonomy will enable functionalities that are infeasible today. Across industry, academia and standardisation bodies there has been an increased interest in achieving the autonomous goal, but a path on how to attain this goal is still unclear. In this paper we present our vision for the future of autonomous networking. We introduce the concepts and technological means to achieve autonomy and propose an architecture which emerges directly through the application of these concepts, highlighting opportunities and challenges for standardisation. We argue that only a holistic architecture based on hierarchies of hybrid learning, functional composition, and online experimental evaluation is expressive and capable enough to realise true autonomy within communication networks.


The effects of renal perfusion pressure and reflex sympathetic nerve stimulation on sodium excretion were studied in six conscious foxhounds on a normal sodium diet. This was done before, during common carotid occlusion (CCO), and during a recovery period following CCO. Three protocols were used 1) control (n = 6), 2) converting-enzyme inhibition (CEI, n = 6), and 3) CEI combined with a constant renal artery pressure (RAP, n = 5). In protocol 1, CCO increased RAP markedly (140.5 +/- 5.1 vs. 103.0 +/- 4.4 mmHg; P less than 0.001) along with a considerable natriuresis (128.4 +/- 20.1 vs. 86.3 +/- 15.1 mumol Na+/min; P less than 0.05). In protocol 2, CEI increased control sodium excretion but did not impair the natriuresis by CCO. Maintaining RAP at control levels in protocol 3 lead to an antinatriuresis (53.1 +/- 16.8 vs. 128.3 +/- 32.2 mumol Na+/min; P less than 0.05). Creatinine clearance was unaffected by all procedures. In conclusion, a change in ANG II formation shifts but does not impair the natriuretic response to CCO. A moderate sympathetic activation has a pronounced pressure-independent antinatriuretic effect, which is not mediated by angiotensin II.


The cluster synchronization problem of complex dynamical networks with each node being a Lurie system with external disturbances and time-varying delay is investigated in this paper. Some criteria for cluster synchronization with desired H∞performance are presented by using a local linear control scheme. Firstly, sufficient conditions are established to realize cluster synchronization of the Lurie dynamical networks without time delay. Then, the notion of the cluster synchronized region is introduced, and some conditions guaranteeing the cluster synchronized region and unbounded cluster synchronized region are derived. Furthermore, the cluster synchronization and cluster synchronized region in the Lurie dynamical networks with time-varying delay are considered. Numerical examples are finally provided to verify and illustrate the theoretical results.


With the advancements in miniaturization and temperature capabilities of piezo-resistive pressure sensors, pneumatic probes — which are the long established standard for flow-path pressure measurements in gas turbine environments — are being replaced with unsteady pressure probes. Any measured quantity is by definition inherently different from the 'true' value, requiring the estimation of the associated errors for determining the validity of the results and establishing respective confidence intervals. In the context of pressure measurements, the calibration uncertainty values, which differ from measurement uncertainties, are typically provided. Even then, the lack of a standard methodology is evident as uncertainties are often reported without appropriate confidence intervals. Moreover, no time-resolved measurement uncertainty analysis has come to the attention of the authors.The objective of this paper is to present a standard method for the estimation of the uncertainties related to measurements performed using single sensor unsteady pressure probes, with the help of measurements obtained in a one and a half stage low pressure high speed axial compressor test rig as an example. The methodology presented is also valid for similar applications involving the use of steady or unsteady sensors and instruments.The static calibration uncertainty, steady measurement uncertainties and unsteady measurement uncertainties based on phase-locked and ensemble averages are presented in this contribution. Depending on the number of points used for the averaging, different values for uncertainty have been observed, underlining the importance of having greater number of samples. For unsteady flows, higher uncertainties have been observed at regions of higher unsteadiness such as tip leakage vortices, hub corner vortices and blade wakes.Unfortunately, the state of the art in single-sensor miniature unsteady pressure probes is comparable to multi-hole pneumatic probes in size, preventing the use of multi-hole unsteady probes in turbomachinery environments. However, the angular calibration properties of a single sensor probe obtained via an aerodynamic calibration may further be exploited as if a three-hole directional probe is employed, yielding corrected total pressure, unsteady yaw angle, static pressure and Mach number distributions based on the phase-locked averages with the expense of losing the time-correlation between the virtual ports. The aerodynamic calibration and derivation process are presented together with the assessment of the uncertainties associated to these derived quantities by the authors in [1]. In the virtual three-hole mode, similar to that of a single-sensor probe, higher uncertainty values are observed at regions of higher unsteadiness.© 2015 ASME


Digital communications sexual harassment is on the rise. Such harassment occurs through sexually offensive and unwarranted e-mails, placing harassing messages on electronic bulletin boards, and other forms of harassment that occur through the Internet. To date, courts have remained silent on the issue of sexual harassment by digital communications. Should this type of harassment be treated any differently than harassment that occurs in the physical space? The somewhat surprising answer is yes.

This Article advocates applying a new judicial framework for addressing digital communications sexual harassment. This new framework accounts for the real-world technology in the digital workplace and the legal framework that courts have constructed in connection with affirmative defenses to harassment. An employer's ability to monitor and block digital communications and thus prevent sexual harassment is the fundamental difference between digital and physical sexual harassment and the underlying reason for treating them differently and for modifying the affirmative defense. The Article proposes that when an employer fails to utilize available technology to prevent sexual harassment, the affirmative defense should be either modified or altogether unavailable. Adopting this approach, courts would appropriately place an affirmative obligation on employers with blocking and monitoring technology to take reasonable preventative measures to prevent digital workplace harassment.


In this paper we present techniques for efficient speaker recognition of a large population of speakers and for efficient speaker retrieval in large audio archives. We deal with aspects of both time and storage. We use Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM) for representing both train and test sessions and show how to perform speaker recognition and retrieval efficiently with only a small degradation in accuracy compared to classic GMM based recognition. We present techniques for achieving a dramatic acceleration of both tasks. Finally, we present a GMM compression algorithm that decreases considerably the storage needed for speaker retrieval.


Stellar metals shine toward our eyes only Taking a different look at a familiar star may still yield surprises. Boggs et al. trained the x-ray vision of the NuSTAR observatory on the well-studied supernova 1987A. Core-collapse explosions such as SN 1987A produce a titanium isotope, 44Ti, whose radioactive decay yields hard x-ray emission lines. All the emission associated with 44Ti appears to be from material moving toward us, with none moving away. This implies that the explosion was not symmetric. These findings help to explain the mechanics of SN 1987A and of core-collapse supernovae in general. Science, this issue p. 670 Asymmetric signatures of radioactive decay are seen from a metal deep within a supernova. In core-collapse supernovae, titanium-44 (44Ti) is produced in the innermost ejecta, in the layer of material directly on top of the newly formed compact object. As such, it provides a direct probe of the supernova engine. Observations of supernova 1987A (SN1987A) have resolved the 67.87- and 78.32–kilo–electron volt emission lines from decay of 44Ti produced in the supernova explosion. These lines are narrow and redshifted with a Doppler velocity of ~700 kilometers per second, direct evidence of large-scale asymmetry in the explosion.


Abstract. Eastern Sicily is one of the coastal areas most exposed to earthquakes and tsunamis in Italy. The city of Catania that developed between the eastern base of Etna volcano and the Ionian Sea is, together with the neighbour coastal belt, under the strong menace of tsunamis. This paper addresses the estimation of the tsunami hazard for the city of Catania by using the technique of the Worst-case Credible Tsunami Scenario Analysis (WCTSA) and is focused on a target area including the Catania harbour and the beach called La Plaia where many human activities develop and many important structures are present. The aim of the work is to provide a detailed tsunami hazard analysis, firstly by building scenarios that are proposed on the basis of tectonic considerations and of the largest historical events that hit the city in the past, and then by combining all the information deriving from single scenarios into a unique aggregated scenario that can be viewed as the worst virtual scenario. Scenarios have been calculated by means of numerical simulations on computational grids of different resolutions, passing from 3 km on a regional scale to 40 m in the target area. La Plaia beach results to be the area most exposed to tsunami inundation, with inland penetration up to hundreds of meters. The harbour turns out to be more exposed to tsunami waves with low frequencies: in particular, it is found that the major contribution to the hazard in the harbour is due to a tsunami from a remote source, which propagates with much longer periods than tsunamis from local sources. This work has been performed in the framework of the EU-funded project SCHEMA.


Equilibrium Monte Carlo simulations are reported for a model of a biological calcium channel in which the region that includes the channel and the selectivity filter has a different dielectric coefficient than that of the bath. These regions are separated by a sharp dielectric boundary. This simple geometry makes it possible to use the image charge method to incorporate polarization effects. We also include a description of changes in solvation energy that arise when ions move between different dielectrics; we use the Born description of hydration with empirical ionic radii that yield experimental hydration energies. In calculations of Ca2+vs. Na+ selectivity analogous to those of earlier work (Boda et al., Molec. Phys., 100, 2361 (2002)), we find that reducing the dielectric coefficient in the channel to values as low as 10 renders the channel model less calcium selective. Thus, this continuum description of polarization effects does not capture a delicate balance that seems to exist in biological channels between the energy that ions require for dehydration and the energy that ions gain by interaction with the charged groups in the pore.


Many countries, including economies in transition, have suffered banking crises in recent years. This paper develops a general framework for analysing trade-offs between policies for cleaning banks' balance sheets of bad debt. The framework - a two-tier hierarchy consisting of regulators, banks, and firms - is applied to analyse three types of policies that have been advocated or employed in the economies in transition. Hidden information and moral hazard are present at each tier of the hierarchy. The analysis identifies two types of effects of policy choice: a direct effect of the policy on bank behaviour and an indirect effect on firm behaviour as a reaction to the bank response. Both effects are important determinants of policy trade-offs. The analysis demonstrates that differing policies applied to financially distressed banks have differing real effects on firms' and banks' asset values, even when all firms and banks are state-owned.


Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease, which occurs sporadically or in association with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) 1, 2. Sporadic LAM affects ∼1 in 400,000 adult females; in TSC, LAM occurs in 30–40% of adult females 3, 4 and exceptionally in males and children 5, 6.

Patients with LAM usually develop progressive dyspnoea and recurrent pneumothorax, chylous collections and occasional haemoptysis 1. Extra pulmonary lymphadenopathy and cystic masses of the axial lymphatics termed lymphangioleiomyomas can result in abdominal and pelvic lymphatic obstruction 7. LAM is often associated with angiomyolipoma in the kidneys 8, and an increased frequency of meningioma 9. LAM varies in clinical features and rate of progression: this together with an absence of clear prognostic factors results in patients being given conflicting information about prognosis.

Diagnosis is made by tissue biopsy (generally from the lung but occasionally from lymph nodes or lymphangioleiomyomas) and/or a combination of history and high-resolution computed tomography scanning (HRCT). Pathological diagnosis relies on characteristic LAM cell morphology and positive immunoreactivity to smooth muscle actin and HMB-45 antibodies. Increasingly HRCT is used to diagnose LAM without resorting to lung biopsy; however a number of conditions with multiple pulmonary cysts can mimic LAM.

As LAM is rare, there have been no controlled trials of its management. Supportive treatment includes management of airflow obstruction and hypoxaemia with bronchodilators and oxygen respectively, specific treatment for surgical or pleural complications including pneumo- and chylothorax, and interventional treatment of renal lesions 10, 11. As LAM is a disease of females and is thought to be accelerated by oestrogen, oophorectomy, tamoxifen, progesterone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues have been used without evidence that they are effective. The recent finding of abnormalities in the TSC1/2 genes resulting …


Long-period gratings (LPGs) have been inscribed by femtosecond laser radiation into fiber optics with Ge-doped and pure silica cores. Grating parameters of 16-dB rejection and 0.3-dB insertion loss are obtained for a Ge-doped fiber core. Numerical calculation of the transmission characteristics yielded a good correlation between the measured and synthetic data showing that an induced refractive index change up to 3/spl times/10/sup -4/ can be achieved. Inscription of an LPG in pure silica fiber core is demonstrated and thought to be first achieved in this fiber type. Greater laser intensity is required in pure silica compared with Ge-doped cores to produce a refractive index change of similar magnitude.


Patients who are in pain, anxious or acutely disturbed are seen frequently in the accident and emergency department. Good personal management will do much to assist with their treatment, but many patients will require additional treatment with drugs. The word "sedation" is often used generically to encompass relief from both pain (analgesia) and anxiety, but it must be recognised that they are separate processes, even though many patients require both. The therapeutic goals of sedation are relief of anxiety, reduction in psychological stress, and amnesia for procedures or traumatic events. The therapeutic goal of analgesia is to provide relief (complete whenever possible) of pain due to injury or of a potentially painful procedure. It is usually necessary to treat with separate agents to achieve these goals, and it is important to understand the potentially synergistic effects of the drugs used.

All drugs that depress the central nervous system have the potential to produce cardiovascular or respiratory complications. Endoscopy has a reported morbidity rate of 1 in 200 and a mortality of 1 in 2000.1 These adverse events are closely linked to high doses of sedatives and lack of monitoring. An audit of bronchoscopy practice and sedation in the UK in 1997 found deficiencies in patient monitoring and staff training.2 A similar survey of sedation for transoesophageal echocardiography in November 2000 found that 29% of practitioners did not use oximetry, 4% did not even have an oxygen supply in the room and 74% had never received formal training in sedation.3

Although sedation in elective circumstances is clearly challenging, sedation in the emergency department may be further complicated because patients often present in less than ideal circumstances and with comorbidity. Such patients often require immediate interventions and therefore cannot always be thoroughly prepared. A complete medical assessment may not …


Recently, the problem of abnormal vibration of the EMU carbody has occurred from time to time. When the carbody is abnormally vibrated, the Sperling index and ride comfort of the vehicle can be greatly reduced, which is unfavorable for its operation. The paper established and a vehicle-shake simulation model which was verified based on the measured wheel-rail profile and vibration data. Additionally, the causes and solutions of abnormal vehicle body vibration were studied. The research results illustrate that the EMU has a relatively high level of wheel-rail equivalent conicity in the shaking section, causing the secondary hunting instability. The main frequency of the instability is 9-10 Hz, which is close to the first-order diamond mode frequency of the carbody. Therefore, the elastic resonance of the carbody occurs, resulting in the shake phenomenon. Through simulation analysis, it is found that wheelset reprofiling and rail polishing can improve the operation stability of EMUs and effectively solve the shaking motion; Furthermore, increasing the first-order diamond mode frequency of the carbody and controlling the hunting phase of the front and rear bogies can also avoid the shaking motion. At the same time, the equivalent conicity management through the detection of the wheel profile can efficiently prevent the hunting instability and carbody shaking, providing a reference for wheel reprofiling and rail polishing.


Si is an attractive negative electrode material for lithium ion batteries due to its high specific capacity (≈3600 mAh g–1). However, the huge volume swelling and shrinking during cycling, which mimics a breathing effect at the material/electrode/cell level, leads to several coupled issues including fracture of Si particles, unstable solid electrolyte interphase, and low Coulombic efficiency. In this work, the regulation of the breathing effect is reported by using Si–C yolk–shell nanocomposite which has been well‐developed by other researchers. The focus is on understanding how the nanoscaled materials design impacts the mechanical and electrochemical response at electrode level. For the first time, it is possible to observe one order of magnitude of reduction on breathing effect at the electrode level during cycling: the electrode thickness variation reduced down to 10%, comparing with 100% in the electrode with Si nanoparticles as active materials. The Si–C yolk–shell nanocomposite electrode exhibits excellent capacity retention and high cycle efficiency. In situ transmission electron microscopy and finite element simulations consistently reveals that the dramatically enhanced performance is associated with the regulated breathing of the Si in the new composite, therefore the suppression of the overall electrode expansion.


Urbanism is effective science in order to reduction damages while accruing disaster. Indeed, urbanism is important in term of natural crisis due to have key role in physical development process. Today one of the most important issues in Tehran metropolis is shortage of usable open spaces in crisis conditions because there is proportion between built spaces, building density and usable open spaces in crisis conditions. It is clearly that could be used from open spaces in crisis conditions as relief base and temporary accommodation. The main issue in order to studying in dynamic systems is reduction process of urban open spaces with usable in crisis conditions. So in this research have been defined new mechanisms and policies in order to modification of destructive mechanism by studying of effective mechanisms and identifying cause-effect structure. In this study, at first was determined system boundary and effective endogenous and exogenous variables. Then, was studied reference variable behavior. After that were determined dynamic assumptions and was prepared conceptual model and cause-effect diagrams. At finally, modeling was performed by definition of parameters and structuring of dynamic theories in "Vensim PLE" Software for 20 years periods. The obtained model was tested in extreme conditions. Analyzing of reduction process of urban open spaces in process of cities development in Tehran metropolis is the purpose of this research. The research method is analysis – descriptive. Also data collected is documents – field. The results show that will be controlled reduction process of urban open spaces with usable in crisis conditions in Tehran metropolis by modification of destructive mechanisms also using policies that associated with key variables.


THE DISEASE phenylketonuria (PKU) was described over 30 years ago, 1-4 but treatment aimed at preventing the neurologic sequellae of the disease is recent. 5-12 Institution of a phenylalanine-restricted diet mitigates or actually seems to prevent the occurrence of mental retardation when the diagnosis is made in early infancy. 13-17 The recent development of screening programs 18-21 to detect PKU, utilizing techniques applicable to the newborn nursery, has provided the clinician an unusual opportunity to obviate or minimize the occurrence of mental retardation in affected infants. On the basis of case finding in newborn screening programs the estimate of the incidence of PKU has been doubled from one case in approximately 20,000 births to one in 10,000 births. Some questions have been raised as to whether all of the cases thus detected are truly classic PKU cases. 22,23 On the basis of the evidence thus far presented it would appear


A fear of neurology and neural sciences (neurophobia) may have clinical consequences. There is therefore a need to formulate an evidence‐based approach to neurology education. A comprehensive systematic review of educational interventions in neurology was performed. BEI, Cochrane Library, Dialog Datastar, EBSCO Biomedical, EBSCO Psychology & Behavioral Sciences, EMBASE, ERIC, First Search, MDConsult, Medline, Proquest Medical Library and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for all published studies assessing interventions in neurology education among undergraduate students, junior medical doctors and residents up to and including July 2012. Two independent literature searches were performed for relevant studies, which were then classified for level of evidence using the Centre of Evidence‐based Medicine criteria and four levels of Kirkpatrick educational outcomes. One systematic review, 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nine non‐randomized cohort/follow‐up studies, 33 case series or historically controlled studies and three mechanism‐based reasoning studies were identified. Educational interventions showed favourable evaluation or assessment outcomes in 15 of 16 (94%) RCTs. Very few studies measured subsequent clinical behaviour (two studies) and patient outcomes (one study). There is very little high quality evidence of demonstrably effective neurology education. However, RCTs are emerging, albeit without meeting comprehensive educational criteria. An improving evidence base in the quality of neurology education will be important to reduce neurophobia.


Mt. Bandila-an Forest Reserve is among the remaining areas with patches of closed forests in Siquijor. This forest reserve is one of the potential key biodiversity areas in Central Visayas, yet the vegetation is not fully documented. This study was conducted to specifically determine the species composition and diversity of plant species. Eight randomly distributed nested plots, each with a dimension of 20m x 100m and subdivided to 5 equal segments of 20m x 20m, were established. A total of 188 species of plants were recorded in the plots, distributed to 131 trees, 23 shrubs, 14 vines, 11 herbs, and 9 ferns. Common plant families with more than 6 representative species were Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, Araceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae and Myrtaceae. There were 19 threatened (vulnerable to critically endangered) and 33 endemic species recorded in the forest reserve highlighting the importance to further conserve the area. The cluster analysis and species accumulation curve suggest that plant species are not homogeneously distributed which implies that different management and conservation strategies should be implemented across MBFR. These results not only indicate the importance of MBFR but also highlights areas with higher diversity and concentration of threatened and endemic species as a special area of concern.


In 76 muscle specimens (normal controls, 9; Duchenne dystrophy, 11; scleroderma, 11; dermatomyositis, 13; polymyositis, 15; inclusion body myositis, 17), mononuclear cells were analyzed at perivascular, perimysial, and endomysial sites of accumulation. Monoclonal antibodies reactive for B cells, T cell subsets, killer (K) or natural killer (NK) cells, and the Ia antigen were used for cell typing. Macrophages were identified by the acid phosphatase reaction. Few extravascular mononuclear cells occurred in normal muscle. In all inflammatory myopathies, a mixed exudate of T cells, B cells, and macrophages was present. Mature K/NK cells were rare in all diseases. In dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and inclusion body myositis, there was a positive gradient for T cells, T8+ cells, and activated T cells and a negative gradient for B cells and T4+ cells between perivascular and endomysial sites. In scleroderma the predominant perimysial exudate consisted mostly of T cells and macrophages. The percentage of B cells at all sites, and the T4+/T cell ratio in the endomysium, were significantly higher in dermatomyositis than in the other diseases. In polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. The endomysial exudate contained a large number of T cells, T8+ cells, and activated T cells but only sparse B cells. T cells accompanied by macrophages focally surrounded and invaded nonnecrotic fibers in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Rare fibers in Duchenne dystrophy and a very few fibers in dermatomyositis and scleroderma were similarly affected. We infer that (1) T‐B, T‐T, and T‐macrophage cooperativities are likely to exist in muscle in different myopathies; (2) T cell‐mediated fiber injury plays a role in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis; (3) T cell–mediated fiber injury can also occur in inherited diseases, such as Duchenne dystrophy; and (4) a local humoral response may occur in muscle in dermatomyositis and possibly in polymyositis and inclusion body myositis.


A unified approach to the design of robust narrowband antenna array processors is presented. The approach is based on the idea of minimizing the weighted mean-square-deviation between the desired response and the response of the processor over variations in parameters. Three specific examples of robust design are considered: robustness against directional mismatch, robustness against array geometry errors, and robustness against channel phase errors. Initially, a general quadratic constraint on the weights is developed. However, it is then shown that the quadratic constraint can be replaced by linear constraints or at most linear constraints plus norm constraint. These latter constraints are no more complex than those required for designs which do not incorporate robustness features explicitly. Numerical results show that the proposed approach appears to offer a unified treatment for directly designing narrowband processors which are robust against various types of errors and mismatches between signal model and actual scenario. >


The procurement process is critical for construction companies. In order to improve it, many are resorting to e-marketplaces although they usually do not know exactly how much they can gain by doing so. This paper describes a study that quantified the benefits of using an e-marketplace to support the procurement process of a construction company. In this study, 25 construction companies were studied, all of which use Iconstruye, Chile's main e-marketplace in the construction industry. The research shows that the adoption of an e-marketplace reduces turnaround time, errors and urgent orders, and irregular purchases. In general, a more reliable procurement process directly contributes to a leaner construction process by reducing upstream variability, procurement cycle times and the need for large inventories on site. Users also perceive an improvement in certain global indicators when using an emarketplace.


Sweden portrays itself as a champion of human rights. Simultaneously, it violates the rights of its indigenous Saami population. To understand the dynamics of this duplicity, this interdisciplinary study explores how Saami identity is constructed and perceived in Swedish cultural memory. Avril Bell's (2014) theory of thesettler imaginary is applied to analyse the narrative on Saami identity in Swedish school textbooks, legislation, political debates, and its historical context. The findings indicate that Saami identity, in Swedish cultural memory, has been constructed by Swedish settlers as authentic, static and incompatible with the majority of society. This image is perpetuated in the present day's educational and political institutions. Implications of such an image are reflected in discrimination against the Saami.


Many reports indicate that students have difficulty in mathematics (Carr, 2012; Hinton, 2014; National Assessment of Educational Progress, 2013). Some evidence suggests that technology can help improve student performance in the field (Boogart et al., 2014; Riconscente, 2013). This study investigates how the use of digital mathematics applications (apps) in a grade 2/3 class could affect student attitudes and academic performance by assessing and comparing the quality of different apps. Five specific apps, Thinking Blocks, Sushi Monster, Math Tappers, Prodigy, and Show Me, were carefully selected based on set criteria. This study used a mixed methodology, including survey data, open-ended questions, interviews, and performance tests. Twenty students, including eleven grade 2 (six males, five females) and nine grade 3 (five males, four females), participated in this study. The results indicated the importance of focusing on specific types of mathematics apps rather than focusing on the technology itself. The students enjoyed the challenge of solving math problems and believed this helped them learn. The game-based apps, especially the micro-world type app, were some of the favourite apps that the students selected because it engaged them, provided positive feedback, and they were able to create customised characters. The students preferred to use fun and easy apps rather than those that were more complicated to use. Students' mathematics performance significantly increased after the use of math apps, but other factors, such as the quality of the teacher's instruction, additional use of mathematics manipulatives, and support from home could have influenced the results.


DNA integrity is a key issue in gene therapy and genetic vaccine approaches based on plasmid DNA. In contrast to messenger RNA that requires a controlled cold chain for efficacy, DNA molecules are considered to be more stable. In this study, we challenged this concept by characterizing the immunological response induced by a plasmid DNA vaccine delivered using electroporation. As a model, we used COVID-eVax, a plasmid DNA-based vaccine that targets the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Increased nicked DNA was produced by using either an accelerated stability protocol or a lyophilization protocol. Surprisingly, the immune response induced in vivo was only minimally affected by the percentage of open circular DNA. This result suggests that plasmid DNA vaccines, such as COVID-eVax that have recently completed a phase I clinical trial, retain their efficacy upon storage at higher temperatures, and this feature may facilitate their use in low-/middle-income countries.


At the contractor level once a product is required to be soldered with lead-free solders all the processes must be assessed as to insure the same quality a customer has been accustomed to with a Sn63Pb37 process is achieved. The reflow, wave soldering and hand assembly processes must all be optimized carefully to insure good joint formation as per the appropriate class of electronics with new solder alloys and often new fluxes. The selection of soldering materials and fluxes are important as to insure high quality solder joints with leadfree solders which tend to wet slower than leaded solders but also the process equipment must be lead-free process compatible. Components must be lead-free and able to meet the thermal requirements of the process but also the MSL (moisture sensitivity limits) must be observed. Board finish must be lead-free and the PCB must be able to sustain higher process temperature cycles with no physical damage but also good solderability to enable subsequent soldering at the wave or hand assembly. Tin-silver-copper has received much publicity in recent years as the lead-free solder of choice. The IPC Solder Value Product Council as the preferred option endorsed Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5 (SAC305) for SMT assembly and most assemblers have transitioned to this alloy for their solder paste requirements. The SAC305 alloy due to its 3.0% content of silver is expensive when compared to traditional leaded process for this reason many contract manufacturers and PCBA assemblers are opting for less costly options such as tin-copper based solders for wave, selective, handsoldering, dip tinning operations. In recent years tin-copper based solders with a variety of elemental additives have emerged which improve the overall properties and performance of tin-copper solders. Tin-copper solder without the incremental additions of certain elements is rarely used but the addition of nickel or nickel and bismuth as found for example in K100 and K100LD respectively do offer improvements in wetting, joint cosmetics and in some cases solder joint reliability. In this conversion SAC305 was used for the reflow process, tin-copper-nickel based solder K100 was used in the wave soldering operation and it was also used in solder wire form for hand assembly. This paper is a summary of the experience at a medium sized assembler in achieving the customer driven mandate to go lead-free and the maintenance of production yields and quality using both tin-silver-copper and tin-copper in the assembly of high end printer boards. Over 120,000 builds were achieved with a 99.6% first pass yield for the overall soldering process.


The primary objective of this paper is to find whether fiscal consolidation has positive impact on economic growth in Pakistan or not, using nonlinear specification. In addition to checking nonlinear relationship between fiscal deficit and economic growth, we also compute optimal level of fiscal deficit that enhances growth, using data from 1976 to 2015. The results show that at the current level, fiscal deficit is positively associated with economic growth but fiscal deficit at a very high level would be damaging for growth. The nonlinear association between fiscal deficit and economic growth suggests that Pakistan would need to keep fiscal deficit in check and keep on practicing fiscal prudence. The analysis of data reveals that although the fiscal deficit has come down over the years, capital, or development, expenditures have also come down. According to the calculations in this paper, the optimal level of fiscal deficit is 0.74 percent of GDP, implying that Pakistan's expenditure composition and tax structure needs to be revisited to achieve higher economic growth.


We present a framework for the debugging of logically contradicting terminologies, which is based on traditional modelbased diagnosis. To study the feasibility of this highly general approach we prototypically implemented the hitting set algorithm presented in (Reiter 1987), and applied it in three different scenarios. First, we use a Description Logic reasoning system as a black-box to determine (necessarily maximal) conflict sets. Then we use our own non-optimized DL reasoning engine to produce small, and a specialized algorithm to determine minimal conflict sets. In a number of experiments we show that the first method already fails for relatively small terminologies. However, based on small, or minimal conflict sets, we can often calculate diagnoses in reasonable time.


Mn-Zn ferrite cores present high permeability within the kilohertz-to-megahertz frequency range. They also present high permittivities within the same frequency range. High permeabilities lead to significant permittivity measurement errors when the conventional two-parallel-electrode method is used. In contrast, high permittivities result in the deviations of measured permeabilities from their intrinsic values. This paper presents a field-circuit coupled method to study each of these two phenomena by examining a ferrite toroid with rectangular cross section. The same toroid is used to construct an inductor and a capacitor, respectively. Analytical expressions for electric and magnetic fields in, and complex power supplied to the inductor and capacitor are formulated. Results are obtained, which show that the measured permeabilities and permittivities for Mn-Zn ferrites deviate from their intrinsic values significantly. A Newton-Raphson method is then introduced to determine the intrinsic permeabilities and permittivities based on their measured values.


Extract ----- Abstract This article focuses on personalities, or individual differences, of world political leaders. After arguing that international relations theory has experienced a turn toward decision makers, I briefly overview one of the dominant approaches to the study of leader personality in foreign policy: Leadership Trait Analysis. While this research includes a number of important studies that directly challenge traditional understandings of international relations and engage with international relations theory, I argue that the subfield of personality studies in foreign policy is ripe for new theoretical and methodological developments. In the final section of this article, I outline several specific areas for future research, including a connection between foreign policy-personality approaches and the growing body of work on political leadership. Keywords: Personality, Leadership Trait Analysis, International Relation Theory, Foreign Policy ----- Bibliography: Kaarbo, Juliet: Personality and International Politics: Insights from Existing Research and Directions for the Future, ERIS, 2-3-2017, pp. 20-38. https://doi.org/10.3224/eris.v4i2-3.02


The concept of evidence-based medicine (EBM) describes 5 steps that lead to a scientifically based solution of clinical problems. EBM is often reduced to the search for the best evidence (randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses) or the introduction of guidelines. This causes criticism and may have consequences for medicine. But EBM also emphasizes the so-called clinical expertise of the doctor, which is important for reference to the individual patient. This point of EBM is being developed further. Connected with the theory of professionalization by U. Oevermann, stressing the importance of hermeneutical competence, EBM turns out to be a sophisticated model of professional medical practice.


Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) or the Bland-White-Garland syndrome was first described in the year 1866 and postulated in 1933. It is an intriguing entity in the field of paediatrics as well as paediatric cardiology due to its varied presentation in the paediatric age group. This congenital heart anomaly is reported in less than 0.5% of all the congenital heart diseases. In the past, infant deaths were frequent due to not diagnosing it promptly. Presently, the prognosis for these patients with ALCAPA has dramatically improved as a result of the scientific advancements in the field of cardiology such as early diagnosis using echocardiography and improvements in cardiovascular surgical techniques. Interestingly many treating doctors are not aware about the significance of the ALCAPA and can be missed easily. The chance of ALCAPA should be searched in every infant or children with non specific symptoms of incessant crying and feeding difficulty to achieve better outcome and to prevent its complication such as sudden death. This case study reports ALCAPA in a 23 day old neonate.


Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) encoded by TPT1 gene is a multifunctional protein involved in fundamental cellular processes of cell-cycle progression, proliferation, survival, malignant transformation, and regulation of pluripotency and cancer stem cells, as well as allergic inflammation. Here we report the cloning of four TCTP-related cDNAs from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These genes lack introns, suggesting that they are pseudogenes generated by retrotransposon-mediated integration of TPT1 gene. However, some of them are expressed at extremely low levels in limited tissues and hematopoietic cells. None of the four related proteins is expected to bind IgE, which is required for TCTP's proallergic reactions. These results collectively suggest that they genes play negligible biologic roles in humans.


The activation of the crime of aggression at the International Criminal Court has renewed interest in one of the oldest and most fraught questions of the jus ad bellum: whether a state is entitled to unilaterally use force on the territory of another state for humanitarian purposes. Scholars who support unilateral humanitarian intervention (UHI) generally make two interrelated claims. The first is positivist: that unilateral intervention is lawful if it is genuinely intended to end mass atrocity. The second is normative: that genuinely humanitarian unilateral intervention should be lawful because, in the right circumstances, it can serve as an effective mechanism for protecting civilians from harm. In this article, I criticize both claims. I begin by arguing that, from a positivist perspective, even genuinely humanitarian unilateral intervention violates the prohibition of the use of force and qualifies as a criminal act of aggression. I then argue that the historical record undermines the normative attractiveness of UHI because it is extremely difficult to find an actual example of a unilateral intervention motivated primarily by humanitarian concerns, especially one that improved the humanitarian situation in the territorial state. Finally, I conclude by arguing that the basic effect of insisting on the legality of UHI is to weaken one of the few clear prohibitions in international law for no discernible benefit, making the desire to decriminalize such intervention a well-meaning equivalent to the notorious ticking time-bomb scenario.


Since a 1989 report demonstrating successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), living donors have been increasingly used to overcome the disparity between organ supply and demand, especially in the cases of pediatric patients. Although short-term graft outcomes after LDLT have improved significantly because of progress in surgical techniques and immunosuppression, biliary stricture (BS) remains the Achilles heel of pediatric LDLT and is the major cause of significant long-term morbidity. BS results in poor quality of life or even in graft loss after LDLT, with a reported incidence of BS after pediatric LDLT of 10% to 35%. The suggested risk factors for BS after LDLT are hepatic arterial thrombosis, bile duct ischemia, acute cellular rejection, older donor age, and ABO incompatibility. Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction, which enables an endoscopic approach to be attempted after BS, is the preferred technique for LDLT. Endoscopic approaches are less invasive and more convenient for recipients than surgical and percutaneous interventions. However, the major cause of end-stage liver disease in pediatric recipients is biliary atresia, and hepaticojejunostomy is needed to reconstruct the bile duct because of the lack of recipient bile duct. Endoscopic approaches for BS are usually less favorable in patients with hepaticojejunostomy than in those with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction. Treatment options for BS after hepaticojejunostomy at many centers thus involve interventional radiology or surgical reintervention. Although endoscopic approaches remain controversial in pediatric recipients, several reports have shown them to be safe and less invasive.


The current system of interlocutory appeals in federal court has long been criticized for its complexity and unpredictability, and federal courts scholars have long debated how best to reform it. But much of this discussion occurs at an abstract level. Scholars debate the effects of potential reforms — such as whether a particular reform will increase the number of interlocutory appeals — and these arguments have a substantial empirical element. They are often based, however, on implicit theories of judicial and litigant behavior, not empirical evidence. All of these arguments contain plausible positions on the potential effects of particular reforms. And therein lies the problem; there is no way to evaluate such arguments other than to agree or disagree with the logic and normative commitments at their core. Some empirical evidence could go a long way toward breaking the current stalemate in interlocutory appeal reform.This article offers a means of using experimentation, initiated and overseen by judges, to generate evidence about the consequences of different approaches to interlocutory appeals. Under this experimental approach, the Courts of Appeals would be permitted to take differing positions on the appealability of particular orders; repeated application of these different rules would then illustrate their effects. The courts could reassess these different rules in light of their observed consequences. Although such experimentation (sometimes called "percolation") is controversial, it could work in the interlocutory appeals context. As a specific means for facilitating such experimentation, this article looks to the choice between rules and standards and suggests the modest and feasible reform of making the current collateral order exception more standard-like. In so doing, this article shows how standards can facilitate rapid and fruitful experimentation in a hierarchical judiciary, something the literature on rules and standards has often overlooked.


Peptide sequencing via tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is one of the most powerful tools in proteomics for identifying proteins. Because complete genome sequences are accumulating rapidly, the recent trend in interpretation of MS/MS spectra has been database search. However, de novo MS/MS spectral interpretation remains an open problem typically involving manual interpretation by expert mass spectrometrists. We have developed a new algorithm, SHERENGA, for de novo interpretation that automatically learns fragment ion types and intensity thresholds from a collection of test spectra generated from any type of mass spectrometer. The test data are used to construct optimal path scoring in the graph representations of MS/MS spectra. A ranked list of high scoring paths corresponds to potential peptide sequences. SHERENGA is most useful for interpreting sequences of peptides resulting from unknown proteins and for validating the results of database search algorithms in fully automated, high-throughput peptide sequencing.


Ice-structure interaction (ISI) is a complex process, which requires a thorough understanding of the underlying physics to ensure safe operations in the ice-covered regions. Application of discrete element method (DEM) to compute ice loads on structures is a widely accepted approach, where the equations of rigid body motions are solved for all ice pieces in the computational domain. In most ISI simulations, the ice zone is assumed to be resting on a static water foundation omitting the hydrodynamic effects (added mass, water drag, wave damping) of the interacting bodies. This assumption can introduce erroneous results to simulations of the floating ice floes behavior, which in turn will incur uncertainties in planning ice management activities.
 In this paper, a smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is coupled with a three-dimensional DEM model to take the hydrodynamic effects of the interacting bodies including the ice pieces into account. The ice zone is modeled as discrete elements, which allows computing interaction forces by considering contact laws. The water foundation is modeled using smooth particles, which are modelled with the Naiver-Stokes equations.
 Several applications of ship and offshore structures interacting with level ice and pack ice are simulated. A scenario of an offshore supply vessel operating in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) that is subject to wave forces is also simulated to show how this approach can be used for modelling complex real-world problems. This scenario is unique in a sense that it yields a multi-physics solution, where ice-structure-wave are all included in a single CFD simulation as a fully coupled analysis. The cost of the simulation is significantly reduced by running the computations on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) instead of a typical CPU workstation. Some of the initial results of ice-structure interactions are presented in this paper and a reasonable agreement with reduced scale model test results are found.


OBJECTIVE
Renal transplantation is an outstanding therapy for end-stage renal failure and has been shown to increase life expectancy and quality of life, while reducing medical expenditure. The presence of IgM antibodies in recipient serum is not a contraindication for renal transplantation. However, the presence of this antibody may have significant clinical implications. IgM autoantibodies have been blamed for a group of accelerated or hyperacute cases of graft rejection. In this study, graft and patient survival outcomes after renal transplantation in LCM IgM-positive recipients have been assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data from 32 LCM IgM-positive kidney recipients who underwent renal transplantation at the Akdeniz University Transplantation Center between January 2006 and August 2008 were assessed.

RESULTS
The mean age was 34 ± 13.5 (9-66). Twenty patients were male, and twelve were female. The mean length of therapy with dialysis was 22.94 ± 30.06 months (0-120). The duration of cold ischemia was 28.63 ± 5.85 minutes (21-42).

CONCLUSION
Throughout the follow up period, the mean creatinine level was 1.3 mg/dL (0.69-4.5). Graft loss occurred in only one patient and was due to hemophagocytic syndrome and acute rejection. During follow up, creatinine elevation was seen in 12 patients (4%) in the early postoperative period. These patients were thought to have transplant rejection, and therapy for rejection was given. The therapy was successful. Graft survival was calculated to be 96 ± 3.5%, and none of the patients were lost.


This paper presents the solution to the optimal control problem for a linear system with respect to a Bolza-Meyer criterion with non-quadratic state energy terms. A distinctive feature of the obtained result is that a part of the optimally controlled state trajectory occurs to be in a sliding mode, i.e., represents an enforced motion along a certain manifold. The optimal solution is obtained as a sliding mode control, whereas the conventional linear feedback control fails to provide a causal solution. Performance of the obtained optimal controller is verified in the illustrative example against the conventional LQ regulator that is optimal for the quadratic Bolza-Meyer criterion. The simulation results confirm an advantage in favor of the designed sliding mode control.


The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is not about ripping out current automation systems in order to replace them with new ones. The potential lies in the ability to link automation systems with enterprise planning, scheduling and product lifecycle systems. This paper analyses how the linkage can be implemented across the complete enterprise value chain in order to enable greater business control. Experts also offer perspectives regarding key aspects of IIoT deployment.


Flies of the family Tabanidae are common, widespread pests, known to take blood meals from many mammals including humans, and are known vectors of a number of diseases. Tabanidae is wide family that represented with 165 species in Turkey, have possesion of great importance on economical and medical level. Allotype description of Tabanus karaosus , member of this family that was described on 1984 by Timmer, firstly accomplished on this study. Distribution of this species on Turkey is exhibited and variations demonstrated with collected samples comparison by holotype descriptions. In this study, taxonomical characterters of male specimens were offered repeatedly, also illustrations of male and female genitals were given, for the first time.


The Austrian standard for designing combined sewer overflow (CSO) detention basins introduces the efficiency of the combined sewer overflows as an indicator for CSO pollution. Additionally criteria for the ambient water quality are defined, which comprehend six kinds of impacts. In this paper, the Austrian legal requirements are described and discussed by means of hydrological modelling. This is exemplified with the case study Innsbruck (Austria) including a description for model building and model calibration. Furthermore an example is shown in order to demonstrate how - in this case- the overall system performance could be improved by implementing a cost-effective rearrangement of the storage tanks already available at the inflow of the wastewater treatment plant. However, this guideline also allows more innovative methods for reducing CSO emissions as measures for better usage of storage volume or de-centralised treatment of stormwater runoff because it is based on a sewer system simulation.


The presence of coli forms in food has been used as indicator of the sanitary condition of food as well as the working area used in the preparation or manufacture of food products. However, the subsequent evaluation should be dealt with on a case-to-case basis. It could be seen from the data that the collected vegetables contained coli forms ranging from 100 to 220 per gram. This shows that there is a high possibility that the samples have been contaminated by fecal coli forms and so are not fit for human consumption. But then one has to understand that there are other sources of coli forms in vegetables so that it does not necessarily mean that the vegetables are not fit for human consumption. A high coli form content should merit further examinations and investigations as to the sources of coli forms in the vegetables. In this study, it is important to note that the number of coli forms does not depend on which shop is examined but it depends on the type of vegetables. This is an indication of similarities in the handling of a particular type of vegetables. It shows also that the vegetables are coming from the same source. The nature of the vegetables is also important, for example, leafy vegetables will have more coli forms since the leaves may be a good environment for the growth and preservation of bacteria.


Depending where one looks you will find various definitions aimed at describing 'sustainability'. In lasts years the notion of sustainable tourism must be regarded as one of the great success stories of tourism research and knowledge transfer. It has become the first topic discourse in academic research, business fields and governance. The government takes responsibility for the social and economic development of the country. The government through the lows, programs, plans, and strategies oriented people to choose the tools in economy's branches and to walk in sustainable development without afraid for the future. One of the economic branches, that is qualified as friend of sustainable development is tourism. But tourism cannot develop in chaos by self without a strategy or a plan confirmed by specialist, who works in different sectors of public administrate in government. While, big or central government is occupied with macro-problem and macro-policies, local government is nearest community and it know better than anyone, their human and natural resources. The purpose of this article is to analyze the role of local governance systems for sustainable tourism. So, local government can be the first promoting and encouraging tourism development, and helping the community for sustainable tourism.


It is often asserted that separation of legislative powers tends to make legislation both more moderate (because concessions to all veto players are needed to secure enactment) and less frequent (because sufficient concessions are sometimes infeasible). The formal analysis in this article shows this claim to be incomplete and sometimes incorrect. Although greater separation of powers makes legislation more difficult to enact, it also makes legislation, once enacted, more difficult to repeal. Attenuating the threat of repeal means that when one faction has sufficient power to push through extreme policies, it is more likely to do so than would be the case if legislative power were more concentrated. These two effects cut in opposite directions, and it is difficult to say, as a general matter, which will predominate. Indeed, increasing the fragmentation of legislative power may sometimes increase both the expected frequency and the expected extremism of legislative enactments.


In this article, we present performance results and analysis of a novel rotary lobe expander device. This is part of a larger research effort into the analysis and design of a small‐scale solar system that would compete with available distributed technologies for heat and electricity generation. To choose an appropriate working fluid and components for a distributed concentrating solar combined heat and power (DCS‐CHP) system, we compared many different working fluids, collectors, and expander choices. Of the expanders analyzed, including piston expanders, radial inflow turbines, Tesla turbines, screw expanders, and scroll expanders, the rotary lobe expander shows the greatest promise in small‐scale power applications due to its high efficiency in expanding fluids over large pressure ratios and its low cost to manufacture. This article focuses on testing of a prototype small‐scale expander that was chosen because, to date, no suitable commercial product of less than 10 kW has been found for this application. Initial testing was completed with air to get results that should be indicative of future testing with steam. The test system consists of a compressed air expander (a prototype designed by Katrix, Inc. of Australia) connected to an induction motor driven by a variable frequency drive (VFD) that enables expander testing at varying shaft speeds. Results of the expander testing are reported isentropic efficiencies of 22–25%, thermomechanical efficiencies of 80–95%, and pressure ratios of 6–11 at the tested speeds. Despite mixed results from this particular expander, future refinements could lead to a new class of expanders with low cost and high performance for use in solar combined heat and power and waste‐heat recovery.


OBJECTIVES: To know about the features of cognitive disorders and dementias in the private practice of specialists and these doctor's skills on that area. METHOD: In this pilot study, self-assessment questionnaries were delivered to neurologists of Sao Paulo State and 196 (22,8%) were respondents. RESULTS: Many neurologists are involved, besides the private practice, with teaching (61.5%) and/or research (59.5%) activities. Most of them assessed as not good the training on cognitive disorders and dementias they had had during both the graduate (77.3%) and residence (63.1%) courses; nevertheless 60.8% self rated their knowledge on that subject as satisfactory and 83.0% declared their interest on it as at least equal to other areas. The most frequent cognitive complaints occurring as primary reason for appointment are memory loss (73.0%) and attention/concentration deficits (48.0%). Dementia of Alzheimer type (54.9%) and vascular dementia (23.0%) are the most frequent ones in the neurologist private practice. CONCLUSION: Cognitive disorders and dementias represent a significant proportion in the neurological private practice. Although they had not had a good training on the area of cognitive disorders and dementias, the respondent neurologists demonstrated great interest on it.


Effects of earthworms especially with Lumbricus terrestris on nutrients dynamics and on plant growth were studied in the laboratory. Soil was amended with varied levels of compost and earthworms were introduced: 60.9 g soil alone, 60.9 g soil + 20.78 g compost (60:40), 60.9 g soil + 41.57g compost alone (80:20) and 41.57 g compost alone. The ion chromatography data showed there was significant variation in the nutrient status mainly nitrite, nitrate, ammonium and phosphate between the treatments (with worms) and control (devoid of worms). The significant variation in nitrite concentration was observed in treatment containing 60.9 g soil+ 20.78 g compost which was around 6.32 (mg/kg ). Phosphate concentration was predominant in treatment having 41.57 g compost alone with 23.855 mg/kg concentration. The amount of ammonium varied slightly, though major concentration around 6.90 mg/kg was observed in treatment with 41.57 g compost alone. The difference in nutrient status appeared to be due to the variations in nutrient cycling probably ascribable to the earthworm's activities. Pot experiment showed that the mustard plant growth was stimulated by earthworms digging capacity. The germination percentage, shoot length, root length and fresh biomass were determined. The variations between treatments and controls were measured. The average germination percentage in treatment containing 60.9 g soil + 20.78 g compost was 75.83 which was more significant. The total fresh biomass was measured to be 1.96 g more suggestive compared to controls. These modifications emerged due to the active participation of earthworms in stirring of soil.


After collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop an evidence-based mammography intervention manual, the dissemination of the manual in a managed care setting was assessed. Using qualitative methods (in-depth interviews), factors were examined that motivated use of the manual by the quality improvement units of eight Prudential HealthCare health plans. Seven of the plans implemented more intensive interventions after having received the manual than in the previous year. Factors that facilitated use of the manual and implementation of recommendations included: internal motivation, support of senior level management, adequate resources (time, personnel, and funds) to support interventions, and the organization and content of the manual itself.


This paper reports synthesis methodologies for linear analog circuits. A generalized multi-input operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) network has been synthesized that can be easily programmed to realize different analog functions. The design of the multifunction network has been realized without any switches. The inherent characteristic of OTA as a voltage-to-current (V-I) converter with differential input has been exploited in the synthesis procedure. Efficient analog circuits synthesized with programmable OTA network are reported along with simulation results. The theoretical analysis supported by extensive experimental results confirms low sensitivity, high-frequency response, and efficient programmability of the proposed OTA network to realize different types of filters.


Summary An account is given of attachment theory as a way of conceptualizing the propensity of human beings to make strong affectional bonds to particular others and of explaining the many forms of emotional distress and personality disturbance, including anxiety, anger, depression and emotional detachment, to which unwilling separation and loss give rise. Though it incorporates much psychoanalytic thinking, many of its principles derive from ethology, cognitive psychology and control theory. It conforms to the ordinary criteria of a scientific discipline. Certain common patterns of personality development, both healthy and pathological, are described in these terms, and also some of the common patterns of parenting that contribute to them.


Background and aims Atopic diseases, which constantly increasing, are the most common diseases in childhood. For infants at risk, prophylaxis of atopy has been sought in elimination diets and other preventive measures. According to ISAAC phase III study, the prevalence rate of asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) in Serbia is 6.59% for preschool children for asthma and 5.36% for school age children, where prevalence rate for AR is 7.17% for preschool children and 14.9% for school age children. Breastfeeding has been thought to reduce the risk of atopy in childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of breastfeeding on allergy development. Methods 100 patients, aged 3–18 years, were involved in this observational study. Infant feeding history ( breast fed, formula fed, mixed fed) was collected during regular visits. The atopic diseases were diagnosed according to EAACI guidelines. Results The subjects were divided into three groups based on whether they were breastfed, formula fed, or mixed fed (breast milk and formula) during the first six months of childhood. There were 58 in the breastfed group, 16 in the formula fed group, and 26 in the mixed group. Among all children who were breastfed, 41.1% developed atopy (42.9% of boys and 43.5% of girls). The number of atopic children was highest in the formula-feeding group (62.5% of children). In the mixed fed group, there were 80% of healthy children (equal% of boys and girls). Conclusion This study demonstrated that exclusive breast-feeding wasn't associated with prevention of allergic diseases. Although a breastfed infant is less exposed to foreign dietary antigen in cow's milk, there are antigens in mother's milk. More than 70 years ago it was hypothesised that infants might react to foods in the mother's diet, such as egg or cow's milk protein, transmitted through milk. But breastfeeding is still best for babies, although it may not protect against allergies.


We examine the census of star-forming galaxies and their extinction properties at redshift z~2, when a large fraction of the stellar mass in the universe formed. We find a good agreement between the X-ray, radio, and de-reddened UV estimates of the average star formation rate (SFR) for our sample of z~2 galaxies of 50 Msun/yr, indicating that the locally calibrated SFR relations appear to be statistically valid from redshifts z=1.5-3.0. Spitzer MIPS data are used to assess the extinction properties of individual star-forming galaxies, and we find that the rest-frame UV slope of most galaxies at z~2 can be used to infer their attenuation factors, L_bol/L_UV. As in the local universe, the obscuration, L_FIR/L_UV is strongly dependent on bolometric luminosity, and ranges in value from <1 to ~1000 within the sample considered. However, the obscuration is ~10 times smaller at a given L_bol (or, equivalently, a similar level of obscuration occurs at luminosities ~10 times larger) at z~2 than at z~0. This trend is expected as galaxies age and their gas becomes more dust-enriched. Specific SFRs indicate wide range in the evolutionary state of galaxies at z~2, from galaxies that have just begun to form stars to those that have already accumulated most of their stellar mass and are about to become, or already are, passively evolving. Finally, we examine two techniques for assessing the census of galaxies at z~2. In the first, we select galaxies using optical, near-IR, and sub-mm criteria, and find a large overlap between optical and near-IR selected samples of galaxies at z~2. The second technique involves reconstructing the luminosity function of z~2 galaxies as determined from Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the SFR density increases between z=4 to z=2 by a factor of ~1.2. However, this increase is mild compared to the much steeper increase from z~6 to z~4, suggesting that the processes responsible for the increase in SFR density at early epochs saturate around z~2.


Low frequency ultrasonic treatment was applied to desorb surface organics from the surface of nanosized TiO2 photocatalyst, which was prepared by hydrothermal method using a mixture of different amounts of Ti(OBu)4, ethanol, acetone and pyridine raw materials. The UV-Vis, TG-DTA and GC-MS analysis were used to investigate the surface organics. It was found that the absorption intensity around 250nm in UV-Vis spectra of the upper transparent solution, which represents the amount of organics desorbed from the TiO2 surface, increased with increasing treatment time. Along with the TG-DTA and GC-MS analysis, the kinds and amounts of partial surface organics were roughly clarified, and these organics may correspond with the photocatalytic degradation rate for methyl orange (MO) solution under visible light irradiation (≥450nm).


Weanling rats eating a low calcium diet voluntarily ingested lead acetate solutions in much greater proportions than did iron-deficient or control weanlings. This increased ingestion occurred even with high concentrations of lead acetate which normal weanlings found extremely aversive. Chronic injections of lead acetate into weanlings did not change lead ingestion, indicating an absence of behavioral regulation of body lead levels. Female lead-injected weanlings did show a significant increase in calcium ingestion. Calcium deficiency may be one component of lead pica.