Go, and Do Thou Likewise: A History of the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing, 1877-1979 By Shirley H. Fondiller (New York: Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, Inc., 2007) (316 pages, $39.88 cloth) Nursing education's transition from the hospital to the university during the late 20th century was a complex and idiosyncratic process. This shift was contingent on both national economic and social trends in health care and local factors such as the existing infrastructure of particular hospitals and the interpersonal relationships between hospital board members and nursing leaders. Go, and Do Thou Likewise: A History of the Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing, 1877-1979 is an in-depth examination of how one school of nursing was shaped by the conflicting interests of its various stakeholders, sweeping changes in health care policy, and the evolving demands of the patient-consumer. The New York Hospital Training School for Nurses was founded in 1877. Irene H. Sutliffe, an alumna appointed dean in 1886, made significant educational changes such as the expansion of the program to 3 years and the creation of cutting-edge training facilities such as a diet kitchen despite major resistance from the hospital's board of governors. Author Shirley H. Fondiller describes in detail how Sutliffe and her successors, including Annie Warburton Goodrich and Anna Wolf, navigated a dense hierarchy of advisory boards, supervising physicians, and donor committees to advocate for the educational needs of their students while balancing the financial interests of the school and hospital. Also discussed are the curriculum, clinical rotation, and entry criteria for the school of nursing and how these day-to-day aspects were affected by the actions of its leadership, the influence of the board of governors, and evolution of the relationship between the school of nursing and Cornell University. The establishment of a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program through the incorporation of the New York Hospital School of Nursing into Cornell University was an arduous, politically challenging process for the educators interested in creating it such as Wolf and Cornell University President Edmund Ezra Day. Although the Cornell Medical College first affiliated with the New York Hospital in 1927, the Cornell University School of Nursing was not formed until 1942. The author maps out the intricate course of negotiations between hospital, nursing school, university, and community figures, which finally led to the BSN program. Fondiller pays particular attention to the historical meanings of the relocation of the nursing school to a new, shared campus then known as the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in 1932. …


Alexander I. Pereswetoff-Morath:"Bishop of Ingria and All the Sea-Coast of the Northern Ocean": The Smooth Operations of Athenogenes Kryžanovskij The paper treats the short "Ingrian" period in the life of the Belorussian monastic Athenogenes (Anfinogen) Kryžanovskij (fl. 1629–68), a man known to scholarship mainly from his adventurous involvement in Muscovite and Ruthenian church affairs. He is identified as the mysterious archbishop "Arfimager" of Ingria (known from 1638/9), one of of a mere couple of attested Orthodox hierarchs in that Swedish province, and as Aaron "Semblicenscoi", "archimandrite of Nazareth", whose epistle to the Ingrian Orthodox in 1651 was to add to the clash between local Lutherans and Orthodox during the Russian–Swedish war of 1656–8 when discovered by local authorities in 1656. The identifications explain several of the outlandish titles bestowed upon Athenogenes in a satirical poem by his countryman Symeon Polockij and throw light on aspects of Orthodox life in Swedish Ingria.


This research examined the effectiveness of anti-stigma initiatives in the areas of mental health, HIV/AIDS and gambling to understand the different appeal strategies used and to inform future anti-stigma initiatives for problem gambling. The study comprised a literature review of a range of campaigns used to reduce stigma and interviews with experts about the factors that contribute to gambling stigma and potential strategies for responding to them. In reviewing the campaigns, the researchers found most strategies used to reduce stigma tended to be reactive rather than preventative. The gambling campaigns typically focused on personal responsibility. The researchers noted that this may have unintended negative consequences for people experiencing gambling harm, including intensifying stigma and deterring help-seeking. The interviews with experts focused on the causes and consequences of gambling stigma and how to address them through effective anti-stigma initiatives. Interviewees saw stigma exacerbated by community misconceptions about individual responsibility as well as industry and government messages that frame problem gambling as an issue of personal responsibility. They recommended drawing on campaign successes in other areas, such as mental health, and shifting focus from personal responsibility to the multiple factors that contribute to gambling harm, encouraging a more compassionate approach to those who experience it. The foundation's Grants for Gambling Research program funded this study.


This study of the controversial structures of the Rhoscolyn Anticline suggests a different result of two-phase coaxial deformation from Ramsay's Type 3 interference fold patterns. From detailed field observations of the sequence of bedded quartzites, psammites, pelites and oblique quartz veins, with their strong competence contrasts, we conclude that the Rhoscolyn Anticline was an original tight, upright F1 anticline that has undergone modification and distortion in a second deformation (D2). This second deformation is an oblique, but near-vertical, pure shear, with a quantifiable strain ratio (R=3) that altered the Rhoscolyn Anticline and its minor structures into a more open, SE-overturned antiform, with c. 260 m hinge migration. Refolded folds are rare, but hybrid F1 + F2 minor folds and their fabrics, especially in the region between old and new hinges, provide clues to the two-stage history. Oblique distortion of originally NW-verging F1 minor folds has resulted in their apparent neutral vergence in the present-day hinge of the Rhoscolyn Anticline. We regard the structures and fabrics in quartzites and psammites as more reliable indicators of the region's deformation history than those in pelites or quartz veins, and this may prove true for other regions of polyphase deformation.


Gallium lung scanning is widely used to evaluate pulmonary inflammation in patients with interstitial lung disease but has not previously been reported in crocidolite-exposed workers. In order to characterize the pulmonary inflammation caused by crocidolite inhalation, GLS and BAL findings were related to chest x-ray film changes graded according to the ILO classification of roentgenograms of pneumoconioses. In individuals with roentgenographic evidence of asbestosis (CXR greater than or equal to 1/0, n = 15), 13 had a positive GLS and 13 had an abnormal BAL. In asbestos-exposed individuals with equivocal chest x-ray film changes (CXR 0/1, n = 12), six had a positive GLS and six had BAL changes (both GLS and BAL abnormal in three). In individuals with a normal chest x-ray film (CXR 0/0 n = 8), two had a positive GLS and two BAL changes (both abnormal in 1). These data demonstrate that most subjects with crocidolite-induced asbestosis have an abnormal GLS and BAL. In addition, many individuals with asbestos exposure and equivocal or no chest x-ray film changes have an abnormal GLS and/or BAL, suggesting the presence of active subclinical pulmonary inflammation in these individuals.


Abstract The effects of predators on prey populations can be modified by a number of abiotic factors. Here, we investigated the combined and separate effects of rain and ground-dwelling predators on aphid populations in a microcosm experiment lasting for 21 days, using PCR to analyse the gut content of the predators. Rain significantly dislodged aphids from shoots and ears by 57% and 25%, respectively. The gut content analysis showed that more predators consumed aphids in the rain treatment than without rain, indicating higher availability of aphids to ground-dwelling predators after rain. However, no synergistic effects of rain and ground-dwelling predators on aphid population development could be demonstrated. Rain alone significantly decreased aphid populations by 27%, suggesting that this is a significant mortality factor. Predators alone had no significant effect on aphid numbers, but the gut content analyses showed aphid consumption also in the no-rain treatments, indicating that aphids were available to the predators on the soil surface even without rain. Our results suggest that weather conditions such as rain can modify predator-prey interactions in the field. Employing PCR-based predator gut content analyses proved to be useful as trophic links could be directly verified.


Dengue is an arthropod-borne virus of great public health importance, and control of its mosquito vectors is currently the only available method for prevention. Previous research has suggested that insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) can lower dengue vector infestations in houses. This observational study investigated individual and household-level socio-demographic factors associated with correct and consistent use of ITCs in Iquitos, Peru. A baseline knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey was administered to 1,333 study participants, and ITCs were then distributed to 593 households as part of a cluster-randomized trial. Follow up KAP surveys and ITC-monitoring checklists were conducted at 9, 18, and 27 months post-ITC distribution. At 9 months post-distribution, almost 70% of ITCs were hanging properly (e.g. hanging fully extended or tied up), particularly those hung on walls compared to other locations. Proper ITC hanging dropped at 18 months to 45.7%. The odds of hanging ITCs correctly and consistently were significantly greater among those participants who were housewives, knew three or more correct symptoms of dengue and at least one correct treatment for dengue, knew a relative or close friend who had had dengue, had children sleeping under a mosquito net, or perceived a change in the amount of mosquitoes in the home. Additionally, the odds of recommending ITCs in the future were significantly greater among those who perceived a change in the amount of mosquitoes in the home (e.g. perceived the ITCs to be effective). Despite various challenges associated with the sustained effectiveness of the selected ITCs, almost half of the ITCs were still hanging at 18 months, suggesting a feasible vector control strategy for sustained community use.


The efficiency of specific psychophysiological preparation--autogenic training--to parachute jumps was measured in two groups of cadets (test subjects and controls). Hetero- and autogenic training was carried out according to a scheme specially developed for this type of activity. The study of questionnaires and physiological data demonstrated that the specific psychophysiological preparation by means of autogenic training for a certain type of activity helped to develop active self-control over one's own state and emotions, alleviated tension, arrested adverse neurotic manifestations (sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety), contributed to the feeling of confidence in the successful completion of the jump and promoted positive tuning towards subsequent jumps. Language: ru


Introductions: Developing palliative care in rural Nepal is essential to integrate the service into the national health system. This study was done with the aim of assessing the need of patients requiring palliative care in rural Nepal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional population based study in Thaha Municipality using a 30-cluster sampling method and employing the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) to identify patients with palliative care need. Assessment of symptom burden was done for patients identified to have palliative care need. Results: Out of 330 households with a population of 2168, we found 139 (6.4%) suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases and 66 (3.04%) met the SPICT criteria for palliative care need and 60% were elderly above the age of 60. The disease of respiratory system followed by frailty and dementia were common condition requiring palliative care. Conclusions: This study showed a high level of need for palliative care in a rural population in Nepal. This needs to be considered in further planning of health services in the country. Keywords: need assessment, palliative care, rural, SPICT


400 adult individuals of the Stramonita haemastoma were collected from a pristine beach in Ceara State, Brazil. These organisms were transplanted into a marina with intense shipping activities and were fed weekly with oysters obtained from the same beach from which they were collected, being exposed only to the bioavailable organotins in the environment, without accounting for diet (waterborne exposure). 30 individuals were analyzed every 2 weeks after transplantation to investigate the development of imposex. After 15 days, 90% of the females had developed imposex (VDSI I-III, RPLI 3.22), with 100% of the females developing imposex after 30 days; at the end of the experiment, the VDSI levels ranged between I-V. These results were compared with those of a previously published study performed simultaneously in which gastropods obtained in same area were fed in the laboratory with oysters from the same marina in which the gastropods were transplanted (dietborne exposure). Despite the higher levels obtained through exposure via water at the end of 90 days, both exposure routes induced imposex in 100% of the females of the S. haemastoma. However, aqueous exposure induced higher levels, possibly due to the constant contact between the organisms and contaminants.


Aberrant activation of Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for the onset and progression of human colorectal cancer (CRC). Owing to the persistent dependence on Wnt signaling for growth and survival, inhibition of this pathway is an attractive approach for new therapies. 11α, 12α-epoxyleukamenin E (EPLE) is a novel ent-kaurane diterpenoid that we previously isolated from Salvia cavaleriei, exhibiting antitumor activities in a variety of cancer cells. Herein, we found that whereas sparing normal human colon mucosal epithelial cells, EPLE selectively inhibited the proliferation of CRC cell lines as well as primary tumor cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated EPLE exerted its function through suppressing Wnt signaling pathway, as evidenced by EPLE-mediated downregulation of Wnt target genes such as c-Myc, Axin2 and Survivin. Consistently, luciferase reporter assays showed that the EPLE directly blocked Wnt/β-catenin–mediated transcriptional activation. In combination of co-immunoprecipitation and protein structure-based analyses, we determined that the EPLE entered the interface of β-catenin/TCF4 complexes and blocked their interaction that is required for β-catenin–mediated transcriptional activation. Moreover, overexpression of β-catenin alleviated the cytotoxicity of EPLE in CRC cells, supporting Wnt signaling is a major and specific target of EPLE. Combined treatments of EPLE and 5-fluorouracil, the first-line chemotherapy for CRC patients, achieved a synergistic effect. More importantly, EPLE hampered tumor development in a CRC xenograft model. Our data thus establish EPLE as a novel inhibitor of Wnt signaling that holds great promise as a potential candidate for further preclinical evaluation for CRC treatments.


TiO2 light anode film is one of the most important part of DSSC. But the microscopic structure of nano-Tio2 is not perfect,it exists the problem such as big or small size, excessive internal, insufficient specific surface area which dye and electronic adsorption ability is limited. The micron ball mainly constituted by nanowires is manufactured through experiments in this article,and it is doped into P25 paste in appropriate proportion. The new method that improving the efficiency of DSSC can be summarized by improving TiO2 film microstructure through analysising and contrasting in experiments.


Abstract We compared antibiotic prescribing to older people in different settings to inform antibiotic stewardship interventions. We used data linkage to stratify individuals aged 65 years and over in Northern Ireland, 1st January 2012–31st December 2013, by residence: community dwelling, care home dwelling or 'transitioned' if admitted to a care home. The odds of being prescribed an antibiotic by residence were analysed using logistic regression, adjusting for patient demographics and selected medication use (proxy for co-morbidities). Trends in monthly antibiotic prescribing were examined in the 6 months pre- and post-admission to the care home. The odds of being prescribed at least one antibiotic were twofold higher in care homes compared with community dwellers (adjusted odds ratio 2.05, 95% CI 1.93–2.17). There was a proportionate increase of 51.5% in the percentage prescribed an antibiotic on admission, with a monthly average of 23% receiving an antibiotic in the 6 months post admission. While clinical need likely accounts for some of the observed antibiotic prescribing in care homes we cannot rule out more liberal prescribing, given the twofold difference between care home residents and their community dwelling peers having accounted for co-morbidities. The appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in the care home setting should be examined.


Background The integration of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) into the nursing care plan and documentation systems aims to translate evidence into practice, improve safety and quality of care, and standardize care processes. Objective This study aimed to evaluate nurses' perceptions of the usability of a nursing care plan solution that includes 234 CPGs. Methods A total of 100 nurses from 4 adult intensive care units (ICUs) responded to a survey measuring nurses' perceptions of system usability. The survey included 37 rated items and 3 open-ended questions. Results Nurses' perceptions were favorable with more than 60.0% (60/100) in agreement on 12 features of the system and negative to moderate with 20.0% (20/100), to 59.0% (59/100) in agreement on 19 features. The majority of the nurses (80/100, 80.0% to 90/100, 90.0%) agreed on 4 missing safety features within the system. More than half of the nurses believed they would benefit from refresher classes on system use. Overall satisfaction with the system was just above average (54/100, 54.0%). Common positive themes from the narrative data were related to the system serving as a reminder for complete documentation and individualizing patient care. Common negative aspects were related to duplicate charting, difficulty locating CPGs, missing unit-specific CPGs, irrelevancy of information, and lack of perceived system value on patient outcomes. No relationship was found between years of system use or ICU experience and satisfaction with the system (P=.10 to P=.25). Conclusions Care plan systems in ICUs should be easy to navigate; support efficient documentation; present relevant, unit-specific, and easy-to-find information; endorse interdisciplinary communication; and improve safety and quality of care.


We have mostly performed vibrational studies of Type-II silicon-germanium clathrate alloys, namely, Si136-xGex (0 < x ≤ 128), using periodic density functional theory (DFT). Our computed lattice constant for various stoichiometric amount, namely, x, of Ge agrees to some extent with the observed X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, along with monotonically increasing dependence on x. According to our bandgap energy calculation via Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP), Si128Ge8 has a "nearly-direct" bandgap of approximately 1.27 eV, which agrees well with the previously calculated result (~1.23 eV), which was obtained using the Cambridge sequential simulation total energy package (CASTEP). Most of our first-principles calculations focus on exploring the low-energy transverse acoustic (TA) phonons that contribute dominantly to the induction of negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior. Moreover, our work has predicted that the Si104Ge32 framework exhibits NTE in the temperature range of 3–80 K, compared to the temperature regime (10–140 K) of NTE observed in such pure Si136. It is posited that the increased number of Ge–Ge bonds may weaken the NTE effect substantially, as the composition, which is denoted as x, in Si136-xGex is elevated from 32 (or 40) to 96 (or 104).


We present formulations for the strategic design of robust and reliable supply chains with long term contracting. The inability to deliver a supply part due to unexpected events in a complex supply chain can have a significant impact on the performance of a supply chain. Reliable and robust supply chains leverage cost and risk of not obtaining a supply. Reliable chains are less likely to be disrupted, whereas robust chains still perform well in the case of disrupted supply channels. We consider an integrated inbound supply chain of a manufacturer and we embed aspects of reliability and robustness into the traditional supply chain model. We provide computational results on two instances.


Patient safety is an aim for clinical applications and is a fundamental principle of healthcare and quality management. The main global health organizations have incorporated patient safety in their review of work practices. The data provided by the medical laboratories have a direct impact on patient safety and a fault in any of processes such as strategic, operational and support, could affect it. To provide appreciate and reliable data to the physicians, it is important to emphasize the need to design risk management plan in the laboratory. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is an efficient technique for error detection and reduction. Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) licensed a technical specification for medical laboratories suggesting FMEA as a method for prospective risk analysis of high-risk processes. FMEA model helps to identify quality failures, their effects and risks with their reduction/elimination, which depends on severity, probability and detection. Applying FMEA in clinical approaches can lead to a significant reduction of the risk priority number (RPN).


The effect of excluded volume (EV) interactions on the manifestation of the local dynamics in the spin-lattice NMR relaxation in dendrimers has been studied by using Brownian dynamics simulations. The study was motivated by the theory developed by Markelov et al., [J. Chem. Phys., 2014, 140, 244904] for a Gaussian dendrimer model without EV interactions. The theory connects the experimentally observed dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T(1)H on the location of NMR active groups with the restricted flexibility (semiflexibility) of dendrimers. Semiflexibility was introduced through the correlations between the orientations of different segments. However, these correlations exist even in flexible dendrimer models with EV interactions. We have simulated coarse-grained flexible and semiflexible dendrimer models with and without EV interactions. Every dendrimer segment consisted of two rigid bonds. Semiflexibility was introduced through a potential which restricts the fluctuations of angles between neighboring bonds but does not change orientational correlations in the EV model as compared to the flexible case. The frequency dependence of the reduced 1/T(1)H(ωH) for segments and bonds belonging to different dendrimer shells was calculated. It was shown that the main effect of EV interactions consists of a much stronger contribution of the overall dendrimer rotation to the dynamics of dendrimer segments as compared to phantom models. After the exclusion of this contribution the manifestation of internal dynamics in spin-lattice NMR relaxation appears to be practically insensitive to EV interactions. For the flexible models, the position ωmax of the peak of the modified 1/T(1)H(ωH) does not depend on the shell number. For semiflexible models, the maximum of 1/T(1)H(ωH) for internal segments or bonds shifts to lower frequencies as compared to outer ones. The dependence of ωmax on the number of dendrimer shells appears to be universal for segments and bonds in dendrimer models with and without EV interactions.


"Rule of Law Rules" is our new podcast on Rule of Law in the age of digitalization from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The host of the podcast is Dr Angela Daly, a socio-legal scholar of digital technology. In each episode she interviews one international expert about the opportunities and challenges for human rights in the digital age. We will gain insights into recent developments from different parts of the world.

This time we take a closer look on Middle East. Nadim Gemayel is our expert on Data Protection. He is a politician and lawyer based in Lebanon and Qatar. He was a member of the Lebanese Parliament between 2009 and 2020 and during this time he was the head of the Technology Committee of the Lebanese Parliament. In August 2020 he resigned from the parliament. Furthermore, Nadim Gemayel is the president of the Bachir Gemayel Foundation and founder of the NGO Achrafieh 2020. We speak with him about the General Data Protection Regulation and its influence in Middle East.


One of the topics for the revision deliberation of GTR13 on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles is the study of an appropriate initial burst pressure of the containers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the hydraulic sequential tests on the residual burst pressure in order to examine the appropriate initial burst pressure correlated with the provisions for the residual burst pressure at the Endof-Life (EOL). Specifically, we evaluated any deterioration and variations of burst pressure due to hydraulic sequential tests on 70MPa compressed-hydrogen containers. When the burst pressure after the hydraulic sequential testing (EOL) was compared with the initial burst pressure at the beginning of life (BOL), the pressure proved to have decreased by a few percent while the variation increased. In the burst test it was observed that the rupture originated in the cylindrical part in all the BOL containers while in some of the EOL containers the rupture originated in the dome part. Since the dome part is a section that suffers an impact of vertical drop test, it is conceivable that some sort of damage occurred in the CFRP. Therefore, it was assumed that this damage was the main causal factor for the decrease in the burst pressure and the increase of the burst pressure variation at the dome part.


The article offers an empirical analysis of the disrespectful online comments—in total, 17,581,659—in Hungary between 2017 and 2019. Considering the name-calling and obscene and abusive phrases as communication practice, we rely on computational linguistics to investigate incivility in comments posted on online news stories and news portals' social media sites across time, platforms, and topics. The results of the dictionarybased quantitative content analysis show that incivility's frequency is steady in the examined three-year period. The topic and platform make the real difference: Politics attract more uncivil comments than business news, and less incivility is detected on Facebook than on the news sites. Contrary to popular perceptions, we find that incivility has not become significantly intensive in election campaign periods. Incivility, however, correlates to the dynamics of interaction. The comment-level analysis suggests that uncivil messages are likely to be surrounded by the same communication feature.


We develop an open economy monetary model with heterogeneous households which is characterized by incomplete pass-through of exchange rate movements to import prices. Partial pass-through arises in our environment due to the presence of competitive search in international goods' markets. Under competitive search, agents choose a sub-market in which to exchange goods, where different sub-markets are characterized by different price and trading probability combinations. Preference and policy shocks which induce exchange rate movements cause households to choose a different sub-market for their purchases of traded goods--an extensive margin response. These responses mitigate the direct effect of nominal exchange rate changes on equilibrium traded goods' prices, thereby generating incomplete exchange rate pass-through to goods' prices. In the calibrated model, exchange rate pass-through due to foreign shocks ranges between 19% and 62%, which is in the range of import price pass-through estimates for developed economies. Due to risk aversion by households, the magnitude of pass-through depends on the size and direction of the initial shock, making the model consistent with the observed phenomenon of asymmetric pass-through. Importantly, by incorporating household heterogeneity, we are able to examine the role of precautionary savings in affecting pass-through, characterize how pass-through varies across different types of households, and examine the distributional effects of exchange rate movements.


Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Edition presents comprehensive coverage of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. Windows users, Mac users, and Linux enthusiasts have been increasingly turning to Ubuntu for a user-friendly, easy-to-use Linux distribution. This book provides detailed information on installing, using, and administering Ubuntu. You will learn how to set up a workstation or a server, and you will find complete details on Ubuntus easy-to-use desktop and productivity software. Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Edition includes a range of coverage: From the software you need in your everyday work, such as the OpenOffice.org productivity suite, to how to configure your Linux desktop to run smoothly using multiple printers, shell scripts, and more. For the hardcore Linux enthusiast, there is complete coverage of the X Window system, Linux programming, web server administration, and network administration. Includes a DVD with a full Ubuntu Linux distribution, plus a free upgrade to Ubuntu Linux 8.10 once it is released


Surveys indicate that many South African women use relaxers to straighten their hair for cosmetic reasons, which can damage the hair and scalp. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of treating hair with two types of relaxers: Product A (a lye relaxer, sodium hydroxide base) and Product B (a no-lye relaxer, guanidine hydroxide base). Five adult black female South African subjects were used for the study that was divided into two parts. The first part used a half-head study design in a clinical study in which the researcher and the subjects visually assessed various hair quality parameters before and after relaxer treatment. Product B was assessed to perform better (p = 0.032) than Product A in terms of hair straightening. The second part of the study involved hair amino acid analysis by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. There was a decrease in the amount of cystine [Median (range) g/100 g hair] after treatment with both Product A [7.8 (2.5-9.9), p = 0.086] and Product B [4.0 (2.9-4.8), p = 0.005] compared to before treatment [9.1 (6.4-11.9)]; this decrease was greater (p = 0.085) for Product B. Reduction in cystine content was consistent with increased straightness. Product B (the no-lye relaxer) was found to be more effective and safer to use.


This study focused on the level of success Unicef in Paraguay had in communicating its message concerning child street-workers to the press in Asuncion. We also examined how the communication works between Unicef and the journalists, and how child street-workers appear in the press according to our sources. We based our study on the theoretical understanding of media logic and planned communication. These theories were useful to explain the possibilities and obstacles Unicef faces in its communication with the press. Our study builds on qualitative research interviews with journalists, communication staff at Unicef and the coordinator of the Global Agency of News, an organization that monitors how children appear in the Paraguayan press. We found that the communication between Unicef and the journalists is very important and highly valued by both Unicef and the Paraguayan newspapers. The relationship builds on constant trade, where both parts depend on each other. Unicef needs attention from the press in order to spread its message to the general public. The journalists need Unicef because the organization works as a trustable information source to back-up their articles regarding childhood. No one in our study was satisfied with the way child street-workers appear in the press. The children are often showed as victims or criminals and children's rights are not always considered. A central problem is that awareness about children's rights is low, both in the Paraguayan society and among many journalists. Unicef succeeds quite well in their communication with the journalists that are already aware of children's rights. But the organization does not succeed in communicating with a big part of the press, as a lot of articles are still discriminative towards child street-workers.


In the current development of all IP networks different traffic classes, which are used for different services will share the same bandwidth resources of the network. For effective usage of the system resources, arrivals for some low priority traffic classes could be rejected in cases when risk of having overload is high. In this paper, the use of connection admission control (CAC) algorithm together with scheduler optimizing is considered. The scheduler is functioning according to the optimal weight allocation for each traffic class, and CAC is based on the current utilization of the scheduler. Also one traffic class, which is referenced as "voice" class has more priority compared to others. For the scheduler optimization, revenue function is considered with linear approximation and the adaptive weights are found based on Lagrangian relaxation. To show the accuracy of the use of CAC algorithm, simulation results are presented and analyzed.


Search is one of the most performed activities on the World Wide Web. Various conceptual models postulate that the search process can be broken down into distinct emotional and cognitive states of searchers while they engage in a search process. These models significantly contribute to our understanding of the search process. However, they are typically based on self-report measures, such as surveys, questionnaire, etc. and therefore, only indirectly monitor the brain activity that supports such a process. With this work, we take one step further and directly measure the brain activity involved in a search process. To do so, we break down a search process into five time periods: a realisation of Information Need, Query Formulation, Query Submission, Relevance Judgment and Satisfaction Judgment. We then investigate the brain activity between these time periods. Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), we monitored the brain activity of twenty-four participants during a search process that involved answering questions carefully selected from the TREC-8 and TREC 2001 Q/A Tracks. This novel analysis that focuses on transitions rather than states reveals the contrasting brain activity between time periods - which enables the identification of the distinct parts of the search process as the user moves through them. This work, therefore, provides an important first step in representing the search process based on the transitions between neural states. Discovering more precisely how brain activity relates to different parts of the search process will enable the development of brain-computer interactions that better support search and search interactions, which we believe our study and conclusions advance.


It is well known that reduced gastric acidity, for example with concomitant administration of acid reducing agents, can result in variable pharmacokinetics and decreased absorption of weakly basic drugs. It is important to identify the risk of reduced and variable absorption early in development, so that product design options to address the risk can be considered. This article describes the utilization of in vitro and in silico tools to predict the effect of gastric pH, as well as the impact of adding pH modifiers, in mitigating the effect of acid reducing agents on weak base drugs' dissolution and absorption. Palbociclib, a weakly basic drug, was evaluated in low and high gastric pH conditions in a multicompartmental dissolution apparatus referred to as a gastrointestinal simulator (GIS). The GIS permits the testing of pharmaceutical products in a way that better assesses dissolution under physiologically relevant conditions of pH, buffer concentration, formulation additives, and physiological variations including GI pH, buffer concentrations, secretions, stomach emptying rate, residence time in the GI, and aqueous luminal volume. To predict drug dissolution in the GIS, a hierarchical mass transport model was used and validated using in vitro experimental data. Dissolution results were then compared to observed human clinical plasma data with and without proton pump inhibitors using a GastroPlus absorption model to predict palbociclib plasma profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters. The results showed that the in silico model successfully predicted palbociclib dissolution in the GIS under low and high gastric pH conditions with and without pH modifiers. Furthermore, the GIS data coupled with the in silico tools anticipated (1) the reduced palbociclib exposure due to proton pump inhibitor coadministration and (2) the mitigating effect of a pH-modifying agent. This study provides tools to help in the development of orally administered formulations to overcome the effect of elevated gastric pH, especially when formulating with pH modifiers.


OBJECTIVE Epidemiological data suggests that more soccer injuries occur during the latter stages of match-play,
with fatigue cited as a contributing factor. Primary non-contact injury mechanisms include landing and turning. Single
legged hopping tasks are often used to investigate the mechanisms of injury, but typically in the rested state with no ©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2007) Suppl. 10
http://www.jssm.org
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consideration given to the influence of fatigue. The aim was to investigate the time-course of soccer-specific fatigue on
knee joint kinematics during single legged hopping tasks (inversion cut, eversion cut and planar hop for height). The
exercise protocol was based on notational analyses of match-play. The hopping tasks were representative of the multidirectional nature of soccer, and the pre-habilitative work conducted during training.
METHODS Eight professional soccer players completed a 90 min treadmill protocol, comprising six repetitions of a 15
min activity bout and a 15 min passive half-time interval. At rest, and subsequently at 15 min intervals, each player
completed the three hopping trials in randomised order. Frontal and sagittal plane knee joint kinematics were quantified
during landing using automated motion analysis.
RESULTS Knee joint kinematics at touchdown were characterised by flexion (~30°) and varus (~7°). Knee flexion at
touchdown was not affected (P≥0.05) by exercise duration, but varus tended to increase during the simulated match.
The increase in varus during the landing phase was greatest in the inversion hop. Knee varus during the planar hop for
height was affected by the passive half-time interval.


A novel algorithm is proposed for performing unsupervised tissue classification in medical images by combining conventional clustering techniques with edge-adaptive segmentation techniques. Based on the fuzzy C-means algorithm, the algorithm computes a smooth segmentation while simultaneously estimating an edge field. Unlike most tissue classification algorithms that incorporate a smoothness constraint, the edge field estimation prevents the algorithm from smoothing across tissue boundaries, thereby producing robust yet accurate results. The algorithm is formulated as the minimization of an objective function that includes penalty terms to ensure that both the segmentation and edge field are relatively smooth. To compute the edge field, a difference equation with spatially varying coefficients is solved using an efficient multigrid algorithm. Some preliminary results applying the method to synthetic and magnetic resonance images are presented.


Alternating Direction Method Of Multipliers (ADMM) is one of the promising frameworks for training Support Vector Machines (SVMs) on large-scale data in a distributed manner. In a consensus-based ADMM, nodes may only communicate with one-hop neighbors and this may cause slow convergence. In this paper, we investigate the impact of network topology on the convergence speed of ADMM-based SVMs using expander graphs. In particular, we investigate how much the expansion property of the network influence the convergence and which topology is preferable. Besides, we supply an implementation making these theoretical advances practically available. The results of the experiments show that graphs with large spectral gaps and higher degrees exhibit accelerated convergence.


Individual and Collaborative Learning from Text and Pictures: A Task Analysis Krista DeLeeuw Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen, Germany Katharina Scheiter Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen, Germany Friedrich Hesse Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen, Germany Abstract: This study focused on the cognitive processes involved in learning from text and pictures, when learning both individually and collaboratively. We designed a task in which learners actively engage with text and pictures in a lesson about mitosis, followed by a test of knowledge gained from the task. During the task, think-aloud protocols were collected. Preliminary results show that learners actively engage in cognitive processes that are thought to be essential to learning from text and pictures: selecting, organizing, and integrating (Mayer, 2001). The verbal protocol allows for a more detailed task analysis of these processes, as well as a correlational analysis between engagement in these steps and test performance, to be presented at the conference. Furthermore, while individuals and collaborating learners scored similarly on the knowledge test, their metacognitive strategies differed drastically. These results are important in understanding how students learn from popular interactive media involving text and pictures.


Studies on hydrocarbon distribution have evolved from basic reservoir characterization to complex studies today involving the interactions between oil components and clay minerals and sequential extraction studies on hydrocarbon extracts in reservoir rocks. Findings from such studies include the discovery of variations in oil fractions in reservoirs such as adsorbed oil and free oil. The theory that first oil charge preferentially interacts with clay minerals occurring in pores and as coatings in reservoirs was also proposed by some researchers. Despite, all these studies some aspects of variations in the composition of hydrocarbons in reservoir rocks still need to be investigated further. This study has been carried out particularly because the qualitative and quantitative composition of aromatic and aliphatic components of hydrocarbons in terms of the presence and quantities of hydrocarbon functional groups and how they relate to hydrocarbon migration have not been exhaustively discussed. This study uses Ultra-Violet visible light (UV-vis) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) to characterize variations in hydrocarbon distribution in reservoir quality sandstones from three fields namely BD01, BD02 and BD03 in the Baram Delta, offshore Sarawak and to deduce how these variations relate to differential migration patterns in hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbon extraction was done in the ultra vilolet visible (UV-vis) experiment using 0.1M sodium pyrophosphate as solvent whereas in the Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR), the experiment was done on very fine powdered samples of the sandstones. Results from both the UV-vis and FTIR experiments indicate a dominance of aromatic functional groups in the samples. Most of the samples have E4/E6 ratio of more than 1 which indicates a high degree of aromacity. The BD01 field sandstones with a maximum porosity of 32% has the highest average E4/E6 ratio of 1.21, followed by the BD02 field sandstones with a maximum porosity of 29% and average E4/E6 ratio of 1.19 and the BD03 field with a maximum porosity of 20% and an average E4/E6 ratio of 1.09. The dominance of aromatics in the samples is interpreted as a possible indication of episodes of migration of aliphatics in the past leaving the aromatics behind with the variations in E4/E6 ratio reflecting the micro heterogeneities in the samples.


To examine the effect of immobilization on the development of articular cartilage, we assessed glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in the chick articular surface by delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC). Chick embryos were paralyzed by decamethonium bromide (DMB) from day 10 to either day 13 or day 16. The GAG content of the chick knee was compared with that of nonparalyzed chick embryos. Histologic analysis was unable to quantify GAG content; however, dGEMRIC demonstrated that GAG content was higher in the femoral condyles of the nonparalyzed embryos on day 13, and on day 16 the GAG content was lower in both the femoral condyles and the tibial plateaus of the nonparalyzed embryos. These results suggest that paralysis delays embryonic hind‐limb development. Osteoblastic activity at the cartilage canal, as demonstrated by staining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), was present only in the nonparalyzed chick embryos on day 16. The GAG content of the cartilage decreased when the cartilage canals began to form on day 16. The effect of immobilization on hind‐limb development was indicated by the differences in the GAG content of the cartilage anlage measured by dGEMRIC in the developing knee joint of paralyzed and nonparalyzed embryonic chicks. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


A report on the excavation of the broch and hill fort at Torwoodlee. A hut contemporary to the fort and a burial cist were also discovered on the site during the investigation. The fort and hut were dated to the Early Iron Age but the excavators concluded that he broch and cist were later constructions. The report concludes with catalogues of the sherds of Roman pottery found during the excavations in 1891 and 1950.


Runx1 is a well characterized transcription factor essential for hematopoietic differentiation and Runx1 mutations are the cause of leukemias. Runx1 is highly expressed in normal epithelium of most glands and recently has been associated with solid tumors. Notably, the function of Runx1 in the mammary gland and how it is involved in initiation and progression of breast cancer is still unclear. Here we demonstrate the consequences of Runx1 loss in normal mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells. We first observed that Runx1 is decreased in tumorigenic and metastatic breast cancer cells. We also observed loss of Runx1 expression upon induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MCF10A (normal-like) cells. Furthermore depletion of Runx1 in MCF10A cells resulted in striking changes in cell shape, leading to mesenchymal cell morphology. The epithelial phenotype could be restored in breast cancer cells by re-expressing Runx1. Analyses of breast tumors and patient data revealed that low Runx1 expression is associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival. We addressed mechanisms for the function of Runx1 in maintaining the epithelial phenotype and find Runx1 directly regulates E-cadherin; and serves as a downstream transcription factor mediating TGFβ signaling. We also observed through global gene expression profiling of growth factor depleted cells that induction of EMT and loss of Runx1 is associated with activation of TGFβ and WNT pathways. Thus these findings have identified a novel function for Runx1 in sustaining normal epithelial morphology and preventing EMT and suggest Runx1 levels could be a prognostic indicator of tumor progression.


Background: The observation that B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling play a critical role in the survival of malignant Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) cells is highlighted by clinical efficacy of the BTK-inhibitor, ibrutinib in WM patients. BCR signaling leads to downstream activation of several intermediary components whose activity results in increased cell proliferation. Although disruption of this axis at the proximal end (BCR) has proved successful in WM, the exact role and impact of targeting the distal intermediaries remains unknown, particularly in aggressive forms of the disease. This is important as induction of resistance to ibrutinib is clearly documented which can either be mediated through mutational changes in BTK or other members within the BCR signalosome. Using a novel simulation-based approach, we reverse-engineered the WM cell molecular architecture to uncover the role of oncogenic intermediaries distal to the BCR complex in advanced-stage WM and conducted a virtual drug-screen targeting these pathways with in vitro validation. Methods: The human WM cell line, RPCI-WM1, was used in simulation and validation experiments. RPCI-WM1 was established from a highly drug-refractory advanced disease stage patient refractory to both rituximab and bortezomib. Publically available as well as proprietary genomic and cytogenetic data was utilized for the creation of the RPCI-WM1 patient avatar, which through simulation identified the salient and prominently dysregulated cellular pathways. Importantly, illustrating these pathways highlights common convergence points on increased proliferation and viability. These convergence points were then directly and indirectly targeted by simulated testing of a library of FDA approved drugs and those impacting these dysregulated pathways were shortlisted. A standardized library of equations models all the biological reactions such as enzymatic reactions, allosteric binding and protein modulation by phosphorylation, de-phosphorylation, ubiquitination, acetylation, prenylation and others. A library of FDA approved drug agents (n~150) and those in clinical study has been developed and was simulated individually and in combination on the RPCI-WM1 (advanced stage WM patient) avatar. Results: MYD88L265P mutation, absence of CXCR4 mutations and additional chromosomal aberrations (derivatives, translocations, deletions and amplifications of chromosomes 3, 6, 9, 13, 18 and 19), which are notable features of RPCI-WM1 cells were configured and modeled in silico. The RPCI-WM1 patient avatar was predicted to have increased IRAK1/4 engagement due to MYD88 mutation and high copy number (CN) of IL18. Downregulation of DUSP1 through MYD88-mediated signaling was noted to result in high ERK activity. Increase gene copy number of both FOS and ETS1, which are downstream of ERK, were noted. Notably, FOS is a key regulator of the AP1 complex, whose activity is regulated upstream by ERK. The transcription factor, ETS1 was also predicted as over expressed and ERK-mediated phosphorylation of ETS1 regulates the activity of ETS1. The RPCI-WM1 patient avatar model also indicated high AKT due to indirect convergence of multiple aberrations. Drug screening revealed sensitivity to the MEK inhibitor, binimetinib. Although no copy number variation in MEK-ERK pathway genes were detected, per simulation, MYD88 mutation through inactivation of DUSP1 activated ERK and downstream associated survival pathways. The simulation predictions were experimentally validated. As predicted, binimetinib significantly inhibited proliferation and viability of RPCI-WM1 cells (IC50 Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the functional role and impact of MEK1/2 - an oncogenic component distal to the BCR, and whose activity can be targeted with binimetinib to elicit a lethal effect in advanced-stage WM cells. We also show the utility of a novel technology, which is capable of integrating genome-wide molecular data points to emulate the salient genomic drivers of a given tumor cell and test its sensitivity to numerous drugs in a high-throughput manner for truly personalized therapy. Disclosures Vali:Cellworks Group, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kumar:Cellworks Group, Inc.: Employment. Singh:Cellworks Group, Inc.: Employment. Usmani:3Cellworks Research India Limited: Employment. Grover:3Cellworks Research India Limited: Employment. Abbasi:Cellworks Group, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership.


Context: ETDE shown good antihypertensive and antioxidant activities in rats made hypertensive. This present study aims to assess its toxicity. Aims: This study was designed to study the toxicity of dichloromethaneethanol extract of Morinda morindoides. Settings and Design: Toxicological activity in vivo. Methods and Material: Alkaloids were characterized from reagents of Bouchardat, flavonoids by reacting the cyanidrine, tannins by the reagent Stiasny, polyphenols by reacting ferric chloride, quinones by the reagent Bornstraëgen, sterols and polyterpenes by the reaction of Libermann and saponins by observing the foam after agitation of the extract. Acute and subacute toxicity were studied using respectively 423 and 407 OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals. Statistical analysis used: The graphical representation of the data was performed using the Graph Pad Prism 5.0. The mean value is accompanied by the standard error of the mean (Mean ± SEM). The difference between the two values is considered significant when P<0.001. Statistical analysis of results was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The phytochemical screening showed the presence in the ETDE of polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and polyterpenes. The toxicological study shows that ETDE has a LD50 between 2000 and 5000 mg/kg bw therefore classified in the hazard category 5. The administration of ETDE at repeated dose for 28 days did not significantly affect the weight gain, hematological and biochemical parameters of rats. Conclusion: ETDE toxicity is relatively low with LD50 between 2000 and 5000 mg/kg bw. It does not cause damage to the heart, liver and kidney. ETDE can be used without risk of intoxication.


ceivably be playing a part in the aetiology of other disease entities,9 and halogenated salicylanilides and related compounds may not be the only drugs retained in this manner.'0 Dr. R. H. Champion, in the article "Diseases of the Skin: Drug Therapy of Urticaria" (22 December 1973, p. 730) states that "antihistamine drugs may, if necessary, be continued for months or years with safety." How can he be sure of this? How can we be certain that any of the photosensitizing drugs which cover a wide therapeutic range and include several antihistamines are not retained in the dermis for long periods, eventually playing a part in the production of actinic reticuloid in susceptible subjects? Promethazine, an antihistamine, and chlorpromazine, a tranquillizer, two phenothiazine derivatives, may cause persistent photodermatitis which depends upon concomitant oral administration and external application."'3 The active photocontact sensitizers cause multiple crosssensitivities'4 and it is conceivable that one or several photosensitizing drugs retained in the dermis might be immunologically activated by an external powerful sensitizer such as fenticlor, leading to actinic reticuloid.-I am, etc., JOHN N. BURRY St. Peters, South Australia


Over the last decade a growing number of cases brought before U.S. courts have alleged that major multinational corporations were complicit in and benefited from human rights violations committed by agents of foreign governments. These cases concern one of the most disputed questions in international human rights litigation, namely, the availability of secondary or indirect liability and aiding and abetting liability in particular. While the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to address the issue, many District and Circuit Courts have held that aiding and abetting liability is available under the Alien Tort Claims Act ('ATCA'). This paper aims to examine the most recent decision of In re South African Apartheid Litigation (commonly referred to as the Khulumani case) in the Southern District Court of New York and argue in favour of the court's opinion that aiding and abetting liability is available, necessary and desirable and does not conflict with the political question and international comity doctrines. It will be argued that submissions against recognizing this kind of liability, such as those by the Bush administration and South African Mbeki government, are misguided, illogical and damaging and that without the threat of liability, which the ATCA can afford, multinational corporations face no consequences for aiding or abetting the very abuses which U.S. foreign policy claims it seeks to prevent.


Real-world time-series data can show substantial short-term variability as well as underlying long-term trends. Verbal descriptions from a pilot study, in which participants interpreted a real-world line graph about climate change, revealed that trend interpretation might be problematic (Experiment 1). The effect of providing a graph interpretation strategy, via a linguistic warning, on the encoding of longterm trends was then tested using eye tracking (Experiment 2). The linguistic warning was found to direct visual attention to task-relevant information thus enabling more detailed internal representations of the data to be formed. Language may therefore be an effective tool to support users in making appropriate spatial inferences about data.


Understanding the importance of surface and subsurface hydrological pathways is critical to effectively manage diffuse transfers of phosphorus (P) from agricultural soils. However, limited understanding of the complexities inherent within the hydrological regime and unfamiliarity with hydrological terminology, can sometimes be a source of confusion for agronomists and soil scientists concerned with P transfer. Consistent use of terminology can help eliminate confusion and the use of ambiguous terms such as runoff and leaching that are commonly misused. The hydrological terms and processes defined here are identified at the spatial and temporal scales where they occur, and the potential of vertical and lateral water flows for P transfer, both over and through the soil, are discussed.


Medication is one of the most commonly applied medical interventions in healthcare and has been shown to improve health and quality of life. Unfortunately it can also do harm and can cause severe adverse events like hospitalisations. The focus in this thesis is on medication related hospital admissions: the magnitude of the problem, the associated provoking factors and the prevention of these admissions. The first study we conducted was the multicenter HARM (Hospital Admissions Related to Medication) study in 21 hospitals in the Netherlands. A case-control design was used to determine risk factors for potentially preventable admissions. This study shows that 5.6% of all unplanned admissions were medication related of which almost half (46.5%) were potentially preventable. The main determinants of preventable medication-related hospital admissions were impaired cognition (odds ratio, 11.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.9-36.3), 4 or more comorbidities (8.1; 3.1-21.7), dependent living situation (3.0; 1.4-6.5), impaired renal function (2.6; 1.6-4.2), non-adherence to the medication regimen (2.3; 1.4-3.8) and polypharmacy (2.7; 1.6-4.4). Impaired renal function was not only a risk factor but 70 admissions (10%) were related to renal impairment and a medication error. HARMs are not only a burden to patients and their relatives but also to society, involving high costs. Combining the medical costs and those of production losses resulted in average costs of €6009 for one, potentially preventable, medication-related hospital admission for all ages. The identified risk factors provided a starting point for preventing medication-related hospital admissions in our second study the PHARM (Preventing Hospital Admissions by Reviewing Medication) study. This study was a controlled, multi-centre study in an integrated primary care setting. We included only patients with a high risk of a HARM. The intervention, the pharmaceutical care process, consisted of a pharmaceutical anamnesis, a pharmacotherapy review, a pharmaceutical care plan and the monitoring and follow up evaluation of the care plan. We aimed to include 14200 patients, 7100 in each arm, from at least 142 pharmacies but experienced many difficulties in including patients. Eventually 364 intervention and 310 control patients were included in 42 primary health care settings of at least one pharmacist and at least two GPs. More medication related hospital admissions were found in the control group than in the intervention group; respectively 10 and 6 admissions. The effect was dependent on the number of diseases. The HR (Hazard Ratio) of the intervention for 3 diseases was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.17-2.59); for 4 diseases 0.43 (95%CI: 0.093-1.20); for 5 diseases 0.28 (95% CI: 0.056-0.73); for 6 diseases 0.19 (95% CI: 0.033-0.53); for 7 diseases 0.14 (95% CI: 0.020-0.43) and for 8 diseases 0.11 (95% CI: 0.013-0.34). Between the intervention and control group no statistically significant differences were found in the secondary outcomes survival, adverse drug events and quality of life. With these results we demonstrated that the patient's own pharmacist together with its own GP and the patient may prevent hospital admissions with a medication related cause but the pharmaceutical care process is difficult to implement in an ordinary primary care setting.


Thin-film Si-integrated inductors with closed cores have different magnetic field distributions in the winding window space compared to the inductors with unclosed cores. One-dimensional methods are no longer applicable for these inductors to calculate the ac resistance. Based on the analysis of the magnetic field distribution of the devices, a 2-D field solution was developed, which leads to an improved 2-D method to calculate the ac resistance of the device. High accuracy of this new approach has been verified by finite-element analysis, while 1-D methods can lead to significant errors.


The study aims to systematically review the available evidence regarding weight loss interventions (lifestyle, surgical, and pharmacological) for obesity in adults aged over 60 years. A search of prospective, randomized studies took place in January 2018, on Medline (Web of Science) and PubMed databases. Search terms included the following: elderly, obese, hypocaloric, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. Abstracts were screened for eligibility. A total of 256 publications regarding lifestyle interventions were identified; of these, 69 studies were eligible. As no eligible studies were identified for pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery, the search was broadened to include non‐ randomized studies. Four pharmacotherapy and 66 surgery studies were included. Lifestyle intervention had similar weight loss efficacy in older compared with younger people, with positive effects on a number of relevant outcomes, including physical function and cardiovascular parameters. There was little data regarding obesity pharmacotherapy in older persons. The available data for bariatric surgery indicate comparable weight loss and resolution of type 2 diabetes, with similar or slightly higher complication rates in older compared with younger people. Older age alone should not be considered a contraindication to intensive lifestyle or surgical intervention for obesity. There are insufficient data to guide clinical decisions regarding obesity pharmacotherapy in older people.


Chaotic scattering with an internal degree of freedom and the possibility to generate directed transport of angular momentum in such a system is studied in a specific model, a magnetic dipole moving in periodically modulated magnetic field confined to a compact region in space. We show that this system is an irregular scatterer in large parts of its parameter space. If in addition all spatio-temporal symmetries are broken, directed transport of mass as well as angular momentum occurs. The sensitive parameter dependence of the corresponding currents includes frequent sign reversals. Zeros of either current quantity correspond to the exclusive occurrence of the other and thus give rise in particular to angular-momentum separation without mass transport as a classical analogue of spin-polarized currents. Chaotic angular-momentum pump 2


Since the end of armed conflict in 1999, progress on improving living standards in the Republic of Kosovo has been slow and uneven, despite solid macroeconomic performance. Kosovo weathered the economic crisis in 2008-09 better than most countries in South Eastern Europe (SEE). Even so, this growth was modest, constrained by a worsening investment climate, a drop in foreign direct investment, poor governance and rule of law, and growing rent seeking behavior (World Bank 2010). Remittances from the sizeable out-migrant population also declined following the onset of the crisis. Thus Kosovo remains the poorest country in South Eastern Europe. The approach reflects a broader shift in the World Bank's analytical work on poverty in the Western Balkans, placing greater emphasis on shorter and more frequent poverty updates as new data become available. This poverty update is based on the household budget survey (HBS) conducted in 2009. Even though Kosovo appears to have suffered less from the economic crisis than most countries in Europe, it remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. Kosovo's population is exceptionally young, and children and youths are disproportionately poor. Education and employment are intimately related to poverty status. In the aggregate, Kosovo's extremely high unemployment rate is another important driver of its high poverty levels. More rapid employment growth is needed not only to help today's adults, but also to accommodate the rapidly growing youth population that is entering the labor force, and will continue to do so for many years to come.


This Article contends that, following the Supreme Court's lead in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena and City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Centers, Inc., the continuing maltreatment of noncitizens in this country requires that federal alienage classifications be reviewed with the same strict, or at least heightened rational basis, scrutiny applied to state legislation.Part II of this Article describes the 1979 Hostage Taking Convention and sets forth some of its provisions in an effort to better understand the impetus for the HTA. Part III examines the legislative history of the HTA and briefly describes the Yunis case as the prototypical hostage-taking action that the HTA was designed to address. Part IV reviews the constitutionality of the HTA under equal protection guarantees as interpreted by the most recent court decisions. Part V suggests an alternative to the courts' ready willingness to find a rational basis for federal enforcement of the HTA - one in which the courts, under the lens of a more heightened scrutiny, require the federal government to demonstrate how the hostage-taking act at issue bears some rational relationship to foreign relations.


In 2002, Florida adopted a test-based promotion policy in the third grade in an attempt to end social promotion. Similar policies are currently operating in Texas, New York City, and Chicago and affect at least 17 percent of public school students nationwide. Using individual-level data on the universe of public school students in Florida, we analyze the impact of grade retention on student proficiency in reading one and two years after the retention decision. We use an instrumental variable (IV) approach made available by the relatively objective nature of Florida's policy. Our findings suggest that retained students slightly outperformed socially promoted students in reading in the first year after retention, and these gains increased substantially in the second year. Results were robust across two distinct IV comparisons: an across-year approach comparing students who were essentially separated by the year in which they happened to have been born, and a regression discontinuity design.


A 31 year-old, gravida III, para I, patient of Turkish descent, presented for routine second trimester anomaly scan after first trimester screening at low risk for the frequent trisomies. The pregnancy was complicated by insulin-dependent gestational diabetes. The patient received antiepileptic treatment (Levetiracetam 1500mg/d) for an epilepsy diagnosed in childhood. Family history was uneventful, there was suspected distant consanguinity. Detailed anomaly scan at 22 weeks gestational age revealed edematous swelling of the right dorsal foot; the left foot and lower leg were slim and appeared hypotrophic, the tibia shorter, in comparison to the right lower limb (▶ Fig. 1, 2a, b). There were no additional anomalies. Based on the clinical findings parents were counselled about an uncertain diagnosis ranging from a possible isolated localized finding of non-genetic etiology to a first sign of a systemic or syndromic condition with unknown outcome at this point of pregnancy. The patient opted for amniocentesis for chromosomal microarray analysis revealing a normal molecular karyotype [arr(1 – 22)x2,(XY)x1]. Stretches of loss of heterozygosity (chromosomes 3, 5, 7, 12, 13 and 17) indicated consanguinity and an increased risk for recessive conditions. Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein was excessively increased (AFAFP: 112'705 IU/ ml = 136'373ug/l), and subsequent measurement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was weak positiv. In the absence of ultrasound findings of neural tube defects and fetal structural anomalies known to cause fetal leakage such as e. g. abdominal wall defects the patient and her husband were counselled for an increased risk for a rare systemic disease in the child and opted to continue the pregnancy. Ultrasound follow-up of the pregnancy detected additional anomalies such as progressive polyhydramnios and hydronephrosis starting at 27 weeks of the right kidney and a dilated stomach without depictable obstruction at 33 weeks (▶ Fig. 3). The boy was delivered prematurely at 34 weeks of gestation and presented with extensive skin areas of aplasia cutis (head, face, thorax, back, limbs, genitals), a dystrophic external left ear, esophageal atresia type I and pyloric atresia, bilateral pyelectasia with a right ureterocele and a hypoplastic lower left leg (▶ Fig. 4). The newborn deceased on day 5 after birth. The clinical diagnosis of junctional epidermolysis bullosa (EB) with pyloric atresia (EB-PA) was confirmed by a loss of integrin alpha6 / beta4 in a skin biopsy using immunofluorescence staining. Genetic testing of the ITGA6 and ITGB4 genes identified a novel homozygous mutation c.1761 + 3A >C in the ITGB4 gene, not previously described, but in association with the clinical diagnosis and skin biopsy results likely causal for the EB-PA in the child. Other mutations in the ITGB4 gene are known to cause autosomal recessive EB with and without pyloric atresia.


A study of pertussis infections in 186 children under 11 years of age in the Manchester region during 1969-71 suggests that recently-manufactured vaccines have been more effective than those made before 1967. The earlier vaccines were effective mainly against the serotypes of Bordetella pertussis possessing antigen 2, while those made from 1967 are more nearly equal in their effectiveness against thedi fferent serotypes. A booster dose of the earlier vaccines did not prevent infection with type 1,3 organisms, but we obtained a positive culture from only one child who had received four doses of recent vaccine. Simultaneous infection of a child with two or more serotypes was frequently seen. The predominant serotype in a patient was usually type 1,3; less often it was type 1,2,3 or type 1,2; it was never type 1. A change of serotype sometimes occurs during the course of the illness and is probably directed by the vaccination status of the patient in relation to the serotype of the initial infection. Our findings emphasize the need for vaccines to contain adequate amounts of all three pertussis agglutinogens, and for satisfactory immunization schedules to be used in their administration.


In the neonate, ventriculitis and inflammatory infiltration of the choroid plexus usually accompany meningitis. Intracranial sonograms were reviewed from six infants referred for evaluation because of clinically suspected or confirmed ventriculi t is. Findings included ventricular dilatation with irregularity of the ventricular margins and increased periventricular echogenicity. The choroid plexus margins also appeared poorly defined with loss of the normally smooth contour. Echogenic material was seen within the lateral ventricles, and intraventricular septa formation resulted in ventricular compartmentalization. Parenchymal changes included periventricular cavitation and a diffuse increase in cortical echogenicity. The ventricular pathology was more apparent on sonograms than on computed tomographic scans obtained at comparable times. In particular, sonography better demonstrated the ventricular compartmentalization from intraventricular septum formation. Identification of such partial ventricular isolat ion is especially important when treatment involves intraventricular shunt placement or the administration of intraventricular antibiotics. This experience suggests sonography should be the initial imaging method for evaluating ventriculitis and its complications in the newborn.


We have synthesized a Eu2+-activated Sr3MgSi2O8 blue phosphor and (Sr,Ba)2SiO4 yellow phosphor. We fabricated a phosphor-conversion white light emitting diode(LED) using an InGaN chip that emits 400 nm near-ultraviolet(n-UV) light and phosphors that emit in the blue and yellow region. When the white LED was operated at a forward-bias current of 20 mA at room temperature(RT), the color temperature(Tcp), average color rendering(Ra), operating voltage(Vf) and luminous efficacy(ηL) were estimated to be 5800K, 72.08, 3.4V, and 7.61 lm/W, respectively. The commission International de I'Eclarirage(CIE) chromaticity coordinates obtained from the measured spectra remained almost constant during the forward-baias current increase from 0.5 mA to 60 mA.


Failure along rock discontinuities can result in economic losses
as well as loss of life. It is essential to develop methods that monitor the
response of these discontinuities to shear loading to enable prediction of
failure. Laboratory experiments are performed to investigate geophysical
techniques to monitor shear failure of a pre-existing discontinuity to detect
signatures of impending failure. Previous studies have detected precursors to
shear failure in the form of maxima of transmitted waves across a discontinuity
under shear. However, those experiments focused on well-matched
discontinuities. However, in nature, rock discontinuities are not always
perfectly matched because the asperities may be weathered by chemical, physical
or mechanical processes. Further, the specific shear mechanism of mismatched
discontinuities is still poorly understood. In this thesis, the ability
to detect seismic precursors to shear failure for various discontinuity
conditions—well-matched (rough and saw-tooth), mismatched (rough), and
nonplanar (discontinuity profile with a half-cycle sine wave (HCS))—was
assessed. The investigation was carried out through a coupled geophysical and
mechanical experimental program that integrated detailed laboratory
observations at the micro- and meso-scales. Shear experiments on gypsum discontinuities were conducted
to observe changes in compressional (P) and shear (S) waves transmitted across
the discontinuity. Digital
Image Correlation (DIC) was used to quantify the vertical and horizontal
displacements along the discontinuity during shearing to relate the location
and magnitude of slip with the measured wave amplitudes.

Results from the experiments conducted on planar, well-matched rough
discontinuities (grit 36 sandpaper roughness) showed that seismic precursors to
failure took the form of peaks in the normalized transmitted amplitude prior to
the peak shear stress. Seismic wave transmission detected non-uniform
dilation and closure of the discontinuity at a normal stress of 1 MPa. The
results showed that large-scale roughness (presence of a HCS) could mask the
generation of precursors, as it can cause non-uniform closure/dilation along
the fracture plane at low normal stress.

The experiments on idealized
saw-toothed gypsum discontinuities showed that seismic precursors to failure
appeared as maxima in the transmitted wave amplitude and conversely as minima
in the reflected amplitudes. Converted waves (S to P & P to S) were also
detected, and their amplitudes reached a maximum prior to shear failure. DIC
results showed that slip occurred first at the top of the specimen, where the
load was applied, and then progressed along the joint as the shear stress
increased. This process was consistent with the order of emergence of
precursors, i.e., precursors were first recorded near the top and later at the
center, and finally at the bottom of the specimen.

Direct shear
experiments conducted on specimens with a mismatched discontinuity did not show
any precursors (in the transmitted amplitude) to failure at low normal stresses
(2 MPa), while those precursors appeared at higher normal stresses (5 MPa). The
interplay between wave transmission, the degree of mismatch, and the
discontinuity's micro-physical, -chemical and -mechanical properties was
assessed through: (1) 3D CT in-situ Xray scans to quantify the degree of
mismatch at various normal stresses; (2) micro-indentation testing, to measure
the micro-strength of the asperities; and (3) Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM) and Electron Xray Diffraction (EDX), to study the micro-structure and
chemical composition of the discontinuity. The X-ray results showed that
contact between asperities increased with normal stress, even when the
discontinuity was mismatched. The results indicated that: (1) at 2 MPa, the
void aperture was large, so significant shear displacement was needed to interlock
and damage the asperities; and (2) the micro-hardness of the asperities of the
mismatched discontinuity was larger than that of the well-matched discontinuity,
which points to inducing less damage for the same shear displacement. Both
mechanisms contribute to the need for larger shear displacements to the mismatched
discontinuity asperities to cause damage, which is consistent with the
inability to detect seismic precursors to failure. The experimental results
suggest that monitoring changes in transmitted wave amplitude across a
discontinuity is a promising method for predicting impending failure for well-matched
rock discontinuities. Precursor monitoring for mismatched rock discontinuities
seems only possible when there is sufficient contact between the two rock
surfaces, which occurs at large normal stresses.


Abstract. A 3-D planetary model of the cosmic ray electron production rate q(h) (cm-3 s-1) has been developed for the strato-mesosphere and lower thermosphere (altitude range 30-100 km) with a 10-km step. The spectrum of the primary cosmic rays is modelled by an analytical expression using input data from the CREME96 model. An isotropic penetration of the cosmic rays from the upper hemisphere is assumed in the model and a spherical shape of the Earth's atmosphere is taken into account. The longitudinal effect of ionisation from cosmic rays in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere is calculated. A graphical presentation of the computational results is given for 50 and 90 km at 0°, 40°, 50° and 70° N, S latitudes and all longitudes with a step of 30°. The results of this paper provide a basis for a quantitative understanding of the energetic processes of the middle atmosphere and mechanisms affecting the thermodynamical balance of the Earth's atmosphere.


Abstract A single sample from the Springhill Group of well 2 at La Posesión in the Manantiales oilfield, southern Chile at 1752 m yielded a rich spore-pollen assemblage. The sample is from the base of approximately 32 m of medium- to coarse-grained sandstone with streaks of brown-gray clay and occasional carbonaceous streaks. Forty-nine species of pollen and spores in 36 genera are documented. On the basis of the occurrences of Aequitriradites plicatus, Appendicisporites jansonii, Contignisporites multimuratus, Cyclusphaera sp. A, Muricingulisporis annulatus, and Ornamentifera echinata, the age of the sample is considered to be Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian). The absence of marine palynomorphs indicates that the horizon sampled was deposited in a non-marine setting, close to araucarian and fern vegetation. The spore genus Sphagnites Cookson 1953 is emended, and the species Sphagnum antiquasporites Wilson & Webster 1946 is transferred to Sphagnites.


The mechanisms of production of bacteriocins in Gram-positive bacteria and the main distinctions of these bacteriocins from the bacteriocins of Gram-negative bacteria (colicins) are outlined. A classification of antibacterial peptides is presented, and most of known class I and II peptides are pointed out. In Gram-positive bacteria, the cases of bacteriocin-associated quorum sensing are examined. For these cases, the structure of loci containing the genes of regulatory systems, transport, immunity, processing, and posttranslational modification of antibacterial peptides are described. All known regulatory sites for class II bacteriocins are presented. A description of the putative regulatory sites found by us and their classification are provided. The evolutionary tree of transcriptional response regulators is shown to correspond to the tree of their recognition sites.


That "practice makes perfect" is a powerful heuristic for improving performance through repetition. This is widely used in educational contexts, and as such it provides a potentially useful feature for application to child-robot educational interactions. While this effect may intuitively appear to be present, we here describe data to provide evidence in support of this supposition. Conducting a descriptive analysis of data from a wider study, we specifically examine the effect on child performance of repeating a previously performed collaborative task with a peer robot (i.e. not an expert agent), if initial performance is low. The results generally indicate a positive effect on performance through repetition, and a number of other correlation effects that highlight the role of individual differences. This outcome provides evidence for the variable utility of repetition between individuals, but also indicates that this is driven by the individual, which can nevertheless result in performance improvements even in the context of peer-peer interactions with relatively sparse feedback.


– The purpose of this paper is to summarize and analyze what is known regarding the ways in which stakeholder pressure may influence supply chain sustainability. The authors extend this understanding to develop a number of research questions and propositions for future investigation on this topic. , – The authors used a systematic review process to study the empirical evidence pertaining to how a stakeholder perspective helps to understand sustainability in the supply chain management domain. , – The review has three main findings: stakeholder pressure on sustainability in supply chain management may result in sustainability awareness, adoption of sustainability goals, and/or implementation of sustainability practices; different types of stakeholders have dissimilar influence in the sustainable supply chain decision areas; different stakeholders appears to be more or less influential depending on whether the sustainability issue is environmental or social. , – This synthesis contributes to the literature by developing insight into the processes by which stakeholder pressure influences SSCM decisions.


The ability of a mixed polymer brush consisting of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAM) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) to modify physicochemical interfacial properties is pre- sented. The answer of the binary brush toward changes of environmental conditions like temperature, salt concentration, and pH value was investigated by in situ spectroscopic VIS- ellipsometry as well as AFM and contact angle mesurements in the dry state and compared with the behavior of the corre- sponding homopolymer brushes. A coupled swelling of PNIPAAm and PAA could be found, leading to a complex pH-, salt-, and temperature-sensitive swelling behavior of these mixed brushes, also depending on the composition of the brush. The complex interaction of the two polymers resulted in new properties of the mixed system. Although the tempera- ture sensitivity of the mixed system was decreased compared with that of the corresponding PNIPAAM brushes, the sensitiv- ity toward pH and salt concentration was amplified compared with that of pure PAA brushes. Additionally it is shown that in spite of the decreased temperature sensitivity of the mixed brush, a temperature-dependent adsorption of human serum albumin was observed whereas an increased adsorption affin- ity was found that is not predictable from the adsorption affin- ity of the corresponding homopolymer brushes. V C 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1606-1615, 2010


Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome, also known as __Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), is a vascular disorder with a prevalence estimated in one in 5-8.000 individuals. It is a dominant autosomic transmission determining multisystemic vascular dysplasia, which has been mapped to two genes, HHT1 and HHT2, determined by mutations of the endoglin (ENG) gene, localized to the chromosome 9, and by mutations of the activin receptorlike kinase 1 (ALK1) gene, localized on the chromosome 12. The 95% of affected present recurrent epistaxis, with a mean age of first event at about 12 years, generally the nosebleed frequency and severity increase with age and usually it is associated with pulmonary AVM and/or multiple telangiectases of gastrointestinal apparatus, of the hands, face, and oral cavity and others visceral involvement. The first diagnosis of HHT is still based on the presence of clinical signs and family history; for the molecular diagnosis of HHT is necessary sequencing the entire coding regions of the ALK1 and ENG genes. The genetic test is positive not in the 100% of all patients with clinical diagnosis of HHT, but it is also possible not find in the same family group the common mutation. We review the litterature and report 2 cases with oral manifestation, on the tongue and on the inferior lip, without others systemic HHT lesions, treated in our Department for general odontoiatric problems.


Background and aims To evaluate clinical and immunological remission according to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index assessed by SLEDAI (version 2000) (Gladman et al, 2002). Methods We observed clinical response to standard treatment in the cohort of 127 lupus erythematosus Polish patients (118 female and 9 male) with average age 43±6 years (range 18–63 years), average disease duration 7,8±5,6 years (range 1,0–15,0 years). All of them complained of renal and non-renal manifestations and were treated with oral and pulse glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive therapies (CTX, MMF, AZT, CsA, MTX) (Tab.1). As a background therapy 77% of these patients were on chloroquine or hydroksychloroquine (CQ/HCQ). Results In most analysed cases despite of standard immunosuppressive therapies fulfiled remission criteria were not achieved (SLEDAI ≥6). Full remission defined as clinical (minimum moderate improvement in various clinical signs and symptoms) and immunological (significant decrease of anti-dsDNA antibodies and significant increase level of C3 or C4 complement) response were obtained only by 9 patients (7%). Unexpectedly over 86% of our lupus patients have moderate or severe activity according to SELENA/SLEDAI score. Conclusions Patients with lupus activity who not achieve remission are potential target for more aggressive standard treatment or novel biologic therapy. Effective strategy of treatment our lupus patients is still unmet need.


A recent report published by a new project at Brookings called "Evidence Speaks" claims that advocates exaggerate unmet need as well as the cost of universal pre-kindergarten (UPK). It estimates that 69 percent of all four-year-olds already attend preschool and that universal access tops out at 80 percent enrollment. To close this modest gap, the report proposes a means-tested subsidy for half-day preschool that fully funds only those in poverty. The estimated cost is $2 to $4 billion per year. Unfortunately, the report vastly underestimates unmet need and costs; both estimates are based on serious factual errors and unfounded assumptions. Access to high-quality preschool (as opposed to attendance in any preschool classroom) for four-year-olds is under 25 percent, not 69 percent. Highquality UPK could enroll more than 90 percent, not 80 percent, of children. Enrollment rates go up with better policy design. Also, the Brookings plan would leave one in five children in low-income families with no access to any preschool education and, since the plan ignores dosage and quality, would leave many more in weak or ineffective programs. The report's conclusions regarding needs and the costs to meet them are invalid and misleading, and it should not be used as a basis for policymaking. Review of Do We AlreADy HAve UniversAl PrescHool?


While many theories about the mode of action of electroshock therapy have been offered, the relationship among neurophysiological and psychological factors remains poorly understood.* Although changes in brain function may be demonstrated on electrical recording, such evidence of impaired function has not been correlated with the degree of psychiatric improvement. Similarly, although memory defects and impaired learning ability are common manifestations following the administration of electrically induced convulsions, their severity is not an index of therapeutic outcome. It would appear that the results of ordinary clinical and laboratory procedures and psychological tests do not furnish adequate criteria for a correlation of the alterations of behavior with the changes in brain function. In previous studies 3 it has been suggested that the therapeutic action of electroshock therapy was related to the production of a milieu of brain dysfunction in which denial of illness (anosognosia) might occur. A concept of anosognosia was


Restoration and consolidation of the top portion of castel Penede in Nago (Trento) on Lake Garda. A project of knowledgeCastel Penede is located on a rocky spur, the farthest north-west extension of Monte Baldo, protruding to close up the pass from Upper Garda to Adige Valley, protecting the Torbole harbour. The structure of the fortified complex spans over a period of almost five centuries, from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, in an area featuring an at least bi-millennial settlement sequence. The path of knowledge started in 2008 with the historic and stratigraphic analysis. The carrying out of the executive project will turn out to be of a cultural interest, as the removal of the collapsed material will be effected, found in the most ancient rooms which will be then revamped and restored. These works will bring to light some structures (walls, architectonic elements, flooring plans, plasters, vaults and staircases...) which shall be studied, filed and reported as stratigraphic units to update the analysis of the elevations previously carried out. The knowledge methodology adopted to get comprehension of the castle according to scientific methods will be then carried on. The investigations on the architectures have highlighted the relevance of the stratigraphic analysis meant not only as a fundamental aspect of the path of knowledge of a historical building, but also as a basic step to preserve the cultural heritage piece. This will safeguard the readability of the constructed item and of its morphological-stratigraphic connections to the extent of making the traces of the contemporary works on the built item itself both evident and acknowledgeable during the treatment of the walls' surface joints. These operations carried out by skilled workers can be nearly classified as a specialised service which is often not adequately matched in the work practice. It is essential to point out the role of knowledge: knowledge of the item means you know how to restore it.


Two new blackfly species, Simulium (Simulium) sigiti sp. nov. and S. (S.) javaense sp. nov. are described based on the female, male, pupal and larval specimens collected from Java. Simulium (S.) sigiti is characterized by the presence of a pit-like cuticular organ at the base of pupal gill, as well as shortened pupal filaments. This is the first species of the tuberosum group from Java. The variety of S. (S.) iridescens De Meijere, 1913 is here elevated to the species status and is given a new specific name S. (S.) javaense sp. nov. This new species is easily distinguished from S. (S.) iridescens by the inflated gill filaments, the absence of tubercles on the cephalic and thoracic integuments of the pupa, and the russet body coloration of the larva.


This study was designed to investigate the effects of emotional self-perceptions and stress coping strategies on marital satisfaction. We tested whether married couples who were high on emotional intelligence had different coping strategies and high marital satisfaction than those with low emotional intelligence. Eighty heterosexual couples (N=160, Mean of age=39.87, SD=12.61) were administered with the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEIQue) (Petrides, K. 2009); the short demographic questionnaire and the COPE Inventory (Carver, C., Scheier, M., & Weintraub, J. 1989) along with ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (Fowers, B. & Olson, D. 1993). The results indicate that trait Emotional Intelligence strongly correlates with and therefore has high predictive value for individual's marital satisfaction. Couples emotional self-efficacy is highly related to their reports of marital satisfaction as well as to their coping strategies. Stress coping strategies are related to marital satisfaction. The results have implications for health psychology as high marital satisfaction may contribute to individuals' physical or psychological health and well-being and protect them from certain diseases.


A previous study has found that whispered Mandarin, though still allowing listeners to perceive tones to a certain degree, does not carry acoustic cues that are special to whispered tones. That conclusion, however, was based on data from only one speaker. The present study attempted to verify the earlier finding with data from more speakers, with an additional goal to find out if there are acoustic cues to intonation in whispered Mandarin and whether they interact with tonal cues. Twelve Mandarin speakers produced tonal as well as intonational contrasts in both phonated and whispered speech. Acoustic analyses found that whispered questions had longer duration, greater intensity and shallower spectral tilt than statements. However, a perception experiment with 20 native listeners showed a strong bias toward hearing statement in whispers, so that questions were identified well below chance. Thus the acoustic properties in whisper were countering each other as cues to intonation. There was also an interaction of tone and intonation in whispers in that Tone 2 and question help each other while Tone 4 and question hinder each other in their perceptual identification. Overall, therefore, there do not seem to be special perceptual cues to whispered intonation either.


Sustainability is one of the challenges in today's world. With limited resources at hand and hazardous impact of manufacturing processes on the environment, there is an increasing need for sustainable manufacturing.Sustainability actually has a broad meaning and is an all-inclusive concept. In this thesis what we are more interested in and focus on, are energy consumption and environmental impacts. Using system dynamics modeling and simulation, we can more easily understand the behavior of processes. Our selected processes are turning, milling and drilling operations in crankshaft machining and using system dynamics concept we model these processes with regards to energy consumption and environmental concerns. The output of this thesis work can be eventually used as a decision support tool to decide how to make processes more sustainable.


: Newly-hatched ducklings were fed a selenium-vitamin E-deficient diet for 13 to 21 days. Ducklings were killed sequentially and the skeletal muscle alterations were studied by light and electron microscopy. An early alteration in skeletal muscle fibers was lysis of myofibrils, at first focal and later widespread. The sarcoplasm of damaged fibers appeared hyalinized by light microscopy. Degenerated skeletal muscle fibers with extensive lysis of myofibrils also had marked mitochondrial alterations, including swelling, formation of matrical densities, disruption of cristal membranes, and persistence of thick, dense, wavy, disrupted membranes. A sheath of external lamina persisted over degenerated segments of fibers which were invaded by macrophages that phagocytosed and removed the sarcoplasmic debris. Regeneration in damaged fibers was thought to proceed from thin subsarcolemmal satellite cells that survived the degenerative process. These satellite cells apparently developed into myoblasts, which fused to form myotubes that extended through the degenerated segments of fibers. Fibrillogenesis and sarcomerogenesis were apparent in myotubes. These structural alterations are discussed in terms of current knowledge of the combined biochemical role of selenium and vitamin E in maintaining cellular integrity.