Because of frequent complaints of pain by patients receiving streptomycin injections on the tuberculosis wards of the Philadelphia General Hospital, an investigation was made to determine the cause. After eliminating obvious variables such as the method of injection and the size of the needle used by the nurses, it was discovered that two different salts of streptomycin were being used haphazardly, the sulfate and the calcium chloride complex, both supplied by the same pharmaceutical company. Since a previous report by Durrance1stated that calcium chloride complex salt of streptomycin caused pain when injected intramuscularly, the following study was carried out. Over a period of several weeks, biweekly injections were given to 65 patients. The calcium chloride complex was used in the first three injections, and the sulfate salt was substituted in the last three injections. Spontaneous complaints of pain at the time of injection or within the following 24


Packet sniffing is a method of tapping each packet as it flows across the network; i.e., it is a technique in which a user sniffs data belonging to other users of the network. Packet sniffers can operate as an administrative tool or for malicious purposes. It depends on the user's intent. Network administrators use them for monitoring and validating network traffic. Packet sniffers are basically applications. They are programs used to read packets that travel across the network layer of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) layer. (Basically, the packets are retrieved from the network layer and the data is interpreted.) Packet sniffers are utilities that can be efficiently used for network administration. At the same time, it can also be used for nefarious activities. However, a user can employ a number of techniques to detect sniffers on the network and protect the data from sniffers. The technique behind packet sniffing on shared bus broadcast LANs is explained.


Controlled thermal processing can create alloys with large crystalline grains that can lead to improvements in materials performance. [Also see Report by Omori et al.] Most metallic materials consist of a network of small single crystals, or grains, connected by grain boundaries. This microstructure, which spans length scales from a few nanometers to hundreds of micrometers, controls many of the properties of the metal. Mechanical processing and thermal treatments can be used to alter this microstructure, but the evolution of grains during processing of a material is governed by phenomena that are so complex (relative to our present scientific understanding) that the outcome cannot be reliably predicted. On page 1500 of this issue, Omori et al. (1) describe a wholly unexpected microstructure that arises from synergies among multiple phenomena. They created very large grains in a copper-based shape-memory alloy—a material that will spontaneously recover large strains upon a temperature change—by thermal cycling across temperatures that produce solid-state phase transformations. The subtle mechanisms that apparently act together at elevated temperature to produce this microstructure include internal-stress plasticity (2) and abnormal grain growth (3). This discovery has potential for technological applications that depend on long service lives of shape-memory alloys.


The aim of this study was to explore Irish post-registration nurses' experiences of higher education nursing programmes in terms of influences on their motives to engage and their participation in such programmes. The study is set against a backdrop of change to the entry level education for nurses in Ireland in 2002. The conceptual framework to inform this study was drawn from the community of practice theory described by Lave and Wenger (1991) and Wenger (1998) which provided a new perspective on the experiences of post-registration nurses' engagement in higher education.

Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, 17 post-registered nurses undertaking two different higher education programmes at one Institute of Technology in the North East of Ireland were interviewed using one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Two focus group interviews were also conducted comprising of nine post-registration nursing students in two Institutes of Technology in the North West and the West of Ireland by way of triangulating the findings. Giorgi's (1985) framework of data analysis was used to extract the natural meaning units from the data.

The findings in this study revealed that post-registration nurses' motives to engage in higher education included: educational equality, knowledge acquisition, career advancement and morale enhancement. These motives were influenced by attitudes towards higher education for nurses, resources and supports. While the nurses engaged in higher education they experienced two main challenges: lack of time and lack of confidence to do the academic work. The nurses were resourceful in terms of implementing coping strategies to deal with these challenges. These experiences were influenced by practical college and clinical supports. The findings are discussed in light of the cited literature and concepts from the communities of practice theory. The findings in this study have implications for nursing education, practice, policy and research.


Abstract Acetolactate synthase (ALS) –inhibitor resistance has been recently documented in a yellow nutsedge biotype in Arkansas rice production, with a target-site mutation resulting in an amino acid substitution from Trp574 to Leu. Preliminary observations have indicated that the resistant biotype showed distinct phenotypic characteristics. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted on the resistant biotype in comparison with three susceptible standards (1) to understand differential growth habit and spatial distribution, and (2) to characterize shoot emergence pattern and seedling vigor. The resistant biotype exhibited a drastically different growth habit with secondary and tertiary basal bulbs emerging away from the parent shoot, resulting in a wider spatial distribution and ground coverage compared to the very compact growth habit of susceptible biotypes. Unlike the susceptible biotypes, the rhizomes developing into tubers were not often connected to the primary basal bulb, but were originating randomly from daughter shoots. The resistant biotype produced an extensive subterranean network of rhizomes and basal bulbs, with wider root spread and distribution compared to the susceptible biotypes. The growth habit of the resistant biotype appeared to be intermediate between yellow and purple nutsedges. Further, the resistant biotype showed a considerably delayed emergence pattern with relatively high levels of tuber dormancy. Although the resistant plants exhibited low early-growth seedling vigor and biomass production compared to the susceptible biotypes (perhaps because of smaller tubers), final aboveground biomass production was greater than that of susceptible biotypes. The overall growth habit and phenotype of the resistant biotype may provide a competitive advantage over adjacent species through the ability to occupy niches and gain improved access to critical resources. The distinct growth pattern may also mean that tillage should not be relied upon for control because it can assist further spread by disconnecting and displacing the chains of rhizomes. Nomenclature: Yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L.; purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L.; rice, Oryza sativa L.


BACKGROUND
Jasplakinolide, a cyclodepsipeptide produced by an Indo-Pacific sponge, Jaspis johnstoni, has been reported to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

PURPOSE
The effects of jasplakinolide on the proliferation of three human immortalized prostate carcinoma cell lines (PC-3, LNCaP, and TSU-Pr1) were studied. The growth-inhibitory effect of jasplakinolide on the PC-3 cell line was studied in detail to elucidate its mechanism of action.

METHODS
Cell counts were used to study growth inhibition. A protein-based microplate assay was used to assess the time of exposure needed to cause persistent growth inhibition and to study the effects of jasplakinolide analogues. Metabolic changes were assessed by following the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors. The effects of jasplakinolide on the cytoskeleton were studied by fluorescent microscopy, using rhodamine phalloidin (RP) and antibodies to cytoskeletal components. Changes in RP binding were quantified by extracting bound fluorescent material from fixed cells and measuring the amount of fluorescence in a spectrofluorometer.

RESULTS
The growth of PC-3, LNCaP, and TSU-Pr1 cells was potently inhibited by exposure to jasplakinolide for 48 hours; doses of jasplakinolide that led to 50% growth inhibition were 65 nM for PC-3 cells, 41 nM for LNCaP cells, and 170 nM for TSU-Pr1 cells. In PC-3 cells, exposure to 160 nM for 48 hours led to total growth inhibition, which persisted for several days even after drug removal. Several jasplakinolide analogues also inhibited the growth of PC-3 cells, although analogues in which the rigidity of the macrolide ring was altered were ineffective. No early changes in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, or protein or in intracellular adenosine triphosphate levels were seen in the PC-3 cells after exposure to jasplakinolide. Growth inhibition by jasplakinolide was accompanied by striking morphologic changes. Exposure for several doublings led to multinucleated cells. Further investigation of these changes in the PC-3 cells revealed a dramatic and early disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and a statistically significant decrease in RP binding. The doses of jasplakinolide, the time of exposure, and the pattern of growth inhibition by structural analogues corresponded with the changes seen in actin distribution.

CONCLUSIONS
Jasplakinolide represents a novel marine natural product with potent in vitro antiproliferative activity against human prostate carcinoma cell lines, and it appears to target the actin cytoskeleton.

IMPLICATIONS
Jasplakinolide is a potential candidate for further preclinical development and a lead structure for a novel class of therapeutic agents that can disrupt the actin cytoskeleton in mammalian cells.


Super high bit-rate mobile communications have been investigated to achieve more than 10 Gbps bit-rate. This paper studies an experimental system that can achieve 5 Gbps throughput by using 11 GHz band radio frequency (RF) circuits and 4×4 MIMO-OFDM with 400 MHz wide bandwidth, of which feasibility is verified. The experimental system consists of (i) 11 GHz band RF circuits, (ii) FPGA boards with 800 MHz sampling DAC or ADC, and (iii) CPU boards that perform MIMO-OFDM transmission and reception processing in offline mode. The RF circuits employ a direct conversion method. Since IQ imbalance and phase noise in the RF circuits degrade transmission performance, this paper compensates for them by digital signal processing. The experimental system evaluates the transmission performance in 5 Gbps 4×4 MIMO-OFDM employing turbo detection, and it is shown that performance degradation of the experimental system to the simulation results can be limited to less than 1 dB by the compensation method for imperfection of the RF circuits. In addition, it is clarified that the turbo detection with two iterations can improve 6.0 dB at SNR to achieve 5 Gbps throughput.


Recent headlines suggest that state revenue volatility has important consequences regarding public administration and the choices state governments make. This work explores the connection between fiscal limits—specifically, tax and expenditure limitations (TELs), balanced-budget rules (BBRs), and super-majority voting requirements (SMRs)—and state revenue volatility. While growth is the most common measure for judging the impact of fiscal constraints, there is a growing literature that argues that volatility, or risk, of state revenue streams is equally important. This work looks at 48 states (Alaska and Nebraska are dropped) over a 37-year period (1969-2005) to assess how fiscal constraints are associated with the volatility of state revenue streams. The evidence suggests that states with strict BBRs and SMRs tend to have lower levels of revenue volatility, while strict TELs tend to be associated with higher levels of revenue volatility. However, given that states often have adopted more than one of these limits, the evidence suggests that strong BBRs have a very strong moderating effect on the impact of TELs. States with super-majority rules tend to start at lower levels of volatility; however, they have little influence on the impact of the other limits.


The purpose of this study was to determine whether a combination of two anti-idiotypic antibodies that mimic the high molecular weight proteoglycan antigen found on most melanoma tumors was capable of enhancing cellular immunity in vaccinated high-risk patients with melanoma. Twenty-eight stage I-IV high-risk patients with melanoma were immunized with a mixture of variable concentrations of MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2, along with the adjuvant SAF-m, using two immunization schedules. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected before the first immunization and 4 weeks after the final immunization and tested for in vitro proliferation to MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2 and for cytotoxicity against 51Cr-labeled target cell lines. Additionally, supernatants from in vitro proliferation cultures were tested for interleukin 10 and IFN-gamma levels. Significant in vitro proliferation to MELIMMUNE-1 and MELIMMUNE-2 were observed in postimmunization samples but not in prevaccination samples. The mean stimulation index for MELIMMUNE-2 (33.7 +/- 0.6) was significantly higher than that for MELIMMUNE-1 (13.9 +/- 0.3; P < 0.025). Supernatants obtained from 78% of the in vitro stimulated cultures pre- or postvaccination contained significant levels of interleukin 10 (range, 0.43-142 pg/ml), whereas IFN-gamma levels were elevated in 53% of postvaccination samples (range, 3-245 pg/ml) but not prevaccination samples. More importantly, we were able to generate specific CTL responses in 43% of the patients, which correlated with elevated IFN-gamma levels. These results indicate that MELIMMUNE enhances cell-mediated immunity in patients with melanoma.


Attoscience is an emerging field where attosecond pulses or few cycle IR pulses are used to pump and probe the correlated electron-nuclear motion of molecules. We present the trajectory-guided eXternal Field Ab Initio Multiple Spawning (XFAIMS) method that models such experiments "on-the-fly," from laser pulse excitation to fragmentation or nonadiabatic relaxation to the ground electronic state. For the photoexcitation of the LiH molecule, we show that XFAIMS gives results in close agreement with numerically exact quantum dynamics simulations, both for atto- and femtosecond laser pulses. We then show the ability of XFAIMS to model the dynamics in polyatomic molecules by studying the effect of nuclear motion on the photoexcitation of a sulfine (H2CSO).


This article is based on a study in which we investigated the relationship between coping mechanisms manifested by students and their reading level measured by number of errors and time, reading speed comprehension and writing in the case of one group of students (N = 55) with ages between 12-14 years. For this purpose, the Battery for the assessment of developmental dyslexia and dysgraphia was used- DDE-2. The Battery includes eight subtests: five for the analysis of the reading process and three for the analysis of the writing process, and the CERQ Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire identifies nine coping strategies. The results show that, in general, our group adopts highly adaptive coping strategies in stress management, especially refocusing on planning, positive reassessment, while their dysfunctional coping mechanisms are: ruminating, self-blame.


This case study describes the development of a pre-entry transition course for new undergraduate students and its delivery online using a commercial open online course platform. Use of this 'third space' platform, and the additional in-house support that accompanied it, were essential in creating a professional-looking course to maximise interest among an entire cohort of undergraduates at the start of their academic careers, while the pre-entry timing aimed to engage students before they became engrossed in subject learning. The course had dual aims: to support students in the development of new academic skills and to build a sense of community and identification with the University before arrival. Videos of current students and academic tutors provided a face-to-face introduction to the university while articles and activities on academic skills were informed by professional learning development experience and expertise. Non-compulsory enrolment attracted 64% of eligible students, 40.2% of which marked 90% or more of the course as completed. The course is now undergoing revision in response to student feedback for next year's iteration.


National bankruptcy laws and potential interventions by national central banks (lender of last resort) impact recovery values after bankruptcy. Bankruptcy proceedings impose fixed costs, while intervention by a lender of last resort during a run depends on scale of the run. As a consequence, recovery values are ex ante random and endogenous to investors. This paper studies how composition of recovery values influence coordination behavior of uninsured debt investors and thus stability of financial firms. As main contribution of the paper, I show that high recovery values achieved by cost efficient bankruptcy proceedings or generous government interventions are never desirable from a stability perspective and only sometimes desirable from a consumer perspective. Probabilities of runs are in general non-monotone in liquidity ratio where the non-monotonicity alters in recovery values. As a consequence, drops in funding liquidity can have a stabilizing effect on a firm in country A but a destabilizing effect on a firm with identical capital or liquidity structure in country B due to variations in national recovery values. Countries with a more generously intervening lender of last resort need to impose tighter capital and liquidity regulation to guarantee same stability levels as countries where a lender of last resort intervenes more restrained. This has policy implications for capital and liquidity regulation under Basel 3 since member countries agree on regulation but firms underlie different bankruptcy laws.


1. M. Phil scholar, Department of Education, University of Wah, Punjab, Pakistan 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Wah, Punjab, Pakistan 3. Professor, Department of English, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan PAPER INFO ABSTRACT Received: January 23, 2021 Accepted: March 01, 2021 Online: March 20, 2021 The primary objective of this study is to identify the effects of instructional leadership of principals on teaching and learning practices in secondary schools in Pakistan. The main objective of this study was to highlight the association between instructional leadership factors and teaching learning practices of teachers. The population consisted of teachers of secondary schools of Wah Cantt, Pakistan. The sample of the study comprises 300 teachers, from which 278 teachers responded to the survey. The study design was descriptive in nature, in which cross-sectional survey was conducted. For the selection of sample convenient technique was used. Through a modified and self-developed questionnaire. The data was interpreted through using different tests and statistical techniques like Pearson correlation, regression analysis. The findings discussed keeping in view their theoretical and practical allegations for conducting further research.


In this paper, we investigate the problem of recognizing occupations of multiple people with arbitrary poses in a photo. Previous work utilizing single person's nearly frontal clothing information and fore/background context preliminarily proves that occupation recognition is computationally feasible in computer vision. However, in practice, multiple people with arbitrary poses are common in a photo, and recognizing their occupations is even more challenging. We argue that with appropriately built visual attributes, co-occurrence, and spatial configuration model that is learned through structure SVM, we can recognize multiple people's occupations in a photo simultaneously. To evaluate our method's performance, we conduct extensive experiments on a new well-labeled occupation database with 14 representative occupations and over 7K images. Results on this database validate our method's effectiveness and show that occupation recognition is solvable in a more general case.


BACKGROUND
oral complications may be leukemia's first presentation.

AIM
to present a case of a young girl with a swelling on the face that led to the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is reported.

RESULTS
a 10-year old anemic girl was referred for evaluation and treatment of a swelling at the left-nasolabial region. Symptoms reported (tiredness, poor appetite, fever, lethargy, and musculoskeletal pain) and clinical findings (enlargement at the presternal region and brownish stain in the lumbar region) led to the suspicion of a hematopoietic malignancy. The diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia was attained after specific examination conducted by the pediatric oncologist and hematologist.

CONCLUSION
dentists must be able to clearly recognize oral physiological characteristics, and, when identifying changes of normalcy, to fully investigate it requesting additional tests or referring the patient to specialized professionals.


This is a personal account of my visit to Ghana through a UK run charity which promotes and teaches homeopathy and community health education. As a midwife volunteer my primary aim was to become familiar with local customs advising on childbirth and pregnancy care and teaching local Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) some basic homeopathy for potential use in labour. I reflect on my community experience and contrast it with typical institutional care within Ghana and my own independent midwifery practice in the UK. I have outlined the indications for some commonly used homeopathic remedies.


The effects of ZnO nanoparticle coating on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of LiFePO4 (LFP) have been investigated in this work. ZnO-modified LiFePO4 cathode materials were synthesized via sol-gel and modified by ZnO nanoparticle using ball mill method. The amount of ZnO additive is chosen as a controlling factor to tune ZnO content over the surface of LFP particles. Structure and morphology of the LFP material with and without ZnO-coating layer were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The XRD patterns reveal that the proper phase of LFP is formed with the ordered olivine-type orthorhombic structure of Pnma space group, and no impurity phase like LiZnPO4 has been noticed. AC conductivity measurements have shown that the ZnO-modified LFP samples significantly assists in lowering the resistance of cathode active material and enhancing the conductivity. It is found that the 2.5 wt% ZnOdoped LFP exhibits the highest conductivity than the 5 wt% ZnO and 1 wt% ZnO doped LFP or the un-doped sample. Among the synthesized samples, LFPZ2.5 displays highest discharge capacity 160 (±5) mAhg (~94% of the theoretical capacity of LiFePO4) at 0.1C rate. These results indicate that 2.5 wt% ZnO coated pristine LFP sample proves to be alternative material for automotive industry and it may be possible alternate of cathode materials in hybrid electric vehicles. Copyright © 2016 VBRI Press


FELINE hypertension is being diagnosed with increasing frequency as more and more veterinary practices acquire the necessary equipment to perform indirect monitoring of blood pressure in cats. Mean arterial blood pressure is determined by the cardiac output (stroke volume x heart rate) and the peripheral vascular resistance. It is known to increase with age in cats, and patients suffering from the more common feline diseases such as chronic renal disease, hyperthyroidism and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are thought to be particularly susceptible to high blood pressure. While hypertension in cats usually occurs secondarily to other diseases, there is emerging evidence that primary hypertension exists in this species. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of feline hypertension are still not fully understood and more research is required in this area. This article presents practical advice to assist in the early detection and management of the condition, which are key to preventing severe clinical disease.


The characteristics of natural yarns are inconsistent in their mechanical property. The tensile strength of jute yarns is an intricate parameter, which can not be fully described using single value. This necessitates the study of the jute yarn strength distribution and efficient experimental methods for its measurement. Here Weibull model is used to describe the statistical nature of the tensile strength. However, the experimental process widely uses for obtaining the two parameters Weibull model which is described for this experiment. The Weibull modulus of the untreated and NaOH treated jute yarns were determined and it suggests that the treated yarns are better than the untreated yarns. The tensile strength of NaOH treated jute yarns increased to 219.93 MPa compared to the untreated yarns which was 177.32 MPa. For the treated yarns the coefficient value R2 is 0.9829, which indicates good degree of linearity.


The software telemetry monitoring system for electric power of solar cell panels using Wi-Fi network. This device can be used for monitoring and research of electric power solar cell panel which is very useful for monitoring electrical power systems solar power plants.The making of this software uses Borland Delphi 7. Acquisition of data from the
microcontroller to a computer based on the principle of 16-bit serial data communications uses Comport component, with the alignment of several important parameters in data
communication, such as: the level of voltage (RS232), baudrate (speed of data transmission), format (data length), and synchronization (simultaneity). Data acquired in the form of electrical power, electrical current, voltage and power are generated by solar cell panels. The data is stored and processed using the MySQL database 5.1. The software has been created consisting of client and server. Transmission of data from the server to the client uses Wi-Fi network through the zeos connection component.
From this research was obtained software that can measure voltage, electric current and electric power from solar cell panels are monitored from the server station and client stations.Data from read by the application server from the microcontroller can be stored in a MySQL
database. This software include with a warning system in the form of alarm when the input data is too low. This software also equipped with facilities to export data in excel file, searching through the four parameters and print the record data directly from the application.


ABSTRACT While the topic of women and water, sanitation and hygiene is a widely accepted concern among academics and activists, it continues to be an issue in developing countries with serious consequences. Based on a qualitative research conducted in rural Uttar Pradesh, India, the paper affirms that sanitation issues for women and girls are compounded by inequitable gender norms that put them at greater risk of experiencing violence and multiple health vulnerabilities. Women, despite having a high demand for safe toilet facilities, continue to practise unsafe sanitation. The findings highlight the role of three structural constraints as the key factors influencing toilet construction and use: poverty, inadequate sanitation policy and its implementation and gender-based power dynamics at the household level. The paper concludes by emphasising the relevance of engendering sanitation programmes and policies by involving women and girls in the planning process to ensure that dignified and gender-sensitive sanitation solutions are developed. The paper also stresses the need to have measures for strengthening and effectively implementing a sanitation policy for the poor and for programmes to work with both men and women to address gender power relations which influence toilet adoption and use.


The rapid growth of bioethics has injected a new style of analysis into medicine. It requires philosophical rigor, yet is deeply embedded in human situations that frustrate abstract thinking and are laced with subjective factors. These interlaced ethical and psychological components can lead to conflicts and dilemmas. Doctors, as experts and decision-makers, play a key role, but will benefit from additional skills to disentangle these situations. This paper notes ways in which patients, families and caregivers are newly vulnerable and delineates how ethical dilemmas and psychological issues mold or frustrate decision-making. To help physicians manage such cases, a method of systematic analysis, the 'situational diagnosis', and a related hierarchy of interventions, is described and illustrated with case examples.


Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) has become a major economic pest of soft-skinned fruits since it was detected in North America in 2008. Control of this fly is achieved through insecticide sprays applied when ripening or ripe fruit are present. Monitoring to aid informed management decisions is challenging since trapping for adults is not a reliable indicator of potential or existing infestation in the fruit. Moreover, current larval monitoring techniques using brown sugar or salt solutions allow for visual detection of late-instar larvae, but they are time consuming and tend to miss smaller larvae. Here, we describe a method combining a salt solution, coffee filter, and microscope that can reliably and efficiently detect small and large larvae of D. suzukii in fruit samples. By sifting the sample liquid through an inexpensive coffee filter, larvae of all instars can be counted quickly and accurately. This method is 1.7 times faster than using a visual traybased method and can detect more larvae because first instar larvae can be detected. Growers can use this information to target insecticide sprays for curative control of small larvae, identify fields where the presence of larger larvae may indicate an unmarketable crop, or verify that no infestation exists and control programs are working. We provide images to support larval identification of this pest, and we expect this method will become an important component of rebuilding IPM programs in fruit crops affected by D. suzukii.


THE PRESENT dissertation is a report of 27 cases of congenital atresia of the extrahepatic biliary tract that have been encountered at The New York Hospital from 1932-1952. Although the condition occurs infrequently, more than 300 cases have been reported in the literature. Moore 22 estimated that there is one case in 20,000 to 30,000 births. Jaundice in the newborn is not uncommon and may be a manifestation of physiologic icterus neonatorum, erythroblastosis fetalis, septicemia, syphilis, or obstruction of the biliary tract. Primary blood dyscrasias such as Mediterranean, congenital hemolytic, sickle cell, and acute hemolytic anemia are also associated with jaundice but tend to occur later in childhood. Physiologic icterus neonatorum is common, occurring to some degree in 50 to 75% of all newborn infants, 21 and is manifested by a mild jaundice, appearing on the 2d or 3d day and disappearing usually by the 14th day. The liver is


he project of doubling and developing of the railway line Orte-Falconara, committed by the Italian State Railway Company to the COMAVI Consortium (Rome, Italy), envisaged building the Mt. S. Croce tunnel, about 3200 m long between the stations of Narni and Nera Montoro (Umbria, ltaly). During the last phase of the feasibility project, a geophysical research based on geoelectrical prospecting methods was carried out to complement other geognostic investigations with the following goals: a) to outline the complex geotectonic model of the rock system, which will be affected by the new railway layout; b) to gain information on the hydrogeologic features of the survey area, in relation to the existing geologic situation and the consequent effects on the digging conditions of the tunnel and on the operation conditions of the railway layout. The geophysical work was thus organized according to the following scheme: a) execution of dipole electrical sounding pro-files, to depict a series of significant tomographic pseudosections, both across and along the new railway layout; b) execution of self-potential measurements, to draw an anomaly map over the whole hydrogeological network system in the survey area. The research provided information which has helped to improve the geological-structural model of the area and disclosed the hydrogelogic network, conforming to the classified field surface manifestations. At present, further detailed field investigations are being carried out, which confirm all the results obtained by the geoelectrical survey.


TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF superfamily
of cytokines, including 18 genes which code 19 transmembrane proteins,
strictly correlated, and playing important roles in: cell death regulation, immune
response and inflammation. In humans at least 5 different TRAIL receptors have been
described belonging to the TNF-R family, each one expressed in different cellular lines.
TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and TRAIL-R2 (DR5) transduce apoptotic signals, while TRAIL-R3
(DcR1), TRAIL-R4 (DcR2) and osteoprotegerina (OPG) are decoy receptors unable to
induce cellular death.
Significant levels of TRAIL have been detected in many human tissues, including
spleen, prostate, lungs, thymus, kidney, intestine, ovary and, at lower levels, heart,
skeletal muscle cells, pancreas, liver, brain and testicle. One of the primary functions
of TRAIL is to induce apoptosis in numerous transformed cell lines and cancer cells in
vivo, without significant cytotoxicity on normal cells or tissues.
With the aim to identify antitumor agents, we have focused our attention on the
therapeutic potential of TRAIL. During the last three years, we tested new strategies
based on TRAIL in order to induce death selectively in neoplastic cells which have
developed resistance to conventional treatment. For this purpose we conducted a set
of studies in vitro and in vivo employing recombinant TRAIL.
Furthermore our research has concentrated on the therapeutic efficacy of human
bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which are considered the stromal
progenitor stem cells within the bone marrow. Our objective was to explore the
antitumor activity of these cells and to describe the mechanisms causing this effect.
The development of an animal model in SCID (Severe Combined
Immunodeficiency) mice of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was necessary in order to
investigate the in vivo dissemination of cancer cells and to assess the therapeutic
efficacy of recombinant TRAIL and BM-MSC. These models were established by intraperitoneal
(i.p.) injection of EBV- Burkitt-type BJAB and EBV+ B lymphoblastoid
SKW6.4 cell lines. Xenografts mice were then i.p. injected on the opposite site with
either human recombinant TRAIL or BM-MSC at a lymphoma:MSC assessing mice
survival after the treatment.
The results reported in this paper demonstrate that both treatments reduce the
growth of the tumoral masses, with a consequent significantly higher rate of mice
survival.
Furthermore, similar results were obtained when mesenchimal stem cells,
previously embedded in hyaluronan scaffolds to avoid the integration of mesenchymal
cells in the fibrovascular cancer network, were implanted in mice. Interestingly, this
hyaluronan-embedded MSC exert anti-lymphoma activity by ameliorating hepatic
functionality, as demonstrated by measurement of serum ALT/AST levels.
In conclusion, our research suggests that both strategies, i.e. rTRAIL and
mesenchymal stem cells can exert antitumoral activity and are good candidate for
development of new therapies.


In Turkey, the Government aims to implement a community-based early childhood programme for those who come from economically disadvantaged areas. This is highlighted in the 2023 Education Vision, which was released in 2018. Nurseries, local educational authorities and other local institutions such as municipalities in such areas are expected to prepare for the community-based programme. The goal of this study is to examine the implemented community-based early childhood programmes in different countries and to indicate how such programmes connect homes and communities to school. This study reviews literature on community-based early childhood programmes in different countries. It shows that such programmes can develop children cognitive and language skills, and readiness for future academic life. It also suggests that community-based early childhood programmes need to focus on how children transmit their learning from home and community to school, and from school to home.


Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) has multiple, pleiotropic effects on the nervous system that include neurogenesis, neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. Thus, alteration in FGF-2 expression patterns may have a profound impact in brain function, both in normal physiology and in pathology. Here, we used FGF-2 transgenic mice (TgFGF2) to study the effects of endogenous FGF-2 overexpression on susceptibility to seizures and to the pathological consequences of seizures. TgFGF2 mice display increased FGF-2 expression in hippocampal pyramidal neurons and dentate granule cells. Increased density of glutamatergic synaptic vesicles was observed in the hippocampus of TgFGF2 mice, and electrophysiological data (input/output curves and patch-clamp recordings in CA1) confirmed an increase in excitatory inputs in CA1, suggesting the presence of a latent hyperexcitability. Indeed, TgFGF2 mice displayed increased susceptibility to kainate-induced seizures compared with wild-type (WT) littermates, in that latency to generalized seizure onset was reduced, whereas behavioral seizure scores and lethality were increased. Finally, WT and TgFGF2 mice with similar seizure scores were used for examining seizure-induced cellular consequences. Neurogenesis and mossy fiber sprouting were not significantly different between the two groups. In contrast, cell damage (assessed with Fluoro-Jade B, silver impregnation and anti-caspase 3 immunohistochemistry) was significantly lower in TgFGF2 mice, especially in the areas of overexpression (CA1 and CA3), indicating reduction of seizure-induced necrosis and apoptosis. These data suggest that FGF-2 may be implicated in seizure susceptibility and in seizure-induced plasticity, exerting different, and apparently contrasting effects: favoring ictogenesis but reducing seizure-induced cell death.


: Luteal receptors for PGF-2 alpha in the pregnant rat were characterized. No changes in the Kd were found during pregnancy, whereas capacity increased to a maximum on Day 19, decreasing thereafter. The decrease in binding sites seen from Days 20 to 22 may be due to down regulation of the receptor by its ligand, since it was prevented by inhibition of PG synthesis by indomethacin treatment. Likewise, in-vivo treatment with PGF-2 alpha reduced the apparent number of PG binding sites. PG receptor concentration seems to be modulated by oestrogens since an increment was found on Day 19, associated with the known increase in plasma oestradiol concentrations, and since receptor concentration on Day 16 was significantly increased by oestradiol benzoate. The uterus also had a negative influence on the appearance of the PG receptor, since hysterectomy on Day 16 increased the number of binding sites on Day 18. However, receptor concentration and 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase induction by hysterectomy was not affected by indomethacin, indicating that these events are probably not related to prostaglandin withdrawal. However, treatment with hCG, which diminishes enzyme induction by hysterectomy, did not produce changes in receptor concentration. The present results suggest that PGF-2 alpha, acting through a specific receptor site, is the physiological luteolytic signal. The consequence of its receptor binding seems to be the blockade of a gonadotrophic stimulus, which in turn determines (1) the decrease in progesterone synthesis and (2) the induction of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.


poverty and social exclusion continue to be serious challenges across the European union and for health systems in member states. migrants, asylum seekers and illegal immigrants are at high risk of poverty and social exclusion and there is evidence that they sometimes do not receive the care that best responds to their needs. improved access to general health care, including also health promotion and prevention strategies, is therefore essential to minimising disadvantage for migrants. this policy Brief outlines hurdles of access to health care for migrants and discusses policy implications.


: Triploidy is a frequent chromosomal abnormality found in 12% of all spontaneous first trimester abortions. Triploidy can result from various mechanisms: failure of segregation during meiosis I or II leads to the formation of gametes with an extra haploid set of chromosomes or abnormally fertilization by two spermatozoa. The authors presents physiological mechanism which prevent polyspermic fertilization, the morphological pictures of triploid early embryos. After implantation of triploid embryos partial embryonal hydatidiform moles develops. Now the possibility of the prevention and treatment of triploid in humans are very limited.


Background and Hypothesis: Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is characterized by abnormal blood vessel growth in the avascular cornea. CNV can be caused by multiple insults such as trauma, infection, and immunological diseases. Current treatments have partial efficacy and associated side effects, revealing a need for novel treatments.
We identified the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) as a target of an antiangiogenic small molecule we developed, SH-11037. SH-11037 was antiangiogenic in mouse models for retinal and choroidal neovascularization. However, its effect on CNV has not been explored. We hypothesize that inhibition of sEH with SH-11037 will block CNV.
Experimental Design or Project Methods: To validate sEH's relevance in CNV, we assessed the effects of inhibition of sEH in an alkali burn CNV mouse model, treating the eyes with either eyedrops of SH-11037 or another known sEH inhibitor, t-AUCB. Neovascularization was determined by clinical assessment and immunohistochemistry. Toxicity in the retina was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Eyedrops of dexamethasone (0.1% and 0.03%) were positive controls.
Results: Clinical assessment indicated that there was a strong trend towards a decrease in CNV in the 0.1% dexamethasone control group (p = 0.0509). Further data generation is underway, but we expect to see decreased CNV in the SH-11037 and t-AUCB experimental groups, compared to the vehicle (PBS) control group.
Conclusion and Potential Impact: Upon completion of this study there is potential for a new therapeutic target for reducing CNV. This study provides the assessment of sEH's involvement in CNV, which opens future areas of study.


Transportation industry is an important field to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Scenario analysis of transportation industry can provide theoretical support to the formulation and implementation of carbon emissions reduction policy. In view of this, The transportation industry of Jiangxi province will be given into four departments including civil aviation, railways, highways and waterways, and it was used the LEAP model to set three scenarios in the different application of economic development mode and different traffic development mode, then forecasted the main carbon emissions of Jiangxi transportation industry in 2010-2030, and analyzed the result of forecasting. It shown that the way to ease the nervous energy supply and the pressure of carbon emissions, and achieve the sustainable development of energy and the environment, must be set the four departments of reasonable transportation distribution under the condition of different energy sources, and increase the scope of using the new energy and renewable energy.


Caregivers of young children identified as HIV positive, residing in Agincourt, rural South Africa were advised of their child's status. How was this knowledge received, and how did it influence care-giving and support? Interviews were conducted in May to June 2008 with caregivers of HIV positive children aged 1-5 years, 1 year following the child's HIV test and disclosure of status. Drawing on data from 31 semi-structured questionnaires and 21 in-depth interviews, we describe caregivers' attitudes, reactions, fears and aspirations after learning a child's HIV status, the perceived usefulness of the knowledge, barriers to care-giving and support received. Sociodemographic data collected through the questionnaire were analysed using Stata. Qualitative data were coded in NVIVO 8 and analysed inductively to identify themes and their repetitions and variations. Although almost half of the caregivers responded negatively initially, 1 year later, almost all had accepted and valued knowing their child's HIV status as this had enhanced their competency in care-giving. Counselling from health providers and personal spirituality helped caregivers to accept the child's status and cope with its implications. Most caregivers had high aspirations for the child's future, despite some expressed difficulties associated with care-giving, including financial constraints, information gaps and barriers to healthcare. The results indicate an opportunity for paediatric HIV screening in communities with high HIV prevalence. This would facilitate early uptake of available interventions, so enhancing the survival of HIV positive children.


This paper analyzes the mobility between self-employment, wage employment and non-employment. Using data for men in West Germany, we find strong true state dependence in all three states. Moreover, compared to wage employment, non-employment increases the probability of self-employment significantly, and self-employment goes along with a higher risk of future non-employment.


The most recent 2017 statistics have seen a small increase in women holding technical roles in UK industry. However, despite years of attention from industry leaders, activists and government, the built environment sector has failed to achieve female participation anywhere close to parity. Meanwhile, construction continues to suffer from a poor public image, and there is a skills shortage of tens of thousands of employees predicted over the next decade.

This report investigates the impact of women at senior professional levels, focussing on the positive correlation between gender diversity at board level and business performance in the built environment. A synthesis of academic research and industry reports outlines the state of corporate governance, organisational performance and female career progression. This is assessed against an analysis of UK industry data to provide detailed contextual information, and to consider the complex factors at play.

Trends found in international and cross-industry studies show that there is a correlation between a greater number of women on boards and company financial performance. Three mechanisms underlying this have been found within the literature.

Firstly, it is shown that having better female representation on boards will reduce attrition rates of women throughout the workforce, by providing role models and by influencing high-level engagement with diversity issues. This in turn is positively correlated with firm innovation and performance. Secondly, having more women on the board will improve board operation, due to: a greater range of perspectives and insights; better representation of a demographically diverse set of stakeholders; and improved board cohesiveness. Finally, higher proportions of women on boards will improve company image given the increasing social, corporate and political pressure for female workplace representation. This will improve both employee engagement and, increasingly, investor perceptions.

The report thus provides a positive, performance-based argument for increasing gender diversity within the UK built environment, at board level and throughout the pipeline, and reveals the extent to which there are opportunities for real improvements in the sector.

However, the desk study is based primarily on non-built environment companies due to lack of publically available data. It therefore also reveals the acute lack of transparency in, and understanding of, gender diversity within built environment firms. The absence of standardised monitoring of gender data has contributed to the distinct lack of change apparent over the last ten years. In order to alleviate predicted severe skills shortages, to improve sector image, and to increase profits, it is critical that this situation is changed.

Expanding on the pilot study of the Equilibrium firms, this report therefore recommends that routine monitoring is introduced, and that a major data collection and analysis exercise is now undertaken, to investigate the relationship between firm performance and gender diversity in the UK BE sector. This investigation will also need to consider the many possible variables in a series of studies, in order to draw clear conclusions for the way forward.


The authors present a prototype system for three-dimensional (3D) image analysis of blood vessels using cone-beam CT. The purpose is to enhance the performance of clinician in assessing anatomical information such as the orientation of blood vessels, cross-sectional area, and volume of disease. The developed prototype system consists of two parts: 3D image reconstruction of blood vessels and analysis of the 3D blood vessel image. The Digital angiograms are collected in a short period of time by an X-ray rotational angiographic system using a CT gantry equipped with a cone-beam X-ray source and an image intensifier. The 3D reconstruction is performed by a short scan cone-beam filtered backprojection algorithm. The analysis of the 3D blood vessels image is based on a graph description obtained by a 3D binary thinning algorithm and a distance transformation of a 3D line pattern. A preprocessing of 3D reconstruction includes the correction of the geometrical distortions and the shading artifact introduced by the image intensifier. Furthermore, the authors correct the degradation of X-ray angiograms due to scatter and veiling glare to improve contrast sensitivity of a 3D reconstructed image. From results of the application to patient's abdominal blood vessels, the authors present the effectiveness of the system.<<ETX>>


The authors report 3 cases of tetraplegic patients due to a rotational dislocation between C0 and C1 occurring after a road accident (2 women and 1 man aged between 17 years and 27 years). All patients were resuscitated by the SAMU (mobile emergency care unit) on the premises of the accident and did not develop any cognitive impairment after this transient anoxia. Two out of the 3 patients underwent surgical cervical spinal fusion, a procedure which actually did not improve their head control. After achieving seating positioning in a comfort-wheelchair, the need for a customized orthesis emerged for several reasons: – absence of head control resulting in a higher risk of forward drop-head and compression of the ventilator tube in spite of a, sometimes badly tolerated, frontal strip; – difficulties met by nurse caregivers to reproduce the optimal installation designed by the physiotherapies using the Witmaker devices, in the context of major hypotonia. Given the poor ventilatory autonomy, orthesis molding remains challenging and demands a strict coordination between all participants. Best achieved on a depression cushion, it requires 5 professionals: a nurse, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, an orthotist and a PMR specialist. The neckpiece with sub-occipital support is the most critical deliverable to handle. The dorsal thoracic piece is enlarged in order to embed the armrest. Protection of ichiatic pressure points by means of silicone gel injections is warranted. Fitting, delivery and fixation, by the occupational therapist, onto the wheelchair frame (Kyte Invacare type) with the ventilator installed at the rear. Mouth command and/or command by a caregiver; implementation of both systems. The successful feedback as expressed by both patients and users has been immediate, thanks to the global positioning (head, trunk, limbs) and standardization of devices (neck-piece, armrest, footrest). An increase of time spent seated was noted and has had a positive impact of the general health status and socialization (outdoor rides in bus, stroll in town. . .). Beyond the medical benefits, transfers are facilitated and a life project is more easily built up.


Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is decreased in both usual interstitial pneumonia-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP-IPF) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), but is moderately related to computed tomography (CT)-determined fibrotic changes. This may be due to the relative insensitivity of DLCO to changes in alveolar membrane diffusive conductance (DMCO). The purpose of this study was to determine whether measurement of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) better reflects fibrotic changes than DLCO DLNO-DLCO were measured simultaneously in 30 patients with UIP-IPF and 30 with NSIP. Eighty-one matched healthy subjects served as a control group. The amount of pulmonary fibrosis was estimated by CT volumetric analysis of visually bounded areas showing reticular opacities and honeycombing. DMCO and pulmonary capillary volume (VC) were calculated. DLNO was below the lower limit of normal in all patients irrespective of extent and nature of disease, whereas DLCO was within the normal range in a nonnegligible number of patients. Both DLNO and DLCO were significantly correlated with visual assessment of fibrosis but DLNO more closely than DLCO DMCO was also below the lower limit of normal in all UIP-IPF and NSIP patients and significantly correlated with fibrosis extent in both diseases, whereas VC was weakly correlated with fibrosis in UIP-IPF and uncorrelated in NSIP, with normal values in half of patients. In conclusion, measurement of DLNO may provide a more sensitive evaluation of fibrotic changes than DLCO in either UIP-IPF or NSIP, because it better reflects DMCO.


We developed a MRI compatible manipulator system operated under the use of preoperative / intraoperative MR images to realize RFA needle navigation for minimally invasive liver surgery inside an Open MRI gantry. This system has a capability to position a needle to a target inside the MRI gantry by integrating the real space, preoperative/intraoperative MR images and the manipulator coordinate systems with the optical three-dimensional tracking system. Positioning of puncture needle to target is shown in the followings. Puncture needle is positioned with the manipulator for target using preoperative MRI images. Intraoperative MR images including puncture needle and target are acquired by using MR fluoroscopy. Then surgeon inserts the puncture needle to the target. Needle follows the moving target using intraoperative MR images when object/organ is distorted by puncture. We also quantified the MRI compatibility of the manipulator based on MR images. The results showed that MR images have no distortion, and the SNR decreased by 1.2%. Thus the manipulator has high MRI compatibility and is drivable while acquiring MR images. The phantom experiments are conducted to evaluate the needle insertion accuracy, the system positioning and needle insertion accuracy was 0.8 mm±0.29 mm, when the phantom is distorted and the target was moved by puncture. As conclusion, our system is sufficiently accurate and therefore feasible for performing the device guidance inside MRI environment.


The effect of short-term treatment with aspirin or dextran on the patency of bovine heterografts in the venous system was investigated. Animals treated preoperatively and for three days postoperatively with either aspirin (600 mgm BID) or low molecular weight dextran (500 cc/day) had statistically significant increased graft patency as compared to controls during the treatment interval. Significance was lost, however, after cessation of therapy. These results suggest that either aspirin or low molecular weight dextran would be useful adjuvants to venous reconstruction. If used in the venous system, bovine heterografts might be expected to yield better short term patency with adjuvant therapy employing either dextran or aspirin.


A robust 3D pcu Co(II) metal–organic framework (MOF) based on a designed bent pyrimidyl–biimidazole ligand, [Co2(dmimpym)(nda)2]n (1; dmimpym = 4,6-di(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)-pyrimidine, H2nda = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid), was successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 has a 2-fold interpenetrated 6-connected pcu network based on a [Co2(COO)4] paddle-wheel secondary building unit (SBU). It contains exposed pyrimidyl Lewis base sites, has porosity, and exhibits ligand-based blue emission in the solid state, which render it suitable as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of metal ions. Fluorescence titration experiments reveal that 1 is highly selective for Al3+ with exclusively enhanced emission as compared to other metal ions, and the limit of detection (LOD) reaches as low as 0.7 μM. Importantly, 1 can be cycled at least five times without the loss of emission signals. Moreover, 1 is able to detect low concentration of uranyl ions via fluorescence quenching. The present study sheds light on the realization of the practical application of MOFs as luminescent sensors via tailoring of the ligand and extends the way towards low-cost transition metal-based MOF sensors.


When on September 11, 2001, the Pentagon stood ablaze, responding fire companies from Maryland could not communicate with those from Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Runners had to be used instead, stalling rescue efforts: a powerful reminder that even in the age of digital networks and ubiquitous cell phones, communication interoperability, the ability of public safety personnel to communicate by radio with staff from other agencies, on demand and in real time, remains an elusive goal. As almost 60,000 federal, state and local public safety agencies plan to upgrade their communications systems in the wake of 9/11, this essay takes a hard look at communications interoperability and its implementation, here in the United States and in Europe. Three steps have been seen as requirements for interoperability: inventing the appropriate technology, setting common standards and frequencies, and providing adequate funding. This essay looks at each of these steps in the U.S. and European contexts and analyzes successes and failures, rendering a fuller picture both of the challenges for interoperability and of best practices to meet them. Over the last few years (and surprisingly given the complex political structures) the Europeans have pulled ahead of the U.S. in implementing interoperability, although with determination and the right set of strategies, U.S. policymakers can easily make up lost ground. Enhanced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) leadership in defining frequencies and standards and a clearly formulated and thoroughly executed comprehensive funding strategy, based either on public funds or innovative public-private partnerships, would go a long way toward enabling communications interoperability to take hold. Yet, this essay is not simply about how to overcome obstacles on the path to interoperability. The case of interoperability, its elusiveness in the United States and its successes elsewhere, reveals a deeper, more troubling story - a story not so much of technical hurdles, as of structural and political hurdles, as more of perceived than actual constraints, unduly limiting the nation¹s ability to cope with an important public policy need in these uncertain times. There are no abstract silver bullets to overcome the problem. Instead, policymakers have to look carefully at how well the policy strategy they select is aligned with their means and the policy context. In the United States, interoperability has suffered from strategic misalignment and haphazard implementation. European interoperability policies have fared better, not because of a general advantage in the strategies chosen, but because of a better fit between means and ends. Thus interoperability also provides an intriguing test case, highlighting the transcending importance of strategic alignment, agency innovation, and leadership.


Previous studies have shown that human small-intestinal mucin consists of high-Mr glycoproteins and a smaller S-S-bonded protein of 118 kDa. The major antigenic determinants of the mucin were associated with the large glycoproteins, but depended for stability on intact disulphide bonds, and were destroyed by digestion with Pronase. In the present study we isolated and analysed the component parts of mucin from patients with cystic fibrosis with special attention being paid to the peptide constituents. After reduction with 0.2 M-beta-mercaptoethanol [5 min, 100 degrees C in 1% SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate)], the large glycoproteins and smaller peptide with an apparent molecular size of 118 kDa were separated by equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl, Sepharose 4B chromatography or preparative SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The large glycoproteins contained about 70% of the protein of the native mucin. Digestion with Pronase resulted in a further loss of 'naked' protein (10% of the native mucin protein) from the C-terminal end of the glycoprotein peptide core, and left behind highly glycosylated proteins comprised mainly (70 mol%) of threonine, serine and proline. The 118 kDa component, which contained about 30% of the native mucin protein, consisted mainly of aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid and glycine (40 mol%), plus threonine, proline, alanine, valine and leucine (35 mol%). Together with the 'naked' protein segment, the 118 kDa component contained most of the cysteine residues of the native mucin. Surprisingly, the peptide also contained carbohydrate (less than or equal to 5% of the native mucin carbohydrate but 50% by weight of the 118 kDa component), which included 9 mol% mannose, suggesting the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides. The peptide exhibited strong non-covalent interactions with the high-Mr glycoproteins and a tendency to self-aggregate in the absence of dissociating agents. Our findings therefore suggest that native mucin consists of large glycoproteins capable of forming disulphide bridges from their C-terminal 'naked' (antigenic) regions to a smaller glycopeptide having an Mr of 118 000.


Background Amiodarone has been widely dispensed as capsules prepared in the pharmacy department for paediatric patients. A stability study was performed with these capsules to determine their expiry date. However the European Pharmacopoeia High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method was not performed because of a worldwide shortage of acetonitrile at the beginning of our stability study. Purpose The purpose was to develop a HPLC assay of amiodarone capsules that did not use acetonitrile. Materials and methods The authors developed the assay on a chromatographic system consisting of a Spectra-Physics Analytical HPLC chain. The column used was a C18 (120Ä, 250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase was 0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 2.30 + methanol (17/83 v/v) with a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The sample injection volume was 20 µL. The analysis time was 15 min. The validation study was performed according to ICH. The chromatography parameters (retention time, number of theoretical plates, tailing factor, capacity factor) were calculated to study the system suitability test. Specificity (interference from mannitol, excipient), linearity, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision) and accuracy checks were performed. Results In chromatographic conditions, amiodarone retention time was 7.47 minutes. The capacity factor and the number of theoretical plates were respectively 1.34 and 5,313. The tailing factor did not exceed 1.5. No interference from mannitol could be observed at 242 nm. Within the assay range, amiodarone concentration was linearly related to absorbance at 242 nm. The repeatability and the intermediate precision were demonstrated because relative SD was less than 2%. The method is accurate because the 100% value was within the confidence limits. Conclusions The method developed in this study has the advantage of being simple, precise, accurate and convenient. This method is applicable for qualitative and quantitative amiodarone capsules. The results are accurate and precise and confirmed by statistical parameters.


In 2001 the South African government established the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) as a

national youth development initiative to promote employment opportunities for young people and

enhance entrepreneurship amongst them for sustainable livelihoods. The UYF focused on three

areas: contact, information and counselling; skills development and transfer, and youth

entrepreneurship. This study aimed to explore the relationship between job creation and the

UYF's skills development and transfer programme. It investigated the impact of the UYF training

programmes in helping youth establish business enterprises and the creation of jobs. Using a nonexperimental

approach, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from purposively selected

UYF personnel and a sample of UYF beneficiaries. The data was thematically and statistically

analysed to determine the programme's role on new firm formation, job creation, and the quality

of life of beneficiaries and their families. The study found a positive impact of UYF's

entrepreneurship education and training programme on new firm formation (self-employment),

disposable income and the quality of life of the beneficiaries and their families. At the same time,

there was a negative impact towards reducing unemployment and creating jobs. Also, the

entrepreneurship education programme did not attract adequate participation by beneficiaries and

its curriculum content did not cover critical entrepreneurship skills. The findings show that more

interventions are required to enable to the Umsobomvu Youth Fund to deliver on its skills

development and job creation mandate better.


Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of the ultrasound criterion "non-marked hypoechogenicity" for malignancy and to determine whether classification of these nodules as TIRADS 3 could improve the overall accuracy of consequently adjusted M-TIRADS score. Materials and Methods: A total of 767 patients with 795 thyroid nodules were subject to ultrasonography examination and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy. Nodules were classified by Kwak TIRADS and modified (M-TIRADS) categories 4A, 4B, and 5 according to number of suspicious US features (marked hypoechogenicity, microlobulated or irregular margins, microcalcifications, taller-than-wide shape, metastatic lymph nodes). Non-marked hypoechoic nodules were classified as TIRADS 3. Results: Thyroid nodules were classified as TIRADS 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 in 14.5, 57.5, 14.2, 8.1, and 5.7%, respectively. Only histopathologic results (125 nodules underwent surgery) and highly specific cytology results (Bethesda II, VI) were accepted as a standard of reference, forming a sub-cohort of 562/795 nodules (70.7%). Malignancy was found in 7.7%. Overall, M-TIRADS showed sensitivity/specificity of 93.02/81.31%, and for PPV/NPV, these were 29.2/99.29%, respectively (OR—18.62). Irregular margins showed the highest sensitivity and specificity (75.68/93.74%, respectively). In TIRADS 3 category, 37.2% nodules were isoechoic, 6.6% hyperechoic, and 52.2% hypoechoic (there was no difference of malignancy risk in hypoechoic nodules between M-TIRADS and Kwak systems—0.9 vs. 0.8, respectively). Accuracy of M-TIRADS classification in this cohort was 78.26% vs. 48.11% for Kwak. Conclusions: The non-marked hypoechoic nodule pattern correlated with low risk of malignancy; classification of these nodules as TIRADS 3 significantly improved the predictive value and overall accuracy of the proposed M-TIRADS scoring with malignancy risk increase in TIRADS 4 categories by 20%; and no significant alteration of malignancy risk in TIRADS 3 could contribute to reducing overdiagnosis, obviating the need for FNA.


In a hidden Markov model, one "estimates" the state of the hidden Markov chain at t by computing via the forwards-backwards algorithm the conditional distribution of the state vector given the observed data. The covariance matrix of this conditional distribution measures the information lost by failure to observe directly the state of the hidden process. In the case where changes of state occur slowly relative to the speed at which information about the underlying state accumulates in the observed data, we compute approximately these covariances in terms of functionals of Brownian motion that arise in change-point analysis. Applications in gene mapping, where these covariances play a role in standardizing the score statistic and in evaluating the loss of noncentrality due to incomplete information, are discussed. Numerical examples illustrate the range of validity and limitations of our results.


The effect of pressure on chemical interactions in molecular mixtures is important for problems spanning fundamental chemistry, planetary science, and materials science. Diamond-anvil cell studies reveal pressure-induced chemistry in the CH4-H2 system. The system, which has no known compounds at ambient conditions, formed four molecular compounds, CH4(H2)2, (CH4)2H2, CH4(H2)4, and CH4H2, at pressures up to 10 gigapascals. These have been characterized by synchrotron single-crystal x-ray diffraction, polycrystalline x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and visual observation. Although CH4(H2)2 crystallizes in the MgZn2-type, hexagonal Laves phase structure, (CH4)H2 has a body-centered tetragonal structure that is similar to that of Al2Cu. The 1:1 and 1:2 compounds are stable to at least 30 gigapascals.


We present Cart, a new approach towards articulatedobject manipulations by human commands. Beyond the existing work that focuses on inferring articulation structures, we further support manipulating articulated shapes to align them subject to simple command templates. The key of Cart is to utilize the prediction of object structures to connect visual observations with user commands for effective manipulations. It is achieved by encoding command messages for motion prediction and a test-time adaptation to adjust the amount of movement from only command supervision. For a rich variety of object categories, Cart can accurately manipulate object shapes and outperform the state-of-the-art approaches in understanding the inherent articulation structures. Also, it can well generalize to unseen object categories and real-world objects. We hope Cart could open new directions for instructing machines to operate articulated objects. Code is available at https://github.com/dvlab-research/Cart.


Conducting life cycle assessments, or LCAs, involves many uncertainties, including those related to the factor of time. Time is very important in the environmental assessment of housing, because of the relatively long service life of houses. During a house's service life many changes occur, which are not usually considered in today's LCAs. Nevertheless this is of major importance in order to be able to make complete and accurate environmental assessments of housing. The aim of this article is to identify and classify the aspects belonging to the factor of time and to select solutions to handle these aspects in LCAs. On the one hand a difference is made between a static and a dynamic approach. On the other hand construction, demolition and frequency are distinguished. Six aspects of the factor of time resulted: design, production technology, redesign, waste treatment technology, technical service life and functional service life. So far only static factors are taken into account in LCAs, and only partly. To involve all the static aspects as well as to include the dynamic aspects, relationships between the six aspects of the factor of time have been defined and the most suitable solutions are assigned to the different groups of aspects, including scenarios, sensitivity analyses, turning points and potentials.


Massive Open Online Courses are viewed by some as a gamechanger, radically shifting expectations around the ways in which people can access education (Daniel, 2012). But there are questions around whether and how MOOCs radically shift learning. A MOOC is an online course, free of charge and open to anyone regardless of their pre-requisite knowledge or qualifications. As such they have the potential to transform – or even destabilise – societies, since learning and education play a central role in societal development (Brennan, King & Lebeau, 2004; Hardt & Negri, 2003).
Many analyses of MOOCs agree that open courses are potentially threatening to current models of Higher Education (OBHE, 2013, p. 5). MOOCs disrupt the traditional form of course delivery to residential campus-based students and open up opportunities for for-profit education providers to offer scaled-up courses (ibid p. 48). The response from universities has been attempts at agile innovation, testing business models and pursuing brand enhancement through open courses. There has been a marked escalation in the number of MOOCs offered by universities over the two-year period 2011-2013. MOOC learner experiences have been reported as (largely) positive, emphasising the expansion of learner access, learner empowerment, relationship building with individuals who may want to extend their studies through enrolment on formal educational programmes (ibid).

Despite the excitement, conflicting perspectives around MOOCs divide education communities. Not all learning professionals agree the value of MOOCs, voicing concerns around instructional design, quality and accreditation (ibid). Learning researchers have evidence of poor engagement in online learning by those learners who have relatively low levels of digital literacies (Kop & Fourier, 2011) and may have limited ability to self-regulate their learning (Milligan, Littlejohn, & Margaryan, 2013). Other researchers are critical that many MOOCs are based on the production and consumption of 'formal educational content', missing opportunities to empower learners to self-direct their own learning (see Fiedler, this volume). The ability of learners to direct their own learning could trigger a significant shift in the position of the academy in society, therefore it is not surprising that universities may want to influence the direction of MOOC development.
This chapter examines potential benefits and limitations of MOOCs, using a case example of a major MOOC initiative: edX. The chapter begins by examining conflicting perspectives around MOOCs from the literature. Then the HarvardX course design workflow model is outlined. HarvardX is the centre of a variety of activities at Harvard University associated with Open Educational Resources and open courses. The first five HarvardX MOOCs are described and learner behaviours in these MOOCs are analysed. Finally, the benefits and limitations of open courses are reported.


News reading has changed from the traditional model of hardcopy newspapers to online news access. Thousands of news sources are available on internet each having millions of articles to choose from, leaving users tangled to find out a relevant article that matches their interests and liking. Recommender Systems can be used as a solution to this information overload problem by identifying the interest areas of a user by creating user profiles, maintaining those profiles to keep accommodating changing user interests and presenting a set of recent news articles formed as recommendations based on those user profiles. This paper presents an algorithm, which requests one time input from users (during the signup) about their preference of news categories (like Sports, Entertainment etc.), which they would like to subscribe and creates a personalized profile for each user. Subsequently, it requests an optional feedback on the recommended articles, to intelligently update user profiles, and recommend relevant articles to them, based on their changing interests. The paper also presents a simulation of the proposed algorithm on various use cases to depict the correctness and robustness of the algorithm. Also, it gives a brief idea about implementation details and challenges associated


: Data on pathological manifestations of hydranencephaly (3 cases) consisting of complete or nearly complete absence of cerebral hemispheres with the intact stem, cerebellum, spinal cord, meninges and skull bones are presented. A number of structural disorders were found in the remaining structures of the brain. A hypothesis on the origin of this central nervous system developmental defect is proposed: hydranencephaly is associated with disorders in the development of leptomeninges at the early stages of embryogenesis.


A reduction in leaf stomatal conductance (g) with increasing leaf-to-air difference in water vapour pressure (D) is nearly ubiquitous. Ecological comparisons of sensitivity have led to the hypothesis that the reduction in g with increasing D serves to maintain leaf water potentials above those that would cause loss of hydraulic conductance. A reduction in leaf water potential is commonly hypothesized to cause stomatal closure at high D. The importance of these particular hydraulic factors was tested by exposing Abutilon theophrasti, Glycine max, Gossypium hirsutum and Xanthium strumarium to D high enough to reduce g and then decreasing ambient carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]), and observing the resulting changes in g, transpiration rate and leaf water potential, and their reversibility. Reducing the [CO2] at high D increased g and transpiration rate and lowered leaf water potential. The abnormally high transpiration rates did not result in reductions in hydraulic conductance. Results indicate that low water potential effects on g at high D could be overcome by low [CO2], and that even lower leaf water potentials did not cause a reduction in hydraulic conductance in these well-watered plants. Reduced g at high D in these species resulted primarily from increased stomatal sensitivity to [CO2] at high D, and this increased sensitivity may mediate stomatal responses to leaf hydraulics at high D.


Abstract We verify the Selberg eigenvalue conjecture for congruence groups of small squarefree conductor, improving on a result of Huxley [M. N. Huxley, Introduction to Kloostermania, in: Elementary and analytic theory of numbers, Banach Center Publ. 17, Warsaw (1985), 217–306.]. The main tool is the Selberg trace formula which, unlike previous geometric methods, allows for treatment of cases where the eigenvalue 1/4 is present. We present a few other sample applications, including the classification of even 2-dimensional Galois representations of small squarefree conductor.


ABSTRACT The barefoot entrepreneurship literature rarely acknowledges the role of space in the development of informal economic activities. However, the concept of liminal space, defined as a place of transition and largely discussed in geography, can provide a new conceptual lens through which the trajectories of barefoot entrepreneurs can be viewed. This interdisciplinary research leverages this perspective to raise the following question: How do barefoot entrepreneurs experience liminal spaces to engage in informal economic activities? To answer this question, this article explores how 10 homeless youths in New York City panhandle, steal, deal and prostitute themselves to survive. Drawing on a four-year ethnography and the use of geographic methods, we explain how these barefoot entrepreneurs experience liminal spaces. More precisely, we underline how these spaces are ambivalent places of becoming: on the one hand, they support the development of barefoot entrepreneurship; but on the other hand, they lead to 'entrepreneurial traps' in the sense that these activities tend to increase the entrepreneurs' marginality. Based on these results, we contribute to the literature on barefoot entrepreneurship, and to a better understanding of the implication of liminal spaces in entrepreneurial dynamics.


A new way of reading Dickinson's poetic experiments with gender has been offered by the work of Judith Butler and other cultural critics, who contend that gender is socially constructed and neither fixed nor essential. For Butler, gender is "the repeated stylization of the body, a set of repeated acts within a highly regulatory frame that congeal over time to produce the appearance of substance, of a natural sort of being" (Gender Trouble 33). Gender is constituted performatively through a stylised repetition of gestures and acts that establish rather than express a stable abiding gendered identity. This article focuses on those Dickinson poems that construct speakers who blur and confuse the regulatory distinction between the masculine and the feminine, which Butler argues constrains and limits the proliferation of alternative configurations of gender through different repetitions of acts (147-9). These gender-crossing poems can now be read as subversive in that, like drag and cross-dressing for Butler, they disrupt the illusion of gender identity as an essential inner substance by denaturalising and mobilising gender categories (136-8). I suggest that the subversion...


This paper describes the design of pragmatic-interpretation and dialogue-management modules in an automatic enquiry system that can be consulted through spoken natural language over the telephone. The system is designed around a central multi-level data structure representing the discourse that has unfolded during the dialogue. At the highest level of this discourse representation the information exchange is represented as a series of information-state changes or updates. Several conditions in the information state itself give rise to actions of the dialogue manager. The dialogue manager is designed to achieve the user's goal in a manner that is understandable to the user, efficient and correct. This is not a trivial problem because natural language and, in particular, speech understanding lead to many uncertainties. To deal with uncertain information, we have designed feedback and verification mechanisms and means for contextual understanding, underspecification and pragmatic inferencing.


T his paper reviews the state of the art in Productions and Operations Management (POM) academic research regarding outsourcing in supply chain contexts. We first acknowledge the "Theory of the Firm" (ToF), the venerable and vast body of thought regarding where the firm draws the boundary between what it performs in-house and what it outsources. Despite the clear linkage between outsourcing and POM, the ToF literature is most closely associated with the fields of strategy and economics. This disconnect might in part be due to a difference in theoretical lenses and terminology, which we address for the POM audience by providing a ToF tutorial. Our review of publications by the POM community from 2000 to 2016 includes a framework that organizes the in-scope papers and a structured summary of each work. We partition the research into empirical/conceptual and analytical sub-literatures, each of which gets its own critical assessment and discussion of open opportunities. Along the way, we articulate the features of the POM lens that distinctively position POM researchers to contribute further to the ToF, a convergence which we hope to encourage through this study. A deeper conversation among strategy, economics, and POM would enrichen the rigor and the relevance of each field.


Fretting wear generated by flow induced vibration is one of the important degradation mechanisms of steam generator tubes in the nuclear power plants. Understanding of tube wear characteristics is very important to keep the integrity of the steam generator tubes to secure the safety of the nuclear power plants. Experimental examination has been performed for the purpose of investigating the impact fretting. Test material is alloy 690 tube and 409 stainless steel tube supports. From the results of experiments, wear scar progression is investigated in the case of impact-fretting wear test of steam generator tubes under plant operating conditions such as pressure of 15MPa, high temperature of 290C and low dissolved oxygen. Hammer imprint that is actual damaged wear pattern, has been observed on the worn surface. From investigation of wear scar pattern, wear mechanism was initially the delamination wear due to cracking the hard oxide film and finally transferred to the stable impact-fretting pattern.


A new method to assess attachment representations in children by applying a story completion procedure in doll play (SCPDP) is presented. Transmission and continuity of attachment were tested in 28 German families by using the Strange Situation procedure (SS) with the mother and her infant, the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) with the mother when the child is 5 years old, and the attachment representations (SCPDP) of the 6-year-olds. Relying on the twofold distinction (secure/insecure), results revealed a significant continuity of attachment from 1 to 6 years of age, and a correspondence between maternal AAI and child's attachment quality in SS, as well as a correspondence between maternal AAI and the 6-year-olds' attachment representations. Using configural frequency analysis, we found continuity in patterns of security and insecurity when looking across the measures of infant and pre-school attachment and maternal adult attachment. Processes underlying the high match of mothers' and children's attachment representations are discussed.


In many ways, the book of Habakkuk is unique in the Book of the Twelve Prophets. One of the reasons is that the Gattungen normally associated with prophetic literature are either absent or occur in unique forms. On the other hand, it has long since been recognised that wisdom motifs had a definite influence upon the book. This can be seen in the vocabulary, in many of the themes, in the dialogic character of the book, and even in the overall structure of the book. The purpose of this article is to illuminate the intertextual relations between Habakkuk and wisdom texts in the Old Testament, especially the so called sceptical wisdom. The importance of these motifs in determining the theological thrust of the book is discussed. It is shown that the recognition of these motifs has implications for the date of the book in its final form as well.


The authors turn down the concept of functional disease alluding to the experience of brilliant Russian clinicians and morphologies. Their reasoning is that the adoption of this concept interferes with the correct understanding of the nature and management of a given disease.


Condensation under the floor slabs of office rooms adjoining data centres is a serious concern because thermal comfort and information and communications technology equipment are both sensitive to high humidity levels. Surface condensation risk depends mainly on the surface energy balance and moisture content of ambient air. This paper describes an evaluation method for assessing condensation risk of indoor environment conditions and the effect of remedial measures and presents a strategy to solve the condensation risk problems using experimental measurements and numerical simulations. The condensation risks due to air temperature and humidity were calculated for two zones between information and communications technology server rooms and office areas. We analysed the structural insulation performance and space cooling conditions, supply air temperature of the information and communications technology server rooms. The change in indoor temperature of non-information and communications technology spaces was predicted to find the cause of the condensation state. The results show that application of floor slab insulation and high supply air temperature by the computer room air-conditioning unit can substantially increase the lowest temperature of the interior surfaces and the temperature factor and reduce indoor relative humidity, thus preventing surface condensation in the non-information and communications technology spaces adjacent to the information and communications technology server rooms.


In the past decade, precision hepatectomy which requires the understanding of segmental and subsegmental liver anatomy has gained popularity due to its parenchymal-sparing benefits. The importance of this concept has led liver surgeons to a consensus conference and its guideline in regards to precision anatomy in minimally invasive liver resection, held in Tokyo in 2020. A precise control of the sectoral hepatic artery and portal vein allows for a bloodless liver resection, without the use of Pringle maneuver. In the literature, technical description of the right anterior portal pedicle dissection during minimally invasive robotic liver surgery is limited. In this study, we therefore demonstrate such a technique using fluorescence guidance during robotic segment 8 superior liver resection.


The use of DNA markers in public sector plant breeding is now the norm. Such markers are common across breeding programs and this commonality enables and enhances collaboration. Therefore, large collaborative research projects that measure several phenotypes across multiple environments coupled with the expanding amount of genotype data attainable with current marker technologies are on the rise and these projects demand efficient data delivery. However, development of computational tools for advanced data integration, visualization, and analysis is still a bottleneck, even though these resources have the greatest potential impact for users who are extracting and developing hypothesis‐based solutions. The Hordeum Toolbox (THT) was developed as a data resource for the Barley Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) with the novel capability of constructing user‐defined downloadable sets of phenotype and/or genotype data for downstream analysis. Internal tools in THT enable users to create clusters of a selected group of lines based on genotype data, parse pedigrees, and select germplasm based on haplotype, phenotype, and agronomic properties. The Hordeum Toolbox can be adapted to breeding programs or collaborations to assist researchers in germplasm selection, genotype data visualization, and the integration of complex data sets for statistical analysis.


Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that i.v. Ig (IVIG) exposure triggers superoxide anion (O2−) generation by and increases bactericidal capacity of human blood granulocytes. However, the molecular interactions between IVIG and granulocytes have not been evaluated before. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of FcγRII and FcγRIII receptors in the immunomodulatory effects of IVIG concentrates on granulocytes. We found that four different IVIG preparations (concentration range, 1–10 mg/mL) shared the ability to stimulate O2− release in vitro by granulocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Dimers fractionated from IVIG were significantly more potent in inducing activity of the respiratory burst than were monomers. MAb (concentration range, 0.1–10 μg/mL) specific for FcγRII and FcγRIII receptors inhibited the IVIG-induced O2− release, with a more profound inhibitory effect observed with anti-FcγRIII. These findings suggest the involvement of Fcγ receptors in triggering O2− release by granulocytes exposed to IVIG. We also report that IVIG added to granulocyte suspensions elicited a rapid and vigorous increase in the concentration of cytosolic free calcium, a finding suggesting direct activation and not priming of granulocytes by IVIG through FcγRII and FcγRIII receptors. The in vitro effects described here might occur in patients treated with IVIG and may, in part, be responsible for inflammatory reactions evoked by infused Ig concentrates as well as the immunomodulatory effect of Ig in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.


Spelling analyses can be used to investigate sources of linguistic knowledge underlying children's literacy development and may be useful in predicting later achievement. This study explored the utility of six analysis metrics in predicting the spelling achievement of school-aged children with literacy learning difficulties via post-hoc analyses of data collected in a clinic. Participants were 48 children aged 7 to 12 years. Spelling accuracy was assessed using the Dalwood Spelling Test (Dalwood Assessment Centre, 2008) at baseline and 37–70 weeks later. Spelling attempts at baseline were analysed using metrics designed to quantify evidence of phonological, orthographic, and/or morphological awareness. Scores from each metric were associated with baseline and later conventional spelling accuracy. A metric which credits evidence of phonological, orthographic and morphological awareness shared a significantly stronger association with baseline conventional spelling accuracy as compared to the remaining metrics. There were no significant differences in the strength of associations among the baseline metrics and later spelling achievement. Supplementary analyses focused exclusively on children's spelling errors returned a similar pattern of results with a few notable exceptions. The utility of spelling analyses is discussed.


We extend the Abbott-Deser-Tekin procedure of defining conserved quantities of asymptotically constant-curvature spacetimes, and give an analogous expression for the conserved charges of geometries that are solutions of quadratic curvature gravity models in generic D dimensions and that have arbitrary asymptotes possessing at least one Killing isometry. We show that the resulting charge expression correctly reduces to its counterpart when the background is taken to be a space of constant curvature and, moreover, is background gauge invariant. As applications, we compute and comment on the energies of two specific examples: the three-dimensional Lifshitz black hole and a five-dimensional companion of the first, whose energy has never been calculated before.


The fundamental value of higher education must ensure students' foster and attribute a spirit of inquiry that stimulates creativity, imagination and innovation. A quality student experience must equip graduates with essential generic foundation skills of analytical reasoning and critical thinking. Commitment to different teaching and learning approaches are required in respect of all higher education programmes. Storytelling provides capacity to bring together ideas, facts in a sharpened focus, helping the listener to picture a personal situation through his or her eyes (Emden, 1998). In a personal journey of discovery and experimentation the author attempted to sharpen that focus and foster higher order cognitive skills for her students, and proceeded to write 'my story'. The origins of 'my story' was of a true life experience, as a parent and a qualified professional accessing and utilising the healthcare system with her daughter. Emden (1998) stated that storytelling has the ability to cross individual, cultural and educational differences making it more powerful than other types of information and learning. This paper outlines how 'my story' was enacted through role play with the assistance of two colleagues, delivered and critiqued by a class of undergraduate final year student nurses. As we continue to inhabit a fast paced, technologically driven sophisticated complex society, we need to take time to listen and reflect upon personal experiences. Teaching strategies need to embrace reflection and critical thinking skills which emphasise the human aspect of caring through student centred approaches to learning. Narrative storytelling provided an exciting and different possibility for meeting learning outcomes of an ever expanding curriculum, whilst nurturing and enhancing reflective and critical thinking skills to gain a renewed understanding of the importance of listening and learning. Storytelling provides a creative, powerful and meaningful teaching and learning strategy for all disciplines to do just that; listen, reflect and learn.


This paper describes the architecture of COLLAGE, a planner that provides generality and flexibility in several dimensions of planning: it includes a range of planconstruction methods, utilizes a flexible localized search technique, and is currently being extended to allow plan construction to be performed at varying times relative to plan execution. Our paper begins with a characterization of planning in terms of a five-dimensional spectrum of planning features. We then describe how traditional planning and more recent planning methods fit within this characterization. The rest of the paper focuses on COLLAGE and how it can embody several points within the planning spectrum.