This study examines the migration experiences of Chinese migrants in Ireland. In particular, the study explores the changing values and religions during their cross-cultural adaptation, including the interactive influences between their Chinese traditional values, Christianity and their daily life. This study follows a grounded theory approach, where 22 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with Chinese migrants recruited by a snowball sampling strategy. Data analysis used the grounded theory process of systematic coding, categorisation and memoing with findings grounded in participants' lived experience.
Findings suggest that personal values and religion have a fundamental influence on a migrant's life, such as migration motivation, attitudes towards discrimination experiences and engagement with Irish mainstream society. This study revealed both three patterns of value migration: retaining traditional values, changing and transforming at a deep level to a different value system. Either conflict, compatibility or tolerance during values migration takes place to various extents. In turn, the new values impact on individuals in their reported behaviours, attitudes and interaction with the Irish host society.
Fresh perspectives on Chinese migrants also emerge in the findings, such as non-economic migration motivation and conversion to Christianity, a foreign religion in Chinese culture. Particularly, it sheds light on 'Bible lens' takers, who are transformed in their personal religion during cross-cultural adaptation in this study. From a values perspective, findings indicate that the migrants, experiences are multifaceted and their experiences relate to discrimination, homesickness, loneliness, cultural barriers, and language difficulties encountered in the acculturation process. Finally, research participants pursue the meaning of life, and this orientation leads towards two ends: to satisfy personal life needs at a pragmatic level and life goals at a spiritual level. Overall, this study is opportune as it meets the call for in-depth migrant research in Ireland at a time when Ireland is transforming into a more diverse society, as well as contributing to paradigm shifting in acculturation research.


It has been reported that acrylamide can be detected in starchy food treated by high temperature (120 °C). People could be exposed to acrylamide in factory, laboratory, or even in daily life via diet and drinking water. Recently, the toxicity of acrylamide receives more attention. In addition to the neurotoxicity in humans, other toxic effects of acrylamide are worth further investigation. In this study, we investigated whether acrylamide affected the male reproductive system using high-performance liquid chromatography. In this study, the reproductive toxicity of acrylamide was observed in 3-week-old weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with acrylamide at various doses (0, 5, 15 or 30 mg/kg/day). The results showed that food availability and reproductive organ indexes of the weaning male rats decreased. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone in serum increased while luteinizing hormone in serum decreased. The histopathological lesions and abnormal sperms presented in weaning rats after acrylamide treatment. The results suggested that there is a toxicological effect of acrylamide on the reproductive system of weaning male rats. Based on the findings above, we suggested that more attention should be paid to the toxicological study of acrylamide on weaning male rats or human beings, rather than just on adult male animals.


This paper explores the traces of the influence of the Latin grammatical tradition on the 19th-century descriptions of the Basque declension. For the purposes of the paper I describe that influence according to the following features: (1) the two-way distinction between singular and plural, with no mention of the indefinite number or mugagabe, and (2) the adaptation of the Basque case system to the six Latin cases. In the first decades of the 19th century, authors like Astarloa, Humboldt and Darrigol proposed some new ways of describing the Basque declension, which achieved a considerable success. Nevertheless, the weight of the Latin model remained strong, and it is clear that most of the 19th-century Basque grammarians who followed the Latin model were directly influenced by Larra men di: Garay de Monglave, Blanc, Lardizabal and Ribary. However, some of the authors discussed here do not reveal such an influence: Hiriart and Geze.


This paper proposes a novel interference-resistant receiver for wideband long-term evolution (LTE) system which employs orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) for the downlink. In case the received spectrum is underutilized, compressed sensing (CS) enables us to operate at a sub-Nyquist sampling rate for lower device cost, higher data transmission rate and faster spectrum sensing speed. To improve the receiver performance under a mutually interfering and noisy environments, a resource block (RB)-detection based iterative interference cancellation algorithm for LTE OFDMA signals is presented. Active RBs are blindly detected in order to improve performance of the proposed CS-based receiver. Specifically, the RBs of active users are estimated by minimum mean square error (MMSE) and those of interference users are estimated via ℓ1- norm minimization in a semi-blind manner, both in compressive signal domain. By canceling the interferences directly from compressive measurements iteratively, the proposed algorithm improves the estimates of both the desired and interfering signals. Simulation results indicate that such an interference-resistant receiver yields significant gains in bit error rate at low sampling rates.


Fast analog circuit design and rapid prototyping is increasingly required in mixed-signal designs to keep pace with the digital part in order to meet stringent time to market constraints. In order to achieve these goals heavy reliance on analog design automation and prototyping platforms is required. This paper presents an analog circuit multiobjective design methodology combined with a reconfigurable analog platform. The complete prototyping system is composed of Field-Programmable Analog Arrays (FPAAs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) on which the synthesized designs are implemented and validated in order to optimize the desired analog circuit. Compared with simulation based methodologies important gains in total design time are achieved. We applied this methodology on a case study of a rejecter filter.


Part I. A study of some synthetic routes to santonin. Mukherjee's preparation of ethyl alpha-(4-methyl-3-oxo-cyclohexyl)propionate has been shortened and the overall yield raised considerably. The preparation of the hitherto unknown 1-chloro- and l-diethylaminopent-1-en-3-one is described. Attempts to condense these compounds with 2-methylcyclohexanone and with ethyl alpha-(4-methyl-3-oxo-cyclohexyl)propionate were unsuccessful. Condensation of the latter with l-diethylaminopentan-3-one affords ethyl alpha-(2:3:4:5:6:7:8:10-octahydro-1:10-dimethyl-2-oxo-7-naphthyl)propionate: the best conditions for the reaction have been determined. The bromination-dehydrobromination of ethyl alpha-(2:3:4:5:6:7:8:10-octahydro-1:10-dimethyl-2-oxo-7-naphthyl)-propionate has been studied - ethyl alpha-(2:3:4:5:6:10-hexa-hydro-1:10-dimethyl-2-oxo-7-naphthyl)propionate is the product in all cases. An attempt to convert the latter to dihydrosantonin was not successful. Several other approaches to the santonin structure have been studied, but a satisfactory synthesis has not been found. Part II. The synthesis of some compounds analogous to santonin. Methyl 4-methyl-3-oxocyclohexyl acetate has been prepared for the first time by a modification of Mukherjee's procedure. Condensation with 1-diethylamino-pentan-3-one followed by hydrolysis gives 2:3:4:5:6:7:8 :10-octahydro-1:10-dimethyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid which yields 3:8-dibromo-2:3:4:5:6:7:8:10-octahydro-1:10-di-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid on bromination. Dehydrobromination and lactonisation then give the gamma lactone of 2:5:6:7:8:10-hexahydro-8-hydroxy-1:10-dimethyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid which is similar in structure to santonin, but lacks the methyl group at C11. Chemical and spectrographic evidence for this structure are provided. In the hope of preparing a second analogue, the gamma lactone of 2:5:6:7:8:10-hexahydro-8-hydroxy-10-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid, 2:3:4:5:6:7:8:10-octahydro-10-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid has been prepared. 3 :8-Dibromo-2:3 :4:5:6:7:8:10-octahydro-10-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid and the gamma lactone of 2:3:4:5:6:-7:8:10-octahydro-8-hydroxy-10-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthyl-acetic acid have been obtained from this acid, but could not be converted to the second analogue. The second isomer of 2:3:4:5:6 :7:8:10-octahydro-10-methyl-2-oxo-7-naphthylacetic acid has also been prepared by a shorter route from 2-methylcyclohexanone.


because of factors such as prolonged rupture of membranes and repeated vaginal examinations are more at risk of infections.2 Fifteen patients (50%) in the group receiving prophylactic antibiotics and 23 (56%) of those not receiving prophylaxis had caesarean sections as emergency procedures. Although infection was more common in the patients having emergency operations compared with those having elective surgery, the difference was not significant (yX=191, df=l, 05>p>01). Eighty one per cent (61/80) of operations were performed using epidural analgesia. There were no respiratory infections-a measure of our anaesthetists' skill. In the group receiving no prophylaxis the total cost of antibiotics was LIr 98.01 while in those receiving prophylaxis the cost was £Ir 361.24, of which 85% (Hlr 307.60) was the cost of prophylactic antibiotics. However, the cost of a hospital bed (HIr 142 per day in our unit) far exceeds the cost of antibiotics. Mean length of postoperative stay of those who received prophylaxis was 9 2 days (SD 1 5) and of those who did not 8 4 days (SD 1-4) (Wexford Hospital statistics, 1988). This difference was significant (O Ol>p>0 05) and may be related to skin suture techniques. Patients not having prophylactic antibiotics had subcuticular plain catgut suture 2, whereas the others had interrupted non-absorbable sutures or clips that required removal before discharge.


Carcinomas begin with a single transformed cell in an otherwise normal epithelial monolayer. To study the nature of interactions between a transformed cell and its neighbours at this initial stage of tumourigenesis a tetracycline-inducible system driving expression of a constitutively active form of oncogenic Ras (RasV12) was established in MDCK epithelial cells by the Fujita laboratory. Upon interaction with normal cells, RasV12 cells most commonly undergo apical extrusion from an epithelial monolayer. In order to identify proteins and pathways involved in interactions between normal and transformed cells, I have performed several biochemical screens described in this thesis. Firstly, I have shown that Hsp90β, identified previously in a 2D gel screen, is increased in RasV12 cells surrounded by normal neighbours in a non-cell-autonomous fashion. By using inhibitors and a dominant negative form of Hsp90, I have shown that upregulation of this chaperone is most likely a part of a stress response delaying extrusion of transformed cells. Secondly, I have performed a screen for tyrosine phosphorylated proteins and identified myosin IE and plectin as modified in mixed cultures of normal and transformed cells. Finally, I have undertaken quantitative mass spectrometry of phosphorylated peptides using SILAC labelling to assess changes in RasV12 cells upon their interaction with normal cells. In this screen I have found that an actin anticapping protein, VASP, is phosphorylated on serine 239 in RasV12 cells interacting with normal cells. This modification is known to inhibits its related to actin function. I have shown that depletion of VASP in RasV12 cells results in their enhanced extrusion from normal monolayers, most likely due to their compromised attachment. The phosphorylation on serine 239 may be an early step in extrusion, contributing to disassembly of focal adhesions and stress fibres in transformed cells. I have also studied the role of another protein identified in the SILAC screen, MRCKβ, and shown that its depletion results in enhanced extrusion of RasV12 cells from normal monolayers.


This article presents descriptive findings from the Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS). OIS is the first Canadian study to examine the incidence and characteristics of reported maltreatment. The study is based on a survey form completed by child protection workers on a representative sample of 2,447 investigated children. OIS found an incidence rate of reported maltreatment of 21 per thousand children, and a 27% substantiation rate. These rates are compared to those in the United States.


The partial sequence of the increasing capillary permeability protein (ICPP) purified from Vipera lebetinavenom revealed a strong homology to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A. We now report its complete amino acid sequence determined by Edman degradation and its biological effects on mouse and human vascular endothelial cells. ICPP is a homodimeric protein linked by cysteine disulfide bonds of 25115 Da revealed by mass spectrometry. Each monomer is composed of 110 amino acids including eight cysteine residues and a pyroglutamic acid at the N-terminal extremity. ICPP shares 52% sequence identity with human VEGF but lacks the heparin binding domain and Asn glycosylation site. Besides its strong capillary permeability activity, ICPP was found to be a potent in vitro angiogenic factor when added to mouse embryonic stem cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ICPP was found to be as potent as human VEGF165 in activating p42/p44 MAPK, in reinitiation of DNA synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and in promoting in vitro angiogenesis of mouse embryonic stem cells. All these biological actions, including capillary permeability in mice, were fully inhibited by 1 μm of a new specific VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ZM317450) from AstraZeneca that belongs to the anilinocinnoline family of compounds. Indeed, up to a 30 times higher concentration of inhibitor did not affect platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, FGF-2, insulin, α-thrombin, or fetal calf serum-induced p42/p44 MAPK and reinitiation of DNA synthesis. Therefore, we conclude that this venom-derived ICPP exerts its biological action (permeability and angiogenesis) through activation of VEGF receptor signaling (VEGF-R2 and possibly VEGF-R1).


Exploiting the scale and architectural qualities of the abandoned TK Maxx store, the exhibition will include a range of contemporary art practice, but with an emphasis on sculpture, film and audio-visual work. It will include work by recent graduates selected from northern art schools, and other young artists, together with a number of more established international artists. Located in the empty shell of a former shopping space, the project exists in the context of economic recession and attempts by local authorities, business and commercial developers to disguise economic decline, commercial inactivity and property blight with a facade of cultural activity. The Plaza Principle will include attempts to create a critical framework within which to acknowledge and critique its own complicity in such processes.

The Plaza Principle is curated by Chris Bloor and Derek Horton.
Derek Horton is an artist, writer and publisher and Chris Bloor is an artist and the Head of Contemporary Art at Leeds Metropolitan University.


Summary: A mutant (strain LLD-15) of Bacillus stearothermophilus strain LLD-R, that lacks L-lactate dehydrogenase activity was studied in anaerobic single-stage continuous culture using a defined minimal medium for its capacity to produce ethanol from sucrose at 70 °C. Cultures were stable at neutral pH, dilution rates below 0.25 h−1 and sucrose concentrations below 15 g l−1, producing mainly ethanol, CO2, formate and acetate plus a little succinate. The data obtained were used to estimate the maintenance energy coefficient at 70 °C and showed that the relative fluxes through the pyruvate-formate lyase (PFL) pathway and an anaerobic pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) pathway were about equal, though the later predominates at low dilution rates. At higher dilution rates or at acid pH, L-lactate became the major anaerobic product due to takeover by wild-type revertants. Reversion occurred only above a critical specific sucrose consumption rate of 4.2 g sucrose h−1 (g cells)−1 at pH 7, at which point pyruvate production was also seen. This can be attributed to saturation of the PFL pathway and PDH pathways by increasing glycolytic flux and consequent accumulation of intracellular pyruvate. The growth rate then declines, but a small population of revertant LLD-R cells would always be present in the bioreactor since the mutation in the L-lactate dehydrogenase gene has a significant reversion rate. These revertants have no selective advantage below the critical sugar uptake rate, but at higher rates they divert excess pyruvate to L-lactate, so their growth is unimpaired and they take over in the culture. At lower pH, growth restriction and reversion occur at low sucrose consumption rates due to difficulty in excreting acetic and formic acids against a pH gradient.


Stanley Fischer served as First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund from 1994 to 2001. IMF Essays from a Time of Crisis collects sixteen essays written for the most part during his time at the IMF, each updated with Fischer's later reflections on the issues raised. The IMF drew much criticism for some of its actions during Fischer's tenure, and he vigorously defends the "battlefield medicine" practiced by the IMF during a series of economic crises, which included the problems of economic transition in the former Soviet bloc and the Asian financial crisis. Fischer addresses the subsequent calls for reform of the international financial system and makes the case for the IMF as an international lender of last resort. The first section of essays, "The Role of the IMF and the Reform of the International Financial System," considers the IMF's role in the international financial system in light of the crises of the 1990s. The second section, "Macroeconomic Policy, Stabilization, and Transition," examines such topics as exchange rate regimes, inflation, and Eastern Europe's relation to the European Union. The final section, "Poverty and Development," reflects Fischer's basic belief that economic policies should explicitly target poverty reduction. These engaging and accessible essays will appeal not only to economics students, economists, and policymakers but also to the general reader interested in the international monetary system.


One of the principal disadvantages of the passive pill as a telemetric method for measuring various physiological parameters has been its restricted range. The reasons for the restricted range with existing detection methods are discussed. An improved method using a locking spectrometer based on third-order phase-sensitive detection is described and its performance is assessed. A significant increase in the usable range of a high sensitivity passive pill is obtained.


Genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of cancer have proven to be of great value for basic and translational research. Although CRISPR‐based gene disruption offers a fast‐track approach for perturbing gene function and circumvents certain limitations of standard GEMM development, it does not provide a flexible platform for recapitulating clinically relevant missense mutations in vivo. To this end, we generated knock‐in mice with Cre‐conditional expression of a cytidine base editor and tested their utility for precise somatic engineering of missense mutations in key cancer drivers. Upon intraductal delivery of sgRNA‐encoding vectors, we could install point mutations with high efficiency in one or multiple endogenous genes in situ and assess the effect of defined allelic variants on mammary tumorigenesis. While the system also produces bystander insertions and deletions that can stochastically be selected for when targeting a tumor suppressor gene, we could effectively recapitulate oncogenic nonsense mutations. We successfully applied this system in a model of triple‐negative breast cancer, providing the proof of concept for extending this flexible somatic base editing platform to other tissues and tumor types.


By measuring the increments of dielectric capacitance (ΔC) and dissipation (Δtan δ) during physical vapor deposition of a 110 nm film of a molecular glass former, we provide direct evidence of the mobile surface layer that is made responsible for the extraordinary properties of vapor deposited glasses. Depositing at a rate of 0.1 nm s-1 onto a substrate at Tdep = 75 K = 0.82Tg, we observe a 2.5 nm thick surface layer with an average relaxation time of 0.1 s, while the glass growing underneath has a high kinetic stability. The level of Δtan δ continues to decrease for thousands of seconds after terminating the deposition process, indicating a slow aging-like increase in packing density near the surface. At very low deposition temperatures, 32 and 42 K, the surface layer thicknesses and mobilities are reduced, as are the kinetic stabilities.


End-to-end reinforcement learning agents learn a state representation and a policy at the same time. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have been trained successfully as reinforcement learning agents in settings like dialogue that require structured prediction. In this paper, we investigate the representations learned by RNN-based agents when trained with both policy gradient and value-based methods. We show through extensive experiments and analysis that, when trained with policy gradient, recurrent neural networks often fail to learn a state representation that leads to an optimal policy in settings where the same action should be taken at different states. To explain this failure, we highlight the problem of state aliasing, which entails conflating two or more distinct states in the representation space. We demonstrate that state aliasing occurs when several states share the same optimal action and the agent is trained via policy gradient. We characterize this phenomenon through experiments on a simple maze setting and a more complex text-based game, and make recommendations for training RNNs with reinforcement learning.


Vehicle crashworthiness focuses on the capability of a vehicle to protect its occupants in a collision. The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code [2] does not provide design criteria for vehicle occupant safety except by field testing. The test-guided product development process is very costly and time-consuming. As an alternative, computer simulation tools are increasingly being used. The aim of this research is to contribute to the efficient design of traffic light poles by developing an experimentally calibrated, computer-based, finite-element model using LSDYNA [54], capable of predicting accurately their response when subjected to vehicle impact. The case of steel pole embedded directly in soil was proved to be strong enough to offer protection under service loading and vehicle impact. Side impact crashed proved to be more severe for the vehicle occupant as a result of the weak structural performance of the side doors of the vehicle. Based on this an innovative pole supported on a hard rubber base is introduced to improve crashworthiness.


Abstract The Laingsburg depocenter of the SW Karoo Basin, South Africa, includes a series of sandstone-dominated deepwater clastic deposits (units A and B of the Laingsburg Formation and Unit C to Unit G of the overlying Fort Brown Formation) separated vertically by regional mudstones and records basin-floor to upper-slope deposition during the Permian icehouse climate. Unit C provides nearly continuous exposures over tens of kilometers, and the presence of regionally persistent internal mudstone markers (lower and upper C mudstones) allows the distribution of sedimentary facies and architectural elements of a slope-turbidite system to be documented for more than 30 km downslope and 20 km across slope. The spatial and temporal distribution of architectural elements and interpreted depositional environments (external levees, channel belts confined by a combination of basal erosion and overbank aggradation along the margins, and distributive frontal splays) reveals distinct changes in the sedimentation pattern and stratal architecture of the turbidite system through time. Unit C evolved in a stepwise manner from a weakly incised, levee-confined channel belt and its downdip distributive frontal splays (C1), through a more entrenched and sinuous channel–levee complex set that fed submarine fans farther into the basin (C2), to a regionally backstepping package of thin-bedded deposits of a distal distributive system (C3). Unit C is interpreted as a lowstand sequence set, composed of three depositional sequences, each of which includes a sandstone-dominated lowstand systems tract (C1, C2, and C3) and a mudstone-prone interval that is taken to represent the transgressive and highstand systems tracts. The overlying combined transgressive and highstand sequence set is marked by the 30-m-thick C–D mudstone interposed between Unit C and Unit D. Unit C and the C–D mudstone together form the Unit C composite sequence. At the scale of the Unit C lowstand sequence set, the evolutionary trend from C1 to C3 reflects an overall basinward then landward stepping of the system across the depositional profile, which is interpreted as the product of an overall waxing then waning of flow energy (volume and efficiency).


Background: Age related bone loss is widely accepted as related to decreased serum levels of circulating sex hormones. Epidemiological data also show distal radius fractures in men to be a sensitive marker of bone fragility. The aim of this study was to assess if men with a history of distal radius fracture have lower bone mass density (BMD), lower free androgen index (FAI), lower total testosterone (T) and lower bio-available testosterone (Bio-T) than healthy age-matched controls. Patients and methods: A case-control study is based on consecutive cases treated for low energy distal radius fracture at our department and age-matched controls. Thirty-nine men treated between 1997–2004 and 45 age-matched controls underwent calcaneal bone density measurements (t-score) and analyses of T, Bio-T and serum hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Results: The fracture group had lower BMD (p < 0.01) and lower FAI (p = 0.01). Linear regression analysis showed a correlation between Bio-T and t-scores (p = 0.03). Using analysis of covariance, a significant difference with lower Bio-T in the fracture group was shown. Conclusion: Bio-T seems to correlate with BMD in elderly men and may serve as a marker for increased fracture risk in this patient group.


This report presents the latest improvements in a recently developed nondestructive testing (NDT) technique for early detection of various flaws such as corrosion, delamination, and concrete cracking in reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks. The method, named Ultrasonic Guided Wave Leakage (UGWL) method by the developing authors, involves use of internal steel reinforcement (rebar) as a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic waves through the system and the measurement of leaked energy at the surface of the concrete. This report builds upon the progress made in the previously published phases of the project (M029 and M066), and aims to further explore the capabilities and practicality of the proposed NDT method. Specifically, efficient coupling of the sensors to the reinforcement and to concrete, durable embedment of sensors in field conditions, detection of corrosion development, benchmarking with halfcell potential (HCP) and chloride level tests, and suggestions for optimal sensor arrays are explored via laboratory and field testing. Results show that with careful placement of sensors and data interpretation, onset and progression of localized corrosion can be detected, which will be useful in developing deterioration models for RC bridge decks in the future. Results show that the UGWL results match well with chloride level tests and HCP testing predictions for potential for corrosion. For field applications, an angled seat made of fast-setting Hydrocal gypsum cement is recommended and it is projected that the optimal angle of attachment is 33 degrees or less from the vertical axis.


ABSTRACT Objective: 1) To study the quality of life in alcohol dependent patient, 2) to identify factors correlated with the quality of life in alcohol dependent patients, and 3) to study psychiatric comorbidity and its impact on quality of life in alcohol dependent patients. Method: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 100 alcohol dependent subjects who received psychiatric services at Siriraj and Sritanya Hospitals from September 2010 to February 2011. We used three instruments; 1) Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, Thai version (Th-DIGS), 2) Mini International Neuropsychiatric Structure Interview (M.I.N.I.-Thai version), and 3) Short-Form Thirty Six (SF-36 - Thai version) to assess psychiatric diagnosis and quality of life measurement by trained interviewers. Data analysis used mean, SD, unpaired t-test , one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation Result: The quality of life in alcohol dependent patients was lower than the general Thai population. The mean quality of life is maximum in the general health domain (mean score 49.95) and minimum in the physical functioning domain (mean score 25.35). Associated factors for high quality of life in alcohol dependent patients were good family relationship, good physical health, good financial status, being younger, fewer children, less alcohol consumption per day, no psychiatric comorbidity such as major depressive episode, dysthymia, hypomanic episode, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, current psychotic disorder and suicidality. The comorbidity psychiatric disorder rate was 69%. The top five disorder symptoms were lifetime psychotic disorder, major depressive episode, current psychotic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, dysthymia and suicidality at 25, 24, 17, 11, 9 and 9 % respectively. Conclusion: Alcohol dependent patients had lower quality of life than the general Thai population in all SF-36 domains. Associated factors in quality of life of alcohol dependent patients were; family relationship, physical health, financial status, age, number of children, amount of alcohol consumed per day and some psychiatric comorbidities. Lower level of these factors led to poor prognosis in alcohol dependent patients' treatment outcome.


Both Martian polar regions are covered by prominent ice caps. Similar to snow on Earth, the seasonal caps are extended layers of CO2 frost which grow and shrink over the seasons. In the respective summer season, much smaller permanent caps remain, which are underlain by 3km high topographic domes termed as polar layered deposits. The polar layered deposits consist mainly of H2O ice and have formed by exchange of water with the atmosphere over at least millions of years. Alternating layers of clear and dusty ice, which are exposed in surface troughs and close to the margin, indicate a complex climatic history of Mars driven by quasiperiodic changes of orbital elements, similar to the Milankovitch cycles on Earth. Likely
present-day glacial flow velocities are of the order of 0.1-1mma-1, the north polar deposits being more dynamic than the southern ones due to higher surface temperatures. Basal temperatures are far below the pressure melting point, with the possible exception of geothermally active areas under the ice.


A database consisting of 168 dipeptides and 140 tripeptides was constructed from published literature to study the quantitative structure--activity relationships of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. Two models were computed using partial least squares regression based on the three z-scores of 20 coded amino acids and further validated by cross-validation and permutation tests. The two-component model could explain 73.2% of the Y-variance (inhibitor concentration that reduced enzyme activity by 50%, IC50) with the predictive ability of 71.1% for dipeptides, while the single-component model could explain 47.1% of the Y-variance with the predictive ability of 43.3% for tripeptides. Amino acid residues with bulky side chains as well as hydrophobic side chains were preferred for dipeptides. For tripeptides, the most favorable residues for the carboxyl terminus were aromatic amino acids, while positively charged amino acids were preferred for the middle position, and hydrophobic amino acids were preferred for the amino terminus. According to the models, the IC50 values of seven new peptides with matchable primary sequences within pea protein, bovine milk protein, and soybean were predicted. The predicted peptides were synthesized, and their IC50 values were validated through laboratory determination of inhibition of ACE activity.


Vitamin D may influence prostate cancer risk, but evidence is inconsistent. We conducted a nested case–control study in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT). Cases (n = 1,128) and controls (n = 1,205) were frequency matched on age, first-degree relative with prostate cancer, and PCPT treatment arm (finasteride/placebo); African-Americans were oversampled and case/control status was biopsy confirmed. We selected 21 SNPs in vitamin D–related genes (VDR, GC, C10orf88, CYP2R1, CYP24A1, CYP27B1, DHCR7, and NADSYN1) to test genotype and genotype–treatment interactions in relation to prostate cancer. We also tested mean serum 25(OH)D differences by minor allele distributions and tested for serum 25(OH)D–genotype interactions in relation to prostate cancer risk. Log-additive genetic models (Bonferroni-corrected within genes) adjusted for age, body mass index, PSA, and family history of prostate cancer revealed a significant interaction between treatment arm and GC/rs222016 (finasteride OR = 1.37, placebo OR = 0.85; Pinteraction < 0.05), GC/rs222014 (finasteride OR = 1.36, placebo OR = 0.85; Pinteraction < 0.05), and CYP27B1/rs703842 (finasteride OR = 0.76, placebo OR = 1.10; Pinteraction < 0.05) among Caucasians, and C10orf88/rs6599638 (finasteride OR = 4.68, placebo OR = 1.39; Pinteraction < 0.05) among African-Americans. VDR/rs1544410 and CYP27B1/rs703842 had significant treatment interactions for high-grade disease among Caucasians (finasteride OR = 0.81, placebo OR = 1.40; Pinteraction < 0.05 and finasteride OR = 0.70, placebo OR = 1.28; Pinteraction < 0.05, respectively). Vitamin D–related SNPs influenced serum 25(OH)D, but gene-serum 25(OH)D effect modification for prostate cancer was marginally observed only for CYP24A1/rs2248359. In conclusion, evidence that vitamin D–related genes or gene-serum 25(OH)D associations influence prostate cancer risk is modest. We found some evidence for gene–finasteride interaction effects for prostate cancer in Caucasians and African-Americans. Results suggest only minimal associations of vitamin D with total or high-grade prostate cancer.


This research explores how some undergraduate students' experience reflection in their learning. The study is located within the interpretivist tradition and the research is based on two semi-structured interviews with eight undergraduate business students at two different stages in their programmes.

This study indicates that both traditional and contemporary theories of reflection can contribute to an understanding of how undergraduate business students experience reflection. For example, I found that all of these students experience reflection in ways in which the self is the object of performative development and this mirrors some of the contemporary theoretical constructions of reflection. Interestingly, whilst acknowledging the wide variety of benefits associated with reflection in learning, the participants in this study provide detailed accounts of tensions and issues that remain including performance, group work and locating reflection alongside disciplinary knowledge. In terms of reflection on employment, these undergraduates indicate that third party 'spillover effects' are a broad dimension of their reflections indicating how attuned these business students are to the needs of employers. The undergraduate students in this study accept and operationalise notions of responsibilisation, self-governance and self-discipline. I also found that, for final year students in this study, reflection is central to the process of forming pre-professional identity.

This is a small-scale study and I make no claims to generalisability or
representativeness. However, this dissertation not only adds to what is known
about how students' experience reflection, but also provides some evidence that might usefully be considered by curriculum designers, educators and staff developers. Primarily, I suggest that reflection should be repositioned within the higher education business curriculum. Specifically, I propose a new paradigm for business education in which reflection within the curriculum is oriented to more critical questioning of disciplinary traditions and assumptions and offers greater opportunities to critically reflect on social relations and global injustice. Secondly, I suggest, having undertaken this study, that curriculum design should accommodate greater discussion and support for undergraduates struggling with reflection on performance, group-work or within disciplinary conventions.


An approximate fourfold enhancement of X-ray generation per shot has been observed from a laser plasma after multiple laser shots onto a 2-mm-thick aluminum target produced ablation ("burn-through") over the thickness of the target. A table-top Nd:YAG laser with a pulse energy of 0.5 J, a pulse duration of 170 ps, a wavelength of 1.06 μm, and a 5-Hz repetition rate was utilized. Over multiple shots at an irradiance of 1015 W · cm-2, the peak hot electron temperature remained approximately constant at 6-7.5 ± 0.5 keV, indicating that the increased X-ray yield when the laser irradiates a burnt-through target results from an increase in the total number of hot electrons.


Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of Aspergillus disease recommend a multi-test approach including CT scans, culture, fungal biomarker tests, microscopy and fungal PCR. The first-line treatment of confirmed invasive aspergillosis (IA) consists of drugs in the azole family; however, the emergence of azole-resistant isolates has negatively impacted the management of IA. Failure to detect azole-resistance dramatically increases the mortality rates of azole-treated patients. Despite drug susceptibility tests not being routinely performed currently, we suggest including resistance testing whilst diagnosing Aspergillus disease. Multiple tools, including DNA sequencing, are available to screen for drug-resistant Aspergillus in clinical samples. This is particularly beneficial as a large proportion of IA samples are culture negative, consequently impeding susceptibility testing through conventional methods. Pyrosequencing is a promising in-house DNA sequencing method that can rapidly screen for genetic hotspots associated with antifungal resistance. Pyrosequencing outperforms other susceptibility testing methods due to its fast turnaround time, accurate detection of polymorphisms within critical genes, including simultaneous detection of wild type and mutated sequences, and—most importantly—it is not limited to specific genes nor fungal species. Here we review current diagnostic methods and highlight the potential of pyrosequencing to aid in a diagnosis complete with a resistance profile to improve clinical outcomes.


BACKGROUND
We compared the lactose hydrogen breath (lactose HBT) and lactose tolerance tests (LTT) in their ability to diagnose lactose malabsorption (LM).

METHODS
Fasting and post-lactose (50 g) breath hydrogen and blood sugar were tested in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Persistent rise in breath hydrogen by 20 ppm and failure of blood sugar to rise by >20 mg/dL above basal level, were considered positive lactose HBT and LTT, respectively. Symptoms of diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence were noted.

RESULTS
Of 203 patients, 11 demonstrated high basal breath hydrogen and hence, 192 (age 37+/-14 years, 134 male) were included in the study. 125 (65%) and 137 (71%) were lactose HBT and LTT positive, respectively. 102/125 lactose HBT positive patients were LTT positive and 35/67 lactose HBT negative patients were LTT positive. 62/192 (32%) developed symptoms following lactose ingestion, which tended to be more in the LTT positive (49/137, 36% vs. 13/55, 24% p=0.07) but not in the lactose HBT positive patients (44/125, 35% vs. 18/67, 27% p=0.2). Peak breath hydrogen was higher (38+/-37 vs. 66+/-43; p<0.01) in LTT positive than negative patients. Peak level of breath hydrogen inversely correlated (58+/-43 vs. 10+/-23; p<0.001) with change in blood glucose following lactose ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS
Positive LTT is associated with a higher breath hydrogen score than negative LTT. There was a trend towards more frequent symptom development following lactose load in LTT positive but not in lactose HBT positive patients. LTT is an easy and efficient test for diagnosis of LM.


A variety of highly functionalised N-containing polycycles (35 examples) are synthesised from simple indoles and aromatic ketones through a mild visible-light Paternò–Büchi process. Tetrahydrooxeto[2,3-b]indole scaffolds, with up to three contiguous all-substituted stereocenters, are generated in high yield (up to >98%) and excellent site- regio- and diastereocontrol (>20 : 1). The use of visible light (405 or 465 nm) ensures enhanced performances by switching off undesired photodimerisation side reactions. The reaction can be easily implemented using a microfluidic photoreactor with improved productivity (up to 0.176 mmol h−1) and generality. Mechanistic investigations revealed that two alternative reaction mechanisms can account for the excellent regio- and diastereocontrol observed.


Within the context of financialization, this empirical study sheds some light on the distributional aspects of the existing intra-capitalist conflict between financial and industrial capital and its concomitant impact, via investment, on the macroeconomy. In doing so, bounds-test cointegration techniques in conjunction with Granger causality tests provide the econometric framework upon which the respective models are tested. Annual time series were used spanning from 1971 to 2012, for the UK. The empirical evidence is in line with the theoretical exposition insofar as investment decisions by industry are significantly conditioned by industrial profit. Moreover, the distribution of profits between industry and finance, in conjunction with policy objectives, appears to be playing an instrumental role in affecting capital accumulation.
Key words: Financialization, Income distribution, Investment, Cointegration.JEL: B22, D33, E20.


Objective: To evaluate the correlation between the degree of mandibular incisor crowding, lower incisor position and vertical craniofacial configuration in different malocclusions.
Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Orthodontics department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2018.
Methodology: This study was conducted on 100 pre-treatment study casts and lateral cephalographs of orthodontic, aged 10 to 26 years. Patients who presented with complaints of lower incisors crowding were included in the study. The cephalogram tracings, calculations and lower incisor crowding measurements were taken. All the fifteen parameters of vertical craniofacial configuration, lower incisors position and sagittal skeletal base relationship were measured.
Result: Out of 100 patients, 45 were males and 55 were females with a mean age of 16.11 ± 3.53 years. According to this study, there was no statistically significant correlation between the degree of lower incisor crowding and vertical facial proportions and incisor position in studied malocclusions.
Conclusion: The lower incisor crowding was a local and independent discrepancy. It was a frequently encountered problem, successful therapy depends upon several contributing factors that must be identified for successful management.


Abstract Whole rock and secondary mineral 87Sr/86Sr determinations from ODP Holes 504B and 896A have been compiled into a profile for the upper 2 km of in situ ocean crust to constrain the composition and evolution of recharge and discharge fluids. There is a gradual trend from elevated 87Sr/86Sr whole rock ratios at the top of the crust towards primary MORB compositions at the base of the sheeted dykes. Rocks from the mineralized lava-dyke transition zone have 87Sr/86Sr ratios clustering in the range of black smoker fluids. Igneous and alteration phases are not in Sr-isotopic equilibrium, therefore whole rock strontium isotopic ratios reflect the proportion of secondary minerals and the extent of plagioclase recrystallization. The 87Sr/86Sr of anhydrite directly records the chemical evolution of seawater during recharge. There is a slight decrease in anhydrite 87Sr/86Sr with depth in the volcanic rocks but anhydrite from the lowermost dykes yields diabasic 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Epidotes in cross-cutting veins have higher 87Sr/86Sr than the background alteration recorded by amphibole in the lower dykes. This elevated signature reflects the 87Sr/86Sr of 504B black smoker-type fluids and requires less fluid evolution than the background alteration, suggesting channelling of recharge fluids locally.


The requirements elicitation is reported in the literature as essential to the success of software development projects. The existence of requirements patterns aimed at not only improving the quality of requirements specifications, but also the reuse of successful solutions of previous experience in new projects. In this paper, we present the results of a systematic literature mapping on requirements patterns. The results show that there is a diverse range of patterns for the process of requirements engineering, but there are still few studies addressing the requirements patterns that deal specifically with the documentation of software requirements.


A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between demographic
and psychosocial factors with physical activity levels of four hundred, 13 year-old adolescents in
Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) was used to
assess physical activity levels among the participants. The respondents comprised 41.8% males
and 58.2% females encompassing 56.2% Malays, 42.0% Chinese, and 1.8% Indians. More than one
third of the respondents were in the low physical activity level, most (61.5%) were in the moderate
category and only 3.0% were in the high physical activity level. Males were more physically
active than females (c2=23.667, p=0.0001). Female adolescents (45.1%) were twice as many as male
respondents (22.1%) to fall in the low physical activity level category. Physical activity level was
not correlated with ethnicity, but there was a significant interaction effect of sex and ethnicity in
mean physical activity score (F=8.343, p=0.004) which indicated that Malay males had a higher
mean physical activity score compared to Chinese males while Chinese females had a higher
mean physical activity score than Malay females. For psycho-social factors, physical activity was
positively correlated with physical activity self-efficacy (r=0.496, p=0.0001), peer influence (r=0.468,
p=0.0001), family influence (r=0.298, p=0.0001) and beliefs for physical activity outcome (r=0.207,
p=0.0001) while negatively associated with depression (r=-0.116, p=0.021) and body size discrepancy
(r=-0.143, p<0.01). Further, respondents who had a better perception of their current health status
were more physically active (c2=21.062, p=0.0001). However, physical activity was not correlated
with perception of weight status and body parts satisfaction. Multivariate analysis showed that
physical activity self-efficacy, sex and peer influence were found to be significant in explaining
physical activity among adolescents. Findings from this study suggest that physical activity
intervention should include physical activity self-efficacy and social influence components in
interventions designed to promote regular physical activity in adolescence.


A method for solving the problem of unwarping a distorted omni-image taken by a lateral-direction misaligned omni-camera with its optical axis incoincident with its mirror axis is proposed. The method does not conduct camera calibration and is based on a new concept of two-stage image mapping from the real-world space to the distorted im- age space. The first stage is conducted in the camera manufacturing process and includes the generation of a pano-mapping function for mapping the real-world space to an undistorted image taken by an omni- camera with its optical and mirror axes being coincident. The second stage is conducted in an in-field environment when the omni-camera becomes lateral-direction misaligned and includes the generation of a distortion-mapping function that maps undistorted image pixels to dis- torted ones and the generation of a misalignment adjustment table that combines the pano-mapping and distortion-mapping functions to map the real-world space to the distorted image space. The distortion map- ping function is generated by a new technique of curved quadrilateral morphing using quadratic pattern classifiers. The misalignment adjust- ment table is last used to unwarp distorted images conveniently by table lookup. Experimental results using simulated and real-image data show the feasibility of the proposed method. © 2009 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-


Approximately 211 million people live in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region. Although poverty levels in this region are high, there is a lack of cohesive information on the socioeconomic status of its populations that would enable decision-makers to understand different manifestations of poverty and design effective poverty alleviation programs. Hence, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in consultation with international and regional partners, has developed the Multidimensional Poverty Measure for the Hindu Kush–Himalayas (MPM-HKH). This measure aims to identify and describe poor and vulnerable households across the Hindu Kush–Himalaya region—which is predominantly rural and mountainous and covers several of the world's least developed countries—in a consistent manner. This article documents how the MPM-HKH was developed and demonstrates the utility of this approach, using Nepal as an example, by analyzing household survey data from 23 districts. The analysis gives important clues about differences in the intensity and composition of multidimensional poverty across these locations, which highlights the need for location-specific poverty alleviation strategies. The findings should help decision-makers to identify areas of intervention and choose the best measures to reduce poverty.


This article introduces and discusses the development of a low-cost Rapid Control Prototyping Platform (RCPP). The aim of RCPP is to automate design of control algorithm of electromechanical actuators and simultaneous implementation it into a target microprocessor. The RCPP is stand-alone system containing software tools and electronic hardware in order to provide all development steps from system identification, model-based control design and code generation up to hardware implementation. The system can be used for development of a torque, speed or position controller for low power electromechanical actuators especially in the area of automotive application. The hardware of the platform is based on a 16-bit microcontroller and includes essential power semiconductor switches, sensors and communication interfaces. The presented RCPP system supports Real-Time-Work interface of MATLAB/Simulink and Calibration Protocol for CAN-Bus communication.


Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of foreign students toward the use of medical cannabis (MC) for pain management. Methods: This study uses data collected from 549 foreign students from India (n = 289) and Middle Eastern countries mostly from Egypt, Iran, Syria, and Jordan (n = 260) studying medicine in Russia and Belarus. Data collected from Russian and Belarusian origin medical students (n = 796) were used for comparison purposes. Pearson's chi-squared and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Foreign students' country of origin and gender statuses do not tend to be correlated with medical student responses toward medical cannabis use. Students from Russia and Belarus who identified as secular, compared to those who were religious, reported more positive attitudes toward medical cannabis and policy change. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs toward medical cannabis among foreign students from India and Middle Eastern countries studying in Russia and Belarus, two countries who oppose its recreational and medicine use. Indian and Middle Eastern students, as a group, tend to be more supportive of MC than their Russian and Belarusian counterparts. These results may be linked to cultural and historical reasons. This study provides useful information for possible medical and allied health curriculum and education purposes.


Cu-Ti and Cu-B alloys were separately cast in vacuum arc melting furnace for alloying. These alloys were added to the copper melt of 1500K in the induction furnace and performed electromagnetic stirring at 1000rpm. The cast ingot(dia : 70mm, length : 100mm) was hot extruded with the extrusion ratio of 13:1 after heating at 1073K for 1 hour. The TiB 2 precipitates were observed in the extruded materials and the mean size of TiB 2 precipitates was found to be about 1.5µm. The volume fraction of TiB 2 varies due to the density difference between the TiB2 and the copper melt. With the increasing of TiB2 contents from 3 to 8 vol.%, the hardness and the tensile strength increased from 951 to 140Hv and from 248 to 278MPa, respectively, and the electrical conductivity decreased from 82 to 70%IACS. However, the mean size of TiB 2 particle was not increased despite increasing an annealing temperature.


Significant advances have been made towards understanding the role of immune cell-tumor interplay in either suppressing or promoting tumor growth, progression, and recurrence, however, the roles of additional stromal elements, cell types and/or cell states remain ill-defined. The overarching goal of this NCI-sponsored workshop was to highlight and integrate the critical functions of non-immune stromal components in regulating tumor heterogeneity and its impact on tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. The workshop explored the opposing roles of tumor supportive versus suppressive stroma and how cellular composition and function may be altered during disease progression. It also highlighted microenvironment-centered mechanisms dictating indolence or aggressiveness of early lesions and how spatial geography impacts stromal attributes and function. The prognostic and therapeutic implications as well as potential vulnerabilities within the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment were also discussed. These broad topics were included in this workshop as an effort to identify current challenges and knowledge gaps in the field.


The etiology of neck masses is multifactorial, including genetical troubles, infections or tumoral lesions. A detailed medical history and a thorough physical check-up with the aid of analyses and imaging pictures properly selected, provide the doctor with the needle information in order to establish a correct diagnosis (table 1). We present the case of a young woman with lateral neck and supraclavicular adenopathies which diagnosis although sporadic must be keep in mind in daily clinic owing its growing incidence in last years.


The characteristics of binding to the chemotactic receptors on rabbit peritoneal neutrophils were examined for seven formyl peptide analogues. These receptor-binding characteristics were compared with the abilities of the analogues to induce the biological responses of degranulation and chemotaxis. Five of the analogues showed distinct functional heterogeneity in their receptor-binding patterns, whereas the two most potent compounds displayed homogeneous binding patterns. The relative potencies of the formyl peptide analogues for stimulation of degranulation correlated well with their relative potencies for high-affinity, but not low-affinity, binding. The biphasic patterns for stimulation of chemotactic migration were similar for the less potent analogues, and their potencies paralleled those for both degranulation and receptor binding. In contrast, the most potent analogues induced a greater maximal extent of chemotactic migration than the other compounds, but displayed a lower than expected potency (i.e. they required higher than expected concentrations). These anomalies in the patterns of the chemotactic response cannot be reconciled with a simple receptor model comprising two independent classes of receptors. Instead, a model comprising interconvertible states of different affinities is proposed. The state of higher affinity appears to play a central role in initiation of both degranulation and chemotaxis. The more potent formyl peptide analogues are thought to stabilize an activated, higher-affinity, state of the receptor; this can explain their greater efficacy in stimulating chemotaxis. The proposed model may also be applicable to other receptors that are coupled by a guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein to their associated effector.


The notice and comment process is often touted as a mechanism for establishing political accountability, and providing a check on agency decision-making. Based on a survey of three years of recently proposed tax regulations, this Article shows that many notice-and-comment processes for tax regulations have been ineffective for these purposes. Fully one-third of the time, no one participated. The few participants there are have been heavily weighted towards private interests, which commented on approximately two-thirds of all proposed regulations from 2013 through 2015. In contrast, public interest groups commented on less than 24% of proposed regulations. If the notice and comment process almost always fails to meet the ideal of robust and diverse participation, who is accountable for tax regulations?
I argue that Congress can and often does fill the void. Congress has special institutional capacity—in the form of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT)—to enact tax legislation that consists of detailed statutory directives that can leave few issues to be resolved by Treasury. These detailed tax statutes are often accompanied by legislative history that explicitly directs the substance of tax regulations. I make the case that these products of the tax legislative process often limit Treasury's policymaking discretion, and I detail instances of this sort of limited delegation. As a result, this "congressional control" model of tax rulemaking promotes political accountability and reliance on expertise, as well as taxpayer certainty.
I propose that Treasury, the IRS, and courts should give greater attention to the intricacies of the tax legislative process, and I suggest a presumption in the interpretation of tax statutes to accomplish this, the "JCT Canon." In short, when confronted with a statutory provision that does not fully determine necessary policy details, regulation-writers and the courts should follow the construction adopted by the JCT for its revenue estimates and in its explanations of statutory provisions. Indeed, this is most often already the accepted practice within Treasury, which frequently coordinates with the JCT staff. Explicit use of the JCT Canon by courts would create consistency across administrative and judicial interpretation and bolster the taxpayer-certainty benefits of congressional control, which is especially important in a system of self-assessment.


This study examined media dependency and information-seeking behaviour of Uyo residents during the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research method with questionnaire as an instrument for gathering data. The population of the study comprised of Akwa Ibom State residents based on the 2018 National Population Commission (NPC) projected census figure of 2006 taken at 3.4% yearly growth rate which gave the figure as 4,828,267. The researcher adopted the multi-stage sampling technique to select respondents for the study. A sample size of 500 was chosen using Comprey and Lee's sample guide. Out of 500 copies of the questionnaire distributed to respondents, 480 were returned and found useful for the study. The study found out that during health emergency situation like the covid-19 pandemic which was occasioned by anxiety, tension, fear and uncertainty, residents depended more on the media to obtain information that can help reduce tension and fear. The study recommends that the mass media should be objective, fair, honest and devoid of bias during health emergencies like covid19 pandemic since a lot of media audience rely on them for health updates.


Recent papers by prominent scholars in science and technology studies (notably John Law and Bruno Latour) have crystallized a fundamental disagreement about the scope and purpose of intervention in actor-network theory or what we here choose to bracket as empirical philosophy. While the precept of agnostic description is taken as a given, the desired effects of such descriptions are highly debated: Is the goal to interfere with the singularity of the real through the enactment of multiple and possibly conflicting ontologies? Or is it (also) to craft new and comprehensive common worlds supported by notions of due process and parliamentary procedure? In this paper we think about this disagreement as a question of research strategy (a normative discord about the desirable outcome of an intervention) in order to assess its implications for research tactics (a descriptive accord about the practical crafting of an adequate account). A key point here is to challenge the impermeability of such a division and show how the strategic dispute, if to be taken seriously, invariably spills over to swamp the level of tactics. To illustrate this point, we draw upon materials from our recent doctoral research projects and to facilitate the discussion we make two deliberate caricatures: Firstly, we operate with a simplified history of actor-network theory in which a strategy of epistemological critique has been replaced by two contending agendas for ontological intervention. Secondly, we address these two contending agendas as distinct options which map on to the positions of our two main interlocutors. In doing so, it becomes possible to compare their respective tactical implications as we work through two examples of what might constitute an empiricist intervention.


Mixture distributions arise in many parametric and non-parametric settings—for example, in Gaussian mixture models and in non-parametric estimation. It is often necessary to compute the entropy of a mixture, but, in most cases, this quantity has no closed-form expression, making some form of approximation necessary. We propose a family of estimators based on a pairwise distance function between mixture components, and show that this estimator class has many attractive properties. For many distributions of interest, the proposed estimators are efficient to compute, differentiable in the mixture parameters, and become exact when the mixture components are clustered. We prove this family includes lower and upper bounds on the mixture entropy. The Chernoff α -divergence gives a lower bound when chosen as the distance function, with the Bhattacharyaa distance providing the tightest lower bound for components that are symmetric and members of a location family. The Kullback–Leibler divergence gives an upper bound when used as the distance function. We provide closed-form expressions of these bounds for mixtures of Gaussians, and discuss their applications to the estimation of mutual information. We then demonstrate that our bounds are significantly tighter than well-known existing bounds using numeric simulations. This estimator class is very useful in optimization problems involving maximization/minimization of entropy and mutual information, such as MaxEnt and rate distortion problems.


The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Letters should be no more than 250 words in length and should be typed on A4‐sized paper in double spacing.


Attempts to use a carbamate-phosphazene base as the initiating system for the polymerization of 1,2-epoxybutane was unsuccessful. As a matter of fact, carbamate deprotonation by phosphazene bases led to their fast decomposition generating alkoxide anions which initiate the polymerization rather than carbamate anions. Conversely, in the presence of triisobutylaluminum – a Lewis acid – the in situ generation of an anionic initiator X− obtained by the deprotonation of the tBuP4 phosphazene base was tested as a possible way to initiate the polymerization of 1,2-epoxybutane. Particular attention was given to the detection of eventual transfer or side-reactions according to the carbamate : triisobutylaluminum : phosphazene base ratio, to the solvent dielectric constant and to the number of PN– units in the phosphazene base. The reaction was performed with a stoichiometric ratio (1 : 1 : 1) of carbamate : triisobutylaluminum : tBuP2, which gave the best results. Under these conditions, the initiation of the polymerization by the carbamate anion was quantitative; no transfer reactions have been observed and the polymerization proceeded in a controlled manner to afford amide end-capped poly(butylene oxide) with a narrow molar mass distribution and expected molar masses.


Abstract This mini-review briefly presents the main types of plant aquaporins, highlighting their importance for different plant species and for plant cellular functions. Aquaporins (AQPs), families of water channel proteins (WCPs) are transmembrane proteins that are present in prokaryotes, animals, plants, and humans. The plant aquaporins are part of the Major Intrinsic Proteins (MIPs) family which resides in the following plant organs: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. According to the sub-cellular localization, to their sequence homologies and to their phylogenetic distribution, plant aquaporins have been divided in five subgroups: (a) plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs); (b) tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs); (c) Nodulin26-like intrinsic membrane proteins (NIPs); (d) small basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs) and (e) uncharacterized intrinsic proteins (XIPs). Different subclasses of the plant aquaporins allow several types of transport using: water, glycerol, urea, hydrogen peroxide, organic acids, ethanol, methanol, arsenite, lactic acid, and gaseous compounds. Plant aquaporins have a significant role in cell response to cold stress, photosynthesis, plant growth, cell elongation, reproduction, and seed germination.


This paper presents a cavity-backed slot (CBS) antenna for millimeter-wave applications. The cavity of the antenna is fully filled by polymer material. This filling makes the fabrication of a silicon CBS antenna feasible, reduces the cavity size by 76.8%, and also maintains the inherent high-gain and wide bandwidth. In addition, a through-silicon via-based architecture is proposed to integrate the 135-GHz CBS antenna with active circuits for a complete system-in-package. Results show that the proposed structure not only reduces the footprint size but also suppresses the electromagnetic interference.


T ender and Bid Specifications are often used to clarify and describe in detail the performance expectations of the medical devices before purchase. Frequently, such specifications include detailed hardware and software requirements for the ultrasound system and probes for screening, diagnosis, therapy or interventional guidance, or therapy. While some specifications are objective, reliable, and useful, for example, number of probe ports, inclusion of a gel warmer, display screen size, scanner weight and size, and operating modes, other technical specifications for an ultrasound system or probe in isolation are not necessarily indicative of the ultrasound diagnostic or therapeutic performance quality that the end-user will experience. Examples of tender specifications that may not directly correlate with imaging performance include the number of digital beam-former channels, frame rate, and dynamic range. Standard metrics that quantify the system-integrated transducer performance are clearly defined and thus more appropriate to use. For diagnostic ultrasound, these industry quality guidelines include but are not limited to spatial resolution and contrast resolution as a function of depth, uniformity, and depth of visualization. Unlike the more ambiguous tender specifications, these metrics are easy to demonstrate and measure across different ultrasound imaging systems and probes using standardized tissue-mimicking phantoms. In addition, several technical specifications used to set customer requirements for clinical performance are based on established technologies and historical data that do not consider the rapid advancement of technology in both hardware and software. Such advancements have allowed ultrasound to expand into new applications. Therefore, clinical users might miss opportunities to improve health care if Tender Specifications are not identified properly. Finally, technical specifications alone can never fully capture the clinical utility of an ultrasound system. Ultimately, the ultrasound system must be used in a clinical setting where ease of use may be critically important to get an efficacious, relevant result in a timely manner. Hence, feedback from the clinical end-users is vital when selecting the best ultrasound machine for a specific clinical need. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine recommends the following: Received December 5, 2022. Manuscript accepted for publication December 6, 2022.


This chapter opens the volume on transit oriented development (TOD) and sustainable cities: economics, community and methods, which provides new dimensions and a contemporary focus on sustainable transport, urban development and regeneration across a wide range of countries and levels of development. This chapter introduces TOD and identifies links between transport investment, TOD and sustainability in a historical and contemporary context. The chapter also outlines the book's contents.


The epiblast, a pseudostratified epithelium, is the precursor for the three main germ layers required for body shape and organogenesis: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. At gastrulation, a subpopulation of epiblast cells constitutes a transient posteriorly located structure called the primitive streak, where cells that undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition make up the mesoderm and endoderm lineages. In order to observe the behavior of individual cells, epiblast cells were labeled ubiquitously or in a mosaic fashion using fluorescent membrane reporters. The cell shapes of individual cells and the packing and behaviour of neighbouring cells during primitive streak formation were recorded through live time-lapse imaging. Posterior epiblast displayed a higher frequency of rosettes, a signature of cell rearrangements, prior to primitive streak initiation. A third of rosettes were associated with a central cell undergoing mitosis. Interestingly, cells at the primitive streak, in particular delaminating cells, underwent mitosis twice more frequently than other epiblast cells, suggesting a role for cell division in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Pseudostratified epithelia are characterized by interkinetic nuclear migration, where mitosis occurs at the apical side of the epithelium. However, we found that exclusively on the posterior side of the epiblast, mitosis was not restricted to the apical side. Non-apical mitosis was apparent as early as E5.75, just after the establishment of the anterior-posterior axis, and prior to initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Non-apical mitosis was associated with primitive streak morphogenesis, as it occurred specifically in the streak even when ectopically located. Most non-apical mitosis resulted in one or two daughter cells leaving the epiblast layer to become mesoderm. Furthermore, in contrast to what has been described in other pseudostratified epithelia such as neuroepithelium, the majority of cells dividing apically detached completely from the basal pole in the epiblast. Cell rearrangement associated with mitotic cell rounding in the posterior epiblast during gastrulation, in particular when it occurs on the basal side, might thus facilitate cell ingression through the PS and transition to a mesenchymal phenotype. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The increasing demand for low voltage/low power portable equipment in the consumer marketplace has created a need for a low voltage/low power flash memory. In portable communication products, sub-1.8 V operation is essential. In view of the chip cost, a NAND-type cell has a big advantage over a NOR-type cell due to its smaller cell size. However, in this paper we show for the first time that the conventional NAND flash memory cannot operate below 2.0 V due to a program disturb issue. To solve this problem, we propose a new programming scheme which drastically reduces the program disturb and realizes highly reliable, high-speed programming, low voltage operation, low power consumption and low cost NAND flash memories.


The objective of this work is the creation of a novel Wind Turbine Emulation (WTE) technique to support the needs of a new generation of multi-bladed vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) designs aimed at the urban environment. The scheme, presented in this thesis, uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) data, from the analysis of such devices, as the basis of its operation.

CFD methods are used for the analysis of wind turbine performance but CFD models do not incorporate physical system inertial response or provide a physical test bed. WTE must, therefore, continue to play a role in the support of wind turbine design, research and development. Ongoing work, on enhancing wind turbine designs for use in the urban environment, is leading towards the use of complex, drag-based, multi-bladed, vertical-axis devices to deal with the problems inherent in the urban situation. Current WTE systems are found to be incapable of modelling the complex torque output of these devices adequately, since they are based on the use of a steady-state model modulated by an approximating analytical function. The WTE technique developed in this thesis uses CFD profiles mapped to a two-dimensional array to generate torque coefficient values in real time. Initially a standard inertia-compensation scheme, based on an acceleration observer, is used, but testing shows that this method is inadequate due to the requirement for a low-pass filter in the feedback path. To achieve the performance necessary to accurately model the output from a multi-bladed VAWT, a novel inertia-compensation scheme is designed and implemented. The improved technique eliminates the filter induced performance degradation by dynamically manipulating z-plane pole positions based on real-time observation of system stiffness and incorporating an adaptive `lag-lead' pre-filter at the input to the torque compensation control loop. System behaviour is approximated by an s-plane model and pole manipulation is achieved by dynamic modulation of the wind turbine (WT) moment of inertia quantity used in the feedback path.

Tests show that the novel inertia compensation scheme meets the requirements for accurate emulation of VAWT performance. Mean torque and power output tests confirm that, for all profiles used, the output accurately reflects those predicted by the original CFD analyses. Time and frequency domain analyses of generator load current signals confirm that the technique facilitates the analysis of generator output signals on a WTE test bed for the development of fault diagnosis and Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) strategies.


In this paper, we offer a new generalization of the invo-clean ring that is called invo k-clean ring. Let 2 ≤ k ∈ ℕ }. Then a ring R is called invo k-clean if for each a ∈ R there exist v ∈ Inv(R) and e ∈ Pk(R) such that a = u + e. We obtain some properties of invo k-clean rings.


Aims Up to 30% of children of children in the UK suffer from allergic conditions. The prevalence of allergic co-morbidities among general paediatric inpatients is unclear. We surveyed the prevalence of allergic conditions among paediatric inpatients, how commonly these were recognised and listed on the discharge summary. Methods Survey of 100 randomly selected patients admitted to a general paediatric ward in London. Survey period March to November 2010, one survey-day per week. Investigator administered questionnaire, to supplement medical admission history, exploring the spectrum of allergic diseases and frequency of symptoms. Survey of general paediatric discharge summaries relating to the inpatient episodes of patients who were interviewed to identify if any/all allergic conditions were communicated to general practitioner. Results N=100 patients/parents were included, mean age 5.2 years, 62/100 (62%) male. 48/100 (48%) had at least one allergic condition, 6/100 (6%) had a probable allergic condition. 29/48 (60%) had one condition, 19/48 (40%) had ≥2 allergic conditions. Eczema was most frequent (30/100, 30%), followed by food allergy (19/100, 19%), asthma (16/100, 16%), allergic rhinitis (15/100, 15%), drug allergy (3/100, 3%). For 19/48 (40%) of children the allergic condition may have been relevant for the admission. Discharge summaries mentioned allergic conditions in 24/54 (44%) of children with definite/probable allergic diagnoses (20/24 in free text only); 13/54 (24%) expected allergy follow-up, 8/54(15%) were reviewed by an allergist, 4/54 (1%) had allergy tests carried out. Among definite cases (n=48) allergic rhinitis was never mentioned the discharge summary, eczema in 13/30 (43%), asthma in 9/16 (56%), food allergy in 13/19 (68%), drug allergy in 2/3 (67%). Relevant allergy related discharge medication was listed for: eczema 10/30 (33%), asthma 14/16 (88%), food allergy 2/19 (11%), allergic rhinitis 2/15 (13%). Conclusion Allergic conditions were more prevalent in children admitted as inpatients than in the community (based on epidemiological studies). These allergic conditions were included in discharge summaries in less than half of the cases, relevant discharge medication was frequently omitted. Awareness of common allergic conditions, relevant history taking and communication with general practitioners need to be improved. Our results suggest a need for specific training as part of the undergraduate/postgraduate curriculum.


This degree project, conducted at Decerno AB, investigates what can be done to create client side web applications that are maintainable for a long time. The focus is on basing the application on an existing framework which both simplifies the development process and helps keeping the application well structured. Which framework is currently the best is evaluated using a comparison between the currently most popular frameworks. The comparison is done using a set of categories that is defined through discussion with experienced web developers at the principal company for the project: Decerno AB. The alternatives considered the most relevant from the discussion are also implemented and tested for further results to show which framework is the best suited for the solution in the project. The best solution is a structure that is based on the structure used in Angular JS which is a JavaScript framework developed by Google Inc. The reason to why this framework is the most relevant is its huge community support and that it encourages developers to keep their code well structured. In the solution a set of rules are defined that limit the uses of the framework and at the same time defining a structure that achieves the goal of the project: to create applications that are easy to maintain and long lived.


Phosphorus (P) dynamics were studied during several research cruises to Stn ALOHA and in the 'Climax region' of the North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) in 1996-1997. The aim of this study was to: (1) investigate the coupled uptake and regeneration of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and the production of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), (2) quantify the size of the biologically available P (BAP) pool, and (3) estimate the relative bioavailability of select organic P compounds to the natural microbial assemblages. At all stations, the microbial community was dominated by prokaryotes (> 99.5% of total cell numbers); Prochlorococcus spp. was the dominant pigmented group (>97% by numbers), comprising 20 to 30% of the total prokaryotic population. Phosphate uptake rates were 3.0 to 8.2 nM d -1 (median = 3.5 nM d -1 ) and P pool turnover times ranged from 2 to 40 d (median = 9 d). The BAP pool generally exceeded the Pi pool, suggesting rapid turnover of at least a portion of the much larger DOP pool. The net production of DOP was approximately 10 to 40% of the net P uptake. Both the dissolved and the particulate organic matter pools were enriched in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) relative to P, compared to the Redfield molar stoichiometry of 106C:16N:1P. The half-saturation constant, Km, values for Pi uptake were higher than the ambient Pi pool concentrations, and uptake rates were positively correlated with exogenous Pi additions over the range tested (Pi = 25 to 250 nM). The bioavailabilities of exogenous adenine and guanine nucleotides were generally higher than other organic P compounds we tested. The net Pi regeneration rate from nucleotides was up to 50 times higher than the net Pi uptake rates, indicating a large potential for the regeneration of Pi from specific organic compounds. These P pool dynamics observed in the NPSG are consistent with a microbial community currently under P control.


The Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) regulations, Part 19 of Subtitle A of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, were promulgated as a method of cost containment applicable to a component of the escalating health care expenditures. This study predicted the economic impact of the MAC regulations on the Medicaid program of Georgia. Reimbursements for Medicaid prescription drug products by the Georgia Department of Medical Assistance for 1976-1977 were compared with the reimbursements for drug products that would have been paid under the MAC regulation limitations had the MAC regulations been in force during the time period studied. The cost per unit of a purposive sample of 386 drug entities sorted into eight code groups was compared with the MAC-regulated cost per unit reimbursements. Significant differences in cost were noted for three of the eight code groups. For these groups, reimbursements of before MAC-regulated drug product cost per unit were greater than reimbursements for predicted MAC-regulated drug product cost per unit. Further analysis of the data predicted a reduction of reimbursements for the eight classes of prescription drug products studied to be 24.42%. This reduction compares favorably with the projected savings of 22-36% reported by the Task Force on Prescription Drugs.


During vertebrate gastrulation, a ventral to dorsal gradient of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) activity establishes cell fates. Concomitantly, convergent extension movements narrow germ layers mediolaterally while lengthening them anteroposteriorly. Here, by measuring movements of cell populations in vivo, we reveal the presence of three domains of convergent extension movements in zebrafish gastrula. Ventrally, convergence and extension movements are absent. Lateral cell populations converge and extend at increasing speed until they reach the dorsal domain where convergence speed slows but extension remains strong. Using dorsalized and ventralized mutants, we demonstrate that these domains are specified by the Bmp activity gradient. In vivo cell morphology and behavior analyses indicated that low levels of Bmp activity might promote extension with little convergence by allowing mediolateral cell elongation and dorsally biased intercalation. Further, single cell movement analyses revealed that the high ventral levels of Bmp activity promote epibolic migration of cells into the tailbud, increasing tail formation at the expense of head and trunk. We show that high Bmp activity limits convergence and extension by negatively regulating expression of the wnt11 (silberblick) and wnt5a (pipetail) genes, which are required for convergent extension but not cell fate specification. Therefore, during vertebrate gastrulation, a single gradient of Bmp activity, which specifies cell fates, also regulates the morphogenetic process of convergent extension.


Epithelial ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women and has the highest case-fatality rate among gynecologic cancers. Effective management of this deadly disease still remains scanty due to the inadequate understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the tumor progression and prognosis. We have previously reported the tumor-promoting role of Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18), which have been identified through genomic analysis of ovarian tumors. Initial studies suggested FGF18 promotes ovarian tumor progression through NF-κB pathway mediated elevation of proinflammatory cytokines, which mediate the increased tumor burden, angiogenesis and infiltration of macrophages in FGF18 expressing xenografts. Based on these findings, the present study aims to delineate the mechanism by which FGF18 modulates the phenotype of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) as well as the reciprocal tumor-promoting feedback from the TAMs which potentially contributes FGF18 mediated ovarian tumorigenesis. Immunohistochemical staining of a tissue array comprising 216 archived high-grade advanced stage serous ovarian tumor specimens revealed a significant correlation between the FGF18 expression and infiltration of M2-polarized macrophages (by CD163). In addition, the density of intratumoral M2 TAMs inversely associated with patients9 overall survival as a negative prognostic factor independent to age, tumor grade and debulking status. These findings suggest intratumoral TAMs may play an important role in ovarian tumorigenesis. In vitro co-culture studies further demonstrated that human monocyte cell line THP-1 or murine peritoneal macrophage cell line IC-21 could significantly activate the NF-κB pathway and increase the production of various proinflammatory cytokines in ovarian cancer cells. Co-culture also increased the migratory, adhesive and angiogenic potential of ovarian cancer cells cells. Addition of an IKKβ inhibitor into the co-culture system nullified the cytokine production and oncogenic changes of tumor cells promoted by monocytes/macrophages, implicating the involvement of NF-κB signaling in the crosstalk. Conversely, liposome clodronate mediated in vivo macrophage depletion significantly shrunk the tumor burden of the intraperitoneal xenograft derived from FGF18 overexpressing SKOV3 cells, while minimal effect was observed over the control RFP overexpressing xenograft. Besides, macrophage depletion also markedly decreased the intratumoral microvessel density induced by FGF18 overexpression. Taken together, our data potentially suggest TAMs may mediate the FGF18 related ovarian tumorigenesis by augmenting the proinflammatory status of the tumors. Citation Format: Wei Wei and Michael J. Birrer. TUMOR ASSOCIATED MACROPHAGES MEDIATES THE ONCOGENIC EFFECT OF FGF18 IN OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr TMEM-040.


Background:  The study was carried out to investigate the manifestations of psychological distress and symptoms among individuals receiving treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and to compare them with individuals who were not suffering from sexually transmitted diseases. Methods:  Patients attending the sexually transmitted disease clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos were recruited for this study; while the comparison group (n=50) was made up of participants attending the outpatient clinic of the University of Lagos Medical Centre, Akoka, Lagos. The participants completed the Symptoms Distress Checklist-90 (SLC-90) and Psychophysiological Symptoms Checklist (PSC). Results:  The findings showed that 80% were males. The ages of the respondents ranged from 22 to 52 years, with a mean of 31.4 years. The participants in the study group obtained higher mean scores on interpersonal sensitivity (C), depression (D), anxiety (E) and hostility (F). The participants in the study group also had higher mean score in the PSC than those in the control group. Significant differences were found in SLC-(B) obsessive-compulsive, (E) anxiety and (F) Hostility. Of the total participants, 15 (30%) of the study group had previous STI infections when compared to 3 (6%) of the comparison group. Conclusion:  It is suggested that clinicians running the sexually transmitted diseases should screen their patients for psychological disturbances and also work with mental health experts to provide psychological services for identified patients suffering from psychological distress among those attending the STI clinic. Keywords: Psychological reactions, sexually transmitted infections, Lagos, Nigeria


Quantum cryptography is one example of applying a deep understanding of quantum physics to create a novel technology of potentially enormous significance. Oblivious Transfer (OT) is used as a key component in many applications of cryptography. Crépeau showed the first quantum 1-out-of-2 oblivious transfer in 1994 based on the transmission of polarized light and the exist of secure quantum bit commitment protocol. The protocol he constructed satisfy both the correctness and the privacy for Alice with probability 1 − εn, the privacy for Bob with probability 1 2 . In this paper, we show that quantum can be constructed using only the Bell states, and the scheme satisfies the correctness and the privacy for Alice with probability 1, the privacy for Bob with probability 1 2 . Furthermore, we show the relations between the OTs, i.e. Bit-QOT 2 can be constructed using String-QOT 2 , String-QOT n can be constructed using String-QOT 2 , String-QOTm n can be constructed using String-QOT n , and vice versa. We get the conclusion that String-QOT n can be constructed using Bit-QOT 2 and vice versa. So, String-QOTm n and Bit-QOTm n can be constructed by the Bit-QOT 2 . Finally, We show that quantum bit commitment and quantum coin flipping can be constructed using QOT.


This paper presents a method to detect the position of a linear actuator without any position sensor. The actuator winding has a resonance frequency that is very related to the position of the linear actuator moving part. A sinusoidal scan voltage is superposed to the main voltage. Its frequency is close to the resonance frequency and therefore it is possible to measure the resulting scan current amplitude that allows position detection.


Pico Life is envisioned to be an augmented reality game in which 3D characters will be controlled by hand gestures on Android smart phones. Pico Life is currently powered by two mobile optimized engines: (1) The computer vision engine that runs our advanced object tracking program for hand tracking and (2) The 3D engine that runs our 3D models for the characters in the game. In the near future, we will be adding yet another mobile optimized engine, namely, the augmented reality engine. In this paper, we will present our work on object tracking and 3D modeling for Pico Life and contrast the performances of the two engines on three different mobile platforms, namely, Texas Instruments' OMAP3630 (Motorola Droid X running Android Gingerbread), Qualcomm's MSM8660 Snapdragon (HTC Evo 3D running Android Gingerbread) and the Texas Instruments' OMAP4430 (Blaze Development platform running Android Gingerbread).


High technologies development has strategic importance to improving regional EU and national economies effectiveness and assuring a country's competitiveness. This is especially a key priority for small countries that do not have many natural and material resources, as well as labour force. Therefore, in the article the specifics of high technologies development that derives from exceptional high technologies features is analysed. These specific features of high technologies influence the rise of specific characteristics of high technologies market. Thus, the article aims to set leading priorities for a successful development of high technologies business in Lithuania. Development of the high technologies business depends first of all on development of the high technologies market. The success of developing high technologies depends on implementation of the ' triple helix' model covering integration of the public and private sector as well as science. The most successful' triple helix' model for high technologies development is the one where the highest degree of cooperation between authorities, industry and academic public is indicated. Therefore the article establishes the implementation of the ' triple helix' as a leading priority for high technologies development in Lithuania.


Context. Observations of regions of the interstellar medium affected by shock waves indicate gas phase abundances of carbon that are close to solar. In quiescent regions less than half of the carbon is in the gas phase. Aims. We propose that hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H), in its many guises, is the most probable form of carbonaceous grain material in the interstellar medium and study its erosion in shock waves. Methods. We have used the physical properties typical of a-C:H materials, rather than graphite/amorphous carbon, to study a-C:H erosion during ion irradiation and fragmentation in grain-grain collisions. Using SRIM we study material-, surface- and size-dependent sputtering effects and introduce these effects into a shock model. Results. We find significantly greater destruction for a-C:H, than for graphite, a result that brings the models into better agreement with existing observations of shocked regions of the ISM. Carbon grain erosion in shock waves therefore appears to be much more efficient than predicted by existing models. Conclusions. Interstellar hydrogenated amorphous carbon dust is, apparently, rather easily destroyed in shocks and must therefore be more rapidly re-cycled and re-formed during its journey through the interstellar medium than previously-thought.


Rapid changes to employment practices and structures have tested and will continue to test the limits of liability in tort law. To date, much of this pressure has been applied to the principles governing vicarious liability. That corner of tort law has undergone significant development in response to, for example, the increasing sophistication of many employees and a growing tendency of businesses to outsource work. One important recent change is that vicarious liability can now arise in the absence of a relationship of employment. An relationship that is akin to employment may suffice. Another noteworthy change concerns the recognition of so called 'dual vicarious liability', pursuant to which more than one defendant can incur vicarious liability for a tortfeasor's wrong. These and related developments are reactions to the changing way in which work is being done in the modern world. They are the result of the courts' efforts to ensure that the law of vicarious liability produces outcomes that are thought fair and just to contemporary eyes. Another part of tort law that has come under significant pressure on account of shifts in employment structures concerns the duty of care element of the action in negligence. Increased outsourcing of work raises the question whether a company within a supply chain might owe a duty of care to employees of another company within the chain. It is this question with which this article is concerned. It is convenient to discuss it by way of the following paradigm scenario. Suppose that Company A requires certain goods for its business but, for one reason or another, it chooses to source them from Company B rather than to fabricate them itself. Company B tortiously injures one of its employees, Employee. If Employee cannot obtain an effective remedy from Company B for some reason (say, because Company B is insolvent, been wound up, or is without liability insurance, Employee may look to Company A for redress). A claim by Employee against Company A is likely to be confronted with numerous difficulties. However, a key issue in any such claim will be whether Company A owed Employee a duty of care. What are the prospects of a duty being owed in this scenario? This question has arisen for determination by the courts in some other jurisdictions and has received a certain amount of academic scrutiny. However, the issue has never been considered by an English court. It has not been the subject of sustained analysis in this country either. This article fills this gap.