Abstract The article argues that the power of witnessing is intimately linked to concepts of authenticity – it is the eyewitness who, it is believed, can truly give an account of 'what it was really like'. However, in order to ensure an impact on memory cultures, witness testimony must be recorded and fixed in a way that allows wider distribution. Such mediation can result in a perceived reduction in the authenticity of the narrative, as the person-to-person contact is lost. The recipient of the testimony is necessarily at a greater distance from the witness spatially and temporally than he or she would be in 'live' conversation. The article explores the methods deployed in audio-visual media (video testimony, memorial museums and documentary film) to lend authority and authenticity to the testimonies they record. In the process, it elaborates two theoretical terms: complementary authenticities and mediated remembering communities, which have broad significance for our understanding of how first-person testimony can have an impact on collective engagement with the past. The article concludes that such stagings of witness testimony in public and popular history are a powerful method of lending a strong emotive element to representations of past conflicts. This emotive element can connect individuals more closely to the victims of state and inter-communal violence, but may also prevent a deeper understanding of the societal causes and consequences of that violence, which is essential for processes of post-conflict reconciliation. In this way, the article makes a significant contribution to understanding the role of testimony and mediated authenticity in what might be termed the 'era of the postwitness'.


Observing that financial markets have performed in unexpected ways over the past several years, the author draws attention to the question of risk measurement. He suggests that widely used statistical measures of investment risk have significant limitations, and argues that actual performance results often do not meet expectations, because of faulty a priori risk assessment. He introduces 'Omega,' a statistical measure developed to capture higher levels of information provided by the historic return track record of investments, and enable investors to evaluate and rank investment opportunities based on their individually defined tolerances for loss. The article provides a practical introduction to the Omega statistic by starting with an overview of the general use and limitations of statistical analysis for investment managers. Omega is contrasted with traditional measures of risk and the author suggests that it incorporates more of the higher moment statistical information available to investment analysts. He concludes with an argument that Omega is at least comparable to, and potentially better than, traditional mean-variance analysis in providing meaningful insight to investors.


OBJECT
The primary purpose of this study was to analyze what effect preoperative patient expectations and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores have on clinical outcomes. To the authors' knowledge, there are no prospective studies that have examined the effects of both preoperative pain expectations and SF-36 MCS scores on clinical outcomes and satisfaction with results following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

METHODS
This study analyzed 79 patients (38 men, 41 women) undergoing 1- to 3-level ACDF surgery. Preoperatively, patients were divided into 2 groups for the expectation analyses: patients who expected complete resolution of pain postoperatively (44 total) and those who expected some residual pain (35 total) postoperatively. Preoperative SF-36 MCS scores were used to test the possible effects of mental health on clinical outcomes and satisfaction. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scales (VASs) for neck/arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS)/MCS, and patient satisfaction with results scales. The mean follow-up duration was 38.8 months (range 7-59 months).

RESULTS
All postoperative measures depicted significant improvement overall. Patients who expected no pain reported lower postoperative neck/arm pain scores (p < 0.02), higher SF-36 MCS scores (p = 0.04), and higher satisfaction with results scores (p = 0.01) compared with patients who expected some pain, after controlling for their respective preoperative scores. Higher preoperative SF-36 MCS scores predicted significantly lower postoperative neck pain (p = 0.003) and NDI (p = 0.004) scores, as well as higher postoperative SF-36 PCS (p = 0.002), SF-36 MCS (p = 0.001), and satisfaction (p = 0.03) scores, after controlling for their respective preoperative scores.

CONCLUSIONS
Patients who expected no pain postoperatively reported better scores on the nonstandardized outcome measure scales (VAS arm/neck, satisfaction with results), and higher SF-36 MCS scores. Higher preoperative MCS scores were related to better overall (standardized and nonstandardized) clinical outcomes (VAS neck, NDI, SF-36 PCS/MCS, and satisfaction with results). The results suggest that optimism in patients' expectations as well as mental well-being are related to improved clinical outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.


Abstract The aim of this review is to analyze the latest trends in the management of non-vestibular skull base and intracranial schwannomas in order to optimize tumor control and quality of life. Non-vestibular cranial nerve schwannomas are rare lesions, representing 5–10% of cranial nerve schwannomas. Management decisions should be individualized depending on tumor size, location and associated functional deficits. Generally, large sized schwannomas exerting significant mass effect with increased intracranial pressure are treated surgically. In some cases, even after optimal skull base resection, it is not possible to achieve a gross total resection because tumor location and extent and/or to reduce morbidity. Thus, subtotal resection followed by stereotactic radiosurgery or fractioned radiotherapy offers an alternative approach. In certain cases, stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy alone achieves good tumor control rates and less morbidity to gross total resection. Finally, given the slow growth rate of most of these tumors, observation with periodic radiographic follow-up approach is also a reasonable alternative for small tumors with few, if any, symptoms.


There is significant enthusiasm about the potential for hyperspectral imaging to document variation among plant species, genotypes or growing conditions. However, in many cases the application of hyperspectral imaging is performed in highly controlled situations that focus on a flat portion of a leaf or side-views of plants that would be difficult to obtain in field settings. We were interested in assessing the potential for applying hyperspectral imaging to document variation in genotypes or abiotic stresses in a fashion that could be implemented in field settings. Specifically, we focused on collecting top-down hyperspectral images of maize seedlings similar to a view that would be collected in a typical maize field. A top-down image of a maize seedling includes a view into the funnel-like whorl at the center of the plant with several leaves radiating outwards. There is substantial variability in the reflectance profile of different portions of this plant. To deal with the variability in reflectance profiles that arises from this morphology we implemented a method that divides the longest leaf into 10 segments from the center to the leaf tip. We show that using these segments provides improved ability to discriminate different genotypes or abiotic stress conditions (heat, cold or salinity stress) for maize seedlings. We also found substantial differences in the ability to successfully classify abiotic stress conditions among different inbred genotypes of maize. This provides an approach that can be implemented to help classify genotype and environmental variation for maize seedlings that could be implemented in field settings. Significance Statement This study describes the importance of using spatial information for the analysis of hyperspectral images of maize seedling. The segmentation of maize seedling leaves provides improved resolution for using hyperspectral variation to document genotypic and environmental variation in maize.


This study acoustically compares lexically short vowels in Palestinian Arabic to vowels that are underlyingly long, but have undergone closed syllable shortening , a phonological process affecting certain CV:CC sequences (as in /faːq-ʃ/ → faqʃ 'woke-negative'; /ӡaːb-l-ak/ → ӡablak 'brought to you'). In a study of word pairs produced by 74 speakers, the two vowel types were found to be indistinguishable in duration. Speakers differ as to the contexts in which they apply shortening: some shorten before the negative suffix /-ʃ/, but not the dative suffix /-l/, likely due to paradigm leveling. The results are compared to earlier studies finding incomplete neutralization in Arabic vowel epenthesis, to identify factors that affect completeness of neutralization. It appears that orthography is not an important factor, but that morphologized or lexicalized processes produce more complete neutralization. It is proposed that allomorphs produced by more fossilized processes are more weakly linked in the mental lexicon, and that incomplete neutralization of vowel quantity in particular would require linkage through the abstract CV word pattern.


Recently Television White Spaces are used without license according to FCC rule. It is based on dynamically selection of available TV spectrum (white spaces). It gives a possibility of new sets of applications. In vehicular wireless communication system, these white spaces can easily be used on an opportunistic base. To model a multi-access multiuser architecture and analyze network performances in both wired and wireless system queueing theory has been massively used. In this paper we modeled a vehicular dynamic spectrum access (VDSA) system by using queueing theory which uses vacant TV channels for communication. Dynamically assigned allowed available channels are modeled as servers. To efficient use of these limited number of channels we defined some non-preemptive priority classes among users. The availability of servers is occurred in a time-location phenomenon. This paper examined the feasibility analysis of vehicular dynamic spectrum access performance through TV white spaces via multi server multi priority non-preemptive queueing theory. Both M/M/m and M/G/m models are employed to evaluate the probability of all channels are busy, the amount of channel utilizations by different priority class users and also to calculate the transmission latencies.


From Steve Martin, one of our best-loved comedians, a fantastic new novel with an unforgettably weird, original and ultimately engaging character - Daniel Pecan Cambridge. 'Makes you laugh out loud' Sunday Telegraph Daniel Cambridge is a thirty-three-year-old man who is slightly bewildered by life. He knows the exact wattage of the bulbs in his flat, and will panic if the wattage isn't kept constant. He can't cross the street unless two opposing driveways break the kerb. And he is exercised by the colour of hat worn by the local gas station attendant. Such characteristics make it difficult for Daniel to find the right woman, but he's very keen on Elizabeth who's selling the flats across the street and Zandy who works in the local pharmacy (though he's yet to actually speak to her). There's also the murder of Bob from downstairs. Daniel has an alibi but is still a suspect, and his agreeing to a TV reconstruction of the murder inquiry could well backfire. It might also jeopardise Daniel's chances of winning the Most Average American competition which he's entered (twice).


In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of rosmarinic acid methyl ester (RAME) isolated from a mutant cultivar of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. We found that RAME inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, with an IC50 of 14.25 µM, in RAW 264.7 cells. RAME inhibited the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, RAME suppressed the activation of nuclear factor kappa B. These results suggest that the downregulation of iNOS expression by RAME was due to myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)-dependent and -independent pathways. Furthermore, RAME induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) through activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. Treatment with tin protoporphyrin, an inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the RAME-induced suppression of NO production. Taken together, RAME isolated from P. frutescens inhibited NO production in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells through simultaneous induction of HO-1 and inhibition of MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways.


Abstract The iterative boundary-element method, which is originally developed before for submerged cavitating hydrofoils is extended and modified to predict the wave pattern and lift and drag values of surface piercing cavitating hydrofoils (vertical struts) moving with a constant speed on the free surface. The iterative numerical method, which is based on the Green's theorem, allows the separation of surface piercing cavitating hydrofoil (or vertical strut) problem and the free surface problem. Those problems are solved separately, with the effects of one on the other being accounted for in an iterative manner. The wetted surface of the body (hydrofoil or strut) and the free surface are modelled with constant strength dipole and constant strength source panels. In order to prevent upstream waves the source strengths from some distance in front of the body to the end of the truncated upstream boundary are enforced to be zero. No radiation condition is enforced for downstream and transverse boundaries on the free surface. The method is applied to a rectangular non-cavitating hydrofoil with a yaw angle to compare the results with those of experiments and other numerical methods given in the literature. Then, the method is applied to a rectangular cavitating vertical strut and the effects of Froude number on wave pattern and lift and drag values of vertical strut are discussed.


Backpropagation is driving today's artificial neural networks (ANNs). However, despite extensive research, it remains unclear if the brain implements this algorithm. Among neuroscientists, reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms are often seen as a realistic alternative: neurons can randomly introduce change, and use unspecific feedback signals to observe their effect on the cost and thus approximate their gradient. However, the convergence rate of such learning scales poorly with the number of involved neurons. Here we propose a hybrid learning approach. Each neuron uses an RL-type strategy to learn how to approximate the gradients that backpropagation would provide. We provide proof that our approach converges to the true gradient for certain classes of networks. In both feedforward and convolutional networks, we empirically show that our approach learns to approximate the gradient, and can match or the performance of exact gradient-based learning. Learning feedback weights provides a biologically plausible mechanism of achieving good performance, without the need for precise, pre-specified learning rules.


Finding a strategy that allows economically efficient drinking water production in regional supply
systems at minimal environmental cost is often a complex task. In order to determine the optimal
spatial production configuration, a systematic trade off among costs and benefits of possible strategies
is required. Such a trade-off involves the handling of pronounced non-linear relations between
quantitative aspects of strategies and their corresponding impacts. We developed a computer-based
methodology for multiple objective optimisation of drinking water production by combining 'Min Cost
Flow' and Genetic Algorithms (GA). The impact of production strategies is assessed by environmental,
economic and geo-hydrologic modelling. Finding the optimal solution requires valuation of objective
categories by translating impacts into a common scale and/or by definition of constraints that are
specific for a particular category. If the impact of a category cannot be converted a priori to a common
scale, a Pareto frontier of non-inferior solutions is calculated. Thus, the interdependency of impact
categories can be clarified and decision makers and stakeholders are facilitated in the selection of
appropriate production strategies. The approach was implemented in a GIS-based decision support
system in order handle all spatial relations efficiently and to offer decision makers an adequate access
to the methodology.
Groundwater quality prediction studies are frequently carried out within the framework of drinking
water supply in order to assess the future composition of groundwater that will be pumped at
production wells. These prediction studies help to assure a safe supply of drinking water in the future.
Regional drinking water companies typically exploit numerous pumping wells and need to decide on
research priorities for these wells as budgets are limited. Assessment of the uncertainty of prediction
studies has been a scientific topic for many years, particularly when numerical models are used as
predictive tools. Sophisticated techniques for the quantification of the uncertainty of model results have
been developed over the past decades. In sharp contrast to the progress on the level of model
uncertainty is prioritisation of prediction studies still generally based upon 'expert judgement'. Very
few studies have focussed on the question how uncertainty of predictions on the composition of
pumped groundwater should be used for management decisions on research priorities. However,
deciding on these research strategies has become more complex, due to the increased size and
interdependency of regional drinking water supply systems. Consequently, there is a need for decision
support methods in order to avoid sub-optimal strategies.
This report presents a framework that is based on the above-mentioned methodology for multipleobjective
optimisation of drinking water production. It enables decision support for allocation of
research priorities to groundwater quality prediction studies. Rational research strategies on
groundwater quality prediction seek to minimize the risk of well failure due to contamination of
groundwater (breakthrough). There are 3 elements that form the basis of our approach:
• the quantification of risks for drinking water supply due to groundwater pollution
• an operational quantification of the reliability of predictions
• the anticipated marginal precision efficiency of additional prediction studies
The minimal negative impact of well failure in both economic and environmental terms is assessed by
using genetic algorithms


It has in recent years been argued, by Professors Antony Flew and J. L. Mackie, that God could have created men wholly good. For, causal determinism being compatible with free will, men could have been made in such a way that, without loss of freedom, they would never have fallen (and would never fall) into sin. This if true would constitute a weighty anti-theistic argument. And yet intuitively it seems unconvincing. I wish here to uncover the roots of this intuitive suspicion.


This article provides a framework for understanding the nature, role, functioning, design, and effects of organizational oversight systems. Using a case study with elements recognizable to an academic audience, the authors explore how a dean of a fictitious School of Medicine might use organizational control structures to develop effective solutions to global disarray within the academic medical center. Organizational control systems are intended to help influence the behavior of people as members of a formal organization. They are necessary to motivate people toward organizational goals, to coordinate diverse efforts, and to provide feedback about problems. The authors present a model of control to make this process more visible within organizations. They explore the overlap among academic medical centers and large businesses—for instance, each is a billion-dollar enterprise with complex internal and external demands and multiple audiences. The authors identify and describe how to use the key components of an organization's control system: environment, culture, structure, and core control system. Elements of the core control system are identified, described, and explored. These closely articulating elements include planning, operations, measurement, evaluation, and feedback systems. Use of control portfolios is explored to achieve goal–outcome congruence. Additionally, the authors describe how the components of the control system can be used synergistically by academic leadership to create organizational change, congruent with larger organizational goals. The enterprise of medicine is quickly learning from the enterprise of business. Achieving goal–action congruence will better position academic medicine to meet its multiple missions.


The loss in contrast discrimination ability of the human visual system was estimated under a variety of ambient illumination levels first. Then it was modelled as a non-linear weighting function defined in spatial frequency domain to determine which of parts of the image, whatever their spatial frequency, will appear under a given surround luminance level. The weighting function was adopted as a filter for developing an image enhancement algorithm adaptive to surround luminance. The algorithm aims to improve the image contrast under various surround levels especially for small-sized mobile phone displays through gain control of a 2D contrast sensitivity function.


In developing countries increasing population and lack of good governance are the major issues and Pakistan is no exception. These issues are highlighted most in the context of urban centers. Karachi is the most populous city of Pakistan and currently ranked 6 th among the mega cities of the world. After partition this city has grown up rapidly due to influx of both national and international immigrants. Urdu speaking persons are the largest ethnic group in Karachi and Pashtuns are second largest group who came to Karachi. It can't be wrong to say that there are even more Pashtuns in Karachi than in Peshawar itself. Almost 50% of the total population is Urdu speaking whereas 25% of total population is Pashtun in Karachi, whereas, 14% are from Punjab and remaining 9% speaking other languages are settled here. Similarly there are areas in the city marked for Christians, Hindus, Parsis etc. Census Data for the years 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981 and 1998 are taken to analyze the variability of Religion, Population and Language (language data is not available for 1972 census). Spatial development of Slums / Katchi-Abadi 1988 and projection for 2000 has also been discussed. The change in population for the years 1981 and 1988 has been mapped using GIS. MP & ECD Analysis Zones have been used and according to the findings during the years 1986-2000 population increase percent is higher in Surjani Town and Taisar Town. It is also concluded that 96% population living in the city are Muslims and speak more than 9 different languages.


The aim of this paper is to study the asymptotic behavior of strongly reinforced interacting urns with partial memory sharing. The reinforcement mechanism considered is as follows: draw at each step and for each urn a white or black ball from either all the urns combined (with probability $p$) or the urn alone (with probability $1-p$) and add a new ball of the same color to this urn. The probability of drawing a ball of a certain color is proportional to $w_k$ where $k$ is the number of balls of this color. The higher the $p$, the more memory is shared between the urns. The main results can be informally stated as follows: in the exponential case $w_k=\rho^k$, if $p\geq 1/2$ then all the urns draw the same color after a finite time, and if $p<1/2$ then some urns fixate on a unique color and others keep drawing both black and white balls.


In this paper, we focus on an advanced space-time system using a rate 2 quasi-orthogonal space-time block code which enables us to achieve very good performance for an overall throughput of up to 4.3 bits/s/Hz. This is done through the use of a bit-mapped coded modulation structure using short low density parity check component codes. At the receiver, parallel interference cancellation (PIC) and belief propagation (BP) decoding are employed. Iterative decoding is performed between the PIC and BP decoding stages. Given a fixed total number of decoding iterations, we investigate the frequency of PIC updates required to achieve good performance


Background: The aim is to investigate the association between diet quality and daily price of foods consumed among Iranian diabetic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) aged 30–70 years. General information, socioeconomic status, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, and food prices were collected by pretested questionnaires. Dietary intakes were assessed using a semi-quantitative reliable and valid food frequency questionnaire. Modified nutritionist IV and SPSS software were used for analyses. Results: The results of the present study indicated a direct relationship between total daily price of diet and nutrient adequacy ratio of Vitamin D, Vitamin B1, selenium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and mean adequacy ratio of 11 micronutrients (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the total daily price of diet had a positive association with dietary intakes of protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1, selenium, zinc, magnesium and potassium among type 2 diabetic patients (P < 0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between the total daily price of diet and anthropometric indices, biochemical characteristics, and socioeconomic status of participants in the present study (P > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that dietary quality and dietary intakes of energy, protein, and micronutrients were directly associated with the total daily price of foods among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes.


Background There is an acknowledged performance gap that students experience when transiting from academia to practice.1 Mentorship is a core component of undergraduate teaching and is a catalyst for academic success and productivity.2 We present findings from a pilot study designed to support the transition from undergraduate study to becoming a Foundation Doctor (FD). The Medical Mentorship Programme (MMP) supports the professional development of final year medical students via a programme of clinical mentorship and simulation based workshops. Methodology The authors explored the perceptions of a 'gap' with FD's within NHS Tayside. FD's completed a short anonymous questionnaire which asked them to critique their experiences of becoming a doctor. The results of this questionnaire informed the development of the MMP. MMP consists of 3 workshops: Preparing to be a Mentor (For FD's only) Improving your Clinical Practice Becoming an Effective Practitioner 7 FD's were recruited to this pilot study and trained to become mentors. Each FD was allocated 2–3 medical students. These mentorship groups attended a programme of simulation workshops. To encourage skill transference, mentors then conducted teaching shifts within their clinical area. We examined the effectiveness of this approach using a modified capabilities and transference questionnaire which gathered data at specific time intervals.3 Expected results The pilot study will conclude in June 2014. We anticipate that the construct of the mentorship group will have a positive impact on a student's professional development. We expect that FD's will recognise the importance of effective mentorship. Conclusion MMP has been designed to improve the confidence and capabilities of senior medical students and subsequently to be better prepared to become FD's. Our institution and external organisations are keen to explore the possibility of rolling this model out to increase patient safety, and work efficiency particularly during the early transition phase. References Yardley S, Irvine A, Lefroy J. Minding the gap between communication skills simulation and authentic experience. Medical Education 2013;47:495–510 Sambunjak D, Straus S, Marušic´ A. Mentoring in Academic Medicine: A Systematic Review. JAMA 2006;296(9):1103–1115 The Canadian Society for Training and Development. Investing In People: Tools and Resources. [Accessed 03.06.14]


The nature of the contact behaviour between a grinding wheel and a workpiece in the grinding process has a great effect on the grinding temperature and the occurrence of thermal induced damage on the ground workpiece. It is found that the measured contact length le in grinding is considerably longer than the geometric contact length lg and the contact length due to wheel-workpiece deflection lf. The orthogonal relationship among the contact lengths, i.e. lc2 = (Rrlf)2 + lg2, reveals how the grinding force and grinding depth of cut affect the overall contact length between a grinding wheel and a workpiece in grinding processes. To make the orthogonal contact length model easy to use, attempts on modification of the model are carried out in the present study, in which the input variable of the model, Fn', is replaced by a well-established empirical formula and specific grinding power. By applying the modified model in this paper, an analysis on the contributions of the individual factors, i.e. the wheel/worpiece deformation and the grinding depth of cut, on the overall grinding contact length is conducted under a wide range of grinding applications, i.e. from precise/shallow grinding to deep/creep-feed grinding. Finally, using a case study, the criterion of using geometric contact length lg to represent the real contact length lc, in terms of convenience versus accuracy, is discussed.


Women's rights are often perceived as existing in direct opposition to cultural rights. If we provide and protect Indigenous Peoples' or minority groups' collective cultural rights, it is commonly assumed that this will come at the expense of women's rights. However, such limited definitions of culture and rights fail to understand that culture can be a means through which to localize rights. This paper argues that traditional Mayan midwives in the Yucatan Peninsula— Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo—can provide reproductive services and women's rights visibility by protecting and maintaining their culture in their communities. Through unstructured interviews and participant observation, this author interviewed midwives, mothers, and activists in the region to provide a larger picture of the reproductive health situation in rural communities. Mayan women, who experience high levels of obstetric violence and structural oppression, are in dire need of culturally competent programs that support and validate their reproductive needs and experiences. The findings presented in this thesis suggest that midwives are crucial actors in localizing women's and cultural rights in their communities and greater support by medical personnel can help increase reproductive safety.


This paper presents a methodical approach to the implementation of a robust and efficient method for detection of various radio frequencies wireless network sensors. A cluster of devices, which uses a radio network (RF) for communication between them, is used as an implementation example. The result of the methodical approach is a method which is used to upgrade existing wireless network to successfully detect other types of third-party add-on devices. The presented methodical approach includes the entire process from the selection of candidates for third-party devices, basic measurements and analyses to the implementation of the final communication method. The result of the presented approach is an efficient and robust method for capturing the data transmitted from third-party devices.


P63 mutations have been associated with several human hereditary disorders characterized by ectodermal dysplasia such as EEC (ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting) syndrome, ADULT (acro, dermato, ungual, lacrimal, tooth) syndrome and AEC (ankyloblepharon, ectodermal dysplasia, clefting) syndrome (also called Hay-Wells syndrome). The location and functional effects of the mutations that underlie these syndromes reveal a striking genotype-phenotype correlation. Unlike EEC and ADULT that result from missense mutations in the DNA-binding domain of p63, AEC is solely caused by missense mutations in the SAM domain of p63. In this paper we report a study on the TAp63α isoform, the first to be expressed during development of the embryonic epithelia, and on its naturally occurring Q540L mutant derived from an AEC patient. To assess the effects of the Q540L mutation, we generated stable cell lines expressing TAp63α wt, δNp63α or the TAp63αQ540L mutant protein and used them to systematically compare the cell growth regulatory activity of the mutant and wt p63 proteins and to generate, by microarray analysis, a comprehensive profile of differential gene expression. We found that the Q540L substitution impairs the transcriptional activity of TAp63α and causes misregulation of genes involved in the control of cell growth and epidermal differentiation.


In this paper, an approach to the automatic reconstruction of 3D simple building objects from multi-aspect metric-resolution SAR images is proposed. The edge detector of constant false alarm rate (CFAR) and a parallel Hough transform technique are first employed to extract the parallelogram-like image of the building walls in SAR image. A set of probability density functions is presented to describe the extracted random wall-images and their multi-aspect coherence. Then the maximum-likelihood estimation of object is derived from its multi-aspect object-images. A hybrid priority criterion is defined to evaluate the reliability of reconstruction result, based on which, an automatic reconstruction algorithm is further devised to match object-images of different aspects and finally reconstruct the building objects. Four-aspect Pi-SAR images over Sendai, Japan are adopted for reconstruction. The results show the fidelity of the whole process chain and the feasibility of 3D objects automatic reconstruction from multi-aspect SAR images.


Does letter-form constrain errors in peripheral dyslexia? In Hebrew, 5 of the 22 letters have two different letter forms, one is used only when the letter occurs in word-final position, the other form is used in initial and middle positions. Is the information on final-forms encoded in the letter identity information and used for word identification, or is it discarded? The current research explored this question through the effect of final vs. non final letter form on the error pattern in neglect dyslexia (neglexia) and letter position dyslexia (LPD). Left word-based neglexia results in errors of omission, substitution and addition of letters in the left side of words, which in Hebrew is the end of the word. We examined whether final letter form blocks the addition of letters to the end of the word and whether omissions of letters after letters in non-final form are avoided. The predominant error type in LPD is migration of letters within words. We tested whether migrations also occur when they cause form change of either final-form letters that move to middle position or middle-form letters that move to final position. These questions were assessed in both acquired and developmental neglexia and LPD. The results indicated a strong effect of final letter-form on acquired neglexia and on acquired and developmental LPD, which almost completely prevented form-changing errors. This effect was not found in developmental neglexia, where words that end in final-form letters were actually more impaired than other words, probably because final-form letters appear only on the neglected side of the word for Hebrew-reading children with left developmental neglexia. These data show that early visuo-orthographic analysis is sensitive to final letter form and that final letter form constrains errors in peripheral dyslexia.


Growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global threat to human health, with estimates of AMR leading to 10 million deaths per year and costing the global economy $100tn by 2050. Current methods to detect resistance include phenotypic antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) which measures bacterial growth and is therefore hampered by slow time to result (~12-24 hours). Therefore new rapid phenotypic methods for AST are urgently needed. Here we describe a novel method for detecting phenotypic antibiotic resistance in ~45 minutes, capable of detecting single bacteria. The method uses a sensitive laser and detector system to measure nanoscale optical interference of single bacterial cells present in media, with simple sample preparation. This provides a read out of bacterial antibiotic resistance by detecting growth (resistant) or death (sensitive), much faster than current methods. We demonstrate the potential of this technique by determining resistance in both lab and clinical strains of E. coli, a key species for clinically burdensome urinary tract infections. This work provides the basis for a simple and fast diagnostic tool to detect antibiotic resistance in bacteria, reducing the health and economic burdens of AMR.


[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Nonmetric trait frequencies of crania affiliated with the Steed-Kisker phase of northwestern Missouri were compared with crania from the Northern and Central Plains and the American Bottom region to determine the origins of the Steed-Kisker phase. Mean measures of divergence and odds ratios of the nonmetric traits indicate that the Steed-Kisker crania are least similar to the American Bottom crania and most similar to the Central Plains crania. This indicates that the Mississippian style pottery found at Steed-Kisker phase sites is probably the result of trade or diffusion rather than a migration of Mississippian populations to northwestern Missouri.


Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) now have oral drugs to choose from to treat the relapsing form of the disease. Aubagio (teriflunomide) is an oral compound that inhibits the function of specific immune cells that have been implicated in MS. It has been approved for patients with relapsing forms of MS. Purpose The aim of this study was to analyse changes in relapsing forms of MS treatment from injectable drugs to the oral drug teriflunomide. Material and methods This was an observational retrospective study. Data were obtained from 20 patients with MS treated with teriflunomide from January 2016 to June 2016. We reviewed the medical history to confirm the reason for changing to the new drug: lack of efficacy or adverse effects with the previous therapy, patient preferences for oral drug versus injectable drugs and risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy from natalizumab. Data collected were: age, gender, previous treatment and reasons for changing. Results We included 20 patients that started treatment with teriflunomide. 57% were women. Median age was 49±10 (SD) years. Previous therapies and number of patients that received it: Avonex 1; Betaferon 5; Copaxone 2; Tysabri 3; Rebif 1; Rebif and Tysabri 2; Tysabri and Betaferon 1; Betaferon and copaxone 1; Betaferon and avonex 1; Tysabri, Betaferon and Rebif 1; and azathioprine, Betaferon, Copaxone and Tysabri 1. 1 patient received therapy from a clinical trial. Reasons for changing therapy: lack of efficacy 10 (50%), risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy from natalizumab 4 (20%), patient preferences for oral drug versus injectable drugs 2 (10%), adverse effects with the previous therapy 1 (5%) and unknown 3. Conclusion The main reason for changing MS treatment was lack of efficacy of previous therapies followed by risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy from natalizumab. New oral agents are easier to administer for patients; this is an important advantage for these compounds. Emerging oral treatments are ushering in a new era in the treatment of MS, providing not only new treatment options but also new challenges. No conflict of interest


Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease that affects the central nervous system. Switching of first-line drugs (interferon β, glatiramer acetate) or initiation of a second-line treatment (natalizumab, mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, rituximab) should be considered if suboptimal response is observed with first-line drugs. Purpose To analyse the treatment pattern and the main reasons for changing MS treatment. Materials and methods Cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive study in MS patients, in a reference unit, in a tertiary hospital. A sample of 100 patients was analysed (10% of complete MS population) who picked up medicines from the outpatient pharmacy unit, following a database that included demographic and clinical information. Results 30% of patients had switched treatment once and 7% at least twice (23.3% of the MS population that had changed previously). The main reasons for changing treatment, from initial to second and second to third treatment were: lack of efficacy: 65.4% and 20% respectively; drug withdrawal: 15.4% and 20%; pregnancy: 15.4% and 0%; drug intolerance: 3.8% and 0%; adverse reaction: 0% and 20%; maximum tolerated dose: 0% and 10%. By drugs, main reasons for changing MS treatment, from the initial to second treatment were: Avonex: lack of efficacy (75%) and pregnancy (25%); Betaferon: lack of efficacy (20%) and drug withdrawal (80%); Rebif 22 mcg lack of efficacy (75%) and pregnancy (25%); Rebif 44 mcg: lack of efficacy (100%); Copaxone: lack of efficacy (50%), intolerance (25%) and pregnancy (25%). The treatment mean time was 51±43 months prior to the first change, which decreased to 23.5±21.9 months for the second change of treatment. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score increased from 2.5±1.4 at the beginning to 3.9±1.9 in second-line treatment and 5.7±1.8 in third-line treatment. Conclusions 30% of patients with MS had changed treatment. The main reason was progression of the disease.


In the real world, we usually do not perceive haptic sensations consciously. However, if the haptic sensations are absent or if they are not of the desired quality, it would result in discomfort, and the existence of the world would be degraded. In order to eliminate the feelings of discomfort and represent genuine feelings of the existence of objects in virtual reality interactions, as shown in figure 2, we show that haptic sensations play a decisive role in inciting cognitive functions in a virtual environment. There are many researches on haptic displays for virtual reality interactions with the hand, such as CyberTouch and CyberGrasp [Immersion Corp.]. However, the represented sensation is still inadequate to provide us with the experience of feeling the definite existence of virtual objects or virtual creatures. Generally, it is considered that a complex and expensive device is required to provide realistic haptic sensations; many attempts to simplify the device would result in poor sensations, for example, simple vibrations. To merge the simplicity of the device and realistic sensation of existence, we propose a novel wearable haptic interface named "GhostGlove." This device generates natural and realistic haptic sensations over the entire hand—on each finger and the palm—and integrates the perceptions on the entire hand along with the visual sensations to enables us to recognize the existence of the virtual world.


The Singapore Lecture is designed to provide the opportunity for distinguished statesmen, scholars, and writers and other similarly highly qualified individuals specializing in banking and commerce, international economics and finance and philosophical and world strategic affairs to visit Singapore. The presence of such eminent personalities will allow Singaporeans, especially the younger executive and decision-makers in both the public and private sectors, to have the benefit of exposure to - through the Lecture, televised discussions, and private consultations - leaders of thought and knowledge in various fields, thereby enabling them to widen their experience and perspectives. The 36th Singapore Lecture was delivered by His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, on 7 November 2015 under the distinguished Chairmanship of Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Singapore.


In this paper, an advanced non-dimensional dynamic influence function method (NDIF method) for eigenvalue analysis of arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional acoustic cavities with the mixed boundary consisting of the pressure-release and rigid-wall boundaries is proposed. The existing NDIF method has the weakness of having to calculate the singularity of the final system matrix of an analyzed acoustic cavity in the frequency band of interest to obtain the eigenvalues of the cavity because the final system matrix is dependent on the frequency. The newly proposed NDIF method in this paper provides an efficient way to extract accurate eigenvalues and eigenmodes by successfully overcoming the above weaknesses. Finally, the validity and accuracy of the proposed method are shown through verification examples. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4048887]


A polymeric insulating material cured at the low temperature of 130 °C through the thermal cross-linking reaction of poly(hydroxy imide) (PHI) and 2,2′-bis(4-(2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy)phenyl)propane (BPA-DEVE) was characterized to determine its applicability in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) on plastic substrates. Thin films of cross-linked PHI showed smooth surfaces and exhibited high breakdown voltages exceeding 3 MV cm−1 and low dependences of capacitance on frequency. Pentacene and polymer semiconductor-based TFTs were fabricated employing this gate insulator on polyethylene naphthalate substrates. The pentacene-based TFT achieved the mobility of 0.13 cm2 V−1 s−1 without hysteresis, and TFTs fabricated by the solution processing of the polymer semiconductor also exhibited negligible hysteresis and gate leakage currents below 0.1 nA. These electrically stable characteristics can be attributed to the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in PHI which impeded the effect of moisture-induced slow polarization.


Wildfires are an important ecological disturbance with the power to shape ecosystems and considered a dominant driver of change in the world's boreal zone. The vast forests of the boreal account for roughly a quarter of all global biomass and house enormous amounts of carbon above and below ground. These forests are also subject to change. Increased tree mortality, altered species composition, permafrost degradation and the transition towards acting as a net carbon source are some of the con-sequences thought to be linked to an increase in global temperatures. Fire plays an important role in all those aspects, yet for most of Siberia, long-term fire regimes remain poorly understood. This thesis attempts to start filling a pronounced gap in the global distribution of fire history reconstructions based on sedimentary charcoal. From a sediment core of Lake Khamra (SW Yakutia, Russia), a continuously sampled, high-resolution record of macroscopic charcoal particles was created, spanning the last c. 2000 years. The mean fire return interval ranges between c. 70 - 80 years. Fire activity decreases after a maximum around c. 750 CE. Despite a slight increase in fire frequency within recent centuries, charcoal accumulation since the 20th century is among the lowest of the record. Larger charcoal particles seem to indicate fires directly at the lake's shore. No clear fire impact on XRF-derived soil geochemistry was found. However, different charcoal morphotypes show promising contrasting patterns when cor-related with the reconstructed vegetation. This thesis highlights both the challenges and the great potential of fire reconstructions in the Siberian boreal forest.


Aim: A dentist should be empowered to have knowledge of basic biological, medical, technical, and clinical sciences to distinguish the difference between normal and pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the perception of dental students about competencies related to biomedical sciences in dental curriculum. Materials and methods: A 26-question questionnaire was administered to fifth-year students who were the first group to complete the new integrated dental curriculum, to measure the extent to which the students had competences with biomedical science information, which were classified as "have knowledge," "have competence," and "have familiarity" according to the Profile and competences for the graduating European Dentist—update, 2009. A Likert-type 5-point scale was used (1 = not much, 5 = a great deal) to evaluate the answers. The opinion of the students about qualification of education was also assessed with six questions. Results: Fourteen questions related to "have knowledge" (Q1–17) of biomedical science subjects were rated somewhat, two rated them much, and one scored somewhat and much as equal on the Likert scale. Four questions related to "have competence" (Q18–24) were rated much, and three were rated somewhat. Students rated "have familiarity" with "pharmacology in general medicine" and "awareness of environmental issues relevant to dental biomaterials' use" (Q 25, 26) as somewhat. Most of the students approved of integrated education (60.7%). Conclusion: While planning and developing the curriculum aims to meet the practical needs of your future dentist, the importance of training based on competence should be taken into consideration.


: Morpho-functional changes in scorpionfish pinealocytes have been observed during an increase in potassium sodium or magnesium content of the sea water. These changes include the increase in the height and the diameter of the nuclei of pinealocytes, the increase being followed by apocrynic secretion in the cells. It is suggested that the pineal organ of the scorpionfish is involved in the reaction of the organism to changes in the ionic balance of the internal milieu.


Information technology has certain advantages that can contribute positively in moral problem solving and decision making. It is necessary, however, to adjust those computer tools to the psychological process of handling moral problems. Previous efforts to construct ethical support systems have focused on moral philosophy, certain principles, or normative values, leading to the presentation of solutions or to the identification of moral risks of different solutions. Such programs are not directly concerned with humans' ethical decision processes and, therefore, run the risk of not giving optimal support to moral problem solving and decision making hindering the usability of the ethical program. In the present paper some ideas are presented and discussed on how computer systems can be constructed such as to adapt to the psychological factors which are critical for the emergence of ethical competence. This is an area of current interest and increasing importance. It is an interdisciplinary effort to combine the advantages of computer machines and the psychological processes of handling moral problems. It opens up for useful computer applications.


Background Infection by beet cyst nematodes (BCN, Heterodera schachtii) causes a serious disease of sugar beet, and climatic change is expected to improve the conditions for BCN infection. Yield and yield stability under adverse conditions are among the main breeding objectives. Breeding of BCN tolerant sugar beet cultivars offering high yield in the presence of the pathogen is therefore of high relevance. Results To identify causal genes providing tolerance against BCN infection, we combined several experimental and bioinformatic approaches. Relevant genomic regions were detected through mapping-by-sequencing using a segregating F2 population. DNA sequencing of contrasting F2 pools and analyses of allele frequencies for variant positions identified a single genomic region which confers nematode tolerance. The genomic interval was confirmed and narrowed down by genotyping with newly developed molecular markers. To pinpoint the causal genes within the potential nematode tolerance locus, we generated long read-based genome sequence assemblies of the tolerant parental breeding line Strube U2Bv and the susceptible reference line 2320Bv. We analyzed continuous sequences of the potential locus with regard to functional gene annotation and differential gene expression upon BCN infection. A cluster of genes with similarity to the Arabidopsis thaliana gene encoding nodule inception protein-like protein 7 (NLP7) was identified. Gene expression analyses confirmed transcriptional activity and revealed clear differences between susceptible and tolerant genotypes. Conclusions Our findings provide new insights into the genomic basis of plant-nematode interactions that can be used to design and accelerate novel management strategies against BCN.


The ectomycorrhizal fungi resource of Pinus massoniana and Chinese Fir forest had been investigated in the places of Hunan and YunNan Province. There were 17 species belong to 6 families and 9 genera. All the collected ectomycorrhizal fungi were separated by tissue isolation method, and 12 strains were obtained, which belong to 7 genera of 4 families. The preliminary selection results showed that there were 6 strains presented the better culture characteristics, which were Seleroderma polyrhizum Pers., Scleroderma cepa Pers., Calvatia craniiformis(Schw.)Fr., Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka, Lactarius deliciosus(Fr)Gray., Russula puellaris Fr.. Then these 6 strains were cultivated between every two among them, the results showed that the group of LS3/RHG1 was the optimal combination, the next were the groups of LGD-2/La-HZ3 and LS3/La-HZ3. The groups of A3/ La8 showed antagonism to each other, so it was not suitable to be combined for inoculation. These research results will provide the important technical support for expanding propagation of ECM fungi and mycorrhizal technology application in Pinus massoniana and Chinese Fir plantation.


This study aimed to examine Traditional Bakti martial arts flow. This type of research was qualitative, the data were taken through observation and interviews using snowball techniques  through key informant namely Tua Silat Bakti, other informants were expanded from that informant so that all the data needed was completed, then the data was analyzed by using words which  could be arranged in expanded text or did an  analysis of data taken from the field and then it was described in narrative form. The results of this study, traditional bakti martial art came from the word filial*(berbakti)* which first developed by the ancestors, this martial art was developed rapidly in 1965 to 1990, and the Tunggang community began learning less the  Traditional Bakti jat Pat Petulai Pencak Silat since 1987. In conclusion, the main form of the martial art movement would be seen in the speed and attack accuracy and sword attack (sword), dodgery and piseu attack(knife), as well as accuracy and attack with empty hand.
Keywords: Traditional Pencak Silat, Jang Pat Petulai


"It is not so much whether things are not as bad as they ought to be or could have been. It is, rather, whether things could have been much better". By rights, the island nation of Fiji should be thriving. It is easily the most developed country in the South Pacific; it is a hub for regional transportation and communication links, the home of international diplomatic, educational and aid organisations, with a talented multiethnic population. Yet, since its independence it has suffered two military coups in 1987 and an attempted putsch in 2000, resulting in strained institutions, and disrupted improvements to essential infrastructure, and to educational, social and medical services.


Metformin enhances peripheral insulin action and reduces blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Our group has previously reported that insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) attenuate both agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction and associated increases in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca]i). Thus, changes in insulin actions may explain in part metformin's vascular effects. However, metformin's mechanism of action at the vasculature had not been elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether metformin evokes alterations in VSMC insulin and IGF-I receptors, glucose transport, and/or [Ca]i. We quantitated hormone binding and tyrosine kinase (TK) activity in partially purified insulin and IGF-I receptors prepared from metformin-treated (100 microM) and control rat aortic VSMC in culture. Glucose transport was assessed by 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Metformin exposure for 24 h 1) increased basal TK activity (metformin, 3.49 +/- 0.39; control, 1.77 +/- 0.39 pmol 32P incorporated/mg protein; P < 0.01) without changes in insulin-or IGF-I stimulated TK activity, 2) increased 2-deoxyglucose transport in a dose-dependent manner, 3) decreased thrombin-induced elevation in [Ca]i (metformin, 10.3%; control, 35.3% over basal; P < 0.05), These insulin/IGF-I-like effects of metformin may help explain some of its vascular actions.


Visual servoing of eye-in-hand flexible manipulators is addressed in this paper. Dynamic effects of both the rigid and the flexible motion of the manipulator are fully taken into account in a control solution where the two-time scale nature of the problem is exploited. The visual information is used in the "slow" subsystem for a task-space-oriented control law, where computationally expensive operations, such as inverse and time derivative of the Jacobian, are avoided. A constructive proof of stability of this control scheme, based on Lyapunov theory, is also presented. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is shown by means of a numerical simulation concerning a trajectory tracking problem. Some experimental results finally demonstrate the precision enhancement achieved by the proposed algorithm on a single-link flexible manipulator


One environmental event verified during the last years in the Mediterranean sea is that the presence of tropical fishes is causing death of the original fauna. This has attracted the attention of not only the fishermen, but also that of the European Community and all of the associations (public and private) which work to preserve the environment. There are several initiatives to preserve the environment, and the "fermo biologico" is one of these. It tries to solve the Mediterranean fish's depopulation problem, restricting the fishing in some period of the year. As known, the management of the biological resources is addressed to guarantee the environmental sustainability. This sustainability can be guaranteed by those who work in the fish sector, through new leisure activities, able to answer the increasing touristic demand. The objective of this study has been that to investigate whether leisure activity like fishing tourism can preserve the Mediterranean ecosystem and at the same time guarantee an additional income to the fishermen. This income could possibly balance for the obligation days stop, imposed them by the biological stop measure. The study has been conducted in the summer 2009 and has involved fishermen that practise fishing tourism in the Southern part of Sardinia.


Background:Avulsion of the aortic valve commissure as a cause of acute aortic valve regurgitation is mostly due to trauma, infective endocarditis, or ascending aortic dissection. Nontraumatic avulsion of the aortic valve commissure is very rare. We reviewed the literature and analyzed potential risk factors of nontraumatic avulsion. Case presentation:An 80-year-old male with hypertension was seen in the emergency department with acute onset dyspnea. Echocardiogram revealed left ventricular hypertrophy with adequate systolic function, prolapse of the noncoronary cusp, and incomplete coaptation of the right coronary and noncoronary cusps with severe aortic valve regurgitation. Surgery revealed an avulsion between the left coronary and noncoronary cusps. Histopathology examination of the aortic valve showed myxoid degeneration, fibrosis, and calcification. Examination of the ascending aorta revealed myxoid degeneration and fragmentation of elastic fibers. Aortic valve replacement was performed, and the patient was alive and well 4 years after surgery. A review of the literature showed that more than three-fourths of the similar cases occurred in males, and about half in patients with hypertension and those 60 years of age or older. Conclusions:In the case of acute aortic regurgitation without a history of trauma, infection, or valvotomy, when 2 prolapsed aortic cusps are observed by echocardiography in the absence of an intimal tear of the ascending aorta, an avulsion of the aortic commissure should be suspected, especially in males with hypertension who are 60 years of age or older.


Aim: To determine the effect of Nebulised Magnesium Sulphate on the Incidence of Post Operative Sore Throat (POST). Methods: This was a prospective, observational study conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia & Critical care, Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India, for 16 months. 120 Patients included in study were of either gender, aged between 20 and 65 years belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 1 or 2 statuses undergoing elective surgery of approximately 2 h or more duration under GA requiring tracheal intubation. Patients in the study group were nebulized with 3 ml of 225 mg isotonic nebulized magnesium sulphate for 15 min in the holding area. Presence of sore throat was noted at rest and on swallowing immediately after extubation, and 2 h, 4 h, 10hand 24 h postoperatively. In the postoperative ward, patients were also monitored for any drugrelated side effects. Results: There was no significant difference in POST between the two groups with respect to age, gender, and ASA status, POST at rest at 0h and 2h between the two groups didn't show any significant difference. There was a significant. Difference in POST at rest between group A and group B at 4h (p=0.09), 10h (p=0.004) and 24h (p=0.004) using chi square test. With respect to POST on swallowing, there was a significant difference in POST at 2h (p=0.006), 4h (0.002), 10h (0.002) and 24h (0.002) using chi square test. Conclusion: POST is common in the patients undergoing GA with a tracheal tube for routine surgical cases for up to 24 hr. We conclude that the use of magnesium sulphate in the form of nebulization as a pre-medication agent significantly reduces the incidence of POST compared to normal saline and it was found to be safe, simple and effective in preventing the occurrence of postoperative sore throat.


A cubic-phase function evaluation technique for multicomponent frequency-modulated signals with non-overlapped components in the time-frequency (TF) plane is proposed. The proposed technique is based on the short-time Fourier transform. Cross-terms are removed or reduced in the same manner as in the case of the TF representation called the S-method. The proposed technique is applied for visualisation of signals in time-chirp-rate plane and parameter estimation of analytical and radar signals. In addition, a procedure for focusing SAR images by using estimated parameters is proposed in order to verify obtained results.


With the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence, avenues for the application of Machine Learning (ML) are increasing in many engineering problems pertaining to Fluid Mechanics. Particle Image Velocimetry is an advanced fluid measurement technique but the pressure evaluation requires the data to be further processed. In the proposed work, we focus on developing a novel computational framework using Machine Learning techniques, primarily Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to infer the pressure fields from velocity obtained from PIV data. The framework was tested for a case of flow over a periodic hill. The data for training was generated by performing LES simulations for different hill curves and Reynolds number. Various Regression models were developed in conjunction with the Adam and Limited Memory - BFGS (L-BFGS) optimizers and suitable activation functions. A detailed study of the performance of each model was done to determine the optimum values of the hyperparameters. Further, a comparative analysis of various models and the respective optimization algorithms used was performed. It was concluded that the multi-layered perceptron model with L - BFGS optimizer showed the best performance. Overall, it is observed that the models can predict the pressure values with a high degree of accuracy as confirmed by validation with the previous literature data.


Abstract : The Polar Ice Prediction System (PIPS) Version 3.0 is a dynamic sea-ice model that forecasts conditions in all sea-ice covered areas in the northern hemisphere (down to 30 degrees north in latitude). It has a horizontal resolution of approximately 9 km. The vertical resolution in the model has been set at 45 levels so that Arctic shelves, continental slopes, and submarine ridges are accurately represented. Currently, the domain includes the Irminger, Labrador, North, and Baltic Seas on the Atlantic side and the Bering Sea, Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk on the Pacific. The PIPS 3.0 system is based on the Los Alamos ice model and coupled (via file transfer) to the operational, global Navy Coastal Ocean Model (gNCOM). The system forecasts daily ice thickness, concentration and drift in the Artic Ocean. This report documents the setup and execution of the PIPS 3.0 system.


A new database on 'Basic Research on Homeopathy' has been established. It contains research on biological systems and physico-chemical effects of the succussion process. It is aimed at the elucidation of the working mechanism of the homeopathic similia principle following application of low doses and potencies of substances. By the end of 2000, this database included 829 experiments in 782 primary publications. The publications are classified according to organism and field of interest. Several reasons for the relatively high number of experiments and publications are presented. It is concluded that the research community would benefit from a European research agenda with a priority on the translation of relevant publications from the different European languages into English. Homeopathy (2002) 91, 162–165.


Background: Referral to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programs remains very low, despite evidence suggesting strong clinical efficacy. To develop evidence-based interventions to promote referral, the complex factors and processes influencing referral need to be better understood. Design: We performed a systematic review using qualitative meta-synthesis. Methods: A comprehensive search of 11 databases was conducted. To be included, studies had to contain a qualitative research component wholly or in a mixed method design. Population specific data or themes had to be extractable for referral to programs. Studies had to contain extractable data from adults >18 years and published as full papers or theses during or after 1995. Results: A total of 2620 articles were retrieved: out of 1687 studies examined, 87 studies contained data pertaining to decisions to participate in programs, 34 of which included data on referral. Healthcare professional, system and patient factors influenced referrals. The main professional barriers were low knowledge or scepticism about benefits, an over-reliance on physicians as gatekeepers and judgments that patients were not likely to participate. Systems factors related to territory, remuneration and insufficient time and workload capacity. Patients had limited knowledge of programs and saw physicians as key elements of referral but found the process of attaining a referral confusing and challenging. Conclusions: The greatest increases in patient referral to programs could be achieved by allowing referral from non-physicians or alternatively, automatic referral to a choice of hospital or home-based programs. All referring health professionals should receive educational outreach visits or workshops around the ethical and clinical aspects of programs.


I. INTRODUCTION At the end of 1997, 40 million people were using the Internet;l by 1999 that number is expected to grow to 200 million.2 With this increasing popularity of the Internet, and the World Wide Web in particular, users are encountering old legal issues in entirely new contexts. Formerly established legal rules must be reconsidered in light of the new technological opportunities available to computer users.3 One issue that is just being raised is the protection of intellectual property on the Internet. Because Congress is not prescient, its past attempts at statutorily protecting intellectual property did not anticipate the technological possibilities of the Internet. It was therefore impossible to sufficiently guard against misappropriation of the proprietary work of others in an entirely new medium. One of the basic functions of the World Wide Web is the linking function which allows a user to instantaneously "jump" from one site to another with the click of a button. Web site owners have many concerns about posting information on the Internet and having it "linked to" by other sites. One set of concerns involves any association between the two linked sites that may be created in the minds of the viewers. If the viewer associates the two sites, the concern is that the passively linked site may become liable for factual misstatements or defamatory statements made by the linking site. Moreover, when a viewer assumes two sites are associated, that association may damage the reputation of the linked-to site. For example, if a site displaying pornography contains links to sites of merchandisers and organizations (with which it is unassociated), the reputations of the linked sites may suffer because of the implied association. Site owners may have no knowledge of, and have no control over the sites that link to their sites.4 Additionally, web site owners have a strong interest in preserving their own advertising. Framed links that obscure the original advertising on a linked page and deep hyperlinks that bypass a site's advertising may infringe on this ownership interest and cause a loss of advertising revenue. One commentator has stated that control over how visitors enter and move through a site is critical to a company's ability to maximize sales and profits because of the power to ensure that all visitors view its advertising.5 A final concern is raised by the possible misuse of proprietary information that is posted on the Internet. If publishers feel that copyrighted and trademarked material is not adequately protected from misuse, they will be reluctant to post such information on the Web. This could result in an overall decrease in useful information on the Web and would be detrimental to the vitality of the Internet. This Comment will discuss legal actions that are threatening the use of links on the Web. Part II will give a history and explain the workings of the Internet. Part III will outline the technological workings of the three possible types of links and explain how they may infringe on proprietary rights, using real conflicts as examples. Part IV will then discuss the primary causes of action as they may apply to these cases, along with some benefits and drawbacks of these theories of liability. Part V will emphasize the policy considerations of applying law to the Internet and note technical as well as statutory solutions to linking conflicts on the Web. Finally, Part VI concludes that the Internet itself should generally define the scope of Internet law, and that its development should not be restricted by premature legal constraints. II. HISTORY OF THE INTERNET & WORLD WIDE WEB A. The Origin of the Internet The Internet originated in 1969 as an experimental tool to link government and industrial computers in the defense field.6 It enables computers separated by great distances to communicate by receiving and transmitting data over telephone lines. …


Two new isostructural layered oxohalides FeTe(3)O(7)X (X = Cl, Br) were synthesized by chemical vapor transport reactions, and their crystal structures and magnetic properties were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements, and also by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the electronic structure and the spin exchange parameters. FeTe(3)O(7)X crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with the unit cell parameters a = 10.7938(5), b = 7.3586(4), c = 10.8714(6) Å, β = 111.041(5)°, Z = 4 for FeTe(3)O(7)Cl, and a = 11.0339(10), b = 7.3643(10), c = 10.8892(10) Å, β = 109.598(10)°, Z = 4 for FeTe(3)O(7)Br. Each compound has one unique Fe(3+) ion coordinating a distorted [FeO(5)] trigonal bipyramid. Two such groups share edges to form [Fe(2)O(8)] dimers that are isolated from each other by Te(4+) ions. The high-temperature magnetic properties of the compounds as well as spectroscopic investigations are consistent with an isolated antiferromagnetic spin dimer model with almost similar spin gaps of ~35 K for X = Cl and Br, respectively. However, deviations at low temperatures in the magnetic susceptibility and the magnetization data indicate that the dimers couple via an interdimer coupling. This interpretation is also supported by DFT calculations which indicate an interdimer exchange which amounts to 25% and 10% of the intradimer exchange for X = Cl and Br, respectively. The magnetic properties support the counterion character and a weak integration of halide ions into the covalent network similar to that in many other oxohalides.


We are motivated by the problem of impromptu or as-you-go deployment of wireless sensor networks. As an application example, a person, starting from a sink node, walks along a forest trail, makes link quality measurements (with the previously placed nodes) at equally spaced locations, and deploys relays at some of these locations, so as to connect a sensor placed at some a priori unknown point on the trail with the sink node. In this paper, we report our experimental experiences with some as-you-go deployment algorithms. Two algorithms are based on Markov decision process (MDP) formulations, these require a radio propagation model. We also study purely measurement based strategies: one heuristic that is motivated by our MDP formulations, one asymptotically optimal learning algorithm, and one inspired by a popular heuristic. We extract a statistical model of the propagation along a forest trail from raw measurement data, implement the algorithms experimentally in the forest, and compare them. The results provide useful insights regarding the choice of the deployment algorithm and its parameters, and also demonstrate the necessity of a proper theoretical formulation.


Introduction: Domperidone is an antiemetic that is greatly absorbed in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract in acidic pH and significantly reduced in alkaline pH. Bioavailability of domperidone is 13–17%. One of an effort in increasing the bioavailability of domperidone is to make a microsphere system that was resistance in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Acrycoat S100 is a polymer that can be used for making a microsphere system and for extended release of the drug. Materials and Methods: This study aims to determine the effect of Acrycoat S100 concentration on entrapment efficiency of domperidone in microsphere which is formulated in four formulas that are F1 50 mg, F2 100 mg, F3 150 mg, and F4 200 mg, containing domperidone and Acrycoat S100 as the materials. The method of making microsphere was solvent evaporation. The entrapment efficiency of domperidone in microsphere was determined using ultraviolet spectroscopic method, and entrapment effiency data were statistically analyzed using SPSS One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) program. The characterization of domperidone microspheres was organoleptic, particle size measurement and morphology observation using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results: The result of the determination of entrapment efficiency showed that increasing the concentration of Acrycoat S100 is directly proportional to increasing the entrapment efficiency of domperidone in microsphere and F3 formula has an optimum entrapment efficiency by 78.723% ± 4.259 from the statistical analysis with SPSS One-way ANOVA. Domperidone microsphere was a physically white powder with a distinctive odor. The particle size of microsphere domperidone was 31.88–319.87 μm. The morphology of domperidone microsphere observed with SEM was spheric with rough surface, and the size was 172.9 μm. Discussion: Optimum entrapment efficiency of domperidone in microsphere that was formulated with Acrycoat S100 was 78.723% ± 4.259 and increasing with the increasing of the Acrycoat S100 as its polymer with solvent evaporation method. It might be more with high concentrations of Acrycoat S100. Conclusion: The concentration of Acrycoat S100 was a crucial parameter in entrapment efficiency of domperidone in the microsphere.


Metabolism of N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine by isolated rat liver fractions yielded both n-propanol and isopropanol, providing evidence for a reaction sequence, initiated by formation of the alpha-hydroxynitrosamine, that leads to formation of carbonium ions. Administration of N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine to rats led to formation of 7-n-propylguanine but not 7-isopropylguanine in hepatic DNA, showing that in the intact cell, the reaction sequence is intercepted by nucleophilic sites in DNA before a carbocation is formed. Alkylation of DNA therefore appears to occur primarily by a bimolecular reaction not involving free alkyl cations. N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine is also oxidized by rat liver microsomes by two consecutive beta-oxidation reactions to yield N-nitroso-2-oxopropylpropylamine. The latter agent leads to production of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine in liver DNA following its administration to rats. The chemical nature of the ultimate methylating agent is unclear.


The present study tests the clinical postulate that elevated testosterone (Te) and estradiol (E2) concentrations modulate the effects of constant iv infusion of saline vs. recombinant human IGF-I on free IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1, and dimeric IGF-I/IGFBP-1 concentrations in healthy aging adults. To this end, comparisons were made after administration of placebo (Pl) vs. Te in eight older men (aged 61 +/- 4 yr) and after Pl vs. E2 in eight postmenopausal women (62 +/- 3 yr). In the saline session, E2 lowered and Te increased total IGF-I; E2 specifically elevated IGFBP-1 by 1.5-fold and suppressed free IGF-I by 34%; and E2 increased binary IGF-I/IGFBP-1 by 5-fold more than Te. During IGF-I infusion, the following were found: 1) total and free IGF-I rose 1.4- to 2.0-fold (Pl) and 2.1-2.5-fold (Te) more rapidly in men than women; 2) binary IGF-I/IGFBP-1 increased 3.4-fold more rapidly in men (Te) than women (E2); and 3) end-infusion free IGF-I was 1.6-fold higher in men than women. In summary, E2, compared with Te supplementation, lowers concentrations of total and ultrafiltratably free IGF-I and elevates those of IGFBP-1 and binary IGF-I/IGFBP-1, thus putatively limiting IGF-I bioavailability. If free IGF-I mediates certain biological actions, then exogenous Te and E2 may modulate the tissue effects of total IGF-I concentrations unequally.


The present study was planned to investigate the effect of Saprolegnia parasitica infection in the hematological, serum biochemical and pathological alterations of gray mullet. Forty five fish were divided into three equal groups. Fish of first group served as a control. Fish of group (2&3) were infected by Saprolegnia parasitica. Fish of group (3) were treated after 7 days of post-infection using sodium chloride 2ppm and 1% Nigella sativa for 10 days. Sampling was done after 1 and 7 days of post-infection (gps 1 & 2) and 10 days of post-treatment (gps 1& 3). The results revealed a non significant changes in the hematological and the biochemical parameters after 1 day of infection, but after 7 days of post-infection and 10 days of post-treatment, a significant decrease in RBCs, Hb, PCV and significant increase in AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, cortisol, insulin and glucose were seen. Iron showed a significant decrease at the same period of sampling. The pathological examination revealed a massive fungal growth resembling a tuft of cotton wool threads was seen in eyes, grills, fins and in localized areas of the skin. Microscopically, the fungal hyphae and spores appeared on eyes, gills, skin and underlying muscles with marked degenerative, necrotic and inflammatory reactions. These reactions were evident, after 7 days of postinfection and the severity of the lesions were markedly decreased after 10 days of post-treatment. It could be concluded that, saprolegnia parasitica infections induced marked tissue alterations as well as some hematological and serum biochemical changes. Although sodium chloride treated the infected cases and allowed the regenerative processes but it does not progress the hematological and serum biochemical parameters.


We used strips of human pulmonary arteries from patients undergoing surgery for lung tumor to investigate whether or not this human tissue (like that of the rabbit) is endowed with inhibitory presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The strips were incubated with [3H]noradrenaline and subsequently superfused with physiological salt solution containing cocaine, corticosterone, and propranolol. The electrically (2 Hz) evoked overflow of tritium consisted of 89% unmetabolized [3H]noradrenaline and was abolished by tetrodotoxin or omission of Ca2+ from the superfusion fluid. Unlabeled noradrenaline, adrenaline, and the preferential alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists B-HT 920, alpha-methylnoradrenaline, and clonidine concentration dependently inhibited the evoked overflow (maximum effect of clonidine lower than that of the other compounds): the alpha 1-selective agonist methoxamine was ineffective. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists BDF 6143 and rauwolscine facilitated the evoked overflow; the alpha 1-selective antagonist prazosin was ineffective. The concentration-response curve of B-HT 920 for its inhibitory effect on evoked overflow was shifted to the right by rauwolscine. It is concluded that the sympathetic nerve fibres of the human pulmonary artery possess presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Stimulation-evoked release of noradrenaline is inhibited by activation and facilitated by blockade of these receptors.


Angus Low has been a member of IABSE since 1991 and was a fellow from 2006 to 2010. He has contributed to and benefited from a particularly diverse range of IABSE activities. He joined Arup in London in 1968 and has spent most of his career with them, designing bridges. As a theoretician he has presented or written 16 papers to Annual Symposia, Structural Engineering International or the Annual Henderson Colloquium, run by the British Group of IABSE. A theme of his topics has been the (neglected) field of design theory—deriving relationships between key parameters of structures and parameters of the problem being solved. As a bridge designer, he was awarded the Milne Medal by the British Group of IABSE in 2007 for Excellence in Structural Design, based on his submission of three recent projects: Arstaviken Viaduct in Stockholm and Two Cycle Bridges in the Netherlands, Nesciobrug and the Drachten Ring. He was on the Scientific Committee for Chicago (2008) and London (2011) and on the Organising Committee for London (2011). He has been a member of the British Group Executive since 1992 and was Secretary of the British Group 2010–2015. He contributed to IABSE's Workshop on "The Future Shape of IABSE" in Rotterdam (2013). As a participant, he has attended 12 IABSE international events between 1982 and 2013. From 2001 to 2005 he was a member of the Working Commission 2 and then joined the Structural Engineering Documents Editorial Board (now Bulletin Board) and later the Working Group 3 (Guidelines for Design Competitions for Bridges) which completed the work initiated at the Henderson Colloquium (of the same title) which he had chaired in 2007. In retirement, he has contributed to some of the Future of Design events which are organised by younger members of the British Group. He and his wife, Melanie, participated in IABSE British Group Study Tours to Switzerland (2008), Paris and its region (2010, which they organised), Newcastle and its region (2013) and Athens and its region (2018). He has greatly enjoyed all these involvements and has been an excellent ambassador for IABSE.


This work investigates the effect of elastic support stiffness on the accuracy of moving load identification of Euler–Bernoulli beams. It uses the angular velocity response in solving the ill-posed inverse vibration problem and Tikhonov regularization in the load identification process of two moving loads. The effects from moving loads' traveling direction, measurement location arrangements, number of participant measurements, and damping ratios are considered in the studies under noisy disturbance conditions. Results show that the stiffness of the translational rotational springs at the boundaries can impact the accuracy of identified moving loads considerably. Angular velocities presented much better results than accelerations under low stiffness conditions when vertical elastic supports were used. However, acceleration showed better performance when a very soft translational spring was used at one end and a much stiffer translational spring at the other end, as well as when rotational springs with large stiffness were used with simply supported beam conditions. The combination of angular velocities and accelerations provided a balanced solution for a wide range of elastic supports with different stiffnesses.


This paper surveys hundreds of published social-science studies of private, hard-core cartels that contain 699 observations of long-run overcharges. The primary finding is that the median cartel overcharge for all types of cartels over all time periods is 25%: 19% for domestic cartels, 32% for international cartels, and 31% for all successful cartels. Thus, international cartels have historically been about 68% more effective in raising prices than domestic cartels. Cartel overcharges are skewed to the high side, pushing the mean overcharge for all types of cartels over all time periods to 42%. "Peak" cartel overcharges are typically double those of the long-run averages. These results are generally consistent with the few, more limited, previously published works that survey cartel overcharges. There is no evidence that convicted cartels are markedly less effective than unpunished ones. The results of a second survey of final verdicts in decided U.S. horizontal collusion cases, only three of which were international cartels, show an average median overcharge of 21% and an average mean overcharge of 30%. Outside the United States, 62 decisions of competition commissions cited median average overcharges of 25% and a mean of 47%. There are three significant policy implications. First, there is a view among some antitrust writers that there is little evidence that cartels raise prices significantly for a period long enough to justify the height of current U.S. cartel penalties. This survey's results, which are based upon an extraordinarily large amount of data spanning a broad swath of history of all types of private cartels, sharply contradict these views. In fact, the data suggest that U.S. penalties ought to be increased. Mean overcharges are three times as high as the level presumed by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Surprisingly, bid rigging was no more injurious than other forms of collusion, which suggests that the USSC should amend its Guidelines that currently treat bid rigging more harshly than other forms of collusion. Second, the principal antitrust authorities abroad often base their typical or maximum fines on a 10% harm presumption. Average fines imposed since 1995 by Canada and the EU on identical cartels have been lower than U.S. government fines, yet overcharges generated by cartels discovered outside the United States are higher than North America-centered cartels. Consequently, anticartel laws and fine-setting practices abroad are in even greater need of strengthening. Third, cartels with multi-continental price effects are the most harmful type. Despite the evident increases in cartel detection rates and the size of monetary fines and penalties in the past decade, a good case can be made that current global anticartel regimes are under-deterring. While the recent worldwide trend towards the intensification of cartel penalties has been desirable, global cartels are more difficult to detect, have less fear from entry of rivals, achieve higher levels of sales and profitability, and systematically receive weaker corporate sanctions than comparable domestic cartels. Antitrust sanctions worldwide should be higher for global cartels than for other types.


To predict and respond to famine and other forms of food insecurity, different early warning systems are using remote analyses of crop condition and agricultural production, using satellite-based information. To improve these predictions, a reliable estimation of the cultivated area at national scale must be carried out. In this study, we develop a methodology for extracting cultivated domain based on their temporal behaviour as captured in time-series of moderate resolution remote sensing MODIS images. We also used higher resolution SPOT and LANDSAT images for identifying cultivated areas used in training. We tested this methodology in Senegal and Mali at national scale. Both studied areas were stratified in homogeneous areas from an ecological and a remote sensing point of view, to reduce the land surface reflectance variability in the dataset in order to improve the classification efficiency. A spatiotemporal (K-means) classification was finally made on the MODIS NDVI time series, inside each of the agro-ecological regions For Senegal, we obtained an updated map of crop area with a better resolution than the USAID map (which is 1 km resolution) and with a nomenclature more specific of the Senegal region than suggested in the POSTEL map. For Mali, the results showed that MODIS data set can provide a completely satisfactory representation of the cultivated domain in one FEWS zone, in combination with external data. Results at national scale are being processed and will be presented at the conference.


This paper is devoted to the development of highly efficient kernels performing vector operations relevant in linear system solvers. In particular, we focus on the low arithmetic intensity operations (i.e., streaming operations) performed within the conjugate gradient iterative method, using the parameters specified in the CEED benchmark problems for high-order hexahedral finite elements. We propose a suite of new Benchmark Streaming tests to focus on the distinct streaming operations which must be performed. We implemented these new tests using the OCCA abstraction framework to demonstrate portability of these streaming operations on different GPU architectures, and propose a simple performance model for such kernels which can accurately capture data movement rates as well as kernel launch costs.


From the Publisher:
When combined with Visual C++, Game Programming All in One provides everything you need to get started as a game developer. Divided into increasingly advanced sections, it covers the most important elements of game development. Less experienced developers can start with the basics of C++ programming and can test their skills by developing two simple text games. After that, you're ready to move on to Windows programming and the main components of DirectX: DirectX Graphics, DirectSound, and Directlnput. Enhance your game design skills as you build a game library that you will use throughout the remainder of the book. The final sections cover advanced programming topics including mathematics, physics, and artificial intelligence. Put your new skills to the test as you conclude by building a full game.


Objective: To investigate whether particular courses in modern pharmacy curriculum equips enrolled students with knowledge/skills to differentiate between different claims of weight loss products. Methods: Claims from weight loss products in UAE market were identified and classified to three categories: indicating safety, indicating effectiveness or indicating convenience. They were assessed in a structured survey for the level of persuasion to undergraduate BSc Pharmacy students (n=199) in the College of Pharmacy (CP) in comparison to other undergraduate students (n= 44) from the College of Education (CE) in a University located at Al Ain city, UAE to adopt or recommend the product to their friends. The effect of the particular courses, namely Drug Information and Literature Evaluation (DI) and/or Research Skills (RS), on the level of persuasion was investigated. Results: A trend showing more CP students favoring the different statements was noted particularly if the drug was approved by the FDA (95% confidence interval (CI) 49.9%-63.7%) and being a prescription drug (95% CI 57.6%-71.0%). Moreover, CP students were more distinctive in favoring the different statements, however students' enrollment in DI and/or RS courses did not demonstrate tangible effect. Conclusion: DI and RS that teach pharmacy students to be conservative in accepting claims failed to yield the expected results. DI course should tackle practical issues such as the one in this study. The integrated didactic courses with experiential components that focus on wellness may also offer an alternative or additional solution. Future similar studies should focus on students exiting the pharmacy program to eliminate some confounding factors. Key words: Critical Thinking, Drug Information and Literature Evaluation, FDA Approval, Integrated Courses, Obesity, Research Skills.


An effort was made to determine whether the intimate structure of a polymer blend is homogeneous or fractal with phase segregation. This investigation involved the analysis of dielectric relaxation in polyethylene-polycarbonate blends in terms of the model of dissipation in fractal media. The effect of room-temperature aging on internal boundaries in polyethylene and polyethylene-polycarbonate blends was investigated. The results obtained are correlated with the presence of interphases in the bulk, as revealed by thermodynamical analysis.<<ETX>>


This study examines the association of the demographic profiles and dining out behavior of Malaysian fine dining restaurant consumers' with their purchasing orientation. Additionally, consumers' purchasing orientation via their demographic features was determined. Surveys were conducted using self-administered questionnaire at 8 fine dining restaurants. 1200 questionnaires were distributed and 419 useable questionnaires were collected. Data were analyzed using the SPSS employing cross-tabulation and logistic regression. Findings showed that 4 demographic variables i.e. gender, educational level, occupation and monthly income and 3 dining-out behavior i.e. frequency of visit, dining-out companion (with family) and reason for dining-out (special occasion) were found to have significant association with consumers' purchasing orientation. 4 demographic variables i.e. gender, educational level, occupation and income were shown as significant determinants of consumer purchasing orientation. The findings of this study should be of interest to this industry. The profiling of the demographics and dining-out behaviour of the consumers' of fine dining restaurant as well as the creation of a logistic regression equation to predict the probability of cluster membership will help restaurateurs understand their customers better and enable effective actions for business improvement via accurate business forecasting and target segments that are much more likely to patronize their restaurant


Objectives: To determine the attitudes of faculty and residents of surgical specialties towards professionalism and to test the validity and reliability of a tool developed in USA for Pakistan. Methods: An exploratory validation study was carried out at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from 01-Aug-2016 to 31-Jan-2017. Penn State College of Medicine Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM) was used, being a reliable and valid survey tools. Exploratory Factor Analysis of the inter-correlations of responses for 36 items was done using SPPS v 21 to give a factor solution to reflect the perceptions regarding attitudinal elements. Results: There were 209 respondents including 172 residents and 37 faculty members. Response rate was 81.32%. Exploratory Factor Analyses of responses gave a seven factor solution of professionalism: accountability, honour and integrity, excellence, duty, altruism, equity and respect. Six of the factors that emerged reflect the six elements of professionalism reported by American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), except for 'equity', which was the new factor that emerged. Cronbach's alpha (Internal Consistency Reliability) for each element of professionalism was between 0.88-0.98. Conclusion: PSCOM is a valid, reliable, feasible and acceptable tool to assess attitudes of faculty and residents towards professionalism in Pakistan. 'Equity' emerged as a new factor which needs to be studied further.