Conceptually, technology refers to the use of engineering tools, usually instruments, techniques and methods aimed at reaching a problem solution. Humans have evolved with successful application of new technologies – the fire, the wheel, the writing, the press, steam machines, the electricity – that allowed the development of humanity through the renaissance and the Industrial Revolution, and more recently by progressive use of new resources based on scientific computation and telecommunication and cuttingedge technologies. Although these technology achievements have enabled great progress of humanity, one should not forget that they also brought along wars with devastating destructive power, threatening life and planet survival. Trepanation tools, for example, are prehistoric and thus it is conceivable that technology was developed and employed in health care at the time of human gathering and is intrinsically linked to the development of medicine. In the 18th century, patient clinical examination, as depicted by iconic portraits of the time, illustrates a more contemplative attitude, limited to asking questions about patient's sense of well-being and examining the tongue. The second half of the 19th century was marked by what is considered by many the beginning of scientific medicine, where physical examination including abdominal palpation, listening to the chest sounds (approaching the ear to patient's thoracic wall), and percussion was surpassed by revolutionary techniques and tools including the stethoscope, the thermometer, the microscope, the X-ray and the electrocardiograph.1


We report 2 generations with type C hereditary brachydactyly of dominant autosomal inheritance of variable expressiveness. The most characteristic data was the shortening of the middle phalanges of the second, third and fifth finger as well as the first metacarpal. Short stature was observed in three of the patients studied. The goal of this study was aimed at stimulating GH pharmacologically and determining its 24 h physiologic secretion, as well as somatomedin C levels. All the determinations were within the normal range. The deficient growth shown by these patients is a constitutional growth delay, possibly an expression of type C brachydactyly.


Most model checking techniques for security protocols make a number of simplifying assumptions on the protocol and/or on its execution environment that prevent their applicability in some important cases. For instance, most techniques assume that communication between honest principals is controlled by a Dolev -Yao intruder, i.e. a malicious agent capable to overhear, divert, and fake messages. Yet we might be interested in establishing the security of a protocol that relies on a less unsecure channel (e.g. a confidential channel provided by some other protocol sitting lower in the protocol stack). In this paper we propose a general model for security protocols based on the set-rewriting formalism that, coupled with the use of LTL, allows for the specification of assumptions on principals and communication channels as well as complex security properties that are normally not handled by state-of-the-art protocol analysers. By using our approach we have been able to formalise all the assumptions required by the ASW protocol for optimistic fair exchange as well as some of its security properties. Besides the previously reported attacks on the protocol, we report a new attack on a patched version of the protocol.


We researched a significant topic on exchange rate behavior by restating the test procedures in a novel manner and applying an appropriate econometric methodology to re-examine exchange rate behavior of the US economy. The central research question is: Do inflation differences across two economies fully account for exchange rate changes, if controls for non-parity factors are embedded while controlling for interest rate differences? The results affirm, for the first time, that price parity factor holds well while other factors - interest rates and non-parity factors – also affect exchange rates significantly. Our tests also identifies the time to equilibrium to be 0.139 (13.9%) per quarter to adjust to equilibrium value. In our view, these findings extend our knowledge of how the US dollar behavior is consistent with parity and non-parity theorems. Prior tests have been inconclusive on parity factors. The Malaysian Ringgit is heavily dependent on the US dollar exchange rate, and our findings thus have monetary policy implications for the Malaysia's regulators.


Abstract The OMEGA laser at the University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics (UR/LLE) implodes fusion targets that contain cryogenic solid deuterium-tritium (DT) ice layers. These ICF targets are fabricated in a high-pressure DT-fill process. This paper describes the integration and control of this DT-fill process. The appropriate safety-control response during the DT-fill process depends on the location of the tritium inventory and where the containment alarm is detected. A control response that is deemed appropriate earlier in the fill process could be a dangerous action at a later point in the fill process. The control system must adapt as the DT inventory moves through the process train. This is achieved by defining eight "fill states" in the fill process. The control system transitions to the appropriate fill state as the DT fill progresses. The fill state reflects the tritium location, pressure, and temperature. Steps are taken to ensure that the tritium location and the fill state are in agreement. The control system monitors the containment system's integrity and will take the appropriate action, based on the tritium location and the type of containment failure. This approach not only ensures process safety, but also maximizes the productivity by executing process pauses (in lieu of aborts) when conditions allow.


This paper presents an approach to dependency parsing which can utilize any standard machine learning (classification) algorithm. A decision list learner was used in this work. The training data provided in the form of a treebank is converted to a format in which each instance represents information about one word pair, and the classification indicates the existence, direction, and type of the link between the words of the pair. Several distinct models are built to identify the links between word pairs at different distances. These models are applied sequentially to give the dependency parse of a sentence, favoring shorter links. An analysis of the errors, attribute selection, and comparison of different languages is presented.


Competitive strategy is concerns with what a firm is doing in order to gain a sustainable competitive advantage. The stiff competition among the public transport companies and the entry of other players into the industry following the government plan to ban on fourteen seater passenger vehicles necessitate the design of competitive strategies to guarantee their performance. This study sought to determine the influence of competitive strategies on performance of Express Company Limited in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the competitive strategies adopted and the effects of competitive strategies on performance of express connections Kenya Limited.
The research used a case study approach to give an in-depth understanding of the competitive strategies on performance of Express Connections Limited. The study used both primary and secondary data where primary data was collected using an interview guide and secondary data was collected from audited financial reports and other publications at Express Connections Limited. Content analysis was used to analyze this data collected from the interviewees. The study established that Express Connections Limited adopted a number of competitive strategies; standard pricing was being used within the respective timings for instance peak and off peak differentiation, usage of standard colors so as to identify the fleet and the creation of a sister company to help build the bus bodies and in repair of the vehicles and segmented market on the basis of routes being covered by the fleets and zones in order to ensure effective coverage of all routes. The study concludes that service quality and customer relationship are the most effective competitive strategy used by Express Connections Limited as well as differentiation of services to suit their clients. The study recommended that the company
continue investing and coming up with unique services so that they can differentiate themselves and at the same time continue innovating services which will compete with other companies' and do aggressive marketing in order to change the perception which the customers have regarding the pricing. The study faced a limitation as regards to interviewee's confidence that the information provided would not be misused but used for the purpose for which it was meant. The study was a case study of one company and therefore it may not be expanded to include more companies. Therefore the applications of the study findings are limited to one company. The study recommends that, further research could be expanded to include other companies in the transport industry in order to make a comprehensive conclusion. At the same time the same study should be carried on other industries especially in the manufacturing sector, to enhance comparison.


Author(s): Sapp, Stephanie | Advisor(s): van der Laan, Mark | Abstract: Ensemble methods using the same underlying algorithm trained on different subsets of observations have recently received increased attention as practical prediction tools for massive data sets. We propose Subsemble, a general subset ensemble prediction method, which can be used for small, moderate, or large data sets. Subsemble partitions the full data set into subsets of observations, fits one or more user-specified underlying algorithm on each subset, and uses a clever form of V-fold cross-validation to output a prediction function that combines the subset-specific fits through a second user-specified metalearner algorithm. We give an oracle result that provides a theoretical performance guarantee for Subsemble. Through simulations, we demonstrate that Subsembles with randomly created subsets can be beneficial tools for small to moderate sized data sets, and often have better prediction performance than the same underlying algorithm fit just once on the full data set. We also describe how to include Subsembles as candidates in a SuperLearner library, providing a practical way to evaluate the performance of Subsembles relative to the same underlying algorithm fit just once on the full data set.Since the final Subsemble estimator varies depending on the data within each subset, different strategies for creating the subsets used in Subsemble result in different Subsembles, which in turn have different prediction performance. To study the effect of subset creation strategies, we propose supervised partitioning of the covariate space to learn the subsets used in Subsemble. We highlight computational advantages of this approach, discuss applications to large-scale data sets, and develop a practical Supervised Subsemble method using regression trees to both create the covariate space partitioning, and select the number of subsets used in Subsemble. Through simulations and real data analysis, we show that this subset creation method can provide better prediction performance than the random subset version.Finally, we develop the R package subsemble to make the Subsemble method readily available to both researchers and practitioners. We describe the subsemble function, discuss implementation details, and illustrate application of the Subsemble algorithm for prediction with subsemble through an example data set.


Although, there exists no consensus about the impact of television commercials on the social and moral behavior of viewers, the accusations that we come across in past research are grave. This study is an attempt to examine the same in India. An empirical analysis of the views of 520 respondents revealed that television commercials undermine social, moral and religious values and negatively influence human behavior. They violate ethical norms and disrespect the integrity of cultures, the consequences of which manifest themselves in the form of degradation of women, sexual preoccupation and boost to materialism. Degradation of relationships in Indian families and the misleading and untruthful content of television commercials are yet other points of concern highlighted by the study.


AIMS
To examine patient and medication characteristics associated with retention and continued illicit opioid use in methadone (MET) versus buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP) treatment for opioid dependence.

DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
This secondary analysis included 1267 opioid-dependent individuals participating in nine opioid treatment programs between 2006 and 2009 and randomized to receive open-label BUP or MET for 24 weeks.

MEASUREMENTS
The analyses included measures of patient characteristics at baseline (demographics; use of alcohol, cigarettes and illicit drugs; self-rated mental and physical health), medication dose and urine drug screens during treatment, and treatment completion and days in treatment during the 24-week trial.

FINDINGS
The treatment completion rate was 74% for MET versus 46% for BUP (P < 0.01); the rate among MET participants increased to 80% when the maximum MET dose reached or exceeded 60 mg/day. With BUP, the completion rate increased linearly with higher doses, reaching 60% with doses of 30-32 mg/day. Of those remaining in treatment, positive opioid urine results were significantly lower [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.52-0.76, P < 0.01] among BUP relative to MET participants during the first 9 weeks of treatment. Higher medication dose was related to lower opiate use, more so among BUP patients. A Cox proportional hazards model revealed factors associated with dropout: (i) BUP [versus MET, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.61, CI = 1.20-2.15], (ii) lower medication dose (<16 mg for BUP, <60 mg for MET; HR = 3.09, CI = 2.19-4.37), (iii) the interaction of dose and treatment condition (those with higher BUP dose were 1.04 times more likely to drop out than those with lower MET dose, and (iv) being younger, Hispanic and using heroin or other substances during treatment.

CONCLUSIONS
Provision of methadone appears to be associated with better retention in treatment for opioid dependence than buprenorphine, as does use of provision of higher doses of both medications. Provision of buprenorphine is associated with lower continued use of illicit opioids.


Elite athletes' performances are astonishing, leaving millions of people wondering how it is possible that they do what they do. With apparent ease, grace and fluidity, elite athletes carry out seemingly impossible manoeuvres. They constantly push the boundaries of human performance and we, the ones standing on the sideline, are fascinated by it. In contemporary Western society, sport is part of our everyday lives with elite sport having become a multi-million euro business. While sport is probably the major opportunity of physical activity for all children and adolescents, elite athletes are considered role models for many of them.

If we look under the surface of elite sport, we know that every elite athlete was once a child and has gone a long way before reaching the top. What characterised their successful development towards expertise? One way to gain insight into this intriguing question is to simply ask current elite athletes to retrospectively report what they have done. They would probably tell you that they have dedicated most of their time, energy, resources and effort, with the goal of becoming the best that they can be.1 Still, this leaves us with the question of how to identify and develop those youth athletes who have the potential to become outstanding when …


Background: A mathematical investigation of the reasons for the fifth wave's quick expansion and reduction in Tokyo, Japan, is required to avoid the spread of subsequent COVID-19 infections. Methods: Using the simple IR theory underlying the susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR) hypothesis of infectious disease epidemics, infected persons (I), infection rate, and testing/isolation rate are determined from accessible data of daily positive cases (R) and testing numbers. Results: The rapid spread of illness from late July to mid-August was owing to a drop in the number of people tested to half that of weekdays during the Olympic Games' four and three-day vacations. The maximum number of daily positives would have been lowered to two-fifths of the actual positives in early August if the number of weekday tests had been maintained during these holidays and would have fallen monotonically thereafter. The infection rates mean value fell steadily from 0.65 in late August to around 0.25 by the end of September. The significant increase in vaccination rates is mostly to blame for the fall in infection rates. In Tokyo, the impact of mRNA-based vaccines on infection prevention and increased vaccination rates could reduce the infection rate to 1/2 on September 10 and 1/3 by the end of October. Conclusion: According to the findings, a new infection like the delta variant can be suppressed to less than the fifth wave by increasing vaccination rates, eliminating three consecutive holidays, and implementing a precautionary testing system that maintains the same number of tests on weekends as on weekdays in the event of a rapid spread of infection in an emergency.


The objectives of the study were to develop an improved separator design and quantify the reduction in material usage for the improved design.
Normally, the production of the reservoir fluids to be handled by the separator changes over the life of the field in terms of the relative amount of oil, water and gas. The world crude oil reservoir would not get any bigger in years to come. Hence the field area available to build a platform over it would be limited. Therefore the surface production facilities and equipment should be designed as compact as possible to serve the purpose. This study aims for optimum design of the separator and hence the platform supporting it by redesigning the 3-phase separator which would be fit-for-purpose only.
The scope of the study were a) enhance understanding on the current design and applications of a 3-phase separator, b) review the criteria used in the designs, and c) determine the possible areas for improvements without sacrificing the performance of the 3-phase separator. Finally a case study was carried out using typical reservoir data of Sumandak Field. Microsoft Excel Solver was used to calculate the required separator sizing parameter throughout the study.
The design optimization process started off with the analysis of the reservoir crude compositions and properties. The mole fractions and K values of the hydrocarbon components in the crude were determined at a specific operating temperature and pressure. Flow stream characterizations (i.e. gas and liquid process parameters) were then determined from the crude compositions and properties. Using the calculated process parameters, the study on the separator sizing was carried out using the appropriate design guidelines. Results of the study had shown that the slenderness ratio, SR, was the most critical factor in order to achieve an optimum size of a 3-phase separator. The study concluded that with optimum design at SR = 4.5, with d = 7.92 ft and Lss = 35.0 ft would reduce the d by 26.9% and Lss by 19.9%, based on Sumandak Field data.


The author studied 40 patients with hereditary extrapyramidal diseases, including 8 cases with Hallerworden-Spatz disease, 13--with Hutchingtons chorea and 23 with torsion dystonia. For control purposes 20 normals were studied as well. The studies were aimed at determining the iron, manganese and zinc content in the blood plasma in the diurnal urine by means of an atom-absorbtional spectrophotometry on the apparatus "Perkin--Elmer-503" with the use of black lead flasks. These parameters were correlated with the clinical syndrome, severity of the condition and its duration. In order to detect the possible intercorrelations between the trace elements the method of a correlational level with determination of Spearman's coefficient was used.


This article start with a research completed in 2018, whose goal was to identify situations and causes of physical, emotional, social and economic vulnerability of the students of the Social Communication´s program. In pursuit of this aim, four discussion groups, 125 surveys shaped with 49 closed questions each, provided the information for the analysis. The results of the research, enabled the identification of some socioeconomic characteristics of the students, such as that the program average student lives in low-middle class neighborhoods, does not get to have three proper meals a day and depends on his family to pay their student fees and their sustenance. The research also showed that belonging to the LGBTIQ+ population, parenting, and financial difficulties, represent some bigger student vulnerability conditions which impact in the quality of the training environment and the forming process itself.


The double role piston pump based on the symmetrical gear and crank-link-slider mechanism driven by servo motor is innovated, its working principle and technical characteristics are introduced. In this new type of piston pump, the hydraulic cylinder piston is drived, and the velocity can be adjusted, but the flow pulse of a single pump is undoubtedly great. So two piston pumps are adopted, whose velocity are controled by NC, then the variable stepless timing in wide range can be achieved. If the velocity in this two pumps |v1|+|v2|=C (C is a constant), the flow curve of two pumps will be coupled into a straight line, in order to achieve constant flow output without the need of complex and inefficient throttle controlling loops, and there has not any power machines and mechanical parts in high-speed rotation ,and the noise pollution is very low. According to the varied circumstance, the high and low pressure conversion can be achieved when the angle velocity in this piston pump is controlled by the instructions. It is also very easy to achieve the dynamic and intelligent control.


The genotype data of 7054 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci in 40 tomato lines, including inbred lines, F1 hybrids, and wild relatives, were collected using Illumina's Infinium and GoldenGate assay platforms, the latter of which was utilized in our previous study. The dendrogram based on the genotype data corresponded well to the breeding types of tomato and wild relatives. The SNPs were classified into six categories according to their positions in the genes predicted on the tomato genome sequence. The genes with SNPs were annotated by homology searches against the nucleotide and protein databases, as well as by domain searches, and they were classified into the functional categories defined by the NCBI's eukaryotic orthologous groups (KOG). To infer the SNPs' effects on the gene functions, the three-dimensional structures of the 843 proteins that were encoded by the genes with SNPs causing missense mutations were constructed by homology modelling, and 200 of these proteins were considered to carry non-synonymous amino acid substitutions in the predicted functional sites. The SNP information obtained in this study is available at the Kazusa Tomato Genomics Database (http://plant1.kazusa.or.jp/tomato/).


We propose a trust-region stochastic sequential quadratic programming algorithm (TR-StoSQP) to solve nonlinear optimization problems with stochastic objectives and deterministic equality constraints. We consider a fully stochastic setting, where in each iteration a single sample is generated to estimate the objective gradient. The algorithm adaptively selects the trust-region radius and, compared to the existing line-search StoSQP schemes, allows us to employ indefinite Hessian matrices (i.e., Hessians without modification) in SQP subproblems. As a trust-region method for constrained optimization, our algorithm needs to address an infeasibility issue—the linearized equality constraints and trust-region constraints might lead to infeasible SQP subproblems. In this regard, we propose an adaptive relaxation technique to compute the trial step that consists of a normal step and a tangential step. To control the lengths of the two steps, we adaptively decompose the trust-region radius into two segments based on the proportions of the feasibility and optimality residuals to the full KKT residual. The normal step has a closed form, while the tangential step is solved from a trust-region subproblem, to which a solution ensuring the Cauchy reduction is sufficient for our study. We establish the global almost sure convergence guarantee for TR-StoSQP, and illustrate its empirical performance on both a subset of problems in the CUTEst test set and constrained logistic regression problems using data from the LIBSVM collection.


A process is described whereby 2-D arrays of small diameter spherical lenses are produced in a homogeneous photosensitive glass by a photothermal technique. The mechanism of the lens formation is explained on the basis of the density change of the photonucleated microcrystalline phase developed relative to the unexposed glass. The lens formation is related to such variables as optical exposure, thermal schedule, glass thickness, and lens diameter. Optical characterization of the lenses produced by this technique was carried out by interferometric and MTF measurements. One-to-one conjugate erect imaging lens arrays were fabricated and tested.


The rate determining step and the energy barrier involved in hydrogen adsorption on Pt/WO_3- ZrO_2 were studied based on the assumption that the hydrogen adsorption occurs only through Pt sites. The rate of hydrogen adsorption on Pt/WO_3-ZrO_2 was measured in the adsorption temperature range of 323-573 K and an initial hydrogen pressure of 50 Torr.The rates of hydrogen uptake were very high for the initial few minutes and the adsorption continued for more than 5 h below 523 K.The hydrogen uptake far exceeded the H/Pt ratio of unity for all adsorption temperatures,indicating that the adsorption of hydrogen involved the dissociative adsorption of hydrogen on Pt sites to form hydrogen atoms,the spillover of hydrogen atoms onto the surface of the WO_3-ZrO2 catalyst,the diffusion of spiltover hydrogen atom over the surface of the WO_3-ZrO_2 catalyst,and the formation of protonic acid site originated from hydrogen atom by releasing an electron in which the electron may react with a second hydrogen atom to form a hydride near the Lewis acid site.The rate determining step was the spillover with the activation energy of 12.3 kJ/mol.The rate of hydrogen adsorption cannot be expressed by the rate equation based on the assumption that the rate determining step is the surface diffusion.The activity of Pt/WO_3-ZrO_2 was examined on n-heptane isomerization in which the increase of hydrogen partial pressure provided positive-effect on the conversion of n-heptane and negative-effect on the selectivity towards iso-heptane.


Grain legumes, together with quinoa and amaranth (pseudocereals) and other crops are attractive candidates to satisfy the growing demand for plant protein production worldwide for food and feed. Despite their high value, many protein crops have not been adequately assessed and numerous species are underutilized. Special attention has to be paid to genetic diversity and landraces, and to the key limiting factors affecting yield, including water deficiency and other abiotic and biotic stresses, in order to obtain stable, reliable and sustainable crop production through the introduction and local adaptation of genetically improved varieties. Legumes, the main protein crops worldwide, contribute to the sustainable improvement of the environment due to their ability to fix nitrogen and their beneficial effects on the soil. They play a key role in the crop diversification and sustainable intensification of agriculture, particularly in light of new and urgent challenges, such as climate change and food security. In addition, the role of legumes in nutrition has been recognized as a relevant source of plant protein, together with other benefits for health. Chapters dealing with common bean, lupine, soybean, lentil, cowpea and Medicago are included in this book. Most contributions deal with legumes, but the significant number of papers on different aspects of quinoa gives an idea of the increasing importance of this protein crop. Pseudocereals, such as quinoa and amaranth, are good sources of proteins. Quinoa and amaranth seeds contain lysine, an essential amino acid that is limited in other grains. Nutritional evaluations of quinoa indicate that it constitutes a source of complete protein with a good balance among all of the amino acids needed for human diet, and also important minerals, vitamins, high quality oils and flavonoids. Other protein crops also included in this book are hemp, cotton and cereals (maize, wheat and rice). Although cereals protein content is not high, their seeds are largely used for human consumption. In this book are included articles dealing with all different aspects of protein crops, including nutritional value, breeding, genetic diversity, biotic and abiotic stress, cropping systems or omics, which may be considered crucial to help provide the plant proteins of the future. Overall, the participation of 169 authors in 29 chapters in this book indicates an active scientific community in the field, which appears to be an encouraging reflect of the global awareness of the need for sustainability and the promising future of proteins crops as a source of food and feed. (Resume d'auteur)


Dietary fiber fermentation decreases luminal pH by the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Additional proposed physiological benefits of fiber fermentation include decreased growth of pathogenic bacteria, increased mineral absorption, and serving as an energy source for the colon epithelium. This study examined three common fiber supplements--wheat dextrin (WD) (Benefiber, Novartis Consumer Health Inc., Parsippany, NJ, USA), psyllium (PS) (Metamucil, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, USA), and inulin (Fiber Sure, Procter & Gamble)--for pH, SCFAs, and gas production. An established in vitro fermentation model was used to simulate colonic fermentation at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. At 24 hours, WD and inulin significantly decreased pH compared to PS. Inulin produced significantly more hydrogen and total gas. All treatments produced similar total SCFA concentrations at 24 hours; however, the rate of production was different. PS had a declining rate of SCFA production from 12 to 24 hours, whereas WD and inulin had a higher rate during that period. Fast-fermenting substrates may not provide as much SCFAs to the distal colon as slow-fermenting substrates. Differences in fermentation rate, gas production, and SCFA production observed for WD, PS, and inulin may affect their gastrointestinal tolerance and require further study.


Analysis of chlorophyll-a map from remote sensing satellite data (MERIS) showed a consistent low concentration biomass in the middle of Lake Geneva for about two weeks in autumn 2009. A three dimensional hydrodynamic model (Delft3D-flow) validated with temperature and currents field data partly explains the observed horizontal phytoplankton patchiness. Our analysis suggests that physical mesoscale processes and in particular the large gyre observed in the middle of Lake Geneva plays an important role in the spatial heterogeneity of the biomass. This study finally emphasizes the benefit of using jointly remote sensing data, field observation together with numerical model to provide a better understanding of lake ecosystems.


Abstract Mount Lovćen holds significant cultural, political and religious symbolism in Montenegro, especially due to the fact that the mountain is the last resting place of the prince-bishop and national poet Petar II Petrovich-Njegoš (1813–1851). In the twentieth century the grave of Njegoš has undergone profound material transformations. Each of these transformations has led to heated debates about the site's religious and national significance. During 2013, in the context of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Njegoš' birth, the debate flared up again. This article approaches the recent discussion over the site through an in-depth and fieldwork-based study of the sacralization and the religious reinvention of the Lovćen mountain and monument. The abrupt material, semantic and practical transformations of the site in the twentieth century suggest a profound process of sacralization, which this article seeks to examine. This study of the case of Lovćen provides new insight into political contestation of identity from the point of view of material religion, and allows us to nuance our understanding of the relationship between nationhood and religion as it is materialized in monuments, places and memories in Montenegro since the independence of the country in 2006.


I take it as obvious that we as a profession, as well as individual research organisations like the BAE, should think about research priorities. Brian Fisher's views on needs in agricultural policy research is a welcome contribution to this thinking. It is in the nature of such efforts that they will not attract universal agreement. Inevitably there will be debate and argument. This is healthy and desirable.


Invasive method of determining blood pressure has been the commonly used method in animal model of hypertension study. Currently used non-invasive blood pressure monitoring devices are very costly and unaffordable by researchers from developing or underdeveloped countries. In our study, we designed a new method for determining blood pressure in animal model studies by using CONTEC 08A device with small cuff for rats. Ten male Wistar rats of 182-240 g body weight were randomly assigned to two groups (n=5/group). A group served as control (without treatment), the second group was administered dexamethasone (2mg/kg of body weight) supplemented with 4% table salt (NaCl) as drinking water to induce hypertension. Blood pressure was measured ten times in each rat of the two groups at baseline (day 0) and after 5 days. Reproducibility (Sw) was calculated in each group. CONTEC 08A yielded good reproducibility in both hypertensive (SBP, Sw = 6 mm Hg, DBP, Sw = 10 mm Hg) and non-hypertensive rats (SBP, Sw = 3 mm Hg, DBP, Sw = 6 mm Hg). Better reproducibility was obtained in non-hypertensive rats. Consistency in data obtained showed that non-invasive blood pressure monitoring using CONTEC 08A device with small cuff is effective, and recommendable for use in rat model study of hypertension. Essential hypertension affects 95% of hypertensive patient's worldwide countries. Animal models are required to understand the physiology of essential hypertension. Intraarterial cannulation is generally considered the most physiological method of blood pressure (BP) recording in animals like rats. The procedure of arterial cannulation in small animals and to maintain the patency of arterial catheter for long time experimentation is very difficult and time consuming. Various studies have reported the strong correlation between tail-cuff and intraarterial BPs measured simultaneously in conscious rats. These comparisons have provided important validations of the BP recorded by tail-cuff method. However, there are various factors including heating and restraint that can alter the BP recorded by non-invasive methods.
Photoplethysmography (PPG), piezo plethysmography and volume pressure recording used in various non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) techniques for measuring the BP in small animals like a rat and mice are expensive. Systolic BP can be determined by measuring the pressure value in the cuff when PPG pulse reappears during deflation. This is a simple technique and does not need calculations or formulae. In view of the above, we hypothesized that BP in rat can be measured by using pulse transducer with physiograph and an appropriate rat tail-cuff.
In this study, we recorded the systolic BP of rats by an innovated device reproducible and that correlates strongly with BP measured subsequently by NIBP machine from AD instruments (ADI) (IN125NIBP controller) Australia. This experimental design has the advantage of being simple, convenient and of low cost.
The study was conducted on albino rats (n = 6) weighing 180-250 g obtained from central animal house of King George's Medical University, Lucknow. BP was measured by two devices at 9:30 am daily for 5 days. The device was developed at the Department of Physiology KGMU, Lucknow. Study was done in accordance with the CPCSEA guidelines.
Sphygmomanometer, physiograph with coupler, pulse transducer, tramway and no collapsible rubber tubes were procured from various laboratories and inflatable raft tail-cuff was designed by the authors. The cuff consists of latex balloon measuring 5 cm × 2 cm with 0.5 mm thickness. This balloon was placed in a circular plastic case having a diameter of 23 mm with a central hole of 12 mm diameter. The balloon was kept in such a fashion that it remains in contact with an inner surface of plastic case around the central hole, so that this balloon encircles the tail. One end of the tramway related to the balloon (tail-cuff) and other two ends were connected to inflating-deflating pump and sphygmomanometer. The system measures systolic BP by determining the cuff pressure (reflected on sphygmomanometer) at which blood flow (pulse) to the tail was eliminated. This elimination of blood flow (pulse) was recorded by pulse transducer connected to single channel physiograph through a suitable coupler.


Recent years have witnessed deep neural networks gaining increasing popularity in the field of time series forecasting. A primary reason of their success is their ability to effectively capture complex temporal dynamics across multiple related time series. However, the advantages of these deep forecasters only start to emerge in the presence of a sufficient amount of data. This poses a challenge for typical forecasting problems in practice, where one either has a small number of time series, or limited observations per time series, or both. To cope with the issue of data scarcity, we propose a novel domain adaptation framework, Domain Adaptation Forecaster (DAF), that leverages the statistical strengths from another relevant domain with abundant data samples (source) to improve the performance on the domain of interest with limited data (target). In particular, we propose an attention-based shared module with a domain discriminator across domains as well as private modules for individual domains. This allows us to jointly train the source and target domains by generating domain-invariant latent features while retraining domain-specific features. Extensive experiments on various domains demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art baselines on synthetic and real-world datasets.


This paper considers social media and eprofessionalism and the image of nursing and reports on a project, centred upon the question: What is a nurse? It explores the response to a recent Miss America pageant where, for the talent section of the show, a contestant performed a monologue and discussed her profession as a nurse.What ensued was a media furore following release to television and YouTube as the contestant's speech was viewed worldwide. Subsequent to this, a group of postgraduate students were asked to review the YouTube of the contestant and write a critical reflection on the role of a nurse in contemporary healthcare...


This article charts and tries to reckon with the relationship between anthropology and Native America. In an older time, most American anthropologists made their living studying Indians, this almost parasitic disciplinary dependence lasting well into the 20th century. Then came the turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s, the Red Power movement, and a period of estrangement between anthropologists and Native America. And now, quite unexpectedly, a tentative rapprochement has been taking place, albeit on very different terms with native anthropologists often at the forefront. This article focuses mostly on the United States, although also reflecting on new work about native peoples Canada and Latin America.


Introduction:
 Neuroprotection remains an elusive goal for the treatment of stroke patients. Vascular protection is achievable in humans and may result in reduced brain injury. Our recent preclinical studies demonstrated robust protective effects of angiotensin II receptor type-1 blockers (ARBs), leading to improved stroke outcome. These effects were associated with increased VEGF production and an enhanced proangiogenic state.

 Purpose:
 To remove the possibility of a protective effect with blood pressure lowering alone, we determined whether ARBs exert neuro- and vascular protective effects in isolated brain cells.

 Methods:
 Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC) and mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22) were treated with clinically relevant concentrations of candesartan (0.1 and 1.6 µg/ml) and losartan (0.05 and 0.2 µg/ml). Angiogenic response was assessed using wound healing and Matrigel tube formation assays. Cell proliferation and viability were assessed by BrdU incorporation and MTT assays respectively. Western blotting was used to measure the levels of VEGF isoforms in hCMEC and apoptotic markers in the neurons.

 Results:
 Treatment with ARBs increased endothelial cell migration (45, 32, 39 and 27% increase in percent migration after 18 hours of treatment with candesartan 0.1, candesartan 1.6, losartan 0.05 and losartan 0.2 µg/ml respectively, p<0.05) and tube formation (4 and 10 fold increase after 48 and 72 hours of treatment with candesartan 1.6 µg/ml respectively, p<0.05). This was accompanied by an increased expression of VEGF-A and B both in the cell lysate and the conditioned media after 24 hours of treatment (90 and 65% increase in VEGF-A and B respectively). Direct application of candesartan did not salvage neurons after 24 hours of serum starvation. However, conditioned media collected from endothelial cells treated with candesartan decreased the expression of apoptotic markers in the neurons by 25%.

 Conclusion:
 ARBs exert a neuroprotective effect that is mediated through vasculature-secreted VEGF A and B. Translational Impact: This work demonstrates, for the first time, that the neuroprotective effects of ARBs are mediated through effects on the vasculature. Vascular protection represents an exciting new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of ischemic stroke patients.


The agricultural sector plays an essential role in the national economy of each country. Today, methods used to determine the pattern of crop rotation with crop risk are often used to increase farmers' well-being and maximize their profits. In the present study, the aim of developing an optimal model of cultivating agricultural crops in risk conditions in Sistan province, Sistan and Baluchestan province, is based on the crosssectional data of 2016-2017 years. For this purpose, the integrated model of goal programmin and the Focus-Loos model was developed. The results showed that in the lands of more than 3 hectares, the gross income in Zabol, Zahak and Hirmand regions was 1954567, 1324568 and 1245751 tomans, and Loss in Zabol and Hirmand region, respectively, were 351254 and 253698.45 USD per hectare, respectively And these results indicate that by increasing the area of aquaculture, farms will select production patterns with a few limited products, and the smaller the farm, the greater the variety of cultivated products will be to reduce the income risk. In all sample farms, the gross income earned is higher than the household's needs for basic needs and can make more investment with it. It is suggested that by implementing the policy of integrating small farms in the Sistan region, it will increase the gross income of farmers and also make optimal use of inputs


Introduction: Pts with AML often present with hyperleukocytosis, defined with a white blood cell count (WBC) of >50 or >100 × 109/L. Hyperleukocytosis is associated with higher rates of complications and death especially when associated with clinical leukostasis. There are no clear guidelines outlining the best cytoreductive strategy and the use of leukapheresis is based on institutional practice. Limited data is available regarding characteristics of AML pts with hyperleukocytosis, treatment patterns, short and long-term clinical outcomes.
 Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 12 centers in the United States and Europe. Eligible pts had newly diagnosed AML, WBC > 50 × 109/L, and had received intensive chemotherapy (IC). Pts with hyperleukocytosis who did not receive IC are described in a separate abstract. Kaplan-Meier methods estimated overall survival (OS) from time of presentation till death or end of follow-up. Clinical evidence of leukostasis was defined as new onset hypoxia, chest pain, headache, focal neurological symptoms, priapism, intestinal ischemia and acute renal failure attributed to hyperleukocytosis by the primary provider of the pt.
 Results: Among 1050 pts with AML and hyperleukocytosis whose data were collected, 787 were reported to have received intensive chemotherapy and were included in this analysis. The median age was 55 years (range [R], 15-86), and 51% were male (Table 1). Median WBC at presentation was 109 × 109/L (R, 47-561) and 57% had WBC > 100 × 109/L. Median hemoglobin was 9.2 g/dL (R, 3.6-126) and median platelet count was 31 x 109/L (R, 3-1268). A good, intermediate and poor risk karyotype were present in 31%, 51% and 18% of pts, respectively. Clinical leukostasis, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were present in 27%, 28% and 18% of pts at time of presentation, respectively (Table 1). Organs affected by leukostasis were the lung, CNS, retina, heart, kidney and GI tract in 44%, 36%, 6%, 6%, 5% and 4%, respectively. Leukapheresis was administered in 117 pts (15%) (Figure 1). Four centers did not use leukapheresis. 31% of pts with clinical leukostasis underwent leukapheresis and 10% of pts without clinical leukostasis received leukapheresis (p<0.001). Pts, who underwent leukapheresis, had statistically significant higher WBC and higher % of FLT3 mutations compared to pts, who did not undergo leukapheresis (Table 1). In pts who did not receive leukapheresis, hyperleukocytosis was managed either by immediate initiation of intensive chemotherapy (n=342, 53%) or by the administration of hydroxyurea followed by intensive chemotherapy (n=302, 47%). Pts managed with leukapheresis, received either immediate (within 24h) induction of intense chemotherapy (n=71, 61%) or delayed (after 24h) induction of intensive chemotherapy (n=42, 36%) after completion of leukapheresis. The 30-day mortality was 16.6% (95%CI, 13.9-19.3%); 20%, 11% and 14% of pts were admitted to the ICU, underwent hemodialysis, or required mechanical ventilation, respectively (Table 2). After initiation of chemotherapy, 51% (95%CI, 46.9%-54.1%) had a complete remission (CR), 14% (95%CI, 11.4%- 16.4%) had a complete remission with incomplete count recovery (CRi) and 4% (95%CI, 2.5%-5.4%) achieved a partial remission (PR) whereas 32% (95%CI, 28.7%-35.4%) had no response to therapy (Table 2). Response to chemotherapy lasted a median of 202 days (R,14-3575) and 43% of pts experienced a relapse of their disease; 31% of pts underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Median OS for all pts was 12.6 months (95%CI, 11.5-14.9) (Figure 1A). Median OS was 14.1 months (95%CI, 12.3-18.7) for pts with a WBC <100 × 109/L versus 11.5 months (95%CI, 9.3-14.1) for pts with a WBC >100 × 109/L (p=0.11) (Figure 1B). Median OS was 15.2 months (95%CI, 13.4-17.5) for pts without clinical leukostasis, significantly longer than the median OS of 7.4 months (95%CI, 3.9-9.8) for pts with symptoms of leukostasis (p<0.0001) (Figure 1C).
 Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is largest reported cohort of pts with AML and hyperleukocytosis treated with intensive chemotherapy. Clinical leukostasis was present in about a quarter of pts and was associated with worse OS. Most pts were managed with chemotherapy alone, and leukapheresis was only used in a small subgroup of pts (15%). The impact of leukapheresis and other variables on outcomes are presented in a separate abstract.

 Montesinos: Novartis: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Bhatt:Pfizer: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding. Sekeres:Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Opsona: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Opsona: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Fathi:Boston Biomedical: Consultancy, Honoraria; Jazz: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Astellas: Honoraria; Agios: Honoraria, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Honoraria. Khan:Teva: Speakers Bureau. Roboz:Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Aphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Roche/Genentech: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Orsenix: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Bayer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Cellectis: Research Funding; Sandoz: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Argenx: Consultancy; Janssen Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Otsuka: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Orsenix: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy; Eisai: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Celltrion: Consultancy. Cluzeau:AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Menarini: Consultancy; Jazz Pharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Germing:Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Mukherjee:Pfizer: Honoraria; Projects in Knowledge: Honoraria; BioPharm Communications: Consultancy; LEK Consulting: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol Myers Squib: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation in Joint Partnership with Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute: Honoraria. Brunner:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding. Ritchie:Incyte: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; NS Pharma: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; ARIAD Pharmaceuticals: Speakers Bureau; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Podoltsev:Pfizer: Research Funding; Sunesis Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; LAM Therapeutics: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astex Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma: Research Funding; Celator: Research Funding; Daiichi Snakyo: Research Funding. Gore:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. Zeidan:Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria.


Transducers based on piezoelectric crystals dominate the biomedical ultrasonic imaging field. However, fabrication difficulties for piezoelectric transducers limit their usage for complex imaging modalities such as 2D imaging, high frequency imaging, and forward looking intravascular imaging. Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have been proposed to overcome these limitations and they offer competitive advantages in terms of bandwidth and dynamic range. Further, the ease of fabrication enables manufacturing of complex array geometries. A CMUT transducer is composed of many electrostatically actuated membranes. Earlier analysis of these devices concentrated on an equivalent circuit approach, which assumed the motion of the membrane was approximated by a parallel plate capacitor. Finite element analysis is required for more accurate results. In this paper, we present the finite element model developed to evaluate the performance of the CMUTs. The model is composed of a membrane radiating into immersion medium. Electrostatic actuation is added on using electromechanical elements. Symmetry boundary conditions are imposed around the sidewalls of the finite element mesh, so that the model reflects the properties of a cell driven with the same phase as its neighboring membranes in an infinitely large array. Absorbing boundaries are implemented one wavelength away from the membrane to avoid reflections from the end of the finite element mesh. Using the model, we optimized the membrane radius, membrane thickness and gap height. Our optimized designed yielded a center frequency of 13 MHz with hundred percent bandwidth. A maximum output pressure of 20 kPascal per volt was obtained.


Here we present an anytime algorithm for clearing an environment using multiple searchers. Prior methods in the literature treat multi-agent search as either a worst-case problem (i.e., clear an environment of an adversarial evader with potentially infinite speed), or an average-case problem (i.e., minimize average capture time given a model of the target's motion). We introduce an algorithm that combines finite-horizon planning with spanning tree traversal methods to generate plans that clear the environment of a worst-case adversarial target and have good average-case performance considering a target motion model. Our algorithm is scalable to large teams of searchers and yields theoretically bounded average-case performance. We have tested our proposed algorithm through a large number of experiments in simulation and with a team of robot and human searchers in an office building. Our combined search algorithm both clears the environment and reduces average capture times by up to 75% when compared to a purely worst-case approach.


This paper examines the joint agro-wildfowl regulation of the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge in California. The area is jointly managed by the Bureau of Reclamation for both farming and wildfowl benefits. Production in both sectors has been declining recently, in farming due to nematode and soil pathogen buildup and in wildfowl production due to climax vegetation choking the lake. A novel spatial rotation plan has surfaced to solve both problems. We develop a simple model of the rotation option to identify critical variables and then we estimate some of these using data on lease bids.


This paper examines how labor income volatility and social security benefits can influence lifecycle household portfolios. We examine how much the individual optimally saves and where, taking into account liquid financial wealth and annuities, and stocks as well as bonds. Higher labor income uncertainty and lower old-age benefits boost demand for stable income in retirement, but also when young. In addition, a declining equity glide path with age is appropriate for the worker with low income uncertainty; for the high income risk worker, equity exposure rises until retirement. We also evaluate how differences in social security benefits can influence retirement risk management.


According to Article 2:211 of the Principles of European Contract Law, the rules on the formation of a contract apply with appropriate adaptations for contracts which are not concluded through offer and acceptance. How this is to be done, however, is not specified in detail. Furthermore, it is not clear when the conclusion of a contract cannot be divided into offer and acceptance. This article will, therefore, look at these ?unevenly formed contracts?, analysing in which areas of law they can be found, and how the conclusion of these contracts can be ascertained. Since contract law often focuses on the standard model of offer and acceptance, it will also be indicated which parts of contract law might require different applications for ?unevenly formed contracts?.


This commentary reflects uncertainty in human geographic quantitative spatial analysis within the context of Simone Tulumello's essay (in this issue). Epistemologically, positivism, logical empiricism and behaviourism must be understood as historical stages in the evolution of quantitative human geography, even though the analytical legacy is clear. A more recognisable quantitative methodological framework, related to post-millennial human geographic studies, seeks sufficient evidence, which supports or refutes a particular line of thought. In general, the consideration of uncertainty and error is deeply tied to the methodological knowledge in quantitative analysis. Regardless of methodology or discipline, however, the risks of reporting over-certainty or clear misconduct are essential ethical questions. Uncertainty is linked also to the limits of conceptualisation and information catchment, but robust information revealing otherwise-hidden patterns is often highly valuable.


It is shown that the original Angstrom method of determining the thermal diffusivity of metals is not valid in the case of a specimen surrounded by a solid medium, and an appropriate modification is described. Several simplifications of this method are also presented and criteria for their validity given. An electronic system has been developed for automatic sampling and analysis of the temperature data. The new method has been applied to Cu under pressure, and the results show that the thermal conductivity rises by 6.4% up to 2.5 GPa (25 kilobar).


Population-based studies from around the world support the theory that soy products and their constituents, primarily the isoflavones or phytoestrogens, are partly responsible for the lower rates of certain chronic diseases in different areas of the world. Cardiovascular disease and hormonally induced cancers are just a few of the conditions lower in Asian countries that consume large quantities of soy per average person. Genistein, one of soy's individual phytoestrogens, has been found to inhibit numerous breast and prostate cancer cell lines. A limited amount of clinical evidence also points to a beneficial role of soy in reducing hormonal levels and exhibiting weak estrogen and antiestrogen-like qualities. Other phytoestrogens found in nature, such as lignans, may also have a future role in cancer. Collectively, these phytoestrogens, like genistein, have enough evidence to warrant their use in a number of clinical trials as a potential chemopreventive agent or adjunct to prostate cancer treatment.


The most common forms of cancer arise through uncontrolled proliferation of epithelial cells. Although the growth of these cells is driven by their accumulation of genetic alterations, there is increasing evidence, largely derived from tissue culture studies, that tumor cell behavior is also regulated by surrounding stromal cells. Using a targeted gene inactivation strategy in mice, Bhowmick et al. (see the Perspective by Radisky and Bissell) show that loss of transforming growth factor-β signaling in fibroblasts causes neoplastic progression of neighboring epithelial cells in the prostate and stomach. This effect appears to arise in part due to increased production of hepatocyte growth factor by the genetically altered fibroblasts. N. A. Bhowmick, A. Chytil, D. Plieth, A. E. Gorska, N. Dumont, S. Shappell, M. K. Washington, E. G. Neilson, H. L. Moses, TGF-β signaling in fibroblasts modulates the oncogenic potential of adjacent epithelia. Science 303, 848-851 (2004). [Abstract] [Full Text] D. C. Radisky, M. J. Bissell, Respect thy neighbor! Science 303, 775-777 (2004). [Summary] [Full Text]


A micromechanical model for predicting the strain increment required to bring a damaged material element from the onset of void coalescence up to final fracture is developed based on simple kinematics arguments. This strain increment controls the unloading slope and the energy dissipated during the final step of material failure. Proper prediction of the final drop of the load carrying capacity is an important ingredient of any ductile fracture model, especially at high stress triaxiality. The model has been motivated and verified by comparison to a large set of finite element void cell calculations.


In model-driven engineering, developers express their solutions in domain-specific modelling languages (DSLs) that support domain-specific abstractions. Big-Step Modelling Languages (BSML) is a family of extended state-machine DSLs for creating executable models that have a complex execution semantics. In this paper, we present BSML-mbeddr, which imbeds a large subset of BSML within the mbeddr C programming environment, thereby extending mbeddr with language constructs for extended, semantically configurable state-machines. We also report on three case studies that exercise the expressiveness of BSML-mbeddr, assess the integrability of BSML-mbeddr into mbeddr, and demonstrate the need to provide support for state-machine models with different execution semantics.


In this study, a 3-user system was considered in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Assisted (UAV-Assisted) Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access-Based (NOMA-Based) communication network. In the network, UAV communicates with users on the ground via two antennas using the Alamouti Space-Time Block Coding (A-STBC) technique. It is considered that there are two separate scenarios where user links are designed with one antenna and two antenna systems. In the study, Monte-Carlo simulations were carried out to understand the effects of using the A-STBC technique in UAV-Assisted NOMA-Based communication networks and increased antenna diversity in receiver and transmitter in the network to the performance of the system. For the benchmark, the downlink NOMA network was used, where the receivers and the UAV are designed with a single antenna. In the simulation results, with the A-STBC technique in the system and increase in diversity, the effects of Path Loss (PL) and environmental factors on error performance were examined. Especially in high Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) values, it has been observed that the effects of these destructive factors on error performance are highly minimized. Also, the use of A-STBC technique and the increase in diversity in the system provided considerable SNR gain. Moreover, it has been observed that full diversity gain can be achieved when the ASTBC technique is used in the UAV-Assisted downlink NOMA-Based communication system.


This paper presents results of a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of turbulent flow in an open channel over and through 3 layers of spheres, which can be regarded as an idealized permeable bed. The setup and boundary conditions are selected analogous to recently completed laboratory experiments. The mean streamwise velocities from the LES are compared to the measured data in order to validate the calculations. Due to a high porosity of the bed there is considerable momentum exchange between the flow above and within the spheres, which produces additional shear stresses and hence leads to velocity and turbulence intensity distributions differing considerably from those over solid beds. The overall agreement between calculated and measured mean streamwise velocities above the bed is very satisfying. Below the roughness interface flow velocities, turbulence intensities and pressure fluctuations are damped exponentially. The damping of pressure fluctuations has also been observed from pressure measurements in a porous gravel bed. Furthermore, coherent flow structures (like sweeps and ejections) are suggested to be the driving mechanism of momentum exchange between the two flow regions.


Summary
Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against three isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) were established. Two monoclonal antibody preparations were generated against the MAV isolate, one against RPV and six against P-PAV. None of the monoclonal antibody preparations reacted with healthy host components. Reactions of monoclonal antibodies, or unlabelled polyclonal antisera, in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that all three virus isolates share a common epitope. BYDV particles dissociated when incubated in carbonate-bicarbonate coating buffer at pH 9.6 but could be stabilized by prior dialysis against 2% formaldehyde or 2% glutaraldehyde. In indirect ELISA, unlabelled polyclonal antisera bound to both stabilized and dissociated particles of homologous and heterologous BYDV isolates. However, conjugated polyclonal antisera were incapable of binding to dissociated particles or to stabilized particles of heterologous isolates. Experiments with monoclonal antibodies in a competition ELISA indicated the presence of at least two epitopes on the coat protein of P-PAV.


120-day period. The follow-up period for identifying incident dementia was Jan. 1, 2013 to Oct. 30, 2017. The researchers controlled for demographic factors and comorbid illnesses, including cancer, pain, depression, and diabetes. The sample consisted of more than 91,000 individuals, with an average age of 68.29 years. A total of 3.1% of the sample was exposed to opioids, and 5.8% of the sample developed dementia (average age 78.07 years). Risk of dementia was significantly increased in opioid-exposed individuals aged 75 to 80 compared with unexposed individuals. Rates of dementia also were higher in opioid-exposed individuals in the other older-age groups. Analyses controlling for potential confounders generally confirmed the primary findings. The study's authors concluded that increased risk of dementia should be considered in evaluating the risks and benefits associated with opioid use. [Levine S, et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; published online May 31; doi: 10.1016/j.jgap.2022.05.013]


This paper describes on the effect the ratio of fillers (Na10MB3A and CaCO3) have on the tensile strength of polypropylene (PP). These fillers have been added to PP in various ratios and mixed evenly before injecting. Experimental specimens are then made by the injection process under the same conditions including mold temperature of 60 0 C, filled pressure of 200MPa, and injecting speed 110cm 3 /s using injection process. It was discovered that the tensile strength of PP increases gradually when the ratio of fillers increases. The results revealed that the tensile strength reaches its maximum value with a certain ratio of fillers, and thereafter the strength decreases as the ratio of fillers is increased. This research also indicated that the tensile strength of PP can rise by approximately 13.5% with the addition of Na10MB3A at a ratio of 3%, and increase to 21.46% with the addition of a 4% ratio of CaCO3. They are expected that experimental samples are the usefully promising materials for automotive components. In the future work, this study will further carry out an investigation into glass filler -reinforced PP and determine the fatigue life limit of the fillers-reinforced PP material. Copyright © 2014 VBRI press.


The membrane architecture of the cytoplasmic tubules in lamprey chloride cells has been studied by electron microscopy using thin-section and freeze-fracture techniques. The chloride cell of lampreys (Lampetra japonica, Petromyzon marinus) is largely occupied with a continuous network of cytoplasmic tubules, which are derived from the invagination of the basolateral plasma membrane. The lumenal surface of this tubular network is covered with spirally wound parallel rows of electron-dense material, which consist of linear aggregates of particles. Freeze-fracture of the membrane of the tubules also shows spiral arrangements of particles (approximately 9 nm in diameter) on the P-face and complementary shallow grooves on the E-face. These arrangements of particles are about 17 nm apart and wound at a pitch of about 45 degrees. These complex organizations of the membrane of the tubules are probably the sites of transport of ion and water, which is essential for the maintenance of ionic homeostasis in both low- and high-salinity environments.


Being able to efficiently segment a developing embryo from background clutter constitutes an important step in automated monitoring of human embryonic cells. State-of-the-art automatic segmentation methods remain ill-suited to handle the complex behavior and morphological variance of non-stained embryos. By contrast, while effective, manual approaches are impractically time-consuming. In this paper, we introduce an automated approach to segment human embryo in early-stage development from a sequence of dark field microscopy images. In particular, we express segmentation as an energy minimization problem, which can be solved efficiently via graph-cuts or dynamic programming. Our experiments on twenty embryo sequences demonstrates that our method can successfully segment complex and irregular embryo structures in time-lapse microscopy (TLM) sequences.


This study aimed at measuring the average working time in health care of nurses graduating from the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, Brazil. This research includes 1,112 nurses who graduated from 1957 to 1990. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from March, 1992 to February, 1993. Statistical methods for survival data analysis were used. The average time was 18.12 years.


Kienböck's disease is a rare condition characterised by avascular necrosis of the lunate bone. Its natural history and aetiopathogenesis have not yet been clarified, nor are its triggering factors identified. We present a case of a 17-year-old male gymnast, without relevant medical/family history, with stage IIIA Kienböck's disease diagnosed in 2016. Initially, submitted to conservative treatment that proved to be insufficient. Consequently, surgical treatment was proposed, but refused. The patient instead underwent experimental treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (120 sessions, 100% oxygen at 2.5 atm, for 70 min periods, once daily, five times per week). In April 2018, a favourable clinical and radiological evolution was observed, with an improvement in the patterns of pain, motion and strength and an almost complete involution of the process of aseptic necrosis of the semilunar. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Kienböck's disease treated with hyperbaric oxygen.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, in a developing country, the effect of a short training programme for general health care workers on the management of common skin diseases--a neglected component of primary health care in such regions.

METHODS
We provided a one-day training programme on the management of the skin diseases to 400 health care workers who worked in primary health care centres in the Bamako area. We evaluated their knowledge and practice before and after training.

FINDINGS
Before training, knowledge about skin diseases often was poor and practice inadequate. We found a marked improvement in both parameters after training. We analysed the registers of primary health care centres and found that the proportion of patients who presented with skin diseases who benefited from a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment increased from 42% before the training to 81% after; this was associated with a 25% reduction in prescription costs. Improved levels of knowledge and practice persisted for up to 18 months after training.

CONCLUSIONS
The training programme markedly improved the basic dermatological abilities of the health care workers targeted. Specific training may be a reasonable solution to a neglected component of primary health care in many developing countries.


Tool materials play one of the pivotal roles in the machining system. Tool materials must be carefully chosen in relation to the workpiece material to be machined, the tool life, the metal removal rate, the machining cost, and the required accuracy and finish. The advantages and decision-making processes of case-based reasoning (CBR) are described. The CBR system for tool material selection in high speed machining (HSM) is developed. The case expression and organization, searching, matching and constraint-based adaptation rules are presented. With combining the case-based reasoning strategy and constraint-based adaptation, the tool material can be properly selected on the basis of previously successful tool materials used in HSM operations, which is helpful to push the wide applications of HSM.


The Primitive Methodist Connexion is usually seen as a product of its working-class origins. This thesis argues that whilst the movement saw itself thus, its leaders were from the outset often discreetly prosperous. One of its co-founders, Hugh Bourne, was also its first chronicler, and he chose instead to portray them as humble latter-day disciples ministering to a Biblical poor. Bourne's diaries, which tell a rather different story, were marginalised or ignored by the connexion's later writers, who preferred the retrospective version; and historians of the last half-century read the resulting religious allegory as a factual aCcoWlt of class-inspired contestation. Most previous studies of the movement have focused on rural areas, concluding that it comprised the poor and ill-educated end of the working-class spectrwn; yet this was, in its first half-century, more a movement of the industrial village.

The thesis uses early baptismal registers and the 1851 Religious Census to demonstrate that its earliest adherents were broadly a match, socially, for their Wesleyan counterparts, and that its many small plain chapels reflected expansion strategy, not denominational poverty. It argues that the early movement's fo llowers were distinguished by revivalistic preference. not socio-economic circumstances or alienation. It also exploits. in a way impossible only five or ten years ago, two new sources. The British Library digitised archive of 19th-century newspapers provided a less embattled image of Primitive Methodism than that afforded by anecdote. Meanwhile, the genealogical databases spawned by the internet era and a growing interest in family history made it possible to track the fortunes of many of the movement's officers and itinerant preachers, who proved to be surprisingly - and increasingly - prosperous.

It concludes that the predominantly working-class composition of the denomination which has so dominated subsequent accounts was a mature product of its religious nature, not the source of its success.


OBJECTIVE C2 crossing laminar screws are a new technique for axis fixation with a purported lower risk for neurological or vascular injury. However, to date, few clinical series on this technique have appeared in the peer-reviewed literature. This report describes our initial clinical experience and complications using this new spinal fixation technique. METHODS Thirty patients underwent high cervical intralaminar fixation with crossing intralaminar screws. Indications for surgery included occiput to cervical fixation for basilar invagination in six patients, fixation for atlantoaxial subluxation or trauma in six patients, cervical swan neck deformity in four patients, and laminectomy and instrumented fusion for cervical stenosis in 14 patients. Two cases involved C3 fixation resulting from congenital anomalies. A total of 59 screws were placed, and the patients were assessed both clinically and radiographically with postoperative computed tomographic scans. RESULTS There were no intraoperative complications and no cases of neurological worsening or vascular injury from hardware placement. One patient reported local neck pain resulting from hardware prominence. Computed tomographic scans demonstrated a partial dorsal laminar breach in 11 patients and violation of the spinal canal in one patient. None of these resulted in neurological symptoms. Early hardware fractures were observed in two patients. CONCLUSION Crossing C2 laminar screws provide the surgeon with an expanded armamentarium for fixation in the high cervical spine. This technique is straightforward and easily adopted. However, the unique position of the screw heads may result in increased stress and strain on the intralaminar screws. Thus, larger diameter screws or additional fixation points at adjacent levels are recommended.


Using an antenna system whose aperture could be varied in four-foot steps between 4 and 24 feet, aperture-to-medium coupling loss measurements have been made on a 2720-msec, 216- mile path. These measurements reveal an intrinsic variability in the scattering mechanism which is not accounted for in most current theories. Diversity and fading-rate measurements were also made. A simple mathematical model of the diffracted field yields calculated values of the normal component of the wind which agree well with the measured wind. Calculated and measured values of fading rate are also seen to be in good agreement. An estimate is made of the turbulent wind velocity.


"This heavily illustrated introductory text covers the most important clinical, radiological, and management points in caring for the patient with spine problems. Both residents and practitioners will find the book simple but detailed enough to understand the nature of the patient's complaints, diagnose and manage common problems, and, most importantly, identify those patients at risk who require an early referral to a spine specialist.Key Features Include: Clear, clinical descriptions of the most common spinal disordersGuidance in correlating key neuroradiologic findings with the full clinical picture for accurate diagnosis Hundreds of clinical pearls, tables, and radiologic images that sharpen clinical acumen An emphasis on early diagnosis and timely referral for a favorable prognosis"Navigating the Adult Spine" is a unique professional tool for residents in physiatry, neurology, and orthopedic surgery, as well as for professionals in those fields who need a quick and reliable refresher on common spinal conditions. For all readers, it will enhance clinical skills and ensure optimal care of spine patients."


The daily organization of sleep and wakefulness was examined electrographically under natural conditions in captive juvenile and adult magpies, Pica pica. Electrographic indices of sleep in the magpie were found to be similar to those of other avian species. The daily amount of TS in juveniles was 17% greater than in adults. The amount of paradoxical sleep (PS) in adults was one-fifth that of juveniles. In adults sleep was confined to darkness, while in juveniles it also occurred during the light period. SWS in adults was almost constant, while PS slightly increased across the night. No systematic trends were observed in juveniles. In both groups of birds, the longest sleep episodes appeared around midnight.


The credit rating industry has historically been dominated by just two agencies, Moody's and S&P, leading to longstanding legislative and regulatory calls for increased competition. The material entry of a third rating agency (Fitch) to the competitive landscape offers a unique experiment to empirically examine how in fact increased competition affects the credit ratings market. Increased competition from Fitch coincides with lower quality ratings from the incumbents: rating levels went up, the correlation between ratings and market-implied yields fell, and the ability of ratings to predict default deteriorated. We offer several possible explanations for these findings that are linked to existing theories.


This study examines the effectiveness of implementing a modified cognitive behavioural (CBT) anxiety intervention/prevention program to meet the specific needs of speech and language impaired (SLI) children enrolled in a Language Development Centre (LDC), as they prepare to exit the LDC and enter into mainstream education. The study implemented the anxiety CBT program over two consecutive school years incorporating two different Year 3 cohorts (age range 7 to 9 years) and is reported in three stages.

The first study aimed to modify an anxiety CBT intervention/prevention program (namely the FRIENDS for Life program) for SLI children enrolled in Year 3 at a LDC as they prepared to exit the LDC and enter into mainstream education. All children offered the program participated in the study however, parent participation was low.

 Previous research (Barrett et al, 1996, Barrett, 1999; Bett, 2002; Mendlowitz, 1996 & Rapee et al, 2005) found that in order for anxiety intervention/prevention programs to be efficacious for children, the program focus needed to include parents. The inclusion of parent participation for children with language impairment is considered essential, as the children are more likely to benefit from having the CBT strategies consolidated and supported at home (Bett, 2002).

Therefore, the second study involved a re-implementation of the modified FRIENDS for Life program to a second cohort of SLI children in Year 3 the following year. Due to low participation of parent involvement in the first study, this study aimed for improved parent involvement and participation of the parent FRIENDS for Life sessions.

 Thirty-two children participated in study one and thirty-three children participated in study two. Both studies used an action research mixed method evaluation approach to gain a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the program. The outcomes, using standardised outcome measures showed no significant difference between the control group and the intervention group. However using program specific descriptive and nontraditional measures indicate that differential and positive changes were attained for the intervention group.

Investigation of a complex data set using a variety of methods during various points in the evaluation process provided complementary information, this formed the foundation for more comprehensively assessing children with speech/language impairment. The intervention groups developed an increased awareness of their own and other people's emotions and most importantly they developed a wider array of 'emotion language' when compared to the control group at post intervention. In addition, the intervention group attained a sound understanding of the FRIENDS plan and skills at post intervention.

A one year follow-up, of the original study, to explore the long-term benefits of the FRIENDS program for SLI children was not completed following a poor response rate. This is discussed and explored as it may benefit the way future research is conducted for families of children with SLI.

The studies highlighted the benefits of the FRIENDS program for children with SLI and the need to explore more effective ways to increase parent participation at the FRIENDS for Life parent sessions. Implications of the findings are examined, alongside limitations and directions for future research.


The present study as well as the studies produced by UNCTAD, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe1 and other institutions, reveal certain characteristics of the FDI flows in the transition countries from Central and South-Eastern Europe, applicable for Romania and Bulgaria, too: - These flows grow faster than the world average. - The FDI per capita is low compared to the values in Western Europe (2000-3000 USD) and USA (about 1800 USD). - There is a linear correlation between GDP per capita in the transition countries and the FDI level. - The main sectors initially targeted by foreign investors were the industrial sector (40-60%) and the trade sector (12-25%). - About 25% of FDI in the transition countries come from Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Russia. In addition to the above mentioned facts, the characteristics mentioned in the present study add to the picture we tried to present in Romania's and Bulgaria's case; these countries largely featured an identical evolution, no significant differences were found between them; these countries missed the start of economic transformations in early 1990s, but are trying to make up for the losses at the beginning of this new millennium, while also benefiting from a more favorable international conjuncture. The general framework for FDI attraction, of which the legal framework is a part, although now created by all CEECs, was either not completed or it was affected by instability and subordinated to political struggles, personal or group interests. Neither the institutional framework was mostly adequate and efficient in most CEECs, so that the foreign investment flows were mainly directed to three countries: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic. The foreign investors had a negative reaction to those countries in which political instability was manifested, which resulted in social and economic instability, often remembered in EU Country Reports. The drawbacks and frequent modification of legislation, corruption and bureaucracy have been the main disturbing factors. To sum up, it can be stated that the present development stage for most CEECs is far from the EU level in all the economic sectors. Only the five countries from CE (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia) are closer to the EU parameters; the countries from SEE are far from completing the accession requirements. The large gaps already existing between the countries from CE and SEE would be bridged up only by an aggressive policy, of attracting foreign investors by the SEE countries with a faster rate than that in the CE, in those activity sectors that are interesting for investors; after that, by a "domino effect", other sectors less attractive or with a higher risk level would be included in the international financial flows (e.g. agriculture). Romania and Bulgaria were generally avoided by the significant world investment flows. It is obvious that we are at fault. Only in recent years an acceleration of the investment attractiveness was experienced, with certain strategic privatizations, with largely yearly FDI inflows, with the elaboration of certain special lows for the important foreign investors; this is mostly beneficial and encouraging for the economy and it will be reflected in the future economic growth, while the economic revigoration will be possible. However, with all these positive signals and future hopes, a question still persists, namely: isn't this start too late, is there time for bridging up the gaps or will these countries continue to remain in the future, too "second hand countries among the second hand European countries"?


From 1999 to 2007 we performed 104 surgical operations for thyroid malignancies. Over the same period, 312 patients underwent surgery for benign lesions of the thyroid gland. The patients were subdivided on the basis of age bracket and gender and the distribution of cancer and benign nodules was evaluated. Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, scintigraphy and fine needle aspiration cytology were also evaluated. The incidence of thyroid cancer was 25% in all patients. Patients aged < 30 years and > 71 had the highest rate of malignancies: 52% of patients under 30 years of age and 46% over 70 years. Males showed a higher incidence than females. The scintigraphic findings were an area of low uptake in 19 cases (47.5%), an irregular pattern in 12 patients (30%) and a high uptake in 9 cases (22.5%); in 3 of them (7.5%), cancer was in the contralateral lobe and in 2 cases (5%) the dimensions were 8 and 4 mm. Forty-three patients had a single hypoechoic nodule at ultrasonography (41.3%), 3 (3%) were found with hypoechoic nodules containing calcifications and 1 (0.9%) a single anechoic nodule. Fifty-six patients (53.9%) had multiple nodules and 1 (0.9%) was admitted for a latero-cervical lymph node. FNAC revealed 11 cases of fibronectin expression (14.4%): in particular, 3 patients (4%) had cancer in the contralateral lobe and 3 patients (4%) had tumours measuring less than 5 mm. Thyroid surgery is safe and the morbidity rate is about 2%. We observed only one lesion of recurrent nerve (0.5% of patients), temporary recurrent palsy in 2.8% of patients and transient hypocalcaemia in 6.7% of cases.


This paper describes how bombs are increasingly being used by insurgents and terrorists worldwide against both civilian and military targets. These explosives are inexpensive, require little training to deploy, are made from easily obtained materials and serve as an effective means of causing mass casualties. Between 1988 and 1997, the number of criminal bombings in the United States doubled from the previous decade to a total of 17,579, or 5 bombings per day. According to the Department of State, in 2003, 208 terror attacks were perpetrated worldwide, leading to 4,271 casualties. In 2005, the attacks increased to 11,111 attacks, resulting in 39,307 casualties, with the majority of terrorist attacks executed using bombs. The US Department of State's record of worldwide significant terrorist events reveals a dramatic increase in US homeland attacks beginning after 2001, and a review of the last twelve months in Iraq, Israel, London, Pakistan, India and Egypt shows that improvised explosive devices remain the weapon of choice for today's terrorists. To design mitigation and response strategies and to make appropriate medical responses to a terrorist attack, physical security personnel must understand the quantity, nature and severity of injuries that will be caused by direct blast effects, structural debris and building collapse. The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey of existing methodologies for predicting and quantifying blast "bio-effects" and make recommendations for addressing existing shortfalls.


The Special Theory of Relativity (STR) holds sway as a theory of time due to its apparently successful predictive structure regarding time-related phenomena such as the increased life spans of mesons or retarded clocks on jets circling the globe, and due to the relativization of simultaneity intrinsic to this theoretical structure. Yet the very structure of the theory demands that such very real physical effects be construed as non-ontological. The scope and depth of this contradiction is explored and, if these timechanges are indeed viewed as ontological effects within STR, an additional problem for the theory is introduced in the context of perception. The origins of this confused situation arise as a result of the fact that STR is an expression of a classical, spatial metaphysic ‐ a framework that equally underpins current discussions of the hard problem. This metaphysic holds an inadequate concept of time and a failure to acknowledge the reality of simultaneous causal flows. These problems are developed against the background of an alternative, namely, the temporal metaphysic of Bergson ‐ a framework that provides a profoundly different base for viewing both relativity and consciousness.


Background: AIDS is a collection of symptoms caused by a variety of microorganisms and other ferocity due to the decreased resistance/immunity of the patient.GlobalAIDS epidemicshowsthatthereare34millionpeoplewithHIVworldwide.InSoutheastAsia, there are approximately 4 million people with HIV. HIV infection in humans has a long incubation period (5-10 years), and then the patient can be called as people living with HIVHIVcausesimmunedeficiencysothatthepatientsarevulnerabletoopportunistic infection attack. Antiretroviral (ARV) could be given the patients to stop a virus and restoring the immune system, reduce the occurrence of opportunistic infections, improve the quality of life and decrease disability.
Objectives: This study aims to explore the Multidimensional Quality of Life of HIV/AIDS patients in Maccini Clinic Makassar.
Methods:Phenomenological study conducted to explore the experiences of informants related to the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients who have antiretroviral therapy. Ten informants selected based on inclusion criteria using purposive sampling. Data were collected through interviews and analysis with the aid of N Vivo software version 10.
Results: The results of this study shows that after having antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS patients have increased in physical, psychological, social, functional, environmental, spiritual, and sexual dimensions.
 Conclusions: The dimension that gives most inreasing of the quality of life in HIV patients was physical dimension.


Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Saurida undosquamis has been determined by long polymerase chain reaction and primer walking methods. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,550 bp in length and contains 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA)), and a control region as other bony fishes. Within the control region, we identified the termination-associated sequence domain (TAS), the central conserved sequence block domains (CSB-F, CSB-E, CSB-D, CSB-C, CSB-B and CSB-A), and the conserved sequence block domains (CSB-1, CSB-2 and CSB-3).


The aim of this paper is to present a case study of the perceptions of self-regulated learning (SRL) of 14 secondary township schoolteachers and their teaching behaviour to develop SRL strategies in their learners. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design was used. Semi-structured interviews and lesson observations were conducted with 14 purposively selected secondary school teachers. Specifically, this study explores how participants use teaching strategies to promote various SRL strategies such as goal-setting and planning, time management, peer learning, and self-evaluation. Findings indicate that participants' teaching behaviour differ in terms of opportunities to encourage learners to become conscious of their learning processes as they use SRL strategies in different subjects across Grades 8-12 in the two township schools. Discrepancies have been noted between some lesson observations and teachers' perceptions of how they integrate strategies to develop SRL. The findings underline the importance of developing teachers' knowledge and the use of SRL teaching strategies to foster SRL learning and, hence, academic success.


We investigate the role of both ECB's asset purchases and market sentiment in the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis context. We explain the evolution of long-term interest rates in the Eurozone and in some Member States since the ECB started to purchase various securities for monetary policy purposes. We control for four categories of fundamentals: macroeconomic, international, financial and expectations. We show that unconventional monetary policies and country-specific market sentiment have significant negative and positive effects respectively. Our results suggest that ECB's unconventional policies have been effective in mitigating the disruption in the channels of transmission across the different Eurozone countries.


In recent years, metaphor has attracted the attention of scholars and poets as well as readers of literary passages because of including features like exaggeration, brevity, and artistic and literary beauty creations. According to the linguists, majorities of language materials as well as the most complicated scientific theories are understood by metaphor. Since several studies are done and published with the application of Lakoff and Johnson theory, there is a question concerning the similarities in two different attitudes in two languages and literary domains that they accorded and conceptualized. After the case study and library study about classic metaphor in old books and the content analysis and its comparison with metaphor with its new concept, the present study concluded that despite the existing similarities and differences, theory of cognitive linguists is relatively exaggerated and in most of cases, many suggested issues in contemporary theory is the same as concepts of classic eloquence theory which have been raised with different titles. Also, in spite of benefits, the contemporary theories left some issues related to classic metaphors unanswered and is not responsive to some eloquence questions considering the society's language and literary demands.