Research suggests that counterfactuals (i.e., thoughts of how things might have been different) play an important role in determining the perceived cause of a target outcome. Results from 3 scenario studies indicate that counterfactual content overlapped primarily with thoughts of how an outcome might have been prevented (preventability ascriptions) rather than with thoughts of how it might have been caused (causal ascriptions). Counterfactuals and preventability ascriptions focused mainly on controllable antecedents, whereas causal ascriptions focused mainly on antecedents that covaried with the target outcome over a focal set of instances. Contrary to current theorizing, causal ascriptions were unrelated to counterfactual content (Study 3). Results indicate that the primary criterion used to recruit causal ascriptions (covariation) differs from that used to recruit counterfactuals (controllability).


The influence of low tempering temperature (TT) on mechanical properties and fracture toughness of ultra high strength boron steel 22MnB5 for hot forming was investigated by tensile and Kahn tearing experiments. Compared with the conventional quenchable boron steel, The results show that the toughness of tested steel are both preferable when tempered at 200 , 40min. When TT between 100 ~200 , The tear strength (TS) and unit propagation energy (UPE) of quenched steel heightened along with the temperature raised, but in 200~350 temperature range, the toughness appears negatively growth. Appropriate TT could improve the mechanical properties and fracture toughness obviously, and the temper brittleness can be avoided.


Abstract Dormant states of organisms are easier to store than the living state because they tolerate larger variations in temperature, light, storage space etc., making them attractive for laboratory culture stocks and also for experiments under special circumstances, especially space flight experiments. Like several other organisms, Euglena gracilis is capable of forming desiccation tolerant resting states in order to survive periods of unfavourable environmental conditions. In earlier experiments it was found that dormant Euglena cells must not become completely desiccated. Some residual moisture is required to ensure recovery of the resting states. To analyse the water demand in recovery of Euglena resting states, cells were transferred to a defined amount of cotton wool (0.5 g). Subsequently different volumes of medium (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 20 ml) were added in order to supply humidity; a control was set up without additional liquid. Samples were sealed in transparent 50 ml falcon tubes and stored for 9 months under three different conditions: • Constant low light conditions in a culture chamber at 20°C, • In a black box, illuminated with short light emitting diode-light pulses provided by joule thieves and • In darkness in a black box. After 9 months, cells were transferred to fresh medium and cell number, photosynthetic efficiency and movement behavior was monitored over 3 weeks. It was found that cells recovered under all conditions except in the control, where no medium was supplied. Transcription levels of 21 genes were analysed with a Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. One hour after rehydration five of these genes were found to be up-regulated: ubiquitin, heat shock proteins HSP70, HSP90, the calcium-sensor protein frequenin and a distinct protein kinase, which is involved in gravitaxis. The results indicate a transient general stress response of the cells.


Colour forecasting is essentially part of the fashion trend forecasting process that offers designers direction in the selection of seasonal colour palettes and other design decisions for product creation. Trend information is sold in the form of trend packages primarily to fashion and textile companies and to other consumer product industries whose sales also rely on meeting the demands of consumer taste. However, this diversification of the clientele has resulted in the promotion of more generalised colour directions; the opposite of industrial practice where knowledge of consumer desires and preferences is intrinsic in design and marketing processes. This chapter explains the role of the forecasting sector and the process they employ to create seasonal colour palettes and how these are promoted to the fashion and textile industry. The weakness of the process and the importance of consumer colour acceptance are discussed concluding with the benefits of using consumer colour data.


In this paper, we consider a high-fidelity Convoy Movement Problem motivated by the coordination and routing of convoys within a road transportation network in an urban city. It encompasses two classical combinatorial optimization problems - vehicle routing and resource constrained scheduling. We present an effective hybrid algorithm to dynamically manage the movement of convoys, where we combine the standard Dijkstra's shortest-path algorithm with constraint programming techniques. The effectiveness of the algorithm is illustrated with testing on varying problem sizes and complexity.


This paper addresses the quality of the interface- and edge-bonded joints in layers of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. The shear performance was studied to assess the suitability of two different adhesives, polyurethane (PUR) and phenol–resorcinol–formaldehyde (PRF), and to determine the optimum clamping pressure. Since there is no established testing procedure to determine the shear strength of the surface bonds between layers in a CLT panel, block shear tests of specimens in two different configurations were carried out, and further shear tests of edge-bonded specimen in two configurations were performed. Delamination tests were performed on samples which were subjected to accelerated aging to assess the durability of bonds in severe environmental conditions. Both tested adhesives produced boards with shear strength values within the edge-bonding requirements of prEN 16351 for all manufacturing pressures. While the PUR specimens had higher shear strength values, the PRF specimens demonstrated superior durability characteristics in the delamination tests. It seems that the test protocol introduced in this study for crosslam-bonded specimens, cut from a CLT panel, and placed in the shearing tool horizontally, accurately reflects the shearing strength of glue lines in CLT.


Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection of a prosthetic joint is rarely reported in developed countries.1 Typically, MTB infection involves the hips or knees, and the infection can occur secondary to crushing and degradation of the granuloma during surgery or, less commonly, from distant foci spreading through the blood. In the present case, MTB infection likely resulted from haematogenous spread since multiple hot spots suggestive of MTB infection were noted in other sites. Early diagnosis allows for antitubercular therapy with retention of the prosthesis, while late diagnosis frequently results in removal and reimplantation of the joint. To avoid major surgery, a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose prosthetic joint tuberculosis.


This paper analyzes the conduct of the optimal monetary policy with imperfect information on the shocks hitting the economy where firms' prices are strategic complements. Monetary policy entails a dual stabilizing role, as a policy response that influences directly the economy and as a vehicle for information that shapes firms' beliefs. In the case where more information is welfare detrimental, the central bank faces a dilemma, for its monetary instrument aimed at stabilizing the economy may harmfully shape firms' beliefs. Recognizing the signaling role of its instrument, the central bank finds it optimal to distort its policy response in order to mitigate the detrimental information that it may convey. JEL classification: E52, E58, D82.


The aim of the paper is to present an alternative interpretation of the article 449 of the Polish Civil Code. In contrast to the most common, literal interpretation thereof, the paper offers a purposive interpretation taking into account ratio legis of the provision at stake. This tool enables to cast away some interpretative doubts which are constantly raised in the literarure. For inastance, it leads to the conclusion that the acknowledgement of debt which (according to the article 449 of the Polish Civil Code) renders the claims for damages assignable shall be limited to the acknowledgement in the strict meaning of the term, that is to the acknowledgement understood as a contract between creditor and debtor, and shall determine a sum of the acknowledged claim. The paper concludes that the article 449 of the Polish Civil Code, thanks to its purposive interpretation, may effectively protect assignors from assigning their claims for damages for the price which is far lower than the value of damages to which the assignor was entitled. This conclusion put in the context of ongoing works on the new law regulating the compensation agencies makes the article 9 of this law (which exludes the possibility of assignement of claims for damages) redundant.


A surveillance project was undertaken in 3 medical wards of a teaching hospital in Malta, with the aim of introducing standardised peripheral venous catheter (PVC) care and to reduce risk of infections. Data on 285 peripheral catheters left in situ for more than 12 hours was collected from October 2010 to February 2011 in two separate surveillance periods; pre and post intervention. In the pre-intervention phase 132 observations of PVC were carried out whereas 153 catheters were observed in the post-intervention phase. Each catheter was assessed for documentation of insertion date, quality of dressing, duration of catheter and Visual Infusion Phlebitis (VIP) score. The intervention consisted of introducing the VIP score document for daily cannula assessments and their duration not exceeding 72 hours. Medical doctors and nurses were offered regular training on the new procedure and the post-insertion care of PVC lines. Other measures included daily assessment of PVC line, weekly audit with feedback to nursing and medical staff. The phlebitis rate fell from 22.7% in the pre-intervention to 6.5% in the post-intervention phase. There was also significant improvement in dressing quality and reduction of PVC duration days. The risk of developing phlebitis was 3.47 times higher in the pre-intervention phase than in the post-intervention (95CI: 1.77-6.84) p=0.0001.

The results suggest that a significant reduction in the incidence of inflammation associated with peripheral intravenous catheters may be achieved by performing daily cannula assessments and replacing the catheters after 72 hours.


ABSTRACT Thirty-four essential oils were screened for their repellent activities against the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae), at 0.1% concentration level using choice and no-choice laboratory bioassays. Of these, 20 essential oils showed significant repellencies against T. urticae in the choice tests. In subsequent no-choice tests using these 20 essential oils, only sandalwood oil showed significant repellency against T. urticae. Total number of eggs oviposited by T. urticae was significantly lower than controls in the choice tests when the kidney bean leaves were treated with 1 of 14 essential oils. The significant repellency of sandalwood oil against T. urticae lasted at least for 5 h at the 0.1% concentration level. Our GC-MS analysis indicated that the major components of the sandalwood oil were &agr;-santalol (45.8%), &bgr;-santalol (20.6%), &bgr;-sinensal (9.4%), and epi-&bgr;-santalol (3.3%). Santanol, a mixture of the two main components in the sandalwood oil, appears to be responsible for the repellency of sandalwood oil against T. urticae.


Epicardial fat is a relatively neglected component of the heart. The purpose of this review was to examine the anatomic and biochemical data on epicardial fat; to examine the relationship of epicardial fat to obesity and to explore the potential role of epicardial fat in the relationship of obesity to coronary atherothrombotic disease. Epicardial fat covers 80% of the heart's surface and constitutes 20% of total heart weight. It is present along the distribution of the coronary arteries, over the right ventricle especially along the right border, anterior surface and at the apex. There is three‐ to fourfold more epicardial fat associated with the right than the left ventricle. Putative physiologic functions of epicardial fat are based on observational data and include: buffering coronary arteries against the torsion induced by the arterial pulse wave and cardiac contraction, facilitating coronary artery remodelling, regulating fatty acid homeostasis in the coronary microcirculation and providing fatty acids to cardiac muscle as a local energy source in times of high demand. A considerable amount of the data on epicardial fat originates from autopsy series that have the inherent problem that conditions leading to death may have altered body composition and adiposity. With this caveat, data indicate that epicardial fat mass increases age until age 20–40 years but thereafter the amount of epicardial fat is not dependent on age. The amount of epicardial fat correlates with heart weight but the presence of myocardial ischemia and hypertrophy does not alter the ratio of epicardial fat to cardiac muscle mass. A number of properties differentiate epicardial fat from other fat depots specifically its smaller adipocytes size; different fatty acid composition, high protein content; high rates of fatty acid incorporation, fatty acid synthesis, insulin‐induced lipogenesis or fatty acid breakdown; low rates of glucose utilization, low expression (mRNA) of lipoprotein lipase, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase‐α, and slow regression during weight loss. There is a significant direct relationship between the amount of epicardial fat and general body adiposity. Clinical imaging studies have demonstrated a strong direct correlation between epicardial fat and abdominal visceral adiposity. Several lines of evidence support a role for epicardial fat in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, namely the close anatomic relationship between epicardial fat and coronary arteries; the positive correlation between the amount of epicardial fat and the presence of coronary atherosclerosis and the ability of adipose tissue to secrete hormones and cytokines that modulate coronary artery atherothrombosis. Thus, epicardial fat maybe an important factor responsible for cardiovascular disease in obesity.


Clinical studies have demonstrated improved myocardial recovery after severe ischemia in response to acute triiodothyronine (T3) treatment. We determined whether T3 improves the recovery of ischemic hearts by improving energy substrate metabolism. Isolated working rat hearts were perfused with 5.5 mM glucose and 1.2 mM palmitate and were subjected to 30 min of no-flow ischemia. Glycolysis, glucose oxidation, and palmitate oxidation were measured during aerobic reperfusion by adding [5-3H]glucose, [U-14C]glucose, or [9,10-3H]palmitate to the perfusate, respectively. During reperfusion, cardiac work in untreated hearts recovered to a lesser extent than myocardial O2 consumption (MV˙o 2), resulting in a decreased recovery of cardiac efficiency, which recovered to only 25% of preischemic values. Treatment of hearts with T3 (10 nM) before ischemia increased glucose oxidation during reperfusion, which was associated with a significant increase in pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity, the rate-limiting enzyme for glucose oxidation. In contrast, T3 had no effect on MV˙o 2, glycolysis, or palmitate oxidation. This resulted in a significant decrease in H+ production from glycolysis uncoupled from glucose oxidation (2.7 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.3 μmol ⋅ g dry wt-1 ⋅ min-1in control and T3-treated hearts, respectively, P < 0.05), as well as a 3.2-fold improvement in cardiac work and a 2.3-fold increase in cardiac efficiency compared with untreated postischemic hearts ( P < 0.05). These data suggest that T3 can exert acute effects that improve the coupling of glycolysis to glucose oxidation, thereby decreasing H+ production and increasing cardiac efficiency as well as contractile function during reperfusion of the postischemic heart.


This study quantifies the sources of agricultural GHG emissions and explores the impact of diet on GHG emissions in Finland. The emissions associated with production of basic food items were quantified for four diet options. For current average food consumption, emissions from soil represent 62% of the total. The emissions due to enteric fermentation contribute 24%, and energy consumption and fertiliser manufacture both about 8%. Regarding GHG emissions, environmental performance of the extensive organic production is poor. A strict vegan diet would nearly halve the agricultural GHG emissions, but reduction of the total emissions would be about 8%. Reducing the GHG emissions through food consumption would require large-scale changes among the entire population. Instead of stressing the impact of individual citizens' diet choices, more attention should be paid to social learning. Attention should be paid to the overall sustainability of food supply, not only to the GHG emissions.


Background: The Critical Ally and Critical Friend are two models in the early stages of developmental testing as part of a doctoral research programme. Together with the Critical Companionship model, they offer a theoretically coherent framework for developing expertise in the facilitation of learning about practice from within the workplace. The two new models are sequentially related models underpinned by key principles of practice development and critical social theory. Unlike Critical Companionship, the Critical Ally and Critical Friend models are aimed at novice and proficient practice developers respectively; we argue that, because of their design, they can offer stepping stones to Critical Companionship. Together, the three models offer a pathway for practice developers and practitioners to gain, in a systematic way over a longer timescale, a repertoire of facilitation skills and to build expertise. Aims: To describe the two new models and demonstrate their theoretical coherence with Critical Companionship. We also invite other practice developers and facilitators of workplace learning to debate the coherence of the two new models and the overall pathway, and to contribute to testing the models in a range of workplaces. Implications for practice: • The two new models, when used in conjunction with the Critical Companionship model, offer a pathway for developing facilitation expertise within practice development • The models offer a broad based introduction to learning in and from practice, which could be useful for preceptors, mentors, clinical supervisors and facilitators at all levels from novice to proficient • As the three models offer a pathway, they could be useful as part of strategic workforce development, and learning and development planning • The models offer a potential new midrange theory that can contribute to developing practice development knowledge


This thesis constitutes an exposition of the work carried out by the author whilst examining several physical problems under the broad theme of the dynamic response of metamaterial structures. An outline of the thesis is provided in chapter one. Chapter two introduces some notation and preliminary results on general lattice equations. Chapter three examines the dispersive behaviour of non-classical discrete elastic lattice systems. In particular, the effect of distributing the inertial properties of the lattice over the elastic rods, in addition to at the junctions, is considered. It is demonstrated that the effective material properties in the long wavelength limit are not what one would expect from the static response of the lattice. The effect of various interactions on the dispersive properties of the triangular cell lattice is considered, including so-called truss, frame, and micro-polar interactions. Compact analytical estimates for the band widths are presented, allowing the design of metamaterial structures possessing pass and/or stop bands at specific frequencies and in specified directions. The finite frequency response of several lattice structures is considered in chapter four. In particular, the dynamic anisotropy of both scalar and elastic lattices is examined. The resulting strongly anisotropic material response is linked, explicitly, to the dispersive properties of the lattice. A novel application of dynamic anisotropy to the focusing, shielding, and negative refraction of elastic waves using a flat discrete "metamaterial lens'' is presented. Chapter five is devoted to the analysis, using the dynamic Green's function, of a finite rectilinear inclusion in an infinite square lattice. Several representations of the Green's function are presented, including expression in terms of hypergeometric functions, which are employed in deriving band edge expansions. It is shown that localised defect modes, characterised by displacements which decay rapidly away from the defect, can be initiated by reducing the mass of one or more lattice nodes, whilst ensuring that the mass of the nodes remains positive. For one- and three-dimensional multi-atomic lattices, there exists a bound on the contrast in mass between the defect and ambient lattice such that localised defect modes exist. However, it is shown that for the two-dimensional lattice, no such bound exists, provided that the masses remain positive. The analysis of a finite-sized defect region is accompanied by the waveguide modes that may exist in a lattice containing an infinite chain of point defects. A numerical simulation illustrates that the solution of the problem for an infinite chain can be used to predict the range of eigenfrequencies of localised modes for a finite but, sufficiently long, array of masses representing a rectilinear defect in a square lattice. Continuing with the theme of defects, chapter six examines response of a triangular thermoelastic lattice, with an edge crack under mode I loading. The response of the triangular lattice is compared with that of the corresponding continuum. The model is related to the phenomenon of thermal striping, which occurs when a structure is exposed to periodic variations in temperature. In the thermal striping regime, crack propagation is a fatiguing processes with the rate of crack growth being proportional to some power of the peak-to-peak amplitude of the stress intensity factor. An "effective stress intensity factor'' for the lattice is introduced and it is demonstrated that, in the homogenised limit, the "effective stress intensity factor'' is lower than the stress intensity factor of the continuum for sufficiently long cracks and low frequencies. Finally, chapter seven presents a detailed analysis of a non-singular square cloak for acoustic, out-of-plane shear elastic, and electromagnetic waves. The propagation of waves through the cloak is examined analytically and is complemented with a range of numerical illustrations. The efficacy of the regularised cloak is demonstrated and an objective numerical measure of the quality of the cloaking effect is introduced. The results presented show that the cloaking effect persists over a sufficiently wide range of frequencies. To illustrate further the effectiveness of the regularised cloak, a Young's double slit experiment is presented. The stability of the interference pattern is examined when a cloaked and uncloaked obstacle are successively placed in front of one of the apertures. A significant advantage of this particular regularised square cloak is the straightforward connection with a discrete lattice. It is shown that an approximate cloak can be constructed using a discrete lattice structure. The efficiency of such a lattice cloak is analysed and several illustrative simulations are presented. It is demonstrated that effective cloaking can be achieved by using a relatively simple lattice, particularly in the low frequency regime. This discrete lattice structure provides a possible avenue toward the physical realisation of invisibility cloaks.


A seismic compressed high-intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) survey of Pyramid Lake, Nevada, defines fault architecture and distribution within a key sector of the northern Walker Lane belt. More than 500 line-kilometers of high-resolution (decimeter) subsurface imagery, together with dated piston and gravity cores, were used to produce the first comprehensive fault map and attendant slip rates beneath the lake. A reversal of fault polarity is observed beneath Pyramid Lake, where down-to-the-east slip on the dextral Pyramid Lake fault to the south switches to down-to-the-west displacement on the Lake Range fault to the north. Extensional deformation within the northern two thirds of the basin is bounded by the Lake Range fault, which exhibits varying degrees of asymmetric tilting and stratal divergence due to along-strike segmentation. This structural configuration likely results from a combination of changes in slip rate along strike and the splaying of fault segments onshore. The potential splaying of fault segments onshore tends to shift the focus of extension away from the lake. The combination of normal- and oblique-slip faults in the northern basin gives Pyramid Lake its distinctive "fanning open to the north" geometry. The oblique-slip faults in the northwestern region of the lake are short and discontinuous in nature, possibly representing a nascent shear zone. In contrast, the Lake Range fault is long and well defined. Vertical slip rates measured across the Lake Range and other faults provide new estimates on extension across the Pyramid Lake basin. A minimum vertical slip rate of ∼1.0 mm/yr is estimated along the Lake Range fault. When combined with fault length, slip rates yield a potential earthquake magnitude range between M6.4 and M7.0. Little to no offset on the Lake Range fault is observed in the sediment rapidly emplaced at the end of Tioga glaciation (12.5–9.5 ka). In contrast, since 9.5 ka, CHIRP imagery provides evidence for three or four major earthquakes, assuming a characteristic offset of 2.5 m per event. Regionally, our CHIRP investigation helps to reveal how strain is partitioned along the boundary between the northeastern edge of the Walker Lane and the northwest Basin and Range Province proper.


Deriving nearly 90% of its primary energy resources from oil, the State of Hawaii is more dependent on oil than any other U.S. state. The price of electricity in Hawaii is also more than twice the U.S. average. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directed assessment of the economic implications of Hawaii's oil dependence and the feasibility of using renewable energy to help meet the state's electrical generation and transportation fuel use. This paper is based on the assessments and report prepared in response to that directive.Current total installed electrical capacity for the State of Hawaii is 2,414 MWe, 83% of which is fuel-oil generated, but already including about 170 MWe of renewable capacity. The assessments identified about 2,133 MWe (plus another estimated 2,000 MWe of rooftop PV systems) of potential new renewable energy capacity. Most notable, in addition to the rooftop solar potential, is 750 MWe and 140 MWe of geothermal potential on Hawaii and Maui, respectively, 840 MWe of potential wind capacity, primarily on Lanai and Molokai, and one potential 285 MWe capacity specific solar project (PV or solar thermal) identified on Kauai. Important social, political, and electrical-grid infrastructure challenges would need to be overcome to realize this potential. Among multiple crop and acreage scenarios, biofuels assessment found 360,000 acres in Hawaii zoned for agriculture and appropriate for sugarcane, enough to produce 429 million gallons of ethanol-enough to meet about 64% of current 2005 Hawaiian gasoline use. Tropical oil seed crops-potentially grown on the same land-might meet a substantial portion of current diesel use, but there has been little experience growing such crops in Hawaii. The U.S. Department of Energy and the State of Hawaii initiated in January 2008 a program that seeks to reduce Hawaii's oil dependence and provide 70% of the state's primary energy from clean energy sources by 2030. The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) activities will be concentrated in two areas: 1) HCEI Working Groups will be formed and made up of private, state, and U.S. government experts in the areas of Transportation and Fuels, Electricity Generation, Energy Delivery and Transmission, and End-Use Efficiency; and 2) Partnership Projects will be undertaken with local and mainland partners that demonstrate and commercialize new technologies and relieve technical barriers.


Numerical simulation of flow through multidimensional heterogeneous soils under unsaturated conditions is a computationally intensive task. The governing unsaturated flow equation is nonlinear. The degree of nonlinearity depends on the unsaturated hydraulic properties of the soil and the degree of heterogeneity. In this paper, we present a highly efficient method to simulate unsaturated steady state flow through random porous media. Our method utilizes the analytical (approximate) solution derived by a perturbation-spectral method as an initial guess solution for a numerical model to simulate two-dimensional vertical infiltration problems. It is found that this approach, which we call "ASIGNing," reduces the required CPU time by one to two orders of magnitude. ASIGNing is demonstrated to operate successfully under a wide variety of boundary conditions which may substantially deviate from those imposed on the initial guess solution, A large range of mean and variances in the independent variables ln Ks and α or alternatively In α, has been tested and it is shown that the method works well for variances of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity σln2K′ ≤ 5 and average 〈α〉 ≤ 0.1 [cm−1].


In this article, we observe that most false positive images (i.e., different identities with query images) in the top ranking list usually have the similar color information with the query image in person re-identification (Re-ID). Meanwhile, when we use the greyscale images generated from RGB images to conduct the person Re-ID task, some hard query images can obtain better performance compared with using RGB images. Therefore, RGB and greyscale images seem to be complementary to each other for person Re-ID. In this article, we aim to utilize both RGB and greyscale images to improve the person Re-ID performance. To this end, we propose a novel two-stream deep neural network with RGB-grey information, which can effectively fuse RGB and greyscale feature representations to enhance the generalization ability of Re-ID. First, we convert RGB images to greyscale images in each training batch. Based on these RGB and greyscale images, we train the RGB and greyscale branches, respectively. Second, to build up connections between RGB and greyscale branches, we merge the RGB and greyscale branches into a new joint branch. Finally, we concatenate the features of all three branches as the final feature representation for Re-ID. Moreover, in the training process, we adopt the joint learning scheme to simultaneously train each branch by the independent loss function, which can enhance the generalization ability of each branch. Besides, a global loss function is utilized to further fine-tune the final concatenated feature. The extensive experiments on multiple benchmark datasets fully show that the proposed method can outperform the state-of-the-art person Re-ID methods. Furthermore, using greyscale images can indeed improve the person Re-ID performance in the proposed deep framework.


High dielectric loss and low energy storage density are common problems in available high dielectric constant composites consisting of a conductor and polymer. Herein, two unique kinds of tri-layered structure composites were designed and prepared. Specifically, 0.6 wt% of hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added into epoxy modified cyanate ester resin (CEP) to form a composite (CNT/CEP), which was used as the first and third layers of the tri-layered structure composite, respectively; the second layer is mica paper (MP) infiltrated with CNT/CEP or CEP resin. Consequently, the obtained tri-layered structure composite was coded as CNT/CEP–MPI–CNT/CEP or CNT/CEP–MPII–CNT/CEP. The influence of the thickness of MP and infiltration resin on the structure, dielectric properties and energy storage density of the tri-layered structure composite were investigated. The results show that with the same frequency and thickness of MP, the CNT/CEP–MPII–CNT/CEP composite has lower dielectric loss and larger energy storage density than CNT/CEP–MPI–CNT/CEP. More specifically, for the CNT/CEP–MPII–CNT/CEP composite in which the thickness of MP is 60 μm, the dielectric loss is only 0.07 at 100 Hz, about 7.6 × 10−5 times that of CNT/CEP; moreover, the energy storage density is 16.5 times that of CNT/CEP. This great increase in energy storage density and the simultaneous reduction in dielectric loss are the best values reported so far among composites based on a conductor/polymer layer and an insulating layer. The origin behind these attractive dielectric properties and energy storage densities of the tri-layered structure composites was discussed through simulating the equivalent circuit and correlating with structures.


This study investigates discourse in foreign language classes where the focus is both on form and on meaning, i.e. discourse where students talkin and about the foreign language. Two clasroom activities are analysed. First, language-related questions posed by students in a German as a second language class, and second, text reproduction tasks in a German as a foreign language class at a Dutch secondary school. During these activities students construct and verbalise hypotheses about the structure of the foreign language. It is argued that recording these verbalisations supplies data which allow insights into ongoing learning processes concerning the interaction of the learners' internal L2-knowledge with the perceived L2-input.Both activities are discussed on acquisitional, methodological and didactic levels. It is concluded that they represent significant learning opportunities and that they should be further developed.


We describe an automatic image enhancement technique based on features extraction methods. The approach takes into account images in Bayer data format, captured using a CCD/CMOS sensor and/or 24-bit color images; after identifying the visually significant features, the algorithm adjusts the exposure level using a "camera response"-like function; then a final HUE reconstruction is achieved. This method is suitable for handset devices acquisition systems (e.g., mobile phones, PDA, etc.). The process is also suitable to solve some of the typical drawbacks due to several factors such as poor optics, absence of flashgun, and so forth.


This paper is a study of the influence of economic policy uncertainty on the capital structure of companies operating in the Russian market. The sample size is particularly notable (over 16,000 companies and 230,000 observations are included) insofar as previous studies have invariably used smaller selections due to the complexities of data processing. Several hypotheses are proposed and treated which concern the interrelations between company debt policies and the status of individual, sectoral, or industry relevant commercial activity, where the constant threat of economic uncertainty due to political or other external machinations affects the market.

This research paper examines the following capital structure determinants: profitability, asset structure, company size, tax shield, non-debt tax shield, growth opportunity, and risk. The following methods are applied to test a series of nine hypotheses proposed as the most salient indicators of the present state of academic consensus: the Pool model (Pool), the fixed effect model (FE), and the random effect model (RE). In this context, the influence of economic uncertainty on the status of different debt types in 16,882 Russian companies between 2000 and 2017 was studied using the economic policy uncertainty index calculated in 2012.

The results serve to confirm many of the extant hypotheses in the academic literature in the area of capital structural evaluation. For example, it is immediately apparent that the influence of uncertainty is of less significance for large companies as regards all types of debt (joint, short-term and long-term), due to their greater stability and lower risks for creditors. Among other conclusions, it is confirmed that as long as serious government participation is characteristic of the Russian banking system, the efficacy of the debt financing system is not equal for all sectors, and those sectors which are of strategic importance for the state are particularly resilient in troubled economic periods. However, interestingly, in the case of a short-term debt leverage such influence does not materialise.

From a theoretical point of view this paper will be useful for researchers studying the fluctuating market conditions of developing or transitional markets (the large sample size will make this study particularly attractive for further evaluation at all levels of academic analysis). An understanding of the multivariate interrelations described in this paper may also be useful to company managers and investors who will gain insight into the consequences of fluctuations in levels of economic uncertainty for different types of companies.


The Roman de Renart is one of the most intriguing and influential literary works from the French Middle Ages. Unlike conventional texts with a single author, it is a compilation of numerous semi-independent stories which, it is believed, were composed by numerous authors over a 50-year period beginning in the 1170s. In this volume Lodge and Varty have brought together the half-dozen or so stories, which have traditionally been thought to have been composed first and to have provided the stimulus to further composition in the Renart genre. The text is well-known, but the originality of this edition lies firstly in the fact that the manuscript used has not been edited before, and secondly in the wealth of explanatory material provided: an introduction (containing a linguistic analysis, a citation in extenso of sources and analogues, and a comprehensive bibliography) and a detailed critical apparatus (containing extensive notes exploring the numerous linguistic and philological problems posed by the text, and a complete glossary of the forms occurring in it).


A IMU which consists of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers has been developed for real-time estimation of human hand motions. Along with appropriate transformation and filtering algorithms, the IMU was implemented as a Ubiquitous Digital Writing Instrument (UDWI), which could interface with PCs in real-time via Bluetooth wireless protocol, to record the handwriting on any flat surface. However, because of the MEMS sensors' intrinsic biases and random noise such as circuit thermal noise, an effective calibration system that provides good reference measurement parameters must be developed to compare the output of the IMU sensors to human hand motions. In this paper, we present our development of a method to calibrate three-dimensional linear accelerations and angular velocities of human writing motions measured from MEMS sensors through optical tracking techniques. In our experiments, English alphabets were written by the UDWI on a horizontal plane. The sensor output from the writing motions were transmitted wirelessly to a PC and the data were stored in the PC. Simultaneously, we recorded the pen-tip motion during the writing of each alphabet with a high-speed camera, which allowed us to exact the acceleration, velocity, and position of the UDWI's tip through appropriate optical-tracking algorithms. Then, the information is compared with the motion information obtained from the MEMS sensors in the UDWI. The motion data obtained from the high-speed camera are much more accurate, and hence could be used as reference motion data to analyze the performance of the UDWI, and eventually allows improvement of the UDWI performance.


Fatal septic shock due to Streptococcus sanguis developed eight days after fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a pancreatic pseudocyst. The pseudocyst was adherent to the transverse colon (as is often the case with pseudocysts), and contamination of cyst fluid with colonic bacteria most likely initiated the infection. The patient had not received prophylactic antibiotics, even though the needle had been observed to pass through the bowel at the time of the CAT-scan-guided aspiration. Although the literature documents the safety and usefulness of FNA in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors, this case suggests that prophylactic antibiotics be considered at the time of aspiration of pseudocysts or necrotic tumors.


The increase in relative level of education and the growing middle-class income earners in Nigeria have made packaged food items attractive to consumers. These foods provide handy, nutritious and convenient food for consumers; however, they also come with public health concerns.  From a policy perspective, food labelling can gauge consumers' response to the safety conditions of packaged food. However, understanding consumers' awareness and the use of food label information has attracted little research attention in many developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we investigate consumers' awareness of the use of food safety labels in Lagos state, Nigeria. We used primary data collected using pretested structured questionnaire from 220 food shoppers who bought pre-packaged foods . A two-stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Consumers' awareness and use of food safety information was revealed using descriptive statistics ; Ordinal Regression Analysis was used to examine the socioeconomic factors determining the frequency of reading food safety labels . The study therefore recommends that there should be continuous awareness campaigns on the importance of food labels in ensuring safety and food producers should make sure their food labels are legible.


In Ecuador, Atacames has been the first beach to encourage accessible tourism through the infrastructure implementation. General Villamil Playas is a relevant seaside, located 97 kilometers from Guayaquil city, has a warm and pleasant weather and a large expanse of beach, but at the same time lacks tourist infrastructure for people with limited mobility; therefore, it was the purpose of this study to analyze the accessibility for tourism of this group of people in this area. This research is reinforced by theories and studies raised by several authors, with a mixed approach, using quantitative and qualitative data. Empirical and theoretical methods were applied, operating techniques and tools that helped gather information through interviews, observation files, and surveys. For, the sample, the tourists were considered in a range of 15 to 65 years old, applying the formula for finite population, where 379 people were surveyed, who support the need to introduce facilities for people with limited mobility, giving openness to the design of an accessibility system on the beach boardwalk and also toward the beach. The improvement of accessibility can allow relatives enjoy together because an inclusive infrastructure supports the whole family to visit tourist sites, and also it contributes to developing new tourism products in the community for national and international tourists. To conclude, this research seeks the relationship between the level of accessibility of beaches, the training of service providers and the increase in customer visits, which could be useful for practical applications in other areas.


Technologies exist that would make U.S. nuclear weapons safer against accidents and more secure against terrorist threats and unauthorized use. Yet these measures cannot be incorporated without nuclear testing. Nuclear testing would also enable us to determine whether our aging warheads are reliable. Testing is also necessary for designing new, modern warheads to meet emerging needs. The first step toward resumption of nuclear testing is to unsign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. This treaty has already been rejected by the U.S. Senate for several reasons, including the facts that it is unverifiable and does little or nothing to promote nuclear nonproliferation.


This paper attempts to address issues raised by the convergence of the telecommunications, broadcasting and IT sectors. The approach taken is to provide an analysis of the path to convergence, with the assertion that the United States NII initiative was in many respects the catalyst for the whole process. The American vision of the information age is contrasted with the European Union's version, which highlights not only the strategic importance both place on the new communications world but also the differing emphasis placed on social needs in the new world. To provide a better understanding of the whole subject area a basic analysis of the sectors preconvergence is provided, with particular emphasis on the pre-convergence regulatory structures in the UK, European Union and United States. Consideration is given to the whole philosophical issue of how the converged industry should best be regulated, whether by strong regulatory controls or by competition law. This will highlight many of the tensions in this field of activity. The main thrust of the paper is that proper analysis and discussion have not so far been made in what is an area of fundamental importance for the whole of the world's population. Vital issues affected by convergence which are addressed, include social exclusion, cultural imperialism, universal service and public service broadcasting, citizenship and democracy. Without proper debate it is premised that gigantic transnational corporations will eventually control the converged industry, with national governments impotent to prevent abuse of the power such corporations will wield. The implications of this are profound, with democracy itself potentially hanging in the balance.


The motivation of this paper is to deepen the theoretical foundations of the interpretation of Synthetic Aperature Radar (SAR) imagery of the coastal seas. The approach uses large-eddy simulations (LES) to study the link between bottom topography and its expression on a free surface. In particular, the focus is on situations where the flow cannot be well approximated using simple conservation of mass arguments. The full Navier-Stokes equations are solved for laboratory-scale domains. Free surface patterns are presented for three configurations: neutral flow over wavy topography, stratified flow over wavy topography, and neutral flow over three-dimensional sinusoidal topography. The extent to which each configuration produces unique and identifiable surface patterns is explored. The focus is on the fluid mechanics near the surface, for example, attachment and persistence of vortical structures, upwelling, and zones of convergence. Neutral flow over wavy topography creates a large number of powerful upwellings on the free surface. These upwellings appear to overwhelm the coherency of pre-existing vortices and vortex pairs. Consequently, the persistence of organized vortical motions on the free surface is reduced. In contrast, in stably stratified flow over a wavy boundary, upwellings are weakened, and more vortex pairs are observed. The surface signature of three-dimensional underwater topography shows elongated streaks in the streamwise direction. The above features allow these underwater topographies (at the depths presented) to be uniquely differentiated based solely on their surface signatures.


The evolution of animal behaviour is poorly understood. Despite numerous correlations of behavioural and nervous system divergence, demonstration of the genetic basis of interspecific behavioural differences remains rare. Here we develop a novel neurogenetic model, Drosophila sechellia, a close cousin of D. melanogaster that displays profound behavioural changes linked to its extreme host fruit specialisation. Through calcium imaging, we identify olfactory pathways detecting host volatiles. Mutational analysis indicates roles for individual receptors in long- and short-range attraction. Cross-species allele transfer demonstrates that differential tuning of one receptor is important for species-specific behaviour. We identify the molecular determinants of this functional change, and characterise their behavioural significance and evolutionary origin. Circuit tracing reveals that receptor adaptations are accompanied by increased sensory pooling onto interneurons and novel central projection patterns. This work links molecular and neuronal changes to behavioural divergence and defines a powerful model for investigating nervous system evolution and speciation.


Abstract During international environmental negotiations developing countries have commonly employed a unified strategy through the G-77 and China (G-77/China). Compared with other negotiations, such as those on trade and security, this strategy has been relatively successful in securing financial and technical benefits. Unity among developing states is not, however, a characteristic of all environmental negotiations. This paper analyses the case of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation plus conservation ( redd +), where unity has been absent. It argues that the negotiation positions, strategies and coalition politics from 2005 to 2013 have been a result of identifiable power asymmetries among developing states (shifting over time). Some states with vast forest resources have held an effective veto, while others have had considerable moral influence and expert authority. Coalitions have courted such relevant and reputational leaders. At the same time some developing states have had enough diplomatic capacity and economic power to stand alone in negotiations. Taking a broad, historical view of the diverse forest interests and power asymmetries among developing states helps to explain the recent stagnation in negotiations to establish an international redd+ mechanism to mitigate climate change.


Feed costs are a major economic expense in finishing and developing cattle; however, collection of feed intake data is costly. Examining relationships among measures of growth and intake, including breed differences, could facilitate selection for efficient cattle. Objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for growth and intake traits and compare indices for feed efficiency to accelerate selection response. On-test ADFI and on-test ADG (TESTADG) and postweaning ADG (PWADG) records for 5,606 finishing steers and growing heifers were collected at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, NE. On-test ADFI and ADG data were recorded over testing periods that ranged from 62 to 148 d. Individual quadratic regressions were fitted for BW on time, and TESTADG was predicted from the resulting equations. We included PWADG in the model to improve estimates of growth and intake parameters; PWADG was derived by dividing gain from weaning weight to yearling weight by the number of days between the weights. Genetic parameters were estimated using multiple-trait REML animal models with TESTADG, ADFI, and PWADG for both sexes as dependent variables. Fixed contemporary groups were cohorts of calves simultaneously tested, and covariates included age on test, age of dam, direct and maternal heterosis, and breed composition. Genetic correlations (SE) between steer TESTADG and ADFI, PWADG and ADFI, and TESTADG and PWADG were 0.33 (0.10), 0.59 (0.06), and 0.50 (0.09), respectively, and corresponding estimates for heifers were 0.66 (0.073), 0.77 (0.05), and 0.88 (0.05), respectively. Indices combining EBV for ADFI with EBV for ADG were developed and evaluated. Greater improvement in feed efficiency can be expected using an unrestricted index versus a restricted index. Heterosis significantly affected each trait contributing to greater ADFI and TESTADG. Breed additive effects were estimated for ADFI, TESTADG, and the efficiency indices.


To establish the distribution of blood lipid concentrations and the prevalences of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Britain 12 092 men and women aged 25-59 in Glasgow, Leicester, London, and Oxford were studied. Subjects were selected by opportunistic case finding, in which patients consulting their general practitioner for any reason were offered a health check by appointment, or random selection from age-sex registers, in which an invitation for a health check was posted. The overall rate of response was 73%, being 91-94% by opportunistic case finding and 36-63% by random selection. At the health check subjects answered a brief questionnaire about risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and their height, weight, and blood pressure were recorded; a blood sample was taken for measuring plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose. The mean cholesterol concentrations were 5·9 (SD 1·2) and 5·8 (1·2) mmol/l in men and women, respectively. In London the mean value was 5·5 (1·2) mmol/l for both men and women and was significantly lower than mean values in the three other centres, among which there were no significant differences. In men and women aged 25-29 concentrations were similar but they increased in men until the age of 45-49, after which they showed no further increase; in women concentrations did not increase until the age of 40-44 and by the age of 50-59 values were higher than in men. Mean triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in men than in women (1·8 (1·4) v 1·3 (0·9) mmol/l, respectively), and trends with age were similar to those for cholesterol concentrations, except that at no age were values higher in women than in men. Mean triglyceride values overall were higher in Glasgow and London than in Oxford and Leicester. Body mass index was higher in Glasgow and London than in the other two centres and correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures and triglyceride concentration. In addition, subjects in Glasgow smoked significantly more than those in the other centres. These observations could contribute to the higher rate of coronary heart disease in Glasgow. Plasma lipid concentrations and the prevalences of other risk factors for cardiovascular disease were similar in subjects selected by opportunistic case finding and by random selection. In Britain cholesterol values have changed little during the past 12 years despite dietary recommendations and health education. Identifying subjects at particularly high risk of coronary heart disease is required to supplement advice to the general population to reduce the prevalence of this disease. Opportunistic case finding would be an appropriate method of identifying such subjects in general practice, although none of the potential markers for hyperlipidaemia was particularly useful in identifying all subjects at high risk.


The main objective of this study is to disseminate guidelines for the use of the Internet for financial information between the ASE listed companies for the year 2010, This issue is motivated by the growing concern with internet as a medium to disseminate financial information from regulatory bodies e.g. IAS. The lack of regulation of the rare use of online reporting by Jordanian companies. This study investigated the extent of dissemination of financial information over the Internet by Jordanian companies in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) stock exchanges. This project investigates the extent of disclosure financial reporting on internet. The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between factors and adoption to internet for disclosure financial reporting. To examine the extent of disclosure financial reporting on internet. To put light on the factors that affects these companies in the adoption of the internet to provide financial disclosure. The results show that 84 out of 100 (84%) of ASE public listed companies have web sites. It also can be seen that the lowest internet reporting is on Interim Report (only 73% i.e. 61 out of 84 websites). The most commonly found financial information is the balance sheet and income statement, both of which were disclosed by the 84 companies (100%). Accountant's notes was disclosed by 79 companies (94%). cash flow statement, all of which were disclosed by the 77 companies (92%). Auditor reports were disclosed by 76 companies (90%). Financial highlights which were disclosed by 73 companies (86%). In addition to statement of stakeholders equity which was disclosed by 72 companies (86%). The lowest declared items were Interim report which was disclosed by 61 companies (73%). The results show that companies still partially behind those of other developed countries and other developing countries. This study also examined the effect of three factors, namely firm size, leverage and profitability at the Internet reporting (IFR). A linear regression analysis is applied for this purpose. The results show that profitability and leverage significant financial impact reports via the Internet. The result also shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the amount of financial communications through the Internet and company size.


: Forty-two patients developed signs of acute arterial insufficiency following percutaneous femoral angiography. Three responsible mechanisms were recognized: 1. Occlusion of the femoral artery due to stripping off of thrombus formed on the intra-arterial catheter (22 cases). 2. Distal embolization of thrombus formed at the puncture site in the femoral artery (12 cases). 3. Subintimal dissection of an atherosclerotic plaque with secondary thrombosis (8 cases). Vasospasm was not an adequate explanation for the resulting symptoms and signs of ischemia. Such a diagnosis caused delay in proper surgical therapy. Early heparinization and thrombectomy were necessary. It was successful in all but one of 35 cases. Of seven delayed cases there were complications in three.


OBJECTIVE: Women who become pregnant during the conduct of biomedical human immunodeficiency virus prevention trials are taken off the study product for safety reasons. High pregnancy rates can compromise statistical integrity in these trials. The comprehensive contraceptive curriculum developed for the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) 004 trial was evaluated for its ability to enhance contraceptive uptake, reduce pregnancy rates, and preserve statistical integrity. METHODS: Contraceptive- and pregnancy-related eligibility criteria were specified in the protocol. We enrolled women who opted for a nonbarrier method of contraceptive and provided hormonal contraceptives onsite at no cost. At each monthly study visit, we provided pregnancy prevention counseling and performed pregnancy testing. Study product was withheld on pregnancy diagnosis, but women continued with monthly follow-up. RESULTS: Contraceptive use was high throughout the study with 100% uptake at baseline and 94.71% use after a mean of 18 months follow-up at exit. Injectable progestins, particularly medroxyprogesterone acetate, remained the preferred choice of contraceptive. After 30 months of follow-up, 54 pregnancies were reported out of 889 participants, giving a pregnancy incidence rate of 3.95 per 100 woman-years (95% confidence interval 2.96–5.17). Of all pregnancies, two thirds (64.81%) resulted in a full-term live birth, whereas 18.52% and 11.11% pregnancies culminated as miscarriage and terminated pregnancies, respectively. There were no congenital anomalies in the early neonatal period. Pregnancies resulted in 1.56% of woman-years of study follow-up lost as a result of temporary product withdrawal. CONCLUSION: The CAPRISA 004 contraceptive curriculum was an effective strategy for maintaining low pregnancy rates, thereby minimizing product withdrawal and loss of follow-up time. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III


Although the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) is known to possess a broad host range that transcends the species barrier, we suggested in an earlier study that AAV infection of human cells is receptor mediated (S. Ponnazhagan et al., J. Gen. Virol. 77:1111-1122, 1996). In the present studies, we investigated the ability of AAV to infect primary human hematopoietic progenitor cells capable of multilineage differentiation. Bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells from 12 hematologically normal volunteer donors were infected with a recombinant AAV containing the beta-galactosidase gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter (vCMVp-lacZ). Whereas 15 to 80% of the cells from approximately 50% of the donors showed various levels of lacZ gene expression, the expression was undetectable in cells from the remaining donors. However, if cells from both sets of donors were stimulated with various combinations of cytokines to induce differentiation into myeloid and lymphoid lineages following AAV infection, then the level of expression of the transduced gene increased up to 20-fold over a period of 14 days. The results of virus-binding assays suggested that the observed difference between the two groups was due to the differential susceptibility of CD34+ cells to AAV infection rather than to differences in transcription and translation of the transduced gene. To corroborate these results, CD34+ cells from the two donor groups, KB (human nasopharyngeal carcinoma) cells, and M07e (human megakaryocytic leukemia) cells were infected with vCMVp-lacZ. KB cells served as a positive control for AAV infection, and M07e cells served as a negative control. Whereas abundant hybridization to the single-stranded viral DNA on Southern blots was detected in KB and CD34+ cells that were positive for lacZ gene expression, little activity was detected in M07e and CD34+ cells that did not show expression of the lacZ gene. These results suggest that the levels of expression of the putative cellular receptor for AAV vary widely in CD34+ cells from different donors. These studies have implications for the potential use of AAV vectors in human gene therapy involving primary human primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.


Abstract: Laboratory-based decay experiments have become commonly used to supplement our understanding of how organisms enter the fossil record. Differences in how these experiments are designed and evaluated, however, including dissimilarities in qualitative decay-scoring indices superimposed on variability in model organisms, renders any semblance of comparison between studies unreliable. Here, we introduce the utility of X-ray tomographic microscopy (µCT) as a means for reliable and repeatable analysis of soft-tissue decay experiment products. As proof-of-concept, we used a relatively simple experimental design with classic studies as comparators, and present our analytical protocol using µCT for capturing the entire volume of the decay subject. Segmentation software then allows for 3D volume analysis and high-resolution internal and external character identification. We describe the workflow from sample preparation, contrast-staining, and data collection to processing and analysis of the resulting data, using peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) as model organisms, and compare our results to previous taphonomic studies. These methods allow for improved visualization and quantification of decay and internal volume analysis with minimal handling as compared to traditional qualitative scoring methods. Using the same scoring criteria as previous studies, this study revealed similar decay results for certain features, while we were additionally able to detect other feature loss or alteration earlier—importantly without need for potentially distortive sample handling. We conclude that µCT is a more effective, straightforward, and exact means for extracting quantitative data on the progression of decay and should be adopted in future studies, where available, to streamline and standardize comparisons.


Currently, users are able to interact with several devices, from smart watches to desktop computers, to perform different tasks. Such diversity of heterogeneous devices form a multi-device and multi-display ecosystem. Although this device ecosystem is usually connected by cloud services, a new interconnected environment is possible due to the emergence of a new paradigm based on distributed interactions. New techniques such as the proposed responsive Web interaction provides users with an environment that supports distributed interactions using the Web platform. This paper presents a study on how users perceive distributed interactions in educational environments using multi-device setups. The educational environment enriched with the Web interaction hub tool allows users to interact in a heterogeneous device ecosystem as if it were a single device. This paper was performed with more than 150 students using a satisfaction metric. The results show the impact that distributed interactions made on students, who preferred using distributed interactions in multi-device environments over traditional interactions.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the extent to which medical group and market factors are related to individual primary care physician (PCP) performance on patient experience measures.

DATA SOURCES
This study employs Clinician and Group CAHPS survey data (n=105,663) from 2,099 adult PCPs belonging to 34 diverse medical groups across California. Medical group directors were interviewed to assess the magnitude and nature of financial incentives directed at individual physicians and the adoption of patient experience improvement strategies. Primary care services area (PCSA) data were used to characterize the market environment of physician practices.

STUDY DESIGN
We used multilevel models to estimate the relationship between medical group and market factors and physician performance on each Clinician and Group CAHPS measure. Models statistically controlled for respondent characteristics and accounted for the clustering of respondents within physicians, physicians within medical groups, and medical groups within PCSAs using random effects.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Compared with physicians belonging to independent practice associations, physicians belonging to integrated medical groups had better performance on the communication ( p=.007) and care coordination ( p=.03) measures. Physicians belonging to medical groups with greater numbers of PCPs had better performance on all measures. The use of patient experience improvement strategies was not associated with performance. Greater emphasis on productivity and efficiency criteria in individual physician financial incentive formulae was associated with worse access to care ( p=.04). Physicians located in PCSAs with higher area-level deprivation had worse performance on the access to care ( p=.04) and care coordination ( p<.001) measures.

CONCLUSIONS
Physicians from integrated medical groups and groups with greater numbers of PCPs performed better on several patient experience measures, suggesting that organized care processes adopted by these groups may enhance patients' experiences. Physicians practicing in markets with high concentrations of vulnerable populations may be disadvantaged by constraints that affect performance. Future studies should clarify the extent to which performance deficits associated with area-level deprivation are modifiable.


Abstract Background: The differential diagnosis of endolaryngeal mesenchymal neoplasms includes a wide spectrum of benign and malignant pathologies, which have been rarely photo-documented and assessed as a group. Methods: Non-epithelial neoplasms of the endolarynx seen at our centre from 2002 to 2011 (n = 38; 36 treated at our institution) were retrospectively reviewed, with attention to clinical presentation, radiographic imaging, operative management, histology, and pre- and post-operative endoscopy. Submucosal squamous cell carcinomas, mucosal cysts, amyloid and Teflon granulomas were excluded. Results: Twenty-three of a total of 36 patients underwent definitive endoscopic surgical treatment. Supraglottic pathologies included lymphoma, lipoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, lymphangioma, oncocytoma, haemangioma, synovial cell sarcoma and benign spindle cell neoplasm. Transglottic pathologies included synovial cell sarcoma and granular cell tumour. Glottic pathologies included granular cell tumour, osteoma, rhabdomyoma, rhabdomycosarcoma and myofibroblastic sarcoma. Subglottic pathologies included chondrosarcoma, neurofibroma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and vascular malformation. Conclusion: The site of origin, degree of malignant behaviour and sensitivity to adjuvant treatment determined the course of surgical management, i.e. endolaryngeal versus transcervical, and limited removal versus wider resection.


This research aimed at finding correlation between self-confidence and vocational maturity among students. Data were collected from 120 students in Islamic Unversity of Indonesia. The data collection was done using the questionare method. The relationship between self-confidence and vocational maturity used Product Moment analysis. The result of the research was r = .223 (p = .015). This means that self-confidence corelated with vocational maturity. keyword : Self-confidence, vocational maturity


A software product line is a family of software products that share a common set of mandatory features and whose individual products are differentiated by their variable (optional or alternative) features. Family-based analysis of software product lines takes as input a single model of a complete product line and analyzes all its products at the same time. As the number of products in a software product line may be large, this is generally preferable to analyzing each product on its own. Family-based analysis, however, requires that standard algorithms be adapted to accomodate variability. In this paper we adapt the standard algorithm for computing limit average cost of a weighted transition system to software product lines. Limit average is a useful and popular measure for the long-term average behavior of a quality attribute such as performance or energy consumption, but has hitherto not been available for family-based analysis of software product lines. Our algorithm operates on weighted featured transition systems, at a symbolic level, and computes limit average cost for all products in a software product line at the same time. We have implemented the algorithm and evaluated it on several examples.


This paper considers an idealized subclass of surface reflectivities; namely , a simple superposition of ideal dif fuse and ideal specular , restricted to point light sources. The paper derives a model of dif fuse and specular illumination in arbitrarily lar ge dimensions, based on a few characteristics of material and light in 3-space. It describes how to adjust for the anomaly of excess brightness in lar ge codimensions. If a surface is grooved or furry , it can be illuminated with a hybrid model that incorporates both the 1D geometry (the grooves or fur) and the 2D geometry (the surface). CR


Blood donors of African descent are essential for the availability of specific antigen-negative blood, yet past recruitment strategies yielded limited successes. The aim was to systematically develop an intervention to recruit more African blood donors in the Netherlands, following the Intervention Mapping (IM) protocol. Based on the previous needs assessment (Step 1), change objectives (Step 2) and practical strategies (Step 3) were developed, which were further determined through eight interviews and two focus‐groups with blood bank staff and experts. Important factors in the needs assessment related to donation awareness and knowledge. These were also rated by staff and experts as most relevant and feasible determinants. The finalized objectives and strategies consisted of awareness raising on the need and understanding how and where to donate blood. The strategies were translated into a magazine article pilot‐experiment (n= 16) as part of the program production (Step 4). The magazine appraisal and intention‐change were studied of the target group, and compared with a previously published magazine article and a control group in an online survey. While the easiness to read and look & feel of the previously published article was higher valued, the content of the newly developed article was higher rated. Reading the magazine articles increased donation intention as compared to the pre‐ test and reference group, but the increase did not differ between the articles. IM helped to further define intervention objectives and strategies and it gave valuable insights in how to implement (step 5) and evaluate (step 6) the final intervention.


This research will focus on the impact of project model change on project performance: a case of Village savings loans and associations in Nyamata Area development programme of World Vision Rwanda. This model of project called VSLAs has been initiated by Care International and World Vision Rwanda (WVR) is applying the model with the purpose of creating self-reliance and auto financing capacities among poor families from Nyamata Area Development programme. VSLAs project members have been able to mobilize their own savings and run income generating activities to satisfy their basic needs without relying on external support and then enjoy the empowerment and sustainability of VSLAs project interventions.The overall purpose is to find out if VSLAs project model is contributing to high project performance in the community of Nyamata Area Development Programme. The objectives of the study are to assess the economic status of the beneficiaries involved in VSLA , to examine family dynamics/social impact for or members of the VSLA, to examine how VSLA has impacted the environment and to analyse how VSLA has alleviated dependency in Nyamata ADP. The target population is 1250 members of the 50 VSLAs groups in Nyamata Area Development Programme. The proposed research design is correlation research whichgives an estimate as to the degree of association between the variables. A simple random sampling technique will be used to select members of VSLAs to be interviewed on how they have been positively affected by being VSLAs members. A sample size will be 120 members of VSLA groups determined using AllainBuchardformular. Both primary and secondary data will be used in this research study. The primary data will be collected directly from the respondents by use of questionnaires, interviews and observation. Secondary data on the other hand will be collected by reviewing Nyamata programme reports, and project design documents about VSLAs formation and how it improves project performance in the targeted area.Concerning the research instruments, the researcher will use closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires directed to members of VLSAs.Descriptive analysis will be used to summarize the characteristics of the respondents, the descriptive statistics will involved the use of mean, frequency, percentages and standard deviation on how VSLAs members have been impacted in creating IGAs, green environment, paying school fees , making decision in the family, acquiring new assets and paying health insurance. The results from this research will be presented in form of tables and bar graphs. The researcher hopes that this study will help World Vision Organization to replicate this project model to all other remaining 28 Area Development programme in Rwanda European Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research Vol.3, No.2, pp.1-14, August 2015 ___Published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org)


The impact of socioeconomic status, family, and school experiences on the school continuation decision has been well-documented in Western literature. To date, however, no empirical studies have been conducted on the Gulf region. Using a sample of 149 dropouts and 347 non-dropouts, this study is the first to apply a mixed-methods comparative design to explore the patterns and trends in male dropout rates across government schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Importantly, the study finds that the effect of teachers on a student's decision to stay in school can be as strong as family influences. Consistent with previous literature on other parts of the world, dropping out in the UAE is associated with low socio-economic background, poorly educated and/or uninvolved parents, and de-motivating school experiences marked by unsupportive teachers and disruptive peers


As process technology scales, the number of transistors that can fit in a unit area has increased exponentially. Processor throughput, memory storage, and memory throughput have all been increasing at an exponential pace. As such, DRAM has become an ever-tightening bottleneck for applications with irregular memory access patterns. Computer architects in industry sometimes use ad hoc analytical modeling techniques in lieu of cycle-accurate performance simulation to identify critical design points. Moreover, analytical models can provide clear mathematical relationships for how system performance is affected by individual microarchitectural parameters, something that may be difficult to obtain with a detailed performance simulator. Modern DRAM controllers rely on Out-of-Order scheduling policies to increase row access locality and decrease the overheads of timing constraint delays. This paper proposes a hybrid analytical DRAM performance model that uses memory address traces to predict the DRAM efficiency of a DRAM system when using such a memory scheduling policy. To stress our model, we use a massively multithreaded architecture based upon contemporary GPUs to generate our memory address trace. We test our techniques on a set of real CUDA applications and find our hybrid analytical model predicts the DRAM efficiency to within 15.2% absolute error when arithmetically averaged across all applications.


Why did the volatility of U.S. real GDP decline by more than the volatility of final sales with the Great Moderation in the mid‐1980s? One explanation is that firms shifted their inventory behavior toward a greater emphasis on production smoothing. We investigate the role of inventories in the Great Moderation by estimating an unobserved components model that identifies inventory and sales shocks and their propagation in the aggregate data. Our estimates provide no support for increased production smoothing. Instead, smaller transitory inventory shocks are responsible for the excess volatility reduction in output compared to sales. These shocks behave like informational errors related to production that must be set in advance and their reduction also helps explain the changed forecasting role of inventories since the mid‐1980s. Our findings provide an optimistic prognosis for a continuation of the Great Moderation, despite the dramatic movements in output during the recent economic crisis.


Introduction
 Narsoplimab (OMS721) is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to and inhibits mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2). MASP-2 is the key enzyme responsible for activation of the lectin pathway of the complement system. The lectin pathway is activated when plasma is exposed to molecular patterns present on microbes and injured host cell surfaces, initiating a proteolytic cascade that results in the activation of complement components C4, C2, C3 and C5 to yield multiple biologically active products. Inhibiting MASP-2 activity prevents lectin-mediated generation of complement activation products, thereby reducing inflammation and tissue injury.
 Narsoplimab is the first lectin pathway-specific complement inhibitor in clinical development. In published clinical studies and case reports, improvement has been observed in narsoplimab-treated patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy, immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Here we describe the development of pharmacodynamic (PD) assays to quantify MASP-2 inhibition ex vivo and their use to study duration of action and to establish the pharmacokinetic (PK)/PD relationship of narsoplimab in monkeys and humans.
 Methods
 PD assays to measure lectin pathway activity, a measure of MASP-2 activity, in minimally diluted (90%) serum from human and monkey were developed using immobilized mannan as a lectin pathway-specific complement activator with C4b as the activation endpoint. ELISA and flow cytometry assay platforms were employed to assess the PD response of monkeys or normal healthy human volunteers administered narsoplimab, respectively. The PD response was used to characterize the time-course and dose-response of lectin pathway inhibition by narsoplimab. Drug concentration data obtained from matched serum samples were used to estimate the ex vivo EC50 of lectin pathway inhibition in monkeys and humans.
 Lectin pathway-specific complement activation assays applicable to minimally diluted serum samples were developed by evaluating the time-course of lectin-induced complement activation response under varying reaction temperatures and selecting optimized test conditions within the dynamic range of the assay platform. The test methods were used to characterize monkey and human lectin pathway inhibition profiles of narsoplimab in vitro, and the flow cytometric method was validated for analysis of human serum samples.
 Results
 The PD assays were used to characterize the PD response of monkeys administered a single intravenous (IV) bolus injection of narsoplimab at 0.05, 0.15, 0.5, 1.5 or 5 mg/kg, and of normal human healthy volunteers administered a single IV infusion of the drug at 0.25, 0.625 or 2 mg/kg, or 6 weekly IV infusions at 2 or 4 mg/kg. A clear, dose-dependent initial PD response was observed in monkeys in the dose range of 0.5 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg, which subsequently declined over time. In humans, a minimal PD response was observed at 0.025 mg/kg. A near maximal initial PD response was seen at 0.675 mg/kg or higher, followed by a decline over time. In the 6-week repeat-dose study, once-weekly dosing of narsoplimab at 2 mg/kg resulted in a mean trough PD response of ~55% lectin pathway inhibition, which increased to an ~80% mean trough response with once-weekly dosing of 4 mg/kg. PK sample analysis revealed a clear PK/PD relationship in monkeys and humans. Modeling of the PK/PD relationship in monkeys indicated an EC50 value of ~7 µg/mL (~ 46 nM), which is comparable to the IC50 value of lectin pathway inhibition in vitro (33 nM). In humans, modeling of the PK/PD relationship data indicated an EC50 value of ~500 ng/mL (3.3 nM), again very similar to the IC50 value of lectin pathway inhibition in vitro (3.4 nM).
 Conclusion
 We successfully developed PD assays to monitor blockade of lectin pathway activation in monkeys and humans administered narsoplimab. Using a validated PD assay, we demonstrate that a high level of lectin pathway blockade can be maintained in normal human healthy volunteers by once-weekly administration of narsoplimab at 4 mg/kg IV. We also demonstrate a consistent PK/PD relationship across the study population, indicating that narsoplimab concentration ranges can be used to target the desired level of lectin pathway inhibition.
 Figure 1

 Freeman: Omeros Corporation: Current Employment. Cummings:Omeros Corporation: Current Employment. Chuidian:Omeros Corporation: Current Employment. Dudler:Omeros Corporation: Current Employment.


The long term prognosis of women with breast cancer was studied by analysing retrospectively the 30 year survival of 2019 women with histologically proved breast cancer recorded at the National Cancer Registry in New Zealand between 1950 and 1954. Excess mortality rates for successive five year survival cohorts were calculated from the survival data. From the total cohort the excess mortality rate fell rapidly during the first 10 years and then became low after 20 years. There were no significant differences in excess mortality for the age cohorts. Most of the excess mortality for 20 years was due to deaths from breast cancer. In this study the prognosis for women with breast cancer approached normal after 20 years and the improvement in prognosis resulted from decreasing death rates from breast cancer.


Metabolic risks are a global challenge. These risks are although modifiable by lifestyle, and physical activity to some extent, they are primarily related to dietary consumption. Considering a clear relationship of diet and metabolic risk factors, we hypothesised that an evidence-based, and widely applicable solution may be found in Ayurvedic dietetics. From among a large number of dietary strategies noted in Ayurveda classics, kalabhojanam—intake of food at a scheduled time, and not ad libitum—is suggested to be the best strategy to confer good health. Accordingly, using a novel methodology to provide fresh interpretation of known facts from Samhitas, scientific research on time-restricted feeding (TRF) and experiential knowledge, here we present the results of synthesis as usable knowledge for mass application. Results of this synthesis demonstrate the indispensable value of kalabhojanam for maintaining the metabolic health. In translating these findings for better health among the masses, care must be taken that while kalabhojanam has definite elements of scheduled feeding, but it is much more comprehensive than time-restricted feeding. Accordingly, it should be adopted in a comprehensive manner according to Ayurvedic insights presented in this analysis. This study brings out that because irregular eating patterns are detrimental to metabolic health, Kalabhojanam being a robust non-pharmaceutical strategy may be helpful in prevention of metabolic diseases.


We employ surface differential calculus to derive models for Kirchhoff plates including in-plane membrane deformations. We also extend our formulation to structures of plates. For solving the resulting set of partial differential equations, we employ a finite element method based on elements that are continuous for the displacements and discontinuous for the rotations, using C 0 -elements for the discretisation of the plate as well as for the membrane deformations. Key to the formulation of the method is a convenient definition of jumps and averages of forms that are d -linear in terms of the element edge normals.


M any of the revolutionary changes that have occurred in the biological sciences can be directly attributed to the ability to manipulate DNA in defined ways. The major tools for this genetic engineering are the enzymes that catalyze specific reactions on DNA molecules. This chapter reviews the properties of the principal enzymes that are critical for carrying out most of the important reactions involved in recombinant DNA technology. In addition, it describes protocols for many of the basic techniques such as radioactiveand non-radioactive-labeling of nucleic acids and construction of hybrid DNA molecules (cloning). The protocols are described in a manner that includes all the necessary individual components. For convenience, commercial suppliers offer self-contained kits in which many of the components are combined.


Lead zirconate titanate/tungsten oxide (PZT/WO3) ceramics were prepared from the powders synthesized by a modified triol sol-gel processing method. In this study, the starting materials used for synthesis of PZT-sol were zirconium (IV) propoxide, titanium (IV) isopropxide, lead (II) acetate trihydrate and 1,1,1,- tris (hydroxymethyl) ethane. To prepare PZT/xWO3 powders (where x = 0, 0.5, 1 and 3 wt%), nano-sized WO3 was ultrasonically dispersed and mixed with the PZT sol, dried and calcined at 600°C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction results indicated that fully crystallized powders were obtained. Phase characterization suggested that at high WO3 concentration, the reaction between PZT and WO3 occurred during the calcination process. To prepare PZT/xWO3 ceramics, the powders were pressed and sintered at 1100°C for 6 h. Phase characterization by XRD indicated that the content of WO3 significantly affected tetragonal-to-rhombohedral phase transition. Microstructure of thermally etched samples showed that increasing the content of WO3 decreased grain size of the ceramics.


Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) without antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) have been classified as having double‐seronegative myasthenia gravis (dSNMG). We used the sera from six dSNMG patients with positive immunohistochemistry assays in a protein array to screen reactivity with 9000 human proteins. We identified cortactin, an intracellular protein that interacts with agrin/MuSK favoring AChR aggregation, as a new antigen in dSNMG. We then designed an in‐house enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay as a screening assay and confirmed these results by western blot. We found that 19.7% of dSNMG patients had anti‐cortactin antibodies. In contrast, patients with AChR+ MG or other autoimmune disorders and healthy controls were positive at significantly lower rates. Five percent of healthy controls were positive. In a recent study, we screened sera from 250 patients (AChR+ MG, MuSK+ MG, dSNMG) and 29 healthy controls. Cortactin antibodies were identified in 23.7% of dSNMG and 9.5% AChR+ MG patients (P = 0.02). None of the MuSK+ MG patients, patients with other autoimmune disorders, or healthy controls had antibodies against cortactin. Patients with dSNMG cortactin+ MG were negative for anti‐striated muscle and anti‐LRP4 antibodies. Patients with dSNMG cortactin+ MG presented ocular or mild generalized MG without bulbar symptoms. We conclude that cortactin autoantibodies are biomarkers of MG that, when present, suggest that the disease will be mild.


Determinants of dividend policy have been a topic of debate in the academic literature for several decades, but the studies have not been able to give a concluding result on the topic. Existing literature reveals that one of the most challenging decisions, dividend payout, is affected by multiple determinants thereby impacting the value of stock, among which proficatibility, capital structure and level of cash flows are identified to be significant factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate empirically the determinants of dividend payout among the companies in the Indian auto components sector which are listed in major Indian bourses. This paper constitutes a modest attempt to explore the relationship between dividend policy (dividend pay-out ratio) of the companies and the variables representing profitability, capital structure, investments, liquidity and cash flows. The other salient feature of the study is that it examines casual relationship of financial performance, operational efficiencies and investment strategies on decision of paying the dividend. ANOVA, correlation analysis and regression analysis have been used to explore the relationship between the identified variables. The study finds that the dividend policy of the companies in the Indian auto components sector is largely influenced by the operating profit, cash from operations, proportion of cash from operations used for financing the investment activities and the proportion of equity in the capital structure of the companies. The study addresses the Indian auto components sector, which is not researched much, and suggests rejuvenation in dividend policy after accounting a derived variable of cash flow to capital expenditure, as identified relevant to the group of auto manufacturers selected for the study.


Background/Objective:
The prevalence of shift work ranges around 20% among American and European workers and is significantly higher in the healthcare field. Variable work schedules among shift workers are associated with adverse health effects, including the increased risk of metabolic disorders and obesity. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between shift work and type 2 diabetes/insulin resistance.

Methods:
This research is part of a more extensive systematic review that has been registered on Prospero. Due to time constraints, we began with a scoping search with the goal of completing a rapid review. Searches were completed using the Ovid and PubMed databases with the following keywords and subject headings: Health Personnel; Shift Work Schedule; Circadian Rhythm; Work Schedule Tolerance; Metabolic Diseases; Overweight; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Malabsorption Syndromes; Metabolic Syndrome; and Diabetes Mellitus. The resulting articles were uploaded onto Covidence for screening and data extraction. After screening the abstracts for diabetes and insulin resistance, eight articles were selected for the full-text screening of which data extraction was performed on three.

Results:
Overall, 163,555 participants performing evening, night, rotating shifts, or regular shifts were identified in the three studies. The average age of study participants was found to be 44.0 yrs,  163,422 were females (>99.9%), and of the total participants, 98,303 subjects were shift workers (60.10%). For healthcare shift workers, there was a significant association between shift work and diabetes across all three studies; however, the effect was modest (relative risk in the range of 1.19-1.26).

Conclusion:
There is a positive relationship between shift work and diabetes among healthcare workers. Therefore, strategies focusing on reducing shift work or treating these workers as a high-risk group for diabetes by taking measures to minimize other exposures will be beneficial in reducing the incidence of diabetes among this population.


Crowd‐based hydrological observations can supplement existing monitoring networks and allow data collection in regions where otherwise no data would be available. In the citizen science project CrowdWater, repeated water level observations using a virtual staff gauge approach result in time series of water level classes (WL‐classes). To investigate the quality of these observations, we compared the WL‐class data with "real" (i.e., measured) water levels from the same stream at a nearby gauging station. We did this for nine locations where citizen scientists reported multiple observations using a smartphone app and at 12 locations where signposts were set up to ask citizens to record observations on a paper form that could be left in a letterbox. The results indicate that the quality of the data collected with the app was better than for the forms. A possible explanation is that for each app location, a single person submitted the vast majority of the observations, whereas at the locations of the forms almost every observation was made by a different person. On average, there were more contributions between May and September than during the other months. Observations were submitted for a range of flow conditions, with a higher fraction of high flow observations for the locations were data were collected with the app. Overall, the results are encouraging for citizen science approaches in hydrology and demonstrate that the smartphone application and the virtual staff gauge are a promising approach for crowd‐based water level class observations.


Objectives: The study analyzes the interior design in the dimension of sustainability, especially for homes, while shedding the light on the obstacles that influence it and establishing some recommendations. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The study used the analytical approach. It analyzed the interior design different elements, then demonstrated how sustainability can be achieved under these element in a successful way. It validated its work frame through using many examples from current practices and works in the field. Findings: Sustainable design is a way of thinking that considers the impact of various issues on the environment and on human welfare. Interior design is an integral part of any building construction or renovation and choices made in designing the inner space have environmental and human welfare implications. Thus, the practice of interior design is also considered in the context of sustainability, being a key aspect of any green building process. Building's interiors are fitted with materials, products and systems, while the occupants of those spaces use energy and other resources in ways that are driven, at least in part, by the design of the space itself. Good sustainable interior design must be informed by all these interconnections and impacts, where interior designers help to mitigate these impacts through a certain process that involves themselves, integrated design, clients and rating systems. In addition, many practices work currently to develop different sustainable items and ideas for the interior spaces for our homes, however there are three main obstacles; costs, materials and education. Application/Improvements: Raising the awareness about the importance of sustainability in interior design should start in the universities passing by the governments and ending with the clients.