In order to study the microscopic oil displacement mechanism of polymeric surfactant in chemical cold flooding for heavy oil, the indoor microscopic visualization displacement experiments were carried out. The flooding experiment of heavy oil was conducted by using water, osmotic modified oil displacing agent (a kind of polymeric surfactant) and water-in-oil emulsion (obtained by mixing polymeric surfactant and heavy oil) as displacing phases to study the mechanism of polymeric surfactant to enhance oil recovery in heavy oil reservoir. The experimental results show that the polymeric surfactant can increase the viscosity of the water phase, reduce the water-oil mobility ratio, expand the swept area, and there is no obvious fingering phenomenon which occurs during water flooding. The polymeric surfactant has the surfactant characteristics which can reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water to promote the formation of oil droplets with smaller droplet diameter. And the interfacial film composed of polymeric surfactant molecules will be formed on the surface of oil droplets to prevent the coalescence of oil droplets and improve the flow ability of oil phase. The water-in-oil emulsion can be miscible with the oil in heavy oil displacement process, and thus sweeps the areas such as the dead pores which cannot be swept by water and polymeric surfactant flooding, which increases the sweep efficiency to a certain extent. Cited as : Xu, F., Chen, Q., Ma, M., Wang, Y., Yu, F., Li, J. Displacement mechanism of polymeric surfactant in chemical cold flooding for heavy oil based on microscopic visualization experiments. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2020, 4(1): 77-85, doi: 10.26804/ager.2020.01.07.


Objective: To determine the subjective and observed levels of lethargy and changes in facial dynamics.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at Department of community medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences Lahore for one-year duration from January 2017 to December 2018. The changes in facial dynamics, such as changes in eyes, lips and eyebrows, were tested in KKS (Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) in twenty-five drivers. And ORD (drowsiness observer rating). Repeated ANOVA measurements and repeated MANOVA measurements were used to analyze the data. In addition, a neural network and Viola-Jones were used to detect facial features. PERCLOS (percentage of eye closure), blink frequency and blink time were examined to see eye parameters. The size of the open mouth during sleep was examined for oral parameters. When examining the eyebrows, the number 50 indicates that the eyebrow is in the normal position. For eyebrows above the normal position, a range of 50 to 55 was specified; In addition, 45-50 was found to be a defined range for normal eyebrows.
Results: Descriptive statistics of dynamic changes in the mouth and eyes showed increased drowsiness while driving, as well as changes in the eyes and mouth. However, statistical findings made while driving showed that dynamic eyebrow changes had a clear expression with a continuous trend. Similar studies on data obtained from CSR and ORD showed that both parameters increased at the same time and lethargy level. There was also a significant relationship between facial expressions and lethargy.
Conclusion: This study will be an effective and efficient tool for alerting and detecting sleep in a timely and accurate manner.


IT IS DIFFICULT or impossible to determine the incidence of injuries of the hepatic or common bile ducts which occur in the course of operations on the biliary system. Kehr 1 in 1913 reported injury to the common and hepatic ducts fifteen times in one thousand cholecystectomies, or an incidence of 1.5 per cent. Jacobson 2 reviewed the literature up to 1914 and found only 34 cases. Since then, other injuries of this type have been described (Eliot 3 and Eisendrath 4 ), but the reviews do not give an accurate idea of the frequency of injury of the common duct since most cases are not reported. Injuries to the common duct may occur as a result of inflammation of the duct or trauma to the duct. Cole and his associates 5 reported that 76 per cent of a series of strictures were the result of operative injury, Cattell 6 80


An evaluation of physical fitness prior to employment appears to be mandatory for several occupations in order to protect the employee from overburdening and the employer from placing excess demands on the employee. One such occupation seems to be that of the field medical specialist who needs special physical strength since terrain conditions deny wheel-assisted transport of stretcher patients. The anthropometric and isometric force data of a total of 62 female and 48 male recruits for the medical service of the Bundeswehr were evaluated, together with their ability to carry a patient on a stretcher (weight = 14 kg) within a gymnasium. Initially the 'casualties' were simulated by sandbags weighing 60, 70, 80 and 90 kg each on stretchers; subsequently equivalent-weight water cans were used. The tests were administered at the beginning and at the end of the general Basic Military Training (BMT). While all males were able to carry the simulated 90 kg patient, only 22 out of 62 female recruits were able to do so at the beginning of BMT. At the end, the number had improved to 29 out of 55 women soldiers completing training. At the beginning of BMT 22.5% of the women soldiers were unable to rescue a simulated 70 kg patient; at the end of BMT the number had fallen to 18%. The isometric force values as measured revealed the hand grip strength as the best predictor for the capacity to carry simulated 90 kg patients. It is, therefore, suggested that a hand strength test be administered prior to field medical specialist training in order to channel unsuitable candidates into other training schemes.


What difference does it make, and for whom, whether the nonperforming debts of emerging market borrowers are restructured? This paper begins by positing a set of counterfactual conditions under which restructuring would not matter, and then shows how several ways in which the actual world of international lending departs from these conditions give both lenders and borrowers ample reason to care whether nonperforming debts are restructured. One implication of the way in which debt restructuring matters is that restructuring should not be too' easy. Further, with a greater frequency of defaults, some credit flows to emerging market countries would not be extended in the first place. An important element driving this line of argument is moral hazard, but (unlike in much of the recent literature of emerging market debt problems) what is central here is not the availability of credit from the IMF or other official lenders but the more fundamental moral hazard inherent in all uncollateralized borrower-lender relationships.


To clarify the nature of the noradrenaline (NA)‐induced contraction, the effects of NA on inositol phospholipid metabolism and the actions of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) on skinned muscle of the rabbit mesenteric artery were investigated. NA, in concentrations over 1 nM, reduced the amount of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PI‐P2) and increased the amount of phosphatidic acid (PA). The maximum reduction in the amount of PI‐P2 and the maximum increase in the amount of PA were observed in the presence of 1 microM‐NA. With prolonged application of NA, the PI‐P2 was gradually restored to near the control level, but with repeated applications of NA separated by rinses with Krebs solution, there was a consistent reduction of PI‐P2. The NA‐induced PI‐P2 breakdown was inhibited by the alpha 1‐adrenoceptor blocking agent, prazosin. After incubation of the tissue with radioactive inositol‐containing solution, NA transiently increased the amount of radioactive InsP3 which was followed by increases in the amount of inositol 1,4‐bisphosphate (InsP2) and inositol monophosphate (InsP). After accumulation of Ca by saponin‐treated muscle cells of the dog mesenteric artery dispersed by collagenase, InsP3 released Ca stored in cells but InsP2 did not. A23187 (5 microM) but not InsP3 (up to 10 microM), depleted Ca accumulated in the presence of ATP. In saponin‐treated skinned muscle tissues, InsP3 in concentrations over 0.3 microM, produced contraction following accumulation of Ca into the store site. InsP3 released Ca from the same source as caffeine. The release of Ca by InsP3 appeared in a concentration‐dependent manner and this release also depended on the amount of Ca stored in cells (the median effective dose (ED50) was 3.0 microM in 0.1 microM‐Ca and 1.0 microM in 0.3 microM‐Ca). We concluded that NA activates alpha 1‐adrenoceptors, thus hydrolysing PI‐P2 and synthesizing InsP3. This product can release Ca stored in cells as estimated from the contraction in skinned muscle tissues, and also reduces the residual amount of Ca stored in skinned dispersed muscle cells. Contraction evoked by NA through pharmacomechanical coupling can be explained as a function of InsP3.


Abstract Purpose Balance is crucial for an individual's capacity to maintain an upright position during both static and dynamic conditions. Balance control is a complex sensory-motor action based on automated and spinal reflexes, under the influence of several distinct and separate supraspinal centres in the brainstem, cerebellum, and cortex. However, cortical neural activation during the functioning of sensory feedback mechanisms involved in the dynamic balance of the sporting group (SG) and non-sporting group (NSG) of young adults is yet to be evaluated. Thus, we evaluated hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) following a dynamic balance task in SG and NSG of young adults. Materials and methods The dynamic balance of 48 participants was evaluated using the wobble board of the Kinematics Measurement System. Hemodynamic changes were recorded using Functional Near Infra-red Spectroscopy System during the dynamic balance task. Results SG performed significantly better (p < .05) on the dynamic balance, as compared to the NSG. PFC hemodynamics was significantly different (p < .05) in SG and NSG. Conclusion We conclude that superior balance scores in SG compared to NSG are associated with different areas of activation of PFC during dynamic balance tasks.


Generative models for audio-conditioned dance motion synthesis map music features to dance movements. Models are trained to associate motion patterns to audio patterns, usually without an explicit knowledge of the human body. This approach relies on a few assumptions: strong music-dance correlation, controlled motion data and relatively simple poses and movements. These characteristics are found in all existing datasets for dance motion synthesis, and indeed recent methods can achieve good results.We introduce a new dataset aiming to challenge these common assumptions, compiling a set of dynamic dance sequences displaying complex human poses. We focus on breakdancing which features acrobatic moves and tangled postures. We source our data from the Red Bull BC One competition videos. Estimating human keypoints from these videos is difficult due to the complexity of the dance, as well as the multiple moving cameras recording setup. We adopt a hybrid labelling pipeline leveraging deep estimation models as well as manual annotations to obtain good quality keypoint sequences at a reduced cost. Our efforts produced the BRACE dataset, which contains over 3 hours and 30 minutes of densely annotated poses. We test state-of-the-art methods on BRACE, showing their limitations when evaluated on complex sequences. Our dataset can readily foster advance in dance motion synthesis. With intricate poses and swift movements, models are forced to go beyond learning a mapping between modalities and reason more effectively about body structure and movements.


Between 1870 and the 1950s, the volume and proportion of British exports to the Empire and Commonwealth grew steadily. Many have attributed this trend to non-market advantages allegedly rooted in imperial rule and the inherent Britishness of these markets. Quantitative methods show, however, that in most periods, other considerations, most notably the economic growth of the importing markets, were of much greater importance in explaining the pattern of British exports.


An analysis is carried out to study the peristaltic motion of an incompressible Oldroyd 4-constant fluid in a planar channel. The flow modeling is first developed in dimensionless form and the governing problem is then simplified by adopting a long wavelength assumption. It is found that unlike Oldroyd 3-constant fluid, the governing problem of an Oldroyd 4-constant fluid under a long wavelength approximation contains the rheological parameters. The resulting non-linear problem has been solved numerically using a combination of the finite difference scheme and the iterative method. In addition, an analytical solution is presented for the domain near the channel center. The effect of material parameters on the pumping and trapping is discussed. A comparison with the corresponding results for a viscous Newtonian fluid is also made.


Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease which causes skin sores. There is no effective laboratory screening tests for leishmaniasis. Some diagnostic techniques exist that allow parasite detection and species identification by special culture and microscopy, biochemical (Isoenzymes), immunologic (immunoassays), and molecular (PCR) approaches. Specific major objectives of this study was to genotyping of Leishmania species in Bam and Shiraz city. Methods: A total of 83 samples of Leishmania were collected from patients clinically suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The geographic distributions of the samples were 55 samples from Bam and 28 from Shiraz city. For this propose samples of skin and bloods were blotted on filter paper. Genomic DNA extracted with a Genomic DNA extraction kit (AccuPrep, BIONEER ). Aliquots of extracted DNA were kept at - 20 ° C . region of ITS1 amplified with the published Leishmania -specific primers. 15–20 m L of these amplicons, containing the amplified ITS1 region, was digested for 2 h with Hae III . Results: All 55 samples from Bam were considered as L. tropica and the positive samples from Shiraz considered as L. tropica and just one sample was L. major which was belonged to a patient had previously traveled to Isfahan and Khuzestan. Conclusion: In the current study a PCR technique was employed for amplification of Leishmania DNA directly in biological materials. Characterization of genus of Leishmania using RFLP-PCR method is too sensitive and too rapid, and there is no need for culturing the parasite for diagnosis. Abstract


The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) represent an unprecedented change in American education. As an increasingly integral part of the school accountability movement under No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, respon- sibility for implementing CCSS rests largely with school leadership. One important factor in the success or failure of these efforts is the perceptions and experiences of the teachers who will ultimately employ CCSS in the classroom. This survey study examined teachers' views of CCSS implementation, teaching conditions, collabora- tion, and job satisfaction. Factor analysis revealed that the openness and activeness of school leadership had a significant effect on teachers' perceptions of implemen- tation, suggesting that attention to these aspects of leadership is an important consideration during transition to CCSS.


A three-phase unbalanced system will reduce mechanical and electrical energy interaction and thus, to some extent, inhibit subsynchronous resonance (SSR). Based on this principle, a compensation method using a single-phase static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) is proposed. In this method, only one phase employs an SSSC to replace part of the fixed series capacitor, while the other two phases have fixed series compensation (FSC). By controlling the SSSC, the three-phase reactance at power frequency is balanced, while at sub-synchronous frequencies, the system is unbalanced and thus inhibits SSO. A single-phase SSSC model based on a cascaded H bridge topology is built for time-domain simulations. The damping effect and the minimum degree of compensation required from the SSSC are analyzed by transient simulations. Simulation results show the method can effectively restrain SSO and has little effect on the three-phase voltage unbalance factor. Compared with employing SSSC in all three phases, this method is more economical.


All incarcerated juveniles have to receive correctional education, but little is known about how these school experiences influence reentry. With longitudinal data of 569 incarcerated juveniles (91% male) from the Pathways to Desistance Project, this study tested how motivational (teacher bonding, school orientation, time spent on homework) and performance (grades) aspects of schooling were related to desistance for youth returning from juvenile versus adult facilities. Results revealed that across facility type, increased attachment to facility schools, but not grades, predicted increased gainful activity (attending school and/or working), less self-reported delinquency, and lower recidivism in the community. Path models showed that gainful activity during Months 1 through 6 was related to stay in community, but not to self-reported behavior in Months 7 through 12. Results indicate that incarceration is an environment that shapes future behavior, but also highlight differences between behavioral and system responses. Facility school experiences might be an important locus of intervention.


This thesis presents the formulation of a novel methodology to design adaptive structures. This method is based on improving structural performances through the reduction of the embodied energy in the material at the cost of a small increase in operational energy necessary for structural adaptation and sensing. In structural design, members are sized so that they have the capacity to meet the worst expected 'effect' or 'demand' from all load cases. If embodied energy is to be saved, clearly, member sizing should not be governed directly by the worst demand but by some fraction of it. The design method proposed here seeks to synthesise structural configurations which can be thought of as a hybrid between a passive and a fully active structure. Instead of using more material to cope with the effect of loads, here strategically located active elements (actuators) provide controlled output energy to manipulate actively the internal flow of forces into more efficient load paths (i.e. stress homogenisation) and keep displacements within desired limits by changing the shape of the structure. To ensure the embodied energy saved this way is not used up to by actuation, the adaptive solution is designed to cope with ordinary loading events using only passive load bearing capacity whilst relying on active control to deal with events that have a smaller probability of occurrence (e.g. wind storms, snow, earthquakes, unusual crowds but also moving loads such as trains). A nested optimisation scheme finds the active-passive system that corresponds to the minimum of the sum of embodied and operational energy. This work on adaptive structures comprises both a numerical and an experimental component. Numerical simulations and experimental tests carried out on a purpose-built large scale prototype confirmed that substantial savings up to 60% of the total energy can be achieved by adaptive solutions.


This paper uses subnational case studies to compare city and provincial electric mobility roadmaps and provides preliminary recommendations for Vietnamese cities based on case study observations. In addition, the paper discusses the process of preparing, creating, and implementation an electric mobility roadmap, covering aspects such as prerequisite analyses, stakeholder engagement, supporting policy formulation, and monitoring. Throughout the paper, experiences from actual case studies are referenced and analyzed.


We examine the impact of givenness on argument realization in a small text corpus of Yucatec folk narratives (660 clause-like units). We find that the default devices for the extension of topic chains are bare cross-reference markers. Weightier expressions – free pronouns, demonstrative proforms, clause-mate co-nominals, and left-dislocated pro-forms or nominals – are used for disambiguation among competing referents, resuming previous topic chains, and introducing new referents. Bare cross-reference markers occur exclusively with given referents. Their behavioral properties thus strongly support an anaphoric analysis, despite the existence of evidence suggesting an agreement ('pro-drop') analysis in the presence of clause-mate co-nominals.


Abstract. Historical maps represent an important source of geographical information. The changes occurred over time can be extrapolated from them, especially if their geometric accuracies match those achievable with modern survey techniques. An 1820 map belonging to the Gregorian Cadastre provides the position of seven hermitages belonging to the monastery of Fara in Sabina (Italy). Just three of them are nowadays visible, while the others may have been covered by thick vegetation or been destroyed during the Second World War. The paper proposes the integration of geomatic techniques for the localization of the lost hermitages. To do so, Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms were applied to UAV imagery to produce an orthophoto of the area. In addition, a GNSS survey was carried out using a professional and a low-cost receiver to correctly georeference the photogrammetric products. An accuracy assessment was then performed to evaluate the performance of the u-blox board in real applications. The accuracies obtained with the low-cost receiver indicates a possible more widespread utilization of these new devices. Subsequently, the comparison between the orthophoto and the cadastral map have been detailed. A weak correspondence between the position of the hermitages in the two maps have been observed. On the other side, the comparison led to the localization of two lost hermitages, with the other two being still undiscovered. This study has opened the door to an enhancement process of the monastery and to the rediscovery of the religious values of the hermitages.


Since its first isolation in around 2007, the avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) has become established and continues to circulate in dog populations. This virus serves as a useful model for deciphering the complex evolutionary process of interspecies transmission of influenza A virus (IAV) from one species to its subsequent circulation in another mammalian host. The present investigation is a comprehensive effort to identify and characterize genetic changes that accumulated in the avian-origin H3N2 CIV during its circulation in the dog. We revealed that H3N2 CIV experiences greater selection pressure with extremely high global non-synonymous to synonymous substitution ratios per codon (dN/dS ratio) for each gene compared to the avian reservoir viruses. A total of 54 amino acid substitutions were observed to have accumulated and become fixed in the H3N2 CIV population based on our comprehensive codon-based frequency diagram analysis. Of these substitutions, 11 sites also display high prevalence in H3N8 CIV, indicating that convergent evolution has occurred on different lineages of CIV. Notably, six substitutions, including HA-G146S, M1-V15I, NS1-E227K, PA-C241Y, PB2-K251R, and PB2-G590S, have been reported to play imperative roles in facilitating the transmission and spillover of IAVs across species barriers. Most of these substitutions were found to have become fixed in around 2015, which might have been a favorable factor that facilitating the spread of these CIV lineages from South Asia to North America and subsequent further circulation in these areas. We also detected 12 sites in six viral genes with evidence for positive selection by comparing the rates of non-synonymous and synonymous substitutions at each site. Besides, our study reports trends of enhanced ongoing adaptation of H3N2 CIV to their respective host cellular systems, based on the codon adaptation index analysis, which points toward increasing fitness for efficient viral replication. In addition, a reduction in the abundance of the CpG motif, as evident from an analysis of relative dinucleotide abundance, may contribute to the successful evasion of host immune recognition. The present study provides key insights into the adaptive changes that have accumulated in the avian-origin H3N2 viral genomes during its establishment and circulation into dog populations.


Bacillus salmalaya 139SI and Lactobacillus sp. isolated from Kerinci buffalo milk yogurt were investigated for their potential probiotics properties. Three isolates from the milk yogurt were identified as L. plantarum 1, L. plantarum 2 and L. delbrueckii. The three isolates and B. salmalaya 139SI exhibited tolerance to gastric acid of pH 3.5, resistance to bile salts and were able to produce lactic acid. All the four strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Combination of isolates of L. plantarum 1 and L. plantarum 2 exhibited the highest coaggregation activity. L. plantarum 1 showed the highest hydrophobicity and had no adverse effects for the toxicity test (Lethal Dose 50). Characterization of probiotic properties in vitro and in vivo indicate that both bacteria L. plantarum and B. salmalaya 139SI are potential candidates for probiotic therapeutic application against Salmonella Enteritidis.


This article examines the effect of union membership on civic and political participation in the late 20th century in the United States. We discuss why and how unions seek to mobilize their members and where mobilization is channeled. We argue that union membership affects electoral and collective action outcomes and will be larger for low socioeconomic status individuals. Statistical analyses find that union membership is associated with many forms of political activity, including voting, protesting, association membership, and others. Union effects are larger for less educated individuals, a group that otherwise exhibits low levels of participation. Union membership is not associated with outcomes distant from union political agendas, such as general volunteering and charitable giving, suggesting that unions generate political capital rather than generalized social capital.


: Electron-microscopy studies of the epithelium of the large intestine mucosa in patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis (biopsy material) and that of rats with experimental allergic ulcerative colitis revealed the penetration of microorganisms into goblet cells of the experimental animals at various stages of mucigenoformation. The bioptic material showed no such pictures. It appears that factor of immunization played a certain role in the realization of the influence of microorganisms on pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. The structural feature of the development of glycocalix are described on the basis of clinical and experimental material.


Ongoing discussions on water-energy-food nexus generally lack a historical perspective and more rigorous institutional analysis. Scrutinizing a relatively mature benefit sharing approach in the context of transboundary water management, the study shows how such analysis can be implemented to facilitate understanding in an environment of high institutional and resource complexity. Similar to system perspective within nexus, benefit sharing is viewed as a positive sum approach capable of facilitating cooperation among riparian parties by shifting the focus from the quantities of water to benefits derivable from its use and allocation. While shared benefits from use and allocation are logical corollary of the most fundamental principles of international water law, there are still many controversies as to the conditions under which benefit sharing could serve best as an approach. Recently, the approach has been receiving wider attention in the literature and is increasingly applied in various basins to enhance negotiations. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the costs associated with benefit sharing, particularly in the long run. The study provides a number of concerns that have been likely overlooked in the literature and examines the approach in the case of the Ferghana Valley shared by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan utilizing data for the period from 1917 to 2013. Institutional analysis traces back the origins of property rights of the transboundary infrastructure, shows cooperative activities and fierce negotiations on various governance levels. The research discusses OPEN ACCESS _________________________________________________________________ Chapter 2 21


: The performance of a 118-kW tractor fuelled by pure biodiesel was monitored during a long-term field experiment with approximately 800 h of engine function. The objective was to demonstrate that B100, a pure biodiesel fuel, is a viable alternative to traditional diesel oil in terms of long-term mechanical reliability. A bench test on the new engine, performed by attaching a test stand to the power take-off of the tractor, showed an expected reduction in power (–9%) and torque (–7%) and an increase in specific consumption (+13%) when biodiesel was used as a complete substitute to diesel oil. Furthermore, with the same setup, the exhaust gas had a Bosch smoke index equal to 50% of the value for the same engine fuelled with diesel oil. After these initial tests, the tractor was set up for normal field operations, in which both the engine curves and lubricant quality were periodically monitored. These surveys indicated no significant reduction in engine performance; however, the lubricant was consequently diluted and contaminated by biodiesel, which caused the lubricant properties to considerably worsen. However, on the basis of the chemical–physical analysis, reducing the oil change interval from 200 h (manufacturer's indications for the engine when operating with diesel oil) to 100 h would compensate for this progressive quality decline. At the end of the trials, the engine was disassembled to check the condition of its components; wear and lacquer-like coating phenomena were observed, and their levels were acceptable. The obtained results demonstrated that B100 can effectively substitute for diesel oil in a standard compression-ignition engine: the power change is not perceptible during normal operation of a tractor, and no particular problem will arise in the engine during its life if the lubricant is changed every 100 h.


The design of codes for feedback-enabled communications has been a long-standing open problem. Recent research on non-linear, deep learning-based coding schemes have demonstrated significant improvements in communication reliability over linear codes, but are still vulnerable to the presence of forward and feedback noise over the channel. In this paper, we develop a new family of non-linear feedback codes that greatly enhance robustness to channel noise. Our autoencoder-based architecture is designed to learn codes based on consecutive blocks of bits, which obtains de-noising advantages over bit-by-bit processing to help overcome the physical separation between the encoder and decoder over a noisy channel. Moreover, we develop a power control layer at the encoder to explicitly incorporate hardware constraints into the learning optimization, and prove that the resulting average power constraint is satisfied asymptotically. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our scheme outperforms state-of-the-art feedback codes by wide margins over practical forward and feedback noise regimes, and provide information-theoretic insights on the behavior of our non-linear codes. Moreover, we observe that, in a long blocklength regime, canonical error correction codes are still preferable to feedback codes when the feedback noise becomes high.


Introduction: A substantial part of the community-dwelling stroke survivors becomes less physically active over time. Post-stroke physical inactivity may cause a loss of physical fitness and increases the risk of comorbidities and a second stroke. There is no "gold standard" to measure walking activity in this population. Assessment of walking activity generally involves subjective or observer-rated instruments. These instruments have disadvantages such as the risk of recall-bias and social desirability of answers. Valid step counters are also used frequently. Nevertheless, these are restricted to the measurement of number of steps. The "gold standard" for measuring walking activity should measure the number of steps, covered distance and walking time over a representative period of time in a reliable and valid way. Therefore, SUSTAIN developed an ActivityMonitor (AM) to measure walking activity in chronic stroke patients. Aim: To investigate the criterion validity and test-retest-reliability of the AM as measure of walking activity in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Community-dwelling chronic stroke patients will be tested twice, with an interval of two to three weeks. They will perform a six-minute walk test and a treadmill test at different speeds at both testing days. Walking activity will be expressed in different gait parameters (i.e. number of steps, distance, mean step length). Output data of the AM will be compared to video analysis as criterion measurement. Intraclass Correlations Coefficients (ICCs), limits of agreement by Bland-Altman, Mean Relative Root Squared Error (validity) and the Smallest Detectable Change (reliability) will be calculated to determine the clinimetric properties of the AM. Results: 29 patients were tested to determine the validity, 21 patients of this group were tested twice to determine the test-retest reliability. ICC values for validity and reliability are high, ranging from .826 to .967. Mean error parameters are all around or smaller than 10%. However, individual error parameters based on the 95% limits of agreement are higher, up to 38.5%, and exceed the minimal clinically important differences for gait parameters. Conclusion: Although mean differences between methods and measurement moments were 10% or lower, the individual measurement errors were larger. Therefore, the AM cannot detect a clinical important difference for the gait parameters. Further research is needed to improve the algorithms of measurement error. This will offer opportunities for the use of the AM in clinical practice and research of walking activity in this population.


Background: Falls are the most common mechanism of hospitalised injury in children under 12 months and commonly result in traumatic brain injuries. Epidemiological studies exploring infant falls demonstrate the burden but lack the contextual information vital to the development of preventive interventions. The objective of this study was to examine contextual information for falls involving children under 12 months.Methods: Online parenting forums provide an unobtrusive rich data source for collecting detailed information about fall events. Relevant discussions related to fall incidents were identified and downloaded using site-specific google search queries and a programming script. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyse the incidents and categorise contextual information into 'pre-cursor events' and 'influencing factors' for infant falls.Results: 461 infant fall incidents were identified. Common fall mechanisms included: falls from furniture; falls when being carried or supported by someone; falls from baby products and falls on the same level. Across the spectrum of fall mechanisms, common precursor events were: infant rolling off; being alone on furniture; product misuse; caretaker falling asleep while holding the infant; and caretaker tripping/slipping while carrying the infant. Common influencing factors included: infant's rapid motor development; lapses in caretaker attention; and trip hazards.Conclusions: The findings define targets for intervention to prevent infant falls and suggest the most viable intervention approach may be to target parental behaviour change. Online forums have provided rich information critical for preventive interventions aimed at changing behaviour.


(1) The in vivo reduction of nitrate occurred in the absence of a gastrointestinal flora in the rat and nitrate reductase activity was found in the mucosae of the stomach and small intestine. (2) The pH of the intestinal tract was decreased by the gut flora but its influence on stomach pH was less clear. Fasting increased the pH of the gastrointestinal tract in CV rats but had little effect in GF rats. (3) N-nitrosation occurred primarily in the acid environment of the stomach and in rats fed a commercial diet, was potentiated by unidentified products of microbial metabolism. In rats fed a purified diet, no influence of the flora was observed. (4) The endogenous synthesis of nitrate was demonstrated and an increase in the protein content of the diet increased both nitrate and nitrosamine synthesis. The gastrointestinal flora appeared to reduce some of the endogenously formed nitrate and it is proposed that the synthesis of nitrate occurred from nitrogenous end products of protein catabolism. (5) The inhibition of N-nitrosation by dietary fats was demonstrated, butterfat having the greatest inhibitory effect. The effect of butterfat was shown to be primarily the result of the inhibition of nitrate reductase activity in the stomach. (6) The protein and fat content of the diet and the presence of a microbial flora had no effect on nitrosamine N-demethylating activity by liver S_g fractions and a higher activity was present in fractions from male rats. Nitrosamine N-demethylating activity was also present in small intestinal S_g fractions and a protective influence of the small intestinal mucosa in nitrosamine-induced damage is proposed.


The article is examined the current state and main tendencies of subjectness studies, their focus on determining the age and professional features, covering all categories of age groups: from babies to old age; the tendency of further search for components of the structural organization of subjectness, its levels of manifestation and phenomena are also analyzed. The conclusion about the relevance of the subjectness theme in virtual learning environment is made due to the further integration of infocommunication technologies like the Internet and virtuality into everyday life, and related to these trend different activities: work, study, communication, etc. The subjectness role of self-development and intellect development as a factor in the activity of subjectness activity and the existence of subjectness in general is defined. Also further prospects for the study of subjectness are highlighted, such as: the subjectness in virtuality; research of subjectness technologies formation and development, in particular for counteraction to harmful phenomena of the Internet and information warfare; definition of the influence on subjectness and subjectness activity of new technologies (like Internet, virtual educational environment, electronic gadgets, virtualization, artificial intelligence, etc.). Keywords : s ubject, subjectness, subject ness activity, development of subject ness activity, level s of subjectness development . Accepted : 06.07.2017 Reviewed : 06.12.2017 Published : 06.29.2017 * * * * * Download/read PDF


Physiologic magnetic fields on the order of magnitude 10(-8) gauss have been unified with their propitiators: quantum genetic particles, the gravitational potential of which is about a few ergs. As these fields are applied to the equations for solenoidal models, B = microNI/L, currents of about a microampere are derived; in perfect accord with recent clinical data indicating the therapeutic efficacy of weak currents in repair and growth of soft tissue, bone and nerve. The mechanism of reorientation of spin angular momentum of leptons and baryons influencing molecular magnetic domains to bring about "particle jumps" is presented to obtain a clinical picture. The clinical picture is that of an organism placed at right angles to flux lines in the midst of a solenoid immersed in water. The patient is then exposed to exogenously sourced resonant physiologic magnetic fields which convert malalligned atomic lattices of oncogenes and associated particles to homologous normal structures.


The aim of this study was to assess participants' satisfaction in an epidemiological research project. The questionnaire included 7 closed questions (concerning organisation, reception, and information) and 3 open-ended questions (regarding motivations, and expectations). In this multi-faceted epidemiological study on asthma, the questionnaire's acceptance was high (298 responses received/328 questionnaires). The organisation of the survey was considered satisfactory overall. The usefulness of the documentation received and the demand for further information were two points which were frequently underlined by the participants. These results demonstrate the necessity of improving information provided to participants, as well as the need to adjust and implement better, more detailed instruments to assess the satisfaction in epidemiological surveys.


Recent years have seen the progression of light detection and ranging (lidar) from the realm of research to operational use in natural resource management. Numerous government agencies, private industries, and public/private stakeholder consortiums are planning or have recently acquired large-scale acquisitions, and a national U.S. lidar acquisition is likely before 2020. Before it is feasible for land managers to integrate lidar into decision making, resource assessment, or monitoring across the gambit of natural resource applications, consistent standards in project planning, data processing, and user-driven products are required. This paper introduces principal lidar acquisition parameters, and makes recommendations for project planning, processing, and product standards to better serve natural resource managers across multiple disciplines.


In this article, after discussing the concept of transport systems and the importance of its sustainability, stakeholder theory and club good theory are presented as useful instruments for analyzing different challenges for the sustainability of transport systems. This approach goes beyond the traditional discussion on private vs. public ownership or provision, and may better grasp the increasing complexity of transport systems. Stakeholders have different strengths and different priorities which may trade-off. This creates serious challenges for the sustainability of transport systems as well as its influence on the quality of life of different stakeholders. It will be argued that there exists the threat of transport systems to become a kind of club good by excluding parts of society from access and other benefits.


The descriptions below are solely for the purpose of information. The Society does not undertake tests and takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the descriptions or the efficacy of the products or equipment described. Readers desiring further particulars should communicate with the manu facturers concerned, the names and addresses of whom may be obtained from the Society.


Background: The widespread use of detergents on the one hand and the lack of disposal on the other hand, increases the possibility of these materials to groundwater. In addition to causing toxicity in animals these materials also cause allergic diseases in people. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of detergent in drinking water in the city of Shiraz. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all drinking water sources in Shiraz (38 sources) was examined for two years:1387 & 1390. Water sample data were recorded in a checklist and samples after ring transfer to laboratory were tested with Polarymetr Volta. Results: All samples were with normal range of detergent. In this study, statistical test was performed and showed that the amount of detergents in alluvial wells were significantly more than calcareous and network drinking water.No correlation was foured between the amount of detergent and other physical and chemical factors. Conclusion: Although detergents and phosphate levels are rising but in none of the water resources of Shiraz, the amount of phosphate and detergent was higher than the standard range, but for high levels of nitrite and nitrate and the increasing process of the amount of phosphate and detergent in some wells, protecting wells and observing health and privacy sewage treatment is urgent.


Probability of contraceptive continuation and factors associated with discontinuation were assessed in a retrospective study of womens records in Alexandria. Contraceptive continuation rates were 88/100 75/100 and 56/100 women at 6 12 and 24 months respectively. Reasons for discontinuation included side-effects and health concerns (30.4%) accidental pregnancy and personal reasons (6.4%) and desire for pregnancy (5.4%). Women who were older and who had several children were most likely to continue contraceptive use. Three significant predictors of discontinuation were side-effects and health concerns age of the woman and contraceptive method. Women should be fully informed of the contraceptive methods available and their side-effects and counselling programmes should be offered particularly during the first 2 years of use. (authors)


The incidence of SIDS has decreased by 40% since the Back to Sleep campaign was initiated. However, the rate of SIDS in the District of Columbia continues to be approximately double the national rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of prone sleeping among infants in the District of Columbia and to ascertain what information is being provided to parents by health care professionals by a cross-sectional survey of parents of infants 0-6 months of age presenting for well child care at Children's Health Center, Children's National Medical Center, in Washington, DC. We recruited a consecutive sample of 126 parent-infant pairs, of which 92.9% were African-American. The average infant was 73 days old, was 3,003 grams at birth, and was full term. When asked how the infants were placed for sleep the night before the interview, 34.1% of parents had placed the infant supine, 50.8% side, and 15.1% prone. Nearly half (48%) of infants slept in an adult bed with the mother. More than one third of the infants had been placed prone for sleep at least once since hospital discharge. Most common reasons for sleeping supine included SIDS risk reduction or health care professional advice. Side sleepers did so primarily because of concern about vomiting, health care provider advice, or SIDS. Infants were placed prone primarily because the infant slept better. When asked about information received from a health care provider, 70.6% of parents stated that they had received information about sleep position and 64.3% about the hazards of passive smoking. Eight parents observed nursery personnel placing their infants prone. Only 16.7% of the total study population had received a Back to Sleep brochure, read it, and recalled that it recommended back sleeping. Infants were more likely to sleep prone if there was a grandparent in the home (OR 2.9, p<0.05) or if they were the firstborn (OR 2.17, p<0.05). Infants were more likely to sleep supine if parents had heard a back recommendation from a health care professional (OR 5.7, p<0.001). Infants were least likely to sleep supine if the parents had heard a side or a side/back recommendation (OR 0.26, p=0.001). Infant sleep position was not affected by receiving or reading the Back to sleep brochure. In conclusion, more than one third (35.7%) of infants in this predominantly African-American population have been placed prone for sleep at least once; 15% slept prone the night before the interview. Almost one third of parents received no information about sleep position, but parents receiving a verbal supine recommendation were most likely to place their infant supine. Receiving written information did not affect sleep position. Improved educational efforts for parents of African-American newborns should continue to focus on encouraging supine positioning, smoke cessation, and other safe sleep practices.


The Qatari-funded channel, Al-Jazeera Arabic (AJA) has been subject to criticism as being in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt. The approach taken by AJA Satellite Television to represent the MB, the Mubarak regime and other political actors in Egypt, during its coverage of four key electoral moments before and after the 2011 'revolution'is reviewed in this research. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is applied to study the constructive effects of AJA's language in an interpretive way (Parker & Burman, 1993). The effect of the language used by two predominant AJA TV programmes, Without Borders دودح لاب and Opposite Direction سكاعلما هاجتلاا has been investigated and a number of current and former AJA journalists have been interviewed. Van Dijk's Ideological Square and Pier Robinson's Framing Model, in conjunction with Chouliaraki's Three Rhetorical Strategies (Verbal Mode, Agency and Time Space) have been used as analysis tools to study the process of AJA's representation of different political ideologies: the MB's Islamic ideology and the Mubarak regime's secular ideology. Van Dijk's Ideological Square helps to identify the boundaries between 'us' (the good) and 'them' (the bad), and to classify people according to their support of specific ideology against another the 'in-group' or the 'outgroup'. AJA positively framed the Islamic MB movement on the basis that the group and its members were democratic, Islamic and victims, whereas it negatively framed the Mubarak regime and the Military Council in Egypt as repressive, secular and villains. The assigned role of different actors (including; the Egyptian people and opposition parties) in AJA TV programmes changed from one electoral moment to another. While the


Forced alignment software is now widely used in contemporary sociolinguistics, and is quickly becoming a crucial methodological tool as an increasing number of studies begin to utilise 'big data.' This study investigates the possibility of taking forced alignment one step further towards the goal of complete automation; specifically, it expands the functionality of FAVE-align to fully automate the coding of three sociolinguistic variables in British English: (th)-fronting, (td)-deletion, and (h)-dropping. This involved the expansion of pronouncing dictionaries to reflect the surface output of these variable rules; FAVE then compares the fit of competing acoustic models with the speech signal to determine the surface variant. It does so with an impressive degree of accuracy, largely comparable to inter-transcriber agreement for all variables; however, the pattern of its mistakes, which are largely false positives, suggests a difficulty in identifying the voiceless segments of (td) and (th). Although it is reassuring that inter-transcriber agreement was also lowest for these tokens, it should be noted that FAVE's accuracy decreases in faster speech rates while no comparable effect is found for agreement among human transcribers.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the multi-agency approach adopted in Liberton/Gilmerton, Edinburgh in Scotland to positively involve young people in shaping local service provision and to tackle rising anti-social behaviour. The approach and methodology of the engagement process used is described in detail in order to enable other authorities and services to learn from established practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach was developed over two years and saw the expression of over 1,500 young people's views, which influenced 40 local statutory and voluntary services to deliver on over 70 pledges locally to improve service provision in direct response to expressed need.

Findings

The paper summarises the positive outcomes delivered as a result of the work which has transformed the way that partners plan, design and deliver their services locally, and has resulted in many significant outcomes including a 17 per cent drop in youth crime, young people opening their own Youth Cafe, and launching their annual YouthTalk Awards Event. The initiative has been held up by the HMIe as a model of best practice, and is being replicated across the city through other library locations as a successful way to engage young people in improving the quality of life in their communities.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of library and other services to work in an integrated way to positively engage with young people in order for them to be included in decision-making processes.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the studies on best practice in working positively with young people.


Monthly WASDE reports by USDA estimate current and future global supply-utilization balances for various commodities, including corn. Existing literature has shown that markets respond to WASDE releases (news effects) but has not quantified the value or distribution of benefits from those reports. We use Monte Carlo simulations of a quarterly model of the U.S. corn market to estimate the value of the WASDE forecast and its components. Our results show significant value to market participants from the WASDE reports, roughly $301 million or 0.55% of overall corn market value. The results also show significant value for each forecasted component of the reports: area ($145 million), yield ($188 million), production ($299 million), demand/stocks ($300 million) and exports ($320 million). The benefits of each component do not strictly sum when new information is added because substantial redistribution of benefits occurs, since specific information components help specific interest groups. The expected benefits or losses realized by consumers, producers or traders is often nearly as large as (and sometimes larger than) the net benefits to society from better information. In the base case benefits from WASDE information largely accrues to producers ($153 million) and consumers ($341 million). Traders lose $192 million, as they are presumed to buy at harvest, before valuable demand, stocks and export data is known. Farmers behave as traders when they choose to store, sell forward, or participate directly in futures markets. Thus, the net trader benefit or loss accrues partially to farmers as traders and partially to commercial agents. These results are sensitive to elasticity assumptions that capture both how agents behave in markets and how their welfare is measured.


Abstract. The acceleration of urbanisation requires sustainable, adaptive management strategies for land and water use in cities. Although the effects of buildings and sealed surfaces on urban runoff generation and local climate are well known, much less is known about the role of water partitioning in urban green spaces. In particular, little is quantitatively known about how different vegetation types of urban green spaces (lawns, parks, woodland etc.) regulate partitioning of precipitation into evaporation, transpiration and groundwater recharge; and how this partitioning is affected by sealed surfaces. Here, we integrated field observations with advanced, isotope-based ecohydrological modelling at a plot scale site in Berlin, Germany. Soil moisture, sap flow, together with stable isotopes in precipitation, soil water and groundwater recharge, were measured over the course of one growing season under three generic types of urban green space: trees, shrub and grass. Additionally, an eddy flux tower at the site continuously collected hydroclimate data. These data have been used as input and for calibration of the process-based ecohydrological model EcH2O-iso. The model tracks stable isotope ratios and water ages in various stores (e.g. soils and groundwater) and fluxes (evaporation, transpiration and recharge). Green water fluxes in evapotranspiration increased in the order shrub (381 ± 1 mm)


This study assesses the predictive value of the 36-month Ages & Stages Questionnaires score for IQ at age 5 to 6 years in a sample of the general population. OBJECTIVES: To assess the predictive value of the 36-month Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) score for IQ score at age 5 to 6 years in the general population and to identify factors associated with IQ <85 once the ASQ score is taken into account. METHODS: Data were collected from 939 children enrolled in a population-based prospective cohort study. Developmental outcomes at 36 months were assessed via the ASQ and at 5 to 6 years via the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. The ASQ threshold was identified via the receiver operating characteristic curve. Additional predictive factors to obtain an IQ <85 were investigated, and their interaction with ASQ score was studied. RESULTS: Sixty-nine children (7.3%) had an IQ <85. A 36-month ASQ score threshold of 270 was optimal to identify children with an IQ <85 at 5 to 6 years, with a 0.77 ± 0.11 sensitivity and 0.68 ± 0.03 specificity. Maternal educational level and occupational activity at the time of ASQ completion were associated with the risk of an IQ <85 at a given ASQ level. In the multivariate model, no interaction between the studied factors and ASQ score reached significance. CONCLUSIONS: In the general pediatric population, 36-month ASQ parental reports could be used to identify children at later risk of cognitive delay. Low maternal education level should also be considered as a major risk factor for lower IQ in preschool children regardless of ASQ score.


Participatory research approaches are often assumed to be effective for addressing sustainability problems that involve a substantial amount of complexity, uncertainty, and conflicting values. The adaptive and integrative character of these approaches engages various scientific and nonscientific actors in collective knowledge production processes. An increasing number of case studies documents pathways to impact triggered by participatory research approaches. However, cumulative learning across cases about the impacts of participatory research projects remains limited to date. One question is of particular interest, namely how and when different intensities of actor interactions in participatory research effectively contribute to advancing sustainable development.In this paper we address this knowledge gap by presenting a meta-analysis of 29 case studies of participatory research projects in agricultural settings. The study protocol follows systematic case retrieval and selection, coding, and data analysis through formal concept analysis. We introduce and utilize a new diagnostic framework to analyze the links between the intensity of actor interactions,sustainability impact goals, context conditions, and sustainability impacts. The results show that three archetypical patterns describe how the 29 case studies report that participatory research projects generate sustainability impacts: learning, knowledge products, and real-world transformations. Impact in all three patterns is consistently associated with higher intensities of interactions, i.e., coproduction and less consultation but not mere information. The most frequently reported impact is learning in a context of resources and environment problems. In this configuration, coproduction of knowledge is mainly used during the second research phase. However,the results also show that coproduction in the final phase of a participatory research project is more often used to achieve the impact of real-world transformations, which presumably involves more complexity and contestation than other impacts. We conclude that participatory research projects, which aim at transformative impacts in complex settings beyond knowledge products and learning,need to sustain high intensities of actor interactions in knowledge coproduction throughout all research phases to achieve their sustainability impact goals.


Seismic bulletins, with trustworthy phase picks, origin times, and source locations are key for regional seismic studies, such as travel-time (TT) tomography, attenuation tomography, and anisotropy studies. To lay the groundwork for such studies in Israel, we revised the seismic bulletin of Israel and the surrounding area and obtained a trustworthy TT data set. From the earthquake and explosion bulletins of the Geophysical Institute of Israel, we compiled a starting data set of about 123,000 earthquakes and explosions that occurred during the past 40 yr. After screening out the poorly recorded events, we were left with a data set of ∼38,000 well-recorded events. We then revised the remaining data set in two consecutive steps. In the first, we reviewed and updated station metadata, including changes in station metadata parameters over time. In the second step, we jointly relocated a list of selected seismic events, using the Bayesian hierarchical location software package (BayesLoc) of Myers et al. (2007) that performs joint relocation of multiple events. We observed striking dissimilarities between the spatial distributions of the newly relocated catalog and the initial locations. Although the depth distribution of the starting catalog is trimodal with peaks at 0, 5, and 10 km, the distribution in this study is unimodal, with a broad peak between 7.5 and 12.5 km. By differencing the observed arrival times and the origin times obtained through relocation with BayesLoc, we obtained a revised TT database that consists of 261,336 Pg, 132,876 Pn, 114,816 Sg, and 60,394 Sn arrivals, from a set of 30,458 jointly relocated seismic sources. We compared prerevision and postrevision TTs as a function of epicentral distance and concluded that the revised data set contains far fewer outliers and inconsistencies than the original data set. The revised TT data set may be used for seismic studies, such as TT tomography, attenuation tomography, and anisotropy studies.


Pancreatic pseudoaneurysms represent relatively rare but potentially lethal complications of acute or chronic pancreatitis, involving several visceral arteries. Due to their intrinsic instability and subsequent high risk of massive bleeding, these lesions require prompt treatment, regardless of the size of the pseudoaneurysm. First option of treatment is today represented by transcatheter embolization; this treatment, in fact, shows higher rates of clinical and technical success and lower recurrence rates than conventional surgery. We present a clinical case of endovascular management of a large pseudoaneurysm, measuring 54 × 53 mm (AP × LL), involving right gastric artery in a 35-year-old woman with history of chronic alcoholic abuse presenting with severe anemia.


Abstract Product lifecycle management (PLM) is a systematic, controlled concept for managing and developing products and product related information. The aim of the paper is contributing in the definition of a software tool suitable to tackle this important issue. In order to specify a simulation module that is the core of an integrated PLM platform, we analyze and describe by the Unified Modeling Language (UML) the processes that are relevant for the generic PLM concepts. Moreover, the UML activities diagrams are translated in a discrete event simulation model in order to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the PLM system and to detect possible blockings or bottlenecks. Finally, a simulation study illustrates the efficiency of the module and shows how it can help in the PLM application.


Five endophytic bacterial isolates were studied to identify morphologically and biochemically, according to established protocols and further confirmed by 16S rDNA Sanger sequencing, as Priestia megaterium, Staphylococcus caprae, Neobacillus drentensis, Micrococcus yunnanensis, and Sphingomonas paucimobiliz, which were then tested for phytohormone, ammonia, and hydrolytic enzyme production. Antioxidant compounds total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assessed by using bacterial crude extracts obtained from 24-hour shake-flask culture. Phylogenetic tree analysis of those identified isolates shared sequence similarities with the members of Bacillus, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas species, and after GenBank submission, accession numbers for the nucleotide sequences were found to be MW494406, MW494408, MW494401, MW494402, and MZ021340, respectively. In silico analysis was performed to identify their bioactive genes and compounds in the context of bioactive secondary metabolite production with medicinal value, where nine significant bioactive compounds according to six different types of bioactive secondary metabolites were identified, and their structures, gene associations, and protein-protein networks were analyzed by different computational tools and servers, which were reported earlier with their antimicrobial, anti-infective, antioxidant, and anti-cancer capabilities. These compounds were then docked to the 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) of the novel SARS-COV-2. Docking scores were then compared with 3CLpro reference inhibitor (lopinavir), and docked compounds were further subjected to ADMET and drug-likeness analyses. Ligand-protein interactions showed that two compounds (microansamycin and aureusimine) interacted favorably with coronavirus 3CLpro. Besides, in silico analysis, we also performed NMR for metabolite detection whereas three metabolites (microansamycin, aureusimine, and stenothricin) were confirmed from the 1H NMR profiles. As a consequence, the metabolites found from NMR data aligned with our in-silico analysis that carries a significant outcome of this research. Finally, Endophytic bacteria collected from medicinal plants can provide new leading bioactive compounds against target proteins of SARS-COV-2, which could be an effective approach to accelerate drug innovation and development.


This paper examines the role may be played by the national policymakers in developing equity crowdfunding markets through a proper implementation of European Directives on this field. We analyse all directives and communications dealing with crowdfunding issued by the European Commission from 2000 to 2018. Then, we compare and assess their impact on the national legislation of the analysed countries. Results show that countries which have correctly and fully transposed into law the European Directives - without any infringement or delays - by aligning their national regulations with European objectives (e.g., the UK) are able to avoid destabilising phenomena of regulatory arbitrage. Countries with delayed and incorrect transposition and/or wrong application of the directives (e.g., France, Italy, and Spain) are currently facing serious destabilising effects of international financial markets with modest growth of equity crowdfunding markets. This paper draws attention to the ongoing process of Europe-wide equity crowdfunding regulatory convergence.


By definition, business process redesign (BPR) represents radical change in today's bureaucratic functionally structured and managed organizations. The radical change theorists predict that to accomplish radical change requires the use of revolutionary change tactics. We propose that as the "radicalness" of the planned change increases, more revolutionary change tactics are used. We analyze the change tactics of three organizations' BPR initiatives to understand whether and how revolutionary tactics were used. The initiatives evinced a varied amount of revolutionary tactics depending on the scope and depth of planned change. The use of revolutionary tactics also varied by the phase of the initiatives. The frequency of revolutionary tactics was highest in the early phases of the initiatives and decreased as they approached implementation. We explore the reasons for reduced deployment of revolutionary tactics. We conclude by implications to BPR practice and research.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of chronic dementia in the US. Its incidence is increasing with an attendant increase in associated health care costs. Since its first description in a patient by Dr. Alois Alzheimer over a century ago, a large body of biomedical literature has established a detailed clinical and molecular profile of this disorder. Amyloid β peptide (Aβ; a 39–42 amino acid molecule) is the major component of senile plaques, the lesions that are one of the pathologic hallmarks of AD (Wong et al 1985). Although many aspects of the biology of amyloid β have been investigated, several fundamental questions about how this peptide causes AD neuropathology remain unanswered. The key question is: How is Aβ toxic to cerebral neurons? Because plaques are extra-neuronal deposits, it is difficult to imagine a structural basis for their toxicity. As an interesting contrast the other pathognomonic feature of AD, neurofibrillary tangles, are intra-axonal structural anomalies that are composed of the hyperphosphorylated microtubule associated (MAP) protein, tau. This review will assess the current thinking that relates to a recent hypothesis of Aβ toxicity. In 1992, Hardy and Higgins reported findings that suggested a new and intriguing possibility. These authors found that Aβ peptides disrupt Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons and increase intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]i. This was corroborated by Mattson and his colleagues who demonstrated that Aβ exposure to human cortical neurons raised [Ca2+]i (Mattson, Cheng et al 1992); (Hardy and Higgins 1992). Finally, Nelson Arispe's group at the NIH specifically investigated the possibility that Aβ peptides might function like Ca2+ ion channels (Arispe et al 1993). This and several subsequent studies have laid the foundation for a novel idea: "Aβ peptides are, in part, toxic to neurons because they form aberrant ion channels in neuronal membranes and thereby disrupt neuronal homeostasis". In this review we shall critically examine this theory in light of classic and contemporary literature.


We present a simple graphical framework to illustrate the potential welfare gains from a "top-up" health insurance policy requiring patients to pay the incremental price for more expensive treatment options. We apply this framework to breast cancer treatments, where lumpectomy with radiation therapy is more expensive than mastectomy but generates similar average health benefits. We estimate the relative demand for lumpectomy using variation in distance to the nearest radiation facility, and estimate that the "top-up" policy increases social welfare by $700-2,500 per patient relative to two common alternatives. We briefly discuss additional tradeoffs that arise from an ex-ante perspective.


In pursuit of economic growth and development, companies have tried to strike a balance between competition and monopoly power. This paper reviews evidence on industrial concentration and its economic consequences (notably firms' performance as measured by innovation output) in the framework of emerging market conditions. Competition theory was built in developed countries under assumptions that do not necessarily fit emerging economies. Our main research question is whether the level of local market concentration influences (and if it does, in which way) innovation activity undertaken by companies operating on emerging markets. Apart from linear association, the empirical literature suggests that industrial concentration could exhibit an inverted U-relationship as far as its link to certain economic indicators of success, such as innovation output. We measure concentration by using the Herfindahl-Hirshman Index. This paper finds empirical evidence in support of the Schumpeterian hypothesis that more concentrated industries stimulate innovation and observe the inverted U-relationship curve. Further, the empirical model demonstrates the relative importance of technological leadership in concentration industries to enhance innovations. This suggests a role for recalibrating firm and industry policies.


The toy piano as a musical instrument in its own right, beyond its originally intended use as a child's toy, has increased in popularity over the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. Toy pianos (and toy pianists?) are frequently featured in 'art-music' recitals and in contemporary music ensembles, and also have a heritage within popular music. Current groups who have featured toy pianos include Radiohead, Sigur Ros and Vampire Weekend. For me, the toy piano is inextricably associated with the character of Schroeder, in the Peanuts cartoon strip.
The solo toy piano repertoire is surprisingly extensive, and this programme reflects only a small proportion of the available repertoire. Works for multiple toy pianos and toy pianos with electronics also abound. I have selected mainly American and British works, including, after American experimentalist Philip Corner's recent piece Event (which, incidentally, was premiered in Sheffield in May 2010), the first and most famous of toy piano works, John Cage's Suite. Also programmed are three works for 'normal' piano though transformed in various ways: Cage's Bacchanale was the very first work he composed for his infamous 'invention', the prepared piano, the result of considerable toying with the possibilities of the instrument. Mick Beck's Not Just A Load Of Balls was composed for me in 2005 for a series of concerts in Sheffield entitled 'Comprovisation' and is one of the most playful pieces I know. Helmut Lachenmann's extraordinary work Ein Kinderspiel doesn't modify the piano at all but focuses the ear upon sounds often disguised by other musical events, consequently revealing fresh potentialities of the instrument.
Finally, whilst I hope you will laugh with me (and maybe only a little at me) seated at this comical instrument, I trust also that the musical experiences offered by the wonderful composers featured here, who have risen to the challenge of writing for the instrument, will be rich, varied and rewarding.


Indigenous legumes contribute toward increased N nutrition and enhanced grazing productivity of both native and improved pasture swards. However, quantitative assay of symbiotic dinitrogen fixation by pastured legumes is difficult. The objective of these studies was to determine defoliation effects on regrowtb, nodulation, nitrogenase activity (C₂H₂ red.) and associated nodule enzymology of trailing field bean [Strophostyles helvola (L.) Ell.]. Plants were grown in a Psammentic Paleustalf (Eufaula) and inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum Frank, ATCC 10314. Characteristics of nondefoliated plants during 3 years of field experiments included near exponential growth with 10-fold increase in dry weight from 1.49 to 17.45 g at 30 to 120 days after emergence (DAE). Number of stems tripled and stem length increased six-fold. Average nodules per plant increased from 80.2 to 239.6. Nodule mass as fresh weight increased from 0.94 to 6.17 g, and mature nodules increased from 13% to 89%. Differences in regrowth after defoliation at 30-day intervals was not significant averaging 4.21 g, CV 11 %. Nodules per plant after regrowth averaged 113 with fresh nodule wt. 2.06 g and 27 % were mature nodules. Nitrogenase (C₂H₂ red.) activity levels were highest at 90 DAE, 168.2 μmols. C₂H₄g⁻¹h⁻¹. Regrowing plants after defoliation averaged 156.3 μmol C₂H₄g⁻¹h⁻¹. Highest cytosol enzyme activity levels were for aspartic transaminase (AST) with 25.0 IU (nondefoliated) and 25.9 IU (defoliated) g⁻¹ fresh nodule. Glutamine synthetase (GS) was 1.7 IU (nondefoliated) and 12.0 IU (defoliated). Multiple regression indicated significance for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) but not glutamine 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) with interactions for the equation of best fit with P < 0.05 level as nitrogenase (C₂H₂ red.) = 13.3 nodule wt. + 0.5 nodule no. + 4.5 nodule maturity % + 58.6 GDH, R² = 80.9 and CV 11%. More knowledge of indigenous pastured legumes, as S. helvola, could have practical significance for improvement of symbiotic N fixation and grazing production for the extensive pastured regions with severe soil and climate limitations.


The extent to which use of fire by Aboriginal peoples shaped the landscapes and biota of Australia is a contentious issue. Equally contentious is the proposition that attempts should be made to support and re-establish customary practice. Some dismiss Aboriginal practice as little more than culturally endorsed pyromania, and consequences for land, vegetation and wildlife management as incidental and unintended outcomes. We argue that this view of Aboriginal practice is at odds with available evidence regarding motivations for use of fire, and detailed and sophisticated descriptions of the consequences of poor fire management for the maintenance of important resources. We suggest that misunderstanding arises, at least in part, from the contrasting views that (i) objectives of Aboriginal land managers and the values they seek to extract and maintain in savanna landscapes are or should be similar to those of non-Indigenous land managers; or (ii) the notion that their goals are inherently and entirely incompatible with those of non-indigenous interests. We illustrate our argument with examples that include assessments of ecological consequences of 'prescribed' Aboriginal practice, statements from Aboriginal people regarding their objectives in applying those prescriptions, and the level of active organisation required for their effective implementation. Finally, we propose mechanisms for wider application of Aboriginal prescriptions in tropical landscapes to meet a range of land management objectives.


This thesis recognizes that: in many systems the initial small molecule - receptor recognition processes, and thus signal transduction, is not fully understood to the
highest level of scientifc explanation and prediction. One such example of this is olfaction. Molecules cannot necessarily be predicted from a smell, and similarly
a smell from molecules. Better understanding of these initial steps, would have important repercussions, especially in the field of rational drug design. So in general the thesis proves the physical feasibility and potential of a novel and generic signaling model, and in particular looks at those processes in olfaction.
The conjecture 'Could humans recognize odours through phonon assisted tunneling?' is tested. This is based on the idea (Turin, 1996) that the nose recognizes
an odorant's vibrations (phonons) via inelastic electron tunneling (IETS). The nose thus acts as a 'meat spectroscope'. First the background biology of the olfactory
system is evaluated, then the conjecture is posed as a soluble problem. Traditional physics ideas are reconciled with the biological environment. It is proven that no
physics based objections hold against the working of this new mechanism, thus a predictive and explanatory theory is now introduced to the field. The parameters
of odorant discrimination are explored. In particular the 'Huang-Rhys factor' is modeled as a measure of the electron-phonon coupling integral to signal transduction.
Several approaches are considered, 'odorant spectra' is created. Objections to the conjecture are considered, in particular the apparent paradox of enantiomer
discrimination. The apparent paradox is shown to be obsolete. A correlation between a certain type of flexibility and whether enantiomer pairs smell the same is
found. A rule is established: The members of an enantiomer pair will smell alike (type 1) when the molecules are rigid, and will smell different (type 2) when they
are flexible. This flexibility refers to a particular property of six-membered rings. A consequence of this finding leads to the investigation of certain steroids in correlation to their bio-effects, and it is found that similar features are apparent, thus the mechanism of biological IETS is applied to other systems.


The phloem transport network is a major evolutionary innovation that enabled plants to dominate terrestrial ecosystems. In the growth apices, the meristems, apical stem cells continuously produce early, so-called protophloem. This is easily observed in Arabidopsis root meristems, where the differentiation of individual protophloem sieve element precursors into interconnected, conducting sieve tubes is laid out in a spatio-temporal gradient. The mature protophloem eventually collapses as the neighboring metaphloem takes over its function further distal from the stem cell niche. Compared to protophloem, metaphloem ontogenesis is poorly characterized, primarily because its visualization is challenging. Here we describe an improved protocol to investigate metaphloem development in Arabidopsis root tips in combination with a set of new molecular markers. We found that mature metaphloem sieve elements are only observed in the late post-meristematic root although their specification is initiated as soon as protophloem sieve elements enucleate. Moreover, unlike protophloem sieve elements, metaphloem sieve elements only differentiate once they have fully elongated. Finally, our results suggest that metaphloem differentiation is not directly controlled by protophloem-derived cues but rather follows a distinct, robust developmental trajectory. Summary statement Metaphloem sieve element differentiation in Arabidopsis roots follows a robust developmental trajectory.


Abstract Rapid data growth in many environmental sectors has necessitated tools to manage and analyze these data. The development of tools often lags behind the proliferation of data, however, which may slow exploratory opportunities and scientific progress. The Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) collaborative model supports an efficient and comprehensive data–analysis–insight life cycle, including implementations of data quality control checks, statistical calculations/derivations, models, and data visualizations. These tools are community-built and openly shared. We discuss the network structure that enables tool development and a culture of sharing, leading to optimized output from limited resources. Specifically, data sharing and a flat collaborative structure encourage the development of tools that enable scientific insights from these data. Here we provide a cross-section of scientific advances derived from global-scale analyses in GLEON. We document enhancements to science capabilities made possible by the development of analytical tools and highlight opportunities to expand this framework to benefit other environmental networks.


The Weird Sisters, from William Shakespeare's play Macheth, are arguably the most famous trio of witches in English literature. Shakespeare's Weird Sisters are a complex trinitarian mythological construction - a unique amalgamation of classical, folkloric, and socio-political elements. This book is an archetypal exploration of the Weird Sisters; by examining this feminine trio through the lens of mythology, new insights about their significance may be understood. The ramifications extend from classical comprehension to twenty-first century pop culture observations related to female trios.


Abtract: Bond pull testing, a well-known method in the failure analysis community, is used to evaluate the integrity of an electronic microchip as well as to detect counterfeit ICs. Existing bond pull tests require that the microchip be de-capsulated in order to obtain physical access to the bond wires in the IC package. Bond pull analysis based on simulation and finite element methods also exists but relies on the original model for a bond wire from a CAD design. In this work, we introduce X-ray tomography imaging with 700nm imaging resolution to acquire the 3D geometry details of bond wires non-destructively. Such information can be used to develop more accurate models for finite element analysis based on real size and structure. Therefore, one can test the bond wire strength as a proof of concept for virtual mechanical testing and counterfeit detection in microchips.


To understand the underlying mechanism behind the precipitation of high-density face-centered cubic Al nanoparticles during the annealing or preparation of Al-based metallic glass, we used molecular dynamics simulation technique to study the atomic structure evolution of Al-rich and Al-depleted melts in the Al-Zr binary system under rapid cooling conditions. From the quantitative characterization of thermodynamic properties, kinetic properties, and atomic structure, we found that an abnormal orderly transformation occurs in the supercooled liquid of Al-rich alloy, which includes two basic stages, namely, directional diffusion and stabilization of defect clusters. The thermodynamic essence of this transformation is to reduce the Gibbs free energy of the entire system by improve the cluster packing efficiency of atomic structure, preventing the supercooled liquid from being in an unstable state. An important consequence of the abnormal orderly transformation is the formation of nanoscale Al-rich regions in the supercooled liquid. These regions can readily promote the precipitation of high-density face-centered cubic Al nanoparticles, thereby reducing the complete amorphization ability of Al-based alloy melt.


STUDY OBJECTIVES
Dopaminergic hypofunction in the central nervous system may contribute to restless legs syndrome (RLS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). We therefore examined whether men with RLS have higher prevalences of ED.

DESIGN
RLS was assessed using a set of standardized questions. Men were considered to have RLS if they met 4 RLS diagnostic criteria recommended by the International RLS Study Group, and had restless legs > or = 5 times/month. Erectile function was assessed by a questionnaire.

SETTING
Community-based.

PARTICIPANTS
23,119 men who participated in the Health Professional Follow-up Study free of diabetes and arthritis.

RESULTS
Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for ED were 1.16 and 1.78 (95% confidence interval: 1.4, 2.3; P trend < 0.0001) for men with RLS symptoms 5-14 times/mo, and 15+ times/mo, respectively, relative to those without RLS, after adjusting for age, smoking, BMI, antidepressant use, and other covariates. The associations between RLS and ED persisted in subgroup analysis according to age, obesity, and smoking status.

CONCLUSIONS
Men with RLS had a higher likelihood of concurrent ED, and the magnitude of the observed association was increased with a higher frequency of RLS symptoms. These results suggest that ED and RLS share common determinants.


Solvent-free solid electrolytes can be formed by dissolving a salt in a polymer matrix (e.g. poly (ethylene oxide), PEO). Such compounds are of interest due to their proposed use as solid electrolytes in new types of electrochemical devices e.g. all solid-state thin-film lithium polymer batteries for the consumer electronics market.Polymer electrolytes are highly complex materials. The present work has used vibrational spectroscopy in combination with ab initio quantum mechanical calculations to assign vibrational spectra and to study conformational changes in the polymer matrix and the dissolved species.PEO based polymer electrolytes are often multi-phase systems, which is regarded as a major problem since the cations (lithium ions) are conducted only in the amorphous phase, while the crystalline phases can only serve as salt reservoirs. Therefore liquid model compounds, methyl end-capped oligomers of PEO,known as "glymes", have been used to facilitate both the experimental as well as thecomputational part of the investigation.In an ideal polymer electrolyte the cations are conducted by means of the segmental motion of the polymer host while the anions are thought to diffuse freely using free space created in the , polymer matrix. The cation-polymer complex formation and cation transport have been modelled and features in the vibrational spectra arising from the formation of local salt-polymer complexes have been explained. The internal flexibility, stable structures and the vibrational spectra of the often used TFSI anion, [(CF3SO2)2N-], and the corresponding acid HTFSI have been investigated.


SUMMARY Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare but serious disorder that is typically caused by a channelopathy. Thyrotoxicosis, heavy exercise, high carbohydrate meal and some drugs can trigger channelopathy in genetically predisposed individuals. A 33-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department with weakness in the lower extremities. He stated that he had done heavy physical activity during the previous week. The patient exhibited motor weakness in the lower extremities (2/5 strength) during the physical examination. Initial laboratory tests showed a potassium level of 1.89 mEq/L. The initial electrocardiogram demonstrated T wave inversion and prominent U waves. The patient was treated in the emergency department with oral and intravenous potassium. The physical and ECG symptoms resolved within 16 hours of potassium supplementation and biochemical tests showed normal serum potassium levels. The patient was discharged shortly after the resolution of the symptoms. Weakness is an important but nonspecific symptom that may be brought on by a number of underlying physiological processes. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare disease that may be triggered by heavy physical activity and presents with recurrent admissions due to weakness.


This thesis presents a program of research investigating the role of parental attributions in the management of parents with anger management problems who are atrisk of child maltreatment. Child maltreatment is a major social and health issue that is associated with significant costs for the individual child, his or her family and society. In Australia, all major indicators of child abuse have increased each year for the past six years, including child abuse notifications; substantiated abuse cases; children on care and protection orders; and the number of children in out-of-home care (AIHW, 2005). There is increasing focus on furthering our understanding of the aetiology connected with child maltreatment and on reducing risk factors associated with child maltreatment. Parental anger and parental dysfunctional attributions associated with parentchild interactions have been implicated as important risk factors for child maltreatment. These dysfunctional attributions for child behaviour and negative parenting behaviour and their affects on parental anger and parenting behaviour are the focus of this thesis. The present research aimed to (a) identify and assess the types of parental attributions that may intensify and perpetuate parental anger and anger-related behaviour; (b) examine the differences in the attributions clinically angry and at-risk of child maltreatment (CA) parents, and non-angry, not at-risk of child maltreatment (NA) parents make for parent-child interactions; and (c) evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced behavioural family intervention, Pathways Triple P that aimed to reduce CA parents maladaptive attributions, anger and other key risk factors for child maltreatment, compared to a standard behavioural family intervention, Group Triple P. This program of research employed an attributional-behavioural model of child maltreatment to identify key risk factors involved in the precipitation, exacerbation and perpetuation of parents' anger and anger-related behaviour. This attributional-behavioural model of child maltreatment hypothesised that the types of attributions parents make during parent-child interactions intensify their anger and justify their negative parenting behaviour. Two attribution measures were developed for this research to assess parents' anger-intensifying and anger justifying attributions. Study 1 examined the differences between the attributions CA parents and NA parents make for parent-child interactions, and the differences between other key risk factors associated with child maltreatment, including parental adjustment, parenting practices, and perceptions of disruptive child behaviour problems. The 82 families with a child aged between 2-7 years who participated consisted of 41 CA mothers and 41 NA mothers. As predicted, there were significant differences between the CA and NA mothers' anger-intensifying attributional style for both negative and ambiguous negative child behaviour, with the CA mothers reporting an elevated level of anger-intensifying attributional style. In accordance with predictions CA mothers, compared to NA mothers, reported being more likely to attribute blame to their child for their own negative parenting behaviour and that the reason for their behaviour was unlikely to change. The study revealed significant group differences on all remaining key risk factors with CA mothers compared to NA mothers reporting significantly higher levels of negative affect, use of dysfunctional parenting practices, and more problem child behaviours. Study 2 examined the efficacy of an enhanced behavioural intervention, Pathways Triple P with CA mothers. Ninety-three CA parents with a child-aged 2-7 years were randomly assigned to either an enhanced group-administered behavioural family intervention program based on the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program that incorporated attributional retraining and anger management, Pathways Triple P, or a standard behavioural family intervention program, Group Triple P, that provided training in parenting skills alone. This Study revealed that both the Group Triple P program and the Pathways Triple P program were powerful tools for change in the selected population of families at-risk for child maltreatment. At post-intervention and follow-up both conditions were associated with lower levels of observed and parent-reported disruptive child behaviour, lower levels of parent-reported dysfunctional parenting, improvement in parental anger, adjustment, unrealistic expectations and potential for child abuse. Families receiving the enhanced behavioural family intervention showed significantly greater improvements on two key indicators of abuse potential both in the short and long term. Mothers who received the Pathways Triple P showed a significant reduction in their level of anger-intensifying attributional style for both negative and ambiguous negative child behaviour and significantly lower child-blame attributions for negative parenting behaviour from pre to post intervention, with evidence of maintenance to follow-up. The specific targeting of parents' attributions was successful in reducing mothers' anger-intensifying and anger-justifying attributions for parent-child interactions. Mothers in the EBFI group not only reported a significant decrease in the tendency to blame and attribute malintent to children for negative child behaviour but also reported a significant decrease in the tendency to blame children for negative parenting behaviour. This generalised shift for mothers to make more benign attributions for their children's negative and ambiguous negative behaviours and to make less child blaming attributions for negative parenting behaviour showed that the cognitive mechanism hypothesised to shift in angry parents did change in the predicted direction. Participants in both conditions reported comparably high levels of consumer satisfaction with their respective interventions. However, mothers in the EBFI group reported that the attributional retraining session as the most useful of the 12 sessions in the EBFI intervention. Contrary to prediction, only one family in the SBFI condition received contact with child protection services for notification for child maltreatment in the follow-up period. Previous research into interventions for parents at-risk of child maltreatment has indicated that standard behavioural family interventions might not sufficiently meet the complex needs of these families. The results of this present study support this assertion to some degree. As has been noted previously, the EBFI condition was associated with significantly greater improvements on key risk factor for child maltreatment, namely measures of anger-intensifying and anger-justifying attributions for parent-child interactions compared with SBFI. Although at post-intervention SBFI families had also improved significantly on many measures, the differences between conditions on the attributional measures were maintained from post-intervention to follow-up. This thesis provides important new information regarding the differences in clinically angry parents at-risk of child maltreatment (CA) and non-angry parents not atrisk of child maltreatment (NA) attributional processes for child negative behaviour and negative parenting behaviour. It represents an important contribution in the development of two attributional measures the PACBM and the PAM that discriminate between CA and NA parents. This present thesis also extends the limited empirical base of BFI as an intervention for child maltreatment (Wekerle & Wolfe, 1993) and provides evidence for two variants of BFI (Group Triple P and Pathways Triple P) being associated with a range of positive changes in parental risk factors linked to child maltreatment. An important finding was that the Pathways Triple P intervention produced more changes more expeditiously and more consistently across the full spectrum of child measures, parents' cognitive, affective and parenting behaviour measures. A strength of the present study was the utilisation of a robust, standard-care comparison condition which provided not only a creditable test for the additive benefits of the enhanced intervention but also provided the CA mothers immediate intervention with a credible treatment.