Dynamic assessment refers to assessment that combines elements of instruction for the purpose of learning something about an individual that cannot be learned as easily or at all from conventional assessment. The origins of dynamic assessment can be traced to Thorndike (1924), Rey (1934), and Vygotsky (1962), who shared three basic assumptions (Grigorenko, 2009). The first assumption is that conventional assessment does not work for children who have diverse educational and cultural experiences. The second assumption is that we should be interested more in where children can be tomorrow if given adequate education or intervention, rather than in where children are now given their previous educational history. The third and final assumption is that the reason for assessment lies in intervention, and consequently, that the results of assessment should have direct implications for selecting or modifying interventions.

Obvious parallels exist between fundamental assumptions of dynamic assessment and those of recent response-to-intervention (RTI) models (see Grigorenko, 2009, for a comprehensive and insightful recent comparison between dynamic assessment and response to intervention). RTI models can be used as the basis of service delivery and also as a source of assessment information (Fletcher & Vaughn, 2009). Arguments in support of using RTI models as a source of assessment information mirror the three key assumptions of dynamic assessment.

In the context of eligibility determination for special education services, the traditional aptitude-achievement assessment model has been criticized as a "wait to fail" model because most children with learning disabilities are not identified and provided special education services until the end of first grade or later. However, it is unlikely that adopting an RTI model for identification will speed up the process, and might even delay it. Even proponents of a prominent role of RTI models in identification of children with learning disabilities do not suggest that assessing response to intervention is sufficient for identification (Fletcher & Vaughn, 2009). Rather, consistent with the consensus of the Learning Disabilities Summit (Bradley, Danielson, & Hallahan, 2002), identification requires a comprehensive individual examination in addition to review of a child's response to intervention (Fletcher, Lyon, Fuchs, & Barnes, 2007). If we assume that a comprehensive individual exam will not be scheduled until a child has not responded to three tiers of instruction/intervention, each each lasting 12 weeks, formal identification is unlikely to be speeded up relative to the traditional aptitude-achievement discrepancy model. This is not an argument for the traditional aptitude-achievement discrepancy model, which has been criticized justifiably on other grounds, and it should be pointed out that an advantage of an RTI model is that children receive intervention prior to formal identification. The point is merely that contact with special education personnel and services is unlikely to happen sooner under an RTI model.

Might dynamic assessment be a faster way to obtain information that is provided by assessing response to intervention and is not available from conventional assessment? This question motivated the contributions to this volume of the Journal of Learning Disabilities.


The northern quahog Mercenaria mercenaria was exposed to bloom concentrations of the toxic red-tide dinoflagellate Alexanddum, the proximal cause of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in eastern North America, under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Two cultured isolates of Alexandrium, exhibiting markedly different PSP toxin compositions and specific toxicities, were used independently to determine the kinetics of toxin accumulation and loss, as well as the potential for biotransformation of individual PSP toxins in certain tissues. Clams readily ingested and absorbed a monospecific diet of the low toxlcity A. tamarense isolate GtLI22 They also ingested cells of the high toxicity A , fundyense isolate GtCA29, but at a lower rate, and only when the diet was supplemented with a nontoxic d~a tom, Thalass~osira weissflogii. As natural populations of M. mercenaria rarely accumulate a substantial PSP toxin load, this suggests the existence of a toxin recognition mechanism Maximum toxicities In clam t~ssues , attained within 2 wk of exposure to either toxic dinoflagellate, exceeded the regulatory harvest closure level (80 lig STXeq 100g-l) by several orders of magn~tude. Detoxification to levels acceptable for human consumption occurred within 3 to 6 wk. HPLC analyses revealed significant differences between the toxic profile of the dinoflagellates and that accumulated in various clam tissues. Clams toxified with isolate GtLI22, a strain rich in low potency C-toxins, showed: (1) de novo appearance of STX, (2) significant reduction in the proportion of C-toxins, and (3) reciprocal increase in the proportion of the gonyautoxins GTX2+,. Significant relative enrichment in STX also occurred in tissues of clams fed upon GtCA29, an isolate rich in the more potent carbamate toxins. The f~rs t experimental evidence of PSP accumulation/detoxification by M mercenaria is provided, underscoring the potential of t h ~ s pecies to act as a vector of PSP in humans.


Objective To investigate the influential factors of quality of life in long-term survival rectal cancer patients after surgery and different radiotherapy technique.Methods Fifty-seven patients who had undergone surgery and radiochemotherapy with stage II-III rectal cancer and had more than three years cancer-free-survival were given a questionnaire on quality of life(QOL).Factors influencing QOL were examined.Results All the scores of QLQ-C30 functions were high,while the scores of symptoms were low except for sexual functioning,with a median score of global health quality of life scale(GHQL) status being 72.The scores of the global health QOL and the function scales in patients underwent intensity modulated radiation therapy were higher than that in patients underwent conventional radiotherapy(P0.05),and some of the symptoms scores were lower(P0.05).Conclusion The QOL of patients after IMRT is superior to that after conventional radiotherapy.Sexual dysfunction is a prominent complication of rectal cancer after treatment.Understanding the patient's QOL can help doctors to choose more reasonable treatment for patients,and is beneficial to improve the medical technology.


BACKGROUND
It is important to distinguish those with active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (ATB) from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) for monitoring and treating the disease. Monocytes play an important role and may undergo morphological changes against active TB infection. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical usefulness of the monocyte morphometric parameters and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) to distinguish active tuberculosis (ATB) from latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and healthy controls (HC).

METHODS
Peripheral blood was collected from 97 ATB patients, 113 LTBI patients, and 101 healthy controls. The monocyte morphometric parameters were obtained using a UniCel Coulter DxH800 system. MCP-1 level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Cutoff values were established based on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS
Mean monocyte volume with its standard deviation, mean monocyte conductivity, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in ATB compared with LTBI and HC. ROC curve analyses showed that simultaneous measurements of mean monocyte volume with its standard deviation, mean monocyte conductivity and MCP-1 achieved good sensitivity and specificity (93.8% and 93.1%), which may be clinically useful.

CONCLUSIONS
The findings using monocyte morphometric parameters and MCP-1 to distinguish ATB from LTBI with high sensitivity and specificity may be a potential parameter for clinical.


In this study the otoacoustic emission has b een studied for three persons with vary stimulus 60,65,and 70 dB pSPL, in this study the TEOAE latency will be evaluated as a function of th e stimulus level, to get information on the dependence of coch lear tuning on the stimulus level and to compare the results with the predictions of transmission line cochlear-models. show the latenc y for many frequencies and the different between the cases and in the same time compare the result. The cochlear latency has been evaluated in young ad ults by timefrequency analysis of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions recorded using the nonlinear acquisition mode at di fferent levels of the click stimulus. The frequency is a function of the latency so in this wok we calculated the latencies for three pers ons by using matching pursuit method and we found that the laten cy is a function


Automated analysis of human affective behavior has attracted increasing attention from researchers in psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, and related disciplines. However, existing methods to induce emotions are mostly limited to audio and visual stimulations. This study tested the induction of emotions in a virtual environment with scenarios that were designed using the Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) model, well-known in the Agent community. The first objective of the study was to design the virtual environment and a set of scenarios happening in driving situations. These situations can generate various emotional conditions or reactions and the design was followed by a testing phase using an EEG headset able to assess the resulting emotions (frustration, boredom and excitement) of 30 participants to verify how accurate the predicted emotion could be induced. The study phase proved the reliability of the BDI model, with over 70% of our scenarios working as expected. Finally, we outline some of the possible uses of inducing emotions in a virtual environment for correcting negative emotions.


Abstract The stability and genesis of the vortices associated with long solitary divergent Rossby waves-the Rossby vortices–are studied numerically using the single-layer (SL) model with Jovian parameters. Vortex behavior depends on location and on balances among the translation, twisting, steepening, dispersion and advection processes. Advection is the main preserver of vortices. The solutions provide an explanation for the origin, uniqueness and longevity of the Great Red Spot (GRS). In midlatitudes, stable anticyclones exist in a variety of sizes and balances: from the large planetary-geostrophic (PG) and medium intermediate-geostrophic (IG) vortices that propagate westward, to the small quasi-geostrophic (QG) vortices that migrate equatorward. These vortices all merge during encounters. Geostrophic vortices in the f0-plane system adjust toward symmetry by rotating; those on the sphere adjust by rotating and propagating. Stable cyclones exist mainly at the QG scale or on the f0-plane. In low latitudes ...


With twenty-five G-protein-coupled TAS2R receptors bitterness is the most complex taste sensation in terms of signal transduction. The objective of this sensory study was to investigate the effect of hTAS2R38 bitter receptor gene genotypes on intensity of bitterness of different N-C=S containing compounds. In addition, we studied the bitterness of vegetables that produce glucosinolates, which also contain thiourea groups. People homozygous for the PAV form of the hTAS2R38 gene were significantly more sensitive to N-C=S containing compounds than those homozygous for the AVI haplotype. However, PAV subjects were not more sensitive than AVI subjects for structurally unrelated bitter tasting compounds. In addition, PAV/PAV subjects rated the glucosinolate generating vegetables as 60% more bitter on average than did the AVI/AVI subjects. This shows that genetic variation in taste perception predictably determines the taste of vegetables. Introduction Flavour has a great impact on food choice and acceptability. Taste and Aroma are the foundation of flavour. Bitterness is known to be the most complex taste sensation with twenty-five taste receptors being members of G-protein-coupled TAS2R receptor family. Bitterness may be a principal reason for food rejection. Human's ability to taste bitter compounds that contain a thiourea (-N-C=S) structure, such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and its chemical relative propylthiouracil (PROP), depends on their TAS2R38 bitter receptor genotype (1,2). Similarly, genetic approaches may be employed to determine sources of variability in the perception of complex chemical matrices such as in foods. Many nutritionally important compounds may contribute to unpleasant bitter taste. But individual differences in bitterness perception of these compounds might be significant. Yet, a receptive field for this receptor and its parallel in human bitterness sensitivity have not been mapped. Understanding of these genetic differences in humans is necessary for the study of food and specific food preferences. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hTAS2R38 bitter receptor gene genotypes on intensity of bitterness of different N-C=S containing compounds. In addition, we studied the bitterness of vegetables that produce glucosinolates, which also contain thiourea groups (3). We hypothesised that people who possess one or two PAV alleles of hTAS2R38 would find these stimuli and vegetables bitterer than those who carried only the insensitivity alleles (AVI/AVI). Experimental Expression of Multidisciplinary Flavour Science 14 All participating subjects (19-64 years) were genotyped for their hTAS2R38 genotypes and pre-screened for being homozygous sensitive (PAV) or homozygous insensitive (AVI) using allele-specific probes and primers (1). Subjects were recruited according to a protocol approved by the Office of Regulatory Affairs at University of Pennsylvania. Thiourea compounds such as PTC, PROP, dimethylthiourea, diethylthiourea, diphenylthiourea, acetylthiourea, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, sodium thiocyanate and methimazole were high quality (>99% purity) and commercially available. As control stimuli we used pure uracil, urea and QHCl. The taste profiles of different N-C=S containing compounds were examined with a trained sensory panel (n= 24) at the sensory evaluation laboratory at Monell Chemical Senses Center. The subjects rated the intensity of bitterness on computer controlled gLMS scales. All the compounds were tasted in 1⁄2-log step solution series in three different sessions. In addition to N-C=S-compounds, the subjects evaluated also selected vegetables (3). Results Bitterness of N-C=S compounds. The mean ratings of PAV/PAV (n=13) and AVI/AVI (n= 11) genotypes for N-C=S containing compounds are shown in Figure 1. Results show that people possessing the PAV form of the hTAS2R38 gene were significantly more sensitive to N-C=S containing compounds than were those possessing the AVI haplotype. Plots for PTC and PROP were similar to other N-C=S compounds and also previous studies (1). However, in case of control compounds (QHCl, uracil and urea) without N-C=S the sensitive people (PAV/PAV) were not more sensitive than insensitive people (AVI/AVI). This result shows the power of N-C=S moiety on individual differences. Bitterness of vegetables. To find out the effect of N-C=S also in vegetables the subjects tasted both glucosinolate generating and control vegetables (3). The vegetables that produce glucosinolates were perceived bitterer by people who possess sensitive PAV allele of hTAS2R38 gene. Overall, PAV/PAV subjects rated glucosinolate generating vegetables as 60% more bitter than AVI/AVI. However, these two genotype groups found the nonglucosinolate-generating vegetables equally bitter. This shows that, general bitterness of non-glucosinolate generating vegetables could not be explained by hTAS2R38 receptor genotype. Conclusions People homozygous for the PAV form of the hTAS2R38 gene were significantly more sensitive to N-C=S containing compounds than those homozygous for the AVI haplotype. However, PAV subjects were not more sensitive than AVI subjects for bitter tasting compounds structurally unrelated to N-C=S. In addition, PAV/PAV subjects rated the glucosinolate generating vegetables more bitter than did the AVI/AVI subjects. This shows that genetic variation in taste perception predictably determines the taste of vegetables. Moreover, this may also mediate preference and consumption of vegetables, which remains to be determined. The taste of foods has a large impact on food choice. Furthermore, the relationship between perception and the physical food properties is central to new food product development. There is a need to increase the knowledge on the taste and sensory quality of vegetables but also other healthful foods overall to improve their intake. Expression of Multidisciplinary Flavour Science 15 Figure 1. Mean intensities of bitterness of thiourea compounds and control stimuli. Panel consisted of 13 PAV/PAV (--♦--) and 11 AVI/AVI (−▪−) subjects. The study was funded by NIH DC02995 (PASB). References 1. Bufe B., Breslin P.A.S., Kuhn C., Reed D., Tharp C., Slack J., Kim U.-K., Drayna D., Meyerhof W. (2005) Current Biol. 22: 322-327. 2. Kim U.-K., Breslin P.A.S., Reed D.R., Drayna D. (2004) J. Dent. Res. 83: 448-453. 3. Sandell M., Breslin, P.A.S. (2006) Current Biol. 16: R792-R794. DIETHYLTHIOUREA


According to Keynes and some Post Keynesians, monetary policy is able to perform a fundamental task: it can reduce unemployment. I However, Post Keynesian economists do not form a completely homogeneous group. Some-particularly Nicholas Kaldor and Basil Moore-do not feel that monetary policy is an effective means of reducing unemployment. Prominent among those who do consider monetary policy effective in altering real variables are Hyman Minsky, Paul Davidson, and J.M. Keynes himself.2 According to Kaldor (1982), monetary authorities should do no more than set an interest rate (compatible, for instance, with the rate of economic growth) and grant liquidity to the monetary system to meet banks' demands for reserves. The amount of money in the economy is then determined by banks' demands for reserves from the central bank, which is the product of demand from consumers and entrepreneurs for credit from the banks. The money supply function of the economy is thus perfectly interest-elastic. As this horizontal function reflects the broad terms of the model representing one of the currents of Post Keynesian thought, Moore (1988) christened this current horizontalism.


A low-grade concrete-cored sand-gravel pile composite foundation was a new soft ground improvement method.A consolidation calculation model considering impeded boundary conditions was presented.While considering the hole pressure continuous problem of an overlying soil layer and a reinforce field,according to consolidation theory of double-layered soft clay composite ground,the consolidation problem of a low-grade concrete-cored sand-gravel pile composite foundation is translated into a consolidation problem of an equivalent double-layered foundation,and corresponding analytical solutions are solved.The comparison between the calculated results and the filed measured data showed that the calculated excess pore water pressure,the consolidation degree and the settlement-time relationship were consistent with those of filed data respectively.


A low consume blue water responder is designed based on long base line,which adopt the single chip MSP430F149 as a nucleus signal processor.Cooperate with DSP rapid processor subsystem,and PC subsystem,the water acoustics signal processor is realized and the state of water acoustics responder are controled.Test in sea proves that it can inspect under water target for long time.


Burn injury of ≥ 40% total body surface area(TBSA) results in long-term reduction of bone mineral density(J Pediatr 1995; 126: 252). Bone formation is reduced but measurements of bone resorption have been equivocal(Bone 1995; 17: 455). We measured biochemical markers of bone formation(serum osteocalcin) and resorption(24h urine N-telopeptide of type I collagen(NTx)) within 48hr of admission for burns ≥ 40%TBSA in order to determine whether bone resorption was significantly altered immediately post-burn. We studied 9 children, 6M, 3F, ages 0.8-13 yr. Serum osteocalcin, determined by EIA was 6.8 ± 3.4(SD)ng/ml, range 2.2-11 with normal for age of 18-42. These levels were 43± 26% of the lower limit of normal for age, while urine NTx/creatinine was 801 ± 544(mu)mol/mmol, range 376-2167. These levels are 143 ± 36% of the upper limit of normal. Simultaneous measurements of the resorptive cytokines, interleukin-1(beta) and-6, were 4.6± 3.1 pg/ml(n=7) and 249 ± 183 pg/ml, respectively. These levels are approximately 5 and 250 times the upper limit of normal. These data suggest that bone resorption occurs acutely post-burn and before the patients are immobilized to any significant degree. The mechanism(s) causing the uncoupling of formation and resorption are unclear, but this phenomenon may initiate the process of post-burn bone loss.


Summary The acid phosphatase activity levels in a number of Greek cheeses and in Cheddar cheeses were found to be unaffected by storage for up to 18 months and 12 months respectively. In Cheddar cheese, starter organisms made an insignificant contribution to this activity. Studies of acid phosphatase prepared from Streptococcus cremoris-lactis NCDO 762 starter cultures showed that the enzyme was of high molecular weight and largely particle-bound. The pH of optimum activity was 5·2 and the enzyme was inhibited by F−, Al3+, a number of heavy metals, oxidizing agents and sulphydryl-modifying reagents. Kinetic measurements at pH 5·2 gave a Km value for p-nitrophenyl phosphate of 1·2 mM. Orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and isoelectrically precipitated casein behaved as competitive inhibitors to the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate with K1 values of 1·2 mM, 1·0 mM and 1·1 mM respectively. In spite of this binding to the enzyme, casein provided a very poor substrate for the starter acid phosphatase. The properties of acid phosphatase present in Cheddar cheese made with Str. cremoris NCDO 924 starter were consistent with the enzyme being exclusively of milk origin and small differences between this and the acid phosphatase previously isolated from bovine milk were attributable to the binding of peptides produced during the cheese maturation to the enzyme molecules. It was concluded that in cheese, phosphatase action was due largely to the enzyme of milk origin, with that provided by the starter being of minor importance.


Wildfires are an ever-increasing problem, exacerbated by the current global warming trends. Accordingly, it is becoming more and more relevant to monitor factors influencing their outbreaks and spreading, in order to both preemptively act on the most risky areas, and guide interventions in case an outbreak occurs. Different approaches have been proposed during the decades tackling this issue, which however require large datasets that are difficult and expensive to gather.In this paper, we propose to address the management of wildfires by empowering existing centralised models with a decentralised component. Leveraging dedicated monitoring drones together with smartphones held by experts and intervention corps, a decentralised system could both enhance data collection and assist interventions. As conditions near wildfires require strong fault-tolerance guarantees, we propose to develop such an application through aggregate programming, a novel approach to the resilient programming of decentralised systems.


Rapid advances in the automation of production methods have increased inspection requirements for three main reasons. Firstly, higher production speeds require higher inspection speeds. Secondly, the implicit inspection involved in manual production and assembly is no longer present and must be accommodated elsewhere and lastly, the ever-increasing demand of the customer for higher quality. Machines that can see have been developed for a variety of tasks that involve inspecting and manipulating industrial artifacts. The presentation discusses some of the problems faced by various industries and possible solutions using machine vision systems. (6 pages)


The invention provides a single light port multipath parallel light reception coupling system assembly packaging device. The device comprises a casing having the transmission function, an adapter assembly and a collimation lens, wherein an upper surface of the casing is provided with a first groove and a second groove, a lower surface of the casing is provided with a third groove, an end portion of the casing is provided with a through hole, the through hole is communicated with the first groove, one end of the collimation lens is connected with the adapter assembly, the other end of the collimation lens penetrates through the through hole to the first groove, side walls of the first groove and the second groove are respectively provided with a first inclined plane and a second inclined plane, the second inclined plane is provided with a reflection film, and the third groove is provided with a multi-channel lens array. The device is advantaged in that the quantity of optical elements needing precise positioning mounting on a parallel transceiver light module light path is reduced to a maximum degree through mechanical structure alignment and active coupling, optical alignment operation is greatly simplified, bath production for optical packaging of corresponding products is easier, and optical packaging cost of the corresponding products is reduced.


In this paper, a lithium‐ion battery State of Health (SOH) estimation algorithm is proposed based on the fusion of multidomain features and the application of a CatBoost model. The aim is to address the issue of low prediction accuracy in SOH caused by the utilization of single‐feature extraction techniques. The algorithm encompasses the extraction of various features from the original charge–discharge data, including time‐domain, frequency‐domain, entropy, and time‐series features. Following the evaluation of feature importance, a feature selection process is conducted to eliminate redundant features that provide a limited contribution to the predictive results. Subsequently, a multiple‐set discriminative correlation analysis is employed to integrate high‐dimensional features. To attain accurate predictions, the CatBoost model is further optimized through the utilization of a sparrow search algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves accurate SOH estimations within individual batteries, as evidenced by mean square error values consistently below 4e−4 and goodness‐of‐fit values exceeding or equal to 0.98. Additionally, the algorithm exhibits reliable prediction capabilities across different batteries operating under the same charge/discharge strategy. Comparative analysis indicates that the adoption of the multidomain feature fusion approach yields improved prediction accuracy in contrast to the utilization of a single feature extraction method.


This research paper examines William Morris's perspectives regarding true art and literature in his novella, News from Nowhere , through mirroring two different systems in the utopia that he has invented, socialism and capitalism. According to Morris's understanding, we need a socialistic system to produce a true art because this system stands against class struggles, allows people to own pleasure in their works and endorses a popular art. On the other hand, capitalism, as the system of the Victorian age, does not permit the art and literature that Morris calls for coming into the existence because, in addition to being free from the mentioned characteristics, life becomes full of competitions resulting in labor divisions, people do not enjoy doing their works, and machines takes role of handiworks. Keywords : socialism, capitalism, art, labor.


This manual is intended as a design guide for practicing engineers and a reference for government agencies involved with the design and operation of deep draft navigation systems.


"Data are exceptional and show without any doubt an improvement of radiation therapy impact with a significant number of complete response. NBTXR3 can bring real benefit to patients and it can change the standard of care. This innovation will play a role in many other indications and particularly where radiotherapy is used alone." Pr. Sylvie Bonvalot, MD, Head of Sarcoma and Complex Tumor Surgery Unit at Institut Curie, Paris, France and Global Principal Investigator of the PII/III study


We grafted thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes from monodisperse SiO2 microspheres through surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI ATRP) to generate core-shell structured SiO2@PNIPAM microspheres (SPMs). Regular-sized SPMs dispersed in aqueous solution and packed as photonic crystals (PCs) in dry state. Because of the microscale of the SPMs, the packing behavior of the PCs in water can be observed by optical microscopy. By increasing the temperature above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM, the reversible swelling and shrinking of the PNIPAM shell resulted in dispersion and precipitation (three-dimensional aggregation) of the SPM in aqueous solution. The SPMs were microdispersed in a water layer to accommodate the aggregation along two dimensions. In the microdispersion, the SPMs are packed as PCs with microscale spacing between SPMs below the LCST. When the temperature is increased above the LCST, the microdispersed PCs exhibited a close-packed arrangement along two dimensions with decreased spacing between SPMs. The change in spacing with increasing temperature above the LCST resulted in a color change from red to blue, which could be observed by the naked eye at an incident angle. Thus, the SPM array could be applied as a visual temperature sensor.


The origins of this talk lie in the discussions, spanning a year or more, that fed into the creation of the Cabot Institute at the University of Bristol in 2010. The Cabot Institute brings together the natural, physical and social sciences around the issue of environmental uncertainty. For someone working on the politics of disasters, it was the first time I had engaged with colleagues from the natural and physical sciences. The discussions were fascinating, mainly because of the overlaps and convergences they revealed, rather than the expected differences, especially in relation to emergencies. It quickly became evident, for example, that the idea of 'resilience' now operates as a lingua franca of preparedness, adaptability and survivability across the natural, the physical, and the social. Definitions vary, but if resilience is understood as a basic ability to withstand shock and survive disaster through adaptation, one can talk about the resilience of simple organisms, entire ecological systems, or built structures, including cities and critical infrastructure – as well as the resilience of social institutions, communities and lone individuals. If nothing else, resilience-thinking has encouraged a range and depth of dialogue across the disciplines that, even a generation ago, would have been difficult. As a platform for exchange and cross-fertilisation, resilience has much potential. And in less than a decade, resilience-thinking has also risen to dominance in the popular media, in social policy, and in political discourse generally. Resilience is everywhere, especially now at a time of austerity – we're all expected to be resilient. However, if we are to extract something from this new ability to communicate, it is necessary to address the more hidden and troubling dimensions of resilience. My concern is with how resilience has been used, especially in translation from ecology, to understand the human condition. Since resilience is inseparable from emergency, I will tease out these concerns by first considering how our understanding of disaster has changed since the 1980s, I will then use the international aid industry as a brief example.


CSCW system support groups to complete a task cooperatively. It is tedious to develop CSCW system in RDBMS because of its shortcomings. After analyzing the features of DBMS supporting CSCW system, the paper provides an extended database management system combining RDBMS and file system: ERDBMS. Data Management Component, which is a kernel part of ERDBMS has been implemented, it can be used to develop CSCW system easily and quickly.


Renewable generation and energy storage are playing an ever increasing role in power systems. Hence, there is a growing need for integrating these resources into the optimal power flow (OPF) problem. While storage devices are important for mitigating renewable variability, they introduce temporal coupling in the OPF constraints, resulting in a multiperiod OPF formulation. This paper explores a solution method for multiperiod AC OPF that combines a successive quadratic programming approach (AC-QP) with a second-order cone programming (SOCP) relaxation of the OPF problem. The SOCP relaxation's solution is used to initialize the AC-QP OPF algorithm. Additionally, the lower bound on the objective value obtained from the SOCP relaxation provides a measure of solution quality. This combined method is demonstrated on several test cases with up to 4259 nodes and a time horizon of eight time steps. A comparison of initialization schemes indicates that the SOCP-based approach offers improved convergence rate, execution time, and solution quality.


"We've solved it well by not solving it at all" : Practices and processes supporting a traditional gender order in Swedish couples' talk about housework


The use of medicinal plants for the natural treatment of infections has received much attention. Pre¬viously, plants of Nepeta, Phlomis, and Abutilon genera showed remarkable antimicrobial activities. We aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of three Iranian plants including Abutilon fruticosum Guill. & Perr., Nepeta transcaucasica Grossh., and Phlomis tuberosa (L.) Moench. Aerial parts of the plants were extracted by the maceration method using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate (EtAc), and methanol solvents. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against seven Gram-positive strains and three Gram-neg-ative strains was studied via the disk diffusion method. Potent extracts were fractionated and diameters of the inhibition zone (DIZ) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were determined. The chloroform extract of N. transcaucasica and EtAc extract of A. fruticosum were the most active extracts. Staphylococ¬cus aureus, was the most sensitive strain to N. transcaucasica (DIZ=17 mm, MIC=3.125 mg/ml), whereas S. epidermidis (DIZ=15 mm, MIC=1.56 mg/ml), and Bacillus subtilis (DIZ=13mm, MIC=0.39 mg/ml) were the most sensitive bacteria to A. fruticosum. Fractions of 40% and 60% EtAc/n-hexane of chloroform extract of N. transcaucasica and fractions of 40%-100% of EtAc extract of A. fruticusum revealed the potent activities. B. cereus was "very sensitive" to 60%-100% fractions of chloroform extract of N. trans¬caucasica (DIZ=16–19 mm, MIC=12.5 mg/ml). S. pneumoniae was "extremely" (DIZ=20 mm) sensitive to the 60% Ethyl acetate fraction of A. fruticosum and noticeably, their antimicrobial effects were greater than that of the standard antibiotic. The results support some of the traditional applications of the studied plants.


o Start searching databases, journals, and libraries for your research material. o Interviews and other primary research is important evidentiary support. o After reading through many articles, relevant websites, and/or books, think about what you've read and develop research questions. o You should be able to see the many smaller, focused topics within your larger research area; choose one of those focused topics to work with. o Create a working hypothesis from this focused research information—you will revise this some as you progress, so don't feel that you have to make it concrete just yet. o Close reading: Reread over your source information highlighting and/or taking notes (annotating)—if you just highlight, you may not remember later why you highlighted that line.


During the last years, outbreaks and countrywide spread of isolates producing -lactamases of the AmpC type or carbapenemases have been reported (1, 2). We detected three Proteus mirabilis isolates with reduced susceptibility to cephalosporins and carbapenems at the Alexandrovska University Hospital in Sofia. They were isolated between November 2011 and January 2012 from the urine of three patients, all with a history of multiple hospitalizations, urologic procedures, and urinary bladder catheterizations (Table 1). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (3) revealed resistance or reduced susceptibility to oxyimino-cephalosporins, cephamycins, and imipenem (Table 1). The isolates were resistant to all of the non-lactam antibiotics tested, except for fosfomycin, and P. mirabilis 60 additionally showed susceptibility to gentamicin and amikacin. The -lactam resistance determinants were not transferable in conjugation experiments with an Escherichia coli K-12: W3110 lac mutant strain resistant to rifampin using different selective agents, including ampicillin. A modified Hodge test and an imipenem-EDTA synergy test (4) were positive for all of the isolates, suggesting the production of a metallo-lactamase. The isolates were screened by PCR for the presence of the blaVIM, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV, and blaTEM genes using primers described elsewhere (5, 6). Additionally CMY-2 groupspecific primers were used (CMY-2-K, GGTGCAAATCAAACA CAC; CMY-2-M, ACTGCAGCAACGACGGGC). All three isolates gave positive results with CMY-2 group, VIM, and TEM primers. Isolates 79 and 915 additionally were positive for blaSHV by PCR. Sequencing of the PCR products obtained with primers binding outside the coding regions (reference 6; for blaVIM, IntI1attI [TCTATGCCTCGGGCATCC] and VIM-R-A [HWGTTATG CCGCATCTG]) revealed the presence of blaTEM-1, blaSHV-12, and blaVIM-1 (Table 1). The CMY enzyme was identified as a new variant of the CMY-2 subgroup, CMY-99, which is closest to CMY-16,


The active social media users across the globe have passed the 3.8 billion mark. Platforms like Facebook, Reddit, Instagram, Twitter, and more are an ocean full of opinions and views. With over 500 million tweets being generated daily, this enormous volume of data can offer very prominent insights and allow organizations and businesses to make strategic decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of learning and education dramatically. With a sudden deviation from the classroom in many parts of the world, some wonder if the adoption of online learning will continue with the outbreak of the post-epidemic epidemic and how such a change could affect the global education market. The crux of the problem is how we need to analyze vast amounts of data efficiently. We chose to employ advanced ML and NLP techniques to analyze the sentiment of the masses on digital learning and important extracting demographic information from them. In this paper, we will make an effort to understand the orientation of the academicians towards the recent online education adoption. We will collect the data from the tweets using the trending tags of COVID-19 and Online classes.


Chinese enterprises' international strategy has gradually focused on "creating new value in the global scope",its essence is a transnational entrepreneurial behavior,the traditional internationalization theory about motivation,stage and mode can not explain and guidance the Chinese enterprise's internationalization practice.This paper,summarize the literature in category of "the definition and dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation","entrepreneurial orientation dimension and the organization performance measure method","the relation between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational performance","transnational entrepreneurial orientation".And points out that the shortcoming of existing studies as "apply the research framework of entrepreneurial orientation in closed economy","not distinguish different scale,the different development stages of the multinational enterprise internationalization entrepreneurial orientation","lack of focus on the time-delay factors and dependent variables".


The present invention discloses a method of operating a high pressure lamp where an alternating lamp current lamp operation (2). In order to improve the light stability of the arc and reducing the power dissipation of the circuit arrangement, the absolute value of said lamp current (2) is substantially constant, the alternating lamp current (2) of the pulse width modulation, whereby a positive pulse pulse width than the pulse width of the negative pulse is modulated. Also discloses a circuit arrangement, the lamp current signals (2) and the use thereof.


Violence is a subject that has gained importance recently. There is closely connection between the actions accepted as violence in a society and the structure of the society. Violence is a multidimensional event and it is classified in various forms. Violence can be dealt with by means of different approaches. The subject matter of the study conducted in Denizli province is violence against women. Thus 593 of 19734 household in 10 neighborhoods were selected as sample of the study. According to the study done on the violence directed to women in the quarters of central district of Denizli city, there has been violence in almost the half of the people included in the sample.


M.D.*Departments of Medicine and *Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan Univ ersity School of Medicine, Seoul, KoreaLymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the esophagus is an extremely rare tumor and the prognosis is favorable. We present here a case an esophageal LELC that showed no definite progression for 5 years. An esophageal tumor was found during screening endoscopy for a 72-year-old asymptomatic Korean woman. At first the histology showed no abnormal findings. No treatment was done for the lesion. Five years later, a follow-up endoscopy showed the same tumor in the esophagus. The size and shape of the esophageal tumor seemed unchanged during the follow-up. The lesion was a round elevated lesion that measured approximately 2.5 cm in the lower esophagus. The covering mucosa looked smooth, but there were erosions on top of the tumor. Biopsy showed an undifferentiated carcinoma associated with a dense lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration, which are typical findings of LELC.


Bragg gratings have been UV written in UV hypersensitized standard fibers through exposure of a phase mask to KrF laser light. On the other hand, UV hypersensitized preform plates and fibers have been postexposed in conditions similar to those used to write the gratings. Vacuum-UV and IR absorption spectroscopy has been carried out with a view of monitoring the kinetics of formation (or bleaching) of defect-associated bands. The fluence per pulse Fi was the parameter of the exposures. The dependence of the refractive index changes on fluence per pulse points to a two-photon absorption mechanism for Bragg grating inscription. This dependence is correlated to the one for the GeE′ defect and OH species-related absorption bands and discussed within the framework of a two-step model.


We used molecular tools and a multilocus approach to investigate the phylogeography of Lepidothrix coronata across most of its ample range. We sequenced six DNA fragments to produce phylogenies, molecular dating estimates, analyses of the dynamics of the demographic history of the species and a biogeographic analysis to estimate the events and changes in the ancestral distribution of the species. The results indicated the presence of four well‐established lineages, with high levels of divergence. These lineages are delineated by well‐defined geographic barriers, with one lineage, restricted to the west of the Andes, being the first to diverge from the complex. The other three lineages are exclusive to the Amazonian distribution of the species, with two being found north of the Amazon River, and the third, south of the Amazon. Some of the relationships found between these lineages were distinct from those described in previous studies. Important disagreements were found between the mtDNA phylogeny and that of the multilocus analysis, in relation to the lineages located to the west of the Andes. We propose that past introgression events may have influenced shifts in the relationships between lineages, despite the fact that the groups were well defined in both the phylogenies. The biogeographic analysis indicates that the lineages arose through successive vicariance events, which had a primary role in the diversification of the group. Two or three genetically structured subclades were also found within each Amazonian lineage, although these subclades are not isolated by an obvious geographic barrier.


The construction of course teaching and its key elements. Some main points of the determination on fundamental contont of course:with stable basis knowledge of discipline; lay stress on the structure and methed of theory; combine with modern industrad producing practice; embody the use of computer;follow the principle of systematization,generality and acceptability;reform the feaching model.Several relations of writing textbook.


In this study, aluminum nitride (AIN) thin films were grown on p-type silicon (1 00) substrate by sol-gel spin coating method. Two types of ethanol-based precursors were prepared, namely, precursors with and without the aid of diethanolamine (DEA). The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of the DEA on the surface morphology, structural and optical properties of the deposited thin films. The coating films were undergone nitridation process under ammonia ambient at 1100 oc for 60 min The surface morphology and structural properties of the deposited AIN thin films were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The AFM results showed that the AIN thin films has uniform and smooth surface. XRD results revealed that both samples of the deposited AIN thin films have AIN (1 00) preferred orientation. In addition, the crystallinity of sample without the aid of DEA is higher compared with the sample with the aid of DEA. The optical properties of AIN thin films were investigated by Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Raman results showed the present of E1(TO) peak at 670 em 1 for sample without DEA and no peak is observed for sample with the aid of DEA. It was observed from UV-vis reflectance spectra that both samples were having energy band gap at around 5 eV. Finally, all the results revealed that the present of DEA affects the properties of AIN thin films.


Industrial measurement requires high precision instrumentation for a good data gathering and analysis. Nowadays, we have offered too much instrumentation from conventional such as robotic total station and non-contact measurement like digital photogrametry and laser scanning. LEICA TCA2003 robotic total station and TM5100 electronic theodolite is a high precision instrument for the highest requirements in industrial/deformation surveying with the angle and distance measuring accuracies of 0.5� and 1mm respectively. This paper focuses on the industrial observation campaign using geodetic technique and non-contact technique. Non-contact technique refers to photogrametry and laser scanning. This project is collaboration between Surveying Engineering Research Group Laboratory and Aeronautic Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The observation object is Eurocopter 350Z Prototype Helicopter Model helicopter.


We presented the difficulties of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory and Einstein's gravitational theory in detail, established a new unified theory of field including consistent electromagnetic theory and gravitational theory on the basis of new starting postulates, and applied these theoretical methods to quantum electrodynamics. We accepted a new geometrical space in which metric tensor and all main physical functions become implicit functions, called "KR space" consistent to our starting postulates, and normalization of implicit functions in order to give physical meanings to all physical functions of implicit forms defined in this space. As a result, we naturally unraveled problem of radiation reaction, a historical difficult problem of Maxwell-Lorentz electromagnetic theory, built new quantum electrodynamics without renormalization procedure followed by quantum gravitational theory and also predicted new theoretical results which could not find in traditional theories.


A long time operation test of an ion engine system with its own propellant tank was carried out successfully. The total operating time was 1, 530 hrs and propellant efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of the beam current integrated over the test period to the consumed propellant in terms of charge, was found to be 59.7%. Though this experiment was interrupted by the vacuum chamber-originated flakes that bridged the accelerating grid system, the ion engine was operated without the indication of degradation in the hollow cathode, the isolator and the vaporizer. The thickness of the flake was explained from amount of sputtering material. The basic operating parameters of the ion engine were maintained through this experiment, As the flakes in the discharge chamber are not observed, the longer life will be expected. Finally, this experiment was terminated with using up the propellant of its own tank.


The emphasis on primary sources and disciplinary literacy skills in not only the Common Core State Standards, but other national curricula (i.e. College Board exams and the NCSS C3 Framework) requires that teachers continue to find ways to integrate these skills into their elementary and secondary classrooms. The paper aims to discuss this issue.,This paper introduces a cross-disciplinary approach that integrates primary source reading skills and the arts to cultivate student literacy and creativity though the writing of found poems.,Found poetry activities based on social studies primary sources allow students to practice literacy skills, engage more deeply with social studies content, and also may encourage the development of historical empathy toward the experiences and perspectives of distant peoples and events.,After reading and analyzing primary sources, students can create and present their found poems in diverse formats which allows for student expression and creativity in the classroom. Teachers can easily modify found poetry activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.,This paper fulfills the identified need to increase literacy skills and incorporate more student participation in the classroom. Using the strategy of student-inspired found poems, primary sources become more tangible and meaningful to students. Found poems offer yet another way to integrate the arts into social studies education.


To evaluate the heating effects of Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) in sun-light greenhouse,air temperature,soil tempera- ture,relative humidity have been measured in GSHP and non-GSHP sun-light greenhouse.The results showed that the average air tem- perature of GSHP greenhouse was maintained 21.5℃,13.7℃higher than the non-GSHP greenhouse during winter,and 23.9℃above the outside air temperature.The relative humidity (RH) inside the GSHP greenhouse was in the range of 48%~74%.The RH was 20% be- low the non-GSHP greenhouse,and 31% above the outside.The COP was 4.16 when the GSHP run.It showed that when the GSHP run in sun-light greenhouse,the temperature and humidity not only met the needs of crop growth,but also had the system a higher heating performance,and a better energy saving effect.


Synchronization of Motor Unit Activity In normally innervated muscle the contraction of motor units is asynchronous, thus providing for the smooth contraction of voluntary muscle. Thus if two needle electrodes of a double channel electromyograph with differential amplifiers are inserted into two different motor units the timing of the motor unit potentials appears out of phase. In myelopathic lesions (notably acute anterior poliomyelitis) Buchthal and Clemmesen (I943) described synchronous activity of motor units detectable by three needle electrodes. This, they suggested, was due to the spread of nervous impulses to contiguous neurones. An alternative explanation has been suggested by Denny-Brown ('944), who has suggested that apparent synchronization is due to the detection by two or more needle electrodes of the same, often large, motor unit due to uncovering of this unit by loss of the small motor units. Whatever may be the explanation the occurrence of ' synchronization ' in myelopathic lesions and its rarity in normal muscles or in peripheral nerve lesions is undoubted. To sum up, therefore, clinical electromyography, although in its infancy, is of proven value in peripheral nerve lesions in that it can provide evidence of nerve damage, recovery and retention of any function before these phenomena can be estimated clinically. Although less is known about the electromyographic appearance in other diseases, the detection and recognition of potentials and their relative preponderance yields information unobtainable by other methods. It is usefully combined with the use of intensity-duration curves described elsewhere in this issue. I wish to thank Dr. P. Bauwens, physician in charge of the Department of Physical Medicine, St. Thomas's Hospital, for permission to publish the pictures of muscle potentials illustrating this article, which were taken from departmental records. They were obtained by photographing cathode ray tube traces of the muscle potentials after recording on magnetic tape.


Four leading tire manufactures share their latest EV-focused developments, with new technologies improving range, durability and sustainabilityl - and even helping to reduce road noise


This paper describes the optimization of a compliant motion task plan which guarantees the estimation of the inaccurately known position and orientation of the contacting objects to the required accuracy ("active sensing"). The task plan consists of: (1) the desired sequence of contact formations; and (2) the compliant path to execute during each of these contact formations. The plan is optimized to minimize the expected execution time, an important criterion in industrial applications. The theory is implemented for contacts between polyhedral objects.


In this work, a novel adaptive iterative learning control scheme is designed for robot manipulators with uncertain parameter and external perturbation under alignment condition. The analysis of convergence of proposed control law is based on composite energy function in the iteration domain containing position tracking error, velocity tracking error and parameter estimation error along both the time and iteration axis. Rigorous analysis indicate that both position tracking error and velocity tracking error converge to zero under alignment condition by compensation for the uncertain disturbances. Simulation results also confirm and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.


A computer model which treats the fluid dynamic aspects of a
transient fire in a two-room structure is described. In the model, the gas in each room is divided into two regions of uniform density: A ceiling layer which contains hot products of combustion, and a layer next to the floor which contains uncontaminated air. The fire plume entrains this fresh air, mixes it with hot combustion products and transports it to the ceiling layer. Flow through openings is
described by a calculation similar to that used for orifice flows. Fire growth, heat transfer to the walls, and other important features of a fire are described by ad hoc selection of parameters. The thickness and temperature of the ceiling layers and the rate of flow of hot and cold air through opening are calculated as a function of the time by numerical integration of ordinary differential equations derived from the conservation laws of mass and energy.
A number of examples are presented to illustrate the use of the program and some general scaling rules for the initial stages of a room fire.


European Parliament elections are often assumed to be 'second-order national elections' rather than genuinely European elections. As Ingeborg Tommel writes, the President of the European Commission has a key role to play, along with the Parliament, in shaping European integration. She argues that with the election of the next Commission President depending on the outcome of the European elections in May, it is vital that citizens make their views heard by going to the polls.


In order to study the failure mechanism and ultimate bearing capacity of weightless subsoil under rigid and flexible foundations,comparative studies are conducted for flexible foundation,rigid rough foundation and rigid smooth foundation in the case that the effect of soil dead-weight was negligible.Mohr-Coulomb inside-tangent circle yield criterion under associated flow rule was adopted.The ultimate failure state of subsoil from linear elasticity to plasticity gradually was modeled by incremental elastoplastic FEM.Some conclusions are drawn from computational results of three kinds of foundations mentioned above and model test results in the literature.It is shown that the weightless subsoil under rigid and flexible foundations have similar ultimate bearing capacity;while development trends of vertical stress and displacement,critical edge pressures and slip surfaces are obviously different.


The formulation of well-designed food products always being a very interesting sector in food science and technology. Based on the data stated by World Health Organization [1], diabetic patients have been risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 leading to the cause of major deaths in 2030. Starch is considered as a significant carbohydrate for human regime existing due to its high source of energy. Since starch is very easily digestible in small intestine and causes increment of blood glucose level, its consumption is very much detrimental for diabetes and obsessed patients. Consequently, it is abundant task to frame food products which can imitate with fiber materials. Resistant starch (RS) is getting acceptance among several food scientists and manufacturers [2]. RS, the starch fraction which is not digestible in smaller intestine and can be fermented through microflora in colon, lowering down its pH and prevents causes of colon cancer The valuable result of RS has been concise by several authors, which inhibits colon cancer, reduces insulin emic reaction to food, a valuable medium for the microorganisms in the intestine, preventive against formation of stones in gall bladder, controls higher cholesterol development, regulates fat accretion, and helps in assimilation of minerals [3]. Therefore RS can be an alternative approach for production of new, innovative functional food products especially for diabetes and obsessed individuals.


Proposals to combine the Circle Line with the Hammersmith & City Line to form a Y-shaped service are discussed. The plans would deliver a more reliable operation to the current service but will apply extra pressure to the interchange at Edgware Road, although this may be alleviated by reversing trains at High Street Kensington at off-peak times. New trains are also to be introduced: S (sub-surface) trains are to replace C stock (Circle and Hammersmith & City), D stock (District Line) and A stock (Metropolitan Line). These new trains will be longer in length creating issues with signalling and insufficient platform length. The expected plan is to first extend and integrate the lines then introduced the S stock in time for the Olympics followed by eventual replacement of the signalling systems. A decision regarding the plans is to be taken in Autumn 2008 with a view to introducing the new service pattern in December 2009.


Two phenomena in the early 1980's established the context for this book. In 1982, when the first "Baby Doe" case arose, public attention was briefly fixed on the question of what parents (and society) owed to the handicapped. That case involved a baby with Down's syndrome and additional life-threatening but surgically treatable complications whose parents did not wish to consent to treatment. State courts upheld the parents' right to make this decision and the baby died. The issue did not. For the following 2 years, the issue of the rights of-and society's duty to-handicapped newborns was widely debated. One strand of that argument holds that it is morally wrong for society to insist that, whenever possible, every handicapped child's life be preserved, if society is not also willing to give adequate support to the child and to the child's family in order to help them cope with the problems that handicap brings. That is, if society insists that these children must live, society has a correlative duty to provide them with resources sufficient to make their lives potentially rewarding.


This book offers a comprehensive view of the Dalai Lama, both his personal life and his thoughts on issues of global concern. An engaging picture emerges of man whose goodwill, understanding and practically have brought him respect from world leaders and the acclaim of millions around the world.


The actinide waste problem, the buildup of toxic isotopes in the fuel, the neutron activity associated with irradiated fuel, the $sup 252$Cf buildup problem, and the production of radioisotope power sources as broad areas that require actinide cross-section data are reviewed. Decay data enter into the area of radiological safety and health physics. A few cross-section measurements in progress at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator are also discussed. The availability of actinide samples through the Transuranium Program at Oak Ridge is discussed in considerable detail. The present data status with respect to the various applications is reviewed along with recommendations for improving the data base. (auth)


The era of Big Data analytics has begun in most industries within developed countries. This new analytics tool has raised motivation for experts and researchers to study its impacts to business values and challenges. However, studies which help to understand customers' views and their behavior towards the applications of Big Data analytics are lacking. This research aims to explore and determine the pros and cons of applying Big Data analytics that affects customers' responses in an e-commerce environment. Data analyses were conducted in a sample of 273 respondents from Vietnam. The findings found that information search, recommendation system, dynamic pricing, and customer services had significant positive effects on customers' responses. Privacy and security, shopping addiction, and group influences were found to have significant negative effects on customers' responses. Customers' responses were measured at intention and behavior stages. Moreover, positive and negative effects simultaneously presented significant effect on customers' responses. Each dimension of positive and negative factors had different significant impacts on customers' intention and behavior. Specifically, information search had a significant influence on customers' intention and improved customers' behavior. Shopping addiction had a drastic change from intention to behavior compared to group influences and privacy and security. This study contributes to improve understanding of customers' responses under big data era. This could play an important role to develop sustainable consumers market. E-vendors can rely on Big Data analytics but over usage may have some negative applications.


For 2030, the Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out 17 goals for sustaining ecological and social growth, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have mobilized countries around the world to integrate these goals into their national development strategies. However, the Agenda does not explain how these goals are interlinked, which limits their implementation. This paper therefore selects indicator data for 17 SDGs from the World Bank website for four groups of countries to estimate the network structure of the SDGs and the synergies and trade-offs between them, based on the Spearman coefficient. Based on this, the paper further uses a VAR model to identify priority targets among the SDGs and to predict the impact of achieving these targets 2 years earlier on other SDGs. It is found that the SDGs interact with each other in different historical periods, showing both synergies and trade-offs. And as the highest priority goal, the predictions in this paper suggest that SDG 6 has a strong positive impact on SDG 4 and SDG 8. This paper can help policy makers to allocate resources more effectively, maximize benefits, coordinate actions, adapt to future challenges and achieve global sustainable development goals.


We previously reported that a 25 kDa Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (BTI) delta-endotoxin potentiates the cytotoxicity of bleomycin (BLM) in cultured cells. In order to clarify the mechanism involved, we examined the induction of DNA strand breakage by BLM in the presence of BTI toxin. Results showed that the increase in strand breakage resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity through the synergistic potentiation of BLM with BTI toxin.


In guava plant, wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Psidii is the most destructive disease in India and losses due to this disease are substantial. Therefore, the present communication, deals with the management of guava wilt in Tarai regions of Uttarakhand. Among the four fungicides bioassayed in vitro, Propiconazole + Carbendazim and Carbendazim at 75 and 100 μg ml and Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 100 μg ml, respectively, were most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth (100%) followed by Carbendazim + Mancozeb causing 85 per cent mycelia growth at 75 μg ml, while Propiconazole was comparatively found less effective at all the concentrations. Under field conditions Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (10kg/l) as an individual treatment showed the best management of guava wilt (96.9% reduction over check) followed by Pant bioagent-3 (10kg/l) (94.9% reduction over check) and compost tea ( 1kg/l) (94.6% reduction over check). In combination treatments, systemic fungicides Propiconazole + Carbendazim (2g/l) found to be the best management against guava wilt (98.4%). So it is recommended to apply an integrated approach by using antagonists, bioagents, bioagent consortium and fungicides and their combinations to manage the wilt disease of guava.


When a combine harvester is harvesting in field under complicated conditions, vibration characteristics of the chassis frame under the excitation of multiple sources are complex and changeable. In order to analyze the vibration characteristics of the chassis frame of the combine harvester under complex working conditions and multisource excitation, this paper carried out three-dimensional modeling and static calculation of the chassis frame of the combine harvester. On this basis, the experimental modal analysis was carried out on the designed chassis frame, and finally, the vibration response under multiple excitations and complex working conditions was tested and analyzed in the field. Results showed that when the combine harvester was fully loaded, the maximum bending moment was at the load-bearing beam under the grain box. The maximum bending moment was 2298.08 N/m, and it was located at the cross section of the left end of the bearing beam at 1.61 m. When the components of the whole machine were working, the vibration of the chassis frame at the rear right was the most intense. The horizontal vibration of the threshing drum, the reciprocating motion generated by the vibrating screen, and the vertical vibration generated by the engine were the main vibration sources of the combine harvester in the three directions of X, Y, and Z. With the i\ncrease of engine speed, the excitation capacity of each working component connected to the engine on the whole machine increased. The results of this paper provide experimental basis for the research on the vibration characteristics of the chassis frame of the rice combine harvester under multisource excitation and also provide a reference for the further improvement of the chassis frame of the combine harvester.


Background Cultural, local dietary and social factors, the frequency of malignancy in the population studied are known to affect the epedimiology of dyspepsia. Clinical features are highly unreliable in determining the aetiology of dyspepsia. Alarm features are known to help in identifying underlying malignancy in patients with dyspepsia. However, very few studies are available from Asia validating the role of alarm features in dyspepsia. Methods 900 consecutive patients with dyspepsia were included in the study after recording relevant clinical details such as symptoms, duration, age, weight and alarm features. All patients underwent standard upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and the findings were recorded. All suspected malignancies were confirmed with histopathology. All malignancies and alarm features were statistically analysed using chi-square test for non-parametric data while ANOVA and students T-test were used for parametric data. Results On endoscopy, malignant lesions were seen in 5.5% of our subjects whereas alarm features were present in 22.9% of our subjects. Among the malignant lesions, esophageal malignancy was seen in 2.2%, gastric malignancy in 3.1% with the rest being a duodenal malignancy. All the alarm features put together had a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 81.2% respectively for predicting malignancy. Highest sensitivity and specificity was for weight loss (76%) and supraclavicular lymph nodes (99.8%) respectively. Based on ROC curve the optimal age to begin malignancy screening was 46.5 years. Conclusions Alarm features are a reasonable and effective tool for identifying upper gastrointestinal malignancies in patients with dyspepsia. Amongst all the alarm features weight loss is the best screening tool. The appropriate age to begin screening for malignancy appears to be 46.5 years.


In this paper, we study a class of multilinear Gibbs measures with Hamiltonian given by a generalized $\mathrm{U}$-statistic and with a general base measure. Expressing the asymptotic free energy as an optimization problem over a space of functions, we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for replica-symmetry. Utilizing this, we obtain weak limits for a large class of statistics of interest, which includes the ''local fields/magnetization'', the Hamiltonian, the global magnetization, etc. An interesting consequence is a universal weak law for contrasts under replica symmetry, namely, $n^{-1}\sum_{i=1}^n c_i X_i\to 0$ weakly, if $\sum_{i=1}^n c_i=o(n)$. Our results yield a probabilistic interpretation for the optimizers arising out of the limiting free energy. We also prove the existence of a sharp phase transition point in terms of the temperature parameter, thereby generalizing existing results that were only known for quadratic Hamiltonians. As a by-product of our proof technique, we obtain exponential concentration bounds on local and global magnetizations, which are of independent interest.


Abstract A near-infrared spectrum of Neptune's satellite Nereid was obtained at the Keck Observatory on 1997 May 1. The spectrum shows two absorptions near 1.54 and 2.03 μm and is well matched by a synthetic spectrum of an intimate mix of low-temperature, particulate water ice and dark, blue-colored material. Comparisons of Nereid's spectrum with those of other objects such as the Centaurs 1997 CU 26 and 5145 Pholus, and Neptune's largest regular satellite Proteus, admit the possibility that Nereid is a primordial satellite of Neptune (and perhaps its only remaining one) rather than a captured object, but more data are needed to rule out one scenario or the other.


In the domain of software engineering, tracking metrics and evaluating developer performance has been a field of great interest. Project managers are constantly looking to understand the performance of their team, which can help plan for future projects as well as identify potential issues. While the development process has been the focus of many of these metrics over the years, there is a lack of understanding on how to best keep metrics and track performance on a maintenance team. Many organizations have two separate resource pools. One is dedicated to the development of new applications, while another is tasked at maintaining the current system. In software engineering industry, there are many metrics that can quantitatively measure the performance of a software developer, however there are few if any metrics geared towards the maintenance group. Because they are completely separate functions in the software world, this paper proposes a new metric technique to measure maintenance programmer's performance.


The recently proposed local hard−soft acid−base principle characterizes the reactive centers of two systems on the basis of equal Fukui functions or/and equal local softnesses. We make a quantum chemical study of this principle using ab initio and density functional calculations in cases where the global softnesses of the reacting systems are different. We consider reactions of a dimer cluster model of faujasite X-type zeolite with the probe molecules CO, NH3, and H2O.


Our research has been concerned with learning-disabled (LD) children, and we have determined their dichotic auditory fusion levels (AFLs) in relation t o several other measures. For the AFL task, two brief clicks were presented, one t o each ear, with a variable interval and the child responded as hearing "one" or "two" clicks. The fusion threshold was determined by appropriate psychophysical measures. We also used the Harris Test of Lateral Preference for measuring preferences of hand, eye and foot. Subjects were 19 LD children in a special school and 20 comparison children (CG) attending regular classes. They were eight t o nine years old (means: 9 8 months for LD; 115 months for CG). There were n o group differences in the incidence of various combinations of lateral preferences: consistent right ( R ) preferences were found for 11 LD and 10 CG children, whereas the others were considered as mixed (M) preferences, which included one LD and two controls with consistent left preferences. The mean AFLs (msec) for the lateral subgroups were: 1.1 0 5 for CG-R; 1.465 for CG-M; 1.515 for LD-R; and 1.880 for LD-M. Statistical analyses indicated significantly longer AFLs for the LD than CG group, and also for M and R lateral subgroups, including those in CG. Among the LD children the M subgroup also was substantially poorer than the R subgroup on measures of consonant discriminations (Wepman Test), auditory-verbal abilities (ITPA), academic achievement, and childhood history of language development. Also, for the LD-M children, but not for any of the other subgroups, there were significant correlations between individual test scores and AFLs. There were no significant correlations between any of these measures and chronological age or I.Q. What is the importance of these findings t o the present topic of developmental processes in lateralization? For normal children lateral preferences seem t o be established before the age of 7 years, so that our 8?h-year-old controls can be expected to have stable preference patterns. Concerning the LD children, we cannot predict whether their preferences will change with further development, but this seems unlikely because this group has the same incidence of preference patterns as the CG. Although developmental data for AFL are not available, we can expect this function t o be established at an early age because it seems prerequisite t o the development of adequate language abilities, especially consonant discriminations. Our findings provide new evidence about the importance of lateral preferences, both for LD and for normal children. Mixed laterality in normal subjects does not appear to affect cognitive and perceptual functions since there were n o significant differences between the comparison subgroups-the scores on the language tests were actually somewhat better for the CG-M than CG-R subgroup. However, for LD children, mixed lateral preferences have profound effects in


Background Narratives in sign languages such as British Sign Language (BSL) make use of two main types of perspective: character perspective where events are relayed from the perspective of a referent in the story, and observer perspective where events are relayed from the perspective of a narrator observing the scene from the outside, or the signer him/herself. Character perspective largely involves use of constructed action (CA), which involves use of the signer's head, face and/or body to describe a referent's actions, thoughts or feelings, as shown in Figure 1.


The linear viscoelasticity of coacervates formed by oppositely charged polyelectrolytes in the salt solution is reviewed, with a focus on time-temperature, time-salt, time-pH, and time-hydration superpositions, and on fundamental relaxation mechanisms. A variety of polyelectrolyte pairs are covered, showing the frequent, but not universal, success of the time-salt superposition. Master curves in many cases are similar to those for neutral polymers, including Rouse and reptation theories. However, in some cases, solidlike, as opposed to fluidlike, response is observed at low frequencies, especially at low salt concentrations. Some coacervates seem to fit "sticky diffusion" theory reasonably well, wherein relaxation is controlled by the breakage rate of ion pairs; the dependence of the "sticker" lifetime on salt concentration has been explored but is not well understood as yet. It is also possible that local relaxation is not controlled by breakage of ion pairs but by cooperative, "glassy," relaxation of monomers, salt ions, and water molecules. Compilation and comparison of different datasets and suggested formulas for rheological time constants are presented, and some suggestions are given for future directions.


Background Vitamin D is an important steroid that can regulate bone metabolism including osteoclast (OC) differentiation. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 5 (TRPV5), is a calcium channel protein involved in OC differentiation. However, the impact of vitamin D on TRPV5 expression during OC differentiation is not clear. Objectives To determine if 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) regulates the expression of TRPV5 during OC differentiation. Methods Bone marrow mononuclear macrophage (BMMs) were induced to differentiate into OC with or without treatment with 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3. The expression levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and TRPV5 were examined. The expression of several OC markers, including tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), carbonic anhydrase II (Ca II), cathepsin K (CTSK), and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) were also detected. Results We found that the VDR was expressed in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages at the early stage of OC differentiation. TRPV5 expression was increased during OC differentiation, which was down-regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 after a prolonged exposure. The 1,25(OH)2D3 and TRPV5 inhibitors inhibited OC differentiation. Conclusions 1,25(OH)2D3 can inhibit TRPV5 expression as well as TRPV5 inhibitors during OC differentiation. This suggests that 1,25(OH)2D3 may suppress OC differentiation by inhibiting TRPV5 expression.


The more vegetable the oilseed rape thrives before winter, the more seed yield is harvested after spring under certain condition. This is an important high - yield law for winter rape. As for the condition,it means the integration of climate,cultivar and cultivating technology. Science is the process of drawing sufficient conclusion from experimental data and fact. Law is just links among the essences of things.The law of high- yield in oilseed rape has dependable foundation,and also is tested and verified through field experiments and high - yield practice.


In this study, it is aimed at analyzing the guide book for teachers of music lesson in 8 th class of primary education under learning field, attainment and efficiency dimensions, determining coincidence of mentioned dimensions and specifying functionality levels of these dimensions in music education. In the direction of specified goal, the data has been collected by scanning literature and analyzing documentation. Under research findings, the learning field, it is deduced that the learning field in relation to "Birlikte Seslendirelim and Ataturk'um" Captions in Guide Book for Teachers of Music Lesson in 8 th Class coincides with efficiency dimensions, and they are determined according to desired activities in teaching of the issue, and the learning field in relation to Captions "Istiklal Marsi'miz, 9/8'lik Aksak Olcu, Gururla Soyluyorum, Seslerin Oyunu, Muzikte Dizileri Taniyalim, Senkop (Aksatim), Sanat ve Muzik, Turkulerimizin Oykuleri, Kendi Ritim Kalibimi Olusturuyorum, Muzikte Cok Seslilik, Geleneksel Muziklerimiz, Benim Ezgim, Ezgilerimiz, Ata'mizin Gozuyle Muzik ve Muzigin Evrenselligi" coincides with attainment dimensions and they are determined according to desired activities in teaching of the issue, but there are shortcomings in learning field, attainment and efficiency dimensions. Under these conclusions, it is established that functionality levels of learning field-attainment-efficiency that mentioned in guide book for teachers of music lesson in 8 th class of primary education, in the process of music education are too low.


In view of it is often needed to measure the value of the inductance capacitance and signal frequency in the welding and the debugging process of the electronic circuit, specialized equipment due to the huge volume of expensive equipment which is difficult to measure, we use SCM to design a portable measuring instrument which have low cost and can measure the value of inductance and capacitance, as well as signal frequency. It can meet the demand of precision after testing, so as to reach requirements for measuring instrument.


Submitted for the MAR08 Meeting of The American Physical Society Stretch-Induced density fluctuations in glassy polymers MIKIHITO TAKENAKA, SHOTARO NISHITSUJI, SHIMIZU HIROFUMI, Kyoto University, SHIN'YA YOSHIOKA, Osaka City University — Glass materials are hard but fragile. The fragileness of glass strongly depends on its processing and the heterogeneity developed during the processing in glass materials may be important in its destruction under deformation. However, the mechanism how the heterogeneity develops into cavitation or cracking is not well understood. Here we show that the stretch induced the violation of the incompressibility by the coupling between the stretch and density fluctuations due to the strong density dependence of viscosity in glassy polymer. We demonstrate that the small-angle X-ray scattering intensity of a glassy polymer increases with stretch and exhibits so-called butterfly pattern. This butterfly pattern agrees with that calculated with the Navier-Stokes equation including the density dependence of viscosity proposed by Furukawa and Tanaka [Nature, 443, 434 (2006)]. Moreover, the shear-thinning behavior agrees with the simulation results with the Navier-Stokes equation. Our results explored that the origin of the cavitation of glassy polymer is the violation of the incompressibility by the coupling between the stretch and density fluctuations. Mikihito Takenaka Kyoto University Date submitted: 02 Dec 2007 Electronic form version 1.4


Coronary vessel development is a highly coordinated process during heart formation. Abnormal development and dysfunction of the coronary network are contributory factors in the majority of heart disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate coronary vessel formation is crucial for preventing and treating the disease. We report a zebrafish gene-trap vinculin b (vclb) mutant that displays abnormal coronary vessel development among multiple cardiac defects. The mutant shows overproliferation of epicardium-derived cells and disorganization of coronary vessels, and they eventually die off at juvenile stages. Mechanistically, Vclb deficiency results in the release of another cytoskeletal protein, paxillin, from the Vclb complex and the upregulation of ERK and FAK phosphorylation in epicardium and endocardium, causing disorganization of endothelial cells and pericytes during coronary vessel development. By contrast, cardiac muscle development is relatively normal, probably owing to redundancy with Vcla, a vinculin paralog that is expressed in the myocardium but not epicardium. Together, our results reveal a previously unappreciated function of vinculin in epicardium and endocardium and reinforce the notion that well-balanced FAK activity is essential for coronary vessel development. Summary: The focal adhesion protein vinculin is required in epicardium and endocardium; its depletion leads to dysregulated FAK signalling and a phenotype mimicking dilated cardiomyopathy.


Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal death worldwide, and is estimated to occur in 2-8% of the entire population. Various hematological abnormalities can be found in preeclampsia and one of them is. Various methods are used to measure platelet function, for example, mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Patients with preeclampsia sometimes has normal or elevated thrombocytes, thus the evaluation of MPV, PDW and PCT can also be helpful in these cases. Methods. This study is an analytical study, and to analyze the value the three parameters (MPV, PDW and PCT) on the incidence of preeclampsia, a Diagnostic Test will be done. As for the three difference parameters (MPV, PDW and PCT) in the preeclampsia group with normal pregnancies, a case control study will be done. Results. The mean PCT values in pregnancies with preeclampsia were lower than normal pregnancies and found to have higher difference. The high AUC MPV and PDW values were found with each cutoff value at the level of ≥ 11.3% and ≥ 13.4% with very good sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. The lowest AUC PCT value was found and the cutoff value was <0.32% with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and good negative predictive value. There is a significant difference between the increase in MPV and PDW values and a decrease in PCT values with the incidence of preeclampsia.


If the coronavirus outbreak globally stretches on longer than we anticipated, then the huge number of people will get sick and the disruptions to daily life become even more severe then the early flaws in the testing process will bear a lot of the blame. There were some early problems with testing and that they are getting better now. But those early failures will help define the entire scope of this pandemic, and there's not much we can do now to reverse the damage. Actually, we do not know how many people globally in general and in India in particular have the coronavirus. We know the official count is too low and that the number of confirmed cases is likely to explode in the coming weeks as testing improves. Widespread, accurate testing has been a key component of other countries' success in bringing their outbreaks under control.

In what could spell real trouble for India is in the next three months, a new report from prestigious Johns Hopkins University and the Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) has predicted that 21-day lockdown may be ineffective to stop the COVID-19 peak arriving in April-May-June - infecting few lakhs Indians in an optimistic (low) scenario. In the current lockdowns if the proper physical distancing or compliance is not properly followed, the total number of cases (asymptomatic, hospitalized and symptomatic) can even touch a massive figure.

In the most likely (Medium) scenario with moderate to full compliance but no change in virulence or temperature/humidity sensitivity, the numbers of total cases can swell up to few lakhs. The optimistic (low) scenario constitutes decreased virulence and temperature/humidity sensitivity. To reach these numbers, Johns Hopkins and CDDEP - a public health research organisation - used IndiaSIM, a well-validated agent-based model of the Indian population, which has been published widely over many years and has been used for government decision-making has speculated a high number of cases for India. Therefore the real focus should be on raising the testing, procuring the N95-masks, and protective gowns of the doctors and nurses, Ventilators and quarantine places.


MPEG surround is one of the most popular multichannel audio coding standards used today. In producing quality sound, there are several parts that are influential, but those that are directly related to sound reproduction, one of which is the method of downmixing, mixing the right channels will improve the quality of the sound produced. Because this research is closely related to data computing, the Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) application is used. There are 2 stages carried out in the MATLAB application, namely the encoding and decoding process. In the encoding process in MATLAB, each audio channel is set according to a previously designed scheme. The results of this encoding are then decoded, so that the ODG value of each tested audio channel is obtained. In his presentation, the design and analysis of several domnmixing schemes was carried out. There are 5 schemes tested and to determine the performance of each scheme, these schemes are tested at high bitrates, from the range of 1000 Kbps to 2000 Kbps. Based on the test, it was found that the effect of increasing the bitrate is directly proportional to the resulting audio quality. During testing Scheme-5 has a better level of stability among all downmixing schemes and the average percentage increase in Objective Difference Grade (ODG) for all audio samples is 9.6927 %.


There is considerable interest among mobile satellite service providers in interworking with terrestrial networks to provide a universal global network. With such interworking, subscribers may be provided a common set of services such as those planned for the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and future Intelligent Networks (IN's). This paper first reviews issues in satellite interworking. Next the status and interworking plans of terrestrial mobile communications service providers are examined with early examples of mobile satellite interworking including a discussion of the anticipated evolution towards full interworking between mobile satellite and both fixed and mobile terrestrial networks.


This paper investigates whether the observed diversification "discount" is partly due to the benchmarking error driven by a failure to consider investor recognition, the driver for one of the benefits of corporate diversification. The R-square of regression on the traditional excess value increases more than 50% and the coefficient of the diversified dummy drops more than 20% when the investor recognition proxy is included. In diversifying acquisitions involving targets with low investor recognition, the target firms are traded at a discount, however, the market reaction for those deals are favorable. Investor recognition is positively related to the excess value for standalone firms, acquisition targets, and spunoff units. My findings suggest that the benchmarking error caused by investor recognition explains a significant part of the diversification "discount" and researchers should use the benchmarking procedure with care.


This paper investigates the vibro-acoustic problems of an elastic compartment structure (wheel house) belonging to a ship, coupled to the enclosed air. The excitations from the structural walls of the room by the sound source cause vibrations throughout the system and noise within the acoustic domain. Due to the coupling between the structural vibrations and acoustic pressure field, these systems are typically referred to as vibro-acoustic systems. The acoustic excitations and vibrations on the structural walls of a ship structure, however, are significantly larger and have a much more significant effect to the structural integrity of the ship. In order to determine whether coupled responses are needed, three frequency analyses have been performed: calculus of the first 5 natural frequencies of the fluid separately, the structure separately, and the fluid-structure coupled system. The wall thickness of the room walls is of 5 mm and made of layered composite. The stress analysis of the model at a highly participating structural mode is performed.


The nondestructive beam detector systems originated at Argonne National Laboratory allow continuous measurement of the proton beam position and beam profile in the Zero Gradient Synchrotron (ZGS) during the accelerating and targeting cycle. Nondestructive detection is accomplished by collecting the ions produced by the proton beam ionizing residual gas in the vacuum chamber. The amplitude of the electrical currents obtained by collecting these ions onto a variety of electrodes depends on the distribution of the protons in the beam. The characteristics of the electric signals make them suitable as inputs to computer systems. Both analog and digital techniques have been used to determine beam position and profile. These beam detection systems have been used for measuring the properties of the 50 MeV beam between the injector linac and the synchrotron ring; for studying the steering and the radial growth of the size of the beam during acceleration; and for measurements during the targeting sequences.


After having relocated the debate on human rights within the post- Cold War framework, supported by the Hegelian idea of the "negativity" of rights, this article aims at deepening the analysis of struggles in the defense of human rights, by providing elements for a phenomenology of the public space. Supported by the work of Claude Lefort and Jan Patocka, this phenomenology in turn leads to enlarging the political role of human rights and discarding modern legal thinking based on confusion between rights and subjectivity. The author therefore states for a radical meaning of struggles in the defense of human rights, which consists in inscribing the idea of humanity within the law and struggling against the tendency of the law to become self-sufficient. This approach has its empirical basis in a comparative analysis between European-Oriental dissidence and Colombian popular movements. Finally, the article issues a warning on the need for renewed criticism of democracy.


The American Museum of Natural History in New York City has built a new exhibit space—The Hall of Planet Earth. This hall highlights earth processes using various exhibits including actual rocks and core samples, demonstration models, and video display stations. One specific scientific area that the museum wants to highlight is that of modeling and simulation. Los Alamos has a long history in this area through our involvement in programs such as the DOE Grand Challenges and the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics. Because of this, we were asked to participate in the design of, and provide content for, five exhibits designed to showcase modeling and simulation of individual earth processes. This paper briefly describes the scientific visualizations developed and used to model atmosphere, ocean, and mantle processes for the American Museum of Natural History's exhibit.


Background & Objective: It is reported that acute forced swimming stress induces analgesia immediately, and chronic stress induces hyperalgesia. Whereas in response to nociceptive stimulation, small-diameter C-fibers of the excitatory system in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord are activated, therefore, in the present study, the effects of C-fiber lesion in stress and dexamethasone-induced analgesia and hyperalgesia in acute and chronic forms were investigated using Tail-Flick test. Methods: Adults Wistar male rats (180-200 g) were assigned into three groups (n=7): C-normal (intact C-fibers), sham (received capsaicin vehicle at neonate stage) and C-lesion (received capsaicin at neonate stage). Forced swim stress (10 min/day) in water (18±1 oC) was considered as acute stress and repeated daily forced swim stress as chronic stress, also single-dose of dexamethasone (2 mg/kg, i.p.) was considered as acute dexamethasone and repeated for three days as chronic dexamethasone. Neonatal capsaicin treatment was used for C-fibers depletion. The nociceptive thermal threshold was assessed using Tail-Flick test. Results: In C-lesion group, thermal pain sensitivity was reduced (P<0.001). Acute stress in C-normal group, reduced pain (P<0.001) and in C-lesion group, it caused deeper antinociception in Tail-Flick (P<0.001). Chronic stress and acute-chronic dexamethasone in C-normal group, created hyperalgesia (P<0.001) and induced analgesia in C-lesion groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: It seems that presence of C-fiber is so important in thermal pain transmission in Tail-Flick test; therefore, C-fiber lesion, reduces pain sensitivity (analgesia), increases antinociception effects of acute stress, decreases hyperalgesia of chronic-stress and acute-chronic dexamethasone.