Purpose: To investigate the findings of diffusion-weighted MR imaging in patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) Materials and Methods: Between August 1996 and June 1999, 41 TIA patients [M:F = 28:13, mean age 57 (range, 27-75) years] with neurologic symptoms lasting less than 24 hours underwent diffusion-weighted MR imaging. The time interval between the onset of symptoms and MR examination was less than one week in 29 patients, from one week to one month in eight, and undetermined in four. Conventional MR and DWI were compared in terms of location of infarction and lesion size (3 cm), and we also determined the anatomical vascular territory of acute stroke lesions and possible etiologic mechanisms. Results: The findings of DWI were normal in 24/41 patients (58.5%), while 15 (36.6%) showed acute ischemic lesions. The other two showed old lacunar infarcts. All acute and old DWI lesions were revealed by conventionalMR imaging. Among the 15 acute stroke patients, seven had small vessel lacunar disease. In three patients, the infarction was less than 1 cm in size. Six patients showed large vessel infarction in the territory of the MCA, PCA, and PICA; the size of this was less than 1 cm in three patients, 1-3 cm in two, and more than 3 cm in one. In two patients, embolic infarction of cardiac origin in the territory of the MCA and AICA was diagnosed. Conclusion: The possible mechanism of TIA is still undetermined, but acute lesions revealed by DWI in TIA patients tend, in any case, to be small and multiple.


Patient adherence to antiretroviral combination therapy is a critical component to successful treatment outcome. Nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a major challenge to AIDS care, and the risks associated with it are extensive. The intention of this study was to determine prevalence and associated factors with adherence to highly active ART among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at the Debrebrihan Referral Hospital and Health Center, Northeast Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design with systematic random sampling conducted by the use of a structured, pretested self-rating adherence questionnaire was used to conduct the study among 422 respondents from the Debrebrihan Referral Hospital and Health Center. A single population proportion formula at 95% CI with 5% of marginal error at 50% of prevalence of occurrence was used to determine sample size. Adherence was defined as not missing a single ART dose during the 30-day period prior to filling out the self-report. Adherence was measured by self-reports by the patients. These results were then used in binary logistic regression analysis. Covariates were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression with SPSS statistical software. The total number of respondents in this study was 422; their median age was 35 years. Among the participants, 95.5% were taking their medication without missing a dose. Factors such as having emotional or practical support positively encouraged ART adherence (adjusted odds ratio 0.16 [95% CI 0.05–0.49]). However, users of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) (adjusted odds ratio 4.7 [95% CI 1.06–21.22]) had nearly a five times higher risk for ART nonadherence (P,0.05) than those not using TCAM. Adherence to ART among PLWA is imperative and standard. But, there is still a need to boost psychological support and practical support for the clients, and there is also a need to create a more integra-tive approach with TCAM in order to increase adherence to ART. Strengthening emotional and practical support for PLWHA and integrating TCAM with the proper use of ART are mandatory to enhance ART adherence.


Variations in fruits morphology of Tilia spp. were studied along longitudinal and altitudinal range. Ten populations of Tilia spp. from Golestan, Mazandaran and Gilan Provinces (N. Iran) were selected. After biometrical measurements and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM), Cluster Analysis divided the population into seven groups. Discriminat Analysis showed that among all traits studied, size of rib, thickness, density of down and fruits colour traits have outstanding role in separation of groups. In first and second groups, fruits have smooth surface and tiny shell, but group two due to globose fruit without visible rib is different from group one. Surface dense tomentose with light brown colour is differentiating characters of third group. Prominent ribs are related to groups four and five but density of down surface in fifth group is much greater than the forth group. Distinguishable character of the sixth group is woody shell velutinous with less prominent ribs. Only one tree form Dalir population (Valley of Chalous) due to its completely different form (cup form) made seventh group. From view point of SEM, third group with having simple trichome differed with first, second, forth, sixth and seventh groups that have stellate trichome. Trees in the fifth group are varied in this trait, some trees have stellate trichome and some others have simple trichome. In conclusion, this research reports two new forms of the genus Tilia in the north of Iran and it can be stated that the presence of other species from this genus in the north of Iran is possible.


The aim of this work is to limit charge injection from a semi-conducting electrode into low density polyethylene (LDPE) under dc field by tailoring the polymer surface using a silver nanoparticles-containing layer. The layer is composed of a plane of silver nanoparticles embedded in a semi-insulating organosilicon matrix deposited on the polyethylene surface by a plasma process. Size, density and surface coverage of the nanoparticles are controlled through the plasma process. Space charge distribution in 300 μm thick LDPE samples is measured by the pulsed-electroacoustic technique following a short term (step-wise voltage increase up to 50 kV mm−1, 20 min in duration each, followed by a polarity inversion) and a longer term (up to 12 h under 40 kV mm−1) protocols for voltage application. A comparative study of space charge distribution between a reference polyethylene sample and the tailored samples is presented. It is shown that the barrier effect depends on the size distribution and the surface area covered by the nanoparticles: 15 nm (average size) silver nanoparticles with a high surface density but still not percolating form an efficient barrier layer that suppress charge injection. It is worthy to note that charge injection is detected for samples tailored with (i) percolating nanoparticles embedded in organosilicon layer; (ii) with organosilicon layer only, without nanoparticles and (iii) with smaller size silver particles (<10 nm) embedded in organosilicon layer. The amount of injected charges in the tailored samples increases gradually in the samples ranking given above. The mechanism of charge injection mitigation is discussed on the basis of complementary experiments carried out on the nanocomposite layer such as surface potential measurements. The ability of silver clusters to stabilize electrical charges close to the electrode thereby counterbalancing the applied field appears to be a key factor in explaining the charge injection mitigation effect.


Beams of argon ions with energies less than 50 eV were extracted from an ion source through a wire electrode extractor geometry. A retarding potential energy analyzer (RPEA) was constructed in order to characterize the extracted ion beams. The single aperture RPEA was used to determine the ion energy distribution function, the mean ion energy and the ion beam energy spread. The multi-cusp hot cathode ion source was capable of producing a low electron temperature gas discharge to form quiescent plasmas from which ion beam energy as low as 5 eV was realized. At 50 V extraction potential and 0.1 A discharge current, the ion beam current density was around 0.37 mA/cm(2) with an energy spread of 3.6 V or 6.5% of the mean ion energy. The maximum ion beam current density extracted from the source was 0.57 mA/cm(2) for a 50 eV ion beam and 1.78 mA/cm(2) for a 100 eV ion beam.


The national security research community in Beijing is dominated by think tanks and other research institutes affiliated with specific governmental institutions. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) maintains its own set of internal and affiliated research institutions, performing a variety of intelligence, exchange and research functions. The growth and professionalization of the Chinese military think tank community, combined with the widening degree of interaction between PLA researchers and foreigners presents a new set of challenges and opportunities for scholarly research. On the one hand, the new environment complicates the task of outside scholars as they seek to understand the biases and reliability of new sources of information. At the same time, it offers foreign scholars an unprecedented opportunity to test theories, delve into new research and improve understanding of the PLA. This article examines the roles, missions and composition of the units in this system, assesses the influence, authoritativeness and utility of the output from these organs, and offers some preliminary implications for Western study of the Chinese military.


ABSTRACT Digital recordings can be an efficient method of providing feedback comments to students; however, the vast majority of empirical studies have focused on tertiary contexts. In response, this article presents a mixed-methods survey study of secondary students' engagement, preferences and perceived impact of digitally recorded feedback. Participants were 260 secondary students who had recently received at least one digital recording offering assessment feedback comments. Matching survey data from 86 tertiary students are also included as a point of comparison. Overall, the digital recordings were well received by secondary students, and were generally thought to have greater impact than text-based feedback. However, secondary students were less positive than tertiary students with regard to their perceptions of preference and impact of recorded feedback over text-based feedback. The article concludes that digitally recorded feedback should be adopted in secondary schools and offers suggestions to obtain the best outcomes for students.


A theoretical method for the prediction of illuminance under diverse sky conditions was proposed in order to examine the variation of daylight illuminance at photosensors. The method was used to predict the illuminance of photosensor with a full-shielding condition. The prediction results were validated using the results of field measurement under various daylight conditions. Results imply that the predicted values were lower than those of measurement under clear and partly-cloudy sky, but the predicted values were greater under overcast sky. Percent differences between predicted and measured values decreased as the distant between window and photosensor positions increased. The coefficient of determination between predicted and measured global illuminance was greater than 0.9912 under all sky conditions. The correlation between predicted and measured photosensor illuminance was also strong under clear and partly-cloudy sky, but the correlation was weak under overcast sky. Statistical test results showed that the linear regression models between predicted and measured values were acceptable with a significance level of 0.01.


If considering that the pronouncedly charged halide anions are ubiquitous in the biological world, then it is interesting to ask whether the halogen-ionic bridges-this term is named by us to describe the interaction motif of a nonbonded halogen ion with two or more electrophiles simultaneously-commonly exist in biomolecules and how they contribute to the stability and specificity of biomolecular folding and binding? To address these problems, we herein present a particularly systematic investigation on the geometrical profile and the energy landscape of halogen ions interacting with and bridging between polar and charged molecular moieties in small model systems and real crystal structures, by means of ab initio calculation, database survey, continuum electrostatic analysis, and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics examination. All of these unequivocally demonstrate that this putative halide motif is broadly distributed in biomolecular systems (>6000) and can confer a substantial stabilization for the architecture of proteins and their complexes with nucleic acids and small ligands. This stabilization energy is estimated to be generally more than 100 kcal·mol(-1) for gas-phase states or about 20 kcal·mol(-1) for solution conditions, which is much greater than that found in sophisticated water-mediated (<10 kcal·mol(-1)) and salt (∼ 3.66 kcal·mol(-1)) bridges. In this respect, we would expect that the proposed halogen-ionic bridge, which has long been unrecognized in the arena of biological repertoires, could be appreciated in chemistry and biology communities and might be exploited as a new and versatile tool for rational drug design and bioengineering.


Objective: The kinetics of magnesium (Mg) absorption, after drinking Magnesia mineral water (204 mg Mg/L), was investigated in healthy humans aged (23–60 yrs). Methods: Serum Mg, calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and sodium (Na) content, blood hemoglobin, erythrocyte and white blood cell counts as well as urinary volume and urine Mg content were evaluated. Subjects drank 1.5 liters of Magnesia in 30 minutes; blood and the other tests were taken at 0, 2, 6, 24 and 48 hours, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Serum ion quotient was calculated. Serum Mg levels increased in all cases, and returned to individual normal values after 48 hrs. Subjects drank copious amounts of the mineral water only on the first two days, later they consumed one glass of mineral water at a time, totalling 1–1.5 liters daily. Results: Urinary volume and its Mg content significantly increased, with individual differences in urine Mg content depending on degrees of tissue Mg deficiency. For example, two subjects, who had the same initial serum Mg levels (79 m/M/L), responded to consumption of Magnesia mineral water similarly, with comparable rise of serum Mg but with different urinary Mg excretion, one rapidly excreting Mg, while the other lost less Mg over a longer period of time. The retention of more Mg in one than the other suggests that she had a "hidden" tissue Mg deficiency, despite a serum Mg level within normal limits. No subject experienced ECG or rhythm disturbance, and blood pressure remained unchanged during the study. One patient developed diarrhea. Conclusion: Magnesia's high Mg (204 mg/M) and low Na (5.4 mg/L) content makes it an excellent source of Mg for patients suffering from heart problems and/or high blood pressure.


Alterations to the abundance and distribution of plants, especially shrubs, have been predicted by warming experiments and confirmed by remote‐sensing analyses and land‐based observations in the Low Arctic. In the High Arctic, analyses of satellite images suggest a recent increase in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and warming experiments have shown a positive correlation between temperature and shrub cover, but little is known about the responses of natural systems. In this context, we investigated populations of Arctic willow (Salix arctica Pall.) to assess the potential contribution of this structuring species to High Arctic shrubification.


Summary: Two methylotrophic bacteria having similar cell morphologies have been isolated from cultures of "Methylobacterium ethanolicum" grown on methane. One of these, strain POC, is an obligate methanotroph containing the serine pathway and Type II intracytoplasmic membranes, which appears to be a "Methylocystis" species. The second organism, strain H4-14, can fix N2 and grows on a variety of substrates, including methanol, formate, ethanol, succinate, fructose and H2 + CO2; during growth on methanol, carbon is assimilated via the Calvin-Benson cycle. Strain H4-14 appears to be a Xanthobacter species. Mixtures of the two organisms formed stable associations during growth on methane, consisting of approximately 5-20% H4-14 and 80-95% POC. Strain POC excreted biotin, which was required by strain H4-14. Our results suggest that "Methylobacterium ethanolicum" cultures grown on methane consist of a syntrophic association of two methylotrophs.


The authors reviewed the cases of 146 patients with 206 injuries to the major vessels at the base of the neck, the common carotid, subclavian, and innominate arteries and their accompanying veins. The predominate injury was arterial in 49% of the patients. Forty-five patients, or 32% of the series, showed no diagnostic signs. These patients were explored because of penetrating trauma in proximity to a major vessel, confirming the validity of this concept. The operative approach to injuries in this region is described. Vascular control and repair was usually possible, using the oblique cervical or horizontal clavicular incision with resection of the medial half of the clavicle. Eleven patients died, yielding an overall mortality of 7.5%.


The solar wind in the upwind region has been well modeled using a pickup ion (PUI) mediated MHD model (Zank et al.). It suggests that PUIs have an important role in heating the solar wind in the outer heliosphere. However, the solar wind in the downwind region is not as well understood. Here, we compare the Zank et al. model with Pioneer 10 observations, which allows us to investigate the downwind solar wind out to 60 au. We use a model in which the hydrogen temperature is finite to obtain a proper hydrogen number density distribution in the downwind region and incorporate it into the model. Our results explain Pioneer 10 observations well and indicate that the heating due to PUIs is less effective than in the upwind region since the density of PUIs in the downwind region is less than the upwind PUIs density. We also derive parameters at several possible locations of the downwind termination shock.


Routinely diagnosed simple solid carcinoma (SSC) of the canine mammary gland comprises a heterogeneous group of tumors. Seventy-two cases that had been diagnosed as SSC based on hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissue sections were reclassified immunohistochemically on the basis of myoepithelial markers p63 and α-smooth muscle actin, as well as a luminal epithelial marker cytokeratin 8. Only 23 cases (32%) were true SSC, composed only of luminal epithelial cells, whereas 11 cases (15%) were malignant myoepithelioma (MM), composed predominantly of myoepithelial cells, and 38 cases (53%) were biphasic carcinoma (BC), characterized by biphasic proliferation of luminal epithelial and basal/myoepithelial components. As the pathological parameters were compared between the reclassified tumor types, infiltrative potential, vascular/lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Ki-67 labeling index were higher in true SSC compared with MM and BC, suggesting that the former may exhibit a poorer prognosis compared with the latter two.


In genome analysis, it is often important to identify variants from a reference genome. However, identifying variants that occur with low frequency can be challenging, as it is computationally intensive to do so accurately. LoFreq is a widely used program that is adept at identifying low frequency variants. This paper presents an FPGA-based accelerator for LoFreq. In particular, this accelerator is targeted at virus analysis, which is particularly challenging, compared to human genome analysis, as the characteristics of the data to be analyzed are fundamentally different. This accelerator can achieve up to 120× speedups on the core computation of LoFreq and speedups of up to 32.4× across the entire program.


Background: Hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a rapidly expanding field, and preoperative factors predictive of persistent postoperative pain are currently unknown. Purpose: To identify predictors for persistent postoperative pain at the site of surgery after hip arthroscopy for FAIS. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS and had a minimum 2-year follow-up with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were included in this study. Patients with previous open hip surgery and diagnoses other than FAIS were excluded. Patients were grouped by visual analog scale scores for pain as limited (<30) and persistent (≥30). Patient factors and outcomes were analyzed with univariate and correlation analyses to build a logistic regression model to identify predictors of persistent postoperative pain. Results: The limited pain (n = 514) and persistent pain (n = 174) groups totaled 688 patients (449 females). There was a statistically significant difference in age between groups, with the persistent pain group being older than the low pain group (35.9 ± 12.2 vs 32.4 ± 12.6, respectively; P = .002). Patients with persistent postoperative pain demonstrated significantly lower preoperative PRO scores in the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (57.6 ± 21.2 vs 67.7 ± 16.8), Hip Outcome Score–Sport Specific (35.9 ± 23.9 vs 44.1 ± 22.7), modified Harris Hip Score (51.6 ± 16.2 vs 59.6 ± 12.9), and International Hip Outcome Tool (32.0 ± 16.8 vs 40.0 ± 17.82) but no significant differences in preoperative visual analog scale scores for pain (7.3 ± 1.8 vs 7.2 ± 1.7). Mean postoperative PRO differences between pain groups were all statistically significant. Bivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that history of anxiety or depression (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.02-3.32; P = .042), revision hip arthroscopy (odds ratio, 8.6; 95% CI, 1.79-40.88; P = .007), and a low preoperative modified Harris Hip Score (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99; P = .30) were predictors of persistent postoperative pain. Conclusion: Independent predictors for persistent postoperative pain include revision hip arthroscopy and mental health history positive for anxiety and depression. Our analysis demonstrated significant improvements in pain and functional PROs in the limited pain and persistent pain groups; however, those with persistent pain demonstrated significantly lower PRO scores.


The environmental impacts of electricity production systems have been widely assessed over the past years with many published LCAs in the literature. In the special case of greenhouses gases (GHG) from wind power electricity, the LCA results variability observed is very high, for example ranging from 2 to 81 g CO2eq/kWh in a literature review performed by the IPCC in 2011. Such result might lead policy makers to consider LCA as an inconclusive method. For environmental impacts from electricity generation this is a senstivive issue. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach to assess the GHG variability so as to define generic results which meet a general consensus. Different attempts have been initiated in order to address this problematic, the use of meta-analyses in LCA being one of them. The main objective of this paper is to build a representative model of onshore wind turbines (WT) to assess environmental performances with a simplified life cycle approach. A first methodology to generate simplified models for WT environmental performances has been designed (reported in the special issue of the Journal of Industrial Ecology) and is now improved with a better identification of the GHG variability assessment. Variability of GHG performances of onshore wind turbines, generated for a representative sample, is assessed through the running of Monte-Carlo simulations to identify the key parameters having the biggest influence on the results. Based on these Monte-Carlo simulations, we plotted GHG performances distributions for two key identified parameters: the WT life time and the annual average wind speed. A set of generic GHG performances curves has been defined as a function of these key parameters. Results are ranging from 2.7 to 119.7g CO2eq/kWh, a range which is comparable to the mentionned IPCC litterature review. These results can be adjusted as a function of either one or both key parameters. This methodology will be applied later for all types of electricity generation systems to generate simplifed life cycle approaches.


This paper focuses on a nanoscale study of nano- and micrometer-size Os-rich mineral particles hosted in a Ni-Fe-Cu sulfide globule found in an olivine megacryst from the Udachnaya pipe (Yakutia, Russia). These platinum-group element mineral particles and their host sulfide matrices were investigated using a combination of techniques, including field emission gun electron probe microanalyzer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and focused ion beam and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The sulfide globule is of mantle origin, as it is hosted in primitive olivine (Fo90–93), very likely derived from the crystallization of Ni-Fe-Cu sulfide melt droplets segregated by liquid immiscibility from a basaltic melt in a volume of depleted subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Microscopic observations by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy and single-spot analysis and mapping by field emission gun electron probe microanalyzer reveal that the sulfide globule comprises a core of pyrrhotite with flame-like exsolutions (usually <10 μm thickness) of pentlandite, which is irregularly surrounded by a rim of granular pentlandite and chalcopyrite. Elemental mapping by energy dispersive spectroscopy (acquired using the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy) of the pyrrhotite (+ pentlandite) core reveals that pentlandite exsolution in pyrrhotite is still observable at the nanoscale as fringes of 100 to 500 nm thicknesses. The sulfide matrices of pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite contain abundant nano- and micrometer-size platinum group element mineral particles. A careful inspection of eight of these platinum group element particles under focused ion beam and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that they are crystalline erlichmanite (OsS2) with well-developed crystal faces that are distinctively oriented relative to their sulfide host matrices. We propose that the core of the Ni-Fe-Cu sulfide globule studied here was derived from a precursor monosulfide solid solution originally crystallized from a sulfide melt at >1100 °C, which later decomposed into pyrrhotite and the pentlandite flame-like exsolutions upon cooling at <600 °C. Once solidified, the solid monosulfide solid solution reacted with non-equilibrium Cu-and Ni-rich sulfide melt(s), giving rise to the granular pentlandite in equilibrium with chalcopyrite now forming the rim of the sulfide globule. Meanwhile, nano- to micron-sized crystals of erlichmanite crystallized directly from or slightly before monosulfide solid solution from the sulfide melt. Thus, Os, and to a lesser extent Ir and Ru, were physically partitioned by preferential uptake via early formation of nanoparticles at high temperature instead of low-temperature exsolution from solid Ni-Fe-Cu sulfides. The new data provided in this paper highlight the necessity of studying platinum group element mineral particles in Ni-Fe-Cu sulfides using analytical techniques that can image nanoscale textural features in order to better understand the mechanisms of platinum group element fractionation in magmatic systems. These processes may play a crucial role in controlling the background geochemical budgets for siderophile and chalcophile elements in a wide range of mantle-derived magmas.


Two common sigalionid species from the Northeast Atlantic, Sthenelais boa (Johnston, 1833) and S. limicola (Ehlers, 1864), have never been revised in detail. Although their validity has never been questioned, a number of taxonomic problems related to Sthenelais Kinberg, 1856 and the later established Fimbriosthenelais Pettibone, 1971 remain unresolved. The validity of F. minor (Pruvot & Racovitza, 1895) has been repeatedly discussed, but no agreement reached. Also the validity of Fimbriosthenelais has been at stake, affecting the generic assignment of Fimbriosthenelais zetlandica (McIntosh, 1876), another species present in the area. Among the investigated species of Sthenelais, some where thought to be synonyms of Eusthenelais hibernica McIntosh, 1876, which led us to also include Eusthenelais McIntosh, 1876. We also re-examined Eusthenelais abyssicola McIntosh, 1879, the only other species attributed to the genus, and confi rm that it is indeterminable. In total, we investigated 37 nominal taxa reported from the Northeast Atlantic and as a result we consider only fi ve species to be valid: Sthenelais boa, S. limicola, Fimbriosthenelais zetlandica, F. longipinnis (Grube, 1869) and Eusthenelais hibernica. These genera and species are described and discussed herein and an updated identifi cation key to all Northeast Atlantic species of Sigalioninae Gonzalez et al., 2018 is given.


Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Active and passive cigarette smoke exposure predisposes to cardiovascular events. Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A is a metalloproteinase of the metzincin super family. It cleaves specific insulin like growth factor binding proteins thereby regulating local insulin like growth factor bioavailability which is a mediator of atherosclerosis. In this study we wanted to establish if Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A levels are increased in normal rats and if the Lipid profile was affected, if exposed to passive smoking. Sixty albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were used, weighing 200-250 gm. Both the groups were kept in identical chambers. One group of 30 rats was further exposed to cigarette smoke. Blood triglycerides were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method. In this animal study it was seen that smoking had no effect on (triglycesides), cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels. Smoke exposure has no effect on pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels.


Gangliosides are sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids recognized to play essential role in biological processes. Both the glycan and lipid structures influence their biological function and thus necessitate their determination as intact molecular species. To our knowledge, no multiplexed method for intact gangliosides currently exists. In this paper, we aimed to demonstrate an approach for isobaric labeling of intact gangliosides. Specifically, we carried out the rapid, chemoselective oxidation of sialic acid side chain in common ganglioside core structures using NaIO4 followed by ligation with a carbonyl-reactive isobaric tandem mass tag (TMT) reagent and subsequent RPLC-MS/MS analysis. Attachment of the isobaric label was observed to improve the ionization efficiency of complex gangliosides using electrospray ionization. Fragmentation of the resulting [M + 2H]2+ ions of TMT-labeled gangliosides provided information-rich spectra containing fragments from the glycan, lipid, and TMT reporter ions. This facile approach enabled simultaneous quantification of up to six samples as well as identification of glycan and lipid compositions in a single injection. As a proof-of-concept, using porcine brain total ganglioside extracts pooled at known ratios, we obtained overall sample-to-sample precision of <12% RSD and mean error of <10%. This showcased the great promise and feasibility of this strategy for high-throughput analysis of intact gangliosides in biological extracts.


Students often memorize the definition of a transcriptional promoter but fail to fully understand the critical role promoters play in gene expression. This laboratory lesson allows students to conduct original research by identifying and characterizing promoters found in prokaryotes. Students start with primary literature, design and clone a short promoter, and test how well their promoter works. This laboratory lesson is an easy way for faculty with limited time and budgets to give their students access to real research in the context of traditional teaching labs that meet once a week for under three hours. The pClone Red Introductory Biology lesson uses synthetic biology methods and makes cloning so simple that we have 100% success rates with first year students. Students use a database to archive their promoter sequences and the performance of the promoter under standard conditions. The database permits synthetic biology researchers around the world to find a promoter that suits their needs and compare relative levels of transcription. The core methodology in this lesson is identical to the core methodology in the companion Introductory Biology Lesson by Campbell and Eckdahl. The methods are reproduced in both lessons for the benefit of readers. The two CourseSource lessons provide the detailed information needed to reproduce the pedagogical research results published in CBE Life Sciences Education by Campbell et al., 2014.


This narrative inquiry exploring contemporary Chinese schooling involved three researchers who worked collaboratively as a team. Each researcher resonated with a different image of the principalship embedded in the storied account proffered by Xu Xiaozhang 校长, leader of Hexie Elementary School in Tianjin, China. (1) Principal as the lead teacher; (2) principal as an agent of a harmonious learning community; and (3) principal as a teacher-maker were the images Principal Xu held and expressed. In the interpretive analysis, Xu Xiaozhang's images of principal were nested one within the other in ways that brought Deweyan pragmatism and Confucian thought fruitfully together. The subtle nuances of the images provide an upclose view of schooling on one elementary campus in China that is of international interest and value.


The reversibly photoactivatable green fluorescent protein analog Dronpa holds great promise as a marker for various new cellular imaging applications. Using a replica exchange method which combines both Hamiltonian and temperature exchanges, the ground-state dynamics of Dronpa and two mutants with increased switching kinetics, Val157Gly and Met159Thr, were compared. The dominant chromophore state was found to be the cis isomer in all three proteins. The simulation data suggest that both mutations strongly increase the chromophore flexibility and cis-trans isomerization rate. We identify three key amino acids, Val157, Met159, and Phe173, which are able to impede the bottom hula-twist transition path, depending on their position and rotameric state. We believe our insights will help to understand the switching process and provide useful information for the design of new variants with improved fluorescence properties.


General Fraser, the British Minister at the Court of the Nizam at Hyderabad, in a letter to me dated the 31st July 1850, mentioned his having transmitted some specimens of fossil fish, with impressions of leaves, in a matrix which Dr. Walker, whom General Fraser had employed in Statistical and Natural History researches in the Nizam's territories, considered as appertaining to a coal-formation. General Fraser had previously caused specimens to be sent to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta; but the reports upon them not satisfying Dr. Walker, a second series of the specimens were sent to me by General Fraser, with a request that I would ascertain their possible relations with true coal-strata. Considering the enormous development of trap, covering some 200,000 square miles in the Deccan,—the granitic basis of the whole Peninsula of India,—the area occupied by laterite,—the want of sedimentary rocks,—and the hitherto total absence of organic marine fossils in the Deccan (for a few shells brought to notice by the late Dr. Malcolmson were either fluviatile or lacustrine),—the discovery of fossil fish on the margin of the trap region was a novelty necessarily of great interest, as indicative of the former submerged state of the Peninsula of India. The fossils arrived in October last, and a glance showed that the remains were imbedded in bituminous schist. The specimens were met with, General Fraser mentioned, near to the confluence of the Wurda and Godavery Rivers, north of Hyderabad and south of Nagpoor. But as the Wurda runs into


Child abuse and neglect are global problems that affect over 25 per cent of children and have serious health, social and economic consequences. Government and other agencies are heavily committed to the provision of services to address the consequences of abuse and neglect. In a climate of scarce resources, there is increasing interest in developing cost-effective strategies to prevent child maltreatment. Economic evaluation in the context of formal 'priority setting' can contribute to the development of an efficient child protection strategy and at the same time develop the arguments to support an increased investment in the prevention of child maltreatment. Key challenges arise from incompleteness of the evidence base of effective interventions and the considerable complexity of the cross-portfolio effects. The latter has resulted in the widespread failure to capture the full range of impacts, most notably intergenerational effects, quality of life and mortality. This means the benefits of investing in effective preventive strategies to address child maltreatment will be underestimated and too few resources allocated to this important task. Adoption of the proposed priority-setting framework and translation into action are likely to reduce child maltreatment and associated harms for children at risk now and in the future. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

'There is increasing interest in developing cost-effective strategies to prevent child maltreatment'


This paper reports a preliminary attempt on data-driven modeling of segmental (phoneme) duration for two Indian languages Hindi and Telugu. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) based data-driven duration modeling for segmental duration prediction is presented. A number of features are proposed and their usefulness and relative contribution in segmental duration prediction is assessed. Objective evaluation of the duration models, by root mean squared prediction error (RMSE) and correlation between actual and predicted durations, is performed. The duration models developed have been implemented in an Indian language Textto-Speech synthesis system [1] being developed within Festival framework [2].


The necessity of outsourcing spatial data has grown rapidly over the past few years because of the popularity of location-based services and the abundant usage of smart phones and GPS-enabled devices. In the Outsourced Database model, data owners outsource their data management needs to third-party service providers, such a service provider offers mechanisms for the client to access data by spatial query and verify the correctness and completeness of the query result. In this paper, we focus on both correct and completeness of the query of that we propose an efficient scheme, called VN-Integrity, which allows client to verify the query result. We use voronoi diagram for spatial indexing, which derive the neighbors information for query verification. We evaluated VN-Integrity based on real-world data sets using mobile devices (Google Droid smart phones with Android OS) as query clients. Compared to the current state-of-the-art approaches (i.e., methods based on Merkle Hash Trees), our experiments show that VN-Auth produces significantly smaller verification objects and is more computationally efficient, especially for queries with low selectivity.


Our research, teaching, and outreach engagements with descendant communities are identifying a therapeutic role for archaeology. We argue that community-based archaeology—meaning community-directed studies of ancestral places practiced by invitation—can improve individual and communal health and well-being. Archaeology has untapped potential to elicit and confirm connections among people, places, objects, knowledges, ancestries, ecosystems, and worldviews. Such interconnections endow individuals and communities with identities, relationships, and orientations that are foundational for health and well-being. In particular, archaeology practiced as place-focused research can counteract cultural stress, a pernicious effect of colonialism that is pervasive among indigenous peoples worldwide. A Stó:lō–Coast Salish model of health provides a baseline for assessing and guiding community-based archaeology and related pursuits. Three cases of community-based archaeological practice among the Coast Salish of southwestern British Columbia and northwestern Washington show how archaeology can promote health by connecting project participants and other community members with their territories and their heritage, both tangible (artifacts/belongings/heirlooms) and intangible (knowledge/traditions/histories).


Soil quality is ability of soil to preserve the productivity of pants, preserve maintain water supplies, and support human activities. The soil quality cannot be directly measured therefore physical, chemical and biological indicators collectively are determined which influence the soil quality called minimum data set (MDS). A study and experimental analysis was conducted in June - November, 2015. The descriptive study was done in some types of mineral dry soil in Aceh Besar by measuring its soil index quality using Mausbach and Seybold (1998) criteria which has been modified by Partoyo (2005). The soil quality index was analyzed using function that represented most of the soil. The soil samples were taken by purposive sampling and the texture, volume weight, porosity, C-organic, pH, P-available, K-exchangeable, N-total and rooting depth were analyzed in laboratories. Soil quality index values ranged between 0-1. The higher index value indicates better quality. The analysis result of selected soil functions (MDS) and MDS scores were than summed to determine the value of the soil quality index (SQI). The study concludes that the three types of soil classified as "good" are Andosol Umbric (Typic Hapludands), (SQI = 0.7903), Cambisol Distric (Typic Dystrudepts), (SQI = 0.7241), Aluvial Eutric (Typic Eutrudept), (SQI = 0.6638) while the three other types of soil classified as "moderate" are Litosol (Lithic Udorthens), (SQI = 0.5471), Cambisol Eutric (Typic Eutrudepts), (SQI = 0.5361), and Podsolic Haplic (Typic Hapludults), (SQI = 0.4712).


In this paper, we focus on the problem created by asymmetric information about the enforcer's (agent's) costs associated to enforcement expenditure. This adverse selection problem affects optimal law enforcement because a low cost enforcer may conceal its information by imitating a high cost enforcer, and must then be given a compensation to be induced to reveal its true costs. The government faces a trade-off between minimizing the enforcer's compensation and maximizing the net surplus of harmful acts. As a consequence, the probability of apprehension and punishment is usually reduced leading to more offenses being committed. We show that asymmetry of information does not affect law enforcement as long as raising public funds is costless. The consideration of costly raising of public funds permits to establish the positive correlation between asymmetry of information between government and enforcers and the crime rate.


Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered responsible of ageing in animal and humans. Mitochondria are both source and target of ROS. Various strategies to reduce ROS production have been considered to extend lifespan. Caloric restriction, exercise, and antioxidants are thought to be able to protect cells from structural and functional damage. However, there is evidence that ROS production has a detrimental effect on health, but at physiological levels are necessary to stimulate longevity. They play an important effect on secondary signal transduction stimulating innate immunology and mitochondriogenesis. During exercise at moderate intensity, skeletal muscles generate ROS that are necessary for the remodelling of the muscular cells. Physical inactivity determines excessive ROS production and muscle atrophy. Caloric restriction (CR) can reduce ROS generation and improve longevity while antioxidant supplementation has shown a negative effect on longevity reducing the muscle adaptation to exercise and increasing mortality risk in patients with chronic diseases. The role of ROS in chronic diseases in also influenced by sex steroids that decrease in aging. The physiology of longevity is the result of integrated biological mechanisms that influence mitochondrial function and activity. The main objective of this review is to evaluate the effects of ROS on mitochondriogenesis and lifespan extension.


Poor governance has been undermining the service delivery and development initiatives undertaken by the majority of developing countries. Many of these governments have now started using e-governance as a mechanism to engender change in their governance systems for achieving development goals and to ensure better service delivery to citizens and other stakeholders. Arguably, it also ensures improved public sector efficiency, accountability and responsiveness. The paper argues that a successful adoption of egovernments has the potential to provide better service delivery at reduced costs, increase public sector efficiency, minimise corruption and improve the accountability, transparency and responsiveness of the public sector. It is, however, acknowledged that such initiatives in developing countries are fraught with numerous challenges that include the lack of infrastructure, low tele-density, lack of political commitment and vision, bureaucratic inefficiency and administrative corruption. The framework also identifies the challenges that may face, the external environment they are influenced by, and the role they play in achieving better governance.


The International Haplotype Map ("HapMap") Project is motivated, in part, by the belief that the organization of the human genome, the mechanics of recombination, and the population-level behavior of alleles at adjacent loci should allow researchers to parse the genome into small segments, or "blocks," that show strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between alleles at loci within those segments. The discovery and evidence for these blocks is to be based solely on the observed LD strength and patterns between alleles at adjacent loci throughout the genome. Although there are many factors that contribute to LD strength, we assessed the correlation between block structure, in terms of length and percentage of the genome assembled into blocks within a region, and recombination rate obtained from two independent sources. We found evidence of a striking negative correlation between the average recombination rate and average block length, suggesting that recombination rate is a strong contributor to haplotype block structure within the genome. We discuss the potential implications of this negative correlation in the context of the organization, properties, and potential ubiquity of a block-like structure in the human genome.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Multidimensional instruments for the evaluation of pain in the elderly allows to identify the conditions that involves pain considering the emotional, physical, psychological, social, and economic aspects. They are ancillary tools in the prognosis of diseases, in addition to allowing a better approach to pain considering their assessed dimensions. The objective of this study was to review the literature on multidimensional instruments validated in Brazil for the evaluation of pain in the elderly, identifying instruments aimed at elderly people with neurocognitive disorders. CONTENTS: This was a narrative review of the literature with scientific articles searched in the electronic databases Pubmed, LILACS, and Scielo. The following keywords of the Portuguese language defined by the DeCS were used: pain, pain threshold, pain measurement, aging, and the elderly. Scientific articles on instruments validated in Brazil and published in the period from 2000 to 2018 were included. There were 38 articles, of which 33 were excluded, and only 5 articles were included. The validated instruments found for pain assessment in the elderly in Brazil were the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Geriatric Pain Measure, Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate, Non-Communicative Patient ́s Pain Assessment Instrument, Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia. CONCLUSION: The five instruments found offer the health professional a range of tools to understand pain better. Of these, three instruments allow the assessment of pain in the elderly with neurocognitive disorders.


A random sample of 3000 members of the New Zealand public were assigned to either a mail survey (1000), or a mixed-mode (mail/Web) survey (2000) where respondents were contacted via mail and invited to either take part in a Web survey, or request a questionnaire and respond by mail. The mixed mode approach produced a slower response and a much lower overall response rate than the mail survey, and elicited only a small proportion of responses via the Web. The Web respondents to the mixed-mode survey were highly biased with respect to age, income, innovativeness, opinion leadership, opinion seeking, ownership of new technology and use of the Web. While this bias can be compensated for if non-Web responders are invited to participate in a mail survey, these results provide little support for using a simultaneous mixed-mode approach rather than a conventional mail survey for surveys of the general public. Unless there is a compelling reason for using the Web mode, it may be better to simply conduct the whole survey by mail. However, if the research requires a sample of "innovators", then using an initial sample of the general public drawn from the electoral rolls and making initial contact via mail would appear to be an efficient means of recruitment. The mail response option could then be omitted.


Permanent Exhibitions Canadian War Museum / Musee canadien de la guerre 1 Vimy Place Ottawa, Ont. www.warmuseum.ca

Canada, it seems, is getting better at remembering its wars and its warriors. Remote memory grows in brilliance even as recent memory shrinks, along with the ranks of those who were there. In past years special groups have been added to our collective memory: the peacekeepers, First Nations fighters, Hong Kong prisoners of war, merchant mariners and the latest, victims of hantavirus fever in the Korean campaign.

Situated on the windswept LeBreton Flats, on the south bank of the Ottawa River about half a mile west of the Parliament Buildings, the new and expanded Canadian War Museum has a great advantage over its crowded predecessor: space. Not obeying any obvious rule of building shape, outside or in, it is difficult to approach as well as to enter. But, once inside, the visitor realizes that the imagination of the architect was little constrained, leaving the resulting headache of building it to the civil engineer and the contractor. The intent of the irregular interior spaces, with their uneven floors, oddly sloping walls and bizarre layout is to evoke the instability of war and of military life.

War, if the eight permanent theme display areas have it right, has been fundamental to this country since recorded history began. Champlain arrived to find the Hurons and the Algonquins at war over territory and trade. The French joined (and changed) the struggle, with the English (from Boston) and the Dutch (from New York) following closely on. We have been at it since, with brief pauses, by land, sea and air.

For reminding, and for teaching those too young to know, this museum seems admirably appointed to depict, portray and evoke the key military events. For example, the salient Canadian confrontations in World War I — Ypres, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele — are brought to life in film and photograph. Victory and its cost in lives lost are given equal play. The visitor is led into a trench and later walks among the dead, modelled face down in the mud amid barbed-wire mayhem. Although the chirrup of the larks overhead is there, it is "scarce heard amid the guns below," not because of those guns but rather because of commanding strains of "God Save the Queen" and "The Maple Leaf Forever"!

Attention is given to the medical aspect through details such as the story of a nurse from Ontario who served in the Boer War and a graphic cut-away illustration of a high-caliber artillery shell and what it might do to a human femur. In the World War II section a field surgeon's kit is laid fully out, displaying the bone saw, rib cutters, hemostats, a tourniquet with a built-in porcelain arterial occluding device, an ampoule of morphine tartrate containing ¼ grain (15 mg) and (without a word of explanation) a packet of sodium cyanide. And, in this section, we read the surprising fact that half of Canada's physicians were engaged in the war effort.

As the visitor follows the serpentine course of one conflict after another — all conveniently arranged around a central area where visitors may plot their course, and clearly marked by exit signs aloft and arrows embedded in the design of the floor carpet, the question arises as to who has been forgotten in this museum? Wives and children are one obvious group. Although we do observe tearful goodbyes and joyful reunions (and learn the surprising fact that during World War I men needed signed permission from their wives to enlist), we are given little measure of the impact of the absence of the men — and even less of the struggle to have them back at home after all that had transpired or changed. And nothing of the children whose fathers never came home.

It is also difficult to get a sense of what life was like for the ordinary enlisted man: how boring the endless waiting, how burdensome the separation and homesickness, how uncomfortable, in Rupert Brooke's phrase, "the rough male kiss / Of blankets." What was it like to be dispatched on a sortie not knowing its larger purpose or real risks, not knowing when one will next have the chance to eat, to pee, to sleep? And not knowing, should death come, if one's survivors will ever know what happened.

The remembering and teaching mandates of the Canadian War Museum are likely to be met. There are four main themes set out by the museum's historians: geography, politics, brutality and survival. The other concept, that of regeneration, has been nurtured by architect Raymond Moriyama, who was apparently struck by the ability of the land to regenerate itself from a visit to Beaumont Hamel, France, where over 700 Newfoundlanders perished in a bloody battle and which is now grass-covered; and from Carl Sandburg's poem "Grass":

Pile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo
Shovel them under and let me work —
I am the grass; I cover all.

Thus, we can stroll quietly on the Museum's roof amid tough grass holding sandy soil against the winds that whistle over the LeBreton Flats. As Moriyama puts it: "nature may be ravaged by human acts of war, but inevitably it survives, hybridizes, regenerates and prevails." Regeneration Hall, the soaring A-frame structure on the building's east face, gives a visitor upon entry a framed view through a small window of the Peace Tower in the distance. On the lower level is Allward's plaster maquette of his sculpture of "Hope" and more of the figures from his Vimy Memorial. All of this is meant to convey the hope of the future.

And yet the regeneration concept seems more like wishful thinking than a vital part of the War Museum. Recovery from war injury can only be in the form of cure, rehabilitation or adaptation; regeneration, strictly speaking, is not a form of healing that higher animal species are capable of. Perhaps the idea is meant more to be a psychic or spiritual one. Here, I was reminded of Pat Barker's compelling 1992 novel, Regeneration, which portrays Siegfried Sassoon's stay in the Craiglockart War Hospital in Edinburgh during World War I. He had been found to be "mentally unsound" for refusing, after Passchendaele, to continue to fight in what he believed to be an insane war. His therapy under Dr. William Rivers was designed to patch him up and get him back into the trenches. Only his own sanity and growing friendships with Rivers and with his fellow patient, the budding poet Wilfred Owen, saved him from self-destruction. As Sassoon leaves the hospital to go back to his men (and his death), it is up to the reader to decide who was regenerated.

The museum has reserved space for temporary exhibitions, the first of which were "Art and War" and "Canada's Gunners." An exhibition on war propaganda, entitled "Weapons of Mass Dissemination" will begin later this month, remaining on view until Apr. 20, 2006. Special events in the theatre and in Memorial Hall will mark Remembrance Day. The evolution of this lively, expanded museum will be interesting to watch.

Kenneth M. Flegel Associate Editor CMAJ

Figure. An interior view of the Canadian War Museum. The windows spell out the Museum's initials CWM/MCG in Morse code. Photo by: Harry Foster, CMC

Figure. "Sympathy for the helpless." This greater-than-life-size sculpture is one of the plaster figures created between 1925 and 1930 by Canadian sculptor Walter Allward (1875–1955) in preparation for the construction of the Vimy ...


BACKGROUND
Despite major advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF), it remains the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Experimental models of HF typically utilize acute myocardial infarction. However, the majority of clinical HFs occur gradually by a chronic progressive mechanism. Thus, more relevant models are required to aid identification, quantification, and characterization of HF, and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS AND FINDINGS
We developed a model of progressive chronic heart failure (CHF) in the mini-swine by placement of an ameroid constrictor on the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). This model demonstrated a steady decline in the cardiac function from 8 to 12 weeks, with a 50% reduction in the ejection fraction. Further, the proteomic, metabolomic and bioinformatic analyses of ischemic tissue and plasma revealed a significant alteration of the mitochondrial respiratory chain mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), which resulted in down-regulation of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and insufficient energy supply to support cardiac contractility and relaxation. Furthermore, significant changes in apolipoprotein A-I, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and very LDL (VLDL) in plasma indicated that lipid metabolism disorders occurred in mini-swines with myocardial ischemia via glycerolipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS
We describe a stable and easily reproducible CHF model using an ameroid constrictor placed on the LAD. We found that the NADH-mediated tricarboxylic acid cycle and energy metabolism disorders are key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CHF. These data will provide potential biomarkers for monitoring the therapeutic intervention of CHF.


We might suspect that the German nation has arrived
back where it once started. The guest
worker regime is having a comeback. Once again, imm
igrants contribute to the wealth of the
German nation. The current perception of migration
in the German media tends to the fact
that there is a close link between economic product
ivity and the integration into society. Be-
ing a good migrant is characterized by being an eco
nomically productive individual. This is
represented in German media discourse with the labe
l "the new guest workers". Here, the
question of whether immigrants are culturally integ
rated or not is subsequent to economic
considerations. Of course, not all immigrants are
considered to be "new guest workers". The
perception of immigrants is highly differentiated,
and can be distinguished into two groups. At
the upper end, highly qualified migrants represent
economic power and creativity. The low
qualified are discussed in terms of their ability t
o integrate or assimilate. The article examines
the role of the nation by defining the movement of
people across space. Observing how the
nation defines good vs. bad movement enlarges our a
bility to analyze regimes of mobility
and migration. Thus, the empirical study presented
here dissects the question what qualifies
a good migrant today?` in the German discourse on i
mmigration during the time of the
(2008?) economic crisis. It will also reveal how li
beral democratic states practices legitimate
exclusion today. The new guest workers narrative al
so demonstrates the boundary blurring
of race and ethnicity and the shifting a new form o
f inclusion and exclusion, which is called
"identity liberalism". By understanding this symbol
ic boundary of the dualistic evaluation, we
can expand our knowledge how the ability to move ac
ross borders become a crucial criteria
by which class is defined and class privileges upheld.


Review of Barrios in Arms: Revolution in Santo Domingo by Jose A. Moreno.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


ABSTRACTAs part of a larger ethnographic study on low-income Kurdish mothers' reconstruction of their lives after rural-to-urban migration, this article explored how they experienced life in a poverty-impacted neighborhood of Istanbul, Turkey. Twenty-seven Kurdish mothers were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through demographic surveys, semi-structured in-depth interviews, and participant observations. Women's narratives focused primarily on three aspects, namely financial challenges, crime, and neighbor relations. Participants discussed both challenges and coping strategies pertaining to each aspect. Study findings underlined similarities and differences in life experiences of families living in poverty-impacted urban communities across the global context.


Purpose
Online information research on hotels is gradually emerging as a key area of research with the increasing use of social media as a platform for co-creative service innovation (CCSI). The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between the key drivers of co-creation intention in the social media context. Understanding relationships between key drivers of customers' co-creation intention will prove valuable in advancing current knowledge about service innovation using social media. The key drivers examined in this study are – customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI on social media, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. This knowledge will be of considerable value for its practical application in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected from 346 hotel guests using survey method. Structural equation modeling with a bootstrapping estimation was used to analyze the data.

Findings
The results show that customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI on social media, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control positively influence both co-creation and adoption intention. Further, it was also found that co-creation intention mediates the relationship between its two driving factors, namely, customer innovativeness, attitude toward CCSI in social media and adoption intention.

Research limitations/implications
The findings provide theoretical implications for hospitality discipline. The findings also provide various strategies hospitality firms can use to co-create service innovation through the effective use of social media.

Originality/value
The relationships examined in the present study have not been tested previously; this is the first attempt of the kind. Thus, the associations established in this study form an important contribution to the existing body of knowledge in co-creation, service innovation and social media literature.


Live Fuel Moisture Content (LFMC) contributes to fire danger and behavior, as it affects fire ignition and propagation. This paper presents a two layered Landsat LFMC product based on topographically corrected relative Spectral Indices (SI) over a 2000–2011 time series, which can be integrated into fire behavior simulation models. Nine chaparral sampling sites across three Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes were used to validate the product over the Western USA. The relations between field-measured LFMC and Landsat-derived SIs were strong for each individual site but worsened when pooled together. The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) presented the strongest correlations (r) and the least Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), followed by the Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI). The relations between LFMC and the SIs for all sites improved after using their relative values and relative LFMC, increasing r from 0.44 up to 0.69 for relative EVI (relEVI), the best predictive variable. This relEVI served to estimate the herbaceous and woody LFMC based on minimum and maximum seasonal LFMC values. The understory herbaceous LFMC on the woody pixels was extrapolated from the surrounding pixels where the herbaceous vegetation is the top layer. Running simulations on the Wildfire Analyst (WFA) fire behavior model demonstrated that this LFMC product alone impacts significantly the fire spatial distribution in terms of burned probability, with average burned area differences over 21% after 8 h burning since ignition, compared to commonly carried out simulations based on constant values for each fuel model. The method could be applied to Landsat-7 and -8 and Sentinel-2A and -2B after proper sensor inter-calibration and topographic correction.


This study examined the association between a DNA polymorphism in the muscle-specific creatine kinase (CKMM) gene and VO2max in the sedentary state, as well as its response (deltaVO2max) to a standardized 20-wk endurance training program. The subjects were 160 biologically unrelated Caucasian parents (80 women, 80 men) and 80 biologically unrelated adult offspring of the HERITAGE Family Study. The CKMM polymorphism was detected by PCR and digestion with the NcoI restriction enzyme. VO2max was measured during maximal cycle ergometer tests. VO2max was 2119 +/- 45 mL x min(-1) (mean +/- SE) or 26 +/- 0.4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1). Both sexes had a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the deltaVO2max (women = 283 +/- 20 mL x min[-1] and men = 363 +/- 25 mL x min[-1]). Allele and genotype frequencies were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between sexes. Age and sex adjusted VO2max was significantly (P = 0.007) associated with the CKMM genotype in the parents, whereas no association (P > 0.05) was observed in the offspring. DeltaVO2max values adjusted for age, sex, VO2max, and body mass were characterized by genotype differences in both parents (P = 0.0004) and offspring (P = 0.0025). A significantly (P < 0.05) lower deltaVO2max to endurance training was detected in both parents and offspring homozygotes for the rare allele. The genotype accounted for at least 9% of the variance in deltaVO2max. These results indicate that the NcoI polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the muscle-specific creatine kinase gene is associated with the deltaVO2max to endurance training.


To simplify and accelerate the creation of blendshape rigs, using a template rig is a common procedure, especially during the creation of digital doubles. Blendshape transfer methods facilitate copy and paste functionality of the blendshapes from the template model to the digital double. However, for adequate personalization, such methods require a set of scanned training expressions of the original actor. So far, the semantics of the facial expressions to scan have been defined manually. In contrast, we formulate the semantics of the facial expressions as an integer optimization of the blendshape weights. By combining different blendshapes of the template model, our method creates facial expressions that serve as semantic references during scanning. Our method guarantees to compute as-few-as-possible training expressions with minimal overlap of activated blendshapes. If the number of training expressions is limited, blendshapes are selected based on their power to personalize the resulting blendshapes compared to generic blendshape transfer methods. CCS Concepts • Theory of computation → Packing and covering problems; • Computing methodologies → Animation;


In order to implement more advanced nonvolatile memory device, many studies have been devoted to improve program/erase speed, endurance, and retention characteristics of nitride-based SONOS flash memory. As the CMOS device size shrinks down, the oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) multi-layer where charge storage takes place in discrete traps in the silicon nitride layer needs the optimization of thickness and material properties in order for the SONOS flash device to follow the CMOS technology development trend. However, the retention characteristics of SONOS flash memory degrade with the scaling of tunnel oxide, although the program/erase speed is enhanced with the decrease of tunnel oxide thickness. To overcome this problem, we adopted the SONOS structures with bandgap-engineered tunnel oxide layer. The bandgap- engineered SONOS flash memory provides faster erase speed and better retention characteristics than the conventional SONOS flash memory in our previous work. In order to identify the limitation of the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of the ultra-thin ONO barrier which replaces the single tunnel oxide layer in the conventional SONOS structures, we have controlled the EOT of the ONO barrier by the standard CMOS process and investigated their effects on the program/erase speed, memory window, and data retention characteristics of the bandgap-engineered SONOS flash memory device. As a result, the experimental data show that the ONO has a degree of freedom in the thickness of each layer but the data retention loss should be still considered. The SONOS flash memory with bandgap engineering by adopting the ONO barrier instead of single tunnel oxide layer should have a lower limit of 3 nm as the EOT for both performance and reliability.


Soon after the publication of the CEFR in 2001, the Association of Japanese Language Teachers in Europe (AJE) started a research project on the history of language teaching in Europe, carried out a survey of language policies in various European countries, and presented prospects for learning and teaching Japanese as a foreign language in Europe. The association recognizes the need to share the concepts and achievements of the CEFR. The Japan Foundation (JF), partially influenced by the CEFR, set up the JF Standard for Japanese Language Education in 2010. This standard offers tools that teachers and students can use to plan their teaching/learning through self-assessment of their language ability levels. The JF is also publishing new types of textbooks for Japanese education, emphasizing cross-cultural understanding between peoples. The Japanese Language Proficiency Test was revised in 2010 and is now ability-oriented; it is indirectly influenced by the CEFR. The authors analyzed Japanese education at the University of Ljubljana in relation to the CEFR assessment levels. At the end of their undergraduate study, students reach approximately level B1/B2 of the CEFR, and at the end of the master's course level C1. There are difficulties in assessing the current Japanese courses using the CEFR framework due to the specific character of Japanese, particularly in relation to the script, politeness and pragmatic strategies, and students' familiarity with current events in Japan and background knowledge of Japanese society. Nevertheless, the CEFR framework offers concrete ideas and new points of view for planning language courses, even for non-European languages.


Abstract Background Mindfulness‐based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a relapse‐prevention intervention for people experiencing major depression. Three qualitative meta‐syntheses investigating experiences of taking part in MBCT and/or Mindfulness‐based Stress Reduction (MBSR) across different diagnostic populations reported themes including control, choice, group processes, relationships and struggles. As multiple studies have been published since, we aimed to update, systematically review and synthesize the experiences of participants with depression taking part in MBCT. Methods Four databases were searched systematically (PsycInfo, Web of Science, Medline and CINAHL) up to and including 12 November 2021. Twenty‐one qualitative studies met the review criteria. All papers were rated as fair using a quality appraisal tool. Meta‐ethnography was applied. Results Across 21 studies of participants with current or previous depression who had participated in MBCT, three overarching themes were developed: 'Becoming skilled and taking action', 'Acceptance' and 'Ambivalence and Variability'. Participants became skilled through engagement in mindfulness practices, reporting increased awareness, perspective and agency over their experiences. Participants developed acceptance towards their experiences, self and others. There was variability and ambivalence regarding participants' expectations and difficulties within mindfulness practices. Limitations Many studies were conducted in MBCT‐research centres that may hold conflicts of interest. Many studies did not address the impact of the participant–researcher relationship thus potentially affecting their interpretations. Studies were skewed towards the experiences of female participants. Conclusions Our findings help to enhance participant confidence in MBCT, alongside understanding the processes of change and the potential for difficulties. MBCT is beneficial and provides meaningful change for many but remains challenging for some.


The stress analysis performed on the 4''-WH-237-E piping system inside containment penetration S-17B is presented. Deadweight, thermal expansion, and seismic loads were considered. Results of this analysis show that the subject piping system will meet ASME Code, Section III, Class 2 requirements.


Japanese stock returns are even more closely related to their book-to-market ratios than are their U.S. counterparts, and thus provide a good setting for testing whether the return premia associated with these characteristics arise because the characteristics are proxies for covariance with priced factors. Our tests, which replicate the Daniel and Titman (1997) tests on a Japanese sample, reject the Fama and French (1993) three-factor model but fails to reject the characteristic model.


We extend knot Floer homology to string links in D I and to d –based links in arbitrary three manifolds. As with knot Floer homology we obtain a description of the Euler characteristic of the resulting homology groups (in D I ) in terms of the torsion of the string link. Additionally, a state summation approach is described using the equivalent of Kauffman states. Furthermore, we examine the situation for braids, prove that for alternating string links the Euler characteristic determines the homology, and develop similar composition formulas and long exact sequences as in knot Floer homology.


Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) patients have higher incidence of sleep disordered breathing which lead neurocognitive impairments such as attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may effect academic performance of children and may cause impairment in emotional relationships. This study aim to evaluate hyperactivity and attention deficiency in PCD patients and investigate the relationship between sleep and hyperactivity and attention deficiency in PCD patients.


This paper analyses the determinants of inflation differentials and price levels across the euro area countries. Dynamic panel estimations for the period 1999-2006 show that inflation differentials are primarily determined by cyclical positions and inflation persistence. The persistence in inflation differentials appears to be partly explained by administered prices and to some extent by product market regulations. In a cointegrating framework we find that the price level of each euro area country is governed by the levels of GDP per capita. JEL Classification: E32, E52, E43, F2


Silk fibroin is a polymer of interest thanks to its ability to be transformed into different structures, such as fibers. The electrospun technique can produce micro and nanofibers, presenting advantages like high superficial area and porosity. However, this polymer needs to be dissolved into a liquid solution using solvents. This study evaluates the effect of formic acid and water as solvents on the silk fibroin electrospun fibers morphology, chemical structure, and thermal properties. In this case, silk fibroin was obtained from silk fibrous wastes. The results suggest that the morphology obtained from both solutions has a similar fiber diameter. Electrospun silk fibers using formic acid solution present a relatively high porosity and recrystallization enthalpy. In contrast, the percentage of crystallinity and degradation temperature were higher in samples with aqueous solution. This indicates that the aqueous process allows higher structural ordering, improving the thermal stability for the fibers.


SUMMARY Herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) has been successfully used as a Marek's disease (MD) vaccine for more than 40 yr. Either alone (broiler chickens) or in combination with vaccines of other serotypes (broilers, broiler breeders, and layers), HVT is used worldwide. In recent years, several vector vaccines based on HVT (rHVT) have been developed. At present, there are both conventional HVT and rHVTs in the market, and it is unknown if all of them confer the same level of protection against MD. The objective of this study was to further characterize the protection conferred by two conventional HVTs (HVT-A and HVT-B) and three recombinant HVTs (rHVT-B, rHVT-C, and rHVT-D) against MD in broiler chickens. In a first study we evaluated the efficacy of two conventional HVTs (HVT-A and HVT-B) administered at different doses (475, 1500, and 4000 PFU) at day of age on the ability to protect against an early challenge with very virulent plus strain 645. In a second experiment we evaluated the protection ability of several HVTs (both conventional and recombinant) when administered in ovo at a dose of 1500 PFU using the same challenge model. Our results show that each HVT product is unique, regardless of being conventional or recombinant, in their ability to protect against MD and might require different PFUs to achieve its maximum efficacy. In Experiment 1, HVT-A at 4000 PFU conferred higher protection (protection index [PI] = 63) than any of the other vaccine protocols (PI ranging from 36 to 47). In Experiment 2, significant differences were found among vaccine protocols with PI varying from 66 (HVT-A) to 15 (rHVT-D). Our results show that each HVT is unique and age at vaccination and vaccine dose greatly affected vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, they highlight the need of following manufacturer's recommendations.


An analysis is made of the adjustments needed to produce three homogeneous data sets, namely the 1961–1990 mean temperatures in Finland, the North Atlantic Climatolological Dataset (NACD) temperature and precipitation series (1890–1990), and the Finnish daily mean maximum and minimum temperature series (1910–1995), as well as the reasons for making such adjustments. The adjustments in the annual (seasonal) mean temperatures are up to ±1°C (±2°C), and annual precipitation adjustments can be ±40%. In Finland, the homogeneity breaks in the normal period temperatures and in the long‐term daily mean maximum and minimum temperatures appear to be random, and thus, do not bias averages based on large numbers of stations. However, both the temperature and precipitation series of the NACD would have been statistically significantly biased without adjustments. Station relocations appear to be the most common cause of homogeneity breaks in the temperature series. In the NACD, the adjustments resulting from relocations are statistically significant and reflect changes to colder observing sites. Also, changes in the formula used for the calculation of mean temperatures and urbanization both cause systematic biases in the data. The installation of improved precipitation gauges has been systematic in the NACD; thus, the original series need to be adjusted upwards in the early years. The applied adjustments are of the same order of magnitude as the observed long‐term trends, which stresses the importance of the testing and adjusting of long‐term series before analysis of climatic changes. In order to monitor climatic changes in a reliable manner, the observing network should be designed to withstand the common discontinuities (e.g. relocations, observer and environment changes etc.) in observation series, because the number of homogeneity breaks appears to be roughly constant in time. Moreover, the introduction of new technology may cause systematic changes in the observations, and comprehensive comparison measurements are needed. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society


The results of experimental and theoretical studies of the effect of nanosize inert additives on the threshold voltage of initiation of explosive reactions in high energy materials (HEM) are presented. Two HEMs were studied: (i) based on potassium picrate and (ii) based on the red lead. The particle size for both HEMs was ~ 100 μm. As nanosize additives, we used: (i) copper nanopowder with particle sizes of 100-130nm; (ii) detonation nanodiamonds with particle sizes of less than 100nm and (iii) KDB silicon nanopawder with a particle size of about 100nm. It was found that (i) the electrical breakdown of the powder composition is the primary phenomenon, while the initiation of HEM is a consequence of this breakdown; (ii) when adding the nanosize additives to the HEMs, a significant decrease in the initiation voltage is observed; herewith the larger the content of the nanosize additive the more decrease in the initiation voltage; (iii) the higher the rate of voltage rise in the experiment, the greater the breakdown voltage of HEM with nanosize additives. A model of electrical breakdown of HEM with nanosize additives is considered. It is shown that the dependence of the breakdown voltage on the content of nanoadditive is connected with the inertness of formation of percolation clusters of nanoparticles in the electrostatic field and with a finite rate of voltage rise. The theoretical dependence is in agreement with the available experimental data.


Few studies link habitat to grizzly bear Ursus arctos abundance and these have not accounted for the variation in detection or spatial autocorrelation. We collected and genotyped bear hair in and around Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana during the summer of 2000. We developed a hierarchical Markov chain Monte Carlo model that extends the existing occupancy and count models by accounting for (1) spatially explicit variables that we hypothesized might influence abundance; (2) separate sub‐models of detection probability for two distinct sampling methods (hair traps and rub trees) targeting different segments of the population; (3) covariates to explain variation in each sub‐model of detection; (4) a conditional autoregressive term to account for spatial autocorrelation; (5) weights to identify most important variables. Road density and per cent mesic habitat best explained variation in female grizzly bear abundance; spatial autocorrelation was not supported. More female bears were predicted in places with lower road density and with more mesic habitat. Detection rates of females increased with rub tree sampling effort. Road density best explained variation in male grizzly bear abundance and spatial autocorrelation was supported. More male bears were predicted in areas of low road density. Detection rates of males increased with rub tree and hair trap sampling effort and decreased over the sampling period. We provide a new method to (1) incorporate multiple detection methods into hierarchical models of abundance; (2) determine whether spatial autocorrelation should be included in final models. Our results suggest that the influence of landscape variables is consistent between habitat selection and abundance in this system.


In order to extend previous research and inform intervention programs, the goal of the present study was to further understand variability in mother-child attachment security among high-risk families living in poverty. Mothers (65% Hispanic) and their young children who were in a home visitor program (n = 74) to connect families with basic services or who were on the waiting list (n = 27) for the program were visited at home. Mothers completed the Attachment Q-Set, the Parenting Stress Index, and a questionnaire on beliefs about the role of play in children's development and parenting efficacy in either Spanish or English. Observers assessed maternal sensitivity and the presence of appropriate play materials. Results indicated that maternal, child, and contextual variables were significantly associated with attachment security. Furthermore, greater cumulative assets were related to more secure attachment relationships.


The paper addresses the underlying complexities and phenomena arising in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, and pertaining to interpreting. The pandemic-related neologisms are introduced, followed by practical guidelines for medical interpreters and the assessment of the problems and challenges encountered in the current mode of work, including (remote) community interpreting. The impact of the pandemic on medical interpreters is also discussed with the associated problems which are also related to the wellbeing of the interpreters themselves at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. To fully comprehend the real value of services provided by medical interpreters, it is necessary to assess the health outcomes and the quality of life of patients in longitudinal studies conducted on large cohorts of patients, with particular attention to at least several months of follow-up. 148 Beyond Philology 17/4


THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPERTENSION 393 Hypertension is a prevalent and independent promoter of vascular damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, and limbs. This condition afflicts about 50 million persons in the United States and as the population ages its prevalence is expected to increase. Long-term investigation of its occurrence in the Framingham Study indicates that 90% of persons who are normotensive at age 55 years can expect to develop hypertension in their lifetime. The cardiovascular risk it imposes varies in relation to the height of the blood pressure, which component is elevated, the target organ affected, and the burden of coexisting risk factors. Recent guidelines of the Seventh Joint National Committee on Hypertension (JNC 7) recommend consideration of more modest blood pressure elevations (i.e., prehypertension 120/80 mm Hg to 140/90 mm Hg) for some treatment. Efficient treatment of this lowered range of blood pressure elevation requires multivariable risk stratification of the so-defined hypertension to be cost-effective and avoid needlessly alarming patients. In 2003, a substantial amount of epidemiologic and clinical information was published concerning risk assessment of hypertension and its treatment. The JNC 7 guidelines for detection, evaluation, and treatment of elevated blood pressure specify, but do not quantify some of the criteria for risk assessment. The report emphasizes that systolic blood pressure is more important than diastolic blood pressure, citing an incremental cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk extending down to what was previously regarded as the normal range, defining a "prehypertensive" blood pressure category. Certain high-risk conditions like diabetes are designated "compelling indications" calling for more stringent blood pressure goals. A notable omission among these is dyslipidemia, a condition that should modify the blood pressure treatment goal because of its influence on hypertensive CVD risk.


We propose an original method of video summarization based on camera motion. It consists in selecting frames according to the succession and the magnitude of camera motions. The method is based on rules to avoid temporal redundancy between the selected frames. We also develop a new subjective method to evaluate the proposed summary and to compare different summaries more generally. Subjects were asked to watch a video and to create a summary manually. From the summaries of the different subjects, an "optimal" one is built automatically and is compared to the summaries obtained by different methods. Experimental results show the efficiency of our camera motion-based summary.


ABSTRACTMost object detection and classification algorithms only locate regions in the image, whether they are within a template-sliding mask or in interested region blobs. However, such regions may be ambiguous, especially when the object of interest is very small or unclear. This paper proposes an algorithm for automatic object detection and matching based on its own signature using morphological segmentation tools. Moreover, the algorithm tries to match objects, not in object blobs or regions of interest, but among the constructed proposed object signatures. During the matching process, the SURF method makes a comparison of process between its matching performance and the proposed matching process on all experimental objects. The process has tested a wide variety of 120 dissimilar objects; it has achieved 100% of constructed signatures, and it has achieved 96% of correct object matching; whereas SURF has achieved only 85% for all tested objects.


ABSTRACT Remote association, the ability to form new relations between independent elements, was assessed using the Remote Associates Test (RAT). The Chinese RAT (CRAT) includes the Chinese radical RAT (CRRAT), Chinese word RAT (CWRAT), and Chinese compound RAT (CCRAT). Behavioral research indicates that an individual's performance on the CRAT reflects different ways of remote associations, although there are few studies on brain networks. Therefore, this study analyzed the correlation between structural network connectivity and CRAT performance in 52 adults. The findings showed that CCRAT performance had a positive correlation with clustering coefficients, local efficiency, and global efficiency, but a negative correlation with the characteristic path length. CWRAT performance was positively correlated with normalized clustering coefficients and small-world-ness, and CRRAT performance was positively correlated with characteristic path length. This study enriches our understanding of the process of remote association by exploring different remote associations from a brain network perspective.


Sand production is one of the most serious problems of electrical submersible pumps (ESPs). It is important to predict erosion rate and pump life under sand flow condition. However, erosion experiments on centrifugal pumps are difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Besides, the erosion on pump blades and shrouds are hard to be quantified. It is difficult to measure or scan the thickness of an inside flow channel. Therefore, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) method is a convenient way to forecast erosion failures of the pump. Although various erosion simulations were carried out for simple geometries, including pipelines, elbows, tees, and etc., erosion simulation methodology in a turbomachinery geometry should be carefully evaluated. Therefore, the effect of different turbulence models and rebound models are investigated in a 3-stage mixed type ESP by ANSYS Fluent Discrete Phase Model (DPM) simulations. The erosion rate is calculated and particle impact parameters are extracted by a User Define Function (UDF). Preliminary erosion simulation methodology recommendations were given in this study.


Drinking water systems are vulnerable to accidental or intentional contamination events. This holds specifically for the distribution network where thousands of kilometers pipelines are located in the public area and preventive protection measures are hardly possible. In case of a contamination event in the drinking water distribution network, a quick assessment of the situation as well as proper response actions are required. For that purpose, knowledge of the behaviour of contaminants in the network and the possible public health effects is needed. Such knowledge is the basis for appropriate measures for protection of the consumers and mitigation of the effects; measures are to be conducted by operators of the water utility. In the Dutch project Disconto (Distribution Control Training and Operation) the behaviour and effects of contaminants as well as the measures are treated in a coherent way. This project is performed by a consortium consisting of four water companies, two research institutes and two consultancies, with a grant from the Dutch government.


he study is entitled "The Effectiveness of the Implementation of Senior High School Accreditation: A study on the implementation and impact of school accreditation towards the effort of improving the quality of High Schools in West Java". The aim of the study is to find the essence of school accreditation in the framework of the national education system, to describe to what extent has Senior High School accreditation been implemented in West Java Province, to describe the profile of the Senior High School accreditation results based on the data in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and to describe the impact of Senior High School accreditation towards the effort in improving the quality of education in West Java, and to formulate the development strategies of the implementation of Senior High School accreditation in West Java. The method in conducting the study is qualitative with a naturalistic approach, the subjects of the study are the Chairman of the Province Accreditation Board of Schools/Madrasah (BAP-S/M), the secretary of BAP S/M, the members of BAP S/M, the assessors, the headmasters of Senior High Schools, and Senior High School teachers in West Java Province who have been chosen through sampling. The findings of the study are (1) the essence of school accreditation in the framework of the national education system is the activities to determine the worthiness of the programs and education units. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the way that Senior High Schools define accreditation in West Java is in the moderate level, this is the result of the lack of understanding of the headmasters, teachers, and other staffs. Accreditation is still considered as an obligation in filling the instruments based on the 8 national education standards, in terms of the function of accreditation, it can be concluded that it has not yet been working optimally. (2) Generally, the implementation of accreditation is in line with the technical policies and guidelines that have been established, however, there are problems in determining the quota of the schools that will be accredited which is not in line with the number of schools (3) From the results of Senior High School accreditation in West Java, it can be concluded that the profile of the accreditation results of Senior High Schools in West Java has gone through an increase in terms of the number of high schools that gained the accreditation of A which is over 75%. In other words, the school ranks cannot yet justify the quality or describe the actual quality of the ranks. The results of accreditation along with all its findings and recommendations are result of careful, credible and reliable work, and are worthy to be considered as reference in developing policies in order to improve the quality of education in Indonesia. (4) The influence of Senior High School accreditation in West Java can be seen from the various activities at schools such as the planning of the school development program although the recommendation of accreditation results have not yet been optimally taken into account, the quality of the students' learning supported by infrastructure that has fulfilled the standards, teachers' performance, in terms of administration and quality, teachers are able to design syllabus and lesson plan, the increase of the society's interest in placing their children in High Schools which are accredited A is felt. (5) An alternative strategy in implementing school accreditation is by giving socialization on the importance of accreditation for schools, training on how to fill accreditation instrument, empowerment of the role of supervisors in the process of filling the instrument, asking assistance from experts (for example, BAN S/M or BAP S/M elements), documenting various school activities both managerial and academic and understand the definition of visitation comprehensively, preparing the set of visitation events neatly and completely, and rehearsing school visitation. Based on the overall description and conclusion above, the recommendations are (1) schools to be aware on the needs of quality which is a requirement and not a coercion or obligation. (2) The government should pay more attention to the findings of BAN S/M in order to design a national education plan based on accreditation results and recommendation. (3) Future researchers should do further study on the implementation of school accreditation in other levels of education.


We develop an approach for generating deep (i.e, high-level) comprehension questions from novel text that bypasses the myriad challenges of creating a full semantic representation. We do this by decomposing the task into an ontologycrowd-relevance workflow, consisting of first representing the original text in a low-dimensional ontology, then crowdsourcing candidate question templates aligned with that space, and finally ranking potentially relevant templates for a novel region of text. If ontological labels are not available, we infer them from the text. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method on a corpus of articles from Wikipedia alongside human judgments, and find that we can generate relevant deep questions with a precision of over 85% while maintaining a recall of 70%.