The exchangeable-item repair systems considered here are characterized by customers who bring failed items to the system, and are prepared to take in return any serviceable item of the same kind. This exchangeability feature enables the system to keep spare items, either those repaired by the facilities the system operates or newly acquired ones. Rather than only considering the common number of backorders as a measure, the focus of this research is on the delay experienced by customers in an "ample-service" repair system, where repair of a failed item commences upon arrival at the system. The stationary and the nonstationary distributions of this delay are obtained in an analytic closed form in terms of the basic model parameters-the Poisson arrival rate, the arbitrary repair distribution of an item, and the initial number of spares in the system. The results are applicable to a variety of models that incorporate factors such as item scrapping, replenishment of new items, different modes of failure, and customers bringing several failed items. Successive use of the formulas can extend the spectrum of potential applications to multiechelon systems.


OBJECTIVE To study the expressions of human epidermal growth factor recepter 2(HER-2) in breast cancer tissues and their clinical significance,strategy of drug treat.METHODS The expressions of HER-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry in 311 cases of breast cancer tissues proved pathologically.RESULTS 1.The positive rates of HER-2 was 27.97% in breast cancer tissues.2.Significant relationships were found among the expressions of HER-2 with axillary nodes metastasis,ER and PR lose status of breat cancer(P=0.032,0.014 and 0.026).3.The associations among the expression of HER-2 with TNM status,histologic group did not reach statistical significance.CONCLUSION Those findings indicate that overexpression of HER-2 is one of unfavorable prognosis index.The endocrine therapy,targeted therapy and chemotherapy of breast cancer may according to it.


The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence interest in vocational education subjects. The 20 factors that were investigated related to the course, ability, difficulty, relevance or importance of a subject, the quality of teaching, student effort, career and vocational interests, as well as demographic factors. The source data used in the study comprised 120 previously obtained student scenarios. Participants (N= 18) from technical and further education acted as judges. They read the information in each of the scenarios and were asked to judge how interested they would be in taking the vocational education subject described. The multiple correlation of the 20 items in each scenario with ranked interest was 0.84 yet the median correlation of judgments was only 0.305. Overall, career . interests were rated more importantly than other factors. Results confirmed the idiosyncrasy of interest perceptions and it was concluded that individual differences have an impact on the ways in which people determine their interest for learning. This paper focuses on the area of educational interest and the specific purpose of this study is to determine which factors might influence a person's interest in a vocational education subject. Interest is a meaningful field for practical as well as


The aim of my diploma thesis is to describe in general the procedures running during developer's projects in their individual phases, to provide analysis and description of its stages, to test the risks resulting from the projects and to evaluate financial aspects especially possibilities of funding such projects. The diploma thesis consists of two parts - theoretical and practical. The theoretical part focuses on analysing source-books in the field of strategic development of non-productive subjects and possibilities of financing such development. The practical part describes and analyses the current status of the First Housing Cooperative in Napajedla considering its intention to build a new block of flats. The analysis of financial situation and procedures necessary for securing required loan for the project together with running evaluation are the ground for suggesting recommendation for leading the syndicate for future development.


Interocular transfer of learned pattern discrimination tasks in chimpanzees with sectioned optic chiasma is dependent on the forebrain commissures. This function is sustained by the splenium and the anterior commissure, the former pathway being the more capable.


A detailed investigation of a new process of dewetting which takes place at the liquid−liquid interface of partially miscible liquids is reported. We use nuclear reaction analysis and real-time video monitoring to examine in detail the formation of two coexisting liquid films formed by phase separation from a mixture and in particular the subsequent dewetting of one of them from the other. A dewetting front propagates from the edge of the spin-cast sample inward, and it is suggested that a Marangoni flow leads to its initiation and subsequent propagation via a mechanism involving fast rupture of holes ahead of the front. Subsequent growth of holes results in the coalescence of the surrounding rims and their breakup into droplets, whose persistent motion at the interfacial plane is described. This route of dewetting differs from the classical ones involving thermally driven fluctuations or nucleation of dewetting centers, by its relatively short induction time, the evolution of a front, and its unique morp...


Objectives: To evaluate the cardiovascular response and acute stress reaction after arousal induced by a benzodiazepine antagonist, flumazenil, in patients sedated with midazolam. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Emergency center in a university hospital. Patients: A total of 12 patients were ventilated mechanically under sedation with midazolam. Interventions: We monitored the consciousness level, heart rate, systemic blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure before and after a bolus injection of 0.5 mg of flumazenil. The score for the consciousness level represents the sum of the scores for eye opening and best motor response, as determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale. We measured the cardiac output, concentrations of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol in plasma, and concentration of cortisol in serum. We calculated the left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, pressure‐rate product, systemic oxygen delivery, and systemic oxygen consumption at 0, 10, 30, and 60 mins after injection of flumazenil. Measurements and Main Results: The serum benzodiazepine's receptor binding activity in serum was in the range from 50 to 1000 ng/mL before injection of flumazenil. Flumazenil improved the consciousness level from 6.7 ± 2.0 to 8.9 ± 1.6 and induced transient elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure. Left ventricular ejection fraction, oxygen delivery index, and pressure‐rate product increased significantly, from 61% ± 8%, 640 ± 170 mL/min/m2, and 13,300 ± 2600 mm Hg/min at 0 mins to 67% ± 5%, 710 ± 220 mL/min/m2, and 16,500 ± 4400 mm Hg/min at 10 mins, respectively. Concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine in plasma increased significantly, from 890 ± 840 pg/mL and 220 ± 360 pg/mL, respectively, at 0 mins to 990 ± 850 pg/mL and 270 ± 300 pg/mL, respectively, at 10 mins. There were no significant changes in the plasma concentration of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol, the serum concentration of cortisol after the administration of flumazenil. Conclusions: Flumazenil did not result in a significant acute stress reaction in midazolam‐sedated patients, but it increased myocardial oxygen consumption by enhancing sympathetic nervous activity or antagonizing cardiovascular depression induced by midazolam.


BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that G protein–coupled receptors, especially those linked to G&agr;i, contribute to the mechanisms of anesthetic action. Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins bind to activated G&agr;i and inhibit signal transduction. Genomic knock-in mice with an RGS-insensitive G&agr;i2 G184S (G&agr;i2 GS) allele exhibit enhanced G&agr;i2 signaling and provide a novel approach for investigating the role of G&agr;i2 signaling and RGS proteins in general anesthesia. METHODS: We anesthetized homozygous G&agr;i2 GS/GS and wild-type (WT) mice with isoflurane and quantified time (in seconds) to loss and resumption of righting response. During recovery from isoflurane anesthesia, breathing was quantified in a plethysmography chamber for both lines of mice. RESULTS: G&agr;i2 GS/GS mice required significantly less time for loss of righting and significantly more time for resumption of righting than WT mice. During recovery from isoflurane anesthesia, G&agr;i2 GS/GS mice exhibited significantly greater respiratory depression. Poincaré analyses show that GS/GS mice have diminished respiratory variability compared with WT mice. CONCLUSION: Modulation of G&agr;i2 signaling by RGS proteins alters loss and resumption of wakefulness and state-dependent changes in breathing.


We demonstrate that placing liquid microdroplets on a sample surface enables probing of the evanescent wave, thus having super-resolution capability on a far-field optical microscope. A simple method to form diiodomethane (CH2I2) liquid microdroplets with diameters of 10–90 μm in water is proposed. These microdroplets can be used to image various nanostructured samples with a feature size of about 100 nm under white-light illumination.


Cotton-based intercrop of soybean was grown for two years i.e. 199697 and 1997-98 at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Cotton cultivar NIAB-78 was planted in 80-cm apart single rows and 120-cm spaced double row strips with the help of a single row hand drill. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split arrangements in four replications. Planting patterns were kept in main plots and intercropping systems in sub-plots. Intercrop was sown in the space between 80cm apart single rows as well as 120-cm spaced double row strips. Growing of cotton in 120-cm spaced double row strips proved superior to 80-cm spaced single rows. Intercropping resulted in significant reduction of seed cotton, however, inter crop of soybean not only covered this loss but also increased over all productivity. Long term residual effects of different intercropping systems on the productivity of the following crops, residual soil fertility, and resource base degradation need to be monitored to plan strategies leading to sustainable agricultural productivity.


This study was conducted to determine the effect of the readiness of Banyuasin District as a satellite city on the implementation of sports events in South Sumatra Province, where readiness was examined based on eight liveable cities criteria including the physical city, environmental quality, accessibility, facilities, utilities, economy, social and bureaucracy. The data analysis model used is multiple linear regression analysis with the presentation of hypotheses carried out simultaneously and partially. The research sample consisted of 66 domestic and foreign tourists. The results showed that of the eight research variables in Banyuasin Regency simultaneously had a significant effect on the dependent variable in organizing sports events in South Sumatra. Partially, research in Banyuasin District shows that environmental and facility quality variables have a significant effect on the holding of sports events in South Sumatra.


The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of practicing Hatha Yoga on the elderly. I have focused on the changes in subjective pain and a feeling of helplessness in their daily lives of elderly people over 65 who are suffering from chronic back pain. We looked at both men and women over 65, who were not working during the period, all of whom had been experiencing back pain over 6 months. All the subjects have never practiced Hatha Yoga or any other specialized and/or systematic workouts at that time. Among them, the men and women over age 65 with chronic back pain were selected as a group and practiced Hatha Yoga three times a week for eight weeks. In conclusion, the study proves that Hatha Yoga is an effective way for the old over 65 with chronic back pain by acquiring muscular strength and flexibility at the same time.


In July 1991, the Russian Federation passed legislation permitting tenants of municipal and departmental housing (owned by enterprises or federal bodies) to purchase their units. This article examines the antecedents of this legislation and gives a detailed description of the law's provisions. It presents information on the early experience with the actual implementation of the program in three cities— Moscow, Ekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk from January to May 1992. The final section of the article offers a critical assessment of the privatization program. The overall conclusion is fairly pessimistic. The housing privatization program—as implemented in the spring of 1992—was in real danger of not accomplishing its major objective of transferring a substantial share of the stock to the population and thereby jolting the housing sector into operating more on market principles. Moreover, it may result in a distribution of housing assets that is more inequitable than before. Housing privatization in the Russian Federation The problems of the housing sector in Russia are legend. Typically one-quarter to one-third of the households in major cities are on the waiting list of those qualified for better housing, and the waiting time for a municipal housing unit usually exceeds 10 years (Andrusz 1990). Other estimates that take into account intergenerational households whose individual families would like to live separately put the housing shortage in urban areas as high as 45 percent (Kosareva 1992). Moreover, problems in housing quality abound, including a national rate of 7 percent of households sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities and an additional 8 percent living in hostels or temporary housing (Alexeev, Baker, and Westfall 1991). These conditions make improving the housing circumstances of the population a high priority for the Russian Federation, despite the limited means at its disposal. To the average 82 Nadezhda Kosareva and Raymond Struyk household, after the failure of successive Communist governments to produce results, progress in this area may be a central test for the new regime.l Because 80 percent of urban Russian households live in a state rental unit (either a municipal unit or a unit belonging to a state enterprise or government agency [Kosareva 1992]), housing improvement must come through the state stock. In the face of the sector's problems, the dominance of state housing in the existing stock, and the Federation's limited resources, housing privatization (i.e., the transfer of state-owned housing to private ownership on a massive scale) was seen early in the reform as a cheap way to improve the nation's urban housing stock. One obvious argument for privatization is that making tenants into owners will increase their willingness to spend the money necessary to maintain and improve their buildings; state subsidies for this purpose can then be cut.2 Another, and perhaps the most important, argument is that the transfer of a substantial share (perhaps 25 percent or more) of units into private ownership will serve as a catalyst for the private housing market: Some of the new owners will sell their units, either to move to a more desirable existing dwelling or to build a new one. For example, although no clear causal connection has been established, it is true that in Sofia significant privatization from 1990 to 1991 was accompanied by a fivefold increase in private sales of real property from 1989 to 1991.3 In any case, the volume of transactions will accelerate, thus opening up possibilities for persons to improve their housing circumstances. It is important in assessing the "catalyst" argument to distinguish the situation in Russia, where 70 percent of the national housing stock is owned by the state (80 percent in cities), from that in Eastern Europe, where the state share at the beginning of economic liberalization did not exceed 30 percent in any 1 Results from a survey conducted by the All Union Institute of Social Opinion and described in an article published in Issues of Economics (1990) without an author listed. 2 Housing services and utilities have been estimated to be the most inefficient sector in the Soviet economy as measured by the ratio of input costs to producers' prices, with a ratio of 6.02 (Kahn and Peck 1991, table 3.1). 3 For information on privatization in Bulgaria, see Kingsley and Struyk (1992); data on sales are from Hoffman (1992). Housing Privatization in the Russian Federation 83 major country and reached 50 percent only in the largest cities (Kingsley and Struyk 1992). Hence, Eastern European countries began housing reform with a substantial private sector, while Russia began with a sharply different legacy. An early analysis of Russian housing privatization is interesting for at least two reasons. First, the method of privatization chosen and its early experience will be indicative of the probability of the policy's success—in stimulating the private housing market and in achieving an equitable redistribution of wealth, carried out through the subsidies involved in the transfer of units at below-market prices. Stimulation will depend on whether a significant share of units are transferred and, hence, on the terms of sale. Equity issues concern the treatment of households that do or do not elect to purchase their units, but also relate to the treatment of those on the waiting lists compared with those presently occupying a unit. Second, the structure of the privatization program will reveal the extent to which the Russian Federation has learned from the experience of its Eastern European neighbors in shaping its policies. This article is divided into four sections. The first outlines the options for privatization that were advanced before the final decree of July 1992. The second describes the key features of the privatization law, including those issues left to local control. The third examines the programs adopted by three major cities—Moscow, Ekaterinburg, and Novosibirsk—to implement the law. The fourth section provides a critique of Russian policies measured against the goals stated above and the general principles for housing reform and privatization endorsed by Struyk and Telgarsky (1992) and Renaud (1991). Privatization alternatives Debate about privatization options began at least as early as 1987. In March 1988, a special resolution was passed by the Council of Ministers granting the right to private ownership to members of housing cooperatives who had completely paid off any loans for their units. More important, at the end of 1988 the Council of Ministers passed another resolution giving tenants of state-owned housing the right to purchase their units. The principal objective was to transfer lower quality units (i.e., those needing substantial repairs) into private ownership. Under this resolution, purchasers were to pay the full assessed value of the unit. Local authorities 84 Nadezhda Kosareva and Raymond Struyk had considerable freedom in establishing assessments on the basis of unit quality and location; in Moscow, for example, premiums for better units turned out to be quite high. National policy makers believed that lower prices for low-quality units would lead to their purchase, but the low prices were not enough to make these units attractive. The scheme was abandoned when it became clear that it was not working as intended: By early 1991, only 53,500 units had been sold throughout Russia and these were predominantly of high quality.4 Even before then, however, individual cities such as Moscow had moved to control such sales. A more wide-ranging debate about privatization options began in 1990–1991. The many alternatives proposed had in common the tenant's right to purchase his or her unit. Other variants—sale of entire buildings and purchase of units by "outsiders"—did not receive widespread support. The various options that were proposed can be grouped into four categories. Variant 1: Transfer. All housing would be privatized to the extent possible through free transfer to residents; only floor space in excess of the fixed quotas for each size family would be sold at a positive, but depreciated (or otherwise sufficiently low), price. This option assumed that privatizing housing at any price was the sine qua non for a large, quickly expanding market and was seen as the only mechanism that would trigger a boom in housing construction (by some households selling the units they received and purchasing new ones). In practice it implied (1) a free transfer of housing within certain limits defined by floor space and (2) tenants "buying out" extra living space at a low price. Similar to this variant was the first proposal by the mayor's office and the government of Moscow. Variant 2: Buying out. The estimated value of all apartments would be paid with only minimum discounts; in other words, residents would purchase their units from the state on commercial terms. This variant was intended to replenish local budgets, with the revenues collected earmarked for the housing sector. The city of St. Petersburg first proposed this option. Under its proposal, a city resident would have been entitled to free living space worth R 1,000 (i.e., 3 to 10 square meters at current prices). 4 See State Committee on Statistics of the U.S.S.R. (1990), p. 85, and State Committee on Statistics of the Russian Federation (1991), p. 210. Housing Privatization in the Russian Federation 85 Practically, it implied nearly full payment for the value assessed by a special method proposed by the city, which in fact would have involved significant discounts from true market value. Variant 3: Socially just. A fixed amount of living space would be freely transferred to the purchaser and high, even prohibitive, prices would be charged for any space beyond this level. This option depended on the need to strictly observe the principles of social justice. The Moscow Soviet, for example, propo


The funding needed for highway construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and operations are obtained from various highway revenue sources. At the current time and in the foreseeable future, most highway agencies face a funding gap which occurs whenever the needed funding exceeds the revenue generated. The increasing levels of needed funding are derived from the depressed state of the United State's transportation infrastructure, as the roads and bridges have been assigned D and C+ grades respectively (American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2013).


Unfortunately, that narrative is almost totally false in the case of The Transhumanist Wager. There's a small grain of truth to it, admittedly, in that Istvan actually does promote a radical philosophical and political worldview, which I'll come back to. Perhaps it's one that will attract adherents, thereby changing some minds and lives. The bad news, alas, is that those hundreds of publishers and agents had a point. The Transhumanist Wager does not succeed as a novel, and its flaws could not be repaired easily.


Submitted for the 4CF14 Meeting of The American Physical Society Optically detected magnetic resonance of silicon vacancies in SiC KYLE MILLER, Brigham Young University — Defects occur in a silicon carbide lattice structure where a silicon atom is missing. Spin lifetimes of electrons located at these defects can be studied through optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR). We have employed traditional ODMR to measure the T2 spin lifetime, and pulsed ODMR/spin echoes to measure the T2 spin lifetime. We found T ∗ 2 to be about 140 ns at low temperature (6 K), and T2 ranges between 5 and 17 μs as temperature is decreased from 160 K to 6 K. These lifetimes were determined at resonance with a magnetic field of about 372 mT and microwave frequency equal to 10.4744 GHz. Characterization of these lifetimes provides valuable information for use of SiC in quantum computing. Kyle Miller Brigham Young University Date submitted: 12 Sep 2014 Electronic form version 1.4


The success of software development efforts typically require guidance derived from a deep understanding of its design space.Well-crafted software metrics can impart invaluable insight into the nature of software and can provide the underpinnings for informed decisions involving design and implementation trade-offs. Leveraging metrics to their full capacity requires (1) the ability to quickly develop custom metrics that are domain-specific and even application specific, and (2) the ability to present metrics-related information in a comprehensible fashion. This paper describes a tool, called Sextant, whose purpose is to achieve the goals stated in the previous paragraph. An overview of Sextant is given followed by two in-depth real-world examples of how the use of metrics can positively impact software development efforts.


In contemporary enterprise and organisational culture, many companies are increasingly willing to increase their profits and to gain competitive advantages through indulgence in bribery, corruption, money laundering and other anti-social practices that shows little regard for social obligations and even laws. Companies cemented their social relations by claims of socially responsible and of ethical conduct, but the evidence in practice proves otherwise. The bourgeoning corporate social responsibility literature rarely examines predatory practices of MNCs even
though the practices affect a variety of stakeholders. This paper draws attention to the gaps between corporate anti-corruption policy and acts. The paper used publicly available evidence to provide case studies to show that companies engaged in bribery, corruption and money laundering as against their claims of responsible
social conduct. The paper argued that MNCs have used the political elite in developing countries to seek to advance their global earnings and competitive advantages by offering bribes and other inducements to secure government
contracts in Nigeria. It also encourages reflections on endemic corrupt practices and offers some suggestions for reform.


A 2 x 2 x 3 x 3 factorial experiment with 72 growing pigs examined the effect of adding salt, calcium and phosphorus (Ca + P) and trace minerals (TM-manganese, zinc, iron and copper) to a wheat/soybean meal diet. Gilts and barrows were individually fed at restricted intakes from 20 kg liveweight. Pigs required both salt and Ca + P to reach slaughter at 73 kg. Without these minerals they stopped growing; lameness and broken bones were also common. All pigs fed salt plus the higher level of Ca + P (0.84 and 0.57 per cent, respectively) completed the experiment but only half those fed salt plus the lower level (0.42 and 0.29 per cent Ca + P, respectively) did so. There was a response to salt within three weeks. In the first four weeks, 0.125 per cent added salt improved growth by 26.5 per cent and feed conversion ratio by 21 per cent. The results indicated that growing pigs require less sodium than currently estimated (Agricultural Research Council). A response to both levels of supplementary Ca + P was seen after about seven weeks with salt and nine weeks without salt. In the first eight weeks of the experiment there were no differences in performance between the two levels of added Ca + P when salt was also used. Between 8 and 12 weeks, pigs fed the higher level grew 17 per cent faster. Although 0.84 + 0.57 per cent Ca + P increased rib Ca and P levels, foot and joint abnormalities showed that these levels were insufficient for normal bone development. This suggests that the Agricultural Research Council estimates of Ca and P requirements for restrictively fed growing pigs are low. TM supplementation did not affect performance when both salt and Ca + P were added to the diet.


The following books are reviewed. Reschooling and the Global Future: politics, economics and the English experience JAMES PORTER, 1999 Oxford: Symposium Books. 128 pp., ISBN 1 873927 53 3, paperback, £18.00 Reshaping Education in the 1990s: perspectives on secondary schooling C.J. POLE & R. CHAWLA-DUGGAN (Eds), 1996 London: Falmer Press 186 pp., ISBN 0 7507 0529 9, £13.95 Gender and Management Issues in Education: an international perspective P. DRAKE & P. OWEN (Eds), 1998 Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books. 164 pp., ISBN 1 85856 087 X, £13.95 Awakening the Sleeping Giant: leadership development for teachers M. KATZENMEYER & G. MOLLER, 1996 Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press. 146 pp., ISBN 0 8039 6475 7, £16.50 The Adjunct Faculty Handbook V. BIANCO-MATHIS & N. CHALOFSKY (Eds), 1996 Thousand Oaks: Sage. 266 pp., ISBN 0 7619 9278 3, £18.95 Effective Teaching of Science: a review of research W. HARLEN, 1999 Edinburgh: Scottish Council for Research in Education. 105 pp., ISBN 1 86003 048 3, £10.50 Teaching Reading, Writing and Spelling V. TALBOT, 1997 Orland: Corwin Press. 296 pp., ISBN 0 8039 6592 3, £22.00 Postmodernism in Educational Theory: education and the politics of human resistance D. HILL, P. MCLAREN, M. COLE & G. RIKOWSKI (Eds), 1999 London: Tufnell Press. 232 pp., ISBN 1 872767 81 8, £15.00 Increasing Competence through Collaborative Problem Solving G. HANKO, 1999 London: David Fulton. 176 pp., ISBN 1 85346 600 X, £15.00 Tales for Trainers MARGARET PARKIN, 1998 London: Kogan Page. 178 pp., ISBN 0 7494 25210 5, paperback, £16.99 Professional Ethics and the Teacher: towards a General Teaching Council MERYL THOMPSON, 1997 Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books. 84 pp., ISBN 1 85856 079 9, £6.95 What's Worth Fighting for in Education? A. HARGREAVES & M. FULLAN, 1998 Buckingham: Open University Press. 146 pp., ISBN 0 335 20272 1, £10.99 The Art of Constructivist Teaching in the Primary School NICK SELLEY, 1999 London: David Fulton. 112 pp., ISBN 1 85346 572 0, £12.00 Finding One's Way: how mentoring can lead to dynamic leadership G. M. CROW & L. J. MATTHEWS, 1998 Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press. 168 pp., ISBN 0 8039 6546 X, paperback, £18.99, ISBN 0 8039 6545 1, hardback, £43.00 School-based Teacher Education: telling tales from a fictional primary school A. CAMPBELL & I. KANE, 1998 London: David Fulton. 160 pp., ISBN 1 85346 509 7, £14.00


Abstract Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the risk of prostate cancer among people with gout and/or hyperuricemia who used allopurinol and who did not use allopurinol. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to identify the cohort and case-control studies by searching PubMed and Web of Science. We used the random-effects model to calculate the pooled risk ratio with 95% confidence interval for the risk of prostate cancer associated with allopurinol treatment. Results: There were 5 cohort studies and 2 case-control studies included in the meta-analysis. All 7 eligible studies were published between 2012 and 2021. The study period ranged from 8 to 13years. The number of study subjects ranged from 25,770 to 1,623,550. The age of study subjects ranged from 20 to 99years. Overall, allopurinol treatment was not associated with the risk of prostate cancer (risk ratio = 1.13, 95% confidence interval = 0.96-1.34 and P = .13). The heterogeneity was high between studies (I2 = 93%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis reveals that no association can be found between allopurinol treatment and the risk of prostate cancer among people with gout and/or hyperuricemia. We propose that the inhibition of xanthine oxidase and the reduction of serum uric acid via allopurinol treatment do not affect the probability of developing prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings. Key Points No association can be found between allopurinol treatment and the risk of prostate cancer. The inhibition of xanthine oxidase and the reduction of serum uric acid via allopurinol treatment do not affect the probability of developing prostate cancer.


This dissertation was birthed out of a desire to investigate the possibility of potential canonical voices of answerability (responsibility) for the voiceless women of Judges 19-21. Bakhtin's dialogism became the heuristic in which to pursue this investigation. Bakhtin's use in Biblical Studies has influenced this project in three main areas: (1) the polyphonic nature of canon, (2) the quest for marginalized voices, and (3) genre considerations of Judges 19-21 and the book of Ruth. This study will also, in thinking with Brevard Childs, takes a canonical approach to the texts in polyphonic dialogue.
Previous scholarship has hinted at the connection for Judges 19-21 and Ruth (as set in dialogue), but there has yet been a study to articulate just how these two texts are set in dialogue. This study has sought a way forward to understand the canonical place of dialogue for Judges 19-21 and Ruth. In this study, the primary placement of Judges 19¬-21 and Ruth in dialogue was established for three primary reasons: (1) its placement in the Septuagint and Vulgate immediately after Judges, (2) the literary connection in Ruth 1:1-i.e., in "The days the judges were judging," an (3) The juxtaposition of feminine silence (Judges 19-21) with feminine dialogue (Ruth).
The outcome of this research has illustrated that there are canonical intertextual voices for the voiceless women in Judges 19-21. The intrinsic genre of משל within the Hebrew Bible proved to be a constructive pursuit in identifying the form and function of these two texts, illustrating that genre provides another canonical voice of answerability. Finally, through a close reading of intertextual utterances (significant words and idioms), Ruth as a text and as a woman embodies a voice of response and responsibility to the silenced and abused women in Judges 19-21.


The results reported support the use of IR imaging in risk assessment, detection, and as a prognostic indicator. We present preliminary evidence showing that the improvements in technology that have been incorporated into second-generation, focal-plane, indium-antimonide detector systems can significantly improve breast IR images.


ness is otherUopl^^buita^'^The^bank^handlM other peoples money valuables, documents, securities note! drafts, etc, and in numerous ways represents other L people, advises as to credit and investment inferTM, f Kives advice and help when San!ial trouMes' I iu^rreUable80 ^ Th'8 '8 Why a bank be abs" & .. Thf', absolute reliability is the aim of the Liberty NaTA, tlonal '2 best evidenced by the personnel of its management—its board of directors and officers—and by the quality of its service. Ask any Liberty National cuS! tomer.


Principles of accessibility are not limited to physical spaces (such as stairs or curbs) – the same principles apply to online content, including social media sites. If you are using social media as a channel to distribute your research and content, the following are reasons why your social media content should be made accessible: It is easy to do and the right thing to do; This will increase access of your research to people with disabilities; You will be abiding by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In this tip sheet we share with you five simple ways to make your social media posts as widely accessible as possible.


Analyzes dynamic linkages between stock prices and four macroeconomic variables for the case of Malaysia using standard and well‐accepted methods of cointegration and vector autoregression. Empirical results suggest the presence of a long‐run relationship between these variables and the stock prices and substantial short‐run interactions among them. In particular, documents positive short‐run and long‐run relationships between the stock prices and two macroeconomic variables. The exchange rate, however, is negatively associated with the stock prices. For the money supply, documents immediate positive liquidity effects and negative long‐run effects of money supply expansion on the stock prices. Also notes the predictive role of the stock prices for the macroeconomic variables. However, there seems to be irregularity in the data when observations from the recent crisis are included. Finally, documents the disappearance of the immediate positive liquidity effects of the money supply shocks and unstable interactions between the stock prices and the exchange rate over time.


for in-depth study. We employed an integrated approach that takes into account all artifacts, sediments, and their associations in order to understand the formation processes of the pit. Excavation was conducted by the d?capage method, where all artifacts are piece-plotted. This was combined with detailed analyses of both macroscopic and microscopic evidence. Sediment analysis was performed in the field by Infra-Red Fourier Transform spectrometer (FTIR). In this technique, the sample is irradiated by an infra red laser, the energy of which is differentially absorbed


This paper discusses development of a multi-country, multicommodity linear trade model that includes intermediate goods. This new model improves the author's previous model by rigidly formulating the supply and demand conditions for each good according to the final demand for that good as a linear function of gross domestic product (GDP). Parameter domains of φK (i.e., the level of public benefit in monetary terms provided by the forestry sector in country K, assuming that the forestry sector maintains its present output level) are investigated where the pattern of forestry specialization in each country reverses from its primary state. These domains were identified in three-dimensional φK spaces. Public benefit was assumed to be directly proportionate to the country's forestry output. Calculations were made using data from the "Asian International Input-Output Table 2000." Simulations were conducted to examine interactions between Japan, the U.S., and China. Results showed that (1) if the present public benefit from the forestry sector in each country is not considered at all, then forestry output should be decreased in Japan, (2) when public benefit is considered, a "reverse domain" (in which desirable outputs increase) certainly exists within the range of φJ = 0 − 1.0(1010$/year) in the three-dimensional φK spaces, and (3) when the agriculture, forestry, Received September 11, 2009; Accepted January 18, 2010


Size reduction of pesticide formulation can improve its performance to pest and disease control in plant.  Size reduction methods were high speed agitation, ultrasonic emulsification, high pressure homogenization, microfluidic and membrane emulsification. Homogenizer and sonication methods were most widely used because its high effectivity in size reduction. The purpose of this research was to identify the effect of size reduction on physico chemical properties of the insecticide formulation by adding palm oil surfactant. The method of this research was to make an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) formulation using 15% active ingredient of emamectin benzoate, xylene, cationic surfactant of 1%, nonionic surfactants of 6% with DEA and APG surfactant ratio of 2:3. This formulation was mixed using Homogenizer at a speed of 4000 rpm and sonication with frequencies of 42 kHz at various times of 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The best result of this research was using sonication method for 45 minutes. The best physico-chemical properties were emulsion stability after 2 hours, cream formation after 24 hours emulsion, particle size of 0.70 μm with homogenous dispersion, surface tension of 25.54 dyne/cm, contact angle at 0 minutes of 25.05⁰ and contact angle after 15 minutes of 0⁰.


At the end of her short story 'Douloti the Bountiful', the Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi presents us with a scene of pedagogy. The protagonist of the story is a young tribal woman named Douloti, whose body is ravaged by venereal disease after being forced into prostitution to repay her father's loan. After failing to get treatment at a hospital for her medical condition, Douloti collapses on a large temporary map of India that a local village schoolmaster has drawn in the clay courtyard near the school in preparation for independence. As the narrator puts it, 'Filling the entire Indian peninsula from the oceans to the Himalayas, here lies bonded labor spreadeagled, kamiya-whore, Douloti Nagesia's tormented corpse, putrified with venereal disease, having vomited up all the blood in her dessicated lungs'. As a counterpoint to the schoolteacher's lesson in India's political geography, and the promise of a national independence to come that the map symbolises, the harrowing appearance of Douloti's diseased body on the schoolteacher's map of India raises important questions about the limitations of India's national independence for tribal groups who remain socially and economically subordinate to the elite landowning class.


Creating incentives for cooperation is a challenge in natural and artificial systems. One potential answer is reputation, whereby agents trade the immediate cost of cooperation for the future benefits of having a good reputation. Game theoretical models have shown that specific social norms can make cooperation stable, but how agents can independently learn to establish effective reputation mechanisms on their own is less understood. We use a simple model of reinforcement learning to show that reputation mechanisms generate two coordination problems: agents need to learn how to coordinate on the meaning of existing reputations and collectively agree on a social norm to assign reputations to others based on their behavior. These coordination problems exhibit multiple equilibria, some of which effectively establish cooperation. When we train agents with a standard Q-learning algorithm in an environment with the presence of reputation mechanisms, convergence to undesirable equilibria is widespread. We propose two mechanisms to alleviate this: (i) seeding a proportion of the system with fixed agents that steer others towards good equilibria; and (ii), intrinsic rewards based on the idea of introspection, i.e., augmenting agents' rewards by an amount proportionate to the performance of their own strategy against themselves. A combination of these simple mechanisms is successful in stabilizing cooperation, even in a fully decentralized version of the problem where agents learn to use and assign reputations simultaneously. We show how our results relate to the literature in Evolutionary Game Theory, and discuss implications for artificial, human and hybrid systems, where reputations can be used as a way to establish trust and cooperation.


The organising and running of four inter-laboratory calibration exercises in South Africa in 1981 are described. Analyses of a solution containing pesticides, margarine and fruit pulp fortified with pesticides and a potato sample with incurred residues were carried out. The results indicate that most laboratories produced acceptable results. This type of exercise should be continued.


Based on Student Learning Outcomes of Class IV SDN 08 Kumbayau in PKN subjects it was found that Student Learning Outcomes in PKN subjects were still very low. The purpose of this study was to describe and obtain information about Improving Student Learning Outcomes in PKN subjects through the cooperative learning model type Student Facilitator and Explaining in Class IV SDN 08 Kumbayau. This research is a class action research. Research procedures in this study include planning, action, observation and reflection. This research consisted of two cycles with four meetings. The research subjects consisted of 18 students of Class IV SDN 08 Kumbayau. Research data were collected using Observation sheets. Data were analyzed using percentages.Based on the results of research and discussion that have been presented in the previous chapter, it can be concluded that it can be concluded that the model of demonstration learning can improve student learning outcomes in PKN subjects in Class IV SDN 08 Kumbayau. Student Learning Outcomes from cycle I to cycle II. Student learning outcomes in the first cycle was 68.89 (enough) increased to 77.78 (good) with an increase of 8.89 (good).


Dracula smaug, a proposed new Ecuadorian species in the Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is described. A few plants of a new species of Dracula Luer where found in a cloud forest in northwestern Ecuador, close to Colombia. History and notes on this new species and the genus Dracula are presented.


Synopsis A new species of fossil polyplacophoran from the Danian (Lower Palaeocene) of Denmark is described from over 450 individual disarticulated plates. The polyplacophorans originate from the 'nose‐chalk' in the classical Danish locality of Fakse Quarry, an unconsolidated coral limestone in which aragonitic mollusc shells are preserved through transformation into calcite. In plate architecture and sculpture, the new Danish material is similar to Recent Leptochiton spp., but differs in its underdeveloped apophyses and high dorsal elevation (height/width ca. 0.54). Cladistic analysis of 55 original shell characters coded for more than 100 Recent and fossil species in the order Lepidopleurida shows very high resolution of interspecific relationships, but does not consistently recover traditional genera or subgenera. Inter‐relationships within the suborder Lepidopleurina are of particular interest as it is often considered the most 'basal' neoloricate lineage. In a local context, the presence of chitons in the faunal assemblage of Fakse contributes evidence of shallow depositional depth for at least some elements of this Palaeocene seabed, a well‐studied formation of azooxanthellic coral limestones. This new record for Denmark represents a well‐dated and ecologically well‐understood fossil chiton with potential value for understanding the radiation of the Neoloricata.


The photometer is adapted for sensing radiation emitted by a chemical sample held in a cuvette received in a first compartment and includes a highly sensitive photomultiplier in a second compartment adjacent the first compartment for detecting fluorescent radiation emitted by the chemical sample and passing through an opening between the compartments. A mechanical protector assembly is provided for protecting the photomultiplier from ambient light and includes a movable light shield movable between a first position blocking the opening and a second position not blocking the opening. A knob is provided for moving the light shield to the first position to protect the photomultiplier from light entering from the first compartment when the first compartment is opened for insertion or removal of a cuvette, and for moving the light shield to the second position not blocking the opening to permit radiation emitted by the chemical sample to impinge upon the photomultiplier in the second compartment. The photometer also includes a mechanical interlocking assembly for ensuring that the first compartment cannot be opened unless the light shield is in the first position to prevent ambient light from entering the second compartment from the first compartment and reaching the photomultiplier.


Summary

The literature concerning alcohol and food abuse is reviewed. Previous researchers in their respective fields of alcoholism, anorexia nervosa and hyperphagia/obesity have often remarked on cross-abuse commonalities. Such supposed commonalities are examined. Sociocultural and familial influences, personality, intemality vs externality, and the concepts of craving, abstinence and relapse are discussed. The Abstinence Violation Effect and catastrophe theory are outlined as models with comment on their applicability. Conclusions and suggestions for subsequent research are proposed.


The individual management of public security organization is a new principle and model of manage-ment.Nowadays,some experts are putting more attention to this issue,because that some problems take place nowand then.Lots of researches and theories,which are concerned about the foundation of personal behavior and person-ality, have been formed and developed in the modern organizational behavior and management.These theories wouldmake a difference in improving individual management of our public security organization.How to make these con-cerned theories true is very important.There are some scientific and effective methods in the last part of this article.


This chapter reviews efforts to integrate psychotherapy research and practice through collaboration and information-sharing within naturalistic clinical settings. Specifically, the chapter focuses on three types of practice-oriented research that capitalize on the bidirectional partnership between researchers and practitioners: (1) patient-focused, (2) practice-based, and (3) practice-research networks. The authors provide examples of each type of integration, highlighting the ways in which the research is different, yet complementary to more traditional studies conducted in controlled settings. They submit that the researcher–practitioner partnership in an ecologically valid treatment context represents an optimal means to reduce the pervasive research–practice chasm and to promote genuine integration for enhancing the effectiveness and personalization of psychotherapy. The chapter also discusses future directions in this vein.


Hyperbilirubinemia is a common disease in neonatal period,in which especially the increasion of indirect bilirubin (light or moderate extent)can result in nervous system injury in different extent.This article reviews all of these to improve our knowledge about it,so that we can make treatments in early period to reduce the injury of never system.


Investigation on health conditions and diseases of juvenile catla ( Catla catla ) was carried out for clinical and histopathological observations from different farms of Mymensingh region.  A total of eight (8) farms, four Government (Govt.) and four Private (Pvt.) fish farms were selected for the study. The Indian major carp - catla was examined during June, 2010 to May, 2012. Monthly samplings were carried out with 5 fishes from each farm. Altogether 960 fish hosts were examined during the study period. Water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, hardness, alkalinity, transparency and depth of water etc. were taken and management practices were investigated fortnightly interval. These were almost similar for all experimental ponds. The risk of being infestation by parasites of catla significantly (p<0.001) increased when the water quality parameters were not maintained the optimum level. Clinical examination of fishes was also carried out for any kind of abnormalities at monthly intervals. For histopathological studies skin, muscle, gill, liver and kidney were collected, processed and stained in Haematoxylin and Eosin. Histologically, catla of different fish farms were more affected in colder months (October to January). Structures of fish organs were normal from March to July. In the months of September, minor pathologies were found to be started and in the months of February the pathological condition of fish gradually reduced. Pathological changes like necrosis, fungal granuloma, protozoan and monogenean cyst, vacuolation, melanomacrophase, haemorrhage, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and clubbing were recorded in all the investigated organs. Among them fish gills and skin were more affected followed by liver and kidney. Again when considered individual fish farm, fish of Pvt. Fish farms were more affected than others. The study showed that severity of clinically and pathologically changes were gradually increased in November to January. During the period mixed infection of protozoa, monogenea and argulus were noticed in catla of the investigated farms.


PURPOSE: To obtain a closure means for securely closing the open end of an evacuable cylindrical housing. CONSTITUTION: The periphery of a closure means 1 is surrounded with a cap 5 for covering the open end 2 of a cylindrical housing 3, and the top of the closure means is provided with a hole. A sealing means 6 is provided between the hole and the inner chamber of the housing 3. The cap 5 is connected by a coupling device 13 either to the sealing means 6 or to the cylindrical housing 3. COPYRIGHT: (C)1992,JPO


study aimed to identify the role of the health media in relation to Corona virus vaccination from the perspective of opinion leaders, and the researcher used a descriptive analytical approach, selecting a random sample of Jordanian opinion leaders (50), distributing a questionnaire to them, and analyzing the results of their responses. The study found that all members of the study sample of opinion leaders received the Corona vaccine, of which (54.0 %) received the Pfizer vaccine, 30.0 % received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 16.0 % received the Sino-pharma vaccine, and that (88.0 %) prefer Pfizer vaccine, while (10.0 %) prefer Sino-pharm, and (6.0 %) prefer AstraZeneca vaccine. The findings also revealed that (50.0 percent) of the study sample believed that the main reason for people's reluctance to take the Corona vaccine is fear of side effects, and that the majority of the sample members of Jordanian opinion leaders agreed that the information provided by the Ministry of Health in Jordanian media was sufficient to dispel rumors to a large extent, as it clarified the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations.
The study recommended the need for official institutions, particularly Jordan TV and the Ministry of Health, and through various media, to continue to provide sufficient information about the coronavirus disease, and its catastrophic consequences on the economic, health and social levels, as well as the need for official authorities to provide through the various media accurate information based on global sources in the positive Receiving the Corona vaccine, its effectiveness in fighting the disease, and its safety for individuals.

Keywords: health media, coronavirus, opinion leaders.


We show that the measure of the so-called release energy, which is an experimentally accessible quantity, makes it possible to assess the value of the Mott gap in the presence of the unavoidable confinement potential in the actual experimental setup. Indeed, the curve of the release energy as a function of the total number of particles shows kinks that are directly related to the existence of excitation gaps. Calculations are presented within the Gutzwiller approach, but the final results go beyond this simple approximation and represent a genuine feature of the real system. In the case of harmonic confinement, the Mott gaps may be renormalized with respect to the uniform case. On the other hand, in the case of the recently proposed off-diagonal confinement, our results show good agreement with the homogeneous case.


The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. In particular, the present invention is to transfer a synchronizing signal for position measurements to determine the position of the terminal in a wireless communication system, in the transferring position measurement zone configured for one or more superframes, the position measurement zone transfers a superframe header including information indicating whether or not transferred to the terminal. Thus, the terminal, it is possible to distinguish the terminal which the position measurement zone belongs among the superframe said terminal receives. .BACKGROUND


1. If employers aim to select personnel with high levels of organizational citizenship behavior, they should choose employees with high scores on emotional stability and extraversion. (this dissertation) 2. In a collectivist country, leaders who are trustworthy will embed employees in the organization. (this dissertation) 3. It is useful to draw a distinction between on-the-job-and off-the-job embeddedness. (this dissertation) 4. In a collectivist country, employees may stay in the organization not because they fit with the organization but because their family prefers them to stay. (this dissertation) 5. In the process of searching for meaningfulness at work, calling-oriented employees tend to develop personal resources such as connections or friendships with other people at work, and therefore show high levels of organizational citizenship behavior. (this dissertation) 6. I don't differentiate between 'this is a job' and 'this is what I'm doing for fun'. It's sort of all simultaneous. (Spike Jonze) 7. Obtaining a PhD is all about persistence and perseverance. 8. Mangan ora mangan asal kumpul – Whether we have something to eat or not, the important thing is togetherness. (Javanese anecdote). 9. Bagai kerakap di atas batu, hidup segan mati tak mau –Living without a purpose is like fighting a losing battle. (Indonesian proverb) 10. That has been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. (Steve Jobs) 11. Some may opt to work in an organization because of the benefits and challenges it brings, but others work in an organization because they grew up there.


Could integration provide a solution to waste management problems in the South? This case study highlights some of the potential benefits - and problems - with such a scheme.


This paper describes the techniques which can be used to control the magnetic and magneto-optical hybrid recording properties of sputtered amorphous SmCoCu/Co thin films. SmCoCu/Co films with high coercivity are interesting for various applications including high density hybrid recording. In this work, SmCoCu/Co films on glass substrates have been systematically prepared at different substrate temperatures. The results show that the uniaxial anisotropy perpendicular to the film plane and the magneto-optical Kerr rotation are dependent upon the annealing time, substrate bias and heating used during deposition. A procedure for optimizing the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of SmCoCu/Co for magneto-optical and hybrid recording applications is outlined. With proper composition and suitable sputtering condition, these thin films have excellent magneto-optical and perpendicular characteristics.


Nilssonia gangetica, a soft shell freshwater turtle, found in Rawalpindi – Islamabad area were identified and characterized on the basis of cytochrome b amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism by using AluI, FokI, MspI, TaqI and HaeIII enzymes. Genetic diversity based on partial sequence of gene cytochrome b of Pakistani isolate was found to be varied from 8.7 to 50.2 % with highest difference with HE801750, HE801751 and AM495210, respectively. Ng|SamPk showed 100% genetic similarity based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences was found to be closely related to indian Nilssonia gangetica with Gen Bank accession No. EF558361. The results indicated the use of molecular techniques to be an efficient and more reliable to identify fresh water turtle species in general and endangered species in particular and to keep in their proper taxonomic position.


The carbon isotope fractionation in algal organic matter (εp), including the long‐chain alkenones produced by the coccolithophorid family Noelaerhabdaceae, is used to reconstruct past atmospheric CO2 levels. The conventional proxy linearly relates εp to changes in cellular carbon demand relative to diffusive CO2 supply, with larger εp values occurring at lower carbon demand relative to supply (i.e., abundant CO2). However, the response of Gephyrocapsa oceanica, one of the dominant alkenone producers of the last few million years, has not been studied closely. Here, we subject G. oceanica to various CO2 levels by increasing pCO2 in the culture headspace, as opposed to increasing dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and alkalinity concentrations at constant pH. We note no substantial change in physiology, but observe an increase in εp as carbon demand relative to supply decreases, consistent with DIC manipulations. We compile existing Noelaerhabdaceae εp data and show that the diffusive model poorly describes the data. A meta‐analysis of individual treatments (unique combinations of lab, strain, and light conditions) shows that the slope of the εp response depends on the light conditions and range of carbon demand relative to CO2 supply in the treatment, which is incompatible with the diffusive model. We model εp as a multilinear function of key physiological and environmental variables and find that both photoperiod duration and light intensity are critical parameters, in addition to CO2 and cell size. While alkenone carbon isotope ratios indeed record CO2 information, irradiance and other factors are also necessary to properly describe alkenone εp.


This study investigates the stabilizing effects of Halloysite nanotubes on the geotechnical features of gypseous soil as a subgrade. The soil that was utilized for this study was collected from Ayn al-Tamr in Karbala City, southwest of Iraq, having an average gypsum of 30% and was designated as (SP) by (USCS). As a percentage of the dry unit weight of the soil, the gypseous soil was mixed with a small amount of nanomaterial (Halloysite nanotubes). A set of physical and chemical identification tests have been conducted on the original soil, as well as additive, direct shear, collapsibility, and California bearing ratio (CBR) testing on both untreated and treated soil samples using Halloysite nanotubes. Three different additive proportions (2.5, 5, and 7.5) % by dry unit weight of soil were added to soil samples. The results of the conducted tests revealed that the geotechnical properties of the soil sample were considerably modified. As the amount of utilized nanomaterials increases, the collapse potential instantly decreases. In addition, soil strength and stability were increased by increasing CBR values, and the collapse severity was changed from moderate trouble to no problem. Thus, the value of 2.5% of Halloysite nanotubes can be considered as an optimum percentage based on the results of the mentioned tests.


Selectively catalytic hydrogenolysis of biomass derived polyols(sorbitol,xylitol and glycerol) to small molecular diols(glycol and 1,2-/1,3-propanediols) has attracted more and more attention due to the wide application of these small molecular diols in fine and organic chemical,biology and pharmaceutical industries.Compared to the multi-stepped transformation of fossil based ethylene and propylene feedstocks,selective hydrogenolysis of biomass derived polyols to small molecular diols shows higher efficiency,simpler processing and more friendly to environment.This review is focused on the catalyst and reaction mechanism of selective hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-/1,3-propanediols and selective hydrogenolysis of sorbitol and xylitol to small molecular diols.The perspective of efficient catalyst and process for producing small molecular diols by hydrogenolysis of biomass derived polyols is discussed.


The aim of the article is an analysis of the relations between mental representations and some types of memory, and between some kinds of mental representation and types of knowledge. The first part contains a polemics with radical behaviourism about mental representations. The second reviews relations between mental representations and some types of memory, with a special stress on non-declarative memory. The last part is focuses on the analysis of three main types of knowledge in terms of mental representations fulfilling some criteria. Also the problem of universal definition of knowledge is raised.


The effects of the weather in Sydney on the daily returns of two stock indices of the Australian stock exchange are investigated. Three factors capture the essence of daily variations in temperature, cloud cover and wind speed. Two steps are taken to increase the efficiency of the statistical tests. First, control variables are incorporated in the regression models to abstract systematic variance from the error terms. Second, a repeated measures design is used to estimate the standard errors of the slope coefficients. The returns of the stock indices are uninfluenced by wind speed and cloud cover. However, the returns of the two stock indices are negatively influenced by the temperature in Sydney. There is evidence that deseasonalized temperature has a stronger negative influence than the level of temperature.


A study was conducted to evaluate the bioefficacy of different oil carriers (sunflower oil, seamum oil, neem oil, mineral oil), sugar solution and water formulation to be used in ultra low volume sprayer (ULV) along with rynaxypyr 18.5 SC (Coragen) for the management of pod borer at the Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India during the kharif season of 2011–2012. The results revealed that the sesamum oil carrier fits well with rynaxypyr 18.5 SC and recorded the lowest mean pod borer larval population after last spray (1.0 per five plants) the lowest pod damage (23.20%), grain damage (18.30%) and higher grain yield (9.43 q/ha) with a high B:C ratio of 3.64 in the plot sprayed with the sesamum oil carrier. The findings suggested that the sesamum oil carrier in ULV sprayer is suitable and practicable in pigeonpea ecosystem for effective management of pod borer with no risk of phytotoxicity, spray drift and operational difficulties. The foregoing studies indicated that the performance of sesamum oil carriers was superior to other carriers in terms of suppression of larval population, reduction in pod damage and harnessing higher yield.


This paper introduces the working principium and the characteristic of seismic CT technology. And then taking actual project cases into account, the practicality of the technology in forecasting the geological conditions which will be encountered during tunneling and its guidance role to engineering were analyzed. The application prospect of the technical in the field of geo-technical engineering was pointed out.


text: Soil and rhizosphere microorganisms play key roles in biogeochemical cycling and plant productivity, and by infecting soil microbiota, viruses likely have substantial direct and indirect impacts on these processes. In the oceans, viruses lyse (burst and kill) an estimated 20-40% of microbial cells daily, impacting global ocean food webs, carbon and nutrient cycling, and climate. At ~10 to 10 viruses per gram, soil viruses may play similarly important roles in terrestrial ecosystems and have been recognized as abundant but virtually unknown members of the soil microbiome. As part of our large-scale field manipulation study on the impacts of drought in a Mediterranean grassland, we harvested rhizosphere-influenced soil samples from 15 experimental plots encompassing two multi-year watering treatments (100% and 50% precipitation since 2017). Collections were performed twice during the 2020 growing season of Avena barbata, the annual grass that dominates the ecosystem. To profile the dsDNA viral diversity associated with our samples, we generated 44 viral size-fraction metagenomes (viromes) by separating smaller virions from larger microbes with 0.2 μm filtration prior to DNA extraction and sequencing. By depleting sources of non-viral DNA, this viromic approach facilitates the recovery of a greater richness of viral populations (vOTUs) compared to the recoverable viral diversity from total metagenomes [1, 2]. While precipitation regime and collection time point had significant, albeit minor, effects on overall soil viral community composition, beta diversity trends were largely driven by the location of sampled plots in the field. The observed spatial structuring was defined by a steady turnover of viral populations (vOTUs) along a 16 m transect, with 65% of vOTUs displaying differential abundance patterns impacted by plot position. This distance-decay relationship highlights potential constraints on the distribution of soil viruses and, possibly, on virus-host interactions at a local scale in these soils. Ongoing characterizations of bacterial and archaeal diversity in these samples should reveal whether the presumed hosts for these viruses exhibit similar spatial patterns, but preliminary data suggest that the observed spatial structuring may be restricted to viral communities. In a second study, we have focused on rewetting of dry soils, which in Mediterranean ecosystems drives a pulse of CO2 emissions and a release of inorganic N at magnitudes with global climate implications [3]. Viral activity has been proposed as a contributor to the microbial processes behind this biogeochemical burst, but the specific virus and infected host populations involved have not been identified. To investigate soil viral activity and virus-host dynamics before and after wet-up, while controlling for some of the variation inherent in our field experiments, we have performed laboratory simulations of wet-up. Our preliminary data suggest that viral particle (virion) abundance and diversity are low in dry soils compared to wet soils and, interestingly, that degraded ("relic") DNA may be more abundant in dry soils. For example, 10 days after rewetting dry grassland soils, we observed a >10-fold increase in the number of viral populations detected in viromes and a >8-fold increase in the number of reads recruited to viral contigs in total metagenomes. This viral bloom seems to be a conserved feature of grassland soils, as evidenced by substantial spikes in viromic DNA yields and decreases in free DNA yields as early as 24 hours after rewetting four compositionally distinct grassland soils. Ongoing temporal surveys will identify the microbial populations and metabolic processes impacted by viral predation during wet-up, along with the relative contributions of dormant viruses and desiccation-resistant virions to these dynamics. Future integration of these results with our ongoing studies of bacterial, fungal, and microfaunal mediation of nutrient cycling will bring us closer to an understanding of viral contributions to terrestrial microbial ecology and biogeochemical cycling.


This research summarizes effects of 1-methylcyclopropane (1-MCP) treatments on some compositional parameters in 'Esme' and 'Ekmek' quinces. Following harvest at the beginning of October, fruit were treated with 300 nl L -1 and 1000 nl L -1 1-MCP, respectively, at 12°C for 20h and then stored at 0±1°C and 85-90% relative humidity for six months. During storage, contents of sugars, organic acids, phenols and vitamin C were determined in fruit sampled at monthly intervals and quantified based on external standards. Results showed that storage and 1-MCP treatment significantly affected the content of the compounds investigated in each cultivar. At the end of the storage period of six months, generally the treatment with 1000 nl L -1 1-MCP mostly inhibited loss of organic acid, phenolic compounds and vitamin C. While it seems that 1-MCP helps to retain quality from the standpoint of these compounds in both cultivars during storage, a clear effect on carbohydrates could not be observed.


NEW GENERATION JAIL DESIGN -A SHIFT AWAY FROM 200 YEARS OF THINKING 1983 was a milepost that signaled a departure from nearly 200 years of jail design philosophy. In that year the concept of direct supervision was formally recognized by the National Institute of Corrections, NIC. Subsequently, the concept and its design implications were endorsed by the American Jail Association, AJA, the American Correctional Association, ACA, and the Committee on Architecture for Justice of the American Institute of Architects. Even though "new generation" jail concepts have gained wide acceptance among informed professionals, there are many law enforcement, jail, and county officials who have not had the benefit of being in the communication channel on reforms in jail design. Unfortunately, jail design becomes easily entangled in moral debates which push the issues of staff safety and rights of the confined to the background. As will be pointed out in this article, new generation jails are much safer than old style jails. In addition, decision makers must hold in mind that their jails will house unconvicted as well as convicted persons. About 60% of most jail populations consists of unconvicted defendants, many of whom are held on relatively low bonds and would be out on ba il if they had the money. Making a decision about the design of a new jail may be difficult for county commissioners because of the unfamiliarity of concepts about jail design and inmate supervision. The path to selecting a jail design is filled with the risk of embracing mistakes that will affect liability, safety of staff and inmates, efficiency in daily operations, and effectiveness in functioning. Long after the dollar savings obtained by selecting a less expensive, flawed design have been forgotten, the problems of a bad design will remain as painful and costly reminders of the shortsightedness of county commissioners' decisions. Counties in which this sore memory lingers are not difficult to find. This article will investigate three strategies for inmate supervision and their impact on jail design. Graphically, jail designs will be displayed, how these designs are employed will be discussed, and various considerations in decision making about selecting designs will be examined.


The present study is aimed at examining the extent to which socio-economic psychological variables (ethnocentrism and animosity) and the service quality are associated with purchase intention of consumers in fast-food industry. A conceptual model is developed to examine: 1) the role of gender as a moderator in the relationship between ethnocentrism and purchase intention; 2) service quality as a moderator in the relationship between animosity and purchase intention. Using a structured survey instrument, this paper gathered data from 200 respondents in cosmopolitan city in northern part of India. First psychometric properties of the instrument were tested, and then hierarchical regression was used as a statistical technique for analysing the data. Results show that: 1) ethnocentrism is positively related to purchase intention (which is contrary to the popular belief that ethnocentrism is negatively associated with purchase intention); 2) animosity is negatively related to purchase intention; 3) ethnocentrism is positively related to animosity; 4) gender play a crucial role as a moderator in the relationship between ethnocentrism and purchase intention; 5) service quality mitigates the negative effects of animosity on purchase intention.


The aim of this paper was to study the effect of a Persian Cued Speech training program for increasing the phonological combination and segmentation skills of intellectually disabled children. This study was a quasi–experimental study. A convenience sample was selected and divided in two groups, namely an experimental group and a control group (n = 5). The study used the Phonological Awareness Questionnaire as the tool of analysis. The Cued Speech training is a forty 90-minute session program, which was implemented on the experimental group. At the end of the program, they were again assessed with the questionnaire. The findings from the study show the efficacy of our intervention on increasing the Phonological Combination and Segmentation skills (P < 0/10, P < 0/05). Using Cued Speech with the intellectually disabled children can be helpful to develop their pre reading skills such as phonological awareness.


In 2015, Professor Adrian Sterling proposed an 'Asian Pacific Copyright Code' that would harmonise the copyright laws of Asian Pacific countries that adopt the code.2 The Code was proposed within the framework of the Asian Pacific Copyright Association (APCA) established in 2011 with members throughout the region.3 This chapter argues that the proposed draft Code, as it stands, does not adequately take the interests of indigenous peoples and the impact of regional copyright harmonisation on those interests into account.


This assignment focuses on how fast growing organizations, also known as gazelle firms, organize exploration. Innovation is usually of considerable importance for companies and their growth ambitions, however exploitative activities must also be performed. Exploration and exploitation are two conflicting activities. Maintaining a good balance between them is necessary for organizational success.
In order to research how gazelle firms organize exploration the evolution of exploration within the organizations is examined. At the internal side of firms the structure regarding exploration is observed and regarding the external side the firm`s relationships with other companies is investigated. The data collection is performed by several case studies of Dutch firms found in the internet technology sector. By using the "2009 Gazellen top 100" of the Financieel Dagblad a selection is made of fast growing firms in the internet technology sector. With these firms face to face interviews were performed with the CEO and also employees in the organization. The investigation of the data results is performed by a within case analysis for each firm and cross case analysis.
It is found that several forms of ambidexterity are linked with exploration. The firms where exploration plays an important role, usually have a form of ambidexterity. It is also found that the use of external partnerships is important for organizations that are engaged significantly in exploration. The size of organizations is an important characteristic. Large size firms more often have ambidextrous forms than small size firms. It can be argued that because of their limited R&D facilities the use of external partnerships is more important for small size companies than for large size companies, though collaboration with other organizations is also essential for large size firms.


The Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) enables European Union to take a leading role in peace – keeping operations, conflict prevention and the strengthening of the international security. It is an integral part of EU's comprehensive approach towards crisis management, drawing on civilian and military assets. EU Battle Groups remain important for CSDP as the only military capabilities on standby for possible EU operations and as they are helping to reinforce the effectiveness Member States' of military forces. EU Battle Groups are multinational, military units and form an integral part of the EU's military rapid reaction capacity to respond to emerging crises and conflicts around the world. Therefore, Polish diplomacy actively acts in various forums (the Visegrad Group, the Weimar Triangle) to bolster the CSDP. Poland actively involved in the implementation of the CSDP through participation in EU Battle Groups.


: Development and Application of New Methodologies for synthesis of Bioactive molecule reported synthesized 2-aminobenzothiazole from substituted aniline, potassium thiocyanate and bromine in acidic condition 1 .Even the synthesis of  5substituted Benzimidazole derivatives has been synthesized by 2-amino thiophenol and pentane 2,4 dione and aniline. 2 under oxidant and metal free condition. In this paper Author adopting a new approach to conjugate 2-amino benzothiazole in 5-substituted benzimidazole which results in new series of compound. The new series of compound has been used as Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anticancer, Antifungal, and Antihypertensive.


Key Points Infliximab aggregates induce dendritic cell maturation and CD4 T cell activation. Aggregate-induced immune response is mediated via the FcγRIIa–Syk axis. Visual Abstract The development of anti-drug Abs in response to biological products (BP) is a major drawback in the treatment of patients. Factors related to the patient, the treatment, and the product can influence BP immunogenicity. Among these factors, BP aggregates have been suggested to promote immunogenicity by acting as danger signals recognized by dendritic cells (DC) facilitating the establishment of an anti-BP CD4 T cell–dependent adaptive immune response leading to anti-drug Abs production. To date, little is known on the mechanism supporting the effect of aggregates on DCs and consequently on the T cell response. The aim of this work was to identify key signaling pathways involved in BP aggregate DC activation and T cell response. We generated aggregates by submitting infliximab (IFX), an immunogenic anti–TNF-α chimeric Ab, to heat stress. Our results showed that IFX aggregates were able to induce human monocyte-derived DC (moDC) maturation in a concentration-dependent manner. Aggregate-treated moDCs enhanced allogeneic T cell proliferation and IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 production compared with native Ab-treated moDCs. We then investigated the implication of FcγRIIa and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) in DC activation and showed that they were both strongly implicated in moDC maturation induced by IFX aggregates. Indeed, we found that neutralization of FcγRIIa inhibited DC activation, and consequently, Syk inhibition led to a decrease in T cell proliferation and cytokine production in response to IFX aggregates. Taken together, our results bring new insight, to our knowledge, on how protein aggregates could induce DC and T cell activation via the FcγRIIa–Syk signaling pathway.


In recent years scholars in China pay increasing attention to Singapore bilingual education and model.However,few of them have first-hand experience with it and hence their research lacks systematic summaries.Having personally done the field research for the Ph.D dissertation and survey on English-Chinese bilingualism in Singapore,and with plenty of first-hand documents and data,the authors describe the historical development and the current status of Singapore bilingual model and analyze the language shift from Chinese and Chinese dialects to English between the three generations of Singaporean Chinese,compared with those between all the other races,and the relationship between the shift and the model.The study reveals that it is due to the "transitional-maintenance bilingual model" that the rate of speaking Chinese dialects is withering away;Chinese(standard) is going down after a period of increase in use;and English is quickly and continuously going up.


A general pathway towards NHC (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene)-stabilized galliummonotriflates NHC ∙ GaH2(OTf) (NHC = IDipp, 1a; IPr2Me2, 1b; IMes, 1c; IDipp = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene, IPr2Me2 = 1,3-bis-(diisopropyl)-4,5-dimethyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene, IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene) is reported. Quantum chemical calculations give detailed insight into the underlying reaction pathway. The obtained NHC ∙ GaH2(OTf) compounds were employed in reactions with donor-stabilized pnictogenylboranes to synthesize the elusive cationic parent 13/15/13 chain compounds [IDipp ∙ GaH2ER2E'H2 ∙ D][OTf] (3a: D = IDipp, E = P, E' = B, R = H; 3b: D = NMe3, E = P, E' = B, R = H, 3c: D = NMe3, E = P, E' = B, R = Ph, 3d: D = IDipp, E = P, E' = Ga, R = H). Supporting computational studies highlight the electronic features of the products.


The minimum requirements for the release of short forms and item banks/CATs are described in stage 1. These requirements should be met before PROMIS instruments can be released in a new language. Stage 2 describes further psychometric evaluation of short forms or item banks/CATs that is recommended after the release of short forms and item banks/CATs in a new language. Stage 2 also includes recommendations about how to obtain reference scores in the new language/country.


FSR has been placed and operated in the Daegu Fire & Safety Department on a trial basis since September 2009. This research proposes a direction for developing the robot, which will provide greater field adaptability and efficiency through analyzing in-depth interviews and surveys of firefighters who have operated the robot. Analysis has shown that an Assistant FSR is expected to enhance maneuverability and improve the performance of wheels, which will increase the capacity for navigating obstacles. The Field FSR needs improvements in convenience of control, making the weight lighter, and stabilization of radio communications to eliminate tangled wires. Overall satisfaction regarding the performance of robots currently in operation is low, while preference toward using the Assistant robot in the field is also low, shown at 8.4%. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to vitalize usage of FSR in the field so that early commercialization of the FSR will contribute to reinforce both growth and competitiveness of the domestic robotics industry.


Cloud computing is a relatively new technology which is quickly becoming one of the most important technological advances for computer science. This technology has had a significant growth in recent years. It is now more affordable and cloud platforms are becoming more stable. Businesses are successfully migrating their systems to a cloud infrastructure, obtaining technological and economic benefits. However, others still remain reluctant to do it due to both security concerns and the loss of control over their infrastructures and data that the migration entails. At the same time that new technologies progress, its benefits appeal to criminals too. They can not only steal data from clouds, but they can also hide data in clouds, which has provoked an increased in the number of cybercrimes and their economic impacts. Their victims range from children and adults to companies and even countries. On the other hand, digital forensics have negatively suffered the impact of the boom of cloud computing due to its dynamic nature. The tools and procedures that were successfully proved and used in digital investigations are now becoming irrelevant, making it an urging necessity to develop new forensics capabilities for conducting an investigation in this new environment. As a consequence of these needs a new area has emerged, Cloud Forensics, which is the result of the intersection between cloud computing and digital forensics.
Keywords: Cloud forensics, cloud computing, forensics investigation, forensic challenges.


Application of this standard is mandatory for business periods beginning after 01/01/2019. For the tenant this standard provides only one model of recognition of the lease. According to this model, if all the property of the lessee and obligations related to leasing be recognized. For tenants, rent becomes a new obligation to which the payment of interest, along with a new asset in assets. Tenants will express more property, but at the same time will be more in charge. The impact is not only held on the balance sheet. The income statement is reversed evenly distributed business expense from operating leases, recorded in accordance with IAS - to 17. In accordance with IFRS 16 expenses for leases are divided into depreciation costs (operating expenses) and interest expense of obligations under leases (finance charges). All the companies that are a nuisance assets under operating leases expressed in off-balance sheet to go through a significant change of financial ratios derived from the assets and liabilities of the company.


Compared to hydrograph recession analysis, which is widely applied in engineering hydrology, the quantitative assessment of stream salinity with time (i.e. the salinograph) has received significantly less attention. In particular, while in many previous hydrological studies an inverse relationship between hydrograph and salinograph responses is apparent, the concept of salinity accession (the inversely related salinity counterpart to hydrograph recession) has not been introduced nor quantitatively evaluated in previous literature. In this study, we conduct a mathematical analysis of salinograph accession, and determine new quantitative relationships between salinity accession and hydrograph recession parameters. An equation is formulated that reproduces the general trend in salinity accession. A salinity accession parameter kc is then introduced and is shown to be the ratio of direct runoff to total stream flow recession parameters: kr/k. The groundwater recession parameter kg was estimated using a simple and rapid method that uses both salinograph and hydrograph data. Salinity accession type‐curves illustrate that under certain conditions, the relative steepness of individual salinographs is dependent upon the ratio of groundwater salinity to direct runoff salinity: Cg/Cr. The salinity accession algorithms are applied to two contrasting field settings: Scott Creek, South Australia and Sandy Creek, northern Queensland, Australia. It was found that kg > k during periods of obvious stream flow recession, for the events analysed. Salinograph accession behaviour was fairly similar for both sites, despite contrasting environments. Using assumed end‐member salinities for groundwater and direct runoff based upon field observations, the behaviour of kc from the Scott Creek site was approximately reproduced by varying the initial groundwater to runoff flow ratio: Qg0/Qr0, within reasonable parameter ranges. The use of salinograph information when used in addition to standard hydrograph analyses provided useful information on recession characteristics of stream components. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Recognition of the diversity that exists among older Americans has stimulated thinking about the implications of these differences for public policymaking. The emergence of the healthy elderly has contributed to the breaking down of stereotypes of older people as being characterized by illness and infirmity and has initiated a discussion of new policies based on older persons' ability to continue making productive contributions to society. This article presents an overview of several authors whose work provides insight into the rationale and potential of formulating public policy aimed at utilizing the resources of the elderly, as contrasted with the present effort of meeting the vulnerabilities of old age.


The behaviour of composite connection specimens consisting of studded T-Beams in negative bending and encased I-Section columns bent about the major axis is examined. Both interior and exterior column connections are tested, with the joint between the major steel components effected with simple bolted joints which would be classified as flexible in the bare steel condition. At interior columns, the ultimate behaviour is almost indistinguishable from that of connections having welded joints, and the full plastic moment of the beam including all the reinforcement is exceeded. At external columns, the strength and stiffness were greatly enhanced by the slab and the concrete casing, but the plastic moment of the beam cannot be transmitted before brittle collapse of the slab. The maximum moment transmitted in these specimens is 0.89 mp compared with 1.18 mp at interior columns. (Author/TRRL)


In view of whether the time series comes from periodic,chaotic or random source,a qualitative method with symbolic spectrum is proposed.In this method,the time series is quantized firstly,then is coded and its symbolic spectrum is plotted.Several symbolic spectrums of different type of time series show that,symbolic spectrum can identify the deterministic source and pattern of time series simply and efficiently,better than K-S entropy and power spectrum.


Inconel 625 and steel P355NH were bonded by explosive welding in this study. Explosively welded bimetal clad-plate was subjected to the two separated post-weld heat treatment processes: stress relief annealing (at 620 °C for 90 min) and normalizing (at 910 °C for 30 min). Effect of heat treatments on the microstructure of the joint has been evaluated using light and scanning electron microscopy, EDS analysis techniques, and microhardness tests, respectively. It has been stated that stress relief annealing leads to partial recrystallization of steel P355NH microstructure in the joint zone. At the same time, normalizing caused not only the recrystallization of both materials, but also the formation of a diffusion zone and precipitates in Inconel 625. The precipitates in Inconel 625 have been identified as two types of carbides: chromium-rich M23C6 and molybdenum-rich M6C. It has been reported that diffusion of alloying elements into steel P355NH takes place along grain boundaries with additional formation of voids. Scanning transmission electron microscope observation of the grain microstructure in the diffusion zone shows that this area consists of equiaxed grains (at the side of Inconel 625 alloy) and columnar grains (at the side of steel P355NH).


This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com. Recommended Citation Barss, John M., "The analysis and use of methodologies for the study of the diets of long-eared owls from three environments in north central Oregon" (1985). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 3437.


The criminal economics now becomes a new and infinitely potential subject of criminology,in which a theory of rational choice interprets the reason of crime.Although the reason is not available to any criminal activities,the research of the theory is worthy of the deeper pondering and probe.Moreover,it is necessary to study the theory.


An effective system of public service in Russia is one of the most important conditions for the implementation of policies of social and economic development, improve the quality of life of its citizens, as well as national security. Issues of development of the civil service system has received considerable attention, both in pre-revolutionary Russia, and in Soviet times. In this paper, a detailed analysis of the main stages of the civil service reform in Russia since the Soviet era and ending with modern Russia, as well as formulate conclusions on the results of this analysis.


According to many theoretical realists, power in international relations can be measured with attention to material capabilities, the extent influence over other states and even single factors such as military might. Further, for realists the greatest powers in the international system are states or coalitions of states, with international organisations, corporations, transnational groups and individuals barely registering in terms of power in most realist theory. One of the reasons for this state-centricity is the assumption by realists of an anarchic system. Faced with theorising international systemic anarchy, the realists and, indeed, most international relations theorists looking at the notion of power focussed only on the largest and most prominent actors, the states. Yet if a theorist assumes a systemic order which is something other than anarchic then different assumptions about the nature and place of power must also be made. Should the system be assumed to be complex - as some recent research argues - then not only does the nature of power change but also its location for, in a complex system, even the smallest and seemingly most insignificant actor can effect changes of a system-changing nature. This paper argues that the turn towards the assumption of systemic complexity in international relations theory requires more than a simple re-assessment of the realist assumption of anarchy; it also requires a redefinition of key notions of international relations, such as power, and, thus, a paradigm shift in the field itself.


The Atlas of Cultural Evolution provides basic data on the evolution of cultural complexity using the Outline of Archaeological Traditions sample. The Outline of Archaeological Traditions constitutes a sampling universe from which cases can be drawn for diachronic cross-cultural research, an activity I refer to as archaeoethnology. Data for the Atlas were drawn from entries in the Encyclopedia of Prehistory, a nine volume work providing summary information on all cases in the Outline of Archaeological Traditions, thus the Atlas also demonstrates the utility of the Encyclopedia of Prehistory as a basic tool for archaeoethnology. I suggest that a more sophisticated tool for archaeoethnology, the eHRAF Collection of Archaeology, be used to further test and refine the cultural evolutionary trends put forward here.


—We present an instructional suite of labs that can help in teaching security courses. Our labs are publicly available for use. We have used these labs in teaching security courses and also helped several other instructors adopt these labs to suit their style of teaching. Based on this experience, we present some guidelines for using these labs in security courses. Furthermore, we also describe the results of using these labs among students.


The aim of this study was to review our exogenous cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) cases that were managed through transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)‐guided suction curettage either alone or with a concomitant additional therapeutic modality. The study was carried out over a 6‐year period and we compared clinical outcomes, success rates and complication profiles between the two therapeutic approaches.


We use cluster analysis to develop a model of political change in the Levant as reflected in the World Event Interaction Survey coded event data generated from Reuters between 1979 and 1998. A new statistical algorithm that uses the correlation between dyadic behaviors at two times identifies clusters of political activity. The transition to a new cluster occurs when a point is closer in distance to subsequent points than to preceding ones. These clusters begin to "stretch" before breaking apart, which serves as an early warning indicator. The clusters correspond well with phases of political behavior identified a priori. A Monte Carlo analysis shows that the clustering and early warning measures are not random; they perform very differently in simulated data sets with similar statistical characteristics. Our study demonstrates that the statistical analysis of newswire reports can yield systematic early warning indicators, and it provides empirical support for the theoretical concept of distinct behavioral phases in political activity.