The purpose of this pilot study was to examine how the constructs of learned resourcefulness and self-esteem contributed to the experience of global, intimate, and social loneliness among a sample of U.S. ethnic minority college students ( N = 51) including Hispanics ( n = 32) and African Americans ( n = 19). Results of three Multiple Regression Analyses revealed that self-esteem was inversely related to all three types of loneliness (global, intimate, and social), while learned resourcefulness was directly related to intimate loneliness only. Implications for future research are discussed.


The level of terrorist threats using chemical, biological, and radiological agents has been continuously increasing, and it is an undeniable truth that these agents are actually in use today. The fact that most chemical, biological, and radiological agents cause skin-related symptoms, and that the skin symptoms are observed at a relatively early stage of the condition, leads to the conclusion that dermatologists could be the first point of contact for potential victims of these agents. It is highly important that first responders are able to recognize symptoms caused by these agents early and react quickly. Therefore, dermatologists do have a responsibility to take on a role in dealing with chemical, biological, and radiological attacks, and pre-equip themselves with professional knowledge in this field. Among the various types of chemical agents, typical examples of agents causing skin-related symptoms are blistering agents, which lead to bullae and necrosis on the skin. Biological agents are classified from Category A to C according to their respective risk factors. The most dangerous Category A agents include anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, and viral hemorrhagic fever, all of which are known to show characteristic skin-related symptoms. Upon exposure to a certain level of radiation, radiological agents can also lead to erythema on the skin. In this article, we will discuss various characteristics and up-to-date treatment methods of potential chemical, biological, and radiological agents to help dermatologists advance their knowledge in this field. (Korean J Dermatol 2016;54(9):683 ∼692)


A particle-swarm is a set of indivisible processing elements that traverse a network in order to perform a distributed function. This paper will describe a particular implementation of a particle-swarm that can simulate the behavior of the popular PageRank algorithm in both its {\it global-rank} and {\it relative-rank} incarnations. PageRank is compared against the particle-swarm method on artificially generated scale-free networks of 1,000 nodes constructed using a common gamma value, $\gamma = 2.5$. The running time of the particle-swarm algorithm is $O(|P|+|P|t)$ where $|P|$ is the size of the particle population and $t$ is the number of particle propagation iterations. The particle-swarm method is shown to be useful due to its ease of extension and running time.


Gangs have long been a feature of the social landscape of the City of Cape Town and its environment. They have endured the heaves and sighs of change which have accompanied South Africa's social and political transformation. Whilst local scholarship on gangs is well-established, the complex dynamics accompanying the actual policing of gangs have received relatively little attention. By drawing on a series of in-depth interviews with members of the police organisation and on a small sample of interviews with gang leaders, this article begins to explore selected aspects of the policies and practices associated with the policing of gangs in Cape Town. Central to this exploration is the argument that a wide range of factors influences the operational strategies vis-a-vis gangs including that of the institutional culture of the police itself.


We present a unified kernel function treatment of the two‐center integrals over atomic orbitals appearing in quantum chemical calculations on the basis of density functional theory. By using the Fourier transform method, we obtain analytical expressions for the kernel functions, from which actual integral values can be evaluated through twofold integration. As our only assumption is that the angular dependences of the atomic basis functions is given by spherical harmonics, our kernel functions are applicable to almost arbitrary types of analytically given or numerically tabulated atomic radial functions. In addition, we give some interesting new recurrence relations holding between parts of kernel functions, which enable an entirely recursive treatment of the angular momentum arguments. When applied to analytically given atomic basis functions, which contain a factor rν+l, a qualitatively new and general set of recurrence relations for auxiliary functions of two‐center integrals and, in some cases, of the...


Lack of specific protocols for neonatal donation contributes to the rarity of neonatal donors. In this study, we evaluate the impact of the implementation of a neonatal donation protocol in our NICU.


It is proved that all 4‐edge‐colorings of a (sub)cubic graph are Kempe equivalent. This resolves a conjecture of the second author. In fact, it is found that the maximum degree Δ = 3 is a threshold for Kempe equivalence of (Δ+1)‐edge‐colorings, as such an equivalence does not hold in general when Δ = 4. One extra color allows a similar result in this latter case; however, namely, when Δ≤4 it is shown that all (Δ+2)‐edge‐colorings are Kempe equivalent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory


2 Hierarchically Partitioned GP Inference Algorithm Both N input points andM inducing points are both partitioned into K blocks with possibly different sizes denoted by {xi} i=1 and {u (1) i } K1 i=1 respectively (the superscript (1) explicitly denotes that the inducing points are at the lowest level). It is also naturally assumed that function values are divided into blocks {fi} i=1. They are conditionally independent to function values in other blocks given the inducing points in the corresponding block. Further, our model introduces hierarchical dependencies among blocks to represent dependency among blocks that are far apart, i.e. a hierarchy of inducing-point blocks over inducing-point blocks. In the tree structure representing the hierarchy of inducing-point blocks, the input


Purpose
This study aims to explore the recovery performances of chatbots (vs human employees) and help firms use chatbots to carry out effective service recovery.

Design/methodology/approach
Two experiments were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings
The results show that compared with human employees' recovery, chatbots' recovery leads to lower customer satisfaction and revisit intention. This effect is more significant for symbolic recovery instead of economic recovery. Perceived distributive and interactional justice mediate the interaction effect of recovery provider and recovery strategy on recovery performance. Using immediate recovery rather than delayed recovery can attenuate chatbots' poor performances in symbolic recovery.

Originality/value
This study enriches the chatbot research and the service recovery literature by deploying chatbots into the service recovery setting. Using an integrated theoretical model including recovery strategy and recovery timing, this study provides substantive insight into how firms can enhance chatbots' recovery performances.


The author proposes financing construction of rural roads in developing countries through an automatically collected international tax on some aspect of global transport operations--a tax on international trade, on internationally traded oil, or on the value of world motor vehicle production. Funds collected would be credited to the World Bank's International Development Association. It takes neither imagery nor imagination to sense that this could be an effective long-run program to reduce rural isolation and to further the rate of global economic development. The function of a global network of public and private agencies in the transport sector would include the furthering of international cooperation in the conduct of research and development, in education, and in the analysis and exchange of relevant experience. A center somewhere in the network would serve as a focal point of responsibility to help assure the transportation needed to support the increasing population, urbanization and industrialization of the planet. Taking a world view of transportation would put the necessary emphasis on rural roads as the essential means of access to the resources of the globe in which all nations have a stake.


Following the rapid start made by Interbus more than 11 years ago, this field-bus system has marched into almost every branch of automation engineering. The biggest successes made to date by Interbus have been in the automobile industry because the high quality requirements in this branch served as the yardstick for its development. The example set by the automobile industry is one of the reasons why all other branches in industry fall back on the fast and uncomplicated bus. The field-bus system is gaining increasing influence in the food and beverages industry as well. It has already become established in all major fields and primarily in those where innovative management focuses on efficiency and cost reduction.


ABSTRACT In the present review article, recent research work on polyaniline-type conducting polymers has been surveyed. Research and development work has been reviewed with special interest in chemical, electrochemical, doping processes, and polyaniline-based composite processes. Process development with high accuracy of product results will have a direct relationship with structure and properties. Polyaniline based on a variety of structures generated from molecular structural modification can give more interesting results for future applications.


The appearance and development of laser technology have made Raman spectroscopy one of the most attractive re 2 search fields in analysis using laser. Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in the analysis of material components and detection of molecular structure. In this review ,some recent advances of Raman spectroscopy on DNA are summarized ,including traditional Raman spectroscopy ,Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy ,laser resonance Raman spectroscopy , surface 2enhanced Raman spec2 troscopy and so on. In addition ,we also predicted the further application and development of Raman spectroscopy on DNA and oth 2


ABO antibodies (isoagglutinins) represent a formidable barrier to optimizing live donation and organ distribution. Blood group antigens are expressed on the endothelium of solid organs, and transplantation across a blood group barrier can result in hyperacute or acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Based on blood group distributions in the United States, there is a 36% probability that any two individuals in the population will be ABO incompatible (ABOi), resulting in the exclusion of up to one third of willing live donors. The use of ABOi kidneys dates back to the earliest days of renal transplantation. Dismal results, enhanced availability of kidneys from deceased donors, and a better organ sharing infrastructure pre-empted further development of ABOi transplantation in the West. However, in Japan where cultural beliefs have limited utilization of deceased donors, ABOi renal transplantation flourished during the 1990s. The article by Takahashi et al. (1) reports the outcomes of 441 ABOi kidney transplants performed at 55 centers across Japan and shows no significant difference in graft survival when compared with historic recipients of ABOcompatible living donor organs. This is a landmark study representing the largest series of ABOi kidney transplants with the longest follow up to date. The results are the endorsement that the field of transplantation has been waiting for and a further expansion of the practice of ABOi transplantation now seems inevitable. While these results are very promising, many questions remain unanswered and there is a bewildering lack of standardization of protocol and reporting (titers, rescue treatments, biopsies) among the Japanese centers.


When using Acoustic Emission (AE) technologies, tensile and compressive tests can provide a detector for material deformation. In this paper improvements are made to standardise calibration techniques. AE signatures were evaluated from various calibration sources based on the energy from the first harmonic (dominant energy band) [1][2]. The work presented here provides further, valuable knowledge to both the manufacturing and structural health monitoring research communities. The effects of AE against its calibration identity are investigated: where signals are correlated to the average energy and distance of the detected phenomena. Five sources of calibration would be required in order to calculate an average amount. AE evaluated by a Neural Network (NN) regression classification technique identifies how far the malformation has progressed (in terms of energy/force) during material transformation. A genetic-fuzzy-c-clustering classifier was used as the 2nd classification technique to verify the classifications of the NN. This calibration method can be used for legislation purposes when either machining or operating. In summary this paper presents a new method of AE calibration through the correlation of AE and force/distance measurements.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


In modern society, CAD technology brings a convenient and effective measure formuseum exhibit design, and also gives a powerful support to the regulated management of museumexhibit design. The CAD technology has some characters such as reality, multi- dimensional, scien-tific, artistic and economical property. The designers use the technological tools of modeling, lights,color, literal scripts, background music, electronic media and virtual reality system to reform thetraditional methods of exhibit design. Some shortcomings of the CAD technology can be overcomeby the creative work of exhibit designers.


The increased visibility of the non-binary community is reflected in the media, with trans and non-binary
 characters becoming more common in film and series. This provides a great opportunity to raise global awareness of non-binary
 people, but the exporting of this media usually comes with translations done by people who do not specialize in queer, trans, or
 non-binary sociolects. This paper gives an overview of different linguistic gender strategies in present-day Spanish, and uses two
 examples of popular Netflix series with trans or non-binary characters as Spanish translation case studies to illustrate the
 different linguistic challenges and approaches to representing non-binary identities in Spanish.


In this paper, based on the consideration of data and methods required by landslide and debris flow risk assessment, the feasibility and odds of GIS were described and methods for assessing landslide and debris l ow risk using GIS were reviewed, include their advantage and disadvantage and their application. These methods include expert evaluation, Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP), Artificial Neural Net(ANN), geo-statistics, weighted distance discriminate analysis and remote sensing interpretation etc. Finally, the trend of landslide and debris l ow risk assessment using GIS was discussed in the paper.


Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths, leading to an estimated one million deaths per year. Even with intensive treatment schedules, the 5-year survival rate remains dismal, primarily due to local invasion and metastases. An incomplete understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying metastasis has hindered the identification of effective therapies to treat this complication. MicroRNAs negatively regulate gene expression, and their dysregulation has been implicated in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. We studied candidate microRNAs that might be involved in promoting metastatic progression. To generate metastases, NCI-H1299 cells ('Parental') were introduced into the arterial circulation of athymic (nu/nu), beige (NIH-III) mice. These cells metastasized to various sites, including adrenal gland, bone, and ovary. Cells derived from metastatic lesions were harvested, expanded in vitro, and characterized with respect to cytokine/chemokine and MMP secretion. We found significant heterogeneity among parental and organ specific sublines for the production of key cytokines/chemokine's and MMPs; which act by autocrine or paracrine mechanisms to sustain growth, induce angiogenesis, and to evade immune surveillance, thereby plausibly facilitating the growth of metastases. We also studied microRNA expression and expression of key microRNA target genes. Interestingly, a relationship between overexpression of oncogenic microRNAs (oncomirs), miR-21, and miR-31, and down-regulation of their respective tumor suppressive genes, Pdcd4 and Lats2, respectively, was observed. To validate the preclinical results in human tumors, expression of both miR-21/pdcd4 and miR-31/lats2 were examined in 120 human lung cancer tissues by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis. This novel in vivo lung cancer metastasis model and organ specific sublines provides a useful system for preclinical evaluation of novel microRNA or drug-based therapeutics specifically directed at the treatment of advanced stage lung cancer. Acknowledgements: Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute and Alberta Cancer Foundation. 06 Macrophage repolarization through STING activation: exploring local and abscopal effects on tumor growth Oksana Yavorska, Charlene Downey, Frank Jirik Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health Mammalian cells have evolved multiple sensors to pathogen-associated molecular patterns, including the ability to respond to free dsDNA within the cytosole. One of the primary indirect DNA sensors, the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is activated by cyclic dinucleotides generated by the DNA-responsive cGAS enzyme, and then stimulates various downstream effectors, including TBK1 (tank binding kinase-1), IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor-3), and STAT6 (signal transducer and activation of transcription-6). The latter induce type 1 interferons and NFκB-associated pro-inflammatory mediators. Recently, it was found that the tumor vascular disrupting agent DMXAA (5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid) was a STING ligand, suggesting that STING was a key target in tumor biology. Our lab recently published data showing that both DMXAA and 2'3'-cGAMP (the endogenous STING agonist generated by cGAS) was able to repolarize tumor-associated M2-like macrophages towards the inflammatory M1 macrophage subtype both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that STING-induced macrophage repolarization was key to the anti-tumor effects of DMXAA. To investigate this further, we carried out a pilot study to examine the effects of intra-tumoral injection on DMXAA and 2'3-cGAMP on subcutaneous 344SQ-EGFP-Luc2 tumors. The 344SQ cell line was derived from a spontaneously forming NSCLC metastasis in mice harboring p53R172H/g+ and K-rasLA1/+ transgenes and transfected with an EGFP-Luc reporter (for in vivo bioluminescence imaging of tumors grown in immune-competent syngeneic hosts). Intra-tumoral injection of DMXAA or 2'3-cGAMP did not produce significant vascular disruption as compared to the classical intra-peritoneal route of administration, and in future we will determine whether injections of higher doses will lead to tumor necrosis as well as abscopal anti-tumor effects in this syngeneic model. 07 Physical activity barriers and preferences among head and neck cancer survivors: participant experiences from the ENHANCE trial Colleen Jackson1, Lauren Capozzi PhD candidate, MD student1, Harold Lau MD, FRCPC(C)3,4, William Bridel PhD1, S. Nicole Culos-Reed PhD1,2,3 1Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada 2Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada 3Alberta Health Services—Cancer Care, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Psychosocial Resources, Calgary, Canada 4Department of Oncology, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 3-5% of cancer diagnoses each year (ACS, 2014). Although there is a growing population of survivors due to advancements in treatment, many have decreased quality of life stemming from treatment-related side effects (Pulte et al., 2010). Among HNC survivors, participation in physical activity (PA) is associated with decreased fatigue, improved functional well-being and overall quality of life (QOL) (Rogers et al., 2006; Capozzi et al., 2014a; Capozzi et al., 2014b). Despite the numerous benefits, only 8.5% of a sample of HNC survivors were found to be meeting the PA guidelines, and over half were sedentary at 18.6±50.9 months post diagnosis (Rogers et al., 2006). These findings indicate the need to increase PA adoption and adherence with the goal of tailoring PA programs to meet the needs of HNC survivors, thereby positively impacting adoption and adherence. There has been a growing body of research investigating the PA preferences and barriers to address adoption and adherence issues among other cancer groups; however, only one study has been conducted investigating each of these topics among HNC survivors (Rogers et al., 2006;Rogers et al., 2009). Additionally none to date have qualitatively explored the factors that might enhance PA adoption and adherence over the cancer trajectory. Purpose: The primary aims of this work are to determine; i) PA barriers experienced by HNC cancer survivors during and after their participation in the ENHANCE trial, an exercise intervention delivered during and after treatment; and ii) PA preferences of HNC survivors who have recently completed treatment (Capozzi et al., 2012). Secondary aims include examining how these PA barriers change throughout the course of participation in the ENHANCE trial. Methodology: This mixed-methods approach will recruit HNC survivors who have participated in the ENHANCE trial. Participants will complete a self-report survey and a subset of participants who participated in the program at different intervals will be invited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Questions will include demographic information, PA levels, PA barriers and preferences, and QOL (FACT-AN). Significance: This study will facilitate the further development of tailored PA programs for HNC survivors and provide an understanding of barriers and preferences that may facilitate PA program adoption and adherence. This may ultimately increase numbers of HNC survivors who engage in regular PA, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Funding Support: Canadian Institute of Health Research CGS-M Grant. The ENHANCE trial is funded by Alberta Cancer Foundation and Joe's Team funding. 08 The Role of Polynucleotide Kinase Phosphatase in Non-Homologous End Joining Cortt Piett and Susan P. Lees-Miller. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, Robson DNA Science Center, University of Calgary, AB Ionizing radiation (IR) therapy is the predominant form of treatment for a wide variety of cancers, as IR induces numerous variations of genomic lesions which can reduce cell proliferation and growth. The most cytotoxic of these DNA lesions is the double strand break (DSB). A DSB occurs when single stranded breaks (SSBs) occur in close proximity to one another and may result in chromosomal separation. Importantly, IR induced strand breaks frequently contain nonligatible 5' hydroxyl and/or 3' phosphate groups. Human polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) exhibits 5' DNA kinase and 3' DNA phosphatase activities, making it ideal for converting "dirty" DSB ends to compatible ends prior to ligation. The major pathway for the repair of IR induced DSBs in human cells is non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). PNKP interacts with the NHEJ scaffolding protein XRCC4 in a phosphorylation dependent manner (Koch et al, EMBO J, 2004), suggesting a mechanism by which PNKP is recruited to IR-induced DSBs, however, its precise role in NHEJ remains enigmatic. The current work examines the interaction between PNKP and XRCC4 and the DSB repair kinetics of PNKP deficient cells. PNKP interacts with XRCC4 in an IR dose-dependent manner, and the interaction with XRCC4 is affected by the inhibition of DNA-PKcs. DSBs can be visualized by staining cells for ΥH2AX, a molecular marker for DSB repair, and these foci are counted using immunofluorescence microscopy techniques. ΥH2AX foci scoring (in an isogenic background) has demonstrated that PNKP deficient cells exhibit a late DSB repair defect at times past 6 hours in asynchronously growing cells populations, and G1 phase cells exhibit a later DSB repair defect at times past 12 hours compared to the parental cell line. The stable re-introduction of PNKP into the knockdown cell line also rescues the observed late DSB repair defects. Lastly, live cell imaging is currently being used to evaluate PNKP recruitment/retention kinetics at localized laser induced DNA damage tracks in the presence and


Standard BP neural network is a most representative algorithm in the neural network model. But shortcomings exist in its process of application. For example: it's hard to reach global optima, but can easily form local minimum, Low study efficiency and slow convergence rate appear because of the excessive training, the selection of the hidden layer nodes lack of theoretical guidance, in training, there is a tendency of forgetting the old samples while learning the new ones. The Levenberg—Marquardt algorithm refers to an optimization algorithm aiming at the global, which's very suitable for neural network training. This paper has built an estimating model of the stock market price, based on the LM-BP neural network, and carries out a prediction on the stock market price. Also this paper has made a comparison of the prediction results with the standard BP neural network model. And this has reached a profound estimating effect.


The present invention is composite method of treating oil containing sewage and waste water, and relates to sewage treating technology. The method of the present invention includes the following steps: ultrafiltering sewage the caustic refining shop exhausts in the inorganic membrane ultrafiltering apparatus, mixing the exhausted water with water from other shops, treating in the sewage quality regulating pond, cooling in the cooling tower, treating in the air floating pond, hydrolyzing and acidifying pond, biological contact oxidizing pond and the tube settler, and draining. The present invention has the advantages of small treating area, low cost, capacity of recovering useful components, etc.


Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a complex disease that arises due to genetic alterations related to proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence. The majority of the cases of EOC arise because of sporadic accumulation of genetic damage, 1 but 10% arise in women with a known germ-line mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. 2 The high mortality rate of EOC is because of the lack of a screening strategy for early detection. Such a test would aid in the identification of patients who have early stage disease, which usually presents with vague and nonspecific symptoms. Indeed, 80% of patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease, and they are usually diagnosed when acute symptoms related to metastasis and bowel obstruction are present. 3,4 A large study in the year 2000 showed that in 1725 women evaluated for EOC, 95% exhibited symptoms only 3 months prior to seeing their physician. The women presented with: abdominal (77%) and gastrointestinal (70%) symptoms, pain (58%), urinary (34%), and pelvic symptoms (26%). Gynecologic symptoms were the least common. 5 Early detection can significantly improve patient survival. In patients who are diagnosed with early disease (stage I or II), the five-year survival ranges from 60% to 90%, depending on the degree of tumor differentiation. 6,7 However, in patients who have advanced disease, although 80%–90% will initially respond to chemotherapy, less Financial Disclosure: LabCorp has a license agreement with Yale University for the Multiplex biomarker test. GM is a consultant for Teva pharmaceutical.


Over the last two decades participation rates in the arts and cultural activities have been static. However, the importance of increasing the number of people taking part in arts activities has been recognised and an increase in arts participation has become a formal target agreed between the Department of Culture Media and Sport and the Treasury for the period 2005 to 2008. This research focuses upon two fundamental aspects of audience development using the findings of 1848 responses from chamber music attenders at Music in the Round's inaugural and second year national tours. The research quantifies the audience development effect and evaluates the quality of this effect through analysis of specific marketing strategies pursued. The paper concludes that there is no successful 'one size fits all' approach to audience development. However, it is suggested that the identification of local strengths and a strong commitment to building relationships with potential audiences are fundamental factors in finding the right approach to successful audience development.


IT application and informitization at small-and medium-sized firms has been paid increasing attention while there are few both theoretical and empirical studies right now.This paper draws upon Diffusion of Innovation(DOI) theory to analyze IT application and its performance at small-and medium-sized firms,and test the result empirically.Results reveal that IT Adoptive Motivation on IT Implementary Preparation,IT Applicative Characteristics on IT Implementary Preparation,IT Implementary Preparation on IT Project Implementation,and IT Project Implementation on IT application performance exist positive effect significantly;contrary to some papers'view,IT Adoptive Motivation have significant negative influence on IT application performance;finally,IT Adoptive Motivation and IT Project Implementation,It Applicative Characteristics and IT application performance show no relationship significantly.


Using data obtained from the dynamic load testing of bridges a method was developed to evaluate level of the dynamic performance without performing a dynamic load test. In this method a dynamic index of the bridge is calculated. Dynamic index allows to evaluate the dynamic performance level of existing and new structures taking into account such bridge parameters as span length / height ratio, natural frequency, vibration damping coefficient, relative deflection and international roughness index IRI. Dynamic index method can be used by bridge owners and maintainers to determine the dynamic potential of a particular bridge. The maximum allowable values of the dynamic amplification factor for standard prestressed concrete beam bridges were determined. These values were calculated for maximum allowed traffic load in Latvia. The obtained results can be used for the safety assessment of existing and reconstructed reinforced concrete beam bridges.


A new concept is proposed for individual blade control: the Active Trailing Edge (ATE). The objective of this paper is to present the current status of design and optimization of the ATE. Due to the specific nature of the subject an inherently multi-disciplinary approach is taken. The aeroservoelastic optimization of the ATE actuator is based on evolutionary algorithm. The resulting optimal actuator design, the sensitivity of the optimal design to manufacturing and material constraints and some key performance characteristics like aeroservoelastic airfoil polars and Mach-number influence on aerodynamic effectiveness are presented. For the purpose of comprehensive rotor dynamics simulation including the dynamic and aeroservoelastic behaviour of the ATE actuator, a reduced-order model is developed. The paper concludes with a presentation of active helicopter benefit analysis.


The Provincial Decentralized Autonomous Government of Los Rios is a public entity with political, administrative and financial independence that is responsible for manifesting and preparing plans in order to ensure the development of the Province and the Country.
The present case study titled ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF LONG-TERM PROPERTY IN THE PROVINCIAL DE LOS RIOS AUTONOMOUS DECENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT, has been developed through the guidelines required by the Technical University of Babahoyo in order to comply with the titling process in the modality of complex examination prior to obtaining the degree of Accounting and Audit Engineer.


Reading skills form a major element of traditional foreign language teaching, and are emphasized in EFL classes. It is often assumed that reading extensively will promote a student's motivation in learning a second/foreign language, enhance their vocabulary and increase reading speed; though it may not enhance reading comprehension. In this research paper, 11 EFL students were involved. Purposeful sampling strategy and a semi-standardized interviewing technique were used in the methodology. The findings indicate that students can not increase their reading speed through extensive reading, but extensive reading can promote students' motivation in learning English, enhance vocabulary, and improve their reading comprehension. Based on these findings, the results of the study ought to be useful to both EFL students and teachers alike. Introduction In Taiwan, English is 'the' foreign language, yet we can hardly claim to have a good 'reading-culture' in which students might more effectively develop their English language skills. Students do not like to read English texts, and therefore teachers seldom use extensive reading strategies knowing that such methods positively endorse the use of large, easy to read texts. Since teachers know that there will be a negative reaction to prescribed reading, from prospective learners, there has developed a process of mutual avoidance, where student and teacher deserve equal blame for creating a learning environment where texts are playing an ever smaller part. Consequently there is tacit acceptance of a perspective upon language learning, where texts play an ever smaller part, beyond simplistic grammar and language text-books. This leads to a resultant decrease in higher language skills. Extensive reading strategies are used elsewhere however, and their success, in terms of language ability, where such practices are employed, does not auger well for those students who have assiduously avoided involvement with text-based learning in Taiwan and have consequently limited their own language ability. The characteristics of extensive reading include the fast reading of a large amount of longer, easy-to-understand materials, and little or no written work or testing (Powell, 2005). Each element of the extensive reading programme contrasts with skills-based methodologies. In the on-going process of extensive reading, students can choose articles that are within their own range or capability. Therefore, students are less likely to get frustrated and their learning attitude will be positive and beneficial. In addition, extensive


Objective: Due to the influence of gravity, inertia and friction, there will be deviation between the position of multileaf collimator (MLC) in the delivered field and the initial intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan. This study explores the effects of the fragmentation level of subfield sequences on this deviation and seeks ways to improve the accuracy of field delivery in IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: 30 patients with NPC were selected, and two groups (groups A and B) of IMRT plans were made in Pinnacle planning system. Different planning parameters were used for optimization so that the subfield sequence fragmentation level of Group B was significantly lower than that of Group A. With the MapCheck2, verification plan was implemented in two ways: 0o gantry angle and the actual treatment angle, then the differences between the two verification results of each group plan were analyzed. Results: The γ-passing rate verified at the actual treatment angle was lower than that of 0o gantry angle for each group plan, whereas the Group B plan shows small reduction. Mean change value (Δ) was decreased from 1.01% (Group A) to 0.40% (Group B) with 3%/3 mm criteria and 2.88% (Group A) to 1.52% (Group B) with 2%/2 mm criteria, respectively. The smaller the difference (Δ), the actual output dose of the field is more consistent with the original plan. There was no significant correlation between this change and the angle of the field. Conclusion: Appropriately reducing the fragmentation level of subfield sequence can reduce the effect of field angle on MLC position and improve the delivery accuracy of IMRT plan. Advances in knowledge: The fragmentation level of the subfield sequence may have an impact on the accuracy of the delivery of the plan. This study demonstrates this assumption by comparing the differences between 0° and actual angle verification. Mean change value (Δ) was decreased from Group A to Group B. The smaller the difference (Δ), the actual output dose of the field is more consistent with the original plan. The result of this study may help us to understand that appropriately increasing the subfield area and reducing the fragmentation level of the subfield sequence can reduce the difference between the two verification results, which can further improve the accuracy of the plan delivery in IMRT and tumor treatment.


Organisations that restrict their membership to people that have met and maintain particular knowledge and skill standards, and agree to be bound by particular codes of conduct, appear to be generally accepted by New Zealand society as valuable. In some cases there is legislative support for particular professions' certification systems, for instance lawyers practising certificates, registered surveyors and engineers, and the certification of hearing commissioners under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Others, for instance architects, resource managers and planners, lack such legislative support and consequently it is more difficult to gauge their value.


The Sr1-xNdyLax-yMgxAl12-xO19 Hexa-aluminate crystals are investigated for 4F3/2→4I9/2 900 nm laser emission. Spectral characteristics and models of three types of non-equivalent Nd3+ centers, the cationic distribution types and optimal compositions for laser emission are presented.


Abstract In this work, a time-dependent postexposure bake (PEB) simulator is presented by solving a set of reaction–diffusion equations modeling the deprotection reaction of polymers and the diffusion of acids in chemically amplified resists. The simulator is time-dependent in the sense that model parameters including both reaction parameters and diffusion coefficients are treated as time-dependent functions in the entire course of the PEB process. The alternating direction implicit method is utilized to iteratively solve the set of reaction–diffusion equations. An error-control scheme is devised for automatic time-stepping. This PEB simulator is, hence, capable of simulating the effects of the temperature–time history of a wafer. It is then applied to simulate the resist profiles of line/space patterns and contact holes.


A field trial comprising of twenty varieties/genotypes was conducted at Maize Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Khedbramha during two consecutive Kharif season 2008 and 2009. All the lines were kept under unsprayed condition. Based on pooled value results revealed that out of twenty lines, GM 2, PA 4212, Mukta, Suraj 740, PEMH 2 were found tolerant to stem borer, Chilo partellus with respect to stem borer damage and stem tunneling. Genotypes viz., GHY 0353, GHY 370, GHY 352, GHY 459 and GHY 462 were found highly susceptible and also recorded minimum yield of maize.


In social groups, individuals usually exchange information about their peers' actions, behaviors and attitudes. This exchange of information allows individuals to make more accurate and complete evaluations of other people; on the other hand, knowing facts about potential partners is pivotal to the establishment of new social links. In this work, a bottom-up approach will be applied to model the relationship between social networks and different kinds of social evaluations. Results coming from Agent-Based social simulations will be reported and discussed in order to shed light on the emergence of complex social phenomena from the interaction among single agents' mental states and behaviours, namely the micro-macro link. More specifically, different types of social evaluations may affect the emergence of innovation and the network configuration of artificial firms working into an industrial cluster. 1 Cognition and the micro-macro link Agents living in social systems are actually embedded in complex networks of relationships. Social groups can be described as networks with different sizes and configurations in which agents can occupy more or less peripheral positions, depending on the strength and the number of their links. In social groups, individuals usually exchange information about other agents, their actions, behaviours and attitudes, even if they have never met each other before. This exchange of information is essential for two reasons. On one hand, gathering information allows to make more accurate and complete evaluations of other people; on the other hand, knowing facts about potential partners is pivotal to the establishment of new social links and permits to enlarge the social group through the inclusion of far and distant nodes. In a top-down perspective, social networks are described as complex systems of relationships among several nodes interconnected through diverse links in a variety of ways. This level of description applies to networks already given but does not allow to explain how networks emerge, evolve and change. If we want to understand how networks are created, an alternative approach is needed: following a bottom-up perspective, we claim that social networks are patterns of relationships among the goals of a given set of agents [8]. Heterogeneous agents, endowed with different beliefs, goals and resources are dependent upon each other to accomplish their tasks and achieve their goals. Basically, this means that agent x depends upon agent y, or upon its resources, to achieve its goals. Moving from this simple relationship between two agents it is possible to describe different macro-phenomena, their emergence and evolution. 1 Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, ISTC CNR, Italy, email: email@example.com In fact, social complex phenomena, such as reputation, norms, and networks, emerge not only from agents' behaviours, but also derive from their cognitive representations and states. Cognition plays a crucial role in combining micro and macro levels: macro-social phenomena may emerge, unintentionally, from micro-elements and their interactions. Aim of this work is to investigate how image and reputation, two different kinds of social evaluations, may affect the way in which agents are linked, i.e. their networks' configuration. Social evaluations and their transmission, namely gossip, are pervasive in human societies and can actually inform agents' networks of relationships. In order to unfold the connection between social evaluations and networks we need to model agents' minds and to understand why and about whom agents engage in gossip. In what follows, main theories about evaluations and their transmission will be briefly reviewed with the purpose of highlighting the importance of social evaluations for human societies and of defining the framework of this research. Secondly, a cognitive account of social evaluations will be proposed in order to show how the macro level can emerge from agents' goals and beliefs. Some results coming from simulation experiments with artificial agents will be provided to support the model and to emphasize the importance of cognitive modeling to understand macro phenomena. Finally, future directions of research will be proposed. 1.1 Reputation and gossip: an introduction The importance of social evaluations has been addressed by a variety of disciplines, with two distinct foci: reputation and gossip. Reputation plays a fundamental role in social order, adding at the same time cohesiveness to social groups and allowing for distributed social control and sanctioning (plus a number of other functionalities, [6]). People use reputational information to make decisions about possible interactions, to evaluate candidate partners, to understand and predict their behaviours, and so on. The generation, transmission and manipulation of these beliefs contributes to regulate natural societies from the morning of mankind [12]). According to Frith and Frith [15], there are three ways to learn about other people: through direct experience, through observation and through cultural information. When the first two modalities are not available, agents turn to cultural information or, in our terms, to social evaluations in order to get some knowledge about potential partners and to predict their behaviours. This kind of information allows people to forecast, at least partially or approximately, what kind of social interaction they can expect and how that relationship could evolve, replacing personal experience in (a) identifying cheaters and isolating them, and in (b) easily finding trustful partners. Furthermore, in human societies reputation transmission facilitates the formation of groups [19]: gossipers share and transmit relevant social information about group members within the group, at the same time isolating out-group individuals. Besides, reputation contributes to stratification and social control, since it works as a tool for sanctioning deviant behaviours and for promoting, even through learning, those behaviours that are functional with respect to the groups goals and objectives. Reputation is also considered as a means for sustaining and promoting the diffusion of norms and norm conformity [28]. Social evaluations are crucial also in a developmental perspective, as demonstrated by Hamlin, Wynn and Bloom [20]. In their work with preverbal infants (6-, 9-, 10and 12month-old), they found that infants' social preferences are influenced by others' behaviors toward unrelated third parties, both in a choice paradigm and in a violation of expectation paradigm: when looking at social interaction events, infants preferred helpers and were independently inclined to avoid hinderers. The authors suggest that this early capacity for evaluations can be a biological adaptation evolved to allow humans to distinguish between cooperators and cheaters and then to engage in cooperative behaviors. On the other hand, assuming an evolutionary perspective, theories of indirect reciprocity and costly signals show how cooperation in large groups can emerge when agents are endowed with or can build a reputation [22, 18]. As Alexander [1] pointed out, indirect reciprocity involves reputation and status, and results in everyone in the group continually being assessed and reassessed. According to this theory, large scale human cooperation can be explained in terms of conditional helping by individuals who want to uphold a reputation and so be included in future cooperation [23]. Another debated aspect regarding social evaluations is their transmission, i.e. gossip. The content of gossip, i.e. personal information about an absent third party, is quite uncontroversial, whereas the nature of the information, either evaluative or factual, is a matter of debate. Some authors require only the repetition of news about an absent third party to define a conversation as gossip, whereas other scholars consider necessary the presence of evaluative remarks to have a gossip talk. Baumeister, Zhang and Vohs [3] describe gossip as an exchange of useful information people can rely upon to face new situations and to behave properly when direct experience is impossible or too costly to acquire. Wert and Salovey [27] highlight the social character of gossip, and define it as an evaluative talk aimed at social comparison. Through gossip people can map the social environment and become conscious of their position whithin it. Rosnow [24] refers to the secure standards of evidence of a proposition, i.e. its veracity, to separate gossip from rumors, as also suggested by Noon and Delbridge [21]. The absence of the gossipee is one of the defining features of gossip, but it is also one of the reasons why gossip is condemned as immoral and is considered a malicious and harmful resource cowards use to criticize their peers [26]. Gossip serves many different social functions, both at the individual and at the group level. Gluckman [19] has been one of the pioneers in the study of gossip and scandal and one of the first to stress their positive virtues, among which their ability to maintain the unity, morals and values of social groups. Fine and Rosnow [13] draw attention to three main social functions served by gossip: information, influence and entertainment. Gossip is a valuable source of information about the community, its members, its norms, values and habits, but it is also useful to map the social environment and to make inoffensive comparisons. Regarding influence, this function is potentially prevalent when newcomers join the group or when there are conflicts between members. Foster [14] adds a fourth function: friendship, that refers both to dyadic relationships and to group bonded together by the sharing of norms and values. Other researchers consider gossiping as a means of knowledge: according to Ben-Ze'ev [5], gossip is a pleasurable way to gather information that is otherwise ha


The urgency of improving the performance properties of concrete, as the most common building materials, is noted. The reasons for the increased demand for products made of high-strength gas-filled concrete are stated. It is shown that the current volume of polymer fibers production makes it possible to predict the possibility of their widespread use in construction. The information on the physical and mechanical properties of synthetic fiber, which is important for its successful use as dispersed reinforcement of foam concrete mixtures, is presented. The technology of manufacturing experimental samples and methods of their testing are described. It has been established that the introduction of any synthetic fiber into the foam mixture formulation improves the structural properties of foam concrete, however, the measure of efficiency depends on the ratio between the concrete moduli of elasticity and fiber. The greater the value of the elastic modulus of the fiber used, the higher the technical effect of its use in fiber-reinforced concrete for structural purposes can be.


The thinking,the methods and the tentative results of the reform in teaching model,teaching contents and teaching methods of physics experiment courses for advancing the quality education in Fudan University were summarized.


Objective:to reveal morphologic changes of the upper airway by measuring airway dimensions of adolescents,to further provide references and guidance for the operation of velopharyngeal closure and post-operation evaluation. Method:57 adolescents are selected and divided into 2 groups according to their age,with group 1 of 10~13 years old and group 2 of14~18 years old. Mimics package was used to perform3-dimensional reconstruction and measure length and volume of nasopharynx,palatopharynx,and glossopharynx as well as cross-sectional area of upper airway. Result:In group 1,female's nasopharyngeal volume,palatopharyngeal volume,glossopharyngeal volume,cross-sectional area and male's palatopharyngeal volume,glossopharyngeal volume,palatopharyngeal length,cross-sectional area were significantly correlated with age,and nasopharyngeal volume was significantly larger in female than in male(P 0.05). In group 2,no significant correlations were found between age and any parameters, and palatopharyngeal length is longer in male than in female(P 0.05). Conclusion:For junior adolescents, the upper airway enlarged significantly along with age while this phenomenon was not significantly indicated in senior adolescents. During early hebetic period, nasopharyngeal volume appears to be larger in female than in male,and during late hebetic period,palatopharyngeal length was indicated longer in male than in female.


Although studies have shown Peer Instruction (PI) in computing courses to be beneficial for learning and retention, study of the student experience has been limited to attitudinal survey results. This study provides a preliminary evaluation of student experiences in a PI course -- specifically asking them to reflect on their role as a student in a PI lecture compared to a standard university lecture. Student responses to this question are first analyzed using Chi's Interactive-Constructive-Active-Passive framework which categorizes student activities by their value in a constructivist learning framework. This analysis finds that the majority of students reported activity in a PI lecture as "interactive" in contrast with "active" (e.g. taking notes) in a standard lecture. Additionally, a grounded theory open-coding analysis provides an initial examination of student perceptions of the PI lecture experience. Although students positively value learning-related aspects (feedback and increased understanding) a surprising breadth of value was noted around issues of affect and increased sense of community. In particular, these experiences invite discussion about PI and issues of STEM retention in post-secondary education.


Southwark's Community Councils could have a new look and feel, if proposed changes to make them more interesting and relevant for local people are approved by councillors.


Background: The rate of caesarean section is increasing in the world. With which there is an increase in complications of pregnancy. There is risk of the uterine rupture if there is trial of the normal delivery. The aim of study is to determine and compare previous caesarean scar thickness in second and third trimester of pregnancy. Objective(s): To determine previous caesarean scar thickness in second and third trimester of current pregnancy. Methodology: An analytical study was conducted in the Saima medical center Shalimar link road Lahore. Sixty-two patients were enrolled in this study with convenient sampling. Toshiba nemio 10 ultrasound machines with convex transducer frequency range 3.5 MHz.patients with placenta previa and twin gestation were excluded from this study. Transabdominal technique was used in this study. Data were collected through data collection sheets and was tabulated and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS)version 24(SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, United States of America) Microsoft excel. Results: A total of 62 patient were examined in the study. The age incidence of the cases in this study varied between 22 years to 36 years. The mean age of the patients in the study was 27. 2903.The mean gestational age was 27.47. The mean scar thickness at 24-28 weeks was3.3925. parity varied patient to patient.16(25.8%) females had para 2.23(37.1%) had para 3 and 16(25.8%) had para 4.3(4.8%) females had para 5 and 4(6.5%) had para 6. In the current study out of sixty-two patients 13(21%) were gravida1,24(38.7%) was gravid 2,17(27.4) were gravid 3,4(6.5%) gravid 4 and (6.5) gravid. A statistical significance difference found in mean scar thickness at 24-28 weeks of gestation and at 32-36 weeks of gestation-value = 0.000 < α = 0.05. Conclusion(s): ultrasound is the useful modality for determining scar thickness. The scar thickness of previous c section in the current pregnancy.


Purpose: We examined whether hyperthermia attenuated the metastatic potential of colon cancer through the induction of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). Materials and methods: Colon26 cells were separated into four groups: (1) no pretreatment, (2) hyperthermia at 42°C for 1 hour, (3) pretreatment with geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) 10−6 M for 2 hours, and (4) hyperthermia after GGA treatment. We measured cell viabilities and the contents of Hsp70. We assessed nuclear factor-κ-B (NF-κ-B) status with and without tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulation. For in vivo study, colon26 cells were injected via the tail vein or into a subcutaneous area of mice and the numbers of lung metastatic nodules or the volumes of subcutaneous tumors were assessed. Untreated cells were incubated with PKH26. Experimental metastasis models were then generated and used to assess the fixed cancer cells. Results: Tumor development in the subcutaneous tumor models and cell viabilities were similar among the four groups. However, the GGA plus hyperthermia group had fewer lung metastatic nodules in the experimental lung metastasis model and higher Hsp70 induction than the other cell groups. The GGA plus hyperthermia pretreatment group also showed a lower number of fixed cells in lungs and lower activation of NF-κ-B by TNF-α than the other cell groups. Conclusions: It is suggested the metastatic potential but not the proliferation potency of cancer cells is inhibited by the transient induction of Hsp70.


This study examines the nature and extent of linkage between the US and the Indian stock markets. The study uses the theory of cointegration to study interdependence between the Bombay stock exchange (BSE), and the NYSE and Nasdaq. The sample data consisted of daily closing prices for the three indices from January 1991 through December 1999 with 2338 observations. The results are in support of the intuitive hypothesis that the Indian stock market was not interrelated to the US markets for the entire sample period. It should be noted that stock markets of many countries became increasingly interdependent with the US stock markets during the same time period. India was late in effecting liberalization policies and when it implanted these policies it did so in a careful and slow manner. However, as the effects of economic liberalizations started to take place, the BSE became more integrated with the Nasdaq and the NYSE, particularly after 1998. It must be noted that though BSE stock market is integrated with the US stock markets, it does not influence the Nasdaq and NYSE markets. This result is to be expected, given the relatively small valuation of the BSE.


ABSTRACT During the latter half of the nineteenth century, developments in the fields of public health and domestic science transformed the modern home into a space of dangerous multispecies entanglements. In response, state-sponsored hygiene initiatives aimed at the reproduction of white futurity recruited housekeepers as domestic guardians against nature's encroachments. However, a cohort of women writers and scientists had also begun to take the home's biological heterogeneity as the starting point for a new science that challenged these mandates. This essay introduces the term domestic ecology to refer to a minoritarian strain of US nineteenth-century material and intellectual history that grasps the biodiversity of the modern home as an occasion for novel scientific inquiry and critique that has gone underexamined in both cultural histories of domesticity as well as contemporary ecocriticism. Far from the prophylactic project of "keeping the world clean" ascribed to domestic workers in the wake of the germ theory, domestic ecology takes women's imbrication with the lively, messy materiality of the home as its vital principle rather than a relation to be sanitized or sublimated. This essay demonstrates how domestic ecology worked to circumvent the imperial anthropocentrism of domestic science and challenge its marginalization of women's labor.


Recent developments in communication networks have made new kind of services possible, which are even more connected due to smart Internet of Things devices and sensor networks. This complex integration of technologies had increased the attack surface on networks that are spread across multiple environments, with different protocols and services, usually based on the wireless medium. Network Intrusion Detection Systems aim to overcome these security issues, analyzing network traffic and applying multiple reconnaissance techniques. For this purpose, state-of-the-art research activities have been focused on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning-based approaches in order to scale more efficiently the capabilities of this kind of systems (in terms of both complexity, speed and training data required). Our work further analyzes these security issues, in particular, by introducing a consolidated approach based on the Granular Computing information processing paradigm applied to sequences of WiFi frames. We focused on a subset of attacks collected in the Aegean WiFi Intrusion Detection dataset, that consists in complex multi-step attacks or simpler control frames flooding attacks, not recognizable using a single-frame processing strategy. This kind of structured data heterogeneity implies a non-exclusive labelling strategy, as each frames' sequence could bring information related to different attack classes, making the whole supervised problem more challenging. We show that the proposed solution provides interesting results in terms of classification performances, limited embedding complexity and peculiar white-box trained models.


This paper describes a novel comprehensive framework for transporting data over mobile ad hoc networks supporting seamen of fishing boats. Data representing boat status, urgent signals, announcement, etc are generated and delivered to the monitoring stations within a predefined time interval. We design a cross-layer architecture respecting both time constraint on data delivery and communication efficiency. Sending and deliberate retransmissions of a packet from the source node is made in synchronization with the path status. Boat electronics relaying data are proposed to reserve a small cache to enable smart selection and forwarding. Extensive simulation results clearly demonstrate the benefits of the proposed scheme with respect to data reliability, latency, and overhead.


This paper addresses the design dilemmas that arise when distributed ledger technologies (DLT) are to be applied in the governance of artificial material commons. DLTs, such as blockchain, are often presented as enabling technologies for self-governing communities, provided by their consensus mechanisms, transparent administration, and incentives for collaboration and cooperation. Yet, these affordances may also undermine public values such as privacy and displace human agency in governance procedures. In this paper, the conflicts regarding the governance of communities which collectively manage and produce a commons are discussed through the case of a fictional energy community. Three mechanisms are identified in this process: tracking use of and contributions to the commons; managing resources, and negotiating the underlying rule sets and user rights. Our effort is aimed at contributing to the HCI community by introducing a framework of three mechanisms and six design dilemmas that can aid in balancing conflicting values in the design of local platforms for commons-based resource management.


The impact of precipitation on forage yield, hay yield and water content in the green forage of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was examined in field trials. The crop was grown for combined forage and seed production. The experiment was established on alluvium soil in a randomized block design. During period 2010:2012 four red clover cultivars (K:39, K:17, Una, and Viola) were analyzed for first cut in their second year. Significant differences between cultivars were observed for green forage yield, hay yield, and water content in the green forage, regardless of precipitation in the production year. It was determined that the green forage yield in 2010 was significantly higher compared to 2011 and 2012. year. Thereby the hay yield had no significant difference concerning 2010 and 2011. year, while significant reduction was reported in 2012. year. Green forage yield was positively correlated with both hay yield and the water content of green forage.


Abstract : Air Force regulations define patient medical records as comprehensive and permanent histories. The objective of this research effort was to determine the extent of loss of laboratory reports and to recommend methods to reduce this loss. The authors concluded that 15.9 per cent of the laboratory reports generated for outpatients at the USAF Medical Center, Wright-Patterson AF Base, Ohio, were 'lost.' That is, the reports were never filed in the patient's medical record. The authors further concluded that whenever a laboratory report was lost, the money spent to conduct the analysis was wasted. The authors made two recommendations. The first was that an embossed data plate be used to record correct patient identification data on all forms. The second recommendation was that increased managerial attention be given to the Outpatient Medical Records Section. (Modified author abstract)


In this paper, we report results from our experiments to find useful measures of local image statistics from small subblocks of data. Our criteria for the reliability of statistical estimates is that they should yield high quality results when used in adaptive image processing. We describe a method for estimating the correlation parameters of first-order Markov autocovariance models using relatively few computational steps. An application to block-interpolative data compression is given.


In the therapy of convulsive disorders the combination of drugs is necessary particularly frequently. Dipropylacetate (DPA) is a substance only recently introduced into paediatric therapy for use in the treatment of petit ma1 absences. It presumably raises the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. Several authors (1, 2) have described the potentiating effect of DPA on barbiturate therapy, often necessitating a dose reduction. For a period of two years we have, in the course of treating children, made routine serum determinations of various antiepileptic drugs (diphenylhydantoin, primidone, phenobarbital and nitrazepam) in our Clinical Pharmacological Laboratory. Fourteen children took a combination of DPA with diphenylhydantoin or primidone and in 9 of 14 cases the serum concentrations of these latter substances could be measured before and after DPA therapy was begun. After only a few days considerable rises in diphenylhydantoin or primidone concentrations could be seen although dosage remained constant. After considerable reduction in dosage of diphenylhydantoin or primidone normal serum levels could be achieved (Table 1). During further therapy, however, the dosage of diphenylhydantoin or primidone had to be increased to the previous levels in some of the children because the serum concentrations had fallen again in spite of continuation of DPA therapy. This effect was seen in all patients except one. Two of the 9 children, who had low primidone concentrations although taking DPA, were first examined after several weeks


We present an in-depth weak lensing analysis of the cluster MS1008.1−1224 based on deep multicolor imaging obtained during the Science Verification of FORS1 at the VLT. The image quality (half arcsec seeing) and depth of the VLT images allow the shear signal to be mapped with high signalto-noise and to be traced out to 1.2h 50 Mpc, near the edge of the 6. 8 × 6. 8 field of view. Using BVRI color information, as well as 81 redshifts in the field from the CNOC survey, background galaxies can be effectively separated from cluster and foreground objects. PSF distorsions are found to be moderate across the FORS images and thus easily removed. Due to the small statistical errors in the mass reconstruction, this dataset provides a testing ground where several systematic effects (e.g. mass-sheet degeneracy, redshift distribution of the background sources, cluster galaxy contamination), which are involved in the weak lensing analysis, can be quantified. Several methods are used to remove the mass-sheet degeneracy which is found to dominate the systematic error budget. We measure a lower limit to the mass of 2.6× 10 h 50 M within 1h −1 50 Mpc and a "total" mass of 5.3×10 h 50 M by fitting a softened isothermal sphere. We find the mass distribution fairly uniform, with no significant substructures, in agreement with the virial analysis. The availability of the CNOC redshift data and X-ray observations on this cluster allow a comparison of different determinations of the mass radial profile. We find the lensing and X-ray measurements in excellent agreement, while the mass derived from the virial analysis is marginally (1–2σ) in agreement at radii where both methods are reliable. This analysis underscores the importance of systematics in the mass determination of clusters, particularly when such a high quality dataset is not available or in similar studies at higher redshifts.


This is a study of an inter-agency approach to forge closer links between school and parent drug education programmes that was iniatiated by a voluntary organisation. Action research was chosen as the central methodology. At the first level of enquiry, an inter-agency co-operative enquiry group (ICEG)was established whose aim was to develop an effective and sustainable training programme for additional parental education programme deliverers, such as CAD Tutors.The second level of enquiry primarily sought to identify those associated with the delivery of parental drug education programmes undertaken in Ireland. The study demonstrates how in time the breadth of expertise within the group helped to overcome some of the difficulties encountered, thus moving the process forward.


This study was conducted to elucidate the in vitro protective effect of five flavonoids [apigenin (1), apigenin-7-O-glucoside (2), centaureidin (3), jaceidin (4) and quercetin (5)] against chromosomal damage in mitogen-induced human lymphocytes. Using the Cytochalasin-B blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay, in which the biomarker of chromosome breakage and/or chromosome loss is the elevated frequency of micronucleus (MN) in binucleated (BN) cells, the presence of flavonoid 2 in minimal concentration (3 μg/mL) gave a 35.5% decrease in the frequency of MN when compared with control human lymphocytes. The same concentration of flavonoids 1, 3 and 4, reduced the MN frequency by 24.4%, 28.0% and 28.0%, respectively. Higher concentrations (6 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL) seemed less effective. Flavonoid 5 (3 μg/mL) induced a slight decrease in MN frequency (5%), while higher doses (6 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL) provoked an increase of DNA damage. The comparable values for the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI) of the tested flavonoids and positive control suggested an inhibitory effect on lymphocyte proliferation. In the DPPH. scavenging assay, flavonoids 1-4 demonstrated modest activity, in a dose-dependent manner, compared with the synthetic antioxidants BHT and Trolox, while 5 exhibited comparably high antioxidative activity.


This research was conducted in order to test and assess the interaction between service quality and customer satisfaction with the commitment to the perpetuation of customers on BPR in Makassar. Research was conducted on the entire customer rural banks (BPR) in Makassar, South Sulawesi province, the sample size used was 300 respondents. Analysis equipment used in this study is a quantitative approach that is inferential statistical analysis with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based variance is known as a method WarpPLS.0. The results of analysis show that there is significant influence between the variables Quality of Service, Commitment and Customer Satisfaction to Customer perpetuation. It was also found that the results of the variable commitment and customer satisfaction is the moderator variable that is false and strength then the influence of service quality on customer perpetuation.


This paper argues the inhibition mechanism of the KCl and the strongly inhibitive Polyglycol CXC-1,with the influence study of the potential,activity and oil-water interfacial tension,mainly using the Zeta/sizer3000 colloid granularity/potential instrument,Novasina activity instrument and Texas-500 interfacial tension instrument.The study indicates that the CXC-1 has the properties of reducing the ξ potential of shale,the activity of drilling fluid and the interfacial tense of oil-water.When used together with KCl,the cloud point of CXC-1 decreased,the adsorption of CXC-1 in the clay grains increased,the ξ potential of shale and the activity of drilling fluid decreased,besides,the oil-water interfacial tense remained in lower level,which displayed remarkable cooperative inhibitive property.


The goal of this study is to compare the performance of currently available screw types and configurations for rigid sternal fixation. Bone fixation plates were attached to osteoporotic human sternum with cortical or cancellous screws in either a unicortical or bicortical manner. The plates were cyclically loaded transversely (0–50N at 2Hz) for 15,000 cycles; the resulting lateral screw displacement was measured continuously. Bicortical attachment allowed significantly lower initial displacement than unicortical (p = 0.015), whereas cortical screws allowed significantly lower displacement than cancellous screws after long term cycling (p = 0.039). These initial findings indicate that both screw type and cortical purchase are important parameters in the design of a rigid plating system for sternal closure. Cortical screws appear to be more applicable to the osteoporotic sternum, as the cortical shell regions support more screw purchase than the degenerated cancellous part, and bicortical screw purchase appears to decrease screw loosening.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


The recycled pulsar PSR J2222−0137 is one of the closest known neutron stars (NSs) with a parallax distance of pc and an edge-on orbit. We measure the Shapiro delay in the system through pulsar timing with the Green Bank Telescope, deriving a low pulsar mass (1.20  ±  0.14 M☉) and a high companion mass (1.05 ± 0.06 M☉) consistent with either a low-mass NS or a high-mass white dwarf. We can largely reject the NS hypothesis on the basis of the system's extremely low eccentricity (3 × 10−4)—too low to have been the product of two supernovae under normal circumstances. However, despite deep optical and near-infrared searches with Southern Astrophysical Research and the Keck telescopes we have not discovered the optical counterpart of the system. This is consistent with the white dwarf hypothesis only if the effective temperature is <3000 K, a limit that is robust to distance, mass, and atmosphere uncertainties. This would make the companion to PSR J2222−0137 one of the coolest white dwarfs ever observed. For the implied age to be consistent with the age of the Milky Way requires the white dwarf to have already crystallized and entered the faster Debye-cooling regime.


Narrative and dialogic modes of theorizing identity are both premised on textuality. However, theories of narrative identity tend towards unity and coherence (in accordance with the notion of narrative as constant and pre‐given), whereas the dialogic mode is more aligned with the postmodern novelistic literature (thus drawing heavily on dispersion, voice, disorder, and otherness). In accordance with the approach of Mikhail Bakhtin, the present study attempts to remedy the shortcomings of narrative identity by proposing change as involving shifting identities that are achieved through the transposition of utterances. Only through the recognition of the undecidable, unfinalizable nature of utterance can change be conceived as being shaped and reshaped through shifting identities. Such an approach reveals the interlocking relation between change and the varied texts people inhabit as they contemplate change.


The soils developed from the Ganges sediments in the coastal area of Bangladesh and India extend several thousand hectares and important from the view point of rice cultivation. Phosphorus, one of the important environmental and agricultural element, retention behavior of the Ganges floodplain soils is poorly reported. The objective of this study was to determine maximum phosphorus adsorption capacity (MPAC) and to develop Psat for 13 Ganges Tidal Floodplain soils of Bangladesh. The MPAC value and Psat based on Mehlich-3 extractions were determined. The conventional adsorption equations, such as the Langmuir, Freudlich and Temkin equations were used to describe the P sorption of the studied soils. The MPAC value varied from 1250 to 2000 mg/kg and correlated with EC (r = 0.59, p<0.05) and CEC (r = -0.74, P<0.01). The sorption capacity of the tested soils ranged from 511 to 545 mg/kg and the calculated energy of adsorption of the soils varied from 0.192 to 1.00 μg/mL and it was a positively correlated with clay (r=0.7, p<0.01) and CEC (r = 0.63, p<0.05) but negatively with silt (r= -0.80, p<0.01), pH (H2O) (r=-0.60, p<0.05) and with MPAC (r=-0.59, p<0.05) values. Phosphorus saturation indices of the studied sample demonstrated a far below the threshold critical limit of 25%.


Given the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), its impact on quality-of-life for some sufferers, as well as recent evidence implicating the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBS, there...


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the problems in the measurement of culture in consumer studies and offers suggestions for remedies. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on literature from related fields, the paper discusses some general issues in the measurement of culture and draws consumer researchers' attention to the flaws in the common cultural measures in consumer research. Implications for future research are also provided. Findings – The paper highlights two main shortcomings of commonly used culture instruments which are seldom taken into account by consumer researchers. Specifically, the commonly used culture dimensions in consumer studies do not have clear conceptual boundaries. Moreover, important differences between the different approaches to culture measuring (self- vs group-referenced and values vs practices) are always overlooked. The paper suggests that consumer research needs more focussed and refined measures and discusses which approach is better in which context....


Short-time spectral attenuation is a common form of audio signal enhancement in which a time-varying filter, or suppression rule, is applied to the frequency-domain transform of a corrupted signal. The suppression rule (see Ephraim, Y. and Malah, D., IEEE Trans. on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Proc., vol.ASSP-32, no.6, p.1109-21, 1984) for speech enhancement is both optimal in the minimum mean-square error sense and well-known for its associated colourless residual noise; however, it requires the computation of exponential and Bessel functions. We show that, under the same modelling assumptions, alternative Bayesian approaches lead to suppression rules exhibiting almost identical behaviour. We derive three such rules and show that they are efficient to implement and yield a more intuitive interpretation.


Increasing the use of renewable energy is central to address climate change. Recent research has suggested the existence of social contagion in the adoption of solar panels, which may contribute to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. While the existing literature has focused on residential adoption only, we extend the analysis to private firms and farms, and include solar panels with different characteristics. We exploit a unique large dataset providing detailed information on about 60,000 solar installations in Switzerland, including their specific location at the street level and details on the timing of the technological adoption, and couple it with rich socioeconomic data at the municipality level. Our detailed data allow us to adopt an empirical strategy addressing the main threats to identification associated with social contagion, including homophily and reflection. We find that households' decisions to adopt the solar technology are dependent on pre-existing adoption, and in particular on spatially close and recent installations. Firms and farms solar PV adoptions react to neighboring PV panels, although in a lesser extent than households. Furthermore, companies are more influenced by panels installed by other companies, compared to panels installed by households. By distinguishing between building-integrated and building-attached PV systems and including capacity categories, we provide evidence that both learning and imitation are important components of social contagion. As a result, our findings provide new insights on the mechanisms of social contagion and how they could be leveraged with targeted interventions.


This is a letter from Managing Editor Joshua C. Stone. Cover Page Footnote Letter from the Managing Editor This letter from the editor is available in Eleutheria: http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/eleu/vol1/iss1/2 Eleutheria 1:1 Fall (2010) 1 LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR The mission of Eleutheria is "to glorify God through the publication of excellent graduate student scholarship from an evangelical perspective in the areas of Theology and Philosophy, Scripture and Interpretation, and Church and Mission." It is a common joke among graduate students of religion to call seminaries "cemeteries" where one accrues expertise in theological training while the heart and soul languish and ministry skills atrophy. The Editorial Board believes that academic training and ardent faith are not at loggerheads, for deep, robust, and excellent scholarship glorifies God and is an act of worship in itself. God is honored by sincere thinking about Him. Eleutheria was created to provide graduate students of Theology and Philosophy, Scripture and Interpretation, and Church and Mission with an avenue to express and share their worship of God through excellent scholarship. This is a unique project in that it is led, refereed, and written by men and women still in the process of seminary and graduate school education. There is no other publication with such a unique place in the landscape of evangelicalism. The hope of the Editorial Board is for papers that are published in Eleutheria to be the first-fruits of students who will contribute great work to evangelical Christianity, and that scholars will one day see that Eleutheria was the place where many inportant intellectual concepts were first introduced. 1 Timothy 4:8 says "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Each contributor to Eleutheria is uniquely gifted with significant cognitive ability and has a distinct role to play in the Body of Christ. Though publishing deep, robust, and excellent scholarship is an intrinsic good and glorifies God, the ultimate desire of the Editorial Board is that the work within the journal, those that read the journal, and the greater impact that Eleutheria makes will contribute to the task of drawing all men unto God by the power of the Holy Spirit through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would like to thank Drs. Leo Percer, Edward Smither, Daniel Mitchell, Thom Provenzola, Gary Yates, and Tyler Veak for their service on the Faculty Advisory Board, especially the Faculty Advisory Board chair Dr. Percer. His work at the beginning stages of the project was invaluable. I would also like to thank Associate Editors Chad Thornhill, Ronnie Campbell, and Lee Webb for their hard work in editing, re-editing, and again editing the submissions. Theologians prefer not to deal with the details of formatting and grammar, so we are indebted to our Copy Editor Andrew Walker for his great work with the details of each article. Joshua C. Stone Managing Editor, Eleutheria


ABSTRACT Over the last decade, the emergence of online freelance platforms has re-configured work in fundamental ways. Yet, despite the rapid growth of this work, we have a limited understanding of its long term evolution, experience, or sustainability or how it influences broader career goals. To address this gap, we conducted a set of surveys and longitudinal interviews with online freelancers. We find that online freelancing supports career transition, new career domain exploration, and entrepreneurial skill development. To realize these opportunities, online freelancers must develop strategies to combat a set of burdens that represent the overhead of maintaining an online freelancing career. As a growing number of organizations, clients and workers turn to online freelance platforms in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the challenges we identified have important implications for design and policy efforts to support a new future of online freelancing. ABOUT THE AUTHOR/S Allie Blaising HCI Institute firstname.lastname@example.com Allie Blaising is a researcher in the Connected Experience Lab within the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) at Carnegie Mellon University. She received her bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Previously, she was a research intern at Stanford University in the Computer Science department with Michael Bernstein and Mark Whiting and research intern through the HCII REU program with Chinmay Kulkarni. Chinmay Kulkarni HCI Institute firstname.lastname@example.com Chinmay Kulkarni is an Assistant Professor of Human Computer Interaction at Carnegie Mellon University, where he directs the Expertise@Scale lab. In his research, Chinmay introduces new collaborative computer systems that help people learn and work better; typically, these systems use the large scale ofparticipation to yield benefits that are otherwise not achievable. Laura Dabbish HCI Institute & Heinz College firstname.lastname@example.com Laura Dabbish is an Associate Professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) at CMU with appointments in the Heinz College of Public Policy and Information Systems Management and Societal Computing. She directs the Connected Experience Lab and studies online collaboration and digitally enabled platform-based work. She is a World Economic Forum Young Global Scientist, and has received research funding from the NSF, Sloan Foundation, IBM Research, Snap Research and Google. New Future of Work 2020, August 3–5, 2020 © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).


Studies sexual expression in literature of high quality. Analyzes more than a dozen novels and poems that, in a variety of ways, treat topics such as intercourse, voyeurism, frigidity, masturbation, homosexuality, and incest.


The close coexistence between humans and pets such as dogs has increased the risk of transmission of infectious diseases (zoonoses) caused by Enterobacterales. The ingestion of food and water sources contaminated with animal feces matter constitutes the main mechanism of dissemination of these diseases. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of Enterobacterales in stool samples from domestic and street dogs collected in the city of Mérida, Yucatán. For this, 30 stool samples from canines (15 domestic dogs and 15 street dogs) were collected. The bacterial samples were seed on McConkey agar and salmonella-shigella agar (after enrichment in tetrathionate broth). Likewise, microorganisms were identified by biochemical tests: citrate, MIO, LIA, urea, TSI, catalase and oxidase. The most outstanding findings was a high percentage of dogs infected with Salmonella spp., the animals were of both domestic and street origin. This is alarming given the potential risk of zoonosis for the population.


There is no other organ of the human body where the alterations of the nervous system presiding the nutrition of the tissues produce such an apparent effect than the skin, which externally located accessible to the eye, easily shows its disturbances. The nutrition of the skin like the other organs is entirely subordinate to a certain nervous filament which regulate the tonus of the blood vessels called therefore, vaso-motor nerves. The troubles of the nutritive process of the skin clearly show the disease of the nervous element which is connected with the affected region of the skin, and they are not only the etiologic moment of the disturbance of the skin, but truly they are the effective causes. The arteries and veins are subjected to change their calibre not only in a passive way, following by the inelasticity the pressure of the blood, but also actively by the efficiency of


In his paper, "Glycogen in the Nervous System of Vertebrates"' Gage has pointed out that glycogen is not found in such great abundance in the organs of the chick at any one period of its development as in the embryonic organs of many other forms, including mammals; from which the inference is at once drawn that this difference is correlated with the nature of development in the hen's egg, where the yolk furnishes an abundant supply of food, available at any moment for the needs of the embryo. The development of the various organs is a gradual one as compared with that of forms which are provided with less yolk, and glycogen, the builder of tissue and energy producer, appears only as it is needed in the successive stages. This is particularly striking when comparing the chick with such forms as Petromyzon and Amblystoma, studied by Gage. When contrasted with mammals the same explanation is not as valid, for the mammalian tissue is also able to develop gradually, calling upon the maternal supply when necessary. However it may be supposed that in mammals the embryo is less directly in contact with its food supply than in the chicken. A great amount of glycogen could not be produced as quickly when a demand arose in tissue development, and consequently a greater supply is produced and maintained in the embryonic tissue itself. The following observations in regard to the occurrence and distribution of glycogen in the tissue of the chick, from primitive streak stages to the age of about ten days, are based on material which was fixed and stained according to the methods given in Gage's article, and in all cases the presence of the glycogen has been verified by testing the sections with saliva, according to Gage's directions. It gives me pleasure to be able to acknowledge my great 1 Jour. Comp. Neur., Vol. 27, No. 4. 63


According to the updating granularity,two kinds of sliding window are defined: continuously updating sliding window and periodically updating sliding window. All the existed sliding window algorithms over data streams are designed for continuously updating sliding window, which are not suitable for periodically updating sliding window. To address this problem, three effective join algorithms for periodically updated sliding window, BSHJ, BSNLJ and BSNHJ, are proposed. Theoretical analysis and experiment results show that BSNHJ achieves optimal performance.


We start by showing that (1) is injective. Take an u ∈ Hom (A,B)⊗ Zl that maps to zero in HomΓ (Tl(A), Tl(B)). Write u = ∑∞ j=0 l uj , uj ∈ Hom(A,B), and [u]n for ∑n j=0 l uj . Note that since Hom (A,B) is a Z-module [u]n is in Hom (A,B). Now (since u maps to zero) [u]n is the zero morphism A[l ] → B[l], so it kills the ltorsion. As it is well known, this implies the existence of a certain ψn ∈ Hom(A,B) such that [u]n = [l ] ◦ ψn. It follows that [u]n belongs to l Hom (A,B) ⊆ l (Hom (A,B)⊗ Zl), and since clearly u−un is in l n (Hom (A,B)⊗ Zl) too we find that u lies in l n (Hom (A,B)⊗ Zl) for every n. As Hom (A,B)⊗ Zl is of finite type, this implies that u = 0 as claimed.


The effective thermal conductivity of materials decreases when their dimensions are comparable to or
lower than the mean free path of heat carriers (phonons in dielectrics) and when the influence of the thermal boundary
conductance increases. Distinguishing the two phenomena is not experimentally straightforward, while the phonon
Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) in the Relaxation Time Approximation (RTA) can be used to investigate this
numerically. We solve a particular form of the BTE under the RTA, the Equation of Phonon Radiative Transfer, with
the Discrete Ordinates Method (DOM) in one-dimensional and two-dimensional configurations for gray and non-gray
media. The simulations give access to local effective temperature and conductive heat flux fields. We consider in
particular the cross-plane and the in-plane thermal conductivities through 1D and 2D calculations, respectively.
Diffuse, specular and diffuse-specular reflections of the heat carriers on the boundaries are implemented. The cases
of extended and localized thermal sources are studied in 2D. Reduction factors associated to the effective thermal
conductivities are obtained for the different cases and compared to the predictions based on the Fuchs-Sondheimer-
Casimir-Ziman theory [1–4]. Constant temperature and adiabatic boundary conditions are also distinguished and their
effects on the thermal transport are highlighted. Collective effects due to multiple localized heat sources are also
considered. The competition between different characteristic length-scales (heat source size, distance between heat
sources, sample size) is investigated. Finally, we discuss the obtained results in light of the recent thermo-optical and
electrical experiments involving 2D heat spreading from sub-mean free path heat sources [5,6].
References:
[1] Fuchs K.., The conductivity of thin metallic films according to the electron theory of metals, Math. Proc. Camb.
Philos. Soc. 34, 100 (1938)
[2] Sondheimer E.H., The mean free path of electrons in metals, Adv. Phys. 1, 1 (1952)
[3] Casimir H.B.G., Note on the conduction of heat in crystals, Physica 5, 495 (1938)
[4] Ziman J.M., Electrons and Phonons (Clarendon Press), 1960
[5] Hoogeboom-Pot K., et al., A new regime of nanoscale thermal transport: Collective diffusion increases dissipation
efficiency, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 112, 4846 (2015)
[6] Hu Y., et al., Spectral mapping of thermal conductivity through nanoscale ballistic transport, Nat. Nanotechnol., 10 ,
701 (2015)


It is a great pleasure to introduce the first issue of Infant Observation for 2017, which is published rather late in the year, for which, as Editor, I offer my apologies. Nonetheless, I hope readers will agree that it has been worth the wait. This is a very significant issue, in which we are very fortunate indeed. Our good fortune is that we are publishing a rich, scholarly and illuminating paper written by the late Susan Sherwin-White, entitled 'Melanie Klein and Infant Observation', written by the author at the same time as her book, Melanie Klein revisited: Pioneer and revolutionary in the psychoanalysis of young children published earlier in 2017. For reasons of length, the paper on infant observation was not included in the book's final text. Very sadly, Sherwin-White died shortly after the book's completion, but before it was published. She was in complete agreement with the suggestion made by the Editors of the book and of the Tavistock Clinic Series that the paper on Klein and Infant Observation should be published separately in Infant Observation. Susan Sherwin-White had two careers both of which come together in her research into Melanie Klein. As Margot Waddell and Jocelyn Catty (2017) write in the Series Forward to the book on Klein,Melanie Klein revisited represents not simply the wisdom of an experienced child psychotherapist with an eye for detail and a talent for bringing the insights of a modern child-psychoanalytic technique into a creative juxtaposition with the work of its pioneer. It also represents a huge achievement in scholarly research, conducted primarily in the Melanie Klein archive held by the Library of the Wellcome Trust. Sherwin-White was no stranger to such scholarly endeavour. Before training as a child psychotherapist in the late 1980s, she had had a distinguished career as an ancient historian, first gaining a DPhil in Greek history from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, and then lecturing in Greek History at Bedford College, London. Her obituarist, Catherin Slater, writes that


USA as her world rcpsonsibility began to grow. As ScEaller observes, McCarthy's activities were the cause of a serious deficiency. 'By 1954 virtually no onc with expert training or experience in China rernalnd in the Far Eastern Division of thc State Department.' (p.130) T N m m and Eisenhower did not resist McCarthyism in this respect, or, perhaps in any other. Schaller makes the rather bland observation that 'the Chinese Communists wcrc punishing their own citizens whom they considered too close to American culture.' The degree and kind of persecution U& on these citizens was hardly identical with McCarthyism.


Key Points Question Are dementia incidence trends by birth cohort associated with early-life environment? Findings In this cohort study of 4277 participants in the Adult Changes in Thought study who were born between 1893 and 1949 and were followed up for up to 20 years (1994-2015), the age- and sex-adjusted dementia incidence was lower among those born during the Great Depression (1929-1939) and the period during World War II and postwar (1940-1949) compared with those born in the period before the Great Depression (1921-1928). The association between birth cohort and dementia incidence remained when accounting for early-life socioeconomic environment, educational level, and late-life vascular risk factors. Meaning The study's findings indicate that dementia incidence is lower for individuals born after the mid-1920s compared with those born earlier, and this lower incidence is not associated with early-life environment as measured in this study.


Apriori is one of the most important algorithms used in rule association mining. In this paper, we first discuss the limitations of the Apriori algorithm and then propose an enhancement for improving its efficiency. The improved algorithm is based on the combination of forward scan and reverse scan of a given database. If certain conditions are satisfied, the improved algorithm can greatly reduce the scanning times required for the discovery of candidate itemsets. Theoretical proof and analysis are given for the rationality of our algorithm. A simulation instance is given in order to show the advantages of this algorithm compared with Apriori.