As the last twenty years or so have witnessed the rise to pre-eminence in his field of J. G. A. Pocock, so they have also seen a transformation in the status of James Harrington as a political thinker. The two developments are not, of course, unconnected. Once viewed as an eccentric figure (by English rather than American historians, let it be admitted), associated rather obscurely with the rise of capitalism or market society, whose political ideas stood awkwardly aside from contemporary thought and who founded no school, Harrington now emerges as a seminal thinker, transforming a great European tradition of thought and enabling it to contribute to the ideologies of the emergent western world of the eighteenth century. In the transmission of those paradigms analysed and pursued in The Machiavellian Moment it is no small burden which this new Harrington is called upon to bear. In this account, his thought ruralised and anglicised the classical republicanism of late renaissance Florence and made it available for transmutation into an Atlantic republican tradition in the eighteenth century. It dealt a blow to the pervasive English myth of ancient constitutionalism and the immemorialism associated with it and provided a basis for the development in the Anglophone world of a sense of history and an incipient sociology of corruption. John Pocock has rescued us from much and offered us much in the name of James Harrington. In this article I would like to test one aspect I believe a critical aspect of Pocock's perception of Harrington's thought and of the paradigms which he made available to his followers. But before I go any further I want to state my belief that The Machiavellian Moment is a major work of historical synthesis and that it may come to represent a serious contribution to the history and historiography of western civilisation's confrontations with its own dilemmas. These are high claims, won rather reluctantly and ungraciously from a stubborn soul. So that it may be, in the way of such victories, that the terms of surrender are overstated. Let us see.1 Part of the problem arises from the fact that we see Pocock simultaneously as a powerful and as a confusing thinker and analyst. But, accepting for the moment the validity of his paradigmatic approach, what we see is a complex attempt to deal with the paradigms which he perceives in a rigorous and sophisticated way: (a) in


RAND, America famous MOD research institution, publishes international military development academic research reports about specific countries every year. Because of RAND role, those reports are not only deeply civilian thought and observation but also represent sponsor's perception. Especially, the rapid development of People Republic Army (PLA) has been surprised most of countries in the world. The result of PLA military modernization makes the world aware of that PLA's capabilities are rising so abrupt that may change regional security. It will affect Taiwan's future and threaten America's national interest. One of RAND's reports, titled"Deep into the dragon cave", published in May 2007, is an outstanding study for who is interested how PLA to carry out "anti-access/area denial(A2/Ad)" strategy which is based on the strategy to solve Taiwan issue under the assumption of third party intervention leaded by the United State. On this study PLA believes that if it wants to achieved its national goal, building a modern military supported with advance military technology is a key to deal with superior US power. Therefore, understanding what the A2/AD strategy is and how PLA to fulfill it is critical issue for Taiwan and its potential allays. This report will briefly introduce the essence of PLA's anti-access strategy from the development of strategic bombers and weapon systems. The central piece of this study is about how the capability of strategic bombers to serve anti-access strategy, and the evolution of anti-access strategy effected by the new bombers, what the future development may be seen. To evaluate A2/AD strategy, it should start from understanding the superiority and vulnerability of US military power so that we can conclude the effect of A2/AD strategy after PLA adds new capabilities. The founding of this report are: 1. Because PLA has been learning from the trend of military affair revolution, it PLA is alerting its pillars of the warfighting patterns, especially denying foreign intervention. 2. PLA released that long-range attack weapon and platform will create dramatic change of the consequence of the war and preserve own military strength through deceasing damage by enemy.


The macroscopic phenomena of space charge and electrical breakdown are ultimately determined by processes on an atomic scale. These processes are not unique to space charge and breakdown phenomena; indeed, most of what is understood in detail about the atomic and electronic processes has been obtained from other fields. In this paper I discuss the underlying charge localisation and energy localisation phenomena, with emphasis on two very different oxide systems. I discuss also some of the analogies with fracture studies, and the way in which the science of dislocations has had impact on technology.


Background: Residency training can render a wide variety of stressors that can affect the residents-in- training's level of well-being and performance. Long hours of duty in the hospital together with physical and mental fatigue had become acceptable as these were believed to impart toughness to prepare physicians for a career in Medicine. This study was done to identify the stressors experienced by Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) Medical Center residents-in- training using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Likewise, the relationship between the stressors and the demographic profile of the resident was explored.
Methods: This is a single-center descriptive cross-sectional study of all resident physicians of the FEU- NRMF Medical Center. The demographic data which includes age, sex, civil status, specialty training, and years in training were sought using a self-administered questionnaire. The stressors, stress reaction, social support, and job satisfaction of residents were identified using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BSQ) which is a validated self-administered questionnaire used in Japan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, presented in tables. The relationships between the stressors and demographic data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test.
Results: The mean age of the residents-in-training who responded was 29-years old and the majority were females (71%) and single (85%). Mostly came from Internal Medicine training (23%) and were within the first three years of training (83%). The BSQ showed that the psychological stressors of resident-in-training were lack of meaningfulness of work (94%), skill under-utilization (90%), and unsuitable job (85%). In terms of stress reaction, mostly felt fatigued (65%), and anxious (32%). Residents-in-training social support came from their supervisors (86%) and co-workers (60%). Most of them were satisfied with their job (81%) and family life (78%). Among the different stressors, physical demand was the only variable significantly associated with sex (p-value, 0.015) and specialty (p-value, 0.004).
Conclusion: The research was able to identify the different job stressors, stress reaction, social support, and satisfaction with job and family life of the residents-in-training in FEU-NRMF Medical Center. This will be a starting point in planning and creating programs that will help residents cope with the stress of residency training.


We show that, assuming a rather innocuous looking "moving lemma" called Theorem A, this complex is an exact couple, and the resulting spectral sequence has the form (0.1.1). §2 §6 of the paper are devoted to proving theorem A. Finally, in §7, we prove that t≥1(Z (Spec(F ), )[−4]), the higher Chow complex shifted to the right 4 steps and then truncated so the resulting complex is supported in degrees 1 and 2, is quasi-isomorphic to the complex Γ(2) introduced by Lichtenbaum [7]. It would follow from a variant of the Soulé Beilinson conjecture that truncation was unnecessary in this context. Indeed, one might formulate a "CEO" (cock-eyed


Authority is a subject indispensable to politics. No other word carries its basic sense of legitimate power, power exercised over those who have willed its exercise. Cut off from the vocabulary of political theorists it comes back in other guises. Playing hide-and-seek with words would not in itself be so important were it not that it takes time merely to recognize that a game is being played and to realign the new words, each bearing a fraction of the old meaning, into the framework of facts and ideas with which the original concept was associated. It can be urged, on the positive side, that a re-shuffling of words, breaking them up and giving them slightly different connotations, might stir up not only clouds of dust but also some original thinking. This has not happened with the principle of authority. Rather it has been forgotten and is now remembered. The interval has seen little gain. Perhaps "power" has profited in attention, but at the expense of being confused with authority and thus of giving new life to the Thrasymachian conception of politics and its study. Instead, the subject matter of the political scientist is earthly authority and its relation to the divine.


In 1909 I was interested to hear from a farmer in Ontario, that barn swallows are undesirable because they harbour bedbugs which spread from their nests to human habitations. Several times since I have heard the same complaint from various sources. In 1926 an instance cropped up in Vancouver where cliff swallows nests were systematically knocked down from some public buildings, for the same alleged reason.


After invitation to agenda-setting researchers in Europe, this is a short essay or memo in response. It is on the role and relevance of the Humanities in the contemporary world, especially on the p ...


Noise is the most frequent physical agent in workplace that effects on hearing loss. This study aimed to investigate the value of noise exposure in different jobs along with noise induced permanent threshold shift of workers, prediction of hearing threshold alteration in relation to job and work experience using ISO 1999 standard and comparing with measured hearing loss. This study was performed among 138 Iranian workers in a Yazd spinning factory in 2014. Noise exposure level was measured using ISO 1999 method in any work conditions. An audiometric test was done in a standard soundproof room by an experienced audiologist. Noise induced hearing loss was identified after reduction of age related hearing loss. Necessary program for hearing loss prediction of workers was prepared using the ISO method. Finally, data were analyzed by SPSS16 software. Mean age and employment duration of participants were 36.58 ± 6.76 yr and 11.08 ± 5.47 yr, respectively. Mean noise exposure in office, spinning, baling, carding, combing and other parts was 45, 94, 95.5, 90, 85 and 88dBA, respectively. Mean measured hearing threshold was 16.69 ± 7.82dB in right ear and 17.59 ± 8.55 dB in left ear. The duration of employment and noise are two important factors in work-related hearing loss. There was a significant difference between the measured noise induced hearing loss and its predicted values (P<0.05). Better surveillance and prevention programs are recommended to reduce the prevalence of work-related hearing loss, such as perform pre-employment medical and periodic occupational health examinations.


A compact transient mini-tunnel (multi-tube type) inducing only a part of the exhaust gas, has been developed as a device for measuring the quantity of regulated exhaust emissions in the exhaust gas from diesel engines. This device allows measurement of exhaust emissions even for transient mode operating conditions of the engines, such as U.S. EPA FTP transient mode (FTP mode). The size of this mini-tunnel can be reduced to approximately twenty percent of the dilution tunnel (full-flow tunnel) specified by EPA and the flow rate in the mini-tunnel is a few percent thereof. The results are discussed in this paper. Comparison is made to measurement with the full-flow tunnel.


P‐selectin is a link between inflammation and venous or microvascular thrombosis. Selectin‐mediated leukocyte/endothelial interactions require ligands that contain sialyl Lewis x, which is absent in mice deficient in alpha(1,3)‐fucosyltransferases (FucT)‐IV and ‐VII. We tested whether mice deficient in the FucTs had the predicted anti‐thrombotic phenotype in a photochemical‐induced injury model of carotid artery thrombosis. Surprisingly, the time to thrombosis was decreased in FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−) mice [16.5±5.1 min, n=4, vs WT=36.2±2.6 min, n=8; p≤0.05]. The prothrombotic phenotype was not accounted for by alterations of the prothrombin time [FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−)=12.2±0.4 sec, n=8 vs WT=12.4±0.3 sec, n=8; p≥0.05], activated partial thromboplastin time [FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−)=28.2±2.6 sec, n=8 vs WT=29.5±1.9 sec, n=8; p≥0.05], or platelet count [FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−)=775±121 × 103/ul, n=9 vs WT=721±107 × 103/ul, n=9; p≥0.05]. In contrast, collagen‐stimulated whole blood platelet aggregation in FucT‐deficient mice had a shorter lag time [FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−)=68±5.8 sec, n=5 vs WT=90±5.7 sec, n=5; p≤0.05], and a faster rate [FucT‐IV(−/−)/FucT‐VII(−/−)=16.2±1.5 sec−1, n=5 vs WT=13.4±1.7 sec−1, n=5; p≤0.05]. FucT‐deficient mice have a prothrombotic phenotype that is associated with enhanced platelet aggregation. Support by AHA FTF Award 0275023N.


The Russian fleet of water and steam mine heaters is gradually being replaced by the electric and gas air heaters. New automated systems can maintain the set temperature of the mine air without noticeable deviations. This creates the basis for optimizing the operating point of mine air heating systems. When the mine is dry and there is no lifting machine, there is no fear for ice formation. Humidity of the mine air is not standardized. The optimal position of the operating point is determined by only one parameter — temperature. Its limit value tC = 2 °C is set by the Russian rules for occupational safety in the mines. In a wet mine, the main control factor is the prevention of ice formation. To interpret the experimental data on this phenomenon, in [1] a diagram of the states of mine air was constructed in the coordinates «temperature — specific enthalpy». As a result, it was established that the optimal position of the operating point for a wet mine is determined by only one parameter of the state of the mine air — specific enthalpy. The area of possible ice formation on the diagram is limited by the horizontal line hC = constant. The value of the constant depends on the barometric pressure at the critical point where the groundwater seeps through the shaft support. In the area of high-enthalpy regimes (hC  constant), the ice formation in a wet mine is not observed. Such an interpretation of the experimental data allowed to determine in an explicit form the dependence of the optimal mine air temperature on weather conditions and the method of heating (direct or indirect). Theoretical norms of annual heat consumption for the dry and wet mines are compared. The energy efficiency of heating a wet mine with the help of gas recuperative and mixing air heaters is estimated. From the standpoint of safety of the operation of hoisting machines, the experience is considered concerning weather regulation of the operating point of the mine air heating systems.


Three main benefits are thought to underlie communal roosting in birds: a reduction in thermoregulation demands, a decrease in predation risk, and an increase in foraging efficiency. I investigated interspecific variation in communal roosting tendencies across categories of several ecological factors to examine the relevance of each functional hypothesis in the evolutionary transition to communal roosting and the secondary reversal to solitary roosting habits. The study phylogenetic tree included 30 families and 437 species. Evolutionary transitions to communal roosting occurred more often on branches with flocking species and with larger species but were not associated with diet, territoriality, geographical area, or time of day. The association with flocking activities suggests that increased foraging efficiency, a factor thought to operate through the formation of flocks, may have been a key factor in the origin of avian communal roosting. However, several transitions to communal roosting occurred on branches with nonflocking species, indicating that foraging efficiency may not be the only factor involved in the evolution of communal roosting. Secondary losses of communal roosting habits occurred on several branches, with a concomitant loss of flocking behavior and a tendency to exhibit territorial behavior and nocturnal foraging. Secondary losses suggest that communal roosting is costly to perform and maintain and may be lost when an asocial selection regime operates. The large number of exceptions to the above patterns may force a reevaluation of current functional hypotheses about communal roosting in birds.


In this article, the estimation of parameters and the solution of a heat transfer problem is performed, where the numerical results are compared with experimental data obtained in the literature. The mathematical model is solved numerically using the Finite Difference Method (MDF) with implicit formulation. The parameters are estimated using the Luus-Jaakola (LJ) and Particle Collision Algorithm (PCA) stochastic optimization methods, as well as proposed modifications to the referred methods. The results obtained were satisfactory and the modifications presented a reduction in the number of objective function evaluations (NAF) necessary to find the parameters of interest, as well as allowing a good adjustment between the temperatures obtained experimentally and numerical results, motivating new applications in problems of same nature.


The potential utility of a transition metal oxide/metal–organic framework (MOF) nanocomposite has been explored using manganese dioxide (MnO2)/Universitetet i Oslo (UiO)‐66‐amine (NH2 (prototypical zirconium (Zr) MOF)) to develop an efficient adsorption–catalysis system for the removal of formaldehyde (FA) from the air. The room‐temperature FA (100 ppm) conversion (XFA (%)), when tested using five different MnO2 (wt%) loadings in the nanocomposite, is estimated as: 1% MnO2 (88%) > 2% MnO2 (86%) > 4% MnO2 (84%) > 6% MnO2 (75%) > 20% MnO2 (47%). The FA removal performance is lowered as the active catalytic sites are covered with the increases in the MnO2 loading (e.g., >1 wt%). The FA and molecular oxygen species preferably adsorb (and activate) onto the Zr atoms attached to the NH2 groups. The oxidation of FA into carbon dioxide proceeds subsequently through the formation of intermediates (e.g., dioxymethylene and formate). The MnO2 nanoclusters act as secondary reactive adsorption sites to boost the capture, activation, and oxidation of the FA molecules at the Zr active centers. Accordingly, the MnO2/UiO‐66‐NH2 nanocomposite is demonstrated to effectively harness the adsorption–catalysis synergy for highly efficient removal of FA relative to other well‐known catalysts (e.g., platinum and metal oxide‐based nanomaterials).


A modular 256KB advanced transfer cache tile has been developed to implement the on-die second level caches of the 0.18pm Intel@ Pentium@ I11 processor family[ 11. The cache tile is stepped from I to 8 times to form implementations from 256KB to 2MB. Each tile is a self-contained cache delivering a line of 32B every 2 clock cycles at 1 .OGHz. A charge-share data sense technique overlaps the data and tag array accesses for reduced latency at lower power. Modular tiled cache design also achieves low power through hierarchical power management and reduced test time through PBIST (programmable built in self test).


T he start' manning physician offices arc the people patients sec most often during their lifetime of health care. They bond quickly with their patients and arc most often turned to for advice on hospitals, referrals to other physicians, and general health care needs. They are key decision makers for their practice's referrals for additional services. Their decisions are based on one-to-one relationships, prompt and courteous service, timely feedback, and being treated as an integral and respected member of the health care team.


Two experiments (incubation and greenhouse) were carried out in end of 2018 to evaluate the addition effect of glauconite rock rates on the release of K and some chemical properties as well as the uptake of potassium by wheat plants of sandy soil. Glauconite mineral rates (0, 3, 6, and 9 g kg) were mixed with 300 g (w/w) soil in plastic pot, and then the distilled water was added to the field capacity of soil and incubation for four time periods (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days). The results indicated that, glauconite rates resulted in significant increases in the available K of studied sandy soil compared to the control treatment. These increases depended upon the application rate and the time of incubation. Additions of glauconite rates and incubation periods caused increases in most soil K forms (soluble, exchangeable, non-exchangeable, residual of K) of the studied soil samples. Also, soil pH values of treated soils decreased with increasing the applied rate of glauconite and incubation periods. On other side, the soil salinity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were increased compared to the control treatment. The dry weight, concentration and uptake values of K were significantly increased with increasing the level of glauconite by wheat plant compared to the control treatment.


The recognition of a car's license plate for an automatic parking system is important for identifying the car at the entrance of the parking area because the car license plate has unique information for each car. This paper proposes the recognition of car license plate which is accurate and robust to environmental variation by using the car's license plate patterns according to motor vehicle regulation and a 4-layer BP neural network with supervised learning. In this method, the candidates regions of the car license plate are determined approximately according to the car license plate regulation such as color, the ratio and shape of the car license plate, the pattern of characters and numbers etc. For the results of recognition by neural networks, the candidate that has characters and numbers according to motor vehicle regulation is certified as license-plate region. Since the results of characters-pattern recognition are used to certify the license plate, the ability of license plate extraction is more accurate and the car can be identified simultaneously. The experimental results of seventy car images with the prototype of the automatic parking system show the performance of car license plate extraction rate of 96%, and the recognition rate is 92%.


We propose to use deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) to perform 2D and 3D imaging through scattering media. The inverse scattering problem is solved based on learning a huge number of training target and speckle pairs. The proposed technique does not rely on a reference beam, thus employs a simpler optical setup than previous techniques without the need to know the imaging model and optical processes. This lack of the need to know a prior model of the forward operator is very important since many optimization techniques are very sensitive to errors caused by the inaccuracy of the forward model.


Bed-site habitat utilization of roe deer Capreolusc capreolus was studied in Baxianshan Nature Reserve, which geographical location is 40°7′~40°13′ N, 117°7′~117°36′ E, Tianjin, P. R. China. Six transects were investigated during the spring (March to May) of 2007. A total of 52 bed-sites used by roe deer, and 93 random plots were set as compared sites in the study area, 14 habitat parameters were measured in each sites. Selection coefficients revealed roe deer showed a strong preference to broadleaf forest, upper slope and mid slope, sunny slope, moderate distance to water and human disturbance distance1000 m during spring. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that shrub canopy, concealment cover, shrub high, canopy, distance to shrub, and slope were the key factors, accounting for 98.1% of correct classifications. Optimal bed-sites of roe deer were characterized by having mezzo shrub canopy (16.77±1.07°), higher concealment cover (29.54±1.47 m), and shrub height ratherish higher than roe stature (1.22±0.05 m), which could reduce the predation risk. At the same time, canopy cover (5.48±0.31°) was lower, distance to shrub (2.99±0.13 m) was far, and slope (2.11±0.09°) was lower in spring compared to the winter, reflecting the physiological characteristic during breeding season.


The obtained experimental results due to nearest-neighbor spacing distributions were compared with simulated data using random matrix theory (RMT) with aid of the ultra relativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) model. The present assessment reveals the primary level of multiplicity of secondary charged particles which might be linked with the onset of region of central collisions based on mentioned results. The author tried to demonstrate the importance of the nearest-neighbor distributions for various multiplicities to detect the region of central collisions.


The present study describes a novel ecological self-incompatibility(SI) line,HE 97,in maize,which was found in the propagation of inbred line in the field,and its ecological mechanism was analyzed.It was identified through sowing at different stages for two years(2004 and 2005),and observing the pollen tubes in the selfing and intercross silks using microscope.The results demonstrated that the daily minimum temperature was the main environmental factor affecting the characteristics of the SI line.It expressed complete self-compatibility under high temperature but self-incompatibility under low temperature,and the temperature boundary of self-compatible transition was 20~24 ℃ at the floret differentiation of the staminate inflorescence or the elongation stage of pistil.Additionally,the self-incompatibility of the SI line was mainly caused by the fact that pollen germination was inhibited by stigma or that the pollen tube could not growth in silk.


Modern non-invasive diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism rely on the sequential use of clinical probability assessment, D-dimer measurement, and thoracic imaging tests. Planar ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy was the cornerstone test for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism for more than two decades and has now been replaced by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Diagnostic strategies using CTPA are very safe to rule out pulmonary embolism and have been well validated in large prospective management outcome studies. Venous compression ultrasonography is the cornerstone test to diagnose deep vein thrombosis but is not mandatory for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when using multidetector CTPA.


Approximately 2.6 billion people, roughly 40 percent of the world's population, live on less than $2 a day. 3 Of these people, 1.4 billion—that is one in four people in the developing world—live in extreme poverty subsisting on less than $1.25 a day. According to recent World Bank estimates, the financial and economic crisis facing the world today is likely to trap another 53 million people in extreme poverty.


We propose a three-factor model to explain the co-movement in the cross-section of idiosyncratic equity return volatilities (IVOL), motivated by a standard dynamic capital structure model in which the CAPM holds for asset returns. Empirically we show that three factors capture the IVOL co-movement: average IVOL (CIV), leverage (LIV), and size (SIV). Specifically, LIV and SIV capture the cross-sectional variation in IVOL, while CIV captures the market average of firm-level leverage. The negative return-IVOL relation is mainly from the common component of IVOL, not the residual. JEL Classification: G12, G32, C15


Remotely piloted aircraft systems are becoming a commodity all over the world. Typically known as "drones", remotely piloted aircraft systems allow pilots to record videos and take photographs without being physically present. Such systems are used in both private and commercial ways that vary from service delivery to surveillance. As such, the protection of the right to privacy faces new challenges under South African law. This paper is concerned with the irresponsible use of remotely piloted aircraft systems, that results in privacy infringement. The article also includes a discussion of the obstacles that come with identifying users of remotely piloted aircraft systems, and the burden that such constraints place on people who seek to enforce their right to privacy. Therefore, the paper is a critical analysis of whether the existing data protection and civil aviation laws can withstand the invasion of remotely piloted aircraft systems in South Africa.


Objective Given the Australian government's current policy of placing asylum seekers into the community while their applications for asylum are being considered, it is important that mental health practitioners are able to offer culturally safe, sensitive, and competent services in this context. Methods A qualitative approach was used to interview seven practitioners who provided services to asylum seekers at a specialist health clinic in the community. These professionals used their experience to identify the psychosocial issues faced by these asylum seekers, the challenges of providing culturally effective services to this group, and how these services can be improved. Results Data were thematically analysed using NVivo. The findings indicated that participants perceived that clients experienced psychological, health, and cultural difficulties. The stress and uncertainty around visa applications emerged as the most severe factor impacting asylum seekers' mental health. Working effectively with interpreters and culturally adapting assessment and treatment for these clients emerged as effective strategies. Gathering information in a conversational way and using clients' different cultural explanatory models were methods used to identify and address mental health issues, rather than using formal measures. Interventions were eclectic and holistic, and reflected treatments that were appropriate for the clients' cultural backgrounds. Conclusion The study has implications for how psychological services are offered to asylum seekers in the community. Further, it identifies areas that can be incorporated in the future training of practitioners.


While near-field scanning optical microscopy ~NSOM! can provide optical images with resolution much better than the diffraction limit, analysis and interpretation of these images is often difficult. We present a theory of probing with transmission NSOM that includes the effects of tip field, tip/sample coupling, light propagation through the sample, and light collection. We apply this theory to analyze experimental NSOM images of a nanochannel glass ~NCG! array obtained in transmission mode. The NCG is a triangular array of dielectric rods in a dielectric glass matrix with a two-dimensional photonic band structure. We determine the modes for the NCG photonic crystal and simulate the observed data. The calculations show large contrast at low numerical aperture ~NA! of the collection optics and detailed structure at high NA consistent with the observed images. We present calculations as a function of NA to identify how the NCG photonic modes contribute to and determine the spatial structure in these images. Calculations are presented as a function of tip/sample position, sample index contrast and geometry, and aperture size to identify the factors that determine image formation with transmission NSOM in this experiment. @S0163-1829~98!06128-1#


A novel ZVZCS-full-bridge converter compounding the three-phase power factor corrector in a single-stage is presented. As the pseudo-phase-shifting control (PPSC) mode, the voltage on the dc link is restrained, not more than 800 V. Computer simulation and experiment results of the prototype show that the zero switching, power factor correcting and the output regulating are completed simultaneously in use of one converter


This case study is about reclaiming a political form of urbanism before the potential Cyprus reunification by enhancing, through the Hands-on Famagusta project, 'agonistic' collective practices across the Cypriot divide.


Electromagnetic induction panels are arranged along the border of the second region formed to surround the substrate, first, are arranged along the border of the first region a first induction coil wound in the winding direction, the first region of the substrate, wherein the first second induction coil wound in the winding direction opposite to the second winding direction, and are arranged along the border of the third region formed to surround the second area, the winding to the second winding direction, the third It may comprise an induction coil.


Developing a vaccine against schistosomiasis would be an important advance on the control of this chronic and debilitating disease that afflicts millions of people worldwide. Herein we describe the use of the non-toxic B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) genetically fused to Sm14 - a fatty-acid binding protein from Schistosoma mansoni - as an attempt to elicit a mucosal immune response against the lung stage of this parasite by intranasal immunization. Recombinant proteins were expressed on a prokaryotic system, purified by affinity chromatography and both immunochemically and spectroscopically characterized. Intranasal immunization experiments were performed on BALB/c mice and vaccine efficacy was assessed analyzing the worm-burden after challenge infection with S. mansoni cercariae. The results demonstrate that Sm14 itself was not able to reduce the worm burden on intranasally vaccinated animals. The presence of CTB – either in intranasal coadministration with or genetically fused to Sm14 – did not significantly improve the protective response of Sm14 as a worm burden reduction of only 20% could be observed. In addition to that, however, CTB demonstrated a clear anti inflammatory effect on the liver of immunized mice, which displayed hepatic granulomas around trapped eggs 15% smaller than control groups, indicating that CTB displays an immunomodulatory effect on the inflammatory responses induced by the parasite egg toxins.


PURPOSE: This study aimed to verify the effect of 8-week Pilates and core stability exercises on bone mineral density (BMD) and risk of falls in older adult women. METHODS: A total of 49 healthy women over 60 years of age were randomly classified into three groups: Pilates exercise group (PG, n=17), core stability exercise group (CSG, n=17), and control group (CON, n=12). Pilates and core stability exercise programs were applied in each group for 8 weeks. Before and after the two exercise programs, BMD, Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (Tinetti POMA), and balance ability were measured.RESULTS: There were no differences in BMD among the three groups depending on the application of the exercise program. The balance scores of the Tinetti POMA and total Tinetti POMA scores in both the PG and CSG were higher after the 8-week exercise program. In particular, the gait score of the Tinetti POMA in the PG was higher than that in the CSG. Static and dynamic balance abilities improved in both the PG and CSG.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Pilates and core stability exercises can be effective for improving balance ability, leading to the prevention of falls in older adult women.


In this paper, an adaptation variant of the "deformation model" is proposed for estimating the parameters of the stress-strain state of a reinforced concrete bar element with flexible discrete reinforcement, taking into account the deplanation of concrete and the features of contact interaction between reinforcement and concrete. Basic principles of the bimoment theory of solid rods of V.Z. Vlasov are used to assess concrete deplanation.


In this paper, we propose a method for generating guide data, and investigate its efficiency and efficacy for on-line learning with guide data. On-line learning in this research updates a learning model initialized by the decision boundary making algorithm proposed by us in our earlier study. The problem is that, if the guide data are not properly generated, on-line learning may require high computational cost in terms of time, and the learning process may not converge to good result. To solve this problem, we propose to use k-means to cluster all candidates of guide data, and use one datum from each cluster as the guide datum. We conducted experiments on several public databases, using different settings, and confirmed the performance of the proposed method. Specifically, if k=5, we can obtain good models with low computational cost through on-line learning.


Edible seed pumpkin variety screening was conducted in 2010 and regular pumpkin variety screening was conducted in 2011 using sequential block design to select suitable varieties for Qinghai highlands.The entries were compared and analyzed for maturity,economic traits,yields and profits.Two edible seed varieties,Golden Apple 2 Stars and Golden Apple No.1,and one regular pumpkin,Red Treasure,performed well.


The influence of the geometry of a reciprocating plate column (diameter), superficial gas velocity, vibration intensity and content of the solid phase in the col- umn on the gas hold-up in a three phase column (G-L-S) were investigated in this study. For comparison, the gas hold-up was also analyzed in a gas-liquid system (G-L) in the same type of column. Good agreement between the experimentally de- termined values of the gas hold-up and those calculated on the basis of the derived correlation for the G-L and G-L-S system was obtained.


The article represents linguistic innovative ideas of Ivan Franko – terminologist and term inventor, his natiosophical regard of a scientific language. Franko's multidimensional characteristic of a term by means of triple model 'culture – consciousness – utterance' formed in the Ukrainian linguistics methodological basis for anthropological terminology and particularly interdisciplinary sciences (cognitive linguistics, psycholinguistics, theory of communication, linguopolitology). By and large, they formed linguocognitological paradigm. The study highlights the influence of the thinker-encyclopedist on the establishment of the Ukrainian cognitive linguistics.


ABSTRACT This article discusses the Australian government's immigration policies in the context of the global refugee crisis in the years 2015–2016, as reflected and dramatised through the polemical novel by Australian author Jock Serong, On the Java Ridge (2017). This novel testifies to one of the most disturbing effects of globalisation, namely, the unprecedented scale of population mobility, mainly as a result of famine, climate warming, and war conflicts of all kinds. In this atmosphere of anxiety and fear, the unrelenting flow of refugees is seen not only as a menace to the rule of law and human rights but also as a destabilising element that might compromise the comfortable lifestyle of First World countries. This has led many governments, including the Australian government, to take measures to stop refugees and asylum-seekers from reaching their soil. As a number of criminologists suggest, some of these measures might be regarded as state crime, as they often violate international law and human rights on the pretext of reaching organisational goals. This article shows how Serong's novel illustrates a number of shady immigration control measures allegedly taken by the Australian government which, following Michael Welch's terminology, can fall into two main categories: "loud panic/the wall of noise" and "quiet manoeuvring/the wall of governance," with a view to criticising this system and urging rich countries, in particular Australia, to take action on one of the most pressing problems plaguing the world today.


Beamline implant productivity challenges associated with high dose p-type boron doping have been well documented. Recently, BF3/H2 mixtures were shown to be an effective alternative to BF3 in enabling implant tool productivity improvements through the extension of ion source life - which is accomplished with hydrogen's ability to interrupt the halogen cycle that otherwise is responsible for depositing tungsten on sensitive ion source components [1]. Presented here are additional studies of boron mixtures with the goal of further improving ion source performance. Specific mixtures tested include various compositions of BF3/B2H6 as well as BF3/B2H6/H2. Beam current and mixture stability are examined, and ion source condition observations are provided.


Context. Many astrophysical processes involving plasma flows are produced in the context of a gravitationally stratified atmosphere in hydrostatic equilibrium, in which strong gradients can exist with gas properties that vary in small regions by several orders of magnitude. The standard Godunov-type schemes with polynomial reconstruction used to numerically solve these problems fail to preserve the hydrostatic equilibrium owing to the appearance of spurious fluxes generated by the numerical unbalance between gravitational forces and pressure gradients.
Aims. The aim of this work is to present local hydrostatic reconstruction techniques that can be implemented in existing codes with Godunov-type methods to obtain well-balanced schemes that numerically satisfy the hydrostatic equilibrium for various conditions.
Methods. The proposed numerical scheme is based on the Godunov method with second order MUSCL-type reconstruction, as is extensively used in astrophysical applications. The difference between the scheme and the standard formulations is only given by calculating the pressure and density Riemann states on each intercell face and by computing the gravitational source term on each cell.
Results. The local hydrostatic reconstruction scheme is implemented in the FLASH code to verify the well-balanced property for hydrostatic equilibrium with constant or linearly variable temperature and constant or variable gravity. In addition, the behavior of the scheme for hydrostatic equilibrium with arbitrary temperature distributions is also analyzed together with the ability to propagate low-amplitude waves and to capture shock waves.
Conclusions. The scheme is demonstrated to be robust and relatively simple to implement in existing codes. This approach produces good results in hydrostatic equilibrium preservation, satisfying the well-balanced property for the preset conditions and strongly reducing the spurious fluxes for extreme configurations.


Source Citation Hjalmarson A, Goldstein S, Fagerberg B, et al., for the MERIT-HF Study Group. Effects of controlled-release metoprolol on total mortality, hospitalizations, and well-being in patien...


Bilayer graphene (BLG) p-n junctions made of hBN-BLG-hBN (hexagonal boron nitride) heterostructures enable ballistic transport over long distances. We investigate Fabry-Perot interferences, and detect that the bilayer-like anti-Klein tunneling transits into single-layer-like Klein tunneling when tuning the Fermi level towards the band edges. Furthermore, the proximity-induced superconductivity has been studied in these devices with Al leads.


This paper aims to review the available studies that have been done concerning PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in nurseries and primary schools since 2008, to provide a summary of the available scientific findings concerning the concentrations, indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios and the sources. Levels of PM observed worldwide exceeded several times national legislations and WHO guidelines, especially in developing countries. I/O ratios were several times higher than 1 and high PM levels were reported as due mainly constant re-suspension of particles.


Delusions are defined as fixed beliefs that do not change even in the face of evidence that points to the contrary .  As outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V, delusions may take on themes such as persecutory, referential, somatic, religious, grandiose, and can even vary in terms of believability .  This case report discusses a 39-year-old male patient with unspecified psychotic disorder and diabetes mellitus type I who endorses an elaborate persecutory delusion that has been present for several years .  The report then delves into possible etiologies and therapy for delusions .  Finally, a possible link between delusions causing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is explored.


According to the statistics of SecurityFocus in 2008, client-side attacks through the Microsoft Internet Explorer have increased by more than 50%. In this paper, we have implemented a behavior-based malicious web page detection system and a blacklist-based malicious web page filtering system. To do this, we first efficiently collected the target URLs by constructing a crawling system. The malicious URL detection system, run on a specific server, visits and renders actively the collected web pages under virtual machine environment. To detect whether each web page is malicious or not, the system state changes of the virtual machine are checked after rendering the page. If abnormal state changes are detected, we conclude the rendered web page is malicious, and insert it into the blacklist of malicious web pages. The malicious URL filtering system, run on the web client machine, filters malicious web pages based on the blacklist when a user visits web sites. We have enhanced system performance by automatically handling message boxes at the time of ULR analysis on the detection system. Experimental results show that the game sites contain up to three times more malicious pages than the other sites, and many attacks incur a file creation and a registry key modification.


: This article discusses the problem of measuring information quality through the lenses of Solow's "information paradox" in economic theory, drawing insights from fields such as system science, cybernetics, complexity science, and action theory. The author's research focuses on the pragmatic facet of information quality, which examines the success of information application in human activity. The article argues that mathematical models of multi-level changes in varying conditions must be created to study the pragmatic aspects of information quality. The aim is to develop a formal representation and predictive explanation of information applications, which could lead to accurate predictions of the impact of information applications based on mathematical models. The complex nature of multi-level changes and cause-and-effect relationships in information-driven systems makes building these models challenging. The article highlights several interrelated research directions in this area.


How to measure the pH using a fluorescence pH detector and said fluorescent pH detector. Accepted in emission of more than one wavelength from the fluorescent species immobilized on a substrate, a method and system for measuring sample properties, such as carbon dioxide concentration, or pH with a probe that emits excitation light. The probe from the fluorescent species on the substrate, for example, are physically separated by a window. Light received at the first and second wavelengths is used to measure the sample characteristics. Furthermore, for example, as analyte via the semipermeable membrane can be in contact with the substrate, it can be adapted to include a chip on the substrate.


The accumulation of atmospheric oxygen, during the so-called Great Oxidation Event (GOE), is envisaged to have initiated a series of biogeochemical transformations that set the trajectory for the emergence of complex life. The disappearance of mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (S-MIF) within the c. 2.33-billion-year-old (Ga) Rooihoogte Formation has been used as a chemostratigraphic marker to define the tipping point in the irreversible rise of oxygen. However, recent reports of S-MIF in the overlying Timeball Hill Formation question this narrative [1], leaving significant uncertainties surrounding the timing, tempo, and trajectory of Earth's oxygenation. Herein, presenting a new bulk quadruple S-isotope record from core KEA-4, we return to the South African Transvaal Basin in search of support for these putative oscillations in atmospheric oxygen beyond 2.33 Ga. Here, although we capture the expected Rooihoogte-housed demise of S-MIF, we fail to identify any vestige of younger S-MIF [2], despite scrutinizing the Timeball Hill Formation at unprecedented resolution. Precluding a non-atmospheric explanation for the Timeball-Hill-housed S-MIF identified by Poulton et al. [1], the dichotomy we expose between cores separated by less than 5 km (i.e., KEA-4 vs. EBA-1/-2) requires that any "reappearance" of S-MIF must be stratigraphically isolated and, therefore, difficult to resolve by typical sampling campaigns. To better constrain these fluctuations, we further present a


Road safety initiatives over the years have been heralded by concepts such as behavioural issues, new safety features in vehicles and road improvement projects. These have progressively reduced the road toll by targeting high priority issues, but without new directions the initiatives may have diminishing returns over time. Furthermore, it is well known to engineers that holistic and system wide approaches such as Vision Zero are fundamentally more powerful as they target elimination with a coordinated approach to the problem rather than progressive reduction with isolated actions. This paper identifies the concept of "Interface Design" as a potential catalyst for the next major advances in road safety. Interface Design is a holistic approach which encourages players in the development of systems to consider all possible interfaces of their project. The authors show some examples of interface design and in the process hope to highlight how this design and engineering approach represents a new frontier. Interface design occurs at three main levels: 1. Behavioural interfaces. Interface design when applied to the vehicle operator is concerned with vehicle control and crash avoidance by the vehicle operator or independently. This includes the gamut of behavioural issues, including: the fundamentals of driver attitudes and training; the area of ergonomic and human factors (manmachine interface); in-vehicle systems interfaces (GPS, mobile phones etc.); vehicle control systems (such as ABS, ESC etc.); and through to the interaction with the road environment (road design, signage etc.), and other road users (other vehicles, cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, etc.). Operator vigilance and effects of alcohol, drugs and fatigue as well as personal factors must also be considered. Similarly motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are faced with a range of interface issues regarding their behaviour in traversing the road transport system. 2. Vehicles and Road interfaces. This relates to the opportunity available in the road transport system for collisions of all sorts. Interface design for vehicle crashworthiness includes vehicle-to-vehicle crashes as well as compatibility with heavy vehicles and road infrastructure, level- crossings and so on. An example of a typically effective road-vehicle-driver interface design is the roundabout. This provides an effective interface for vehicles changing direction at an intersection, as it reduces both crash risk and injury risk due to the intersection design and reducing driver vehicle speeds (in the form of reduced conflicts, simplified driver decision making, reduced crash speeds). Another example is heavy vehicle design where energy-absorbing underrun barriers are fitted which provide an improved geometric and stiffness interface in crashes with other vehicles or other road users. 3. Human-impact interface. Injury prevention in a crash is a function of the interface between the human and whatever is impacted or restrains the human during an impact. In this sense, we need to differentiate the macro (vehicle) level impact interface from the micro (human – object contact or restraint) level interface where injury actually arises. For example, at the macro level we are concerned with maintenance of vehicle structure and occupant compartment integrity as key criteria, such that the human-vehicle-outside environment interface is kept viable. At the micro level, safety systems such as airbags typically provide an interface between a person's head and vehicle internal (e.g. front airbag and steering wheel) or external (e.g. side airbag and pole) structure. Airbags provide both very good load distribution and good deceleration or 'crush' characteristics. On the other hand for pedestrians, the micro level can be important such as head impact with a steel bull bar fitted to the front of a truck or car, with such structures representing an incompatible interface.


The present inventors meeting screen after, by performing the step of removing the aggregate of the antibodies produced after a lapse of a certain period of time, the subsequent antibody pI is purified using a protein A column, a low antibody and subjected to acid treatment and the neutralization treatment It was found to suppress. In addition, the present inventors have pI binding / elution mode (Bind / Elute mode), and further the anion exchange resin to lower the antibody purified by hydrophobic interaction chromatography or multimodal chromatography resin prior all possible efficient removal of impurities It was found to become.


Abstract The political and fiscal institutions are arguably the most significant factors that determine the way a society operates. Some countries, such as the USA and Canada, have decentralized political and fiscal institutions, and some are centralized, e.g., China and Singapore. However, this is not true in Pakistan. This paper, first, explains that Pakistan has decentralized political and centralized fiscal institutions. It then describes how the Pakistan government and interest groups interact with each other within such an asymmetric system. Finally, it analyzes the consequences, how governments and interest groups' interaction leads to cultural polarization, and centralization of the taxation system, which carries the public debts at the uncontrolled threshold.


This study evaluated the use of captopril which has been suggested as a therapeutic test for renal artery stenosis (RAS). Unilateral RAS was induced in rats by clamping the artery of the left kidney (LK) with a 0.76 (group a) or a 0.58mm (group b) I.D. polyethylene tube. The right kidney (RK) was the control. After clamping (1 wk) individual GFR was measured by continuous infusion in the normal and clamped kidney using Tc-99m DTPA. GFR was determined 3 times before (pc) and after (sc) i.v. injection of 10mg captopril/350g body weight. The mean of all 3 values was used for the analysis. Blood pressure (BP) in normal rats (130mmHg) was significantly different from group (a) and (b) (p<0.01 and p<0.005). The level of hypertension in the rats did not depend on the severity of renal artery constriction. Pre and post captopril GFR of the LK was significantly different both in (a) and (b) (p<0.01 and p<0.005), but GFR of the RK was not significantly changed. The administration of captopril showed an alteration of GFR in the clamped kidney. This finding suggests that captopril induced GFR changes may aid the diagnosis of RAS (Renal artery stenosis).


This article analyzes the conditions required for biodegradation,the environmental factors on microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons,the aerobic degradation mechanism of petroleum hydrocarbons,the aerobic degradation ways,the anaerobic degradation mechanism of petroleum hydrocarbons,the delivery of hydrogen for hydrogen of some inorganic oxygen compound in anaerobic degradation and the degree of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation difficulties.Moreover it proposes that the biodegradation of crude oil should be used in the study of microbial oil recovery.


What I call the Jesuit "early modernity" is more or less an adapted translation of a concept recently used in France by historians of science who work on Jesuit materials. They call it in French "la première moderne" or "the first modernity" in order to talk about the precocious scientific interests generated within the Jesuit networks of knowledge. The "early" modernity should be taken here as an extension of the French concept in order to encompass a variety of innovative social and cultural practice.


Twelve simple linear isocyanides were synthesized and examined for antifouling activity and toxicity against cyprid larvae of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite. Larval settlement was inhibited, with EC50 values of 0.046 – 1.90 μg ml−1, and they were much less toxic (LD50 values ranging over 21.28 μg ml−1) than CuSO4 (EC50 0.30 μg ml−1 and LD50 2.95 μg ml−1). The data indicate that simple linear isocyanides are promising non-toxic antifouling agents.


Abstract Properties of integrated sol-gel PZT thin-films of various Zr/Ti ratios, evaluated as a function of processing parameters, are presented and discussed. The substrate materials for the PZT depositions encompassed Pt, Si, and GaAs. The design, fabrication, and operation of a single PZT element combined with the GaAs JFET planar integrated circuit technology to produce non-volatile programmable random access memories (NVPRAM) are presented.


Anaerobic respiration is a major problem of fresh produces packaged under low O2 atmosphere. The problem becomes more severe and causes high losses in the packages handling at ambient conditions without any cooling systems. In designing the modified atmosphere packaging, the risk of anaerobic development greatly depends upon the accuracy of respiration rate prediction, therefore, the respiration rate model for a particular produce has to be identified. The objective of this study was to examine the respiration rate models in order to indentify the simple and suitable model for spinach storage under low O2 atmosphere at ambient temperature (25C).


We have developed a consistent analytical model to describe the observed evolution of the quasar luminosity function. Our model combines black hole mass distributions based on the Press-Schechter theory of structure formation in the universe with quasar luminosity functions resulting from a physics-based emission model that takes into account the time-dependent phenomena occurring in the accretion disks. Quasar evolution and cold dark matter (CDM) models are mutually constraining; therefore, our model gives an estimation of the exponent, n, of the power spectrum, P(k), which is found to be -1.8 ≤ n ≤ -1.6. We were able to reject a generally assumed hypothesis of a constant ratio between dark matter halo and black hole mass, since the observed data could not be fitted under this assumption. We found that the relation between the dark matter halos and black hole masses is better described by MBH = M. This model provides a reasonable fit to the observed quasar luminosity function at redshifts higher than ~2.0. We suggest that the disagreement at lower redshift is due to mergers. Based on the agreement at high redshift, we estimated the merger rate at lower redshift, and argue that this rate should depend on the redshift, as (1 + z)3.


Background. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the activated B cell like type (ABC DLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma in which the inhibition of the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) has shown biologic and clinical relevance. M7583 and M2951 are two novel highly selective irreversible BTK inhibitors (Fest C et al, 2016). M7583 has shown activity in a mouse model of lupus erythematosus (Bender et al, 2016). Here, we evaluated the anti-tumor activity of M2951 and M7583 in an in vivo ABC DLBCL model. Methods. Xenografts were established by s.c. injecting TMD8 lymphoma cells (100 µL of PBS, 107 cells/mouse) into the left flanks of female NOD-SCID mice (6 weeks of age and around 20g of body weight). Treatments (QD, po) were started with an average tumor volume of 100mm3 on groups of 10 mice each. Results. NOD-SCID mice engrafted with the ABC DLBCL TMD8 were treated with three different concentrations of M7583 (1 mg/Kg; 3 mg/Kg; 10mg/Kg) or M2951 (5 mg/Kg; 15 mg/Kg; 25mg/Kg) or vehicle, as control group. M2951 slowed tumor growth at all doses starting after 10 days of treatment. M7583 at 3 and 10 mg/Kg showed stronger anti-tumor activity than M2951, already evident after 5 days of treatment (P Conclusion. The two novel BTK inhibitors M2951 and M7583 showed promising in vivo anti-tumor activity in an ABC-DLBCL model. These data provide the rational for further investigating these compounds. Citation Format: Eugenio Gaudio, Chiara Tarantelli, Emanuele Zucca, Davide Rossi, Anastasios Stathis, Francesco Bertoni. The two novel BTK-inhibitors M2951 and M7583 show in vivo anti-tumor activity in pre-clinical models of B cell lymphoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4182. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4182


Two-photon photoemission 2PPE spectroscopy is used to map the momentum-dependent energy distribution of unoccupied bands in the layered 1T-TiSe2 transition-metal dichalcogenide compound. A comparison of the experimental results with previous calculations based on the local-density functional approach enables us to identify the second Ti 3d conduction band and a localized unoccupied state that we assign to the presence of excess titanium atoms in the van der Waals gap of the crystal. Time-resolved 2PPE measurements show clear differences in the lifetime between the two states, indicative for the decoupling of the Ti excess atoms from the bulk electronic structure.


The challenge of teaching evidence or civil procedure is to devise a classroom experience that provides students with the contextual background of courtroom dynamics and opportunities for active engagement. This paper describes a variety of techniques that are effective for transforming the traditional law lecture into an interactive experience. Theme songs animate the classroom; high-impact images improve students' ability to recall and relate doctrinal information to their experience; and quiz games and question slides and video give students to opportunity to actively engage in in-class legal decision-making. The techniques described here can be used together or separately to create an active learning experience that provides context for understanding and motivation for advanced study.


Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the views and experience of cross-cultural training (CCT) of experienced Western business expatriates ("China Hands") assigned to China. Design/methodology/approach - Data for this study were extracted from a mail questionnaire that targeted business expatriates assigned by Western firms to China. A net-targeted sample of 651 respondents produced 165 usable questionnaires, following the extraction of questionnaires from respondents who were no longer in China or who were not engaged in business. Findings - Findings of this study further highlight the need for more CCT for business expatriates destined for China. A clear majority of respondents preferred pre-departure training a few weeks before departing for China and only a few of them claimed that CCT would not have been useful at any time. Most of the China Hands thought that CCT improved core managerial activities and therefore could have helped them to become better managers in China. Practical implications - The views of experienced China Hands will be of use to a wide variety of management practitioners, given the competitive nature of the Chinese business environment. Original/value - The paper offers the view of experienced management practitioners concerning the Chinese business environment. The findings will be of value to both Western business people in China as well as business people considering an expatriate positing to China.


Profunda Femoris Artery arises from lateral aspect of femoral artery 3.5cm distal to inguinal ligament. Profunda femoris Artery gives lateral circumflex and medial circumflex femoral arteries from lateral and medial aspect of femoral artery respectively. Following variation was reported in left lower limb of a 62-year male cadaver, during routine dissection of Rachana Shareera dissection class. Profunda Femoris Artery arises from lateral aspect of femoral artery 1.5 cm distal to inguinal ligament, runs laterally and down words parallel to femoral artery, the profunda femoris passed beneath rectus femoris, sartorius and vastus medialis successively in its course, later pierced adductor magnus, 5.5 cm above knee joint.


This study examined the effects of rapid and uncompensable core temperature (Tc) acquisition on cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics, cerebral neural function, decision-making, and rate and magnitude salivary cortisol appearance. Fourteen male subjects (mean age, 33.6 ± 12.1 years) performed an incremental treadmill exercise test to a termination criterion in a control session (CON) and an experimental session (PPE). The incremental treadmill exercise test protocol included an initial 5-minute stage at 3.5 mph and a 0% grade, the second stage was 5minutes at 3.5 mph at 4% grade, the third stage was 50-minutes at 3.5 mph and an 8% grade, and the final stage was 1-hour at 3.5 mph and a 12% grade. The Instrumentation included a nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitor, MUSE EEG monitoring system, Equivital integrated physiological monitoring system, Tc capsules, and salivary cortisol oral swabs and ELISA kit for salivary analysis. Important physiological results were significant differences in the physiological strain index (PSI) at all common points of measurement. Important cerebral oxygenation and haemodynamics results were a plateau in left-side prefrontal cortex (PFC) HbO2 and tHb at roughly Tc 38°C in both CON and PPE, 80% of TTT in CON, and 60% of TTT in PPE. Additionally, there was higher left-side PFC activation during PPE as indicated by a significant decrease in TSI % from start to end of exercise and double the decrease in TSI % per minute in PPE when compared to CON. There were no significant differences during the CON session. An analysis of frontal theta EEG power results showed a significant decrease when comparing preand post-exercise values during a Go/No-go test in PPE (F(1,13) = 6.069, p ≤ 0.05)). There was also a significant difference when evaluating incorrect responses between preand post-exercise values in PPE (F(1,13) = 12.785, p ≤ 0.01)); these differences were not observed during CON. There was also a difference in the rate of cortisol appearance (CON =


Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties are increasing within the school population with recent data suggesting that one in ten young people in the UK have a diagnosable mental health disorder (DoHSC and DfE, 2017). It is therefore important to consider how young people can be supported with evidence-based interventions which can be effectively delivered in schools. The Homunculi has been developed over a ten year period by Greig and MacKay (2013). It was originally designed for young people with autism but is now presented as an approach suitable for eight year olds through to later teenagers who have, and do not have, a diagnosis of autism, for support with SEMH difficulties such as anger, anxiety and depression.


Objective To evaluate nursing care of occipital-cervical fusion patients with pedicle screws and lateral mass screws.Methods The clinical data and nursing effect of three patients who underwent occipital-cervical fusion with lateral mass screws during January 2009 to June 2010 were reviewed.Results Three patients recovered well after surgery,among which 2 cases of spinal cord injury had sensory-motor function recovery,and could take care of themselves.Conclusion After surgery,the close observation of vital signs and the changes in spinal cord function,strict posture and respiratory care management,and conductive education to patients for the wound healing promotion,prevention of postoperative complications are very important.


Boro-tellurite glasses have recently been attracting the attention of several researchers as a tremendous optical device and shielding material. In this work, we have synthesized borotellurite glasses with barium oxide (BaO) by melt quenching technique. The structural and shielding property changes after adding of barium oxide in boro-tellurite glass were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Lead Equivalent Thickness measurement (LET), respectively. The results show that the bismuth oxide increases glass density, changes the glass structure, and increases the radiation shielding properties. Changes in the glass structure are due to atomic rearrangements and formation of nonbridging oxygen (NBO). The density of boro-tellurite glass system increased when BaO content increased, which is due to the high molecular weight of BaO and the increasing number of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms in the glass structure. In addition, the mass attenuation coefficient, μm of the glass system increases as BaO concentration increases and the half value layer, HVL and mean free path, MFP of 30BaBTe glass is better than some standard concretes.


Morphological changes in the oesophageal epithelium of Oreochromis mossambicus, O. niloticus, and O. mossambicus x O. niloticus hybrids were studied during adaptation to sea water. In fresh water, the epithelium is stratified and rich with mucous cells. In salt water, modifications occur in the oesophagus of O. mossambicus and of the hybrid: mucosa folds are more vascularized and covered with a monolayered epithelium, alternating with a multilayered one. The oesophagus of O. niloticus does not seem to be affected by salinity but this species survives only for brief periods in sea water. These observations underline the close relationship between the oesophagus morphology and salinity tolerance in tilapias.


Thank you for downloading perfect companionship ellen glasgows selected correspondence with women. As you may know, people have look numerous times for their favorite novels like this perfect companionship ellen glasgows selected correspondence with women, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful virus inside their computer.


Conservatory Measures in the matter of Melvin Charles Zwaig and Zwaig Associates Inc. Directions for Conservatory Measures to Co-Signatories. (March 3, 2009).


The mechanism of the water-gas shift reaction on ZnO and MgO was studied by means of infra-red spectroscopy during the course of the reaction. When a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen was introduced over ZnO, formate ion was observed. The rate of decomposition (dehydration) of the surface formate ion was measured at the reaction temperature (230°C) as a function of its concentration, and compared with the rate of the overall reaction on ZnO at the same coverage of the surface formate is the reaction intermediate of the water-gas shift reaction on ZnO and its decomposition is the rate-determining step.
 When a mixture of carbon monoxide and water vapour was passed over MgO, the formation of surface formate ion was similarly confirmed. It was, however, different from ZnO, in that it was difficult to detect the surface formate ion from a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The comparison of the rate of the dehydrogenation decomposition of the surface formate ion with that of the overall reactions at the same formate coverage leads to conclusion that the surface formate ion is the reaction intermediate of the water-gas shift reaction on MgO and the rate determining step is the dehydrogenation of the formate ion.


A professional project manager is a great communicator; in projects communication is one of the most important aspects in any project success, as Herbert A. Simon a Nobel laureate said "Communication is absolutely essential to organizations" (Schuster, 1997) . One of the biggest issues in work places is communication, false information; improper communication and misunderstanding between project team can lead any project to failure.


Abstract The report analyzes corruption practices and the manifestation of international organized crime in the sphere of illegal migration. Emphasis is placed on the criminal components "human trafficking" and "channeling" included in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria. The current legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria regarding the prevention and counteraction of human trafficking is also examined.


A study of literary culture in the early republic, Ted Widmer's first book, Young America: The Flowering of Democracy in New York City, took him to the intersection of words and politics. Widmer is currently director of the John Carter Brown Memorial Library and a senior fellow at the New America Foundation's American Strategy Program. He has himself worked at the intersection of words and politics, serving as a speechwriter and consultant to President Bill Clinton, while Clinton was in office, and subsequently helping Clinton with his memoir and presidential library. Widmer has compiled two collections of political speeches for the Library of America, ranging from the revolution to the presidency of Bill Clinton. In his most recent book, Ark of the Liberties: America and the World, Widmer begins with a phrase from Herman Melville's novel White-Jacket: America as "ark of the liberties of the world." Widmer's book is a study of the ark and arc of American liberty. On one plane, Widmer follows the American ark an Old Testament vessel charged with the task of political redemption as it navigates the rough waters of modern history. On another plane, Widmer traces the arc of liberty, a movement toward democracy and liberty in world history, and one in which the American continent has been a guiding force. Throughout Widmer's book, the medium of politics is the written (and sometimes the spoken) word. Liberty rests on the ability to articulate liberty's cause. When Americans have demonstrated this ability, they have honored the goddess of liberty; when they have been unwilling to speak for liberty, they have betrayed their national calling. Widmer traces a cyclical pattern of virtue achieved and then lost, democratic ideals promoted, tarnished and then rediscovered.


The development of the cosmetics industry in Indonesia is getting bigger, competition is getting tougher. Each brand has special characteristics that benefit consumers. Maybelline manufacturers have a good and appropriate marketing strategy to maintain and get more from what is marketed in Indonesia, especially in the city of Semarang. Maybelline has a Top Brand value that is quite low for buying interest. This shows the low Top of mind value. Last used, future intentions on Maybelline brand face powder. Country of Origin, Brand Image, and Interest Buy Maybelline Brand face powder products. The population in this study were women aged between 17-40 years who use facial powder by sharing brands that are domiciled in the city of Semarang. The number of samples used by 120 people was selected using purposive sampling through a questionnaire. Data obtained from questionnaires that began to be processed and analyzed using the AMOS program. The results of the study show that the origin country variable and brand image have significant results towards buying interest. While the process that has the greatest importance to increase buying interest in Maybelline face powder, namely an increase in the Country of Origin that can enhance brand image as a determinant of success in increasing buying interest. The advice made for further research is to add variables by word of mouth.


Received: July 29, 2016; Accepted: August 15, 2016; Published: August 18, 2016 Anti-synthetase Syndrome (ASS) is characterized by Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), myositis, arthropathy, fever, Raynaud's, and mechanics hands associated with anti-synthetase antibodies (including Jo-1, PL-7 and PL-12). ILD is the major determinant of mortality in ASS [1]. Anti-nuclear Antibody testing (ANA) is commonly used to screen for autoimmune diseases. If negative, in many centres further immunology testing with Extractable Nuclear Antigens (ENA) is not performed. We report a retrospective review of our centre's cohort of patients with ASS-ILD that highlights the inadequacy of this approach.


Methods: One patient and six age-matched normal subjects were enrolled. A 42-year-old left hemiparetic male who suffered from brain injury by motor vehicle accident 9 years ago showed a leukomalactic lesion in the right corona radiata and parietotemporal lobe. His left extremities were completely paralyzed initially, but recovered slowly over 2 years. At the time of the evaluation, he was able to grasp and release an object, and to walk with spastic gait pattern. DTT was performed using 1.5 T with a Synergy-L Sensitivity Encoding head coil. DTT was obtained with termination criteria of FA <0.2 and an angle change >45°.


The 'balance system' comprises the peripheral and central components of the vestibular and visual systems. The peripheral structures code information pertaining to the spatial relationships and motion of the whole body. The central networks modulate and integrate this 'space-motion information'. Coding or modulatory disturbances, due to pathology or incongruous environmental conditions, can lead to a syndromic 'balance disorder'. This is because such disturbances result in the execution of balance system functions based on aberrant space-motion information.
The cardinal manifestations of balance disorders include instability and dizziness. Higher cognitive dysfunction is also a possible sequela, but the mechanisms that give rise to it are unclear. Prevailing theory implies that disruption of higher cognition is an indirect, mediated consequence of balance disorders. The specific objective of this research programme was to determine if aberrant space-motion information can affect higher cognition directly.
To fulfil this objective, the effects of experimentally-induced balance disorders on spatial cognitions were examined using tasks that call upon space-motion information to different extents. The results of the first study did not reveal a differential disruption of performance variables because the spatial perspective-taking (SPT) task did not reliably evoke mental self-translocation (MS-TL). Therefore, it did not call upon space-motion information any more than the control task. This led to the creation and validation of new experimental and control tasks in the second study. There was a monotonic response time function on the new SPT task, the 'SASS task', but not on the new control task (interaction effect: F(1, 29) = 16.58, p < .001, η2p = .364). This was the first study to show empirically that performance monotonicity on a SPT task is not accounted for by graded spatial compatibil ity effects.
In studies 3 and 4, participants completed the new tasks while exposed to two forms of aberrant stimulation. In study 3, disruption of performance caused by optokinetic stimulation was not found to be selective to the SASS task. However, in study 4, responses on that task after impulse stimulation were characterised by smaller boundary separations (simple effect: t(14) = 2.89, p = .014, r = .612). This effect was selective to the SASS task according to a significant task by cue congruity interaction (F(2, 40) = 4.07, p = .025, η2p = .169), and was not due to the effects of anxiety according to mediation analyses. In the absence of concurrent inordinate disturbances of the physiological states of the participants in the SASS task group, the selective effect implied that aberrant space-motion information can have a direct effect on higher cognition.
This was the first empirical study to show the direct effect. Erroneous self-motion velocity information caused by impulse stimulation may have disrupted the temporal integration of covert body movements during MS-TL. The direct effect of aberrant space-motion information, specifically on MS-TL, has clinical implications. This cognitive function and its dependent cognitions, including 'theory of mind', may be particularly vulnerable. According to the results of this project, further research is warranted to explore the integrity of social functioning in persons contending with balance disorders.


[Objective] The study was to confirme the existence of infectious laryngotracheitis of chicken in Jiangdu City.[Method] With the larynx,trachea mucosa and its secretion of 5 diseased chicken from Jiangdu City as the samples,1 strain of virus(ILTV-JD07) was isolated by SPF chicken embryo culture,the physicochemical property of the isolated strain was tested,and its virus titer was determined.At the same time the neutralization test,agar immunodiffusion test,pcr amplification and electrophoresis detection on the strain were conducted.[Result] The activities of chicken embryos wakened after 48 h of they were inoculated with the sample,and 6 embryos died in 3~8 d after inoculation.The chorioallantoic membrane(CAM) from the dead embryo thickened.When the 4th generation of diseased CAM was inoculated into chicken embryos,the chicken embryos centralizely died in 3~5 d after inoculation.The virus titer of the 4th generation of the isolated virus was stable at 105.77EID50/0.2ml.The isolated strain could be neutralized by the standard positive serum of infectious laryngotracheitis virus of chicken(ILT),and its neutralization titer was 1∶54.The reference strains ILT/13 and the isolated strain ILTV-JD07 all could amplified 1 DNA band which length was 1 183 bp.[Conclusion] The infectious laryngotracheitis of chicken was existed in Jiangdu City.


Feedback circuit controls fluctuations in speed of synchronous ac motor. Voltage proportional to phase angle is developed by phase detector, rectified, amplified, compared to threshold, and reapplied positively or negatively to motor excitation circuit. Speed control reduces wow and flutter of audio turntables and tape recorders, and enhances hunting in gyroscope motors.


Rapid prototyping machine with FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is a machine used to create a prototype by inserting thermoplastic material into the extruder until the phase changes from solid to semisolid and the prototype becomes fully 3D. This research was carried out to replace and to modify damaged support devices to be new, such as drive rollers and nozzle size. Initially, the plastic filament used is 4 mm in diameter. However, the factory that sells 4 mm plastic filament stop producing the material. So, the filament is replaced with PLA (Polylactic Acid) material with a diameter of 1.75 mm. Therefore, the nozzle size must be replaced and modified into a hole diameter of 1.75 mm.


Their therapeutic use for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by the pyrimidone derivative or a salt thereof, or a solvate or hydrate thereof, and an abnormal activity of GSK3β represented by the general formula I. Wherein Y represents two hydrogen atoms, a sulfur atom, an oxygen atom, or C Z is a bond; An oxygen atom; The nitrogen atom substituted with a hydrogen atom or a C A sulfur atom; C R1 is 2, 3 or 4-pyridine ring or a 2, 4 or 5 represents a pyrimidine ring, the ring is C R2 represents a hydrogen atom, C R3 represents a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring; Wherein said ring is optionally substituted; R4 is a hydrogen atom, C R5 represents a hydrogen atom or a C n represents 0 to 3.


In this paper,we obtained emission wavelength of Si nanocrystals(Si-nc) location in nearby 750nm by a lot of experiments,thus we verified the Si-nc preparation success.Secondly,photoluminescence of Si-nc which were handled by preparing different multilayer structures,doping with different rare earth elements,and before and after passivation in the preparation process were investigated.The experimental results showed that multilayer structures and dopins with different rare earth elements will impact photoluminescence of Si-nc,but passivation method can enhance photoluminescence of Si-nc.


The coalgebraic framework developed for the classical process algebras, and in particular its advantages concerning minimal realizations, does not fully apply to the π-calculus, due to the constraints on the freshly generated names that appear in the bisimulation. In this paper we propose to model the transition system of the π-calculus as a coalgebra on a category of name permutation algebras and to define its abstract semantics as the final coalgebra of such a category. We show that permutations are sufficient to represent in an explicit way fresh name generation, thus allowing for the definition of minimal realizations. We also link the coalgebraic semantics with a slightly improved version of history dependent (HD) automata, a model developed for verification purposes, where states have local names and transitions are decorated with names and name relations. HD-automata associated with agents with a bounded number of threads in their derivatives are finite and can be actually minimized. We show that the bisimulation relation in the coalgebraic context corresponds to the minimal HD-automaton.


Subsidizing private colleges institutes is one of the educational policy keynotes of the government of the Republic of China.With subsidizing private colleges,the government of the Republic of China provides great momentum to the development of private colleges.Subsidizing policy to private colleges by the government of the Republic of China embodies characters of standardization,detailedness,sustainability,endeavor and obliqueness.This subsidizing policy and its characters provide important illumination for our government to perfect its subsidizing policy to non-government higher education.


Implementation of agricultural "going out" strategy is the effective way to co-ordinate the use of international and domestic markets and resources, and to expand the breadth and depth of Agriculture in China. With the continual increase of industrialization and urbanization, agricultural production in China is conditioned by the limitation of cultivated land resources and fresh water resources, also impacted by exhaustion of soil, by frequent drought and floods. At the same time, China's agriculture trade also faces unbalanced situation and unfair international environment. Therefore, accelerating the implementation of the agriculture "going out" strategy, not only can effectively break through the bottleneck of agricultural development in the constraint of resources, get out of market monopoly from international agricultural multi-national companies, but also can give full play to advantages of our foreign exchange reserves to ensure the (supply effectiveness) of agricultural products in China. However, at present China's agriculture "going out" strategy hasn't got significant achievements, there are some problems such as slow growth in foreign investment in agriculture, regional centralization of investment, the small quantities and small scale of investment companies, and the lack of international agricultural professionals. For these reasons, the relevant government departments should increase financial support to encourage agricultural enterprises "going out"; speed up the training of professionals to create giant agricultural transnational corporations, resulting in occupying reasonable seats in global agricultural supply chain, and establishing China as resourceful agricultural trading nations.


A construction of Boolean Function is proposed based on cryptograph properties of Boolean Function.A new series of functions are built by this method,and the functions have good algebraic immunity.In the end,we give some examples.


The antioxidant response to salt stress as well as the effect of proline metabolism on the activity of antioxidant enzymes were investigated in two barley varieties (Hordeum vulgare L. var. Sahand and var. Makoui) after exposure to salt stress and exogenous proline. The MDA content of Makoui plants grown under different salt regimes remained nearly constant but it strongly increased in Sahand plants under the same conditions. There was a linear and significant increase in CAT, APX, DHAR, and GR activities in Makoui plants in response to increased salt concentration. The strong and positive correlation between antioxidant enzymes and salt concentrations may account for the MDA level in Makoui plants remaining constant in response to different salt regimes. The MDA level in Sahand plants grown at 150 and 200 mM NaCl decreased significantly in response to exogenous proline. This decrease was independent of SOD and APX activities. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in DHAR activity and an increase in GR activity under the same conditions. These results show that proline is able to quench oxygen radicals not only chemically but also by its effect on the activity of DHAR and GR. The PDH activity in Makoui variety decreased significantly in response to 150 mM NaCl and disappeared in plants grown at 200 mM NaCl. The PDH activity in Sahand plants was very high under all salt regimes. Sahand plants may have an active proline cycle, though highly active proline cycling in plants is usually detrimental during stressful


In the era of digital transformation, we are witnessing an extremely rapid development of
technologies. They usually have an integrative nature and find application in various aspects of modern life. One such technology is three-dimensional printing or 3D printing. This article is a review in its nature. It examines the historical aspects of the emergence of 3D printing, traces the main stages of the process of building models with this technology, provides an overview of the most commonly used technologies and describes the main characteristics of the materials that are most easily applicable in an educational environment. The main problems facing the widespread introduction of technology into
the educational process are analyzed and some directions for resolution of the problems are proposed.


This paper presents archaeobotanical data from three late Neolithic Sopot Culture (c. 5200–4000 cal BC) tell sites, Sopot, Slavca and Ravnjas, located in eastern Croatia. Tell settlements are well suited for exploring aspects of diet and subsistence, as they present a concentrated area with successive generations building upon previous occupation levels. The plant remains from the three study sites suggest a crop-based diet of mainly einkorn, emmer, barley, lentil and pea, as well as evidence of crop-processing activities. This diet was also probably supplemented by wild fruit from the local environment, such as cornelian cherry, chinese lantern and blackberry.


Nowadays, many people use several languages in their everyday life. As a result, a lot of patients with neurodegenerative dementia are bilingual. This raises complex questions regarding language impairment in this population and how best to assess and rehabilitate it. Cerebral representation of languages and language impairment in bilinguals has become an interesting topic of research.
In this study, we assessed 21 late-bilinguals patients with dementia and compared their results to 19, cognitively healthy, matched controls to study L1 preservation.
Our results suggest that L1 is not better preserved in patients with neurodegenerative dementia. Interestingly, we demonstrated a better preservation of comprehension in L2 in our global population, regardless of the dementia. This points to the role of immersion in language preservation.


ABSTRACT It is well known that at the heart of Kant's Critical philosophy is the claim that the mind possesses an essentially spontaneous power or capacity (Vermögen). It is also sometimes maintained that Kant's appeals to this spontaneous power are intimately tied to his recognition of there being a fundamental and irreducible normative dimension to judgement. However, I attempt to complicate this picture by way of appeal to some less appreciated influences upon the development of Kant's epistemology. A different conception of the role of spontaneity in judgement has clear precedents, I claim, in the works of Cudworth and Rousseau. There the imagined role for the active power of the mind is not to identify criteria that might serve as norms for epistemically responsible judgement. Rather the spontaneous power of the mind is cited as the source of representational contents that secure the truth conditions of our everyday claims to empirical knowledge.


Product warnings are meant to prevent damage resulting from defective products. By holding producers liable for damages caused by a defect in their products, product liability law can contribute to prevention. Within European product liability law the European Product Liability Directive (EPLD, 85/374/EEC) determines the liability criteria. In cases of claims by consumers who suffered injuries during the use of a product, civil courts determine whether a product is defective on the basis of these criteria. One of the possible defects is the absence or inadequacy of a warning.


You may not be surprised to learn that many socalled 'autobiographies' of celebrities such as David Beckham and Jackie Chan were not really autobiographies, but were written by another, uncredited author.1,2 Even the autobiography of the prolific writer Charles Darwin was partly 'ghostwritten' by his son, Francis.3 Ghost-writing is the act of authoring a book, manuscript, or other text that is officially credited to another person.4 One perspective is that just because Beckham can bend a football and Jackie Chan appears to be able to survive falls with better dexterity than the average feline, it does not mean that they have a literary talent. Not that this should deter them from pleasing their fans with titbits from their personal lives. Ghostwritten autobiographies do not harm the people who read them. Ghost-written articles published in peerreviewed medical journals, however, may not be so innocuous and authors who lend their names to them should consider the possibility of plagiarism or even fraud. Why is this a problem in the medical literature and who engages in this practice? The most unethical scenario is when a pharmaceutical company employs a professional writing service to compile the results of clinical trials or scientific reviews (often the manuscript will be favourable towards the company paying for this service), then credits the writing to key opinion leaders (KOL), usually clinicians in the appropriate field, to lend credibility. The clinician 'author' may never have seen the raw data from the trials in the manuscript that he or she is supposed to have authored and, in some cases, may not even have seen the completed manuscript prior to submission. The KOL will receive some reward in the form of money or a professional accolade. The company is then able to embed favourable marketing messages into the medical literature that is read by other clinicians and may influence their prescribing practice. Marketing of off-label or unlicensed use of drugs is illegal in most countries, including Hong Kong, but such use can be advocated in peerreviewed medical literature. Although this practice has been known for decades, public attention was particularly drawn to it in 2009 when it was revealed, during a class-action against Wyeth's (now owned by Pfizer) hormone replacement drug Prempro, that the pharmaceutical giant had employed a medical writing firm to develop Hong Kong Med J 2016;22:292–3 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj154695