This research aims to study information systems for medical tourism marketing by developing a Medical Tourism Marketing Information System prototype for a trial use by the end-users. We collected answers from nineteen marketing personnel from hospitals located in Bangkok who anticipated to be the end-user of the system. We processed raw data using a ready-made EXCEL program to calculate the level of agreement to the e-factors that affect the success of the Medical Tourism (MT) automated marketing system that should be implemented and the satisfaction of trial users by percentage. The findings were as follows: The "End-user" opinion on factors that affect the success of the MT automated marketing system shows that they strongly agreed that the "Prospects information can be collected from offline traditional marketing and populated into database for further processing". This is the highest ranking factor of importance by which 100% of respondents agreed at Very high (73.68%) and High levels (26.32%). The opinion of the "End-user" of MT automated marketing system regarding the system prototype trial shows that the most satisfaction is on the "Reach essential online Lead sources as required" (High 68.42%, Moderate 31.58%).


We have recorded the high resolution (150 MHz) excitation spectra of NO2 molecules cooled in a supersonic jet in two energy ranges: 16 000–19 362 cm−1 [''yellow'' range, see R. Georges, A. Delon, and R. Jost, J. Chem. Phys. 103, 1732 (1995), hereafter referred to as paper I] and 23 326–23 945 cm−1 (''blue'' range). In this paper we are interested mainly in the rovibronic properties of about 1500 rotational levels (N=1, K=0, J=1/2, and J=3/2) observed in these two ranges. Among these levels about 480 are observed via the so‐called extra lines, i.e., the lines which are observable because of rovibronic couplings between bright levels (N=1, K=0, 2B2 vibronic character) and nearby dark levels. These rovibronic couplings result mainly from second order spin–orbit and orbit–rotation interactions which have been evidenced previously by Zeeman effect and anticrossing experiments [A. Delon, P. Dupre, and R. Jost, J. Chem. Phys. 99, 9482 (1993)]. By comparing the average matrix element of rovibronic interactions oc...


Administration of benzene-soluble fraction (FAE) and benzene-insoluble fraction (FAR) of fly ash for 3 consecutive days to rats significantly raised cytochrome P-450 levels, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity, and glutathione S-transferase activity in liver. This treatment also significantly increased pulmonary AHH and glutathione S-transferase activity. Intratracheal administration of FAR (5 mg/100 g body weight) alone for 6 consecutive days also significantly increased hepatic cytochrome P-450 levels and the activity of glutathione S-transferase. Intragastric administration of retinyl palmitate (5000 IU/100 g body weight), along with intratracheal FAE and FAR administration, significantly reduced P-450 levels, activity of glutathione S-transferase in liver, and activity of AHH and glutathione S-transferase in lung of rats. Intraperitoneal administration of citrate (40 mg/100 g body weight) along with FAR significantly reduced FAR-induced increase in hepatic cytochrome P-450 levels and glutathione S-transferase activity. The activity of AHH was not affected by these treatments.


In this paper we introduce the concept of entropy operator for continuous systems of finite topological entropy. It is shown that it generates the Kolmogorov entropy as a special case. If $phi$ is invertible then the entropy operator is bounded with the topological entropy of $phi$ as its norm.


This study evaluated the attitude of prospective teachers towards "guidance and counseling services" in distance education. The survey method was used for data collection from 730 B.Ed. learners of the AIOU by using questionnaires on a five-point rating (Likert) scale. The results indicated that the majority of the prospective teachers (80.24%) appeared to be satisfied with information services and the channels of providing such services by AIOU. More than half of the respondents (57.81%, 57.59%, and 57.81%) appeared were unsatisfied with the provision of tutors information, guidance by their tutors on writing assignments, and tutorial meetings (respectively). Overall, more than half of the respondents appeared with their positive perception about "guidance and counseling services". The study recommended tutors training on how to tutor in distance education; how-to guide and facilitate distance learners in writing good assignments.


Okumus (2001) contends that procedure execution does not happen in a vacuum. It happens inside the inward and outer condition of an association made out of different variables among them the predominant authoritative culture. Martins and Terblanche (2003) include that the predominant authoritative culture can either bolster or undermine execution of procedures subsequently the requirement for system social fit in any association. As per Jackson (2016), the present associations are not static and in this way continue changing keeping in mind the end goal to stay applicable. A few changes are not unsurprising and it is just associations that can modify unexpectedly that will effectively execute their methodologies. As indicated by (Schein, 2009), authoritative culture is an aggregate conduct of people that are a piece of an association. It is framed by the association esteems, dreams, KKstandards, working dialect, frameworks, and images, convictions and propensities. It is additionally the example of such aggregate practices and presumptions that are instructed to new hierarchical individuals as a method for seeing, and notwithstanding considering and feeling. Hierarchical cultures influence the way people and gatherings collaborate with each other, with customers, and with partners (Ahmadi et al., 2012). Heskett and Kotter (1992) have exhibited culture as a generally stable arrangement of convictions, qualities and Abstract: The current study sought to determine the effect of power culture as a facet of organizational culture on strategy implementation by Commercial Banks in Nyeri County, Kenya. The Earned Value Method that considers cost, schedule and scope of strategies implementation was used to indicate the status of strategy implementation. The analysis was anchored upon the cultural dimensions theory and the institutional theories. The study applied the descriptive survey research design on a target population of 84 respondents drawn from all the 12 commercial banks in Nyeri County, Kenya. The census study approach was employed to subject all the 12 commercial banks operating within the county to the study. Purposive sampling was also employed to select the top management team of the banks as the choice respondents who included branch Managers, operations managers, accountants, credit managers, marketing managers, customer relations managers and ICT Managers of all the banks targeted. A semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was assessed for validity using expert opinion while reliability was assessed using the Cronbach's Alpha Reliability Test. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the multiple regression analysis results established that power culture was a statistically significant predictor of strategy implementation. The Pearson correlation analysis results further affirmed this association indicating power culture was positively associated with strategy implementation. The study recommended that the organisation strikes a balance between the need to assert authority on employees with the need to make employees feel recognised and appreciated in order to effectively and efficiently implement organisational strategy.


Cardiology, and Medical Biochemistry Molecular Biology departments Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University (EGYPT).
Lab Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Misr University For Science & Technology (EGYPT)
Um Alqura University, Saudi Arabia and Asklepios hospital, Hamburg University (GERMANY)


Kristin Ross s̓ lucidly written book on the ʻsurvivals of May '68' tackles the ʻmemorial management of May ,̓ those games of memory and forgetting that make the event a prisoner of its successive representations. This book has the great merit of dismantling, with the utmost clarity, the laborious exercise of ideological mine-clearing which in thirty years of celebrations – from interpretations to commemorations – has ended up turning the greatest general strike in French history into a mere students' procession or a ʻspring cleaning .̓ In the staging of '68 each anniversary decade marks yet another phase of intellectual and moral collapse. In 1978, the Right was still in power and the pretenders of '68, some of them already converted to Mitterrandism, remained in the antechamber. The official Left presented its own union around the Common Programme of Government as the logical consequence of May. In 1988, the disavowal of Third Worldism and of any lyrical illusions had already taken its toll. Having ignored Rousset, Ciliga or Victor Serge, the nouveaux philosophes discovered the Gulag with Solzhenitsyn. The opposition between totalitarianism and democracy replaced class struggle and anti-imperialism on the ideological screen. Bruckner recommended that we stifle the white man s̓ sob and get rid of the burden of colonial guilt. The repentant ʻex' sixty-eighters had become the eulogists of Mitterrand s̓ modernity. Making honourable amends, the various Kouchners, Webers and other converts to social democracy now equated '68 with violence and only wished to retain from it a great movement for liberal-libertarian reform. In 1998, the ʻexes ,̓ in France as well as in Germany, had been definitively converted to the realism of the Third Way; 1968 had become nothing but the upsurge of the vigour of youth, now evoked with tender condescension. This methodical undertaking culminated in the formula of the German sociologist according to which ʻnothing happened in France in 1968 .̓ This stance consisted in arguing that the false event or nonevent of May masked the authentic event of the Prague spring. This rewriting – to which several ʻactors' of May actively contributed, preoccupied with legitimating their successive trajectories – in turn accompanies and nourishes the ideological offensive of the liberal counter-reformation. Ross rightly underlines the fact that this historical revision constitutes above all an exercise in depoliticization and dehistoricization. Far from opening up an unexpected field of possibilities, the event is inserted as a simple link within an ineluctable process of modernization and cultural aggiornamento. Instead of revealing the explosive contradictions at the heart of contemporary capitalism, the social irruption of '68 would represent ʻthe fulfilment of its deepest desires :̓ ʻFollowing this teleology of the present, official history thereby eliminates the memory of past alternatives in which we could get a glimpse of outcomes other than the ones that actually took place.̓ The temporal rupture disappears into the repetition of the same. Clearly, nothing took place that could have upset the unchanging order of works and days. Ross targets two complementary discourses that contribute to this political neutralization. On the one hand, we find a sort of (auto)biographical appropriation, in which May '68 is represented as the revolt of a generation or as a ʻgenerational drama .̓ The advantage of this operation is twofold. It allows one to exorcise the spectre of class struggle in favour of the recurrent conflict of generations: as the saying goes, youth will have its fling! It also allows the establishment of media-friendly spokespersons for the generation in question as the (sole) legitimate interpreters of the event: in accordance with an implacable – biological – law of ageing, which would constitute a maturation and progress in what concerns both wisdom and reason, the bohemians would have become bourgeois REVIEWS


Objective: To study the proliferation of chondrocyte and the expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the osteoporotic callus by means of ovariectomied rat fracture experimental model.Method: An osteoporotic model by ovariectomied rat was made, and then the right femur middle was fractured following up with the medullary pin fixation.The rats were sacrified from 10~th day to 40~th day after femur fracture.The change of chondrocyte' proliferation and expression of IGF-I in the osteoporotic fracture callus was observed by immunohistochemistry staining of PCNA and IGF-I.Result: IGF-I up-regulating in the early stage of osteoporotic fracture callus facilitated mesenchymal cell surrounding the fracture and in the greminative layer of periosteum to proliferate and differentiate.It suggested that IGF-I might be delayed the chondrocyte further differentiation and may have an ability to maintain the phenotype of chondrocyte by expressing IGF-I in some of maturated chondrocytes.Conclusion: IGF-I may play an important regulating role in osteoporotic fracture healing.


Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a well-recognized complication of spinal surgery and remains a challenge for surgeons. Intrathecal morphine therapy has been increasingly utilized in patients with malignant or non-malignant intractable pain who failed to respond to conventional treatment or could not tolerate these side effects of morphine, but has never been used for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome before in Taiwan. Consequently, this is the first study to use implanted intrathecal morphine infusion for treatment of failed back surgery syndrome in Taiwan. The clinical data of this first case were recorded and analyzed retrospectively to evaluate the efficiency and safety of implanted intrathecal morphine pump for the treatment of failed surgery syndrome. This patient demonstrated significant pain relief and functional status improvement without serious side effects. Although intrathecal morphine infusion was helpful in this first patient with failed back surgery syndrome, long-term efficacy, effectiveness, complication must be evaluated


Osteoarthritis is a syndrome with heterogeneous clinical presentations. Joint pain is the cardinal symptom accompanied by varying degrees of functional alterations like joint stiffness and instability. Clinical presentations are diversified, depending on which joint is affected, how severely it is affected, and the number of joints involved. The disease onset is usually subtle and unrecognized, but at the later stages, symptoms can be overt and debilitating. In between the onset and the late stages, the symptoms progress at variable rate and the patterns can be stepwise, continual, or static. The implications of osteoarthritis towards individual's quality of life (QoL) are different among different individuals and may not be directly proportional to the severity of structural abnormalities of the joints. Biopsychosocial factors come into play, and associated co-morbidities may further complicate the situation.


Crude extracts of different parts (root, stem, leaf and seed) of Cenchrus ciliaris (CAZRI-358) and (Unripen fruit, ripen fruit and calyx) of Withania somnifera (RUBL-20668) were successively extracted with polar to non polar solvents using soxhlet assembly. The extracts were then screened for their Biological activity in-vitro against one gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), two gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Raoultella planticola) and one yeast (Candida albicans) by disc diffusion assay. Serial dilution method was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/ fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC). Water extract of Unripen fruit of W. somnifera showed highest antibacterial activity (IZ-13.33±0.24 mm, AI- 0.833) and highest antifungal activity (IZ-18.67±0.22 mm, AI- 2.667) against E. coli and C. albicans respectively as well as chloroform extract of stem (IZ-12.50±0.64 mm, AI- 1.042) and seeds (IZ-10.67±0.23 mm, AI- 0.821) of C. ciliaris against C. albicans and S. aureus.


This paper introduces WITNESS 12, the latest version of the simulation software from the Lanner Group. It explores the structure of the software and the key features that make building simulation models in WITNESS highly productive. These include elements with great breadth and depth, direct links and wizards for links to Excel and databases, informative displays of great variety, modern interface structure, comprehensive reports, powerful range of logic options with full scripting extensions and more. Some of the latest functionality, such as sustainability modeling, Six Sigma tables and algorithms and advances in Virtual Reality are summarized together with recent experiences in the use of Optimization using the WITNESS Optimizer, a unique module offered by Lanner.


Combining with self working practice,it analyzes temporary situation and problems existing in supervision enterprise from external and internal environment,connecting with the transforming leap concept,and proposes some proposals for improving current supervision enterprise difficulty from creational aspect,which has guiding meaning for promoting rectification and standardization of supervision enterprises.


Anisotropic inflation is an interesting model with an \U(1) gauge field and it predicts the statistical anisotropy of the curvature perturbation characterized by a parameter g*. However, we find that the background gauge field does not follow the classical attractor solution due to the stochastic effect. We develop the stochastic formalism of a vector field and solve Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations. It is shown that this model is excluded by the CMB constraint g*≤ 10−2 with a high probability about 99.999%.


Shennong was the god of the agriculture of the peoples growing rice,and Hunan Province was the birthplace of the rice-planting culture. The cultue of Hunan Province might be Shennong culture in remote antiquity.


With the rise of online shopping during COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, it is important to understand the buying decision among Filipinos. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting customer satisfaction in online shopping. A valid response of 251 Filipinos participated in the empirical study. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to validate the measurement model and to test the causal relationship in the model. The result revealed that products/services, pricing, consumer, and technological were significantly influenced the consumer buying decision which also affect customer satisfaction. Surprisingly, operational was found not significant as a predictor for buying decisions and customer satisfaction. The SEM derived from the study could be beneficial to e-commerce platforms and businesses which can contribute to a better understanding of the determinants that affect buying decision and customer satisfaction.


A model considering the slip and climb effects of dislocations in creep of two-phase alloys is proposed. Dislocation movement in slip planes is discussed as hampered by the barriers which are generally the second-phase particles. Arrested at the barriers, dislocations may bypass them, with time, by climb (absorbing vacancies) or thermal activation. The formulae to calculate the creep rate E are developed and shown to approximate well the experimentally observed features in the creep behavior of a material. These are (a) an abrupt (exponential) stress-induced growth of E at higher stresses and (b) an abnormal increase of the apparent activation energy with temperature


The fluidity of a cooling liquid metal is calculated using a slug flow model in which metal in the freezing range flows as a mixture of liquid and solid, and freezing is assumed to occur first at the face of the slug. Comparison is made with an alternative model in which solid metal is assumed to be deposited continuously on the mould wall. Application of the theory to the solidification of an iron-carbon alloy indicates results at variance with experiments on sand casting. It is concluded that mathematical analysis of the fluidity of binary alloys which incorporates heat transfer effects alone is inadequate to describe solidification during flow. This conclusion is not necessarily true for pure metals and eutectic alloys, nor for the solidification of binary alloys under pressure die casting conditions.


We present a further analysis of the CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) survey of nearby galaxies carried out at the IRAM 30 meter telescope. Along with existing data for total gas masses, our data indicate that there is more CO emission in tidally perturbed galaxies, and that this emission is more centrally concentrated. This could be interpreted as being due to a different N H2 /W CO conversion ratio. However, since the excitation (as measured by the line ratio) of the gas is not highly different in isolated and perturbed galaxies (Papers I and II), we will assume that the standard N H2 /W CO conversion ratio is valid for all galaxies (except for NGC 3310, where the line ratio is ≥2). In this case, our data suggest that there is more molecular gas in disturbed galaxies


Control strategy and loss evaluation is discussed for a proposed dc/ac two-stage boost converter using the neutral point of a motor. The proposed converter consists of a small boost chopper and a three-phase inverter, which has a boost-up function from the use of the leakage inductance of a motor, instead of a boost-up reactor, for dc to ac conversion. A six-step operation strategy is proposed for the circuit. When the inverter part outputs a square waveform of 180°, the input current has a distortion because the neutral point voltage of the motor fluctuates at a frequency three times the output frequency. The input current is also shown distorted due to the neutral point voltage fluctuation. Feedforward compensation is proposed to reduce the input current fluctuation. In addition, the dc current in the proposed circuit is imposed into the phase current of the motor. Loss evaluation is therefore implemented to investigate the influence of the imposed dc current on the experimental results. Also, finite-element method was used to analyze the motor loss for a 1.5-kW interior-permanent-magnet motor.


Purpose

This paper aims to present a new method of real-time monitoring of thermal profiles applied in vapour phase soldering (VPS) reflow processes. The thermal profile setting is a significant variable that affects the quality of joints. The method allows rapid achievement of a required thermal profile based on software control that brings new efficiency to the reflow process and enhanced joint quality, especially for power electronics.

Design/methodology/approach

A real-time monitoring system based on computerized heat control was realized in a newly developed laboratory VPS chamber using a proportional integral derivation controller within the soldering process. The principle lies in the strictly accurate monitoring of the real defined reflow profile as a reference.

Findings

Very accurate maintenance of the required reflow profile temperature was achieved with high accuracy (± 2°C). The new method of monitoring and control of the reflow real-time profiling was verified at various maximal reflow temperatures (230°C, 240°C and 260°C). The method is feasible for reflowing three-dimensional (3D) power modules that use various types of solders. The real-time monitoring system based on computerised heat control helped to achieve various heights of vapour zone.

Originality/value

The paper describes construction of a newly developed laboratory-scale VPS chamber, including novel real-time profiling of the reflow process based on intelligent continuously measured temperatures at various horizontal positions. Real-time profiling in the laboratory VPS chamber allowed reflow soldering on 3D power modules (of greater dimensions) by applying various flux-less solder materials.


Salt‐sensitivity (SS) refers to changes in blood pressure in response to changes in sodium intake. SS individuals are at greater risk for developing kidney disease, and also respond differently to antihypertensive therapies compared to salt‐resistant (SR) individuals. In this study we used a systems pharmacology model of renal function (presented in a companion article) to evaluate the ability of proposed mechanisms to produce salt‐sensitivity. The model reproduced previously published data on renal functional changes in response to salt‐intake, and also predicted that glomerular pressure, a variable that is not easily evaluated clinically but is a key factor in renal injury, increases with salt intake in SS hypertension. We then used the model to generate mechanistic insight into the differential blood pressure and glomerular pressure responses to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and calcium channel blockers observed in SS and SR hypertension.


Jozsef Bencze, police lieutenant-general was director of the Hungarian Police Headquarters between 29th May 2007 and 30th June 2010. Between 2011 and 2016 he was the ambassador of Hungary in Skopje and from 2016 he has been ambassador in Manila. It might be a very special experience to follow everyday life of a foreign country as an inner observer and having up-to-date information as an ambassador. Even if there is everything in normal circumstances, there are always experiences rich on curiosities to get. And how is the situation in case of emerging extraordinary events?  How the ambassador of Hungary saw and experienced the spread of the coronavirus and the containment of that by the authorities on the Philippines?  Among others we asked Ambassador Jozsef Bencze about them, our questions were put by Csaba Szabo.


In article the example of restoration the damaged metal of high pressure boilers drum with application building-up welding by modulated current is described. Are investigated structure and properties of welded metal by methods of electronic microscopy.


This paper presents results of experiments in the 93-GHz band employing a phased-array antenna in an anechoic chamber that verify beam-tracking performance and the effectiveness of a reflector. This is first experiments evaluating 93-GHz throughput performance with a phased-array antenna in an actual environment. To verify beam tracking in the employed 93-GHz trial system, we tested the throughput and beam ID selection considering User Device (UD) mobility. The results show that the beam ID is properly selected according to the UD position and the throughput of approximately 1.2 Gbit/s is achieved during UD movement. Furthermore., the results show that the same throughput performance is still achievable in the 93-GHz band if reflection paths exist and verify that it is possible to expand coverage to non-line-of-sight areas using the 93-GHz band.


This article discusses the potential that trauma-informed pedagogy and social-emotional learning practices hold for supporting educators during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The authors bring a critical lens to considering these approaches, noting some limitations and provisos in their use. We advocate for dialogue, mentorship, and professional learning in using them not only to support educators but to authentically include diverse ways of knowing, doing, and being in early childhood environments.


The seed film method for synthesis of ultra thin and thin molecular sieve films was developed. The versatility of the method was demonstrated by successful preparation of films of a number of molec ...


In nursery soil treated with S3307, and seedling-stimulating agent, three-leaf rice seedlings were inoculated with pathogenic bacteria under higher intensity. The results indicated that the enzyme activity of SOD, POD, PPO and PAL in rice seedlings treated with S3307 and seedling-stimulating agent reaches the peaks of enzyme activity earlier than the control. Rice seedlings treated with seedling-stimulating agent have two enzyme activity peaks, while rice seedlings treated with S3307has only one enzyme activity peak except that of PPO. Rice seedlings treated with seedling-stimulating agent have higher enzyme activity peaks than rice seedlings treated with S3307.


The author discusses some of the capabilities of genetic algorithms (GAs). GAs are compared with other standard optimization methods like gradient descent or simulated annealing (SA). It is shown that SA is just a special case of GA. The role of a population in the optimization process is demonstrated by an example. GA was applied as a learning algorithm to neural networks.<<ETX>>


The classical Cox-Voinov theory of contact line motion provides a relation between the macroscopically observable contact angle, and the microscopic wetting angle as a function of contact line velocity. Here we investigate how viscoelasticity, specifically the normal stress effect, modifies wetting dynamics. Using the thin film equation for the second-order fluid, it is found that the normal stress effect is dominant at small scales. We show that the effect can be incorporated in the Cox-Voinov theory through an apparent microscopic angle, which differs from the true microscopic angle. The theory is applied to the classical problems of drop spreading and dip-coating, which shows how normal stress facilitates (inhibits) the motion of advancing (receding) contact lines. For rapid advancing motion, the apparent microscopic angle can tend to zero in which case the dynamics is described by a new regime that was already anticipated in Boudaoud (2007).


The decubitus ulcer, also known as a pressure or bed sore, represents a loss of skin often occurring over bony prominences. The plural of decubitus is decubitus and not decubitii, as commonly thought. 1 The tissue destruction may extend to subcutaneous fat, fascia and even muscle. Decubitus ulcers are nota new disease, as ulcerations of this nature have been known for centuries. The incidence of decubitus ulcers is not known because many physicians refuse to acknowledge the presence of the l es i~n. They are often so preoccupied with blammg the nurses for not turning the patient every two hours that they fail to observe the morphology of the evolving lesion. Nurses, on the other hand, are often besides themselves and usually transfer the blame to the family, who are generally bewildered by the present of the oderiferous oozing cuta~e ous catastrophy. Once the hospital or nurs1~g home has been implicated, there is a full Clrcle of guilt and nothing positive is accomplished.2 Although few contemporary textbooks of medicine or nursing include a description of ·


Based on Hoek-Brown Criterion,it conducts theelastoplasticity analysis on the wall rock of roadway,and carries out the analysis of examples and numerical simulation study.The results show that wall rock field of stress,and plastically deforming area are all in the distribution of symmetry;the vertical displacement is five times of the horizontal displacement;and with the surface wall rock extends to the deep,the displacement will generally decrease to zero.When the wall rock is excavated,a circular plastically deforming area is formed.


In October 2010 the clinical research group of the Queensland Children's Cancer Centre (QCCC) at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane (RCHB) identified that the new Children's Oncology Group Standard Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) treatment protocol (AALL0932) was open for recruitment. Following initial education of staff, the QCCC aimed to commence recruitment onto the study in January 2011. This paper outlines the education activities/implementation plan for nursing staff. It also discusses the methods used to identify education needs and evaluate training, along with the significant.


The air pollution of mechanical workshops was studied when using sulfofresol and "MP-1" as cutting fluids on metal-cutting machines. Hygienic characteristics of the accompanying factor - industrial noise - are given. For 2 years, the health status of 739 workers of the studied production was monitored. It is recommended to replace sulfofresol, toxic for the body, with "MP-1".


In order to separate effectively small deformation from GPS signal containing the error, Based on multiwavelet theory, the paper makes DGHM for GPS deformation monitoring signal processing, because the DGHM biorthogonal wavelet is with short support, orthogonality, symmetry ( antisymmetry ) and two approximation and other characteristics, in the same length of filtering, multi-wavelet method is more superior than traditional wavelet method, improves the signal to noise ratio, obtains higher accuracy, confirms correct and practical in the actual problem, the algorithm has opened a new way for deformation monitoring signal processing


Over the past five years the National Tuberculosis Control Programme has spent much effort in trying to educate the general public about tuberculosis (TB).

This has been done by educational talks on the radio, posters, TB messages painted on buses and TB sponsored football matches. We were interested to see how much secondary school students knew about TB. and therefore carried out a questionnaire study in schools in Mchinji district.


6‐Mercaptopurine (6‐MP) is considered the backbone of therapy in the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Gene polymorphisms involved in thiopurine degradation are predictors of toxicity in patients treated with 6‐MP. We investigated the effects of nucleoside diphosphate linked moiety X (nudix) type motif 15 (NUDT15) polymorphism NUDT15c.415C>T on neutropenia incidence, dose adjustment for 6‐MP, and survival rates in Thai children with ALL.


The present invention relates to a polycarboxylic acid anhydride containing a structural unit represented by the formula (1). According to the invention, the novel poly is provided with a carboxylic acid anhydride, the art polycarboxylic case of using an acid anhydride, such as a curing agent for the epoxy resin, from the viewpoint that the blending balance of the resin composition stability, heat resistance, transparency, heat-resistance a sulfur-modified, surface hardness, solvent resistance, flexibility and adhesion is provided a resin molded product excellent.


In this work we present three novel optical approaches towards the implementation of bio-and chemical sensors. First we describe an absorbance spectroscopic techniques developed on a waveguide platform that features a sensitivity enhancement of 4 orders of magnitude compared to the conventional transmission measurements of ultra-thin films. Next we show a waveguide Zeeman interferometric technique, which is based on the relative phase change between the TE and TM waveguide modes, applied as a sensor platform. Finally an external-cavity laser, a semiconductor laser combined with a single mode optical fiber and a Bragg grating reflector, was built to work as an active sensor where the analyte species were incorporated inside the resonant cavity to increase sensitivity.


Abstract Type I DNA topoisomerase was purified from the lower eukaryote Lentinus edodes . Like the topoisomerase I from other eukaryotic cells, the L. edodes enzyme removed both positive and negative superhelical turns. The M r of the enzyme was determined to be 71,500 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On gel filtration by Sephacryl S-200, the enzyme appeared to be an aggregate with a native M r of about 235 000 daltons. No energy cofactor was required and ATP did not affect the enzyme. Activity was enhanced about 10-fold by Mg 2+ (10 mM) and about 8-fold by KCl (100 mM).


In this chapter, the authors go through two kinds of social psychological concepts useful for an in-depth understanding of the students' situations mentioned in the preface. First, they describe the concepts related to the perception and interpretations biases, such as social categorization, stereotypes, causal attribution, centration/decentration, and school judgment. Then, they review the concepts related to the dynamics between students, such as stigma, ostracism, social comparison, stereotype threat, need for self-affirmation, learned helplessness, and intelligence conception. All of them are commented on to emphasize the relationship and mutual influence between learning and the relational dimension.


Objective: To look for the feasibility and results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acutely inflamed gallbladder, gangrenous cholecystitis and empyema gall bladder. Methodology: It was a prospective observational case series. As an institutional policy early laparoscopiccholecystectomy was performed in all the patients with diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. The incidence ofgangrenous cholecystitis and empyema gall bladder was noted and laparoscopic intervention was preferredin all these patients. The demographic profile, clinical records, operative details, complications and followup details were prospectively gathered on a performa. Results: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 142 patients. 103 patients had simple acutecholecystitis, 13 patients had empyema gall bladder and 26 patients had gangrenous cholecystitis. Theincidence of comorbids such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases was 28.1%,61.5 and 80.75 in patients with simple acute cholecystitis, empyema gall bladder and gangrenouscholecystitis respectively. Male gender was predominating in patients with complicated cholecystitis. Theopen conversion rate was 3.88% in simple acute cholecystitis, 15.38% in empyema gall bladder andgangrenous cholecystitis combined. There were 2 major complications in patients with simple acutecholecystitis and 2 major complications in patients with gangrenous cholecystitis. There was one mortalityin a patient with simple acute cholecystitis. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective option in acute gall bladder. Based onour experience we recommend an early laparoscopic gall bladder removal, provided expertise & gadgetsare available.


The structure of Drosophila LC8 pH‐induced monomer has been determined by NMR spectroscopy using the program AutoStructure. The structure at pH 3 and 30°C is similar to the individual subunits of mammalian LC8 dimer with the exception that a β strand, which crosses between monomers to form an intersubunit β‐sheet in the dimer, is a flexible loop with turnlike conformations in the monomer. Increased flexibility in the interface region relative to the rest of the protein is confirmed by dynamic measurements based on 15N relaxation. Comparison of the monomer and dimer structures indicates that LC8 is not a domain swapped dimer.


Politicians proved unwilling to do the hard work of challenging vested interests and convincing electorates of the need for more profound reforms in the aftermath of the crisis.


Resume This paper is mostly concerned with records of mites new to the British Isles. Odd notes on the biology of some species previously recorded from these islands deal with various aspects of the general biology of the different species. The following species are described as new to science:—Parasitus hibernicus, Phaulodiaspis euris, Ettmulleria dipterorum, and Schwiebea boletophagi. The newly discovered male of Polyaspinus cylindricus Berl. is described fro the first time and its importance in the study of the comparative parative morphology of the Mesostigmata is discussed. The division of the genus Pergamasus by Hull in 1918 is treated in some detail and his subgenera, Plesiogamasus, Paragamasus are promoted to generic status. Some remarks are made on the generic divisions of the Hypoaspis complex of the Laelaptidae and two new genera of Dr. Hull, Chamolaelaps and Halbertia, are brought forward and the types of all the above genera of Dr. Hull designated. New records of Leptus porcinus Hull, 1918 ar...


The vast majority of Fortune 500 companies use mainframe-computing platforms. However, few universities expose students to this environment. Mainframes continue to show leadership capabilities in t...


Brewing high quality beer efficiently requires good quality malt for conventional malt brewing or good quality barley for barley brewing with the Ondea Pro enzyme system. The potential brewing performance of both malt and barley were compared by using two similar small-scale mashing protocols, both variations on the EBC-Congress mashing protocol, which produced wort of a similar gravity and fermentability. This was achieved by mashing 93 different malt samples with the "Final 65°C" protocol and 137 different barley samples with the barley brewing protocol. The two different mash grist sources provided an opportunity to compare and contrast these two alternative brewing systems. Overall, barley brewing with Ondea Pro produces slightly lower levels of extract, while fermentability levels were somewhat lower than malt mashed with the Final 65°C protocol but comparable with the fermentability previously observed for malt mashed with the EBC-Congress protocol. For barley brewing, high levels of fermentability, comparable with the level achieved with malt (Congress protocol), result from the selection of the appropriate quality barley for brewing. Typically, barley from malting or food grade varieties that contain the highly thermostable Sd2H β-amylase type produced the highest levels of extract and fermentability. In addition, barley brewing assessment of samples from two subsequent growing seasons produced higher extracts that were equivalent to that achieved with malt, indicating a potential seasonal impact. The worts produced by both brewing systems were of similar pH and contained similar levels of Bradford protein. The barley brewed wort did have substantially higher levels of wort lipid (measured as total fatty acids) and lower levels of FAN, although previous investigations and our results suggest that this does not adversely impact yeast fermentation performance. With respect to wort filtering and lautering efficiency, barley brewed mashes/worts were substantially superior due to reduced wort viscosity and lower β-glucan content. This was despite the higher levels of wort lipid, presumably fatty acids, observed in barley brewed wort. With both malt and barley brewing, wort lipid levels were positively correlated with wort haze but were negatively correlated with lautering and wort filtration efficiency. These observations suggest that variation in the level of lipase activity in malt could potentially impact wort filtration and lautering efficiency. Malt and barley characteristics that potentially predict extract, fermentability, FAN, wort filterability, and lautering efficiency were assessed by step-wise multi-linear regression analysis and discussed. Overall, barley brewing was shown to be reproducible, efficient, and generally comparable to conventional malt brewing. The contrast between these two brewing strategies potentially identifies barley and malt quality parameters worthy of further study to improve brewing efficiency, and product quality, from both production systems.


widespread but overly simplistic assumptions about Gaelic issues, charts significant progress, and provides a clear-eyed assessment of ongoing problems that must be more committedly addressed. Though nonspecialists might at times findGaelic in Scotland a little too detailed for their purposes, it always remains accessible to anyone willing to engage with the subject, as it provides all necessary background information and uses a very clear style. It will be helpful to a wide range of scholars, activists, policy makers, and administrators. Relatedly, it is worth noting that more affordable digital and paperback editions are available.


The invention relates to a high-chromium cast iron cone sand making machine and a manufacture method of a high-chromium rolling mortar wall assembly, which are characterized in that high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron is used for manufacturing the rolling mortar wall assembly in the cone sand making machine so as to enhance the wear-resistant performance of the rolling mortar wall for several times. The high-chromium cast iron cone sand making machine comprises the rolling mortar wall assembly, wherein the high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron rolling mortar wall is made of high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron of which the chromium content is more than or equal to 9% and less than or equal to 32%. The high-chromium cast iron cone sand making machine has the advantages that: the wear-resistant performance of the rolling mortar wall is greatly enhanced and is about 5 times of that of the traditional high-manganese rolling mortar wall, the service life of the rolling mortar wall is greatly prolonged, and the use cost of users is drastically lowered; in addition, the impact resistance of the high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron rolling mortar wall is enhanced by the physical structure, the impact force borne by the high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron rolling mortar wall is effectively alleviated, and the defect that the high-chromium wear-resistant white cast iron rolling mortar wall has high possibility of being damaged by impact is overcome.


The guidelines of the design of an Integrated Production Planning and Control System for FMS are sketched, with special emphasis on the capability of managing transients due to unplanned events by means of on-line control policies which can be selected in accordance with the specific requirements of particular production conditions.


A high level of energy consumption per GDP unit is typical for the territories of the Russian Federation. Technical wear and tear and obsolescence of technological and energetic equipment, high energy losses in buildings and structures are the main reasons that caused a high level of energy intensity of GDP. Rapid population growth and competition for limited resources have further increased the need to design and construct buildings using sustainable construction technologies. These buildings must be able to maintain quality of life and ultimately ensure longterm human survival. The construction industry plays an important role in preserving the environment through the rational use of resources and assets that require the immediate massive implementation of the principles and methods of sustainable construction. One of the components of the principles of sustainable construction is the use of "green" technologies in construction projects, reconstruction, and overhaul of structures. The Russian Federation has a huge potential in reducing the negative impact of the construction industry on the environment and the social sphere. That is why it is very important to develop methodological foundations which are conducive to the successful development of the so-called "green" construction market in all regions of the country. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the main constraints to the development of "green" technologies. This article is intended to identify obstacles to the implementation of the "green" construction from the general contractors' point of view. The article identifies points of growth based on the identified problem areas. Growth points are needed to form further positive dynamics of construction volumes using "green" technologies. The identified development drivers will contribute to the expansion of demand and provide a multiplicative stimulating effect on related sectors of the investment and construction complex soon.


Marta (Maciarol Robotic Telescopes Array) is planned as a facility that allows its components work together or individually in astronomical tasks using telescopes with modest apertures and CCDs and other commercial devices fitting in a low-cost budget. With this equipment, we are able to obtain scientific data while operating remotely, in robotic or automatic mode.


A study is presented of the H II region luminosity function (LF) of M51, complete down to a luminosity of about L = 10(37.6) ergs s-1. A total of 616 H II regions have been identified from a deep H-alpha exposure: 480 in the "arm" regions, and 136 in the "interarm" regions. The differential LF shows a significant steepening above L = 10(39.0) ergs s-1. In the region below this break but above the completeness limit, where almost all of the H II regions lie, the slope of the LF is - 1.55, which is rather shallow compared to other spirals and even irregular galaxies. The 616 H II regions account for about 45% of the total H-alpha-luminosity of 1.8 x 10(41) ergs s-1. Undetected, low-luminosity H II regions probably account for only a small fraction of the remaining luminosity, so there is most likely a significant diffuse ionized medium in M51. A real difference in slope is found between the arm and interarm LFs over the luminosity range extending from the completeness limits to the break at 10(39.0) ergs s-1: - 1.48 +/- 0.07 vs - 2.05 +/- 0.15. All of the H II regions above the break are in the arms. The arm H II regions account for more than ten times as much luminosity as the interarm H II regions, confirming the very high degree of concentration of massive star formation to the arms. Since the contrast in molecular gas is only about four to one, the enhanced efficiency of massive star formation in the arms reported by Vogel et al. [Nature, 334, 402 (1988)] is therefore confirmed. The slope of the LF and its spatial variations are interpreted in terms of the star formation process in M51, and are related to our understanding of the molecular gas distribution. The effects of blending of H II regions on the LF are addressed in an Appendix.


This paper presents a high-level data sublanguage called SLICK for the manipulation and retrieval of data from normalized and unnormalized (hierarchically structured) relational tables. The language is designed to express the process used by information users to extract information from the tables. It eliminates the need for using extra variables, allows retrieval operations to be performed directly on unnormalized tables, and matches with the specific implementation of a context-addressed memory system. The language elements and their use are described and illustrated in many example retrieval statements. The simplicity of mapping high level statements to basic machine instructions for the memory system is demonstrated.


Do smooth muscle cells (SMC) from various human origin show the same behavior in cell culture? Are there differences between arterial, venous and fetal SMCs? Explant cultures were established from human adult aorta, art. iliaca comm., vena cava. SMCs from the umbilical cord vein and art.iliaca were harvested by the collagenase method. All cells were grown in M 199, 20 mM Hepes, 20% fetal calf serum, pen.-strept, 37°C, without CO2. After sufficient outgrowth the cells were subcultivated. At various subpassages the cells were processed for TEM, SEM. For TEM the ruthenium-red-method were applied. At different subpassages growth curves were established. Growth pattern was monitored by phase contrast microscopy and staining with fluorescent dyes.--Results: V.cava SMC grow out of the explant faster, however, show slower proliferation rate than the art. SMCs. V.cava and fetal SMCs do not show the striking hill-valley growth pattern as the art. SMCs do. From fetal to adult SMCs the cell- and nucleus size increases. The varying nucleus sizes were monitored by impulscytophotometry. These results are reported in another abstract. From the art.iliaca comm, growing SMCs with up to 10 nuclei were harvested. Art. SMCs secret large amount of granular material which is not seen in venous SMCs. All cells were negative for F-VIII-antigen in the immunfluorescence. Summary: Because of these marked differences between art. and venous SMCs from human origin evaluation of experiments with SMCs have to take this into consideration before drawing general conclusions on SMC-functions.


Concentration solar arrays require greater solar tracking precision than conventional photovoltaic arrays. This paper presents a high precision low cost dual axis sun tracking system based on image processing for concentration photovoltaic applications. An imaging device is designed according to the principle of pinhole imaging, making sun rays to be received on a screen through pinhole and to be a sun spot. The location of the spot is used to adjust the orientation of the solar panel. A fuzzy logic controller is developed to achieve this goal. A prototype was built, and experimental results have proven the good performance of the proposed system and low error of tracking. The operation of this system is independent of geographical location, initial calibration, and periodical regulations.


Quantum Dots(QDs) have tremendous potential in the field of fluorescence-based biological labeling in that their properties as fluorescent probes are superior to the organic fluorescent dyes. Their applications in cell biology, proteomic, genomic research and clinical diagnostics are being developed. Here we review the applications of QDs in varies biological fields, the current research progresses and trends.


Introduction Origins of the War Iraq's Decision to Go to War Why Iran Invaded Iraq The Static Defense Phase Al Faw Karbala Tawakalna ala Allah Epilogue Appendix: Maps of Karbala Battles Bibliography Index


Smart cam or electronic cam is a combination of a computer program for motion definition and a high‐performance servo mechanism. By using this, one can obtain a high‐speed, reliable and application‐oriented motion, just as obtained from a mechanical cam system. Hard cams are dedicated and difficult to change, but smart cams are flexible in stroke, in timing, etc. With the progress of computer and servo technology, smart cams are becoming widely used. In this report the methods used to create smart cams are discussed and some examples are shown. The experimental results of these examples show excellent performance which is as good as hard cams.


The electrochemical behavior of cryptotanshinone was investigated on glassy carbon electrode(GCE) in detail,and its adsorptive behavior and redox mechanism was also discussed.The preparation and characterization of self-assembled DNA modified electrode was preliminary discussed.Furthermore,this electrode has been used to investigate the interaction of cryptotanshinone with DNA.


In this chapter we continue to explore the use of frequency domain techniques for design of feedback systems. We begin with a more thorough description of the performance specifications for control systems, and then introduce the concept of " loop shaping " as a mechanism for designing controllers in the frequency domain. We also introduce some fundamental limitations to performance for systems with right half plane poles and zeros. In the previous chapter, we considered the use of PID feedback as a mechanism for designing a feedback controller for a given process. In this chapter we will expand our approach to include a richer repertoire of tools for shaping the frequency response of the closed loop system. One of the key ideas in this chapter is that we can design the behavior of the closed loop system by studying the open loop transfer function. This same approach was used in studying stability using the Nyquist criterion: we plotted the Nyquist plot for the open loop transfer function to determine the stability of the closed loop system. From a design perspective, the use of loop analysis tools is very powerful: since the loop transfer function is L = P C, if we can specify the desired performance in terms of properties of L, we can directly see the impact of changes in the controller C. This is much easier, for example, than trying to reason directly about the response 323


Biological noise results from heterogeneous gene expression levels among a group of cells [1]. This heterogeneity is due to the variation in gene expression that occurs over time at the single-cell level. Some noise-filtering mechanisms like redundancy in genetic circuits have been identified. Likewise, the feed-forward loop network motif has been found to have noise-filtering capacities in animal development. On the other hand, previous studies have contradictory conclusions about the noise-filtering capacities of the feedback loop and none of them have studied this capacity in the activator-inhibitor regulatory system. Here we studied some dynamical properties, such as noise and expression levels, in self-activated and activator-inhibitor regulatory systems, both at the unicellular and multicellular levels. These systems are essential in the self-patterning and community effect processes occurring in development and differentiation. We used the three-stage model to represent the expression of a gene with promoter regulation and Hill functions to represent the regulatory connections between genes. We used Gillespie's Algorithm and the Chemical Langevin Equation for simulations. The regulatory systems evaluated do not reduce the biological noise. On the contrary, the noise remains at the same level or increases in comparison with an unregulated gene. The noise levels in these systems depend on the gene expression type of both the regulator and the regulated gene. In this way, the particular forms in which genes connect to each other in these regulatory systems do not explain the noise in expression. However, the noise has a propagation pattern different for activation and inactivation types of regulation. Finally, the diffusion and colony size could be mechanisms of noise filtering in gene expression in a colony of cells. The increase in diffusion rate and colony size are necessary to synchronize gene expression and perform the community effect in embryonic development.


Human breast cancer MCF‐7 cells, growth‐arrested by serum starvation, were stimulated with recombinant human insulinlike growth factor‐1 (IGF‐I). An increase in DNA synthesis was induced 20 hr later, which was as effective as that induced by serum. The increase in DNA synthesis was significantly inhibited either by antibody to the IGF‐I receptor or by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, methyl‐2,5‐dihydroxycinnamate (2,5‐MeC). The IGF‐l‐induced DNA synthesis coincided with an elevated level of phosphorylation of p53 on tyrosine and an alteration in the subcellular distribution of the protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Whereas the increases in DNA synthesis and p53 phosphorylation were inhibited by antibody to the IGF‐I receptor and by 2,5‐Mec, the nuclear exclusion of p53 was prevented by the antibody and also, although not significantly, by 2,5‐Mec. The results suggest that growth stimulation of MCF‐7 cells by IGF‐I is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of p53.


The strength of the book lies not only in the breadth of material, but in the juxtaposition of different viewpoints and examples, al making connections between cultural, political, institutional and territorial contexts. Town Planning Review Regional and Federal Studies 1997 "This book is necessary reading for students of globalization searching for ways to unpack this abstract concept" European Planning Studies - reviewed by Deron Ferguson - Uni of Washington "This collection represents a substantial resource for anyone interested in "the regional question" "..anyone interested in regionalism will likely find several chapters of interest, or more, in this volume." Space and Polity, Vol 2, No 2 1998 - Reviewed by Donald McNeill - "..there is undoubtedly a lot here of merit...the book should serve as a useful reference work for those seeking background on regional developments in various parts of the world.." Urban Studies, Vol 35, No 2, 1998 "Certainly the volume provides ample evidence of the diversity of the regional question and of the responses to it, and ... there is much here to enlighten our understanding." Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Vol 91, No 1, 2000 "I would strongly recommend this volume for advanced classes and seminars on place, territory and identity regionalism in a post cold war world contemporary political Europe and regionalism and international relations. ... I would encourage the editors to continue their research on this important topic ... and I hope the publisher will continue its commitment to publishing cutting-edge geopolitical and political economy research." Royal Dutch Geographical Society "I would strongly recommend this volume for advanced classes and seminars on place, territory and identity: regionalism in a post cold war world: contemporary political Europe: and regionalism and international relations" "Cutting Edge


: The paper presents the Early Medieval history of the Giecz settlement complex and characteristic of its landscape. The stronghold in Giecz is the oldest among the so-called central strongholds of the Piast monarchy, dated to around 865 AD, i.e. to the tribal period. The settlement was located in the vicinity of Góra Górzno – probably a sacred mount. The remains of stone architecture – palatium were dated to the first half of the 11 th century. The studies on vegetation history, based on the sediments from fossil lake, provided a Holocene record of environmental changes and development of cultural landscape.


In 2015, three Quebec theological institutions undertook an institutional transformational process to address a long-term decline. The profile of Quebec theology was thus reassessed, both institutionally and in its understanding of its status, plan and future. This is true not only for the three institutions involved, but also for the entire community of university-level theologians and institutions. In this article, I will begin by connecting these transformations to the founding period of Quebec theology. I will then describe the restructuring that took place from 2015 to 2017 and explain its immediate impact. Comparing Quebec these institutional shifts to a debate about the situation theologians' liberty with respect to Church magisterium in Austria (2011), I will emphasize the end of a fundamental tension between theologians and Church leadership in Quebec's context, and the new problem that has replaced it in the context of the secular Academy. I will conclude by presenting some outcomes of the new configuration in three Quebec universities.


In this paper, the Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Fuzzy Logic Controlled (FLC) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms are analysed in respect with the yield energy of a PV module under different time periods of Standard Technical Conditions (STC). More yield energy can be obtained with P&O MPPT algorithm, for a given duty cycle value of the interfaced DC-DC converter, only in a relative short constant illumination time (CIT). For a relative long CIT, more energy can be obtained with FLC algorithm. The dependence between this CIT and interfaced DC-DC converter's duty cycle (D) is established.


The embedding generated by pre-trained models has attracted the attention of many scholars in the past few years. Most of the context-sensitive embeddings have confirmed the positive impact on some basic tasks of classification, which have only a few types. In this paper, we make an empirical comparison of different pre-trained embeddings on the task of ultra-fine entity typing which has more than 10k types. We apply 7 kinds of pre-trained embedding to the typing model to prove whether the pre-trained embedding has a positive effect. The results indicate that almost all context-sensitive pre-trained embeddings improve the performance of models using Glove. The pre-trained embedding generated by BERT achieves the best performance in the Ultra-Fine dataset and OntoNotes dataset, which shows BERT has better capability to extract finer-grained information than other pre-trained models.


Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly reactive, labile gas produced by the enzymatic conversion of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases NOS. In mammals, NO mediates multiple physiological processes from cardiovascular control to neural transmission. Three NOS isoforms neuronal, inducible and endothelial have been cloned, sequenced and characterized from several mammalian species. nNOS isoforms were characterized from adult grouper (Epinephelus coioides) by using RT-PCR with degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed against a portion of the mammalian NOS gene that codes for the calmodulin -binding region, this region was chosen because it is highly conserved among NOS sequences to date and is a functionally important region of NOS proteins. A partial gene sequence of 377 bp corresponding to mammalian nNOS is obtained. This sequence showed 82%-83%, 85%-93% homogeneity with that of mammalian and the other fish respectively. The deduced amino acid of E.coioides shows high identity with that of mammalian (92%-93%), and the other fish (93%-99%). Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences confirms the conserved nature of NOS, particularly of the calmodulin-binding domains.


This article first discusses the page image compression standard and emphatically introduces and analyses the present page image compression technology. At last, it puts forward the emphasis of research work for the future.


By exploiting the relation of the QL algorithm to inverse iteration we obtain a proof of global convergence which is more conceptual and less computational than previous analyses. The proof uses a new, but simple, error estimate for the first step of inverse iteration.


Terpene synthases are the primary enzymes in the biosynthesis of terpene metabolites. Here a terpene synthase gene, designated as McTPS3, was cloned from Matricaria chamomilia based on EST sequence by RT-PCR. The McTPS3 cDNA contains a 1689 bp length ORF encoding 563 amino acid protein. The sequence of McTPS3 protein was highly homologous to those of TPS proteins from other plant species. The predicted isoelectric point and molecular weight of McTPS3 protein are 5.01 and 63.9 kDa respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that McTPS3 has closer relationship with TPSs from other compositae plants than other plants. The cloning and sequence analysis of MrTPS3 provided foundation for further stud the role of this gene in the biosynthesis of terpenoids in M. chamomilia.


The utility model discloses a tensile pre-stress ultra-high-speed external circle grinding device. The device comprises a body, a grinding wheel unit and a work-piece clamping unit. The grinding wheel unit is fixed on the body, and the work-piece clamping unit is connected with the body through a feeding mechanism and comprises two opposite clamping mechanisms. One clamping mechanism is a fixed clamping mechanism fixedly connected with a bottom plate, and the other is a movable clamping mechanism connected with the bottom plate through a linear sliding mechanism. The sliding direction of the linear sliding mechanism is the axial direction of a clamped work-piece, and a force application mechanism is connected onto the movable clamping mechanism. By means of the device, ultra-high-speed external circle grinding can be achieved under the tensile pre-stress state, and accordingly, the efficiency and the accuracy of the rotation element work-piece grinding production are improved, the work-piece residual compressive stress is increased, the fatigue strength and the corrosion resistance of work-pieces are improved, and the machine part service life is prolonged.


Using Image-based Dynamic Ultrasound Spectrography (IDUS®) technology, the intrabody monitoring and positioning of an inserted catheter is achieved by coupling a thin micron-size polymeric wire to the catheter with 100-500 micron metallic cylinder attached to the tip of the wire. The area of interest is imaged and subsequently stimulated using specialized stimulation schemes delivered by an imaging ultrasound transducer. The targeted metallic tip is stimulated and emanates a unique acoustic response (signature) corresponding to its mechanical and material properties. Because of the fundamental structural differences between the targeted metallic tip and its surroundings, its unique resonant frequency signature can be analyzed and differentiated relative to the surrounding soft tissue, the wire and the catheter itself so that the location of the catheter in the body can be determined.


Abstract : New procedures were evolved to characterize the fracture extension resistance of nonfrangible structural aluminum alloys. Fracture extension resistance is a result of the increase in plastic work energy required to propagate a crack. The resistance parameter is defined as the R-curve slope of the metal. Characteristic R-curve features are presented for aluminum alloys ranging from frangible to high fracture toughness types. The R-curve slope determines the plastic work energy expended for fracture extension in structures, as confirmed by Explosion Tear Test results. The R curves are defined by using the Dynamic Tear test specimen in two configurations involving a 'short' and standard fracture extension length. Indexing the R-curve slopes to the Ratio Analysis Diagram (RAD) for aluminum provides a definition of the capabilities of the metal for use in structures of low, intermediate, and high compliance features. This integration of structural aspects with the mechanical and metallurgical aspects of the RAD should significantly advance the generalized fracture-safe design of aluminum structures using nonfrangible alloys. (Author)


Editor,—We read with interest the article by Cosgrove and Jenkins, describing their experience with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in children with Crohn's disease.1 In the past, we reported improvement in linear growth and overall safety of gastrostomy procedure in 16 children with Crohn's disease.2

We have since had additional experience with seven children with Crohn's disease and gastrostomy. The mean age of children was 13.3 years (range 2.5–17 years). Five had PEG and two had surgical gastrostomy tubes placed. The indication for gastrostomy was growth failure and refusal or failure to use nasogastric tube feeding. …


AZO (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide) is one of the best candidate materials to replace ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) for TCO (Transparent Conductive Oxide) used in flat panel displays, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). In the present study, in order to apply AZO thin film to the transparent electrode of an organic solar cell a low temperature atomic layer deposition (ALD) process was adopted to deposit AZO thin film on flexible Poly-Ethylene-Naphthalate (PEN) substrate. The reactive gases for ALD process were Di-Ethyl-Zinc (DEZ) and Tri-Methyl-Aluminum (TMA) as precursors, and H₂O as an oxidant respectively. The structural, electrical and optical characteristics of the AZO thin film were evaluated with respect to process temperature.


It is natural and reasonable for Criminal Law to be changed according to changing times and trends. Above all its precondition should be met, in order...


Implantable cardioverter defihrillator (ICD) therapy has emerged as the premier modality for reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with demonstrated life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and, increasingly, in patients suspected to he at risk for the same,̂ ~^ It must be recognized that the classification of sudden cardiac death is at times imprecise; ICD discharges may often be related to terminal arrhythmias incidental to "pump failure" and arrhythmic death may at times he simulated by noncardiac events,^ As a result, total mortality has heen the preferred endpoint for clinical trials and when examined in this context, the benefit of ICD therapy remains estahlished in these high risk patients. Reliability and longevity of device therapy, though good, is far from perfect,*^ With the passage of time, practitioners have faced an expanding population of patients with devices subject to malfunction, depletion, and/or infection,^ The clinical strategies to such problems include system revision, device/lead replacement, device/lead removal without replacement, or doing nothing (i,e,, leaving the system intact, in situ, and eventually at risk from a totally depleted system). The last two options ultimately eliminate the potential benefits of'ICD therapy in patients felt to he at high risk; is nonreplacement ever warranted? Certainly, device inactivation is practiced not uncommonly on ethical grounds in patients whose long-term prognosis is severely limited (e,g,, progressive and widespread malignancy, particularly where ongoing suffering is apparent); the patient with severe dementia may represent another case in point. Rarely, a patient may conclude that he has "had enough" hecause of coexisting illness or psychoemotional devastation from multiple shocks and will insist on generator inactivation and/or refuse generator replacement,^^"


This research reports which aimed to analyze strategies of novice teachers used in the large classroom management. This work is a comprehensive case study covering all teachers who play an important role in their classroom management. The case study on this research focused on Junior High School novice teachers in Yogyakarta. The researcher choose this school because it has large class that can support the researcher in collecting the data. The subject of this research consists of five novice teachers. The data was gathered through observation and interview. This study indicated the perspectives of the novice teachers in large classroom.The result showed that the teachers mostly divide or organize the students by grouping them, monitoring them to check students' work and to keep the class calm, give them positive punishment to students who misbehave, and using some teaching method to make students active during the teaching and learning process.


Coffee is one of the main commodities in Brazil and, as such, it has been a target for fraudulent admixtures with a diversity of cheaper materials, such as twigs, spent coffee, roasted barley and corn. Many techniques have been developed in order to establish suitable parameters and markers for adulteration of ground roasted coffee and instant coffee. However, these methods usually present low sensitivity and specificity. Although the recombinant DNA technology has shown to be a promising tool to determine the authenticity of processed foods, it has not been used to detect coffee adulteration. The objective of this study was to use a real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based method for detection of two among the main adulterants in coffee: corn and barley. For this purpose, ground coffee blends containing 80% of C. arabica and 20% of C. canephora were intentionally adultered with corn and barley, in the proportions of 0.05; 0.5; 5 and 50mg per g of coffee and thoroughly mixed. In addition to these samples, roasted corn, barley and plain coffee were separately assayed for standard curves preparation. DNA extractions were performed using a modified version of DNeasy kit protocol and CTAB buffer. The DNA concentrations were determined by spectrophotometry (Shimadzu UV-1800 Japan) at 260 nm. Primers for corn (ZEINA2) and for barley (CEVADA3) were designed through the on line program GeneFisher2. The reaction was conducted using qPCR (SDS ABI Prism 7000 Applied Biosystems USA), with SYBR Green I system (Applied Biosystems, UK), in quadruplicate. The method was sensitive and specific to detect down to 0.02 ng of corn DNA and 0.005ng of barley DNA per g of roasted coffee, which converted to mass could be estimated in approximately 307 μg corn/g coffee and 45 μg barley/g coffee. The methodology based on realtime PCR appears to be more efficient to detect small amounts of adulterants, compared to other existing and routinely used methodologies, showing to be a promising tool for the detection of corn and barley in commercial coffees.


The technology and architecture of interconnections could be considered as the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of Microcontrollers, FPGA, PSoC (Program Silicon on chip), and ASIC etc. for a specific application. Due to their restricted connectivity, FPGAs represent a challenging technology for CAD tools developers. This paper presents theoretical and experimental aspects of the methodology for embedded system design with PSoC controllers. Also we will present an overview of PSoC architecture, available commercially and the approaches used in PSoC layout and logic synthesis. The presentation will cover these issues from both a user's prospective and CAD tools developers prospective.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different loading symbols and loading durations on online video viewers' perception of waiting time. Sixty young adults participated in this study and their subjective ratings on waiting time perception for forty-eight different loading symbols (4 progress functions × 2 shapes × 2 embellishments × 3 durations) were obtained through a 7-point Likert scale. Each participant chose the best loading symbols in terms of waiting time perception at the end of the experiment. Results showed that duration and the progress function practically affect the viewers' waiting time perception, and shape and embellishment do not. Loading symbols of power and inverse power progress functions are perceived as shorter than those of the repetitive and linear progress functions. It is recommended to show loading progress and use manipulated progress functions, and design factors such as shape and embellishment are considered to be less important for designing a better loading symbol. The findings of this study may serve as a useful input for video service providers and symbol designers in creating shortly perceived loading symbols.


Evaluations of surface distresses in pavements, such as cracking, bleeding, and raveling, are often used as one component of overall pavement condition indexes. Both manual and automated survey methods are available for pavement distress evaluation; however, all distress evaluations experience a certain level of variability in their results. How this level of variability is determined depends on the type of data collected during the pavement distress evaluations. When distress data are collected as ordinal values, the variability may be determined by comparison of pairs of ranked values. This paper presents one rank correlation method, Kendall's correlation coefficient, and illustrates how it can be used to assess variability in ordinal distress data collected through manual surveys. Using Kendall's correlation coefficient, variability between different raters and variability between multiple evaluations by one rater were determined for each individual distress type. As a result, the ratings for certain distresses such as bleeding were found to have a high level of variability. This information can be useful when used to develop training programs to reduce data variability.


Background: Prediabetes, a state defined by the presence of either impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance is a condition in which blood glucose or haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Methods: The present study was conducted for a period of one year with effect from November 2014 to October 2015 and patients were recruited for study from OPD and wards of Department of General Medicine, ASCOMS Hospital, Sidhra. 50 Patients/subjects were selected as per specified inclusion criteria Method of collection of data is based on detailed history, clinical examination and routine investigations. Results: In this study, out of 50 subjects, 8 case who were in the range of impaired glucose tolerance initially at the time of start of study gradually progressed to frank diabetes i.e. 15% over a study period of 1 year. Conclusions: In this study, 50 Patients of impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes were included in the study. Among 50 subjects, 80% were male and 20% were females. Majority were 30-60 yrs of age, average weight was 65±5 kg, and average height was 150±10cm. In risk factors, 20% of the subjects suffered from hypertension, 40% from lipid derangement, 30% suffered from obesity, 50% suffered from central obesity, 56% are smokers, and 60% have family history of diabetes. 10 subjects out of 50 i.e. 20% suffered from cardiovascular complications, no subject presented with peripheral neuropathy.


The preparation of porous membrane by supercritical CO2 fluid is a new method with many advantages.In this paper,the principle of preparation is introduced,and the influences of such conditions as pressure,concentration of polymert,emperature are analyzed.The final structure of porous membrane is decided by the diffusion speed of supercritical CO2 fluid inside the polymer and the plasticizing effect of polymer caused by supercritical CO2 fluid.In addition,the unique advantage sof the method is summarized.


This article proposes to present a modern approach in the analysis of updated cash flows. The approach is based on the Fuzzy Pay-Off-Method (FPOM) for Real Option Valuation (ROV). This article describes a few types of models for the valuation of real options currently in use. In support for the chosen FPOM method, we included the mathematical model that stands at the basis of this method and a case study.


Lithium–sulfur batteries are getting more attention in energy storage and conversion fields due to their high theoretical capacity and specific energy density. Nevertheless, the dissolution of polysulfides results in their poor cycle stability, which is the major issue in practical use. To overcome the challenge, we report a new strategy by employing a redox-active covalent organic framework as the separator in lithium–sulfur batteries. The one-dimensional pore channels of the covalent organic framework provide a fast transport pathway for the lithium ion. And the pyridine units of the framework not only enhance the chemical adsorption of sulfur but also catalyze the charge and discharge processes. By virtue of these features, the specific capacity at 0.2 C is 977 mAh g–1 after 100 cycles, which is 5.2 times higher than that of the pristine separator-based battery. Additionally, the specific capacity achieves 826 mAh g–1 at 1 C after 250 cycles.


The formula giving the variation of X-ray intensity versus the diffraction angle due to dispersion factors and the form of the domains of coherent scattering is derived. For this case a general relation between the factor c of the Scherrer formula and the factor k = I(x)/Imax of the distribution curve is derived.


Abstract  Objectives: The surgical box lesion isolation of pulmonary veins and left atrium is recently reported to be superior to the conventional Cox maze IV procedure. The aim of this study is to investigate the midterm results of surgical box lesion ablation with the use of the bipolar radiofrequency energy performed at our institution. Methods: From April 2004 to December 2008, 35 patients underwent the surgical box lesion ablation using bipolar radiofrequency and were followed for mean 31 months ranging from 3 to 58 months. Results: There was no operative mortality. One patient (2.86%) needed electric cardioversion before discharge. One patient (2.86%) needed pacemaker implantation. At discharge, all patients were in normal sinus rhythm. During the follow‐up period, the rate of sinus rhythm maintenance was 100%, the rate of freedom from antiarrhythmic medication was 42.9%, and the rate of freedom from thromboembolic episodes was 100%. Conclusions: The surgical box lesion ablation was a safe and effective procedure to terminate atrial fibrillation and restore sinus rhythm. (J Card Surg 2011;26:669‐672)


Molecular dynamic simulations on the liquid copper and tungsten are used to investigate the empirical entropy-scaling laws D*=A exp(BSex), proposed independently by Rosenfeld and Dzugutov for diffusion coefficient, under high pressure conditions. We show that the scaling laws hold rather well for them under high pressure conditions. Furthermore, both the original diffusion coefficients and the reduced diffusion coefficients exhibit an Arrhenius relationship DM=DM0 exp(−EM/KBT), ( M=un,R,D) and the activation energy EM increases with increasing pressure, the diffusion pre-exponential factors ( DR0 and DD0) are nearly independent of the pressure and element. The pair correlation entropy, S2, depends linearly on the reciprocal temperature S2=−ES/T, and the activation energy, ES, increases with increasing pressure. In particular, the ratios of the activation energies (Eun, ER, and ED) obtained from diffusion coefficients to the activation energy, ES, obtained from the entropy keep constants in the whole press...


Through a systematic investigation of the magnetization rotation and reversal in an exchange‐biased NiFe/MnIr film electrically detected by spin rectification effect (SRE), we experimentally demonstrate that this SRE DC voltage can be detected in the field‐swept spectra both at resonant and nonresonant conditions. The spectra show clear shifted hysteretic curves driven by exchange bias and a hysteresis loop is formed at applied magnetic field around exchanged bias field by the nonzero SRE DC voltage with sign change with the sweeping direction. More interestingly, we found that the voltage magnitude changes upon switching of magnetization can be greatly enhanced at resonance thereby suggesting an attractive approach to realize a highly sensitive method to measure exchange bias field. This experimental behavior can be interpreted within the framework of the near‐resonant spin rectification effect.


Growing numbers of lessors and airlines are accessing cheap cash in the capital markets each year. Joanna Vickers discusses the development of new platforms and funding structures.


This paper presents a feasibility study for a codified treatment of wind-induced dynamic response of tall buildings in Hong Kong. The most up-to-date code-based dynamic approach is used to evaluate alongwind and crosswind responses of three typical tall buildings under Hong Kong wind conditions. The results from this dynamic approach are then compared with those determined by the quasi-steady approach of the Code of Practice on Wind Effects Hong Kong–1983 (the Hong Kong wind loading code, thereafter). The serviceability performances are finally discussed in terms of human comfort criteria associated with acceleration response.


High-quality systematic literature reviews provide a systematic process for identifying, synthesizing, and critiquing multiple studies and, in turn, inform theory, research, practice, and policy. With a focus on special education systematic reviews, we propose four core principles (i.e., coherence, contextualization, generativity, and transparency) to guide scholars in conducting meta-analyses, systematic narrative reviews, and qualitative meta-syntheses. Specifically, we articulate how scholars can promote each of these principles at each stage of the review process to enhance the rigor, relevance, and credibility of their systematic review: (a) framing the problem and research questions; (b) planning procedures to identify, analyze, and synthesize studies; and (c) presenting and interpreting results. Last, we discuss future directions in light of issues of equity and approaches to bridge synthesis findings and practice and policy.


The analysis of Carbon Footprint (CF) for technology of hydrogen production from cleaned coke oven gas was performed. On the basis of real data and simulation calculations of the production process of hydrogen from coke gas, emission indicators of carbon dioxide (CF) were calculated. These indicators are associated with net production of electricity and thermal energy and direct emission of carbon dioxide throughout a whole product life cycle. Product life cycle includes: coal extraction and its transportation to a coking plant, the process of coking coal, purification and reforming of coke oven gas, carbon capture and storage. The values were related to 1 Mg of coking blend and to 1 Mg of the hydrogen produced. The calculation is based on the configuration of hydrogen production from coke oven gas for coking technology available on a commercial scale that uses a technology of coke dry quenching (CDQ). The calculations were made using ChemCAD v.6.0.2 simulator for a steady state of technological process. The analysis of carbon footprint was conducted in accordance with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).


The initiation process for the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran with (C6H5)3C+SbCl6− has been studied. Two mechanisms have been considered: a cation-addition process, and a process in which tetrahydrofuran donates a hydride ion to the cation of the initiator to form triphenylmethane. The biscarbonium salt [(C6H5)2C+C6H4CH2]2(SbCl6−)2 has been synthesized and used to initiate the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran. The results are consistent with the hydride-ion mechanism but may be inconclusive because of chain transfer. NMR experiments with 0.05–0.2M solutions of initiator in tetrahydrofuran show that triphenylmethane is rapidly produced in an amount equal to the molar amount of initiator originally present. Some NMR evidence for the presence of an acetal end group in the polymer has been obtained. It is concluded that the initiation process in this system definitely involves the formation of triphenylmethane, although a detailed, unique mechanism cannot be selected at this time.


Titanate nanoribbons and whisker were prepared via hydrothermal treatment of tetrabutyl titanate in a 10mol/L NaOH solution at 180℃and 150℃,respectively.Titanate nanotubes were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment(150℃) using natural rutile sand as the starting materials.The samples were characterized by SEM,TEM, and the results show that titanate whiskers are spherical-granular-shape in the SEM and tip-like with diameters of 1~3nm in the TEM;and titanate nanowires are multi-layered noodles shape with the width of 40~200nm,the lengths of 40μm and the space between layers of 0.8nm.Titanate nanotubes are observed with the diameters of 20nm and the lengths of 2μm.Transitional products are obtained in the titanate whisker,and titanate nanoplates are observed in the titanate nanowire.Their morphology structures combined with the relevant mechanism were demonstrated.


The main purpose of this research was to determine the agency theory in Indonesia capital market. The variable of agency conflict was represented by asset utility variable, while controlling the agency conflicts mechanism was represented by the managerial ownership, leverage, and dividend. The secondary data used in this research was drawn from the Indonesia Capital Market Directory (ICMD) and Blommberg. The sample data were limited at the manufacture companies and non-financial services, and they were listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). The research method approach used was quantitative method. The time period of the data was year to year from 2000 to 2011. The instrument of analysis was seemingly unrelated regression (SUR), with panel data and simultaneous model regression techniques. The result of this research was that the managerial ownership had a positive and significant effect on performance. Debt policy had a positive effect but not significant to performance, so 1b hypothesis was not accepted. Dividend policy had a positive and significant effect on performance. Simultaneously there was a substitution and interdependence relationship between the managerial ownership and debt policy. The relationship between two variables namely the managerial ownership and dividend policy could not be concluded.


Thirdly, Naccarato et al. [1] pointed out that, according to their single-case experience, the combination of dolutegravir and metformin should be avoided in elderly patients with sub-optimal renal function. However, looking at their Table 1, the patient had serum creatinine concentrations ranging from 65 to 70 mmol/l (0.7– 0.8 mg/L), thus hardly reflecting the presence of a clinically relevant kidney dysfunction. Remarkably, three out of the 15 patients in our cohort who are more than 65 years old and with serum creatinine concentrations ranging from 83 to 143 mmol/l (0.9–1.63 mg/l) showed an optimal tolerability to dolutegravir with metformin therapy. These results are in line with those by Masich et al. [5] reporting no cases of lactic acidosis in patients treated with this drug combination.


A s I try to recollect my state of mind when I first became seriously interested in the study of American history, I am struck by how naive and, in a sense, nonintellectual my initial commitment was. As an undergraduate history major in the mid-thirties, I had some exposure to Beard, Parrington, and Turner, but our standard reading fare ran more heavily to Channing, Rhodes, Oberholtzer, and the old American Nation Series than to the progressives. I was made only dimly aware that there was ferment within the profession. If I ever heard the term "historiography," which I doubt, it made no impression on me. I gained some basic knowledge-much of it ephemeral-from what I was obliged to read, but little inspiration. What first kindled my enthusiasm was the experience of working for two summers at Morristown Nation Historical Park.' There I was given the opportunity to construct my own understanding of incidents from the past by investigating primary sources and writing carefully documented research reports. I had found my vocation. Ever since, I have derived only occasional pleasure from reading history books-it is a necessary chore-but I have never ceased to be enthralled and excited by the process of discovery through original research, whatever the topic may be. Along the way, I have come to appreciate the importance of context, concepts, hypotheses, and perspective as essential aids to my explorations. Perhaps because it has been the joy of personal discovery that has motivated me-rather than a preoccupation with one specific aspect of American history-my career as a historian has not been all of one piece. I have pursued varied lines of inquiry as I have yielded to external influences, perceived obligations, or my own whims.2 This characterization is neither unusual nor does it require any apology. It is set forth merely to explain why I have so often drifted into and away from the field that is defined as "early American history." My decision to write my dissertation in that period was dictated by considerations of expediency. After completing my residence requirements for the doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in I 942, I spent


OBJECTIVES
To explore how former patients in dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) experience their treatment, and specifically if there were aspects of the treatment that they retrospectively identify as particularly meaningful, helpful or unhelpful.

DESIGN
From a larger sample of 75 former DBT-A patients 19 were selected for a qualitative semi-structured interview study.

METHODS
Young adults (N = 19; 18 females, one male), who as adolescents had been enrolled in DBT-A due to self-harming behaviours and features of borderline personality disorder, were interviewed up to 8 years (median 6.0; min 1.3; max 8.2) after end of treatment, at mean age 23 years (SD 2.5). Reflexive thematic analysis was implemented.

RESULTS
Six key themes were revealed; (1) The need to be seen, listened to and believed in, (2) the importance of teamwork between patient and therapist, (3) the value of group and structure, (4) therapy as lifesaving and life-changing, (5) the risks of feeling misplaced and (6) the risks of abrupt endings.

CONCLUSION
A trusting relationship with the therapist promoted commitment and motivation for treatment. This relationship was facilitated by the therapist showing explicit care and belief in the patient's own competence in changing their destructive behaviours. Meeting peers in group skill training offered a salient form of validation and was reported to be of particular value. The format of meeting peers and the importance of the dialectical therapeutic stance need to be studied further. Not all youth experienced DBT-A as suitable and the need for sufficient treatment dose was emphasized.


Myotis nigricans is a species of vespertilionid bat, whose males show two periods of total testicular regression during the annual reproductive cycle in the northwest São Paulo State, Brazil. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of total testicular regression on the prostatic morphophisyology and its regulation. The prostatic complex (PC) of animals from the four periods of the reproductive cycle (active, regressing, regressed, and recrudescence) was analyzed by different histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical procedures to characterize its variations, analyze its hormonal regulation and evaluate whether the prostate is affected by the processes of testicular regression and recrudescence. The results indicated a decrease in the prostatic parameters from the active to regressed periods, which are related to decreases in the testicular production of testosterone and in the prostatic expression of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor α (ERα) and aromatase. However, in regressed‐recrudescence periods, the prostatic expression of AR, ERα and aromatase increased, indicating the reactivation of the PC. Despite this, the PC appears to have a slower reactivation and seems not to follow the testicular recrudescence in morphological and morphometric terms. With these data, we demonstrate that the prostatic physiology is directly affected by total testicular regression and conclude that it is regulated by testosterone and estrogen, via the production of testosterone by the testes, its conversion to dihydrotestosterone by 5α‐redutase and to estrogen by aromatase, and the activation/deactivation of AR and ERα in epithelial cells, which regulate cell expression and proliferation. J. Morphol. 276:721–732, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


We have determined 28 relations between M ν , T eff and line depths ratios R λ1 /R λ2 . These relations have been used for the estimation of the absolute magnitudes M ν of 56 FGK supergiants with an error 0.05-0.30 mag (Table 1). The application range is F0-K0, luminosity classes I and II.


Abstract : A survey of the ADCOM dedicated secure voice system was conducted by representatives of the 1842 EEG in order to investigate and recommend corrective action for the present system which is no longer logistically supportable and has a quality of voice reproduction not acceptable for operational requirements. (Author)