SUMMARY
The Spitak earthquake of 1988 December 7 is the first well-documented event directly associated with surface breaks in the Transcaucasian regions of the USSR. The earthquake was located within the ESE-WNW oriented Pambak-Sevan thrust and fold zone corresponding to the southern front of the Lesser Caucasus. The mechanism of the earthquake is consistent with the nearly NS compressive tectonics due to the active continental collision between the Arabian block and the Russian Platform. The rupture is composed by several branches, two of which reach the surface. The first branch, oriented N140°, begins near the village of Alavar, has a length of 11 km and disappears at about 4 km SE of Spitak. It consists of a right lateral en echelon system of strike-slip faults, with a maximum offset of 50 cm. The second branch is the main one and breaks for about 8 km between Spitak and Gekhasar, with a general orientation N120°, showing reverse faulting dipping to the north with a right lateral component. Surface ruptures between Gekhasar and Spitak show either a narrow band of pressure ridges in alluvial deposits and soil, or a fault scarp in the bed rocks when soil is absent. Maximum displacements, observed between Spitak and Gekhasar, attain 160 cm of vertical motion and 90 cm of horizontal dextral offset. The displacement also varies within this branch, showing finer segmentation. Few secondary deformations are observed: some normal faults near Gekhasar correspond to the collapse of the uplifted block. An anticline fold, oriented parallel to the fault scarp and situated along its northwestern prolongation, emphasizes the regional compressive tectonics. Landslides were activated on its flanks. A 200 m long reverse fault break observed along the hinge of a secondary fold suggests the occurrence of a blind thrust at depth and that the hidden branches, which continue the main central segment towards the NW, are associated to surface folding. Therefore, the total length of the fault and fold zone is about 40 km in agreement with the rupture length and seismic moment obtained on the basis of surface wave modelling. Well-developed uplifted terraces in the northern block and subsiding valleys in the southern block indicate past Quaternary activity in the fault region. Palaeoseismological evidence of ancient earthquakes has been recognized in trenches across the Spitak fault. One old event occurred between 17 000 years BP and the beginning of the formation of present-day soil.


This experiment was carried out to establish the screening methods for the selection of Zantedeschia aethiopica cultivars resistant to calla lily soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. A center of leaf and petiole tissues of four Z. aethiopica cultivars were wounded and inoculated with three different inoculum concentrations, , , and , of EccNHRI-21 isolate. And they were evaluated at 4, 18, and 26 hours after inoculation. The lesion of maceration was developed well in the leaf tissues inoculated with concentration. And evaluation of resistance in 18 hours after inoculation was correlated with field resistance positively. Using this method, ten Z. aethiopica commercial cultivars and four wild types were screened. 'Crowbrough' and 'White Cutie' were selected as highly resistant genotypes and 'Mont Blanc' and 'Silky White' as resistant genotypes. 'Wedding March' and 'Kiwi Blush' were evaluated as moderate resistant and the others including 'Childsiana' were susceptible. And all of four wild types were evaluated as more than moderate resistant. In spite of control through cultural, biological and chemical methods, the use of resistant cultivars is most efficient to overcome calla lily soft rot. This newly developed screening method was helpful for breeding new varieties resistant to calla lily soft rot.


..\BSTR.\Cr. ..\ !l a fm.t step towards pre paring input of wind observetlons for nnmeeleal weather predtctlon work in tho ll\llian region. object h e au,rlh-bill of tho wind-Held has been mede on n number of ma!* nUnA: a '\"arialion of l'tt't'llman'& Scheme. The pr(lgTamnie was executed on the CDC 3600 computer edoptfng fl (6:1 X 17) grid in the region between 20~ to l OO°jo: ami the equa tor to 40~~. TIle stream line patterns obtained by objeotil'e analytlilS for three m81Jtl are compared 9gaillst conventional analysce. Yort icit~. patterns using th.8 wlml obtained from 11", ?bjcctive aUillYlIill IlTO presented. Root mean square error of the 11I~aIJo'!led wlnde, with reference to the etetton observettone it! Iound to he a1Hlut 8 1;.t. The stream fW1.C1tlOf\ petteme, 81 well lUI [jOU mb 2·. hours foreoeet based 01\ non-dlvergent barotropic mcdel with the objective t&1,tl tho eubjcctfve wind 1l"~I.)1ii,,, ns Inputs, do not show any eynopt. eally eigniflcant differences.


The phenomenon of a nonrandom distribution of mutations in a genome has been observed for many years. In fact, recent findings have indicated the presence of mutation clusters in different biological systems, including chemically treated yeast, transgenic mice, and human cancer cells. Until now, an asymmetrical distribution of mutations was only described in a single bacterial species. Here, we used ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis and a whole-genome sequencing approach to determine if this phenomenon is universal and not confined to Gram-negative bacteria. The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis was selected for ethyl methanesulfonate treatment, followed by the next-generation sequencing of several mutagenized B. subtilis genomes. A nonrandom distribution of mutations was observed. This pilot study with a limited number of sequenced clones may indicate not only the universality of the phenomenon of mutation clusters but also the effectiveness of the use of a whole-genome sequencing approach in studying this phenomenon.


AIMS
Cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an accepted ablation strategy for rhythm control in atrial fibrillation (AF). We describe efficacy and safety in a high volume centre with a long experience in the use of the second-generation CB (CB2).

METHODS AND RESULTS
Consecutive paroxysmal AF (PAF) or persistent AF (persAF) patients undergoing CB2-PVI were enrolled. Procedural data, efficacy, and safety issues were systematically collected. The 28 mm CB2 was used in combination with an inner lumen spiral catheter, a luminal oesophageal temperature (LET) probe was used with a cut-off of 15°C, the phrenic nerve (PN) monitored during septal PVs ablation. Freeze duration was mainly set at 240 s with a bonus application in case of delayed time-to-isolation (TTI > 75 s). A total of 1017 CB2 procedures were analysed (58% male, 66 ± 12 years old, 70% with PAF). 3964 PVs were identified, 99.8% PVs isolated using solely the 28 mm CB. Mean procedure time was 69 ± 25 min, TTI during the first application was recorded in 77% of PVs after a mean of 48 ± 31 s. We recorded 0.2% cardiac tamponade, 4.8% PN injury (1.6% of PN palsy), and 19% of LET < 15°C. Among 725 patients with follow-up data, 84% with PAF and 75% with persAF were in stable SR at 1 year. Shorter freezing duration and longer TTI were procedural predictors for recurrence.

CONCLUSION
Cryoballoon procedures are fast and associated with a benign safety profile. Shorter TTI and longer freeze durations are associated with sinus rhythm during follow-up.


We survey the state of the art in high-speed interfaces for video input to high performance computers and note the difficulty of providing video at rates appropriate to modem parallel computers. Most interfaces that have been developed to date are not scalable, required extensive hardware development, and impose a full frame time delay between the moment the camera captures video and the moment it is available for processing. We propose a solution, based on a simple interface we have developed, which has been integrated into the iWarp parallel computer developed by Carnegie Mellon University and Intel Corporation. The interface takes advantage of iWarp's systolic capabilities, does not impose any frame buffer delay time, was simple to design, and is readily scalable to provide up to 32 camera ports, from all of which data can be captured at full video rate, on a system that fits in a 19" 6LU rack. We have applied the system to multibaseline stereo vision, and provide performance figures. This research was partially supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense under contract number F19628-93-C-0171, ARPA Order Number A655, "High Performance Computing Graphics," monitored by Hanscom Air Force Base. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of ARPA, DOD, or the U.S. government.


In this article, Einstein–Maxwell space–time is considered in connection with some of the astrophysical solutions previously obtained by Tolman (1939) and Bayin (1978). The effect of inclusion of charge in these solutions is investigated thoroughly and the nature of fluid pressure and mass density throughout the sphere is discussed. Mass–radius and mass–charge relations are derived for various cases of the charged matter distribution. Two cases are obtained where perfect fluid with positive pressures gives rise to electromagnetic mass models such that gravitational mass is of purely electromagnetic origin.


The scope of the paper is to apply a state-of-the-art beyond mean-field model to the description of the Gamow-Teller response in atomic nuclei. This topic recently attracted considerable renewed interest, due, in particular, to the possibility of performing experiments in unstable nuclei. We study the cases of $^{48}$Ca, $^{78}$Ni, $^{132}$Sn and $^{208}$Pb. Our model is based on a fully self-consistent Skyrme Hartree-Fock plus random phase approximation. The same Skyrme interaction is used to calculate the coupling between particles and vibrations, which leads to the mixing of the Gamow-Teller resonance with a set of doorway states and to its fragmentation. We compare our results with available experimental data. The microscopic coupling mechanism is also discussed in some detail.


This inaugural issue of the Rice Creek Biological Field Station Bulletin is the first of a series of Bulletins to be produced with the aim of disseminating information developed by the students and staff of Rice Creek Biological Field Station. It is our intention to prepare the Bulletin as information becomes available with an initial goal of two issues a year. Each issue will contain the results of research on one community until the backlog of data developed since 1967 is exhausted. The type of project that produced the data in individual papers will be indicated so that the reader will be able to judge the merit of each research project. Some problems were developed by staff or as a Master's degree research thesis, others were independent studies and class projects by undergraduates and graduates.
Some rearrangement of data and narrative has been made to clarify the meaning for Bulletin readers, but in no case has the meaning been changed. The editorial tasks have fallen on Robert Shearer, the Rice Creek Biological Field Station Technical Specialist. Comments on any phase of the Bulletin are solicited and separates of articles are available upon request.--George Maxwell, Director Rice Creek Biological Field Station


Abstract : As a result of over 15 years of war, members of the military services have experienced unprecedented consequences related to the stresses of serving during this time. Early detection, characterization, and treatment of stress-related disorders is one of the highest priorities for the armed forces and military medical research, as a means of force health protection. One complementary intervention, laughter yoga (LY), has yet to be investigated in a military population but is a promising treatment for stress related disorders.


Risk Analysis of Red Onion Production in Songan B Village Kintamani District,Bangli Regency
Songan B Village is one of the villages that develop onion farming. Songan B villagehas farmer groups spread from the lowland to the highland areas. The problems facedare on the fluctuation of onion productivity which indicates that onion farming facesproduction risk. This study aimed to identify the types of risks and analyze the risk ofonion production. This research used quantitative and qualitative analysis. The resultsshowed that the types of production risks encountered in onion farming in the highlandand lowland areas in the village of Songan B, namely climatic conditions, pest, anddisease attacks. The risk of onion production in the highland areas (KV = 3.09) andlowland areas (KV = 2.46) was relatively high, where the level of risk of onionproduction in the highland areas was greater than that in the lower regions. This is dueto the expected production, variant, and standard deviation of onion productivity in thehighland areas is greater than that in the lower regions. The suggestion that can be givenin this research is that farmers need to recognize the types of production risks faced inorder to anticipate production decline.


The subject of the presented paper is to offer partial outputs from realized research in the perception of professional prowess. Professional proficiency is represented by two areas. On the one hand, it is about belief in their own ability to act on the development of pupils, on the other hand i tis about evaluating the potential of teaching to overcome external factors that are part of the educational process. The aim of realized research was to determine the perceived professional proficiency in group of teachers begginers in the Slovak Republic. Teacher-beginner is in educational theory and practice in education seen as a teacher who has not yet achieved professional stabilization and it is necessary to provide him continuous technical assistance, generally through introducing teacher. The most common tool for identifying the perceived fitness teacher is Teacher Efficacy Scale (TES), Gibson ́s and Dembo ́s from 1984. This is a research tool through which the teacher expresses its belief in the capability to address and manage a teaching situation. Through the research instrument it is possible to detect characteristics of the teacher in various stages of the teaching profession. The original questionnaire TES was adapted to Slovak Environment (Gavora, 2011). This questionnaire TES was also used in our research, which aimed was to identify the perceived professional profeiciency beginning teacher.


Abstract : Models of three buoys were tested. In these tests, the effects of both waves and currents were simulated. Two buoys were models of ones already in service, one was a model of a buoy currently under development. As a result of the tests, a single-point mooring configuration for the new, CANUN buoy was developed. Of particular interest during the study was the visibility of the buoys in various sea and current conditions. The test results were used to predict the fraction of time that the buoys remained within 2, 3 and 4 deg of vertical. Over all current conditions and sea states the CANUN with the new, single-point moor remained most vertical.


Most consumer electrical appliances are designed to operate within a standardized voltage band of ± 10% of the nominal 230V which meets the approved limits in the UK [1]. Efficient operation of these appliances requires they operate at the nominal voltage. However, the challenge of above or below nominal voltage supply creates a less efficient usage of these appliances. Operating these electrical devices above the required optimum voltage for example, does not increase the performance but rather causes increase in losses leading to higher bills and carbon emissions. These losses are generally in the form of heat and contribute to insulation breakdown and shortened lifespan of the appliance. The quality of supply voltage is a function of the power quality. A fairly constant voltage output is desired for the optimum operation of electrical appliances in homes and industries. The European Union's directive on low voltage stipulates a tolerable range of voltage fluctuations acceptable for normal system operation.


Boron carbide thin films have been synthesized via pulsed laser deposition process using Spark Plasma Sintered (SPSed) and dual-targets, respectively. Two kinds of structural evolutions have been found by investigation of bonding environments in as-deposited thin films via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study. With decreasing of B/C ratio, films deposited from SPSed-target show the transformation of B11C-CBB → B11C-CBC. In contrast, the films deposited from dual-target present the B11C-CBB → B10C2-CBB structural change.


Community activity is the civic activities for disaster prevention, an environmental beautification, etc., and is important for development of the community. It is necessary to solve the relation between people's connection and social phenomena, such as "free rider." Although Yamada et al. proposed the community activity formation model which modeled the influence from an individual internal motive and neighborhood, the diversity of people's relation is not taken into consideration. This research proposes the model which introduced network structure. We observe the relation between the network feature and activity, and the influence of a person having high centrality. Experimental results showed that the network which average shortest path is small, the network having the scale-free property, and the network having a leader suitable based on the network structure are important elements for increasing participants of community activities.


Grain size-dependent trends of concentration and isotopic composition have been observed for a number of refractory elements, among which, Sr and Ba, in aggregates of SiC grains with different sizes (e.g., [1, 2]). It has been proposed that the cause of these trends is ion implantation into SiC grains and that the implantation efficiency of a nuclide depends on its ionic radius and ionization potential (IP) [3]. Consequently, this model would predict that Cs and Ba were coimplanted into SiCs. We obtained abundances of the two p-process isotopes, 130Ba and 132Ba, in 12 mainstream SiCs. By comparing their abundances with respect to that of 135Ba, we conclude that there is no measurable decay of 135Cs to 135Ba (t1/2=2.3 Ma) in individual SiC grains, indicating condensation of Ba, but not of Cs, which would allow 135Cs to decay into SiC grains. In a study of correlated Sr and Ba isotopes in single acidcleaned mainstream SiC grains using Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS) [4], we obtained Sr/Ba atomic and isotopic ratios in ~90 SiCs (all the isotopes of the two elements were measured simultaneously). Both Sr and Ba were well saturated with the laser intensities used in this study, which indicates that they have the equal relative sensitivity factors in this analysis and can be compared quantitatively. The maximum Sr/Ba ratio measured in the grains (~25) matches the predicted ratio (~30) in the convective envelope of AGB stars, indicating that both elements were incorporated into the SiCs by the same process, condensation. However, the grains show a range of lower Sr/Ba ratios extending down to ~0.3, suggesting lower condensation efficiency of Sr (e.g., lower condensation temperature) into SiC grains than that of Ba. On the other hand, Sr and Ba both belong to Group 2 elements (alkaline metals) and therefore have similar ionic radii. If Sr were implanted into SiC grains, Ba would be implanted with even higher efficiency because of its lower IP. The range and maximum of Sr/Ba ratios observed favor condensation into SiCs rather than implantation.


Disclosed is a folded steel plate such that crest sections consisting of upper flange surfaces at the upper end, and trough sections consisting of lower flange surfaces at the lower end, are alternately and continuously provided, with webs therebetween. Two long support members are installed in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the edge lines of the folded steel plate, thereby supporting the lower portion of the folded steel plate. A loading disk 80 mm in diameter is placed on the folded steel plate. Sinking amounts of the loading disk are measured while changing loads applied to the loading disk. The results are represented by a curve generated by plotting measured values on a graph where loads are taken on the vertical axis and sinking amounts of the loading disk are taken on the horizontal axis. In this respect, the folded steel plate is characterized in that the curve consists of positive slopes only or a mixture of positive slopes and zero-degree slopes, at all times until the maximum load is reached.


New research dispels the idea that the housing market will eventually self-correct, write KATH HULSE and TERRY BURKE OWNING a place of your own has been an entrenched part of Australian culture since Federation but the Australian Dream seems increasingly unattainable. The latest in a long line of depressing statistics about the difficulties of buying a home are figures from the Real Estate Institute of Australia which show that in major cities like Melbourne, a household on averages wages is unable to afford to buy a median priced house. Explanations of why we are experiencing these problems often assume that we have a relatively short-term problem. They boil down to economic factors: too much demand and too little supply. Some people suggest that housing markets will ultimately self correct through declining house prices and, however unpalatable this may be to those who already own, this will help people wanting to buy and deal with affordability problems. The lessons from overseas are that this, in itself, may not address the problem and may in fact worsen it. In places like Japan and Hong Kong, where housing prices have fallen markedly in recent times, these declines triggered a lack of confidence in housing markets and the rate of home ownership fell quite significantly. Recent research by Associate Professor Judith Yates and Dr Vivienne Milligan for the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) suggests that we don't have a short-term cyclical problem; we have a more fundamental structural problem which began in about 1970. Yates and Milligan show that the 'deposit gap' for full-time workers on average earnings buying a median price Australian house has been trending upwards for almost four decades, notwithstanding cyclical changes in real estate prices over that time. Some of the reasons for this long term trend can be found outside of the housing market. For example, changes in labour markets since the 1970s mean that many people no longer have the secure and predicable income that is needed to repay a housing loan over a long period. We have seen tremendous changes in investment patterns in Australia with prolonged investment in residential property, with investors sometimes vying with purchasers for the same properties. Our cities have been reshaped due to intense demand to live in well located inner urban areas. A consequence is that more people are renting, some people are renting for long periods. Research has demonstrated unequivocally that renters are more likely to experience housing stress and that this stress can be very intense, defined in terms of how much of their income goes on rent. If we have a long term not a cyclical problem, what sort of solutions should we be looking at? How can we go beyond some of the measures already being put in place by the Rudd Government, such as release of government-owned land, funding for infrastructure to encourage new supply, and a new scheme to attract institutional investment into affordable rental housing? Let's start with tax. A lot of people have made a sizeable capital gain on their home which they did nothing to earn, apart from being in the right place at the right time - and it is completely untaxed. If introducing at least part taxation of capital gains from home ownership is taboo, let's think about turning stamp duty into something more sensible. Stamp duty at its current levels isn't really a tax on a real estate purchase transaction anyway. Why not levy it on sale when it could operate as a de facto capital gains tax and work out a sensible graduated rate. Then, let's have a look at negative gearing which is essentially applied to turnover of existing housing and arguably has added to competition among house buyers and helped inflate prices. This could be restructured to send signals about additions to supply with preferential rates for those prepared to invest in new housing. Urban and regional policies could also make a difference. Whilst measures to speed up the supply of housing on the urban fringe may meet some of the demand, they won't address the problem of intensity of demand in inner urban areas with better transport and amenities because cities like Melbourne have only one centre. Moving to a multi-centre city might be part of the answer. This would mean perhaps two or three other nodes in Melbourne, which are the focus of concentrated investment in employment, transport and amenities and which will attract residents. The same argument could apply to some regional centres. More radically, perhaps, we might accept that many people will rent, as in other large cities around the world like New York. This might work if we were able to break down some of the distinctions between owning and renting in which only owners get the major breaks, such as security, privacy, the capacity to personalise their homes, and to plan if and when they want to move. It may be possible to provide some of these benefits to renters as well without frightening off investors. The research is clear that many investors in rental housing are not in it for the short term; they see this as a long term investment, often as part of their planning for old age. In brief, the current crisis in housing affordability is part of longer term and structural changes in Australia's economy and society. Solutions will need to cover a range of policy areas, including urban and regional policy, and will require radical rethinking about the great Australian Dream. Kath Hulse and Terry Burke are researchers at the Institute of Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology. This article first appeared in the Age. Photo: Andrew Jeffrey


Based on the present situation of ecological industry chains in Anhui cocoon and silk industry, this article analyzed main factors, benefit-based relationships of principal participants, basic characteristics and key sections of its ecological chains and main problems as well. Finally, it gave some effective suggestions for policy-makers to promote and optimize cocoon-silk industry chains of Anhui province.


The title of this study is "Lean Manufacturing Implementation: A Study on the
Development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at an Aerospace Manufacturing
Company". The purpose of this study is to focus on the issue of the KPIs development
which is linked to the goal, objective, mission and vision of CTRM Aero Composite
Sdn Bhd. The KPIs are targeted to provide this company with a good performance
measurement tools in supporting the success of their Lean Manufacturing journey and
to be cost-competitive.
The aim of all these efforts is to achieve the company's expectation of a positive
gross profit around 30% of turnover and also a rise in their profit before tax around 5%
of turnover.
In this study, a set of KPIs measured both objectively and subjectively are
developed through a comprehensive extensive literature (case study reports), internal
benchmark activities and best practices benchmark in KPIs implementation process
flow by visiting a non - competitor company followed by a two days workshop where
company KPIs had been identified and created through brainstorming and group
discussions.
The other objective of this study is to learn and investigate the current
communication gap at all level by using semi-structure interview and focus group
discussion. A standard reporting report was also created to overcome this
communications issue by having each person in each level to review and reports their
standard operation to their subordinates regularly based on the decided frequency. The
outcomes of KPIs implementation was tested in Strategic Development Department
(SDD) and Manufacturing Operation 82 Department that have been chosen as the pilot
area of the study.
As· a company that has been implementing Lean Manufacturing, this study also
assess the level of achievement of lean implementation efforts before and after the
development of KPIs by using RAG (Red Amber Green) status to see the linkage
between them. Subsequently, a new Lean House has also been constructed focusing on
the new KPIs so that the lean manufacturing programme will be aligned with it.
Lastly, the significance and the contributions of the study followed by limitations
and the recommendations for future works were discussed in the end of this research.


The invention discloses an extraction process for collagen of channel catfish skin, which comprises the following steps: firstly, impure protein of channel catfish skin scrape is removed, then channel catfish skin is decolorized, and finally breaking treatment, enzyme hydrolysis, enzyme inactivation, concentration treatment, low-temperature drying and grinding treatment are carried out on channel catfish skin to obtain the finished products. The extraction process finely and further processes and comprehensively utilizes the channel catfish skin scrape; the purity of extracted collagen II type product can reach more than 90%; the effect of scrape additional value is specially obvious; the product has wide usage scope; the whole extraction process does not have heavy metal proof, residual medicine, is healthy and safety; after being processed, the product does not have plane-source environment and water source pollution; and the extraction process flow and the device needed by the process flow are simple and have low manufacturing cost.


An instrument is described which measures the capacitance–voltage (C–V) and conductance–voltage (G–V) characteristics of solar cells in the dark and under illumination and other semiconductor junction devices in the capacitance range of 2–200 000 pF. The instrument is also provided with the facility for DLTS measurements.


Poly-γ-glutamate(PGA)is a kind of peptide containing lots of free carboxyl,and has the ability of coordination with heavy metal ions.Theoretically,it can be used in the treatment of wastewater containing heavy metals.In this study,through immobilization technology PGA was immobilized in sodium alginate(SA)microgel to realize the effective adsorption of Pb2+and Cd2+.Fourier infrared spectrum(FT-IR)and scanning electron microscope(SEM)were used to analyze SA-PGA resin by verifying the fixation of PGA and speculating the adsorption mechanism.Adsorption amount of Pb2+and Cd2+gotten from Langmuir thermodynamic model were243.90 and 122.34mg·g-1,respectively.The resin still kept good adsorption efficiency after several adsorptiondesorption circulation(dilute hydrochloric acid was used as elution buffer).The SA-PGA resin has the application value of treating heavy metal wastewater.


The 2008 financial crisis is an evolution phase of the financial market in the thorough financial deregulation procedure that started at the end of the 1970s. After that, the bank capital requirements of the US have been revised in various significant ways, the goal of which is to support the banking system and decrease the potential of another crisis. The notion is that banks change to follow the business model of securitization and embrace social corporate responsibility more rigorously. Given what happened during the crisis, the Basel II Accord has been criticized. This paper will analyze the changes in the internal management and supervision of banks from the perspective of Basel reform, and explore the causes of the financial crisis and the deficiency in bank governance. Apart from that, three areas of banking industry, including capital structure, assets management and administering of credit risk, are demonstrated. According to the results, the banks have raised capital requirements, increased bank liquidity, reduced bank leverage, constantly evolved and found new ways to keep adequate performance level. At the same time, corruption in bank lending is effectively controlled. This paper further discusses the post-crisis measures in the banking sector, and demonstrates that the regulators need to consider the banks' expansion and the increase of their capital level.


The critical initiation energy of PBX-9404 was recalculated from thin- foil initiation data by a method that depends upon the lengthening of tae excess transit time as the initiation foil kinetic energy approaches the critical initiation energy. The method was then used to calculate the critical initiation energy from some thin-foil initiation experiments on recently manufactured PBX9404, hot pressed to a density of 1.842 Mg/m/sup 3/. The critical energy value for the recently manufactured PBX-9404 is 644 plus or minus 17 kJ/m/sup 2/ compared to 595; 46 kJ/m/sup 2/ calculated for the older data. (auth)


AIM
The aim of this paper was to report a study which explored the information-seeking behaviour of patients newly diagnosed with cancer in the immediate postdiagnosis period.

BACKGROUND
Information is an important tool for cancer patients. There is evidence that patients' information needs are not being adequately met and, in many cases, patients often do not recall much information at the time of diagnosis.

METHOD
Using a grounded theory approach, a theoretical sample of 27 newly diagnosed patients was interviewed in their own homes. Data were analysed using grounded theory analysis procedures.

RESULTS
A substantive theory describing the transitions from 'being traumatized' by the diagnosis, through a phase of trying to 'take it on', through to 'taking control' is tentatively offered. It provides a theoretical framework to understand newly diagnosed cancer patients' changing, varied and continuing needs and their efforts to regain some control over their lives. Their information-seeking behaviour seemed a journey of 'never-ending making sense' with ongoing discovery and new information needs as they struggled with the effects of the disease and treatments.

CONCLUSIONS
The processes and stages identified in this study provide nurses with a framework to assess the readiness of patients to receive information and to assist them in their efforts to regain some control over their disease and their lives.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
Health professionals need to be aware of these stages, to be equipped to assess the need of individuals for information and support.


Antlers are unique structures because they grow rapidly and are cast annually, representing an important energetic and mineral cost for deer. Variables related to the timing of antler growth, such as date of antler casting and length of growth period, therefore, should be affected by somatic resources and availability of food. We examined the effects of body and antler weight, age, and climatic variables, on antler casting date and the period of time antlers were grown as well as possible random effects of individual, year, cohort, and pedigree, based on 244 antlers in a population of 109 males of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus) over a 17-year study from 1999 to 2016. Body weight affected casting date, with heavier males casting antlers earlier than lighter males. Antlers also grew faster and were cast earlier among older males than young males. Antler weight influenced casting date and the duration of the growth period: males with heavier antlers cast them earlier and grow them faster than males with light antlers. Nevertheless, age and antler weight interacted; as such, older males grew their antlers slower and delay casting date because they produce heavier antlers, in contrast to younger males, where those with the heaviest antlers grow them faster and cast first. The date of the end of antler growth also influenced casting date, so that antlers that took the longest to develop were cast later than those that finished growing early. We conclude that older and heavier males cast their antlers earlier and grow them faster than younger and lighter males, likely to correlate the subsequent antler growth with the spring peak in plant nutrients, but that this early development is limited physiologically by the size of the antlers.


In order to develop an precision aerial pesticide application system to be attached to an unmanned helicopter which can be applied to small lots of land, this study analyzed the flowing and spraying characteristics of the spray droplets by the main rotor downwash by setting the application conditions at the flight altitude of 3 m, the diameter of main rotor of 3.1 m, the boom length of around 2.8 m, and the spraying rate of 8 L/ha. The results of this study are summarized below. Through analysis of the covering area ratio of the spray droplets by main rotor downwash by nozzle type, boom with tilt angle and height, it was found that the covering area ratio of the twin flat-fan nozzle of around 25% was more uniform than other types of nozzle, also boom with 10° tilt angle and spraying height of 3 m was shown to be the appropriate conditions for aerial application of pesticides. It was found that the nozzle position to minimize the scattering loss of spray droplets due to vortex phenomenon at both ends of the main rotor was around 10 cm from the end of the main rotor. An application test for the aerial pesticide application system attached to the HUA-ACEI unmanned helicopter developed by the Rural Development Administration showed that the range of covering area ratio of the spray droplets was 10-25%, and the spraying width was approximately 7 m when over 10% of covering area ratio was considered for valid spraying.


The use of flexible pressure sensors has significantly advanced and improved human life. However, several issues are hindering their applicability such as the difficulty to achieve high sensitivity over a wide pressure measurement range. Herein, a one-step foaming method and hydrothermal approach were used to fabricate a three-dimensional conductive porous foam comprising polyurethane, carbon nanotube, and polyaniline. The sensor exhibits excellent electrical conductivity due to its cellular foam structure, while its high durability enables a large response output across an extremely broad range (0–30 000 kPa). The sensor also exhibits exceptional stability over 1000 loading/unloading cycles, a fast response time of 80 ms, and high sensitivity of 0.019 53 kPa−1 (0–200 kPa), 0.126 48 kPa−1 (200–5000 kPa), and 0.038 85 kPa−1 (5000–30 000 kPa). Furthermore, rational material selection and structural design allows the sensor to monitor low- to high-signal stimuli, thereby providing a reference for the design of other large-scale sensors.


Courts should and eventually will adopt modern information systems that allow all transactions presently occurring on paper to be conducted and reviewed electronically. The widespread deployment and interconnection of such systems will pose dramatic opportunities and challenges for artificial intelligence and law. This paper describes an early effort to build a distributed system for computer-mediated litigation, and explores some of the issues involved in the intelligent use of such a system.


The anti-pyretic activity of a standardized metha- nol/water (50/50) extract of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (SEOS) was investigated for its effect on normal body tem- perature and yeast-induced pyrexia in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The SEOS showed no effect on normal body tempera- ture. Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of SEOS significantly reduced the yeast-induced elevation in body temperature. This effect persisted up to 4 h following the ad- ministration of the extract. The anti-pyretic effect of SEOS was comparable with that of paracetamol (acetaminophen in U.S) (150 mg/kg p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent. HPLC study revealed that rosmarinic acid, sinensetin, eupatorin and tetramethoxyflavone were present in SEOS in the amounts of 7.58 %, 0.2 %, 0.34 % and 0.24 % respectively. The LD50 of the extract in rats was higher than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Therefore, the present study ascertained that SEOS possesses a significant anti-pyretic activity.


The research purpose is to analyze how block‐based programming, introduced in parallel with classical school education, will be an effective tool for developing environmental awareness among students. The research proposes a well‐developed theoretical program on environmental literacy and a practical Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) project creating an eco‐house model with a weather station and alternative energy sources in a regular secondary school in Shanghai. The sample involved school students of the seventh grade, equally divided into two groups: the control group (learnt only a theoretical program) and the experimental group (learnt both a theoretical program and a practical STEM project). At the end of the school year, students passed an environmental literacy test. The differences between the control and experimental groups were statistically significant. The experimental group has the advantage in all parameters: it has the highest scores and a large number of students who showed a high and very high level of knowledge. The results prove the methodology effectiveness of the experimental group in terms of developing sensitivity to the environment, cognitive abilities, ecological analysis, and preserving the environment. It was found that overall academic performance correlates significantly with both test scores and project scores. The highest scores were for the project, which indicates the effectiveness of block‐based programming in the learning of the experimental group, their implementation of new ideas based on the acquired knowledge, success in decision‐making, and experience that went beyond previous achievements.


Purpose and Motivation: Engineering plays a key role in supporting the growth and development of a country's economy as well as in improving the quality of life for citizens. Most of developed countries witnessed economic growth with the contribution of women in engineering field. In developing countries like India women remained under-utilized resource. Women in engineering are probably the single best investment that can be made in the developing world. There is clearly room for improvement – not only in recruiting women into engineering, but also in retaining and promoting those women who wish and do enter the profession. This study was designed to investigate a perception and determination of undergraduate women towards accessing Engineering Education. The study has highlighted women's perceptions and experiences on accessing engineering education through institute's Marketing Mix strategies which enables women to take up strategic positions to enjoy success in engineering education and career. Findings of this study revealed that women students in engineering are better satisfied and act of referring services/program to others is higher than men students in terms of numbers for a particular set of marketing mix applied to gender. Research Methodology: A quantitative research survey through a structured questionnaire for the students who are studying or have recently completed their engineering education from reputed engineering institutes affiliated to the North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon was conducted. Findings: The study discloses women's approach to engineering education in terms of marketing mix; program, price, place, promotion, people, physical evidence and process. Women tended to rate most the marketing criteria as having a higher level of importance than men. Women needed more communal support while making decision making of selection of engineering education. Research Limitations: The survey is delimited to the engineering education belonging to North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon and Khandesh region, a rural part of India. Practical Implications: Findings of the study will be useful for the institutes and direct and indirect service providers of engineering education in developing a communication program and should be utilized and integrated into all aspects of the marketing program to attract women in engineering. KEY FINDINGS (1) Women enrolled in engineering programs are likely completely satisfied on their decision of selection of engineering institute than male students for the same marketing approaches offered by the engineering institutions. The statistical findings showed that if one male student is satisfied, one and one third (1.3) female students will satisfy for the same marketing mix offered by the engineering institutions. (2) Similarly, female students are more likely to be loyal and more likely to do more mouth publicity than male students. If one male student act as reference to other students then, 1.40 female students will act as a reference for admission on the same marketing mix of the institute.


This research aims to design and implement the Simple Network Management Network Protocol (SNMP) for network management which is implemented directly at the Information Technology and Telecommunications Technical Implementation Unit (UPT TIK), Riau University. The monitoring system is part of the network management system, which is a system that functions to assist network administrators in monitoring and controlling network devices. The development of this system uses the PHP programming language and the MySQL database management system. From the results of system testing and analysis, it is found that the monitoring and network management systems that have been designed can run well in monitoring network devices. The system is designed to display the information needed in network management in the form of up / down status and traffic on network devices. The system is also equipped with an alert feature in the form of a sound notification on the system if the device status is down.


The treatment of open wounds is a daily challenge in veterinary medicine. During the past years, a special treatment option, the Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), has been developed. Usage of this therapy significantly increases the healing rate of open wounds as well as free skin grafts in small animals. This review describes the mechanisms of action, indications as well as the known complications associated with this therapy.


We have studied the lattice dynamical properties of oriented Pb(Sc0.5Nb0.25Ta0.25)O3 (PSNT) thin films by micro-Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range of 80–450 K. An anomalous temperature dependence of the integrated intensity and Raman linewidths was found near the diffuse phase transition. The phonon lifetime analysis indicates strong damping of A1g mode phonons near the transition. This analysis falls into two regimes: below the transition an increase in the lifetime with very small activation energy (Ea∼0.001 eV) is found, and above the transition an increase in the lifetime with higher activation energy (Ea∼0.018 eV) is fitted. Although the activation energy calculated from the dielectric loss spectra matched within a factor of 3 with the phonon lifetime energy calculations at all temperatures, we interpret these data as non-equilibrium phenomena due to a relaxation bottleneck in a glassy system (Littlewood and Rammal 1988 Phys. Rev. B 38 2675). Whenever activation energy is fitted, one should suspect such processes, and they are known in polyvinylidene fluoride (Zhang 1998 Science 280 2101; Scott 2006 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 18 7123). The new data provide a new way of characterizing non-equilibrium processes in relaxors.


I enthusiastically accepted the invitation from Dr Punjabi, the principal of G N College of Arts, Science & Commerce in Mumbai, to give (i) a presentation to academics involved with teaching mathematics and statistics to undergraduates and (ii) a lecture to undergraduates reading statistics for business, management, accountancy and finance, both on 16 December 2010. My presentation was at 11.30 a.m. and the theme was 'Improving the engagement and enhancing the learning experience of mathematics and statistics undergraduates'. It was attended by 53 delegates from various colleges of the University of Mumbai.


This study aims to see the errors of knowledge construction when students solve algebra problems. To get the subject of research conducted exploration to class VII students with given algebra task sheet in the form of analogy. Through Think out load method is enhanced by interview obtained verbal data. The results showed that the characteristics of algebraic construction errors in students include: no analogical reasoning, mistake in assimilation and accommodation, and happened pseudo thinking. In addition, mistakes were found in assimilation and accommodation of relationships and strategies.


Abstract Background There are no data on usefulness of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) as a marker of patient's fluid status in preeclampsia. The objective was to examine potential correlation between ONSD and lung ultrasound estimates of extravascular lung water in severe preeclampsia. Patients and methods Thirty patients with severe preeclampsia were included. Optic and lung ultrasound were performed within 24 hours from delivery. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the globe. Lung ultrasound Echo Comet Score (ECS) was obtained summing B-lines ("comet tails") in parasternal intercostal spaces bilaterally. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between ONSD and ECS (p < 0.05 significant). Results Median ONSD was 5.7 mm (range 3.8–7.5 mm). Median ECS value was 19 (range 0-24). Statistically significant correlation was found between ONSD and ECS (r2 = 0.464; p < 0.001). Conclusions Significant correlation between ONSD and ECS suggests optic ultrasound could be used for assessing fluid status and guiding peripartum fluid therapy in patients with severe preeclampsia.


The article is concerned with the problems of formation and development of institutional provision of the financial market. The relevance of the problem is caused by the relationship of formal and informal norms of economic processes and phenomena, the understanding of which provides the key to achieving the effectiveness of the financial market development. Understanding the essence of institutional provision of the financial market and the factors of its formation and development makes it possible to make more informed and effective decisions in the sphere of financial market development. The article is aimed at substantiating the conceptual approaches to the structuring of institutional provision of the financial market. It is substantiated that institutional provision of the financial market includes both formal and informal institutions. The formal institutions, in turn, consist of institutions-organizations and institutions-norms. The factors of occurrence of institutional deformations in the financial market are systematized. The institutions of the financial market are structured, in particular, in the composition of the institutions-norms the authors allocate the formal (international legal framework for concluding and implementing agreements in financial markets, national regulatory framework for concluding and implementing agreements in financial markets, norms of related national and international law, ensuring the conclusion and implementation of agreements in financial markets) and the informal norms (norms stipulated by religion, informal agreements and conspiracies between the financial market participants, unofficial (shadow) markets for the conclusion and implementation of financial agreements). In the composition of institutions-organizations the authors allocate the institutions-buyers of financial resources; institutions – sellers of financial resources; institutions that serve the functioning of institutions-sellers and institutions – buyers of financial resources; institutions-regulators. The institutional provision of the financial market is structured and the relationship between institutions-norms, institutions-rules and the State is defined. The principles of institutional provision of the financial market are substantiated and its functions are defined.


Purpose:This study investigated factors affecting recurrent wheezing in infants, focusing on whether or not respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children <3 years of age induce recurrent wheezing later in life. Methods:The inclusion criteria were children <3 years of age who were hospitalized for an RSV infection from January 2006 to December 2009. We evaluated lateral flow immunochroma- tography (RSV Respi-Strip test). Subjects with at least three episodes of physician-verified whee- zing were defined as recurrent wheezers. A group of 79 children hospitalized with RSV infections were compared with a matched control group. The following data were collected: age, gender, admis- sion duration, gestational age, obesity, history of atopic dermatitis, parental history of allergic diseases, exposure to passive smoking, exposure to indoor animals, and daycare attendance. Results:Rates of obesity and exposure to passive smoking were significantly higher in the RSV group than those in the control group. The frequency of recurrent wheezing in the RSV group (39.2 %) was higher than that in the control group (10.1%). Compared to the control group, recurrent wheezing occurred 5.76 times more often in the RSV group, 2.49 times more often in males, and 2.41 times often in patients with a parental history of allergic diseases. Conclusion:The results demonstrated that RSV infection is significantly associated with recur- rent wheezing, and that the risk is higher in male children and in children with a parental history of allergic diseases. (Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis(Korea) 2011;21:319-325)


This study describes the development of a self access internet based English module to support Student Centred Learning (SCL) of Engineering Education. The study presents two out of three cyclical stages of a developmental reseach approach, the Needs Analysis and Design and Development of the module. The learners' need was determined from 63 engineering undergraduates learning styles and used in information presentations and selections of learning activities for the module. The module development was structured according to ADDIE Instructional Design Model. Three learning theories, behaviourist, cognitivist and particularly constructivist were used in designing the module User Interface (UI). The integration of technology to foster learners' active engagement in SCL environment implicates a concrete need of ESL educators' technological competence; thus, an emphasis on technology driven continuous professional development is advocated.


Purpose The treatment of C2 fractures with collar, halo or surgery can all be justified depending on the patient. In our unit, primary treatment is with a halo: in a previous study presented at BASS we found an 85% fusion rate. In a follow on study, we wished to assess the outcome in those patients who underwent surgical treatment. Methods The discharge logbook was examined retrospectively to identify patients who had posterior instrumentation for C2 fractures from 2008-2010 inclusive. Discharge summaries, clinic letters and radiology images/reports from PACS were analysed to obtain data regarding primary treatment, outcome, necessity for delayed treatment and radiological evidence of union. Results Seven patients were identified who had surgery for C2 fracture. All 7 patients were treated with C1 and C2 lateral mass screws. In two of these patients additional lateral mass screws were inserted at C3. Due to patient preference, three of the seven patients underwent operative fixation without prior treatment in a halo. All three patients had evidence of bony union at the fracture site on subsequent radiological follow up. The remaining four patients were initially treated in a halo and had delayed surgery. After surgery two of these four patients had radiological evidence of bony union at the fracture site, one remained non-united and one patient has not yet been fully assessed. Conclusions In this small series, operative fixation for C2 fracture lead to bony union at the fracture site in 5 out of 6 cases where full follow up was available. Interestingly, bony union at the fracture site may be an achievable objective even when surgery has been delayed or is not the primary treatment.


Medical theory from the understanding of hyperlipidemia,liver lipid but the source of qi,clinical medicine and analysis describes the use of Shugan Professor Yu Rui fat experience treating hyperlipidemia.


A national survey found that Americans' sense of urgency about HIV/AIDS as a national health problem has fallen dramatically. A review of government and foundation reports is used to emphasize the continuing extent of the epidemic in New York State and the United States. The emphasis is on the need for dentists to consider modifications for dental services, given the reality that many individuals with HIV/AIDS are living longer.


We proposed a new approach to compare profiles when the correlations among attributes can be represented as a tree. To account for these correlations, the profile is extended with new bits corresponding to the internal nodes of the tree, which encode the correlations. An ad hoc scoring scheme is adopted for measuring the similarity among these extended profiles, and the scores thus obtained are then provided to a classifier -a support vector machine using a polynomial kernel function -for classification. The effectiveness of the proposed scoring scheme is assessed by the classifier's improved accuracy. As an application the method is used to classify proteins into their functional families based on the phylogenetic profiles It is shown that the performance is much improved than using simple hamming distances and is also better than using a Bayesian based tree kernel.


This work investigated the morphological behavior of an acrylate-based metallo-supramolecular polymer system. RAFT (reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer) polymerization techniques were used to synthesize low molar mass, linear prepolymers of n-butyl acrylate and a 2,6-bis(1′-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine–acrylate monomer (MeBIP–Ac) of varying concentration (2–10%). This synthesis incorporated a systematic increase of cross-link points (MeBIP ligands) pendent to the polymer backbone. A zinc(II) salt (Zn(ClO4)2) complexed with the pendent MeBIP ligands in a 1:2 ratio to form cross-linked polymers as free-standing films. The morphology of the neat films as well as those with added unbound MeBIP–zinc–MeBIP metal–ligand (ML) complex were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), HAADF-STEM (high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM), and ...


Retained Intraocular Foreign Body (IOFB) following Penetrating Ocular Trauma is a vision-threatening condition but timely investigations,
Diagnosis and management can save Vision and reduce complications . Patients of Ocular Trauma with no clear cut history of Penetrating injury
and Cases which are Non-responding to appropriate treatment following Ocular Trauma should be considered for Surgical Exploration.


The continuous-phase mass transfer volumetric coefficient kLa in a liquid-liquid mixing vessel was measured by using the hydrolysis reaction of both n-amyl and n-hexyl acetates with sodium hydroxide. Droplet diameter was also observed by using a videorecorder via a microscope during the reaction period, allowing the continuous-phase mass transfer coefficient, kL, to be determined. The coefficient obtained was 2–5 times larger than that obtained from the correlation by Calderbank–MooYoung. Dimensionless correlation of the mass transfer coefficient with the droplet diameter and the power input per unit volume was confirmed experimentally to be close to that for the solid suspension system.


Three-phase currents of STATCOM with conventional control strategy will be unbalanced and distorted when the STATCOM operates at the condition of non-ideal grid voltages. Special attention was paid to the influence of grid voltage quality on STATCOM current and a new control strategy was presented to counteract the influence in this paper. The unbalance and non-sine distortion of grid voltage causes not only the inverter dc voltage fluctuation but also the ac current unbalance and distorted. On the basis of direct voltage control, a dual-loop control is adopted in order to let the inverter voltage contain the fundamental negative sequence and harmonic component corresponding to the grid voltage. The correctness and validity of the present control strategy is verified by the theoretic analysis and digital simulation. Keywords—STATCOM, unbalance, harmonic, dual-loop control


If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. Nelson Mandela

In their article on religion, spirituality and mental health, Dein et al [1][1] have made some very important points. As health professionals, we are


Zhongsanyou810 is a new quality hybrid late rice variety bred by China National Rice Research Institute and Hunan Jinjian Seed Ltd.,which cross bred by quality disease-resistance sterile line Zhong3A and quality restoring line Zhonghui810.The Zhongsanyou810 has great characters,such as good fertility,the yield increased more significantly than that of Jinyou207;good rice quality,which reached the second quality rice standard of agricultural ministry;suitable mature time,the whole life span is three days longer than that of Jinyou207;strong tillering ability,plant flourish,good shape of plant and leaf,good color,strong stem and lodging resistance.


Curcumin was solubilized by Pluronics and the concentration of dissolved curcumin seemed to be related to the number of propylene oxide units in the Pluronic polymer. All Pluronics showed a maximum solubilizing capacity at a certain curcumin: Pluronic molar ratio and exceeding this molar ratio resulted in precipitation of curcumin when following the samples for 356 hours. PEG 400 could to a certain extent stabilize the supersaturated samples, while ethanol physically destabilized the samples. Ionic strength did not influence the solubilization of curcumin by the Pluronics. Supersaturation and precipitation inhibition caused a higher concentration of curcumin in samples prepared by SEM compared to samples prepared by SFM (i.e. the thermodynamic solubility).


mental group and 28 classes of sixth graders were assigned to the control group). Following a posttest only control group design, the experimental group classes used the materials for 2~ hours per week for 8 weeks while the control group continued regular classroom activities. At the end of the 8 week period all subjects were administered the Verbal Form A and Figural Form B of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT). Students in experimental classes also were given an attitude questionnaire and the teachers of experimental classes were asked to complete a questionnaire devised to assess their opinion of the program as a whole, the teacher's manual, and the activity sheets. The analyses of variance were based on a partial hierarchial design with classrooms nested within treatment and class rank (high, middle, or low) crossing classrooms and treatment. The analyses resulted in a significant main effect (p < .01) of classrooms within treatment on all subscores of the TTCT extending the notion that the classroom teacher and the interaction of that teacher with a given group of students may well be the most influential variable in creative as well as cognitive areas of study. The overwhelming amount of variation between classrooms resulted in nonsignificant differences between treatment groups, even though the experimental group achieved higher mean scores on six of the seven subscores of the TTCT. This finding would suggest that the New Directions in Creativity program may have an overall positive effect on creative thinking, but this effect is modified by teacher and classroom settings. Class rank did not have a significant effect, and there was no treatment by class rank interactions. Teacher responses to the program were positive. Nearly three-fourths of the teachers rated the manual as excellent or good as well as easily read and understood. Almost the entire group expressed the opinion that their students had become better evaluators of their own work and their peers' work. Most importantly, 77 percent of the teachers judged that their students had improved their creative thinking abilities, and more than half noted a carry-over to other subjects. Student reactions were likewise positive with a substantial majority indicating that they enjoyed the activities and the accompanying discussions. Changes in self perception of creative thinking abilities were in a positive direction for more than three-fourths of the children, and 66 percent felt that the


School counselors' experiences with subpoenas and testifying in court remain relatively unknown. In this narrative study, we examined 14 school counselors' experiences with the legal system. The data analysis process uncovered three themes in participants' experiences: (a) professional intentions, (b) interpersonal connections, and (c) experiences with legal proceedings. We discuss implications for school counselors and counselor educators regarding legal proceedings and directions for future research.


Purpose We retrospectively analyzed open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. Materials and Methods Between August 1990 and May 2005, 12 consecutive patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism underwent open pulmonary thromboembolectomy at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Their mean age was 47.5 years, and 7 of the patients were female. Among 12 patients, 5 had acute onset, and 7 had chronic disease, and 9 patients were associated with deep venous thrombosis. Extent of pulmonary embolism was massive in 3 patients with hemodynamic instability, and submassive in 8 patients. Preoperative echocardiogram revealed elevated right ventricular pressure in all patients, and 7 patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Pulmonary thromboembolectomy was performed in all patients under total circulatory arrest. Results There were 2 hospital deaths (16.7%). Among the patients who survived, mean right ventricular pressure was decreased significantly from 64.3 mmHg to 34.0 mmHg with improvement of NYHA functional class. Conclusion Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy is thought to be an immediate and definitive treatment for massive pulmonary embolism with optimal results. Even though operative mortality is still high, early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention in highly selective patients may improve the clinical outcome.


To acquire more accurate CT image segmentation results of gallstone, this paper presents a Lore-Based FCM algorithm to conquer the deficiency of tradition FCM method. A penalty term is introduced to objective function to enlarge the range of specified class and achieve higher segmentation accuracy. The result of simulation shows that Lore-Based FCM can obviously improve the segmentation quality. The improved algorithm is more rapid and efficiency than the traditional FCM.


Either writing or reading a poem is an act of resistance against the consumer society because these activities deal with instant and a vertical time. Furthermore, they confront us with a horizon where astonishment and gratitude fit. These are the principles of contemplative life and oppose to economic capital life. Briefly, we put forward the poem as a suitable starting point to initiate a change urgent for our century, where men live as slaves of the business time, subjected to a never before seen neuronal violence.


We observe emission of protons and Hn+ (n up to 4) at room temperature from field ionization of thick films of water adsorbed on Pt or Pd, not on W tips. This differs from previous field ionization experiments of water, all of which show hydrated proton emission. Our observations are explained by the ionic dissociation of water on Pt and Pd surfaces. These thick film experiments are made possible by a special local water supply arrangement. An ion point source based on this ionization process is shown to produce nanobeams of light ions suitable for high resolution ion microscopy.


The ion-implantation method can fabricate TiO2 thin films of anatase and rutile structures in an alternate sequence together so that a wide range of applications can be realized. By changing the implantation parameters, the thickness of anatase and rutile thin films can be modulated, and films with a thickness of nano-scale can be achieved. An amorphous TiO2 thin film with a thickness of 13nm was formed in a rutile TiO2 single crystal by low energy He+ ions with high fluences, and this amorphous phase transformed to an anatase and even a rutile phase with thermal treatments. SEM and AFM were used to observe the surface morphology of TiO2 thin film. TEM and Raman scattering techniques confirmed the phase transition process in TiO2 thin films with temperature increase. The design of a combination of TiO2 thin films with both anatase and rutile phases together using the ion-implantation method is also explained.


The aim of this research was to explore burnout, work engagement, and job demand among debt collector workers. The total available population of employees (N= 32) Consumer Collection and Remedial Unit Bank Tabungan Negara Cabang Surabaya participated in this study. Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Job demand scale were used as measuring instruments. Partial Least Square (PLS) and supported by SmartPLS 3.0 software were used as a statistical analysis. The result showed that job demand has significant positive effect on work engagement and burnout. On the contrary, burnout has no significant effect on work engagement and cannot mediated the effect of job demand on work engagement. Improved job resources and managing challenge demands are offered as recommendations to improve employee engagement.


The prognostic significance of residual nodal disease in otherwise complete pathologic responders (ypT0N+) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) for esophageal cancer is unknown.


Protest - Springbok Emblem: / Save the springbok - About 150 placard-waving Stellenbosch University students marched through the streets of the town yesterday in support of retaining the Springbok emblem.


This study revises Weare's latent heat parameterization scheme and conducts an associated theoretic analysis. The revised Weare's scheme is found to present potentially better results than Zebiak's scheme. The Zebiak-Cane coupled ocean-atmosphere model, initialized by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis of wind stress anomaly at 925 hPa, is referred to as the ZCW coupled model. The atmosphere models of the ZCW coupled model that use Zebiak's scheme and the revised Weare's scheme are referred to as the ZCW0 and ZCW(subscript N) atmosphere models, respectively. The coupled ocean-atmosphere models that use Zebiak's scheme and the revised Weare's scheme are referred to as the ZCW0and ZCW(subscript N) coupled models, respectively. The simulations between the ZCW0 and ZCW(subscript N) atmosphere models and between the ZCW0 and ZCW(subscript N) coupled models are analyzed. The results include: (1) The evolution of heat, meridional wind and divergence anomalies simulated by similar ZCW0 and ZCW(subscript N) atmosphere models, although the magnitudes of the former are larger than those of the latter; (2) The prediction skill of the Nino3 index from 1982 to 1999 by the ZCW(subscript N) coupled model shows improvement compared with those by the ZCW0 coupled model; (3) The analysis of El Nino events in 1982/1983, 1986/1987, and 1997/1998 and La Nina events in 1984/1985, 1988/1989, and 1998/2000 suggests that the ZCW(subscript N) coupled model is better than the ZCW0 coupled model in predicting warm event evolution and cold event generation. The results also show the disadvantage of the ZCW(subscript N) coupled model for predicting El Nino.


Viruses cannot multiply without infecting cells. At each round of infection they must fall apart, deliver their genome to the proper site of replication and transcription and then rebuild infectious particles from scratch. As they are relatively 'simple' parasites, they require many host cell functions for the various steps of their life cycle. These include the host cell translation machinery, cellular translocation and sorting machinery to target their glycoproteins to their proper cellular destination. As viruses also lack a lipid-synthesizing machinery, they need host membranes to acquire their lipid envelope. Finally, with the exception of poxviruses, DNA viruses require the cellular nucleus for replication. Although viruses strictly depend on cells, they have evolved the ability to use their host in the most effective ways. They use cellular cues to go through 'programmed' disassembly steps, with the aim of delivering their genome precisely at the right site of replication (Smith and Helenius, 2004). They subsequently assemble into stable structures within these same cells, obviously avoiding the disassembly cues previously used to allow the particle to fall apart. Cells respond to virus infection by inducing signalling events that favour cellular defence, often leading to cell death. Viruses have not only evolved strategies to prevent cellular apoptosis, but also to use cellular defence reactions to their benefit (Wurzer et al ., 2003). To travel faster through the cellular cytoplasm, they manipulate the cytoskeleton and cellular signal transduction pathways (Suomalainen et al ., 2001). They induce the proliferation of specific cellular membranes to increase surface areas and provide platforms for replication/assembly (reviewed in Salonen et al ., 2005). Considering that most viruses consist of no more than 5–10 proteins, their impact on cells is really quite dramatic and fascinating at the same time. Because various steps of viral life cycles mimic cellular processes, viruses have been and are being used as tools to study cellular processes. The advantage of viruses is that they highlight or induce certain cellular processes that are hard to study otherwise. The GFP-tagged version of the G glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus, in particular its temperature sensitive Ts045 variant, has been used extensively to study transport from the ER to the Golgi complex, also in real time (Presley et al ., 1997; Scales et al ., 1997). The initial finding that the HA protein of influenza virus was insoluble in triton-100 in the cold (Skibbens et al ., 1989) opened up a whole field of research on rafts (Simons and Ikonen, 1997). The G protein of VSV and the HA of influenza, that are targeted to the basolateral and apical plasma membrane, respectively (Rodriguez-Boulan and Pendergast, 1980), have been widely used to gain insights into sorting in polarized cells. The small DNA virus, simian virus 40, revealed new insights into the dynamics of caveolae and the delivery of their cargo to the (smooth) ER, apparently bypassing the Golgi complex (reviewed in Pelkmans and Helenius, 2002). Clearly, without studying viruses we would know far less about cells. Obviously, knowledge about cells also helps us to understand viruses. As viruses require many different cellular functions, understanding their life cycle requires understanding cells as a whole. Thus, among cell biologists, the 'cell-virologist' is necessarily an 'all-rounder'.


Spatial incoherence of seismic waves has the effect of lowering responses of structural foundations. The effect is more significant at higher frequencies (generally exceeding 10 Hz) and larger building footprints. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a seismic SSI analysis of the US EPR Emergency Power Generating Building (EPGB), a surface-founded concrete structure, for a hard-rock soil case using both coherent and incoherent ground motion input. For this study both a detailed FE model of the building, and a corresponding tuned lumped-mass stick model on a rigid foundation were used. These models were subjected to horizontal and vertical components of input motion and incorporated the coherency model for hard rock. The hard rock reference motions consisted of high-frequency rock motions. The incoherent structural responses were obtained using the Response Simulation method in MTR/SASSI. The SSI results were compared against each other to evaluate the effects of ground motion incoherency on the in-structure response spectra and to study the effects of model refinement (stick versus detailed FE model) on the calculated responses. This paper concludes with observations and recommendations regarding the treatment of incoherent input motions.


This paper analyses comb-based decimation structures for Sigma-Delta Analog-Digital Converters (ADCs), with high even decimation factors. The topology under study has two stages: the first stage is a non-recursive-comb and the second one is a CIC (Cascaded-Integrator-Comb) structure. As a result, efficient structures are identified in terms of the power consumption and silicon area. Additionally, alternative topologies are proposed to improve alias rejections of the analyzed decimator structures.


Introduction: In the following, we argue that, the theoretical and conceptual claims made by much of the literature on the EU's dealings with its neighbourhood have been undermined by events in Ukraine and the rest of the Eastern Partnership states. Rather than the Union managing to 'domesticate' international politics by extending its governance system to its neighbours, the EU's approach to Ukraine was significantly flawed, because it failed to take proper account of the realities of power politics and of the Russian quest for influence over what Moscow perceives to be its neighbourhood. EU policy makers overlooked the possibility that EU actions in the region might provoke a Russian response, deploying the tools that had proven so effective with the enlargements of 2003 and 2007 in a contested geographic territory with scant regard for the potential for consequent geopolitical rivalry.

In making these claims, we deploy a neoclassical realist framework that, we argue, is most suitable to a rigorous assessment and explanation of EU foreign policy. Unlike many extant theoretical explanations of EU external relations, neoclassical realism provides tools not only for assessing their appropriateness given the nature of the international system and, particularly, of relative power relations within Europe (assessments all but absent from much of the extant literature on EU policies towards its eastern neighbourhood) but also for explaining their emergence. Realist approaches to international relations emphasise the way in which states respond to external stimuli. When states do not respond effectively to these stimuli, some analyses suggest that 'we should find evidence of domestic politics…distorting the decision-making process' (Rathbun, 2008 296). Neoclassical Realism emerged as a way of plugging this gap between neorealist expectations of foreign policy behaviour and the actual policies pursued by states. It is interested, in other words, in the responses of particular states to specific constraints and opportunities rather than in explaining systemic outcomes.


A delightful moment was when one ceased reading juvenile literature and tackled adult books, able to do the mechanical reading and understand its content. With me that came early. In my teens I was romping, or ramping through Scott, Dickens, Lytton, Jane Austen, Reade and other Victorians, with Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress before that, back in my boyhood.


The invention relates to gallium-arsenide-based multi-junction isotope micro cells, belonging to the field of energy sources in a micro electromechanical system. The invention comprises two or more single-junction gallium-arsenide-based isotope micro cells, wherein two single-junction gallium-arsenide-based isotope micro cells are connected through a tunnel joint; the surfaces of the multi-junction isotope micro cells are passivated by using SiO2, and the structure expression is the single-junction gallium-arsenide-based isotope micro cell/the tunnel joint/the single-junction gallium-arsenide-based isotope micro cell/the tunnel joint/....../the single-junction gallium-arsenide-based isotope micro cell/the substrate. By using the multilayered PN joint structure, the open-circuit voltage ofthe isotope micro cell is improved to make up the defect of capability of collecting electric charge by the cell so as to improve the energy conversion efficiency of the isotope micro cell, and extend the selection range of energy, so that the output power of the cell is greatly improved and the application field is wider.


A biological organism's ability to sense and adapt to its environment is essential to-its survival. Likewise, environmentally aware computing systems avail themselves to a longer operational life and a wider range of applications than traditional systems. In this paper, we propose a novel circuit design methodology that allows parameterizable hardware to self-regulate its temperature. We apply this methodology to an image recognition system on an Xilinx Virtex 4 FX100 field programmable gate array (FPGA). The image recognition system sustains a safe operational temperature by automatically adjusting its frequency and output quality. The circuit sacrifices output performance and quality to lower its internal temperature as the ambient temperature increases, and can leverage cooler temperatures by increasing output performance and quality. Furthermore, the circuit will shutdown if the ambient temperature becomes too hot for the device to function properly. A performance evaluation of our adaptive circuit under various thermal conditions shows up to a 4x factor increase in performance and a 2x factor increase in quality over a system without dynamic thermal control.


Abstract We have theoretically studied the structure and electronic state of the sodium-hydrogen-graphite ternary intercalation compound based on the first-principles calculation. As concerns the structure, it is suggested that intercalated hydrogen is in the H2 molecular form. As for the electronic state, both the antibonding π*-bands of graphite and 1sσ* band of H2 with a small dispersion form the metallic states.


Microbiological analysis of poultry feeds sold in Lagos State of Nigeria was investigated. The main ingredient used to make poultry feeds is corn. A total of ten samples were collected from various location of the city. Fungal count of the feeds range one to six. Fungi isolate revealed the presence of Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus spp, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus had the highest occurtance total aflatoxins and optical density were determined using Enzyme linked Linro o sorbent Assay (ELISA). The highest aflatoxin concentration was 80ng/g with optical density 2,137 found in sample ten while the lowest was 31ng/g with optical density 3.32 found in sample eight. The lower the optical density the higher the aflatoxin concentration and the higher the optical density the lower the aflatoxin concentration. The aflatoxin concentration exceeded the regulator limit set by Food and Drug Administration (FAO) which is 20ug/kg and since it greater than the set hypothesis, we reject it. Routine monitoring is encouraged because of health implications.


In modern market conditions, the main problem of the banking sector remains the attraction of investment resources, which has become even more difficult in the current conditions of sanctions pressure. On the other hand, domestic investors, deprived of access to international markets, increasingly pay attention to Russian companies, including banks, and consider them as an object of capital investment. Therefore, both banks and investors need a unified methodology that meets the interests of both parties. The CAMELS methodology used by central banks of many countries of the world was chosen as the object of the study. This implies the purpose of this work – to improve the CAMELS methodology for assessing the investment attractiveness of commercial banks. The research methods are the analysis of secondary data. As a result, a methodology was created, the assessment of which is based entirely on objective data, unlike the original, where abstract concepts were used. In addition, the updated methodology more accurately reflects the current financial condition of the bank.


Injection of modulated noise into mode-locked fiber lasers provides rich pulses formation and sprinkling effects with trapping and annihilation centers in the cavity. The lightning experiment demonstration is accompanied by statistical light-mode dynamics analysis.


The purpose of this study was to measure the performance of certified teachers at SMK Negeri 2 Sukoharjo using relevant indicators object diteliti.Selain the facilities and infrastructure available at SMK Negeri 2 Sukoharjo also be a supporting part in supporting the performance of teachers in the school. Assessment of students also became one of the factors that successfully supporting the performance of the certified teachers. Keywords: Organization, Teacher Work and Management Work


Background and Purpose. "Leadership at all levels" has been identified as one of the 12 critical issues facing organizations around the world. e American Physical erapy Association Vision calls physical therapists "to lead" efforts to transform society. Leadership competencies essential for practice recently have been identified. ese competencies illustrate how physical therapists independent of professional role and position can support achievement of the Quadruple Aim.e profession has taken steps to prepare physical therapists with clinical competencies to practice as movement system experts; however, like many health professions, education has struggled to keep pace with professional formation and leadership skills that shape role identity. More emphasis needs to be placed on developing skills needed to lead, advocate, and influence change. e purpose of this position article was to expand conversation on leadership and propose an evidence-based framework, which can be used to build competence throughout entry-level curricula. is framework can bring the profession one step closer to adopting leadership as an essential domain of competency and providing the missing link to bridge the gap in achievement of the Vision. Position and Rationale. Leadership should be recognized as an obligation of all physical therapists and developing leadership an obligation of education, as it is critical to our evolving role identity. Adoption of a leadership competency framework informed by competencies will help assure graduates exhibit leadership skills to challenge current practices and advocate for transformation of the health care system. e team explored established leadership frameworks to evaluate "fit" of the 57 leadership competencies. Although frameworks offered valuable perspectives, none sufficiently "fit" the evidence to support widespread adoption. is led us to design a Leadership Competency Framework for Physical erapists (LCF-PT) to categorize, enhance utility, and clarify interpretation of these competencies. Discussion and Conclusion.e LCF-PT organizes 57 competencies into 3 tiers and 11 thematic clusters that can further advance our role as movement system experts and build a more robust role identity consistent with a doctoral profession. Without a framework, DPT education programs will likely remain fragmented, unintentional, and inconsistent in the development of leadership competencies in Doctor of Physical erapy graduates. Future research needs to validate the LCFPT by stakeholders to confirm the framework is sufficiently robust to guide leadership development at all levels. is framework also can support eventual benchmarking of best practices in education in the future. To move forward as practitioners of choice and to ensure our voices are heard, all physical therapists must acknowledge that "to lead" at all levels is critical to role identity, achievement of the Quadruple Aim and the Vision to transform society by improving the human experience. is clarity will move us closer to "dreaming the not-soimpossible dream," challenge current practices, implement evidence, and advocate for transformation of the health care system.


ABSTRACT Following the 2016 US presidential election, schools reported an alarming level of fear and anxiety among students of color, increased racial and ethnic tensions in the classroom, and fear of deportation for immigrant youth. Collectively, this phenomenon has been termed "the Trump effect." In this study, we examined the details surrounding a specific incident of racial violence at a high school in a Northeast town to provide an emic perspective on this phenomenon. We examined how the events, school response, and vitriolic rhetoric and political discourse in the larger culture contributed to the racialized identities of students who were at the heart of the events.


OBJECTIVE To explore the Haemophilus influenzae causing respiratory tract infections in the elderly patients and analyze the drug resistance so as to provide guidance for the reasonable clinical use of antibiotics. METHODS A total of 580 elderly patients with respiratory tract infections,who were treated in the department of respiratory medicine from Nov 2011 to Dec 2013,were enrolled in the study,then the respiratory tract secretions specimens were collected for the culture and identification of H.influenzae,the drug susceptibility testing was performed with the use of K-B method,and the result was analyzed.RESULTS Totally 47 strains of H.influenzae have been isolated from the sputum and throat swab specimens obtained from the 580 elderly patients with respiratory tract infections with the isolation rate of 8.10%,β-lactamase has been detected positive in 14 strains of H.influenzae with the positive rate of 29.79%.The drug resistance rate of the H.influenzae to sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was the highest(48.94%),followed by ampicillin(31.22%)and chloramphenicol(23.41%).CONCLUSIONThe detection rate of the H.influenzae is high in the respiratory tract of the elderly patients,and the positive rate ofβ-lactamase is high,which may have great impact on the treatment;it is necessary to maintain the detection of the H.influenzae and reasonably use antibiotics.


We analyze a class of supersymmetric SO(10) grand unified theories with type II seesaw for neutrino masses, where the contribution to PMNS matrix from the neutrino sector has an exact tri-bi-maximal (TBM) form, dictated by a broken S4 symmetry. The Higgs fields that determine the fermion masses are two 10 fields and one 126 field, with the latter simultaneously contributing to neutrino as well as charged fermion masses. Fitting charged fermion masses and the CKM mixings lead to corrections to the TBM mixing that determine the final PMNS matrix with the predictions �13 ≃ 4 ◦ − 6 ◦ and the Dirac CP phase to be between −10 ◦ and +15 ◦ . We also show correlations between various mixing angles which can be used to test the model.


Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) Motor is an electromagnetic device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. BLDC motor is a type of motor used in electric cars and does not need brush for magnetic field replacement (commutation), but is carried out electronically commutated. In BLDC motor, temperature in the motor play important role on motor performance such as maximum power and efficiency. In this research the development of liquid cooling of BLDC motor is described. Development starts from the design, computation using software and the realization of the motor design results. The construction of a brushless DC motor is very similar to that of an ac motor, known as permanent magnet synchronous motor. The stator consisting of a core and copper windings forming a core and armature unit. There are 2 identical stators to form the BLDC.


With Australia in the midst of a federal election campaign, vital issues of policy affecting our members, the profession and the governance environment more generally are coming to the fore.


We compute the infinitesimal deformations of two families of restricted simple modular Lie algebras of Cartan-type: the Contact and the Hamiltonian Lie algebras.