Vigabatrin, a GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) agonist is a drug widely prescribed in Europe and Asia between 1989 and 1997 for drug resistant, partial epilepsy and has been associated with visual field defects. Uncertainity in the effect of Vigabatrin on vision resulted in decreased prescriptions. However, there has been poor reproducibility in previous studies due to many factors, especially poor sensitivity and specificity of tests for Vigabatrin associated visual dysfunction. The wide field multifocal electroretinogram (WF-mfERG) can objectively measure discrete areas of retinal function up to 90 degrees. The results of 204 patients with epilepsy divided into four groups are presented. A subgroup of 89 patients had repeat investigations. The patients were divided into four groups. Group 1.The Vigabatrin group comprised patients who had been taking Vigabatrin for at least 1 year (56 patients). Group 2. Forty nine patients who had previously taken Vigabatrin for at least 1 year but had stopped taking this treatment for at least 2 years comprised the ex-Vigabatrin group. Group 3.The GABA group had 46 patients who used other anti-epileptic drugs (AED) with GABA action other than Vigabatrin. Group 4. Fifty three patients who had never used an AED with GABA action including Vigabatrin made up the non-GABA group. Surprisingly, the percentage of patients with visual field defects were high in all groups investigated (Vigabatrin group 59%, ex-Vigabatrin group 46%, GABA group 30.2% and non-GABA group 21.2%). However, abnormal bilateral WF-mfERG responses were only found in the Vigabatrin group (48%) and the ex-Vigabatrin group (22%). The study suggests that there are probably different causes of visual field abnormalities in patients with epilepsy not related to Vigabatrin. We propose that the most sensitive and specific tests that can be used to detect visual dysfunction associated with Vigabatrin is the WF-mfERG

Manufacturers of digital circuits test their products to find defective parts so they are not sold to customers. Despite extensive testing, some of their products that are defective pass the testing process. To combat this problem, manufacturers have developed a metric called defective part level. This metric measures the percentage of parts that passed the testing that are actually defective. While this is useful for the manufacturer, the customer would like to know how long it will take for a manufacturing defect to affect circuit operation. In order for a defect to be detected during circuit operation, it must be excited and observed at the same time. This research shows the correlation between defect detection during automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) testing and normal operation for both combinational and sequential circuits. This information is then used to formulate a mathematical model to predict the expected latency to failure due to manufacturing defects.

The Strain Index (SI) has repeatedly shown high levels of validity for differentiating between safe and hazardous tasks for the distal upper extremity (DUE). One limitation of the SI is the lack of reliability data. This study was designed to evaluate the test-retest repeatability of the SI. Fifteen raters, divided into five teams of three, were asked to use the SI to analyze 73 video AVI files of different job tasks; initially as individuals and then as teams. Several months later, raters were asked to repeat individual and team job task assessments. Raters were instructed to analyze tasks using five of six SI task variables, while the sixth was held constant. For three of these task variables, additional data was collected such as peak force and duration of job cycle. Test-retest repeatability was measured using Pearson's R, Spearman's rho, and tetrachoric correlation according to the nature of the variable. Spearman's rho values for individual and team task variable ratings ranged from 0.68 to 0.96 (0.88 average). Pearson's R for task variable data ranged from 0.76 to 0.99 for both teams and individuals with an average of 0.91. The Strain Index's rho values for individuals and teams were 0.70 and 0.84, respectively. For hazard classification, the tetrachoric correlation for individuals was 0.81 and 0.88 for teams. Results of this study support the conclusion that the Strain Index is repeatable when used by teams as well as individuals.

Nuteistų asmenų resocializacija – viena iš diskutuotinų mūsų šalies problemų. Lietuva pagal nuteistų asmenų statistinius rodiklius tarptautinėse suvestinėse užima vieną iš pirmų pozicijų (Kiškis, 2006). Kriminogeninės statistikos duomenimis, nuo 2004 m. palaipsniui mažėja nuteisiamų asmenų skaičius. Tačiau, kaip teigia G.Sakalauskas (2006), sumažėjęs nuteistų asmenų skaičius palyginti su kitomis Vidurio Europos valstybėmis, išlieka pakankamai didelis. Pastaruoju metu mokslinėje edukologinėje literatūroje diskutuojama apie resocializacijos fenomeną (Merkys, Ruškus, Juodraitis, 2002; Kvieskienė, 2005). Pravartu atsižvelgti į Kanados, Skandinavijos ir kt. šalių pažangią konkrečios srities patirtį, kuri palengvintų nuteistų asmenų resocializacijos ir prevencijos procesą. Griežtesnėms bausmių normoms pristatoma lygiagreti laisvės atėmimo bausmių reabilitacijos alternatyva – socialinė reabilitacija arba resocializacija, kaip visateisio piliečio ugdymas, reikalinga nuteisto asmens maksimaliam funkcionavimui, naudingumui, vertingumui tiek sau pačiam, tiek šeimai, tiek ir visuomenei.Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės patvirtintoje Nuteistųjų ir asmenų, paleistų iš laisvės atėmimo vietų, socialinės adaptacijos 2004–2007 metų programoje (Žin., 2004, Nr. 23-709), numatyta iki 2008 metų pradžios nuosekliai ir kompleksiškai įgyvendinant nuteistųjų ir asmenų, paleistų iš laisvės atėmimo vietų, resocializacijos politiką ir laikantis tęstinumo principo, mažinti nusikaltimų ir jų pasikartojimo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Social integration of the convicts and people discharged from the institutions of imprisonment is one of the negotiable issues in our country. Re-socialization phenomenon has been widely discussed in recent scientific educology references following the advanced experience of such countries as Canada, Scandinavia etc. This experience would make the convicts’ reintegration process easier and it would prevent criminality, especially the repeated one. According to European experience, the more convicts there are in the society, the higher the level of criminality is: the spread of psychosocial vices starts in the society and in the course of time it is more difficult to control it. Existing re-socialization system of the convicts and people discharged from the institutions of imprisonment in Lithuania is not adequate. The aim of the work is to reveal the convicts’ re-socialization expectations. The task is: 1) to provide legal, psychological, pedagogical aspects of the convicts concept; 2) to describe the re-socialization state of the convicts with reference to scientific and empirical research data; 3) to reveal the convicts’ educational needs. The survey objective is the convicts’ re-socialization expectations. Survey results from the European Communities initiative Equal program implementation project "Crossroad: Coalition for Strengthening Equal Possibilities in the Labour Market" have been used in this article. The target group of the survey is 113 convicts... [to full text]

Studies have shown that workplace wellness is associated with increases in employee productivity and job satisfaction and reductions in employee absenteeism and turnover rates (Kruger, Yore, Bauer, & Kohl, 2007). To help organizations improve and design workplace wellness programs in New Brunswick, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick published the Wellness at Heart Toolkit in January 2009. The toolkit provides health promotion information, policy templates, and a program planning model for workplace wellness. The purpose of this study was to conduct the first formal evaluation of the Wellness at Heart toolkit. The framework for the evaluation was guided by the RE-AIM model (Caperchione & Coulson, 2010), which stands for reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The model has been used to evaluate public health interventions, policies, and health promotion resources. In association with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, contacts for New Brunswick workplaces were provided. Open-ended semi-structured phone survey interviews were used to collect data. Twenty participants provided information on their workplace wellness programs. Each of the participants interviewed are workplace wellness programmers. Eleven participants who used the toolkit provided their perceptions and attitudes toward it and nine non-users’ shared their views on workplace wellness. For the data analysis, NVivo 8 was used to help organize themes found in participants’ responses. All 11 participants that used the toolkit stated that it is effective for enhancing and implementing workplace wellness. They used the toolkit as intended by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Most participants stated that they would continue to use the toolkit for wellness purposes. Non-users’ (9) reasons for not utilizing the toolkit include: they had an existing program, they did not have enough time or they only organize wellness initiatives and do not have a structured program. This research provides valuable information to the Heart and Stroke Foundation on the utility of the toolkit and adds to the literature on the evaluation of workplace wellness resources.

The aim of this essay is to discuss the problems concerning the right of priority for re-employment in connection to employing temporary agency workers. This will be done with the help of relevant laws, preparatory work and literature that fall within the scope of the legal dogmatic method. Using temporary personnel is becoming considerably more common throughout the Swedish workplace. In recent years there has been a rapid growth of work agencies and a tendency to employ temporary personnel. At the same time employees are made redundant, suffering the consequences that arise from the workplace failing to abide by the rules of re-employment. In order to claim that the employer has failed to follow the right of priority for re-employment, evidence must be sufficient. It must also show that the employers’ actions were unfit in relation to the circumstance. It is difficult to identify whether the employer has failed to follow the right of priority for re-employment. The aim, measures and actions of the right of priority for re-employment must be reassessed in order to apply the law effectively. Unfortunately, in comparison to the labor management rights act, the right of priority for re-employment is easily bypassed.

Restoration and rehabilitation activities are presently considered to be a major priority in environmental management, whether the activity implies the restoration of neglected cultivated pastures or degraded rangelands due to overgrazing and climatic impacts, or the rehabilitation of the mining and industrial areas. However, the goals are not easily achieved, mainly due to the high input costs, including that of re-seeding activities. Reseeding success is influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the used seed regarding germination and establishment under natural field conditions. If techniques can be developed to enhance the effectiveness of germination and establishment percentage of the seed in restoration and rehabilitation sites, a better cover, density and biomass yield can be expected, which will improve the rehabilitation process. It is known that commercially available grass seed has a better germination percentage and establishment percentage in comparison with seed locally harvested, which may include many impurities such as sticks and stones. The availability of the locally harvested seed types, especially of certain ecotypes adapted to specific environments, can be poor. Advance Seed Company (Krugersdorp, South Africa) has taken commercially available grass seed to the next level by enhancing (coating) the seed with a multitude of different treatments to ensure better handling of the seed in reseeding applications. These treatments also have advantages such as a higher seed to soil contact, growth stimulants included in the treatment, higher seed purity and the protection of the seed against predation by ants and other insects and against harsh chemicals in the soil, which might have an influence on the germination percentage of the seed and the establishment of seedlings. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not certain enhanced grass seed types of selected grass species will have a better germination and establishment percentage, fresh and dry above-(leaves) and below-ground (root) biomass yield (glasshouse trials) and dry above-ground biomass yields (natural fields trials) in comparison with non-enhanced types. The predation of enhanced and non-enhanced seeds by ants and other insects, as well as the development of the vascular tissue in the transitional region of the seedlings was also investigated. The grasses assessed included enhanced and non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass), Digitaria eriantha (Common finger grass) and Eragrostis curvula (Weeping love grass). In the case of E. curvula, four seed types, including the non-enhanced seed type were tested. These included non-enhanced seed, seed treated with "plain coat", enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coaf' (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed) and enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coat and as an overspray" (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed, as well as spraying the insecticide over the coated seed). The above mentioned species are commonly used in grass seed mixtures for rehabilitation and restoration purposes. Seeds were supplied by Advance Seed Company. The seed enhancement treatments as well as the non-enhanced seed types were tested under various conditions. The chemical composition of the enhancement treatment used in the coating process is only known by the seed technicians at Advance Seed Company. All the seed supplied by the seed merchant had a purity of >95%. With the application of dormancy breaking in the germination tests the non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana had the higher germination percentage of the seed type or the same species. Other differences included the germination percentage being significantly higher for the enhanced seed type of Cynodon dactylon than the non-enhanced seed type. Lower germination percentages were noted in the comparison of the E. curvula seed types, were the non-enhanced seed type had a higher germination percentage in comparison with the enhanced seed types. In the germination tests without dormancy breaking being applied, these results differ. With regard to the establishment percentages, similar statistical differences were noted in both the Coco Peat Moss medium and the Hygromix growth medium. In the above-and below-ground biomass production trials in the glass house the only significant difference were noted in the biomass production of D. eriantha plants. In the case of the dry above-and below-ground biomass yield the plants of the non-enhanced seed types of D. eriantha yielded a significantly higher biomass in comparison with the plants harvested from the enhanced seed type of the same species. With regard to the natural field trials a few significant differences were noted. The results indicated that the enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana and Cynodon dactylon, the non-enhanced seed type of D. eriantha as well as the non-enhanced and "organic insecticide on base and as overspray" enhancement of E cUNula can be used in re-seeding restoration and rehabilitation practices. Eragrostis cUNula enhanced with "plain coat" is not recommended to be used for re-seeding in disturbed areas. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This thesis contributes to the under-researched field of political selection, namely one’s re-selection onto the party list after one has been elected in the previous term. The theoretical rationale is to introduce a broader concept of political selection to a field mostly focused on political recruitment, one’s first point of entry into Politics. We show that the framework developed to study political recruitment can be adapted to study any kind of political selection that involves a broad pool of aspirants from which successful candidates must be selected. To this end, we utilise a panel dataset containing data on 387 Czech legislators covering the period between 1996 and 2013. Using fixed- and random-effects panel models, we show that voting along the party line and preferential vote share at time t are strong predictors of getting a better party-list rank at t+1. Legislative experience, however, is negatively associated with how well one fares at the re-selection process. We also provide evidence that it is left-wing parties rather than their right-wing counterparts that discriminate against women at the re-selection stage. The study thus contributes, directly or otherwise, to debates on women’s representation, political careers and re-election.

Restoration and rehabilitation activities are presently considered to be a major priority in environmental management, whether the activity implies the restoration of neglected cultivated pastures or degraded rangelands due to overgrazing and climatic impacts, or the rehabilitation of the mining and industrial areas. However, the goals are not easily achieved, mainly due to the high input costs, including that of re-seeding activities. Reseeding success is influenced by the quality and effectiveness of the used seed regarding germination and establishment under natural field conditions. If techniques can be developed to enhance the effectiveness of germination and establishment percentage of the seed in restoration and rehabilitation sites, a better cover, density and biomass yield can be expected, which will improve the rehabilitation process. It is known that commercially available grass seed has a better germination percentage and establishment percentage in comparison with seed locally harvested, which may include many impurities such as sticks and stones. The availability of the locally harvested seed types, especially of certain ecotypes adapted to specific environments, can be poor. Advance Seed Company (Krugersdorp, South Africa) has taken commercially available grass seed to the next level by enhancing (coating) the seed with a multitude of different treatments to ensure better handling of the seed in reseeding applications. These treatments also have advantages such as a higher seed to soil contact, growth stimulants included in the treatment, higher seed purity and the protection of the seed against predation by ants and other insects and against harsh chemicals in the soil, which might have an influence on the germination percentage of the seed and the establishment of seedlings. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not certain enhanced grass seed types of selected grass species will have a better germination and establishment percentage, fresh and dry above-(leaves) and below-ground (root) biomass yield (glasshouse trials) and dry above-ground biomass yields (natural fields trials) in comparison with non-enhanced types. The predation of enhanced and non-enhanced seeds by ants and other insects, as well as the development of the vascular tissue in the transitional region of the seedlings was also investigated. The grasses assessed included enhanced and non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass), Digitaria eriantha (Common finger grass) and Eragrostis curvula (Weeping love grass). In the case of E. curvula, four seed types, including the non-enhanced seed type were tested. These included non-enhanced seed, seed treated with "plain coat", enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coaf' (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed) and enhancement with "organic insecticide on the base of the coat and as an overspray" (Le. insecticide between the enhancement and the seed, as well as spraying the insecticide over the coated seed). The above mentioned species are commonly used in grass seed mixtures for rehabilitation and restoration purposes. Seeds were supplied by Advance Seed Company. The seed enhancement treatments as well as the non-enhanced seed types were tested under various conditions. The chemical composition of the enhancement treatment used in the coating process is only known by the seed technicians at Advance Seed Company. All the seed supplied by the seed merchant had a purity of >95%. With the application of dormancy breaking in the germination tests the non-enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana had the higher germination percentage of the seed type or the same species. Other differences included the germination percentage being significantly higher for the enhanced seed type of Cynodon dactylon than the non-enhanced seed type. Lower germination percentages were noted in the comparison of the E. curvula seed types, were the non-enhanced seed type had a higher germination percentage in comparison with the enhanced seed types. In the germination tests without dormancy breaking being applied, these results differ. With regard to the establishment percentages, similar statistical differences were noted in both the Coco Peat Moss medium and the Hygromix growth medium. In the above-and below-ground biomass production trials in the glass house the only significant difference were noted in the biomass production of D. eriantha plants. In the case of the dry above-and below-ground biomass yield the plants of the non-enhanced seed types of D. eriantha yielded a significantly higher biomass in comparison with the plants harvested from the enhanced seed type of the same species. With regard to the natural field trials a few significant differences were noted. The results indicated that the enhanced seed types of Chloris gayana and Cynodon dactylon, the non-enhanced seed type of D. eriantha as well as the non-enhanced and "organic insecticide on base and as overspray" enhancement of E cUNula can be used in re-seeding restoration and rehabilitation practices. Eragrostis cUNula enhanced with "plain coat" is not recommended to be used for re-seeding in disturbed areas. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Environmental Science and Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

A Variable Stability Flight Simulator is being developed in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney, Australia. The device is being developed both as a teaching tool for use in flight mechanics courses in the department and as a research tool. It is reasonable to state that learning is enhanced through the experience of concepts outside of the classroom environment. It is intended that the device will be integrated into the department�s teaching program in aircraft flight mechanics. Initial studies centred around a PC based flight simulation developed at the Cranfield College of Aeronautics in the United Kingdom. This system utilises a distributed architecture with several computers connected via Ethernet. It also employs a Primary Image three channel visual system. The system has been further enhanced by the addition of a Link flight simulator provided by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RAAF had been using the simulator as a training tool for some years until it had become surplus to requirements. Most of the work in the project has centred around re-engineering this simulator into a viable research/education tool. The Cranfield system has been incorporated into the Link simulator�s hardware to provide a fixed base simulation. The majority of the work described in this thesis revolved around the re-engineering of the flight control loading and motion systems. Previously these items were controlled by analogue circuitry with minimal digital interfaces to the main simulation software. The systems have been re-designed to replace much of the single model analogue circuitry with re-configurable digital control software. Doing so allows changes to be made to the systems in real time through a software interface. The software resides on a common computer that extensively interfaces with the rest of the simulation. To support the hardware involved and to provide for system operation and safety, an extensive Supervisory system has also been implemented. This system along with the motion and control loading software has been implemented in the Matlab / Real-Time Workshop environment. This gives the capability of making real-time changes to any part of the overall simulation. A variable stability module (vsm) is under development. The addition of this module will allow changes to be made to the simulation itself in real-time. The simulator is now functional with the motion and control loading systems operating as designed. Tuning of both systems has been done subjectively by the author. An initial objective analysis of the motion system has been undertaken in an attempt to verify the fidelity of the motion cues generated. A significant outcome of this project has been to create a safe, easily maintainable, re-configurable flight simulator from a large, complex, legacy system. The facility now forms a significant research and teaching tool in areas such as flight mechanics, propulsion, aircraft handling qualities and human factors.