Modification

Os desenvolvedores criam games, mas os jogadores também se sentem instigados a ir além do que lhe foi oferecido, e assim nascem os MODs. Essas alterações podem transformar um determinado game em um gênero completamente diferente do qual foi inicialmente pensado. Essa tradição se iniciou com Doom (1993), pois acessando com o seu código fonte vários jogadores criaram novas fases, itens e inimigos. Artistas também utilizaram Doom como linguagem, como por exemplo Orhan Kipcak, responsável pelo ArsDoom (1995). Além das modificações que trazem novas maneiras de se jogar, existem os MODs com conteúdo sexual. Tais mudanças vão desde nudez para os lutadores digitais em Street Figther V (2016), remoção de censura e inserção de sexo explícito na série The Sims 4 (2014) e até mesmo complexas narrativas semelhantes a produções eróticas e pornográficas em The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). Podemos até mesmo encontrar vídeos de gameplays com modificações sexuais em sites pornográficos. Assim o artigo pretende analisar e refletir sobre MODs de conteúdo sexual, e de que maneira essas modificações oferecem novas mecânicas, opções e experiências sexuais aos jogadores. Além disso, analisa a relação entre a produção de modificações e as comunidades digitais dedicadas em desenvolver conteúdo sexual para games lançados para o mercado.

Machicote, M., Branch, L. C. and Villarreal, D. 2004. Burrowing owls and burrowing mammals: are ecosystem engineers interchangeable as facilitators? Á/ Oikos 106: 527 Á/ 535. Terrestrial vertebrates exhibit dynamic, positive interactions that form and dissolve under different circumstances, usually with multiple species as participants. Ecosystem engineers are important facilitators of other species because they cause physical changes in the environment that alter resource availability. Although a species can be associated with more than one partner, facilitators may not be interchangeable if they differ in abundance, behavioral characteristics, or interactions with other factors in ways that condition the outcome of the association. We examined interactions between burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia ) and two burrowing mammals, hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus ) and plains vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus ), and determined whether these ecosystem engineers are interchangeable for owls. We examined reproductive success for owls nesting in these mammal burrows, constructed a logistic regression model to identify habitat characteristics associated with owl nests, and examined the engineering activities of the mammals. Data on reproduction and habitat indicate that armadillos and vizcachas are not interchangeable for owls. Thirtyfive percent of the nests in vizcacha burrows produced fledglings; no fledglings were produced from nests outside vizcachas colonies, even though owls nest successfully in armadillo burrows in other parts of Argentina. Vizcachas facilitate burrowing owls by construction of burrows and by producing open understory vegetation through herbivory. In contrast, armadillos do not alter vegetation, and their burrows are suitable for nest sites only when they occur in recently burned areas or areas maintained by anthropogenic disturbance. Our habitat model also suggests that fire plays a key role in maintaining owl populations because fire is the only natural process that reduces shrubs to the level required by owls. Current management practices of eradication of vizcachas and fire suppression in shrublands could have strong negative consequences for burrowing owls.

A transparent solar cell window module based on the integration of traditional silicon solar cells and organic-inorganic nanocomposite material was designed and fabricated. The transparent solar cell window module was composed of a nanocomposite light-guide plate and traditional silicon solar cells. The preparation of the nanocomposite light-guide plate is easy without modification of the traditional casting process, the nanoparticles sol can be added directly to the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) monomer syrup during the process. The solar energy collected by this window can be used to power up small household electrical appliances.

The present study is focused on developing a nanoparticle carrier for the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX for use in photodynamic therapy. The entrapment of protoporphyrin IX (Pp IX) in silica spheres was achieved by modification of Pp IX molecules with an organosilane reagent. The immobilized drug preserved its optical properties and the capacity to generate singlet oxygen, which was detected by a direct method from its characteristic phosphorescence decay curve at near-infrared and by a chemical method using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran to trap singlet oxygen. The lifetime of singlet oxygen when a suspension of Pp IX-loaded particles in acetonitrile was excited at 532 nm was determined as 52 µs, which is in good agreement with the value determined for methylene blue in acetonitrile solution under the same conditions. The Pp IX-loaded silica particles have an efficiency of singlet oxygen generation (η ∆) higher than the quantum yield of free porphyrins. This high efficiency of singlet oxygen generation was attributed to changes on the monomer-dimer equilibrium after photosentisizer immobilization.

Modification of antibody effector functions is commonly performed by chimerization or humanization. Cloning of antibody variable regions from hybridomas represents a first step that is frequently hampered by the expression of non-functionally rearranged variable regions in hybridoma cells that originate from MOPC21-derived fusion partners. We now present a simple method to clone functionally rearranged V-genes, based on V-gene-specific multiplex PCR screening. Using this method we document the expression of aberrant V-genes that originate from the original B-cell used for the hybridoma generation, not from the fusion partner, and are-thus-hybridoma specific.

Climate change is one of the most influential drivers of biodiversity. Speciesspecific differences in the reaction to climate change can become particularly important when interacting species are considered. Current studies have evidenced temporal mismatching of interacting species at single points in space, and recently two investigations showed that species interactions are relevant for their future ranges. However, so far we are not aware that the ranges of interacting species may become substantially spatially mismatched. We developed separate ecological-niche models for a monophagous butterfly (Boloria titania) and its larval host plant (Polygonum bistorta) based on monthly interpolated climate data, land-cover classes, and soil data at a 10 0 -grid resolution. We show that all of three chosen global-change scenarios, which cover a broad range of potential developments in demography, socio-economics, and technology during the 21st century from moderate to intermediate to maximum change, will result in a pronounced spatial mismatch between future niche spaces of these species. The butterfly may expand considerably its future range (by 124-258%) if the host plant has unlimited dispersal, but it could lose 52-75% of its current range if the host plant is not able to fill its projected ecological niche space, and 79-88% if the butterfly also is assumed to be highly dispersal limited. These findings strongly suggest that climate change has the potential to disrupt trophic interactions because co-occurring species do not necessarily react in a similar manner to global change, having important consequences at ecological and evolutionary time scales.

The efficiency of raw wheat and soybean straws, corn stalks and corn cobs in removing different heavy metal ions from simulated contaminated water was studied. The investigated adsorbents have shown different adsorption capacities for copper, nickel, cadmium and lead ions. All of them, except for corn cobs, adsorbed copper ions well. Corn cob and wheat straw adsorbed cadmium and nickel ions well. As for lead ions soybean straw and corn stalks showed good adsorption capacity. In order to increase the adsorption capacities and decrease the leaching of extractive matters from all investigated biomasses, they were modified with (1) formaldehyde in acidic medium, (2) sodium hydroxide both with and without previous modification with formaldehyde, (3) acid solution or (4) only were water-washed. The effects of these treatments were evaluated in copper adsorption experiments. Treatments with formaldehyde, sulphuric acid and 5% NaOH were not advisable for investigated adsorbents. Adsorbents modification with 1% NaOH or water washing adsorbents gave good results, but the native (raw) materials were still quite efficient. In order to prevent organic matters leaching from biomasses during adsorption the washing of lignocellulosic materials is applied as it is the cheapest and the most suitable process.

This paper is concerned with the topological modifications induced by heating in microporous materials and with the rules obeyed by them. Two main characteristics are always present in these reconstructive processes: (1) they occur owing to the breaking of T-O-T bridges and the migration of the tetrahedral cations to new sites, which have three vertices as before, whereas the fourth vertex can be shared or unshared by another tetrahedron (''face sharing tetrahedra'' process) (2) the T-O-T breaking occurs in the smallest ring in the structure (4-or 5-ring). Many factors can influence this process. Besides the topology, the chemical composition of the framework and extraframework, the synthesis conditions, also the heating modalities, either near or far from thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, can not only favour or prevent modification but also induce topologically different phases.

Over the years, the emergence of pesticides practice has prevailed to be the most intricate environmental turmoil amongst the scientific community. Specifically, pesticides constitute an accumulative, persistent and detrimental impact towards the survival of flora, fauna and environmental matrix. This has inspired a developing research with a variety of treatment technologies. Adsorption is recognized as the most efficient and promising approach, due to the ease of operation, simplicity of design, insensitivity to the toxic substances and superior capability for removing a broad range of pollutants. Its diverse applications, however, are retarded by the high cost of adsorbents and difficulties associated with regeneration. Montmorillonite and its derivatives, a unique group of under-utilized clay-based minerals has been proposed to be a suitable candidate for the treatment of contaminated wastewater. It plays a key role as the natural scavenger of pesticides, due to the abundantly a...

Electrowetting is arguably the most flexible tool to control and vary the wettability of solid surfaces by an external control parameter. In this article we briefly discuss the physical origin of the electrowetting effect and subsequently present a number of approaches for selected novel applications. Specifically, we will discuss the use of EW as a tool to extract materials properties such as interfacial tensions and elastic properties of drops. We will describe some modifications of the EW equation that apply at finite AC voltage for low conductivity fluids when the electric field can partially penetrate into the drops. We will discuss two examples where finite conductivity effects have important consequences, namely electrowetting of topographically structured surfaces as well as the generation of drops in AC electric fields. Finally, we review recent attempts to incorporate electrowetting into conventional channel-based microfluidic devices in order to enhance the flexibility of controlling the generation of drops.

Removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution was investigated using modified palm shell activated carbon. Low Molecular Weight Polyethyleneimine (LMW PEI) was used for impregnation purpose. The maximum amount of LMW PEI adsorbed on activated carbon was determined to be approximately 228.2 mg/ g carbon. The adsorption experiments were carried out in a batch system using potassium dichromate K 2 Cr 2 O 7 as the source of Cr(VI) in the synthetic waste water and modified palm shell activated carbon as the adsorbent. The effects of pH, concentration of Cr(VI) and PEI loaded on activated carbon were studied. The adsorption data were found to fit well with the Freundlich isotherm model. This modified Palm shell activated carbon showed high adsorption capacity for chromium ions.

The David procedure was described primarily to treat tricuspid valves. The asymmetry of the bicuspid root asks for modifications to achieve a competent bicuspid valve. The most common feature of the bicuspid valve is the presence of left and right coronary rudimentary cusps. In this case usually the base of the noncoronary cusp is displaced toward the left ventricular outflow tract. The uneven plane of this type of bicuspid aortic annulus has to be compensated for when a rigid prosthesis is wrapped around the aortic root. We describe the modification of the David technique in 14 patients who underwent a valve-sparing aortic root replacement in presence of a bicuspid valve. This technique increases the coaptation surface and provides reliable early and mid-term competence of the reconstructed bicuspid aortic valves.

Modified versions of the Ponchon-Savarit and McCabe-Thiele methods are presented which incorporate a correct analysis of the feed region in the case of partly vaporized feeds. The methods proposed are fully graphical, require no additional information or calculations, and do not complicate significantly the traditional procedures. I t is shown that for optimal effect, the liquid and vapor parts are introduced to separate but contiguous stages. Numerical examples confirm that a small improvement in column performance is achieved, but the influence on the number of stages or reflux ratio required for a given separation is negligible, except in very special cases.

Strawberry cultivars differ in their sensitivity to NaCl; fruits of cv. Elsanta suffer from softening, whereas those of cv. Korona retain their firmness. The mean fruit fresh weight is reduced in cv. Elsanta up to 46% and in cv. Korona up to 26%. Cell walls of fruits grown under 0, 40, or 80 mmol/L NaCl were extracted and analyzed. In fruits of cv. Korona, the content of the alcohol-insoluble residue remained comparatively stable as salt levels increased but was reduced in cv. Elsanta. The water-soluble pectin fraction was not affected in cv. Korona, but the content of low methoxy pectinates increased significantly, indicative of the generation of calcium and magnesium bridges that stabilize pectin polysaccharides of cell walls. In cv. Elsanta, the content of water-soluble pectin rose, indicating pectin solubilization. For both cultivars, the significant negative correlation of fruit Clcontents with the contents of NaOH-soluble pectinates, when expressed per fruit fresh mass, indicated that covalently bound pectic substances were degraded. Especially the response of cv. Elsanta is in line with the general observation that severe osmotic stress results in slower cell expansion and weaker cell walls.

In some natural languages, a ''linking morpheme'' intervenes between an N(P) and its adjectival, prepositional, or relative modifier, whereas the semantics requires that an operator conjoin the properties denoted. The paper connects these two elements, arguing that they are the two ''faces'' of the same item, a functional element that heads a conjunctive phrase, and which is present, even if silent, in other languages too. #

In order to improve the strength properties of high filler filled papers, a new technique of coating starch on the clay surface was developed. The stability of the coated starch and its effects on paper properties were studied. It was found that the starch coated on the clay surface swelled in water. This swelled starch film on the filler surface contributes significantly to the filler-filler bonding. The strength properties of handsheets made from starch coated clay, even with unmodified corn starch, could be increased by more than 15% versus those from the traditional method of adding cationic or amphoteric potato starch directly to 50% bleached softwood pulp/50% bleached hardwood pulp. This research suggests that the starch coated filler can be used to make high filler content paper products.

The absorption of energy from microwave frequency electromagnetic fields by carbon nanotubes is investigated by measuring the heating rate of dispersions of carbon nanotubes in silicone oil. Microwave absorbance of silicone oil is enhanced by 500 times with the addition of as little as 0.04 wt% carbon nanotubes. The removal of residual iron catalyst is found to have little effect on the microwave absorbance; an acid based surface modification however causes the enhancement to be lost, with the performance little better than carbon black. As-synthesized tubes showed a percolation threshold of $0.025 wt% for both conductivity and microwave absorbance. The efficient energy absorption is explained by a mechanism of conduction loss in the samples.

UV exposure a b s t r a c t Detection of optical brighteners by fluorometry combined with ultraviolet light (UV) exposure has been proposed as an inexpensive method for detection of human fecal contamination, but has received limited testing. This study evaluated the approach in southern California by applying it to a variety of detergents, sewage and septage samples from the region, as well as to natural stream water as a negative control. The concept of using UV exposure to differentiate fluorescence from natural organic matter proved valid, as the method produced no false positives. However, the method failed to detect half of the detergents tested in natural stream water at 5 mL/L, due to its conservative thresholds. This study identified a method modification that provides greater sensitivity by taking advantage of differences in the shape of photodecay curves between optical brighteners and natural organic matter. This method modification resulted in detection of all detergents, sewage at 1:10 dilution and septage at 1:100 dilution. Several caveats for its use remain, including our observation that the optical brightener signal degraded rapidly in strong sunlight. Additionally, there was low sensitivity for some environmentally friendly detergents, which does not present a problem on a community basis where a mix of detergents are used, but could be of concern for assessing septic inputs from individual homes. Still, the method is simple to employ in the field, yields rapid results and is useful as a low-cost initial screening tool. (Y. Cao).

The modification of bitumen with electron irradiated recycled LDPE was investigated. Electron irradiation was applied on LDPE to provide a chemical interaction between LDPE and bitumen. The results revealed LDPE modification provides an improved rheological properties of bitumen. e-LDPE R modifier has a certain favorable effects on stiffening of bitumen.

The meltdown in residential real-estate prices that commenced in 2006 resulted in unprecedented mortgage delinquency rates. Until mid-2009, lenders and servicers pursued their own individual loss mitigation practices without being significantly influenced by government intervention. Using a unique dataset that precisely identifies loss mitigation actions, we study these methods-liquidation, repayment plans, loan modification, and refinancingand analyze their effectiveness. We show that the majority of delinquent mortgages do not enter any loss mitigation program or become a part of foreclosure proceedings within 6 months of becoming distressed. We also find that it takes longer to complete foreclosures over time, potentially due to congestion. We further document large heterogeneity in practices across servicers, which is not accounted for by differences in borrower population. Consistent with the idea that securitization induces agency conflicts, we confirm that the likelihood of modification of securitized loans is up to 70% lower relative to portfolio loans. Finally, we find evidence that affordability (as opposed to strategic default due to negative equity) is the prime reason for redefault following modifications. While modification terms are more favorable for weaker borrowers, greater reductions in mortgage payments and/or interest rates are associated with lower redefault rates. Our regression estimates suggest that a 1 percentage point decline in mortgage interest rate is associated with a nearly 4 percentage point decline in default probability. This finding is consistent with the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) focus on improving mortgage affordability. § Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 2 delinquent loan undergoing modification, the dataset contains information on specific changes in original loan terms, reduction in interest rate, amount of principal deferred or forgiven, extension of the repayment period, etc. To our knowledge, this is the only comprehensive data source on loss mitigation efforts and mortgage performance.

Minireviews provides an opportunity to summarize existing knowledge of selected ecological areas, with special emphasis on current topics where rapid and significant advances are occurring. Reviews should be concise and not too wide-ranging. All key references should be cited. A summary is required.

There are very few studies looking at the energy and protein requirements of patients requiring texture modified diets. Dysphagia is the main indication for people to be recommended texture-modified diets. Older people post-stroke are the key group in the hospital setting who consume this type of diet. The diets can be of several consistencies ranging from pureed to soft textures.

In this study, conversion procedure of a conventional electric automobile into an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is illustrated. This conversion process is divided into two main parts as, mechanical and electrical modifications. Interface circuit, interface software, additional power system, selection of the sensors and computer hardware are given in electrical modifications part. Similarly, design of braking and steering system, their computer simulations and strength analysis are given in mechanical modifications part. All these applications are illustrated on a conventional electric vehicle during this study.

Flexible aerogel-glass fiber composites were prepared by varying colloidal silica and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)-based sol fractions. After immersing glass fiber matrices into silica sol with different volume fraction of colloidal silica sol, it was surface-modified into trimethylchlorosilane/n-hexane solution and heat-treated at 230 • C in ambient atmosphere. From the results of Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size analyses, apparent density and porosity studies, it was thought that microstructures of aerogel composites like pore size and specific surface area were greatly affected by precursor sol. Aerogel composites made of only colloidal silica showed greater density and lesser porosity, smaller pore size and specific surface area than those of aerogel composites synthesized from colloidal and TEOS-based mixed sols.

Experimental study has been carried out to investigate performance parameters, emissions, cylinder pressure, exhaust gas temperature (Texhaust) and engine wall temperatures (Twall) for direct injection diesel engine. Tests were conducted for sunflower oil (S100) and 20% jojoba oil+80% pure diesel fuel (B20) in comparison to pure diesel fuel with different engine speeds. S100 and B20 were selected for the study

Polysulfone has been carboxylated, via a metalated intermediate, by reaction of a T H F solution of polymer with n-butyllithium and then treatment with carbon dioxide. The polymer reactions with n-butyllithium were close to quantitative and did not require the use of a tertiary amine catalyst. A series of polymers ranging from 0.2 to 1.9 carboxyl groups per repeat unit was prepared by this method in the salt, acid and ester form. The structures of these polymer derivatives were characterized by lH-NMR, 13C-NMR and IR. The glass transition temperatures and thermal stabilities were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG).

Characterization Modification Furfuryl alcohol NMR Physical properties a b s t r a c t Tannin-based rigid foams are networked structures obtained by polycondensations of polyflavonoid tannins and furfuryl alcohol. They present a wide range of characteristics. Thus, there is the need to characterise the different kinds of tannin foams to better understand their physical behaviour and their chemical composition. Mimosa tannin, pine tannin and quebracho tannin bark extracts were used as building blocks. Foams modified by the addition of hydroxymethylated lignin, polyurethane and an industrial surfactant were also characterised. Water absorption, compression resistance, direct flame behaviour and foam cells dimensions were measured for each foam sample. The foams were characterised also by 13 C NMR analysis. Tannin-based rigid foams appear suitable for a wide range of applications.

Different nitrogen (N) treatments of four common green-leafy vegetable varieties with different leaf color: lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa L.) with yellow green leaves, pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) var. aijiaohuang in Chinese (AJH) with middle green leaves, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) with green leaves and pakchoi (B. chinensis L.) var. shanghaiqing in Chinese (SHQ) with dark green leaves, were carried out to achieve a wide range of chlorophyll content. The relationship of vegetable leaf hyperspectral response to its chlorophyll content was examined in this study. Almost all reported successful leaf chlorophyll indices in the literature were evaluated for their ability to predict the chlorophyll content in vegetable leaves. Some new indices based on the first derivative curve were also developed, and compared with the chlorophyll indices published. The results showed that most of the indices showed a strong relation with leaf chlorophyll content. In general, modified indices with the blue or near red edge wavelength performed better than their simple counterpart without modification, ratio indices performed a little better than normalized indices when chlorophyll expressed on area basis and reversed when chlorophyll expressed on fresh weight basis. A normalized derivative difference ratio (BND: (D 722 − D 700 )/(D 722 + D 700 ) calibrated by Maire et al. [Maire, G., Francois, C., Dufrene, E., 2004. Towards universal broad leaf chlorophyll indices using PROSPECT simulated database and hyperspectral reflectance measurements. Remote Sensing of Environment 89 (1), 1-28]) gave the best results among all published indices in this study (RMSE = 22.1 mg m −2 ), then the mSR-like indices with the RMSE between 22.6 and 23.0 mg m −2 .

Wheat flour plays a pivotal role in determining the overall quality of bread (loaf dimensions, crumb texture and consistency). A precise knowledge of flour chemical and technological properties is of paramount importance for the baking industry, to tune the modifications of the recipe and production parameters. However, it is still common to have to deal with an empirical, 'trial and error'-based approach, and generally, time consuming techniques are employed to determine the quality indexes for flour.

Burn severity estimation is a key factor in the post-fire management. Previous studies using remotely sensed data to retrieve burn severity, as measured by the Composite Burn Index (CBI), have found inconsistencies, since spectral indices work well in some ecosystems but not in others. These inconsistencies may be caused by the lack of spectral uniqueness in the CBI definition, or by the performance of the spectral indices used. This paper analyses the former aspect, using a simulation analysis to study the relationships between the CBI and reflectance. Subsequently, a modified version of this index, called GeoCBI, is proposed to improve the retrieval of burn severity from remotely sensed data. GeoCBI takes into account the fraction of cover (FCOV) of the different vegetation strata used to compute the CBI. Moreover, it also includes the changes in the leaf area index (LAI) for the intermediate and tall tree strata (D+E). Field and simulation results show that GeoCBI is more consistently related to spectral reflectance than CBI for different ranges of burn severities, while keeping its ecological meaning.

This concept paper aims to discuss issues and strategies in the teaching and learning of mathematics for students with visual impairment. The key issue identified as the source of weakness in Mathematics is students' mastery of the basic concepts of mathematics is limited. Failure to master the basic skills of mathematics at the primary level will certainly influence the achievement and proficiency of pupils in mathematics at a the higher level. Thus, appropriate strategies must be adapted in the implementation of teaching and learning of mathematics specifically for students with visual impairment. Issues of teaching and learning need to be addressed by teachers in order to provide effective teaching strategies with regard to students with disabilities by considering appropriate teaching aids, methods, activities and time allocation for teaching and learning. It will also analyze some categorizations of curriculum modifications as suggested by King-Sear, which include, accommodation, adaptation, parallel curriculum outcomes and overlapping curricula on a continuum. This study also intends to see to what extent these modifications can be applied efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of students with visual impairments. In conclusion, in the implementation of teaching and learning for visually impaired student, strategies to address the issue properly is fundamental to the effective learning process.

This article describes the state of the art in the field of antimicrobial polymeric systems during the last decade. Keeping in mind the multitude of existing systems, a classification of the different materials is carried out dividing basically those synthetic polymers that: (a) exhibit antimicrobial activity by themselves; (b) those whose biocidal activity is conferred through their chemical modification; (c) those that incorporate antimicrobial organic compounds with either low or high molecular weight; and (d) those that involve the addition of active inorganic systems. This classification is not absolutely unique and in occasions some described polymeric systems could belong to more than one section. However, the purpose of this review is to provide a handy overall vision of the antimicrobial synthetic polymers world.

Channel modification or channelization activities are listed among the top 10 sources for non-point pollution impacts to rivers (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1993). Activities such as straightening, widening, deepening, and clearing channels of debris generally fall into this category. These activities can severely impact major river projects such as navigation and flood control, as well as alter or reduce the diversity of in-stream and riparian habitats. River systems maintain stability by providing just the necessary flow to transport the available water and sediment.

Panchakarma therapy is a very important and essential part of Ayurvedic treatment. The efficacy of Panchakarma therapy depends on proper application of different elimination procedures as well as on the proper preparations of various formulations. Drugs play an important role to achieve the proper effectiveness of Panchakarma therapy. Along with the conventional Ayurvedic dosage forms, in Panchakarma therapy various modifications are made; even some unique dosage forms are also mentioned which are only applicable for Panchakarma therapy. It is inferred that these modifications of procedural pattern are for better absorption of drugs or essence of drugs with or without metabolism for elimination purpose. In this article, the dosage forms used for Panchakarma therapy; their preparation and specific modification made for Panchakarma therapy are mentioned and discussed.

The use of crumb rubber (CR) recycled from waste tires using an ambient grinding process was evaluated at two stages in asphalt formulation. First, bitumen modified with crumb rubber was evaluated by rotational viscometery (RV), dynamic shear rheometry (DSR) and conventional binder tests. Hot asphalt mixtures including crumb-rubber-modified bitumen were then evaluated by determining the permanent and fatigue characteristics and stiffness moduli of control and modified mixtures. The properties of the crumb-rubber-modified bitumen and asphalt mixtures were compared to different contents of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified-bitumen and asphalt mixtures. The tests showed that to achieve the same performance, as with SBS-modification, the CR-content must be used at much higher than SBS. 8%-CR modification was determined as the most suitable content according to both binder and mixture tests.

Significant progress has been made recently in the fabrication of polymeric nanofibers, their characterization and applications, new polymeric materials, theoretical analysis, and so forth. Hence, in this brief review, we report the progress made in these subjects during the last 5 years. Most of the work concerns nanofibers related to the field of medicine. On the other hand, negligibly few reports have been found on nanofibers related to membrane separation processes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010

Minimal pain content has been documented in pre-licensure curricula and students lack important pain knowledge at graduation. To address this problem, we have implemented and evaluated a mandatory Interfaculty Pain Curriculum (IPC) yearly since 2002 for students (N=817 in 2007) from six Health Science Faculties/Departments. The 20-h pain curriculum continues to involve students from Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy as part of their 2nd or 3rd year program. Evaluation methods based on Kirkpatrick's model now include evaluation of a Comprehensive Pain Management Plan along with the previously used Pain Knowledge and Beliefs Questionnaire (PKPQ) and Daily Content and Process Questionnaires (DCPQ). Important lessons have been learned and subsequent changes made in this iterative curriculum design based on extensive evaluation over the 6-year period. Modifications have included case development more relevant to the diverse student groups, learning contexts that are uni-, inter-, and multi-professional, and facilitator development in working with interprofessional student groups. PKBQ scores have improved in all years with a statistically significant average change on correct responses from 14% to 17%. The DCPQ responses have also indicated consistently that most students (85-95%) rated highly the patient panel, expert-lead clinically focused sessions, and small interprofessional groups. Relevancy and organization of the information presented have been generally rated highly from 80.3% to 91.2%. This curriculum continues to be a unique and valuable learning opportunity as we utilize lessons learned from extensive evaluation to move the pain agenda forward with pre-licensure health science students.

The present study examines e-mail requests sent by Greek Cypriot university students (non-native speakers of English) to faculty at a major, English-medium university in Cyprus, over a period of several semesters. It examines forms of address (salutations), the degree of directness employed, and the degree and type of supportive moves and lexical/phrasal modifiers used by students in order to soften or aggravate their e-requests. Findings from the study have shown that the NNS students’ e-mails are characterized by significant directness (particularly in relation to requests for information), an absence of lexical/phrasal downgraders, an omission of greetings and closings and inappropriate or unacceptable forms of address. This paper argues that such e-mails can be perceived as impolite and discourteous and therefore capable of causing pragmatic failure. This is primarily due to the fact that they appear to give the faculty no choice in complying with the request and fail to acknowledge the imposition involved.