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Regional cerebral hypoperfusion is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies report conflicting findings in cognitively normal individuals at high risk of AD. Understanding early preclinical perfusion alterations may improve understanding of AD pathogenesis and lead to new biomarkers and treatment targets.3T arterial spin labelling MRI scans from 162 participants in the PREVENT-Dementia cohort were analysed (cognitively normal participants aged 40-59, stratified by future dementia risk). Cerebral perfusion was compared vertex-wise according toRegional hyperperfusion was found inRegional cerebral hyperperfusion in individuals at increased risk of AD in mid-life may be a very early marker of functional brain change related to AD. Increased perfusion may reflect a functional 'compensation' mechanism, offsetting the effects of early neural damage or may itself be risk factor for accelerating spread of degenerative pathology.

The evolution of CMOS technology over the years has allowed the presence of billions of transistors in an integrated circuit. As the size of the transistors escalates, important reliability issues, both at the transistor level and at the circuits and systems level, have emerged, due to aging phenomena such as bias-temperature instability (BTI), hot-carrier injection (HCI), dielectric breakdown and electromigration or due to ever-changing environmental conditions. One approach to cope with reliability issues is the self-healing concept. That is, developing circuits and systems that will "sense" their aging status as well as changes that the environment sets and react appropriately to continue operating reliably under any conditions. The present thesis focuses on the analysis of the mechanisms that influence the reliable operation of VLSI circuits and systems and the development of innovative methods that can offer them self-healing so that they function reliably and uninterrupted throughout their life. The target of this dissertation is to develop embedded techniques in the field of SRAM memories for early, on-line, excess aging prediction and oncoming failure diagnosis, aiming to maintain, by proper actions, the reliable operation and prolong the lifetime of the integrated circuit/system where the SRAM belongs. These techniques will allow the sensing of the SRAM status and thus, the prediction of upcoming failures on its sub-circuits. Next, our goal is to present SRAM operation adjusting techniques or repairing options for the self-healing of the corresponding sub-circuits in order to maintain the memory’s reliable operation. Two new self-healing methods are proposed for the SRAM Memory Cells and Sense Amplifiers (SAs) and one new method for the SRAM Decoders. Firstly, a scheme that addresses individually the SRAM SAs and the SRAM Memory Cells for aging monitoring on their transistors is presented and corresponding self-healing options are suggested in order to maintain the reliability of the SRAM. The monitoring scheme is based on the use of a small Differential Ring Oscillator (DRO) and the duty cycle of the DRO signal is used for the discrimination of aged memory cells or SAs. Next, a unified approach of the above scheme is presented for the aging monitoring of both memory cells and SAs. An alteration of this technique is also proposed with the use of a reconfigurable DRO (rDRO) for the needs of the self-healing on SRAM SAs. Finally, an aging monitoring technique for the SRAM Decoders, along with an adjusting technique to succeed self-healing are presented. The monitoring scheme suggests the addition of a simple, low cost embedded circuit in order to early diagnose the Decoder’s aging and properly react to ensure reliability and prolong the lifetime of the SRAM. The simulations performed on the above schemes validate their ability for early (before thepresence of failures) self-healing of overaged cells, SAs and Decoders respectively, while offering low cost in silicon area as well as the ability to avoid aging of the circuits implemented when the SRAM is operating in normal mode. Η εξέλιξη της CMOS τεχνολογίας κατά τη διάρκεια των ετών επέτρεψε την παρουσία δισεκατομμυρίων τρανζίστορ σε ένα ολοκληρωμένο κύκλωμα. Καθώς το μέγεθος των τρανζίστορ κλιμακώνεται, προέκυψαν σημαντικά ζητήματα αξιοπιστίας, τόσο σε επίπεδο τρανζίστορ όσο και σε επίπεδο κυκλωμάτων και συστημάτων, λόγω των φαινομένων γήρανσης όπως αστάθεια πόλωσηςθερμοκρασίας (BTI), έγχυση θερμών φορέων (HCI), κατάρρευση διηλεκτρικού καιηλεκτρομετανάστευση ή λόγω των συνεχώς μεταβαλλόμενων περιβαλλοντικών συνθηκών. Μιαπροσέγγιση για την αντιμετώπιση προβλημάτων αξιοπιστίας είναι η έννοια της αυτο-ίασης. Δηλαδή,αναπτύσσοντας κυκλώματα και συστήματα που θα "αισθάνονται" τη γήρανσή τους καθώς και τιςαλλαγές που το περιβάλλον θέτει και θα αντιδρούν κατάλληλα για να συνεχίσουν να λειτουργούναξιόπιστα υπό οποιεσδήποτε συνθήκες. Η παρούσα διατριβή επικεντρώνεται στην ανάλυση των μηχανισμών που επηρεάζουν την αξιόπιστη λειτουργία των κυκλωμάτων και συστημάτων VLSI και στην ανάπτυξη καινοτόμων μεθόδων που μπορούν να προσφέρουν αυτο-ίαση έτσι ώστε να λειτουργούν αξιόπιστα και αδιάκοπα καθ 'όλη τη διάρκεια της ζωής τους. Σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να αναπτύξει ενσωματωμένες τεχνικές στον τομέα των μνημών SRAM για πρόβλεψη γήρανσης και άμεσης διάγνωσης βλαβών με σκοπό την διατήρηση, με κατάλληλες ενέργειες, της αξιόπιστης λειτουργίας και παράτασης της διάρκειας ζωής του ολοκληρωμένου κυκλώματος/συστήματος όπου ανήκει η SRAM. Αυτές οι τεχνικές θα επιτρέψουν την ανίχνευση της κατάστασης της SRAM και, συνεπώς, την πρόβλεψη των επερχόμενων βλαβών στα υποκυκλώματά της. Στη συνέχεια, στόχος είναι να παρουσιαστούν τεχνικές ρύθμισης της λειτουργίας SRAM ή δυνατότητες επισκευής για την αυτό-ίαση των αντίστοιχων υποκυκλωμάτων, προκειμένου να διατηρηθεί η αξιόπιστη λειτουργία της μνήμης. Δύο νέες μέθοδοι αυτο-ίασης προτείνονται για τα κελιά μνήμης και τους αισθητήρες σήματος SRAM και μία νέα μέθοδο για τους αποκωδικοποιητές SRAM. Αρχικά, παρουσιάζεται ένα σχήμα που απευθύνεται ξεχωριστά στους αισθητήρες σήματος και τα κελιά μνήμης SRAM για ανίχνευση γήρανσης στα τρανζίστορ τους και προτείνονται οι αντίστοιχες επιλογές αυτο-ίασης προκειμένου να διατηρηθεί η αξιοπιστία της SRAM. Το σχήμα ανίχνευσης βασίζεται στη χρήση ενός μικρού κυκλικού διαφορικού ταλαντωτή (DRO) και ο κύκλος λειτουργίας του σήματος DRO χρησιμοποιείται για τη διάκριση των γερασμένων στοιχείων. Στη συνέχεια, παρουσιάζεται μια ενοποιημένη προσέγγιση του παραπάνω σχεδίου για την ανίχνευση γήρανσης τόσο των κελιών μνήμης όσο και των αισθητήρων σήματος. Μια τροποποίηση αυτής της τεχνικής προτείνεται επίσης με τη χρήση ενός επαναρυθμιζόμενου ταλαντωτή (rDRO) για τις ανάγκες της αυτο-ίασης στους αισθητήρες σήματος SRAM. Τέλος, παρουσιάζεται μια τεχνική ανίχνευσης γήρανσης για τους αποκωδικοποιητές SRAM, μαζί με μια τεχνική προσαρμογής για την επιτυχή αυτο-ίαση. Το σχήμα παρουσιάζει την προσθήκη ενός απλού, χαμηλού κόστους ενσωματωμένου κυκλώματος προκειμένου να εντοπιστεί έγκαιρα η γήρανση του αποκωδικοποιητή και να αντιδράσει σωστά για να εξασφαλιστεί η αξιοπιστία και να παραταθεί η διάρκεια ζωής της SRAM. Οι προσομοιώσεις που πραγματοποιήθηκαν στα παραπάνω σχήματα επιβεβαιώνουν την ικανότητά τους να παρέχουν αυρο-ίασης σε γερασμένα κελιά μνήμης, αισθητήρες σήματος και αποκωδικοποιητές αντίστοιχα, ενώ ταυτόχρονα προσφέρουν χαμηλό κόστος στην επιφάνεια πυριτίου καθώς και την ικανότητα αποφυγής της γήρανσης των κυκλωμάτων όταν η SRAM βρίσκεται σε κανονική λειτουργία. 4, xiv, 178 σ.

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Background: Supervision of behavior analysts seeking certification and supervision of service delivery are key processes in the provision of quality behaviour analytic services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Our study is the first to examine international supervisory practices within the field of applied behaviour analysis. Method: An online survey was distributed to 92 professionals internationally, assessing supervisory practice, supervisor support, work demands, job satisfaction, and burnout. Results: Findings indicate high satisfaction with the supervisor and supervisory experience. Excessive work demands positively correlate with high burnout and low job satisfaction. Half of all professionals only worked with one or two clients before certification. Supervisor and collegial support seem to decrease the likelihood of suffering burnout and increase job satisfaction, although relationships were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Supervisor and collegial support warrant further research as protective factors. Implications for an evidence-based supervisory practice that produces ethical and competent supervisees are discussed.

Interventions based on applied behaviour analysis are considered evidence based practice for autism spectrum disorders. Due to the shortage of highly qualified professionals required for their delivery, innovative models should be explored, such as telehealth. Telehealth utilises technology for remote training and supervision. The purpose of our study was to systematically review the literature researching telehealth and ABA. We analysed intervention characteristics, outcomes and research quality in 28 studies and identified gaps. Intervention characteristics were: (1) research design (2) participants (3) technology (4) dependent variables (5) aims. Outcomes were favourable with all studies reporting improvements in at least one variable. Quality ratings were significantly low. Implications for future research and practice are discussed in light of identified methodological downfalls.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Objectives: Intravenous fluid (IV) therapy is an important component of care for many hospital patients, especially in perioperative and acute care settings. However, errors in fluid composition and dosing can be life-threatening. To achieve competent professional performance, i.e., accurate and fluent, it is vitally important that medical students receive effective training in IV fluid therapy. Methods: In this study, we explored how Precision Teaching (PT), a behaviour analytic teaching method, can enhance outcomes of usual medical education techniques.A total of 178 third-year medical students participated in the study during the IV fluid therapy training week. All students completed a multiple-choice test pre- and post-training. In addition to standard IV fluid therapy teaching, the experimental intervention group (n=83 students) used SAFMEDS (Say All Fast MinuteEvery Day Shuffled) cards approximately 3-5 times per day for 5 days. The other 95 students (control group) received teaching as usual, but did not undergo the additional training. Results: Results show that the SAFMEDS boosted performance of the intervention group on the MCQ by 20 percentage points when compared to the control group. Fluency (accuracy and speed) of performance on SAFMED trials increased markedly during the intervention week and there was evidence that weaker students benefitted in particular. Conclusions: Implications for medical education are outlined.

Međunarodni znanstveni projekt Zavoda za genetiku, oplemenjivanje šumskog drveća i sjemenarstvo Hrvatskog šumarskog instituta „Očuvanje genetskih resursa šumskog drveća u svjetlu klimatskih promjena“ financiran je novčanim sredstvima Hrvatske zaklade za znanost (IP-11-2013, 8131 ConForClim) u periodu od 2014. do 2018. godine. Osnovni cilj projekta je bio dati preporuke za očuvanje genetske raznolikosti šumskog drveća u Hrvatskoj. Projekt se provodio u sjemenskim sastojinama hrasta lužnjaka (Quercus robur L.) i obične bukve (Fagus sylvatica L.) kao modelnim vrstama u suradnji sa znanstvenim institucijama u Hrvatskoj i Njemačkoj. Genetska raznolikost i prilagodljivost obične bukve i hrasta lužnjaka ugrožena je uslijed klimatskih promjena. Rezultati ovog projekta pokazali su visoku razinu genetske raznolikosti unutar istraživanih populacija obične bukve i hrasta lužnjaka te je potvrđen ekotipski obrazac interpopulacijske genetske diferencijacije. Zdravstveno stanje u testovima provenijencija hrasta lužnjaka i obične bukve ukazalo je na statističku značajnu razliku oštećenja uzrokovanih gljivičnim bolestima i insektima. Značajan čimbenik koji utječe na pojavu i intenzitet oštećenja su lokalni klimatski uvjeti te godišnje klimatske razlike. U pokusu sušnog stresa pojedinih ekotipova pomlatka obične bukve utvrđene su razlike. Na temelju rezultata ovog istraživanja sačinjene su preporuke za reviziju uporabe i prijenosa šumskog sjemena. Rezultati projekta pružili su smjernice za podizanje kvalitete ŠRM-a u najvišu kategoriju (Zakon o ŠRM-u (NN 75/2009) i Direktiva Vijeća 1999/105 EZ). Viša kategorija jamči veću kvalitetu ŠRM-a i samim time i veću cijenu na tržištu.

Autism defies the entire world and has still not yet delivered all its secrets. For this reason, it is the subject matter of many different ideologies, treatments, debates and qualifications, which often do not thoroughly consider advances in international research.There are no borders in autism; it touches upon all social classes in different countries around the world.This is why the association VAINCRE L’AUTISME and its scientific committee wish to put forth the current state of international scientific knowledge on autism through the publication of this White Paper, which consolidates leading scientific research on autism from around the world.The objectives of this international and scientific document are to provide current data from science and medicine in the subject of autism, to be a document of quality and a reference, and to be informative and comprehensible for everyone. It is intended to be useful and accessible to all, from individuals and families touched by autism, to European and international governmental bodies.We intend for this document to be widely used and to be translated into different languages in order to bring about an international collective awareness of autism, as is the case for all serious conditions of public health concern worldwide.We express our heartfelt gratitude to the different researchers and clinicians who contributed to this document, which is of interest to public health and to the enhancement of the human condition without borders.

In nanometer technologies the reliability of Static Random Access Memories (SRAMs) is seriously affected by transistor Bias-Temperature Instability (BTI). In this work, a circuit for the periodic aging monitoring in SRAM sense amplifiers (due to BTI related transistor degradation) is presented. This degradation increases the input offset voltage of a sense amplifier. Periodic monitoring provides the ability to avoid SRAM failures by detecting over aged sense amplifiers (near failure) and then properly react in order to maintain the memory reliable operation. The monitoring scheme is based on a low cost differential ring oscillator, which can be easily embedded in an SRAM array without affecting the normal mode of operation.

Transistor aging due to Bias-Temperature Instability (BTI) and Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) phenomena seriously affects the reliable operation of Static Random Access Memories (SRAMs). In this paper, a circuit for the periodic monitoring of BTI and HCI related transistor degradation in SRAM sense amplifiers is proposed. This degradation increases the response time of a sense amplifier. Periodic aging monitoring provides the ability to avoid failures in the memory array by detecting over aged sense amplifiers (near failure) and adjusting the clock frequency in order to maintain the reliable operation of the memory. The proposed scheme exploits a low cost Differential Ring Oscillator that can be easily embedded in a typical SRAM without affecting its normal mode of operation.

Sleep disorders affect a large portion of those with autism spectrum disorder. Behavioural interventions have been found to increase appropriate sleep behaviours. This study sought to examine the efficacy of two stimulus control interventions (bedtime fading and positive routines) on total sleep duration, sleep onset latency and frequency and duration of night wakings for children with autism using two multiple baseline designs. Secondary dependent variables, namely, educational opportunities, challenging behaviours, parent acceptance and social validity were also analysed. Results suggest some efficacy for both interventions. Increased total sleep duration and decreased sleep onset latency were achieved with bedtime fading. Positive routines showed mixed results with decreased sleep onset latency and increased total sleep duration for two of three participants.

Prolonged summer droughts constitute to a major risk for the cultivation of beech in Central Europe. Therefore the identification of beech ecotypes that cope with growth conditions expected in future is highly desirable for forest practitioners. In a pot experiment under controlled conditions, the influence of longterm water deprivation on growth, root/shoot ratio, nitrogen (N)- and carbon (C) assimilation of seedlings from 6 European beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) provenances, originating from Central Europe (Germany), the Balkan Peninsula (Croatia), and south-east Europe (Bulgaria, Greece) were examined. Genetic diversity and relationships between the provenances were analysed by molecular markers such as nuclear EST microsatellites (EST-SSRs), SNPs and chloroplast microsatellites. Genetic diversity within provenances was high and highlighted close relationships between plants from Greece, Croatia and Germany, whereas beech from Bavaria (Germany) seemed to be admixed with genotypes from Bulgaria. Significant changes in fine root δ 13 C and C/N ratio as well as the intrinsic Water Use Efficiency (iWUE) demonstrate a better adaptability to future environmental conditions of beech ecotypes genetically related to the Greek beech population.

Low job satisfaction and burnout are common occurrences among those providing behavioral services potentially leading to absenteeism, turnover, low standards of service, and poor health outcomes. The current study explored the occurrence of low job satisfaction and burnout in this population. We disseminated a web-based survey composed of a series of sociodemographic and job-related variables, the Job Satisfaction Survey, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. A diverse incidental sample of 183 practitioners currently providing behavioral services completed the survey. The results indicated that about two in every three participants were experiencing moderate to high burnout levels and about one in every three were experiencing little to no job satisfaction. A series of logistic models showed that social support in the work environment and supervision opportunities for trainees were key predictors of burnout and job satisfaction. We defined a socially supportive work environment as one with (a) several team members, (b) certified professionals, (c) frequent and positive interactions among team members, and (d) frequent and relevant staff training opportunities.

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) are economically and ecologically important deciduous trees in Europe. In Croatia, the International pedunculate oak provenance trials and International European beech provenance trials were established in order to study growth traits and adaptive potential at selected sites. The aim of this study was to examine the health condition, to identify causes of damages on oak and beech trees and to detect insects and fungal diseases. The study areas were pedunculate oak provenance trials in Koška (2015) and Jastrebarski lugovi (2015, 2016) and beech provenance trial in Medvednica (2015). Tree crown condition survey was performed by using the visual tree assessment method. In oak provenance trials five types of damages were recorded: powdery mildew, chewing damages, leaves spots, galls and sooty mold. In beech provenance trials five types of damages were recorded, as well: aphids, galls, chewing damages, anthracnose and cankers. Plant material with typical symptoms of damage was collected for phytopathological and molecular genetic testing. In oak provenance trials the powdery mildew was caused by fungus Erysiphe alphitoides. The galls were caused by insects: Neuroterus quercus-baccarum, N. numismalis, N. anthracinus, Cynips quercuscalicis, C. quercus folii. The chewing damages were caused by Stigmella samiatella, Caliroa annulipes, Tortrix viridana and Geometrid caterpillar. Leave spots were caused by Apiognomonia quercina and Septoria quercicola. Sotty mold causing by various fungi were present in provenance trial in Jastrebarski lugovi in 2016. In beech provenance trial, anthracnose damage were caused by fungus Apiognomonia errabunda, cankers were caused by fungi Nectria cinnabarina and Neonectria ditissima. The damage from aphids was caused by Phyllapis fagi. The gall was caused by Mikiola fagi. The chewing damages were caused by Phyllonorycter maestingella and Rhynchaeus fagi. We concluded that the occurrence and intensity of the diseases and pests depended on microclimatic conditions on the international provenance trials localities.

How tolerant are beech provenances on drought stress? A study on German and Balkan provenances

Health condition of international pendunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) provenance trials in Jastrebarsko and Koška, Croatia

Individuals with autism and intellectual disability (ID) have complex learning needs and often have difficulty in acquiring reading comprehension skills using conventional teaching tools. Evidence based reading interventions for these learners and the use of assistive technology and application of behaviour analysis to develop user-centered teaching is discussed in this paper.

Individuals with autism and intellectual disability (ID) have complex learning needs and often have difficulty in acquiring reading comprehension skills using conventional teaching tools. Evidence based reading interventions for these learners and the use of assistive technology and application of behaviour analysis to develop user-centered teaching is discussed in this paper.