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Comparison of Si and GaN power devices used in PV module integrated converters Using the newly developed enhancement-mode Galium-Nitride-on-Silicon (eGaN) devices with high conductivity and very fast switching speed a breakthrough in switching performance can be achieved. Multi-megahertz switching frequency capability will significantly reduce the size of passive components, adding the cost benefits and increasing the integration level and power density. As to date, the use of GaN devices in power converters is still in its infancy, but its widespread application is a near reality. PV converter industry is one of the areas which would greatly benefit from the new GaN technology. The most important requirements for a PV converter, efficiency and cost effectiveness, can both be addressed with improved switching devices. This paper presents a performance comparison of a PV module integrated DC-DC converter based on commercially available GaN and Si power devices. The presented results show that the first generation of GaN devices outperforms the best in class Si devices. Since GaN is immature technology, further improvements will be seen in the years to come.
Feldspar – A Functional Embedded Language for Digital Signal Processing * Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms are usually designed and described on an abstract level and than transformed to a DSP chip speciﬁc C code by expert programmers. The problem is that the gap between the abstract description and the platform dependent code is huge and even the C code optimized for two diﬀerent chips diﬀer a lot. This makes it expensive to rewrite the algorithms each time a new chip is targeted. We expect that designing and implementing a high-level domain-speciﬁc language (DSL) will make the implementation of algorithms easier and a compiler together with platform-speciﬁc code generator and optimizer modules will take the burden of target-dependent low-level programming oﬀ the programmers. To address these problems, we propose a new programming language called Feldspar (Functional Embedded Language for Digital Signal Processing and Parallelism). We started the design and implementation of this language a year ago, and now we have a compiler prototype which translates programs written in Feldspar into hardware-indepdendent ISO C99-compilant code.
Solid-State and Dynamic Solution Behavior of a Cationic, Two-Coordinate Gold(I) π-Allene Complex The cationic gold π-allene complex {[P(t-Bu)2o-biphenyl]Au[η2-H2C═C═C(CH3)2]}+SbF6− was isolated in 98% yield from reaction of 3-methyl-1,2-butadiene with a mixture of [P(t-Bu)2o-biphenyl]AuCl and AgSbF6 and was characterized by X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. These studies revealed preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C═C bond of the allene in both the solid state and solution and also revealed fluxional behavior consistent with π-face exchange of the allene ligand via an η1-C2 allene intermediate or transition state.
[High-dose immunoglobulins in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome]. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin was effective in 3 children with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). They presented with mild to moderate, flaccid weakness which progressively deteriorated to severe tetraparesis and weakness of ocular, facial and bulbar muscles. 1 of them was treated with steroids with no response. Serum immune globulins were infused (1g/kg/day) for 2 consecutive days. There was marked clinical improvement in all 3 after the second day of infusion, and there were no adverse affects. All became ambulatory and were able to walk within the first week. Ocular, facial and bulbar impairment gradually subsided and disappeared, as did hypertension in 1. A 6-year-old boy completely recovered after 3 weeks while the 2 girls, both aged 9 years, still have mild weakness which is gradually improving. High-dose immunoglobulin therapy may be effective in children with severe GBS, with no significant adverse effects. It presumably provides idiotypic antibodies that block the autoimmune process responsible for demyelination.
Clinical Significance of Growth Restriction in Pregnancies With Gastroschisis INTRODUCTION: To characterize the consequences of growth restriction according to birth weight in pregnancies complicated by fetal gastroschisis. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective study of all singleton pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis that underwent prenatal sonography and delivered at our institution between August 1997 and December 2012. Pregnancies were identified from an obstetric database. Atypical defects in which no ventral wall could be identified were excluded. Cases of stillbirth and neonatal death were analyzed separately. Neonate birth weight percentile was determined using gestational age-specific, institution-based nomograms. RESULTS: There were 111 deliveries with gastroschisis during the study period, 5.9 per 10,000 births. Growth restriction was common with 37 neonates (33%) 10th percentile or less for gestational age and 16 (14%) third percentile or less. Four stillbirths were identified (3.6/100); none had evidence of growth restriction. Neonate birth weight percentile was not associated with gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, nor other measures of maternal or infant morbidity (Table 1). Similarly, neonatal mortality was unrelated to birth weight percentile. Table 1 Outcomes of Gastroschisis According to Birth Weight Percentile CONCLUSIONS: Although growth restriction was common among neonates with gastroschisis, affected neonates were not at increased risk for morbidity or mortality in the immediate neonatal period.
More ways to successfully supplement vitamin D. Our attention was drawn to your recently published original research article titled “A micronutrient-fortified young-child formula improves the iron and vitamin D status of healthy young European children: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial” by Akkermans et al. (1). We compliment the authors on this publication and their commitment to these relevant public health issues. The authors studied hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in toddlers in relation to the consumption of a newly developed young-child formula. The formula is fortified with carbohydrates, fibers, nonheme iron, essential trace elements, vitamins, and folic acid; and the amounts of proteins and electrolytes in this formula are lower than in cow milk. During the study period, parents were asked not to change their child’s dietary habits, including the use of supplements. A minority of 30% of children received vitamin D supplements. So, in fact, 4 groups can be distinguished: those who drank cow milk with or without vitamin D supplementation and those who drank formula with or without supplementation. The authors report that the intake of the young-child formula resulted in increased concentrations of the biomarkers after 20 wk of consumption, whereas these decreased in the controls. The effect of vitamin D supplementation in this respect remains unclear. As a final remark, the authors state that a standard young children’s diet containing cow milk with or without vitamin D supplements is “insufficient for preventing [iron deficiency] and [vitamin D deficiency]” in toddlers and they conclude that the new product “preserves [iron] status and improves vitamin D status.” The latter seems accurate, but we are not sure that adequate supplementation would not have equally improved the iron and vitamin D status (2, 3). An equally appropriate conclusion could have been to endorse the current national guideline for a healthy diet with a daily supplement of 10 lg vitamin D (4, 5). A comparison between the above-mentioned 4 groups could have provided us with the answer. Raw data, however, have not been made available with the open-access publication. Parents ignore the guideline on vitamin D supplementation on a large scale (1, 5). Yet, the dropout ratio during the formula intervention also was considerable, higher than the previously estimated 25%. This is remarkable because the young-child formula was available free of charge. This study merely seems to confirm the difficulties that are met when implementing healthy dietary habits during a toddler’s transition to table foods (6). This article certainly will not be the last reporting outcomes of this intervention. We hope that future conclusions will be better in tune with the European guidelines on toddlers’ nutrition. Long-term benefits of this well-conducted randomized, doubleblind, controlled trial on neurodevelopment and overall health are awaited and we expect that outcomes will include growth (7). We also are curious to learn about the effects of the increased carbohydrate and fiber content of the elevated trace element and vitamin amounts, and of the folic acid content, as well as the reductions in proteins and electrolytes.
Health-education package to prevent worm infections in Chinese schoolchildren. BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths are among the most prevalent sources of human infections globally. We determined the effect of an educational package at rural schools in Linxiang City District, Hunan province, China, where these worms are prevalent. The intervention aimed to increase knowledge about soil-transmitted helminths, induce behavioral change, and reduce the rate of infection. METHODS We conducted a single-blind, unmatched, cluster-randomized intervention trial involving 1718 children, 9 to 10 years of age, in 38 schools over the course of 1 school year. Schools were randomly assigned to the health-education package, which included a cartoon video, or to a control package, which involved only the display of a health-education poster. Infection rates, knowledge about soil-transmitted helminths (as assessed with the use of a questionnaire), and hand-washing behavior were assessed before and after the intervention. Albendazole was administered in all the participants at baseline and in all the children who were found to be positive for infection with soil-transmitted helminths at the follow-up assessment at the end of the school year. RESULTS At the follow-up assessment, the mean score for the knowledge of helminths, calculated as a percentage of a total of 43 points on a questionnaire, was 90% higher in the intervention group than in the control group (63.3 vs. 33.4, P<0.001), the percentage of children who washed their hands after using the toilet was nearly twice as high in the intervention group (98.9%, vs. 54.2% in the control group; P<0.001), and the incidence of infection with soil-transmitted helminths was 50% lower in the intervention group than in the control group (4.1% vs. 8.4%, P<0.001). No adverse events were observed immediately (within 15 minutes) after albendazole treatment. CONCLUSIONS The health-education package increased students' knowledge about soil-transmitted helminths and led to a change in behavior and a reduced incidence of infection within 1 school year. (Funded by UBS Optimus Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12610000048088.).
Questioning English standards: Learner attitudes and L2 choices in Norway Abstract This study investigates attitudes towards varieties of English among Norwegian adolescent learners and assesses the role of social evaluation for second language (L2) pronunciation choices by combining a verbal guise test with speaker commentary and reports of language choices. The results suggest that while American English is the most accessible English accent and the preferred L2 choice, Standard Southern British English remains the most prestigious English accent and retains its position as a formal English language teaching standard. However, not all learners want to convey the social meanings attributed to these widely identified English varieties, and therefore aim towards a “neutral” variety of English not associated with any native-English-speaking people or culture. The avoidance of standard varieties as L2 targets suggests that the tradition of questioning standard language norms in Norway is mirrored in L2 practices. The investigations into social motivations for L2 behaviour contribute to the ongoing discourse on the global spread and local appropriation of English. The results have implications for English language educators, who must meet the needs of proficient learners in an environment with increased intra-national use of English and no explicit model of pronunciation.
Design and deployment of a heart rate monitoring system in a senior center While wearable sensor systems are now widely used to monitor vital signs in hospitals and at home, most such systems are designed for bedridden patients. In contrast, the use of wireless sensors to capture physiological data from patients for long term health monitoring is becoming increasingly popular although some previous studies recorded complaints from users about discomfort when wearing these. In addition, these systems can sometimes suffer from interference from existing Wi-Fi traffic. Therefore, a sensor system that is both comfortable to use and does not encounter interference with existing wireless traffic is required. This paper presents a system design that includes a probe, sensor, radio, and receiver for a long term heart rate monitoring in a senior center. This system has been deployed in a senior center since May 2012, and 63 seniors have used this system in this period. The senior center has its own wireless network, and no changes were made to this. The monitoring system presented in this work runs together with the existing network, and achieves a 97% packet delivery rate.
LEGAL REGULATIONS REGARDING ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINIAN CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ARMED CONFLICT ON THE TERRITORY OF THAT STATE The author discusses the principles of assistance to Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland in connection with the war caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022. Under the law of the European Union, the assistance is provided for by Council Directive 2001/55/EC of July 20, 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof. However, detailed rules of assistance are laid down by the Polish Act of 12 March 2022 on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that state. The Act was not intended to grant to Ukrainian citizens special rights which they would not have if residing legally on the territory of Poland; its purpose was to shorten and simplify the procedures of legalization of stay for those refugees from Ukraine who directly crossed the borders of Poland from February 24, 2022. Thanks to legalizing their stay, they gained access to the labour market and public services in Poland.
The canid genome: behavioral geneticists' best friend? We review a range of studies on the genetic contribution to behavior in canid species. We begin by identifying factors that make canids a promising model in behavioral genetics and proceed to review research over the last decade that has used canids to identify genetic contributions to behavior. We first review studies that have selectively bred dogs to identify genetic contributions to behavior and then review studies that estimate heritability from populations of non‐laboratory bred dogs. We subsequently review studies that used molecular genetics to identify gene–behavior associations and note associations that have been uncovered. We then note challenges in canid behavioral genetics research that require further consideration. We finish by suggesting alternative phenotyping methods and identify areas in which canids may have as yet unexploited advantages, such as in gene–environment interaction studies where genetic factors are found to moderate the effects of environmental variables.
REVIEW: QUALITY OF LIFE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENT WITH APPLICATION OF LIFESTYLE Diabetes is a chronic disease that has increased growing from year to year in the number of sufferers from year to year. It is associated with changes in lifestyle in modern times that can affect the quality of life of the patients. The quality of life itself refers to the value assigned during a lifetime that changes with decreased functional, perceptual, and social value and can be affected by disease and treatment. The assessment of the quality of life, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aims to restore not only physical function in terms of mobility but also perceptions of health. This research aims to determine the role of lifestyle in improving the quality of life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The non-experimental study is based on a review of various articles on the quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus published in various national journals from 2016 to 2022. The results of this study showed that exercising, consuming a balanced, nutritious diet, and monthly health check-ups greatly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life. The quality of life can also be measured using the EQ-5D-5L instrument which cover five domains mobility (the ability to move or walk), self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression and five domain levels. This article concludes that a good lifestyle can improve the quality of life of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Malignant hypercalcaemia and leucocytosis associated with carcinoma of the bronchus. A 63-year-old man, with an eight-year history of rheumatoid disease, was admitted after the development over four weeks of a large painful swelling above the right shoulder. In addition, he complained of anorexia, night sweats, and constipation. He was a non-smoker. His treatment consisted of prednisolone 5 mg daily and indomethacin 100 mg twice daily. Clinical examination showed him to be ill but afebrile. The swelling, measuring 12 x 6 x 8 cm, was red and tense. The chest was normal. The results of laboratory investigations included the following: haemoglobin 9-8 g/dl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 99 mm in one hour, serum sodium concentration 137 mmol (mEq)/l, potassium 4-3 mmol (mEq)/l, chloride 97 mmol (mEq)/l, urea 12-0 mmolI (72.3 mg/100 ml), creatinine 0-14 mmol/l (1-6 mg/100 ml). The white cell count on admission was 34 x 109 1 (75% neutrophils, 21% lymphocytes, 2% monocytes, 1% eosinophils, 1% metamyelocytes). Blood, urine, and sputum specimens were sent for culture. In view of the possibility of a septic arthritis masked by steroid treatment, aspiration of the cyst was carried out and 2000 ml of straw-coloured fluid was obtained. No organisms were seen or cultured. Treatment was commenced empirically with amoxycillin 250 mg thrice daily. The patient deteriorated five days after admission, becoming confused and paranoid. A radiograph showed erosion of the lateral half of the right clavicle. A chest radiograph showed an opacity in the left upper zone and fractures of the fourth right rib and the third left rib. A diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma of the bronchus was made. The serum calcium concentration was 3-60 mmol/l (14-4 mg/100 ml) uncorrected (serum albumin 26 g/l), serum phosphate 1-11 mmol/l (3-4 mg/100 ml), serum alkaline phosphatase 338 ml/l, and serum parathormone less than 0-3 ng/l (normal range 0-2-0-7 ng/l). Bone marrow examination six days after admission showed an
Plasmon excitation on a thin metal-film grating: Profile effect and applications We investigate plasmon excitation on the surfaces of a thin metal-film grating, which are sinusoidally modulated with a common period and different initial phases. Employing Yasuura's method of modal expansion, we numerically find the resonance angle, field distribution, power flow in the vicinity of the grating surfaces, and efficiency of propagating orders. By setting the amplitude of the metal-film grating and the phase difference between the top and the bottom surface, we can examine the profile effect on plasmon excitation. In addition we show some results for a grating in conical mounting.
Fractional order differentiation by integration and error analysis in noisy environment : Part 2 discrete case In the first part of this work [1], the differentiation by integration method has been generalized from the integer order to the fractional order so as to estimate the fractional order derivatives of noisy signals. The estimation errors for the proposed fractional order Jacobi differentiators have been studied in continuous case. In this paper, the focus is on the study of these differentiators in discrete case. Firstly, the noise error contribution due to a large class of stochastic processes is studied in discrete case. In particular, it is shown that the differentiator based on the Caputo fractional order derivative can cope with a class of noises, the mean value and variance functions of which are time-variant. Secondly, by using the obtained noise error bound and the error bound for the bias term error obtained in the first part, we analyze the design parameters’ influence on the obtained fractional order differentiators. Thirdly, according to the knowledge of the design parameters’ influence, the fractional order Jacobi differentiators are significantly improved by admitting a time-delay. In order to reduce the calculation time for on-line applications, a recursive algorithm is proposed. Finally, numerical simulations show their accuracy and robustness with respect to corrupting noises. D.Y. Liu, and T.M. Laleg-Kirati are with Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 23955-6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]) O. Gibaru is with LSIS (CNRS, UMR 7296), Arts et Métiers ParisTech, 8 Boulevard Louis XIV, 59046 Lille Cedex, France (e-mail: [email protected]) W. Perruquetti is with LAGIS (CNRS, UMR 8146), École Centrale de Lille, BP 48, Cité Scientifique, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France (e-mail: [email protected]) O. Gibaru, and W. Perruquetti are with Équipe Projet Non-A, INRIA Lille-Nord Europe, Parc Scientifique de la Haute Borne, 40, avenue Halley Bât.A, Park Plaza, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France January 19, 2013 DRAFT ha l-0 07 79 18 2, v er si on 1 21 J an 2 01 3 2 Index Terms Digital fractional order differentiator, Error analysis, Time-delay. EDICS: SSP-FILT; ASP-ANAL.
LASER: Linear Compression in Wireless Distributed Optimization Data-parallel SGD is the de facto algorithm for distributed optimization, especially for large scale machine learning. Despite its merits, communication bottleneck is one of its persistent issues. Most compression schemes to alleviate this either assume noiseless communication links, or fail to achieve good performance on practical tasks. In this paper, we close this gap and introduce LASER: LineAr CompreSsion in WirEless DistRibuted Optimization. LASER capitalizes on the inherent low-rank structure of gradients and transmits them efficiently over the noisy channels. Whilst enjoying theoretical guarantees similar to those of the classical SGD, LASER shows consistent gains over baselines on a variety of practical benchmarks. In particular, it outperforms the state-of-the-art compression schemes on challenging computer vision and GPT language modeling tasks. On the latter, we obtain $50$-$64 \%$ improvement in perplexity over our baselines for noisy channels.
HLA DRB1 Alleles and Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients T cell responses against HCV are regulated by the host’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, which thus are ideal candidate genes to investigate for associations with HCV susceptibility. We aimed to identify associations of HLA DRB1* alleles with HCV infection in a high risk of exposure population, chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on dialysis, and to study any possible relationships with allele zygosity. The study population comprised 110 HCV infected and 143 HCV uninfected CKD patients undergoing regular hemodialysis. HLA DRB1* alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction followed by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. We found a significant negative association between HLA DRB103 and HCV infection, but the association did not retain significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons. HLA DRB103 was found at reduced frequency in HCV antibody positive compared to HCV antibody negative CKD patients on regular dialysis (corrected p was not significant). No significant association between HCV infection and HLA DRB1* zygosity was observed. Our results suggest that there is minimal evidence for a significant role of a particular HLA DRB1* allele or allele zygosity in the susceptibility or protection to HCV in high-risk hemodialysis patients with similar exposure to infection.
Money and Productive Efficiency: Evidence from a High-Inflation Country This paper examines how money balances held by manufacturing firms affect their efficiency in generating sales revenue in a high-inflation economy. The analysis employs data from Turkish firms to estimate a stochastic frontier model, finding a strong positive association between the firms' money holdings and their efficiency. However, the role of money balances seems to diminish as firms hold higher raw material inventories.
Planar relative equilibrium vortices with free boundaries A variational characterization is employed to find isolated vortices-steady solutions of the two-dimensional Euler equations-as relative equilibrium solutions. The steady states are parametrized by the values of invariant integrals of the dynamical system corresponding to the physical quantities of enstrophy, positive and negative circulation and linear and angular momentum. The variational principles can be treated analytically in special configurations but are solved numerically in other cases, where the optimization scheme by Eydeland solves for the free boundaries. We find continuous distributions of vorticity on supports that are not necessarily simply connected. For special choices of the parameter values isolated mono-, di-, tri- and quadrupolar vortices are found.
Informational uses of spiritual information: an analysis of messages reportedly transmitted by extraphysical means This article explores informational uses of spiritual information presented in spiritual publications. Informational use entails cognitive or communicational activity that — on the basis of information — focuses on representations of the perceived existence, whereas practical use of information centres on tangible — material or energetic — activities of the real world. Some earlier research has been done on the informational uses of information, but spiritual information has been ignored almost altogether in this context. The empirical work was grounded on a representative sample of spiritual texts. The method of analysing the data was inductive content analysis. The main result of this study was the discovery and dissection of three fundamental varieties of informational information use: internalizing information, processing knowledge, and externalizing knowledge. The classification constructed in this study can be seen as a useful tool for further investigation into information use, but it should be refined in subsequent research.
A self-reference sensing technique for ultra-sensitive chemical and biological detection using whispering gallery microresonators Ultra-sensitive and label-free chemical and biological sensing devices are of great importance to biomedical research, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and homeland security applications. Optical sensors based on ultra-highquality Whispering-Gallery-Mode (WGM) micro-resonators, in which light-matter interactions are significantly enhanced, have shown great promise in achieving compact sensors with high sensitivity and reliability. However, traditional sensing mechanisms based on monitoring the frequency shift of a single resonance faces challenges since the resonant frequency is sensitive not only to the sensing targets but also to many types of disturbances in the environment, such as temperature variation and mechanical instability of the system. The analysis of the signals is also affected by the positions of sensing targets on the resonator. Thus, it is difficult to distinguish signals coming from different sources, which introduces 'false positive' detection. We report a novel self-reference sensing mechanism based on mode splitting, a phenomenon in which a high-quality optical mode in a WGM resonator splits into two modes due to intra-cavity Rayleigh scattering. In particular, we demonstrated that the two split modes that can be induced by a single nanoparticle reside in the same resonator and serve as a reference to each other. As a result, a self-reference sensing scheme is formed. This allows us to develop a position-independent sensing scheme to accurately estimate the sizes of nanoparticles. So far we have achieved position-independent detecting and sizing of single nanoparticles down to 20 nm in radius with a single-shot measurement using an on-chip high-quality WGM microtoroid resonator.
Analytically Expressed Dispersion Diagram of Unit Cells for a Novel Type of Holographic Surface A novel type of surface-impedance modulation mechanism for designing of microstrip-technology-based surface-wave-excited holographic antennas is proposed. The advanced radiating geometry consists of quasi-periodic arrangement of unit cells operating in the leaky-wave region. Flexible design requires a considerable numerical effort determining the dispersion characteristics of any possible unit cell present in the geometry. In this context, an analytic determination of the dispersion diagram for a unit cell with a sinusoidal modulation of the effective dielectric constant in its inside is presented. In this particular case, the solution is expressed in terms of Mathieu functions. The good agreement between numerical data and analytic solutions for an open, unbounded microstrip structure allows introducing the principle of a novel type of holographic surface obtained by cascading unit cells with different modulation parameters, where the phase of the radiating field can be geometrically controlled.
What are we teaching about lifting and transferring patients? Lifting patients under the axilla has been found to be physically stressful for nurses and uncomfortable for patients. The goals of this study were to find out: how often educators teach this method and observe it in the clinical field; which assistive devices are used in teaching; and what authors of textbooks teach about the under-axilla method. A questionnaire was sent to 546 baccalaureate (BS) and associate (AD) degree programs; 358 educators responded and 337 responses were analyzed. Eighty-three percent of the educators teach the under-axilla method for in- and out-of-bed transfers; 94% observe it used in the clinical field. For lifting up in bed, 56% teach the under-axilla method; 86% observe it in the clinical field. When assistive devices are included in teaching, the hydraulic lift and gait belt are taught most often; less stressful and more comfortable devices are not taught or observed by most respondents. None of the authors of the 3 most frequently used textbooks describe the use of the under-axilla method; authors of 2 textbooks state patients should not have pressure placed on the axilla area.
[Tracing investigation and analysis of a Clostridium botulinum food poisoning incident in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang]. To analyze a suspected case of Clostridium botulinum food poisoning in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang and to help validating the diagnosis and providing technical support for clinical treatment. The basic information and clinical manifestations of food poisoning cases were investigated by using the epidemiological method of food safety accidents. The botulinum toxin genes in the samples were detected by real-time PCR and inoculation of KM mouse. The enriched bacteria were further purified and validated. PFGE and cluster analysis were performed on five isolates. Clostridium botulinum type A was detected in two homemade fermented bean samples and stool lavage fluid samples of three patients from enriched samples by toxin test and real-time PCR, and were further validated after isolation of Clostridium botulinum. PFGE showed 100% homology among five isolates. Five isolates of bacteria isolated from the stool lavage fluid of three patients and two homemade fermented bean curd were identified as the same source through PFGE. The cause of this food poisoning cases is food pollution of Clostridium botulinum type A.
Speed of information-processing and structural limitations by mentally retarded and dual-diagnosed retarded-schizophrenic persons. Three experiments were conducted in an investigation of information-processing capabilities of mentally retarded adults, nonretarded children (mental age control), and nonretarded adults (chronological age control). In all experiments, one of two target stimuli was presented to the center and to the right or left of central fixation. Subjects were required to detect the presence of a stimulus in a yes-no forced-choice paradigm (Experiment 1), identify which of the two targets had been presented in a forced-choice discrimination paradigm (Experiment 2), or distinguish between the targets in a forced-choice discrimination task when the target was preceded by, presented stimultaneously with, or followed by a patterned noninformational masking stimulus. The findings support the theory of a structural defect in mentally retarded persons that results in slow information-processing.
China--the politics of revolutionary reintegration culture, and politics—is the account of what Witke saw, not the tale that Chiang Ch'ing told. The pleated skirts and the personal movie collection; the lush secret garden; the sumptuous life, with its retinue of innumerable courtiers, air conditioning, billiards, swimming pools emptied and refilled at the snap of a finger; the private airplanes; elaborate photographic equipment; quiet vacation spots that could be escaped to at a whim—one cannot help wondering if this is not a very ordinary ruling group with all the perquisites of state power. Witke makes no claims that this "proletarian-imperial" style of life holds in all aspects beyond Chiang Ch'ing. She notes that Chiang Ch'ing insisted time and again that her political initiatives were her own and often went against the will of Mao Tse-tung (pp. 224, 226, 240, 301).
Distinct Escape Mechanisms of HLA Class I Allele-Lacking Hematopoietic Stem Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) from GPI-Deficient HSPCs in Acquired Aplastic Anemia [Background] In cases of immune-mediated bone marrow (BM) failure, such as acquired aplastic anemia (AA) and AA/PNH, aberrant hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) that acquire resistance to immune attack are thought to survive and support hematopoiesis in convalescent patients. Two representative progenies of such "escape" HSPC clones are HLA class I allele-lacking (HLA[-]) leukocytes and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein-deficient (GPI[-]) cells. The mechanism underlying the immune selection of HLA(-) HSPCs is the failure of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) to recognize target antigens that are presented by particular HLA class I alleles of HSPCs. However, the mechanisms underlying the immune selection of GPI(-) HSPCs remain unclear. In addition, whether or not immune pressure that persists after immunosuppressive therapy (IST) contributes to the development and maintenance of clonal hematopoiesis by HLA(-) or GPI(-) HSPCs that are often seen in patients in long-term remission is also unknown. Phenotypical analyses of HSPCs that can be obtained from peripheral blood (PB) of AA patients who possess HLA(-) or GPI(-) leukocytes may provide a hint to elucidate these unsolved issues. [Objectives/Methods] We analyzed PB lineage-CD45dimCD34+CD38+ HSPCs of 15 AA patients who had 1%-99% HLA-A2(-) or HLA-A24(-) granulocytes (Gs) using flow cytometry (FCM). PB samples from 1 patient with severe AA were obtained before IST while the other 14 patients were in remission at the time of sampling; 10 were on cyclosporin (CsA) and eltrombopag (EPAG) (n=1), CsA and anabolic steroids (n=3), CyA (n=4), anabolic steroids (n=1) and EPAG alone (n=1); and 4 were free of therapy. We also determined the percentages of HLA(-) cells in different CD34+ subsets of BM, including HSCs (CD38-CD90+CD45RA-), MPPs, CMPs, GMPs, MEPs and CLPs for patients whose BM cells were available. Six AA/PNH patients whose GPI(-) Gs were 4-99% of the total Gs were subjected to the same PB HSPC analysis. For a separate group of seven AA patients who responded to CsA and had both HLA(-) and GPI(-) G populations, the percentages of each population were serially determined over one to 12 years. [Results] FCM identified 0.01%-0.4% (median 0.01%) CD45dimCD34+CD38+ HSPCs in the mononuclear cell population of the 15 AA patients, values that were significantly lower than those of seven healthy volunteers (0.19-0.78%, median 0.58%, P<0.05). In 4 of the 9 patients on treatment and in 4 patients who had been free of therapy, the percentages of HLA(-) cells in HSPCs were similar to those of Gs (1%/1%, 1%/1%, 14%/15% and 100%/98% in the 4 treated patients; 16%/11% in the untreated patient; 13%/13%, 95%/95%, 99%/99% and 99%/99% in the 4 patients in remission after therapy). BM subsets including HSCs of 2 patients whose Gs and PB HSPCs lacked HLA-A2 almost completely, were 99% negative for HLA-A2. In contrast, in the remaining 6 patients, the percentages of HLA(-) cells in HSPCs were markedly lower than those in Gs (0%/25%, 2%/7%, 4%/65%, 6%/77% [Case 1], 9%/75% and 10%/39% [Case 2]), suggesting the persistence of CTL attack against HPCs or more differentiated myeloid cells (Figure 1). In contrast to HLA(-) PB HSPCs, there was no discordance in the percentage of GPI(-) cells between PB Gs and HSPCs (4%/4%, 49%/50%, 94%/100%, 96%/96%, 96%/99% and 99%/92%) in all 6 AA/PNH patients including 3 responding to CsA. Lastly, serial changes in the percentage of PB HLA(-) and GPI(-) Gs during CsA therapy were compared in seven patients who possessed both aberrant cells. In 4 patients who were responding to CsA, the HLA(-) G percentage gradually decreased in 3 and remained stable in the remaining one, while the GPI(-) G percentage reciprocally increased in 3 and remained stable in one. In contrast, in 3 patients who obtained sustained remission after CsA therapy, the HLA(-) G percentage increased after cessation of CsA. The GPI(-) G percentages decreased in 1 and remained unchanged in 2 (Figure 2). [Conclusions] Immune selection that favors the survival of HLA(-) HSPCs or HPCs takes place even in AA patients who have been in remission for many years after successful IST and may contribute to clonal hematopoiesis by HLA(-) HSPCs. Given no signs of selection at the HSPC stage and the reciprocal increases in the percentage of GPI(-) Gs in AA/PNH patients responding to CsA therapy, the proliferation of GPI(-) HSPCs may not be affected by immune pressure in convalescent patients. Yoroidaka: Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria. Nakao:Ono Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd: Honoraria; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma K.K: Honoraria; SynBio Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Daiichi-Sankyo Company, Limited: Honoraria; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Ohtsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Alaxion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria.
Registry-Managed Care Coordination and Education for Patients With Co-occurring Diabetes and Serious Mental Illness. OBJECTIVE Longitudinal changes in health outcomes of patients with serious mental illness and co-occurring diabetes were examined after introduction of an intervention involving electronic disease management, care coordination, and personalized patient education. METHODS This observational cohort study included 179 patients with serious mental illness and diabetes mellitus type 2 at a behavioral health home in Chicago. The intervention employed a care coordinator who used a diabetes registry to integrate services; patients also received personalized diabetes self-management education. Outcomes included glucose, lipid, and blood pressure levels as assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and systolic/diastolic values from electronic medical records and completion of specialty visits confirmed with optometrists and podiatrists. Interrupted time-series segmented random-effects regression models tested for level changes in the eight study quarters following intervention implementation compared with eight preimplementation study quarters, controlling for clinic site and preimplementation secular trends. RESULTS Significant declines were found in levels of glucose, lipids, and blood pressure postimplementation. In addition, completed optometry referrals increased by 44% and completed podiatry referrals increased by 60%. CONCLUSIONS Significant improvement in medical outcomes was found among patients of a behavioral health home who had comorbid diabetes and mental illness after introduction of a multicomponent care coordination intervention, regardless of which clinic they attended.
Deep learning-based learning to rank with ties for image re-ranking In existing learning to rank problems, the learned ranking function sorts objects according to their predicted scores. Therefore, a full-ordering object list is obtained even if two or more objects have almost identical degrees of relevance (or called objects with ties). For objects containing ties, a more reasonable ranking approach is to learn a ranking function which can judge both the preference and ties relationships among objects. In this paper, we propose a new pairwise ranking algorithm and apply it to image re-ranking. Specifically, we utilize deep learning to re-rank images based on a new loss function. The ties-relationship is considered in both training and testing process. As a result, the learned ranking function can be used to rank objects containing ties. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Effect of topical lignocaine on the sympathoadrenal responses to tracheal intubation. The catecholamine and cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation have been studied in 30 patients undergoing elective gynaecological surgery, allocated randomly to one of three groups: group 1 received 4% lignocaine 160 mg using a Forrester Spray; group 2 received 4% lignocaine 160 mg by "Laryng-o-jet"; group 3 received an equal volume of saline administered by Forrester Spray. In all three groups, there were similar and statistically significant increases in mean arterial pressure and plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations 1 min after intubation, with diminution of these responses by 5 min after intubation. There were no differences between the three groups at any stage, which suggests that topical anaesthesia of the mucosa of the upper airway, as performed conventionally, is ineffective as a means of ameliorating the pressor and catecholamine responses to routine laryngoscopy and intubation.
Pre- and Postemergence Herbicides for Row Middle Weed Control in Vegetable Plasticulture Production Systems In plasticulture vegetable production systems, broadleaf weeds and grasses emerge in the crop planting holes and between the raised beds. Weeds emerging on the bare ground between the raised beds can be the most difficult to control. Experiments were conducted in the spring and fall of 2014 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, FL, to evaluate a range of herbicides for use in row middles in vegetable crops. Weed counts and control ratings did not differ over time and as a result are averaged across 2, 4, and 8 wk after treatment. In the absence of PRE herbicides, carfentrazone did not differ from the nontreated control, whereas paraquat reduced total weed density by 67 and 61% in the spring and fall, respectively. In the fall, carfentrazone tank-mixed with flumioxazin, S-metolachlor + flumioxazin, or paraquat tank-mixed with flumioxazin, S-metolachlor, metribuzin, or S-metolachlor + flumioxazin had 81 to 90% fewer broadleaf weeds than the nontreated control. Total weed density was 70 to 90% lower than the nontreated control when carfentrazone was tank-mixed with flumioxazin or S-metolachlor + flumioxazin or paraquat was tank-mixed with flumioxazin, S-metolachlor, oxyfluorfen, metribuzin or S-metolachlor + flumioxazin. Similar trends occurred in the spring. A tank mix of a soil residual herbicide and POST burn-down herbicides tended to have a greater reduction in weed numbers compared to the POST treatment alone. The most consistent row middle tank-mixes were paraquat tank-mixed with flumioxazin, S-metolachlor + flumioxazin, or S-metolachlor + oxyfluorfen. Nomenclature: EPTC; fomesafen; halosulfuron; napropamide; S-metolachlor; purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L.; tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L.
An Improved Exponential Distributed Power Control Algorithm for MIMO Cellular Systems MIMO is a key technology in the fourth generation cellular mobile communication system. Because of channel reuse, it may bring with serious co-channel interference (CCI). In order to reduce such interference, an improved distributed power control algorithm has been proposed. The exponential iteration has been taken in this algorithm, whose convergence speed is much faster than traditional arithmetic iterations. Moreover, in order to improve its robustness, the previous power in iterations has been added in current power iterative equation as a weighted feedback. In addition, this algorithm has been extended into multi-user MIMO cellular communication system. Compared to traditional algorithms, simulation results show that its iterative convergence rate is faster and its efficiency function is more efficient.
Recombinant Brucella abortus proteins that induce proliferation and gamma-interferon secretion by CD4+ T cells from Brucella-vaccinated mice and delayed-type hypersensitivity in sensitized guinea pigs. Optimal protective immunity to Brucella abortus infection is dependent on a coordinate interaction between different T-cell subsets which leads to an antigen-specific T-lymphocyte-mediated activation of macrophages, the main cellular reservoir for the bacterium. As an initial step in the identification of bacterial proteins that mediate cellular immunity, we have subcloned the B. Abortus ssb, uvrA, GroES, and GroEL genes into the prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-c2 using PCR. Escherichia coli DH5 alpha was transformed with the pMAL-ssb, pMAL-uvrA, pMAL-GroES, and pMAL-GroEL constructs separately, and gene expression was induced by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The resulting fusion proteins were purified by affinity chromatography and confirmed by Western blot analysis using an anti-maltose-binding protein antibody. Furthermore, we have examined the pattern of T helper (Th) cell response from vaccinated BALB/c mice after in vitro stimulation with the recombinant (r) fusion proteins. In addition to T-cell proliferative responses, CD4+ T cells were tested for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) secretion. Primed CD4+ T cells proliferated to the rUvrA, rGroES, and rGroEL, but not to rSsb. The cytokine profile of the proliferating cells was characteristic of a Th1 type, as we detected IL-2 and IFN-gamma but not IL-4 in the T-cell culture supernatants. The recombinant B. abortus proteins were also screened in vivo to their ability to elicit DTH reaction in Brucella-sensitized guinea pigs. Moreover, the results of this study suggest that B. abortus rUvrA, rGroES, and rGroEL might be important sources of potentially protective molecules.
Psychological well-being in parents of children with Angelman, Cornelia de Lange and Cri du Chat syndromes. BACKGROUND The current study focuses on mothers and fathers of children with three rare genetic syndromes that are relatively unexplored in terms of family experience: Angelman syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome and Cri du Chat syndrome. METHOD Parents of children with Angelman syndrome (n =15), Cornelia de Lange syndrome (n = 16) and Cri du Chat syndrome (n = 18), and a matched comparison group of parents of children with autism and intellectual disabilities (n = 20) completed questionnaires on both psychological distress (stress, anxiety, depression) and positive psychological functioning. RESULTS Parents of children with Angelman syndrome consistently reported the highest levels of psychological distress, and parents of children with Cornelia de Lange syndrome the lowest, with parents of children with Cri du Chat syndrome and autism scoring between these two. Positive psychological functioning was similar across the four aetiology groups. CONCLUSIONS Parents of children with rare genetic syndromes are at risk for high levels of stress and mental health problems. Methodological issues and the practical applications of these results are discussed.
The Effect of Follow-up Contact in Reoccurrence of Psychiatric Readmission This study examined if clinical contact with clients within one week of discharge from an inpatient psychiatric facility had an influence on their readmission. One of the factors explored in this study was whether the impact of clinical contact could reduce readmission rates after discharge used to develop intervention strategies to reduce readmission. The study found that those individuals who had a case management appointment set within the first seven days of discharge from an inpatient psychiatric facility was approximately eight times more likely than non-clinical referrals, 32 % vs. 4 %, to be not readmitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility. When this was examined even more closely, it was determined that case management appointments attended within the first day following discharge from an inpatient psychiatric facility was significantly associated with attendance following discharge. The number of individuals who attended case management appointments dropped approximately 50% within 24 hours of discharge, as compared with the number of individuals who attended appointments following two days after discharge (18 % to 8 %). This trend continued as time progressed for the first two to seven days following discharge from an inpatient psychiatric facility, where the attendance of a clinical appointment dropped to 4% within seven days following discharge. These findings have implications on what type of clinical contact should be pursued following discharge from an inpatient facility, and how soon that appointment should be accomplished in order to decrease readmissions.
Investigating the Anticancer Properties of Novel Functionalized Platinum(II)–Terpyridine Complexes Novel platinum(II) complexes of 4′-substituted terpyridine ligands were synthesized and characterized. Each complex had a different biomolecule (amine, glucose, biotin and hyaluronic acid) as a targeting motif, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes. We demonstrated that complexes can self-assemble in water into about 150 nm nanoparticles. Moreover, the complexes were assayed in vitro toward a panel of human cancer cell lines (ovarian adenocarcinoma A2780, lung cancer A549, breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-231, neuroblastoma SHSY5Y) to explore the impact of the pendant moiety on the terpyridine toxicity. The platinum complex of terpyridine amine derivative, [Pt(TpyNH2)Cl]Cl, showed the best antiproliferative effect, which was higher than cisplatin and [Pt(Tpy)Cl]Cl. Selective in vitro antiproliferative activity was achieved in A549 cancer cells with the Pt–HAtpy complex. These findings underline the potential of these novel platinum(II) complexes in cancer therapy and highlight the importance of tailored molecular design for achieving enhanced therapeutic effects.
Design and implementation of an adaptive dispatching controller for elevator systems during uppeak traffic We design a dispatching controller for elevator systems during uppeak passenger traffic with the ability to adapt to changing operating conditions. The design of this controller is motivated by our previous paper (1997) where we proved that for a queuing model of the uppeak dispatching problem a threshold policy is optimal (in the sense of minimizing the average passenger waiting time) with threshold parameters that depend on the passenger arrival rate. The controller, which we call the concurrent estimation dispatching algorithm (CEDA), uses concurrent estimation techniques for discrete-event systems. The CEDA allows us to observe the elevator system while it operates under some arbitrary thresholds, and concurrently estimate, in an unobtrusive way, what the waiting time would have been had the system operated under a set of different thresholds. These concurrently estimated waiting times are used to adapt the operating thresholds to match the elevator service rate to a changing passenger arrival rate. Implementation issues relating to the limited state information provided by actual elevator systems are resolved in a way that maintains modest computational requirements and avoids the need for supplemental sensors beyond those already typically provided. Numerical performance results show the advantages of the CEDA over currently used dispatching algorithms for uppeak.
Trade Credit in an Overconfident Supply Chain We propose a price-only trade credit model in an overconfident supply chain with a price-setting newsvendor. Stackelberg equilibrium in different scenarios are derived, respectively. The retailer’s pricing power prevents the manufacturer from squeezing all profit. When the manufacturer knows the retailer holds a different overconfidence parameter, the optimal wholesale price decreases in the manufacturer’s overconfidence, while when the manufacturer believes that the retailer holds the same overconfidence parameter as it, this monotonicity may not be valid. Bilateral overconfidence may partially coordinate the supply chain. Retailer’s strategic default induces a higher wholesale price, while its impacts on the equilibrium retail price and order quantity depend on the bankruptcy cost coefficient. We present the impacts of the manufacturer’s capital constraint and retailer’s risk-aversion.
Transfer of Parahydrogen Induced Polarization in Scalar Coupled Systems at Variable Magnetic Field Abstract Para-Hydrogen Induced Polarization (PHIP) experiments were performed in coupled multispin systems at variable magnetic fields. We studied the magnetic field dependence of PHIP in styrene, which is the product of hydrogenation of phenylacetylene. At low magnetic fields where the spins are coupled strongly by scalar interaction efficient polarization transfer among the interacting protons takes place. The experimentally observed spectra are in good agreement with the simulation, which takes into account eight coupled spins. We also demonstrate effects of nuclear spin level anti-crossings on the PHIP pattern. It is shown that rapid passage through the level anti-crossing enables highly efficient polarization transfer between specific spin orders. In addition, we studied PHIP transfer to 13C and 19F hetero-nuclei. It is shown that hetero-nuclei can be efficiently polarized in a wide field range; in particular, for polarizing them it is not necessary to go to ultra-low fields, which provide their strong coupling to protons. The resulting polarization is of the multiplet type and gives strong enhancements of the individual NMR lines. In general, variation of the magnetic field gives the opportunity for manipulating PHIP patterns and transferring polarization to target spins of choice.
CLOUD MICROPHYSICS AND THE TROPICAL CLIMATE � IDEALIZED AQUAPLANET SIMULATIONS USING THE CLOUD RESOLVING CONVECTION PARAMETERIZATION CRCP This paper presents results from idealized simu lations using a nonhydrostatic general circulation model with Cloud Resolving Convection Parame terization CRCP the super parameterization Grabowski hereafter G The cornerstone of CRCP is to use a D cloud resolving model to represent the impact of cloud scale processes such as convective motions precipitation formation and fallout interaction of clouds with radiative and surface processes in every column of a large scale or global model We consider an idealized prob lem of convective radiative equilibrium on a rotat ing constant SST C aquaplanet with the size and rate of rotation of the Earth as in section of
Limit Theorems for Randomly Selected Ratios of Order Statistics from a Pareto Distribution Abstract Consider independent and identically distributed random variables {X nk , 1 ≤ k ≤ m, n ≥ 1} from the Pareto distribution. We randomly select a pair of order statistics from each row, X n(i) and X n(j), where 1 ≤ i < j ≤ m. Then we test to see whether or not Strong and Weak Laws of Large Numbers with nonzero limits for weighted sums of the random variables X n(j)/X n(i) exist where we place a prior distribution on the selection of each of these possible pairs of order statistics.
[Dementia in the elderly. A 3-year project]. In order to meet the need of proper examination and treatment of memory problems in the elderly a specialized unit of psychogeriatrics has been established as a pilot project. In the period from September 1986 to April 1988, 146 persons were examined, 42% as outpatients and 58% as inpatients. The average age was 75.3 years. 54% had dementia senilis and 16% other sorts of dementia. 30% were not demented: 14% had a psychiatric illness, 8% organic damage or illness of the brain and 7% were confused. Overdose or wrong use of psychopharmacological drugs was a frequent problem, and cutting out the medication, regulating the dose, or changing to another medicine had surprising consequences. The further treatment was planned in cooperation with the patient's family and the community health service. A follow-up after nine months indicated that this was a positive procedure for the patients, and that the unit was a professional resource to the local health services in the whole district. The hospital has now been allocated funds from the Government to function as a competence centre for part of Eastern Norway.
Passive in Danish, English, and German We show how the variation in the passive in Danish, English, and German can be accounted for. The dimensions in which the three languages differ are the existence of a morphological passive in Danish a subject requirement in Danish and English resulting in expletive insertion in impersonal constructions in Danish and absence of impersonal passives in English the possibility to promote the secondary object to subject in Danish The differences are accounted for by differences in the structural/lexical case distinction and by mapping processes that insert expletives in Danish. The passive in general is accounted for by a lexical rule that is uniform across languages and hence captures the generalization regarding passive.
Detecting Persistent One-Sided Intervention in Foreign Exchange Markets: A Simple Test This paper examines currency manipulation policy in foreign exchange markets. In particular, we focus on whether a country has implemented asymmetric interventions that mostly lean against the appreciation wind in foreign exchange markets. Using quarterly data from 1998:Q1 to 2017:Q2 for Switzerland and 13 emerging countries, we find that three countries, China, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have engaged in persistent one-sided interventions. A further rolling regression analysis shows that India, Thailand, Singapore, and Switzerland may start to engage in one-sided intervention in the more recent years.
Stereoselective metabolism of fenoxaprop-ethyl and its chiral metabolite fenoxaprop in rabbits. The stereoselective metabolism of the enantiomers of fenoxaprop-ethyl (FE) and its primary chiral metabolite fenoxaprop (FA) in rabbits in vivo and in vitro was studied based on a validated chiral high-performance liquid chromatography method. The information of in vivo metabolism was obtained by intravenous administration of racemic FE, racemic FA, and optically pure (-)-(S)-FE and (+)-(R)-FE separately. The results showed that FE degraded very fast to the metabolite FA, which was then metabolized in a stereoselective way in vivo: (-)-(S)-FA degraded faster in plasma, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and bile than its antipode. Moreover, a conversion of (-)-(S)-FA to (+)-(R)-FA in plasma was found after injection of optically pure (-)-(S)- and (+)-(R)-FE separately. Either enantiomers were not detected in brain, spleen, muscle, and fat. Plasma concentration-time curves were best described by an open three-compartment model, and the toxicokinetic parameters of the two enantiomers were significantly different. Different metabolism behaviors were observed in the degradations of FE and FA in the plasma and liver microsomes in vitro, which were helpful for understanding the stereoselective mechanism. This work suggested the stereoselective behaviors of chiral pollutants, and their chiral metabolites in environment should be taken into account for an accurate risk assessment.
Characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci in the Neotropical tree Parkia panurensis (Fabaceae). PREMISE OF THE STUDY We present here a set of nine polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci, identified for the first time within the neotropical legume tree species Parkia panurensis Benth. ex H. C. Hopkins, which is widespread in western and central Amazonia. METHODS AND RESULTS To characterize these loci, 33 Parkia panurensis adult trees were analyzed. The number of alleles ranged from eight to 32, with an average of 14.4 alleles per locus. Mean expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.74 to 0.955. CONCLUSIONS All nine loci could also be verified in six other Parkia species and polymorphic fragments amplified. The new marker set can be used for future studies of genetic diversity and differentiation, as well as estimation of gene flow and parentage analyses in various Parkia species.
A Probable Long Barrow, High Melton, South Yorkshire Nos 5 and 6 are lozenge-sectioned penannular bracelets with overlapping ends of Rowlands's Class Cib (1976, g 1—94). They are frequently found in ornament hoards, and have a distribution closely comparable to that of the spiral twisted tores, perhaps representing the use of bronze rod of similar section in untwisted form. No. 7 is a D-sectioned decorated annular bracelet of Rowlands's Class D2 (1976, 91-95). The only example known with a comparable decoration of light incisions is from the Ebbesbourne Wake hoard, Wilts. (Rowlands 1976, 271, no. 155, 15 and pi. 1, 15). There the incised chevrons form a more coherent pattern of lozenges, but the similarity of size, section and decoration is very close. All the items can therefore be well paralleled in Middle Bronze Age ornament hoards of southern England, and the hoard as a whole fits very well into the established regional pattern. Rowlands (1976, 111—13, 136—37) has drawn attention to a Dorset/South Wiltshire metalworking tradition, characterized in particular by small hoards containing a limited range of ornaments only, showing affinities both to the Somerset/Devon industry to the west and the South Coast industry to the east. The South Wonston hoard conforms exactly, since the tores and bracelets link it to the Somerset hoards, and the incised annular bracelet belongs to a general family more common in the South Coast industry. The South Wonston and Ebbesbourne Wake hoards are the only recorded examples of the association of twisted tores, penannular bracelets and decorated annular bracelets. The discovery of this hoard offers an appropriate opportunity to publish a fragment of a quoit-headed pin, newly recognized in Winchester City Museum.
Impacts of Different Physical Parameterization Configurations on Widespread Heavy Rain Forecast over the Northern Area of Vietnam in WRF-ARW Model This study investigates the impacts of different physical parameterization schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting model with the ARW dynamical core (WRF-ARW model) on the forecasts of heavy rainfall over the northern part of Vietnam (Bac Bo area). Various physical model configurations generated from different typical cumulus, shortwave radiation, and boundary layer and from simple to complex cloud microphysics schemes are examined and verified for the cases of extreme heavy rainfall during 2012–2016. It is found that the most skilled forecasts come from the Kain–Fritsch (KF) scheme. However, relating to the different causes of the heavy rainfall events, the forecast cycles using the Betts–Miller–Janjic (BMJ) scheme show better skills for tropical cyclones or slowly moving surface low-pressure system situations compared to KF scheme experiments. Most of the sensitivities to KF scheme experiments are related to boundary layer schemes. Both configurations using KF or BMJ schemes show that more complex cloud microphysics schemes can also improve the heavy rain forecast with the WRF-ARW model for the Bac Bo area of Vietnam.
Temperature Variability Differs in Urban Agroecosystems across Two Metropolitan Regions Climatically similar regions may experience different temperature extremes and weather patterns that warrant global comparisons of local microclimates. Urban agroecosystems are interesting sites to examine the multidimensional impacts of climate changes because they rely heavily on human intervention to maintain crop production under different and changing climate conditions. Here, we used urban community gardens across the California Central Coast metropolitan region, USA, and the Melbourne metropolitan region, Australia, to investigate how habitat-scale temperatures differ across climatically similar regions, and how people may be adapting their gardening behaviors to not only regional temperatures, but also to the local weather patterns around them. We show that, while annual means are very similar, there are strong interregional differences in temperature variability likely due to differences in the scale and scope of the temperature measurements, and regional topography. However, the plants growing within these systems are largely the same. The similarities may be due to gardeners’ capacities to adapt their gardening behaviors to reduce the adverse effects of local temperature variability on the productivity of their plot. Thus, gardens can serve as sites where people build their knowledge of local weather patterns and adaptive capacity to climate change and urban heat. Climate-focused studies in urban landscapes should consider how habitat-scale temperature variability is a background for interesting and meaningful social-ecological interactions.
Text mining patient experiences from online health communities Social media has had an impact on how patients experience healthcare. Through online channels, patients are sharing information and their experiences with potentially large audiences all over the world. While sharing in this way may offer immediate benefits to themselves and their readership (e.g. other patients) these unprompted, self-authored accounts of illness are also an important resource for healthcare researchers. They offer unprecedented insight into understanding patients’experience of illness. Work has been undertaken through qualitative analysis in order to explore this source of data and utilising the information expressed through these media. However, the manual nature of the analysis means that scope is limited to a small proportion of the hundreds of thousands of authors who are creating content. In our research, we aim to explore utilising text mining to support traditional qualitative analysis of this data. Text mining uses a number of processes in order to extract useful facts from text and analyse patterns within – the ultimate aim is to generate new knowledge by analysing textual data en mass. We developed QuTiP – a Text Mining framework which can enable large scale qualitative analyses of patient narratives shared over social media. In this thesis, we describe QuTiP and our application of the framework to analyse the accounts of patients living with chronic lung disease. As well as a qualitative analysis, we describe our approaches to automated information extraction, term recognition and text classification in order to automatically extract relevant information from blog post data. Within the QuTiP framework, these individual automated approaches can be brought together to support further analyses of large social media datasets.
Determinants of visiting a referral hospital for cervical cancer screening at Uganda Cancer Institute Abstract Background Despite the many cervical cancer prevention interventions recommended and supported by WHO and partners of low- and middle-income countries; the burden of cancer is high in Uganda and the East African region. Little is known about factors associated with participating in screening at a primary health facility (PHF) and referral to a high-level facility. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2018 at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) among women visiting for cervical cancer screening. A structured questionnaire was used. Women suspected for cervical cancer and provided consent were enrolled and administered the questionnaire. Ethics review and approval was obtained from UCI research and ethics committee. A Stata version 14.1 software was used and Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses performed. Results Among 522 women enrolled, only 3.26% (17) had a formal referral note and 62.64% (327) had participated in cervical cancer screening before visiting UCI. There was a 17.65% false-positive rate among the referred women suspected with cervical cancer. 67.18% (131) among those who had never screened reported personal beliefs as a factor deterring their participation. Most women were aged between 35-44 years old (ORs=2.45, 95% CI = 1.61-3.72) who were divorced/widowed (ORs=1.89, 95% CI = 1.07-3.34) and drinking alcohol (ORs=0.51, 95% CI = 0.31-0.83). Among the referred women, 17.65% delayed to honour a referral request for more than a month because of socio-economic challenges. Factors such as high education level (ORs=0.11, 95% CI = 0.02-0.48) and confirmatory tests (ORs=6.10, 95% CI = 1.93-19.31) done at UCI were associated with referrals. Conclusions The present study identified factors associated with participation in screening at a PHF and referral to a high-level facility, which provides better understanding of lost follow-up after screening. Awareness in high risk groups, increase of screening facilities and integration of screening services with existing health programs is necessary. Legal entity responsible for the study The author. Funding Uganda Cancer Institute-African Development Bank capacity building fund. Disclosure The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
A New Method For Scanning Electron Microscopic Visualization Of Dermal Elastic Fibres Autoclaving sections of dermis for 8 h followed by fixation, dehydration and xylol‐air drying yields a pure preparation of elastic fibres for scanning electron microscopy which retains the native architecture of this component. Elastic fibres were intertwined in a complex fashion with numerous branches. Fibres were predominantly cylindrical in the upper dermis and became larger and more elliptical in the deeper dermis. This method produces a means to study the organization of elastic fibres in a variety of disorders in which dermal changes are prominent.
Highly sensitive detection of microcystin-LR under visible light using a self-powered photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on a CoO/Au/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction. Based on the unique photoelectrochemical properties of a CoO/Au/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction, a self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor was constructed for the detection of microcystin-leucine arginine (MC-LR). Z-scheme heterojunctions can promote the separation of a photo-induced electron-hole pair, and the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) of Au nanoparticles can significantly enhance the adsorption of visible light. Importantly, MC-LR molecules were captured by aptamers initially immobilized on the modified electrode due to their high affinity, and then oxidized by the photogenerated holes, which caused an amplified photocurrent signal, allowing the quantitative analysis of MC-LR by measuring the photocurrent intensity change. This PEC MC-LR aptasensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity within a wide linear response range from 0.1 pM to 10 nM and a detection limit of 0.01 pM. The application of this sensor in the analysis of lake water samples provided accurate results with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.6%-4.2%.
Distribution and Incidence of Iris yellow spot virus in Colorado and Its Relation to Onion Plant Population and Yield. Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) is an emerging and potentially devastating disease of onion that was recently detected in Colorado and other onion producing regions in the western United States. In annual surveys, IYSV was confirmed in one of 18 fields (5.6%) in 2001, four of 24 (16.7%) in 2002, and 41 of 56 (73.2%) in 2003. IYSV was confirmed on volunteer onions in 2003 at all four locations where IYSV was observed in the onion crop the previous year. The disease was detected in six of seven western Colorado onion fields surveyed in 2003, but was not observed any year in southern or northeastern Colorado. The spatial variability of disease incidence, yield, and plant population also was mapped in two fields in 2003 using the global positioning system and a geographic information system. Disease incidence varied among cultivars, plant population, fields, and location in the field. Distinct disease gradients were observed in both fields with susceptible cultivars Teton and Granero, but not in the moderately resistant cultivar Sterling. In fields planted to the susceptible cultivars, disease incidence was highest on the field edges and lowest near the field centers. Plant population was negatively correlated with IYSV incidence in cultivar Sterling (R2 = 0.56, P = 0.003), but not with the susceptible cultivars. Yield of jumbo market class onions, but not total yield, was negatively correlated with increasing IYSV incidence (R2 = 0.37, P = 0.012) in cultivar Teton. Colossal market class yield, but not other yield components, was negatively correlated with IYSV incidence in cultivar Sterling (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.061). The results of these studies indicate the distribution of IYSV is rapidly expanding in Colorado and is associated with a general reduction in bulb size.
Design and operational analyses of an electromagnetic hybrid shock absorber system for scooter application To effectively harvest the inherent vibration energies, feasibility of replacing those common mechanical shock absorbers that are mounted between the wheels and bogie of a scooter with electromagnetic motion device will be assessed. Instead of consuming additional energies to control the vibration patterns, the main design objectives are to produce the suspension forces to meet the maximum encountered force specifications, and to convert the input mechanical vibrations to electric energies directly. Based on proper emulation designs and electric output controls, the operational fluxes and dynamic characteristics of this hybrid suspension system at various operational conditions will be thoroughly investigated, and the satisfactory performances of the proposed system can then be systematically validated.
Treatment of women in the U.S. Social Security system, 1970-88. This article, a reprint of a paper presented in 1988 to the International Social Security Association, traces the debate from 1970 through 1988 over treatment of women in the Social Security system. It traces issues relating to working women, couples with two earners, homemakers, widows, and divorced women. It describes the debate that led to widespread support for the concept of earnings sharing. It then addresses the paradox that despite continued widespread support for earnings sharing, despite continuation of the factors underlying its proposal, by 1988 no comprehensive legislation related to the treatment of women under Social Security had been enacted nor was being generally contemplated. This is still true in 1993. The article argues that apparently insoluble, inherent conflicts among the objectives underlying earnings sharing ultimately doomed its enactment. Cost considerations, the realization of unintended side effects, and issues relating to transition to a very different Social Security system also helped remove earnings sharing from the legislative agenda. The article also describes the role policy analysis played in the debate over this proposed reform.
Prediction of flood depth detection system from rainfall with normal, alert and hazard levels based on fuzzy logic Floods are natural calamities that frequently transpire and are of primary concern for governmental entities due to their potential for significant losses and casualties. Heavy rainfall and overflowing water stand as the primary triggers for flooding. Many communities lack adequate knowledge to forecast floods, thus necessitating technological interventions for early water depth detection and issuing flood warnings. This study devised a water depth detection system based on fuzzy logic using Arduino as a microcontroller. The system employs ultrasonic sensors for water level detection and a Tipping Bucket for precipitation measurement. Its primary objective is to establish a system capable of issuing early flood warnings through alarms. The outcome of this research entails the implementation of an Arduino Uno-based flood detection system that aids users in monitoring water levels and anticipating floods. Safety considerations are also addressed by incorporating fuzzy logic technology to forecast flood potential based on water level and rainfall data. The utilization of fuzzy logic enables the system to navigate uncertainties and ambiguities in data, thus furnishing more precise and dependable early warnings. Consequently, the findings of this study serve as a groundwork for the advancement of more sophisticated and efficient flood detection systems in the future.
RESEARCH NOTES: EVIDENCE OF RECENT POPULATION INCREASES IN COMMON EIDERS BREEDING IN LABRADOR Populations of several sea ducks are declining across their North American ranges (Sea Duck Joint Venture Management Board 2001), including populations of all 4 eider species (Somateria spp. and Polysticta steller; Kertell 1991, Stehn et al. 1993, Gratto-Trevor et al. 1998). Declines in common eider populations have been documented in Greenland, Hudson Bay, and Alaska (Robertson and Gilchrist 1998, Sudyam et al. 2000, Merkel 2004). Reasons behind these population decreases vary, and many are unclear. Factors identified as causing these declines include human disturbance, overharvesting, and climatic events (Robertson and Gilchrist 1998, Suydam et al. 2000, Merkel 2004). However, not all common eider populations in the north are decreasing; Christensen and Falk (2000) recently found evidence of population increase in an eider population in Northwest Greenland, while others have documented increases in Hudson Strait (Hipfner et al. 2001, Falardeau et al. 2003).
Combined laser-assisted microdissection and short tandem repeat analysis for detection of in situ microchimerism after solid organ transplantation. Following the transplantation of a solid organ leukocytes of donor origin migrate out of the organ, contributing to a chimeric blood cell population ("peripheral microchimerism"). At the same time, leukocytes and pluripotent precursor cells of the recipient migrate into the organ, creating an "in situ microchimerism." A method is described for the identification of cells with the recipient's genotype in the transplanted organ by combining laser-assisted microdissection and short tandem repeat analysis. The microdissection allows the contamination-free isolation of morphologically and immunohistochemically characterized cells or groups of cells from histological tissue sections. The subsequent analysis of highly polymorphic short tandem repeats enables unequivocal genotyping in nearly all donor-recipient instances. Employing this new methodological approach, we could identify in individual transplanted organs differentiated parenchymal cells of recipient's origin, which most probably are derived from circulating precursor cells from the bone marrow.
In vivo measurement of immunoglobulin accumulation in the pancreas of recent onset type 1 diabetic patients. OBJECTIVE The possibility to quantify in vivo the severity of the inflammatory process in the pancreas of patients with recent onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) could be of great relevance for follow-up studies involving immunotherapy. Scintigraphy with radiolabelled human polyclonal immunoglobulins (99mTc-HIG) is currently used for the diagnosis and follow-up of several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. In this longitudinal study we have investigated to what extent 99mTc-HIG accumulate in the pancreas of patients with recent onset IDDM and in subjects at risk to develop IDDM. METHODS Combined computerised tomography and gamma camera imaging were used to measure the radioactivity in the pancreatic region, as the pancreas/bone radioactivity ratio (P/B). Patients with IDDM (n = 15) were investigated at the time of diagnosis and after 1 year. Five pre-diabetic ICA+ve subjects and 8 age and sex matched normal subjects were also investigated. RESULTS Eight out of 15 newly diagnosed IDDM patients and 2/5 ICA+ve subjects showed a significant accumulation of radiolabelled HIG in the pancreas (P/B higher than the upper 1st centile of normal subjects). One year after the diagnosis a significant accumulation of immunoglobulins was still detectable in the pancreas of IDDM patients positive who were positive at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that immunoglobulins home and bind to the pancreas of patients with recent onset IDDM and also in some ICA+ve individuals. This may reflect an increased vascular permeability of pancreatic capillaries as a consequence of the inflammatory process involving the islets. Thus, this technique may be useful for monitoring the efficacy of immune intervention at diagnosis.
On the origin and preservation of cumulative record in its struggle for life as a favored term. This paper offers a case study of the origins, emergence, and evolution of the term cumulative record as the name for the means by which B. F. Skinner brought his behavior under the control of his subject matter. Our methods included on-line searches, reviews of Skinner's publications, and journal codings and counts. The results reveal that the term is not originally attributable to Skinner, but emerged earlier in ordinary language and in another discipline--education. It was not even original to Skinner in print in his own science. Still, the term was once original to him, which we address with additional analyses of his having originated and advanced it. We conclude with a discussion the constraints of our methods, suggestions for future research, and the variable appreciation of technology and terminology in science studies.
Music Programs Designed to Remedy Burnout Symptoms Show Significant Effects after Five Weeks Earlier studies have demonstrated that music interventions can lessen symptoms of depression. Depression and burnout are closely related. We hypothesized that specially designed receptive music therapy programs and protocols might reduce the symptoms of burnout. In a four‐arm randomized, placebo‐ and waiting‐list‐controlled double‐blind study, including 150 participants, two specific music programs significantly reduced burnout symptoms after 5 weeks. The effects were maintained over a long time period. This newly developed method of receptive music therapy was also evaluated for the treatment of depression and dysthymia, with significant outcomes.
Digital Receiver Design Using VHDL Generation From Data Flow Graphs This paper describes a design methodology, a library of reusable VHDL descriptions and a VHDL generation tool used in the application area of digital signal processing, particularly digital receivers for communication links. The tool and the library interact with commercial system simulation and logic synthesis tools. The support of joint optimization of algorithm and architecture as well as the concept for design reuse are explained. The algorithms for generating VHDL code according to different user specifications are described. An application example is used to show the benefits and current limitations of the proposed methodology.
CMV-infected subependymoma in the fourth ventricle of an HIV-1 infected patient. A case of an AIDS patient with a CMV-infected subependymoma of the fourth ventricle is presented. The tumor was incidentally found at autopsy and was not suspected during the clinical course. This is the first report of a subependymoma in HIV-1 infection. Moreover, infection of a tumor with CMV is an extremely rare condition, which has until now been described only once in an anaplastic astrocytoma.
on Design Space Exploration and CLB Customization for Application-Specific FPGAs The inclusion of field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) within a system-on-a-chip (SOC) design offers programmability, flexibility, and reconfigurability not possible with applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASIC) or full-custom implementations. However, these benefits come at the expense of significant area, performance, and power consumption overheads compared to ASIC or full-custom circuits. As a typical SOC design will require fabrication of the final integrated circuit, rather than rely on a generic FPGA architecture, an FPGA integrated within an SOC design can be optimized for the specific intended application by tailoring an FPGA’s architectural features for a specific hardware circuit to improve the area, delay, or energy consumption compared to traditional FPGA designs. Such an application-specific FPGA (ASFPGA) would have reduced overheads compared to ASIC and full custom implementations. We present two methodologies for creating ASFPGAs including a design space exploration framework for customizing FPGA architectural elements and a configurable logic block (CLB) customization algorithm intended to reduce area requirements. The resulting ASFPGA generation methods can be utilized to create various ASFPGAs ranging from a customized, yet flexible, FPGA architecture to a fully customized FPGA architecture with significant area savings over traditional FPGAs.
Modeling of the vibroacoustic dynamic system “machined workpiece-slide” of turning center Settlement dependences on determining the vibration characteristics of the machined workpieces, taking into account geometric, physical and mechanical characteristics and the force impact from the side of the cutting tool are established. In determining the dependences the effective coefficient of vibration energy losses was taken into account, providing the required value of which, is achieved by reducing vibration in the source due to the use of vibration-absorbing materials.
Pineal photosensitivity. A comparison with retinal photoreception. Pineal photoreceptors of poikilothermic vertebrates possess numerous anatomical, physiological and biochemical similarities to retinal photoreceptors, including the rhythmic melatonin biosynthesis, with nocturnal peaks and low day-time levels. This brief outline will survey the photoreceptor properties of the pineal organ of poikilothermic vertebrates, which suggest that the pineal is not only a simple light detector (that acts as a kind of photometer), but that it is capable of processing the light information and to discriminate it from informations that have no meaning for its assumed photoperiodic function.
CIRCVMA21-RELATED PATHWAY ALLEVIATES LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED HK-2 CELL INJURY ABSTRACT Background: It is reported that circVMA21 has an inhibition effect on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Therefore, the underlying molecular mechanisms of circVMA21 in AKI are worthy of further investigation. Material and Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce HK2 cell injury. CircVMA21, miR-337-3p and ZEB2 expression was tested by qRT-PCR. Cell growth was detected by CCK8 assay, EdU assay, and flow cytometry. Protein levels were examined by western blot. The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress markers were measured to evaluate cell inflammatory response and oxidative stress. RNA relationship as verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP assay, and RNA pull-down assay. Results: CircVMA21 had decreased expression in AKI patients. Overexpressed circVMA21 alleviated LPS-induced HK2 cell inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Moreover, circVMA21 sponged miR-337-3p, and miR-337-3p targeted ZEB2. The inhibitory effect of circVMA21 on LPS-induced HK2 cell injury was reversed by miR-337-3p overexpression, and ZEB2 overexpression abolished the promotion effect of miR-337-3p on LPS-induced HK2 cell injury. Conclusions: CircVMA21 could inhibit LPS-induced HK2 cell injury via miR-337-3p/ZEB2 axis.
Active learning in the presence of unlabelable examples We propose a new active learning framework where the expert labeler is allowed to decline to label any example. This may be necessary because the true label is unknown or because the example belongs to a class that is not part of the real training problem. We show that within this framework, popular active learning algorithms (such as Simple) may perform worse than random selection because they make so many queries to the unlabelable class. We present a method by which any active learning algorithm can be modified to avoid unlabelable examples by training a second classifier to distinguish between the labelable and unlabelable classes. We also demonstrate the effectiveness of the method on two benchmark data sets and a real-world problem.
Anti‐aggressive action of dopamine‐β‐hydroxylase inhibitors in mice The development of aggressiveness in male mice upon isolation (Allee 1942; Scott 1946; Yen, Stanger & Millman, 1959) has been utilized for the screening of potential anxiolytic compounds (Janssen, Jagenau & Niemegeers, 1960; Valzelli, Giacalone & Garattini, 1967) as well as for studies attempting to correlate the behavioural changes produced by isolated housing with biochemical changes in the central nervous system (Essman, 1969; Garattini, Giacalone & Valzelli, 1969). The role of the biogenic monoamines in the aggressive state has been extensively studied and there are observations indicating a decreased turnover of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (Garattini & others, 1969) and noradrenaline (Welch & Welch, 1969) in isolated mice compared to those housed in groups. However, the relation between these biochemical changes and the aggressiveness is still unclear since there are mice strains which do not show any changes in the turn-over of these amines although the mice become aggressive on isolation (Goldberg, Dubnick & others, 1973a; Goldberg, Insalaco & others, 1973b). Irrespective of this controversy, monoaminergic neurons may be involved in the acute state of aggressive behaviour. The role of noradrenaline in the aggressive response can be examined by a selective blockade of its enzymatic formation by inhibition of the dopamine-/3-hydroxylase (DBH), the enzyme catalysing the hydroxylation of dopamine to noradrenaline in the noradrenergic neurons. The development in our laboratories of potent DBH inhibitors (Carlsson, Corrodi & others, 1970; Florvall & Corrodi, 1970) has made it possible to reduce the brain concentration of noradrenaline without lowering that of dopamine and 5-HT. In the present study we have examined the effect of two potent DBH inhibitors, 4-methyl-I-homopiperazinedithiocarboxylic acid (FLA 57) and bis(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinylthiocarbony1)disulphide (FLA 63), on the aggressive behaviour of isolated mice and on the aggressiveness produced by L-dopa in normal mice. Male albino mice (NMRI) were housed isolated for 6 weeks to get highly aggressive animals. The strength of the aggressive behaviour was measured according to the method of Valzelli & others (1967) with the exception that two mice were placed together instead of groups of three. Aggressive behaviour was scored before the injection of the DBH inhibitors and at various times thereafter. The animals were always used as their own control. At least 6 pairs were tested at each time. The noradrenaline concentrations in the mouse brain were determined according to Anton & Sayre (1962). The aggressive behaviour produced by L-dopa (100 mg kg-l) in mice pre-treated with pheni-
An Empirical Model for Optimizing the Sound Absorption of Single Layer MPP Based on Response Surface Methodology . Micro-perforated panel (MPP) is a thin panel absorber capable of absorbing sound energy at a targeted frequency range by adjusting the MPP parameters. An analytical model is available, but it is not a direct, convenient method for practitioners to determine the required MPP parameters. This paper presents an optimized empirical model to calculate the sound absorption coefficient of a single-layer MPP. The response surface methodology is employed for a simple case to generate a second-order polynomial model through a sequence of designing processes to analyze the functional relationships and variation of the outcome performance (sound absorption coefficient) concerning the MPP parameters, namely the panel thickness, hole diameter, perforation ratio, and the depth of the back air layer. The analysis is carried out for frequencies between 300 to 900 Hz. The predicted data (empirical) is compared with the actual data (analytical), leading to a coefficient of variation of 0.145%. The proposed empirical model can be used as a method to select the suitable MPP parameters according to the targeted frequency bandwidth of absorption with less computational time.
The General Motor Ability Hypothesis: An Old Idea Revisited While specific motor abilities have become a popular explanation for motor performance, the older, alternate notion of a general motor ability should be revisited. Current theories lack consensus, and most motor assessment tools continue to derive a single composite score to represent motor capacity. In addition, results from elegant statistical procedures such as higher order factor analyses, cluster analyses, and Item Response Theory support a more global motor ability. We propose a contemporary model of general motor ability as a unidimensional construct that is emergent and fluid over an individual’s lifespan, influenced by both biological and environmental factors. In this article, we address the implications of this model for theory, practice, assessment, and research. Based on our hypothesis and Item Response Theory, our Lifespan Motor Ability Scale can identify motor assessment tasks that are relevant and important across varied phases of lifespan development.
Wireless Sensor Network Localization with Spatially Correlated Shadowing The problem of estimating the positions of the sensors in a wireless sensor network is commonly known as the wireless sensor localization problem and has been formulated as a relaxed semidefinite programming problem assuming inter-sensor distance measures corrupted by additive Gaussian noise. In this paper, we assume received signal strength measurements under a spatially correlated lognormal shadowing pathloss model and formulate the corresponding non-convex maximum likelihood distance estimator. We apply a Taylor approximation to the objective function, and then relax the problem to a semidefinite program. The localization performance of the approximation is analyzed and is shown to be satisfactory in the case the shadowing covariance is unknown, and excellent when known.
The Social Validity of Bug-in-Ear Coaching: Findings From Two Studies Implemented in Inclusive Early Childhood Environments Coaching is a promising method for providing professional development, which takes many forms. One such form is real-time coaching through bug-in-ear technology. This study explored the social validity of bug-in-ear coaching when provided as a form of professional development with preservice and in-service early childhood educators. Data from two studies were qualitatively analyzed to describe early childhood educators’ perceptions of the acceptability of bug-in-ear coaching with respect to the learning opportunities provided, feasibility, difficulties, and child-level outcomes. Findings suggest that BIE is deemed to be important and effective at producing educator and child outcomes. Further, educators are satisfied with the intervention and view it to be an acceptable means for receiving professional development.
The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of fine needle aspirational cytology in the diagnosis of oro-facial neoplasms at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of fine needle aspirational cytology (FNAC) with open surgical biopsy in the diagnosis of orofacial tumours in patients seen at the Dental Centre of Lagos University Teaching Hospital from May 2005-May 2006. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fine needle aspiration was performed on all patients scheduled for open surgical biopsy at the Oral and Maxillofacial clinic of the hospital before the open surgical biopsy was done. Forty six patients whose final histological diagnoses were oro-facial neoplasms were involved in this study. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for fine needle aspirational cytology were calculated. RESULTS The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of fine needle aspirational cytology in the diagnosis of oro-facial tumours were 95%, 95.8% and 95.5%, respectively. The false positive and false negative rates were 5% and 4.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION The high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of fine needle aspirational cytology reported in this preliminary study suggest that the test may have a place in the management of oro-facial tumours. However, when the result of fine needle aspirational cytology is not in agreement with the clinical diagnosis, especially in suspected malignancy, open surgical biopsy should be performed.
T Follicular Helper Cell Dynamics in Germinal Centers Help Shared Germinal centers are specialized structures within lymph nodes, where B cells undergo the changes required to produce high-affinity antibodies. This process relies on T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. The dynamic properties of Tfh cells and how they affect the selection of B cells, however, are not well understood. Using two-photon laser scanning microscopy of mouse lymph nodes, Shulman et al. (p. 673, published online 25 July) find that Tfh cells are not restricted to a single germinal center, but instead emigrate into neighboring germinal centers within the same lymph nodes. Furthermore, newly activated T cells can enter already established germinal centers and presumably influence ongoing B cell selection and differentiation. Such active movement may ensure maximal diversification of the B cell response and promote the production of high-affinity antibodies. Tracking individual cells reveals that immunological T cell help is shared between immune B cell germinal centers. T follicular helper (TFH) cells are a specialized subset of effector T cells that provide help to and thereby select high-affinity B cells in germinal centers (GCs). To examine the dynamic behavior of TFH cells in GCs in mice, we used two-photon microscopy in combination with a photoactivatable fluorescent reporter. Unlike GC B cells, which are clonally restricted, TFH cells distributed among all GCs in lymph nodes and continually emigrated into the follicle and neighboring GCs. Moreover, newly activated TFH cells invaded preexisting GCs, where they contributed to B cell selection and plasmablast differentiation. Our data suggest that the dynamic exchange of TFH cells between GCs ensures maximal diversification of T cell help and that their ability to enter ongoing GCs accommodates antigenic variation during the immune response.
Clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics of Variegate Porphyria in Italy. Variegate Porphyria (VP) is an autosomal dominant disorder found worldwide but is rare in Italy. In this study we provide an overview of clinical, biochemical and genetic background of 33 Italian VP patients diagnosed in the last fifteen years. About 70% of patients had experienced clinical symptoms: 43.4% had photosensivity, 8.7% acute attacks and 47.8% both. Among the 33 patients, 14 different mutations were identified. Of these only 6 defects have been previously described in other countries and 8 are unique having been identified for the first time in Italy. Two of these, the c.851G>T and the c.1013C>G, were found in two and four unrelated families respectively. No mutation has been found in homozygosis and no significant correlation has been observed between specific clinical and biochemical manifestations and the type of mutation. In contrast, normal faecal protoporphyrin excretion was high predictive of silent phenotype. Normal urinary excretion of PBG and ALA, predicted absence of neurovisceral symptoms. This paper represents the first compilation of data on genotype-phenotype relation in Italian patients with VP.
Dynamic Output Feedback Robust MPC Using General Polyhedral State Bounds for the Polytopic Uncertain System With Bounded Disturbance This paper considers the dynamic output feedback robust model predictive control (MPC) for a system with both polytopic model parametric uncertainty and bounded disturbance. For this topic, the techniques for handling the unknown true state are crucial, and the strict guarantee of the input/output/state constraints favors replacing the true state by its bound in the optimization problems. The previous utilized polyhedral bounds, constructed by virtue of the error signals which are some linear combinations of the true state, the estimated state and the output, are generalized, where a bias item is utilized. Based on this unified bounding approach, new techniques for handling the unknown true state are given for both the main and the auxiliary optimization problems. As before, the main optimization problem calculates the control law parameters conditionally, and the auxiliary optimization problem determines the time to refresh these parameters. By applying the proposed method, the augmented state of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed to converge to the neighborhood of the equilibrium point. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the new method.
Back to the future: using aminoglycosides again and how to dose them optimally. Gram-negative organisms have become increasingly resistant to both beta-lactam antibiotics and fluoroquinolones. Consequently, aminoglycoside antibiotics have undergone a resurgence in use. Because of the known toxicities of aminoglycoside antibiotics, clinicians have avoided their use, unless no other alternatives were extant. Over the past 2 decades, we have learned much about the relationship between aminoglycoside exposure and the likelihood of a good clinical outcome or the occurrence of nephrotoxicity. For example, minimum inhibitory concentration values > or = 2.0 mg/L lead to unacceptably low probabilities of a good clinical outcome, and infrequent administration of doses (i.e., intervals of 24 h and longer intervals for patients with compromised renal function) plays a central role in minimizing the likelihood of toxicity. Using these new insights, we suggest ways of evaluating the dose and schedule of administration of aminoglycosides in empirical therapy to obtain the highest likelihood of an efficacious and nontoxic therapy.
Resource management in wireless sensor networks using collective intelligence Support for intelligent, autonomous, adaptive and distributed resource management is a key to the success of scalable and dynamic wireless sensor network applications. Distributed independent reinforcement learning (DIRL) is a micro-learning framework that enables distributed, adaptive resource management using only local information at individual sensor nodes. In this paper we propose COllective INtelligence (COIN) a macro-learning paradigm that aims to specifically address the problem of designing utility functions for individual agents in order to achieve higher system wide utility. We extend DIRL, by combining it with COIN based macro-learning paradigm to steer the system towards global optimization, improving performance with minimal communication overheads. We present results of simulation to compare our approach with other existing approaches such as team game and DIRL in an example object tracking application. Simulation results demonstrate that a combination of micro- and macro-learners is two times more energy-efficient than micro-learners (DIRL) alone and four times more energy-efficient than macro-learners (TEAM game) alone.
Blockchain-Based Access Control Supporting Anonymity and Accountability In information security, access control is the selective restriction of access to an online resource or service. One of the most used access control models is Attributebased Access Control, in which access rights are granted to users by evaluating suitable attributes (user attributes, resource attributes, and environment conditions). An important aspect of access control is to guarantee that the identity of the user accessing a service is preserved. In this paper, we deal with this problem and propose a new solution based on a blockchain to ensure that only authorized users can access a service, yet preserving anonymity and unlinkability of their accesses. Moreover, the cooperation among several trusted parties allows the identification of the user accessing a service in case of need.
Right atrial and right ventricular strain: prognostic value depends on the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. AIMS Assessing right heart function is challenging, particularly when significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is present. Among available echocardiographic techniques for assessment, literatures suggests that strain imaging may be more reliable and less susceptible to loading conditions. Thus, we aimed to assess the validity of RA and RV strain relative to conventional metrics as well as their utility in predicting patient outcomes in TR. METHODS We studied 262 consecutive patients (mean age 74 ± 11.2 years, 53% male) who underwent same-day echocardiography and right heart catheterization between 2018 and 2023. We compared right heart strain to traditional metrics of RV function and subsequently correlated RA and RV strain to heart failure (HF)-related death or hospitalization, whichever came first. RESULTS Over a mean follow-up of 34 ± 15 months, there were 103 deaths and HF hospitalizations. Both RA and RV strain were correlated with echocardiographic and invasive measures of right heart function. Across all patients, preserved RA strain was associated with lower risk of adverse outcomes (HR 0.763, 95% CI 0.618-0.943). Similarly, preserved RV strain was correlated with better outcomes, though this was only statistically significant in patients without severe TR or pulmonary hypertension (HR 2.450, 95% CI 1.244-4.825). Moreover, abnormal ratios of RV strain to pulmonary pressures and RV size were significantly correlated with adverse outcomes (p < 0.05 each). CONCLUSION RA and RV strain are independently correlated with echocardiographic and invasive measures of cardiac function. Moreover, preserved RA and RV strain are likely associated with better clinical outcomes.
Method for transmission of wide bandwidth signals based on event timing and deliberate randomization of signal sampling An approach to significant widening the bandwidth of the input signals at their digitizing, pulse width modulated compressed transmission and reconstruction is explored. Alias-free digitizing of wide bandwidth input signals is performed by deliberate randomization of signal sampling and innovative Analog-to-Event conversion technique is used for width modulation of the transmitted pulses. Precise picosecond resolution timing of the transmitted pulse width is performed by a high precision event timer.
Impact of beef extract and six carbon source on antifungal metabolites production by bacterium associated with entomopathogenic nematode against Fusarium oxysporum A specific symbiotic Bacillus species isolated from a rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode, Rhabditis (Oscheius) sp., was found to produce a number of bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of six different carbon sources in combination with beef extract on the production of antifungal substances by Bacillus sp. The yield of crude antimicrobial substances and antimicrobial activity against the test microorganism also differed significantly when the carbon sources in the fermentation media were changed. The highest yield was recorded for fructose plus beef extract (956 mg/l). The antifungal activity was significantly high in beef extract plus maltose (21 ± 1.5 mm) followed by beef extract plus glucose and beef extract plus fructose. Antifungal activity was significantly reduced in beef extract plus lactose and sucrose. High pressure liquid chromatography analysis of the crude antimicrobial substances revealed different peaks with different retention times indicating that they produced different compounds. When a carbon source was not included in the fermentation media, the antifungal production was substantially reduced. Carbon source in the fermentation medium plays a vital role in the production of antimicrobial substances. Beef extract and maltose as nitrogen and carbon sources in the fermentation medium produced maximum antifungal activity. It is concluded that Beef extract and maltose as nitrogen and carbon sources produced maximum activity which can effectively control the Fusarium oxysporum which causes vascular fusarium wilt in tomato, tobacco, legumes, cucurbits, sweet potatoes, banana, etc.
Ore shoot targeting in the Gosowong Vein Zone, Halmahera, Indonesia Gosowong is located in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia, on the north arm of the island of Halmahera. It is a classic example of a volcanic-hosted, low-sulfidation, epithermal quartz vein deposit. Due to the relatively short mine life, there is a very limited time frame for increasing ore reserves before mining ceases. Therefore a great emphasis has been placed on exploring the strike extent of the structure that hosts the Gosowong deposit. This mineralized structure is known as the Gosowong Vein Zone (GVZ) and has been traced along strike for 2 km, though the Gosowong deposit encompasses only a 400 m section of the total strike length. The primary aim of this study is to identifY additional high-grade ore-shoots along the GVZ. To this end, a multi-faceted approach has been implemented incorporating structure, stratigraphy, vein textures, alteration zoning, fluid inclusions, and metal zonation, with the ultimate aim being to construct a system model that will allow predictive targeting of high-grade ore-shoots along the GVZ. Most data are presented on a longitudinal section of the GVZ. High-grade mineralization at the Gosowong deposit occurs within two gently southplunging ore shoots: the Quartz-Adularia zone (QA) and the Quartz-Chlorite zone (QC). The interplay between structure and stratigraphy is thought to be one of the main controls on the emplacement and distribution of high-grade mineralization at Gosowong. A distinct mappable volcanic stratigraphy has been recognized within generally intermediate to mafic coherent volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of Miocene age. The preferential host rocks to faulting and subsequent quartz veining are the Gosowong Volcaniclastics, a package of resedimented volcaniclastic rocks with interbedded ignimbrite and andesitic lava. This unit dips moderately to the south, striking roughly perpendicular to the strike of the GVZ. The intersection between the volcaniclastic stratigraphy and the GVZ fault is thought to be the key factor in the deposition of high-grade mineralization. A study of quartz vein textures along the GVZ has shown that high-grade mineralization is generally developed in discrete shoots within lower grade or barren mineralization. The vein texture most commonly associated with high-grade mineralization is poly-compositional crustiform/colloform/cockade banding. The presence of bladed calcite pseudomorphs at various levels in the system is a positive indication of boiling, though they do not always carry significant Au· grades. Banded chalcedony and phreatic breccia deep in the system perhaps indicates further potential at depth. Alteration zoning ,was mapped out with the use of a PIMA mineral analyzer. The alteration in the GVZ is typical of low-sulfidation, epithermal deposits: Illite-group minerals are dominant in the ore horizons while propylitic assemblages are usually associated with weakly mineralized veining. lllite-group minerals and chlorite display a distinct zoning along the fluid flow pathway, from illite-chlorite ~ illite ~ illite-smectite ~ smectite-illite with decreasing depth. Alteration zoning mimics stratigraphy, as indicated by gently south plunging paleoisotherms. Mineralizing fluids are postulated to have ascended the Gosowong fault and then spread out laterally along the permeable volcaniclastic horizon. Fluid inclusion analyses indicate that mineralizing fluids have a typical epithermal signa~e: dilute (generally <1.0 eq. wt. % NaCl) and low temperature (generally 175-265°C). Coexisting vapor-rich and liquid-rich primary fluid inclusions indicate that boiling processes have taken place in the GVZ. Trapping temperatures in the QA zone suggest that quartz deposition took place 100-350 m below the paleo-water table. The variation in trapping temperatures between the QA (21 0°C) and the QC (236°C) may indicate multiple mineralizing events. Paleoisotherms mimic the stratigrap.h y, plunging gently to the south, indicating a component of horizontal fluid flow through the permeable volcaniclastic units. The GVZ appears to display most of the typical vertical metal zoning common in lowsulfidation epithermal systems: base metals dominant deep in the system, precious metals dominant at shallow levels. Base metal values are generally low, averaging 125 ppm Cu, 53 ppm Pb, and 83 ppm Zn. Lead is the base metal most closely associated with Au mineralization. The distribution of high Au and Ag values indicates a gentle southerly plunge to the precious metal-rich horizon. Increasing Cu/Zn, Zn/Pb, and precious-metal/base-metal ratios may indicate vectors to ore-grade mineralization. It appears that the southerly plunge of the strata, ore-shoots, paleo-isotherms, alteration zoning, and metal zoning may be in part due to the post-mineral tilting of the GVZ. It is believed that pre-mineralization deformation has rotated the strata approximately 25-30° to the south, while post-mineralization deformation has added an additional 10-15° to the overall rotation of the strata. Thus, deeper levels of the system are exposed closer to the surface on the north end of theGVZ. A Gosowong specific "prospectivity matrix" has been constructed based on the sum total of the relative prospectivlties of each of the components analyzed in this study. This matrix indicates that the most prospective area of the GVZ (outside of the Gosowong deposit area) is the area deep and to the south of the deposit. Additional, slightly less prospective areas have been delineated and a total of 5 drill holes have been targeted on these zones of interest.
Effect of pyrimidine derivatives: Xymedone and diuciphone on bioenergetic processes of mitochondria The stimulation of oxygen consumption in the presence of incubative medium just as excessive quantity of oxidation substrate, so oxidation phosphorylation disconnector of 2,4-dinitrophenol is shown on thymocytes of not pedigree he-rats obtaining xymedone (3 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) and diuci phone (30 mg/kg) during 9 and 30 days. The effect of xymedone is dosedependent and more pronounced than the effect of diuciphone. The uniform effect of xymedone on mitochondrion respiration of thymocytes and isolated mitochondria of the liver is shown.
Autologous fat grafting: current state of clinical practice in the Australian setting Objective: This study aimed to gather and present systemic data about current fat grafting practice in Australia. We knew prior to the study that data for Australian fat grafting is limited, so we sought information from distinct sources. Part 1 aimed to present fat grafting data available from the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR). Part 2 aimed to present the details of current fat grafting practice by Australian plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Methods: In part 1, fat grafting data from the ABDR from its inception in 2012 to 2020 was collected and summarised. In part 2, a comprehensive survey about all aspects of fat grafting practice was distributed to surgeon members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Results: Part 1. The ABDR recorded an 8.4 per cent and 6.0 per cent increase in fat grafting at the time of breast device insertion surgery from 2012 to 2020 for reconstructive and aesthetic procedures respectively. Fat grafting with breast device insertion, in previously irradiated breast tissue, increased from 0 per cent to 17.4 per cent in the same period. Part 2. One in five of all surgeons of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons completed the survey. Our survey demonstrated that fat grafting is highly heterogeneous with respect to donor site selection, harvest technique, processing technique, number of sessions required and volumetric follow-up. Conclusion: Our study is the first attempt to present national data on fat grafting. It demonstrates clearly that uptake of autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction and aesthetic procedures is rapidly increasing Australia-wide. It demonstrates that procedural variables of fat grafting are not standardised among Australian plastic surgeons. This indicates that further clinical data relating to patient demographics, procedural variables and outcomes are vital to ensure patient safety, health resource management and to inform best practice guidelines.
Composition, processing, and quality control of whole flaxseed products used to fortify foods. Whole flaxseed (flour) as a good source of omega-3 fatty acid and phytochemicals with excellent nutritional and functional attributes has been used to enrich foods for health promotion and disease prevention. However, several limitations and contemporary challenges still impact the development of whole flaxseed (flour)-enriched products on the global market, such as naturally occurring antinutritional factors and entrapment of nutrients within food matrix. Whole flaxseed (flour) with different existing forms could variably alter the techno-functional performance of food matrix, and ultimately affect the edible qualities of fortified food products. The potential interaction mechanism between the subject and object components in fortified products has not been elucidated yet. Hence, in this paper, the physical structure and component changes of flaxseed (flour) by pretreatments coupled with their potential influences on the edible qualities of multiple fortified food products were summarized and analyzed. In addition, several typical food products, including baked, noodle, and dairy products were preferentially selected to investigate the potential influencing mechanisms of flaxseed (flour) on different substrate components. In particular, the altered balance between water absorption of flaxseed protein/gum polysaccharides and the interruption of gluten network, lipid lubrication, lipid-amylose complexes, syneresis, and so forth, were thoroughly elucidated. The overall impact of incorporating whole flaxseed (flour) on the quality and nutritional attributes of fortified food products, coupled with the possible solutions against negative influences are aimed. This paper could provide useful information for expanding the application of whole flaxseed (flour) based on the optimal edible and nutritional properties of fortified food products.
Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of balneotherapy and balneotherapy in combination with intravenous laser irradiation of blood at the sanatorium-resort stage of treatment of patients with psoriasis Abstract:background - comparative assessment of the effect of different options for spa treatment: balneotherapy and balneotherapy in combination with intravenous laser blood irradiation in patients with psoriasis vulgaris on the level of IL-6 and IL-17, dermatological and psycho-emotional status, assessment of quality of life. Materials and methods. The naturalistic comparative study involved 108 patients with ordinary psoriasis, stationary stage (men – 57.4%, women – 42.6%; the average age was 36.2 [24.5;47.9] years) who underwent spa treatment, which were subsequently divided into 2 groups: 52 patients who received balneotherapy along with the traditional complex of SCL were included in the 1st group, 56 patients who received complex treatment were included in the 2nd group. balneotherapy in combination with VLOK along with traditional ... The effectiveness of SCL was evaluated using the PASI index, the HARS and HDRS scale, the SF-36 questionnaire. The dynamics of IL-6 and IL-10 levels in blood plasma were evaluated. The total duration of the study was 6 months and 48 weeks: the treatment phase was 14 days and the follow–up phase was 3 and 6 months after the completion of SCL. Results. After 14 days of SCL in the group in which balneotherapy was performed in combination with VLOK, a statistically significant decrease in the PASI index was more pronounced compared to the group in which balneotherapy was performed (p). Balneotherapy did not have a pronounced effect on psychoemotional status. On the contrary, balneotherapy in combination with VLOK contributed to a statistically significant decrease in the final indicators on the HARS and HDRS scales. The decrease in IL-6 and IL-17 levels was statistically significant in both groups and there were no differences between them. The complex use of balneotherapy and VLOK in comparison with the group of balneotherapy was accompanied by a more pronounced improvement in QOL. The combined use of balneotherapy and VLOK in the follow-up phase showed a long-term positive effect: 6 months after the completion of SCL, the number of patients who had clinical remission was statistically significantly higher compared to the group in which balneotherapy was performed (87.4% vs. 44.7%). Conclusions:The advantage of the combined use of balneotherapy and ILBI compared with balneotherapy in patients with psoriasis vulgaris on CL was shown. The complex use of balneotherapy and ILBI of significant indicators of inflammatory biomarkers, improvement of the dermatological and psycho-emotional state, quality of life parameters and good overpopulation. More pronounced effectiveness of the complex use of balneotherapy and ILBI compared to balneotherapy of the quality, diversity of pathophysiological mechanisms of psoriasis and the presence of several targets for pathogenetic therapy.
Virulence Measurements of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Based on Plaque and Toxin Z Formation in Cell Culture 1 Summary An in vitro system was devised to measure the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on the organism's ability to form virus-like plaques and toxin Z in cell culture monolayers. Plaquing efficiency varied among clinical strains and also between the original isolates and their substrains after 10 and 20 subcultures. These variations were significant at the 99.9% confidence level. The data on the potency of toxin Z produced by these strains as measured by cytopathogenic effect in cell culture and by mouse lethality generally agreed with the data on their plaquing efficiency. Conversely no differences between the tested strains were detected in LD50 determinations in mice. This latter result is in agreement with the findings of other investigators and reemphasizes the need for a more reliable indicator system to assess the virulence of P. aeruginosa. Plaquing efficiency and toxin Z formation in cell culture appear to hold considerable promise as indicators that may satisfy this need.
Word sense disambiguation to improve precision for ambiguous queries Success in Information Retrieval (IR) depends on many variables. Several interdisciplinary approaches try to improve the quality of the results obtained by an IR system. In this paper we propose a new way of using word sense disambiguation (WSD) in IR. The method we develop is based on Naïve Bayes classification and can be used both as a filtering and as a re-ranking technique. We show on the TREC ad-hoc collection that WSD is useful in the case of queries which are difficult due to sense ambiguity. Our interest regards improving the precision after 5, 10 and 30 retrieved documents (P@5, P@10, P@30), respectively, for such lowest precision queries.
Note: Work function change measurement via improved Anderson method. We propose the modification to the Anderson method of work function change (Δϕ) measurements. In this technique, the kinetic energy of the probing electrons is already low enough for non-destructive investigation of delicate molecular systems. However, in our implementation, all electrodes including filament of the electron gun are polarized positively. As a consequence, electron bombardment of any elements of experimental system is eliminated. Our modification improves cleanliness of the ultra-high vacuum system. As an illustration of the solution capabilities, we present Δϕ of the Ag(100) surface induced by cobalt phthalocyanine layers.
Rapid assay for immunological detection of Trichomonas vaginalis Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease with an estimated incidence of 4 million to 8 million cases a year in the United States. The most commonly used method of diagnosis is a direct microscopic observation (wet mount) of vaginal secretions and, although both rapid and inexpensive, the sensitivity of this technique is generally 50 to 70%. We developed an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis which is both rapid and sensitive (detection limit of approximately 100 trichomonads per ml). This assay, which employs affinity-purified rabbit anti-T. vaginalis antibodies in a "sandwich" configuration, is simple to perform and is neither interfered with nor appears to cross-react with other microorganisms which are common inhabitants of the urogenital tract. One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive unselected patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases were evaluated for trichomoniasis by a broth culture technique monitored for up to 7 days (and considered here to be the standard for positivity), the conventional wet mount method, a solid culture procedure, and the ELISA. Of these, 84 were positive by culture; 33 were positive by the wet mount; and despite the fact that the vaginal specimens were diluted 20-fold during the culture procedures prior to testing in the ELISA, 65 were positive by ELISA. In addition to exhibiting a sensitivity of 77%, the specificity of the ELISA was 100%. These results demonstrate that the ELISA is a significant improvement over the wet mount method for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.
Molecular pathogenesis of malignant melanoma: a different perspective from the studies of melanocytic nevus and acral melanoma The Clark model for melanoma progression emphasizes a series of histopathological changes beginning from benign melanocytic nevus to melanoma via dysplastic nevus. Several models of the genetic basis of melanoma development and progression are based on this Clark’s multi‐step model, and predict that the acquisition of a BRAF mutation can be a founder event in melanocytic neoplasia. However, our recent investigations have challenged this view, showing the polyclonality of BRAF mutations in melanocytic nevi. Furthermore, it is suggested that many melanomas, including acral and mucosal melanomas, arise de novo, not from melanocytic nevus. While mutations of the BRAF gene are frequent in melanomas on non‐chronic sun damaged skin which are prevalent in Caucasians, acral and mucosal melanomas harbor mutations of the KIT gene as well as the amplifications of cyclin D1 or cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 gene. Amplifications of the cyclin D1 gene are detected in normal‐looking ‘field melanocytes’, which represent a latent progression phase of acral melanoma that precedes the stage of atypical melanocyte proliferation in the epidermis. Based on these observations, we propose an alternative genetic progression model for melanoma.
[Mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of spermatozoa of Bos taurus depending on their functional status]. On the basis of inhibitory analysis by using a fluorescence probe chlortetracycline, calcium transduction pathway in spermatozoa of Bos taurus has been examined. Additional release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of sperm was found after combiened action of prolactin and GTP, which took place under influence of protein kinase C inhibitor (compound Ro 31-8220); the combined effect of theophylline and GDP also stimulated additional release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, which was missing when adding inhibitor of protein kinase A, compound H-89. Using chlortetracycline test (analysis localization of chlortetracycline fluorescence in spermatozoa), we have shown the combined action of prolactin and GTP increases the number of sperm with acrosome reaction, which is reduced after influence of Ro 31-8220; the combined effect of theophylline and GDP increases the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa, which was decreased in the presence of H-89. According with the data obtained, we propose the hypothesis that the transduction of Ca2+ between intracellular stores in bull spermatozoa stimulated by the combined action of prolactin and GTP, or theophylline and GDP, determines the functional status of the spermatozoa. Namely: the transduction of Ca2+ between intracellular stores in bull spermatozoa stimulated by the combined action of prolactin and GTP is involved in the regulation of acrosomal processes, while sperm capacitation is mediated by the transduction of calcium between intracellular stores activated by the combined influence of theophylline and GDP.
Who gives “Voice” or “Empowers Migrants” in Participatory Action Research? Challenges and Solutions Given the power relationships between researchers and participants in Participatory Action Research (PAR), this chapter challenges the assumption that migration researchers “give voice” or “empower” participants, and advances the idea that such researchers need to uncover their own voice in the research process through dialogue, interaction and reflection with their partners. In the literature review on PAR, the concept of “giving voice” is quite prevalent yet based on the author’s own qualitative/migration research, she would argue that the actual voice of participants themselves is seldom emphasized or revealed in qualitative/migration research. Paulo Freire’s concepts of dialogue, conscientization, and action for change underscored by his interpretation of voice, which recognizes that marginalized people’s voices emerge out of the conditioned silence created by differential power dynamics, is critically needed as grounding for PAR researchers. In critiquing the use of voice, the conclusion makes a plea for PAR researchers to engage in finding their own voice by embracing the notion of cultural humility.
System-wide safety staffing and stabilizability of large-scale parallel server networks We introduce a "system-wide safety staffing" (SWSS) parameter for multiclass multi-pool networks of any tree topology, Markovian or non-Markovian, in the Halfin--Whitt regime. The SWSS parameter can be regarded as the optimal reallocation of the capacity fluctuations (positive or negative) of order $\sqrt{n}$ when each server pool employs a square-root staffing rule. We provide an explicit form of the SWSS as a function of the system papameters, which is derived using a graph theoretic approach based on Gaussian elimination. For Markovian networks, we give an equivalent characterization of the SWSS parameter via the drift parameters of the limiting diffusion. We show that if the SWSS parameter is negative, the limiting diffusion and the diffusion-scaled processes are transient under any Markov control, and cannot have a stationary distribution when this parameter is zero. If it is positive, we show that these processes are stabilizable, that is, there exists a control (scheduling policy) under which the stationary distributions of the controlled processes are tight. Thus, we have identified a necessary and sufficient condition for stabilizability of such networks. We use a constant control resulting from the leaf elimination algorithm to stabilize the limiting controlled diffusion, while a family of Markov scheduling policies which are easy to compute are used to stabilize the diffusion-scaled processes. Finally, we show that under these controls the processes are exponentially ergodic and the stationary distributions have exponential tails.
Investigation of Experimental Imitative Testing of Vacuum Circuit Breaker The main objective of the study is the experimental determination of switching characteristics of the vacuum interrupter phases, which is a crucial part of the high voltage vacuum circuit breaker. Experimental imitative testing is a better method of testing high voltage vacuum circuit breakers. New imitative testing scheme (Vale-Dobker) is designed to test each phase of the vacuum circuit breakers (VCB) in different ranges of high voltage to achieve maximum performance. Experimental study reveals that the Vale-Dobker scheme is better than others. A new imitative method for testing the vacuum circuit breaker has been presented. To determine its switching characteristics, the imitative test circuit by Vale-Dobker was applied, forming on the test object a fault current ranging from 1 to 10 kA and a transient recovery voltage across the contacts of the vacuum chamber up to 20 kV. The results confirm that the imitative controlled switching testing can suppress the current and overvoltage, thus fundamentally improving the efficiency and system safety.
Refractive surgery in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. PURPOSE To evaluate the refractive outcomes and safety of laser refractive surgery in a group of myopic patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS This was a multicenter, retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. A total of 32 eyes of 16 patients with RP with at least 18 months of follow-up were treated with laser refractive surgery (photorefractive keratectomy [PRK], laser subepithelial keratectomy [LASEK]). Refractive outcomes, complete eye examination, corneal topography, and retinal sensitivities were evaluated during follow-up. Mean follow-up was 28.3 months (minimum 18, maximum 50). Mean patient age was 29.6 years (range 24-54). Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.75 preoperatively. RESULTS Eighteen months after surgery, mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.8+/-1 line (p=0.02); mean BCVA was 0.85+/-1 line (p<0.0005) with mean spherical equivalent of -0.16 D. Corneal complications were not detected during follow-up; corneal topography did not show corneal ectasia in any patient after surgery. During follow-up visits, no development or progress of macular edema was noted in any eye. Retinal sensitivities increased after surgery; there were no significant changes in electroretinogram amplitude. CONCLUSIONS Mean UCVA and BCVA 18 months after surgery were higher than preoperative BCVA. All patients were safely treated without any significant complications. Our results support the safety of performing PRK and LASEK in patients with tapetoretinal degeneration.
Characterization of the origin of band states in the SiC/SiO2 interface Summary form only given. Silicon carbide is a wide bandgap semiconductor whose intrinsic properties make it suited for high-power, high-temperature, and high frequency applications. Additionally, SiC has potential for the fabrication of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) power supplies because it forms a native oxide in the same manner as silicon. The structure of the interface between the native oxide (SiO2) and SiC is not fully understood, yet it is suspected that this interface limits the utilization of MOS power supply applications due to an electron mobility loss. We use scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and ab initio calculations to characterize atomic structure and chemistry of the interface. High resolution STEM images with atomic resolution show that the atomically flat interface can be perfectly crystalline or show a disturbed crystalline transition layer at the SiC side depending on process parameters. EELS investigations of the interface indicate that the both sides of the interface are rich in carbon. This interface effect is studied using various annealing conditions in an effect to further quantify outcome. Our results indicate that a high oxidation rate is effectively driving carbon into the SiC and can cause an almost amorphous transition layer. The cumulative effect of the oxidation is an atomically sharp interface with carbon defects leading to electronic states within the bandgap.