Growing economic integration worldwide and the spread of global value chains (GVCs) increases the sensitivity of employment in one country or region to changes in demand in other countries or regions. However, traditional statistics do not reveal the full nature of global interdependencies - notably how consumption in one country may drive production and therefore, sustain employment in other economies or, how employment in an upstream domestic industry may be affected by exporting activities of other domestic industries.
This document describes the sources and methods used to produce the indicators in the Trade in employment (TiM) database. These indicators were developed, as a complement to Trade in Value Added (TiVA) indicators, to provide broad insights into the impact of GVCs on labour markets. The indicators are derived by combining the latest set of OECD Inter-Country Input-Output (ICIO) tables, covering the years 2005 to 2015, with appropriate employment by industry statistics.


PS matching techniques produce a more accurate estimate of the negative effect of IHFF on breastfeeding duration among Minnesota WIC participants. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer10.1542/6154051762001PEDS-VA_2019-2946 Video Abstract BACKGROUND: In-hospital formula feeding (IHFF) of breastfed infants is associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding. Despite evidence-based guidelines on when IHFF is appropriate, many infants are given formula unnecessarily during the postpartum hospital stay. To account for selection bias inherent in observational data, in this study, we estimate liberal and conservative bounds for the association between hospital formula feeding and duration of breastfeeding. METHODS: Infants enrolled in the Minnesota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were selected. Breastfed infants given formula were matched with infants exclusively breastfed (n = 5310) by using propensity scoring methods to adjust for potential confounders. Cox regression of the matched sample was stratified on feeding status. A second, more conservative analysis (n = 4836) was adjusted for medical indications for supplementation. RESULTS: Hazard ratios (HR) for weaning increased across time. In the first analysis, the HR across the first year was 6.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9–7.5), with HRs increasing with age (first month: HR = 4.1 [95% CI 3.5–4.7]; 1–6 months: HR = 8.2 [95% CI 5.6–12.1]; >6 months: HR = 14.6 [95% CI 8.9–24.0]). The second, more conservative analysis revealed that infants exposed to IHFF had 2.5 times the hazard of weaning compared with infants who were exclusively breastfed (HR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.9–3.4). CONCLUSIONS: IHFF was associated with earlier weaning, with infants exposed to IHFF at 2.5 to 6 times higher risk in the first year than infants exclusively breastfed. Strategies to reduce IHFF include prenatal education, peer counseling, hospital staff and physician education, and skin-to-skin contact.


Random thinning has been shown to produce useful diagnostics for assessing the goodness-of-fit of a temporal or space-time point process model. The technique involves keeping or deleting each point individually, with each point kept with a probability inversely proportional to the conditional intensity at that point. This method does not extend immediately to the case of a purely spatial point process defined by its Papangelou intensity, however. Here, a method for thinning a spatial point process into a Poisson process is introduced. The proposed technique involves considering each possible subset of points, and keeping or deleting the subset with the appropriate probability. A demonstration on a simulated clustered spatial point process is considered, and practical implications and shortcomings are discussed.


In the literature, there is little work could be found about the calculation of amorphous alloy, since the structure of amorphous alloy is ambiguous now. In this paper, a series of models were selected to reflect both the character of amorphous alloy and the change of cobalt content in Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy. These models were calculated by SCC - DV - Xα method, the catalytic activity and the EXAFS structure of Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy could be interpreted by the calculation results very well.
The calculated results showed that the relationships between the Fermi energy and the density of state near Fermi level to cobalt content in Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy are also present in a volcano -shape curve. It could be inferred from the calculation that the FMO energy of catalysts will be most close to FMO of H2 when the contents of cobalt and nickel in the Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy are near, In the reaction of catalytic hydrogenation, the H-H bond would be weakened by the transfer of the electron from HOMO of catalyst to the LUMO of hydrogen. Thus the closer of these two orbital energy levels, the higher the catalytic activity of the catalyst. The volcano - shape curve of the catalytic activity versus their cobalt content is due to the volcano - shape of their Fermi level versus their cobalt content.
It is known that the amorphous - orming ability and the interaction of metal - metalloid are related to it's Fermi level and density of states near Fermi level. Our calculation also shows that the amorphous -forming ability is strongest when the contents of Ni and Co are near in the Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy and meantime Ni - B interaction is the strongest.
All the results confirmed that there is a synergism of Ni and Co to the structure of Ni - Co - B amorphous alloy and certainly these results will give a new idea to the design of novel catalyst.


Aristolochia hondurensis, a new species of Aristolochia series Hexandrae subseries Hexandrae, endemic to Honduras, is described and illustrated. It is a species morphologically similar to Aristolochia anguicida, from which it is distinguished by its much larger flowers (in all dimensions) with an oblong, attenuate, erect perianth limb, perpendicular to the tube. Comments about its distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, and distinction from morphologically similar species, and a dichotomous key of the species present in Honduras belonging to the subseries Hexandrae are provided. The new species is known from only two populations and is not known to occur in any protected area; it is provisionally categorized as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List criteria. Previous reports of A. inflata for Honduras appear to be unsubstantiated by herbarium specimens.


Cite this article: (2022). State of the Art. European Psychiatry, 65(S1), S3–S5. © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


The study of prestellar cores is critical as they set the initial conditions in star formation and determine the final mass of the stellar object. To date, several hypotheses are describing their gravitational collapse. We perform detailed line analysis and modelling of H$_{2}$D$^{+}$ 110 -111 and N$_{2}$H$^{+}$ 4-3 emission at 372 GHz, using 2'x2' maps (JCMT). Our goal is to test the most prominent dynamical models by comparing the modelled gas kinematics and spatial distribution (H$_{2}$D$^{+}$ and N$_{2}$H$^{+}$) with observations towards four prestellar (L1544, L183, L694-2, L1517B) and one protostellar core (L1521f). We perform a detailed non-LTE radiative transfer modelling using RATRAN, where we compare the predicted spatial distribution and line profiles of H$_{2}$D$^{+}$ and N$_{2}$H$^{+}$ with observations towards all cores. To do so, we adopt the physical structure for each core predicted by three different dynamical models taken from literature: Quasi-Equilibrium Bonnor-Ebert Sphere (QE-BES), Singular Isothermal Sphere (SIS), and Larson-Penston (LP) flow. Our analysis provides an updated picture of the physical structure of prestellar cores. We find that the SIS model can be clearly excluded in explaining the gas emission towards the cores, but a larger sample is required to differentiate clearly between the LP flow, the QE-BES and the static models. All models of collapse underestimate the intensity of the gas emission by up to several factors towards the only protostellar core in our sample, indicating that different dynamics take place in different evolutionary core stages. If the LP model is confirmed towards a larger sample of prestellar cores, it would indicate that they may form by compression or accretion of gas from larger scales. If the QE-BES model is confirmed, it means that quasi hydrostatic cores can exist within turbulent ISM.


Rheumatological patients are notoriously at increased risk of infections, since they receive immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory drugs, which may reduce the response to vaccination. However, current evidence has shown that several biologics may have little or no influence on the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination. In this context, anti-IL-1 drugs, commonly employed for the treatment of several autoinflammatory disorders such as Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), have been successfully used to treat the "hyperinflammatory syndrome", provoked by SARS-CoV-2, by contrasting the cytokine storm and avoiding the more severe consequences of the infection, although not inhibiting the recovery.In this study, our aim is to evaluate the antibody response after COVID-19 vaccination in a group of patients affected by systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAID) undertaking IL-1 inhibitors, compared to a group of healthy vaccinated controls (HC). Then, we evaluated the course of COVID-19 infection in a group of vaccinated patients treated with anti-IL-1.In 43 patients, referred to the Outpatient Autoinflammatory Clinic of the Rheumatology Unit of Padova University Hospital, the serological response after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was assessed using the CLIA MAGLUMITM2000 Plus test, 40 days, and six months after the first vaccination cycle and after the booster dose. Fifty-four full-vaccinated healthcare workers of equal age and sex were enrolled as HCs. Due to significant differences in antibody levels, HC and SAID patients who had COVID-19 were excluded from the analysis.GraphPad Prism 8software was used for statistical analysis.All SAID patients vaccinated with two or three doses developed an adequate antibody response (>33 kBAU/L). No significant differences were observed between antibody levels developed by patients receiving IL-1 inhibitors compared to those not on anti-IL-1 after the first vaccination cycle (T3, p = 0.99, T6, p = 0.99) or the booster dose (p=0.99). The mean antibody titer after booster dose was not different in SAID compared to HC (2276 ± 2653 kBAU/L of HC vs 3738 ± 3974 kBAU/L of SAID, p = 0.99). No gender differences were observed between the antibody titres. With increasing age, a physiological decrease in antibody production was assessed six months after the second vaccine shot in SAID (r = 0.67, p = 0.0003). Overall, 13/43 (30.2%) patients in our cohort had COVID-19 and 5/43 (11.6%) had it after receiving vaccination. None of them developed a severe disease, long-COVID, or experienced flares of the underlying autoinflammatory disease.In patients receiving anti-IL-1 drugs, the antibody response after vaccination is comparable to the serological response observed in HC. Furthermore, no side effects were observed after vaccination and anti-IL-1 therapies were continued before and after the injections to avoid flare-up of the disease.[1]Bijlsma JW; EULAR COVID-19 Task Force. EULAR 2021 updated viewpoints on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with RMDs: a guidance to answer patients' questions. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 Jun;81(6):786-788.[2]www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-recommends-approval-use-kineret-adults-covid-19NIL.Sara Bindoli: None declared, Chiara Baggio: None declared, Paola Galozzi: None declared, Filippo Vesentini: None declared, Andrea Doria Speakers bureau: GSK, AstraZeneca, Elly Lilly, Grant/research support from: GSK, AstraZeneca, Elly Lilly, Andrea Padoan: None declared, Paolo Sfriso Speakers bureau: Novartis, Sobi.


Spin‐orbit torque (SOT)‐based magnetization switching is a promising candidate for the innovation and developments of spintronic devices. However, the necessity of an in‐plane magnetic field to induce deterministic switching is an obstacle to feasibility in practical applications. Here, it is shown that the field‐free current‐induced magnetization switching in a perpendicular magnetized Pt1−xMox/Co/Ru heterostructure with x = 0, 0.04, 0.07, 0.12, and 0.17. Applying an in‐plane charge current through the Pt1−xMox layer, the device can achieve a high‐efficiency field‐free current‐induced magnetization switching with competing spin currents generated from a single Pt1−xMox alloy layer due to opposite spin Hall angles (θSHA) of Pt and Mo atoms and locally induced electric field. Remarkably, the large θSHA of about 0.35 is achieved in the optimal composition of Pt0.88Mo0.12 alloy, which is much higher than that of the pure Pt structure. The results pave the way to resolve the future problems of scalability and thermal stability for SOT‐driven magnetic tunnelling junctions.


In Derrida's "White Mythology" the figure of the heliotrope, both flower and gemstone, illustrates the multifaceted nature of French aesthetics. At once a natural beauty and, as bouquet or gemstone, a product of techne, the heliotrope as a figure for metaphor is itself a metaphor, performing the simultaneous presence and absence that Derrida traces. It turns toward the "sun" but its attaining is always deferred. It is significant that the heliotrope stone was thought by magicians to have the power to make one invisible. Philosophy, some would say, is a process of metaphorization, whereby an abstract meaning is progressively separated from its particular sensory origin and thus from the limitations of space and time, losing its specificity yet gaining universality. Hegel describes metaphor as occupying a space between Vorstellung and Begriff as the elevation of a purely sensory content into a properly spiritual one. Yet philosophical aesthetics is concernedwithmoments that interrupt this spiritualizing process, where pure appearance bodies forth. At the same time, philosophy is always attentive to the ways in which meaning both emerges and is concealed with the dominant aesthetics of a period. The term "French aesthetics" covers too broad a field to be generalizable. From the poststructural aesthetics of Derrida and Foucault to the psychoanalytic interpretations of Irigaray and Kristeva, there is no consistent identity to French aesthetics. We could list Beauvoir, Sartre, Camus, Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard, Deleuze, Levinas, Kristeva, Irigaray, and Rancière, and not find a common thread that goes through all of them—unless it is a negative one. What is true, as Gary Shapiro has argued, is that the common misperception of French philosophy as a reduction of everything to language is just that, a misperception. At the same time, to the extent that language is a part of the work of art, French aesthetics is striking, from Derrida to Kristeva, because it draws attention to the materiality of language, its polysemic, historically layered signifying capacity and its emergence from unconscious bodily rhythms and preindividuated relationships. This tradition is also notable for the ways in which it engages with classical texts of the history of aesthetics, especially those of Kant and Hegel, complicating the apparent straightforwardness and transparency of their confident theories. Phenomenology, psychoanalysis, feminist critique, structural analysis, all play their part in this shifting network that renders contemporary art protean, and dismissive responses premature. The four articles and the discussion presented here engage with theories of art that emphasize the interstices, the silences, the unprofessed assumptions, and the frameworks that decide what will and will not be perceived or valued in the sphere of aesthetics.


Hyda ti di form mo le with co-exis ting li ve fe tus is a ra re en tity. The ma na ge ment of a twin preg nancy com bi ning a nor mal preg nancy with a nor mal fe tus and a comp le te hyda ti di form mo le re ma ins comp lex and con tro ver si al du e to conf lic ting da ta from dif fe rent parts of the world. In this ar tic le, fi ve pa irs of di ag no sed a twin preg nancy with a comp let mo le hyda ti di form pre na tally du ring 2002-2007 we re eva lu a ted. In thre e ca ses, preg nancy ha ve be en ter mi na ted and one ca se ha ve be en de li ve red by ce sa re an sec ti on. One ca se ha ve be en ex du e to ce reb ral em bo lism. Wo men sho uld be co un sel led abo ut the ma ter nal and fe tal comp li ca ti ons, and if con ti nu a ti on of the preg nancy is de si red ca re ful mo ni to ring by a pe ri na tal te am with ex pe ri en ce in high-risk obs tet rics and ac cess to ne o na tal ca re is re qu i red.


At long ranges and under low visibility conditions, Advanced Optoelectronic Device provides the signal-to-noise ratio and image quality in the Short-wave Infra-red – SWIR (wavelengths between 1,1 ÷2,5 μm), significantly better than in the near wave infrared – NWIR and visible spectral bands [1,2]. The quality of image is nearly independent of the polarization in the incoming light, but it is influenced by the relative movement between the optical system and the observer (the operators' handshake), and the movement towards the support system (land and air vehicles). All these make it difficult to detect objectives observation in real time. This paper presents some systems enhance which the ability of observation and sighting through the optical systems without the use of the stands, tripods or other means. We have to eliminate the effect of "tremors of the hands" and the vibration in order to allow the use of optical devices by operators on the moving vehicles on land, on aircraft, or on boats, and to provide additional comfort for the user to track the moving object through the optical system, without losing the control in the process of detection and tracking. The practical applications of stabilization image process, in SWIR, are the most advanced part of the optical observation systems available worldwide [3,4,5]. This application has a didactic nature, because it ensures understanding by the students about image stabilization and their participation in research.


Let S be a real-valued random walk that does not drift to ∞, so P(S k ≥ 0 for all k)=0. We condition S to exceed n before hitting the negative halfline, respectively, to stay nonnegative up to time n. We study, under various hypotheses, the convergence ofthese conditional laws as n →∞. First, when S oscillates, the two approximations converge to the same probability law. This feature may be lost when S drifts to -∞. Specifically, under suitable assumptions on the upper tail of the step distribution, the two approximations then converge to different probability laws.


In this paper, we propose a phenomenological developmental model based on a stochastic evolutionary neuron migration process (SENMP). Employing a spatial encoding scheme with lateral interaction of neurons for artificial neural networks representing candidate solutions within a neural network ensemble, neurons of the ensemble form problem-specific geometrical structures as they migrate under selective pressure. The SENMP is applied to evolve purposeful behaviors for autonomous robots and to gain new insights into the development, adaptation and plasticity in artificial neural networks. We demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the approach by evolving a robust navigation behavior for a mobile robot. We also present some preliminary results regarding the behavior of the adapting neural network ensemble and, particularly, a phenomenon exhibiting Hebbian dynamics.


Complex quantum defects are shown to be convenient for comparisons of theoretical studies (which lead to a set of eigen quantum defects μα and transformation matrix elements Uiα) with experimental determinations of resonance energies and line widths using the ns' autoinizing Rydberg series of Xe as a specific example.


The purpose of these Studies have been published in the area of tuberculosis but much is not known in the area of interaction between HIV and tuberculosis, etiology, immunological mechanism involved, risk factors, diagnostic features, diagnostic tools, immunogenetics and complications involved. The recent results of Tuberculosis have been reported in people living with HIV indifferent parts of the world. Cases are unrecognized due inaccurate diagnosis and hence are treated as other diseases. However the most recent studies have shown that tuberculosis and HIV coexist together especially extrapulmonary tuberculosis and that there are other highly sensitive and quick to yield results. In conclusion The Tuberculosis in HIV is as a result of complex interactions between the host-pathogen and the immune mechanisms involved in the protection. Overall, this review has expanded our understanding of the mechanism involved in the pathogenesis and the relationship between tuberculosis and kidney disease. It has opened new line of investigations that will ultimately result in a better clinical practice.


In this paper, we have analyzed the resilience property of industrial control systems (ICS) in the events of cyberattacks using subjective approach. We are proposing a comprehensive cyber resilience framework for the ICS by decomposing the resilience metric into a hierarchy of several sub-metrics. These metrics form a tree structure that has the potential to capture qualitative information about system's security and resilience posture and can be used as a high-level framework to identify where modeling and analysis are needed to be carried out. We present a brief description of resilient ICS characteristics and a cyber resilience assessment model for ICS. Finally, we present the cyber resilience metrics formulation methods and an illustration of resilience metrics calculation using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Our resilience framework can serve as a platform for a multi-criteria decision aid and help technical experts in identifying the gap in the study ofICS resilience.


Bismuth ion in four layered strontium bismuth titanate (SBT), a compound of Aurivillius family, is partially replaced with La 3 + in the place of Bi 3 + to synthesize SrBi ( 4 - x ) La x Ti 4 O 1 5 , with x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75. The ceramic powders were prepared using chemical route. The temperature dependence of the dielectric and impedance properties was studied over a wide frequency range. The dielectric properties showed interesting changes in the transition temperatures. These changes are correlated with the distortion that sets in the samples due to the incorporation of lanthanum. The octahedra and square pyramidal lattice distortion of the perovskite layers in ABO 3 is calculated from lattice parameters. Dielectric transition temperatures are correlated with displacement of A-site ions with respect to octahedral center.


Four pre-enrichment media (nutrient broth, lactose broth, reconstituted non-fat dry milk and nutrient broth containing 5% (w/v) casein) were evaluated for the recovery of salmonellae from cocoa powder. Addition of 5% cocoa powder to nutrient broth and to lactose broth proved to be bactericidal to salmonellae. Heat-damaged Salmonella typhimurium were more sensitive than undamaged cells to cocoa powder and agitation increased the bactericidal effect. The bactericidal effects were minimized in pre-enrichment media that contained either 5% casein or nonfat dry milk.


We present the effective-barrier-height method to investigate the effects of coupling between normal and lateral degrees of freedom of an electron in the parabolic conduction-band approach. This is performed on electronic states in quantum wells (QW's) and superlattices (SL's) at zero and finite magnetic fields perpendicular to interfaces. The numerical calculations for ${\mathrm{G}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{A}\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ materials show that the coupling effect leads not only to the shift of the sublevels in QW's and subband, in SL's toward the well bottom with increasing ${k}_{\mathrm{xy}}$ or $n$, but also to the disappearance of high excited states close to the top of the barrier when ${k}_{\mathrm{xy}}$ or $n$ exceeds a certain value owing to the the fast lowering of the effective-barrier height. We also investigate the variation of the shift of levels in QW's with the well width and found that this coupling effect becomes more striking in thin QW's.


This paper is divided into 6 sections, of which an enumeration will constitute its abstract: (1) introduction; (2) trigonometric criteria for determining whether a given point Q lies on the great circle passing thru 2 other given points, A and B, of north pole P; (3) and (4) methods of determining the geographic coordinates of pole P; (5) determination of the distance of a given point R from the great circle; and (6) determination of the coordinates of point S, the point on the great circle closest to the given point R. Several subtopics are discussed in the notes to the paper.


The article analyzes the influence of the implemented international evaluation system alongside the existing national one on student motivation to learn. The role of Western General Point Average and European Credit Transfer System are considered for the assessment of student results which are evaluated using different grading scales at Southern Federal University in Russia. The paper views the results of the research throughout the grading period of Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Economic Major students of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate educational levels. The purpose of the research was to define what kind of grading system at the university appears to be the most motivating from the student point of view and why the international grade system does not motivate students to get high point grades. The gained results were based on the carried out surveys, testing, classroom observations, interviews, and questionnaire consisted of closed and opened questions. The main factors influenced the student belief towards the choice of the most motivating grading system for learning were discussed. The importance of the usage of transfer systems in the global academic environment is underlined. The study included data gained from 145 students, taking into account the multileveled educational environment at Southern Federal University. Recommendations for enhancing the impact of the international evaluation system on student motivation to learn are provided. Keywords—Grading system; Higher Education; student evaluation; motivation; General Point Average (GPA); European Credit Transfer System (ECTS); numerical and alphabetical grading.


The propagation of stress wave was first analyzed by using 3-layer damping material (first layer:metal, second layer:plastics, third layer:metal). When the thickness of the first layer is lower than a critical value, the intensity of the compressive wave was reduced by the reflected tension wave emitted from the boundary between the first metal layer and the second plastic sheet. This is due to the difference in acoustic impedances between these layers. Cavitation erosion test were performed on coating materials such as welding deposit materials and plating. The MDPR (mean depth of penetration rate) increased decreased or kept constant as a function of the coating thickness depending on the combination of the acoustic impedances of the coating and its substrate. The critical thickness was obtained by a quarter the product of the time interval of impact load and the sound velocity in the coating. The variation in MDPR , when the coating thickness is lower than the critical thickness, is given by the thickness and a reflection coefficient between the coating and its substrate.


The thesis analyses the voting behaviour of the states of the ´Eastern Partnership´ on UNGA resolutions vis a vis Russia and the EU from 2004 onwards


Summary: InterMine is an open-source data warehouse system that facilitates the building of databases with complex data integration requirements and a need for a fast customizable query facility. Using InterMine, large biological databases can be created from a range of heterogeneous data sources, and the extensible data model allows for easy integration of new data types. The analysis tools include a flexible query builder, genomic region search and a library of 'widgets' performing various statistical analyses. The results can be exported in many commonly used formats. InterMine is a fully extensible framework where developers can add new tools and functionality. Additionally, there is a comprehensive set of web services, for which client libraries are provided in five commonly used programming languages. Availability: Freely available from http://www.intermine.org under the LGPL license. Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are a serious medical problem at the intersection of specialties. The disease has a progressive course, there are several stages. In the 3rd and 4th stages, surgical intervention is required, but in the 1st and 2nd stages, i.e. in more than 90% of all cases of the disease, it is enough to correct the lifestyle, physical activity, diet and nature of the diet, as well as conservative drug treatment. The complexity and multifactorial nature of the pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease dictate the need for the impact of therapy on the key mechanisms of the development of the disease. This can be achieved by combining agents with different effects and routes of administration to provide potentiation. Treatment of acute and chronic hemorrhoids includes general and local use of painkillers, antiinflammatory, phlebotonic, hemostatic and complex preparations. Among systemic drugs, the leading place belongs to phlebotonic agents of the flavonoid series of plant origin. Their effectiveness is associated with the effect both on the state of the vascular wall with a decrease in venous stasis and improvement of lymphatic outflow, and with an effect on the rheological properties of the blood. There is also a local anti-inflammatory effect of the combination "diosmin + hesperidin", and in general, a palette of positive properties predetermines the use of these drugs for hemorrhoids. The combination of systemic flavonoids with local agents that provide repair of damaged tissues and have hemostatic effects contributes to an increase in the effectiveness of treatment. The combined use of systemic phlebotonic preparations and local reparative agents, which together provide a complex effect on various pathogenetic mechanisms and symptoms of hemorrhoids and anal fissures, accelerates the achievement of a positive result of treatment and the prevention of recurrence of the disease.


Based on the power assessment and loss distributions analysis in pneumatic system,according to the field research and energy saving evaluation method,the unscientific phenomenon in all aspects of a pneumatic system was discussed.Analysis and research of the existing and emerging energy conservation technology's characteristic and application was given to provide the theoretical basis for the enterprise.


[1] Carbon, nitrogen, and chlorophyll are three commonly used variables to quantify phytoplankton productivity. However, owing to the complex effect of light, temperature, and nutrient, these three variables are usually decoupled from each other. By implementing a biogeochemical model that treats phytoplankton carbon, nitrogen, and chlorophyll separately in a Pacific basin-scale circulation model, we have investigated the physical and biogeochemical controls on phytoplankton C:Chl and C:N ratios at different scales. The model reproduces the general features of phytoplankton dynamics in the Pacific basin. Model results indicate a region dependent pattern of driving mechanisms for C:Chl ratio, where C:Chl is largely controlled by light condition in high latitude, by light and nutrient levels in midlatitude, and by nutrient and temperature in the equatorial Pacific, while C:N ratio seems to be region independent and is mostly determined by nutrient and temperature. Pacific basin-scale empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) decompositions suggest both C:Chl and C:N are regulated by the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events to the first-order variability. Owing to the variation of C:Chl, the decoupling between phytoplankton carbon and chlorophyll exists, especially at seasonal and long-term temporal scales. Climate change can affect phytoplankton pigment, biomass, and physiological state. As a consequence, using chlorophyll as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass to interpret decadal variation or long-term trend might be with bias.


Conventional cytogenetic analysis remains mandatory at the initial evaluation of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Molecular testing by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for recurring rearrangements and NPM1, FLT3, and CEBPA mutational screening have been used in routine


This catalogue is a ten-year retrospective of video work by Askevold, and comprises three excerpts of critical texts (reprinted), narrative and analytic statements by the artist, documentation of eight tapes, and technical specifications. Biographical notes. 55 bibl. ref.


Abstract Optimization of a multi-drive machine, i.e., a tower crane with a pivoting boom, needs to take into account the interactions between cooperating mechanisms. This article outlines a methodology of selecting optimal mechanism structure from a set of possible solutions. By introducing a certain quality criterion, a set of parameters optimized for the full range of motion is determined for each structure. Thus, obtained parameters can be regarded as optimal and guarantee the best mutual adjustment of interacting mechanisms. Accordingly, each structure is assigned the optimum quality index value. Obviously, this index is associated with the type of involved mechanisms and their interactions, allowing us to find the best out of the sets of optimized cranes mechanisms. The method was illustrated for a one-link crane with lever mechanisms, and comparison was made with rope mechanisms. Optimization tasks were formulated assuming the ideal stiffness of the structure in quasi-static conditions. Effectiveness of the optimization was verified under the dynamic conditions, taking into account rope flexibility. Finding globally optimal design solution will yield the best combination of different mechanisms structures such that the dynamic overload values should be significantly reduced at the stage of design of the steel structure.


Purpose: The 3D interior design software (3DIDS) is a technology, which primarily allows users to simulate their homes and visualize any changes prior to implementing them. This feasibility study aimed to examine occupational therapists' perceptions about the clinical utility of the 3DIDS. A secondary aim was to explore the attitudes of occupational therapists towards technology in general. Method: Three focus groups were conducted with 25 occupational therapists working with older people in the UK. The qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The three main themes that were identified were usage and attitudes of technology, opportunities for realistic application of the 3DIDS and related threats and benefits for the occupational therapy profession. Occupational therapists had a positive attitude towards technology. They suggested that the 3DIDS could be used in discharge planning and in rehabilitation. They viewed it as a tool that could enhance their status within the health care profession and improve communication, but not as a tool that should replace the role of the occupational therapist. Conclusions: This research offers new and important findings about the utilization of the 3DIDS by occupational therapists and provides information as to where this technology should be trialled. Implications for Rehabilitation Gaining occupational therapists' perceptions of the 3D interior design software (3DIDS) gives valuable information as to the clinical utility of the software. The 3DIDS was perceived as a tool that could be used as enhancing the rehabilitation process as well as a facilitating tool in discharge planning. The 3DIDS was viewed as a tool that could enhance clinical practice and communication among various agencies, but it was suggested that it should be used with caution to avoid confusion and replacement of important services.


PURPOSE: To enhance the thermal stability of a resist and to reduce dark erosion rate caused by a developer containing no metallic ion by using a specific novolak type binder. CONSTITUTION: This positive photosensitive mixture contains a resin containing o-quinine diazide (A) as a photosensitive compound and the novolak type binder (B) insoluble in water and soluble in aq. alkaline medium, and a resin formed from a mixture containing m-cresol (B 1 ) and a 2,3,6-trialkyl phenol (B 2 ) is used as the component (B). It is preferable that the mixture contains 75-95mol% component B 1 and 5-25mol% component B 2 and 2,3,6-trimethyl phenol is used as the component B 2 . Also as the component A, the ester or the amide of o- naphthoquinone diazide sulfonic acid or the like can be used. COPYRIGHT: (C)1990,JPO


Achievement auditing has a long history in western countries and has formed a complete theory in its system while China remains in its early stage.With more concern focus on efficiency of resources,achievement auditing becomes the trend in the near future. This paper explores the necessity and the accessibility of achievement auditing in universities.


Idiosyncratic to the Milanese liturgy were the processions after Matins and Vespers to the two ancient baptisteries of St John the Baptist and St Stephen. These processions, held throughout the year except in Holy Week, were provided with a very large repertory of antiphons (psallendae). The observances are documented in the Ambrosian antiphoners, in the Manuale, and in the ordinal, but to answer some of the important questions left unanswered in these books has required a detailed analysis and comparison of evidence that is in certain respects contradictory.


This study constitutes one part of our multi-disciplinary approach to the evolution of planet-forming disks. The goal is to establish the disks' thermal and mechanical properties as they grow by the infall of their parent interstellar clouds. Thus far, significant advances toward establishing the evolving surface density of such disks was made.


The authors present an efficient algorithm to minimize the layout area by taking the physical sizes of each line, variable net spacing, contact offset, diffusion line offset, and metal line offset into consideration. This algorithm can be used as a postprocessing step for the gate matrix layout. Significant reduction in the layout area, compared to results without performing layout compaction, is achieved.<<ETX>>


The paper analyzes the problem of interpretations of the Gettier problem. The author draws a distinction between counterexamples presented in Edmund Gettier's article and Gettier-style cases, between the Gettier problem and general epistemological problem supposedly occurring in all or many Gettier-style cases. It is argued that in Gettier's article there is a gap associated with an insufficiently defined concept of justification, which does not allow talking about Gettier problem without any explicit or implicit interpretation of his views on justification. Along with this, it is indicated that the same concept of justification has strict features (deductive closure principle, non-factive justification and internalism), which do not allow arbitrary interpretations of the Gettier problem, and therefore we can say that some interpretations are closer to the text of a well-known article.


A highly active solid superacid of sulfated tin oxide was prepared from tin oxide gel, which was precipitated by the hydrolysis of SnCl4 and washed with aqueous ammonium acetate solution, followed by exposure to aqueous sulfuric acid and calcining. Differencial thermal analysis suggested that the acetate ion remaining on the surface was replaced with sulfate ion. The acid strength of the sulfated tin oxide estimated by temperature-programmed desorption using argon was higher than that of sulfated zirconia, a well-known solid superacid, the activation energy of Ar desorption by the former being 10.6 kJ mol-1 in comparison with 9.3 kJ mol-1 by the latter. The sulfated tin oxide showed activities much higher than those of the sulfated zirconia for the skeletal isomerization of n-pentane, the Mukaiyama aldol condensation of 1-trimethylsilyloxy-1-cyclohexene with benzaldehyde, and the benzoylation of toluene with benzoic anhydride.


In takÉful (Islamic insurance), surplus in the takÉful fund will emerge when the overall operations of the fund perform better than expected, i.e. when the underwriting, investment and expense management yield favourable results. Surplus, in general, refers to the excess amount of contributions available in the takÉful fund after taking into account total claims paid, amount payable for retakÉful contributions, reserves allocated and investment profits accrued to the fund. Given the rightful roles of takÉful operators as 'managers' of the takÉful fund and participants as owners of the fund, this paper discusses the current practice of surplus management and distribution, including the application of the surplus-sharing concept, among takÉful operators in Malaysia. The study combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods and relies greatly upon availability of disclosures on the surplus distribution practice by takÉful operators. The paper also sets out to establish the effectiveness of the existing practice in promoting a strong and sustainable takÉful fund, upholding participants' stature as owners of the takÉful fund and enticing consumers to participate in takÉful, as well as identifying the areas within the practice that can be improved to further enhance the * Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar, PhD, is Deputy Director at the Islamic Banking and Takaful Department, Bank Negara Malaysia. He can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com. my. ** Izwayu Abdul Aziz is Manager at the Islamic Banking and Takaful Department, Bank Negara Malaysia. She can be contacted at email@example.com. *** Noraziyah Binti Md Hilal is Analyst at the Islamic Banking and Takaful Department, Bank Negara Malaysia. She can be contacted at firstname.lastname@example.com. The authors wish to point out that the views and opinions expressed in this paper are their own. This paper does not represent the opinions of institution(s) to which the authors are currently affiliated or were previously associated with or to any other institution(s). Surplus-Sharing Practices of TakÉful Operators in Malaysia 100 ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance • Vol. 7 • Issue 1 • 2015 feature and value proposition of surplus in takÉful. The study affirms that, in actual practice, the surplus generated from the takÉful fund is distributed between participants and takÉful operators, with variation seen from the perspectives of frequency of distribution, method of distribution and specific SharÊÑah contracts used to underlie the distribution. Several improvements on the disclosures of information on surplus are also suggested in the paper.


Biochemical networks { networks composed of the building blocks of the cell and their interactions are qualitative descriptions of the working of the cell. Such networks can be modeled as graphs. Metabolic networks are typical examples of such networks. They are composed of biochemical entities participating to reactions as substrates or products. Such a network can be modeled as a bipartite digraph which nodes are the biochemical entities and reactions and edges are the substrate or product link between an entity and a reaction. Pathways are specic subsets of a metabolic network which were identied as functional processes of cells[1]. As these pathways are known to be working processes of the cell, they can be used to study the metabolic network. One type of metabolic network analysis consists in nding simple paths in the metabolic graph[2{6]. Here we focus on such analysis to discover pathways from a set of their reactions. A potential application is the explanation of DNA chip experiments using a CSP able to solve pathway discovery problems. The study of the metabolic network is constantly evolving and most of the problems are solved with dedicated algorithms. This dedicated approach has the benet of yielding very ecient programs to solve network analysis problems. This approach however has the drawback that it cannot be easily adapted to solve other problems or easily combined to solve combinations of various analyses. In [7, 8], we proposed to use constraint programming to solve constrained path nding problems in metabolic networks. This declarative paradigm allows to easily adapt programs or combine dierent programs. In order to provide a high level modeling language and as the data and results are graphs, we dened a graph computation domain for constraint programming [9]. The two following sections are devoted to a short introduction to CP(Graph) and a description of its application to metabolic network analysis.


Bobbie Hanvey spent much of his working life photographing people and events in Northern Ireland. Many of his photographs appeared in local newspapers and books. He also produced two collections of his own photographs. This book is composed of photographs taken by Bobbie during the Troubles and prose poems written by his son, Steafan. The poems are the son's personal reaction to the photographs taken by the father. This is Steafan's first collection of poems. The result is striking. The stark...


General functional decomposition has important applications in many fields of modern engineering and science. However, its practical usefulness for very complex systems is limited by the lack of an effective and efficient method for the construction of high quality sub-systems. One of the three basic problems of sub-system construction is the choice of an appropriate multi-valued sub-function to be computed by a certain sub-system. In this paper we show that the number of values of the sub-function is the decisive factor in sub-function selection. It shows a very strong positive correlation with both the number of logic blocks and the number of logic levels in the decomposition network, i.e. with the cost and delay of the network. This is a very important result from the practical viewpoint, because its exploitation enables efficient construction of high-quality multi-level circuits, by selection of a sub-function with the minimum possible number of values at each decomposition step. This result also gives a link for the input support selection for sub-systems. The selected input support should enable construction of a sub-function with the minimum possible number of values.


In this study, poly carbonate (PC) and poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were reactive melt-blended under two different conditions to produce PC/PET copolymers. For each condition, samples were taken at specified mixing times representative a specific structure of copolymers and each one employed to physically compatibilize a PC/PET blend with a fixed composition. Reactive blending and copolymer structure are described by solubility analysis results. Continues declining and going through a minimum are two trends of solubility versus mixing time depending on reactive blending condition. Decreasing and increasing patterns of solubility curves were attributed to the formation of copolymers with longer and shorter block lengths, respectively, and the level of solubility was related to the amount of produced copolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to investigate blend compatibility. The content and structure of copolymers showed favorable correlation of Tg differences of blend components and PET crystallinity. As expected, Tg of blend components approached to each other by the addition of copolymers, and the copolymers with longer block length caused less Tg differences. The melting point and crystallinity of PET were affected by introducing the copolymers too. In addition to the main melting endotherm, melting endotherm peaks of compatibilized blends had a shoulder that its corresponding melting point and crystallinity are related to the copolymer structure so that the longer length of block copolymer or higher its amount leads to the higher melting points. The SEM micrographs showed that, after the addition of the copolymer, smaller PET particles formed and uniformly dispersed in the PC matrix. A strong correlation between the blend morphology and the level of blend compatibility was demonstrated. The more compatibilized PC/PET blend, the better dispersion of PET particles in the PC matrix was obtained. The results of this study could be a basis for designing and production of compatibilizers suitable to achieve a desired level of compatibility in PC and polyester blends, specially in PC/PET blend.


Literature dealing with petroleum processing such as removing oil and grease from industrial wastewater by such techniques as gravity separation; membrane processes, biological treatment, and activated carbon absorption is discussed. Coal conversion techniques are also mentioned. (DAD)


Recent clinical trials evidenced that sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) delay the progression of diabetic kidney disease, mainly by the reduction of intraglomerular pressure. These renoprotective effects have not been investigated in diabetic kidney transplant(KT) patients. We prospectively have followed diabetic KT patients treated with dapagliflozin(n=67), which was started at 42(median; 1-407) posttransplant months. Twenty-two patients had posttransplant DM and 4 had type 1 DM. Baseline serum creatinine was 1.2±0.4(0.6~2.5)mg/dl. Urinary albumin-creatinine ratio at baseline was 118.9±231.0 mcg/mg, which significantly decreased to 82.7±152.1 at 6 months(p=0.003, paired t test) and to 36.1±137.3 at 12 months(p=0.109). Baseline HbA1c was 7.3±1.0%, which showed a decrease at 6(7.1±0.9%, p=0.004) and 12(7.1±1.0%, p=0.035) months. Body weight decreased significantly from 69.7±16.0 to 68.1±16.1 kg(p=0.000) at 6 months. Serum creatinine did not change significantly between baseline and 1 month, and also between baseline and 12 months. No patients developed acute graft dysfunction. Among the 24 patients on insulin, 9 patients could stop insulin. Office blood pressure also was not changed significantly but 19 of 49 patients on antihypertensive medication had a decrease in the number and/or dose of anti-hypertensive drugs. Eight patients stopped dapagliflozin, due to acute cystitis in 3, weight loss in 2, and patient's preference in 3. SGLT2i reduces microalbuminuria in diabetic KT patients. Whether SGLT2i elicits a long-term favorable graft outcome remains to be determined by further studies. P-11.148


Elf Aquitaine acting as operator of a joint venture including Agip and Hispanoil spudded in November 1982 a well (1-RJS-199 B) by 808m of water. This well, located on the South-east corner of the block ACS50 at the top of a salt related structure, was drilled to a total depth 5015m. This block is situated on the northern margin of the Santos basin at less than 200km of the main Campos discoveries. The carbonates of the Macae formation and the turbidic sands of the Ubatuba formation which constituted the main objectives of the well were recognised. Significative shows of hydrocarbons were observed in the turbidic sands of the Ubatuba formation. Carbonates of the Macae formation were completely tight. See next two Abstracts.


With its late spring release in 2008, acclaimed hit Gomorra (Matteo Garrone) 1 secured a stronghold for the Camorra 2 in the international imaginary and provided a visual counterpoint to Roberto Saviano's eponymous book from 2006 which was already a national bestseller. 3 Indeed, in 2008 the Mafia of Campania was in the media spotlight both in and outside of Italy: newspaper headlines spoke of the rubbish disposal crisis, the Ecomafia, toxic dumping, and the resulting dioxin scare affecting the production of local mozzarella that was exported internationally. Later that year, Campania was again the focus of public attention following the mafia-related attacks on a group of Africans in Castelvolturno and ensuing rioting, events that led to the government's decision to send 500 troops to the region to help battle organized crime. This was the second time in the last twenty years that the army was enlisted to combat the Mafia; the first was dubbed operazione Vespri siciliani and involved the deployment of 150,000 soldiers to Sicily over a six-year period beginning in 1992 in the wake of the assassinations of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. The Camorra seemed to become, in the words of one reviewer, Italy's 'new Mafia' in that it displaced the Cosa Nostra from public scrutiny. 4 And similar language is used to describe other Italian Mafias: the Sacra Corona Unita of Puglia is described as Italy's 'fourth Mafia', after the Cosa Nostra, the Camorra and the 'Ndrangheta, and the Roman Banda della Magliana is referred to as the 'fifth Mafia', 5 while a recent book on the Calabrese 'Ndrangheta labels the organization 'Italy's new Mafia'. 6 Historically, Italy's other Mafias have received less critical attention than the Mafia of Sicily, even though the Camorra predates the Cosa Nostra and the 'Ndrangheta is considered Italy's most powerful Mafia (although its least visible one until its entrance into the international scene following the Duisburg massacre in 2007 when members of the organization murdered six men


Abstract This article describes the ongoing evolution of potentiometric sensors as employed in the field of anionic surfactants, beginning with the first reports published in the 1960s. Although the 1970s saw an increased use of such devices due to the adoption of PVC matrices, it is only relatively recently that commercial electrodes for these species have been available to industry. The latest developments, particularly the study of new polymer formulations and their application to other transducing devices, are also discussed.


In this work, a novel compound N-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl)isoxazolin-5-yl)methylsaccharin has been synthesized. The molecular structure of the compound was determined using various spectroscopic techniques and confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the single crystal, C–H…O hydrogen bonds between neighboring molecules form chains along the a-axis direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H…H (35.7%), H…O/O…H (33.7%), and H…C/C…H (13%) interactions. The optimized structure calculated using density functional theory at the B3LYP/6–311 G(d,p) level is compared with the experimentally determined structure in the solid state. The calculated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap is 4.9266 eV.


A process for producing an aqueous emulsion of a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 20,000 or higher, characterized in that an ester of a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer or/and styrene/maleic acid copolymer is used as a polymeric dispersant.


Highly diverse bacterial populations inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, modulate host inflammation and promote immune tolerance. In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the gastrointestinal mucosa is damaged, and colonizing bacteria are impacted, leading to an impaired intestinal microbiota with reduced diversity. Because bacteremia is a frequent complication of allo-HSCT, we examined the microbiota of patients undergoing allo-HSCT and correlated microbial shifts with the risk of bacteremia. Fecal specimens were collected longitudinally from 94 patients undergoing allo-HSCT from pre-transplant until 35 days post-transplantation. The intestinal microbiota was characterized by 454 pyrosequencing of the V1-V3 region of bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Phylogenetic classification was obtained using the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP) classifier. Associations of the microbiota with clinical predictors and outcomes were evaluated. During allo-HSCT, patients developed reduced diversity, with marked shifts in bacterial populations inhabiting the gut. Intestinal domination, defined as occupation of at least 30% of the microbiota by a single predominating bacterial taxon, occurred frequently. Commonly encountered dominating organisms included Enterococcus , Streptococcus , and various Proteobacteria. Enterococcal domination was increased three-fold by metronidazole administration, while domination by Proteobacteria was reduced ten-fold by fluoroquinolone administration. As a predictor of outcomes, enterococcal domination increased the risk of vancomycin resistant enterococcus bacteremia nine-fold, and proteobacterial domination increased the risk of gram negative rod bacteremia five-fold. We also examined whether intestinal diversity was predictive of clinical outcomes following transplantation. Subjects were classified into high, intermediate, and low bacterial diversity groups, and assessed for up to three years for differences in overall survival and transplant-related mortality. Overall survival was worse in subjects with low intestinal diversity, compared with intermediate or high diversity (at three years, 36%, 60%, and 67%, respectively; log-rank P=0.019); similar results were observed for transplant-related mortality. Multivariate Cox hazards analysis demonstrated a persistent association after adjusting for other clinical covariates. In conclusion, during allo-HSCT, the diversity and stability of the intestinal flora are disrupted, resulting in domination by bacteria associated with subsequent bacteremia. Assessment of fecal microbiota identifies patients at highest risk for bloodstream infection during allo-HCST. Diversity of the intestinal microbiota is also an independent predictor of mortality in allo-HSCT recipients following engraftment. These results indicate that the intestinal microbiota is an important factor in the success or failure in allo-HSCT.

Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Abstract To keep global warming below 1.5 °C has become a challenging task. The Paris Agreement aims at achieving net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the second half of this century. The objective of this study is to identify the changes needed in the technologies and energy consumption pattern in Thailand's energy sector in order to achieve the 1.5 °C global climate goal. Multiple scenarios are drawn to consider different CO2 emission taxes, penetration of renewable energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and nuclear power. The AIM/Enduse model is used to quantify Thailand's 1.5 °C climate goal. Results suggest that CO2 emission taxes of US$500 – US$1,000/tCO2 would be a significant policy instrument to foster the CO2 emission reduction. The CCS technology plays a key role to abate higher amounts of CO2 emissions in the power sector. Moreover, electric vehicle (EV) and biofuel usage in the transport sector show relevant opportunities to lower CO2 emissions. These technologies reveal challenging tasks in the case of Thailand in order to reduce CO2 emissions. The 1.5 degree climate target is feasible for Thailand; however, uncertainties remain. The uncertainties include the adoption of CCS technology, costs of EV and the reliability of renewable energy supply.


Lung India • Volume 38 • Issue 1 • January-February 2021 95 Evolving role of self-expanding metal stents in the treatment of malignant dysphagia and fistulas. Gastrointest Endosc 2007;65:70-6. 4. Wang F, Yu H, Zhu MH, Li QP, Ge XX, Nie JJ, et al. Gastrotracheal fistula: Treatment with a covered self-expanding Y-shaped metallic stent. World J Gastroenterol 2015;21:1032-5. 5. Nardella JE, Van Raemdonck D, Piessevaux H, Deprez P, Droissart R, Staudt JP, et al. Gastro-tracheal fistula—unusual and life threatening complication after esophagectomy for cancer: A case report. J Cardiothorac Surg 2009;4:69. 6. Li YD, Li MH, Han XW, Wu G, Li WB. Gastrotracheal and gastrobronchial fistulas: Management with covered expandable metallic stents. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2006;17:1649-56.


The present invention is of general formula (I), in the form of addition salts with bases or pharmaceutically acceptable acid, as well in the form of hydrates or solvates enantiomers, diastereomers and mixtures thereof form in, pyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidine derivatives, the production and the therapeutic application. The present invention is also a method for producing the derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of general formula (I) and to the therapeutic use.


We present three cases of malaria in refugee children newly arrived from Sub-saharan Africa. Only one of the three children had fever and all had high parasite loads (2,5-14% parasitemia). Malaria is an important differential diagnosis in refugees from endemic areas, regardless of whether they present with fever.


We establish that the subgame perfect equilibrium (SPE) threshold problem for mean-payoff games is NP-complete. While the SPE threshold problem was recently shown to be decidable (in doubly exponential time) and NP-hard, its exact worst case complexity was left open.


This study compares learning outcomes of student laboratory work in an energy storages course conducted in two different modes: first as a practical hands-on exercise and second using computer-based simulations. In order to provide reliable insights, this study implements optimized research methodology to avoid any other effect (e.g. learning synchronicity/distance learning/instructions) on the learning outcome rather than the effect of the learning mode itself. The student laboratory experiments were created in a manner that they could be conducted in both modes in the same way and using a single set of instructions. To ensure a comparable group environment for the individual student, the students were arranged into two similar groups based on the student's practical experience. In this crossover study, the groups were taught the same topics by means of interchanging learning modes. To evaluate the influence of each mode on student learning, short written tests regarding the previous experiment were conducted at the beginning of the subsequent laboratory session. Overall learning results of hands-on experiments were slightly better than those of simulated laboratories (Cohen's d=0.25), the difference in performance was statistically significant (p<0.02). Through solicited feedback on each laboratory session, in hands-on mode more students expressed they have acquired new insights/comprehensions (76% vs. 66%, Cohen's d=0.23, small effect, p<0.07). Following the strategy not to optimize the lessons individually to the learning mode, other influences on the learning outcome, which were usually mixed, were excluded. The students' subjective opinions show advantages of the hands-on mode. Based on the objective data, a weak, but significant outcome to better knowledge acquisition with hands-on laboratory experiments was achieved. This observation is against the trend of the literature in the last years towards better or equal learning with nontraditional labs.


The article presents survey results towards defining the CEP-Conep System profile, and these actors' perceptions of the system. It is a cross-sectional study, through application of a mainly closed questions questionnaire. It discusses representativeness, presence of institutional managers, its members' excessive work, and the need for research ethics better formation. It points to areas considered as more complex by the interviewee, like research involving children, indigenous people, genetics, new drugs and procedures considered as invasive. It finds positive aspects, implying that the CEP-Conep system is organized and, most of the time, effective. Finally, it identifies dangers of conflict of interest, the need for more CEP democratization and users´ representatives participation, relevant aspects for the development of research subjects protection policy in Brazil.


What is the effect of a writer's lifestyle on his/her writings? This article tries to show how they are integrated with an analytical example of Nepali freedom fighter and historical novelist Dayaman Shumsher Rana's life and writings. Based on his beliefs on society, individual and democracy and the lifestyle, he followed, and their portrayal in his novel Pratibaddha [Committed] (Rana, 1981), this analysis is made. Rana lived an exemplary committed life of a democrat and always worked for the establishment and promotion of democracy and its spirit and culture. In his novel Pratibaddha, the same commitment is given a fictional touch through the portrayal of the life of its protagonist and other components of the text. The study is based on the exploratory readings on Rana's life and the basic principles of democratic spirit, and application of its major findings in the study of the novel in question. Finally, it is found that a writer's lifestyle has a great role in the creation, and Rana's Pratibaddha is its good example. The research has found that Dayaman was born in the aristocratic Rana family; but he grew as a revolutionary in his youth. So he fought against his own family reign and the then despotic rulers of Nepal. Once democracy was introduced in the nation, he worked as a model democrat. The main character of the novel under this study also exhibits the similar qualities of a democrat.


Insights from public companies' financial filings are necessary for securities analysts and investors to make the right investment decisions. Synthesizing salient facts from such filings is a complex language task, especially now as the data volume is growing at an overwhelming pace. To ease human labor in this process, our work proposed a financial filing analysis pipeline which automatically scrapes financial filings, generates the embeddings of the contextual data and performs sentiment analysis in order to predict future performance of the underlying companies. The pipeline is built on top of Big Data processing platform HPCC Systems to enable the capability of processing large amounts of financial filings in a scalable and timely manner. By applying word embedding and machine learning models to a large amount of SEC financial filings, our pipeline is able to process 20 GB of XBRL files -- 5,000 filing documents for more than 3,500 companies -- into 50,000 sentence embeddings within 5 minutes and transform the same data to TF-IDF embedding in about 8 minutes. To test sentiment analysis, we randomly sampled and manually labeled 5,000 SEC filings. As a result, the sentiment analysis suggested that the usefulness of stock price as a metric is specific to each industry and overall market, but is usable as long as the scope of inquiry is sufficiently narrow. Additionally, while our model is trained only on 5,000 manually labeled filings with unigrams and a final loss of 0.09, the results of the sentiment analysis exhibited discriminatory power exceeding naïve label selection through random or biased choice, suggesting that there is efficacy in using Natural Language Processing to analyze SEC filings.


Fueled by recent advances in statistical modeling and the rapid growth of network data, social network analysis has become increasingly popular in sociology and related disciplines. However, a significant amount of work in the field has been descriptive and correlational, which prevents the findings from being more rigorously translated into practices and policies. This article provides a review of the popular models and methods for causal network analysis, with a focus on causal inference threats (such as measurement error, missing data, network endogeneity, contextual confounding, simultaneity, and collinearity) and potential solutions (such as instrumental variables, specialized experiments, and leveraging longitudinal data). It covers major models and methods for both network formation and network effects and for both sociocentric networks and egocentric networks. Lastly, this review also discusses future directions for causal network analysis. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Sociology, Volume 48 is July 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


The aim of this research was to provide a simple yet realistic model of the sino-nasal tissue as a major requirement for developing more efficient endoscopic neurosurgery simulation systems. Ex-vivo indention tests were performed on the orbital floor soft tissue of four sheep specimens. The resulting force-displacement data was incorporated into an inverse finite element model to obtain the hyperelastic mechanical properties of the tissue. Material characterization was performed for Polynomial, Yeoh, Mooney-Rivlin and Neo-Hookean hyperelastic models, using a Sequential Quadratic Programming algorithm. Experimental results indicated a relatively large elastic deformation, up to 6mm, during indentation test with a considerable nonlinearity in the force-displacement response. All hyperelastic models could satisfy the convergence criteria of the optimization procedure, with the highest convergence rate and a close fittings accuracy associated with the Yeoh hyperelastic model. The initial guess of the material constants was found to affect the number of iterations before converging, but not the optimization results. The normalized mean square errors of fitting between the model and experimental curves were obtained as 2.39%, 4.26% and 4.65% for three sheep samples, suggesting that the Yeoh model can adequately describe the typical hyperelastic mechanical behavior of the sino-nasal tissue for surgery simulation.


Size-controllable monodisperse CdSe nanocrystals with different organic capping were prepared based on the hot-injection method. The effective separation of nucleation and growth was achieved by rapidly mixing two highly reactive precursors. As a contrast, we prepared CdSe/CdS nanocrystals (NCs) successfully based on the selective ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. This inorganic capping obtained higher photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 59.3% compared with organic capping of 40.8%. Furthermore, the CdSe-epoxy resin (EP) composites were prepared by adopting a flexible ex situ method, and showed excellent stability in the ambient environment for one year. So the composites with both high PLQY of nanocrystals and excellent stability are very promising to device application.


This paper describes simulations of detector response to multi-TeV particles and jets at the Future Circular Collider (FCC-hh) or Super proton-proton Collider (SppC) which aim to collide proton beams with a centre-of-mass energy of 100 TeV. The unprecedented energy regime of these future experiments imposes new requirements on detector technologies which can be studied using the detailed GEANT4 simulations presented in this paper. The initial performance of a detector designed for physics studies at the FCC-hh or SppC experiments is described with an emphasis on measurements of single particles up to 33 TeV in transverse momentum. The reconstruction of hadronic jets has also been studied in the transverse momentum range from 50 GeV to 26 TeV. The granularity requirements for calorimetry are investigated using the two-particle spatial resolution achieved for hadron showers.


The measurement and analysis of airflow field is very important in fluid dynamics. For airflow, smoke particles can be added to visually observe the turbulence phenomena by particle tracking technology, but the effect of smoke particles to follow the high speed airflow will reduce the measurement accuracy. In recent years, with the advantage of non-contact, nondestructive, fast and full-field measurement, digital holography has been widely applied in many fields, such as deformation and vibration analysis, particle characterization, refractive index measurement, and so on. In this paper, we present a method to measure the airflow field by use of digital holography. A small wind tunnel model made of acrylic glass is built to control the velocity and direction of airflow. Different shapes of samples such as aircraft wing and cylinder are placed in the wind tunnel model to produce different forms of flow field. With a Mach-Zehnder interferometer setup, a series of digital holograms carrying the information of airflow filed distributions in different states are recorded by CCD camera and corresponding holographic images are numerically reconstructed from the holograms by computer. Then we can conveniently obtain the velocity or pressure information of the airflow deduced from the quantitative phase information of holographic images and visually display the airflow filed and its evolution in the form of a movie. The theory and experiment results show that digital holography is a robust and feasible approach for real-time visualization and analysis of airflow field.


The purpose of the present invention is to provide a lithium ion cell having improved output, by improving the dispersibility of electrically conductive material inside an electrode. A method for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary cell having a mixture layer, the mixture layer having an active material, an ion exchange resin coated by the active material, and an electrically conductive agent dispersed in the ion exchange resin. The method for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary cell has a coating step for kneading and mixing the active material, the electrically conductive agent, and the ion exchange resin in a first solvent; a solvent-removing step for removing the first solvent; a slurry-preparing step for preparing a slurry by mixing the active material obtained in the coating step in a second solvent; and an application step for applying the slurry to a cathode current collector.


The cultivation of innovative ability is one of the key aims in the higher medical education.The designed experimentation aims to solve the actual medical problems based on students' owned medical knowledge and mastered skills,which proves to be very good.The article analyzed and explored the methods of designed experimentation,teaching experience,the existing problems and strategies in our college,which would be benefical to further develop designed experiment to improve the innovative ability of students.


Rectangular hollow sections (RHS) are widely used in load-carrying structures due to their good load transfer behavior and aesthetic form. During fabrication of a cold-formed rectangular hollow section (CFRHS), the concave inside corner surfaces experience significant compressive plastic strains. The resulting tensile residual stresses in the corner region significantly reduce the fatigue strength in some design applications. Sections cut from CFRHSs with two different wall thicknesses were studied using distortion fatigue loading and using X-ray diffraction residual stress measurements. Residual stresses and fatigue strengths were virtually identical for the two thicknesses even though the corner radius to thickness ratio was different. Residual stresses were found to significantly influence those corners subjected to compression-compression loading. Fatigue strength of these corners was improved by a stress relief heat treatment, but the treatment had no significant effect on corners subjected to tension-tension loading.


www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/103/47/17620#otherarticles This article has been cited by other articles: E-mail Alerts . click here at the top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box Subspecialty Collections www.pnas.org/cgi/collection/eukaryotic  Feature Eukaryotic Transposable Elements and Genome Evolution Special collection(s): This article, along with others on similar topics, appears in the following


ZrC–SiC powders are synthesized by high-temperature pyrolysis of hybrid liquid precursors, which are prepared from organic Zr-containing precursor (PZC) and liquid polycarbosilane (LPCS). Due to the excellent miscibility between PZC and LPCS, the hybrid liquid precursors are formed by dissolving PZC into LPCS without adding organic solvent. The viscosity and elemental content of Zr and Si of the hybrid precursors are readily adjustable by controlling the LPCS/ PZC mass ratio. SEM and TEM observations reveal that the ZrC–SiC powders pyrolyzed at 1550°C exhibit spherical morphology with characteristic dimension of less than 60 nm, and the two phases are uniformly distributed in composite powders. The advantage of the ZrC–SiC powders synthesized by this novel method is demonstrated by investigating the oxidation behavior of powders with different amount of SiC and ZrC. Below 700°C, ZrC quickly oxidizes to generate an almost nonprotective ZrO2 scale, whereas at ~ 1000°C, dense and protective SiO2 forms that improves the oxidation resistance of the ZrC–SiC composite powders.


Memory is thought to depend on the reinstatement of patterns of activity across the cortex that are similar to the patterns elicited by the original learning experience. According to this model, affective states such as stress might impair certain forms of memory by disrupting or delaying the reinstatement of these patterns. Characterizing the nature of cortical reinstatement under di↵erent a↵ective states is thus a critical initial step towards understanding the neural basis of memory. Here, we applied machine learning techniques to electroencephalography (EEG) data collected during a paired-associate retrieval experiment, when participants were under conditions of relative safety and stress. Specifically, we trained an algorithm on neural patterns representing categories of visual images, and then classified neural signals during memory retrievial to decode reinstatement of associate categories. Additionally, we classified di↵erent types of mnemonic status and a↵ective states, and we also find limited evidence that stress may impact memory-related neural activity.


This text is a translation of the fourteenth century Middle High German chronicle, Kronike von Pruzinlant by Nicolaus von Jeroschin. The chronicle is the main source of the early history of Prussia and is of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students and general readers with an interest in the Northern Crusades, the crusading movement and crusading literature. This the first English translation of this text. It includes a long introduction which draws on current research to set the chronicle in its historical and lieterary context, maps and a comprehensive index.


This research aimed to find out the factors that influence the use of OVO in Grab customers. The informant in this research is students of IAIN Surakarta, Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business, class of 2016. Data collection techniques by using in-depth interviews to 10 informants. The analysis techniques by using descriptive qualitative method that is useful to provide facts and data. The result showed the factors that influenced the interest in using OVO in Grab customers of IAIN Surakarta student Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business were due the ease, benefit, price value, and social factor.Keyword : interest using OVO; grab.


Herein, compositions comprising Scutellaria alpina (Scutellaria alpina) extract as an active ingredient is disclosed. Compositions disclosed herein, by including Scutellaria alpina (Scutellaria alpina) extract, showing the melanin reduction, or tyrosinase activity inhibiting effect. Therefore, such an effect, Scutellaria alpina herein (Scutellaria alpina) extract can exhibit whitening effect, therefore, can be used widely in the field of pharmacy or cosmetics as a whitening composition .


The settlement characteristic of the foundation of large steam turbine located on soft soil was introduced in this paper and the related reasons were analyzed. The effect of turbine foundation settlement on the installation of the turbine was discussed and some corresponding countermeasures were put forward.


Changes in many output determinants contribute to growth. An analysis of the sources of growth is an allocation of changes in output among these determinants. Total factor input and output per unit of input condense all determinants into two groupings. Misinterpretation of results is common because authors presenting either detailed or summary results often provide no complete or precise description of their classification of determinants, and readers ignore even the information provided. The classification suggested in this paper is detailed enough to bring out points at which description is required but often overlooked. Some effects of alternative estimating procedures on classification are described.

The relative usefulness and practicality of possible alternative classifications also need consideration and discussion. This paper is concerned with general purpose classifications, appropriate for analysis of actual series measuring a country's total output, that are suitable for present use but will also accommodate useful detail that may later become feasible. A desirable classification will so specify determinants that (1) they both unite cause with effect and correspond to the economist's method of analysis so that his set of tools can be brought to bear; (2) they do not contribute to growth if they do not change; and (3) they conform as well as possible to practical possibility of estimation. Among several points considered fundamental are that the complete contributions of advances in knowledge and of resource reallocation each appear as an entity. They should not be dispersed among inputs or other determinants. It is less clear whether economies of scale should be a separate determinant or their contribution be dispersed.


introduction: Cybersex (Internet use for sexual purposes) can improve the sexuality of the population, but can also contribute to generating psychological/physical problems. The use of cybersex in interaction with certain personality traits or sexual dispositions (such as sexual sensation seeking) may influence the onset of these problems. However, there are still few studies analysing this association. The objective is to analyse if there are differences between men and women in the use of cybersex and to verify the possible relation with the Sexual Sensation Seeking. method: 325 people aged between 18 and 26 (M=22,17; DT=2,056) completed, in an online form, the Spanish adaptation of the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST) and the revised scale of Sexual Sensation Seeking (SSS) in a voluntary, confidential and anonymous way. results: In general terms, the mean in online sexual compulsivity and perceived severity is higher in men, particularly in behaviours related to experiencing different aspects of sexuality, using cybersex as a reward for having achieved something or spending more than 5 hours/week using the internet for sexual purposes. In addition, 22% of the variance of online sexual compulsivity could be explained by the SSS and the fact of being a man. Conclusions: Men report online sexual behaviour more frequently as well as greater pathological consumption of it. Besides the masculine gender, SSS seems to be related to this behaviour. Both factors should be considerate when it comes to developing preventive interventions and in the early detection of possible problems associated with it.


With the development of modern science and technology, more and more high-dimensional data appear in the application fields. Since the high dimension can potentially increase the complexity of the covariance structure, comparing the covariance matrices among populations is strongly motivated in high-dimensional data analysis. In this article, we consider the proportionality test of two high-dimensional covariance matrices, where the data dimension is potentially much larger than the sample sizes, or even larger than the squares of the sample sizes. We devise a novel high-dimensional spatial rank test that has much-improved power than many existing popular tests, especially for the data generated from some heavy-tailed distributions. The asymptotic normality of the proposed test statistics is established under the family of elliptically symmetric distributions, which is a more general distribution family than the normal distribution family, including numerous commonly used heavy-tailed distributions. Extensive numerical experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed test in terms of both empirical size and power. Then, a real data analysis demonstrates the practicability of the proposed test for high-dimensional gene expression data.


A mechanical model was developed for the lifting mechanism of a prototype of the VCF-3t cantilevered vacuum arc furnace,the position and value of maximum stress of the column was obtained through force analysis of the main bearing parts(such as column).Then the actual equipment model was simplified to establish finite element model and the stress cloud chart was compared with actual calculated value in order to test the correctness of the finite element model.On this base,combined with the relationships among actual structure sizes of the furnace,the parametric finite element model was established.If the model meet conditions of intensity and stiffness etc.,the radius and thickness of the column and furnace body was optimized with the optimizer of ANSYS to make the mass of mechanical structure to be the lightest and make full use of the material's property.At the same time,VB language was used in the call analysis interface in ANSYS to provide an intuitive man-machine system in order to decrease duplication of workload in series design of product.The parameter optimization method used in this paper is an important development of structural optimization design method and has important practical value in the structural design.


... our hospitals are now involved in the worst financial crisis they have ever experienced. It is absolutely necessary to all of us to put our heads together and try to find some solution. If we are to have effective results we must have concerted and coordinated immediate action. ... Repeated adjustments of expenses to income have been made. Never before has there been such a careful analysis of hospital accounting and study of financial policies. It is entirely possible for us to inaugurate improvements in business methods which will lead to greater ways and means of financing hospitals in the future. ... It is true that all hospitals have already trimmed their sales to better meet the financial conditions of their respective communities. This has been chiefly through economies of administration. There has been more or less universal reduction in personnel and salaries; many economies have been effected. Everything possible has been done to reduce expenditures but this has not been sufficient to bring about immediate relief in the majority of instances. The continuance of the present economic conditions will force hospitals generally to further action. The time has come when this problem must be given even greater thought, both from its community and from its national aspect.


Land cover changes significantly affect climate, hydrology, bio-diversity, socio-economic
stability and food security. Some of these changes being studied in remote sensing discipline
include, but are not limited to, anthropogenic changes e.g. clear-cutting of forests
for human settlements, and beetle/insect infestations in the forests. Beetle/insect infestations
cause considerable damage to the forests resulting in tree mortality on large scale
which provides fuel for fires and wastes valuable wood. Therefore, early detection of such
changes is often desired by the authorities in order to carry out timely actions to mitigate
them. However, manual monitoring using high resolution photography or field surveys
can become very difficult and time consuming or even infeasible because such changes
cover very large areas. This necessitates development of automated remote sensing algorithms
which can monitor large areas with minimal human intervention. Several land
cover change detection algorithms exist in literature which utilize remotely sensed imagery
captured by different satellites. However, there are a very few studies which detect
such changes in near-real time manner. Furthermore, there is still a room for improvement
in the detection accuracy, detection delays and computational complexity of such algorithms.
This thesis utilizes coarse (500 m) and moderate (30 m) spatial resolution satellite
imagery (MODIS and Landsat 7 ETM+, respectively) and proposes four statistical algorithms
for detection of land cover changes with significant improvements. The first
algorithm (published in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations
and Remote Sensing) is a supervised technique developed for near-real time detection of
beetle infestations in pine forests of North America (British Columbia and Colorado). It
models the hyper-temporal multi-spectral MODIS Vegetation Index (VI) time series with
a triply modulated cosine function using a sliding window non-linear least squares and
applies a change metric based on log-likelihood ratios to the trend parameter time-series
of the fitted model, instead of the raw vegetation index. Significant improvement, in the detection accuracy with reduced detection delays, was achieved with this first published
algorithm. The second algorithm (published in IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing
Letters) is unsupervised and makes use of properties of Martingale Central Limit Theorem
(MCLT) in the change metric derived from the parameter time series, in order to
avoid threshold tuning while detecting beetle infestation in MODIS vegetation index time
series. The third algorithm (published in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied
Earth Observations and Remote Sensing) avoids the Gaussian distribution based change
metrics, one of the limitations of the existing methods, and improves the change detection
accuracy and detection delays significantly by using assumption free, directly estimated
relative density-ratio based Repeated Sequential Probability Ratio Test (RSPRT) as test
statistic on the parameter time series. The fourth algorithm (submitted to ISPRS Journal of
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) is a supervised technique that utilizes bi-temporal
multi-spectral Landsat 7 ETM+ imagery and models class posterior probabilities of the
change and no change classes non-parametrically, using a linear combination of a large
number of Gaussian Kernels through Least Squares Probabilistic Classifier (LSPC) formulation.
This helps in avoiding the Gaussian assumption about the data, which is a
major drawback of the traditional Bayesian Classifiers e.g. Maximum Likelhood Classifier
(MLC) and Naive Bayes (NB). Another popular classifier which avoids this limitation
is Support Vector Machine (SVM) but its drawback is that it assigns only class labels to
the test samples and does not provide probabilistic class-memberships. Moreover, it is a
binary classifier in its original formulation and needs different strategies to be adopted in
order to use it for multi-class problems and also to make it probabilistic. The LSPC based
framework, on the other hand, is non-parametric as well as capable of assigning degree
of class-membership (probabilistic) to test samples and handling multi-class problems in
its original formulation. Its application to leaf beetle infestation problem in north-eastern
Tasmanian Eucalyptus plantations suggested improvement in detection accuracy. These methods have been compared with their respective counterparts in the literature in order
to demonstrate their effectiveness.
The contribution of this thesis is four folds: (i) advancing our understanding of land/forest
cover change detection using quantitative/statistical approaches, (ii) proposition of reliable
statistical approaches for near-real time land/forest cover change detection in hypertemporal
coarse spatial resolution MODIS data, with especial emphasis on changes due
to beetle infestations in pine forests, (iii) efficient threshold selection in complex scenario
of near-real time change detection, when an optimal trade off between more than 2 performance
indices is needed, and (iv) proposition of a non-parametric approach for detecting
land/forest cover changes (bark beetle problem in north-eastern Tasmanian Eucalyptus
plantations) in bi-temporal Landsat 7 EMT+ data.


In tropical countries, upland forests, mid-elevation and lowland agriculture and coastal zones used to provide most if not all of the goods and services that local populations relied on for their livelihood. The forests provided necessary building materials as well as supplies for boat construction, and a host of food products and medicinal plants. The lowland areas provided all agricultural staple goods among others and the coastal areas provided animal protein, coastline protection and a host of other goods and services. Though the dependency on the natural resources for livelihood is less pronounced now than it was a century ago, many people in Pacifi c Islands still rely on the goods and services from natural resources. This is also true for modern economies like Hawaii where the tourism industry is largely nature based.


The event sequences appear in various fields of industrial manufacturing and information science widely,such as the operating flow of the pipeline's,string,click-stream came from users access the site,DNA sequences,system maintenance records.Unlike digital signal processing in the time sequence,the independent variables of the event sequences are the representative sequences of finite positive integer.And the dependent variables are the characterization of the constants of the events which are no size differences.Based on the practical application,the problem into is converted a linear programming problem,and a local good adaptability similarity assessment methods is established.The methods applied in the examination and evaluation of a certain type of missile weapon system successfully.


The use of computed tomography colonography or virtual colonography (VC) is gaining acceptance as a screening modality for colon cancer. A comprehensive understanding of VC complications is limited. We report a case of colon perforation in a patient where a colon cancer was diagnosed using VC colonography with manual insufflation. A 79-year-old patient underwent a VC after a failed screening optical colonoscopy (OC). The initial radiological findings included a large amount of mesoperitoneum and retroperitoneal air near the proximal sigmoid and a left inguinal hernia containing the distal sigmoid colon suggesting a colonic perforation caused by colonic obstruction. Subsequent radiological interpretation revealed a 1.5 cm lesion in the posterior cecum. The patient underwent repair of the hernia, sigmoid resection for sigmoid perforation, followed by intra-operative colonoscopy (which confirmed the radiographic findings of a cecal lesion) and right colectomy. Pathologic examination confirmed the T3, N0, MX adenocarcinoma.


BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer is the third most common neoplasm in the world. Methylation of tumor related genes in CpG islands can cause gene silencing and been involved in the development of cancer. The potential role of DKK2 as a biomarker for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the profile of methylation and RNAm expression of DKK2 as potential predictors of colorectal cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

METHODS
Expression of mRNAs encoding DKK2 in 35 colorectal cancer tissues was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The DNA methylation was studied by high resolution melting analysis. The general characteristics of the patients were collected. DKK2 methylation and expression were compared to clinical, pathological aspects and overall survival.

RESULTS
Among the 35 patients studied, 18 were male, 10 were on right colon and 25 on left colon. Among the 20 patients with high hypermethylation, 15 of them had mRNA low expression of DKK2. There was no significant association between DKK2 promoter methylation and mRNA DKK2 expression and clinical or pathological features. DKK2 promoter methylation (P=0.154) and DKK2 RNA expression (P=0.345) did not show significant correlation with overall survival.

CONCLUSION
DKK2 promoter methylation and DKK2 RNA status appear to be biomarkers of cancer diagnosis but not predictors of prognosis.


On a remarkable behaviour of Scotophaeus scutulatus (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). It is described, how an adult female of Scotophaeus scutulatus killed an also adult female of Tegenaria atrica in the web ofthe latter species. According to published and unpublished data, a web-invading behaviour is known in 4 gnaphosid species (Poecilochroa senilis, Poecilochroa pugnax, Scotophaeus blackwalli, Taieria erebus), an araneophagic behaviour is also known in 4 species (Drassodes lapidosus, Poecilochroa senilis(auspex), Scotophaeus scutulatus, Taieria erebus). The question, whether these behavioural patterns are typical for soil-dwelling gnaphosids, remains open until further observations and investigations.