An approach to design of electromechanical system control based on the speed bi-gradient method is considered. The design procedure is applied for a control system consisting of Lagrangian output subsystem and affine input subsystem. The simulation results show well-enough tracking of output subsystem trajectories to reference signal under parametric uncertainties.


In this work we apply a new technique based on a complex linear least-squares method, to derive orientation of seismic sensors for two different acquisition setups: a borehole sensor array deployed in a gas field located in the Netherlands and a seismic array in Norway. Sensor alignment is performed using earthquake (both regional and teleseismic events) and low-frequency coherent noise recordings. Finding orientation of seismic sensors by complex linear least-squares approach has the advantage that we are dealing with a linear inverse problem. For this reason there are no complications with local minima and it is possible to add more independent data (other seismic events) to better constrain the solution of the inverse problem. Furthermore, our methods is faster than relative orientation methods based on waveform cross-correlation, and allows to estimate simultaneously all relative orientation angles of each sensors pair. An other advantage of our methods is that, unlike polarization analysis based methods, it can be applied to the full waveform and not only to highly linear polarized part of the waveform.


Nigerian's prisons conditions is pathetic, a very dreadful and incompetent of assuring expected rehabilitation of inmates. There exists a general rareness of infrastructures, policies, and corruption in the system. Given this context, the main thrust of this study was to examine the specialization of social worker on the impact of prison rehabilitation programmes on the welfare of the inmates. To achieve the purpose of this study content analysis through the use of books, journal publications and available sources on the internet library. This is to give a profounder understanding of the specialization issues that surround social workers in Nigerian prisons with a view of bettering the inmate's life. The findings of this research work reveals that, lack of qualified social workers affect the rehabilitation programme aim at reforming the inmates. Also, the findings disclose poor founding and ineffective governance as responsible for the shortage staff in the prison, rigidity (bureaucratic bottle neck) and institutional failure. Issues such as corruption, nepotism, and regional sentiments were the real problems behind the unspecialized social workers in Nigerian prisons service.


The article deals with water jet technology as advanced technology. The dividing this process and facilities used for the classification of physical factors as acoustic, temperature and vibration that occur when water jet cutting. In the experimental part of the article deals with analysis of the acoustic emission, vibration signal, and thermal emission to waterjet cutting.


Abstract Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has revolutionized glaucoma care with its favorable safety profile and ability to delay or minimize the need for traditional, bleb-based procedures. Microstent device implantation is a type of angle-based MIGS, which reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) through bypass of the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork (TM) and facilitation of aqueous outflow into the Schlemm's canal. Although there are limited microstent devices on the market, multiple studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of iStent® (Glaukos Corp.), iStent Inject® (Glaukos Corp.), and Hydrus® Microstent (Alcon) in the treatment of mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma, with and without concurrent phacoemulsification. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive evaluation of injectable angle-based microstent MIGS devices in the treatment of glaucoma.


INTRODUCTIONThe recent release by the Obama Administration of Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD 8), also referred to as the National Preparedness Directive, highlights a key imperative that speaks strongly and encourages the adoption and practice of a more comprehensive as well as community-oriented focus toward strengthening national emergency preparedness and resiliency.1 Furthermore, the recent release of the Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes, and Pathways for Action by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) underscores federal commitment in promoting the inclusion and engagement of diverse stakeholders in the overall community preparedness and planning process, recognizing the role of inherent and unique community-based social dynamics, networks, and informal leadership that can be leveraged to strengthen community resiliency.2Both of these initiatives provide the opportunity and conceptual framework to establish a more community-focused approach to emergency management by willingly inviting to the table a wide array of key stakeholders, including citizens as legitimate and equitable partners and assets in the process. In essence, both PPD 8 and FEMA's whole of community philosophy represent an emerging trend and new modality for the emergency management discipline in incorporating socioeconomic conditions and more meaningful community participation at the planning and preparedness core. As such, it will also demand a fundamentally new emphasis on re-establishing or improving community relationships and most importantly, an authentic and genuine trust between government and citizenry.This essay will outline this new modality in two interrelated parts - the concept of examining various social determinants of preparedness and community resiliency and the importance of fostering better community inclusion and trust. Three case studies are presented to exemplify the need for this shift in approach. The purpose of this essay is to advance these concepts and advocate inclusion into modern emergency management practice. This can only enhance preparation and nation-wide resiliency in the twenty-first century given the breadth and scope of natural and man-made threats to the country and global community as evident by recent historical events such as Hurricane Katrina, the British Petroleum Gulf Oil Spill, and the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic.What Are Social Determinants of Community Preparedness and Resiliency?Social determinants of emergency preparedness and resiliency can best be thought of in the context of those dynamics or factors that influence the vulnerability of a community as it responds to and recovers from an emergency. Such factors are unique and vary greatly between communities but can be categorized into several domains. This variation in community social dynamics is not randomly distributed and is largely due to inequities in the ownership and distribution of resources, wealth, and opportunity. These in and of themselves can account for many disparities in outcomes between communities that are often seen and indeed magnified in the aftermath of a catastrophic event such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.Identifying social determinants of emergency preparedness and resiliency then can be viewed as a function of the socio-economics of a community (e.g., mean income, percent savings, education levels, unemployment rates); environmental infrastructure (e.g., housing availability, crime rates, suboptimal geographic locations); and other intangible but nevertheless important community attributes (e.g., degree of social cohesion, predominance of family/neighborhood structure, and level of community engagement). Communities with high levels of poverty become the most vulnerable to the impact of disasters in terms of lacking adequate preparedness and being at highest risk for adverse consequences. This is primarily due to government and related system failures in addressing appropriate and timely response and recovery necessary to seed and foster a culture of resiliency within this population. …


Incremental quadrature encoders are used in a great number of applications across many disciplines as they provide a low-cost way of measuring motion in systems with moving parts. Some typical examples include measuring the position of a physical control wheel or measuring the rotor angle and velocity in an electrical motor. Some AVR microcontrollers, like the AVR XMEGA-E5, include dedicated quadrature decoding functionality, but the decoding can also be accomplished by utilizing some of the core independent peripherals available on smaller, less feature rich controllers. This application note describes how to decode and keep track of quadrature encoded signals from an incremental position sensor using an AVR by combining Configurable Custom Logic (CCL), Event System (EVSYS), 16-bit Timer/Counter Type A (TCA), and 16-bit Timer/Counter Type B (TCB).


Current Readings on International Relations. Number 3. Edited by NORMAN J. PADELFORD. (Cambridge: Addison-Wesley Press. 1948. Pp. 305. $1.50 paper.) This third collection of readings on contemporary world politics continues the function, commenced by the first two numbers of the series, of providing a representative selection of materials for the use of college classes and adult study groups. Since no textbook can possibly be kept au courant in the face of the rapidly changing international situation, and since most instructors wish to have their students exposed, at least, to some sources of information beyond a textbook, these biannual volumes are doubly useful. Still further, they aid in solving the library problem involved in inexpensively assembling adequate quantities of such materials. The present number of the series contains articles and documents, mainly from the last six months of 1947, arranged under five headings: &dquo;Security,&dquo; &dquo;Economic Relations,&dquo; &dquo;International Organization,&dquo; &dquo;Regionalism,&dquo; and &dquo;Problems in Peacemaking.&dquo; Each section is introduced with a


This article re-examines the liability currently imposed by the courts for trespass to the person. It demonstrates that the process for imposing such liability has evolved so that the courts now both carefully scrutinise how the defendant engaged in the conduct which interfered with the plaintiff's personal security and finely balance a range of competing interests. To the extent that the process for imposing liability for trespass to the person is not dissimilar to the process for imposing liability in the tort of negligence, this article questions whether the torts of trespass to the person might now be viewed as obsolete. The article is in two parts. Part one examines the historical development of trespass to the person. Part two (to be published separately) explores whether it is possible to identify anything distinctive about the process for determining liability in trespass to the person (as it has continued to evolve) when compared with the process for determining liability in negligence.


Plants have been an important source of secondary metabolites known for their diverse biological activities; some have been shown to inhibit the development of certain pathogenic microorganisms. Herein, the antimicrobial activity of the carbon tetrachloride, hexane, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni against Staphylococcus aureus (strain 921), Staphylococcus epidermidis (strains 965, 982, and 735), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains RO3 and RO4) was presented. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using the disk diffusion method, and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The results show that, even at the lowest evaluated concentration (1.06 mg/mL), the hexane extract had an inhibitory effect for all the studied microorganisms. The aqueous extract exhibited high inhibition values (84.4%), on S. epidermidis (strain 965). These results indicate that compounds contained in non-polar extracts of S. rebaudiana could be potential candidates as conventional pharmaceutical drugs against bacteria, resistant to conventional antibiotics.

 Key words: Stevia rebaudiana, antimicrobial properties, plant extracts.


The antioxidant activity of a novel series of derivatives with a carotenoid-like structure was studied. These derivatives have recently been isolated chemically as a result of studies on the pigments present in a particular species of birds, namely parrots. These novel derivatives, which are also called parrodienes, have been proved to possess interesting biological properties that differ from those that carotenoids are known to have. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the ability of these novel compounds to inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, especially their ability to block the formation of hydroxyl radicals, which are among the most reactive products of oxygen reactions and which produce the greatest damage to cells and tissues. The technique used to assess this antioxidant capacity of parrodienes was electron paramagnetic resonance, which allows direct assessment of inhibition of hydroxyl radical formation (.OH). The results show that these derivatives, especially octatriene, are able to exert evident antioxidant activity, thus confirming that their antioxidant properties are important for their biological activity.


Objectives: To verify the involvement of NKX2-1 gene in infants with brain-lung-thyroid (BLT) syndrome and hypothyroid phenotypes variable among congenital hypothyroidism (CH) or idiopathic mild hypothyroidism (IMH) of postnatal onset. Methods: The candidates were selected by a case-finding approach in 130 CH and 53 IMH infants. The NKX2-1 gene was analyzed by direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. The variants were studied in vitro, by expression analyses and luciferase bioassay. Results: Four cases (3 CH and 1 IMH) consistent with BLT syndrome were identified. Two children were affected with respiratory distress and CH, but wild-type NKX2-1 gene. The remaining two presented choreic movements and no pulmonary involvement, but discrepant thyroid phenotypes: one had severe CH with lingual ectopy and the other one IMH with gland in situ. They were carriers of new de novo heterozygous frameshift mutations of NKX2-1 (c.177delG and c.153_166del14). The c.177delG leads to a prematurely truncated protein (p.H60TfsX11) with undetectable activity in vitro. The c.153_166del14 leads to the generation of an elongated aberrant protein (p.A52RfsX351) able to translocate into the nucleus, but completely inactive on a responsive promoter. Conclusions: Two novel heterozygous frameshift mutations of NKX2-1 were identified in 2 cases selected on the basis of a BLT-like phenotype among 183 hypothyroid infants. The atypical hypothyroid phenotypes of these 2 children (CH with lingual ectopy or IMH of postnatal onset) further expand the clinical spectrum that can be associated with NKX2-1 mutations.


OverviewThe School Effectiveness Framework has been developed by the Welsh Assembly Government in collaboration with key stakeholders. It sets out the vision and an implementation schedule for putting school effectiveness based on tri-level reform into action. Tri-level reform is the whole of the education community (schools, local authorities and the Assembly Government) working collaboratively and in alignment. The Framework describes the key characteristics required to build on existing good practice and improve children's and young people's learning and wellbeing throughout Wales, and each partner's contribution to securing that.


In Faces of Inequality: A Theory of Wrongful Discrimination, Sophia Moreau embarks on a classic philosophical journey. It is what philosophers nowadays call an explanatory project. The goal of explanatory projects is to deepen our understanding of wrongful actions and what they share in common. In this review essay, I argue that Moreau's book embodies a valuable explanatory project that ought to be on the radar of lawyers, legal theorists, and philosophers. After sketching the book's arguments, I explain why they are so refreshing. The remainder of the review essay proceeds in a more critical mode. First, I argue that the book's explanatory aspirations fall short, and I sketch a framework for a more radically pluralistic theory of wrongful discrimination. This framework has the power to embrace Moreau's compelling view that discrimination wrongs people by failing to treat them as equals while also recognizing a rich array of other discriminatory wrongs found in lived experience. Second, I argue that Faces of Inequality will disappoint readers looking for a truly inclusive account of wrongful discrimination. I end by emphasizing the book's contribution to political philosophy and its ambition to provide a truly liberatory theory of what we owe to each other as moral and political equals.


This paper surveys the field of multiagent deep reinforcement learning. The combination of deep neural networks with reinforcement learning has gained increased traction in recent years and is slowly shifting the focus from single-agent to multiagent environments. Dealing with multiple agents is inherently more complex as (a) the future rewards depend on multiple players' joint actions and (b) the computational complexity of functions increases. We present the most common multiagent problem representations and their main challenges, and identify five research areas that address one or more of these challenges: centralised training and decentralised execution, opponent modelling, communication, efficient coordination, and reward shaping. We find that many computational studies rely on unrealistic assumptions or are not generalisable to other settings; they struggle to overcome the curse of dimensionality or nonstationarity. Approaches from psychology and sociology capture promising relevant behaviours such as communication and coordination. We suggest that, for multiagent reinforcement learning to be successful, future research addresses these challenges with an interdisciplinary approach to open up new possibilities for more human-oriented solutions in multiagent reinforcement learning.


The activity of nine antimicrobial agents against 44 strains of group C and group G streptococci was studied using a microtiter broth dilution technique. Several antimicrobial agents, including third-generation cephalosporins, the newer semisynthetic penicillins, and erythromycin, exhibited good activity against the organisms. Occasional tolerance to various agents was observed. No cross-tolerance was observed in this study.


The nonlinear propagation of ion-acoustic waves is theoretically reported in a collisional plasma containing strongly coupled ions and nonthermal electrons featuring Tsallis distribution. For this purpose, the nonlinear integro-differential form of the generalized hydrodynamic model is used to investigate the strong-coupling effect. The modified complex Ginzburg–Landau equation with a linear dissipative term is derived for the potential wave amplitude in the hydrodynamic regime, and the modulation instability of ion-acoustic waves is examined. When the dissipative effect is neglected, the modified complex Ginzburg–Landau equation reduces to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Within the unstable region, two different types of second-order ion-acoustic rogue waves including single peak type and rogue wave triplets are discussed. The effect of the plasma parameters on the rogue waves is also presented.


Primary plasmacytoma of the lung is a rare tumor, thus presenting a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. So far, approximately 20 cases have been verified by immunohistochemistry. We describe an elderly patient presenting with progressive dyspnea on exertion, dry cough, weight loss and malaise. The main finding on plain chest radiography was a diffuse infiltration of pulmonary parenchyma in the lower parts of both lungs and in the middle part of the right lung. The histology of the open lung biopsy of the right middle lobe revealed massive and diffuse infiltration by well differentiated plasma cells with extracellular deposits of amyloid. The plasma cells and amyloid expressed a monoclonal lambda light chain. No monoclonal spike was shown by serum and urine immunoelectrophoresis. A skeletal survey and bone marrow biopsy specimen excluded a disseminated disease and a diagnosis of extramedullary plasmacytoma was made. The patient was considered for VI courses of VMCP chemotherapy after which a complete regression on chest roentgenography was evident. Almost five years after the diagnosis the patient is still alive without any evidence of disease recurrence or dissemination.


As AI applications for mobile devices become more prevalent, there is an increasing need for faster execution and lower energy consumption for neural model inference. Historically, the models run on mobile devices have been smaller and simpler in comparison to large state-of-the-art research models, which can only run on the cloud. However, cloud-only inference has drawbacks such as increased network bandwidth consumption and higher latency. In addition, cloud-only inference requires the input data (images, audio) to be fully transferred to the cloud, creating concerns about potential privacy breaches. We demonstrate an alternative approach: shared mobile-cloud inference. Partial inference is performed on the mobile in order to reduce the dimensionality of the input data and arrive at a compact feature tensor, which is a latent space representation of the input signal. The feature tensor is then transmitted to the server for further inference. This strategy can improve inference latency, energy consumption, and network bandwidth usage, as well as provide privacy protection, because the original signal never leaves the mobile. Further performance gain can be achieved by compressing the feature tensor before its transmission.


Curcumin has been reported for its anticancer activity, but clinically it suffers from low bioavailability. In this context, we explored the potential of a natural bioavailability enhancing agent piperine in the present study. Piperine too has anticancer activity, and thereby combination of these two natural ingredients were tested for better therapeutic use. Curcumin (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg), piperine (10 mg/kg) alone and in combination was evaluated in Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing mice by assessing various biochemical and histopathological parameters. Treatment with the curcumin at two different concentrations and piperine alone has shown some therapeutic benefit in reducing the tumors and increased the lifespan of the tested animals (%ILS). The treatment groups have shown significant therapeutic benefits in restoration of hematological and biochemical parameters, particularly in combination treatment groups. Precisely, curcumin and piperine in combination have shown more significant influence in the restoration of various hematological and biochemical parameters. Histopathological observations also revealed that combination of curcumin and piperine improves repairing of the tissue damage due to inoculation of lymphoma significantly.


Noncovalent interactions between drugs and proteins play significant roles for drug metabolisms and drug discoveries. Mass spectrometry has been a commonly used method for studying noncovalent interactions. However, the harsh ionization process in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is not conducive to the preservation of noncovalent and unstable biomolecular complexes compared with the cold spray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS). A cold spray ionization providing a stable solvation-ionization at low temperature is milder than ESI, which was more suitable for studying noncovalent drug-protein complexes with exact stoichiometries. In this paper, we apply CSI-MS to explore the interactions of ginsenosides towards amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ) and clarify the therapeutic effect of ginsenosides on Alzheimer's disease (AD) at the molecular level for the first time. The interactions of ginsenosides with Aβ were performed by CSI-MS and ESI-MS respectively. The ginsenosides Rg1 bounded to Aβ at the stoichiometries of 1:1 to 5:1 could be characterized by CSI-MS, while dehydration products are more readily available by ESI-MS. The binding force depends on the number of aglycone and the type of ginsenosides. The relative binding affinities were sorted in order as follows: Rg1 ≈ Re > Rd ≈ Rg2 > Rh2, protopanaxatriol by competition experiments, which were supported by molecular docking experiment. CSI-MS is expected to be a more appropriate approach to determine the weak but specific interactions of proteins with other natural products especially polyhydroxy compounds.


Knowledge of stock investment can encourage someone to have a positive attitude so that it fosters student interest in investing. Students are also still wondering whether the investment is a halal transaction or not. The purpose of this study is to find out how the perspective of students in investing in stocks according to the Islamic view to foster interest  investing in the IDX, Umsida.
             In this study, the method used is a qualitative method with data collection techniques carried out by interviews, observation and documentation. Informants in this study is students.
             The results of this study indicate that students who have invested in students have 3 symptoms, namely elements of knowledge, will and feelings. Meanwhile, students who have not invested already have one of the symptoms of 3 elements. The student's perspective in growing interest in investing according to the Islamic view is to increase knowledge about investment.


OBJECTIVES
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Neonates undergoing the Norwood procedure (NP) have a poorer systemic oxygen transport status than those after other CPB surgeries. We compared the perioperative CRP in neonates undergoing NP or arterial switch operation (ASO).

METHODS
Data obtained prior to and within postoperative day (POD) 15 from 64 neonates in NP group and 47 in ASO group. Plasma CRP, white blood cells, doses of inotropes and steroid, cultures of blood and body fluids were recorded simultaneously. Demographic data included the durations of CPB, aortic cross clamp (ACC) and circulatory arrest, intensive care unit and hospital stay, and death.

RESULTS
NP group had a shorter CPB and ACC but a longer circulatory arrest than ASO group. CRP was higher preoperatively in NP group than ASO group (21 ± 24 vs.13 ± 26 mg/L, P = 0.01). CRP increased to 80 ± 48 mg/L after NP and 73 ± 36 mg/L after ASO on POD1-2, and then gradually decreased to 51 ± 35 mg/L in NP group and to 43 ± 46 mg/L in ASO group by POD-15. Throughout the postoperative period, CRP, as well as lactate, was significantly higher in NP group than ASO group (P = 0.04 and 0.003, respectively). CRP correlated positively with neutrophil count and negatively with lymphocyte count, CPB duration, and doses of hydrocortisone.

CONCLUSIONS
Neonates undergoing NP have a higher level of serum CRP, reflecting a greater systemic inflammatory response before and after CPB than those undergoing ASO, despite of shorter CPB and ACC. The higher level of serum CRP was associated with a significantly higher level of arterial lactate in the NP group than in the ASO group. This may suggest an important role of systemic oxygen transport in systemic inflammatory response in addition to CPB in neonates with congenital heart defects.


Productivity is an important aspect of injection moulding process.The cooling stage is a critical stage in such process,and has a direct influence on the mould productivity,as well as on the quality of the moulded parts.A substantial portion of the total moulding cycle (e.g., as much as 80%) could be required for cooling. Therefore,for high-production moulds,it is imperative that the cooling time is reduced to a minimum.This project aims to design the cooling channel for the core and cavity inserts for reducing cycle time and improving part quality.Cooling is related to the heat transfer in the mould,thus heat flow process inside mould plate need to know well for designing suitable cooling channel layout for the inserts.The mould insert CAD model is draw by Solidworks, where the draft analysis is analysed before "Mold Tools" is used to created the mould.Cooling effect is analysed using Moldflow software for existing product of two plate mould.The cooling channel within larger diameter can shorter the time to reach ejection temperature,but will reduced the Reynolds number.Based on the analysis studied result, the multiple series layout is the best cooling channel system recommended for this type of mould.This type of cooling system layout design are able to generate 47,236 of Reynolds number higher than parallel layout design which is 4250 only.Multiple series layout design consumes longer time which about 15.10 sec or 0.6 sec higher than parallel layout design to reach the eject temperature.Followed by process parameters optimization,the time taken to reach eject temperature can be improved from 15.10 sec to 13.40 sec or 11% for multiple series cooling layout design.


By using optical pump-terahertz (THz) probe spectroscopy, the photoexcited terahertz conductivity dynamics of chemical vapor deposition grown graphene is investigated in different atmospheric environments. It is shown that the Fermi energy of doped graphene is engineered by oxygen adsorption and desorption, which is probed by transient THz conductivity measurement. We show that the ultrafast energy relaxation processes depend on Fermi energy (changed by environmental gas) and the density of excited carriers (changed by photo-excitation fluence). The rise process of the negative conductivity dynamics becomes less efficient upon decreasing the Fermi energy and/or increasing the pump fluence. All findings show that the Fermi energy of graphene engineered by environmental gas allows us to tune the ultrafast energy relaxation pathways in photoexcited graphene.


The topics addressed in this paper concern the (much-needed) transition to sustainability, the structural changes it entails and what role (innovation) policy can play in speeding up such changes. While it is easy to argue that innovation must play an important role in the transition towards sustainability, it is more challenging to provide good models for how policy may help in mobilizing innovation for this purpose. Such models, it is argued, needs to be based on the accumulated knowledge base on the role of innovation in social and economic change. The paper therefore starts by distilling some important insights on innovation from the accumulated research on this topic, and, with this in mind, discusses various policy approaches that have been suggested for influencing innovation and sustainability transitions. To allow for a more in-depth discussion the paper then goes into more detail about three cases in which policy arguably had a large impact, namely renewable energy in Denmark and Germany and electric cars in Norway. The final part of the paper sums up the discussion about the role of (innovation) policies in sustainability transitions.


Dendritic cells (DC) loaded with tumor antigens from apoptotic/necrotic tumor cells are commonly used as vaccines for cancer therapy. However, the use of dead tumor cells may cause both tolerance and immunity, making the effect of vaccination unpredictable. To deliver live tumor "cargoes" into DC, we developed a new approach based on the "labeling" of tumors with a phospholipid "eat-me" signal, phosphatidylserine. Expression of phosphatidylserine on live tumor cells mediated their recognition and endocytosis by DC resulting in the presentation of tumor antigens to antigen-specific T cells. In mice, topical application of phosphatidylserine-containing ointment over melanoma induced tumor-specific CTL, local and systemic antitumor immunity, and inhibited tumor growth. Thus, labeling of tumors with phosphatidylserine is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.


The decree issued with the last budget-act has changed the "Cassa Depositi e Prestiti" (bank for depots and loans), which was a public institution, into a private company. After the formal privatization the State held 100% of the shares, but then it sold a minority of their shares to the ex bank-foundations. The "Cassa Depositi e Prestiti" played a crucial economic role aimed at gathering depots from families and financing public bodies, especially the local ones, at a discounted interest rate. So, the "Cassa Depositi e Prestiti" was a mean for fiscal policies of the State, because it couldn't evaluate whether the public bodies deserved to be financed. Will the "Cassa" have the same role, after its formal privatization? The "traditional" activity of financing public bodies will be carried out by a "separate administration" of the "Cassa". This "administration" is not a separate entity, so the creditors of the "Cassa" for other activities can take legal action against the assets managed by the "separate administration". Moreover, the other shareholders of the "Cassa" (ex banking foundations) have preferred shares, so the "Cassa" could be led to manage its activities, aiming at maximizing profits, evaluating whether the public bodies, asking for a loan, deserve to be financed. When the "Cassa" doesn't grant the preferred dividend, the private shareholders can withdraw their shares; a legal problem could be raised by the statutory rules for calculate the value of the withdrawn shares: these rules are probably not compatible with the new norms of the Italian "codice civile", so they could be replaced by these rules, which grant the with-drawn shares a higher value. If it is the case, then the withdrawal could be dangerous for the "Cassa", so it will be led to manage its activities only for maximizing profits and not also for public goals. The formal privatization of the "Cassa", moreover, raises the question whether the new company is a bank or not. The decree stated that the "Cassa" should be treated as a financial intermediary, according to art. 107 of the banking act. From an objective standpoint the "Cassa" is, in spite of this norm, a bank. Why did the government decide to regulate it like a financial intermediary. The answer is, probably, that only banks, and not financial intermediary, suffer severe limitations in acquiring industrial, non financial, shareholdings.


Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the only curative option for patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), but information on its net advantage over conventional therapies is lacking. Using ad hoc statistical analysis, we determined outcomes in 438 patients <65 years old at diagnosis who received allogenic SCT (n = 190) or conventional therapies (n = 248). Among patients at low risk per the Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System (DIPSS) model, the relative risk of death after allogenic SCT vs those treated with nontransplant modalities was 5.6 (95% CI, 1.7-19; P = .0051); for intermediate-1 risk it was 1.6 (95% CI, 0.79-3.2; P = .19), for intermediate-2 risk, 0.55 (95% CI, 0.36-0.83; P = .005), and for high risk, 0.37 (95% CI, 0.21-0.66; P = .0007). Thus, patients with intermediate-2 or high-risk PMF clearly benefit from allogenic SCT. Patients at low risk should receive nontransplant therapy, whereas individual counseling is indicated for patients at intermediate-1 risk.


ABSTRACT On an international scale, conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs have rapidly expanded. Since their boom in the 1990s newer modalities have emerged, incorporating some innovative components. The following study sought to examine one particular CCT program heralded as innovative due to its psychosocial and socio employment accompaniment components: Chile's Ethical Family Wage program. Utilizing administrative data from the Ministry of Social Development this exploratory study sought to examine family trajectories in the program with a particular focus on those families who were terminated from the program due to not meeting conditionalities. Findings from the study indicate that the program deviates sharply from its theoretical implementation. Furthermore, the probabilities of program termination increased in those families headed by younger adults, female and single-headed households, households with higher levels of education as well as larger families. However, a greater number of children decreased the probabilities of program termination as was homeownership. Implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed.


meso-Inositol was identified as a major chemical constituent of the seminal vesicle secretion in the boar, and isolated in pure crystalline state. The concentration of inositol in the vesicular secretion exceeds considerably the amounts hitherto recorded for material of either plant or animal origin. The fluid secreted by boar seminal vesicles contains 2 to 3 g inositol in 100 ml. The dry matter of the fluid is about 15 g/100 ml., one-third of which is dialyzable; of this between 40 and 70% is composed of inositol. Two methods are described by means of which it is possible to obtain several grams of pure crystalline inositol from the seminal vesicle secretion of a single animal. Certain other characteristic features of the boar vesicular secretion are described, including the occurrence of substances such as fructose as well as an hitherto unidentified carbohydrate, also of ergothioneine and potassium citrate; and an almost complete absence of sodium chloride. One of the functions of inositol and citrate appears to be the maintenance of the osmotic pressure in the seminal vesicle secretion, and probably also in the semen of the boar. The secretion of inositol, ergothioneine, fructose and citric acid, by the seminal vesicles, sets in at an early stage of the development of the boar, a considerable time before the maturation of spermatozoa.


The level of civilization of a nation can be seen from the maintenance and preservation of its archive. In this respect, archive need to be well managed in a proper system framework. Good archive is managed by archivist who can support the archievement of the process of archiving and improve service for the community in the delivery of information in the institusion or agency. The requires a qualified archive and competence in the field. The image of archive is strongly influenced by the archivists have a great responsibility in the process of filling and can increase the existence of institusion and agency.


Introduction: In the past, most efforts aimed at treating internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have involved nonsurgical modalities and/or conventional open surgical procedures (i.e. arthrotomy). Common nonsurgical methods include physical therapy, bite splint appliances, anti-inflammatory medications and patient education regarding potentially destructive habits such as clenching and bruxing. If these methods failed to yield symptomatic and functional improvement, open arthrotomy of the joint was often proposed. These procedures consist of disk repositioning, arthroplasty, meniscectomy with and without implants and other treatments (AAOMS, 1984). The purpose of this article is to describe TMJ arthroscopy: a useful alternative to open surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of intracapsular TMJ pathology.


A study was carried out taking low temperature domestic wastewater as target in laboratory, the composition of bacteria in activated sludge was analyzed and the degradation kinetics of organics was investigated. Six preponderant psychrotrophs were selected out, belonging to Zoogloea, Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonaus, respectively. Results show that TTC-dehydrogenase activity of the psychrotroph is 25.44 mg/(L x h) which is 20.5 times more than that of ordinary activated sludge at 4 degrees C. The efficiency of COD biodegradation by psychrotrophs at low and normal temperature is 80.9% and 73.4%, respectively. Mesophilic bacteria almost lost their activity at low temperature. Kinetic analysis shows that biodegradation of organics by psychrotrophs at low and mesothermal temperature as well as mesophilic bacteria at mesothermal temperature are in accordance with the model of first-order reaction. Psychrotrophs, which assure the removal efficiency of organic pollutants at low and normal temperature, could keep the uniform reaction velocity as the mesophilic bacteria and also adapt wide ecological amplitude of temperature. Efficient psychrotrophs were immobilized on soft polyurethane foams which acted as carriers in the experiment at 4 degrees C, as a result of that, the removal efficiency of COD was increased about 18% higher than that of mobilized ones at low temperature, the biodegradation kinetics of COD by immobilized psychrotrophs also followed the first-order reaction model. With glucose in water as the source of nutriment, the reaction velocity of immobilized bacteria is 2.35 times higher than that of the mobilized ones. By the immobilized psychrotrophs biodegradation of varied nutriment, the effluent could achieve the first-degree B of pollutants discharge standard for municipal wastewater treatment plant.


The low-temperature electron mobility mu in Si-doped AlxGa1-xAs (x=0.25) is not a single-valued function of the free electron density n, mu being larger if a given n value is reached through capture rather than photoionization processes. This difference is reduced by lowering the Si doping level. The result is interpreted as due to spatial correlations amongst charges at the DX centres. Analysis of mobility transients during isothermal capture processes in the temperature range 110-140 K indicates that the fast initial stage of the capture is marked by an increasing order in the spatial distribution of the scattering centres. On the contrary, the slow final stage of the capture process is characterized by a diminishing order in the distribution.


Background: Many medicine residency training programs include a lecture-based preclinic conference series as part of the ambulatory educational curriculum when more effective teaching formats might be available. Our institution has replaced this lecture-based teaching format with an ambulatory morning report modeled after the inpatient paradigm. This study compares the efficacy of these 2 teaching models and defines the desired characteristics of this new teaching strategy. Description: We first conducted a background study by obtaining permission to use test questions from the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program to develop pre- and postambulatory rotation tests to validate our ambulatory curriculum. Forty-three of 44 interns completed both pre- and postambulatory block testing. The mean score on these tests improved from 67% to 81%. Although this overall improvement achieved statistical significance, test question subgroup analysis clearly indicated that the improved knowledge in test items relating to our preclinic conference topics contributed negligibly to the overall statistical improvement. As such, we ultimately replaced our preclinic conference with a morning report format. In this study, 82 residents were enrolled in a 2-year prospective observational study. This study group completed an ambulatory curriculum in which the 1st year was completely lecture based, and the 2nd year included the morning report format. We were thus able to survey residents' opinions regarding the effectiveness of the 2 very different teaching formats used in consecutive years. Evaluation: The survey results from those residents exposed to both teaching formats over 2 years revealed a high degree of satisfaction with the ambulatory morning report format. When comparing the long-term educational value, 94% of the residents found the morning report format more effective than the lecture-based preclinic conference. In addition, many desirable characteristics of the morning report also were defined. Conclusions: Lecture-based preclinic conferences might not be the most effective way of conveying information over the long term. Residents seem to prefer the more interactive morning report format. When organizing such a teaching format, attention should be directed toward the characteristics that were felt to be desirable by those we are trying to teach.


In this work, we will introduce a general framework to derive the thermodynamics of a fluid mechanical system, which guarantees the consistence between the energetic variational approaches with the laws of thermodynamics. In particular, we will focus on the coupling between the thermal and mechanical forces. We follow the framework for a classical gas with ideal gas equilibrium and present the existences of weak solutions to this thermodynamic system coupled with the Brinkman-type equation to govern the velocity field.


Disease loci underlying complex disorders such as schizophrenia(SCZ)are likely to exist as variants of multiple typesbeyond the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) typically surveyed in genome-‐wide association studies(GWAS). Large copy number variants (CNV), small insertions and deletions (INDELS),rare compound heterozygous
mutations and other classes of genetic variation are all expected to contribute to disease risk. A true understanding of disease genetics cannot be attained without careful consideration of each class of variation and how they are related. Additionally, it is often the case that no or few single variants have strong enough effect sizes to attain the level of statistical significance
required to offset the large number of tests performed in a
genome-‐wide single locus survey of any variant type.
It has been shown that a cumulative burden of risk alleles
is correlated with disease risk, indicating true biological signal within those variants. However, this approach merely implicates that class of variation across the genome and does not refine variants to a subset of risk regions or genes. Defining sets of genes within biological pathways and testing them as a group will allow for both the power of aggregating loci of small effect and interpretation of the underlying biology. This dissertation assesses the role of multiple classes of variation from different technologies in risk to schizophrenia with a particular focus on brain related biological pathways.


The Altiplano Basin (Bolivia) exhibits one of the best examples of dryland river systems with a low gradient, where it is possible to obtain field data to build 3D high-resolution geological models of different sediment bodies. This study presents the development and understanding of a 3D geological model for crevasse splays deposited in this kind of basin. The data used consists of sediments in-situ and remote sensing data (satellite images). The integration of field and remote sensing data shows that the grain size has a better correlation with the channels location than the RGBD information from the satellites images. Likewise, with the grain size model, it is possible to visualize that porosity is not highly affected by the clay content, and due to the small grains, the initial predicted porosity is around 49 to 56%, which can be reduced to values below 7% because of overburden. According to grain size and porosity, permeability is around 350 to 600 mD, due to grain size distribution at surface conditions. These petrophysical properties are appropriated for gas storage and they can accumulate up to 3 MSCM of gas reserves in one single crevasse splay. As observed in the field, crevasse splays are vertically stacked resulting in a high net to gross ratio, and increasing gas reserves up to 300 MSCM of gas in-situ, making these reservoirs an attractive target for exploration in fluvial systems.


The role of GABA in the control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion is still controversial. In order to investigate the role of the GABAergic system in the regulation of GnRH gene expression in the rat brain, we studied the effects of chronic administration (2 days) of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol and the central-type barbiturate receptor agonist pentobarbital on GnRH mRNA levels measured by in situ hybridization. Treatment with pentobarbital produced a 24% decrease in the hybridization signal. Similarly, muscimol treatment decreased the signal by 28%. The concomitant administration of the two GABAA receptor agonists resulted in a decrease (37%) of mRNA levels which was significantly more marked than that induced by pentobarbital or muscimol alone. The present results, together with previous data, indicate that the administration of pentobarbital or muscimol can inhibit not only the release of GnRH but also the gene expression of the neuropeptide as evaluated by mRNA level measurements.


The sixth edition of the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (the "2016 SIAC Rules") came into force on 1 August 2016. This article highlights the main amendments and innovations introduced by the 2016 SIAC Rules. The first part of the article outlines the background and main purpose of the revision. It then addresses the new provisions on joinder, consolidation and multiple contracts and compares them to similar provisions in other sets of institutional rules. It then turns to one of the major innovations of the 2016 Rules, a newly introduced mechanism for the early dismissal of claims and defences, and elaborates the changes made to improve the pre-existing provisions on the expedited and emergency arbitrator procedures. The article also touches upon changes of minor importance which nonetheless improve the overall arbitral process. Finally, it includes a brief introduction to the draft Investment Arbitration Rules, which combine the features of commercial and investment arbitration as well as a reminder of the SIAC-SIMAC Arb-Med-Arb procedure. With the adoption of the 2016 SIAC Rules, SIAC has brought its Rules in line with the most prominent sets of international arbitration rules and consolidates its position as one of the world's leading international arbitration centre.


Introduction PEG feeding improves prognosis and general state of health when patients cannot maintain adequate nutrition. Some hospitals now have nutrition teams who review percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) requests. The PEG Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) can provide information/advice/counselling for patients and relatives on PEG feeding, aftercare and follow-up as well as being an integral part of the Upper GI multidisciplinary team. Methods Aims: To assess the role of the Specialist nurse lead PEG service in an associate teaching district general hospital (DGH). We retrospectively assessed 178 PEG referrals to the service over the period 2006–2008 in our DGH. All PEG referrals are assessed by a CNS who recommends appropriateness of PEG insertion or deflects inappropriate referrals. Data were obtained from the CNS records along with endoscopy software and from patient's clinical data. Results 178 PEGs inserted in the period 2006–2008. Of these referrals, 44 (25%) were declined due to ill health and deemed as inappropriate (eg, advanced severe dementia). Of these 44 patients following assessment, 6 (13%) started eating and drinking within 48 h, 3 (6.8%) died within 24 h, 4 (9%) died within 72 h. 144 PEGs were inserted one failed due to difficulty in positioning. 38 (26.5%) were inserted by the CNS, and 105 (73.5%) were performed by 11 doctors in the same period. 11 (7.6%) of these were performed as day-case procedures. The nurse specialist requested a second opinion and consultant review for only six patients (3.3%). The CNS assessed and followed up all the 144 patients prior to PEG insertion and provided aftercare. PEG referrals required 60 min on average per patient assessment by the CNS, furthermore the actual PEG insertion average time was 30 min/patient. There were 2 (1%) complications due to minor bleeding from the skin incision. There were 14.6% (21 patients) deaths recorded at 30 days post insertion. Conclusion In our experience, specialist nurse led PEG service prevented inappropriate PEG insertion in 25% of all referrals and reduced significant clinical commitment for doctors with only requiring advice from consultant in 3%, saving 250 h of clinical assessment and review time. This service also helped reduce waiting times for patient assessment and improved the quality of the service offered by increasing continuity of care and closer liaison with dietician, ward nurses along with patients and their relatives. Our complication/mortality rates compared favourably at 1% and 15%, respectively, to the BSG announcement in 2006 suggesting that minor complications are around 15% and mortality up to 28%. For a modern day PEG service from our data, we recommend a Nurse Lead PEG assessment/insertion and follow-up service in all hospitals not offering this.


This was a study examining the fatliquoring of natural dyed cow skin with Coptis chinensis Franch. The K/S according to optimal dyeing condition, mordants and mordanting method was measured. And the surface, sections, tensile strength, elongation, stiffness and colorfastness according to post-dyeing fatliquoring were observed. The optimal conditions include 300%(o.w.f.), , 30 minites. Fe-simmordanting showed the highest dyeability. Coptis chinensis Franch showed a yellow color regardless of mordants and mordanting methods. Tensile strength and elongation increased in the case of simmordanting compared with untreated and the process of fatliquoring further increased. The softness significantly increased when fatliquored. Shrinkage was slightly reduced when dyed, but showed almost no change with fatliquoring. Lastly, color fastness increased overall with mordanting and partly increased with fatliquoring. The rubbing and light fastness were excellent Cu- mordanting, and drycleaning fastness also improved with Cr-mordanting.


Healthcare-associated infections pose a significant threat to patient safety and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Nurses, in particular, are constantly exposed to microorganisms during their nursing activities; making infection control practices a crucial aspect of their work. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and judgment of nursing staff in two tertiary care hospitals in relation to infection control measures. Out of 158 participants, 156 were included in the study, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that 82% of nurses at HMC had good knowledge, while only 42% of nurses at KTH had fair knowledge regarding infection control. The study identified gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and practice, particularly regarding the proper use of personal protective equipment. The study recommends that health ministries provide comprehensive training programs and that healthcare workers be directed to use authentic sources of information to improve their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding infection control.


Continuous monitoring of perinatal women in a descriptive case study allowed us the opportunity to examine the time during which the COVID-19 infection led to physiological changes in two low-income pregnant women. An important component of this study was the use of a wearable sensor device, the Oura ring, to monitor and record vital physiological parameters during sleep. Two women in their second and third trimesters, respectively, were selected based on a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Both women were tested using the polymerase chain reaction method to confirm the presence of the virus during which time we were able to collect these physiological data. In both cases, we observed 3–6 days of peak physiological changes in resting heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and respiratory rate (RR), as well as sleep surrounding the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. The pregnant woman in her third trimester showed a significant increase in resting HR (p = 0.006) and RR (p = 0.048), and a significant decrease in HRV (p = 0.027) and deep sleep duration (p = 0.029). She reported experiencing moderate COVID-19 symptoms and did not require hospitalization. At 38 weeks of gestation, she had a normal delivery and gave birth to a healthy infant. The participant in her second trimester showed similar physiological changes during the 3-day peak period. Importantly, these changes appeared to return to the pre-peak levels. Common symptoms reported by both cases included loss of smell and nasal congestion, with one losing her sense of taste. Results suggest the potential to use the changes in cardiorespiratory responses and sleep for real-time monitoring of health and well-being during pregnancy.


Noise is responsible for cochlear and general damages. Hearing loss and tinnitus greatly depend on sound intensity and duration. Short-duration sound of sufficient intensity (gunshot or explosion) will not be described because they are not currently encountered in our normal urban environment. Sound levels of less than 75 d (A) are unlikely to cause permanent hearing loss, while sound levels of about 85 d (A) with exposures of 8 h per day will produce permanent hearing loss after many years. Popular and largely amplified music is today one of the most dangerous causes of noise induced hearing loss. The intensity of noises (airport, highway) responsible for stress and general consequences (cardiovascular) is generally lower. Individual noise sensibility depends on several factors. Strategies to prevent damage from sound exposure should include the use of individual hearing protection devices, education programs beginning with school-age children, consumer guidance, increased product noise labelling, and hearing conservation programs for occupational settings.


Residual stress in titanium–nickel thin films has been exploited as a force load for thin-film shape-memory alloy micro-actuators, thus eliminating the need for providing 'external' force load for device training and operation. Thermal cycling during device operation is accomplished using electrical current-induced Joule's heating for temperature ramp-up and thermal conduction/convection-induced cooling for temperature ramp-down. In response to thermal cycling, hysteresis loops in both the displacement and electrical resistance of the micro-actuator have been observed—thus demonstrating the existence of shape-memory effect in the micro-actuators. Elimination of manual training of individual devices makes it possible to operate large arrays of shape-memory alloy micro-actuators realizable using micro-fabrication techniques.


Doppler sonography has been reported to be a reliable technique for diagnosing acute scrotum significantly decreasing the number of unnecessary surgeries. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the superiority and validity of Doppler sonography over conventional sonography for differential diagnosis of the acute scrotum. In the period from 2002-2004, 300 patients underwent ultrasound examination of the testicles at the Institute of Radiology in Novi Sad. This prospective randomized study included 100 patients, whereas the target group consisted of 50 patients with the diagnosis of the acute scrotum. The control group consisted of 50 patients with the diagnosis of varicocele. The examinations were done using Siemens Versa Pro equipment and 7,5 MHz probes. On the basis of ultrasound examination, the target group was divided into three groups: 1. Inflammation, 2. Torsion, 3. Miscellaneous. Depending on the disease, the accuracy of diagnosis was confirmed by surgery, clinical findings and control sonographic examination. A functional correlation exists between Doppler diagnosis and final diagnosis in the inflammation and torsion. Resistive indexes (RI) were lower in inflammation, because of hyperemia. In cases with intratesticular hyperemia, the average RI was 0,454 and in those with supratesticular hyperemia 0,575. In cases with torsion, only one patient with appendiceal torsion had normal intratesticular blood flow. In diagnostics of the acute scrotum, Doppler sonography is superior over conventional sonography and more precise in differential diagnostics. RI are good quantitative parameters of hyperemia.


correction of visual defects brought to a refinement of success undreamed of at the beginning of the century and we have a beautiful illuminant which keeps the air sweet and untainted in the study and library. Alas that war conditions should curtail our supply of new books and, through a curious regulation restricting the export of money, practically stop the purchase abroad of second-hand volumes which are the very life-blood of scholarship. Still things might be worse and our thanks should be extended to the Commonwealth Government for its graceful capitulation over the proposed sales tax on literature.


PurposeAll colleges of medicine in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) adopt English as a language of instructions. This study aimed to examine medical students' views on introducing medical terminology in Arabic within an English-based curriculum.Design/methodology/approachThis descriptive study targeted preclinical second- and fourth-year students in the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University, during the academic year 2022–2023 (n = 407). Within the pharmacology teaching material in unit I (second year) and unit VIII (fourth year), which are taught in English, students were provided with medical terms in Arabic. At the end of these two units, students' views were sought by using a self-administered questionnaire.FindingsThe number of respondents was 263 (response rate 64.1%: 22.2% males, 77.8% females). Most participants received their school education mainly in Arabic (78.8%). A significant percentage of students believed that providing Arabic terms helped their learning (79.8%). If pharmacology is taught exclusively in English, majority of the students anticipated to face difficulties when explaining drug treatment to their patients in the future (71.3%). Most respondents expected this intervention to help them communicate with patients (86.7%), and preferred to include it in the clinical skills training (82.2%). The second-year students and those whose school education was mainly in Arabic were more likely to agree to the intervention (p < 0.05 for both).Originality/valueThe introduction of medical terms in Arabic is an acceptable alternative to complete Arabization, and is believed to help students in their learning and communication with their patients.


In this paper, simulation of NGL train consisting of four distillation columns has been performed by using Aspen-Hysys. The main objective of this research is studying the different factors that enhance the separation process efficiency such as changing the number of trays, reflux ratio and the feed tray location. Simulation results showed that the design of distillation column with 40 trays is the proper design for this study giving the optimum results and reduces the capital cost. The results also showed that number of trays has an important role in the separation process efficiency where the lowest heat duties and the highest composition for top products were obtained at the highest number of trays.


Elevated serum phosphate levels as a consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk observed in dialysis patients. Protein restriction and dialysis fail to adequately prevent hyperphosphatemia, and in general treatment with oral phosphate binding agents is necessary in patients with advanced CKD. Phosphate plays a pivotal role in the development of vascular calcification, one of the factors contributing to increased cardiovascular risk in CKD patients. Treatment of hyperphosphatemia with standard calcium-based phosphate binders and vitamin D compounds can induce hypercalcemic episodes, increase the Ca × PO4 product and thus add to the risk of ectopic mineralization. In this review, recent clinical as well as experimental data on lanthanum carbonate, a novel, non-calcium, non-resin phosphate binding agent are summarized. Although lanthanum is a metal cation no aluminium-like toxicity is observed since the bioavailability of lanthanum is extremely low and its metabolism differs from that of aluminium. Clinical studies now document the absence of toxic effects of lanthanum for up to 6 years of follow-up. The effects of lanthanum on bone, vasculature and brain are discussed and put in perspective with lanthanum pharmacokinetics.


This book is a readable, digestible introduction to exponential families, encompassing statistical models based on the most useful distributions in statistical theory, including the normal, gamma, binomial, Poisson, and negative binomial. Strongly motivated by applications, it presents the essential theory and then demonstrates the theory's practical potential by connecting it with developments in areas like item response analysis, social network models, conditional independence and latent variable structures, and point process models. Extensions to incomplete data models and generalized linear models are also included. In addition, the author gives a concise account of the philosophy of Per Martin-Lof in order to connect statistical modelling with ideas in statistical physics, including Boltzmann's law. Written for graduate students and researchers with a background in basic statistical inference, the book includes a vast set of examples demonstrating models for applications and exercises embedded within the text as well as at the ends of chapters.


The rare earth hydride nanoparticles have been prepared successfully by a novel method of hydrogen plasma-metal reaction. The YH2:Er2+ nanoparticles of 40-50 nm were polycrystalline and in hexagonal shape. The Y2O3:Er3+ nanoparticles were fabricated by annealing the hydride nanoparticles in air at 300, 500 and 700 degrees C, respectively. The influence of the sintering temperature on the size, crystal structure and optical properties of these nanoparticle samples were investigated. After annealing, the Y2O3:Er3+ nanoparticles became single crystalline and spherical shape, and the mean particle size of these particles did not change apparently upon the annealing temperature up to 700 degrees C. With the increase of the annealing temperature, the absorption intensity of YH2 in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra decreased and the peak position moved to high-frequency, whereas the absorption intensity of Y2O3 was enhanced. The intensity of the near-IR fluorescence spectra of the Y2O3:Er3+ nanoparticles increased remarkably with the increase of the annealing temperature from 300 to 700 degrees C. The Y2O3:Er3+ sample sintered at 700 degrees C exhibited a strong photoluminescent intensity at the wavelength of about 1535 nm, with a narrow full width of 6 nm at the half maximum. This makes the Y2O3:Er3+ nanoparticles promising for the applications in the optical communication devices.


We introduce a new global Lagrangian descriptor that is applied to flows with general time dependence (altimetric data sets). It succeeds in detecting simultaneously, with great accuracy, invariant manifolds, hyperbolic and nonhyperbolic flow regions.


Massive OB stars are critical to the ecology of galaxies and yet our knowledge of OB stars in the Milky Way, fainter than V ∼ 12, remains patchy. Data from the VST Photometric Hα Survey (VPHAS+) permit the construction of the first deep catalogues of blue excess-selected OB stars, without neglecting the stellar field. A total of 14 900 candidates with 2MASS cross-matches are blue-selected from a 42 deg2 region in the Galactic plane, capturing the Carina Arm over the Galactic longitude range 282◦ 293◦. Spectral energy distribution fitting is performed on these candidates' combined VPHAS+ u, g, r, i and 2MASS J, H, K magnitudes. This delivers effective temperature constraints, statistically separating O from early-B stars and high-quality extinction parameters, A0 and RV (random errors typically ∼0.1). The high-confidence O-B2 candidates number 5915 and a further 5170 fit to later B spectral type. Spectroscopy of 276 of the former confirms 97 per cent of them. The fraction of emission-line stars among all candidate B stars is 7–8 per cent. Greyer (RV > 3.5) extinction laws are ubiquitous in the region, over the distance range 2.5–3 to ∼10 kpc. Near prominent massive clusters, RV tends to rise, with particularly large and chaotic excursions to RV ∼ 5 seen in the Carina Nebula. The data reveal a hitherto unnoticed association of 108 O-B2 stars around the O5If+ star LSS 2063 ( = 289. ◦77, b = −1. ◦22). Treating the OB star scaleheight as a constant within the thin disc, we find an orderly mean relation between extinction (A0) and distance in the Galactic longitude range, 287. ◦6 < < 293. ◦5, and infer the subtle onset of thin-disc warping. A halo around NGC 3603, roughly a degree in diameter, of ∼500 O-B2 stars with 4 < A0(mag) < 7 is noted.


Objective To estimate the extent to which social determinants of health (SDH) predict levels of depression in adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) with an acute mental health crisis. Design Secondary data analysis. Setting St Paul's Hospital, an urban tertiary care hospital in Vancouver, BC. Participants Patients 19 years and older presenting to the ED with an acute mental health crisis. Main outcome measures Responses to demographic questionnaires focused on SDH and to measures of self-perceived health and depression. Relationships between depression and SDH were described using t tests and χ2 tests. The extent to which SDH variables predicted depression scores, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9), was determined using linear regression. Results The primary study had 202 participants. Data for the 156 (77%) participants who completed the PHQ-9 were assessed in this secondary analysis. In this sample, 60% of participants identified as men, 37% as women, and 4% as other. The mean (SD) age was 39.1 (13.8) years, with most participants identifying as white (65%) or Indigenous (18%). Thirty-seven percent had a high school diploma or less education, and 72% reported being unemployed. Identifying as a woman, lack of access to clean drinking water, poor food security, feeling unsafe, little structured use of time, lack of a sense of community, and dissatisfaction with housing significantly predicted higher depression scores. Overall, 59% of respondents met the criteria for moderately severe or severe depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 15), with 37% of those reporting thoughts of suicide nearly every day for the past 2 weeks. Conclusion This study demonstrates the importance of screening for both depression and SDH in the ED. Because the ED often does not have the capacity to address appropriate levels of follow-up for this population, this study has important implications for primary care. Developing a clear pathway of follow-up support for people with depression and SDH risk factors will be critical to optimize patient outcomes, promote patient safety, enhance patient satisfaction, and optimize the use of resources between the ED and primary care.


The paper explores the relationship between various orderings among probability forecasts that have been suggested in the literature. It is shown that well calibrated forecasters are in general not comparable according to the domination ordering suggested by Vardeman and Meeden (1983), that the orderings based on ROC-curves and Gini-curves are identical, and that the domination ordering in conjunction with semicalibration implies the rest.


Acidity and hyperacidity have become endemic and widespread, virtually symbolic of urbanised living and a fast life. Reflux of gastric components into the oesphagus takes place and today gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) is characterised as a lifestyle disorder. Causes are many, primarily due to improper dietary habits, high stress factors in a fast paced life including inadequate sleep and rest. While neutralising the acid using a range of alkaline substances is what is normally resorted to, it does not address the underlying causes. This article provides an overview of this disorder, the other complications including cancer that can arise from uncontrolled GERD, the range of foods that lead to this and how it could be addressed.


The Buchwald-Hartwig C-N coupling reaction has been ranked as one of the 20 most frequently used reactions in medicinal chemistry. Owing to its much lower cost and higher reactivity toward less reactive aryl chlorides than palladium, the C-N coupling reaction catalyzed by Ni-based catalysts has received a great deal of attention. However, there appear to be no universal, practical Ni catalytic systems so far that could enable the coupling of electron-rich and electron-poor aryl halides with both primary and secondary alkyl amines. In this study, it is reported that a Ni(II)-bipyridine complex catalyzes efficient C-N coupling of aryl chlorides and bromides with various primary and secondary alkyl amines under direct excitation with light. Intramolecular C-N coupling is also demonstrated. The feasibility and applicability of the protocol in organic synthesis is attested by more than 200 examples.


Background Medical training program and hospital response to the COVID-19 pandemic has varied greatly and has impacted trainee well-being. Which factors have specifically related to trainee wellness, however, has not yet been examined in depth. The aim of the study was to understand trainee perspectives on the individual psychiatry trainee programs' hospitals' objective COVID-19 preparedness management. We also sought and to gauge how program changes, and general pandemic-related concerns, have been associated with trainee satisfaction and burnout. Methods A cross-sectional survey study of psychiatric trainees was distributed electronically throughout the country via various psychiatry residency program listservs in April 2020. Statistical analyses were performed utilizing simple linear regression. Results From 352 respondents (346 complete responses and 6 partial responses), the most frequent program changes were "decreased number of rotations requiring in-person patient care" and "increased call hours or duties." Of pandemic-related concerns surveyed, the two greatest were "spreading COVID-19 to family/friends" and "co-residents' burnout and anxiety." A positive relationship was found between trainee satisfaction with perceived COVID-19 departmental response and comfort level of residents/fellows in expressing concerns with attending clinicians and department leadership. Conclusions Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, trainees have experienced a variety of changes to trainee program policies and guidelines. Overall, poor communication and trainee dissatisfaction with departmental response correlated with concern of infection and anxiety/burnout. Insights garnered from this study could provide scaffolding for the best practices to reduce trainee physician anxiety/burnout for the current and future pandemics of this variety and magnitude.


Objectives Acute leukemia (AL) is a highly heterogeneous malignant disease caused by hematopoietic cell abnormalities. Our study investigated the potential for immunophenotyping of leukemic cells via flow cytometry and the clinical usefulness of this approach in treatment of AL. Methods Bone marrow (BM) specimens were collected to detect antigen expression on hematopoietic cells in pre-treatment samples from patients with AL. In addition, fraction survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method to explore the effect of markers on prognosis in AL. Results Expression levels of immunophenotypic markers in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were significantly different from those in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, there was a potential association between the surface marker, cluster of differentiation 2 (CD2), and fraction survival in AML. However, no similar result was found in ALL. Moreover, genetic tests showed greater positive variation of the break point cluster-Abelson tyrosine kinase (BCR-ABL) fusion gene in samples from patients with ALL than in samples from patients with AML. Conclusions We have shown a rapid and effective flow cytometry method that enables the identification of immunophenotype in AL. Moreover, CD2 may constitute a predictive marker for prognosis in patients with AML.


With respect to security, the use of various terminals in the mobile Internet environment is problematic. Traditional terminal testing methods cannot simulate actual testing environments; thus, the test results do not accurately reflect the security of terminals. To address this problem, we designed and developed a cloud platform based automated testing system for the mobile Internet. In this system, virtualization and automation technology are utilized to integrate mobile terminals into the cloud platform as a resource, to achieve a novel cloud service called Testing as a Service (TaaS). The system consists of three functional modules: web front-end module, testing environment module, and automated testing module. We adopted the permeable automated testing tool Metasploit to perform security testing. In our test experiments, we selected 100 apps with diverse vulnerability levels, ranging from secure to vulnerable, to perform a series of functional tests. The experimental results show that this system can correctly test both the number of vulnerable apps and their corresponding vulnerability levels. As such, the designed system can flexibly configure various testing environments for different testing cases or projects, and thereby perform security testing automatically.


Acinetobacter baumanni , is an important nosocomial infection pathogen has emerged worldwide and can causes life-threatening hospital acquired infections, particularly in intensive care units. After post neurosurgical operations or procedures, this pathogen consists with central nervous system infections, also. Resistance mechanism of these pathogens against broad-spectrum antimicrobials is the challenging problem and limited penetration of antibiotics to achieve therapeutic concentrations in cerebrospinal fl uid (CSF) has been still controversial issue. Here we report two cases who had ventriculitis after external ventricular drainage placement procedures. Both of CSF of two cases yielded extensively drug resistant A. baumannii . Traditional intravenous (IV) treatment did not eradicate pathogen exactly, at fi rst. Adjunctive colistimetat sodium every 12 h (10 mg/kg/day) by the route of intraventricular (IVT) was admitted and CSF steriliza-tion was achieved thereafter. The option of IVT colistin administration must be consid-ered with IV antibiotherapy to provide satisfactory treatment of those complicated CNS infections.


We demonstrate strongly collimated beaming, at audible frequencies, in a three-dimensional acoustic phononic crystal where the wavelength is commensurate with the crystal elements; the crystal is a seemingly simple rectangular cuboid constructed from closely-spaced spheres, and yet demonstrates rich wave phenomena acting as a canonical three-dimensional metamaterial. We employ theory, numerical simulation and experiments to design and interpret this collimated beaming phenomenon and use a crystal consisting of a finite rectangular cuboid array of $4\times 10\times 10$ polymer spheres $1.38$~cm in diameter in air, arranged in a primitive cubic cell with the centre-to-centre spacing of the spheres, i.e. the pitch, as $1.5$~cm. Collimation effects are observed in the time domain for chirps with central frequencies at $14.2$~kHz and $18$~kHz, and we deployed a laser feedback interferometer or Self-Mixing Interferometer (SMI) -- a recently proposed technique to observe complex acoustic fields -- that enables experimental visualisation of the pressure field both within the crystal and outside of the crystal. Numerical exploration using a higher-order multi-scale finite element method designed for the rapid and detailed simulation of 3D wave physics further confirms these collimation effects and cross-validates with the experiments. Interpretation follows using High Frequency Homogenization and Bloch analysis whereby the different origin of the collimation at these two frequencies is revealed by markedly different isofrequency surfaces of the sonic crystal.


The source of Salmonella cross-contamination in 15 retail chicken outlets in a residential area of Coimbatore City, southern India, was studied. Chopping boards (18.75%) and the butcher's hands (14.29%) were predominant for Salmonella followed by knives and the weighing balance tray. Serotyping of the Salmonella strains revealed that all the strains were Salmonella enteritis, except one, which was found to be Salmonella cerro. The antibacterial activity of commonly used spices, such as garlic, onion, ginger, turmeric, clove, cinnamon and dry ginger against S. enteritidis, was evaluated. While garlic showed very good antibacterial activity even at very low concentrations, onion and ginger showed only moderate levels of inhibitory effect. The efficacy of the spice extracts in controlling the growth of S. enteritidis on various surfaces such as wood, plastic and stainless steel was also studied. The results indicated that garlic extract was very efficient in removing the organism from different contaminated surfaces at various concentrations.


The metastatic pattern in primary renal adenocarcinoma with respect to age has been studied by analyzing the necropsy records of 1828 patients. Metastasis‐free cases were noticeably frequent in the patients over 70 years of age. The metastatic pattern varied with age and was classified grossly into four types according to the age‐associated change in frequency: (1) diminishing; (2) increasing; (3) peaked; and (4) invariable. The incidence of hematogenous metastases showed little or no relation to advancing age whereas dissemination, which was possibly lymphogenous, was found to diminish as the age advanced, the latter trend being especially conspicuous in patients with lymph nodes distant from the primary lesion. It has been inferred that organs displaying comparable tendencies of age‐associated change in frequency of metastasis may share the same route of dissemination.


OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus testing is a cost-effective strategy for the management of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Young women have a high prevalence of transient human papillomavirus infections and low incidence high-grade cervical lesions, which may limit the usefulness of human papillomavirus testing in this cohort. We sought to estimate the usefulness of human papillomavirus testing for young women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. METHODS: A retrospective study of women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance was undertaken. Reflex human papillomavirus results and pathologic follow-up were evaluated. Age-stratified rates of human papillomavirus positivity, rates of high-grade dysplasia, and sensitivity and specificity were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 1,290 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytology were identified. The rate of human papillomavirus positivity decreased with age from 55% for those aged 25 years or younger to 12% for women aged older than 50 years (P < .001). The cumulative rate of high-grade lesions increased with age; 12% for patients aged 25 years or younger compared with 24% for women aged older than 50 years (P = .05). A negative human papillomavirus test more effectively excluded high-grade disease in the young women. No high-grade lesions were detected in the human papillomavirus negative women aged 25 years or younger compared with 3.8% of those aged older than 50 years (P = .04). The sensitivity for detection of high-grade disease was higher in women aged younger than 25 years compared with those aged older than 50 years (100% compared with 50%), whereas specificity was lower (14% compared with 44%). CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of human papillomavirus and low occurrence of high-grade lesions in young women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, a human papillomavirus–based triage strategy will result in the referral of a large number of women for colposcopy and may limit its cost-effectiveness. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III


Conducting polymers deposited onto reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) were shown to remove gold from aqueous solutions in a facile and highly efficient fashion. For acidic solutions with initial [AuCl4]− concentrations between 0.1 and 1000 ppm, gold recoveries >90% were obtained. Experiments, conducted using solutions containing 0.1 ppm [AuCl4]−, also demonstrated that the composite materials were significantly more effective at recovering gold than activated carbon. Gold removal from solutions containing [AuCl4]− and much higher concentrations of iron was highly selective. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry


The present study was designed to investigate the potential of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain was induced by placing four loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve. Acetone drop, von Frey hair, pin-prick and hot plate tests were performed to assess cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, mechanical and heat hyperalgesia, respectively. The levels of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the sciatic nerve as an inflammatory marker. CCI was associated with the development of cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, mechanical and heat hyperalgesia along with a rise in the levels of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Administration of aliskiren (25 or 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)) for 14 days in CCI-subjected rats significantly attenuated CCI-induced pain-related behavior and rise in TNF-α level. It may be concluded that aliskiren-mediated anti-inflammatory actions may be responsible for its beneficial effects in neuropathic pain in rats.


A 51-year-old woman with an inherited polyneuropathy had fatiguability and a dramatic historical response to prostigmine. Repetitive motor nerve stimulation produced a prominent decrement of the compound muscle action potential in distal muscles with marked facilitation after brief exercise. Defective neuromuscular transmission paralleled the polyneuropathy in distribution and severity. We hypothesize that deficient release of acetylcholine by regenerating or degenerating nerve terminals likely caused the defect of neuromuscular transmission in this patient.


Although there is accumulating evidence which suggests that the administration of ghrelin could be used to preserve cardiac function, delay the progression of heart failure post-myocardial infarction, and attenuate ventricular remodeling, there is still no definitive data that clearly highlights the mechanisms by which ghrelin exerts cardioprotective effects. The present study aimed to investigate whether ghrelin could affect nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and exert anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant-like actions through this signaling pathway. Rats were assorted into four groups with 10 in each: Group I (Control), Group II (received ghrelin only), Group III (MI was induced by isoproterenol (ISO)), Group IV (MI was induced by isoproterenol and within 30 min of each ISO dose, rats received ghrelin; 100 μg /kg subcutaneously two times per day). We assessed the effects of acylated ghrelin on the biochemical changes, ECG parameters, heart rate, histopathological scoring and the mRNA expression of eNOS, Nrf2 (confirmed immunohistochemically) as well as HO-1 genes in the cardiac tissues. Nuclear factor-κB, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase were assessed as inflammatory markers. Ghrelin markedly improved the oxidative stress injury and inflammation, showed histological preservation of the cardiac muscle fibers morphology, ameliorated the ISO-induced ECG changes and caused a significant elevation in eNOS, HO-1, and Nrf2 expression. In conclusion, ghrelin exerts cardioprotective effect in ISO-induced myocardial infarction by promoting the eNOS/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.


Based on missed data type-Ⅱ censored samples,the reliability performances of k/N(G) systems are studied by using Bayes method.The average lifetime of samples,the reliability function and average life are gived.In the end,the rationality and feasibility of the method are proved by means of the Monte-Carlo simulation.


Synthetic Aperture Radar SAR is a good tool to investigate problems in many geophysical application as classification of ground terrain types and coastal protection. In scientific literature, many analytical and/or numerical techniques have been taken into account to solve the classification problem at hand, especially in all of applications in which it is necessary to classify portion of images with uncertainty and imprecision. In fact, according to the conventional classification approaches, the assignment of a class to each portion of an image could be particularly inadequate for all those portions that span more than a class for example the coastal areas of the shoreline. This article is devoted to present a fuzzy-geometric approach based on fuzzy subsethood operator to classify SAR images for coastal protection applications. The obtained results were compared, in terms of accuracy, with standard techniques of classification.


This paper investigates how cloud microphysics impact global convective‐radiative quasi equilibrium on a constant-SST aquaplanet. A novel approach, the cloud-resolving convection parameterization (CRCP), also known as ''superparameterization,'' resolves both global dynamics and cloud-scale dynamics, as well as smallscale coupling among convective, radiative, and surface processes, within a single computational framework. As a result, the effects of cloud microphysics on the tropical large-scale dynamics and climate can be investigated with greater confidence than traditional approaches allow. Idealized simulations highlight extreme effects of the microphysical parameterizations to expose the impacts. The results suggest that cloud microphysics impact quasi-equilibrium temperature and moisture profiles substantially, but the relative humidity is only weakly affected. Small cloud and precipitation particles result in a climate that is warmer and moister. This is explained by the impact of cloud microphysics on the coupling between convection and surface exchange during the approach to quasi equilibrium. With interactive radiation, this effect is supplemented by gradual evolution of mean cloud fraction profiles and the mean radiative cooling. The mean quasi-equilibrium radiative cooling is weaker in the simulation featuring small cloud and precipitation particles. Cloud‐radiation interactions, explicitly treated in CRCP, play a significant role in setting up the quasiequilibrium cloudiness. The simulations further support the conjecture that the main impact of cloud microphysics in the Tropics is on the net energy budget at the ocean surface. The net energy flux into the ocean in quasi equilibrium is considerably smaller in simulations having small cloud and precipitation particles.


A 43-year-old man was admitted suffering from dyspnea on exertion and edema of the neck and face. Chest X-ray film and CT scan revealed a mediastinal tumor and a right pleural effusion. A biopsy of the tumor revealed poorly differentiated carcinoma. Severe snoring at night and excessive daytime sleepiness were noticed after admission. Nocturnal oxygen desaturation was documented with a pulse oximeter, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of results of respiratory inductive plethysmography. The severity of snoring and oxygen desaturation during sleep correlated well with the progression of facial swelling. Combination chemotherapy (carboplatin 300 mg/m2 day 1, vindesine sulfate 3 mg/m2 day 1 and 8) was started but no improvement was seen. An expandable metallic stent was inserted into the stenotic vena cava, and the facial swelling, snoring, and oxygen desaturation during sleep were promptly relieved. In this case, obstructive sleep apnea was caused by edema and vascular congestion in the upper airway, and by the decrease in pharyngeal inspiratory muscle function caused by superior vena cava syndrome.


The UV resistance of luminescent bacteria Escherichia coli AB1886 uvrA6 (pLeo1) containing the plasmid with luxCDABE genes of marine bacteria Photobacterium leiognathi is approximately two times higher than the UV resistance of non-luminous bacteria E. coli AB1886 uvrA6. Introduction of phr::kan(r) mutations (a defect in the functional activity of photolyase) into the genome of E. coli AB1886 uvrA6 (pLeo1) completely removes the high UV resistance of the cells. Therefore, photoreactivation that involves bacterial photolyase contributes mainly to the bioluminescence-induced DNA repair. It is shown that photoreactivating activity of bioluminescence of P. leiognathi is about 2.5 times lower compared with that one induced by a light source with λ > 385 nm. It is also shown that an increase in the bioluminescence intensity, induced by UV radiation in E. coli bacterial cells with a plasmid containing the luxCD ABE genes under RecA-LexA-regulated promoters, occurs only 25-30 min later after UV irradiation of cells and does not contribute to DNA repair. A quorum sensing regulatory system is not involved in the DNA repair by photolyase.


We point out that our lattice host Hamiltonian in eq. (1) does not directly produce the electron-electron scattering matrix used in our calculations. To obtain the factorizable form of the two-particle host scattering matrix given in the paragraph following eq. (1), one must first linearize the dispersion of the itinerant electrons about the Fermi levels (with the Fermi velocity normalized to unity). The linearized impurity Hamiltonian is constructed from the lattice form, eq. (3), in a similar way. With a linearized spectrum all our results for the behavior of the magnetic impurity remain valid.


Luminescent solar concentrator samples using PMMA / SiO2 composites as the matrix with Erythrosine B are prepared. Three films of PMMA/ silica composition ration (70:30) %, (50:50) % and (30:70) % are prepared. The photostability of Erythrosine B doped PMMA/SiO2 composites is examined through four weeks exposure to sunlight. The obtained results show that the stability of collector increases with the increasing silica content. Moreover, the transition energy for electrons are direct allowed transition for all examined samples and the value of optical gap energy (Eg) decreases with the increasing the silica content. However, the tail width of localized states in the band gap (Eu) decreases with the increasing exposure time due to the degradation of the dye. Emission spectra and quantum efficiency are also investigated. Erythrosine B is shown to have a higher fluorescence quantum yield in (30:70) % matrix. Collectively, these results suggest that PMMA/SiO2 composites provide the better system for use in fluorescent solar collector systems. Keyword -PMMA; PMMA/SiO2 composites; Erythrosine B; Photostability; Fluorescence quantum yield


The introduction of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) has enhanced Vitreoretinal Interface (VRI) imaging considerably and facilitated the diagnosis, followup, prognosis determination, and management of VRI-associated pathologies. HR-OCT became a common practical tool seen in almost every ophthalmology practice. Knowledge of SD-OCT image interpretation and recognition of pathologies are required for all ophthalmologists. This paper methodically reviews the normal aging process of the VRI and discusses several commonly encountered VRI pathologies. The role of SD-OCT imaging in VRI-associated disorders such as posterior vitreous detachment, vitreomacular traction syndrome, idiopathic epiretinal membranes, lamellar holes, pseudoholes, and full thickness macular holes is portrayed. Future perspectives of new OCT technologies based on SD-OCT are discussed.


Integrated water resource management (IWRM) has become a focal point of discussion
about water management. While there are differences in viewpoint regarding IWRM's use and
effectiveness, two key elements that are discussed in relation to the concept of IWRM are
1) developing more holistic perspectives, and 2) engaging stakeholders in water management
processes. We investigate the relationship between these two key elements of IWRM and water
management practices associated with Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLS) in the United
States (US). Drawing data from all 63 TMDL reports approved by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (USEPA) between 1998 and 2006 for the states of Ohio and West Virginia, we assess
whether these key elements of IWRM are incorporated into TMDL practices. We also conduct
preliminary tests to assess the relationship between these key elements of IWRM and watershed
restoration progress as perceived by state environmental officials.
The data we collect suggest that Ohio and West Virginia are creating holistic information on
watershed management as they develop TMDL reports and that they are engaging stakeholders
in TMDL processes in a number of cases. We also find positive associations between the incorporation
of key elements of IWRM and perceived progress in watershed restoration. The data we
present also suggest that steps are being taken to implement TMDLs in Ohio and West Virginia,
but they indicate that the progress being achieved is modest compared to the ambitious goals
of the American Clean Water Act. Our data and analyses are limited in several key respects.
However, they do suggest that broad-based watershed planning and stakeholder engagement—
practices consistent with IWRM—may contribute positively to TMDL implementation and
watershed restoration progress. They also suggest that TMDL processes could play a positive
role in supporting more aggressive IWRM efforts in the future.
Keywords: water pollution, water policy, Clean Water Act (CWA), Total Maximum Daily
Loads (TMDLs), Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), holistic water management,
stakeholder engagement, collaborative watershed management.