In this paper, optimal unsupervised motor learning is defined to be a technique for finding the coordinate system of minimum dimensionality which can adequately describe a particular motor task. An explicit method is provided for learning a stable controller that translates commands within the new coordinate system into motor variables appropriate for plant control. The method makes use of previously described neural network algorithms including the generalized Hebbian algorithm, basis-function trees, and trajectory extension learning. Examples of applications to a real direct-drive two joint planar robot arm and a simulated three joint robot arm with visual sensing are given.


Using conjugation of Shimura varieties, we produce nonisomorphic, cocompact, torsion-free lattices in $\mathrm{PU}(n,1)$ with isomorphic profinite completions for all $n \ge 2$. This disproves a conjecture of D. Kazhdan and gives the first examples nonisomorphic lattices in a semisimple Lie group of real rank one with isomorphic profinite completions, answering two questions of A. Reid.


The role of accounting and financial reporting are a key factor that determines many decisions that are taken on a daily or short term basis.
Today, in complex and modern conditions of market and capital action we must not think without having certain financial indicators at all. There is special significance of the state financial reporting no matter of the method of calculation that is used.
Here, I emphasize the importance of setting the goals that will determine the accounting basis and the future accounting policies of the state - government and governmental organizations. The provision of useful satisfying information is the main purpose determined by the accounting information system. Determining users of such information and the possibility of comparing financial statements is also an important goal. The selection of data shown in the balance sheets of financial and non-financial character becomes very important for government units that work for general purposes.
Namely, the quality of government financial reporting is also reflected in the correctness of the decisions of the managers.
As a matter of fact, based on the data and information in the financial statements, plans for the future development of the organization or unit are created.
In fact, government financial reporting may use a cash basis for accounting and may be presented as a financial reporting on an accrual basis, or an accounting for an occurrence. The same bases are used both as a modified cash basis and a modified accrual basis. Acceptance of a modified cash basis is most often associated with additional disclosure. The application of a specific period is usually the reason for its use. While a modified accrual basis is most often associated with the acceptance or non-acceptance of certain types of assets or sources of funds.
Keywords: state - government, financial reporting, basis for calculation.


PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review describes significant basic science and clinical advances in the field of pancreatic neoplasms.

RECENT FINDINGS
Some of the genetic and molecular bases for the aggressive behavior of pancreatic cancer have been uncovered, and new targets for therapy have been identified. Various techniques for diagnosis and staging of this disease-endoscopic ultrasound, laparoscopy-continue to undergo evaluation. Surgical results show slightly improved long-term survival, and perioperative mortality rates remain low. The concept that locally invasive pancreatic cancer can be effectively downstaged and later resected has been called into question. Regional chemotherapy has shown promise, especially when combined with immunotherapy. Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors continue to be commonly encountered and their development and clinical course intensely studied. Acinar cell carcinomas are rare pancreatic neoplasms associated with postresection survival longer than ductal adenocarcinoma but shorter than endocrine carcinoma. Neoplasms metastatic to the pancreas can be resected safely and with improved survival compared with nonsurgical therapies.

SUMMARY
The treatment of pancreatic neoplasms remains a major challenge for physicians and surgeons. Future progress requires sound scientific inquiry and continued clinical diligence.


Activated carbon can be made of organic or anorganic materials. Salak peel is a potential organic material as activated carbon. This research aimed to understand the effect of temperature in activated carbon with chemical activation ZnCl2 production from salak peel. The method included preparation of raw material, chemical activation, pyrolysis and iodine value test. The ratio of ZnCl2 is1:1 g/g, the activation time is 2 hours and the acivation temperature variation is 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 C. Results showed that the iodine value increased and yield decreased as the increasing of activation temperature. The highest iodine value and yield were achieved at 600°C and 400°C, the values were 694 mg/g and 30,93%.


Specific binding of target suspended metastatic cancer cells to an antibody-functionalized surface utilizing a microfluidic device has experimentally been investigated under various conditions. The microfluidic devices, fabricated in silicon using DRIE process, consisted of a 5×5 micochamber array; each 1mm×1mm in area, and 50μm in depth. The oxide surface of the microchammber array was functionalized with various antibodies immobilized on a protein G layer. The microfluidic device design allows accurate counting of cells loaded into each microchamber and, thus, enabling a reliable counting of cells captured from homogeneous suspensions. The effects of cell suspension concentration, incubation times and ambient temperature on cell capture efficiency have been examined. Furthermore, to evaluate the specificity of the cell-surface interaction, several cell cancer types expressing different membrane receptors have been incubated on surfaces functionalized with various counter receptors. Specific binding of up to 100% of the suspended cells is observed when using surfaces functionalized with counter receptors matching the cell receptors; otherwise, non-specific binding of less than 15% of suspended cells is obtained if the functionalized counter receptors do not match the cell receptors.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


We contribute a qualitative investigation of how teens with visual impairments (VIP) access smartphone photography, from the time they take photos through editing and sharing them on social media. We observed that they largely want to engage with photos visually, similarly to their sighted peers, and have developed strategies around photo capture, editing, sharing, and consumption that attempt to mitigate usability limitations of current photography and social media apps. We demonstrate the need for more work examining how young people with low vision engage with smartphone photography and social media, as they are heavy users of such technologies and have challenges distinct from their totally blind counterparts. We conclude with design considerations to alleviate the usability barriers we uncovered and for making smartphone photography and social media more accessible and relevant for VIPs.


We investigate elastic-plastic adhesive wear via a continuum variational phase-field approach. The model seamlessly captures the transition from perfectly brittle, over quasibrittle to elastic-plastic wear regimes, as the ductility of the contacting material increases. Simulation results highlight the existence of a critical condition that morphological features and material ductility need to satisfy for the adhesive junction to detach a wear debris. We propose a new criterion to discriminate between noncritical and critical asperity contacts, where the former produce negligible wear while the latter lead to significant debris formation.


A number of applications, such as mobile robots or automated vehicles, use LiDAR sensors to obtain detailed information about their three-dimensional surroundings. Many methods use image-like projections to efficiently process these LiDAR measurements and use deep convolutional neural networks to predict semantic classes for each point in the scan. The spatial stationary assumption enables the usage of convolutions. However, LiDAR scans exhibit large differences in appearance over the vertical axis. Therefore, we propose semi local convolution (SLC), a convolution layer with reduced amount of weight-sharing along the vertical dimension. We are first to investigate the usage of such a layer independent of any other model changes. Our experiments did not show any improvement over traditional convolution layers in terms of segmentation IoU or accuracy.


Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of soft tissue is a rare tumor. We present a case of MFH in the bicipital muscle. Local muscle hypertrophy or lesions of the long tendon of the bicipital muscle may be a difficult differential diagnosis. This case is used for outlining advantages of ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In conventional radiography MFH is seen as a soft-tissue tumor sometimes involving the bone. CT is the best way to test bone involvement. Tumor extension will be assessed with great accuracy by means of ultrasonics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


This paper presents time-resolved and space-integrated laser-induced breakdown spectroscopic (LIBS) analysis of copper and brass plasma. It was observed that copper emission is very strong during the first hundred nanoseconds of the plasma, but then some lines (e.g., at 327.4 nm) decrease in intensity, while others (e.g., 521.8 nm) slightly increase. Zinc lines, on the other hand, did not decrease significantly in intensity even two microseconds after ablation, but they became narrower due to the decrease of the density of free electrons. Copper line intensities showed the same characteristics regardless whether the plasma was created in a metallic copper or brass sample. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, plasma temperature, and electron density is obtained from Boltzmann plot and Lorentzian profile fitting, respectively. The effect of subsequent irradiation on the same spot was investigated, and the number of necessary shots for surface cleaning was determined.


Timing nutrient application to periods of high nutrient demand could increase nutrient use efficiency and reduce the potential for fertilizer leaching or runoff. However, current recommendations for field nursery and landscape ornamentals (extension publications) suggest fertilizing in late fall and early spring despite research with perennial fruit crops that demonstrates low uptake potential during those times. Research is needed to resolve this apparent conflict. Application rates for woody ornamentals, established in the 1960s and 1970s, also need reexamination in the light of environmental concerns.


PECS or Picture Exchange Communication System, involving teaching individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to use the picture cards for requesting items and activities; it has been used with not only the individuals with ASD, but also their families and teachers with notably success. Despite the much progress achieved so far, to our knowledge, there are very few dedicated PECS (software) application available in Chinese. Motivated by these previous research, we are developing a highly customizable and contextually expandable PECS system embedded with augmented aids and some additional communication abilities. In particular, our system can not only offer content-authoring tools but also expands picture vocabularies by automatically offering context-sensitive picture cards (via location- and event sensing) for users to make on-demand request through WeChat, one of the most used social communication tools in China. Last but not the least, the simpler version with typical PECS capabilities with message-sending module has also been loaded in a children's tablet which makes our PECS very affordable for Chinese children's use in rural areas.


This paper introduces the ISPAES algorithm for circuit design targeting a Field Programmable Transistor Array (FPTA). The use of evolutionary algorithms is common in circuit design problems, where a single fitness function drives the evolution process. Frequently, the design problem is subject to several goals or operating constraints, thus, designing a suitable fitness function catching all requirements becomes an issue. Such a problem is amenable for multiobjective optimization, however, evolutionary algorithms lack an inherent mechanism for constraint handling. This paper introduces ISPAES, an evolutionary optimization algorithm enhanced with a constraint handling technique. Several design problems targeting a FPTA show the potential of our approach.


By means of the allegorical tragedy Palamedes (1625), Vondel accused stadholder Maurits of the unlawful execution of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619. Vondel's appeal to truth can be considered as genuine revelation or as rhetorical ploy. This tension between authenticity and rhetoric sets the theoretical framework of parrhesia (frank speech), developed by the late Michel Foucault (1978-1984). Following Foucault, Vondel's truth claim becomes visible as the symptom of a 'crisis of truth' in the Dutch Republic, where political discourse, due to its decentralised structure, was unable to produce 'truth' for the well-being of the state. As a result political deadlocks formed a recurring problem; the seventeenth century is punctuated with examples of – predominantly – the stadholder bypassing politics by apolitical means. Analysing the power processes of 1618-1619 and 1625 in terms of discourse, their resonance in Vondel's Palamedes can be made visible. The primary aim of this article is to demonstrate how the motif of parrhesia in the paratext of Palamedes can be related to the structural confrontation between discourses in the Dutch Republic. To do so, I will successively analyse the paratext of Palamedes , the social network behind the publication, and the political constellation of 1625. I will, in turn, feed back the results to the paratext and show how the sequence of deadlocks and break-throughs in Dutch politics resonates in the text as an allegorical dynamics of concealment and revelation. On a methodological level I aim to demonstrate the relevance of Foucault's concept of parrhesia for the analysis of texts that functioned in the political discourse of the Dutch Republic and which made an appeal to truth. Accordingly, this study will contribute a historical perspective on twenty-first century political discourse, where parrhesia is again gathering momentum.


Use your smartphone to scan this QR code and download this article ABSTRACT So far the students of Le Hong Phong Junior High School, Phan Rang Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan province have been taught listening comprehension with textbook-based language materials which are too obsolete. Therefore, the students are often fed up with listening lessons; thus, their listening skill fails to improve after studying listening with textbooks for many years. Stimulated by this reality, the current study was carried out to investigate the effects of the adaptation of language materials in teaching listening on students' achievement of listening skill development. To obtain the above target, a conceptual framework of teaching listening with adapted language materials was developed. This framework was based on the theories of teaching listening and the implementation of language materials adaptation in listening skill instruction. Following the shaped conceptual framework, a training program with six listening lessons within the prescribed curriculum of ``Tiếng Anh 8'' by the MoET was conducted. The treatment lasted nearly four months from the middle of August 2018 to the end of November 2018 at Le Hong Phong Junior High School, Phan Rang Thap Cham City, Ninh Thuan province. The results of the current study have shown that after the treatment of listening instruction with adapted language materials, students' achievement was proved to be significant in improving their listening skill. Also, teaching listening with adapted language materials got positive attitudes from the students. That is to say, adapted languagematerials were effective in improving students' listening skill development. Also, all the adapted listening texts and follow-up tasks highly met students' satisfaction. Accordingly, two major conclusions could be withdrawn from the findings that language materials adaptation was effective in (1) improving the students' listening skill, and (2) enhancing their interest in the listening lessons.


Objective

The optimal hospital performance and optimal use of resources are among the goals of healthcare policymakers. This study aimed to assess the association between hospital size and hospital area population with technical efficiency in public hospitals .
Methods

In this descriptive-analytical study, the statistical population consisted of 15 public hospitals in the west of Iran. First, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was used to evaluate technical efficiency. Data inputs included staff and beds, and data outputs consisted of the number of surgeries, the number of patients, and the average length of stay. Then, according to the public ownership of all hospitals, their educational and therapeutic activities, as well as their size and population were considered as the environmental factor affecting efficiency. Thus, Tobit regression was applied to measure their effects on efficiency.
Results

The average technical efficiency of the studied hospitals, the average management efficiency, and the average efficiency of the scale were 0.933, 0.951, and 0.977, respectively. Out of the total evaluated hospitals, six and nine hospitals had an efficiency of less than one and one, respectively. Moreover, the size of the hospital and the population as the environment variable were significant in the Tobit model. Our regression demonstrated that although the size of the hospital is positively associated with its technical efficiency, the hospital population negatively affects hospital efficiency.
Conclusion

According to the size and area population of the hospitals, they decrease their inputs to maximize their efficacy by optimizing their surplus amounts. It would be possible for policy-makers to examine the least efficient hospitals to correct widespread inefficiency.


Introduction To date, there is no standard treatment for Morbihan disease. Several studies have reported that Morbihan disease responds well to systemic corticosteroids (prednisone and prednisolone), systemic antibiotics (tetracyclines), antihistamines (ketotifen) and surgical therapy (Lymphaticovenous anastomosis). To our knowledge, Tofacitinib, as a Janus-activated kinase (JAK) inhibitor, plays a vital role in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Therefore, Tofacitinib may be a promising medical option for patients with Morbihan disease. Case Presentation The first case involves a 43-year-old Chinese man who presented a 12-month history of progressive painless swelling of the left upper eyelid. According to the skin biopsy, perivascular dermal edema with dilatation of lymphatic vessels and telangiectasia was observed, accompanied by mixed lymphocyte infiltrate, including histiocytes, plasma cells, and a few eosinophils. The second case involves a Chinese female patient who presented a 2-year history of progressive left-sided facial edema, which was eventually diagnosed as Morbihan disease. The skin biopsy revealed lymphocyte infiltration in the superficial vessels of dermis and some accessories. Based on patients' clinical presentation, skin biopsy results, and exclusion of differential diagnoses such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), they were diagnosed with Morbihan disease. They were both treated with Tofacitinib (5mg, po twice daily). Outcomes Patient 1 underwent a trial of Tofacitinib at a dosage of 5 mg twice daily for one month, with notable improvement. His edema and erythema present on the left face were alleviated. Patient 1 reduced the dosage of Tofacitinib by half (5mg, once daily) and continued using it for 5 months. During the 6-month follow-up, the facial erythema in the patient subsided, and there was a noticeable improvement in the swelling of the left eyelid compared to before. Patient 2, her lesions gradually improved after one-week treatment. She received a one-month treatment of Tofacitinib, and during the subsequent six-month follow-up, there was no evidence of eruption recurrence. Conclusion We present the first cases of two patients receiving short-term Tofacitinib as therapy for Morbihan disease and retrieving huge succession. Tofacitinib may be a promising oral alternative for patients with Morbihan disease. However, its safety and efficacy require further assessment through clinical trials.


The Fano-Mies theory of configuration interaction is applied to the photoionization of diatomic molecules, yielding an expression which gives the relative intensity of vibrational peaks in photoelectron spectra when one or more autoionizing states are in the vicinity of the excitation energy. In some cases the vibrational intensity distribution depends only on Franck-Condon factors connecting autoionizing and final states. Illustrative calculations for O2 show the transition from this limit to the limit of direct photoionization as the line profile index decreases.


In this study, thermal stability of the mechanical properties of Ni-P-B and Ni-P-Fe layers electroplated on Alloy 600 material was evaluated by measuring their microhardness, tensile strength, and elongation after heat treatment at and . According to the results, there was no noticeable change in microhardness of the two electrodeposits before and after heat treatment at the temperatures for 30 days. In the case of a Ni-P-B electrodeposit, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) slightly increases with heat treatment time, while its elongation decreases, showing good thermal stability in the mechanical properties at high temperature. On the other hand, UTS and elongation of Ni-P-Fe decrease with heat treatment time, which is very unusual observation. This result was attributed to the bad microstructure of Ni-P-Fe having many defects in the deposit formed early stage of an electroplating process and their redistribution to link to become large ones during heat treatment.


Due to the key roles of auxins as master regulators of plant growth, there is considerable interest in the development of compounds with auxin-like properties for growth management and weed control applications. Herein, we describe the design and multistep synthesis of ten compounds bearing combinations of functional groups commonly associated with auxin-type properties. Following synthesis, these compounds were tested against multiple weed species as well as sweet corn. In general, while these structures were not quite as active as commercial auxin mimic herbicides, multiple compounds exhibited broadleaf weed activity with concurrent selectivity in sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharum). In addition, differential results were observed upon subtle changes to structure, providing insights into the structural properties required for activity.


Gynecologic Cancer by James A. Corscaden. 3rd Edition. Pp. xi+574. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox. 1962. 84/-. Since its appearance in 1951 this book has established itself as an authoritative work on gynaecological cancer. After a short introduction concerning the incidence of cancer of the female genital tract the author in each section emphasises the importance of early diagnosis. The opinions expressed are in accord with current British thought as exemplified by advocating fractional curettage in endometrial cancer prior to definitive therapy. Orthodox views as regards therapy have been stressed and no discernible bias is noted. A chapter is devoted to the management of the cancer patient which includes a philosophical discussion concerning the important question of whether or not to tell the patient that she has cancer. Tn the same chapter the available chemotherapeutic agents are critically reviewed and, as is the experience in Glasgow, the only compound which has achieved clinical cures to date is Methotrexate and that only in cases of choriocarcinoma. The incorporation of a chapter on the menopause appears illogical in such a book, although the author accounts for this by the fact that cancer in any region of the body has long been associated with the cessation of menstruation. All in all this is a good volume adequately covering each type of gynaecological cancer and a full bibliography is appended to each chapter.


This is an applied research report on the exploitation of reverse engineering technology acquired through the ESPRIT DOCKET Project. It describes three efforts to implement this technology in business applications at the Bremer Warehouse Company, the Technical University of Manchester and the Union Bank of Switzerland. In all three instances, reverse engineering was used to extract knowledge from existing source code and database structures, in order to build a bridge from the current operating software to a planned CASE environment. In all three instances, automated tools developed within the scope of the DOCKET Project were used. The report shows that much remains to be done to really fulfil the requirements of industry.


The evaluation of error-probability bounds for binary detection problems involving continuons-time stochastic processes as signals is considered. These bounds are of interest because, in even the simplest detection problems, the computation of the exact probabilities of error is usually mathematically intractable. The method used consists of applying some results from martingale theory to detection and estimation problems. Only discontinuous observations that contain the rate process associated with a counting process are considered. The problem addressed is to evaluate Chernoff bounds on error probabilities for the likelihood-ratio test. The solution procedure consists of a measure transformation technique that makes it possible to obtain an expression for the Chernoff bound in terms of an expectation of a multiplicative functional of the conditional mean signal (rate process) estimates. If the processes involved are Markov, it is then possible to represent the above expression as a solution to a partial differential equation that is derived from the backward equation of Kolmogorov. The above procedure is repeated when the optimal estimates are replaced by suboptimal estimates. Examples are given to illustrate the technique.


In our experiments with an in vitro culture of rat cardiac cells, we identified and described for the first time the phenomenon of intracellular development of CSCs in mature CMs with formation of the "cell-in-cell structures" (CICSs). Recently, we have confirmed the reproducibility of our results and existence of this phenomenon in rats of different age groups, 1-year-old bull, adult mice and humans. Moreover, we demonstrated the 5–10 times increase in the amount of CICSs after exposure of in vitro cultures to hypoxia and acidosis, that is, these conditions stimulate intracellular development of CSCs. Our data strongly suggest that transitory amplifying cells (TACs), which release from CICSs, are present as a very rare cell population in adult and old rats. Therefore, we assume that TACs are important for renewal of myocardium during ontogenesis. TACs should be considered as the major source of cells that can reduce myocardial damage in adult mammals with various pathologies of the cardiovascular system. In conclusion, precise and exhaustive analysis of the phenomenon of intracellular development of CSCs, CICSs and TACs will pave the way for cell technologies of new generation in regenerative medicine.


Gonocytes (or prospermatogonia) are the precursors to spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which provide the foundation for spermatogenesis through their ability to both self-renew and generate daughter cells. Despite their relative importance, the regulatory mechanisms that govern gonocyte maintenance and transition to SSCs are poorly understood. Recently, we reported that constitutive activation of NOTCH1 signaling in Sertoli cells causes gonocyte exit from quiescence—the first suggestion of the potential role of this signaling pathway in the testis. This Extra View will review what is known about NOTCH signaling, particularly in Sertoli cells and germ cells in the testes, by providing a background on germ cell biology and a summary of our recently published data on NOTCH1 signaling in Sertoli cells. We also describe additional data showing that aberrant proliferation and differentiation of gonocytes in response to constitutive activation of NOTCH1 signaling in Sertoli cells involves de novo expression of cell cycle proteins and a marked upregulation of the KIT receptor. These data further suggest that NOTCH signaling orchestrates a dynamic balance between maintenance and differentiation of gonocytes in the perinatal testis.


Synopsis Llandovery (Lower Silurian) crinoids are rare in the British Isles. The oldest articulated crinoids from the Silurian of Scotland are from the Newlands Formation (upper Rhuddanian or lower Aeronian) of Rough Neuk Quarry, near Girvan, Ayrshire. Articulated crinoid arms of a taxon new to this site are interpreted to be a cladid sp. indet. Comparison with other Silurian cladids is inconclusive, but the Rough Neuk specimen may be close to Dendrocrinus.


In earthquake prone areas, columns of many relatively old RC (reinforced concrete) structures do not comply with the current seismic design codes, particularly in developing countries. Low concrete strength, improper seismic detailing of transverse reinforcement and high axial stresses on the columns are common problems causing lack of sufficient ductility under seismic forces. External jacketing of substandard columns by spraying GFRM (glass fiber re-inforced mortar) is a new, practical and feasible method to overcome these deficiencies, particularly for the cases where access to the structural members is limited. In this study, the effects of cross-sectional aspect ratio (h/b) of columns on effectiveness of external jacketing with sprayed GFRM are investigated experimentally. For this purpose, four full scale RC columns were tested under constant axial load (0.35f ' c A g ) and cyclic lateral displacement rever-sals before and after seismic retrofit with sprayed GFRM jacket. The cross-sectional aspect ratios of two columns were 2.0, whereas the cross-sectional aspect ratio was 4.0 for the other two columns. The structural responses of the columns are discussed through hysteretic and envelope load-displacement curves. The test results show that sprayed GFRM jacketing improves lateral ductility of the substandard columns significantly. It is also shown that the method is effective for the columns with high cross-sectional aspect ratios. Keywords


Guest Editors' Note: The Fugitive Literacies Collective is a constellation of critical scholar-friends of color assembled from the 2016-18 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Cultivating New Voices among Scholars of Color (CNV) cohort. The Collective is committed to resisting hegemonic academic norms and mores. Our members think, study, write, and publish together in an intentional effort to irradiate the knowledges, complexities, and tensions that percolate when possibilities for the real or fictive liberation of historically marginalized and dehumanized persons and communities are embraced as desirable and worthwhile purposes for educational research(ers). The Collective seeks to embody and animate humanizing approaches to the intellectual labor of scholarship by enacting collaborations that honor a horizontal approach to the co-construction of knowledges while also highlighting literacies that break from educational practices that are inextricably rooted in anti-black, racist, and colonialist ideologies. This special issue of English Education features work from a fraction of the collective that theorizes and illustrates fugitive literacies by variously examining ways of knowing and meaning-making practices across multimodalities. The issue opens with an introductory editorial written by CNV cofounder Carol Lee that sets the stage for the ensuing critical conversations. To borrow from the Combahee River Collective, this issue is our proclamation to the world that we choose—and are ready for—a lifetime of work as freedom-seeking scholars of liberatory literacies.


It is now widely recognized that ontologies, are one of the fundamental cornerstones of knowledge based systems. What is lacking, however, is a currently accepted strategy of how to build ontology; what kinds of the resources and techniques are indispensables to optimize the expenses and the time on the one hand and the amplitude, the completeness, the robustness of en ontology on the other hand. The paper offers a semi-automatic ontology construction method from text corpora in the domain of radiological protection. This method is composed from next steps: 1) text annotation with part-of-speech tags; 2) revelation of the significant linguistic structures and forming the templates; 3) search of text fragments corresponding to these templates; 4) basic ontology instantiation process.


Merobatzelladines A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from a marine sponge Monanchora sp. as antibacterial constituents. Their structures including relative stereochemistry were determined by interpretation of spectral data. The absolute stereochemistry of merobatzelladine B (2) was elucidated after introduction of the fourth ring system preinstalled with a secondary hydroxyl group to which the modified Mosher method was applied. Merobatzelladines exhibit moderate anti-infective activity against a bacterium and protozoa.


We report exact quantum dynamics calculations of the eigenstate energy levels for the bound rovibrational states of the Ar2Ne complex, across the range of J values for which such states are observed (J = 0–35). All calculations have been carried out using the ScalIT suite of parallel codes. These codes employ a combination of highly efficient methods, including phase-space optimized discrete variable representation, optimal separable basis, and preconditioned inexact spectral transform (PIST) methods, together with an effective massive parallelization scheme. The Ar2Ne energy levels were computed using a pair-wise Aziz potential plus a three-body correction, in Jacobi co-ordinates. Effective potentials for the radial co-ordinates are constructed, which reveal important physical insight into the two distinct dissociation pathways, Ar2Ne → NeAr + Ar and Ar2Ne → Ar2 + Ne. A calculation of the bound vibrational (J = 0) levels, computed using the Tang–Toennies potential, is also performed for comparison with results from the previous literature.


The characteristics of a thermo-sensitive electrical parameter used to estimate the junction temperature of power MOSFETs are presented. In particular, the dependence on temperature of the voltage appearing across the forward-biased body-diode at fixed currents is carefully investigated experimentally in order to optimize linearity and sensitivity. Error, resolution and repeatability are also discussed. The intrinsic diodes have been characterized in a wide working temperature range, namely between 25 °C and 175 °C, and for 1000 fixed probe currents between 10 $\mu \text{A}$ and 10 mA. The results show that the temperature sensor has high sensitivity and high linearity. It is shown that the best trade-off between sensitivity and linearity can be obtained in a particular bias current range. Finally, the sensor long-term stability has been tested.


A video containing multiple objects in rotational and translational motion is analyzed through a combination of spatial and frequency domain representations. It is argued that the combined analysis can take advantage of the strengths of both representations. Initial estimates of constant, as well as time-varying, translation and rotation velocities are obtained from frequency analysis. Improved motion estimates and motion segmentation for the case of translation are achieved by integrating spatial and Fourier domain information. For combined rotational and translational motions, the frequency representation is used for motion estimation, but only spatial information can be used to separate and extract the independently moving objects. The proposed algorithms are tested on synthetic and real videos.


Abstract A model for the residual effect of previous years' treatment with the mycoinsecticide Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum has been constructed based on field data from treatment of two different grasshopper species in east Niger. This model was incorporated in an earlier developed simulation model to evaluate control strategies for the grasshopper Oedaleus senegalensis in West Africa and the model system was used to assess the potential importance of second year's residual effects for the efficiency of different treatment strategies. It has earlier been hypothesized that the persistence of M. anisopliae and the ability of this agent to impose long-term control on grasshopper populations through secondary cycling in some cases might render the use of M. anisopliae more efficient than the use of chemical insecticides like fenitrothion. Results show that this effect is possible if M. anisopliae is used in a repetitive treatment strategy where control operations are concentrated in the main millet production areas.


The paper gives a survey of results on hypoellipticity of second order differential operators. In particular, our new theorems together with earlier results give a necessary and sufficient condition for hypoellipticity of a general second order differential operator with analytic coefficients, provided that it is not fully degenerate at any point of the domain. We dedicate this paper to I. G. Petrovskii on the occasion of his seventieth birthday.


Penney's excellent review on natriuretic peptides lists exercise prior to sampling as a potential cause for a false-positive brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in relation to chronic heart failure (CHF). This, however, is based on studies reporting a percentage rather than a more relevant absolute increase in BNP after exercise in healthy young men and marathon runners. We studied serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (Elecsys proBNP, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) during an exercise electrocardiogram test in a more representative group of 64 patients without CHF (34 women and 30 men aged 56.5713.5 years [mean7SD]). Subjects exercised for 7.073.3min to an intensity of 8.473.3 Metabolic Equivalents. Serum NT-proBNP, 15min after exercise, was higher than at rest (59.3752.9 and 54.0747.8 ng/L, respectively; Po0.0001 [paired t-test]). The absolute and percentage increases in NT-proBNP after exercise were 5.176.2 ng/L and 11.279.2%, respectively. In all subjects, post-exercise serum NT-proBNP concentrations remained within ageand gender-derived reference ranges. McNairy et al. reported that exercise increases BNP by 55%, 30% and 19% in controls, patients with mild CHFand patients with moderate to severe CHF, respectively. Of greater relevance, however, they similarly reported that post-exercise BNP values in control subjects were within the reference range. Subjects presenting with dyspnoea are likely to have reduced exercise capacity. Pragmatically, therefore, exercise is unlikely to cause false-positive BNP or NTproBNP results in patients being investigated for CHF.


Abstract A report is presented on the advantages of the rapid interphase chromosome assay (RICA) and the difficulties that may be met while implementing this method for application in biological dosimetry. The RICA test can be applied on unstimulated human lymphocytes; this is an advantage in comparison with the dicentric chromosomes or micronucleus tests. In the former two tests, stimulated lymphocytes are examined and hence, 48 h more are needed to obtain cells traversing the cell cycle. Due to the use of unstimulated nondividing cells, higher numbers of cells are available for RICA analysis than for dicentric chromosomes or micronuclei tests. Moreover, the method can be applied after exposure to ionizing radiation doses in excess of 5 Gy. Such doses cause a significant cell cycle delay or result in the loss of G2 phase and mitotic cells because of apoptosis. Therefore, the traditional biodosimetry based on the evaluation of the incidence of damage to chromosomes is very difficult to carry out. This is due to the lack of an adequate number of mitotic cells for analysis. RICA is free of this disadvantage. An automatic microscope can be used to retrieve cell images; automatic image analysis can also be used.


Rapid turnover of patients in a general hospital psychiatric unit demands stabilization and discharge as soon as possible. It is likely that patients are being prematurely discharged because of this pressure. Aim: The study sought to analyse admissions to an acute psychiatric unit with a view to determining the demographic distribution of the patients, duration of stay, and patterns of substance abuse with specific emphasis on patients discharged within seven days of admission. Method: One hundred and thirty five consecutive patients, 18 years and older, who were admitted to the unit during a three-month period were included in the study. The data was obtained from a questionnaire, completed by the doctor on discharge. Results: Nearly 40% of the patients were discharged within seven days of admission. Most of the patients were youthful, substance abusing males with a past psychiatric history of either an Axis I or a co-morbid Axis II disorder, and had defaulted on their regular follow up. Conclusion: The profile of the short stay admissions suggests that our concerns regarding premature discharge are unjustified. Keywords: Acute admissions, Psychiatric, General hospital South African Psychiatry Review - November 2002


Different established cell lines (SK-v human keratinocytes, B16F10 mouse melanoma, Muntjac fibroblasts, 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, CLV human fibroblasts) as well as primary cultures of mouse fibroblasts and giant cells were treated with N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu(O-t-butyl)-Ala-leucinal (proteasome inhibitor, PSI), a specific inhibitor of the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome. PSI induced well characterized morphological changes in all cell lines studied, including vacuolization and accumulation of perinuclear aggregates, as detected by amido black staining. Together with previous reports on HeLa cells, the present findings support the hypothesis that ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent proteolysis does not occur randomly in the entire cell, but it is concentrated in a well defined perinuclear region, the proteolytic center.


INTRODUCTION
The STAT proteins are the mediators in the signal transduction in between extracellular environment and nucleus. Based on its own activity STATs regulate expression of genes involved in normal and pathological cellular processes. Constitutive STAT3 activation, the results of different cytokines inductions, has been shown in many primary human cancers. STAT3, as an oncogenic protein, plays an important role in the regulation of autonomous properties of cancer cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this study the effectiveness of the STAT3 gene expression activity silencing with RNA interference method was assessed. pSUPER.neo shRNA coding expression vector: shRNA-STAT3 and control vectors: shRNA-SCR, and pGFP were used. Effects of silencing of the examined gene was described as the phenotype changes of modulated HeLa (CCL-2) cancer cell line. To characterize modulated cancer cells phenotype changes two methods were applied: Wound Healing Assay and the stimulation to the apoptosis with anisomycin.

RESULTS
According to control cells, the silencing of the STAT3 gene expression activity reduced the mobility of modulated cells as well after 24 as after 48 hours after modulation. Also, after anisomycin stimulation the increasing in apoptotic modulated cell death was seen.

CONCLUSIONS
The inhibition of the activity of the STAT3 gene decreases HeLa cell migration, moreover the blocked STAT3 ability to the antyapoptotic gene expression activation leads to the increased susceptibility to apoptotic cell death.


There is no maintenance of actual record of fuel filled and fuel consumption in vehicles. To avoid this we are implementing a ARM based fuel monitoring and vehicle tracking system. We have used the reed switch which works according to the principle of Hall Effect which sense the amount of fuel filled in the vehicle and amount of fuel consumed. This system stores the record for several logs[ 1]. we have used the GSM technology to track the vehicle. In this paper, the implementation of embedded control system based on the ARM is presented. The embedded control system can achieve many tasks like effective fleet management, such as fuel monitoring,antithefting, vehicle tracking. Using GMS vehicle tracking technology and viewing interactive maps enable us to see where it was losing money, time and wasting fuel. GSM system is installed in the vehicle for sending the information to the owner of the vehicle. costs of Fuel is rising constantly so it challenge fleet operators to maintain movement of vehicles and monitor driver behavior to avoid delaying traffic conditions by either, combining deliveries, reconfiguring routes or rescheduling timetables. This helps to maximize the number of deliveries while minimizing time and distance. Escalating oil prices are increasing costs for many businesses, particularly those with large vehicle fleets, adding a powerful financial impetus to the search for fuel efficiencies. Implementing real-time vehicle tracking as part of a commercial company's mobile resource management policy is essential for comprehensive operational control, remote driver security and fuel savings.


The present study aimed to analyze variations in population dynamics of the Copepoda Calanopia americana (C. americana) in a reef area in tropical Brazil. Diurnal and nocturnal samples were collected at a fixed station during ebb tide, over four lunar cycles, and in the dry and rainy seasons. C. americana presence was very frequent (94%) and occurred in nearly all samples. Overall, juveniles presented higher densities than adults, and females were more abundant than males. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the dry and rainy period for density, biomass and production, with the largest average values observed during the dry season (97.2 ± 91.0 ind.m-3 , 157.64 ± 131.80 µg C m-3 and 34.20 ± 30.36 µg C m-3 day-1 , respectively). In relation to the variation between day and night, the population dynamics of C. americana followed a pattern noted in previous studies, showing density peaks at (522,3 ± 402,68 ind.m-3 ) and lower values during the day (324,0 ± 336,36 ind.m-3 ). During the dry season, the amount of available light coupled with a lower amount of suspended material interferes with the community by increasing the density and influencing the productivity of C. americana. Although some studies have shown the influence of the lunar cycle on the migration processes of C. americana, in this study these variation did not have significant influence on population dynamics. Key-words: lunar cycle, plankton, production, biomass


Risk management is used to identify, assess, and respond to uncertainties. In project management, risks can be categorized as either threats (negative events or conditions) or opportunities (positive). This exploratory qualitative study investigates on how practitioners use positive risks in project management practice and identifies areas for further research. Recommendations from this study include further exploration of: (a) opportunity management training (b) developing a catalog of opportunity examples, and (c) developing a template for the business case for opportunity management. Through risk management, the project manager can improve the likelihood of successfully meeting project objectives. Through a focus on both negative and positive risk, the project manager can offset negative results and possibly project objectives to delight the stakeholders. This research provides greater insight to improve the efficacy for current and future project, program, and portfolio managers.


This study was include collection of 40 stool samples from people were suffer from steatorrhea and the genral stool examination for these stool samples showed the presence of the intestinal parasite Giardia lamblia the etiologic agent of giardiasis . Blood samples were collected from 60 individual 40 of them were the infected with Giardia lamblia patients and the other 20 were healthy and used as control ,then the serum was obtained from all blood samples in the field of the study and the estimation of total (Cholesterol ,Triglyceride ,High density lipoproteins, Low density lipoproteins and Very low density lipoproteins )was done . the result showed that the cholesterol levels were decreased in giardiasis patients while the other types of lipids were normal in the same patients because Giardia lamblia consumed the cholesterol of the host in the bio synthesis of the cell . because the parasite is unable to synthesize cholesterol by itself .


Caterpillars of the aster leaf-tier moth (Trichotaphe levisella), believed to winter in the duff under the mats of aster leaves, in May tie the vegetative leaves of Aster macrophyllus Linn, in northeastern Minnesota. Sixteen species of hymenopterous parasites and one tachinid fly were observed in caterpillars and chrysalises of this species at Eaglenest Lakes, Minnesota, in 1962-1965. Based on differences in host-parasite relations, there are six categories of the parasites as characterized and exemplified below. 1. Primary, solitary, and endogenic larval parasites in the caterpillar: Braconidae, Meteorus dimidiatus (Cresson), Orgilus indagator Muesebeck; Ichneumonidae, Pimplopterus marginatus (Provancher), P. sp. near parvus (Cresson), P. sp., Temelucha sp. near epagoges (Cushman), Scambus pterophori (Ashmead), Campoplex sp.; and Tachinidae, Lixophaga sp. 2. Primary, gregarious, ectogenic larval parasites on the caterpillar: Braconidae, Oncophanes pusillus Muesebeck. 3. Double-role parasites: as primary, solitary, endoparasites in the caterpillar; and as secondary, solitary, parasites in cocoons of Temelucha sp. near epagoges: Ichneumonidae, Scambus tecumseh Viereck. 4. Primary, solitary, endogenic larvae in the chrysalises: Ichneumonidae, Phaeogenes sp. 5. Secondary, solitary, endogenic larvae in cocoons of primary parasites of the caterpillar: Ichneumonidae, Pimpla sp., in cocoons of Temelucha sp. near epagoges; Gelis spp., in cocoons of T. sp. near epagoges and of Meteorus dimidiatus; Pteromalidae, Catolaccus cyanoideus Burks, in cocoons of T. sp. near epagoges. 6. Secondary, gregarious, endogenic larva in cocoons of primary parasites of the caterpillar: Eulophidae, Pediobius sexdentatus (Girault), in cocoons of Temelucha sp. near epagoges and of Pimplopterus sp.; Dimmockia pallipes Muesebeck, in cocoons of M. dimidiatus, Temelucha sp. near epagoges, P. marginatus, and P. sp. near parvus.


Background Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is one of the most lethal brain tumors with reduced life expectancy even after surgery and chemoradiotherapy. Some studies investigate different markers to find a relation with therapy and eventually survival. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of immunohistochemical expression of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDH)1, CD133, and &bgr;-catenin in GBM and its relation to patient survival. Patients and methods This retrospective study was done on 97 GBM tissue samples with the construction of three tissue microarray blocks, and immunohistochemistry for mutant IDH1, CD133, and &bgr;-catenin were done. Results Mutant IDH1 expression was observed in 14 out of 97 GBM samples (14.4%). Patients with mutant IDH expression had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) with a median of 12 versus 9 months (P=0.002) and overall survival (OS) with a median of 16 versus 11 months (P<0.001). CD133 was expressed in 19 GBM samples (19.6%) with significantly shorter PFS with 5 months as median versus 10 months (P=0.014) and shorter OS with median of 8 versus 13 months (P<0.001). &bgr;-Catenin expression was identified in 60 studied samples (61.9%). Patients with positive expression had shorter PFS with median of 7 versus 12 months (P=0.031) and shorter OS with a median 10 versus 15 months (P=0.028). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between CD133 and &bgr;-catenin (P<0.001). Conclusion Mutant IDH1 was considered as a good prognostic marker with enhanced survival, whereas CD133 and &bgr;-catenin were considered as poor prognostic markers in GBM with strong correlation between both.


copy has been publishing standards for good practice in endoscopy. These recommendations appear to us to be the best way of achieving better and more rational practice in medicine at present. Produced by a group of experts, and corrected by an even larger expert group, the guidelines are regularly updated in written form to help physicians in decision-making. Michel Greff, M.D., International Secretary, French Society of Digestive Endoscopy


The paper deals with the existing guns maintenance system with the focus on preventive maintenance technology actions. Preventive maintenance technology actions are analyzed by complexity, needed technology elements and their influence on availability. As a representative AP 7,62 mm M-70 and its types is chosen. The analyzed data are from a real maintenance system. Possible analysis-based improvements are suggested.


The practicability of an optically powered data link has been demonstrated. The link has moderate bandwidth (1 kHz), accuracy (1%) and dynamic range (>60 dB) over a useful range of ambient temperatures. The link uses commercially available components, including a photodiode array fabricated using the dielectric isolation process in silicon. An application to the measurement of current in a high voltage line by means of a linear coupler is described, and experimental results are presented. Power transmission efficiency is presently low, at about 0.3% overall (electrical-to-electrical) and 5% optical-to-electrical. >


Aim: The aim is to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on deciduous teeth eruption among infants born after low-risk pregnancy and infants diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Materials and Methodology: The cross-sectional study included 110 neonates recruited at birth using stratified random sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Neonates diagnosed without IUGR were allocated to Group I (n = 55) and those diagnosed with IUGR were allocated to Group II (n = 55). The perinatal case history was recorded, followed by intraoral examination at birth, 6 months, and monthly up to 1 year or till first evidence of teeth eruption. Results: The difference between both groups based on socioeconomic status (SES) was found statistically significant (P = 0.043). The first evidence of eruption of deciduous teeth was found delayed in Group II (P = 0.0001). Secondary school education was found statistically significant between both the groups (P = 0.024). The difference between the two groups based on religion (P = 0.353) and gravidity (P = 0.571) was found statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Lower SES and secondary maternal education can be considered statistically significant risk factors of IUGR and delayed deciduous teeth eruption. No correlation of IUGR with religion and gravidity was found.


Exotic phenomena in thq deterministic model of complex chemical reactions are studied on the basis of preliminarily reported results. It is shown that the absence of a special kind of autocatalysis, autoinhibition and cooperativity implies the existence of a unique, asymptotically stable, positive equilibrium point. The class of chemical reactions with gradient 9ystem as its deterministic model is delineated. A procedure is given for the construction of oscillatory reactions. A neurobiological application of one of the constructed models is shown.


The proveniences (locations) of artifacts have long been critically important to archaeological interpretation. Although of major importance to site formation studies, positional attributes of artifacts (e.g., orientation, dip, which side is up) are seldom mentioned. When discovered in 1927, the in situ association of a Folsom projectile point with two ribs of a Pleistocene form of bison was interpreted as indicative of the contemporaneity of the three items, and thus was taken as evidence for the Pleistocene age of humans in North America. The locational and positional attributes of the two ribs and the point relative to one another suggest it is improbable that the point was deposited simultaneously with the two ribs as a result of it being embedded in the animal's flank, which is not to say the three items are not depositionally and temporally associated. Previously unmentioned positional attributes of the items making up the original Folsom association exemplify the importance of such attributes. New understanding of the original association underscores that actualistic research is required to identify the kinds of positional attributes important to questions regarding site formation and site structure.


Objective: To study the protective effect of Schisandra chinensis extracts (SCEs) on the RINm5F cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage and to provide a basis for the study of the role of SCEs in the prevention and treatment of diabetic oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: We performed ultrasonic preparation of SCEs and verified the presence of 8 lignans by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). An in vitro model of H2O2-induced oxidative damage was established using RINm5F cells and treated with various concentrations of SCEs (high dose, medium dose, and low dose). The antioxidative activity of SCEs was observed and its mechanisms were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, and measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase assay (SOD) according to the instructions of kits. Results: The total lignan content in SCEs was 18.86 mg/mL; the concentration of 8 kinds of lignans were schisandrin, 5.99 mg/mL; schisandrol B, 3.27 mg/mL; schisantherin A, 1.99 mg/mL; schisanhenol, 0.94 mg/mL; anwulignan, below the detection limit; deoxyschisandrin, 1.33 mg/mL; schisandrin B, 3.95 mg/mL; and schisandrin C, 1.39 mg/mL. SCEs promoted proliferation of islet cells and exhibited a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in islet cells. The cell survival rates in the high-dose and medium-dose SCEs groups were greater than that in the model group by 63.4% and 45.6%, respectively; the protective effect of SCEs against oxidative damage was dose dependent. The intracellular MDA content was significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the degree of oxidative damage was reduced, and the activity of superoxide dismutase was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the SCEs groups. Conclusion: SCEs exhibited a dose-dependent protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in RINm5F cells. The underlying mechanism was related to the antioxidant activity of the SCEs. Abbreviation used: Schisandra chinensis Extracts (SCEs).


INTRODUCTION: Pediatric obesity has been considered as one of the most serious public health challenges in the world. AIM: To reduce "Screen-time" and promoting self care activities among overweight and obese pre-adolescents (aged 10-12 years) in India through proper intervention measures. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Designed as a two-armed randomized controlled trial, 537 pre-adolescents aged 10-12 years were enrolled in this online study. Data was collected through a questionnaire (containing close-ended 26 questions). Pre- adolescents, whose BMI was classified as "overweight" and "obese" were enrolled and randomly assigned (flip of coin) to the intervention group and control group. The intervention group were then given monthly online one-on-one sessions (to maintain confidentiality) by five standardized instructors. The study lasted for four months and a total of four individual sessions were provided to each child in the intervention group. Data was transferred into Excel for descriptive statistics, and analysed using SPSS version 22.0 using the paired t-test and multi variate logistic regression was applied keeping the significance value of p as  0.05. RESULTS: A total of 537 pre- adolescents met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 270(50.3%) belonged to the intervention group and 267 (49.7%) belonged to the control group. Majority of the pre- adolescents were males (59.4%). In the intervention group, there were 61.8% overweight pre-adolescents, which reduced to 42.9%, while in the control group, there were 89.5% overweight pre-adolescents, which reduced 9.8% and the difference between both the groups was observed to be significant (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Techniques used in the intervention group led to positive outcomes like weight loss and reduced screen time among the pre-adolescents which in turn, helped reduce the global burden of disease.


Purpose.To study the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the oxygen regime and ammonia metabolism in the neurons of cat cortex in hemorrhagic shock.Material and methods.Experiments were performed on 164 cats (males). The effect of HBO (3 ATA, 50 min) on cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen tension (PO2), the content of ammonia (Am), glutamine (Gn), glutamate (Gt), α-ketglutarate (α-KG), the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDG), glutamine synthetase (GS), phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) activity was studied in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC); the content of Am, GN and oxygen parameters in arterial (AB) blood and venous blood (VB) of the sagittal sinus in hemorrhagic shock caused by fractional bloodletting of their femoral artery at a rate of 10ml/kg/10 min in an average volume of 24±0.8 ml/kg, which was stopped with a decrease in systolic blood pressure to the level of 60.0±1.5 mm Hg. HBO was commenced on post-hemorrhagic minute 10 following the regimen of 3 ATA for 60 min.Results.The decrease in CBF and PO2in SMC develops as early as the 10th minute of hemorrhagic shock, progressing to the stage of hemorrhagic shock decompensation (60±14 min). Accumulation of Am in the SMC at the stage of hemorrhagic shock decompensation associated with stimulation of PDG and GDG activity, inhibition of hemorrhagic shock activity and deficiency of α-KG. HBO, without eliminating hypoxia in SMC, prevented the development of the decompensation stage in animals with GS, pathological accumulation of Am, and a decrease in the activity of hemorrhagic shock. HBO increases the Gn increment from the SMC, into the blood. Under HBO conditions, the stimulating effect of hypoxia on GDG activity remains, but the concentration of glutamate remains within the normal range, as does the activity of PDG.Conclusion.Hyperbaric oxygenation, without eliminating hypoxia in SMC, which develops in hemorrhagic shock, prevents a violation of the exchange of ammonia in it, caused by acute non-compensated blood loss.


【The purpose of this study was to compare the nutrient intakes and food lifestyles between double income families' children and full-time housewives' children. The subjects included 525 children ages 4 to 7 years old. The proportion of children receiving regular meals was 77.8%. One of the primary reasons for skipping breakfast was 'no appetite'(49.9%). In terms of food habit score 20.8% of the subjects belonged to the 'good' category and children from double income families had significantly higher scores than in full-time housewives' children(p】


PURPOSE
The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of systemic administration of roxithromycin (RXM) as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in the treatment of individuals with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis (CP).

METHODS
70 individuals (38 males and 32 females, aged 25 to 60 years) with moderate to severe CP were randomly allocated into two groups. 35 individuals were allocated to full mouth SRP+RXM while 35 individuals were allocated to SRP+ Placebo group. The clinical parameters evaluated were probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and % bleeding on probing sites (%BOP) at baseline (B/L), 1-, 3- and 6-month intervals while microbiologic parameters included percentage of sites positive for periodontopathic bacteria A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and T. forsythia at B/L, 3 and 6 months using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTs: Both groups showed improved clinical and microbiologic parameters over 6 months. RXM group showed a statistically significant reduction in mean PD and CAL gain as compared to the placebo group (P < 0.0001). There was reduction in percentage of sites positive for periodontopathic bacteria over the duration of the study in both groups and a statistically significant reduction in the number of sites positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans in RXM group (P < 0.001).


A new measurement-based FET model is presented which combines non-quasi-static dynamics formulated with constitutive relations derived using adjoint and conventional artificial neural networks (ANN). The new model features smoother constitutive relations than spline-based methods while maintaining the non-quasi-static dynamics for accurate distortion simulations. Additionally, this work demonstrates, for the first time, the construction of an adjoint-trained ANN-based "high-frequency drain current" constitutive relation (accounting for dispersion due to traps and thermal effects in III-V FETs), along with drain and gate terminal charges from measured bias-dependent data. The model is implemented in Agilent ADS and validated with nonlinear measurements on a 0.25mum GaAs pHEMT device


This paper the concept of risk as applied to an understanding of the nature and changing relationship between social welfare and youth in the United Kingdom. The paper begins by drawing on the sociological work of Ulrich Beck (1992) in order to examine how changes in modern society have led to what has been coined the 'risk society'. The paper then assesses historical narratives of social welfare which positioned younger individuals in society. The paper moves attention to examining neo-liberalism in contemporary times as a key feature of the 'risk society' and the recasting of the state, welfare agents and younger people. In particular, the paper observes the rise of managerialism and consumer narratives that are central to neo-liberalism and management of social welfare yet are indicative of risk. The paper concludes by arguing for an interface between risk and a critical sociology of youth.


Objective: To predict the effects of the preparation behavior toward healthy aging for menopausal women in the northern region of Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Three hundred three menopausal women, aged 45 to 59 years old domiciled in the northern region of Thailand, were included in this study. The prediction research design methodology is used to describe the collection and analysis of the quantitative data. The questionnaire is based on the readiness of postmenopausal women toward healthy aging and includes physical, mental, social, and environmental health. After being selected, the relational variables and quantitative data of the menopausal women was analyzed with the power to predict factors resulted using multiple stepwise regression analysis.

Results: Using multiple regression coefficients, factors affecting the preparation of menopausal women toward healthy aging were found to have variables that contributed to predicting the readiness behaviors of menopausal women. They were sorted according to the ability to explain the predictive power of health preparedness behavior from the selected variables into the descending analysis as family support, community support, income, self-efficacy, good attitudes for aging, medical and public health services, marital status as widowed or abandoned, and leadership roles. The variables were able to predict the preparation for healthy aging behaviors of menopausal women at 63.9%.

Conclusion: Menopausal women need support and assistance in the preparation process toward healthy aging according to predictable variables, which is a concrete form of activity.

Keywords: Menopausal women; The preparation behavior; Healthy aging; The readiness concept


Four different DNA extraction methods were compared to determine their ability to provide DNA for amplification of viral sequences from paraffin-embedded human tissue samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The suitability of extraction methods was assessed using parameters like DNA yield, length of recovered DNA fragments, and duration. Furthermore, the efficiency of amplifying a human single-copy gene, the beta-globin gene, from DNA samples was tested. The best preservation of DNA molecules could be achieved by binding the DNA onto a silica column before further purification. Viral DNA sequences could be amplified by PCR in DNA extracted from routinely processed paraffin blocks from cases with clinically or morphologically suspected cytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr virus infections. The PCR products were specified by a novel liquid hybridization assay called PCR-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Using this assay, the time-consuming Southern hybridization could be replaced and the time requirement for the detection of PCR products could be reduced from 1 day to 4 hours. The assay system described here represents a reliable, sensitive, and specific method for the detection of viral DNA from paraffin-embedded tissue samples.


This article is a response to commentaries by Kristin Osborn (2020) and Bjorn Philips (2020) on three case studies I conducted (Frankl, Wennberg, Berggraf & Philips, 2020), which involved the use of a 10-session Affect Phobia Therapy (APT) with individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The response focuses on four main areas: (a) the tension between the need for systematic assessment and core conflict formulation in each case versus the need for efficiency and accessibility in the design of a "first-line," 10-session version of APT, which is typically much longer in length; (b) specific considerations in applying APT to AUD; (c) research design considerations associated with the three case studies; and (d) my personal experience as the therapist in conducting the 10-session APT with these three AUD cases. I conclude with a proposal for incorporating the critical points from the commentaries into future studies.


Many current approaches to machine learning in particle physics use generic architectures that require large numbers of parameters and disregard underlying physics principles, limiting their applicability as scientific modeling tools. In this work, we present a machine learning architecture that uses a set of inputs maximally reduced with respect to the full 6-dimensional Lorentz symmetry, and is fully permutation-equivariant throughout. We study the application of this network architecture to the standard task of top quark tagging and show that the resulting network outperforms all existing competitors despite much lower model complexity. In addition, we present a Lorentz-covariant variant of the same network applied to a 4-momentum regression task.


A convenient and short synthesis of functionalized oxacyclic and azacyclic dienes is developed on the basis of organotungsten chemistry. Alkynyltungsten compounds bearing a tethered alcohol and amine are treated with aldehydes and BF(3).Et(2)O in cold diethyl ether to give tungsten-heterocyclic carbenium salts, further leading to tungsten-heterocyclic dienes via deprotonation with Et(3)N. Hydrodemetalation of these tungsten-heterocyclic dienes is performed by the action of anhydrous Me(3)NO in CH(3)CN. This method is applicable to the synthesis of a number of oxa- and azacyclic dienes, including those tethered with an electron-deficient olefin. The oxacyclic 1,3,8-nonatrienes and 1,3,9-decatrienes undergo intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions upon heating in toluene, yielding tricyclic tetrahydropyran and -furan derivatives with excellent diastereoselectivities.


SIR, Hb 0 Arab (B121 Glu-Lys) has been reported in different ethnic groups including Sudanese, Arabs, American Negroes, Bulgarians, and recently in Turkish people.1-7 It has not previously been reported in the Turkish Cypriot population. We investigated blood samples of 1365 apparently healthy Turkish Cypriots by cellulose acetate electrophoresis.8 When an abnormal haemoglobin was identified, citrate agar electrophoresis was performed.9 Structural analysis was performed when indicated.10 Two haemoglobin 0 Arab traits and one Hb 0 Arab 3-thalassaemia combination were detected in three different families. Further study of 24 subjects from these three families revealed 13 Hb 0 Arab traits and two Hb 0 Arab r-thalassaemia combinations. It was observed that the subjects with Hb 0 Arab had negroid characteristics (negroid Turkish Cypriots have the same physical characteristics as African Negroes; they represent less than 1 % of all Turkish Cypriots). We investigated a further 19 subjects with negroid characteristics, two with Hb S trait, one with Hb H disease, and five with Pthalassaemia trait, but no further Hb 0 Arab traits were found in these subjects. Hb 0 Arab was first detected in an Arab living in Israel, then in Egypt, Aden, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary, among American Negroes, and recently in Turkey.1-7 It is believed to have originated in the Sudan and to have spread from there to West Africa and to many countries once occupied by or in close contact with the Ottoman Empire.6 When the history of the Ottoman Empire is considered the occurrence of Hb 0 Arab in Cyprus is not surprising. In 1570 the Ottomans conquered Cyprus and Anatolian Turks migrated to the island. The island was ruled by the Ottomans from the 16th to the end of the 19th century and during this period many people from Sudan and Egypt emigrated to Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon, and Cyprus.1' Identification of Hb 0 Arab in Turkish Cypriots may indicate an admixture of African blood in the past. Moreover, some Turkish Cypriots show negroid physical characteristics.


At Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa, during a 3-year period diverticular disease was diagnosed in 42 Black patients (16 men, 26 women), from an urban population approaching 1,5 million. Patients presented mainly with rectal bleeding, abdominal mass or pain. Of average age 62 years, all were among the more privileged. The persisting very low frequency of the disease, which is in consonance with low frequencies of other bowel diseases (appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer), is deemed valid. The mean daily dietary fibre intake, 26.5 +/- 8.5 g, was higher than that of local Whites, 22.4 +/- 6.0 g, but significantly less than that of a sex-age matched urban Black control group, 32.5 +/- 11.4 g. Although a measure of westernization of diet has obviously occurred, its extent, also the period of exposure, would seem to have been insufficient to have evoked significant rises in the occurrence of diverticular disease.


Spinocerebellar ataxia 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat encoding a polyglutamine tract in the protein ataxin-7. We developed antibodies directed against two different parts of the ataxin-7 protein and studied its distribution in brain and peripheral tissue from healthy subjects. Normal ataxin-7 was widely expressed in brain, retina and peripheral tissues, including striated muscle, testis and thyroid gland. In the brain, expression of ataxin-7 was not limited to areas in which neurones degenerate, and the level of expression was not related to the severity of neuronal loss. Immunoreactivity was low in some vulnerable populations of neurones, such as Purkinje cells. In neurones, ataxin-7 was found in the cell bodies and in processes. Nuclear labelling was also observed in some neurones, but was not related to the distribution of intranuclear inclusions observed in an SCA7 patient. In this patient, the proportion of neurones with nuclear labelling was higher, on average, in regions with neuronal loss. Double immunolabelling coupled with confocal microscopy showed that ataxin-7 colocalized with BiP, a marker of the endoplasmic reticulum, but not with markers of mitochondria or the trans-Golgi network.


Many temperate tree species have extraordinarily broad distributions along gradients of temperature and precipitation. But it is not clear in most species whether this reflects very broad tolerance of climate conditions, or a high degree of genetic differentiation or phenotypic acclimation in their responses to local climate. Provenance trials and common garden experiments indicate that at least some tree species of the temperate forests of eastern North America show genetic differentiation in growth as a function of climate, although these studies have been largely limited to measurements on growth of seedlings and saplings. To test for evidence of either adaptation or acclimation in adult response to local climatic conditions, we used data from over 23,000 tree cores collected by the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis program in the 1980s for 14 tree species distributed in states from Maine to Ohio. We tested a suite of alternate models for interannual variation in radial growth as a function of (1) tree age, (2) size, (3) temperature, and (4) precipitation. The models included climate variables from both the current and previous year. The alternate models allowed us to test whether growth was best predicted from absolute values of the climate variables, or from deviation of current or previous year climate from long-term average at the location of an individual tree core. In all 14 species, models that used deviation from local, long-term mean climate were superior, indicating that all 14 species showed strong adaptation or acclimation to local climate. In most of the species, growth was highest in years that were cooler and wetter than long-term average at a location. The analysis does not allow us to distinguish between genetic differentiation and phenotypic acclimation responses. If the results are genetically based, trees within a given location could be much more sensitive to climate change than indicated by the very broad geographic distributions of these temperate tree species, but if the results are phenotypic, this would represent local acclimation that could help buffer species in the face of climate change.


Plasma viscosity (PV) has replaced the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as a routine laboratory test in many hospitals. The finding of a normal PV but raised ESR in a case of biopsy proved giant cell arteritis (GCA) cast doubt on this substitution in cases of suspected GCA. To assess the equivalence of PV and ESR in the diagnosis of this disease 40 suspected cases were prospectively investigated with both tests. The correlation between the two tests was good (r = 0.742, p less than 0.0001). The substitution of one test for the other would appear to be justified in most cases of suspected GCA. In the presence of biopsy proved disease, however, the PV and ESR each produced 13.3% false negatives. These occurred both in combination with and independently of the other test showing that, when in error, the two tests may not be equivalent. In cases of doubt the performing of both PV and ESR tests together improves but does not achieve complete diagnostic accuracy. Clinical judgment based on careful assessment of all available symptoms and signs must remain the foundation of diagnosis.


Block-based programming approach is a combination of component-based programming approach with end-user programming paradigm that considered being more advanced and easier to use in practice. The aim of this paper is to discuss the benefits that block-based programming approach will be contributed to the community and the challenges that have to be solved in this new environment. In this paper, we introduce several previous good examples of applications that have been developed by using block-based programming approach. The examples are evaluated and compared in term of their development speed, design quality, usability, reusability, block customization, user acceptance, application platform and range of users. Finally, based on the evaluation and comparison, important challenges and benefits are specified and discussed.


This paper presents a scheme for probabilistic remote preparation of a three-particle entangled Greenberger- Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state via three-particle orthonormal basis projective measurement, and then directly generalize the scheme to multi-particle case. It is shown that by using N pairs of bipartite non-maximally entangled states as the quantum channel and N-particle orthonormal basis projective measurement, the multi-particle remote preparation can be successfully realized with a certain probability.


Sensitive electrochemical detection of nereistoxin (NEX), a widely used insecticide, by reductive desorption is studied. NEX is adsorbed onto a gold single-crystal electrode via its disul fi de group to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), which shows a reductive desorption peak in alkaline solution. The detection limit depended on the modi fi cation time and the crystallographic orientation of Au. When a Au(111) electrode was used as a substrate, the limit of detection was 10nM. This limit was decreased to 1nM when a Au(100) electrode was used. The NEX-SAM on a Au(111) and Au(100) electrode also showed a characteristic reductive wave, which allowed NEX to be distinguished from other similar compounds such as aminoethanthiol, N -dimethylaminoethanthiol, and aminohexanethiol.


Experiments demonstrate that the mean residence time of an inert gas in tissue is longer than that predicted by a single-compartment model of gas exchange. Also the relative dispersion (RD, the standard deviation of residence times divided by the mean) is 1 according to this model, but RDs in real tissues are closer to 2, suggesting that a multiple-compartment model might be more accurate. The residence time of a gas is proportional to its solubility in the tissue. Although the noble gases in particular are 10 times more soluble in lipid than in nonlipid tissues, models of gas exchange generally do not incorporate measurements of the lipid in tissue, which may lead to error in the predicted gas residence times. Could a multiple-compartment model that accounts for the lipid in tissue more accurately predict the mean and RD of gas residence times? In this study, we determined the mean and RD of Xe residence times in intact and surgically isolated muscles in a canine model. We then determined the lipid content and the perfusion heterogeneity in each tissue, and we used these measurements with a multiple-compartment model of gas exchange to predict the longest physiologically plausible Xe residence times. Even so, we found the observed Xe mean residence times to be twice as long as those predicted by the model. However, the predicted RDs were considerably larger than the observed RDs. We conclude that lipid alone cannot account for the residence times of Xe in tissue and that a multiple-compartment model is not an accurate representation of inert gas exchange in tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Scleredema is a rare disease that is difficult to treat. Many therapies have been tried with varied and somewhat inconsistent results. Here we report two cases of scleredema successfully treated with low‐dose UVA‐1.


PLS(Pohang Light Source) is 2.5 Gev synchrotron radiation source in Pohang, Korea, which is under operation since 1995. The hardware and software of the old BPM(Beam Position Monitor) data acquisition system for the PLS storage ring was completely upgraded to increase its performance and stability. The new BPM data acquisition system is based on VME-based EPICS (Experimental Physics and Instrument Control System) IOC system. We used 16-bit resolution analog-to-digital conversion board to digitize analog BPM signals. We developed a data average software to average raw BPM data using reflective memory board. We also developed device drivers for VME I/O boards used, IOC database for PV's(Process Variables). The new BPM data acquisition system is currently running for routine operation with good performance and stability. In this paper, we present the hardware and software of the new BPM data acquisition system.


An analytic method for finding the highly accurate values of the critical point for cubic Ising models with arbitrary spin is presented. The thermodynamic quantities of interest are expressed through some higher-order correlations with a reference spin excluded. A reduction scheme for these higher-order correlations is constructed. It leads to two types of resulting equations for correlation functions. The coincidence of two different representations of critical correlations is ensured by the introduced parameter of the reduction scheme. The estimation of critical points for all cubic lattices is compatible with series works to within 1.69%, 0.70% for the limiting values of spin, ½ and ∞, respectively.


This article probes the rural economic development approach in selected informal settlements in Durban and how such approach affects the vulnerability of local Black women to flood impacts within the areas. Qualitative data for the study were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 25 local Black women from Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and Umlazi. Five key informants from the eThekwini (Durban) metropolitan municipality were also interviewed. Findings from the study showed that although there is improved economic development in the selected settlements, which constitute informal settlements designated for Black South Africans during the apartheid era, such an economic development approach has not significantly improved the livelihoods and adaptive capacity of the local women. The article suggests a multidimensional approach to development that is practical, inclusive and equitable, and addresses local women's challenges associated with climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods.


The Peace of Westphalia released forces leading to the Industrial Revolution, ultimately freeing sovereign states to develop competing systems of economic development that had in common the uncontrolled exploitation of the environment. Over time, a law of humanity developed in response to the failings of a law of sovereign states in two main spheres: that of the dignity of the individual and that of matters of "common concern" that require a global, humanitarian response. Environmental issues have moved to the forefront of the latter, as can be demonstrated by an examination of terms used in international law to describe environmental matters, and have given rise to new forms of international and transnational cooperation. By being reminded that humanitarian issues of common concern were at the root of the Westphalian shift itself, we see that it is the radical form of sovereignty that developed in the 19th and 20th centuries that in fact proved inadequate. The key questions, therefore, are what the global environmental challenge teaches us about the potential for sovereignty to be "reclaimed" for humanity, and how and whence authoritative norms to modulate sovereignty will arise.


Major ion chemistry data collected as part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Eastern Lake Survey was examined to evaluate the mechanisms and extent of alkalinity regulation in 37 undisturbed, softwater lakes in Florida. Comparison of major ion-Cl ratios in atmospheric deposition and in lakewater shows the reactions resulting in retention of sulfate and nitrate are the dominant sources of alkalinity; production of organic acids and ammonium retention are the major alkalinity-consuming processes. Based on average reactions, enrichment of major cations accounted for only 12% of net alkalinity generation in the study lakes. In general, calcium and potassium were depleted in low ANC lakes, presumably by in-lake sinks, and were enriched in most higher ANC lakes by groundwater inputs. Differences in alkalinity among these lakes reflect hydrologic factors and the proximity of clay and carbonate deposits to the lake bed. Overall, net alkalinity generation nearly balanced H+ predicted from evaporative concentration of atmospheric acid inputs; this close balance suggests that the alkalinity status of these lakes is very sensitive to changes in atmospheric loadings and groundwater alkalinity inputs.


The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the short term education and reinforcement program to health promotion in women in mid-life. This study has been done between February and April, 2004 and the subjects of the study were 26 women in mid-life. The treatment intervention was applied during total 8 weeks as 5 days for the short term education and 7 weeks for reinforcement with 1 time per a week. The short term education included health education for menopause, effect of exercise, healthy diet, management of stress and management of chronic illness and stretching exercise and recreation. The collected data were processed using the SPSS Win(12.0) program and analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. The result of this study are as follows: 1. The short term education and reinforcement program significantly effected on the total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride. 2. The short term education and reinforcement program significantly effected on the anxiety, but not depression. 3. The short term education and reinforcement program non significantly effected on the sleep disturbance and self-efficacy of exercise. 4. The short term education and reinforcement program significantly effected on the practice of healthy life. In conclusion, the short term education and reinforcement program effected on the physical health index, anxiety and practice of healthy life.


In this review, we discuss current evidence linking environmental pollutants to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Extensive evidence indicates that environmental factors contribute to CVD risk, incidence, and severity. Migrant studies show that changes in the environment could substantially alter CVD risk in a genetically stable population. Additionally, CVD risk is affected by changes in nutritional and lifestyle choices. Recent studies in the field of environmental cardiology suggest that environmental toxins also influence CVD. Exposure to tobacco smoke is paradigmatic of such environmental risk and is strongly and positively associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In animal models of exposure, tobacco smoke induces endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic responses and exacerbates atherogenesis and myocardial ischemic injury. Similar mechanism may be engaged by other pollutants or food constituents. Several large population-based studies indicate that exposure to fine or ultrafine particulate air pollution increases CVD morbidity and mortality, and the plausibility of this association is supported by data from animal studies. Exposure to other chemicals such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and metals has also been reported to elevate CVD risk by affecting atherogenesis, thrombosis, or blood pressure regulation. Maternal exposure to drugs, toxins, and infection has been linked with cardiac birth defects and premature CVD in later life. Collectively, the data support the notion that chronic environmental stress is an important determinant of CVD risk. Further work is required to assess the magnitude of this risk fully and to delineate specific mechanisms by which environmental toxins affect CVD.


In current research, WC dissolution phenomenon happened in TIG welds was investigated and discussed. And the element diffusion was studied using area-scanning method. The results showed that the WC dissolution phenomenon always happened near WC-Co/Welded seam interface. Moreover, the amount of WC dissolved in welds became less from WC-Co, welds to invar alloys. WC dissolution happened in welded seam induced by tungsten arc led to the WC grain growth (60µm or so) and WC shape changes. The grain boundary (GB) between different WC particles during WC aggregation was also confirmed and WC grain growth was owed to the WC aggregation during the processing of WC dissolution.


A climatology of convection initiation (CI) events has been developed using radar reflectivity data in southwestern Germany and eastern France over the period of May-August of 2000-2008. The nine-year summertime climatology results are compared with the results from the summer of 2007, during which the Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study (COPS) field campaign was conducted. A detailed case study of a COPS day, on 6 August 2007, using two Doppler on Wheels (DOW; Wurman et al. 1997) mobile radar systems, GPS tomography water vapor fields and WRF mesoscale modeling simulations, will also be presented to illustrate potential mechanisms affecting CI on that day. The radar climatology study region included the Vosges Mountains of France, the Rhine Valley which straddles France and Germany, the Black Forest Mountains and the Swabian Mountains of Germany. Convection occurred frequently during the summer months throughout the study region. The CI density illustrates preferential storm development in the mountainous regions. There is a strong mid-day peak of the CI events suggesting that diurnal heating is critical for CI in the region. COPS was conducted with the objective of obtaining improved understanding of convective processes and short-term quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) in low-mountain regions (Wulfmeyer et al. 2008). The COPS summer exhibited preferential CI density (CI events per area) in the mountainous regions but not as pronounced as the climatology. Compared with the frequency of daytime, locally-forced CI occurrences during the climatology, the COPS summer appeared to exhibit more synoptically-forced CI. The 6 August 2007 case study illustrates daytime CI along the slopes of the Vosges Mountains. The storms strengthen and merge as they propagate across the Rhine Valley, produce an outflow boundary and cause further CI events in the valley. Preliminary results of this case study will be presented.


Background: The emergence of MDR-TB challenges global TB control. Treatment of MDR-TB is complicated:toxic drugs need to be administered for 20 months, and outcome is generally poor compared to drug-susceptible TB. One determinant of poor outcome may be late detection, and if detection is delayed, transmission may continue in the community. By unveiling the predisposing factors of MDR-TB, new prevention strategies may become available. Objectives: To determine predisposing factors of MDR-TB in Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out, involving 249 medical records of TB patients in Sardjito Hospital.The variables used in this study were patient9s age, gender, comorbidity (Diabetes Mellitus/DM and HIV), socioeconomic status, previous TB treatment status, organ involvement, history of illicit drug use, and unsafe sex among MSM.The data was analyzed with the Chi-square test and simple logistic regression method. Results: MDR-TB prevalence among all TB cases in Sardjito General Hospital was 5,2%. MDR-TB development was associated with a history of DM (p=0.038) and age >35 years (p=0.003). Individuals with DM had 5.98 times higher risk (95% CI: 1.1-32), while individuals aged >35 had 5.92 times higher risk to develop MDR-TB (95% CI: 1.6-22.1). Conclusions: Age>35 and DM emerged as risk factors for MDR-TB among this Indonesian TB population, in this retrospective chart review; if resources are limited to test for MDR-TB we suggest to target these risk groups for testing. Prospective cohort studies should be conducted to confirm these preliminary findings.