Objective: Open intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus can be associated with considerable bone loss and extensive soft tissue damage. The management of these injuries is quite challenging, and the restoration of elbow anatomy may require multiple bone and soft tissue surgical procedures. The purpose of this case report is to present the option of addressing at the same time a complex skin, muscular, and bone distal humerus defect by using a composite vascularized graft. Methods: We present a case of a high-energy open fracture of the distal humerus in a polytrauma young patient. Apart from the significant damage of all skin layers and underlying muscle units at the posterolateral side of the elbow, the medial column of the distal humerus (6 cm in length) was completely absent. After patient resuscitation and wound debridement, a free vascularized osteocutaneous fibular graft was used for the reconstruction of the bone defect and the restoration of elbow anatomy. Results: No complications were encountered during the postoperative period, and both bone and soft tissues progressed to sound healing. At 26 months follow-up, the patient had a functional and stable elbow and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85 points, which is equivalent to a good result. Conclusions: Vascularized osteocutaneous fibular graft could effectively address complex traumatic defects of the elbow joint and enhance the potential for bone healing and early functional recovery.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment on health care use and dissatisfaction with care received among Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness.

DATA SOURCES
I identified traditional Medicare (TM) and MA beneficiaries with mental illness using the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey for 2012-2016.

STUDY DESIGN
I included two types of outcomes: four measures of health care use and ten measures of care dissatisfaction. My primary independent variable was enrollment in TM vs. MA. To address selective enrollment into MA, I used an instrumental variable (IV) approach. Following prior research, I decomposed the MA benchmark into exogenous and endogenous components and then used the exogenous component as my instrument.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS
N/A.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
IV analyses showed that compared to TM enrollment, MA enrollment significantly decreased outpatient hospital visits and medical provider visits by 6.73 (95% CI: -12.10 to -1.36) and 36.48 (95% CI: -52.67 to -20.28). However, there were no significant changes in inpatient hospital admissions and prescription drug purchases. Compared to TM enrollment, MA enrollment significantly increased dissatisfaction with out-of-pocket expenses by 25.51 percentage points (95% CI: 0.43 to 50.60). However, there were no significant changes in other measures of care dissatisfaction in terms of access to care, quality of care, and prescription medication.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that MA enrollment may lead to low health care use among those with mental illness, indicating efficient care delivery. Also, MA enrollment may not preclude those with mental illness from accessing needed care. However, high dissatisfaction with out-of-pocket expenses among MA beneficiaries may imply use of out-of-network providers. Further research is warranted to investigate whether high dissatisfaction with out-of-pocket expenses may be attributable to MA's narrow networks for mental services. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


This article contributes to the debate on aid volatility and argues that official assistance copes with exogenous output shocks in recipient countries and stabilizes resources available for the financing of consumption, investment and net trade. Stabilizing aid is effective in aiddependent and vulnerable states. Aid volatility and disbursement lags are not significant determinants of the stabilizing impact of aid.


A rapid screening method for β-agonists in cattle urine was developed that offers speed and protocol simplicity and that could be performed on the spot. The method consists of an extraction on Empore membranes with strong cation exchange properties and a test strip immunoassay. The Empore extraction provides a fast and simple cleanup of the urines and a concentration step with recoveries ranging from 50-80% for the β-agonists of the aniline type and around 10% for salbutamol and terbutaline. A test strip immunoassay is performed on the diluted extract. With the use of an antiperoxidase antibody, an internal negative control was included, to which all color reductions are compared. Although a portable colorimeter increased the sensitivity of the test, a visual interpretation was sufficient to give a correct yes/no answer. The whole test takes about 30 min and has a visual detection limit for clenbuterol of 1 ng/mL of urine. The test also shows good sensitivity for salbutamol, despite the low recovery with the Empore extraction.


A process for selecting and evaluating indicators for use in monitoring the quality of patient care is described. An indicator is a quantitative measure that provides information and reveals ways in which care could be improved. It is a specific set of conditions whose presence signals that the care being provided should be examined. A sample medication-use outcome indicator is discussed to illustrate the steps of indicator evaluation in a paradigm proposed by the National Demonstration Project on Quality Improvement in Health Care. Indicators must be selected according to the needs of the institution: the frequency with which the set of conditions is likely to occur, the risk involved, and the institution's goals and capabilities. Documented data on the indicator must exist and must be adequate for evaluation of care. Analysis and interpretation of the data and a plan for using the information are discussed. For the use of indicators to succeed in improving the quality of care, the total institution must be committed to the process. Pharmacy quality assurance efforts need to move from evaluation of the use of specific drugs (i.e., focus on the product) to continuous measuring, monitoring, and quality improvement.


Ontologies on the Semantic Web form a basis for representing human-conceivable knowledge in a machine-understandable manner. Ontology development for a specific knowledge domain is however a difficult task, because the produced representation has to be adequately detailed and broad enough at the same time. The CIDOC-CRM is such an ontology, pertaining to cultural heritage, which we align to the Semantic Web environment: first transforming it to OWL and then profiling it not in the usual flat metadata sense, but by refining and extending its conceptual structures, taking advantage of OWL semantics. This kind of profiling maintains applicability of the model, while enabling more expressive reasoning tasks. To this end, we construct a mechanism for acquiring implied and web-distributed information that is used to conduct and present a series of experimental inferences on the CRM profiled form.


Ground penetrating radar, a time domain electromagnetic metal detector and a frequency domain electromagnetic metal detector were used with the goal of locating a section of the Byram's Ford Road believed to be intersecting the historic Big Blue Battlefield in the Westport area of Kansas City, Missouri. Ground penetrating data were acquired at three sites, Site A, Site B, and Site C. The time domain EM metal detector was used to acquire data at Site A, where subsequent ground truthing was conducted using the frequency domain EM metal detector and an excavation tool. Significant anomalies were visible on both the ground penetrating radar traverse profiles and the time domain EM profiles. At Site A, most of the anomalies seen on the ground penetrating radar traverse profiles were attributed to a previously existing railroad. These anomalies appeared on each profile at the north end of Site A and appear as high amplitude reflections spanning approximately 10 feet across. Many localized anomalies appeared on the time domain EM data, which were then investigated in the ground truthing process. Only old farm equipment, including a fender, a wheel, and many wire pieces were found in this ground truthing process. The anomalies identified at Site C are likely caused by buried utilities, likely electrical lines used for the building bounding the west of Site C. The anomalies at Site B appear at the same distance along each traverse profile as high amplitude reflections. These anomalies are approximately 10 to 15 feet and are similar to those seen at Site A. These anomalies could be due to Byram's Ford Road, compacted soils caused by construction of the previously existing railroad, or an excavation.


Modeling a suitable birth density is a challenge when using Bernoulli filters such as the Labeled Multi-Bernoulli (LMB) filter. The birth density of newborn targets is unknown in most applications, but must be given as a prior to the filter. Usually the birth density stays unchanged or is designed based on the measurements from previous time steps. In this paper, we assume that the true initial state of new objects is normally distributed. The expected value and covariance of the underlying density are unknown parameters. Using the estimated multi-object state of the LMB and the Rauch-Tung-Striebel (RTS) recursion, these parameters are recursively estimated and adapted after a target is detected. The main contribution of this paper is an algorithm to estimate the parameters of the birth density and its integration into the LMB framework. Monte Carlo simulations are used to evaluate the detection driven adaptive birth density in two scenarios. The approach can also be applied to filters that are able to estimate trajectories.


The explanations of burial customs provided by previous anthropologists are examined at length together with the assumptions and data orientations that lay behind them. Both the assumptions and explanations are shown to be inadequate from the point of view of systems theory and from a detailed examination of the empirical record. A cross-cultural survey drawn from the Human Relations Area Files shows that associations do exist between measures of mortuary ritual variety and structural complexity. It was found that both the number and specific forms of the dimensions of the social persona commonly recognized in mortuary ritual vary significantly with the organizational complexity of the society as measured by different forms of subsistence practice. Moreover, the forms that differentiations in mortuary ritual take vary significantly with the dimensions of the social persona symbolized. Hence, much of contemporary archaeological conjecture and interpretation regarding processes of cultural change, cultural differentiation, and the presence of specific burial customs is inadequate as well as the ideational propositions and assumptions underlying these notions. Inferences about the presumed "relationships" compared directly from trait lists obtaining among archaeological manifestations are useless without knowledge of the organizational properties of the pertinent cultural systems.


In this paper, we propose a method to embed the high resolution color information of an image in its corresponding grey-level image. The objective of this work is to allow free access to the grey-level image and give high resolution color image access to secret key owners. This method is made of two steps which are the color image decomposition (in a grey-level image and its associated color information) and the color-information hiding. The main contribution of this paper is to consider the decomposition into 512 colors and to apply a reversible embedding of a bitplane plus a color palette. The resultant watermarked grey-level image is then a 8-bit coded image. With this watermarked image and the extraction secret key, a user is able to rebuild a color image composed of 512 colors. Considering the previous work, the two important consequences of this approach are the improvement of the security and a better color image quality.


Background
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers worldwide with a five-year survival rate of less than 5%. Chronic pancreatitis showed increased risk to develop pancreatic cancer, in which chronic inflammation of the pancreas may play a critical role. Cytokines play an indispensable role in inflammatory reaction and tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytokines were associated with survival and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer.

Methods
In this study, we examined levels of some important cytokines in the serum of 68 patients with pancreatic cancer, including CCL2, CCL17, CXCL-1, CXCL-5, G-CSF, GM-CSF, TGF-β and IFN-γ.

Results
We found that high level of serum CCL2 was strongly associated with poor survival and prognosis, but no significant association with other clinicopathological features, including gender, age, location and TNM staging. For other cytokines, no significant correlation with poor survival and prognosis was found.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that serum level of CCL2 may serve as a potential marker for predicting the outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer.


DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.18.1.5 A composite between particles obtained residual pallets of Pinus sp and cement was manufactured. Also, three methods were performance for wood particles: hot water washed, unwashed and unwashed with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ). Different concrete-wood particle ratios were tested. Curing time was evaluated with ultrasonic pulse velocity (USV) and density of composites. Water absorption, module of rupture (MOR) in flexion, abrasion strength and resistance to decay by fungi attack were too determined. Results showed that using USV and density, curing occurs within 8 days. Moisture absorption ranges15 and 22% and decreases with decreasing of the amount of particles. MOR ranged from 0.40 a 1.23 MPa and the blocks with unwashed wooden particles and with CaCO 3 addition had the greatest significant differences. In abrasion strength, blocks with unwashed wooden particles reported the best results. Finally, it was concluded that mixture with proportion of 60:40 (concrete:wood) and CaCO 3 had the best performance and were not attacked by fungi decay.


The Database for Spoken German (Datenbank fur Gesprochenes Deutsch, DGD2, http://dgd.ids-mannheim.de) is the central platform for publishing and disseminating spoken language corpora from the Archive of Spoken German (Archiv fur Gesprochenes Deutsch, AGD, http://agd.ids-mannheim.de) at the Institute for the German Language in Mannheim. The corpora contained in the DGD2 come from a variety of sources, some of them in-house projects, some of them external projects. Most of the corpora were originally intended either for research into the (dialectal) variation of German or for studies in conversation analysis and related fields. The AGD has taken over the task of permanently archiving these resources and making them available for reuse to the research community. To date, the DGD2 offers access to 19 different corpora, totalling around 9000 speech events, 2500 hours of audio recordings or 8 million transcribed words. This paper gives an overview of the data made available via the DGD2, of the technical basis for its implementation, and of the most important functionalities it offers. The paper concludes with information about the users of the database and future plans for its development.


Glioblastomas (GBM) may contain a variable proportion of active cancer stem cells (CSCs) capable of self-renewal, of aggregating into CD133+ neurospheres, and to develop intracranial tumors that phenocopy the original ones. We hypothesized that nucleostemin may contribute to cancer stem cell biology as these cells share characteristics with normal stem cells. Here we report that nucleostemin is expressed in GBM-CSCs isolated from patient samples, and that its expression, conversely to what it has been described for ordinary stem cells, does not disappear when cells are differentiated. The significance of nucleostemin expression in CSCs was addressed by targeting the corresponding mRNA using lentivirally transduced short hairpin RNA (shRNA). In doing so, we found an off-target nucleostemin RNAi (shRNA22) that abolishes proliferation and induces apoptosis in GBM-CSCs. Furthermore, in the presence of shRNA22, GBM-CSCs failed to form neurospheres in vitro or grow on soft agar. When these cells are xenotransplanted into the brains of nude rats, tumor development is significantly delayed. Attempts were made to identify the primary target/s of shRNA22, suggesting a transcription factor involved in one of the MAP-kinases signaling-pathways or multiple targets. The use of this shRNA may contribute to develop new therapeutic approaches for this incurable type of brain tumor.


Abstract Introduction. Registries are necessary particularly for rare diseases. The REGIS registry was developed to improve scientific research in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Material and Method. We analysed 144 patients with interstitial lung diseases enrolled during a three year period, selected the sarcoidosis cases and analysed the data with Excel 2007 Software. Results. A number of 26 sarcoidosis patients were included (18.06% out of the total), of which 46.15% were female, with an average age of 41.34±9.84 years; 23.08% were smokers. 88.46% pf patients had mediastinum pulmonary involvement: stage II in 17 patients, stage III in 5 patients and stage IV in one patient; only 3 patients had extra thoracic involvement. The medical investigations performed were: chest X-ray (96.15%), thoracic HRCT (96.15%) that identified hilar adenopathy (96%), nodules (68%), with peribronchovascular localization (44%); spirometry (96.15%) that revealed an average CV of 94.99±23.07% out of the predicted value, DLCO 78.41±19.39% out of the predicted value; bronchoalveolar lavage (38.46%); serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (73.08%) and pulmonary or lymph node biopsy (80.77%). The patients that needed treatment (46.15%) were administered oral corticosteroids (10 patients), acetylcysteine (1 patient) and pirfenidone (1 patient). Conclusions. The number of patients enrolled is low as a result of the voluntary reporting, especially in severe cases and with access to all investigations needed for diagnosing.


Lowland river-floodplain systems are typical interactive ecosystems characterized by low altitude differences, high frequency of flooding, low flow velocity and the exchange of energy and substrate between channel and floodplain. Stream power is recognized as a force of formation and development of the river morphology and channel-floodplain interaction. The rising flood risk of Europe in future global change scenarios indicates an urgent need of the study of in-stream and floodplain flow/sediment processes in this area.
The aims of the dissertation are: 1) test the reliability of the mobile OTT Qliner with acoustic Doppler technology (ADQ) and the methodology for velocity and discharge measurement; 2) verification of the new formulas of the vertical flow profile with easy-to-determine parameters for a better understanding of the in-stream flow structure and improvement of the data accessibility; and 3) the evaluation of flow and sediment processes in the channel and on the floodplain of the lowland river-floodplain system in the German Upper Stor catchment by setting up 1-D hydraulic HEC-RAS models for every sub-catchment.
In this dissertation 366 measurements at 174 cross sections in 8 catchments of different sizes located in Northern Germany, Central Germany and South eastern China were collected with the ADQ, FlowSens and ADC from Sep 2011 to Jun 2012. The comparisons between data from different equipment were made to test of the reliability of ADQ. With vertical velocity profiles collected from Upper Stor catchment (Northern Germany), Kinzig catchment (Central Germany) and Changjiang catchment (Southeastern China), a new structure of the prediction formulas involving mean vertical velocity (u/ū) and dimensionless relative water depth (y/H) was proposed and verified. Three field campaigns were carried out in Sep 2011, Jan 2012 and Jun 2012 in the ten selected river sections in Upper Stor catchment, in order to set up the HEC-RAS models for each sub-basins. The discharge, velocity and geometry data of the river section and every cross section were collected during the field campaign, while the topography of the floodplain was extracted from 1m digital elevation model (DEM). Four gauge stations located in the Upper Stor catchment provided long-term discharge series (2000-2010) for the HEC-RAS model calibration and validation. The sediment series and the discharge series in the sub-basins without gauge station were generated by the SWAT model, which has been well calibrated and validated by a previous researcher.
The mobile OTT Qliner with acoustic Doppler technology (ADQ) provides a highly efficient and accurate way to collect flow discharge and velocity data. The results of flow average, profile, layer and point values of ADQ compare very well with electromagnetic or ultrasonic devices. Inner setting tests revealed that the measurement is more sensitive to cell size than to time interval setting. The cell size depth ratio between 0.1 and 0.2 meters produced the highest reliability. Longer time interval is recommended during measurement in shallow and slow flowing rivers.
The applications of the new structure of the prediction formulas show that the substitution of u* and y with the u/ū and y/H are reliable and applicable, and all three resulting curves provide satisfactory results. The parabolic curve describes the vertical flow velocity distribution in the best quality with an error of 7%, while the errors of the logarithmic and power fitting are 10% and 11%. In water depth direction, the predicted results of the middle part of the vertical profiles tend to be more reliable and precise than near the water surface area. The error in the river bed region is the highest. Higher catchment slope resulted in larger coefficients and constants in logarithmic and power fitting.
The introduction of the seasonal roughness modification to the HEC-RAS flow models of the sub-catchments of Upper Stor profoundly improves the model performance. The analysis of channelized and floodplain stream discharge and power show that under 10-years-peak discharge conditions only 1-10% of flow power was generated by floodplain flow, while 40-75% volume of water is located on the floodplain. Unit stream power is proportional to the increase of stream discharge, while the increase rate of unit in-channel power was 3 times higher than that of unit flow power on the floodplain. The variation of the increasing rate of the flow power is dominated by the local roughness height, while the flow power distributed on the floodplain mainly depends on the local slope of the catchments.
Analysis of the HEC-RAS sediment output indicates that the Upper Stor catchment is dominated by the deposition process during the study period (2000-2010), with a deposition depth of 2.85 cm in the river sections. The floodplain deposition accounts for only 1 % of the total sedimentation amount, and the rest 99% sediment deposits on the river bed. The land use/cover condition results in the different sedimentation amount in different catchments, while the granularity of the channelized sedimentation is dominated by the altitude of the river section, and the granularity of the floodplain sedimentation positively correlates with the stream power of the flood. The results yielded by the combination of HEC-RAS and SWAT model are comparable to the traditional radioactive dating or sediment trapping method in similar and nearby catchments.
The dissertation proved the accuracy of the new equipment and the measurement methodology, verified the applicability of the easy-to-determine formulas of the vertical flow velocity profiles, and revealed the basic knowledge of the lateral distribution of the flow, energy and sediment during the flood event in Upper Stor lowland river-floodplain system. The findings and the achievements of the dissertation provide a baseline and guideline for the further studies in lowland catchments, especially the river/floodplain interactive processes and nutrient and contamination related studies.


Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2012 Miami, FL, USA, 22–26 October 2012 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) is the largest meeting in the USA in the field of interventional and vascular medicine. Every year, the symposium showcases numerous sessions dedicated to late-breaking clinical trials, a unique educational window for evidence-based medicine to guide management of patients with atherosclerosis and structural heart disease. This year, late-breaking trials at TCT mainly focused on patent foramen ovale closure, coronary intervention, interventional pharmacology and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. In this article, for the sake of the busy reader who could not attend the meeting, we highlight a selection of the trials firstly presented in the 2012 edition of TCT.


Study Design. Computer modeling using patient computed tomography (CT) exposure data. Objective. To adequately consent patients, radiation dose needs to be converted into a relative risk of inducing a cancer. This article estimates different radiation doses and their relative risk of inducing a cancer from spine CT. Summary of Background Data. There has been a marked increase in imaging, particularly CT, and medical exposures make up the majority of background radiation. There is little in the literature about radiation does form spine radiograph and CT imaging. Method. Based on Monte Carlo simulations and the use of software designed for CT dosimetry, the anatomic region of the spine was mapped onto a mathematical phantom. The routine CT protocol was applied with corrections made to reflect the variation in radiation exposure along the length of the spine, resulting from automatic exposure control. The effective dose was calculated for each protocol and the relative risk of cancer induction calculated. Results. Risk ratio for inducing a cancer when CT scanning the whole lumbar spine was about 1 in 3200, which was much less than the risk of CTing the whole dorsal spine (about 1 in 1800) due to the longer coverage required and the anatomic implications of scanning in the region of the cervical dorsal junction. Quantitative CT of the lumbar spine is a low dose technique with estimated effective dose about 0.1 mSv with an estimated cancer risk of 1 in 200,000 compared to a typical chest radiograph estimated effective dose of 0.02 mSv, which gives a relative risk of causing cancer of about 1 in 1,000,000. Undertaking evaluation of the dorsal and lumbar markedly reduces the amount of radiation and therefore reduces the risk, for instance the estimated effective dose of CT from L3 to L5 is about 3.5 mSv, with an estimated cancer risk of 1 in 5200. Conclusion. Precise CT technique of the spine, covering the smallest area necessary to answer the clinical question, has a dramatic effect on the estimated cancer risk for individual patient. Cancer risks are summative, so spine CT imaging needs to be considered in the light of the total radiation risk to the patient over their lifetime.


We use a group theoretical approach to model the nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond. In our analysis we clarify several properties of this defect that have been source of controversy such as the ordering of the singlets and the mechanism that leads to spin mixing in the excited state of this defect. In particular, we demonstrate that the ordering of the ground state configuration (e2) is {3A2, 1E, 1A1} and that the spin-spin interaction causes the mixing in the excited state. In addition, we analyze the angular momentum and spin properties of the excited state structure that enables a spin photon entanglement scheme that has been recently demonstrate experimentally. Our description is general and it can be easily applied to other defects in solid-state systems.


Identification of mucin modulators is of remarkable significance to facilitate mucin-based antineoplastic therapy. However, little is known about circular RNAs (circRNAs) on regulating mucins. Dysregulated mucins and circRNAs were identified via high-throughput sequencing and their relationships with lung cancer survival were analyzed in tumor samples of 141 patients. The biological functions of circRABL2B were determined via gain- and loss-of-function experiments and exosome-packaged circRABL2B treatment in cells, patient-derived lung cancer organoids and nude mice. We identified that circRABL2B was negatively correlated with MUC5AC. Patients with low circRABL2B and high MUC5AC displayed the poorest survival (HR=2.00; 95% CI=1.12-3.57). Overexpressed circRABL2B significantly inhibited cell malignant phenotypes, while it knock-down exerted opposite effects. CircRABL2B interacted with YBX1 to inhibit MUC5AC, and subsequently suppressed integrin β4/pSrc/p53 signaling and impoverished cell stemness, and promoted erlotinib sensitivity. Exosome-packaged circRABL2B exerted significant anti-cancer actions in cells, patient-derived lung cancer organoids and nude mice. Meanwhile, circRABL2B in plasma exosomes could distinguish early-stage lung cancer patients from healthy controls. Finally, we found circRABL2B was downregulated at the transcriptional level, and EIF4a3 involved the formation of circRABL2B. In conclusion, our data suggest that circRABL2B counteracts lung cancer progression via MUC5AC/integrin β4/pSrc/p53 axis, which provides a rationale to enhance the efficacy of anti-MUCs treatment in lung cancer.


Annealing molecular beam epitaxy grown Ge/Si(100) islands spontaneously forms quantum dot molecules and rings. Quantum dot molecules (QDM) are close-packed arrays of several SiGe alloy hut clusters arranged with rectangular or circular symmetry. Rings are 3D structures with a depressed center. Both of these structures are related to island ensemble coarsening. Si interdiffusion into the perimeter of nominally pure Ge dome clusters forms a Si-rich annulus surrounding a Ge rich core. This lower melting point core diffuses away during coarsening of the island ensemble leaving behind the QDM. Large ring structures are formed by rapid coarsening of large, dislocated clusters during high temperature anneals.


Part I focuses on the novel Chromos by the New York-based, Barcelona-born writer Felipe Alfau. Alfau's decision to write in English rather than Spanish, surprised critics not only as an odd choice but also as a unique English, a form of the language with a deep imprint of Spanish. This part postulates that the practice of translation is responsible not only for the extraordinary language of Chromos but also for its main themes, as the novel repeatedly questions the relationship between original and translation in literature and other artistic works, particularly in situations of relocation. This part argues that Chromos suspends the process of translation, rather than defining itself as an original or a translation. This part then discusses Eduardo Lago's novel Llámame Brooklyn which pays homage to Alfau by including him as a character as well as forming other structural and thematic threads with the late author's writing. Both Llámame Brooklyn and Chromos propose a treatment of New York that questions the cultural boundaries of Spain and problematizes the coexistence of the Spanish and English languages thereby setting up some of the critical themes of the parts to follow.


Osteoporotic fragility fractures are a significant cause of morbidity for the geriatric population. One third of women and one fifth of men over 50 will sustain a fragility fracture in their lifetime [1]. In the United States alone, this adds up to an estimated 2 million fractures each year [1]. These numbers are expected to rise in future years as the baby boomer generation advances in age. Conservative estimates have the number of osteoporotic hip fractures increasing from 330,000 yearly (at present) to 550,000 by 2040 [2,3].


Our current understanding of the use of online support and information among parents of people with rare syndromes is fragmented, both theoretically and methodologically. This thesis aimed to provide a more coherent picture by using Bourdieu's concepts of capitals, habitus and fields to explore the interplay between the social differentiation of online support use and its role within the wider caring practices of parents of people with Rett syndrome. A mixed mode, mixed method approach was used. Parents were recruited through a charity's mailing list and communication channels and through relevant online support sites. 190 parents completed a survey about Internet and online support use. Twenty of these parents took part in detailed interviews about their use of online peer support sites. Age most strongly differentiated the use of the Internet for caring-related information and support. Time-related variables (age of parent, age of child and years since diagnosis) strongly differentiated the use of online peer support and fewer years since diagnosis was associated with gaining greater benefits from online peer support. Use of online peer support in everyday caring practices was dynamic and changed in relation to alternative sources of social capital, current need and level of relevant expertise. Interviewees with adult children had lower information and support needs overall and online support sites, used predominantly by younger carers, offered them few useful 'goods', except keeping abreast of developments in research and treatment. Wealthier parents tended to use blogs to read and trade information. There was a suggestion that more educated interviewees accessed a range of primary sources of information while less educated parents relied upon online peer support as a primary source of information. These findings demonstrate the importance of exploring online caring and health practices within a wider social, historical and personal context.


Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a proliferative disorder of the synovial membrane of uncertain etiology. It commonly affects synovial joints of the appendicular skeleton and rarely affects the spine. We present the case of a young man presenting with a rapidly progressive myelopathy due to spinal cord compression by PVNS arising from a thoracic facet joint, which finally resulted in paraplegia.The spinal location of PVNS has been seldom emphasized in the rheumatologic literature. PVNS should be considered as a possible cause of soft tissue masses arising from the facet joints, with variable degrees of nerve root or spinal cord compression.


ABSTRACT The behavioural patterns of flower-visiting insects are influenced by floral display size, floral reward, etc. We tested whether insects of various taxa visiting Cimicifuga simplex would change their behaviour between hermaphroditic and female flowers. Male-phase flowers of hermaphroditic ramets provide flower visitors with nectar and pollen as rewards, whereas female flowers of female ramets provide flower visitors with only nectar. The appearance of the both sexes in C. simplex is different with hermaphrodite being relatively large and female ramet being relatively small. Therefore, to investigate how sexual differences in floral rewards and conspicuousness affect flower visitor behaviour, we compared flower visitor behaviour between male-phase hermaphroditic ramets and female ramets. C. simplex was visited by the bumblebee Bombus beaticola beaticola (Hymenoptera), Vespula flaviceps (Hymenoptera), Anthomyiidae spp. (Diptera), Episyrphus balteatus (Diptera), and Pidonia aegrota (Coleoptera). The visitation frequency of all visitors, especially of bumblebees and dipteran insects, to male-phase hermaphroditic ramets was higher than that to female ramets. The number of flowers contacted per single visit to an inflorescence was significantly higher for hermaphroditic ramets than for female ramets in bumblebees, but no difference was found in other insect groups. These results suggest that bumblebees visit the low-reward female ramets less often than male-phase hermaphroditic ramets, and they stay on female ramets for a shorter time. In contrast, insects other than bumblebees seem to decide which flowers to visit according to how conspicuous the flowers are, but once they visit a ramet they continue to visit flowers on the ramet even if no pollen rewards there are.


Abstract. Degradation patterns are the visible consequence of the impacts of environmental factors and biological agents on stone heritage. Accurately documenting them is a key requisite when studying exposed stone antiquities to interpret weathering causes, identify conservation needs, and plan cleaning interventions. However, a significant gap can be identified in practical automatized procedures for mapping patterns on stone antiquities, such as ancient stelae. This work evaluates a workflow that uses visible and near-infrared imaging, combined with machine learning-based digital image segmentation tools, to classify degradation patterns on marble stelae correctly and cost-effectively. For this work, different classification methods are considered. Results are analyzed using error matrixes and reference degradation maps. The application cases include stelae displayed in the courtyard of the Archaeological Museum of Eretria (Euboea, Greece). The proposed methodology aims at being easily adapted to facilitate the conservators' work.


Among the stroke subtypes, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has the worst prognosis and still lacks a specific treatment. The present manuscript contains the Brazilian guidelines for the management of ICH. It was elaborated by the executive committee of the Brazilian Cerebrovascular Diseases Society and was based on a broad review of articles about the theme. The text aims to provide a rational for the management of patients with an acute ICH, with the diagnostic and therapeutic resources that are available in Brazil.


From the last two decades, the amount of waste materials recycled into useable energy sources has grown in popularity due to the fast rise in energy demand caused by the world's population growth. In other words, the conversion of garbage into energy will undoubtedly become an essential topic in the near future. Biodiesel has garnered a great deal of interest recently to reduce pollution generated by the burning of petroleum fuels. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal-based oils in most cases. Waste cooking oil biodiesel (WCB) is the most suitable resource for biofuel development because it is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, minimizing the amount of waste generated. In order to reduce harmful pollutants from engines, the use of oxygenated fuels seems to be a realistic solution. To minimize the impact on air quality, it is important to use oxy-additives that are specifically formulated for biodiesel and comply with environmental regulations. It is also recommended to use biodiesel blends with lower percentages of oxy-additives and to properly maintain the engines and exhaust systems of vehicles that use biodiesel. The purpose of this exploration is to improve the outcomes of an engine running at various concentrations of methoxyethyl acetate (MEA) additives and WCB biodiesel. The findings were compared to pure diesel, and the results were optimized for different load circumstances and combinations of oxygenated additives for the assessment of emission characteristics.on characteristics.


The discrete/continuous choice approach is often used to analyze the demand for public utility services under block rate pricing, which is a nonlinear price system. Although a consumer's budget set is convex under increasing block rate pricing, a consumer's budget set is nonconvex under decreasing block rate pricing as is the case with the gas supply in Japan and the United Kingdom. The nonlinearity problem, which has not been examined in previous studies, arises under nonconvex budget sets in which the indirect utility function corresponding to the demand function becomes highly nonlinear. To address this problem, this article proposes a feasible, efficient method of demand on the nonconvex budget set and implements a case study using household-level data on Japanese residential gas consumption. The advantages of our method are as follows: (i) the construction of an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm with an efficient blanket based on the Hermite-Hadamard integral inequality and the power-mean inequality, (ii) the explicit consideration of the (highly nonlinear) separability condition, which often makes numerical likelihood maximization difficult, and (iii) the introduction of normal disturbance into the discrete/continuous choice model.


Many studies have investigated health-care workers' confidence in handling workplace violence with the aim of preventing negative outcomes and fear of such events. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the predictors of physicians' confidence in handling workplace violence. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on various factors related to workplace violence against physicians in four regional teaching hospitals in northern Taiwan. Of the 180 respondents, 78 (43.3%) had experienced workplace violence in the 3 months preceding the study; they were assigned to the "victim group". The others (102 respondents) were assigned to the "nonvictim group". According to multiple linear regression analysis, the factors significantly associated with physicians' confidence in handling workplace violence in the victim group were perceived organizational support and workplace violence-related training courses. In the nonvictim group, affiliated department and perceived safety climate were key factors. Organizational factors are key predictors of physicians' confidence in handling workplace violence. Therefore, hospital managers should strive to bolster physicians' confidence in handling workplace violence. For victims of workplace violence, team-based trainings may improve their interpersonal skills and perceived support from colleagues, both of which can prevent workplace violence events and the repetition of such events.


Five-year-old articulation-disordered children were classified as syllable reducers or as substituters. They were compared to each other and to normal controls on measures of expressive and receptive language and on preception of word-initial and word-final voicing contrasts. There were significant differences among the groups on several imitative expressive language measures, with the syllable reducers making both deletion and substitution errors and the substituters making substitution errors for functors. There were no significant differences on a receptive language measure, nor in perception of final voicing contrasts, but the articulation-disordered groups performed more poorly than the controls in perception of initial voicing contrasts. Children's familiarity with the stimulus words of the perception task was related to their performance on language measures. Word familiarity appeared to interact with the intrinsic difficulty of stimulus pairs in the case of word-final voicing contrasts.


In a young field, such as Mining Software Repositories (MSR), there is always a call for benchmarks so that researchers can compare their results against others. Thus in order to explore and discover the breadth of MSR research, the MSR community has banded together behind the MSR Mining Challenge. The mining challenge allows researchers to demonstrate current working techniques against a common set of repositories or datasets with the express purpose of mining interesting facts from these datasets and then comparing these results against the results from other researchers. This year, 2010, the MSR Mining Challenge has expanded the size of its underlying dataset to include the version control, bug tracker, and mailinglists of the following software distributions and projects: FreeBSD, GNOME Desktop and Debian/Ubuntu. Researchers are asked to look beyond the boundaries of a project and investigate the relationship between the evolution of various programs contained within these software ecosystems. 9 general challenge submissions were submitted, 6 were accepted with a 66% acceptance rate.


Inspection has been an increasingly important feature of central monitoring of education in the 1990s. This article examines the technical reliability of inspection processes in initial teacher training, drawing extensively on methodology and procedures adopted by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) between 1996 and 1998. A definition of reliability is advanced and tested against the procedures of inspection, especially by examining the security of internal and external judgements at the pass/fail borderline and the moderation and training procedures deployed by OFSTED. The methodology of inspection is found to be insufficiently reliable for the consequences which flow from it. Tensions are explored between the technicist model of inspection underlying OFSTED initial teacher training procedures and the 'informed conoisseurship' model hitherto deployed by members of Her Majesty's Inspectorate. In consequence, there are unresolved tensions between the expressed aspiration for 'improvement through inspection' and the use of inspection to police compliance.


Purpose: Atypical columnar cell hyperplasia (ACCH) is a borderline lesion that might represent an early stage in the development of certain low-grade carcinomas in situ (CIS) and invasive cancers. There are no guidelines on its management. Our objectives were to determine the upgrade to malignancy rate and identify a subpopulation of patients that might undergo just mammographic surveillance. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data for 271 ACCH cases among 5555 breast core biopsies obtained over a 7-year period (Jan. 2003 — Jan. 2010). We collated clinical data (age, history of cancer, menopausal status), radiological data (lesion type, size, Bi-Rads category), technical data (number of biopsies, needle gauge, excision quality) and histological data and sought correlations between these factors and upgrade rate. Results: The 271 ACCH comprised 128 cases of pure ACCH, 135 cases of ACCH + atypical ductal hyperplasia, and 8 cases of ACCH + atypical lobular hyperplasia. Overall, 184 patients underwent surgery and 46 mammographic surveillance. Surgery detected 34 cases of malignancy (23 CIS, 7 invasive cancers, and 4 mixed cases) giving a 15% upgrade rate. Quality of excision was the only factor associated with under-diagnosis. Conclusion: The presence of ACCH at biopsy warrants surgery. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-11-13.


This paper was specifically written for a Swedish tax journal and its audience. As a result, it assumes that the audience is less knowledgeable about the UN tax treaty model (UN MTC) and the general situation concerning the power relationship between the global north and south compared to, for instance, a Canadian audience. Nevertheless, it aims to provide initial insights in this power relationship and the role and function of the UN MTC.

The UN MTC is often perceived as a reaction, or counterpart, to the OECD MTC as it attempts to level the playing field between developing and developed states when allocating taxing rights. The perspective of developing states is applied as a red thread throughout this paper in order to provide insight into the challenges that these states have been subject to, and the ones they are currently facing in connection to the developments surrounding the digital economy and the BEPS project.

To summarize, the aim of this paper is to describe ongoing changes of the UN MTC, yet in order to truly understand soft law such as the MTC (its background, purpose and the future function of new revisions) one has to apply a holistic approach rather than applying a traditional legal method. As a result, the UN MTC is placed in a broader context, going beyond positive law. This results in the inclusion of supplementary sources besides the central UN material. Due to the prevalence of the OECD MTC and ongoing work at OECD level (primarily the BEPS project project) these sources need to be included as the UN does not act as a lone ranger, but instead is highly influenced by the developments at OECD and G20 level. The historical development of the UN MTC as a counterbalance to the forces of developed states in addition to the current (financial) situation in developing states are additionally fundamental in understanding the revisions.


We report a case of giant omental lipoblastoma in a 13-month-old boy, which was treated successfully by total excision. Tumor cells were positive for S100, CD34 and CD56. This is the first report of lipoblastoma expressing CD56, a fact that could be used to differentiate lipoblastoma from liposarcoma.


Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan and has since spread globally, resulting in the ongoing 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic. Numerous studies of the clinical characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, yet yielded varying results given the sex difference of prevalence, severity and fatality rate. We conducted a review and meta-analysis of the sex differences of COVID-19, aiming to reveal the epidemiological characteristics and potential influencing factors of COVID-19 and provide reference for the prevention and treatment of patients.Results: By screening 1436 studies, 156 studies including 96237 COVID-19 patients from multiple countries were included. We found out that females account for 0.47 [95% CI (0.45-0.48)] of the diagnosed COVID-19 cases, while males for 0.53 of the cases [95% CI (0.52-0.55)]. Females admitted into intensive care unit (ICU) or with severe/critical illness were also analyzed, and the ratio was 0.14 [95% CI (0.11-0.17)] among all the severely/critically ill patients, which was almost twice lower than the ratio of males (0.24 [95% CI (0.19-0.29)]). The fatality rate of female patients was 0.10 [95%CI (0.05-0.17)], which was much lower than that of males (0.18[95%CI (0.11-0.29)]).Conclusions: There exists a significantly different clinical outcome between male and female COVID-19 patients. Females are less severely affected, which might be associated with the sex-based difference in immune response, female hormones and behaviors. However, more specific studies are needed to identify more relevant factors.


This report highlights the finding of ulcerative plantar keratoderma in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both patients suffered from painful plantar ulcerations and fissures; in one patient there was diffuse desquamation over the entire plantar surface, while the other patient's lesions were focal and accentuated over weight-bearing surfaces. Other etiologies for keratoderma including papulosquamoua disease, contact dermatitis, tinea and primary keratodermas were excluded. Both patients were resistant to multiple topical therapies including super-potent topical corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues and retinoids, but did report moderate relief with hydrocolloid dressings applied over super-potent topical corticosteroids and pressure off-loading measures. Lupus-associated keratoderma can be recurrent and recalcitrant to treatment, often necessitating aggressive therapy and particular attention to advanced wound care methodologies. While not a specific cutaneous sign of lupus, it should be recognized as a cause for considerable morbidity.


Parathyroid gland carcinoma is uncommon disease, accounting less than 1% among the cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. There has been reported variations in prevalence between the nations, with higher occurence in Japan and Italy, according to their referral centers. Parathyroid cancer occurs mostly in patients above 30 years, but no sex differences have been noticed. Clinical signs correspond to symptoms of hypercalcaemia, which is usually severe, due to high production of parathyroid hormone in mostly functional tumors. Palpable mass in the neck and osteoporosis are present in about 50% of the cases. We report a case of 24-year old female victim of traffic accident, suffering severe traumatic injuries- intracerebral and brainstem bleeding and contusions, together with femoral fracture, in which intensive care management simptoms suspicious to parathyroid carcinoma have been observed. Further imaging, laboratory findings, and clinical signs confirmed diagnosis. Surgery, with "en bloc" excision of the node together with adherent tissue has been performed. Definite histopathology finding approved parathyroid carcinoma. Clinical signs and laboratory findings normalized in the next period, and patient was discharged from our intensive care. This case indicates that close monitoring of clinical signs, biochemical findings together with imaging modalities available, help not to miss such rare diseases, which might be masked by primary trauma.


This study was conducted to compare our standard halothane/N2O anesthetic technique with large single-dose fentanyl (150 μg/kg)/O2 anesthesia in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. We chose to look at two discrete stimuli (tracheal intubation and sternotomy) and measured changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, mean pulmonary artery occluded pressure, PAO cardiac output, derived indices (stroke volume, rate-pressure product, systemic vascular resistance, and changes in the plasma concentrations of growth hormone, epinephrine, norepi-nephrine, and renin activity. Both groups of patients were comparable in age, height, weight, and surface area. Variance in hemodynamic functions did not reach undesirable levels in either group. In the patients given fentanyl, there was a significant increase in heart rate after pancuronium administration. Mean arterial pressure and mean pulmonary artery occluded pressure did not change significantly from control values in either group; however, there was enough divergence between groups for the changes to be statistically significant. Cardiac output decreased in both groups after sternotomy. There was no significant change in systemic vascular resistance in either group. The only significant hormonal change was a significant increase in plasma levels of growth hormone in patients who received halothane/N2O for anesthesia (p < 0.001). Plasma fentanyl concentrations decreased rapidly after bolus administration consistent with pharmacokinetics previously described. Of the 10 patients given fentanyl two were aware during sternotomy; of the 12 patients in the halothane group none had awareness. We believe that large-dose fentanyl offered better preservation of coronary perfusion and more attenuation of the hormonal flux observed with stress than halothane/N2O anesthesia. Large-dose fentanyl may offer more advantages in patients with greater ventricular impairment.


This book includes classic strategies for finding investment gems, updated to address the realities of today's markets. Legendary investment pioneer Benjamin Graham called it his "margin of safety." Warren Buffett used its principles to make millions for patient investors, and amass one of the largest personal investment fortunes in history. It is value investing, and its simple principles of success have allowed investors for nearly a century to buy companies whose stocks were underpriced, then reap the rewards as those companies' true value was recognized and rewarded by the marketplace.First published in 1989, "Value Investing Today" has since become a staple of modern value investing. Now in its revised and updated third edition to reflect today's broad advances in behavioral finance, technology, communications, and productivity, let it provide you with: new chapters on the psychology of investing and the investor-driven focus on corporate governance; updated information on why value investing continues to work across all industries and market environments; and, fresh strategies designed to protect investors from severe loss and preserve the long term value of their portfolios. While the investment landscape has changed dramatically in the past decade, the tenets of value investing have continued to help millions of investors create and preserve wealth.Discover how to make those tenets work for you - today, tomorrow, and into the future - in "Value Investing Today". 'Achieving better-than-average returns depends upon thinking and acting differently than the average market participant' - From the Introduction. Value investing isn't about excitement, or headline-making discoveries, or any of the other things that light up journalists' eyes and stockbrokers' phones. Value investing is instead about companies with solid business fundamentals that, for whatever reason, have a current stock price that is less than their intrinsic value. It is about looking under the hood, kicking the tires, and buying the stock in those companies for seventy cents on the dollar or less."Value Investing Today, Third Edition", is written for investors who understand the importance of knowing what they buy, and who have learned - often through hard, costly experience - that quick fixes more often than not just as quickly fail. This hands-on value investing guidebook will show you how to: identify value companies ahead of the crowd - what to look for, what to avoid, when to buy, when to sell; create an objective investment process to identify - and overcome - the pressures of today's marketplace; think globally, and extend the application of value investing principles to companies in newer or less well-known markets; learn and implement the skills necessary to build and maintain a portfolio of value stocks; and, establish and adhere to a dispassionate, often contrarian investment philosophy and process.Most traders and investors want excitement in their stocks, news events that will propel stock prices into the stratosphere regardless of their true worth. Value investors, on the other hand, want stocks that are unnoticed by the crowd and, most important, selling for less than they are worth. They believe, and history has shown, that these solid companies will continue to perform well, and the gap between their market price and fair value will eventually close. If you're looking for a stock poised to take the world by storm, a quick "ten-bagger," you should probably move on to more adventurous trading how-tos. If however, you are one of those serious investors willing to trade the dazzle of bright lights for the stability of substance and true worth, "Value Investing Today" is destined to show you how to construct a portfolio poised to stand the test of time, and get you to the finish line far.


Visual localization is an accurate and low-cost indoor localization solution. A bottleneck for visual localization is the computation efficiency of continuous image searching and matching. In this paper, an indoor visual localization method is proposed to realize continuous and accurate indoor localization based on image matching. This method uses smartphones to collect multi-sensor data, including video frames and inertial readings. To improve the computation efficiency of the proposed visual localization method, a spatial model is developed to optimize the spatial organization of geo-tagged images in a dataset. Several spatial constraint-based image searching strategies are also designed to further reduce the computation time. Based on the spatial model and spatial constraint-based strategies, a visual localization algorithm is proposed. The experimental results show that the localization errors of the image querying, continuous offline localization and online localization of this method are approximately 0.4 m, 0.7 m and 0.9 m, respectively. This method can achieve an accuracy of 1.3 m, even under a random camera opening condition. The average computation time (i.e.. the average time needed to provide a location estimation result) is approximately 0.59 s. The results indicate that the proposed method can realize efficient and continuous indoor localization with high localization accuracy.


We report results from an empirical study of the anisotropic structure of eroding landscapes. By constructing a novel correlation function, we show quantitatively that small-scale channel-like features of landscapes are coupled to the large-scale structure of drainage basins. We show additionally that this two-scale interaction is scale-dependent. The latter observation suggests that a commonly applied effective equation for erosive transport may itself depend on scale.


OBJECTIVES
Whether enteral nutrition should be postponed in patients undergoing sustained treatment with neuromuscular blocking agents remains unclear. We evaluated the association between enteral nutrition initiated within 2 days of sustained neuromuscular blocking agent treatment and in-hospital mortality.

DESIGN
Retrospective administrative database study from July 2010 to March 2016.

SETTING
More than 1,200 acute care hospitals covering approximately 90% of all tertiary-care emergency hospitals in Japan.

PATIENTS
Mechanically ventilated patients, who had undergone sustained treatment with neuromuscular blocking agents in an ICU, were retrospectively reviewed. We defined patients who received sustained treatment with neuromuscular blocking agents as those who received either rocuronium at greater than or equal to 250 mg/d or vecuronium at greater than or equal to 50 mg/d for at least 2 consecutive days.

INTERVENTIONS
Enteral nutrition started within 2 days from the initiation of neuromuscular blocking agents (defined as early enteral nutrition).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
We identified 2,340 eligible patients during the 69-month study period. Of these, 378 patients (16%) had received early enteral nutrition. One-to-three propensity score matching created 374-1,122 pairs. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the early than late enteral nutrition group (risk difference, -6.3%; 95% CI, -11.7% to -0.9%). There was no significant difference in the rate of hospital pneumonia between the two groups (risk difference, 2.8%; 95% CI, -2.7% to 8.3%). Length of hospital stay among survivors was significantly shorter in the early compared with the late enteral nutrition group (risk difference, -11.4 d; 95% CI, -19.1 to -3.7 d). There was no significant difference between the two groups in length of ICU stay or length of mechanical ventilation among survivors.

CONCLUSIONS
According to this retrospective database study, early enteral nutrition may be associated with lower in-hospital mortality with no increase in-hospital pneumonia in patients undergoing sustained treatment with neuromuscular blocking agents.


This thesis distinguishes Classical Behavioural Economics (CBE) from Modern Behavioural Economics (MBE) and discusses Herbert Simon's pioneering contributions to CBE in detail. CBE emphasises the role of bounded rationality, satisficing and heuristics (procedures) in human decision making in contrast to optimization, which is widely used in MBE. In the framework of CBE, heuristics are algorithms, which are embedded in the Information Processing Systems (IPS) in Human Problem Solving (HPS) environments. The argument here is that the premise of CBE is highly suitable for algorithmic modelling of adaptive agents facing complex economic environments. It explores the theoretical foundations of bounded rationality and substantiates the difference between satisficing and optimization, and claims that the former is more general than the latter. These investigations are carried out from the perspective of Computability Theory and Computational Complexity Theory, which provide a coherent foundation for Herbert Simon's work on problem solving and for CBE in general. The second part of the thesis explores the game of Go from the perspective of problem solving in CBE. Its generality, suitability and complexity are analysed in detail. A pseudo IPS which is capable of playing Go is also constructed based on the insights from Simon's work on protocol analysis and information from Go documentaries. The claim of this thesis is that Go can be a powerful paradigm to better understand human economic behaviour in diverse and complex environments.


Animal-borne video cameras equipped with depth and temperature sensors were deployed on 16 reef manta rays ( Mobula alfredi ) in Raa Atoll, Maldives and 12 oceanic manta rays ( Mob-ula birostris ) in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico. These deployments provided descriptive behavioural data that give vital context to existing biotelemetry data and enabled a comparison of the social dynamics between the two manta ray species. Overall, cruising was the most dominant daytime behaviour recorded for both species. For M. alfredi , cleaning was the second most common behaviour, followed by courtship and feeding. No courtship behaviour was recorded for M. birostris . Across M. alfredi and M. birostris deployments, individuals spent an average of 43 and 8% of recorded time interacting with conspecifics, respectively. Sociability was higher in M. alfredi than M. birostris , however the findings should be interpreted with caution beyond the two deployment populations and times. Crittercams captured multiple courtship events of M. alfredi at depths greater than recreational scuba diving limits and captured previously undocumented inter-specific interactions with M. mobular . Crittercam deployments also recorded M. alfredi travelling in groups and hugging the contours of the ocean floor, possibly as a tactic to reduce predation risk and/or improve swimming efficiency, enforcing the importance of this novel technology as a valuable tool to gain new insight into the ecological drivers of habitat use by these species. Lastly, these quantitative and descriptive results provide context for future hypothesis-driven research questions using animal-borne video cameras for mobulid rays.


Controversy exists concerning abnormalities of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Although some studies suggested that NO activity is impaired in CF, changes in NO production in young children have not been studied. We hypothesized that nitric oxide synthase (NOS II) expression is decreased in young children with CF, leading to decreased production of lower airway NO, and that decreased NOS II expression is related to airway inflammation. Accordingly, we measured lower airway exhaled NO, nitrate, and NOS II expression in airway epithelium and macrophages by bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and bronchial brushing in 13 children with CF, 4 adolescent patients with CF, and 14 disease control children. Lower airway NO and nitrate were not different between CF and disease controls. Immunostaining studies of NOS II expression in airway epithelial cells and macrophages were similar in CF and control patients. Within the CF group, however, expression of NOS II was inversely related to BAL neutrophil counts and IL‐8, two markers of airway inflammation. We conclude that lower airway NO, nitrate levels, and NOS II expression are not different in young children with CF and disease control patients, but that NOS II expression decreases in CF as airway inflammation increases. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:338–350. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.


Research in the area of style transfer for text is currently bottlenecked by a lack of standard evaluation practices. This paper aims to alleviate this issue by experimentally identifying best practices with a Yelp sentiment dataset. We specify three aspects of interest (style transfer intensity, content preservation, and naturalness) and show how to obtain more reliable measures of them from human evaluation than in previous work. We propose a set of metrics for automated evaluation and demonstrate that they are more strongly correlated and in agreement with human judgment: direction-corrected Earth Mover's Distance, Word Mover's Distance on style-masked texts, and adversarial classification for the respective aspects. We also show that the three examined models exhibit tradeoffs between aspects of interest, demonstrating the importance of evaluating style transfer models at specific points of their tradeoff plots. We release software with our evaluation metrics to facilitate research.


Power consumption and testability are two of major considerations in modern VLSI design. A full-scan method had been used widely in the past, to improve the testability of sequential circuits. Owing to the lower overheads incurred, the partial-scan design has gradually become popular. The authors propose a partial-scan selection strategy which is based on the structural analysis approach and considers the area and power overheads simultaneously. A powerful sample-and-search algorithm is used to find the solution that minimises the user-specified cost function in terms of power and area overheads. The experimental results show that the sample-and-search algorithm derived by the authors can effectively find the best solution of the specified cost function, for almost all circuits, and, on average, the saving of overheads for each specific cost function is significant.


Aspirate of pus from 5 periapical abscesses of the upper jaw and their corresponding maxillary sinusitis were studied for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Polymicrobial flora were found in all instances, where the number of isolates varied from 2 to 5. Anaerobes were recovered from all specimens. The predominant isolates were Prevotella sp., Porphyromonas sp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Peptostreptococcus sp. Concordance in the microbiological findings between periapical abscess and the maxillary sinus flora was found in all instances. However, certain organisms were only present at one site and not the other. Five beta-lactamase-producing organisms were present in the five specimens. These data confirm the importance of anaerobic bacteria in periapical abscesses and demonstrate their predominance in maxillary sinusitis that is associated with them.


Aim To analyse the clinicopathological features of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma (sBL). Methods In a review of 1682 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital and Zhongshan School of Medicine, from 1998 to 2010, 20 cases (1.2%) of sBL were identified. Histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation were used to analyse the clinicopathological features of these cases. Results Of the 20 cases of sBL, 18 patients were male and two were female. The mean age was 18 years (range 2–67 years). Extranodal presentation was more common than nodal presentation (55% vs 15%). Histopathologically, 18 cases (90%) showed monotonous medium-sized tumour cells, and two cases showed cells that were slightly pleomorphic in nuclear size and shape. Immunophenotypically, MUM1 was positive in three of 17 cases (17.6%). EBER expression was shown in five of 17 cases (29.4%), and all EBER-positive sBLs were Bcl-6+/MUM1−. Conclusion sBL is rare and mainly affects male children, with predominantly extranodal presentation. MUM1 expression was found in some sBLs. EBER expression was found in 29.4% of sBLs from southern China, an area with a well-known high incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which is closely associated with Epstein–Barr virus infection.


The objectives of this study were to evaluate calf performance, diet digestibility, and behaviors when feeding 4 milk replacer (MR) programs with different MR rates, weaning ages, and MR reduction steps. Male Holstein calves (n = 96; 40 ± 1 kg of body weight; 1 to 2 d of age) were housed in individual pens for 56 d. Feeding programs for MR were 0.66 kg for 35 d; then 0.33 kg for 7 d fed only in the a.m. (0.6 kg); 0.66 kg for 7 d, 0.82 kg for 35 d, 0.33 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (0.8 kg); 0.66 kg for 7 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 1.1 kg for 21 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 0.33 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (1.1 kg); and ad libitum allowance for 35 d, 0.82 kg for 7 d, 0.44 kg for 4 d in a.m. only, and 0.22 kg for 3 d in a.m. only (ad lib). Calves were fed a common MR [25% crude protein, 17% fat, dry matter (DM) basis]. A textured calf starter with whole corn and oats (20% crude protein and 39% starch, DM basis) and water were fed for ad libitum intake during the nursery trial. Daily behavior duration (rumination, eating, and activity) was continuously recorded from d 1 to 55 for 4 calves/treatment using ear tag accelerometers (CowManager SensOor; Agis, Harmelen, the Netherlands). All calves were moved into groups by MR program (4 calves/pen) at 56 d and fed the same starter blended with 5% grass hay. Fecal samples were collected from individual calves between d 52 to 56 and from pen floors on d 66 to 70 to estimate total-tract digestibility. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measures when appropriate. Intake of MR averaged 25.3, 35.3, 40.9, and 46.5 kg of DM per calf for 0.6 kg, 0.8 kg, 1.1 kg, and ad lib treatments, respectively. Starter intake was greatest for 0.6 kg compared with others and average daily gain (ADG) differed among all 4 programs with 0.6 kg < 0.8 kg < 1.1 kg < ad lib during d 0 to 56. Intake of MR for ad lib was highly variable and was reflected in ADG. Daily rumination, eating, and activity durations did not differ among treatments from d 1 to 55 of the nursery trial. Digestibility of DM, organic matter, acid and neutral detergent fiber, and sugar at d 52 to 56 were greater for 0.6 kg versus ad lib. Digestibility of DM at d 66 to 70 differed for all treatments with 0.6 kg > 0.8 kg > 1.1 kg > ad lib and was mostly influenced by fiber digestibility. During the grower trial (d 56 to 112), ADG was greater for 0.6 kg versus 1.1 kg and ad lib. Hip width change was greater for 0.6 kg versus other treatments. Feeding more than 0.6 kg/d of MR increased ADG preweaning, but reduced diet digestibility postweaning resulted in similar calf BW and frame size by 4 mo of age among MR feeding programs.


What does it mean to use, or do, theory in the scholarship of teaching and learning? The article approaches the question by considering the role of design anthropology in developing studio-based engineering programmes. Central to my discussion within situated contexts of learning is the idea of practice-based exploration conceived as a way of enhancing collaboration between knowledge traditions. My focus is on the practice of interdisciplinarity, and I show how such practice is a way of doing anthropology with other disciplines rather than doing an anthropology of these subjects. Through this `anthropology with', I examine the learning and teaching of critical reflection skills. Building upon an experiment in learning and teaching carried out at the Department of Anthropology, University of Aberdeen in 2004 in developing ways of knowing and understanding on the interface across disciplines, I aim to show how learning can itself be a form of research that generates new knowledge and understanding. I suggest that `anthropology with' could be a powerful way of doing theory in the scholarship of teaching and learning.


Candida albicans cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) is coded by two catalytic subunits (TPK1 and TPK2) and one regulatory subunit (BCY1). In this organism the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway mediates basic cellular processes, such as the yeast‐to‐hyphae transition and cell cycle regulation. In the present study, we investigated the role of C. albicans PKA in response to saline, heat and oxidative stresses as well as in glycogen storage. To fine‐tune the analysis, we performed the studies on several C. albicans PKA mutants having heterozygous or homozygous deletions of TPK1 and/or TPK2 in a different BCY1 genetic background. We observed that tpk1Δ/tpk1Δ strains developed a lower tolerance to saline exposure, heat shock and oxidative stress, while wild‐type and tpk2Δ/tpk2Δ mutants were resistant to these stresses, indicating that both isoforms play different roles in the stress response pathway. We also found that regardless of the TPK background, heterozygous and homozygous BCY1 mutants were highly sensitive to heat treatment. Surprisingly, we observed that those strains devoid of one or both TPK1 alleles were defective in glycogen storage, while strains lacking Tpk2 accumulated higher levels of the polysaccharide, indicating that Tpk1 and Tpk2 have opposite roles in carbohydrate metabolism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


PURPOSE
To determine the accuracy of 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the evaluation of regional lymph nodes in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Imaging and clinical findings obtained during 5 years in 84 patients (mean age, 66 years) were reviewed. Patients had thoracic computed tomographic findings of stage I NSCLC, an FDG PET study, and histopathologic proof of lung cancer. At the time of diagnosis, disease stage was assigned on the basis of FDG PET results and was compared with the histopathologic stage to determine the accuracy of PET.

RESULTS
When PET stage was compared with histopathologic stage, the disease in 72 (86%) patients was accurately staged with PET, understaged in two (2%), and overstaged in 10 (12%). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for PET of regional lymph nodal metastases were 82%, 86%, 47%, and 97%, respectively.

CONCLUSION
FDG PET enables accurate staging of regional lymph node disease in patients with stage I NSCLC. A negative PET scan in these patients suggests that mediastinoscopy is unnecessary and that these patients can proceed directly to thoracotomy.


Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes require high levels of participation in order to reduce mortality. To improve participation rates, it is necessary to identify the health risk factors and social inequalities associated with non-participation. Methods A systematic review was conducted between June and September of 2019 in six databases: CINHAL, Medline, Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index, Embase and PsycINFO. Studies assessing the relationship between health risk factors, participation in preventive activities and participation in CRC screening were included. Methodological assessment was carried out according to the Quality Assessment Tools of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Results A total of nine studies that analyze participation in both organized and opportunistic screening programmes using any type of screening method were finally selected. Data were mainly self-reported although in two studies medical records were also studied. We identified several variables: gender, body mass index, consultation with a doctor or a specialist, educational level, employment, health insurance, residence, ethnicity, age, marital status, income, other preventive activities, obesity, physical activity, smoking, family history of CRC and general health status. Conclusion The scarcity of studies linking risk factors, social inequalities and participation in preventive activities for participation in screening in the same study makes it difficult to reach definitive patterns related to non-participation in CRC screening programmes. Nevertheless, being under 60, obese, smoker and sedentary have shown an association with non-participation as well as not visiting a doctor.


Summarising video data is essential to enable content-based video indexing and retrieval. A novel graph theoretic approach is presented to extract representative key frames corresponding to the shortest path of the graph for each shot. We distinguish further amongst paths of similar weight by examining the standard deviation of their constituent edge weights which improves the distribution of the selected key frames. The perceived camera motions contained within each shot are also annotated to introduce a further level of indexing and searching video content.


An apparatus has been designed to measure the birefringence induced in various liquids by a Q switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm. The apparatus was designed for high sensitivity, specifically to measure the induced birefringence in weakly anisotropic pure liquids. Results for some well characterized pure liquids and for the liquid alkane series from pentane to dodecane are presented.


Abstract Background: The performance of first trimester biochemical screening was compared at different pregnancy weeks and maternal ages during 2002–2008 in a screened population of 76,949 women. Methods: The detection rates, as well as the median multiples of a median (MOMs) of free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), were compared between completed gestational weeks 8–13 and between different maternal ages separated into 5-year groupings. Results: The number of singleton Down syndrome pregnancies was 221. The median age of the screened women was 30 years and the proportion of women aged ≥35 years 16.9%. The median age of the women with a Down syndrome pregnancy was 37 years. In women aged <35 years, the biochemical markers provided a detection rate of only 38.6%, whereas in women aged ≥35 years, the biochemical markers detected 82.7% of cases (p<0.01). Conclusions: Biochemical screening works best amongst women aged ≥35 years. For younger mothers aged <35 years, combined screening should be the method of choice.


This study aimed to identify the early reading skills in English as a foreign language via information and communication technology in Vietnam as well as early childhood student teachers perception. Currently, information and communication technology and part of the teacher's perception in the classroom practices performed an effective role in the learning aptitude of students and enhanced their reading skills in English as a foreign language. The nature of the study was cross-sectional and data were collected from 100 students and teachers from Hanoi National University of Education. The output of the study revealed that more students were agreed and had a positive perception towards the uses of information and communication technology in teaching reading in English as a foreign language. The results also indicated that teachers used the best skills and strategies to enhance children's vocabulary in the classrooms. Lastly, findings indicated that students faced a lack of resources and technical support as significant barriers. Implications for early childhood pre-service teacher training and educational policy are discussed.


In 2008, the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality notified four proposed Sites of Community Interest (pSCIs) to the European Commission (for protection as Special Conservation Areas (SCAs) under the Habitats Directive). These areas are the Dogger Bank, Cleaver Bank, the Coastal Zone and the Vlakte van de Raan. The areas have been chosen for their specific habitats and ecological values (Bos et al., 2008). In addition, the Frisian Front will be designated as SPA (Special Protection Area) under the Bird Directive. Based on this decision a process has been executed during the last four years for the development of the provisions of this Directive in Dutch legislation and policy, namely the North Sea Natura 2000 project. LEI facilitated this process by making an initial inventory of the fishing activities of both Dutch and foreign fleets in these areas (Van Oostenbrugge et al., 2010). The current status is that for the areas in the coastal zone, management measures have been finalised and implemented. In the Dutch exclusive economic zone the state of play is that for the Dogger Bank, Cleaver Bank and the Frisian Front management proposals are being prepared for decision making in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) context. Designating these areas under national law requires the Nature Protection Act to enter into force in the Dutch EEZ. This has been discussed in parliament (on 13 June 2012). Some questions remain on the importance of these areas for the Dutch fisheries and the economic consequences of management measures. The consequences of the management regime for the Dogger Bank are estimated by the ICES in the international process of the Dogger Bank Steering Group. The ministry of Economic Affairs has asked LEI to update the report from 2010 for the Frisian Front and the Cleaver Bank. Because a large part of the Belgian, UK and German flagged vessels are owned by Dutch companies, those fishing fleets are also taken into account in the current study.


Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) provides a promising technique to study high resolution structures of macromolecules in situ, opening a new era of structural biology. One major bottleneck of this technique is to prepare suitable cryo-lamellas of cell/tissue samples. The emergence of cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milling technique provides a good solution of this bottleneck. However, there are still large limitations of using cryo-FIB to prepare cryo-lamella of tissue specimen because the thickness of tissue increases the difficulty of specimen freezing and cryo-FIB milling. Here we report a new workflow, VHUT-cryo-FIB (Vibratome - High pressure freezing - Ultramicrotome Trimming – cryo-FIB), aiming for efficient preparation of frozen hydrated tissue lamella for subsequent cryo-ET data collection. This workflow includes tissue slicing using vibratome, high pressure freezing, ultramicrotome cryo-trimming, cryo-FIB milling and the subsequent cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The modification of equipment in this workflow is highly eliminated. We developed two strategies with a special cryo-holder tip or carrier for loading cryo-lamella into side entry cryo-holder or Autoloader catridge. We tested this workflow using the tissue sample of rat skeleton muscle and spinach leaf and collected high quality cryo-ET tilt series, which enabled us to obtain an in situ structure of spinach ribosome by sub-tomogram averaging.


Acceleration records of the Tottori earthquake (6 October 2000), pro- vided by stations of the Digital Strong-Motion Network Kik-Net, show clear evidence of the nonlinearity of soil response at sites located in near-fault zones. In this study, records of the mainshock of the Tottori earthquake are analyzed, and stresses and strains, induced by the strong motion in the upper 100 or 200 m of soil, are recon- structed at sites located within 80 km from the fault plane. For reconstructing stresses and strains, the method is applied, which we developed and used previously for studying the response of soils during the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Nonlinear time- dependent stress-strain relations in the soil layers are estimated based on vertical- array records. A good agreement between the observed and simulated accelerograms of the Tottori earthquake testifies to the validity of the obtained vertical distributions of stresses and strains in the soil layers. We also evaluated variations of the shear moduli of the soil layers, caused by the strong motion, at stations located at different distances from the fault plane. Changes in the rheological properties of the upper soil layers were found at the stations closest to the fault-plane. A similarity in stress- strain relations, describing the behavior of similar soils during the 1995 Kobe earth- quake and the 2000 Tottori earthquake, was obtained, indicating the possibility of precasting soil behavior in future earthquakes at sites where profiling data are available.


Two north-eastern Australian volcanic crater lake cores have been used to obtain relative intensity estimates for the geomagnetic field. ARM imparted in a low DC bias field has been used as a normalizing parameter. The intensity fluctuations in the two lakes are in excellent agreement with each other and with south-eastern Australian archaeointensity data over their coeval time spans. This strongly suggests that the same sources are influencing the geomagnetic secular variation throughout eastern Australia at this time. The relative intensity records go back to about 14000yr BP thereby extending currently available recent Australian intensity records by some 7000 yr.


Traditionally, studies of coevolving systems have considered cases where a parasite may inhabit only a single host. The case where a parasite may infect many hosts, widespread parasitism, has until recently gained little traction. This is due in part to the computational complexity involved in reconstructing the coevolutionary histories where parasites may infect only a single host, which is NP-Hard. Allowing parasites to inhabit more than one host has been seen to only further compound this computationally intractable problem. Recently however, well-established algorithms for estimating the problem instance where a parasite may infect only a single host have been extended to handle widespread parasites. Although this has offered significant progress, it has been noted that these algorithms poorly handle parasites that inhabit phylogenetically distant hosts.
In this work we extend these previous algorithms to handle cases where parasites inhabit phylogenetically distant hosts using an additional evolutionary event which we call spread. Our new framework is shown to infer significantly more congruent coevolutionary histories compared to existing methods over both synthetic and biological data sets. We then apply the newly proposed algorithm, which we call WiSPA (WideSpread Parasitism Analyser), to the well studied coevolutionary system of Primates and Enterobius (pinworms), where existing methods have been unable to reconcile the widespread parasitism present without permitting additional divergence events. Using WiSPA and the new biological event, spread, we provide the first statistically significant coevolutionary hypothesis for this system.


Fabrication of LEGO models in large scale requires careful pre-planning to produce constructable and stable models. We propose a system that, starting with a voxelization of a 3D mesh, merges voxels to form larger bricks, and then analyzes and repairs structural problems, finally outputting a set of building instructions. We also present extensions such as producing hollow models, fulfilling limits on the number of bricks of each size, and including colors. Results (both real and virtual) and timings show significant improvements over previous work.


North-trending folds and regional deflection of Cordilleran trends in the Bering Strait region strongly suggest east-west compression and crustal shortening between the North American and Eurasian continents during late Mesozoic or early Cenozoic time. Along the northwest coast of Alaska, the west- and southwest-trending grain of the Cordilleran belt appears to be deflected by a belt of folds and thrust faults that can be traced from Cape Lisburne southward across the Seward Peninsula and Yukon-Koyukuk province to the Kaltag fault. Fold axes are generally overturned to the east, and locally Paleozoic strata are thrust eastward onto Mesozoic strata. Major geologic trends on the north side of the Kaltag fault appear to be offset as much as 130 km to the east. On the Bering-Chukchi shelf, increasing evidence suggests that Cordilleran trends between Alaska and Siberia are buckled into a tight southward-looping orocline. The Paleozoic and early Mesozoic stratigraphic sequence on St. Lawrence Island is nearly identical with that found in the western Brooks Range, 400 km to the north, and distinctive belts of late Paleozoic and Mesozoic mafic volcanic and intrusive rocks and alkalic intrusive rocks appear to be traceable in an arc stretching southward from the Kobuk-Selawik area to St. Lawrence Island and then northward onto the Chukotsk Peninsula.

Oroclinal bending in the Bering Strait region and in the eastern Brooks Range appears to have foreshortened the northern part of the Alaska Cordillera by at least 800 km. As neither of these deflections is reflected in the arcuate trends of the Alaska and Aleutian Ranges, the northern part of Alaska may have been decoupled from the southern part along the Kaltag fault.

This compressional event in Late Cretaceous or early Tertiary time may be related to opening of the North Atlantic Ocean basin.


Kingsbury, Inc., Philadelphia, PA 19154 In this paper dealing with the tilting pad journal bearing, experim'ental results are presented which show that, at higher shaft speeds, the leading-edge-groove (LEG) design has significantly lower operating temperatures to those of the conventional design of tilting pad journal bearing. Subsequent theoretical analysis has shown that this reduction in pad operating temperature is the result of feeding cool oil directly to the leading edge of the pad. This has the effect of reducing the amount of hot oil carried over from one pad to the next.


We present a wavelet analysis of supersonic shock-boundary-layer interaction. We have used direct numerical simulation data for supersonic flow over a compression ramp and performed orthogonal anisotropic wavelets. The wavelet-based method of extracting coherent structures is applied to the flow vorticity field, decomposed into coherent and incoherent contributions using thresholding of the wavelet coefficients. The statistics of the coherent part of vorticity are close to the statistics of the total field. The study aims to improve our understanding of the shock-boundary-layer interaction, the role of vorticity, and the relationship between the flow's coherent and incoherent vorticity components with the near-wall sound. Our analysis shows a substantial correlation between the incoherent part of vorticity components and wall-pressure fluctuations.


Introduction: We aimed to explore the abnormal expression of dual-specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) and its latent molecular mechanisms in ovarian carcinoma (OVCA). Materials and Methods: Two clinical cohorts collected from two different hospitals were used to evaluate the expression of DUSP1 protein in OVCA tissues. RNA-sequencing and microarray datasets were utilised to verify DUSP1 expression at mRNA levels in both OVCA tissues and in the peripheral blood of OVCA patients. Furthermore, an integrated calculation was performed to pool the standard mean difference (SMD) from each cohort in order to comprehensively assess the expression of DUSP1 in OVCA. Furthermore, we examined the relationship among DUSP1, tumour microenvironment (TME), and chemotherapy resistance in OVCA. Moreover, we used pathway enrichment analysis to explore the underlying mechanisms of DUSP1 in OVCA. Results: A pooled SMD of −1.19 (95% CI [−2.00, −0.38], p = 0.004) with 1,240 samples revealed that DUSP1 was downregulated in OVCA at both mRNA and protein levels. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9235 indicated the downregulated DUSP1 in peripheral blood may have a non-invasive diagnostic value in OVCA. Through six algorithms, we identified that DUSP1 may related to tumour-infiltrating T cells and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OVCA. Pathway enrichment demonstrated that DUSP1 might participate in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. Furthermore, DUSP1 may have relations with chemotherapy resistance, and a favourable combining affinity was observed in the paclitaxel-DUSP1 docking model. Conclusion: DUSP1 was downregulated in OVCA, and this decreasing trend may affect the infiltration of CAFs. Finally, DUSP1 may have a targeting relation with paclitaxel and participate in MAPK signaling pathways.


The article discusses the use of the Jordan elimination method for solving the system of resolvent equations when analyzing the bar systems. The use of the Jordan elimination method makes it possible to determine the forces in cross-sections of bars and displacements of the system units in the case of changes in the design model of the system without the solution of new resolvent equations at each change. Changes in the design model indicate the introduction or removal of the support or internal connections, changes in the stiffness parameters of elements of statically indeterminate systems, and others. The Jordan elimination method is used for a simple statically indeterminate beam, which is a special case of the bar system.