Background: Shoulder adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common musculoskeletal condition causing pain, loss of range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder, and a decrease in its functionality, yet poorly defined and understood since its identification. Kaltenborn mobilization technique (KMT) and muscle energy technique (MET) are commonly used physiotherapeutic techniques for their treatment. To the best of our understanding, there was no study found to compare the effectiveness of one technique over another. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of KMT and MET on the ROM, pain and function in subjects with chronic shoulder AC. Methods: In this single-centred, single-blinded quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design 35 subjects were randomized into two groups: Group A (n=18) received KMT and Group B (n=17) received MET along with the moist hot pack (MHP), supervised exercises and home exercises common to both the groups. A total of 32 subjects completed the study with three dropouts. Subjects were evaluated before and after 10 treatment sessions for the outcomes, shoulder external rotation passive range of motion (ER-PROM) and abduction passive range of motion (ABD-PROM) using the universal goniometer, intensity of pain using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and functional disability using the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Results: Analysis of 32 subjects showed that both groups were homogenous at baseline. The within-group analysis showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in both groups related to all the outcomes. But when we compared the groups, Group B showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in NPRS and SPADI in comparison to Group A. However, there was non-significant (p>0.05) difference found in ER-PROM and ABD-PROM. Conclusion: Both KMT and MET are effective in improving ROM, pain and function but MET showed a significant reduction of pain and improvement in function in subjects with chronic shoulder AC, thus supporting its use as a physiotherapeutic treatment technique.


In this paper, Passive Telemerty RF Sensor System using Unscented Kalman Filter algorithm(UKF) is proposed. General Passive Telemerty RF Sensor System means that it should be "wireless", "implantable" and "batterless". Conventional Passive Telemerty RF Sensor System adopts Integrated Circuit type, but there are defects like complexity of structure and limit of large power consumption in some cases. In order to overcome these kinds of faults, Passive Telemetry RF Sensor System based on inductive coupling principle is proposed in this paper. Because passive components R, L, C have stray parameters in the range of high frequency such as about 200[KHz] used in this paper, Passive Telemetry RF Sensor System considering stray parameters has to be derived for accurate model identification. Proposed Passive Telemetry RF Sensor System is simple because it consists of R, L and C and measures the change of environment like pressure and humidity in the type of capacitive value. This system adopted UKF algorithm for estimation of this capacitive parameter included in nonlinear system like Passive Telemetry RF Sensor System. For the purpose of obtaining learning data pairs for UKF Algorithm, Phase Difference Detector and Amplitude Detector are proposed respectively which make it possible to get amplitude and phase between input and output voltage. Finally, it is verified that capacitive parameter of proposed Passive Telemetry RF Sensor System using UKF algorithm can be estimated in noisy environment efficiently.


Economic crisis and the resulting need for austerity budgets have divided many governing parties and coalitions in Europe despite strong party discipline in the legislative voting on these harsh budgets. We measure these divisions using automated text analysis methods to scale the positions that legislators express in budget debates in an effort to avoid punishment by voters for supporting austerity measures while still adhering to strict party discipline by voting along party lines. Our test case is Ireland, a country that has experienced periods of rapid economic growth as well as one deep financial and economic crisis. Tracking dissent from 1987 to 2013, we show that austerity measures undermine government cohesion as verbal opposition markedly increases in direct response to the economic pain felt in a legislator's constituency. The economic vulnerability of a legislator's constituency also directly explains position taking on austerity budgets among both government and opposition.


Lynch syndrome represents 1-7% of all cases of colorectal cancer and is an autosomal-dominant inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) mismatch repair genes. Since the discovery of the major human genes with DNA mismatch repair function, mutations in five of them have been correlated with susceptibility to Lynch syndrome: mutS homolog 2 (MSH2); mutL homolog 1 (MLH1); mutS homolog 6 (MSH6); postmeiotic segregation increased 2 (PMS2); and postmeiotic segregation increased 1 (PMS1). It has been proposed that one additional mismatch repair gene, mutL homolog 3 (MLH3), also plays a role in Lynch syndrome predisposition, but the clinical significance of mutations in this gene is less clear. According to the InSiGHT database (International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumors), approximately 500 different LS-associated mismatch repair gene mutations are known, primarily involving MLH1 (50%) and MSH2 (40%), while others account for 10%. Much progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of Lynch Syndrome. Molecular characterization will be the most accurate way of defining Lynch syndrome and will provide predictive information of greater accuracy regarding the risks of colon and extracolonic cancer and enable optimal cancer surveillance regimens.


Nanotechnology is a modern and developed technology, which have great importance in many fields of medicine (diagnosis and treatment). Also, it used to prevent and solve many problems related to animal production and health. The Nanosystems are including metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric Nanospheres, polymeric micelles, carbon nanotubes, functionalized fullerenes, polymer-coated Nanocrystals, dendrimers and Nanoshells. Our review showed a details classification of nanoparticles and their uses. Nanoparticles have several features depended on the size, colossal surface. The development of antibiotics nanoparticle is very important and has an excellent impact in treating bacterial infections wherever the antibiotics nanoparticle gives high therapeutic effect without negative side effects. Our review showed some aspects of the nanoparticles' classification and their uses in general form and veterinary medicine, focusing the light on nanoparticle applications in the nutrient, Biocides, meat and egg quality, milk, animal treatment diseases, and reproduction the animals.


Automatic enrolment (AE) into a workplace pension is an important recent development in pension policy. An important question for this policy is why do people opt-out or not opt-out of AE? This question is important for understanding the power of suggestion associated with AE as well as responding to concerns that women might face undue pressure to opt-out. This article addresses this question through a focus group study into the United Kingdom's new AE policy. Women were more likely than men to cite lack of affordability as a reason for opting out. Lack of information also seemed important for the power of suggestion associated with AE. Further research should explore how to make AE less gender blind as well as the types of information or advice that should be provided alongside AE.


The work is aimed at solving the problem of reducing energy losses in transmission units of hoisting machines for repairing wells. Method of rapid heating and maintaining the optimal temperature in the transmission units of lifting units by using the heat of the exhaust gases was proposed. Analysis of features of a design of transmissions of lifting installations for repair of wells is carried out. Studies of viscosity-temperature characteristics of modern transmission oils and temperature regime in transmission units have been performed. A mathematical model of energy release in transmission units during the operation of lifting units is proposed. Installed energy consumption for friction in the gears of the transmission units. Friction energy losses in bearings of transmission mechanisms of lifting units are determined. A method for reducing energy losses in transmission units of hoisting installations for well repair is proposed. Experimental studies of the implementation of the proposed method of reducing energy losses in transmission units. Dependence of power losses in the gearbox of lifting units depending on the temperature and grade of transmission oil is established. The dependence of power losses in the gearbox of the lifting unit of the UPA 60 / 80 A model depending on the temperature and grade of transmission oil is obtained. The results of calculations of fuel consumption in the gearbox of the lifting unit of the UPA 60 / 80A model with different power drives and at different temperatures of transmission oil are given


Summary Prints belonging to Pteraichnus are recorded and described from the Saltwick Formation (Middle Jurassic, Aalenian Stage) at Hayburn Wyke on the Cleveland Coast of Yorkshire, England. This is the first record of Pteraichnus from the region and from the British Isles, and is an important addition to its diverse vertebrate ichnofauna. It is also only the second record of pterosaur footprints from the British Isles and is the oldest known occurrence of Pteraichnus . Significantly, it suggests that the pterodactyloid pterosaurs evolved earlier than has previously been supposed.


Equatorial Atlantic surface waters respond directly to changes in zonal and meridional lower tropospheric winds forced by annual insolation. This mechanism has its maximum effect along the equatorial wave guide centered on 10 deg W. The result is to amplify even subtle tropical climate changes such that they are recorded by marked amplitude changes in the proxy signals. Model realizations, NCAR AGCM and OGCM for 0 Ka and 126 Ka (January and July), and paleoceanographic proxy data show that these winds are also forced by insolation changes at the orbital periods of precession and obliquity. Perhelion in boreal summer produces a strengthened monsoon, e.g., increase meridional and decrease zonal wind stress. This reduces oceanic Ekman divergence and thermocline/nutricline shallowing. The result, in the equatorial Atlantic, is reduced primary productivity and higher euphotic zone temperatures; vice versa for perihelion in boreal winter. Perihelion is controlled by precession. Thus, the dominant period in spectra from a stacked SST record (0-252 Ka BP) at the site of the equatorial Atlantic amplifier is 23 Ky (53 percent of the total variance). This precessional period is coherent (k = 0.920) and in phase with boreal summer insolation. Oscillations of shorter period are present in records from cores sited beneath the amplifier region. These occur between 12.5 and 74.5 Ka BP, when eccentricity modulation of precession is at a minimum. Within this time interval there are 21 cycles with mean periods of 3.0 plus or minus 0.5 Ky. Similar periods have been documented from high latitude regions, e.g., Greenland ice cores from Camp Century. The Camp Century signal in this same time interval contains 21 cycles. A subjective correlation was made between the Camp Century and the equatorial records; the signals were statistically similar, r = 0.722 and k = 0.960.


Objective To determine changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence across three different time periods in pregnant women. Methods This was a retrospective study of pregnant women attending four healthcare centres between January 1995 and May 2015. Data for serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs levels were collected from routine antenatal screening records. The 20-year study was divided into three periods: 1995–2001, 2002–2008 and 2009–2015. The results are presented by the women's age and gravidity as possible determinants of HBV infection. Results 7605 pregnant women (56.0% primigravidae) (mean age 23.4±4.8 years) were tested for markers of HBV infection. 3010 pregnant women were screened between 1995 and 2001, 2995 between 2002 and 2008, and 1600 between 2009 and 2015. The overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity in the 7605 pregnant women was 1.5% (n=114) and 11.5% (n=877), respectively. Regarding temporal change in the prevalence of HBV markers, HBsAg decreased significantly from 2.6% to 0.8% (p<0.01), while anti-HBs increased significantly from 9.5% to 17.5% (p<0.01), between the first and last study periods. Multigravidae and older women had higher HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity compared to primigravidae. Conclusions The data suggest that the prevalence of HBsAg positivity is gradually decreasing among pregnant women, while the level of HBsAg antibody seropositivity is lower than expected. HBV carrier rate increases with increasing age and gravidity. In addition to the national HBV immunisation programme, the prevention of perinatal transmission should also be prioritised to decrease the HBV pool of infection.


This essay analyzes the needs of Defence in Colombia in implementing the NATO Cataloguing to the Military Forces This means a logistics country's progress worldwide, enabling you to have some results and improvements in the implementation of logistics management in the supply chain, establishing an inter-agency process and joint provision shopping, unique coding of items with identical characteristics, ease interoperability at national and international levels, reducing duplication in inventories and equipment supplies. This cataloguing is a valuable tool for inventories control and to strengthen the interoperability of national military forces with other countries using master database catalog NATO master catalog that collects information from all participating NATO nations as each country provides data for manufacturers and trade suppliers references an item. This system has international support with defined standards and adopted by NATO countries that guarantee and standardize the operation of cataloging at national and international level.


The most established numerical methods for calculation of sound radiation are the boundary-element-method (BEM) and the finite-element-method (FEM). For large-scale geometries and high-frequency ranges these methods are limited by enormous numerical costs. The applicability of the energy-finite-element-method (EFEM) in these cases is analyzed within the research project EPES, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology. Under certain assumptions, the equations describing structure-borne sound and sound radiation can be condensed to the static heat conduction equation, transforming the pressure and velocities in energy densities. Using EFEM, the structure geometry and acoustic cavities are separately modeled and coupled by transmission coefficients for energy flow interactions. An important value calculating the coefficients is the radiation efficiency. This paper focuses on the analysis of the radiation efficiency for EFEM calculations. This contribution presents the EFEM approach, calcula...


Introduction . The most common way to maintain the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid is intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid solutions. Such forms have several features due to the method of administration, the characteristics of the substance, as well as their composition, technology, and packaging. The aim of the work to analyze the features of hyaluronic acid solutions for intra-articular administration, as well as to consider resent trends to their pharmaceutical development. Text . Currently, in Russia, most of these forms are registered as medical devices. Each drug has its characteristics, including the source of the substance, the main molecular weight and the molecular weight range of hyaluronic acid, the structure of the molecule (linear or cross-linked), the method of its chemical modification, concentration, solution volume, dosage, etc. As excipients most often use sodium chloride, water for injection, and phosphate-buffered saline to maintain pH values close to the synovial fluid. Some prostheses contain mannitol as an antioxidant. Combinations of hyaluronic acid with active chondroprotective substances (chondroitin sulfate, sodium succinate) are known. The main type of primary packaging is glass prefilled syringes. The choice of sterilization methods is determined by the chemical structure of hyaluronic acid, aseptic production is used for most prostheses. Conclusion . Currently, research solutions to create thermostable and enzyme-resistant compositions with hyaluronic acid for intra-articular administration are being successfully applied. Modern developments are aimed at creating polymer complexes of hyaluronic acid with substances that improve the lubricity of solutions, the development of nanosystems (liposomes, nanoparticles, nano micelles, etc.) with chondroprotective, as well as the creation of inert biocompatible prostheses with viscoelastic properties. The creation of forms of hyaluronic acid and alternative drugs that can support the rheological properties of synovial fluid is currently a promising area of research.


Nitrate-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a new pathway to reduce methane emissions from paddy ecosystems. The elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration can affect methane emissions from paddy ecosystems, but its impact on the process of nitrate-dependent AOM is poorly known. Based on the automatic CO2 control platform with open top chambers and the 13CH4 stable isotope experiments, the responses of the activity of nitrate-dependent AOM, abundance and community composition of Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens (M. nitroreducens)-like archaea to the gradual increase of CO2 concentration were investigated in paddy fields. We set up two CO2 concentration treatments, including an ambient CO2 and a gradual increase of CO2(increase of 40 μL·L-1 per year above ambient CO2 concentration until 160 μL·L-1). The results showed the nitrate-dependent AOM rate of 0.7-11.3 nmol CO2·g-1·d-1 in the studied paddy fields, and quantitative PCR showed the abundance of M. nitroreducens-like archaeal mcrA genes of 2.2×106-8.5×106 copies·g-1. Compared to the ambient CO2 treatment, the slow elevated CO2 treatment enhanced the nitrate-dependent AOM rate and stimulated the abundance of M. nitroreducens-like archaea, particularly in 5-10 cm soil layer. The gradual increased CO2 concentration treatment did not change the community composition of M. nitroreducens-like archaea, but significantly decreased their diversity. The soil organic carbon content was an important factor influencing the nitrate-dependent AOM process. Overall, our results showed that the gradual increase of CO2 concentration could promote the nitrate-dependent AOM, suggesting its positive role in mitigating methane emissions from paddy ecosystems under future climate change.


The new high-spin iron(II) complex, [Fe(C(12)H(10)N(6))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](C(8)H(3)N(4)S)(2) or [Fe(abpt)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](tcnsme)(2) [where abpt is 4-amino-3,5-di-2-pyridyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole and tcnsme is the 1,1,3,3-tetracyano-2-methylthiopropenide anion], consists of discrete [Fe(abpt)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) dications, where the Fe(II) ion is coordinated by two N,N'-bidentate chelating abpt ligands in the equatorial plane and two water molecules in trans positions, generating a distorted octahedral [FeN(4)O(2)] environment. The cationic unit is neutralized by two polynitrile tcnsme anions, in which the C-N, C-C and C-S bond lengths indicate extensive electronic delocalization. In the crystal structure, the dications and anions are linked through O-H...N and N-H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water H atoms and those of the NH(2) groups and the N atoms of the CN groups, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional network.


The magnetic properties of La0.5Ca0.5FeO3− perovskites with different oxygen vacancy contents were comprehensively investigated by means of x-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. A glassy magnetic behavior was observed by the dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements. Around the freezing temperature, a charge disproportionation CD phase transition from Fe4+ ions to Fe3+ and Fe5+ ions was detected by Fe Mössbauer spectra. Due to the competition between Fe3+uFe5+ ferromagnetic interaction and Fe3+uFe3+ antiferromagnetic interaction, the CD transition from Fe4+ ions to Fe3+ and Fe5+ ions induces the glassy magnetic behavior.


The American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting drew more than 34,600 people to Chicago to learn about the latest research, including studies on lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, multiple myeloma, and palliative care.


Hemangiopericytomas are typically found in soft‐tissue, but only rarely found in the sinonasal tract. Sinonasal hemangiopericytomas have been reported mostly through case studies, and optimal treatment is considered surgical excision. Classically, open surgical methods of tumor extirpation have been considered standard of care. With the wider use of endoscopic methods, an updated systematic review in terms of treatment is warranted.


Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate potential predictive factors of long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Methods: Participants in this study were 86 patients diagnosed with macula-off RRD, who underwent PPV. Demographic characteristics and preoperative characteristics of RRD were recorded, while best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured preoperatively and at specific postoperative time points (6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months). In addition, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics at postoperative week 6 were assessed as potential factors affecting the long-term postoperative visual outcome 24 months after PPV for RRD. Results: Increasing age, duration of RD of more than 1 week, presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, increasing central retinal thickness, ellipsoid zone disruption, and external limiting membrane disruption were significantly associated with a worse BVCA. BCVA was not associated with gender, lens status, the location of breaks, the gas tamponade agent used in PPV, the presence of subretinal fluid, and intraretinal fluid. Conclusions: It is important to determine predictive factors for visual outcomes in order to inform patients about their prognosis and help in the decision-making process for patient management.


Studies on the effect of ecto and endomycorrhizal inoculums on seedling growth of four savanna tree seeds in Nigeria. Endomycorrhizae (Glomus mossae) and ectomycorrhizae (Saillus luteus); both were used in crude forms. The relative endomycorrhizal dependency of the seedlings were maximum in P. biglobossa seedlings by having up to 68%, 41.0% in Albizia, 35.0% in T. indica and the least was 21% in P. africana seedlings. However, T.indica seedlings had the highest ectomycorrhizal dependency with about 55.0%, while 54.0% was showed in P. africana. About 50.0% and 46.0% were shown in A. lebbeck and P. biglobossa seedlings respectively. Ectomycorrhizal inoculation greatly enhanced seedling growth and development of Prosopis africana, A. lebbeck, T. indica, P. biglobossa had the highest significant difference (p<0.05) in leaf area at treatment. Endomycorrhizal inoculation also greatly enhanced seedling growth of P. africana, A. lebbeck and T. indica, P. biglobossa had highest significant difference (P<0.05) in leaf area, leaf number, petiol length, stem girth and plant heights in the treatment. Treatment means were separated using least significant difference at 5% probability level. The results obtained in this study will foster valuable contributions in the areas of increasing the seedling growth of these savanna tree seeds through the incorporation of both ecto and endomycorrhizae into the soil. These findings will also assist to increase seedling production for agro forestry purposes in Nigeria.


Parenthood divides today the careers of women and men. A family gap has emerged in labour markets: Women pay economic and career prices for motherhood, while the career progression of men marches on come fatherhood. Gender inequality in paid work persists despite institutional change aimed at mitigating it or curbing it altogether. Labour market and welfare institutions have variously departed from the family wage model once supporting male breadwinning through secure, well-paid employment, surrounded by social protections. In particular, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands moved away from this family wage model in recent decades. This move has been marked by two main transformations, namely the expansion of family leave rights and the flexibilisation of employment relationships. Yet, beyond commonalities, policy trajectories have diverged in the three countries and so have their consequences for the family gap and gender inequality more broadly.
Hence, I ask here how the family gap has shaped in the midst of akin and yet distinct changes in the labour market and welfare institutions formerly devoted to the family wage principle in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. By highlighting progress and stall in the ways these three countries came to modify their male breadwinner order, my main tenet is that policies aimed at women and families are not by default women- or family-friendly. The family gap, I argue, is often the unintended or perverse by-product of gradual and selective institutional change.
Throughout, this overarching question is addressed drawing on panel data analysis, quasi-experimental designs, and experimental data. Chapter I analyses whether men get a wage boost caused by fatherhood or rather select into fatherhood based on prior wages. Chapter II and III evaluate the effects of changes to parental leave and working-time legislation on the motherhood wage penalty and gender career gaps more at large, respectively. Chapter IV examines discrimination at the hiring stage in two sex-typical occupations. No overarching narrative emerges. Rather, an approach grounded on causal inference, applied to the scientific explanation of gender gaps as well as to the evaluation of social policies, is advocated for.


In this article, a novel pressureless solid-liquid reaction method is presented for preparation of yttrium disilicate (γ-Y_2Si_2O_7). Single-phase γ-Y_2Si_2O_7 powder was synthesized by calcination of SiO_2 and Y_2O_3 powders with the addition of LiYO_2 at 1400 °C for 4 h. The addition of LiYO_2 significantly decreased the synthesis temperature, shortened the calcination time, and enhanced the stability of γ-Y_2Si_2O_7. The sintering of these powders in air and O_2 was studied by means of thermal mechanical analyzer. It is shown that the γ-Y_2Si_2O_7 sintered in oxygen had a faster densification rate and a higher density than that sintered in air. Furthermore, single-phase γ-Y_2Si_2O_7 with a density of 4.0 g/cm^3 (99% of the theoretical density) was obtained by pressureless sintering at 1400 °C for 2 h in oxygen. Microstructures of the sintered samples are studied by scanning electron microscope.


This study investigated the coag-flocculation performance of oxidized starch coagulant (OSC) and its blends with alum and FeCl3 in removing turbidity from coal washery effluent at room temperature. A conventional laboratory bench-scale jar test apparatus was employed for the experiments. Coag-flocculation parameters such as reaction order α, rate constant K, coagulation time τ, etc. were determined. The optimum pH was observed at 4.0, while the blend of 30.0 mg/L FeCl3 and 250.0 mg/L OSC achieved the optimum turbidity removal. Turbidity removal efficiency was recorded between 96.0% and 99.9% for various dosages and pH studied. The coagulation rate constants, K recorded range from 9.393 × 10-5 L/mg.min to 8.294 × 10-1 min-1, while coagulation periods τ, range from 3.8 s to 235.7 s for various dosages and pH studied. The use of OSC blended with FeCl3 showed high level of efficiency, for the treatment of coal washery effluent.


Effects of pasture feeding level during lactation and over summer on ewe wool growth and ovulation rate were assessed in 1983-84 and 1984-85. Two levels of pasture feeding (lactation high and lactation low) from parturition to weaning (10 weeks) produced 8 to 10 kg liveweight difference in ewe liveweight at weaning. Groups (n = 40) were offered pasture allowances of 0.8, 1, 1.4, 2 or 5 kg DM/ewe/day from weaning until after the third synchronzied oestrus in April. Ewes on the lower allowances tended to reach a stable liveweight and those on 5 kg DM/ewe/day gained throughout. Other groups were offered low allowances during summer and then 5 kg DM/ewe/day after the first recorded oestrus. Mean dates for synchronised oestrus were 2 March, 19 March and 5 April. Ovulation rate increased by 0.15 corpora-lutes-/ewe ovulating at each successive oestrus, and increased by 0.047 corpora lutes/ewe ovulating for each kg increase in liveweight at oestrus. These effects accounted for 77% of the variation in ovulation rate between treatments across years. The effects of flushing, lactation or summer liveweight change were small and generally non-significant. Lactation feeding affected wool growth during lactation as well and had carryover effects through the summer when lactation low ewes grew 10% less wool irrespective of the level of summer feeding.


Key words, Market reforms, smallholder agricultural development, prices, institutional framework, resource allocation and productivity, efficiency, policy interventions Agricultural production and market participation by smallholder farmers in Kenya continues to decline despite the market reforms undertaken in the last one decade. This study examines the factors behind this decline. The objectives of the study are to evaluate agricultural price evolution and volatility, institutional changes, smallholder farmer's resource allocation and productivity as well as their efficiency in the advent of market reforms. The study focuses on smallholder coffee farms in Central Kenya province. Four separate but related analytical models are applied in this study. Various time series statistical methods including an ARCH (M) model are applied to analyse the price evolution and volatility for the period 1985 to 1999. Institutional changes are analysed using an exchange configuration framework, which is theoretically founded on new institutional economics. A bivariate probit selectivity model that relates household's credit and land constraints to resource allocation and farm productivity is also applied. Finally, a stochastic translog cost frontier model is applied to measure cost efficiency. The study shows that market reforms in Kenya, although of the priciest type, did not create sufficient conditions to arrest the decline in agricultural sector terms of trade and producer prices. The reforms are also associated with higher price volatility with attendant increases in price volatility costs to smallholder farmers. Institutional reforms lagged behind the market reforms, a situation that constrained access to agricultural services, supply of agricultural credit, private sector participation, while increasing transaction costs to agricultural producers. The study also shows that constraints in factor markets, high transaction costs and risks tempered resource allocation towards subsistence production with consequent declines in productivity and market participation. Smallholder farmers in Kenya are shown to have medium to high level of production efficiency that is comparable to efficiency levels in other developing countries. The study consequently concludes that smallholder-based development strategy is still an efficient mode of organising agricultural production. While there is still room for improving smallholder farmer levels of efficiency through better resource allocation and re-allocation, the highest source of growth is likely to come from technology development that shifts the production frontier outward. The conclusions points to the need for policy interventions that mainly focuses on creating institutional frameworks necessary for reducing transaction and production costs, price and institutional performance risks, increasing access to production resources, services and markets by smallholder farmers. The study also identifies and recommends specific policies to enhance private sector participation as well as the social capital of smallholder farmers. This study views these as the main challenges to be tackled in the second-generation reform programs for agricultural development, prosperity and poverty alleviation in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa in general.


This article examines media that couches criticism of trans medicine, pediatrics, and activism in terms of "care" or "concern" for trans people and youth in particular. It identifies these as "insidious concerns," speech acts, utterances, and proclamations that would harm that which they claim to care for or about. It proceeds to argue that this type of discourse is endemic to a wider crisis of social reproduction exacerbated by neoliberal economic restructuring. Through historical contextualization, cultural analysis, and ethnography, this article highlights the racist, nationalist, and reactionary undercurrents motivating the current trans panic in the United States. It concludes that theoretical attention to social reproduction might offer new insights for trans studies that can act as counterdiscourse to "insidious concern."


The TRIOBP (TRIO and F-actin Binding Protein) gene encodes multiple proteins, which together play crucial roles in modulating the assembly of the actin cytoskeleton. Splicing of the TRIOBP gene is complex, with the two most studied TRIOBP protein isoforms sharing no overlapping amino acid sequence with each other. TRIOBP-1 (also known as TARA or TAP68) is a mainly structured protein that is ubiquitously expressed and binds to F-actin, preventing its depolymerization. It has been shown to be important for many processes including in the cell cycle, adhesion junctions, and neuronal differentiation. TRIOBP-1 has been implicated in schizophrenia through the formation of protein aggregates in the brain. In contrast, TRIOBP-4 is an entirely disordered protein with a highly specialized expression pattern. It is known to be crucial for the bundling of actin in the stereocilia of the inner ear, with mutations in it causing severe or profound hearing loss. Both of these isoforms are implicated in cancer. Additional longer isoforms of TRIOBP exist, which overlap with both TRIOBP-1 and 4. These appear to participate in the functions of both shorter isoforms, while also possessing unique functions in the inner ear. In this review, the structures and functions of all of these isoforms are discussed, with a view to understanding how they operate, both alone and in combination, to modulate actin and their consequences for human illness.


A new approach to cerebral palsy, by EIRENE COLLIS. Pp. 'i83. Faber & Faber. ios. 6d. The subject of this book, as its sub-title states, is a new approach to cerebral palsy. The ' new approach ' is that of Winthrop Phelps of Baltimore and this is a full account of the application of his ideas and methods by Mrs. Collis, who studied under him, and is a pioneer of his methods in this country. This work has been going on for several years under her direction at the L.C.C. Clinic for spastic children at Carshalton, and its achievements are already widely known. The plight of the cerebral palsied child who can only with the greatest difficulty speak, walk, eat or drink, and may have defects of sight and hearing as well, and yet be normally intelligent is pitiable, and the labour of overcoming his handicaps and reeducating his brain and muscles is truly formidable; but Mrs. Collis's purpose is to show what can be done for such a child given the right approach, the right surroundings, trained workers and time. She begins with the parents' problem and the importance of obtaining their co-operation. She then deals in turn with the various types of cerebral palsy, the psychology of 'these cases, treatment according to the type of disability found, the physiology of nerve and muscle in movement (Kinesiology), details of the methods of re-education, mechanical aids, speech training, school work, and general care. There is an excellent summary of this new approach at the end, and it is profitable to read this chapter first. One of the essential parts of Phelps' teaching is his classification of types according to the motor disability found; spasticity, athetosis, ataxia, tremor, rigidity. By a thorough examination and' further observation while treatment is in progress, the interplay of these defects in the child is analysed and re-education of movement directed accordingly. Some of these disabilities are isolated or uncomplicated, as in athetosis without spasticity (in which, incidentally, the best results are obtainable). Some are mixed: for instance, athetosis may be complicated by tension which originates in a purely voluntary continual resistance to uncontrolled movement. Learning to relax this tension is the most important part of treatment in this type. In the chapter on kirnesiology, the physiology of movement and the pathogenesis of tremor, spasticity incoordination, etc., are discussed. This part of the book is difficult to read'. 'There is danger in over simplification, but a few headings and subdivisions of the subject would have helped the reader. The final summary is useful to refer to at this point. Much of the essence of the 'new approach ' is given by the following quotation: ' Representation of movement in the cortex follows the acquirement of conscious, concrete knowledge of moving parts. The cortex records "action patterns " of which we are aware, representing the pictured movements of practically every moving part, and this representation is confined to the cortex.' (Wood Jones.) It may be here put forward, therefore, that representation of correct action patterns is the desideratum in cerebral palsy training, whether spasti-city or athetosis be the difficulty ; but that gaining this representation involves insuring the correlation of two types of movement: (a) cortical, (b) sub-cortical (nuclear): the first type being deranged in spasticity, the second being deranged in athetosis. This assumption can be supported by reference to. training and to certain operative procedures (e.g tendon transplants). Physical methods of treatment are difficult to describe, and one feels desperately the need for illus-trations (photographs or diagrams). Their verylack, however, emphasizes that the only satisfactory form of illustration would be a moving picture of the spastic child himself. The practical parts of this. book will be of most help to those actually engaged in the physiotherapy of children. For the paedia-trician, who is concerned with diagnosis, selection of cases and follow up, there is much information of tmportance and the ideas will stimulate a fresh. interest in this group of cerebral defects, to which ihe approach has for so long been apathetic. The book is not a treatise on cerebral palsy in general; the genetics of Little's disease, the, aetiology of birth trauma, the assessment of degreeof mental defect associated, the problem of cerebral palsied children in the community as a whole, schemes for treatment on a wider scale, numbers. of personnel involved, and the use of curare as an aid are not discussed. Mrs. Collis expressly statesthat her concern is with the individual child. Shehas written a very thorough account of his handi-. caps and how he is taught to overcome them, and, in so doing, she imparts much of her enthusiasm. D.Mac.C_


The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is agreement among academic nurse leaders in their interpretation of aspects and criteria related to the examination of scientific short papers, dissertations and theses. The Delphi technique was selected as the most appropriate method of data-collection for this type of study. The target population identified for this study consisted of the Heads of Nursing Departments or their delegates from the 18 universities of the four provinces of the RSA, self-governing and independent states of Southern Africa and Namibia, which offer nursing degrees. Three rounds of questionnaires were sent to all heads of the 18 identified nursing departments. Participation was poor (nine participated in first round, nine in second the third round, no further rounds of questionnaires were sent due to the waning interest and poor participation. Many divergent responses were received to most of the aspects included in the study. This indicates that with a few exceptions there is little or no agreement among academic nurse leaders in their interpretation of aspects and criteria relating to the examination of post-graduate scientific or academic treatises.


We introduce a new class of unitary transformations based on the Lie algebra that generalizes, for certain particular representations of its generators, well-known squeezing transformations in quantum optics. To illustrate our results, we focus on the two-mode bosonic representation and show how the parametric amplifier model can be modified in order to generate such a generalized squeezing operator. Furthermore, we obtain a general expression for the bipartite Wigner function which allows us to identify two distinct sources of entanglement, here labelled dynamical and kinematical entanglement. We also establish a quantitative estimate of entanglement for bipartite systems through some basic definitions of entropy functionals in continuous phase-space representations.


Aims: Dance therapy is recognised as a form of complementary medicine. However, it is mostly used with therapeutic intent. Additionally, recreational dance has shown to be beneficial in individuals diagnosed with certain physical and psychological conditions. Indian classical dances are believed to alleviate anxiety and depression, prevent musculoskeletal problems by improving posture, body-awareness and neuromuscular coordination. This study was conducted to investigate if recreational Kuchipudi dance (an Indian traditional dance form) can be used as a public health intervention with preventive intent in healthy adults.
Methods: A repeated measures design was used. 21 healthy young individuals filled out a questionnaire assessing their level of psychological distress, problems with neuromuscular coordination and level of disability from lower back pain. They then underwent structured training in Kuchipudi dance for 6 months. At the end of 6 months, the same questionnaire was administered again, and the pre- and post-intervention scores were compared.
Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the scores of all domains tested.
Conclusions: Recreational Kuchipudi dancing can be an effective low-cost intervention to prevent and manage psychological distress and musculoskeletal injury.


Abstract The authors provide a context for this special section by arguing that the attachment relationships of infancy fulfil an evolutionary role in ensuring that the brain structures that come to subserve social cognition are appropriately organised and prepared to equip the individual for the collaborative existence with other people for which his or her brain was designed. Processes as fundamental as gene expression or changes in receptor densities can be seen as direct functions of the extent of understanding of mental states provided by the caregiving environment. If the attachment relationship is indeed a major organiser of brain development, it is even more important to understand the processes that underpin the transgenerational transmission of attachment patterns. The contributions of the papers in the special section to understanding the role of reflective function in the development of attachment and social cognition are reviewed, and the implications for the development of both theory and practice are explored.


This paper describes DANIELA a neuro-fuzzy system for control applications. The system is based on a custom neural device that can implement either multilayer perceptrons, radial basis functions or fuzzy paradigms. The system implements intelligent control algorithms mixing neuro-fuzzy paradigms with finite state automata and is used to control a walking hexapod.


The Ego Competency Model of psychiatric nursing provides a framework to guide nurses when developing or revising the nursing care or treatment plan.


Summary We present the results of measurements and modeling of spectral behavior of phase and group modal birefringence and their sensitivities to temperature and pressure in one of the most popular ellipticalcore fiber available on the market, which is Corning PMF-38. The measurements were carried out in the spectral range from 630 nm to 850 nm using white-light and coherent interferometry. The modeling was fulfilled using the modified perturbation approach first proposed by Kumar. The modification consists in introducing the first order correction term associated with stress induced changes of refractive index and makes it possible to model the fiber response to different physical parameters. Data concerning the fiber geometry and composition, which are necessary in modeling, were obtained using an electron scanning microscope. Although the perturbation approach is a relatively simple method, the theoretical and experimental results show good agreement in the investigated spectral range.


Abstract This study focuses on some lignite properties and calculation of lignite reserves with two classical (isopach and polygon) methods in the Aydin-Sahinali field, Turkey, which is located in the western Turkey. This field has been mined by a private coal company since 1960 by open-cast and mainly underground mining methods. The producing lignites are consumed in domestic heating and industrial factories around Aydin. The metamorphic rocks of Palaezoic age form the basement of the coal field. The lignite-bearing unit of Miocene age, from bottom to the top, consists mainly of pebblestone, lignite and clayey lignite, siltstone with sandstone lenses, white colored claystone, clayey limestone and silisified limestone lenses. This unit in the lignite field was unconformably overlain by Pliocene unconsolidated sands and gravels. Three hundred seventy-three borehole data have been evaluated, and this study shows that a relatively thick and lateral extensive lignite seam has a mineable thickness of 1.6–14.4 m. The core samples from boreholes in panels in the lignite field indicate that the coal seam, on an as-received basis, contains high moisture contents (17.95–23.45%, average), high ash yields (16.30–26.03%, average), relatively high net calorific values (3,281–3,854 kcal/kg, average), and low total sulfur contents (1.00–1.22%, average). The remaining lignite potential in the Aydin-Sahinali lignite field was calculated as a 4.7 Mt of measured and a 2.9 Mt of mineable lignite-reserves.


Fine particles of cobalt and cobalt carbide nesting in multilayered graphitic sheets, which were synthesized by an electric arc discharge of carbon rods containing cobalt oxide (CoO), were studied by transmission electron microscopy, including microdiffraction and energy dispersive x‐ray analysis. The size of the wrapped particles was typically in a range from 50 to 200 nm. Three phases of nested materials, hcp(α)‐Co, fcc(β)‐Co, and Co3C, were identified.


Structural (FTIR) and thermo-analytic (DRIFT) studies were conducted on modified starch in the form of sodium salt of carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na0.6) in the initial state, i.e. a colloidal solution, and in a cross-linked form prepared by physical means (temperature, microwave radiation). Modified starch CMS-Na0.6 was obtained by way of etherification of potato starch. The first part of the article presents the structural analysis of CMS-Na0.6 before and after cross-linking by means of physical factors based on the results of infrared spectroscopy tests (FTIR) obtained with the use of the transmission technique. The second part identifies the structural changes in the etherified starch with the use of Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), recording the spectra in the temperature range of 25−500°C. Based on the courses of the obtained IR spectra, it was established that during the operation of physical factors (temperature, microwave radiation), cross-linking of the colloid CMS-Na0.6 was observed as a result of total evaporation of the solvent water and next dehydration and formation of intraand intermolecular cross-linking hydrogen bonds. The spectroscopic method DRIFT was applied to determine the progress of the thermal decomposition of CMS-Na0.6 during a controlled temperature increase in the range of 25−500°C. It was established that the process of thermal degradation begins already at 280°C. The performed analysis of the obtained structural test results constitutes a complementation of the research conducted in the scope


Currently, due to the rapid development of computer technology in geology, methods and approaches of scientific visualization based on additional data analysis are being intensively developed. The general concept is that the main data field on the daily surface and additional conditions are set at the input. Further, methods of mathematical geophysics are used for their analysis and processing, as a result of which new information is obtained for deep surveys. Then, in the information system, visualization tools are applied to the new information received and to the main data field. Thus, the information system is based on the synthesis of visual representation methods and methods of mathematical geophysics, computational mathematics from different branches of knowledge. This paper presents a description of the software module of the geoinformation system, based on the methods of intelligent detection of anomalies of hidden deposits, for deep predictive and search modeling of deposits. The functioning of the software module is based on the application of the theory of inverse problems of mathematical geophysics with elements of artificial intelligence using geological data on the earth's surface, geophysical measurements and geochemical analyses as input data. The program module for the inverse problem of the continuation of potential fields in the direction of disturbing masses is used for real data of a specific mineral deposit.


Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a Brachytherapy (BT) customized mold (Condensation silicone elastomer (Protesil TM )) thickness ,on dose distribution pattern in deeper lesions used for nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC).Material and Method: MOSFET TM and GAFCHROMIC TM EBT3 film dosimeters were used for the different thicknesses of a Brachytherapy (BT) customized mold (up to 20 mm), skin dose and dose in different depths were evaluated.Result: The received dose to the surface is overestimated by TPS.Skin dose can be reduced from 250 to 150% of prescription dose by increasing mold thickness from 5 mm to 20 mm. There was a 7.7% difference in calculated dose by TPS and measured dose by MOSFET. Film dosimetry data was unreliable. There was a good agreement between film dosimetry, MOSFET detector, and TPS results, in the depth of 5mm<.Conclusion: Any individualized material chosen to use for making the customized surface BT mold should be validated at BT departments. Protesil TM can be selected as feasible material to make any form of superficial molds. For thicker NMSC lesions up to 20 mm using thicker molds up to 20 mm can be. Even for 10 mm lesions, by changing mold thickness from 5 mm to 20 mm, skin dose would reduce. Protesil TM can be used to make an individualized superficial BT mold. By increasing the mold thickness, lesions can be treated without overexposing the skin surface and skin dose reduced by increasing mold thickness. So, superficial BT can be recommended as an appropriate treatment option for NMSC lesions with some consideration.


BACKGROUND
Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes destruction of articular cartilage, early treatment significantly improves symptoms and delays progression. It is important to detect subtle damage for an early diagnosis. Recent software programs are comparable with the conventional human scoring method regarding detectability of the radiographic progression of RA. Thus, automatic and accurate selection of relevant images (e.g. hand images) among radiographic images of various body parts is necessary for serial analysis on a large scale.

OBJECTIVE
In this study we examined whether deep learning can select target images from a large number of stored images retrieved from a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) including miscellaneous body parts of patients.

METHODS
We selected 1,047 X-ray images including various body parts and divided them into two groups: 841 images for training and 206 images for testing. The training images were augmented and used to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) consisting of 4 convolution layers, 2 pooling layers and 2 fully connected layers. After training, we created software to classify the test images and examined the accuracy.

RESULTS
The image extraction accuracy was 0.952 and 0.979 for unilateral hand and both hands, respectively. In addition, all 206 test images were perfectly classified into unilateral hand, both hands, and the others.

CONCLUSIONS
Deep learning showed promise to enable efficiently automatic selection of target X-ray images of RA patients.


This article is characterized as a cross-sectional analysis of a possible status of intellectual perspectives deployed in the conceptual tools of pyrotechnics and parrhesia from the contributions of Michel Foucault. The areas covered by this statute are arguments drawn from the practice chosen in relation to the tackling before the power plays, to know the strategies and processes of subjectification. In this sense, both the fireworks and the parrhesia are possibilities of direct questioning of the forms of aggregation and standardization policies that are entered in the tangle of the devices.


Abstract. The world map of anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen deposition and
its effects on natural ecosystems is not described with equal precision
everywhere. In this paper, we report atmospheric nutrient, sulfate and
spheroidal carbonaceous particle (SCP) deposition rates, based on snowpack
analyses of a formerly unexplored Siberian mountain region. Then, we
discuss their potential effects on lake phytoplankton biomass limitation. We estimate that the nutrient depositions observed in the late-season
snowpack (40 ± 16 mg NO3-N m−2 and 0.58 ± 0.13 mg TP-P m−2; TP for total phosphorous) would correspond to yearly depositions
lower than 119 ± 71 mg NO3-N m−2 yr−1 and higher than 1.71 ± 0.91 mg TP-P m−2 yr−1. These yearly deposition estimates would
approximately fit the predictions of global deposition models and correspond
to the very low nutrient deposition range, although they are still higher
than world background values. In spite of the fact that such a low atmospheric nitrogen deposition rate
would be enough to induce nitrogen limitation in unproductive mountain
lakes, phosphorus deposition was also extremely low, and the resulting lake water N : P
ratio was unaffected by atmospheric nutrient deposition. In the
end, the studied lakes' phytoplankton appeared to be split
between phosphorus and nitrogen limitation. We conclude that these pristine
lakes are fragile sensitive systems exposed to the predicted climate
warming, increased winter precipitation, enhanced forest fires and shifts in
anthropogenic nitrogen emissions that could finally couple their water
chemistry to that of atmospheric nutrient deposition and unlock
temperature-inhibited responses of phytoplankton to nutrient shifts.


In this paper, we introduce a novel antenna positioning algorithm based on skeleton extraction. Indoor distribution of antennas is highly depending on the plane structure of the building, and thus skeleton extraction can be immediately applied to locating where antennas should be placed. We divided the plane structure of a building into several sub-areas, extracted the skeletons of all the sub-areas, and then positioned the antennas on the skeleton by circle covering method. We compared the proposed algorithm with the current method of utilizing manual site surveys, as well as with genetic algorithm based method. Simulation demonstrate that the average number of antennas used per 1 000m2 decreased by 8.67% and 2.72% respectively but the average signal strength and the average coverage rate are still satisfy the requestment.


We have investigated YBCO step-edge Josephson junctions as millimeter and submillimeter wave mixers. These mixers were integrated with an Au thin-film log-periodic antenna designed for broadband coupling of the radiation. We estimated the noise temperature of the mixer using conventional hot/cold blackbody irradiation techniques in the 100- and 300-GHz bands. We found that the Au thin-film antenna yielded about 5 dB higher coupling efficiency than that of YBCO thin film antenna, and the noise temperature decreased from 2,800 K to 1,800 K. The best receiver noise temperature, 1,200 K, was achieved in the 300-GHz band through improvement in impedance matching.


By using several different modes of illumination it is shown that three different mechanisms are involved in the photoconductivity of CdS when the exciting radiation is in the vicinity of the absorption edge. In particular the production of surface photoconductivity by short-wavelength radiation is examined in the light of evidence showing significant energy transportation arising from fluorescence and exciton diffusion.


Part of speech tagging (POS tagging) has a crucial role in different fields of natural language processing (NLP) including Speech Recognition, Natural Language Parsing, Information Retrieval and Multi Words Term Extraction. This paper proposes an efficient and accurate POS Tagging technique for Arabic language using hybrid approach. Due to the ambiguity issue, Arabic Rule-Based method suffers from misclassified and unanalyzed words. To overcome these two problems, we propose a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) integrated with Arabic Rule-Based method. Our POS tagger generates a set of three POS tags: Noun, Verb, and Particle. The proposed technique uses the different contextual information of the words with a variety of the features which are helpful to predict the various POS classes. To evaluate its accuracy, the proposed method has been trained and tested with two corpora: the Holy Quran Corpus and Kalimat Corpus for undiacritized Classical Arabic language. The experiment results demonstrate the efficiency of our method for Arabic POS Tagging. In fact, the obtained accuracies rates are 97.6%, 96.8% and 94.4% for respectively our Hybrid Tagger, HMM Tagger and for the Rule-Based Tagger with Holy Quran Corpus. And for Kalimat Corpus we obtained 94.60%, 97.40% and 98% for respectively Rule-Based Tagger, HMM Tagger and our Hybrid Tagger.


In 1998, in view of continuing concerns about the availability of medicines, the BVA set up a Medicines Select Committee to review policy in this area and to report on any steps that could be taken to introduce greater flexibility into controls. The committee's report was finalized in September 1999, and approved by BVA Council in December (see VR, December 18/25, 1999, pp 718-719). The text of the report, which the Association intends should form a framework for action, is given here.


Part One - Laszlo Glozer's essay 'Leaving to Depart - Dieter Roth: The Nomad in His Time' - elaborates on the link between Roth's life and art. Part Two comprises 156 pages showing the progression of Roth's Unique Pieces from 1950 to 1998. Part Three focuses on the artist's 25-year friendship and collaboration with Philipp Buse, as well as the history and development of the Dieter Roth Museum and the Schimmelmuseum. Part Four contains the catalogue of the 550 Unique Pieces in the Dieter Roth Foundation. CD-ROM A virtual tour through the Schimmelmuseum is included with the book, enabling the reader to experience in full the magic of the Sugar Tower, the Chocolate Gnomes, Spice Objects and much more.


The present study presents large eddy simulation (LES) of forced convective heat transfer in transient, two-dimensional, incompressible turbulent flows over a pair of cylinders with two different arrangements: 1) with two circular cylinders in tandem (both cylinders are in line with the streamwise direction of the flow, β = 0o) and 2) two side-by-side circular cylinders (where both cylinders are placed transversally to the streamwise direction of the flow, β = 90o). The dynamic Smagorinsky model is employed for the sub-grid treatment. The simulations are based on the finite volume method solution for the conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy. Both simulations are performed with Reynolds and Prandtl numbers of ReD = 22000 and Pr = 0.71, respectively. The results showed that the transient fluid dynamic and thermal patterns are strongly affected by the configuration of circular cylinders. The kind of arrangement led to a difference of nearly 20 % for time-averaged Nusselt number (NuD).


OBJECTIVES
(1) To determine the frequency of familial (at least 2 cases) and hereditary forms of prostate cancer (CaP), (2) to define the results according to the patient's age at diagnosis, as various epidemiological studies have demonstrated a possible familial aggregation of CaP in about 15 to 25% of cases. Carter's familial segregation study (P.N.A.S. 1992, 89, 3367-71) showed that a genetic predisposition, with autosomal dominant transmission, could be responsible for 9% of all cases of prostate cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic genealogy study of patients suffering from newly diagnosed CaP or followed for known CaP in 3 French urological centres, by means of questionnaires completed by the patients. Subsequently, a national collection of families with at least 2 cases of CaP identified families with hereditary forms of CaP. Hereditary cases were considered to be those presenting at least: one CaP in three 1st degree relatives, or 3 cases over 3 generations in the same branch of the family (paternal or maternal), or finally 2 early cases before the age of 55 years. Statistical analysis used the univariate logistic regression test between family status and the medical centre or the patient's age at diagnosis.

RESULTS
From July 1994 onwards, we included 801 patients (all stages combined) in the systematic study and 110 patients (13.7%) were excluded (refusal to participate, advanced age). For 691 of the families studied (Brest: 225, Nancy: 249, Paris St Louis: 217), we observed 32 (14.2%), 29 (11.6%), 37 (17.1%) of familial forms (mean: 14.2%) and 11 (4.9%), 6 (2.4%), 8 (3.7%) of hereditary forms (mean: 3.6%), respectively (no significant differences between centres). Analysis of the results according to age at diagnosis of CaP also showed a higher incidence of familial (significant difference) and hereditary forms (limit of significance) for CaP occurring at a younger age (before 65 years). The national collection collected a total of 624 familial forms of CaP, including 236 (37.8%) cases of hereditary forms; 115 families were informative for the genetic linkage study.

CONCLUSION
These results confirm the data of earlier studies, revealing about 15 to 25% of familial forms of CaP and 5 to 10% of hereditary forms. Similarly, the systematic study confirmed the earlier onset of CaP in patients with a genetic predisposition. These data therefore encourage systematic questioning of patients for a family history of CaP in order to propose targeted screening of high-risk subjects in the families concerned and to intensify identification of hereditary forms in order to investigate the genes involved.


The genus Warburgia belongs to the Canellaceae, a small family of tropical aromatic tree species important for their antibacterial and antifungal medicinal qualities amongst many other functions. Many published protocols for nucleic acid isolation failed to yield sufficiently good quality amounts for analysis. We have therefore developed a simple and fast CTAB (cetyl-trimethyl ammonium bromide)-based extraction protocol for routine isolation of high-quality nucleic acids. Good quality genomic DNA (gDNA) and RNA was obtained and was suitable for PCR amplification, restriction endonuclease digestion, Southern blotting and RT-PCR, respectively.


BACKGROUND
Known as a rare disease, Kimura disease is a chronic, allergic and inflammatory process. It may overlap other allergic conditions, as well.

CASE PRESENTATION
This study is going to present a 36-year-old woman, with cough, dyspnea and bone pain. Other differential diagnoses were excluded during the investigations. The definite diagnosis was made by excisional biopsy and pathological investigations.

CONCLUSION
This was a rare medical condition with remarkable diagnostic challenge.


Violence is too often considered an inevitable part of human existence. Physical, psychological and behavioural trauma has an impact not only on the health of the individual but also on the healthcare system. Largely perceived as a social problem, violence is also a public health issue. Promoted by the World Health Organisation and developed in France by Prof Henrion, the National Authority for Health and the mission led by Dr. Tursz, the public health dimension of "Violence and health" is now better defined. The Public Health law of 2004 provided for a national plan on "Violence and Health". After an initial action study, we developed a tool to coordinate public actions in this field. The group "For health, against violence in Picardy" was created to implement expert recommendations by building knowledge, promoting training and networking, and developing services to support and guide victims of violence.


Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an immunoproliferative and lethal disease of many species of the order Artiodactyla (such as families Bovidae, Cervidae and Suidae) caused by a member of the MCF virus (MCFV) group belongs to the genus Macavirus in the subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae. There are two types of MCF i.e. Wildebeest-Associated MCF (WA-MCF) which is caused by Alcelaphine Herpesvirus-1 (AlHV-1) with wildebeest as reservoir animal; and Sheep-Associated MCF (SA-MCF) which is caused by Ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) with sheep and goats as reservoir animals. AlHV-1 virus has already been isolated whereas OvHV-2 has not been isolated so that vaccines are not yet available. Both types cannot be differentiated by clinical and pathological findings. This disease was previously diagnosed based on the epidemiological information and clinicopathological findings, but now it can be diagnosed by using molecular biological tests. This paper describes the epidemiology of MCF virus, MCF cases in Indonesia and efforts to control this disease. In Indonesia, SA-MCF cases have been reported almost in all provinces as endemic as well as epidemic nature. Separation of reservoir animal with susceptible species, "producing" a SA-MCF virus free sheep and attempt to develop a recombinant vaccine against SA-MCF is the main control strategy that can be suggested.


Abstract Recent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia, a chronic widespread pain condition and related syndromes (chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.) may share heritable pathophysiologic features. We review the recent literature on genetic and familial factors found to participate in the pathogenesis of these syndromes, specifically fibromyalgia, including evidence suggesting that serotonin- and dopamine-related genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of these illnesses. The importance of environmental factors triggering these conditions in predisposed individuals is also discussed.


Aim Risk based screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) with ultrasound is common. However, risk factors vary from one country to the other since data are insufficient to give clear recommendations. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Methods In this retrospective case-control study; the health records of all children, who were followed up between 2004 and 2014 at a well-child unit were investigated for the diagnosis of DDH. Of 9758 children, 57 children were found to have abnormal ultrasonographic findings and these constituted the case group. As the control group, healthy 228 children who matched the case children in birth months were selected. Two groups were compared for the risk factors. Results A total of 19516 hips of 9758 children were examined for DDH. 97 hips of 57 children were found to have abnormal ultrasonographic findings (according to Graf classification). When the two groups were compared; breech presentation, multiple pregnancy and torticollis were identified as risk factors. The female sex was also found to have a significantly high prevalence among the children in the case group. Limited hip abduction, positive Ortolani and Barlow signs were important clinical findings in the case group. Conclusion According to our findings; breech presentation, female sex, torticollis and multiple pregnancy were found to be the risk factors of this disorder. Infants with these risk factors should be investigated carefully for DDH.


Studies of the genomic landscape of human cancers have demonstrated that most solid cancers have a multitude of mutations, a subset of which may be "actionable" with current drugs. Thus, the personalization of therapy for cancer will require molecular characterization of unique and shared genetic aberrations. Patients who have advanced/refractory cancer and are candidates for clinical trials could potentially benefit by identifying eligibility for "targeted" drugs based on the "actionable" genes in their specific tumor. Growing technological advances in genomic sequencing has now made it possible to consider the use of sequence data in a clinical setting. MI-ONCOSEQ initiative brings together expertise at the University of Michigan including clinical oncology, cancer genetics, bioinformatics, clinical pathology, social and behavioral sciences, and bioethics in order to implement clinical cancer sequencing. Our study identifies patients with advanced or refractory cancers that are eligible for clinical trials, consent them to the study, obtain biospecimens (tumor tissue, germline tissue) and store clinical data. The clinical sequencing team processes biospecimens, performs comprehensive sequencing and analysis of tumors to identify point mutations, copy number changes, rearrangements/gene fusions, and aberrant gene expression. Finally, a multi-disciplinary Precision Medicine Tumor Board deliberates on return of actionable or incidental genomic results. Citation Format: Arul Chinnaiyan. The application of integrative sequencing for precision oncology. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr IA07.


The paper contains an overview of the most significant technical characteristics of converter transformers manufactured to modernize the Slovenian Railways. The main features and characteristics of this type of the traction drives with various intersected winding configurations are described. The referenced projects include the first application of axial winding crossing, i.e. a technological innovation resolving the strong magnetic coupling requirement of low-voltage windings. The solution is referred to as an intersected winding. With one, two and three winding crossings the coupling factors of 0.920 and 0.967 are achieved. The results meet the specifications of the SIST EN standard.


The composites industry, under increased environmental constraints, is seeking to shift from existing open mold manufacturing processes for composite parts. A promising manufacturing technology known as the vacuum infusion molding process is gaining acceptance among composite-parts manufacturers since it involves low tooling cost and allows complete elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The process is similar to the resin transfer molding process; however, in the vacuum infusion technique, a polymeric film, often referred to as vacuum bag, replaces the stiff mold cover. The film is sealed against the lower half of the mold, at the periphery. Air expelled from the mold cavity results in the compaction of the reinforcement by the atmospheric pressure present on the outer side of the polymeric film. Finally, resin impregnates the mold cavity, usually through a resin distribution channel. The process is mainly developed for large-scale structures, where material cost is an important parameter and users cannot afford any production pitfalls. Among process parameters that affect resin flow in the vacuum infusion molding process is the permeability of the reinforcement stack, which has to be measured and evaluated taking into consideration the requirements of the process. A possible approach is the definition of a parameter that defines the maximum infused length, and this parameter will take into account the structure of the reinforcement, the resin viscosity, the fiber volume fraction and inlet geometry.


Deuteriodifluoromethythio (SCF2D) and deuteriodifluoromethyl (CF2D) are important functional groups in pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds, and the introduction of these functional groups remains a challenging. We herein report a robust reagent for deuteriodifluoromethylthiolation and deuteriodifluoromethylation. Its potentials were successfully showcased by deuteriodifluoromethylation and deuteriodifluoromethylthiolation of indoles with high-level deuterium incorporation. The reagent also has potential for deuteriodifluoromethylation and deuteriodifluoromethylthiolation of wide range of other natural or synthetic bioactive molecules.


Abstract:Transhumanism longs not only for the enhancement of human capabilities but also for the end of suffering; that longing conflates the destiny of the individual with that of the human species. This essay examines the ideals that are most central to the transhumanist imaginary, showing that they are less exotic than is suggested by their aura of futurity, and that their implications for the present are largely thanatopolitical in nature. Examining Don DeLillo's novel of cryogenics, Zero K, and Michel Houellebecq's utopian/dystopian novel, The Possibility of an Island, the essay discusses the role of teleology in transhumanist thought, and its connections to mainstream intellectual and ideological tendencies in postwar biopolitics, particularly the figure of rehabilitation. This is contrasted with the stubborn presence in the transhuman imaginary of contingent embodiment, which provides some hope in the face of thanatopolitical despair.


Accurate lung lesion segmentation from computed tomography (CT) images is crucial to the analysis and diagnosis of lung diseases, such as COVID-19 and lung cancer. However, the smallness and variety of lung nodules and the lack of high-quality labeling make the accurate lung nodule segmentation difficult. To address these issues, we first introduce a novel segmentation mask named "soft mask", which has richer and more accurate edge details description and better visualization, and develop a universal automatic soft mask annotation pipeline to deal with different datasets correspondingly. Then, a novel network with detailed representation transfer and soft mask supervision (DSNet) is proposed to process the input low-resolution images of lung nodules into high-quality segmentation results. Our DSNet contains a special detailed representation transfer module (DRTM) for reconstructing the detailed representation to alleviate the small size of lung nodules images and an adversarial training framework with soft mask for further improving the accuracy of segmentation. Extensive experiments validate that our DSNet outperforms other state-of-the-art methods for accurate lung nodule segmentation, and has strong generalization ability in other accurate medical segmentation tasks with competitive results. Besides, we provide a new challenging lung nodules segmentation dataset for further studies (https://drive.google.com/file/d/15NNkvDTb_0Ku0IoPsNMHezJR TH1Oi1wm/view?usp=sharing).


Abstract This work concerns the optimal regulation of single-input-single-output nonminimum-phase nonlinear processes of relative order one. The problem of calculation of an ISE-optimal, statically equivalent, minimum-phase output for nonminimum-phase compensation is formulated using Hamilton-Jacobi theory and the normal form representation of the nonlinear system. A Newton-Kantorovich iteration is developed for the solution of the pertinent Hamilton-Jacobi equations, which involves solving a Zubov equation at each step of the iteration. The method is applied to the problem of controlling a nonisothermal CSTR with Van de Vusse kinetics, which exhibits nonminimum-phase behavior.


Disparities in school outcomes are an important source of income inequality, especially in rapidly developing and developed economies where the returns to schooling have been increasing. It is therefore important to document and understand the sources of schooling inequality. The intergenerational transmission of schooling is an important reason for the persistence of schooling disparities over time. More-educated parents are much more likely than less-educated parents to invest in the schooling of their children owing to different preferences, better financial circumstances, and their own greater human capital. In this paper, authors explore whether the association between parental and child schooling has strengthened or weakened over time. Authors find strong, but declining, effects of parental schooling on (male and female) child schooling over time, even after controlling for other variables. The improved distribution of schooling will have likely played an important role in improving the distribution of income in the country had there not been other compensating changes.


We study the transmission of complementary THz split ring resonator (cSRR) arrays with THz time domain spectroscopy. Utilizing complementary THz metasurfaces and, varying the inter meta-atom separation, a regime of resonant coupling to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is entered. The effective medium condition valid for the direct metasurface is not applicable anymore in the complementary case because of the high THz dielectric constant of gold. We observe a normalized strong coupling of 3.5% to the lattice SPP mode when tuned into resonance with the LC-mode of the cSRR at a frequency of 1.07 THz. The lattice constant is varied from 40 um to 160 um. Finite element simulations with CST MWS show the characteristic field distribution of the two modes and the intermixing of the LC-mode with the SPP-mode very clearly. Analytical modeling with a simple two oscillator model well describes the coupling. An effective relative permittivity of 11.6 for the coupled system was extracted. For broader linewidths, an apparent modulation of the effective Quality-factor can be observed which is of crucial importance for designing metasurfaces for applications. Measurements of the broader lambda/2 mode in orthogonal excitation direction reveal instead a Fano-like interaction. Rectangular array configuration reveal the excitation direction of the SPP modes being along the polarization of the exciting THz pulse. We demonstrate that the understanding of the SPP modes is fundamental for research and applications in which the metasurface has to be designed for special needs.


The overall objectives of this program are to investigate potential technologies for the conversion of synthesis gas to oxygenated and hydrocarbon fuels and industrial chemicals, and to demonstrate the most promising technologies at DOE's LaPorte, Texas, Slurry Phase Alternative Fuels Development Unit (AFDU). The program will involve a continuation of the work performed under the Alternative Fuels from Coal-Derived Synthesis Gas Program and will draw upon information and technologies generated in parallel current and future DOE-funded contracts.


Phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) is a key signaling enzyme implicated in receptor-stimulated mitogenesis, oxidative bursting in neutrophils, membrane ruffling, and glucose uptake. A PI3K has already been purified, cloned, and shown to be regulated by receptors that act via tyrosine kinase-dependent regulatory mechanisms. We report that an immunologically, pharmacologically, and chromatographically distinct form of PI3K activity present in neutrophils and U937 cells is specifically activated by G protein beta gamma subunits. This data suggests PI3Ks conform to the paradigm set by receptor regulation of phosphoinositidase Cs: different receptor transduction systems specifically regulate dedicated isoforms of effector protein.


Sensor-based intelligent sorting technology is a mineral separation technology with the merits of high-efficiency, energy-saving and water-saving. However, the prediction accuracy of conventional machine learning methods is unstable in multi-class selection of ores. The purpose of this study is to propose a competitive voting method to improve the multi-class prediction accuracy of ores in machine vision-based sorting system by combining the classification advantages of various machine learning methods. The operations of image segmentation, feature extraction and feature selection are presented to obtain the multi-class datasets. Three ones of traditional machine learning models with higher classification accuracies are used to establish competitive voting classification models. A case study using the image data of a gas coal shows the merits of the proposed approach. Results derived using this competitive voting approach reveal that it outperforms preexisting approaches.


Wireless ad hoc networks are characterized by the use of wireless links with limited bandwidth, dynamically varying network topology and multi-hop connectivity. AODV and DSR are the two most widely studied on-demand ad hoc routing protocols. Previous work has shown some limitations of the two protocols: whenever there is a link break on the active route, each of the two routing protocols has to invoke a route discovery process. This leads to increase in both delay and control overhead as well as decrease in packet delivery ratio. To alleviate these problems, we modify and extend AODV to include the path accumulation feature of DSR in route request/reply packets so that much lower route overhead is employed to discover multiple node-disjoint routing paths. The extended AODV is called Reliable Node-Disjoint Multipath Routing Protocol (NDMR), which has two novel aspects compared to the other on-demand multipath protocols: it reduces routing overhead dramatically and achieves multiple node-disjoint routing paths. Simulation results show that performance of NDMR is much better than that of AODV and DSR.


Counterfactual explanations represent the minimal change to a data sample that alters its predicted classification, typically from an unfavorable initial class to a desired target class. Counterfactuals help answer questions such as"what needs to change for this application to get accepted for a loan?". A number of recently proposed approaches to counterfactual generation give varying definitions of"plausible"counterfactuals and methods to generate them. However, many of these methods are computationally intensive and provide unconvincing explanations. Here we introduce SharpShooter, a method for binary classification that starts by creating a projected version of the input that classifies as the target class. Counterfactual candidates are then generated in latent space on the interpolation line between the input and its projection. We then demonstrate that our framework translates core characteristics of a sample to its counterfactual through the use of learned representations. Furthermore, we show that SharpShooter is competitive across common quality metrics on tabular and image datasets while being orders of magnitude faster than two comparable methods and excels at measures of realism, making it well-suited for high velocity machine learning applications which require timely explanations.


The precipitation of struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) from wastewater streams simultaneosuly recovers nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for reuse as fertilisers. Struvite crystallisation is controlled by pH, saturation index, temperature and other ions in the solution (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+ and CO32−). This work studies the effect of pH and temperature on phosphorus and nitrogen removal via struvite precipitation and the quality of the resulting precipitate product (i.e., crystal size, morphology and purity). Struvite was precipitated in batch reactors from the supernatant produced during anaerobic sludge dewatering at a wastewater treatment works, under controlled pH (8, 9 and 10) and temperature (25, 33 and 40 °C) conditions. The optimal P removal as struvite, reduction of the co-precipitation with Ca and the increase in particle size of the struvite precipitates were determined. The results showed that temperatures of 33 °C and 40 °C are not recommended for struvite precipitation—i.e., at 33 °C the purity is lower, and at 40 °C the ammonia losses are induced by volatilisation. At all pH-tests, the P removal efficiency was >93%, but the highest phosphate content and purity as struvite were obtained at a pH of 9.0. The optimum pH and temperature for the formation of large crystals (84 µm) and a high purity (>70%) of the struvite precipitates were 9 and 25 °C, respectively.


The authors present 2 children, a girl aged 9 and a boy aged 15 years, both with lower eyelid ectropion due to congenital lamellar ichthyosis.They had the same treatment protocol, insertion of inverting sutures in addition to a systemic retinoid drug and a lubrication of the eyelids. The girl had 2 separate procedures of inverting sutures, while the eyelids of the boy were corrected with 1 procedure. Both tolerate their systemic retinoid treatment nicely. Five years later, the lower eyelids are in an excellent position without any further surgical intervention. The patients are comfortable. The conventional method to treat these conditions is skin grafts. The authors offer another treatment option in this very bothersome condition.


Pollen data are the most important source of information with respect to late Quaternary vegetation history. Broad-scale palaeovegetation patterns have been subjectively inferred from mapped pollen data by previous authors. In this study, multivariate classification was applied to European pollen data for the last 13 000 yr. The resulting clusters are mapped at millennial intervals and can be equated with vegetation units. The maps portray the changing vegetation of Europe since the last glacial. They reveal the impermanence of the assemblages of species that ecologists recognise as communities. The dominant patterns in the maps also change through time, indicating important changes in palaeoenvironmental conditions and in the alignment of major environmental gradients. Human impact upon European vegetation history is seen to be relatively unimportant when the vegetation is viewed at a continental scale.


This paper aims to describe the basic concepts and necessary for Java programs can invoke libraries of programming language C / C + +, through the JNA API. We used a library developed in C / C + + called Glass [8], which offers a solution for viewing 3D graphics, using graphics clusters, reducing the cost of viewing. The purpose of the work is to interact with the humanoid developed using Java, which makes movements of LIBRAS language for the deaf, as Glass's, so that through this they can view the information using stereoscopic multi-view in full size.


AIM
To test whether topical fluoride regimes provided additional caries protection to the first molar teeth of children exposed to fluoridated toothpaste and optimally fluoridated water supplies.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
This two-year retrospective cohort study included 660, 8-year-old-children. A cluster sampling technique was used to select three groups of 220 children. Group 1 was selected from schools using fluoride mouthrinses (Programme 1). Group 2 was selected from schools applying fluoride gel (APF 1.23%) in addition to the weekly fluoride mouthrinse (Programme 2). Oral health education and oral hygiene instruction were provided to both groups. The control group was selected from schools in the same area that had not adopted any oral health preventive programme. All children were exposed to optimally fluoridated water and fluoridated toothpaste for the last two years or more. Participants were examined for DMFS scores of their first molars using WHO criteria by one examiner (MLRS).

RESULTS
The percentage caries free children in Control, Programme 1 and Programme 2 were 55%, 65% and 65.5%, respectively. The differences between Programme 1 and 2 in relation to the Control Group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no difference between Programme 1 and 2 (P = 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS
Weekly fluoride rinsing combined whether or not with fluoride gel applications once every three months, provided additional caries-preventive benefits to children with high levels of caries and exposed to optimally fluoridated drinking water and toothpaste. There was no difference in caries levels between children having fluoride rinses and those having fluoride rinses and fluoride gel.


This paper studies the microstructure and mechanical properties of MIG (Melt Inert Gas) lap welded 6005 aluminum alloy plates. Microstructure analysis (OM) of the joint showed that 15~30 μm small grains were observed at the fusion line. Mechanical analysis shows that the small grains are broken by shielding gas and molten pool flow force. Hardness test shows that there is a softening zone (41~43 HV) in HAZ much lower than BM and WZ. The low cycle fatigue test showed that the performance of lap joint decreased sharply, and the fatigue strength of weld decreased significantly, which was only 27.34% of the base metal. The fatigue fracture (SEM) of the weld observed slip band cracking and a large number of brittle fracture characteristics. Using the stress concentration factor Kt for analysis, it was found that the cause of brittle fracture was mostly stress concentration. Lap joint stress concentration model appears in two ways: firstly, at the weld toe, the weld is subjected to eccentric force, secondly, there is a small gap between the two plates at the weld root, which cracks along the direction of 45° of the maximum shear stress.


Several flash file systems have been developed based on the physical characteristics of NAND flash memory. However, previous flash file systems have performance overhead and scalability problems caused by metadata management in NAND flash memory. In this paper, we present a flash file system called PFFS2. PFFS2 stores all metadata into virtual metadata storage, which employs Phase-change RAM (PRAM). PRAM is a next-generation nonvolatile memory and will be good for dealing with word-level read/write of small-size data. Based on the virtual metadata storage, PFFS2 can manage metadata in a virtually fixed location and through byte-level in-place updates. Therefore, the performance of PFFS2 is 38 percent better than YAFFS2 for small file read/write while matching YAFFS2 performance for large file. Virtual metadata storage is particularly effective in decreasing the burden of computational and I/O overhead of garbage collection. In addition, PFFS2 maintains a 0.18 second mounting time and 284 KB memory usage in spite of increases in NAND flash memory size. We also propose a wear-leveling solution for PRAM in virtual metadata storage and greatly reduce the total write count of NAND flash memory. In addition, the life span of PFFS2 is longer than other flash file systems.


The Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) and the Certificate in Clinical Investigation (CI) are programs for young investigators committed to pursuing academic careers in clinical research. The unique MSCI degree combines didactic course work with mentored research and career development opportunities, and it provides students with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in the areas of clinical investigation most relevant to their careers. The CI certificate is made up of the core MSCI didactic course work in study design, research implementation, statistical approaches, responsible conduct of research, scientific communication and literature critique, leadership, and community engagement. Clinical investigation programs offered through the Washington University School of Medicine are sponsored by the Clinical Research Training Center (https://crtc.wustl.edu/) and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (http://icts.wustl.edu/).


Inflammation appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of Major Depression, and understanding the relationship between the immune system and mood disorders is a growing area of research. Patients undergoing cytokine therapy frequently develop depressive-like signs which cease upon termination of treatment. In addition, depressed patients often present with high levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. There are also significant behavioural correlates between inflammation-associated sickness behaviours and Major Depression, suggesting there is a bidirectional relationship between the immune system and central systems regulating behaviour. Both sickness behaviours in animals and cytokine-induced depression in humans can be reversed with antidepressants targeting the serotonergic (5-HT) system. Against this background, this thesis sought to investigate the role of inflammation in the development of certain specific characteristics of depressive-like states in animal models. Specifically, a single systemic endotoxin challenge (LPS) was used to model acute sickness behaviour and to study the behaviour and molecular effects of this challenge on the 5-HT system. These studies indicated that a single systemic challenge changed the function of the 5-HT system, as well as increasing expression levels of a number of 5-HT-related genes, and markers of inflammation in the CNS. A rodent chronic stress paradigm was employed to investigate whether these changes also occur in animals displaying depressive-like signs. Chronically stressed mice were shown to display significant features of rodent depression; decreased sucrose preference and increased forced swim immobility. These changes were also accompanied by increased expression of 5-HT-related genes and inflammatory markers within the CNS. Importantly, many of the molecular changes observed in LPS-induced sickness behaviour were conserved in the model of stress-induced Major Depression. In particular, increased TNF expression within the CNS was highlighted as a feature in both models. Novel anti-inflammatory agents were used to study the role of TNF in the development of sickness behaviours. Anti-TNF therapy, specifically the fusion protein etanercept, ameliorated sickness behaviour induced by LPS. Together, these data demonstrate that inflammation is capable of significantly changing the 5-HT system, and that stress per se is capable of inducing an inflammatory state within the CNS, which support the thesis that sickness and Major Depression are closely related at a molecular level.


ABSTRACT Advances in technologies (e.g. smartphones, wearables) have resulted in the concept of 'self-tracking', and the use of self-tracking technologies in physical activity (i.e. fitness tracking) is on the rise. For example, many people track and monitor their fitness-related metrics (e.g. steps walked, distance ran, and calories burned) to change their behaviours or keep themselves active. Despite the widespread application of self-tracking in fitness, relatively little is known about its drivers and outcomes. To address this gap, the current paper provides an overview of the literature (empirical papers) on self-tracking with a focus on the drivers and outcomes of fitness tracking behaviour and offers four important contributions. First, it identifies 19 drivers of fitness tracking technology usage. Second, it discusses four main outcomes of fitness tracking behaviour. Third, by drawing on the existing studies conducted across various fitness tracking technologies (e.g. fitness trackers, apps) and user groups (e.g. patients, seniors, and females), it provides valuable insights that can be generalisable to other settings (e.g. other types of users and fitness tracking products). Finally, the current paper provides important practical implications and addresses avenues for future research.