Abstract Tomoscintigraphic reconstruction in nuclear medicine assumes that the distribution of the tracer is unchanged in the volume of interest throughout the duration of the acquisition. This condition is however not met in early-phase bone scintigraphy and early-phase pelvic SPECT may display helical artifacts due to the filling of the bladder. Those artifacts may hamper proper interpretation of surrounding bone areas. The aim of this study was to construct a 4D digital pelvic phantom to simulate different acquisition protocols and optimize the acquisition. A 4D digital pelvic phantom was generated with a dynamic component consisting in an expanding bladder with 2 ureters and a static part consisting in the 2 kidneys, bone structures, and soft tissues. Projection data were obtained using an attenuated Radon transform function. Four acquisitions protocols were tested: 32 projections of 16 seconds (32–16–1), 32 projections of 8 seconds (32–8–1), 2 consecutive SPECT of 32 projections of 4 seconds (32–4–2) and 2 consecutive SPECT of 16 projections of 8 seconds (16–8–2). The optimal protocol was then tested on one patient. The amplitude of the artifacts was reduced with the 32–8–1, 32–4–2, and 16–8–2 protocols. The 16–8–2 protocol had the highest signal to noise ratio among those 3 protocols. The bladder artifact was visually markedly reduced on the patient acquisition with a 16–8–2 protocol. Two successive early-phase bone SPECT, with a lower number of projection than the usual protocol reduce the impact of the helical artifacts around the bladder.


Most of the Iberian Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate, which strongly determines the objectives, strategies and techniques of forest restoration. This communication addresses a main forest restoration challenge for Mediterranean-climate woodlands in Spain: the transformation of old monospecific pine plantations to more diverse, resistant and resilient forest systems. I also present how afforestation methods and some ideas on plant quality have evolved in the last 80 years. Productivity of Mediterranean forests is low, which discourages private owners to invest in woodland management. Therefore, woodland management strongly relies on public funds. Large-scale afforestation in the 20 th century has created huge areas of monospecific pine plantations, which have been under thinned and are very simple structurally with almost no understory. The stands are very prone to fires, diseases and drought dieback. However, old pine plantations can facilitate the establishment of late successional trees and shrubs when properly thinned. Therefore, pine plantations are an opportunity for restoring several types of oak-dominated forests at a large scale and resources should invested to preserve and gradually transform these plantations into mixed forests. Funds should be invested in thinning progressively rather than to plant new areas. In many plantations close to oak forests remnants, thinning is the only management required. However, many pine plantations are far from seed sources and enrichment plantations together with thinning are needed. Extensive enrichment plantations are expensive. Therefore, an option is to develop a network of small islets strategically placed inside pine plantations and properly managed as seed foci to foster pine plantation colonization. This option is cheaper than conventional extensive low-density enrichment plantations but research is needed to assess its effectiveness for pine plantation transformation.


System designers usually generate alternative configurations of supply chains (SCs) by varying especially fixed assets to satisfy a desired production scope and rate. Such alternatives often vary in associated costs and other facets including degrees of complexity. Hence, a measure of configuration complexity can be a tool for comparison and decision-making. This paper presents three approaches to assessment of configuration complexity and their applications to designing convergent SC systems. Presented approaches are conceptually distinct ways of measuring structural complexity parameters based on different preconditions and circumstances of assembly systems which are typical representatives of convergent SCs. There are applied two similar approaches based on different preconditions that are related to demand shares. Third approach does not consider any special condition relating to character of final product demand. Subsequently, we propose a framework for modeling of assembly SC models, which are dividing to classes.


The authors report on measurements of the differential change in kinetic cross section, Delta sigma / sigma , upon excitation of Rb immersed in various atomic and molecular buffer gases. For the first time negative values for Delta sigma / sigma are found, Large positive values are found for saturated hydrocarbons as a buffer gas.


This research aims to assess teaching materials in the form of modules with pocket sewing techniques. This research was conducted to experts panelists with related fields of expertise and carried out in the odd semester of 2021/2022 academic year. Pre-Expermental Method is used in this research with One-Shot Case Study model. Descriptive quantitative technique used as data analysis technique in this reasearch. Using a single variable namely the assessment of teaching materials pocket sewing module. The reasearch indicators used based on good module characteristic (Self Instructional, Self Contained, Stand Alone, Adaptive, and User Friendly) and presentation quality elements (Consistensy, Form, Organization, Attractiveness, Font Shape and Size, and Spacing). Data collected through open-close questionnaire with rating scale. Results of this research stated that assesment based on good module characteristic get 79,58% and assestment based on presentation quality elements gets 90,04%.  Assesment based on good module characteristic Self Instructional indicators gets percentage of 85,55%, Adaptive 80%, Self Contained 75%, Stand Alone 75%, and User Friendly 74,71%. And assesment based on presentation quality elements Organization indicator gets 94,28%, Consistensy with 90%, Font Shape and Size 90%, Spacing 90%, Form 86,66% and 85% Attractiveness. So the results of the pocket sewing module assessment get a good score and can be used as an alternative teaching material in the technical sewing course.


The t-expansion is a nonperturbative calculational tool recently developed for Hamiltonian systems. A short review of the method is given. It is followed by a summary of applications to two dimensional spin systems and to four dimensional non-abelian lattice gauge theories. 5 refs., 3 figs.


Noora Mattssson Metabolic syndrome in young adults – prevalence, childhood predictors and association with subclinical atherosclerosis. Departments of Medicine and Clinical Physiology, Turku University Hospital, Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku; and the National Graduate School of Clinical Investigation (CLIGS). Annales Universitatis Turkuensis, Medica-Odontologia, Turku, Finland, 2012. Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of MetS is increasing worldwide in all age groups. MetS is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, secular trends and childhood predictors of MetS in young adults. Furthermore, the relations between MetS and subclinical atherosclerosis were studied and whether apolipoproteins (apo) B and A-I, C-reactive protein (CRP) and type II secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) were associated with MetS, and to what extent the atherogenicity of MetS was explained by these factors. Participants and Methods: The present thesis is part of the large scale population-based, prospective study, the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. The first cross-sectional study was conducted in 1980 and included 3,596 participants aged 3-18 years. Carotid and brachial ultrasound studies were performed for 2,283 of these participants in 2001 and 2,200 of these participants in 2007. Results: The overall prevalence of MetS in young adults aged 24-39 years in 2001 was 10-15 % and 6 years later in 30-45 year-old adults it was 15-23 % depending on the MetS definition used. Between the years 1986 and 2001, MetS prevalence increased from 1.0 % to 7.5 % (p<0.0001) in 24-year-old participants that was mostly driven by the increased central obesity. Participants with MetS had increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and decreased carotid elasticity compared to those without the syndrome. Impaired brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was not related to MetS but it modified the relationship between MetS and cIMT (P for interaction 0.023). High levels of apoB, CRP, sPLA2 and low levels of apoA-I associated with MetS in young adults. In prospective analysis both MetS and high apoB predicted (P<0.0001) incident high cIMT, defined as cIMT>90th percentile and/or plaque. The association between MetS and incident high cIMT was attenuated by ~40 % after adjustment with apoB. Conclusions: MetS is common in young adults and increases with age. Screening for risk factors, especially obesity, at an early life stage could help identify children and adolescents at increased risk of developing MetS and cardiovascular disease later in life. MetS identifies a population of young adults with evidence of increased subclinical atherosclerosis. Impaired brachial endothelial response is not a hallmark of MetS in young adults, but the status of endothelial function modifies the association between metabolic risk factors and atherosclerosis. In addition, the atherogenicity of MetS in this population assessed by incident high cIMT appears to be substantially mediated by elevated apoB.


Abstract Phosphocalcic glasses, based on ternary system SiO2 - CaO- P2O5 and those doped with copper (SiO2 – CaO - P2O5 - Cu2O) can be obtained by the traditional method of sub-cooling melts or modern methods such as process that uses mechanical energy, neutrons action, deposition in thin layers or by sol-gel technique. This paper shows the experimental results of three compositional phosphocalcic glasses: 50% SiO2 - 43% CaO - 7% P2O5, 50% SiO2 - 38% CaO - 7% P2O5 - 5% Cu2O obtained through sol-gel method and 45% SiO2 - 22.5% CaO - 22.5 Na2O - 5% P2O5 - 5% Cu2O obtained by melting. In order to study their bioactivity, the three compositions were structural analyzed by X-ray diffraction method. In this case the apatite formation was highlighted after soaked in simulated body fluid, but also other compounds (CaCO3 and CuO) resulting from the same process were observed. In case of the melting glass apatite formation has not been highlighted. The functional groups present in the structure of glasses before and after soaking (PO43−, CO32− and HO−) were highlighted by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The elemental chemical composition was confirmed by elemental analysis WD-XRF. The morphology of sol-gel glass powders was revealed by SEM analysis. All glass compositions were tested in terms of antibacterial activity in vitro.


To overcome the weakness of the organic hole transporting material in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), we developed inorganic copper antimony sulfide (Cu3SbS4) nanocrystals as a hole transporting material (HTM) for PSCs by a hot-injection and spray-deposition technique. We proved that the Cu3SbS4 nanocrystal layer can enhance hole injection inhibiting the charge-carrier recombination within the perovskite layer. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.7% was obtained for the Cu3SbS4-based devices with improved stability. This work offers a new route which employs copper antimony sulfide compounds as hole transporting materials for efficient and stable perovskite solar cells.


Human CD133+ stem cells were injected into the bone marrow cavity of NOG (NOD Shi-SCID IL2Rγcnull) mice with or without preconditioning of busulfan in order to assess the efficiency of human CD133+ cells engraftment. Peripheral blood from CD133+-engrafted NOG mice was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that human CD19+ B lymphocytes could be detected at 4 weeks post-transplantation, and human CD4+, CD8+ subsets of T lymphocytes, CD19– CD14– HLA-DR+ DCs and CD19– CD14+ monocytes could be detected at 16 weeks post-transplantation. The survival rate of mice in busulfan-untreated group (100%) was slightly higher than that in the busulfan-pretreated group (83%) (P > 0.05). However, the differentiation efficiency of CD133+ stem cells in busulfan-pretreated group was significantly higher than that in the untreated group (P < 0.05). This data imply that CD133+ cells could be a good resource for a humanized mouse model, and the preconditioning of busulfan could be more conducive to accelerating the differentiation of human CD133+ cells in NOG mice by intra-bone marrow injection.


In order to investigate the decay mechanism in red oak (Quercus rubra) and Schima (Schima spp.) wood in the ancient building of Xichuan Guild Hall, the changes in chemical composition were determined using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The results were as follows: (1) The absorption peak intensities that represented the structural contribution of carbohydrates, and the crystallinity index of the cellulose in the red oak components, decreased noticeably by 55.70 percent in H1039/H1508, and 26.85 percent in H1370/H2900; while those of lignin were increased as a result of the brown rot process. These changes indicated that the brown-rot fungi had stronger degradation effects on hemicellulose and cellulose over lignin. (2) The absorption peak intensities of the carbohydrates (a part of the lignin) and the crystallinity index of the cellulose decreased noticeably by 22.50 percent in H1039/H1508, 25.00 percent in H1508/H1735, and 21.74 percent in H1429/H897 after white rot in the Schima wood components. These findings indicated that not only cellulose and hemicellulose but also lignin were attacked by white-rot fungi. By comparison, the extent of fungal damage in the wood components was lower in the Schima wood components than that in the red oak components.


Phenology is the science that studies the timing of periodic plant and animal life cycle events, as well as their causes, interrelations, and variations in space and time. Phenological information has a plethora of use and hence of users. For example, this information is often used to study climate change because phenological timings respond to changes in environmental conditions. Besides this, phenological information helps to model the water, carbon and energy cycles, is necessary to monitor and manage natural and artificial man-made ecosystems and even supports nature lovers and public health practitioners. The well-established EGU session on “Phenology and seasonality in climate change” shows the diversity of phenological research and products and brings together multiple research communities: ecologists, agronomists, foresters, climatologists, geo-information and remote sensing scientists, and of course, citizen science experts. We believe that this diversity deserves attention and propose carrying out a first analysis of users, use and usability of phenological products by interacting with the participants of this EGU session. For this we will use a presentation software that allows posing questions to the audience and collecting their views in real-time. This presentation will then provide a better view of the phenological community, including their most commonly used data sources, tools, and needs. Special attention will be paid to identify major achievements and research and/or operational gaps that can help to define a phenological agenda for this new decade.


A patient is described with oesophageal ulceration due to herpes simplex virus type I. The endoscopic, light, electron microscopic, and immunohistochemical appearances are described and the literature of this under‐diagnosed entity is reviewed.


Although most persons with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) wish to have romantic and/or sexual relationships, little is known about self-report sexuality of adolescents/young adults with ASD. In this exploratory study, 172 male and female adolescents/young adults (68 with ASD and 104 without ASD) completed an online version of the Sexual Behavior Scale-Third edition. Although many more similarities than differences were observed between the groups for views and desires about romantic relationships (e.g., wishing to have a girlfriend/boyfriend), fewer participants with ASD (mostly boys) had experience with a variety of sexual/dyadic behaviors, and approximately half of girls with ASD reported negative sexual experiences. Significantly higher rates of participants with ASD felt their knowledge about sexuality was limited and found it difficult to understand sexual education compared with typically developing (TD) participants. Significantly lower rates of participants with ASD reported that they identify to their assigned gender compared with TD participants. Multiple regressions revealed that being older at first diagnosis and possessing better knowledge about sexuality were significant predictors of both positive and negative sexual experience. This study explores strengths and challenges related with the sexual health of adolescents/young adults with ASD and implications for clinical and educational practice are discussed.


Abstract We introduce a nonparametric measure to quantify the degree of heteroskedasticity at a fixed quantile of the conditional distribution of a random variable. Our measure of heteroskedasticity is based on nonparametric quantile regressions and is expressed in terms of unrestricted and restricted expectations of quantile loss functions. It can be consistently estimated by replacing the unknown expectations by their nonparametric estimates. We derive a Bahadur-type representation for the nonparametric estimator of the measure. We provide the asymptotic distribution of this estimator, which one can use to build tests for the statistical significance of the measure. Thereafter, we establish the validity of a fixed regressor bootstrap that one can use in finite-sample settings to perform tests. A Monte Carlo simulation study reveals that the bootstrap-based test has a good finite sample size and power for a variety of data generating processes and different sample sizes. Finally, two empirical applications are provided to illustrate the importance of the proposed measure.


BACKGROUND South African universities are surrounded by formal and informal public transport services connecting students, staff and communities with the institutions. In order to connect students, university facilities and relevant activity centers, 6 of the 26 universities have official shuttle services exclusive for students. The lack of literature and practical knowledge about university student travel preferences in South Africa exposes a large gap in learner mobility—especially where learners pay for the service themselves. Furthermore, much of the stated preference research conducted on travel related themes in Africa have not investigated the use of behavioural theories in the choice models. PROBLEM The gap in literature and practical knowledge on student travel preferences is even greater in the North West Province, where one university with three campuses attracts nearly 73 000 students from all over the country. In the capital city of the province, Mahikeng, pressure has emerged to improve the public transport services available: bus and minibus taxi. The city is a base for one of the three campuses of the North West University (NWU). This not only lays ground for investigating university student travel preferences in the Mahikeng area, but also exploring the application of behavioural theory in choice modelling. HYPOTHESES This study reports on an unlabelled d-optimal stated preference survey of university students (N=121) conducted at the NWU Mafikeng Campus with a population of 11 842 students. Two hypotheses related to behavioural heterogeneity are tested. Firstly, students have unique compositions of behaviour influencing their intention to use bus and minibus taxi. Secondly, there are transport service preference differences between students who have positive and negative intent to use any public transport mode. Students were also asked to state which mode they would prefer between bus and minibus taxi. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK It is assumed that preference manifests from psychological constructs that influence behaviour (observed through constructs). To test the hypotheses, this study connects the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with Hybrid Choice Modelling (HCM) framework. The TPB uses behavioural indicators to reveal a path dependency between behavioural constructs and their impact actual behaviour. HCM expands the behavioural framework of choice modelling to include: psychological indicators; indicators of history or dependence; behavioural heterogeneity; and latent constructs. In the HCM context, latent constructs have two interrelated functions and forms. Latent variables explain preference by contributing to the composition of choice. Latent classes segment preferences into class-specific preferences of choice. A latent class approach is applied in order to (a) segment students into behavioural classes for bus and taxi (class membership); and (b) estimate the mode preferences for each class. METHODOLOGY The TPB postulates that action is closely observed through intention. The behavioural indicators are adopted from the TPB including attitude, perceived behavioural control and subjective norm are treated as determinants of intention. The likelihood that a student has a positive, negative, or neutral intention toward using a certain mode is the treated as their class membership probability. Class specific preferences and modal split(s) for minibus taxi and bus choice are also estimated in a Multinomial Logit form. Two approaches were used to inform the sample size, based on discrete choice modelling literature, purporting that between 50 and 138 respondents are suitable (based on provincial modal splits, and survey design). The stated preference survey was constructed using the R statistical package. The choice models (membership and class specific) were estimated using BIOGEME. RESULTS In terms of class membership 55% of students have a negative intention to use bus that is influenced by: positive attitude (0.216), strong subjective normality (0.238) and their intention to use another mode (0.157). For minibus taxi, intention classes are nearly evenly spread between degrees of intent (33%) influenced by a strong negative attitude (-0.205), lower perception of normality of using minibus taxis (0.176) and intention to use another mode (0.18). This intimates that using minibus taxi is not as normal as using bus—whilst bus intention is exposed to greater intentions to use the alternative. Although, 93% of the students say they would prefer using taxi the non-class specific modal split is 79% and 21% for bus and taxi, respectively. Class specific modal split(s) indicate that 97% of students with positive intent to use public transport have a high value of time (R 4.70) and would choose taxi. In the negative intent class 81% of those with a negative intent would choose bus and a lower value of time (R 4.14). It is found that behavioural classes for university student travel preferences are unique between transport modes and across classes of positive, negative and neutral intention. The use of behavioural indicators in choice models seem to be a practical way to segment students and identify behavioural factors that may be used to attract or retain future and existing users, respectively. CONCLUSION This is especially true for policy interventions that nudge certain behaviours over others. For example, in Travel Demand Management this approach may enable the potential impact of voluntary interventions related to changing travel behaviour to be estimated. In the public transport marketing context—market segments that are more or less receptive of a type of advertorial may be identified and the likelihood of mode switching can be estimated. In terms of university student travel, behavioural segments are useful in targeting markets that have positive intentions to use public transport and retaining them through service and softer factors related to their behavioural segment. This study makes a unique contribution to stated preference research in Africa. Further research exploring and validating the application of approaches grounded on behavioural theory are necessary. LIMITATIONS This study has a number of limitations. The sample size is suitable for the discrete choice models, but not for the TPB—if it were used independently: limiting the quality of tests related to consistency with TPB. Socio-demographic characteristics were excluded in the models because they were not statistically significant. Either implying that the differences between individuals were not significant in choice making, or that the survey did not capture relevant information.


MacroH2A is a histone modification factor the activity of which has been acutely studied in cancer progression, and a number of studies have shown that the progression of certain types of cancer is under regulation by MacroH2A. However, information regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms of MacroH2A inhibition on the cell cycle remains elusive, and elucidating this process may aid in the production of novel treatment strategies. The aim of the current study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of MacroH2A on osteosarcoma cell progression, and the possible molecular mechanisms of this process. MacroH2A overexpression and interference vectors were designed and transfected into U2‑OS osteosarcoma cells. The cells underwent reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR), western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle stage were assayed using flow cytometry. The results revealed that the overexpression of MacroH2A inhibited the progression of U2‑OS osteosarcoma cells, and the cells were arrested at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle. The molecular mechanism by which MacroH2A suppresses the cell progression involves the inhibition of the expression of cyclin D and cyclin‑dependent kinase (CDK) genes, including cyclin D1, cyclin D2, CDK4, CDK6 and CDK8. Taken together, the present results revealed that MacroH2A is an important modifier of chromatin that downregulates the progression of osteosarcoma cells and triggers disturbance of the cell cycle via the downregulation of cyclin D and CDK genes.


Plasminogen, the inactive precursor of plasmin, a general trypsin-like proteinase, is present at high concentration in blood and in body fluids. Most cells can recruit this proteolytic potential by secreting plasminogen activator (PA) to generate localized proteolysis in the surrounding microenvironment. PA and plasmin are serine enzymes whose pH optima match extracellular pH; further, in view of the large amount of circulating proenzyme and the broad substrate range of plasmin, the possibility that this proteolytic system can initiate a variety of proteolytic reactions or sequences should be kept in mind. PA production is precisely regulated by hormones, temporal programming, or both; and enzyme synthesis is correlated with some physiological and pathological processes requiring proteolysis. Thus PA production is coordinately regulated with ovulation, trophoblast implantation, spermatogenesis, polypeptide hormone synthesis, and some developmental phenomena; and with inflammation, tumour promotion, and neoplasia. Tissue remodelling and cell migration are common to many of these processes. Macrophage (monocyte) and polymorphonuclear leucocyte PA production is modulated by many biologically active substances. Enzyme synthesis is induced and stimulated by stimuli that recruit these cells to sites of inflammation, and it is repressed by anti-inflammatory agents, notably by glucocorticoids.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Molecular biology and pharmacology are being transformed by high-throughput data. Access, and integration of this data, however, remains difficult. The NCI-60 cancerous cell lines are arguably the premier model for data integration and systems pharmacology. To make this data accessible for both bioinformaticists and non-bioinformaticists, we have developed the CellMiner set of web-based tools (http://discover.nci.nih.gov/cellminer). These tools currently or in the near future will provide "Cell line signatures" for gene and microRNA transcript expression, DNA copy number variation, genetic variation, and drug or compound activity. This data includes relative levels of transcript expression for 26,065 genes, 360 microRNAs, activities of 19,940 compounds including 110 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved and 53 in clinical trial drugs, and percent conversions of 16,381 genetic variants (both germline and somatic). Current or upcoming tools facilitating the combination of this data include i) "Pattern comparison", which provides correlations to a users input pattern to transcript and microRNA expression and compound/drug activity, ii) "Cross correlation", which provides all correlations between up to 150 input genes, microRNAs, and compounds or drugs, iii) "Genetic variation versus drug visualization", which provides a rapid visualization of potential drug: gene DNA variant relationships, and iv) "Genetic variant summation", which provides a synopsis of mutational burden on any pathway of interest for up to 150 genes. These tools allow the user to flexibly query the data for potential relationships between molecular and pharmacological parameters, in a manner specific to that users area of expertise and interest.

Citation Format: William C. Reinhold, Margot Sunshine, Sudir Varma, Joel Morris, Kurt Kohn, James Doroshow, Yves Pommier. Using CellMiner for gene expression, DNA copy number, microRNA transcript levels, variant status, drug activity, and their integration for systems pharmacology for the NCI-60. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5327. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5327


Background Extremity lymphedema is a pathological condition resulting from absence of lymph nodes and disease of lymphatic vessels, often due to oncologic clearance of lymph nodes. In recent years, vascularized lymph node transfer has become a rapidly emerging method of lymphatic reconstruction shown to lead to lymphatic regeneration. In particular, lymphatic flaps based on the submental artery have shown good results with its favorable donor site and available nodes. The lymph nodes here are in close relation to the submandibular gland and require careful dissection around and through the gland for safe harvest. We studied this region of the neck and describe the blood supply to the lymph nodes, their variable positions in relation to the gland, and our technique of dissecting through the submandibular gland while keeping the lymph nodes' hilar blood supply intact. Methods We dissected 2 cadaver heads (4 sides of the neck) to study the submandibular and submental lymph nodes, where to locate them in relation to the submandibular gland and how best to dissect through the submandibular gland for access while keeping the hilar supply intact. We applied this knowledge in 6 clinical cases and provide a brief description of our "through-the-gland" dissection technique. Results The submandibular lymph nodes may lie (1) superficial and posterior to the gland, (2) between the superficial and deep parts of the submandibular gland, or (3) anteriorly and submental. They are classified as superficial, deep, and submental, respectively. The through-the-gland dissection technique gave the surgeon improved access and exposure to the lymph nodes. It also facilitated safer dissection because their hilar blood supply is well visualized. Conclusions The through-the-gland technique of harvesting vascularized submandibular lymph node flaps is a safe technique that allows the surgeon to clearly identify and preserve blood supply of lymph nodes.


The purpose of this research is to know the motivation of mathematics learning in high school students of 10th grade. Data collection method is done in the form of survey conducted in Purbalingga. The instrument used is a questionnaire of motivation to learn math. Interview method is also done to get additional data which is used as supporting data in conducting analysis of data obtained previously. The result of the survey shows that the students of both schools have a high motivation to learn math with an average of 3.39. Based on the results of the analysis, a lot of the students who have high learning motivation on math dissatisfied with the value of daily tests and examinations with an average index of 2.31. It shows that high learning motivation is not enough to get a satisfactory value. The statement was corroborated by points on the understanding of mathematical material that was only able to obtain an average index of 2.56. Based on the results of interviews from 3 students, they wanted to use a good learning media that had three characteristic, that was a learning media that taught students not to give up easily, that was able to bring out a sense of pleasure, and that was challenging. Therefore, beside high learning motivation, understanding of mathematics materials supported by the use of good learning media is also required.


Author(s): Juavinett, Ashley | Advisor(s): Callaway, Edward; Huberman, Andrew | Abstract: The primary challenge of systems neuroscience is identifying the circuits and cell types that underlie sensation and behavior. Faced with the daunting task of unraveling six layers of cortex, a hierarchy of visual areas, and a multitude of cell types, visual neuroscience relies on innovative technologies to achieve a circuit-level understanding of perceptual phenomena. This dissertation aims to be an extension of this effort by using advanced tools to address several longstanding questions regarding the structure and function of the visual system. In the past decade, mouse visual cortex has come to the forefront of systems neuroscience, serving as a common ground to study the role of cell types in behavior. Armed with a remarkable arsenal of genetic and molecular tools in transgenic mice, we are poised to observe and manipulate visual circuits in a cell-type specific manner. Yet doing so requires a comprehensive understanding of the system at hand. In the work presented here, I extend our knowledge of the mouse visual system so that we may exploit its experimental advantages to address circuit-level questions. Spanning multiple techniques and circuits, this dissertation investigates the mouse visual system from several angles. First, it refines our understanding of mouse visual cortex functional organization with bulk loaded calcium indicators and a well-studied higher-order stimulus, moving plaids (Chapter 1). Secondly, it characterizes the functional response properties of three different genetically defined layer 5 cell types, using in vivo two-photon imaging in the primary visual cortex (Chapter 2). Lastly, it delineates the topography of thalamocortical projections from the secondary visual thalamic nucleus (LP) to multiple visual cortical areas with classic tracing methods as well as novel viral combinations (Chapter 3). Together, these three studies advance our understanding of the connectivity and function of the mouse visual system, bringing us closer to bridging neurons and behavior.


Directed enzyme prodrug therapy is an extensive area of research in cancer chemotherapy. Although very promising, the current directed approaches are still hampered by inefficient enzyme expression and tumor targeting. This work investigates the viability of using metal nanoparticles as a novel delivery vehicle for prodrug-activating enzymes. Using genetically incorporated amino acid sequences, a nitroreductase from E. coli was directly immobilized onto a 50 nm gold colloid, as confirmed by gel electrophoresis, DLS, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The resulting conjugates showed excellent stability in changing proton and sodium chloride environments, including PBS at 37 °C. Remarkably, the immobilized nitroreductase retained more than 99% activity to the CB1954 prodrug without the need for stabilizers. This work provides the foundation for attaching prodrug-activating enzymes to metal nanoparticles for future use in directed enzyme prodrug therapy.


A total of 47 deep earthquakes occurring between 1982 and 1985 in the Tonga subduction zone were used to derive station corrections for the Fiji Seismograph Network (FSN ). The Joint Hypocenter Determination (JHD) method was employed to relocate hypocenters using P -wave arrival times at selected teleseismic and FSN stations. P -wave residuals for Fiji show variations of more than 1 sec between southern Viti Levu on the one hand and northern Viti Levu and Vanua Levu on the other hand. The smallest residuals are observed in southern Viti Levu where the oldest volcanic rocks in Fiji are mapped and on the island of Koro. Station residuals in northern Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and the smaller Fijian islands except for Koro are on average 0.4 to 0.7 sec higher than in southern Viti Levu. The effect of hypocentral mislocation on the observed residual variations is negligible at stations in Viti Levu, Ovalau, and Beqa, but it may be important for stations in Vanua Levu, Koro, Taveuni, and Yasawa. Large P -wave delays observed at some stations are probably caused by low velocity sedimentary surface layers. The variations in crustal thickness that are probably not larger than 5 km would explain only a minor part of the residual differences. Without a better knowledge of crustal structure the contribution of lateral variations in upper mantle P velocities is difficult to assess.


The study was undertaken to obtain an inventory of the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat hypertension. A total of forty respondents were interviewed of which 65% were males and 35% were females. This population comprised of traditional medical practitioners (45%) and herbal sellers (55%). They were interviewed using semi- structured questionnaires and open- ended conversations. The inventory of the medicinal plants is summarized in a synoptic table, which contains the scientific name, local name (Hausa or Yoruba), frequency of citation, the plant part used and literature references on antihypertensive property. The families of the species were also documented. The study indicated 34 plants belonging to 30 families, some of whose antihypertensive property have been validated in literature. The plants frequently included in antihypertensive recipes were Allium sativum Oleo europaea, , Commiphora krestiggi, Moringa oleifera, Acacia linotica and Hibscus sabdarifa. The leaf (62.85%) represented the dominant morphological part used. In conclusion a large number of medicinal plants are used in Sokoto in the treatment of hypertension some of which have been validated in literature.


Shape-memory cryogels have drawn attention as an injectable system to minimize the risks associated with surgical implantation in tissue engineering. To achieve shape memory behavior with hydration as an external stimulus, it is necessary to have a porous elastic network. To achieve this, it is crucial to control the crosslinking process at the time of pore formation, especially for natural-based polymers. In this study, a versatile method using a cryogelation method in the presence of chemical and physical crosslinkers is investigated to obtain an injectable super macroporous elastic structure based on a poly(ampholyte) (carboxymethyl chitosan) and a protein (gelatin). Mechanical, swelling, shape memorizing behavior, injectability, and in vitro and in vivo behavior of cryogels were studied. Cryogelation in a subzero temperature led to the formation of scaffolds with interconnected pores of the size of 350 μm which swelled completely after 3 min. Cryogels had crosslink density up to 22% and elastic modulus in the hydrated state up to 0.054 and 1.733 MPa at low and high strains, respectively, and low hysteresis (<30 kPa). Injectability studies confirmed the ability of the cryogels to be injected through a 16G needle. In vitro studies demonstrated good cellular penetration, cell adhesion, and high cell viability (>100%). In vivo studies using mice showed that the body's response was befitting without inflammation and any side effect for the liver and kidneys.


On December 6,1989, fourteen University de Montreal women, most Engineering students, were killed by Marc Lepine, a young man who subsequently committed suicide. During the "Montreal massacre" and in a letter left behind, Lepine spoke of his rage against women and feminists. I analyze an item of graffiti which appeared at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, shortly afterward: "WHAT DO YOU C A L L 14 DEAD FEMINISTS IN MTL? A GOOD START. — the M. LEPINE FAN CLUB." I argue that this text and its context share an underlying structure with that of the murders in Montreal, and that, while such items of graffiti and jokes appear trivial, they are in fact part of the discourse of misogyny and violence, and thus must be recognized and understood.


Background: Automated image segmentation is an essential step in quantitative image analysis. This study assesses the performance of a deep learning-based model for lung segmentation from computed tomography (CT) images of normal and COVID-19 patients. Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 on the CT images of patients from various educational hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Mashhad, Iran). Of the selected images and corresponding lung masks of 1,200 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 1,080 were used to train a residual neural network. The performance of the residual network (ResNet) model was evaluated on two distinct external test datasets, namely the remaining 120 COVID-19 and 120 normal patients. Different evaluation metrics such as Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean absolute error (MAE), relative mean Hounsfield unit (HU) difference, and relative volume difference were calculated to assess the accuracy of the predicted lung masks. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the difference between the corresponding values in the normal and COVID-19 patients. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The ResNet model achieved a DSC of 0.980 and 0.971 and a relative mean HU difference of -2.679% and -4.403% for the normal and COVID-19 patients, respectively. Comparable performance in lung segmentation of normal and COVID-19 patients indicated the model's accuracy for identifying lung tissue in the presence of COVID-19-associated infections. Although a slightly better performance was observed in normal patients. Conclusion: The ResNet model provides an accurate and reliable automated lung segmentation of COVID-19 infected lung tissue. A preprint version of this article was published on arXiv before formal peer review (https://arxiv.org/abs/2104.02042).


The Brazilian National Treasury, through Decree No. 614/06, established the Standards for the consolidation of public accounts applicable to PPP contracts, recommending the adoption of the essence over form criterion, focusing on the essence of the economic relationship between contracting parties. However, an analysis of the essence of the contractual purpose was considered necessary because, in the final analysis, it is the phenomenon that needs to be accounted for. The methodology consists of a descriptive, exploratory, bibliographic and documentary research. Primary and secondary data were collected with a view to their structure in four theme units, so as to analyze the context in which PPP contracts emerged in Brazil. Through this research, it could be identified that there is no agreement between the essence of the contractual purpose and the legal form of the PPP contracts in the creation of highway structures in Brazil. Both the terms of Law No. 11.079/04 and those of Decree No. 614/06 delimit the analysis of the contract's essence, inducing to the supremacy of formal aspects over essence in the analysis of the phenomenon that has to be accounted for.


The article is a continuation of an article of the same name published in the journal "Vestnik Universiteta" № 12 2019. Presented part is devoted to methodological problems, systemic approach in management and development of guidelines in setting scientific research. The systemic approach has been chosen as a fundamentally new level of thinking culture. It allows you to take into account many conditions of internal and external environment. Particularly importance is attached to the ideological dimension. Moral qualities of the person, priority of national interests should become the basis of the world view of future specialists. Educational work, like training, must be continuous. The development of the university concept of student education has necessitated a paradigm shift in the methodology of scientific development. The most important problems of training management personnel in universities of Russia have been formulated in the article


Abstract Teachers can play critical roles in challenging or reinscribing dominant narratives about what counts as STEM, who is seen within STEM disciplines, and how these disciplines should be taught. However, teachers have often experienced STEM in limited ways in their own education and are thereby provided with few resources for re-imagining these disciplines. While teacher educators have designed learning environments that engage teachers in new forms of disciplinary activities, there have been few accounts that describe how teachers make connections between these experiences and dominant narratives that impact their own and their students' learning. In this study, I report on the experiences of Alma, a white, working-class, female elementary teacher in an online graduate certificate program for K-12 engineering educators. Through her engagement in engineering design in the program, Alma appropriated—transformed and made her own—discourse of the engineering design process in ways that trouble some of the narratives that restrict her, her family, and her students in STEM and in school. Alma's experiences emphasize the need to consider not just what teachers learn about disciplinary tools and discourses, but how they transform these for their own purposes and contexts.


The article investigates the influence of platform ideas, schemes, and production models outside the high-tech industry. To do this, it studies the organisational models of seven social innovation initiatives active in Italy in different sectors and promoted by different actors. The initiatives, even if non-hightech, can be put in order as platform organisations because they host interactions between a variety of organisations and people, differently arranged with respect to them and largely autonomous and heterogeneous in terms of their interests, social networks, and purposes. The main purpose of this research has three sub-objectives. The first is to observe the development of extensive 'platformisation' processes of production systems. The second is to deepen trends in the high-tech sector through the observation of the non-high-tech sector. Finally, to create useful and usable knowledge to help political parties, trade unions, associations and governments plan solutions to protect workers of the platforms. Using a critical approach, the article reveals that these organisations are less innovative than their supporters report for three reasons. Firstly, because the concept of community is abused to describe these organisations, which present themselves mainly as coalitions or networks because their members lack a common sense of membership; secondly, because the research downsizes the presence of prosumers and peer-to-peer production and describes production and consumption processes that take place at separate times and in which peer production is only a marginal part of the production reality. In the end, because of these organisations work thanks to the job of a small group of people with high cognitive skills and relational capital that trigger production by activating, managing and capitalising a small crowd of workers..


Technological advances in recent years was so rapid, so that claim the existence of a better application to support any development in the field, especially the growing use of computerization both in hardware and software. One also needs the existence of qualified human resources. To support the existing activities within the company, such as data processing and product ordering is still done manually required an application design. By Karen is the author made an application to visualize the product ordering products using Microsoft Visual Basic Version 6.0


The composition of milk chocolate is unbalanced, it has high energy value, contains a lot of added sugar with low protein content. The paper studies and substantiates the criteria for the production of milk chocolate with non-traditional protein-containing components. Tasting evaluation of milk chocolate with replacement of part of sugar for whey protein concentrate, buckwheat, oat flour and pea protein isolate in various combinations showed favorable differences between the model samples and the control. The analysis of rheological properties of model milk chocolate masses has shown that the introduction of unconventional protein-containing ingredients instead of sugar leads to a significant change in the rheological behavior of the product. The plastic viscosity increases from 4.4 to 10 Pa ?s depending on the type of introduced components. In order to determine the influence of the production method on the change in the plastic viscosity of milk chocolate masses, a series of experiments were carried out. t was found that at constant values: the content of the unconventional component (10%) in the recipe, the temperature and time of processing in the conche-machine, the chocolate masses differed in their rheological characteristics. It was found out that the greatest reduction of plastic viscosity of milk chocolate masses with unconventional ingredients in the composition can be achieved by their step-by-step conching and two-stage emulsifier – lecithin injection. The quality of chocolate masses is also determined by their crystallization properties. Milk chocolate masses with various non-traditional protein-containing ingredients were processed at a temperature of about 30.0°C in a laboratory tempering machine in order to form and stabilize ?-form fat crystals. Then they were determined by their temperindex. It was found that if the same conditions of tempering were observed, the temperindex of different milk chocolate masses was different. In order to obtain the optimal temperindex, we have worked out the tempering modes of milk chocolate masses, which will make it possible to obtain products with a stable structure and without traces of "graying" throughout the shelf life.


Retroviruses are membrane-enveloped, RNA-containing viruses that produce a wide range of threatening diseases in higher animals. Among these are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which produces acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans, and murine leukemia virus (MuLV), which produces leukemias in rodents. We have obtained the first atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of these two retroviruses, both isolated from culture media and emerging from infected cell surfaces. The HIV virions are 127 nm diameter on average, and those of MuLV are 145 nm, although there are wide distributions about the means. The AFM images show the arrangement of the envelope protein, responsible for host cell entry, on the surfaces of both virions. Disruption of the viruses using detergents or physical means allowed us to visualize interior structures, including the outer shells of both MuLV and HIV, the cores of MuLV, and the nucleic acid of HIV complexed with core proteins. Using immunolabeling techniques borrowed from electron microscopy, we were able to demonstrate the binding of gold-labeled antibodies directed against the envelope protein of MuLV. The AFM images are revealing, not only in terms of surface topology, but in terms of interior features as well, and they reveal the eccentricities and uniqueness of individual virus particles rather than yielding the average member of the population. Further application of AFM to viruses associated with other pathologies may ultimately have a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of virus-promoted diseases.


A cross sectional study was carried out to assess immunisation coverage among 257 urban and 339 rural children aged 13-36 months who were vaccinated at pulse polio booths in Shimla hills. 84.37% urban children and 57.59% rural children were fully vaccinated. BCG scar was negative in a large number of children, especially from rural areas. Increasing maternal education was associated with complete immunisation. OPV I-III dropouts were 3% among urban children and 15% among rural. The corresponding dropout rates for DPT I-III were 1% and 8% respectively. The immunisation coverage in this region was higher than others. Sustained efforts are required to achieve full immunisation coverage and eradicate polio and measles.


Radiotherapy is one of the corner stone treatments for patients with prostate cancer. Especially for locally advanced tumors radiotherapy +/- adjuvant androgen deprivation treatment is standard of care. This brings up the need for accurate assessment of extra prostatic tumor growth and/or the presence of nodal metastases for selection of the optimal radiation dose and treatment volume. Morphological imaging like transrectal ultra sound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routinely used but are limited in their accuracy in detecting extra prostatic extension and nodal metastases. In this article we present a structured review of the literature on positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients with emphasis on: 1) the pretreatment assessment of extra prostatic tumor extension, nodal and distant metastases; 2) the intraprostatic tumor characterization and radiotherapy treatment planning; and 3) treatment evaluation and the use of PET/CT in guidance of salvage treatment. PET/CT is not an appropriate imaging technique for accurate T-staging of prostate cancer prior to radiotherapy. Although macroscopic disease beyond the prostatic capsule and into the periprostatic fat or in seminal vesicle is often accurately detected, the microscopic extension of prostate cancer remains undetected. Choline PET/CT holds a great potential as a single step diagnostic procedure of lymph nodes and skeleton, which could facilitate radiotherapy treatment planning. At present the use of PET/CT for treatment planning in radiotherapy is still experimental. Choline PET based tumor delineation is not yet standardized and different segmentation-algorithms are under study. However, dose escalation using dose-painting is feasible with only limited increases of the doses to the bladder and rectum wall. PET/CT using either acetate or choline is able to detect recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy but stratification of patients for any local salvage treatment has not been addressed in the current literature.


The objective of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of allelic alterations in comparison with clinical prognostic factors (age and gender, clinical stage, lymph node involvement, tissue tumour marker expression) and clinical outcomes (disease relapse and overall survival time) in colorectal cancer patients. Polymerase chain reaction was performed on the DNA of 72 colorectal samples (from 36 colorectal cancer patients) using primers D17S513 and D17S514. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) marker was determined in tumour sections by enzyme immunoassay. Tumours were considered to exhibit allelic alterations if the microsatellite region adjacent to the p53 locus in chromosome 17 either gained or lost repeated sequences. Allelic alterations were detected in 44% of tumour samples. Patients with more than 3 involved lymph nodes had more frequent allelic alterations (p < 0.002). The allelic alteration status was compared with tumour CA 19-9 expression, which showed statistically significantly higher values within the allelic alterations group (p < 0.005). Multivariate analyses confirmed that tumours with allelic alterations had a higher probability of disease relapse (odds ratio 7.3, p = 0.01). This is the first report showing an association between allelic alteration and overexpression of a tissue tumour marker protein and established risk factors. These results could be considered useful additional prognostic information for colorectal cancer.


Hydrogenated silicon carbide films (SiC:H) were deposited using the electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition method from a mixture of methane, silane, and hydrogen, and using diborane and phosphine as doping gases. The effects of changes in the diborane and phosphine levels on the deposition rate, optical band gap and conductivity were investigated. In the case of boron-doped films, there is evidence from Raman scattering analysis to show that films deposited at a low microwave power of 150 W were all amorphous and the band gap decreases as the diborane level is increased, whereas films deposited at a high microwave power of 800 W at low diborane levels are highly conductive and contain the silicon microcrystalline phase. These films become amorphous as the diborane level is increased, while the optical band gap remains relatively unaffected throughout the entire range of diborane levels investigated. In the case of phosphorus-doped films, Raman scattering analysis showed that the deposition conditions strongly influence the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the SiC:H films. Unlike boron doping, doping with phosphorus can have the effect of increasing the silicon microcrystalline phase in the SiC:H films, which were prepared at low (150 W) and high (600 W) microwave powers. Films prepared at high microwave power showed only small variations in the optical band gap, suggesting that good phosphorus doping efficiency can be achieved in films that contain the silicon microcrystalline phase (mc-SiC:H).Hydrogenated silicon carbide films (SiC:H) were deposited using the electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition method from a mixture of methane, silane, and hydrogen, and using diborane and phosphine as doping gases. The effects of changes in the diborane and phosphine levels on the deposition rate, optical band gap and conductivity were investigated. In the case of boron-doped films, there is evidence from Raman scattering analysis to show that films deposited at a low microwave power of 150 W were all amorphous and the band gap decreases as the diborane level is increased, whereas films deposited at a high microwave power of 800 W at low diborane levels are highly conductive and contain the silicon microcrystalline phase. These films become amorphous as the diborane level is increased, while the optical band gap remains relatively unaffected throughout the entire range of diborane levels investigated. In the case of phosphorus-doped films, Raman scattering analysis showed that the deposition...


Research on teachers' characteristics has been underway for over a century. In continuation of these studies, the present research study strived to explore Iranian EFL teachers' major personality and attitude. Discovering the major personality types and teaching attitudes among Iranian EFL teachers, therefore, was the primary purpose of this study. Reviewing the related literature and becoming informed about other researchers' findings in this area, personality types and teaching attitudes of Iranian EFL teachers were measured by using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Foreign Language Teacher Beliefs Questionnaire. For this purpose, 79 English teachers teaching in 24 foreign language institutes in Mashhad, Iran's northeast were chosen as the participants of this study. Distributing the two instruments among EFL teachers and analyzing the obtained data by means of SPSS software revealed that that ISTP and ISTJ are the most frequent personality types among Iranian EFL teachers and classroom management got the highest score among three subareas of teaching attitude scale. Study's implications, applications, and suggestions for further research were all presented at the end.


Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver injury in many countries around the world.1 NAFLD covers a wide spectrum, ranging from simple steatosis—which is generally non-progressive—to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are no established non-invasive methods of evaluation for patients with NASH, and until recently liver biopsy was the only method for evaluating liver fibrosis. Transient elastography is a new technique that allows rapid, non-invasive measurement of mean tissue stiffness, which has been shown to be useful for accurate estimation of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.2

We carried out a study to determine the value of liver stiffness measurement with the new medical device called the …


Since the initial description several authors have emphasised the distinctive features of eosinophilic fasciitis.2 While the appearances may be confused with scleroderma, the pattern of skin affection is unusual in that the hands, feet, and face are spared. Furthermore, the thickening and induration affect the subcutaneous tissues but not the skin itself. Raynaud's phenomenon does not occur. The blood eosinophilia is a striking accompaniment, with counts as high as 6 x 109/1 (6000/mm3). Nevertheless, eosinophils are not often noted on histological examination of the skin, muscle, or subcutaneous tissues. Hypergammaglobulinaemia is prominent, though IgE levels are normal. Antinuclear antibodies are absent. The histology of the skin and appendages is normal, without atrophy. There is a prominent increase in subcutaneous collagen with an associated inflammatory infiltrate composed largely of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The underlying muscles may be infiltrated but there is no evidence of muscle fibre necrosis. There seems to be no associated visceral involvement and the response to corticosteroid therapy is usually prompt and sustained. For these reasons the condition merits recognition as a separate entity from scleroderma.


When designing an automatic brake-control system for a car it is important to have a mathematical model of the vehicle to base the design upon. Since careful modeling of the entyre car would encompass far too many variables, the most care is usually taken to the wheels and the tyres, as those parts contain most of the dynamics influential to the process. During braking the tyres deform because of the forces between road and tyres. Because of this deformation the braking force from the brake discs is not immediately transmitted to road surface, resulting in a delay of the decelerating force. Tyre models mainly aims at describing the friction force between tyre and road surface, and most does this with a function where the friction force is mapped as a static function of the relative velocity between vehicle and tyre. Such a static model considers the tyre to be so sti_ that it does not deform at all during braking, and does not take deformation into account when calculating the friction force. In this report it is investigated how influential the dynamics from the tyre deformation are. By using measurement data from a real car a model for the dynamics is made. This model is made so that it can easily be added to already existing models of tyre and car. Then by the use of this model a controller is designed which takes the tyre dynamics into account. It is implemented in simulink and compared to another controller that has been designed based on the non-dynamic tyre model.


This paper describes the application of a material parameter identification method based on elastic shear wave propagation to simulated and experimental data from magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). In MRE, the displacements of traveling transverse and longitudinal waves in elastic, biological tissue are captured as complex 3D images. Typically, the magnitude of these waves is small, and the equations of waves in linear elastic media can be used to estimate the material properties of tissue, such as internal organs, muscle, and the brain. Of particular interest are fibrous tissues which have anisotropic properties. In this paper, an anisotropic material model with three material parameters (shear modulus, shear anisotropy, and tensile anisotropy) is the basis for parameter identification. This model relates shear wave speed, propagation direction, and polarization to the material properties. A directional filtering approach is applied to isolate the speed and polarization of shear waves propagating in multiple directions. The material properties are then estimated from the material model and isolated shear waves using weighted least squares.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History Received: March 21, 2020 Accepted: May 13, 2020 Volume: 2 Issue: 3 This paper attempts to map the intricacies of justice disbursement processes operative in Murshidabad during the time of Nawabs and its unfortunate overhaul resulting from the interference of the British. Based on sheer ignorance of the intricacies of Islamic Justice system, the British sought to alter the judicial edifice of the country and replace it with their own system which proved to be counter-productive for the many judicial administrators and officials. Whether in the form of administrative orders or rules for resolving disputes and punishing crimes, the new justice system had a transformative role, albeit negative to play in indigenous society. It played its part by changing the social values and purpose of things, the rhythm and rules of work, the use and division of space and even the order of personal relationships. Since the norm was denial of existing values and customs what emerged as law and justice were colonial creations and situations of British prejudices and extreme vulnerability of the natives made all their causes appear hopeless. KEYWORDS


The purpose of this article is to present a method for industrial process diagnosis. We are interested in fault diagnosis considered as a supervised classification task. The interest of the proposed method is to take into account new features (and so new informations) in the classifier. These new features are probabilities extracted from a Bayesian network comparing the faulty observations to the normal operating conditions. The performances of this method are evaluated on the data of a benchmark example: the Tennessee Eastman Process. Three kinds of fault are taken into account on this complex process. We show on this example that the addition of these new features allows to decrease the misclassification rate.


The measurement of wave and / or ice loads on coastal and maritime structures can play an important role in their final design. The number and range of man-made structures that are subject to these loads is increasing – from offshore oil and gas facilities, through ships and, renewable energy devices, to breakwaters, quay walls, bridges and tunnels. This paper summarises the results of a Foresight Study, available from www.hydralab.eu, which reviewed techniques for making physical model measurements of wave and ice loads on marine structures, summarised their weaknesses and outlined the advances in modelling techniques that the authors expect to see. The short-term developments that are expected include improvements in efficiency by the development of sampling schemes (so that shorter tests may be run) and the improvement of techniques for computing the low-frequency response of floating structures. They also include improvements in wave generation by improving techniques for producing focussed waves over varying bathymetry and in the presence of structures, improving shallow water wave generation using phase-resolving numerical wave models and developing novel forms of tsunami wave generation. We anticipate improvements in instrumentation, including the application of tactile pressure sensors to measure spatially-varying loads, the development of active (servomotor-based) transducers to reproduce non-linear responses and increases in the spatial coverage of optical and acoustic instruments. There will be improvements in access to data, including the sharing of meta-data over the semantic web and the transfer of data from remote experiments. The longer-term changes that are anticipated include (i) the development of composite models with full two-way coupling between numerical and physical models in real time, (ii) increased use of physical models with CFD, (iii) improved treatment of uncertainty, partly achieved through (iv) the provision of much more detailed datasets due to improvements in sensor size, resolution, sampling frequency and spatial coverage, (v) the development of the active laboratory, with many more computer-controlled non-linear devices, (vi) development of simulators to reproduce single phenomena (such as wave run-up or overtopping) in a controlled manner in the field and (vii) the development of more open science, with citations for publically-available data that can be found, described and downloaded over the web.


The neuroprotective effect of the immunosuppressant agent FK506 was evaluated in rats after brain ischemia induced for 15 min in the 4-vessel occlusion model. In the first experimental series, single doses of 1.0, 3.0 or 6.0 mg FK506/kg were given intravenously (iv) immediately after ischemia. In the second series, FK506 (1.0 mg/kg) was given iv at the beginning of reperfusion, followed by doses applied intraperitoneally (ip) 6, 24, 48, and 72 h post-ischemia. The same protocol was used in the third series except that all 5 doses were given iv. Damage to the hippocampal field CA1 was assessed 7 or 30 days post-ischemia on three different stereotaxic planes along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus. Ischemia caused marked neurodegeneration on all planes (P<0.001). FK506 failed to provide neuroprotection to CA1 both when applied iv as a single dose of 1.0, 3.0 or 6.0 mg/kg (experiment 1), and after five iv injections of 1.0 mg/kg (experiment 3). In contrast, the repeated administration of FK506 combining iv plus ip administration reduced CA1 cell death on all stereotaxic planes both 7 and 30 days post-ischemia (experiment 2; P<=0.01). Compared to vehicle alone, FK506 reduced rectal temperature in a dose-dependent manner (P<=0.05); however, this effect did not alter normothermia (37 C). FK506 reduced ischemic brain damage, an effect sustained over time and apparently dependent on repeated doses and on delivery route. The present data extend previous findings on the rat 4-vessel occlusion model, further supporting the possible use of FK506 in the treatment of ischemic brain damage.


Single solid-state devices or arrays of solid-state devices are being incorporated into many pulsed power applications as a means of generating fast, high-power, high repetition-rate pulses and ultimately replacing hard tubes and thyratrons. While vendors' data sheets provide a starting point for selecting solid-state devices, most data sheets do not have sufficient information to determine performance in a pulsed application. To obtain this relevant information, MOSFET's and IGBT's from a number of vendors have been tested to determine rise times, fall times and current handling capabilities. The emphasis is on the evaluation of devices that can perform in the range of 100 ns pulse widths and the test devices must be capable of switching 1000 volts or greater at a pulsed current of at least 25 amperes. Additionally, some devices were retested with a series magnetic switch to evaluate the effects on switching parameters and specifically rise times. All devices were evaluated under identical conditions and the complete test results are presented.


A density functional theory (DFT) study has been carried out on transition metal phosphates with olivine structure and formula LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn, Co, Ni) to assess their potential as cathode materials in rechargeable Li-ion batteries based on their chemical and structural stability and high theoretical capacity. The investigation focuses on LiMnPO4, which could offer an improved cell potential (4.1 V) with respect to the reference LiFePO4 compound, but it is characterized by poor lithium intercalation/de-intercalation kinetics. Substitution of cations like Co and Ni in the olivine structure of LiMnPO4 was recently reported in an attempt to improve the electrochemical performances. Here the electronic structure and lithium intercalation potential of Ni- and Co-doped LiMnPO4 were calculated in the framework of the Hubbard U density functional theory (DFT+U) method for highly correlated materials. Moreover, the diffusion process of lithium in the host structures was simulated, and the activation barriers in the doped and pristine structures were compared. Our calculation predicted that doping increases Li insertion potential while activation barriers for Li diffusion remain similar to the pristine material. Moreover, Ni and Co doping induces the formation of impurity states near the Fermi level and significantly reduces the band gap of LiMnPO4.


Despite significant inputs of heavy metals from rivers, creeks and drains and a major sewage treatment plant to Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, attenuation processes in the water column are such that metal concentrations in the bay waters are comparable to uncontaminated estuaries elsewhere in the world. Sedimentation appeared to be largely responsible for metal removal, with strong correlations between particulate metals and iron in input waters sampled over a storm event. Storm events contributed between 9 (Zn) and 21 (Cr) times the metal loads that enter the bay during low flow conditions. Although metal accumulations in sediments are below guideline concentrations in the major deposition zones, they are highest close to input sources. A unique feature of bay waters was the high concentration of dissolved arsenic (2.8 µg L–1). The source appears to be natural sediment mineralogy, and sediment cores were found to be depleted in arsenic near the sedimentŒwater interface. Overall, the findings suggested that current heavy metal inputs do not represent a threat to the health of the bay.


Recent immunosuppressive treatments for lupus nephritis have improved renal survival rate, however, there still exists lupus nephritis refractory to these treatments. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are known not only to decrease blood pressure but also to have an independent renoprotecting effect by interrupting renin-angiotensin system. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ARBs have an additive effect on refractory lupus nephritis. Enrolled in this trial were twelve patients with lupus nephritis who were diagnosed by renal biopsy and remained proteinuria despite corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive treatments. ARB, losartan or candesartan, was administered for six months. Various clinical parameters were compared before and after ARB administration. Proteinuria decreased after ARB treatment in 83% of the patients and the median amount of proteinuria significantly decreased from 2530 mg/gCr to 459 mg/gCr (P = 0.03). In addition, serum albumin and cholesterol levels were significantly improved. Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased, but none had symptoms of hypotension. The antiproteinuric effect of ARB did not correlate with the reduction of blood pressure. Interestingly, higher total complement activity levels before ARB treatment were associated with a greater reduction of proteinuria. The addition of ARB would be a safe and effective treatment for lupus nephritis with persistent proteinuria despite corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive treatments.


Multiple relationships exist between antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence, and the spread of clones combining multiple antibiotic resistance and a high virulence level is an increasing problem. It was previously described how mutation-driven or horizontally acquired resistance mechanisms can also have effects on virulence. It was also reported that mobile genetic elements often carry both resistance determinants and virulence-modulating genes, which favors the co-selection of both traits. In the present volume, we present a collection of articles which document additional aspects of the interactions between antimicrobial resistance and virulence in bacteria, and describe their potential therapeutic consequences.


This article reports on the design and construction of a small-scale laboratory tank to study transient heat transfer in innovative ground heat exchangers designs. The tank is 1.35 m high and has a diameter of 1.4 m. It is filled with well-characterized laboratory-grade sand and instrumented with precisely positioned thermocouples. Experimental results for a 73-h heat injection period followed by a 5-day recovery period for a single U-tube borehole are reported. A comparison is performed against results obtained with an axisymmetric numerical model of the ground surrounding the borehole. It is shown that the agreement between both set of results is very good indicating that accurate experimental data can be obtained with the apparatus.


This study documents the community composition and forest structure of lowland rainforest in eastern Madagascar, with a first quantitative description of the primary lowland rainforest of Reserve Naturelle Intégrale de (RNI) Betampona. An intensive field survey of vegetation and environmental factors was conducted over two consecutive field campaigns in RNI Betampona, an isolated primary forest reserve located ca. 40 km northwest of the city of Toamasina. One hundred 10 m-diameter vegetation survey plots were inventoried and re-measured in 2004 and 2005. Two hundred forty-four tree species belonging to 49 families comprised the 2,487 stems greater than or equal to 5cm diameter at breast height (DBH) measured in 2004, with an average of 19.27 species per plot (2,227 and 15.71 respectively in 2005). Stem density per plot ranged from 12 to 52 for trees ≥5cm-DBH in 2004 (12 to 38 in 2005), while regeneration stems less than 5cm-DBH had a per-plot average of 57.28 in 2005 (range 19 to 140) and 94.19 (range 22 to 224) per hectare in 2004. The substantial decrease in ≥5cm-DBH trees and in stems ≥5cm-DBH from 2004 to 2005 suggests a forest undergoing thinning, perhaps following recovery from gap formation. Importance Value Indices (IVI) calculated for tree species indicated that an unidentified Uapaca species, Ravenala madagascariensis, Anthostema madagascariensis, Canarium spp and Cassipourea lanceolata were the most important species according to their overall frequency, dominance and abundance values, and accounted for 10% of the overall IVI.


Oligosaccharides are one of the most promising biomaterials because they are abundant, renewable, diversified, and biosourced. The use of oligo- or polysaccharides for high-performance non-volatile organic field-effect-transistor memory is demonstrated herein. The charge-storage mechanism is attributed to charged hydroxyl groups that induce stronger hydrogen bonding, thus leading to the stabilization of trapped charges. This study reveals a promising future for green memory devices.


: Adverse weather delays forty-five percent of construction projects worldwide, costing project owners and contractors billions of dollars in additional expenses and lost revenue each year. Additionally, changes in climate are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of weather conditions that cause these construction delays. Researchers have investigated the effect of weather on several aspects of construction. Still, no previous study comprehensively (1) identifies and quantifies the risks weather imposes on construction projects, (2) categorizes modeling and simulation approaches developed, and (3) summarizes mitigation strategies and adaptation techniques to provide best management practices for the construction industry. This paper accomplishes these goals through a systematic state-of-the-art review of 3207 articles published between 1972 and October 2020. This review identified extreme temperatures, precipitation, and high winds as the most impactful weather conditions on construction. Despite the prevalence of climate-focused delay studies, existing research fails to account for future climate in the modeling and identification of delay mitigation strategies. Accordingly, planners and project managers can use this research to identify weather-vulnerable activities, account for changing climate in projects, and build administrative or organizational capacity to assist in mitigating weather delays in construction. The cumulative contribution of this review will enable sustainable construction scheduling that is robust to a changing climate.


Several different lines of evidence now suggest substantial genetic influences on inter-individual differences in vulnerability to drug abuse (Uhl et al. 1994). The three proposed studies described by Comings, by Tsuang and Lyons, and by McGue, Lykken, and Iacono each approach issues relating to genetics of drug abuse vulnerability in ways that are distinctive and interesting. Moreover they appear to represent several of the major perspectives in this emerging and exciting area of human genetics.


Unrecognized spatial disorientation (SD) which is intimately linked with brain cognitive function is always a fatal issue for the safety of pilots. To explore its effects on human brain cognitive functions, electroencephalography (EEG) functional network analysis methods were adopted to examine topological changes in the connection of cognitive regions when experiencing unrecognized SD. Twelve male pilots participated in the study. They were subjected to a SD scene, namely visual rotation, which evoked unrecognized SD. For the main EEG frequency intervals, the phase lag index (PLI) and normalized mutual information (NMI) were calculated to quantify the EEG data. Then weighted connectivity networks were constructed and their properties were characterized in terms of an average clustering coefficient and global efficiency. A T-test was performed to compare PLI, NMI and network measures under unrecognized SD and non-SD conditions. It indicated a weak functional connectivity level in the theta band under unrecognized SD based on the significant decrease of mean values of PLI and NMI (p<0.05). Meanwhile, both the average clustering coefficient and global efficiency in the theta band reduced under the unrecognized SD condition. The decrease of the average clustering coefficient and global efficiency demonstrates a lack of small-world characteristics and a decline in processing efficiency of brain cognitive regions. All the experimental results show that unrecognized SD may have a negative effect on brain functional networks in the theta band.


From the Book:
Throughout the history of information technology there have been many changes in the way in which information is stored, retrieved, presented and used. There seem to be continual improvements in the technology is utilized and the applications to which it is put. However, the rate of change in the networking industry has never seemed to be quite as rapid. The more changes over recent years have included local area networks and the widespread digitalization of the public network infrastructure; but these changes have taken several years before being generally accepted and used.
The early years of the 1990s have seen some dramatic changes in both local and wide area networking. Local area networking is becoming an all pervasive technology and is being implemented in many different applications, public network infrastructure is becoming less error-prone and more reliable, and users are generally demanding greater bandwidth over which to pass their ever increasing information transfers.
These dramatic changes have required the evolution of different methods for transferring information in the wide area-methods which offer increased throughputs and lower delays. It is at this point that frame relay enters the picture.
This book is about the rise of frame relay and its suitability for different networking applications. It is most definitely not an attempt to praise the technology and offer it as a paragon of networking virtue. Indeed, in some cases the book takes a completely opposite stance. Within the following pages I have tried to present rational and balanced arguments both in favour of, and against, frame relay. I have compared frame relay with other wide area technologiescurrently available and have tried not to be swayed by the 'technology for technology's sake' approach.
In addition to describing the potential applications for frame relay I have also described the basic protocol and its supporting management systems in detail. Frame relay is evolving rapidly, the basic protocol is now well defined and universally implemented, and the standards for enhancements to the protocol are gradually emerging. I have explained the impact of these enhancements and the protocols which are used in their implementation.
How to use this book
The book is divided into two parts.
Part I describes the evolution of the protocol, its implementations, and the process of protocol standardization. Particular emphasis is placed upon the advantages and disadvantages of other wide area communications methods, and the reasons behind the adoption of frame relay as an alternative. Part I also explains how frame relay works, placing particular emphasis on those situations which are ideally suited for frame relay as well as those areas which are not suited to the protocol. Part I is divided into five chapters covering the following topics:
Chapter 1
This chapter explains the evolution of IT applications and the different wide area networking solutions. This results in a description of the philosophy behind frame relay.
Chapter 2
This chapter explains the principles behind frame relay from a non-technical perspective. The chapter offers an introduction to the frame relay concept of committed information rates and explains the situations where frame relay will work well, as well as those applications that are not suited to frame relay.
Chapter 3
This chapter examines the many different implementations of frame relay, and discusses the different approaches available to the network manager. Comparisons are given between frame relay as a public network service and a s a private network solution, between packet switching and circuit switching vendors' implementations, and between different implementations of LAN routing networks. Finally, this chapter provides some simple questions for the network manager to consider when contemplating a frame relay network.
Chapter 4
Frame relay is not suited to all data networking requirements, and Chapter 4 discusses several protocol issues which need to be appreciated. Issues such as network performance, data delivery and congestion management are covered.
Chapter 5
This chapter offers a perspective on the evolution of frame relay from the ISDN standards and explains the work of the Frame Relay Forum in the development of new frame relay standards.
Part II covers the detailed technical aspects of frame relay and describes the frame relay protocol in detail. As well as covering an in-depth technical description of the protocol implementation, this part also covers the enhancements to frame relay being considered and describes the implementation of the congestion control procedures and the network management requirements. Part II is divided into five chapters covering the following topics:
Chapter 6
This chapter includes a thorough description of the frame relay protocol, its features and its options, and discusses the local management protocol in depth. A comparison is offered between the frame relay specifications established by CCITT and ANSI.
Chapter 7
This chapter details the enhancements available within the frame relay protocol and describes in detail the network-to-network interface, switched virtual circuits and multi-protocol encapsulation methods. For completeness this chapter also describes a proposal for carrying voice circuits across a frame relay network.
Chapter 8
One of the most important aspects of a frame relay network is the way in which it handles congestion. This chapter desribes several available congestion control mechanisms explaining the recommendations laid down by the standards committees and ways in which they can be supplemented by vendors' equipment.
Chapter 9
The management of any network is important, and this chapter discusses some of the issues which need to be considers when managing a frame relay network. This chapter also discusses several network design considerations which may serve to improve the overall network performance.
Chapter 10
Frame relay is not likely to be implemented in isolation, consequently this chapter describes some of the approaches being taken to mix different traffic types across frame relay backbone networks. A description of the operations of frame relay assembler/disassemblers (FRADs) and frame relay concentrators is offered.
Part I of this book can be read in total isolation from Part II by those who wish to understand the applications of frame relay without recourse to the complete protocol descriptions. Part II can be read as a supplement to Part I, or used as reference information.
AcknowledgmentsMany of the ideas in this book have evolved over several years of discussions with colleagues, customers and industry specialists. The author would like to thank all those who have afforded him this discussion time, as well as those whose enthusiasm for frame relay has helped to drive the implementations to their current maturity. In particular I would like to thank my company, Telematics International Ltd., for affording me the opportunity to write this book, and my wife for her patience and understanding through the seemingly endless evenings I have spent tapping away at the word processor.
Philip Smith
Southampton, England
August 1993


For non-degenerate diffusions in the half-space with oblique reflection, a dichotomy between recurrence and transience is established; convenient characterizations of recurrence and transience are given. Verifiable criteria for recurrence/transience are derived in terms of the generator and the boundary operator. Using these criteria, 'real variables proofs' of some results due to Rogers, concerning reflecting Brownian motion in a half-plane, are obtained. The problem of transience down a side in the case of diffusions in the half-plane is dealt with. Positive recurrence of diffusions in half-space is also considered; it is shown that the hitting time of any open set has finite expectation if there is just one positive recurrent point.


This paper continues our series of articles on required sample size for the most common basic statistical tests used in biomedical research. Sample size calculations are rarely performed in research planning in Russia often resulting in Type II errors, i.e. on acceptance on false null hypothesis due to insufficient sample size. The most common statistical test for analyzing proportions in independent samples is Pearson's chi-squared test. In this paper we present a simple algorithm for calculating required sample size for comparing two independent proportions. In addition to manual calculations we present a step-by-step guide on how to use WinPepi and Stata software for calculating sample size for independent proportions. In addition, we present a table for junior researchers with already calculated sample sizes for comparing proportions from 0,1 to 0,9 by 0,1 with 95% confidence level and 80% statistical power.


This article discusses general issues associated with electron transmission through thin molecular films. On the experimental side, we emphasize recent investigations of photoemission through organized organic films adsorbed on metal surfaces. Theoretical and numerical approaches to transmission and tunneling through such films are discussed. We focus on the relation between the structure of the film and its transmission properties. In the experimental work, these are controlled by varying the organic layer, by changing its thickness and by inducing disorder via thermal heating and by depositing mixtures of two molecular types. In numerical simulations of simple model systems, we consider the dimensionality of the process, effect of molecular ordering, and relation between electronic band structure in the film and its transmission properties. It is shown that electron transmission through thin molecular layers constitutes a sensitive tool for investigating molecular film properties in addition to providin...


In this work we analyze and combine evidences from different classifiers for phoneme recognition using information from the confusion matrices. Speech signals are processed to extract the Perceptual Linear Prediction (PLP) and Multi-RASTA (MRASTA) features. Neural network classifiers with different architectures are built using these features. The classifiers are analyzed using their confusion matrices. The motivation behind this analysis is to come up with some objective measures which indicate the complementary nature of information in each of the classifiers. These measures are useful for combining a subset of classifiers. The classifiers can be combined using different combination schemes like product, sum, minimum and maximum rules. The significance of the objective measures is demonstrated in terms the results of combination. Classifiers selected through the proposed objective measures seem to provide the best performance.


General practitioners, especially those working in areas where there is a high incidence of HIV, will inevitably have to face patients who may or may not know that they are HIV antibody positive. This paper gives some guidelines on how to approach the problem, using two case scenarios.


Big data processing technologies, e.g., multi-sensor data fusion and cloud computing are being widely used in research, development, manufacturing, health monitoring and maintenance of aero-engines, driven by the ever-rapid development of intelligent manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This has promoted rapid development of the aircraft engine industry, increasing the aircraft engine safety, reliability and intelligence. At present, the aero-engine data computing and processing platform used in the industrial Internet of things is not complete, and the numerical calculation and control of aero-engine are inseparable from the linear model, while the existing aero-engine model linearization method is not accurate enough to quickly calculate the dynamic process parameters of the engine. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a linear model of turbofan engine for intelligent analysis in IIoT, with the aim to provide a new perspective for the analysis of engine dynamics. The construction of the proposed model includes three steps: First, a nonlinear mathematical model of a turbofan engine is established by adopting the component modeling approach. Then, numerous parameters of the turbofan engine components and their operating data are obtained by simulating various working conditions. Finally, based on the simulated data for the engine under these conditions, the model at the points during the dynamic process is linearized, such that a dynamic real-time linearized model of turbofan engine is obtained. Simulation results show that the proposed model can accurately depict the dynamic process of the turbofan engine and provide a valuable reference for designing the aero-engine control system and supporting intelligent analysis in IIoT.


HYPOTHESIS
If the sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) draining a primary invasive breast cancer are free of tumor, then axillary lymph node dissection is not necessary for management of disease.

DESIGN AND INTERVENTION
In July 2000, we reported our initial experience of a small cohort of patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection only if their SNs were involved with metastases. We now report outcome data for all patients who underwent breast conservation and sentinel lymph node dissection without completion axillary lymph node dissection between October 1, 1995, and April 30, 1999.

SETTING
Tertiary breast referral center.

PATIENTS
Two hundred thirty-eight patients whose SN staining results were negative for tumor by both hematoxylin-eosin and imunohistochemical stains. Median age was 58.4 years. Most patients (85%) had a T1 tumor; 15% had a T2 tumor. Most (86%) had infiltrating ductal carcinoma with or without extensive ductal carcinoma in situ; 10% had invasive lobular cancer.

RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 38.9 months (range, 6-69 months), we found no axillary recurrences, and 98.3% of patients are alive without evidence of disease. Three patients have died of causes not related to breast cancer. Four patients are alive with metastatic disease but have not developed axillary recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS
Sentinel lymph node dissection is a safe and efficacious treatment option for patients with early breast cancer. It provides excellent regional control and is associated with excellent survival. A multicenter trial such as the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0010 is needed to corroborate findings of this single-institution study.


In chronic experiments on dogs polarization of some cerebral structures could exert an inhibiting, stimulating, or merely a modulating effect on the initial level of involuntary motor activity by changing the trace processes underlying formation of hyperkineses. The simultaneous polarization of the caudate nucleus and motor cortex with DC of 0.5-6.0 mcA was found to reduce or even abolish the involuntary motor reactions, the degree of the effectiveness depending on the degree of their stability.