SARS-CoV-2 infection causes severe symptoms in a subset of patients, suggesting the presence of certain unknown risk factors. Although antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike have been shown prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, the effects of antibodies against other spike protein domains are largely unknown. Here, we screened a series of anti-spike monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 patients, and found that some of antibodies against the N-terminal domain (NTD) dramatically enhanced the binding capacity of the spike protein to ACE2, and thus increased SARS-CoV2 infectivity. Surprisingly, mutational analysis revealed that all the infectivity-enhancing antibodies recognized a specific site on the surface of the NTD. The antibodies against this infectivity-enhancing site were detected in all samples of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the study. However, the ratio of infectivity-enhancing antibodies to neutralizing antibodies differed among patients. Furthermore, the antibodies against the infectivity-enhancing site were detected in 3 out of 48 uninfected donors, albeit at low levels. These findings suggest that the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity-enhancing site could be considered as a possible exacerbating factors for COVID-19 and that a spike protein lacking such antibody epitopes may be required for safe vaccine development, especially for individuals with pre-existing enhancing antibodies.


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OBJECTIVE
To explore the histological changes of bio-derived bone prepared by different methods after implantation, and to provide the scaffold material from xenogeneic animal for tissue engineering.

METHODS
The extremities of porcine femur were cut into 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm. Then they were divided into 5 groups according to different preparation methods: group A was fresh bone just repeatedly rinsed by saline; group B was degreased; group C was degreased and decalcificated; group D was degreased, acellular and decalcificated; group E was degreased and acellular. All the materials were implantated into femoral muscle pouch of rabbit after 25 kGy irradiation sterilization. The cell counting of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts, HE and Masson staining, material degradation, collagen and new bone formation were observed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS
The residue level of trace element in biomaterials prepared by different methods is in line with the standards. All the animals survived well. There were no tissue necrosis, fluid accumulation or inflammation at all implantation sites at each time point. The inflammatory cells counting was most in group A, and there was significant difference compared with other groups(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in osteoclasts counting among all groups. For the index of HE and Masson staining, collagen and new bone formation, groups C and D were best, group E was better, and groups A and B were worse.

CONCLUSION
The degreased, acellular and decalcificated porcine bone is better in degradation, bone formation, and lower inflammatory reaction, it can be used better scaffold material for tissue engineered bone.


Excessive gingival display, also known as "gummy smile" has several etiologies. A gummy smile is a drawback for the esthetics and social behavior of various patients. Lip repositioning surgery confers predictable results. However, lip repositioning surgery is indicated in patients with a hyperactive upper lip, while gummy smile owing to altered passive tooth eruption and vertical maxillary excess need to be addressed with crown lengthening and orthognathic surgeries, respectively. Lip repositioning surgery is an uncomplicated procedure, which reduces the muscular pull on the upper lip to achieve minimal display of dento-gingival unit while smiling. Nonetheless, few authors question the relapse of the lip position. This report describes a case showing satisfactory results with lip repositioning surgery and after 1 year follow-up shows a nonsignificant relapse in the position of the upper lip. Hence, lip repositioning surgery is a safe and predictable approach for gummy smiles with negligible relapse.


The charmonium-like states, Y(4260), Y(4350), produced via initial state radiation, as well as the X(3872), and Y(3940), produced in B meson decays from the BABAR B-factory are reviewed. These mesons do not seem consistent with conventional charmonium models, and several alternate hypotheses have been proposed to explain these new discoveries.


Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are emerging as one of the most important cell types in advanced therapies and regenerative medicine due to their great therapeutic potential. The development of hMSC‐based products focuses on the use of hMSCs as biological active substances, and they are considered medicinal products by the primary health agencies worldwide. Due to their regulatory status, the development of hMSC‐based products is regulated by specific criteria that range from the design phase, nonclinical studies, clinical studies, to the final registration and approval. Patients should only be administered hMSC‐based products within the framework of a clinical trial or after the product has obtained marketing authorization; in both cases, authorization by health authorities is usually required. Considering the above, this paper describes the current general regulatory requirements for hMSC‐based products, by jurisdiction, to be implemented throughout their entire development process. These measures may provide support for researchers from both public and private entities and academia to optimize the development of these products and their subsequent marketing, thereby improving access to them by patients.


Objective:Coabuse of alcohol with cocaine is highly prevalent and the abuse of either drug alone or both in combination have been associated with multiple medical morbidities. Although adverse cardiac, neurological, and psychiatric effects have been extensively described for these psychoactive substances, the potential effects of the concurrent use of cocaine and alcohol on muscle cells, causing severe rhabdomyolysis and potential acute kidney injury have received less attention. The coabuse of these drugs may be particularly problematic in psychiatric patients on powerful psychotropic medications. Methods and Results:We describe a case history of a 41-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder and alcohol and cocaine use disorder admitted for alcohol detoxification. Soon after admission the patient developed acute kidney injury, presumably secondary to substance-induced (alcohol and cocaine coabuse) rhabdomyolysis. The patient developed acute renal failure that required admission to acute medical care. His renal failure remitted without dialyses and the patient was discharged to outpatient care. Discussion:Cocaine and alcohol can cause muscle injury. Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury has also been described with a number of psychotropic medications. Furthermore, the concurrent use of these 2 drugs also results in the formation of cocaethylene, a psychoactive and toxic byproduct of the transesterification of cocaine in the liver in the presence alcohol. A significant proposition of patients on psychotropic medications also abuse cocaine and alcohol. Clinicians should be particularly alerted to the possibility of rhabdomyolysis in patients with concurrent cocaine and alcohol abuse, which may be especially relevant in those on psychotropic medications.


The problems that arise in society, in relation to health affect workers to some extent, this is the case of the COVID -19 pandemic, which has somehow affected organizations in general, such as: in their profits, in the reduction of personnel, in adapting new forms of work if required, and in activating health protocols to avoid the spread of it in its workers, this health situation that is present worldwide has had a great impact on people from the psychological aspect, it is for this the interest to carry out this research, with the purpose of knowing the perception of the workers of different organizations in this pandemic situation, that is to say, how it has affected them in relation to stress and therefore their general health, the instruments applied were: Perceived Stress Scale (10 items) and the Golberg General Health Questionnaire. The results of this work gave us a Coronbach alpha of α = .85 of reliability which indicates that this study is reliable, likewise 60% of the population report that they have felt stress due to COVID-19, as well as 42% of the population state that they have perceived factors or symptoms that affect their mental health to some degree.


Diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV-1) is normally carried out by serum testing for HIV-1 antibody. Recently, antibody testing in other body fluids such as saliva and urine have been attempted. In this study, we examined HIV-1 antibody patterns in urine by Western blot assay as compared to that found in serum. Out of 44 sero-positive samples by Western blot assay we found 43 to be HIV-1 antibody positive in the urine, whereas all 40 sero-negative samples were negative in urine. Thus the sensitivity of urine testing was 97.7% with 100% specificity when compared to serum testing by the Western blot assay. In the analysis of the antibody pattern in urine, we found 6.8% of p17, 68% of p24, and 47.7% of p39 in the core proteins; 72.7% of p31, 61.4% of p51, and 68.2% of p66 in the polymerase; and 63.6% of gp41, 75% of gp120, and 97.7% of gp160 in the envelope proteins. The data obtained supports the selection of the HIV-1 antigen subtype-E to develop a home test kit using urine. Urine testing for HIV-1 antibody is convenient, non-invasive, safe, and easily performed at home. However, if the urine is positive, the confirmation test on serum is needed.


Different activation mechanisms for Context-Oriented Programming (COP) like implicit activations have been proposed, increasing COP opportunities to be applied in real scenarios. However, activation mechanisms and base code definitions are insufficiently decoupled, as conditionals to activate layers require base code variable references. This hinders reuse, evolution, and modular reasoning of COP and base code, and therefore, uses of COP in real scenarios. This paper proposes Activation Interfaces (AIs), which are shared abstractions to communicate activation mechanisms and base code in a decoupled manner. Using these interfaces, an object can exhibit its internal state and behaviors, and conditionals use them to (de)activate layers. As layers are planned to be (re)used in different applications, developers can use AIs to overcome the incompatibility between values exposed by a particular base code and values required by a layer. In addition, as a layer is a plain object, it can use an AI to exhibit the conditional evaluation of its activation to other layers to resolve conflicts among activations of layers. We apply this proposal to implicit activations in which evaluations of conditionals implicitly (de)activate layers. Finally, we illustrate the benefits of this proposal through RAI-JS, a practical JavaScript library that currently supports AIs, reactive activations (implementation variant for implicit activations), global and dynamic deployment, enter and exit transition processes, and partial methods.


This paper presents two-dimensional (2-D) system theory based iterative learning control (ILC) methods for linear continuous multivariable systems with time delays in state or with time delays in input. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for convergence of the proposed ILC rules. In this paper, we demonstrate that the 2-D linear continuous-discrete Roesser's model can be applied to describe the ILC process of linear continuous time-delay systems. Three numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed ILC methods.


This article investigated the learning experiences of mainland Chinese students in master's degree programmes in Hong Kong. Using a qualitative research approach, 20 mainland Chinese students in master's degree programmes in a first-tier Hong Kong university were interviewed. It observed, first, that mainland Chinese students appreciate the teaching and learning approaches adopted in Hong Kong, but that they take some time to adapt. Thanks to heavy financial support from parents and parental expectations, they are pressed to adapt as soon as possible and get high marks in the one-year programmes in Hong Kong. Second, the mainland Chinese students' previous experiences of participating in campus activities in mainland China and their instrumental views of learning restrict their involvement in informal learning through campus activities. Third, their limited interaction with local and foreign students constrains the development of their intercultural competence.


Abstract Many have suggested police diversity will improve police-community relations, but research testing this hypothesis is inconclusive. We investigated perceptions of police race, ethnicity, and diversity in a heterogeneous sample of prospective police officers. Data are drawn from interviews with 42 criminal justice college students in the Southwestern United States, of which 15 were Hispanic, and who each wanted to become a police officer. Participants supported diversity in policing, and collectively expressed a belief that race plays a central role in policing today. Furthermore, participants expressed support for the ideals of both passive and active representative bureaucracy. Hispanics in the sample in particular anticipated they would positively affect police relations in Hispanic neighborhoods and encourage immigrants to cooperate with police.


The development of scaffolding materials that recapitulate the cellular microenvironment and provide cells with physicochemical cues is crucial for successfully engineering functional tissues that can aid in repairing damaged organs. The use of gold nanoparticles for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has raised great interest in recent years. In this mini review, we describe the shape-dependent properties of gold nanoparticles, and their versatile use in creating tunable nanocomposite scaffolds with improved mechanical and electrical properties for tissue engineering. We further describe using gold nanoparticle-integrated scaffolds to achieve improved stem cells proliferation and differentiation. Finally, we discuss the main challenges and prospects for clinical translation of gold nanoparticles-hybrid scaffolds.


INTRODUCTION Multiple platforms have made it possible to utilize web-based instructional tools to facilitate the interactions between faculty members and students between classes, and to enhance the student motivations and engagement in the learning process. The introduction of the instructional technology initiates the shift of the focus of the learning environment from instructors to students. While prior studies have examined the effect of student motivation and engagement on course performance (Vruwink & Otto, 1987; Elikai & Baker, 1988), little attention has been directed to this research question in the era of instructional technology. The purpose of this paper is to examine how instructional technology influences learner motivation and engagement, proxied by student activities on the Blackboard Vista course site. It is evident that a number of technological changes have irreversibly changed the landscape of the traditional classroom setting of higher education. Most previous research generally provides positive results regarding the influence of information technology. Prior studies in accounting education employ the research methodology of surveys and questionnaires, which are subject to the limitations of self selection and biased inference of the results. To fully address the research question, this paper utilizes research methodology using objective data. This paper employs student tracking statistics at Blackboard Vista and provides an analysis on the role of instructional technology in a face-to-face auditing course. LITERATURE REVIEW AND HYPOTHESIS DEVELOPMENT The use of various instructional technologies in higher education has been on the rise at an accelerated pace. Despite the prominence of the impact of technology on the traditional classroom, limited evidence is available on the incremental contribution of these technologies to the in-class student learning environment. Previous research has focused on the influence of instructional technology on distance education, when face-to-face meetings are not required. While the quality assurance of online classes and the trade-off between quality and convenience are constantly called into question (e.g., Ryan, 2000), the merits of the use of instructional technology in college education should not be diminished. There has been constant debate on the effectiveness of the delivery of management courses in the format of distance education. Leidner and Jarvenpaa (1995) provide a theoretical view on the influence of information technology on management school education. They point out that advanced technology would facilitate the display and access of information, thus increase the process of "sharing and construction" of knowledge (Leidner & Jarvenpaa, 1995).The evaluation results of e-learning via WebCT by Halawi, McCarthy, & Pires (2009) also indicate that e-learning is an effective instructional tool for MIS courses. The study by De Lange et al. (2003) examines the student evaluations of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) products in higher education in an attempt to determine whether such tools produce benefits with regards to student learning outcomes. Their survey concludes that accounting undergraduate students show a higher level of satisfaction after using such tools as lecture notes, bulletin boards, and online assessments. Their findings further indicate that overall student learning motivation and engagement is enhanced by the features generated from the implementation of instructional technology (De Lange, Suwardy, & Mavondo, 2003). Empirical research within accounting education is limited with regards to the effectiveness of technology applied to in-class courses. McVay et al. (2008) employ a survey instrument and find that classroom configuration and information technology have positive effects on student learning experience. Prior studies also find that most accounting students do not have difficulty in adapting to the learning environment aided by instructional technology (e. …


CPM9V high speed steel(HSS) ring billet was prepared by spray forming(SF), the yield is 83.5%, porosity is 0.8%, spray forming preparation method and technological parameter were illustrated. The microstructure and carbide morphology on the different position of billet were observed. The results show that carbide particles have small size, regular shape and uniform distribution, alloy element without segregation. There are some pores and defects in the position of ring billet closed to deposition substrate, come from spray forming instability beginning stage.


This paper describes and analyzes how an implementation of Product & Technology Roadmapping (PTR) in this complex context has forced the organization to adapt its organizational solutions, working practices, and communication structure. The presently available theory is fragmented in the sense that it thoroughly describes the whys of PTR, whereas the how-tos are more of a white area. Regarding organization of PTR, theory argues for the use
of a central planning group, but does not consider alternatives to this solution when the number of dependencies between units increases rapidly in highly
complex organizations. A central planning group will not in this case be able to dig into the detail needed for efficient synchronization between organizational
units. Further, present theory does not take into consideration that different organizational units need different time-horizons, making the goals of PTR
differ in a manner that affects communication between the units. These are some of the issues discussed in the paper.


Context is a determining factor in language, and plays a decisive role in polysemic words. Several psycholinguistically-motivated algorithms have been proposed to emulate human management of context, under the assumption that the value of a word is evanescent and takes on meaning only in interaction with other structures. The predication algorithm (Kintsch, 2001), for example, uses a vector representation of the words produced by LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis) to dynamically simulate the comprehension of predications and even of predicative metaphors. The objective of this study is to predict some unwanted effects that could be present in vector-space models when extracting different meanings of a polysemic word (Predominant meaning inundation, Lack of precision and Low-level definition), and propose ideas based on the predication algorithm for avoiding them. Our first step was to visualize such unwanted phenomena and also the effect of solutions. We use different methods to extract the meanings for a polysemic word (without context, Vector Sum and Predication Algorithm). Our second step was to conduct an ANOVA to compare such methods and measure the impact of potential solutions. Results support the idea that a human-based computational algorithm like the Predication algorithm can take into account features that ensure more accurate representations of the structures we seek to extract. Theoretical assumptions and their repercussions are discussed.


623 A great deal of interest has surrounded the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the selective delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumor cells. Although the approach is conceptually appealing, several limitations have been identified, including the physiological barriers to mAb extravasation and intratumoral penetration, conjugate immunogenicity, non-specific conjugate uptake, low drug potency, and inefficient release of active drug. In previous work (Doronina, et al. Nature Biotech. 7, 778-784, 2003; Francisco, et al. Blood, 102, 1458-1465, 2003), we addressed some of these issues in developing cAC10-valine-citrulline-MMAE, a cathepsin B cleavable conjugate that delivers the highly potent antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) inside CD30 positive tumor cells recognized by the chimeric mAb, cAC10. One of the advantages in using MMAE as the drug component, is that being totally synthetic, it is amenable to extensive modification. Here, we describe novel analogues of MMAE that are designed for enhanced efficacy and lower toxicity. MMAF is an acidic form of MMAE that has reduced cytotoxic activity compared to MMAE, most likely due to impaired intracellular uptake. MMAF is significantly less potent than MMAE on a diverse panel of tumor cell lines, and has a >6-fold increased MTD in mice. However, mAb-valine-citrulline-MMAF conjugates are >10 times more potent than corresponding MMAE conjugates, presumably due to intracellular drug entrapment. Further evidence that this mechanism of enhanced potency stems from the finding that mAb-valine-citrulline-MMAF conjugates are as much as 400-fold more potent on antigen positive cells than the free MMAF drug. A phenylenediamine adduct of the auristatin acid, AFP, was also found to be highly potent when linked to mAbs through the cathepsin cleavable valine-citrulline linker. Upon intracellular uptake the mAb-valine-citrulline-AFP conjugates are subject to hydrolysis of the phenylenediamine unit, leading to the release of active AF. These new conjugates, comprised of an active drug that has impaired cellular permeability, are highly active and potent. Treatment of mice with low and well-tolerated doses of these conjugates leads to cures and regressions of established carcinoma and hematologic tumor xenografts. The results illustrate how mAbs can be used to enhance the potency of relatively impermeable drugs through active intracellular delivery.


A type of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test chamber for both radiated emission and susceptibility measurements is discussed. The design is essentially a transverse electromagnetic cell (TEM-cell) anechoic-chamber hybrid. A steady input power generates an almost constant field (better than +/-4 dB) anywhere in the recommended test volume from DC to frequencies exceeding 1 GHz. Susceptibility testing is done as in a normal TEM cell. Emission testing models test object radiation as due to an equivalent set of multipoles (in essence electric and magnetic dipoles). The multipole components are determined through a sequence of measurements. Once found, the multipole model can be used to predict test object radiation both in an ideal free space and above a perfect ground screen. In this manner time-consuming emission measurements, such as those required by FCC Rules Part 15 Subpart J or VDE 0871, can be simulated numerically. Both experimental and theoretical measurement data are presented for a widely available personal computer.<<ETX>>


From the Publisher:
This 6800-based presentation gives detailed coverage of flowcharting, algorithm development, and assembly language, while providing all the necessary skills and background for programming microcomputers. New to the Second Edition are chapters on interfacing the 6800, interfacing the PIA, other microprocessors in the 6800 family, and the 6809 microprocessor. Incorporates many pedagogical aids: learning objectives begin each chapter, new terms appear in boldface, worked examples illustrate concepts, and review questions conclude each chapter. Contains two extensive sets of exercises: Set A, with answers in the back of the book, and Set B, with answers in a separate Solutions Manual.


In this paper we study the interval scoring rule as a mechanism to elicit subjective beliefs under varying degrees of uncertainty. In our experiment, subjects forecast the termination time of a time series to be generated from a given but unknown stochastic process. Subjects gradually learn more about the underlying process over time and hence the true distribution over termination times. We conduct two treatments, one with a high and one with a low volatility process. We find that elicited intervals are better when subjects are facing a low volatility process. In this treatment, participants learn to position their intervals almost optimally over the course of the experiment. This is in contrast with the high volatility treatment, where subjects, over the course of the experiment, learn to optimize the location of their intervals but fail to provide the optimal length.


Dental abnormalities in horses can lead to weight-loss, poor performance, pain, behavioral abnormalities, and illness. Despite this impact, the occurrence and type of dental disease in horse populations is infrequently reported in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey of horses presented for slaughter at a processing plant in Western Canada was to measure the prevalence of equine oral abnormalities, examine associations between the most common abnormalities, and consider the relationship between the age of horse and types of abnormalities observed. The horses used in this research consisted of a variety of ages, breeds, body conditions, and origins. Horses ranged in age from 18-months to 30-years (median = 11-years). The most common oral pathologies included sharp edges, buccal abrasions, calculus, lingual ulcers, gingival recession, periodontal pockets, ramps, and waves. Several types of pathology were strongly associated with other dental disorders. The prevalence of periodontal pockets, gingival recession, and waves was highest in older horses.


The article is focused on the evolution mechanism of the 'inert' and living world around us, which is determined by the creative function of water. Water and igneous rocks of basic and ultrabasic compositions create an abiogenic dissipative system that never reaches an equilibrium and therefore is capable of maintaining its continuous, strictly directed, geologically long-term development and the formation of numerous new minerals that are paragenetically associated with specific geochemical types of water. This system is equilibrium-nonequilibrium. It develops in a thermodynamic area, far from an equilibrium. It is non-linear, irreversible, and internally contradictory. In this system, water has the creative function: the hydrolysis mechanism continuously dissolves some minerals, with which the system is not in equilibrium, and, at the same time, creates others minerals, with which there is an equilibrium, including the mineral that have been absent on our planet. After the occurrence of photosynthesis, the system was supplemented with organic compounds and developed into the 'water-rock-gas-organic matter' system. The mechanisms of this system were generally described by V.I. Vernadsky, and we suggest to name this system after him. The Vernadsky system had not only repeatedly became more and more complicated, but acquired the capability of creating more complex organic compounds from simple carbohydrates, such as proteins, lipids, more complex carbohydrates, hemoglobin etc. With time, these components developed into living organisms. Regardless of the repeated complication of the system, the basic mechanisms of its evolution remain essentially the same, and water has preserved and enhanced its creative function through dissolving simple compounds and creating more complex ones. An important factor in the continuous complication of the system is the natural water cycle.


BACKGROUND
Kidney diseases are the main causative factors of secondary hypertension (HTN) in children. Although primary HTN is less common in the pediatric population, its increasing prevalence, especially among teenagers, makes early diagnosis an emerging issue.

OBJECTIVES
To analyze the potential differences between primary HTN and HTN secondary to renal diseases, in order to tailor diagnostic procedures to pediatric patients with suspicion of HTN.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective evaluation was performed of medical records of 168 children (aged from 1 month to 18 years) diagnosed with arterial HTN in the Pediatric Nephrology Department of Wroclaw Medical University (Poland). The comparative analysis concerned demographics, causes of HTN, clinical picture, laboratory tests, and parameters of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).

RESULTS
Out of 168 children, 47% were diagnosed with primary HTN and 53% with secondary renal HTN. The patients with primary HTN were significantly older than those with HTN secondary to renal disease. Among the children with primary HTN, 26% were overweight and 42% were obese; among those with renal HTN, the proportions were 16% and 19%, respectively. The patients with primary HTN had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles and z-scores, and tended toward higher pulse pressure (PP) values. In the group with secondary HTN, ABPM parameters of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and total cholesterol were significantly elevated. The BMI z-scores correlated positively with PP in the whole group.

CONCLUSIONS
As expected, HTN secondary to renal disease prevails in younger children, but primary HTN has become an emerging issue in teenagers. The diagnostics of HTN secondary to kidney disease have revealed risk factors worsening the prognosis, including higher values of cholesterol or of parameters connected with DBP. Primary HTN risk factors include obesity and a tendency towards higher PP values.


Purpose: Swellable microspheres based on polymers or their admixtures are frequently employed as drug delivery systems to achieve a controlled release and site-specific targeting of the incorporated drug. The objective of the present study was to enhance the rectal delivery of cefuroxime sodium by entrapping it into water-swellable gelatin-mucin microspheres. Method: Cefuroxime sodium-loaded microspheres containing admixtures of gelatin and porcine mucin were prepared via an emulsification-crosslinking technique. The drug entrapment efficiency of the microspheres was evaluated in citrate/phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) while the swelling properties was evaluated in both simulated gastric fluid (SGF) without pepsin and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) without pancreatin (pH 1.2). Release of cefuroxime sodium from the microspheres was evaluated in vitro in SIF and further evaluated in vivo after rectal administration to male Wistar rats. Result: Results obtained showed that a high entrapment efficiency, most notably manifested in microspheres formulated with equal portions of gelatin and mucin, led to a high release (up to 85 %) and also a high bioavailability of the incorporated drug. Formulations based on varying portions of gelatin and mucin also showed high drug loading efficiency which also resulted in high drug release in SIF within 3 h. Drug release from the different formulations was observed to be rapid and generally showed a biphasic pattern. The mean AUC was shown to be formulation-dependent with values of 168±1.93µg.h/ml for the control, 262±3.47 µg.h/ml for microspheres based on gelatine only and 328±2.55 µg.h/ml for microspheres formulated with equal parts of gelatin and mucin. Conclusion: The inclusion of S-mucin in the composition of the microspheres has an enhancer effect on the release and rectal bioavailability of cefuroxime sodium which may be exploited in the design of a rectal delivery system of the drug.


Soil erosion contributes to the removal of soil organic carbon (SOC) from cultivated soils and its entrapment in terrestrial depressions. The fate of SOC entrapped in terrestrial deposits is largely unknown, but there has been speculation that such entrapment could lead to C sequestration, thereby playing a role in global C cycling. It has been hypothesized that the fate of eroded C in these deposits depends on SOC quality (bioavailability) and the environmental conditions at the depositional site. The SOC storage and dynamics were studied in cultivated, forested, and deposited soils at sites with and without subsurface tile-drainage. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC), readily mineralizable C (MinC), and basal soil respiration (BSR) rates were used as SOC quality indicators and were assessed in field-moist soil aggregates of four sizes: 2-3 mm, 1-2 mm, 0.5-1 mm and <0.5 mm. Soil organic carbon inventory (mass of C over the depth sampled) was significantly different (P < 0.01) among the land uses and was in the order: deposit > forest > cropland. It was also significantly (P < 0.1) different between the two deposits, amounting to 14.6 and 17.1 kg C m−2 in the tile-drained and undrained deposits, respectively. Over that same depth, the total SOC pool in the forest soil was 9.5 kg C m−2. Overall, the various aggregate sizes did not differ significantly in terms of their total SOC content, but the SOC quality indicators (MBC, MinC, and BSR) were generally higher in the larger than in the smaller aggregates. These indices were also higher in the forest and depression sites than in the croplands. The data indicated that cultivation and erosion resulted in depletion of both total and labile SOC, but the labile pools were depleted at rates 1.5 to 3 times faster. Conversely, there was an enrichment in both clay (1.4 to 2 times) and SOC (1.3 to 1.6 times) in the depression areas, indicating removal of fine particle-associated SOC from the cultivated fields and its entrapment in the deposits. However, the levels of labile C (MBC, MinC) in the entrapped materials were 20 to 46% lower than would be anticipated based on their total C contents. These reductions suggest that, compared with the forest and cropland, a relatively greater proportion of the C retained in the deposits is in the slow and passive pools, and that distribution is favorable to sequestration of C in these landscape positions.


STUDY DESIGN
A double-blind, randomized, prospective clinical study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin in reducing blood loss in major scoliosis surgery.

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate whether desmopressin has any effect on reducing blood loss in spinal surgery, to identify the probable mechanisms of effectiveness via blood coagulation factors, and to outline any adverse effect associated with the use of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Scoliosis surgery is known to be associated with major blood loss. Because of major drawbacks of homologous blood transfusion, many alternative methods have been used to counter the blood loss. Only a few studies exist, with controversial results, on the use of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin.

METHODS
The study population included 40 operations on 35 consecutive patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for either idiopathic (n = 26) or congenital (n = 9) scoliosis. Operations were randomized into deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin (0.3 microgram/kg body weight; maximum, 20 micrograms) (n = 18) or placebo (n = 22) groups and stratified according to the diagnosis and the type of surgery performed (i.e., anterior versus posterior versus anterior and posterior sequential). Parameters of blood loss, serum levels of blood coagulation factors at different time intervals, and urinary output were measured.

RESULTS
Findings indicated that blood loss per kilogram of body weight, blood loss per surgically treated spinal level, urinary output per kilogram of body weight and serum levels of fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity, tissue type plasminogen activator activity, and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity were not sensitive to the administration of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin at any time interval during surgery or at 24 hours after surgery (P > 0.05). Only factor VIII:C levels exhibited significant elevations at 30 minutes and at 24 hours (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
This study could not demonstrate any significant effect of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin on the amount of blood loss in a group of patients with idiopathic or congenital scoliosis. Findings indicate that for most of the coagulation factors, any changes in serum levels induced by deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin were much like those expected from surgery itself. This study also failed to demonstrate any significant effects altering the urinary output that may be attributed to the use of deamino-8-D-arginin vasopressin.


The relaxed-periodicity pattern describes loose-cyclic behavior of objects while allowing uneven stretch or shrink on the time axis, limited noise, and inflation/deflation of attribute values. To discover relaxed-periodicity from temporal databases, we propose the concepts of attribute trend, trend inertia, peak-valley pattern, inertia algorithm with anti-noise ability as well as the peak-valley algorithm and show that the implementation prototype is efficient.


Effectively treating breast cancer metastasis is one of the biggest challenges in breast cancer therapy. The overall poor prognosis associated with cancer cell migration to distal organs underscores the critical need to understand the biology of the disease in order to develop more effective therapies. Members of protein kinase family have often been targeted for therapeutic purposes in different types of cancer, including breast cancer, and several protein kinase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for specific types of cancer. The members of Mixed Lineage Kinases (MLKs) are novel family of MAP3Ks and their physiological function is not known, however, we and others have shown that several of MLK family members activate Jun- N-terminal Kinases (JNKs) and MLK activation regulates survival in neuronal cells. Recently, we have seen that MLK3 is highly expressed in invasive breast cancer cell lines and in primary breast tumors, compared to the normal mammary tissue from same patient. Since MLK3 was initially identified from platelet cell line, CMK11-5, and association of venous thrombosis and occult cancer was recognized almost 140 years ago, we hypothesized that MLK3 or other MLKs are important in proteinase receptor-mediated signaling. Furthermore, the downstream effectors of proteinase receptors (PARs) that mediate the breast cancer cell growth, migration and metastasis to distal organs are currently unknown. We examined the role of MLK3 in thrombin mediated signaling in a highly invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Thrombin treatment of these cells activated MLK3 kinase in a time dependent manner. MLK3 was activated within 2 minutes of thrombin treatment and the activity peaked at 5 minutes, and was associated with consequent activation of its downstream target JNK. Furthermore, pretreatment of MDA-MB-231 with an MLK inhibitor, CEP-11004 completely blocked thrombin-induced JNK activation. Importantly, we also discovered that thrombin induces MLK-dependent migration in MDA-MB-231 cell line was blocked by MLKs inhibitor, CEP-11004. These results collectively suggest that MLK3 is an important target of proteinase receptors-mediated migration/invasion/metastatic pathways, and help us to identify MLK family members' inhibitors as viable drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5200.


Linear curve or hyperbolic curve interpolation equations have been used to represent loss coefficient of butterfly valve according to a certain opening(for example, each 10 degree up to 90 degree) so far, and these equations are not precise and inconvenient to use with computer programming. Method of representing loss coefficient of butterfly valve using experiment data with several equations is presented and It is verified that log equation is most precise and convenient to use with computer programming in this research.


We introduce a new class of experiments which provide graphic insights into the propagation of acoustic waves in anisotropic media. Simply stated, we have devised a means of observing the expanding acoustic wavefront from a point disturbance in a solid. The data may be viewed as a movie or a series of snapshots. The observed wavefronts represent the group-velocity surfaces of acoustic waves, which reflect the basic elastic anisotropy of the solid. The technique has been applied to coherent acoustic waves with frequencies in the megahertz range (at ambient temperatures) and to incoherent heat pulses in the hundred-gigahertz range (at liquid-helium temperatures). In this article, we first provide a pedagogical introduction to wave propagation in elastically anisotropic media, reviewing some early methods for visualizing acoustic waves. Next, we describe the "acoustic wavefront imaging" method and give representative results in crystals and composite materials. Finally, we show how this method relates to recent advances in phonon imaging and internal diffraction of ultrasound.


A much under-researched issue in English-medium higher education is the extent to which international students for whom English is a second/additional language improve their proficiency in the language during their studies. This report describes a study which examined the improvement made by full-fee paying international students (N = 63) from a large faculty at a major Australian university on the Academic version of IELTS over the duration of their studies. Using official pre- and post-course IELTS results, student questionnaires, and student and staff interviews, the study investigated the rate and nature of the improvement, as well as the educational, personal and social factors influencing this improvement. Key findings included the following points. 1) The greatest average improvement was in Listening and Reading and the least average improvement was in Writing. 2) The average improvement on Listening, Reading and Writing (but not Speaking) was significantly correlated. 3) Students with lower initial results in Listening, Reading and Writing tended to improve significantly more than students with higher results. 4) Undergraduate students improved more than postgraduate students. 5) The degree of English language support students sought within the university and the degree of contact they had with English outside the university strongly influenced their English language improvement. These findings and their implications are discussed in detail in the report.


This study intends to characterize psychic atmosphere as a psychic development factor in pregnant teenagers. The case research in a qualitative approach was used within the framework of the clinical psychoanalytic method. 6 pregnant teenagers with ages between 14 and 17 years, from a low socio-economic level were chosen, whose pregnancies were not a result of sexual abuse and who belonged to the "Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers" of the Tunjuelito Secretary for Social Integration's Local subdirection in Bogota. Three in-depth interviews were carried out with each individual. The psychic atmosphere of the pregnant teenagers has contributed to stop ping psychic development altogether in 5 cases, and to its deterioration in the other case.


Spectroscopic measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) regime are difficult to make due to extremely large absorption of VUV radiation in most materials. This paper describes an experimental setup designed for studying the optical emission during pulsed surface flashover for the wavelength range between 115 nm to 180 nm at atmospheric pressures with a focus on the scheme used to excite the spark gap. The surface flashover of interest occurred on an MgF2 window (front side of window in air, backside in vacuum) imaged onto the entrance slit of a 1 m vacuum spectrograph. Emission spectra were recorded with an Andor DH740 series ICCD camera. All data was taken at atmospheric pressure with a flashover spark length of about 8 mm created by a pulser designed for a 500 ns pulse, max 50 kV output. The centerpiece of this pulser is the CCSTA14N40 thyristor by Solidtron / Silicon Power which features a rate of change current of maximum 30 kA/µs and a hold-off voltage of up to 4 kV. A pulse transformer with Metglas® core was used to elevate the voltage to 50 kV with a rise time of 180 ns and a peak current of 500 A. The pulser was designed for a repetition rate of 10 Hz and is triggered by TTL pulses. Discussed in this paper, along with the measured spectra and their relation to the physics of surface flashover at atmospheric pressure, will be the design of the pulser.


The physiological processes that regulate the onset of parturition and birth are slowly being elucidated, and the points at which pathology can intervene are becoming more apparent. The data support the view that multiple pathways lead to myometrial activation. The clinical corollary is that combinations of tocolytics that operate via different mechanisms may be more effective than single agents. It may also be necessary to divide preterm labour into groups based on underlying mechanisms and to tailor therapy accordingly.


This study addresses sociocultural variations of adolescents' subjective image of the future, or future orientation. Analysis of the responses-bf Israeli Druze, Arab and Jewish male adolescents (N = 152) to an open-ended, future orientation questionnaire partly supports the hypotheses that Druze adolescents will express fewer concerns regarding the future (salience), describe their concerns with less detail and concreteness (specificity) and that the importance of each future orientation domain relative to the other domains (density) will be different for Druze than for Arab and Jewish adolescents. Results are interpreted in terms of modernity (Jews) versus early and advanced stages of transition to modernity (Druzes and Arabs, respectively) and suggest that the intervening intrapersonal process explaining Druze future orientation involves alignment with powerful agents and related secondary control beliefs.


Variations in the dynein axonemal heavy chain gene, dynein axonemal heavy chain 6 (DNAH6), lead to multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella. Recent studies have reported that these deficiencies may result in sperm head deformation. However, whether DNAH6 is also involved in human acrosome biogenesis remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate DNAH6 gene variants and their potential functions in the formation of defective sperm heads and flagella. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on a cohort of 375 patients with asthenoteratozoospermia from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China). Hematoxylin and eosin staining, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to analyze the sperm morphology and ultrastructure. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis were conducted to examine the effects of genetic variants. We identified three novel deleterious variants in DNAH6 among three unrelated families. The absence of inner dynein arms and radial spokes was observed in the sperm of patients with DNAH6 variants. Additionally, deficiencies in the acrosome, abnormal chromatin compaction, and vacuole-containing sperm heads were observed in these patients with DNAH6 variants. The decreased levels of the component proteins in these defective structures were further confirmed in sperm from patients with DNAH6 variants using Western blot. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, the partner of one patient with a DNAH6 variant achieved successful pregnancy. Overall, novel variants in DNAH6 genes that contribute to defects in the sperm head and flagella were identified, and the findings indicated ICSI as an effective clinical treatment for such patients.


The continued improvement and proliferation of graphics hardware for workstations and personal computers has brought increasing prominence to a newer style of software application program. This style relies on fast, high quality graphics displays coupled with expressive input devices to achieve real-time animation and direct-manipulation interaction metaphors. Such applications impose a rather different conceptual approach, on both the user and the programmer, than more traditional software. The application program can be thought of increasingly as a virtual machine, with a tangible twoor threedimensional appearance, behavior and tactile response. In the following chapter, we use the term dynamic graphics to refer to this new style of program, which encompasses not only the now familiar mousebased windowing applications but also real-time animation, interactive 3D, and virtual reality software.


Appendix A presents a further discussion of methodology as it relates to both the Courage and Moral Choice Project (CMPC) and the Zakynthos and Hurricane Katrina interviews and analyses. Appendix B contains the interview questions. Appendix C presents a curriculum map for those interested in undertaking a project similar to the CMCP.


The classical warrant pricing formula requires knowledge of the variance of the firm value process, and the firm value. When warrants are outstanding the firm value itself is a function of the warrant price. Firm value and the variance of the firm value are then unobservable variables. I develop an algorithm for pricing warrants using stock prices, an observable variable, and variance of stock returns. The method also enables estimation of the variance of firm value. A proof of existence of the solution is provided.


Today, interconnected workstations provide suu-cient computing power to execute complex distributed applications. But programming distributed applications is still a cumbersome and error prone task. Hence, bridging the gap between application programmers and hardware to provide a completely transparent resource management is still a great challenge for operating system designers. We will present a top-down driven language-based approach to integrate application development and operating system design. Our approach results in a system which overcomes many deeciencies of existing systems. The system offers adaptable application programming interfaces as well as adaptive, distributed and transparent resource management services. That is, with our new approach we are able to match operating systems to application needs.


Background The appropriate treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with single brain metastasis (SBM) is still controversial. A systematic review was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of neurosurgery and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with SBM from NSCLC. Material/Methods PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, Current Controlled Trials, Clinical Trials, and 2 conference websites were searched to select NSCLC patients with only SBM who received brain surgery or SRS. SPSS 18.0 software was used to analyze the mean median survival time (MST) and Stata 11.0 software was used to calculate the overall survival (OS). Results A total of 18 trials including 713 patients were systematically reviewed. The MST of the patients was 12.7 months in surgery group and 14.85 months in SRS group, respectively. The 1, 2, and 5 years OS of the patients were 59%, 33%, and 19% in surgery group, and 62%, 33%, and 14% in SRS group, respectively. Furthermore, in the surgery group, the 1 and 3 years OS were 68% and 15% in patients with controlled primary tumors, and 50% and 13% in the other patients with uncontrolled primary tumors, respectively. Interestingly, the 5-year OS was up to 21% in patients with controlled primary tumors. Conclusions There was no significant difference in MST or OS between patients treated with neurosurgery and SRS. Patients with resectable lung tumors and SBM may benefit from the resection of both primary lesions and metastasis.


Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CRN) has long been considered a standard of care in the management of mRCC. This is largely based on randomized trials in the era of interferon (IFN) that demonstrate an improvement in overall survival (OS). With the advent of targeted therapies, the role of CRN has been questioned and multiple retrospective analyses have shown a potential benefit, particularly in intermediate-risk disease. Two long-awaited prospective trials have been published in the past year that explore the role of CRN. The CARMENA trial randomly assigned patients to therapy with sunitinib with or without CRN, showing noninferiority of sunitinib alone versus sunitinib plus CRN with a median OS of 18.4 months versus 13.9 months, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] for mortality, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.71-1.1). The SURTIME trial randomly assigned patients to immediate CRN followed by sunitinib versus a deferred CRN after three cycles of sunitinib. Analysis is limited by early termination as a result of low accrual. Although there was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS), median OS was significantly improved among patients in the deferred CRN arm (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.95; p = .032). Early systemic therapy is paramount, but there are patients who may derive benefit by incorporating the removal of the primary tumor in their multimodal therapy, perhaps in a deferred setting. As systemic treatment paradigms shift and immunotherapy again moves to the frontline setting with the potential for novel therapeutic approaches, the role of CRN will continue to evolve with the potential to offer surgical interventions with minimal, if any, delay in systemic treatment.


This letter presents a microstrip patch antenna integrated with two-dimensional photonic bandgap (PBG) and one-dimensional defected ground structure (DGS) jointly in ground plane. It is demonstrated that application of both PBG and DGS eliminates the second and third harmonics and improves the return loss level. Moreover, the combination use of PBG and DGS decreases the occupied area by 70% compared to the conventional PBG patch antenna.


This study investigated the glucose response to insulin infused after hepatic denervation. Hepatic denervations were performed on 13 anesthetized cats at different levels: (i) surgical hepatic anterior plexus denervation, (ii) chemical total hepatic denervation by painting phenol on the tissues around the portal vein, bile duct, common hepatic artery, and hepatic ligaments, and (iii) bilateral vagotomy. Sham denervations were performed on 9 animals. Before denervation and after each performance of denervations, insulin (100 mU/kg, i.v.) was infused. Plasma glucose concentrations were analyzed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after insulin infusion. Hepatic anterior plexus denervation produced a significant reduction in insulin effectiveness. Phenol denervation and bilateral vagotomy failed to further significantly alter the level of insulin resistance developed by hepatic anterior plexus denervation. These observations demonstrate that the effect of insulin on glucose regulation is markedly reduced in the absence of hepatic anterior plexus innervation, suggesting that hepatic nerve function is necessary for the normal glucose response to insulin. Furthermore, the hepatic nerves of relevance appear to reach the liver primarily, if not exclusively, by the anterior hepatic plexus.


Empatheater is a video playing system that is controlled by multimodal interaction. As the video is played, the user must interact and emulate predefined "events" for the video to continue on. The user is given the illusion of playing an active role in the unraveling video content and can empathize with the performer. In this paper, we report about user experiences with Empatheater when applied to musical video contents.


This paper aims to extend the existing linear decomposition techniques for the concentration index to generalised linear models. The second order Taylor expansion is used to derive a linear approximation of the partial concentration indices. This approach adheres closely to the standard decomposition method in the linear settings. The method is illustrated using age-sex standardised mortality rate data from Australia to examine the socioeconomic determinants of Indigenous health inequality. The empirical results demonstrate the usefulness of this method. The new approach provides a more efficient and flexible way to quantify the contributions of the underlying determinants of health inequality in a nonlinear and multivariate context.


Two experiments were conducted in a college where students in dyads participated in a simulation of hunters who were required to share prey in order to maintain dyadic (group) fitness. The sharing was an interlocking behavioral contingency contributing to survival of the dyad, conceptualized as a hunting nomoclone (Harris, 1964). The simulation comprised 6 consecutive hunting seasons in which the antecedent variable of prey scarcity was manipulated as the independent variable. Results of the first experiment did not show a difference in dyadic fitness as a function of prey scarcity. In the second experiment the difference between poor and rich conditions was increased. In rich conditions, all the dyads performed similarly to those in the first experiment. However, in successive poor conditions, dyads started out less fit and became increasingly fit. Thus, sharing IBCs were more difficult to form under significant scarcity, but they became more frequent over time. The experiment is discussed in the context of Skinner's view (1981) about cultures evolution, Harris's (1964) taxonomy of cultural things, and Glenn's (1988, 2004) formulation of metacontingencies.


The entomopathogenic fungi are micoroorganisms naturally occurring in the soil of agrocenosis and forest or mid-field afforestation. The aim of the work was the evaluate the influence of mid-field afforestation on the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in the soil environment. The studies were condcucted in 2010 and 2011 in an ecological agricultural organic farm in Zreczyce. Mid-field shelterbelts had a beneficial effect on the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi in the soil. Entomopathogenic fungi were most often isolated from the soil of ecotones.


Introduction It is known that heat stroke is likely to occur when workers are not acclimatised to heat. The purpose of this study is to clarify if the physiological responses of heat acclimatisation are different by the seasonal difference of the temperature in living environment. Methods Four healthy males in twenties repeated a 20 minutes-exercise on an ergometer at 40% VO2max for three times in three different thermal environments in the artificial climate room controlled at 28°C, then elevated to 34°C and finally to 40°C where relative humidity was fixed at 50%. Each exercise was followed by 20 minutes-rest period kept seated in the adjunct room at 24°C. They were asked to exercise consecutively for five days. This series of intervention was repeated during summer and winter seasons. We continuously measured their auditory canal temperature (t ac) and heart rate (HR). We also examined their sweat Na+ and K+ concentration and estimated their sweat volume from the body weight loss. Result The observed t ac and HR at the end of the exercise were generally higher in winter compared to summer. The sweat volume gradually increased for five days and the volume during the first exercise period at 28°C was larger in summer; however, the amount of increase was larger in winter. The sweat Na+ concentration positively correlated with sweat volume and we observed smaller elevation of Na+ concentration along with the increase of sweat volume in summer. Discussion The lower t ac and HR, earlier sweating, and smaller elevation of Na+ concentration during heat acclimatisation in summer seem to be caused by the different thermal condition of living environment


Academic influence in policy-making is not a monolithic process. In addition to providing rigorous data and analysis, academics have contributed to successful policies through individual leadership and service on commissions and advisory boards. In a new report, Jill Rutter and Edward Marshall from the Institute for Government pick out key ways that researchers create impact beyond the academy.


The prevalence of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) varies among countries and is affected by non-clinical factors including insurance, the health care system, and the preferences for treatment providers rather than clinical factors. There are pros and cons to both modalities. So far, since no randomized controlled trials have succeeded in revealing which dialysis modality is better, knowledge on clinical outcomes in patients with ESRD by dialysis modality is based on the results from multicenter prospective observational studies and large-scale national registry data in each country. In prospective cohort studies in the 1990's, HD showed similar or higher mortality than PD during the first year, but PD showed higher mortality after the first year. Meanwhile, clinical outcomes of dialysis patients resulting from national registry data in the 1990's were similar for PD and HD. From national registry data after 2000, the survival of patients on both HD and PD improved rapidly. This improvement was much greater in PD, especially in the early period after initiation of dialysis. Non-diabetic patients less than 65 years old showed better outcomes with PD than HD, whereas diabetic patients aged more than 65 years old (especially females) showed better outcomes with HD than PD. A higher risk of death in diabetic PD patients, though still present in the most recent cohorts, has been progressively attenuated over time in recent cohorts.


Efficient grapheme-to-phoneme (G2P) conversion models are considered indispensable components to achieve the state-of-the-art performance in modern automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS) systems. The role of these models is to provide such systems with a means to generate accurate pronunciations for unseen words. Recent work in this domain is based on recurrent neural networks (RNN) that are capable of translating grapheme sequences into phoneme sequences taking into account the full context of graphemes. To achieve high performance with these models, utilizing explicit alignment information is found essential. The quality of the G2P model heavily depends on the imposed alignment constraints. In this paper, a novel approach is proposed using complex many-to-many G2P alignments to improve the performance of G2P models based on deep bidirectional long short-term memory (BLSTM) RNNs. Extensive experiments cover models with different numbers of hidden layers, projection layer, input splicing windows, and varying alignment schemes. One observes that complex alignments significantly improve the performance on the publicly available CMUDict US English dataset. We compare our results with previously published results.


Familiarity with spasticity and its treatment options and a rational approach to care are necessary to achieve an optimal outcome in patients with this disorder. Not all spasticity needs to be treated. Functional problems experienced by the patient and feedback from caretakers should guide decisions of whether and how to treat. Primary care physicians may benefit from maintaining close working relationships with physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians (physiatrists), who are experienced in assessment of spasticity, especially in relation to function, and can help differentiate true spasticity from rigidity and contracture. After underlying exacerbating factors are ruled out, a treatment plan starting with conservative methods and advancing to more aggressive measures should be followed. Consultation with physiatrists may be useful in regard to antispasticity medications, nerve blocks, intrathecal pumps, and postrhizotomy care.


AACR Centennial Conference: Translational Cancer Medicine-- Nov 4-8, 2007; Singapore

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A recent decline in obtaining natural products has created a need for alternative sources. Endophytes, which are still poorly explored, have been found to be an outstanding source of bioactive metabolites following the discovery of paclitaxel producing fungus. Of the 350 endophytic extracts screened against P388, a murine leukemic cell line, 61% were categorized as non-active and 39% were otherwise (IC50<20μg/ml). In fact, three of the endophytic extracts had an IC50 of < 0.1 μg/ml. These extracts were further tested against tumor type (HCT116 and MCF7) and non-tumor type (Chang) cell lines. Generally, the endophytic extracts were found to be five times more potent than oxaliplatin and about 15 times to that of the 5-FU. On the contrary, only one out of three active endophytic extracts was found to be more potent than paclitaxel but not that of tamoxifen. When compared the cell line selectivity of the three endophytic extracts, they were generally more selective towards tumor type cell lines. The extracts were 210 times more selective towards HCT116 and 26 times more selective towards MCF7, with Chang as the reference for comparison. The selectivity of the endophytic extracts towards tumour type cell lines may contribute to the effective use of these extracts as effective anticancer agents. Further subjection of these extracts to bioactivity guided fractionation and dereplication techniques found two out of three extracts to possess unknown compounds. More extensive investigations should be carried out to uncover the anticancer potential of these extracts.


Policy development and implementation for rangeland ecosystem conservation must span spatial and temporal scales and encompass a wide diversity of social, cultural, economic and biological systems. While government policy and its effects on private and publicly held lands remains important, the policies of conservation and farmer organisations and large landholders are increasingly influential. Sustainable ecosystem management will require an integrated approach that recognises varied objectives and constraints on policy. This session will explore the emerging influences on land use and management policy and examine ways in which varied interests can contribute to the conservation of rangeland ecosystems.


Abstract Solitary fibrous tumour is a particular kind of mesenchymal tumour, classically arising in the pleura. We report the first case arising in the larynx, associated with a metastasizing adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis is mainly histopathological, especially when strong immunoreactivity for the CD34 antibody is present.


BACKGROUND
Questions remain concerning the 'effects' of parenting on behavioural/emotional problems in children. This annotation discusses recent findings concerning the parenting 'effects' literature and identifies areas in need of further research.

METHOD
The review begins by examining theories and definitions of parenting, and then considers research findings on the predictors of parent-child relationships and their effects on behavioural/emotional adjustment in children. Evidence for causal processes are then examined in light of findings emphasizing the need to consider the impact of larger systems on child's well-being, bi-directional processes in parent-child interactions, and alternative hypotheses suggested by behavioural genetics.

RESULTS
Different kinds of evidence suggest strong links between parent-child relationship quality and children's well-being, but difficulties remain for drawing causal connections. The need for greater integration among research traditions and the need for theory development are highlighted. In addition, although a substantial and robust research base exists on parent-child relationships, the applicability of these findings to clinical settings is uncertain.

CONCLUSIONS
Substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the nature of parent-child relationships and their developmental effects, but a number of basic conceptual and methodological and clinical questions continue to need rigorous study.


Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change crisis remind us that widespread trust in the products of the scientific enterprise is vital to the health and safety of the global community. Insofar as appropriate responses to these (and other) crises require us to trust that enterprise, cultivating a healthier trust relationship between science and the public may be considered as a collective public good. While it might appear that scientists can contribute to this good by taking more initiative to communicate their work to public audiences, we raise a concern about unintended consequences of an individualistic approach to such communication.


MLCC was a corpus, acquisition project funded by the EC Telematics program.The aim was to collect a set of texts representing a substantial improvement in range, quantity and quality of corpus material available. Two sub-corpora have been defined to help meet the needs for multilingual data consisting of a comparable set of texts in six languages and a parallel set of data in 9 languages. The comparable text collection includes financial newspaper articles from the early '90s. The parallel data is taken from the Official Journal of the European Commission, sub-series Written Questions to Parliament and from the Proceedings of the European Parliament. The data has been converted to an SGML, TEI-conformant mark-up and is distributed by ELRA.


In this paper, effect of recharging power by using ESS(Energy Storage System) was investigated when ESS was applied to the train. The recharging power was analyzed and measured. Also, by applying ALVT algorithm, effective recharging and discharging were studied. By using this process, recharging and discharging of the super capacitor were improved which led to enhancing the use of recharging power from the urban Railway vehicles.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The ideal enucleation in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is complete preservation of the parenchyma. However, in reality, a certain amount of parenchyma is damaged during tumor resection or tumor bed reconstruction. The contact surface area (CSA) between the tumor and the parenchyma is a proposed predictor of postoperative renal function, and several studies have reported its validity. We presumed that the effect of the CSA on parenchymal preservation is greater in the enucleation technique than in the standard partial nephrectomy because in the enucleation technique, the effect of resection volume of the normal parenchyma remains minimal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in operated parenchymal volume during RAPN limited to the enucleation technique and analyze the predictors of the decrease in operated parenchymal volume, including the CSA. METHODS: The study subjects were 129 patients who underwent RAPN for T1 renal tumors using the enucleation technique. Measurements for parenchymal volume, tumor volume, and CSA were obtained in the venous phase on enhanced CT and calculated using Mimics 20.0 and 3-matic 12.0 (Materialise N.V.). All measurements, such as volumetric and renal function analysis, were performed at <2 months before and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 56 years, and the mean tumor size was 33mm. The mean tumor volume was 27 cc, and the mean CSA was 23 cm2. In the complete cohort, the mean preoperative and postoperative normal parenchymal volumes for the operated kidney were 158 cc and 142 cc, respectively. The mean change in parenchymal volume in the operated kidney was -10%. In contrast, the mean change in global estimated glomerular filtration was -4.5%. A univariate analysis revealed that RENAL score, CSA, tumor volume, and warm ischemia time were associated with the change in the operated kidney parenchymal volume. However, larger CSA was the only independent predictor of decreased operated parenchymal volume of <10 cc in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The CSA was a strong predictor of the decrease in the parenchymal volume in the operated kidney during RAPN performed using the enucleation technique for T1 renal tumors. Table. No title available. Source of Funding: None


Aims To estimate if chronic anticoagulant (CAC) treatment is associated with morbidity and mortality outcomes of patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods In this European multicentric cohort study, we included 1186 patients of whom 144 were on CAC (12.1%) with positive coronavirus disease 2019 testing between 1 February and 30 July 2020. The average treatment effect (ATE) analysis with a propensity score-matching (PSM) algorithm was used to estimate the impact of CAC on the primary outcomes defined as in-hospital death, major and minor bleeding events, cardiovascular complications (CCI), and acute kidney injury (AKI). We also investigated if different dosages of in-hospital heparin were associated with in-hospital survival. Results In unadjusted populations, primary outcomes were significantly higher among CAC patients compared with non-CAC patients: all-cause death (35% vs. 18% P < 0.001), major and minor bleeding (14% vs. 8% P = 0.026; 25% vs. 17% P = 0.014), CCI (27% vs. 14% P < 0.001), and AKI (42% vs. 19% P < 0.001). In ATE analysis with PSM, there was no significant association between CAC and primary outcomes except for an increased incidence of AKI (ATE +10.2%, 95% confidence interval 0.3–20.1%, P = 0.044). Conversely, in-hospital heparin, regardless of dose, was associated with a significantly higher survival compared with no anticoagulation. Conclusions The use of CAC was not associated with the primary outcomes except for the increase in AKI. However, in the adjusted survival analysis, any dose of in-hospital anticoagulation was associated with significantly higher survival compared with no anticoagulation.


Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a very promising treatment for patients with congestive heart failure. An Impedance Cardiography (ICG) is used for evaluation of heart mechanical activity. A simulation study with the use of a FEM model was performed. The developed realistic model of the thorax, based on CT data obtained from examination of a 68-year-old man, consisted of 212 000 tetrahedral elements. Different configurations of electrodes allowing extraction of ventricular components from impedance signal were examined. The associated sensitivity distributions were calculated for different phases of heart contraction and blood distribution inside the thorax. These sensitivity distributions were compared to that obtained for a uniform model of the thorax described by average conductivity. The performed simulation studies proved that it is possible to extract ventricular components of impedance signal with a reasonable accuracy.


The clinical and pathologic features of 15 examples of a hitherto undescribed germ cell tumor of the ovary are delineated. This tumor resembles the embryonal carcinoma of the adult testis and may be distinguished from the endodermal sinus tumor on the basis of its histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics. An indirect immunoperoxidase method for the localization of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) was done on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue from 10 neoplasms; HCG was present in all 10 neoplasms, and AFP was found in seven. HCG was identified only in cells resembling syncytiotrophoblast, whereas AFP was present only in mono‐nuclear embryonal cells, indicating that the two protein antigens were localized in different cell types. Abnormal hormonal manifestations, consisting of precocious puberty, irregular bleeding, amenorrhea, or hirsutism, were present in nine (60%) of the patients. The actuarial survival for the entire group was 39%; for those with stage I tumors, 50%. We are proposing the term "embryonal carcinoma" for this neoplasm in order to distinguish it from the more common endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary and to emphasize the histologic similarity to embryonal carcinoma of the adult testis.


This paper will present an approach to redesigning a first year Politics module with a focus on integrating study and research skills. The prior module will be presented along with the rationale for the module redesign. Key skill and learning outcomes will be discussed, with an emphasis on realignment of the assessment regime to a mixed approach to improve the transition to university teaching. Active learning pedagogy incorporated into the redesigned module will be presented, including the use of interactive personal response systems in lectures as well as student generated research topics. Seminar structure will be discussed, noting the linking of seminar tasks to lectures and the use of student portfolios to master key study skills. Finally, student feedback regarding their first experience of the module redesign will be presented, as well as the feedback of the assessment results, to gain insight into the implications of the module redesign.


Smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare variant uterine smooth muscle tumor with borderline features that reflect neither the benign leiomyoma nor the malignant leiomyosarcoma. The patient, a 30-year-old woman (gravida1, para1), presented with mild hypogastrium pain. As a result of detailed examination, we suspected a right ovarian multilocular cyst. Under the intraoperative view, the multilocular cyst grew under the right retroperitoneum, near the vicinity of the right uterine cardinal ligament. We conducted tumor resection, and microscopic analysis revealed STUMP in the center of the tumor wall. On a follow-up examination 3 months after the surgery, transvaginal ultrasound revealed a solid tumor measuring 3×5×4 cm on the right side of the uterus. We suspected the rapid recurrence of STUMP and conducted hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. The pathological diagnosis was that STUMP developed from the uterus. At a follow-up 15 months after the first surgery, the patient was alive and well with no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease.


This is the PowerPoint handout for the presentation "We own it" : dealing with "perpetual access" in big deals. This was presented at the NASIG 2005 conference. The abstract for the subsequent paper is: This article presents the results of a survey of Canadian university libraries that investigated whether libraries have been able to stay abreast of the many changes that affect their access to paid-for e-content. This report emphasizes the publishers' obligations to notify licensees when ownership changes hands and libraries' need to actively pursue licensed content in ownership transfers. The meaning and application of "perpetual access" clauses in e-journal licenses under change-of-ownership situations is also discussed.


A technique to construct a low-order finite difference preconditioner for solving orthogonal collocation equations for boundary value problems is presented. It is shown numerically and theoretically that the spectral condition numbers of the preconditioned collocation matrices are bounded by constants independent of the number of mesh nodes when certain exact low-order finite difference preconditionings are used. Preconditioners based on incomplete LU factorization are also discussed. Numerical experiments show the efficiency and robustness of the preconditioning.


Anoxia and reoxygenation (A/R) increases reactive oxygen species and induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis. However, the role of superoxide (O2−) produced by NADH oxidase in this process is not clear. We hypothesized that activation of gp91phox‐containing NADH oxidase protects cardiomyocytes from apoptosis during A/R.


Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease spread by an infected vector (infected female Anopheles mosquito) or through transfusion of plasmodium-infected blood to susceptible individuals. The disease burden has resulted in high global mortality, particularly among children under the age of five. Many intervention responses have been implemented to control malaria disease transmission, including blood screening, Long-Lasting Insecticide Bed Nets (LLIN), treatment with an anti-malaria drug, spraying chemicals/pesticides on mosquito breeding sites, and indoor residual spray, among others. As a result, the SIR (Susceptible—Infected—Recovered) model was developed to study the impact of various malaria control and mitigation strategies. The associated basic reproduction number and stability theory is used to investigate the stability analysis of the model equilibrium points. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function, the global stability of the malaria-free equilibrium is investigated. By determining the direction of bifurcation, the implicit function theorem is used to investigate the stability of the model endemic equilibrium. The model is fitted to malaria data from Benue State, Nigeria, using R and MATLAB. Estimates of parameters were made. Following that, an optimal control model is developed and analyzed using Pontryaging's Maximum Principle. The malaria-free equilibrium point is locally and globally stable if the basic reproduction number (R0) and the blood transfusion reproduction number (Rα) are both less or equal to unity. The study of the sensitive parameters of the model revealed that the transmission rate of malaria from mosquito-to-human (βmh), transmission rate from humans-to-mosquito (βhm), blood transfusion reproduction number (Rα) and recruitment rate of mosquitoes (bm) are all sensitive parameters capable of increasing the basic reproduction number (R0) thereby increasing the risk in spreading malaria disease. The result of the optimal control shows that five possible controls are effective in reducing the transmission of malaria. The study recommended the combination of five controls, followed by the combination of four and three controls is effective in mitigating malaria transmission. The result of the optimal simulation also revealed that for communities or areas where resources are scarce, the combination of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bednets (u2), Treatment (u3), and Indoor insecticide spray (u5) is recommended. Numerical simulations are performed to validate the model's analytical results.


The aim of both writing and speaking is to communicate but the modalities differ in several aspects. Research on single-word production is well established in the field of acquired writing difficulties. Analyses of oral and written output have also focused on the word level. The aim of the present study was to analyze how people with aphasia produce oral and written narratives. Both single-word production and text processing were focused. Eight subjects with aphasia after stroke (the A-group), and ten individuals in a reference group (the R-group) were asked to tell a free narrative, orally as well as in written form. The oral narratives were videotaped and transcribed. The written texts were examined and the process of writing was studied through key-stroke-logging, which made it possible to see what words had been changed and where pauses had been made. The distribution of pauses in the texts differed between the two groups. The A-group's written texts had comparatively long pauses related to the revisions of difficult words. Both groups produced longer oral than written narratives (even if there were individual differences within the groups) but both groups had higher lexical density in their written compared to their oral narratives. The written narratives produced by the A-group were considerably less varied compared to the narratives in the R-group. The results can be interpreted as compensatory writing strategies and an inability of the individuals in the A-group to adapt narrative style to modality.


ABSTRACT Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among those at the extremes of age. Its capsular polysaccharide is essential for systemic virulence. Over 90 serologically distinct pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (serotypes) are recognized, but they are unequal in prevalence. Because antibodies against the capsule are protective, polysaccharide conjugate vaccines, which are constructed against the most prevalent serotypes, have caused great reductions in pneumococcal disease caused by these serotypes. In response, however, the relative prevalences of serotypes have shifted. Certain previously rare serotypes, such as serotype 35B, are increasing in prevalence. Serotype 35B is thus a likely future vaccine candidate, but due to their previous rarity, serotype 35B strains have not been scrutinized for underlying heterogeneity. We studied putative serotype 35B clinical isolates to assess the uniformity of their serological reactions. While most isolates exhibited the accepted serology of serotype 35B, one isolate failed to bind to critical serotyping reagents. We determined that the genetic basis for this aberrant serology was the presence of inactivating mutations in the O-acetyltransferase gene wciG. Complementation studies in a wciG deletion strain verified that the mutant WciG was nonfunctional, and the serology of the mutant could be restored through complementation with a construct encoding a functional WciG. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies confirmed that the capsule of the WciG-deficient isolate lacked O-acetylation but was otherwise identical to serotype 35B. As this isolate expresses a unique serology with unique biochemistry and a stable genetic basis, we named its novel capsule serotype 35D.


Although the global diffusion of e-mental health has increased in recent years, research on the use of technologies in criminal justice settings is limited. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted an international online survey (N = 555) of forensic and correctional mental health professionals from Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and 20 additional countries. Telecommunication technologies and mental health platforms had the highest numbers of users, the broadest scope, and the largest increase in use due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In contrast, the use of social media and advanced technologies was lower, narrower in scope, and remained the same or decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents' age, professional discipline, country, and clinical setting significantly predicted total technology use in clinical practice. The study findings provide an overview of the current patterns of technology use and point to opportunities for research and development.


Analyses were made of 108 ovaries of tench females from Lake Drweckie. Measurement of oocyte diameter revealed that in order to calculate absolute fecundity of tench f, "1lalf1 it was necessary to include oocytes with diameter of lrom 0.2 mm onwards. In these oocytes the trophoplasmatic growth had been initiated. Quantitative analyses showed that the pool of oocytes of trophoplasmatic growth in the annual cycle reached 4.9-31.9% of all oocytes. This pool was 2.1-19.4-fold lower than the pool of oocytes of protoplasmatic growth. However, number of tropho plasmatic cells was sufficient to form the oocytes which could be spawned in the given season. Absolute fecundity calculated before fish spawning was much higher than the physiological fecundity. This was due to the resorption of maturing oocytes. The process was especially intensive when water temperature decreased rapidly.


A case is presented of a patient with multiple bilateral pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Rendu-Osler-Weber Disease), and an intracranial carotid aneurysm. Over a twenty-five year period, the patient has survived several life-threatening complications, and has successfully undergone staged bilateral pulmonary lobectomies and clipping of the carotid aneurysm. Preoperative evaluation included cardiac catheterization studies both with and without temporary balloon occlusion of the pulmonary artery. The pathogenesis, clinical features, pathophysiologic changes, and treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are discussed.


Corpus luteum is a transient endocrine gland and its presence plays pivotal role in ovulation process, implantation, and luteinization. The regression of corpus luteum or luteolysis is actually needed for next cycle survival and playing a role in providing new follicles.  Luteal regression represents a broad definition of the process of demise of the corpus luteum that is capable of accommodating all new knowledge evolved on the molecular mechanisms activated or inhibited during the process of regression of the corpus luteum. Apoptosis is controlled by a number of regulator genes such as bcl-2 family. The ratio of Bax expression to Bcl-2 is a pivotal factor for a cell to survive or apoptosis. The increasing Bcl-2 expression will lengthen cell life, whereas increasing of Bax expression promotes cell death.


Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have good biocompatibility, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, making them attractive for biomedical applications. However, their biological inertness and lack of antimicrobial properties may compromise the success of implants. In this review, the potential of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology to create bioactive coatings on Ti implants is discussed. The review covers the following aspects: 1) different factors, such as electrolyte, voltage and current, affect the properties of MAO coatings; 2) MAO coatings affect biocompatibility, including cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, angiogenic activity, corrosion resistance, osteogenic activity and osseointegration; 3) antibacterial properties can be achieved by adding copper (Cu), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn) and other elements to achieve antimicrobial properties; and 4) MAO can be combined with other physical and chemical techniques to enhance the performance of MAO coatings. It is concluded that MAO coatings offer new opportunities for improving the use of Ti and its alloys in biomedical applications, and some suggestions for future research are provided.


A number of factors contribute to the complex process of aging, which finally define whether someone will or not develop age-associated chronic diseases in late life. These determinants comprise genetic susceptibility as well as various behavioral, environmental, and dietary factors, all of which have been shown to influence specific pathways regulating the aging process and the extension of life, which makes longevity a multidimensional phenomenon. Although a "miraculous elixir" or a "nutrition pill" are not plausible, researchers agree on the notion that nutritional factors have major impact on the risk of age-associated chronic non-communicable diseases and mortality. In recent years nutrition research in relation to health outcomes has considerably changed from focusing exclusively on single nutrients to considering combinations of foods rather than nutrients in isolation. Although research on specific nutrients is scientifically valid providing crucial evidence on the mechanisms by which nutrition impacts health, the recent switch targeting the multifaceted synergistic interplay among nutrients, other dietary constituents, and whole foods, has promoted emerging interest on the actions of total dietary patterns. This narrative review aims to describe some specific dietary patterns with evidence of associations with reduction in the incidence of chronic diseases allowing older adults to live a long-lasting and healthier life, and confirming the powerful impact nutrition can exert on healthy aging.


Brain lesions can arise from traumatic brain injury, infection, and craniotomy. Although injectable hydrogels show promise for promoting healing of lesions and health of surrounding tissue, enabling cellular ingrowth and restoring neural tissue continue to be challenging. We hypothesized that these challenges arise in part from viscoelastic mismatch between the hydrogel and the brain parenchyma, and tested this hypothesis by developing and evaluating a self-healing hydrogel that mimicked both the composition and viscoelasticity of native brain parenchyma. The hydrogel was crosslinked by dynamic boronate ester bonds between phenylboronic acid grafted hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and dopamine grafted gelatin (Gel-Dopa). This HA-PBA/Gel-Dopa hydrogel could be injected into a lesion cavity in a shear-thinning manner with rapid hemostasis, high tissue adhesion and efficient self-healing. We tested this in an in vivo mouse model of brain lesions and found the hydrogel to support neural cell infiltration, decrease astrogliosis and glial scars, and close the lesions. The results suggest a role for viscoelasticity in brain lesion healing, and motivate additional experimentation in larger animals as the technology progresses towards potential application in humans.


As an integrated step toward a coherent polarizable force field for biomolecular modeling, we analyzed four polarizable water models to evaluate their consistencies with the Thole polarization screening schemes utilized in our latest Amber polarizable force field. Specifically, we studied the performance of both the Thole linear and exponential schemes in these water models to assess their abilities to reproduce experimental water properties. The analysis shows that the tested water models reproduce most of the room-temperature properties of liquid water reasonably well but fall short of reproducing the dynamic properties and temperature-dependent properties. This study demonstrates the necessity to further fine-tune water polarizable potentials for more robust polarizable force fields for biomolecular simulations.


Abstract. The availability of timely and accurate information about ongoing events is important for relief organizations seeking to effectively respond to disasters. Recently, social media platforms, and in particular Twitter, have gained traction as a novel source of information on disaster events. Unfortunately, geographical information is rarely attached to tweets, which hinders the use of Twitter for geographical applications. As a solution, analyses of a tweet's text, combined with an evaluation of its metadata, can help to increase the number of geo-located tweets. This paper describes a new algorithm (TAGGS), that georeferences tweets by using the spatial information of groups of tweets mentioning the same location. This technique results in a roughly twofold increase in the number of geo-located tweets as compared to existing methods. We applied this approach to 35.1 million flood-related tweets in 12 languages, collected over 2.5 years. In the dataset, we found 11.6 million tweets mentioning one or more flood locations, which can be towns (6.9 million), provinces (3.3 million), or countries (2.2 million). Validation demonstrated that TAGGS correctly located about 65–75 % of the tweets. As a future application, TAGGS could form the basis for a global event detection and monitoring system.


Active millimeter-wave beamforming arrays and focal plane array antennas require extensive calibration to compensate for impairments, such as phase and gain variations between elements, as well as unintended coupling between changes in gain and phase. When far-field calibration methods are used for calibrating focal plane array antennas, the required size of the anechoic chamber is exceedingly large. For this reason, a near-field calibration method for millimeter-wave analog beamforming array antennas and focal plane array antennas is proposed. Nonidealities of the beamformer integrated circuits with vector modulators are taken into consideration, and a way to reduce the measurement set for vector modulators with high resolution is proposed. This method is both practical and achieves a good calibration as evidenced by measurements of the radiation patterns, and it is suitable for use in an automated factory calibration setup. The important trade-off between the radiated power and side-lobe level is highlighted.