The agroindustrial residue from the production of acerola pulp is rich in residual vitamin C. Thus, aiming its extraction and stabilization, this work proposed the nanoparticle (NP) encapsulation via ionic gelation with subsequent preparation of nanocomposites (NC) film based on galactomannan matrix. NP were characterized and their stabilities were evaluated under different storage conditions (incidence of light, temperature and oxidizing atmosphere). The results by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) indicated homogeneous morphology, spherical shape and size of ~220 nm. Regarding the stability, the UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis showed a much lower degradation rate for encapsulated vitamin C, resulting in more than 30% of preservation compared with the non-encapsulated systems at the end of 15th day of storage. In agreement, the NC films also resulted in preservation of vitamin C mainly for the test in high temperature, which maintained about 80% of the initial concentration, whereas in the non-encapsulated condition this value fell to 45%. The morphological analysis of these films by SEM indicated good distribution of the NP in the galactomannan matrix. Thus, the results indicate the feasibility of using the encapsulation method to stabilize vitamin C extracted from the agroindustrial residue of acerola.


Introduction: Tumor Enucleation (TE) of renal masses as an alternative of nephron-sparing surgery has increased in the past years.
Objectives: To describe the perioperative, oncological and functional outcomes of laparoscopic TE in a series of patients with renal masses.
Material and method: A descriptive and retrospective study of 71 patients who underwent laparoscopic TE surgery for renal mass in La Habana, Cuba at the Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso, between 2010 and 2019. Clinical-epidemiological and perioperative variables, complications, Clavien-Dindo grade and oncological variables were considered. The SPSS program, version 23.0 was utilized. Frequencies, mean percentages, standard deviation and Student´s t- test (p<0.05) were estimated. Survival was appraised by using the Kaplan Meier curve.
Results: Mean age was 58 years. Male patients prevailed (60.6%), with comorbidities (87.3%), incidental diagnosis (73.2%), low complexity tumors (64.8%). Mean tumor size and RENAL score was 33.6 mm and 6.1, respectively. Hand-assisted transperitoneal approach was performed (92.9%), mean bleeding was 335.9 ml and length of hospital stay 5.2 days. Postoperative renal function was preserved (p=0.082). Postoperative complications prevailed (14.1%), bleeding (8.4%) and grade II and IV (4.2%, respectively). Most masses were malignant (71.8%), ccRC prevailed (52.1%), pT1a (78.4%), overall survival and cancer specific survival was 100% and 96.0%, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 7.4 years.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic TE is a feasible alternative for treating select renal masses, with satisfactory perioperative, oncological and functional outcomes.


CONTEXT: Women with primary infertility and no obvious pelvic pathology on clinical evaluation and imaging are either treated empirically or further investigated by laparoscopy. AIMS: The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in women who fail to conceive after empirical treatment with ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination was evaluated. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective study at a private infertility center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy between 1st January 2001 and 31st December 2008 was performed. Those patients who had no detectable pathology based on history, physical examination, and ultrasound and had treatment for three or more cycles in the form of ovulation induction and IUI were included in the study. Moderate and severe male factor infertility and history of any previous surgery were exclusion criteria. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were statistically analyzed using Statistics Package for Social Sciences (ver. 16.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago). RESULTS: Of the 127 women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, 87.4% (n = 111) of patients had positive findings. Significant pelvic pathology (moderate endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and tubal pathology) was seen in 26.8% of cases. CONCLUSION: One in four women had significant pelvic pathology where treatment could possibly improve future fertility. Diagnostic laparoscopy has a role in infertile women with no obvious abnormality before they proceed to more aggressive treatments.


In this case talked about concideration about Islam law development in it's accelaration and this case appear in modern time. The Research in this journal is the exprolation of the real thing that have done by Imam Hanafi. This research is a library research by taking and collecting data from the literature that correlleted with problem and how to discuss. The data of this research is kwalitative data that correlated with Imam Hanafi's think about Istihsan.The result of this research showed that, Istihsan method excistence. In law Istinbath that used by Imam Hanafi is developing from Qiyas Khofi method, whereas this method is trying to look for one of Dalil (rules) from two Dalil (reules) that againts with other Dalil because it can get more achive the purpose of law form. So every case / problem that faced can have solution.


This paper deals with the computation of abelian subalgebras of the solvable Lie algebra hn, of n × n upper-triangular matrices. Firstly, we construct an algorithm to find abelian Lie subalgebras in a given Lie algebra hn. This algorithm allows us to compute an abelian subalgebra up to a certain dimension. Such a dimension is proved to be equal to the maximum for abelian subalgebras of hn.


: Access to the mass transit system, including rapid elevated and underground transport has become an outstanding issue for many cities. The mass transit access development should focus on behavioral responses of the different passenger groups. Moreover, it should consider about the appearance of intent-oriented action related accessibility that was explored from user's satisfaction and attitudes related to services quality. This study aims to evaluate mass transit accessibility from passenger's satisfaction, therefore, understanding the passenger's attitudes about mass transit accessibility. The study area of this research is Bangkok Mass Transit system (BTS Skytrain) at Saphan Taksin station. 200 passengers at Saphan Taksin station were asked to rate the questionnaires survey that considers accessibility aspects of convenience, safety, feeder connectivity, and other dimensions. The survey was to find out the passenger attitudes and satisfaction for access to the BTS station, and the result shows several factors that influence the passenger choice of using the BTS as a public transportation mode and passenger's opinion that needs to concern for the development mass transit system and accessibility performance.


This study investigated the changes of antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) 100% methanol extracts by various heat treatment. The contents of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds in methanol extract tended to increased gradually with the rise of temperature to 180℃. The maximum yield of gallic acid (51.52 ± 2.17㎎/g extract weight) and quercetin (13.39 ± 0.03㎎/g extract weight) were obtained with extraction temperature of 180℃ for 120min. In addition, the improving extraction efficiency resulted in the increased biological activities, such as electronic donation ability (EDA, 90.36 ± 0.57%), reducing power (Abs 1.14) and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect (92.14 ± 1.14%). Overall, the results of this study indicate that the optimum conditions for the extraction process were an extraction temperature at 180℃ for 120 min, and will provide the basis for future research on the improving extraction yield of phenolic and flavonoid compounds.


This is the report of a two-year study using qualitative research methods to assess the training needs of science teachers in southern Florida. The respondents included individuals and groups comprising the educational enterprise and those outside the enterprise with the ability to influence policy in science education and implementation of that policy in Florida. The study resulted in recommendations describing the desired state for graduate training leading to a master's degree in science education and has implications for noncredit inservice activities.


Laboratory measures of whole-animal performance are expected to correlate with morphological indices and success in activities that contribute to fitness. Males of the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator Bosc (Brachyura Ocipodidae), possess a single enlarged claw that is used in ritualized contests for possession of breeding burrows. Contests may escalate to pinching actions, suggesting claw closing force as a relevant performance indicator. When a claw is lost, it is regenerated. Within a western Atlantic salt marsh, regenerated claws are less massive and operate at reduced mechanical efficiency relative to original claws, suggesting a less powerful weapon. In the laboratory, the closing force of regenerated claws is less than that of original claws of the same length or mass. Perhaps as a consequence, males with regenerated claws are unlikely to use pinching behaviors and usually lose contests against males with original claws. Males with regenerated claws are less likely to possess breeding burrows that females find acceptable and tend to possess burrows during non-peek breeding times, when the frequency of contests is low. As crabs grow, claw power is sacrificed for greater length. This may facilitate advertising burrow ownership to passing females through claw waving displays. The reduced mass of regenerated claws may permit males to resume effective waving sooner than if they regenerated a stout claw, but at the cost of competency in contests.


We report a modulation spectroscopy experiment on GaAs and Ga0.82Al0.18As at elevated temperatures. Using the contactless electromodulation method of photoreflectance, the direct gaps (E0) of these materials have been observed from 77 K to 600 °C. The latter temperature is comparable to molecular beam expitaxy, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, growth temperatures, etc. Our results are at the highest temperature yet reported for E0 (GaAs) in a reflectance experiment and the first observation of E0 (Ga1−xAlxAs) at elevated temperatures. From the latter, the Varshni coefficients [Physica 34, 149 (1967)] for Ga0.82Al0.18As were determined.


A Phased Array Doppler Sonar (PADS), as developed at SIO, images both acoustic backscatter intensity and Doppler shift over areas up to 90 degrees in bearing by 500 m in range. Sequences of are recorded continuously for up to two months, with individual "pings" 0.5 to 1.0 seconds apart. The images permit two independent estimates of the mean velocity to be formed over the imaged area: one from the Doppler shift (radial velocity), and another from tracking features from one frame to the next. For grazing incidence, the Doppler shifts provide an essentially Eulerian velocity estimate, an intensity-weighted average from the wave troughs downward. In contrast, the feature-tracking velocities are Lagrangian. A unique aspect of this is that both Eulerian and Lagrangian velocities are estimated from the same data. The difference between these two velocity estimates compares well with the Stokes' drift calculated via linear theory from a resistance wire elevation array.


Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a group of breast cancer with heterogeneity and poor prognosis and effective therapeutic targets are not available currently. TNBC has been recognized as estrogen‐independent breast cancer, while the novel estrogen receptor, namely G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), was claimed to mediate estrogenic actions in TNBC tissues and cell lines. Through mRNA microarrays, lncRNA microarrays, and bioinformatics analysis, we found that GPER is activated by 17β‐estradiol (E2) and GPER‐specific agonist G1, which downregulates a novel lncRNA (termed as lncRNA‐Glu). LncRNA‐Glu can inhibit glutamate transport activity and transcriptional activity of its target gene VGLUT2 via specific binding. GPER‐mediated reduction of lncRNA‐Glu promotes glutamate transport activity and transcriptional activity of VGLUT2. Furthermore, GPER‐mediated activation of cAMP‐PKA signaling contributes to glutamate secretion. LncRNA‐Glu‐VGLUT2 signaling synergizes with cAMP‐PKA signaling to increase autologous glutamate secretion in TNBC cells, which activates glutamate N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and its downstream CaMK and MEK‐MAPK pathways, thus enhancing cellular invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide new insights into GPER‐mediated glutamate secretion and its downstream signaling NMDAR‐CaMK/MEK‐MAPK during TNBC invasion. The mechanisms we discovered may provide new targets for clinical therapy of TNBC.


Transfer learning is a promising method for AOI applications since it can significantly shorten sample collection time and improve efficiency in today's smart manufacturing. However, related research enhanced the network models by applying TL without considering the domain similarity among datasets, the data long-tailedness of a source dataset, and mainly used linear transformations to mitigate the lack of samples. This research applies model-based TL via domain similarity to improve the overall performance and data augmentation in both target and source domains to enrich the data quality and reduce the imbalance. Given a group of source datasets from similar industrial processes, we define which group is the most related to the target through the domain discrepancy score and the number of samples each has. Then, we transfer the chosen pre-trained backbone weights to train and fine-tune the target network. Our research suggests increases in the F1 score and the PR curve up to 20% compared with TL using benchmark datasets


NOTCH1 is a large type I transmembrane receptor that regulates normal T cell development via a signaling pathway that relies on regulated proteolysis. Ligand-binding induces sequential proteolytic cleavages in NOTCH1 that release the NOTCH1 intracellular domain (ICN1), allowing it to translocate to the nucleus and activate target genes. It does so by forming a short-lived nuclear complex with two other proteins, the DNA-binding factor CSL and transcriptional co-activators of the Mastermind family. The half-life of this complex appears to be regulated by C-terminal sequences, including a PEST domain, but the specific residues that mediate this activity are unknown. Recent work has shown that human T-ALL is frequently associated with C-terminal truncations, which uniformly remove sequences lying between residues 2520 and 2556. This region includes the highly conserved sequence WSSSSP, which lies immediately C-terminal of residue 2520 and represents a possible site for regulatory phosphorylation events. To test this, we introduced S to A substitutions, singly and in combination. The mutation of WSSSSP (S4) to WAAAAP (A4) stimulated a NOTCH-sensitive reporter gene to an extent equivalent to a deletion spanning residues 2520-2556. Single, double, or triple S to A substitutions had additive effects, implying that all four S residues contribute to negative regulation. Cells expressing the A4 mutant also accumulated higher levels of ICN1, consistent with an effect on ICN1 stability. These effects correlated with an observed hypophosphorylation of the A4 mutant relative to normal ICN1. One kinase implicated in ICN1 phosphorylation is CDK8, which is recruited through the C-terminal tail of Mastermind polypeptides. However, the A4 mutant is hypophosphorylated even when complexed with CSL and a truncated form of Mastermind-1 that cannot recruit CDK8, implying that S4 phosphorylation is not CDK8-dependent. To determine whether the S4 site influences leukemogenesis, we asked if the A4 mutant would convert a weak, non-leukemogenic NOTCH1 allele, delta(EGF-LNR), to a leukemogenic allele. Both delta(EGF-LNR)-S4 and delta(EGF-LNR)-A4 viruses induced the appearance of an abnormal CD4+CD8+GFP+ cell population in the peripheral blood of mice reconstituted with transduced bone marrow progenitors, but only delta(EGF-LNR)-A4 mice progressed to T-ALL. These leukemias arose in all delta(EGF-LNR)-A4 mice by 150 days post-transplant, involved hematopoietic tissues and viscera, were clonal or oligoclonal based on proviral integration site analysis, and were transplantable to secondary recipients. Proviruses appeared to be intact in the T-ALLs, and Western blot analysis showed that the tumor cells expressed NOTCH1 polypeptides of the expected size. In contrast, the CD4+CD8+GFP+ cell population in delta(EGF-LNR)-S4 mice slowly disappeared, and these mice have remained leukemia-free. We conclude that the S4 sequence is likely to be the target of an unknown kinase (or kinases) that negatively regulates NOTCH1, and that the loss of this sequence may contribute to the gains in NOTCH1 function that commonly occur human T-ALL.


A prospective study of electrophysiological examination and the Boston self-administered questionnaire (BQ) was carried out in patients with surgically-treated carpal tunnel syndrome. There were 104 hands in 93 patients (13 men and 80 women, mean age 56 years). The BQ was used to assess the severity of symptoms and function, and nerve conduction studies were done before surgical release by short incision at the palm, and at follow-ups 1 and 6 months after surgery. The BQ severity score improved or became normal in 98% of hands. The mean BQ scores and distal sensory and motor conduction velocities in the median nerve showed significant improvement at the 1 month follow-up. Further significant improvement was found at 6 months. There was no relationship between the improvements in BQ scores and the distal conduction in the median nerve. The degree of improvement in sensory and motor distal conduction velocities could be forecast from presurgical values, whereas the degree of improvement in the symptoms and the functional status after release could not be predicted from the presurgical BQ scores.


Carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors (NET) that secrete hormones, including serotonin, resulting in the malignant carcinoid syndrome. In addition to the significant morbidity associated with the syndrome, carcinoids are frequently metastatic at diagnosis, and untreated mortality at 5 years exceeds 70%. Surgery is the only curative option, and the need for other therapies is clear. We have previously shown that activation of Raf-1 inhibits carcinoid cell proliferation. We investigated the ability of leflunomide (LFN), a Food and Drug Administration–approved medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and its active metabolite teriflunomide (TFN) as a potential anti-NET treatment. LFN and TFN inhibit the in vitro proliferation of gastrointestinal carcinoid cells and induce G2-M phase arrest. Daily oral gavage of nude mice with subcutaneous xenografted carcinoid tumors confirms that LFN can inhibit NET growth in vivo. Treatment with TFN suppresses the cellular levels of serotonin and chromogranin A, a glycopeptide co-secreted with bioactive hormones. Additionally, TFN reduces the level of achaete-scute complex-like 1 (ASCL1), a NET marker correlated with survival. These effects are associated with the activation of the Raf-1/mitiogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal–regulated kinase-1/2 pathway, and blockade of mitiogen-activated protein kinase kinase signaling reversed the effects of TFN on markers of the cell cycle and ASCL1 expression. In summary, LFN and TFN inhibit carcinoid cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and alter the expression of NET markers. This compound thus represents an attractive target for further clinical investigation. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(2); 429–37


This thesis concerns the numerical simulation and the remote sensing of aircraft wake vortex flows. Due to its lift force, an aircraft releases large scale swirling flows (vortices) in its wake. As these vortices can impact significantly the trajectory of a following aircraft, their study is of great importance for practical applications concerning safety of air traffic management. The investigation carried here is twofold: it concerns, on one hand, the physics and the numerical simulation of aircraft wake vortices and, on the other hand, the technique to detect those vortices and measure their properties.The numerical simulation of aircraft wake vortices requires high order and energy conserving codes. Moreover, as aircraft wake vortex flows are turbulent,subgrid scale (SGS) models are required to perform Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of these flows. In the first part of this work, the numerical codes used (here spectral and high order finite differences)are presented and validated. Several SGS models are presented and their ability to perform LES of vortical flows, also in presence of a ground is assessed. In particular a new "multiscale" model with a natural wall damping behaviour has been developed and investigated: its performance is very good. In the second part, two flows relevant to the wake vortex problem are analyzed. The LES of a wake vortex system in a weakly turbulent atmosphere allowed highlighting the turbulent equilibrium state of such a flow. LES of wake vortices in ground effect, with and without wind, were also carried out. These simulations help to better understand the physics of wake vortices. In the last part, we simulate the remote sensing of aircraft wake vortices using a ground based LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) system. The aim of this LIDAR is to sense aircraft wake vortices and turbulent winds. As the LIDAR signals are simulated using realistic parameters and realistic turbulent flows, this work serves as support in the design of an airport based LIDAR system.


This package contains an access card for MyProgrammingLab and a Pearson eText student access code card for Java Software Solutions, 7e. Java Software Solutions teaches a foundation of programming techniques to foster well-designed object-oriented software. Heralded for its integration of small and large realistic examples, this worldwide best-selling text emphasizes building solid problem-solving and design skills to write high-quality programs. MyProgrammingLab is Pearson's new online homework and assessment tool.


Anaphylaxis is classically induced by IgE-dependent FceRI crosslinking that triggers mast cell and basophil mediator, enzyme and cytokine secretion. Anaphylaxis can also be induced in mice, however, by IgG- mediated crosslinking of macrophage and basophil FcgRIII. This alternative pathway may be responsible for some cases of human anaphylaxis, particularly those associated with protein-based drugs, including humanized mAbs. We used mouse passive anaphylaxis models to attempt to identify markers that could distinguish between IgE- and IgG-mediated anaphylaxis. Mice sensitized by i.v. injection of TNP-specific IgE or IgG mAbs were challenged i.v. 24h later with TNP-OVA; changes in cells and serum were then evaluated. Changes 2h post-challenge in both IgE- and IgG-mediated anaphylaxis included: 1) up to 90% decreases in percentages of basophils and monocytes in blood; 2) doubling of the percentage of neutrophils in blood; and 3) ~25% increases in the ability of neutrophils to generate reactive oxygen intermediates and mobilize Ca++. IgE-, but not IgG-mediated anaphylaxis induced greatly increased serum levels of IL-4 and MMCP1 and an ~30% increase in T cell membrane IL-4Ralpha 4 h post-challenge, while IgG-, but not IgE-dependent anaphylaxis decreased neutrophil membrane FcgRIIb/RIII expression by ~30% 2-12 h post-challenge. Studies will be performed to determine if these cellular markers can distinguish between IgE-dependent and putative IgG-dependent anaphylaxis in humans.


As stellar black holes (BHs) interact with one another in globular clusters, BH binaries form, inspiral, and merge via gravitational wave emission. These dynamically formed BH binaries may account for a fraction of the sources observed by LIGO/Virgo and, earlier in their inspirals, may be detected at millihertz frequencies by LISA in nearby galaxies. M87, known to contain over 104 globular clusters, is a promising candidate for such millihertz sources. Utilizing N-body cluster simulations, we investigate the binary BH population in M87 clusters. Although thousands of sources in LISA's frequency range (10−5–1 Hz) are expected in M87's clusters, we predict none are resolvable with sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratios. We predict the nearest globular clusters in the Milky Way and clusters found in distant galaxies (d ≳ 100 Mpc) near LISA's detection horizon for stellar BH binaries are more promising hosts of resolvable LISA sources.


Discuss the Teaching of Singing. By Elizabeth Blades-Zeller. Scarecrow Press, Inc. (4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706; 800-462-6420; fax, 800-338-4550; www.scarecrow press.com), 2002. 228 pp. Index, references, interviewees' biographies, glossary. Hardcover, $45.00. Ideal for college or university teachers of vocal pedagogy, this book is a must-have reference book for all vocal studio teachers. Elizabeth Blades-Zeller expertly weaves advice from a group of elite voice teachers into a concise reference book. The purpose of the book is to transform a doctoral dissertation into a useful reference that answers


Validation of the numerical tools used for modeling of the fusion plasma is an important step in the interpretation of experimental results. As several codes are usually used in the fusion community to model the same plasma processes, prior verification of the codes should be done in order to avoid discrepancies in the results treatment. Often numerical codes use different post- and pre-processing routines, coordinate system conventions, etc. These make such comparison complicated.
One of the main efforts within the Integrated Tokamak Modeling Task Force (ITM TF) project is the verification and validation of the existing numerical tools on the existing tokamak experiments. The framework is developed in ITM that provides common standard interfaces for accessing, storing and exchanging data. All codes integrated in ITM framework use this common interface which makes verification process straightforward. Analysis of the plasma equilibrium and MHD stability is one of the subjects covered by the ITM. Several equilibrium and MHD stability codes are integrated in the ITM framework presently. Initial verification of the fixed-boundary equilibrium codes CHEASE, HELENA, SPIDER was performed using Tore Supra equilibrium reconstructed with EQUAL code. The compared profiles used as input to the MHD stability and transport codes are in agreement. In this work reconstruction of the JET equilibrium will be used for further verification of the equilibrium codes. Equilibrium unstable to the internal or external kink modes will be used for the verification of the MHD stability codes MARS, MARS-F, KINX. ITM tools will be highlighted available in the area of the equilibrium reconstruction and MHD stability analysis.


The objetive of this work was to determine if the quality of Guanajuato agaves is equal to the agaves cultivated in Jalisco. A comparative study was made of the sugar content of the agave ( A. tequilana Weber) cultivated in both states. Used were data of total reducing sugars (%TRS) and Brix degrees (oBx) of raw juice samples provided by a tequilera of the region between August and December, 1998 and January and May, 2000. The data were statistically processed, applying an ANOVA analysis and a Tukey test to compare the media and the correlation between °Bx and %TRS was made. In the first period, the media %TRS from the supplier of Manuel Doblado, Gto. was 24.43 ±2.29 and did not show a significant statistical difference (p<0.05) with the suppliers of Los Altos, Jal. In the second period, the media of the suppliers of Penjamo, Gto. was 26.78±5.96 and was equal statistically to suppliers 4, 5, 6, 7 y 9 of Los Altos, Jal. The correlation between %TRS and °Bx of 0.9621 was significant to a level of 1%. One concludes that, according to sugar count, the agaves from Guanajuato are of good quality and do not present a significant statistical difference with respect to those cultivated by seven suppliers from the state of Jalisco.


Based on various deformation mechanisms occurring during solid state sintering (pressureless and pressure assisted), a multitude of sintering models have been developed and presented in literature. As reported in literature, most of the simulation results line up well with experimental data. Unfortunately, none of them can be used arbitrarily and none of them are applicable to a generalized case. This paper focuses on a comparative study of three commonly applied models. The first model is based on a physical approach (Riedel) and the other two are phenomenologically based models (the modified SkorohodOlevsky Viscous Sintering (SOVS) model and a modified Abouaf model). The material models have been implemented through FORTRAN Subroutines used for the FE-Software ABAQUS. The simulation results demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages based on sintering simulations of an aluminum oxide based ceramic cylinder and a bilayer laminate. A guideline to select a suitable model and the adjustment of input parameters under different sintering conditions for general usage is also discussed.


BACKGROUND AND AIMS
To examine characteristics of first-time methadone and buprenorphine clients and factors associated with risk of leaving first treatment in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

DESIGN
Retrospective linkage study of opioid substitution therapy (OST) treatment, court, custody and mortality data.

SETTING
NSW, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS
First-time OST entrants (August 2001-December 2010).

MEASUREMENTS
Characteristics of clients were examined. Time-dependent Cox models examined factors associated with the risk of leaving first treatment, with demographic, criminographic and treatment variables jointly considered. Interactions between medication and other variables upon risk of leaving treatment were examined.

FINDINGS
There were 15 600 treatment entrants: 7183 (46%) commenced buprenorphine, 8417 (54%) commenced methadone; the proportion entering buprenorphine increased over time. Those starting buprenorphine switched medications more frequently and had more subsequent treatment episodes. Buprenorphine retention was also poorer. On average, 44% spent 3+ months in treatment compared with 70% of those commencing methadone; however, buprenorphine retention for first-time entrants improved over time, whereas methadone retention did not. Multivariable Cox models indicated that in addition to sex, age, treatment setting and criminographic variables, the risk of leaving a first treatment episode was greater on any given day for those receiving buprenorphine, and was dependent on the year treatment was initiated. There was no interaction between any demographic variables and medication received, suggesting no clear evidence of any particular groups for whom each medication might be better suited in terms of improving retention.

CONCLUSIONS
Although retention rates for buprenorphine treatment have improved in New South Wales, Australia, individuals starting methadone treatment still show higher retention rates.


Abstract The main objective of this study was to investigate the most Adaptation Strategies with Psychological Stress for the female students of preparatory Year at Hail University, and its relation with, scientific specialization and academic average. To fulfill the aim of the research, a scale of 35 items distributed among six fields has been prepared. The scale has been applied to a sample of (300) female student chosen randomly from faculty of education, the data is analyzed by using Mean, T test and ANNOVA. The results indicated that the order of female student strategies priorities according to the student's point of view in the six fields of the study are as follows: Religious field, problem solving, relaxation, request help from others, avoiding and escaping, and doing enjoys activities. The results also indicated that there is significant difference between the Mean scores of the student concerning their Adaptation Strategies with Psychological Stress according to the scientific specialization variable, and academic average.  The study recommended that there should be more concern given to the University students, and the necessity of counseling and psychological services for the female students of property Year at Hail University.


Patients with resistant hypertension present high prevalence of a non-dipper blood pressure pattern. Recent results indicate that non-dipping is related partly to the absence of 24-hour therapeutic coverage in patients treated with single morning doses. Accordingly, we investigated the impact of treatment time on the blood pressure pattern in 700 patients with resistant hypertension on the basis of clinic measurements who were studied by 48-hour ambulatory monitoring. Among them, 299 patients received all their medication on awakening, and 401 were taking ≥1 antihypertensive drug at bedtime. The percentage of patients with controlled ambulatory blood pressure was double in patients taking 1 drug at bedtime (P=0.008). Among the 578 patients with true resistant hypertension, subjects receiving 1 drug at bedtime showed a significant reduction in the 24-hour mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3.1 and 1.6 mm Hg, respectively; P<0.011). This reduction was much more prominent during nighttime (5.1 and 3.0 mm Hg; P<0.001). Accordingly, the diurnal/nocturnal blood pressure ratio was significantly increased by 2.7 and the prevalence on non-dipping reduced (56.9 versus 81.9%; P<0.001) in patients taking 1 drug at bedtime. Compared with patients receiving all drugs on awakening, subjects with 1 drug at bedtime also showed significant reductions in the average values of glucose, cholesterol, fibrinogen, and urinary albumin excretion (P<0.011). In patients with resistant hypertension, pharmacological therapy should take into account when to treat with respect to the rest–activity cycle of each patient to improve control and to avoid the non-dipper pattern associated to higher cardiovascular risk.


The Mianltue suture extends from Demi-Nanping-Pipasi-Kangxian to the Lueyang-Mianxian area, then traverses the Bashan arcuate structure eastward to the Huashan region, and finally to the Qingshuihe area of the southern Dabie Mountains. From east to west, with a length of over 1500 km, the ophiolitic melange associations are distributed discontinuously along the suture. The rock assemblages include ophiolite, island-arc and oceanic island rock series,indicating that there existed a suture zone and a vanished paleo-ocean basin. The Mianlue paleo-ocean basin experienced its main expansion and formation process during the Carboniferous-Permian and closed totally in the Triassic. It belongs to the northern branch of the eastern paleotethys, separated from the northern margin of the Yangtze block under the paleotethys mantle dynamic system.


We use local field theory to study a special class of discrete dynamical systems, where the function being iterated is a polynomial whose coefficients belong to the ring of integers in a -adic field.


By means of the electro-scanning microscope we were able to demonstrate the three-dimensional bony structure of the normal stapes, and the variations in structure of the different stages of otosclerosis. One case of osteopsatyrosis is also discussed. The callus formation in an experimentally fractured footplate is compared with otosclerosis.


Academic electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) should be openly accessible to serve best the scientific progress, and inform the scientific community as a whole on the results. This is technically supported at universities by their institutional repositories, by global open archives, and by some publishers. Over the years the percentage of ETDs which are open access (OA) is rising worldwide and in all scientific disciplines.
Open, stated Peter Murray-Rust in his keynote at the ETD2014 conference at Leicester, UK, should be the default, not the exception. However, the reality is different. Even in institutional repositories (IRs) created to provide access to the scientific output of an academic institution and as a central sector of the so-called green road to open access, more or less important parts of the scientific production are missing. This is because of lack of awareness, embargo, deposit of metadata without full text, confidential content etc. ETDs, in particular, are disseminated with different status types – some are freely available, others are under embargo, confidential, restricted to campus access (encrypted or not) or not available at all. Contrary to the OA philosophy, many IRs are not fully OA (Prost & Schopfel 2014). But while other papers may be available through alternative channels (journals, monographs etc.), ETDs most often are not.
Our paper summarizes empirical evidence from different studies and describes some main results from a small French-German survey. It proposes a conceptual approach designed not only for a better understanding of access restrictions but also for action and policy-making to increase the part of ETDs to be open access. At the end, the paper will present the outline of a European infrastructure project called "Electronic Theses and Dissertations for Open Access" (ETD4OA) to be submitted in the framework of the Horizon 2020 program.


This paper discusses syntactic restrictions on infinitival imperatives in Czech. I argue that for an infinitival imperative to be well-formed, there must be syntactic material asymmetrically c-commanding V in the phase (cyclic domain) of the imperative. I compare this restriction to other cross-linguistic restrictions on roots: in particular, I show that the behavior of Czech infinitival imperatives is parallel to restrictions on middle constructions in English. In particular, I argue that for the English middle constructions to be well-formed, there must be syntactic material asymmetrically c-commanding v. Finally, I discuss Czech infinitival imperatives in the context of Surrogate Negative Imperative languages. I argue that the differences between Surrogate Negative Imperative languages, i.e. languages that ban negative inflected imperatives, and Czech follow from morpho-syntactic differences in negation in this class of languages and Czech.


With one party in charge of the presidency and the other one in charge of Congress, how are American voters supposed to allocate credit and blame for the government's economic performance? The following solutions are proposed and tested: Hung Jury, where voters refuse to render an economic judgment on either president or Congress; Split Verdict, where voters reach separate judgments depending on whichever party is in control of a given branch; President Liable, where the electorate solves the responsibility problem by singling out the President and absolving Congress; and Congress Liable, with the roles of president and Congress reversed. The results show that the President Liable model wins easily under varying configurations of divided government as well as economic conditions. Divided government poses no noticeable obstacle for retrospective voting on the economy.


Leukocyte adhesion is of pivotal functional importance. The adhesion involves several different adhesion molecules, the most important of which are the leukocyte beta 2-integrins (CD11/CD18), the intercellular adhesion molecules, and the selectins. We and others have extensively studied the specificity and binding sites in the integrins and the intercellular adhesion molecules for their receptors and ligands. The integrins have to become activated to exert their functions but the possible mechanisms of activation remain poorly understood. Importantly, a few novel intercellular adhesion molecules have been recently described, which seem to function only in specific tissues. Furthermore, it is becoming increasingly apparent that changes in integrins and intercellular adhesion molecules are associated with a number of acute and chronic diseases.


In order to improve the construction efficiency of piers and reduce the local damage of piers, concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST) are used to precast pier segments. Aiming at the problems of the poor integrity and insufficient energy dissipation capacity of dry joint segmental assembled piers, segmental assembled concrete-filled steel tubular piers with external replaceable energy dissipators are being developed. Based on the low cyclic test of a segmental assembled CFST pier, the finite element numerical simulation model of a CFST pier is established based on ABAQUS software, and the validity of the numerical model is verified by the experimental results. The effects of the section ratio, axial compression ratio, and initial prestress on the seismic performance of piers are studied through a pseudostatic analysis. The results show that an increase in the section ratio can improve the lateral bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity of the pier. When the section ratio is increased to 4%, the energy dissipation capacity of a CFST pier is increased by 77.8% and the lateral bearing capacity is increased by 33.9% compared with a section ratio of 2%, but the residual displacement of the pier top also increases. With an increase in the axial compression ratio, the energy dissipation capacity of the pier is significantly improved; when the axial compression ratio is increased to 0.30, the energy dissipation capacity of CFST piers is increased by 27.5% compared with a section ratio of 0.05, the residual displacement of the pier top is reduced, and the self-resetting effect of the pier is improved. A change in the initial prestress has no effect on the energy dissipation capacity of piers. Finally, based on an analysis of mechanical theory, a formula of bending capacity suitable for this type of pier is proposed, and the error is within 10%.


This guide will help anyone (young or old) find a wide range of resources about one of the most tragic events in history...THE HOLOCAUST!


On November 3, 2009, voters in Takoma Park, Maryland, cast ballots for the mayor and city council members using the Scantegrity II voting system--the first time any end-to-end (E2E) voting system with ballot privacy has been used in a binding governmental election. This case study describes the various efforts that went into the election--including the improved design and implementation of the voting system, streamlined procedures, agreements with the city, and assessments of the experiences of voters and poll workers.

The election, with 1728 voters from six wards, involved paper ballots with invisible-ink confirmation codes, instant-runoff voting with write-ins, early and absentee (mail-in) voting, dual-language ballots, provisional ballots, privacy sleeves, any-which-way scanning with parallel conventional desktop scanners, end-to-end verifiability based on optional web-based voter verification of votes cast, a full hand recount, thresholded authorities, three independent outside auditors, fully-disclosed software, and exit surveys for voters and pollworkers.

Despite some glitches, the use of Scantegrity II was a success, demonstrating that E2E cryptographic voting systems can be effectively used and accepted by the general public.


COVID‐19 related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) can present with cardiovascular complications like shock, arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, and coronary artery dilatation. The majority of MIS‐C associated coronary artery abnormalities are dilation or small aneurysms which are transient and resolve in a few weeks. We present here a case of a 3‐month‐old child who was noted to have giant aneurysms of her coronary arteries (LAD and RCA) 26 days after testing positive for COVID‐19. She was treated with IVIG, infliximab, and glucocorticoids along with aspirin, clopidogrel, and enoxaparin. She did not show any signs of coronary ischemia or cardiac dysfunction but continued to have persistent giant coronary artery aneurysms involving the LAD (z‐score ∼35) and RCA (z‐score ∼30). This study emphasizes the importance of early detection and aggressive management of MIS‐C to prevent potentially life‐threatening consequences.


The development of a DNA vaccine for schistosomiasis japonica and testing the protective efficacy after challenge in BALB/c mice were performed. Thirty-nine female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups. Each mouse of the control group was injected intramuscularly with 100 microg of pcDNA3.1 DNA. In the TPI group, each mouse was injected with 100 microg of pcDNA3.1-SjCTPI DNA. The TPI+IL-12 group was injected with 100 microg of pcDNA3.1-SjCTPI DNA and 100 microg of the mixture of pcDNA3.1-P35 and pcDNA3.1-P40 DNA. Each mouse was immunized three times at two-week intervals and challenged with 45 cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum Chinese strain four weeks post-immunization. Then the mice were sacrificed and perfused at 45 days after challenge; the recovered worms and hepatic eggs were counted. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity mediated by SjCTPI was detected with the 51Cr release assay. ELISA was performed for the detection of anti-rTPI antibodies. Anti-rTPI antibody detection with ELISA after immunization showed ten serum samples from the control group were negative, five of ten serum samples from the TPI group were weakly positive, six of ten from the TPI+IL-12 group were also weakly positive. The CTL activity of the control group was 9.1%, while CTL activities of the TPI group and the TPI+IL-12 group were 27.6% and 54.4%, respectively. The worm and egg reduction rates of TPI group and the TPI+IL-12 group were 30.2%, 52.9%, 32.7%, and 47.0%, respectively in comparison with the control group. This study further proved the possibility of the SjCTPI DNA vaccine as a potential DNA vaccine for schistosomiasis.


The role of MIS in education environment has evolved over time to become an vital part of its education process in India. the existing information system and also those of computerized MIS currently under implementation do not provide institution wise information, they are of limited use to the extent of generating aggregate data. Therefore, the scope of MIS needs to be expanded, so that indicators of quality of education can be generated and online information be made available not only to head master and teachers but also to those who are responsible for monitoring quality of education [18]In India the Ministry of Human recourses development and government of India use Unified District Information System for school education system (U-DISE) is offline based application software that use for handling MIS for secondary and Primary Scholl Education.This MIS data used by projects like Sarva shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhya Shiksha Abhiyan etc. [1]. MIS can help us in many ways in the field of education. . It intends to support School management for provide information timely, accurate and can handle School Management Activities It covers School Management area Like Maintain Students Record, attendance, Examination, Time Table, Mess Management , Employee Payroll Transportation Management, Administrative work Different Performa's, different reports etc. It can help us store student related information for decision making that helpful for students development and progress in the class, and further helps in planning their placement activity better, and also making its footprint on managing aluminum long run, and much more. MIS also help in managing human resources, experts and overall knowledge management t in the organization. There are many other areas in education that could be handled better with the help of MIS, like Research and consultancy work , infrastructure, corporate lessoning, conferences, journals, etc [2]. The study attempts to highlight the design and developing school management information system in North Gujarat area . It intends to determine how the management information system helps an education to perform effectively. As concerning with this area some school trust have a poor economical condition whereas some have good condition so it needed to recommends that education MIS system should be design and develop basic to advanced level for this area. For the School which one have a low budget it should be develop by common software package ie data stored in excel as various Performa that data can easily migrate to advanced technology in future when needed . For Scholl which have good economic condition here it is focus that development of school MIS using advanced technology. General Terms Web services for sharing data, decision making, Performa's, Management information system in education, Data processing


RATIONALE
H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) use is common and may act directly on the heart through myocardial H2 receptors or indirectly through changes in pulmonary vascular resistance.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the relationship between histamine H2RA use and right ventricular (RV) morphology.

METHODS
We studied 4,122 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis without clinical cardiovascular disease who had magnetic resonance imaging assessment of RV morphology and ascertainment of medication use. Multivariable linear regression estimated cross-sectional associations between H2RA use and RV morphology after adjusting for demographics, anthropometrics, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Further adjustments for co-medication use, left ventricular parameters, lung structure and function, renal function, or inflammatory markers were considered in separate models. Analyses in a subcohort restricted to H2RA or proton pump inhibitor users accounted for confounding by the indication of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
H2RA use was associated with lower RV mass (-0.7 g; 95% confidence interval, -1.2 to -0.2 g; P = 0.004) and smaller RV end-diastolic volume (-4.2 ml; 95% confidence interval, -7.2 to -1.2 ml; P = 0.006). This relationship was unchanged with adjustment for co-medication use, lung structure and function, renal function, and inflammation. The relationship with RV mass was independent of left ventricular mass. Results were similar in the smaller cohort restricted to proton pump inhibitor and H2RA users.

CONCLUSIONS
H2RA use was associated with lower RV mass and smaller RV end-diastolic volume. Additional study of histamine and H2 receptors in cardiopulmonary diseases affecting the RV may have direct clinical relevance.


This work investigates the role of topography on the coastal upwelling efficiency off the coast of Cabo Frio, RJ, through the implementation of process-study numerical simulations in a semi-idealized ocean. The hypothesis that the Cabo Frio continental shelf bathymetry promotes the strength in the upwelling process is confirmed, and according to the simulations results, the coastal upwelling in narrow shelves are stronger than in broad shelves, under the same constant and spatially homogeneous NE wind forcing.


STUDY QUESTION
Is the use of donor oocytes in women <35 years of age associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes compared to use of autologous oocytes?

SUMMARY ANSWER
Among fresh assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles performed in women under age 35, donor oocyte use is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and stillbirth (when zero embryos were cryopreserved) as compared to autologous oocytes.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Previous studies demonstrated elevated risk of poor perinatal outcomes with donor versus autologous oocytes during ART, primarily among older women.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
Retrospective cohort study using data reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National ART Surveillance System (NASS) during the period from 2010 to 2015 in order to best reflect advances in clinical practice. Approximately 98% of all US ART cycles are reported to NASS, and discrepancy rates were <6% for all fields evaluated in 2015.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
We included all non-banking fresh and frozen ART cycles performed between 2010 and 2015 in women under age 35 using autologous or donor eggs. Cycles using cryopreserved eggs, donated embryos or a gestational carrier were excluded. Among fresh embryo transfer cycles, we calculated predicted marginal proportions to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between donor versus autologous oocyte use and stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery and low birth weight among singleton pregnancies or births. Stillbirth models were stratified by number of embryos cryopreserved. All models were adjusted for patient and treatment characteristics.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Among the 71 720 singleton pregnancies occurring during 2010-2015, singletons resulting from donor oocytes were more likely to be preterm (15.6% versus 11.0%; aRRs 1.39: CI 1.20-1.61) and have low birth weight (11.8% versus 8.8%; aRRs 1.34; CI 1.16-1.55) than those resulting from autologous oocytes. With zero embryos cryopreserved, donor versus autologous oocyte use was associated with increased risk for stillbirth (2.1% versus 0.6%; aRRs 3.73; CI 1.96-7.11); no association with stillbirth was found when ≥1 embryo was cryopreserved (0.54% versus 0.56%; aRR 1.15; CI 0.59-2.25).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The data come from a national surveillance system and is thus limited by the accuracy of the data entered by individual providers and clinics. There may be unmeasured differences between women using donor eggs versus their own eggs that could be contributing to the reported associations. Given the large sample size, statistically significant findings may not reflect clinically important variations.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Risks of preterm birth, low birth weight and stillbirth among singleton pregnancies using donor oocytes were increased compared to those using autologous oocytes. Further study regarding the pathophysiology of the potentially increased risks among donor oocyte recipient pregnancy is warranted.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.


Three laboratory scale biofilters filled with different packing materials (peat and sieved sugarcane bagasse) and operating with different microbial cultures (allochthonous and autochthonous bacteria) were run and monitored in parallel to assess the emission rate of airborne bacteria in the biofiltration of benzene-contaminated air streams. The effect of the fluid dynamic and loading conditions on the rate of microbial emission in the air environment was investigated by performing continuous experiments at different inlet benzene concentrations and superficial gas velocities. The experiments prove that the concentration of airborne bacteria in the effluent air from lab-scale biofilters is only slightly higher than in the ambient air. The emission rate is not dependent on superficial gas velocity because of low shear stress exerted by the gas flow. On the other hand, the loading conditions have a strong effect on the emission rate, which increases with increasing growth and degradation rate, and different packing media show remarkably different behaviors.


An experimental method was developed to determine losses inmicrostrip and coplanar transmission lines for devices operating in thefrequency range of 77-81 GHz. The parameters of the scattering matricesare obtained using a vector network analyzer and frequency upconverters. The calculation of losses in waveguide-coplanar and coplanar-microstripadapters is made. Keywords: losses, attenuation, microstrip line, coplanar waveguide, electrodynamic parameters. \


This study seeks to determine how certain social situations cannot help but influence subjectivity and family ties. The Keynesian age encouraged and promoted a relatively stable socioeconomic matrix based on a probable future and achievable promise. The installation of a family model related to protective parents who were capable of caring for and protecting their children has been observed. Adolescent subjectivity is constructed based on parameters like generational confrontation and growth, and happiness before the possibility of exercising autonomy. On the other hand, neoliberalism produces a "retraction" of social spaces, dismisses the future, and feelings of instability and insecurity are prevalent, making the family model a "structure that overwhelms parents." Adolescent subjectivity seems incapable of executing generational confrontation, predominantly showing a desire to "protect" the family ("exacerbated messiah complex") by means of a fantasy that acts as a "threading scene" capable of annulling the search for autonomy and growth.


Violence is a major societal problem around the world violence, against women includes domestic violence which is usually the wife who is the victim, as the results of WHO (2012) study of more than 24,000 women in 10 countries, from various cultures, geographies and urban / rural areas. Research in 50 countries, shows that between 10 - 60% of women who have been married or partnered have experienced physical violence from their partners. This research method uses a literature review analysis research technique. The results of the systematic review conducted by the author contained 40 journals and then selected by the authors, only 4 journals were retained by the authors. The results of the journal analysis show that the majority of women victims of domestic violence use PFC that is tailored to existing problems, namely seeking assistance from formal and non-formal institutions to help them overcome the problems they experience.


The results of studies carried out in recent years on certain physicochemical properties (heat capacities, enthalpies of formation, compressibilities, thermal expansions, and thermal stabilities) of layered compounds of graphite are surveyed. The bibliography includes 126 references.


to smooth relations with the Nazi regime and his (successful at the time) postwar whitewashing of his accommodationism. A learned, well-researched, and fluidly written book, The Mind of the Nation ably traces the lineage of a now forgotten intellectual project, situating its apogee between Herder and Hegel, on the one side, and Nietzsche and the new social sciences, on the other. Along the way, it fills gaps in the historical literature and sheds new light on the activities and influences of both familiar and lesser-known figures. Klautke is less convincing, however, in his assertion that these three generations of Völkerpsychologen represented a discreet and coherent field of study whose echoes can still be heard in the humanities and historical social sciences today.


Abstract This article summarizes The Ant Trap: Rebuilding the Foundations of the Social Sciences. The book develops a new model for social ontology, applies it to groups and collective intentionality, and criticizes various forms of individualism. Part One of the book presents two traditional approaches to social ontology and unifies them into the "grounding–anchoring model" for the building of the social world. Part Two shows that individualism is mistaken even for basic facts about groups of people, challenges prevailing views of group intention and action, and illustrates how to approach facts about groups in general.


The paper attempts to analyze the problems of adjusting the educational process in the EurAsEC countries that have arisen in recent decades in case of unforeseen circumstances. At the end of the 20th century, the ideas of globalization of all areas of the world community's activity led in the field of higher education to a thirst for immediate changes. What prompted the concern of the leading universities in Europe, which train highly qualified for the real sectors of the economy? An analysis of the current situation showed that the realities existing at that time pushed people to action, since analysts of higher education have repeatedly noticed that in the field of many areas of fundamental research, Europe is significantly inferior to the United States. Also noteworthy is the identity of the Nobel laureates. Independent commentators, beyond any emotion, pointed out that the United States has always invested significant amounts of money in the development of science. These problems gave rise to the Bologna process of reforming higher education in Europe. In this regard, the problems are considered and the prospects for the creation and development of a single educational space on the territory of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, considered by the authors as an important component of economic integration in the post-Soviet space, are identified. From the standpoint of taking into account foreign experience, as well as existing elements of educational integration within the framework of such associations. as EurAsEC, SCO, CIS, the main directions of integration interaction in the field of education of the EAEU countries are highlighted. The authors made attempts to formulate ways out of the current situation in the Eurasian educational space, especially in cases of unforeseen environmental conditions, such as a pandemic. Although in the educational space under consideration, the state of affairs with the organization, and in particular with funding, research and science is worse, this should not lead to ignoring the interests of both the students themselves and educational organizations in general. Insufficient funding is aggravated by many other factors, which together lead to the conclusion that EurAsia needs innovations designed to "modernize" the structure of education.


We report the case of a 4-years-old boy who was admitted with hypovolemic shock due to a severe gastrointestinal bleeding. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) showed hiatus hernia, erosions and ulcerations of the lower esophagus, possibly due to a gastroesophageal reflux, and a small duodenal erosion. The child was previously healthy and he had never shown any symptoms related to this condition. The only product taken by the child in the previous days was a syrup containing several herbs, among which Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Salix spp. (known to contain salicylates), marketed as food and prescribed by his paediatrician to treat a mild cold accompanied by fever. Quali-quantitative analysis confirmed the presence of salicylates in the syrup. Naranjo algorithm showed a probable correlation between the onset of symptoms and the consumption of the herbal remedy. The child recovered after receiving intensive care. The product was withdrawn from Italian market.


The principle of academic freedom is a central aspect of the learning and teaching process in the American higher education system. Its importance, however, has become more accepted over time and today it is an established part of our post-secondary system. This shift in acceptance began in the early part of the twentieth century and was contested and disputed for the greater part of that century. This debate did not happen at just the national level, rather much deliberation occurred at the local level where institutions defined academic freedom in their systems. The University of Pittsburgh, founded in 1787, was one such institution that demonstrated the contestation of academic freedom. The eventual adoption of academic freedom as a formalized principle at the University was developed through two cases that forced the University to review what academic freedom is, and then to either accept or deny its place at the institution. The cases of Ralph E. Turner and Robert G. Colodny are examined and compared in this study. Each man encountered an experience where their individual freedoms of scholarship were questioned and scrutinized. This study examines how the inquiries into each man's scholarship began, the position and process of the University, and how each case was eventually resolved. The study will demonstrate how academic freedom existed at the University of Pittsburgh in 1934 and 1961 and what these particular cases meant to the University and the health of its faculty.


New Zealand as a society is ageing. This translates to an increasing number of people particularly women, over the age of 85 years. Despite many older women living alone, they are often perceived by both society and health professionals as frail and dependent. This qualitative study was designed to explore and describe experiences of older women who lived alone in the community. A qualitative descriptive methodology underpinned the study. A sample of five older women who lived alone in their own homes was interviewed. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Three themes emerged which reflected the reality of living by themselves: "active participation", "keeping control", and" healthy living". The information gained from describing the lives of this group of women suggests that many older women are able to live full and successful independent lives in the community. This research provides nursing with a better understanding of the realities for older women who live alone. Finally, this paper will provide nurses with some ideas about how best to support this group of people as they age.


A new pulsed power supply has been developed. The current model allows voltage pulses with amplitudes of about 100 kV. The pulse width is a few microseconds and repetition rates are up to some tens of kilohertz. The pulse energy is in the 1 J range. Pulses can be created independently of the preceding one in terms of their polarity and magnitude. The costs of production of this compact supply, which can be short-circuited, are lower than those of conventional supplies, which are even more difficult to tune. Fields of application include gas lasers and devices used in plasma technology.


Levels of sodium and potassium ions in muscle tissue, blood plasma and red cells were measured, and the index characterizing the capacity of tissue to accumulate cations from the environment and the discrimination coefficient were calculated in experiments on white rats subjected to experimental generalized botulinum poisoning. Late stages of botulism were found to involve a deficit of potassium and sodium ions in red cells. With the progress of intoxication, a deficit of potassium ions develops in muscle tissue and the capacity of this tissue to accumulate potassium ions from the environment declines. All these disorders are more expressed in rapidly contracting skeletal muscles. An antihypoxant gutimin reduces sodium deficit in the blood plasma and red cells and leads to normalization of potassium ion levels in muscle tissue.


College student athletes are under a lot of pressure to accomplish all that is expected of them which may lead to other areas of their lives being neglected, including sleep. The amount of sleep a student athlete gets is crucial in their accomplishments both off and on the field. The researchers chose to investigate how the amount of sleep an athlete gets affects their day to day life. Specifically, the researchers explored the correlation between the amount of sleep an athlete got and how positively they rated their day through an online daily survey throughout a two week span of 10 days. Participants of the study hailed from a Lutheran, faith-based institution of higher education in an urban area of the Midwestern United States. The research showed that it did not matter the amount of sleep the athlete got the night prior that determined their performance the following day. The study thoroughly addressed the relationship between stresses on athletes that impaired their sleep schedules and the aftereffects in both their academic and athletic performances in school and on the field.


Municipalities often struggle with reconstructions and refurbishing of buildings in public ownership. This is not only because of limited expert capacities that municipalities struggle with (municipal architect position or urban planner position is vacant, or non-existent etc.) or lack of finances. There is an increasing need and demand from municipalities for redefining buildings' original purpose and finding new, sustainable and innovate functions. They have to decide not only how to reconstruct, but how to rethink its original purpose. The case study from a city of Slaný shows how participatory design can serve the goal of finding new functions of a public building and effectively contribute to the planning phase of reconstruction projects. Sustainable urban development should react to people's needs, new technologies and environmental challenges. Reconstruction projects should reflect innovations in both technologies and approaches and respond to newly emerged functions. The methodology demonstrated in the case study can serve as a tool for assessing preferences of citizens, needs of the municipality and bridge the gap between politicians, experts and citizens by supporting efficient communication and evidence-based decision making. Moreover, this case shows how to ensure social sustainability and project effectiveness by involving multidisciplinary teams, in this case architects, urban planners, sociologists, communications experts and environmental and engineering psychologists.


The research aims to test and compare the chemical characteristics and total Lactic Acid Bacteria or LAB of goat milk powder kefir that was produced from cabinet drying, freeze drying and spray drying. Kefir was made from goat milk since it was found as a good digestibility, no β-lactoglobulin, and high protein. Data analysis was performed with the test analysis of variance with a significance level of 5% followed by Duncan testing if significant result was detected. Analysis of total acid was conducted using titration. Analysis of proteins was conducted using Kjeldahl method. Water content analysis was performed using oven and ash content was analyzed using furnace. Analysis of fat content was conducted using Soxhlet method. Analysis of total LAB and total yeast were done using Total Plate Count (TPC). As results, drying method significantly affected (p<0.05) water content, ash content, and total LAB but there was no significant effect (p<0.05) on the total acid, protein content, fat content, and total yeast. As conclusion, the best treatment of drying method in making goat milk kefir powder was spray drying


Extreme emission-line galaxies (EELGs) at redshift z = 1−2 provide a unique view of metal-poor, starburst sources that are the likely drivers of the cosmic reionization at z ≥ 6. However, the molecular gas reservoirs of EELGs—the fuel for their intense star formation—remain beyond the reach of current facilities. We present ALMA [C ii] and PdBI CO(2–1) observations of the z = 1.8, strongly lensed EELG SL2S 0217, a bright Lyα emitter with a metallicity 0.05 Z ⊙. We obtain a tentative (∼3σ–4σ) detection of the [C ii] line and set an upper limit on the [C ii]/SFR (star-forming rate) ratio of ≤1 × 106 L ⊙/(M ⊙ yr−1), based on the synthesized images and visibility-plane analysis. The CO(2–1) emission is not detected. Photoionization modeling indicates that up to 80% of the [C ii] emission originates from neutral or molecular gas, although we cannot rule out that the gas is fully ionized. The very faint [C ii] emission is in line with both nearby metal-poor dwarfs and high-redshift Lyα emitters, and predictions from hydrodynamical simulations. However, the [C ii] line is 30× fainter than predicted by the De Looze et al. [C ii]–SFR relation for local dwarfs, illustrating the danger of extrapolating locally calibrated relations to high-redshift, metal-poor galaxies.


Summary
The growth of alastrim virus in chick embryo cells was studied under one-step conditions at various temperatures. Limited growth was found at 37 °C but there was none at 38 °C or above. Temperature-shift experiments suggested that at 38 °C only late events were temperature-sensitive. Virus DNA synthesis, induction of early enzymes and the production of early antigens were all substantially normal at 38 °C. In a study of late events at 38 °C, particle formation was found to be almost completely inhibited. Although a few immature particles were seen by electron microscopy of thin sections, cytoplasmic DNA labelled with [3H]-thymidine did not become resistant to DNase and particles containing DNA were not seen after centrifuging on sucrose density gradients. There was no late rise in DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Late antigen production at 38 °C appeared normal in agar gel diffusion studies both in the time of appearance and in the number of lines present, but the LS-antigen complex was slightly reduced in amount. Production of haemagglutinin was completely suppressed at 38 °C. It is concluded that the major effect of temperature on the growth of alastrim virus is to inhibit a very early stage in particle formation.


This paper analyses the use of an existing, low loss, photonic crystal fiber for Raman amplification over the wide low- loss window of silica fibers. We show that the low attenuation of the studied fiber would allow for high net gains to be achieved both in the O- and C-bands, enabling its use in commercial systems.


Piezoelectric film sensors such as polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) generate an electrical voltage in response to an applied mechanical stress with a remarkably high sensitivity. They provide very fast response times and do not require extensive signal conditioning. This paper presents a straightforward method of measuring the speed of sound in solid materials and structures using commercial PVDF sensors.PVDF sensors are most commonly used to measure stresses applied in the sensors' thickness direction. However, this requires that the sensors be located in the load path, which may result in damage to the sensor or affect the response of the system. In this paper, two PVDF sensors are bonded to the side of a structure and a small impact is applied to one end. The sensors are used to measure the time for the impact-induced plane stress wave to travel between the sensors. The observed speed of the propagating stress wave is shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical speed of sound for the material and finite element calculations. In addition, the finite element simulations confirm the validity of the plane wave assumption for non-ideal and non-uniform impact inputs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


We have designed, fabricated, and tested a rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) 1 bit arithmetic logic unit (ALU) block. The circuit consists of three DC current driven SFQ switches and a half-adder. We successfully tested the half-adder cell at clock frequency up to 20 GHz. The switches were commutating output ports of the half-adder to produce AND, OR, XOR, or ADD functions. For a high-speed test, we attached two switches at the input ports of the half-adder to control the high-speed input data by low-frequency pattern generators. The output in this measurement was an eye-diagram. Using this set-up, the circuit was successfully tested up to 20 GHz. The chip was fabricated using a standard HYPRES 1 kA cm−2 Nb Josephson junction fabrication process.


Background:Elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are observed in patients with obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and several observations suggest that PAI-1 mediates diabetic vascular complications. Although increased intrarenal expression of PAI-1 is also a feature of diabetic nephropathy, evidence that PAI-1 plays a primary pathogenetic role in the renal pathology is lacking. Methods: This study was designed to investigate the renal effects of genetic PAI-1 deficiency in db/db mice with obesity, hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. For comparison the effects of PAI-1 deficiency were also examined in a cohort of mice with insulin-deficient streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. The findings are reported for 4 study groups at 8 months of age: PAI-1+/+ controls, PAI-1+/+ diabetics, PAI-1–/– controls and PAI-1–/– diabetics. Results: PAI-1 deficiency had an unexpected negative impact on the db/db mice. Overall 33% of the diabetic mice died prematurely, and 63% of the db/db PAI-1–/– males had an obese body habitus but were runts. The final analyses were limited to the female db/db mice. Several nephropathy parameters were improved in the db/db PAI-1–/– group compared to the db/db PAI-1+/+ group including: albumin-to-creatinine ratios (57 ± 45 vs. 145 ± 71 µg/mg ×10), change in glomerular extracellular matrix (ECM) area (decrease of 10% compared to controls vs. an increase of 31%) and increased total kidney collagen (47% increased vs. 96% in the PAI-1+/+ diabetics). The serum glucose levels were 15–25% lower in the PAI-1–/– nondiabetic control groups and remained lower in the db/dbPAI-1–/– mice. The STZ study was performed in males. None of the mice developed a runted phenotype or died prematurely. After diabetes of 6 months' duration changes in glomerular ECM area (–15 vs. +64%) and total kidney collagen (+8 vs. +40%) were lower in the PAI-1–/– mice compared to the PAI-1+/+ mice. The serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the PAI-1–/– mice, both controls (47 ± 3 vs. 53 ± 10 mg/dl) and diabetics (48 ± 3 vs. 74 ± 9 mg/dl). Conclusion: These data suggest a direct role for PAI-1 in renal matrix expansion and metabolic control in diabetes, but they also highlight important adverse outcomes that include male runting and premature death in mice with diabetes due to an inactive leptin receptor.


Abstract Gnotobiotic (GN) rodent models have provided insight into the contributions of the gut microbiota to host health and preventing disease. However, rodent models are limited by several important physiological and metabolic differences from humans, and many rodent models do not dependably replicate the clinical manifestations of human diseases. Due to the high degree of similarity in anatomy, physiology, immunology and brain growth, the domestic pig (Sus scrofa) is considered a clinically relevant model to study factors influencing human gastrointestinal, immune, and brain development. Gnotobiotic piglet models have been developed and shown to recapitulate key aspects of GN rodent models. Human microbiota-associated (HMA) piglets have been established using inocula from infants, children, and adults. The gut microbiota of recipient HMA piglets was more similar to that of the human donor than that of conventionally reared piglets harboring a pig microbiota. Moreover, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides, two predominant bacterial groups of infant gut, were successfully established in the HMA piglets. Thus, the HMA pig model has the potential to be a valuable model for investigating how the gut microbiota composition changes in response to environmental factors, such as age, diet, vaccination, antibiotic use and infection. The HMA also represents a robust model for screening the efficacy of pre- and probiotic interventions. Lastly, HMA piglets can be an ideal model with which to elucidate microbe–host interactions in human health and disease due to the similarities to humans in anatomy, physiology, developmental maturity at birth, and the pathophysiology of many human diseases.


Individual and combined additions of elements like Si, Sb, Sr are carried out to AZ91 alloy and its microstructure, mechanical properties especially creep properties and corrosion behavior are investigated. In general, additions of the above elements improve the mechanical properties. Further, the results show these alloying elements introduce thermally stable intermetallics and thereby improve the creep performance. Among various additions, Sb addition provides highest creep resistance. With the Si and Sr additions, the corrosion resistance of AZ91 alloy is improved. Detailed micro-mechanisms are also studied and they are correlated with the properties studied.


In the innovation literature, it is widely recognized that women face a number of gender related barriers to succeed in scientific careers. Most women seeking to become scientists need to overcome not only professional hurdles but also personal and social obstacles. Nonetheless, in the last few years women have made strides in closing the gender gap, especially in life sciences. In Mexico, biotechnology is one of the few fields where women participate in large numbers. In particular, the School of Biological Sciences of the National Polytechnic Institute (ENCB-IPN) is one of the most prestigious academic colleges in the country, where women have a long tradition of being devoted to teaching and carrying out basic research. In this paper, we seek to identify how scientific activity is driven by gender factors by analyzing the role of Mexican female scientists from ENCB in pushing the knowledge frontier. By drawing in the Espacenet patent database we can identify how women interact with their male colleagues. Empirical findings suggest that most female scientists from ENCB patent in collaboration with male scientists, whereas with only a handful of them patenting alone.


Three new classes of glucose-lowering drugs were introduced into practice over the past 15 years. DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors have low hypoglycemia risk, do not cause weight gain, and GLP-1RA and SGLT2i have additional cardiovascular and renal benefits. We previously found low rates of early SGLT2i use by women and black patients, but more recent data and data for other drugs were lacking. Using OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a de-identified dataset of commercially-insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, we identified adults with type 2 diabetes who first started a DPP-4i (n=140,933), GLP-1RA (n=107,331), SGLT2i (n=112,892), or any other diabetes drug (n=1,743,484) between 2013-2018. Odds of starting each medication class were examined in separate logistic regression models for white women (WW), non-white men (NM), and non-white women (NW) compared to white men, adjusting for other factors affecting drug choice (Figure). Results were mixed, as depicted by the Figure. Our study design cannot identify the causes of preferential use of DPP-4i among non-white patients, or the preferential avoidance of SGLT2i among women and NM and of GLP-1RA among NW. Because these drugs have important safety and efficacy benefits, our findings call for closer examination of potential implicit biases surrounding medication prescribing and diabetes management. Disclosure R.G. McCoy: None. H. Van Houten: None. S.M. Dunlay: None. X. Yao: None. T. Dempsey: None. P. Noseworthy: None. L.R. Sangaralingham: None. A.H. Limper: None. N. Shah: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (K23DK114497)


Studies of the electrical conductivity in solid solutions of the mixed crystal system of deuterated antiferroelectric betaine phosphate (DBP) and ferroelectric betaine phosphite (DBPI) were performed. The dc-conductivity in the temperature interval between 280 and 400 K is obtained from measurements of the complex dielectric permittivity at frequencies between . For all crystals studied an anisotropy of with respect to two crystallographic directions is found. Moreover, we find a clear dependence of the absolute values of on the phosphite percentage x, whereas the activation energies calculated from an Arrhenius plot of the quantity against the inverse temperature differ only slightly. For the system the conductivity results are related to data on the microscopic behaviour of the deuteron exchange derived from two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) exchange spectroscopic measurements. An effective charge carrier density is estimated and discussed with respect to the differences between the conductivity and the exchange behaviour for pure deuterated substances.


The uteri of 77 postparturient dairy cows were sampled. Samples were cultured aerobically and anaerobically, and the nature of bacterial growth was identified. A mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infection was found in 55% of the samples. Actinomyces pyogenes was the predominant aerobic species; it was found in 70% of the samples, whereas Bacteroides melaninogenicus was the most frequent anaerobic species isolated. Altogether, 16 species belonging to the genus Bacteroides were identified with variable frequencies. It appears that more than one Bacteroides species colonizes the uterus of a given cow postpartum. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clindamycin, metronidazole, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin for 83 anaerobic isolates were determined. All isolates were susceptible to clindamycin (MIC90 of 0.064 microgram/ml) and all but two to metronidazole. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was variable, with a bimodal distribution of MIC values. The MIC of tetracycline for 90% of the isolates was > 256 micrograms/ml.


Author(s): Xiong, Fei | Advisor(s): Saloner, David | Abstract: An accurate assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression is essential to its clinical management. Currently, the maximum diameter of AAA at diagnosis is considered as the primary indicator of rupture risk. However, it is not optimal as rupture can happen at any size. Several patient-specific factors may also influence AAA rupture risk. Given the clinical variability in aneurysm progression, additional prognostic markers are desirable to enhance patient-specific risk stratification. Radiomics is an image processing technique that extracts quantitative and high-dimensional features from medical images. While it has emerged as a novel approach for solving diagnosis in oncology, its application in cardiovascular diseases is still limited. This study set out with an aim to determine the feasibility of radiomics in identifying AAA with a fast growth rate (g0.3cm/year) using CT images. An automatic AAA segmentation algorithm was developed in our pipeline. Based on the radiomics features of an 84 CT dataset, supervised classification models were implemented with two feature selection algorithms and two classifiers in a machine-learning framework. An AUC of 0.80 was achieved and the predictive power was proved through comparisons to the maximum diameter and conventional risk factors. Further multivariate analysis suggested that a radiomics-based classification model could be used as an independent, yet strong predictor for fast AAA growth rate.


This paper presents results of investigations of the relationship between optimal image resolution and associated sky‐coverage for ionospheric tomography. Several measures of the variation of image information content as a function of resolution are presented for understanding the trade‐offs between information content and computational resources. A new quantitative description of imaging geometry that enables sky‐coverage analysis for this limited information tomographic system is introduced here. This paper also presents examples of commonly encountered nonideal system geometries, diagnosis of associated image artifacts, and improvements achieved by minor logistical modifications to the imaging system.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of RUNX3 protein in hepatic cell carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with the clinicopathological factors of HCC.

METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of RUNX3 protein in HCC and the surrounding normal tissues, and the relation of RUNX3 with the clinicopathological factors of HCC was analyzed.

RESULTS
The positivity rate of RUNX3 protein expression was 49.02% (25/51) in HCC tissues, significantly lower than that in the surrounding normal tissues [82.35% (42/51), Χ(2)=12.5706, P<0.01). RUNX3 protein expression varied significantly with such pathological factors as the differentiation degree, cancer-associated thrombosis in the portal vein and intrahepatic metastasis (P<0.05), but not with tumor diameter, location, tumoral hemorrhage, necrosis or histotypes of the tumor (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION
RUNX3 protein expression is lowered in HCC as compared with that in the surrounding normal tissue, suggesting an important role of RUNX3 in the tumorigenesis and development of HCC and the possible identity of RUNX3 gene as an anti-oncogene of HCC.


ABSTRACT A novel spatiotemporal reflectance fusion method integrating image inpainting and steering kernel regression fusion model (ISKRFM) is proposed to improve the fusion accuracy for remote-sensing images with different temporal and spatial characteristics in this article. This method first detects the land-cover changed regions and then fills them with unchanged similar pixels by an exemplar-based inpainting technique. Furthermore, a steering kernel regression (SKR) is used to adaptively determine the weightings of local neighbouring pixels to predict high spatial resolution image. Accordingly, the main contributions of this method are twofold. One is to address the land-cover change issues in the spatiotemporal fusion, and the other is to establish an adaptive weighting assignment according to the pixel locations and the radiometric properties of the local neighbours to account for the effect of neighbouring pixels. To validate the proposed method, two actual Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) acquisitions at southeast China were implemented and compared with the baseline spatial and temporal adaptive reflectance fusion model (STARFM). The experimental results demonstrate that addressing the land-cover changes in spatiotemporal fusion has positive effects on the fused image, and the proposed ISKRFM method significantly outperforms STARFM in terms of both visual and quantitative measurements.


Many important examples of topological spaces can be represented as a union
 of a finite or countable collection of metrizable subspaces. However, it is
 far from clear which spaces in general can be obtained in this way.
 Especially interesting is the case when the subspaces are dense in the union.
 We present below several results in this direction. In particular, we show
 that if a Tychonoff space X is the union of a countable family of dense
 metrizable locally compact subspaces, then X itself is metrizable and locally
 compact. We also prove a similar result for metrizable locally separable
 spaces. Notice in this connection that the union of two dense metrizable
 subspaces needn't be metrizable. Indeed, this is witnessed by a well-known
 space constructed by R.W. Heath.


Flexible behaviour requires a control system that can inhibit actions in response to changes in the environment. Recent studies suggest that people proactively adjust response parameters in anticipation of a stop signal. In three experiments, we tested the hypothesis that proactive inhibitory control involves adjusting both attentional and response settings, and we explored the relationship with other forms of proactive and anticipatory control. Subjects responded to the color of a stimulus. On some trials, an extra signal occurred. The response to this signal depended on the task context subjects were in: in the 'ignore' context, they ignored it; in the 'stop' context, they had to withhold their response; and in the 'double-response' context, they executed a secondary response. An analysis of event-related brain potentials for no-signal trials in the stop context revealed that proactive inhibitory control works by biasing the settings of lower-level systems that are involved in stimulus detection, action selection, and action execution. Furthermore, subjects made similar adjustments in the double-response and stop-signal contexts, indicating an overlap between various forms of proactive action control. The results of Experiment 1 also suggest an overlap between proactive inhibitory control and preparatory control in task-switching studies: both require reconfiguration of task-set parameters to bias or alter subordinate processes. We conclude that much of the top-down control in response inhibition tasks takes place before the inhibition signal is presented.


ABSTRACT Zhang, P.C., 2020. Design and implementation of marine ship tracking system based on multi-target tracking algorithm. In: Al-Tarawneh, O. and Megahed, A. (eds.), Recent Developments of Port, Marine, and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 110, pp. 47–49. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In order to realize the multiple target tracking in a complicated Marine environment, we design a Marine ship tracking system based on the multiple target tracking algorithm. Based on an overview of the principles of distributed adaptive multi-sensor multi-target tracking algorithm, we use MO components to create ocean ship tracking system platform, achieve the real-time massive amounts of data processing, and has a good human-computer interaction interface, as well as realize the C ++ language efficiency and visualization functions, it provides a system platform for the tracking, positioning, command and dispatch of marine ships.


Background/aims To report on local tumour control and eye preservation after gamma knife radiosurgery (GK-RS) to treat choroidal melanomas. Methods A total of 189 patients with choroidal melanoma were treated with GK-RS, with treatment doses between 25 and 80 Grays. The main outcome measures of our retrospective analysis were local tumour control, time to recurrence, eye retention rate and the reason for and time to secondary enucleation. Patient-associated, tumour-associated and treatment-associated parameters were evaluated as potential risk factors. Results Local tumour control was achieved in 94.4% of patients. The estimated tumour control rates were 97.6% at 1 year, 94.2% at 5 years and 92.4% at 10 years after treatment. Recurrence was observed between 3.1 months and 60.7 months post-treatment (median: 13.5 months). Advanced tumour stage (Tumour, Node, Metastasis (TNM) 3–4) was the most important risk factor for recurrence (Fine-Gray model; subhazard ratio, SHR: 3.3; p=0.079). The treatment dose was not related to tumour recurrence. The eye preservation rate was 81.6% at 5 years after treatment, remaining stable thereafter. Twenty-five eyes (14.1%) had to be enucleated at between 17 days and 68.0 months (median: 13.9 months) after GK-RS, and advanced tumour stage (Cox model; p=0.005), treatment dose (p=0.048), pretreatment visual acuity (p=0.016), and retinal detachment (p=0.027) were risk factors for requiring enucleation. Conclusions GK-RS achieved a high tumour control rate, comparable to linear accelerator-based radiotherapy. Advanced TNM stage was a predictive risk factor for tumour recurrence and for secondary enucleation after GK-RS. Lower treatment doses were unrelated to tumour recurrence, although they were associated with an improved eye retention rate.


In the present investigation spermatozoa architec ture after endosulfan treatment in mice have been evaluated. Similarly fruit extract of Amla ( Emblica officinalis ) as an antioxidant have been tested for probable restoration in sperm architecture exposed to endosulfan treatment . Endosulfan is a pesticide of organochlorine group. Government of Kerala (India) banned this pesticide due to its indiscriminate use in Ka sargod district and hazardous effect on health among cashew nut workers . In the present investigation, the dose of 3 mg/Kg b.w of Endosulfan was continuously administered to male mice for 35 days after that aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis (Amla) frui t has been administered for 35 days at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. to evaluate ameliorating effect on sperm . The mice were sacrificed on 35 th day of Amla treatment followed by 35 days of endosulfan treatment to observe the architecture of spermatozoa through Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Electron micrograph of spermatozoa of 3 mg/kg Endosulfan treated for 35 days showed degeneration in ap ical acrosome region with degenerative changes in plasma membrane and nuclear membrane of head region of spermatozoa. The degeneration were also observed in 9+2 arrangement of microtubule and mit ochondrial sheath of mid piece of spermatozoa while principa l piece showed without plasma membrane which denotes complete degeneration of plasma membrane. Outer dense fibers were fused with microtubules. The divergent arms were degenerated and not visible clearly. This way marked degen erative changes were observed in the architecture of spermatozoa (Head Piece, Mid Piece and Principal Piece) after exposure of endosulfan. Emblica officinalis at the dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. showing restoration of acrosomal material, better effect on condensation of chromatin material, p lasma membrane and nuclear membrane is almost reformed, middle piece and principal piece showing restoration of intact plasma membrane. Thus from the above study it can be concluded that amla as an antioxidant has more potency to check male reproductive de formities.


The following points become apparent after the study of 200 cases of aortic valve replacement:--Conduction defects are very common after this type of surgery, affecting one in three patients in this series;--Above all, the frequency of conduction defects of the left bundle branch (2/3 cases) must be underlined. They are much more common than complete atrioventricular block, bifascicular block or isolated right bundle branch block;--Diagnosed immediately after operation in almost all cases, regression is common (50%) especially of left anterior hemiblock;--The long term prognosis is good. There was no long or short term mortality due to this cause in this series;--Apart from traumatic lesions which are difficult to avoid when the aortic orifice is calcified, ischaemia of the conduction pathways due to insufficient myocardial protection probably plays a role in the aetiology of these conduction defects.