Conventional wisdom in the mortgage industry holds that loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are positively correlated with mortgage default rates. However, not all empirical studies of mortgage loan performance support this view. This paper offers a theoretical signaling model of why the correlation between LTV ratios and default risk is contingent upon the default costs of the borrower. Specifically, the model proposes that when default costs are high there exists a separating equilibrium in which risky borrowers will self-select into lower LTV loans to reduce the probability of facing a costly default, while safe borrowers will self-select into higher LTV loans as a signal of their enhanced creditworthiness. This adverse selection process gives rise to the possibility of higher default probabilities for lower LTV loans. Conversely, when default costs are low the conventional result, in which risky borrowers select higher LTV loans than safe borrowers, is obtained. Empirical results, based on a sample of 859 single-family residential mortgage loans drawn from the portfolio of a national mortgage lender, are consistent with the separating equilibria predicted by the model.


We start with the simple case of studying the relationship between a response variable Y and a predictor variable X I. Since we have only one predictor variable, we shall drop the subscript in X I and use X for simplicity. We discuss covariance and correlation coefficient as measures of the direction and strength of the linear relationship between the two variables. Simple linear regression model is then formulated and the key theoretical results are given without mathematical derivations , but illustrated by numerical examples. Readers interested in mathematical derivations are referred to the bibliographic notes at the end of the chapter, where books that contain a formal development of regression analysis are listed. Suppose we have observations on n subjects consisting of a dependent or response variable Y and an explanatory variable X. The observations are usually recorded as in Table 2.1. We wish to measure both the direction and the strength of the relationship between Y and X. Two related measures, known as the covariance and the correlation coeficient, are developed below.


The study of the question whether the production of antibodies is limited only to certain specific tissues (the hematopoietic organs) or whether it may take place in different tissues is important from both the biologic and the therapeutic point of view. If the ubiquitous origin were to be proved, it would be possible, as Ehrlich said several years ago, 1 to facilitate the process of immunity by inciting the formation of antibodies, not only in the important differentiated organs, but also in the nondifferentiated tissues, such as the subcutaneous tissue. As we shall show later, the assumption of the possible production of antibodies anywhere in the organism was admitted and proved experimentally, and it led to specific treatment in various diseases. On the question of the origin of the antibodies that give the positive Wassermann reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid, two opinions have been advanced and will be discussed in


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate accuracy and repeatability of blood volume determinations made by the carbon monoxide method, using a ventilator-driven administration system.

DESIGN
Prospective within-patient comparison, using simultaneous measurements by two methods to determine accuracy. Prospective laboratory investigation in animals to estimate repeatability.

SUBJECTS
For accuracy: Nineteen ventilated critically ill patients in a university hospital intensive care unit. For repeatability: Six anesthetized, mechanically ventilated normovolemic pigs because this is impossible to perform in humans.

INTERVENTIONS
In the accuracy study, a small mass of carbon monoxide was administered via a closed breathing system and arterial blood samples were taken from existing cannulas. In the repeatability study, an intramuscular sedative was given, followed by an inhalational anesthetic induction and mechanical ventilation via a tracheal tube. Left axillary artery and external jugular vein cannulas were sited. Anesthesia was maintained using an intravenous infusion. Five sequential circulating hemoglobin and blood volume estimations were made using the carbon monoxide method.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
The small carboxyhemoglobin increase produced by uptake of a small, known mass of carbon monoxide was used to estimate the circulating blood volume. Simultaneous measurement, using 51Cr-labeled red blood cells, was performed. Twenty measurements were made in 19 patients. The bias (mean difference between blood volume measurements by the two methods) was 397 mL (5.53 mL x kg(-1)) +/-415 mL (+/-5.95 mL x kg(-1)); the limits of agreement (mean difference +/-2 SD) were -433 mL and 1227 mL (-6.36 mL x kg(-1) and 17.42 mL x kg(-1)). Therefore, 95% of expected differences will lie between these limits. The mean blood volume was 75.8 mL x kg(-1) in the animals. The coefficient of variation of repeated estimates was 9.49%. Mean circulating hemoglobin mass was 7.31 mmol with a coefficient of variation of 10.18%. The mean hemoglobin concentration, by co-oximetry, was 5.014 mmol x L(-1), coefficient of variation, 2.99%.

CONCLUSION
This arrangement is a potential bedside method of estimating blood volume and circulating hemoglobin mass. We have rendered the technique more acceptable clinically by creating a ventilator-driven administration system.


Integrated petrographic and chemostratigraphic studies have enabled the identification of sequence boundaries, sequence stratigraphy, and their system tracts for the Lower Cretaceous strata of the Kurnub Group (Jordan); the latter is underlain by the Jurassic (Callovian) strata and overlain by the Cretaceous (Cenomanian). Based on physical characteristics (sharp vertical facies changes) and geochemical parameters (SiO2/Al2O3, K2O/Al2O3, TiO2/Al2O3, Sr/Ca millimoles per mole, Mn parts per million, and the minor elements), 4 sequence boundaries are identified, associated with 11 facies types (from alluvial plain to the intertidal environment) and 9 system tracts, thus enabling the identification of record Lower Cretaceous sea-level fluctuations. The identified sequences mirror the Arabian plate sequences and suggest a eustatic origin. The siliciclastic Kurnub Group was derived mainly from felsic granite–gneiss and metasedimentary rocks (Arabian shield) and was deposited in a passive continental margin setting under semiarid-to-humid climatic conditions.


Background: Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial (Empagliflozin Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients). Urinary glucose excretion with empagliflozin decreases with declining renal function, resulting in less potency for glucose lowering in patients with kidney disease. We investigated the effects of empagliflozin on clinical outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥30 mL·min−1·1.73 m−2 at screening were randomized to receive empagliflozin 10 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg, or placebo once daily in addition to standard of care. We analyzed cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause hospitalization, and all-cause mortality in patients with prevalent kidney disease (defined as eGFR <60 mL·min−1·1.73 m−2 and/or urine albumin-creatinine ratio >300 mg/g) at baseline. Additional analyses were performed in subgroups by baseline eGFR (<45, 45–<60, 60–<90, ≥90 mL·min−1·1.73 m−2) and baseline urine albumin-creatinine ratio (>300, 30–⩽300, <30 mg/g). Results: Of 7020 patients treated, 2250 patients had prevalent kidney disease at baseline, of whom 67% had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus for >10 years, 58% were receiving insulin, and 84% were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. In patients with prevalent kidney disease at baseline, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death by 29% compared with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–0.98), the risk of all-cause mortality by 24% (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59–0.99), the risk of hospitalization for heart failure by 39% (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42–0.87), and the risk of all-cause hospitalization by 19% (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72–0.92). Effects of empagliflozin on these outcomes were consistent across categories of eGFR and urine albumin-creatinine ratio at baseline and across the 2 doses studied. The adverse event profile of empagliflozin in patients with eGFR <60 mL·min−1·1.73 m−2 was consistent with the overall trial population. Conclusions: Empagliflozin improved clinical outcomes and reduced mortality in vulnerable patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, established cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01131676.


A novel approach to the simulation of electron transport properties in nano structures is proposed. The considered system is an open system accelerated by an external electromotive force and dissipating energy through inelastic scattering with a heat bath acting on the charge. Periodic boundary conditions and the density functional theory are used to recast the many-particle problem into a series of single-particle mean-field problems. By explicitly treating the dissipation in the electrodes the proposed method allows the behaviour of system to be followed as a function of the applied electrochemical potential; unlike the situation encountered using scattering approaches based on the Landauer formalism. The self-consistent steady-state solution is obtained and the out-of-equilibrium electron distribution, the electrical characteristics, and the behaviour of the self-consistent potential and the density of states of the system are analysed. The proposed method is used to elucidate the electron transport properties of a molecular wire formed out of di-thiol benzene molecules connected by a bridge of gold atoms with the molecular ensemble then being sandwiched between gold electrodes.


Its position as a syara' argument means that in addition to the Qur'an, the sunnah of the Prophet also gives us instructions to know the eternal commandment of Allah which is called syar'i law. The word "sunnah" (سىنة) comes from the word etymologically means: the way that is usually done, whether that way is something good, or bad. Sunnah in terms of ushul scholars is: "whatever is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad SAW., good in the form of words, deeds or confessions and the nature of the Prophet." While the sunnah in terms of fiqh scholars is: "the legal nature of an act that is required to do it in the form of an uncertain demand" with the understanding that the person who does it is rewarded and the person who does not commit it is not guilty. Sunnah according to the understanding of ushul experts as mentioned above is divided into three kinds. First, sunnah qauliyah, namely the words of the Prophet that were heard by his companions and conveyed to others. For example, a friend said that he heard the Prophet say, "Who does not pray because he is asleep or because he forgot, let him do the prayer when he has remembered." Second, sunnah fi'liyah, namely the act of What was done by the Prophet Muhammad SAW who was seen or known by his companions, then conveyed it to others with his words. For example, a friend said, "I saw the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Perform two rak'ahs of sunnat prayer after the noon prayer." Third, sunnah taqririyah, namely the actions of a friend or his words which were carried out in the presence or knowledge of the Prophet, but were not responded to or prevented by the Prophet. The silence of the Prophet was conveyed by friends who witnessed to others with his words.


Background: Several studies have reported that trough levels may not be optimal for monitoring vancomycin therapy, because of overexposure and nephrotoxicity risks. Therefore, we developed a population pharmacokinetic model to optimize vancomycin dosing and monitoring in pediatrics. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on 76 pediatric patients 1–12 years of age, admitted to general pediatric wards or intensive care units at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The predictability of 3 methods for calculating the area under the curve (AUC) at steady state was assessed for optimum vancomycin therapy monitoring. The 3 methods were simple linear regression, Bayesian approach and the 2-sample pharmacokinetic equation method. We also used Monet Carlo simulations to evaluate the dosing of vancomycin. Results: A 1-compartment model adequately described the data. A strong correlation occurred between the observed and predicted AUC from 0 to 24 hours (AUC0–24h) calculated using the Bayesian approach with a trough sample only or pharmacokinetic equations based on 2 measured samples (R2 = 0.93 and 0.92, respectively). For the simple linear regression method with a trough sample only, the predicted AUC0–24h at steady state with vancomycin trough levels of 10, 15 and 20 µg/mL were 413, 548 and 714 µg·hour/mL, respectively. The target AUC0–24h above 400 was achieved in 46% and 95% of individuals with trough values of 7–11 and 11–15 µg/mL, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations showed that 60–80 mg/kg/d doses are needed to optimize vancomycin therapy. Conclusions: In conclusion, targeting vancomycin trough levels above 15 µg/mL in pediatrics would overshoot the target AUC0–24h above 400 and expose them to unnecessary adverse events.


Syrian golden hamsters were treated weekly with 10 mg/kg body weight N-nitrosobis (2-oxopropyl) amine for life (Group 1) or 6 weeks and were sacrificed at biweekly intervals from 2 weeks (Group 1) and 8 weeks (Group 2) after initiation of the experiment. The pancreas was examined in step sections, and the sequential alterations noted for each interval were recorded. Lesions were found in intrapancreatic and extrapancreatic ducts. Equivalent alterations consisting of hyperplasia, metaplasia, atypia, and lesions characteristic of carcinoma in situ developed ubiquitously and simultaneously in pancreatic ducts of different sizes and in ductules, but not in acinar cells. Among the most significant findings were intrainsular ductular formations, their proliferation, and sequential malignant alteration comparable to the involved preexisting ductules. Differences between the two experimental groups were of a quantitative rather than qualitative nature. The incidence and multiplicity of neoplastic lesions at each interval according to group, sex, and anatomic locations of adenocarcinomas are outlined. Predilected areas for some lesions were found. Results indicate a common origin of all induced tumors from a pluripotent cell populating the pancreatic ductal system.


The DASH scale was used to assess 506 profoundly and severely mentally retarded persons (247 females and 259 males). The scale, covering 13 major psychiatric disorders, consists of 83 items derived from DSM–III–R as well as previously published studies of this population. Data were collected on symptom frequency, duration and severity in individual interviews with direct-care staff. Elimination and pervasive developmental disorders were most frequent, self-injurious behaviour disorders most severe. Most symptoms had been evident for at least a year. Inter-rater reliability was generally good.


The issue of facilitating efficient access of rich media such as Flash is becoming a seminal research problem. We describe here an on-going approach to addressing Flash movie retrieval. In this approach, an OXF (Object XML for Flash) model is devised to first convert Flash movies into XML format. We then apply structural join index hierarchy (SJIH) indexing technique to enhance the retrieval of OXF objects. A cost model for query execution through SJIH is developed. Initial experimental studies on SJIH-based Flash movie retrieval have demonstrated performance advantageous when compared with other indexing techniques.


We present magnetotransport measurements (up to 7 T) performed at very low temperatures (down to 20 mK) on a GaAs sample containing two parallel delta -doped layers whose carrier concentration can be varied by means of a gate electrode. With increasing negative gate voltage the resistance becomes more strongly temperature-dependent, indicating a more localized electron system. The magnetoresistance is found to be strongly anisotropic. When the field is parallel to the layers we find a large positive magnetoresistance which we attribute to orbital shrinking of the strongly localized donor wavefunction. In contrast, in the perpendicular orientation, we observe a strong negative magnetoresistance at low fields whose origin remains unclear, and the quantum Hall effect at larger fields. At low gate voltages both delta -layers are in the quantum Hall state whereas at larger negative voltages the layer adjacent to the gate becomes insulating. In the case of strong depletion the high-ohmic sample shows reproducible conductivity fluctuations as a function of either the gate voltage or the magnetic field. The fluctuations diminish at higher temperatures and larger measuring currents.


ACE inhibitory peptides with less than 10 KDa were prepared by using natural lactic acid fermented pork as materials in Southwest China. The effects of ACE inhibitory peptide on vascular endothelial cell function were studied by primary culture and subculture of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells. Result displayed that the content of peptide was 86.54%, and IC50 was 0.895 mg/mL. The hydrophobic amino acids, aromatic amino acids, and branched chain amino acids of the peptides were 39.35%, 10.69%, and 13.65%. The experimental group showed that the cell survival rate in each dose group was above 80%, which indicated that the concentration of each group was suitable. So ACE inhibitory peptides from fermented pork had no obvious toxic effect on vascular endothelial cells in a certain concentration range. These inhibitory peptides could increase the release of NO in endothelial cells and the high dose group was better than the low and medium dose group, but less than the positive control group. Besides, it also could reduce endothelin-1 secretion with the high and medium dose group better than the low dose group but less than the positive control group. No significant in vitro antioxidant capacity and cell reactive oxygen species clearance was observed. The inhibition mechanism of ACE inhibitory peptides from fermented pork may promote vascular endothelial cells to release NO and reduce endothelin-1 secretion.


Evacuation planning for hospital emergency departments is challenging because of the large number of patients with limited mobility due to severe illness. For trolley-ridden patients, elevators are often the only available mode for vertical evacuations. Thus, allocation of trolley-ridden patients to elevators is important to reduce vertical evacuation time with limited number of elevators. We developed a simulation model of vertical evacuation using elevators and applied the model to the future Singapore General Hospital emergency department as a case study. In the case study, we divided trolley-ridden patients into several groups based on their locations and evaluated the maximum evacuation time for various allocation setups. Simulation results show that evacuation on the lower level is sensitive to the allocation on the upper level. The overlapping utilization of the shared elevator by each level may lead to long queuing time at the lower levels and consequently increase the overall evacuation time. 978-1-6654-7661-4/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE 358 Su, Kwak, Pourghaderi, Lees, Tan, Loo, Chua, Quah, Cai, and Ong


Abstract Although current research suggests many positive outcomes with the use of high-fidelity simulation (HFS) in nursing education, little is known about the influence of HFS on knowledge retention. This quasiexperimental study examined the effects of HFS on student knowledge acquisition and retention, while validating the simulation quality with established tools on satisfaction, self-efficacy, educational practices, and simulation design. Results indicate that, although HFS had a statistically significant impact on knowledge acquisition, knowledge retention rates were not influenced.


Abstract This article examines an anonymous manuscript from the Sienese academies, likely composed between 1584 and 1593, during the period in which these societies were closed by the Medici grand dukes. The work is a dialogue that depicts a contest between the emblems of the academies of the Intronati, the Accesi, and the Travagliati, all vying for cultural primacy. Purportedly written by a zealous monk who appraises these worldly emblems and mottoes in preposterously flattering, even blasphemous, religious terms, the dialogue is actually a hoax that mocks the proselytizing efforts of Counter-Reformation forces in the city. This article attempts to roughly date this underground work, identify its principal targets, and consider its importance: as a telling depiction of a contest between secular images and sacred symbols, as a parody of feigned orthodoxy, and as a possible expression of freethinking well before the Enlightenment.


The standard Oliver–Pharr nanoindentation analysis tacitly assumes that the specimen is structurally rigid and that it is both semi-infinite and homogeneous. Many specimens violate these assumptions. We show that when the specimen flexes or possesses heterogeneities, such as free edges or interfaces between regions of different properties, artifacts arise in the standard analysis that affect the measurement of hardness and modulus. The origin of these artifacts is a structural compliance ( C _s), which adds to the machine compliance ( C _m), but unlike the latter, C _s can vary as a function of position within the specimen. We have developed an experimental approach to isolate and remove C _s. The utility of the method is demonstrated using specimens including (i) a silicon beam, which flexes because it is supported only at the ends, (ii) sites near the free edge of a fused silica calibration standard, (iii) the tracheid walls in unembedded loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and (iv) the polypropylene matrix in a polypropylene–wood composite.


Background: Success of an immunization programme depends upon awareness regarding usefulness and safety of vaccines. Widespread information on vaccine safety is very essential. Objective of study was to analyze pattern of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) in children. Methods: Prospective, observational study was carried out at immunization OPD of B. J. Government Medical College and Sassoon General hospital, Pune, where children receiving routine immunization were analyzed & followed up through telephonic survey of parents. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form was used to record AEFI. Results: Total 1206 children, aged 0-6 years, received total of 3179 vaccine doses. 22.71% AEFI were reported. Most common AEFI per 1000 doses of all vaccinations was Fever, seen in less than 9 months of age group (84.67%). DPT vaccine was most common vaccine associated with AEFI and maximum (37.8%) adverse events were seen with 1st dose of DPT. Conclusions: Reporting of AEFI with regular analysis and feedback should be an integral part of immunization programs.


The low-frequency noise characteristics of SOI MOSFETs with shallow trench isolation (STI) structure are investigated for various device sizes with three different gate shapes. Devices with channel region butted to the STI show an increase of low-frequency noise as the channel width is reduced. In comparison, the devices without the STI butted to the channel region show much less increase of noise power spectral density with channel width. From the charge pumping and noise measurement results, the interface-state generated by the STI process is identified as the cause of these anomalous phenomena.


In multimedia applications, various video encoding/decoding standards such as MPEG2, MPEG1 and emerging algorithms call for a DSP solution of the extremely computation-intensive tasks. Several DSPs have been developed based on intensive pipeline processing at the macro-block level. In these DSPs, macroblock-based pipeline memory slices are needed for each pipeline stage. Programmability is limited by the hard-wired macros to be incorporated such as DCT and Quantizer. A microprocessor or a media-processor with multimedia-enhanced instructions has not yet been applied to MPEG2 encoding. This DSP for real-time codec applications has the following features: (a) extensive use of data parallelism inside the macro-block data structure, (b) flexible data path for coding algorithms to enhance gate utilization and to reduce the use of macro-block pipeline memory, (c) data path design suitable for (but not limited to) fast DCT/IDCT algorithms.


In this paper, we would like to present theoretical considerations and results of the observation of acoustic quasi-longitudinal and quasi-transverse waves in a sample of known crystalographic orientation. The Brillouin light scattering method is suitable for investigations of the acoustic properties of materials in the hypersonic range. Results of the calculation based on ultrasonic data are not in agreement with experimental hypersonic measurements. We have observed a dispersion in the velocity of the acoustic waves.


Introduction Nasojejunal tubes (NJT) are traditionally inserted endoscopically (via oral route with subsequent mouth to nose transfer) or radiologically. The oral route is uncomfortable for patients and is technically more challenging. Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is an emerging technique, performed with an ultrathin endoscope inserted via nasal passages. This circumvents the need for mouth to nose transfer of NJT, and can be placed with less sedation. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional or fluoroscopic insertion (1-3). We aim to review the current practice of transnasal insertion of NJT service in South Tyneside District Hospital. Method We reviewed data retrospectively of transnasal NJT insertion from December 2013 to October 2016. We included 38 procedures, from 25 patients, of which 9 required repeat procedures (2–4 repeat procedures). Patients were aged 22 to 81, and were mostly men (M: 16, F: 9). Results The main indications for NJT insertion were pancreatitis, gastroparesis and malignancy. Patients received received topical anaesthesia (17), topical anaesthesia in combination with sedation (17), sedation only (3), and no sedation or topical anaesthesia (1). The mean midazolam dose for those under and above 70 was 2 mg. Post pyloric position of NJT was confirmed via AXR or endoscopically, this occurred in 37 cases (97.4%). Successful NJT placement was defined by its post pyloric position. Of all NJT insertions, successful placements occurred in 68.4% (26 of 38) of cases. Successful post pyloric insertion of NJT per patient was 76% overall (19 of 25). Based on indications, our success rate per patient was 91% for pancreatitis (10 of 11), 60% for gastroparesis (3 of 5), 75% for malignancy (3 of 4), 60% for other indications (3 of 5). Our NJT insertion has improved year on year. Conclusion At present, STDH is the only hospital delivering TNE in the North East of the United Kingdom. As far as we know this is the first attempt at reviewing transnasal placement of NJT in the UK. Our successful post pyloric insertion is comparable to those in the literature when similar indications (pancreatitis) is compared. Our yearly improvement in successful post pyloric insertion of NJT via TNE is encouraging, and proves that transnasal NJT insertion is a valuable service. References . Külling D, Bauerfeind P, Fried M. Transnasal versus transoral endoscopy for the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in critically ill patients. Gastrointest Endosc. 2000;52(4):506–10 . Zhihui T, Wenkui Y, Weiqin L, et al. A randomised clinical trial of transnasal endoscopy versus fluoroscopy for the placement of nasojejunal feeding tubes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Postgrad Med J2009; 85:59–63 . Qin Hua, Xiao-Yun Lu, Qiu Zhao, et al. Evaluation of a new method for placing nasojejunal feeding tubes. WJG 2012; 18(37): 5295–99 Disclosure of Interest None Declared


In semiconductor manufacturing, statistical quality control hinges on an effective analysis of wafer bin maps, wherein a key challenge is to detect how defective chips tend to spatially cluster on a wafer--a problem known as spatial pattern recognition. Detecting defect patterns on a wafer can deliver key diagnostics about the root causes of defects and assist production engineers in mitigating future failures. Recently, there has been a growing interest in mixed-type spatial pattern recognition--when multiple defect patterns, of different shapes, co-exist on the same wafer. Mixed-type spatial pattern recognition entails two central tasks: (1) spatial filtering, to distinguish systematic patterns from random noises; and (2) spatial clustering, to group the filtered patterns into distinct defect types. Observing that spatial filtering is instrumental to high-quality pattern recognition, we propose to use a graph-theoretic method called adjacency-clustering, which leverages spatial dependence among adjacent defective chips to effectively filter the raw wafer bin maps. Tested on real-world data and compared against a state-of-the-art approach, our proposed method achieves at least 49% gain in terms of internal cluster validation quality (i.e., validation without external class labels), and about 6% gain in terms of Normalized Mutual Information--an external cluster validation metric based on external class labels. Interestingly, the margin of improvement appears to be a function of the defect pattern complexity, with larger gains achieved for more complex-shaped patterns. This superior performance is a testament to the method's promising impact to semiconductor manufacturing, as well as other contexts where mixed-type spatial patterns are prevalent.


Desalination is commonly adopted nowadays to overcome the freshwater scarcity in some areas of the world if brackish water or salt water is available. Different kinds of technologies have been proposed in the last century. In this paper, the state of the mainstream solutions is reported, showing the current commercial technologies like reverse osmosis (RO), Multi-Stages Flash desalination (MSF) and Multi-Effect Distillation (MED), and the new frontiers of the research with the aim of exploiting renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass energy. In these cases, seawater treatment plants are the same as traditional ones, with the only difference being that they use a renewable energy source. Thus, classifications are firstly introduced, considering the working principles, the main energy input required for the treatment, and the potential for coupling with renewable energy sources. Each technology is described in detail, showing how the process works and reporting some data on the state of development. Finally, a statistical analysis is given concerning the spread of the various technologies across the world and which of them are most exploited. In this section, an important energy and exergy analysis is also addressed to quantify energy losses.


The bus industry within the United Kingdom accounted for four and a half billion local journeys to year ending March 2016 (Department for Transport, 2016). With so many journeys being made there needs to be a focus on safety for passengers, whilst there are extensive laws in place and bodies such as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to govern the operation of bus services, there has been little criminological focus on the crimes and harms that occur within the industry. Typically, crime on buses has formed a sub section for wider spatial studies of crime, or crimes, which find their setting within buses (Hayes and Prenzler, 2014). Whilst the topic of crime on buses is important to consider, it is just important to study the crimes that are encouraged and occur within the neoliberal structure of the industry and the operating companies within. By using a methodological approach of ethnography and interviews within a bus company, the research was been able to establish that culture and subcultures have a profound impact on an individual's propensity to commit crime. One's propensity to commit crime in the pursuit of profit is determined by their alignment to either the values of driver culture or the values of the company. The drive for profit has been made necessary by the deregulation of the bus industry.


Aim: This product consists in describe the creation process of an educational web site displaying information on evaluation and preventive care of feet in patients with diabetes mellitus also to evaluate the information content available in the web site with professionals. Methods: It is an applied research based on the Tronchim Theoretical Model (1999) for the web site construction. Results: The site has 68 pages with basic concepts of diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot, neuropathies, peripheral vascular disease, infections, amputations, education and nursing orientations. Conclusion: The site can be accessed by the URL: www.unifesp.br/denf/nien, in the option research.


Marshall Mcluhan's prophetic insights in the 1960s foreshadowed the post-modern conflagration of message and meaning which became the dominant concern of social theorists and media intellectuals throughout the 1990s. while many saw the rise and rise of technology as alienating people from people, and lubricating the infiltration of the corporate message into the personal sphere, Mcluhan had dared to be optimistic, forecasting the rise of the "global village" which, through media such as the Internet, is now of virtual communities underline what Mcluhan predicted, and the philosophical questions that become apparent make a reassessment of his work more timely than ever.


With the advancement in information technology, intelligent information system development is also increasingly popular. Therefore, how to design and build information systems with wisdom, not only is the focus of research, but also practitioners in the management information system into further hope of reaching the goal post. However, in the information technology boom at the same time, the user needs has become even more cumbersome. So how can the analysis of information needs and design an effective and intelligent use of the characteristics of information systems, improving the previous manual work related issues arising, and to reduce the complicated processes is an important issue in this study. We integrate wireless sensor networks and information systems technology to build intelligent temperature monitoring system. When the temperature anomaly occurs, the system will immediately send an emergency alert to prevent sudden abnormal result of human error and time delay. System also provides the corresponding processing procedures and methods to the management of the most appropriate response to treatment. The system also provides graphical user interface to the data collected through analysis of business decisions made available to managers to use.


Unlike past breast cancer survival comparisons between Japan and the United States, a recent study in Hawaii showed that Japanese women did not retain their survival advantage over Caucasian women after adjustment was made for stage at diagnosis. To test whether this finding in Hawaii was due to the limited duration of the follow-up (five years) or to the effects of migration, the survival experience of 1,357 Caucasian and 1,029 Japanese women with invasive breast carcinoma diagnosed in Hawaii between 1960 and 1979 was examined over a 10-year period as well as by place of birth. Multivariate adjustment by the proportional hazards regression model confirmed that the survival advantage of Japanese women in Hawaii is fully explained by their earlier stage of disease at diagnosis and suggested that, after recognition, the disease progresses at a similar pace in the two races. The survival comparison by place of birth revealed that second generation Hawaii Japanese women had better breast cancer survival rates than Japanese migrants from Japan, even after adjusting for stage, and that for Caucasian women, nativity was not associated with survival. These findings suggest that westernization, genetic constitution, or early life exposures cannot explain the overall or stage-adjusted breast cancer survival patterns observed among Caucasian and Japanese women in Hawaii.


The aims of the research are (1) to find out how the implementation of the educational policy of abandoned children at the Orphanage St. Louis De Monfort Kupang, (2) to understand how the impact of the educational policy to abandoned children at the Orphanage St. Louis De Monfort Kupang. The research used a qualitative method. The subject of the research was the Head of the St. Orphanage Louis De Monfort Kupang. The data of this research were collected through observation, interviews, notes, and documentation. The data were analyzed using qualitative analysis techniques, it consists of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the research are the implementation of educational policies that include formal, informal and non-formal education at St. Orphanage Louis De Monfort Kupang has been implemented well in accordance with education guidelines. In the educational policy process for abandoned children, it found obstacles that are limited to education cost from the regional government. Nevertheless, educational policy has had a positive impact on the life of abandoned children. Through formal education, they can continue their education to a higher level. Formal education policy is carried out through educational institutions (schools) with good quality, which are spread in several areas at Kupang city. Informal education is carried out through three systems, they are kinship, role model and discipline to shape the character of children. While skills which are aspects of non-formal education are carried out through training, both from the orphanage itself and from collaboration with the Kupang City government.


A β-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (β-CGTase) from a new alkalitolerant Bacillus sp. SK 13.002 strain which can significantly hydrolyze starch into short linear saccharides, in addition to production of cyclodextrins (CDs) was produced. The hydrolytic activity of this CGTase as a side reaction is thought to be due to partial retention of ancestral enzyme function from evolution over time. This CGTase is therefore another example of an enzyme at an intermediary stage in between ''true'' α-amylases and ''true'' CGTases. The strain also produced two CGTase isozymes which were purified to homogeneity using DEAE-Sepharose anion exchange chromatography and Superdex 75 gel filtration chromatography to show Molecular masses of 67.5 and 46.8 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) respectively, which were confirmed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis to be 67.6 and 47.3 kDa, respectively. Both CGTase isozymes formed CDs from soluble starch. Most of the reported CGTases were composed of one single enzyme with only a few strains having CGTase isozymes showing different isoelectric points. Therefore, Bacillus sp. SK 13.002 strain is another Bacillus capable of producing CGTase isozymes which were individually purified to homogeneity.


Understanding how properties of complex, sequenced (bio)macromolecules derive from structural components is currently a dynamic field of research, and is one that has incredible potential to provide principles governing the development of novel materials with improved or tailored properties. Here, we explore the mechanical response of single self-associating polymers using a combination of simulation and theory, and articulate how they could be used as fundamental "units" in material design. In particular, we study chains with two different structural motifs: a randomly arranged polymer globule and a polymer arranged in a helical structure, both of which appear in biological systems. Our results show that by tuning the self-association characteristics (e.g. binding time scales) and the particular structural motifs one can precisely tailor the mechanical response of such chains. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by coupling multiple units it is possible to "design" de-novo systems that exhibit novel and predictable force-extension behavior. Our results have important consequences for understanding many biological systems, as well as for designing synthetic materials with prescribed mechanical characteristics.


The film thickness and rheological properties [viscosity and tan sigma], of different resin based crown and bridge luting agents, including Panavia 21, Superbond, All Bond C&B Cement, Variolink were compared with zinc phosphate cement. A modification of the method in ISO 9917 (1991) and a controlled stress rheometer were used to monitor the changes in the film thickness and rheological properties respectively. For each material, the film thickness and rheological characteristics were determined at 60s after start of mixing and then made at regular intervals until immediately before the material was set. For the initial film thickness, the difference among the values for Varionk, Superbond and zinc phosphate cement was not significant (P>0.05), and less than 25microm. The values for All Bond C&B Cement and Panavia 21 were at least twice that of the other materials tested. All Bond C&B Cement produced the highest film thickness value at both the initial period and at 240s. Regarding viscosity, Superbond had the lowest initial value but the highest value at 240s. Variolink gave the highest initial value of viscosity, but the differences in the initial values among the other materials were small. During the whole period of testing, zinc phosphate cement gave the highest values of tan sigma, and Panavia 21 showed no significant change in any of the measured properties. The methods were able to distinguish the behaviour of different cement materials. Some resin cements produce larger than optimal values of film thickness and in some cases this is related to a rapid increase in viscosity after mixing. It is expected that differences in the ability of cements to form thin films will affect the seating of cemented restorations.


Johne's disease (JD), chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is regarded as a potential public health issue and a significant threat to the dairy and agricultural food businesses. This study was conducted for the molecular investigation of MAP in cattle reared for small-scale dairy production in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Seventy-five fecal samples were collected from diarrheic and healthy dairy cows that came into contact with diarrheic ones for molecular screening. Clinically, 32 of 75 examined cattle showed variable degrees of body weight loss and diarrhea. The PCR targeting the insertion sequence IS900 gene revealed that 22.6% of examined cattle were positive for MAP. A rate was significantly higher in diseased older cattle than in young cattle with no symptoms of the disease. Furthermore, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that our strains (ON816021 and ON816022) were 100% identical showed complete identity with MAP-C ( M. paratuberculosis of cattle origin) as Japanese (CP066812) and German strain (CP022105). Overall, the findings highlight the potential of the IS900 gene-based molecular technique for MAP detection in small dairy cattle farms.


In this work, we propose minimum Bayes risk (MBR) training of RNN-Transducer (RNN-T) for end-to-end speech recognition. Specifically, initialized with a RNN-T trained model, MBR training is conducted via minimizing the expected edit distance between the reference label sequence and on-the-fly generated N-best hypothesis. We also introduce a heuristic to incorporate an external neural network language model (NNLM) in RNN-T beam search decoding and explore MBR training with the external NNLM. Experimental results demonstrate an MBR trained model outperforms a RNN-T trained model substantially and further improvements can be achieved if trained with an external NNLM. Our best MBR trained system achieves absolute character error rate (CER) reductions of 1.2% and 0.5% on read and spontaneous Mandarin speech respectively over a strong convolution and transformer based RNN-T baseline trained on ~21,000 hours of speech.


BACKGROUND
Klebsiella pneumoniae has become the predominant pathogen causing primary pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).

METHODS
K. pneumoniae was stimulated by human serum, and gene expression was analyzed by microarray.

RESULTS
Three putative iron acquisition systems, Yersinia high-pathogenicity island (HPI), iucABCDiutA, and iroA(iroNDCB), that increased in expression and predominated in PLA-associated K. pneumoniae strains were identified. By use of siderophore uptake assays, these 3 systems were confirmed to be siderophore-dependent iron acquisition systems. Only the irp2-iuc-iroA triple mutant showed decreased virulence in mice. Full-genome analysis of K. pneumoniae strain NTUH-K2044 identified 10 putative iron uptake systems. Seven of these 10 systems were TonB dependent, including Yersinia HPI, iucABCDiutA, and iroA. A tonB deletion mutant was demonstrated to have profound attenuation of virulence. Immunization with the tonB mutant resulted in seroconversion of extracellular polysaccharide antibodies and protective efficacy against subsequent exposure to the parental strain.

CONCLUSIONS
Iron uptake systems were the genes in K. pneumoniae that were highly up-regulated in response to sera. Although there are multiple iron transporter systems in NTUH-K2044, a mutation in all 3 loci (irp2, iuc, and iroA) is necessary to decrease virulence. The tonB mutant is a potential vaccine candidate because it can induce a significant protective immune response against challenge with a wild-type strain.


Importance
Individuals with perceived experience and expertise are invited by editorial boards to provide commentary through editorials. Female representation among editorialists is not yet defined.

Objective
To determine female representation as editorial authors in 3 high-impact general ophthalmology journals.

Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional study investigates the proportion of female authorship in editorials published between 2005 to 2009 and 2015 to 2019 in 3 journals: Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, and American Journal of Ophthalmology. Data were collected from April to June 2020.

Main Outcomes and Measures
Proportions of female first and senior (last or solo) authors between 2005 to 2009 compared with 2015 to 2019. Secondary outcome measures include representation by sex across degree types and subspecialties. Comparisons were made for all editorialists and ophthalmologist editorialists.

Results
Of 814 editorial articles, there were 1179 (first and senior) authors identified. Women held 301 (25.5%) of these authorships, including 116 of 365 first authorships (32.9%) and 185 of 814 senior authorships (23.9%). Overall, female first and senior authorships grew by 68.0% between 2005 to 2009 and 2015 to 2019 (85 of 469 [18.1%] vs 216 of 710 [30.4%]; difference, 12.3%; 95% CI, 7.4-317.2; P < .001). Between 2005 to 2009 and 2015 to 2019, first and senior authorships by women increased (first: 33 of 133 [24.8%] vs 83 of 232 [35.8%]; difference, 11.0%; 95% CI, 1.4-320.6; P = .03; senior: 52 of 336 [15.5%] vs 133 of 478 [27.8%]; difference, 12.3%; 95% CI, 6.8-317.9; P < .001). JAMA Ophthalmology most substantially contributed to the increase in female first and senior authorships (13.8% and 16%), although the test for homogeneity among the 3 journals was not significant. The proportion of female ophthalmologist first authors was greater than the proportion of American Board of Ophthalmology-certified female ophthalmologists (81 of 281 [28.9%] vs 123 of 672 [18.3%]; difference, 10.6%; 95% CI, 5.3-315.9; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance
The proportion of female senior authors increased by 68.0% between 2005 to 2009 and 2015 to 2019, but female authors represented only 25.5% of editorialists. Compared with male ophthalmologists, female ophthalmologists were more commonly first than senior authors. Additionally, female authors were more likely to be nonophthalmologists or to hold nonmedical, non-PhD degrees. While the swelling rank of female editorialists has paralleled the rising proportion of female ophthalmologists over time, parity by sex has yet to be attained. Greater awareness of disparities and strategies to mitigate them may help equalize representation.


A Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is a collection of selfconfiguring nodes which uses the wireless link between communicating devices (mobile devices) to form an arbitrary topology without infrastructure. Dynamic topological changes caused by high node mobility make routing and securing communication challenging. Thus, the MANET is vulnerable to attacks due to their dynamic, lack of both distributed infrastructure and centralized authority. This study proposes an improved Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) where two packets are introduced, Hello_src and Src_reply, to mitigate the wormhole attack. Wormhole attack impact is analyzed with the proposed AODV Routing protocol. Parameters like end to end delay, throughput, and cache replies number evaluated performance.


In this paper, we present the energy efficiency (EE) analysis of a multi-tier cellular network, where intra- and inter-tier dependence in the base station (BS) locations are captured via point processes, i.e., three variants of hard-core point processes (HCPPs) and the Poisson hole process (PHP). The analytical expression for EE is derived by approximating both the average power consumption of BSs and the coverage probability using an approximate signal-to-interference ratio analysis based on the Poisson point process (PPP). It is demonstrated that the proposed Matérn HCPP Type-I-PHP model provides better EE results compared to the other HCPP-PHP and PPP models.


This paper presents a new method using UKF(unscented Kalman filtering) for estimating the attitude-quaternion as well as rate with magnetic field data from Three-Axis-Magnetometer(TAM). UKF is a new filtering method suitable to nonlinear systems. The magnetic field components are used to update as measurement is used to propagate the state vector. A globally self-initializing attitude determination filter has been developed to estimate three-axis attitude and attitude rate from magnetometer data only. This filter can serve as the main attitude determination system for a low-weight, low-budget, low-accuracy micro-satellite mission. In this paper, we present a new algorithm without gyro to determine the attitude and attitude rate simultaneously. Numerical simulations are given at last, and the algorithm is confirmed to be feasible and effective.


On the basis of their individual preliminary studies, the authors consider in this article the impact of Darwinism on psycho-pedagogical constructs in Belgium in the period before the Second World War. Their findings are put together around three positions, which are, in fact, hypotheses for further research: (1) The "influence" of Darwin on Belgian psycho-pedagogical theory did not proceed in a straight line but generally indirectly, that is, via the mediation of other, foreign authors, such as, for example, Herbert Spencer and Ernst Haeckel; (2) The ideological fault lines between Catholics and non-Catholics – in particular between Catholics and atheists or free-thinkers – were drawn very clearly in the Belgian reception of Darwin, also with regard to the formation of psycho-pedagogical constructs. In general, however, the Catholics did not condemn Darwinism as such – indeed, they often developed their own Catholic evolutionism – but they were very unwilling to expand the principle of evolution to include the human or social sciences. Many were of the opinion that this would imply a denial of the "soul"; (3) The central figure in the historical process of "associating" with the theory of evolution was that of "appropriation" in which diverse elements of evolutionism were taken out of their historical context and were "functionalistically" inserted into an alien environment.


In this highly competitive environment, a company's success largely depends on the frequent launch of new products to satisfy the constantly changing consumer preferences. However, launching new products can be an attractive growing strategy but not risk free. Therefore, an increasing number of firms have turned to brand extension- a popular strategy to launch new products under existing brand names. There are many different perspectives on brand extensions but in this paper we didn't focus on all those views. This paper provides a broad summary of current thoughts on the brand extensions. Specifically, the present article provides a resource to aid in understanding brand extension, its dimensions, directions, its benefits as a marketing strategy and also the risk associated with it. Some success factors are also discussed which make brand extension successful. The last section covered some managerial implications and recommendations which might be enhance the success of brand extension in the market.


Neuroticism is an important risk factor for psychiatric traits including depression1, anxiety2,3, and schizophrenia4–6. Previous genome-wide association studies7–12 (GWAS) reported 16 genomic loci10–12. Here we report the largest neuroticism GWAS meta-analysis to date (N=449,484), and identify 136 independent genome-wide significant loci (124 novel), implicating 599 genes. Extensive functional follow-up analyses show enrichment in several brain regions and involvement of specific cell-types, including dopaminergic neuroblasts (P=3×10-8), medium spiny neurons (P=4×10-8) and serotonergic neurons (P=1×10-7). Gene-set analyses implicate three specific pathways: neurogenesis (P=4.4×10-9), behavioural response to cocaine processes (P=1.84×10-7), and axon part (P=5.26×10-8). We show that neuroticism's genetic signal partly originates in two genetically distinguishable subclusters13 (depressed affect and worry, the former being genetically strongly related to depression, rg=0.84), suggesting distinct causal mechanisms for subtypes of individuals. These results vastly enhance our neurobiological understanding of neuroticism, and provide specific leads for functional follow-up experiments.


The paper reviews four approaches regarding the development of altruism and proposes an integrative framework. In the first, the evolutionary approach, the focus is on the biological and social conditions which enhance altruistic behavior. In the second reviewed approach, the psychoanalytic, altruistic behavior is seen as an outcome of emotional growth of the individual and as being influenced by the interaction of intra-psychic forces. The third approach, social learning, emphasizes the external conditions which lead to learning of altruistic behavior. This approach considers the use of reinforcement and modeling as principal mechanisms for perpetuating altruistic behavior. Finally, the cognitive developmental approach postulates that altruistic development is a function of the level of cognition; social perspective, and moral development attained by the individual. The four approaches are compared in terms of three general issues: the origin of altruism, the conception of altruism as a state or as a trait, and individual differences in altruism. Analysis of the approaches suggests that each of them refers to a different unit of analysis and that, therefore, the four approaches can be viewed as complementing each other.


For applications in vacuum metrology, gas flowmeters have to deliver pure gas flows with well-known molar flow rates of low (< 10-6 mol/s) and very low values. Accurate flowmeters are used to generate pressures in continuous expansion systems, to measure leak rates, and to measure pumping speeds of ultrahigh-vacuum pumps. At the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) a new, fully automated, all-metal flowmeter was commissioned for use with a continuous expansion system in the pressure range 10-10 Pa to 3 × 10-2 Pa. It delivers gas flows with molar flow rates between 4 × 10-13 mol/s and 10-6 mol/s (throughputs 10-6 Pa l/s to 3 Pa l/s at 23 °C) with relative standard uncertainties ranging from 1.45% at 4 × 10-13 mol/s down to 0.14% at 10-6 mol/s.


Altered activity of corticolimbic brain regions is a hallmark of stress-related illnesses, including mood disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and substance abuse disorders. Acute stress adaptively recruits brain region-specific functions for coping, while sustained activation under chronic stress may overwhelm feedback mechanisms and lead to pathological cellular and behavioral responses. The neural mechanisms underlying dysregulated stress response and how they contribute to behavioral deficits are poorly characterized. Here, we tested whether prior exposure to chronic restraint stress (CRS) or unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) in mice could alter neuronal response to acute stress and whether these changes are associated with chronic stress-induced behavioral deficits. More specifically, we assessed neuronal activation indexed by c-Fos+ cell counts in 24 stress- and mood-related brain regions, and determined if changes in acute stress-induced neuronal activation were linked to chronic stress-induced behavioral impairments. Results indicated that CRS and UCMS led to convergent physiological and anxiety-like deficits, whereas cognition was impaired only in UCMS mice. CRS and UCMS exposure exacerbated neuronal activation in response to an acute stressor in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) area 24b and ventral hippocampal (vHPC) CA1, CA3, and subiculum. In dysregulated brain regions, levels of neuronal activation were positively correlated with principal components capturing variance across widespread behavioral alterations relevant to stress-related disorders. Our data supports an association between a dysregulated stress response, altered corticolimbic excitation/inhibition balance, and the expression of maladaptive behaviors. Highlights Chronic stress models produce variable profiles of physiological deficits, anxiety-like behavior, and impaired cognition Acute stress-induced activation of ACC A24b & vHPC is exacerbated by prior chronic stress exposure In regions dysregulated by chronic stress, altered neuronal activation is positively correlated with behavioral deficits


BACKGROUND
The weight gain during pregnancy is influenced by maternal body weight and height. With this study we want to illustrate the relationship between weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and the weight gain in pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data of about 2.3 million singleton pregnancies were taken from the German perinatal statistics of 1995-2000. Weight gain was calculated as the difference between the weight at the end of the pregnancy and the weight at the first consultation.

RESULTS
The distribution of the weight gain resembles a normal distribution. Overall mean weight gain is 12.8 kg. For women weighing < 63 kg, there is a rise in weight gain with increasing body weight at the first consultation. Beyond 63 kg the amount of weight gain falls with increasing body weight at the first consultation. Weight gain increases with increasing height. Overall there is a negative correlation between BMI and weight gain. However, women with the same BMI but different body weights and heights can differ significantly with regard to their weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS
Height and body weight at the beginning of pregnancy are important determinants of the weight gain. They should therefore be used when assessing the weight gain in clinical practice. Use of the BMI, however, is not appropriate. We are investigating other ways of combining body weight and height. This will be discussed in a later publication.


Microbiology
Life in the deep ocean is cut off from sunlight as an energy source. Fixed carbon from the surface—namely, dead microbes and larger organisms—therefore serves as a source of energy at depths below the reach of sunlight. Bergauer et al. analyzed genomic and proteomic data from microorganisms collected at depths down to 4 to 5 km. Microbial transport proteins varied only slightly in abundance with depth, reflecting changes in the abundance of organisms and in lifestyle. Organic acid transporters were found throughout the water column and were more abundant in the deep ocean, suggesting that uptake of dilute dissolved organic matter is crucial for microbial metabolism at these depths.

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10.1073/pnas.1708779115 (2018).


The St. Petersburg paradox has served as an intriguing pedagogical device since it was described by Nicolas Bernoulli and Daniel Bernoulli in the 1700s. Many explanations of the paradox have been offered, most involving either theories of individual behavior or the practical difficulties of playing the game. We do not revisit any of the conventional explanations. Rather, we endeavor to demonstrate that the premise underlying the paradox – that the St. Petersburg game's expected value is infinite – is mistaken. The analysis focuses on how the probability distribution of the game's duration determines and limits the expected value. We do not claim precedence on so fundamental a resolution of the paradox. Our analysis is guided by the approach first described by the mathematician William Feller in 1945. We conduct a massive array of computer simulations within the framework suggested by Feller's approach. The simulation results allow for an empirical evaluation of his coherent resolution.


Customer Relationship Management is the hottest trend in Marketing today. It emphasizes customer needs and preferences. Effective customer relationship management practices result in sustainable growth and value creation. It also boosts customer retention and loyalty, and eventually enhances sales and market share of the organization. Research has shown that very successful and truly excellent companies care excessively for their customers. As a result, they secure loyalty of their customers and ensure long term revenue growth. Available statistics indicate that Rural and Community Banks (RCBs) control a small percentage of the market share of the banking sector of the Ghanaian economy in spite of their visible presence in every part of the country.This situation has generally been attributable to poor and ineffective customer relationship management practices. This book, which is the result of a research work, examines the various challenges faced by the RCBs in their customer relationship management practices and provides practical and workable solutions to these challenges which will make them competitive in this turbulent business environment.


We performed linkage analysis in a Belgian family with autosomal dominant midfrequency hearing loss, which has a prelingual onset and a nonprogressive course in most patients. We found LOD scores >6 with markers on chromosome 11q. Analysis of key recombinants maps this deafness gene (DFNA12) to a 36-cM interval on chromosome 11q22-24, between markers D11S4120 and D11S912. The critical regions for the recessive deafness locus DFNB2 and the dominant locus DFNA11, which were previously localized to the long arm of chromosome 11, do not overlap with the candidate interval of DFNA12.


The PATH algorithm (Paredes and Brodie,1987) is interpreted by means of the calculus of variations. Using the PATH algorithm, a new dynamic programming model called Stand Optimization System (SOS) is developed. The system is incorporated into a growth simulator constructed by Arney (1985). Further limitation of optimality on the PATH algorithm and the relationship between the Lagrange multiplier and the decision variable are discussed.


Dynamin-like protein I (DLP-1) is an important mitochondrial fission and fusion protein that is associated with apoptotic cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we investigated DLP-1 expression in a focal cerebral ischemia animal model and glutamate-exposed hippocampal-derived cell line. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was surgically induced in adult male rats to induce focal cerebral ischemic injury. Brain tissues were collected 24 hours after the onset of MCAO. MCAO induces an increase in infarct volume and histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex. We identified a decrease in DLP-1 in the cerebral cortices of MCAO-injured animals using a proteomic approach and Western blot analysis. Moreover, glutamate treatment significantly decreased DLP-1 expression in a hippocampal-derived cell line. The decrease in DLP-1 indicates mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, these results suggest that neuronal cell injury induces a decrease in DLP-1 levels and consequently leads to neuronal cell death.


With increasing numbers of commercial and government services being considered for electronic delivery, effective vulnerability analysis will become increasingly critical. Organizing sets of proposed electronic services into security taxonomies will be a key part of this work. However, brute force enumeration of services and risks is inefficient, and ad hoc methods require reinvention with each new set of services. Furthermore, both such approaches fail to communicate effectively the tradeoffs between vulnerabilities and features in a set of electronic services, and fail to scale to large sets of services. From our experience advising players considering electronic delivery, we have developed a general, systematic, and scalable methodology that addresses these concerns. In this paper, we present this methodology, and apply it to the example of electronic services offered via kiosks (since kiosk systems are representative of a wide range of security issues in electronic commerce).


John and Charles Wesley had a developed understanding of and reverence for sacramental practice and theology that suggests a dynamic sacramental ecclesiology and lends itself to a robust concept of sacramentality. Taking seriously Wesley's imperative of 'constant communion', this paper looks to the Eucharist for an underlying, fundamental pattern of participation in the divine life whereby we embody and enact it by the power of the Spirit. The proposed Eucharistic pattern emphasizes a dynamic movement of ever greater participation in God by gathering together, offering all that we have and are, sharing our lives fully in trinitarian communion, and extending the communion we have become to little altars everywhere, especially to the 'least of these'. To reframe Wesleyan ecclesiology in terms of a dynamic, relational sacramentality, patterned after the Eucharist, overcomes conventional oppositions of communion and mission by integrating them fully in the effort to follow Jesus Christ.


The dimerization of PNTP to DMAB could be directly driven by the laser heating effect. In plasmonic photocatalysis, the conversion rate and the reaction rate highly depend on GNP size. The reaction is not only driven by hot electron transfer but also by photothermal conversion to a large extent. This extraordinary evidence sheds new light on the puzzle of plasmonic photochemical reactions.


Of the numerous l3-blockers clinically available to treat conditions such as angina pectoris, hypertension and heart failure, none possess antagonist activity specific to the beta1-adrenoceptor. Those described as 'cardioselective', such as nebivolol and bisoprolol, generally show less than 50-fold beta1/beta2-selectivity, which can be lost at higher doses. Others, such as propranolol and sotalol are actually more beta2-selective. Overall, a degree of concomitant beta2-adrenoceptor blockade (risking compromised respiratory function and loss of peripheral vasodilatation) by current therapeutic agents precludes their use in patients with disorders such as asthma and peripheral vascular disease.
This project aims to develop novel molecules with much improved beta1/beta2-selectivity over current beta1-blocker therapy as well as improving knowledge of ligand-receptor interaction at the beta1-adrenoceptor, through an analogue-based drug discovery approach. A highly selective or specific beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist is likely to cause fewer side-effects and be suitable for use in previously contraindicated disease states.
This thesis reports the design, synthesis and pharmacological data (provided by Dr. Jillian Baker) of a library of novel ligands for the beta1- adrenoceptor, based upon the lead compound LK 204-545. LK 204-545 was selected based on reported high potency at the beta1-adrenoceptor as well as good beta1/beta2-selectivity.
Modification of various motifs on structures derived from LK 204-545 allowed the generation of new structure-activity relationships and ultimately afforded the highly 131-adrenoceptor selective compound, 1-(2-(3-(4-(2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)ethoxy)phenoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl amino)ethyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)urea hydroformate (12Sc). This compound acted as a highly-selective beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist in a pilot in-vivo study in the regional hemodynamic rat model (carried out by
Prof. Sheila Gardiner).


: Objective causes of fatal extramural pneumonia, such as social factors and the severity of the disease, should be considered along with subjective medical errors. Clinical and deontological analysis of lethal cases revealed a number of defects in providing medical care for such patients especially in terms of correction of cardiovascular disorders. Special analysis of 51 medical histories from the ethical viewpoint indicated that 4/5 of the patients had good reasons to set up deontological claims against their doctors.


In this study was to determine knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and to explore related factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who have not been diagnosed with CVD. This descriptive study was conducted with 175 adults. Data were collected individual identification form and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) scale. A negative correlation was found between age and CARRF-KL score. A significant difference was found between educational status and CARRF-KL score. The individuals described their health status as good, managed their condition with diet and exercise, received information from nurses, adults with DM in their family and those with no DM complications had significantly higher scores in CARRF-KL. The knowledge of an individual with DM about CVD risk factors should be assessed, CVD risks should be identified at an early stage, and individuals at risk should be subjected to screening.


In France, a wide range of care and support services exist for community dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). These are coordinated by the general practitioner (GP). We investigated interventions that were 'prescribed' by French GPs and analysed their perceived barriers to arranging these. Thirty-nine percent of GPs responded to a postal survey, which was sent to 1105 physicians belonging to the Sentinel GP Research Network and to 524 GPs consulting in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Fifty percent of patients were treated with acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors and the following other support services were used: home help (63%), nursing care (48%) and physiotherapy (35%). Although GPs acknowledged carers' need for emotional support, only minimal levels of other interventions such as day care (12%) and psychotherapeutic interventions (12%) were prescribed. Reasons for under-use included non-availability and carers' reluctance to undergo psychotherapy. Lack of integrated community care services, insufficient information on services, lack of collaboration between health professionals and the frequent absence of a reliable carer were considered the most important barriers to the effective support of people with dementia in primary health care settings.


Objectives: Recent improvements in breast cancer mortality are partly due to increased utilization of appropriate systemic therapy in early stage disease. The objectives of this study were to 1. review utilization of the most effective adjuvant breast cancer regimens across Ontario, 2. identify regions where there are variations from best practices.

Methods: We used data from the Ontario NDFP to determine the utilization of 8 drug regimens approved for early stage breast cancer in each of the 14 provincial local health integration networks (LHINs). The NDFP funds the use of new and expensive cancer drugs; over 90% of all cancer treatments are funded through this mechanism. In Ontario, there were an estimated 9000 new cases of breast cancer in 2011. The analysis was restricted to patients with early stage, Her2 negative breast cancer treated in 2011-12. Data were obtained from individual cancer clinics in each LHIN. We estimate that data collection was >95% complete for these regimens.

Results: 3375 women were treated with an NDFP regimen. Across the province, the most commonly used regimen was FEC-D (43%), followed by TC (23%) and ddACT (21%). The remaining regimens (AC-Docetaxel, ACT q 3 wks, CEF, FEC and AC-weekly P) were used in less than 5% of cases. However, there was important regional variation. In LHIN A, ACT q 3 wks was used in 42% of cases, and no patients received FEC-D. In LHIN P, TC was used in 40% of cases. In LHIN R, only 6% of patients received FEC-D, whereas 63% received ddACT.

View this table:

Utilization of Adjuvant Chemo Regimens n = 3375

Conclusion: The ACT q3 wks and TC regimens are widely used. This is of concern as they are likely less effective than FEC-D or ddACT. Factors such as tumour stage, geographic distance from treatment centre and private insurance coverage for supportive care medications may also affect choice of regimen. Consensus guidelines for the adjuvant systemic therapy of breast cancer in Ontario are being developed, along with a knowledge translation strategy to disseminate the results.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P3-12-11.


This study analyzed the elaboration process of the Municipal Education Plans (PME) in Greater Sao Paulo ABC region (Brazil), placing the analysis in a broader framework to understand the influences made by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) movement and those practiced by the Catholic Church. A case study was used as a methodological approach. Results revealed the loosening in the drawing up of plans, the influence of the Church over the councilmen, inducing them to make alterations in final documents, ratifying the Church's influence, which is historic in Brazil, and the education weakening regarding prejudice and discrimination, that are recognized demands of the LGBT movement. These results are important in order to provoke the debate in Education Departments and universities.


# Junior doctors oppose 48 hour limit for all {#article-title-2}

Junior hospital doctors have conceded that a limit of a 48 hour working week would be impractical for all doctors. At present doctors in training are excluded from the European Union's directive on working time, which specifies a 48 working week. The European Commission is expected to issue a white paper shortly setting out options for the excluded groups. Many junior doctors believe that they should be included but the BMA's Junior Doctors Committee has decided that its policy will remain the target set out in the new deal on hours of work—that is, that by 31 December no junior doctor should be working for more than 56 hours.

The decision will please those surgical trainees who had criticised the new deal for reducing their training opportunities and believed that the JDC was not representing their interests. The JDC has already agreed to negotiate and promote the use of the "English clause" which enables trainees in appropriate specialties to be contracted for a maximum average of up to 83 hours a week—their hours of actual work should not, however, exceed 56.

The deputy chairman for hours of work and manpower, Dr Andrew Hobart, supported a motion from a surgical research registrar—"This committee does not wish to see a 48 hour limit on hours of work to be applied to all junior doctors." There was a case for limiting the hours of preregistration house officers but it would not, he said, "be in the best interest of doctors to restrict hours to …


Objective Tissue kallikrein (TK) has been demonstrated to improve neovasculogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, we examined whether TK plays a role in the peripheral endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) function and its underlying mechanisms in the TK-induced elevation of EPCs. Methods Peripheral blood derived mononuclear cells containing EPCs were isolated from rat, and then the cells were cultured on fibronectin-coated tissue culture plates. After seven days of culture, the differentiated EPCs were characterised as cells double-positive for DiI-LDL uptake and UEA-lectin binding under a fluorescent microscope. The in vitro effects of TK on EPC differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and vascular tube formation capacities were studied, in the presence or absence of TK, B2 receptor antagonist Icatibant, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Apoptosis was evaluated by FACS analysis using Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Akt phosphorylation and cleaved caspase-3 were measured by Western blot analysis. The effects of human tissue kallikrein gene adenoviral vector (Ad.hTK) administration on the number of CD34+FLK-1+ progenitors in the peripheral circulation, vasculogenesis and cardiac function were then assayed in the MI mouse model. Results Administration of TK significantly increased the number of DiI-LDL/UEA-lectin double positive early EPCs as well as in their migration, tube formation properties in vitro. Transduction of TK in cultured EPCs attenuated apoptosis induced by hypoxia. TK treatment led to an increase in the phosphorylation of Akt and a decrease of cleaved caspased-3. The beneficial effects of TK could be blocked by pretreatment with Icatibant, LY294002. The expression of recombinant human TK in mouse heart significantly improved cardiac contractility (shown by ejection fraction 38%±6.9% vs 24.6%±4.9%, p<0.01, n=5), reduced infarct size seven days after gene delivery (17.9%±6.1% vs 39.5%±9.1%, p<0.01). Compared with the Ad. Null group, Ad.hTK significantly increased the number of circulating CD34+FLK-1+ EPCs (4.89%±3.8% vs 15.1%±1%, p<0.01) and promoted the growth of capillaries (100±16 vs 197±10 capillaries/mm2, p<0.05) and arterioles (50.8±7 vs 111.6±24 arterioles/mm2, p<0.05) in the peri-infarct myocardium. Conclusion These data provide the direct evidence that TK promotes vessel growth by increasing the number of circulating EPCs and enhancing their functional properties through the bradykinin B2 receptor-Akt signalling pathway.


Genetic analyses of sex determination have identified sex chromosomes in many teleost fish species. However, there are several cases for which sex ratios do not fit perfectly with the expectations of heterogametic systems, suggesting the influence of either minor sex determining genes or environmental influences on the process of sex differentiation. The frequent absence of sex chromosome markers makes the identification of minor sex-determining genes very difficult. It is easier to test first the hypothesis of environmental sex determination' (ESD) by studying the temperature effect, since temperature-dependent sex determination has been demonstrated to occur in several vertebrate groups including 1 fish species. To contribute to a better understanding of fish sex determination, we have tested the effects of high temperatures on sex ratios of Oreochromis niloticus, and have attempted to isolate sex chromosome molecular markers in Leporinus elongatus. Treatments of O. niloticus fry at 36°C applied for 10 days and more, and starting 1 week after fertilization markedly increased the proportion of males, and progeny-testing these males confirmed that some of them are sex-reversed genetic females. Two non-coding sequences of L. elongatus Z and W chromosomes were cloned by genomic subtraction. They cross-hybridized with the genome of a close species without providing sex-specific patterns. A collection of L. elongatus individuals was subjected to gonadal and chromosomal sexing, and DNA hybridization with both sequences. These analyses revealed 3 individuals having atypical W chromosomes. Interestingly, 2 of these were males having a ZW karyotype. We assume that these atypical sex chromosome arise by exchanges between Z and W chromosomes, and that a transition between female and male heterogamety is underway in this species.


BACKGROUND: Oral and systemic problems are common among pregnant women. Routine dental visits are important for the maintenance of optimal oral health which is linked with systemic health. AIM: To evaluate dental care utilization and related factors among pregnant women in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in hospitals and healthcare centers in the cities of Khobar, Dammam, and Qatif in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A piloted tested self-administered questionnaire available in Arabic and English languages was distributed among a calculated sample of 341 pregnant women. Pearson's chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the study, 270 questionnaires were analyzed giving a response rate of 79.2%. Mean age of the participants was 29 ± 5.9 years. There were 43.7% pregnant women who received dental treatment when they have a dental problem and only 13.7% performed routine dental visit. Half the sample (52.6%) avoided dental visits during pregnancy and dental treatment being unsafe was the most common reason for avoiding dental visits. After adjustment, routine dental visits during pregnancy were 7.38 times higher among Saudis compared with non-Saudis women (p 0.05). The participants who had a negative perception about the safety of dental treatment had significantly lower odds (OR 0.31, p 0.036) of dental attendance for routine dental visits. CONCLUSION: Routine dental visits were low among pregnant women and many visited dentists when they had a dental problem. Negative perception about the safety of dental treatment was associated with reduced regular dental visits during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be educated about the importance of receiving dental care for the maintenance of optimal oral health.


Efforts toward the enantioselective synthesis of Daphniphyllum alkaloid calyciphylline N which leads to efficient preparation of the ABCF tetracyclic framework containing three bridgehead all-carbon quaternary stereocenters are described. This synthetic work features the utilization of an asymmetric conjugate addition to install the C5 all-carbon quaternary center, an efficient successive inter/intramolecular aldol sequence to build the critical bicyclo[2.2.2]octanone BC core, and a ring closing metathesis reaction followed by stereoselective Nagata conjugate cyanation to deliver the functionalized F ring.


email@example.com Abstract The purpose of this research is to develop a measuring instrument used to analyze the needs of students. The very instrument is designed for crisis counseling and guidance programs. It is utilized to map out anxiety on counselees those are in a crisis situation. There are 7 indicators developed in it, including aspects of psychological development, violence, broken family, twisted moral and religious values, bullying in schools, suffering for HIV/AIDS, and busy working parents. Tests for validity of the data are in two stages, that are a test for construct validity and a test for empirical one. Test for construct validity is undertaken through setting appropriate indicators which are in accordance to a theoretical point of view. Whereas a test for empirical validity is obtained through testing on data collecting out of 75 high school students in Surabaya. The test for validity and its reliability uses the Cronbach's Alpha method. The test produces 20 items that are valid. Need assessment in crisis counseling can be used by counselors to map out the students at the beginning sessions of individual and group counseling. The results of this need assessment help the counselor to set goals and strategies along with the


To date no clinic trials have reported on the safety and effectiveness of the use of a frequency-doubled double pulse neodymium YAG (FREDDY) laser with a radiopaque mark under fluoroscopic guidance to treat bile duct stones that are untreatable by conventional endoscopic therapy. We report the cases of 30 patients with impacted or large common bile duct (CBD) stones (> 1.5 cm) treated by endoscopic lithotripsy using FREDDY laser with a radiopaque mark under fluoroscopic guidance. During the procedure, the tip of the laser fiber was packaged with a radiopaque ring mark that was detectable by fluoroscopy. In these patients, complete bile duct clearance was achieved in 27 of the 30 patients (90 %). The majority of patients (18/30) were treated in a single session; the mean number of sessions needed to clear the bile ducts completely was 1.4 ± 0.6. Adverse events were noted in two patients, who both developed acute mild pancreatitis.


Background The beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of the society toward mentally ill patients may prevent these people from seeking help and accessing a successful treatment. Objectives The current study aimed to investigate mental illness among Turkish females residing in rural areas and their attitudes toward mental illness. Patients and Methods The current study was inferential cross-sectional. The population of this study consisted of 1000 households registered at the primary healthcare centre in Ademyavuz area who met the study inclusion criteria. The sample size was 387 females. Using the simple random sample selection method, certain females living in these households were included in the study. The socioeconomic status of the population in this region is low and middle-class. The adult population of the region is 10,960. Females comprise 39.8% of Ademyavuz population. The prevalence of mental illness in the district is unknown. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a researcher made questionnaire and the opinions about mental illness scale (OMI) in autumn 2008. The interviews were conducted at the participants' houses and lasted for 20 - 30 minutes. The females gave their informed consent and were assured that their information would be treated as strictly confidential. Results The females in the rural research area had negative attitudes and stigmas about mental illness. The subject of the current study exhibited a total mean score of 155.6 ± 24.5 in terms of their attitudes toward mental illness. Mean scores in the unsophisticated benevolence sub-scale were 42.5 ± 8.2, 34.2 ± 7.9 in the authoritarianism sub-scale, 25.5 ± 6.3 in the mental illness ideology sub-scale, 34.0 ± 7.4 in the social restrictiveness sub-scale, and 20.0 ± 6.0 for the interpersonal etiology sub-scale. The current study found that individuals exhibited more positive attitudes towards mental illnesses as they got older (Kvx2 = 19.42; P < 0.0001), married people exhibited a more positive attitude towards mental illnesses than singles did (Kvx2 = 19.42; P < 0.0001), those who considered themselves to have a good economic status exhibited a more negative attitude towards mental illnesses compared to the ones who thought their economic status as poor or average (Kvx2 = 5.11; P = 0.024). Conclusions Nurses have an important role in creating and maintaining a mentally healthy society. It is advisable to provide the public with training and consultancy services within the context of primary healthcare services, especially during home visits to change the negative attitudes of individuals against the mentally ill and prevent approaches that promote social isolation and denouncement.


Prestressed concrete (PC) structures are advantageous in terms of durability. However, even they deteriorate as they age. In order to enhance the assessment technology for PC bridges, affiliation of authors is jointly conducting research utilizing demolished PC bridges. This paper describes the result of dynamic measurement of an existing PC T-section girder bridge which had been used for more than 40 years. In addition, numerical analysis was conducted using FE model. In the test, ambient vibration and forced vibration induced by heavy truck or weight were measured. Comparing the higher modes, frequencies of damaged span were lower than those of fair span. In the FE analysis, dynamic characteristics were calculated with damaged span model. From the result, it was found that the effect of the fixation of supports because of deteriorated bridge shoes was much larger than that of deterioration of girders in lower modes.


Computational mathematical models for optimization of irrigation networks, under continuous outflow, able to supply with hydraulic data, are important for the verification of the hydraulic behavior of the system with reference to the distribution of the hydraulic charge (energy) and pressure in the network pipes. This paper had as objective to study the distribution of the effective and hydraulic charge of the operational unit in a network of low-pressure irrigation optimized for genetic algorithms. The decision variables for optimization, using genetic algorithms, were the diameters of each stretch of the network: two for lateral lines, four for derivation lines, four for secondary lines and one for main line. A code in MatLab was developed, considering all the energy losses distribution and localized at the pipe junctions between the beginning of the network and the pump set. The analysis of sensitivity were carried through the variation in the declivity of the ground (0; 2.5 and 5%). The results show that, for the pipes with continuous outflow, when the declivity of the land is increased, a profit of energy in the beginning of the pipe occurs, and losses in a gradual way and a pressure reduction in the beginning of the pipe, that increases gradually.


The purpose of this paper is to examine public–private partnership (PPP) approaches for the construction of rental retirement villages in Australia and to allocate the investment proportions under a certain project return rate among three investors which are the government, private sectors and pension funds. The apportionment will achieve a minimum overall investment risk for the project.,Capital structure, particularly determination of investment apportionment proportions, is one of the key factors affecting the success of PPP rental retirement villages. Markowitz mean-variance model was applied to examine the investment allocations with minimum project investment risks under a certain projected return rate among the PPP partners for the construction of rental retirement villages.,The research findings validate the feasibility of the inclusion of pension funds in the construction of PPP rental retirement villages and demonstrate the existence of relationships between the project return rate and the investment allocation proportions.,This paper provides a quantitative approach for determination of the investment proportions among PPP partners to enrich the theory of PPP in relation to the construction of rental retirement villages. This has implications for PPP partners and can help these stakeholders make vital contributions in developing intellectual wealth in the PPP investment area while providing them with a detailed guide to decision making and negotiation in relation to investment in PPP rental retirement villages.


Multilamellar liposomes were prepared from phospholipid, cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate and marked with potassium chromate or with glucose. They were treated with 0.5--50 haemolytic units (HU)/ml of rubescenslysin from Amanita rubescens or of phallolysin from Amanita phalloides. Rubescenslysin caused a dose-dependent release of marker molecules from phosphatidylcholine and from sphingomyelin liposomes. A statistically significant marker leakage was caused by 0.5--1 HU/ml from liposomes prepared from sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk, and among the synthetic phosphatidylcholines from distearoyl greater than dipalmitoyl greater than dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine. With the lysin concentrations tested, at the best 50% of total markers were released from sphingomyelin liposomes and 75--95% from phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Also phallolysin released marker molecules from phosphatidylcholine liposomes; statistically significant amounts were released by 0.5 HU/ml from egg yolk phosphatidylcholine and from dipalmitoyl congruent to distearoyl greater than dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes; 60--90% of maximum release was achieved at the best. However, liposomes prepared from (bovine) sphingomyelin were resistant to phallolysin; even with 50 HU/ml no leakage of markers was observed. Heat-inactivated rubescenslysin, heat-inactivated phallolysin and human serum albumin failed to release markers. Our results lead to the conclusion that both, rubescenslysin and phallolysin, interact with membrane phospholipids, phallolysin showing a higher degree of specificity.


This article focuses on the meaning and initial implementation of Eclipse RCP technology in Grid GIS system . First it introduces the basic concepts of Eclipse RCP technology, focusing on the significance of the combining of technology and GridGIS system.Then it combines with the author's research currently doing on the GridGIS project, and makes a detailed description of Eclipse RCP technology in GridGIS of spatial functional modules in application and function realization. Finally it concludes the problems encountered in the development process, and sets a higher goal according to the needs of the actual development.


EBUS-TBNA is gaining widespread acceptance as a minimally invasive procedure for mediastinal staging and re-staging of lung cancer, diagnosis of lung tumors adjacent to large airways and characterization of both malignant and benign lymphadenopathy. The aim of this article is to describe the appropriate setting and practical aspects of the procedure that may help at the start of a new EBUS-TBNA program to improve patient safety, comfort and procedural yield according to operator experience, procedure aim, and institutional needs.


The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of various irrigation methods in the mandibular mesial roots. The forty five mesial root canals were shaped by Profile .06 instruments to apical size #30 and irrigated with 5 ml of 3.5% NaOCl. The teeth were divided into 3 groups and irrigated finally for 1 minute; Group 1: syringe irrigation, Group 2: ultrasonic irrigation, Group 3: RinsEndo irrigation. After histological processing, the cross sections of apical 1, 3, and 5 mm level were examined with an optical microscope. The cleanliness values of canals and isthmuses were calculated and analyzed by MannWhitney U test. 1. There were no significant differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between syringe irrigation and ultrasonic irrigation except 5 mm level of isthmus. 2. RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher canal cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at 1 mm and 3 mm levels (p < 0.05). Also, RinsEndo irrigation had significantly higher isthmus cleanliness values than syringe irrigation at all levels evaluated (p < 0.05). 3. There were no statistical differences in both canal and isthmus cleanliness between ultrasonic irrigation and RinsEndo irrigation except 3 mm level of canal. From this study, RinsEndo irrigation can be useful as an additional irrigation procedure.


This study examined whether instructions to use specific word coding strategies affected deaf students' immediate and delayed final free recall of English word lists. Both the word-coding strategy and the visual imagery value of the words were important factors in word recall. 44 deaf students participated. Those who received instructions to produce the sign language equivalent of each stimulus word tended to recall more words over-all than those students instructed to fingerspell each word or those instructed to form a sign language sentence that included the stimulus word. Stimulus words rated high in imagery value were recalled more frequently than words with low-imagery values across coding strategies and in both immediate and delayed memory. In addition, analyses of serial position indicated pronounced primacy and recency effects in immediate recall of words and a primacy effect in delayed final recall. These findings are discussed in relation to current conceptualizations of memory and language processing in deaf students.