The present retrospective study compared the incidence of TIA, stroke, and death in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (greater than 50%) during a follow-up period of 24 to 30 months. 65 patients were operated and 193 treated medically. The incidence of death was comparable in both groups. Death in most patients was due to cardiac disease or cancer. The annual incidence of TIA and stroke was not different between the two populations. Despite the low incidence of perioperative complications (%) surgery of asymptomatic carotid stenosis cannot be recommended at the present time.


For a small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver resection shows most favorable outcome in case which liver transplantation is not available, although it has also substantial recurrence rate. Here, we report a case of recurred HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastasis at 5 months after surgical resection for small HCC was done. A 55-year-old man with chronic HBV infection received subsegmentectomy for HCC less than 2 cm. A follow-up computed tomography (CT) at 5 months from operation revealed that there were multiple enhancing nodules in entire remnant liver. Intra-arterial injections of adriamycin mixed lipiodol and gelfoam particles were instituted through hepatic artery. We assume that poorly differentiated cellular feature would be attributable to this kind of very early and aggressive recurrence of HCC. (J Liver Cancer 2015;15:122-125)


In this report the Labour Party gives its view of the current status of the British National Health Service (NHS), and outlines its plans for the NHS under a Labour government. The values underlying the NHS—comprehensive health care, free at the point of use, based on need rather than ability to pay—have been betrayed. The truly national health service, created by a Labour government in 1948, has been replaced by a market-based service led by accountants. Patients are suffering, health care professionals are dissatisfied, some of the nation's finest hospitals are closing, community care is in chaos, and NHS dentistry has all but been privatized. Under the Tories, the NHS faces a future of privatization, competition, and markets, money wasted on bureaucracy, and the unfairness of a two-tier system. Under Labour, the NHS faces modernization, planned progress, money spent on frontline services, and excellence for all. Labour will follow a model of health care that is patient centered and community led, a properly coordinated and efficient public service.


There is increasing deployment and use of ICT materials from developed countries by the developing countries. This has been the case given the acknowledged ICT potential for economic growth, income generation and hence reduction of poverty. Because of its fast growth, the ICT industry has generated volumes and volumes of 'e - waste', which in turn, requires mechanisms and skills for disposal, notwithstanding, the necessity to explore means of using the same as a business for income generation. The study set out to investigate the existing practices and levels of understanding with regard to the business potential that could be realized from the disposal process of ICT waste, through recycling, re-use, extraction of useful parts, reassembling and repair works resulting from the used e – waste products. The intention was to establish the level with which the process could be used as a source of income generation and hence reduction of poverty. The study used the Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) approach, which is reckoned for its multiplicity of methods and instruments in studying given phenomenon. Twenty four institutions (24) both public and private; and the Informal sector were surveyed; and a sample of seventy five (75) respondents was involved in the study. The scope of the study spanned to five administrative regions of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Morogoro, Mbeya and Mwanza, while the informal sector involved Gerezani, Kariakoo, Kinondoni, Msimbazi, Kigogo and Pugu – Kinyamwezi Dump. While from the institutions we involved managerial staff, ICT experts, Supplies officers, and environmentalists, in the Informal sector we involved computer vendors, refurbishers, recyclers, collectors and repairers. The study findings came to the conclusion that ICT waste had high economic and business potential, which could be harnessed to generate income, create employment and hence reduce poverty. The participants in the informal sector indicated that they had been able to generate income, pay school fees for their children and improve the standard of life. However, it was clear that there was no clear policy on the e – waste disposal, sufficient information about the process and skills for disposing the materials safely and avoid hazards. The study thus recommended for consumers' awareness campaign, capacity building for vendors to improve recycling, reassembling and extraction skills. Moreover, the informal sector should be motivated to better exploit such opportunities for improved social economic conditions and reduction of poverty. The study recommends the need to put in place policies which will guide the disposal of e-waste in the country.


Thinning dynamics in spin coating of viscous films is influenced by many physical processes. Temperature gradients are known to affect thin liquid films through their influence on the local fluid surface tension as Marangoni stresses. We show here experimentally and numerically that adding a static temperature gradient has a significant effect on the equilibrium film thickness and height profile reached in spin coating. Most notably, we find that the thickness of the resulting thin film in spin coating scales linearly with the strength of the thermal surface tension gradient. Once equilibrated, the thin film height profile is controlled by the temperature profile. For small but nonnegligible Marangoni number (Ma) the surface has a negative curvature at the center and reaching equilibrium takes progressively longer with smaller Ma. In this limit, the steady state reached is set by competition between Marangoni effects and the disjoining pressure.


Transparency, seller's reputation and website security are considered to be important factors of the website hat influence customer purchasing decisions in Internet shopping in China. This paper empirically examines the relative influence they have on online purchasing decisions for customers. We perform structural equation analysis with a sample of 306 observations. The results of this study revealed that perceived security and perceived reputation are critical factors affecting consumer trust, perceived transparency is the factor most closely associated with purchase intention. These findings suggest that perceived transparency plays a significant role in increasing consumer's purchase intention. The knowledge of their relative impacts in their relative roles over customer transaction experience is useful in developing customized sales strategies. The results of this study revealed that perceived transparency exerted a stronger effect than perceived reputation on purchase intentions for customers of an online store.


Classical and El Tor strains of Vibrio cholerae were examined for production of bacteriophage or bacteriophage-related material by electron microscopy of mitomycin C-induced cultures. The strains were also tested for pathogenicity by using the ligated ileal loops of adult rabbits. Of the 27 strains tested, 25 showed a correlation between the production of bacteriophage-related material and pathogenicity. Both P+ and P− strains produced bacteriophage tails. The bacteriophage tails of strains 569B and ATCC 9168 and other strains were shown to occur in an extended form with tail appendages.


Sperm binding to the zona pellucida is a prerequisite for fertilization, and tests that evaluate this function have been described for several species. When carrying out such tests in the canine species, ovaries or oocytes have to be stored to obtain a sufficient number of oocytes at the time of testing. In the present study, the sperm binding capacities of salt-stored oocytes and oocytes from deep frozen ovaries were measured and compared with that of fresh oocytes. Two different procedures for washing the sperm-oocyte complexes (gentle and tough) were used before evaluating the number of bound spermatozoa. The total number of oocytes that bound spermatozoa was significantly lower for both salt-stored and deep frozen oocytes compared with fresh oocytes. Significantly fewer spermatozoa bound to stored oocytes than to fresh oocytes (P </= 0.05) irrespective of washing procedure and there was no significant difference between the two methods of storage. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the zona pellucida of fresh oocytes was sponge-like in appearance with fenestrations surrounded by a meshwork of filaments. In stored oocytes, the meshwork tended to be wider, with larger fenestrations. The thickness of the zona pellucida was 0.3-1.0 microm in salt-stored oocytes and 6-8 microm in oocytes from frozen ovaries, whereas it was 3-6 microm in fresh oocytes. Changes in morphology that occur under the various storage conditions tested might have contributed to the reduced sperm binding capacity of the stored oocytes. Although stored canine oocytes do not bind as many spermatozoa as do fresh oocytes, the former can be used in a zona pellucida binding assay, and the deep freezing of the ovaries appears to be a better storage method than storing oocytes in salt solution.


A descriptive and prospective study of 116 patients with cerebral intraparenchymal hemorrhage, shown through the computerized axial tomography (CAT) was carried out, aimed at specifying the predetermined prognosis factors and their influence on the mortality in the case material. Among the main results there were: the prevalence of the 41-50 and 51-60 year groups (57,7 % between both), hypertension as personal pathological history (79,3 %), as well as the occurrence of hemorrhages in the cerebral hemispheres (45,6 %). In the series, 49,1 % of the patients presented haematomas with volume of up to 30 mL and 7,7 % with the double of that content. A direct relation was observed between the blood volume in the cerebral parenchyma above 60 mL and the final prognosis of those affected.


Abstract When individual petroleum-producing firms make their exploration and development investment timing decisions, positive information externalities and negative extraction externalities may lead them to interact strategically with their neighbors. This paper examines whether these inefficient strategic interactions take place by estimating a structural econometric model of the firms' multi-stage investment timing game. Results show that firms interact strategically on small tracts but not on large tracts. For small tracts, having a neighboring tract explored reduces real profits by about $26 million, while having a neighboring tract developed raises real profits by about $3.5 million.


Taxonomic treatments of Pilosocereus in the Andean and Caribbean regions have varied widely. Recent authors often recognized three species only (P. lanuginosus, P. polygonus, and P. royenii), while Britton & Rose in 1920 (sub Cephalocereus) recognized 18 species in the same region. A revision of Pilosocereus is necessary, and it was carried out by the study of both herbarium specimens and living plants. Twelve species of Pilosocereus are recognized in the present paper for the Andean and Caribbean regions, including one new combination, i.e. P. curtisii, and one new species, i.e. P. jamaicensis. Typifications are provided for several names, including the Linnaean basionym Cactus royenii. Morphological descriptions, distributions, and an identification key of the recognized species are provided.


BACKGROUND
Tumor budding is a morphological marker of cancer invasion, defined as the presence of isolated or small clusters of neoplastic cells at the tumor invasive front. This study aimed to evaluate the association between intensity of tumor budding and cell proliferation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was employed in 163 OSCC samples to detect the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 and multicytokeratin (to identify OSCC cells in tumor budding evaluation). The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate differences in the cell proliferation index between samples with high-intensity tumor budding and samples with low-intensity or no tumor budding. In samples with high-intensity tumor budding, the Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate differences in the cell proliferation index between the budding area and the area outside the budding. The chi-square test assessed the association between cell proliferation index and intensity of tumor budding.

RESULTS
The cell proliferation index was higher in samples with high-intensity tumor budding than in samples with low-intensity or no tumor budding (P < .05). Tumors with high-intensity tumor budding showed a higher cell proliferation index in the budding area than in the area outside the budding (P < .05). Finally, samples showing high-intensity tumor budding were associated with high cell proliferation index (P < .05).

CONCLUSION
Cell proliferation is positively associated with intensity of tumor budding in OSCC. Moreover, in tumors showing high-intensity tumor budding, the budding area is the location of higher cell proliferation. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that tumor budding is associated with the biological behavior of OSCC.


In a Power Fusion Reactor, a huge megnetic field is necessary for plasma confinement. This field also interacts with the high current to produce large forces tending to deform the superconducting cables ; this electro-magnetic force demands very high values of the cryogenic yield strength and fracture toughness in the supporting structural materials. It is said to be difficult to develop welds satisfing the same criteria as for the structural material. It is useful to investigate the usability of welded joint with a lower yield strength than the base metal, but associated with a higher fracture toughness.From this viewpoint, the influence of the undermatched joint on the deformation and the stressstrain property of the coil case was investigated by using a finite element method. It is concluded that (1) there is only a slight difference in the overall deformation of the coil case whether the undermatched joint is included in the calculation or not, (2) the maximum strain and the muximum plastic strain at the undermatched welds can be controlled to be less than those in the base metal with a judicious choice of weld location and yield strength level of welds.


The neural network is an approach of machine learning by training the connected nodes of a model to predict the results of specific problems. The prediction model is trained by using previously collected training data. In training neural network models, overfitting problems can occur from the excessively dependent training of data and the structural problems of the models. In this paper, we analyze the effect of DropConnect for controlling overfitting in neural networks. It is analyzed according to the DropConnect rates and the number of nodes in designing neural networks. The analysis results of this study help to understand the effect of DropConnect in neural networks. To design an effective neural network model, the DropConnect can be applied with appropriate parameters from the understanding of the effect of the DropConnect in neural network models.


Experimental determination of heat transfer rates to gas turbine blading plays an important part in the improvement of both the validation of existing design methods and the development of improved design codes. This paper describes a series of tests on an annular cascade of nozzle guide vanes designed for a high-work-capacity single-stage transonic turbine. The tests were carried out in the Isentropic Light Piston Cascade at the Royal Aerospace Establishment, Pyestock, and a brief description of this new test facility is included. Measurements of local heat transfer rates and aerodynamic data around the blade surface and on the end walls are described.


The emission of light from each junction in a series-connected multijunction solar cell both complicates and elucidates the understanding of its performance under arbitrary conditions. Bringing together many recent advances in this understanding, we present a general 1-D model to describe luminescent coupling that arises from both voltage-driven electroluminescence and voltage-independent photoluminescence in nonideal junctions that include effects such as Sah-Noyce-Shockley (SNS) recombination with n ≠ 2, Auger recombination, shunt resistance, reverse-bias breakdown, series resistance, and significant dark area losses. The individual junction voltages and currents are experimentally determined from measured optical and electrical inputs and outputs of the device within the context of the model to fit parameters that describe the devices performance under arbitrary input conditions. Techniques to experimentally fit the model are demonstrated for a four-junction inverted metamorphic solar cell, and the predictions of the model are compared with concentrator flash measurements.


The 2×2×1 rocksalt C-doped MgS supercells are optimized and their magnetic and electric properties, including the half-metallicity, the conductivity and the supercell magnetic moments, are calculated or analysed by the first-principles researches based on the density functional theory. Results show that the concentration of C-dopants may cause important influence on the magnetic and the electric properties of rocksalt MgS. C dopants are inclined to have a scattering distribution. MgC0.0625S0.9375, aMgC0.1250S0.8750 and MgC0.1875S0.8125 have evident half-metallicity. They have wide spin energy gaps, thus high Curie temperature possibly. Their supercell magnetic moments are near to integral numbers 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 μB. The main reason for spin polarization and half-metallicity of C-doped MgS is that there are sp hybridized orbitals in ligand compound ML6 caused by covalent interaction between C-ions and Mg-ions.


The MW = 5.0, 19 June 1994 offshore Petrolia, California, earthquake was well recorded by nine ocean-bottom hydrophones (OBH) and seismometers (OBS), providing an opportunity to precisely locate an earthquake in the tectonically active Mendocino triple junction region. Adding the offshore data improves the azimuthal station coverage and essentially removes the epicenter's sensitivity to the choice of inversion parameters and velocity models. The hypocentral parameters, assuming an oceanic upper-mantle velocity of 7.9 km/sec, are 10:39:33.2 UTC for origin time, 40.376° N latitude, 124.441° W longitude, and a depth of 18.8 km. The moment-tensor solution obtained by modeling of low-frequency regional waveforms indicates predominantly strike-slip faulting with a north-south-trending P axis, as is typical for Gorda plate earthquakes, and confirms the depth estimate from the P-wave travel-time data.


Objective. To determine the effect of pre-emptive ambulance distribution based on the implementation of a real-time, Internet-accessible emergency department (ED) workload schematic andprehospital Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) allocations on ambulance diversion in Western Australia. Methods. Comparison of July–December 2002 andJuly–December 2003 metropolitan Perth ED cubicle occupancy, ambulance diversion, ambulance distribution, andambulance unloading delays at four inner andfour outer metropolitan EDs. Results. Ambulance diversion fell from 1,788 hours in 2002 to 1,138 hours in 2003 (p < 0.001) despite an increase in mean weekly ED cubicle occupancy from 31 patients (95% confidence internal [CI] 29–33) in 2002 to 39 patients in 2003 (95% CI 36–43, p < 0.001). Inner metropolitan ED ambulance attendances fell 2.7% from 27,475 in 2002 to 26,743 in 2003, andouter metropolitan correspondingly rose from 5,877 to 6,628 ambulance attendances (p < 0.001). Unloading delays were similar in 2002 (219, 0.66%) and2003 (223, 0.67%, p = 0.84); however, median duration of unloading delays increased from 38 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 18–68) in 2002 to 50 minutes (IQR 25–108) in 2003 (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The implementation of pre-emptive ambulance distribution using Internet-accessible ED information andprehospital ATS allocations was associated with reduced ambulance diversion, probably consequent upon the redistribution of ambulances from inner to outer metropolitan EDs. The rise in ED cubicle occupancy between the study periods suggests that this approach to reducing ambulance diversion should be viewed only as complementary to direct efforts to reduce ambulance diversion by improving hospital inpatient flow andthe balance between acute andelective hospital inpatient accommodation.


INTRODUCTION
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to induce delayed orgasm and delayed ejaculation, while their effect on other aspects of sexual function, such as sexual motivation, arousal, and erectile function are unclear.

AIM
In order to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of two SSRIs, citalopram and fluoxetine, on normal sexual function, we studied the parameters of male sexual behavior, erectile function, and ejaculation on 48 healthy male volunteers, aged 29.5 +/- 4.9, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy study. Methods. The subjects were randomized to receive placebo (16 subjects), or fluoxetine (20 mg/day) (16 subjects) or citalopram (20 mg/day) for the first week, and 40 mg/day in the following 3 weeks (16 subjects).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Sexual function was investigated at the screening and at the end of the study by means of test of penile erection (TPE) and masturbation ejaculation latency time (MELT) performed during visual erotic stimulation, and at each visit by self-filled questionnaires (International Index Erectile Function [IIEF-15] and Golombock Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction [GRISS]).

RESULTS
All the erectile parameters, evaluated by means of RigiScan Plus during TPE, were not significantly different when both fluoxetine and citalopram were compared with placebo. A delay in the ejaculation time was observed both during citalopram and during fluoxetine treatment when compared with placebo, reaching a statistical significance only with citalopram. During the treatment with citalopram and fluoxetine, the IIEF-15 score of all items decreased except for those items related to sexual desire; however, the scores were significantly lower only for the citalopram treatment.

CONCLUSIONS
The treatment with citalopram or with fluoxetine was confirmed to delay ejaculation, but was significant only for citalopram. Citalopram and fluoxetine did not affect sexual desire. Citalopram and fluoxetine did not directly affect penile erection as objectively assessed by RigiScan, although an impairment in the subjective assessment of erectile function was observed, but was significant only for citalopram, and it was thought to be a possible consequence of the delayed ejaculation perceived as a trouble.


Tobacco has a long history of use in the U.S., and its serious health effects have been well-documented during the past half century, U.S. efforts to control tobacco use and tobacco-related morbidity and mortality have been reasonably successful over the past 25 years, during which time there has been a 34 percent reduction in adult smoking. Nevertheless, tobacco use remains a significant public health problem in the U.S., with more than 430,000 tobacco-related deaths per year and over one-fourth of the population continuing to smoke. Many organizations are involved in tobacco use control activities, the most broadly focused of which is the National Cancer Institute (NCI). As an example of the type of program needed to address the problem of tobacco use on a national scale, the NCI's public health research plan and activities are described and its emphasis on a data-based decision matrix in its approach to tobacco and cancer control research and applications of research is discussed. Finally, future approaches to tobacco use control in the U.S. are suggested.


The mixing of excited ionic Stark states created after electron capture by slow, bare ions incident on hydrogen, is investigated by applying the exactly solvable model which assumes the dipole interaction between the ion and the proton. The case when one ionic n-shell is predominantly populated is treated in more detail by assuming the distant pseudocrossing of potential energy curves to be responsible for electron capture. Cross section calculations have been performed for C6+ + H(1s) → C5+(4l) + H+ process and compared with other theoretical predictions.


By sheet metal forming processes the forming limits and part characteristics are defined through the process specific loads. In deep drawing processes the maximum deep draw ratios as well as the springback behaviour of the metal parts are depending on the stress distribution in the part material during the forming process. While exceeding the load limits, a failure in the material occurs, which can be avoided by additional force transmission activated in the deep drawing process before the forming limit of material is achieved. This contribution deals with numerical investigation of process effect caused by additional force transmission regarding the extension of the process limits. Here, the steel material HCT 600X+Z (1.0941) in thickness s0 = 1.0 mm is analyzed numerically using the anisotropic model Hill48. This model is validated by the means of cup test by Swift. Both, the FEA of conventional and forming process with additional force transmission are carried out. The numerical results are compared with reference geometry of rectangle cup.


Purpose – To research the gender literature in order to determine whether it is advisable for a financial advisor to adjust their planning and advising processes based on the gender of their client. Design/methodology/approach – To correlate the gender literature with the personal financial planning process in order to determine whether advisors should adjust their approach based on the gender of their client. Findings – The gender literature reveals significant differences concerning how men and women invest; consequently, it is felt that it is advisable for financial advisors to tailor their approach based on the gender of their client. Research limitations/implications – The financial planning process should be modified to incorporate the gender of the client. Practical implications – Financial advisors should tailor their approach to the gender of their clients in order to ideal with them more effectively. Originality/value – As female investors grow in importance, processes should be modified or adjusted in order to accommodated their preferences.


This evaluation sought the opinions and perceptions of persons having an interest in the 21st Century Community Schoolhouse implementation and operation: parents who elected to send their children to a new, unfamiliar school with many unknowns surrounding its operation; students who chose to attend, either enthusiastically or reluctantly, leaving friends and familiar patterns of behavior; the 21st Century Community Schoolhouse faculty and staff who chose to seek a charter and teach in a fledgling school operation; members of the Salem downtown core who would interact with the students in the downtown area. All of these groups had some reason to be interested, apprehensive, concerned, and hopeful as the school opened in September, 2001. This evaluation asked the general question 4) How do stakeholders view the implementation and effects of the 21st Century Community Schoolhouse? This question was broken into the following subparts:

What are Community Schoolhouse parents' perceptions of the school and its effects on their children?

How do Community Schoolhouse parents view their interaction and involvement with the Community Schoolhouse programs?

What are Community Schoolhouse students' views/perceptions of Community Schoolhouse

What are Community Schoolhouse staff views of the implementation, operation, and outcomes of Community Schoolhouse?

What are the views of local businesses and the Salem-Keizer Community about the Community Schoolhouse program and its students?


Holography is 3D imaging which can record intensity and phase at the same time. The important of construct hologram is holographic recording and wavefront reconstruction. In recently, it is surprise that holography be discovered in study interstellar scintillation for pulsar provide a coherent light source. I think that is speckle hologram and speckle interference(i.e. intensity interference), and use modern technique which include phased array,CCD, digital signal processing and supercomputer can achieve that digital and computer holography from radio to X-ray astronomy. This means we can use it image the universe and beyond the limited of telescope for cosmos provide much coherent light from pulsar,maser, black hole to 21cm recombination line. It give a probe to the medium of near the black hole et al. From those coherent light sources in the sky, we can uncover one different universe that through astronomical quantum observation which use intensity interference.


The current paper deals with the problem of the simply supported thin rectangular plate subjected to the intermediate strip in-plane loading. Based on the strain energy method (Fourier ansatz), the critical (minimum value) of buckling stress occurrence was determined in a general form dependent only on the strip thickness, strip location, plate width and stress magnitude. Compatible with the classical columns Euler method it was found that the plate stability is decreased with the increasing of the plate width due to larger induced stresses. Also, strip location relative to the support region was found to influence the buckling (same analogy to the Euler buckling theory; consider the strip as a both sides pressed rod). Additionally, the strip width parameter increase is likely to cause larger buckling stress. Moreover, expressions that includes both axial and transverse loads for different extended cases configurations were also derived and examined based on the strain energy method alongside explanation for possible applications (thin aluminum plate welding). In a general view, it was found that the cases of combined axial and perpendicular loading action are less stabilized than cases where only one kind of loading configuration is participated. Finally, the buckling stress was found to agree qualitatively with the cited literature.


Electronic games constitute teaching environments that have the ability to help and support all teaching principles while motivating the students' participation by offering them an obviously pleasant learning environment via which they interact with their classmates individually or cooperatively.
Young primary school students need to express themselves creatively as proven in action. Therefore it is important for the teacher to form an appropriate learning environment to attract their interest and stimulate their curiosity. Of course teacher's ultimate aim is to bring students together so that they can co-work in order to collectively accomplish each given activity.
In this master thesis we studied the utilization of Game Maker for teaching the lesson "Programming the computer" to Primary school students, that results in transferring knowledge to students regarding programming, promoting collaboration between them, increasing their mobilization and improving their attitude towards the lesson. Game Maker's environment allows young students to construct their own knowledge and feel the joy of creation. Utilization of the environment in Primary School may have beneficial results only if students work systematically in teams in front of the computer and we have prepared them accordingly. Therefore creating digital games with Game Maker introduce students to programming and familiarizes them with basic skills and computer operations. Additionally, teachers are able to create digital learning games with Game Maker and utilize them in the classroom.


Sir. —I read with interest the marginal comment "The Anatomy of the Infant Formula Controversy" by Dr Joseph (Journal1981;135:889-892) and the marginal comment "Comments on the World Health Organization's 'International Code' of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes" by Dr Graham (Journal1981;135:892-894). The vote by the United States on the WHO Code regarding infant formula promotion in the Third World has brought the sad plight of the majority of the world's children to the attention of many who usually only associate infantile malnutrition with war and natural disasters. Perhaps, as Dr Joseph suggests, the US negative vote on this Code will ultimately prove to have a more powerful effect on improving the fate of these populations simply because it has produced such worldwide controversy. However, the debate over the WHO Code is, in my opinion, simply a diversion from the main issue. As both Drs Joseph and Graham point out, underlying


Technology is already present at every step of our everyday life. The child comes in contact with this type of technology very quickly, and it is up to us, professionals and parents to present it to the child in the right way. Information and communication technology (hereinafter: ICT) in kindergarten represents not only computer work - writing preparations and other necessary documentation, but approaching the method of work in a different way, which can be full of challenges and possibilities for development. ICT for a child represents a game, and the game is in childhood the most important activity that we need to support and encourage. As with any other game, it is also important to take care of choosing a quality game that promotes children's integrated development. With the use of an interactive table, a child can develop fine and rough motoric skills, additionally ICT stimulates creativity, logical thinking, language development, and self-confidence, general perception and social skills. We encounter digital technology every day, and through ICT, we can present to the child everything that belongs to this category, why it is important for our everyday activities. It is important to stress that a child can develop this and even more by using the right approach, and at the same time developing a critical attitude towards ICT. We offer the child quality didactic games, supported by experts that can guarantee the complete development of the brain and encourage development in all other areas.
In the diploma paper, we present both positive and negative impacts of ICT in kindergarten. In order to facilitate the performance, the contents and how to present the digital technology to the child, we also briefly presented the technological literacy, technical education in kindergarten, the characteristics of ICT and the development of the child in the pre-school age. In the empirical part, we presented the results of the lesson that we carried out in the Pedenjped kindergarten, Nove Fužine unit, where we determined whether the responses were different with the way the tablets were presented to children. Here we have linked various findings, based on the theoretical part. At the same time, we were also interested in the opinion of professional staff in the educational institution, the knowledge of professional staff in this field, and whether they use ICT in activities. The analysis of the results of the survey gave us an idea of what the real situation is in Slovenian kindergartens. Cooperation with parents is very important for quality work in the kindergarten, so we conducted a survey among parents. Thus we got the complete picture of a child who is familiar with ICT and how parents familiarize with it in the home environment. On the basis of the knowledge acquired in the literature and the surveys, we carried out activities using a computer table in the Pedenjped kindergarten, the unit of Nove Fužine. It turned out to be important how the rules and handling is introduced to children before start of use. The findings can be used in day-to-day activities in a kindergarten where we use ICT. Above all, it is important that this kind of technology is presented to the child critically, gradually, and sensibly. We therefore encourage its use when it helps children at acquiring knowledge, developing skills and abilities.


Provider payments are the key determinant of insurance generosity within many health insurance programs covering low-income populations. This paper analyzes the effects of a large, federallymandated provider payment increase for primary care services provided to low-income elderly and disabled individuals. Drawing upon comprehensive administrative payment and utilization data, we leverage variation across beneficiaries and across providers in the policy-induced payment increase in difference-in-differences and triple differences research designs. The estimates indicate that the provider payment reform led to a 6.3% increase in the targeted services provided to eligible beneficiaries, indicating an implied payment elasticity of 1.2. Further, the provider payment reform decreased the fraction of low-income beneficiaries with no primary care visit in a year by 9%, completely closing the gap relative to higher-income beneficiaries with the same observable characteristics. Additionally, the results indicate that the payment reform caused an increase in established patient visits, with no increase in new patient visits. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the payment increase led to an expansion of utilization for many subgroups, with somewhat larger effects among beneficiaries who are younger, are white, and live in areas with many primary care providers per capita. Marika Cabral Department of Economics University of Texas at Austin 2225 Speedway BRB 1.116, C3100 Austin, TX 78712 and NBER email@example.com Colleen Carey Department of Policy Analysis and Management Cornell University MVR Hall, Room 298 Ithaca, NY 14853 and NBER email@example.com Sarah Miller Ross School of Business University of Michigan 701 Tappan Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 and NBER firstname.lastname@example.com


The interference model has been widely used and studied in block experiments where the treatment for a particular plot has effects on its neighbor plots. In this paper, we study optimal circular designs for the proportional interference model, in which the neighbor effects of a treatment are proportional to its direct effect. Kiefer's equivalence theorems for estimating both the direct and total treatment effects are developed with respect to the criteria of A, D, E and T. Parallel studies are carried out for the undirectional model, where the neighbor effects do not depend on whether they are from the left or right. Moreover, the connection between optimal designs for the directional and undiretional models is built. Importantly, one can easily develop a computer program for finding optimal designs based on these theorems.


ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cell phones have become indispensable for professional activities, including healthcare. Thus, they are possible sources of bacterial contamination. There is a scarcity of data in the literature regarding identification of risk factors for contamination of cell phones with pathogenic bacteria. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence rates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and/or Enterobacteriaceae on cell phones belonging to hospital healthcare staff and university students in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, and to identify variables associated with such contamination. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a public university's referral hospital and lecture buildings in 2017. METHODS: We sampled the surface of cell phones using the dipslide method, with Baird-Parker agar and Escherichia coli-coliform chromogenic (ECC) agar. We assessed the population's sociodemographic, behavioral and hygiene characteristics through interviews. Possible presence of S. aureus colonies was confirmed using agglutination tests, with evaluation of methicillin sensitivity. Colonies in ECC medium were counted. Stepwise logistic regression (forward P < 0.15) was performed to identify characteristics associated with bacterial contamination. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of S. aureus, MRSA and Enterobacteriaceae were, respectively, 32%, 4% and 3%. No difference was found between the hospital and university-based populations (P > 0.05). The only variable associated with bacterial contamination was the use of cloth/velvet/leather phone cases (odds ratio: 2.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-7.91). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially pathogenic bacteria were prevalent on the cell phones of this hospital and university population. Use of phone cases made of cloth-like material should be discouraged, especially in hospital settings.


ABSTRACT Kinetoplastids have a nucleus that contains the nuclear genome and a kinetoplast that contains the mitochondrial genome. These single-copy organelles must be duplicated and segregated faithfully to daughter cells at each cell division. In Trypanosoma brucei, although duplication of both organelles starts around the same time, segregation of the kinetoplast precedes that of the nucleus. Cytokinesis subsequently takes place so that daughter cells inherit a single copy of each organelle. Very little is known about the molecular mechanism that governs the timing of these events. Furthermore, it is thought that T. brucei lacks a spindle checkpoint that delays the onset of nuclear division in response to spindle defects. Here we show that a mitotic cyclin CYC6 has a dynamic localization pattern during the cell cycle, including kinetochore localization. Using CYC6 as a molecular cell cycle marker, we confirmed that T. brucei cannot delay the onset of anaphase in response to a bipolar spindle assembly defect. Interestingly, expression of a stabilized form of CYC6 caused the nucleus to arrest in a metaphase-like state without preventing cytokinesis. We propose that trypanosomes have an ability to regulate the timing of nuclear division by modulating the CYC6 protein level, without a spindle checkpoint. Summary: Trypanosomes do not have a spindle checkpoint but have an ability to regulate the timing of nuclear division by modulating the cyclin B protein level.


Kaixin Powder (KXP) is a classic formula for treating morbid forgetfulness in ancient China. To guarantee the efficacy and safety of KXP, a simple and accurate HPLC–DAD method has been established and validated for the quantitative analysis of seven bioactive compounds in KXP. Dehydrotumulosic acid (DTU) and dehydrotrametenolic acid (DTR) were quantified in KXP for the first time. Good chromatographic separation was conducted on a Kromasil 100-5 C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) by gradient elution using mobile phases containing acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution at different detection wavelengths. The calibration curves of each compound showed good linearity (r ≥ 0.9990), and the LOD and LOQ were in the ranges of 0.01–0.10 and 0.03–0.40 μg/mL, respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of intra-day and inter-day precisions were in the ranges of 0.45–1.74% and 0.56–2.32%, respectively. All recoveries were in the range of 93.6–105.5% with an RSD no more than 2.77%. These quantification results of seven compounds determined in the samples were further confirmed by HPLC–QTOF-MS/MS. This study provides a useful and simple method for analyzing the major bioactive compounds and improves the quality assessment research of KXP.


Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was obtained from adult ixodid ticks, Ixodes ovatus, collected in Nagano, Japan, and was named NT112. The genomic DNA was digested with enzymes, electrophoresed, blotted and hybridized with rRNA gene probes obtained from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto B31. The results showed that the borrelial chromosome contains a single rrs (16S rRNA gene) sequence and two copies of rrl/rrf (23S/5S rRNA genes) sequences. The rrl/rrf genes were tandemly repeated at intervals of 3.2 kb and were located separately from the rrs gene on the genome. Our findings indicate that the organization of rRNA genes in Borrelia from I. ovatus ticks is identical to that of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto.


Physics is the interplay of energy and matter. Energy, in the form of light, interacting with matter, principally in the solid state, underpins this topical review. The subject is developed carefully and methodically, beginning with basic definitions pertaining to terahertz detectors and terahertz radiation, then proceeding systematically to delineate characteristics of terahertz photons and terahertz detectors in more detail. In-between, the intimate connection linking terahertz sensors and terahertz sources is highlighted—an important aspect unfortunately often overlooked or ignored when terahertz detectors are discussed in isolation. At the centre of this topical review are the various physical mechanisms by which electromagnetic radiation of terahertz frequencies interacts with matter. The logic is to present first the underlying physical principles of detection before presenting the practical implementation in a specific device, rather than the other way around. A taxonomy of terahertz detectors is then proposed based on the underlying physical principles of detection. Following on from this classification, state-of-the-art terahertz detectors are surveyed and appraised; this overview constitutes the longest section of the review. Key detector parameters which inform applications are then presented and tabulated. Finally, the present state-of-the-art is anchored within the wider scientific context of historical developments and future prospects.


Event-related potentials (ERPs) provide an objective index of neurocognitive abnormality or dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders. Auditory mismatch negativity (aMMN), which was discovered in the 1980s, is one unique type of ERP. Several lines of evidence suggest that it reflects auditory preattentive (automatic) information processing and the function of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Many studies also have suggested that aMMN is a promising biomarker for some psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. Prospective studies combining analyses of several biomarkers, including aMMN, in schizophrenia patients from the prodromal period, are underway. Meanwhile, the existence of a visual counterpart of aMMN (vMMN) has been disputed, and a genuine vMMN was only confirmed in the last decade. Thus, there have been a relatively small number of vMMN studies compared with studies of aMMN, and the mechanism underlying vMMN is still unclear. However, it is well known that abnormal auditory and visual sensory information processing is present in psychiatric disorders, and vMMN is an important component of ERPs studied in psychiatric patients. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent aMMN and vMMN findings in several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, major depression, Alzheimer's disease, and developmental disorders. In doing so, we highlight their potential use as biomarkers of psychiatric disorders.


Water deficit and N fertilizer are the two primary limiting factors for wheat yield in the North China plain, the most important winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production area in China. Analyzing the yield gap between the potential yield and the attainable yield can quantify the potential for increasing wheat production and exploring the limiting factors to yield gap in the high-yielding farming region of North China Plain. The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model was used to identify methods to increase the grain yield and decrease the gap. In order to explore the impact of N and cultivars on wheat yield in the different drought types, the climate conditions during 1981 to 2011 growing seasons was categorized into low, moderate, and severe water deficit classes according to the anomaly percentage of the water deficit rate during the entire wheat growing season. There are differences (P < 0.0001) in the variations of the potential yields among three cultivars over 30 yr. For all three water deficit types, the more recent cultivars Jimai22 and Shijiazhuang8 had higher yields compared to the older 'Jinan17'. As the N fertilizer rate increased, the yield gap decreased more substantially during the low water deficit years because of the significant increase in attainable yield. Overall, the yield gaps were smaller with less water stress. Replacement of cultivars and appropriate N fertilizer application based on the forecasted drought types can narrow the yield gap effectively.


BACKGROUND
In order to achieve simultaneously a higher quality of hospital care and cost-containment, an objective assessment of alternative systems for surveillance of hospital infections is needed in our country. This assessment will allow to make a rational choice of the system to be used at each hospital.

METHODS
719 patients admitted to a Vascular Surgery ward were studied. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for a selective system of surveillance of nosocomial infection (NI) were assessed. This selective system attempted to contain costs by means of limiting the revision of records to those patients who presented fever, prescription of antibiotics after admission or who required laboratory cultures. In this selective method charts revision was retrospectively performed by nurses.

RESULTS
A low sensitivity (50.9%) and acceptable values for specificity and predictive values were found.

CONCLUSIONS
Although this selective method requires only 20% of the reference method's time, its association with an important reduction in sensitivity precludes its systematic use and confines it eventually to low risk wards.


Optical profilers are mature instruments used in research and industry to study surface topography features. Although the corresponding standards are based on simple step height measurements, in practical applications these instruments are often used to study the fidelity of surface topography. In this context it is well-known that in certain situations a surface profile obtained by an optical profiler will differ from the real profile. With respect to practical applications such deviations often occur in the vicinity of steep walls and in cases of high aspect ratio. In this contribution we compare the transfer characteristics of different 3D optical profiler principles, namely white-light interferometry, focus sensing, and confocal microscopy. Experimental results demonstrate that the transfer characteristics do not only depend on the parameters of the optical measurement system (e. g. wavelength and coherence of light, numerical aperture, evaluated signal feature, polarization) but also on the properties of the measuring object such as step height, aspect ratio, material properties and homogeneity, rounding and steepness of the edges, surface roughness. As a result, typical artefacts such as batwings occur for certain parameter combinations, particularly at certain height-to-wavelength ratio (HWR) values. Understanding of the mechanisms behind these phenomena enables to reduce them by an appropriate parameter adaption. However, it is not only the edge artefacts, but also the position of an edge that may be changed due to the properties of the measuring object. In order to investigate the relevant effects theoretically, several models are introduced. These are based on either an extension of Richards-Wolf modeling or rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA). Although these models explain the experimental effects quite well they suffer from different limitations, so that a quantitative correspondence of theoretical modeling and experimental results is hard to achieve. Nevertheless, these models are used to study the characteristics of the measured signals occurring at edges of different step height compared to signals occurring at plateaus. Moreover, a special calibration sample with continuous step height variation was developed to reduce the impact of unknown sample properties. We analyzed the signals in both, the spatial and the spatial frequency domain, and found systematic signal changes that will be discussed. As a consequence, these simulations will help to interpret measurement results appropriately and to improve them by proper parameter settings and calibration and finally to increase the edge detection accuracy.


Although members of the genus Streptomyces are useful producers of secondary metabolites, Streptomyces turgidiscabies, a cause of potato scab, has not been investigated for this purpose. To examine the potential of S. turgidiscabies as a secondary metabolite producer, its polyketide synthase (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene clusters, conferring major biosynthetic pathways in actinomycetes, were surveyed using whole genome analysis of S. turgidiscabies NBRC 16081. This strain possessed seventeen PKS and NRPS gene clusters composed of two type-I PKS, two type-II PKS, seven NRPS, and six PKS/NRPS hybrid clusters. Abundance of these gene clusters was not only comparable to those of industrially useful strains such as S. avermitilis MA-4680 and S. griseus subsp. griseus NBRC 13350, but also superior to those of genetically well-studied S. coelicolor A3(2) and potato scab-causing S. scabiei 87.22. Remarkably, its PKS/NRPS gene clusters were more diverse in their module organization than those of other Streptomyces strains, although it possessed the lowest number of type-I PKS gene clusters. Our results suggest that S. turgidiscabies, unlike S. scabiei, harbors considerable genetic potential for producing diverse polyketide and peptide compounds.


There is a renewed enthusiasm for therapeutic vaccination as a viable treatment for patients with cancer. Early tumor vaccines were comprised of whole tumor cells, fragments of tumor cells, or protein lysate from tumor cells. Limited results with these approaches led investigators to begin developing the next generation of cancer vaccines based on defined tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Defining and characterizing TAAs for human cancer, development of new approaches for identifying TAAs, and novel strategies to deliver the antigens as potent therapeutic vaccines have all been the focus of intense research in the past decade and will continue to be the focus for decades tocome. tumor antigens vaccines antigen discovery tumor immunity


A retrospective consecutive study was made of 3000 surgical wounds. All wounds were examined for ten days after operation. The overall infection rate of surgical wound infection (SWI) was 3.53%. SWI lengthened significantly duration of hospital stay (12 days vs 4 days, p < 10-6). Monovariate analysis had shown as significantly risk factors: diabetes (12.26% vs 5.49%, p < 10-6), emergency operation (5.64% vs 2.43%, p < 10-3), acute appendicitis (24.53% vs 13.06%, p < 10-3), biliary emergencies (10.37% vs 4.73%, p < 10-3), operations achieved by young surgeons (5.55% vs 2.83%, p < 10-3), choledochotomy (10.38% vs 5.46%, p < 0.05), colorectal resection (8.50% vs 4.14%, p < 0.05), open laparotomy versus laparoscopy (19.81% vs 1.89%, p < 0.05) and operating time (148 mn vs 104 mn, p < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that diabetes (p = 0.00488), biliary emergencies (p = 0.0016), seniority of surgeon (p = 0.0023), type of skin incision (p = 0.0196) and operating time (p = 0.0005) were the independent risk factors for surgical wound infection.


Crack propagation deviation tendency in specimens containing an interface between wrought alloy substrate and Wire + Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM) built Ti-6Al-4V is investigated from the viewpoints of microstructure, residual stress and bi-material system. It is found that a crack initiated at the interface tends to grow into the substrate that has equiaxed microstructure and lower resistance to fatigue crack propagation. Experimental observations are interpreted by finite element modelling of the effects of residual stress and mechanical property mismatch between the WAAM and wrought alloy. Residual stresses retained in the compact tension specimens are evaluated based on measured residual stress in the initial WAAM built wall. Cracks perpendicular to the interface kept a straight path owing to the symmetrical residual stress distribution. In this case the tangential stress in bi-material model is also symmetric and has the maximum value at the initial crack plane. In contrast, cracks parallel to the interface is inclined to grow towards the substrate due to the mode II (or sliding mode) stress intensity factor caused by the asymmetric residual stress field. Asymmetric tangential stress in the bi-material model also contributes to the observed crack deviation trend according to the maximum tangential stress criterion.


Background: Spinopelvic fixation is an integral part of achieving solid fusion across the lumbosacral junction, especially in deformity procedures requiring substantial correction or long-segment constructs. Traditional S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw-placement techniques utilize fluoroscopy, increasing operative time and radiation exposure to the patient and surgeon. We describe a novel free-hand technique for S2AI screw placement in patients with adult spinal deformity. Methods: We reviewed the records of 45 consecutive patients who underwent spinopelvic fixation performed with use of S2AI screws by the senior surgeon and various fellows or residents over a 12-month period (2015 to 2016). In each case, the S2AI screws were placed utilizing a free-hand technique without fluoroscopic or image guidance. Screw position and accuracy were assessed by intraoperative O-arm imaging and analyzed using 3-dimensional interactive manipulation of computed tomography images. Results: A total of 100 screws were placed, 51 by the senior surgeon and 49 by trainees. The mean patient age was 57.4 ± 12.7 years at the time of surgery; 37 (82.2%) of the patients were female. Preoperative diagnoses included adult idiopathic scoliosis (n = 19), adult degenerative scoliosis (n = 15), flatback syndrome (n = 2), fixed sagittal imbalance (n = 6), and distal junctional kyphosis (n = 3). Five (5%) of the screws were placed with moderate to severe cortical breaches, all of which perforated the pelvis posteriorly, with no clinically notable neurovascular or visceral complications. The breach rate did not differ significantly between the senior surgeon and trainees. Conclusions: The free-hand technique for S2AI screw placement, when performed in a standardized manner, was demonstrated to be safe and reliable in constructs requiring spinopelvic fixation. The accuracy of screw placement relies on visible and palpable anatomic landmarks that obviate the need for intraoperative fluoroscopy or image guidance, potentially reducing operative time and radiation exposure. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


This essay seeks to make a brief review of the construction of the panorama Brazilian psychology, particularly clinical psychology, to date, shedding light on new praxis "psis" in the context of contemporary clinic. Search also discuss how they are formed and how the relationship of this practice with the Brazilian public policy, specifically, the social welfare policies, from the experience of clinical care, made possible by psychological duty service, as offered by the Clinic School of the Federal University of Pará, more concerned with the social and historical reality of the public served, so as not psychologize demand, dialoguing with other sciences and professions that go through these scenarios.


Mononuclear leucocyte zinc was determined together with serum zinc, albumin and serum alkaline phosphatase activity before and after zinc supplementation (2 x 50 mg of zinc-gluconate daily during 3 months) in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (n = 10), alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (n = 10) and Crohn's disease (n = 10). Initial mononuclear leucocyte zinc concentrations did not differ between the patient groups and the reference group (n = 10), whereas initial serum zinc values were lower in the patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and Crohn's disease. This difference disappeared, however, when serum zinc concentrations were corrected for albumin levels, which were lower in all the patient groups. Higher initial activity of serum alkaline phosphatase was found in the alcoholic patients. In all the patient groups serum zinc concentrations increased significantly after zinc supplementation. Only in patients with Crohn's disease was there also an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase and albumin. Mononuclear leucocyte zinc did not respond to zinc supplementation in any of the patient groups. The results of our study indicate that mononuclear leucocyte zinc is not a sensitive indicator of marginal zinc deficiency.


In this paper, we propose a robust fast and cheap scheme for locating the eyes, lip-corners, and nostrils for eye-head controlled human computer interface on a facial image with non-constrained background. Many researchers have presented eye tracking methods. But the methods are not both robust and fast, and they also have many limitations. The method we propose uses complete graph matching from thresholded images. That is, after labeling the binarized image that is separated by a proper threshold value, the algorithm computes the similarity of between all pairs of objects. After that, the two objects that have the greatest similarity are selected as eyes. The average computing time of the image (360*240) is within 0.2 (sec) and if the search window is reduced by estimation, the average computing time is within 0.1 (sec). It has been tested on several sequential facial images with different illuminating conditions and varied head poses. It returned quite a satisfactory performance in both speed and accuracy. The algorithm is highly cost effective.


The paper presents an approach to recursive query optimization based upon the integration of partial evaluation and already existing mIe transforrnation based, optimization methods such as Magie Set, Minimagie and Counting. The basie idea is to partially evaluate a logie program with respect to a query (goal), thus eliminating unneeessary intennediate (IDB) predieates and then further optimize the program, with respect to evaluation, by using one of the mentioned optimization methods. The advantage of the proposai is twofold: on one hand to give the user freedom of using alI the power of a logical language to define the query program and, on the other, 10 keep efficiency into reasonable range.


OBJECTIVE To determine whether prior type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment or glycemic control over time are independently associated with heart rate variability (HRV) and whether the presence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction is associated with arterial stiffness in young adults with youth-onset T2D enrolled in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Heartbeats over 10 min were measured to derive the normal R-Rs (NN intervals). Outcomes included the standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), the root mean square differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), percent of NN beats that differ by more than 50 ms (PNN50), and the low-frequency (LF) power domain, high-frequency (HF) power domain, and their ratio (LF:HF). Autonomic dysfunction was defined as ≥3 of 5 abnormal HRV indices compared with obese controls from a separate study. RESULTS A total of 397 TODAY participants were evaluated 7 years after randomization. TODAY participants had reduced HRV (SDNN 58.1 ± 29.6 ms vs. controls 67.1 ± 25.4 ms; P < 0.0001) with parasympathetic loss (RMSSD 53.2 ± 36.7 ms vs. controls 67.9 ± 35.2 ms; P < 0.0001) with sympathetic overdrive (LF:HF ratio 1.4 ± 1.7 vs. controls 1.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.0001). Cardiac autonomic dysfunction was present in 8% of TODAY participants, and these participants had greater pulse wave velocity compared with those without dysfunction (P = 0.0001). HRV did not differ by randomized treatment, but higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) over time was independently associated with lower SDNN and RMSSD and higher LF:HF ratio after adjustment for age, race-ethnicity, sex, and BMI. CONCLUSIONS Young adults with youth-onset T2D show evidence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction with both parasympathetic and sympathetic impairments that are associated with higher HbA1c.


It has been shown by a new static airflow visualization method that a drogue device properly positioned downstream of the wing tip causes vortex breakdown. This same result has been obtained by mounting a jet engine simulator at the wing tip and directing the high-energy jet blast downstream into the vortex. These configurations, among others, are now under intensive investigation in the new Langley Vortex Research Facility. In this facility a balance mounted vortex generating model is propelled along the 1800-foot track while a second model trailed at 160 feet (scale distance of 1 mile) measures the far-field rolling moment induced by the vortex of the generating model.


Agency banking model has been successful in propelling financial inclusion in Kenya. Success stories have been reported in Kenya. Agency banking has contributed to increased access to banking services from 41.3% of the country's bankable population in 2009 to 79.6% in 2018. However, despite this achievement the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya has been on a downward trend. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to determine the effect of agency banking adoption on bank deposits in commercial banks in Kenya. The study was guided by the theory of financial intermediation. The study adopted an exploratory non-experimental research design. The study used secondary data and the nature of the data collected was quantitative. The data targeted 15 commercial banks that were licensed by Central Bank of Kenya to carry out agency banking as of December 2014, however one commercial bank (Chase bank) was put under receivership during the period of study and therefore it was excluded from the study. The data was collected from CBK banks supervision annual reports and from financial reports of the 14 commercial banks using a data collection worksheet and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The empirical model of the study was based on Event study. This study is expected to provide information on the effect of agency banking adoption on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya.


Recent studies on Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) reveal that different layers of a generative CNN hold different semantics of the synthesized images. However, few GAN models have explicit dimensions to control the semantic attributes represented in a specific layer. This paper proposes EigenGAN which is able to unsupervisedly mine interpretable and controllable dimensions from different generator layers. Specifically, EigenGAN embeds one linear subspace with orthogonal basis into each generator layer. Via generative adversarial training to learn a target distribution, these layer-wise subspaces automatically discover a set of "eigen-dimensions" at each layer corresponding to a set of semantic attributes or interpretable variations. By traversing the coefficient of a specific eigen-dimension, the generator can produce samples with continuous changes corresponding to a specific semantic attribute. Taking the human face for example, EigenGAN can discover controllable dimensions for high-level concepts such as pose and gender in the subspace of deep layers, as well as low-level concepts such as hue and color in the subspace of shallow layers. Moreover, in the linear case, we theoretically prove that our algorithm derives the principal components as PCA does. Codes can be found in https://github.com/LynnHo/EigenGAN-Tensorflow.


Operative techniques for sequential and single aortocoronary saphenous vein bypass are presented and compared. There were 2.1 distal anastomoses per patient in the sequential saphenous vein bypass graft (SVBG) group (36 patients) and 2.0 in the single SVBG group (40 patients). There were no differences in total operating time or in cardiopulmonary bypass time. There was a significant difference (p less than 0.05) in total ischaemic cross-clamping time and in cross-clamping time per anastomosis between the two groups in favour of single SVBG. Graft flow in the sequential SVBG group was superior to that in the single SVBG group (p less than 0.001). The mean total graft flow per heart in the single SVBG group was superior to that in the sequential SVBG group (p less than 0.01).


A simple method for attaining alignment of a target and parallelism between a plane of reference and a target is developed by using as reference planes diffraction gratings of a convenient pattern. Coherent and monochromatic light, emitted from a laser, illuminates the. target, which is either a cross slit or an annular aperture. The reference grating is placed at a distance from the target. The principal maxima created by the light passing through the target and the grating form distorted shapes of the target on the plane of the grating. Alignment can be achieved by displacing the grating in its plane to form a symmetric pattern of the (+/-m)-order principal maximum image of the target. The distance between the target and the reference grating, as well as the angle subtended by their planes, can be accurately estimated by the size and the distortion of the symmetric (+/-m)-order principal maximum image. The apparatus used was very simple, and its flexibility can be enhanced by using a series of amplitude gratings of different line frequencies. Furthermore, automated detection and scanning of the spectrum of the grating increase considerably the accuracy of the method.


Objective To estimate effectiveness of tickborne encephalitis (TBE) vaccination by time interval (<5, 5–10 and 10+years) postvaccination. Design A retrospective, matched case–control study Participants Cases—all adult (age 18–79) TBE cases in Switzerland reported via the national mandatory disease reporting surveillance system from 2006 to 2020 (final n=1868). Controls—community controls from a database of randomly selected adults (age 18–79) participating in a 2018 cross-sectional study of TBE vaccination in Switzerland (final n=4625). Primary outcome measures For cases and controls, the number of TBE vaccine doses received and the time since last vaccination were determined. Individuals were classified as being 'unvaccinated' (0 doses), 'incomplete' (1–2 doses) or 'complete' (3+ doses). Individuals with 'complete' vaccination were further classified by time since the last dose was received (<5 years, 5–10 years or 10+ years). A conditional logistic regression model was used to calculate vaccine effectiveness (VE: 100 × [1−OR]) for each vaccination status category. Results VE for incomplete vaccination was 76.8% (95% CI 69.0% to 82.6%). For complete vaccination, overall VE was 95.0% (95% CI 93.5% to 96.1%). When the most recent dose was received <5 years prior VE was 91.6% (95% CI 88.4% to 94.0%), 95.2% (95% CI 92.4% to 97.0%) when the most recent dose was received 5–10 years prior, and 98.5% (95% CI 96.8% to 99.2%) when the most recent dose was received 10+ years prior. Conclusions That VE does not decrease among completely vaccinated individuals over 10+ years since last vaccination supports the longevity of the protective response following complete TBE vaccination. Our findings support the effectiveness of 10-year TBE booster intervals currently used in Switzerland.


This paper aimed at presenting the results of a survey conducted to determine the effective use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) at the library of Lagos State Polytechnic Ikorodu. The study adopted survey research design. Four hundred copies of the structured questionnaire were distributed randomly to staff and students of the Polytechnic in Ikorodu campus for the 2011/2012 academic session. Out of the four hundred copies of questionnaire distributed 91.14% of the respondents identified the use of OPAC while 8.86% signified that they don't use the OPAC to access Library collections. The data collated were analyzed using frequency distribution table and simple percentage. Some of the problems observed from the study in the use of OPAC at the library include: lack of awareness amongst the library users community, lack of instruction in the use of software package, shortage of terminals, instability of electricity supply among others. Hence, the study recommends among others, the need for continuous instructions for library users on how to search information materials within the library using the OPAC.


Background: Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women of Hispanic origin. It is expected to continue to be the leading cancer as the US Hispanic population grows towards 31% of all US citizens by 2060. Hispanic women (Latinas) experience significant disparities in breast cancer services resulting in lower breast cancer survival rates than the general population after accounting for differences in age, cancer stage and other factors. Root- causes of disparities are multifactorial, including diagnostic and treatment delays, language, social, and financial barriers, and poor communication between patients and health care providers. Patient navigation (PN) is a potential intervention to address cancer disparities. We conducted "Staying Healthy," a two-year, two-arm randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a PN intervention to increase Latinas9 access to cancer screening, diagnosis and care. Methods/Design: Staying Healthy is a Susan G. Komen for the Cure-sponsored randomized controlled trial (RCT) of PN targeting Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS). The goal is to develop a model of PN that will eliminate cancer care disparities in Latinas by addressing barriers to cancer care and promoting patient self-efficacy. The intervention uses trained navigators from the target community. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either usual PN services or intervention (PN+) services. In addition to usual participant-initiated PN services, PN+ participants receive tailored educational materials, regular personalized assistance including phone calls, meetings, and coordination of targeted care. Dependent measures include compliance with health care recommendations, screening practices and general and breast cancer-specific quality of life (QOL). Results: Baseline analyses have been performed on 120 enrolled participants. Results indicate 57% had Medicare or Medicaid insurance coverage; they average 57.3±9.5 years of age; 38% are Spanish monolingual, 58% US born, 47% are married or living together and 87% are parents. Additionally, more than three-fifths (61%) report an annual income below $25,000. They are 3.6±2.8 years post-diagnosis and 3.2±2.6 years post-primary treatment. Finally, study participants report general health-related (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, FACT-G: 82±16.8) and breast cancer-specific QOL (FACT-B: 107±21.4). Lower levels of distress are significantly correlated with higher QOL measures after controlling for the effects of age, time since primary treatment, and acculturation. Discussion: Results show that levels of distress and QOL are inversely associated independently of other factors such as age, time since primary treatment and degree of acculturation. Interventions to reduce cancer health disparities may be an effective approach for patient navigation. Citation Format: Amelie G. Ramirez, Edgar Munoz, Erika L. Stoerkel, Amanda Sintes-Yallen, Alan E.C. Holden. Study protocol: A randomized controlled trial of patient navigation to reduce cancer health disparities in Latina breast cancer survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr C22.


High-resolution pulsed Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 22.63 MHz was used to observe the proton-decoupled natural-abundance (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of CDCl(3) solutions of the methyl esters of prostaglandins F(1alpha), 15-epi-F(1alpha), F(2alpha), F(2beta), E(2), A(2), 13-dehydro-F(2alpha), 13-dehydro-F(3alpha), two intermediates on the synthetic pathway to 13-dehydro-PGF(3alpha), and of 7-oxa-PGF(1alpha). All resonances were assigned by chemical shift comparisons and single-frequency offresonance proton decoupling. With two exceptions, all the lines of the spectra are well-resolved single-carbon resonances. Those due to the cyclopentane and vinyl carbons are most sensitive to structural changes. Some of these effects can be rationalized in terms of the preferred conformations of the molecules.


Background: The German pregnancy register Rhekiss is designed as a nationwide, web-based longitudinal observational cohort established in 2015. The register follows women with inflammatory rheumatic disease prospectively from child wish or early pregnancy until 2 years post-partum. Information on clinical and laboratory parameters, drug treatment, and (adverse) pregnancy outcomes are documented in pre-specified intervals. Physicians and patients report data for the same time periods via separated accounts and forms into a web-based application (app). As data entry on mobile devices might improve response rates of patients, a responsive app as a further convenient documentation option was developed. Methods: The Rhekiss-app is available for self-reported data retrieval since August 2017 from the App stores. For the current analysis, Rhekiss register data were used from the start of the register until 30 September 2020. The analyses were performed for forms containing information on devices. Outcome parameters were compared for mobile and desktop users for the quantity and quality of filled forms. Results: In total, 5,048 forms were received and submitted by 966 patients. About 57% of forms were sent from mobile devices with the highest numbers in patients with child wishes (63%). Users of mobile devices were slightly younger and often had less high-education level (62 vs. 79%) compared with desktop users. The proportion of forms submitted via mobile devices increased steadily from 48% in the fourth quarter of 2018 to 64% in the third quarter of 2020. The proportion of forms received before and after the Rhekiss-app implementation increased with the highest increase of 12% for forms filled at time point 12 months post-partum. Mobile users submitted significantly more forms than desktop users (2.9 vs. 2.1), data sent via desktops were more often complete (88 vs. 86%). Conclusion: The responsive app is a valuable additional tool for data collection and is well-accepted by patients as indicated by its increasing use in Rhekiss. Apart from desktop/browser developments, the technological adoptions within observational cohorts and registries should take smartphone requirements and developments into account, especially when patient-reported data in young, mobile patients are collected, bearing in mind that data quality could be compromised and concepts for improving data quality should be implemented.


Marriage and marriage breakdown are the reasons we have the much discussed Family Law Act, Family Courts and the current boom in divorces. Divorce and the legal machinery which deals with it is more easily discussed in the media than is marriage and the processes by which it breaks down. This helps people to ignore marital problems until they become so painful and difficult that divorce seems the only solution. It is easier to read and write about sex, divorce and violence than about marriage, love and emotional closeness. Unless this is changed the rate of marriage breakdown and divorce in Australia is likely to remain higher than society can afford.


This paper deals with problem of digital image processing, mainly with localisation of determined interest objects. As application area the eye localisation in a frame of video-sequence has been chosen with continuing in iris and pupil detection. The article contains a theoretical part, with preview of frequently used methods and reasoning of concrete methods selection. The next part presents the actual experiment realised via computing environment MATLAB. In paper conclusion the acquired results are summarised and commented.


Entamoeba histolytica is the agent of amebic colitis. In this work we examined the intestinal NFB response to this parasite. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we found that the NFB subunit p50 predominated in nuclear extracts of whole cecal tissue and of isolated crypts from mice inoculated with E. histolytica. p50 was protective, since C57BL/6 and 129 mice in which there was targeted deletion of this subunit were more susceptible to E. histolytica infection as measured by culture results, cecal parasite ELISA results, and/or histologic scores. The transepithelial electrical resistance of cecal explants from C57BL/6 and 129 p50 knockout mice decreased markedly in response to the parasite compared with the transepithelial electrical resistance of their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that a protective function of p50 was present in the epithelium itself. This work shows that NFB activity, particularly activity of the p50 subunit, is one factor that contributes to resistance of the gut to E. histolytica infection.


Background and aim Diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy are major tragedies in ophthalmology. Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) is a pro-atherogenic and a pro-thrombotic risk factor. It has an antifibrinolytic effect with increasing risk of clotting and blood vessel occlusion. Elevated Lp (a) concentrations can also damage the microcirculation by its oxidative effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum level of Lp (a) and the development of maculopathy in diabetic patients by measuring the central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography. Patients and methods This case–control study included one case group of 40 eyes of 20 diabetic patients and one control group of 40 eyes of 20 nondiabetic age-matched and sex-matched patients. All participants were subjected to full ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity testing, BMI calculation, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum Lp (a), and CMT measurement by three-dimensional optical coherence tomography. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age or sex. Cases group had significantly higher BMI, HbA1c, Lp (a), and CMT than the control group (P<0.001 for all). In addition, cases had significantly lower best-corrected visual acuity than the controls (P<0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between CMT (μm) and each of HbA1c, Lp (a), and BMI (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). Lp (a) level of 11.34 ng/ml or more was found to have a 95% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 95% overall accuracy in predicting central macular edema (CME). On univariate logistic regression analysis, both of the BMI and Lp (a) were independent significant predictors for CME (P<0.001 and P=0.05, respectively), with odds ratio of 1.569 and 14.482, respectively. Conclusion Lp (a) was significantly correlated with CMT. It had an excellent sensitivity and specificity in predicting CME and can be used as a potential marker for its detection.


s: The effects of submerged-arc welding consumables, wire and flux, on solidification cracking in the weld metal of medium-carbon steel were investigated. It showed that weld metal with a greater amount of C, S, and P had a wider brittleness temperature range, BTR, which resulted in longer total and maximum crack lengths in Varestraint tests. To determine the effect of flux on the amount of C, S, and P in the weld metal, transfers of the elements between the slag and the weld metal were evaluated. While C and S were removed from the weld metal to the slag, P was added from the slag to the weld metal. The amount of each element removed or added, however, was dependent on the basicity of the flux used. As the flux became more basic, more S was removed and less P was added, resulting in less S and P in the weld metal. In contrast, with increasing flux basicity, less C was removed, leaving a larger amount of C in the weld metal. Therefore, to minimize the amounts of these elements in the weld metal, in addition to the wire used, the flux basicity should also be carefully considered. (Received September 7, 2017; Accepted November 6, 2017)


Proxy and model-based studies suggest multi-scale temporal variability in the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). In this study, using the CESM1 atmospheric general circulation model, we carried out multiple ensemble AGCM simulations for the Mid-Holocene (MH; ≈ 6 kyr BP), Medieval Warm Period (MWP; ≈ 1 kyr BP), Little Ice Age (LIA; ≈ 0.35 kyr BP), and Historical (HS; ≈ CE 2000) periods. We used the PMIP3/CMIP5 boundary conditions for this purpose. Our simulations indicate that the ISM during the MH was stronger compared to HS and the rainfall higher, in agreement with several proxy studies. The experiments also suggest that the ISM rainfall (ISMR) was higher during MWP relative to the LIA in agreement with our earlier results from the PMIP3 models. A relatively northward migration of the ITCZ over the Indian region and strengthening of the neighboring subtropical high over the northwestern Pacific, both associated with stronger insolation associated with the obliquity and precision during the MH, seem to be important reason Indian summer monsoon during the MH.


Abstract The White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi Swann, 1922), previously known by the holotype and three specimens from northeastern Brazil from the late 1980s, is considered by many as a juvenile variant of the Grey-headed Kite (L. cayanensis Latham, 1790). We present new morphological evidence from museum specimens of both species, including a previously misidentified specimen of L. forbesi, and field study to support the validity of the White-collared Kite as a species, now seen as endemic and severely threatened in northeastern Brazil. This species occurs only in remnants of the Atlantic Forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. It is distinguished from its congener by its white hind-collar, underwing coverts, and leading edge of the wings. The under surface of the secondaries show reduced black barring. The number of white and black tail bands is variable, and not a good diagnostic character. We also review all taxa described for L. cayanensis and show the described subspecies are not valid.


Glibenclamide is a BCS Class II drug and poses a major problem during formulation development. In the present study, adsorption onto various carriers was used to enhance the solubility of glibenclamide. It was observed that solubility of glibenclamide was greatly enhanced by adsorbing onto mesoporous silica. The increase in solubility of poorly soluble drugs is often associated with the generation of supersaturation, which results in the risk of drug precipitation. HPMC E5 was used as precipitation inhibitor to maintain sink condition for a longer duration. A 32 full factorial design was adopted to optimize the ratio of glibenclamide (X1) and mesoporous silica as a carrier (X2) and the effect of different ratios was studied on percent yield, percent drug loading, and percent drug release. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Differential scanning calorimetry studies were performed to investigate any possible interaction in between glibenclamide and mesoporous silica. An optimum batch of drug adsorbate was used to prepare immediate-release tablets. The tablets prepared were evaluated for thickness, uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, in-vitro disintegration time, and in vitro drug release study.


Abstract Afghanistan faces significant challenges as it seeks to emerge from thirty years of civil war and insurgent violence and promote lasting peace and security. Terrorist incidents, which have increased dramatically since 2004, continue to pose a major threat to security, destabilizing governance and fracturing state initiatives to guarantee rule of law to citizens. An urgent priority for the government, as part of its development of counterterrorism policy, is to ensure that the formal criminal justice system responds effectively to the threat of terrorism by creating mechanisms and procedures that support the rights and needs of victims in accordance with international human rights standards. To date, examining victimhood in Afghanistan and accurately understanding the assistance and support that victims of terrorism receive and to which they are entitled during criminal justice processes have avoided academic scrutiny. Informed by empirical evidence and qualitative interviews with justice officials in Afghanistan, this article aims to fill this important gap in scholarship. It does so by drawing on an international framework for good practices outlined in the Global Counterterrorism Forum's Madrid Memorandum to shed new light on gaps in existing national law. In doing so, it makes important recommendations for both institutional and legislative reform designed to strengthen protections and assistance for victims of terrorism and inform contemporary reviews of criminal procedural law being undertaken by justice ministries in Afghanistan.


Natural language is the preferred form for writing use cases. While a few linguistic techniques exist that extract or validate structured information from unstructured natural language use case, they often cannot be extended beyond their primary language. Extending linguistic analysis and automated validation capabilities across multiple languages is necessary not only for widespread industrial adoption but it helps in analyzing a collection of multilingual use cases (quite frequent in multi-national projects) that need to be aggregated. We have published a UIMA (Unstructured Information Management Architecture) based linguistic engine for analyzing English use cases. In this paper, we report on extension of our linguistic technique to Japanese and effect of such an extension on the automated requirement validation suite.


BACKGROUND
Women in labour are considered at risk of gastric content aspiration partly because the stomach remains full before delivery. Ultrasonographic measurement of antral cross-sectional area (CSA) is a validated method of gastric content assessment. Our aim was to determine gastric content volume and its changes in parturients during labour under epidural analgesia using bedside ultrasonography.

METHODS
The cut-off value corresponding to an increased gastric content was determined by ultrasound measurement of antral CSA in six pregnant women in late pregnancy before and after ingestion of 250 ml of non-clear liquid. Antral CSA was then measured twice in 60 parturients who presented in spontaneous labour: when the anaesthesiologist was called for epidural analgesia catheter placement, and at full cervical dilatation. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia was performed with a solution of ropivacaine and sufentanil.

RESULTS
After liquid ingestion, antral CSA (mm(2)) increased from 90 (range, 80-151) to 409 (range, 317-463). A CSA of 320 was taken as cut-off value. The feasibility rate of antral CSA determination was 96%. CSA decreased from 319 [Q1 158-Q3 469] to 203 [Q1 123-Q3 261] during labour (P=2×10(-7)). CSA was >320 in 50% of parturients at the beginning of labour vs 13% at full cervical dilatation (P=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS
Bedside ultrasonographic antral CSA measurement is feasible in pregnant women during labour and easy to perform. The observed decrease in antral CSA during labour suggests that gastric motility is preserved under epidural anaesthesia. The procedure could be used to assess individual risk of gastric content aspiration during labour.


This paper compares benefits and costs related to hierarchical and decentralized organizations in an agency framework. We show that the relative efficiency of hierarchy diminishes in contexts with asymmetric information. When effort is not observable, performance-related pay is required in order to encourage the agent to work hard. With risk-averse agents the use of this incentive system is more costly under hierarchy rather than under decentralization, in that a higher wage is necessary to elicit effort. From the efficiency comparison of hierarchy and delegation, a trade-off emerges between the advantages deriving from the principal's screening activity and the higher agency costs that this induces.

http://www.ecostat.unical.it/Scoppa/ricerca/de paola, scoppa - organizational design, project selection and incentives.pdf


Recent results have revealed a critical way in which lower order terms affect the well-posedness of the characteristic initial value problem for the scalar wave equation. The proper choice of such terms can make the Cauchy problem for scalar waves well posed even on a background spacetime with closed lightlike curves. These results provide new guidance for developing stable characteristic evolution algorithms. In this regard, we present here the finite difference version of these recent results and implement them in a stable evolution code. We describe test results which validate the code and exhibit some of the interesting features due to the lower order terms.


In real estate appraisal research, appraisers and mass appraisals are the two methods most often used in the sales comparison approach. In the past, most appraisers' studies focused on the appraisers' behavior or on improving appraising methods. Since these two methods are constructed in different ways, it is not easy to find enough objects for the analysis and a comparison between appraisers and mass appraisal. The main purpose of this paper is to select certain target cases and then compare the data provided by appraisers as well as the results of mass appraisals. The analysis is conducted in three stages: selecting comparables, adjusting weights and estimating values. The differences in the analysis indicate that the differences in the Automated Valuation Model (AVM) of the Minkowski metric of the comparables is smaller than the appraisals provided by individual appraisers. The findings indicate that the application of the AVM model is more objective and fits the appraisal procedure. However, with the limits of the AVM, the sparseness of the data and non-typical housing, the results of the AVM in some areas differ from those made by appraisers, which indicates that the AVM has limitations. This situation is expected to improve as a result of accumulating more data and adjusting the models. If the accuracy of the AVM is assured, the AVM will be applied more widely.


Recent research in augmented reality (AR) eyewear has prompted interest in using volume holographic optical elements for this application. However, many sensing operations in AR systems require the use of wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) (750 to 900 nm). These wavelengths typically exceed the sensitivity range of available commercial holographic recording materials (450 to 650 nm), which complicates the design of optical elements with power since significant aberrations result when the reconstruction wavelength differs from the construction wavelength. Several methodologies for designing a waveguide hologram imaging system in NIR are reviewed and evaluated. The design approach presented in our work integrates the most effective practices such as fabrication point source location optimization and aberration analysis to realize effective holographic waveguide couplers formed with visible wavelength light and reconstructed in the NIR. The technique is demonstrated by designing and fabricating an input waveguide hologram in conjunction with a multiplexed output coupling hologram. The resulting input/output waveguide holograms can achieve an image resolution of (∼3  lp  /  mm) with a 0.6-mm-thick glass substrate that has a refractive index of 1.8.


The effect of ionizing-radiation fields on optical materials is predominantly seen in changes in the transmission properties of the materials. Both transient and permanent photodarkening can occur in passive and active optical elements as a result of exposure to either short-pulsed or steady-state radiation. In laser materials, such as YAG, such induced optical loss can result in significant degradation of the lasing characteristic of the material, making its selection for optical device applications in radiation environments unfeasible. In the present study, the effects of ionizing radiation on the optical response of undoped and 1.1%Nd-doped single-crystal and polycrystalline YAG have been investigated. Both room temperature and elevated temperature studies have been performed. An evaluation of the data shows some potential advantages of single-crystal over polycrystalline YAG in applications involving radiation exposure of the materials


A diplexer realized purely based on direct coupling
is presented. No cross-coupling is involved in the
design process. The microwave diplexer is achieved by
coupling a dual-band bandpass filter onto two individual
channel filters. This design eliminates the need for employing
external junctions in diplexer design, as opposed to
the conventional design approach which requires separate
junctions for energy distribution. A 10-pole (10th order)
diplexer has been successfully designed, simulated, fabricated
and measured. The diplexer is composed of 2 poles
from the dual-band filter, 4 poles from the Tx bandpass
filter, and the remaining 4 poles from the Rx bandpass
filter. The design was implemented using synchronously
and asynchronously tuned microstrip square open-loop
resonators. The simulation and measurement results show
that an isolation of 50 dB is achieved between the diplexer
Tx and Rx bands. The minimum insertion loss is 2.88 dB
for the transmit band, and 2.95 dB for the receive band.