Abstract Our aim is to determine indicators of survival in children with severe hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) after transition to high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). Single-center retrospective examination of children with HRF transitioned to HFOV. Blood gases and ventilator settings 24 hours prior to and 48 hours after HFOV in survivors and nonsurvivors were evaluated. Sixty-two children with mean age of 7 years and mean weight of 26 kg were included with an observed mortality of 29%. Mean airway pressures (Paw), oxygenation index (OI), arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (P/F) ratio, pH, bicarbonate, and arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure were similar prior to HFOV in survivors and nonsurvivors. During HFOV, mean OI and P/F ratio improved in both groups with an average Paw increase of ∼10 cm H2O. Survivors had lower OI than nonsurvivors (21 ± 0.9 vs. 26.5 ± 2.2; p < 0.01) beginning 24 hours after HFOV. P/F ratio appears to diverge by 36 hours, with survivors having P/F ratio >200. Survivors had higher pH than nonsurvivors at 36 hours (7.40 ± 0.01 vs. 7.32 ± 0.02; p < 0.05), higher bicarbonate levels (27.1 ± 0.7 vs. 23.9 ± 1.3 mEq/L), and similar arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure with less oscillatory support (i.e., hertz and amplitude). Inhaled nitric oxide was used in 53% of patients with improvements in oxygenation but with no effect on mortality. HFOV improves oxygenation in children with severe HRF. Nonsurvivors can be distinguished from survivors at 24 to 36 hours during HFOV by higher OI, metabolic acidosis, and higher oscillatory support. These data may assist in prognostication or timing of initiating alternative therapies, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.


Inflammation is the body's reaction to the presence of infection, irritation or foreign substances as part of the body's defense mechanisms. Public interest in treatment with natural medicines is increasing. One of the medicinal plants that can be used for anti-inflammatory treatment is the peel of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.). This study employed the red blood cell membrane stabilization method which is widely used in research as a biochemical parameter for in vitro testing of anti-inflammatory activity. This was an experimental study that aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the peel extract of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) using the red blood cell membrane stabilization method. The percentage level of hemolysis that occurred when the extract was added indicated that the tested extract had anti-inflammatory properties. The stability of the red blood cell membrane of the peel extract with a concentration of 125 ppm was 1.09%, and was 12.40% with a concentration of 250 ppm, 17.36% with a concentration of 500 ppm, and 42.79% with a concentration of 1000 ppm. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the peel of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory, banana peel, red blood cell membrane


Twenty-one patients have been admitted to the Yale-New Haven Hospital during the past 16 years with the diagnosis of gastrointestinal milk allergy. All of the patients had gross or occult blood in their stools at some time, and most stools contained mucus. The predominant complaint was chronic diarrhea which varied from the passage of three to four semi-formed stools to 20 watery movements per day. Seven infants developed cardiovascular collapse after milk challenge and two of these had gastrointestinal hemorrhage as well. Sigmoidoscopy and rectal biopsy performed on eight children revealed changes of colitis which reverted to normal after the elimination of milk from the diet. Lactose tolerance tests were normal in seven of the eight. There was no correlation between the degree of symptomatology in infancy and the subsequent development of cutaneous or respiratory allergy. It is suggested that milk-induced colitis be considered a histologically documented and distinct entity.


We consider the leakage resilience of the Ring-LWE analogue of the Dual-Regev encryption scheme (R-Dual-Regev for short), originally presented by Lyubashevsky et al. (Eurocrypt '13). Specifically, we would like to determine whether the R-Dual-Regev encryption scheme remains IND-CPA secure, even in the case where an attacker leaks information about the secret key. We consider the setting where R is the ring of integers of the m-th cyclotomic number field, for m which is a power-of-two, and the Ring-LWE modulus is set to q ≡ 1 mod m. This is the common setting used in practice and is desirable in terms of the efficiency and simplicity of the scheme. Unfortunately, in this setting Rq is very far from being a field so standard techniques for proving leakage resilience in the general lattice setting, which rely on the leftover hash lemma, do not apply. Therefore, new techniques must be developed. In this work, we put forth a high-level approach for proving the leakage resilience of the R-Dual-Regev scheme, by generalizing the original proof of Lyubashevsky et al. (Eurocrypt '13). We then give three instantiations of our approach, proving that the R-Dual-Regev remains IND-CPA secure in the presence of three natural, non-adaptive leakage classes.


R ecently a school leader asked us lo provide an example of a good test item on a formative assessment and then show how that item would be different when used on a summative test. He wanted to explain to his staff the difierence between formative and summative assessment. His end goal was for teachers to develop assessments to measure how well students were mastering the content standards that would appear on the state accountability test before the test was given in the spring.


The methodological framework for the development of the educational package "Water in the Mediterranean" is presented. This material has been prepared to facilitate the educators' work in the closely related fields of Environmental Education (EE) or Education for Environment & Sustainability (EfES) or Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and it was designed mainly for secondary school students. The AASS Project 2061 criteria for the evaluation of the middle grades science textbooks were taken into account for the development of the scientific part of the material. The necessary interdisciplinary approach was based on two foundations: (a) the contribution from an interdisciplinary network of professionals involved in its preparation, originating from various scientific fields, working in the sector of formal and non-formal education, and (b) the use of water as a cross-cutting thematic module, which permeates all aspects of life. The package is designed to be a flexible resource guide for the work of educators, having as main objectives for the students to gain basic knowledge, enhance understanding on major water issues and also to introduce them in a constructive way to the complexity and interdependence of the various economic, social and environmental factors linked with water on one hand and sustainable development on the other. Furthermore, the material aims at the development of problem-solving and decision making skills, in order to stimulate the responsible behaviour of students, and their ability to undertake action in favour of the environment and natural resources as individuals and collectively, as members of a team. A brief evaluation based on the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence for EE materials is included as well. [Chem. Educ. Res. Pract.: 2004, 5, 185-206]


The negative regulation of the beta-adrenoreceptor affinity by guanine nucleotides in the sarcolemmal fraction of chicken skeletal muscle at different stages of ontogenesis was studied. It was found that the negative regulation is absent in the embryonic period; the effect of GTP is manifested only before hatching, whereas that of Gpp(NH)p--at later periods, i.e., in 1-month-old chickens. Similar age-dependent dynamics was revealed with respect to the GTP effect on the dissociation rate of the [3H]DHA-beta-adrenoreceptor complex. An addition to the system containing embryonic muscle membranes of the GTP-binding protein isolated from skeletal muscle and liver of chickens whose age exceeds 20 days led to earlier manifestations of the above effects (on the 13th-15th embryonic days). The data obtained testify to the limiting role of GTP-binding proteins in the negative control of the hormone-receptor interaction and support the authors' hypothesis on the absence in the embryonic muscle of the 42 kD GTP-binding protein responsible for the functional coupling of the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase components.


There is a need for tools to classify cells based on their 3D shape. Cells exist in vivo in 3D, cells are frequently cultured within 3D scaffolds in vitro, and 3D scaffolds are used for cell delivery in tissue engineering therapies. Recent work indicates that the physical structure of a tissue engineering scaffold can direct stem cell function by driving stem cells into morphologies that induce their differentiation. Thus, we have developed a rapid method for classifying cells based on their 3D shape. First, random lines are intersected with 3D Z-stacks of confocal images of stem cells. The intersection lengths are stored in histograms, which are then used to train a Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm to distinguish between stem cells cultured on differentiationinducing 3D scaffolds and those cultured on non-differentiating flat substrates. The trained SVM is able to properly classify the "new" query cells over 80% of the time. The algorithm is easily parallelizable and we demonstrate its implementation on a commodity Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Use of a GPU to run the algorithm increases throughput by over 100-fold as compared to use of a CPU. The algorithm is also progressive, providing an approximate answer quickly and refining the answer over time. This allows further increase in the throughput of the algorithm by allowing the SVM classification scheme to terminate early if it becomes confident enough of the class of the cell being analyzed. These results demonstrate a rapid method for classifying stem cells based on their 3D shape that can be used by tissue engineers for identifying 3D tissue scaffold structures that drive stem cells into shapes that correlate with differentiation. PACS numbers: 87.57.N-, 87.64.mk Parallel Geometric Classification of Stem Cells by Their 3D Morphology 2


Web services have become an incredible source for any internet technology development. Many web services are available within UDDI does not contain semantic descriptions so the appropriate user service request may not be obtained in service discovery process. In our paper we proposed a approaches for semantics service discovery for a given unclear description of service request. Service discovery involves semantics categorization and enhancement of service request. Semantics categorization is performed at offline in UDDI whereas enhancement performed at online which is the basis for achieving better matching of relevant services. We also proposed an algorithm for ranking the web services for a given service request and we showed experimental results for effective and feasible service discovery.


ABSTRACT:By focusing on Bombay commercial productions shot on location in Beirut, I consider why Lebanon became a prominent destination for foreign film productions between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s. The ensuing films' narratives were motivated not only by the Lebanese capital's prominence in globally popular spy-action genres, but also by material histories of contraband circuits (including the circulation of films) and cash flows of foreign exchange. I highlight the wider convergence of several industries on location in Beirut in order to expand histories of both postwar location shooting and spy-action genres, and to foreground routes of South-South media production, subtitling, and distribution.


The design and implementation of computer-based modeling systems and environments are gaining interest and importance in decision sciences and information systems. In spite of the increasing popularity of GUI-based operating systems, most of the algebraic modeling languages, today, are still file-oriented, text-based, and therefore require structured declarations and formal model definitions. The utilization of the standard graphical screen objects of a graphics-based operating system provides enhanced visualization of models and more cohesive human-computer interaction. The approach taken in this thesis is to explore the design and implementation of a graph-based modeling system focusing on computational dependencies between model components. Another important aspect of this research is the development of a userfriendly model formulation interface for algebraic modeling languages and systems; these facilitate the description and implementation of mathematical models by allowing the modeler to employ commonly known and powerful algebraic notation instead of language specific codes. The major conclusion of this thesis is that dependencies between variables are a foundation for building and using models and modeling languages. It also shows that this supports model documentation, validation, formulation, implementation, comprehension, maintenance and reuse. That is, it impacts nearly every step of the modeling life cycle.


This paper uses a behavior modeling approach to design a fuzzy logic controller for combustion control of stoker-fired boilers. Its idea is, according to recorded historical data, to model a boiler combustion system by defining types of dynamic behavior. On the basis of behavior classification, design of a neuro-fuzzy control system is performed in two steps. First we model a boiler combustion process with unknown structure by choosing a set of simplified systems with equivalent behavior as "templates" to optimize their fuzzy controllers off-line. Second, we identify a dynamic behavior and fire its correspond fuzzy logic controller by matching the "templates" online. This control system is applied into several industrial stoker-fired boilers in different places.


Abstract Freshwater conservation is vital to the maintenance of global biodiversity. Ponds are a critical, yet often under‐recognized, part of this, contributing to overall ecosystem functioning and diversity. They provide habitats for a range of aquatic, terrestrial, and amphibious life, often including rare and declining species. Effective, rapid, and accessible survey methods are needed to enable evidence‐based conservation action, but freshwater taxa are often viewed as "difficult"—and few specialist surveyors are available. Datasets on ponds are therefore limited in their spatiotemporal coverage. With the advent of new recording technologies, acoustic survey methods are becoming increasingly available to researchers, citizen scientists, and conservation practitioners. They can be an effective and noninvasive approach for gathering data on target species, assemblages, and environmental variables. However, freshwater applications are lagging behind those in terrestrial and marine spheres, and as an emergent method, research studies have employed a multitude of different sampling protocols. We propose the Pond Acoustic Sampling Scheme (PASS), a simple protocol to allow a standardized minimal sample to be collected rapidly from small waterbodies, alongside environmental and methodological metadata. This sampling scheme can be incorporated into a variety of survey designs and is intended to allow access to a wide range of participants, without requiring complicated or prohibitively expensive equipment. Adoption of this sampling protocol would enable consistent sound recordings to be gathered by researchers and conservation organizations, and allow the development of landscape‐scale surveys, data sharing, and collaboration within an expanding freshwater ecoacoustic community—rather than individual approaches that produce incompatible datasets. The compilation of standardized data would improve the prospects for effective research into the soundscapes of small waterbodies and aid freshwater conservation efforts.


A multicentre, double-blind, randomized study was conducted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to compare the efficacy and safety of two different doses of meloxicam, a new preferential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. Four hundred and twenty-three patients were randomized to receive once-daily oral meloxicam 7.5 mg (n = 216) or meloxicam 15 mg (n = 207) for 3 weeks. The Ritchie joint index and pain in the morning were significantly improved versus baseline (P < 0.001) in both groups. There were no significant differences between the effects of each dose with respect to these measures nor with respect to final assessment of global efficacy by the patients. However, the 15 mg dose was associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) better effect on morning stiffness and grip strength. No differences between the doses were observed with regard to the other secondary efficacy parameter (pain at night, body weight and erythrocyte sedimentation rate). Both doses of meloxicam were well tolerated. There were no differences between the doses with respect to global tolerance as assessed by the patient and the patients, 'general condition'. In conclusion, meloxicam at a once-daily dose of either 7.5 or 15 mg is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of patients with RA.


Understanding how temperature and water stress affect protocooperation between plants and beneficial rhizobacteria may enhance the efficacy of biocontrol agents in reducing plant diseases. However, little is known about the impact of these factors on biocontrol mechanisms and effectiveness, especially when provided by beneficial Bacillus spp. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of low/high temperature combined with a normal and reduced water regime on the interaction between Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain S499 and plants, resulting in the induction of systemic resistance (ISR). A reduction in ISR level was observed when plants were subjected to stress before bacterization; however, root treatment with S499 prior to stress exposure attenuated this negative effect. Colonization of S499 during exposure to temperature/water stress allowed the three crops to conserve their overall ability to mount defense lines to a similar degree at all the temperatures tested. Further investigation revealed that relative production of surfactin by S499 was clearly enhanced at low temperature, making it possible to counter-balance the negative effect on traits associated with rhizosphere fitness (colonization, motility, and biofilm formation) observed in vitro in cold conditions. This work thus represents a first step in deciphering the effect of high/low temperatures and/or drought on key plant-microorganism interactions culminating in ISR.


TThe article focuses on the teaching of didactics from the analysis of the course menus from the 1970 to 2018 in a bachelor's degree in pedagogy. It comprises didactics as an area of knowledge that expresses the theoretical and practical relationship in the teaching and learning process. It analyzes the relationship between the different periods of teacher formation and the teaching of didactics. For this, it conducts a qualitative approach research (LUDKE; ANDRÉ, 2013) based on documentary and bibliographical study. The contributions include Gatti, Martins, Romanowski, Veiga, and others authors who discuss didactics in the context of educational policies and teacher formation. The data indicate that the teaching of didactics express changes in approaches determined by social and political organization, research and pedagogical practice, which influences their teaching and results in a powerful knowledge in teacher formation.


Gaussian processes and other kernel-based methods are used extensively to construct approximations of multivariate data sets. The accuracy of these approximations is dependent on the data used. This paper presents a computationally efficient algorithm to greedily select training samples that minimize the weighted $L^p$ error of kernel-based approximations for a given number of data. The method successively generates nested samples, with the goal of minimizing error in high probability regions of densities specified by users. The algorithm presented is extremely simple and can be implemented using existing pivoted Cholesky factorization methods. Training samples are generated in batches which allows training data to be evaluated (labeled) in parallel. For smooth kernels, the algorithm performs comparably with the greedy integrated variance design but has significantly lower complexity. Numerical experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the approach for bounded, unbounded, multi-modal and non-tensor product densities. We also show how to use the proposed algorithm to efficiently generate surrogates for inferring unknown model parameters from data using Bayesian inference.


Background: The eligibility of patients for HER2-targeted therapies is determined by the evaluation of HER2 gene amplification and HER2 protein overexpression. The gene-protein assay (GPA, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., USA) is a new method for simultaneous evaluation of HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and dual in situ hybridization (DISH) using a single tissue section. In this study, we investigated the relationship between HER2 IHC and DISH results evaluated by GPA. In addition, we analyzed the correlation between HER2 status and prognosis of invasive breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: In this study, invasive carcinoma tissues of 280 consecutive patients treated in Saitama Cancer Center in 2000-2001 (median follow-up: 130 months) were examined. Among HER2 positive initial samplings, no patients originally received adjuvant trastuzumab therapy. However, 76% of HER2 positive cases of recurrence received trastuzumab therapy. GPA was performed on a section of routinely processed primary tumor and the status of HER gene and protein were separately evaluated in whole areas of tumor sections using the following FDA criteria: DISH (negative: HER2/CEN17 Results: The HER2 IHC 3+ group (27.5%), both with or without trastuzumab therapy, had significantly worse survival than HER2 IHC 1+ & 0 group (RFS: P=0.0039; CSS: P=0.0362) and HER2 DISH+ group (27.5%) had significantly worse survival than HER2 DISH- group (RFS: P=0.0056; CSS: P=0.0497). HER2 positive group defined by FDA criteria had significantly worse RFS than HER2 negative group (P=0.0211). HER2 IHC 1+ & 0/DISH+ group had significantly worse RFS than IHC 1+ & 0/DISH- group (P=0.0208). In the HER2 IHC 1+ & 0/ DISH- group, patients with heterogeneity (33 cases) had significantly worse survival than those without heterogeneity (RFS: P=0.0176; CSS: P=0.0199). Conclusions: HER2 GPA technology might be useful for evaluating the discrepancy and heterogeneity of HER2 IHC and DISH results at single cell levels simultaneously and the presence of HER2 tumor cell heterogeneity might be a potent prognostic factor in HER2 negative breast cancer patients. Further clinical research must be conducted for clarification of the relationship between the presence of HER2 intratumoral heterogeneity and the effectiveness of HER2-targeted therapies. Citation Format: Sasagu Kurozumi, Mary Padilla, Masafumi Kurosumi, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Yuji Hayashi, Katsunori Tozuka, Shigenori E Nagai, Kenichi Inoue, Hanako Oba, Jun Horiguchi, Izumi Takeyoshi, Jim Ranger-Moore, Eslie Dennis, Hiroaki Nitta. Utility of simultaneous HER2 protein and gene assessment for the evaluation of discrepancy and intratumoral heterogeneity of HER2 status and the prediction of prognosis in invasive breast cancer using the gene-protein assay (GPA) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-04-10.


The failure of preclinical research to advance successful candidate medications in psychiatry has created a paradigmatic crisis in psychiatry. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) initiative was designed to remedy this situation with a neuroscience-based approach that employs multimodal and cross-species in vivo methodology to increase the probability of translational findings and, consequently, drug discovery. The present review underscores the feasibility of this methodological approach by briefly reviewing, first, the use of multidimensional and cross-species methodologies in traditional behavioral pharmacology and, subsequently, the utility of this approach in contemporary neuroimaging and electrophysiology research-with a focus on the value of functionally homologous studies in nonhuman and human subjects. The final section provides a brief review of the RDoC, with a focus on the potential strengths and weaknesses of its domain-based underpinnings. Optimistically, this mechanistic and multidimensional approach in neuropsychiatric research will lead to novel therapeutics for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Volume 64 is January 2024. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.


BACKGROUND: Persons with mental disorders frequently have other co-occurring problems such as substance related disorders and HIV/AIDS. Individuals with co-occurring medical and mental disorders encounter great obstacles to receiving mental health services. AIMS: This paper uses the Behavioral Model of Vulnerable Populations to evaluate use of mental health services among groups with co-occurring disorders (CODs) and other co-morbid relationships. The association between receipt of mental health treatment and traditional/vulnerable predisposing, enabling, and need factors are examined. METHODS: Bivariate analysis and two-stage hierarchical logistic regression were completed. RESUTLS: A sample of 553 persons who reported mental health problems within the past year had one or more of the following vulnerabilities: (1) substance disorders; (2) homelessness; (3) victims of violent crime; (4) diagnosed with HIV/AIDS; (5) recipient of public benefits; and 31.3% reported having received some form of mental health treatment. Both traditional and vulnerable characteristics are significant predictors of receipt of mental health treatment. Vulnerable predictors indicated decreased odds of receiving mental health treatment were associated with injection and chronic drug use, (OR = .42, CI: .22 - .77) and (OR = .38, CI: .22 - .64) respectively. CONCLUSION: The Behavioral Model of Vulnerable Populations could be employed in future research of CODs and other co-morbid group's utilization of mental health treatment.


The purpose of this study was to examine variations in the educational experience of practicing librarians in Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated library schools attended, qualifications obtained, work experience before and after library education. Data were obtained through published and unpublished sources. It was discovered that many librarians obtained the British A.L.A. qualification or the Ibadan library school diploma. The first library qualification of many librarians was the undergraduate diploma in library science. Two out of three librarians are male in their early thirties who have worked as teachers before library school and who have less than five years post qualification experience. The establishment of a standard for library schools and their students is recommended.


An overview of the psychoanalytical and developemental psychological theories about the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is given, the most important steps of psychoanalytical diagnosis and the possibilities of psychodynamic treatment are described. The author stresses the importance of the various expressions of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in classical obsessional neurosis and earlier forms of anankastic disorder. He presents the specific therapeutic approaches to the different structural levels of OCD and puts special emphasis on the observation, that in the course of psychodynamic treatment during the process of working through an oscillation between different structural levels is possible.


BACKGROUND
Parkinson disease with dementia (PDD) results from neuropathological changes in cortical and subcortical brain regions. Voxel-based morphometric analysis of magnetic resonance images can contribute to in vivo identification of the cerebral regions predominantly involved in PDD.

OBJECTIVE
To identify structural cerebral regions most closely related to the presence of PDD.

DESIGN
Magnetic resonance images were obtained from 16 patients who had PDD, 13 patients with PD without dementia, and 13 age-matched healthy control subjects. Gray matter volumes were compared using optimized voxel-based morphometric analyses.

RESULTS
Compared with healthy controls, patients with PDD showed gray matter volume decreases in several of the following regions: bilateral putamen, accumbens nuclei, left side of the thalamus, bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal region, and anterior cingulate gyrus. Patients with PD also showed gray matter reductions compared with healthy controls in the right side of the hippocampus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS
The hippocampus, thalamus, and anterior cingulate are the regions most affected in PDD. Our results agree with recent neuropathological findings suggesting the involvement of the limbic and cortical areas in PD.


. This study analyzed the obstacles or difficulties faced by blind people in higher education, proposing some strategies that can be undertaken by managers and teachers to overcome such obstacles to their inclusion. The study was anchored in a qualitative approach, taking the form of case studies, which initially aimed to identify which were the obstacles faced by the research subjects: eight blind people, five male and three female. Data were collected through narrative interviews and analyzed through a discursive textual process. The findings showed the existence of the following obstacles, and possible strategies were proposed to overcome them: 1) institutional, having as a strategy investing in admission process and permanence of the blind student in the university; 2) concerning the relationships with teachers, having as a strategy the adoption of pedagogies consistent with the inclusion of blind students in higher education.


Objectives: Invasive Candida infections pose a major public health problem worldwide and is a major cause of nosocomial bloodstream infection. Our aim was to assess dynamics in incidence, species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of candidemia episodes in Jerusalem, to better understand the epidemiology of invasive isolates and to better direct therapy. Methods: We analyzed the incidence dynamics, species distribution and susceptibility pattern of 899 candidemia episodes during 2005–2016 in Jerusalem. Results: The overall incidence of candidemia was relatively low of 0.62 per 1,000 admissions. Candida albicans was the leading pathogen (39.4%); however, there was a shift toward non-albicans species, with Candida glabrata predominating among them (40%). As expected, more than one-third of candidemias occurred in intensive care units. However, the distribution between species varied and Candida tropicalis was the leading pathogen in hematology-oncology patients. The susceptibility of isolates to antifungals remained stable throughout the years. Only a minority of Candida albicans isolates were non-susceptible to fluconazole (3.3%), however, an unexpectedly high resistance rate (37.8%) was observed in Candida parapsilosis isolates. We found an alarming rate of caspofungin resistance in Candida glabrata (33.6%) and Candida krusei (67%); this may reflect misclassification of resistance by the E-test method. Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive candidemia analysis in the Jerusalem area that should serve as a basis for decision-making regarding appropriate antifungal treatment in the hospital setting. The exceptional high resistance rate amongst Candida parapsilosis emphasizes the importance of antifungal susceptibility monitoring in medical centers serving large urban areas to better direct appropriate treatment.


As currently used, systems theory is lacking a universally agreed upon definition. The purpose of this paper is to offer a resolution by articulating a formal definition of systems theory. This definition is presented as a unified group of specific propositions which are brought together by way of an axiom set to form a system construct: systems theory. This construct affords systems practitioners and theoreticians with a prescriptive set of axioms by which a system must operate; conversely, any set of entities identified as a system may be characterized by this set of axioms. Given its multidisciplinary theoretical foundation and discipline‐agnostic framework, systems theory, as it is presented here, is posited as a general approach to understanding system behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 17:


Settling velocities and entrainment thresholds of biogenic sedimentary particles, under unidirectional flow conditions, are derived on the basis of settling tower and laboratory flume experiments. Material consisting predominantly of equant blocks (shell fragments of Cerastoderma edule, density, ρs=2800 kg m−3) or of mica‐like flakes and elongate rods (Mytilus edulis fragments, ρs=2720 kg m−3) are used in separate series of experiments. Differences in the measured settling and threshold properties are related primarily to particle shape. The selection of a characteristic length scale for non‐spherical grains is investigated by comparing two approaches used to define the grain size (D) of the sediment samples: grain settling and sieve analysis that are used to derive data for the threshold criteria, in terms of the Shields and Movability diagrams. The empirical curves effectively predict the threshold conditions for any grain shape, provided that grain size is defined in terms of grain settling velocity. However, a functional distinction is made between the characteristic `hydraulic' grain size, defined by grain settling for grain transport applications, and the actual (physical) grain size defined by sieve analysis.


We read with interest the article by Kallio et al. which investigated the efficacy of applying an external compression device to the eyes of glaucoma patients, in an effort to attenuate block-related changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) [1]. We agree with their conclusion that pre-emptive compression confers negligible clinical benefit. Aberrations of IOP and ocular perfusion are key considerations in the anaesthetic management of glaucoma patients, because the eye is at considerable risk of vascular compromise when resting IOP exceeds 30 mmHg. O'Donoghue et al. examined alterations of IOP after local anaesthetic injection and found pressure elevations to be both greater and more sustained in glaucoma sufferers [2]. They warned of the risks associated with application of ocular compression devices in this population because rises in IOP are both unmeasured and unpredictable. Furthermore, elevations in IOP (beyond those induced by the block) may evoke acute intraocular hypertension. McDonnell et al. found that placement of an external compression device may increase IOP to such a degree as to produce central retinal artery occlusion [3]. Watkins et al. investigated the effects of periand retrobulbar anaesthesia on IOP and pulsatile ocular blood flow. They found that either technique produced significant reductions and that impairment of ocular circulation may persist for more than 10 min after block completion [4]. Since glaucoma predisposes the eye to compromises in circulation, any extended period of relative ischaemia (or reperfusion injury) may easily precipitate ocular damage. Accordingly, Bowman et al. specifically excluded glaucoma patients from their study of IOP changes associated with peribulbar anaesthesia and external compression [5]. The inference, therefore, is that application of external ocular compression devices confers risk to the glaucomatous eye. Concordant with the findings of Kallio et al. we opine that oculocompression is best avoided in glaucoma patients.


Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum spirochaete bacterium. The killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) gene family encodes cell surface receptors that are found on natural killer (NK) cells and certain T‐cell subsets. NK cells are fast‐acting effector lymphocytes of innate immunity that respond to infection. The activity of NK cells depends on the dynamic balance of activating and inhibitory signals that are transmitted through respective receptors including KIRs. KIR2DS4 is the only activating KIR gene in KIR haplotype A. KIR1D is a partial deletion KIR2DS4 variant encoding protein devoid of transmembrane region. Up to now, there is no knowledge of association of KIR2DS4 and its variant KIR1D with syphilis in a population that belongs to KIR gene haplotype A. Polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) method was used to genotype KIR genes in 190 patients with syphilis and 192 healthy controls. The gene frequencies of KIR2DS4 and KIR1D were analysed for the association with syphilis in patients and healthy controls who belong to KIR gene haplotype A. The gene frequency of KIR1D/KIR1D in patients with syphilis classified as haplotype A was 16.85% and was significantly higher than that in the control group (6.59%) (P = 0.032). However, there was no significant difference for the gene frequencies of KIR2DS4/KIR2DS4 and KIR2DS4/KIR1D between the two groups (P > 0.05). KIR1D/KIR1D was found in association with susceptibility to syphilis in the Chinese Han population that belongs to KIR gene haplotype A.


Multicultural group work has received growing attention over the past two decades; however, there is a lack of conceptual frameworks to guide therapists' cultural processes within group therapy at present. As such, we extend the multicultural orientation (MCO) to group therapy in an effort to provide a conceptual framework for group therapists to effectively engage multicultural group work. The MCO framework was developed in an effort to operationalize therapists' cultural processes of cultural humility, cultural comfort, and cultural opportunity. Although the MCO framework has been empirically tested within an individual psychotherapy context, application to alternative therapeutic modalities is needed. Given the inherent multicultural nature of group therapy and calls for group therapist to be culturally competent in the delivery of group-based services, we extend the MCO framework to the practice of group therapy. In this article, we provide a rationale for the application of the MCO framework to the practice of group therapy, and illustrate how group therapists' cultural humility, comfort, and opportunities can assist in establishing a multicultural group orientation throughout the development of the group.


The emergence of new storage technologies such as Charge Coupled Devices (CCD) and Bubbles with access times which lie in the access gap between semiconductor memories and rotating magnetic storage media is another important step toward implementing multilevel storage hierarchies.However, a comparison between a three-level storage system, consisting of cache, page buffer and CCD main memory, and a conventional two-level main memory system will show that the three-level hierarchy using the transfer on demand strategy has an effective access time which is higher by about a factor of 2.Yet, through better use of the program locality the access time of a three-level system can be reduced to that of the two-level cache/page buffer system. Using this method, the so-called working set restoration, the working set of pages of the next program to be run is loaded into the page buffer during execution of the active program. The required page transfer operations are executed concealed and are thus not time-critical for the processor. This means that for program processing only the access time to the two-level system becomes apparent.The advantage of a three-level system of this type lies not so much in the improved performance but rather in the lower costs, since it permits the use of a large-capacity main memory on a technology level which is cheaper by a factor of 2 to 4 as compared with MOS RAM.


Goodwin et al (1982) and Souliere et al (1990) have proposed a protocol for the selective nonsurgical management of suspected orbital subperiosteal abscesses. This protocol has been routinely applied by the Temple Pediatric Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology services since 1990. During this period, children with computed tomography and physical examination findings consistent with orbital subperiosteal abscesses and visual acuity better than 20/60 were treated with intravenous antibiotics rather than immediate surgery. They were followed with frequent ophthalmologic examinations and operated upon if vision deteriorated or they failed to improve clinically within 48 hours. A review of patients admitted to St Christopher's Hospital for Children, the site of Temple University's pediatric activities in the years from 1991 to 1997, revealed 14 patients with clinical evidence of orbital subperiosteal abscesses. Twelve patients were treated in accordance with the Goodwin-Souliere protocol. All recovered completely without surgical intervention and without any adverse sequelae. Selective nonsurgical treatment of clinically diagnosed orbital subperiosteal abscesses in children is relatively safe and effective.


Dimensionality reduction is often used for visualization without considering their understanding by users. Multidimensional scaling, for instance, provides an arbitrarily-oriented visualization. However, users can be integrated into the loop to provide clues about their understanding of the visualization. In this paper, we propose an interactive probabilistic multidimensional scaling (iPMDS) approach to compute the visualization with the lowest information loss while taking the information provided by users into account. We show that a more interpretable visualization can be obtained after interacting with the visualization while keeping a good dimensionality reduction accuracy.


This research proposes an economic and effective experimental design method of multiple characteristics to deal with the parameter design problem with many continuous parameters and levels. It uses TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) and ANN (Artificial Neural Network) to train the optimal function framework of parameter design. It combines SC (Soft Computing) of SA (Simulated Anneal) and GA (Genetic Algorithm) to search the optimal parameters combination for the optimal parameter of aerospace aluminum alloy weldment. To improve previous experimental methods for multiple characteristics, this research method employs SA to search the optimal parameter such that the potential parameter can be evaluated more completely and objectively. Additionally, the model can learn the relationship between the welding parameters and the quality responses of different aluminum alloy materials to facilitate the future applications in the decision-making of parameter settings for automatic welding equipment. The research results can be presented to the industries as a reference, and improve the product quality and welding efficiency to relevant welding industries.


Traditionally, chemistry problems are solved by means of a deductive approach. The question to be addressed is typically related to the value of a property that is either measured experimentally, computed using quantum-chemistry software, or (more recently) predicted using a machine-learned model. In this paper, we demonstrate that an inductive approach can be adopted using End-to-End (E2E) machine learning. This approach is illustrated for tackling the following chemistry problems: (i) determine the fully coordinated (FC) and undercoordinated (UC) atoms in a molecule with one missing atom, (ii) identify the type of atom that is missing in such an incomplete molecule, and (iii) predict the direction of a reaction between two molecules according to an existing dataset. The E2E approach leads to accuracies higher than 99%, 98%, and 93% for these three problems, respectively. Finally, in order to achieve such accuracies, a descriptor for the molecules, called bag of clusters, is introduced and compared with a series previously proposed descriptors, highlighting a series of advantages.


Structure- and mechanism-based redesign of the Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase AndA was performed. The function of AndA was expanded to catalyze a spiro-ring formation reaction from an isomerization reaction. The redesigned AndA variants produced two unnatural novel spiro-ring containing compounds through two and three consecutive oxidation reactions.


Uncommon developmental abnormalities such as fused or geminated teeth are of interest for the clinical problems associated with them. A rare case of fusion between maxillary primary central and lateral incisors and a supplemental incisor occurring bilaterally is presented. The patient was a 4-year-old Thai boy. Intraoral examination revealed an abscess and fistula in the region of the fused teeth as a result of periapical osteolysis. Access cavities were prepared as acute procedures. Because of the unpromising prognosis, surgical removal of the teeth was inevitable. For functional, esthetic, and phonetic rehabilitation, an acrylic denture was incorporated.


Deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of 1,2-dimyristoyl-3-sn-phosphatidylcholines (DMPCs) specifically deuterated in the 2-chain at one of positions 2', 3', 6', or 14' have been obtained by the quadrupole-echo Fourier transform method at 34.1 MHz (corresponding to a magnetic field strength of 5.2 T) or the pure material as a function of temperature, and in the presence of either 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) or cholesterol as a function of temperature and composition. The results with pure DMPC and DMPC--DPPC mixtures indicate that a sharp, intense deuterium resonance is characteristic of fluid-phase lipids, whereas a broad resonance is characteristic of solid-phase lipids. There is shown to be good agreement between the deuterium NMR derived DMPC--DPPC phase diagram and that derived by using other techniques. The deuterium NMR results obtained with the DMPC--cholesterol system are not interpreted in terms of a phase diagram. They do indicate, however, that the transition breadth is increased considerably and the temperature at which the lipid chains "solidify" is depressed by the addition of cholesterol to the DMPC bilayer. The particular nature of the increase and the depression is found to be dependent on where the label is located on the lipid.


INTRODUCTION: Health literacy has been defined as the extent to which patients are able to understand and act upon health information.1 Limited or inadequate health literacy has been shown to have a negative impact on patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and risk of hospitalization.2,3 This complex concept is of high importance for surgeons as their patients have to comprehend the nature, risks and benefits of surgical procedures, adhere to strict perioperative rules, and make complex care decisions about interventions or lack thereof.4 The aim of this review was to evaluate the prevalence of reported inadequate health literacy levels and the measurement tools used in the plastic and surgical patient populations.


Introduction Japanese endoscopists have been using pit pattern recognition in early colorectal neoplasia for many years. It has a key role in the decision to endoscopically resect or defer to surgery. We have been training in Kudo's pit pattern recognition as part of an endoscopy fellow programme studying EMR, and in vivo optical diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate our accuracy in pathological prediction relative to: 3 experienced untrained peers; a specialist UK consultant endoscopist; and a specialist Japanese consultant endoscopist. We aimed to assess 2 separate training interventions; an untrained endoscopist undergoing a 1 h training session in pit pattern assessment and pathological prediction; an endoscopy fellow undertaking a 4 week visit to a specialist centre in Japan. Methods 111 pictures of polyps seen by white light (38), chromoendoscopy (35), and magnification chromoendoscopy (38) were studied by all participants. Prediction of pathology was made, and compared to actual pathology; 37 hyperplastic, 43 adenomatous and 31 cancer polyps. All participants were blinded until the study was completed. 60 pictures were assessed by all fellows and untrained peers prior to intervention, with one peer further assessed after a 1 h teaching session using a GIE supplement for illustration. Six weeks after the initial assessment the same 60 pictures and a further 51 not seen before were assessed by all. Results were compared to results achieved by the UK and Japanese consultant endoscopists from a separate study using the same polyp library. Results Endoscopy fellows Endoscopy fellows achieved a mean accuracy higher than the untrained peers, 72% versus 64%. Additional training in Japan showed no significant increase in diagnostic accuracy, 72% versus 73%. Accuracy of fellows versus specialist endoscopists The specialist UK endoscopist achieved 87% accuracy. This was not statistically different to the specialist Japanese endoscopist at 93%. Fellows achieved an overall accuracy of 72%, with highest accuracy in their area of interest (metaplastic polyps 84%, polyp cancer 79%). Untrained endoscopist intervention Overall accuracy improved from 60% to 65% after 1 h teaching, and was 63% at 6 weeks. The sensitivity in diagnosing polyp cancer rose from 69% to 75%, and finally 94% at 6 weeks. Conclusion Training as a specialist endoscopist increases skill in lesion recognition compared to untrained peers. Additional training in Japan does not necessarily increase lesion recognition skills above that gained from UK training. A simple 1 h intervention in an untrained endoscopist increased accuracy in lesion recognition, and improved polyp cancer recognition. Mastery of lesion recognition to the level of specialist Japanese endoscopists is possible, but requires ongoing study and assessment.


In most developed countries, pregnancies are planned, complications are few and outcomes are generally favourable for both mother and infant. Adverse outcomes are far more frequent in the developing world. The most severe adverse outcome of pregnancy is the death of the mother or her offspring. The adverse pregnancy outcome means those pregnancies which terminate causing high risk to the mother and child's health and life. Worldwide the number of neonatal deaths decreased from 5.1 million in 1990 to 2.5 million in 2017. However, the decline in neonatal mortality from 2000 to 2017 has been slower (41%) than that in post-neonatal mortality (60%) globally. This survey was carried out in the Kudathini Village, which is the rural field practice area situated 16 kms from VIMS Ballari. Ballari is a district in the southern part of Karnataka. There are 19.2% of study subjects who got married below the age of 18 years and the remaining 80.7% were married after 18 years of age. The percentage of consanguinity in marriage is 5.6% and rest 94.3% are non-consanguineous marriage. The duration of married life of most of the study subjects' i.e, 48.6% belonged to 1-5 years duration followed by more than 5 years i.e, 28.2% and rest of 4.2% were married for less than a year.


The potato crop is a valuable but vulnerable food source on a global level. It is under constant pressure from destructive plant diseases such as early and late blight. Traditionally to control these diseases farmers have relied heavily on synthetic fungicide use. It is evident that the use of agrochemicals such as synthetic fungicides can cause unwanted effects on the environment, and human health. Thus, there is a need for a more sustainable approach to control diseases in the potato cropping system. One approach could be to use biological control agents, (BCAs) such as mycoparasitic Pythium species to control the disease. However, to utilize these BCAs in the best way we need to increase our fundamental knowledge about their biology and interactions within potato cropping systems. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to broaden our fundamental knowledge of the mycoparasitic Pythium species, Pythium oligandrum and Pythium periplocum, and how they differentiate from their phytopathogenic counterparts. Further, the thesis also pinpoints characteristics that determine mycoparasitism in these two Pythiums, and how this relates to their biocontrol abilities, at the molecular level. This was elucidated using comparative genomics, transcriptomics. The result showed that ABC transporters, AVH-like RXLR effectors, and an expanded CAZyme among other things, are conserved and important for mycoparasitism, by P. oligandrum and P. periplocum both when preying on phytopathogens but also in comparison to closely related plant pathogens. This thesis also explores if P. oligandrum can be used as an antagonist against early blight disease on potato plants. The results showed that P. oligandrum did induce disease suppression in potato in controlled greenhouse environments, however in the field trials when the disease pressure was high the effects disappeared. The thesis also explores if and how P. oligandrum interacts with the potato plants. The results showed that P. oligandrum induced biostimulation in potato both in controlled environments and field studies, although the biostimulation was in a plant-genotype dependent manner. Finally, the thesis investigates the impact on the resident rhizosphere microbiome of field grown potato plants when P. oligandrum was applied. The results showed that P. oligandrum has a very limited impact on the diversity and community structure in the rhizosphere of potato. Overall, the work in this thesis has generated a deeper understanding of the fundamental biology of the mycoparasitic Pythium species and how they differ from plant pathogens. An increased understanding of the environmental consequences and how P. oligandrum can be utilized as a BCA in the potato cropping system has been elucidated. This work also contributes with pivotal knowledge about how P. oligandrum can be utilized in an IPM strategy in the potato agricultural cropping system.


The existence of technology, especially smartphones that are growing, must be addressed wisely. The benefits of this technology must continue to be explored for a better human life. The phenomenon of the high number of smartphone users is a challenge and opportunity in education. The challenge is abuse for negative things. Besides being a challenge, smartphones also bring great opportunities to develop technology that is useful in education. One of the benefits that can be taken from the existence of this technology is to use it as an effective, creative and educational learning medium. So that educational application media can continue to be developed, one of which is augmented reality (AR) technology. So, we need a media that is able to provide an understanding of computer hardware (hardware) and can increase student interest in learning. Based on these problems, the researcher aims to create and determine the feasibility of augmented reality-based learning media using Unity on ICT subjects as the subject of computer hardware (hardware). This research uses research and development methods. The results showed that the ICT learning media was the subject of augmented reality-based computer hardware and went through 5 stages of development, namely: (1) Analysis, (2) Design, (3) Development, (4) Implementation, (5) Evaluation. The average feasibility level of the score based on the assessment is: (1) Media expert 4.11 (Very Eligible), (2) Material expert 4.53 (Very Eligible), (3) Testing on students 4,472 (Very Eligible). The results of the feasibility assessment concluded that the ICT learning media on the subject of computer hardware (hardware) based on augmented reality "Very Appropriate" is used as an ICT learning medium on the subject of computer hardware (hardware).


Objective: We aimed to analyze the the genotyping of norovirus infectious diarrhea epidemic in Songjiang district, Shanghai, and explored the experience in handling the epidemic to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and treatment strategies. Methods: The epidemiological data and related samples of 69 outbreaks of infectious diarrhea caused by norovirus was collected from 2017 to 2019 in Songjiang district, Shanghai. Sequencing and type identification were performed by the method of gene sequencing for the junction region of Norovirus ORF1 and ORF2. Results: From 2017 to 2019, 69 outbreaks of norovirus infections diarrhea were reported in Songjiang district, Shanghai. A total of 1 767 samples were tested, including 619 case samples (positive rate 19.9%), 343 practitioner samples (positive rate 1.1%), 505 environmental samples (positive rate 0.5%) and 300 food samples (not detected). 141 sequences were obtained, and the genotype analysis showed that the genotype that mainly caused infectious diarrhea in 2017 and 2018 was GII.P16-GII.2 (50.98%, 26/51). In 2019, the genotypes that mainly caused infectious diarrhea were GII.P16-GII.2 (13.73%, 7/51) and GII.Pe-GII.4 (9.80%, 5/51). Conclusion: The main genotype of the 69 outbreaks of nororirus infectious diarrhea epidemic in Songjiang district, Shanghai from 2017 to 2019 was GII.P16-GII.2, which showed obvious peaks in spring, autumn and winter. There were more infections in kindergartens and schools. The surveillance of norovirus infection should be strengthened.


The status of man and woman is a critical issue of debate between worldly religions and social as well as legal sciences around the globe. Generally, religious scholars highlight explicitly the roles of man and woman in terms of their rights and responsibilities prior to any discrimination. On the contrary, social and legal sciences claim equality of gender roles in all matters of life. At the same time, some religious scholars proclaim the superiority of man to woman and open the doors of a controversial discussion between religions and other sciences. This paper predominantly aims at exploring the concept of the superiority of man to woman and its limits within an Islamic realm. In order to provide a comprehensive review, this study highlights multifaceted aspects of the issue at hand, including the meaning of the superiority of man to man, the significance and objectives of the discussion, the Islamic standpoint towards the concept of the superiority, the roles of man and woman in a society, the limits of the superiority of man to woman, the moderate viewpoint about the concept, and finally the findings of the study as well as recommendations. This paper employs a qualitative content analysis methodology to address the issue from the Holy Qur'an, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and their interpretation books. This endeavor will provide an insight into the concept of the superiority of man to woman and its limits and will be beneficial for humanity in general and Muslims in particular to deal with the individual, family and social issues.


This work is devoted to establish preliminary criteria on the sizing factor choice of a photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected installation based on a central inverter configuration which would help to the choice of the central inverter maximum power. These criteria are derived by estimating, through numerical simulations of the power processing models of the PV conversion chain, the yearly energy injected to the grid. The simulation results carried out on three different PV sites show, among others, that the current practice of under-sizing the inverter maximum power with respect to the nominal power of the PV generator may not be the best choice in terms of yearly injected energy


Every action related to the people must be evaluated, scrutinized, and approved by Ulil Amri before it is allowed to be implemented by the Islamic religious authorities at their respective state. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying Ulil Amri who is responsible for handling and managing COVID-19 pandemic issues. In addition, this study was also conducted to identify the role and job scope of each Ulil Amri involved in formulating the public policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study has collected relevant data through primary and secondary documents and further analysed them using the content analysis method. The results of this study found HM DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Rulers, State Council of Islamic Religion, State Mufti Department, and State Islamic Religious Council. They are the Ulil Amri who is responsible for handling and managing COVID-19 pandemic issues related to Islamic religious affairs in Malaysia. Each Ulil Amri involved has their own role and jurisdiction. They will work together in formulating any public policy related to Islamic religious affairs. This shows that every public policy produced involves various parties from various fields who work together to safeguard the maslahat and prevent mafsadah from happening to the people.


Community-based organizations (CBOs) are on the frontlines offering resources and support to residents during times of distress. Through a community-academic partnership, an interdisciplinary team developed, collected, and analyzed 91 surveys from social services providers across New York City assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their organizations' operations. The majority (93%) of these organizations stayed open during the pandemic but had to shift the services they offered to meet new needs. Although most (89%) shared they were not offering on-site testing for COVID-19, 53% expressed interest in becoming a test site, citing needs such as funding, test kits, and skills-building for staff. More than half of the respondents were eager to get involved in public health efforts in other ways, such as joining local research advisory boards. Despite increasing the services they provided, CBOs saw decreases in staffing and volunteers. Furthermore, although nearly half (48%) received governmental aid, many faced financial pressures and several had to close offices during the pandemic. As trusted resources, CBOs can help meet public health needs if provided with proper support and resources. It is critical that those working in prevention and relief are considerate about how and when they leverage effective partnerships between public health organizations and CBOs, offering organizations the resources they need to be effective in this charge, given the role they can have in promoting health equity.


Rationale: The effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in advanced COPD is well established. Limited data is available in less advanced disease. Methods: In a 2-year randomized, controlled trial, 199 patients with on average moderate airflow obstruction but impaired exercise capacity (FEV1: 60% (SD 16%), Wmax<70%) were randomized to the INTERdisciplinary COMmunity-based COPD management program (INTERCOM) or Usual Care. Intervention consisted of 4 months multidisciplinary rehabilitation followed by a 20-month maintenance phase. Outcomes (4, 12, 24 months): health related quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ)), exacerbation frequency, Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea score, cycle endurance time (CET), 6 minute walking distance (6MWD), skeletal muscle strength and patients' and caregivers' perceived effectiveness. Results: After 4 months between-group comparison (mean (SE)) revealed significant differences in favor of INTERCOM for SGRQ total score 4.06 (1.39) p=0.04, activity and impact sub scores (p<0.01), MRC score: 0.33 (0.13), p=0.01, W max: 6.0 (2.3) Watt, p=0.02, CET: 221 (104) seconds, p=0.04, 6 MWD: 13 (6) meter, p=0.02, hand grip force: 4.3 (1.5) pounds, p< 0.01 and FFMI: 0.34 (0.13) kg/m2, p=0.01. Between-group differences over two years: SGQR: 2.60 (1.3), p=0.04 and MRC: 0.21 (0.10), p=0.048, CET: 253 (104) seconds, p=0.0156, 6MWD: 18 (8) meter, p= 0.0155. Exacerbation frequency was not different (RR 1.29 (95%CI 0.89-1.87)). Patients' and caregivers' perceived effectiveness significantly favored the INTERCOM program (p<0.01)


Quantitation of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in human serum could ensure that patients have adequate levels of mAbs for effective treatment. This research describes the use of affinity, glass-fiber membranes in a 96-well-plate format for rapid (<5 min) quantitation of the therapeutic mAb trastuzumab and a mAb against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Adsorption of a poly(acrylic acid)-containing film in membrane pores and activation of the −COOH groups in the film enable covalent-linking of affinity peptides or proteins to the membrane. Passage of mAb-containing serum through the affinity membrane results in mAb capture within 1 min. Subsequent rinsing, binding of a secondary antibody conjugated to a fluorophore, and a second rinse yield mAb-concentration-dependent fluorescence intensities in the wells. Calibration curves established from analyses on different days have low variability and allow determination of mAb levels in separately prepared samples with an average error <10%, although errors in single-replicate measurements may reach 40%. The assays can occur in diluted serum with physiologically relevant mAb concentrations, as well as in undiluted serum. Thus, the combination of 96-well plates containing affinity membranes, a microplate reader, and a simple vacuum manifold affords convenient mAb quantitation in <5 min.


Case study research facilitates the in-depth, real-life exploration of complex phenomena from multiple perspectives. It is a well-established approach to deal with the complexities involved in palliative care research. Case studies are not aligned to a single epistemological paradigm but are defined by the identification of the case to be studied. This article examines the methodological issues of carrying out constructivist Stakian multi-case study research. It is based on the lessons learned from our case study exploring the experiences of advanced breast cancer in Mauritania, a resource-limited, Muslim majority context. Stake provides suggestions and boundaries for the case study researcher, but there is no blueprint available for a Stakian multi-case study. The researcher is encouraged to employ their creativity, intuition and ingenuity. We exercised this freedom by incorporating mixed methods of data collection within our constructivist paradigm. We resourcefully revisited the identity of the case and embedded mini-cases, we rejected traditional views of triangulation in favor of crystallization, and we employed assorted approaches to guide and enrich our within- and cross-case analyses to formulate overarching themes and multi-case assertions. Stakian case study should not be limited to constructivist researchers. We encourage any case study researchers to consider this approach, especially those who wish to employ their intuition and ingenuity to understand and describe experiences and phenomena.


Background: Regular transfusion in thalassemia major patients increases life expectancy and improves quality of life. Blood transfusion is the main sources for viral transmission to Thalassemia patients. So, detection of viral antigens using more than one technique must be adopted. Iron and its binding proteins have immune regulatory properties and shifting of immune regulatory balance by iron excess or deficiency may produce severe deleterious physiological effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of immunization and determine the immune response of beta-thalassemia patients. Also, to evaluate the effects of iron overload chelating therapy and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination on some immunological and hematological parameters in hepatitis and non hepatitis Egyptian thalassemia patients. Methods: Forty homozygote Thalassemia patients attending blood bank, therapeutic unite, Holding company for Biological production and Vaccine, VACSERA were chosen for this study (age range 4-30years, mean 14 years, 18 females 46% and 22 males 54%). Results: There was no significant correlation between HBs Ab level in control and non vaccinated groups that include Thalassemia, hepatitis, non hepatitis, either iron chelating therapy dependent or independent patients. In the same time, there was no significant correlation between Ab level in vaccinated control and Thalassemia groups. HbF and HbA2 % showed significant and highly significant increases respectively, in most of groups especially, Thalassemia, hepatitis and iron chelating independent, vaccinated or non vaccinated groups. While HbA may be present in small amount or completely absent. RBCs count, Hb%, Hematocrit and MCV values were decreased significantly in all patient's groups vaccinated or non vaccinated compared to control group, while MCH and MCHC were not changed in patient' groups compared to control group. Platelets count was increased significantly in most patient' groups (except non vaccinated, Thalassemia, hepatitis, iron chelating dependent) compared to control group. Also, WBCs count was increased significantly in most groups (except non vaccinated, Thalassemia, hepatitis or non hepatitis, iron chelating dependent or independent) in comparison with the control group. All patients (hepatitis, vaccinated or non vaccinated) had high significant increase in gamma globulins compared to control group. Conclusion: Hematological and immunological measurements for hepatitis Thalassemia patients are important to monitor and treat the disease.


This study aims to improve the writing skills of 5th grade students of SD Negeri 04 Margoyoso by using YouTube as the media. The main problem in this mini research study is that students are lazy and find difficult to write a lot because of the length of online learning due to the pandemic. It can be seen from the result of student writing, unstructured interviews, and class observations and collection of documentation. This research was carried out at SD Negeri 03/04 Margoyoso in the odd semester of the academic year 2021/2022 with the research subjects being 22 students in 5th grade. This research is a mini classaction research (CAR) conducted in two cycles. Quantitative data in the form of writing skill scores were analyzed descriptively. Students writing skills increased from the precycle score of 45.56%, increased in the first cycle of 54.55% and increased again in the second cycle of 72.73%. The succes of the learning proses can be seen in the activities of students who are enthusiastic and antusiastic about participating in learning.


The extent of methylation of the c-H-ras and c-K-ras oncogenes was compared in neoplastic and preneoplastic livers of rats fed one of several methyl-deficient, amino acid-defined diets for 18 months, with or without a preceding initiating dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The restriction endonucleases MspI, HpaII, HhaI, PaeR71 and XhoI were used for studying the extent and pattern of DNA methylation. The results indicated that both c-H-ras and c-K-ras oncogenes were hypomethylated in all DNA samples derived from both neoplastic and preneoplastic livers of rats fed any of the methyl-deficient diets used, regardless of whether or not the rats had received an initiating dose of DEN. It thus appears that dietary methyl deficiency does indeed lead to hypomethylation of ras genes in the DNAs of the resulting tumors. However, the significance of this hypomethylation in the tumorigenic process is not clearly understood.


Initial light induced degradation (ILID) has been observed in p-type crystalline and multicrystalline solar cells. Since ILID is strongly correlated with high boron and oxygen content in the solar cell, recent theories suggest that n-type solar cells should be much less susceptible to ILID. Using indoor solar simulation, PV modules containing n-type dendritic web silicon solar cells were studied to observe the presence of ILID. I-V curve measurements were made as the modules received their first light exposure. No degradation in Voc  was observed, but a small amount of degradation did appear in I sc and Pmax. The mechanism behind this very low level of degradation is unclear


Global competition and rapidly changing market requirements pose significant challenges for traditional control system engineering. To achieve systematic reuse in control system engineering, a framework-based approach is presented. Framework technology promotes reusing both architecture and components, thereby benefiting the whole lifecycle of control systems. An architecture that mainly consists of HMI, engineering tool, function block repository, and intelligent devices is proposed, which enables architecture level reuse. The component model with IEC61499 is introduced as the building block. The framework-based engineering methodology integrates new technologies in software engineering with IEC61499, and provides design pattern level reuse. An illustrative example of control system development for a water tank is presented, using the framework-based approach.


In its effort to win the hearts and minds of undergraduate students, the discipline of International Relations has undertaken a radical expansion of its pedagogical toolkit in the past two and a half decades. On the one hand, these transformations have been spurred by confrontation with the complexity of post-Cold War world affairs. On the other hand, such changes have been driven by the need to catch up with the ever more pervasive involvement of technology in everyday lives. As a result, popular culture has become an increasingly prevalent medium for introducing IR concepts, paradigms and perspectives in the classroom. Films, in particular, have proven to be an increasingly popular artefact for teaching IR. Stephen Benedict Dyson's book contributes to this project by focusing on three of the genredefining science fiction films: Start Trek, Game of Thrones and Battlestar Galactica. As his analysis demonstrates, apart from facilitating teaching and bringing what otherwise might be perceived as dry concepts to life, films, as products of visual culture, play an important role in framing global outlooks and perceptions of appropriate (and inappropriate) international behaviour. In particular, science fiction films play an important part in constructing popular imaginaries about how we relate with others – regardless of whether they are extra-terrestrials or immigrants. Such forays into popular culture therefore demonstrate that IR, just like films, is made up of stories – of narratives that make the unfamiliar intelligible. The difference is that in films we call such narratives plots, while in IR we call them theories. Such an approach assists students not only to come to grips with the conceptual toolkit of the study of world affairs but also to gain insights into the ways in which analytical models both assist in the explanation and understanding of international interactions and play an important role in structuring which relations become visible. In this way, Dyson's book cogently demonstrates that films not only reflect but also affect political realities. At the same time, while focusing on the products of visual culture, the volume poignantly emphasises the significance of transforming the classroom environment into a space that allows students to question perceived wisdom on the basis of their own knowledge and experience. The breadth and depth of Dyson's book makes it an extremely valuable textbook for teaching IR and a reference resource for anyone looking for thoughtful engagement with the complex interactions between films and world politics.


This book explores learning in the early years and emphasises the importance of learning in social contexts, through the senses and within close relationships. It moves away from the focus on 'learning' as the acquisition of knowledge, and instead emphasises the importance of personal, social and emotional development in early years education. Arguing that young children learn best when they are supported by reliable, engaged and attentive people who know them well, this book challenges readers to reflect on their own practice and think about how emotions play a part in young children's learning and development.
Each chapter of this book discusses a different aspect of emotional, sensory and social learning; from philosophical perspectives on learning, leadership and inclusive practice; to the importance of promoting the development of children's emotional intelligence; forming close attachments to children, and encouraging them to learn through their senses. The reader is provided with ample ideas and examples for application in the classroom.

Numerous practical examples, reference to contemporary research, and the authors' acknowledgement of the challenges faced by practitioners, make this an inspiring and pertinent resource for new and experienced teachers and practitioners, as well as trainees and students in the fields of early years and primary education. Readers will develop the skills needed to engage in outstanding, learning-focused practice.


A perhaps significant comment on this particular symptom is that I am aware of at least one case of my own and two others reported by colleagues where the condition occurred in inmates of a mental institution, and the symptomatology had been related to their mental condition rather than to this disease. The importance of this in relation to the prevention of the blindness which may supervene in a third of these cases need not be elaborated. I would like to question the validity of the very common use of the word "-euphoria " in relation to the attitude of these patients to their condition. It would seem to me that this is not really an accurate description of the total unconcern which so many of them display, and one has been seriously tempted to wonder whether this quite remarkable lack of concern may not be explained, in a teleological sense, as a desirable outcome of what at least a considerable number of people would regard as a stress disease par excellence. The importance of this latter feature in relation to the problem of the diagnosis of this condition is well outlined by a patient of my colleague Mr. D. St. Clair Roberts. This was an old lady, who, although patently suffering from giant-celled arteritis of the aged, steadfastly refused to admit to having any pain until the day following commencement of treatment with systemic steroids, when her gratitude at having been relieved of an excruciating headache knew no bounds.I am, etc.,


Recent literature has explored the substantial autonomy Hong Kong enjoyed under British imperial rule in the post-war period. We are, however, left without an understanding of the precise parameters in which colonial authority could be exercised autonomously, and how and why it could be compromised. An investigation of the imprisonment in Beijing of British Reuters journalist Anthony Grey from 1967 to 1969, in retaliation for the arrest in Hong Kong of journalists for their part in the 1967 disturbances, demonstrates that the extensive autonomy of the Hong Kong authorities could be compromised if colonial policy contravened British foreign policy objectives towards China.


This paper presents the Treadport Active Wind Tunnel (TPAWT)-a full-body immersive virtual environment for the Treadport locomotion interface designed for generating wind on a user from any frontal direction at speeds up to 20 kph. The goal is to simulate the experience of realistic wind while walking in an outdoor virtual environment. A recirculating-type wind tunnel was created around the pre-existing Treadport installation by adding a large fan, ducting, and enclosure walls. Two sheets of air in a non-intrusive design flow along the side screens of the back-projection CAVE-like visual display, where they impinge and mix at the front screen to redirect towards the user in a full-body cross-section. By varying the flow conditions of the air sheets, the direction and speed of wind at the user are controlled. Design challenges to fit the wind tunnel in the pre-existing facility, and to manage turbulence to achieve stable and steerable flow, were overcome. The controller performance for wind speed and direction is demonstrated experimentally.


OBJECTIVE
Na/K-ATPase (Na,K pump) plays an important role in the regulation of intracellular ion composition. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Na+ regulates the levels of mRNA coding for Na/K-ATPase alpha and beta isoforms in cultured rat vascular smooth muscles cells.

METHODS
Na/K-ATPase alpha and beta isoform mRNA expression was evaluated by northern blot analysis. The alpha 1 subunit content was determined by ELISA. A luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to study whether the alpha 1 promoter might contain Na+ responsive elements.

RESULTS
Na/K-ATPase alpha 1 and beta 1 isoform mRNAs, but not alpha 2 and alpha 3 isoform mRNAs, were expressed in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Exposure of the cells to 10 microM veratridine, an Na+ channel activator, resulted in two- and threefold increases in alpha 1 and beta 1 mRNA accumulation, respectively, with a maximum at 60 min. The veratridine induced alpha 1 and beta 1 mRNA accumulation was still observed even in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The increase in alpha 1 mRNA accumulation caused by 10 microM veratridine was associated with a significant increase in alpha 1 subunit protein accumulation. Transfection experiments with chimeric plasmids containing 5'-flanking sequences of alpha 1 isoform gene and luciferase reporter gene showed that 10 microM veratridine caused a threefold increase in luciferase activity.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that Na+ stimulates the transcription of Na/K-ATPase alpha 1 and beta 1 isoform genes in vascular smooth muscle cells. The transfection study further supports the premise that Na+ responsive elements are located within the 5'-flanking sequences of alpha 1 isoform gene.


Health monitoring and healthcare provisioning for the elderly at
home have received increasingly attention. Since each elderly person is unique,
with a unique lifestyle, living environment and health condition, personalization is an essential feature of homecare software services. Service tailoring, which is creating a new service to meet individual requirements may be achieved in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner if new services can be configured and composed from already existing services. In this paper, we propose an effective service tailoring process and architecture to personalize homecare services according to the individual care-receiver's needs. In addition, we present a scenario to highlight the need for service tailoring and to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.


We present the first unique design of a polarization-independent dual-wavelength splitter for wavelengths around 1.3 μm and 1.55 μm that is potentially of great interest to passive optical network (PON) applications. The filter design is simple compared with the other architectures and is based on ridge-type lateral directional couplers that can be readily integrated with other planar waveguide devices. Two design examples, based on InP/InGaAsP and Si/SiGe waveguides, are given. This polarization-independent wavelength splitting is achieved by exploiting the polarization dependence of the waveguides to produce coupling lengths that are sensitive to polarization and wavelength. We show that, to split the wavelengths without splitting the polarizations, the coupling lengths must be sufficiently different for TE and TM and for the different wavelengths in order to give the correct required ratios between the TE and TM coupling lengths for the two wavelengths of interest. We also show that the same approach can be applied to the design of a polarization splitter. The crosstalk, optical bandwidth, and fabrication sensitivity for the wavelength filter are evaluated.


This paper examined how a public dialogue between citizens and politicians was developed on Twitter within an electoral campaign. This study focused on analyzing the messages that circulated on the Twitter accounts of five candidates that ran for governor in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, in 2012. Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms in the western democracies and recently has been an important communication channel in the political field, especially in electoral periods. The questions this study investigated includes: What is happening within Twitter in electoral competitions? How are the users communicating with the politicians? What kind of public dialogue can be found in these communication processes? These questions were tackled through qualitative textual analysis of messages that circulated through the Twitter accounts of five Mexican politicians that competed in an electoral campaign. The major finding indicates that there was a scarcity of public dialogue on Twitter during Jalisco's local campaigns. Nevertheless there was evidence of an incipient public dialogue between candidates and citizens within Twitter interactions.


The hearts of eight patients aged 22 to 67 years (mean, 41 years) who died during or within 4 days of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) based immunotherapy for treatment of renal cell carcinoma or melanoma were studied at necropsy. Death resulted from combined cardiorespiratory failure in two patients, sepsis in four patients, acute myocardial infarction in one patient, and myocarditis in one patient. Transmural left ventricular necrosis was present in one of the two patients with significant atherosclerotic coronary artery narrowing. Noninfectious myocarditis was present in five patients: the inflammatory infiltrate was lymphocytic in four and composed of a mixture of eosinophils and lymphocytes in one. Although treatment‐related deaths associated with high‐dose IL‐2 therapy are uncommon (1.5% in 652 consecutive patients), the potential for significant myocardial ischemia or myocarditis exists, and careful monitoring for arrhythmias or myocardial failure is warranted.


Nowadays cyberattack is very common and also very dangerous. It not only corrupts data but also steals money from the user's accounts. To prevent this, we introduce CSAAI. Artificial intelligence is based on machine, that means there is no involvement of humans. In computers, AI itself is defined as intelligent agents. A device that uses its own environment and takes a decision on behalf of humans and enhances its result. Colloquially, the expression "manmade reasoning" is applied when a machine impersonates "subjective" capacities that people partner with other human personalities, for example, "learning" and "critical thinking".


Single electron tunneling (SET) technology offers the ability to control the transport of individual electrons. In this paper, we investigate single electron encoded logic (SEEL) memory circuits, in which the Boolean logic values are encoded as zero or one electron charges. More specifically, we focus on the implementation of SEEL latches and flip-flops. All proposed circuits are verified by means of simulation using the SIMulation Of Nanostructures package. We first present a generic SEEL linear threshold gate implementation, from which we derive a family of Boolean logic gates. Second, we propose Boolean gate-based implementations of the RS latch, the D latch, and D flip-flop. Third, we propose threshold gate-based implementations of the same memory elements. Finally, we discuss the estimated area, delay, and power consumption of the Boolean gate-based and threshold gate-based implementations, and compare them with other SET-based memory elements.


In this paper I investigate two enquiries related to the investment diversion effect of regional integration. One of the questions is when the investment diversion occurs. And another question is whether we can control the effect well to promote the desirable foreign direct investment. We provide theoretical analysis to answer these issues. This paper shows that the regional integration that formed by the developing countries like ASEAN Free Trade Area may expect the expansion of direct investment from non-member developed countries by rules of origin. Moreover, when the member countries within the integrated region eager to call investment on the industry with superior technology, which needs foreign capital to promote the sector, the rules of origin could be used as a strategic tool.


Using positron emission markers for the localization of a robotic capsule endoscope is promising because it does not require onboard space or built-in battery for operation. Further, its compatibility with magnetic actuation is another significant advantage compared with conventional magnetic localization methods reported in the literature. In this paper, we propose a new tracking algorithm based on rigid-body transformation and gamma rays emitted from three positron emission markers onboard to localize an endoscopic capsule operating within the gastrointestinal tract of the human body. Different from traditional rigid-body transformation based on datasets of 3-D points, our method estimates the transformation parameters (e.g., translation vector and rotation angle) from several groups of 3-D lines in order to determine the locations of the markers emitting the gamma rays. Validated by both simulation data using a voxelized phantom in the Geant4 Application for Emission Tomography toolkit and the experimental data collected from a positron emission tomography scanner, the new localization method shows a significant improvement in the tracking accuracy (an average position error of 0.4 mm and orientation error of 1.9°) and the failure rate (18/9600 localization runs), compared to the localization results reported in the literature.


Since the immunological interaction between a mother and her intrauterine embryo is thought to be very important and since the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are considered to be the most important correlative immunoresponsive antigens presently known, the present study was designed to investigate the HLA phenotype frequencies and antigen sharing percentages in couples suffering from recurrent abortion, as compared with normal fertile couples. The results showed that there were no HLA associations among these groups. The sharing study analyzed the similarities between single antigen groups (A, B, C, and DR) and multiple antigen complexes (AB and ABDR). The incidences for sharing more than one single antigen were 63.9%, 44.4%, 61.1% and 30.6% in the study group and 57.1%, 22.9%, 71.4% and 40.0% in the control group. Sharing of more than two antigens in the multiple antigen combinations were 36.2%, 47.2% for the study group and 22.9%, 42.9% for the control group. The statistical analyses reveals no significant differences. We conclude that although immunological reaction during the periimplantation period may be important and may play a role in later pregnancy stages, no single HLA antigen presentation or sharing of a certain number of antigens is related to the prognosis of pregnancy outcome.


Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a critical tool for the economic, social and environmental sustainability of coastal and marine areas. MSP seeks to identify the various human economic activities in these zones and in various depths. In compliance with Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and Council of the 23rd of July 2014, which aims to establish a common framework where each member state identify the maritime space under its control. This was accomplished in Cyprus through the project "Cross-Border Cooperation for the Development of Maritime Spatial Planning (Thal-Chor)", in short "Thal-Chor", which was co-funded under the Interreg "Greece–Cyprus 2007–2013" framework. The methodology of the project used government data and bathymetry maps to create a GIS database which produced density maps. The Density maps identified a high concentration of activities near the Limassol district and around the ports of Cyprus and over 60 sea and land activities were analysed for conflicts and compatibilities. The further implementation of MPS will take place through the "Cross-Border Cooperation for Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning ("Thal-Chor 2)". During the project, satellite remote sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles will be used to survey the coastal and marine areas that were identified on the density maps from the Thal-Chor project. SAR data from the Sentinel 1 satellite will provide the necessary data to verify the MSP activities in the first phase of the project. Such data will provide valuable information for the existing geo-spatial database for MSP for the implementation of integrated plans. This research is supported by the project entitled: "Cross-Border Cooperation for Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning" referred as "THAL-CHOR 2" and is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by national funds of Greece and Cyprus, under the Cooperation Programme "INTERREG V-A Greece-Cyprus 2014-2020".


Vitamin B₁₂ is produced only by prokaryotes and utilized by animals as an essential micronutrient. Genetic complementation analysis of cell lines from patients indicated that at least eight gene products are involved in intracellular B₁₂ metabolism and utilization. We have investigated bacterial adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzymes and elucidated their structure-based fine mechanisms. They tend to undergo mechanism-based inactivation during catalysis, because they use highly reactive radicals for catalyzing chemically difficult reactions. We have discovered molecular chaperone-like reactivating factors for these enzymes that release a damaged cofactor forming apoenzyme. Methylcobalamin-dependent methionine synthase also undergoes inactivation, because it utilizes cob (I) alamin, a super nucleophile, for catalysis. Methionine synthase reductase is a reactivating partner for this enzyme. Recent studies suggested that activity-maintaining systems for B₁₂ enzymes are present in animal cells as well, and thus hints for designing therapeutic agents for B₁₂-related metabolic disorders might be obtained from the investigations of microbial B₁₂ metabolism.


INTRODUCTION
Health literacy is linked to better health outcomes and underpins effective self-management, yet over one-and-a-half million New Zealanders are known to have poor health literacy skills. An ability to access and understand health information is an important component of health literacy. Little is known, however, about New Zealand consumers' health information needs. This qualitative study sought to understand the perceptions of consumers related to their needs and use of health information.

METHODS
Four focus group interviews provided data for this qualitative descriptive study. Data analysis used a thematic inductive approach. Participants were from the general population, accessed through community-based health organisations. These consumers were predominantly of New Zealand European ethnicity, female, older, and most were actively engaged in managing their health.

FINDINGS
Four themes were identified: issues with current information provision; preferences for content; format; and sources of health information. These themes are described in the paper, using illustrative quotes from consumer participants.

CONCLUSION
This study indicates that consumers have varied health information needs. Health professionals cannot assume that consumers all have the same health literacy skills. The ideal is to provide personalised, relevant information in a manner the consumer can understand, within the current time constraints in practice. Health professionals can support consumers in their use of different strategies to ensure their health information needs are expressed and met.


The maize ZmCAD2 gene has been fully sequenced in several normal and bm1 maize lines, highlighting a large diversity of mutations underlying the bm1 phenotype. Mutations in three bm1 lines (F2bm1, A619bm1, and 511Jbm1) were found corresponding to short InDels inducing premature stop codons and truncated proteins. In two lines (511Kbm1 and 5803Cbm1), mutations were limited to an only SNP or to a few SNP, modifying the catalytic sites, and likely inactivating the proteins. Results also established that the 5803Ibm7 mutant was in fact a bm1 mutant, with a sequence fully identical to the 5803Cbm1 sequence. The two new F7803bm1 (natural mutant) and Ev2210bm1 (transposon tagging Mutator investigations) both had a transposon insertion in the ZmCAD2 DNA, resulting in a truncated protein, even if the mRNA was produced. The biochemical characteristics of the Ev2210bm1 lignins corroborated the signature of CAD2 deficiency in plants, with the presence of aldehydes and atypical compounds and linkages. Considering lignin structure and content, CAD2 is likely a good target for the improvement of energy production based on maize and grass lignocellulosic biomass, including a greater susceptibility to environmentally friendly pretreatments, as it was shown in bmr sorghum. The interest in maize bm1 hybrids for cattle feeding also should be considered because there seem to be little or limited negative effects of CAD2 mutations on other agronomical traits.