Complex interactions between carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism underlie the body's remarkable ability to adapt to a variety of diets. But any imbalances between the intake and utilization rates of these macronutrients will result in changes in body weight and composition. Here, I present the first computational model that simulates how diet perturbations result in adaptations of fuel selection and energy expenditure that predict body weight and composition changes in both obese and nonobese men and women. No model parameters were adjusted to fit these data other than the initial conditions for each subject group (e.g., initial body weight and body fat mass). The model provides the first realistic simulations of how diet perturbations result in adaptations of whole body energy expenditure, fuel selection, and various metabolic fluxes that ultimately give rise to body weight change. The validated model was used to estimate free-living energy intake during a long-term weight loss intervention, a variable that has never previously been measured accurately.


Abstract. Registration of multiple point clouds acquired via terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is usually compulsory to obtain the scanned data covering a whole urban scene. However, the automated processing of aligning multiple scans is still a concern because of the complex urban environment. To this end, we propose a fast and sturdy estimation of 3D shifts between point clouds by an automated markerfree process using global features, converting translation measurement between two point clouds in the space domain to the frequency domain and estimating the phase difference. By using the low-frequency components from the normalized cross-power spectrum, accurate 3D shifts are calculated by solving parameters in the linear equation representing phase difference angles, with the help of a robust estimator. The results of experiments using TLS datasets of different scenes show that the proposed approach is both practical and efficient. In particular, the proposed approach can achieve results with a translation error of less than about 1.0 m on test datasets.


It has recently been shown that domain walls (DWs) in ferromagnets can be moved in the presence of thermal gradients. In this work we study the motion of narrow domain walls in low-dimensional systems when subjected to thermal gradients. The system chosen is a monolayer of Fe on W(110) which is known to exhibit a large anisotropy while having a soft exchange, resulting in a very narrow domain wall. The study is performed by means of atomistic spin dynamics simulations coupled to first-principles calculations. By subjecting this system to thermal gradients we observe a temperature-dependent movement of the domain wall. The thermal gradient always makes the domain wall move towards the hotter region of the sample with a velocity proportional to the gradient. Our material specific study is complemented by model simulations to discern the interplay between the thermal gradient, magnetic anisotropy, and the exchange interaction and shows that the larger DW velocities are found for materials with broader domain-wall width. The relatively slow DW motion of the Fe/W(110) system is hence primarily caused by its narrow domain-wall width, which results from its large magnetic anisotropy and soft exchange.


Porphyrins coated ZnO is an interesting material where the exposure to light and gas may cooperate to modulate the respective sensitivities. In this work, the gas sensing properties of porphyrins functionalized laterally grown ZnO nanorods are introduced. The porphyrin layer incompletely coats the semiconductor surface in order to keep both ZnO and porphyrins in contact with analyte. It is known that UV light may prompt the chemical sensitivity of ZnO replacing the high temperature condition. Here we demonstrate that because of the photo-injection of electrons from porphyrin to the ZnO, the same impact could be acquired with visible light.


Mathematical modelling has often been emphasized at the secondary level, but more research is needed at the elementary level. This paper serves to summarize what is known about elementary mathematical modelling to guide future research. A targeted and general literature search was conducted and studies were summarized based on five categories: content of mathematical modelling intervention, assessment data collected, unit of analysis studied, population, and effectiveness. It was found that there were three main units of analysis into which the studies could be categorized: representational and conceptual competence, models created, and student beliefs. The main findings from each of these units of analysis are discussed along with future research that is needed.


Echocardiographic findings and catheterization outcomes were compared in 191 patients with congenital heart disease. There was a regularity of changes in echocardiographic parameters depending on the nature of hemodynamic loading. Indirect ultrasound signs were revealed, which determined the severity of various intracardiac hemodynamic manifestations and latent heart failure.


[1] We compare cloud-radiative forcing (CRF) at the top-of-the atmosphere from 19 atmospheric general circulation models, employing simulations with prescribed sea-surface temperatures, to observations from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE). With respect to 60°N to 60°S means, a surprising result is that many of the 19 models produce unusually large biases in Net CRF that are all of the same sign (negative), meaning that many of the models significantly overestimate cloud radiative cooling. The primary focus of this study, however, is to demonstrate a diagnostic procedure, using ERBE data, to test if a model might produce, for a given region, reasonable CRF as a consequence of compensating errors caused either by unrealistic cloud vertical structure, cloud optical depth or cloud fraction. For this purpose we have chosen two regions, one in the western tropical Pacific characterized by high clouds spanning the range from thin cirrus to deep convective clouds, and the other in the southeastern Pacific characterized by trade cumulus. For a subset of eight models, it is found that most typically produce more realistic regionally-averaged CRF (and its longwave and shortwave components) for the southeastern region as opposed to the western region. However, when the diagnostic procedure for investigating cloud vertical structure and cloud optical depth is imposed, this somewhat better agreement in the southeastern region is found to be the result of compensating errors in either cloud vertical structure, cloud optical depth or cloud fraction. The comparison with ERBE data also shows large errors in clear-sky fluxes for many of the models.


This article attempts to contribute to the debate around the study of refugees and the security implications involving "refugee militants/terrorists." It situates the debate within the context of Syrian refugees who have been radicalized or have voluntarily or involuntarily joined militant groups and Lebanon's subsequent response policy as a host country. It tries to identify the various measures employed by the Government of Lebanon through the operationalization of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees "Ladder of Options" in managing security related issues involving Syrian refugees-turned-terrorists. It intends to (i) raise awareness of the impact of terrorism on host countries and their dilemmas in reconciling refugee rights and counterterrorism for security reasons; and (ii) illustrate specific policies and interventions made by Lebanon in this regard; and (iii) call for further studies on the subject in Middle Eastern countries grappling with internal political challenges at the same time as they are experiencing the huge burden of many refugees. The research suggests that Lebanon needs to address the issue of radicalization in a more comprehensive manner and that scholars need to re-examine the "Ladder of Options" in light of Levantine host States' experiences and to develop a ladder of options framework for combating terrorism in post-emergency refugee settlements to safeguard State sovereignty, international security and refugee protection.


BACKGROUND
Although alcohol and tobacco use disorders are highly comorbid, little is known regarding the combined course of these disorders.

METHODS
The current study utilized latent class analysis to examine longitudinal patterns of alcohol-tobacco use disorder comorbidity. Participants were 449 young adults (baseline age, 18.5 years; 48% male; 51% with paternal history of alcoholism) assessed five times over 7 years.

RESULTS
Five longitudinal types of alcohol or tobacco use disorder over time were identified: nondiagnosing; developmentally limited alcohol use disorder; chronic alcohol use disorder; chronic tobacco use disorder; and comorbid alcohol and tobacco use disorder. These typologies were distinguishable on the basis of family history of alcoholism status and sex. Etiologically important third variables (alcohol expectancies, behavioral undercontrol, childhood stressors) mediated the relation between family history and the latent classes.

CONCLUSIONS
Characterizations of alcohol use disorders typically fail to consider important sources of heterogeneity such as course or comorbidity. By simultaneously modeling developmental course and comorbidity with tobacco dependence, we were able to identify distinct trajectories of single and concurrent substance use disorders. Such multi-substance trajectories represent meaningful subtypes that, although sharing substantial common influences, have unique etiologic correlates. Additionally, these subtypes might represent distinct groups from the perspective of intervention strategies.


Affiliations: Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Research, Manchester Pharmacy School, Manchester Diabetes Centre, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Endocrinology and Diabetes Research Group, Institute of Human Development, Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Centre for Dermatology Research, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK


In view of the increasing frequency in which cardiac output is pharmacologically altered, the endocardial viability ratio was evaluated experimentally in the dog as an additional means by which cardiac function might be monitored. The endocardial viability ratio provided useful information for cardiac function in situations of decreased peripheral resistance. The limitations of the endocardial viability ratio were evident in conditions of acidosis, hypoxia and increased peripheral resistance. Additional work is indicated prior to firmly establishing the endocardial viability ratio as a useful clinical monitor.


In 1984-1990 longitudinal or sectional serological surveillance on filariasis by ELISA with Brugia malayi adult antigen was carried out in 6 villages, Yuhang County, Zhejiang Province, where malayan filariasis had been under control. During that period the microfilaraemia rate of inhabitants had been declining continuously till nil, the positive rate and mean optical density (OD) value in ELISA for positive inhabitants concurrently declined year by year, especially for children under age of 10. By the 5th year after control both the positive rate and mean OD value were close to those of healthy persons living in nonendemic areas of filariasis, no positivity was found in children. In the meantime, ELISA was used to detect serum antibodies in members of a family who were infected with bancroftian filariasis and inhabitants living around them in 1990. Positive rate of ELISA was higher in these inhabitants (8.33%) than in healthy persons (2.53%), and positive ones were detected from children under age of 10. The results suggest that the detection of antifilarial antibody by using ELISA is an effective method for the surveillance of filariasis.


The tef-Acacia decurrens-charcoal production agroforestry system (TACPA system) is a conventionally and uniquely adopted indigenous potential climate-smart agricultural technology (CSAT) in northwest Ethiopia. This study investigates factors determining farmers' adoption and intensity of use of the TACPA system using a descriptive statistic and a double-hurdle model. A total of 326 farming household heads were selected using multistage random sampling from two purposively chosen provinces. The descriptive statistics showed that 64.42% of the local farmers adopted the TACPA system, and the area covered by the adopter was 0.38 ha. Empirical estimates of the first hurdle revealed that credit, plot ownership, association, primary road distance, asset, farming experience, labor, family size, livestock, tenure, and marginal land influenced the adoption of the TACPA system. On the other hand, estimates of the second hurdle showed that the intensity of use of the TACPA system was determined by age, plot ownership, nativity, primary road distance use, livestock, tenure, secondary road distance, and experience. The complementarity between the adoption of the TACPA system and its intensity of use suggests the necessity of joint socio-economic policies to meet the priority needs of smallholder farmers of the study area and to disseminate the innovation to other parts of Africa with similar environmental conditions.


: In medical clinical practice, organ transplantation is mainly applied to patients with end-stage organ lesions and organ failure. However, with the development of organ transplantation, many ethical issues and controversies have arisen. From the perspective of bioethics, the article compares the relevant ethical and legal regulations of organ transplantation in various countries. Due to the complexity of the real situation, many ethical dilemmas arise in organ transplantation in China. The article analyzes and researches three aspects of organ donation, distribution, and trading, and finds that there are various ethical problems in these three aspects of organ transplantation in China, such as whether the principle of presumed consent is ethical, whether brain death is legalized, the selection and determination of transplant patients, and whether human organ trading is legalized, etc. With the help of the four principles of bioethics and the current development of organ transplantation in China, the article proposes that organ transplantation in China should follow four ethical principles: the principle of respect for life, the principle of do no harm/benefit, the principle of respect for autonomy, and the principle of justice, in order to provide a defense for the legitimacy of organ transplantation.


The correlation between distant Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and foreground galaxy clusters is re-examined by using the well localized (with an accuracy down to a few arcsec) Swift/XRT GRBs. The galaxy clusters are compiled from both the X-ray selected ROSAT brightest cluster sample (BCS) and the BCS extension by requiring δ ≥ 0° and b ≥ 20°. The Swift/XRT GRBs fulfilling the above selection criteria are cross-correlated with the clusters. Both Nearest–Neighbor analysis and the angular two-point cross-correlation function show that there is not enough evidence supporting the correlation between the GRBs and foreground clusters. We suggest that the non-correlation is probably related to the GRB number-flux relation slope.


Series FACTS such as series capacitors or phase shifters, by controlling the power flows in a network, can help reduce the flows in heavily loaded lines, resulting in an increased loadability of the network and a reduced cost of production. The influence of multiple phase shifters on the network flows is complex, because they interact on one another, and the problem of the optimal location is essential. This paper proposes an index for measuring the benefit of a given set of phase shifters. The best location for a set of phase shifters is found by a genetic algorithm for a 36 line test case and for the French network.


This guide provides general information resources for HLT 215, Nutrition and support for the Article Summary Report and Presentation assignment.


Batch adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions using Fe 3 O 4 /bentonite nanocomposite . Effects of the contact time, mass of the adsorbent and the pH of the initial dye solution on the adsorption capacity were studied. The results showed that the adsorption capacity for the dye increased by increasing the contact time and initial pH of the solution. However, it decreased with increasing the mass of the adsorbent. The adsorption kinetics was in good agreement with pseudo 2 nd order kinetic equation and the intra-particle diffusion model. The adsorption isotherm showed good fitting to Langmuir equation and the maximum adsorption capacity was1600 mg/g. For this the prepared nanocomposite could be regarded as a potential adsorbent for MB removal in a wastewater treatment.


Individuals with HIV may present to the emergency department with HIV-related or HIV-unrelated conditions, toxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy or primary HIV infection (seroconversion). In individuals with HIV infection, central nervous system toxoplasmosis occurs from reactivation of disease, especially when the CD4+ count is <100 cells/μL, whereas in those taking immunosuppressive therapy, this can be either due to newly acquired or reactivated latent infection. It is a rare occurrence in immune-competent patients. Vertical transmission during pregnancy can manifest as congenital toxoplasmosis in the neonate and is often asymptomatic until the second or third decade of life when ocular lesions develop. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and causes zoonotic infection. It can cause focal or disseminated brain lesions leading to neurological deficit, coma and death. Typical radiological findings are multiple ring-enhancing lesions. Histopathological examination demonstrating tachyzoites of T. gondii and the presence of nucleic material in the spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) confirms the diagnosis. The authors present the case of a 52-year-old male UK resident, born in sub-Saharan Africa, with a 3-week history of visual hallucinations. He attended the emergency department on three occasions. Laboratory investigations and a CT head were unremarkable. He was referred to psychological medicine for further evaluation. On his third presentation, 2 months later, a CT head showed widespread lesions suggestive of cerebral metastasis. Dexamethasone was initiated and he developed rigours. An MRI head showed multiple ring-enhancing lesions disseminated throughout his brain parenchyma. CSF analysis and serology confirmed the diagnosis of HIV and toxoplasmosis, respectively. His CD4 count was 10 and his viral load (VL) was 1 245 003. He was then initiated on Biktarvy 50 mg/200 mg/25 mg, one tablet daily, which contains 50 mg of bictegravir, 200 mg of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate equivalent to 25 mg of tenofovir alafenamide. After 3 months of antiretroviral therapy, his HIV VL reduced to 42. However, his abbreviated mental test remained at 2/10. Despite presenting with neurocognitive impairment and being born in a HIV prevalent region, an HIV test was not offered. This case highlights missed opportunities to request HIV serology and raises awareness that cerebral toxoplasmosis can occur as the first manifestation of HIV. Prompt diagnosis and early initiation of antiretroviral therapy reduces morbidity and mortality in this patient cohort.


Introduction This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study sought to understand the experiences of people using the SaeboFlex®, within an outpatient setting, following a stroke. Method Five adults who had experienced a stroke and had received the SaeboFlex® from occupational therapists in one outpatient service within the previous 12 months were recruited using convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the data: (a) hope for upper limb recovery: 'you have got nothing to lose'; (b) the everyday experience of the SaeboFlex®: 'just keeping it in a routine'; (c) the self-reported outcomes: 'I can do more things you know … but there haven't been any miracles'. Conclusion The findings highlight the important role of hope in the recovery of people following a stroke, and that participants continue to use the device despite limited goal achievement. The reports of limited transfer of training into everyday occupations, either with or without the device, is something that should be carefully considered. The SaeboFlex® is a tool that is promoted for upper limb rehabilitation, but which has limited evidence of effectiveness and mixed client experiences. Further research is required.


Rationale: We report a case of Spastic paraplegia 8 (SPG8) with a novel mutation of KIAA0196 gene. Patients concerns: A 12-year-old boy presented as ankle sprained, lower limb stiffness, abnormal gait since he was 5 years old. Diagnoses: The next generation sequence showed a novel c.1128delG (p.L376fs) mutation in KIAA0196 gene, the electromyography showed the pyramidal tract conduction dysfunction and deep sensory conduction abnormalities of lower limbs without motor neuron damage. The diagnose was SPG8. Interventions: Patient was gaven Baclofen treatment (30 mg/day, orally). Outcomes: At one year follow up, his symptoms didn't improved. Lessons: We describe a novel KIAA0196 c.1128del.G (p.L376fs) mutation in a Chinese patient with SPG8. To our knowledge, it's the first frame delete mutation causing shift mutation of KIAA0196 gene, resulting in the earliest onset of SPG8 in the world. Gene sequencing is a powerful diagnostic tool to identify a causal mutation in genetically heterogeneous HSP.


Consider a Poisson process on R with intensity f where 0 ≤ f(x) < ∞ for x ≥ 0 and f(x) = 0 for x < 0. The "points" of the process represent sleeping frogs. In addition, there is one active frog initially located at the origin. At time t = 0 this frog begins performing Brownian motion with leftward drift λ (i.e. its motion is a random process of the form Bt − λt). Any time an active frog arrives at a point where a sleeping frog is residing, the sleeping frog becomes active and begins performing Brownian motion with leftward drift λ, independently of the motion of all of the other active frogs. This paper establishes sharp conditions on the intensity function f that determine whether the model is transient (meaning the probability that infinitely many frogs return to the origin is 0), or non-transient (meaning this probability is greater than 0). A discrete model with Poiss(f(n)) sleeping frogs at positive integer points (and where activated frogs perform biased random walks on Z) is also examined. In this case as well, we obtain a similar sharp condition on f corresponding to transience of the model.


In the marine environment herbivorous copepods represent an important link between the level of primary production and higher predators. In its main distribution areas of the North Atlantic and subarctic waters, the herbivorous copepod Calanus finmarchicus (Gunnerus, 1765) dominates the zooplankton communities in biomass. As a main prey species for commercially important fish stocks, C. finmarchicus links energy from the basis of marine pelagic food webs to higher trophic levels. C. finmarchicus performs diel vertical migration (DVM), highly synchronized to the diel fluctuations in light (day and night). The normal DVM pattern is characterized by an ascend to the surface at dusk and a descent to deeper layers at dawn. Yet, researchers have not found what the migration directly triggers. Light is supposed to be the most important cue. However, a few studies suggested that a biological clock is involved in DVM. The recent identification of clock genes in C. finmarchicus support the suggestion that an endogenous timing system may be involved in rhythms like DVM in C. finmarchicus. Thus, the aim of this work was to assess the role of light (photoperiod) on DVM and diel metabolic processes in C. finmarchicus and to detect the possible involvement of endogenous rhythmicity in these processes. To test this, laboratory experiments to the diel swimming behaviour and oxygen uptake rates were performed under light/dark (16 h L:8 h D) and constant darkness (DD) conditions, using the CV stage of Calanus finmarchicus. Copepods were sampled from an isolated population in Loch Etive, Scotland. In the laboratory experiments copepods showed a migration behaviour that is highly synchronized to the LD cycle, whereas a damped migration continued under DD conditions. Significant 24-hour oscillations in the vertical distribution were found in the migration experiment during the first day under LD conditions and during all three days under constant darkness. Also an oscillation in oxygen uptake rates was found under DD conditions. Overall, the results stress the importance of light for DVM of C. finmarchicus and suggest the involvement of an endogenous rhythm in diel patterns of vertical migration and metabolic processes. Regarding some limitations especially in respiration measurements, this work may provide a basis for further investigations on the true cause zooplankton DVM, implicating the role of biological clocks.


Type I I-compounds are bulky endogenous DNA modifications detectable by 32P postlabeling that exhibit age, species, tissue, genotype, gender, and diet dependence. Their formation appears unrelated to oxidative stress. In fact, several lines of indirect evidence suggest that many type I I-compounds may represent normal functional DNA modifications. For example, long-term dietary restriction (DR), which retards the development of age-related diseases including cancer and extends median and maximum life spans, unexpectedly elicits significant increases rather than decreases in the levels of many I-compounds in different rodent tissues. Positive linear correlations have been observed between such levels and median life spans of the animals. In the present work we have investigated 1) whether elevation of I-compound levels does not depend on chronic DR, i.e., occurs after a short period of DR or fasting, and 2) whether I-compound levels return to control values after the animals are returned to unrestricted feeding after food deprivation. Female Fischer 344 rats (approx 140 g each) were randomized into three groups. Group I was fed a natural ingredient (Purina 5001) diet ad libitum (AL) throughout the study, Group 2 was switched to 60% of the AL amount (40% DR) at 0 hour, and Group 3 was given no food for up to 72 hours and then returned to AL feeding until the end of the experiment. Liver DNA of individual rats (n = 4) was isolated for I-compound analysis at 24, 72, and 240 hours. Restricted and food-deprived rats showed elevated levels of hepatic I-compounds, with fasting eliciting the highest levels. These effects were seen as early as the 24-hour time point. Refeeding after 72 hours of food deprivation restored the levels to control values, measured at 240 hours. Our observations are discussed in relation to carcinogenesis and tumor promotion. The almost instantaneous changes of endogenous DNA modifications showed their exquisite sensitivity to nutritional factors and provided strong new evidence for precise regulation of their formation and removal.


Sensing of fluoride in a solvent is highly required in healthcare and environmental rehabilitation. Among the various sensing methods, optical sensing has attracted significant research interest because it can conveniently recognize fluoride. Herein, a low molecular weight organogelator, N′1,N′6-bis(3-(1-pyrrolyl)propanoyl) hexanedihydrazide (DPH), containing a central butyl chain conjugated to two pyrrole rings through hydrazide groups, was used for optical sensing of fluoride in the forms of both solution and organogel. Association of fluoride with the –NH moiety of the hydrazide group endowed the DPH solution in dimethylformamide with a hyperchromicity under 350 nm. Exploiting the UV absorptivity, the DPH solution was examined as a chemosensor, displaying good selectivity toward fluoride among various anions and moderate sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.49 μM. The practical use of the DPH solution was demonstrated for fluoride sensing in toothpaste. Binding of fluoride also changed the molecular interactions of the DPH organogel, resulting in a phase transition from gel to sol. This gel-to-sol transition enabled the sensing of fluoride by the naked eye.


BACKGROUND
Information regarding the safety of herbal drugs is often not reported. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman referred to us for a iatrogenic hypercortisolism, who denied any previous steroid consumption. She reported only a chronic application of a phytocosmetic cream, containing ethanol extract of the Cardiospermum halicacabum (CH) plant. Adrenal insufficiency occurred after the cream application was stopped. CH is used in traditional and Western medicine for its documented anti-inflammatory properties. Once the presence of synthetic glucocorticoids was ruled out in the phytocosmetic product, we investigated whether and how its chronic application could have caused the iatrogenic hypercortisolism.

METHODS
Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was performed to exclude the presence of known glucocorticoids in the cream. ELISA assay and Western blot analysis were employed to assess ACTH secretion and the glucocorticoid receptor expression respectively in murine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma cells AtT-20/D16v-F2, treated with dexamethasone, CH tincture, and mifepristone alone or in combination. To detect specific interaction of CH extract with the glucocorticoid receptor, we performed a dual-luciferase reporter assay in HEK293 cells.

RESULTS
In AtT-20/D16v-F2 cells, CH extract showed to significantly reduce basal and CRH-induced ACTH secretion and the glucocorticoid receptor expression, similarly to dexamethasone; these effects were counteracted by mifepristone. In HEK293 cells, dexamethasone significantly induced luciferase activity after 24- and 36-hour treatment and CH tincture only after 36 hours; these effects were antagonized by mifepristone.

CONCLUSIONS
CH extract displays a glucocorticoid-like activity, by means of a direct binding to the glucocorticoid receptor.


This paper proposes a predictive control algorithm that includes conduction-mode detection for power factor correction (PFC) converter. In PFC converters, the line current is usually distorted because of the characteristics of the proportional-integral (PI) current controller. To improve the quality of the current, the PI current controller requires additional circuits or algorithms. However, because of the optimal duty cycle determined by estimating the next-state current in both the continuous-conduction mode and the discontinuous-conduction mode, the proposed predictive control method has a fast dynamic response and accuracy compared to the PI current-control method. Moreover, the proposed algorithm can detect the conduction mode without any additional circuitry or mode-detection algorithm using the characteristic of the optimal duty cycle calculated by the predictive control. These advantages of the proposed algorithm improve the quality of the line current for PFC converters. We verify the proposed method by performing experiment using a 1.5-kW PFC converter.


Delayed-onset craniosynostosis has been reported in the human clinical literature and may represent part of the expanded phenotype of craniosynostosis. Delayed-onset synostosis (DOS) is also an integral part of the phenotypic spectrum in an inbred rabbit strain of craniosynostosis. The purpose of the present study was to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the perisynostotic events in the coronal sutures of rabbits with delay-onset coronal suture synostosis compared to age matched, wild-type control rabbits.
Coronal sutures from 80 rabbits (39 normal wild-type controls and 41 DOS) were collected for gross morphological and histological examination. Ages ranged from term (day 0) through 88 days of age. The sutures were harvested, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, and stained with alizarin red for gross light microscopic analysis.
Qualitative results showed that by 25 days of age a dramatic thickening of the sutural ligament, an increase in the amount of bone in the osteogenic fronts, and an increase in the frequency of bony bridges between the frontal and parietal bones in rabbits with DOS compared to age matched, wild-type controls. No statistical significant differences in mean suture width or total suture area between the groups at the interdigitating zone were recorded at any age and cortical level (p> 0.05). At a region of the coronal suture closer to the midline, deemed the medial zone, a significant difference was found in mean suture width between groups at 88 day in age group at the ectocortical suture surface (p <.05); additionally, significant differences in mean suture area between the groups were recorded at age 25 and 88 (p <.05). A significant difference bony bridging frequency between the interdigitating zone and medial zone of DOS sutures was observed at the 45 day age group. The results of the 6X2 (age by group) two-way ANOVA indicate significant interaction at various cortical levels as well as total suture area at the interdigitating and medial zone (p < 0.05).
Results suggest that bony bridging and sutural ligament thickening occurs much earlier than coronal suture growth cessation in DOS rabbits and that these factors may limit subsequent sutural growth in an additive effect.


Abstract Antifungal activities of medicinal plants were observed against seedborne mycoflora of eggplant (Solanum melongena). The effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of Mangifera indica, Mentha spicata, Citrus limon, Eucalyptus camaldulensis against four isolated fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium digitatum was evaluated at various concentrations, by using the poisoned food technique. The impact of the extracts on seed germination and growth of eggplant was assessed by seed treatment and growth in a greenhouse experiment. Total flavonoids of E. camaldulensis were analyzed through spectrophotometer, using quercetin as a standard. Physico-chemical parameters were also determined. Antifungal activity showed that maximum inhibition percentage of P. digitatum (67.78%) and F. oxysporum (64.44%) was observed at the highest concentration (80%) of C. limon and E. camaldulensis extracts, respectively, followed by M. spicata extract against A. fl avus (63.33%) and R. stolonifer (52.22%). Least inhibition percentage of F. oxysporum, P. digitatum, R. stolonifer and A. flavus was 6.67, 7.78, 14.44 and 16.67%, respectively, at the lowest (20%) concentration of M. spicata. The greenhouse experiment showed variations in seedling germination and post-germination growth. E. camaldulensis extract showed an increase in percent germination (78.98%) over untreated control (62.83%), root and shoot length and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot with the consequent reduction in disease symptoms. Phytochemical analysis depicted the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins in all extracts while steroids and glycosides were absent. A fair amount (10.38 mg QE g-1DF) of flavonoid was present in leaf extract of E. camaldulensis. Physico-chemical analysis showed pH of 4.6, ash content of 0.41% and weight loss on drying of 8.14%.


Sixty minutes before their match, 47 senior male volleyball players filled out the CSAI2R questionnaire for assessing the level and the direction of somatic and cognitive anxiety and self-confidence. Volleyball players, on average, have a low level of somatic and cognitive anxiety (just over the minimum values), and a high level of self-confidence. On average, the participants perceive somatic and cognitive anxiety as something that has a slightly positive impact on their performance, while self- confidence has a moderately positive impact on their performance. For the purposes of further data analysis, the participants were classified into two groups. The first group included volleyball players (N=31) who, following the match, evaluated their performance as above average. The second group included volleyball players (N=16) who evaluated their performance as below average. There were no significant differences in the level and directionality of separate anxiety components and self- confidence found by an independent sample T-test between the two groups of volleyball players. In order to emphasize the differences between the groups, the analysis of differences was performed between 5 volleyball players who evaluated their performance as excellent and 5 volleyball players who evaluated their performance as very poor. Players who, just after the match, evaluated their performance as very poor, had a significantly higher level of cognitive anxiety prior to the match, in comparison to players who evaluated their performance as excellent. The obtained results confirm the negative relationship of the cognitive anxiety component and situational efficacy.


A total of 215 Streptomyces strains were screened for their capacity to regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylate beta- and/or alpha-ionone to the respective 3-hydroxy derivatives. With beta-ionone as the substrate, 15 strains showed little conversion to 4-hydroxy- and none showed conversion to the 3-hydroxy product as desired. Among these 15 Streptomyces strains, S. fradiae Tü 27, S. arenae Tü 495, S. griseus ATCC 13273, S. violaceoniger Tü 38, and S. antibioticus Tü 4 and Tü 46 converted alpha-ionone to 3-hydroxy-alpha-ionone with significantly higher hydroxylation activity compared to that of beta-ionone. Hydroxylation of racemic alpha-ionone [(6R)-(-)/(6S)-(+)] resulted in the exclusive formation of only the two enantiomers (3R,6R)- and (3S, 6S)-hydroxy-alpha-ionone. Thus, the enzymatic hydroxylation of alpha-ionone by the Streptomyces strains tested proceeds with both high regio- and stereoselectivity.


Dual-labeling immunohistochemical or in situ hybridization studies for the recently cloned epsilon-subunit and several neuropeptides were performed in the rat hypothalamus. We revealed an extensive co-expression (>90%) with hypocretin (Hcrt), oxytocin (OT), the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) peptides, whereas occasional co-expression (<10%) with cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) was found. Our results suggest that novel GABA(A) receptor subtypes comprising epsilon-subunit are important for metabolic and neuroendocrine functions.


Pandawa Beach is a tourism activity that develops with the participation of local communities. The workers who manage the activities on Pandawa Beach are the local people of Kutuh Village. This study aims to determine the constraints and perceptions of the Pandawa Beach workforce as the Local Community of Kutuh Village.This study was carried out by interviewing and distributing questionnaires. Based on interviews and questionnaires, it can be concluded that the overall perception of the workforce on their participation is positive. The obstacles experienced by Pandawa Beach workers are related to expertise and capital in developing tourism activities. However, all these obstacles have been resolved through monthly training and assistance in the form of a loan from the Village Credit Institution (LPD).
Keyword: Tourism, Constraint, Perception, Participation


The goal of this study was to consider the distinctive differences in certain dimensions of perfectionism between athletic and non-athletic adolescents, and also to establish a correlation of perfectionism, variables of anxiety and sport achievement in junior athletes. Our sample encompassed high-school students from Valjevo, Serbia (N=120) and junior athletes (N=126), with a mean age of 17,2 years. They were subjected to a battery of tests, comprised by the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PANPS), Questionnaire regarding sport achievement (UUS), Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2) and the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). Instruments that were used for measuring had a satisfying metric characteristic (reliability), which points to the fact that they can be used in our population as well. By using the Student t-test, it was shown that athletes manifested the construct of adaptive perfectionism in greater number compared to non-athletes (p < .01). By conducting the test of Variance Analysis (ANOVA), it was established that maladaptive perfectionist athletes had more pronounced sport anxiety (as a state) from clusters of adaptive perfectionists and non-perfectionists. Calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients showed that the values of variables of maladaptive perfectionism have statistically significant positive correlation with sport anxiety (as a state, and as a dimension of personality), and also with adaptive perfectionism and self-confidence, whereas the variable of sport anxiety (as a dimension of personality) shows a substantially negative interaction with sport achievement (p < .01). As a conclusion, the hypothetical model proposed in this article and its implications for further verification were analyzed in the context of existing empiric and theoretical grounds.


Hydrology and Water Resources Bureau of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550002, China) Abstract: In order to explore the distribution characteristics of phytoplankton functional groups, eutrophication characteristics and response of phytoplankton functional groups to eutrophication in Xiaoguan Reservoir, phytoplankton and water samples were taken once a week from 25th July 2014 to 27th September 2014. The results showed that there were 22 phytoplankton functional groups, groups S1, D, J, B, G, MP, L₀, SN, X1, Y, Xph, F, T and W1 were comparatively common functional groups, Wherein, S1, D and J were the dominant functional groups. Weekly dynamics of phytoplankton functional groups were: S1-->S1-->S1-->S1-->S1--S1-->S1-->J/D/S1-->Sl1- >/1D. group Sl1dominated over other groups, the cell abundance of S1 appeared two peaks at week 5 and week 7 respectively, but there was a slump at week 8, and rose again at last, compared to two peaks before, the cell abundance had dropped from 10⁸cells · L⁻¹ to 10⁷cells · L⁻¹ Water flush caused by discharge gate opening artificially was the main reason. Based on the three methods of eutrophication evaluation, the water was in moderately eutrophic and eutrophic states in Xiaoguan Reservoir in the summer of 2014. Multivariate analysis (RDA) indicated transparency was the main factor affecting the distribution of phytoplankton functional groups, and nutrients were no longer the limiting factor. The study suggested that phytoplankton functional groups could make a good response to eutrophication: groups S1 and J adapted to the turbid eutrophic water bodies, D adapted to shallow turbid waters and was sensitive to nutrient depletion. Also, common functional groups like G, X1, WW1 F etc. mostly adapted to eutrophic water bodies.


Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the survival results in patients with brain metastases treated by whole brain external radiotherapy and determine the prognostic factors affecting survival. Methods: Eighty-three patients with brain metastases were treated by external radiotherapy. Before irradiation 21 had metastatectomy, 4 had stereotactic radiosurgery and 4 had stereotactic biopsy for diagnosis. The primary tumor was controlled in 39 patients (47%), 30 (36%) had metastases other than brain. Whole cranial irradiation was performed on all patients by a linear accelerator with 6 MV energy. Results: Median follow-up for all patients was 14 weeks (1-143 weeks). Median overall survival and 1 year survival for the whole group was 14 weeks and 25%, respectively. Cranial progression free survival was median 40 weeks. In multivariate analysis Karnofsky Performance Scale score, gender and metastatectomy / radiosurgery were found to be independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: External radiotherapy is an efficient treatment modality for palliation and stabilizing cranial progression in patients with brain metastases. Better survival results are obtained in younger, solitary metastatic patients with good performance status and controlled systemic disease when metastatectomy or radiosurgery added. Key Words: Brain metastases, Radiotherapy, Prognostic factors.


While it is well known that the phonetic realization of a segment may differ by position, it is unclear how positional variation interacts with vowel harmony, the imperative that vowels be identical along some phonological dimension. Pearce (2008, 2012) contends that phonological harmony blocks phonetic reduction, suggesting that phonology dictates phonetic realization for this class of assimilatory patterns. This paper investigates harmony and vowel reduction in Kyrgyz, finding that non-initial vowels are more centralized than their initial-syllable counterparts. The potential sources for this reduction, including initial strengthening, supralaryngeal declination, predictability, and undershoot are discussed. The proposed predictability-based analysis provides an analysis of reduction based on phonological knowledge and representations.


Joanne Boucher also explores technology and the body in the convergence of the technological, the ideological, and the commercial around images of the fetus. Boucher argues that photographic ultrasound images of fetal life have led to the construction of the "public fetus." The public fetus appears as an entity that is autonomous from both the mother's body and the technology which has created the imagery; thus, both the maternal body and the fetus' technological embeddedness are masked. While the presence of the "public fetus" may appear to facilitate the activities of the anti-abortion movement, Boucher argues that it simultaneously fulfills a commercial as well as an ideological purpose, and discusses the commercialization of fetal imagery by one anti-abortion American company. While Boucher points out the marginalization of women that occurs through the construction of the "public fetus," Bavington, Grzetic and Neis discuss the marginalization of women in the narratives (and practices) of the East Coast fisheries.


Use of medications including vitamin A derivatives and tetracyclines have been associated with papilledema and raised intracranial pressure. A 46-year-old woman was referred to neuro-ophthalmology for bilateral optic disc oedema and had a 7-year history of cyclosporine use after renal transplantation. She had preserved visual function and moderate bilateral optic disc oedema. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography of the brain were normal apart from signs of raised intracranial pressure. Lumbar puncture revealed an elevated opening pressure of 40 cm of water with normal cerebrospinal fluid contents. Nephrology was consulted and cyclosporine was switched to tacrolimus and she was treated with acetazolamide. The papilledema resolved within 1 month of her initial visit. It is important to recognise the role that cyclosporine plays in raising intracranial pressure, especially in patients requiring immunosuppression, such as transplant patients. Tacrolimus is a suitable alternative in these cases.


This review considers the occupational hazard to health care workers posed by the global increase in tuberculosis (TB), especially in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. With the global upsurge in tuberculosis, fueled by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection pandemic, and the increase in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the condition has become a serious occupational hazard for health care workers worldwide. To document practically affordable preventive and protective measures for health care workers against nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis. The study involved library and internet search of literatures. Professional experience and personal discussion with colleagues and occupational health experts were also incorporated. This study focuses on health care workers because the nature of their work has probably the highest risk of contacting tuberculosis. The resource limited setting especially sub-Saharan Africa was targeted, because of its highest incidence of TB and HIV, its worst epidemic of HIV-related TB, and where the risk to health care workers is probably greatest. Protecting health care workers in resource limited settings involves administrative measures such as having appropriate policies and procedures in place to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment; appropriate environmental control, relevant personal protection and surveillance of health care workers. Political support and commitment should be given to research to examine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of measures such as voluntary TB and HIV-testing of health care workers and isoniazid preventive therapy for workers in high-risk settings. All health facilities should have appropriate resources to operate control measures for nosocomial TB. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 50(1) 2006: 9-11


Previously published claims of large regional (northern vs southern states) differences in risks of fatality associated with tornadoes in the United States are reexamined. This new study extends earlier claims to include 1) data from a much longer time frame, 2) injuries as well as fatalities, and 3) more precise estimates of meteorological features of tornado events (specifically, a precise calculation of daytime vs nighttime and pathlength). The current study also includes formal mediation analyses involving variables that might explain regional differences. Results indicate that significant increases in the risk of fatality and injury do occur in southern states as compared with northern states. Mediation models show that these regional differences remain significant when meteorological factors of nocturnal occurrence and pathlength are included. Thus, these meteorological factors cannot explain regional differences in risk of fatality and injury, a failure that is unlikely to reflect a lack of data or a lack of precision in the measurement of potential mediators.


Plant-specialized secondary metabolites have ecological functions in mediating interactions between plants and their entophytes. Here, we aimed to reveal the interaction between flavonoid synthesis and endophytic bacterial communities in wild Ginkgo trees spanning 100-800 years. We found that flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin decreased while the microbial diversity in leaves increased with the age of sampled trees. Older trees had more unique genera and shifted their endophytic bacterial community structure. Also, Mantel tests and correlation analysis indicated a generally significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between endophytic bacterial communities and flavonoids. Additionally, both deterministic and stochastic processes could play roles in the assembly of endophytic bacterial communities in Ginkgo trees with a progressive increase in stochastic processes as flavonoid concentrations decreased. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of how flavonoids modulate the endophytic microbial community assembly.


-This paper summarizes eleven years (1990-2001) of experiments to teach Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) pre-selected migration routes using ultralight aircraft. When Canada Geese were trained to follow an ultralight aircraft for southward autumn migrations of 680 or 1,320 km, 81% (83/103) returned on their own in the next spring to near their place of training. In contrast, none returned of 21 similarly raised geese that were transported south in a closed truck over a route of 680 km. Trumpeter Swans have proven more difficult to train. However, in two experiments in which Trumpeter Swans followed an ultralight for the entire pre-selected route, one of three and two of four returned close to their training area. A stage-by-stage method, in which swans were transported in trucks between stops, flown in the vicinity and penned with a view of the night sky, has shown some promise. So far an established migration route (north and south twice) has been confirmed in only two geese


The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("Affordable Care Act" or ACA), health information technology (HIT) adoption, and increasing implementation of electronic medical records, are all propelling health care into the world of big data. Big data, analytics, and predictive algoithms are poised to play a large part in the transformation of health-care delivery in the United States, determining who will benefit and, unfortunately, who may suffer from its insights. Health-care reform depends on cost savings derived from the application of sophisticated data analytics to the ever-expanding mass of data collected from and about individual patients. Health data analytics can lead to improved care, new scientific discoveries, and better medical treatment. Encouraging healthy behaviors, eliminating health disparities, and addressing the underlying determinants of health in society are important national goals. It is unclear, however, whether massive data collection about personal health and individual social status, both within the health-care system and outside of it, will serve the goal of addressing historical discrimination in health care, or whether data analytics will lead to the loss of individual privacy, unequal treatment of individuals, and the perpetuation of health inequality. Data amassed from electronic health records (EHRs), private sector health website visits, personal health devices, mobile health applications, and social networks, are being linked together in a big data environment. Secondary use of health data by employers, insurers, marketers, and others heightens concerns. The collection and use of massive amounts of data about individuals, fed into a fragmented health analytics framework, may impose personal and societal costs if not carefully constructed. Furthermore, a predictive analytics environment in health care may affect some groups differently than others, not decreasing health dis-parities but segmenting populations and resulting in differential care. Health-care providers and policy makers should ask hard questions about how harms to personal privacy can be avoided, stigmas prevented, and threats of unbridled commercialization ameliorated.


Background: Altered eicosanoid metabolismis a characteristic finding of aspirin induced asthma (AIA). Oral aspirin challenge is confirmatory diagnostic test for this clinical condition. Induced sputum allows to measure mediators of asthmatic inflammation in bronchial secretions. Objectives: The influence of aspirin on sputum supernatant concentration of eicosanoids during the oral challenge test was studied, using chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements. Methods: Induced sputum was collected before and following oral aspirin challenge. Sputum differential cell count and sputum supernatant concentrations of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) was measured. Results: Aspirin precipitated bronchoconstriction was reported in all AIA (n=15) subjects, but in none of HC (n=13) and ATA (n=15). AIA was characterized by the dominance of the eosinophilic airway inflammation, whereas the paucigranulocytic phenotype was most frequent in HC. At baseline, mean induced sputum supernatant level of PGE 2 did not differ between the groups. Following the challenge, PGE 2 decreased in asthmatics patients independent of aspirin hypersensitivity (AIA p=0.002; ATAp=0.02), but not in HC (p=0.07). Cumulative doses of aspirin or the duration of the challenge had no effect on the magnitude of the PGE 2 alterations. Conclusions: During the oral aspirin challenge, PGE 2 decreases significantly in asthmatics as compared to healthy ones. The results support the theory on the inhibition of PGE 2 biosynthesis as a trigger for bronchoconstriction mediated by cysteinyl leukotrienes in AIA.


Growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz(alpha)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in rat was arrested by daily s.c. injections of cholera toxin. At a dose of 2 micrograms/200-g rat, tumors regressed to 50% of their initial size within 2 weeks, and 85% of tumors regressed completely within 4 to 5 weeks. The same response to cholera toxin was observed with another hormone-dependent mammary tumor, MTW9, but not with the hormone-independent tumors, DMBA No. 1 and MT 13762. The latter result was consistent with the lack of response of these hormone-independent tumors to hormone removal (ovariectomy) or N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate treatment. The growth-inhibitory effect of cholera toxin was dose dependent, and upon cessation of treatment tumors resumed growth; after complete regression, however, tumors did not reappear until 6 months after termination of the treatment. An amount of cholera toxin as high as 10 micrograms/day/200-g rat s.c. injected over a 6-week period showed no systemic toxicity in the animals. The growth of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in culture was also inhibited by a daily supplement of cholera toxin. At a concentration of 100 ng/ml, the cell replication ceased completely within 2 days. The growth inhibitions, both in vivo and in vitro, were accompanied by marked increases in the cellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate content and type II cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity as well as a decrease of estrogen binding activity. Thus, extinction of mammary cancer can be achieved by cholera toxin, an agent that stimulates the intracellular cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate system.


The empirical correlation for prediction of the onset of boundary layer transition, presented previously by authors, Taghavi et al.(2009), was extended by taking into account the effects of both the streamwise pressure gradients and the freestream turbulence intensity. The correlation was derived based on experimental data of transitional boundary layers subjected to different freestream turbulence intensities and streamwise pressure gradients, obtained in this study as well as from other researchers. The experiments were carried out in two different free stream turbulence levels and four different pressure gradients. A single hot-wire probe was used for measurements of instantaneous flow velocities within the boundary layer. Experiments were conducted in an open circuit wind tunnel of suction type. For each pressure gradient in a distinct free stream turbulence level, the mean longitudinal velocity and root mean square, RMS, of the velocity fluctuations were obtained at several streamwise locations. Experimental results were used to determine the variations of streamwise skin friction coefficient and boundary layer shape factor versus the local Reynolds number. Based on the available measurements and mathematical models, an improved empirical correlation was developed. Comparisons with other existing empirical correlations showed that the new correlation was more consistent with experimental data.


There has been growing interest in academic literature about young people who are marginalised and disengaged from society. This thesis focuses on young people in Hong Kong and Scotland who physically shut themselves in the bedroom and do not go outside for months and years on end. They are referred to as "hidden youth" in East Asia, and it has emerged as a topical social issue across the region in the past ten years. Previous research studying "hidden youth" (mainly in Japan and Hong Kong) highlights that there are structural barriers in contemporary society which could lead to young people becoming self-secluded. The young people are described as living reclusive and solitary lives, as they are excluded from participation in the labour market and education and disengaged from interactions with families and other communities, especially friends and peer groups. Hence, they are considered as "withdrawn" from society and disconnected from socialising. This thesis critically reflects on "hidden" young people's sense of connectedness and "being social" based on their lived experience. It also draws on recent debates of the construction of the "social", particularly in digital sociology, to shed light on the processes of socialising in the digital age. This study uncovered that how "hidden" young people socialise may in fact be heterogeneous. Variability in how they engage in interactions and participation in society was identified. There were also differences in their levels of solitude and loneliness. Hence, describing how the young people are "being social" could be more nuanced than previously thought. This also makes analysing them as "socially withdrawn" particularly problematic. This research uses a qualitative exploratory approach, looking comparatively across two contexts; 32 interviews were conducted with "hidden youth" in Hong Kong and Scotland. These two contexts are considered as instrumental examples, where social disengagements are especially prominent but discussed differently. The participants revealed various perceptions of hopelessness and lack of opportunities in work and education on the hand. This significantly affected their motivations to participate in employment and education; they could feel unable to fulfil their aspirations and become de-motivated. On the other hand, they were more interconnected with different groups of people in the digital world, and their interactions could be fluid. The space of the bedroom was highlighted as an important site where interactions could occur. This adds another dimension to consider how "hidden" young people interact, particularly with communities such as peer groups, friends and families. Moreover, digital interactions may also be important to how they socialise and experience a sense of connectedness. This highlights that there may be tensions in how young people's motivations, as well as the opportunities they have, affect their engagements in digital and physical interactions. Therefore, this thesis argues that "hidden youth" could feel a sense of powerlessness towards hierarchical macro structures and meaninglessness towards interactions and participation in society. Conversely, they are relying on emerging digital social structures and networks to seek other forms of "being social". Their high levels of digital interactions could in fact be a reaction to their experiences of unfulfilment in the labour market and in education. This thesis makes an important contribution to understand "hidden youth" and adds a more nuanced perspective to this emerging debate. In addition, it points to further aspects that should be taken into account in future studies to fully comprehend the sociality of a young person and its complexities in the digital age.


The objective of this study was to detect the AmpC producing organisms in the urine samples. The urinary tract infected samples were collected and processed on various agar media and identified by observing colony morphology followed biochemical tests. In 212 urine samples growth of bacteria was only seen in 63 (29.71%) samples which were identified as the Escherchia coli and 149 (70.28%) samples which found to be healthy. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method with the following set of antibiotics: Ampicillin/ Sulbactum (10/10 µg/disc), Aztreonam (30 µg/disc), Cefepime (50 µg/disc), Cefpodoxime (10 µg/disc), Ceftazidime (30 µg/disc), Cephoxitin (30 µg/disc), Ciprofloxacin (10 µg/disc), Imipenem (10 µg/disc), Meropenem (10 µg/disc), Ofloxacin (2 µg/disc), Piperacillin/Tazobactam (100/10 µg/ disc), Tigicycline (15 µg/disc) and Pazufloxacin (5 µg) to detect extended spectrum beta lactamase on all 63 E. coli isolates. As per CLSI guidelines extended spectrum beta lactamase production was determined by the presence of augmentation towards the cephalosporins. AmpC was detected by flattening of the zone of Ampicillin/Sulbactum towards Ceftazidime. All were resistant to cefoxitin and sensitive to cefepime. AmpC beta-lactamase production was confirmed in 5 (50%) isolates of the 10 positive isolates obtained by the AmpC detection test. Hodge test was done on all AmpC producers obtained by AmpC detection test.


The study evaluates the mortality, growth and qualitative characteristics of Douglas fir transplants planted out on clear-cut areas with different shelter. We assessed 11 clearings situated in the Forest Site Complex 4K - acidic beech ( Fagetum acidophilum). The young trees were assessed 3 years after planting for the following parameters: total shoot length, increment, root collar diameter, number of multiple stems, stem curvature, crown form, length of needles, colour of needles and frost damage. The lowest mortality and the best growth of Douglas fir plants were recorded in small, sheltered gaps. Large, unsheltered gaps showed low survival, slower growth and poor vitality of plants.


STUDY QUESTION
What are the effects of plant-derived antioxidant compounds urolithin A (UA) and B (UB) on the growth and pathogenetic properties of an in vitro endometriosis model?

SUMMARY ANSWER
Both urolithins showed inhibitory effects on cell behavior related to the development of endometriosis by differentially affecting growth, adhesion, motility, and invasion of endometriotic cells in vitro.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Endometriosis is one of the most common benign gynecological diseases in women of reproductive age and is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. As current pharmacological therapies are associated with side effects interfering with fertility, we aimed at finding alternative therapeutics using natural compounds that can be administered for prolonged periods with a favorable side effects profile.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
In vitro cultures of primary endometriotic stromal cells from 6 patients subjected to laparoscopy for benign pathologies with histologically confirmed endometriosis; and immortalized endometrial stromal (St-T1b) and endometriotic epithelial cells (12Z) were utilized to assess the effects of UA and UB on endometriotic cell properties. Results were validated in three-dimensional (3D) in vitro co-culture spheroids of 12Z and primary endometriotic stroma cells of one patient, and organoids from 3 independent donors with endometriosis.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
The effects on cell growth were measured by non-radioactive colorimetric assay to measure cellular metabolic activity as an indicator of cell viability (MTT assay) and flow cytometric cell cycle assay on primary cultures, St-T1b, and 12Z. Apoptosis analyses, the impact on in vitro adhesion, migration, and invasion were evaluated in the cell lines. Moreover, Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays were performed on primary cultures, St- T1b and 12Z to evaluate a plausible mechanistic contribution by factors related to proteolysis (matrix metalloproteinase 2, 3 and 9 -MMP2, MMP3, MMP9-, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases -TIMP-1-), cytoskeletal regulators (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 -RAC1-, Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 -ROCK2-), and cell adhesion molecules (Syndecan 1 -SDC1-, Integrin alpha V-ITGAV-). Finally, the urolithins effects were evaluated on spheroids and organoids by formation, viability, and drug screen assays.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
40 µM UA and 20 µM UB produced a significant decrease in cell proliferation in the primary endometriotic cell cultures (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and in the St-T1b cell line (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In St-T1b, UA exhibited a mean half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 39.88 µM, while UB exhibited a mean IC50 of 79.92 µM. Both 40 µM UA and 20 µM UB produced an increase in cells in the S phase of the cell cycle (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The same concentration of UA also increased the percentage of apoptotic ST-t1b cells (P < 0.05), while both urolithins decreased cell migration after 24 h (P < 0.001 both). Only the addition of 5 µM UB decreased the number of St-T1b adherent cells. TIMP-1 expression was upregulated in response to treating the cells with 40 µM UA (P < 0.05). Regarding the 12Z endometriotic cell line, only 40 µM UA decreased proliferation (P < 0.01); while both 40 µM UA and 20 µM UB produced an increase in cells in the G2/M phase (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In this cell line, UA exhibited a mean IC50 of 40.46 µM, while UB exhibited a mean IC50 of 54.79 µM. UB decreased cell migration (P < 0.05), and decreased the number of adherent cells (P < 0.05). Both 40 µM UA and 20 µM UB significantly decreased the cellular invasion of these cells; and several genes were altered when treating the cells with 40 µM UA and 10 µM UB. The expression of MMP2 was downregulated by UA (P < 0.001), and expression of MMP3 (UA P < 0.001 and UB P < 0.05) and MMP9 (P < 0.05, both) were downregulated by both urolithins. Moreover, UA significantly downregulated ROCK2 (P < 0.05), whereas UB treatment was associated with RAC1 downregulation (P < 0.05). Finally, the matrix adhesion receptors and signaling (co)receptors SDC1 and ITGAV were downregulated upon treatment with either UA or UB (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively in both cases). Regarding the effects of urolithins on 3D models, we have seen that they significantly decrease the viability of endometriosis spheroids (80 µM UA and UB: P < 0.05 both) as well as affecting their area (40 µM UA: P < 0.05, and 80 µM UA: P < 0.01) and integrity (40 µM UA and UB: P < 0.05, 80 µM UA and UB: P < 0.01). On the other hand, UA and UB significantly inhibited organoid development/outgrowth (40 and 80 µM UA: P < 0.0001 both; 40 µM UB: P < ns-0.05-0.001, and 80 µM UB: P < 0.01-0.001-0.001), and all organoid lines show urolithins sensitivity resulting in decreasing viability (UA exhibited a mean IC50 of 33.93 µM, while UB exhibited a mean IC50 of 52.60 µM).

LARGE-SCALE DATA
N/A.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
This study was performed on in vitro endometriosis models.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
These in vitro results provide new insights into the pathogenetic pathways affected by these compounds and mark their use as a potential new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This study was funded EU MSCA-RISE-2015 project MOMENDO (691058). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.


Tc-99m MIBI has been widely used to evaluate hyperparathyroidism based on increased tracer uptake in hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. The functional status measurement of parathyroid glands with intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels is also one of the most important diagnostic studies in this disorder. The aim of the current study was to assess the relation between MIBI imaging and iPTH levels. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with hyperparathyroidism who were referred to their department for Tc-99m MIBI scintigraphy. Sixty-five patients (24 primary and 41 secondary hyperparathyroidism) were included. The iPTH levels ranged from 66.06 to 2,836 pg/ml (normal, 10 to 55 pg/ml). Forty-two patients were MIBI positive and 23 were negative. The iPTH level in the MIBI-positive group was significantly greater than in the negative group in the primary (548 ± 478 versus 124 ± 45;P = 0.002), secondary (1,155 ± 692 versus 501 ± 352;P < 0.001), and overall (909 ± 678 versus 386 ± 341;P < 0.001) groups. For the primary hyperparathyroidism group, 17 of the 24 patients were MIBI positive (71%). When iPTH levels exceeded 200 pg/ml (100%), the diagnostic sensitivity reached 100%. For the secondary hyperparathyroidism group, 25 of 41 patients (61%) were MIBI positive; 24 of 38 patients (63%) had an iPTH level greater than 200 pg/ml, 21 of 27 patients (78%) had an iPTH level greater than 500 pg/ml, and 11 of 12 patients (92%) had an iPTH value greater than 1,000 pg/ml. Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy showed a good correlation with iPTH level for both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Visualization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands on Tc-99m MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy was more likely with a higher serum iPTH level in a dose-dependent manner.


The effect of 1,3‐butanediol on reproductive performance as well as its teratogenic, dominant lethal and cytogenetic effects were studied in five generations of Wistar rats. Animals of both sexes were fed either control diet or diet supplemented with 1,3‐butanediol at dose levels of 5, 10 or 24% of the diet by weight. Reproduction and lactation parameters were comparative to controls for four of five generations of dams and pups. In contrast, the pregnancy rate of F1A rats decreased during five successive mating cycles; no pups were obtained in the high‐dose level group of the fifth series of litters (F2E generation). Excluding this group, the viability of F2 generation pups revealed no significant differences between litters or between control and test groups. No definitive dose‐related teratological findings were found in either soft or skeletal tissue examinations of F3B generation rats. However, incomplete ossification of sternebrae occurred frequently in mid‐ and high‐dose fetuses, whereas missing sternebrae were noted especially in high‐level fetuses. Both skeletal tissue findings suggest slight delayed fetal growth. For the dominant lethal assay of the F1B generation, the mutagenic index (percentage resorptions per implant sites) revealed no dose‐related trend. In the three‐generation cytogenetic study, no 1,3‐butanediol related chromosomal aberrations were noted.


The hot climate in the Gulf region is forcing many farmers to use controlled environment agriculture by using evaporative coolers inside greenhouses. These coolers are consuming around 60% of the water used for the greenhouse. Replacing groundwater with treated wastewater will have a good impact in saving freshwater for other different applications. The problem is that treated wastewater is rich of nutrients that can support algae growth, block the cooling pads, and reduce the effi- ciency of the cooling system. Moreover, it is unclear if the water can be a source of any airborne diseases that could affect human health and crop quality. Unfortunately, few or no data is available related to the applications of treated wastewater in greenhouse cooling system. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using treated wastewater in greenhouse cooling sys- tem and asses any potential risk to the environment that could affect human health and crop quality and safety. The greenhouse cooling system was connected to tertiary treated wastewater and the system was left to run for two months. Algae growth was observed in cooling pads. Samples from cooling pads, air, and water were taken for microbial analysis. The same sampling was made from other greenhouse running with freshwater. Using treated wastewater in cooling system did not show any negative impacts in plant growth. However, rapid growth of algae in cooling pad of treated wastewater was noticed compared to the groundwater cooling system. This could be minimized by covering cooling pads with shade net, or adding some anti-algae growth (CaSO 4 ) in cool- ing tanks, or using plastic cooling pads, or cleaning cooling pads from time to time. Moreover, more types of bacteria were found in treated wastewater cooling system but were not harmful for human and plants. Almost similar microbes were found in the air and water running in all greenhouses. Therefore, the study recommends the use of treated wastewater in the greenhouse cooling system with application of antifouling compounds or using plastic cooling pads that can be easily cleaned.


Medieval romances so insistently celebrate the triumphs of heroes and the discomfiture of villains that they discourage recognition of just how morally ambiguous, antisocial or even downright sinister their protagonists can be, and, correspondingly, of just how admirable or impressive their defeated opponents often are. This tension between the heroic and the antiheroic makes a major contribution to the dramatic complexity of medieval romance, but it is not an aspect of the genre that has been frequently discussed up until now. Focusing on fourteen distinct characters and character-types in medieval narrative, this book illustrates the range of different ways in which the imaginative power and appeal of romance-texts often depend on contradictions implicit in the very ideal of heroism. Dr Neil Cartlidge is Lecturer in English at the University of Durham. Contributors: Neil Cartlidge, Penny Eley, David Ashurst, Meg Lamont, Laura Ashe, Judith Weiss, Gareth Griffith, Kate McClune, Nancy Mason Bradbury, Ad Putter, Robert Rouse, Siobhain Bly Calkin, James Wade, Stephanie Vierick Gibbs Kamath


Objectives: Diverticular disease is a highly frequent condition and affects 50% of the population in the 9th decade in Western society. Acute diverticulitis is the most prevalent complication. The patients who are clinically stable and tolerate fluid should be hospitalized if fluid intake tolerance worsens, fever occurs, or pain increases. Bowel rest, intravenous fluid therapy, and empiric antibiotic therapy are the traditional treatments for patients admitted to the hospital. This retrospective study aimed to determine the parameters that will affect the outpatient or inpatient treatment of patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis. Methods: Patients who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain between January 2018 and December 2020 and were diagnosed with uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a) on computed tomography (CT) taken after intravenous contrast material shoot up were included in the study. Patient records were recorded retrospectively in the Excel file. After being seen in the emergency department, a comparison was performed between the inpatient group (Group 1) and the outpatient follow-up group (Group 2). Results: The study comprised 172 patients with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (modified Hinchey 1a). While 110 (64.0%) patients were followed up and treated as inpatients (Group 1), 62 (36.0%) patients were followed up as outpatients (Group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patients readmitted to the hospital in the first 30 days after discharge (both for outpatient follow-up in the emergency department and after treatment in the inpatient group). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, in which we evaluated the hospitalization criteria in uncomplicated Modified Hinchey 1a patients, it was found that patients can be safely treated as an outpatient if they have poor physical examination findings. Although there was no difference between the two groups in terms of hospital readmission after discharge and it was thought that follow-up of patients with Modified Hinchey 1a diverticulitis with outpatient oral antibiotic therapy might be reliable, prospective studies with larger numbers of patients are needed.


It is possible to associate to a hybrid system a single topological space its underlying topological space. Simultaneously, every hybrid system has a graph as its indexing object its underlying graph. Here we discuss the relationship between the underlying topological space of a hybrid system, its underlying graph and Zeno behavior. When each domain is contractible and the reset maps are homotopic to the identity map, the homology of the underlying topological space is isomorphic to the homology of the underlying graph; the nonexistence of Zeno is implied when the first homology is trivial. Moreover, the first homology is trivial when the null space of the incidence matrix is trivial. The result is an easy way to verify the nonexistence of Zeno behavior.


Urban Waste Heat Recovery, heat recovery from low-temperature urban sources such as data centres and metro systems, has a great deal of potential in terms of meeting domestic and commercial heat demands whilst significantly reducing carbon emissions. Urban sources of heat are advantageous in that they tend to be close to areas of high heat demand and are therefore highly suitable as inputs to existing and newly constructed district heating networks. This paper has two main focuses. Firstly, the issue of efficiency in waste heat recovery is addressed with a focus on Technical, Economic, Social, and Environmental (TESE) efficiencies, which we consider should be given equal consideration. Secondly, we address the question of contractual efficiency and argue that contracts should be underpinned by mathematical modelling. We then focus on the contractual relationship between the owner of the waste heat and the district heating operator and consider the question of waste heat pricing. We suggest a profit sharing approach in which the price per unit of waste heat is allowed to vary according to important aspects such as demand and the electricity price. A demonstration of this approach is presented using a simple model of a waste heat recovery system that extracts heat from a data centre in Brunswick, Germany.


The visual symbols of society's most deeply lived religious beliefs are ever-present: what one sees is what one believes, and what one believes is evident in what one sees. Relying on the foundational work of sociologists, this paper considers the reciprocal relationship between the political economy and the voice of religion by focusing on a specific object of material culture: the architecture of a Wal-Mart store. People often define place, community, and value in relation to a Wal-Mart store, which raises important theological concerns surrounding individual and community identities, sin, grace, abundance, dependency, commodification, and consumption, as well as specific sociological concerns surrounding class, religious fundamentalism, and militarism. Generated by the neo colonial interests of economic and cultural globalization, a Wal-Mart building communicates a "visual theology," with roots in a monolithic form of cultural production beyond the control of individuals and communities and yet determinative on many levels of social life.


Present social organization and mating systems result from selective pressures and ecological conditions but also from proximate interactions between individuals. Many studies report on a polygynous mating system with a social group territoriality in commensal populations of Mus musculus domesticus. However, little is known about the social organization of other Mus species living in outdoor conditions, such as the mound-building mouse Mus spicilegus. Comparative studies between M. m. domesticus and M. spicilegus have already shown behavioral differences in female sexual preferences and paternal care. To study agonistic and sociable interactions and gain insight into the social organization and the mating system of M. spicilegus, the present study compared intraspecific dyadic encounters between unfamiliar adults in these two species. Results demonstrated less tolerance between females and between the sexes in M. spicilegus than in M. m. domesticus unfamiliar mice. The consequences of those differences between M. spicilegus and M. m. domesticus on social organization and mating system are discussed.


The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas harbor molecular alterations in DNA-damage response genes. Epithelial ovarian cancers are surprisingly sensitive to DNA-damaging platinum-based (cisplatin or carboplatin) chemotherapy, suggesting that the dependencies of ovarian cancers on impaired DNA-damage response pathways can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Our group and others have shown that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are promising anti-tumor agents, particularly when combined with DNA-damaging drugs in ovarian cancer cells. In this study, H2AX phosphorylation (pH2Ax), a known histone mark of DNA damage and other histone marks related to DNA damage and repair pathways, including the newly recognized acetylated lysine K56 on histone 3 (H3K56ac) were used to distinguish the biological effects of a unique and diverse panel of clinically utilized and novel HDAC inhibitors. Ovarian cancer cell lines with diverse molecular alterations, including mutations in p53, Brca1, Akt, Ras, and overexpression of MDR1, were utilized in these screens. The HDAC inhibitors that induced the highest levels of pH2Ax produced the greatest anti-tumor effects (growth inhibition and apoptosis). Furthermore, a screen of DNA-damage response histone marks led to the selection of novel HDAC inhibitors that exerted synergistic anti-tumor effects when combined with cisplatin and other DNA-damaging drugs. Taken together, our results support a role of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of ovarian cancer and suggest that pH2Ax is a potential surrogate biomarker of the efficacy of HDAC inhibitor combination therapy with DNA-damaging agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2985.


This study examines fieldwork-methodology problems in China that few scholars have discussed in social science, criminology and law, and describes the author's experiences in conducting fieldwork for an empirical study of criminal justice in mid- and western China in three aspects: general access to the courts and procuratorates, informed consent in interviews, and access to courtroom trials and case files. It argues that researchers need to understand and exercise social, cultural and political sensitivities in overcoming various challenges and difficulties in data collection. Making use of guanxi , building up trust, and developing friendship are essential to the access to the field in China.


Biosensors based on nanomaterials provide a means for sensitive and rapid detection of DNA damage. To investigate the electrochemical behavior of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), including the damage to double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) by 6-MP and its damage mechanisms, a dsDNA/MWNTs/CTS/GCE biosensor was constructed using of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and chitosan (CTS) as the modified materials. The experimental results showed that after modified, the active area of the MWNTs/CTS/GCE significantly increased and the oxidation peak current of the MWNTs/CTS/GCE in response to K3[Fe(CN)6] exhibited a remarkable increase. The characteristic peak of 6-MP on the biosensor was determined to be approximately 0.55 V using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Clear damage to dsDNA caused by 6-MP was observed. The damage to adenine was more severe than to guanine. The interaction between 6-MP and dsDNA could be explained as an intercalation during the electrochemical oxidation process on the modified electrode, which was an irreversible process controlled by adsorption and was accompanied by the transfer of a single electron coupled with a single proton.


Both the ascites fluid-derived mesothelial cell line LP-9 and primary cultures of human omentum-derived mesothelial cells (HOMCs) are commonly used in experimental studies. However, they seem to have a different replicative potential in vitro. In the present study, we have attempted to determine the causes of this discrepancy. HOMCs were found to divide fewer times and enter senescence earlier than LP-9 cells. This effect was coupled with earlier increases in the expression of senescence-associated-beta-galactosidase and cell cycle inhibitors p16INK4a and p21WAF1. Moreover, almost 3 times as many early-passage HOMCs as LP-9 cells bore senescence-associated DNA damage foci. In sharp contrast to LP-9 cells, the foci present in HOMCs localized predominantly outside the telomeres, and the HOMC telomere length did not significantly shorten during senescence. Compared with LP-9 cells, HOMCs were found to enter senescence with significantly lower levels of lipofuscin and damaged DNA, and markedly decreased glutathione contents. In addition, early-passage HOMCs generated significantly more reactive oxygen species either spontaneously or in response to exogenous oxidants. These results indicate that compared with LP-9 cells, HOMCs undergo stress-induced telomere-independent premature senescence, which may result from increased vulnerability to oxidative DNA injury.


A Faraday isolator is described in which thermal effects are suppressed by cooling down to liquid nitrogen temperatures. The principal scheme, main characteristics and modifications of the isolator are presented. The isolation degree is studied experimentally for the subkilowatt average laser radiation power. It is shown that the isolator can be used at radiation powers up to tens of kilowatts.


Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health problem in Kenya. Studies have shown that Vitamin A supplementation is one of the best proven and most cost-effective interventions to improve vitamin A status and save children's lives. However, despite VAS being administered free of charge to all postnatal mothers and children 6-59 months in Kenya, the coverage remains low. The main objective of this study was to assess factors affecting practices and utilization of Vitamin A supplementation among mothers with children below five years attending Mbagathi District Hospital. This was a descriptive cross sectional hospital based study that utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods. It was conducted among mothers attending the hospitals' Maternal and Child Health Clinic and Paediatric Outpatient Department. A total of 158 respondents were interviewed. Quantitative data was analyzed using Epi Info statistical software while NVIVO software was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. Majority (94%) of the respondents reported having heard about vitamin A supplementation, their major source of information being the health worker (82%). About a half (52%) of the respondents had their children up to date with VAS but less than a half (43%) of the mothers had received vitamin A after delivery. While 58% of the respondents were aware that the recommended schedule for VAS for children is every 6 months, 49% were aware vitamin A was given to mothers. All the respondents (100%) who had heard about VAS reported it was useful to children. There were no negative beliefs or attitudes mentioned. Three quarters of the respondents' children had missed the vitamin A capsule because they were either not aware of the schedule (41%) or had stopped coming to the clinic (34%). Most (91%) of the respondents had not encountered any problems/constraints with VAS services. In conclusion, mothers were very positive and supportive of VAS. However, the services were not adequately utilized due to lack of3information and awareness among both the health workers and the mothers. The awareness and utilization of VAS services was noted to increase with the level of education and was also high among the employed compared to the unemployed. I recommend regular refresher courses for all health workers to increase awareness of the entire VAS programme by the Ministry of Health. In addition, they should enhance information, education and communication pertaining to VAS services to raise public awareness and advocacy. Further research to evaluate other aspects of VAS programme should be carried out.


The wild regions of east Tibet, historically known as Kham (home of the famed warrior monks) and Amdo (birhplace of the current Dalai Lama), are now incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan. In spite of their historical importance, they are far less studied than the western and central Tibetan regions. Yet eastern Tibet remains home to a larger population of Tibetans than does the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Region. The present volume redresses the balance in providing both a vivid photographic record of the peoples and spectacular geography of the region, and an erudite description of the rich traditional culture that has been preserved by the region's inhabitants, without which our knowledge of Tibet remains incomplete.


The physical-chemical properties of several 1,3-dithiafulvene (DTF) derivatives having a donor and acceptor group in the molecule were studied. The synthesis of these compounds produces selectively the E isomer, but when the compound is dissolved in CHCl(3) isomerization to the Z isomer takes place with a rate that depends on the substituents. The interconversion rate is slow on the NMR time scale; therefore, two separated signals are observed, and they are used to measure the rate constant of isomerization. The equilibrium constant is, in all cases, very close to 1, and this is coincident with the fact that theoretical calculations of the energy of the two isomers in the gas phase differ by less than 0.1 kcal/mol. The isomerization reaction is completely reversible, and the E isomer can be obtained in pure form by selective crystallization. The derivatives with thioalkyl groups have a strong tendency to aggregate in CDCl(3). The formation of the aggregates is evidenced from the changes in 1D (1)H NMR and DOSY spectra as a function of concentration. The compounds are highly delocalized, and this is reflected by the low activation energy for the isomerization.


Although hearing loss is the second most common disability in this country, comparatively little attention has been directed toward this medical entity. In view of the known poor health status and high health care utilization patterns of deaf and hard-of-hearing (D&HH) persons, this paper analyzes this population's ethical claims to autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Available evidence indicates that the American health care system inadequately acknowledges and fulfills the bioethical claims of the D&HH population. Specific modifications of the medical education and health care system should remedy these shortcomings.


Self-stabilizing protocols for the distributed control of fiber-optic networks are presented. The protocols tolerate any number and kind of initial faults and handle ongoing changes in the status of links. The new protocols improve upon previous protocols by their stabilization time, by their utilization of limited switch bandwidth and by their avoiding the use of (unbounded) sequence numbers.


Leventhal's common sense model has provided a useful framework for explaining psychological distress in several chronic illnesses. The model indicates that a person's perception of their illness and their coping strategies are the key determinants of their experience of psychological distress. The present research examines whether illness perceptions and coping strategies are related to levels of psychological distress among survivors of esophageal cancer. Everyone registered with the Oesophageal Patients' Association in the UK was mailed a questionnaire booklet, which included the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised, the Cancer Coping Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Complete responses were received from 484 people. Regression models indicated that the variables measured could explain 51% of the variance in anxiety and 42% of the variance in depression. Perceptions of esophageal cancer explained the majority of this variance. Positive focus coping strategies were also found to be important in explaining psychological distress. The results of this study are consistent with previous research demonstrating that illness perceptions are stronger correlates of adaptive outcomes than coping strategies. The findings suggest that cognition-based interventions could potentially be most effective in minimizing emotional distress among survivors of esophageal cancer.