This adaptation by David Hare premiered at the Almeida Theatre, London in 1997 starring Ralph Fiennes This is a drama of a Russian landowner's half-farcical, half serious personal crisis as he plummets fast into domestic and philosophical chaos. The central scene concerns a debate between the landowner and the young doctor about honesty. The latter thinks that honesty is to do with blurting out offensive truths, whilst the former insists that no-one can acquire honesty unless they have the self knowledge to examine their own motives. By turns despairing and passionate, this play offers an insight into a robust young writer, exploring themes that were to interest him in his later plays.


An anencephalic infant, who came to be known as Baby K, was born at Fairfax Hospial in Falls Church, Virginia, on October 13, 1992. From, the moment of birth and repeatedly thereafter, the baby's mother insisted that aggressive measures be pursued, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and ventilator support, to keep the baby alive as long as possible. The physicians complied. However, following the baby's second admission for respiratory failure, the hospital sought declaratory relief from the court permitting it to forgo emergency life support on the grounds that "a requirement to provide respiratory assistance would exceed the prevailing standard of medical care," and that "because any treatment of their condition is futile, the prevailing standard of medical care for infants with anencephaly is to provide warmth, nutrition, and hydration." The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of the baby's mother, citing the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (popularly known as the "anti-dumping" act), which contained no "standard of care" exception to the requirement to provide "treatment necessary to prevent the material deterioration of the individual's condition." An appeal to the United States Supreme Court was rejected. The baby died some two and one-half years later of cardiac arrest during her sixth visit to the emergency department of Fairfax Hospital for respiratory failure.


This thesis aims to provide a principled account of the distribution of 'tense'/'lax', and 'high/low' vowels in vowel harmony systems. It is based on the principles and parameters of Government Phonology in which variation is accounted for by possible combinations of parameter settings. To explain variation in 'tense/lax' and high/low' distribution, I exploit the interaction of the parametric aspects of three universal mechanisms: Licensing Constraints, Head-licensing (both Kaye (1993b)), and the Complexity Condition (Harris (1990a)). The type of language data this thesis seeks to account for has received some attention in the phonological literature, in terms of other frameworks as well as Government Phonology. These treatments are evaluated here. Two of the three main tools employed are recent inclusions in Government Phonology. The role of Licensing Constraints as parameters on element distribution is explored in the context of the principles and parameters drawn on in this thesis. Licensing Constraints have certain repercussions for other aspects of the theory. These are explored in detail. Licensing Constraints interact with Head-Licensing, a principle explaining 'ATR' distribution. Additionally, I claim that some aspects of Head-Licensing are subject to parametric variation. The possible combinations of parameter settings are presented, illustrated with a variety of language data. The Complexity Condition is claimed to apply parametrically in processes taking place at the level of nuclear projection. As Head-Licensing occurs at this level, some languages are expected to enforce the Complexity Condition. I examine cases where this takes place, and the variety of strategies employed by languages for its maintenance. Finally, I explore how the interaction of Licensing Constraints, Head- Licensing and the Complexity Condition might provide a unified account of harmony processes traditionally described in terms of 'raising', 'lowering', '+ATR' and '- ATR'. I evaluate, and propose analyses of some cases from the literature.


Although large changes in real exchange rates have occurred during the past decades, the real implications of these movements remain an empirical question. Using detailed data from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan we examine the implications of exchange rates for time series of sectoral investment. Both theoretically and empirically we show that investment responsiveness to exchange rates varies over time, positively in relation to sectoral reliance on export share and negatively with respect to imported inputs into production. The quantitative importance of each of these channels of exposure is a function of a set of exchange rate pass-through and demand elasticities. There exist important differences in investment endogeneity across high and low markup sectors, with investment in low markup sectors significantly more responsive to exchange rates. Unlike pass-through elasticities, which are viewed as industry-specific, investment endogeneity to exchange rates is a country-specific phenomenon.


A method is presented, which combines effective medium theory (EMT) with a two-channel conducting model, in order to study the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect of a magnetic granular composite (such as ) containing some superparamagnetic particles. The magnetic field and temperature dependences of GMR are investigated and the calculated results are found to be in very good agreement with recent experimental data.


A method to assay lorazepam in human urine has been developed. After addition of hydroxyethylflurazepam (internal standard) and hydrolysis with beta-glucuronidase, the lorazepam and hydroxyethylflurazepam were extracted with ethyl ether at pH 10.8. The analysis was performed on an HP-5 capillary column with nitrogen-phosphorus detector(NPD). The detection limit and recovery of analytes in urine were 5 micrograms/L and (83.4 +/- 3.1)% respectively. The method was successfully applied to urine specimens collected from healthy human volunteers who have ingested 2 mg of lorazepam. The method was sensitive enough to assay urine specimen excreted at 32 h after taking the medicine by volunteers.


The leakage detection system based on negative pressure wave method has been widely applied to crude oil pipelines. Aiming at its shortcomings in reducing false alarms and improving location precision, a combined Kalman filter — discrete wavelet transform method for the leakage detection of crude oil pipelines has been proposed. In view of the nonstationarity of collected signals and excessive field noise, the Kalman filter (KF) is used for the pre-processing of pressure and flow signals at first, and then the leakage judgment and location of crude oil pipelines are carried out based on the filtered signals. The leakage location is obtained by extracting inflection points of the filtered pressure signal with the method of discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The field experiment results indicate that the method presented in this paper can reduce false alarm rate effectively and improve detection sensitivity and location precision.


The purpose of this study is to examine the recent shoreline history at Indian River Inlet, Delaware using beach profile data. Indian River Inlet was stabilized in the late 1930's with two parallel rubble mound jetties. The stabilization resulted in considerable modifications to the surrounding beach environment, leading to the construction of a sand bypassing system in 1990. The profiles adjacent to the inlet are first examined with the standard tools, such as shoreline change, volume change, and sand budget. Then, details are given on the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in the coastal field, an explanation of its function, and the differences between the complex and non-complex versions. Results are presented for areas north and south of the inlet in both 2-mode and 3-mode versions of Complex Principal Component Analysis (CPCA). The results illustrate the ability of CPCA to detect moving features within the profile data, including its direction and speed, as bypassed sand is seen moving to the north.


Self-injury is a common phenomenon among adolescents and young adults, however its prevalence in clinical population is estimated at 40-80%, especially in regard to patients during puberty. Symptoms usually appear between 12th and 14th year of age, and their average duration is approx. 2 years. According to accepted sociocultural norms self-injury can be regarded as a normal behavior. Nevertheless, the prevalence of body art phenomenon in Western culture including professional tattooing, piercing, scarification, burning tattoos and other body modification typical for tribal cultures, has forced the need to redefine the boundaries for normative behavior. Introduction of a separate nosological unit of Non-Suicidal Self Injury in the fifth edition of DSM classification proves the validity of discussion, being hold for many years, regarding classification and understanding of the underlying mechanisms of self-harm. The aim of our study was to present the current state of knowledge regarding self-harm, with an emphasis on issues devoted to their placement in newest mental disorders classifications and mechanisms responsible for their development and maintenance. Databases such as: PubMed, EBSCO (medical and psychological resources) and WEB OF SCIENCE (years 1990-2016) have been screened for the following key words: self-injury, self-harm, self-mutilation, suicide, deliberate self-harm, affect regulation, NSSI, DSH, personality disorders, suicide attempt, neurobiology self-harm, DSM-5, adolescent, adults, stress coping styles, self-mutilation - children, adolescents and adults-prevalence. The analysis indicated 110 articles and 3 textbooks. We have used the following criteria: (1) for the articles presenting the latest research on risk factors for self-harm we have used the criterion of the study group number (>30 people) and meta-analyses have been included, (2) for theories explaining the mechanisms of self-harm criterion of empirical review of the assumptions and the number of the published studies that verify the theory has been applied.


Magnetic chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by the suspension cross-linking technique for use in the application of magnetic carrier technology. The Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation of FeCl2 and FeCl3 solution in base medium for using in the preparation of the magnetic chitosan. The morphological and magnetic properties of the magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by different techniques (TEM, XRD, VSM, FTIR, etc.). The magnetic properties of chitosan – magnetic nanoparticles were analyzed by VSM, and MS around 15 emu/g.


A prospective open clinical trial was carried out with 23 hypertensive type I diabetics (13 men, ten women, mean age 49 +/- 9.1 years, duration of diabetes 18 +/- 9.1 years) with early nephropathy. Glomerular and tubular renal function and metabolic parameters were monitored during 8 months' treatment with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, in addition to previous antihypertensive treatment with one or more drugs. Blood pressure control tended to improve on captopril (systolic pressures 152 +/- 13 vs 140 +/- 13 mm Hg, P < 0.05; diastolic pressures 89 +/- 10 vs 87 +/- 10 mm Hg, not significant). Proteinuria (> 0.5 g/24 hours) fell into the microalbuminuria range (albumin excretion 2-20 mg/mmol creatinine) in four out of 13 patients, and microalbuminuria disappeared in four out of ten patients. Urinary levels of the brush border enzyme N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), a marker of tubular dysfunction, were initially raised and fell significantly after 8 months' treatment with captopril (20.3 +/- 14.4 vs 8.8 +/- 8.1 U/g creatinine; P < 0.01). Captopril did not affect metabolic control (HbA1, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B) or the insulin dosage. These results show that long-term treatment with captopril may favourably influence both albumin excretion and NAG activity, a marker of tubular dysfunction, in type I diabetics with nephropathy.


A novel bio-active scaffold for enhancing wounded meniscus healing has been developed by combination of High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and kartogenin (KGN) with alginate gel. The properties of the bio-active scaffold were also investigated using an in vitro cell culture model and in vivo rat wounded meniscus healing model. This HMGB1-KGN-containing bioactive scaffold released HMGB1 and KGN into wound area and kept high concentrations of HMGB1 and KGN in the system for more than two weeks. This HMGB1-KGN-containing bioactive scaffold also activated rat bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) from G0 to GAlert stage and promoted cell proliferation as evidenced by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation testing. Our results also demonstrated that the HMGB1-KGN-containing bioactive scaffold induced cell migration in vitro and recruited the cells to wound area to promote wounded rat meniscus healing in vivo.


Pre-chamber jet ignition is a promising technology for spark ignition engines. In this paper, classical pre-chamber jet ignition and a new pre-chamber jet ignition method named flame accelerated ignition are investigated. Utilizing the connecting nozzles to generate the jets is the classical form of pre-chamber jet ignition. Two combustion modes were found by the RCM experiments with optical method: double stage combustion and single stage combustion. Double stage combustion mode takes place in the condition with relatively small nozzle dimension, showing long ignition delay and extremely short combustion duration. The jets cannot ignite the mixture directly. Instead, ignition happens at a central position in the main chamber after a lag time followed by the rapid development of the flame with similar speed in each direction. However, the double stage combustion mode has poor combustion stability due to the high randomness of the ignition process inside the main chamber. With single stage combustion mode, the ignition delay and the combustion duration can be shortened simultaneously with satisfying combustion stability. The combustion processes inside the pre-chamber and the main chamber take place continuously. The flame jet develops from the nozzle, composed of thin fire near the nozzle and approximately conical fire in the tip. The speed of flame jet exceeds 15 times than that of conventional flame propagation. According to the concept of pre-chamber jet ignition and the phenomenon of flame acceleration in tunnel, a new ignition method named flame accelerated ignition (FAI) is proposed. The flame acceleration tunnel can be regarded as a pre-chamber, where flame acceleration happens. Then the combustion in the main-chamber can be induced by the flame jet rushed out of the tunnel. The RCM experiments indicated that the combustion could be evidently enhanced by FAI. The flame jet maintains nearly cylindrical with favorable speed characteristic. Higher indicated thermal efficiency is gained by applying FAI compared to conventional spark ignition in the natural gas engine. In addition, introducing residual gas cavity into the flame acceleration tunnel could expand the misfire limit and improve the defect of FAI mode in lean-burn conditions.


Land-use intensification has a significant influence on occurrence of soil microorganisms. The effect of this phenomenon on Fusarium species is poorly characterized. One hundred soil samples were obtained from 3 replicated land- use types (LUT) in Mwala and Kauti irrigation regions in Machakos County. These included two intensive land-uses under irrigation and rain-fed agriculture and undisturbed lands. Mwala irrigated lands were divided into four blocks based on history of cultivation. Using soil dilution plate technique, 1,546 isolates of Fusarium were recovered and identified into twelve species namely; F . oxysporum , F. solani , F. nygamai , F. equiseti , F. chlamydosporum , F. beomiforme , F. verticillioides , F. proliferatum , F. acuminatum , F. compactum , F. semitectum , and F. merismoides . Fusarium oxysporum was the most abundant and diverse Fusarium species. Fusarium semitectum , F. compactum and F .merismoides had the least distribution being isolated from only one LUT. Fusarium beomiforme and F. acuminatum were recovered from irrigated farmlands only while F. verticillioides , F. proliferatum and F. acuminatum were restricted to disturbed lands only. The difference in abundance of Fusarium between the three LUTs was significant ( P = 0.047) with irrigated lands having the highest abundance. Mwala block A had the highest abundance, richness and diversity of Fusarium . Lands with a higher intensity of disturbance had a higher abundance and richness of Fusarium than the less undisturbed lands. This may have severe implication on crop production as most species of Fusarium isolated are pathogenic. Sustainable ways of controlling these potential crop pathogens should be sought.


Aim. To explore the dysfunctional status of cardiovascular system during postnatal adaptation. To perform a retrospective analysis of the course of pregnancy in mothers of examined newborns and catamnestic analysis. Material and methods. A total of 282 full-term infants born from mothers with various extragenital pathology were included; retrospective analysis and prospective analysis were performed of all mothers; children catamnestic analysis was performed in newborns with cardiovascular system dysfunctions. Results and discussion. Dysfunction of the cardiovascular system (CVS DF) in the early neonatal period was found in 66.3% of the surveyed newborns. As a result of comparison the impairments of mother with her newborn dysfunctional state, a clear pattern has been established. Conclusion. Causal factors negatively affect perinatal outcomes, causing the failure of adaptation process and the development of pathological conditions in the newborn in the early neonatal period.


Despite political scientists' growing appreciation of the ways in which institutions influence political processes, the "new institutionalism" has so far had a limited impact on the comparative study of welfare state development. This article discusses some broad issues concerning institutions and public policy by exploring the implications of one set of institutions — those associated with federalism — for the politics of social policy. Federal institutions encourage three distinctive dynamics: they influence the policy preferences, strategies, and influence of social actors; they create important new institutional actors (the constituent units of the federation); and they generate predictable policymaking dilemmas associated with shared decision-making. Comparisons between social policy development in Canada and the United States are used to demonstrate that while federalism clearly matters, how it matters will depend on the characteristics of a particular federal system and the ways in which federal institutions interact with other important variables.


A 13-year-old girl had Cruveilhier-Baumgarten disease. The differential diagnosis between Cruveilhier-Baumgarten disease and Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome is dependent upon the absence of morphologic liver disease in the former. Although portal hypertension and hypersplenism are present in both conditions, the pathogenesis is different. Portal hypertension in Cruveilhier-Baumgarten disease seems to be primary, but develops secondarily due to liver disease in the Cruveilhier-Baumgarten syndrome.


The Victoria and Albert Museum in London owns two watercolors that depict the Temple of Artemis at Sardis with its two fully standing columns as they appeared in the early 19th century. The museum catalogue stated that the finer of the two, showing a dramatic stormy view by Clarkson Stanfield (1834–35), a prominent artist who had never been to Sardis, was based on the second, a crude sketch allegedly made on the spot by one "Mr. Maude," otherwise unknown. Stanfield's picture shows construction and ornamental details unique to the Sardis columns and capitals, while the "Maude" shows none of these nor does it present a correct view of the landscape. Since it became clear that the Maude watercolor could not have served as a model for Stanfield, our findings were presented to the museum, whose Prints and Drawings Department specialists, after some scholarly communication, graciously acknowledged the mistake and proceeded to amend the catalogue. This is gratifying. Nevertheless, this incident offers an opportunity to underscore the benefits of multidisciplinary cooperation. In the larger picture, we specialists of kindred disciplines—archaeologists, art and architectural historians, and museum curators—share the same goals and possess knowledge and values worth sharing.


In this paper a detailed explanation of our newly proposed frequency hopped spread spectrum system named "MMFSK-EOD System Using Binary Hopping Pattern" is presented. First, to make clear the concept of FH/M-ary Multilevel FSK modulation (abb. FH/ MMFSK or MMFSK), the waveform and the spectrum differences between MFSK and FH/MFSK or FH/MMFSK are reviewed. Next, to understand the error propagation phenomena from the first demodulation stage to the second demodulation stage, system principle of FH/MMFSK using EOD is explained of some length. In an EOD system, a hopping pattern is synthesized from a group A hopping pattern and a group B hopping pattern, which are different properties on even and odd levels. Finally, to prevent the error propagation novel binary hopping pattern method is proposed, and its effectiveness on improving error performance is shown by illustrative computer simulations. Some additional improving method in the design of group A hopping pattern are also shown.


The motion of test particles around D-stars is investigated by Hamilton-Jacobi method. There may exist bound orbits under certain conditions. The trajector with periastrons at large r are Keplerian in form, except for the periastron shift. The trajectory with periastrons at small r, differ markedly from Keplerian orbits. The radius of the most tightly bound is found.


High-performance superconducting joints are essential for realizing persistent-mode magnets. Herein, we propose a concept and fabrication of such superconducting joints, which yielded reliable performance in the operating temperature range of 4.2–25 K. MgB2–MgB2 joints in magnets are known to result in deterioration of localized electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. To overcome these problems, the ends of the two wires are inserted into a pellet press, which is then filled with a mixture of unreacted magnesium and boron powders, followed by heat treatment. The critical current capacity and joint resistance were precisely evaluated by the standard four-probe method in open-circuit and by field-decay measurements in a closed-loop, respectively. These joints demonstrated up to 66% of the current-carrying capacity of unjoined wire at 20 K, 2 T and joint resistance of 1.4 × 10−12 Ω at 4.2 K in self-field.


Ninety-six brown Lohmann laying hens were equally assigned into four groups with six replicates. Hens within the control group were fed a corn-soybean-based diet supplemented with 4% linseed oil. Two other groups were given the same diet further supplemented with 5 or 10 g ground olive leaves/kg feed, while the diet of the fourth group was further supplemented with 200 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg. Supplementing diets with olive leaves had no effect on egg production, feed intake and egg traits. Eggs collected 28 days after feeding the experimental diets were analysed for lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, fatty acid profile, α-tocopherol concentrations and susceptibility to iron-induced lipid oxidation. Olive leaves were also analysed for total and individual phenolics, and total flavonoids, whereas their antioxidant capacity was determined using both the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azinobis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity assays. Results showed that neither α-tocopheryl acetate nor olive leaves supplementation exerted (p>0.05) any effect on the fatty acid composition of n-3 eggs. Supplementing the diet with 5 g olive leaves/kg had no (p>0.05) effect on the hydroperoxide levels of n-3 eggs, while supplementing with 10 g olive leaves/kg or 200 mg α-tocopheryl acetate/kg, the lipid hydroperoxide levels were reduced (p≤0.05) compared to control. However, although hydroperoxides were reduced, MDA, a secondary lipid oxidation product, was not affected (p>0.05). Iron-induced lipid oxidation increased MDA values in eggs from all groups, the increase being higher (p≤0.05) in the control group and the group supplemented with 5 g olive leaves/kg. The group supplemented with 10 g olive leaves/kg presented MDA values lower (p≤0.05) than the control but higher (p≤0.05) than the α-tocopheryl acetate group, which presented MDA concentrations lower (p≤0.05) than all other experimental diets at all incubation time points.


Background: EDIL3 is an extracellular matrix protein that plays a key role in angiogenesis. Changes in the pattern of its expression also affect cellular processes and the tumor microenvironment. Elevated level of EDIL3 is considered an unfavorable prognostic marker of survival. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in EDIL3 expression in endometrial cancer at various degrees of its differentiation (G1-G3) and to discuss its potential role as a molecular diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Methods: The study group consisted of 45 patients with endometrial cancer: G1, 17; G2, 15; G3, 13. The control group (C) included 15 patients without neoplastic changes. The expression of EDIL3 was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 12 PL software (p<0.05). Results: Analysis of EDIL3 expression showed that the average optical density of the reaction product in G1 reached 130% of the control, while the values in G2 and G3 were 153% and 158%, respectively. Regardless of the endometrial cancer grade, an increase in EDIL3 level was observed compared to the control. Conclusion: In our study, we demonstrated overexpression of EDIL3 protein in endometrial cancer. Differences in expression between degrees of tumor differentiation suggest the potential of using changes in EDIL3 level as a new complementary diagnostic marker and target for anti-angiogenic therapy.


In an effort to prepare students for the global marketplace, the National Standards Curriculum (NSC) is geared towards equipping them with 21st century skills. Project-based learning, a global trend in education, is seen as the vehicle through which this objective can be realised. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences of four teachers and four students with the use of project-based learning in the NSC in a Jamaican primary school. These teachers and students were purposively selected to provide data on their perceptions of project-based learning; how project-based learning is implemented; and how students describe their project-based learning experiences. Data were collected over a 2-month period through in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews with the teachers; 1 focus group interview with the students; observation of teachers' and students' project-based learning sessions; and personal documents in the form of students' journals. The findings revealed that project-based learning improved students' approaches to projects. Students perceive it to be an effective approach and teachers perceive it to be more effective than other traditional methods. The findings also revealed that teachers encountered challenges in support, training, and resources. Teachers and students also encountered challenges with students' collaboration skills. Based on the findings, it is recommended that teachers receive adequate training in the use of project-based learning and resources, and that students be taught collaboration skills.


Despite a growing interest in holistic care for the terminally ill, financial needs are often not addressed. This is reflected in the fact that some people with a terminal illness are not accessing disability benefits, despite eligibility. The present paper is based on a study investigating delays experienced by cancer patients in obtaining Attendance Allowance (AA) by special rules, and missed opportunities for professionals to assist with claims. The study took place in a hospice where patients were referred to social work professionals for assistance in claiming AA. In each case, the patient had been eligible for some time before the referral. Over a 5-month period, all 22 patients who were referred completed a questionnaire. Data were collected to show their personal characteristics, how they came to be referred for assistance and their level of knowledge of AA. The length of time that people had already been eligible and the time taken to claim were recorded to show the amount of lost benefit. The health and social care professionals whom these patients had seen since becoming eligible were also recorded. A wide range of people experienced delays in accessing AA. Their total lost income ranged from pound 110.60 to pound 1106.00. The median was pound 387.10 and four people died before being awarded AA. Only four patients were fully aware of their eligibility. Every person had seen between one and four professionals since becoming eligible for the benefit, without the meeting resulting in a claim. Increased income aids the management of illness, and information and assistance to claim disability benefits need to be made available in a consistent manner at the earliest opportunity. Health and social care professionals are in a position to provide this. However, changes to the claims process, proposed by the present author, could ensure that AA is received automatically, without delay and without extensive paperwork.


Making use of the molecular closed-orbit theory and a new model potential for the Rydberg molecule, we have calculated the recurrence spectra of He2+ molecular ion in a magnetic field for different quantum defects. The Fourier transform spectra of He2+ molecular ion may be used to perform a direct comparison between peaks in the spectra and the scaled action values of closed orbits of the excited electron in external fields. We find that the spectral modulations can be analysed in terms of the scattering of the excited electron on the molecular core. Unlike the case of the Rydberg atom where the elastic scattering is predominant, modulations produced by inelastic scattering are also vital to the photoabsorption spectrum of the Rydberg molecule. Our results are in good agreement with the quantum results, which suggests that our method is correct.


Mobile Banking service are created to help businesses streamline their operations and this, has received immense adoption in Kenya since it was introduces in the year 2007.The study's objective was to determine the magnitude to which small and medium enterprises have adopted mobile banking in Nairobi County, to establish the magnitude to which SMEs utilize the different services offered by the mobile banking and to establish the association between usage of m-banking services and SME performance. The study applied a descriptive type of survey design aimed at finding out effects of m-banking adoption on performance of SMEs in Nairobi County. The population targeted in this research study was 176 SMEs n Nairobi County. Primary data was collected. The study revealed that ease of use, cost effectiveness, convenience; security of the service, accessibility and diversity has enabled SMEs to continue to use mobile banking services. The study also revealed that mobile banking has increased customer base because of easy method of payments, more time to carry out other business activities, easy access to funds in the bank, increased business transactions, increased profits and increased business efficiency. The study made a conclusion that mobile banking adoption positively influences SME spar for mince in the county of Nairobi. The study recommended SMEs to adopt m-banking services in their organizations. In this way the organization will be adopting the changing technologies so that to remain competitive.


Tumor specimens from 84 patients with untreated epidermoid lung carcinomas were analysed immunohistochemically for the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), tumor cell proliferation (PCNA index) and tumor vascularity (vessel density). The purpose of this study was to find out whether differences in tumor cell proliferation and tumor vascularity might be associated with differential angiogenic growth factor expression. The present results indicate that the proliferation of the tumors is closely related to their expression of VEGF, but not for bFGF. The PCNA labelling index in VEGF positive tumors (VEGF+/bFGF- or VEGF+/bFGF+) was significantly higher than that in VEGF negative tumors (VEGF-/bFGF- or VEGF-/bFGF+; Wilcaxon rank sum test, p < 0.0001). To investigate whether VEGF or bFGF is involved in lung tumor angiogenesis, the data of VEGF and bFGF expression were correlated with vessel density. It was found that the expression of VEGF and bFGF were associated with increment of vessel density, however, vessel density was significantly increased only when VEGF and bFGF were coexpressed (p < 0.02). It is suggested that VEGF and bFGF might act cooperatively in the neovascularization of human epidermoid lung carcinomas.


Over the past decade, there has been an increasing interest in exploring the capacity of built spaces to respond dynamically and adapt to changes in the external and internal environments. Such explorations are technologically and socially motivated, in response to recent technological and cultural developments. Advances in embedded computation, material design, and kinetics on the technological side, and increasing concerns about sustainability, social and urban changes on the cultural side, provide a background for responsive/interactive architectural solutions that have started to emerge.This paper presents an ongoing design research project driven by an interest in adaptive systems in nature and a desire to explore the capacity of built spaces to respond dynamically. The paper underlines architecture's inseparable link to technology and projects a vision of architecture that, through its capacity to change and adapt, becomes an integrated, responsive, adaptive and productive participant within larger ecologies.


Background KCNC1 encodes Kv3.1, a subunit of the Kv3 voltage-gated potassium channels. It is predominantly expressed in inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and cerebellar neurons. Kv3.1 channelopathy has been linked to a variety of human diseases including epilepsy, developmental delay, and ataxia. Characterization of structural and functional disturbances of this channel, and its relationship to a heterogenous group of clinical phenotypes, is a current topic of research. We herein characterize the clinical phenotype as well as the functional and structural consequences of the novel KCNC1 p.R317S variant. We further set out to explore the mechanistic basis for the spectrum of KCNC1 related channelopathies. Methods Variant was identified via whole-exome sequencing and its functional impact was determined using two-electrode voltage clamp recordings in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Homolog modeling and in silico structural analysis were performed on the p.R317S variant and other KCNC1 related variants. Results We identified a novel loss-of-function KCNC1 variant c.949C>A (p.R317S) presenting with symptoms similar to myoclonic epilepsy and ataxia due to potassium channel (MEAK), but with distinct radiological features. Functional analysis in the Xenopus laevis oocyte's expression system revealed that the current amplitudes were significantly decreased in the p.R317S variant compared to the wild type, indicating a dominant-negative effect. Atomic structural analysis of the KCNC1 related variants provided a possible mechanistic explanation for the heterogeneity in the clinical spectrum. Conclusions We have identified the p.R317S loss-of-function variant in the KCNC1 gene, expanded the spectrum of potassium channelopathy and provided mechanistic insights into KCNC1 related disorders.


This edited volume explores the discursive, performative and mediated dimensions of contemporary political discourse. The strengths of the volume are manifold: it contains cutting edge interdisciplinary research on political discourses by international authors (UK, USA, Italy, Germany, Austria, Denmark) in political science, discourse linguistic and social interaction research. The contributions represent a wide range of methodological approaches to political discourse, analyzing a broad variety of genres, some of which have been less analyzed to-date, for example Wikipedia articles in combination with their discussion pages or the interaction between politicians and voters in the constituency office of a British Member of Parliament. The contributions also focus on political discourses of high and relevant topicality, such as EU membership of Britain, populism, migration and xenophobia, terrorism and narratives in international relations.


The large shale-hosted massive sulfide Pb-Zn-Ag deposits
 of the North Australian craton occur within basins that evolved in a
 continental setting in the overriding plate of a major subduction zone. The
 evolution of these basins is characterized by ~140 m.y. (ca. 1800–1660
 Ma) of lithospheric thinning, elevated heat flow, and the development of a
 complex network of extension-related normal and strike-slip fault systems.
 During this interval there were transient episodes of accelerated extension
 and basin inversion associated with crustal shortening. The shale-hosted
 massive sulfide Pb-Zn-Ag deposits are hosted within the Isa superbasin (ca.
 1660–1590 Ma).
 The dominant process in the evolution of this superbasin was thermal
 subsidence (sag) of the lithosphere, resulting in the development of anoxic
 subbasins in an environment of long-term elevated heat flow. However,
 transient episodes of lithospheric extension maintained elevated geothermal
 gradients and drove the migration of hydrothermal fluids in the upper crust.
 We speculate that the basin evolution before ca. 1660 Ma preconditioned the
 upper crust for mineralization. Prerift and synrift felsic volcanism and
 clastic successions beneath the Isa superbasin were suitable metal sources
 and aquifers during deformation events, when basinal fluids were able to
 migrate as the result of pulses of deformation-induced dilatancy.
 Reactivation of the basin fault architecture associated with far-field
 stresses imposed by plate boundary conditions focused fluid movement and
 mineralization in the upper parts of the basin. We propose that far-field,
 continental back-arc environments are favorable for the development of
 shale-hosted massive sulfide Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization because they often have
 relatively protracted extensional histories and they are more susceptible to
 tectonic reactivation, reestablishment of elevated thermal gradients, and
 changes in regional stress regimes during postextensional basin evolution


To better understand how fluctuations in prey abundance may impact seabird repro- ductive success, we studied short-term changes in prey populations and their effect on prey selection and brood-rearing in the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, a predator of near-surface-school- ing forage fishes. Our fine-scale approach involved a weekly assessment of forage fish abundance and brood-rearing conditions during 4 consecutive years (1996 to 1999) at the Shoup Bay kittiwake colony in Prince William Sound, Alaska. We conducted forage fish surveys from a fixed-wing aircraft to determine weekly prey abundance throughout the known foraging range of breeding kittiwakes. Our results provide clear evidence that short-term fluctuations in prey availability are responsible for dramatic, within-season changes in the breeding conditions of black-legged kittiwakes. Adult kitti- wakes often showed immediate response to changes in the prey base by altering prey selection; how- ever, there were instances when kittiwakes selected prey species disproportionate to their availabil- ity (typically selecting for Pacific herring Clupea pallasi and against Pacific sand lance Ammodytes hexapterus). Changes in prey selection often resulted in striking differences in the amount of time required to obtain a load of food. The cascading effects of longer foraging trips was translated into reduced nestling growth and survival. Of the 3 components of energy provisioning to nestlings (meal delivery rate, meal size, and energy density), meal delivery rate had the strongest and most consis- tent positive effect on nestling growth and survival. Overall, these results demonstrate that complex foraging conditions limit the reproductive success of a central place-foraging species relying on an ephemeral food source. Moreover, we demonstrated that feeding conditions during the first 2 wk of brood-rearing were most critical for survival of the brood. Given the potential for such marked within-season variation in breeding conditions, it is critical that investigators adequately sample throughout the brood-rearing period, or, alternatively, select that portion that is germane to their study.


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of a perianal swab to detect CDI. METHODS A perianal swab was collected from each inpatient with a positive stool sample for C. difficile (by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] test) and was tested for C. difficile by PCR and by culture. The variables evaluated included demographics, CDI severity, bathing before perianal swab collection, hours between stool sample and perianal swab, cycle threshold (Ct) to PCR positivity, and doses of CDI treatment before stool sample and before perianal swab. RESULTS Of 83 perianal swabs, 59 (71.1%) tested positive for C. difficile by PCR when perianal swabs were collected an average of 21 hours after the stool sample. Compared with the respective stool sample, the perianal sample was less likely to grow C. difficile (P=.005) and had a higher PCR Ct (P<.001). A direct, significant but weak correlation was detected between the Ct for a positive perianal sample and the respective stool sample (r=0.36; P=.006). An inverse dose relationship was detected between PCR positivity and CDI treatment doses before perianal swab collection (P=.27). CONCLUSION Perianal swabs are a simple method to detect C. difficile tcdB gene by PCR, with a sensitivity of 71%. These data were limited because stool samples and perianal swabs were not collected simultaneously. Compared with stool samples, the perianal Ct values and culture results were consistent with a lower bacterial load on the perianal sample due to the receipt of more CDI treatment before collection or unknown factors affecting perianal skin colonization. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:658–662


Hypopigmentation, either a white forelock or changes in the eyebrows and/or isochromia irides, associated with signs of bowel obstruction should alert the paediatrician and paediatric surgeons to the possibility of aganglionosis. We report a case of Waardenburg–Shah syndrome, which is a very rare congenital disorder with variable clinical expression, characterized by Hirschsprungs' disease and abnormal melanocyte migration, resulting in pigmentary abnormalities and sensorineural deafness. Our patient had an exceptional association of extended long-segment aganglionosis and underwent a proximal ileostomy but did not survive until a definitive procedure was performed. Long-term prognosis of such children is associated with high morbidity and mortality.


Background: Clinical reports from the United States indicate substantive mental health problems in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected youth that pose substantial barriers to optimizing their health. This pilot study explores rates and types of psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as emotional and behavioral functioning in perinatally HIV-infected children and adolescents. Methods: Forty-seven perinatally-infected youths (9–16 years of age) and their primary caregivers recruited from a pediatric HIV clinic were interviewed using standardized assessments of youth psychiatric disorders and emotional and behavioral functioning, as well as measures of health and caregiver mental health. Results: According to either the caregiver or child report, 55% of youths met criteria for a psychiatric disorder. The most prevalent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (40%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (21%), conduct disorders (13%), and oppositional defiant disorders (11%). However, the majority of caregivers and children scored in the normative range on the symptom questionnaires on emotional and behavioral functioning. None of the demographic or child health variables or measures of caregiver mental health was significantly associated with presence of a child psychiatric disorder. There was an association between caregiver mental health and child emotional and behavioral functioning. Conclusions: Standardized assessments of mental health identified very high rates of psychiatric disorders, primarily in the anxiety and behavioral domains, in this sample of youth with perinatal HIV infection. Mental health interventions should be integrated into medical care to help members of this highly vulnerable population optimize their health and well-being.


The tool pin geometry used in friction stir welding of any material affects the transportation and mixing of the materials at the joint interface during the welding process. This further affects the mechanical properties of the joint. Tapered threaded and unthreaded tool pin profiles were investigated in this research work. The relationship between the material mixing characteristics and mechanical properties of each pin profile were evaluated. The results indicate that more materials mixing occurred in the nugget zone of the welds at lower rotational speed with the threaded tool pin than the unthreaded tool pin. However, at medium rotational speed, more volume of materials was swept into each other better in the unthreaded tool pin than the threaded pin. The tensile strengths of welds with the threaded tool pin were higher than the unthreaded tool pin. Although the two tool pins exhibit similarities in hardness variations across the weld zones however, higher average values of hardness were obtained at the nugget zone for welds performed with the tapered threaded tool pin. These could be as a result of better material mixing and higher opposition to grain dislocations across the dividing lines in the welds from the threaded tool pin.


We tend to divide buildings into two basic categories - private structures such as houses, and public buildings like railway stations, concert halls or museums. Public buildings have limits of their own: whether a courthouse or an airport, a stadium or college campus, questions of style, function or cost are clearly posed. Resolving such tensions is just one of many serious questions that arise when the definition of public architecture is at stake. This book explores the most creative responses to these and related issues, and shows how in recent years, public architecture has undergone a tremendous upheaval, an aesthetic awakening of sorts. Where solidly classical and staid designs were the norm, aesthetic daring and innovation are now increasingly rewarded, as celebrated architects from Herzog & de Meuron to Jean Nouvel have blazed a trail for a new generation of truly public buildings - structures that combine access for the many, with quality once reserved for the few. "Public Architecture Now!" highlights the groundbreaking and breathtaking new public architecture now appearing around the world, from Spain to Norway, via Chile, China and the USA. Featured architects and practices of this title include: 3XN, Adjaye/Associates, Aires Mateus, Stan Allen Architect, AllesWirdGut, Tadao Ando, Paul Andreu, ARM, Arup Associates, Felipe Assadi + Francisca Pulido Architects, Atelier Oslo + AWP, Auer+Weber+Assoziierte, b720 Arquitectos, Behnisch Architekten, Rafael Beneytez, Bruno Fioretti Marquez, Santiago Calatrava, Cannon Design, CEBRA, David Chipperfield, Coop Himmelb(l)au, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, EMBT - Miralles Tagliabue Arquitectes Associats, Carlos Ferrater + Jimenez Brasa Arquitectos, Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, Frank O. Gehry, Nicholas Grimshaw, and Herzog & de Meuron. Featured architects and practices of this title also include: Hotson Bakker Boniface Haden, Toyo Ito, Taiji Kawano, Marcio Kogan, Kuehn Malvezzi, Line and Space, Localarchitecture, Lundgaard & Tranberg, Fumihiko Maki, Michael Maltzan, Francisco Mangado, Giancarlo Mazzanti, MGM Arquitectos, Rafael Moneo, Moneo Brock Studio, Alberto Nicolau, Nieto Sobejano, Jean Nouvel, ONL, Perkins Eastman, Dominique Perrault, Plan B Architecture + JPRCR Architects, Rojkind Arquitectos, Alvaro Siza Vieira, Substance, Tidy Architects, UNStudio/Van Berkel & Bos, Vicens + Ramos Architects, John Wardle, Makoto Sei Watanabe, Rene van Zuuk.


Wild rice relatives having the same AA genome as domesticated rice (Oryza sativa) comprise the primary gene pool for rice genetic improvement. Among them, O. meridionalis and O. rufipogon are found in the northern part of Australia. Three Australian wild rice strains, Jpn1 (O. rufipogon), Jpn2, and W1297 (O. meridionalis), and one cultivated rice cultivar Taichung 65 (T65) were used in this study. A recurrent backcrossing strategy was adopted to produce chromosomal segment substitution lines (CSSLs) carrying chromosomal segments from wild relatives and used for trait evaluation and genetic analysis. The segregation of the DNA marker RM136 locus on chromosome 6 was found to be highly distorted, and a recessive lethal gene causing abortion at the seed developmental stage was shown to be located between two DNA markers, KGC6_10.09 and KGC6_22.19 on chromosome 6 of W1297. We name this gene as SEED DEVELOPMENT 1 (gene symbol: SDV1). O. sativa is thought to share the functional dominant allele Sdv1-s (s for sativa), and O. meridionalis is thought to share the recessive abortive allele sdv1-m (m for meridionalis). Though carrying the sdv1-m allele, the O. meridionalis accessions can self-fertilize and bear seeds. We speculate that the SDV1 gene may have been duplicated before the divergence between O. meridionalis and the other AA genome Oryza species, and that O. meridionalis has lost the function of the SDV1 gene and has kept the function of another putative gene named SDV2.


This paper is the first in a series, presenting a new galaxy cluster finder based on a three-dimensional Voronoi Tesselation plus a maximum likelihood estimator, followed by gapping-filtering in radial velocity(VoML+G). The scientific aim of the series is a reassessment of the diversity of optical clusters in the local universe. A mock galaxy database mimicking the southern strip of the magnitude(blue)-limited 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey (2dFGRS), for the redshift range 0.009 < z < 0.22, is built on the basis of the Millennium Simulation of the LCDM cosmology and a reference catalog of "Millennium clusters," spannning across the 1.0 × 1012–1.0 × 1015 M⊙ h−1 dark matter (DM) halo mass range, is recorded. The validation of VoML+G is performed through its application to the mock data and the ensuing determination of the completeness and purity of the cluster detections by comparison with the reference catalog. The execution of VoML+G over the 2dFGRS mock data identified 1614 clusters, 22% with Ng ≥ 10, 64 percent with 10 > Ng ≥ 5, and 14% with Ng < 5. The ensemble of VoML+G clusters has a ∼59% completeness and a ∼66% purity, whereas the subsample with Ng ≥ 10, to z ∼ 0.14, has greatly improved mean rates of ∼75% and ∼90%, respectively. The VoML+G cluster velocity dispersions are found to be compatible with those corresponding to "Millennium clusters" over the 300–1000 km s−1 interval, i.e., for cluster halo masses in excess of ∼3.0 × 1013 M⊙ h−1.


We studied avalanches of cohesionless granular materials down a rough inclined plane and overflowing a wall normal to the incoming flow and to the bottom. This paper focuses on the transient time-varying mean force exerted by the granular stream on the obstacle at various slope inclinations. A nearly triangular dead zone is formed upstream of the obstacle. It largely contributes to the overall force signal at low slope inclinations. It also drives the residual force corresponding to the avalanche tail until its standstill whatever the slope inclination. An analytical hydrodynamic model based on depth-averaged momentum conservation was successfully developed for steady-flow conditions to predict the steady-state force computed from discrete numerical simulations [T. Faug, R. Beguin, and B. Chanut, Phys. Rev. E 80, 021305 (2009)]. The basic equations of the model are briefly reviewed and adapted to transient time-varying flows. The modified hydrodynamic model quite accurately represents the force peak produced by the granular avalanche flows computed from discrete numerical simulations reported in previous studies. A fitting procedure is needed to represent the decrease of the force after the force peak, thus quantifying the different contributions to the mean force on the wall. We show that the weight of each contribution is largely dependent on the slope inclination.


Systemic and gastrointestinal infection was established in infant (15-19 days old) mice after oral-intragastric challenge with Candida albicans. All survivors retained high levels of organisms in the liver, kidney, spleen, stomach and intestine up to the 24th post infection day. These animals with persistent infections were used to study the efficacy of short term antifungal therapy. Drug treatment was initiated on 13th day for a two week period, treatment with fluconazole was compared with amphotericin B, and 5 fluorocytosine. The results suggest that fluconazole is a useful drug in the treatment of gastrointestinal candidiasis.


The pentapeptide "hinge" region of the DadB alanine racemase links two structural domains of the protein [Galakatos, N. G., & Walsh, C. T. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 8475]. The presence of substrate markedly reduces the rate of hinge-specific proteolysis of this racemase and induces a conformational change observed by circular dichroism. To evaluate the possible contribution of the proteolytically sensitive hinge residues (-Y253GGGY257-) on catalytic efficiency, site-directed mutations were generated to probe the effects of size and conformational rigidity of that region. A bacterial overproducing system for the dadB gene was constructed that expresses the enzyme as 4.5% of total soluble protein. On this construct, a four-part ligation allowed the engineering of two unique and proximal restriction sites required for cassette mutagenesis at the hinge region. For two of the eight mutants generated, expressed protein could not be detected (deletion of -GGGY-; termination codon at position 255). Deletion of one or two of the three Gly residues had no effect on catalytic efficiency. Insertion of a fourth Gly resulted in a 5-fold drop in Vmax/Km. For G254P, G255P, and G256P, Vmax/Km was 60%, 126%, and 26% of the native enzyme, respectively. In all cases, the Km's remained essentially constant, suggesting that the hinge region is not involved in substrate binding. The rate of hinge-specific proteolysis of the mutants was faster than that of wild-type DadB except for the G255P protein for which it was equivalent.


Objectives This prospective cohort study tested for associations between baseline cognitive performance in individuals early within their first episode and antipsychotic treatment of psychosis. We hypothesised that poorer cognitive functioning at the initial assessment would be associated with poorer antipsychotic response following the subsequent 6 weeks. Design Prospective cohort . Setting National Health Service users with a first-episode schizophrenia diagnosis, recently starting antipsychotic medication, recruited from two UK sites (King's College London, UK and University of Manchester, UK). Participants attended three study visits following screening. Participants Eighty-nine participants were recruited, with 46 included in the main analysis. Participants required to be within the first 2 years of illness onset, had received minimal antipsychotic treatment, have the capacity to provide consent, and be able to read and write in English. Participants were excluded if they met remission criteria or showed mild to no symptoms. Primary and secondary outcome measures Antipsychotic response was determined at 6 weeks using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), with cognitive performance assessed at each visit using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). The groups identified (responders and non-responders) from trajectory analyses, as well as from >20% PANSS criteria, were compared on baseline BACS performance. Results Trajectory analyses identified 84.78% of the sample as treatment responsive, and the remaining 15.22% as treatment non-responsive. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions observed no significant relationship between baseline BACS on subscale and total performance (BACS t-score: OR=0.98, p=0.620, Cohen's d=0.218) and antipsychotic response at 6 weeks. Conclusions This investigation identified two clear trajectories of treatment response in the first 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment. Responder and non-responder groups did not significantly differ on performance on the BACS, suggesting that larger samples may be required or that an association between cognitive performance and antipsychotic response is not observable in the first 2 years of illness onset. Trial registration number REC: 17/NI/0209.


Actin filaments form the backbone of dendritic spines, the postsynaptic compartment of most excitatory synapses in the brain. Spine density changes affect brain function, and postsynaptic actin defects have been implicated in various neuropathies. It is mandatory to identify the actin regulators that control spine density. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized a role for the actin regulator profilin1 in spine formation. We report reduced hippocampal spine density in juvenile profilin1 mutant mice together with impairments in memory formation and reduced ultrasonic communication during active social behavior. Our results, therefore, underline a previously suggested function of profilin1 in controlling spine formation and behavior in juvenile mice.


VoIP (voice over IP) is one of the real time applications which demand that wireless LAN systems achieve severe quality requirements in terms of delay time, jitter and packet loss. However, it is difficult for CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance) to achieve the service quality demanded by VoIP if voice and data traffic coexist, so some form of priority control is needed. This paper proposes a novel multiple access protocol that allows wireless LANs based on autonomous distributed control to satisfy the VoIP requirements. This new protocol suits both VoIP and data traffic and executes priority control dynamically according to whether the VoIP packet collides with a data packet or another VoIP packet. The results of a theoretical analysis and computer simulations indicate its excellent performance. This proposed protocol reduces the delay time of VoIP packets by 54 to 70% compared with conventional CSMA/CA, even if the traffic load increases, provided that the packet loss probability is less than 3%.


Adequate training of Lady Health Visitors is foundational for the prosperity of community health worker scheme in Pakistan. Objective:   To determine the deficiencies in the training Lady Health Visitors by assessing their knowledge and psychomotor skills. Study Design:   Cross – sectional study. Study Duration and Place:   The study was conducted in 6 – month duration in Community Medicine Department, KEMU, Lahore. Subjects and Methodology:   A cross – sectional stu-dy was carried out at Model Maternal and Child Care Centre, Montgomery Road, Lahore. A total of 100 Lady Health Visitors were selected on the basis of laid down inclusion criteria. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS version. Results:   LHVs had an adept comprehension of vaccinations of 9 diseases covered by EPI (99%). They had adequate knowledge of antenatal vaccines (64%), perinatal vaccines (87%) and postnatal (77%) vaccines, indicating good recall. But they had less grasp on the method of filling vaccination cards (30%) and counselling about side effects of vaccines (17%) showing low psychomotor skills. However, recall and psychomotor skills showed significant correlation (p < 0.05). Conclusion:   Our study concluded that there is a significant correlation between recall and psychomotor skills of our Lady Health Visitors. By analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the training of Lady Health Visitors, our study showed that they had better recall but lower psychomotor skills. Hence modifications are required in their training to improve psychomotor skills.


Introduction/Importance: Given the promise of integrating traditional healing practices into primary care, we sought to examine the influence of primary care providers' racial concordance and Indigenous patients' ethnic salience on traditional healing treatment decisions. Method: Using a descriptive comparative design with an online clinical case vignette, we measured provider decision making via a 5-point Provider Acceptance of Traditional Healing–Referral and Consult questionnaire. Aggregated results of the main effects and interactional effects were analyzed using a 2 × 2 analysis of variance between-subjects design. Results: The main effect for patient racial concordance on the dependent variable was significant, F(1, 89) = 5.71, p = .02. Conclusions: Provider–patient racial concordance does increase the providers' likelihood of consulting with and referring patients to traditional healing practices, regardless of the patient's ethnic salience. Implications for Practice: All health care providers require training in traditional healing practices for Indigenous persons as guided by the cultural safety framework.


Abstract:  Hunting in tropical forests is typically most intense near human settlements, and this creates gradients of decreasing animal densities toward those settlements. Within the context of this spatial pattern, we evaluated the status of game in the hunting grounds of an indigenous community in eastern Ecuador. We constructed a spatially explicit model of hunter‐prey interactions that mimicked the hunting in the village and included realistic animal‐dispersal rules. We compared predictions from the model with distributions of animal harvest rates and catch per unit effort of 12 game species. Six species were overharvested in part or all of the area, and two other species were probably being overharvested, although high dispersal rates complicated the interpretation. We then compared our method with methods that have been used previously. We argue that because our method provides information about the spatial extent of overharvesting, it could be particularly useful in informing decision makers about where to establish no‐take areas and could therefore aid in improving the sustainability of hunting in tropical forests.


—Identifying novel drugs that inhibit bacterial infection has gained a considerable amount of attention in recent years. This is in part due to the increased number of highly resistant bacteria and the serious health threat it poses around the world. In order to combat this threat, a significant hurdle to overcome is the relatively low success rate of identifying novel chemical compounds that are effective at inhibiting bacterial infection. Despite increasing the vast amount of data that is currently generated during drug discovery endeavors, traditional analysis methods have not increased the overall success rate. In this paper, we investigate whether multivariate Image-based high content screening (HCS) platforms can identify chemical compounds using significantly reduced data while retaining its competitiveness. Image-based HCS is still predominantly used in biological compound activity assessments (bioassays) with univariate methods, not utilizing the data to its full potential. We propose a novel method that uses a small number of cells in high dimensional space to analyze interactions between cells, bacteria, and chemical compounds. Our results further indicate that our method can identify compounds that inhibit bacterial infection with a fraction of the control data generated.


High precise, high voltage pulse generator made up of high-power IGBT and pulse transformers controlled by a computer are described. A simple main circuit topology employed in this pulse generator can reduce the cost meanwhile it still meets special requirements for pulsed electric fields (PEFs) in food process. The pulse generator utilizes a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) to generate trigger signals. Pulse-frequency, pulse-width and pulse-number are controlled via RS232 bus by a computer. The high voltage pulse generator well suits to the application for fluid food non-thermal effect in pulsed electric fields, for it can increase and decrease by the step length 1.


The 'cholinergic hypothesis', based on the correlation of the reduction of cholinergic activity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with cognition and memory, is currently the most widely-held view for AD. Drug treatments for AD focus mainly on inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and to some extent butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). In addition to changes in AChE in AD, there is a rise in the level of the sister enzyme BChE. However, the role of the two cholinesterases is poorly understood in vivo. We characterized several proteins immunohistochemically in brain sections from AChE nullizygote (AChE-/-) and wild type AChE+/+ mice. Previous studies had shown that AChE-/- mouse tissues are devoid of AChE activity and that the overall cholinesterase activity is significantly decreased in the knockout group [16]. Despite the differences of cholinesterase activity, we found no significant structural alterations between the experimental groups. Immunohistochemical examination revealed no neuronal, dendritic, astrocytic, synaptic, microglial, and endothelial differences between AChE-/- and AChE+/+ mice. Similarly, the histochemical examination showed no morphologic alterations between AChE-/- and AChE+/+ mice. Our studies show that neither the absence of AChE nor the presence exclusively of BChE is associated with neuroglial and vascular pathology.


Teaching management information system is a very important tool and basis of the teaching management work and has been widely used in the educational institutions. According to the practice and the requirement of the management reform, an efficient and standard teaching management information system is needed which can be used by multi-users safely through the network, and the data must be complete and accurate. It should also have standardized database structure and support data sharing. The B/S model can be better used to realize it. In the paper, we have depicted the core E-R diagram and the data flow chart clearly, which can by used to guide the system development.


Brain parenchymal involvement of mycosis fungoides (MF) is very rare. This study reports a patient with known cutaneous MF (under treatment) who presented with a CNS syndrome and multiple brain lesions. Brain biopsy demonstrated massive eosinophilic infiltrates but no MF cells. Despite treatment, new lesions developed and the patient died. At autopsy, there was massive involvement MF cells, suggesting that the eosinophilic infiltrates presaged the severe involvement of the CNS by MF.


This study has investigated the laboratory scale thermal oxidation of nuclear graphite, as a proof-of-concept for the treatment and decommissioning of reactor cores on a larger industrial scale. If showed to be effective, this technology could have promising international significance with a considerable impact on the nuclear waste management problem currently facing many countries worldwide. The use of thermal treatment of such graphite waste is seen as advantageous since it will decouple the need for an operational Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). Particulate samples of Magnox Reactor Pile Grade-A (PGA) graphite, were oxidised in both air and 60% O2, over the temperature range 400–1200°C. Oxidation rates were found to increase with temperature, with a particular rise between 700–800°C, suggesting a change in oxidation mechanism. A second increase in oxidation rate was observed between 1000–1200°C and was found to correspond to a large increase in the CO/CO2 ratio, as confirmed through gas analysis. Increasing the oxidant flow rate gave a linear increase in oxidation rate, up to a certain point, and maximum rates of 23.3 and 69.6 mg / min for air and 60% O2 respectively were achieved at a flow of 250 ml / min and temperature of 1000°C. These promising results show that large-scale thermal treatment could be a potential option for the decommissioning of graphite cores, although the design of the plant would need careful consideration in order to achieve optimum efficiency and throughput.


Growth of plant organs results from the combined activity of cell division and cell expansion. The coordination of these two processes depends on the interplay between multiple hormones that determine final organ size. Using the semidominant Hairy Sheath Frayed1 (Hsf1) maize mutant, that hypersignals the perception of cytokinin (CK), we show that CK can reduce leaf size and growth rate by decreasing cell division. Linked to CK hypersignaling, the Hsf1 mutant has increased jasmonic acid (JA) content, a hormone that can inhibit cell division. Treatment of wild type seedlings with exogenous JA reduces maize leaf size and growth rate, while JA deficient maize mutants have increased leaf size and growth rate. Expression analysis revealed increased transcript accumulation of several JA pathway genes in the Hsf1 leaf growth zone. A transient treatment of growing wild type maize shoots with exogenous CK also induced JA pathway gene expression, although this effect was blocked by co-treatment with cycloheximide. Together our results suggest that CK can promote JA accumulation possibly through increased expression of specific JA pathway genes. One sentence summary Cytokinin-signaling upregulates the jasmonate biosynthesis pathway, resulting in jasmonate accumulation and influences on maize leaf growth.


Diallyl thiosulfinate (allicin) is the agent found in garlic which is responsible for the antibacterial and antifungal activity of extracts of this plant. The effect of bacteriostatic concentrations of allicin (0.2 to 0.5 mM) on the growth of Salmonella typhimurium revealed a pattern of inhibition characterized by: (i) a lag of approximately 15 min between addition of allicin and onset of inhibition, (ii) a transitory inhibition phase whose duration was proportional to allicin concentration and inversely proportional to culture density, (iii) a resumed growth phase which showed a lower rate of growth than in uninhibited controls, and (iv) an entry into stationary phase at a lower culture density. Whereas DNA and protein syntheses showed a delayed and partial inhibition by allicin, inhibition of RNA synthesis was immediate and total, suggesting that this is the primary target of allicin action.


Very deep transformers outperform conventional bi-directional long short-term memory networks for automatic speech recognition (ASR) by a significant margin. However, being autoregressive models, their computational complexity is still a prohibitive factor in their deployment into production systems. To amend this problem, we study two different non-autoregressive transformer structures for ASR: Audio-Conditional Masked Language Model (A-CMLM) and Audio-Factorized Masked Language Model (A-FMLM). When training these frameworks, the decoder input tokens are randomly replaced by special mask tokens. Then, the network is optimized to predict the masked tokens by taking both the unmasked context tokens and the input speech into consideration. During inference, we start from all masked tokens and the network iteratively predicts missing tokens based on partial results. A new decoding strategy is proposed as an example, which starts from the most confident predictions to the rest. Results on Mandarin (AISHELL), Japanese (CSJ), English (LibriSpeech) benchmarks show promising results to train such a non-autoregressive network for ASR. Especially in AISHELL, the proposed method outperformed the Kaldi ASR system and matched the performance of the state-of-the-art autoregressive transformer with $7\times$ speedup.


To the Editor:— In sympathy with the current effort to change the face of everything, the major conglomerate corporations change their names as more and more companies are agglutinated to them. Thus, Insilco and CPC International will be joined soon by Union Tank Car under a new flag. Who would guess that "CPC" was inspired by corn syrup? Obviously medicine needs to disguise its blessings. For the postfractural hypostatic pneumonia, I suggest Fraxpo . For diabetes, arteriosclerotic lower extremities problems, and urinary infections, let us have Glurosicco . The fellow who is having his blood vessels embolized, deembolized, catheterized, pressurized, tied, replaced, or rebuilt suffers from Vasculack . Anyone who receives more than 15 units of blood per surgical session has been the victim of Sangblast . My enlightenment followed a recent episode: Jones(a patient): Morning, Doctor. Came in for my Sixlobelt . Liddle: I beg your pardon, Mr. Jones, did you say "sixlobelt?"


ABSTRACT Sixty-seven Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor isolates (36 domestic and 31 imported) were classified into 19 subtypes byNotI- and SfiI-digested pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Twenty-five of 36 domestic and 4 imported isolates were assigned to a NotI-A1–SfiI-A1 subtype, suggesting that this pulse type is widely distributed in Asia and Japan.


Background: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease (PMLD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder within the group of hypomyelinating leukoencephalopathies. Mutations of the gap junction protein α12 (GJA12) gene are known to cause one autosomal recessive PMLD form. Few patients with GJA12 mutated PMLD have been reported, and to date, the frequency as well as the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of GJA12 related PMLD is unclear. Methods: We report mutation analysis of the GJA12 gene in a clinical and radiologic well-characterized multiethnic cohort of 193 patients with PMLD from 182 families. Results and Conclusions: Only 16 patients (8.3%) from 14 families (7.7%) carry GJA12 mutations including five families where we detected only one mutated allele. Among those, we identified 11 novel alterations. Thus, GJA12 mutations are a rather rare cause for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease. The clinical phenotype of patients with a GJA12 mutation was evaluated and is overall comparable to the clinical features seen in mild forms of proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) related disorder but with better cognition and earlier signs of axonal degeneration.


The mechanical component producing company Nymek AB, based in Skelleftea/North Sweden, has undergone an extensive staff training program during the last years. The goal has been to engage the personnel in the production process and to create a higher team and development spirit. Constant improvements of the employee's skills are considered necessary in order for the corporation to survive in today's harsh global competitive situation. But, unlike most other companies, it's strategy has not been to grow, but to survive, and maintain status quo. Within the program, the entire staff meet once every half year to discuss strategies. Furthermore, the workers are organized in groups whose leaders meet once every second week in order to debate goals and to document achievements. The program has been a costly investment for the company. One of the most difficult changes was the alternation of the staff's attitude. Having been part of a concern listed on the stock exchange, the employees had to realize that Nymek AB today is no more than a local firm with a restricted clientele and that the company's owners want it to stay like that.


PURPOSE: Myelomeningocele is the most common congenital malformation of the central nervous system, with a prevalence of 4.4 to 4.6 per 10,000 live births in the United States. They are most commonly observed in the lumbosacral region, as this is the last region of the neural tube to fuse. Robust, reliable and reproducible closure of lumbosacral myelomeningocele defects remains a challenge. Closure of spinal defects following neurosurgical procedures with well-vascularized flaps in high-risk patients has been shown to reduce complications in the adult population. In infants with lumbosacral myelomeningocele, in addition to the relatively standard neurosurgical repair that consists of placode tubularization and dural repair, multiple methods of soft tissue coverage have been described. These include various cutaneous, fascial and muscle flaps and grafts. We present here our unique closure technique with well-vascularized flaps following lumbosacral myelomeningocele repair. METHODS: After the neurosurgical repair of lumbosacral myelomeningocele is completed, bilateral composite latissimus dorsi musculocutanous and gluteus maximus fasciocutanous flaps are elevated. The gluteus maximus fasciocutaneous flaps are completely elevated from their insertion on the ileum and sacrum. The paraspinous muscle flaps are then elevated and medialized based on the lateral row arterial perforators to provide complete muscular coverage of the dural repair. The bilateral composite latissimus dorsi muscleocutanous and gluteus maximus fasciocutanous flaps are medialized, reapproximated with the sacrum, and closed over the paraspinous muscle flap repair.


Voting data from city-councillors, state and federal deputies elections are analyzed and considered as a response function of a social system with underlying dynamics leading to complex behavior. The voting results from the last two general Brazilian elections held in 1998 and 2000 are then used as representative data sets. We show that the voting distributions follow a generalized Zipf's law which has recently been proposed within a nonextensive statistics framework. Moreover, the voting distribution for city-councillors is clearly distinct from those of state and federal deputies in the sense that the latter depicts a higher degree of nonextensivity. We relate this finding with the different degrees of complexity corresponding to local and nonlocal voting processes.


To the Editor.— The article in theArchives(113:942-945, 1977) titled "Pemphigus Vegetans of Hallopeau," by Nelson et al was of great interest to me for three reasons. First is that classical examples of this condition are rare but readily recognizable; second is that the controversy as to its nosology has continued since Hallopeau 1 first described the disease in 1869 and illustrated a case in the International Atlas of Rare Diseases of the Skin 2 ; third pyodermite vegetante has been associated with a particular subacute or "benign" type of ulcerative colitis that may not be clinically obvious or cause the patient to complain and that may only be determined by direct questioning of the patient on his bowel habits or by routine proctoscopy, double contrast barium enema, and rectal biopsy. The detection of this type of ulcerative colitis is important because although constitutional effects may be quite minimal, one


In shared-medium wireless networks, nodes contend for medium access in space, time and channel bandwidth. Uncontrolled competition for limited network resources causes severe packet collisions and compounds network congestion. Consequently, data transmission is subject to very long delay, significant packet loss and poor throughput. This work focuses on improving data transmission in wireless ad hoc networks through optimal control of spatial, temporal and bandwidth contention. Our simulation study demonstrates that this optimal control scheme outperforms RTS/CTS and achieves significant improvement of CSMA/CA performance under various effects.


In Reply. —The purpose of our article was not to advance the debate about informed consent for the use of stored DNA. Our goal was to outline what should be done prospectively when obtaining informed consent for nonanonymous cancer susceptibility tests when the results will be disclosed to individual patients. Drs Page and Jensen overlook 2 important distinctions: one between existing samples and those being obtained in new projects, and the other between identifiable and "anonymized" samples. Are Page and Jensen suggesting that genetic testing on identifiable samples be permitted without specific consent? The authors support institutional review board review of protocols as an alternative to the guidelines emerging from multidisciplinary panels. However, the Office of Protection From Research Risks 1993 guidelines for institutional review boards states in the "Human Genetic Research" section: "Particular attention should be paid to protecting the confidentiality of the data and obtaining consent from the participants for


Antibacterial and antifungal properties of wax and hexane extracts of Citrus spp. peels were tested using bioautographic and microdilution techniques against three plant pathogenic fungi (Penicillium digitatum, Curvularia sp., and Colletotrichum sp.), two human pathogens (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis), and two opportunistic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Two polymethoxylated flavonoids and a coumarin derivative, were isolated and identified from peel extracts, which presented antimicrobial activity especially against M. canis and T. mentagrophytes: 4',5,6,7,8-pentamethoxyflavone (tangeritin) and 3',4',5,6,7,8-hexamethoxyflavone (nobiletin) from C. reticulata; and 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (also known as escoparone, scoparone or scoparin) from C. limon.


Several important open problem areas, or puzzles, in robust, control and modelling are highlighted. The first puzzle deals with complications caused by the fragile nature of poles and zeros in standard parameterizations of systems due to unavoidable small parameter inaccuracies. This includes also a critique of the debate paper of Keel and Bhattacharyya (1997). The second and the third puzzle are concerned with difficulties in generalizing H/sub /spl infin// control theory to realistic persistent signal setups. It seems difficult to generalize the theory to such setups and simultaneously keep the terminology robust H/sub /spl infin// control intact. These puzzles have implications for control-oriented model validation.


In this paper, a system to allow the communication between a human being and a robot, through a human-machine interface (HMI), is proposed. Such HMI makes possible to use electro-biological signals, such as electromyogram (EMG), electrooculogram (EOG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) to control devices like an autonomous wheelchair. An electronic board containing an environmental map has also been developed. Thus, the user selects a cell in the map, through some electro-biological signal, which is understood by the system as the place the mobile vehicle should reach. A control system to guide the robot to seek for this goal is also presented, including experimental results


health, COVID-19 recurrent local and national lockdowns. the by previous that the design of the built environment can mental health, is not clear if the same pattern remains when a 'black swan ' event (e.g., COVID-19) occurs. To we performed logistic regression and hierarchical regression analyses to examine the relationship between built environment and mental health utilising a data sample from the United Kingdom (UK) residents during the COVID-19 lockdown while considering their social demographics. Our results show that compared with depression and anxiety, people were more likely to feel stressed during the lockdown period. Furthermore, general house type, home workspace , and neighbourhood environment and amenity were identified to have significantly contributed to their mental health status. With the ensuing implications, this study represents one of the first to inform policymakers and built environment design professionals of how built environment should be designed to accom- modate features that could mitigate mental health problems in any future crisis. As such, it contributes to the body of knowledge of built environment planning by considering mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown.


Square patch antennas were analyzed for the effects of mutual coupling between the neighboring antennas. Circularly polarized patches have been considered with both co-polarization and cross polarization between two patches. The frequency variations in dual-feed arrays were also observed as a function of element separation. The results of mutual coupling between adjacent antennas from this paper can be used to develop new arrays, especially for narrow band frequency applications. The results can easily be extended to higher frequencies up to millimeter wavelengths.


Goals To define the current role of laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer. Background Perhaps in no other field has so much controversy been generated by laparoscopy as in its application to curative resection of cancer of the colon and rectum. The main controversy centers around the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic resections. The 3 major issues are: the adequacy of oncologic resection, recurrence rates and patterns, and the long-term survival. Study A review of published data by search of Medline database with focus on clinical studies. Results Laparoscopic colectomy is feasible and safe. Modest benefits in the quality of life are observed. Same oncologic resection can be performed laparoscopically with no adverse influence on the recurrence rates. In particular, wound recurrences are not a specific complication of laparoscopic technique. At least equivalent survival is obtained by laparoscopic colectomy. Conclusions Laparoscopy does not seem to adversely affect chance of cure of colorectal cancer.


Chapter 4 discusses the strained relations between the Black Panthers and the Kansas City, Missouri, police department and the federal government. Police hostility toward Pete O'Neal resulted in frequent traffic stops, constant surveillance, and other harassing tactics. A newspaper article by a Panther that applauded the death of John Edward Dacy, a local policeman, infuriated the police. The Panthers publically charged Police Chief Clarence Kelley with the sale of confiscated weapons to right-wing organizations. Black and white citizens expressed concern over the brutal beating police inflicted on four unarmed Panthers who tried to attend the police chief's press conference. The U.S. House Committee on Internal Security conducted investigations and held hearings on the Kansas City Black Panther Party but produced no evidence of criminal activity by the Panthers.


This thesis examines how the introduction of a defence of insanity for mentally ill offenders would affect criminal liability and sentencing. The premise is the proposed defence of insanity which was outlined in the governmental inquiry SOU 2012:17. The proposal is compared with current legislation, and aims to investigate if the adoption of such a policy is pertinent
The proposal suggests that a mentally ill offender whom is not found to be of sound mind should be exempt from criminal punishment. Since the establishment of the criminal code in 1965, serious mental illness has only been taken into consideration when determining sentencing. This principle is unique to Sweden.
This thesis initially examines the basis in criminal law and consequent criminal theories. First, a historical review of the Swedish legislative development for mentally ill offenders will be presented, followed by an outline of the current legislation. The case of Anna Lind is discussed to illustrate the difficulties associated with this legislation, and research showing a connection between mental illness and violent crime is also highlighted. Lastly, the analysis and conclusions will be presented. The analysis includes the advantages and disadvantages of a defence of insanity.
The conclusion is that proposed legislative principles would only be an improvement to current legislation to a limited extent. The consequence of the introduction of this legislation would be that whilst a number of problems would be alleviated, further problems would arise. To move from the current system to a different, not entirely satisfactory, system would not justify the necessary legislative changes which are the basis of this proposal. The main objection is that discriminatory legislation would be established and existing prejudices would be reinforced. In addition, exoneration would lead to difficulties relating to equal treatment of those of sound mind and those of unsound mind.


Bladder cancer represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Nearly 430,000 diagnoses of bladder cancer are made each year leading to approximately 165,000 deaths (1). Within the context of healthcare spending it is a costly diagnosis and has been reported as the most expensive diagnosis per patient lifetime among all cancers (2,3), with a total cost of almost $4 billion annually in the United States in 2010 (4). Previous studies have shown that radical cystectomy (RC) accounts for the largest proportion of costs associated with bladder cancer care (5); however, few studies have evaluated the cost of trimodal therapy (TMT). TMT has progressively been accepted as a viable treatment option for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) (6-8) and therefore the implications from a healthcare economic perspective have become increasingly important to consider.


—High-resolution optical tactile sensors are increas- ingly used in robotic learning environments due to their ability to capture large amounts of data directly relating to agent- environment interaction. However, there is a high barrier of entry to research in this area due to the high cost of tactile robot platforms, specialised simulation software, and sim-to-real methods that lack generality across different sensors. In this letter we extend the Tactile Gym simulator to include three new optical tactile sensors (TacTip, DIGIT and DigiTac) of the two most popular types, Gelsight-style (image-shading based) and TacTip-style (marker based). We demonstrate that a single sim- to-real approach can be used with these three different sensors to achieve strong real-world performance despite the significant differences between real tactile images. Additionally, we lower the barrier of entry to the proposed tasks by adapting them to an inexpensive 4-DoF robot arm, further enabling the dissemination of this benchmark. We validate the extended environment on three physically-interactive tasks requiring a sense of touch: object pushing, edge following and surface following. The results of our experimental validation highlight some differences between these sensors, which may help future researchers select and customize the physical characteristics of tactile sensors for different manipulations scenarios.


Research can improve people's health and well-being, and its use to guide the nation's health is written into UK NHS policy. The National Institute of Health Research supports research in the NHS through clinical research networks like the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN). The MHRN supports research working collaboratively with people using services and those providing them. It supports studies that are based within mental-health services, social-care services and within primary-care services, irrespective of methodological approach. The network helps researchers screen participants for eligibility, recruit participants, conduct assessments, collect data and liaise with clinicians to promote the value of research. The MHRN provides online resources about how to involve people using services and their families and friends in research, and on how services can support and engage with research. It also helps private companies recruit participants in the NHS.


To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants in improving survival of cancer patients. We conducted in January 2007 a comprehensive search for relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We extracted data on methodological quality, participants, interventions and outcomes using a standardized form. Five RCTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria and all compared warfarin to either placebo or no intervention. Their overall methodological quality was acceptable. The effect of warfarin on mortality was not statistically significant at 6 months (RR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.80-1.16), at 1 year (RR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.86-1.05), at 2 years (RR = 0.97; 95% CI 0.87-1.08) or at 5 years (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.83-1.01). In the subgroup of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), warfarin reduced mortality at 6 months (RR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.50-0.96) but not at 1 year (RR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.77-1.01). This 6 months mortality benefit was statistically significant in the subgroup of extensive SCLC (RR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.45-0.93) but not in the subgroup of limited SCLC (RR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.36-1.28). Warfarin increased both major bleeding (RR = 4.24; 95% CI 1.85-9.68) and minor bleeding (RR = 3.34; 95% CI 1.66-6.74). The evidence suggests a survival benefit from warfarin in patients with extensive SCLC, but not in other patient groups. This survival benefit should be weighed against the increased risk for hemorrhage.


By considering the characteristics of agricultural products prices such as great fluctuations, nonstationarity and nonlinearity, a BP Neural Network model was designed for forecasting and verified by real data from some agricultural products wholesale markets. In order to improve the prediction accuracy, a combination model of BP Neural Network and time series prediction was constructed to forecast prices of agricultural products in wholesale markets. After learning from sample data, it can better forecast the trend and fluctuations of the agricultural products wholesale prices, and with those real data better prediction results were attained. The combined model provides an important method for predicting prices in agricultural products wholesale markets.


Enterprise energy system model is an important means in researching enterprise-class energy system and the basis of enterprise Energy Saving using systematic ideas. On the basis of analyzing production process in the iron and steel enterprise, the main styles of energy used by producing iron and steel were abstracted. And then, the Hybrid Petri net(HPN) is used in modeling the energy system of the whole enterprise, by which we can optimise the energy system according to different objective.


Reference to relative literatures in recent years, model building and calculation on volatile organic compound (VOC) emission inventory of plants were summarized in different spatial scales, the total annual VOC emission amounts from Vegetation in China are in the range from 12.4 Tg x a(-1) to 28.4 Tg x a(-1). For garden plants in Beijing, the annual VOC emissions are approximately 38 500 tons C in 2000. Furthermore, in order to determine reduction strategies for Beijing urban atmospheric major pollutants, the contribution of garden plant VOC emissions to the ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation was presented, compared to garden plant in the same period, the largest contribution to ozone formation comes from aromatic hydrocarbons and olefin which are exhausted from anthropogenic activity, besides, the aromatic hydrocarbons exhausted from anthropogenic activity is also a main contribution source for the potential formation of SOA. In the meantime, it is suggested to focus on emission control of VOCs which are emitted from urban anthropogenic sources.


C is a favored and widely used programming language, particularly within the fields of science and engineering. C Programming for Scientists and Engineers with Applications guides readers through the fundamental, as well as the advanced concepts, of the C programming language as it applies to solving engineering and scientific problems. Ideal for readers with no prior programming experience, this text provides numerous sample problems and their solutions in the areas of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, physics, chemistry, and more. It begins with a chapter focused on the basic terminology relating to hardware, software, problem definition and solution. From there readers are quickly brought into the key elements of C and will be writing their own code upon completion of Chapter 2. Concepts are then gradually built upon using a strong, structured approach with syntax and semantics presented in an easy-to-understand sentence format. Readers will find C Programming for Scientists and Engineers with Applications to be an engaging, user-friendly introduction to this popular language.


Studies on various physical properties viz., dielectric properties (dielectric constant, loss tan δ, a.c conductivity σ) over a wide range of frequency and temperature, of Li2O-CaF2-P2O5: NiO glass ceramics have been reported. The dielectric constant and loss variation with the concentration of NiO have been explained on the basis of space charge polarization mechanism. The dielectric relaxation effects exhibited by these samples have been analyzed by a graphical method and the spreading of dielectric relaxation has been established. The a.c conductivity in the high temperature region seems to be connected both with electronic transfer and ionic movements.