I will concentrate on recent work that has improved our understanding of the earliest phases of lymphocyte maturation, since this work provides a basis for the analysis of various forms of immunodeficiency. However, the reasons for interest in primary lymphocyte differentiation extend beyond a consideration of immunodeficiency. According to the clonal selection theory, which has received considerable support from experimental work, the broad range of foreign antigens which may enter the body are recognised by a repertoire of lymphocytes, each specific for a particular antigen. There is evidence that this repertoire of lymphocytes is acquired during the primary differentiation of lymphocytes that occurs in ontogeny. In addition, although the mechanisms of tolerance to 'self' antigens are poorly understood studies on lymphocyte ontogeny may provide important clues. Lymphocytes, like other blood cells, belong to a renewal system and production of new lymphocytes is not confined to ontogeny. Hence, in discussing the primary differentiation of lymphocytes, sites of lymphocyte production in the adult must also be considered.


Abstract The chemical synthesis conditions (TiCl4: iPrOH reagent ratio and reaction temperature scheme) were optimized for the preparation of polymeric titanium oxychloride sorbent which met the requirements for clinically useful 188W/188Re generator production, such as high W-adsorption capacity, high 188Re-elution yield, low 188W-breakthrough, and good mechanical stability. This polymeric material was formed by polycondensation of titanium-oxychloride units, the chemical formula of which was supposed as [OTiO (Ti40 Cl80 (OH) 80 (TiO2)95.60H2O) OTiO]n. The effect of the W-content of tungstate solution on the WO4 2− ion adsorption (with minimizing the poly-tungstate ion adsorption) and its covalent bonding with the Ti metal atoms in the polymeric matrix were justified with respect to the optimal W-adsorption conditions for the preparation of a useful 188W/188Re generator column. The high W-adsorption capacity of about 515.6 mg W/g sorbent and 188Re elution yield of higher than 85% wereachieved. The large difference in the distribution ratio values found for alumina and polymeric titanium oxychloride sorbent in 0.005% NaCl solution (DW, Re-188 = 50 and DW, Re-188 = 1.0, respectively) offered an advantage for the preparation of a consecutive-elution based 188Re generator system which combined both 188Re elution and 188Re concentrating processes in one portable system. This generator system is of a tandem column type which consists of a polymeric titanium oxychloride sorbent coupled to an alumina column. This system gave a 188Re concentration factor of approximately 10. The overall 188Re yield achieved from this system was >80%. 188W isotope and elemental tungsten breakthrough were not detected in its 188Re eluate. This system thus offers a potential application for clinically useful 188Re production using low specific radioactivity 188W (around 500 mCi/g) producible in a medium neutron flux reactor.


Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common type of cancer in the United States and is often not diagnosed until late stages. Thus, identifying potential risk factors and prevention strategies is particularly important. This systematic review analyzes existing evidence on the association between tea consumption and epithelial ovarian cancer risk in human observational studies. PubMed was searched through September 30, 2010 for eligible articles; 16 articles met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Five studies found overall tea intake to be associated with a decreased epithelial ovarian cancer risk, 1 found a borderline decreased risk, 9 found no association, and 1 found a borderline increased risk. Overall, it does not appear that tea consumption increases risk of ovarian cancer, but there is insufficient evidence at this point to conclude that it is protective against ovarian cancer. Many of the studies included in this review had important limitations, especially related to the lack of detailed data collected on tea consumption. Further research is needed and should focus on more detailed assessment of type of tea consumed, frequency, and duration of tea intake. Future studies should also explore potential differences in the association between tea intake and ovarian cancer risk among subpopulations.


Purpose: Controversies exist for which treatment is optimal for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): radiofrequency ablation (RFA), surgical resection (SR), or transplantation (LT). We compared outcomes between treatments as fi rst-line therapy for HCC patients measuring up to 5 cm or different cancer risk groups. Patients and methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was retrieved for HCC patients treated with RFA, SR, or LT between 2004 and 2015. The effects of three treatments were compared using propensity score, inverse probability of treatment weights adjustment, and instrumental variable analysis for overall survival (OS) and competing risks regression models for disease-speci fi c survival (DSS). We also evaluated whether the effect of treatments varied according to baseline clinical characteristics by locally weighted regression method. Results: Of 7664 patients, RFA and SR yielded worse OS (HR 1.67, CI 1.43 – 1.70, P<0.001; HR 1.43, CI 1.40 – 1.67, P<0.001) and DSS (HR 2.00, CI 1.10 – 3.30, P<0.011; HR 2.50, CI 2.00 – 3.30, P<0.001) than LT. In patients with small tumors, SR may confer more survival bene fi ts than RFA (HR>1) for different tumor sizes measuring up to 5 cm and may be an appropriate fi rst-line treatment. Additionally, RFA has more survival bene fi ts compared with SR (HR 0.83, CI 0.53 – 1.25) for those patients with low tumor risk and good general health condition (without any prognostic risk factors). However, those patients with a predicted 5-year overall mortality risk >30% seem to bene fi t more for SR than RFA. Conclusion: Due to a shortage of donors, RFA and SR can be applied as either primary management of HCC or as a bridging therapy for LT. Furthermore, SR is an effective option for patients with different HCC tumor size. However, RFA could achieve comparable survival bene fi ts with SR for patients without any risk factors.


During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, plasma progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) concentrations are elevated, and LH (and by inference GnRH) pulse frequency is slow. In contrast, LH pulse frequency increases during the early follicular phase when plasma E2 and P are lower. To examine the mechanism(s) responsible for the slower GnRH pulse frequency in the luteal phase, we maintained plasma P, E2, or both at midluteal concentrations from the midluteal phase to the time of the next early follicular phase and measured the effects on LH secretion. Thirteen normal women with regular menstrual cycles were studied during two or three cycles. Blood was obtained every 10 min during 10-h studies. Control cycle luteal and early follicular studies were followed by a second control study in the luteal phase of the treatment cycle. P (six women), E2 (seven women), or both (five women) then were given twice daily by im injection for 6-12 days until the day corresponding to the early follicular study of the control cycle (EF + P, EF + E2, or EF + E2 + P). A final study was performed 1 week after the injections were discontinued (F). LH pulse frequency was low in the midluteal phase [3.2 +/- 0.2 (+/- SE) pulses/10 h] and increased by the early follicular phase (8.0 +/- 0.8 pulses/10 h) in the control cycles. The increase in LH pulse frequency was not significantly inhibited by administration of P (6.7 +/- 0.7 pulses/10 h; EF + P). However, during both E2 alone and E2 + P, LH pulse frequency remained low (EF + E2, 3.6 +/- 0.8; EF + E2 + P, 2.0 +/- 0.7 pulses/10 h). The mean plasma FSH concentrations paralleled changes in LH pulse frequency, increasing from the luteal to the early follicular phase in the control cycles and during P injections and remaining low during E2 and E2 + P injections. We conclude that continued exposure to P alone does not maintain GnRH pulse frequency at midluteal phase values and that any effect of P requires the presence of E2. As E2 alone maintained lower LH pulse frequency, E2 may act directly to decrease the pulsatile GnRH secretion or it may potentiate the effects of low (less than 3.2 nmol/L) P concentrations.


Background Recent work has shown that the NLR-family-pyrin-domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is expressed in cardiomyocytes and when specifically activated causes atrial electrical remodeling and arrhythmogenicity. Whether the NLRP3-inflammasome system is functionally important in cardiac fibroblasts (FBs) remains controversial. In this study, we sought to uncover the potential contribution of FB NLRP3-inflammasome signaling to the control of cardiac function and arrhythmogenesis. Methods Digital-PCR was performed to determine the expression of NLRP3-pathway components in FBs isolated from human biopsy samples of AF and sinus rhythm patients. NLRP3-system protein expression was determined by immunoblotting in atria of canines with electrically maintained AF. Using the inducible, resident fibroblast (FB)-specific Tcf21-promoter-Cre system (Tcf21iCre as control), we established a FB-specific knockin (FB-KI) mouse model with FB-restricted expression of constitutively active NLRP3. Cardiac function and arrhythmia susceptibility in mice were assessed by echocardiography, programmed electrical stimulation, and optical mapping studies. Results NLRP3 and IL1B were upregulated in atrial FBs of patients with persistent AF. Protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, and pro-Interleukin-1β were increased in atrial FBs of a canine AF model. Compared with the control mice, FB-KI mice exhibited enlarged left atria (LA) and reduced LA contractility, a common determinant of AF. The FBs from FB-KI mice were more transdifferentiated, migratory, and proliferative compared to the FBs from control mice. FB-KI mice showed increased cardiac fibrosis, atrial gap junction remodeling, and reduced conduction velocity, along with increased AF susceptibility. These phenotypic changes were supported by single nuclei (sn)RNA-seq analysis, which revealed enhanced extracellular matrix remodeling, impaired communication among cardiomyocytes, and altered metabolic pathways across multiple cell types. Conclusions Our results show that the FB-restricted activation of the NLRP3-inflammasome system leads to fibrosis, atrial cardiomyopathy, and AF. Activation of NLRP3-inflammasome in resident FBs exhibits cell-autonomous function by increasing the activity of cardiac FBs, fibrosis, and connexin remodeling. This study establishes the NLRP3-inflammasome as a novel FB-signaling pathway contributing to AF pathogenesis.


The practical realization of end-to-end training of communication systems is fundamentally limited by its accessibility of the channel gradient. To overcome this major burden, the idea of generative adversarial networks (GANs) that learn to mimic the actual channel behavior has been recently proposed in the literature. Contrarily to handcrafted classical channel modeling, which can never fully capture the real world, GANs promise, in principle, the ability to learn any physical impairment, enabled by the data-driven learning algorithm. In this work, we verify the concept of GAN-based autoencoder training in actual over-the-air (OTA) measurements. To improve training stability, we first extend the concept to conditional Wasserstein GANs and embed it into a state-of-the-art autoencoder-architecture, including bit-wise estimates and an outer channel code. Further, in the same framework, we compare the existing three different training approaches: model-based pre-training with receiver finetuning, reinforcement learning (RL) and GAN-based channel modeling. For this, we show advantages and limitations of GAN-based end-to-end training. In particular, for non-linear effects, it turns out that learning the whole exploration space becomes prohibitively complex. Finally, we show that the training strategy benefits from a simpler (training) data acquisition when compared to RL-based training, which requires continuous transmitter weight updates. This becomes an important practical bottleneck due to limited bandwidth and latency between transmitter and training algorithm that may even operate at physically different locations.


Brome grass (Bromus diandrus Roth) has become a serious weed of wheat in Western Australia, particularly on light textured soils. Six field experiments were carried out to investigate competition between brome grass and wheat. Results showed that brome grass is an extremely aggressive weed in wheat. Although the experimental sites varied considerably in soil type, rainfall and other growing conditions the relationship between brome grass and reduction in wheat yield was remarkably consistent across the sites. An exponential model was found to adequately describe yield loss due to competition with brome grass and will be used for extension purposes in Western Australia. An examination of yield contributing characters of wheat suggested that yield loss due to brome grass had been determined before the crop reached the grainfilling stage and such a result diminishes the importance of competition for water in wheat-brome grass mixtures.


An original case of fissured superficial femoral aneurysm in a context of arteriomegaly is reported. The analysis of the literature emphasizes the great latency of the disease, and the very low frequency of rupture, especially in this site. The key test for follow-up of the disease is Doppler ultrasound.


Abstract Lipid-rich carcinoma is a rare variant and accounts for < 2% of all breast cancer diagnoses. We report a case occurring in a 53-year-old female. The patient presented with a painless, right breast mass. Clinical examination and mammography suggested malignancy. Subsequent modified radical mastectomy revealed the diagnosis of lipid-rich carcinoma. The morphological features, differential diagnosis and treatment along with a brief review of the literature are discussed in this article. Lipid-rich carcinoma (L-RC) is a very rare variant of breast carcinomas with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. It presents only 1% to 2% of all breast cases (1,2). It is classified as a specific variety of mammary carcinoma because the tumour cells possess abundant vacuolated cytoplasm which is strongly positive when stained for neutral fat. Aboumrad (2) first described it in 1963 as lipid-secreting carcinoma. However, Ramos and Taylor (1) renamed it as lipid-rich breast carcinoma. In China, the first case was reported in 1984 (3). Herein, we report a case of lipid-rich carcinoma occurring in a 53-year-old female patient, and the literature is reviewed.


This article presents a paradigm case of a problematic work re-entry experience of a breast cancer survivor (Kathy). The case was drawn from a qualitative descriptive study of 25 long-term survivors of breast cancer. The study describes the lived experience and practical "know how" of survivors. Study participants completed three in-depth process interviews that were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. The paradigm case presented here is one of five paradigms that emerged from the data. The case demonstrates the profound impact of a negative work re-entry experience on a cancer survivor's reformulating sense of self. In addition to pericarditis and lymphedema, Kathy experienced long-term emotional distress. Although work provided a primary source of meaning, Kathy ultimately gave up her desire to return to work. Predominant features of the case include: a breach of confidentiality of medical information in the work setting; absence of resources and support to assist with work re-entry and the management of social stigma; difficulty in talking with colleagues and others about her health; and difficulty in asking for and receiving assistance. The understandings set forth from Kathy's experience can guide clinicians to explore the meaning of work in the lives of their patients and can encourage the development and use of work re-entry programs.


Abstract We consider distributed localization in a sensor network in R 2 from inter-agent distances. Sensors and anchors exchange data with their neighbors. No centralized data processing is required. We establish a differential equation for the unknown sensor positions, and show that the estimated positions of sensors converge to their actual values in finite time (assuming noise-free measurements). The key assumption is that all sensors are in the convex hull of three or more anchors. The proposed localization method uses the barycentric coordinates of each sensor with respect to some of its neighbors (which may not include those anchors), assuming the sensor falls in the convex hull of these neighbors.


BACKGROUND
Subarachnoid haemorrhage has an incidence of up to nine per 100,000 person-years. It carries a mortality of 30% to 45% and leaves 20% dependent in activities of daily living. The major causes of death or disability after the haemorrhage are delayed cerebral ischaemia and rebleeding. Interventions aimed at lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk of rebleeding, while the induction of hypertension may reduce the risk of delayed cerebral ischaemia. Despite the fact that medical alteration of blood pressure has been clinical practice for more than three decades, no previous systematic reviews have assessed the beneficial and harmful effects of altering blood pressure (induced hypertension or lowered blood pressure) in people with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of altering arterial blood pressure (induced hypertension or lowered blood pressure) in people with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage.

SEARCH METHODS
We searched the following from inception to 8 September 2020 (Chinese databases to 27 January 2019): Cochrane Stroke Group Trials register; CENTRAL; MEDLINE; Embase; five other databases, and five trial registries. We screened reference lists of review articles and relevant randomised clinical trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised clinical trials assessing the effects of inducing hypertension or lowering blood pressure in people with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. We included trials irrespective of publication type, status, date, and language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently extracted data. We assessed the risk of bias of all included trials to control for the risk of systematic errors. We performed trial sequential analysis to control for the risks of random errors. We also applied GRADE. Our primary outcomes were death from all causes and death or dependency. Our secondary outcomes were serious adverse events, quality of life, rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischaemia, and hydrocephalus. We assessed all outcomes closest to three months' follow-up (primary point of interest) and maximum follow-up.

MAIN RESULTS
We included three trials: two trials randomising 61 participants to induced hypertension versus no intervention, and one trial randomising 224 participants to lowered blood pressure versus placebo. All trials were at high risk of bias. The certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes. Induced hypertension versus control Two trials randomised participants to induced hypertension versus no intervention. Meta-analysis showed no evidence of a difference between induced hypertension versus no intervention on death from all causes (risk ratio (RR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 4.42; P = 0.38; I2 = 0%; 2 trials, 61 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Trial sequential analyses showed that we had insufficient information to confirm or reject our predefined relative risk reduction of 20% or more. Meta-analysis showed no evidence of a difference between induced hypertension versus no intervention on death or dependency (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.13; P = 0.33; I2 = 0%; 2 trials, 61 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Trial sequential analyses showed that we had insufficient information to confirm or reject our predefined relative risk reduction of 20% or more. Meta-analysis showed no evidence of a difference between induced hypertension and control on serious adverse events (RR 2.24, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.99; P = 0.05; I2 = 0%; 2 trials, 61 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Trial sequential analysis showed that we had insufficient information to confirm or reject our predefined relative risk reduction of 20% or more. One trial (41 participants) reported quality of life using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale. The induced hypertension group had a median of 47 points (interquartile range 35 to 55) and the no-intervention group had a median of 49 points (interquartile range 35 to 55). The certainty of evidence was very low. One trial (41 participants) reported rebleeding. Fisher's exact test (P = 1.0) showed no evidence of a difference between induced hypertension and no intervention on rebleeding. The certainty of evidence was very low. Trial sequential analysis showed that we had insufficient information to confirm or reject our predefined relative risk reduction of 20% or more. One trial (20 participants) reported delayed cerebral ischaemia. Fisher's exact test (P = 1.0) showed no evidence of a difference between induced hypertension and no intervention on delayed cerebral ischaemia. The certainty of the evidence was very low. Trial sequential analysis showed that we had insufficient information to confirm or reject our predefined relative risk reduction of 20% or more. None of the trials randomising participants to induced hypertension versus no intervention reported on hydrocephalus. No subgroup analyses could be conducted for trials randomising participants to induced hypertension versus no intervention. Lowered blood pressure versus control One trial randomised 224 participants to lowered blood pressure versus placebo. The trial only reported on death from all causes. Fisher's exact test (P = 0.058) showed no evidence of a difference between lowered blood pressure versus placebo on death from all causes. The certainty of evidence was very low.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Based on the current evidence, there is a lack of information needed to confirm or reject minimally important intervention effects on patient-important outcomes for both induced hypertension and lowered blood pressure. There is an urgent need for trials assessing the effects of altering blood pressure in people with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. Such trials should use the SPIRIT statement for their design and the CONSORT statement for their reporting. Moreover, such trials should use methods allowing for blinded altering of blood pressure and report on patient-important outcomes such as mortality, rebleeding, delayed cerebral ischaemia, quality of life, hydrocephalus, and serious adverse events.


Because people with chronic pain feel uncertain about their future pain, a pain-forecasting model could support individuals to manage their daily pain and improve their quality of life. We conducted two patient and public involvement activities to design the content of a pain-forecasting model by learning participants' priorities in the features provided by a pain forecast and understanding the perceived benefits that such forecasts would provide. The first was a focus group of 12 people living with chronic pain to inform the second activity, a survey of 148 people living with chronic pain. Respondents prioritized forecasting of pain flares (100, or 68%) and fluctuations in pain severity (94, or 64%), particularly the timing of the onset and the severity. Of those surveyed, 75% (or 111) would use a future pain forecast and 80% (or 118) perceived making plans (e.g., shopping, social) as a benefit. For people with chronic pain, the timing of the onset of pain flares, the severity of pain flares and fluctuations in pain severity were prioritized as being key features of a pain forecast, and making plans was prioritized as being a key benefit.


Two kinds of theoretical framework for syntax are encountered in current linguistics. One emerged from the mathematization of proof theory, and is referred to here as generative-enumerative syntax (GES). A less explored alternative stems from the semantic side of logic, and is here called model-theoretic syntax (MTS). I sketch the outlines of each, and give a capsule summary of some mathematical results pertaining to the latter. I then briefly survey some diverse types of evidence suggesting that in some ways MTS seems better suited to theorizing about the relevant linguistic phenomena.


The effects of sex on human facial morphology have been widely documented. Because sexual dimorphism is relevant to a variety of scientific and applied disciplines, it is imperative to have a complete and accurate account of how and where male and female faces differ. We apply a comprehensive facial phenotyping strategy to a large set of existing 3D facial surface images. We investigate facial sexual dimorphism in terms of size, shape, and shape variance. We also assess the ability to correctly assign sex based on shape, both for the whole face and for subregions. We applied a predefined data‐driven segmentation to partition the 3D facial surfaces of 2446 adults into 63 hierarchically linked regions, ranging from global (whole face) to highly localized subparts. Each facial region was then analyzed with spatially dense geometric morphometrics. To describe the major modes of shape variation, principal components analysis was applied to the Procrustes aligned 3D points comprising each of the 63 facial regions. Both nonparametric and permutation‐based statistics were then used to quantify the facial size and shape differences and visualizations were generated. Males were significantly larger than females for all 63 facial regions. Statistically significant sex differences in shape were also seen in all regions and the effects tended to be more pronounced for the upper lip and forehead, with more subtle changes emerging as the facial regions became more granular. Males also showed greater levels of shape variance, with the largest effect observed for the central forehead. Classification accuracy was highest for the full face (97%), while most facial regions showed an accuracy of 75% or greater. In summary, sex differences in both size and shape were present across every part of the face. By breaking the face into subparts, some shape differences emerged that were not apparent when analyzing the face as a whole. The increase in facial shape variance suggests possible evolutionary origins and may offer insights for understanding congenital facial malformations. Our classification results indicate that a high degree of accuracy is possible with only parts of the face, which may have implications for biometrics applications.


Communications traffic data is a legal data concept that can be explained by the example of traditional, non-digital mail: For a letter to be sent by post it must be enclosed in an envelope. On the envelope the name of the addressee, his address and some information about the sender are noted. Furthermore, on the envelope a postage stamp or payment stamp is placed. The enclosed letter forms the content of the communication. The data on the envelope stands for the traffic data; these are needed in the service provider's business operations. This data distinction can be recognized on postcards as well: the content of the communication is situated on the left half of the card, while the traffic data are located on the right. Moreover, the postcard example makes clear that the distinction between communication content and traffic data is, in essence, a legal question rather than a technical question: the service provider is able to take note of the communication content, but is simply not supposed to do so. However, certain technical characteristics of the communication can help in making the distinction in practice. Traffic data can be clearly recognized in conventional telecommunications, but on the internet the distinction between content and traffic data is quite problematic. The actions performed by the internet service provider involving the digital data in his network are significantly more diverse and complex than what is the case with conventional telecommunications. Because the protection status of the communication content differs from that of related traffic data, it is important that this legal distinction can actually be made in the 'digital cloud' of the provider network. The research on traffic data is conducted in three parts. Part I concerns the data demarcation issue. There is a need for a legal 'litmus test' with which personal data from the digital data cloud can be tested as to whether or not they constitute traffic data. Such a legal litmus test for traffic data is designed from its legal origins and the test is finally performed on three major communication technologies: fixed telephony, mobile telephony and the internet. Traffic data are then sorted in two groups of privacy sensitivity: Type I traffic data, which have a regular personal sensitivity, and Type II traffic data with an increased personal sensitivity. Part II concerns the service provider's secondary uses of traffic data. Three issues are studied: · The provider's use of traffic data in direct marketing; · The provider's use of traffic data in maintaining Acceptable Use Policies; · The provider's application of traffic data in Automatic Number Identification. Part III concerns the function of traffic data in criminal investigations. Central to this part is the current EU Directive on the retention of traffic data. This part analyzes the legal framework regulating the collection of traffic data from providers by criminal investigation authorities. Traffic data retention and the requirements for the disclosure of traffic data are examined in the context of the two traffic data sensitivity categories, as established in research Part I. A number of open issues are identified and further examined. These concern the following: · Which providers will be affected by traffic data retention? · How should traffic data under retention be stored? · What are the legal options for linking and searching traffic data files?


Experiments were carried out on the exhaust of an engine on a test bed with a selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The reductant could be introduced either as 5% ammonia in nitrogen gas or as a spray of aqueous urea droplets. Conversion of nitrogen oxides was investigated at temperatures near 488 K (215 °C) and 533 K (260 °C), which are typical of a diesel passenger car exhaust system. The experiments with a urea spray were carried out for three reductant levels, i.e. for two reductant levels that were deficient and for one reductant level that was approximately stoichiometric. The experiments were run to steady state conditions. The spray was introduced into the system in two different ways, sprayed either into a mixing can and nozzle arrangement or into the system via an oblique pipe; in the latter case the spray impinged on an angled plate mixer. A transient case was also investigated where the engine load was ramped up from a brake mean effective pressure of 6 bar to 10 bar over 20 s and, after reaching the steady state, was ramped back down to a brake mean effective pressure of 6 bar over 20 s and allowed to reach a steady state. The nitrogen oxide supplied was 100% nitric oxide in all these experiments. This was achieved by using a palladium diesel oxidation catalyst to remove hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from the exhaust stream but without oxidising the nitric oxide. Measurements were made with a Fourier transform infrared gas analyser. The steady-state results showed that the percentage nitric oxide conversion observed using a urea spray had a value that was about 10% below the percentage conversion observed with ammonia gas when using either spray configuration. There was evidence that urea droplets were being transported unconverted through the selective catalytic reduction catalyst in both steady-state engine-load tests and transient engine-load tests. The ammonia deficit was 20% or more of the potential amount of ammonia injected by the aqueous urea spray.


In this paper we present a new method for fast histogram computing and its extension to bin to bin histogram distance computing. The idea consists in using the information of spatial differences between images, or between regions of images (a current and a reference one), and encoding it into a specific data structure: a tree. The Bhattacharyya distance between two histograms is then computed using an incremental approach that avoid histogram: we just need histograms of the reference image, and spatial differences between the reference and the current image to compute this distance using an updating process. We compare our approach with the well-known Integral Histogram one, and obtain better results in terms of processing time while reducing the memory footprint. We show theoretically and with experimental results the superiority of our approach in many cases. Finally, we demonstrate the advantages of our approach on a real visual tracking application using a particle filter framework by improving its correction step computation time.


We consider nonparametric estimation of the covariance function for dense functional data using computationally efficient tensor product B-splines. We develop both local and global asymptotic distributions for the proposed estimator, and show that our estimator is as efficient as an "oracle" estimator where the true mean function is known. Simultaneous confidence envelopes are developed based on asymptotic theory to quantify the variability in the covariance estimator and to make global inferences on the true covariance. Monte Carlo simulation experiments provide strong evidence that corroborates the asymptotic theory. Examples of near infrared spectroscopy data and speech recognition data are provided to illustrate the proposed method.


This study demonstrates the first exploitation of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which have good biocompatibility as the matrix for constructing integrated electron mediator-based open circuit potential biosensors (OCPS) for in vivo measurement of neurochemicals, such as glucose. In this study, we find that COFs are able to serve as a matrix for co-immobilizing the electron mediator (i.e., 1,1′-dimethyl-ferrocene, DMFc) and enzymes (i.e., glucose oxidase, GOD) onto the carbon fibre microelectrode (CFME) surface and coupled with a microsized Ag/AgCl reference electrode the dual electrode system OCPS is readily formed. The as-prepared COF-based OCPS is very sensitive to glucose with a linear range of 1.08 μM to 8.5 mM. Moreover, the COF-based OCPS is highly selective for glucose over other endogenous electroactive species in the cerebral system. In the end, we demonstrate that our biosensor is capable of selectively monitoring glucose in the brain of rat in real time and does not need extra voltage or oxygen.


The two-factor framework for explaining delusions is developed in a way that promises reasonable coverage without overgeneralization. We propose that heterogeneity in explanations of delusions can be conceived as parametric variation within the two-factor framework and we suggest several parameters. In three ways, we confront the fact that the second factor in the two-factor framework, a presumed impairment of belief evaluation, has been poorly specified in terms of cognitive function. First, an a priori task analysis suggests that belief evaluation involves working memory and executive processes of inhibition. Second, we review experimental and neuroimaging studies of the belief-bias effect in the context of dual-process accounts of reasoning. The results can be interpreted as supporting the proposal that the second factor in the explanation of delusions is an impairment of working memory or executive function with a neural basis in damage to the right frontal region of the brain. Finally, we present results from a study of cognitive impairments following stroke to support our proposal in the case of anosognosia considered as a delusion.


It is important that in educational institutions to develop trainings and classes with a focus on health education and the acquisition of necessary knowledge.This study aims to give a specific approach regarding the importance of health education promotion in educational institutions with a focus on educational and health-educational activities in particular based on health and which aims to increase the level of health education to learn and implement healthy behaviours.In this study were included 130 students in elementary and secondary schools aged 14-18,of whom (n=81) females and (n=49) males.The questionnaire was based on the knowledge of these students about health promotion and education as well as organizational activities related to health education by progressing in terms of the level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to health.In the results of this survey was observed that a small number of them 21% had information on the promotion and development of various activities related to health. With a total of 56% women and 44% men responding that some form of activities or programs to promote public health such as posters or tasks related to certain topics have started to be developed by teachers.The lack of these activities and promotional programs requires that in the future to increase support in this direction enabling to plan in detail the development of educational and health promotional activities where the information is scientifically based and the way of communication and information is as clear and accurate as possible to have more acceptability,liking and the highest reliability.Key words: Health education, promotion, young people, educational institutions1.


1. Abstract Since March of 1989 we have had running at CMU a computing environment in which the functions of a traditional Unix system are cleanly divided into two parts: facilities which manage the hardware resources of a computer system (such as CPU, I/O and memory) and support for higher-level resource abstractions used in the building of application programs, e.g. files and sockets. This paper describes the implementation of Unix as a multithreaded application program running on the Mach kernel. The rationale, design, implementation history and performance of the system is presented.


At first sight cognitive assessment is daunting. Why this should be is not completely clear except that a thorough understanding of cognitive assessment requires expertise across the boundaries of clinical skill, neuroanatomy and neuropsychology. Not many trainees feel comfortable in all of these domains. Dr Hodges, however, a lecturer and consultant in neur ology at Cambridge, is at home in these fields, both as a practitioner and teacher. As a teacher Hodges appreciates the value of sketch ing the ground to be covered, of presenting his ma terial with clarity, making use of simple figures and of summarising and reinforcing the text by the use of tables. The feature which marks the book out, making it more than just a recipe book of tests or a rehash of well-documented matching of cognitive deficits to brain lesions, is the marriage of theory and practice and the inclusion in that union of the benefits of the burgeoning research in cognitive neuropsychology. To give an overview, the book commences with a theoretical survey of distributed and localised cogni tive function. Following a brief section on history taking and physical examination, the core of the book describes bedside testing ofcognitive function, which is firmly based upon the earlier theoretical framework. Case histories illustrate the different cognitive deficits seen in various conditions. Finally, some standardised mental test schedules are critically considered. An appendix describes 23 neuropsychological tests with addresses for obtaining them. There is a sensible bibliography and an index. The refreshing nature of the book cannot, however, be so briefly conveyed. Its treatment of memory, delineating episodic and semantic memory while dis missing the commonly used concept of "¿ short-term memory―is excitingly clear. The nebulous notion (with no pun intended) of "¿ clouding of consciousness―as a defining characteristic of delirium is clarified. Neur olinguistics is introduced and the language of cognitive neuropsychology pervades the text. It is intriguing stuff at an accessible level. Although bringing benefits of clarity and cost, the lack of immediate references might seem a nuisance to some. I thought that a brief discussion of the value of formal neuropsychological assessment might be useful, rather than just stating in the case histories whether or not it was thought appropriate. There are a number of typographical errors, ranging from the banal to the nonsensical. The book is aimed especially at trainees in neurology and psychiatry. I have no regrets about buying the book, both its theoretical and clinical content having proved useful. I would recommend it at any stage of training. It both stimulates and increases confidence in an important clinical skill. Moreover, I am sure it will succeed in encouraging the development of those with "¿ a nascent, but underdeveloped, interest in cognitive function―.


This paper empirically investigates the determinants of citations based on the publication of the top 100 most often cited economists. The effects of publication age and author fame on subsequent citations are found to be positive and significant. Citations are also significantly affected by popular subfields in economics. However, journal quality measures, such as impact factors, download statistics and top-4 elite journals, have insignificant effects on citations. In contrast, the citation effect of scholarly books is positive and significant, and its impact is even greater than those of journal quality measures.


Evaluations of the consumer harm caused by cartels are typically partial because they do not attempt to quantify the impact of deterrence, or acknowledge that the CA does not root out all anti-competitive cases. This paper proposes a broader framework for evaluation which encompasses these unobserved impacts. Calibration of this framework is challenging because one cannot rely on estimates for cases which have been observed to make deductions about those that have not - an example of the classic sample selection problem which is endemic across much of the empirical Industrial Organisation literature. However, we show how empirical findings, already available in the existing literature, can be plugged into a Monte Carlo experiment to establish bound estimates on the magnitudes of cartel-induced consumer harm. Lower bound (i.e. cautious) estimates suggest that (i) the harm detected by the CA really is only the tip of the iceberg, accounting for only a small fraction (at most one sixth) of total potential harm; (ii) deterrence is at least twice as effective as detection as a means for removing harm; and (iii) undetected harm is at least twice as large as detected harm. Under less cautious, but very plausible, assumptions, all three effects could be much greater than this.


In today's global environment, strategic alliances represent an important source of growth and competitive advantage; they allow firms to access new and critical resources and capabilities, to improve competitive position and rapidly to enter a new market In spite of the strategic importance of the alliances, they still exhibit a high failure rate; previous researches show that the half of the alliance formed end up as failure. The low success rate testifies firms' difficulties in managing their alliance relationships and in ensuring enough success from them. In global markets, firms exhibit heterogeneity in terms of the overall alliance success; some firms achieve success from their alliance and others fail. Although most companies have realized the importance of strategic alliances, only few of them have developed the needed capabilities to manage them with success. In recent years, empirical studies found that firms with greater alliance success are those ones with superior management capabilities, termed in literature as "alliance capabilities". This study is based on the assumption that the heterogeneity in alliance success rate is due to heterogeneity in firms' level of management capabilities. Eli Lilly & Company's success in strategic alliances represents a clear example of company that understood the importance of developing an institutionalized approach of "alliance management" that improves the likelihood of alliance success.


This work describes an efficient 3D modeling method from 3D range data-sets that is utilizing range data segmentation. Our algorithm starts with a set of unregistered 3D range scans of a large scale scene. The scans are being preprocessed for noise removal and hole filling. The next step is range segmentation and the extraction of planar and linear features. These features are utilized for the automatic registration of the range scans into a common frame of reference [I. Stamos et al, (2003)]. A volumetric-based algorithm is used for the construction of a coherent 3D mesh that encloses all range scans. Finally, the original segmented scans are used in order to simplify the constructed mesh. The mesh can now be represented as a set of planar regions at areas of low complexity and as a set of dense mesh triangular elements at areas of high complexity. This is achieved by computing the overlaps of the original segmented planar areas on the generated 3D mesh. The example of the construction of the 3D model of a building in the NYC area is presented.


BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
There have been many controversies about the prognostic significance of lymph node micrometastasis. The aim of this study was to characterize the prognostic significance of lymph node micrometastasis of colorectal cancer.

METHODS
Specimens of curative resection between 1988 and 2001 were collected from The Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University Medical and Life Science College. All 80 patients (30 cases of rectal cancer, 50 cases of colon cancer) had complete examination data. A total of 3869 lymph nodes (48.36 per case) were found by clearing fat method. The interrupted serial 4-micron sections, routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry methods were used to detect the lymph node metastasis and micrometastasis (small tumor cells cluster diameter <or=0.2 mm or tumor cells detected in the lymph nodes <or=50). All data was processed using Cox univariate analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis (SAS 8.1 software).

RESULTS
Metastases were found in 232 (6%) lymph nodes examined and micrometastases in 39 (1.01%) lymph nodes. In the cases of rectal cancer, a highly significant correlation was found between lymph node metastases and mortality by univariate analysis (Chi(2)=9.94, P=0.0016) and micrometastases by Spearman rank correlation analysis (r=0.44, P=0.016). In the cases of colon cancer, a highly significant correlation was found among lymph node metastases (Chi(2)=9.52, P=0.002), UICC lymph node staging (Chi(2)=5.73, P=0.0167) and mortality by univariate analysis. And Spearman rank correlation analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between lymph node micrometastasis and Dukes' lymph node staging (r=0.314, P=0.008).

CONCLUSION
Lymph node micrometastasis possesses considerable value for prognosis of colorectal cancer, but should be used in integration with other indicators.


Mobile IP has been developed to provide the continuous information network access to mobile users. In IP-based mobile networks, location management is an important component of mobility management. This management enables the system to track the location of mobile node between consecutive communications. It includes two important taskslocation update and call delivery. Location update is associated with signaling load. Frequent updates lead to degradation in the overall performance of the network and the underutilization of the resources. It is, therefore, required to devise the mechanism to minimize the update rate. Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) and Hierarchical MIPv6 (HMIPv6) have been the potential candidates for deployments in mobile IP networks for mobility management. HMIPv6 through studies has been shown with better performance as compared to MIPv6. It reduces the signaling overhead traffic by making registration process local. In this paper, we present performance analysis of MIPv6 and HMIPv6 using an analytical model. Location update cost function is formulated based on fluid flow mobility model. The impact of cell residence time, cell residence probability and user's mobility is investigated. Numerical results are obtained and presented in graphical form. It is shown that HMIPv6 outperforms MIPv6 for high mobility users only and for low mobility users; performance of both the schemes is almost equivalent to each other. Keywords—Wireless networks, Mobile IP networks, Mobility management, performance analysis, Handover.


In recent years, the consensus problem is well recognized as a fundamental problem in the cooperation control of multi-agent systems, we study the noise problem of the linear consensus protocol in networked multi-agent systems, and point out that the noise in discrete linear consensus protocol is uncontrollable. A strategy using noise suppression operator to control the noise is put forward, and inference about the reasonable value range of the noise suppression operator is vigorously proved, and sufficient conditions for noise controllable are further presented. Keywords—multi-agent system; graph theory; consensus protocol; noisy problem


A high-sensitive, easy and rapid proximate method has been developed to reveal mycoplasmas in the monolayer cell cultures using home fluorescent antibiotic olivomycin. This method has been used to screen many cell lines with its high effectiveness being shown. As based on this method the following control methods are worked out: indication of mycoplasmas in animal blood sera, used for the cultivation of cell lines detection of contaminant microorganisms of the cell cultures (fungi and bacteria) and human ureaplasmas.


T-cell self-recognition of antigen presenting molecules is led by antigen-dependent or independent mechanisms. The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) shares remarkable similarity with CD1d, including a lipid binding cavity. We have identified EPCR-specific α/β T-cells in the peripheral blood of healthy donors. The average frequency in the CD3+ leukocyte pool is comparable to other autoreactive T-cell subsets that specifically bind MHC-like receptors. Alteration of the EPCR lipid cargo, revealed by X-ray diffraction studies, points to a prevalent, yet not exclusive, lipid-independent self-recognition. In addition, we solve the EPCR lipidome, and detect species not yet described as EPCR ligands. These studies report, for the first time, novel recognition by circulating α/β T-cells and provide grounds for EPCR and lipid mediated T-cell restriction.


This article presents an automatic methodology for extraction of road seeds from high-resolution aerial images. The method is based on a set of four road objects and another set of connection rules among road objects. Each road object is a local representation of an approximately straight road fragment and its construction is based on a combination of polygons describing all relevant image edges, according to some rules embodying road knowledge. Each one of the road seeds is composed by a sequence of connected road objects, in which each sequence of this type can be geometrically structured as a chain of contiguous quadrilaterals. Experiments carried out with high-resolution aerial images showed that the proposed methodology is very promising in extracting road seeds. This article presents the fundamentals of the method and the experimental results, as well.


The authors examine 't Hooft's prescription (1985) for cutting off eigenmodes of particle wavefunctions in the vicinity of black hole event horizons in N dimensions. They find for any N>3 that the cutoff occurs as a consequence of the causal structure of spacetime independently of the strength of the source, in agreement with the four-dimensional case. They separately discuss the special case N=2, showing why in this case the cutoff depends on the strength of the source.


ABSTRACT Synthetic gene drive approaches are nascent technologies with potential applicability for pest control for conservation purposes. Responsible science mandates that society be engaged in a dialogue over new technology, particularly where there exist global ramifications as with gene drive. We hypothesize that public attitudes towards gene drive are not formed on scientific knowledge or demographics alone, but are heavily influenced by underlying worldviews, which encapsulate a broad and interactive system of attitudes, beliefs, and values. To test this, we conducted a national survey in New Zealand (n = 8199) and found that respondents clustered into four distinct segments with underlying worldviews, better able to explain attitudes toward gene drive than either the participants' scientific knowledge or other explanatory factors such demographics, political ideology or religiosity. We found that the use of gene drive for biodiversity conservation currently has moderate (32%) levels of support in New Zealand but that varied substantially across the four segments. Should gene drive become a technically viable approach for pest control, understanding the worldviews that shape public decision-making can guide a more empathetic engagement process and empower society to participate in informed decision-making about if and how gene drive should be used for conservation purposes.


Summary: The release of K+ and of amylase were compared in parotid gland slices from control and reserpine-treated rats during incubation in an enriched, oxygenated medium. After 10 min of incubation in the presence of 2 × 10-5 M epinephrine, net K+ release was 17% in control slices and 32% in those from the treated animals. When 1 mM ouabain was added to the incubation medium in the presence of the hormone, K+ release was similar in the two types of slices and reached 50%. Omission of Ca++ from the incubation medium reduced the epinephrine-induced net release in control slices to 9%, but not in those of reserpine-treated rats, which still showed a 28% release. The divalent cation ionophore A 23187 also induced a significantly greater K+ release in the slices of the treated animals. In the absence of ouabain, the 8-bromo derivative of cyclic GMP inhibited basal K+ release in control slices and caused a small, but significant K+ uptake in the slices of the treated animals. Amylase release after 30 min of incubation in the presence of either 2 × 10-5 M epinephrine or 10-5 M isoproterenol was 50% in control slices and 17% in slices from reserpine-treated rats. Amylase release was also reduced in the slices of the treated animals in the presence of the dibutyryl derivative of cyclic AMP. Release of this enzyme was not affected by the presence of ouabain or by the omission of Ca++ from the incubation medium, but was significantly reduced in the slices of both control and reserpine-treated rats when the Na+ concentration of the incubation medium was reduced to 21 mM. Amylase release was reduced in control slices to the levels observed in slices of reserpine-treated rats when the purines inosine and adenine were omitted from this medium. The chronic administration of reserpine, thus, results in a significantly increased release of K+ and in a significantly decreased release of amylase from rat parotid gland slices. These results demonstrate that chronic reserpine administration inpairs the in vitro responses of both a and β adrenergic receptors in the rat parotid gland.Speculation: Prolonged reserpine administration impairs the stimulus-secretion coupling mechanism in the parotid glands, leading to an altered secretion of ions and of macromolecules. Because the reserpine-treated rat has been proposed as an animal model for cystic fibrosis, these findings suggest that the secretory abnormality observed in this disease is also related to an abnormal stimulus-secretion coupling mechanism during the secretory response to physiologic stimulants.


The number of members of the recently defined DEG/ENaC sodium channel superfamily is increasing. Their importance in Na transport, taste perception, acid sensing, and mechanotransduction has been implicated. We have cloned a new member of this superfamily from human testis, which was named hTNaC1 (for human testis sodium channel 1). The hTNaC1 has 532 amino acid residues with two hydrophobic transmembrane domains. It has the highest identity (82%) with a rat H(+)-gated Na channel specific for sensory neurons (DRASIC) and a low identity (29%) with an epithelial isoform (alpha-ENaC) of this superfamily. Northern blot of human tissues revealed its selective expression in testis (7 kb) and absence in other tissues. The identification of a new member of Na channel specifically expressed in testis will expand the role of this channel family to the reproduction physiology.


Abstract Aeschimann, D., N. Rasolofo & J.-P. Theurillat (2011). Analysis of the flora of the Alps. 1: historical account and biodiversity. Candollea 66: 27–55. In French, English and French abstracts. First in a series, this paper statistically analyzes some of the data published in «Flora alpina», i.e. that relating to the nomen-clature and to the chorology in the Alps. An historical account of the knowledge of vascular plants recorded in the Alps is given: numbers of described taxa and new combinations made over time (two periods highlighted), principal authors and books. Biodiversity is characterized: number of taxa per taxonomic category, country, geographic sector and administrative division. The average taxonomic richness of the Alps is estimated at about 2200 taxa per 10,000 km2 and a map shows the values calculated for each region. Endemism is also evaluated: by family, genus, country, sector, regrouping of sectors, division and the regrouping of divisions. The southern end of the western Alps and the south-western part of the eastern Alps are confirmed as the Alpine regions where the density of endemics and taxonomic richness are the highest.


AIM
Migration of oral implants displaced in the maxillary sinus toward the sphenoid sinus is an extremely rare event. This case report is focused on the possibility of treating such a rare complication by means of endoscopic treatment through the nasal cavity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A 45-year-old female patient received one oral implant for the substitution of the left first upper molar, but during the surgical procedure the implant was displaced in the maxillary sinus. Owing to a delay in treatment, a spontaneous migration of the implant in the sphenoid sinus occurred.

RESULTS
The implant was removed endoscopically through the nasal cavity: postoperative recovery was uneventful.

CONCLUSION
To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report concerning migration of an oral implant into the sphenoid sinus and demonstrates the reliability and safety of an endoscopically driven surgical removal of the foreign body, thus preventing potential complications with extremely low postoperative morbidity.


It has become evident that GPS' must undergo evolutionary changes in order to fully satisfy both civil and military requirements in the next century. The end-user accuracy is an area where there is continual call for improvements to provide increasing accuracy for both tactical and strategic operations. The observed URE2 performance which describes the error contributed by the Space & Control Segment portions has seen significant step improvements which have resulted in a current URE in the range of 2.5 m from the original spec of 6.0 m, a 60 % reduction in the expected error. The continuing AI13 program efforts expect to drive this down to < 1.5 m even before AUTONAV becomes operable with 6 functional IIR SV4. This paper will concentrate on reductions in SIS URE and 4


The amount of experimental data acquired per plasma discharge at DIII-D has continued to grow. The largest shot size in May 1991 was 49 Mbyte; in May 1992, 66 Mbyte; and in April 1993, 80 Mbyte. The increasing load has prompted the installation of a new Motorola 88100-based MODCOMP computer to supplement the existing core of three older MODCOMP data acquisition CPUs. New Kinetic Systems CAMAC serial highway driver hardware runs on the 88100 VME bus. The new operating system is MODCOMP REAL/IX version of ATT future plans call for installation of additional computers of this type for tokamak and neutral beam control functions. Experiences with the CAMAC hardware and software will be chronicled, including observation of data throughput. The Enhanced Serial Highway crate controller is advertised as twice as fast as the previous crate controller, and computer 1/0 speeds are expected to also increase data rates. Diagnostic SijJMl


We analyse the unreduced, nonperturbative dynamics of an arbitrary many-body interaction process with the help of the generalised effective potential method and reveal the well-specified universal origin of change (emergence), time and evolution in an a priori conservative, time-independent system. It appears together with the universal dynamic complexity definition, where this unified complexity conservation and transformation constitutes the essence of evolution. We then consider the detailed structure of this universal evolutionary process showing its step-wise, "punctuated" character, now provided with the exact mathematical description. Comparing the expected features of a revolutionary complexity transition near a step-like complexity upgrade with the currently observed behaviour of world's social and economic systems, we prove the necessity of complexity revolution towards the superior civilisation level of well-defined nature, the only alternative being an equally dramatic and irreversible degradation, irrespective of efforts applied to stop the crisis at the current totally saturated complexity level.


The description of a technique of the analysis of economic efficiency of work of structural divisions offered by authors and treatment-and-prophylactic establishment as a whole is given. The given


The concentrations of non-haem iron, ferritin and ferritin-iron were measured in the livers of 137 adults and children collected at necropsy. The concentrations of non-haem and ferritin iron were found to be 146.6 +/- 95.2 micrograms/g and 61.6 +/- 32.4 micrograms/g, respectively, in males and 108.0 +/- 61.7 micrograms/g and 60.6 +/- 26.4 micrograms/g, respectively, in females. The values for males in Singapore were lower than those reported in developed Western countries. No correlation was observed between storage iron and age, or ferritin concentration and age. Concentrations of non-haem iron and ferritin were similar for persons dying from accident and coronary heart disease. The non-haem iron concentration in Chinese (187.9 +/- 101.0 micrograms/g) was significantly greater than that in Indians (103.1 +/- 65.8 micrograms/g), while the ferritin concentration in Chinese (6.18 +/- 2.37 mg/g) was significantly greater than either Malays (3.81 +/- 1.8 mg/g) or Indians (3.52 +/- 1.6 mg/g). A significant positive correlation was observed between the non-haem iron and ferritin and also ferritin-iron in Chinese males (r values of 0.678 and 0.598, respectively) and Indian males (r values of 0.576 and 0.612, respectively). However, the correlation between these indices was not significant in the case of Malay males. In premenopausal women the non-haem iron correlated well with ferritin (r = 0.737) and ferritin iron (r = 0.826) while the correlation was lacking in postmenopausal women.


In this article we examine the contours and construction of sexual citizenship in Belfast, Northern Ireland through in‐depth interviews with 30 members of the GLBT community and a discursive analysis of discourses of religion and nationalism. In the first half of the article we outline how sexual citizenship was constructed in the Irish context from the mid‐nineteenth century onwards, arguing that a moral conservatism developed as a result of religious reform and the interplay between Catholic and Protestant churches, and the redefining of masculinity and femininity with the rise of nationalism. In the second half of the article, we detail how the Peace Process has offered new opportunities to challenge and destabilise hegemonic discourses of sexual citizenship by transforming legislation and policing, and encouraging inward investment and gentrification.


Supporting entity extraction from large document collections is important for enabling a variety of important data analysis tasks. In this paper, we introduce the "ad-hoc" entity extraction task where entities of interest are constrained to be from a list of entities that is specific to the task. In such scenarios, traditional entity extraction techniques that process all the documents for each ad-hoc entity extraction task can be significantly expensive. In this paper, we propose an efficient approach that leverages the inverted index on the documents to identify the subset of documents relevant to the task and processes only those documents. We demonstrate the efficiency of our techniques on real datasets.


A first attempt was made, on the basis of Pavel's proposal (1990), to integrate a predictive mechanism into a model of the human smooth pursuit system. The predictive mechanism contained an adaptive filter based on the LMS algorithm. Smooth pursuit simulations were made of a large variety of target movements. The model provides a fairly good qualitative and mostly also a fairly good quantitative description of human tracking of the various stimuli. However, when the model was applied to the tracking of sinusoidal target movements with frequencies higher than about 1 Hz, it performed even better than the human smooth pursuit system.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to objectively evaluate the cost benefit of applying corrosion prevention coatings throughout a mid-life logistics fleet supporting the Canadian Army.

Design/methodology/approach
A database of maintenance records for an Army logistics vehicle throughout a four-year study period is mined. Statistical analysis (primarily ANOVA) accounting for the frequency of treatment and geographic region is executed.

Findings
Statistical analysis indicates counter-intuitive results. Vehicles that are most frequently treated to prevent corrosion incur the highest maintenance costs. Consultation with operational units suggests that a strategic approach to corrosion prevention is largely absent. Instead, vehicles are treated on an ad hoc basis, or – equivalently – on an as available basis.

Practical implications
Among high tempo organizations, vehicles most readily available to maintenance support are those that are in the greatest state of disrepair. Vehicles that are in better condition are preferred by operators for daily operations and are not available. Consequently, the vehicles that are subject to preventative maintenance most often are those near their end-of-life or are in disrepair and therefore gain little through further investments in corrosion prevention initiatives.

Originality/value
Clearly, having corrosion prevention compounds applied to a fleet on an ad hoc basis suffers from the natural bias occurring among operators to retain vehicles in best condition for operational purposes. Corrosion prevention requires a more strategic approach including disciplined maintenance operations in order to provide dividends on a fleet-wide basis.


This paper takes stance with the European Commission's proposal to aim for full, or maximum harmonisation in relation to the rules laid down in the proposed Consumer Rights Directive (published October 2008). To what extent should European law seek to lay down a fixed set of rules for consumer law to which the Member States are unable to make modifications to fit their own systems? And, an important preliminary point, to what extent can it fix such a standard? Three factors in particular, it is argued, define the debate: scope, coherence and (the standard of) consumer protection. Arguably, each of these factors can be linked to one important omission from the Commission's review of consumer law, both in the earlier Green Paper and in the current proposal: the Product Liability Directive. In particular the potential overlap with certain issues covered by the sales part of the Proposal would have justified the inclusion of this Directive in the review.


A 56-year-old Hispanic male with solo risk factor of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus presented with recurrent haemoptysis. Initial concern was for malignancy with postobstructive pneumonia; however, invasive testing and biopsy confirmed infectious mass of fungal aetiology requiring surgical resection followed by a prolonged course of anti-fungal therapy. Discussion centred on approach to, progression of and course of action in the management of pulmonary abscess due to mucormycosis.


Background To improve patient safety, educational interventions on all system levels, including medical school are necessary. Sound theoretical knowledge on elements influencing patient safety (such as error management or team work) is the basis for behavioral changes of health care professionals. Methods A controlled, quasi-experimental study with repeated measures was deployed. The intervention group participated in a mandatory e-learning course on patient safety (ELPAS) between October 2016 and December 2016. The control group did not receive any didactic session on patient safety. In both groups we measured technical knowledge and attitudes towards patient safety before the intervention (T0), directly after the intervention (T1) and one year after the intervention (T2). Participants were 309 third-year medical students in the intervention group and 154 first- and second-year medical students in the control group. Results Technical knowledge in the intervention group (but not the control group) improved significantly after the intervention and remained high after one year (F(2, 84) = 13.506, p < .001, η2 = .243). Students of the intervention group felt better prepared for safe patient practice, even one year after the intervention F(2, 85) = 6.743, p < .002, η2 = .137). There was no sustainable significant effect on attitudes towards patient safety. Conclusion This study shows, that eLearning interventions can produce significant long-term effects on patient safety knowledge, however, the study did not show long-term effects on attitudes towards patient safety. Our study implies two potential developments for future research: e-learning might be used in combination with face-to-face sessions, or more intensive (in terms of frequency and duration) e-learning sessions may be needed to achieve lasting changes in attitude.


Induction heating is used by technological processes of surfacing. The advantages of induction heating are high concentration of energy at the heating area that allows to increase the productivity of process, because time of surfacing decreases. The disadvantages of induction heating are electromagnetic radiation and excessive loss of electrical energy. The authors deal with development of the optimal law for source capacity change by using methods of calculation. It allows to reduce electrical energy consumption by 36,8% and 15,8% compared with traditional laws of capacity distribution.


The in vivo effect of cobra factor (CoF), the complement-activating protein of cobra (Naja naja) venom, was investigated, using quantifiable assays for localization of labelled donor lymphoblasts and of host macrophages in intraperitoneal and subcutaneous sites of injection of antigens from Listeria monocytogenes. Both commercially available (Cordis) and highly purified CoF impaired these inflammatory responses, suggesting that the complement-activating protein was itself responsible rather than lymphocytotoxic or other contaminants. CoF had no measurable effect on lymphoblast localization during the first 7 hr, and only a slight effect at 24 hr, whereas macrophage accumulation was reduced by about 50% at 24 hr. This suggests that CoF treatment affected non-specific components of the early inflammatory reaction but had little or no effect on the subsequent immunospecific reaction. The effect of CoF on macrophages may be direct, or via depletion of complement components acting on macrophages, such as factor B and/or C3 or fragments thereof. It does not seem to involve the terminal complement components, C5--C9, since neither delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) nor cellular resistance to Listeria was reduced in C5-deficient mice when compared with C5-sufficient congenic controls.


Objective We report the case of a 34-year-old female diagnosed concurrently with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and aplastic anaemia. Case A 34-year-old female with recent weight gain presented with headache and fatigue. Clinical examination revealed conjunctival pallor and occasional bruising, with fundoscopy and optic coherence tomography demonstrating bilateral papilloedema (grade III). There were enlarged blind spots bilaterally. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure was greater than 30 cmH2O. An MRI brain was normal and there was no venous sinus thrombosis. A diagnosis of IIH was made, and she was treated with therapeutic removal of CSF, acetazolamide and weight loss strategies. Concurrently, a bone marrow biopsy to investigate profound panyctopaenia was consistent with aplastic anaemia. The patient had worsening IIH features during fertility preservation treatment in preparation for stem cell transplant. At five months, there was complete resolution of subretinal fluid and clinical papilloedema. Anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine treatment was subsequently commenced. Conclusion Previous case reports have emphasised the interplay between the pathophysiology of anaemia and IIH,1 with treatment of aplastic anaemia contributing to resolution of IIH.2,3 We believe this is the first reported case of concomitant IIH and aplastic anaemia with resolution of papilloedema prior to treatment of anaemia. We also highlight the challenges of managing IIH during fertility and cyclosporine treatment. References Biossue V, et al. Anaemia and papilledema. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2003;135(4):437. Nazir SA, et al. Pseudotumor cerebri in idiopathic aplastic anemia. Journal of AAPOS 2003;7(1):71. Lilley ER, Bruggers CS, Pollock SC. Papilledema in a patient with aplastic anemia. Arch Ophthalmol 1990;108:1674–5.


The aging behaviour of spin glass semiconductor Cd1-xMnxTe subjected to bond perturbation was studied by means of the direct change in the spin–spin interaction ΔJ using photo illumination, without change in temperature. Under the ΔJ perturbation, the maximum of relaxation rate of magnetization S at the time tmax is suppressed and tmax becomes longer with increasing the light intensity. The former is consistent with the droplet picture, but the latter indicates that the ΔJ perturbation accelerates the magnetic relaxation so as to contradict with the chaotic nature of spin configuration under the perturbation.


The objective of this papere is to contribute to a planning policy in the innovation value chain in the perspective of the technology development process – TDP. Therefore, a multi-model reference proposal was created based on the definition of high complexity spectrum strategies, which considers a sequence of systematic procedures in the following phases: Phase (i) determine the information needs, phase (ii) determine the actors' knowledge in the innovation value chain, phase (iii) determine the degree of knowledge evaluation, and phase (iv) determine the strategies in innovation value chain in the technologies development process. The study shows thes application of this process in high tech based companies in Brazil. Several support tools were used to formulate the modeling in order to reduce subjectivity in the results: psychometric scaling – Thurstone's Law of Categorical Judgments (LCJ), Multicriteria Analysis-Compromise Programming, Electre III and Promethee II, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Neurofuzzy Technology. The mains results obtained demonstrated that…….


In the past decade, advances in electrically conductive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-based electronic devices have created new opportunities for the development of next-generation sensors. Here we review this rapidly-growing field, with a focus on the different types of device configurations that have allowed for the use of MOFs as active components of electronic sensor devices.


This book, in it's third edition, offers faculty and students in both the health and policy sciences a comprehensive and analytical overview of the historic and contemporary involvement of government and politics in the development of health policy. Chapters are organized around four major focus areas. The first places health politics and policy within an historical, social, and economic perspective. Part two focuses on an exploration of the interface between health policy and the political structure. The role of public opinion and health interest groups in the formulation of health policy is covered in part three. Part four explores the relationship of health policy and the political process in the areas of: health care finance, access to health care, health care reform as well as mental, disability and environmental health.


The structures of Mgand Sr-doped β -Ca2SiO4 have been established from high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. These silicates are all isostructural and the structures have been refined in the monoclinic space group, P 21 /n . As expected based on size arguments, the cell parameters increase as the amount of Sr increases and likewise decrease as the amount of Mg increases due the size effects of the dopant cation. In all cases the SiO4 tetrahedra are essentially regular.


Motivation: With the increasing use of post-genomics techniques to examine a wide variety of biological systems in laboratories throughout the world, scientists are often presented with lists of genes that they must make sense of. A consistently challenging problem is that of defining co-regulated genes within those gene lists. In recent years, microRNAs have emerged as a mechanism for regulating several cellular processes. In this article, we report on how gene lists and microRNA targets data may be integrated to test for significant associations between gene lists and microRNAs. Results: We discuss CORNA, a package written in R and released under the GNU GPL, which allows users to test gene lists for significant microRNA–target associations using one of three separate statistical tests, to link microRNA targets to functional annotation and to visualize quantitative data associated with those data. Availability: CORNA is available as an R package from http://corna.sf.net Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com


Using a panel data set for 18 stock countries, this paper finds fairly strong integration among national equity markets. A country's stock index price can be decomposed into a common trend component and a stationary country-specific component. Results show that the 18 country indexes reverse to the world trend with a speed of 18% per year, and that the Hong Kong market converges to other markets with a speed of 22% per year or a half life of around three years. The two components can be separately estimated using maximum likelihood. The country-specific component displays substantial variability and is found to have both mean reversion over the long horizon and momentum over the short horizon. A simple parametric trading strategy exploiting simultaneously mean reversion and momentum effects produces an excess return of 16.7% per year, which exceeds those of strategies based on momentum or mean reversion separately. The excess return is statistically significant, and cannot be explained by systematic risk factors or by transaction costs. The results seem to support the behavioralist overreaction view vis-ˆj-vis an efficient markets view.


This study re-evaluates the role of the stock market in Japanese corporate investment decisions based on time-series data. Employing the time-series technique, we examine why the performance of Tobin's average q-type investment function is poor. We construct a series of average q and another of marginal q (a more fundamental profitability measure of investment) and investigate the relationship between the two. A cointegrating relationship is not detected between the two measures, both of which have a unit root. The divergence of average q from marginal q is not narrowed even if the imperfect competition of the output market is taken into consideration. We also examine which q measure is more relevant to Japanese corporate investment decisions by estimating separately the investment function with two measures of q as an explanatory variable. The estimation results show that entrepreneurs place more emphasis on marginal q than on average q in investment decisions.

JEL Classification Number: E22.


Blendshape models are commonly used to track and re-target facial expressions to virtual avatars using RGB-D cameras and without using any facial marker. When using blendshape models, the target avatar model must possess a set of key-shapes that can be blended depending on the estimated facial expression. Creating realistic set of key-shapes is extremely difficult and requires time and professional expertise. As a consequence, blendshape-based re-targeting technology can only be used with a limited amount of pre-built avatar models, which is not attractive for the large public. In this paper, we propose an automatic method to easily generate realistic key-shapes of any avatar that map directly to the source blendshape model (the user is only required to select a few facial landmarks on the avatar mesh). By doing so, captured facial motion can be easily re-targeted to any avatar, even when the avatar has largely different shape and topology compared with the source template mesh. Our experimental results show the accuracy of our proposed method compared with the state-of-the-art method for mesh deformation transfer.


The Micro-Pulse Lidar NETwork (MPLNET) uses elastic-scattering lidars stationed at sites around the globe to produce aerosol and cloud vertical profiles on a continuous year-round basis. Processing of MPLNET data requires a correction for the lidar overlap function in the 0-6 km range, to take into account the loss in near-field receiver efficiency. This correction is normally determined from recording horizontal profiles that require a /spl sim/10 km clear line-of-sight and homogeneous atmospheric conditions, limiting the practicality in which successful corrections can be obtained. An alternative overlap correction method using a secondary receiver is considered that eliminates the need for horizontal measurements. A review of both methods is presented, including a discussion of signal uncertainties.


Partially proton-ordered ice I (cubic) was grown from the vapor phase, from 40 to nearly 150 K. It is believed to be metastable and oriented by the asymmetry of the solid−vacuum interface during growth. This was studied using a Kelvin (work function) probe for ice grown on a single-crystal Pt(111) substrate. The ice grows with a slight preference for the O-end aimed away from the surface, with about 0.2% net up dipole per water molecule at 40 K, or about −3 mV/monolayer of deposited ice film. This decreases with deposition temperature as exp(−T/27 K). Near 130, 140, and 150 K sharp features occur as the ice changes from amorphous to crystalline, and dielectric properties become active. By 150 K the effect seems to be zero. These results are discussed in context with other recent reports on ferroelectric ice. In addition to influencing several kinds of vacuum-based studies of ice, this slight ferroelectricity may allow natural ice vapor-grown in space to develop large electric fields.


Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to play vital roles in tumour initiation and progression. Recent studies have reported that the lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) is highly expressed in breast cancer tissue. In the present study, we demonstrated that SNHG16 is an oncogene involved in cell proliferation and invasion in breast cancer. First, we examined the functional role of SNHG16 in breast cancer cells by knocking down SNHG16 expression via siRNA. We found that SNHG16 inhibition reduced the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro. Then, based on bioinformatic prediction and functional assay validation, we demonstrated SNHG16 interact with miR-30a and its role in breast cancer cells. Finally, we examined the functional role of RRM2 in breast cancer cells by knocking down RRM2 expression via siRNA. Our results indicated that the SNHG16/miR-30a axis regulated the expression of ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) in breast cancer cells. These results provide novel insight into breast cancer tumorigenesis and suggest that SNHG16 could serve as a therapeutic target in breast cancer.


Objective: Objective of this study was to determine internet addiction and its impact on mental health and academic performance in medical students. Methodology: One hundred medical students (male: 50, female: 50) aged 18–21 years were selected by convenience sampling in this cross-sectional study in Mahi-ud-din Islamic Medical college Mirpur AJK. A questionnaire of Young's internet addiction test was used to identify the prevalence of Internet addiction, the purposes of Internet use, and their priority levels. Frequencies and level of mental health was measured using Mental health Battery by Singh and Gupta. Chi square test was applied and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 100 students, 46 (male: 28, female: 18) were found to be slightly addicted, 53 students were average online users and only 01 male was severely addicted. There was no significant difference between male and female students in addiction level. However, males were more addicted than females. The major use of Internet was to communicate with friends and family and to watch songs and movies. 51 students used the Internet to assess information for their educational and learning activities. Some students with overuse of the Internet lead to insufficient sleep and affected their concentration levels in the class. Conclusion: Medical students experiencing problems due to Internet overuse and experiencing poor academic progress and lack of concentration while studying. The main use of the Internet was to communicate with friends and family and for entertainment.


This paper proposes a third generation teleoperation system based on a status-driven slave symbolically instructed by the master control panel. Furthering the first generation joint-angle control techniques and second generation coordinate transformation techniques, this system recognizes the target status specified by the operator by extracting the task status from visual sensors. The task environment is initially described via sensing points in the work environment and on the manipulated object. The relationships between the sensing points and the change of those relationships describes the task at hand. Operation can proceed in automatic mode where the system completely directs the slave or in shared mode where the system assists the operator by constraining the slave motion while the operator directs via a visual communication interface. Although status-driven techniques offer several improvements in teleoperated control, this work explores the robustness and reliability provided in dynamic workspace environments. One successful application of this technique is in micrometer scale part handling, the so-called "microworld assembly" where an operator's past experience in the macro world is not applicable to the physics experienced in the microworld.


Abstract: Generally, the mechanical components and structures are joined by many welding techniques, and therefore the welded joints are inevitable in the construction of structures. The Alloy 617 was initially developed for high temperature applications above 800℃. It is often considered for use in aircraft and gas turbines, chemical manufacturing components, and power generation structures. Especially, the Alloy 617 is the primary candidate for construction of intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) on a very high temperature reactor (VHTR) system. In the present paper, the low cycle fatigue (LCF) life of Alloy 617 base metal (BM) and the gas tungsten arc welded (GTAWed) weld joints (WJ) are evaluated by using the previous experimental results under strain controlled LCF tests. The LCF tests have been performed at room temperature with total strain ranges of 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5%. The LCF lives for the BM and WJ have been evaluated from the Coffin-Manson and strain energy based life methods. For both the BM and WJ, the LCF lives predicted by both Coffin-Manson and strain energy based life methods was found to well coincide with the experimental data.


This paper presents the challenges faced by a patient undergoing limb-sparing treatment due to chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) complicated with long-standing nonhealing foot ulcer and intense pain. However, after multiple vascular surgeries, the foot wound continued to worsen, which could lead to transfemoral amputation and even death. We report a case of an aged male patient admitted after complaining of "pain and ulceration in his left foot for ten months". The patient was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs with critical limb ischemia, which improved little after the drug therapy. This patient had undergone three endovascular procedures with a medical history of myocardial infarction and stenting. The main artery could not be directly connected to the foot by open or endovascular surgery due to severe vascular occlusion below the knee. In addition, foot ulcers made it impossible to walk, which induced angina pectoris. After coordination and discussion, we determined to perform a 2-week lateral tibial periosteum distraction (LTPD). The procedure significantly improved the foot wound and relieved the pain. After the two-week personalized wound management, the wound healed, and the pain disappeared. Consequently, the patient was able to walk independently, without recurrence during the 3-month follow-up period. Periosteal distraction has rarely been reported in previous literature and is mainly used to treat patients with diabetic foot, rather than those who have undergone repeated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for CLTI combined with foot ulcers. As most CLTI patients are suffering from cardiac, cerebral, and renal diseases, their blood vessels are difficult to open, with high re-occlusion and recurrence rates and low limb salvage rate. Therefore, we present our case herein so that the CLTI patients whose inferior genicular arteries cannot be opened due to severe infrapopliteal arterial occlusion complicated with nonhealing foot ulcers or intractable pain can be treated with LTPD, thus providing them with the "last kilometer" bloodstream towards the foot.


This study aims to determine the effect of liquidity, solvency, profitability, and growth of manufacturing companies. The independent variables are liquidity (current ratio), solvency (debt to equity ratio), profitability (return on assets), and growth of companies (growth of assets). The dependent variable of this study is dividend policy that measured using dividend payout ratio. This research is a generalization quantitative research, which uses the sample as a representation of research population. The population in this study amounted to 121 manufacturing companies. Sampling use nonprobability sampling method and the technique of determining the sample using purposive sampling. This study uses secondary data obtained from annual financial reports of manufacturing companies from the Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2010-2017. Data analysis used in this research is Multiple Regression analysis. This study uses a partial test that shows the result that liquidity and profitability have a significant influence on the positive direction of dividend policy. While solvability and corporate growth have a significant negative effect on the dividend policy. Keywords: liquidity (current ratio), solvency (debt to equity ratio), profitability (return on assets), growth of companies (growth of assets), and dividend policy (dividend payout ratio).


In this paper, design of a planar wideband waveguide to microstrip transition for the 60 GHz frequency band is presented. The designed transition is fabricated using standard high frequency multilayer printed circuit board technology RO4003C. The waveguide to microstrip transition provides low production cost and allows for simple integration of the WR-15 rectangular waveguide without any modifications in the waveguide structure. Results of electromagnetic simulation and experimental investigation of the designed waveguide to microstrip transition are presented. The transmission bandwidth of the transition is equal to the full bandwidth of the WR-15 waveguide (50–75 GHz) for the −3 dB level of the insertion loss that was achieved by special modifications in the general aperture coupled transition structure. The transition loss is lower than 1 dB at the central frequency of 60 GHz.


Chapter 1. The Evaluation of Chronic or Recurrent Respiratory Symptoms in Children (A.J. DozorI) Chapter 2. Noisy Breathing and Stridor in Infants (M.J. Rock) Chapter 3. Infant Apnea (C.A. Pohl, A.R. Spitzer) Chapter 4. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children (L.J. Brooks) Chapter 5. Wheezing and Croup in Infants (K.Z. Voter, J.T. McBride) Chapter 6. Childhood Asthma: Overview (N. Amin) Chapter 7. Childhood Asthma - Emergent and Hospital Care (G.A. DiGiulio, R.M. Ruddy) Chapter 8. Childhood Asthma - Management and Prevention (N. Amin) Chapter 9. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (H.B. Panitch) Chapter 10. Cystic Fibrosis (H.L. Dorkin) Chapter 11. Severe or Complicated Pneumonia (D.C. Stokes, L.H. Lowe) Chapter 12. Respiratory Care of Children with Neuromuscular Disease (D.B. Lowenthal) Chapter 13. Tuberculosis in Children (K. Li, J. Munoz) Chapter 14. Pediatric Office Based Smoking Intervention (P. Bradshaw, C. Stites, M.A. Wall) Index.


In this paper, we describe how pronominal constructions are represented in Dicovalence and in the lexicon-grammar. We introduce a method for extracting and merging lexical syntactic information about these constructions, and integrating it in the Lefff NLP lexicon


Xanomeline is a muscarinic receptor agonist currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A fast, sensitive and specific assay has been developed to determine xanomeline plasma concentrations using ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry. Xanomeline and a structural analog, LY282122, were extracted from basifed plasma into hexane. The dried hexane extracts were reconstituted and injected onto a 10 x 1 mm C18 reversed-phase column. A mobile phase of 33 mM ammonium acetate and 0.33% acetic acid in 30/70 (v/v) water-acetonitrile was pumped through the column at 50 microliters min-1. The mobile phase eluant was introduced directly into the ion-spray interface. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion mode for specific detection of the product ions of xanomeline and the internal standard. The method has a linear range of 0.075-5.0 ng xanomeline per milliliter of plasma. Sample run times were 2.5 min from one injection to the next.


Nupercaine, promazine and benadryl partially prevented liver injury produced by CCl4 given orally, 24 hours after administration, in contrast to cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and anthisan which did not show any effect. Only benadryl and anthisan were able to partially prevent liver damage at 24 hours caused by ip administration of CCl4. None of these compounds decreased CCl4 content in liver at 1; 3 or 6 hours after oral CCl4 administration. Results suggest that benadryl could prevent liver necrosis, changing the cell response to injury by CCl4.


In this article will be analyzed the recent regulation from its out take compared to first purpose of expansion of distributed generation in Brazil. The analysis will take place through real and improved scenarios considering the avoided costs of grid infrastructure and free energy market trading aiming an effective environment to encourage massive investments and sector growth.


The use of the WWW as a venue for voicing opinions, complaints and recommendations on products and firms has been widely reported in the popular media. However less is known how consumers use these reviews and if they subsequently have any influence on evaluations and purchase intentions of products and retailers. This study examines the effect of negative reviews on retailer evaluation and patronage intention given that the consumer has already made a product/brand decision. Our results indicate that the extent of WOM (Word of Mouth) search depends on the consumer's reasons for choosing an online retailer. Further the influence of negative WOM information on perceived reliability of retailer and purchase intentions is determined largely by familiarity with the retailer and differences based on whether the retailer is a pure-Internet or Ad clicks firm. Managerial implications for positioning strategies to minimize the effect of negative word-of-mouth have been discussed.


The Editor of ABS presents briefly his theory of invention as it has emerged from his work at New York University. Given an appropriate set of concepts, a convergence of many disciplines both upon the study of invention and upon the invention of invention, is possible.