This study compares the American and Canadian television coverage of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan with that of the Chernobyl (Chornobyl) accident in Ukraine. These two disasters were the biggest accidents involving nuclear plants in the world. The first research question is whether political factors, such as Japan, in contrast to Ukraine, being an ally of the United States and Canada, affected the coverage of these accidents by American and Canadian television networks. The second question is whether the U.S.-Canada differences in the coverage of the Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters reflected differences in the American and Canadian political cultures. Previous studies generally have focused on the media coverage of a single nuclear accident, and they typically were limited to the media reporting in one country. This paper uses content analysis of television news reports concerning the Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters for more than one year since the beginning of the nuclear accident in Japan in March 2011. It analyzes more than 250 references, comparing the two disasters in news programs of the most popular TV networks in the U.S. (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox) and Canada (CBC and CTV). Specific news reports are identified with the help of keyword searches of transcripts of the television programs in the LexisNexis database. The content analysis involves both a general comparison of the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear accidents and a comparison of specific aspects, such as causes of the accidents, radiation release, liquidation of disasters, and health consequences. The study shows the importance of political factors in the media coverage of the nuclear disasters. It offers support for the indexing model and finds significant differences in the coverage by ideological orientation in the U.S. and public versus private networks in Canada. Convergence in the coverage outweighs political culture differences between the U.S. and Canada.


To reduce pulmonary complications after esophagectomy, the transthoracic procedure should be shortened or totally avoided. Transcervical approach assisted by mediastinoscope for the upper mediastinum may be advantageous for this purpose. We carried out video‐assisted transcervical mediastinal dissection (VATCMD) as part of totally non‐transthoracic radical esophagectomy. A single‐port laparoscopy device was adopted to a small cervical incision and the mediastinum was inflated with a positive pressure of 6 to 10 mmHg. Without assistant's retractor, the upper mediastinum and partially the middle mediastinum were dissected mainly by mediastinoscopic‐assisted surgery. Video of the operation is demonstrated with illustrations. We have carried out and reported 17 cases of esophagectomy including VATCMD and its perioperative outcome. Non‐transthoracic esophagectomy was completed without conversion to transthoracic procedure in all 17 cases. Procedure‐related adverse event was not observed and postoperative course was favorable with a zero occurrence (0%) of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, chyle leakage or pulmonary complications. Median number of harvested lymph nodes from the upper mediastinal stations was 10. VATCMD is suggested as a safe and feasible approach for the upper mediastinum in esophagectomy for malignancies. It enabled a totally non‐transthoracic radical esophagectomy in combination with a transhiatal approach.


The population composition and aspects of the reproductive biology of 452 blackmouth catsharks, Galeus melastomus were investigated. The sharks were incidentally caught off the North-Western Aegean, the Eastern Corinthian and Northern Euboean Gulfs by commercial bottom trawlers and longlines at depths between 200 and 500 m. The overall sex ratio (1:1.1 females:males) was not different from the theoretical unit (1:1). No differences in the sex ratios were detected among seasons, areas or depth strata. Significant differences in the population structure regarding different maturity stage proportions at different seasons, fishing areas and depths, were observed. The sampled population mainly consisted of immature catsharks (77%), predominantly trawled off the NW Aegean and Corinthian Gulf during winter and autumn. Fifteen per cent of the samples, mainly captured in spring and summer off the N Euboean Gulf, were mature. Eight per cent of the specimens was found to be maturing. Higher frequencies of heavier female individuals were observed. Based on the maturation ogives and the total lengths (TL) for each sex, using logistic regression which presented sex-related differences, male Galeus melastomus achieved maturity at 433.6 mm while females at 483.5 mm. The number of egg capsules in the oviducts spanned from 1–12 per female with sizes varying from 38 × 14 mm to 55 × 20 mm. This is the first study investigating the demography and aspects of Galeus melastomus reproduction in the Eastern Mediterranean.


So when [Nel and Sula] met, first in those chocolate halls and next through the ropes of the swing, they felt the ease and comfort of old friends. Because each had discovered years before that they were neither white nor male, and that all freedom and triumph was forbidden to them, they had set about creating something else to be. Their meeting was fortunate, for it let them use each other to grow on. - Toni Morrison, Sula Let's face it. I am a marked woman, but not everybody knows my name. "Peaches" and "Brown Sugar," "Sapphire" and "Earth Mother," "Aunty," "Granny," God's "Holy Fool," a "Miss Ebony First," or "Black Woman at the Podium": I describe a locus of confounded identities, a meeting ground of investments and privations in the national treasury of rhetorical wealth. My country needs me, and if I were not here, I would have to be invented. - Hortense Spillers, "Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe: An American Grammar Book" In the penultimate paragraph of Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself (1861), Jacobs confides, "reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage." Cherishing the freedom that she has secured for both herself and her children, Jacobs nevertheless laments the fact that "the dream of [her] life is not yet realized," for she does "not sit with [her] children in a home of [her] own" (p. 664). Jacobs's narrative differs from both the autobiographical narratives of formerly enslaved African American men and the sentimental novels of Anglo- American and European women. Whereas Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself (1845) ends with him marrying and securing a home, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) culminates in an idealized bourgeois marriage in which happiness and prosperity are gained.


Local dielectric spectroscopy, which entails measuring the change in resonance frequency of the conducting tip of an atomic force microscope to determine the complex permittivity of a sample with high spatial (lateral) resolution, was employed to characterize the dynamics of thin films of poly(vinyl methyl ketone) (PVMK) having different substrate and top surface layers. A free surface yields the usual speeding up of the segmental dynamics, corresponding to a glass transition suppression of 6.5° for 18 nm film thickness. This result is unaffected by the presence of a glassy, compatible polymer, poly-4-vinyl phenol (PVPh), between the metal substrate and the PVMK. However, covering the top surface with a thin layer of the PVPh suppresses the dynamics. The speeding up of PVMK segmental motions observed for a free surface is absent due to interfacial interactions of the PVMK with the glass layer, an effect not seen when the top layer is an incompatible polymer.


This article presents a tracking control model for a flexible robotic manipulator using motor torques and piezoelectric actuators. The dynamic model of the flexible manipulator is obtained in a closed form through the Lagrange Equations. The control uses the motor torques for the joints tracking control and also to reduce the low frequency vibration induced in the manipulator links. The stability of this control is guaranteed by the Lyapunov stability theory. Piezoelectric actuators and sensors are added for vibrations with frequencies beyond the reach of motor torque control. Robots' flexible links are built in complex geometries, which cannot be modeled by simple beam bending Equation. In this work we propose a methodology for accounting the complex geometry within the realm of the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The natural frequencies are calculated by the finite element method and the approximated eigenfunctions are interpolated by polynomials. Three modes are used for the dynamics of the arm, while only two modes are used for the control. Additionally, this work introduces a formulation for simultaneous optimization of control and actuators and sensors through of dissipated energy maximization in the system by the control action with location and sizing optimization of piezoelectric actuators and sensors in the structures. Numerical experiments on Matlab/Simulink are used to verify the efficiency of the control model.


Abstract Leiomyoma is a benign soft tissue tumor originating from smooth muscle, rarely seen in the oral cavity, due to the scarcity of this tissue in the mouth. The tumor may occur at any age, without sex predilection. Rare reports of this lesion have been in pediatric patients. The lesion is typically asymptomatic and has slow growth, the final diagnosis is defined by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Treatment involves resection of the lesion. The lesion is classified histologically as solid leiomyomas, angioleiomyomas (AL), or epithelioid leiomyomas. We report the case of a 1-year-old female child with a painless papule on the hard palate. Histopathological examination revealed biphasic LA showing proliferation of spindle-shaped nuclear cells in straw-shaped bundles or a concentric design. This is the fourth documented case of AL in early childhood. How to cite this article Bezerra TMM, Chaves FN, Carvalho FSR, et al. Oral Angioleiomyoma in Early Childhood Patient: A Case Report of an Uncommon Lesion and Literature Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(6):828–832.


The article describes some clinical peculiarities of the low-dosage chemical hypersensitivity syndrome in children living in ecologically unfavourable conditions, and the comblex of medical and prophylactic measures is being discussed as well.


We study theoretically the ultrafast electron dynamics of three-dimensional Weyl semimetals in the field of a laser pulse. For a circularly-polarized pulse, such dynamics is governed by topological resonance, which manifests itself as a specific conduction band population distribution in the vicinity of the Weyl points. The topological resonance is determined by the competition between the topological phase and the dynamic phase and depends on the handedness of a circularly polarized pulse. Also, we show that the conduction band population induced by a circularly-polarized pulse that consists of two oscillations with opposite handedness is highly chiral, which represents the intrinsic chirality of the Weyl points.


The article presents pathogenetic data on the development of cardiovascular pathology in reduced thyroid function. Нypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, regardless of gender, age and previous cardiovascular disease. This leads to the search for additional influence on the pathogenetic mechanisms of hypothyroidism in order to effectively treat these threatening manifestations and consequences of the disease.


The study on evolution of the mammalian middle ear has been fueled by continuous discoveries of Mesozoic fossils in the last two decades. Wang et al.1 recently reported a specimen of Vilevolodon diplomylos (IMMNH-PV01699)2 that adds to the increasing knowledge about the auditory apparatus of 'haramiyidans', an extinct Mesozoic group of mammaliaforms. The authors hypothesized that a middle ear with a monotreme-like incus and malleus and incudomallear articulation was primitive for mammals, which challenges the convention that the monotreme middle ear is specialized3 or autapomorphic4 in mammals. We raise concerns about terminology and identification of the incus presented by Wang et al. and show that their analysis does not support their hypothesis; instead, it supports the one by Mao et al.5,6.


Cancer associated cachexia affects a majority of patients during cancer progression, compromising therapeutic interventions and contributing to decreased survival rates. Identifying factors involved in the onset of cachexia will provide a better understanding of early treatment strategies. To this end, we developed a mouse model system that allows for real time longitudinal monitoring of cancer induced wasting and has the potential of identifying early cachectic events. Several attributes of our system are new. 1) The construction of a dual optical reporter vector with green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression constitutively driven from an EF1α promoter and red fluorescence protein (tdTomato) expression driven by an engineered skeletal muscle specific inducible promoter. The latter is a synthetic sequence of a triple-tandem repeat of the glucocorticoid-FOXO1 response element region from the proximal promoter of the human MuRF1 gene. 2) Generation of a rat L6 myoblast optical reporter cell line (To3B cells) with stable integration of the dual reporter vector construct, which provides living reporter grafts within mouse muscle. 3) A human pancreatic cancer cell line (Pa04C) that as an orthotopic or subcutaneous xenograft causes weight loss in male SCID mice. In preliminary studies, we tested several human pancreatic cancer cell lines as orthotopic xenografts in male SCID mice. We found that red fluorescence signals were reproducibly detected in live mice only from To3B grafts in mice undergoing weight loss, while graft size and viability were readily monitored by imaging GFP fluorescence in all animals. In addition, mice bearing Pa04C tumors lost the most weight while mice bearing Panc1 tumors gained weight. Therefore, Pa04C and Panc1 cells were used for subcutaneous xenografts in male SCID mice and weight loss was followed with optical monitoring of To3B grafts. Importantly, in weight losing mice, we found that red fluorescence could be detected and quantified at a nascent stage of the syndrome; e.g., unambiguous red fluorescent signals were quantified at weight losses of only 1.2 to 2.7% at very low tumor burdens of only ∼0.079 to ∼0.170 cm3. Red fluorescence remained very low to undetectable in mice that gained weight. Tumor sizes were comparable between groups, which was an indication that factors independent of tumor growth were involved in switching on red fluorescence. Ex vivo fluorescence microscopy confirmed a robust presence of red fluorescence only in To3B grafts in skeletal muscle from Pa04C tumor bearing mice. The evidence from this initial development of a unique optical reporter myoblast cell line indicates the potential to detect the onset of cancer cachexia. These studies set the ground work for future research aimed at identifying initiating systemic as well as local molecular events in the muscle of cachectic mice. Supported by NIH P50CA103175 Citation Format: Paul T. Winnard, Marie-France Penet, Yelena Mironchik, Flonne Wildes, Anirban Maitra, Zaver M. Bhujwalla. Initial characterization of an optical reporter myoblast cell line for non-invasive imaging in a cancer cachexia model in mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 5110. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-5110


Work motivation and performance were analysed from the perspective of social identity theory and self-categorisation theory. Central in this analysis is the relation of organisational identification with the motivation to exert effort on behalf of the collective. A theoretical analysis as well as a review of empirical studies of the relationship of organisational identification with motivation and performance leads to the conclusion that identification is positively related to work motivation, task performance, and contextual performance to the extent that (a) social identity is salient, and (b) high performance is perceived to be in the group's or organisation's interest.


Biofields integrate several physiological levels temporally and spatially. Physiological coherence complements metabolic processes, which preserve animal cellular and physiological function. Coherent physiology involves internal biological system coordination and sensitivity to specific stimuli and signal frequencies. Current research shows that exogenous biologically and non-biologically generated energy entrains human physiological systems. Electrical and magnetic field measurements during physiological activity may occur from metabolic processes or unknown physiological actions. All living things resonate at similar or coherent frequencies; therefore, species will eventually share resonance. Resonance is a term closely related to awareness, interregional connections or disconnection in the brain, and the integratory function of the brain. It can describe synchrony, vibration, or harmony more broadly. The synchronized electrical cycles of the brain have similar resonance patterns. Resonance's significance in fostering integrated brain activity, awareness, awakeness and death are reviewed.


During production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) a concentrated waste stream is generated, containing both readily (acetate and benzoate) and slowly (terephthalate and para-toluate) degradable organic substrates. Based on our experimental experiences with the anaerobic treatment of this waste stream, this paper presents an optimized concept for start-up and operation of a two-stage anaerobic bioreactor system. Based on considerations concerning the optimal conditions for cultivation of the specific types of biomass degrading the different substrates, and considerations concerning sodium-hydroxide requirements for pH-control, a gradual transition between initial operation in parallel to operation in series is suggested.


OBJECTIVES
The Stress Thermometer is an easily accessible Internet-based instrument for feedback on work stress and burnout. The aim of this paper is to describe the development of this instrument and to determine its applicability within the dental practice.

METHODS
The Stress Thermometer was made accessible to all members of the Dutch Dental Association, of which 77% of all Dutch dentists are members. Frequency of use was determined, and descriptive data was collected.

RESULTS
During an evaluation period of 5 months at least 12% of all possible respondents made use of the Stress Thermometer. Descriptive characteristics of the response group, as well as levels of burnout and work stress, corresponded with those found in the Dutch dentist population. However, some deviations were also present.

CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate the applicability of the Stress Thermometer to a representative variety of dentists. Although the deviations found should not be ignored in future use, the Stress Thermometer was successful in reaching a population that is difficult to reach. It effectively calls attention to sensitive personal issues concerning work-related stress and burnout.


Aggressiveness is a frequent and problematic aspect of the treatment of forensic patients. This study examines the correlation of aggressiveness and its subtypes with quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction, personality dimensions and family functioning. The research is conducted on 99 psychiatric patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychotic disorder similar to schizophrenia (F20-F29) in two forensic psychiatry institutions. The patients committed criminal offence in state of insanity. These offences had signs of aggressive acts and the patients were therefore admitted to inpatient psychiatric forensic institutions. The research was conducted by using the Aggressiveness Questionnaire (AG-87), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Family Functioning Scale. The results show that aggressiveness has a negative correlation with the quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction. Regression analyses indicate that bad family relations and psychoticism are significant predictors of aggressiveness and its subtypes. We can conclude that forensic patients who committed aggressive offence in psychotic state, who at the same time score higher values on psychoticism scale and report negative family relations, are more likely to express aggressiveness also during their stay in forensic psychiatric hospital.


The tourism of Nepal is based on three main aspects (service, facility and attraction). Home stay tourism is an emerging tourism concept evolved lately in the tourism industry. 'Guest is god' is the belief of typical Nepalese society which has been carrying out the concept of homestay tourism in Nepal.For its multifaceted potentiality, Nepal can become a model homestay. Homestay activities provide clients with a wealth of natural resources, man-made heritages, ethno-cultural wealth, innocent environments, and pleasant hospitality, among many other unexplored resources.Based on the primary and secondary sources of data, the article is assessing the home stay tourism in Antu area. The objective of this article is to find out the major motivational factors, available accommodation services and challenges of homestay activities. The article is used for exploratory and descriptive research designs on the basis of its objectives. The study attempts to explore the assessment of home stay tourism in Antu area and it concludes that income and employment is a main motivating factor for operation of home stay service. The accommodation services are different in nature and capacity, and the study also identifies the major challenging factors for home stay in the Antu area.


Collective instabilities play an important role in projects as diverse as FCC-hh and CLIC and drive some of the choices. In the paper a few examples are shown where the instabilities were mitigated by design choices and the resulting impact on the collider cost and power consumption is highlighted.


Representations from large language models (LLMs) are known to be dominated by a small subset of dimensions with exceedingly high variance. Previous works have argued that although ablating these outlier dimensions in LLM representations hurts downstream performance, outlier dimensions are detrimental to the representational quality of embeddings. In this study, we investigate how fine-tuning impacts outlier dimensions and show that 1) outlier dimensions that occur in pre-training persist in fine-tuned models and 2) a single outlier dimension can complete downstream tasks with a minimal error rate. Our results suggest that outlier dimensions can encode crucial task-specific knowledge and that the value of a representation in a single outlier dimension drives downstream model decisions.


Background. Hyperbilirubinemia and liver enzyme abnormalities are commonly observed in sepsis. However, the frequency in premature neonates and the specific relation to Gram‐negative bacteria are not known. Patients and methods. Charts of all preterm infants who had positive blood cultures for either Gram‐negative bacteria or coagulase‐negative staphylococci were reviewed. Neonates with Gram‐negative bacteremia (n = 54) were compared with neonates with coagulase‐negative staphylococcal bacteremia (n = 31). In addition infants with Gram‐negative bacteremia and elevated liver enzymes (n = 25) were compared with infants with Gram‐negative bacteremia and normal liver enzymes (n = 29). Results. Liver enzyme abnormalities accompanied 46.3% (25 of 54) of Gram‐negative bacteremia and 12.9% (4 of 31) of episodes of coagulase‐negative staphylococcal bacteremia (P = 0.002). Serum concentrations of liver enzymes were significantly higher in infants with Gram‐negative bacteremia than in those with coagulase‐negative staphylococcal bacteremia (P < 0.0001), but no difference in alkaline phosphatase serum values was observed. Infants with Gram‐negative bacteremia and elevated liver enzymes were not fed for a longer period than infants with Gram‐negative bacteremia and normal liver enzymes (7.3 ± 6.3 days vs. 4.0 ± 4.3 days, P = 0.03), and this was accompanied by significant conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (P < 0.0001). Ventilation, total parenteral nutrition and medications were not responsible for the observed differences. Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia was commonly associated with elevated liver enzymes (12 of 18), whereas none of the infants with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia had elevated liver enzymes. Conclusions. Gram‐negative bacteremia is commonly associated with cholestasis in premature neonates. Liver enzyme abnormalities are more common than elevated conjugated bilirubin, not all Gram‐negative bacteria have the same effect and the lack of enteral feeding seems to play a more significant role than the administration of parenteral nutrition.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of IRESSA (gefitinib, ZD1839) on H22 murine hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS
Mice bearing H22 hepatocellular carcinoma were randomly divided into oral control group, Normal saline (NS) control group, cisplatin (CDDP) d1-5 group, CDDP d6-10 group, IRESSA group, IRESSA combined with CDDP early (IRESSA + CDDP d1-5) group, and IRESSA combined with CDDP lately (IRESSA + CDDP d6-10) group. IRESSA was given by daily gastrogavage for 10 days (day 1-day 10) at 100 mg/kg in body weight (BW). CDDP was given by daily intraperitoneal injection for 5 days (day 1-day 5, or day 6-day 10) at 1.2 mg/kg in BW. The growth inhibiting rate (IR) of tumor, change of BW, spleen index (SI), and amounts of blood leucocyte or hemoglobin were detected.

RESULTS
IR of tumor in IRESSA group was not significantly difference with that in CDDP d1-5 group, CDDP d6-10 group, IRESSA + CDDP d1-5 group (P > 0.05). IR of tumor in IRESSA group, CDDP d1-5 group, CDDP d6-10 group, IRESSA and IRESSA + CDDP d1-5 group were 41%, 54%, 46%, and 56%, respectively. IR of tumor in IRESSA + CDDP d6-10 group (26%) was significantly lower than that in CDDP d6-10 group (P < 0.05) or in IRESSA + CDDP d1-5 group (P < 0.01). Compared with oral or NS control groups, SI and net BW in IRESSA group was not significantly difference (P > 0.05). SI and net BW in both IRESSA + CDDP d1-5 group and IRESSA + CDDP d6-10 group were lower markedly than those in IRESSA group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
Tumor growth of H22 bearing mice was markedly inhibited by IRESSA.


Using a solution generating technique based on the symmetries of the dimensionally reduced Lagrangian we derive an exact solution of the Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton field equations in five dimensions describing a system of two general nonextremally charged static Kaluza-Klein black holes with spherical horizons. We investigate some of its thermodynamic properties and we also show how to recover various known solutions, in particular, cases.


Within the area of procedural content generation (PCG) there are a wide range of techniques that have been used to generate content. Many of these techniques use traditional artificial intelligence approaches, such as genetic algorithms, planning, and answer-set programming. One area that has not been widely explored is straightforward combinatorial search -- exhaustive enumeration of the entire design space or a significant subset thereof. This paper synthesizes literature from mathematics and other subfields of Artificial Intelligence to provide reference for the algorithms needed when approaching exhaustive procedural content generation. It builds on this with algorithms for exhaustive search and complete examples how they can be applied in practice.


A study was conducted to isolate antibiotic-producing microorganisms from soil samples collected from a remote village in Nanga Merit Kapit, Sarawak. The soil was suspended and homogenized with phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and then was inoculated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) or nutrient agar (NA) by spread-plate method. Screening for the antibiotic-producing activity was accomplished through preliminary and secondary screening, by using agar overlay technique. These procedures were followed with antibiotic screening using disc diffusion test. Through preliminary screening, 16 bacterial and 8 fungi isolates that showed zone of inhibition were selected for secondary screening. After secondary screening, only six of the fungal isolates were selected for further experiment which involves extraction of antibiotic by methanol. This procedure involved drying of agar containing the selected isolates, followed by immersion of the dried agar in 10ml of absolute methanol. Antibiotic screening was then performed to screen antibiotic activity for the methanol extractions. Result showed that two types of fungal isolates, respectively coded as L10.1.F3 and L12.1.F1 carried the potential of producing antibiotic with strong zone of inhibition against test bacteria. Another four fungal isolates, coded as L11.2.F1, L11.2.F3, L11.2.F4, and L12.1.F1, only showed zone of inhibition on primary and secondary screening. Probabilities of having insufficient amount of antibiotic extracts may be the reason for these fungi to showed negative activity throughout the antibiotic screening. Even so, these finding suggest that soil from a remote village in Nanga Merit Kapit, Sarawak does contain with antibiotic-producing microorganisms. Isolation of novel strains of antibiotic-producing microorganisms from this location seems to be possible.


There is a growing tendency within decaying cities to analyze spatial characteristics to initiate various sustainable development programs and support systems to make high-quality and small-medium sized urban housing for the urban poor. Professional research institutions in Korea are looking for new guidance into making social housing regeneration systems and design direction. But there is a lack of research on support systems and legal programs for the urban poor. The purpose of this study will be to analyze the support systems of Japan for the public rental housing in residential blocks since the Japanese government have developed the urban poor housing policy for housing blocks. And they are establishing support systems to improve the quality of the residential environment and the resettlement of existing residents. This study will investigate and analyze : 1) the conditions and problems of the urban housing blocks and the public rental housing system in Japan. 2) support systems and policies for the public rental housing. 3) derive the best practices from these systems.


Web-based instruction is a new learning medium that offers many advantages in educational settings. The main advantage is reflected in its non-linear interaction. Students can control the pace and sequence of instruction and make personally meaningful choices which in theory should assist in developing their cognitive structure. However, in practice some learners may have difficulties in making the learning paths by themselves. Some influencing factors of learning interaction in Web-based instruction are discussed according to individual differences. Data were collected from some classes in Anqing Normal College of Anhui province. A total 350 available responses were analyzed. We identified three results from this study: (1) learners show positive attitudes towards L-L Web-based interaction learning. And the form of network application which they like best and use most frequently is finishing homework through group cooperation. (2) During the process of finishing homework, learners actively seek for and sort out materials, to which comparatively deep analysis is made. And L-I Web-based interaction learning is also comparatively active. (3) The spontaneous learning ability and knowledge techniques of the learners have striking predication to successful Web-based learning, and the predication effect of the visual style, hearing style and acting style are not striking


We analyze computational aspects of variational approximate inference techniques for sparse linear models, which have to be understood to allow for large scale applications. Gaussian covariances play a key role, whose approximation is computationally hard. While most previous methods gain scalability by not even representing most posterior dependencies, harmful factorization assumptions can be avoided by employing data-dependent low-rank approximations instead. We provide theoretical and empirical insights into algorithmic and statistical consequences of low-rank covariance approximation errors on decision outcomes in nonlinear sequential Bayesian experimental design.


The application of quantitative proteomics to food analysis is in its infancy. This is partly due to the diverse range of plant and animal species consumed as foods, many of which are not sequenced, making annotation of food proteomes difficult. In addition food processing procedures and interactions with other food components, such as lipids and starch, introduce a diverse range of chemical and conformational changes to proteins, many of which are poorly defined. Mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling has great potential as quality assurance tool for food authenticity and traceability, safety and quality. A driver for the application of quantitative protein mass spectrometry-based methods to food has been the need to develop confirmatory methods for allergen analysis in support of food allergen labelling regulations. In addition to providing rigorous quantitative methodology for complex biomacromolecules, protein mass spectrometry is also allowing us, for the first time, to discover how processing procedures modify the foods we eat at a molecular level. Such knowledge is essential if we are to understand how food processing can be used to optimise the beneficial health effects of foods.


The observation that an elevated level of pancreatic carboxylic ester hydrolase (CEH) in serum is a more sensitive and specific marker of acute pancreatitis than is elevated serum amylase activity prompted us to explore whether these findings could be confirmed in an experimental model and, if so, to find the explanation behind this difference. We therefore developed a model for ischemic pancreatitis in the guinea pig and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of CEH in this species. There was a strong correlation between duration of ischemia and severity of pancreatic inflammation and between severity of inflammation and serum CEH level. In contrast, serum amylase was elevated only in animals with the most severe grade of inflammation. Amylase was, however, increased in urine in animals with mild inflammation, but the level did not increase with severity of inflammation. Only one of 31 animals had detectable CEH in urine. In animals with intermediate serum CEH levels the serum and biliary concentrations correlated, indicating that CEH may be cleared by the liver. Amylase was detectable in bile only in animals with high serum levels. The results confirm our observations made in previous clinical studies. A likely explanation for differences in serum levels of CEH and amylase is clearance from the circulation at different rates and, at least partly, via different routes, e.g., the liver and kidney, respectively.


Peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) belongs to the family of nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs), which directly regulate transcription of target genes. The regulatory role of this receptor on lipid metabolism and insulin sensitization is well established. Recently, the overexpression of this receptor in many human cancers has been identified and understanding its biological significance forms the current theme. PPARgamma activation by specific agonists leads to growth inhibition, apoptosis and differentiation of tumor cells. PPARgamma possess evident tumor promoting properties but the receptor independent effects of its ligands compound the understanding of its biology in cancers. This review highlights the multifaceted role of PPARgamma in cancer progression with specific reference to colon, breast, gastric, lung and urological cancers. Molecular events as well as the mediators involved are analyzed in detail along with PPARgamma independent effects of ligands under each cancer type. The crucial cross talk that exists between Wnt and PPARgamma signaling is also summarized. An attempt has been made to identify the existing lacunae in understanding the biology of PPARgamma in cancers along with suggestions for possible rectification.


There is a burgeoning movement to create user interfaces that combine searching and browsing in order to facilitate knowledge discovery. Categorized overviews are promising techniques to improve the browsing capabilities and subject access of search results. Research is needed to examine the design space in order to promote the usability and understanding of such interfaces. This paper proposes a set of 14 dimensions grouped into three areas of the design space for categorized overviews. These dimensions emerged from a review of recent literature about exploratory search interface design and categorized overviews, an analysis of five examples that are seeking to meet the needs of knowledge discovery, and personal experience. Finally, this paper discusses the application of the dimensions on a case study of a categorized overview created for a bibliographic database.


The comparison of the intensity of fluorescent light accumulated in cells following the various treatments showed that ethylene better stimulates expression of the ufgt promoter in the dark than with light. In addition, results showed that there may be a positive interaction between ethylene and abscisic acid. This system, a promoter of interest driving the gfp expression in cells with low auto-fluorescence, may be a good tool for studies about synergistic or antagonist roles of transcription factors. Moreover, a specific inhibitor of ethylene receptors (1-methylcyclopropene) inhibited ufgt mRNA accumulation in grape berries. This confirms that the ethylene signal is likely a regulator of grape UFGT expression in a non-climacteric fruit. suspensions were conducted in order to test the importance of ethylene signals and other stimuli in the control of transcription from this promoter. We completed previous results indicating that exogenous ethylene could induce grape ufgt expression and confirming observations about the use of ethylene precursor to boost grape skin colour EAVER M ONTGOMERY 1974). We then evaluated in grape berries whether the ethylene signal was acting on grape ufgt expression directly via ethylene receptors or indirectly through alternate pathways. These results confirm the role of ethylene signals in the control of the ufgt expression in a non-climacteric fruit and present a method that could be a good tool to study steric hindrance of transcription factors on a promoter.


Many heterolytic reactions are often accompanied by radical processes and contrariwise the reactions of radicals in many instances lead to the formation of ions. The simultaneous occurrence of homolytic and heterolytic processes cannot be explained from the viewpoint of the now generally accepted theory of organic reactions.These contradictions can be easily resolved if it is assumed that the formation of a new bond is preceded by the transfer of an electron from one reacting entity to another. In the present work on the basis of voluminous literature material the conclusion is drawn that electron transfer processes actually play an important part in many organic reactions (reactions with free metals, some substitutions, etc.). The influence of various factors on electron transfer processes is examined. Assumptions concerning the relative role of these processes in the formation and reactions of organometallic compounds are advanced. There is a bilbiography of 242 references.


The paper analyses the outage probability of a radio node in a finite size large-scale data aggregation network which employs slotted random medium access. In most literature, this performance metric is usually derived from a Poisson point process distribution of radio nodes in infinite space. In contrast, we analyse a network with finite area and a fixed number of interfering nodes using a binomial point process. Based on the point process, conditional outage probabilities in a log-normal fading channel in case of n interferers are derived. These interim results are used to obtain the outage probability of a desired radio node as a function of the offered network load. We present numerical outage probabilities for distinct path loss exponents, capture thresholds and varying distances between node and receiver.


BACKGROUND
Birth asphyxia contributes significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in resource poor countries. Although the Apgar score has been in use for over 50 years, the prevalence of low Apgar score and attendant risk factors and outcome have not been established in many sub-Saharan countries including Uganda.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of low Apgar score and establish immediate outcome and possible risk factors for poor outcome in babies with low Apgar score.

SETTING
Labour wards, operating theatres and special baby care unit, Mulago Teaching and referral Hospital, Uganda.

SUBJECTS
Babies delivered in Mulago Hospital between September and October 1999. Those with low Apgar scores, together with an equal number of babies with normal scores matched for sex as controls, were followed up for 48 hours.

MEASUREMENTS
Clinical features, anthropometry, gestational age, oxygen saturation, blood glucose and autopsy of babies who died.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Clinical improvement, death, complications such as HIE, RDS, aspiration pneumonia, hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, hypotension and hypoxaemia.

RESULTS
The prevalence of low Apgar score at one and five minutes was 8.4% and 2.8% respectively. Adverse outcome was seen in 57.3% of cases: death in 12.1% and clinical complications in 45.2%. HIE occurred in 21.8%, hypoxaemia in 12.9%, hypoglycaemia in 16.9% and aspiration pneumonia in 4.8%. Maternal factors significantly associated with low Apgar scores included primiparity, abnormal delivery, age and medical diseases during pregnancy, while birth injuries and cord accidents were the baby factors. Poor outcome was associated with birth injury, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, hypotension, aspiration pneumonia, hypoxaemia and severe birth asphyxia.

CONCLUSION
Even though the prevalence of low Apgar was only 8.4%, adverse outcomes associated with it were observed in more than half the patients. Therefore there is need to carefully evaluate and monitor babies with low Apgar scores immediately after birth.


Rice production has been inconsistent in Mwea irrigation scheme due to poor crop management practices and reduced soil fertility. Proper rice nutrition conserves the environment, increases sustained crop production, farmer's crop yield and profits. A field experiment was conducted at MIAD Center, in Kirinyaga County, during 2016-17 and 2017- 18 to determine the response of rice varieties to different N, P and K fertilizer treatments. The trial was conducted in randomized complete block design, with three replications of 13 N, P and K fertilizer regimes as the main plots treatments and varieties Basmati 370 and BW 196 as the sub-plot treatment. The N kg ha-1: P2O5 kg ha-1: K2O kg ha-1 fertilizer treatment ratios used were: 00:00:00, 60:40:40, 80:60:60, 100:80:80, 60:40:00, 80:60:00, 100:80:00, 60:00:40, 80:00:60, 100:00:80, 00:40:40, 00:60:60 and 00:80:80. Plant height, number of tillers hill-1, panicle length, and grain yield responded positively to fertilizer application, but 1000-grain weight did not. Variety BW 196 recording shorter plants and panicles, more tillers hill-1, higher grain weight and yield than variety Basmati 370. 00:40:40, 00:60:60, 00:80:80, 60:40:00 and the no-fertilizer control treatments recorded the least number of tillers hill-1. 60:40:40, 80:60:60, 100:80:80, fertilizer treatments had longer panicles than the no fertilizer control and 00:40:40. Except for 100:80:00 and 00:40:40, in the first season and 60:40:00, 80:60:00, 100:80:00 in the second season, all the fertilizer regimes increased grain yield relative to the control. The highest grain yield was realized in fertilizer regime 80:60:60, 100:80:80, 80:00:60 and 100:00:80. 80:00:60 is the recommended fertilizer regime.
Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 8 (2): 42-46, December, 2018


Vitis vinifera L. cv. País is an ancestral Chilean grape undervalued due to its undesirable oenological characteristics. In this study, steam extraction for the production of grape juice, a new product, according to our knowledge, is proposed as an alternative for the valorization of this fruit. The effect of the extraction time on the composition and antioxidant capacity of País grape juice obtained was evaluated, as well as the change in the phenolic profile during storage. The soluble solid values and total polyphenol and total anthocyanin content increased with the extraction time. However, a residence time of the juice in the extraction device higher than 10 min led to thermal degradation of anthocyanins and flavonols. The most abundant phenolic compound identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD in the País grape juice was cinnamic acid. The storage of juices had a greater effect on anthocyanin and flavonol losses than the residence time of the juice in the extraction device. The antioxidant capacity of juice measured by ABTS and ferric reducing power assays ranged from 3 to 5 mmol trolox/L and from 10 to 18 mM Fe2+/L, respectively. In summary, steam extraction is a viable method to produce País grape juice with antioxidant capacity.


A case study of the regenerative city on the waterfront in a city Since 1970's, the waterfront of a city has been controlled as a suburb in the process of urbanization and industrialization. Also, the water front of a city has been untouched more than the other areas, for example the difficult development, the competition of the development. However, recently it is seen as a place that be used as demand for land has increased become of the expansion of the city. Waterfront could be a tonic for urban renewal. In addition, water front will change the construction of the city. As a result, it will achieve the continuous development of the city. Therefore, we need to observe what the function of the regeneration of the city is.


Changes of intracellular pH (pHi) after alpha-1-adrenoceptor stimulation (5 x 10(-5) mol/l phenylephrine in the presence of 10(-6) mol/l timolol) were studied in isolated perfused rat hearts by 31P-NMR spectroscopy in order to use the whole organ without disruption. The contractility was monitored simultaneously in all hearts. Alpha-1-adrenoceptor stimulation gave an alkalinization by 0.02 +/- 0.01 pH-units (mean +/- S.E.M.) after 5 min and by 0.03 +/- 0.01 pH-units (mean +/- S.E.M.) after 15 min. Thus, an intracellular alkalinization after myocardial alpha-1-adrenoceptor stimulation was observed during close to physiological conditions. The elevation of pHi may contribute to maintain the inotropic effect after alpha-1-adrenoceptor stimulation.


Abstract Household digesters are anaerobic reactors applied mostly in rural areas of developing countries with tropical climate. The Chinese dome digester is the most popular household digester type in Asia and Africa, and has become the basis for contemporary developments in the household digester sector around the world. Household digesters are operated at ambient temperatures and have no internal mixing device, making them simple to operate. In the absence of internal mixing mechanism, the Chinese dome digester is mixed via pressure variation during gas production, gas use and feeding. Since mixing is limited in household digesters, they are operated at low organic loading rates and long hydraulic retention time when compared with forced mixed reactors. This review analyses and presents the various types of domestic biogas plants and operating parameters, with emphasis on mixing. Experimental results of household reactors, forced mixed reactors with different mixing modes and intensities were also reviewed and compared.


This report describes a version of the TERPED/P computer code that is very useful for small data sets. A new algorithm for determining the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistics is used to extend program applicability. The TERPED/P code facilitates the analysis of experimental data and assists the user in determining its probability distribution function. Graphical and numerical tests are performed interactively in accordance with the user's assumption of normally or log-normally distributed data. Statistical analysis options include computation of the chi-square statistic and the KS one-sample test statistic and the corresponding significance levels. Cumulative probability plots of the user's data are generated either via a local graphics terminal, a local line printer or character-oriented terminal, or a remote high-resolution graphics device such as the FR80 film plotter or the Calcomp paper plotter. Several useful computer methodologies suffer from limitations of their implementations of the KS nonparametric test. This test is one of the more powerful analysis tools for examining the validity of an assumption about the probability distribution of a set of data. KS algorithms are found in other analysis codes, including the Statistical Analysis Subroutine (SAS) package and earlier versions of TERPED. The inability of these algorithms to generate significance levelsmore » for sample sizes less than 50 has limited their usefulness. The release of the TERPED code described herein contains algorithms to allow computation of the KS statistic and significance level for data sets of, if the user wishes, as few as three points. Values computed for the KS statistic are within 3% of the correct value for all data set sizes.« less


In mountainous and high latitude regions, migratory animals exploit green waves of emerging vegetation coinciding with rising daily mean temperatures initiating snowmelt across the landscape. Snowmelt also causes rivers and streams draining these regions to swell, a process referred to as to as the 'spring pulse.' Networks of streamgages measuring streamflow in these regions often have long-term and continuous periods of record available in real-time and at the daily time step, and thus produce data with potential to predict temporal migration patterns for species exploiting green waves. We tested the potential of models informed by streamflow data to predict timing of spring migration of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herds in a headwater basin of the Colorado River. Models using streamflow data were compared with those informed by traditional temperature-derived measures of the onset of spring. Non-parametric linear-regression techniques were used to test for temporal stationarity in each variable, and logistic-regression models were used to produce probabilities of migration initiation. Our analysis indicates that models using daily streamflow data can perform as well as those using temperature-derived data to predict past-migration patterns, and nearly as well in potential to forecast future migrations. The best performing model was used to generate probabilities of onset of migration for mule deer herds over the 69-year period-of-record from a streamgage. That model indicated spring migration has been trending toward earlier initiations, with modeled median initiations shifting from a Julian day of 123 in the mid 20th century to Julian day 115 over the most recent two decades. The period of 1960 to 1979 had the latest modeled median initiations with Julian day of 128. The analyses demonstrate promise for merging existing hydrologic and biological data collection platforms in these regions to explore timing of past migration patterns and predict migration onsets in real-time.


The global incidence of thyroid cancer has steadily increased, however mortality has remained unchanged as most thyroid malignancies are well-differentiated (WDTC) with indolent behavior. The incidence, however, of poorly differentiated (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) have also increased proportionally and these are aggressive tumors associated with significant morbidity and mortality (1). PDTC has been recognized as a distinct entity that represents an intermediate position in the sequence of de-differentiation from WDTC to ATC with unique histopathology, molecular abnormalities, and diagnostic criteria (2).


The calculation of the energy eigenvalues and the Lande g factors of the configurations 4f12(5d + 6s)2 + 4f136p taken together has led to the interpretation of 155 even levels whose energies are predicted with an rms error of 105 cm-1. The configuration 4f125d2 is correlated with 36 experimental levels, among which is the lowest level at 30 508 cm-1. Eigenvectors of the sub group of configurations f12ds + f13p are given in the J1J2 coupling scheme, which is the closest to the physical coupling.


Social responsibility refers to one's sense of duty to the society in which he or she lives. The Professionalism and Community Service (PACS) dental module at the University of British Columbia is based upon community service-learning and helps dental students to understand the challenges faced by vulnerable segments of the population as they actively reflect on experiences gathered from didactic and experiential activities. This article aims to illustrate the extent to which PACS has fostered awareness of social responsibility through the British Columbia Ministry of Education's Performance Standards Framework for Social Responsibility. Reflections were gathered from students in all four years of the D.M.D. program and were analyzed thematically in three categories of the framework: Contribution to the Classroom and Community, Value of Diversity in the Community, and Exercise of Responsibilities. The constant comparison analysis of the reflective qualitative data revealed that the students directly or indirectly addressed these three categories in their reflections as they synthesized their understanding of community issues and their collaborative roles as socially responsible members of the dental profession. Follow-up studies are needed to explore the impact of community-based dental education upon students' perceptions and understanding of social responsibility and professionalism regarding underserved communities.


Summary An 8-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis came to our attention for an empty scrotum. General physical examination showed a normal penis and hypoplastic scrotum with non-palpable testes bilaterally. Routine blood investigations showed low levels of LH, testosterone, inhibin B and antiMullerian hormone and elevated levels of FSH. Karyotype was normal. An abdominal ultrasound confirmed the absence of the testes into the scrotum, in the inguinal region and abdomen. At laparoscopy were noted bilaterally hypotrophic spermatic vessels, absence of the vas deferens and a closed inner ring. Inguinal exploration found out a small residual testis and histological examination showed fibrotic tissue. This is the first case of testicular atrophy associated to CFTR mutation described. The process that led to bilateral testicular and vas deferens atrophy remains unexplained, a possible influence of CFTR dysfunction cannot be ruled out, although it is possible that these conditions are independently associated. Learning points: Cystic fibrosis produces a multisystemic disease which can affect also the reproductive tract. Nearly 97–98% of male patients are infertile because of congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens. A correlation between cystic fibrosis and bilateral testicular atrophy could be possible.


Abstract Context: Cleome viscosa Linn. (Capparidaceae) is used traditionally in the Indian system of medicine as a carminative, anthelmintic, and diuretic, and used for healing wounds, ulcers and diarrhea. Objective: A 70% ethanol (EtOH) extract of the aerial parts of Cleome viscosa extract (CVE) was investigated for gastroprotective activity in different gastric ulcer models in order to validate ethnobotanical claims regarding the plant use in ulcers. Materials and methods: CVE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally, twice daily for 5 d, for prevention from EtOH, pylorus ligation (PL) and cold restraint stress (CRS)-induced ulcers in rats. Estimation of H+K+ATPase activity and gastric wall mucous were performed in EtOH-induced ulcer, antioxidant enzyme activities in supernatant mitochondrial fraction of CRS-induced ulcer, and gastric secretion parameters were estimated in PL-induced ulcer model Results: CVE showed significant (p < 0.01) dose-dependent inhibition of lesion index in EtOH 15.93–42.30%, PL 26.34–59.28% and CRS 22.58–54.03%, respectively. CVE prevents the oxidative damage of gastric mucosa by blocking lipid peroxidation and by a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in superoxide dismutase, and an increase in catalase activity. A significant (p < 0.01) decrease occurred in the level of H+K+ATPase, volume of gastric juice and total acidity. Simultaneously, the level of gastric wall mucus and pH were increased significantly (p < 0.05). High performance thin layer chromatography analysis showed the presence of quercetin and gallic acid (0.3% and 0.25% w/w, respectively) in CVE. Conclusions: Results of our study showed that C. viscosa possesses significant gastroprotective activity, probably due to free radical scavenging activity, and validates the folklore claim.


Recently, public interest in housing defects, such as construction errors, occupiers` complaints, faults in production, and so on, is increasing. In addition, the construction requirements of high-rise residential buildings have increased, due to the higher prices of urban areas, especially in metropolitan areas. While previous research has focused on the defects occurring in apartment housing complexes, research has not been carried out on the defects occurring in high-rise residential buildings. In this paper, the defects patterns and characteristics of high-rise residential buildings are examined and analyzed and a defect management plan is then suggested. In order to do this, we collected the defects data of high-rise residential buildings recorded by 2,299 of 2,327 occupants. The defect occurrence rate (DOR) in the residential area is 98.8%. The frequency rate of defect occurrence over the total defect occurrence since building completion is 63.28% during the first year, 24.63% (second year), 6.88% (third year), 2.27% (fourth year), and 2.53% (fifth year). The result of correlation analysis between work types showed that there is a relationship between the built-in furniture and electronics (F&E) and painting works, and the F&E and masonry works, such as marble finishing. We expect that this research will assist in the efforts to decrease the number of defects in high-rise buildings.


A 41-year-old woman with a myelodysplastic syndrome complained of diarrhea with malabsorption and protein-losing enteropathy after splenectomy. No cause was found and various therapeutic regimens were not effective. Pathological examination of biopsies from stomach, small intestine, and large bowel showed infiltrations interpreted as inflammatory on routine technics. Blast cell infiltration was found on electron microscopy. Treatment by citarabine induced normalization of leukocytosis, and diarrhea disappeared. Six months after the onset of illness, she developed acute myeloblastic leukemia and died of infectious pneumonia. Blastic infiltration of the lamina propria could be responsible for the determinism of symptoms, because of the lack of another etiology, the intensity of the blastic infiltration and the effect of cytotoxic therapy, even in the absence of new biopsies.


Table 1 indicates that the stiffest line is the cryogenic vent line while the most flexible line is the 6 inch insulating vacuum line. The table also shows that the four remaining lines are roughly of the same stiffness. This follows closely with the experience of installing the U-tubes in the assembly hall. The vent line was by far the stiffest, while the other lines are comparitively more flexible. However, the value for the LAr line is misleading. It is as flexible as the other 1 1/2 x 3 lines. Using this as a basis, the collision hall connections should be slightly more stiff, but not appreciably. The vent line represents the only anticipated 'difficulty'. Provided that the building piping is constructed to reasonable tolerances, there should be no need to modify the existing U-tubes for use in the Collision hall. The analysis makes many assumptions which are not completely valid. For example, the inner line is much more flexible than the table indicates. Thus the analysis should not be taken as an absolute measure of the amount of force necessary to deflect the lines. The analysis does provide a means of comparison between individual lines and between the assemblymore » hall and collision hall. The last column in tables 1 and 2 indicate which lines are the stiffest comparatively. In addition, by comparing the stiffness of each line in the collision hall with the corresponding line in the assembly hall, a qualitative assesment can be made as to whether the lines in the collision hall are flexible enough.« less


"Ownership" makes aid work better when recipients can choose between policy options.
Governments need to encourage home-grown development strategies and free local policy debates.
Policy conditions on aid don't work.


Magmatic Ni-Cu-Co-PGE deposits are notoriously difficult exploration targets owing to a lack of alteration haloes or other extended distal footprints. Success requires prediction of prospective terranes, followed by identification of suitable host intrusions and deposition sites within those intrusions. At the regional scale, potential ore-hosting magmas tend to have lithophile trace element trends falling on mixing lines between primitive or slightly depleted source mantle and typical upper continental crust, with several significant exceptions. Most known deposits have parent magmas that are in the upper range of FeO content for given MgO compared with baseline data sets for continental LIP magmas. At the scale of individual intrusions, the presence of cumulate rocks, both mafic and ultramafic, is key. These can be recognised in regional datasets using combinations of magnesium number (molar MgO/(MgO+FeO), Al
 2
 O
 3
 , TiO
 2
 and Zr contents. Combinations of alteration-resistant element ratios between Ni, Cr and Ti are also useful and can also be applied to moderately weathered samples. Concentrations and ratios of Cu and Zr are useful in discriminating chalcophile-enriched and depleted magmas suites. In combination, these approaches can be combined to discriminate highly prospective cumulate-dominated magmatic suites and individual intrusions from non-cumulate suites with limited potential.

 Supplementary material:
 https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6267664


Phishing attacks have become a serious problem for users of online banking and e-commerce websites. A previous study proposed and evaluated a novel anti-Phishing approach that uses training intervention for Phishing websites detection (APTIPWD). The proposed approach showed that it helped users to make correct decisions in distinguishing Phishing and legitimate websites. In this paper, an approach to the implementation of the APTIPWD is presented. It also shows that the APTIPWD is feasible and can be implemented within any proxy-based network easily without writing a single line of a programming code and without undue disruption of the users system.


Bisphenol A epoxy diacrylate (EA)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by UV-curing from a series of styrene based polymerically-modified clays and EA resin. Effects of the chemical structure of the polymeric surfactants on the morphology and tensile properties of nanocomposites have been explored. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy experimental results indicated that surfactants having hydroxyl or amino group show better dispersion and some of the clay platelets were fully exfoliated. However, the composites formed from pristine clay and other polymerically-modified clays without hydroxyl or amino groups typically contained both intercalated tactoids and few collapsed clay particles with, if any, exfoliated platelets. The tensile strength and the elongation at break of composites were greatly improved, where the organoclays dispersed well. Thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimeter were carried out to examine the thermal properties of the composites. The results showed that the loading of polymerically-modified clays enhanced the thermal stability of EA/clay composites, and depressed the Tg of composites. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010


The reconstruction of the positron trajectory in the MEG II experiment searching for the μ+ → e+ γ decay uses a cylindrical drift chamber operated with a helium-isobutane gas mixture. A stable performance of the detector in terms of its electron drift properties, avalanche multiplication, and with a gas mixture of controlled composition and purity has to be provided and continuously monitored. In this paper we describe the strategies adopted to meet the requirements imposed by the target sensitivity of MEG II, including the construction and commissioning of a small chamber for an online monitoring of the gas quality.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the direction for treatment and to evaluate factors influencing improvement by comparison of neurologic and functional outcomes of surgical treatment and conservative treatment for traumatic central cord syndrome. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 patients, who were available for follow-up for at least more than one year from January 2005 to December 2008, who were diagnosed as traumatic central cord syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment (group 1), and 13 patients received conservative treatment (group 2). Maximum canal compromise (MCC), and maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) were used for radiologic assessment, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) were used for assessment of functional outcomes. Results: The mean MCC was 47.2%, mean MSCC was 20.0%, and mean ASIA motor scale was 92.0 (group 1: 92.9, group 2: 90.9) at the final follow-up. The mean JOA score was 12.8 (group 1: 14.0, group 2: 11.4) and mean NDI was 25.0 (group 1: 25.7, group 2: 24.3) at the final follow-up. Conclusion: It is concluded that if a patient with traumatic central cord syndrome is young, with a high energy injury combined with fractures, and has severe spinal compression and mild initial neurologic defect, early surgical treatment would be needed as soon as possible.


CXCL12-induced and CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis plays a critical role in the trafficking of lymphocytes, which modulates inflammatory and immune responses. The CXCR4 receptor is down-modulated by its ligand CXCL12, which has been shown to inhibit HIV entry into the cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate CXCL12-induced chemotaxis and down-modulation of the CXCR4 receptor are not well known. We have previously shown that CXCL12 induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of the signaling molecule Cbl and its association with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2. In the present investigation, we have further explored the role of Cbl in CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis and CXCR4 down-modulation. Cbl, a 120 kd protein that contains a tyrosine kinase binding domain (TKB), can function as an adaptor molecule by binding to various proteins. It also contains a RING finger domain and has been shown to negatively regulate signaling by directing the ubiquitination and degradation of signaling molecules. We found that CXCR4 L1.2 cells overexpressing wild-type Cbl or G306E-Cbl (deletion in the TKB domain) showed reduced migration to CXCL12, only 50% of the vector control. Cells overexpressing 70Z-Cbl (deletion in the RING finger domain) showed no difference in migration as compared to the vector control. We next examined CXCR4 expression in these cells by FACS analysis. We found that cells overexpressing wild-type Cbl and G306E-Cbl had approximately 60% CXCR4 receptor expression as compared to the vector control, while the cells overexpressing 70Z-Cbl had no difference in receptor expression. Cells were then internalized by stimulation with CXCL12 or HIV gp120, and after 2 hours approximately 80% of the vector control cells had internalized, as compared to approximately 90% of the cells overexpressing wild-type Cbl and G306E-Cbl, and 60% of the cells overexpressing 70Z-Cbl. Overexpression of wild-type Cbl or G306E-Cbl slightly increased internalization of the CXCR4 receptor, while 70Z-Cbl impeded this process. This indicates that wild-type Cbl enhances internalization, while the G306E mutation in the tyrosine kinase binding domain has no effect on this function of Cbl. Our results suggest that the RING finger domain of Cbl is important for internalization of the CXCR4 receptor. In addition, we observed that there was no difference in the phosphorylation of Erk 1/2 between the vector control cells and those overexpressing wild-type Cbl, 70Z-Cbl, or G306E-Cbl after stimulation with CXCL12, indicating that these changes in migration and receptor expression act in a MAPK-independent pathway. Taken together, these studies suggest that Cbl plays an important role in CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis and the CXCR4 internalization process. These results may lead to better understanding of HIV pathogenesis and inflammatory responses mediated by CXCR4.


The arithmetic unit of a digital computing element for a proposed globally controlled, highly parallel computer having up to thousands of such computing elements is described. Because operand words are regarded as circular, and any digit position may be designated as most significant during an operation, the atom of the computing element is the digit position logic, i.e., the computing elements are themselves composed of identical modules for each digit. The entire computing element, consisting of the arithmetic unit, an 8192 bit IGFET memory, and a special purpose input unit can be packaged on a 3.75 inch by 4.5-inch ceramic substrate using beam lead integrated circuits.


In a single gallium nanoparticulate, self-assembled (from an atomic beam) in a nanoaperture at the tip of a tapered optical fiber, we have observed reversible light-induced reflectivity changes associated with a sequence of transformations between a number of structural forms with different optical properties, stimulated by optical excitation at nanowatt power levels. The ability to change the optical properties of a nanoparticulate using structural transformations provides a new mechanism for photonic functionality on the nanoscale.


A self-cleaning function is the capability of a material to maintain its contamination-free surface, avoiding the deposition of dirt. Quite a few self-cleaning surfaces have been found in nature that provide inspiration for fabricating various biomimicking artificial surfaces. In this chapter, we review the structure, performance and principle of those natural self-cleaning surfaces. Based on the self-cleaning mechanisms, the natural self-cleaning surfaces are divided into the following categories: (a) hydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces, (b) elastic effect of tomentum-induced self-cleaning surfaces, (c) micro/nanostructured slippery surfaces, (d) hydrophilic and oleophobic (in water) self-cleaning surfaces, and (e) disequilibrium of interfacial force induced self-cleaning surfaces. The self-cleaning functions of natural surfaces are generally induced either from interfacial wettability or interfacial force disequilibrium. The knowledge learned from Mother Nature would guide the development of artificial self-cleaning materials, which may have great potential in many fields, such as self-cleaning, antifouling, corrosion-resistance, anti-icing, anti-fingerprint and water–oil separation, etc.


Abstract A continuous flow method for the selective reduction of aromatic nitriles to the corresponding amine is reported. The method is based on a ruthenium-catalysed transfer-hydrogenation process, requires no additives, and uses isopropanol as both solvent and reducing agent. The process utilizes 1 mol% of the commercially available [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2, with a residence time of ca. 9 min, and a throughput of 50 mmol/h. The method was successfully applied to a range of aromatic nitriles providing the corresponding primary amines in good yields.


We illustrate the method of rejection sampling in a Bayesian application of a new approach toi estimating Demand Systems. This approach, suggested by Varian (1990), is based on a generalization of Afriat's (1967) efficiency index. Rejection sampling is applied to the prior-to-posterior mapping enabling us to obtain posterior results in a nonstandard model.


A new mathematical model, aimed at investigating the behaviors of microwave drying of traditional chinese medicine was established. It based on mass-energy consersvation law. Dioscorea opposita Thunb. was used as sample and its drying efficiency have been developed at different levels of microwave power and sample thickness. The results shown that the levels of them have a strong influence on drying process. The experimental values were approximately in accord with the calculated values by mathematical model. It explained successfully the behaviors of microwave drying of Diosorea opposita Thunb. slices.


The fast evolution of technology has led to a growing demand for video data, increasing the amount of research into efficient systems to manage those materials. Making efficient use of video information requires that data be accessed in a user-friendly way. Ideally, one would like to perform video search using an intuitive tool. Most of existing browsers for the interactive search of video sequences, however, have employed a too rigid layout to arrange the results, restricting users to explore the results using list-or grid-based layouts. This paper presents a novel approach for the interactive search that displays the result set in a flexible manner. The proposed method is based on a simple and fast algorithm to build video stories and on an effective visual structure to arrange the storyboards, called Clustering Set. It is able to group together videos with similar content and to organize the result set in a well-defined tree. Results from a rigorous empirical comparison with a subjective evaluation show that such a strategy makes the navigation more coherent and engaging to users.


Hair Transplant Forum International is published bi-monthly by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, 303 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134 USA. First class postage paid at Chicago, IL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Hair Transplant Forum International, International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery, 303 West State Street, Geneva, IL 60134 USA. Telephone: 1-630-262-5399, U.S. Domestic Toll Free: 1-800-444-2737; Fax: 1-630-262-1520.


Physical biology is an interdisciplinary field that bridges biology with physical sciences and engineering. Single-molecule physical biology focuses on dynamics of individual biomolecules and complexes, aiming to answering basic questions about their functions and mechanisms. It takes advantages of physical methodologies to gain quantitative understanding of biological processes, often engaging precise physical measurements of reconstructed objects to avoid interference from unnecessary complications. In this review, we (i) briefly introduce concepts of single-molecule physical biology, (ii) describe extensively used single-molecule methodologies that have been developed to address key questions in two important objects of single-molecule physical biology, namely, nucleic acid-interacting proteins and membrane-interacting proteins, and (iii) show by a few successful examples how one may use single-molecule methods to deepen our understanding of protein machines.


ABSTRACT Background Challenging behaviours are frequently shown by children with an intellectual disability. This study documents service use within this population and explores its relationship with challenging behaviours and child and parent characteristics. Method Forty-nine mothers of young children with an intellectual disability or global developmental delay completed questionnaires focusing on child behaviour, parental mental health, and service use. Results Maternal mental health was not associated with services accessed. Cost of services accessed differed by topography of challenging behaviour for destruction of the environment or aggression. No differences were noted for self-injurious behaviour. Conclusion In this small study, topography of challenging behaviour impacts on the frequency and/or duration (and therefore cost) of community-based health care accessed. Behaviours that have external impact, such as aggression and destruction of the environment, are associated with a higher cost of services used, a pattern not noted for behaviours that had less external impact (e.g., self-injurious behaviour).


This paper develops an approach to the study of democratic policy-making where politicians are selected by the people from those citizens who present themselves as candidates for public office. The approach has a number of attractive features. First, it is a conceptualization of a pure form of representative democracy in which government is by, as well as of, the people. Second, the model is analytically tractable, being able to handle multidimensional issue and policy spaces very naturally. Third, it provides a vehicle for answering normative questions about the performance of representative democracy.


Many parallel programming languages provide a set of low-level parallel constructs which lead to programs that are difficult to design, implement, debug, and maintain. In this paper, we present a parallel programming paradigm using a sequential programming language that encapsulates low-level details of distributed and concurrent programming techniques and makes the details transparent to programmers. This paradigm allows programmers to program on several different platforms in a sequential language that they are most familiar with. In addition, the paradigm provides high-level language constructs for programmers to implement various distributed and parallel algorithms. The programming paradigm is illustrated with two parallel Apriori algorithms in data mining.


The output per worker of Indonesia has been on a downtrend since 2010, with total factor productivity (TFP) and capital stock largely stagnant if not declining. This paper discusses stylized facts that may explain recent trends in the productivity and growth potential of Indonesia. The decomposition of output per worker reveals the declining contribution of human capital, which is also most negative among peer countries. The growth in labor productivity has been concentrated within sectors, implying room for gains from labor reallocations. A substantial share of employment and credit in Indonesia has shifted to the relatively unproductive service sectors, particularly wholesale and retail trade. In terms of firm dynamics, the contribution of large firms in Indonesia has been lackluster compared to regional peers while the productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises remains stagnant. Considering that human capital and TFP measures of Indonesia are lagging behind middle-income peers, there is wide scope for Indonesia to catch up. However, the potential output of Indonesia also faces new risks from the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect that the short-term effect of the pandemic on capital accumulation and the long-term effect on human capital pose the highest risk while labor inputs appear to be more resilient. Meanwhile, the potential productivity gains from accelerated digital adoption and sectoral reallocations are more uncertain.


Background Antithrombotics are the mainstay of management in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, no biomarker is available to assess their global effect on clot formation and structure. We validated a novel biomarker that measures clot microstructure, fractal dimension of incipient blood clot (df), in healthy volunteers, stroke, lung cancer and sepsis. Aims To validate df in both acute and stable CAD, and assess the effect of therapeutic intervention. Methods We prospectively recruited 2 groups: serial venous blood samples were collected on admission, after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and 24 hours in patients with STEMI, and a blood sample prior to angiography was obtained from 251 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Patients were categorised based on angiographic findings as presence or absence of obstructive CAD (stenosis ≥50%). Results In 38 STEMI patients, df after pPCI was lower than df on admission (mean 1.631±0.063 vs 1.751±0.052, p<0.000001) whereas df at 24 hour was similar to that on admission. For group 2, a significant difference in df was observed between obstructive CAD and unobstructive CAD (mean 1.748±0.057 vs 1.732±0.052, p 0.028), where patients with significant CAD produce denser, more tightly packed clots. Conclusions We characterise clot microstructure, as measured by df, in patients with STEMI and stable CAD. df can potentially be used to risk-stratify patients with stable CAD and assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions by measuring changes in clot microstructure.


Fat (and muscle) thickness measurements were carried out in five slaughterhouses on 174 selected carcasses to compare the Hennessy Grading Probe (HGP) with the Renco Lean-Meater (Renco) and Pie Medical ultrasonic devices for their ability to predict the lean meat proportion of pig carcasses. The day after selection, all left carcass sides were dissected according to the simplified European Union (EU) reference method. In addition 44 of these sides were further dissected according to the full EU reference method.In a further set of slaughterhouses it was found impossible to measure fat thickness with the Renco and Pie Medical ultrasonic device due to extreme singeing of the carcasses. From the five slaughterhouses, between third and fourth from last rib, 6 cm off the dorsal mid line, observations on fat thickness with HGP and Pie Medical were similar but observations with Renco were significantly lower (F < 0·001). Correlations between fat thickness measurements taken with HGP, Renco and Pie Medical all exceeded 0·95.In terms of residual standard deviations of prediction formulae, the HGP performed highly better than Renco or Pie Medical (23·7, 25·1 and 24·9 g/kg respectively). These results, together with practical problems, make the use of ultrasonic measurements under practical conditions at present less feasible than using the HGP.


The authors have previously proposed a design method of time-optimal feedback control system by using switching hypersurface. In the present paper, the proposed method is applied to construct the control system of the training ship Ohshimamaru 330 GT, and then the practical applicability is shown in the sea trial.The dynamics of a ship is presented by a complicated mathematical model with some nonlinear elements and dead time elements. To make the design of the dual mode controller tractable, the model of ship dynamics is simplified from the practical point of view. And dead time problem is evaded by making use of predictive control. In the simulated course changing control using the nonlinear mathematical model as a controlled object, it is confirmed that the time-optimal control is approximately realized, It is demonstrated that the proposed method is efective showing the resemblance of the results in the sea trial, with those in the simulation.


Background The healing response of the Firehawk stent in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. Aim We compared the vascular healing of a biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (Firehawk) vs. a durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (Xience) at 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with STEMI. Methods In this prospective, multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority study, patients within 12 h of STEMI onset were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to receive Firehawk or Xience stents. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) follow-up was performed 6 months after the index procedure and assessed frame by frame. The primary endpoint was the neointimal thickness (NIT) at 6 months evaluated by OCT. The safety endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months. Results The Firehawk stent was non-inferior to the Xience stent in terms of the neointimal thickness (73.03 ± 33.30 μm vs. 78.96 ± 33.29 μm; absolute difference: −5.94 [one-sided 95% lower confidence bound: −23.09]; Pnon−inferiority < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the Firehawk and Xience groups regarding the percentage of uncovered struts (0.55 [0.08, 1.32]% vs. 0.40 [0.21, 1.19]%, P = 0.804), the percentage of malapposed struts (0.17 [0.00, 1.52]% vs. 0.17 [0.00, 0.69]%, P = 0.662), and the healing score (1.56 [0.23, 5.74] vs. 2.12 [0.91, 3.81], P = 0.647). At 12 months, one patient in the Firehawk group experienced a clinically indicated target lesion revascularization. No other TLF events occurred in both groups. Independent risk factors of the NIT included body mass index, hyperlipidemia, B2/C lesions, thrombus G3–G5, thrombus aspiration, and postdilation pressure. Conclusion In patients with STEMI, Firehawk was non-inferior to Xience in vascular healing at 6 months. Both stents exhibited nearly complete strut coverage, moderate neointimal formation, and minimal strut malapposition. Clinical Trial Number NCT04150016.


This paper summarizes the sum total of research carried out to find an alternative against the difficulties and complex conditions that undergoes mobile operators in the acquisition of 4G license in order to satisfy the increasing needs of customers to use an appropriate mobile broadband in Senegal. With the explosion of the smartphones, the increasing capacity of the needs for the consumers to the use of the social networks, mobile services and applications, the keen demand of remote loading of data in real time, the need the performances of the network is essential, it with an aim of offering a broader access to services more sophisticated and more accessible like the access high flow to Internet. In spite of the difficulty in obtaining the 4G license with authorities, the operators more precisely Sonatel (Orange Senegal) which already offers on the 3G services based on access Internet has high flow, always seeks a means of satisfying their customer better and better.


Experiments were conducted on rabbits. A study was made of the effect of actic extract from the epiphysis of cattle on the level of immunoreactive insulin under conditions of glucose load, triglyceride content and insulin tolerance. There was a significant increase of glucose tolerance with the unchanged insulin tolerance. A bi-phasic action of the epiphysis preparation on the blood serum insulin and triglyceride concentration in rabbits. At the end of the 1st week of the preparation administration insulin and triglyceride concentration increased, and in 3 weeks it fell below the initial level.


Menstruation is periodical and cyclically hemorhagic from uterus with endometrium release (deskuamasi). Menstruation cycle varying on every women, estimated cycle length ranging from 25 to 35 days with average 28 days. Menstruation long usually 5 to 7 days, but some women have unregular cycle (disorder) and this can be an indication of vertility problem . unregular menstruation cycle caused by psychical trouble, as depression. This study aim to knowing Relation of depression state with menstruation disorder in at medical faculty lambung mangkurat university's student. This study is a survey analitic research with prospective approach. Sampling do with non-probability sampling with purposive sampling.  Sample on this study is medical faculty lambung mangkurat university's students, sample that include inclusion criteria 21 student. Relation of depression state with disorder menstruation in this study measured with quesioner. The result is analyzed using chi square and kolmogorov-smirnov with confident level 95% (α= 0,05). this study's result show that light depressi 2 student, menstruation disorder monoragia 2 student, hipermenorea 2 student, oligomenora 3 student and polymenorea 2 student. Based on statistic analyz found significant value 1,000; 1,000; 0,862 (p < 0,05), then can concluded  there is not be a significant relation between depression state with disorder menstruation in at medical faculty lambung mangkurat university's students. Key words: Disorder menstruation, depression state, student


The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between maximal mouth opening and size of the skeleton. The subjects were dental students at the Dental School of the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido with no functional disorders of the masticatory system. The stature and maximal mouth opening were recorded in 29 males and 31 females. These subjects agreed to have a lateral cephalogram taken at the closed and maximal mouth opening positions. The correlations between the maximal mouth opening and the body height, mandibular length and mandibular angle were significant. The correlation between the maximal mouth opening and the movement of the condyle was also significant.


Identifying how natural (i.e., unaltered by human activity) and anthropogenic landscape variables influence contemporary functional connectivity in terrestrial organisms can elucidate the genetic consequences of environmental change. We examine population genetic structure and functional connectivity among populations of a declining species, the Blainville's horned lizard (Phrynosoma blainvillii), in the urbanized landscape of the Greater Los Angeles Area in Southern California, USA. Using single nucleotide polymorphism data, we assessed genetic structure among populations occurring at the interface of two abutting evolutionary lineages, and at a fine scale among habitat fragments within the heavily urbanized area. Based on the ecology of P. blainvillii, we predicted which environmental variables influence population structure and gene flow and used gravity models to distinguish among hypotheses to best explain population connectivity. Our results show evidence of admixture between two evolutionary lineages and strong population genetic structure across small habitat fragments. We also show that topography, microclimate, and soil and vegetation types are important predictors of functional connectivity, and that anthropogenic disturbance, including recent fire history and urban development, are key factors impacting contemporary population dynamics. Examining how natural and anthropogenic sources of landscape variation affect contemporary population genetics is critical to understanding how to best manage sensitive species in a rapidly changing landscape.


Background

The District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) is widely used by countries for national-level aggregate reporting of health data. To best leverage DHIS2 data for decision-making, countries need to ensure that data within their systems are of the highest quality. Comprehensive, systematic and transparent data cleaning approaches form a core component of preparing DHIS2 data for use. Unfortunately, there is paucity of exhaustive and systematic descriptions of data cleaning processes employed on DHIS2-based data. In this paper, we describe results of systematic data cleaning approach applied on a national-level DHIS2 instance, using Kenya as the case example.
Methods

 Broeck et al's framework, involving repeated cycles of a three-phase process (data screening, data diagnosis and data treatment), was employed on six HIV indicator reports collected monthly from all care facilities in Kenya from 2011 to 2018. This resulted to repeated facility reporting instances. Quality dimensions evaluated included reporting rate, reporting timeliness, and indicator completeness of submitted reports each done per facility per year. The various error types were categorized, and Friedman analyses of variance conducted to examine differences in distribution of facilities by error types. Data cleaning was done during the treatment phases.
Results

A generic five-step data cleaning sequence was developed and applied in cleaning HIV indicator data reports extracted from DHIS2. Initially, 93,179 facility reporting instances were extracted from year 2011 to 2018. 50.23% of these instances submitted no reports and were removed. Of the remaining reporting instances, there was over reporting in 0.03%. Quality issues related to timeliness included scenarios where reports were empty or had data but were never on time. Percentage of reporting instances in these scenarios varied by reporting type. Of submitted reports empty reports also varied by report type and ranged from 1.32–18.04%. Report quality varied significantly by facility distribution (p = 0.00) and report type.
Conclusions

The case instance of Kenya reveals significant data quality issues for HIV reported data that were not detected by the inbuilt error detection procedures within DHIS2. More robust and systematic data cleaning processes should be integrated to current DHIS2 implementations to ensure highest quality data.


Background There is a multitude of protocols of treatment of cleft lip and palate (CLP) worldwide differing in number of operations, surgical techniques, and timings of surgeries. Despite, facial appearance in subjects with CLP is rarely ideal and residual stigmata are easy to notice in many patients irrespective of the protocol. The prospective controlled investigations are optimal for comparing effectiveness of treatment protocols. Because prospective studies are very challenging to perform in CLP field, it is reasonable to retrospectively assess different surgical protocols to identify the promising ones and then to test them in a prospective way. Methods Our objective was to assess the nasolabial appearance in a preadolescent Slavic population with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) by using the 0–200 numeric scale with reference photographs. Patients treated in Warsaw, Poland (n = 32), Prague, Czech Republic (n = 26) and Bratislava, Slovakia (n = 17) were included in this retrospective study. Each cleft center used a unique surgical protocol. Two panels of professional raters (n = 7) and laypeople (n = 10) scored blindly the nasolabial esthetics on cropped frontal and profile images with cropped reference photograph present on the same slide. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was assessed with Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficients, t-tests, and Bland–Altman plots. Inter-group differences were evaluated with one-way ANOVA and regression analysis. Results The agreement within and between raters was acceptable. We found that patients treated in Warsaw, Prague, and Bratislava showed comparable nasolabial appearance on frontal and profile photographs when judged by both professional raters (p > 0.05) and laypeople (p > 0.05). Regression analysis did not identify influence of gender, group (i.e., Warsaw, Prague, and Bratislava), age at lip repair, surgeon, and age at photographic assessment on esthetic outcome (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study showed that none of the surgical protocols showed superiority to produce good nasolabial appearance.


The kallikrein-kinin system is complex, with several bioactive peptides that are formed in many different compartments. Kinin peptides are implicated in many physiological and pathological processes including the regulation of blood pressure and sodium homeostasis, inflammatory processes, and the cardioprotective effects of preconditioning. We established a methodology for the measurement of individual kinin peptides in order to study the function of the kallikrein-kinin system. The levels of kinin peptides in tissues were higher than in blood, confirming the primary tissue localization of the kallikrein-kinin system. Moreover, the separate measurement of bradykinin and kallidin peptides in man demonstrated the differential regulation of the plasma and tissue kallikrein-kinin systems, respectively. Kinin peptide levels were increased in the heart of rats with myocardial infarction, in tissues of diabetic and spontaneously hypertensive rats, and in urine of patients with interstitial cystitis, suggesting a role for kinin peptides in the pathogenesis of these conditions. By contrast, blood levels of kallidin, but not bradykinin, peptides were suppressed in patients with severe cardiac failure, suggesting that the activity of the tissue kallikrein-kinin system may be suppressed in this condition. Both angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors increased bradykinin peptide levels. ACE and NEP inhibitors had different effects on kinin peptide levels in blood, urine, and tissues, which may be accounted for by the differential contributions of ACE and NEP to kinin peptide metabolism in the multiple compartments in which kinin peptide generation occurs. Measurement of the levels of individual kinin peptides has given important information about the operation of the kallikrein-kinin system and its role in physiology and disease states.