Automated Unit Test Case generation has been the focus of extensive literature within the research community. Existing approaches are usually guided by the test coverage criteria, generating synthetic test cases that are often difficult to read or understand for developers. In this paper we propose AthenaTest, an approach that aims at generating unit test cases by learning from real-world, developer-written test cases. Our approach relies on a state-of-the-art sequence-to-sequence transformer model which is able to write useful test cases for a given method under test (i.e., focal method). We also introduce methods2test - the largest publicly available supervised parallel corpus of unit test case methods and corresponding focal methods in Java, which comprises 630k test cases mined from 70k open-source repositories hosted on GitHub. We use this dataset to train a transformer model to translate focal methods into the corresponding test cases. We evaluate the ability of our model in generating test cases using natural language processing as well as code-specific criteria. First, we assess the quality of the translation compared to the target test case, then we analyze properties of the test case such as syntactic correctness and number and variety of testing APIs (e.g., asserts). We execute the test cases, collect test coverage information, and compare them with test cases generated by EvoSuite and GPT-3. Finally, we survey professional developers on their preference in terms of readability, understandability, and testing effectiveness of the generated test cases.


When individuals' labor and capital income are subject to uninsurable idiosyncratic risks, should capital and labor be taxed, and if so, how? In a two-period general equilibrium model with production, we derive a decomposition formula of the welfare effects of these taxes into insurance and distribution effects. This method allows us to determine how the sign of the optimal taxes on capital and labor depends on the nature of the shocks, the degree of heterogeneity among consumers' income, and the way in which the tax revenue is used to provide lump sum transfers to consumers. When shocks affect primarily labor income and heterogeneity is small, the optimal tax on capital is positive. However, in other cases, a negative tax on capital improves welfare.


Purpose: Assessment of suicide risk is a critical task for nurses, especially for nurses working with psychiatric inpatients. The purpose of this study was to verify the reliability and validity of the Nurses` Global Assessment of Suicide Risk (NGASR) for psychiatric inpatients. Methods: This study was methodological study. A scale composed of 15 items was used with 106 psychiatric inpatients in open and closed psychiatric units of a tertiary hospital. Cohen`s kappa coefficient, Intraclass correlation, factor analysis and Jonckheere-Terpstra Test for Ordered Alternatives were used for statistic analysis. Results: Main results were as follows; Reliability of the scale was supported with a total intraclass correlation coefficient of .890 (range from .722 to 1.000). In investigating construct validity, 15 items loaded on six factors which explained 63.4% of total variance. Also the Jonckheere- Terpstra test revealed a significant trend in the order of median scores of NGASR across the three groups of Evaluation of Suicide Risk (ESR). These results supported the criterion-related validity of the scale. Conclusion: The findings in this study indicate that this scale is reliable and valid in assessing suicide risk of psychiatric inpatients. Therefore it is an appropriate scale to assess suicide risk for psychiatric inpatients.


Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a screening test for triaging thyroid nodules, aiding in subsequent clinical management. However, the advantages have been overshadowed by the multiplicity of reporting systems and a wide range of nomenclature used. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) was formulated in 2007, to give the world a uniform thyroid cytology reporting system, facilitating easy interpretation by the clinicians. Here, we review the status of thyroid FNAC in India in terms of various reporting systems used including a meta-analysis of the previously published data. An extensive literature search was performed using internet search engines. The reports with detailed classification system used in thyroid cytology were included. The meta-analysis of published data was compared with the implied risk of malignancy by TBSRTC. More than 50 studies were retrieved and evaluated. TBSRTC is currently the most widely used reporting system with different studies showing good efficacy and interobserver concordance. Ancillary techniques have, as of now, limited applicability and acceptability in thyroid cytology in India. Twenty-eight published articles met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. When compared with TBSRTC recommendations, the meta-analysis showed a higher risk of malignancy for categories I and III. Thyroid FNAC is practiced all over India. TBSRTC has found widespread acceptance, with most institutions using this system for routine thyroid cytology reporting. However, reasons for a high malignancy risk for categories I and III need to be looked into. Various possible contributing factors are discussed in the review.


Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is emerging as one of the most powerful tools for the study of living tissue biochemistry. Proton NMR spectroscopy provides access to a large range of metabolites, thus enabling the investigation of a variety of disorders. However, the spectra are complex and only the high concentration metabolites can be easily selected for analysis. This analysis ignores a vast amount of information, largely embedded in noise, with potential clinical and biochemical value. Recently, statistical pattern recognition and neuro-computing techniques have been proposed to classify these spectra automatically. However, a major problem with designing automated systems for proton spectra is the large dimensionality of the spectral vectors compared to the available number of spectra. With too many spectral components the system will have a large number of undetermined parameters, overfitting the data and performing poorly. In this thesis we are concerned with the development of reliable and robust neural networks for the classification and analysis of proton NMR spectra from human brain tumours in vitro. This involves both theoretical studies in pattern recognition and the practical implementation of algorithms to analyse the spectra. We first demonstrates that neural networks outperform classical non-parametric pattern recognition techniques in classifying the spectra. Changes to standard neural network algorithms are then proposed to speed up their learning procedures and improve their generalisation performance to suit applications in clinical and biomedical NMR spectroscopy. We also propose new feature selection techniques, integrated in the network training procedure, to reduce the dimensionality of the spectral vectors automatically. They operate by assessing the relevance of each spectral component to the classification or prediction process during training. The implementation of these feature selection techniques should help in understanding the biochemical processes revealed by the spectra and allow the development of networks that make finer distinction between these spectra. The use of the above algorithms is demonstrated in two applications. The first classifies high and low grade gliomas from their high resolution proton spectra obtained from short term cell culture extracts of human tumours. The second predicts the in vitro chemosensitivity of human malignant glioma cell cultures towards the drug CCNU, prior to their actual treatment with CCNU. We conclude, first, that the realisation of the full clinical potential of NMR spectroscopy relies on understanding the role played by the constituent metabolites in the characterisation of and the differentiation between tissue types, as well as on the ability to relate metabolism to other tissue properties such as the response to drugs. Second, techniques of pattern recognition, particularly those of neuro-computing, could play an important role towards achieving these goals by helping in the interpretation of the spectra and the understanding of tissue biochemistry.


(+)- and (-)-Tedanine [(+)-1 and (-)-1], a pair of new enantiomeric indolone alkaloids, along with nine compounds (2-10) were isolated from the marine sponge Tedania sp. The structures of (+)-1 and (-)-1 including absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculation. Compounds (+)-1 and (-)-1 were the first examples of indolone alkaloids isolated from this genus. In addition, the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of these compounds were also evaluated.


BACKGROUND
Anti-dengue virus (DENV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) seroconversion has been the reference standard for dengue diagnosis. However, paired specimens are rarely obtained, and the interval for this testing negates its usefulness in guiding clinical case management. The presence of DENV viremia and appearance of IgM during the febrile phase of dengue provides the framework for dengue laboratory diagnosis by using a single serum specimen.

METHODS
Archived paired serum specimens (n = 1234) from patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue from 2005 through 2011 were used to determine the diagnostic performance of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), for detection of DENV serotypes 1-4, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), for detection of DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and anti-DENV IgM.

RESULTS
During 1-3 days after illness onset, real-time RT-PCR and NS1 antigen testing detected 82%-69% and 90%-84% of cases, respectively, as viremia levels declined, while anti-DENV IgM ELISA detected 5%-41% of cases as antibody appeared. Over the 10-day period of the febrile phase of dengue, the cumulative effect of using these 3 types of tests in a diagnostic algorithm confirmed ≥90% of dengue cases.

CONCLUSIONS
The use of molecular or NS1 antigen tests to detect DENV and one to detect anti-DENV IgM in a single serum specimen collected during the first 10 days of illness accurately identified ≥90% of dengue primary and secondary cases.


Dihydrofolate reductase activity did not change with variations of mitotic rate in foetal rabbit haemopoietic tissue, whereas the activity of thymidylate synthetase declined with decrease in cell divisions. Both the activities were normal in the brachydactylia strain, in which a failure in folate metabolism was previously assumed.


24% of 917 students at California State University Long Beach who completed an alcohol use survey in 2002 (73% response) identified themselves as Latino. Because measures of acculturation reported in most adult studies positively correlated with alcohol use and sex, it was hypothesized that these associations might also apply to Latino college students. With increasing levels of acculturation, women but not men in this Latino college sample reported significantly greater occurrence of heavy drinking, positive attitudes about drinking, and perception that most of their friends use alcoholic beverages.


Melasma is a common dermatological disorder characterized by irregular brownish patches with unclear etiology and a variety of factors may be associated with its occurrence. Melasma patients suffer significant emotional and psychological problems making assessment of their quality of life is increasingly necessary. Aim of the study: This study was conducted to identify the frequency and factors associated with occurrence of Melasma in in Arar, KSA and its effect on some determinant of quality of life in the affected patients. Subjects and methods: A population based cross sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to January 2017. It included 470 individuals attended five randomly selected primary healthcare centers in Arar city in the Northern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and were selected by systemic random sampling. Data were collected by means of personal interview with the sampled population using a predesigned questionnaire. Results: Findings revealed that18.7 % of the studied population suffered from Melasma. Age and positive family history were significantly associated with the development of Melasma among the studied patients while gender, skin color, sun exposure and cosmetic use had no significant effect. Most of the studied determinants of quality of life were not affected by suffering from Melasma while lack of self-confidence was significantly associated with the presence of Melasma. Conclusion: less than on fifth (18.7%) of the studied patients suffered from Melasma. Age and positive family history are the most common associations. Melasma had a significant impact on self-confidence of the affected patients. Keywords : Melasma, risk factor, quality of life.


The conversion of (R)- to (S)-beta-aminoisobutyrate was observed in the presence of D-3-aminoisobutyrate-pyruvate aminotransferase, aminobutyrate aminotransferase, pyruvate and L-glutamate. The reverse reaction was also found in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate and L-alanine. Neither D-3-aminoisobutyrate-pyruvate aminotransferase nor aminobutyrate aminotransferase revealed a racemase activity of the enantiomorphs.


Purpose:  To check the reliability of the duo-chrome test in different age groups after best correction.
Study Design:  Descriptive, Cross Sectional Study.
Place and Duration of Study:  College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences. King Edward Medical University, Lahore from September 2019 – December 2019.
Methods:  Forty two cooperative patients of both genders more than 15 years of age were included but patients with poor fixation, any opacity or any other ocular pathology were excluded. Equipment used was Trial box Trial frame Auto-refractor and Snellen Chart. Group 1 composed of 17 patients (15 – 35 years of age). Group 2 (36 – 60 years) had 15 patients and group 3 (age 61-80 years) comprised of 10 patients. Data was collected on self-designed Performa. Duo Chrome was dependent variable and gender was independent variable. Data was analyzed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS22.00) and chi square test was applied.
Results:  Out 42, 21 patients reported red, 12 reported green and 9 patients reported equally clear in the right eye. P value=0.156 showed that duo chrome test was equally reliable in every age group in the right eye. Similar results with p = 0.755 showed that duo chrome test was equally reliable in every age group in the left eye. Test when performed bilaterally, showed similar results. Out of 42 patients, 32 were satisfied and 10 were not satisfied with the test.
Conclusion: Red Green duo-chrome test is equally reliable in all age groups to confirm refraction.
Key Words: Duo chrome test, Refraction, Myopia, Hypermetropia.


Hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone, determines plasma iron concentrations and total body iron content. Hepcidin, secreted by hepatocytes, functions by controlling the activity of the cellular iron exporter ferroportin, which delivers iron to plasma from intestinal iron absorption and from iron stores. Hepcidin concentration in plasma is increased by iron loading and inflammation and is suppressed by erythropoietic stimulation and during pregnancy. Hepcidin deficiency causes iron overload in hemochromatosis and anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis. Hepcidin excess causes iron-restrictive anemias including anemia of inflammation. The development of hepcidin diagnostics and therapeutic agonists and antagonists should improve the treatment of iron disorders.


SiR,-As one engaged in tuberculosis work in a developing country for nearly 20 years, I have great pleasure in joining Dr. N. Islam of Pakistan (15 February, p. 429) in congratulating Dr. Wallace Fox on his excellent paper on realistic chemotherapeutic policies for tuberculosis in developing countries (18 January, p. 135). While admitting that treatment in hospitals under supervision is undoubtedly the best, I cannot agree with the views expressed by Drs. William J. Bell and P. P. Brown (22 February, p. 501) that control can be achieved only by a form of therapeutic detention for which hospital beds must be made available. We have about 5 million patients in the country, of whom about 2-3 million are infectious at any point of time, as against 35,000 beds we have for these patients. It is obviously impossible to provide hospital beds even for a fraction of these millions of patients not only now but also in the foreseeable future. Their suggestion " the need is for simple shelters built of local materials at village levels, where patients may rest or work under control " is a very sound one. But to provide accommodation for all these patients even in kucha buildings is impracticable and the only alternative is to organize mass treatment of the patients in their own homes and admit only such patients who cannot be treated at home owing to complications, drug resistance, or compelling socio-economic reasons. For this purpose expansion of hospital beds and provision of cheap isolationhomes are necessary. I am in full agreement with their views that " . . if therefore uncontrolled out-patient chemotherapy becomes the order of the day, we can expect further deterioration of an already lamentable situation." But then, what has been recommended is not " uncontrolled out-patient treatment " but a well-organized domiciliary treatment service. Experience shows that it is quite practicable to have such organizations, and sputum conversion can be achieved in 8090% of patients so treated,' provided adequate quantities of drugs are available. With regard to drug resistance, the situation in Hyderabad is no better than that in Ghana. For instance, 15% of the freshly diagnosed, previously untreated patients had cultures resistant to isoniazid and 4% to streptomycin in 1959-60'; and this had increased to 21% and 8 %, respectively, in 1963.' 84% of 452 chronic patients undergoing treatment for about 6 years had cultures resistant to isoniazid-45 % to streptomycin and 85 % to one or both drugs.' Failure on the part of the patients to take the drugs could undoubtedly be one of the causes for this high rate of drug resistance, but domiciliary chemotherapy in those years was mainly with isoniazid alone,' and it is conceivable that drug resistance could have been substantially reduced if all three drugs had been given to the patients for at least a period. There is just another point: 52% of the new patients seen at our centre during January to August 1963 had already had private treatment, though all came from very poor segments of the city population and 43% of them had initial cultures resistant to one or both drugs-40% to isoniazid and 24% to streptomycin. This suggests that there is need to have some sort of control over the manufacture of improper drug combinations and the sale of antituberculosis drugs to prevent their indiscriminate use and breeding of drug-resistant strains.-I am, etc.,


We are experiencing the exciting time of the genome era. For our work this means being able to contextualize the alterations of each genetic network in the natural environment of a specific tumor and identify the key driving modules on which specific tumor subgroups rely for growth, survival and progression. With this information in hand, we can target the critical alterations with specific drugs, often already available for other types of diseases. By focusing on one of the most lethal forms of human tumors, the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), we have been able to make incredible progress along this line in the last two years. Our recent work led to efficient targeting in preclinical mouse models of the most aggressive gene expression signature of high-grade glioma, the mesenchymal signature. We have identified the first examples of highly oncogenic and recurrent gene fusions in GBM, target their dependency in a particular tumor subtype, and observe dramatic anti-tumor effects. Recurrent gene fusions in GBM result in the constitutive activation of receptor tyrosine kinase genes (FGFR, EGFR and NTRK1) that render tumors addicted to the driver events. Both lines of investigation are maturing towards clinical trials. The integrated computational-experimental pipeline that we developed plus our ability to functionalize any genetic brain tumor module was recently applied to the entire landscape of CNVs, somatic mutations and gene fusions of human GBM. This information will advance our ability to quickly translate each new genetic finding into the personalized context of the clinical setting. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):B138. Citation Format: Antonio Iavarone. The landscape of targetable master regulators and genomic drivers of glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B138.


Abstract Stress-induced reactions in animals include behavioural and physiological modifications aiming at coping towards the stressor, such as manipulations. Thermography, that is the detection of infrared radiation emitted by a subject, permits to measure the superficial temperature without any contact with the animal. A thermographic system was employed in order to detect the rabbit skin zones most suitable for temperature monitoring during stress challenges. The trial was assessed over a 2-month period. At the end of fattening period, 12 rabbits were housed in single cages and fed ad libitum a commercial diet. Water was also administered ad libitum. During the trial, environmental temperature and relative humidity (daily average) were 21°C and 52% respectively. Rabbits were first analysed in their own cages (basal condition) and then after placing into a containment box (stress condition) for 15 minutes. Due to the presence of thick hair on the body, only ocular area (globe and periocular skin) and internal ear pavilion were suitable for thermographic measurements. Basal condition, were observed during 30 min. (rate 1 image/min). Stress condition were recorded in 2 images both from ocular and ear areas. As reference, the rectal temperatures of rabbits were recorded during basal and stress conditions. To analyse corticosterone level variations induced by stress, two blood samples were taken the day before the test (basal condition) and immediately after the stress condition. Blood was collected using an insulin syringe and the serum analysed using a specific commercial kit for mouse and rat based on RIA competition method with double antibodies. Thermographic data, divided per shoot areas (eye/ear) were the average obtained on all rabbits during the 5 trials. The temperature value of each subject is the average of all the images in the same experimental conditions. Corticosterone data were analysed by analysis of variance according to a linear model. The average of the temperatures recorded by infrared camera was 35.4°C (basal condition) and 35.1°C (stress condition) for eye and 35.3°C (basal) and 34.8°C (stress) for ear pavillon. Average rectal temperature was 39.2°C and 39.7°C during basal and stress conditions, respectively. The corticosterone levels increased from 17.7 µg/ml (basal) to 85.2 µg/ml after stress challenge. The results of this study show that the thermography is a suitable method for the evaluation of superficial temperature variation in rabbit, according to the applied stressor. The variations related to the physiological changes during the stress reaction are evidenced in the ear pavilion and periocular area, where vasoconstriction occurs. Further researches are running in order to standardise the methodology.


Most professional economists believe that economists in general are more selfish than other people and that this increased selfishness is due to economics education. This article offers empirical evidence against this widely held belief. Using a unique data set about giving behavior in connection with two social funds at the University of Zurich, it is shown that economics education does not make people act more selfishly. Rather, this natural experiment suggests that the particular behavior of economists can be explained by a selection effect.


Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the wide-awake local anesthesia no-tourniquet (WALANT) technique in radial shortening osteotomy and to compare it with the infraclavicular brachial plexus block (IBPB). Patients and methods Between January 2020 and January 2021, a total of 26 patients (16 males, 10 females, mean age: 40±4.9 years; range, 29 to 45 years) with Kienbock's disease who underwent radial shortening osteotomy were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of anesthesia as WALANT (Group 1, n=11) and IBPB (Group 2, n=15) anesthesia. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during surgery, time from anesthesia to surgical incision, surgical time, overall patient satisfaction regarding the anesthesia was assessed. The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Q-DASH) and handgrip strengths were compared at the final follow-up and short-term outcomes were analyzed. Results Age (p=0.896), sex (p=1.000), and dominant side involvement (p=1.000) were similar between the groups. Waiting time to start surgery in both groups was similar (27 vs. 25 min; p=0.053). Intraoperative VAS-pain scores and the satisfaction from the anesthesia type of both groups were also similar (p=0.546 and p=0.500). Conclusion The WALANT may be another anesthesia technique for radial shortening osteotomy with favorable outcomes. This technique adequately allows the surgeon to perform osteotomy and obtain a stable reduction without undue risk of tourniquet pain and palsy.


The target group of the study is composed of the entrepreneurs having business in manufacturing and services in Istanbul (Marmara Region), Kayseri (Central Anatolia Region), and Van (Eastern Anatolia Region), Turkey. Istanbul is a first degree developed city, Kayseri is a second degree developed city, and Van is a fifth degree developed city. A questionnaire having three parts was developed to collect data for the study. The first part of the questionnaire was about the factors influencing the decisions of establishment of a new business, the second part was about the personality characteristics, and the third part was about the demographic features of the entrepreneurs. One-hundred-seventy-eight questionnaires were collected from the companies in the targeted regions, and their results are analyzed statistically.


Table of contents. List of contributors. Preface. Acknowledgments. The Field of Socialization in Review. New frontiers in socialization: an introduction (T.J. Owens, R.A. Settersten, Jr.). Socialization and the life course: new frontiers in theory and research (R.A. Settersten, Jr.). Self-socialization and post-traditional society (W. Heinz). Life careers and the theory of action (J. Giele). Socialization in Specific Contexts. Work Settings. Understanding adaptation to work in adulthood: a contextual developmental approach (D.M. Hyson, J.T. Mortimer). The relationship of turning points at work to perceptions of psychological growth and change (E. Wethington). In the shadows of giants: identity and institution building in the American academic profession (J.C. Hermanowicz). Family Settings. Socialization and the family revisited (N.M. Putney, V.L. Bengtson). Neighborhood Settings. Moving and still: neighborhoods, human development, and the life course (R.A. Settersten Jr., T.E. Andersson). The Work-Family Intersection. Careers and lives: socialization, structural lag, and gendered ambivalence (P. Moen, R.M. Orrange). The Neighborhood-Family Intersection. Individual risk for crime is exacerbated in poor familial and neighborhood contexts: the contribution of low birth weight, family adversity, and neighborhood disadvantage to life course-persistent offending (A.R. Piquero, Brian Lawton). Peer Groups and Friendships. The death of friends in later life, (B. deVries, C. Johnson). Educational Settings. Educational participation across the life course: do the rich get richer? (A.M. Pallas). Medical Settings. The life course as an organizing principle and a socializing resource in modern medicine (D. Rosenfeld, E.B. Gallagher). Military. Die Bildung of the warrior class: socialization and the acquisition of cultural resources (J.J. Dowd). Race, Gender, and History as Context. Racial and gender differences in the transition to adulthood: a longitudinal study of Philadelphia youth (J.A. Kmec, F.F. Furstenberg, Jr.). The imprint of time: historical experiences in the lives of mature adults (R.A. Settersten Jr., L. Martin). Culture and Nation. Social change, the life course, and socialization: biographies of labor market entrants after unification (S. Falk, A. Weymann).


We study multifield contributions to the scalar power spectrum in an ensemble of six-field inflationary models obtained in string theory. We identify examples in which inflation occurs by chance, near an approximate inflection point, and we compute the primordial perturbations numerically, both exactly and using an array of truncated models. The scalar mass spectrum and the number of fluctuating fields are accurately described by a simple random matrix model. During the approach to the inflection point, bending trajectories and violations of slow roll are commonplace, and 'many-field' effects, in which three or more fields influence the perturbations, are often important. However, in a large fraction of models consistent with constraints on the tilt the signatures of multifield evolution occur on unobservably large scales. Our scenario is a concrete microphysical realization of quasi-single-field inflation, with scalar masses of order H, but the cubic and quartic couplings are typically too small to produce detectable non-Gaussianity. We argue that our results are characteristic of a broader class of models arising from multifield potentials that are natural in the Wilsonian sense.


The effect of recombinant bovine interferon-gamma (r-IFN-gamma) on neutrophil functions was investigated and compared to the effects of an unpurified lymphokine preparation. Incubation of purified bovine neutrophils with r-IFN-gamma or antigen-induced lymphokine for 2.5 hr at 37 degrees C resulted in impairment of the ability of neutrophils to migrate under agarose, and an enhancement of their ability to mediate antibody-dependent and antibody-independent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against chicken erythrocytes. Neither the lymphokine preparation nor the r-IFN-gamma had any influence on Staphylococcus aureus ingestion, or iodination by neutrophils. The lymphokine preparation enhanced cytochrome c reduction by neutrophils and was weakly chemotactic, whereas the r-IFN-gamma had neither of these effects. Only 5 min of r-IFN-gamma preincubation with neutrophils were needed to trigger protein synthesis by the neutrophils resulting in inhibition of random migration. Therefore, recombinant interferon-gamma acts as a neutrophil migration inhibition factor and a neutrophil activation factor resulting in enhanced neutrophil-mediated antibody-dependent and -independent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Many, but not all, of the in vitro effects of an unpurified lymphokine preparation on neutrophil function can be attributed to the interferon-gamma contained in the lymphokine.


Hydrolyzed proteins are fragments of protein fragments that have certain biological activities. Some of the functions of hydrolyzed proteins that are known are as antibacterial, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, opioid, and immunomodulatory. Protein from Etawa goat's milk is one source of protein hydrolyzate. In this research, the antioxidant activity of protein hydrolyzate from casein Etawa goat milk was tested. Casein is hydrolyzed with bromelain from honey pineapple leaves. The research steps are: bromelain extraction, casein hydrolysis of Etawa goat milk, antioxidant activity fraction of hydrolyzed protein fractions by DPPH method, and hemolysis test. The results of the study were: (1) the highest degree of hydrolysis in casein hydrolyzate was achieved at 60 minutes incubation time, (2) casein hydrolyzate which had the highest antioxidant activity was incubated for 30 minutes, (3) based on the AAI value, the casein hydrolyzed activity included into the classification of weak antioxidants because AAI <0.5, (4) the results of the hemolysis test show that casein hydrolyzate does not cause hemolysis of red blood cells


Endoscopic diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a novel approach that can be used in imaging the optical absorption and scattering contrast in the internal organs. In endoscopic DOT, the sources illuminate outward from the internal surface of the organs and the detectors collect the diffused light from the same surface. This new kind of imaging geometry requests modified forward and inverse model. A thin ring-shaped geometry is provided in this paper for solving the forward problem, and the reconstruction of the image is worked out by the NIRFAST package. The esophagus-like model is made to simulate the different scales of carcinoma occurred in the 2D transections. This research will verify the possibility of esophagus imaging using endoscopic DOT, and acquire the potential problems for the further study.


This study assesses the impact of a year long lifestyle intervention program on carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in 60 subjects, at-risk for or with coronary artery disease. We calculated mean CIMT at baseline (0.731 +/- 0.151 mm) and 1 year (0.720 +/- 0.129 mm), overall CIMT change and the relationship of CIMT change to the number (0-5) of achieved Heart Health Index (HHI) measures (body mass index < 25 kg/m2, exercise > or = 150 min/wk, blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg, LDL-Cholesterol < 100 mg/dL, fiber intake > 25 g/d). CIMT was unchanged (-0.011 +/- 0.118 mm; p = 0.48); however, there was a trend toward CIMT decrease (-0.025 +/- 0.120 mm vs. +0.033 +/- 0.102 mm; p = 0.10) between subjects with HHI Score > or = 3 (n = 45) compared to those with an HHI Score < 3 (n = 15) at 1 year. These findings suggest atherosclerosis progression can be blunted with a lifestyle intervention that fully leverages nonpharmacologic approaches to cardiovascular risk reduction.


ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to the alteration of typical brain function that occurs following a blow to the head. Even a mild case of traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can lead to long-term impairment, so accurate and timely detection is vital. Visual symptoms are common following mTBI, so while it may seem to fall outside their typical scope of practice, optometrists are ideally qualified to assess the visual impacts and help with the diagnosis of mTBI. Given that mTBI is challenging to objectively diagnose and has no universally accepted diagnostic criteria, clinicians can lack confidence in diagnosing mTBI, and be hesitant in becoming involved in the management of such patients. The development of easily quantifiable techniques using eye tracking as an objective diagnostic tool provides practitioners with an easier pathway into the field, assigning numerical values to parameters which are difficult to assess using conventional optometric tests. As this evolving technology becomes increasingly integrated into optometric clinical settings, the potential for it to identify deficits accurately and reliably in patients following mTBI, and to monitor both their recovery and the effectiveness of potential treatments will increase. This paper provides an overview of clinical tests, relevant to optometrists, that can uncover oculomotor, attentional, and exteroceptive deficits following a mTBI, so that an optometrist with an interest in eye tracking can play a role in the detection and monitoring of mTBI symptoms.


Australia pays less than other developed nations for her pharmaceuticals, about 45% as much as the United States. She achieves this result with an ingenious price-contingent subsidy scheme, which turns deadweight loss (due to pricing above marginal cost) into consumer surplus. Pharmaceutical companies are offered a per unit subsidy from the government for selling their product at marginal cost in the Australian market. The subsidy is calibrated to enable the companies to recover what they would otherwise receive in monopoly profits. When two or more firms possess market power for a particular therapeutic use, the subsidy scheme creates a game -- in effect a race -- to determine who joins first and reaps most of the benefits. Properly constructed, the game transfers significant oligopoly profits to the consumer. Australia's success -- she reaps benefits equal to 15% of its drug expenditures stems in part from her small size and geographic isolation. She can free ride on drug research, and can work her scheme almost without notice.


Ankyloblepharon filiforme adnatum (AFA) is a rare congenital anomaly consisting of partial or complete fusion of the eyelid margins. It is usually isolated and benign, but its presence should alert the neonatologist as it may rarely be associated with other disorders. We present a case of a 3-day-old newborn presenting with isolated AFA at birth.


Electromagnetic corrections to the quasi-linear anomalous thermal diffusivity due to long wavelength electrostatic modes in tokamaks are investigated in terms of the semilocal kinetic dispersion relation. The diffusivity increases with beta almost linearly through self-consistent modification in the eigen-frequency and growth rate


This research-based case uses the circumstances surrounding Virginia-based Smithfield Foods' (Smithfield's) buyout offers from multiple foreign firms to examine the political and cultural constraints of a regionally rooted global firm in pursuing its strategic objectives. Smithfield's senior leadership receives offers from three firms, ShuangHui International (ShuangHui), JBS S.A. (JBS), and Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), based in China, Brazil, and Thailand, respectively, to acquire all of Smithfield's outstanding assets and liabilities. Smithfield's history was one of aggressive growth through acquisition, skirting government regulations, and truculence with respect to labor and environmental activists. However, as revenues plateaued, the firm faced increasing investor pressure to either trim costs or sell off portions of the company to improve shareholder value. Though the company's operations crossed continents, its identity and brand were tied to southeastern Virginia. Would it be best for the company or its shareholders to sell? If so, to whom? What risks would the firm face, politically and culturally, if it decided to do so? Because of its many details, the instructor teaching this case can approach the content from a number of strategic or leadership perspectives.

Excerpt

UVA-S-0308

Apr. 1, 2019

Smithfield Foods: Activists and Acquisitions

C. Larry Pope, CEO of Smithfield Foods (Smithfield), and Joseph W. Luter III, chairman of Smithfield's board of directors, were in Williamsburg, Virginia, for a meeting with the company's board of directors on April 21, 2013. Joining Pope, Luter, and the board were advisers from Barclays Investment Bank and representatives from the international law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Their purpose that day was to map the future direction of the company, then the largest pork production, processing, and packaging firm in the United States. Despite its size, Smithfield was anchored to a regional history and community. The company was founded in and had continued to operate out of the town of Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936. Although its population was less than 8,000, the town's name had been synonymous with cured hams in the South as early as the 1870s. Remarkably, among the possible futures to be discussed that day, none was more urgent than the question of whether Smithfield would continue to operate as a publicly traded US company or become a subsidiary of China-based meat processing firm ShuangHui International (ShuangHui), Brazil-based JBS S.A. (JBS), or Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF).

The events leading Smithfield to this decision had begun in early March, after the company released its third-quarter earnings. Continental Grains Company (Continental), one of Smithfield's largest institutional investors, had issued a letter on March 7 accusing the company's leadership of acting against shareholder interests by not splitting up the firm and selling its unprofitable fresh-pork division to another meat firm, while spinning off its more profitable meat packaging and international meats divisions. The letter noted the company's stock had declined 26% over the last seven years, paid no cash dividends, and had no clear strategy for growth. In contrast, Continental noted that Smithfield's competitors, Tyson's and Hormel's, stock returns were 70% and 131%, respectively, with $ 429 million and $ 729 million paid out in cash dividends during the same period. Pope and


Author(s): Rivera Perez, Marianela | Advisor(s): Herzberger, David K. | Abstract: During the last three decades, Spain has witnessed numerous changes in its political, economical, and social system. Among those changes, the integration of Spain into the European Union and the economic and political reforms implemented by the government were fundamental factors in the transformation of the country into a popular destination for immigrants. This dissertation examines contemporary North African immigration to Spain and its representation in late twentieth and early twenty-first century Spanish narrative and cinema. From a historical point of view, there exists a strong parallelism between North African immigration in the recent past and the Arab invasion of Spain during the Middle Ages, as numerous studies have pointed out. With that in mind, I explore the construction of literary and cinematographic discourses that expose the revival of an immigrant "Other" as a result of the social and economic interaction between contemporary Spaniards and North African immigrants. At the same time, I explore the way this interaction is determined by the impossibility within Spain of establishing a precise definition of Spanish identity, causing immigrants to be cast aside from the host community both socially and economically. The interaction between Spaniards and North Africans is also significantly influenced by historical relationships and the Spanish desire for individuality and power. I argue that the power exerted on immigrants is presented in the texts that I study in three principal ways: (1) imposed silence, (2) physical manipulation, and (3) labor exploitation. These in turn are linked by the economical and social failure of the immigrants' integration process and the Spaniards' blurred definition of their national and cultural identity. I analyze the construction of this relationship of power based on the codependence created by both groups: the North Africans as the dominated objects that depend on the Spaniards to survive and the Spaniards as the dominant subject whose position is divided between the power they exert on the immigrants and the dependency on the North Africans' submission in order to prevail.


A brief summary of the original technique will be made incorporating the following modifications and additions: glottis substituted by neoglottis muscles, sternohyoid or external perichondrium. Supraglottis substituted by remaining tissues of the epiglottis or neoepiglottis. Hypopharynx, section medium line of the pharynx constrictor. Suturing of cartilage with homologous donor cartilage. An evaluation will be made of the functional results.


The potential for the feedback inhibition of indole alkaloid synthesis was investigated by spiking suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus with 0, 9, or 18 mg/L ajmalicine on day 0. The production of ajmalicine, catharanthine, and serpentine were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was transient as the exogenous ajmalicine was ultimately either metabolized in the medium or within the cell. The addition of neutral resin has previously been shown to enhance ajmalicine production. To minimize product inhibition and product metabolism, Amberlite XAD-7 resin was added to immobilized cultures of C. roseus starting on either day 0, 5, or 15, and fresh resin was exchanged for spent resin every 5 days. The addition of resin did not decrease the viability of the culture. Growth was reduced only in cultures with resin added on day 0. Alkaloid production was enhanced to different extents by the timing of resin addition, suggesting that feedback inhibition or product metabolism was present throughout the culture period. Ajmalicine recovery was nearly 100% when the resin was added initially either on day 0 or day 5. Ajmalicine recovery was reduced to 55% when the resin was added later in the culture period starting on day 15, presumably because of resin saturation or the inaccessibility of alkaloids trapped in the vacuole. Delaying the addition of XAD-7 resin until 5 days after the start of the culture resulted in the highest improvement in ajmalicine production, i.e approximately 70% and also resulted in the complete recovery of ajmalicine from the cell.


Recent years have witnessed various changes in the business world regarding technology and ecological degradation, which has seen corporate social responsibility (CSR) increasingly used as a competitive tool in all industries. It has become especially popular in the fiercely competitive service retailing industry where implementation of CSR practices has grown in line with the industry's importance to the economy. Accordingly, this research was undertaken to study the mediating effect of safety and health of food of fast-food restaurants in Hong Kong between corporate social responsibility and image and reputation of corporate. Quantitative method was used and empirical evidence was gathered using a self-administered questionnaire survey of randomly selected customers leaving randomly selected fast-food restaurants in Hong Kong. The 350 completed questionnaires were statistically analyzed, verified for validity and reliability. The analyzed results reveal safety and health of food acts as a significant mediating role in the relationships between corporate social responsibility and corporate image. Management of retailing industry is encouraged to pay high level of attention and their investment into the safety and health of the foods they provided which is significantly important to customers and their own reputation.


This paper presents a new compact on-chip current-sensing circuit to enable current-mode buck regulators operating at a high switching frequency for reducing the inductor profile. A dynamically biased shunt feedback technique is developed in the proposed current sensor to push nondominant poles to higher frequencies, thereby improving the speed and stability of the current sensor under a wide range of load currents. A feedforward gain stage in the proposed current sensor also increases the dc loop-gain magnitude and thus enhances the accuracy of the current sensing. A current-mode buck regulator with the proposed current sensor has been implemented in a standard 0.35-μm CMOS process. Measurement results show that the proposed current sensor can achieve 95% sensing accuracy and <;; 50-ns settling time. The buck converter can thus operate properly at the switching frequency of 2.5 MHz with the duty cycle down to 0.3. The output ripple voltage of the regulator is <;; 43 mV with a 4.7-μF off-chip capacitor and a 2.2-μH off-chip inductor. The power efficiency of the buck regulator achieves above 80% over the load current ranging from 25 to 500 mA.


BACKGROUND
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of an external physical force to the head that harms the brain. TBI is a major public health problem worldwide and mainly results from falls, vehicle accidents and violence. Clinical problem: The management of TBI, causing a wide spectrum of possible health outcomes, has barely changed over the years as encouraging outcomes from many pre-clinical therapeutic and pharmacological studies have only rarely been translated to the clinical situation. New management options: In the last decades management of TBI is rapidly advancing and new innovative imaging modalities with sophisticated treatment options by using nanomedicine based drug delivery systems are under investigation. Nano formulations such as PLGA, exosomes and liposomes have the advantage of a targeted and controlled delivery of their cargo, such as diagnostic probes and/or therapeutic drugs.

SUMMARY
Here we provide an overview of new promising pre-clinical developments in TBI management that may find their way to the clinic in the near future. Nanotechnology and nanomedicine in TBI intervention may establish new platforms for targeted drug delivery to the traumatized brain to improve the quality of life and survival of TBI patients.


A novel similarity-covariant feature detector that extracts points whose neighborhoods, when treated as a 3D intensity surface, have a saddle-like intensity profile. The saddle condition is verified efficiently by intensity comparisons on two concentric rings that must have exactly two dark-to-bright and two bright-to-dark transitions satisfying certain geometric constraints. Experiments show that the Saddle features are general, evenly spread and appearing in high density in a range of images. The Saddle detector is among the fastest proposed. In comparison with detector with similar speed, the Saddle features show superior matching performance on number of challenging datasets.


February 2016 © The Linley Group • Microprocessor Report Adesto's conductive-bridge RAM (CBRAM) is a novel nonvolatile memory that's CMOS compatible. The new Moneta device, the company's second-generation CBRAM product, is designed to replace discrete EEPROMs in embedded and IoT applications. It can be used for both code storage and data logging. Relative to EEPROMs, Moneta has 50–100x better power for data accesses and 5x better idle power as well as easier system integration. It also boasts unique radiation tolerance. Compared with flash memory, CBRAM uses a fundamentally different data-storage mechanism that relies on changing the cell resistance through an electrochemical process. It employs lower, CMOS-compatible voltages for programming and can be formed in a logic process with just a few extra steps. NAND and NOR flash, by comparison, are difficult to integrate with CMOS and require special process technology. To establish a solid record for the technology in the embedded market, Adesto offers Moneta as a discrete component, placing a special emphasis on applications that benefit from low power (e.g., IoT) and high radiation or thermal tolerances (e.g., medical).


There is a lot of interest in the development of new, safer and more sustainable polar aprotic solvents due to their importance in industrial applications and significant safety issues with the most commonly used examples. One such area of application is in pharmaceutically relevant C–C coupling reactions, where polar aprotic solvents are commonly used for solubility and to stabilise reaction intermediates. Although there are now a number of excellent alternatives in the literature, to date they have not been compared in a single study. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the green solvents N-butylpyrrolidinone (NBP), γ-valerolactone (GVL), propylene carbonate (PC) and dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) in Heck and Baylis–Hillman reactions. Good conversions and initial rates were observed in GVL and NBP in Heck reactions. Cyrene exhibited high initial rates of reaction and high yields in the Baylis–Hillman reaction. This demonstrates Cyrene to be a promising alternative polar aprotic solvent for this reaction.


The paper is presenting the results of the research which studied the impact of various factors on the management succession from owner to CEO in the countries with transition economies. On the basis of the literature review the hypotheses about the influence of such factors as size and age of the company, legal system perception, bribes and audit were proposed. The hypotheses were tested with the usage of logistic regression on the data collected by The World Bank Group which contains panel data about enterprises from CEE and CIS countries. The analysis shows the significant relation between the size and age of the company, audit, bribes and the decision about the owner–CEO succession in CIS countries. Considering CEE countries only company's age and size became the statistically significant variables.


Background Large vessel occlusions with a high clot burden are less likely to improve with presently accepted and FDA-approved intravenous thrombolysis (IV) strategy. Endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke symptom onset provides an effective alternative treatment in patients with large vessel occlusion. It is not clear if combination of IV thrombolysis and endovascular approach is superior to endovascular treatment alone. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all cases of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion treated within the first 3 h stroke onset during the 2005–2010 period. First group received endovascular therapy within the first 3 h of stroke onset. Second group consisted of patients who received IV thrombolysis within the first 3 h followed by endovascular therapy. We compared the following outcomes: revascularization rates, NIHSS score at discharge, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge and 3 months, symptomatic hemorrhage rates and mortality. Results Among 104 patients identified, 42 received combined therapy, and 62 received endovascular therapy only. The two groups had similar demographic (age and sex distribution) and vascular risk factors distribution, as well as NIHSS score on admission (14.8±4.7 and 16.0±5.3; p=0.23). We found no difference in TIMI recanalization rates (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction scale score of 2 or 3) following combined or endovascular therapy alone (83.3% and 79.0%; p=0.59). A preferred outcome, defined as a mRS of 2 or less at 90 days also did not differ between the combined therapy group and the endovascular only group (37.5% and 34.5%; p=0.76). There was no difference in mortality rate (22.5% and 31.0%; p=0.36) and the rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (9.5% and 8.1%; p=0.73). There was a significant difference in mean time from symptom onset to endovascular treatment between the combined group (227±88 min) and endovascular only group (125±40 min; p<0.0001). Conclusion Combining IV thrombolysis and endovascular therapy achieves similar rates of clinical outcomes, revascularization rates, complications and mortality rates, when compared with endovascular treatment alone. The combined therapy, however, significantly delays initiation of endovascular treatment. A randomized prospective trial comparing both treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke is warranted.


There are few kinds of fungicides for the prevention and treatment of Rhizoctonia solani, and the excessive use of chemical fungicides can cause many hazards and toxic and side effects, not in line with the requirements of rice planting. The mixed use of wood vinegar and chemical fungicides can reduce the use of chemical fungicides, alleviate pollution and improve rice quality. In this experiment, the Horsfall method was used to study the synergistic inhibiting effect of mixture between wood vinegar and chemical fungicides on the growth of Rhizoctonia solani, as well as the optimal ratio. The results showed that when wood vinegar was mixed with Captan, the synergistic mixture ratio was 4:6, 3:7 or 1:9, and the toxicity ratio under mixture ratio of 4:6 and 1:9 was 1.75 and 1.99, respectively, with significant synergistic effect; when wood vinegar was mixed with Daotech, the toxicity ratio (1.08) under mixture ratio of 8:2 was greater than 1, showing additive effect.


all of which have been reported to have stronger associations with breast cancer than does HRT'. Cardiovascular concerns, they say, may be warranted, although largely in women at raised risk of CHD or in those who start HRT in their mid-60s. Otherwise, they too take a commonsense view and propose that 'any woman worried about her health and longevity should quit smoking before she quits hormones'.


We report on the detection of the lowest CO J = 1 − 0 transition in the powerful high-redshift radio galaxy 4C 60.07 at z = 3.79. The CO emission is distributed in two spatially and kinematically distinct components as was previously known from the observations of the higher excitation CO J = 4 − 3 line. The total molecular gas mass in 4C 60.07 inferred from the CO J = 1 − 0 emission is M (H2) ≃ 1.3 × 10 11 M⊙ , sufficient to fuel the inferred star-formation rate of ∼ 1600 M⊙ yr −1 for 10 8 yrs. From our high-resolution CO J = 1 − 0 VLA maps we find the dynamical mass of 4C 60.07 to be comparable to that of a giant elliptical at the present time. A significant fraction of the mass is in the form of molecular gas suggesting that 4C 60.07 is in an early state of its evolution. The merging nature of 4C 60.07 along with its large dynamical mass imply that this system is a giant elliptical caught in its formative stages.


The neurotransmitter serotonin has been critically implicated in the pathogenesis of several mental disorders. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key regulator of serotonergic neurotransmission and its genetic variability is associated with increased risk of psychopathology. One well known polymorphic locus in the 5-HTT gene affecting its expression is a tandem repeat in the promoter region (5-HTTLPR). It has been reported that 5-HTT is functionally coupled with the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1 or nNOS), an enzyme catalyzing the production of nitric oxide (NO). We have previously demonstrated that a tandem repeat polymorphism in the promoter of NOS1 exon 1f (Ex1f-VNTR) is associated with sensorimotor gating, a marker of inhibitory processing and a well established endophenotype of several neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we investigated the combined genetic effects of NOS1 Ex1f-VNTR and 5-HTTLPR on sensorimotor gating, measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex, in 164 healthy adults. We found no evidence for the interaction between NOS1 Ex1f-VNTR and 5-HTTLPR on PPI. PPI was associated with NOS1 Ex1f-VNTR, but not 5-HTTLPR. Our data suggest that while NOS1 plays a role in sensorimotor gating, the nitrergic pathway of gating regulation does not involve the action of 5-HTT.


Background Agents intercepting the IL-6 pathway have been associated with abnormalities in liver enzymes, neutrophils, and platelets. Objectives To evaluate laboratory results from 2 Phase 3 studies (1 global, 1 Japanese) of sirukumab, a selective human anti-IL6 monoclonal antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to compare patients using concomitant methotrexate (MTX) or not. Methods In the global study, patients with active RA and inadequate response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to sirukumab SC 50mg q4w, sirukumab SC 100mg q2w, or placebo SC q2w. Approximately 86% were taking MTX at baseline in the global study. In the Japanese study, 122 patients with active RA refractory to MTX or sulfasalazine were assigned (1:1) to monotherapy with sirukumab SC 50mg q4w or sirukumab SC 100mg q2w. Descriptive hematology and chemistry results through Wk 24 were summarized for the 2 sirukumab dose groups, and results were stratified by MTX use. No inferential statistical testing was conducted. Results As has been observed with other IL-6 pathway inhibitors, sirukumab was associated with increases in alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and decreases in neutrophil and platelets. The proportion of patients with maximum toxicity grade >1 at Wk 24 for lab results of interest were similar across the sirukumab dose groups (Table). The proportion with increased ALT and AST grade ≥2 (>3x Upper Limit of Normal) through Wk 24 was numerically greater for patients on concomitant MTX in the global study vs those not on MTX. Similarly, continued MTX exposure numerically amplified the effect of sirukumab treatment on liver test abnormalities in the 121 Japanese patients in the global study (on MTX), vs the Japanese monotherapy study. Neutrophil and platelet decreases were similar between groups with and without MTX.Table 1. Proportion of patients (n [%]) on sirukumab with key lab abnormalities through Wk 24 Sirukumab dose CTCAE grade Global study – with MTX Global study – no MTX 50mg q4w 100mg q2w 50mg q4w 100mg q2w (n=562) (n=564) (n=86) (n=85) ALT increased 1 330 (58.7) 312 (55.3) 27 (31.4) 33 (38.8) 2 32 (5.7) 46 (8.2) 2 (2.3) 5 (5.9) 3 9 (1.6) 20 (3.5) 1 (1.2) 0 4 0 0 0 0 AST increased 1 266 (47.3) 283 (50.2) 22 (25.6) 28 (32.9) 2 15 (2.7) 20 (3.5) 2 (2.3) 1 (1.2) 3 1 (0.2) 5 (0.9) 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 Neutrophils decreased 1 104 (18.5)a 113 (20.1)b 17 (19.8)c 15 (17.6) 2 66 (11.8)a 63 (11.2)b 9 (10.5)c 11 (12.9) 3 20 (3.6)a 13 (2.3)b 2 (2.3)c 3 (3.5) 4 0 1 (0.2)b 0 0 an=561. bn=563. cn=85. Conclusions Numeric differences in abnormally elevated liver enzyme tests for RA patients treated with sirukumab were observed between patients on MTX and not on MTX, including patients from the global and Japanese studies. In these 2 Phase 3 studies, there was no clear dose-dependent effect on ALT, AST, neutrophils, or platelets between the 2 sirukumab doses. Disclosure of Interest G. Karpouzas Consultant for: Janssen, Speakers bureau: Janssen, C. Thorne Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB, Consultant for: Abbvie, Amgen, Celgene, Centocor, Genzyme, Hospira, Janssen, Lilly, Medexus/Medac, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and UCB, Speakers bureau: Medexus/Medac, T. Takeuchi Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma, Bristol–Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Teijin Pharma Ltd., AbbVie GK, Asahikasei Pharma Corp., and Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., SymBio Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Consultant for: Astra Zeneca K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., and Asahi Kasei Medical K.K.,abbivie GK, Daiichi Sankyo Co.,Ltd., Bristol–Myers K.K., Nipponkayaku Co.Ltd., Speakers bureau: AbbVie GK., Bristol–Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co,. Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma, and Diaichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Celtrion, Nipponkayaku Co. Ltd, Y. Tanaka Grant/research support from: Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, Chugai, Astellas, Eisai, Taisho-Toyama, Kyowa-Kirin, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Daiichi-Sankyo, Chugai, Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Bristol-Myers, Astellas, Eisai, Janssen, Pfizer, Asahi-kasei, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, UCB, Teijin, MSD, Santen, H. Yamanaka Grant/research support from: Teijin Pharma, Chugai, Astellas, Bristol-Meyers, AbbVie, Daiichi-Sankyo, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, UCB, Consultant for: Teijin Pharma, Bristol-Meyers, AbbVie, M. Harigai Grant/research support from: Abbvie Japan Co., Ltd., Astellas Pharma Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Japan Inc., Sanofi-Aventis K.K., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and UCB Japan, T. Ota Employee of: Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., S. Sheng Shareholder of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, W. Xu Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, S. Xu Shareholder of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, R. Kurrasch Shareholder of: GlaxoSmithKline, Employee of: GlaxoSmithKline, K. Fei Shareholder of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, B. Hsu Shareholder of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC


Curculigoside has been shown to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions in many disorders, but its effects during hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) remain unknown. This research aims to determine the protective role and the potential mechanism of action of curculigoside in hepatic IRI. Here, a well-established rat model of partial warm IRI was constructed; serum ALT/AST and H&E staining were employed to assay the extent of liver injury; the superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, IL-6, and TNF-α contents were determined using the corresponding kits; the apoptosis index was evaluated by TUNEL staining; and the expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and apoptosis-associated proteins was detected by qRT–PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that curculigoside pretreatment effectively mitigated hepatic IRI, as demonstrated by decreases in the levels of serum aminotransferases, hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis, oxidative stress markers, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, the expression of Nrf-2 and HO-1 was greatly suppressed by hepatic IRI and reactivated by curculigoside. Furthermore, cotreatment with ML-385, an inhibitor of Nrf-2, counteracted the protective effect of curculigoside against hepatic IRI. The results of our study show that curculigoside plays a protective role in hepatic IRI by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis and that its effects may be associated with activation of the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway.


Using a standard kinematic relation, generation of current by electromagnetic induction in deformable material is described by an equation similar to that for a rigid filamentary circuit. The form of the equation provides a simple argument suggestive of the self-excited dynamo action that is thought to account for the main part of the Earth's magnetic field. Some old paradoxes are illustrated by an example deliberately designed to confuse.


A brief resume is given of the basic theory of strip transmission lines including unwanted effects such as spurious mode transmission and radiation. A variety of materials and different printed-circuit techniques have been tried and the relative merits of each are discussed. A technique of measurement is described and details are given of two pieces of specially developed measuring equipment in microstrip, namely an adjustable short-circuit and a wide-band precision attenuator. A number of new broad-band components covering the range 2500-4200 Mc/s are described; they include a reverse-phase hybrid-ring circuit, a back-to-back slot-coupled 3 dB directional coupler, and a new type of low-pass filter. The paper concludes with a description of an r.f. head for two-way communication equipment used in propagation testing.


Domain-specific contextualized language models have demonstrated substantial effectiveness gains for domain-specific downstream tasks, like similarity matching, entity recognition or information retrieval. However successfully applying such models in highly specific language domains requires domain adaptation of the pre-trained models. In this paper we propose the empirically motivated Linguistically Informed Masking (LIM) method to focus domain-adaptative pre-training on the linguistic patterns of patents, which use a highly technical sublanguage. We quantify the relevant differences between patent, scientific and general-purpose language and demonstrate for two different language models (BERT and SciBERT) that domain adaptation with LIM leads to systematically improved representations by evaluating the performance of the domain-adapted representations of patent language on two independent downstream tasks, the IPC classification and similarity matching. We demonstrate the impact of balancing the learning from different information sources during domain adaptation for the patent domain. We make the source code as well as the domain-adaptive pre-trained patent language models publicly available at https://github.com/sophiaalthammer/patent-lim.


Through an example of the prohibition against dating in a technical school in southwest China in 1978, this article analyzes how three intersecting forces - the ideology of socialist collectivism, the structure of the work unit system and the socialist sovereign ownership of the body - account for sexual repression in the Maoist period in China. Rather than being an ahistorical, essential component of Maoist socialism, sexual repression (psychic and social) was a historically specific and complex phenomenon. The transformation of sexual repression at a historical moment took the form of an assemblage of the return of love discourse and an emergent desire-centered subjectivity in the great transformation from Maoist socialism to the post-Mao reform period.


Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are two effective strategies for the treatment of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the low yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of conventional organic sonosensitizers and the low biosafety of hyperthermia limit the therapeutic efficacy of SDT and PTT. Herein, we report copper sulfide/titanium oxide heterostructure nanosheets modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) and PEG (HA-HNSs) for low-intensity sonodynamic and mild-photothermal synergistic therapy for early atherosclerotic plaques. CuS/TiO2 heterostructure nanosheets (HNSs) show high electron-hole separation efficiency and superior sonodynamic performance, because it has high surface energy crystal facets as well as a narrow band. Moreover, HNSs exhibit intense absorbance in the NIR-II region, which endows the nanosheets with excellent photothermal performance. With a further modification of HA, HA-HNSs can selectively target intraplaque proinflammatory macrophages through CD44-HA interaction. Because SDT reduces the expression of heat shock protein 90 and PTT facilitates the sonocatalytic process, the combination of SDT and PTT based on HA-HNSs could synergistically induce proinflammatory macrophage apoptosis. More importantly, the synergistic therapy prevents the progression of early atherosclerotic plaque by removing lesional macrophages and mitigating inflammation. Taken together, this work provides a macrophage-targeting sonodynamic/photothermal synergistic therapy, which is an effective translational clinical intervention for early atherosclerotic plaques.


The major idea of SP is to divide a programming task into easily understandable units. Within these units, it may be of little consequence whether the language used is COBOL, FORTRAN, PL/1, or any of the new SP languages. Language design (such as control structures) may determine the size of the program which is the largest easily understandable unit. This is at best a local optimization. I have seen well-structured programs written in assembly language, FORTRAN, and APL–none of which are known for their facilities to enhance structured programming. However, any language claiming to enhance SP should provide a facility for connection among program units: this could be as complex as the abstract type mechanisms of Liskov's CLU or Wulf's ALPHARD, or it could be a simple procedure/macro facility. Poor design of these features limits the effectiveness of languages like FORTRAN and COBOL in the construction of well-structured programs. These facilities are often faked by a preprocessor or by system convention.


The impact of a 4-week course of lovastatin (mevacor) therapy on platelet function was examined in 26 patients with coronary heart disease concurrent with hypercholesterolemia (the baseline plasma cholesterol level was 250 mg% or more). The agent was given in a daily dose of 20-40 mg. The agent in this dose was found to have no action on the thromboxane-prostacyclin balance in plasma, on the degree of ADP-induced aggregation and lipid peroxidation in platelets, phospholipid composition and levels of ester-bound cholesterol in platelet membranes. Free cholesterol tended to increase at the end of the 4th week of treatment. Despite the effective reduction of plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterols whose action on platelets is well known, there was no estimated decrease in the activity of platelets during lovastatin therapy.


Community networks have emerged under the mottos of "break the strings that are limiting you", "don't buy the network, be the network" or "a free net for everyone is possible". Such networks create a measurable social impact as they provide to the community the right and opportunity of communication. As any other network that mixes wired and wireless links, the routing protocol must face several challenges that arise from the unreliable nature of the wireless medium. Link quality tracking helps the routing layer to select links that maximize the delivery rate and minimize traffic congestion. Moreover, link quality prediction has proved to be a technique that surpasses link quality tracking by foreseeing which links are more likely to change its quality. In this work, we focus on link quality prediction by means of a time series analysis. We apply this prediction technique in the routing layer of large-scale, distributed and decentralized networks. We demonstrate that this type of prediction achieves about a success probability of about 98% in both the short and long term.


ABSTRACT Despite the fact that virtually no Chinese maps have survived from the first millennium, it is nonetheless possible to reconstruct a rich context associated with their production, use and perception from a variety of written sources. Three cases from the Tang dynasty (618–907 ce) are presented in this article in which the characteristics of the missing maps emerge through their associated texts, which have outlasted them. These examples include two documents that once accompanied maps presented to the emperor and an anecdote that refers to a map of the remote southern frontier. They demonstrate that the maps were designed not only to encapsulate imperial territory but also to serve as guideposts for aspirational travel. They were also perceived by their users as invitations to experiences both desirable and undesirable.


Study on Incidence of Needle Stick Injury and Factors Associated with This Problem among Medical Students: Mohamad Yaakob Norsayani, et al. Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), Malaysia—Medical students face the threat of needle stick injury with the consequent risk of acquiring blood‐borne infection by pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C while performing their clinical activities in the hospitals. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 417 final year medical students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University Malaya (UM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The aims of the study were to determine the incidence of cases and episodes of needle stick injury among them in the past year. This study was also done to find out the factors that might be associated with the occurrence of this problem. The factors were sociodemographic factors, duration of exposure, level of knowledge of blood‐borne diseases and Universal Precaution, perception of risk of blood‐borne diseases and level of practice of Universal Precaution. The incidence of needle stick injury among medical students was 14.1% (59 cases). The total number of episodes of needle stick injury was 87 and the incidence of episodes among respondents was high i.e. 20.9%. The highest incidence of episodes of needle stick injury occurred in Obstetric & Gynaecology postings, followed by Medicine and Surgery. For clinical procedures, venepuncture had the highest incidence followed by setting up drips and giving parenteral injections. The results showed the students who had needle stick injury (cases) had lower scores in the practice of Universal Precautions than non‐cases (p<0.05). There was a significant association between the level of practice of Universal Precautions and the number of episodes of needle stick injury, i.e. the higher the score for the practice of Universal Precautions, the lower the number of episodes (β=–2.03 × 10–2, p<0.05). This study showed that medical students are at risk of needle stick injury and blood‐borne infections during their clinical activities while performing procedures on patients especially for those who were poor at practising Universal Precautions. Therefore some preventive measures should be taken by the management of the universities and medical students to avoid the occurrence of these problems.


The research leading to these results has received
funding from the European Community's Seventh
Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under
grant agreement n° NMP2-SL-2009- 229333.


Cryofibrinogenemia is an uncommon cause of intravascular coagulation necrosis of the skin and occurs as a result of vascular occlusion from cryoproteins, which reversibly precipitate in cold temperatures. The disease is associated with various conditions, most commonly neoplastic and thromboembolic diseases, and produces cutaneous manifestations such as purpura, ecchymoses, gangrene, and ulcerations. Diagnosis is based on clinical cutaneous manifestations, histopathology, and the laboratory detection of cryofibrinogen precipitation. Treatment is based upon resolution of the underlying disease process or condition, although some interventions have been reported to have therapeutic efficacy. We discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a case of cryofibrinogenemia in a patient with underlying B-cell lymphoma.


Need for care and accordingly the prevalence of dementia is increasing rapidly. Information and communication technologies (ICT) may have the potential to support collaboration and cooperation between people with dementia and their caregivers and thus promote independency, wellbeing and quality of life of involved parties. In this context, the authors investigated the potential of an ICT-based videogame system to generate and facilitate social experiences of people with dementia and their caregivers. 26 people with dementia and their caregivers participated in a 16 month participatory design study. Results suggest that collaboration and cooperation among involved parties increased by using the system. Further, the study revealed positive and negative social experiences triggered by the videogame based system. This article will report on these results and provide implications that may support researchers to design similar systems with the potential to increase collaboration and cooperation among people with dementia and their caregivers.


John Richardson tries to reconcile the two theories about the location of John Knox's birth: Gifford, the village, or Giffordgate, the suburb or Haddington. He presents the histories of both areas during Knox's lifetime. THe paper concludes that the village was not known as Gifford at the time and a supplementary notice also concludes that Knox was born in Haddington based on Knox's work as a notary.


There have been developed a children's smart clothing prototype reacting to microclimate changes by signalling with the help of an optical fibre fabric output interface and a mother's purse receiving the given data via wireless communication and displaying it on an LCD screen. During the research, the optical fibre fabric was tested in order to determine its reaction to external stimuli and define its layout within clothes. Child jacket's logic was based on Arduino LilyPad. On the other hand, AVR microcontroller was used in pursue, which yielded a more economical and compact solution, although it was not as developer-friendly as LilyPad.


The purpose of this research is to describe the family health care functions in the working area of Rumbai Public Health Center.The design used in this study was a descriptive exploratory. The number of samples in this study were 541 families who met theinclusion criteria by using multistage random sampling technique. The instrument applied was a questionnaire that has beendeclared valid and reliable. The results showed the number of families that could perform the family health care functions wasalmost the same compared to the number of families that could not. 51% families were carrying out the functions of familyhealth care. Thus, it is important for public health center nurses to educate families about health so that families can implementfamily health care functions at home, in order to reach an optimal degree of family health. Key word : family, functions, health care, health


OBJECTIVES
Severe sepsis is a major public health concern and a frequent cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission with a high fatality rate. Higher (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score) SOFA score and co-morbidity of acute renal failure (ARF) are risk factors contributing to fatal outcome. This work was meant to study the epidemiology of sepsis in Buraidah central hospital.

METHODS
This is a descriptive study conducted in the period from January 1, 2012, to June 29, 2012 to determine the epidemiology (incidence, clinical characteristics) and the outcome of sepsis in Buraidah hospital, Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS
Out of 387 patients admitted to ICU, 62 (16%) patients had sepsis, their mean (SD) age was 62.7 (21.3) years. Three quarters of them 47 (75.8%) presented with septic shock. The median APACHE II score was 26.5 (8 to 48) and SOFA score 11 (5 to 21). The mean of duration of hospital stay was 11.95 days. The most frequent infection site was the pulmonary (69.5%). There were 37 isolated organism, gram-negative organisms (13; 35.13%) were the predominant isolates. There were 25 (40.3%) deaths; the majority of the deaths were due to septic shock 20(80%). There was a significant difference between deaths and the survivors, in the APACHI II score, SOFA score), and whether ventilated or not.

CONCLUSIONS
There was a high incidence of septic shock (and higher mortality) among the patients admitted to the ICU of Buraidah central hospital, especially among the elderly patients with respiratory infections.


In this paper, a revised structure determination of an already known compound CsNbOB2O5 with new structural insights was performed and the detailed characterization of its optical properties was reported for the first time. CsNbOB2O5 was synthesized by spontaneous crystallization. It crystallizes in the Pmn21 space group, and the unit lattice parameters are a = 7.5220(7) Å, b = 3.9881(4) Å, c = 9.7167(9) Å, and Z = 2. In the structure of CsNbOB2O5, a [NbO5] square pyramid and [B2O5] unit are linked to constitute an infinitely extended two-dimensional ∞2[NbOB2O5] layer via sharing oxygen atoms. Between these two-dimensional layers, there are no covalent bonds perpendicular to their planes based on Mulliken bond order analysis. CsNbOB2O5 has a wide band gap (4.52 eV) and a large second-harmonic-generation (SHG) response (1.2 × KDP) and demonstrates type-I phase-matchable behavior. First-principles simulations reveal that the birefringence is approximately 0.10. Moreover, SHG-weighted charge density analysis shows that the primary source of the nonlinearity of the title compound is the distorted NbO5 square pyramids.


Abstract SS 410 is widely used as pump impeller material due to its high erosion resistance property. On the other hand, the microhardness of SS 410 is comparatively lower than other steels. So in this paper, WC-10Co-4Cr and WC-10Co-4Cr + 2%Y2O3 (yttrium oxide) powders are used to improve the microhardness of SS 410. The erosion due to fly ash slurry mixture has been inspected in a slurry pot analyzer. The erosion wear experiments were performed for equisized slurry of different particle size range, namely <53 µm, 53–106 µm, 106–150 µm, and 150–250 µm. During the experimentation, concentration of fly ash slurry was varied from 35 to 65%. The rotation speed of pot tester was taken as 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 rpm. Experiments were repeated for different time durations like 75, 120, 165 and 210 min. A high velocity oxygen fuel coating technique was utilized to deposit the coating powders on the pump impeller materials SS 410. WC-10Co-4Cr sprayed SS 410 was found to have better erosion wear resistance as compared to bare SS 410. The addition of 2% Y2O3 in WC-10Co-4Cr has enhanced the erosion wear resistance based on change in hardness from 1130 HV to 1190 HV and because of the densification impact of Y2O3.


OBJECTIVE
To review the use of accelerometry as an objective measure of physical activity in adults and elderly people.

METHODS
A systematic review of studies on the use of accelerometty as an objective measure to assess physical activity in adults were examined in PubMed Central, Web of Knowledge, EBSCO and Medline databases from March 29 to April 15, 2010. The following keywords were used: "accelerometry," "accelerometer," "physical activity," "PA," "patterns," "levels," "adults," "older adults," and "elderly," either alone or in combination using "AND" or "OR." The reference lists of the articles retrieved were examined to capture any other potentially relevant article. Of 899 studies initially identified, only 18 were fully reviewed, and their outcome measures abstracted and analyzed.

RESULTS
Eleven studies were conducted in North America (United States), five in Europe, one in Africa (Cameroon) and one in Australia. Very few enrolled older people, and only one study reported the season or time of year when data was collected. The articles selected had different methods, analyses, and results, which prevented comparison between studies.

CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to standardize study methods for data reporting to allow comparisons of results across studies and monitor changes in populations. These data can help design more adequate strategies for monitoring and promotion of physical activity.


Conditional analyses of ability have been nearly entirely abandoned by philosophers of action as woefully inadequate attempts of analyzing the concept of ability. Recently, however, Vihvelin (2004) and Fara (2008) have appealed to the similarity between dispositions and abilities, as well as recent advances in the metaphysics of dispositions, in order to construct putatively superior conditional analyses of ability. Vihvelin and Fara claim that their revised conditional analyses of ability enable them to show that Frankfurt-style cases fail to sever the connection between freedom and responsibility, and that compatibilism about free will and determinism is true. I argue, however, that even granting the truth of their dispositional analyses, they cannot achieve these aims. Vihvelin and Fara's fundamental error lies in their failing to appreciate the complex nature of free will and moral responsibility—specifically that agents' freedom and responsibility depend not only on their abilities, but also their opportunities.


This work considers an urban traffic network, and represents it as a Markovian queueing network. This work proposes an analytical approximation of the time-dependent joint queue-length distribution of the network. The challenge is to provide an accurate analytical description of between and within queue (i.e. link) dynamics, while deriving a tractable approach. In order to achieve this, we use an aggregate description of queue states (i.e. state space reduction). These are referred to as aggregate (queue-length) distributions. This reduces the dimensionality of the joint distribution. The proposed method is formulated over three different stages: we approximate the timedependent aggregate distribution of 1) a single queue, 2) a tandem 3-queue network, 3) a tandem network of arbitrary size. The third stage decomposes the network into overlapping 3-queue sub-networks. The methods are validated versus simulation results. We then use the proposed tandem network model to solve an urban traffic signal control problem, and analyze the added value of accounting for time-dependent between queue dependency in traffic management problems for congested urban networks. Thesis Supervisor: Carolina Osorio Title: Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering


CORBA is a standard proposed by the Object Management Group (OMG) in order to promote interoperability between distributed object systems. CORBA provides a programming-language neutral Interface Definition Language (IDL) that describes the syntactic aspects of services supported by remote objects. However, CORBA IDL does not provide any means to specify the behavior of objects in an abstract and formal way. In the current practice, behavioral specification is provided either in plain English, or directly in the programming language chosen for the implementation. We propose to extend the CORBA interface definition of distributed objects by a behavioral specification based on high level Petri nets. We detail at the syntactic and semantic level how this formalism supports the features of the CORBA object model. We present a realistic case study to demonstrate our approach. Our technique allows specifying in an abstract, concise and precise way the behavior of CORBA servers, including internal concurrency and synchronization. As the behavioral specification is fully executable, this approach also enables to prototype and test a distributed object system as soon as the behaviors of individual objects have been defined. The paper discusses several implementation issues of the tool that supports the edition of models and their interactive excution. The high level of formality of the chosen formalism allows for mathematical analysis of behavioral specifications. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Electron heating and ionization dynamics in capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) atmospheric pressure microplasmas operated in helium are investigated by particle-in-cell simulations and semi-analytical modeling. A strong heating of electrons and ionization in the plasma bulk due to high bulk electric fields are observed at distinct times within the RF period. Based on the model the electric field is identified to be a drift field caused by a low electrical conductivity due to the high electron–neutral collision frequency at atmospheric pressure. Thus, the ionization is mainly caused by ohmic heating in this 'Ω-mode'. The phase of strongest bulk electric field and ionization is affected by the driving voltage amplitude. At high amplitudes, the plasma density is high, so that the sheath impedance is comparable to the bulk resistance. Thus, voltage and current are about 45° out of phase and maximum ionization is observed during sheath expansion with local maxima at the sheath edges. At low driving voltages, the plasma density is low and the discharge becomes more resistive, resulting in a smaller phase shift of about 4°. Thus, maximum ionization occurs later within the RF period with a maximum at the discharge center. Significant analogies to electronegative low-pressure macroscopic discharges operated in the drift-ambipolar mode are found, where similar mechanisms induced by a high electronegativity instead of a high collision frequency have been identified.


Intention-based semantics (IBS) serves as the paradigm in the field of speaker meaning analysis. However, it has grappled with a well-known problem: the infinite regress of a speaker's intentions. Theorists such as Grice, Schiffer, Davis, and Green have tried to remedy the situation; however, no one has found any solutions until now. The present paper claims that the inability of IBS theorists to resolve the regress problem may be attributed to the conflict between two basic assumptions that they espouse: representationalism and the transparency of speaker meaning. When both are adopted alongside each other, as the current paper shows, the regress problem immediately emerges. It follows, then, that it would be prudent to reject IBS to sufficiently analyze speaker meaning.


This paper presents a new condition indicator using wavelet analysis for the purpose of fault detection in an AH–64 gearbox. Historically, vibration–based condition indicators from employed component monitoring equipment are derived from both temporal and spectral domain analysis. However, these indicators failed to accurately capture high order correlations for the gearbox study addressed in this paper. An improved approach is necessary to overcome limitations of traditional vibrational monitoring techniques. The proposed condition indicator is derived from the Morlet continuous wavelet .transform The power spectra obtained from the wavelet transform coefficients at a certain scale or frequency are added together and then are normalised to one composite signal, denoted by a numeric index. Concepts of the wavelet index are discussed. This index is applied using real–world vibration data from a tail rotor gearbox with an output seal leak as part of condition–based maintenance practices. Results demonstrate potential of the proposed wavelet index to more effectively capture the fault when compared to gearbox condition indicators. [Received 24 January 2014; Revised 28 August 2014; Accepted 3 October 2014]


[1] Paired δ18O and Mg/Ca measurements on the same foraminiferal shells offer the ability to independently estimate sea surface temperature (SST) changes and assess their temporal relationship to the growth and decay of continental ice sheets. The accuracy of this method is confounded, however, by the absence of a quantitative method to correct Mg/Ca records for alteration by dissolution. Here we describe dissolution-corrected calibrations for Mg/Ca-paleothermometry in which the preexponent constant is a function of size-normalized shell weight: (1) for G. ruber (212–300 μm) (Mg/Ca)ruber = (0.025 wt + 0.11) e0.095T and (b) for G. sacculifer (355–425 μm) (Mg/Ca)sacc = (0.0032 wt + 0.181) e0.095T. The new calibrations improve the accuracy of SST estimates and are globally applicable. With this correction, eastern equatorial Atlantic SST during the Last Glacial Maximum is estimated to be 2.9° ± 0.4°C colder than today.


In the multi-agent pathfinding problem, groups of agents need to plan paths between their respective start and goal locations in a given environment, usually a two-dimensional map. Existing approaches to this problem include using static or dynamic information to help coordination. However, the resulting behaviour is not always desirable, in that too much information is hand-coded into the problem, agents take paths which look unintelligent, or because the agents collide and must re-plan frequently. We present a distributed approach in which agents share information about the direction in which they traveled when passing through each location. This information is then used to encourage agents passing through the same location to travel in the same direction as previous agents. In addition to this new approach, we present performance metrics for multi-agent path planning as well as experimental results for the new approach. These results indicate that the number of collisions between agents is reduced and that the visual fidelity is improved.


This paper describes the architecture of a structural, cost effective debug methodology, applicable to a system on chip in its system environment and targeting software as well as hardware debugging. The highly modular and flexible architecture enables an almost infinite variation of flexible configurable modules designed and hooked up to the test access port (TAP). The hardware configuration flexibility is supported by software running on a PC or workstation, hooked up via a POD connected to the TAP interface. The result is an easy to use implementation of increased observability.