A perfectible bulk flotation simplified technology was developed to produce initially a collective polymetallic concentrate for further treatment by a "sulphatization roasting → 2-step leaching → metal cementation" method to recover all valuable metals besides the noble metals, and after this, recover gold and silver from the base metal leaching residuum by cyanide leaching and following electrowinning. It has been showed that all gold bearing sulphides copper, zinc, lead and iron were successfully passed from polymetallic ore into collective concentrate which is a pleasurable perspective for complex and effective recovery of all valuable metals contained.


This communication is a further elaboration of earlier proposed broad outline classification of the living world by the author which addresses a novel and comprehensive approach of the taxonomy of living world in general. The paper intends to infuse the fundamental ideas regarding the vast majority of living beings including prions, viroids, viruses, bacteria, fungi, lichens, plants and animals in a holistic way, taking their marker characters into consideration. Besides incorporating certain minor changes in the broad outline classification of living world; Megakingdom Concept of Bioplurity, based on expert comments, it also covers a discourse on the `Relict Preserved Hypothesis' of origin of chemobiotic entities. Furthermore, the plants which nourish the entire living world, have always been a subject of human curiosity in terms of their taxonomy, and thus the major plant taxa have been variously named in the past, based on unscientific grounds, which might have been relevant in those days. But, since the science is rapidly progressing to global and generals, therefore, these stereotypic terms have now become insufficient to focus the real objective. This revisionary work therefore, provides a concrete, comprehensive, self-explanatory and informative new terminology for different major plant taxa in relation to their origin, external and internal complexities, biological specialties and probable phylogeny among themselves.


The present study aimed to find out the Mental Health and Stress among Government and Private Sector employees. The total sample consisted of 100 among 50, Government employees and 50 private sector employees. The research tool for mental health was measured by Bhatt and Gida (1992) and life stress scale was developed by Aggarwal and Naidu (1986). Obtained scores were analyzed with help 't' test and 'r' was applied to check correlation, Results revealed that significant difference in mental Health and Stress with respect to both employees from Government and private sector on Mental Health and stress, while the correlation between Mental Health and Stress reveals 0.81 very high positive correlation.


Thomas Paine's Rights of Man (Part I, 1791; Part II, 1792) is one of the most influential political tracts ever written. Recently, Clark (2015) has queried the long-established notion that Part I is the work of a single author, Paine himself. Clark argues that a passage of approximately 6000 words just prior to the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens", near midway through the book, was written by Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and inserted by Paine into his book, perhaps with some editing. Clark's assertion rests mainly on judgement of the tone and content of the queried passage, as well as a hint in a letter by Lafayette to George Washington. This paper presents the results of a stylometric study of this question. Three computational approaches to stylistic analysis — one involving a consensus of six attribution techniques — were applied to the text of the Rights of Man, Part I, along with a corpus of comparison texts from the same period. Our findings tend to corroborate Clark's contention, as well as identifying two other short passages in which Lafayette may have had a hand, thus rendering this important document ripe for re-interpretation.


Network experimentation tools are vitally important to the process of developing, evaluating, and testing distributed systems. The state-of-the-art simulation tools are either pro-hibitively inefficient at large scales or are limited by nontrivial architectural challenges, inhibiting their widespread adoption. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of Phantom , 1 a novel tool for conducting distributed system experiments. In Phantom, a discrete-event network simulator directly executes unmodified applications as Linux processes and innovatively synthesizes efficient process control, system call interposition, and data transfer methods to co-opt the processes into the simulation environment. Our evaluation demonstrates that Phantom is up to 2.2 × faster than Shadow, up to 3.4 × faster than NS-3, and up to 43 × faster than gRaIL in large P2P benchmarks while offering performance comparable to Shadow in large Tor network simulations.


ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus causes many infections, such as skin and soft tissue, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and infective endocarditis (IE). IE is an endovascular infection of native and prosthetic valves and the lining of the heart; it is characterized by the formation of cauliflower-like "vegetations" composed of fibrin, platelets, other host factors, bacteria, and bacterial products. β-Toxin is an S. aureus virulence factor that contributes to the microorganism's ability to cause IE. This cytolysin has two enzymatic activities: sphingomyelinase (SMase) and biofilm ligase. Although both activities have functions in a rabbit model of IE, the mechanism(s) by which β-toxin directly affects human cells and is involved in the infectious process has not been elucidated. Here, we compared the in vitro effects of purified recombinant wild-type β-toxin, SMase-deficient β-toxin (H289N), and biofilm ligase-deficient β-toxin (H162A and/or D163A) on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and platelets. β-Toxin was cytotoxic to HAECs and inhibited the production of interleukin 8 (IL-8) from these cells by both SMase and biofilm ligase activities. β-Toxin altered HAEC surface expression of CD40 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). HAECs treated with β-toxin displayed granular membrane morphology not seen in treatment with the SMase-deficient mutant. The altered morphology resulted in two possibly separable activities, cell rounding and redistribution of cell membranes into granules, which were not the result of endosome production from the Golgi apparatus or lysosomes. β-Toxin directly aggregated rabbit platelets via SMase activity. IMPORTANCE Each year there are up to 100,000 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) in the United States. S. aureus is the most common pathogen in patients with health care-associated IE and the leading cause of community-associated IE in the developed world. Multiple clonal group strains as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, particularly USA200 and other clones encoding β-toxin, are highly associated with IE. Considering the strong association and established contribution of β-toxin in animal models of IE, determining how β-toxin directly affects human cell types, including endothelial cells and platelets, is important. In this study, we demonstrate that β-toxin functions to modulate endothelial cells and platelets by both toxin sphingomyelinase and biofilm ligase activities. Our data suggest that these activities modulate inflammation and increase infection severity. Each year there are up to 100,000 cases of infective endocarditis (IE) in the United States. S. aureus is the most common pathogen in patients with health care-associated IE and the leading cause of community-associated IE in the developed world. Multiple clonal group strains as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, particularly USA200 and other clones encoding β-toxin, are highly associated with IE. Considering the strong association and established contribution of β-toxin in animal models of IE, determining how β-toxin directly affects human cell types, including endothelial cells and platelets, is important. In this study, we demonstrate that β-toxin functions to modulate endothelial cells and platelets by both toxin sphingomyelinase and biofilm ligase activities. Our data suggest that these activities modulate inflammation and increase infection severity.


The results of oral tolerance tests of two dipeptides and of their constitutent amino acids are compared in normal subjects and in a case of Hartnup disease. In the control subjects the rate of absorption of phenylalanine from phenylalanyl-phenylalanine and of tryptophan from glycyl-tryptophan was slower than after the equivalent amount of the free amino acids. Absorption of the two essential amino acids (tryptophan and phenylalanine) in the patient was almost zero after administration in the free form, but was much greater after the dipeptide. Results of experiments on absorption and hydrolysis of the two peptides in the rat small intestine are also reported. It is suggested that whereas normal subjects absorb essential amino acids by a dual mechanism of mucosal uptake of free amino acids and oligopeptides, nutrition in Hartnup disease is largely dependent on uptake of oligopeptides containing the amino acids affected by the intestinal transport defect of the disease.


Background In uncontrolled before-after studies, CONSORT was shown to improve the reporting of randomised trials. Before-after studies ignore underlying secular trends and may overestimate the impact of interventions. Our aim was to assess the impact of the 2007 STROBE statement publication on the quality of observational study reporting, using both uncontrolled before-after analyses and interrupted time series. Methods For this quasi-experimental study, original articles reporting cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies published between 2004 and 2010 in the four dermatological journals having the highest 5-year impact factors (≥4) were selected. We compared the proportions of STROBE items (STROBE score) adequately reported in each article during three periods, two pre STROBE period (2004–2005 and 2006–2007) and one post STROBE period (2008–2010). Segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series was also performed. Results Of the 456 included articles, 187 (41%) reported cohort studies, 166 (36.4%) cross-sectional studies, and 103 (22.6%) case-control studies. The median STROBE score was 57% (range, 18%–98%). Before-after analysis evidenced significant STROBE score increases between the two pre-STROBE periods and between the earliest pre-STROBE period and the post-STROBE period (median score2004–05 48% versus median score2008–10 58%, p<0.001) but not between the immediate pre-STROBE period and the post-STROBE period (median score2006–07 58% versus median score2008–10 58%, p = 0.42). In the pre STROBE period, the six-monthly mean STROBE score increased significantly, by 1.19% per six-month period (absolute increase 95%CI, 0.26% to 2.11%, p = 0.016). By segmented analysis, no significant changes in STROBE score trends occurred (−0.40%; 95%CI, −2.20 to 1.41; p = 0.64) in the post STROBE statement publication. Interpretation The quality of reports increased over time but was not affected by STROBE. Our findings raise concerns about the relevance of uncontrolled before-after analysis for estimating the impact of guidelines.


Metacognitive model is a theoretical approach aimed to explain emotion dysregulation and others emotion-related issues, such anger, and aggressive behavior. From this model, people having higher maladaptive metacognitive beliefs (e.g., "I can't control my thoughts") are more likely to activate and maintain anger rumination and, in turn, to experience higher levels of anger and to act aggressively. Preliminary evidence shows the role of metacognitive beliefs on anger rumination and anger levels, whereas no studies have examined its association with aggressive behavior. This study first examined the associations between metacognitive beliefs, anger rumination, anger levels, and the propensity to engage in displaced aggression, and second, the mediation role of anger rumination in the relations among metacognitive beliefs and anger and displaced aggression. Participants were 947 students and non-students from general population recruited in two different countries (Australia and Spain). Correlational analyses revealed a similar pattern of results in the Australian and Spanish sample, with participants having dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs also showing higher anger rumination, higher levels of anger and a higher tendency to act aggressively. Structural equation analyses revealed the associations of metacognitive beliefs with anger levels and displaced aggression was fully mediated by anger rumination in both samples. These results suggest that metacognitive beliefs should be considered in comprehensive models and in the therapy of anger problems and aggression.


Many different procedure models can be applied to the management of software development projects. Such models also consider the ascertainment and management of requirements – based on very different agile or classic approaches. The framework provided in particular by ethical aspects, legal constraints and social technology design issues (ELSA or ELSI) is not explicitly addressed in procedure models, which is why approaches such as the IEEE Standard Model Process for Addressing Ethical Concerns during System Design (IEEE7000-2021) have been developed. However, the lack of explicit integration of these issues into common process models such as SCRUM or V-ModellXT implies a lack of necessary space for reflection on ELSA within development projects. The article discusses this problem and highlights possible solutions for further discourse.


Interlocking caisson-type breakwaters have recently gained attention for enhancing the stability of the conventional breakwaters. In this study, the dispersion characteristics of wave forces using interlocking systems connecting the upper part of caissons with cables in the normal direction of breakwaters were investigated. Based upon numerical experiments, the higher wave forces are transmitted through the cable as the angle of incident wave increases, while the maximum allowable wave force was capable of being increased by sharing the wave forces with the adjacent caissons. It was also found that the larger the stiffness of the interlocking cable, the larger the wave-dispersion effect.


Dipyridamole, a nucleoside membrane transport inhibitor, enhanced the cytotoxicity of epirubicin for mouse leukemia P388 cells by a factor of 1.8-fold and that for 30-fold doxorubicin-resistant sublines of P388 cells (P388/DOX) by a factor of 6.5-fold. This interaction was shown to be truly synergistic by DNA histogram and median effect analysis. The dipyridamole enhancement of the cytotoxicity of epirubioin was a dose-dependent effect; it was greatest when cells were exposed to dipyridamole before treatment with epirubicin. In cell cycle experiments, 1-5 microM dipyridamole increased the accumulation of G2 + M phase produced by the treatment with 0.5-1 microM epirubicin. Dipyridamole, however, did not appear to alter the patterns of DNA histogram in sensitive cells. These results suggest that the increase of the accumulation of G2 + M phase in resistant cells is an important factor for the interaction between epirubicin and dipyridamole.


The re-issue of Eleanor C. Merry's anthroposophical work is yet another well chosen, well produced and moderately priced effort by Floris Books to make works of alternative spirituality, both older and contemporary, available to a wider readership. The hands of Wood-Martin and Fiona Macleod hang rather too heavily on this paean to imaginative evolution written by a student of Rudolf Steiner in the mid-1930s, and the modern introduction is more laudatory than critical. The objections repeated endlessly by specialist scholars that accessing texts solely through translation—and translations made by individuals of a mystical bent at that—is not the best approach to the "Celtic mind" and is unlikely to yield a very nuanced appreciation of Celtic literature or civilisation certainly apply here. This work falls very definitely within the compass of Alfred Nutt's dictum that Celtic myth is too often the happy hunting ground of the mythical enthusiast. There is much made here of "the Hibernian Mysteries" and the iniquities of science (except, of course, Druid science). This work is not a part of mainstream Celtic studies and it is worth reiterating this point, even at the risk of preaching to the choir once again. That said, the content and the context of the book are fascinating. The themes are very familiar. Prominent is the idea of a universal esoteric mystery religion and the reversed Frazerian methodology that sees the past as a mystical link between nature and spirit, and the modern searcher for wisdom as one seeking initiation which will peel away the corruptions of our present post-industrial civilisation. The real mystery is how anyone who reads the Celtic mythological texts with any care can accept this sort of second-hand Jungian porridge as serious analysis. However, the author is one of a number of womenwriters on the occult whose influence has only recently been fully appreciated. Historians of the occult revival have noted that the movement offered women paths of empowerment at a time when domestic, economic, and even sexual roles were changing for them. Works like this also demonstrate the vital role they played in shaping the ideas of this new occultism.


KCuCl3 is an S = 1/2 magnetic insulator with a singlet ground state and a finite spin excitation gap. Above the gap, dispersive triplet excitation modes propagate in the whole reciprocal space. From single-crystal inelastic neutron investigations the three-dimensional coupling scheme is rationalized in the framework of a dimer Heisenberg model, and related to the structural features of KCuCl3. The experimental and theoretical characterization presented completes earlier works on the compound under investigation, providing also higher-order expressions for the singlet-triplet dispersion relation. The latter may also be of relevance for the parent quantum systems TlCuCl3 and NH4CuCl3, albeit at different coupling ratios with respect to KCuCl3.


The Naval Research Laboratory three‐dimensional simulation code SAMI3/ESF is used to study the response of the postsunset ionosphere to circular gravity waves. We model the coupling of both circular (local) and plane wave (nonlocal) gravity waves to the bottomside F layer as a mechanism for triggering equatorial plasma bubbles. Results support the hypothesis that nonplane gravity waves can more strongly couple to the F layer than plane gravity waves. Results also show that the coupling of the seed wave to the F layer depends on the (nonlocal) growth rate and the local electron density at the position of the seed wave.


A case of Cogan's syndrom--the combination of nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis and vestibuloauditory symptoms--is presented. The differential diagnosis of the disease that corresponds little to any treatment, is discussed.


Activity of imipenem (N-formimidoyl thienamycin, ampicillin and vancomycin against 27 Streptococcus faecalis and 5 Str. faecium was determined. Also evaluated were the interactions of imipenem, ampicillin and vancomycin with streptomycin or amikacin or sissomicin. Imipenem showed the most inhibitory activity against Str. faecalis with MIC50 and MIC90 values 0.5 and 2 mg/l respectively, Str. faecium strains were less susceptible to imipenem with MIC50/MIC90 values of 2/16 mg/l. Imipenem showed good bactericidal activity against both groups of strains with MBC50/MBC90 values of 1/4 and 4/16 mg/l respectively. The most favourable interactions (synergy and addition) of imipenem were with streptomycin (72.2%) and sissomicin (53.2%). Combinations containing amikacin were the least favourable. Similar results were obtained with these combinations against Str. faecium.


A dynamic model for growth and mortality of individual plants in a stand is developed, based on the process of canopy photosynthesis, and assuming an allometric relationship between plant height and weight, i.e. an allocation-growth pattern of plant height and stem diameter. The following were shown by simulation: (i) competition between individuals in a crowded stand is never completely one-sided but always asymmetrically two-sided, even though competition is only for light; (ii) plants of the 'height-growth' type exhibit a greater asymmetry in competition than plants of the 'diameter-growth' type; (iii) the competition mode between plants of the 'height-growth' type becomes more asymmetric with increasing photosynthetic ability than with plants of the 'diameter-growth' type. These results can explain recent empirical results obtained from several natural plant communities.


Humoral theory, also known as theory of akhlat is a key concept in Unani System of Medicine. It was originated in Ancient Greece and later developed by Galen and Arabic Physicians. The theory was central to the teachings of Greco Arabic medicine and it became the dominant theory in Europe for many centuries. It remained a major influence on medical practice and teaching until eighteenth century. The theory was first postulated by Hippocrates in his treatise On the Nature of Man. The method of approach of these early thinkers was to look for natural explanations for human physiology and disease causation with the help of logical reasoning and observation. In this theory, humors existed as liquids within the body which are known as blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile. The humoral theory evolved over millennia and finally became the dominant explanation of human physiology. This was in contrast to the supernatural theories for disease causation and also attempt to explain that disease instead is a naturalistic event and it can be understood by natural causes. This short review will mainly focus on the understanding and historical background of the theory of akhlat.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 02 No. 04 October'18. Page : 189-192


We thank Heron and colleagues for their interest in our report 2 and agree that the cost-effectiveness of this therapy is called into question by the number of patients who are unable to complete treatment and successfully achieve sustained virological response. We are analysing the cost-effectiveness of this regimen using real-world data. Ribavirin dose reduction during treatment was not recorded in more than 50% of our patients. As decisions on adverse event management were at the discretion of individual clinicians, anaemia management varied. Several patients received erythropoietin (EPO) therapy prior to ribavirin dose reduction, and some had signs of severe anaemia at the first or second visit and required blood transfusion before dose reduction might have been possible. Thus, great importance must be placed on careful patient monitoring when using these medications. With some exceptions, ribavirin dose was reduced when patients had haemoglobin levels of 10 g/dL or less. If haemoglobin levels fell to below 8.5 g/dL, patients were given EPO. As mentioned in our report, only 16% of our patients had IL28b testing; the results of this test were not used to reach a decision on initiation of therapy. We did not collect hepatitis C virus genotype-1 subtype data, but future studies will certainly examine the effect that genotype and subtype may have on the occurrence of adverse events.


Objective International societies advocate for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia referral to designated expert centers. This study assessed the impact of centralization of trophoblastic care on clinical outcomes. Methods A centralized program was implemented in 2018 at two affiliated academic hospitals, Princess Margaret Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Hospital. A retrospective analysis of patients treated between 2000 and 2022 was performed and the clinical outcomes were compared before (2000–2017) and after (2018–2022) centralization. Statistical analyses were performed with significance set as p<0.05. Results A total of 94 patients with trophoblastic neoplasia were included: 60 pre-centralization and 34 post-centralization, 79.8% low-risk and 18.1% high-risk. Centralization led to significant improvement for: (1) accurate score documentation (from 37.9% to 89.3%,); (2) contraception counseling (from 67.2% to 96.7%); (3) median time from diagnosis to chemotherapy (from 9 days to 1 day); and (4) incomplete follow-up (from 20.7% to 3.3%) (all p<0.05). First-line chemotherapy for low-risk neoplasia was dactinomycin in 47.9% and 87.0% pre- and post-centralization, respectively (p=0.005). The median number of chemotherapy cycles decreased from seven to four (p=0.01), and the median number of consolidation cycles increased from two to three (p<0.001). Serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels of 10 000–100 000 IU/L were significantly associated with longer time to hCG normalization and higher risk of resistance to first-line chemotherapy compared with hCG levels <1000 IU/L. Conclusion Centralization of trophoblastic neoplasia care leads to greater guideline compliance, faster chemotherapy initiation, fewer chemotherapy cycles with optimized consolidation, and enhanced surveillance completion. This supports the establishment of trophoblastic neoplasia expert centers.


The present study demonstrates specific sensitization of leukemia lymphocytes towards anticancer drugs using melatonin and clarifies the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for induction of apoptosis. The study covers four conventional and 11 new-generation anticancer drugs. Four parameters were analyzed simultaneously in leukemia and normal lymphocytes treated with drug, melatonin, or their combination: cell viability, induction of apoptosis, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and level of protein-carbonyl products. Almost all investigated combinations of melatonin with new-generation anticancer drugs were characterized by synergistic cytotoxicity towards leukemia lymphocytes, while the combinations with conventional drugs exhibited additive or antagonistic effects on cell viability. In leukemia lymphocytes, the additive cytotoxicity of doxorubicin plus melatonin was accompanied by low levels of ROS and protein-carbonyl products, as well as by suppression of apoptosis. In normal lymphocytes, none of the studied parameters changed significantly compared to cells treated with doxorubicin only. The combinations of everolimus plus melatonin and barasertib plus melatonin exhibited impressive synergistic cytotoxic effects on leukemia lymphocytes but did not affect the viability of normal lymphocytes. In leukemia cells, the synergistic cytotoxicity was accompanied by strong induction of apoptosis but a decrease of ROS to a level below that of the control. In normal lymphocytes, these combinations did not affect the level of ROS nor of protein-carbonyl products, and did not induce apoptosis. The data suggest that melatonin is a promising supplementary component in chemotherapy which allows the therapeutic doses of anticancer drugs to be reduced, minimizing their side-effects.


Metaphors, tropes, and figural language in general have been a perennial problem and, at times, a recognized source of embarrassment for philosophical discourse and, by extension, for all discursive uses of language including historiography and literary analysis. It appears that philosophy either has to give up its own constitutive claim to rigor in order to come to terms with the figurality of its language or that it has to free itself from figuration altogether. And if the latter is considered impossible, philosophy could at least learn to control figuration by keeping it, so to speak, in its place, by delimiting the boundaries of its influence and thus restricting the epistemological damage that it may cause. This attempt stands behind recurrent efforts to map out the distinctions between philosophical, scientific, theological, and poetic discourse and informs such institutional questions as the departmental structure of schools and universities. It also pertains to the received ideas about differences between various schools of philosophical thought, about philosophical periods and traditions, as well as about the possibility of writing a history of philosophy or of literature. Thus, it is customary to assume that the common sense of empirical British philosophy owes much of its superiority over certain continental metaphysical excesses to its ability to circumscribe, as its own style and decorum demonstrate, the potentially disruptive power of rhetoric. "The Skywriters," says a contemporary literary critic (with tongue in cheek) in a recent polemical article, "march under the banner of Hegel and Continental Philosophy, while the Common Sense school [of literary criticism] is


The constituent counting rule, determining the scaling behavior of the transition amplitudes in an exclusive process at high energies, is applied to probe the internal structure of the newly observed resonance. Several selected exclusive processes at high energies for the production of are discussed. Results of two structural scenarios for , a hexaquark dominant compact system in the quark degrees of freedom, and a three-body bound state in the hadronic degrees of freedom, are analyzed and compared. A rather remarkable difference between the results of these two scenarios for the mentioned processes are addressed.


Field evaluation of coal mine monitoring and control systems yields data on installation and maintenance, but does not provide a full evaluation of these systems under all possible conditions. Also, the differences in installations and configurations do not allow the performance of different systems to be measured and compared. Under contract of the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM), the West Virginia University (WVU) Department of Electrical Engineering has designed criteria for evaluation of monitoring systems, and a test facility for simulation of mine conditions. This facility provides evaluation of monitoring and control systems under both normal and abnormal conditions. This paper describes the test criteria chosen, the design of the test facility, and the experiences of tests performed on mine monitoring systems to date.


A new type of deformed XXZ model was constructed and diagonalized by the coordinate Bethe ansatz method. We obtained the energy and the Bethe ansatz equations of the model and also discussed some thermodynamics of the model.


— The NMR of Fe has been studied in a thin single crystal plates of YFeCh by spin echo and steady-state methods at the temperature range of 1.8-450 K. The observed signals undergo a change after the application of a weak magnetic DC field. The new state is unstable. The recovery time at 77 K is about 0.5 h and decreases with increasing temperature. Below 77 K these effects disappear. In the unstable state enhancement factor t) is twice as large as before the field application. Spin echo signal does not increase but the amplitude of radiopulses required for the forming of spin echo signal decreases. This fact suggests that the volume of domain walls decreases. At 1.8 K some features characteristic for the phase transition were noticed.


Background: The amount of interocclusal distance in any individual is mainly an expression of muscle function, its equilibrium, and gravity. In some medically compromised patients, it is difficult to determine the interocclusal distance. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the correlation of interocclusal distance and corresponding gonial angle on the lateral profile of dentulous individuals in lateral cephalograms in Gujarati population and correlation of these values for edentulous individuals. Material and methods: A total of 100 individuals were involved in this study within age group of 20-35 years. Interocclusal distance was determined by the difference between the readings of vertical dimension of rest and vertical dimension of occlusion in dentulous individuals.Gonial angle was calculated with the help of cephalometric radiographs and the two were correlated. Results: Range of gonial angle and interocclusal distance were obtained and the mean of the values was derived. A strong correlation was found to exist.Conclusion: By applying the processes of linear regression to the paired results, a formula was obtained which may be used to predict the best value of one variable for any given value of the other. Thus, in an edentulous case, where the value of the interocclusal distance measurement is unknown and difficult to determine, a method is provided for predicting its best value by the determination of the patient's gonial angle through cephalometric analysis.


This study analyzes authors' perception of the Balinese social world, focusing on social changes as effects of tourism and modernization. The study employed the qualitative approach involving the sociology of literature, especially the sosiology of authors. Berger's social contruction theory was used as a triangulation technique. The study shows the following findings. First, the Balinese authors subjectively propose a reconstruction of the modern Balinese people's way of thinking to face modernization or changing conditions. Second, the Balinese authors are ambiguous people, in the sense that on the one hand they criticize Bali, and on the other hand they love Bali. Third, the Balinese authors offer truths that are not dogmatic in nature but derived from daily experiences. Keywords: author plurality, social world, plurality


Depression is a serious disorder that can cause significant problems in mood, thinking, and behavior at home, in school, and with peers. It is estimated that major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 5% of adolescents. Research has shown that, as in adults, depression in children and adolescents is treatable. Certain antidepressant medications, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be beneficial to children and adolescents with MDD. Certain types of psychological therapies also have been shown to be effective. However, our knowledge of antidepressant treatments in youth, though growing substantially, is limited compared to what we know about treating depression in adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning in October 2004 about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior (suicidality) in chil dren and adolescents treated with SSRI antidepressant medications. However, SSRI med - ications are considered to have an improvement over older antidepressant medications and they have been shown to be safe and effective for adults. In this chapter we provide an updated and well-documented review of the current scientific evidence on this topic.


Aims and Background In the last ten years validation of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept has led to modification of the surgical approach for patients with intermediate-risk cutaneous melanoma. Methods and Study Design Forty-eight patients affected by cutaneous melanoma with a Breslow thickness between 0.65 and 4 mm were enrolled in the study. Approximately 2 mCi of radiotracer and 1 mL of vital blue dye were injected in each patient around the site of the primary lesion. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed until the lymphatic basin and the respective SLN were localized. The whole surgical procedure consisted of enlargement of the surgical margins followed by localization and excision of the SLN(s) by using both radiotracer and vital dye. Whenever the SLN proved to be histologically positive for metastasis, complete regional lymphadenectomy was performed. Results Within 15 minutes of radiotracer administration the lymphatic basin was localized in all 48 patients by lymphoscintigraphy. Vital dye and radiotracer successfully allowed SLN localization and excision in 46 of 48 patients (97%); in one case the SLN was detected by radiotracer alone. The SLN proved to be metastatic in six (13%) of 46 evaluable patients; interestingly, in three of them the presence of metastatic cells was revealed only by immunohistochemistry. All patients with tumor-positive SLNs had primary lesions with a Breslow thickness = 2 mm. Conclusions Sentinel lymphadenectomy is able to identify lymph node involvement in patients with cutaneous melanoma with a Breslow thickness >1 mm, thus avoiding the risks associated with radical regional lymphadenectomy. Lymphoscintigraphy proved to be an important tool to obtain correct preoperative localization of the drainage basin, especially for melanomas located on the face and trunk.


Background: the balance referring to the structures and functions of the stomatognatic system depends on the appropriate functioning of the Temporomandibular Joint, and this one, needs the correct teeth occlusion for accomplishing the functional needs when moving the jaw. The muscle or structural unbalance of the Temporomandibular Joint may result in a dysfunction of this joint and cause diverse signs and symptoms such as hearing manifestations, namely: tinnitus and ear pain. Purpose: literature review in the areas of audiology, otolaryngology and dentistry aiming at associating them with Temporomandibular Dysfunction and show the importance of multidisciplinary activities, emphasizing the speech action in such dysfunction. Conclusion: many hypotheses try to explain the existent relationship among the Temporomandibular Dysfunction and hearing alterations. We verified that there is a link between the stomatognatic system and the hearing system. However, most important than just associating the stomatognatic and hearing systems, the team has been involved in the assistance to the patients, including the speech therapy professional that must have knowledge about anatomy and physiology of the Temporomandibular Joint and related disorders, causes and consequences. The said professional should be capable to distinguish the effective therapy for each disorder and evaluate the indications and contra-indications of each one, and, finally, examine the conduct with referrals being appropriate for the case evolution.


Background: Liposarcomas, which represent 20% of all adult sarcomas, are the most common histological type of malignant soft tissue tumors. The aim of this study was to define the prognostic factors that predict the postoperative survival period for patients with primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Methods: The clinical data and prognoses of 71 patients with primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma who were treated in the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army of China between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Results: The primary tumor from each patient was resected; 54.9% (39/71) were deemed R0 resections, 31.0% (22/71) were R1 resections and 14.1% (10/71) were deemed R2 resections (palliative operations). The median follow up was 68 months (range: 1-160 months). Of the patients who received an R1 or R2 resection of their primary tumor, 96.7% (59/61) had tumor recurrence. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free rates were 77.0%, 29.8% and 19.7%, respectively. As of April 2013, 53 of the 71 patients had died from tumor recurrence. The overall 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 88.7%, 76.1%, 61.7%, and 30.4%, respectively. The factors that were significantly associated with prognosis in the univariate analysis were age (as a categorical variable) (P = 0.006), modus operandi (P = 0.000), histologic subtype (P = 0.000), tumor grade (P = 0.000), ascites (P = 0.000), postoperative metastasis (P = 0.000) and adjuvant therapy (P = 0.030). However, in the multivariate analysis, the modus operandi (P = 0.000), tumor grade (P = 0.006), ascites (P = 0.027), postoperative metastasis (P = 0.023) and age (as a categorical variable) (P = 0.002) were the only significant predictors of survival. Conclusions: Complete resection remains the most effective method for treating liposarcoma. High grade, old age (≥60 years old), postoperative metastasis, and ascites predict poor prognoses.


Background The inflammatory potential of diet has been shown to have an association with the risk of several cancer types, but the evidence is inconsistent regarding the related risk of urologic cancer (UC). Therefore, we conducted the present meta-analysis to investigate the association between the inflammatory potential of diet and UC. Methods PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched up to July 31, 2018. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted the data. The pooled risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the Stata12.0 software package. Results Nine case-control studies and three cohort studies including 83,197 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The overall meta-analysis results showed that individuals with the highest category of DII (dietary inflammatory index) were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.30–2.02); subgroup analysis showed consistent results. For kidney and bladder cancer, significant positive associations were found in individuals with the highest category of DII score; however, no significant association was found between DII and the risk of urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). Conclusion Available data suggest that more pro-inflammatory diets are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, kidney cancer and bladder cancer. However, further well designed large-scaled cohort studies are warranted to provide more conclusive evidence.


We used the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) biosensor, the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of PLCδ1 (phospholipase C) tagged with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP-PHPLCδ), to examine muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor regulation of phospholipase C/IP3 signaling in intact single hippocampal neurons in "real time." Initial experiments produced a pharmacological profile consistent with the presence of a predominant M1 mACh receptor population coupled to the IP3 response. To investigate M1 mACh receptor regulation, neurons were stimulated with approximate EC50 concentrations of the mACh receptor agonist methacholine before (R1) and after (R2) a short (60 sec) exposure to a high concentration of agonist. This resulted in a marked attenuation in the R2 relative to R1 response. Inhibition of endogenous GRK6 (G-protein-coupled receptor kinase) activity, by the introduction of catalytically inactive K215RGRK6, partially reversed the attenuation of agonist-induced responsiveness, whereas overexpression of wild-type GRK6 increased receptor desensitization. Manipulation of endogenous GRK2 activity through introduction of either wild-type or catalytically inactive GRK2 (K220RGRK2) almost completely inhibited agonist-stimulated IP3 production, implying a phosphorylation-independent regulation of M1 mACh receptor signaling, most probably mediated by a GRK2 N-terminal RGS-like (regulator of G-protein signaling) domain interaction with GTP-bound Gαq/11. Together, our data suggest a role for both phosphorylation-dependent and -independent regulation of M1 mACh receptors in hippocampal neurons.


ABSTRACT Health issues common among older adults living in institution settings include poor life satisfaction and depression conditions. Engagement in appropriate group reminiscence therapy programs could alleviate these health issues among older adults in long-term care institutions. This study tested the effectiveness of a structured group reminiscence therapy protocol on the life satisfaction of institutionalized older adults. A quasi-experimental design was applied. A convenience sample of older adults was drawn from two nursing homes in southern Taiwan. Participants were assigned to intervention or control groups based on the nursing homes they attended. The participants in the intervention group carried out group reminiscence therapy for 8 weeks in addition to their daily activities. The participants in the control group maintained their daily activities. Both groups were evaluated using a life-satisfaction scale including two aspects of life worries and situations in weeks 1, 8, and 12. The overall life satisfaction increased significantly over time for the intervention group compared to the control group from week 1 to week 8. The structured group reminiscence therapy programs showed promising effects in improving the life satisfaction of older adults living in nursing homes.


For low energy gamma -emitters, some Compton scattered photons are inevitably recorded in the photopeak of NaI detector. Using a photopeak setting of 125-170 keV for the 140 keV gamma -rays from 99Tcm the energy interval in the Compton region where the number of scattered photons is the same as those recorded under the photopeak is 91-102 keV. To obtain an image free of the scatter component, the number of counts measured in the appropriate Compton scatter region is subtracted from the measured events under the photopeak. Radioactive line sources of 99Tcm measured with various amounts of scattering media and corrected for scatter in this fashion result in a system MTF which is nearly independent of the amount of scattering material. Imaging of phantoms has demonstrated that removing the scatter component greatly enhances the image contrast and preserves the details of edge and boundary structures.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in infants of asthmatic vs nonasthmatic mothers.

RESEARCH DESIGN
Case-control analysis.

SETTING
Group model health maintenance organization.

PATIENTS
A volunteer sample of 294 pregnant asthmatic women and 294 pregnant nonasthmatic women with normal pulmonary function test results, matched on the basis of age and smoking status. All subjects entered the study before their third trimester of pregnancy. Subjects with multiple gestations and abortions (less than 20 weeks' gestation) were excluded.

INTERVENTION
Asthma was treated in the allergy department. Routine obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric care was provided to all patients by staff physicians.

MEASUREMENTS/RESULTS
Transient tachypnea occurred in 11 infants (3.7%) of asthmatic women and in one control infant (0.3%). There were no significant differences between asthmatic and matched control subjects in previously defined TTN risk factors, such as the occurrence of longer labors, failure to progress, cesarean sections, premature births, male sex, Apgar scores of less than 7 at 1 minute, or birth weight greater than 4 kg. Although infants of asthmatic mothers were more likely to exhibit wheezing by age 15 months compared with control infants (12.0% vs 3.2%), none of the infants with TTN manifested wheezing by age 15 months. No relationships could be identified in the asthmatic cohort between the occurrence of TTN and asthma severity or medication use (during the pregnancy in general or during labor and delivery in particular).

CONCLUSION
Although the mechanism is uncertain, maternal asthma appears to increase the risk of infant TTN.


Nanoclusters are anchored to membranes, either within them or in the cytoplasm latched onto the cytoskeleton, whose reorganization can regulate their activity. Nanoclusters have been viewed in terms of cooperativity and activation; here we perceive nanocluster organization from a conformational standpoint. This leads us to suggest that while single molecules encode activity, nanoclusters induce specificity, and that this is their main evolutionary aim. Distinct, isoform‐specific nanocluster organization can drive the preferred effector (and ligand) interactions and thereby designate signalling pathways. The absence of detailed structural information across the nanocluster, due to size and dynamics, hinders an in‐depth grasp of its mechanistic features; however, available data already capture some of the principles and their functional 'raison d'être'. Collectively, clustering lends stability and reduces the likelihood of proteolytic cleavage; it also increases the effective local concentration and enables efficient cooperative activation. However, clustering does not determine the ability of the single molecule to function. Drugs targeting nanoclusters can attenuate activity by hampering cooperativity; however, this may not perturb activation and signalling, which originate from the molecules themselves, and as such, are likely to endure. What then is the major role of nanoclustering? Assuming that single molecules evolved first, with a subsequent increase in cellular complexity and emergence of highly similar isoform variants, evolution faced the threat of signalling promiscuity. We reason that this potential risk was thwarted by oligomerization and clustering; clustering confers higher specificity, and a concomitant extra layer of cellular control. In our Ras example, signalling will be more accurate as a dimer than as a monomer, where its isomer specificity could be compromised.


Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is rated as the second cause of cancer death worldwide. Selenium (Se) has antioxidant activity and antitumor effect, especially in colon cancer. This important role occurs through selenoproteins. Low Se intake or low plasma Se and selenoproteins concentrations are associated with higher risk of CRC. rs7579 polymorphism in 3' untranslated region of the SEPP1 gene can effect on selenocysteine incorporation during protein synthesis and also effect on microRNA –messengerRNA interaction and sequentially change in SEPP1 expression. rs34713741 polymorphism as a promoter variant in selenoprotein S (SELS) gene can effect on SElS expression and finally lead to increased CRC risk. Methods: A case–control study using 60 CRC patients and 74 noncancerous counterparts were undertaken in order to determine rs7579 and rs34713741 genotypes using real-time polymerase chain reaction high-resolution melting method. Results: We found an association of borderline statistical significance between allele A for rs7579 in SEPP1 and CRC risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.63; confidential interval = 0.99–2.07; P = 0.05). The frequency of genotypes rs34713741 of the mentioned polymorphisms was not significantly different between case and control groups (P = 0.23 and P = 0.93, respectively). Conclusions: The results suggest that these polymorphisms probably has not a substantial role in Iranian CRC risk and is not a serious potential factor in risk assessment of mentioned disease among Iranians.


The 4-arsono-2-nitrophenyl chromophore can serve as a versatile spectrophotometric probe of the surface structure of proteins. Values of pK1' and pK2' for the arsonic acid ionizations are near 3 and 8, respectively, and the presence of nearby positive and negative charges produces substantial alterations in the spectral response of the probe. Changes in the extinction at the wavelength of maximum difference are 30-50% of the extinction coefficients, epsilonmax, for each ionization of the arsonic acid moiety. The titration of 41-(4-arsono-2-nitrophenyl)ribonuclease A indicates that the arsonate dianion binds near the active-site histidine residues. With protonation of a carboxylate side chain in the acidic region, presumably aspartic acid-121, the active site is disrupted. The 41-(4-arsono-2-nitrophenyl) group interacts to a greater degree with the histidine-119 side chain than it does with the histidine-12 residue. Interactions of uridine or 3'-cytidylic acid with the ligand-binding region of 41-(4-arsono-2-nitrophenyl) ribonuclease A modify the spectrophotometric response extensively. 3'-Cytidylic acid binds 41-(4-arsono-2-nitrophenyl) ribonuclease A with an affinity 300 times less than that for native ribonuclease A and 17 times lower than that for 41-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) ribonuclease A. The arsononitrophenyl chromophore is responsive to changes in the active site of ribonuclease A induced by such perturbants as ligand binding, chemical modification, and both acid and thermal denaturation.


Introduction. Many college instructors use a teacher-focused rather than student-focused method of teaching their courses. This may result in a surface approach to learning by students. This study examines student feedback of a college course with the intention of understanding how a more student-focused approach may result in a deeper approach to learning by students. Methods. Investigators used surveys and concept mapping in order to gain a better understanding of how students in the course retained and understood course material as well as how they perceived their ability to apply that material. Results. Survey and concept maps indicate a portion of students enrolled in the course were unsure of their ability to understand and apply some of the concepts required to pass the course. Additionally, many were unable to make logical connections between some key concepts covered in the course. Finally, we learned how students perceived the course and how we may need to transition from a more teacher-focused to a more student-focused approach to teaching. Discussion. Based on these results a course redesign born of SoTL literature and based on the concept of integrated course design may be in order.


Abstract. We have characterized the 1/f noise in standard ion-implanted silicon thermistors, which are about 250 nm thick. We find that it is associated with the bulk of the implant, and is interpretable as a ∆R/R fluctuation that is independent of the bias and depends only on the doping density and resistivity, or electron temperature. This excess noise is large enough that it has a significant effect on the energy resolution or NEP of a detector using these thermistors. The very steep temperature dependence of the 1/f noise suggested that it might be related to the conduction becoming twodimensional, and we have fabricated thicker detectors to test this hypothesis. Similar doped silicon thermistors that are 1500 nm thick show negligible 1/f noise, but otherwise behave identically to the thinner thermistors of the same volume. This simple change could provide a 40% improvement in resolution for some existing X-ray detectors.


This chapter offers reflections on the Arab uprisings grouped under four headings: (1) the entrenchment of autocracy in the region, (2) the unravelling of autocracy, (3) the uncertainty of the transition process, and (4) the challenges of sustaining democratic transitions.   Among the primary factors underlying the general entrenchment of Arab autocracy, at least prior to the uprisings, are the relative abundance of oil resources and the region's multi-faceted conflicts, along with all their attendant disruptive foreign interventions. Youth unemployment rising to very high levels and the persistence of deep economic inequality were important factors contributing to the uprisings. They were also reinforced by long frustrated aspirations for greater freedom and political participation on the part of social groups that have felt largely excluded from the benefits of economic development.  As of late 2016 the outcome of the uprisings remains highly uncertain especially with the rise to power of strictly fundamentalist groups and the ensuing armed conflicts that have come in their wake. The struggle between forces pushing for a move towards democracy and those pushing for the maintenance and/or regeneration of autocracy is presently in full play.   Transition experiences point to two fundamental challenges facing the consolidation of democratic transitions: firstly that the political victors be able to move in the direction of establishing genuinely representative and accountable political institutions. Secondly that they succeed in implementing an inclusive socio-economic strategy that not only focuses on growth and expanding employment opportunities but also eliminates 'elite capture' of the public sector.


Two efficient list-based "soft"-output demodulators are developed for iterative receivers in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems with QPSK signaling. The proposed demodulators are based on the semidefinite relaxation (SDR) technique, and hence their computational costs are bounded by a low-order polynomial of the number of bits transmitted per channel use. The first demodulator applies the SDR technique once per demodulation-decoding iteration, and generates list members via the randomization procedure that is inherent in the SDR technique. The second demodulator is based on an approximation of that randomization procedure by a set of independent Bernoulli trials, and this approximation reduces the number of semidefinite programs that need to be solved to just one per channel use. List-free implementations that reduce the memory requirements of list demodulators with moderate to long lists are also developed. Analysis suggests that the proposed "Single-SDR" demodulator should offer good performance at moderate computational cost, especially for larger systems. This is quantified using simulations of a richly scattered environment, in which the performance of the Single-SDR demodulator is similar to that of the list sphere decoder with moderate sized lists and better than that of the minimum mean square error soft interference canceler. The average computational cost of a straightforward implementation of the Single-SDR demodulator is competitive with that of the list sphere decoder with moderate sized lists, and the distribution of its computational cost is quite concentrated around the average.


It is a privilege to have the opportunity to think about the future of theology as an academic discipline and especially on the role of Ecclesiology (Church History). I will do it by just briefly making some comments on all five theses as were set on the table by Dr Vosloo. The comments are not extensive but rather reflects my own personal and passionate beliefs, and I will jump from the perspective of students, church leaders and my own position as lover of history.


The method of averaging is used to investigate the phenomenon of capture into resonance for a model that describes a Keplerian binary system influenced by radiation damping and external normally incident periodic gravitational radiation. The dynamical evolution of the binary orbit while trapped in resonance is elucidated using a second-order partially averaged system. This method provides a theoretical framework which can be used to explain the main evolutionary dynamics of a physical system that has been trapped in resonance.


A highly automated, real-time dispatch system is described which uses embedded optimization routines to replace extensive manual operations and to reduce substantially operating costs for a nation-wide fleet of petroleum tank trucks. The system is currently used in daily operations by the Order Entry and Dispatch segment of the Chevron U.S.A. Marketing System. Refined petroleum products valued at several billion dollars per year are dispatched from more than 80 bulk terminals on a fleet exceeding 300 vehicles in approximately 2600 loads per day. Centralized use of the dispatch system required its design and implementation as a set of transaction modules within a large management information system. This environment presents special challenges for the optimization methods; an heuristic sequential network assignment was developed for certified performance on these dispatch models in lieu of their solution as integer programs. Objectives include minimizing transportation costs approaching $100 million annually while maintaining equitable man and equipment workload distribution, safety standards, and customer service, and satisfying equipment compatibility restrictions.


The geographical limits of Nothofagus cunninghamii are highly correlated with climate and appear to be more or less in equilibrium with the climate of the present century in all but one of the areas of its present range. It is suggested that suitable climates for the species occur in the highlands of northeastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, beyond its present range, and it is possible that it occurred within the predicted area prior to the last ice age. It is suggested that populations of N. cunninghamii along the northeastern edge of its present range in the Central Highlands of Victoria may be migrating northeast along a narrow corridor of apparently suitable climate to re-occupy the postulated former range. The rate of migration would be expected to be extremely slow because of the poor dispersal ability of the species and the adverse impact of recurrent fires.


Synopsis: The modeling and analysis of un-reinforced masonry walls strengthened with externally bonded unidirectional composite laminates and subjected to out-ofplane loading is investigated. The model is based on variational principles, static equilibrium, and compatibility between the structural components, which include the masonry units (blocks), the mortar joints, the FRP strips, and the adhesive layers. The modeling of the masonry block and the mortar joints follows the small displacements and the Bernoulli-Euler beam theories. The strengthening FRP strips are modeled following the lamination theory and the adhesive layers are modeled as two dimensional linear elastic continuum. The effects of cracking of the mortar joints and the debonding of the composite laminates near the mortar joints are also considered. A numerical example is presented. The numerical results quantitatively describe some of the phenomena that govern the behavior of the strengthened wall and may lead to its failure. A summary and conclusions close the paper.


In this article we propose a dynamic approach to complex vector reconstruction in the context of quantum tomography. There are two underlying assumptions behind our reasoning. The first one claims that the evolution of a d-level pure quantum system is given by the Schr\"odinger equation with a time-independent Hamiltonian and the other states that the knowledge about the quantum state is provided from projective measurements, also called intensity measurements. The problem of quantum state reconstruction is connected with the notion known as phase retrieval -- recovering a complex vector from modulus of inner product with frame vectors. Phase retrieval is widely studied in many areas of science but still there is a number of problems that remain to be answered. We believe that the dynamic approach can significantly improve the effectiveness of the vector reconstruction as it aims to decrease the number of distinct projectors by taking advantage of the knowledge about the evolution. General conditions and observations are applied to a specific unitary evolution model.


Protocol testing for various applications real world applications can be analyzed using several methods, i.e. measurement, simulation and emulation. The first method from several method is live network testing. The second method is network simulation (simulation using network simulator) and the last method is emulation method (Emulab Testbed, DETER Testbed, and NIST Net). Emulation Method in network is the method which combines real elements of network application that has been deployed. For example an end host and protocol implementation, with synthetic elements, simulated or abstracted, such as network link, intermediate node, and background traffic. This paper shows the result of our experiment and testing of a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) application using session initiation protocol (SIP). VoIP testing is conducted using an open source network emulation software tool called NIST Net. VoIP that using SIP can be deployed in network that has been established. The network parameters used in our experiments are bandwidth and drop packets. The result shows the bandwidth and jitter characteristic during the experiment. The quality of VoIP depends on the number of drop packet. It can be summarized that the quality of VoIP depends on bandwidth, jitter, and drop packet.


A comprehensive analysis of American foreign policy and Mussolini's Italy. Schmitz argues that the U.S. desire for order, interest in Open Door trade, and concern about left-wing revolution led American policymakers to welcome Mussolini's coming to power and to support fascism in Italy for most of the interwar period. Originally published in 1988. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.


Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) allows medical doctors to examine the interior of the small intestine with a noninvasive procedure. This methodology is particularly important for Crohn's disease (CD), where an early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes. However, the viewing and evaluation of WCE videos is a time-consuming process for the medical experts. In this work, we present a recurrent attention neural network for the detection in WCE images of CD lesions in the small bowel. Our classifier reaches 90.85% accuracy on our own dataset annotated by experts from the Hospital of Nantes. The model has also been tested on a public endoscopic dataset, the CAD-CAP database used for the GIANA competition, and achieves high performance on detection task with an accuracy of 99.67%. This automatic lesion classifier will greatly reduce the amount of time spent by gastroenterologists in reviewing WCE videos, which will likely foster the development of this technique and speed-up the diagnosis of CD.


We have seen that being a female head of household or being a member of a racial minority increases the likelihood of being at the low end of the income distribution and of being poor. In the real world, we know that on average women and members of racial minorities receive different wages from white male workers, even though they may have similar qualifications and backgrounds. They might be charged different prices or denied employment opportunities. This section examines the economic forces that create such discrimination, as well as the measures that can be used to address it.


Pulmonary profusion scintigraphy is a simple, noninvasive and low-cost method for identifying acute pulmonary embolism. Although the method is highly sensitive, it is relatively non-specific, so that final assessment must include history, clinical findings and plain roentgenography of the thorax. Pulmonary scintigraphy is indicated whenever acute pulmonary embolism is suspected, on account of the therapeutic consequences resulting therefrom, in all cases where clinical findings and basic diagnosis cannot definitely establish the disease. It must not, however, be considered as an alternative to angiography of the pulmonary artery; as a matter of fact, it should be employed early and frequently in view of the high percentage of undiagnosed embolism of the lungs during the patients' lifetime.


Litter cleanup and disposal management in the marine environment are increasingly subject to public scrutiny, government regulation and stakeholder initiatives. In practice, ongoing efforts and new investment decisions, for example in new cleanup technologies, are constrained by financial and economic resources. Given budgetary restrictions, it is important to optimize decision-making using a scientific framework that takes into account the various effects of investments by combining multiple scientific perspectives and integrating these in a consistent and coherent way. Identifying optimal levels of marine litter cleanup is a challenge, because of its cross-disciplinary nature, involving physics, environmental engineering, science, and economics. In this paper, we propose a bridge-building, spatial cost-benefit optimization framework that allows prioritizing where to apply limited cleanup efforts within a regional spatial network of marine litter sources, using input from the maturing field of marine litter transport modeling. The framework also includes ecosystem functioning in relation to variable litter concentrations, as well as the potentially non-linear cost-efficiency of cleanup technologies. From these three components (transport modeling, ecosystem functioning, cleanup-effectiveness), along with litter source mapping, we outline the optimal cleanup solution at any given ecological target or economic constraint, as well as determine the cleanup feasibility. We illustrate our framework in a Baltic and Mediterranean Sea case study, using real data for litter transport and cleanup technology. Our study shows that including pollution Green's functions is essential to assess the feasibility of cleanup and determine optimal deployment of cleanup investments, where the presented framework combines physical, economical, technological and biological data consistently to compare and rank alternatives.


Historical evidence suggests that poor population groups are more likely to engage in con‡ict. We construct a theoretical model of the choice between appropriation and production. Fully speci…ed production functions allow for both symmetrical outcomes and for introducing inequalities in abilities and endowments. It is examined under what conditions income and capital redistribution, as well as education, health and poverty-alleviation spending reduce the incentives for appropriation. Empirical evidence is presented that is consistent with the theory. JEL Classi…cation: D02, D74, H50, I30.


Diverse cell types have been used to study various aspects of mitosis. Early investigators focused primarily on cells that were suited to morphological studies. More recently, experimental systems have been developed to study both morphology and the molecular basis of chromosome motion and cell-cycle regulation. This article briefly reviews cell types that have been used to study mitosis in live cells. It then discusses cell lines that have been used to examine mitosis in cultured mammalian cells and summarizes the methods that are used to culture and study these cells.


INTRODUcnON ing was halted in 1962. Subsequently, 11.01 Explosions of conventional reliance has been placed on under-high explosives can produce electro-ground testing, analysis of existing at-magnetic signals and so the generation mospheric test data, nonnuclear simula-of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from tion, and theoretical calculations. a nuclear detonation was expected. Extended efforts have been made to im-However, the extent and potentially prove theoretical models and to develop serious nature of EMP effects were not associated computer codes for predic-realized for several years. Attention tive studies. In addition, simulators slowly began to focus on EMP as a have been developed which are capable probable cause of malfunction of elec-of producing representative pulses for tronic equipment during atmospheric system coupling and response studies. nuclear tests in the early 1950's. In-11.03 Nuclear explosions of all duced currents and voltages caused un-types-from underground to high alti-expected equipment failures and subse-tudes-are accompanied by an EMP, quent analysis disclosed the role of EMP although the intensity and duration of in such failures. Finally, around 1960 the pulse and the area over which it is the possible vulnerability of various ci-effective vary considerably with the 10-vilian and military electrical and elec-cation of the burst point. The strongest tronic systems to EMP was recognized. electric fields are produced near the At about the same time it became ap-burst by explosions at or near the earth's parent that the EMP could be used in the surface, but for those at high altitudes long-range detection of nuclear detona-the fields at the earth' s surface are strong tions. enough to be of concern for electrical 11.02 For the foregoing reasons, and electronic equipment over a very theoretical and experimental efforts much larger area. have been made to study the EMP and 11.04 The nuclear EMP is a time-its effects. A limited amount of data had varying electromagnetic radiation which been gathered when aboveground test-increases very rapidly to a peak and then 514


As social concerns about threats of hatred and harassment have grown on the internet, there has been a lot of attention paid to detecting hate speech. This research looks at how well SGD classifiers with hyper-parameter tuning perform at detecting hate speech in tweets. It describes the categorization of English tweets with stochastic gradient descent (SGD) classifiers. The categorization of text documents depends on their content, which is divided into groups based on predefined categories. The Term-Frequency (TF) and Inverse-Document Frequency (IDF) parameters are implemented in the proposed system. A Stochastic Gradient Descent method (SGD) is used to generate classifiers that learn independent features, and performance is assessed using Accuracy and F1-score.


The sandwich panel is commonly used domestically because it`s less costly and easier to handle. But fires have frequently occurred in buildings employing sandwich panels, such as the fires in Eecheon cold storage and in Gwangju Pyungdong industrial zone. Sandwich panels with steel plates on their surface prevent fire water from penetrating to the fire source, which makes it difficult to extinguish a fire in a timely manner. Toxic gas generated from some insulation material leads to serious loss of life and property. This study is intended to develop an extinguishing system for sandwich panels, thereby reducing the fire risk. Fire water and volume were determined in the wake of the study on the structure of a sandwich panel extinguishing system, and improvement and testing of the fire characteristics of the sandwich panel. Based on such study and test, a fire model test was conducted. Consequently, the sandwich panel with extinguishing system was proven to have a reduced fire risk, compared to traditional or fire retardant panels.


This paper addresses a major challenge facing deepwater production of oil and gas: how to assure continuous flow of product under the pressures and temperatures found on the ocean floor. Syntactic foam promises to overcome the limitations exhibited by conventional insulation materials in the past. New hybrid glass and polymer chemistries with improved "hot, wet" performance survive in conditions that were formerly thought impossible. This paper presents the latest laboratory test data on these new materials, and proposes models for predicting long-term performance.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


The technology of network slicing, as the most characteristic feature of the fifth generation (5G) wireless networks, manages the resources and network functions in heterogeneous and logically isolated slices on the top of a shared physical infrastructure, where every slice can be independently customized to fulfill the specific requirements of its devoted service type. It enables a new paradigm of multi-tenancy networking, where the network slices can be leased by the mobile network operator (MNO) to tenants in form of public cloud computing service, known as Slice-asa- Service (SlaaS). Similar to classical cloud computing scenarios, SlaaS benefits from overbooking its resources to numerous tenants, taking advantage of the resource elasticity and diversity, at a price of risking overloading network resources and violating the service-level agreements (SLAs), which stipulate the quality of service (QoS) that shall be guaranteed to the network slices. Thus, it becomes a critical challenge to the MNOs, accurately estimating the resource overload risk - especially under the sophisticated network dynamics - for monitoring and enhancing the reliability of SlaaS business.


Several studies have shown that women can present with greater muscle endurance (less fatigability) compared with men (3, 5, 10, 12), although this is not always the case (4, 8). Most of these studies have focused on peripheral physiological mechanisms, mostly those within the muscle, to explain this effect of sex on fatigue. For example, reported differences in muscle fiber-type composition between men and women have been suggested to explain the lesser changes in electromyographic (EMG) signal variables of women compared with men when performing a sustained contraction (11). Because the effect of sex can be eliminated under ischemic conditions (5, 12), a predominant role for muscle metabolism or perfusion in explaining the sex-related differences in muscle fatigue has been suggested. This is also consistent with studies showing no difference in muscle fatigue when men and women are matched for strength (6, 8), which implies similar levels of perfusion. However, sex differences in muscle fatigability can still exist even when subjects are matched for strength (9). Although the mechanism(s) responsible for the sex differences could still involve peripheral structures, differences in the descending drive from higher centers of the brain to motoneurons (9) could also influence how well men and women are able to sustain a required force output. The ability to maximally activate a muscle or muscle group under volition, also termed "voluntary activation," can be assessed by delivering a pulse of electrical stimulation to a muscle (or the motor cortex via magnetic stimulation) during a maximal contraction. Any additional force produced by the stimulation above the voluntary force implies a submaximal level of voluntary activation. A decrease in the level of voluntary activation with sustained activity is referred to as "central fatigue." The presence of significant central fatigue could lead to the early termination of a sustained contraction, even when the muscle(s) can still generate the required force. Central fatigue has been a research topic of increased interest in the past 10 yr. It appears to be task and muscle dependent (1, 2), which means that results of individual studies are difficult to generalize, and underlines the importance of testing hypotheses using multiple experimental protocols and muscle groups. Nevertheless, the presence of a possible impairment in the ability of the central nervous system to drive a muscle to produce maximal force should be measured when a given task involves volitional activity. It is reasonable to think that this type of fatigue could explain differences between men and women in the performance of a given fatigue task. The paper in this issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology entitled "Supraspinal fatigue does not explain the sex difference in muscle fatigue of maximal contractions" by S. K. Hunter, J. E. Butler, G. Todd, S. C. Gandevia, and J. L. Taylor (7) aims at assessing the significance of central fatigue in explaining a sex difference in muscle fatigue observed during repeated intermittent maximal contractions. A novel aspect of the study is that these authors are evaluating "supraspinal" fatigue, which because of the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation allows the implication of structures "at or above the level of the motor cortical output." This is in contrast to stimulation of the motor nerve, which does not allow the differentiation between the relative contributions of structures/ mechanisms upstream of the motoneuron pool (including influences at the spinal level). In addition to the force/torque response to transcranial magnetic stimulation, Hunter et al. also monitor the EMG response to the stimulation to provide further insight into specific mechanisms related to motor cortical activity. Two variables are reported: 1) the size of the motorevoked potential (MEP), the EMG response recorded from the biceps brachii, which is an estimate of cortical excitability; and 2) the silent period in the EMG signals after the stimulus, an indicator of intracortical inhibition changes. Both men and women had to perform six sustained maximal elbow flexion contractions lasting 22 s each, with a 10-s rest period between contractions. Overall fatigue was quantified as the decrease in maximal torque at the end of this fatigue protocol compared with prefatigue values. The main results were that men exhibited greater fatigue than women and that this was not explained by a difference in supraspinal (central) fatigue but rather by greater peripheral fatigue. The fatigue protocol did lead to the development of supraspinal fatigue; however, the extent was similar between men and women. There were also no differences in the estimates of motor cortex excitability (MEP size) and intracortical inhibition (silent period) between men and women, ruling out a significant sex difference in these processes. The lack of a sex difference in supraspinal fatigue is in contrast to findings from a recent study by Russ and Kent-Braun (12) showing greater central fatigue in men compared with women also for an intermittent maximal fatigue protocol. A brief discussion of three key differences between the present study by Hunter et al. (7) and the Russ and Kent-Braun (12) study will help identify some of the current challenges in the field. First, the muscle groups tested were different, with Russ and Kent-Braun (12) studying the ankle dorsiflexor muscles. As mentioned earlier, central fatigue may be muscle dependent, and a significant effect of sex on central fatigue is more likely to be observed in a muscle group prone to central fatigue. However, whether this is the case for elbow flexors vs. ankle dorsiflexors is not established. Second, even though both fatigue protocols involved intermittent maximal isometric contractions, the overall duration of the task was longer in Russ and Kent-Braun's study [4 min compared with 3 min in Hunter et al.'s study (7)], but their lower work-to-rest ratio (5 s on, 5 s off vs. 22 s on 10 s off for Hunter et al.) led to about the same total "on" time. Although a varying work-to-rest ratio does not seem to influence the extent of central fatigue (13), a longer task duration (1) [mostly with no rest periods (2)] can lead to more central fatigue and could thus favor the development of varying levels of central fatigue between subjects, including men vs. women. In fact, Hunter et al. conclude: "it is conceivable that the site for the sex difference in muscle fatigue varies not only with the task performed but also with the muscle being assessed." Third, the different methods used to quantify central (or supraspinal) fatigue, with different stimulation sites implicating different structures/mechanisms, J Appl Physiol 101: 1015–1016, 2006; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00705.2006.


This study aims (1) to analyzing the shift in utilization patterns compared with the carrying capacity and land suitability; (2) to analyze the status of coastal ecosystems. The method of analysis used in this study is the analysis of Geographic Information System (GIS). The results showed that there was a shift utilization, namely: to change the function of protected areas into mixed areas and dryland farming for 83.12%, coastal border that changes the function into the airport area, mixed area, settlements, dry land farming for 96.02%, dry land agriculture which transformed the function into neighborhoods, the area is a mixture of 8.70%. This resulted in the status of coral reef ecosystems, including criteria for medium-well with percentage coral cover ranged from 36.63 to 75.62%, the status of mangrove ecosystems including the category tree density was 780 to 1420 trees / ha, and the status of seagrass ecosystems, including categories less rich with the percentage cover ranged from 33.13% to 44.39%. Keywords: coastal ecosystem, coastal areas


The rapid pace of invention in technology and the evolution of network communication has produced a new lifestyle with variety of opportunities and challenges. Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) technology, which includes drones, is one example of a recently invented technology that requires the collection of a solid body of defensible and admissible evidence to help eliminate potential real-world threats posed by their use. With the advent of smartphones, there has been an increase in digital forensic investigation processes developed to assist specialized digital forensic investigators in presenting forensically sound evidence in the courts of law. Therefore, it is necessary to apply digital forensic techniques and procedures to different types of RPASs in order to create a line of defense against new challenges, such as aerial-related incidents, introduced by the use of these technologies. Drone operations by bad actors are rapidly increasing and these actors are constantly developing new approaches. These criminal operations include invasion of privacy, drug smuggling, and terrorist activities. Additionally, drone crashes and incidents raise significant concerns. In this paper, we propose a technical forensic process consisting of ten technical phases for the analysis of RPAS forensic artifacts, which can reduce the complexity of the identification and investigation of drones. Using the proposed technical process, we analyze drone images using the Computer Forensics Reference Datasets (CFReDS) and present results for the Typhoon H aerial vehicle manufactured by Yuneec, Inc. Furthermore, this paper explores the availability and value of digital evidence that would allow a more practical digital investigation to be able to build an evidence-based experience. Therefore, we particularly focus on developing a technical drone investigation process that can be applied to various types of drones.


In this paper, encrypted audio communications based on synchronization of two coupled discrete-time hyperchaotic systems in master-slave configuration is studied. A theoretical approach to nonlinear control design, based on aggregation techniques associated to one specific characteristic matrix description, namely, the arrow form, is developed. Numerical simulations are carried out to assess the performance of the proposed contribution in the important field of secure communication.


NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY AND NUTRITIONAL EDEMA The terms nutritional deficiency and deficiency disease include an extremely wide field. Generally speaking, they are applied to conditions caused by deficiency of some of the materials essential for adequate nutrition, such as fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals. There are thirty-six known such essential constituents of the diet, and it is likely that there are others as yet unknown. It is easily conceivable that pure deficiency of one essential substance probably never exists except in experimental animals, while the ordinary clinical nutritional deficiency states are caused by a lack of several essential substances, with one or more of the clinical deficiency syndromes more apparent than the others. Moreover, the question is even more complicated than this, since little significant information has been obtained concerning the body's requirements for certain of these factors, and even less is known of the interrelation of many of these


This study addresses the issue of whether the magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticle shows a true spin-glass like behavior or if this is an artifact of interparticle interaction. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction pattern analysis confirms the formation of pseudospherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a grain size of 8(1) nm. The magnetic moment relaxation M(t) follows a stretched exponential and power law function, confirming the presence of multiple-magnetic anisotropic barriers (β = 0.51(1)) and weak-interparticle interaction (n = 0.60(4)). The observed field cooling (FC) memory effect occurs because of the presence of magnetic anisotropy arising from a broad size distribution and weak-interparticle interactions. The absence of the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) memory effect signals that the Fe3O4 nanoparticle system is not a true spin-glass system, and the observed decreasing behavior of magnetization in FC measurement is an artifact of the weak-interparticle interaction.


Abstract Climate change is predicted to impact freshwater aquatic environments through changes to water temperature (Twater), river flow and eutrophication. Riverine habitats contain many economically and ecologically important fishes. One such group is the migratory salmonids, which are sensitive to warm Twater and low O2 (hypoxia). While several studies have investigated the independent effects of Twater and hypoxia on fish physiology, the combined effects of these stressors is less well known. Furthermore, no study has investigated the effects of Twater and O2 saturation levels within the range currently experienced by a salmonid species. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effects of Twater and O2 saturation level on the energetics and kinematics of steady-state swimming in brown trout, Salmo trutta. No effect of O2 saturation level (70 and 100% air saturation) on tail-beat kinematics was detected. Conversely, Twater (10, 14, 18 and 22°C) did affect tail-beat kinematics, but a trade-off between frequency (ftail) and amplitude (A, maximum tail excursion) maintained the Strouhal number (St = ftail• A/U, where U is swimming speed) within the theoretically most mechanically efficient range. Swimming oxygen consumption rate (\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} }{}${\dot{M}}_{{\mathsf{O}}_{\mathsf{2}}}$\end{document}) and cost of transport increased with both U and Twater. The only effect of O2 saturation level was observed at the highest Twater (22°C) and fastest swimming speed (two speeds were used—0.6 and 0.8 m s−1). As the extremes of this study are consistent with current summer conditions in parts of UK waterways, our findings may indicate that S. trutta will be negatively impacted by the increased Twater and reduced O2 levels likely presented by anthropogenic climate change.


In Modasa, newly born City of north Gujarat (INDIA), faces severe traffic congestion due to rapid and uncontrolled development by an unacceptable level of disparity in transportation demand and supply scenario resulting in environmental degradation as well. Capacity analysis is essential for planning, design and operation of road. Planning and development of road systems require an understanding of capacity standards for assessing economic consequences of important road development schemes. Among other things, it provides the basic of determining the total width to be provided for bus-station to state bank of India with regards to volume, composition and other parameters of traffic. The factors affecting capacity of road are physical road way, traffic, environment and control conditions. Speed-flow relationship is the basic relationship depicting traffic behavior. In this study speed-flow relationship, speed-density relationship and flow-density relationship for SBI to bus-stand and bus-stand to SBI road link in Modasa city are developed using video recording technique. The capacity is derived from the speed-flow relationship, which can be helpful for working out improvement plans.


We have separated multiple small Mr GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) from bovine brain membranes by several column chromatographies and purified to near homogeneity four of them, including a novel Mr 24,000 G protein (smg p25A), a novel Mr 22,000 G protein (smg p21), the rho protein (rho p20), and the c-Ki-ras protein (c-Ki-ras p21). Among these small Mr G proteins, only smg p21 is phosphorylated stoichiometrically by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A), and c-Ki-ras p21 is phosphorylated to a small extent by protein kinase A in a cell-free system. None of smg p25A, rho p20, and other partially purified small Mr G proteins is phosphorylated by protein kinase A. Neither smg p21 nor other small Mr G proteins are phosphorylated by protein kinase C. About 1 mol of phosphate is maximally incorporated into 1 mol of smg p21 by protein kinase A. Only serine residue(s) are phosphorylated. The guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio) triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-bound and GDP-bound forms of smg p21 are phosphorylated with the same reaction velocity. The phosphorylation of smg p21 affects neither its GTP gamma S-binding nor GTPase activity. smg p21 is found in human platelets, and this human platelet smg p21 is also phosphorylated by protein kinase A at the same site(s) as bovine brain smg p21 in a cell-free system. When intact human platelets are stimulated by prostaglandin E1 known to elevate the cAMP level, four proteins with apparent Mr values of 240,000, 50,000, 24,000, and 22,000 are phosphorylated. These four proteins are also phosphorylated by the action of dibutyryl cAMP but not by the action of thrombin, Ca2+ ionophore A23187, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Among the four proteins, the Mr 22,000 protein is identified as smg p21. The site(s) of phosphorylation of smg p21 by protein kinase A in a cell-free system are identical to that phosphorylated in response to prostaglandin E1 in intact platelets. These results indicate that among many small Mr G proteins, smg p21 is selectively phosphorylated by protein kinase A and that this G protein is also phosphorylated by this protein kinase in response to prostaglandin E1 in intact human platelets.


Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the oral live attenuated (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) were studied in primary vaccination of toddlers. Three doses were administered simultaneously with DPT following the usual schedule valid in Croatia. The two groups of children had about 100 children each. Postvaccinal reactions were recorded for three days after each vaccination, and seroconversion was determined one month after the last injection. Although a conclusive analysis of postvaccinal reactions is not possible, since the staff of four different health centers apparently did not observe the same criteria, vaccination with IPV + DPT was not associated with remarkably more adverse events than OPV + DPT. Seroconversion rates attained with OPV ranged between 95.2% and 99.0%. With IPV, the rates were between 96.5% and 100%. Antibody levels for virus types 1, 2, and 3, as measured by GMT (reciprocal value), were 277, 1017, and 222 for OPV, and 465, 526, and 758 for IPV, respectively. IPV appears to be perfectly acceptable as a substitute for OPV for primary vaccination.


Telephones are a ubiquitous and widely accepted technology worldwide. The low ownership cost, simple user interface, intuitive voice-based access and long history contribute to the wide-spread use and success of telephones, and more recently, that of mobile phones. This study reports on our preliminary efforts to leverage this technology to bridge disparities in the access to and delivery of personalized health and wellness care by developing and evaluating a Spoken Web enabled Care Management solution. Early results with two proxy evaluations and a few visually impaired users highlight both the potential and challenges associated with this novel, voice-enabled healthcare delivery solution.


The Sun's visible spectrum is filled with a wealth of polarized spectral structures due to coherent scattering via bound-bound atomic transitions. Here we outline the theory for these coherence phenomena, including the effects of the external magnetic field (the Hanle effect), and demonstrate the correspondence between classical coherence and quantum interference between excited atomic states. Observational examples of the Hanle effect and of spectral features that can only be understood in terms of rather exotic quantum physics are presented. The signatures of coherent scattering have revealed the presence of a small scale, turbulent magnetic field in the Sun's photosphere, which has not been detectable by other techniques.


Bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and staphylococci are the predominant organisms in the faeces of breast fed babies whereas in formula fed babies coliforms, enterococci and bacteroides predominate. In vitro studies suggest that the mechanisms responsible are probably related to the acid base properties of the formula and 'immunological' proteins such as lactoferrin and sIgA. In human babies however the addition of bovine lactoferrin to an infant formula has little effect on the faecal flora and does not move it in the direction of the breast fed baby. There are various possible explanations of this lack of effect, e.g., inactivation of the lactoferrin when it is added to a formula, and immunological responses in the intestine to a foreign protein. We consider the most likely explanation is that other factors necessary for the optimum activity of lactoferrin were not present or in inappropriate concentration, e.g. sIgA, lysozyme, citrate, bicarbonate. If human lactoferrin is added to an infant formula it may be these other factors will require attention if the lactoferrin is to have a significant effect. An iconoclastic interpretation which cannot be completely excluded is that the hypothesis of lactoferrin bacteriostatic activity is based on in vitro studies and is not a reflection of what happens in babies. The faecal flora of a breast fed baby is very different from that of a baby receiving either cow's milk or a modern infant formula (Figure 1). Among breast fed babies bifidobacteria lactobacilli and staphylococci are the predominant organisms, whereas in formula fed babies the predominant organisms are enterococci, coliforms, and bacteroides (1).


The aim of this study was to identify the economic screening strategies for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in high-risk regions. We used a validated ESCC health policy model for comparing different screening strategies for ESCC. Strategies varied in terms of age at initiation and frequency of screening. Model inputs were derived from parameter calibration and published literature. We estimated the effects of each strategy on the incidence of ESCC, costs, quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Compared with no screening, all competing screening strategies decreased the incidence of ESCC from 0.35% to 72.8%, and augmented the number of QALYs (0.002-0.086 QALYs per person) over a lifetime horizon. The screening strategies initiating at 40 years of age and repeated every 1–3 years, which gained over 70% of probabilities that was preferred in probabilistic sensitivity analysis at a $1,151/QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. Results were sensitive to the parameters related to the risks of developing basal cell hyperplasia/mild dysplasia. Endoscopy screening initiating at 40 years of age and repeated every 1–3 years could substantially reduce the disease burden and is cost-effective for the general population in high-risk regions.