The dynamics of joint mechanics are a fundamental characteristic of the motor system. They determine the displacements evoked by perturbing forces during postural control and the forces that must be generated to perform a voluntary movement. This article reviews experimental studies of these dynamics, with an emphasis on the behavior of single joints in alert humans. Technical aspects of the experimental and analytic methods that have been used are summarized first. Major results obtained with the different methods are then reviewed, compared, and contrasted. The interpretation of these results in terms of the underlying physiological mechanisms is then considered, with an emphasis on the relative contributions of passive properties of tissue, the mechanical behavior of muscle, and stretch reflexes. Finally, important unanswered questions regarding the dynamics of joint mechanics are reviewed.


Like Cholera outbreak of London in 1854, Spanish flu in 1920 or many other pandemic and epidemics thereafter including the current pandemic of COVID 19, it has again reminded to the world about the role of epidemiologist and epidemiological principles in controlling any such event where there is no cure available and thus saving the mankind It points towards the urgent need of strengthening our public health infrastructure This should be started with recruitment of competent epidemiologists on priority at district, state and country level We should make use of full potential of members of IPHA and IAPSM mainly by providing data and help in policy making This would help in developing capacity for timely action in best interest of our population for any threat of outbreak, epidemic or pandemic in current scenario and in future © 2020, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine All rights reserved


Plasma with temperatures above a million Kelvin is common in the Universe and exists for a large part in the intergalactic space, but is also found in a variety of discrete cosmic sources that range from optically thin to thick. I consider briefly the general outline of x-ray spectral modelling of hot plasmas, in particular the optically thin model applicable to sources like stellar coronae, clusters of galaxies, and supernova remnants. I deal with the diagnostics of plasma parameters to be obtained from optically thin line and continuum x-ray spectra and give some examples of spectral simulations for various spectrometers on board Spectrum-XG.


Geological and geophysical evidence is presented for a newly discovered, probable remnant complex impact structure. The structure, located near Bow City, southern Alberta, has no obvious morphological expression at surface. The geometry of the structure in the shallow subsurface, mapped using downhole geophysical well logs, is a semicircular structural depression approximately 8 km in diameter with a semicircular uplifted central region. Detailed subsurface mapping revealed evidence of localized duplication of stratigraphic section in the central uplift area and omission of strata within the surrounding annular region. Field mapping of outcrop confirmed an inlier of older rocks present within the center of the structure. Evidence of deformation along the eastern margin of the central uplift includes thrust faulting, folding, and steeply dipping bedding. Normal faults were mapped along the northern margin of the annular region. Isopach maps reveal that structural thickening and thinning were accommodated primarily within the Belly River Group. Evidence from legacy 2‐D seismic data is consistent with the subsurface mapping and reveals additional insight into the geometry of the structure, including a series of listric normal faults in the annular region and complex faulting within the central uplift. The absence of any ejecta blanket, breccia, suevite, or melt sheet (based on available data) is consistent with the Bow City structure being the remnant of a deeply eroded, complex impact structure. Accordingly, the Bow City structure may provide rare access and insight into zones of deformation remaining beneath an excavated transient crater in stratified siliciclastic target rocks.


According to the statistics of the World Bank between years 1970–2010, most economy losses caused by disasters in rich countries were due to floods and earthquakes. The East Asia was the most disastrous area in terms of the death toll caused by earthquakes, which proved that the earthquake is unpredictable. To cope with the crisis of the rise of the sea level, the concept of Marine Cities has been proposed. The most famous one among these concepts is the Dutch amphibious house. People living in earthquake and flood prone areas should be aware of the threat from oceans. Therefore, Ministry of Interior in Taiwan passed the rule 4 No. 2 in the chapter of the design and construction regulations to allow the use of high-raised buildings for reducing life and property loss. Furthermore, the most threatening natural hazards we are facing over a long period of time are floods and earthquakes. When are focusing on the flood resistant buildings in flood-prone areas, we should also aim at the prevention of earthquake disasters.The purpose of this study is to simulate the seismic behavior of the high-raised structures with different water levels, which are capable of flood resistance. We also propose a new seismic isolation system for these structures and study its efficiency in protecting these types of structures from earthquake damage. It appears from experimental results that the seismic responses of high-raised houses have been significantly reduced by the proposed device. Experimental results also disclosed that the proposed concept in this study is feasible for protecting structures in lowlands from damage resulting from floods as well as earthquakes.© 2014 ASME


Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (IMV) provides an alternative method of support to assisted and controlled mechanical ventilation in neonates with acute respiratory failure. Specific advantages include the use of only the level of mechanical support which is required on an individual basis. Because intrapleural pressure is reduced with IMV, as opposed to intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), venous return and cardiac output are maintained at more nearly normal levels, with or without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Duration of mechanical ventilatory support is reduced, weaning enhanced, and the incidence of pulmonary barotrauma decreased with IMV. Physiological homeostasis in terms of acid-base changes is more readily maintained as a result of precise regulation of alveolar ventilation. Newer concepts in mechanical support, such as "reversed" inspiratory:expiratory ratio (I:E ratio) ventilation, are possible with IMV because of the lower ventilator rates employed compared to IPPV.


In this paper, an account is given of the Fore-shore Vegetation of a part of E. Coast of Car-Nicobar along the Malacca Coast. The various types of plant species found on the shore above upper tidal limits are described, and the characteristic ones being Ipomoea pes-caprae (Linn.) Sweet., Panicum repens Linn., Vigna marina Mers., Ischaemum muticum Linn., Blainvillea acmella (Linn, f.) Philipson., Pandanus furcatus Roxb., Scaevola frutescens (Mill.) Krausse., Tournefortia argentea Linn., with Cocos nucifera Linn, occur behind, followed by Hibiscus tiliaceus Linn., Erythrina variegata Linn. var. orientalis (Linn.) Merr., Calophyllum inophyllum Linn., Thespesia populnea Corr., Guettarda speciosa Linn., Syzygium aqueum (Burm f.) Alston, and other trees in jungles. The various species met with are enumerated, in which 13 species and one variety would appear to be new records for the Andamans and Nicobars.


Cold-hardiness evaluations and soluble and insoluble-nonstructural carbohydrate analysis of dormant Vitis vinifera L. cv. Cabernet Sauvignon buds and cane tissue indicate a positive relationship between soluble carbohydrates and primary bud cold hardiness. Seasonal variations in soluble and insoluble carbohydrates appear to be related to changes in air temperatures and the dormancy status of the tissues. No differences were found in bud cold hardiness and only limited differences in carbohydrate levels of buds or stem tissues collected over 3 years from early harvest, normal harvest, or unharvested vines. These findings contrast with the widely held opinion that delayed harvest or failure to remove fruit results in reduced cold hardiness as a consequence of low storage carbohydrate content of the plants.


I can't do this any more. Not even for you. Not even for the McDonald's Happy Meal you buy me after we have sex every Saturday afternoon. Do you know I only eat the cookies? Do you know that I drop the fries down the holes in the sink when you aren't looking? I drop them one by one. Not two by two like Noah's animals. On their own. Solitary. Lone.


Heterologous IgG antibody (ab) can be produced against Heymann nephritis (HN) antigen (ag) in rabbits by administering it in Freund's complete adjuvant. The developing abs reacted at high titre with rat kidney brush border (BB) regions of the renal proximal tubules in an indirect fluorescence ab test. A single IV injection of the heterologous ab into a susceptible strain of rat resulted in the localization of IgG ab to glomerular fixed ags, producing immune complex glomerular nephritis. The injected ab also reacted with the BB region of the renal proximal tubules. The aim of this experiment was to find out whether heterologous IgG ab against the HN ag can also be produced in recipient rabbits by injecting immune complexes (ICs) composed of a rat kidney tubular preparation [rat kidney fraction 3 (rKF3)] and donor rabbit–derived rabbit anti‐rKF3 IgG ab. We found that anti‐rKF3 IgG ab – against the BB region of the renal proximal tubules – could be induced in rabbits injected with ICs, and the resulting ab was able to initiate passive HN in rats. This was the first time a pathogenic IgG ab was produced against HN ag in rabbits without the use of adjuvant. Ab responses in recipient rabbits were achieved by ab information transfer. Recipient rabbits injected with the IC produced the same class of immunoglobulin with the same specificity against the target ag rKF3, as was present in the innoculum, namely rabbit anti‐rKF3 IgG ab.


To become a proactive and informed partner in postacute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management, patients need to have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to self-manage COVID-19-related health challenges. Due to several restrictions and consequently social isolation, online platforms and forums where people can share information and experiences became more popular and influential. Therefore, this study aimed to identify perceived information needs and care needs of members of 2 Facebook groups for patients with COVID-19 and persistent complaints in the Netherlands and Belgium and patients with COVID-19 who registered at a website of the Lung Foundation Netherlands. Besides demographics and clinical characteristics, the degree of satisfaction with care during and after the infection as well as satisfaction with available information were assessed. Open text fields revealed specific information needs which were summarized. Patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 perceive various unmet needs varying from specific information needs (eg, information about permanent lung damage) to general needs (eg, being heard and understood). These data lead to several recommendations to improve care for patients with COVID-19 and justify further development of online platforms specifically addressing these unmet needs.


Micro-grids have spread in many distribution systems worldwide. They offer safe and reliable operation for their consumers by managing the micro-grids' power generation and trading with the main grid. Furthermore, micro-grids can help in integrating and promoting for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and reducing the environmental impacts of traditional centralized generation. This paper proposes multiple environment dispatch problem solution in micro-grids using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) technique to solve the generation dispatch problem. A combined cost optimization scheme is investigated to minimize both operational cost and emission levels while satisfying the micro-grid's load demand. Furthermore, the proposed multiple environment dispatch problem solution is used to evaluate promoting RES implementation in micro-grids despite of their high capital cost using the combined economic emission dispatch problem. The proposed multiple environment dispatch solution was implemented using MatLab and tested on two case studies with and without RES-Wind Turbine-Solar (WT-PV). The obtained results from the proposed technique are compared with those calculated using other Techniques; Gradient to evaluate the proposed method. The outcomes are evaluated and discussed. Finally, conclusions are reported.


Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease in the elderly and the patients suffer from uncontrolled movement disorders due to loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons on substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). We previously reported that transplantation of human fetal midbrain-derived neural precursor cells restored the functional deficits of a 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA)-treated rodent model of PD but its low viability and ethical issues still remain to be solved. Albeit immune privilege and neural differentiation potentials suggest mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from various tissues including human placenta MSCs (hpMSCs) for an alternative source, our understanding of their therapeutic mechanisms is still limited. To expand our knowledge on the MSC-mediated PD treatment, we here investigated the therapeutic mechanism of hpMSCs and hpMSC-derived neural phenotype cells (hpNPCs) using a PD rat model. Whereas both hpMSCs and hpNPCs protected DA neurons in the SNpc at comparable levels, the hpNPC transplantation into 6-OHDA treated rats exhibited longer lasting recovery in motor deficits than either the saline or the hpMSC treated rats. The injected hpNPCs induced delta-like ligand (DLL)1 and neurotrophic factors, and influenced environments prone to neuroprotection. Compared with hpMSCs, co-cultured hpNPCs more efficiently protected primary neural precursor cells from midbrain against 6-OHDA as well as induced their differentiation into DA neurons. Further experiments with conditioned media from hpNPCs revealed that the secreted factors from hpNPCs modulated immune responses and neural protection. Taken together, both DLL1-mediated contact signals and paracrine factors play critical roles in hpNPC-mediated improvement. First showing here that hpMSCs and their neural derivative hpNPCs were able to restore the PD-associated deficits via dual mechanisms, neuroprotection and immunosuppression, this study expanded our knowledge of therapeutic mechanisms in PD and other age-related diseases.


A 169.2 g of paint was diluted in 1 L of potable water. A 200 ml of sample was poured into 500 ml glass beakers and dosed with 10, 20, and 30 ml of 0.043 M of all coagulants (Iron: Fe and Aluminum: Al salts), respectively in jar tests. Samples were mixed at 250 rpm for 30, 45, and 60 s, respectively. Additional set of experiments was conducted with combined rapid mixing at 250 rpm for 30, 45 and 60 s followed by slow mixing at 100 rpm for a further 10 min, pH and turbidity were measured on the samples. The turbidity in the samples with 30, 45, and 60 s rapid mixing showed that most of the flocs are formed within 30 s. The results also showed a correlation between the pH and turbidity. Fe3+ and Al3+ of the same concentration yield a similar pH and turbidity trend. The added slow mixing showed no appreciable benefits. This was confirmed by microscope experiments using 2 drops of the same solution from rapid mixing only (Experiment A) and placed them in microscope slides after mixing. A similar experiment was conducted with combined and slow mixing. Images were captured after 30 min of settling using a camera. The results showed that the percentage area covered by the flocs in Experiment A are not different to the corresponding percentage area covered by the flocs in Experiment B.

 Key words: Paint, dosed, mixing, turbidity, correlation.


As the semiconductor industry faces fierce competition, it is essential for the semiconductor supply chain to integrate the front end and the back end to provide better service to customers. However, each member of the supply chain has different levels of power and pursues different goals which results in poor performance and difficulty monitoring it. In order to enhance service levels and to improve the performance of the whole supply chain, front-end members need to lead all of the other members to share information and to synchronize operations. Considering the characteristics of production and the substantial power of the front-end actors, this research develops a forward echelon-based inventory model for a semiconductor supply chain based on the concept of the echelon work in process (WIP) inventory and the CONWIP control method. We first construct the model that minimizes the echelon WIP upper limit under the target service levels. Next, we propose an algorithm for the model and validate the algorithm through a simulation study. Based on the results of the simulation study, we find that: 1) the algorithm derives the WIP upper limit effectively and 2) compared to the traditional stage-based inventory model, the forward echelon-based inventory model obtains a higher service level and a lower inventory level.


A state does not have power in isolation from others without considering its linked interactions to others nor from system structure without considering its structural positions in the system; rather, it has power as a consequence of its interactive relations with other states in the system and its structural positions in the networks of relations. This paper proposes a new power concept, using the social network perspective, called "structural network power," defined as the power of an individual state arising from its location within the networks of international relations. Adapting this new network power concept, this paper also assembles and provides the data on the new measure of national power (SNPI, Structural Network Power Index) 1950-2000 for all states existing in the international system.


The alleviation of emergency transmission line overload is a critical problem in power system operation. A method is presented for generation rescheduling and load shedding to elleviate line overloads, with the help of a local optimisation concept. The method developed is superior to existing methods, as the new secure operating point is obtained for all line overload cases efficiently, and a significantly smaller amount of load shedding is required. It is an aid to the load dispatcher and will find extensive applications in operational planning, security studies and the reliability evaluation of power systems. Test results for the 14-bus, 118-bus IEEE test systems, 6-bus and 26-bus SPC systems, and the 64-bus model of the North-West power system of India are presented to show the effectiveness of the method.


This paper continues discussion of a lattice structure for parametrization and implementation of a Discrete Wavelet Transform. Based on an algorithm for converting the lattice structure to a wavelet filter bank coefficients, developed in the first part of this paper, second part of the proof demonstrating that filters implemented by the lattice structure fulfil conditions imposed on an orthogonal wavelet filter bank is carried out.


Summary

1. Sexual populations are expected to perform better in fluctuating environments than asexuals because recombination provides the potential to adapt to changing environments due to increased genetic variation. Nevertheless, some asexual species show comparably high levels of genotypic diversity. Such diversity might be achieved through gene flow between coexisting sexual and asexual populations or through sexual events within asexual populations.

2. Evidence for occasional sex in the flatworm Schmidtea polychroa was previously found at one specific site that is inhabited by parthenogenetic forms. There, varying rates of sex between subpopulations, reaching up to 12%, were observed. Past recurrent sexual processes left a significant genetic signature in the population genetic structure of this population. In the present study, we examined the population genetic structure of six independent metapopulations (lakes) of the freshwater planarian flatworm S. polychroa, to confirm the presence of occasional sex and that its population genetic consequences can be generalised.

3. Using microsatellites, we found varying rates of occasional sex among subpopulations. Metapopulations showed medium to high levels of genotypic diversity that correlated with the rate of sex.

4. We conclude that occasional sex has considerable consequences for population genetic structure of parthenogenetic species and promotes diversity that might allow response to the particular type of selection that is usually predicted to favour sexual reproduction. This reproductive strategy provides genetic characteristics required for selection to act on, and might, therefore, explain the success of this parthenogenetic species.


We investigated the efficacy of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and ovarian steroids in the maintenance/interruption of pregnancy in normal pregnant rats. Holtzman's strain rats were laparotomized to observe the number of implantations. In this study, continuous administration of HCG (5 IU) to normal pregnant rats, from day 8 through days 14 or 19, interrupted gestation, resulting in fetal resorption with many placentomas and placental scars. By contrast, a single injection of HCG (5 IU or 1 IU) on day 8 had no deleterious effect on pregnancy, except that the percent fetal survival was slightly reduced, attributable to a slight hyperstimulation of the ovaries of the pregnant rats. One possibility is that prolonged treatment with HCG might have caused progesterone/luteal hormone deficiency with a concomitant increase in estrogen secretion, resulting in the interruption of pregnancy. Hence, here we tested whether progesterone (5 mg) or estradiol-17beta (1 microg) administered to HCG treated rats could compensate this deficiency and maintain pregnancy. The results indicate that these steroids cannot prevent the interruption of pregnancy induced by the continuous administration of HCG, possibly due to an overstimulation of the ovaries by gonadotrophin.


We extensively explore the high-pressure structures of InBi by using a newly developed particle swarm optimization algorithm. An orthorhombic Imma structure is discovered to be stable from 43.7 GPa to 107.9 GPa, ruling out the previously speculated cubic structure. Further increasing the pressure, we find a tetragonal P4/nmm structure which is energetically more favourable from 107.9 GPa to 200 GPa. Especially, the tetragonal P4/nmm structure is known to occur at high pressure in the structures of ZnO and MgTe. We also predict this structure to be a high-pressure structure of ZnTe. Thus the tetragonal P4/nmm structure may be a universal high-pressure structure of the II—VI and the III—V compounds.


This paper looks at the ethical problems posed by managed care (in particular, at its incentives to physicians to economize on care), and points to a regulatory framework to provide consumer protection. HMO medicine has been effective in controlling once runaway health care costs. But it sets up inevitable conflict between patient care and the financial well-being of the health plan and of its employee or contract physicians. The trend to capitated payments is especially problematic. It relieves the insurer from interfering in medical decision-making as a means of cost-control, but it pits the interests of physicians directly against the interest of patients. Policy makers, the finding is, should not try to micro-manage HMO medicine, which they have done by mandating, for example, minimal hospital stays after childbirth. The real need is for regulatory oversight of financial incentives and disclosure. Health plans ought to be required to disclose the incentives under which their physicians are paid; to provide subscribers with honest information on health care coverage; and to be prohibited from imposing "gag rules" on physicians. Moreover, ERISA ought to be re-cast to hold health plans accountable for errant care decisions, which they are not now in many cases. Purchasing cooperatives, the conclusion also is, would play an especially useful role if managed care continues to take hold as the institutional norm.


Sedimentation is a pervasive environmental pressure affecting rivers globally. Headwaters draining catchments rich in organic soils (i.e., peat) are particularly vulnerable to enhanced sedimentation caused by land management and environmental change, yet many of the ecological consequences of peat deposition are poorly understood. We conducted a before‐after‐control‐impact experiment in two rivers draining blanket peatland in Northern England to test the effect of sediment inputs on water quality, macroinvertebrate drift, macroinvertebrate community structure, and ecosystem metabolism. Sediment addition increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, total oxidised nitrogen and suspended sediment concentration in rivers, and intensified the total drift of macroinvertebrates particularly at night. By contrast, the abundance and richness of benthic macroinvertebrates were unaffected, except for declines in Coleoptera abundance in one river. The gross primary production of both rivers was strongly suppressed as the benthos was smothered by sediment. Community respiration also declined, albeit by different extents in the two rivers. Our experiment revealed that short‐term pulses of organic sediment in rivers can have broad effects on water quality and biota, from influences on the dispersal of individual organisms to the modification of ecosystem processes. Organic sediments therefore warrant further examination, to include longer observation periods and more sites. It is particularly important to clarify the extent to which impacts extend from peatland streams into larger rivers downstream. Such studies are necessary to inform global management efforts to restore the integrity of river ecosystems under a range of water and biodiversity policy mechanisms.


A 1940 survey project of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship Oceanographer commanded by Comdr. Fred. L. Peacock reveals a wealth of new information in the Gulf of Maine. This vessel was equipped with a visual fathometer and a graphic recorder fathometer operating simultaneously. Hydrography on a scale of 1:120,000 consists of 15,300 miles of sounding lines concentrated in an area of approximately 8900 square statute miles. Recorded soundings exceed 155,000. Physiographers now have valuable information to assist in solving the past history of this region including the role of continental glaciation. The submarine relief is complex, with features rising from 50 to 500 feet above the floor of the Gulf. Cashe Ledge, the highest feature, rises 485 feet from the floor to within 25 feet of sea level. The basins are relatively broad and shallow, lying at depths of about 500 to 1000 feet. Base level of about two-thirds of the area surveyed is about 760 feet. The basins have dual-bottoms, tentatively termed as "sediment" overlying the substrata. This sediment, ranging in thickness from a thin film to approximately 90 feet, is generally restricted to depths greater than 500feet and is more prevalent in the deeper basins. The manner of its distribution is variable, but generally it smooths out irregularities. Anomalously, the sediment is sometimes absent in the deepest portion of a depression. Emphasis is given to illustrations of sounding data. These consist of 5-fathom interval contour maps of the surveyed area and 231 representative fathogram profiles covering features of interest. The latter illustrate 1500 statute miles of graphic recorder sounding lines.


BACKGROUND
Injuries represent one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality. For countries with ageing populations, admissions of injured older patients are increasing exponentially. Yet, we know little about hospital resource use for injured older patients. Our primary objective was to evaluate inter-hospital variation in the risk-adjusted resource use for injured older patients. Secondary objectives were to identify the determinants of resource use and evaluate its association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS
We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of injured older patients (≥65 years) admitted to any trauma centres in the province of Quebec (2013-2016, N = 33,184). Resource use was estimated using activity-based costing and modelled with multilevel linear models. We conducted separate subgroup analyses for patients with trauma and fragility fractures.

RESULTS
Risk-adjusted resource use varied significantly across trauma centres, more for older patients with fragility fractures (intra-class correlation coefficients [ICC] = 0.093, 95% CI [0.079, 0.102]) than with trauma (ICC = 0.047, 95% CI = 0.035-0.051). Risk-adjusted resource use increased with age, and the number of comorbidities, and varied with discharge destination (P < 0.001). Higher hospital resource use was associated with higher incidence of complications for trauma (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.7) and fragility fractures (r = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.7) and with higher mortality for fragility fractures (r = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2-0.6).

CONCLUSIONS
We observed significant inter-hospital variations in resource use for injured older patients. Hospitals with higher resource use did not have better clinical outcomes. Hospital resource use may not always positively impact patient care and outcomes. Future studies should evaluate mechanisms, by which hospital resource use impacts care.


This study was undertaken to provide histologic observations on the effectiveness of citric acid and tetracycline HCl root surface demineralization when used in conjunction with guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures. Eight beagle dogs with naturally-occurring periodontitis were initially treated with scaling and root planing. Four weeks later, 12 mandibular quadrants were treated surgically with modified Widman flap and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The teeth in 4 of the quadrants were randomly root conditioned with tetracycline HCl, while those in 4 additional quadrants were randomly treated with citric acid. ePTFE membranes were sutured in place. The beagles received prophylaxis (chlorhexidine and toothbrushing) 3 times a week. After 6 weeks, the membranes were removed; prophylaxes continued for 4 months. Histological evaluation revealed new cementum on the root surfaces. A new periodontal ligament with fibers inserting into the new cementum was noted. Statistical evaluation of the buccolingual measurements demonstrated membranes alone resulted in significantly more new connective tissue and new bone formation than membranes with root conditioning agents. Within the furcation, no significant differences were found. However, there was a trend for more bone formation with membranes alone. Within the limits of this study it may be concluded that GTR utilizing an ePTFE membrane results in new connective tissue attachment and bone regeneration in the beagle dog. Root surface demineralization with citric acid or tetracycline HCl does not enhance the results achieved with GTR when used alone.


BACKGROUND
Nasal device-related pressure ulcers are scarcely addressed in the literature.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the prevalence and severity of cutaneous and mucosal nasogastric tube (NGT)-associated pressure ulcers (PU) in critically ill patients and to define predictors for their formation.

METHODS
A single center observational study of intensive care unit patients with a NGT for more than 48 hours was conducted. Nasal skin was evaluated for PU. Ulcers were graded according to their depth. Consenting patients underwent a nasoendoscopic examination to evaluate intranasal mucosal injury.

RESULTS
The study comprised 50 patients, 17 of whom underwent nasoendoscopic examination. Mean time of NGT presence in the nose was 11.3 ± 6.17 days. All patients had some degree of extranasal PU, 46% were low grade and 54% were high grade. Predictors for high grade extranasal PU compared to low grade PU were higher peak Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (11.52 vs. 8.87, P = 0.009), higher peak C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (265.3 mg/L vs. 207.58, P = 0.008), and bacteremia (33.3% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.037). The columella was the anatomical site most commonly involved and the most severely affected. The number of intranasal findings and their severity were significantly higher in the nasal cavity containing the NGT compared to its contralateral counterpart (P = 0.039 for both).

CONCLUSIONS
NGTs cause injury to nasal skin and mucosa in critically ill patients. Patients with bacteremia, high CRP, and high SOFA scores are at risk for severe ulcers, warranting special monitoring and preventive measures.


Background In recent years, research on sex-gender differences in health care has increasingly recognized that men and women differ in the way symptoms occur, in risk factors for certain conditions and in the way they respond to the same treatment. A disease that is known to often present differently in women and men is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Given the difference in prevalence, predominant symptoms and possible other pathophysiology, it is conceivable that a difference in treatment effectiveness in men and women is a discovery waiting to be found. Purpose To determine whether there are differences in treatment effectiveness between men and women with irritable bowel syndrome. Materials and Methods We searched on PubMed and EMBASE, selecting randomized controlled trials comparing IBS treatment in men and women over 18 years old. One researcher performed the inclusion process, and two researchers independently performed a quality assessment. A descriptive analysis was conducted. Results Twelve studies, randomizing 1847 men and 3562 women, were included in this review. Treatment with serotonin antagonist alosetron, treatment with ibodutant and crofelemer and adding cognitive behavioral therapy to medical treatment found significant differences between men and women in favor of effectiveness towards women in either satisfactory relief of overall IBS symptoms or percentage of pain-free days. Conclusion Sex-gender can be a determining factor in the effectiveness of IBS treatment. Due to the limited number of studies per treatment option, no recommendations can be made on the choice of a specific treatment. It is clear, however, that so as not to miss beneficial treatment options for either sex, the inclusion, analysis and description of data on the basis of sex is of the utmost importance.


This paper analyzes and compares the performances of permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance machines (PMa-SynRMs) and interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) on their constant power speed range (CPSR) capability for electric vehicle (EV) applications. The recent trend of less rare-earth magnet makes the IPMSM unfavorable despite its excellent CPSR. As an alternative, the PMa-SynRM possesses a higher saliency with lower PM quantity. The two different rotor designs would affect the CPSR and these need to be investigated and compared. As a key performance index for EV traction motors, the CPSR calculated by analytical methods often suffers low accuracy due to omission of saturation. Finite-element analysis (FEA) can be used to obtain the CPSR but significant computation time is required. This would be disadvantageous for accurate performance prediction in design stage. To resolve these problems, six 10 kW, 30 Nm/L designs are studied and compared, covering IPMSMs and PMa-SynRMs. An approach associating analytical methods with FEA is developed for accurate and rapid calculation of CPSR for these machines. A discussion on PMa-SynRM rotor designs and suggestion for their PM quantity are provided considering performance, cost, and demagnetization. Two prototypes were tested, one being IPMSM and the other PMa-SynRM to validate the analysis.


The exhaust flow of a Pulse Detonation Combustor (PDC) is investigated for different operating conditions. The PDC consists of two units, the deflagration to detonation transition section and the exhaust tube with a straight nozzle. High-speed high-resolution schlieren images visualize the shock dynamics downstream of the nozzle. The flow dynamics during one full PDC cycle is examined via high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry. A well-suited solid tracer particle for supersonic reactive flow is determined in a preliminary study to minimize the PIV measurement error. The investigated operating conditions of the PDC differ in fill-fraction, which is the percentage of the tube filled with a reactive mixture. With increasing fill-fraction, the flow features grow in size and strength, as the propagation velocity of the leading shock increases. The blow down process of the PDC is characterized by several exhaust and suction phases. An increase in fill-fraction results in a stronger first exhaust phase, while the subsequent suction and exhaust phases remain almost unaffected.


Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE), sometimes known as prion diseases, are fatal degenerative brain diseases. From epidemiological evidence and many investigations of data, the risk that TSE agents will be transmitted from TSE patients to other humans, is very low, but TSE agents comprise one of the very severe bio-medical hazards. Although government agencies, world organization and other institutions have distributed some guidances for safe working and prevention of infection, these guidances are not compulsory and no globally harmonized guidelines is present to date. Therefore, medical staff particularly in hospitals individually take countermeasures for safety against TSE agents by using these guidelines, and both the level and method differ in each hospital. In this chapter, transmission of TSE and related parts of guidelines from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee in the United Kingdom recommending relatively strict standards are described.


Design of a digital dynamic divider in SiGe bipolar technology is presented in this paper. The proposed digital dynamic frequency divider is based on two latches connected with negative feedback. However, in contrast to the conventional static frequency divider the latching differential pair has been completely omitted to reduce the load for the sensing differential pair to extend the maximum operating frequency. Two versions of dynamic dividers (A and B) are fabricated to validate the concept. The divide ratio for version A is two while that for version B is four. In version B, the divide ratio of four is achieved by cascading a conventional static frequency divider by two in front of version A. The circuits are fabricated in IHP 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology with ft and fmax of 300 GHz and 500 GHz, respectively. The input referred self-oscillation frequency (SOF) of 149 GHz was measured. With single-ended sine wave clock input, both dividers are operational from 100 to 166 GHz. At dual power supply with Vcc = 3 V and Vee = -1.9 V, the version A and B consume 80 mA and 160 mA (without output buffers), respectively.


Aim of study The study will provide a critical overview of the current literature with respect to the symptoms and signs that a patient with a retained abdominal swab may present with, as well as the radiological appearance of a retained swab and the legal implications for the operating team. The study will detail aspects of the incidence, pathogenesis, presentation, varied complications, challenges in diagnosis and treatment. It will also look at the current international literature regarding the responsibility of such a misadventure, as well international surgical guidelines aimed at preventing such mishaps. The information will be assimilated to provide a comprehensive summary surrounding gossypiboma as well as the risk factors for this misfortune and the standards of medical practice that will in the future help prevent such disasters.


The dynamics of soil mould populations that can compromise the human immune
 system was evaluated in experimental plots located at different distances
 (100, 300, 500, 700 and 900 m) from the main source of pollution - the
 Podgorica Aluminum Plant. Soil samples were collected in July and October
 2008 from three different plot zones at a depth of 0-10 cm. The count of
 potentially pathogenic, keratinolytic and allergenic (melaninogenic) moulds
 was assessed, which can significantly contribute to both diagnosis and
 prophylaxis. The count of medically important moulds was higher in the urban
 soil than in the unpolluted (control) soil. Their count decreased with
 increasing distance from the main pollution source (PAP). Their abundance in
 the soil was considerably higher in autumn than in spring.


SUMMARY We describe a female patient with ulcerative colitis from the age of 19, who was diagnosed as having medullary sponge kidney 3 years after the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. The diagnosis of medullary sponge kidney was based on the typical appearance of both kidneys on abdominal ultrasound examination. All other well-known causes of medullary sponge kidney were excluded on the basis of the relevant laboratory investigation. So far, the patient has experienced no renal colic or urinary infections. Her renal function is normal. She is under maintenance treatment with azathioprine. The benign nature of the situation was explained. She was advised to drink at least one and a half litres of water daily, in order to reduce the risk of nephrolithiasis. The combination of the two disorders in our patient is probably the result of chance. However, bearing in mind the potentially dangerous longterm results of medullary sponge kidney, we suggest that patients with ulcerative colitis must have a careful ultrasound examination of both kidneys at least at the beginning of inflammatory bowel disease, as conservative measures could result in avoidance of potentially dangerous complications, such as renal stones and infections.


This paper presents methods and results from a study where long-term wind measurements at 10 m above ground level from meteorological stations across Scotland were used to hindcast both average and hour-by-hour local wind speeds. For this, Scotland was divided into 21 simulation areas each containing a meteorological station. The Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP) was then used—well outside its specified range for both distance and area slope—to predict the wind climate at 80 m above ground level on a square kilometre basis. With further processing, time series of wind speed were derived for selected locations. Based on wind turbine power curves it was then possible to derive time series of power which were applied in power system analysis and used to study the degree of matching between renewable generation and electricity demand. This paper focuses on the creation of the onshore wind speed and power time series for areas of interest in Scotland. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A resonant tunneling diode (RTD)-based microwave on-off mode oscillator for on-off keying (OOK) transceiver applications operating at extremely low power consumption is proposed. In order to achieve the low-power operation, the negative differential conductance characteristic at a low-voltage arising from quantum effects of the RTD is used for RF signal generation. The fabricated integrated circuit of the RTD-based oscillator by using an InP-based RTD/heterojunction bipolar transistors quantum-effect IC technology shows low power consumption of 1.14 mW at an oscillation frequency of 5.725 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band. The fabricated RTD-based oscillator operates in an on-off mode with a high data rate of 500 Mb/s. The obtained energy efficiency of 2.28 pJ/bit is found to be the best reported up to date.


The first RAFT mediated polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by diradicals derived from Bergman cyclization was performed employing 3,4-benzocyclodec-3-ene-1,5-diyne (BCDY) as diradical source and cyanoisopropyldithiobenzoate (CPDB) as RAFT agent. The polymerization was conducted in bulk at 80 °C for 3 h. The concentration of the enediyne was kept constant at 3.0 x 10⁻² mol · L⁻¹ and the RAFT agent concentration was varied between 0.0 mol · L⁻¹ and 2.4 x 10⁻¹ mol · L⁻¹. A detailed ESI-MS analysis reveals the absence of intramolecular termination reactions (ring formation) in the RAFT mediated system, which usually makes diradicalic initiation unfavorable. The presence of polymeric chains propagating at both ends could be confirmed. The conversion of the RAFT mediated polymerization was up to more than two times higher than the RAFT free polymerization at identical conditions. Thus, polymers with narrow polydispersities (1.1 ≤ PDI ≤ 1.5) even at very high molecular weights (near 400,000 Da) were obtained within modest reaction times.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of pancytopenia in relation to sex and age and to become aware of the clinical manifestations of pancytopenic patients according to the causes of pancytopenia.

MATERIALS-METHODS
This was a prospective descriptive study that included all patients with pancytopenia admitted to or attending the Hematology-Oncology Department in Al-Gamhouria Teaching Hospital, Aden, during the period 1 January-31 December 2005.

RESULTS
The most common causes of pancytopenia were malaria and hypersplenism in > 45% of patients, followed by megaloblastic anemia in 14.7%, and aplastic anemia and acute leukemia in 13.3% each. The other causes as determined in the present study were myelodysplasia in 8.0%, myelofibrosis in 4.0% and iron deficiency anemia in 1.3%. The most common symptom was fever in 86.7% of patients. Pallor and splenomegaly were the most common physical findings.

CONCLUSIONS
Hypersplenism and malaria were the most common causes of pancytopenia followed by megaloblastic anemia, aplastic anemia and acute leukemia.


This paper defines a set of welding parameters for the Friction-Stir Welding (FSW) of two forged panels of the alloy EN AW 7049A in a T652 temper and discusses the plunge stage of FSW using numerical modeling. This multi-component aluminum alloy is characterized by high strength, reduced plasticity and poor weldability. Observations of the macrostructure and microstructure clearly showed typical zones of a FSW joint and the appropriate grain sizes. The finest grains were observed within the nugget, while the coarsest grains are found to be in the HAZ. The ultimate tensile strength is 80.3 % of the parent material. A coupled thermo-mechanical model was developed to study the temperature fields and the plunge force of the alloy EN AW 7049A under different rotating speeds, (300, 400 and 500) r/min, during the FSW process of the plunge stage. A three-dimensional FE model has been developed in ABAQUS/Explicit using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation, the Johnson–Cook material law and Coulomb's Law of Friction. Numerical results indicate that the maximum temperature in the FSW process can be increased with an increase in the rotational speed, which can be used to reduce the plunge force.


Analyzing diamond nanocrystal (DNC) thin film morphology produced by the HFCVD technique is the main objective of the present work. Stereometric analysis of three-dimensional surface microtextures was carried out based on data obtained through atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the ISO 25178-2:2012 standard was applied to characterize surface topography. The Abbott–Firestone curve, peak count histograms, and Cartesian graphs, which were extracted through AFM images, gave valuable statistical information. As can be seen, the most isotropic sample was the Au catalyst (etched) deposited by the hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. Moreover, by increasing the time of DNC growth from 15 min to 60 min, the surface roughness was increased. In addition, the average power spectral density was calculated and furrows were determined for all samples.


A full likelihood method is proposed to analyse continuous longitudinal data with non‐ignorable (informative) missing values and non‐monotone patterns. The problem arose in a breast cancer clinical trial where repeated assessments of quality of life were collected: patients rated their coping ability during and after treatment. We allow the missingness probabilities to depend on unobserved responses, and we use a multivariate normal model for the outcomes. A first‐order Markov dependence structure for the responses is a natural choice and facilitates the construction of the likelihood; estimates are obtained via the Nelder–Mead simplex algorithm. Computations are difficult and become intractable with more than three or four assessments. Applying the method to the quality‐of‐life data results in easily interpretable estimates, confirms the suspicion that the data are non‐ignorably missing and highlights the likely bias of standard methods. Although treatment comparisons are not affected here, the methods are useful for obtaining unbiased means and estimating trends over time.


Reassortant variant viruses generated between 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus [A(H1N1)pdm09] and endemic swine influenza viruses posed a potential risk to humans. Surprisingly, genetic analysis showed that almost all of these variant viruses contained the M segment from A(H1N1)pdm09, which originated from Eurasian avian-like swine influenza viruses. Studies have shown that the A(H1N1)pdm09 M gene is critical for the transmissibility and pathogenicity of the variant viruses. However, the M gene encodes two proteins, M1 and M2, and which of those plays a more important role in virus pathogenicity remains unknown. In this study, the M1 and M2 genes of A(H1N1)pdm09 were replaced with those of endemic H3N2 swine influenza virus, respectively. The chimeric viruses were rescued and evaluated in vitro and in mice. Both M1 and M2 of H3N2 affected the virus replication in vitro. In mice, the introduction of H3N2 M1 attenuated the chimeric virus, where all the mice survived from the infection, compared with the wild type virus that caused 100 % mortality. However, the chimeric virus containing H3N2 M2 was still virulent to mice, and caused 16.6% mortality, as well as similar body weight loss to the wild type virus infected group. Compared with the wild type virus, the chimeric virus containing H3N2 M1 induced lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, whereas the chimeric virus containing H3N2 M2 induced substantial pro-inflammatory responses, but higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The study demonstrated that Eurasian avian-like M1 played a more important role than M2 in the pathogenicity of A(H1N1)pdm09 in mice.


ABSTRACT This article discusses a project whose purpose was to review existing qualitative and quantitative data from two separate studies to provide new insights about everyday religion and belonging. Researchers engaged in knowledge exchange and dialogue with new and former research participants, with other researchers involved in similar research, and with wider academic networks beyond the core disciplines represented here, principally anthropology and geography. Key concluding themes related to the ambivalent nature of 'faith', connections over place and time, and the contested nature of community. Implicit in terms like 'faith', 'community', and 'life course' are larger interwoven narratives of space, time, place, corporeality, and emotion. The authors found that understanding how places, communities, and faiths differ and intersect requires an understanding of social relatedness and boundaries.


Cell pellets from peritoneal, pleural and pericardial effusions from thirty-six patients were incubated in tissue culture medium. Both the culture supernatants and the cell monolayers in the flasks were examined for malignant cells. Of the ten cases diagnosed as positive for malignant cells by the conventional cytologic smears, eight were positive on examination of the tissue culture supernatants and only six were positive by analysis of the monolayers. All the cases diagnosed as positive from the culture supernatants and from the monolayers were also positive by the conventional smear method. Hence, tissue culture of cells in serous effusions is not helpful as an adjunct to routine diagnostic cytology techniques.


A microscopic three-dimensional (3-D) shape measurement system based on digital fringe projection has been developed and experimentally investigated. A Digital Micromirror Device along with its illumination optics is integrated into a stereomicroscope, which projects computer-generated fringe patterns with a sinusoidal intensity profile through the microscope objective onto the object surface being measured. The fringe patterns deformed by the object surface are recorded by a CCD camera. The microscopic 3-D shape of the object surface is measured and reconstructed by use of a phase-shifting technique. We discuss design considerations and error analysis of the system. Experimental results successfully demonstrate the capability of this technique for surface profile measurement of rough surfaces at the micrometer level.


This study examined the use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers as a means to identify cultivars of petunia (Petunia hybrida Vilm) seedlings and cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) seeds and to determine the genetic purity within cyclamen seeds. Bulked samples of six petunia and five cyclamen hybrid cultivars, respectively, produced consistent RAPD marker profiles. Evaluation of individual seeds from a single cyclamen hybrid produced polymorphic banding patterns that were attributed to genetic variability present in the female and male inbred parents. These results show that RAPD makers can be used to quickly assess the genetic purity of selected cultivars of these two flower seed crops.


In most of the developing countries, landfilling is the first (and sometimes the only affordable) step for the expansion of Waste Management Systems. Although, in general terms, landfills are considered as relatively simple technological systems with well-established knowledge of their environmental impacts, their design, construction and operation is not always an easy and standardized issue. Especially in developing countries, limited financial resources, lack of institutional development, poorly developed technical capabilities and lack of the necessary data (waste quantities and composition, geological, hydrogeological and climatic data) for designing a landfill, are usually the main barriers that do not allow environmentally sound solutions to landfilling problems. The only way to succeed at landfill design and at the same time to be in accordance with the context of opportunity cost is to relax the landfill standards, when this is possible, without unduly affecting protection of the environment. Significant efforts have been implemented for this issue, mainly from ISWA Landfill Working Group and South African experts. A simplified risk based approach is used in order to identify the parameters that mainly affect the conceptual design of leachate management. The design that is proposed is based on the sensitivity of the surrounding environment. The proposed methodology works with limited and easy to access data and at the end of the procedure it provides the constituents of the technical design for leachate management. Thus it can be easily linked with cost issues. The whole procedure aims to provide a simple and effective decision making tool for landfill designers in developing countries, as well as a measure to check environmental impacts of current landfills or dumpsites.


Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is responsible for the intravascular processing of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The LPL within capillaries is bound to GPIHBP1, an endothelial cell protein with a three-fingered LU domain and an N-terminal intrinsically disordered acidic domain. Loss-of-function mutations in LPL or GPIHBP1 cause severe hypertriglyceridemia (chylomicronemia), but structures for LPL and GPIHBP1 have remained elusive. Inspired by our recent discovery that GPIHBP1's acidic domain preserves LPL structure and activity, we crystallized an LPL-GPIHBP1 complex and solved its structure. GPIHBP1's LU domain binds to LPL's C-terminal domain, largely by hydrophobic interactions. Analysis of electrostatic surfaces revealed that LPL contains a large basic patch spanning its N- and C-terminal domains. GPIHBP1's acidic domain was not defined in the electron density map but was positioned to interact with LPL's large basic patch, providing a likely explanation for how GPIHBP1 stabilizes LPL. The LPL-GPIHBP1 structure provides insights into mutations causing chylomicronemia.


Abstract The management of residential properties has its specificity which primarily arises from their constant inhabitation by users, which requires the permanent provision of specific services to flats. This specificity is also significantly influenced by legal regulations which residential real estates are subject to, which vary according to the various forms of ownership and types of residential units. This paper pays special attention to the organizational and legal forms applicable in residential property management in Poland. The undertaken attempt to find a comprehensive approach to the problem of the institutionalization of residential property management in Poland is a good starting point for in-depth research into the effectiveness and efficiency of individual institutional forms.


This paper presents the synthesis of penta-bismuth hepta-oxide nitrate, Bi5O7NO3, via the chemical precipitation method. After calcination, the precipitate was characterised by several methods, which included X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, BET surface area and pH drift method to determine the pH of point of zero charge (pHpzc). The study results revealed that Bi5O7NO3 had an orthorhombic crystal structure, a surface area of 1.6 m 2 g -1 and a point of zero charge at pH 9.7. The chemical state of Bi 5O7NO3 indicated the presence of three oxidation states of bismuth centre. Furthermore, the decolourization ability of Bi5O7NO3 to remove the azo dye was also evaluated. Although it had lower surface area, the removal efficiency was extremely good. This finding suggests that Bi5O7NO3 could be used as a promising adsorbent for azo dye removal. The XPS spectra showed that the accumulation of dye onto Bi5O7NO3 could be due to the anion exchange process, suggesting the birth of a new anion exchanger for azo dye removal.


In late 2019, the novel and highly infectious coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused a worldwide outbreak of a severe respiratory infectious disease, known as COVID-19. The disease has started in China and turned into one of the worst pandemics in human history. Due to the very fast global spread of the pathogen, COVID-19 is a great challenge for the Public Health Systems. It had led to a variety of severe limitations in private and public life worldwide. There is a lively public debate about possible sources of SARS-CoV-2. This article aims at providing a better understanding of controversial biological and political issues regarding COVID-19. Recommendations are made for possible actions under the umbrella of the World Health Organization and in respect to the Biological Weapons Convention.


The aim of the study is to determine whether the development of selected communes entirely located in rural areas is progressing towards achieving integrated order in line with the concept of sustainable development. Detailed research covered typically rural communes located in the Lower Silesian Voivodship. Research was carried out according to 5 functional regions of rural areas of the voivodship. The research period covered the years 2011-2017. The research takes into account three orders: social, economic and environmental. Sustainable development indicators and the linear normalization method in the form of zeroed unitarization were used. In the analyzed rural communes of the Lower Silesian Voivodship, the indicator of striving for environmental order (E) ranged from 0.403 to 0.571, the indicator of striving for economic order (G) from 0.403 to 0.571, and the indicator of striving for social order (S) from 0.320 to 0.459. Finally, a synthetic indicator (SI) was calculated to determine the level of integrated order, which ranged between 0.370-0.452 (the lowest values were recorded for the 2nd functional region, and the highest for the 4th functional region of Lower Silesia). The synthetic indicator of the pursuit of integrated order grew, with the exception of the 5th region. Changes should be assessed as positive.


The invocation and necessity of a forgiveness process have become complicated and multifaceted within the South African society with its realities of crime, poverty, racism, injustice and abuse. The rhythms of forgiveness compel us to identify our present situation. Individuals, as well as larger social groups, should begin to reflect on the importance of forgiveness to deal with transgression, violence, revenge and bitterness. I suggest that forgiveness within the Christian doctrine needs to be situated and embodied in specific habits and practices of Christian life within the South African society. In response, people in South Africa are called to remember past transgressions while pursuing the repairing and healing of the brokenness and separations in relationships by embodying forgiveness. It directs the importance of the Church's prophetic task to proclaim the boundless gift of a constructive and transformative relationship with God, one another and God's creation. Practising forgiveness includes a process of seeking to embody Christian forgiveness that involves the transformation of people's lives, their world and their capability to restore communion within the field of social relations.


Background – In January 2016, clinical TB guidance in the UK changed to no longer recommend 18 screening contacts of non-pulmonary, non-laryngeal (ETB) index cases. However, no new evidence 19 was cited for this change, and there is evidence that screening these contacts may be worthwhile. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of screening contacts of adult ETB 21 cases and adult pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis (PTB) cases in London, UK. Methods – We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of data collected on tuberculosis index cases 23 and contacts in the London tuberculosis register, and an economic evaluation using a static model 24 describing contact tracing outcomes. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated 25 using no screening as the baseline comparator. All adult TB cases (≥15 years old) in London from 26 2012-15, and their contacts, were eligible (2465/5084 PTB and 2559/6090 ETB index cases were 27 included). Results Assuming each contact with PTB infects person/month, the ICER of screening contacts of 29 ETB cases was £78000/QALY (95% and screening contacts of PTB cases was 30 £30000/QALY (95% CI: 18000 to The ICER of screening contacts of ETB cases was 31 £30000/QALY if each contact with PTB infects 3.4 people/month. Limitations of this study include 32 the use of self-reported symptomatic periods, and lack of knowledge about onward transmission 33 from PTB contacts. Screening at any conventional recent national guidelines.


A wheat dehydrin gene (DHN-5) is inducible by either treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) or by abiotic stress such as drought and salinity. To further investigate the regulation of the gene, a 1,128-bp genomic fragment upstream of the DHN-5 translated sequence has been isolated, cloned, and designated as the ''PrDHN-5'' promoter. Sequence analysis of PrDHN-5 revealed the presence of cis-regulatory elements which could be required for abiotic stress and ABA responsiveness. The PrDHN-5 promoter was fused to the Beta-glucuronidase (gusA) gene and the resulting construct was transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana (heterologous dicotyledonous system) and wheat (homologous monocot system). Histochemical assays of stably transformed Arabidopsis plants showed that PrDHN-5 is active in this heterologous system. The accumulation of gusA transcripts was up-regulated by salt, osmotic and ABA treatment. Histochemical assay in wheat embryos showed a staining in callus and younger leaves treated with various stress. Altogether, these results show that PrDHN-5 is an abiotic-stress-inducible promoter.


This two-year study involved two graduate student participants enrolled in an online masters' program. The two participants were enrolled in classes while also teaching full time in public school classrooms during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis as well as throughout the following academic year. Adopting a qualitative framework, the narrative study traveled the journey of the two participants as they navigated, adapted, and survived the US public school classroom during the pandemic. Specifically, the study attempted to delve into the lived reality of teaching during a pandemic and to create meaning, share insights, and offer suggestions through the expression of "pandemic stories." The study examined specific themes that were organized chronologically and further emerged as the two-year research period progressed. This article details the narrative story of how each participant coped, struggled, and succeeded as they navigated the challenges of teaching during a pandemic while dealing with health issues, lack of resources and training, student issues, and overall lessons learned in order to offer insight that may assist colleagues and fellow school personnel.


Graffiti is as ubiquitous as telephone poles in America's cities; it is as old as the earliest civilizations. The most public medium in the country today, graffiti can signal territory, love, or liberation. Ironically, graffiti is understood by only a fraction of those who encounter it. Usually read as a sign of urban decay and as a loss of control over the physical environment, graffiti has become one of the most potent cultural languages of our age. This book takes a look at the phenomenon as it is embodied in the neighbourhoods of one of its epicentres, Los Angeles. Anthropologist Susan Phillips enters the lives of the African-American and Chicano gang members to write a guide to their symbolic and visual expression. She decodes the graffiti - explaining how, for instance, gang boundaries are visually delimited and how "memorial" graffiti functions - as well as placing it in the context of the changing urban landscapes within the city. Graffiti, she argues, is inextricably linked to political change, to race, and to art, and she demonstrates how those connections are played out in contemporary LA. The book is, on this level, an iconography of street imagery. But it is also a personal narrative about entering the world of LA street gangs.


ROBERT E. WHALEN (Duke University Medical Center, Durham,' N. C.): Perhaps I should preface my answers to some of these electronics questions with the statement that I am a physician. And I will be the first one to defer to our electrical engineers. I would point out that there are many areas in which physicians are not sophisticated, and it is a joint venture to find out why these things happen. I can give you the answer that I have been told and the one that fits well and seems reasonable. The difference is basically a problem in current density. In essence, the smaller your electrode the greater the density of the current that is generated. You can take the same current and spread it over a large surface, and it doesn't have nearly the same effect on the heart. I think this is exactly what we saw in the studies today. As a matter of fact, in dog studies that were not reported today we have demonstrated that you can obtain an almost linear plot of the size of the electrode you put on the heart and the current required to make the heart fibrillate.


In this paper we investigate the performance of B-Spline lter banks for low bit rate image coding. The innuence of certain characteristics of the analysis and synthesis of FIR lters are studied. These include the B-Spline polynomial order, the eeects of coeecient truncation, coding quantisation and the distortion introduced by the lters themselves. Due to the high concentration of energy in the low frequency band, these biorthogonal lter banks have better capabilities to reconstruct signals from the lower band than their counterparts. As a result a very low bit rate image coder can be designed by coarse quantisation of the higher bands.


Interferon ω (IFN-ω), a cytokine released during innate immune activation, is well known for promoting direct antiviral responses; however, the possible signal pathways that are initiated by IFN-ω binding to the type I IFN receptors have not been fully studied. Here, we provide evidence that activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling plays a pivotal role in the generation of IFN-ω-mediated biological responses. We found that LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor)-attenuated antiviral activities are induced by IFN-ω treatment. Although such effects of LY294002 are unrelated to regulatory activities on IFN-ω-dependent Mx1 (myxovirus resistance 1) or Mx2 gene transcriptional regulation, translation of Mx1 protein, which was known as a key mediator of cell-autonomous antiviral resistance, was significantly reduced by PI3K inhibition. Further studies showed that PI3K inhibition using LY294002 leads to a decrease in PI3K substrate Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 phosphorylation/activation. In addition, although LY294002 was not able to reduce STAT1 activation, we found that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70 S6 kinase pathway was significantly attenuated by inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These results indicate that the PI3K/Akt pathway is a common and central integrator for antiviral responses in IFN-ω signaling via its regulatory effects on mTOR that are required for initiation of mRNA translation of Mx genes.


During the lifetime of Augustus (from 63 B.C. to A.D. 14), Roman civilization spread at a remarkable rate throughout the ancient world, influencing such areas as art and architecture, religion, law, local speech, city design, clothing, and leisure and family activities. In this vivid book, Ramsay MacMullen investigates why the adoption of Roman ways was so prevalent during this period. Drawing largely on archaeological sources, MacMullen discovers that during this period more than half a million Roman veterans were resettled in colonies overseas, and an additional hundred or more urban centers in the provinces took on normal Italian-Roman town constitutions. Great sums of expendable wealth came into the hands of ambitious Roman and local notables, some of which was spent in establishing and advertising Roman ways. MacMullen argues that acculturation of the ancient world was due not to cultural imperialism on the part of the conquerors but to eagerness of imitation among the conquered, and that the Romans were able to respond with surprisingly effective techniques of mass production and standardization.


The 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a systemic herbicide whose effects in animal organic systems have been examined in previous studies, being the neurotoxicity considered the predominant effect. However, the studies that detect the 2,4-D neurotoxicity have merely focused in the central nervous system, and therefore, little is known about the effect of this herbicide in the enteric nervous system. This study aimed to verifying the 2,4-D effects on the myenteric neurons in duodenum of Wistar rats. Ten 60-day-old male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in two groups: control group (C) that did not receive 2,4-D and experimental group (E) that received 5.0 mg of 2,4-D/kg for 15 days. At the end of experimental period, the animal were euthanized, the duodenum was collected and processed for NADPH-diaphorase histochemical analysis in order to expose the nitrergic myenteric neurons (NADPH-dp). In the light microscopy analysis, the whole-mount preparation obtained from duodenum of each animal were image-captured in 120 and 40 fields, for quantitative and morphometric analyses of myenteric neurons, respectively. The neuronal density was not affected when comparing the two groups, but an increase (p > 0.05) of 8.5% was observed in the cell body area of neurons in the E group. In conclusion, the ingestion of 2,4-D at a dosage of 5.0 mg/kg body weight for 15 days does not change the neuronal density, but promotes the hypertrophy of NADPH-dp myenteric neurons in duodenum of the rats of this study.


Previously, the treatment of patients with cardiac arrhythmias was mostly palliative, involving lifelong dependence on medication. Moreover, in a significant portion (10% to 15%) of these patients, available drug therapy has been found unsatisfactory because of a lack of meaningful response or unacceptable, side effects. Surgical intervention has been the principal method of treatment in these cases. However, alternatives to surgery have been sought, in an effort to reduce the cost and morbidity of surgical treatment. During the past decade, minimally invasive microwave and radio-frequency (RF) cardiac ablation - in particular, RF cardiac ablation - has become a widely used procedure for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Minimally invasive intervention offers many benefits: long incisions are replaced with a puncture wound; major cardiac and pulmonary complications are sidestepped; the need for postoperative intensive care is significantly reduced; and, in many cases, minimally invasive intervention offers a "cure" without major surgery. Furthermore, it has important advantages over drugs that are merely palliative, and only alleviate symptoms. Namely, it avoids the side effects and inconvenience of chronic drug therapy.


Digital literacy (DL), a term that emerged with the explosion of digital information and multimedia technology, refers to basic competence in using digital technology. The present study first analyzed the evolvement from media literacy to digital literacy and developed a four-branch theoretical framework of DL by investigating related definitions of it. For the purpose of fostering DL, a set of web-based collaborative inquiry learning (WCIL) activities was designed and were implemented on weblog to further the DL of secondary 3 students (aged 14 to 15). To provide students with the necessary support and facilitate their progress, eight fortnightly lessons of one to one and a half hours each were arranged, at which students were asked to report/present the latest progress of their WCIL project, and their teacher gave suggestions and offered the students resources to deal with the problems they had encountered.


We invert infrasound signals for an equivalent seismoacoustic source function using different atmospheric models to produce the necessary Green's functions. The infrasound signals were produced by a series of underground chemical explosions as part of the Source Physics Experiment (SPE). In a previous study, we inverted the infrasound data using so-called predictive atmospheric models, which were based on historic, regional-scaled, publicly available weather observations interpolated onto a 3D grid. For the work presented here, we invert the same infrasound data, but using atmospheric models based on weather data collected in a time window that includes the approximate time of the explosion experiments, which we term postdictive models. We build two versions of the postdictive models for each SPE event: one that is based solely on the regional scaled observations, and one that is based on both regional scaled observations combined with on-site observations obtained by a weather sonde released at the time of the SPE. We then invert the observed data set three times, once for each atmospheric model type. We find that the estimated seismoacoustic source functions are relatively similar in waveform shape regardless of which atmospheric model that we used to construct the Green's functions. However, we find that the amplitude of the estimated source functions is systematically dependent on the atmospheric model type: using the predictive atmospheric models to invert the data generally yields estimated source functions that are larger in amplitude than those estimated using the postdictive models.


Ecdysteroids play an important role in regulating development and reproduction in insects. Interaction of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) with ecdysone receptor (EcR) as a heterodimer with ultraspiracle (USP) protein triggers the activation of 20E-responsive genes. In this paper we describe a ligand-mediated transactivation system in yeast using the spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana ecdysone receptor (CfEcR). Coexpression of C. fumiferana USP (CfUSP) with CfEcR in yeast led to constitutive transcription of the reporter gene. However, deletion of the A/B domain of CfUSP abolished constitutive activity observed for the CfUSP:CfEcR complex. Replacement of USP with its mammalian homolog retinoid X receptors (RXRs) abolished the constitutive activity of the heterodimer but it did not restore EcR ligand-mediated transactivation. These data suggest that USP and its A/B domain play a role in the constitutive function of CfEcR:USP in yeast. A ligand-mediated transactivation was observed when GRIP1, a mouse coactivator gene, was added to EcR:RXR or EcR:DeltaA/BUSP complexes. Deletion of the A/B domain of EcR in the context of DeltaA/BEcR:RXR:GRIP1 or DeltaA/BEcR:DeltaA/BUSP:GRIP1 dramatically improved the ligand-dependent transactivation. This is the first example of highly efficient ligand-dependent transactivation of insect EcR in yeast. Analysis of transactivation activity of different ecdysteroidal compounds showed that the yeast system remarkably mimics the response observed in insect tissue culture cells and whole insect systems. The results open the way to develop assays that can be used to screen novel species-specific ecdysone agonist/antagonist insecticides.


Americans' belief in their economic, political, and cultural superiority launched them on a mission to transform Latin America that has evolved into a global process of Americanization. From corporate and philanthropic initiatives to military interventions, Americans motivated by self-interest and idealism sought to reshape Latin America and gave birth to the American driven process of globalization. Synthesizing a broad range of international relations scholarship, including perspectives from gender, race, and cultural studies, O'Brien offers a sweeping history of the Americas that ranges from the adventures of eighteenth-century whaling men to the contemporary struggle over globalization. As a part of this study, the author explains how the responses of Latin Americans to Americanization have varied from the vehement rejection of U.S. economic dominance to embracing as well as reconfiguring the icons of American consumer culture. O'Brien's goal is to provide readers with a nuanced understanding of how the people of the Americas have shaped their own history, and influenced the development of U.S. economic, strategic, and cultural power in the world today.


Project delivery on time, with agreed quality and assigned budget, is the desire of project-based companies. Time, quality, and cost are determinants of project success; however, organisations suffer from achieving these three success criteria at the same time. Failures in project delivery cause the loss of the competitive advantage. The recent digital technologies introduce smart contracts to supply chain (SC) operations for improving SC processes. Project procurement is the area for smart contract implementation to deliver successful projects and gain sustainable competitive advantages. The aim of this study was in explaining how smart contracts benefit project organisations through project procurement. Qualitative research design guided this research with phenomenology. Semi-structured interviews generated the data. The obtained research data were analysed with thematic, textual, and discourse analysis. Published industry reports were used to triangulate the data. This study demonstrated an integrated relationship model to answer the research question. The research findings initially identified the fact that smart contracts improve procurement efficiency through cost, time, and quality. Secondly, smart contracts build a trust-less platform where reliability is delivered and reinforced with transparency, traceability, and security. This study found that enhanced procurement efficiency and reliability meet requirements to gain sustainable competitive advantages. This study intends to contribute to industry practices and future research. The correlation of project procurement management success, smart contracts, and sustainable competitive advantages are expected to guide feature research and business practices.


The article reveals the reaction of the regional press, and in particular, on the Mordovian regional Committee of the CPSU(b) of the newspaper "Red Mordovia" in the political trials of 1937 in Moscow, and the establishment of Soviet society a climate of suspicion, "hostile environment", the search for "enemies of the people", "wreckers", "spies", "Trotskyites", spies of Western and Japanese intelligence agencies.


A host-driven reconfiguration scheme, called HEX-REPAIR, is proposed for hexagonal processor arrays characterized by a large number of relatively simple cells. Such arrays have been shown to be the most efficient for many digital signal processing applications, such as matrix multiplication, and for some classes of filtering operations. Reconfiguration for these arrays is made difficult by the asymmetric nature of the interconnection network and the need for keeping the switching overheads at a minimum. The algorithm presented meets these requirements. In addition, it has excellent fault-coverage characteristics, even in the presence of multiple faults, and can accommodate multiple rows/columns of spare cells. The restructured array is transparent to users and no modification is required in any application program using the array. >


The R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma is biochemically similar to the normal lactating mammary gland in many ways, including the RNA/DNA ratio. However, the tumor differs from normal in important ways, which include having a DNA content 2 to 4 times higher than the maximum value for normal mammary gland. This raises the question of whether the cells of the tumor all have more DNA than normal cells. In order to determine how tumor DNA is distributed and whether its transcriptional activity differs from normal, we have compared the ploidy and RNA polymerase activities of nuclei isolated from both sources. Nuclei were also examined for their content of Ca2+-stimulated RNase activity, a marker of mammary differentiation.

Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of tumor cell nuclei revealed three nuclear types, designated T1, T2, and T3, representing 25, 48, and 27% of total nuclei isolated. T1, T2, and T3 nuclei contained, respectively, 6.5, 12.3, and 19.0 pg DNA per nucleus, representing diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid amounts of DNA. Nuclear RNA and protein increased in proportion to ploidy. By contrast, cell nuclei isolated from lactating mammary gland formed only two bands (M1 and M2), comprising 54 and 46%, respectively, of total nuclei isolated. Both M1 and M2 nuclei contained diploid amounts of DNA. Therefore, the higher DNA content in the tumor is attributable, at least in part, to the presence of polyploid nuclei in the majority of tumor cells.

The combined activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases I, II, and III per nucleus was the same in T1, T2, and T3; M1 and M2 also had activities similar to each other but much lower than the tumor types. Activity attributable to polymerase I (resistant to 200 µg α-amanitin per ml), polymerase II (inhibited by 0.06 µg α-amanitin per ml), and polymerase III (inhibited by 200 µg α-amanitin per ml) was about 35, 50, and 15%, respectively, for each class of tumor nuclei. The corresponding values for M bands were about 44, 34, and 22%. These results suggest that tumor cells synthesize more heterogeneous RNA than do mammary cells of lactating rats, but the latter synthesize more ribosomal RNA. Activity of mammary-specific Ca2+-stimulated RNase increased slightly per nucleus as the ploidy of tumor nuclei increased, but in every T group the activity was less than one-half of that of M1 or M2 nuclei. Thus, despite differences in ploidy, all tumor nuclear classes show a lesser degree of differentiation than nuclei from the lactating gland, with respect to their capacity for synthesis of ribosomal RNA compared to messenger RNA and their expression of Ca2+-stimulated RNase.


In the Mediterranean area, several alluvial coastal plains, developed after the Holocene transgression, are affected by subsidence. The Volturno alluvial-coastal plain, along the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea (southern Italy) is characterized by subsidence rates determined through InSAR data analysis and ranging between 0 and <−20 mm/year in an area of about 750 kmq across the Volturno River. Inside this area, the pattern of subsidence shows sites with apparently anomalous localized subsidence. To understand the driving mechanisms of this process, a lithostratigraphic reconstruction was provided focusing on the spatial distribution of the horizons considered weak by a geotechnical point of view; then, the subsidence map was overlain spatially with geological data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The spatial analysis highlighted the major ground deformation occurring within the outer boundary of the incised paleo-valley, corresponding to the Holocene alluvial/transitional filling that overlies a compaction-free Pleistocene basement. Inside this general trend, differential compaction was detected corresponding to the thick occurrence of clay and peat deposits, suggesting that the subsidence rate registered in the plain are due in part to the consolidation of primary settlements of soft and compressible soils that characterize the subsoil of these areas, and in large part to the secondary consolidation settlements.


It's known that the active metabolites of three algae-lysing bacteria L7, L8 and L18 have great lytic effect on Anabaena flos-aquae. For getting target products with higher activity and concentration, the effects of culture media, carbon sources and nitrogen sources on algae-lysing were studied. And to find out the condition of conservation and application of the algae-lysing active metabolites, their thermal and acid stability were studied. Among the culture medium, which were Beef Extract Peptone, Starch(starch soluble 10 g, K2HPO4 1 g, NaCl 1 g, MgSO4·7H2O 1 g, (NH4)2SO4 2 g,pure water 1 L, pH 7.0~7.2 ), Czapek and Gause's NO.1 medium, the second one was the most suitable. Base on Starch medium, if the carbon and nitrogen source were starch + (NH4)2SO4 for L7 and L8, and glucose+ KNO3 for L18, the metabolites have the highest algae-lysing activity. The active metabolites of three algae-lysing bacteria have well heat stability. After heat treatment, which was in water bath of 50 ℃, 70 ℃, 90 ℃ , or in autoclave of 121 ℃ , 1.1 kg·cm-3's pressure respectively for 20 min, the removal rate of Chla still exceeded 73%. Adjusting asepsis filtrate of L7 to pH4.0 or 2.5, it lost its algae-lysing activity in 2 hours. To L8 and L18, they kept their algae-lysing activity after adjusted to pH 4.0 2 hours, but lost them after adjusted to pH 4.0 2 hours. The results all above lay the foundation for the separation of algae- lysing active metabolites.


Appointment of Assistant M.O.H.'s in County Cork At a meeting of the Cork County Council a letter was read from the Mlinister for Local Government in regard to the refusal of the council, on the grounds of economy, to co-operate with the Board of Public Health in filling the position of assistant county medical officer of health, school medical officer, and clinical tuberculosis officer, rendered vacant by the resignation of Dr. J. C. Troy. It pointed out that, while the Minister shared the views of the council as to the necessity for reducing expenditure, the curtailment of essential public health services would not result in a real saving. The council decided to comply with the request of the Minister, and to appoint three assistant miedical officers of health.


The effects of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral elements and nitrate reductase activity of Amaranthus hybridus were investigated. Seedlings were grown for 8 weeks in soil containing 0-5 % v/w used engine oil. There was a significant (p=0.05) low level of mineral elements in plants grown in oil treated soils. The carbohydrate content of the control plants was significantly higher than the values observed for plants grown in oil treated soils. The control plants had a mean value of 48.3 ± 0.5 µg g -1 dry wt, while 42.0 ± 1.0 and 30.9 ± 0.4 µg g - 1 dry wt were observed for plants treated with 1 and 5 % oil. There was significant inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity in plants that were exposed to engine oil. Therefore, the potential risk of used engine oil as potent environmental pollutant has been established from the results of this study. @JASEM


In this paper we present a family of values of the parameters of the third Painlevé equation such that Puiseux series formally satisfying this equation – considered as series of z2/3 – are series of exact Gevrey order one. We prove the divergence of these series and provide analytic functions which are approximated by them in sectors with the vertices at infinity.


The complex UO2(DDPEZ)(NO3)2 has been prepared and characterized by IR spectroscopy and XPS spectra. The crystal structure of the complex has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to Triclinic system and space group P1, with cell parameters: a=0.664 2(3) nm, b=0.805 0(2) nm, c=1.515 6(5) nm, α=104.39(2)°, β=91.13(3)°, γ=94.84(3)°, and V=0.781 4(5) nm3, Z=2, Dc=1 676 kg·m-3, μ(Mo Kα)=0.071 073 nm, F(000)=390, final R=0.037 9 and wR=0.091 7 for observed reflections[I>2σ(I)]. The results indicated that uranyl ion is coordinated with six oxygen atoms, four of them from two nitrate groups and two from carbonyl groups of different organic ligands. CCDC: 284452.


Bioisosterism is a useful strategy in rational drug design to improve pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of lead compounds. Imidazolidinones have been reported as potent kinase inhibitors and antileishmanial agents. In this study, bioisosteres of imidazolidinones (compounds 1–3) were evaluated for their antileishmanial properties. The modified imidazolidinones exhibited potent antileishmanial activity against extracellular as well as intracellular Leishmania donovani parasites in nanomolar concentrations. The selectivity index of these compounds on host cells was found to be more than 1000, emphasizing their specificity toward the parasite. Using SwissTargetPrediction software, we assessed the potential targets of these compounds and found MAPK as the most probable target. To in vitro validate, we developed a novel in vitro kinase assay that mimics the in vivo nature of the functional kinome. Compounds 1–3 displayed specific inhibition of parasite kinase activity accompanied by an increase in intracellular sodium levels in the parasites. This might be the effect of kinase inhibition that regulates sodium homeostasis through Na‐ATPases. Finally, the compound‐treated parasites underwent apoptosis‐like death. This study represents bioisoterism as a novel approach for drug design to establish the structure–activity relationship, which in turn helps to improve the therapeutic activity of lead compounds.


Peripheral lymphadenopathy affects most children at least once in a lifetime and represents a major reason for concern. Therefore, we aimed to identify the most common causes of peripheral lymphadenopathy in hospitalized children and to determine the clinical, laboratory and ultrasound characteristics that enable fast, easy and accurate etiological diagnosis. We performed a cross-sectional study including 139 children who were hospitalized because of peripheral lymphadenopathy. Ultrasound of lymph nodes was performed in 113 (81.3%) patients. Lymphadenopathy was generalized in nine (6.5%) patients. Malignant etiology was established in only three (2.2%) patients. Bacterial lymphadenitis, infectious mononucleosis (IM) and cat scratch disease (CSD) were diagnosed in 66 (47.5%), 31 (22.3%) and 29 (20.9%) patients, respectively. Bacterial lymphadenitis was significantly associated with neutrophilia (p < 0.01), and increased C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.01). IM was associated with pharyngitis (p < 0.01), leukocytosis without neutrophilia (p = 0.03) and increased blood liver enzyme levels (p < 0.01). CSD was associated with recent contact with a cat (p < 0.01), absence of a fever (p < 0.01) and normal white blood cell count (p < 0.01). Thorough history and clinical examination in combination with a few basic laboratory tests enable fast and accurate differentiation between the most common etiologies of lymphadenopathy in children to avoid unnecessary procedures and hospitalizations.


I. Discord Regarding SovereigntyIn the late 1990s, the international legal community's attention began to turn to a new form of warfare, then labeled "computer network attack," a type of information operations.1 At the time, the Department of Defense (DoD) was at the cutting edge of thought regarding the legal significance of these operations. By 1999 its consideration of the issue had matured, and the Office of the General Counsel released An Assessment of International Legal Issues in Information Operations,2 which considered the application of the jus ad bellum and jus in bello rules, space law, international telecommunication law, the law governing espionage activities, specific treaty regimes, and domestic law to military operations in cyberspace. Information Operations operated from the premise that international law applies in cyberspace. This remains the U.S. approach nearly two decades later.3Yet, the document was cautionary. As it perceptively noted, the international legal system is reactive in the sense that it typically develops in response to particular situations and their consequences.4 This being so, the assessment warned, "we can make some educated guesses as to how the international legal system will respond to information operations, but the direction that response actually ends up taking may depend a great deal on the nature of the events that draw the nations' attention to the issue."5 Evolution in the law's interpretation in the cyber context was therefore inevitable.What appears to have changed since then is the DoD's position on sovereignty in cyberspace. In 1999, the question was not whether a State could violate another State's sovereignty as a matter of law; rather, the challenge was identifying when cyber operations do so. That the prohibition on violation of sovereignty is a substantive rule of international law was an assumption that permeated the assessment. For example, it noted that in air law the entry by one State's aircraft into another's national airspace was "regarded as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity."6 In the maritime environment, the document pointed to the 1949 Corfu Channel case,7 in which the International Court of Justice held that the penetration of Albanian territorial waters by British warships, and the minesweeping operation therein, without legal justification amounted to a violation of Albanian sovereignty.8Regarding cyber operations, the document observed that "[a]n unauthorized electronic intrusion into another nation's computer systems may very well end up being regarded as a violation of the victim's sovereignty. It may even be regarded as equivalent to a physical trespass into a nation's territory . . . ,"9 And with respect to responding by cyber means against individuals or groups operating from other States, it noted that:[e]ven if it were possible to conduct a precise computer network attack on the equipment used by such individual actors, the state in which the effects of such an attack were felt, if it became aware of it, could well take the position that its sovereignty and territorial integrity had been violated.10Thus, as framed in the 1999 DoD assessment, certain State cyber operations against other States might violate the latter's sovereignty, that is, constitute an "internationally wrongful act."11 In the same vein, and over a decade later, the premise of sovereignty as a primary rule of international law capable of being violated was accepted unanimously by the international law scholars and practitioners who prepared the 2013 Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare, as well as those who produced its 2017 successor, Tallinn Manual 2.0 on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations}2Recently, the DoD has indicated that it may have reassessed its position that sovereignty can be violated as a matter of international law in the cyber context. The prospect surfaced publicly in a panel presentation by Colonel Gary Com, the Staff Judge Advocate of U. …


The number of in-patient beds for psychiatric treatment in America has declined dramatically over the past 40 years. Public and private policies have encouraged an extremely short-term, crisis-stabilisation model of treatment. This is true on both general and subspecialty units. As a result, readmissions have increased, emergency rooms are crowded, and many patients end up homeless or incarcerated in the criminal justice system. These changes have created a public health crisis in America, and are the greatest challenges that American psychiatry faces today.