Recursive estimation of nonlinear dynamical systems is an important problem that arises in several engineering applications. Consistent and accurate propagation of uncertainties is important to ensuring good estimation performance. It is well known that the posterior state estimates in nonlinear problems may assume non-Gaussian multimodal densities. In the past, Gaussian filters and particle filters were introduced to handle non-Gaussianity and nonlinearity. However, these methods have seen only limited success as most filters attempt to fix the number of modes during the estimation process, and the particle filters suffer from the curse of dimensionality. In this paper, we propose a particle based Gaussian filtering approach for the general nonlinear estimation problem that is free of the particle depletion problem inherent to most particle filters. We employ an ensemble of randomly sampled states for the propagation of state probability density. A Gaussian mixture model of the propagated uncertainty is then recovered by clustering the ensemble. The posterior density is obtained subsequently through a Kalman measurement update of the mixture modes. We prove the weak convergence of the PGM density to the true filter density assuming exponential forgetting of initial conditions by the true filter. The performance of the proposed filtering approach is demonstrated through several test cases and is extensively compared to other nonlinear filters.


The article analyzes preconditions of realization of the right to religious education in Lithuania during the period of compulsory education. The article consists of two parts. The essence of the freedom of thought, religion and conscience and their relation to religious education is discussed in the first part. The second part of the article analyses national legal framework related to compulsory education in the light of freedom of thought, religion and conscience. The states are required to ensure education of children according to religious convictions of their parents and needs of the children themselves. The Lithuanian legal regulation, however, allows certain ambiguities as to how effectively may the right to religious education be realised.


This chapter is part of a research project on the discursive mechanisms used by former President Nestor Kirchner, President Cristina Fernandez and members of the political group called La Campora to construct the political identity of the young activist. I will focus on the speech of the Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez, broadcasted on national television just a few days after the death of Nestor Kirchner (1 November 2010). The objective of the analysis is to determine which images of addressee are constructed in the text. In this short speech, the youth is represented as a privileged addressee. As a matter of fact the speech has three explicit addressees: 1) the Argentineans in general, 2) Men and women that held demonstrations of affection for the former president and 3) Young people that marched to Government House. The latter is already included in the first two and, therefore, its distinction reveals a political purpose that came up months before when former President Kirchner called on the youth to political activism. In this speech there is a comparison between the 70's generation and the current generation, using a mediator - Nestor Kirchner - as the paradigmatic figure of an activist. However, while Peron abandoned the youth, Kirchner summoned them up.


The past few weeks have been just as many firsts in Amsterdam as there have been lasts. As I scrambled to have one last house party, to spend one last evening looking out my window at the canals and the cyclists and making awkward eye-contact with strangers who caught me staring at them, and to ride the 52 from Zuid one last time. I visited the Van Gogh museum again, shopped at Pull & Bear, went to De Pijp, tried studying in a café (and couldn't, again) one last time... And then there are the firsts. I wanted to do all the things I had promised myself that I would but had never gotten about doing. I went to the famous vegan junk food bar, had fresh stroopwafels, tasted all the types of oilebollen and finally visited the second floor of the Rijksmuseum...


MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-protein coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Change in miRNA expression has been identified in various diseases, including psoriasis. Our narrative review provides an updated overview of current research on miRNA125b and its role in psoriasis pathogenesis. We used the keywords "psoriasis, "microRNA," "miRNA," "miR," and "stRNA" to identify and select studies in PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus databases from inception to March 2018. The references cited by the retrieved literature were reviewed to broaden our search results. miRNA125b downregulation leads to aberrant proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, which is a primary pathology found in psoriasis. Understanding the epigenetic alteration of miRNA125b expression and its underlying molecular mechanisms will help in identifying pathogenesis, diagnosis, and possibly curative treatment of psoriasis in the future.


Abstract In schematic north–south cross sections the trade inversion layer is often depicted as sloping upward as air flows toward the intertropical convergence zone. This conceptual view is consistent with purely thermodynamic boundary-layer models, which predict a deeper boundary layer with increasing sea surface temperature and decreasing large-scale subsidence. The slopes implied by such thermodynamic models and incorporated into schematic diagrams are approximately 2000 m/1000 km. In contrast, observational studies of the inversion structure over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans reveal a less dramatic slope, on the order of 300 m/1000 km. To address this inconsistency, the authors adopt a somewhat different view of the trade inversion layer. In particular, rather than regarding it as a purely thermodynamic structure, it is regarded as a dynamical structure. By formulating a generalization of the Rossby adjustment problem, the authors investigate the dynamical adjustments of a trade wind inversion laye...


Antiferromagnets may exhibit spin superfluidity since the dipole interaction is weak. We seek to establish that this phenomenon occurs in insulators such as NiO, which is a good spin conductor according to previous studies. We investigate nonlocal spin transport in a planar antiferromagnetic insulator with a weak uniaxial anisotropy. The anisotropy hinders spin superfluidity by creating a substantial threshold that the current must overcome. Nevertheless, we show that applying a high magnetic field removes this obstacle near the spin-flop transition of the antiferromagnet. Importantly, the spin superfluidity can then persist across many micrometers, even in dirty samples.


Objective To compare the predictive accuracy of beta amyloid (Aβ)1-42 and total tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), hippocampal volume (HCV), and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype for AD-type dementia in subjects with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI). Methods We selected 399 subjects with aMCI and 226 subjects with naMCI from a multicenter memory clinic-based cohort. We measured CSF Aβ1-42 and tau by ELISA (n=231), HCV on MRI (n=388), and APOE-ε4 (n=523). Follow-up was performed annually up to 5 years. Outcome measures were progression to AD-type dementia and cognitive decline. Results At least 1 follow-up was available for 538 subjects (86%). 132 (38%) subjects with aMCI and 39 (20%) subjects with naMCI progressed to AD-type dementia after an average follow-up of 2.5 years. CSF Aβ1-42, tau and Aβ1-42/tau ratio, HCV, and APOE-ε4 predicted AD-type dementia in each MCI subgroup with the same overall diagnostic accuracy. However, CSF Aβ1-42 concentration was higher and hippocampal atrophy less severe in subjects with naMCI compared to aMCI. This reduced the sensitivity but increased the specificity of these markers for AD-type dementia in subjects with naMCI. Conclusions AD biomarkers are useful to predict AD-type dementia in subjects with aMCI and naMCI. Biomarkers may, however, not be as sensitive for early diagnosis of AD in naMCI compared to aMCI. This may have implications for clinical implementation of the NIA-AA criteria.


In path planning Problems, a complete description of robot geometry, environments and obstacle are presented; the main goal is routing, moving from source to destination, without dealing with obstacles. Also, the existing route should be optimal. The definition of optimality in routing is the same as minimizing the route, in other words, the best possible route to reach the destination. In most of the routing methods, the environment is known, although, in reality, environments are unpredictable;But with the help of simple methods and simple changes in the overall program, one can see a good view of the route and obstacles ahead. In this research, a method for solving robot routing problem using cellular automata and genetic algorithm is presented.In this method, the working space model and the objective function calculation are defined by cellular automata, and the generation of initial responses and acceptable responses is done using the genetic algorithm.During the experiments and the comparison we made, we found that the proposed algorithm yielded a path of 28.48 if the lengths of the paths obtained in an environment similar to the other algorithm of 15 / 32, 29.5 and 29.49, which is more than the proposed method.


With increasing patient acuity and a significant nursing shortage expected in the near future, understanding and gaining the commitment of the new generation of novice nurses are important for nursing leaders. This article provides a review of recent literature and presents innovative strategies that nurse leaders can use to improve the engagement and commitment of millennials. The benefit of expanding mentoring to 3 years, involvement in department committees, quality initiatives, or unit-based councils and opportunities for lateral movement are also discussed.


The effects of the main cereal and feed form of the rearing phase diets on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract characteristics, and body traits were studied in brown-egg pullets from hatch to 17 wk of age. Eight dietary treatments that were a combination of 2 main cereals (corn vs. wheat) and 4 feeding programs were used. The feeding program consisted in feeding crumbles from 0 to 5, 0 to 10, or 0 to 17 wk of age followed by mash until 17 wk, or feeding mash continuously from 0 to 17 wk. Each treatment was replicated 9 times. From hatch to 17 wk of age, pullets fed corn had similar ADG but poorer feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.001) than pullets fed wheat. Also, pullets fed crumbles continuously (0 to 17 wk) had greater ADG (12.3 vs. 11.5 g; P < 0.001) and better FCR (4.21 vs. 4.36; P < 0.001) than pullets feed mash continuously, with pullets that were changed at any age of the rearing period from crumbles to mash feeding showing intermediate results. At 17 wk of age, the relative weights (% BW) of the gastrointestinal tract and gizzard were greater in pullets fed corn than in pullets fed wheat (P < 0.01) but the relative length (cm/kg full BW) of the small intestine, body, and tarsus was not affected. Pullets fed crumbles continuously had lighter gizzards (P < 0.001), higher gizzard pH (P < 0.001), and were shorter (P < 0.01) than pullets fed mash continuously, with pullets fed the other 2 treatments being intermediate. In summary, wheat can be used in substitution of corn in pullet diets without any adverse effect on growth performance. Feeding crumbles improves pullet performance but hinders gizzard and gastrointestinal tract development. Growth performance, gastrointestinal tract, and body traits of the pullets re-adapt quickly to changes in feed form of the rearing diets.


. The new method for the tsunami travel times calculation to the nodes of rectangular grid was developed and tested. The algorithm is based on constructing the wave front segment inside the grid cell using tsunami arrival times to the cell angles. Testing the method proposed shows the better quality of the wave-front line approximation as compared to the existing method developed by the author earlier.


Abstract We examined potential fertility, egg volume, and water, lipid, and fatty acid content through embryogenesis in a population of female U. rapax from Sebastian Inlet, Florida. Carapace width (CW) ranged from 10.80 to 20.09 mm (N = 184), and each female carried 5000 to 30,000 eggs in the last stage of development. Female CW was found to be a good predictor of the number of eggs in the later stage of development (potential fertility = 7.908 CW2.7655, R2 = 0.749). Egg volume increases (from 0.0079 to 0.0134 mm3) was mildly correlated (r = 0.79) with an increase in egg water content (from 60 to 69%). Egg lipid and fatty acid content decreased through embryogenesis, due to its importance as energy source. The most consumed fatty acids were the monounsaturated (97.81 μg . mg dw−1) followed by the saturated (64.34 μg · mg dw−1) and polyunsaturated (38.69 μg · mg dw−1). Fatty acids 16:0, 18:2n-6, 16:1n-7, and 18:2n-6 are consumed preferentially (39.91, 38.45, 29.4 and 23.93 μg · mg dw−1, respectively), while essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3), are conserved. Egg fatty acid profile also reflects diet and habitat of adults. A medium-low EPA/DHA ratio suggests U. rapax occupies a medium trophic level. The low ratio (18:1n-7/18:1n-9) and high percentages of 18:1n-9 fatty acid (18%) and essential C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (19-23%) suggests adults are omnivores consuming primary producers (like algae and mangrove leaves) and small invertebrates. The high percentage of odd-numbered fatty acids (above 3-3.5%) also suggests scavenger/detritivore behaviour.


Weak radial expansion of a Z-pinch plasma column during its strong initial ohmic heating phase is expected when the generation of a confining magnetic field is assisted by a correctly formed electron beam pulse. Appropriate one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equations are numerically solved, and the observed increase of plasma radius as a function of time for various discharge parameters is compared to a normal Z-pinch discharge initiation.


Background: Diagnosis of thoracic lesions may be challenging, due to various factors associated with the lesion and subsequent invasive investigations. Computed tomography guided fine needle aspiration cytology (CT-guided FNAC) is a minimally invasive method for thoracic lesions considered non approachable by other modalities. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients subjected to CT-guided FNAC during year 2004 to 2014 was done. In these patients, non-invasive and invasive methods like fibre-optic bronchoscopy/ ultrasound guided FNAC were inconclusive/ expected to be inconclusive. Records were statistically analyzed for patient related, lesion related and procedure related factors, and their effect on yield and complications. Results: 435 patients underwent CT-guided FNAC. Age ranged from 10 to 95 years, with male preponderance. Diagnostic yield was 80.2%. Neoplastic lesions (255/435 (58.6%)) were most commonly diagnosed with majority (206/255 (80.8%)) being non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This was followed by non-neoplastic lesions (94/435 (21.6%)) with Tuberculosis (42/94(44.7%)) being most common in this group. In 227/435 patients, other details like side and size of the lesion, position of patient during the procedure, depth of lesion from skin surface, number of passes undertaken and complications, if any, were also available. They were separately analyzed. Mean size of lesion was 5.7575 X 5.4173cms (maximum vertical X maximum horizontal diameter). Mean depth to which needle was inserted was 5.6663cms. Mean number of passes per patient were 1.98. Right sided lesions were more commonly sampled than left. Supine positioning was most commonly employed. Overall complication rate was 4% (9/227). Conclusions: CT-guided FNAC for thoracic lesions can serve as early diagnostic tool and guide in planning effective management strategies.


The development of information and communication technology (ICT) encourages learning transformation to maximize it. Some transformations are through the development of E-Learning Management System (E-LMS). This paper explained the development of E-LMS material which is integrated with Life Based Learning in sociology of religion course. It integrated with life-based learning model through the ADDIE method which consists of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation. The material was developed by a student group in the form of videos and thematic learning modules based local wisdom. The results of validation and evaluation showed the development can improve the effectiveness and interaction of learning through asynchronous learning in E-LMS. The developed material can improve students understanding of the religious practices and local wisdom of the community. Through life-based learning, students can construct knowledge and make it happen in the learning media produced. In the other hands, the media product that has been produced and validated can be one of the products can be applied in the process of sociology of religion


Adult East Freisan crossbred (n = 220) and Chios ewes (n = 105) were divided into four groups and inseminated with chilled semen, which had been stored for 7, 13, 20 or 26 h at 5°C. Unilateral intrauterine insemination (50 x 10 6 spermatozoa in 0.25 ml) was performed with the aid of a laparoscope. Inseminations were carried out 48 – 52 h after pessary removal (30 mg FGA) without detecting estrus. The lambing rates after intrauterine insemination with chilled semen were found to be similar in East Fresian crossbred (40%) and Chios ewes (30%). Intrauterine insemination with chilled semen stored up to 26 h resulted in similar lambing rates; whereas, fertility of Chios ewes tended to decline with increased holding time of chilled semen. From this study, it is concluded that decreasing the storage time of chilled semen at 5°C improves pregnancy in Chios ewes and that East Fresian crossbred ewe's conception rates to intrauterine insemination with chilled semen was relatively higher than Chios ewes. Key words: Dairy sheep, chilled semen, time of insemination, lambing rate.


Background: Life can be saved through blood and blood component transfusions. However, people still die or remain at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections due to poor donor recruitment and selection, use of poorly screened blood and inappropriate use of blood and blood components.
Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of blood component utilisation in northeastern Nigeria
Setting: Department of Haematology and Blood transfusion of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Northeastern Nigeria.
 Methods: Both retrospective and prospective evaluation of records of the blood transfusion unit of the hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Data were collected on the number of unit requested, the source of the blood, whether from autologous, commercial or voluntary donation as well as family replacement or directed donations etc.
Results: A total of 1066 blood component was requested for transfusion. The commonest prescribed blood type was whole blood (81.1%). Blood used was higher for Obstetrics and Gynaecological cases and least for paediatric surgical cases. The number of patients transfused with only 1 unit of blood constituted 49.3%. The proportion of donor category was 47.3% for directed or family replacement, 39.7% for commercial or paid donors, 12.2% for predeposit autologous donors and only 0.8% for voluntary donors.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is inappropriate utilisation of blood component in the Hospital. There is a need to evaluate blood- transfusion practices and blood- banking services in all Nigerian hospitals in accordance with the National Blood Transfusion Policy.
 Keywords : Blood component utilisation, Northeastern Nigeria. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (2) 2007 pp. 27-30


Accurate imaging is a prerequisite for adaptive radiation therapy of mobile tumours. We present an evaluation of the performance of slow computed tomography (CT) for mapping and delineating the excursion boundary of a moving object using a tumour phantom scanned with the helical MVCT scanner of a tomotherapy unit. A spherical test object driven by sinusoidal motion in both the lateral and cranial-caudal directions was used to determine how well MVCT images depict the true envelope of the motion. Such information is useful in interpreting the CT images relative to the static object case when radiotherapy gating is to be used or in determining the internal target volume (ITV) when beam gating is not possible. A computer simulation of the CT imaging process was developed which incorporates the third generation fan beam geometry and helical acquisition technique of the tomotherapy MVCT system. Motion artefacts are mainly characterized by the parameter α = Tgantry/Trespiration which is interpreted as the period of the gantry rotation (Tgantry) in units of the respiratory period (Trespiration). Experimental tests were performed using a fixed gantry period of 10 s per full rotation and respiratory period ranging from 4.0 (α = 2.5) to 1.0 (α = 10) s. These cases represent typical clinical imaging conditions on the tomotherapy unit, as well as an extreme test case where the gantry period is intentionally set to be much greater than the respiratory period (termed an 'ultra-slow' scan). The accuracy of target (ITV) delineation is evaluated by comparing volumes generated using iso-density contours on the MVCT images to the true motion envelope, known a priori in this phantom study. As expected, motion artefacts are present in clinical MVCT images and they are not averaged over the slow gantry period of rotation. Furthermore, artefacts are not significantly affected by scanning with different helical pitch values. Greater distortions from the true density distribution are observed for lateral motion compared to cranial-caudal motion. Volumes generated by iso-density contours yield better agreement with the motion envelope for scans performed under ultra-slow conditions (α = 10) compared to typical clinical imaging conditions (α = 2.5). If the MVCT gantry cannot be rotated very quickly due to engineering constraints in order to achieve ultra-fast CT, we suggest an opposite approach as an interim measure for mapping the ITV. Adjusting MVCT scan conditions to a very slow acquisition (α = 10) may be a good compromise for determining the ITV for non-gated adaptive tomotherapy of moving lung tumours.


The current advances in high-speed networks and WWW technologies have made network computing a cost-eeective high performance computing environment. New software development models and problem solving environments must be developed to utilize the network computing environment eeciently. In this paper we present Virtual Distributed Computing Environment (VDCE), which provides a problem solving environment for high-performance distributed computing over wide-area networks. VDCE enables scientists to develop distributed applications without knowing the detailed architecture of the underlying resources. VDCE provides well-deened library functions that relieve end users from tedious task implementations and it supports software reusability. The VDCE software architecture consists of two modules: Application Editor, and VDCE Runtime System. Application Editor is a Web-based graphical user interface that helps user to develop network applications and spec-iies the computing and communication properties of each task within the applications. The VDCE Runtime System schedules the individual tasks of the application to the best available resources, runs, and manages the application execution on the assigned resources. We also present how VDCE can be used as a problem solving environment and how the users can experiment and evaluate the performance of their applications for diierent VDCE hardware and/or software conngurations.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the adverse effects of allopurinol on the urinary system during treatment of canine leishmaniasis.

METHODS
Retrospective case series of 42 dogs that developed xanthinuria while receiving allopurinol treatment for leishmaniasis.

RESULTS
Of 320 dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis, 42 (13%) developed adverse urinary effects. Thirteen (of 42) dogs (31%) developed xanthinuria, renal mineralisation and urolithiasis; 11 (26·2%) showed xanthinuria with renal mineralisation; 9 (21·4%) had xanthinuria with urolithiasis and 9 (21·4%) developed xanthinuria alone. Urinary clinical signs developed in 19 dogs (45·2%).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This study demonstrates that urolithiasis and renal mineralisation can occur in dogs receiving allopurinol therapy. Dogs receiving therapy should be monitored for the development of urinary adverse effects from the beginning of treatment.


In the last years, there has been an increase in the amount of real-time data generated. Sensors attached to things are transforming how we interact with our environment. Extracting meaningful information from these streams of data is essential for some application areas and requires processing systems that scale to varying conditions in data sources, complex queries, and system failures. This paper describes on-going research on the development of a scalable RDF streaming engine.


An active mitigation countermeasure, based on the principle of momentum cancellation of detonating counter-charges against the effect of explosive blast, has been researched. The study was conducted on a small scale and then extrapolated to an intermediate scale. On a small scale it was demonstrated, both theoretically and experimentally, that high orders of momentum cancellation are achievable. Good correlation was obtained between the numerical predictions and the experimental results. Similarly, on the intermediate scale, with a specific choice of experimental setup, good correlation was achieved between the numerical and experimental results. The differences between the results of the small scale and intermediate scale investigations are attributed to variations in the verification methodologies.


This investigation assessed the effect of COVID-19 on the aerobic capacity of professional soccer players who have tested positive. Twenty-one division-1 elite soccer players (age 24.24±5.75 years, height 178.21±5.44 cm, weight 74.12±5.21 kg) participated in this study. This observational study compared the same players' aerobic capacity pre-, and 60-days post COVID-19 recovery. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the infected players had significantly lower VO2max values [t(20)=5.17, p<0.01, d=0.613 (medium effect)], and significantly lower VO2 values at RC [t(20)= 2.97, p<0.05, d= 0.39 (small effect)] after recovery. Furthermore, results indicated a significantly lower running time (RT) on the treadmill [t(20)=4.84, p<0.01, d=0.46 (small effect)] when compared to the results that were obtained before they got infected. In addition, velocity at VO2max (VVO2max) was significantly lower [t(20)=2.34, p<0.05, d=0.41 (small effect)] and the heart rate values at LT [t(20)= -2.79, p<0.01, d= 0.55 (medium effect)] and RC [t(20)= -3.72, p<0.01, d= 0.52 (medium effect)] were significantly higher post recovery. The aforementioned findings indicate that post COVID-19 soccer players may not reach full recovery at two months. Therefore, our results should alert practitioners and fitness coaches of the risk of longer-duration silent symptoms even in athletes that experience mild to moderate manifestations.


The growth of right-wing extremism, especially where it segues into hate crime and terrorism, poses new challenges for governments, not least because its perpetrators are typically lone actors, often radicalized online. The United Kingdom has struggled to define, tackle or legitimate against extremism, though it already has an extensive array of terrorism-related offences that target expression, encouragement, publication and possession of terrorist material. In 2019, the United Kingdom went further to make viewing terrorist-related material online on a single occasion a crime carrying a 15-year maximum sentence. This article considers whether UK responses to extremism, particularly those that target non-violent extremism, are necessary, proportionate, effective and compliant with fundamental rights. It explores whether criminalizing the curiosity of those who explore radical political ideas constitutes legitimate criminalization or overextends state power and risks chilling effects on freedom of speech, association, academic freedom, journalistic enquiry and informed public debate—all of which are the lifeblood of a liberal democracy.


The field of environmental justice emerged at a crossroads of social movements, public policy, and academic research ‐ what we call environmental justice praxis. Now, the field finds itself again at a crossroads as it expands to address new populations, problems, and places. In this article, we first outline the competing definitions of the problems of environmental inequality and environmental racism from the perspective of social movements, policy, and research. Second, we identify the expansion of the field in two key areas: new issues and constituencies and new places and sites of analysis ‐ specifically the relationship between the local and the global. This expansion leads to increasingly sophisticated spatial methodologies and social theories to examine problems of environmental injustice. Finally, we identify three promising trends in the field: refining the mechanisms and processes of environmental injustice, a renewed focus on the state and the environment as key actors, and a revitalized focus on the interactive and continually evolving relationship between scholarship and social movements.


cisely the plane grating formula. It will be noted that, with the exception of two, all of the points fall to the right of the regions of "anomalous dispersion," and that none of them falls in this region. It is due to this circumstance presumably that the displacements of the electron diffraction beams from their x-ray analogues display no marked abnormalities. It will be noted also that although the values of ,u calculated from the diffraction beams are rather scattered they are not inconsistent with the dispersion curve constructed from the more precise data of the reflection beams.


This research intends to explore strategies able to modify the activity of heterogeneous catalysts, in order to draw structure-activity relationships and gain an improved understanding of the catalytically active sites. Different approaches have been attempted, such as applying an
activation treatment, modifying the metal loading, changing the support and adding organic ligands. These methods have been applied to supported noble metal nanoparticles of Pt, Pd and bimetallic AuPd, which have been previously found active for liquid-phase hydrogenation and oxidation reactions such as the reduction of nitro compounds and the oxidation of alcohols.
Several characterisation methods were applied to study the structure and properties of these materials.
First, a Pt/TiO2 catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of 3-nitrostyrene has been developed by optimising the effect of the variation of metal loading and heat treatment. In particular, a series of catalysts were prepared, tested and characterised, showing that combining the choice of metal loading (from 0.05 to 0.5%Pt) and activation treatment (reduction or calcination followed by
reduction at 450 °C) leads to what shows to be the most active catalyst reported so far. The data acquired by several characterisation techniques such as STEM, XPS, XAS and CO adsorption led to the conclusion that particle size and distribution as well as the environment surrounding the
active site affect the catalytic activity and a delicate balance between them needs to be achieved.
Then, the role of the support on the catalytic activity of AuPd nanoparticles for the oxidation of glycerol was investigated. Different hydrothermal carbon materials, which derive from biomass and presenting different structural and elemental characteristics were applied as supports. Overall, the amount of oxygen in the structure as well as the curvature of the surface of the hydrothermal
carbons showed to have an effect on the glycerol conversion either due to the variation in electron mobility that would favour adsorption of the reactants, or to the strain arising from the lattice mismatch at the metal-support interface.
At last, N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were added to a 1% Pd/TiO2 catalyst. The presence of the ligand on the surface of the catalyst has been confirmed and found to be in both a neutral and protonated form. The results obtained by testing these catalysts for the hydrogenation of 3-
nitrostyrene and the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide suggest that catalytic performance can be affected by either a geometric effect, where active sites are blocked, or by an electronic effect, due to the electronic interaction of the ligands and the Pd nanoparticles.
Overall, to develop catalytic materials and improve industrial processes, the reactivity of nanoparticles needs to be maximised, by using strategies that tune their structural and electronic properties.


Socio-economic and environmental impacts of veld fires are acknowledged, documented and widely discussed at different forums. However, what is largely missing are solutions to reduce occurrence of veld fires mostly in rural areas. Literature also suggests that veld fires are to increase (more intense and long burning) with warming (hot and dry conditions – climate change). This is likely to affect rural poor households who largely depend on land-based natural resources (field crops, forests harvest, grazing land); with limited access to fire brigades, that mainly serves urban cities. With warming (drier and hotter conditions), rural areas who share boundaries with mountains, rangelands, forests and wetlands are predicted to face greater threats from veld fires because of the dry flammable biomass in these areas. Against these drawbacks and leveraging high mobile phones ownership and network coverage in rural areas, we present an integrated mobile application for veld fire detection and notification prototype rural households can use to identify high fire danger areas and burning fires in near real time close to their location.


A working week for the hospital administrator extends to more than a 37-hour office week. Many incidents occur which require a decision or intervention from an administrator out of normal working hours. An on-call rota system at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary has been in use since 1975.


OBJECTIVE
To determine, using 3 groups of evaluators of varying experience reading orthopedic CT studies, if 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) provides a more accurate and time efficient method for diagnosis of canine sacral and pelvic fractures, and displacements of the sacroiliac and coxofemoral joints compared with 2-dimensional computed tomography (2D-CT).

STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective clinical and prospective study.

ANIMALS
Dogs (n = 23): 12 dogs with traumatic pelvic fractures, 11 canine cadavers with pelvic trauma induced by a lateral impactor.

METHODS
All dogs had a 2D-CT exam of the pelvis and subsequent 3D-CT reconstructions from the 2D-CT images. Both 2D-CT and 3D-CT studies were anonymized and randomly presented to 2 veterinary radiologists, 2 veterinary orthopedic surgeons, and 2 veterinary medical students. Evaluators classified fractures using a confidence scale and recorded the duration of evaluation for each modality and case.

RESULTS
3D-CT was a more time-efficient technique for evaluation of traumatic sacral and pelvic injuries compared with 2D-CT in all evaluator groups irrespective of experience level reading orthopedic CT studies. However, for radiologists and surgeons, 2D-CT was the more accurate technique for evaluating sacral and pelvic fractures.

CONCLUSION
3D-CT improves sacral and pelvic fracture diagnosis when added to 2D-CT; however, 3D-CT has a reduced accuracy for evaluation of sacral and pelvic fractures if used without concurrent evaluation of 2D-CT images.


Radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) are two isotopes belonging to the noble gas radon (sensu lato) that is frequently employed for the geochemical surveillance of active volcanoes. Temperature gradients operating at subvolcanic conditions may induce chemical and structural modifications in rock-forming minerals and their related 222Rn–220Rn emissions. Additionally, CO2 fluxes may also contribute enormously to the transport of radionuclides through the microcracks and pores of subvolcanic rocks. In view of these articulated phenomena, we have experimentally quantified the changes of 220Rn signal caused by dehydration of a zeolitized tuff exposed to variable CO2 fluxes. Results indicate that, at low CO2 fluxes, water molecules and hydroxyl groups adsorbed on the glassy surface of macro- and micropores are physically removed by an intermolecular proton transfer mechanism, leading to an increase of the 220Rn signal. By contrast, at high CO2 fluxes, 220Rn emissions dramatically decrease because of the strong dilution capacity of CO2 that overprints the advective effect of carrier fluids. We conclude that the sign and magnitude of radon (sensu lato) changes observed in volcanic settings depend on the flux rate of carrier fluids and the rival effects between advective transport and radionuclide dilution.


With wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) several optical signals can be transferred in a single optical ber [6][7]. This technology allows more e cient use of the huge capacity of an optical ber but also poses new network design and management problems, especially when wavelength conversion is not possible in the nodes. In this paper we consider the routing and wavelength assignment problem in such networks. Once routes are xed the wavelength assignment is essentially a graph coloring problem. Several heuristic methods for coloring a given graph are studied. Also an iterative algorithm for nding a reasonably good routing and wavelength assignment is represented and tested with fully connected networks.


Flash visual evoked potential (FVEP), induced by OFF-to-ON flash, i.e. flash onset, in a light emitting diode (LED) was used to control four cursor movements (left, right, up, down), and left- and right-button clicks on a screen menu. ON or OFF duration in each flashing sequence was designed to be random so that all flashing sequences were mutually independent. Since FVEPs are time-locked and phase-locked to flash onsets of gazed LEDs, segmenting EEG signals based on the flash onsets of each flashing sequence followed by averaging will sharpen epochs evoked by gazed LEDs. Four inexperienced subjects were asked to generate a sequence of cursor commands. Mean recognition and transfer rates were 88% and 3.74 s/command, respectively.


UNLABELLED
A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 12 April 1999. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To determine the effect of domiciliary oxygen therapy on survival and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

SEARCH STRATEGY
Randomised controlled trials (RTCs) were identified using the Cochrane Airways Group Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) register using the search terms: home or domiciliary and oxygen.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Any randomised controlled trial in patients with hypoxia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that compared long term domiciliary or home oxygen therapy with a control treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers.

MAIN RESULTS
Four randomised controlled trials were identified. Data from none of these trials could be aggrigated because of differences in trial design and patient selection. Trial 1, continuous oxygen therapy versus nocturnal oxygen therapy: there was a significant improvement in mortality after 24 months (Peto odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.25 to 0.81). Trial 2, oxygen versus no oxygen: there was a significant improvement over five years in mortality in the group receiving oxygen (Peto odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.98). Trial 3, nocturnal oxygen versus no oxygen in patients with arterial desaturation at night: there was no difference in mortality at 36 months. Trial 4, long term oxygen versus no oxygen in moderate hypoxaemia: there was no effect on survival for up to three years of follow up. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSION: Long term oxygen therapy improves survival in a selected group of COPD patients with severe hypoxaemia (arterial PO2 less than 8.0 kPa). Long term oxygen does not appear to improve survival in patients with moderate hypoxia or those who only have arterial desaturation at night.


For centuries educators, scholars, writers, and psychologists have debated the value of folk literature for children and the impact of folktales on the young. This bibliography of 465 entries lists a wide range of relevant criticism, scholarship, and opinion...Folk Literature and Children leads one to valuable resource material on the subject of folk literature and children and should prove useful to teachers, librarians, psychologists, and students and scholars of children's literature. Booklist


Abstract This article represents the deliberations that took place at the June 2011 meeting of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) during a panel that was convened to discuss 'Evidence-based Exercise Prescription: Raising the Standard of Delivery'. The panel consisted of five physical therapists and one exercise physiologist. After introductory remarks by the panel chair, each of the other participants was given the opportunity to do an opening presentation. Several questions (Should physical therapists be exercise experts? Are physical therapists truly the exercise experts they should be? Has physical therapist education prepared them to be exercise experts?) were then posed to the panelists for their response. After those responses, the floor was opened up to the audience for response and input. A verbatim transcript of the proceedings enabled audience participation to be reflected.


Hurdles exist to clinical xenotransplantation including potential infectious transmission from nonhuman species to xenograft recipients. In anticipation of clinical trials of xenotransplantation, the associated infectious risks have been investigated. Swine and immunocompromised humans share some potential pathogens. Swine herpesviruses including porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV) and porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV) are largely species‐specific and do not, generally, infect human cells. Human cellular receptors exist for porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), which infects certain human‐derived cell lines in vitro. PERV‐inactivated pigs have been produced recently. Human infection due to PERV has not been described. A screening paradigm can be applied to exclude potential human pathogens from "designated pathogen free" breeding colonies. Various microbiological assays have been developed for screening and diagnosis including antibody‐based tests and qualitative and quantitative molecular assays for viruses. Additional assays may be required to diagnose pig‐specific organisms in human xenograft recipients. Significant progress has been made in the evaluation of the potential infectious risks of clinical xenotransplantation. Infectious risk would be amplified by intensive immunosuppression. The available data suggest that risks of xenotransplant‐associated recipient infection are manageable and that clinical trials can be performed safely. Possible infectious risks of xenotransplantation to the community at large are undefined but merit consideration.


From a meeting with Prof. Henri-Jacques Stiker, one of the most important authors on the subject of handicap in France, it is done an article containing the issues analysed with him trough the main topics about handicap.
The evolution of the concept of disability ("handicap") makes a difference from the beginning between France and Uruguay. This turns a key in naming a topic that, perhaps, in its contents could have more similarities than one can imagine. Therefore aspects, defined on its distinction such as disability and impairment, integration and inclusion, ("individual") medical model and social model, the issue of normality and regulatory frameworks, and national and international classifications.
That is the way that tries to deconstruct this article, in order to generate a theoretical input to account for the similarities and diffe- rences in the conceptualization, starting points and future of handicap in France and Uruguay.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of carrier particle size and simulated inspiratory flow increase rate on emptying from dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Several flow rate ramps were created using a computer-generated voltage signal linked to an electronic proportioning valve with a fast response time. Different linear ramps were programmed to reach 30, 60, 90, and 120 L/minute over 1, 2, or 3 seconds. At the lower flow rates, 100-ms and 500-ms ramps were also investigated. Three DPIs, Spinhaler, Rotahaler, and Turbuhaler, were used to test the effect of flow rate ramp on powder emptying. To test the effect of carrier particle size, anhydrous lactose was sieved into 3 particle sizes, and 20 mg of each was introduced into #2 and #3 hard gelatin capsules for Spinhaler and Rotahaler, respectively. Emptying tests were also carried out using the on/off solenoid valve described in the United States. Pharmacopeia (USP) (resulting in no ramp generation). Powder emptying increased from 9% to 46% for Rotahaler and 69% to 86% for Spinhaler from the shallowest (3 seconds to reach peak flow) to the 100-ms ramp for the 53-to 75-μm lactose size range at 30 L/minute. Similar trends were observed for larger particle size fractions at the same flow rate. However, at higher airflow rates (60, 90, and 120 L/minute), there was no significant increase in percentage of emptying within the ramps for a particular particle size range. Trends observed were similar for placebo-filled Turbuhaler and commercially available Rotacaps used with Rotahaler, with the steepest ramp demonstrating more complete emptying. Percentage of powder emptying determined by the USP solenoid valve overestimated the emitted dose compared with the ramp method at 30 L/minute for all 3 devices. Results indicate that there is a significant difference in powder emptying at 30 L minute from the shallowest to the steepest ramp within a particular size range. Within a particular particle size range, the USP method produced more complete emptying than even the steepest ramp, especially at the lower flow rates. Thus, when the USP device is used to estimate DPI emptying at lower flow rates, the results are likely to overestimate DPI performance significantly.


Employing collaborative systems in healthcare contexts is an important approach towards designing and developing intelligent computer solutions. The objective of this study is to develop a real-time collaborative system using the Intelligent Risk Detection Model (IRD) to improve decision efficiency for the care of patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA). Expected benefits include increasing awareness, supporting communication, improving decision making processes and also improving information sharing between surgeons, patients, families and consultants as key collaborative parties. The research question under investigation is: How can key information technologies be designed, developed and adopted to support clinical decision making in the context of THA and TKA? This research in progress has identified the value and benefit of developing a systematic and technology supported tool to facilitate the identification of various risks associated with THA and TKA.


Abstract This paper investigates the motivational dynamics in political protest. In addition to the classic variables (anger, politicized identity and efficacy), we are including that of the moral obligation to participate. To test the viability of this new proposal, university students' intention to participate in different protest acts were analyzed. The structural equation analysis shows that moral obligation has a direct influence on the intention to participate and acts as a mediator between the other variables and the criterion variable. Politicized identity also has a direct effect, although less significant, on the intention to participate, as well as having a significant bearing on the other three predictive variables. Finally, efficacy and anger have an influence on the intention to participate through moral obligation. This data points towards the necessity to include moral obligation in the explanatory models of collective action.


The present study aimed to estimate school recess moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). A systematic review was carried out in MEDLINE and SportDiscus to identify observational studies where MVPA had been measured objectively during school recess. Study quality was assessed formally. Twenty-four eligible studies in primary school pupils (N= 5,778 individuals), revealed a weighted mean of 12 minutes MVPA per school day. Only two eligible studies were identified in high school pupils (N= 399 individuals). The evidence was generally of moderately high quality. Recess makes a small contribution to daily MVPA. Substantial policy effort is likely to be needed if recess is to make a more useful contribution to MVPA among children and adolescents.


As CMOS technology is pushed to its basic physical limits, alternate technologies are required for the realization of interconnect in future high performance integrated circuits. In this paper, we develop a generalized design technique for carbon nanotube (CNT) bundle-based interconnect, which we use to examine the performance limits and fabrication requirements for future nanotube-based interconnect solutions. The results indicate that optimized nanotube bundles can provide up to a 69% delay reduction in 22 nm process technology, and the optimal design method decreases delay by 21% and 29% on average compared to non-optimized multi-walled and single-walled CNT bundles. We also find that future CNT bundle fabrication processes must achieve a nanotube area coverage of at least 30% for optimized CNT bundles and 40% for non-optimized CNT bundles to obtain competitive performance results compared to copper interconnect.


The longest wavelength electronic absorption band of 1-(p-substituted phenyl)pyrrole has been found to show a regular bathochromic shift as the electronegativity of the substituent on the phenyl group increases. The substituent effect is closely related to that for the intramolecular charge-transfer bands of p-substituted anilines. Therefore, the longest wavelength absorption band of 1-(p-substituted phenyl)pyrroles have been suggested to be originated from an electron transfer from the pyrryl group to the phenyl group. Only one exception is the spectra of 1-(N,N-dimethyl-p-aminophenyl)pyrrole. In this case, the longest wavelength electronic absorption band is suggested to be due to an electron-transfer from the N,N-dimethylamino group to the phenyl group.


Species composition of seagrasses in coastal water of Son Tra peninsula was less diverse, with three species identified. Halophila ovalis was dominant. The seagrass beds are mainly distributed in Bai Nom and Bai But, with a total area of about 1 ha. The seagrass beds had been seriously degraded in both size and structure. Approximately 9 ha of seagrass beds (90% of total area) disappeared compared with data of 2005. Halophila ovalis had only been distributed at a depth of 2–3 m. Coverage, shoot density, and biomass of seagrass beds had also decreased.


This article looks at the impact of money 'raining' on the indigenous hosts of a non-renewable resource extraction project in Papua New Guinea and the use of film media to record and disseminate the views of those caught up in it. 'Resource development', the gloss under which industries operate, is an ambiguous term as the cash (royalties) and services (roads, health centres, schools) accompanying resource extraction are only maintained during the life of a project. The anthropological use of film in extractive industry contexts is, I argue, an ideal methodological tool for documenting indigenous concerns, views and ambitions for a postindustry environment. Based on an ethnographic film made with the Fasu, hosts to a multinational oil extraction project in the fringe highlands, this article aims to highlight how film documentation can not only reveal the broader implications of a cash economy, but also be used by anthropologists to influence participatory research and bottom-up development.


Neocatastrophism has been with us for a few years now. I suspect that renewed interest in this approach to earth science probably predates the 1980 Alvarez et al. paper that linked the K/T extinction with an extra-terrestrial cause. Stratigraphers such as Derek Ager were certainly pedalling neocatastrophism back in the 1970s but there is no doubt that the impact of the Alvarez bolide sent shock waves through the geological community and we are still experiencing the swash and backwash.

Catastrophes and Lesser Calamities is a timely effort to try and mop up some of the mess some 25 years …


In this article, I present some experiences of transnational networking among women workers, women's groups, and feminist organizations at both the transcontinental and transborder level in the FTAA and NAFTA areas. These transnational efforts are analyzed as forms of resistance to the encroachments of global capital. The record of these networks is both encouraging and problematic. Encouraging because certain issues have received greater attention from both the state and multinational companies, and Mexican organizations have received strategic support to empower themselves and even, in some cases, develop a feminist workers' perspective. The record is also problematic as cooperation is not always free from conflict, or asymmetric relations, among the organizations. Asymmetries often reflect unequal access to power and financial resources. In spite of this, it seems undeniable that transnational networks among women's organizations are modeling new forms of resistance to the processes of global restructu...


The hydrolysis of terminal (t)butyl-ester groups provides the novel nonadentate podand tris[2-[N-methylcarbamoyl-(6-carboxypyridine-2)-ethyl]amine] (L13) which exists as a mixture of slowly interconverting conformers in solution. At pH = 8.0 in water, its deprotonated form [L13 - 3H](3-) reacts with Ln(ClO(4))(3) to give the poorly soluble and stable podates [Ln(L13 - 3H)] (log(beta(110)) = 6.7-7.0, Ln = La-Lu). The isolated complexes [Ln(L13 - 3H)](H(2)O)(7) (Ln = Eu, 8; Tb, 9; Lu, 10) are isostructural, and their crystal structures show Ln(III) to be nine-coordinate in a pseudotricapped trigonal prismatic site defined by the donor atoms of the three helically wrapped tridentate binding units of L13. The Ln-O(carboxamide) bonds are only marginally longer than the Ln-O(carboxylate) bonds in [Ln(L13 - 3H)], thus producing a regular triple helix around Ln(III) which reverses its screw direction within the covalent Me-TREN tripod. High-resolution emission spectroscopy demonstrates that (i) the replacement of terminal carboxamides with carboxylates induces only minor electronic changes for the metallic site, (ii) the solid-state structure is maintained in water, and (iii) the metal in the podate is efficiently protected from interactions with solvent molecules. The absolute quantum yields obtained for [Eu(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 1.8 x 10(-3)) and [Tb(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 8.9 x 10(-3)) in water remain modest and strongly contrast with that obtained for the lanthanide luminescence step (Phi(Eu) = 0.28). Detailed photophysical studies assign this discrepancy to the small energy gap between the ligand-centered singlet ((1)pi pi*) and triplet ((3)pi pi*) states which limits the efficiency of the intersystem crossing process. Theoretical TDDFT calculations suggest that the connection of a carboxylate group to the central pyridine ring prevents the sizable stabilization of the triplet state required for an efficient sensitization process. The thermodynamic and electronic origins of the advantages (stability, lanthanide quantum yield) and drawbacks (solubility, sensitization) brought by the "carboxylate effect" in lanthanide complexes are evaluated for programming predetermined properties in functional devices.


Abstract The aim of this article is to understand customers' perceptions regarding the project management performance and the perceived benefits if the customers perceived the supplier to be the best or the second-best systems delivery project supplier. This research investigates 2,191 system delivery projects in the facilities management industry. Exploratory factor analysis was employed on the project management variables. The testing of the hypotheses was done with partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS. The findings show a significant relationship between the commissioning and the perceived benefits, independent of whether the company was perceived to be best or second best in the industry. The proposal stage was perceived to be significantly related to perceived benefits provided by the outcome of the project (the product) when the company was the second-best supplier. Inherent structure in systems delivery projects included three phases, consisting of the proposal, installation, and commissioning. Also, the perceived project management performance in the commissioning stage was significantly related to the perceived benefits provided by the outcome of the project (the product) when the supplier was perceived to be the best and the second best in the industry. Contrary to expectations, this was not the case with all project management phases.


Abstract Interest in community environmental education (EE) and community education for sustainable development (ESD) is increasing, as evidenced by the increase in studies examining community EE/ESD approaches and NAAEE's current development of the Community EE Guidelines for Excellence. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to: (1) provide a review of research which identifies as examining community EE/ESD issues from 1994 to 2013, (2) examine themes specific to community-oriented program implementation and outcomes, and (3) examine theoretical trends within this work. While no single framework emerged from the diverse studies on community EE/ESD, themes suggested greater success for programs that were rooted in community issues, involved multiple community partners, were oriented towards collaborative and civic action, and incorporated reflection on social institutions and power dynamics. These characteristics reflect an emancipatory approach to education which seeks to enhance human development through public participation and engagement. To this end, future researchers and practitioners should consider: (1) the resources needed to understand community values and concerns, (2) skills and knowledge required to build relationships and attend to community culture, values and democratic processes, (3) theories that account for the socio-historical contexts of participants and their pathways for transformation and empowerment, and (4) a process of action that continually reflects on power structures and dynamics.


We use four years of introductory astronomy scores to analyze the ability of the current population to perform college level work and measure the amount of grade inflation across various majors. Using an objective grading scale, one that is independent of grading curves, we find that 29% of intro astronomy students fail to meet minimal standards for college level work. Of the remaining students, 41% achieve satisfactory work, 30% achieve mastery of the topics. Intro astronomy scores correlate with SAT and college GPA. Sequential mapping of the objective grade scheme onto GPA finds that college grades are inflated by 0.2 for natural sciences majors, 0.3 for social sciences, professional schools and undeclared majors), 0.5 for humanities majors. It is unclear from the data whether grade inflation is due to easier grading curves or depression of course material. Experiments with student motivation tools indicates that poor student performance is due to deficiency in student abilities rather than social factors (such as study time or decreased interest in academics), i.e., more stringent admission standards would resolve grade inflation.


Larvae of Dermatobia hominis were harvested from naturally infected animals, and treated in laboratory conditions in order to play its life cycle. With the development of all stages of D . hominis in the laboratory, from the laying of eggs until the formation of a new imago, will become possible to assess the conditions for the survival of each stage, which could help in the development of new techniques for its control. We tested different ways substrates for the development, consisting of land, sand and sawdust. Different means employed for the development of pupa, D . hominis were considered satisfactory, but statistically different (P<0.05). Treatment composed of sawdust and sand, was the most appropriate means, for presenting development of 54% of L3 larvae and pupae in 62% of those in adults, D . hominis , and 79% males and 41% females. The average life of adults also varied according to sex, whereas 49% of the males had a lifetime average of 5 days, as 70% of females had a lifetime average between 8 and 9 days.


OBJECTIVE
To search for an effective therapy for the acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODS
One hundred and twenty cases of facial paralysis patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 60 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with routine medication, and the observation group was treated with shallow needling combined with acupoint application using self-made "acupoint application formula for facial paralysis" on the basis of the routine medication. The acupoints of Yifeng (TE 17), Wangu (GB 12), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yangbai (GB 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Cuanzhu (BL 2) in affected side and Hegu (LI 4) in healthy side were selected as main acupoints for shallow needling, and Qianzheng (EX-HN 17), Dicang (ST 4), Yangbai (GB 14) and Wangu (GB 12), or Jiache (ST 6), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Quanliao (SI 18) and Yifeng (TE 17) were selected for acupoint application. The cure rate and the course of cured patients in both groups were compared.

RESULTS
The cure rate of 88.3% (53/60) in observation group was superior to that of 66.7% (40/60) in control group (P < 0.01). The course of cured patients in observation group was obviously shorter than that of control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
On the basis of routine medication, shallow needling combined with acupoint application can improve the therapeutic effect and shorten the course for acute stage of peripheral facial paralysis.


As part of a study on mechanisms modulating ozone-induced surfactant perturbations, we used the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping technique to determine the type and origin of radicals generated following interaction of ozone with aqueous solutions and cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) fractions. All aqueous media were exposed to ozone at 25 degrees C with or without added chelator, 1 mM diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and spintrap, 100 mM 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO). Exposure of distilled water to 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 ppm ozone for 1 h yielded four-line spectra, 1:2:2:1, consistent with hydroxyl radical adduct formation (DMPO-OH), the amplitudes of which increased with the ozone concentration. No signals were obtained from air-exposed samples. Similar four-line spectra were also produced following interaction of 3 ppm ozone with Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) alone or containing BAL fractions. Addition of the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the incubation medium strongly inhibited formation of DMPO-OH adduct during ozone exposure. As an alternate method of demonstrating the generation of hydroxyl radicals, aqueous solutions of 1 mM L-phenylalanine were exposed to high concentrations of ozone and shown, using ion-exchange chromatography, to contain small amounts of L-tyrosine. Production of hydroxyl radicals upon interaction of ozone and water was further substantiated using the spintrap PBN (phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone) in the presence of DMSO which reacts with the hydroxyl radical resulting in the formation of methyl radical. The methyl radical subsequently reacts with spintrap PBN, yielding PBN-methyl adduct. In the absence of DMSO there was no detectable formation of methyl radical adduct. EPR double distilled water containing DMPO showed a small amount of DMPO-OH adduct upon exposure to ozone. Addition of 10 microM ferrous sulfate to this mixture produced a 10-fold increase of the signal, which was attenuated in the presence of 1500 U catalase, strongly attenuated with 50-500 microM deferoxamine or 8000 U catalase and abolished by higher concentration of deferoxamine (1 mM). The signal was not influenced by 1000 U superoxide dismutase. These results indicate that hydroxyl radicals are produced via iron-dependent reactions during the initial interaction of ozone with aqueous media, including bronchoalveolar fluid.


Compared with ordinary undergraduate higher education, higher vocational education, as a type in the development of higher education, shoulders the mission of cultivating high-skilled talents for the first line of production, construction, service and management, and plays an irreplaceable role in speeding up the process of socialist modernization in China. In order to conform to the trend of PE course reform in higher vocational colleges, vocational practical PE curriculum came into being. This article will focus on how to choose and develop the PE content which is suitable for the professional practical sports according to the demand of the professional group for the PE course, the reasonable choice and development of the PE curriculum content.


In the first part of the paper, the requirements of circuits containing linear inductors, capacitors and ideal switches for the synthesis of power factor correction (PFC) converters are examined. Sufficient conditions for achieving PFC are stated in terms of the circuit topology and the switching sequence. Various topologies, from the simplest buck, boost, and buck-boost power converters to fourth-order Cuk, Zeta and SEPIC converters, are examined in the light of these topological conditions. In the second part of the paper, the general configuration of power supplies that provide PFC and voltage regulation are discussed. It consists of two simple power stages forming a three-port network which is terminated to an input voltage, a storage capacitor and an output load. The various possible arrangements of the two constituent power stages are discussed with emphasis on minimizing the amount of power that is processed serially by the power stages.


The influence of cholinomimetics on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-induced progestin production was studied in a primary culture of rat granulosa cells. Cells were cultured for 2 days with FSH and delta 4-androstenedione in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations of cholinergic agonists. Although ineffective as stimulators of steroidogenesis by themselves, the three nicotinic receptor-selective agonists lobeline, dimethylphenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP), and phenyltrimethylammonium iodide (PTMA) inhibited FSH-induced progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one production in dose-dependent fashions. The rank order of inhibitory potencies was lobeline greater than DMPP greater than PTMA with IC50 values of 2 X 10(-6) M, 3 X 10(-5) M, and 3 X 10(-4) M, respectively. In contrast, the muscarinic receptor-selective agonists muscarine and bethanechol failed to inhibit steroid production. The inhibitory effect of lobeline on the time course of FSH-induced induced steroid production indicated an immediate inhibitory action; however, this inhibition was readily reversed upon removal of the drug. Further studies demonstrated that the FSH-stimulated increase in intracellular cAMP levels, as well as progesterone production induced by cholera toxin and forskolin (agents that stimulate cAMP production) and by dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analog), were also suppressed by lobeline. The present observations indicate that nicotinic, but not muscarinic, cholinergic agonists inhibit progesterone biosynthesis in cultured granulosa cells and suggest that endogenous acetylcholine may play a modulatory role in ovarian steroidogenesis.


Primary lymphoid neoplasms of the urinary tract are exceedingly rare, with only 21 cases being reported and comprising less than 5% of all primary extranodal lymphomas. We report a case of a 45-year-old man who presented with right flank pain and weight loss, and who was found to have a stricture in the right lower ureter causing ureteral obstruction. Histopathology revealed lower ureteric non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which, on further evaluation, was found to be isolated ureteric lymphoma. The patient was doing well after six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy. This case is being reported as a rare cause of distal ureteric obstruction.


At the end of this chapter, learners should be able to:

Identify and describe the main functions that fall within the activities labelled 'accounting' and 'finance' and relate these functions to one another.

Locate these functions within the structures typical of small and large organisations and relate these functions:
(a)

to organisational success and failure and

(b)

to other business functions.

For each of the main class of decision made by human resource practitioners identify the information required and the ways in which this information is, in part, generated by the accounting and finance function.


We briefly review the pilot ideas on the generation of EM-pulses much shorter than already available sub-femtosecond pulses, and outline inroads and venues into the physics of pulses mush shorter than an attosecond (10^-18 s), in particular the so called zeptosecond (10^-21 s) and yoctosecond (10^-24 s) pulses that may allow one to operate on QED and nuclear as well as quark-gluon time plasma scales. We also very briefly outline the entire time-scale available in the existing universe, down to the ultimately short the so called Planck time ~ 10^-43 s, which is the time-scale of Big Bang, and the most significant time-scale-posts on the road to it.


We recently showed that activated Ras proteins are localized to the plasma membrane and in the nucleus in wild-type cells growing exponentially on glucose, while in the hxk2Δ strain they accumulated mainly in mitochondria. An aberrant accumulation of activated Ras in these organelles was previously reported and correlated to mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of ROS, and cell death. Here we show that addition of acetic acid to wild-type cells results in a rapid recruitment of Ras-GTP from the nucleus and the plasma membrane to the mitochondria, providing a further proof that Ras proteins might be involved in programmed cell death. Moreover, we show that Hxk2 protects against apoptosis in S. cerevisiae. In particular, cells lacking HXK2 and showing a constitutive accumulation of activated Ras at the mitochondria are more sensitive to acetic-acid-induced programmed cell death compared to the wild type strain. Indeed, deletion of HXK2 causes an increase of apoptotic cells with several morphological and biochemical changes that are typical of apoptosis, including DNA fragmentation, externalization of phosphatidylserine, and ROS production. Finally, our results suggest that apoptosis induced by lack of Hxk2 may not require the activation of Yca1, the metacaspase homologue identified in yeast.


Subspecialty palliative care involvement in children with AHD is increasing; patients referred to palliative care have less intense therapies at EOL. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer10.1542/6217588300001PEDS-VA_2020-018580 Video Abstract OBJECTIVES: With evidence of benefits of pediatric palliative care (PPC) integration, we sought to characterize subspecialty PPC referral patterns and end of life (EOL) care in pediatric advanced heart disease (AHD). METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we compared inpatient pediatric (<21 years) deaths due to AHD in 2 separate 3-year epochs: 2007–2009 (early) and 2015–2018 (late). Demographics, disease burden, medical interventions, mode of death, and hospital charges were evaluated for temporal changes and PPC influence. RESULTS: Of 3409 early-epoch admissions, there were 110 deaths; the late epoch had 99 deaths in 4032 admissions. In the early epoch, 45 patients (1.3% admissions, 17% deaths) were referred for PPC, compared with 146 late-epoch patients (3.6% admissions, 58% deaths). Most deaths (186 [89%]) occurred in the cardiac ICU after discontinuation of life-sustaining therapy (138 [66%]). Medical therapies included ventilation (189 [90%]), inotropes (184 [88%]), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (68 [33%]), or mechanical circulatory support (67 [32%]), with no temporal difference observed. PPC involvement was associated with decreased mechanical circulatory support, ventilation, inotropes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation at EOL, and children were more likely to be awake and be receiving enteral feeds. PPC involvement increased advance care planning, with lower hospital charges on day of death and 7 days before (respective differences $5058 [P = .02] and $25 634 [P = .02]). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric AHD deaths are associated with high medical intensity; however, children with PPC consultation experienced substantially less invasive interventions at EOL. Further study is warranted to explore these findings and how palliative care principles can be better integrated into care.


This research project examines how art materials in psychodynamic art therapy with elementary school children influence therapeutic alliance. The aim of this study is to underline possible uses of art materials that might help therapists in building, assessing, and sustaining the therapeutic alliance. The main topics of examination are: the use of art materials for building contact between client and therapist; art materials in relation to transference reactions and expression of affect; art materials as tools for interventions and establishment of the therapeutic environment in challenging educational settings; and the influence of the quality and quantity of art materials on the therapeutic alliance. The data gathered led to the conclusion that, while positive aspects of the relationship between these two components of therapy have the potential to provide possibilities for diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, movement towards the goals of therapy, channeling of affect, and the necessary safety of the therapeutic environment, those benefits could be offset by some challenges that are related to therapy in a school environment, the quantity and quality of art materials available, and the interpretation of transferential and affective expression in relation to the psychodynamic theoretical approach. The findings provide a summary of points that could be considered by, and be beneficial to, art therapist who are doing practice in an educational environment.


Capacitance between terminals of a power semiconductor device substantially affects on its switching operation. This paper presents a capacitance-voltage (C-V) characterization system for measuring high voltage SiC-JFET and the results. The C-V characterization system enables one to impose high drain-source voltage to the device and extracts the capacitance between two of three terminals in FET by eliminating its influence on the neighboring terminal. The capacitance between the gate and drain, and the drain and source represents the hybrid structure of the lateral channel and vertical drift layer of the SiC-JFET.


This chapter explores the concept of contrition within Reinhold Niebuhr's thinking. Niebuhr's ascendancy as a national figure during the Cold War was in part due to his moderating voice in an age that threatened annihilation, urging humility and caution in international affairs. Christian worship is the backdrop against which Niebuhr's distinctive theological anthropology and eschatological interpretation of history coheres, and in which Niebuhr's sermons, articles, and polemical writings can be understood. Cone and Niebuhr concur that Christian worship is a locus of certain kinds of cross-context affective formation. Niebuhr misses, however, the richer collective tones of Christian worship in part because he is practiced only in white spaces: his world is all call, and very little response. Essentially affirming Niebuhr's contribution to a theological analysis of power, Cone argues that Niebuhr nonetheless lacked personal, intellectual, or institutional capacity to confront white racism's catastrophic impact on Black people.


The separation of reducing monosaccharides derived from glycosidoproteins and glycolipids by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is dependent on the pH and concentration of the borate buffer. Five saccharides were completely separated in a fused silica capillary tube (50 microns i.d., 65 cm) containing 50 mM borate buffer (pH 10.5) as carrier, with high resolution, at an applied potential of 20 kV after the reducing saccharides were derivatized with 1-naphthylamine. On-column UV (254 nm) monitoring allowed quantitation of these saccharides at least in the concentration range of 10-100 mM in reaction solution. This method was applied to the determination of the monosaccharides composition of various carbohydrate materials to demonstrate its usefulness.


Thyrotrophin in individual pituitaries obtained from fetal and prepubertal pigs was quantified by homologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) and heterologous radioreceptor assay (RRA). Relative evolution of pituitary TSH contents and concentrations with age were in good agreement as measured by both assay systems although the quantity of TSH detected by RRA appeared consistently lower than that measured by RIA. Thyrotrophin was first detected in pituitaries of fetal pigs at day 75 of gestation. Thereafter the pituitary content of TSH increased to approximately 45 micrograms/pituitary in the oldest group tested (6 weeks of age). The pituitary TSH concentration rose sharply until birth (114 +/- 1 day post coitum) and thereafter remained increased at a concentration of approximately 400 ng/mg wet weight.


The tongue, pinna and dorsal skin of adult male C-1 mice were removed at 03.00, 06.00, 09.00, 12.00, 15.00, 18.00, 21.00 and 24.00 h, fixed in basic lead acetate and stained with Alcian blue-safranin or 0.5% toluidine blue. The mast cell numbers of these regions were counted and analyzed statistically by analysis of variance. It was found that there were circadian variations in the mast cell number in the tongue, pinna and dorsal skin. The difference between the minimum and maximum of circadian variation in mast cell number in all three regions was highly significant (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the time points of the maximum and minimum of mast cell number varied between the different regions. The time point of the minimum in the tongue and pinna was at 06.00 h, whereas it was at 09.00 h in the dorsal skin. The time point of the maximum in the tongue and dorsal skin was at 21.00 h, but in the pinna it was at 18.00 h.


s of Presented and By Title Papers 26th Annual Meeting of the American Diabetes Association Abstracts of papers presented at the Scientific Sessions of the Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the Americans of papers presented at the Scientific Sessions of the Twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held in Chicago, June 25-26, are published in the following pages in the order of their presentation. Papers given By Title are alphabetized according to the name of the senior author. Asterisks indicate Members of the Association.


The concept of sustainability in which companies engage in has been researched for years, but it is not until recently it has gained legal status in the society. As a result, limited time has been provided for researchers to address the current situation and the consequences of the legal pressure that some companies are now facing. This paper examines how two companies organize their work to meet the demands they are now facing regarding sustainability reporting. The purpose for the study is to investigate the early adoption of the sustainability reporting law in the building and construction industry in Sweden with the aim to investigate how the new legislation is interpreted and responded to among the selected companies. The study is of qualitative nature and data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews. Institutional work, institutional complexities and organizational responses, complemented by organizational routines; how they could be used as a response to institutional complexities, were used as a framework when analyzing the relationship between the chosen organizations, including their routines, and their surroundings that represent certain logics. The results indicated that the companies were faced with multiple logics; the sustainability logic, "the greater good," and the corporate logic, "maximizing profit". This study thereby promotes that the logics led to complexities that were responded to in various ways depending on position in the industry, internal structure, and current stage of implementing or utilizing sustainability reporting.


Abstract Modes of dialectical reasoning were introduced into International Relations (IR) from the 1980s onwards in the context of the post-positivist debate as an alternative intellectual resource drawn from the philosophy of the social sciences. To the extent that the deployment of dialectics for IR drew upon Marx and the wider Hegelian Marxist tradition, it was challenged philosophically and substantively on two fronts. Philosophically, the problem emerged how to disassociate dialectics from the 'systemic' Hegelian legacy, which expressed itself in the naturalism and monism of dialectical materialism, and how to overcome a reading of capital as a self-unfolding conceptual category, expressed in systematic dialectics, which de-historicised and de-subjectified capitalism as a social relation. Substantively, the problem remained how to anchor a Historical Sociology of international relations in a historicist philosophy of praxis to avoid the temptation of a relapse into structuralist modes of explanation. By addressing this double challenge, this paper identifies a central lacuna within the Marxist IR tradition—the gap between general Marxist theories of IR and the analysis of foreign policy-making. This gap persists in equal measure in the bifurcation between the fields of general IR theory and actor-specific foreign policy analysis (FPA). For general IR theories—Marxist and non-Marxist—tend to deploy structuralist versions of theory, which relegate the problem of foreign policy-making to lesser, possibly non-theorisable, forms of inquiry. FPA is thereby demoted and subsumed under wider structural imperatives capable of cross-case generalisation. The paper moves from a critical exposition of the wider debate in IR and FPA of attempts to close this gap, via a critique of dialectical materialism and systematic dialectics, to a re-statement of the dialectic of the concrete. It concludes with a reconsideration of how dialectical thinking may bridge this gap by incorporating foreign policy as the crucial site for the active drawing together and re-articulation of multiple influences from the domestic and the foreign into a Historical Sociology of international relations.


The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays critical roles in embryonic patterning and tissue homeostasis, and its inappropriate activation can lead to basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and other cancers. Small molecules that modulate Hh signaling proteins can therefore be valuable probes of Hh pathway-dependent physiology and targeted therapies for Hh pathway-related diseases. While high-throughput screening campaigns in academia and industry have yielded several Hh pathway modulators that potently and selectively target the transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo), there is a growing need for compounds that inhibit Hh target gene expression through other mechanisms. Such small molecules could provide new insights into the cellular processes that regulate Gli transcription factor function and possibly prevent or overcome the emergence of tumors that are resistant to Smo antagonists. Toward this goal, we have completed large-scale screens for Hh pathway inhibitors that act downstream of Smo, revealing several compounds that inhibit Gli-dependent transcription through distinct mechanisms of action. We have successfully determined the cellular target of one inhibitor from our screens, and mechanistic studies of other Gli antagonists are currently underway. Citation Format: James K. Chen. Small-molecule modulators of the Hedgehog signaling pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chemical Systems Biology: Assembling and Interrogating Computational Models of the Cancer Cell by Chemical Perturbations; 2012 Jun 27-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(13 Suppl):Abstract nr IA19.


Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare life-threatening condition affecting almost exclusively patients with diabetes mellitus. Symptoms, which include fever, chills, abdominal and flank pain, nausea, vomiting, dysuria and pyuria, usually mimic those of classic pyelonephritis, and thus clinical suspicion for this urgent condition should be raised in every diabetic patient with similar presentation. Computed tomography (CT) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis demonstrating gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system or perinephric tissue. Treatment, which should be aggressive, is classically surgical, and early nephrectomy is recommended. Percutaneous drainage associated with medical treatment might be an alternative. Successful exclusively medical treatment has been described but is infrequent and is reserved as an alternative for patients in whom surgical intervention is contraindicated. We report a case of bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis in an 82-year-old female diabetic patient who presented with symptoms of typical pyelonephritis. Diagnosis was confirmed by CT, and Escherichia coli was identified as the causative factor. The patient was successfully treated medically with intravenous administration of cefepime and amikacin for 14 days and recovered fully. The therapeutical options for this severe but rare condition are discussed.


AIM
To evaluate the potential antibacterial effect of recurrent doses of topical gaseous ozone on the Enterococcus faecalis biofilms0 growth in human root canals in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and thirty four human single-rooted mandibular premolars were enlarged to a size 35 K-File. Each root canal were inoculated with an overnight culture of Enterococcus faecalis 0ATCC 29212 in tryptic soy broth for 24 hours and incubated for 7 days at 37°C. At 7-day interval, 4 specimens were prepared for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis to confirm the presence and purity of biofilms whilst the other contaminated root canals were irrigated and disinfected. One hundred root canals of total 134 specimens were selected to create the experimental groups and divided into 5 subgroups. In each experimental group ( n = 20) root canals), recurrent ozone doses were applied with different irrigation and disinfection protocols in 5 different time intervals. Bacterial growth was analyzed by counting viable E. faecalis on tryptic soy agar plates.

RESULTS
According to intergroup comparison results observed in the final sample collection analysis, the amount of remaining bacteria in the positive control group were found to be significantly higher compared to Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the material control group ( P < 0.01). The remaining amount of bacteria in the last count of Group 1 were found to be significantly higher compared to Group 2 ( P < 0.05), Group 4 ( P < 0.01), Group 5 (P < 0.05) and the material control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION
The application of topical gaseous ozone in recurrent doses provides a positive effect in the removal of E. faecalis biofilm from root canals. However, during disinfection procedure, the combined use of recurrent doses of topical gaseous ozone with 2% NaOCl enhanced its antibacterial effect against E. faecalis biofilm.


Microstructure and oxidation behavior of plasma sprayed iron aluminide have been investigated focusing on the spraying conditions of atmosphere and pressure. Iron aluminide powder for spraying was prepared by ball milling of turnings fabricated from an Fe-40at%Al ingot. Microstructure of laminated layers including cavities was observed in all samples and particles with a size of about 100 μm were observed only in the sample sprayed in 50 Torr Ar atmosphere. Chemical analysis revealed an amount of aluminium loss and oxygen pick-up in samples sprayed in air, while X-ray diffraction analysis exhibited only the iron aluminide spectra without the second phase. The intensity of superlattice spectra of aluminide was strong in the samples sprayed in Ar compared with in air. Change of mass gain in oxidation testing was small in the sample sprayed in 50 Torr Ar, which is equivalent to as-cast bulk sample, while large in other samples. SEM observation revealed the evolution of iron oxides in the samples sprayed in air, which was not observed in the sample sprayed in Ar. The mechanism for superior resistance to oxidation in the sample sprayed in 50 Torr Ar is attributed to infusible particles deposition, which inherited the intrinsic oxidation resistant property of iron aluminides.


Rural communities and policy-makers struggle with efforts to enhance the retention of rural physicians. Research available to guide these efforts is often weak methodologically and thus may be pointing retention efforts in nonproductive directions. This article discusses a range of methodologic issues encountered in rural physician retention studies for the purpose of strengthening future studies. Ideal study approaches to answer causal questions, including questions about the "causes" of rural physician retention, must demonstrate good internal validity, for which chance, bias, and confounding are accounted. Retention studies that rely simply on asking physicians why they stay or leave rural areas can be useful at times, but are too prone to bias and their findings difficult to verify. Simply identifying what physicians find satisfying or dissatisfying about rural work also will not reliably reveal why they stay or leave, a related but still distinct question. Stronger approaches to studying retention include the traditional quantitative study--in which retention factors are identified when they are statistically related to physicians' retention, and the increasingly popular qualitative study--in which retention issues are revealed through prolonged, in-depth interactions with physicians. This article also discusses various definitions of retention, the use of survival curves to present retention findings, and the importance of studying retention in inception cohorts. The benefits and downside of studying retention with prospective and retrospective study designs are described.


We studied the effect of resting smooth muscle length on the contractile response of the major resistance airways (generations 0-5) in 18 mongrel dogs in vivo using tantalum bronchography. Dose-response curves to 10(-10) to 10(-7) mol/kg methacholine (MCh) were generated [at functional residual capacity (FRC)] by repeated intravenous bolus administration using tantalum bronchography after each dose. Airway constriction varied substantially with dose-equivalent stimulation and varied sequentially from trachea (8.8 +/- 2.2% change in airway diam) to fifth-generation bronchus (49.8 +/- 3.0%; P less than 0.001). Length-tension curves were generated for each airway to determine the airway diameter (i.e., resting in situ smooth muscle length) at which maximal constriction was elicited using bolus intravenous injection of 10(-8) mol/kg MCh. A Frank-Starling relationship was obtained for each airway; the transpulmonary pressure at which maximal constriction was elicited increased progressively from 2.50 +/- 1.12 cmH2O for trachea (approximately FRC) to 18.3 +/- 1.05 cmH2O for fifth-generation airways (approximately 50% TLC) (P less than 0.001). A similar relationship was obtained when change in airway diameter was plotted as a function of airway radius. We demonstrate substantial heterogeneity in the lung volumes at which maximal constriction is elicited and in distribution of parasympathomimetic constriction within the first few generations of resistance bronchi. Our data also suggest that lung hyperinflation may lead to augmented airway contractile responses by shifting resting smooth muscle length toward optimum resting smooth muscle length.


Summary Dielectric properties from 1 to 18 GHz of rubber wood are modeled using generalized mixture equations and also with equations proposed by Weiner, Kraszewski, Looyenga and Landou, Lichtenecker. Dielectric properties were measured with an open-ended coaxial line-sensor in three structural directions longitudinal, radial and tangential and at different moisture contents. The dielectric constants were predicted well by the Weiner model for all structural grain directions and it was found that the degree of binding decreases with increasing frequency. However, the Weiner model cannot be used for predicting the dielectric loss factor at frequencies below 3 GHz. This may be due to the high conductive loss in this frequency region. The lower value of the exponents in generalized mixture equation was found suitable for fitting the experimental data as well as the Kraszewski equation. Values predicted by Lichtenecker equations are in well agreement with the experimental data at higher microwave frequencies. The prediction of dielectric loss factor using Kraszewski, Looyenga equations were not possible at frequencies below 3 GHz since it is dominated by conductive loss. Above 3 GHz, it was well predicted by Kraszewski and Looyenga equations.


Prior literature does not describe adequately the value of dynamic capabilities in a project business and does not follow their evolvement, there also exist several contradictions – the aim is to clarify these issues in small- and medium sized companies in Eastern Europe. A descriptive empirical work was conducted to track the capabilities and their development, for which the survey was performed. The best capabilities are worth imitating in a capability development and the worst capabilities need to be further investigated to decide how to improve them. Capabilities do not get better with time, as strong remains strong and weak remains weak, exploitation and exploration capabilities are evaluated at an equal level. Project related capabilities are more significant to profit than business capabilities. Generally, companies' age makes the project and project portfolio capabilities worse.


Health care associated pneumonia (HCAP) has been proposed as a new category of respiratory infection. HCAP shows higher mortality rates than CAP. But it is not clear whether the poor outcome of HCAP is related to the presence of more comorbidities or to a higher incidence of MDR pathogen and inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment. Thus, we aim to establish whether differences in outcomes for HCAP are due to differences in severity of pneumonia, not due to MDR pathogen. We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with severe HCAP and severe CAP who were hospitalized through the emergency department in Jan 2008 Dec 2009 at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, and compared clinical characteristics, severity, distribution of pathogen, and outcomes. In total, 757 patients hospitalized with pneumonia were eligible, 382 patients were severe pneumonia. sHCAP was significantly more common than sCAP. There were no differences between two groups in distribution of pathogens. sHCAP showed higher occurrence of potentially MDR pathogens than sCAP, but there were no differences between two groups in the inappropriate initial antimicrobial treatment. In early case-fatality rate, there were no differences between two groups but in-hospital mortality showed higher mortality rate in sHCAP. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, however, in-hospital mortality was independently associated with ICU admission. Differences in outcomes for HCAP are due to differences in severity of pneumonia, defined as ICU admission, not due to MDR pathogens.