We show that the exact discrete analogue of Schr\"odinger equation can be derived naturally from the Hamiltonian operator of a Schr\"odinger field theory by using the discrete Fourier transform that transforms the operator from momentum representation into position representation. The standard central difference equation that is often used as the discretized Schr\"odinger equation actually describes a different theory since it is derived from a different Hamiltonian operator. The commutator relation between the position and momentum operators in discrete space is also derived and found to be different from the conventional commutator relation in continuous space. A comparison between the two discretization formulas is made by numerically studying the transmission probability for a wave packet passing through a square potential barrier in one dimensional space. Both discretization formulas are shown to give sensible and accurate numerical results as compared to theoretical calculation, though it takes more computation time when using the exact discretization formula. The average wave number $k_0$ of the incident wave packet must satisfy $|k_0\ell| < 0.35$, where $\ell$ is the lattice spacing in position space, in order to obtain an accurate numerical result by using the standard central difference formula.


In the progress of digital era, there is a significant rise in the number of security flaws that are the result of assaults by malicious software, sometimes known as malware. Malware detection is still a popular area of study owing to the fact that a significant number of computer users, organizations, and governments have been impacted by the exponential development in malicious software assaults. These detection methods rely on malware signatures and behavioral patterns. Recent malwares make use of metamorphic, polymorphic, and other evasive strategies to rapidly modify their behavior and produce a huge number of new malwares. These tactics allow the malware to avoid detection. Recent years have seen an increase in the use of Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA) for the purpose of effective malware analysis. The majority of these newly discovered malwares are variations of previously discovered malware. However, the conventional models failed to classify the different types of malwares and resulted in poor classification performance. So, this work focused on implementation of Malware Detection and Classification (MDC-Net). Initially, dataset preprocessing is performed to remove the missing symbols, unknown data from MALIMG dataset. Then, convolutional neural network (CNN) model is used for extraction malware class dependent, and malware class specific features. Finally, Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) model trained with the CNN features. So, the ELM model can capable of classifying the various malware classes from every new data. The MDC-Net resulted in superior performance than existing approaches in terms various metrics.


Estimation of volume or the ratio of volumes in an image requires both mensuration and classification. The former is achieved through stereology - a set of techniques that estimate such parameters as area, volume, surface area, length, and number. Classification is achieved by extracting features that capture discriminating information (e.g., about tissue type). Both stereology and classification can be performed either manually or by computer. Manual techniques for the combination are based on coarse point counting (low resolution), but assumed perfect pixel classification. Computer-based methods, on the other hand, rely on very fine point counting but in general suffer from imperfect pixel classification. This paper examines the interaction between manual and image processing-based approaches; in particular, we present a measure that combines the classification and measurement errors. Estimation of the variance is used to define the conditions under which each method is and is not advantageous despite its underlying error. This allows the user to choose a method that optimizes overall performance, given the human and machine capabilities available. Illustrations are given of cases in which each method can be preferable, as measured by the variance of the estimate of the performance that was inferred from the measurement.


JPOSNA® has been designated the official journal of "our society," the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. It is supported and produced by all of our members. We are growing in submissions for original research; many thanks to Deputy Editor of Research JR Cruz, the Editorial Board, and POSNA members who provide valuable review and suggestions for improvement. As opposed to other journals that won't consider resubmissions of papers that fall short of their subjective reviews, JPOSNA® culture is to work with authors to improve, redirect, or redefine submissions that could be of value to all of us. How literature will be published and accessed in the future is of great debate. Most agree that open access electronic journals such as JPOSNA® are the future. Yet, which search engines will be the best at making content discoverable? Currently, your papers are easily found on Google Scholar; our journal has retained a consultant that is working to guide us to gain Medline and PubMed Central access. This will be valuable to our journal and our authors, yet they are not perfect, as they don't allow referencing and access to some of the cutting-edge video and electronic offerings we provide. Despite limitations to all search engines, we are working hard to make JPOSNA® content available and easily discoverable to the entire world. We are also working to increase the breadth of offerings through supplement editions. On August 15, JPOSNA® will publish a wonderful educational supplement edited by Liz Hubbard from Duke University. Advances in Pediatric Orthopaedic Education and Technical Training will consist of articles touching on various aspects of pediatric orthopaedic education as well as a dozen or so training modules (paper and video) that can be adopted in our centers to train our learners. Other supplements, including an enhancement of our 2022 JEDI Symposium chaired by Julie Samora, are in the works! Stay tuned…


Complaint Resolution Complaint Resolution Process : How to file a special education complaint Complaint Resolution Form : Sample form for filing a special education complaint Complaint Checklist : What is required to be included in a special education complaint Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Reso


The aim of this work was to study the influences of Ca2+ (medium free calcium, with BAPTA, with 100 mM Ca2+, 100 mM Ca2++10 microM ionomycin) on the expression of caveolin-1 (structural protein of caveolae) of endothelial cells (ECs) submitted to mechanical forces (shear stress) or biochemical stimulation (TNF-alpha). We found that shear stress enhanced the caveolin-1 expression. Simultaneously, the caveolin-1 expression is dependant on [Ca2+]i: [Ca2+]free medium+100 microM BAPTA<[Ca2+]free medium<[Ca2+]100 mM<[Ca2+]100 mM+10 microM ionomycin. In contrast, TNF-alpha induced a decrease of caveolin-1 in the cells, whatever the [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that there could be a synergistic effect between shear stress and Ca2+ on caveolin-1 expression but an inflammatory stimulation (TNF-alpha) induces a down regulation of caveolin-1 expression.


We read with interest the article by Wahid et al. about the frequency of the m.3243A>G and m.3316G>A variants in 25 patients with type-1 diabetes requiring insulin (T1DM) and 25 patients with early onset type-2 diabetes requiring oral hypoglycemics (T2DM). Despite maternal transmission of diabetes in all 50 patients, neither of the two mtDNA variants was found in any of the patients in group T1DM or group T2DM. We have the following comments and concerns. There are several reasons why the authors did not find the m.3243A>G or m.3316G>A variants in their cohort. First, the sample size could have been too small to detect the expected mtDNA variants. Their frequency may be lower than estimated among the local population. Second, diabetes was not mitochondrial but due to other causes and the transmission rather autosomal than maternal. Did transmission over at least three generations strictly follow a maternal trait of inheritance? Third, abundance of the variants in blood was too low to reach the detection level. mtDNA variants are frequently heteroplasmic and heteroplasmy rates may vary significantly between different tissues. To overcome this potential flaw, tissues other than blood, such as muscle, fibroblasts, hair follicles, buccal cells, or urinary cells could be tested. Mitochondrial diabetes may not only occur in maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) but also in other specific or non-specific mitochondrial disorders (MIDs). Among the specific MIDs in which diabetes may be one of the clinical manifestations are MELAS syndrome, MERRF syndrome, chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), Leigh syndrome, Kearns-Sayre syndrome, NARP syndrome, and Pearson syndrome. More frequently than with specific MIDs, diabetes is associated with non-specific mitochondrial multiorgan disorder syndromes (MIMODSs). Mitochondrial diabetes may not only follow a maternal but also an autosomal trait of transmission. Since the genetic background of mitochondrial diabetes is heterogeneous, mutations other than the m.3243A>G and the m.3316G>A may be causative. Thus, future studies could investigate if T1DM or T2DM is associated with mutations in mtDNA located or nDNA genes other than the tRNA(Lys) or ND1. To select diabetic patients for genetic work-up and evaluation if mitochondrial diabetes is present, diabetic patients could be screened for the presence of phenotypic features typical for MIDs, such as short stature, dysmorphism, epilepsy, migraine, ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, cataract, thyroid dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, hepatopathy, gastrointestinal compromise, renal insufficiency, hypogonadism, osteoporosis, arterial hypertension, myopathy, polyneuropathy, anemia, or mild hyperCKemia. Since arterial blood gas analysis was carried out in all 50 patients it would be interesting to know how many of the included patients had lactic acidosis. Was acidemia attributed to lactic acidosis or the presence of ketone bodies? In how many of the patients was acidosis attributable to renal dysfunction? Overall, this interesting study could be more meaningful if the sample size would have been increased, if heteroplasmy rates would have been determined, and if variants in nuclear genes would have been considered as causative for mitochondrial diabetes.


The prospect of Turkey's entry into EU has triggered intense identity-based discussions. The evaluation of Turkey's possible membership within the context of its distinctive character has generated strong antagonism in European countries especially in those who share large Turkish populations. This antagonism is rooted in the negative image of Turks, which has shaped the European's opinions about Turks. There are intertwined factors that played essential role: The historical image of the Turks together with the widespread belief regarding Turkish migrant's integration 'failures' reflects the negative image of the Turks in the mind of Europeans. The common attitudes of the Turkish communities towards some values that European identity based on such as gender equality have shaped the Europeans opinions which is increasingly concerned with the issue. Turkish community's approach thus stimulates the fears of Europeans regarding Turkey's entry, which in turn decrease in support for Turkey.


This paper presents experimental results on an innovative power conversion technology using magnetic energy recovery switch (MERS) of a wind turbine system with a synchronous generator to improve the output power and the efficiency. An output voltage of the synchronous generator decreases with the increase of current because of synchronous reactance. The MERS, which consists of four MOSFET or IGBT elements and one small DC capacitor just like as a full bridge configuration, is inserted in series between the generator and ac-dc converter. The capacitor absorbs the magnetic energy stored in the synchronous inductance by forced LC resonance. Since MERS compensates the reactance voltage of the synchronous generator by the capacitor voltage, the output voltage of the generator increases and the excitation current of the generator can be extremely reduced. Also, the switching loss of converter in the MERS system is very small because the MERS is not required PWM control and the switching frequency is the same as the generator, and the downsizing of converter is realized. The effect of MERS is verified in a small scale experimental set-up of wind power generation with a permanent magnet type synchronous generator and a dc-excitation type synchronous generator. The data indicate a great potential of the new power conversion technology to make the actual wind turbine system compact and to improve the efficiency.


Relationship between atopy and asthma is complex. Studies evaluating association between markers of atopy with asthma severity or lung function tests have failed to yield consistent results. A prospective cohort study was done at the Pediatric Chest Clinic at tertiary care university hospital, Delhi, India. Children with physician diagnosed, moderate to severe persistent asthma, between 5 and 15 years of age, were enrolled from May 2007 to June 2009. Sensitization to aeroallergens was assessed by the skin prick test using 12 common aeroallergens. Asthma was managed according to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program-Expert Panel Report 3 guidelines and children were followed up as a cohort every 2 months for 6 months. Correlation between aeroallergen sensitization, atopic markers with asthma severity, and treatment outcome was studied. Seventy-eight (57 boys) patients with mean age of 109±27 months were subjected to the skin prick test. Forty-nine (62.8%) children were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Common aeroallergens to which children were sensitized: cockroach (37%), rice dust (31%), mosquito (29%), housefly (29%). Sensitized patients had a higher rate of breathlessness, seasonal symptoms, and atopic dermatitis than those who were nonsensitized, (P<0.05). Children with high absolute eosinophil count had decreased spirometry parameters after 6 month of follow up, (P=0.04). Sensitization rates were independently associated with children having breathlessness (P=0.04) and seasonal symptoms (P=0.01). No significant association was found between sensitization, asthma severity, and treatment outcome. Aeroallergen sensitization was found in two-third patients. The most common aeroallergens were insects and rice dust. Sensitization was neither related to asthma severity nor to asthma control.


The paper summarizes the system for WEB resources monitoring based on defined query. Experiment compares results returned by the proposed system to those provided by Google Search and Google Alert services. Results indicate that the system could be solid base for development and tests of pattern detection and information retrieval mechanism, while providing more data than Google solutions. Drawback of system and further development plans are also presented.


In the wavelength region, 616-623 nm, two photon processes have been observed in diatomic calcium chloride. The D 2Σ-X 2Σ transitions of both Ca35Cl and Ca37Cl were obtained. Rotational and vibrational constants have been derived for the D 2Σ and X 2Σ states of Ca35Cl.


Cytochrome P4502C9 (CYP2C9) is largely responsible for terminating the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin via hydroxylation of the pharmacologically more potent S-enantiomer to inactive metabolites. Mutations in the CYP2C9 gene result in the expression of three allelic variants, CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3. Both CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 exhibit altered catalytic properties in vitro relative to the wild-type enzyme. In the present study, a patient was genotyped who had proven unusually sensitive to warfarin therapy and could tolerate no more than 0.5 mg of the racemic drug/day. PCR-amplification of exons 3 and 7 of the CYP2C9 gene, followed by restriction digest or sequence analysis, showed that this individual was homozygous for CYP2C9*3. In addition, patient plasma warfarin enantiomer ratios and urinary 7-hydroxywarfarin enantiomer ratios were determined by chiral-phase high performance liquid chromotography in order to investigate whether either parameter might be of diagnostic value in place of a genotypic test. Control patients receiving 4-8 mg warfarin/day exhibited plasma S:R ratios of 0.50 +/- 0.25:1, whereas the patient on very low-dose warfarin exhibited an S:R ratio of 3.9:1. In contrast, the urinary 7-hydroxywarfarin S:R ratio of 4:1 showed the same stereoselectivity as that reported for control patients. Therefore, expression of CYP2C9*3 is associated with diminished clearance of S-warfarin and a dangerously exacerbated therapeutic response to normal doses of the racemic drug. Analysis of the plasma S:R warfarin ratio may serve as a useful alternative test to genotyping for this genetic defect.


This paper proposes a method for predicting individualitypreserving gait patterns. Physical rehabilitation can be performed using visual and/or physical instructions by physiotherapists or exoskeletal robots. However, a template-based rehabilitation may produce discomfort and pain in a patient because of deviations from the natural gait of each patient. Our work addresses this problem by predicting an individuality-preserving gait pattern for each patient. In this prediction, the transition of the gait patterns is modeled by associating the sequence of a 3D skeleton in gait with its continuous-value gait features (e.g., walking speed or step width). In the space of the prediction model, the arrangement of the gait patterns are optimized so that (1) similar gait patterns are close to each other and (2) the gait feature changes smoothly between neighboring gait patterns. This model allows to predict individuality-preserving gait patterns of each patient even if his/her various gait patterns are not available for prediction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated quantitatively. with two datasets. key words: gait, human skeleton, individuality-preserving prediction


ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the case of a child who presented hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with acute monocytic leukemia after chemotherapy, with hemophagocytosis caused by leukemic cells. Case description: In a university hospital in Southern Brazil, a 3-year-old female was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia with normal karyotype. The chemotherapy regimen was initiated, and she achieved complete remission six months later, relapsing after four months with a complex karyotype involving chromosomes 8p and 16q. The bone marrow showed vacuolated blasts with a monocytic aspect and evidence of hemophagocytosis. The child presented progressive clinical deterioration and died two months after the relapse. Comments: HLH is a rare and aggressive inflammatory condition characterized by cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. Although rare, malignancy-associated HLH (M-HLH) is fatal. The patient in this case report met five out of the eight established criteria for HLH. The evolution of the patient's karyotype, regardless of the diagnostic profile, seemed secondary to the treatment for acute monocytic leukemia. In this case, the cytogenetic instability might have influenced the abnormal behavior of leukemic cells. This is a rare case of HLH in a child with acute monocytic leukemia.


Probabilistic vehicle trajectory prediction is essential for robust safety of autonomous driving. Current methods for long-term trajectory prediction cannot guarantee the physical feasibility of predicted distribution. Moreover, their models cannot adapt to the driving policy of the predicted target human driver. In this work, we propose to overcome these two shortcomings by a Bayesian recurrent neural network model consisting of Bayesian-neural-network-based policy model and known physical model of the scenario. Bayesian neural network can ensemble complicated output distribution, enabling rich family of trajectory distribution. The embedded physical model ensures feasibility of the distribution. Moreover, the adopted gradient-based training method allows direct optimization for better performance in long prediction horizon. Furthermore, a particle-filter-based parameter adaptation algorithm is designed to adapt the policy Bayesian neural network to the predicted target online. Effectiveness of the proposed methods is verified with a toy example with multi-modal stochastic feedback gain and naturalistic car following data.


The diagnosis of disease is difficult but critical task in medicine. Data mining is the process of extracting hidden interesting patterns from massive database. In the healthcare industry it plays a significant task for predicting the disease. Heart disease is a single largest cause of death in developed countries and one of the main contributors to disease burden in developing countries. Data mining is a more convenient tool to assist physicians in detecting the diseases by obtaining knowledge and information regarding the disease from patient's data. By using data mining techniques it takes less time for the prediction of the disease with more accuracy. This paper aims at analyzing the various data mining techniques namely Decision Trees, Naive Bayes, Neural Networks, Random Forest Classification and Support Vector Machine by using the Cleveland dataset for Heart disease prediction. Few of the supervised learning algorithms are used for the prediction of heart disease. It provides a quick and easy understanding of various prediction models in data mining and helps to find the best model for further work.


Objective: To improve the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary artery sarcoma, and to distinguish it from central chronic pulmonary thromboembolism using CT scans. Methods: In this retrospective study, two groups of pulmonary artery sarcoma (PAS group) and central chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (central CPTE group) confirmed by pathology at our hospital between August 2009 and July 2019 were enrolled, clinical features and pre-operative CT pulmonary artery manifestation were collected, and the key points of differential diagnosis were summarized. Results: The study was composed of 13 cases in the PAS group including 10 males (76.9%), with an average age of (45.4±15.5) years. There were 19 patients in the central CPTE group including 14 males (73.7%), with an average age of (38.6±14.1) years. There were no significant differences in gender and age between the two groups. Deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities was significantly higher in the central CPTE group than in the PAS group (7/19 vs. 0/13, P=0.025), and the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide value was higher in the central CPTE group than in the PAS group [674.50(261.70-1 977.70) vs. 66.00(28.10-505.50),P=0.001]. In CT pulmonary angiography, the involvement of the main pulmonary artery, and the proximal lesion showing an acute angle to the pulmonary artery wall were more common in the PAS group [11(84.6%) vs. 5(26.3%), P=0.003; 11(84.6%) vs. 2(10.5%), P<0.001, respectively]. The swelling index of the main pulmonary and the left/right main pulmonary arteries in the PAS group were significantly higher, as well as the dilatation in the lobar and segmental pulmonary arteries [1.19±0.17 vs. 0.99±0.19,P=0.006, 10(76.9%) vs. 2(10.5%), P<0.001, respectively]. The right ventricular transverse diameter/left ventricular transverse diameter (RVd/LVd) and pulmonary artery diameter/ascending aortic diameter ratio (Pad/Aod) were significantly lower in PAS group than those in the central CPTE group (0.97±0.19 vs. 1.23±0.35,P=0.020; 0.98±0.25 vs. 1.15±0.20,P=0.039). Conclusions: In CT pulmonary angiography, filling defects involving the main pulmonary artery and showing expansive growth were highly suggestive of pulmonary artery sarcoma. The history of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities was helpful for the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary embolism.


The keratinocyte factor (KGF) and its receptor (KGFR) are implicated in tissue development and repair. We studied the expression and functions of KGF and KGFR in association with estrogen and progesterone in human endometrial tissues and cells. In non-cancerous human endometrial tissues in the secretory phase, a strong immunoreactivity of KGF in glands, stromal cells, and smooth muscle cells of spiral arteries was detected; however, in proliferative-phase tissues, the immunoreactivity of KGF or KGFR was weak or absent. Most of the 32 endometrioid adenocarcinoma cases showed positive KGF and KGFR stainings (90.6 and 71.9%, respectively). We then studied, using Ishikawa well-differentiated human endometrial cancer cell line that expresses estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), the expression of KGF and KGFR in conjunction with estrogen and progesterone, and observed that the KGFR expression of Ishikawa cells was upregulated by estrogen and that this upregulation was markedly enhanced by the coadministration of progesterone. We also observed that KGF administration to cells, with KGFR upregulated expression, stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and cell adhesion to fibronectin. The implications of the hormone-stimulated KGF-KGFR expressions in the regulation of cell behavior associated with human endometrial cancer are discussed.


Bone marrow failure is a significant complication of many chronic infections, which affect a third of the world's population. The inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNy) contributes to bone marrow failure syndromes by activating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and impairing their self-renewal. IFNy upregulation during many chronic infections such as tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B directly depletes hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The mechanisms by which IFNy drives the loss of quiescence and ultimate exhaustion of HSCs remain poorly understood, but may be related to changes in the interaction between HSCs and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, or BM niche. Current evidence suggests that quiescent HSCs reside predominantly in the vascular niche, where the production of stem cell factor (SCF) from endothelial cells and CXCL12 from perivascular CXCL12 abundant reticular (CAR) stromal cells are critical for maintaining their quiescence. The goal of our work was to determine whether IFNy signaling alters HSC interactions within the niche.
 We performed transcriptomic analysis of IFNy-stimulated HSCs and focused on changes in cell-surface expressed genes that may influence HSC-niche interactions. Our analysis revealed Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2 (BST2) as the only surface protein upregulated on HSCs upon 24-hour IFNy stimulation. To study the effects of BST2 on HSC-niche interactions, we performed intravital imaging using two reporter mouse models: CXCL12-GFP reporter mice in which CAR cells are labeled with GFP, and CXCL12-GFP Krt18-Cre LSL-tdTomato dual reporter mice in which CAR cells are labelled with GFP and HSCs are labeled with tdTomato. After exogenously labeling and transferring HSCs into CXCL12-GFP mice or endogenously labeling HSCs in the CXCL12-GFP Krt18-Cre LSL-tdTomato mice, we observed that HSCs stimulated with IFNy were significantly distanced from CAR cells compared to pre-treated controls. These findings are consistent with other reports that chemotherapeutic and inflammatory stress disrupts HSC interactions with the niche and promotes HSC migration. Conversely, we observed no change in HSC distancing from CAR cells after IFNy stimulation of IFNy-receptor deficient HSCs, suggesting that the observed HSC displacement was due to a cell autonomous mechanism. These changes were not due to a loss of CXCL12 receptor (CXCR4) expression or disrupted capacity of HSCs to migrate towards CXCL12. Interestingly, Intravital imaging using BST2-deficient HSCs revealed that BST2 KO HSCs do not re-localize from CAR cells during IFNy stimulation. Increased BST2 expression has been linked to the migration, adhesion and metastasis of various cancer cells and we explored whether it could serve a similar role in protein binding in HSCs. Using in vitro plate binding assays, we found that IFNy-treatment promoted increased HSC binding to E-selectin via BST2, as well as increased HSC homing to the bone marrow, a property that is dependent on E-selectin binding.
 Finally, to determine whether BST2 affects IFNy-dependent HSC activation we performed cell cycle analysis of WT and BST2 KO HSCs. We discovered that the loss of BST2 protects against HSC activation during Mycobacterium avium infection. Furthermore, HSC depletion during chronic infection was mitigated in BST2 KO mice.
 Our data identifies BST2 as a key protein that influences niche relocalization and activation in response to inflammatory stimulation. This study expands our understanding of factors that contribute to HSC activation and loss of quiescence. These findings could shed light on novel therapeutic interventions for patients who develop pancytopenia or bone marrow failure due to chronic inflammation.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


DNA is polymorphic since, despite its ubiquitous presence as a double-stranded helix, it is able to fold into a plethora of other secondary structures both in vitro and in cells. Despite the considerable advances that have been made in understanding this structural diversity, its high-throughput investigation still faces severe limitations. This mainly stems from the lack of suitable label-free methods, combining a fast and cheap experimental workflow with high information content. Here, we explore the use of intrinsic fluorescence emitted by nucleic acids for this scope. After a preliminary assessment of the suitability of this phenomenon for tracking the conformational changes of DNA, we examined the intrinsic steady-state emission spectra of an 89-membered set of synthetic oligonucleotides with reported conformation (G-quadruplexes, i-motifs, single- and double stranded DNA) by means of multivariate analysis. Specifically, principal component analysis of emission spectra resulted in successful clustering of oligonucleotides into three corresponding conformational groups, albeit without discrimination between single- and double-stranded structures. Linear discriminant analysis of the same training set was exploited for the assessment of new sequences, allowing the evaluation of their G4-forming propensity. Our method does not require any labelling agent or dye, avoiding the related intrinsic bias, and can be utilized to screen novel sequences of interest in a high-throughput and cost-effective manner. In addition, we observed that left-handed (Z-) G4 structures were systematically more fluorescent than most other G4 structures, almost reaching the quantum yield of 5′-d[(G3T)3G3]-3′ (G3T), the most fluorescent G4 structure reported to date. This property is likely to arise from the similar base-stacking geometry in both types of structures.


This paper introduces a robot called the MRINSPECT V (Multifunctional Robotic crawler for Inpipe inSPECTion V) for the inspection of pipelines with a nominal 8-in inside diameter. Based on the mechanism of the previous model MRINSPECT IV, we developed a new MRINSPECT V by using the differential driving mechanism, so that just simply controlling the speed of each driving units helps the robot to travel effectively inside the pipelines. Furthermore, the robot uses clutches in transmitting driving power to wheels. This clutch mechanism enables MRINSPECT V to select the suitable driving method according to the shape of pipeline. In this paper, the critical points in design and construction of the proposed robot are described with the preliminary results to provide good mobility and increase the efficiency.


Extragenital carcinoma metastatic to the cervix is uncommon. In such a case a complication not previously described occurred in association with pregnancy: gastrointestinal signet ring carcinoma metastatic to the cervix. The entity was initially detected on a histologic examination of cervical biopsy specimens and was confirmed with gastric endoscopic biopsies, thereby preventing an exploratory laparotomy. The patient declined palliative chemotherapy.


Background D-dimer is used widely as a diagnostic aid in low- and moderate-risk patients with suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE). While our laboratory utilizes VIDAS D-dimer analyzer (bioMérieux SA, France), our emergency department (ED) recently procured a D-dimer analyzer AQT90 FLEX (Radiometer Medical ApS, Denmark) for point of care testing (POCT) to facilitate patient management. We aimed to determine whether the time taken to receive D-dimer results using the 2 different analyzers differed significantly and to quantify the limits of agreement between the results of the 2 methods measured on the same patient. Methods Adult patients presenting to the ED and requiring diagnostic workup for suspected VTE were included in this prospective observational study. Patients underwent simultaneous D-dimer measurements using the 2 different analyzers. Results The paired results from 104 patients were analyzed. The median time for the D-dimer results from triage by VIDAS was 258 min (Inter-quartile range [IQR], 173-360) and by POCT was 146 min (IQR, 55-280.5); the median time difference was 101.5 min (IQR, 82-125.5). On an average, POCT D-dimer values were 15% lower on the same sample (limits of agreement, 34-213%). POCT predicted 83% of VIDAS positive results (sensitivity, 83.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 70.4-91.3%]; specificity, 100% [95% CI, 93.6-100%]). All patients with positive imaging were identified correctly by both methods. Conclusions POCT delivers D-dimer results in significantly shorter turnaround times than pathology services; however, poor bioequivalence between VIDAS and POCT raises the issue of acceptability for use in the ED.


We report real space views of the homoepitaxial growth of Fe on Fe(001) whiskers observed by scanning tunneling microscopy. A measure of the surface diffusion of the Fe atoms is obtained over the temperature range of 20-250 o C. The effect of the diffusion kinetics is observed in the surface morphology as a decrease in the interface width with temperature. Measurements of reflection-high-energy-electron diffraction during growth allow a comparison of real and reciprocal space techniques


The etiology of Hodgkin's disease is unknown, and the identity of the normal counterpart of the malignant cell involved in Hodgkin's disease remains controversial. Yet, three of every four patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease will be cured. This success in treatment is due in large part to the application of modern oncologic techniques, such as combination chemotherapy and the use of staging to guide therapy. This article reviews important advances in the understanding and treatment of Hodgkin's disease.


Massive multichannel reproduction systems like wave field synthesis (WFS) are potentially well suited to be complemented by listening room equalization (LRE). However, their typically large number of reproduction channels makes this task challenging for both computational and algorithmic reasons. Wave-domain adaptive filtering (WDAF) was proposed earlier and is especially well-suited to adaptive filtering tasks in the context of WFS. In this paper, we propose to generalize the model originally used for WDAF to allow an adaptive LRE for a broader range of reproduction scenarios, while maintaining the advantages of the original approach. The proposed approach is evaluated for filtering structures of varying complexity along with considering the robustness to varying listener positions.


The fact that trapezoid clusters exist in 2D vertically vibrated granular systems leads us to construct a cluster model, in which wave-like motions are explained as the result of cluster-plate and cluster-cluster collisions. By analyzing the collision of one cluster with the plate in detail, we deduce a basic equation from velocity relationship, which could be separated into two correlative equations: one relates wave-like motion with exciting acceleration, and we call it the excitation condition; the other relates wavelength with exciting frequency, viz., the dispersion relation. The theoretical results are in agreement with the experimental ones, which supports the idea of the cluster model. Moreover, from the cluster model, we also predict a possibility of abnormal dispersion relation of a 2D granular system.


Climate change poses an unprecedented challenge to population health and health systems' resilience, with increasing fluctuations in extreme temperatures through pressures on hospital capacity. While earlier studies have estimated morbidity attributable to hot or cold weather across cities, we provide the first large-scale, population-wide assessment of extreme temperatures on inequalities in excess emergency hospital admissions in England. We used the universe of emergency hospital admissions between 2001 and 2012 combined with meteorological data to exploit daily variation in temperature experienced by hospitals (N = 29,371,084). We used a distributed lag model with multiple fixed-effects, controlling for seasonal factors, to examine hospitalisation effects across temperature-sensitive diseases, and further heterogeneous impacts across age and deprivation. We identified larger hospitalisation impacts associated with extreme cold temperatures than with extreme hot temperatures. The less extreme temperatures produce admission patterns like their extreme counterparts, but at lower magnitudes. Results also showed an increase in admissions with extreme temperatures that were more prominent among older and socioeconomically-deprived populations - particularly across admissions for metabolic diseases and injuries.


This study unveils regional patterns of dominant streamflow generation mechanisms across the conterminous United States and identifies their climatic and physiographic controls. Six signatures describing the characteristics of rainfall‐stormflow responses and the characteristics of base flow response are extracted from continuous rainfall‐streamflow time series for 432 US catchments. These study catchments are classified into eight classes based on similarities of the six signatures, and dominant streamflow generation mechanisms for each class are inferred based on the magnitudes of the six signatures. This catchment classification reveals geographically coherent regional patterns across the conterminous United States. Catchment climatic and physiographic characteristics most relevant to this catchment classification are identified using techniques such as correlation analysis and random forest modeling. The most relevant characteristics are climate aridity, median event rainfall volume, topographic slope, soil permeability, rock type, and vegetation density, which are found to be the main controlling factors governing the dominant streamflow generation mechanisms. The linkages between the inferred dominant streamflow generation mechanisms and specific combinations of the climatic and catchment physiographic characteristics identified above are synthesized in a conceptual diagram, as an extension of the classical Dunne diagram. The new findings, while largely consistent with the results of previous empirical and modeling studies, add rich process detail to the transferable understanding of regional patterns of dominant streamflow generation mechanisms and their climatic and physiographic controls.


A procedure for virulence phenotyping of isolates of yellow (stripe) rust using spray inoculation of wheat seedlings by spores suspended in an engineered fluid, NovecTM 7100, is presented. Differential sets consisting of near-isogenic Avocet lines, selected lines from the "World" and "European" sets, and additional varieties showing race-specificity facilitate a robust assessment of race, irrespectively of geographical and evolutionary origin of isolates. A simple procedure for purification of samples consisting of multiple races is also presented.


Galectins regulate cellular functions by binding to glycan ligands on cell surface glycoprotein receptors. Prototype galectins, such as galectin-1, are one carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) monomers that noncovalently dimerize, whereas tandem-repeat galectins, such as galectin-9, have two non-identical CRDs connected by a linker domain. Dimerization of prototype galectins, or both CRDs in tandem-repeat galectins, is typically required for the crosslinking of glycoprotein receptors and subsequent cellular signaling. Several studies have found that tandem-repeat galectins are more potent than prototype galectins in triggering many cell responses, including cell death. These differences could be due to CRD specificity, the presence or absence of a linker domain between CRDs, or both. To interrogate the basis for the increased potency of tandem-repeat galectins compared with prototype galectins in triggering cell death, we created three tandem-repeat galectin constructs with different linker regions joining identical galectin-1 CRDs, so that any differences we observed would be due to the contribution of the linker region rather than due to CRD specificity. We found that random-coil or rigid α-helical linkers that permit separation of the two galectin-1 CRDs facilitated the formation of higher-order galectin multimers and that these galectins were more potent in binding to glycan ligands and cell surface glycoprotein receptors, as well as triggering T cell death, compared with native galectin-1 or a construct with a short rigid linker. Thus, the increased potency of tandem-repeat galectins compared with prototype galectins is likely due to the ability of the linker domain to permit intermolecular CRD interactions, resulting in the formation of higher-order multimers with increased valency, rather than differences in CRD specificity.


The composite photocatalyst can be constructed by using natural porous minerals with a wide range of sources, low prices and stable chemical properties as the titanium dioxide catalyst carrier, which can not only reduce the cost of catalyst preparation and application, but also effectively improve the dispersion, recyclability and catalytic performance of the catalyst. In recent years, a large number of scientific researchers have conducted a lot of research on the preparation and performance of porous mineral-supported composite catalytic materials. This paper describes the catalytic mechanism of titanium dioxide, as well as the research and application progress of various nonmetallic mineral materials supported by titanium dioxide, and prospects the development trend in the future.


The developing world today is challenging conventional accounts of city growth and change. In Africa, for example, conflict and mass displacement are reconfiguring the urban landscape in ways that are hard to ignore. This paper analyzes how conflict and the arrival of a large humanitarian aid infrastructure influence the dynamics of city growth and bring about a distinct spatial structure, niche gentrification, and informal economy in Nyala, Darfur. Using data from a three–year field study, we show how the size and socio–spatial organization of the city changed, the directions in which the city grew, and the factors that drove these changes. We look at interaction patterns between residents of Nyala itself and those now residing in internally displaced person (IDP) camps on the edge of the city. We show that considerations of both insecurity and risk are vitally important to understanding the processes of conflict urbanization. Conflict generates a distinctive social structure as internal displaced people, international aid workers, and long–time urban residents all move within the city.


We present a detailed comparison of the S0, S1 (n → π∗) and S2 (π → π∗) potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the prototypical molecular switch azobenzene as obtained by Δ-self-consistent-field (ΔSCF) density-functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) and approximate coupled cluster singles and doubles (RI-CC2). All three methods unanimously agree in terms of the PES topologies, which are furthermore fully consistent with existing experimental data concerning the photo-isomerization mechanism. In particular, sum-method corrected ΔSCF and TD-DFT yield very similar results for S1 and S2, when based on the same ground-state exchange-correlation (xc) functional. While these techniques yield the correct PES topology already on the level of semi-local xc functionals, reliable absolute excitation energies as compared to RI-CC2 or experiment require an xc treatment on the level of long-range corrected hybrids. Nevertheless, particularly the robustness of ΔSCF with respect to state crossings as well as its numerical efficiency suggest this approach as a promising route to dynamical studies of larger azobenzene-containing systems.


Considering the voluminous published research confirming and extending the original findings of Cohen, Dey, Lys (2008), we conclude that Pincus, Wu, and Hwang (2022, this issue) make a modest contribution to the earnings management literature. Specifically, their analysis does not incorporate recent advances in the earnings management literature, especially the measurement and estimation of real earnings management activities and the incorporation of the changing information environment. As a result, we conclude that Pincus, Wu, and Hwang results and conclusions with regards to the substitution between accrual-based and real earnings management activities should be interpreted with caution.


The nanolatex of polystyrene (PS) synthesized by differential microemulsion polymerization was blended with (vinyl acetate)‐ethylene (VAE) copolymer emulsion at VAE/PS dry weight ratios of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40. This technique provided a well dispersion of PS nanoparticles in the blends without any phase separation or flocculation. The blended emulsions were cast into thin sheet for further characterizations. It was found that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, dynamic mechanical properties, and thermal stability at 50% degradation of VAE were increased by the addition of an appropriate amount (20, 30, 40, and 40 wt%, respectively) of the PS nanoparticles, whereas the elongation at break deteriorated. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers


Objectives: In the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial (NCT00281268), adults with acute lung injury randomized to a conservative vs. liberal fluid management protocol had increased days alive and free of mechanical ventilator support (ventilator-free days). Recruiting sufficient children with acute lung injury into a pediatric trial is challenging. A Bayesian statistical approach relies on the adult trial for the a priori effect estimate, requiring fewer patients. Preparing for a Bayesian pediatric trial mirroring the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial, we aimed to: 1) identify an inverse association between fluid balance and ventilator-free days; and 2) determine if fluid balance over time is more similar to adults in the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial liberal or conservative arms. Design: Multicentered retrospective cohort study. Setting: Five pediatric intensive care units. Patients: Mechanically ventilated children (age ≥1 month to <18 yrs) with acute lung injury admitted in 2007–2010. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Fluid intake, output, and net fluid balance were collected on days 1–7 in 168 children with acute lung injury (median age 3 yrs, median PaO2/FIO2 138) and weight-adjusted (mL/kg). Using multivariable linear regression to adjust for age, gender, race, admission day illness severity, PaO2/FIO2, and vasopressor use, increasing cumulative fluid balance (mL/kg) on day 3 was associated with fewer ventilator-free days (p = .02). Adjusted for weight, daily fluid balance on days 1–3 and cumulative fluid balance on days 1–7 were higher in these children compared to adults in the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial conservative arm (p < .001, each day) and was similar to adults in the liberal arm. Conclusions: Increasing fluid balance on day 3 in children with acute lung injury at these centers is independently associated with fewer ventilator-free days. Our findings and the similarity of fluid balance patterns in our cohort to adults in the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial liberal arm demonstrate the need to determine whether a conservative fluid management strategy improves clinical outcomes in children with acute lung injury and support a Bayesian trial mirroring the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial.


Abstract Stochastic, especially simulation, occasionally could be found in different geological calculations, mostly as the most advanced mapping method. Its main attribute is description of uncertainties that are inherent not only to any geological mapping dataset but also to any volumetric or probability calculation. Here are presented uncertainties in all three cases – mapping, volume calculation and probability calculation – and reasons why and when to use stochastic in them. The stochastic, and consequently simulation, is a recommended tool in case of a low number of data (<15 inputs) or large dataset (>40 inputs), but in both cases, the descriptive statistics needs to be known and is reliable. Almost the same could be applied in volumetric calculation, but the success of stochastic in probability calculation depends on large datasets, with 15 or more inputs.


The concept of porosity, developed by Walter Benjamin and Asja Lacis, is proposed as a useful concept for examining the political, social, and economic impacts of digital platform surveillance on social space. As a means of characterizing and comparing how interconnected spaces are shaped through a diversity of interfaces, porosity bypasses a simplistic distinction between analog and digital technologies without losing sight of the actual material affordances, social and surveillance practices, and politics that these differing and interacting technologies enable. As part of Benjamin's project of uncovering the tension between the present and the utopian visions that capitalism repeatedly invokes through new technologies, an attention to the politics of porosity can situate the effects of digital platforms within the ongoing history of struggle over the production and experience of urban space.


We analyze the singular behaviour of the Helmholtz equation set in a non-convex polygon. Classically, the solution of the problem is split into a regular part and one singular function for each re-entrant corner. The originality of our work is that the "amplitude" of the singular parts is bounded explicitly in terms of frequency. We show that for high frequency problems, the "dominant" part of the solution is the regular part. As an application, we derive sharp error estimates for finite element discretizations. These error estimates show that the "pollution effect" is not changed by the presence of singularities. Furthermore, a consequence of our theory is that locally refined meshes are not needed for high-frequency problems, unless a very accurate solution is required. These results are illustrated with numerical examples that are in accordance with the developed theory.


Purpose Biofilm formation is a problem for solid and sponge-type scleral buckles. This can lead to complications that require removal of the buckle, and result in vision loss due to related ocular morbidity, primarily infection, or recurrent retinal detachment. We investigate the ability of a covalent organo-selenium coating to inhibit biofilm formation on a scleral buckle. Methods Sponge and solid Labtican brand scleral buckles were coated with organo-selenium coupled to a silyation reagent. Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation was monitored by a standard colony-forming unit assay and the confocal laser scanning microscopy, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Stability studies were done, by soaking in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) at room temperature for 2 months. Toxicity against human corneal epithelial cell was examined by growing the cells in the presence of organo-selenium–coated scleral buckles. Results The organo-selenium coating inhibited biofilm formation by gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The buckle coatings also were shown to be fully active after soaking in PBS for 2 months. The organo-selenium coatings had no effect on the viability of human corneal epithelial cells. Conclusions Organo-selenium can be used to covalently coat a scleral buckle, which is stable and inhibits biofilm formation for gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The organo-selenium buckle coating was stable and nontoxic to cell culture. Translational Relevance This technology provides a means to inhibit bacterial attachment to devices attached to the eye, without damage to ocular cells.


We consider a manufacturer facility where the assembly of a product needs a critical component. The production of the component faces random yield. To prevent the shortage, the manufacturer can also purchase the component from another supplier with an option contract. According to the contract, a certain quantity of components can be reserved with a reservation price per unit, and an execution price per unit of actual needed quantity will be charged by the supplier when the random yield is realized. With deterministic but price-dependent demand of the product, we analyze the optimal component production quantity in the manufacturer facility, the optimal reserving decisions from the supplier and the optimal product pricing strategies. The results show that it is profitable for the manufacturer to reserve from the supplier only when the product price is greater than a certain threshold. The manufacturer will consider whether to choose the lower price strategy only if the threshold is high enough. Otherwise, the manufacturer surely chooses the higher price strategy.


Introduction The use of the radial artery as a second arterial graft during coronary surgery has become popular due to high patency, encouraging clinical outcomes and low harvest site complication rates. However it is not clear whether higher risk patients derive such benefits. We sought to assess this by examining outcomes in higher risk subgroups. Methods A multicentre database was analysed. From 2001 to 2009, 11 388 patients underwent isolated multivessel coronary surgery. We identified a higher risk subgroup (n=3149) according to emergent status, coronary instability, low ejection fraction, aortic counterpulsation or anticoagulant status. Among these, 2231 (71%) received at least 1 radial artery graft in addition to a left internal thoracic artery (LITA). The remaining 918 (29%) received LITA and veins only. Propensity-score matching and adjustment was performed to correct for group differences. Results Patients who did not receive a radial artery were more likely to be older (mean age, radial: 66±10 years vs vein: 71±10, p<0.0001) female (22% vs 27%, p=0.002), have poor left ventricular function (16% vs 23%, p<0.0001), left main stenosis (35% vs 41%, p=0.002) or be of emergent status (11% vs 24%, p<0.0001). These patients experienced higher unadjusted 30-day mortality (2.2% vs 7.1%, p<0.0001) and poorer 7-year survival (p<0.0001). Furthermore, 548 patients in the radial group were propensity-score matched to 548 receiving LITA and veins. At 30 days, there were comparable rates of mortality (radial: 2% vs vein: 3%, p=0.19), stroke (1% vs 1%, p=0.51), myocardial infarction (1% vs 1%, p=0.77), major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (2% vs 4%, p=0.12), return to theatre (5% vs 7%, p=0.19), hospital readmissions (12% vs 12%, p>0.99) and combined any mortality/morbidity (30% vs 32%, p=0.33). At 7 years, survival between radial and vein groups was similar (79±2.5% vs 80±2.5%, p=0.74). Propensity-adjusted multivariable regression did not show radial artery to be protective from 30-day mortality (p=0.14, OR 0.67, 0.40 to 1.13), 30-day MACCE (p=0.23, OR 0.76, 0.48 to 1.20), or mid-term mortality (p=0.79, HR 0.97, 0.78 to 1.20). Conclusions This multicentre analysis suggests that patients with the greatest coronary instability, urgency of surgery, or impairment of ventricular function are not disadvantaged in the early and mid-term by use of a single arterial graft. Limitations include the inability to correct for unquantifiable variables retrospectively. Despite this, surgeons may utilise clinical judgement to select radial or venous conduits to supplement the LITA according to other patient factors or technical preference without prejudicing outcome.


A male clinically affected by the OEIS complex was studied. His mother, aged 30 years, has an affective disorder and ingested 30 mg of Diazepam daily, from 3 months previous to the gestation and during the entire pregnancy. At birth, a closure during the entire pregnancy. At birth, a closure defect of the anterior abdominal wall, exstrophy of hemibladders, exposure of intestinal epithelium, abnormal pelvis, imperforate anus, and bifid penis were noted. Birth weight was 3600 g and other measurements were not recorded. Colostomy was performed in the postnatal period followed by partial closure of the abdominal wall defect, and iliac osteotomies. At six years, 6 months of age, physical examination showed somatometric measurements around the third percentile (height 109 cm, weight 17 kg, cephalic circumference 48.5 cm). Clinically he presented mild mental retardation, functional colostomy, incomplete closure of the vesical exstrophy, imperforate anus, bifid penis and scrotum, descended testes, diastasis of pubis, lumbosacral scoliosis and shortening of the left leg (clinical photograph of the external features is not included as we were not able to obtain authorization to do so). Radiological studies (Figure 1) revealed wide separation of the ischiopubic bones; lumbosacral region with rotoscoliosis, platyspondyly and dysraphism; left coxa valga, and right coxa vara. The abdominal ultrasonographic studies showed unilateral renal agenesis (left). Chromosomal analysis (GTG bands) in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures demonstrated a normal 46,XY constitution. Exposure to other substances, particularly alcohol, were excluded with the study of the mother's medical history and through information obtained from relatives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The temperature-perturbation difference spectra (TPDS) of human serum albumin (NSA) were studied after incubation with different synthetic detergents--anionic, cationic, amphoteric, nonionogenic--in various molar ratios. It is shown that the detergents studied have a different effect on the perturbation of tyrosine residua spectra. Under these conditions the rigidity of their environment depending on the nature and concentration of the mentioned detergents is supposed to change.


Individual adaptation at the end of life may be characterised by how patients fluctuate in their orientation towards losses and death or engagement in meaningful activities in daily life. To describe these intraindividual patterns of change, we conducted a daily diary study over 7 days with 17 advanced cancer patients from in- and outpatient oncology and psycho-oncology clinics. Patients reported on the daily frequency of behaviours associated with loss orientation and life engagement using a standardised questionnaire. We characterised each patient's pattern of change with three parameters: the mean level (5-point-scale from 0 = never to 4 = always), mean fluctuation between successive days (MSSD) and the association between changes in loss and life orientation over time. We further explored the relationship between these patterns and free-text diaries. The daily assessment protocol was acceptable and feasible (46% participation rate, 97% diary completion rate). Individuals differed in mean levels of loss orientation (range: M = 0.1 to 2.7) and life engagement (M = 0.9 to 3.9), the degree of fluctuation (MSSD = 0.1 to 1.5 and MSSD = 0.3 to 0.9), and the correlations between these changes over time (r = -.83 to +.46), revealing distinctive intraindividual patterns. Further study of individual profiles in loss and life orientation can promote personalised balancing between facing "reality" and sustaining "hope" in end-of-life conversations.


This paper describes a modeling method for closed-loop unsteady fluid transport systems based on 1-D unsteady Euler equations with nonlinear forced periodic boundary conditions. A significant feature of this model is the incorporation of dynamic constraints on the variables that control the transport process at the system boundaries as they often exist in many transport systems. These constraints result in a coupling of the Euler equations with a system of ordinary differential equations that model dynamics of auxiliary processes connected to the transport system. Another important feature of the transport model is the use of the nonconservation form instead of the flux-conserved form. This f orm lends itself to modeling with measurable conserved fluid transport variables and represents an inter mediate model between the primitive variable approach and the conserved variable approach. A wave-splitting finite-difference upwind method is presented as a numerical solution of the model. An iterative procedure is implemented to solve the nonlinear forced periodic boundary conditions prior to the time-marching procedure for the upwind method. A shock capturing method to handle transonic flow for the non-conservation form of the Euler equations is presented. A closed-loop wind tunnel is used for demonstration of the accuracy of this modeling method.


Abstract
 Branchiate Ambystoma talpoideum (Mole Salamanders) in fishless ponds can be large enough to act as predators, rather than competitors, during the spring breeding season of other amphibians. Food habits of high-density Mole Salamander populations from 2 proximate woodland ponds in Clark County, AR were examined before and after egg-laying by frogs, with an expectation that the salamanders likely would consume hatching tadpoles. However, salamanders instead commonly fed on the novel item of freshly-laid frog eggs. Results from both ponds indicated that the salamanders, perhaps due to food limitation, consumed smaller prey items than would be expected and heavily consumed frog eggs, a novel item.


Parallel multi-population particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm using OpenMP is presented for the uncapacitated facility location (UFL) problem. The parallel algorithm performed asynchronously by dividing the whole particle swarm into several sub-swarms and updated the particle velocity with a variety of local optima. Each sub-swarm changes its best position so far of to its neighbor swarm after certain generations. The parallel multi-population PSO (PMPSO) algorithm is applied to several benchmark suits collected from OR-library. And the results are presented and compared to the result of serial execution multi-population PSO. It is conducted that the parallel multi-population PSO is time saving, especially for large scale problem and generated more robust results.


In order to fulfil the complex resource requirements of some users in grid environments, support for co-allocation between different resource providers is needed. Here, it is quite difficult to coordinate these different services from different resource providers, because a grid scheduler has to cope with different policies and objectives of the different resource providers and of the users. Agreement-based resource management is considered a feasible solution to solve many of these problems as it supports the reliable interaction between different providers and users. However, most current models do not well support co-allocation. Here, negotiation is needed to create such bi-lateral agreements between several grid parties. Such a negotiation process should be automated with no or minimal human interaction, considering the potential scale of grid systems and the amount of necessary transactions. Therefore, strategic negotiation models play an important role. In this paper, a negotiation models which supports the co-allocation between different resource providers are proposed and examined. First simulations have been conducted to evaluate the presented system. The results demonstrate that the proposed negotiation model are suitable and effective for grid environments


A simple and reliable method of measurement of the very short delay (tens of nanoseconds) between the pre-ionizing and main discharge currents in a TEA CO2 laser operated in the spiker sustainer configuration has been demonstrated. In this method light emitted from the pre-ionizing spark and the main discharge are first collected separately using optical fibres and then the delay between the onsets of their emission is measured with the help of simple opto-electronic circuits. This method is noise free, since it does not involve measurement of large pulse currents, and can be useful for the measurement of similar delays in the operation of other TE gas lasers.


Objective: To explore the clinical features and analyze the chromosome 19 open reading frame 12(C19ORF12) gene mutation of a family with mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration (MPAN). Methods: The pedigree diagnosed as neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) in Henan Provincial People's Hospital in May 2018 was collected, and clinical data of the patients in this family was further analyzed. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing (WES) was employed to identify the disease-causing genes. Subsequently, the pathogenic mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results: We identified 3 brothers, born of consanguineous Chinese parents. These patients were thought to carry autosomal recessive genes. The age of the onset ranged from 8 to 10 years old. All of the patients exhibited a chronic course, then got worse progressively. Parkinsonism was the first symptom. Other clinical features included cognitive decline, ataxia, gait abnormality, dysarthria and spastic paraplegia. All cases showed hypo-intensity in bilateral substantia nigra and globus pallidus on T(2)WI, FLAIR and SWI of MRI. However, the "eye-of-the-tiger sign" , which was commonly found in pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), was absent. Further findings included cerebellar atrophy (all 3 patients) and the atrophy of temporal lobe (only one brother of the proband). The homozygous mutation c.52G>T (p.Asp18Tyr) was found through WES and Sanger sequencing. The proband's mother was heterozygous. This novel mutation was not reported in mutation database. Consequently, the pathogenic mutation in C19ORF12 gene (exon2, c.2327C>T, p.P776L) was identified from the patients according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guideline. The final diagnosis of the family was MPAN. Conclusions: We successfully identify a novel p.Asp18Tyr mutation in a family with MPAN. Our finding enriches the known MPAN mutation types and provides evidence for further research.


Throughout history, climatic changes have caused environmental systems to shift and have influenced biotic assemblages. Most of these changes have occurred slowly, over millions of years, enabling species to either adapt to new conditions, endure the changes, or shift distributions to maintain their habitat requirements. Due to the fast rate at which climate change is currently occurring, it is unknown if species will be able to use these mechanisms to successfully respond to this rapidly changing environment. Areas that have small geographical extents, elevated uplands and high numbers of endemic species, such as the Wet Tropics in north-eastern Queensland, are expected to be particularly vulnerable to climate change. The endemic species in this at-risk area are also expected to be more susceptible to climate change. The endemic Boyd's forest dragon (Hypsilurus boydii, Macleay) is a highly camouflaged, large lizard that inhabits lowland and upland forests from the northern to the southern boundary of the Wet Tropics. Determining how H. boydii has responded to previous climate change may give insight into how the species may respond to future climatic changes.
The main aims of this study were to understand how geographical features and climate have influenced the genetic makeup, morphology and distribution of H. boydii, and to use this information to determine how climate change may influence future populations. This study used genetic analyses to identify evolutionary and geographical relationships across the Wet Tropics (north vs. south of the Black Mountain corridor [BMC] and upland vs. lowland) and within each of these regions; explore morphological variation across the regions and examine conformity to three eco-geographical rules (Bergmann's rule, Allen's rule, and the isolation rule); and attempt to predict species distribution patterns of the species throughout the Wet Tropics during past, present and future climatic scenarios. Seventy-seven dragons were collected from nine sites across the Wet Tropics, with a blood sample (for genetic analyses) taken from each individual, 47 of these individuals, from eight of the sites, were sampled for morphological measurements. Due to the cryptic and ambush nature of the species, sample sizes were low and uneven.


This study focuses on how the Uzbek public perceives the Aral Sea disaster, the role of the government, the UN, and other agencies, and their overall attitude toward the future of the region. This research is based on an online survey of 599 people across Uzbekistan. The results show that the participants are largely supportive of government and optimistic for the future of the Aral Sea region, despite also being concerned for its environment. The role of traditional and social media plays a crucial role in informing and shaping people's opinions. A sense of inclusion and representation within the decision-making process led to increased government support amongst the attitudes of the participants.


DevOps is an approach based on lean and agile principles in which business, development, operations, and quality teams cooperate to deliver software continuously aiming at reducing time to market, and receiving constant feedback from customers. However, implementing DevOps can be a complex and challenging mission due it requires significant paradigm shift. Consequently, many failures and misconceptions can occur about DevOps adoption by organizations, despite its numerous benefits. This work identifies, describes, and compares different perspectives related to DevOps adoption in academy and industry. The perspectives can be understood as factors or variables that influence or help to understand the DevOps journey. We employed a sequential multi-method research approach, including Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Case Study. As a result, eight perspectives were found: concepts, models, principles, practices, difficulties, challenges, benefits, and strategies. More specifically, the SLR produced 390 items, which can be understood as occurrences of a perspective. The conducted case study confirmed 75 items, corroborating the SLR findings, while another 29 items emerged. This global view on DevOps adoption may guide beginners, both theorists, and practitioners, to make the necessary organizational transformation less painful.


DOI https://doi.org/ 10.1055/s-0039-1700666 ISSN 2581-9933. ©2019 Indian Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology A 20-year-old female presented to the Urology Department at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) hospital with persistent urine leak since birth. She had no history of normal voiding of urine and had no recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Developmentally she was normal. She had abnormal gait with inability to flex right hip and knee joint. On examination, she had separate urethral and vaginal openings appearing stenosed with labial adhesions. Dribbling of urine was noted from the urethral opening and not vaginal opening. Ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis performed with Esaote, My Laboratory 60, Genoa, Italy showed left solitary kidney without dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system or ureter in normal location with nonvisualization of urinary bladder. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) abdomen was performed on a 64 slice CT scanner (Somatom Sensation, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Plain imaging was performed from domes of diaphragm to proximal thigh, followed by corticomedullary phase (30-second delay), nephrographic phase (100-second delay), and excretory phase (10-minute delay) after the administration of contrast medium (iohexol 300 mg/mL iodine concentration—Omnipaque, GE Healthcare, Marlborough, MA, United States), through a 18 G catheter secured in antecubital vein, at a dose of 1.5 mL/kg (80 mL), rate of 3.5 mL/s. Saline flush was done with 20 mL of normal saline following contrast at same flow rate. Multiplanar reformation and volume rendering of the images were performed as needed in excretory phase. Imaging showed absent right kidney with compensatory hypertrophy of the left kidney without hydronephrosis. Urinary bladder was absent and also distal left ureter was dilated (►Fig. 1A). The ureter was seen ectopically opening and delayed imaging in excretory phase showed contrast extravasation anterior to the vaginal wall (►Fig. 1B). Other anomalies noted include scoliosis, dysplasia of right hip (►Fig. 2), unicornuate uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 1.5 Tesla scanner (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). T2-weighted sagittal, axial images, T1-weighted axial, short tau inversion recovery coronal of abdomen and pelvis, heavily T2 weighted MR urography coronal and maximum intensity projection to delineate the course of ureter were acquired. MRI confirmed absent urinary bladder with ectopic ureteric insertion, left solitary kidney, and unicornuate uterus (►Fig. 3). Both the ovaries were normal showing follicles. Cystoscopy showed left ureter opening 1 cm proximal to external urethral meatus with no urinary bladder in between. She underwent cut down vaginoplasty with adhesiolysis and laparoscopic Mainz 2 urinary pouch, which is a continent urinary pouch. She was discharged and advised to follow up after 1 month. No significant complications observed at 1-month follow-up imaging that showed functioning left kidney with ureter draining into the surgical pouch (►Fig. 4).


Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) have been developed to provide students with personalized learning experiences by adaptively generating learning paths optimized for each individual. Within the vast scope of ITS, score prediction stands out as an area of study that enables students to construct individually realistic goals based on their current position. Via the expected score provided by the ITS, a student can instantaneously compare one's expected score to one's actual score, which directly corresponds to the reliability that the ITS can instill. In other words, refining the precision of predicted scores strictly correlates to the level of confidence that a student may have with an ITS, which will evidently ensue improved student engagement. However, previous studies have solely concentrated on improving the performance of a prediction model, largely lacking focus on the benefits generated by its practical application. In this paper, we demonstrate that the accuracy of the score prediction model deployed in a real-world setting significantly impacts user engagement by providing empirical evidence. To that end, we apply a state-of-the-art deep attentive neural network-based score prediction model to Santa, a multi-platform English ITS with approximately 780K users in South Korea that exclusively focuses on the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communications) standardized examinations. We run a controlled A/B test on the ITS with two models, respectively based on collaborative filtering and deep attentive neural networks, to verify whether the more accurate model engenders any student engagement. The results conclude that the attentive model not only induces high student morale (e.g. higher diagnostic test completion ratio, number of questions answered, etc.) but also encourages active engagement (e.g. higher purchase rate, improved total profit, etc.) on Santa.


A microwave photonic link (MPL) using a single polarization modulator (PolM) with an improved spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The proposed MPL is designed based on the destructive combination of the distortion signals in the electrical domain, which is realized using a PolM with its output split into two channels. In the upper channel, the PolM, a polarization controller (PC), and a polarization beam splitter (PBS) form an equivalent Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) that is biased at the quadrature point. The optical carrier is suppressed using a phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (PS-FBG). In the lower channel, the PolM, another PC, and the PBS form a second equivalent MZM that is also biased at the quadrature point but at the opposite slope of the transfer function. The signals from the two channels are sent to a photodetector (PD). If the optical powers into the two channels are identical, the third-order intermodulation terms are completely suppressed. An experiment is performed. An enhancement in SFDR of 10 dB is achieved. The insertion loss of the proposed MPL is also estimated, which is 9.5 dB smaller than a phase modulator based MPL.


From the mysterious glosses by 'EK' in the poetry of Edmund Spenser, to the self-commentary in Vladimir Nabokov's Pale Fire, readers of literature have been fascinated by the comments, addenda, and footnotes added by authors to their own work. In this insightful and original work, Sherry Roush investigates poets' motivations for writing glosses. She argues that self-commentary differs fundamentally from standard commentary, and that it does not necessarily impose an authoritative reading, determine the poem's significance, or furnish factual autobiographical information. Rather, self-commentary presents an intriguing ulterior poetic dimension and adds to the inherent tension of the text. Roush focuses her study on three pairs of authors, each representing a distinct historical-contextual period: Dante and Boccaccio in the early Italian self-commentative tradition, Lorenzo de' Medici and Girolamo Benivieni in high Renaissance Florence, and Giordano Bruno and Tommaso Campanella at the turn of the seventeenth century. Through numerous examples, Roush highlights the non-linear development of this mixed genre, and shows how poetic self-commentaries respond to unique literary, historical, and political exigencies, and offer keys to understanding the underlying poetic message. This seminal study will be of particular value to scholars interested in poetry, hermeneutics, autobiography, and Renaissance studies.


Gentrification is a common process that is experienced in urban areas that are rapidly developing. Based on the report by UN that 70 percent of the world population will be living in the urban areas by 2025. It implied that the problem of gentrification will still be common in many urban areas of the world. Minna, the capital city of Niger State is equally experiencing the gentrification process which has made the rental value to be high and has forced the low income earners to relocate to areas that they can afford. This study intends to investigate the gentrification process as exemplified in Minna city. It will analyze the consequences of gentrification as it relates to the changes in the urban land market. Both primary and secondary data to identify the rental values and also the effects it has had on the populace will be used. The result will reveal the rental values for the city centre in the past and present. It will show some of the consequences of the process on the low income earners. The study will help the policy makers take into consideration of the effect of gentrification on land administration.


Customer-oriented boundary-spanning behaviours (COBSBs) are critical to the success of service organisations. Transformational leadership, with its emphasis on the social elements of the leader-subordinate dyad, is a likely antecedent to COBSBs. Similarly, the interpersonal nature of services suggests leader compassion could have a significant effect on the saliency of the relationship between transformational leadership and COBSBs. This paper reports on a study of the moderating effect of leader compassion on the relationship between transformational leadership and COBSBs (service delivery behaviours, internal influence and external representation). Transformational leadership and compassion both have significant and positive influences on COBSBs. However, compassion plays no moderating role. These findings are discussed and avenues for further research are proposed.


Siblings Tobias and Charlotte Eggers have pushed their widowed father too far with their latest horrible trick played on their latest horrible nanny. Furious and exasperated, he drops them off at the top of a remote mesa with the intent of teaching them a lesson. Unfortunately, when he circles back after twenty minutes, he crashes his car and winds up with amnesia, forgetting his name and, alas, his children. Tobias and Charlotte, in the interim, have made their way through the gates of the eerie Witherwood Reform School—a move they soon regret as they find themselves prisoners of the institution, where hard labor, cold showers, and systematic brainwashing are all de rigueur. Author Skye has a knack for gallows humor, tempering the bleakness with plentiful humorous asides directed at the reader and occasional grossout moments spot on for the age of the intended audience (not to mention certain adults). Charlotte and Tobias are believable as spunky eleven and twelve-year olds, respectively, and while the ending is somewhat inconclusive, it sets the stage for sequels. Overall, it's dark and funny, and it will appeal to kids with a sharp sense of humor and a budding interest in Lemony Snicket. AA


In the last decade the dynamic development of Photovoltaics (PV) vs Nuclear was tremendously different. While PV starting at very low levels of installed capacity and high costs increased its capacities considerably and managed to bring down the costs remarkably with respect to nuclear the situation was vice versa: capacities stagnated and costs increased. In this paper we analyze the comparative dynamics especially of economics and try to identify the future prospects for capacity increases. An important role in this context play the discussion of upfront investments, construction times, interest rates and corresponding generation costs.


Studied is the effect of indium (In) mole fraction in p-InxGa1-xN:Mg layers with 0 ≤ xIn ≤ 0.035 on hole injection and transport behaviors in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) using dual-wavelength and triple-wavelength active regions. Electro-optical characteristics of light-emitting diodes containing p-layers with different In content and with silicon doping in selected QW barriers (QWBs) are compared to evaluate hole transport in the active region. The results show that enhanced hole transport and corresponding more uniform distribution of holes across the MQW region are achieved by increasing xIn in the p-InxGa1-xN:Mg layer, possibly due to modification in energy of holes by a potential barrier between the p-InGaN and GaN QWB.


Only a few species are capable of colonizing extreme environments, whereas more moderate environments can support many more. The diversity of species in a habitat is thus controlled by the environment, whether by soil fertility, altitude or any other factor. This diversity reflects the number of species adapted to grow in a habitat, and the nature of this adaptation must be examined in light of the physiological effect of the environmental factors making up the habitat, and their variation in time and space (11).


ABSTRACT Dynamic financial analysis has become one of the important tools that actuaries use to model the underwriting and investment operations of insurance companies. The first step in carrying out the analysis is to investigate the most important factors affecting company performance. This paper identifies the determinants of the performance of United Kingdom general insurance companies using a panel data set consisting of economic data and Financial Services Authority/Department of Trade and Industry returns over the period 1986 to 1999. Three performance measures are used to capture different aspects of insurance operations. These measures are related to a number of economic and firm specific variables, chosen on the basis of relevant theory and literature. An ordinary least squares regression model and two panel data models are estimated for each of three performance measures. This paper also addresses several important econometric problems that are usually ignored in applied work in the context of panel data analysis. Based on the empirical results, this study finds that liquidity, unexpected inflation, interest rate level and underwriting profits are statistically significant determinants of the performance of U.K. general insurers.


This report proposes a new stochastic model of visual attention to predict the likelihood of where humans typically focus on a video scene. The proposed model is composed of a dynamic Bayesian network that simulates and combines a person¿s visual saliency response and eye movement patterns to estimate the most probable regions of attention. Dynamic Markov random field (MRF) models are newly introduced to include spatiotemporal relationships of visual saliency responses. Experimental results have revealed that the propose model outperforms the previous deterministic model and the stochastic model without dynamic MRF in predicting human visual attention.


Abstract : This brief history provides an overview of the first 30 years of TRADOC's service to the Army and to the nation. Although shortened and carrying a new title, "Transforming the Army" owes a great debt to "Prepare the Army for War," two editions of which commemorated TRADOC's 20th and 25th anniversaries. The author hopes that the volume's easier transportability makes up in some measure for the loss of material that fell to the cutting room floor during the process of condensation. Contributors to the 1993 edition, including primary author and editor John L. Romjue and Susan Canedy, deserve continuing thanks. For this volume, new primary author and editor Anne Chapman, Benjamin King, and Carol Lilly have worked diligently to slim and update "Prepare the Army for War" and its useful appendices. Text of the original work remains accessible through TRADOC's web page. The former appendices now stand on their own for ease of updating, but remain linked to the text of both this history and "Prepare the Army for War" at their online locations. TRADOC's story is generally one of success. Army operations since 1973 provide the historical evidence upon which this conclusion is based. As noted in the preface to "Prepare the Army for War," the Army's hierarchical nature focuses any study upon its leaders, and this overview is no different. All of the elements that have constituted TRADOC through the years have reflected the intent of its commanding generals. Nevertheless, it remains for the soldiers and civilians making up the command to execute and shape the commander's intent. Therefore, the first dedication of this overview still rightly belongs to General William DePuy. His command produced the single most far-reaching transformation of the Army until the efforts at the beginning of the 21st Century.


This paper theorises some of the learning outcomes of a three-year project concerning student learning in international social work placements in Malaysia. The problematic issue of promoting cultural and intercultural competence through such placements is examined, where overlapping hegemonies are discussed in terms of isomorphism of social work models, that of the nation state, together with those relating to professional values and knowledge, and the tyrannies of received ideas. A critical discussion of cultural competence as the rationale for international placements is discussed in terms of the development of the graduating social worker as a self-reflexive practitioner. The development of sustainable international partnerships able to support student placement and the issue of non-symmetrical reciprocation, typical of wide socio-economic differentials across global regions, is additionally discussed.


We present a model of the multifrequency variability of the blazar Mrk 421. The model explains correlated variability observed from Very High Energy (VHE) gamma rays to radio frequencies. We assume that the dominant part of the stationary emission from the radio frequencies to the X-rays is generated by the synchrotron radiation of relativistic electrons ejected from the central engine. The particles move from the center of the source with relativistic velocities and form an inhomogeneous jet. We perform detailed calculations of the radiation transfer and calculate evolution of the electron energy spectrum along the jet. We explain the observed variability by the evolving synchrotron and Inverse-Compton (IC) radiation of a compact component (a blob) which travels along the jet. Two scenarios have been considered as mechanisms to generate VHE flares. The first scenario assumes that the high energy electrons, necessary for generation of the VHE flares, are injected into the jet, directly from the central engine or from an acceleration zone (e.g., a shock wave). The second scheme assumes that the high energy electrons are generated in situ by acceleration, for example by diffusive shock waves or a localized turbulence inside the jet. The particles evolve along the jet. They are cooled by the radiative processes and by the adiabatic expansion which compete with the acceleration process and the injection of high energy electrons. We present new observations we obtained in the radio domain for Mrk 421. The radio data gathered in February-April 2001 show a well defined radio outburst which corresponds to an X-ray outburst observed by RXTE-ASM and a gamma-ray flare detected by HEGRA in the TeV range. The best of our knowledge, this is the first direct observational evidence for a flare observed simultaneously in the radio range and at very high energies. Our scenario with acceleration of electrons in the middle part of the jet describes well the temporal evolution of such multispectral flare.


This paper addresses propagation delay and power dissipation for current mode signaling in deep submicrometer global interconnects. Based on the effective lumped element resistance and capacitance approximation of distributed RC lines, simple yet accurate closed-form expressions of delay and power dissipation are presented. A new closed-form solution of delay under step input excitation is first developed, exhibiting an accuracy that is within 5% of SPICE simulations for a wide range of parameters. The usefulness of this solution is that resistive load termination for current mode signaling is accurately modeled. This model is then extended to a generalized delay formulation for ramp inputs with arbitrary rise time. Using these expressions, the optimum-line width that minimizes the total delay for current mode circuits is found. Additionally, a new power-dissipation model for current-mode signaling is developed to understand the design tradeoffs between current and voltage sensing. Based on the results and derived formulations, a comparison between voltage and current mode repeater insertion for long global deep submicrometer interconnects is presented.


Summary The S type of various strains of acid-fast bacteria, Mycob. leprae and human, bovine and avian tubercle bacilli have been found to contain antigenic substances not present in the R type of the same strain, dissociation apparently being accompanied by a considerable loss in antigenic complexity. Immune sera prepared against such S organisms contain certain antibodies reacting with extracts of the homologous S organisms but not with the homologous R type, other antibodies reacting with both S and R of the same species and a third type of antibody detected by antigens prepared from the other species of acid-fast bacteria, that is a group antibody. Antisera prepared against R organisms on the other hand appear to lack the S-specific antibody which is found in S antiserum but contain a much higher proportion of antibodies reacting with extracts prepared from other acid-fast species. The possible chemical nature of the various antigenic substances has been briefly discussed.


In this paper, gender and its role in interruptive turns at talk-in-interaction are examined. Research on the topic of gender in interaction and gender and interruption reflects a tension between essentialist and contextual views. Using the research methods of conversation analysis, this paper examines interruptions in a transcript of a conversation between a male and a female speaker. This examination of the form and function of the interruptions appears to support the idea that gender as a construct is situated rather than fixed.


Mouse Foxc1 (previously Mf1) is a member of the conserved forkhead/winged helix transcription factor gene family. It is expressed in many mesodermal tissues including paraxial mesoderm of the trunk and head, prechondrogenic mesenchyme, branchial arches and developing kidney. Homozygous mutants die perinatally with hydrocephalus and skeletal, cardiovascular, ocular and genitourinary defects. Here, we report the cloning and expression of two zebra®sh foxc1 homologues, foxc1a and foxc1b. During gastrulation and somitogenesis both genes have similar expression patterns in the hypoblast, paraxial and presomitic mesoderm, somites and trunk adaxial cells. Expression in the somites is downregulated as they differentiate, but is maintained in the sclerotome. Later, some differences in expression pattern emerge. For example, only foxc1a transcripts are detected in the pronephros primodia and in the head mesoderm around the eyes, while only foxc1b is expressed in the pharyngeal arches and pectoral ®ns. Early expression of foxc1a in the paraxial mesoderm is modi®ed in chordino, swirl, somitabun, and spadetail mutants. q 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.


Structure, energetics, electronic and magnetic properties of single and double vacancies and Stone–Wales defects in h-BNC2 sheets have been calculated using the planewave pseudopotential method within density functional theory. The formation energy of a defect strongly depends on its location within the sheet. In some cases, though not all, the energy ordering of various defects can be rationalized in terms of the strengths of various bonds that are broken or created during the defect formation. Single vacancy defects have rather low migration barriers, and the energy cost of double vacancies is smaller than that of two isolated single vacancies. Barriers of formation for Stone–Wales defects at the interfaces are large, but those for healing these defects are quite small. Therefore, they can heal easily even at moderate temperatures. Thus, double vacancies are the most likely defect structures in these sheets. Many of the defects possess finite magnetic moments. Unlike BN sheets and graphene, some of the double vacancies and Stone–Wales defects are also found to possess finite moment.


In this study, the high performance of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with Al-doped ZnO (AZO) transparent conductive layers (TCLs) has been demonstrated. The AZO-TCLs were fabricated on the n+-InGaN contact layer by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using H2O as an oxidizer at temperatures as low as 400 °C without any post-deposition annealing. It shows a high transparency (98%), low resistivity (510−4 Ω·cm), and an epitaxial-like excellent interface on p-GaN with an n+-InGaN contact layer. A forward voltage of 2.82 V @ 20 mA was obtained. Most importantly, the power efficiencies can be markedly improved by 53.8%@20 mA current injection and 39.6%@350 mA current injection compared with conventional LEDs with indium tin oxide TCL (LED-III), and by 28.8%@20 mA current injection and 4.92%@350 mA current injection compared with LEDs with AZO-TCL prepared by MOCVD using O2 as an oxidizer (LED-II), respectively. The results indicate that the AZO-TCL grown by MOCVD using H2O as an oxidizer is a promising TCL for a low-cost and high-efficiency GaN-based LED application.


Data from cancer registries show that incidence of rectal cancer is still high in Italy, while mortality rates are slightly decreasing in most recent years. Surgery is the treatment of choice and in most cases with curative intent. The rectum may be defined as the tract of the large bowel distal to 12 cm from the anal verge. Tumors located in that segment show local recurrence rates higher than those for tumors located proximally. Pelvic recurrence is evident as a regrowth of cancer in and around the tumor bed. Powerful imaging techniques have been developed for the early and appropriate evaluation of pelvic recurrences. A wide range of recurrence rates after operation for rectal cancer are reported, spanning from 3% to over 30%. The main determinants of local recurrence are related to the tumor and to the treatment. Among the former, stage at diagnosis and number of lymph nodes involved are the most important, along with inadvertent perforation of the intestine and location of tumor in the rectum. Among treatment factors, type of operation and experience of the operator should be mentioned. A major advancement in rectal surgery has been the implementation of total excision of the mesorectum. This technique has decreased dramatically recurrence rates of rectal cancer, though increasing the risk of local complications. Preoperative radiotherapy seems to confer a slight further advantage in selected cases. Management of locally recurrent tumors is still unsatisfactory and surgery is feasible only in less than 10% of cases.