The need for placing more number of transistors in the core area by shrinking of electronic devices has brought out the necessity of scaling down the Field Effect Transistor (FET) devices. According to the current equation of existing MOSFET device the parameters which can increase the device current is probably channel width and the mobility of electrons and holes. The parameter which can help in improving the device performance will be the mobility of electrons and holes. Hence the necessity of replacing the channel material has become a leading research work in nano electronics. The allotrope of carbon atom — Graphene has the most required mobility range which can help in scaling down the currently available MOSFET devices. Some of the parameters which can be improved due to the replacement of channel material is the device drain current, reduction in the amount of impurity added to obtain the required drain current. A scaled down 15nm Dual Gate Graphene Field Effect Transistor is modeled in this work. As the device is scaled down to a such a narrow range the necessity of investigating the device parameters in a nano scale has been carried out using a novel approach of segmenting the channel. An additional focus in this paper is to employ a computationally efficient method for including the Quantum Capacitance effect. The most common methodology for obtaining the values for quantum capacitance is through solving the equations simultaneously as proposed in [1],[2]. The parameters of interest like quantum capacitance and channel potential are assumed initially and the equations are solved until the assumed parameter value and the obtained value are equal. This not only increases the simulation time but also ends up in approximate result values which are complex. The complex solutions cannot be separated into a real and imaginary value in verilog-a as well as in verilog-ams language as given in [3],[4], to enable circuit compatibility. Moreover the approximate results obtained through the existing methodologies are of huge margin for a 15nm scaled down device. This makes it difficult to implement dual gate GFET in cadence — virtuoso environment. Hence the only way to implement the equations in a circuit level of simulation is to bring out the results as real value and not a complex number. In order to avoid complex solutions the only way is to convert the equations into a polynomial. Hence a novel method which uses a fourth order polynomial known as quartic equation in which the quantum capacitance is derived from the channel potential equation is proposed. The methodology adopted in this work is quartic equation whose results are real valued solutions and hence overcomes the complex number solutions obtained so far. This makes it possible for the model to be developed in verilog-a and incorporated as circuit model. The proposed fourth order polynomial equation can be used to calculate quantum capacitance for any device which obeys the ballistic transport. Hence the device structure proposed in this work is limited to ballistic structure. Ballistic transport of electrons can be obtained when the length and width of the channel is lesser than the mean free path. A N-type impurity of about 2.63∗1011cm−2 (calculated, not presented here) is added in order to achieve a mobility of 2497 cm/Vs. Impurities can be further added but it will lead to increased scattering of electrons which will affect the ballistic structure. Hence further addition of impurity to enhance the mobility is stopped. In this model the carriers' Fermi velocity of 106 m/s, tox of 1.5nm (top and bottom), length (L) of 15nm, a width (W) of 150 nm, Cox(bottom gate) of 23.024×10-3 F/m are used and the determined value of mobility is found to be better as reported in Table 1.


This paper introduces the present advance of researches on bilingual lexical access in terms of theoretical hypothesis, paradigms, and experimental study of bilingual lexical access. It argues that multiple paradigms should be adopted to explore the mechanism of bilingual lexical access, and that whether the mechanism of lexical access changes with the bilingual types should be surveyed.


Dynamic range improvement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by nonlinear amplitude compression is proposed. Quantization noise reduction by a factor of 10 to 20 is confirmed by a numerical simulation, provided an appropriate nonlinear transform is chosen. The piecewise-linear transform is the best nonlinear transform studied so far. Implementing amplitude compression requires no additional hardware in a usual MRI system if the low spatial frequency lines of the magnetic resonance (MR) signal are selectively prescanned through an attenuator. The method will be particularly effective in 3-D imaging of large objects. MR angiography, and imaging of solids.<<ETX>>


A copper(I)-chiral secondary diamine (L-e) complex catalyzes an enantioselective conjugate boration of β,β-disubstituted enones in high yields and up to 99% ee. Product chiral tertiary organoboronates can be converted to enantiomerically enriched cross-aldol products between ketones without any racemization.


Simultaneous confidence regions were recently derived for a large class of Bonferroni-based closed testing procedures (CTPs). This class and a very useful subclass of graphical procedures are described, and it is then shown how the direct approach of Guilbaud (2008) for such CTPs can be extended to cover also CTPs that are not Bonferroni based and that may utilize dependencies not utilized by Bonferroni-based procedures. The simultaneous confidence regions that can be derived through this extension include the known confidence bounds for the step-down version of one-sided Dunnett-type multiple comparisons versus a control in the balanced case. As a simple illustration of how the general results can be applied, similar bounds are derived for the unbalanced case. As a further, more elaborated, illustration, confidence bounds are derived for the Dunnett gatekeeping procedure of Xu et al. (2009) based on a primary and a secondary variable. In this procedure, primary rejections are made through an ordinary one-sided Dunnett procedure, and secondary rejections are restricted to treatment comparisons with primary rejections. It turns out that ordinary Dunnett-type confidence assertions can be made for all primary comparisons without rejections. Interestingly, informative confidence assertions can be made also for secondary comparisons without rejections, but only in case of matching primary rejections. The gatekeeping is thus naturally extended to confidence assertions.


Introduction: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is very common and major public health issue. AUB along with its sub-group often affects 14.25% women of reproductive age and have major impact on their physical, social, emotional and material quality of life. It not only has direct impact on the woman and her family, but also on both economy and health services. Aim: To compare Magnetic Resonance (MR) hysterography and Sonohysterography (SSHG) for detection of uterine pathologies in women with AUB. Materials and Methods: An interventional cross-sectional study was conducted over a period from July 2019 to July 2020, among 30 patients with severe AUB. SSHG and MR hysterography were used to assess endometrial pathology, and endometrial pathology was assessed by both the diagnostic modality and considering histopathology as gold standard. We calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for both the diagnostic modalities. Results: Very good agreement was noted in case of the cervical carcinoma whilst fibroid and endometrial hyperplasia showed good and fair agreement respectively by both the diagnostic modality. Sensitivity of fibroid and cervical carcinoma was 100%, polyp was 33.33%, and endometrial hyperplasia was 87.50%. Whereas specificity of fibroid was 91.67%, endometrial hyperplasia was 86.30% and cervical carcinoma was 100%. Polyp and submucosal fibroid both showed 96.30% specificity. For pathology like cervical carcinoma, endometrial hyperplasia, fibroid had very high agreement with kappa value 1, 0.684 and 0.814 respectively, whereas agreement for two tests for pathology like submucous fibroid, dual pathology was less. Conclusion: MR Hysterography and Sonohysterography were having almost equal sensitivity and specificity for abnormal uterine bleeding and can be used as per patient preference, patient discomfort, and availability of investigation.


A simple approach to deriving motional dynamics information of protein and peptide side chains by using 13C NMR relaxation data is presented. By using linear approximation of internal rotational correlation functions, simple equations for relating side-chain conformation, bond rotational amplitudes, and rotational correlation coefficients with different NMR relaxation parameters have been obtained. Auto- and cross-correlation spectral densities are considered, and it is shown that proton-coupled 13C NMR relaxation measurements allow detailed motional information to be obtained.


Refractory anaemia (RA) among myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is associated with a partial functional iron deficit and may require transfusions. In low-risk lymphoma and solid tumour patients, iron support improves erythropoietin (EPO) cost-effectiveness in treating anaemia. The aim of this study is to see if oral sucrosomial iron support improves the cost-effectiveness of EPO treatment in MDS patients affected by low-risk RA. We treated patients with EPO only or with EPO plus oral sucrosomial iron or intravenous (i.v.) iron. The need for transfusions was lowest in the group taking oral iron (p = 0.016) or not receiving supplementation at all (p = 0.022). We compared costs of EPO with i.v. ferric gluconate or oral sucrosomial iron supplementation or no iron supplementation. The oral iron group had fewer side effects, fewer patient medical visits in the out-patient setting, and fewer transfusions; this led to higher savings on direct hospital costs and indirect patient costs (lost days at work) and translated into a 50% abatement of overall expenditures. EPO treatment-related expenditures in MDS-RA patients were lowest with oral sucrosomial iron supplementation (Sideral®), with a longer interval between EPO administration in maintenance treatment, quicker hemoglobin recovery, lower ferritin increase and fewer blood transfusions.


Packaging makes a valuable contribution to economic, environmental and social sustainability through product protection, waste prevention, enabling efficient business conduct and providing consumers with the benefits of the products it contains. The case study chosen for the work was carried out in a multinational automotive company with the objective of researching the financial and environmental factors in the substitution of one-way packages by the returnable ones during the distribution of parts for automotive dealers. There is no single solution to manage packaging waste. The best combination of options depends on local conditions, especially demographics and the degree of investment made in modern processing systems. Determining the best combination of options for managing packaging waste therefore requires detailed case-by-case analysis where life-cycle assessments can provide valuable decision support.


Abstract : Nuclear reactor pressure vessel materials are subject to progressive reductions in fracture resistance in service due to neutron irradiation. Current technology is inadequate to quantitatively predict radiation embrittlement for all vessel materials and their metallurgical variations for the neutron fluences of interest. In addition a relationship between apparent notch ductility and fracture toughness in the irradiated condition is needed to evolve more quantitative projections of structural integrity. The NRL-EPRI RP886-2 Program was formulated to advance both areas for the benefit of reactor vessel design and operation. Its primary objective is the development of a high-quality data base for evaluation of current radiation-embrittlement projection methods and the development of improved methods. This report documents program highlights and research results for CY 1979 along with plans for the completion of program investigations. Postirradiation test data are presented for plate, forging and weld deposit materials irradiated in six reactor experiments to fluences ranging from approx. 0.1 to approx. 10 to the 19th power n/sq cm 1 MeV at 288 C. Comparisons are made between results for standard Charpy V-notch and fatigue precracked Charpy-V tests of preirradation and postirradiation metarial conditions. A companion document (Annual Progress Report for CY 1979: Part II) will present results for the 25.4 mm compact toughness (J-R curve) tests of the same materials and material conditions. A preliminary correlation of the Charpy-V and J-integral fracture toughness property changes with irradiation is observed.


We present a study of the X-ray properties of five Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs)—Kes 17 (G304.6+0.1), G311.5−0.3, G346.6−0.2, CTB 37A (G348.5+0.1), and G348.5−0.0—that were detected in the infrared by Reach et al. in an analysis of data from the Galactic Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire (GLIMPSE) that was conducted by the Spitzer Space Telescope. We present and analyze archival ASCA observations of Kes 17, G311.5−0.3, and G346.6−0.2, archival XMM-Newton observations of Kes 17, CTB 37A, and G348.5−0.0, and an archival Chandra observation of CTB 37A. All of the SNRs are clearly detected in the X-ray except possibly G348.5−0.0. Our study reveals that the four detected SNRs all feature center-filled X-ray morphologies and that the observed emission from these sources is thermal in all cases. We argue that these SNRs should be classified as mixed-morphology SNRs (MM SNRs); our study strengthens the correlation between MM SNRs and SNRs interacting with molecular clouds and suggests that the origin of MM SNRs may be due to the interactions between these SNRs and adjacent clouds. Our ASCA analysis of G311.5−0.3 reveals for the first time X-ray emission from this SNR: the X-ray emission is center-filled within the radio and infrared shells and thermal in nature (kT ∼ 0.98 keV), thus motivating its classification as an MM SNR. We find considerable spectral variations in the properties associated with the plasmas of the other X-ray-detected SNRs, such as a possible overabundance of magnesium in the plasma of Kes 17. Our new results also include the first detailed spatially resolved spectroscopic study of CTB 37A using Chandra as well as a spectroscopic study of the discrete X-ray source CXOU J171428.5−383601, which may be a neutron star associated with CTB 37A. Finally, we also estimate such properties as electron density ne, radiative age trad and swept-up mass MX for each of the four X-ray-detected SNRs. Each of these values are comparable to archetypal MM SNRs like 3C 391 and W44. In an analysis of the spectrum of Kes 17, we did not find evidence of overionization unlike other archetypal MM SNRs like W44 and W49B.


Although PID control is still widely used in the industry, it isn't answered a high performance demand. On the other hand, the model predictive control(MPC) is paid attention as effective control but it takes much cost to introduce MPC instead of the PID control since the MPC structure quite different from the PID control. To defeat such situation, this paper proposes a model predictive PID Control method. In this method, the PID control gains are derived by solving the constrained optimization problem based on MPC algorithm without using inverse matrixes. The numerical simulations show that the proposed method is effective for various control systems.


Control of energy systems in buildings is an area of expanding interest as the importance of energy efficiency, occupant health, and comfort increases. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel predictive steady-state optimal control method in minimizing the economic costs associated with operating a building. Specifically, the cost of utility consumption and the cost of loss productivity due to occupant discomfort were minimized. This optimization was achieved through the use of steady-state predictions and component level economic objective functions. Specific objective functions were developed and linear models were identified from data collected from a building on Texas A&M University's campus. The building consists of multiple zones and is serviced by a variable air volume, chilled water air handling unit. The proposed control method was then co-simulated with MATLAB and EnergyPlus to capture effects across multiple time-scales. Simulation results show improved comfort performance and decreased economic cost over the currently implemented building control, minimizing productivity loss and utility consumption. The potential for more serious consideration of the economic cost of occupant discomfort in building control design is also discussed.


Autoimmune diseases are a physiological state wherein immune responses are directed against and damage the body's own tissues. Cytokines secreted by infiltrated inflammatory cells contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. TIPE2, one of the four family members of Tumor necrosis factor-α induced protein-8 (TNFAIP8), is a negative regulator of innate and adaptive immunity and plays essential roles in the maintenance of immune tolerance. However, studies on the role of TIPE2 during the development of autoimmune diseases have generated contradictory results. In the current study, we sought to determine the role of TIPE2 during the development of IMQ-induced psoriasis and Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis (EAU) in mice. Our study revealed that, while TIPE2-deficiency alleviates psoriasis, it exacerbates the development of EAU. Further studies demonstrated that, although TIPE2-deficient T cells produced more IL-17A, they do not migrate efficiently to the local inflammatory site, i.e., the skin. This in turn led to the decreased IL-17A production in the skin and consequently reduced the severity of psoriasis in TIPE2-deficient mice. However, although TIPE2-deficient T cells still produced more IL-17A in EAU model, they migrate into the inflamed eye as efficient as TIPE2-sufficient T cells, and consequently exacerbates the development of EAU in TIPE2-deficient mice. Taken together, these results indicate that TIPE2 may either promote or suppress autoimmunity depending on the specific inflammatory microenvironment in different types of autoimmune diseases.


The theory of the interaction of a centrosymmetric atom with a superstrong spatially inhomogeneous laser field is developed. This theory employs the two-level approximation to describe the dynamics of spatially nonlocal interactions related to variations in the populations of the levels. We propose a model that includes spatially nonlocal interactions, such as magnetic-dipole and quadrupole interactions and interactions due to the gradient of the ponderomotive potential of the field. We consider the interaction of a homogeneous medium of centrosymmetric atoms with a superstrong laser field, which is represented as a superposition of two plane-wave ultrashort pulses propagating at some angle with respect to each other. Perturbation theory, which is valid for the fields of moderate intensity, is developed for the atomic response. The results of numerical simulations are compared with the predictions of this perturbation theory. The specific features of the nonlinear-optical response of an atom in a superstrong field are investigated. The angular distribution of the second- and third-harmonic emission is calculated in the constant-field approximation for different polarisations of the incident field.


Abstract:  Eight DYS385 allele size discrepancies and six DYS448 null types were detected among 708 Korean men when results of three in‐house multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) systems were compared. The systems included both ordinary and reduced size amplicons. Sequence analysis revealed deletion mutations at two sites upstream of the DYS385 core repeats and deletion of the entire DYS448 locus. At DYS385, allele size differences were one or two repeats and were dependent on the primer set used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Location of the primer target sequence in a flanking region of the STR, distal or proximal to the deletion, determined allele size. Two widely used commercial kits amplify DYS385 so as to include the mutable sites. Arrangement analysis of sequence tagged sites demonstrated that the deletion patterns at DYS448 (and DYS464) were associated with arrangements of the azoospermia factor c gene (AZFc). The DYS448 deletion appears relatively frequent in Asians.


Purpose. The principles of conservative management of neuromuscular scoliosis in childhood and adolescence are presented. Methods. Analysis of personal experience and literature review. The topic is discussed separately for patients with flaccid or spastic paresis. Results. These demonstrate that conservative management might be proposed for patients with neuromuscular scoliosis in many clinical situations. In spastic disorders, it maintains the symmetry around the hip joints. Bracing is technically difficult and often is not tolerated well by cerebral palsy children. In patients with flaccid paresis, the fitting and the use of brace is easier than in spastic patients. The flexibility of the spinal curvature is more important. Functional benefits of conservative management of neuromuscular scoliosis comprise stable sitting, easier use of upper limbs, discharge of the abdomen from the collapsing trunk, increased diaphragm excursion, and, not always, prevention of curve progression. Conclusions. Specific natural history and multiple medical problems associated with the disease make the treatment of children with neuromuscular scoliosis an extremely complex issue, best addressed when a team approach is applied. Continuously improving techniques of conservative management, comprising bracing and physiotherapy, together with correctly timed surgery incorporated in the process of rehabilitation, provide the optimal care for patients.


BACKGROUND
The attenuation of intracellular production of cGMP has been known to be a mechanism of nitrate tolerance. A recent in vitro study showed an increase in superoxide levels and a reduced activation of guanylate cyclase in tolerant vessels. We investigated the preventive effect of an antioxidant, vitamin E, on the development of nitrate tolerance.

METHODS AND RESULTS
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 24 normal volunteers and 24 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD patients) were randomized to receive either vitamin E (200 mg TID vitamin E group) or placebo (placebo group). Vasodilator response to nitroglycerin was assessed with forearm plethysmography by measurement of the change in the forearm blood flow before and 5 minutes after sublingual administration of 0.3 mg nitroglycerin, and at the same time, blood samples were taken from veins to measure the platelet cGMP level. Measurements of the forearm blood flow and blood sampling were obtained serially at baseline (day 0), 3 days after vitamin E or placebo alone was taken (day 3), and 3 days after application of a 10-mg/24-h nitroglycerin tape concomitantly with oral vitamin E or placebo (day 6). The responses of forearm blood flow (%FBF) and cGMP (%cGMP) after sublingual nitroglycerin on day 0 (%FBF: normal volunteers, 32+/-12 versus 31+/-11; IHD patients, 35+/-15 versus 34+/-15; %cGMP: normal volunteers, 38+/-10 versus 35+/-11; IHD patients, 37+/-11 versus 38+/-12, vitamin E group versus placebo group) and day 3 (%FBF: normal volunteers, 33+/-9 versus 32+/-12; IHD patients, 35+/-12 versus 33+/-13; %cGMP: normal volunteers, 38+/-10 versus 37+/-11; IHD patients, 36+/-14 versus 37+/-10, vitamin E group versus placebo group) were not different between the two groups. On day 6, %FBF and %cGMP in the placebo group were significantly lower compared with day 0, and there were significant differences in them between the two groups (%FBF: normal volunteers, 30+/-12 versus 17+/-9, P<.01; IHD patients, 28+/-14 versus 17+/-8, P<.01; %cGMP: normal volunteers, 35+/-11 versus 8+/-5, P<.01; IHD patients, 38+/-10 versus 12+/-4, P<.01, vitamin E group versus placebo group).

CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the combination therapy with vitamin E is potentially a useful method to prevent the development of nitrate tolerance.


Zeitgeist consists of an innovative neuro-art piece, which offers to induce Flow states through immersive experiences: Zeitgeist, a new artwork by Dr. Shama Rahman and Dr. Oliver Gingrich is an AI-based digital art piece that explores audiovisual neurofeedback strategies to train 'Flow' to improve cognitive performance and engagement. This exploration will lead to the development of a prototype platform for cognitive enhancement. This art project looks at effective strategies to enhance mental states by inviting the audience to induce Flow through introspection, thereby designing their own internal to external spaces. The team will develop a real-time 'Flow' mental state digital platform utilising EEG deep-learning classification for a feedback loop involving embodied interactive collaborative participation by the audience


The important role of orthodontics and its contribution to the success of prosthetic dentistry in the adult patient is discussed. Cases undergoing restorative dental procedures, where preliminary minor tooth movement was necessary, are presented. Orthodontic treatment was limited in these cases to local malpositions and to the movement of individual teeth with simple appliances.


By now, the necessity of backing up data networks is obvious. How to do it in an open, heterogeneous computing environment is not as obvious. Vital as it is, backup for heterogeneous networks will remain a problem until standards are implemented. A list is given of tape back up systems including 8 mm tape, DAT, DC6000, DC2000 and TEAC.<<ETX>>


Acute cardiovascular exercise has shown to promote neuroplastic processes, and thus to improve the consolidation of newly acquired motor skills in healthy adults. First results suggest that this concept may be transferred to populations with motor and cognitive dysfunctions. In this context, Parkinson's disease (PD) is highly relevant since patients demonstrate deficits in motor learning. Hence, in the present study we sought to explore the effect of a single post-practice exercise bout on motor memory consolidation in PD patients. For this purpose, 17 PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr: 1 – 2.5, age: 60.1 ± 7.9 y) practiced a whole-body task followed by either (i) a moderate-intense bout of cycling, or (ii) seated rest for a total of 30 minutes. The motor task required the participants to balance on a tiltable platform (stabilometer) for 30 seconds. During skill practice, patients performed 15 trials followed by a retention test 1 day and 7 days later. We calculated time in balance (platform within ± 5° from horizontal) for each trial and within- and between-group differences in memory consolidation (i.e. offline learning = skill change from last acquisition block to retention tests) were analyzed. Groups revealed similar improvements during skill practice (F4,60 = .316, p = .866), but showed differences in offline learning, which was only evident after 7 days (F1,14 = 5.602, p = .033). Our results suggest that a single post-practice exercise bout is effective in enhancing long-term motor memory consolidation in a population with motor learning impairments. This may point at unique promoting effects of exercise on dopamine neurotransmission involved in memory formation. Future studies should investigate the potential role of exercise-induced effects on the dopaminergic system. Highlights Acute exercise enhanced motor memory consolidation in PD Effects were evident only at 7-day retention Results may indicate unique exercise-effects on the dopaminergic system Findings show promising potential of exercise for motor rehabilitation


In this paper we address the problem of coding images and video at very low bitrates using conventional hybrid differential pulse code modulation/discrete cosine transform (DPCM/DCT) coding schemes with reduced blocking artifacts. To this end, optimal block-overlapping synthesis filterbanks (block-overlapping inverse transform kernels) with minimum least-squares reconstruction error properties are derived which replace the conventional inverse DCT if only a few DCT coefficients are transmitted to the receiver. Results show that the proposed inverse block-overlapping transforms can significantly outperform the conventional inverse DCT both in terms of objective and subjective quality measures.


The histologic response of an osteosarcoma to preamputation high-dose methotrexate therapy can be used to determine the optimum maintenance chemotherapy regimen to be administered after amputation. This study evaluates computed tomography (CT) as a method of assessing the response of the tumor to the methotrexate therapy. Nine patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of an extremity had a CT scan of the tumor at initial presentation. This was compared with a second CT scan after four courses of high-dose intravenous methotrexate. Each set of scans was evaluated for changes in bony destruction, soft-tissue mass, pattern of calcification, and extent of tumor involvement of the marrow cavity. These findings were correlated with the histologic response of the tumor as measured by the degree of tumor necrosis. The changes seen on CT correlated well with the degree of the histologic response in seven of the nine patients.


Are legislators responsive to their constituents in their public communication? To what extent are they able to shape voters' preferences, as expressed by the issues they discuss? We address this twofold question with an analysis of all tweets sent by U.S. Members of Congress and a random sample of their followers from January to August 2013. Using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation model, we extract topics that represent the diversity of issues that legislators and ordinary citizens discuss on this social networking site. Then, we exploit variation in the distribution of topics over time to test whether Members of Congress lead or follow their constituents in their selection of issues to discuss, employing a Granger-causality framework. We find that legislators are more responsive to politically interested constituents and co-partisans, particularly on issues owned by each party.


Among the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms, a unique aneurysm at the meatal loop inside the internal auditory meatus is extremely rare. The authors report a case of surgically treated total intrameatal AICA aneurysm. A 62-year-old female patient presenting with sudden bursting headache and neck pain was transferred to our department. Computed tomography and digital subtraction angiography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage at the basal, prepontine cistern and an aneurysm of the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery inside the internal auditory meatus. Surgery was performed by retrosigmoid craniotomy with unroofing of the internal auditory meatus. The aneurysm was identified between the seventh and eighth cranial nerve in the meatus and was removed from the canal and clipped with a small straight Sugita clip. After operation the patient experienced transient facial paresis and tinnitus but improved during follow up.


While current pricing strategies in public theaters are mostly based on static schemes, this paper analyzes the potential of dynamic pricing. Subsidized performing arts organizations face the challenge of selling a fixed capacity (available seats of a venue) to a broad and varied audience. Based on the literature and on empirical evidence from a survey among Swiss theaters, we discuss whether and to what extent yield management and uniform-price auctions—two widespread dynamic pricing mechanisms in the Internet age—can be applied to public theaters in view of the particular goals and targets imposed by their source of funding and by subsidy contracts. Our analysis suggests that although the application of yield management may not be advantageous in the current environment, the introduction of dynamic elements (including auctions) to prevailing pricing strategies can help public theaters respond to temporal demand fluctuations and fill up performances with a varied audience. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


We investigate the problem of localizing multiple targets using a single set of measurements from a network of radar sensors. Such "single snapshot imaging" provides timely situational awareness, but can utilize neither platform motion, as in synthetic aperture radar, nor track targets across time, as in Kalman filtering and its variants. Associating measurements with targets becomes a fundamental bottleneck in this setting. In this paper, we present a computationally efficient method to extract 2D position and velocity of multiple targets using a linear array of FMCW radar sensors by identifying and exploiting inherent geometric features to drastically reduce the complexity of spatial association. The proposed framework is robust to detection anomalies, and achieves order of magnitude lower complexity compared to conventional methods. While our approach is compatible with conventional FFT-based range-Doppler processing, we show that more sophisticated techniques for range-Doppler estimation lead to reduced data association complexity as well as higher accuracy estimates of target positions and velocities.


Previous state-of-the-art deep generative models improve fine-grained image generation quality by designing hierarchical model structures and synthesizing images across multiple stages. The learning process is typically performed without any supervision in object categories. To address this issue, while at the same time to alleviate the level of complexity of both model design and training, we propose a Single-Stage Controllable GAN (SSCGAN) for conditional fine-grained image synthesis in a semi-supervised setting. Considering the fact that fine-grained object categories may have subtle distinctions and shared attributes, we take into account three factors of variation for generative modeling: class-independent content, cross-class attributes and class semantics, and associate them with different variables. To ensure disentanglement among the variables, we maximize mutual information between the class-independent variable and synthesized images, map real data to the latent space of a generator to perform consistency regularization of cross-class attributes, and incorporate class semantic-based regularization into a discriminator's feature space. We show that the proposed approach delivers a single-stage controllable generator and high-fidelity synthesized images of fine-grained categories. SSC-GAN establishes state-of-the-art semi-supervised image synthesis results across multiple fine-grained datasets.


Hydrographic Institute of the Republic of Croatia (HHI) has been producing electronic navigational charts (ENC) since 2001. The process of ENC production proposed by the Italian company C-Map did not prove to conform to specific geographic characteristic of the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea and HHIpsilas long tradition of chart production. It is the reason why there occurred the need for a redesign of the process of ENC production. This paper proposes new usage bands and compilation scales for each ENC usage band for the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. New classification of ENC cells is also proposed in the form of regular rectangular network, offering multiple advantages over the classification based on the HHI paper charts.


Eleven compounds belonging to the chalcone family were tested for their ability to activate and subsequently desensitize the rat transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) in a heterologous expression system. Four of the tested compounds were more potent than the TRPA1 agonist mustard oil, and showed also a strong desensitizing effect. Some chalcone compounds were not pungent in the eye-wiping assay and quite remarkably inhibited in a long-lasting and dose-dependent manner the pain response in the formalin test. Chalcones can be considered as novel candidates for the development of antihyperalgesic preparations based on TRPA1 desensitization.


When approached to be editor of this special edition of FHJ on 'values', I was enthusiastic but a tiny bit anxious. The importance of including concepts of 'value' in healthcare has become widely accepted, but how do we define 'value'? What does it actually mean? The term 'value-based healthcare' appears to have been coined by Prof Michael Porter, of Harvard University, who argued for redesigning systems around outcomes that are of 'value to patients' and the costs to achieve those outcomes. In the American system, this has come to mean payments to physicians for attaining agreed patient-related outcomes and is a riposte to fee-for-service and capitated models of reimbursement, both of which are based around how much healthcare is provided. As the NHS delivers healthcare free at the point of service, it has been argued that value-based care in the British context should consider how the national budget can be used to promote better outcomes at population level. Still others advocate that both doctors and patients, as individuals, should determine their own 'values', with a negotiation as to what the appropriate goals of the therapeutic relationship should be. Such a plethora of meanings seemed difficult to contain with a single issue of a journal. What if the authors took such diverse stances on 'value' and its role in the delivery of care that we were left with a 'Humpty Dumpty' scenario, where the word was stripped of any shared understanding? We are fortunate, instead, to have a series of articles that not only explore the nuances of the word 'value' but also how this might be applied across nearly all aspects of health and care. At the macro-level, Sally Lewis discusses the strengths and limitations of value-based healthcare and whether it might provide a meaningful solution to the problems currently faced by the NHS, while Matilda Allen, Dominique Allwood and Sir Michael Marmot propose reframing our conception of hospitals to places that create value beyond the provision of direct clinical care. Lorelei Jones explores how different healthcare paradigms demand different frameworks for management and considers the need for incorporating notions of 'value' into the governance of integrated care systems. How industry contributes to creating and supporting values-based care is discussed by Frédéric Noël. Different dimensions of 'value' as they relate to patients are explored in two articles. Jennifer Schulz discusses how the concept of 'value' to patients and their families after medical injuries has played a role in reforming the legal framework for medical negligence in other jurisdictions and ponders whether a similar change might be good for Britain. Rosemary Hollick and Lynn Laidlaw explore the value in patient and public engagement in research and how it can help to move patient and public involvement away from being 'tokenistic' towards being an integral part of the process. Values and how they play a role in decision making on the acute medical unit are discussed by Luke Martin, while Andrew McLaren, Louise Locock and Zoë Skea explore what doctors value in their own personal and professional lives when it comes to making decisions about where to live and work. Three themes recur in these very different papers. Firstly, that concepts of value are inherent within medicine and, indeed, underpin it. The shift to value-based medicine is then not so much a radically different system, but rather a way of surfacing what is already there and bringing this to the forefront of our working lives. The second is the necessity of creating and negotiating shared values between doctors and patients and across all the different components and stakeholders within a system. The final point is that despite the barriers to value-based care, it has the promise to be truly revolutionary. Beyond the obvious benefits of more efficient and effective patient-oriented care, it might just be the antidote to the burnout and exhaustion experienced by a workforce that is currently stretched like never before. It might be a pathway back to joy and satisfaction in the working lives of doctors and other medical professionals. In the end, I ought not to have been worried; this was the easiest editorial task I have ever been assigned. This was no doubt in part to my co-editor, Suzie Bailey, whose enthusiasm was infectious. But also because this is the first time every author met every deadline and we actually had people volunteering to make contributions. This demonstrates the appetite for a bigger conversation about values. We hope that this collection of articles has stretched the boundaries about what value-based care might mean for the NHS and other healthcare systems across the world. It has certainly stimulated me to think. We hope it does the same for individual doctors, managers and leaders as well.


More than fifty years after Baker v. Carr, "one person, one vote" remains essentially inviolable. Among the consequences of a series of redistricting cases, the Court compelled "that the seats in both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on a population basis." The judiciary had effectively nationalized the composition of all fifty state legislatures. But its mantra was mercifully limited. Shortly after the Court's entry into the political thicket, it recognized that myriad unanswered questions remained, and it refused to refine its mantra any further. "Population basis" was deemed expansive enough to permit a representative body to draw districts on bases other than total population, including citizens and voters. The judiciary had ended its articulation of political theories that would forever bind the States. Instead, the States could continue to act within our federalist system and draw districts on the basis of some legitimate population total, acting in the absence of specific judicial directive.This Article examines an under-discussed element of the reapportionment cases - the extent to which the parties themselves and the clerks to the Supreme Court justices resisted advancing the kind of sweeping claims that the Supreme Court ultimately embraced. The Court's errors in the redistricting cases arose in spite of repeated guidance from the litigants before the Court and the justices' own clerks to decide the cases in a narrower fashion, or pursuant to existing constitutional standards. Through archival research, this Article demonstrates that all parties were reluctant to redefine all state legislatures under a single (and undertheorized) political definition. The Court took little heed of such modest proposals and instituted sweeping claims about how state legislatures ought to look. The Article then identifies the circumstances in which the Court finally embraced restraint - it permitted States to choose an appropriate population basis for drawing legislative districts, leaving the matter to the sound discretion of the several States. The Article identifies a lost footnote in an early draft of Burns v. Richardson, which would have articulated the most lucid basis for deferring to the States when they selected the appropriate redistricting population. The Article then reflects on the proposed expansion of these sweeping claims in Evenwel v. Abbott, an attempt to return to the judicial nationalization of state legislatures articulated in Baker and its progeny. The Article calls for an end to these redistricting errors and for greater deference to the States.


In recent years, administrative and assistance health institutions, have become concerned with the increase of suicidal behavior in the school population of the city of Manizales. According to data of the Epidemic Bulletin, Manizales 2001, in the period between 1996 and 1999, 93 people committed suicide, of which 78 were men and 15 women. The highest number of suicides in absolute terms was seen in the age group 15-24 (11 youths per each 100.000 inhabitants). Since depression is the main risk factor for suicide, it was chosen as the problem object of this study. The research focused on theoretical topics such as: health, biological principles, psychological and social changes in the teenage years, depression aspects in teenagers, epidemiology, suicidal behavior categories, meaning of suicide in teenagers, alert signs, risk factors, treatment and prevention. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, depression grade and suicidal tendencies in 1298 students from the 8th to 11th grade of eight public schools of Manizales during 2000, 2001, first semester of 2002, and 2003. The study was an empiric-analytic research, in which a descriptive relational design was used. The dependent variables were depression and suicidal tendencies, and the independent variables included: age, sex, educational level, school and commune. An association was made among these two groups of variables. For gathering the data, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. The sample was represented by the total population of the mentioned school grades, 1298 students of both sexes, between the ages of 9 and 20. The results showed that 38.8% presented a global clinical depression, the highest depression levels corresponded to the category of slight depression (21.3%); while 45% presented suicidal tendencies. The depression associations that were statistically significant include: schools 2 and 7; females and age groups between 12-14 (highly significant), 15-17 (significant) and 18-20. The educational institutions that showed a higher suicidal tendency were 8 (11.94%) and 1 (8.78%). The highest percentages of suicidal behavior were found in the age group 15-17, in females, and in students from communes 5 and 9. Regarding the suicidal tendency variable, the associations were not statistically significant.


The European Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC requires a risk assessment concerning possible effects of active ingredients on the environment. Biocides can be leached from treated materials exposed to outdoor use. These emissions have to be estimated and evaluated during the authorization procedure. Different immersion and irrigation tests were performed to investigate leaching of biocides from façade coatings. Several marketed formulations of textured coatings and paints spiked with a mixture of commonly used active ingredients (OIT, DCOIT, IPBC, carbendazim, isoproturon, diuron, terbutryn, and Irgarol 1051) were investigated. The emission process can be described by time-dependent functions that depend on the test conditions. The results of all test procedures confirm that leachability is related to water solubility and n-octanol-water partition coefficient of the active ingredients and that leaching of biocides from façade coatings is mainly a diffusion controlled process. Other factors like the composition of the product, availability and transport of water, concentration of active ingredients in the coatings, as well as UV-exposure of the coatings influence biocide emissions.


AIM
To characterize the disease-causing mutations in a Chinese family with ectopia lentis syndrome (ELS).

METHODS
Patients and their family members were given complete physical, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular examinations. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood of the pedigree members and 100 healthy controls. Mutation screening was performed in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene by bi-directional sequencing of the amplified products. The mutation was analyzed using two bioinformatics methods.

RESULTS
A novel heterozygous c.305G>A mutation in exon 3 of FBN1 was detected. As a result of this change, a highly conserved cysteine residue was replaced by a tyrosine residue (p.C102Y). Another mutation was found in the same exon (c.303T>C), which did not change the amino acid sequence. Both mutations were discovered in each affected individual, but not in the unaffected family members, or in 100 ethnically matched controls. A bioinformatics analysis predicted that mutation p.C102Y would affect protein function.

CONCLUSION
In the first epidermal growth factor-like module, we identified a novel FBN1 mutation (p.C102Y), which caused ELS in the family. Our study presented a unique phenotype, including some distinct ophthalmic findings, such as hypoplasia of the iris and anisometropia. Our results expanded the mutation spectrum of FBN1 and enriched the overall knowledge of genotype-phenotype correlations due to FBN1 mutations.


The perfect behavior of its team has an absolute relevance in any organization. But, as they say, an attempt towards improvement of the society begins at home. So, an attempt towards building a competent organization with highly motivated workforce begins from improving the individual behavior of its team. Behavioural approach is a stepping stone towards building a positive and motivated workforce. Increasing incidents of frustration, stress, depression and even disloyalty make positive behavioural approach definitely a call of our times. The corporate world today gives immense importance to train their workforce and bring out the best talent in them. The need of the times is that in any organization, due importance is given to make each individual capable of making a conscious effort in building a positive frame of mind. If leaders at all levels understand the conscious and unconscious structure of how they do whatever they do, then they have a lot of choices, the choice to refine what they do, the choice to stop what they do or the choice to do things differently.


In the past few years, laser scanning has become a popular digitising tool for rapidly manufacturing commercial products, moulds and dies, and industrial parts. This popularity can be attributed to continual improvement in the accuracy and reliability of the technology. In this study, the re-engineering and re-manufacturing capabilities of laser scanning systems in aircraft structural components manufacturing are evaluated. The study includes sutwcving state-of-the-art laser scanning systems; scanning, modelling, and machining a sample aircraft structural component; comparing the duplicated model~part with the original model~part; and estimating savings achieved by laser scanning. The significant findings from this study include the following:


Clinicopathologic details of an atypical Spitz nevus are reported. A metastasis to a single ipsilateral lymph node is documented. Cytogenetic analysis of the metastatic lesion revealed a clonal chromosomal abnormality, add(6)(q12-13), previously noted in cases of malignant melanoma.


Objectives: To measure the resistance to plate slippage provided by a screw inserted to various torsional and rotational endpoints. Materials and Methods: A 7-hole, 3.5-mm narrow dynamic compression plate was affixed to an osteoporotic humeral shafts using screws inserted: (1) to 90 degrees after plate contact, (2) to 180 degrees after plate contact, (3) by the 1.4-N·m torque limit method, and (4) by the "2-fingers tight" method. The resistance of the plate to sliding against the bone was measured using a materials testing machine. We checked for an effect of screw insertion method on bone-plate slippage with a general linearized latent and mixed model, controlling for bone mineral density, sex, and specimen clustering. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The force required to slip the plate for 180 degrees of screw rotation was not significantly greater than that of the other insertion groups. Conclusions: Inserting screws 180 degrees after seating can be expected to yield plate contact to bone similar to that of the "2-fingers tight" standard.


The authors provide an overview of techniques that enable the use of ITU-T recommendation H.324 with error-prone transmission channels. H.324 covers the overall architecture, algorithms, and syntax for low-bit-rate multimedia terminals. This overview focuses on extensions for error-resilient video transmission that are related to the H.263 video codec and H.223 multiplex. The latter is responsible for reliable delivery of data to each terminal component and is therefore of major importance to the overall system. In particular, the discussed approaches to robust video transmission require reliable performance of the multiplex scheme. The considered techniques for video coding are either compatible with the baseline mode of H.263 or part of new extensions recently devised by Study Group 16 as part of the H.263+ effort. This overview includes "error tracking" (Appendix II). "reference picture selection" (Annex N), and "independent segment decoding" (Annex R). Whenever appropriate, the description of those video extensions and multiplex schemes is complemented with simulation results for transmission over Rayleigh fading channels.


Hysteroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of intrauterine pathologies. However, it can result in fatal complications. We herein report a case of symptomatic hyponatremia and hyperglycemia during hysteroscopic resection of severe intrauterine adhesion with 5% dextrose in water as the distension medium. Because of the difficulty of the incision, the infusion pressure was 100 to 150 mmHg, and surgery was continued for 70 minutes. A total of 19 L of 5% dextrose in water was used as an irrigating fluid. Large-scale absorption of irrigating fluid (3 L) induced dilutional hyponatremia (120 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (30 mmol/L). Initial signs were abnormal flatulence and postoperative coma. Hypertonic saline, diuretics, insulin, and liquid restriction were the prevailing treatment strategies for hyponatremia and hyperglycemia. Ionized calcium and potassium levels decreased during treatment. We emphasize the importance of prevention, recognition, and a meticulous perioperative treatment standard. Surgical teams must be vigilant in fluid deficit monitoring and serum electrolyte analysis.


Abstract. We examined food habits and home-range elevations of Japanese black bears (Ursus thibetanus japonicus) in relation to Fagaceae mast production in Toyama Prefecture. Nine bears (four males and five females) fitted with GPS collars were tracked for various periods from July to December in 2005–2007. We investigated the food habits of each bear using traces found at GPS-fix locations. Bears selectively fed on Fagus crenata mast when F. crenata and Quercus crispula mast was abundant and consumed Q. crispula and Q. serrata mast when F. crenata mast was scarce. When both F. crenata and Q. crispula mast was scarce, bears fed on multiple alternatives, such as Diospyros kaki. Home-range elevations of bears also differed among years in response to vertical distributions of available foods. Individual bears captured in the Q. serrata zone (lower elevation) and F. crenata zone (higher elevation) tended to eat Q. serrata and Q. crispula acorns, respectively, when F. crenata mast was not available. Therefore, food habits and home-range elevations of bears were influenced greatly by fluctuations in Fagaceae mast production and the species' vertical distribution, as well as by factors such as food preference for F. crenata mast and food resource distribution around the home ranges.


High‐resolution palaeorecords of climate are critical to improving current understanding of climate variability, its sensitivity and impact on the environment in the past and in the future. Sediments from the Cariaco Basin off the coast of Venezuela have proven to be sensitive recorders of tropical palaeoclimate variability down to an annual scale. However, the fingerprint of climate and sea level in the sediments of the last glacial period is still not completely understood. In this study, lamination analysis of sediments from the Cariaco Basin is extended to the last glacial period. Detailed sedimentological and geochemical analysis (laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry) reveals couplets of light‐coloured, terrigenous‐rich and dark‐coloured, biogenic opal‐rich laminae, which are interpreted to reflect the seasonal migration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. In addition, a previously undescribed, nearly pure terrigenous lamina type is observed, which is referred to hereafter as a 'C‐layer'. The C‐layers in the sedimentary sequence are interpreted as flood layers that originate from local rivers. The occurrence of these C‐layers is investigated for two core locations in the Cariaco Basin over the last 110 kyr by continuous X‐ray fluorescence scanning. Dansgaard–Oeschger oscillations are most clearly traced by proxies reflecting productivity and marine organic matter content of the sediment. In contrast, the abundance of terrigenous material differs at times between the two sites. On an interglacial to glacial timescale, the ability to record events causing C‐layers is likely to be influenced by changes in sea level and source proximity. On a millennial scale, both sediment cores contain more C‐layers during warmer interstadials compared with colder stadials during Marine Isotope Stage 3. This finding implies that interstadials were not only wetter than stadials, but probably also characterized by increased rainfall variability, leading to an enhanced frequency of flooding events in the hinterland of the Cariaco Basin.


This article describes how the performance of music both instigated and enhanced the author's self‐study of his work as a lecturer of music education. Through performing Bach's C major prelude from The Well‐Tempered Clavier and improvising on piano the author was able to identify problems in one of his music education classes and rectify these problems.


The substituted 1,4-benzoquinone, maesanin (1), is a potent 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor present in the fruit of Maesa lanceolata Forssk. Thirteen natural, synthetic, semisynthetic, and microbially transformed analogs of 1 were tested for their in vitro inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). Maesanin was the most active 5-LO inhibitor. All other analogs were inactive or less active than the natural products as 5-LO inhibitors. None of the tested compounds was strongly active in the COX-1 inhibition assay.


The primary and secondary chaetotaxy of the head capsule and head appendages of the three larval instars of the water scavenger beetle genus Derallus Sharp are described for the first time based on two species: D. angustus Sharp and D. paranensis Oliva. Morphometric characters derived from the head capsule and mouthparts are included, together with detailed illustrations of all characters. Chaetotaxy of these larvae is compared with that of Regimbartia attenuata (Fabricius), another species belonging to the Derallus-clade of Berosini.


Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) in mice was induced by 2-4-h exposure to radiant heat resulting in core body temperatures of 38.5-40.4 degrees C, and correlated directly with the magnitude and duration of heat treatment. Two-hour heat treatments in this temperature range did not consistently affect generation of antibody-forming cells in vivo, while 4-h treatments at temperatures greater than or equal to 40 degrees C significantly suppressed the antibody-forming cell response. The capacity of lymphocytes from similarly heated mice to generate antibody-forming cells in vitro was not affected, suggesting that the observed in vivo suppression may be mediated by circulating factors rather than by some heat-induced alteration in the cells themselves. In vivo treatment did not alter T-cell responsiveness to the mitogen Con-A or delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to sheep red blood cells. Quantitative and flow cytometric assessment of splenic and thymic lymphocyte numbers showed that WBH did not alter absolute numbers of lymphocytes but did temporarily change the proportions of lymphocyte subsets. An immediate increase in splenic L3T4+ cells was observed, followed within 18 h by an overall decrease in Lyt 2+ and Thy 1.2+ T-cells. In the thymus the percentages of mature T cells increased. In general, only minimal effects of heat on the immune responses of normal mice could be demonstrated.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of intervertebral fusion (Cloward and Robinson-Smith techniques) on the intradiscal pressure at the adjacent levels exposed to compression loads.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
A biomechanical study was performed using cadaveric cervical spine. 12 cervical spines exposed to a compression load were analyzed. Intact spines and spines after internal stabilisation using bone grafts and metal plates were already studied. All biomechanical testing was performed on the material testing machine (MTS 858 MiniBionix Test System).

RESULTS
The results of investigation confirmed a linear distribution of pressure related to the applied compression loads. This study showed that intradiscal pressure was always inferior in the disc above the stabilisation segment as compared to the disc underneath (even by 49%), regardless of the investigated system (intact spine or spine with a fixator). Intradiscal pressure in the spine with a bone graft, using Cloward technique or Robinson-Smith techniques, did not show significant differences between the two methods of stabilisation. Additionally, stabilisation (in the form of a fixator plate) did not show an essential influence of the fixator on changes of the intradiscal pressure.

CONCLUSION
Clinical studies have reported increased rates of disc degeneration at levels adjacent to fusion. The results presented in this paper have not shown a significant increase of the intradiscal pressure at the adjacent levels after stabilisation.


Most secondary aneurysms following trauma to the cerebral artery were reported as a complication of head injury. Three cases of aneurysm due to arterial injury during operations are reported. A search of the world literature revealed ten other cases. The responsible surgical procedure and the location of these aneurysms varied. Rupture of these aneurysms was observed in four cases at 10 to 23 days following the primary operation. Only two patients died.


Protected areas (Conservancies) are amongst the most important conservation initiatives
that help to halt biodiversity loss. There have been conflicts among the different
communities that cohabit in the three locations of the study area (Ozi, Chara and
Konemansa) in the Lower Tana Delta Conservancy (LTDC). It is not clear whether these
conflicts among the different communities living in the locations are linked to their
perceptions towards the conservancy as a source of community livelihoods. Thus the
study hypothesis was that the different communities living in the Conservancy may have
different perceptions under Linkert scale towards institutional governance, rangeland
management and conservancy contribution on specific aspects of community
development (education, market access, peaceful coexistence and increased incomes) in
Tana River County. Thus education in the study was considered as a means of livelihood
improvements. The overall aim of this study was to determine perceptions among the local
community towards LTDC as a resource with benefits towards community livelihood
improvements in Tana River County. The study was conducted through a randomized
study design using semi-structured questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and
Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The research was conducted between December 2015
and February 2016. Inferential statistics (Chi-square) in R were used to analyze the
categorical data. The results showed that there were significant differences among the age
groups in Chara, Ozi and Konemansa (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were significant
differences on their perceptions on LTDC contribution to education (p < 0.05), and
institutional governance (p < 0.05), the contribution of the LTDC board of management
(p < 0.05), investment Sub-committee (p < 0.05), peace sub-committee (p < 0.05),
respectively. Additionally, there were significant differences on the perception of the
contribution of tourism Sub-Committee (p < 0.05), contribution of improved rangeland
vi
management (p < 0.05), human-wildlife conflict before the conservancy (p < 0.05),
human-wildlife conflict after the establishment of the conservancy (p < 0.05), as well as
significant differences on perception towards grazing sub-committee (p < 0.05).
Moreover, there were significant differences on perceptions on the benefits of the
conservancy to the community (p < 0.05), the contribution to education (p < 0.05) the
contribution of conservancy to peaceful coexistence (p < 0.05), and on increased income
from the conservancy (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences on the
participants' perceptions on the contribution of the Conservancy to market access of their
products (p > 0.05). Overall the results showed differential perceptions on contributions
of LTDC towards livelihood improvements of local communities in Tana River County
and suggest that the establishment of the conservancy as a resource has had accrued
benefits to different communities living in the three locations of Chara, Ozi and
Konemansa. It would be interesting to carry out similar work on other conservancies
established within the County (and elsewhere in the coast) to assess their contributions
towards livelihoods improvement.


Odonata survey was conducted throughout the south-western region of Bangladesh, concentrated on eight districts and the Sundarban (the largest mangrove forest of the world) from August 2014 to August 2016. A total of 50 species under 30 genera belonging to six families were recorded during the study period. Among the 50 species, 31 species belong to Anisoptera whereas 19 species were recorded from the Zygoptera suborder. Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae were most dominant Anisoptetran and Zygopteran families with 28 and 17 species respectively. One Zygoptera species Mortonagrion varalli was newly added to the Odonata fauna of Bangladesh. Among surveyed habitats, species richness was highest in marshland with 38 species followed by 34 species in the lakeside. On the other hand, odonata diversity was lowest in the mangrove area. Our study shows a positive correlation between environmental variables (such as average rainfall, relative humidity, and average temperature) and species richness in the study area. Species richness is highest during monsoon and lowest in winter.


The objectives of this research is to designed and simulated CMOS photodiodes models using VHOL-AMS with the AOVance-MS (AOMS) simulation tool of Mentor Graphics. The Photodiode models show a logarithmic response in illumination and are capable of detecting blue or green light emitting diode. The result is fast and thorough design verification before the expense of fabrication. Key Words: light, diffusion, substrate, drift


UNLABELLED
An 11-year old girl with multihormonal pituitary deficiency previously cured from craniopharyngioma was admitted to the endocrinology Department because of pathological daytime sleepiness. At the age of 7 she had undergone brain tumor surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (complete dose of 5400 cGy). She had been given replacement therapy of thyroid hormone, cortisol and adiuretin. At the age of 10 years she had started growth hormone (rGH) treatment. After a period of four months of rGH replacement therapy the girl's mother had observed symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness with a tendency to escalation. MRI of the brain had been performed; no progression has been shown. After 10 months from the start of rGH replacement therapy was referred to the endocrinology department. On the basis of laboratory findings electrolyte and hormonal abnormalities were excluded. On physical examination, the girl manifested massive tonsillar hypertrophy. It was disclosed that she developed obstructive sleep apnea with the drop of oxygen saturation to 60%. The patient was qualified to adenotonsillectomy. There was a spectacular postoperative improvement observed with no future episodes of night apnea and daytime sleepiness. In our opinion, the rGH treatment in our patient induced hypertrophy of the tonsils and adenoid, which led to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with compensatory daytime sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with compensatory daytime sleepiness may occur in children on rGH replacement therapy. During rGH therapy children should be regularly examined by a laryngologist.


ABSTRACT We examined sputum bacterial loads in adults with newly diagnosed tuberculosis using quantitative culture and time-until-positive (DTP) culture in BACTEC 460. Patients with cavitary disease had higher CFU levels than those without cavities and shorter DTPs. Within radiographic strata of moderately and far advanced tuberculosis, higher CFU counts were associated with cavitary disease.


We describe and discuss the explicit calculation of the pair correlation function of the point process of nodes associated with a three-dimensional stationary Poisson-Voronoi tessellation. Moreover, the precise asymptotics for the variance of the number of nodes in an expanding region and the variance of vertices of the typical Poisson-Voronoi polyhedron are obtained. This gives rise to an asymptotically exact conndence interval for the number of nodes and cells when the sampling region is large enough. A geometric interpretation of our formulae shows that, among others, an essential problem is to calculate the mean volume of a tetrahedron whose vertices are uniformly distributed on a circular domain of the unit sphere.


Mass tourism has not only hit certain destinations but also museums have experienced its effects. In recent years, superstar museums have seen how visitor's flows have been unceasingly increasing at the same time as tourism was being popularised as well. The present thesis seeks to delve into the reaction capacity of museums in relation to the management of large masses of visitors. Therefore, the research question addressed is focused on to what extent are museums capable to deal with mass tourism and the consequent crowd.
Since museums became tourist attractions, their success is closely related to the number of international visitors coming to the city. Therefore, the relevance of the relation between museums and municipalities is significant when facing such a challenging issue. In such a way, a comparative case study has been done to find out the measures and strategies undertaken by two museums and two cities in particular: the Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and the Picasso Museum (Barcelona, Spain).
The research consisted of interviewing eleven middle managers from the museums and policymakers from the municipalities in order to see first-hand what is being done in relation to overcrowding and congestion. In addition, strategic plans and reports from both cities were analysed to support the testimonies of the respondents and to contextualise the municipalities' management. Apart from these qualitative data, the visitor's numbers of the last eight years were provided by both museums too.
The analysis of the data collected drove the research to find some strategies and measures in common between the two museums and both cities. On the one side, the municipalities have designed integral plans to soften the nuisances caused by tourism by prioritising the liveability of their urban spaces. In this regard, they are working to find solutions involving all the stakeholders implicated. Therefore, in this integrated strategy museums are included. On the other side, the two analysed museums have implemented several measures and they have studied thoroughly the phenomenon and their audiences. Among the measures considered by both museums, the online ticketing stands above the rest because it made disappear the long queues to buy tickets and it spread the visitors throughout the day thanks to the time-slotted tickets. Moreover, the reduction of the museums' maximum capacity improved the visitors' experience and diminished the bottlenecks originated in the building. Secondarily, museums are working to soften seasonality and the accumulation of visitors at certain peak hours of the day. Finally, in line with the audience analysis they carry out, they are completely aware of the unbalanced ratio of locals and international visitors they host, and measures have been taken to attract residents. Nevertheless, this is a long-term goal and the strategies focused on that do not give immediate results.
On this basis, the thesis concludes that tourism needs to be managed in cooperation of all the agents implied to get to proper solutions. Museums for their part have come to soften the pressure of visitors in their buildings but there is still room for improvement.


Allergic rhinitis is currently the most common of all chronic diseases in children. However, children frequently lack the ability to verbalize their symptoms, with the result that the condition may go undiagnosed and untreated. Unfortunately, untreated allergic rhinitis not only detrimentally affects children's physical and psychosocial well-being, quality of life, and capacity to function and learn, but it is also associated with and may contribute to potentially serious sequelae, including asthma, sinusitis, and otitis media. Because children may not accurately describe their symptoms, the classic signs of allergic rhinitis in the pediatric population, including the allergic shiner, the allergic crease, and the allergic salute, are particularly important in enabling the clinician to recognize those children who may have this condition; other significant signs include mouth breathing, snoring, chronic cough, and continual throat clearing. The options for treating allergic rhinitis in the child are the same as those for the adult, and the clinician can expect the same level of efficacy. Environmental control for allergen avoidance is an important goal, but the clinician must prescribe it within the context of the family's lifestyle to obtain compliance. Complete avoidance of inhalant allergens is not always feasible, and medications are necessary. Oral antihistamines remain the mainstay of initial treatment for allergies. Given evidence of the significant deleterious effects of the sedating antihistamines on learning, the clinician should prescribe nonsedating second-generation agents whenever possible. Decongestants may be needed. Intranasal corticosteroids are a most effective option, and these agents lack the systemic side effects associated with orally administered steroids. In persistent disease, allergen immunotherapy injections may be considered. In all cases, the clinician should consider issues that are likely to influence compliance in the pediatric population.


Abstract A set of 19 zonal vertical sections of temperature were collected in 1975 with XBT observations at 80 km spacing, made from ships-of-opportunity transiting the mid-latitude North Pacific. In the region of the Kuroshio Extension Current, around 35°N, 165°E to 170°W, cross-spectral analysis reveals a significant 30° phase shift, upwards to the west, for the dominant mesoscale features of ∼500 km wavelength. This phase shift implies that a poleward eddy flux of heat exists, associated with these mesoscale eddies. A simple calculation of the meridional eddy heat flux based on these results indicates an eddy flux of 3 × 1014 W over the length of the Kuroshio Extension. This value is 17% of that estimated by Oort and Vonder Haar (1976) to be the total ocean heat flux at 40°N over the entire Northern Hemisphere.


The purpose of this paper is to establish strong convergence theorems of finite step iteration process with errors for two finite families of non-Lipschitzian asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive type mappings to converge to common fixed point in the framework of Banach spaces. The results presented in this paper improve and extend some results in Chen and Guo (2011) [1], Sitthikul and Saejung (2009) [18] and many others.


A case report of incipient juvenile glaucoma is presented. Clinical data obtained during the optometric examination indicating possible glaucoma were confirmed by an ophthalmological evaluation. Early detection of glaucoma in the young adult may help prevent significant visual impairment and disability in his later years. Screening patients of all ages for glaucoma is recommended.


The study was to assess the macronutrient content in lunch meals of some selected preschools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana and determine whether these macronutrient content meet the World Health Organization recommended daily intake for children. The study considered the meal pattern in the selected schools, whether the macronutrient content of the meals served meet the WHO RDI for children's lunch meals and how the meals is were funded. The research design for the study was a descriptive survey. The target population for the study was made up of all private pre-schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis which provide lunch meal for the children and the simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents.  To obtain data, questionnaires, and laboratory tests of food samples were used. The data collected in this study was checked, coded and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0.  It was found that all the dishes served to the children belonged to the group of cereals, grains and starchy root. The findings indicated that the protein, carbohydrate, and fibre contents of the meals did not meet the recommended intake by WHO. Keywords : macronutrient, Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), lunch meals, nutrients.


Biofilm formation during infections with the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can be very problematic in clinical settings, since it provides the fungal cells with a protective environment. Resistance against drug treatments, immune recognition as well as adaptation to the host environment allows fungal survival in the host. The exact molecular mechanisms behind most processes in the formation of biofilms are unclear. In general, the formation of biofilms can be categorized roughly in a few stages; adhesion, conidial germination and development of hyphae, biofilm maturation and cell dispersion. Fungi in biofilms can adapt to the in-host environment. These adaptations can occur on a level of phenotypic plasticity via gene regulation. However, also more substantial genetic changes of the genome can result in increased resistance and adaptation in the host, enhancing the survival chances of fungi in biofilms. Most research has focused on the development of biofilms. However, to tackle developing microbial resistance and adaptation in biofilms, more insight in mechanisms behind genetic adaptations is required to predict which defense mechanisms can be expected. This can be helpful in the development of novel and more targeted antifungal treatments to combat fungal infections.


ABSTRACT Agile can be seen as an accelerator to develop software, yet it suffers from bottlenecks between development and operations. DevOps can overcome bottlenecks between agile development teams and operations, notably by providing continuous integration, delivery and deployment, thus improving end-to-end processes between development and operations functions. However, literature on DevOps effects is scant. Using job design characteristics theory and Herzberg's job satisfaction theory, this paper investigates perceptions of job (dis)satisfaction, risks and work conditions among 59 employees working within 12 agile and DevOps teams in the same firm. Findings show that DevOps provides greater job satisfaction than agile alone. However, this case study also unveiled an effect of risk amplification with DevOps, and the greater need to orchestrate automation and sharing, contingent on work conditions. We theorise that orchestration of interactions between automation and sharing and related risks must be managed to improve job satisfaction when agile teams transition to DevOps.


BACKGROUND
We report the efficacy and safety of experimentally nebulized tiotropium use. We identified 19 elderly very severe COPD (GOLD stage IV) inpatients unable to use tiotropium in the Handihaler by themselves from January 2008 through May 2009. The contents of an 18 microg capsule of tiotropium were dissolved in 5 ml saline and nebulized via a nebulizer.

RESULTS
Nebulized tiotropium improved the symptoms of all COPD patients, and the ADL scores of 12 COPD patients. All COPD patients tolerated nebulized tiotropium well, although mild dry mouth was reported by a single COPD patient.

CONCLUSION
Tiotropium therapy for COPD patients is recommended in all GOLD stages. Our report showed that COPD patients (GOLD stage IV) who had difficulties using a tiotropium Handihaler benefitted from nebulized tiotropium. This helped them to continue their COPD therapy and was demonstrated to be an effective and well tolerated treatment option.


STUDY OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether jaw occlusive power decreases with the injection of neuromuscular blocking agents in masseter muscle – a method we named Sion's masseter muscle paralysis (SMP). METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled animal study was conducted in which researchers were blinded to group allocation. We used 12 male mongrel dogs aged 10–12 months and weighing 30–35 kg. Four groups were formed: a conventional dose (CD) group (0.004 mg/kg succinylcholine in 4 ml normal saline [NS]); a high dose (HD) group (0.04 mg/kg succinylcholine in 4 ml NS); a placebo group (4 ml NS); and no intervention group. To measure the jaw occlusive power, 1 kg weight was hung sequentially on a specifically designed device on the animal's lower jaw. At −4, −2, 0', +2, +4, +6, +8, +10, +20, and +30 min, we measured the jaw occlusive power, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2). RESULTS: After SMP, jaw occlusive power began to decline in CD and HD group. The arithmetical mean jaw occlusive power values at −4, −2, 0', +2, +4, +6, +8, and +10 min were 9.7, 9.7, 9.7, 8.7, 8.3, 7.3, 6.7, and 6.3 kgw in the CD group and 9.7, 9.3, 8.7, 8.0, 6.7, 5.0, 5.0, and 5.3 kgw in the HD group. No abnormalities in SpO2or ETCO2were detected. CONCLUSION: Jaw occlusive power was decreased after SMP with succinylcholine, without inducing respiratory complication.


Problem: At present, homelessness in the United States is primarily addressed by providing emergency and transitional shelter facilities. These programs do not directly address the causes of homelessness, and residents are exposed to victimization and trauma during stays. We need an alternative that is more humane, as well as more cost-efficient and effective at achieving outcomes. Purpose: This article uses research on homelessness to devise alternative forms of emergency assistance that could reduce the prevalence and/or duration of episodes of homelessness and much of the need for emergency shelter. Methods: We review analyses of shelter utilization patterns to identify subgroups of homeless single adults and families with minor children, and propose alternative program models aimed at the particular situations of each of these subgroups. Results and conclusions: We argue that it would be both more efficient and more humane to reallocate resources currently devoted to shelters. We propose the development of community-based programs that instead would focus on helping those with housing emergencies to remain housed or to quickly return to housing, and be served by mainstream social welfare programs. We advocate providing shelter on a limited basis and reserving transitional housing for individuals recently discharged from institutions. Chronic homelessness should be addressed by permanent supportive housing. Takeaway for practice: Changing existing shelter-based responses to homeessness could produce better outcomes for homeless individuals and families. Research support: None.


It is increasingly clear that poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is not just an inert storage polymer, confined to certain bacteria, but a ubiquitous, interactive, solvating biopolymer involved in important physiological functions. Low molecular weight PHB, complexed to other macromolecules (c-PHB), is widely distributed in biological cells, being found in representative organisms of nearly all phyla. Complexation modifies the physical and chemical properties of c-PHB, allowing it to pervade aqueous as well as hydrophobic regions of the cell, and as a result c-PHB can be found in cytoplasm and intracellular fluids as well as in membranes and lipoproteins. The lipidic homopolymer associates with other macromolecules primarily via its ester carbonyl oxygens, which can act as hydrogen-bond acceptors or as ligands for coordinate bonds to cations. The spacing of the electron-donating groups along the flexible backbone allows for multiple bonding interactions, and forms the basis for the ability of c-PHB to bind to proteins, or to form ion-conducting complexes with salts. The singular ability of c-PHB to dissolve salts and facilitate their transfer across hydrophobic barriers defines a potential physiological niche for c-PHB in cell metabolism.


Treatment of the extracellular nuclease of Staphylococcus aureus, strain V8, with cyanogen bromide was previously shown to produce five polypeptides which could be arranged in a linear order. Trypsin digestion of these yielded sets of peptides, in each of which the carboxyl-terminal fragment could be identified by the absence of lysine or arginine, or by the presence of homoserine. The amino acid sequence of each tryptic peptide has been determined. These results, together with the isolation and characterization of peptides produced by chymotrypsin digestion of the intact nuclease, account closely for the amino acid composition of the cyanogen bromide fragments.


The paper examines specific features of structural change in the UK since 1997, contrasting the decline in industrial jobs with the rise in a variety of service jobs. It examines the proximate causes of structural change, in particular whether the chronically slow growth of manufacturing output in the 1980s has persisted. The implications of this structural change are considered, particularly the effects on the balance of payments and regional employment patterns. The paper suggests that the main impact of government policies on regional employment may have been through the direct and multiplier effects of public expenditure.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a child health care protocol for teachers in child day care centers. Methods: The ADDIE model with 10 Kid Keys was applied to develop this child health care protocol. All contents were developed through content validity test by 7 professionals and need assessment and evaluation by child day care center teachers. Results: This protocol consisted of 10 keys, as follows:「Health Examination/Growth & Development」,「Practice of Health Life」, 「Management of Communicable Disease」, 「Negligent Accident」,「Coping with Emergency and Transference」,「Child Abuse」,「Nutrition/Obesity」,「Quality Assurance of Staff」,「Parent Education」,「Guidance & Supervision of Child Day Care Centers」. The contents contained goals, objectives, teaching content, suggested activities for children, writing forms related to each subject, and self-evaluation sheet. Conclusion: This protocol can be practical and effective for child health care in child day care centers and it is hoped that it will be utilized in more child day care centers.


In this work, we explore a new direction by complementing the game-theoretic applications of nonlocal correlations through appropriately formulated games using temporal quantum correlations. In the context of Bayesian games, we show the way temporal correlations can be utilized, thereby leading to quantum strategies that are impossible to simulate in a classical world. Furthermore, by educing some intriguing characteristics of projective measurements performed between two temporally separated measurements on a given system, we also construct some specific types of Biased Bayesian games. Finally, we impart a new dimension to the cooperative Bayesian Nonlocal Game introduced in [Nat. Comm. 4, 2057 (2013)] through expedient inclusion of temporal correlations in the EPR-Bohm setting.


What is a babiche? A cradleboard? Who are the Athapascans and the Black Indians? What was the Battle of Little Big Horn? This compendium of vocabulary, people, places, and events is designed to assist the reader in understanding a variety of terms and important events from Native American history that are included in works of classic literature and nonfiction sources. Offering a balanced approach to multicultural study, the text strives to convey a sense of the normal rhythms of Indian life by discussing the daily work and lifestyles of women and children as well as hunters and warriors. It covers North American, Caribbean, and Central and South American Indian groups and Canadian and Alaskan Inuit, including well-known tribes (e.g., Apache, Cherokee, and Sioux) and less familiar ones (e.g., Carrier, Inuit, Pomo, and Kwakiutl). Each entry contains a pronunciation guide, definition, examples, and an illustrative sentence from the literature. Organized alphabetically with frequent cross-references a


Schiff bases and thiazolidinone derivatives of 5-amino-1H-imidazole -4-carboxamide have been prepared and tested for pharmacological activities. Schiff base derivatives have been obtained by reacting 5-amino-1H-imidazole -4- carboxamide with suitable aromatic aldehyde which were further converted to thiazolidinone derivatives by reaction of Schiff bases with mercaptoacetic acid. The structure of synthesized compounds have been established on the basis of their spectral (IR, 1H NMR and mass) data. The purity of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by TLC. Good level of pharmacological activity has been displayed by both categories of compounds against tested pathogenic microorganism. Thiazolidinone derivatives (2a-f) showed higher activity than schiff base derivatives (1a-f).


The aim of our study was to examine the effects of 12-month therapy with recombinant growth hormone (rGH) on the blood antioxidant system in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma was measured by FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power or ferric reducing ability of plasma); activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were assessed; non-protein thiols (NT) and ceruloplasmin (CP) levels were also measured. These parameters were determined before and after 12 month of rGH treatment. Eleven treatment-naive prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency were included in the study. Another 11 prepubertal children comprised a control group. Before rGH treatment, TAC of plasma and NT level in the control group were significantly lower (726 ± 196 vs. 525 ± 166 µmol/L, P = 0.0182 and 0.92 ± 0.18 vs. 0.70 ± 0.22 µmol/ml, P = 0.0319, before and after the therapy, respectively). The only parameter that significantly (19.6 ± 4.7 vs. 14.5 ± 3.4 Units/g Hb, P = 0.0396) exceeded the same in the control group after rGH therapy was SOD activity. However, none of the measured parameters of antioxidant system in GHD children, except for TAC (525 ± 166 vs. 658 ± 115 µmol/L, P = 0.0205), exhibited significant improvement toward the end of the 12-month treatment period, although non-significant changes in CAT activity and CP level were also observed. This work has demonstrated that some parameters of the blood antioxidant system are out of balance and even impaired in GHD children. A 12-month treatment with rGH resulted in a partial improvement of the antioxidant system.


This paper describes studies of microprocessor board testing and specific experiences with boards containing the 8080 microprocessor being tested on GenRad's 1795 Logic Test System or high-speed 1796 Digital/Analog Test System. We have performed testing of microprocessor boards, based upon simulation using high-level functional models. The recommended test strategy is first to partition test activity into functional subsections of the board and then to increment the speed of test activity in stages. High-speed and synchronization capabilities are desirable features of the tester hardware. It is also desirable to have some simple testability features in the board design, specifically, control of the speed of board activity and control of microprocessor memory accesses. With such favorable conditions, effective testing of the microprocessor board is straightforward. When testability conditions are less than ideal, work-around techniques are required which tend to make test setup more difficult and/or tend to reduce test effectiveness.


We aimed to investigate the effect of vaccination day routine activities on the influenza vaccine efficacy and vaccination-induced adverse reaction incidence. Study participants were workers at three hospitals in the Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, who received the influenza vaccine between October and November, 2018 and 2019. Their data were collected using a questionnaire. The main factors, which were examined for vaccination day routine activities, were personal hygiene (bathing), smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, and exercise. The main outcome markers included influenza incidence during the winter season and vaccination-induced local or systemic adverse reaction incidence. The risk ratio for the main factors of vaccination day routine activities was calculated against the main outcome markers using the modified Poisson regression. Overall, 3780 people received the influenza vaccination, and 2731 submitted the questionnaire. We found that vaccination day routine activities did not affect the influenza vaccine efficacy, and engaging in strenuous exercise on the vaccination day tended to cause systemic adverse reactions. Moreover, lifestyle-related activities had no impact on the incidence of systemic or local adverse reactions. Therefore, it is advisable to only avoid strenuous physical exercise, and no other lifestyle-related restrictions are necessary on the day of influenza vaccination.


Advancement in digital technologies have resulted in large amount of images. Hence there a huge demand in retrieving desired images. In order to retrieve an image, the image has to be described or represented by certain features. Shape is an important visual feature of an image. Searching for images using shape features has been an important field of study. There are many shape representation and description techniques in the literature. In this paper, we review one of the important shape descriptor techniques named curvature scale space. The CSS extracts the shape feature of the image and represents them as curvature maxima points. We discuss implementation procedure of this technique, its variants and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.


The Objectives were to compare the mean period of analgesia for intrathecal Midazolam 0.5 ml plus bupivacaine and bupivacaine alone and to monitor the side effects of intrathecal Midazolam (0.5 ml) plus bupivacaine and bupivacaine alone. A comparative study was carried out to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and side effects of intrathecal Midazolam along with 0.5% Bupivacaine in 80 ASA I and II patients, aged 16 – 60 years, undergoing surgeries below umbilicus, elective as well as emergency. They were randomly divided into two groups of 40 each (n=40). Group I (control): received Bupivacaine 0.5% heavy 3 ml + NS 0.5 ml and Group II (study): received Bupivacaine 0.5% heavy 3 ml + Midazolam 0.5 ml. All patients were haemodynamically stable and there were no serious side effects in any of the patients in both the groups. The mean duration of sensory analgesia in group I and II was 76.30 ± 6.05 minutes and 299.25 ± 15.75 minutes respectively. The difference in the mean duration of sensory analgesia in both the groups was statistically significant. (P < 0.01)


Inter-hemispheric asynchrony within the multichannel recordings of newborn EEG is associated with abnormal functionality of the newborn brain. Mean Phase Coherence (MPC) as a bivariate phase synchrony measure is widely used for pair-wise comparisons of scalp EEG phase information. A bivariate measure, however, is unlikely to capture the key feature of asynchrony seen in the sick neonatal brain, which is characterized by a global disruption of synchrony. In this study, the concept of cointegration is employed to generalize the bivariate MPC to deal with the multivariate case. The performance of the generalized MPC (GMPC) is evaluated using two simulated signals. It is also tested on a multichannel newborn EEG dataset with asynchronous inter-hemispheric bursts. The proposed method can be used to detect and quantify the degree of inter-hemispheric asynchrony from EEG signals.


Abstract Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, non-inflammatory pain syndrome characterized by diffuse myalgia and tenderness. Fibromyalgia is typically associated with sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and morning stiffness and often occurs concomitantly with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and headaches. This is a disorder of unknown etiopathogenesis and affects women around 9-10 times more often than men. The higher frequency of fibromyalgia particularly in women strongly suggests that sex hormones may have a role in the expression of this disease. Further there are a number of reports about varying levels of sex hormones in patients with fibromyalgia. This review addresses the status of sex hormones observed at different menstrual phases in fibromyalgia patients and their comparison with healthy subjects. Keywords: Chronic Pain, Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Estrogen, Progesterone.


Members of the world's pre-eminent AIDS drug testing network, the AIDS Clinical Trials Network, say the group reviewing their grants doesn't know what it's doing. They have protested to the funding agency, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and those protests have opened a window onto the normally secretive grant review process. The review group, in response, says that some leading institutions simply wrote poor grants.