The article presents the results of a study on the role of social participation (Reinders) in shaping the identity (Luyckx et al.) of people with mild intellectual disability in late adolescence and emerging adulthood compared to those in intellectual norm ( N = 127). Three waves of measurement were carried out at semi-annual intervals, using the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS/PL-1) and the Social Participation Questionnaire (SPQ-S). In all the waves people with intellectual disability had a higher level of the moratorium orientation, and at Wave 3 they had a higher level of the transitive orientation. Differences in the levels of identity dimensions were observed in only one wave and only in the case of exploration in depth. The type of social participation has proved to be a factor differentiating the levels of identity dimensions, especially commitment making and identification with commitment, the highest level of which was observed in people with integration and assimilation types. The study responds to the need, expressed in the literature, to focus on specific groups in identity development studies.


Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 concepts constitute an important interaction in professional life. Recently academic studies have been focusing on this area. The aim of this research is to examine the positive or negative effects of digital transformation in the aviation sector on employee satisfaction with a survey.
The sample of the study consists of 245 employees in the aviation sector.
Digitalization can have both positive and negative effects on employee satisfaction in aviation. On the positive side, digital technologies can improve the efficiency and safety of operations, leading to increased job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment among employees. Automation can reduce the workload of employees, freeing up their time for more rewarding tasks, and reducing the risk of human error. Additionally, digital technologies can provide employees with access to real-time data and information, enabling them to make better decisions and be more productive.
 It has been demonstrated that digital transformation in the aviation industry has a positive relationship with employee satisfaction. It is recommended that the study be implemented in other sectors and then a holistic approach should be developed.


Transient quasistatic magnetic fields are described by a degenerate parabolic initial-boundary value problems which can be considered as dynamical systems of non-linear differential-algebraic equations (DAE) of index 1. A common approach in established simulation tools for solving this problem is the method of lines where the space is adaptively discretised at the beginning of the simulation and then kept fixed within the adaptive time integration of the time-dependent equation. This approach, however, fails to take into account changes of the solution when eddy currents may appear or vanish depending on the external current excitation. Here, for this type of problem adaptive strategies in space and time are considered.


A cascade alkylarylation reaction of 2-isocyanobiphenyls with simple alkanes for 6-alkyl phenanthridines has been developed through dual C(sp(3))-H/C(sp(2))-H functionalizations. The synthetic method has the advantages of high yields, good compatibility of functional groups and mild reaction conditions, although very unreactive alkanes were involved in the reaction. A plausible mechanism through both copper-catalyzed and DTBP mediated pathways has also been proposed.


PURPOSE
The effectiveness of different front-of-pack nutrition rating systems and symbols (FOPS) has not been studied among Canadians. We pilot tested an online FOPS survey with consumers.

METHODS
Members of the Guelph Food Panel were randomly exposed to traffic light, Percent Daily Value, Health Check, and Smart Pick logos on mock food packages and were asked to rate the FOPS on a Likert-type scale. The FOPS were rated on consumers' ability to understand them, credibility, and influence on purchase decisions. Participants also provided feedback on the survey.

RESULTS
Participants (n=337) deemed the survey appropriate in length and language, and provided suggestions for improving survey clarity. More than 50% of the respondents believed that FOPS should be present on all food packages (65.1%) and should be government regulated (53.0%). The Percent Daily Value symbol was rated highest with respect to liking, credibility, helpfulness, and influence, but was the least understood. When they used direct comparison, consumers preferred the traffic light symbol (53.1%) over the Percent Daily Value (40.0%), Health Check (6.7%), and Smart Pick (0.3%) symbols.

CONCLUSIONS
The survey was revised as a result of the pilot study feedback. Preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that consumers prefer a single, government-regulated symbol, and value more complex FOPS, like the Percent Daily Value symbol, despite finding them harder to understand.


Purpose
Transgender people often pursue gender-affirming health care (GAH), such as hormone therapy and/or surgeries. While research has begun to explore influences on general health care for transgender individuals, less is known about the experiences of GAH specifically. We aimed to systematically review the factors associated with experiences of GAH.

Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant literature using a predetermined search strategy. Studies were screened by two researchers to determine whether they fit the inclusion criteria. Following quality appraisal and data extraction, results were thematically analyzed.

Results
Thirty-eight studies were included in the review. Factors associated with experiences of GAH were broadly categorized as follows: (i) sociodemographic factors, (ii) treatment-related factors, (iii) psychosocial factors, and (iv) health care interactions, with health care interactions, in particular, being strong determinants of experience.

Conclusion
Findings suggest that experiences of GAH may be determined by a number of diverse factors, which have implications for understanding how to better support those undergoing transition. In particular, health care professionals play a key role in determining how transgender people experience treatment, which should be considered when providing care for this population.


Abstract A stream-sediment survey was carried out for the island of Aruba. Concentrations in stream sediments represent the abundance of chemical elements in the drainage basins. A geochemical atlas was created from the collected data and natural background values were established. Cluster analysis and pattern recognition techniques were used to gain a better understanding of the data set. Two cluster models were selected to study the various geochemical controls on the sediments and to establish a spatial basis of environmental-quality settings for the development of future environmental policies. The first cluster model was suitable to recognise in some detail the reflection of the geology on the geochemistry of the stream sediments. The second, coarser cluster model stressed the importance to distinguish between the two main lithological units of the island when instituting natural background values. Not one uniform value per element is valid, but the value depends on the lithology.


Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in innate immune system to against virus-infected cells, transformed cells and tumor cells without further stimulation. The killing functions of NK cells regulated by the signals from a large set of activating receptors and inhibitor receptors. Moreover, either the directly interaction with other immune cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages and T cells, or the cytokines secreted from other cells also enhance the NK cell killing activity. The NK cell produces cytokines, such as IFN-γ and TNF-α, recruit immune cells to enhance the inflammatory response as well. Acute myeloid leukemia is characterized by the accumulation of immature cells in bone marrow and affects the hematopoiesis. By standard chemo- and radio-therapy, leukemia could be controlled on the remission status. However, the leukemia stem cells which are resistant to conventional treatments, cause the relapse leading to the death of AML patients. So far it is believed that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curable treatment for AML, but it is limited by the patient age and the availability of HLA-matched donor. According to previous study, NK cells seem to have the potential to kill LSCs and lower the disease relapse. In this study, we try to develop a NK cell model with the ability to eliminate both leukemia cells and LSCs. If success, the highly cytotoxic NK model may apply to clinical AML treatment to prevent the relapse of AML.


Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus are important pathogens which cause serious episode to shrimp. We characterize the suitability of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and plasmid profiling for rapid molecular characterization of pathogenic bacteria for epidemiological and antibiogram study to find out the relationship between plasmids and bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics. Nine primers, belonging to OPA and OPY series were selected for the RAPD study. Primer OPA3 and OPY2 amplified 3 to 7 bands ranging from 0.306 to 3.94 Kb in V. alginolyticus. In V. parahaemolyticus, primer OPA 3 and OPY 2 amplified 3 to 7 bands of molecular wt 0.306 to 4.11 Kb. V. alginolyticuspossess only one plasmid each with molecular weight 10. 23 Kb. V. parahaemolyticusstrains contained 1 to 3 plasmids with molecular weight 7.12 to 10.23 Kb. The strains were mostly resistant to Ampicillin and Cefuroxime. Among the strains 90 and 70% were resistant Bacitracin and Co-trimazole, respectively. All strains of V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus were sensitive to Amoxycillin, Chlorotetracycline and Ciprofloxacin. Unique distinct amplicons generated by RAPD polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and plasmid profiling will be used for several diagnostic markers for identification of these pathogenic microorganisms and in epidemiological study.

 Key words: Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, RAPD, antibiogram, plasmid profiling.


UNLABELLED
The aim of the study is to analyze the frequency of the congenital anomalies of the digestive tract in the period of 1993-1998. The patients and methods: Our group included 67 patients (47 males and 20 females; age range 1-12 months) suspected of digestive tract anomalies. First, all of them have been examined by pediatric surgeon. At the first place, we used the most conventional radiological procedures for digestive tract examination. They were followed by US in cases with suspicion on hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and biliary atresia (bile-duct atresia). CT and MR were performed in patients with anorectal anomalies. In cases with suspected associated anomalies of other organs, intravenous urography and chest radiography were used.

RESULTS
Congenital anomalies and abnormalities of the digestive tract were diagnosed in 25 patients. The most frequent anomaly was hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (n = 14), followed by invagination (n = 12) and megacolon congenitum (n = 9), all predominant in male sex. All radiological findings we confirmed at surgery (100%).

CONCLUSION
Conventional radiology is still extremely useful in the diagnosis of the digestive tract anomalies; also US revealed to be essential in the diagnosis of the hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and the intestinal invagination. Recognition of the associated anomalies should lead to application of the other examination techniques like CT and MR. MR might be useful in the anorectal malformations and hepatobiliary tract anomalies, but we have no experience in that field, till now.


One of the most prominent characteristics of huanglongbing (HLB or citrus greening)-affected citrus trees is the abundant starch accumulation in photosynthetic cells and all other remaining parenchyma cells of aerial parts. Under natural conditions, citrus leaves store very low levels of starch, and detectable amounts are only seen as a result of zinc deficiency or accidental girdling of branches. Therefore, leaf starch concentrations over a threshold level should indicate the presence of HLB. In this report, we detail both frequentist and Bayesian statistical approaches to predict HLB using starch levels in citrus leaves. Real-time PCR detection of the presumptive causing agent Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus was used as a proxy for HLB status, but we also present a competing analysis that does not use PCR as a gold standard. Starch content was found to reliably predict the PCR results (the proxy for HLB presence) during the "warm season" (June through November), but not in the "cool season" (December through May). During the cool season, starch levels for HLB positive trees tend to be lower, and 43% of samples were incorrectly classified using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In contrast, during the warm season, only 8% were misclassified. Further, assuming PCR possibly has error, the total probability of misclassification for HLB status could be controlled using an "uncertain" classification. Analysis of the biotic conditions surrounding HLB in terms of bacteria life cycle and the plant development provides insights into these patterns.


In July 1892, Dr. Arthur Chervin (1850–1921), director of the Institut des bègues de Paris, was named physician of the Opéra, thus joining the group of health specialists tasked with the care of artists. A recognized specialist of vocal physiology and speech afflictions, Chervin was also the recent founder and editor of La Voix parlée et chantée, a periodical that straddled the worlds of medicine and lyrical performance. Vocal health and medicine, he and his community argued, were key to the execution of vocal prowess and the successful pursuit of lyrical ambitions for singers. This article explores the relationship of medicine and the burgeoning field of laryngology to the world of lyrical training and performance of the Belle Époque. In particular, we focus on the many roles played by laryngologists and physicians at the Opéra and the Conservatoire as well as in the pages of Chervin's leading medical-musical journal. We argue that concerns driving the medical innovations of the increasingly sophisticated subfield of laryngology evolved in synergy with concerns about how to meet the demands of the changing world of the second half of nineteenth-century Parisian operatic performance. In so doing, we claim for medicine a key position in Paris's vibrant world of lyrical performance during the Belle Époque.


The separation between a pair of peri-located dimethylamino and ethene-2,2-dinitrile groups in a naphthalene molecule, which models the progress of a Michael reaction, can be controlled by the installation of a short ethylene bridge or the introduction of repulsive interactions at the opposite set of peri positions. Introduction of a dimethylammonium substituent produced a hydrated chloride salt in which the Me2N⋯C(H)C(CN)2 separation between reactive groups decreases, reversibly, from 2.167 A at 200 K to 1.749 A at 100 K, with the maximum rate of change in the range 128–140 K, which was studied by variable temperature X-ray crystallography and solid state NMR. From these and other crystallographic data a correlation between Me2N⋯C bond formation and alkene bond breaking was constructed for the first step of an aza-Michael reaction.


The optical spectra of Zn1-xCdxTe ternary alloys in the 1.1-5.6-eV photon-energy range at room temperature have been measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The optical constants reported here are the complex dielectric constant (ε=ε1+iε2), complex refractive index (n*=n+ik), absorption coefficient (α) and normal-incidence reflectivity (R). The measured data are analyzed on the basis of a simplified model of the interband transitions. The experimental data reveal distinct structures in the optical spectra at energies of the E0, E0+Δ0, E1, E1+Δ1 and E2 transitions, and are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical model. The model proposed here enables us to obtain the optical response in Zn1-xCdxTe alloys of arbitrary composition (x) and photon energy (E=\hbarω).


In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on August 29, 2005, and the subsequent levee failures, operations of Tulane University School of Medicine became unsustainable. As New Orleans collapsed, faculty, students, residents, and staff were scattered nationwide. In response, four Texas medical schools created an alliance to assist Tulane in temporarily relocating operations to south Texas. Resuming operations in a three- to four-week time span required developing and implementing a coordinated communication plan in the face of widespread communication infrastructure disruptions. A keystone of the strategy involved rapidly creating a "recovery Web site" to provide essential information on immediate recovery plans, mechanisms for reestablishing communications with displaced persons, housing relocation options (over 200 students, faculty, and staff were relocated using Web site resources), classes and residency training, and other issues (e.g., financial services, counseling support) vitally important to affected individuals. The database-driven Web site was launched in four days on September 11, 2005, by modifying an existing system and completing new programming. Additional functions were added during the next week, and the site operated continuously until March 2006, providing about 890,000 pages of information in over 100,000 visitor sessions. The site proved essential in disseminating announcements, reestablishing communications among the Tulane family, and supporting relocation and recovery. This experience shows the importance of information technology in collaborative efforts of academic health centers in early disaster response and recovery, reinforcing recommendations published recently by the Association of Academic Health Centers and the National Academy of Sciences.


We study the seismic response of two adjacent structures connected with a dry friction damper. Each of them consists of a viscoelastic rod and a rigid block, which can slide without friction along the moving base. A simplified earthquake model is used for modeling the horizontal ground motion. Energy dissipation is taken by the presence of the friction damper, which is modeled by the set-valued Coulomb friction law. Deformation of viscoelastic rods during the relative motion of the blocks represents another way of energy dissipation. The constitutive equation of a viscoelastic body is described by the fractional Zener model, which includes fractional derivatives of stress and strain. The problem merges fractional derivatives as non-local operators and theory of set-valued functions as the non-smooth ones. Dynamical behaviour of the problem is governed by a pair of coupled multi-valued differential equations. The posed Cauchy problem is solved by use of the Grünwald–Letnikov numerical scheme. The behaviour of the system is analyzed for different values of system parameters.


In Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect and The Collapse of American Criminal Justice Robert J Sampson and William Stuntz, respectively, highlight the intersection and reassertion--to draw upon and extend the work of Edward Soja (2011)--of race, space, and punishment's place in urban sociology, critical criminology, and postmodern geography (Massey, 2012; Sampson, 2012; Ludwig et al, 2012; Sharkey, 2013). The structural circumstances of deprivation and criminalization facing African-Americans that they both highlight, and the related racialized perceptions of criminality that are counterparts, appear to be some of the salient features that recently led to the murder of a young black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in the US state of Florida. Florida is one of many US states with new Stand Your Ground laws which have proliferated across the country, along with a noticeable uptick in so-called 'justified homicides'. In this instance the inequalities of race and space highlighted by these two authors tragically came together as a neighborhood watch patrolman shot and killed Trayvon and shaped the lack of an initial official response, until massive protests broke out across the US against the failure of authorities to charge the assailant with a crime (Sampson, 2012; Sampson and Raudenbush, 2004). This review essay presents these two landmark books, offering an appreciation and critique of their interrelated arguments and setting them in the context of a wider literature on the evolution of spatial, social class, and racial relations right up to our contemporary present. Sampson's book is arguably one of the greatest works of urban sociology, critical criminology, and what Soja (2011) calls "postmodern geography" in a generation, radically altering these entire fields. Highlighted here in particular is the "neighborhood effect", referring to the relationship between race, class, space, and punishment's place in the US, which with only 5% of the world's population, has 25% of its prisoners. This carceral boom is the latest, and perhaps one of the most troubling, forms of American exceptionalism, with a widening divide since the 1970s between the US and other advanced capitalist states (albeit one that has been narrowing as of late). Sampson, to a greater extent than ever before, and with a wealth of data, maps urban inequalities at the structural neighborhood and social ecological level. More specifically he relates the "explosion in crime rates" in the major urban cities of the US starting in 1965 to White flight and urban decline and decay. The concentrated increase in crime in major urban cities, Sampson (2012, page 143) argues, comes with White flight and related resource deprivation. This decreases the neighborhood's sense of collective efficacy or social agency, thus increasing crime, racially biased perceptions of criminality among low-income communities of color, and punishment via incarceration, in what some have called a 'spiral of decay'. Sampson shows that the actual term 'mass incarceration' is misleading. What exists instead is spatially concentrated hyperincarceration of poor Blacks with little formal education, as Loic Waquant (2010) and others have shown. While underscoring the clear link between neighborhood disadvantage and crime, Sampson goes further, showing in a study of Cook County in Chicago that low-income neighborhoods of color, with concentrated disadvantage, have incarceration rates three times higher than neighborhoods with comparable levels of crime but without concentrated disadvantage (see also National Public Radio, 2012; PBS, 2012; Sampson and Loeffler, 2010). These arguments and powerful data represent an enormous contribution to the literature of urban sociology, critical criminology, and political geography. Yet, despite the impressive achievement this represents in a host of fields, there are some significant empirical and theoretical gaps and problems. …


In experimental physics, data is archived from a wide variety of sources and used for a wide variety of purposes. In each of these environments, trade-offs are made between data storage rate, data availability, and retrieval rate. This paper presents archive alternatives in EPICS, the overall archiver design and details on the data collection and retrieval requirements, performance studies, design choices, design alternatives, and measurements made on the beta version of the archiver.


We survey the recent empirical literature on structural models of market entry and spatial competition in oligopoly retail industries. We start with the description of a framework that encompasses various models that have been estimated in empirical applications. We use this framework to discuss important specification assumptions in this literature: firm heterogeneity; specification of price competition; structure of spatial competition; firms' information; dynamics; multi-store firms; and structure of unobservables. We next describe different types of datasets that have been used in empirical applications. Finally, we discuss econometric issues that researchers should deal with in the estimation of these models, including multiple equilibria and unobserved market heterogeneity. We comment on the advantages and limitations of alternative estimation methods, and how these methods relate to identification restrictions. We conclude with some issues and topics for future research.


Special microchannel plates (MCPs) developed by Nova Scientific Inc. incorporate high efficiency neutron conversion materials into the MCP to provide a high neutron stopping power. 10B and natGd have high interaction cross sections for thermal neutrons and their incorporation into MCP glass is a convenient way to make efficient MCPs for neutron detection with high spatial resolution. We have evaluated neutron event counting 2D imaging detectors using these MCPs with a cross delay line readout, cross strip readout, and a Medipix2 readout. Tests at several reactors with the cross delay line and cross strip readouts have established spatial resolution with neutrons as good as ~30 microns FWHM over a 27 mm diameter detector, with event rates approaching 1 MHz, low fixed pattern noise, event time tagging of 25 ns and intrinsic background rates of < 0.05 events cm-2 sec-1. Evaluation of neutron sensing MCP detector with Medipix2 readout (14 mm2) has allowed operation at high counting rates (500 MHz) with the spatial resolution limited by the 55 micron pixel size of the Medipix2 readout. We have also used the Medipix2 for centroiding of neutron events to sub pixel resolution to obtain better spatial resolution (< 15 mum) for neutrons at reduced event rates (100 kHz). Initial measurements of thermal neutron detection efficiencies give values of 20% to 25% for thermal neutrons and 45% for cold neutrons without optimization of the detection geometry. Preliminary tests with shielding and a LaBr scintillator to gate neutron detections in coincidence with gamma rays produced by neutron interactions has enabled gamma ray rejection factors of 3 times 104 to be achieved. Further improvements in the neutron detection efficiency and gamma ray discrimination efficiency can be gained by optimization of the geometrical and electronic configurations.


Background: Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) play a critical role in antiviral defence. STAT3 is also important in cell protection against inflammatory damage. STAT proteins are activated by interferons and by hepatoprotective cytokines of the interleukin 6 superfamily, including cardiotrophin 1. Methods: We analysed the status of STATs in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected livers and the relationship between expression and activation of STATs and HCV replication in Huh7 cells transfected with HCV genomic replicon. Results: STAT3α expression was reduced in HCV infected livers showing an inverse correlation with serum alanine aminotransferase. In patients with HCV infection, nuclear staining for phosphorylated STAT3 was faint in parenchymal cells (although conspicuous in infiltrating leucocytes), in contrast with strong nuclear staining in hepatocytes from control livers. Expression and activation of STAT1 (a factor activated by both interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-γ) were increased in HCV infected livers, particularly in those with high inflammatory activity. Conversely, phosphorylated STAT2 (a factor selectively activated by IFN-α) was undetectable in livers with HCV infection, a finding that was associated with marked downregulation of the two functional subunits of the IFN-α receptor. HCV replication in Huh7 cells caused STAT3α downregulation and blocked STAT3 phosphorylation by either IFN-α or cardiotrophin 1. HCV replication in Huh7 cells also inhibited STAT1 and STAT2 activation by IFN-α while there was no impairment of STAT1 phosphorylation by the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ. Conclusions: STAT3 is downregulated in HCV infected livers and in Huh7 cells bearing the full length HCV replicon. HCV replication is associated with impaired Jak-STAT signalling by antiviral and cytoprotective cytokines. These effects may favour viral replication while facilitating the progression of liver disease.


We propose a hierarchical optical path network design algorithm. In order to efficiently accommodate wavelength paths in each waveband path, we define a source-destination Cartesian product space that allows the 'closeness' among wavelength paths to be assessed. By grouping 'close' wavelength paths, found by searching for clusters in the space, we iteratively create waveband paths that efficiently accommodate the wavelength paths. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm offers lower total network cost than the conventional algorithms. The results also show that the hierarchical optical path network is effective even when traffic demand is relatively small.


ABSTRACT The use of non-conventional methods in the management of stored product insect pests is gaining popularity, particularly due to problems associated with chemical control. The effect of ozone on Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an internal feeder of stored wheat and other grains, was investigated using dose-response experiments. Eggs, immature stages within wheat kernels, and adults were exposed to an ozone concentration of 200 ppm for 6, 18, and 30 h. Insect life stages were placed at a depth of 5, 15, and 25 cm in wheat filled in PVC pipes. Effect of ozone on S. oryzae life stages was evaluated as the percent mortality of treated eggs, immature stages, and adults. Egg mortality was recorded as the percentage of eggs that failed to hatch 10 d after treatment (DAT), and mortality in immature stages was recorded as the percentage of immature insects that failed to develop into adults 28 DAT at 28°C. Mortality of adults was recorded as the percentage that died 0, 1, and 2 DAT. Egg mortality at the 5 cm depth in wheat exposed to ozone for 30 h was significantly higher than the mortality when exposed for 18 h. When the three depths were compared, at 18 h and 30 h exposure times, fewer adults emerged from immature insects placed at 5 cm compared with insects placed at 15 or 25 cm depths. Adult mortality in insects placed at the 5 cm depth for all exposure times was significantly higher than at 15 and 25 cm at 2 DAT. Findings from this study suggest that ozone may be an effective fumigant; however, mortality of S. oryzae life stages is dependent on the exposure time, depth of occurrence in the wheat mass, or post treatment time (DAT).


Fluorescence imaging has gained increased attention over the past two decades as a viable means to detect a variety of cancers. Fluorescence imaging has the potential to provide physicians with high resolution images with enhanced contrast, which will allow them to be able to better diagnose and treat patients with cancer. Early detection and treatment are key to eradicating cancer in a patient, and fluorescence imaging has the ability to identify non-advanced, even pre-cancerous, tumors where imaging based on white light or radiation overlooked them. Several fluorescent dyes have been identified as possible fluorophores for enhanced fluorescence imaging, such as cyanine, squaraine, porphyrin, phthalocyanine, and borondipyrromethane dyes. These dyes have high fluorescence quantum yields, which provides a high target to background ratio; however, these dyes are often plagued by low water solubility. This low solubility can be ameliorated by conjugating or covalently attaching these dyes to polymeric crosslinked micelles, polymersomes, or polymer-core nanoparticles. These particle & dye systems then can become platforms on which secondary components can be attached to enhance the systems functionality. For example, dyes attached to these nanocarriers can target tumors through passive targeting; however, active targeting can be achieved by further modifying these nanocarriers with ligands that have a binding affinity for receptors overexpressed in tumor cells, cell surface receptors located on the tumor cell membrane, or endothelium. Fluorescence activation of the probes is another promising technology for the early detection of cancer. Activation requires that there be a change in fluorescence, whether it be an emission wavelength change or a fluorescence "on/off" signal when in the presence of some external stimuli. Activation increases the target to background ratio and enhances the contrast of the obtained image. This review serves to highlight the recent developments of (1) improved fluorescent dyes for the detection of cancer, with a specific focus on dyes that are being coupled to nanocarriers; (2) dye & nanocarrier systems that target, both actively and passively, tumors, and (3) fluorescence activation of these fluorophore systems for better image quality.


Acetazolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, which catalyzes hydration/dehydration of carbon dioxide, has been used for correction of metabolic, alkalosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Animal experiments have shown that the gradient between tissue and the alveolar CO2 tension increases after inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, suggesting retention of CO2. In order to determine the true degree of carbon dioxide retention after total inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, 10 patients with COPD and pronounced metabolic alkalosis (base excess above 6) under controlled mechanical ventilation were studied. The study showed that there was a statistically significant increase in tissue Pco2 and a temporary decrease in pulmonary carbon dioxide excretion. Furthermore, it was found that Pao2 and Pvo2 increased significantly after inhibition of carbonic anhydrase, which could, at least partly, explain the improvement seen in patients with COPD and metabolic alkalosis after treatment with acetazolamide.


To reach the goal of healthy workplaces, psychosocial risks at the workplace (also called "mental stress") must be assessed and managed for every workplace. Psychosocial risks have to be assessed as widely as possible to support deriving tailored interventions for organizations. The OrgFit was constructed to capture all relevant areas of stress according to international requirements (e.g., according to the ISO 10075-1 or the Framework Directive 89/391/ EEC). In this paper, the psychometric properties of the OrgFit were investigated in two studies. The first study aimed at testing the factorial structure of the OrgFit with an exploratory factor analysis. In the second study, an additional factor analysis was conducted and construct validity between the dimensions of the OrgFit and work-related strain (convergent validity) and recovery/resources (discriminant validity) was tested. In both studies, Austrian workers were invited to participate in an online study by sending out e-mails. With this procedure, representative samples of 514 workers (study I) and 1200 workers (study II) were obtained to conduct the analyses. Factor structure as well as reliability and validity coefficients show satisfactory results. The internal consistencies show values between 0.79 and 0.93, which meets the requirement for analyses on an organizational level. The validity analyses indicate that the dimensions in the OrgFit are capable of assessing stress that might lead to negative strain outcomes. The OrgFit can be used in the process of risk assessment for a comprehensive assessment of mental stress and can serve as a base for developing specific process-and structure-oriented interventions.


Brucellosis is an infectious disease affecting animals and humans, caused mainly by B. abortus. Although several vaccines have been developed, B. abortus strain RB51 is the most used for cattle, but is not useful for humans since it causes severe granulomas. To develop a vaccine for humans, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD Cu/Zn) has been identified as an antigen which induces T-cell mediated immunity in mice vaccinated with live Escherichia coli expressing B. abortus SOD Cu/Zn or a plasmid DNA carrying the gene sodC. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the induction by SOD Cu/Zn from B. abortus RB51 of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognizing in vitro macrophages infected with B. abortus strain RB51 or 2308. The protein was extracted from recombinant E. coli-pBAD-SOD and purified in a Ni-agarose column, and then by FPLC in a molecular weight exclusion column. Fractions corresponding to 20–22 KDa were collected and mice were immunized intramuscularly with three doses of 25 μg of SOD Cu/Zn each. T lymphocytes purified from spleen with an anti CD90 coupled to magnetic beads, were tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay, using J774A.1 cell line infected with B. abortus strain RB51 or 2308 as target. CTL activation was evident in both cases, since macrophages infected with any bacterial strain were killed as demonstrated by neutral red dye uptake or lactate dehydrogenase release assays. These results demonstrated that the protein by itself is able to prime pCTL to kill macrophages infected with B. abortus, no matter its virulence.
 Grants from CONACyT 44837-Q and SIP 20060688 and 20070239.


Significance Are disagreeable individuals more likely to attain power than agreeable individuals? This question is important because highly disagreeable individuals in positions of power can do a lot of damage. For example, CEOs who are nasty and bullying create cultures of abuse and tend to lead their organizations to fail. In two longitudinal prospective studies, we found that disagreeableness did not predict the attainment of power. Selfish, deceitful, and aggressive individuals were no more likely to attain power than were generous, trustworthy, and nice individuals. Why not? Disagreeable individuals were intimidating, which would have elevated their power, but they also had poorer interpersonal relationships at work, which offset any possible power advantage their behavior might have provided. Does being disagreeable—that is, behaving in aggressive, selfish, and manipulative ways—help people attain power? This question has long captivated philosophers, scholars, and laypeople alike, and yet prior empirical findings have been inconclusive. In the current research, we conducted two preregistered prospective longitudinal studies in which we measured participants' disagreeableness prior to entering the labor market and then assessed the power they attained in the context of their work organization ∼14 y later when their professional careers had unfolded. Both studies found disagreeable individuals did not attain higher power as opposed to extraverted individuals who did gain higher power in their organizations. Furthermore, the null relationship between disagreeableness and power was not moderated by individual differences, such as gender or ethnicity, or by contextual variables, such as organizational culture. What can account for this null relationship? A close examination of behavior patterns in the workplace found that disagreeable individuals engaged in two distinct patterns of behavior that offset each other's effects on power attainment: They engaged in more dominant-aggressive behavior, which positively predicted attaining higher power, but also engaged in less communal and generous behavior, which predicted attaining less power. These two effects, when combined, appeared to cancel each other out and led to a null correlation between disagreeableness and power.


Suspension plasma sprayed (SPS) coatings can be produced with fine powder particles and tailor-made porosity. This allows to achieve low thermal conductivity which makes the coatings attractive as e.g. topcoats in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Used in gas turbine applications, the TBCs are exposed to high temperatures which leads to alterations of the microstructure. To obtain coatings with optimized properties, possible microstructure alterations like closing of pores and opening of cracks have to be taken into account. Hence, in this study, TBC topcoats consisting of 8 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were heat treated in air at 1150°C and thereafter investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) cryoporometry. For all investigated samples, the porosity decreased as a result of the heat treatment. The finer pores and cracks disappeared and the larger pores grew slightly and achieved a more distinct shape as the material seemed to become more compact.


In a weakly or moderately polluted with oil (0.3-1.0%) the total number of soil microorganisms, including hydrocarbon-oxidizing, you can improve cultural practices (tillage, irrigation, fertilization) without making out of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (HOM). In the arid zone is more expedient to begin bioremediation of oil-contaminated areas of work for the fall, to use autumn and spring soil moisture for mineralization activity of microorganisms.


Data from a sociological study conducted in Novosibirsk show that in this Russian population the "real man" is expected to pursue victory, risk, struggle, leadership, and success. In addition, however, there is also a natural masculinity in which there is no rigid framework of the image of the "real man." Moreover, natural masculinity represents neither a crisis of masculinity nor an example of "failed" masculinity.


Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with a very poor prognosis. For this reason, researchers worldwide study the impact of the tumor microenvironment in GBM, such as the effect of chemokines. In the present study, we focus on the role of the chemokine CCL18 and its receptors in the GBM tumor. We measured the expression of CCL18, CCR8 and PITPNM3 in the GMB tumor from patients (16 men and 12 women) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the effect of CCL18 on the proliferation and migration of GBM cells, experiments were performed using U-87 MG cells. The results showed that CCL18 expression was higher in the GBM tumor than in the peritumoral area. The women had a decreased expression of PITPNM3 receptor in the GBM tumor, while in the men a lower expression of CCR8 was observed. The hypoxia-mimetic agent, cobalt chloride (CoCl2), increased the expression of CCL18 and PITPNM3 and thereby sensitized U-87 MG cells to CCL18, which did not affect the proliferation of U-87 MG cells but increased the migration of the test cells. The results indicate that GBM cells migrate from hypoxic areas, which may be important in understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis.


Spontaneous haemopneumothorax is a rare disease and is reported in 2% to 5% of hospital series of spontaneous pneumothorax. In Ulleval Hospital, Surgical Department III, 228 cases of spontaneous pneumothorax were treated in the period 1960-70. Of these, five patients had haemopneumothorax, that is, approximately 2-2%. The treatment is surgical with effective drainage and replacement of blood loss. If full expansion of the lung and cessation of haemorrhage is not effected in the course of the first few days, thoracotomy should be resorted to with the intention of arresting the bleeding and sealing leakage from the lung surface by resection of areas with emphysematous bullae.


Implant is the future restoration the lost teeth missing and tissues that depend on the stability of the implant in the bone is important to shorten patient wait troublesome period and accelerate the restoration of function and aesthetics.The aim of the study was to evaluate the bond strength between the bone and Ti implant coated with mixture of Srcl2 and hydroxyapatite after different periods of implantation (2, 6) weeks in rabbit tibia by torque removal test.36 screw shaped commerically pure titanium implants, 3.0 mm in diameter and 8mm in length coating with mixture of strontium chloride and hydroxyapatite at different concentration by electrophortic deposition , 18 screws were coated with mix 1 (75%Sr-25%HA) and other 18 were coated by mix 2 (25%Sr-75%HA) . The assess surface topography was done by using optical microscope and phase analysis by X-ray Diffractometer . The screws were implanted in nine healthy adult new zeeland rabbits each tibia received two screws one coated with mix 1 and other coated by mix 2. Torque removal test was done by torque-meter to determine the peak torque necessary to remove the implant from tibia bone after different periods (2 and 6 weeks) of implantation .Torque removal value for mix 2 (25%Sr-75%HA) was statistically significantly higher than mix 1(75% Sr- 25% HA) after 2weeks and non-significant difference after 6 weeks. There was significant increase in torque removal value with time.High torque removal value was obtained by coating titanium screw with mixture 2 (25%Sr-75%HA) than mixture 1 (75% Sr25% HA).


Gerhard Mercator (1512-1594) was born at the dawn of the Age of Discovery, when the world was beginning to be discovered and carved up by navigators, geographers and cartographers. Mercator was the greatest and most ingenious cartographer of them all: it was he who coined the word 'atlas' and solved the riddle of converting the three-dimensional globe into a two-dimensional map while retaining true compass bearings. It is Mercator's Projection that NASA is using today to map Mars. How did Mercator reconcile his religious beliefs with a science that would make Christian maps obsolete? How did a man whose imagination roamed continents endure imprisonment by the Inquisition? Crane brings this great man vividly to life, underlying it with the maps themselves: maps that brought to a rapt public wonders as remarkable as today's cyber-world. Nick Crane's new book is a scintillating account of the climax of the map-makers' century (and of Mercator's life) - the miraculous compression of the planet which revolutionised navigation and has become the most common worldview we have.


After redevelopment of a field located in the Spraberry Trend Area, an inter-well tracer test was conducted in 2011 at the field scale in order to understand the fracture system which forms preferential flow paths, and for better management of waterflooding. The test consisted of 13 injection wells and 110 producing wells that were sampled, with each injector having its own unique water tracer. The test generated 598 tracer responses from 52 out of the 110 sampled wells. A wide range of tracer velocities from 14 ft/day to ultra-high velocities exceeding 10,000 ft/day with same-day breakthrough was observed. Re-injection of produced water has caused the tracers to be re-injected and added an additional challenge to diagnose tracer responses affected by water recycling. In this study, a comprehensive workflow is presented for dynamic reservoir characterization of naturally fractured reservoirs from an inter-well tracer test by incorporation of analytical interpretation and streamline simulation. Prior to numerical simulation phase, tracer responses were categorized and mapped in accordance to analytical interpretations. The dominating flow trends were detected in E-W and NE-SW directions, where only the NE-SW direction was observed from inter-well tracer test conducted in E.T. O'Daniel lease in 2000. Then, a dual-porosity streamline simulator was used to match both historical production and tracer responses. Historical production performance and tracer responses of an inverted nine-spot pattern were matched and taken as a case study to understand matrix-fracture transfer mechanism, matrix capillary pressure and fluid distribution in the field where no information exists other than dynamic data.


This paper aimed to evaluate the impact of inflation prospects on investments of Industrial Companies in Jordan. The main objective is to elaborate the most relevant and feasible techniques to improve the prospects for developing the invests in the industrial sector. In the introduction part, inflation prospects and selected methods of analysis via available information resources were defined. It is well known that inflation is a prominent economic phenomenon in the modern world. The financial inflation is the prime objective of present study because it is primarily concerned with the investment process, especially to consider that inflation almost affects both the foreign and domestic direct investments by almost equal rates. The topic of industrial development is highly concerned with process of investment in Jordan. This research deals with the inflation effect on investment outcomes of most industrial companies in Jordan. This study will contribute to enrich the existing literature with financial structure and investment decisions via monetary inflation represented by capital, commodity and imports within the set of industrial companies. The study tool is a questionnaire that collected the needed data aiming to elaborate the preset conclusions of this research. Pearson correlation testing program was implemented to measure the relation between inflation and investment procedures. Overall outcomes revealed that the lowest coefficient observed between imports inflation. and all other variables were reversed, most increases in imports inflation were almost stabilized by the decrease of the other variables. While all other correlation values were positive.


The purposes of this research were to construct the nondestructive metal testing kits by using eddy current method and to find an optimal frequency for the metal testing kits. The testing kits consist of a sine wave oscillator circuit which can adjust the frequency between 20 . 90 ㎑, and a 50 ohms sensor circuit. There are three kinds of testing kits. The first was the nondestructive imperfection testing by using eddy current method. The sample irons are constructed with different imperfection on surface. The output signals of testing from the sensor circuit are compared. The second was the nondestructive categorization metal testing by using eddy current method. Many kinds of metals are taken to testing. The last one was the nondestructive testing for finding the thickness of films on iron by using eddy current method. In this testing the thickness of films varied between 100 . 700 microns. In all testing, differences of the signal testing were compared to analyze the optimal frequency for the testing kits. The results of research showed that the nondestructive metal testing kits by using eddy current method can be used to find a different imperfective iron, categorize the metal and find thickness of films. In addition, the range of an optimal frequency is 30 ㎑ to 70 ㎑ for testing kits.


Most of us see sports as a welcome--even blessed--relief from the challenges and frustrations of everyday life. We want to sit back, open a beer, and enjoy the game. But many of those who bring us the game have a different agenda--they use their broadcasting platform to harangue us with their own politically correct preoccupations. If a seventh-round NFL draft pick who can't make the team or an over-the-hill basketball player declares that he's gay, he gets wall-to-wall media coverage and is hailed as a hero. If a stripper accuses college lacrosse players of rape, liberal sports reporters lead the lynch mob--with no apologies when the bearers of "white privilege" are proved innocent. In his blistering new book Bias in the Booth, sports reporter and commentator Dylan Gwinn takes you inside the sports media spin machine to reveal what they hope you won't notice: the sports media are no different from the news and entertainment media.


The new species of the obligate-thermophilic bacterium Thermus ruber is widely distributed in hot springs of Kamchatka with the temperature of water from 57 to 90 degrees C. The bacterium does not oxidize sulphur. It contains a red carotenoid pigment similar to neuro-sporaxanthine and retrodehydro-gamma-carotene.


In this paper, we discuss system and method of determining the real-time location of an omni-directional diagnostic radio frequency (RF) system while the object is moving freely inside an inaccessible organ. A target application to the human gastrointestinal (GI) organ is presented, showing the importance of the method in accessing a specific site for drug administration or for extracting fluid or tissue samples for biopsy and similar medical investigations. Unlike other commercially available solutions that are fraught with invasive procedures our method interfaces with wireless technology to provide non-invasive real-time acquisition of intestinal physiology data and also relay information about the object's whereabouts at all times during the entire period of diagnosis. The system consists of a miniature RF transceiver embedded in the GI tract and a set of receivers positioned external to the body. RF signal is transmitted at 433MHz to achieve half duplex communication between the transmitter and receiver. The frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation scheme was adopted to ensure a reliable and high-speed digital RF link. Undoubtedly, the novelty of the method will foster a strategic marketing advantage by virtue of the solution's ambulant nature targeted at patients suffering from intestinal disorders or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).


In this engaging and passionate guide, a longtime community organizer offers important insights and concrete tools for social justice action at the community level. The discussion addresses the current frustrations of Canadian activists who feel unable to effect change in the global economic system, overwhelmed by the number and complexity of issues and too often unaware or dismissive of other activists' efforts. Acknowledging the resultant fragmentation of social forces for justice and the environment as well as the empowerment of the economic elite, this argument contends that most attempts at change and community-building fail because people are unable to cooperate. The examination starts at the community level, offering strategies for building movements, asserting democratic political power, and creating organizations based on dignity and respect.


The determination of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is regarded as vital in monitoring patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Besides indicating the status of cerebral blood flow (CBF), it also reveals the status of intracranial pressure (ICP). The abnormal or suboptimal level of CPP is commonly correlated with high values of ICP and therefore with poor patient outcomes. Eighty-two patients were divided into three groups of patients receiving treatment based on CPP and CBF, ICP alone, and conservative methods during two different observation periods. The characteristics of these three groups were compared based on age, sex, time between injury and hospital arrival, Glasgow Coma Scale score, pupillary reaction to light, surgical intervention, and computerized tomography scanning findings according to the Marshall classification system. Only time between injury and arrival (p = 0.001) was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportions of good outcomes between the multimodality group compared with the group of patients that underwent a single intracranial-based monitoring method and the group that received no monitoring (p = 0.003) based on a disability rating scale after a follow up of 12 months. Death was the focus of outcome in this study in which the multimodality approach to monitoring had superior results.


We present a novel interface-capturing scheme, THINC-scaling, to unify the VOF (volume of fluid) and the level set methods, which have been developed as two completely different approaches widely used in various applications. The THINC-scaling scheme preserves at the samectime the advantages of both VOF and level set methods, i.e. the mass/volume conservation of the VOF method and the geometrical faithfulness of the level set method. THINCscaling scheme allows to represent interface with high-order polynomials, and has algorithmic simplicity which eases its implementation in unstructured grids.


It can easily be shown that p j distinguishes between and 0 , and therefore, 6 = 0. We now show that 0 is unique. If B k 6 = fp j g (Case (1)), then clearly, there is another processor p i 2 B k. If B k = fp j g (Case (2)), then there is another processor p i 2 B k+1 : B k+1 is not empty and does not include p j. Moreover, if p j 2 B r , for some r > k, then B r 0 = fp j g for every r 0 r (otherwise, p j would be last seen in the r-th block of). In both cases, for every block execution 00 , which is neither nor 0 , p i distinguishes between and 00 , which proves the uniqueness of 0. A direct proof of Lemma 2.1 appears in 3]; we prove an slight extension of the lemma, which applies to every execution of a normal algorithm (see Section 2), in which processors halt (decide or fail) only after read steps. Lemma A.1 If a processor p j is unseen in an execution then there is no execution 0 6 6 such that :pj 0. Sketch of proof: If p j is unseen in , there is no step by another processor after p j takes its rst step (which must be a write). Assume, by way of contradiction, that there is an execution 0 6 6 such that :pj 0. Partition and 0 into read and write stretches. Since 6 6 0 there must diier in the set of processors appearing in some stretch; let`be the rst such stretch. If thè-th stretch in includes the rst step of p j , then it must be a write stretch; since p j is unseen in , thè-th stretch and all following stretches include only steps of p j. Thus, thè-th stretch must include a write step by some other processor p i. Since p i does not halt after a write step, there is a later read of p i in 0. Therefore, p i distinguishes between and 0. Otherwise, thè-th stretch in does not include a step by p j. Thus there must be another processor p i , i 6 = j, which appears in thè-th stretch of but not in thè-th stretch of 0 , …


Galectin-3 and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are novel biomarkers in the field of cardio-oncology, but conflicting results have been reported. Hence, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the monitoring value of galectin-3 and MPO in cancer-therapy-related cardiotoxicity. PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI databases and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried. According to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies with 1979 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The examination of the study's heterogeneity (I2), quality assessment and statistical analysis were performed by two reviewers. No significant differences in galectin-3 levels were noted before and after treatment (WMD = −0.10, 90% CI −6.06–5.85, I2: 99%), and a weaker relationship was observed between galectin-3 evaluations and cancer-therapy-related cardiotoxicity (HR = 1.39, 90% CI 0.97–1.98, I2: 0%). However, MPO levels were increased in patients post-treatment (SMD = 0.58, 90% CI 0.35–0.80, I2: 56%), and an increased risk of cardiotoxicity was associated with early pre–post MPO assessments (HR = 1.16, 90% CI 1.02–1.32, I2: 21%). Surprisingly, the MPO levels were a more effective indicator of the response to tumor treatment compared with the TnI (SMD = 2.46, 90% CI −0.26–5.19, I2: 96%) and NT-proBNP levels (SMD = 1.08, 90% CI −0.82–2.98, I2: 96%). In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that MPO may rep-resent a potential biomarker for the early detection of cardiotoxicity in current cardio-oncology practice, but the monitoring value of galectin-3 requires further study.


Background: Quality early childhood development (ECD) is crucial for protecting children against a multitude of socio-economic challenges such as poor living standards, lack of education, and substandard healthcare. Furthermore, research has revealed that educational resources used at ECD centres enrich the all-round well-being of young children. Despite these findings, the provision of educational resources in the ECD learning environment has received little or no attention at national and local levels.Aim: This study aimed to explore registered ECD centres to understand the available infrastructure resources and how they are used to promote quality early childhood care and education (ECCE).Setting: A sample of eight participants (four ECD centre principals and four practitioners) from four registered ECD centres were purposively selected in suburban and township areas of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.Methods: An interpretative, qualitative multiple case study was used and the Woodhead quality framework for ECD centres was used as a guide for this study. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and field notes.Results: The findings revealed that practitioners know how the use of learning resources improve young children's growth and development. However, the township centres have fewer infrastructure resources that promote quality ECCE because of the dire socio-economic conditions of the parents.Conclusion: The lack of modern and age-appropriate play equipment at township registered centres indicated that the (township) practitioners are not able to use such equipment, even though they are aware of their benefits in promoting quality ECCE. Hence, quality ECCE is not equally available. The great equaliser, called ECCE, is merely a smokescreen.


In this paper, we deal with the problem of determining when and where a bus should short-turn on a single bi-directional line in real-time. We formulate a decision rule for when to short-turn among candidate short-turning locations that is based on the objective of minimizing total generalized passenger travel cost including waiting times and forced transfer. Computational results and analysis are provided via a simulation study in BusMezzo, a dynamic, agent-based transit operations and assignment model that represents both vehicle as well as passenger progression. The simulation framework allows us to evaluate the resulting trade-off between passenger costs and transit performance that occur when a decision to short-turn is made. The proposed short-turning strategy is applied to a real-world high-frequency transit line in Stockholm, Sweden.


A geometric homogeneity is introduced for evolution equations in a Banach space. Scalability property of solutions of homogeneous evolution equations is proven. Some qualitative characteristics of stability of trivial solution are also provided. In particular, finite-time stability of homogeneous evolution equations is studied. Theoretical results are illustrated on important classes of partial differential equations.


Glutathione (GSH) has been shown to play an important role in embryo development. In a previous study, we demonstrated that cysteamine supplementation of in vitro maturation (IVM) medium increased the intracellular GSH content in bovine oocytes and improved subsequent embryo development to the blastocyst stage. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of inhibition by buthionine sulfoximide (BSO) of GSH synthesis during IVM in the presence of cysteamine, on subsequent embryo development, and the effect of cysteamine during IVM on the survival of blastocysts following freezing. The effect of β‐mercaptoethanol and cysteine added to the maturation medium on GSH levels in bovine oocytes, as well as the effect of these compounds on de novo GSH synthesis by oocytes during in vitro maturation, was also studied. The inhibitory effect of BSO during in vitro maturation on GSH synthesis was also evaluated. Evidence was found confirming that GSH synthesis occurs intracellularly during IVM of oocytes and is stimulated by cysteamine, β‐mercaptoethanol and cysteine. Moreover, the present results suggest that the increase in the rate of embryo development exerted by cysteamine, when present during IVM, was due to its stimulatory effect on GSH synthesis. This increase in GSH levels during IVM improves embryo development and quality, producing more embryos reaching the blastocyst stage on day 6, those most suitable for freezing. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


To select the most relevant sentences of a document, it uses an optimal decision algorithm that combines several metrics. The metrics processes, weighting and extract pertinence sentences by statistical and informational algorithms. This technique might improve a Question-Answering system, whose function is to provide an exact answer to a question in natural language. In this paper, we present the results obtained by coupling the Cortex summarizer with a Question-Answering system (QAAS). Two configurations have been evaluated. In the first one, a low compression level is selected and the summarization system is only used as a noise filter. In the second configuration, the system actually functions as a summarizer, with a very high level of compression. Our results on French corpus demonstrate that the coupling of Automatic Summarization system with a Question-Answering system is promising. Then the system has been adapted to generate a customized summary depending on the specific question. Tests on a french multi-document corpus have been realized, and the personalized QAAS system obtains the best performances.


An efficient and straightforward modification of starch using renewable and commercially available aromatic aldehydes (benzaldehyde, vanillin, and p-anisaldehyde) and urea via the Biginelli multicomponent reaction is reported in this work. First, starch acetoacetate (SAA) with a degree of substitution ranging from 1.4 to 2.5, depending on the reaction time or the molar ratio of reactants, is prepared. SAA is then modified with different aromatic aldehydes and urea via the Biginelli reaction. The modified products are characterized by ATR-IR, NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The processability of the products is also investigated using a hot press instrument, revealing that glycerol is a suitable and renewable plasticizer for the Biginelli products.


Antisera specific for six regions of the v- abl protein were used to serologically characterize the Abelson murine leukemia virus tyrosine kinase. Chemically synthesized peptides corresponding to the predicted v- abl protein sequence and larger regions of the v- abl protein expressed as fusion proteins in bacteria were used as immunogens. The specificity of each antiserum was confirmed by immunoprecipitation analysis with defined deletion mutants of Abelson murine leukemia virus. Several of these v- abl -specific antisera display much higher titers and avidities than serum harvested from mice bearing Abelson murine leukemia virus-induced tumors, previously the only source of anti- abl -specific serum. Two antisera were found to block the in vitro autophosphorylation of the v- abl protein as well as its ability to phosphorylate a peptide substrate. Examination of the sites against which the kinase-blocking antisera were prepared revealed that both are in close proximity to the in vivo sites of tyrosine phosphorylation, which fall within the region of high homology with v-src and other tyrosine kinases. Antisera directed against other regions of v- abl did not inhibit kinase activity.


Trophic magnification of cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (cVMS) in a terrestrial food web was investigated by measuring concentrations of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) and two reference chemicals within air and biota samples from an avian food web located in a mixed urban-agricultural landscape. Terrestrial trophic magnification factors derived from lipid normalized concentrations (TMFLs) for D5 and D6 were 0.94 (0.17 SE) and 1.1 (0.23 SE) and not statistically different from 1 (p > 0.05); however, the TMFL of D4 was 0.62 (0.11 SE) and statistically less than 1 (p < 0.001). TMFLs of PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE were 5.6 (2.2 SE) and 6.1 (2.8 SE) and statistically greater than 1 (p < 0.001). TMFLs of cVMS in this terrestrial system were similar to those reported in aquatic systems. However, trophic magnification factors derived on a fugacity basis (TMFFs), which recognize differences in body temperature and lipid composition between organisms, were greater than corresponding TMFLs primarily because a temperature-induced thermodynamic biomagnification of hydrophobic chemicals occurs when endothermic organisms consume poikilothermic organisms. Therefore, we recommend that biomagnification studies of food webs including endothermic and poikilothermic organisms incorporate differences in body temperature and tissue composition to accurately characterize the biomagnification potential of chemicals.


A full-field optical coherence microscopy generates tomographic 3D representation of the object by combining quadrature phase-shifted interference images. Full-color rendering of the 3D object is obtained by illumination using red, green and blue LEDs. The principle is demonstrated in colored tomographic imaging of artificial as well as biological target objects.


The aim of this study was to examine the current trends and main findings of the empirical computer-assisted foreign language learning studies. The database, Web of Science, was reviewed and a total of 36 studies between 2000 and 2020 were analysed. The systematic analysis was performed with the content analysis method. The content of the reviewed articles was analysed in the following categories: The technological trends, the technological context used, variables, duration of the studies, data collection tools, data analysis strategies, skills/factors analysed, underlying theories, and countries of the studies, target languages, participants, and years of the studies. Along with other insights this review found, the most common technological trend was educational software, while the technological contexts used varied greatly. Key variables from mostly small studies (less than 100 participants generally tertiary students), focused on technological contexts, language learning skills (typically vocabulary and speaking) and participants' attitudes. Underlying theories of these studies varied greatly, Technology Acceptance Model and Cognitive Load Theory being common. This review study can serve as a guide for practitioners who plan designing computer-assisted language learning and teaching activities.


Establishing a scientific and sustainable grading nursing care evaluation system is the key to realizing the rational distribution of medical and nursing resources in the combined medical and nursing care services. This study establishes a grading nursing care index system for medical and nursing institutions from both medical and nursing aspects, and proposes a grading nursing care evaluation model based on a combination of interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy entropy and a two- stage gray synthetic clustering model for interval gray number under a social network context. Through case analysis, the proposed method can directly classify the elderly into corresponding grading nursing care grades and realize the precise allocation of medical and nursing resources, which proves the feasibility of the method.


Traditional food packaging systems help reduce food wastage, but they also produce environmental impacts when not properly disposed of. Bio-based polymers are a promising solution to overcome these impacts, but they have poor barrier and mechanical properties. This work evaluates two strategies to improve these properties in pectin films: the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) or sodium montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles, and an additional layer of chitosan (i.e., a bilayer film). The bionanocomposites and bilayer films were characterized in terms of optical, morphological, hygroscopic, mechanical and barrier properties. The inclusion of the nanofillers in the polymer reduced the water vapor permeability and the hydrophilicity of the films without compromising their visual properties (i.e., their transparency). However, the nanoparticles did not substantially improve the mechanical properties of the bionanocomposites. Regarding the bilayer films, FTIR and contact angle studies revealed no surface and/or chemical modifications, confirming only physical coating/lamination between the two polymers. These bilayer films exhibited a dense homogenous structure, with intermediate optical and hygroscopic properties. An additional layer of chitosan did not improve the mechanical, water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of the pectin films. However, this additional layer made the material more hydrophobic, which may play an important role in the application of pectin as a food packaging material.


Cefuroxime (a third-generation cephalosporin) administered parenterally (mostly i.m.) at a dose of 2-4 g/day for 4-16 days (mean 9.26 days) displayed marked antibacterial activity and excellent tolerability when employed in the treatment of variously located acute infections in 120 drug addict out-patients with almost constant pronounced immune depression. The drug is regarded as the antibiotic of choice in the outpatient management of infection episodes in immunodepressed subjects at high risk of infection.


An important stabilizing mechanism in most diversity stability models is the insurance hypothesis, which involves correlation/covariance relationships among species. These models require that species do not fluctuate synchronously over time: that is, the correlation between pairs of species does not equal 1.0. However, the strength of this stabilizing mechanism increases as correlations decline away from 1.0, especially as they become more negative and also as the summed covariance across all species pairs becomes more negative. We evaluated the importance of the insurance hypothesis as a stabilizing mechanism by examining a variety of terrestrial assemblages using long-term data from the Global Population Dynamics Database, the Breeding Bird Survey, and a long-term site in southeastern Arizona, USA. We identified co-occurring assemblages of species and calculated the Spearman rank correlations of all pairs of species and the summed covariance of the entire assemblage. We found that, in most assemblages, positive correlations were two to three times more common than negative and that the magnitude of the positive correlations tended to be stronger than the negative correlations. For all but three assemblages, the summed covariance was positive. Data from larger spatial scales tended to exhibit more positive correlations, but even at the smallest spatial scales, positive correlations outnumbered negative. We suggest that species often covary positively because coexisting species respond similarly to fluctuations in their resource base driven by climatic fluctuations. As such, our review suggests that the insurance hypothesis may not be a strong mechanism stabilizing fluctuations in natural terrestrial communities.


In a previous paper (Gough and Wood 1936) were described the results of a research into the characteristics of deformation and fracture of a mild steel (0·1% C) under static and fatigue stresses, in which precise methods of X-ray diffraction were used in a systematic study of the changes produced in the crystalline structure by five stressing systems. It was established, for the first time, that failure by static and cyclic stressing was characterized by exactly the same kind of progressive deterioration of the crystalline structure, fracture in all cases being associated with a breakdown—complete or partial—of the crystal grains to a mass of crystallites having a limiting size of between 10-4 and 10-5 cm. and a completely random orientation. Under static stressing the sequence of changes in structure were successfully studied, while, using cyclic stresses, the separate and combined influences of the range of stress and the superior stress of the cycle were investigated, also the essential differences on the structure between the effects of safe and unsafe ranges of stress were clearly established. The present paper describes the results of an investigation undertaken in the hope of obtaining a clearer insight into one of the features revealed by the previous research. In addition to a complete fragmentation of the structure into the limiting size of crystallite, it was considered that a state of marked lattice distortion in the fragmented material was also a necessary condition of the fracture stage, but, as stated in the previous paper, the recorded radial broadening of the reflexion spots could not be ascribed with certainty to the presence of distortion in the lattice of the crystallites. It is very difficult to accept the view that the fracture stage is reached as a consequence of fragmented structure alone, for the employment of severe deformations to obtain cold-worked materials possessing increased hardness and increased nominal strength is common practice. These considerations suggested that further light might be thrown on this very important problem by the investigation of a material similar to that used previously but commencing with a structure which had already been brought to a fragmented condition by cold-rolling.


abstract Analyses of tidal forces present during occurrence of the major earthquakes recorded in periods of several years duration are presented for two regions along the San Andreas fault in central California. Components of tidal force and their time rates of change are computed for each earthquake in the sample. The distributions of these force and jerk quantities for actual earthquakes are compared with corresponding distributions obtained for pseudo-earthquakes generated under the hypothesis of random occurrence. It is concluded that the evidence provided by these analyses does not support the hypothesis that tidal-force levels or rates of change have significant effects on earthquake occurrences in the regions considered.


This paper addresses the robust fault detection (RFD) problem for a class of neutral systems with time delays in states and unknown input. The objective is to minimize the difference between the residual and the fault, and to enhance the robustness to unknown inputs and control inputs. The key idea is to formulate the design of robust fault detection filter (RFDF) as Hinfin filtering problem. The sufficient condition for the existence of the RFDF is proposed by means of linear matrix inequalities (LMI). Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method


Recent sociological research ha shown that the ideology of multiculturalism has generated more negative than positive effects (fragmentation of the society, separation of minorities, cultural relativism). The idea of interculturality has the advantage to stress the 'inter', namely what lies in between different cultures. But it does not possess yet the conceptual and effective means to understand and handle the problems of the public sphere. To go over the failures of multiculturalism and the fragilities of interculturality, a new approach to the coexistence of cultures is required, being able to give strength back to Reason, through new semantics of the inter-human diversity. The Author suggests the development of the "relational reason", beyond the forms already known of rationality. To make human reason relational might be the best way to imagine a social order being able to humanize the globalizing processes and the growing migrations.


Deep candidate generation (DCG) that narrows down the collection of relevant items from billions to hundreds via representation learning is essential to large-scale recommender systems. Standard approaches approximate maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) through sampling for better scalability and address the problem of DCG in a way similar to language modeling. However, live recommender systems face severe unfairness of exposure with a vocabulary several orders of magnitude larger than that of natural language, implying that (1) MLE will preserve and even exacerbate the exposure bias in the long run in order to faithfully fit the observed samples, and (2) suboptimal sampling and inadequate use of item features can lead to inferior representations for the unfairly ignored items. In this paper, we introduce CLRec, a Contrastive Learning paradigm that has been successfully deployed in a real-world massive recommender system, to alleviate exposure bias in DCG. We theoretically prove that a popular choice of contrastive loss is equivalently reducing the exposure bias via inverse propensity scoring, which provides a new perspective on the effectiveness of contrastive learning. We further employ a fixed-size queue to store the items' representations computed in previously processed batches, and use the queue to serve as an effective sampler of negative examples. This queue-based design provides great efficiency in incorporating rich features of the thousand negative items per batch thanks to computation reuse. Extensive offline analyses and four-month online A/B tests in Mobile Taobao demonstrate substantial improvement, including a dramatic reduction in the Matthew effect.


Lycopus lucidus Turcz has been widely used as a traditional Oriental medicine (TOM) in Korea and China and prescribed for the enhancement of heart function. However, the precise effects have yet to be defined. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to address whether the ethanol extract of Lycopus lucidus Turcz (ELT) has a positive inotropic effect. ELT-induced changes in atrial mechanical dynamics (pulse pressure, dp/dt, and stroke volume), and cAMP efflux were measured in perfused beating rabbit atria. Three active components, rosmarinic acid, betulinic acid, and oleanolic acid were identified in ELT by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. ELT increased atrial dynamics in a concentration-dependent manner without changes in atrial cAMP levels and cAMP efflux. The ELT-induced positive inotropic effect was blocked by inhibition of the L-type Ca(2+) channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Inhibitors of β-adrenoceptors had no effect on the ELT-induced positive inotropic effect. The results suggest that ELT exerts a positive inotropic effect via activation of Ca(2+) entry through L-type Ca(2+) channel and Ca(2+) release from the SR in beating rabbit atria.


Ocean acoustic tomography is used to obtain heat-content estimates for the western Mediterranean basin. Travel-time data from 13 tomography sections of the Thetis-2 experiment ~January–October 1994! are analyzed with a matched-peak inversion approach. The underlying analysis involves the use of peak arrivals and nonlinear model relations between travel-time and sound-speed variations. Slice inversion results are combined with temperature covariance functions for the western Mediterranean to obtain heat-content estimates for the basin. These estimates compare favorably with ECMWF data over the nine-month period of the Thetis-2 experiment. Furthermore, estimates for the basin-average temperature of the western Mediterranean deep water are obtained. © 2004 Acoustical Society of America. @DOI: 10.1121/1.1771616 #


Six untreated male patients (age 19-55 yr) with obstructive sleep apnea underwent nocturnal polysomnography with acoustic stimulation to determine the effect of transient arousal on obstructive apneas during sleep. Binaural tone bursts (25-95 dB) were delivered in late expiration during the second obstructive apnea of a cycle consisting of four consecutive apneas. For the group, stimulated apneas were significantly shorter (P < 0.05, Fisher's protected least significant difference test) than were the unstimulated apneas when transient electrocortical arousal was elicited in both non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep [mean 17 +/- 7 (SD) vs. 26 +/- 9, 23 +/- 10, and 26 +/- 12 s for 2nd vs. 1st, 3rd, and 4th apnea, respectively, of each cycle] and REM sleep (mean 19 +/- 10 vs. 35 +/- 15, 45 +/- 18, and 39 +/- 20 s). Without electrocortical arousal, the stimulated apnea was significantly shortened in non-REM (23 +/- 9 vs. 25 +/- 7, 24 +/- 8, and 26 +/- 8 s) but not in REM (32 +/- 16 vs. 37 +/- 12, 32 +/- 15, and 30 +/- 16 s). Tones delivered relatively early and late in the apnea were equally likely to be associated with resolution of the apnea. The nadir of arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was inversely proportional to apnea length, with higher saturation nadirs associated with the stimulated apneas. These data indicate that transient arousal, induced by nonrespiratory stimulation, influences the resolution of obstructive apneas during sleep.


Theoretical and experimental investigations were made of a noise-induced dynamic polarisation bistability and antiphase chaotic modulation of the intensities of the eigenstates of an anisotropic single-mode He—Ne laser ( λ =1.15 μm). The two effects were investigated for harmonic changes in the pump current with passage across the threshold.


OBJECTIVES--To report the results of the NHS breast screening programme for the year March 1991 to April 1992. DESIGN--A report of statistics was derived from Körner (K62) returns and from the radiology quality assurance programme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Detection rates for breast cancer and small (< or = 10 mm diameter) invasive cancer, benign biopsy rates, and recall and acceptance rates. RESULTS--The acceptance rate for screening across the United Kingdom was 71.3%. The referral rate for further investigation was 6.2% (regional 4.3-9.0%). The breast cancer detection rate was 6.2 cancers per 1000 women screened (5.1-9.0) and the detection rate of invasive cancers < or = 10 mm was 1.4/1000 (1.0-2.3). 72% of screening programmes reached the target 70% acceptance rate, and 95% of programmes achieved a recall rate of less than 10%. 75% of programmes had a cancer detection rate of more than 5/1000, but only 32% had a detection rate for invasive cancers < or = 10 mm of more than 1.5/1000. CONCLUSIONS--Overall, the results of the screening programme for the year 1991-2 can be regarded as extremely satisfactory, given the size and complexity of the operation.


The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated contractions on the geometry of human skeletal muscle. Six men performed two sets (sets A and B) of 10 repeated isometric plantarflexion contractions at 80% of the moment generated during plantarflexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), with a rest interval of 15 min between sets. By use of ultrasound, the geometry of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle was measured in the contractions of set A and the displacement of the MG tendon origin in the myotendinous junction was measured in the contractions of set B. In the transition from the 1st to the 10th contractions, the fascicular length at 80% of MVC decreased from 34 +/- 4 (means +/- SD) to 30 +/- 3 mm (P < 0.001), the pennation angle increased from 35 +/- 3 to 42 +/- 3 degrees (P < 0.001), the myotendinous junction displacement increased from 5 +/- 3 to 10 +/- 3 mm (P < 0.001), and the average fascicular curvature remained constant (P > 0.05) at approximately 4.3 m(-1). No changes (P > 0.05) were found in fascicular length, pennation angle, and myotendinous junction displacement after the fifth contraction. Electrogoniometry showed that the ankle rotated by approximately 6.5 degrees during contraction, but no differences (P > 0.05) were obtained between contractions. The present results show that repeated contractions induce tendon creep, which substantially affects the geometry of the in-series contracting muscles, thus altering their potential for force and joint moment generation.


Machine learning based perception algorithms are increasingly being used for the development of autonomous navigation systems of self-driving vehicles. These vehicles are mainly designed to operate on structured roads or lanes and the ML algorithms are primarily used for functionalities such as object tracking, lane detection and semantic understanding. On the other hand, Autonomous/ Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) being developed for military applications need to operate in unstructured, combat environment including diverse off-road terrain, inclement weather conditions, water hazards, GPS denied environment, smoke etc. Therefore, the perception algorithm requirements are different and have to be robust enough to account for several diverse terrain conditions and degradations in visual environment. In this paper, we present military-relevant requirements and challenges for scene perception that are not met by current state-of-the-art algorithms, and discuss potential strategies to address these capability gaps. We also present a survey of ML algorithms and datasets that could be employed to support maneuver of autonomous systems in complex terrains, focusing on techniques for (1) distributed scene perception using heterogeneous platforms, (2) computation in resource constrained environment (3) object detection in degraded visual imagery.


Non-intrusive video-detection for traffic flow observation and surveillance is the primary alternative to conventional inductive loop detectors. Video Image Detection Systems (VIDS) can derive traffic parameters by means of image processing and pattern recognition methods. Existing VIDS emulate the inductive loops. We propose a trajectory based recognition algorithm to expand the common approach and to obtain new types of information (e.g. queue length or erratic movements).
Different views of the same area by more than one camera sensor is necessary, because of the typical limitations of single camera systems, resulting from the occlusion effect of other cars, trees and traffic signs. A distributed cooperative multi-camera system enables a significant enlargement of the observation area. The trajectories are derived from multi-target tracking. The fusion of object data from different cameras is done using a tracking method.
This approach opens up opportunities to identify and specify traffic objects, their location, speed and other characteristic object information. The system provides new derived and consolidated information about traffic participants. Thus, this approach is also beneficial for a description of individual traffic participants.
Keywords: Multi-camera system, fixed-viewpoint camera, cooperative distributed vision, multi-camera orientation, multi-target tracking


In an increasingly secular society we should still be aware that we look after people with spiritual needs, writes Steven Black. Indeed, we may be caring for people with different spiritual beliefs from our own. With this in mind, the Department of Health has produced best practice guidance on chaplaincy and spiritual care provision for all NHS trusts.


This study aimed to propose economic evaluation method for installing oil-water separation equipment into wastewater treatment system to attain energy recycling system in a food processing factory using Value Function (VF) and Separative Work engineering. VF for calculating SWU was determined by the field investigation at the food factory, Naoetsu-Yushi Co. Ltd. The results showed the required ability of the oil-water separation equipment to obtain a profit as at least 10% in this simulation for the food processing factory. More, the recovery period (payback time) of the initial cost for installing the oil-water separation equipment and the wastewater treatment facility at 0% of discount rate was calculated as 162.6 months, which was shorter than the lifetime of them and it shows the economic feasibility of installing the oil-water separation equipment. The proposed method could achieve the comparison of different equipment or different conditions for total performance improvement, and help the selection of the alternative equipment or the implement of the surrounding condition. 食品加工場のエネルギーリサイクルシステムの構築を目指して,排水処理に油水分離装置を導入する際の経済性評価手法を,分


7-Methylguanine (7-meG) could be a useful marker of recent past exposure to environmental methylating agents for use in epidemiological studies. A method is described that is appropriate for such an application. 7-meG was released from DNA by thermal hydrolysis under conditions (pH 9, 70 degrees C, 8 h) that preferentially released the base from DNA rather than RNA and, following immunopurification using antibodies specific for this DNA adduct, quantification was achieved either by HPLC with electrochemical detection (ECD) or by ELISA. The detection limits of the two approaches were 0.5 and 2 pmol 7-meG/DNA sample respectively. 7-meG was analysed in DNA samples contaminated with known amounts of RNA to test the possible interference in the analysis by the minor modified nucleoside 7-methylguanine, which is present as a normal component of RNA. 7-meG levels measured in human pancreas and untreated rat liver DNA were between 2 and 7 pmol 7-meG/mumol guanosine and this level could not be explained by RNA contamination. The combination of immunoaffinity purification and HPLC with ECD provides a method that is sensitive and specific for 7-meG and suitable for integration into molecular epidemiological studies.


Does the creation of the euro partly explain the sharp increase in European investments? To address this question, we derive a simple gravity-like model for bilateral foreign direct investment (FDI). Using this model, we find that the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has increased intra-EMU FDI stocks on average by around 30 percent. This effect varies over time and across EMU members. It is found to be larger for the outward investments of the less-developed EMU members. Moreover, contrary to early expectations of FDI diversion effects, EMU countries have invested more in non-EMU countries since the launch of the euro.


Bladder cancer is strongly related to tobacco use and is estimated to cause 54,500 new cancer cases and 11,700 deaths in the United States in 1998. Approximately two thirds of new US cases will be superficial tumors, predominantly low-grade papillary. After standard therapeutic resection (with or without intravesical therapy), the superficial bladder tumor recurrence rate is 30% to 70% within 12 months of resection. Morbidity is substantial, with frequent cystoscopy, recurrence, resections, and possible cystectomy for progression to invasive cancers. Therefore, new approaches, including chemoprevention, are needed. Data suggest that bladder carcinogenesis is a multi-step, multifocal (field effect) process, possibly involving the spread of premalignant clones-all of which are prerequisites for effective chemopreventive approaches. To date, retinoids are the best-studied chemopreventive agents in this site, achieving mixed clinical results (with 13-cis-retinoic acid and etretinate) in superficial bladder tumors. This review includes the epidemiology and biology of bladder carcinogenesis in addition to preclinical and clinical retinoid data, and focuses on the most promising avenue of current retinoid chemoprevention in the bladder: the potent apoptosis-inducing retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR), which currently is in three phase III trials.


Aim: Analyze lawsuits filed against Tubarao County in the year of 2010 focused on Economics Pharmaceutical. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study based on analysis of documents. We investigated patient profiles, the profile of requirements, medication required according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification, health problems that motivated the requirements and spending ratios of drugs belonging to the standard lists of new drugs and, in addition, the average costs of lawsuits filed. Results: We identified and analyzed 223 lawsuits related to 212 patients. The patient profiles were identified in a portion of processes, in which case most women (61.3%) and aged between 10 months and 90 years. About procedural elements, we found the count and the State as required in 21.2% of the lawsuits 98.5% of this lawsuits had particular counselor and 60.6% of prescribers physicians were from the private sector. The court decision in 100% was to dispense medication in required by indeterminate time according to the physician prescription and there were 88.8% of injunction relief deferred. There were no indications of ICD in 28.0% of the lawsuits. The main problems reported were circulatory disease, mental and behavioral disorders. In the lawsuits analyzed were required 773 different medication in 392 specialties and the medium per patient was 3.7 (about 2.7) different medication with a variability of 14 medication per lawsuit with medium of three. The drugs required was distributed mainly in therapeutic classes of medications that act in nervous system cardiovascular system, digestive system and metabolism, blood and organs of hemapoietic system. The average value per lawsuit was R$ 1.864,24 . We observe that the spent per patient via lawsuits was approximately 406 times greater than the corresponding per capita value to use the basic pharmacy. We verified required medicines records and we identify 9.2% of new drugs which accounted 16.0% of total spending. Regarding the new drugs requirements it was found 68.6% of them were not prescribed by generic name. It was also determined the ratio of drugs presents in the standard lists. We found 42.5% of these drugs in one of these list at least; representing 44.3% of the value spent and 83.2% of these drugs were listed in the list of Component Specialized of Pharmaceutical Services. It was noteworthy that the Class L was used by 8.0% of the patients and it represented 50.0% of the total spending and a half of these medications were listed in the list of Component Specialized of Pharmaceutical Services. From those 392 specialties required we highlight that 10 of them represents 61.5% of drug spending by suitcases in the year found in this study. Conclusion: The information contained in the lawsuits about patient profiles, procedural elements healthy problems and medications shows signs of irrational use of drugs leading to an amount of spending by lawsuit higher than that of basic pharmacy.