Infrared radiation has wavelengths between 780nm and 1000μm. It is well absorbed by living organisms and is perceived as heat. The mechanisms of action of infrared rays on humans are still little known, however their effects on living tissues are well known, particularly useful in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, in the reduction of wound healing times, in weight loss, in non-surgical body remodelling, in photo-rejuvenation, in muscle recovery, in improving sleep quality, in relaxation and in many other applications in medicine, non-invasive aesthetic medicine, beauty, fitness and wellness. This brief communication aims to provide an overview of the use of infrared and related devices in these fields of application, grouping them according to (1) medical applications, (2) non-invasive aesthetic medicine applications and beauty treatments and (3) for home wellness use.


This paper introduces an exact analytical solution for governing flow equations for one‐dimensional consolidation in unsaturated soil stratum using the techniques of eigenfunction expansion and Laplace transformation. The homogeneous boundary conditions adopted in this study are as follows: (i) a one‐way drainage system of homogenous soils, in which the top surface is considered as permeable to air and water, whereas the base is an impervious bedrock; and (ii) a two‐way drainage system where both soil ends allow free dissipation of pore‐air and pore‐water pressures. In addition, the analytical development adopts initial conditions capturing both uniform and linear distributions of the initial excess pore pressures within the soil stratum. Eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are parts of the general solution and can be obtained based on the proposed boundary conditions. Besides, the Laplace transform method is adopted to solve the first‐order differential equations. Once equations with transformed domain are all obtained, the final solutions, which are proposed to be functions of time and depth, can be achieved by taking an inverse Laplace transform. To verify the proposed solution, two worked examples are provided to present the consolidation characteristics of unsaturated soils based on the proposed method. The validation of the recent results against other existing analytical solutions is graphically demonstrated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Abstract This study is an exploratory analysis of examinee behavior in a large-scale language proficiency test. Despite a number-right scoring system with no penalty for guessing, we found that 16% of examinees omitted at least one answer and that women were more likely than men to omit answers. Item-response theory analyses treating the omitted responses as missing rather than wrong showed that examinees had underperformed by skipping the answers, with a greater underperformance among more able participants. An analysis of omitted answer patterns showed that reading passage items were most likely to be omitted, and that native language-translation items were least likely to be omitted. We hypothesized that since reading passage items were most tempting to skip, then among examinees who did answer every question there might be a tendency to guess at these items. Using cluster analyses, we found that underperformance on the reading items was more likely than underperformance on the non-reading passage items. In large-scale operational tests, examinees must know the optimal strategy for taking the test. Test developers must also understand how examinee behavior might impact the validity of score interpretations.


Objective:
 Proinflamatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) have been linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Depressive states encompass affective (both negative & positive affect) and somatic symptoms. The association of affective and somatic factors of depression with inflammation has not been examined in a multi-ethnic cohort.

 Methods:
 Data were derived from 6,818 participants aged 45-84 years from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Depressive symptoms, as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and inflammatory markers (i.e., CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α) were collected from visit 1 from the MESA cohort. Inflammatory markers were log-transformed to reduce skewness. A confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-factor model of the CES-D comprised of: somatic symptoms (poor appetite, could not get going, poor sleep, excessive effort, trouble concentrating), negative affect (feeling blue, depressed, crying spells, sadness, felt like a failure, fearful and lonely), and positive affect (feeling happy, good, hopeful, enjoy life). In cross-sectional analyses, structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to examine the associations between affective and somatic latent variables of the CES-D with the inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α) after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, BMI, lipids, systolic blood pressure, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, diabetes, lipid-lowering medications and antihypertensives.

 Results:
 The mean age was 62.15 (SD=1.23) and mean CES-D score was 7.57 (SD=7.59). The 3-factor model of the CES-D exhibited good fit with root mean square-error of approximation <0.05 and standardized root mean square residual <0.07. In the fully adjusted models, the SEM showed a significant association between the somatic factor and IL-6 (β=0.18;p<0.01)and TNF-α (β=0.21;p=0.006) but not CRP (β=-0.12; p=0.16). The negative affect factor was significantly associated with IL-6 (β=0.05;p=0.006), CRP (β=0.04; p=0.03) but not with TNF-α (β=-0.02;p=0.18), while the positive factor was significantly associated with IL-6 (β=0.20;p=0.006), CRP (β=0.65;p<0.001) and TNF-α (β=-0.17;p=0.01).

 Conclusion:
 This cross-sectional study showed that inflammatory markers are significantly associated with somatic and both positive and affective factors of depressive symptomatology in a multi-ethnic cohort.


This paper describes the study of high-speed liquid jets injected in air from an orifice. The main focus is to study the effect of different liquid properties on the characteristics of the high-speed liquid jets injected in ambient air. The high-speed liquid jets are generated by the impact of a projectile, which known as impact acceleration method, launched in a horizontal single-stage power gun (HSSPG). The conical nozzle of 30° angle with the orifice diameter of 0.7 mm was used to generate the jets. The characteristics of high-speed jets were visualized by the high-speed digital video camera with shadowgraph optical arrangement. From the shadowgraph images, the jet formation, atomization, vaporization and shock waves were obviously observed. The maximum averaged velocity of water, alcohol, n-hexane, chloroform and glycerin jets is estimated to be 1,669.03 m/s, 1,548.59 m/s, 1,420.44 m/s, 1,204.46 m/s and 1,496.97 m/s, respectively. That effect on the maximum penetration distance of the water jet is longer than that of all jets. Surface tension and latent heat are the significant physical property for jet formation, while density, kinematics viscosity and heat capacity are not.


The diffusion of hydrogen in sodium aluminum sodalite (NaAlSi-SOD) is modeled using classical molecular dynamics, allowing for full flexibility of the host framework, in the temperature range 800-1200 K. From these simulations, the self-diffusion coefficient is determined as a function of temperature and the hydrogen uptake at low equilibrium hydrogen concentration is estimated at 573 K. The influence of the cation distribution over the framework on the hydrogen self-diffusion is investigated by comparing results employing a low energy fully ordered cation distribution with those obtained using a less ordered distribution. The cation distribution is found to have a surprisingly large influence on the diffusion, which appears to be due to the difference in framework flexibility for different cation distributions, the occurrence of correlated hopping in case of the ordered distribution, and the different nature of the diffusion processes in both systems. Compared to our previously reported calculations on all silica sodalite (all-Si-SOD), the hydrogen diffusion coefficient of sodium aluminum sodalite is higher in the case of the ordered distribution and lower in case of the disordered distribution. The hydrogen uptake rates of all-Si-SOD and NaSiAl-SOD are comparable at high temperatures (approximately 1000 K) and lower for all-Si-SOD at lower temperatures (approximately 400 K).


An analysis procedure based on the Method of Lines for general waveguide junctions which also includes sharp bends is presented in this contribution. Crossed discretization lines are used. The required equations are developed from generalized transmission line equations for general anisotropic material.


In this paper, we consider the departure process from the open and nested tandem Queueing network with population constraint and constant service times. It is known that the Queueing network can be transformed into a simple Queueing network which can be easy to analyze. Using this simple Queueing network, upper and lower bounds on the interdeparture time are obtained. We prove that the variance of the interdeparture time is bounded within these two bounds. Validation against simulation data is shown that how it works the variance of the interdeparture time within two bounds. These bounds can be applied to obtain the better variance of the interdeparture time using a suitable method.


Classical mechanics and quantum mechanics are two of the most successful scientific theories ever discovered, and yet how they can describe the same world is far from clear: one theory is deterministic, the other indeterministic; one theory describes a world in which chaos is pervasive, the other a world in which chaos is absent. Focusing on the exciting field of 'quantum chaos', this book reveals that there is a subtle and complex relation between classical and quantum mechanics. It challenges the received view that classical and quantum mechanics are incommensurable, and revives another, largely forgotten tradition due to Niels Bohr and Paul Dirac. By artfully weaving together considerations from the history of science, philosophy of science, and contemporary physics, this book offers a new way of thinking about intertheory relations and scientific explanation. It will be of particular interest to historians and philosophers of science, philosophically-inclined physicists, and interested non-specialists.


Abstract The widespread use of the social media has recently created a lot of interest in research on human interactions, and how ideas propagate among individuals. We review the standard rumor model adopted from the literature. These models assume that people spreading the rumor (spreaders) keep spreading it, and those who hear the rumor (ignorant) can become a spreader with a certain probability. We present a generalized model wherein the spreader may change its attitude and become an ordinary member of the society after each contact. We utilize the techniques of the dynamical systems and calculate the stability for the spread of rumor in the phase-space of our generalized model. The model possesses transitions and critical behavior. We also perform computer simulations. The simulations fully support our theoretical calculations.


— This paper presents an investigation and optimization of process parameters of laser beam machining process on SS-304. LBM uses the light energy from a laser device for the material removal by vaporization and ablation. In the present study, attempt is made to find the optimal machining conditions with kerf width (KW) and surface roughness (Ra) as objective. It was observed that with increase in laser power, kerf width and surface roughness increases. Response surface methodologies D optimality test was used to determine the optimal machining parameters, among which the laser power and the cutting speed were found to be the most significant. It was observed that lower laser power and cutting speed is suitable for better kerf width and surface roughness.


The article is dedicated to the Battle of Moscow in OctoberDecember, 1941. Author analyzes the causes of the failure of German army, who tries to encircle and capture Moscow, the events taking place on the outskirts of Moscow, German troops attempts to encircle Moscow. The author presents data on the speech by Adolf Hitler in Berlin on October 5, 1941, in which he acknowledged the failure of the Blitzkrieg and the Battle for Moscow and its suburbs. The researcher uses the documents of the Wehrmacht High Command, which stated that after the Battle of Moscow, German troops could not on any further stage of the war to restore the quality and morale of the armed forces, with whom Reich rushed to a campaign for world domination. The author, a prominent public and political figure of the USSR, also relies on personal recollections, interviews with prominent generals of World War II, including I. Konev.


Three cases are reported in which gastric rupture occurred during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Precipitating factors are considered and discussed with reference to the literature. This condition has been considered to be rare. Its occurrence greatly adds to the morbidity and mortality of the underlying disease. Possible precautions to limit its occurrence are discussed.


Recently, it has been shown that an infinite succession of classical signature changes (`signature oscillations') can compactify and stabilize internal dimensions, and simultaneously leads, after a coarse graining type of averaging procedure, to an effective (`physical') spacetime geometry displaying the usual Lorentzian metric signature. Here, we consider a minimally coupled scalar field on such an oscillating background and study its effective dynamics. It turns out that the resulting field equation in four dimensions contains a coupling to some non-metric structure, the imprint of the `microscopic' signature oscillations on the effective properties of matter. In a multi-dimensional FRW model, this structure is identical to a massive scalar field evolving in its homogeneous mode.


In this article, it is argued that a postcolonial critique of the colonial study of religion should not preclude a critique of indigenous African religion itself. The latter may be developed from a human rights perspective and a critique of exclusionary views of indigeneity. The argument is illustrated by means of specific case studies.


SSA is a relatively new non-parametric data-driven technique in time series analysis, has been developed and applied to many practical problems across different fields. This paper focuses on the technique of Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA), its application for financial time series, and also represents results of numerical experiments done by author. The main algorithm of SSA consists of two complementary stages: decomposition and reconstruction; both stages include two separate steps. The performance of the SSA technique is assessed by applying it to the close prices of "AS Tallink Grupp" stock. Results in this work are obtained from creation trajectory matrix of given time series and finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors; construction of the principal and reconstructed components of the time series; applying forecasting algorithm to the time series; interpretation of obtained results. In this thesis for numerical experiments we use the software Matlab.


The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of andrographolide (AP), a bioactive component isolated from Andrographis paniculata, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver injury as well as the possible mechanisms involved in this protection in mice. Acute liver injury was induced by CCl(4) intoxication in mice. Serum biological analysis, lipid peroxides and antioxidant estimation, histopathological studies, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assay were carried out. CCl(4) treatment resulted in severe hepatic injury, as evidenced by significant elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and typical histopathological changes, such as hepatocyte necrosis. Additionally, CCl(4) administration led to oxidative stress in mice, as indicated by a remarkable increase in the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level, together with a significant decrease in liver reduced glutathione (GSH) content. However, CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with AP, as demonstrated by significant reduction of serum ALT, AST levels and hepatic MDA activity, along with a remarkable increase in hepatic GSH content. Histopathological changes induced by CCl(4) were also ameliorated by AP pretreatment. The marked increase of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced by CCl(4) was attenuated by AP, and the dramatic elevation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) at transcriptional and protein levels was augmented following AP pretreatment. AP can effectively prevent liver injury induced by CCl(4), which may be due to inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.


Introduction: It is alarming as to how students have qualms in opting for Public Health Dentistry as their first choice for their postgraduation course, even though it lays the foundation for the awareness and prevention about the social aspects of the profession. The aim of the present study was to determine the career motivations and perceptions of dental students toward Public Health Dentistry as a career option among final-year dental students and interns of dental colleges of Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among five randomly selected private dental colleges in Rajasthan. A close-ended, multiple-choice, structured questionnaire was distributed through email to selected study samples during the months of February and March 2020. The data thus collected were statistically analyzed. The statistical analysis used in this study was descriptive and inferential. The inferential analysis used in this study was a chi-square test to find out the association of age and gender with knowledge, attitude, and practice questions and results were obtained. Results: A total of 390 students responded to the questionnaire. Among them 70.3% were females and 29.7% were males. Only 36% of students agreed to choosing Public Health Dentistry as a career option. Conclusion: Students' perception revealed that they were not very aware of the future prospects of the subject they had chosen. Further efforts should be made by the dental council and the dental colleges to develop this specialty, keeping in mind the increasing attitudes and interests of dental undergraduates toward it.


Objective—The anti-inflammatory properties of the female sex hormone estrogen have been linked to a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we addressed whether estrogen could activate vasculoprotective mechanisms via annexin A1 (AnxA1) mobilization in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Methods and Results—Using whole-blood flow cytometry, we demonstrated that premenopausal women expressed higher levels of surface AnxA1 on circulating PMNs compared with males. This correlated with high plasma estrogen during the menstrual cycle. The addition of estrogen in vitro to male PMNs induced rapid mobilization of AnxA1, optimal at 5 ng/mL and a 30-minute incubation period; this effect was abolished in the presence of the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182780. Estrogen addition to human PMNs induced a distinct AnxA1hi CD62Llo CD11blo phenotype, and this was associated with lower cell activation as measured by microparticle formation. Treatment of human PMNs with E2 inhibited cell adhesion to an endothelial cell monolayer under shear, which was absent when endogenous AnxA1 was neutralized. Of interest, addition of estrogen to PMNs flowed over the endothelial monolayer amplified its upregulation of AnxA1 localization on the cell surface. Finally, in a model of intravital microscopy, estrogen inhibition of white blood cell adhesion to the postcapillary venule was absent in mice nullified for AnxA1. Conclusion—We unveil a novel AnxA1-dependent mechanism behind the inhibitory properties of estrogen on PMN activation, describing a novel phenotype with a conceivable impact on the vasculoprotective effects of this hormone.


We solve Problem 234 in Statistica Neerlandica by introducing the concept of slantedness. Distributions with a decreasing Lebesgue density are slanted to the right. This is no longer true for distributions on a lattice with decreasing density. Both kinds of distributions have positive central odd moments. Acknowledgement I wish to thank H. Dehling for his hospitality during my stay at Groningen.


BIL Solutions Ltd Decommissioning In-Situ Plutonium Inventory Monitor (DISPIM) is a versatile neutron and gamma assay system designed to be deployable in a wide range of decommissioning and waste management situations. The system utilizes Totals and Coincidence neutron counting to determine both total Pu mass values and the 3D Pu mass distribution inside the target object. DISPIM's modular, mobile design allows the system to be used in the assay of a range of objects of varying size and shape in locations where alternative monitoring equipment would not normally be available. The DISPIM system has recently been successfully used for the in-situ measurement of crated and drummed Plutonium Contaminated Material (PCM) waste items to provide Pu mass values in preparation for their treatment as part of a decommissioning program. A description of the operation of the DISPIM system is given, including calibration of the system prior to the on-site survey, the measurement and quality control methodology employed during assay of waste items and discussion of the data analysis techniques. The results of "imaging" measurements (i.e. Pu mass distribution results) recorded from the PCM crate measurements are likely to be of particular benefit when planning any future operations on these waste items. The results of this DISPIM survey represent a complete solution for the customer with minimal requirement for use of their own resources. Technically substantiated Pu mass assay results have been provided which can now be easily adopted for use in criticality safety cases for the future treatment of these waste items. In summary, the DISPIM system has successfully delivered a safe, fast and cost effective measurement solution to this challenging assay task and demonstrated its flexibility as a PCM monitoring system.


INTRODUCTION
Male genital infection by human papillomavirus is of particular importance since it is often asymptomatic. The patient generally presents no clinical lesion. Therefore, men represent an important reservoir of virus, playing a special role in the transmission and perpetuation of the disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
In the present prospective clinical trial study, 190 sex partners of women with genital infection by human papillomavirus, associated or not with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, were investigated. All patients were unaware of or denied the presence of a genital lesion.

RESULTS
Cytologic examination revealed koilocytosis in 9 cases (4.7%) in the urethra and in 3 cases (1.6%) in the corona of the glans and the distal prepuce. Peniscopy with the previous use of 5% acetic acid revealed white lesions in 97.9% of the patients. Toluidine blue stained most of the lesions. At least one fragment revealed koilocytosis in the histopathologic study of 97 cases (51.05%).

CONCLUSION
The three methods complement one another, allowing a more precise diagnosis of the infection in men.


Textbooks are an integral part of structured syllabus coverage in higher education. The argument advanced in this article is that textbooks are not simply products of inscription and embodied scholarly labour for pedagogical purposes, but embedded institutional artefacts that configure entire academic subject fields. Empirically, this article shows the various ways that motives of the (non-) adoption of textbooks have field institutional configuration effects. The research contribution of our study is threefold. First, we re-theorise the textbook as an artefact that is part of the institutional work and epistemic culture of academia. Second, we empirically show that the vocabularies of motive of textbook (non-) adoption and rhetorical strategies form the basis for social action and configuration across micro, meso and macro field levels. Our final contribution is a conceptualization of the ways that textbook (non-) adoption motives ascribe meaning to the legitimating processes in the configuration of whole subject fields.


In this paper, I propose new models of quantum information processing using the exchange interaction in physical systems. The partial SWAP operator that can be realized using the exchange interaction is used as the underlying resource for defining models of quantum computation, quantum communication, quantum memory and decoherence-free subspaces. Given the non-commutativity of these operators (for adjacent operators operating on a common qubit), a number of quantum states and entanglement patters can be obtained. This zoo of states can be classified, due to the parity constraints and permutation symmetry of the states, into invariant subspaces that are used for the definition of some of the applications in this paper.


In silico tissue models (viz. numerical phantoms) provide a mechanism for evaluating quantitative models of magnetic resonance imaging. This includes the validation and sensitivity analysis of imaging biomarkers and tissue microstructure parameters. This study proposes a novel method to generate a realistic numerical phantom of myocardial microstructure. The proposed method extends previous studies by accounting for the variability of the cardiomyocyte shape, water exchange between the cardiomyocytes (intercalated discs), disorder class of myocardial microstructure, and four sheetlet orientations. In the first stage of the method, cardiomyocytes and sheetlets are generated by considering the shape variability and intercalated discs in cardiomyocyte-cardiomyocyte connections. Sheetlets are then aggregated and oriented in the directions of interest. The morphometric study demonstrates no significant difference (p>0.01) between the distribution of volume, length, and primary and secondary axes of the numerical and real (literature) cardiomyocyte data. Moreover, structural correlation analysis validates that the in-silico tissue is in the same class of disorderliness as the real tissue. Additionally, the absolute angle differences between the simulated helical angle (HA) and input HA (reference value) of the cardiomyocytes (4.3°±3.1°) demonstrate a good agreement with the absolute angle difference between the measured HA using experimental cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) and histology (reference value) reported by (Holmes et al., 2000) (3.7°±6.4°) and (Scollan et al. 1998) (4.9°±14.6°). Furthermore, the angular distance between eigenvectors and sheetlet angles of the input and simulated cDTI is much smaller than those between measured angles using structural tensor imaging (as a gold standard) and experimental cDTI. Combined with the qualitative results, these results confirm that the proposed method can generate richer numerical phantoms for the myocardium than previous studies.


A new human myeloma cell line, OPM-6, was established from the peripheral blood of a patient with advanced IgG-kappa plasma cell leukemia. Cytogenetic and phenotypic analysis confirmed that the cells were derived from the patient's leukemic cells. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) acts as an autocrine growth factor in these cells. In addition, OPM-6 cells were particularly sensitive to dexamethasone (DEX), when endogenous IGF-1 was blocked. Under these conditions, >95% of the DEX-treated cells died within 36 h. Therefore, OPM-6 represents a potentially powerful tool for the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of DEX-induced apoptosis, because it is possible to easily analyze the direct effects of DEX using this system. Using this culture system of OPM-6, we demonstrated that the treatment with DEX plus a monoclonal antibody to the human IGF-1 receptor (alphaIGF-1R) leads to the down-regulation of the gene expression of Bcl-xL, an antiapoptotic gene, and the activation of CPP32 during this apoptotic process. IFN-alpha as well as IL-6 prevented DEX plus alphaIGF-1R-induced apoptosis, and this prevention was blocked by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, PD098059, or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin. Therefore, both IL-6 and IFN-alpha blocked DEX plus alphaIGF-1R-induced apoptosis through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways.


Cognitive deficits are a prominent and enduring aspect of schizophrenia, which pose a significant barrier to achieving functional goals. The most promising intervention for treating cognitive impairment is cognitive remediation (CR), a behaviorally based therapy associated with medium effect sizes for cognitive and functional outcomes. However, there is a sizeable group of nonresponders whose CR outcomes become limited when the therapeutic approach fails to address individual differences in baseline cognition, motivation variables, and the extent to which CR offers opportunities for generalization. This speaks to a need to develop cognitive interventions that are both personalized and scalable. Emerging data suggest that specific pharmacological agents have the potential to enhance and accelerate behaviorally based CR effects. This article will review the rationale and preliminary evidence to support combining CR and pharmacotherapy. We will review crucial aspects of cognitive interventions that offer the most promise for improving not only cognitive outcomes, but also for enhancing improvement in real-world functioning. Finally, we will address methodological issues to be considered for future research on combined pharmacological and CR interventions.


The Cedrolina chromitite body (Goias-Brazil) is concordantly emplaced within talc-chlorite schists that correspond to the poly-metamorphic product of ultramafic rocks inserted in the Pilar de Goias Greenstone Belt (Central Brazil). The chromite ore displays a nodular structure consisting of rounded and ellipsoidal orbs (up to 1.5 cm in size), often strongly deformed and fractured, immersed in a matrix of silicates (mainly chlorite and talc). Chromite is characterized by high Cr# (0.80–0.86), high Fe2+# (0.70–0.94), and low TiO2 (av. = 0.18 wt %) consistent with variation trends of spinels from metamorphic rocks. The chromitite contains a large suite of accessory phases, but only irarsite and laurite are believed to be relicts of the original igneous assemblage, whereas most accessory minerals are thought to be related to hydrothermal fluids that emanated from a nearby felsic intrusion, metamorphism and weathering. Rutile is one of the most abundant accessory minerals described, showing an unusually high Cr2O3 content (up to 39,200 ppm of Cr) and commonly forming large anhedral grains (>100 µm) that fill fractures (within chromite nodules and in the matrix) or contain micro-inclusions of chromite. Using a trace element geothermometer, the rutile crystallization temperature is estimated at 550–600 °C (at 0.4–0.6 GPa), which is in agreement with P and T conditions proposed for the regional greenschist to low amphibolite facies metamorphic peak of the area. Textural, morphological, and compositional evidence confirm that rutile did not crystallize at high temperatures simultaneously with the host chromitite, but as a secondary metamorphic mineral. Rutile may have been formed as a metamorphic overgrowth product following deformation and regional metamorphic events, filling fractures and incorporating chromite fragments. High Cr contents in rutile very likely are due to Cr remobilization from Cr-spinel during metamorphism and suggest that Ti was remobilized to form rutile. This would imply that the magmatic composition of chromite had originally higher Ti content, pointing to a stratiform origin. Another possible interpretation is that the Ti-enrichment was caused by external metasomatic fluids which lead to crystallization of rutile. If this was the case, the Cedrolina chromitites could be classified as podiform, possibly representing a sliver of tectonically dismembered Paleoproterozoic upper mantle. However, the strong metamorphic overprint that affected the studied chromitites makes it extremely difficult to establish which of the above processes were active, if not both (and to what extent), and, therefore, the chromitite's original geodynamic setting.


The doctrine of Separation of Powers deals with the mutual relations among the three organs of the Government namely legislature, executive and judiciary. The origin of this principle goes back to the period of Plato and Aristotle. It was Aristotle who for the first time classified the functions of the Government into three categories viz., deliberative, magisterial and judicial and Locks categorized the powers of the Government into three parts namely: continuous executive power, discontinuous legislative power and federative power. "Continuous executive power" implies the executive and the judicial power, "discontinuous legislative power" implies the rule making power, and "federative power" signifies the power regulating the foreign affairs. The French Jurist Montesquieu in his book L. Esprit Des Lois (Spirit of Laws) published in 1748, for the first time enunciated the principle of separation of powers.


Sir, Although not licensed for the purpose, Foley catheters are commonly and effectively used for the control of posterior epistaxis. On two occasions recently I have had to remove the nasal packs from patients in whom this technique had been used. On both these occasions I was unable to deflate the balloon to allow removal. Saline had been used to inflate the balloons and I believe this had resulted in salt crystallising in the inflation channel causing blockage. I cut the catheter in case valve failure had prevented deflation. When the balloon still failed to deflate on the first occasion I advanced the catheter into the oropharynx and removed it via the mouth with a Magill forceps. On the second occasion I was able to pass a spinal needle through the nose to pierce the balloon and deflate it. I can find no reference to this problem in the ENT literature, but there are reports in urology and acute medicine journals of a number of techniques that can be used when a Foley catheter balloon fails to deflate. Some of these, such as over-inflating the balloon until it bursts or putting chemicals such as ether or toluene into the balloon to burst it, would not be suitable for a balloon in the nasopharynx. One technique that could be useful is passing an angiographic guide-wire or the guide-wire from an arterial catheter or ureteric stent down the balloon inflation channel to unblock the channel. When used for control of epistaxis it has been suggested that air rather than water can be used to inflate the balloon, but this is associated with gradual deflation of the balloon and so potential failure to maintain control of the bleeding. I contacted Bard Ltd, one manufacturer of Foley catheters, for their advice on the use of saline in the catheter balloon. They stated that water should always be used because of the risk of crystallisation when using saline. They also stressed the importance of allowing the balloon to deflate passively rather than actively when the syringe is inserted into the valve. Whether crystallisation of saline was truly the cause of failure of deflation in the cases I encountered I cannot be certain, but as it is a potential cause of problems that is easily avoidable I would recommend the use of water for Foley catheter balloon inflation.


Angiomyxomas are a group of relatively rare mesenchymal myxoid tumors. There are three types: superficial angiomyxoma, aggressive angiomyxoma, and angiomyofibroblastoma. These tumors have a predilection for occurring in the perineum of middle aged females. The youngest reported case was in a 4-year-old female. The youngest male patient was 8 years old. This report presents a case of a 2-year-old male with a groin superficial angiomyxoma mimicking an inguinal hernia. Wide local excision was performed without recurrence at 3-month follow-up. The clinical and pathologic characteristics of this group of tumors are discussed.


Abstract. The effects of insect infestation in agricultural crops are of major ecological and economic interest because of reduced yield, increased cost of pest control and increased risk of environmental contamination from insecticide application. The Russian wheat aphid (RWA, Diuraphis noxia) is an insect pest that causes damage to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). We proposed that concentrated RWA feeding areas, referred to as "hot spots," could be identified and isolated from uninfested areas within a field for site specific aphid management using remotely sensed data. Our objectives were to (1) investigate the reflectance characteristics of infested and uninfested wheat by RWA and (2) evaluate utility of airborne hyperspectral imagery with 1-m spatial resolution for detecting, quantifying, and mapping RWA infested areas in commercial winter wheat fields using the constrained energy minimization classifier. Percent surface reflectance from uninfested wheat was lower in the visible and higher in the near infrared portions of the spectrum when compared with RWA-infested wheat. The overall classification accuracies of > 89 % for damage detection were achieved. These results indicate that hyperspectral imagery can be effectively used for accurate detection and quantification of RWA infestation in wheat for site-specific aphid management.


Tests of split-anode magnetrons used with butterfly resonators have shown that resonators and tubes at present available are not suitable for use In wide-band butterfly magnetron oscillators, but that such oscillators might have desirable characteristics in some applications if the tubes and resonators were designed for the purpose. Oscillographic studies appear to indicate that negative slope of portions of the anode current-voltage characteristics can be explained on the basis of back-heating and that negative slope is absent when the current is varied rapidly. A comparison of various methods of anode-current stabilization showed that smoothest operation is obtained if the magnetic field is produced by an electromagnet excited by the direct anode current.


In this paper we present an ontology for the analysis and the envisioning of software based systems. We first try to identify and solve the main difficulties of using qualitative reasoning in software engineering. Follow some results of a qualitative abstraction tool and some simple application examples. We then introduce the concept of a system qualitative graph, and the role of graph homomorphisms for modeling a software, and more generally a system, as a continuous phase transition map operating on an abstract data space. We finish with the presentation of the underlying mathematical framework and some properties of graph homomorphism invariants and their use in qualitative reasoning.


Objectives: To explore in the context of peoples' personal social networks, the contribution that pets make to 'the work' associated with the management of long-term conditions. Method: Mixed methods survey with nested parallel qualitative study; 300 participants were drawn from diabetes and chronic heart disease registers of General Practices across Greater Manchester in the North West of England. Notions of 'work' were used to describe the illness and everyday activities associated with chronic illness. Results: Nineteen percent of participants identified at least one pet within their network. Pets contributed mostly to managing emotions (emotional work), to enhancing a sense of self identity (biographical work) and to a lesser extent practical tasks (everyday work). There were indicators that pets mediated relationships for people living with a long-term condition through very weak ties with others in domestic and community settings. Conclusion: The findings suggest that pets have unique qualities and are not simply substitutes for human relationships in long-term condition management. The study has potential implications for furthering a social contextual analysis of chronic illness, the understanding of relationships, and the meaning and the role of companion animals in long-term condition management.


Three cases of ipsilateral deafness occurred in association with herpes zoster ophthalmicus. Although our review of the literature did not disclose any identical cases, we believe that this complication may not be rare. If vertigo, tinnitus, abnormal auditory sensations, or ear pain occur with herpes zoster of any cranial nerve, an audiogram is indicated immediately to detect possible hearing loss. There is no known satisfactory treatment for sudden deafness due to herpes zoster infection.


Problems of measurement of the incidence of rape are considered, and empirical findings are summarized regarding prevalence, demographic and psychiatric characteristics of offenders, spatial and temporal distribution of offenses, victim-offender relationships, and evidence about recidivism and progression of crimes. Findings are discussed in the framework of blame models and their implications for treatment and prevention.


The authors present a clinical case of 55 years old female patient with limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), which first manifestation was non-erosive polyarthritis with rheumatoid factor positive that antedates one decade the pulmonary manifestations. She had acute episodes with purulent expectoration, fever and hemoptysis, with resolution in a week. The chest x-rays demonstrated migratory bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Transthoracic lung biopsy was performed and revealed capilaritis and signs of old and recent hemorrhage. At that time, autoimmunity study was repeated and showed positive for rheumatoid factor, negative anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) and high sustained PR3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. The diagnosis of WG was established and cyclophosphamide started. This patient had a less common presentation and a less common histological pattern compared to the typical necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. She was treated with immunosuppression therapy which could have contributed to a mild clinical expression and a lower diagnostic yield. In suspicious cases, repeat the autoimmunity study, when facing new findings, could confirm the correct diagnosis.


AIMS
To develop an evidence-based, valid and reliable assessment tool that educational establishments and dental practitioners may use to assess the complexity of root canal treatment (RCT) utilising digital advancements. The study also aimed to provide a more objective definition of the term "uncomplicated" root canal treatment as described by the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) and the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) undergraduate curriculum guidelines for Endodontology.

METHODOLOGY
The development process involved a narrative review of the literature to identify the complexity factors associated with root canal treatment on permanent teeth; an iterative development and analysis process to assess the weighting of these factors; and the programming of digital software to enhance the efficiency and user-interface of the assessment form. Validation of the tool was sought with a panel of 35 specialist endodontists to assess clinical scenarios and assess the consensus inter-examiner agreement with the outcomes provided by the E-CAT. The inter-user and intra-user reliability studies were conducted with 15 dentists to evaluate the same clinical cases and by repeating the experiment 9 months later. The ease of use of the form was also assessed.

RESULTS
The E-CAT was successfully developed with a total of 19 complexity criteria and hosted on a secure server under the domain of www.e-cat.uk. The tool provides a smart interactive filtering mechanism and automatic background calculation of the risk scores. Three levels of complexity were defined: class I (uncomplicated), class II (moderately complicated) and class III (highly complicated). The consensus of the panel of endodontists had excellent agreement with the outcome of the E-CAT. The inter-user and intra-user reliability was found to be 0.80 and 0.90, respectively. The average time to assess a case was 01:36 minute.

CONCLUSION
The E-CAT showed promising results providing an efficient and reliable platform to assess the complexity of root canal treatments. The study design allowed the formulation of a more objective definition to describe "uncomplicated" root canal treatment as referred to by the ESE and ADEE guidelines. This study can be advantageous for educational, public health and referral pathways.


ABSTRACT Cost-effectiveness, simple processing, and high performance are crucial factors for Ti and its alloys development. The high cost of Ti and its alloys comes from both starting materials and complex fabrication and/or machining processes which could be controlled using low-cost starting materials and appropriate near-net-shape fabrication techniques. In this study, the low-cost Ti is prepared, from a mixture of pure-Ti and TiH2 powders, via a powder metallurgy route consisting mechanical milling (MM) followed by dehydrogenation, and subsequent compaction through Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The MM mixture of Ti and TiH2 was dehydrogenated at 1073 K, prior to sintering, for various time periods up to 10.8 ks. The microstructural evolution caused by different dehydrogenation time and its effect on the mechanical properties has been investigated. The microstructure of sintered Ti consists of controlled bimodal type acicular α and δ-hydride phases. Consequently, the bimodal-type Ti prepared from a blend of pure-Ti and TiH2 powders exhibited a superior strength of up to 675 MPa, which is higher than that of the Ti prepared by solely pure-Ti powder.


BACKGROUND
Augmentation of soft-tissue repairs with an autologous fibrin clot has been used clinically for nearly four decades; however, fibrin clots tend to produce an abundance of scar tissue, which is known to inhibit soft-tissue regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) embedded in fibrin clots before repair could reduce scar tissue deposition and facilitate soft-tissue regeneration. To our knowledge, no published studies have directly evaluated the viability or bioactivity of MSCs in fresh human fibrin clots over time. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability and bioactivity of human MSCs inside human fibrin clots over time in nutritive and non-nutritive culture media.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES
We hypothesized that human MSCs would (1) be captured inside fibrin clots and retain their proliferative capacity, (2) remain viable for at least 7 days in the fibrin clots, (3) maintain their proliferative capacity for at least 7 days in the fibrin clots without evidence of active apoptosis, and (4) display similar viability and proliferative capacity when cultured in a non-nutritive medium over the same time periods.

METHODS
Twelve patients (mean age 33.7 years; range 4-72 years) who underwent elective knee surgery were approached between February 2016 and October 2017; all patients agreed to participate and were enrolled. MSCs isolated from human skeletal muscle and banked after prior studies were used for this analysis. On the day of surgery and after expansion of the MSC population, 3-mL aliquots of phosphate-buffered saline containing approximately 600,000 labeled with anti-green fluorescent protein (GFP) antibodies were transported to the operating room, mixed in 30 mL of venous blood from each enrolled patient, and stirred at 95 rpm for 10 minutes to create MSC-embedded fibrin clots. The fibrin clots were transported to the laboratory with their residual blood for analysis. Eleven samples were analyzed after exclusion of one sample because of a processing error. MSC capture was qualitatively demonstrated by enzymatically digesting half of each clot specimen, thus releasing GFP-positive MSCs into culture. The released MSCs were allowed to culture for 7 days. Manual counting of GFP-positive MSCs was performed at 2, 3, 4, and 7 days using an inverted microscope at 100 x magnification to document the change in the number of GFP-positive MSCs over time. The intact remaining half of each clot specimen was immediately placed in proliferation media and allowed to culture for 7 days. On Days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7, a small portion of the clot was excised, flash-frozen, cryosectioned (8-μm thickness), and immunostained with antibodies specific to GFP, Ki67 (indicative of active proliferation), and cleaved caspase-3 ([CC3]; indicative of active apoptosis). Using an inverted microscope, we obtained MSC cell counts manually at time zero and after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days of culture. Intact fresh clot specimens were immediately divided in half; one half was placed in nutritive (proliferation media) and the other was placed in non-nutritive (saline) media for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 days. At each timepoint, specimens were processed in an identical manner as described above, and a portion of each clot specimen was excised, immediately flash-frozen with liquid nitrogen, cryosectioned (8-μm thickness), and visualized at 200 x using an inverted microscope. The numbers of stain-positive MSCs per field of view, per culture condition, per timepoint, and per antibody stain type were counted manually for a quantitative analysis. Raw data were statistically compared using t-tests, and time-based correlations were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Two-tailed p values of less than 0.05 (assuming unequal variance) were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS
Green fluorescence, indicative of viable GFP-positive MSCs, was absent in all residual blood samples after 48 hours of culturing; GFP-positive MSCs were visualized after enzymatic digestion of clot matrices. The number of GFP-positive MSCs per field of view increased between the 2-day and 7-day timepoints (mean 5.4 ± 1.5; 95% CI, 4.7-6.1 versus mean 17.0 ± 13.6; 95% CI, 10.4-23.5, respectively; p = 0.029). Viable GFP-positive MSCs were present in each clot cryosection at each timepoint up to 7 days of culturing (mean 6.2 ± 4.3; 95% CI, 5.8-6.6). There were no differences in MSC counts between any of the timepoints. There was no visible evidence of GFP +/CC3 + double-positive MSCs. Combining all timepoints, there were 0.34 ± 0.70 (95% CI, 0.25-0.43) GFP+/Ki67+ double-positive MSCs per field of view. The mitotic indices at time zero and Day 7 were 7.5% ± 13.4% (95% CI, 3.0%-12.0%) and 7.2% ± 14.3% (95% CI, 3.3%-12,1%), respectively (p = 0.923). There was no visible evidence of GFP +/CC3 + double-positive MSCs (active apoptosis) at any timepoint. For active proliferation in saline-cultured fibrin clots, we found averages of 0.1 ± 0.3 (95% CI, 0.0-0.2) and 0.4 ± 0.9 (95% CI, 0.0-0.8) GFP/Ki67 double-positive MSCs at time zero and Day 7, respectively (p = 0.499). The mitotic indices in saline culture at time zero and Day 7 were 2.9% ± 8.4% (95% CI, 0.0%-5.8%) and 9.1% ± 20.7% (95% CI, 1.2%-17.0%; p = 0.144). There was no visible evidence of GFP +/CC3 + double-positive MSCs (active apoptosis) at any timepoint in either culturing condition.

CONCLUSION
These preliminary in vitro results show that human MSCs mixed in unclotted fresh human venous blood were nearly completely captured in fibrin clots and that seeded MSCs were capable of maintaining their viability, proliferation capacity, and osteogenic differentiation capacity in the fibrin clot for up to 7 days, independent of external sources of nutrition.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Fresh human fibrin clots have been used clinically for more than 30 years to improve soft-tissue healing, albeit with scar tissue. Our results demonstrate that allogenic human MSCs, which reduce soft-tissue scarring, can be captured and remain active inside human fibrin clots, even in the absence a nutritive culture medium.


This critical qualitative research study explored the possibility of drawing on critical literacy in the Intensive English Program (IEP) classroom, specifically using ESL reading texts as learning materials for its practices. Five ESL participants recruited from the IEP at a major US Midwestern university engaged in critical literacy practices, which consisted of eight group discussion sessions about the content and points of view of selected ESL texts. Audio and video recorded discussion data were analyzed through the four dimensions model, used as both conceptual and analytical frameworks for this study. Based on the findings, this research study offers ESL/IEP educators a variety of effective strategies to promote ESL students' critical engagement with their texts, specifically to help them disrupt the commonplace.


Abstract: In France, health policy evaluation is a recent development. The evaluation conducted in the Nord Pas-de-Calais region is of particular interest in that it deals with a policy and its programs. The article presents an analysis of the various questions tackled in this evaluation and compares them to the questions in a program evaluation scale based on a sequential progression. Evaluation culture in France appears to be characterized by an approach that is both pluralist and evaluation criteria-based, which reflects the normative, or judgment-focussed, dimension of the activity. The comparison examines the relationship between the questions in the scale and the criteria approach taken in France to identify similarities between the two approaches and advance thinking on evaluation in France as well as in Canada.


The differential deep learning analysis proposed by Timon is the first non-profiled side-channel attack technique that uses deep learning. The technique recovers the secret key using the phenomenon of deep learning metrics. However, the proposed technique made it difficult to observe the results from the intermediate process, while the neural network had to be retrained repeatedly, as the cost of learning increased with key size. In this paper, we propose three methods to solve the aforementioned problems and any challenges resulting from solving these problems. First, we propose a modified algorithm that allows the monitoring of the metrics in the intermediate process. Second, we propose a parallel neural network architecture and algorithm that works by training a single network, with no need to re-train the same model repeatedly. Attacks were performed faster with the proposed algorithm than with the previous algorithm. Finally, we propose a novel architecture that uses shared layers to solve memory problems in parallel architecture and also helps achieve better performance. We validated the performance of our methods by presenting the results of non-profiled attacks on the benchmark database ASCAD and for a custom dataset on power consumption collected from ChipWhisperer-Lite. On the ASCAD database, our shared layers method was up to 134 times more efficient than the previous method.


Although most retroposons that arose by reverse transcription of cellular mRNAs and by reintegration into the genome are nonfunctional, several examples exist in which the retroposon acquired a novel function and became fixed in the genome as a functional gene. We identified another such case: the ubiquitously expressed X-linked XAP-5 gene with unknown function gave rise to its retroposed counterpart, XAP-5-like (X5L), which has an intronless open reading frame and is autosomal in human. Phylogenetic analysis of the human and mouse XAP-5 and X5L genes shows that the retroposition most likely took place before the radiation of eutherian mammals. The XAP-5 and X5L genes are expressed in a wide range of tissues but are differentially expressed in testis. The ancient origin and broad expression of the X5L retroposon indicate that the XAP-5 and X5L genes may have assumed different functions in somatic cells. In addition to this, because of its autosomal location and its high level and particular pattern of expression in spermatogenic cells, the X5L expression in testis may compensate for the X-linked XAP-5 gene, which may be silenced during spermatogenesis.


Organismal growth and lifespan are inextricably linked. Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signalling regulates protein production for growth and development, but if reduced extends lifespan across species. Reduction of the enzyme RNA polymerase III, which transcribes tRNAs and 5S rRNA, also extends longevity. Here, we identify a temporal genetic relationship between TOR and Pol III in C. elegans, showing that they collaborate to regulate progeny production and lifespan. Interestingly, the lifespan interaction between Pol III and TOR is only revealed when TOR signaling is reduced specifically in adulthood demonstrating the importance of timing to control TOR regulated developmental vs adult programs. Additionally, we show that Pol III acts in C. elegans muscle to promote both longevity and healthspan and that reducing Pol III even in late adulthood is sufficient to extend lifespan. This demonstrates the importance of Pol III for lifespan and age-related health in adult C. elegans.


It is known that longitudinal ribs manufactured in a flat surface act to reduce (reduces) turbulent skin-friction drag, thus providing a moderate drag reduction of 4 to 8%. In this paper, nonconventional variable blades are used instead of uniform grooves. Numerical simula-tion of a turbulent flow over blade-covered surface is performed for three cases: uniform, increasing and de-creasing spacing blades. All riblets have rectangular cross-section as well as the same wetted area. Results show that drag reduction is strongly depending on the spacing variation, showing a benefit over uniform riblets for regressive spacing, and an opposite trend for the pro-gressive one. Different nature of the flow over the three cases of blades' surfaces is revealed by looking at transverse planes cross flow motion, mean streamwise velocity and Reynolds stresses. Results show cross flow turbulence intensity reduced for regressive riblets compared to pro-gressive and uniform ones.


With large data files, outlier recognition requires a more sophisticated approach than the traditional data plots and regression lines. In addition, the number of outliers tends to rise linearly with the data's sample size. The objective of this study was to examine whether balanced iterative reducing and clustering using hierarchies (BIRCH) clustering is able to detect previously unrecognized outlier data.A simulated and a real data files were used as examples. SPSS statistical software was used for data analysis. In 50 mentally depressed persons, a regression analysis failed to detect any outliers. BIRCH analysis of these data showed in addition to 2 clusters a relevant outlier cluster consistent of 7 patients (14%) not fitting in the formed clusters. In 576 iatrogenic admissions, the number of comedications was not a significant loglinear predictor of the iatrogenic admission. In contrast, BIRCH analysis revealed an outlier cluster consistent of 174 patients (30%) with extremely many comedications. The conclusions were as follows: (1) A systematic assessment for outliers is important in therapeutic research with large data, because the lack of it can lead to catastrophic consequences. (2) Traditional data analysis, such as regression analysis, was unable to demonstrate outliers in our examples. (3) BIRCH cluster analysis of the examples produced relevant outlier clusters of patients not fitting in the data otherwise. (4) On theoretical grounds, BIRCH cluster analysis is, particularly, suitable for large datasets.


This paper describes activities of two graduate students in creating, delivering, and assessing engineering-based lessons in secondary science and mathematics classes. The students are Fellows in an NSF-funded program called Project STEP at the University of Cincinnati; the program partners graduate students with secondary educators to create resources for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills. The lessons are relevant to students' lives as well as aligned with academic standards. The Fellows bring authentic engineering backgrounds and expertise into the classroom to encourage students to consider engineering as a future field of study


The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the organizational culture atpreschool institutes and management styles on job satisfaction levels among teachers. For this study, 256 teachers responded to questionnaires dealing with the following topics: the organization culture and the management styles of administrators at schools they work in and job satisfaction. The results were as follows: First, there was a significant positive correlation between organizational culture and job satisfaction. Second, there was a significant positive correlation between several sub-factors of job satisfaction and management styles. Third, in multiple regression analysis of variables, innovativeness in the organizational culturehad the most significant influence on job satisfaction. Also sub-factors of organizational culture and management styles of administrators that influenced teachers'job satisfaction ratings included collegiality, supervisory support, physical settings, reward systemsand task-centered management styles.


William Osler spent the last 15 years of his life at Oxford, from his arrival in May 1905 until his death at 4:30 on the afternoon of Dec 29, 1919. His funeral was in the Chapel and Cathedral at Christ Church on the afternoon of Jan 1, 1920. The Regius Chair of Medicine to which Osler was invited is an ancient and honorific office. It was one of the chairs founded by King Henry VIII in 1546. It ranks as the second or third senior chair in the University, the senior chair being the Regius Chair of Divinity, the next two being those of Civil Law and Medicine. Osler's immediate predecessor was Sir John Burdon Sanderson, who had been the first Professor of Physiology in the University. Sanderson had been preceded by Sir Henry Acland, who had been instrumental in the resurrection of science in Oxford in the mid nineteenth


Received: Sep. 2007 Accepted: Jun. 2008 Corresponding author: Joukar F e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Background & Aim: Exclusive breast feeding is highly recommended for children under six months and the best time for starting supplementary food is the end of sixth months. Inadequate feeding can lead to malnutrition. Since infants' supplementary feeding pattern is influenced highly by the socio-cultural status; it is necessary to study the subject in diverse conditions. This study aimed to investigate supplementary feeding pattern in 6-12 months children referred to Ilam clinics in 2002. Methods & Materials: In this study, 364 mothers with 6-12 months children were selected using convenient sampling method from 10 health care centers. Data were collected using a four-sectioned questionnaire including mothers and their babies demographic characteristics, feeding pattern (frequency, the type of milk), supplementary food (the age of onset and the type of the first supplementary food, the time of starting mixed foods, and the source of information about supplementary food) and mothers' performance about feeding with supplementary food. The questionnaire was filled via interview. Results: Findings showed that the growth curve in 84.8% of babies was in the health road. About 38% of babies were the first child. In 50.9% of samples, supplementary food was started before 6 months of age and in 49.9% of the cases, it was started after 6 month old. Supplementary feeding accompanied with breast feeding in 83.5% of the infants. The most used supplementary food was rice mucilage (40.8% of the babies). The interval between starting one supplementary food and the other one was 3-4 days in 50.2% of the cases. Also 80.8% of samples started feeding in the amount of one spoon and increased it gradually. The majority of mothers (64%) did not add sugar, salt and spices in order to attract their babies. As well, 75.6% of samples used spoon and cup for feeding and 92.9% knew the safe time for keeping cooked food in the refrigerator. The source of information about supplementary feeding in 65.4% of mothers was health care providers and in 5% were books and booklets. Conclusion: Findings indicated that more than half of mothers began supplementary feeding for their children before 6 months old without pursuing any accepted pattern. It seems that usual educational programs in Ilam were unable to answer all the problems aroused in this issue. Hence, educating mothers using other methods such as visual teaching material is recommended.


Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that causes COVID-19, which has become a worldwide pandemic. However, until now, there is no vaccine or specific drug to prevent or treat COVID-19. Objectives: To find out the effective treatment as an antiviral agent for COVID-19, to determine the correlation between sociodemography with clinical outcomes and duration of treatment, and to determine the relationship between comorbidities with clinical outcomes and duration of treatment for COVID-19 patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in this study. This study included only confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the hospital during April-May 2020. Convenience sampling was used to select 103 patients, but only 72 patients were suitable for inclusion. Results: The survival analysis for COVID-19 patients using the Kaplan Meier method showed that patients receiving Oseltamivir + Hydroxychloroquine had an average survival rate of about 83% after undergoing treatment for about ten days. Gender (p = 0.450) and age (p = 0.226) did not have a significant correlation with the duration of treatment for COVID-19 patients. Gender (p = 0.174) and age (p = 0.065) also did not have a significant correlation with clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients. Comorbidities showed a significant correlation with duration of treatment (p = 0.002) and clinical outcome (p = 0.014) of COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The most effective antiviral agent in this study based on treatment duration was the combination of Oseltamivir + Hydroxychloroquine.The higher the patient's average treatment duration, the lower the average survival rate for COVID-19 patients.


Data from 60,223 clients of MissNowMrs.com were used to identify predictors of women retaining their premarital surname as a middle name when changing their last name to that of their husband after they were married. Among women who changed their last name to that of their husband, 18 % kept their former last name as a middle name. We identify four significant predictors of women keeping their surname as their middle name: education, marital age, race, and region of residence. As their education level increased, women were significantly more likely to keep their surname before marriage as a middle name. Marital age had a curvilinear relationship with this naming choice. African Americans were significantly less likely than whites to use their birth name as a middle name while other women of color were significantly more likely than whites to follow this practice. The birth surname as middle name pattern was most common in the South, suggesting a regional cultural influence.


This study examines the appointment process for independent directors in public listed
companies (PLCs) in Malaysia. To this end, open-ended interviews were conducted with chairmen
of nomination committees of PLCs in Malaysia in order to understand the appointment process.
The results revealed that nominations may come from various sources, including from the firm's
board members, CEO or owners. It was also found that the nominees are those within the
personal network of the board members, CEO or owners. The main reason given was to shorten
the appointment process and also because they knew the candidates personally. In terms of the
selection criteria, the personal qualities of a candidate were found to be very important. In
particular, the board puts emphasis on experience, expertise, professional qualifications, and
reputation to identify a candidate who can commit to their tasks. However, the board does not
consider race, religion, and gender as important selection criteria. Our findings reveal that it is
the board that makes the final decision on the appointment or reappointment of independent
directors. Based on our findings, we conclude that nominations for independent directorships
mainly come from inside the firms and those nominated are within their networks. In other
words, the independent directors are known or connected either to the board members, CEO or
major shareholders. Hence, it would be very difficult for independent directors to perform a
monitoring role as prescribed in agency theory. Rather, the independent directors are appointed
to the board primarily to play a service role, consistent with resource dependency theory. The
fact that firms prefer professionals with experience indicates that candidates for independent
directorships are appointed because of their expertise and their service role.


Objectives: An interprofessional team of healthcare practitioners at the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC) provides individualized and whole person care in an effort to bridge the gap between conventional and complementary cancer care. The objective of this presentation is to describe the population receiving care at the OICC in terms of demographic and disease-related characteristics, in addition to their experience receiving care in terms of therapies received and preliminary outcomes.Methods: All people receiving care at the OICC are invited to complete a registration package that documents demographic and disease-related characteristics in addition to baseline quality of life (EORTC-QLQ C30), cancer-related symptom (ESAS) and patient-identified concerns or problems (MYCaW). Every 3 months, a follow up assessment is completed for continuing patients.Results: In the 18 months since opening, more than 600 unique people have received care at the OICC. Most commonly people consult a naturopathic doctor, often in combination with a general practitioner, nutritionist, acupuncturist, physiotherapist, or counselor. The majority of people seek care to manage cancer and treatment-related side effects, including pain, neuropathy, energy, and digestive concerns. Other people are seeking supportive interventions to their prescribed standard care, to control or cure their cancer, or to prevent a recurrence. Approximately one half of people self-identify as under distress for at least one common cancer-related symptom. Preliminary results will be presented regarding quality of life, cancer related symptoms and patient-identified concerns, stratified as possible by age, sex, cancer type, stage and types of treatment received.Conclusions: The results presented here contribute to an understanding of who seeks integrative and whole person care as well as the growing body of literature regarding potential benefits. Results will be used to guide development of a clinical trial designed to assess the feasibility, safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of integrative, whole person cancer care.


This paper charts the complications arising out of the rhetorical markers of 'Middle Ground' colorblindedness in the unitary fervour attending Barack Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention Speech, wherein the E pluribus unum dictum was planted into both memory and public consciousness through rhetorical features such as Parallelism and Anaphora, both of which resonate with the vision of one diverse American family. Yet, this paper argues, his cautionary response in the aftermath of the Treyvon Martin shooting, attests to a shift to a rhetorical flourish hinged on the Aristotelian antilogiai principle that puts race 'under erasure' through the rhetorical device of variation, whereby he allows public memory to reimagine Treyvon Martin as not only a younger version of Barack Obama but also Treyvon as his son. The paper concludes that between the orotund anaphora of hope and the cautionary diction of despair carried by variation lies hidden the partition of America's cosmetic color-blindedness that paradoxically plays out in profiled, if fatal, racial spectacle of the clash between the 'middle ground' rhetoric and gruesome 'stand your ground' policing. The said clash, in styled rhetoric and historical content, renders America as both the country of dreams for all and a zone of exception and non-being for young, black males.


Digital images may be seriously contaminated by noise during acquisition and transmission. Image denoising is a fundamental role to recover original image by making an estimation to preserve important image information. It is equally, if not more crucial, to characterize the type and level of the noises present in the images based on its nature and distribution, so that appropriate denoising tools can be applied, achieving a restored image of higher quality. The first objective of this work is to present a method to recognize image noise of different types: impulse, gaussian, speckle and poison noises, and their combination at different noise levels as a first step, and to ultimately perform denoising to recover noisy images. The main purpose is to take the advantage of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) capability in analyzing image characteristics. To classify image noise type, the CNN trained with Backpropagation (BP) algorithm and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) optimization technique are implemented. In order to reduce the training time and computational cost of the algorithm, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) pretraining strategy is deployed to obtain data adaptive filter banks. The proposed CNN with PCA for Noise Types Recognition (CPNTR) model is semi- supervised, because the PCA kernels are generated in an unsupervised way while the classifier at the output layer is trained by supervised learning. The designed system is validated by using images treated with noise of single and combination of various types. The experiments conducted have proven the reliability of the proposed CPNTR model by having achieved an overall average accuracy of 99.9% while recognizing four classes of image noise types and of 99.3% while recognizing types and levels of noise. The model has also accurately identified 85.7% of images that are degraded by combinations of noise. These have shown that the proposed CPNTR structure provides an excellent image noise types classification solution. The second objective is to design an efficient CNN with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) model for high-density impulse noise removal. The proposed High-density Impulse Noise Detection and Removal (HINDR) model mainly consists of two parts: the impulse noise removal and impulse noisy pixel detection for restoration. Unlike traditional methods that usually start with detection and followed by denoising, the model initially leverages the powerful ability of deep CNN architecture to separate noise from noisy image, then adopts PSO to pinpoint the most optimized threshold values for detecting impulse noisy pixels. An ensemble of these algorithms is an intelligent and adaptive solution, producing a clean output, while preserving significant pixel information. Targeting on impulse noise density as high as 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%, the model has been trained with a massive collection of natural images and 14 standard testing images are used for validation purposes. Based on the final denoised images, the model has proven its reliability, in terms of both visual quality and quantitative evaluation.


Some work in Harlem Hospital in which we were attempting to ascertain the factor that predisposes children to rickets by a systematic survey of the phosphorus of the blood of mothers and infants suggested a study of wider scope, including not only the inorganic phosphorus but also other constituents of the blood during the critical period of child formation in the uterus. Early investigators have had continual controversies regarding the significant chemical changes that occur in the inorganic constituents of normal pregnant women. The recent work of Denis and King 1 in which from 9 to 11 mg. per hundred cubic centimeters of blood is accepted as representing the standard for normal serum calcium is corroborative of these earlier studies in which no change was predicated. Of all the workers in the field, however, Widdows 2 is the only one who reaches her conclusion by analyses of the blood of the same


Thermal pad is new technology in the world that been used in PLCC in order to reduce junction temperature to the minimum level in electronic components. Thermal Pad was made by using nanosilver as main material. nanosilver silica films were applied on PLCC using a sol-gel process and heat-treated at different temperatures. In electronic industry, the electronic components that exceed 70oC will malfunction and damage due to the overheated. The design is used nanosilver as main material in thermo pad because it has high value of thermal conductivity and enables to dissipate heat very efficiently. The advantages of this product are enables to reduce junction temperature of PLCC 20-30%. It also had constant thickness in order to get accurate results. It was a new technology that been applied in electronic industry in order to reduce the temperature of the electronic components.


Understanding boundary-spanning activities such as interorganizational alliances and professional/organizational integration requires clarity about what boundaries are being spanned and how they were constructed. We approach this goal by drawing on social identity theory and institutional theory to develop a process model, whereby inward- and outward-directed networking activities combine to build the social boundaries marking exclusive membership and proprietary domain. Four stages in the process are demonstrated, using two longitudinal case studies of emerging professions: the Jewish legal profession in Israel and physician executives in the USA. Despite the cases' contextual differences, analysis of networking activities supports propositions based on the model.


In the near future, subscriber cable networks must be able to transmit a variety of high-signal speeds, and optical fiber cable is necessary for this. A wide range of technical problems in subscriber optical fiber cable networks must be solved: quick response to service needs; high reliability; economical construction; and ease of maintenance.


The article describes the stages of development and formation of the national dermatovenereology, history of one of the oldest department of skin and sexually transmitted diseases in Russia. Discusses national and global role of the P.V. Nikolsky, Z.N. Grjebine, N.A. Torsuev, L.M. Khasabov and other colleagues of clinic and chair in the learning and teaching of dermatology and venerology, their contribution to the fight against leprosy, skin and venereal diseases.


Noting. that the success of the Bay Area. Writing Protect and the National Writing Project derives largely from their involvement of. classroom teachers and from collaboration between 'university professors and those teachers, this paper discusses recent. California legislation that places significant poser in the hinds of teachers in determining staff development programs. The paper views this phenomenon as'part of a _nationwide shift of responsibility for teacher education from,the colleges and universities to the /schools' 'themselves. While noiOng that this change'isLiudible in mini respects, the paper contends that it effeCtively cuts off,teachers from theoretLcal and research perspectives and from the I , philosophical, psychological, and historical insights thit college, professors can provide. The paper pi.oposes A new model for Inservice education bdsed on the ideas of British' educator Michael Brant. It then discusses the model, which identifies the school rather than the school district or the individual teacher as the focal point for educational change and calls for an outside consultant, possibly a, college professor, to work in a nondirective way with teachers in identifying needs, setting objectives, delineating resources that can be.used for problem solving, determining solution:sp./implementing them, and evaluating their effectiveness. The.paper provides an example in which_this model was successfully implemented.' (Author/FL)


We investigated the sliding friction between a soft hydrogel and rough and weakly adhesive solid substrates in a water environment. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels of different elastic moduli and two sets of glass substrates with different contact angles to water, all of which varied in their surface roughness, were used. The friction measurement was performed by using a strain-controlled parallel-plate rheometer. With an increase in substrate roughness, the friction in the low velocity region increased slightly, while it decreased significantly above a critical velocity on a surface with a roughness larger than 1 μm. Below this critical velocity, the frictional stress changed with the glass substrate surface energy, while above this critical velocity, it was not sensitive to the glass substrate surface energy. The velocity-dependence of friction on rough surfaces is explained in terms of surface contact dynamics and is characterized by two velocities, i.e., vf and vdrainage. The former is determined by the cooperative diffusion constant of the gels, and the latter is by the surface roughness of the substrate and the normal pressure applied on the gel.


With the growing importance of single-photon-counting (SPC) techniques, researchers are now designing high-performance systems based on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). SPADs with high performances and low cost allow the popularity of SPC-based systems for medical and industrial applications. However, few efforts were put into the design optimization of SPADs due to limited calibrated models of the SPAD itself and its related circuits. This paper provides a perspective on improving SPAD-based system design by reviewing the development of SPAD models. First, important SPAD principles such as photon detection probability (PDP), dark count rate (DCR), afterpulsing probability (AP), and timing jitter (TJ) are discussed. Then a comprehensive discussion of various SPAD models focusing on each of the parameters is provided. Finally, important research challenges regarding the development of more advanced SPAD models are summarized, followed by the outlook for the future development of SPAD models and emerging SPAD modeling methods.


We have performed an inelastic neutron scattering experiment on the antiferromagnet Ca3Fe2Ge3O12. This garnet has a nontrivial infinitely degenerate classical Néel ground state. We have found an energy gap of 0.033(4) THz in an acoustic spin wave branch at the antiferromagnetic zone centre. According to theoretical predictions this energy gap is caused by quantum spin fluctuations which lift the degeneracy of the ground state.


Malaria disease can be categorized as uncomplicated or severe (complicated). In general, malaria is a curable disease if diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly. All the clinical symptoms associated with malaria are caused by the asexual erythrocytic or blood stage parasites. Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Artemisinin derivatives are an important new class of antimalarial agents. These compounds contain endoperoxide bridges which are essential for antimalarial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both Ethanolic and watery extract of Artemisinin against malaria infected mice. Blood was taken from a donor mouse with parasitemia Plasmodium falciparum and diluted using saline to 5 × 107 parasitized erythrocytes per ml. Swiss albino mice were infected with 0.2 ml blood., Ethanolic, and water extract of Artemisinin Annua in addition to traditional chloroquine were used in treatment of mice after inoculation with infected blood with plasmodium. In our study there were increase in both red blood cells in Art. Annuna Ethanol Extract Art. Annuna Water Extract and Chloroquine treatment groups with values 7.48 ± 0.52, 8.7 ± 0.24, 9.9 ± 0.51, and 4.05 ± 0.8. This study indicates that the treatment of malaria using Artemisia annua results in improved hematological indices.


This paper proposes an estimator of the cointegrating rank of a potentially cointegrated multivariate fractional process. Our setting is very flexible, allowing the individual observable processes to have different integration orders. The proposed method is automatic and can be also employed to infer the dimensions of possible cointegrating subspaces, which are characterized by special directions in the cointegrating space which generate cointegrating errors with smaller integration orders, increasing the �achievement� of the cointegration analysis. A Monte Carlo experiment of finite sample performance and an empirical analysis are included.


Adolescence has been defined as a unique stage of development, and youth are marked and understood by their differences from adults and children. This perceived border between youth and adults also influences curriculum development, since knowledge for youth is often determined by their current developmental stage and/or what they need to know and be able to do when they are adults. Thus, curricular knowledge often participates in keeping youth "less than" adults. When we start with a conception of youth that emphasizes their competence or power, curricular options open. If we recognize that youth can take on political organizing or use social media in more sophisticated ways than adults, schools' tight management of youth appears overzealous and miseducative. To rethink conceptions of youth, educators must confront the power differentials built into and maintained by school curricular knowledge.


Nightmares are considered the hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although the characteristics of these distressing dreams may vary with the type of traumatic event, the pathophysiology exposes central dysfunction of brain structures at the level of the hippocampus, amygdala, and locus coeruleus, modulated by neurochemical imbalance in nor-adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonin pathways. Underlying comorbid conditions, including other sleep disorders, may contribute to worsening symptoms. Addressing sleep disruption can alleviate the severity of these nocturnal events and augment the effectiveness of other PTSD treatments. The expansion of behavioral treatment modalities for PTSD-related nightmares has been encouraging, but the core of these interventions is heavily structured around memory manipulation and imagery rescripting. A lack of a standardized delivery and a high dropout rate continue to pose significant challenges in achieving successful outcomes. The efficacy of existing pharmacological studies, such as α-adrenergic blocking agents, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics, has been undermined by methodological limitations and absence of large randomized controlled trials. This review is aimed at reviewing the available treatment strategies for alleviating nightmares in subjects with PTSD. Given the intricate relationship between PTSD and nightmares, future clinical trials have to adopt a more pragmatic approach focused not only on efficacy of novel interventions but also on adjunctive iteration of existing therapies tailored to individual socio-cultural background.


Abstract The wintertime, wind-driven Ocean circulation on the West Florida Continental Shelf is studied within the framework of a linearized storm-surge model. The model bathymetry incorporates a realistic shelf, extending from New Orleans to the southern tip of Florida, and a deep ocean region. The boundary condition at the coast is that there is no normal flow. At the open boundaries, located off the shelf in deep water, the adjusted sea level is fixed at zero. It is found that 1) a coastally trapped response is achieved within one local inertial period following the imposition of the wind; 2) the curved coast forces a mass exchange between the coastal water and the deep ocean; 3) this exchange leads to the generation of a series of mesoscale eddies along the shelf edge; and 4) these eddies give rise to long-period, shelf-wide oscillations that persist beyond the local spin-up time. A hindcast of the wind-driven flow on the West Florida Shelf for a particular period (11–25 March 1978) that contains the ...


Graph neural networks (GNNs) have shown promise in addressing graph-related problems, including node classification. However, conventional GNNs assume an even distribution of data across classes, which is often not the case in real-world scenarios, where certain classes are severely underrepresented. This leads to suboptimal performance of standard GNNs on imbalanced graphs. In this paper, we introduce a unique approach that tackles imbalanced classification on graphs by considering graph heterophily. We investigate the intricate relationship between class imbalance and graph heterophily, revealing that minority classes not only exhibit a scarcity of samples but also manifest lower levels of homophily, facilitating the propagation of erroneous information among neighboring nodes. Drawing upon this insight, we propose an efficient method, called Fast Im-GBK, which integrates an imbalance classification strategy with heterophily-aware GNNs to effectively address the class imbalance problem while significantly reducing training time. Our experiments on real-world graphs demonstrate our model's superiority in classification performance and efficiency for node classification tasks compared to existing baselines.


For many years, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been discussed as a technology that may make a significant contribution to achieving major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. At present, however, only two large-scale power plants capture a total of 2.4 Mt CO2/a. Several reasons are identified for this mismatch between expectations and realised deployment. Applying bibliographic coupling, the research front of CCS, understood to be published peer-reviewed papers, is explored to scrutinise whether the current research is sufficient to meet these problems. The analysis reveals that research is dominated by technical research (69%). Only 31% of papers address non-technical issues, particularly exploring public perception, policy, and regulation, providing a broader view on CCS implementation on the regional or national level, or using assessment frameworks. This shows that the research is advancing and attempting to meet the outlined problems, which are mainly non-technology related. In addition to strengthening this research, the proportion of papers that adopt a holistic approach may be increased in a bid to meet the challenges involved in transforming a complex energy system. It may also be useful to include a broad variety of stakeholders in research so as to provide a more resilient development of CCS deployment strategies.


Recidivism Risk (RR) has been the most interesing area in criminals, hence many 'life-saving programs' have been implemented, including life support, employment support, family support, and counseling support projects. Yet, there has been little empirical research on the effects of anxiety and the perceived social supports in prison on RR. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship among state and trait Anxiety, social support resources, and risk of recidivism among prisoners. Furthermore, the mediating effect of social support resources was analyzed for exlaining the association between state and trait anxiety and RR. 500 male prisoners at the 'P' correctional institution (A heavy security facility (S4 level) located in B Metropolitan City among correctional institutions under the Ministry of Justice) was collected. Structural equation modeling using the survey responses of STAI, social support scale, and recidivism risk scale was conducted. We measure two parts of anxiety (state and trait)and four sub-factors in social support resources (emotional, evaluatative, informational, and financial support). In addition, twenty-three sub areas of RR were measured including individual background information and psychological factors. The results found that (1) anxiety had a significant effect on RR. In more detail, the trait anxiety is higher effect on RR than the state anxiety. The social support also had a significant positive effect on RR in order of evaluative, emotional, informative, and finacial support resource. Lastely, the social support played a significant partial mediating role in the relationship between anxiety and RR. These foundings confirmed that the prisoners'anxiety could increase the RR and the RRcan be decreased if the prisoners are perceived that they had social support resources. Therefore, this study implies that the perceived social support among prisoners can play a protective factor in decresing RR among prisoners with anxeity.


Abstract This article is about a vehicle model which is created in software Matlab Simscape Driveline. In this model the motor is created like a subsystem by Simulink blocks and input data were measured by single roller dynamometer for cars (SRD). Measured data are the input into the model by Lookup Table block. The vehicle model is made by gear, differential, tire and vehicle body blocks. We studied the forces on tires, the vehicle velocity and the slip.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
To evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment in pelvic deformities associated with neuromuscular spine deformity, using radiographic parameters and clinical outcome analysis. In the lumbo-pelvic region, spinal deformity is most frequently combined with pelvic obliquity, lumbar hyperlordosis, hip deformity and leg-length discrepancy. Pelvic deformities include an excessive posterior or anterior pelvic tilt, obliquity or rotation and windblown hip syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
In the period from 1994 to 2006, 42 paediatric patients (28 girls and 14 boys) underwent surgical correction of spine and pelvic deformities by the Luque-Galveston technique. The group included 25 patients with an underlying diagnosis of a spastic form of cerebral palsy, seven patients affected by paralysis, six with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and four with spinal muscular atrophy. The average age at the time of surgery was 14 years and 3 months and the patients were followed- up for 7 years and 5 months on the average. The results were evaluated on the basis of findings on antero-posterior and lateral radiographs including the pelvis, hip joints and the whole spine. The patients were examined before surgery, then immediately after it, and at yearly follow-up intervals.

RESULTS
The mean pre-operative pelvic obliquity was 37 degrees (+/-6.0) and it improved to 9 degrees (+/-4.5) post-operatively. Horizontalization of the sacrum was corrected from the mean preoperative value of 19 degrees (+/-5.0) to 37 degrees (+/-6.1) post operatively. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). Scoliosis curve correction achieved by the surgery was from 79 degrees (+/-21.3) pre-operatively to 35 degrees (+/-14.5) post-operatively, with a mean correction rate of 56 %. The following complications were recorded: faulty insertion of the pelvic fixation resulting in perforation of the medial cortical substance of the iliac crest in one patient, pseudoarthrosis in the region of thoraco-lumbal junction in two patients, instrumentation failure with the need of pseudoarthrosis resection and re-instrumentation in one patient, and deep infection requiring wound irrigation and longterm antibiotic therapy.

DISCUSSION
The surgical correction of pelvic deformity is always associated with operative treatment of scoliosis. However, the procedure is regularly preceded by surgical correction of muscular imbalance of the lower limbs and pelvis and of hip deformities. The surgical stabilization of spinal and pelvic deformities brings about the loss of some alternative motor stereotypes. This disadvantage is compensated for by a better sitting stability and better prospects for prosthetic care.

CONCLUSIONS
The radiographic and clinical findings in the patients treated showed good correction of pelvic deformities in the frontal and sagittal planes. Pelvic obliquity correction thus contributes to the improvement of sitting stability in physically disabled patients.


Following the judgment of the International Court of Justice in the Avena case, US courts have had a mixed record in applying the decision domestically. In this article, I examine the treatment by US courts of claims by criminal defendants alleging Vienna Convention violations, subsequent to the Avena judgment. First, I discuss the two limited decisions so far taken by the US Supreme Court regarding the Vienna Convention, and briefly explain several of the judicially-created rules that have prevented most US courts from reaching the merits of Vienna Convention claims. Next, I analyse the ICJ judgment in the LaGrand case, and provide an overview of the reception of that case by the US courts. After a summary of the Avena decision, I turn to the latest cases in which Vienna Convention claims based on Avena have been raised in US courts, focusing on the two most important decisions, and examining their contradictory rulings. As the US Supreme Court has now decided to hear an appeal in one of these cases, I conclude by arguing that the Supreme Court should take the opportunity to elucidate the role of the International Court of Justice in US law when the United States has consented to binding treaty interpretation by that court.