The motivations for wastewater treatment are numerous due to its environmental and economic merits. An integrated scheme comprising chemical coagulation followed by adsorption was developed for the treatment of different sources of wastewater in order to remove heavy metals and reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD). Effluents of industrial wastewater rich in Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) as well as mixed domestic and industrial wastewater from the Egyptian industrial city of Tenth of Ramadan were treated. Chemical treatment was conducted using alum, ferrous sulfate and lime. The optimum dose of coagulant required for the removal of each heavy metal was determined. A consecutive batch adsorption onto Calcium- Bentonite (Ca-B) was undertaken to improve heavy metal removal efficiencies. For the industrial wastewater, Ni was completely removed during the coagulation step using 200 mg/l lime, while 98% of Cr was removed using the integrated scheme with 300 mg/l ferrous sulfate as a coagulant. For the mixed wastewater, chemical treatment reduced COD with an efficiency up to 78% depending on the employed coagulation dose. Furthermore, complete removal of Cr was achieved using all tested coagulants at 100 mg/l, whereas Lead (Pb) was completely removed using alum at 100 mg/l. Complete removal of Ni and Cadmium (Cd) were also achieved using the integrated scheme. Moreover, a pilot-scale tertiary separation system (TriSep) was tested for the treatment of both synthetic and real wastewater samples enriched with Cr and Ni. Almost complete removal efficiencies for both metals was accomplished.


Little research is available on older Chinese's attitudes toward aging in modern Chinese societies. This study examined attitudes toward aging of older Chinese in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Data were collected using face-to-face and telephone interviews with a mixed purposive and random sample of 1,504 aging Chinese 55 years or older. Attitudes toward aging were measured by five statements on perception toward older people. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used by examining the effects of socio demographic variables, health variables, and geographical location. Separate analysis was conducted for each locationSocio-demographic variables like being young, high education, better financial status, and higher social support explained the largest portion of variance, followed by better physical and mental health. Participants in Hong Kong and Taipei reported a less positive attitude than participants in Guangzhou. Differences in socio-cultural environment, quality of life issues, and family life circumstance are potential reasons for geographical differences. Further research is recommended.


cant," this equates to a bacterial density of 200/ml. This "sensitive" diagnostic criterion was proposed by Stamm for patients with frequency ofmicturition, not pregnant women.3 Moreover, criticisms4 of Stamm's hypothesis have not been rebutted. The absurdity of regarding a single colony on the culture plate as "significant" is illustrated by the appearance of Candida albicans as a cause of bacteriuria at Northwick Park. For the same reason it becomes difficult to discern how many women with asymptomatic "bacteriuria" were genuinely infected. It was wrong, however, to suggest that previous workers examined only one urine and therefore treated uninfected women, giving artificially high success rates. At least two25 or three6 specimens were cultured. It is Dr M E Foley and coworkers (25 July, p 270) who could be criticised on this account, so their reported incidence of pyelonephritis in women with untreated bacteriuria may well be spuriously low. Moreover, the "low" (12-5%) incidence of pyelonephritis in such women at Northwick Park was extrapolated from just one case out of eight. The 95% confidence interval for the real incidence in such a small sample is 0 to 35%. In other words, there is no significant difference between the incidence of pyelonephritis at Northwick Park and that reported previously.256


During the transition from current passive optical networks to next-generation systems, the error rate is expected to increase owing to the coexistence of on-off keying (OOK) which is used in the current optical network and phase-shift keying (PSK) for the next-generation system. Moreover, the currently used bias transmission method is problematic owing to excessive transmission power. Therefore, in this study, a trellis coded modulation, which is an error correction method, is proposed and evaluated, and a clip transmission method, which is a power reduction method, is applied to an environment where OOK and 8-PSK coexist. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was confirmed through a reduction in the received power of approximately 2.9 and 4.5 dB in PSK and OOK, respectively.


Abstract : The problem of designing a stationary Gaussian noise process of fixed variance so as to optimally mask the possible presence of a given additive stationary Guassian signal process is considered. A sub-optimal solution is obtained by minimizing the divergence distance between the noise and signal-plus-noise processes. Recursive time and frequency domain expressions for the divergence are derived in terms of successive auto-regressive approximations of the processes. For short observation times, the minimal divergence masking problem may then be solved by the unconstrained minimization of a convex - and recursively computable - function in the time domain. For long observation times, the problem reduces to that of minimizing the asymptotic divergence rate. This problem may be solved in the frequency domain by straight-forward algebraic techniques. A number of examples are given which illustrate the methodology. (Author)


Purpose

This paper explores the context, development and outcomes of a cross-European in-service training programme, developing mobile learning practices in school classrooms – MLEARN – in The Netherlands, England, Greece and Italy. This paper focuses on: contextual backgrounds; a training needs analysis; and initial, mid-term and final outcomes from teachers and learners.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence was gathered about: contextual backgrounds through literature reviews and key informant responses; a training needs analysis through online survey responses from teachers and trainers; and outcomes of uses from five surveys, largely completed online by teachers and learners, after some 2, 3, 5, 9 and 13 months of use.

Findings

Findings from survey periods were compared to identify shifts and gaps. The training programme led to successful outcomes; there was rapid uptake and use of the mobile devices, as well as shifts in emphasis across the period of the pilot, dependent on contextual factors. But long-term integration requires focus on specific learning activities, as well as on integration beyond a one-year period.

Social Implications

Uses of mobile devices are increasing, across countries and age ranges. How devices can be used to support learning and teaching in contemporary contexts is not temporally independent. Country curricula, legislation, training programme access, and teacher and learner awareness and perceptions, all influence practice.

Originality/value

Teachers have limited access to training programmes in this field. This study investigated a key pilot in this under-developed research area. Key factors need to be considered when programmes are developed and run.


The paper describes a method to extract navigational information from link structure in Blogosphere such as Everything2. The purpose of the method is to support readers of weblogs in selecting hyperlinks from scattered anchor texts in the web pages by providing navigational information. The navigational information consists of hyperlinks that are organized with approximate subsumption relations between sets of hyperlinks in the web pages. A case study for Everything2 weblog exemplifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.


This article investigates the epistemological and methodological challenges concerning multi-local research in four Czech rural areas that have recently embarked upon a project of international tourism which uses public space and rural landscape as one of its principal attractions. The aim of the article is to discuss the degree of relevancy of particular methods, research strategies and conceptual tools in general and the ways they are reflected and applied in our research. The article also presents some of the research outcomes that illustrate the application of these theoretical and methodological approaches. The issues discussed in this article include theoretical and practical implications of defining modern rurality as an unbounded and fluid concept, and creating a conceptual framework for the author's empirical research. The main part of the article is devoted to theoretical and practical aspects of carrying out multi-sited ethnography as a research strategy for the study of rural development through tourism. The question is whether this method can be a legitimate proposition for contemporary research of modern rurality that seeks to understand social change associated with the post-socialist transformation of the Czech rural space.


BACKGROUND
Cryopreservation is a commonly used method for the long-term storage of cell lines and provides a stable source of cells for experiments, allowing researchers to study species that are not geographically nearby, and useful to progress studies on sponge cell biotechnology.

OBJECTIVE
The marine sponge Dysidea etheria was chosen as our model organism to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of two commonly used cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
By testing a range of concentrations (3-10% DMSO, 10-50% glycerol), we determined the optimal cryoprotectant for D. etheria based on its ability to preserve viable cells and optimize recovery after cryopreservation.

RESULTS
Cells cryopreserved in DMSO had significantly higher viability after cryopreservation than those cryopreserved in glycerol. Cells cryopreserved in glycerol had irregular morphology as well as lower recovery of viable cells than those from DMSO treatments.

CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that the optimal cryoprotectant for sponge cells, without a significant loss of viability, is 5-8% DMSO. This approach can be used to optimize cryopreservation methods for cells of other marine invertebrate species.


The synthesis of poly(octadecyl methacrylate) brushes on planar Si substrates using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) is reported. SI-ATRP of octadecyl methacrylate from a silane initiator-modified Si substrate yielded well-defined homopolymer brushes of varying molar mass (5000–38 000 g mol−1) and film thickness from around 2 to 20 nm. Correlation of both free polymer molar mass and brush thicknesses confirmed controlled surface-initiated ATRP from these modified surfaces. By optimization of brush molar mass, film thickness and thin-film processing, we observed side chain crystallization of tethered poly(octadecyl methacrylate) chains, resulting in the formation of lamellar morphologies with high-aspect-ratio nanofibers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Reference targets with known reflectance properties are needed in remote-sensing in-flight calibration. The spectral and directional reflection properties of nine asphalt surfaces and concrete, and sand were measured. Corresponding polarization properties were also measured for five asphalts and for both sand and concrete. Measurements were obtained using the Finnish Geodetic Institute Field Goniospectrometer. The newly constructed smooth asphalt surfaces had lowest reflectances, and they produced strong forward scatter. The aged and deteriorated surfaces produced more isotropic scatter. The overall reflectance of the aged surfaces was higher than that of the newly constructed surfaces, and they were darkest when viewed close to nadir. Near nadir reflectance of all asphalt surfaces had low angular dependence. Light reflected from the newly constructed asphalt surfaces was found to have a large polarization ratio in the forward direction, as the aged asphalt surfaces were found to be less polarizing. All measured asphalt surfaces were spectrally flat, without dominating features. The measurements showed clearly that asphalt surfaces cannot be used as stable reflection targets without additional knowledge of the asphalt surface. Asphalt can serve as medium-accuracy white balancing media, but more quantitative use for calibration purposes requires the reflection properties to be either individually measured at each location or the properties of the asphalt to be known. The latter is a possible practical element in digital aerial image calibration, but it requires further studies.


Living organisms are composed of cells and all living cells contain a genome, the organism's stock of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The role of the genome has been likened to a program that encodes the organism's development and its subsequent response to the environment. This computer metaphor teaches that the organism – the hardware – is controlled by the software – the genome. Thus, the organism and its fate can be explained by genetics, the plans written into the sequence of genomic DNA; the Genome Project was devised to decipher this program. However, it is now clear that the genome does not directly program the organism; the computer program metaphor has misled us. The genome is only one class of vital information that serves the organism. Metaphorically, the genome can be likened to a vocabulary of words that can be deployed to make meaningful sentences, or to a toolbox for accomplishing specific tasks.

Key concepts:

The genome does not function as a master plan or computer program for controlling the organism; the genome is the organism's servant, not its master.

The genome is a reservoir of DNA sequence information and a vehicle for transmitting this information; the meaning of DNA emerges from the cellular processing of this raw information into proteins and other functional molecules.

DNA is only one class of vital information that serves the organism; the organism epigenetically uses, manipulates, regulates and, in the case of the immune system, creates genes.

The effects of a gene vary with the organism's environment; the interactions between genes and environment are not linear and, in most cases, not additive. Therefore, one cannot compute with certainty the relative contributions of genes and environment to an organism's observed features – its phenotype.

Metaphorically, we can think of the genome as akin to a list of words, a vocabulary, which can be used to build and express a meaningful language; like a vocabulary, a genome by itself has no functional meaning.

The genome is thus akin to a toolbox of DNA sequences that provide molecular tools as requested by the internal state of the organism and the state of the environment.

One's genes cannot explain one's being: an organism is the expression of a dynamic and ongoing interaction between the state of its environment and its internal state, which includes its past history and its toolbox of DNA sequences.

Keywords:

genetics;
computer program;
evolution;
information;
complexity


Nmt1p (EC 22.214.171.124) catalyzes the transfer of myristate (C14:0) from coenzyme A to the N-terminal glycine residue of a variety of eukaryotic cellular and viral proteins. Our recent studies of the 455-amino acid Saccharomyces cerevisiae acyltransferase (Nmt1p) suggested that its mechanism of catalysis is ordered Bi Bi with myristoyl-CoA binding occurring prior to binding of peptide and release of CoA occurring prior to release of the myristoyl-peptide. The interaction between enzyme and peptide has now been examined in greater detail by using photoactivatable octapeptide substrates containing 125I-labeled azidosalicyclic acid attached via an amide bond to the gamma-amino group of a diaminobutyrate residue located at position 2 or the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue located at position 8. The photopeptides can be specifically crosslinked to chymotryptic fragments of Nmt1p in the presence but not in the absence of a nonhydrolyzable myristoyl-CoA analog, S-(2-oxo)pentadecyl-CoA. Labeling of the chymotryptic fragments is markedly reduced when GLYASKLS, a high-affinity substrate derived from residues 2-9 of S. cerevisiae ADP-ribosylation factor 2, or ALYASKLS, a competitive inhibitor (for peptide), is added with the iodinated photopeptide. These findings suggest that peptide affinity for the acyl-CoA-Nmt1p binary complex is much greater than it is for apoNmt1p, consistent with the ordered Bi Bi mechanism ascribed to Nmt1p. Finally, automated sequential Edman degradation of these chymotryptic fragments suggests that the peptide binding domain of Nmt1p may be composed of elements from two protease-resistant domains, Arg42-Try219 and Thr220-Leu455.


In painting, just like in other disciplines of art, a thematic approach is often applied by artists in their work because themes define all aspects of human endeavour. A thematic approach is also important in the derivation of subject matter that artists ultimately pursue in their work. It can be said that any painting that is executed can be compartmentalised to fit within a given thematic pattern. Artists often, but not always, actively consider the essence of the theme itself; at times, they instinctively or spontaneously express something on canvas. It is presumed that the 'intent of the artist', at any given time, is to depict or express some phenomenon that is derived from the intricacies of human endeavour, behavioural traits, experiential sources, or from an individual's own emotions and feelings. Ideally, a subject matter emanates from a particular theme, but it is also generally acknowledged that artists do not always necessarily base their work on a theme as a springboard to their core intent, but that the theme ultimately emerges by implication. A theme is too broad to be compressed into a single pictorial composition and, hence, each theme is interpreted into a retinue of ideas by cohorts of artists. A theme, by its description, is also not explicit because it is a guiding or emanative factor; therefore, it is often implied. It would be unusual, however, that an artist fails to put in perspective his or her thematic foundation in describing the final piece of work because artworks always have some thematic connotation even if it is not deliberately intended by the artist. In this regard, there are some kinds of artworks that bear weighty thematic foundations and others that bear some form of useful thematic content embedded in their meaning. This paper seeks to determine the extent to which the concept of the thematic approach is used by artists to derive subject matter in their painting and whether their subsequent paintings are, therefore, theme-specific or are as a result of creative spontaneity. Further, it seeks to find out the nature of the subject matter, the artist's motivation and inspiration and whether the resultant paintings are effective in rendering the intended visual message to the audience. A powerful theme is not necessarily a fundamental prerequisite for powerful artwork since artworks are rendered differently by different people, but a powerful artwork is often a good indicator of a potent theme. This paper also examines the stylistic approach, content and context applied by the artists in their paintings. The paintings featured in this paper are those done by some of the contemporary Kenyan artists working independently at different studio locations in Nairobi, Kenya. They were identified and interviewed by fourth-year students at Kenyatta University in their study of the local art scene as part of their wider development of individual painting styles.


Tumour Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) is a known
anti-cancer agent which exhibits cancer cell specificity. Its efficacy in breast cancer is
limited, however, as illustrated by the resistance demonstrated in a number of cell
lines. Cellular FLICE-Like Inhibitory Protein (c-FLIP) has been demonstrated to play a key
role in TRAIL resistance in these cell line models, through its competitive interference
with caspase-8 recruitment to the death inducing signalling complex (DISC). Our lab has
demonstrated that breast cancer 'stem cells', the cells proposed to be responsible for
disease recurrence and metastasis, can be eliminated by combination of c-FLIP
suppression, by siRNA, and TRAIL treatment. While it has been proposed that
suppression of c-FLIP could improve TRAIL efficacy in breast cancer, there are no
pharmacological c-FLIP specific inhibitors available.
The purpose of this study therefore was to design and validate novel
pharmacological inhibitors of c-FLIP and to determine their tumour efficacy in models of
breast cancer. Using in silico modelling, we have modelled the structure of c-FLIP and
associated proteins, and, using virtual pharmacophore screening, we have identified 19
potential small molecule c-FLIP inhibitors. In vitro cell viability assays demonstrated 3 of
these inhibitors to sensitise TRAIL resistant MCF-7 and BT474 breast cancer cell lines to
TRAIL (p<0.05) at micromolar concentrations, with several additional compounds
showing a partial ability to sensitise to TRAIL. Each of the three lead inhibitors were
shown to be acting via caspase-8 and therefore in a TRAIL specific manner. Two of the
lead compounds in combination with TRAIL significantly reduced tumoursphere forming
potential in an in vitro assay which represents breast cancer stem cell like traits. The
ability of our primary compound to target cells with breast CSC-like traits was further
supported using a colony forming assay, which demonstrated a significant reduction in
the potential for clonal expansion of breast cancer cells following treatment with the
novel agent in combination with TRAIL.
Acceptor-photobleaching FRET was successfully utilised to show the mechanism
of action of our lead inhibitors to indeed be based on interfering with the c-FLIP FADD
interaction. TALEN-mediated targeting of c-FLIP is being optimised to allow for further
evaluation of these agents in addition to performing mutagenesis studies in a c-FLIP null
background to further delineate the role and mechanism of c-FLIP in the sensitization of
breast cancer stem cells to TRAIL.
Here we have identified several small molecule c-FLIP inhibitors which are able
to specifically sensitise resistant breast cancer cells to TRAIL induced apoptosis via
interfering with c-FLIP FADD interaction at the DISC, and thus allowing caspase-8
mediated apoptosis to occur. These early results show promise for our lead compounds
as potential therapeutics in breast cancer, via sensitisation to TRAIL.


AbstractIn this study, we unravel a molecular imaging marker correlated with the known reduction of cardiovascular events (most commonly related to vulnerable plaques) in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery (BaS).We prospectively imaged 10 morbidly obese subjects with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography before and 1 year after BaS. 18F-FDG uptake—which is enhanced in inflamed, atherosclerotic vessels and in metabolically active adipose tissues—was quantified in the carotids, pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), as well as brown adipose tissue (BAT). The degree of carotid inflammation was compared to lean and overweight controls.Carotid inflammation significantly declined leading to an 18F-FDG uptake comparable to the 2 control groups. Metabolic activity significantly decreased in PAT and VAT and increased in BAT.BaS leads to a normalization of carotid artery inflammation and a beneficial impact on the metabolic activity in PAT, VAT, and BAT that is related to the metabolic syndrome observed in this patient group.


Background: Thyroid nodules are common. 4-7% of adults have a palpable nodule and up to 50-70% of nodules are detected in high-resolution sonography. Thyroid nodules in women are 4 times greater than men and the rate of thyroid cancer in women is 3:1 compared to men, and is the sixth most common cancer in women. Epidemiological findings and experimental evidences show that sex hormones, especially estrogen, may have effect on this gland and its neoplasm. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between rs1256049 polymorphism in the estrogen receptor beta gene with thyroid nodular disease. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 146 Patients with nodular thyroid and 151 health individuals were referred to Amiralmomenin hospital of Arak were recruited in study. Diagnosis is based on by ultrasonography and was confirmed by an endocrinologist. Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA treated whole blood .The genotypes were determined using tetraamplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) and analyzed by statistical methods. Results: The frequency of CC, TC and TT genotypes in case group 136(93.2%), 10(6.8%) and 0(0%) and in the control group 139(92.1%), 12(7.9%) and 0(0%) were obtained respectively. No statistically significant association (p=0.72) was observed between nodular thyroid disease and rs1256049 polymorphism. Conclusion: Our findings showed no significant association between rs1256049 polymorphism and nodular thyroid disease. For best deduction, it is recommended that this study be done in other populations.


Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) is a safe and effective treatment. Over the past years, an increasing number of elderly patients (age > 60 years) have been admitted for transcatheter closure to prevent ongoing congestive heart failure from volume overload. However, recent data point to the risk of serious acute left ventricular dysfunction leading to pulmonary edema immediately after surgical or transcatheter ASD closure in some patients. In this study, we used a technique described before to recognize in advance patients at risk of left heart failure after ASD closure. Those patients at risk were then treated with preventive conditioning medication for 48–72 hr before definitive transcatheter ASD closure was performed. Fifty‐nine patients aged over 60 years (range, 60–81.8 years; median, 68 years) were admitted to our institution for transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect. All patients received evaluation of atrial pressures before and during temporary balloon occlusion of the ASD. Patients with left ventricular restriction due to increased mean atrial pressures (> 10 mm Hg) during ASD occlusion received anticongestive conditioning medication with i.v. dopamine, milrinone, and furosemide for 48–72 hr before definitive ASD closure with an Amplatzer septal occluder was performed. In 44 patients without any signs of left ventricular restriction, ASD closure was performed within the first session. Fifteen (25%) out of 59 patients showed left ventricular restriction. In the majority of patients with LV restriction, the mean left atrial pressures with occluded ASD were significantly decreased after 48–72 hr of conditioning medication. Definitive ASD closure was then performed in a second session. Only two patients received a fenestrated 32 mm Amplatzer occluder due to persistent increased atrial pressures > 10 mm Hg even after conditioning medication. There were no significant differences in shunt, device size, or defect size between the two groups. Balloon occlusion of atrial septal defects identifies patients with left ventricular restrictive physiology before ASD closure. Intravenous anticongestive conditioning medication seems to be highly effective in preventing congestive heart failure after interventional closure of an ASD in the elderly patient with a restrictive left ventricle. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2005;64:333–337. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Angela Saini is a British science journalist and author. She presents radio and television programmes on the BBC, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Prospect, New Scientist, New Humanist and Wired among others. She has won a number of national and international journalism awards. She spoke to Emma Pettengale, Managing Editor of The Biochemist.


Impact damage induced by hailstone impact, tool, or equipment dropping can lead to severe reductions in composite structures' load-carrying capacity. Aerospace companies and manufacturers of other products, in which composite materials are extensively used, spend considerable resources to determine the level of degradation of composite parts' load-bearing capacity that have received impact damage during operation or during assembly, as well as the permissible degree of damage at which the replacement of an expensive structural member is unnecessary. Usually, such assessments are based on the integrated application of experimental destructive and non-destructive methods, which, in turn, also requires considerable financial and time investments. Understandably, the availability of a verified simulation approach capable of predicting the residual load-carrying capacity of composite parts with impact damage would provide significant costs savings and accelerate the decision making when such assessments are required. This preliminary study represents the first steps aimed at developing such a simulation approach using LS-DYNA software and is focused on the load-bearing capacity of damaged composite structural members designed to work primarily under the action of compressive loads.


Background: Otitis Media continues to be a major presentation in the ear, nose and throat clinic. Aim: This study aimed to isolate, characterize and identify the bacteriological and mycological etiologic agents of otitis media in Benin city. Patients and Methods: Ear discharge from 569 (299 males and 270 females) patients diagnosed clinically of otitis media between August 2009 and August 2010 were processed to recover the bacterial and fungal etiologic agents. Susceptibility test was performed on all bacterial isolate. Result: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.3%) was the predominant bacteria isolate causing otitis media followed by Staphylococcus aureus (21.0%), Klebsiella sp (8.9%), Proteus sp (8.2%), Alkaligenes spp (4.3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (3.9%), Escherichia coli (3.0%) and Citrobacter freundi (1.7%). Fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger (9.2%), Candida albicans (5.4%), Candida tropicalis (3.0%), Aspergillus flavus (2.1%) and Candida parasilopsis (1.5%). 413 had a single organism isolated from the middle ear culture while twenty (3.51%) patients had mixed organisms isolated. Infection was highest among 0 - 5 years, and lowest among aged 18 - 23. All bacterial isolates were poorly susceptible to the antibacterial agents. Conclusion: The study uncovers a high frequency of bacteria associated otitis media with the finding of fungi too as a significant etiologic agent.


BACKGROUND
SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are extremely infective and frequently cause severe respiratory issues (acute respiratory syndrome). These emerging viruses represent huge challenges to worldwide health. Reliable and systematic examination of SARS-CoV and COVID-19 will assist in identifying infectious persons accurately. Based on the biological, chemical, and genetic link of SARS CoV-2 towards SARS-CoV, the recurrence of different anti-SARS-CoV natural drug molecules may be beneficial in the advancement of anti COVID-19 herbal drug molecules. Here, we reviewed published literature on SAR, and molecular docking study of previously synthesized derivatives, which targeted SARS-CoV along with future prospects on SARS-CoV-2 have been reviewed. This study would assist researchers in developing newer/novel potential molecules that would target SAR-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVES
The review highlights the inhibition potential of heterocyclic inhibitors for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The structure-activity relationship of potential compounds has been discussed.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
We carried out a thorough literature assessment employing electronic databases for scientific articles highlighting potential heterocyclic inhibitors for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, published from 2010 to 2021. We recovered 415 articles, but only 220 were involved and conversed in this manuscript. The article apprehended appropriate research considering three areas: 1) SAR activity, 2) Molecular docking, and 3) Biological activity and future prospects on SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS
The potential compounds with good inhibition are discussed, and their inhibition is expressed in terms of IC50.

RESULTS
Heterocyclic scaffolds reflected an extensive range of therapeutic activity and may act as an initiating idea for designing and discovering potential inhibitors for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 treatment.

CONCLUSION
The points highlighted here may prove to be a vital tool for medicinal chemists working/investigating more potent and efficacious scaffolds in treating SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.


This paper introduces research within the ALADIN project, which aims to develop an assistive vocal interface for people with a physical impairment. In contrast to existing approaches, the vocal interface is self-learning which means it can be used with any language, dialect, vocabulary and grammar. The paper describes the overall learning framework, and the two components that will provide vocabulary learning and grammar induction. In addition, the paper describes encouraging results of early implementations of these vocabulary and grammar learning components, applied to recorded sessions of a vocally guided card game, patience.


Most works in power systems event classification concern classifying an event according to the morphology of the corresponding waveform. An important and even more difficult problem is the classification of the event underlying cause. However, the lack of labeled data is more problematic in this second scenario. This paper proposes a framework based on frame-based sequence classification (FBSC), the Alternative Transient Program (ATP), and a public dataset to advance research in this area. As a proof of concept, a thorough evaluation of automatic classification of short circuits in transmission lines is discussed. Simulations with different preprocessing (e.g., wavelets) and learning algorithms (e.g., support vector machines) are presented. The results can be reproduced at other sites and elucidate several tradeoffs when designing the front end and pattern recognition stages of a sequence classifier. For example, when considering the whole event in an offline scenario, the combination of the raw front end and a decision tree is competitive with wavelets and a neural network.


The popularity of Korean culture today attracts many people to learn everything about Korea, especially in learning the Korean language. To learn Korean, you must first know Korean letters (Hangul), which are non-Latin characters. Therefore, a digital approach is needed to recognize handwritten Korean (Hangul) words easily. Handwritten character recognition has a vital role in pattern recognition and image processing for handwritten Character Recognition (HCR). The backpropagation method trains the network to balance the network's ability to recognize the patterns used during training and the network's ability to respond correctly to input patterns that are similar but not the same as the patterns used during training. This principle is used for character recognition of Korean characters (Hangul), a sub-topic in fairly complex pattern recognition. The results of the calculation of the backpropagation artificial neural network with MATLAB in this study have succeeded in identifying 576 image training data and 384 Korean letter testing data (Hangul) quite well and obtaining a percentage result of 80.83% with an accuracy rate of all data testing carried out on letters. Korean (Hangul).


This new and highly original book by Dr. Maslow reflects his thinking about some of the processes, presuppositions, relationships, and problems in the fields of industrial and managerial psychology. Defining Eupsychia as the culture which would be generated by a group of selfactualizing people experimenting with new forms of community, and using the adjective "eupsychian"in contrast to "Utopian" and "Dystopian"to refer to the superior forms of interpersonal and social organization to which a pandemic, self-actualization might give rise, the author then applies his eupsychian concepts to the management process, itself. In particular, the author has applied to the problems of management his mature thinking in such areas as humanistic and existential psychology. In trying to understand the phenomena of the management process he has attempted to show the relevance of motivation, learning, self-actualization, synergy, B-values, and creativity for an understanding of that process. Examples of some of the managerial concerns he has tackled are individual differences and regressive forces in management, mental health and personality characteristics of industrial personnel, characteristics of eupsychian management, relevance of synergy to both management and social relations, possible relevance of research on creativity for management, etc. In relation to managerial problems of monetary expenditures and their uses, Dr. Maslow has some sage observations to make which would indicate that George Simnmel's notions of the inevitable degradation of all values, caused by the tendency to translate everything into the "cash nexus," may be on the way out. His insights concerning the possibilities of eupsychian management occasionally parallel those expressed years ago by the editors of Fortune in their book U.S.A.: The Permanent Revolution. As one might expect, Dr. Maslow recognizes the decentralist philosophies which are likely to emerge from a consistent, eupsychian approach and he notes this in passing. He breaks new ground and reveals some of the practical and new directions which a humanistic psychology may take.


Two-hemisphere model driven (2HMD) approach assumes modeling and use of procedural and conceptual knowledge on equal and related basis according to the principles of Model Driven Architecture (MDA), which separates different aspects of system modeling. This differentiates 2HMD approach from pure procedural, pure conceptual, and object oriented approaches. The approach may be applied in the context of modeling of a particular business domain as well as in the context of modeling the knowledge about the domain. Therefore, the principles of MDA via 2HMD approach may be applied not only in the context of software development but also in the context of the study course and program development. Knowledge modeling by 2HMD approach gives an opportunity to transparently analyze and compare knowledge to be provided and knowledge actually provided by courses belonging to a particular study program, and, thus, to identify and fill gaps between desirable and actual knowledge content of the study program.


Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have inherent or developed drug resistance for which chemotherapy fails to eliminate all tumor cells, a property that is critically contributing to recurrence and metastasis. Here, we combine miR-34a, a well-known tumor suppressor miRNA that controls proliferation, apoptosis and self-renewal, with Paclitaxel (PTX), a commonly used first-line chemotherapy drug. Based on our preliminary observations (Bonetti et al., manuscript under revision), we hypothesized a combinatorial approach, coupling miRNA- and chemo- treatment, aimed at reducing CSCs in vitro and recurrence in vivo using triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) as a model. Methodology: As a model, we exploited SUM159pt cells (TNBC mesenchymal-like, with CSC features) to mimic aggressive breast cancer, which harbor a vector for pLUC, which is induced by luciferin in vivo, to monitor tumor growth in real time. Furthermore, we used i) pSlik34a, with tunable expression of miR-34a by doxycycline; ii) treatment with PTX to select for resistant cells (RC); and combined the two, by treating RC with doxycycline. CSC content was evaluated by ALDH (Aldehyde Dehydrogenase) activity, sphere-forming efficiency (SFE) and qRT-PCR of known markers. A similar approach was followed for in vivo studies, with NSG female injected through tail vein injection with 500,000 SUM159/pLUC/pSlik34a cells, and separated into three groups: not treated (NT), PTX alone, and PTX+34a. Results: As observed for aggressive breast cancer, treatment of SUM159 with PTX generated resistant cells (RC) with increased CSC content (ALDH activity and spheres forming ability). When miR-34a was induced in the RC, cells changed morphology, slowed proliferation rate, and decreased CSC content (ALDH activity and spheres). Moreover, a second PTX treatment almost completely abolished the ALDH activity and SFE. The combined effect was evaluated in vivo, following by luminescence the growth of metastases after lung colonization, with PTX+34a mice reducing lung colonization than the PTX treatment or miR-34a treatment alone. Conclusions: Overall, these results indicate that miR-34a sensitize PTX-resistant cells reducing cancer stem-cell capacities, and in this preclinical setting limited the aggressive phenotype of breast cancer, including proliferation, drug resistance, relapse and metastasis causing in delay of lung colonization in vivo. Citation Format: Montserrat Climent, Paola Bonetti, Francesco Nicassio. miRNA-34a sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to paclitaxel reducing cancer stem cell population and lung colonization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4410.


Background
Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor associated with tumor recurrence and poor survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after partial hepatectomy (PH). The potential impact of adjuvant TACE on the prognosis of patients with ICC involving MVI (ICC-MVI) remains uncertain. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on ICC involving MVI.

Methods
Multicentric data consisted of 223 patients who underwent curative-intent PH for ICC-MVI from 2002-2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The impact of adjuvant TACE was evaluated using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity-score matched (PSM) analyses.

Results
No association between the TACE and the overall survival (OS) and recurrence rates was observed among the overall ICC-MVI patients. However, subgroup analyses revealed that adjuvant TACE favored OS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.99; P=0.047) and time to recurrence (TTR) (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.97; P=0.037) among patients with elevated CA19-9 and those without lymphadenectomy (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30-0.93; P=0.027 for OS, and HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28-0.87; P=0.015 for TTR, respectively). In the CA19-9 ≥39 U/L subgroup and Nx subgroup, adjuvant TACE was associated with higher 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates (P=0.033 and P=0.034, respectively) and lower corresponding recurrence rates (P=0.024 and P=0.023, respectively).

Conclusions
Among the ICC-MVI patients undergoing curative-intent PH, only those have elevated CA19-9 or who did not undergo lymphadenectomy might be suitable for adjuvant TACE.


Health management is an important global issue in the light of aging
population and prevailing chronic illnesses. Other than trauma and
accidents, many illnesses typically evolve over a long period of time
from healthy to sub-optima health and eventually seriously ill state.
Many of these cases slowly becoming chronic and have to rely on
conventional medicines to control symptoms over along period of
time. Others developed into acute and critical cases requiring costly
and severe measures such as surgeries, radio and chemo therapies
thus subjecting patients to increasing risk of side effects and longer
period of rehabilitation.


This study of argentopentlandite from El Charcon, in southeastern Spain, is the first documented report for Spain and also the first occurrence of argentopentlandite associated with hydrothermal systems related to acid-type volcanism. Ag values above 1.00 and M/S values lower than 1.125 can be explained by the presence of defects (mainly vacancies of Fe and Ni or S or both) in the argentopentlandite structure. These defects can also explain: (1) the differences observed between measured M/S and Fe/Ni values and M/S and Fe/Ni values calculated by the "cation addition-omission solid solution" model for natural argentopentlandite, and (2) the fact that most compositions of natural argentopentlandite fall outside the stability fields established for synthetic argentopentlandite at 300 and 400 degrees C. The following modification of the argentopentlandite formula is proposed: (Fe (sub 5+ or -0.77) Ni (sub 3+ or -0.75) ) (sub Sigma 8+ or -x) Ag (sub 1+ or -y) S (sub 8+ or -z) , with 0


After some suggestions about how to clarify the confused metaphysical distinctions between dispositional and non‐dispositional or categorical properties, I review some of the main interpretations of QM in order to show that — with the relevant exception of Bohm's minimalist interpretation — quantum ontology is irreducibly dispositional. Such an irreducible character of dispositions must be explained differently in different interpretations, but the reducibility of the contextual properties in the case of Bohmian mechanics is guaranteed by the fact that the positions of particles play the role of the categorical basis, a role that in other interpretations cannot be filled by anything else. In Bohr's and Everett‐type interpretations, dispositionalism is instrumentalism in disguise.


Preface. Introduction. (Nigel Blake and Paul Standish). 1. Information, Knowledge and Learning: Some Issues Facing Epistemology and Education in a Digital Age. (Colin Lankshear, Michele Knobel, and Michael Peters). 2. Promises of Access and Inclusion: On--Line Education in Africa. (Anthony Lelliott, Shirley Pendlebury and Penny Enslin). 3. Media Philosophy. (Mike Sandbothe and Friedrich Schiller). 4. The Educational Significance of the Interface. (Steve Bramall). 5. Writing Feminist Webzines and the Confusion of Identity. ( Barbara Duncan). 6. Conjuring with Notions of Place. (Jane Mackie). 7. Credibility of the Web: Why we Need Dialectical Reading. (Bertram Bruce). 8. Electronic Writing and the Wrapping of Language. (Jim Marshall). 9. Learning Places: Building Dwelling Thinking On--Line. (David Kolb). 10. Fetish for Effect. (Paul Standish). 11. Electronic Texts are Computations are Electronic Text. (Herbert Hrachovec). 12. Tutors and Students without Faces or Places. (Nigel Blake). Glossary. Notes on Contributors. Bibliography. Index.


Activated clotting time (ACT) is the most commonly used laboratory test to control the heparin effect during extracorporeal techniques. The study was undertaken in order to test in vitro the influence of heparin, platelet count, hematocrit, platelet fragmentation, and platelet activation on ACT. Blood was drawn from volunteer donors into syringes containing citrate. Platelet counts and hematocrit were modified. Platelets were fragmented by sonifier or activated by collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Different heparin final concentrations were created. Increasing concentrations of heparin had a significant effect on ACT. However, it was not predictable in every case in concentrations lower than 1.0 U/ml. Platelet count generally had no significant effect on ACT. The effect of hematocrit was detectable in a group but not in single cases. Fragmented platelets significantly shortened ACT only without addition of heparin, and the effect was only partly predictable. Activation of platelets by collagen and ADP induced no significant changes. Our results show that heparin is reflected by ACT but that effect is not predictable in every specific patient. Our results also show that other variables that may be altered during extracorporeal techniques such as platelet count, hematocrit, activation, and fragmentation of platelets do not severely influence the ACT.


Using human erythroleukemia K562 cells, existence of receptors for hemopexin has been investigated. Hemopexin was bound to the cells in saturable, time- and temperature-dependent manner. The cells exhibited approximately 8,400 binding sites/cell for hemopexin and apohemopexin. The dissociation constants (Kd) for hemopexin and apohemopexin were 4.79 nM and 10.8 nM, respectively. Specific binding of labeled hemopexin was inhibited with increasing concentrations of unlabeled hemopexin and apohemopexin, but unaffected by transferrin and serum albumin. Heme bound to hemopexin was incorporated into the cells at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. These results indicate that heme in hemopexin was taken up by K562 cells via the receptors for hemopexin.


The 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris faced two particular challenges: the growth of civil society participation in the negotiations, and significant security concerns following the terrorist attacks on the city two weeks prior to the start of the negotiations. This report reflects on the impacts of these two challenges through an overview of civil society participation at the COP, highlighting the implications for the accountability of the negotiations.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to consider informed consent with those who may be legally judged incapable of consent. Frequently individuals with traumatic brain injuries and intellectual disabilities may fall into this category. This paper seeks to consider aspects of guardianship, moral and legal implications and best practices for mental health professionals.

Design/methodology/approach
This practice piece reviews literature regarding informed consent, as well as pertinent issues in the professional literature regarding types of guardianship as well as the occurrence of "Lucid intervals." Furthermore, literature from moral philosophy and current legal research was examined to fully provide readers with a grasp of the legal and ethical landscape of this issue.

Findings
The paper finds that treating consent as a one-time binary event is lacking in both practicality and nuance. Moral philosophy and issues regarding paternalism are raised, as well as practice approaches to assessment of capability and how to engage in therapy in meaningful ways.

Originality/value
This paper provides insight into providing dignity-affirming therapy with a population that is often not considered in the literature of mental health ethics. When it is considered, the suggestions are so vague as to be of limited use. This manuscript provides nuance and practical applications to be a therapist that promotes dignity in those who might have varying levels of capacity to consent.


In this work, we report a straightforward and cost-effective fabrication route for the development of nano-patterned optical fiber tips. The technique is based on self-assembling polystyrene microspheres at the air/water interface and on their successive transferring on the fiber tip of single mode optical fiber. By applying to the fiber further treatments like particle size reduction, metal coating and sphere removal, different periodic structures have been conveniently realized. The morphological analysis reveals indeed the successful creation on the optical fiber tip of regular metallic-dielectric spheres' arrays as well as metallic patterns with dimensional features down to a submicron scale. Finally, as proof of concept, we demonstrated the capability of the realized patterns to work as efficient Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) fiber probes.


The greenhouse heating system using solar energy has been realized in the protective agriculture in this study in order to analyse the thermal energy characteristics of the system the effects of ambient air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidities and water content of ambient air on the greenhouse air temperature were investigated through computer simulation experimental analysis for validation of the simulation. The results from this study are summarized as follows: 1) The expected values of inside air temperature for the system solar energy were very much close to the experimental values. 2) In the system using solar energy, the expected values of daytime surface temperature of soil by computer simulation were very much similar to the measured values, but those of nighttime were higher than the measured value by almost . 3) Heat loss of daytime was found to be larger than that of night time as much as 2.0 to 4.2 times for the system using solar energy. 4) In the system using solar energy. while the ambient air temperature varied between and , the temperature of the inside air was maintained between and . 5) At the minimum ambient temperature of , the temperature of the inside air was .


Background It is acknowledged that the majority of fragility fractures occur in osteopenic individuals1. It is not known whether the traditionally defined risk factors for osteoporosis are synonymous with those of osteopenia. Neither is it known whether osteopenia in the spine or the femoral neck are better predictors of future fracture risk. Objectives To identify and define the predictors of osteopenia in the femoral neck and lumbar spine in an observational cohort of patients referred for DEXA scanning in the North West United Kingdom. Methods Patients referred for a first DEXA scan at the Rheumatology outpatient department at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary between June 2004 and August 2012 were identified and their data were included in the analysis. Data collected included: age at scan, gender, ethnicity, indication information and densitometry measurements of the femoral neck, total femur and lumbar spine. Two groups of patients were identified at each anatomical site: the 'control' group with normal bone density (T score >-1.0) and an osteopenic group (Tscore < -1 and >-2.5). A student's T test was performed to analyse differences in continuous variables and odds ratios were calculated to assess risk factors of a binary nature using a logistic model. Results For the femoral neck, data were available on a total of 9262 patients, of which 4241 were in the control group and 5021 in the osteopenic group. At the lumbar spine, data were available on a total of 9310 patients, of which 5573 were controls and 3737 osteopenic. Densitometry data from both sites were available from 8437 patients, therefore the majority of patients feature in both site analyses. Tables 1 and 2 show differences between continuous variables of the two groups at the two sites analysed. Odds ratios for risk of osteopenia with the presence of a classical risk factor for osteoporosis are listed in table 2. Conclusions Osteopenic individuals are significantly older, shorter and lighter. Low BMI and previous fracture predict osteopenia but other traditional risk factors for osteoporosis are unreliable predictors of osteopenia in this cohort. Differences exist between predictors of osteopenia at the two sites. Further research is needed. References Arch Intern Med. 2004 May; 164(10):1108-1112. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


A device for optimal coupling between a laser resonator and the external medium, having the form of one-dimensional wire grating conjugated with a plane mirror with an aperture, is proposed, developed and tested experimentally. The dependences of the output laser power on the separation between the grating and the mirror, diameter of the aperture in the plane mirror, and the grating period, are studied. The obtained results not only confirm the possibility of using such a coupling device, but also point towards the ways and principles of its application.


An in-field interaction plot, δMR, has been recently introduced, presenting important advantages over the classical remanence plots. Here a general δMR is proposed, allowing to assess interactions even in systems with shifted and asymmetric major loops. To construct such a plot, a recoil loop (which incorporates a first-order reversal curve, FORC) and the position of the center of the major loop are only needed. Applying the method on exchange-biased Co/IrMn bilayer gives two types of δMR obtained for measuring field either parallel or antiparallel to the exchange-bias direction. This provides valuable information on the reversal mechanism and allows distinguishing between effects coming from coupling into the ferromagnet (Co) and those stemming from interactions in its interface with the antiferromagnet (IrMn). The essentially nonzero general δMR plot obtained from the major loop revealed to be a precise measure of the reversal asymmetry. The technique can readily be adjusted for use in other scientific fields where hysteresis is observed. We provide free software which generates such δMR plot(s).


Autophagy is a cell process that in normal conditions serves to recycle cytoplasmic components and aged or damaged organelles. The autophagic pathway has been implicated in many physiological and pathological situations, even during the course of infection by intracellular pathogens. Many compounds are currently used to positively or negatively modulate the autophagic response. Recently it was demonstrated that the polyamine spermidine is a physiological inducer of autophagy in eukaryotic cells. We have previously shown that the etiological agent of Chagas disease, the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, interacts with autophagic compartments during host cell invasion and that preactivation of autophagy significantly increases host cell colonization by this parasite. In the present report we have analyzed the effect of polyamine depletion on the autophagic response of the host cell and on T. cruzi infectivity. Our data showed that depleting intracellular polyamines by inhibiting the biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) suppressed the induction of autophagy in response to starvation or rapamycin treatment in two cell lines. This effect was associated with a decrease in the levels of LC3 and ATG5, two proteins required for autophagosome formation. As a consequence of inhibiting host cell autophagy, DFMO impaired T. cruzi colonization, indicating that polyamines and autophagy facilitate parasite infection. Thus, our results point to DFMO as a novel autophagy inhibitor. While other autophagy inhibitors such as wortmannin and 3-methyladenine are nonspecific and potentially toxic, DFMO is an FDA-approved drug that may have value in limiting autophagy and the spread of the infection in Chagas disease and possibly other pathological settings.


This article will introduce the constitutional configuration of social and democratic state of law, constitutional parameter of the constitutional right to social security, the justification for why the current private pension system is not compatible with the parameter and adapting a proposal by the Ombudsman People 2005, a proposal for implementation of the complementary system of public and private pensions in order to reconcile the latter with that parameter will be raised.


Abstract : This thesis examines the impact that the dominant personalities of General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Ernest King had in shaping Allied strategy in the Pacific during the Second World War. The concept of dominant personality is defined as containing three essential elements: arrogance, tenacity, and supreme competence. The lives of MacArthur and King are examined, demonstrating that the actions of each consistently reflected these characteristics, allowing them to dominate those around them. Three key decisions from the Pacific war are scrutinized for the impact of one or both of these dominant personalities. King and MacArthur affected these decisions in different ways. In the first, the decision to initiate carrier raids against Japan in early 1942, King acted unopposed in pushing his audacious plans through. The second decision was to invade Guadalcanal (Operation Watchtower) in August 1942. King and MacArthur drove this decision in parallel competition, each striving to begin offensive operations and each desiring to be in control. Finally, the long competition between the Central and Southwestern Pacific drives for primacy, culminating with the debate over invading Luzon or Formosa, is examined. In this case, MacArthur and King pursued mutually exclusive courses and stalemate nearly resulted.


A new method is proposed for constructing Hamilton-minimal and minimal Lagrangian immersions and embeddings of manifolds in and in . In particular, using this method it is possible to construct embeddings of manifolds such as the -dimensional generalized Klein bottle , , , , and others.


This review presents the background to the development of the anaesthetists' non-technical skills (ANTS) taxonomy and behaviour rating tool, which is the first non-technical skills framework specifically designed for anaesthetists. We share the experience of the anaesthetists who designed ANTS in relation to applying it in a department of anaesthesia, using it in a simulation centre, and the process of introducing it to the profession on a national basis. We also consider how ANTS is being applied in relation to training and research in other countries and finally, we discuss emerging issues in relation to the introduction of a non-technical skills approach in anaesthesia.


Presented here are results and recommendations for reducing coupling between adjacent power islands based on full-wave simulations of a HyperBGA SCM (single-chip module). These simulations highlight the use of IBM's internally developed accelerated full-wave solver based on the precorrected fast Fourier transform approach. Speedups of 100times and memory reductions of 12times are shown for real engineering problems, as compared to direct integral equation solutions


Orchitis of viral or presumed viral etiology is an uncommon cause of testicular pain or enlargement. Rarely orchitis is clinically or radiographically suggestive of neoplasia, resulting in a testicular biopsy or orchiectomy being performed. Between 1978 and 2004, 10 cases submitted in consultation were diagnosed as orchitis at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The patients were from 18 to 37 years of age and presented with testicular enlargement or a mass, pain, or both. Radiographic studies were suspicious for a neoplasm in all 5 cases in which results were available. The patients underwent testicular biopsy (2 cases), orchiectomy (6 cases), biopsy immediately followed by orchiectomy (1 case), or biopsy followed by orchiectomy 3 weeks later (1 case). The cases were submitted with diagnoses that included intratubular seminoma, intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unspecified, Sertoli cell hyperplasia, myeloid sarcoma, and lymphoma. Microscopic examination revealed preservation of the architecture of the testicular parenchyma, typically with hemorrhage and edema, with patchy inflammation in the form of a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate within seminiferous tubules and also between tubules. The intratubular infiltrate usually predominated. Immunohistochemical studies, performed in 7 cases showed a mixture of CD68+ histiocytes and CD3+ T cells, with few B cells (CD20+) and few granulocytes. Follow-up was available in 5 cases; all 5 patients were alive and well 11 months to 10 years after diagnosis. In the rare instance in which a testicular specimen with orchitis is submitted for pathologic evaluation, diagnosis may be difficult. Familiarity with the pathologic changes characteristic of orchitis will help avoid misdiagnosis.


In this article the authors show that image quality measures can be successfully used to develop image-individualized gamut mapping algorithms. First the, authors compare different image quality measures for the gamut mapping problem and then validate them using psychovisual data from four recent gamut mapping studies. The scoring function used to validate the quality measures is the hit rate, i.e., the percentage of correct choice predictions on data from psychovisual tests. Some of the image quality measures predict the observer's preferences as good as scaling methods such as Thurstone's method, which is used to evaluate the psychovisual tests. This is remarkable because the scaling methods are based on the experimental data, whereas the quality measures are independent of these data. The best performing image quality measure is used to automatically select the optimal gamut mapping algorithm for an individual image.


Mucinous ovarian tumors are known to coexist sometimes with Brenner tumors; however, in many of the cases in the literature, mucinous cystadenomas are seen to have been analyzed. In this case report, we aimed to present a case who was operated on in our clinic, and who was diagnosed as mucinous adenocarcinoma and coexisting benign Brenner tumor. In this case report, we aimed to present the outcomes of a 57-year-old patient with a history of 6 pregnancies, 4 living children and 2 abortuses, who presented to our hospital with the complaint of abnormal vaginal bleeding, and in whom a cystic lesion was detected in the left ovary on physical and radiological examinations. The Ca 125 level was normal. The patient underwent the operation with the pre-diagnosis of postmenopausal ovarian mass in which total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy, total omentectomy and bilateral pelvic-para-aortic lymph node dissection were performed. The pathology result was reported as left ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma and benign Brenner tumor. The rate of Brenner tumor accompanying mucinous cystadenoma has been reported as 1.3% and the rate of mucinous adenocarcinoma accompanying Brenner tumor has been reported as 9%. However, its coexistence with mucinous adenocarcinoma is rare as in our case. In case of presence of the diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma or cystadenoma, assessment of the ipsilateral or contralateral ovarian cysts in terms of presence of Brenner tumor and further molecular cytogenetic analysis of the detected cases can shed light on the development histogenetics of these tumors.


This discussion takes up Leon Hoffman's (this issue) classical psychoanalytic inclination to interpret gender difference, such as anatomical distinction, as an expression of hierarchies, and as bound with pain. Hoffman finds Colonna and Newman's (1983) assertion that "a girl's penis envy and a boy's castration anxiety are intensified by the birth of an opposite-sexed sibling during the phallic phase" to be "intuitively obvious" (this issue, p. 98). These interpretations are reworked from the Foucauldian position that the body is the scene of cultural inscription. The clinical material is re-read to suggest that such normative formulations bar access to the child-patients' struggles with gender binaries and melancholy, and foreclose possible forms of attachment.


This paper started from the architecture of computerized flat knitting machines, Briefly introduced the hardware platform of computerized flat knitting machines, then highlighted its software design, and separately analyzed the CAN and GPIO bus drivers in details. By interpreting CNT and PAT files, it creatively proposed the sequence of weaving for the control system. By using SDL, it realized the GUI program.


In order to assist with the prognosis of wear processes in low profile disc heart values, an approximate haemodynamic theory has been used for the determination of opening and closing dynamics of these valves, together with the most developed theory to date of frictional fatigue. The heart valve element wear was defined by solving the contact problem, which takes account of changes to the contact surface form as a consequence of wear. Calculated values are compared with in vivo wear data for artificial heart valves. The proposed model for estimating wear in artificial heart valves allows an optimization to be made of the wear resistance in available designs and to predict the wear resistance of artificial heart valves at the design stage.


This study presents the analysis, design and voltage regulation of a zero-voltage switching quasi-resonant-positive output super lift Luo converter with low switching losses for industrial applications requiring regulated output voltage. To increase the power packing density, a simple control method using an analogue resonant controller UC3861 is used to regulate the output voltage against load variation and supply disturbance. The performance of the controller is verified by developing a prototype model of the converter and experimental results are presented. The results reveal the superiority of using a single dedicated IC for voltage regulation. Also it is observed that the converter provides maximum efficiency of 95% at full load.


We seek to develop in this work a critical approach about the Constitutionalisation phenomenon of Fundamental Rights nowadays, seeking to understand the challenges surrounding this issue, especially with regard to changes and disruptions promoted by irradiation of constitutional values to the whole legal system. Proposal innovative and with great powers of seduction, especially the possibility of realizing substantial justice and significant progress for social inclusion, we have seen emerge and radiate the expansive effect that the constitutional requirements have acquired, especially in the last 50 years in the face of Constitutionalisation of Fundamental Rights. The force from the Constitution focused mainly on the material and axiological content of constitutional norms, which have to condition the validity and meaning of all the infra-constitutional norms, projecting into the legal system, and in this perspective, moving away than traditionally was known until now as Supremacy of the Constitution, as Kelsen model. On the other hand, we observed that Constitutionalisation of Fundamental Rights significantly approached the contemporary Philosophy, building through constitutional hermeneutics a proposal for rapprochement between law and morals, making mandatory the embodiment of moral content arranged on Fundamental Rights. Thus, we saw the affirmation of a new constitutional interpretation, taking as its starting point the specificity of the Constitution, to present constitutional values with legal force and legal effect. Depending on this new approach, there would be a counterpoint between the "real constitution" (written text of constitutional norms) and the "ideal constitution," playing the first by irradiation values derived from the second. The legitimating justification for that would be the search for substantial justice to move towards a more appropriate decision, able to promote the necessary social inclusion. However, if it is real the possibility of progress on the path of material justice, and social inclusion, some considerations must be made regarding the impact of anti-positivist thesis in the Constitutionalisation of Fundamental Rights, including: the issue of legal certainty; the formulation of any particularistic and authoritarian decisions; apart from the difficulty of building a moral thesis by the judiciary, able to contemplate the diversity of Justice concepts in an extremely fragmented contemporary society. These considerations, and others discussed in this text, were the object of our investigations in this work, always with a view to achieve the limit of these theoretical formulations and the risks of a judicial activity extremely subjective and with wide discretion. Our goal in this opportunity was so only promote the necessary reflections from a theoretical point of view, without performing case studies, which will certainly be focused later.


This study investigates the voice onset time (VOT) of L2 English stops produced by native speakers of Chinese at
 different L2 proficiency levels. Four factors were examined: English proficiency, gender, place of articulation, and vowel
 context. High and low achievers of English were recruited as the experimental groups and native speakers of English as the control
 group. Each group consisted of 16 participants, 8 males and 8 females. Each participant took part in a read-aloud task, in which
 the target words were presented in an embedded sentence.
 The results showed that the effects of L2 proficiency were significant in that high achievers outperformed low
 achievers who were affected by L1 negative transfer more seriously when producing native-like English stops. Additionally, when
 producing English stops, velar stops had significantly greater VOT values than either bilabial or alveolar ones. However, no
 significant gender differences were found. Male and female participants produced similar VOT values in English stops. Last, the
 vowel context was also a significant factor. The VOT lengths differed according to the context of a following vowels. More
 specifically, the VOT of a stop is significantly longer when followed by a tense vowel.


The chiral 1D-coordination polymers (CP) {[Ln2(MnLCl)2(NO3)2(dmf)6(H2O)2]·xH2O}n [Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), and Gd (4)] were synthesized by the reaction of N,N'-bis(4-carboxysalicylidene)cyclohexanediamine (H4L) with [MnCl2·4(H2O)] and [Ln(NO3)3·x(H2O)] in the presence of dmf/pyridine at 90 °C. The polymers consist of manganese-salen-based moieties having carboxylate linkers connected to rare earth atoms in a 1D-chain structure. The polymers are very easily accessible. A one-step synthesis for the ligand and a second step for the preparation of the 1D coordination polymers starting from commercially available material are needed. The solid state structures of 1-4 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-4 were investigated as heterogeneous catalysts for the sulfoxidation reaction of various alkyl and aryl sulfides. The influence of various solvents and oxidizing agents on the catalytic reaction was examined. It was found that the catalysts were active for more than one reaction cycle without significant loss of activity. For phenylsulfide with 1 mol % of the catalyst 4, a maximum conversion 100% and a chemoselectivity 88% were observed.


Investigated was the effect of age, sex, experience, locus of control, self image, and grade level taught on the attitudes of 139 regular and special class teachers toward handicapped individuals. Ss completed the Attitude Toward Handicapped Individuals (ATHI) Scale, an abbreviated 11-item Rotter Internal-External Locus of Control Scale, and the Self-Esteem Scale. Twenty-two predictor variables were identified and regressed against scores from the AM. Results demonstrated that the variables were not individually, in combination, or collectively predictive of the teacbersc attitudes toward handicapped individuals. Findings were in general agreement with previous research in the field. (CL) *********************************************************************** * Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublished * * materials not available from other sources. ERIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal * * reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). EDRS is not * * responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original. * *********************************************************************** AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON MENTAL DEFICIENCY 100th Annual Meeting May 31 4 June 1976 U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Chicago, Illinois EDUCATION &WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS !SEEN REPRO. DUCE() EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN. ATING IT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRE SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY PREDICTION OF TEACHER'S ATTITUDES TOWARD HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS Gary R. Sigler Eastern Washington State College Alfred L. Lazar * California State University, Long Beach *(This investigation was supported in part by BEH Grant Number G00-74-02794/Project Number 451AH60850. The opinions and conclusions stated in this paper are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or necessarily reflecting the policy of the Bureau of the Educationally Handicapped, U.S. Office of Education, HEW,)


Background. Traditionally birds build their nests out of natural materials that are usually found near the location of the future nest. However, along with the expansion of human economic activity and the appearance of various types of antropogenic materials (hereafter debris) that pollute environment, they appeared in bird nests. Although it is hard to predict with certainty what significance this behavior will have for birds in the future, it is possible to investigate which species are prone to such behavior, which unnatural materials birds choose to build nests, and which factors influence it. This makes it possible to predict how changes in the environment by humans affect the nest-building behavior of different species of birds and the species-specific appearance of the nest. Moreover, incorporation of debris into birds' nests may be used as an indicator of environmental pollution. Materials and Methods. Materials for this article included 382 nests of 42 passerine species. Nests were collected unevenly during the last two decades in different stations across the western part of Ukraine. Among them, 18.3 % of the nests were located within the borders of human settlements, 48.2 % on their outskirts, and 37.5 % in the natural or close to the natural environment far beyond settlements. Nests were decomposed with laboratory forceps and nest components were identifined as natural (grass, plant stems, tree leaves, grass roots, moss, mammalian hair, bird feather and others) and antropogenic (threads, synthetic fibers, fluff, ropes, fishing line, cigarette butts, paper, tissue, wires and others), and their percentage by volume was defined. Results and Discussion. To construct nests, birds use antropogenic materials in the form of debris/solid waste, which they find in the surroundings. Among 382 analyzed passerine nests (42 species) collected in the west of Ukraine, artificial or man-changed materials were recorded in nest construction of 103 nests (27.0 %) of 26 species (61.9 %). Most frequently antropogenic materials are incorporated in the nests of the Fringillidae family (Linaria cannabina – 85.7 % of the analysed nests, Chloris chloris – 71.4 %, Fringilla coelebs – 66.7 %). The amount of artificial materials in the nest composition varied from minimal to up 100 %. More than a half (55.3 %) of the investigated passerine nests contain only a minimal or small amount of debris (≤ 1 % by volume). We found 17 types of anthropogenic materials in the nests. The most popular were threads (in 47.1 % of the analyzed nests with antropogenic materials), synthetic fibers (31.7 %), fluff (20.2 %, among them artificial fluff 14.4 %, cotton wool 4.8 %, fiberglass 1.0 %), plastic film (17.4 %), ropes (14.4 %), and fishing line (12.5 %). The number of various types of antropogenic materials in one nest varied from 1 (in 55.3 % nests), 2 (31.1 %), 3 (9.7 %), and 4 to 7 (3.9 %). The higher number of artificial material types in the structure of a bird's nest may imply purposefulness of such behavior in the environment transformed by the human. Some selectivity of the types of solid waste (debris) that birds use for nest construction was noted. We assume that in most cases birds use antropogenic materials closely resembling the traditional natural ones usually used by birds of certain species. The new artificial components in the composition of the nest imply that nest building is not completely genetically programmed but there is a possibility to change it by adding something new – similar, or even different. It looks quite reasonable, as it facilitates adaptation in changed environments. Using antropogenic materials as nest components is still controversial. The species specific look of the nest has changed by a different degree in polluted environments. It is still questionable weather such behavior is beneficial for birds in the long-term perspective. We suppose that antropogenic components may have appeared as part of the nest in the environments with available solid waste. Intentional/unintentional substitution of some natural components for nest with antropogenic ones may occur because of their high resemblance. Sometimes debris is incorporated into the nest while suitable natural components are accessible. In a polluted environment the species specific appearance of a nest may change to a certain degree. Conclusion. Passerine birds use antropogenic materials (in the form of debris) for nest construction quite often. Debris was found in nests of 26 passerines species. Synantropic species used various types of artificial materials more often. 17 types of various anthropogenic materials were found in the nests. Some selectivity was noted. Birds use antropogenic materials that resemble natural materials, but occasionally choose completely different ones.


This study examines the prediction in time series of industrial production, showing how the accuracy of predictions obtained by the statistical models used in the study, and the ability of these models to deal with changes in time series data and the changes on the performance of these models. The study aimed mainly to find the most suitable and best statistical forecasting models to be used in the process of forecasting cement production in Sudan. Using the Box-Jenkins methodology and the exponential smoothing method (Holt model), a number of models were constructed for the study sample of the time series of cement production in Sudan. The results of the study showed that the Box-Jenkins model outperformed the Holt model, where the comparative criteria indicators indicated the preference of the ARIMA model (2,1,1). Standards. The results showed that the results of future predictions obtained using the selected model ARIMA (2,1,1) are all within the limits of confidence, which indicates the quality and accuracy of this model in the prediction. Prediction values have indicated an increase in productivity over the next 10 years. Random changes were the most important factors that directly affected the performance of both models, but they were more effective in reducing the efficiency of the Holt exponential model compared to the Box-Jenkins model.


Purpose To update information regarding the usefulness of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems with a focus on the most critical category, that of missed cancers at earlier imaging, for cancers that manifest as a solid nodule. Materials and Methods By using a HIPAA-compliant institutional review board-approved protocol where informed consent was obtained, 50 lung cancers that manifested as a solid nodule on computed tomographic (CT) scans in annual rounds of screening (time 1) were retrospectively identified that could, in retrospect, be identified on the previous CT scans (time 0). Four CAD systems were compared, which were referred to as CAD 1, CAD 2, CAD 3, and CAD 4. The total number of accepted CAD-system-detected nodules at time 0 was determined by consensus of two radiologists and the number of CAD-system-detected nodules that were rejected by the radiologists was also documented. Results At time 0 when all the cancers had been missed, CAD system detection rates for the cancers were 56%, 70%, 68%, and 60% (κ = 0.45) for CAD systems 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. At time 1, the rates were 74%, 82%, 82%, and 78% (κ = 0.32), respectively. The average diameter of the 50 cancers at time 0 and time 1 was 4.8 mm and 11.4 mm, respectively. The number of CAD-system-detected nodules that were rejected per CT scan for CAD systems 1-4 at time 0 was 7.4, 1.7, 0.6, and 4.5 respectively. Conclusion CAD systems detected up to 70% of lung cancers that were not detected by the radiologist but failed to detect about 20% of the lung cancers when they were identified by the radiologist, which suggests that CAD may be useful in the role of second reader. (©) RSNA, 2016.


The choice of non-drug methods for the treatment of systemic scleroderma is currently very limited. Several studies show that extracorporeal photochemotherapy can improve kidney and lung function and reduce skin fibrosis in patients with systemic scleroderma. We studied the dynamics of clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with systemic scleroderma with an assessment before and after 12 months against the background of complex treatment, which included programmed extracorporeal photochemotherapy. Indications for inclusion in the study was the ineffectiveness of standard therapy with glucocorticoids and cytostatics or the impossibility of their use, as well as signs of an unfavorable prognosis of the disease: diffuse form, high skin count (14), rapid progression with a significant initial decrease in the glomerular filtration rate, forced vital capacity, high immunological activity (high titer of antinuclear factor and positivity for antibodies to Scl-70). When evaluating the results of complex treatment, a good clinical effect was observed in all patients: the induration of the skin decreased, the functionality of the lungs and kidneys increased. A significant decrease in the disease activity index was noted. These positive changes were the basis for a decrease in the daily dose of glucocorticoids. Significantly significant changes were observed in a decrease in the immunological activity of the disease: levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and immunoglobulin G, antinuclear factor titer and all types of circulating immune complexes. The results of our study confirm the data of other studies that demonstrated the positive effect of extracorporeal photochemotherapy as a component of the complex treatment of systemic scleroderma.


Within this work, from a large amount of non-viral vectors available for gene transfer, some representative ones were chosen to be associated to the widely used reporter gene pCMVβGal. Polycationic bPEI, single positively charged poloxamine 304 and the non-ionic poloxamer PE6400 were applied as polymeric DNA carrier systems. Further non-polymeric formulations contained non-charged cholesterol or monocationic DC-cholesterol, both solubilized by randomly methylated β-cyclodextrins (rM-β-CD). As dispersants, water, NaCl 0.45% and Tyrode's solution were used. Size investigations of the resulting structures were performed through dynamic light scattering (DLS) to evaluate the utilizability of the technique in such concerns. It appears that the interaction behavior strongly depends on the physicochemical properties of the applied vector: for bPEI and poloxamine 304, both exhibiting strong electrostatic interactions with DNA, the method accurately describes the samples in various media and concentrations. The interaction potential between the plasmid and its complexation partner is clearly evidenced from the size distribution profiles that are different for DNA alone, the vector alone and the associates of both components. The hydrodynamic diameters of the PE6400, cholesterol or DC-cholesterol containing formulations strongly resemble the ones obtained for DNA alone. Since an overlay between the peaks of pCMVβGal and the vector may exist, the application of DLS as sole technique cannot clearly affirm the existence of interactions for theses dynamic structures. To round off the investigations, morphological cryo-TEM analysis and ζ-potential measurements were performed in addition.


Bifra is an annual noxious broadleaf weed of winter-sown crops in the Central Anatolia and Middle Black Sea regions of Turkey. This species has become more prevalent in wheat fields in the past three decades because of poor chemical control. Field experiments were conducted in Havza and Kavak, Samsun, Turkey, to evaluate the effect of cultivar and seeding rate on the competitive interaction between bifra and wheat at four bifra densities. Wheat grain yield increased with seeding rate, either in the presence or in the absence of bifra in both locations. Decreasing the seeding rate from 250 to 200 kg/ha or 150 kg/ha decreased wheat yield in the presence of bifra in all cultivars. The percentage yield decreases were different according to cultivars, although yields decreased in all cultivars. On the basis of the analysis of yield variables, data suggest that the relative competitiveness was 'Bezostaja' > 'Momtchill' > 'Kate A-1' = 'Panda'. Bifra biomass and seed numbers were reduced not only by an increase in the wheat seeding rate but also by cultivars. Bifra seed production in Bezostaja, Kate A-1, Momtchill, and Panda were diminished 60, 53, 54, and 46%, respectively, at the seeding rate of 250 kg/ha compared with bifra alone at a density of 350 plants/ m2. Nomenclature: Bifra, Bifora radians Bieb.; Winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L. 'Bezostaja', 'Kate A-1', 'Momtchill', 'Panda'. Additional index words: Competition, weed management, wheat cultivars.


This is the third article in a series of articles reflecting on implementing the Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Board Game "Scythe" in an educational setting. It reflects on the evolution of a Game-Based Learning (GBL) approach teaching fundamental management methods and training 21st Century Skills. The first iteration of Scythe as the board game platform to train and educate students in OODA-Loop and decision support techniques was planned as a three-day on-premise workshop in February 2020. The kick-off was in November 2019 and was followed by a long self-study preparation phase. It transformed into a fully distributed learning event on short notice due to the advent of COVID-19. The second iteration, from November 2020 to March 2021, was a four-month closely supervised distributed learning experience featuring SWOT-Analysis, Kanban-Board, Scrum and other agile management methods next to the OODA-Loop. These two iterations had one thing in common. The board game Scythe was used as an analogue board game, and a Slack Workspace was used to submit pictures of the physical board game to reflect on the current situation. In the second iteration, Steam licences for the digital version of Scythe (Digital Scythe) were provided to students as a decision support tool. From November 2021 to February 2022, the third iteration implemented Digital Scythe entirely. Therefore, the final tournament and highlight of the learning experience were also fully digital, with new challenges for facilitation. This complete digitalisation also provided unique learning opportunities, particularly concerning 21st-century skills. Overall, this new seminar prototype was a huge success, and the demand for this kind of learning experience looks pretty high. It emphasises virtualisation using the popular gaming platform Steam. This article also applies a framework for distributed wargaming.


In this paper, a three-phase ac-dc converter using three single-phase pulse width modulated active clamped, zero-voltage-switched boost converter in modular approach is presented. The active clamp technique is used for zero-voltage-switching of the main and auxiliary switches. The operating modes, analysis, and design considerations for the proposed converter are explained. To evaluate the performance of the proposed converter, finally simulation and experimental results for a 500-V, 1.5-kW prototype converter are presented. The proposed converter operates at almost unity power factor with reduced output filter size. The output voltage is regulated without affecting zero-voltage-switching, even under unbalanced three-phase input voltages.


Right heart catheterisation using a flow-directed, balloon-tipped catheter has become almost standard practice in the management of patients with acute cardiovascular and respiratory failure and is one of the reasons for the high cost of treating the critically ill. While some balloon catheters are designed for single use only, the Edwards Laboratories balloon flotation catheters may be resterilised with ethylene oxide and reused, thereby reducing costs. Compared with new catheters resterilised catheters are less rigid and have an increased incidence of balloon rupture. Without the balloon tip the catheter cannot be floated easily into the pulmonary artery and pulmonary arterial occlusion pressures cannot be measured. To determine the optimum number of times these catheters could be sterilised and reused before the balloon ruptured we resterilised with ethylene oxide 50 consecutive flow-directed balloon tipped catheters and used them until the balloon finally ruptured.


A 19-year-old white woman with severe systemic lupus erythematosus developed symptomatic sacroiliitis early in her disease. Over the next 14 years she showed radiological progression of sacroiliitis. She had neither HLA-DR3 nor B27 antigens. The rare coexistence of SLE and ankylosing spondylitis may not be determined solely by genetic factors; sacroiliitis may be just an infrequent manifestation of SLE.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) and Copenhagen Index (CPH-I) in their ability to distinguish epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and malignant ovarian tumors (MLOT) from benign ovarian tumors (BeOT) in Japanese women.

METHODS
Patients with pathologically diagnosed ovarian tumors were included in this study. The study validated the diagnostic performance of ROMA and CPH-I.

RESULTS
Among the 463 Japanese women included in this study, 312 had BeOT, 99 had EOC, and 52 had other MLOT. The receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUCs) of ROMA (0.89) and CPH-I (0.89) for distinguishing EOC from BeOT were significantly higher than that of CA125 (0.82) (CA 125 vs. ROMA; p = 0.002, vs. CPH-I; p < 0.001). The ROC-AUCs of ROMA (0.82) and CPH-I (0.81) for distinguishing MLOT from BeOT were significantly higher than that of CA125 (0.75) (CA 125 vs. ROMA: p = 0.003, vs. CPH-I: p < 0.001). The sensitivity (SN)/specificity (SP) of ROMA and CPH-I for distinguishing EOC from BeOT at standard cut-off points were 69%/90%, and 69%/90%, respectively, those for distinguishing MLOT from BeOT were 54%/90%, and 55%/90%, respectively.

CONCLUSION
ROMA and CPH-I performed comparably well and better than CA125 in distinguishing EOC from BeOT in Japanese women. ROMA and CHP-I should be used with caution in practical situations, where all histological possibilities for must be considered, because the SNs of ROMA and CPH-I were only 54% and 55%.


The continuous rise in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is of significant global concern. Several methodologies and technologies are proposed and applied by the industries to mitigate the emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere. This review article offers a large number of studies that aim to capture, convert, or reduce CO2 by using a superb porous class of materials (metal-organic frameworks, MOFs), aiming to tackle this worldwide issue. MOFs possess several remarkable features ranging from high surface area and porosity to functionality and morphology. As a result of these unique features, MOFs were selected as the main class of porous material in this review article. MOFs act as an ideal candidate for the CO2 capture process. The main approaches for capturing CO2 are pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion capture. The applications of MOFs in the carbon capture processes were extensively overviewed. In addition, the applications of MOFs in the adsorption, membrane separation, catalytic conversion, and electrochemical reduction processes of CO2 were also studied in order to provide new practical and efficient techniques for CO2 mitigation.


Listeriosis is a resurgent foodborne disease in European countries. Benefits of combined β-lactam-aminoglycoside treatment remain controversial and the impact of the underlying disease on prognosis has not been fully assessed. We conducted a retrospective review of cases of sporadic listeriosis in adults from 1995 to 2008 at two university-affiliated hospitals serving a population of 600,000 people in Madrid, Spain. The primary end-point was the associated in-hospital mortality. Sixty-four patients were studied. Estimated incidence of listeriosis was 0.76/100.000 persons/year. Seventy-four per cent had chronic underlying diseases; cirrhosis of the liver and haematological and solid neoplasias were the most common comorbidities. Primary bacteraemia (58%) and meningitis (42%) were the most frequent manifestations. Focal infections were seen in ten cases. In-hospital mortality was 31%. Patients treated with ampicillin or with an ampicillin-gentamicin combination did not differ in age, severity of underlying disease or type of presentation. Differences in mortality were not seen between patients treated with monotherapy and those given combined treatment (28% vs 35%; p 0.634). Ten patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethozaxole alone and only one died. All patients without comorbidities survived infection but mortality of patients with cirrhosis of the liver was 21% and that of patients with haematological or solid neoplasias was 66%. Only haematological neoplasia (OR 6.67; 95% CI 1.71-26.04; p 0.006) was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality (R(2) (Cox-Snell) = 0.262). Mortality of listeriosis mainly depended on the severity of the underlying disease. Combined ampicillin-gentamicin therapy did not improved survival. Trimethoprim-sulfamethozaxole may be an effective alternative therapy for listerial infections.


Democratic countries have devoted most of their attention to limiting the influence and impact of corrupt electoral finance by setting a set of restrictions that work to control the sources of obtaining it and the methods of its use by parties and candidates to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, and Iraq was one of those countries that tended to establish legal rules Which controls its paths, directions and methods of spending during the electoral process, as well as the establishment of an apparatus based on its follow-up in order to preserve the proper practice of the democratic process of it.