In this paper, an adjustment to the original differentially private stochastic gradient descent (DPSGD) algorithm for deep learning models is proposed. As a matter of motivation, to date, almost no state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm hires the existing privacy protecting components due to otherwise serious compromise in their utility despite the vital necessity. The idea in this study is natural and interpretable, contributing to improve the utility with respect to the state-of-the-art. Another property of the proposed technique is its simplicity which makes it again more natural and also more appropriate for real world and specially commercial applications. The intuition is to trim and balance out wild individual discrepancies for privacy reasons, and at the same time, to preserve relative individual differences for seeking performance. The idea proposed here can also be applied to the recurrent neural networks (RNN) to solve the gradient exploding problem. The algorithm is applied to benchmark datasets MNIST and CIFAR-10 for a classification task and the utility measure is calculated. The results outperformed the original work.


Seven solar industrial process heat field tests funded by the US Department of Energy have been in operation for a year or more-three are hot water systems and four are hot air systems. All are low-temperature projects (process heat at temperatures below 212/sup 0/F). This report presents performance results gathered by each contractor's data acquisition system and summarizes project costs and problems encountered. Flat-plate, evacuated-tube, and line-focus collectors are all represented in the program, with collector array areas ranging from 2500 to 21,000 ft/sup 2/. Collector array efficiencies ranged from 12% to 36% with net system efficiences from 8% to 33%. Low efficiencies are attributable in some cases to high thermal losses and, for the two projects using air collectors, are due in part to high parasitic power consumption. Problems have included industrial effluents on collectors, glazing and absorber surface failures, excessive thermal losses, freezing and overheating, control problems, and data acquisition system failure. With design and data acquisition costs excluded costs of the projects ranged from $25/ft/sup 2/ to $87/ft/sup 2/ and $499/(MBtu/yr) to $1537/(MBtu/yr). The hot-air system in use at Gilroy Foods, Inc., Gilroy, California, the seventh project in the field tests, is covered.


This paper explores the architectural manifestations for ritual and public dining spaces in the ancient Greek world as defined by architectural characteristics or other material remains. Hestiatoria have traditionally been defined as "dining spaces" on the basis of loose architectural distinctions, such as rooms set aside in sanctuaries, sometimes with off-center doorways, indications of klinai or other small finds that suggest dining. Rooms in stoas sometimes served for dining purposes, as is well attested, but the form of the complexes differs substantially. Can there be a more precise typology made of these buildings and the indicators which might suggest different practices? Are there specific differences architecturally between ritual dining and public dining? These and other considerations are addressed in conjunction with literary testimonia for dining practices in an attempt to bring into focus the varied architectural record.


During infection, pathogens secrete effectors, key elements of pathogenesis. In several phytopathogenic fungi, synchronous waves of effector genes are expressed during plant infection to manipulate and silence plant defenses. In Zymoseptoria tritici, causing septoria leaf blotch of wheat, at least two waves of effector genes are expressed, during the asymptomatic phase and at the switch to necrotrophy. The underlying factors responsible for the fine-tuned regulation of effector gene expression in this pathogen are unknown. Previously, a detailed map of the chromatin structure in vitro of Z. tritici was generated by chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) targeting histone modifications typical for euchromatin (di-methylation of the lysine 4 of the histone H3, H3K4me2) or heterochromatin (tri-methylation of the lysine 9 and 27 of the histone H3, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3). Based on the hypothesis that changes in the histone modifications contribute to the transcriptional control of pathogenicity-related genes, we tested whether different sets of genes are associated with different histone modifications in vitro. We correlated the in vitro histone maps with in planta transcriptome data and show that genes located in heterochromatic domains in vitro are highly up-regulated at the switch toward necrotrophy. We combined our integrated analyses of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic data with ChIP-qPCR in planta and thereby provide further evidence for the involvement of histone modifications in the transcriptional dynamic of putative pathogenicity-related genes of Z. tritici.


To the Editor: Tan et al. (2009) presented an excellent and impressive review of the effects of mercury on the endocrine system in both humans and animals. They correctly point out that mercury—a well-known neurotoxicant—is an important endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen's effects with no direct action on hormones. However, we would like to raise the following two points. In the "Accumulation of Hg in the endocrine system" section of their review article, the authors cite a study [Kosta et al., 1975] indicating that there is a specific accumulation of mercury in the postmortem tissue of the thyroid gland of mercury mine workers who were exposed occupationally. Then they assert that "The current depth of information in this area is limited by a lack of this type of data gathered post mortem." We are surprised by this assertion. Tan and colleagues fail to cite our recent article (Guzzi et al., 2006), which emphasized the significant contribution of mercury amalgam to the increase of the long-term thyroid burden of mercury. In our study on mercury amalgam disposition in human organs, we have found that levels of total mercury in thyroid specimens were about five times higher in cadaver samples with 12 or more than 12 occlusal amalgam surfaces, as compared with those who had three occlusal amalgams surfaces. Thus, elevated thyroid levels of mercury are not necessarily related to occupationally and/or environmentally exposed persons, as high levels have been determined even in the general population in subjects with dental amalgam fillings who have had mercury-containing amalgam exposure. We also would like to call attention to an error in their description of the chemical symbol for elemental metallic mercury. In the "Chemical forms of mercury" section of their review article, Tan et al. write the chemical symbol for elemental mercury as (Hg). Perhaps because they mistyped the symbol? The correct chemical symbol for elemental or metallic mercury is Hg and is read as "mercury zero" (Nuttal, 2004). We believe that the endocrine system should be considered as a potential target tissue upon mercury exposure, along with the kidneys and the nervous system.


In this study, rainbow trout were fed for a total of 90 days with different feed mixes containing 0.00%, 1.00%, 1.50% and 2.00% garlic (Allium sativum). The effect of garlic on the growth performance, body composition and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout was researched. The starting weight of fish in the experimental group was approximately 64.12±0.29 gr, which increased to 234.12±3.54gr, 246.31±4.41gr, 258.74±4.42gr, and 268.79±4.79gr, while the difference in growth between the groups was observed to be statistically significant (p<0.05). At the end of the feeding period, the specific growth rate (SGR), the economic conversion ratio (ECR), the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the economic profit index (EPI) and the protein efficiency ratio (PER) were checked. In this study, the nutritional composition and fatty acid profiles of fish after 90 days of feeding were examined. As a result of this study, the supplementation of garlic to the diet given to rainbow trout caused an increase in their protein ratio and a decrease in their moisture content and fat ratio. Additionally, it led to a decrease in fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid levels and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids.


Background: It remains unclear for how long the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) last in interstitial lung disease (ILD). An increasing number of ILD patients complete PR and it is vital they be offered the most beneficial approaches. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study of a cohort with ILD who had completed PR. Incremental shuttle walk (ISWT) and chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRDQ) were compared before PR, at course completion, and 6/12 months follow-up. Focus group discussions with ILD participants who had completed PR and their carers established qualitative views on existing and potential future PR provision. Results: 79 participants with ILD were identified at course completion, with 39 followed to 12 months. 11 participants died during follow-up. Initial benefits from PR were not sustained at 6 months (ISWT change 0.0m (95% CI-23.2 to 23.2 m), CRDQ change 2.5 (95% CI–2.4 to 7.4)) and 12 months (ISWT change–0.7 m (95% CI–37.3 to 35.9 m), CRDQ change 4.0 (95% CI–2.2 to 10.2)). Continued home exercise gave longer lasting benefit in exercise capacity. Focus group discussions highlighted the value attached to PR and suggested areas for improvement. Conclusions: Standard PR gives initial benefits in participants with ILD who complete the course, however these are not sustained. Tailored approaches to this group would be appreciated by this group and should be explored.


Located in the Cordillera de la Costa of northern Chile, the mines of the Mantoverde district exploit super-gene oxide ore developed over several Lower Cretaceous, hematite-rich, iron oxide-Cu-Au (IOCG) deposits with an average protore grade of 0.52 percent Cu and 0.11 g/t Au (e.g., Mantoverde proper, Manto Ruso). The geologic setting and genesis of this productive IOCG district are clarified herein through regional petrologic and lithogeochemical study and light stable isotope analysis of paragenetically constrained samples from Mantoverde and its satellite deposits. Together with chalcopyrite-bearing, but subeconomic, bodies of metasomatic magnetite (e.g., Montecristo and Franco) and Cu-barren magnetite-fluorapatite-pyrite bodies (e.g., Ferrifera), the deposits of the Mantoverde district were emplaced along the main and, more commonly, subsidiary segments of the plate boundary-parallel Atacama fault system. They are hosted by Middle to Upper Jurassic andesites of the La Negra Formation and diorites and monzodiorites assigned to the Lower Cretaceous Sierra Dieciocho plutonic complex. Prior to mineralization, the Jurassic and Neocomian igneous rocks of this Andean transect were subjected to moderate albitization (spilitization) and hydrolytic alteration and, subsequently, to regional, nondeformational metamorphism, which locally attained the lower greenschist facies. Both processes, however, were focused along the western margin of a Neocomian marginal basin, 25 to 30 km east of the Atacam fault system, and there is no evidence of widespread albitization in the vicinity of the major IOCG centers.

An extensively revised paragenetic model for Mantoverde and its satellite deposits incorporates four stages. Stage I was dominated by widespread potassium and iron metasomatism which converted granitoid and volcanic rocks to orthoclase and magnetite, respectively. Stage II comprises chloritic and sericitic alteration and veining. The deposition, early in stage II, of marialitic scapolite, subsequently largely replaced by chlorite, was probably contemporaneous with regional scapolitization in the area between the Atacama fault system and the marginal basin. Chalcopyrite deposition was restricted to the ensuing stage III, hosted by calcite veins and, particularly, specular hematite-dominated hydrothermal breccias and stockworks. Stage IV barren calcite-quartz vein swarms record the terminal hydrothermal activity. Stable isotope fractionation relationships and published fluid inclusion microthermometry define a retrograde thermal evolution, from above ~460°C in stage I, through ~350°C in stage II, to ~210° to 280°C in ore stage III, and ~110° to 240°C in stage IV.

The δ34S values of chalcopyrite and pyrite from Mantoverde and its associated orebodies and prospects range overall from −6.8 to +11.2 per mil, overlapping extensively. However, the narrow range, −0.6 to +2 per mil, of δ34S values of pyrite associated with stage I magnetite contrasts with the much wider range, −1.2 to +9.1 per mil, of that deposited in stage II. The compositional variability increases from +1.4 to −11.2 per mil in the mineralized assemblages of stage III, chalcopyrite generally having higher values than pyrite. The iron oxides in the district have δ18O values that vary overall from −1.9 to +4.1 per mil, the highest values, +1.4 to +4.1 per mil, occurring in stage I metasomatic magnetite, whereas stage III hematite has lower values of −2.0 to +1.7 per mil. Estimated equilibrium δ34Sfluid values increased dramatically with time, from +0.4 to +4 per mil in stage I, through +9.1 to +14.9 per mil during stage II, to +26.4 to +36.2 per mil for the most richly mineralized hematitic breccias. Stage III hematite equilibrated with a fluid with δ18O values of +3.0 to +8.0 per mil, significantly lower than those of fluids from which stage I magnetite crystallized (i.e., +7.3 to +9.9‰).

The fluids responsible for barren stage I magnetite-pyrite assemblages, with δ34S and δ18O values close to 0 and +8 per mil, respectively, may have been products of the second boiling of granitoid magmas, possibly of the Sierra Dieciocho complex. Markedly higher δ34S and lower δ18O values in stages II and, particularly, stage III, in which all significant chalcopyrite and gold were deposited, are interpreted as evidence for the incursion of modified seawater, possibly via evaporitic sediments. Such externally derived fluids, probably mobilized by marginal basin inversion and recorded by the district-wide scapolitization (Na-Cl metasomatism), may have been a prerequisite for hypogene Cu(-Au) mineralization in the Mantoverde district.


Purpose: To compare the quantities of emboli dislodged during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stenting in the vertebral artery (VA) with those released during stent placement in the internal carotid artery (ICA). Methods: Macroscopic images of distal protection devices (DPD) used during 30 stent procedures in 16 ICAs (11 men; mean age 64.6±10.6 years) and 14 VAs (9 men; mean age 67.1±9.8 years) were reviewed. The amount of captured embolic debris was calculated and expressed as a proportion to the size of the filter. Histological examinations were performed to characterize the material trapped in the filters. Results: Relative to the size of the filter, the proportion of captured debris ranged from 0.1% to ∼22% in the ostial VA filters and from 0.1% to ∼21% in the filters used in the ICA procedures (p=NS). Plaque fragments with or without thrombus were discovered in the histological examinations of captured material. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of the debris between the 2 vascular regions, nor did sex, race, or plaque morphology correlate significantly with the proportion of captured debris. However, the severity of stenosis was significantly (p<0.029) greater in the ICA (73%±0.11%) than the VA (63%±0.09%) territory. Conclusion: The study suggests that the frequency and amount of captured emboli during stent procedures in ICA and ostial VAs are comparable. Therefore, the use of a DPD for stent placement in the vertebral artery may be advisable.


Linear and nonlinear vibrations of shallow spherical shells with free edge are investigated experimentally and numerically and compared to previous studies on percussion instruments such as gongs and cymbals. The preliminary bases of a suitable analytical model are given. The prime objective of the work is to take advantage of the specific geometry of perfectly isotropic and homogeneous spherical shells in order to isolate the influence of curvature from other possible causes of nonlinearities. Hence, combination resonances due to quadratic nonlinearities are especially studied, for an harmonic forcing of the shell. Identification of excited modes is achieved through systematic comparisons between spatial numerical results obtained from a finite element modeling, and spectral informations derived from experiments. INTRODUCTION Vibrations of percussion instruments such as cymbals and gongs are essentially non-linear. This is due to the large deflections of the instrument, especially at the free edge, when struck by the blow of a mallet. Today, no theoretical model has been developed for these instruments and it is the aim of the present paper to contribute to filling this gap. Our investigations started with an experimental study on cymbals subjected to an harmonic excitation [1]. While keeping the excitation frequency fexc constant and increasing the amplitude, three distinct vibrational regimes were exhibited. The first one is periodic, defined by an harmonic spectrum governed by fexc. A first bifurcation leads to the apparition of other spectral components, of frequencies that are incommensurate with fexc, the resulting vibration being quasi-periodical. A second bifurcation leads to the third regime, which is chaotic. As a first attempt to write a physical model, a study was conducted on circular plates [2,3], which has led to a theoretical understanding of the periodic regime, validated by experiments. It was shown in particular that the problem can be modeled by a set of coupled second order nonlinear oscillators. The next step was then to study the quasi-periodical phase of the vibration. Our second study of percussion instruments was conducted on a large orchestral gong (or Chinese tam-tam) [4]. The same route to chaos than for the cymbals was observed, and the quasi-periodical regime was especially investigated. Two results suggested us to think that quadratic non-linearities are to be considered in the model. The first result is that the flexural motion of the gong shows a clear distorsion due to the presence of a quadratic nonlinearity in the oscillators. The second result is that the observed combination of resonances are governed by frequency relations of the form: m f n f exc f + ≈ or n 2f exc f ≈ (1) where exc f is the excitation frequency, m f and n f are eigenfrequencies of the gong. These frequency relations where also observed in the case of the cymbal [1], and are typical of quadratic nonlinearities [5]. These quadratic nonlinearities are a consequence of the curved geometry of the gong [6]. As a consequence, the flat plate model of [2] is inadequate since it exhibits cubic nonlinearities only. Our present objective is to investigate the nonlinear properties of a perfectly curved structure, of geometry as close as possible to those of gongs and cymbals, in order to facilitate the derivation of a theoretical model. The difficulties with real gongs are due to both their particular geometry and structure inhomogeneities [4]. The selected structure is a spherical cap. A number of caps, with different thickness, diameter and curvature, were especially designed in order to examine the influence of geometrical parameters on the quadratic non-linear effects. The caps are made of brass and are assumed to be perfectly homogeneous. The next section is first devoted to an experimental linear modal analysis of the spherical caps. It enables to make several comparisons, first with circular plates, and then with the gong studied in [4]. In the nonlinear regime, several combination of resonances are reported. They are found to be similar to those observed in gongs and cymbals. In section 3, a theoretical model for nonlinear transverse vibrations of a spherical cap with free edge is presented, in order to highlight the relevant parameters of the problem. The successive steps for the resolution of the problem are described. EXPERIMENTS The set-up is similar to the one used for the experimental study on gongs [4] and is extensively described in a more recent paper [3]. Only the main features are given here. The spherical shell is freely suspended by means of nylon threads (guitar strings). Is has been checked that the suspension does not alter significantly the values of eigenfrequencies and decay times. A small magnet is glued on the structure, and driven by a fixed coil.


BACKGROUND: Microvascular decompressions (MVDs) are effective open-surgical procedures for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Intraoperative management of compressive veins may include either venous transposition or coagulation. Although both are generally considered safe, which technique results in optimal postoperative outcomes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative pain and numbness outcomes after an MVD in patients with TN of exclusive venous compression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with TN who underwent MVDs at our institution from 2007 to 2020. Patients with TN of pure venous compression were identified using MRI imaging, which was subsequently confirmed intraoperatively. Patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and postoperative pain and numbness scores were recorded and compared. Factors associated with pain recurrence were assessed using survival analyses and multivariate regressions. RESULTS: We identified 181 patients who presented with TN of pure venous compression. Using a multivariate linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, and presence of multiple sclerosis, use of venous transposition vs coagulation was not significantly associated with the Barrow Neurological Institute pain score at final follow-up, although venous transposition was significantly predictive of a worse postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute numbness score (P = .003). Using a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively, venous transposition was significantly associated with faster (P = .01) as well as higher risk for pain recurrence (P = .01). CONCLUSION: The use of venous coagulation during an MVD is associated with better postoperative pain and numbness outcomes. The results of our study may help inform preoperative patient counseling and surgical management for TN cases that involve pure venous compression.


Background: Reconstruction of the stapes superstructure continues to be a problem for otologists. Optimal fixation of implants on the stapes footplate has not yet been achieved. Methods: We postulated that bony fixation, between implant and stapes, could be confined exclusively to the footplate region by modifying the bioactivity of the implant material. Therefore, after removal of the superstructure in guinea pigs a combined biovitro ceramic implant (Bioverit® I and Bioverit® II) was placed on the stapes footplate in 10 guinea pigs. As a control, we employed a group of 6 animels in which the stapes superstructure was removed without placing any implant. Results: After 25 weeks the implants were found to be dislocated laterally. We observed fixation with the wall of the middle ear. In the control group we also found new bone formation and even a bow shaped regeneration of the stapes superstructure. Conclusion: Combined Bioverit® stapedial implants were found to routinely fix to the middle ear wall of the guinea pig. The guinea pigs' enormous potential for bone regeneration in the middle ear ossicular chain make this species unsuitable for exploring hypotheses on human middle ear reconstruction.


UNLABELLED
In this study, we evaluated the ability of submandibular gland scintigraphy to predict the prognosis of peripheral facial nerve paralysis.

METHODS
Submandibular gland scintigraphy was performed in 78 patients with acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis. After injection of 180-370 MBq [99mTc]pertechnetate, serial 1-min images were acquired for 25 min. At 15 min after injection of radionuclide, ascorbic acid was administered intraorally to stimulate salivary secretion. Regions of interest were set manually on both submandibular glands, and time-activity curves were generated. The ratios of peak count density (PCR) and washout (WR) of the affected side to the normal side were calculated. Parameters of > or = 0.8 suggested normal affected submandibular function and indicated a good prognosis.

RESULTS
Complete recovery of facial nerve paralysis was observed in 52 of 78 patients. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of PCR for a good prognosis were 79%, 50% and 69%, and those of WR were 85%, 77% and 82%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for a good prognosis were 76% and 54% in PCR and 88% and 71% in WR, respectively. When WR obtained within 14 days of the onset was used, positive and negative predictive values for a good prognosis were 94% and 73%, respectively. None of the eight patients who had values of <0.8 for both parameters within 14 days of the onset recovered completely.

CONCLUSION
Submandibular gland scintigraphy can serve as a reliable indicator to predict the prognosis of acute peripheral facial nerve paralysis in its early symptomatic period.


The status of computational theory in ecological psychology has been and continues to be a source of controversy. Over a period of more than 30 years, Robert Shaw and his colleagues have developed a powerful negative critique of computation based in part on the idea that computational theory cannot capture central aspects of the coimplicative structure of the relations between animals and their environments. Two aspects of the Shavian critique are considered in this article: the characterization of the algorist and the problem of complexity. It is argued, contrary to the critique, that computational theory offers a properly constrained formal view of the algorist and is not defeated by complexity. Computational ideas can therefore have a fundamental role to play in the further development of ecological psychology.


A kinetic model for low-pressure dusty plasmas is developed. The Boltzmann and the dust charging balance equations are solved self-consistently. The dependence of the dust particle surface potential on plasma parameters and the effects of particulate contamination on the electron energy distribution are investigated for direct-current argon glow discharges. It is shown that the dust particle surface potential obtained from this model is higher than that obtained for a Maxwellian electron distribution, and that the higher energy portion of the electron distribution is reduced in the presence of dust particles. Electron-dust collection and electron - atom inelastic collisions are the main electron energy loss processes, and the electron energy loss due to electron-dust elastic collision is negligibly small for under the discharge conditions considered in this work, where E is the externally applied electric field and N is the argon atom density.


This paper analyzes panel data inference in predictive regressions with endogenous and nearly persistent regressors. The standard fixed effects estimator is shown to suffer from a second order bias; analytical results, as well as Monte Carlo evidence, show that the bias and resulting size distortions can be severe. New estimators, based on recursive demeaning as well as direct bias correction, are proposed and methods for dealing with cross sectional dependence in the form of common factors are also developed. Overall, the results show that the econometric issues associated with predictive regressions when using time-series data to a large extent also carry over to the panel case. However, practical solutions are more readily available when using panel data. The results are illustrated with an application to predictability in international stock indices.


National industrial subsidies are a major irritant in international trading relations. There have been many attempts to curb the damaging effects of subsidies on the international trading order; most have met with stiff oppostion and mixed success. Today the combination of industrial subsidies and the countervailing duties intended to combat them present one of the major threats to the international trading order. Industrial Subsidies and Trade Friction is a comparative analysis of the instruments devised to regulate industrial subsidies and lessen the effects of countervailing duties.


Introduction The impact of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on the risk of different types of strokes is unclear. Therefore, we systematically evaluated the impact of LDL-C levels (cohort studies) and lipid-lowering agents (LLAs) (randomized controlled trials) on the different types of stroke. Material and methods PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched up to 1st September 2019. The DerSimonian-Laird method and generic inverse variance methods were used for quantitative data synthesis. The leave-one-out method was performed as sensitivity analysis. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to evaluate the optimal sample size to detect a 35% reduction in outcomes after administration of LLAs. Results Participants in the highest category of LDL-C had a lower risk of hemorrhagic stroke (RR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85–0.98, I2 = 0%) compared with the lowest category of LDL-C. Subjects with the highest category of LDL-C had a higher risk of ischemic stroke (RR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.14, I2 = 0%) compared to the lowest LDL-C category. LLAs decreased the risk of all types of strokes for those who achieved LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/l (< 70 mg/dl; RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.96, absolute risk reduction (ARR): 0.7%, number needed to treat (NNT): 143, I2 = 53%, n = 13). Statin therapy decreased the risk of all strokes (RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.97, ARR = 0.6%, NNT = 167, I2 = 56%). With regard to ischemic stroke only, LLAs decreased the risk of ischemic stroke for those who achieved LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/l (< 70 mg/dl; RR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67–0.83, ARR = 1.3%, NNT = 77, I2 = 0%); the same was observed for statins (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.69–0.84, ARR = 1.3%, NNT = 77, I2 = 32%). TSA indicated that both benefit boundaries and optimal sample size were reached. There was no significant effect of LLAs regardless of the achieved level of LDL-C on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke; however, TSA indicated that further studies are needed to settle the question and most of the effects were subject to high levels of heterogeneity. Conclusions Our study sheds light on the debatable association between low LDL-C and different type of strokes. This information can help determine the optimal LDL-C range for stroke prevention, and help plan future LLA studies.


In this work, we analyzed fire regime, climatic trend and relationships between fire and climate in the Asağı Köprüçay basin (Antalya, Turkey), an area of about 205,000 hectares. The study area is intensively affected by forest fires. Since the historical data on fires were consistent in detail after 1979, we analyzed the historical period 1979-2009. Regarding the climate analysis, data of four meteorological stations representing the different climatic conditions of the study area were taken into consideration. Daily records of maximum, mean and minimum temperatures, precipitation, wind speed and direction, relative humidity were used for the analysis. In the study period, mean and minimum temperatures showed a statistically significant increasing trend with time. The trends of fire number, burned area and meteorological data were analyzed by using correlation and linear regression techniques. Regarding the historical trends in terms of fire number, no statistically significant trends were observed, because of the high inter-annual variability of the data. The burnt areas showed a general increasing trend that is not statistically significant. No statistically significant correlation between fire number and burnt area was observed. The relationships between weather parameters and the main indicators of fire activity: fire days (FD, at least 1 fire per day), large fire days (LFD, at least 20 hectares per day), multiple fire days (MFD, more than 1 fire per day), were investigated by the application of the logistic regression. The historical relationship between weather variables and the main indicators of the fire activity (FD, LFD, MFD) were analyzed by a set of logistic regression models. In particular, 4 models provided the best combined response in predicting the different fire activity indices on both annual and seasonal data. The different models were characterised by low estimation accuracies for FD, while the best results were obtained for LFD. Temperature and relative humidity are the weather variables mostly correlated with the fire activity probability as predicted by the logistic models. An increase in the accuracy was generally obtained where the 3 and 7 days minimum and maximum average values were used instead of the daily mean values of the weather variables.


This paper reports the conception, design, implementation and evaluation processes of PICO, a portable audio effect system created with Pure Data (Pd) and the Raspberry Pi, which augments traditional plucked string instruments such as the Brazilian Cavaquinho, the Venezuelan Cuatro, the Colombian Tiple and the Peruvian/Bolivian Charango. A fabric soft case fixed to the instrument`s body holds the PICO modules (the touchscreen, the single board computer, the sound card, the speaker system and the DC power bank). The device audio specifications arose from musicological insights about the social role of performers in their musical contexts and the instruments' playing techniques. They were taken as design challenges in the creation process of PICO`s first prototype, which was submitted to a short evaluation. Along with the construction of PICO, we reflected over the design of an interactive audio interface as a mode of research. Therefore, the paper will also discuss methodological aspects of audio hardware design.


TO THE EDITOR Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic dermatosis characterized by nodules and abscesses in apocrine glandebearing sites. Mutations in three GSC genes have been identified in autosomal dominant forms of HS (Frew et al., 2017) (Supplementary Tables S1 and S2). NCSTN, PSEN1, and PSENEN mutations have been reported in 41 patients with unrelated HS, one Chinese family with HS, and 21 patients with unrelated HS with or without Dowling-Degos disease, respectively (Frew et al., 2017). The functional consequences of these mutations are yet to be elucidated. In the absence of segregation analysis and functional studies supporting their causality, it is possible that some reported variants are benign (Supplementary Table S2). A total of three studies investigated GSC gene mutations in small patient cohorts (Supplementary Table S1). One of these studies explored NCSTN, PSEN1, and PSENEN in 48 British patients (Pink et al., 2012). A second study analyzed the six GSC genes (NCSTN, PSEN1, PSENEN, PSEN2, APH1A, and APH1B) in 20 patients from South Wales (Ingram et al., 2013). The third study investigated NCSTN in 95 Caucasian patients (Liu et al., 2016). In contrast to our previous studies that focused on multiplex kindreds or on patients with syndromic HS and led to the identification of four NCSTN mutations (Duchatelet et al., 2019, 2015; Miskinyte et al., 2012; Sonbol et al., 2018), the recent study aimed at determining the prevalenceofGSC genemutations among a large cohort involving 169 unrelated patients whowere mostly Caucasian with isolated or syndromic HS. This study was approved by the institutional review board (CPP Ile-de-France, Paris).


"This paper focuses on how successfully non-metropolitan areas [in the United States] can compete for service-producing industry. Data on wage and salary employment for the 1969-84 period are used to assess how well non-metropolitan areas have been keeping up with metropolitan areas in expanding service jobs. Changes in patterns of employment growth in non-metropolitan and metropolitan service industries between 1969-76 and 1976-84 are described and these changes related to the growth pattern in goods-producing industries. In addition, data are used to identify the types of service activities that have concentrated in non-metropolitan areas."


Summary form only given. We investigate lossless coding of video using predictive coding and motion compensation. The new coding methods combine state-of-the-art lossless techniques as JPEG (context based prediction and bias cancellation, Golomb coding), with high resolution motion field estimation, 3D predictors, prediction using one or multiple (k) previous images, predictor dependent error modelling, and selection of motion field by code length. We treat the problem of precision of the motion field as one of choosing among a number of predictors. This way, we can incorporate 3D-predictors and intra-frame predictors as well. As proposed by Ribas-Corbera (see PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 1996), we use bi-linear interpolation in order to achieve sub-pixel precision of the motion field. Using more reference images is another way of achieving higher accuracy of the match. The motion information is coded with the same algorithm as is used for the data. For slow pan or slow zoom sequences, coding methods that use multiple previous images perform up to 20% better than motion compensation using a single previous image and up to 40% better than coding that does not utilize motion compensation.


The ability to expand and direct both precursor and stem cells towards a differential fate is considered extremely advantageous in tissue engineering. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) possesses a milieu of growth factors and cytokines, which have the potential to have either a differentiative or proliferative influence on the cell type tested. Here, we investigated the effect of PRP on C2C12 myoblasts. A range of PRP concentrations in differentiation media was used to determine whether a concentration dependence existed, while PRP embedded in fibres of aligned electrospun polydioxanone and polycaprolactone was used to determine whether this presence of fibres would cause any differences in response. In both cases, it was found that late myogenic markers were suppressed after 7 days in culture. However, an early differentiation marker, MyoD, was upregulated during this same time period. The results from this study represent the ability of PRP to have an influence over both myogenic proliferation and differentiation, a factor which could prove useful in future studies involved with skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The development and application of a rocket immunoelectrophoretic and an enzyme activity electrophoretic assay for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of Geotrichum candidum lipase activity is presented. The sensitivities of the four assays were (in arbitrary units): enzyme activity electrophoresis, 1–0.5; rocket immunoelectrophoresis, 0.5–0.2; radial diffusion, 1; titrimetry, 1. The electrophoretic methods made it possible to distinguish between high and low molecular weight forms of the G. candidum lipases. The enzyme activity electrophoretic methods can be combined with other electrophoretic techniques, as demonstrated here with isoelectric focusing, and produce useful information on physico‐chemical differences between different molecular forms of the lipase, e. g. forms with different pI.


Description of four new species of the tiger moth genus Dysschema Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini, Pericopina). Four new species of Pericopina are described, three from southeast of Brazil: Dysschema uriasi Moraes, sp. nov., Dysschema wayneri Moraes, sp. nov., Dysschema amapoarum Moraes & Duarte sp. nov., and one from Mexico: Dysschema tarsoi Moraes sp. nov. Detailed species descriptions are based upon morphological characters. Photographs of habitus, illustrations of genitalia and comments on morphology are provided.


A case of Zenker's diverticulum is reported. The patient was a 53-year-old woman having a 6-month history of dysphagia, angular stomatitis and hypochromic microcytic anemia. The esophagogram showed a web and a diverticulum. This case was diagnosed as a rare complication of the Plummer-Vinson syndrome with Zenker's diverticulum. The diverticulum was removed surgically. Clinical significance of the diseases has been discussed.


OBJECTIVE
Introduction:The excretory insufficiency of pancreas in patients with primary osteoarthrosis is formed at the comorbid pathologies and as a result of long-term treatment of osteoarthrosis using the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, chondroprotectors and chondrostimulators etc. The aim: to study the state of the proteolysis system and immune status, the presence and depth of the dysbiosis of colon in patients with primary osteoarthrosis against a violation of their excretory insufficiency of pancreas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: There were 64 outpatients with primary OA (group 1) and 74 patients with primary OA in combination with diseases associated with EIP (group 2). The control group consisted of 30 healthy people.The age of the patients ranged from 29 to 74 years. The diagnosis of primary OA was established on the basis of unified diagnostic criteria, the X-ray stage of the primary OA, according to J. H. Kellgren and J. S. Lawrence.

RESULTS
Results: It was proved that there is a deeper excitation of the excretory function of the pancreas in patient with osteoarthrosis and comorbid pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract with the excretory insufficiency of pancreas, as well as the presence of the excretory insufficiency of pancreas in patients with primary osteoarthrosis without the clinically available the excretory insufficiency of pancreas. In patients with primary osteoarthrosis that went through the isolation or in combination with the diseases accompanied by theexcretory insufficiency of pancreas, a statistically significant activation of the total proteolysis by the level of the proteolytic activity of the plasma was established. In group 2, dysbiotic changes were significantly deeper than in group 1. The obtained results indicate the presence of secondary immune deficiency in patients and non-specific activation of the humoral part of the immune system and the inflammatory process.

CONCLUSION
Conclusion: Statistically more significant changes were observed in group 2, indicating the progression of the detected changes in comorbidity conditions.


Peru contains the fourth largest area of tropical forest in the world, yet faces a worsening net deforestation rate. In 2008, to address this threat, the national government announced its ambition to reduce deforestation to zero by 2021. Via literature review and key informant interviews, this study assess two years of REDD+ readiness preparations according to six readiness functions. A mixed pattern of outcomes emerge. Although significant advances were made by various local-level initiatives, national-level efforts continue to struggle. Three crucial challenges persist: (1) greater involvement and coordination of ministries and government agencies associated with REDD+ planning, (2) better understanding of deforestation agents and drivers, and (3) integration of REDD+ policies into national and regional plans, which includes clarification of safeguard procedures and design of incentive mechanisms. Integrated land use planning is presented as a platform to foster dialogue that helps to reconcile divergent stakeholder perspectives, coordinate changes to land use, and resolve overlapping land rights. Policy relevance This article presents the outcomes of a multi-dimensional assessment of the REDD+ readiness process in Peru. The six key functions in the analytical framework provide the opportunity to evaluate the process in an integrated and systematic manner and highlights the persistence of complex, transversal governance challenges across diverse economic sectors and government agencies. Research findings also reveal a need for policy change and continued investment to ensure success of the national process in Peru. Strong leadership is needed to generate consensus in cross-sectoral negotiations and to establish coordinated land governance and monitoring mechanisms.


BACKGROUND
Meningococcal disease usually presents as meningitis and/or septicaemia, but can also present as pneumonia or arthritis. Since 2000, a worldwide increase in meningococcal disease is reported which is caused by a new virulent clone of serogroup W (MenW:cc11). This subtype is more likely to give an atypical clinical presentation and results in high mortality rates.

CASE DESCRIPTION
A 68-year-old woman with polymyalgia rheumatica, managed with prednisone, developed an acute gastrointestinal syndrome of nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and chills. She presented at the Emergency Department and was admitted to intensive care for septic shock. Blood cultures revealed MenW:cc11 infection. She received antibiotic treatment and left the hospital in good condition 8 days after admission.

CONCLUSION
MenW:cc11 is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and sepsis. Recognition of this atypical clinical presentation is important for a timely and adequate treatment and for antibiotic prophylaxis of family members and close contacts.


Education is a built-in mechanism that retains its essential value as a human right, not as a static commodity to be viewed in isolation from its larger context. Every person has the right to quality education and the ability to guarantee their human rights are secure for the long term. This research examined teenage mothers' struggles in school. The study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach. Twelve teenage mothers were selected, using a snowball sampling approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from these teenage mothers by audio taping. The data was transcribed, pursued and analysed thematically. The research revealed that teenage mothers in school face various difficulties in school, including lack of financial support, poor time management, low self-esteem, and emotional instability. The further revealed that majority of teenage mothers in school employ direct problem solving, cognitive decision-making, understanding, and constructive cognitive restructuring to cope with the challenges they face.


The traditional dichotomy of rights between civil and political rights, on the one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights, on the other hand, has been increasingly eroded in scholarly and judicial discourse. The interdependence of the two sets of rights is a fundamental tenet of international human rights law. Nowhere is this interdependence more evident than in the context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD or UN Convention). This article examines the indivisibility and interdependence of rights in the CRPD and, specifically, the positive obligations imposed on States Parties to the UN Convention, in particular the reasonable accommodation duty. The aim of the paper is to analyse, from a disability perspective, the approach adopted by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or 'Strasbourg Court') in developing the social dimension of certain civil and political rights in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), namely Articles 2 and 3 (on the right to life and the prohibition on torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, respectively), Article 8 (on the right to private and family life) and Article 14 ECHR (on non-discrimination). Ultimately, this paper examines the influence of the CRPD on the interpretation by the Strasbourg Court of the rights of persons with disabilities under the ECHR. It argues that, while the Court is building some bridges to the CRPD, the incremental and often fragmented approach adopted by the Court could be moulded into a more principled approach, guided by the CRPD.


The present study combines textures, compositions, and in situ dating of allanite and whole-rock geochemistry from the Bagjata uranium deposit in the Singhbhum shear zone, the most important uranium-producing belt in India, to investigate the chemical evolution of rare earth element (REE) mineralization. Allanite, volumetrically the most important sink of light rare earth elements (LREEs) in this deposit, occurs as disseminated grains, pockets, veins, and stringers in biotite schist and chlorite schist. Metasomatic addition of LREEs in the rock was associated with Ca-K-Fe ± B metasomatism, as evident from the vein mineralogy. The allanite-bearing metasomatized rocks are locally extremely enriched in REEs, reaching up to ~4.8 wt percent ∑REEs. The textures and compositions of allanite demonstrate that early REE-rich allanite was replaced by later, relatively less REE bearing allanite-epidote, and this alteration followed a substitution scheme of REE +3 + (Fe +2 , Mg +2 ) → Ca +2 + (Al, Fe +3 ). The presence of halite-bearing fluid inclusions in associated tourmaline, high Cl content of biotite, and other circumstantial evidence indicate that a high-salinity, Cl-rich fluid was likely responsible for initial LREE metasomatism. A later hydrothermal event altered preexisting allanite and removed REEs. The more oxidized nature of altered allanite and the presence of unidentified secondary REE minerals in association with sulfide might indicate the involvement of oxidized, sulfate-rich fluid in the alteration of allanite and the removal of REEs. Alternatively, fluoride complexing of REEs and selective removal of HREEs during this alteration are possible. In situ laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating of allanite and monazite indicates that LREE metasomatism took place at ~1.88 Ga. The next hydrothermal event, which altered existing allanite, removed some REEs, and perhaps was associated with U (+HREE) addition, is dated at ~1.66 Ga. The youngest age determined from the thin rim of allanite is ~1.02 Ga. These three different ages, determined from allanite, overlap with the known thermotectonic events in and around the Singhbhum shear zone. Comparison between the calculated ∑REE content of allanite-rich rock prior to allanite alteration and whole-rock ∑REE composition of the same rock suggests that the addition of a large quantity of REEs was followed by significant REE removal. Strong variations in the modal abundances of the constituent minerals and in whole-rock compositions, including REEs, indicate open-system behavior. The whole-rock REE pattern suggests that decoupling between LREEs and HREEs might be possible during superimposed alteration. Therefore, petrogenetic modeling using an REE-based discrimination diagram and REE patterns should be done with caution for rocks that underwent multiple events of hydrothermal fluid flux.


Hospital and community nurses may see relatively few patients with stomas and thus feel unprepared to care for them. The first short course on stoma care available in Scotland has been set up by specialist nurses to help their colleagues to understand the principles of care. The aim of the course is to produce a network of informed nursing professionals in this field.


An Engel series is a sum of reciprocals of a non-decreasing sequence (xn) of positive integers, which is such that each term is divisible by the previous one, and a Pierce series is an alternating sum of the reciprocals of a sequence with the same property. Given an arbitrary rational number, we show that there is a family of Engel series which when added to it produces a transcendental number α whose continued fraction expansion is determined explicitly by the corresponding sequence (xn), where the latter is generated by a certain nonlinear recurrence of second order. We also present an analogous result for a rational number with a Pierce series added to or subtracted from it. In both situations (a rational number combined with either an Engel or a Pierce series), the irrationality exponent is bounded below by (3 + √ 5)/2, and we further identify infinite families of transcendental numbers α whose irrationality exponent can be computed precisely. In addition, we construct the continued fraction expansion for an arbitrary rational number added to an Engel series with the stronger property that xj divides xj+1 for all j.


BACKGROUND: The determinants of outcome in children with rALL are the duration of first remission (CR1), site of relapse and immunophenotype. High risk (HR) relapses are defined as those occurring with a CR1 of METHODS: Clofarabine was added to the UKALLR3 consolidation block of cyclophosphamide, etoposide (CCE) and used as induction therapy, with dexamethasone and PEG-Asparaginase for HR patients. The previous induction block with mitoxantrone (M) was given as consolidation and all patients were eligible for stem cell transplantation (SCT) with any donor after a third intensification block. The outcomes assessed were improvements in CR2, MRD and progression-free survival (PFS) when compared to historical controls of patients receiving idarubicin (I) or M induction in UKALLR3. A Fleming-style design, based on observed response and toxicity, was incorporated to allow an increase in the dose of cyclophosphamide from 300 mg/m 2 to 440 mg/m 2 . RESULTS: 61, 39 at lower and 22 at the higher dose of cyclophosphamide, CCE patients were compared to 30 I and 69 M patients with HR rALL. Patients in the CCE group had a lower median age at presentation, but other prognostic variables were comparable. CR2 rates of 73%, 83%, 71% and low MRD (≤10 -4 ) was seen in 32%, 0%, 25% of CCE, I and M groups. The higher cyclophosphamide dose was associated with improved CR rates, lower MRD but also increased toxicity levels in CCE compared to M group patients. The proportions of patients reaching transplantation were 43%, 60% and 55% of CCE, I and M patients respectively. 73/82 eligible patients received a SCT, 48 (66%) with matched and 25 (34%) with mismatched donors. The 2-year PFS with CCE, M and I regimens were 17% (11,23), 27% (19,34) and 30% (25,36) respectively (p=0.08). Outcomes of matched sibling, matched unrelated and mismatched SCT were comparable (p=0.9). Seventeen patients with a post induction MRD -4 , had a 2-year PFS of 63% (50,75), compared to 21% (15,27) for 53 patients with MRD≥10 -4 and 21% (17, 25) for the 90 patients with unknown MRD (p=0.005). All 4 patients with MRD≥10 -3 prior to SCT and 8/9 not transplanted suffered a second relapse. Overall outcomes of BCP (2-year PFS 21% (15,28)) and T-cell ALL (2-year PFS 26% (16,35)) were comparable (p=0.9). PFS in BCP-ALL was 31% (24,38) and 13% (6,20) (p=0.1) for those receiving M and CCE respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We define two groups of HR rALL patients based on MRD levels attained post induction, independent of the induction regimen. Approximately a quarter of HR patients continue to have chemosensitive disease as evidenced by rapid MRD clearance ( -4 at week 5). This group includes high-risk cytogenetics and T-cell rALL with MRD as the single discriminatory factor for outcome. These patients have a favorable outcome after SCT with any donor. In the other group (MRD≥10 -4 ) over half of HR patients do not reach SCT primarily due to refractory disease (27%) or disease recurrence (14%). One third of patients relapse post SCT. For this group novel agents and newer treatment strategies are urgently required. Disclosures Off Label Use: Clofarabine 1st relapse childhood ALL.


The American Institute of Physics has discontinued the free circulation of Physics Today to all members. Despite that fact, this issue, the very first limited to paid subscribers, will have a circulation of over 10,000. So far as we know, Physics Today has the largest circulation among physicists of any single periodical. With such support, Physics Today enters its third calendar year of life inspired to continued improvement and confident of a growing readership.


Customer‐contact employees are a critical asset of service organizations due to the interactive nature of service delivery. Customer‐contact employees are boundary spanners who attempt to serve both internal and external constituents. Attempting to serve two masters can result in role conflict and the present effort presents and tests a framework for understanding possible antecedents and consequences of such role conflict. Survey data collected from 200 telephone service employees in an insurance company revealed at least partial support for the following hypotheses: role conflict emerges when there is a discrepancy between what employees think customers expect of them and what they report management rewards them for doing; role conflict, in turn, is related to employee attitudinal (e.g. job satisfaction) and behavioral (e.g. absenteeism) outcomes; and role conflict mediates the relationship between service orientation discrepancy and employee outcomes. Implications of the results for the management of service employees and service quality are presented.


We aimed to identify the best diagnostic cutoff value of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) for coronary artery disease (CAD) and its correlation with the SYNTAX score (SS). From January 2016 to December 2019, 2253 patients with CAD and 1347 non-CAD patients with complete data were included in the study. Coronary angiography was performed using the Judkins technique, and the SS was calculated using network software. There were differences in age, body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and AIP between groups (all P < .01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AIP was an independent risk factor for CAD and a high SS (SS ≥ 23) with adjusted odds ratios of 2.248 (95% CI: 1.666-3.032, P < .01) and 1.623 (95% CI: 1.118-2.358, P < .01) per standard deviation increase. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the best diagnostic cutoff value of AIP for the prediction of CAD and SS ≥ 23 was 2.035 and 2.23, the specificity was 61.8% and 65.7%, the sensitivity was 76.4% and 54.9%, the Youden index was 0.382 and 0.206, and the area under the curve was 0.733 (95% CI: 0.717-0.750, P < .01) and 0.653 (95% CI: 0.630-0.676, P < .01). Atherogenic index of plasma, as a biomarker, may assist in the prevention of CAD in the Chinese population.


A number of digestion procedures used for the preparation of soil and sediments samples for the determination of total mercury by cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry were investigated. Satisfactory results were obtained from a closed microwave digestion procedure for which 0.5g of soil or sediment sample was taken and heated with 3 mL of nitric acid and 1 ml of hydrogen peroxide. After cooling down of the digest, 0.5 mL of potassium permanganate solution (60 g.L[-1]) was added and left to react for 30 min to 4 hours following the decomposition of the sample. The excess of potassium permanganate was then reduced with 0.5 mL of hydroxyammonium chloride (20 g.L[-1]). After optimisation, this procedure was applied to the analysis of 50 sediment samples.The accuracy of this method was confirmed by recoveries of total mercury in certified reference material (C74-05) containing 294 ng.g[-1] mercury and mean recoveries of 101.6 +/- 4.4 % were obtained.The second part of this work covered the speciation of organo mercury compounds in sediments by high performance liquid chromatography - atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Methyl mercury and mercury in standard solutions were successfully separated using a Cig loaded silica column. The resolution obtained using a Hypersil column (medium carbon load) was 67. Levels of methyl mercury as low as 2 ng.g[-1] were detected in aqueous solutions. Two types of extraction procedures were investigated for the determination of organo mercury compounds by HPLC-AFS. Acid leaching extraction procedure was the most promising of the two methods. For this procedure, 1 g of sample was taken and 10 mL of 6M HC1 was added, the sample was shaken for at least 15 min before being centrifuged. 5 mL of aliquot was treated and diluted in order to obtain a pH greater than 4. This procedure although allowing qualitative analysis did not allow quantitative determination of mercury and methyl mercury.


Objectives: This study investigated the predictors of risk perception and its effect on older adults' preventive behavior and/or medical care avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Older respondents (age >50 years) from the MIT COVID-19 Preventive Health Survey reported their social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and medical care avoidance between July and October 2020 (n = 4395). Structural equation models were used. Results: Significant predictors of higher risk perception were female gender, older age, poorer health, city residency, personally knowing someone who had COVID-19, and correct knowledge of vaccine/treatment. Higher risk perception was subsequently associated with higher frequency/probability of practicing preventive behavior and/or avoiding medical care. Knowledge had the strongest path coefficient with risk perception. Discussion: Disseminating correct information to older adults could help them evaluate infection risk accurately. Educational programs on the precautions implemented at clinical settings to ensure patient safety may encourage older adults to seek timely medical care.


During the South Pole Ice Crystal Experiment, angular scattering intensities (ASIs) of single ice crystals formed in natural conditions were measured for the first time with the polar nephelometer instrument. The microphysical properties of the ice crystals were simultaneously obtained with a cloud particle imager. The observations of the scattering properties of numerous ice crystals reveal high variability of the ASIs in terms of magnitude and distribution over scattering angles. To interpret observed ASI features, lookup tables were computed with a modified ray tracing code, which takes into account the optical geometry of the polar nephelometer. The numerical simulations consider a wide range of input parameters for the description of the ice crystal properties (particle orientation, aspect ratio, surface roughness, and internal inclusions). A new model of surface roughness, which assumes the Weibull statistics, was proposed. The simulations reproduce the overwhelming majority of the observed ASIs features and trace very well the quasi-specular reflection from crystal facets. The discrepancies observed between the model and the experimental data correspond to the rays, which pass through the ice crystal and are scattered toward the backward angles. This feature may be attributed to the internal structure of the ice crystals that should be considered in modeling refinements.


The deformation of microfluidic channels in a soft elastic medium has a central role in the operation of lab-on-a-chip devices, fluidic soft robots, liquid metal (LM) electronics, and other emerging soft-matter technologies. Understanding the influence of mechanical load on changes in channel cross section is essential for designing systems that either avoid channel collapse or exploit such collapse to control fluid flow and connectivity. In this paper, we examine the deformation of microchannel cross sections under far-field compressive stress and derive a "gauge factor" that relates externally applied pressure with change in cross-sectional area. We treat the surrounding elastomer as a Hookean solid and use two-dimensional plane strain elasticity, which has previously been shown to predict microchannel deformations that are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Numerical solutions to the governing Lamé (Navier) equations are found to match both the analytic solutions obtained from a complex stress function and closed-form algebraic approximations based on linear superposition. The application of this theory to soft microfluidics is demonstrated for several representative channel geometries.


This contribution reflects on the current sub-title of the journal Scriptura, namely "Journal for Biblical, Theological and Hermeneutics". It shows that this has been a core interest of the journal over a period of forty years. It also discusses the methodological tensions between these three forms / aspects of hermeneutics – to the point where one may wonder whether the "and" in the subtitle could be understood as "or". It does not propose a way forward but commends Scriptura for offering the space to explore such tensions further in the South African context.


Real-time simulation is an advanced mode of simulation in which the simulation objects are designed to show the same timing behavior that the simulation targets do. A new approach to real-time simulation which is based on the RT0.k object modeling is discussed in this paper. The RT0.k object, which is a real-time extension of the well-established object structure, is capable of uniformly and accurately representing both real-time embedded computer systems and application environments. This simulation approach has many attractive features, e.g., expandability, modifiability, adaptability for efficient parallel processing, etc. In spite of its promising nature, the approach is an immature one in many respects and some desirable directions for future work aimed toward maturing the technology are also discussed.


A cDNA clone coding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L. cv. Welcome) using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The partial cDNA clone encoded an mRNA of 527 bp and the derived amino acid sequence was found highly homologous to PAL from rice, maize and barley. Northern blot analysis showed an increase of pAS-PAL mRNA until 24 h at 20 °C, which coincided well with PAL activity and fiber development, suggesting that the increase is a response to the wounding associated with harvest.


Accountants have developed tools to evaluate firms' quality performance; however, a focus on evaluating one aspect of quality ?? conformance to pre-established specifications ?? has limited unnecessarily accountants' contribution to quality improvement. Product and process design are the most effective levers in quality improvement and cost reduction; yet, product designers often base decisions on cost estimates that do not reflect the experience of the firm. This paper presents a quality management framework that spans product design, production and consumption or use by end users. We describe and identify shortcomings of cost estimation methods used by product design engineers and propose a framework for new accounting information that focuses on achieving "design quality." The framework incorporates data from the relatively new practices of target costing and activity-based costing and identifies opportunities to develop accounting data that promotes quality being designed into, rather than inspected into, products.


In the second part of this paper, the application of the proposed dual-interface model to the prediction of the forced response of a blade constrained by wedge dampers will be presented. When considering cyclic loading, the induced friction forces and contact normal loads are combined so as to determine the effective stiffness and damping of the friction interfaces over a cycle of motion. The harmonic balance method is then used to impose the approximate stiffness and damping of the friction interfaces to a linear structure model of the blade. This approach results in a set of nonlinear algebraic equations that can be solved to yield the forced response of the blade excited by harmonic external forces. The predicted forced response can then be used to optimize a given damper design, namely to determine the dynamic weight at which the maximum reduction of resonant response is obtained. In order to illustrate the capacity of the proposed method and to examine its accuracy, the forced response of a test beam is examined. The prediction is also compared with the results of lab tests to validate the proposed dual-interface friction force model.Copyright © 1997 by ASME


Background: Carboxyhemoglobin dissociation rate strongly depends on blood acidity (Bohr9s effect). Therefore CO concentration in exhaled air is increased as a result of lactate generation after intensive exercise. Aim: Study of relationship between CO concentration in exhaled air and blood lactate concentration in athletes after intensive exercise. Methods: CO concentration was measured by SMOKERLYZER® (Bedfont) with previous breath holding and blood lactate concentration was registered by ACCUTREND®Lactate (Roche Diagnostics) in 9 elite cyclists, mean (SD), age 25(2.8)yrs, height 176(4.5)cm, weight 76.5(5.8)kg, maximal oxygen uptake 65.6(4.5)ml/min/kg before and after training cycle-race. Results: There was strong correlation between CO concentration ratio and lactate concentration. After training lactate concentration increased 3.5-fold from 2 to 7mmol/L and CO concenration increased 2.5-fold from 3 to 10ppm. Conclusion: Our findings provide a basis for development of new non-invasive method for anaerobic threshold detection, which may be useful for elite athletes training programs.


BACKGROUND
In women with breast cancer, the role of radical mastectomy, as compared with less extensive surgery, has been a matter of debate. We report 25-year findings of a randomized trial initiated in 1971 to determine whether less extensive surgery with or without radiation therapy was as effective as the Halsted radical mastectomy.

METHODS
A total of 1079 women with clinically negative axillary nodes underwent radical mastectomy, total mastectomy without axillary dissection but with postoperative irradiation, or total mastectomy plus axillary dissection only if their nodes became positive. A total of 586 women with clinically positive axillary nodes either underwent radical mastectomy or underwent total mastectomy without axillary dissection but with postoperative irradiation. Kaplan-Meier and cumulative-incidence estimates of outcome were obtained.

RESULTS
No significant differences were observed among the three groups of women with negative nodes or between the two groups of women with positive nodes with respect to disease-free survival, relapse-free survival, distant-disease-free survival, or overall survival. Among women with negative nodes, the hazard ratio for death among those who were treated with total mastectomy and radiation as compared with those who underwent radical mastectomy was 1.08 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.28; P=0.38), and the hazard ratio for death among those who had total mastectomy without radiation as compared with those who underwent radical mastectomy was 1.03 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.87 to 1.23; P=0.72). Among women with positive nodes, the hazard ratio for death among those who underwent total mastectomy and radiation as compared with those who underwent radical mastectomy was 1.06 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.27; P=0.49).

CONCLUSIONS
The findings validate earlier results showing no advantage from radical mastectomy. Although differences of a few percentage points cannot be excluded, the findings fail to show a significant survival advantage from removing occult positive nodes at the time of initial surgery or from radiation therapy.


EUV coherence measurement and control is a challenging task which has dramatically progressed in recent years, mainly motivated by the development of sources with novel properties and their applications Non-stationary fields are an important aspect of this domain, for which numerous theoretical tools are now available. SASE XFELs have not been treated extensively in this chapter, but these devises share many common theoretical and instrumental aspects with other sources. Recently, the principle of single shot measurements of temporal and spatial coherence has been investigated using LCLS X-ray free electron laser. This technique is based on the analysis of the large angle diffraction pattern from a scattering sample, which involves path differences corresponding to greater than the expected coherence time. This idea will also be of use for other sources, in order to analyse single shot field structures or to mitigate shot to shot fluctuations. In the visible range, static Fourier-transform Michelson interferometry using echelon mirrors is already operational, and an interesting development of this technique has been proposed by Chilla, Marconi and Rocca. In this device, gratings are not only used as beam splitters but they also contribute to the generation of pulses with tilted energy fronts. This enables a complete record of the temporal coherence function in a single image and potentially in a single shot. Finally, many concepts presented here are also relevant for determining field polarisation structures, but this is beyond the scope of this chapter.


Considering the centrality of the activities of non-governmental organizations and the emphasis of the empowerment approach on the dimensions of educational support, paying attention to the protection of the rights of children and adolescents is a human-social duty that is the responsibility of each individual, organization and institution, and in this regard, the importance of organizations The people of the organization that work in the field of these children are twofold. Undoubtedly, there is no hope of achieving a better world without paying attention to empowering children and investing and planning in education, health, employment and improving their living standards. Considering the importance of the performance of the government and non-governmental organizations in supporting these children, it highlights the necessity of investigating the role and consequences of the interventions of these organizations in solving the problems of children and adolescents.


BACKGROUND
There is no biomechanical basis to determine the influence of different length of the central peg of the baseplate anchored within the native scapula in glenoid defect reconstruction in cases of degenerative or posttraumatic glenoid bone loss in reversed shoulder arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyse the stability of different peg lengths used in glenoid bone loss in reversed shoulder arthroplasty.

METHODS
Different lengths of metaglene pegs with different depths of peg anchorage performed with or without metaglene screws in sawbone foam blocks were loaded in vertical and horizontal directions for differentiating load capacities. Simulated physiological loadings were then applied to the peg implants to determine the limits of loading in each depth of anchorage.

RESULTS
The loading capacity of the implant was reduced as less of the peg was anchored. The vertically loaded implants showed a significantly higher stability, in contrast to those loaded horizontally at a corresponding peg length and depth of anchorage (p < 0.05). The tests revealed that the metaglene screws are more essential for primary stability than is the peg particularly in the vertically directed loadings (2/3 anchored: peg contributed to 28% of the stability, 1/3 anchorage: peg contributed to 12%). Under the second test conditions, the lowest depth of peg anchorage (1/3) resulted in 322 Newtons [N] in the long peg with a vertical loading direction, and in 130 N in the long peg with a horizontal loading direction (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The pegs should be anchored as deeply as possible into the native scapula bone stock. The metaglene screws play a major role in the initial stability, in contrast to the peg, and they become more important when the depth of the peg anchorage is reduced. If possible, four metaglene screws should be used in cases of uncontained bone loss to guarantee the highest stability.


Abstract Hybrid mixture theory-based multiscale fluid transport equations were solved for drying of strawberries and carrots to predict the moisture transport during the process. The fluid transport equation was coupled with the selected product quality and nutritional attributes to predict changes in stress distribution, shrinkage, color parameters, and ascorbic acid/β-carotene content. The fluid transport equation includes a non-Fickian term that incorporates the effect of glass transition on moisture transport. A transformation between Eulerian and Lagrangian coordinates was used to include the moving volume effects due to shrinkage. Good agreements between the experimental and the predicted values of moisture content (RMSE ≤ 0.095, RMSE ≤ 0.579), color parameters (R 2 ≥ 0.958, R 2 ≥ 0.934), and volume changes (R 2 ≥ 0.871, R 2 ≥ 0.865) were obtained for strawberries and carrots, respectively. Drying in the vicinity of glass transition regime led to sharper moisture profiles, indicating non-Fickian transport. However, drying at temperatures higher than glass transition temperature of strawberries and carrots resulted in Fickian characteristics-round and smooth drying profiles for drying at 70 °C. Drying at higher temperature caused higher loss of quality attributes; it resulted in samples with lower color parameters and ascorbic acid or β-carotene content. Higher drying temperature resulted in greater shrinkage and deformation throughout the structure, leading to cracks and openings and faster degradation in quality attributes. The developed model would allow improving quality attributes and finding optimum processing conditions of strawberries and carrots.


Nitric oxide is an important endogenously made vasodilator that has numerous antiatherosclerotic properties. Many lines of evidence suggest that a lack of nitric oxide can lead to hypertension and atherosclerotic plaque formation.1 Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme that produces nitric oxide in the body. The two main inhibitors of NOS are asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and NG-monomethyl arginine. These NOS inhibitors are metabolised and inactivated by the enzyme dimethyarginine dimethylamine hydrolase (DDAH). Thus, inhibition of DDAH can lead to a reduction in NOS.

The oxidation of the omega-6 fat linoleic acid can form the highly reactive aldehyde called 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), which has been noted to reduce nitric oxide generation from endothelial cells by reducing the activity of the DDAH enzyme.2 An inhibition of DDAH increases the NOS inhibitor ADMA in endothelial cells causing endothelial NOS (eNOS) 'uncoupling' and increased production of superoxide rather than nitric oxide. Since ADMA competitively inhibits NOS and is an independent cardiovascular risk factor this suggests that consuming isolated forms of linoleic acid, such as refined omega-6 vegetable oils, may lead to elevations in blood pressure and potentially hypertension.3 Moreover, linoleic acid inhibits insulin signalling and eNOS activation in the vasculature both of which are implicated in hypertension.4

Conditions with reduced NOS activity coincide with disease states that are hallmarked by an increase in oxidised lipids, including oxidised linoleic acid. When LDL becomes oxidised, this is initially from the oxidised linoleic acid contained within the LDL, which forms the highly reactive aldehyde 4-HNE, levels of which coincide with increased atherosclerotic progression.2 Since oxidised LDL is found in atherosclerotic lesions in animals and in humans5 and can directly cause endothelial dysfunction via reductions in nitric oxide, the ability of dietary linoleic acid to increase LDL susceptibility to oxidation suggests …


We offer an introductory article to the translation of Dutch philosopher Joery Schreivers' work Phenomenologists and Anarchism, which deals with the reception of current foreign trajectories of phenomenological and akratic reflexions from the perspective of contemporary Russian academic discourse. In the light of this, an attempt is made to assess the significance and originality of J. Shrivers' study, focused on the conceptual juxtaposition of two philosophical traditions: phenomenology and the philosophy of anarchism. The value of the author's stated perspective, which provides an opportunity to revise the classical phenomenological texts, is articulated as being related to its methodological novelty—not only for the Russian-speaking space, but also for foreign philosophy; a review and analysis of the central theses of the article, related to the key figures of the line of succession of acrical reflection in the phenomenological tradition, which is outlined by the author, is given, including: M.Heidegger, R. Schürmann, E.Levinas, J.Derrida, J.-L.Nancy, J.-I.Lacoste, C.Romano and J.-L.Marion. The article also builds theoretical connections between the anarchist foundations of a number of phenomenological reflections identified by J. Schreivers and the ontological accoutrements of other current philosophical trends—for example, the actor-network theory and the polyphony of new materialisms.


Abstract Covid-19 has forced educators to switch to online teaching as the only viable option, whether through video lecturing or using other online teaching tools. Therefore, the study investigates university teachers' perceptions towards their continuing intention of using the online platforms after Covid19 situations. To answer such questions, the present study conducted a survey of 242 faculties engaged in higher education teaching at assistant. We have conducted the present study using a sample of 242 faculties. Based on the framework of technology adoption model (TAM), this study investigates the research questions in the context of India. The study has adopted a mixed-method research design comprising both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The data were analyzed using partial least square structure equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of hypotheses testing indicate that all the hypotheses based on were accepted in the complete sample and for the men's sample were accepted at p < 0.05 level. However, for the sample of women respondents, this was not the case. The study resulted that ease of use positively influences teachers' attitude towards online teaching. This study provides theoretical contributions by applying the TAM to measure post-Covid-19 online teaching intention of teachers working at universities and college levels in India. It could help policyholders in the education sector to design appropriate strategies for online learning and teaching process. Though Covid-19 has adversely hit most of the industries, some industries might have benefited from this as well. Particularly, industries are thriving in the online market place.


Abstract More attention has been placed on nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors due to the increase in its incidence in recent years. Whether tumor resection at the primary site of metastatic NFpNET is effective remains controversial. Moreover, clinicians need a more precise prognostic tool to estimate the survival of these patients. Patients with metastatic NFpNET were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Significant prognostic factors were identified using a multivariate Cox regression model and included in the nomogram. Coarsened exact matching analysis was used to balance the clinical variables between the non-surgical and surgical groups in our study. A total of 1464 patients with metastatic nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NFpNETs) were included in our cohort. Multivariate analysis identified age, sex, tumor size, differentiated grade, lymph node metastases, resection of primary tumors, and marital status as independent predictors of metastatic NFpNET. The nomogram showed excellent accuracy in predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival, with a C-index of 0.812. The calibration curve revealed good consistency between the predicted and actual survival. Coarsened exact matching analysis using SEER data indicated the survival advantages of resection of primary tumors. Our study is the first to build a nomogram model for patients with metastatic NFpNETs. This predictive tool can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and more accurately assess patient survival times.


Once regarded as an eccentric and unpromising algorithm for the analysis of scientific data, the artificial neural network (ANN) has been developed into a powerful computational tool. Compared to a traditional regression approach, with its excellent fault tolerance, the ANN is capable of modeling complex nonlinear relationships and is highly scalable with parallel processing. So its use now spans all areas of science, from the physical sciences and processing to the life sciences and allied subjects. When the data explosion in modern food processing research requires sophisticated analysis methods to uncover the hidden causal relationships between single or multiple responses and a large set of properties, the ANN is one of the most versatile tools to meet the demand. Therefore, the main ANN architectures are described briefly in this review and examples of their application to solve food processing problems are presented as well. Finally, it is suggested that different architectures of ANN and learning algorithms should be introduced into food processing, and the possibility of implementing a neural network based class-modeling algorithm should be studied as well.


Intellectual capital efficiency measurement is a major problem facing managers of companies because of its intangible nature; thus, there is difference between book-value and market value of assets of the companies. Hence, this work investigated the intellectual capital (IC) efficiency on companies' performance of 117 quoted firms in Nigeria between 2018 and 2019 periods using Pulic Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) Model. Data were sourced through secondary means from audited annual reports of the sample. The data gathered were analysed with both Pearson correlation and regression analysis to test the study hypotheses. The results of the study revealed that there is positive significant relationship between Human Capital efficiency, Return on Equity and Return on Asset. The study further revealed positive and significant relationship between Structural Capital Efficiency, Return on Equity and Return on Asset. But out of three control variables only sector was significant with structural capital efficiency. The study concluded that intellectual capital efficiencies influence companies' performance of the sampled companies. The study recommended that management of the sampled companies should give priority to policies that will improve employees' capability and organizational structure.


Our sense of touch confers to us the ability to perceive textural features over a broad range of spatial scales and material properties, giving rise to a complex sensory experience. To understand the neural basis of texture perception requires that somatosensory neurons be stimulated with textures that tile the space of spatial scales and material properties experienced during everyday interactions with objects. We have previously shown that neurons in early stages of somatosensory processing – the nerves and somatosensory cortex (S1) – are highly sensitive to texture and carry a representation of texture that is highly informative about the surface but also predicts the evoked sensory experience. In contrast, the texture signals in higher order areas – secondary somatosensory cortex (S2) and the parietal ventral area (PV) – have never been investigated with a rich and naturalistic textural set. To fill this gap, we recorded single-unit activity in S2/PV of macaques while they performed a texture discrimination task. We then characterized the neural responses to texture and compared these to their counterparts in somatosensory cortex (S1). We found that texture responses in S2/PV differ from their S1 counterparts in several ways. First, texture responses are far sparser in S2/PV than in S1: While individual S1 neurons respond promiscuously to most textures, S2/PV neurons tend to respond to only a few textures. Second, S2/PV responses co-vary only weakly with roughness, the dominant perceptual axis of texture. Third, S2/PV signals carry information about task variables – the animal's perceptual decision. Fourth, the millisecond scale temporal patterning in the texture response observed in S1 has all but disappeared in S2/PV.


We analysed all archival Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observations of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 4U 1636−53 up to 2010 May. In 528 out of 1280 observations we detected kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPOs), with ∼65 per cent of these detections corresponding to the so-called lower kHz QPO. Using this QPO we measured, for the first time, the rate at which the QPO frequency changes as a function of QPO frequency. For this we used the spread of the QPO frequency over groups of 10 consecutive measurements, sampling time-scales between 320 and 1600 s and the time derivative of the QPO frequency, u νQPO, over time-scales of 32–160 s. We found that (i) both the QPO-frequency spread and uQPO decrease by a factor of ∼3 as the QPO frequency increases. (ii) The average value of u νQPO decreases by a factor of ∼2 as the time-scale over which the derivative is measured increases from less than 64 to 160 s. (iii) The relation between the absolute value of u νQPO and the QPO frequency is consistent with being the same both for the positive and negative QPO-frequency derivatives. We show that, if either the lower or the upper kHz QPO reflects the Keplerian frequency at the inner edge of the accretion disc, these results support a scenario in which the inner part of the accretion disc is truncated at a radius that is set by the combined effect of viscosity and radiation drag.


At first we introduce the space-time manifold and we compare some aspects of Riemannian and Lorentzian geometry such as the distance function and the relations between topology and curvature. We then define spinor structures in general relativity, and the conditions for their existence are discussed. The causality conditions are studied through an analysis of strong causality, stable causality and global hyperbolicity. In looking at the asymptotic structure of space-time, we focus on the asymptotic symmetry group of Bondi, Metzner and Sachs, and the b-boundary construction of Schmidt. The Hamiltonian structure of space-time is also analyzed, with emphasis on Ashtekar's spinorial variables. Finally, the question of a rigorous theory of singularities in space-times with torsion is addressed, describing in detail recent work by the author. We define geodesics as curves


Given that universities have transitioned to emergency remote teaching, academic integrity becomes a subject of ongoing inquiry. Students taking an English Preparatory Program (EPP) in universities aim to gain sufficient proficiency in English to continue with their courses in their departments. In an online teaching context, coping with requirements of the EFL (English as a foreign language) curriculum becomes a challenge for the students as students are deprived of their communities where they collaborate, interact and learn from each other. In this sense, teachers need to refocus not only on subject matter, but also ethical mores of academe and it is often simple day-to-day practices that build the community and establish a climate of integrity. While academic integrity has been researched extensively, more research is still needed about developing a learning community in online classes as a way to promote academic integrity. This investigation seeks to explore daily teaching practices towards community-building and analyse elements of the curriculum that work in favour of academic integrity in the context of emergency remote teaching. Six teachers and eighty EFL students (N=86) in an EPP of a state university in Turkey participated in the study. This case study drew upon an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach. The triangulation of the findings was carried out through a combination of various data sources. Qualitative data were collected through content analysis of course syllabi, assignment documents and policy statements, classroom self-observations; and focus groups with teachers and students. Quantitative data were gathered through a short survey with questions specifically designed for this context. Another aim of using the survey was to promote awareness on academic integrity among students. The results from multiple sources revealed that community-building not only facilitates positive collaboration in online classes, but also creates room for mutual trust and reduces chances of academic misconduct. Exploring results from the research can help faculty design measures to prevent academic dishonesty and eventually shape institutional policies. The positive implications for classroom practices of community-building towards academic integrity are discussed.


Studies on barriers to climate change adaptation identify many underlying drivers but describe few processes whereby adaptation is implemented. We contribute to the literature by describing how adaptive capacity relates to project cycle in small-scale communities where local stakeholders combine knowledge and barriers affecting adaptive management. Our study focused on two floodplain landscapes in the Brazilian Amazon where fisheries were identified as a current concern, potentially leading to future social conflict if not properly addressed. At both sites, we adopted participatory research to design an adaptive management framework for the analysis of socio-ecological barriers influencing local decision-making by fishermen and farmers. The comparative analysis provided insights into several actions that could support overcoming barriers to the governance of natural resources in each phase of the project cycle. Adaptation actions included fostering local participation and tools to facilitate knowledge generation and revising the role of the central government in natural resource management. We found that due to the slow capacity to adapt their practices, institutions regulating fisheries tend to work as a barrier for adaptation processes.


This project investigates the feasibility of automating the test of ΔΣ-modulators using circuit components available on 8-bit microcontrollers, and by doing so reducing test costs. A Built-In-Self-Test (BIST) scheme, using a binary stream as stimuli and two different solutions for signal analysis is suggested and simulated in SPICE to investigate its suitability. The test can not lead to a large area increase, increasing area leads to an increase in production cost. The test has to reduce testing time. The extra area occupied by the test architecture has to be paid in shorter testing time and therefore a lower unit price. The test has to remove or lower the requirements of the off-chip tester, and by doing so reducing cost. The proposed BIST requires a very small area and is capable of calculating offset, gain and Signal to Noise Ratio with a high degree of accuracy. The proposed solution enables on-chip testing without the need for expensive external stimuli and signal analyzers, making testing on wafer possible thus improving production yield. The proposed test will not reduce test time by itself, however by integrating the test on-chip and allowing this to run in the background while other on-chip modules are tested total test time can be reduced to the time required to shift the stimuli into the chip


Abstract 1475 Therapeutic application of several CpG-containing anti-sense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) and siRNAs are limited due to their potent immune stimulatory properties. To resurrect these promising agents for clinical application, we have developed an antibody based liposomal delivery strategy that overcomes the immunostimulatory properties without compromising the target down modulation. We show here G3139, an archetypical anti-sense ODN for Bcl-2, induced activation of NF-kB, which results in the up-regulation of its downstream anti-apoptotic targets such as Bcl-2 (22.5%, n=10, p=0.04) and Mcl-1 (35.0%, n=4, p in-vitro observations, significant in-vivo therapeutic efficacy was demonstrated in a SCID mouse xenograft leukemia/lymphoma model. A total of 74 female 6- to 8-week-old SCID mice were engrafted with 2×10 6 Raji cells through tail vein injection on Day 0. The 10-day treatment was initiated via i.p. injection on Day 4. Fludarabine and G3139 were injected into the mice at the dose of 100mg/kg/day and 5mg/kg on alternative days respectively. Hind limb paralysis was considered as the key endpoint while other early removal criteria were also considered. The median survival time for placebo controls was 15 to 18 days without liposomal G3139 treatment. Although the in-vivo experiment is still in progress, CD20-targeting ILP-G3139 has already shown significant therapeutic efficacy with >80% survival rate (n=14) at day 58 of the study as a single agent or in combination with fludarabine treatment, compared to the mice treated with the control Her-ILP-G3139 that showed hind-limb paralysis before Day 45 in all mice. These results indicate potential use of targeted delivery vehicles to resurrect and improve the clinical efficacy of immunostimulatory oligonucleotide therapeutics for B-cell malignancies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.