Purpose
Organizational learning (OL) has been conceptualized as a critical component in school change processes. Nevertheless, OL in the school context is still somewhat obscure and difficult to comprehend, thus it is rarely translated into operational structures and processes and later permanently sustained. The purpose of this study is to present the organizational learning mechanisms (OLMs) framework as an institutionalized arrangement for collecting, disseminating, analyzing, storing, retrieving and using information that is relevant to the performance of school systems.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the authors examine the previous research on OLMs as a conceptual framework for OL in schools; then the authors present the various validated measures of OLMs in schools; and finally, the authors suggest implications for principals, as well as future explorations of the issue.

Findings
While the literature on OL in schools acknowledges the mystification of the term and the difficulty in translating it into operative procedures in dynamic and complex contexts, OLMs, as an integration of structural and cultural frameworks, are conceptualized as scaffolding for the development of learning schools.

Originality/value
The OLMs' (structural and cultural) framework of information processing may help schools develop and sustain learning communities aimed at fostering the continuous growth of students and faculty members alike.


In the paper inverse heat transfer problems are classified and the main types of these problems are discussed. Emphasis is on an estimation of the temperature and boundary heat fluxes as functions of time from transient temperature measurements at interior locations of a heat conducting body. Advantages of using the Boundary Element Method for solving inverse problems are pointed out. Also the main procedures of stabilizing results are critically compared.


The association between HIVand Tuberculosis (I'B) is complex and bidirectional. Recent studies demonstrated that TB accelerates the course of AIDS. In the present study lI'e sought for virological and immunological features of HIV in TB co-ilifected individuals. The study subjects are selected pom Ethio-Netherlands AIDS research project (ENARP) cohort. 8 HIVITB co-ilifected individuals prior to diagnosis of TB, during and after completion of succes~rul TB chemotherapy and 7 CD4 matched HIV-1 ilifected patients without the diagnosis of TB and with one year follow-up were involved As routine laboratory analysis viral load and CD4+cell countll'ere done at the time of blood sample collection. For this study, RNA was isolated pom plasma and the C2V3 region of HIV-f envelope gene was amplified by neste(l ,pO{YIII~I:a.ye, r:hain re,action, (PCR).l)ire.ct { [ • , { • " < , " ( { { , { C " , ( [ , , ' sequencing was pelformed for all the PCR~ !Nsitn'e: fJl:O(/ucts. The, :HlVITB, :c(',itJjecled ,~~~"':,,';,,,' ; ~;,,': ;;,,';;, individuals showed a significantly elevate-p plf,lsl!lC[ .!fIV-} .. vi!,G:!: iori4' '(P'f-O; 05) .'durinff treatment of TB with steeper decline in CD4';: 'ckl? ~bl~nt~'" (;'~d. (5).': lio;l'e~er, : The ds: , '[ , , , : : " ,: , , :" ' , , (synonymous nucleotide substitution) and dns (n~lJ. s:~llqrYilio~,J 'h\IJie~tidi'; ,sl~l;\'1itution)' comparison between the study groups and the' c'ol1ti'ols' elt inra'faJ (befor'e 'st'm't 'oj O'eat/llelit)' and ""f2 months later (qfter completion of TB treatment) didn't sholl' a significant diffirence between the two groups. The ratio of ds and dns between the two time points for both groups was approximated to 1, which shows a positive but weak selection of evolution of the virus. We conclude therefore that plasma H1V-f viral load is elevated during and after treatment of active tuberculosis, but this may not be due to the presence of highly replicative HIV viruses. We recommend jilfure research should focus on isolating the different HIV quasispecies so that one can see if there is a difference in HIV genetic diversity, diversification and diversification rate between the HIVITB and HIV only study population.


Energy saving is a significant feature to take in account in the choice of renewable energy technologies to use. This paper techno-economically investigates an excess heat recovery system that is proposed to be installed in a thermal cure center geothermal source for producing domestic hot water to be conveyed through piping to a nearby three star hotel located in Antsirabe Madagascar. For that purpose, the hotel hot water needs were determined by using an available online free code, called Solo, and the effectiveness-NTU method was used to size the plate heat exchanger to be used to recover the geothermal heat. The proposed hybrid geothermal solution performance was compared with that of hybrid solar energy water-heaters in terms of electricity consumption related to water temperature adjustment. It follows from comparison results that the proposed hybrid geothermal solution is more profitable and allows about 73.2 (%) of electric energy saving while it is 54.9 (%) for hybrid solar option. Besides, economic evaluation confirmed that the geothermal installation allows a shorter return on investment more favorably.


We introduce the notion of weak-2-local derivation (respectively, $^*$-derivation) on a C$^*$-algebra $A$ as a (non-necessarily linear) map $\Delta : A\to A$ satisfying that for every $a,b\in A$ and $\phi\in A^*$ there exists a derivation (respectively, a $^*$-derivation) $D_{a,b,\phi}: A\to A$, depending on $a$, $b$ and $\phi$, such that $\phi \Delta (a) = \phi D_{a,b,\phi} (a)$ and $\phi \Delta (b) = \phi D_{a,b,\phi} (b)$. We prove that every weak-2-local $^*$-derivation on $M_n$ is a linear derivation. We also show that the same conclusion remains true for weak-2-local $^*$-derivations on finite dimensional C$^*$-algebras.


The initial excitement and low adoption of blockchain technology in the Financial Services industry provide insights into how the technological features of distributed ledger can be applied to organizations within an interconnected industry. This study uses grounded theory methodology to provide context and practical considerations into how multiple firms in connected industries can evaluate an "industry technology" that could change the ecosystem in which they operate. The study validates common technological, organizational, and environmental factors of adoption and introduces new factors such as networking and internet-like technology characteristics, industry interconnectedness, inter-organizational use cases, and consortiums to explain how firms are adapting to the transformational characteristics of blockchain technology.


The paper considers the possible cardinalities of maximal cofinitary groups and the cofinalities of permutation groups on the set of natural numbers. These two cardinals are compared with some other wellknown cardinal invariants which are related to covering properties in several forcing models. An application of combinatorial group theory to a construction of a forcing partially ordered set is presented.


2. This technology is classified into optical dominant recording and magnetic dominant recording. This paper describes these two methods and the differences between them. A theoretical estimation in optical dominant recording suggests that thermally assisted magnetic recording enables 10 times the density compared with conventional magnetic recording. Magnetic dominant recording was conducted on longitudinal synthetic ferrimagnetic recording media to prove its fundamental effectiveness. The signal-tonoise ratio and overwritability of thermally assisted magnetic recording without thermal erasure were assured. A newly proposed optical head with a butted grating structure provides good optical characteristics as the heating element for optical dominant recording, and its fabrication process is compatible with the process for the conventional magnetic head. This paper also describes the results of experimental thermally assisted magnetic recording and the fundamental design of a heating element that uses near field optics.


Sorafenib is the only clinical approved drug in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, we have investigated that Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a kinase-independent target of sorafenib (Journal of Hepatology, 2012). Here, we report that sorafenib relieves the anto-inhibited Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) to increase its phosphatase activity and inhibit p-STAT3-related signaling. Sorafenib increases SHP-1 activity either in HCC cell-based test or purified recombinant SHP-1 protein directly. Deletion of N-SH2 domain (dN1) or point mutation (D61A) of SHP-1 abolished the effect of sorafenib on SHP-1 and phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3) and apoptosis in HCC, suggesting that sorafenib may affect SHP-1 by switching the transformation from auto-inhibition to the active form. The significant correlation between inhibited SHP-1 and overexpression of p-STAT3 was demonstrated in immunohistochemistry of clinical HCC samples. Novel sorafenib derivatives, SC-43 and SC-40, showed more potent effects than sorafenib on enhancing the activity of SHP-1 activity, inhibiting p-STAT3, induction apoptosis and overcoming sorafenib resistance in HCC. SC-43 showed better survival benefits than sorafenib in orthotopic HCC tumors. SHP-1 represents a major target of sorafenib in HCC. Sorafenib derivatives (SC-43 and SC-40) show better anti-HCC effects than sorafenib by targeting SHP-1. Further clinical investigations may be warranted. Citation Format: Wei-Tien Tai, Chung-Wai Shiau, Pei-Jer Chen, Ann-Lii Cheng, Kuen-Feng Chen. Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 is a major target of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2175. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2175


Introduction There is an increasing amount of data showing that both host immunity and tumor microenvironment play an essential role in determining the clinical course in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and may also influence their response to therapy. Some investigators have considered the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) as a surrogate bio-marker of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes reflecting systemic host immunity, while the absolute monocyte count (AMC) is regarded as a surrogate bio-marker of tumor-associated macrophages reflecting the tumor microenvironment. For many years lymphopenia has been considered as a negative factor predicting poor outcome in HL. Recently monocytosis and the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR= ALC/AMC), which combines these two surrogate bio-markers, have also been shown to be useful prognostic parameters in HL, particularly in terms of progression free survival (PFS). Aims The aim of the present study was to verify whether AMC and LMR are indeed valid prognostic parameters in HL, utilizing a large cohort of patients with the disease. Materials and Methods We collected data from 1079 patients with classical Hodgkin9s lymphoma (cHL) enrolled in different clinical trials of "Gruppo Italiano Studio Linfomi (GISL)" during 1988-2007. Previously we had evaluated a database of 371 patients with cHL and examined different AMC and LMR cut-off levels using the maximum log rank test and c-Harell (area under the curve). We identified AMC of 600/mm3 and LMR of 3.5, as optimal cut-off values. Results Patients in our current study had the following characteristics: median age 32 years (range 17-71), 51% males, 15% stage IV disease, 74% with International Prognostic Score (IPS) 0-2, 72% nodular sclerosis and 18% mixed cellularity; 43% were treated with ABVD and 29% with BEACOPP/BEACOPP-like regimens. Radiotherapy (RT) was administered to 66% of cases. Median follow-up was 6.8 years (range 0.1-19), and 5-years and 10-years overall survival (OS) was 89 and 83%, respectively; 5-years PFS was 79%. In an earlier evaluation the 10-years PFS for patients with AMC >600/mm3 and LMR 3.5 (p-value: 0.032 and 0.005). However now after applying the same cut-off values to the larger database, we found no statistical differences in PFS ,and both threshold values for AMC (600/mm3) and LMR (3.5) lost their prognostic power. Using the same statistical methods for the cohort of 1079 patients, we found different cut-off values for AMC and LMR, that were equally effective in splitting different survival patterns. For AMC the value of 750/mm3 (26% of patients with AMC >750/mm3), and for LMR a ratio of 1.5 (19% of patients with LMR Conclusions Our study of 1079 patients confirms that peripheral monocyte and lymphocyte counts have an important prognostic impact in cHL. The cut off-values we used, although different from those utilized previously, were able to distinguish patients with different PFS. The cut-offs reported in the literature vary according to the different authors and the various sets of patients examined. At present we feel there is still a clear need to finally establish definitive and more appropriate cut-off levels that can be used for all future studies. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential to study an even larger series of patients within the framework of an international collaborative study. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


BACKGROUND
The use of systemic immunotherapy targets is emerging as an important treatment option for metastatic urothelial carcinoma, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate or who fail cisplatin-based chemotherapy. One such target is the inhibition of the checkpoint protein programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand (PD-L1) by monoclonal antibodies.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of pembrolizumab monotherapy versus chemotherapy for treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma with disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy.

SEARCH METHODS
We performed a Cochrane Rapid Review, limiting our search to published studies in the English language. We searched databases of the medical literature, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE, as well as trial registries including ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP). Our search extended from January 2000 to June 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials except cross-over trials and cluster randomised trials. We excluded all other study designs. Participants included had locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, with disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy (synonymous with second-/third-/fourth-line therapy). This review focused on pembrolizumab (synonyms: MK-3475, lambrolizumab, Keytruda).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently classified and abstracted data from the included study. The certainty of evidence was rated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

MAIN RESULTS
We identified one randomised controlled trial that included 542 participants, which compared the use of pembrolizumab monotherapy versus chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma with disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy. Results were reported after a median follow-up of 14.1 months (range 9.9 to 22.1 months).Primary outcomesPembrolizumab probably reduces the risk of death from any cause (hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 0.90; moderate certainty evidence). This corresponds to 115 fewer deaths (191 fewer to 38 fewer) per 1000 participants with pembrolizumab at 12 months. We downgraded the certainty of evidence one level for imprecision.Pembrolizumab may slightly improve quality of life (change from baseline to week 15 assessed with the Core Quality of Life Questionnaire; higher value reflects better quality of life; scale 0 to 100) with a mean difference (MD) of 9.05, 95% CI 4.61 to 13.50; low certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of evidence two levels for study limitations and imprecision.Secondary outcomesPembrolizumab may have little or no effect on disease progression (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.19; low certainty evidence). This corresponds to three fewer patients (42 fewer to 24 more) whose disease progressed per 1000 participants at 12 months. We downgraded the certainty of evidence two levels for study limitations and imprecision.Pembrolizumab probably improves treatment response (based on complete or partial radiologic response) with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.85, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.77; moderate certainty evidence). This corresponds to 97 more respondents (27 more to 202 more) per 1000 participants with pembrolizumab. We downgraded the certainty of evidence one level for imprecision.Pembrolizumab may have little or no effect on treatment-related mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.24 to 3.79; low certainty evidence). This corresponds to one fewer (12 fewer to 44 more) treatment-related deaths per 1000 participants with pembrolizumab. We downgraded the certainty of evidence two levels for study limitations and imprecision.Pembrolizumab may have little or no effect on discontinuations due to adverse events (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.10). This corresponds to 54 fewer discontinuations per 1000 participants (95% CI 79 fewer to 7 more). We downgraded the certainty of evidence for study limitations and imprecision.Pembrolizumab may reduce serious adverse events (RR 0.83, 95 CI 0.72 to 0.97; low certainty evidence). This corresponds to 107 fewer serious averse events per 1000 participants (95% CI 19 fewer to 176 fewer). We downgraded two levels for study limitations and imprecision.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The use of pembrolizumab in men with advanced urothelial carcinoma with disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy probably improves overall survival when compared with chemotherapy alone. At 12 months follow-up about 70% of those in the chemotherapy group had died, compared with 59% of those treated with pembrolizumab. We are very uncertain about the effects of pembolizumab on quality of life. Pembolizumab may also improve treatment response rates, and reduce the risk of serious adverse events, but may make little or no difference to discontinuations of treatment due to adverse events. These conclusions are based on a single trial that was sponsored by the producer of pembrolizumab.


Degradation of the water quality of Negombo estuarine system due to pollution from different sources has significantly altered the species composition of fish and Arius jella (English: Blackfin sea cat fish, Sinhala: Anguluwa) which is associated with degraded water conditions has become the most prominent fish species. Present study was carried out to study some biological aspects of these species. Samples for the study were collected from Outrigger Canoe fish catches from February to December 2015, by monthly field visits. On each sampling day, 50-60% of operated Outrigger Canoes were sampled to get necessary data of A. jella. Standard length ranged between 10.0-33.0 cm and the relative growth condition of the fish population was allometrically negative with "b" value<3.0. The ratio of males to females in the population during the study period was 0.9:1.0 (X2=0.1320). Highest GSI value of female fish was shown in May and lowest GSI value was shown in September. Average fecundity of mature ovary ranged from 30-42 eggs. Mean egg diameters of stage I eggs, stage II, stage III eggs varies 0.62±0.19, 6.64±0.53 and 12.11±1.18 respectively. Parental care was observed and eggs were found in the mouths of male fish in the months of March, May, and July. These observations are important as baseline information to assess the water quality of the estuary which will be reflected through the changes of biological aspects of this pollution indicator species. Keywords: Negombo estuary, Fishery, Fish, Crustacean, Reproductive biology, Arius jella


Sex-linked recessive and autosomal recessive forms of vitreo-tapeto-retinal degeneration were studied in two families and several isolated cases using psychophysical and electrical tests of retinal function. Common to all affected patients was a progressive retinal degeneration associated with vitreous abnormalities. Electroretinographic recordings correlated well with the severity of the defect and in some patients indicated which layers of the retina might be affected or between which layers the schisis occurred. A particular mode of genetic transmission could not be related to specific clinical symptoms of functional findings. A possible carrier state in two female members of a family with the sex-linked recessive form of the disease was found.


Objective: With regard to the abundance of mood disorders among the artists and, life and death of Hedayat, number and time of creation of his works, this hypothesis that Hedayat suffered from a bipolar mood disorder (type II, or bipolar spectrum) is studied in the descriptive psychiatry framework. Methods: His biographies, medical records, letters exchanged between him and his friends and relatives, and reports by his acquaintances, number and time of creation, form and structure (but not the content of his writings) are scrutinized, assessed and measured according to the strict criteria of contemporary descriptive psychiatry. Results: It was shown that besides full blown depressive episodes and two documented attempted suicides (1928 and 1951, the second one led to his death), Hedayat was generally known as a jovial, humorist, lively, and exaggeratedly generous man. It was found out that the rate of creation of his 66 literary works did not follow a steady or monotonous course. Instead, during hypomanic phases he wrote abundantly, but during depressive phases he had no literary creation. In times between, when in a normal mood, he wrote one or two stories in a year. In the three years preceding his completed suicide (1951), he did not write at all and even tore the manuscripts of his unpublished works to pieces some days before suicide. Conclusion: The above findings are all consistent with this conclusion that Sadegh Hedayat suffered from the bipolar mood disorder, type II.


System modelers often have to specify dependability properties in order to describe non-functional system requirements. A strict functional description of the system is not enough and could be dangerous, because the system's behavior is undefined in the presence of a fault. A core requirement for dependability-critical systems is their ability to deal with faults. This non-functional property should be validated before the system is licensed for use in applications that affect, for instance human life. Thus, a quantitative analysis is required, which deals for example with the reliability of the system, the probability of tolerating certain state perturbations, the mean duration of recovery cycles and so on. To allow such an analysis, the requirements have to be formulated in a precise and formal way, so that they can be verified by an analysis tool. The use of stochastic languages to specify such requirements often turns out in an error prone process, since even modelers with mathematical background have difficulties to compile correct requirements. A grammar for an English like language called SQIRL (Structured Language for Specifications of Quantitative Requirements) has been introduced in [1], allowing the formal specification of requirements in terms of structured English sentences. The advantage of this approach is, that the modeler can specify the requirements while using a more "natural" language so that the semantic of the requirements can be easier communicated to other persons or be used for documentation purposes. The use of SQIRL follows a three-step approach. In the first step, the non-functional requirements are specified in general terms using SQIRL. The second step deals with the refinement of the specification in the context of the system model used. The final step is required to translate the specification and the system model to a notation that can be interpreted by an analysis tool. For the second step, stochastic Petri Nets have been employed to model the system and the last step was done by using Stochastic Reward Nets (SRN) , for which a powerful analysis tool called PANDA has been developed [5]. As an alternative to Petri Nets, UML statecharts diagrams [4] could be used to describe the system behavior. With UML statecharts, the internal behavior of components (objects, hardware nodes etc.) as well as their reactions to external events can be modeled. For analysis, there are two steps to be done. First, UML statecharts have to be tailored to exactly describe system behavior so that an analysis tool could interpret them. Although the UML notation has not been designed for these purposes, its standard mechanisms enable to extend the model with timing/stochastic information in the form of tagged values and classification of model elements in form of stereotyped states and events [3]. By specifying an exact semantic and graphical notation for modeling, it is possible that an analysis tool can deal with a system model specified in UML or even perform a transformation to some other analysis models like Generalized Stochastic Petri Nets or Stochastic Reward Nets [2].


Objective:To study the characteristics of bone-conducted vibration vestibular evoked myogenic potential(BCV-VEMP) in normal adult with and without myotonia rectification, and to provide accurate reference for clinical vestibular function evaluation. Methods:Thirty normal adults(60 ears) aged 20-32 years old were selected to receive BCV-VEMP in a sitting position. BCV-VEMP were induced by B-81 bone-conducted vibrator at 129.5 FL, the P1 latency, N1 latency, P1-N1interval, amplitude, and amplitude asymmetry ratios were recorded in two test conditions. Results:Clear and repeatable waveforms of BCV-cVEMP and BCV-oVEMP were obtained in all normal adults. The P1 and N1 latencies of BCV-cVEMP were(16.00±2.02) ms and(25.04±2.57) ms, respectively, P1-N1 interval was(9.04±1.78) ms. The N1 and P1 latencies of BCV-oVEMP were(10.39±0.81) ms and(15.85±1.00) ms, respectively, iand interval was(5.46±0.86) ms. The amplitudes of BCV-cVEMP and BCV-oVEMP in two test conditions were statistically significant(P<0.05). The amplitude asymmetry ratios of BCV-cVEMP and BCV-oVEMP after rectification were (17.03±9.14)% and (20.43±11.65)%, respectively. Conclusion:BCV-VEMP is a feasible and reliable tool for vestibular function assessment. The establishment of a normal values such as amplitude and amplitude asymmetry ratio after rectification can provide a more reliable and accurate reference.


In discussing the U.S. recovery, the Review of the Month in the January 1985 MR states: "Finally, the supply-siders' claim that the recovery that began in 1983 has been powered by investment is simply not true." This statement is supported by "the testimony of a rock-ribbed conservative," Martin Feldstein, who was until recently head of Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors. It would be rash to assume that Mr. Feldstein did not consult the figures of national income published regularly in the Survey of Current Business , but if he did, he gives a misleading impression of the relative contribution to the recovery of consumer spending on the one hand and investment in business plant and equipment on the other. This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website , where most recent articles are published in full. Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


This paper presents the findings from four case studies on stakeholder engagement in new health information and communication technology (ICT) product-service system (PSS) development. The degree of connectivity between the new health ICT PSS and its intended operating environment has emerged to be an important contextual factor that may impact the decision of stakeholder engagement in the early stage development process. Along with the proposition of a four-level framework to guide stakeholder identification for new PSS development, three stakeholder engagement propositions that are based on the degree of connectivity are developed. Analysis has shown that there can be two types of connectivity: data and process. Moreover, each connectivity type can be characterized by how much the new PSS is connected with its environment: independent if there is no linkage, linked if it interfaces with, or incorporated if it is embedded into. Furthermore, depending upon whether and to what extent the PSS has data and process connectivity with its intended operating environment, the stakeholder engagement needs in early stage development vary. The propositions presented in this paper provide important directions for future work exploring PSS characterization and stakeholder engagement decision in early stage new PSS development in the healthcare industry.


Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the quantitative value of standardized uptake value (SUV) SUVmax obtained from F-18 FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of oncology patients with the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) amounts measured in plasma of patients and thus investigate if cfDNA is a significant marker to identify the presence of malignancy in the early period. Methods: A total of 184 patients were included in the study. The clinical, histopathologic, laboratory and treatment parameters were extracted from patient files. SUVmax and cfDNA quantities were assessed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in plasma cfDNA values between patient and control groups. The comparison of SUVmax and cfDNA values in the study showed that there was a weak correlation between SUVmax and cfDNA. There was a significant difference between tumor size and SUVmax values. However, there was no statistically significant difference between tumor size and cfDNA. Conclusion: cfDNA measurements in the blood as a screening test have provided hope for early diagnosis and monitoring of cancer patients. Comparison of cfDNA levels obtained from plasma and quantitative parameters from PET/CT images of oncology patients in detailed advanced studies with larger patient series are required.


This research investigates whether information technologies, such as automated question answering (QA), can add interactivity into a multimedia-based e-learning system, as well as how this type of virtual interaction affects the effectiveness of e-learning. Based on a review of multiple learning theories and technologies, an exploratory model for studying the effectiveness of interactive e-learning, Learning with Virtual Mentors (LVM), is proposed and a prototype system is developed to implement the LVM model. A series of studies, including a controlled experiment and surveys, have been conducted to explore the relationships among the core constructs of the LVM model: learning phases, system interactivity, learning activity, and learning outcomes. Findings indicate that virtual interaction positively impacts student behaviors by encouraging students to interact more and increasing student satisfaction with the learning process; however, the correlation between virtual interaction and actual learning performance is limited. Consequently, the LVM model needs to be further explored and developed.


BACKGROUND
Due to its minimally invasive character, radiofrequency surgery has become a topic of increasing attention, especially with respect to the surgical treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders. Temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction is the most common technique employed in these cases. However, despite the increasingly widespread use of this technique, there is little data available on the induced effects in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether magnetic resonance imaging could be used in the evaluation of the in vivo effects of radiofrequency surgery at the base of the tongue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Six patients were treated at the base of tongue with radiofrequency surgery. At 4-6, 8-10 and 24 h after surgery, magnetic resonance imaging was performed using an inversion recovery technique (TIRM) and the lesions created were evaluated.

RESULTS
The lesions could be visualised at all postoperative measurement times. They appeared as oval hypointense structures encircled by a hyperintense area. Lesion size diminished slightly over time.

DISCUSSION
Lesions induced by radiofrequency surgery can be clearly visualised with magnetic resonance imaging. Lesion size may be assessed in relation to energy application. In the future, the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders may be further optimised with the help of this technique.


A lot of attempts have been made to standardise both activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Only the standardization of PT has been successfully implemented while the standardization of APTT is still underway. The PT test is a common method for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy. Owing to the variable response of the thromboplastins and the different ways of reporting, PT results obtained from patients treated with oral anticoagulants have not been interchangeable between laboratories. In 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) designed a batch of human brain thromboplastin as the first international reference preparation (IRP) for thromboplastin and a calibration system was proposed in 1982, based on the assumption that a linear relationship exists between the logarithm of the PT obtained with the IRP and test thromboplastins. This calibration model is used to standardize the reporting of the PT by converting the PT ratio observed with the local thromboplastin into an International Normalized Ratio (INR). The INR system is being adopted by an increasing number of hospitals in many countries. With the increasing use of the INR system, a number of problems have been identified with the INR system. The most serious one is that the ISI of a thromboplastin depends on the coagulometer used. Besides, a number of investigators have noted that the ISI value provided by the manufacturer for each new batch of thromboplastin reagent may be incorrect and the use of inappropriate control plasma can lead to erroneous INR calculations. Four solutions have been proposed to solve the problems of the INR system as follows: (a) the local system calibration with lyophilized plasma calibrants with assigned manual PT determined in terms of the relevant IRP for thromboplastin; (b) the use of a mean normal prothrombin time (MNPT) obtained with the coagulometer to derive the prothrombin ratio: (c) PT standardization by means of the procedure using plasma calibrants: and (d) selection of sensitive thromboplastin with low ISI values. The INR system has been adopted in Thailand since 1984. There are 3 steps in the implementation as follows: (a) preparation of National Reference Thromboplastin; (b) selection of high sensitive thromboplastin; and (c) optimal therapeutic range for Thai patients. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is usually monitored by the APTT, a test that is sensitive to the inhibitory effects of heparin on thrombin, factor Xa. and factor IXa. However, the type of clot detection system, the contact activator; and the phospholipid composition of the reagent affect the APTT response. In 1995. ISTH/ICSH proposed a calibration model for APTT standardization. As the problem showed a great similarity to PT standardization, the same model of calibration was applied but no international reference preparation for the APTT is yet available. In 1998. van den Besselaar et al proposed a lyophilized APTT reagent comprising synthetic phospholipids and colloidal silica as a candidate IRP for the APTT.


An assessment of the impact that the representation of rotor structural dynamics has on the electrical transient performance of fixed-speed induction generators (FSIGs) and doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) wind turbines is presented. A three-mass model that takes into account not only the shaft flexibility but also the blade flexibility in the structural dynamics is developed and used to derive an effective two-mass model of the drive train dynamics, which represents the dominant natural frequency of vibration of the rotor structure. For the purposes of this investigation, the dynamic performance of both FSIG and DFIG wind turbines is evaluated during electrical transients such as a three-phase fault in the network. The studies are conducted in the software code Bladed, where a detailed representation of the structural dynamics is used to derive the three-mass model and the effective two-mass model. Simulation results which illustrate how these representations of the rotor dynamics affect the response of the wind turbine during the fault are presented and discussed.


This study deals with the analysis of the conceptions of contract secondary school mathematics teachers (RSC). After two years of effective practice, with full class responsibility, we have attempted to elucidate how these teachers conceive and implement the evaluation of a disciplinary competence of their students. The experience took place around face-to-face training, through which, we interviewed 64 teachers (RSC) on the question of the identification of the approaches considered to assess the competence of the pupils, relating to geometry. We opted for three modes of data collection; answer an open-ended question on the procedures for evaluating the competence of pupils and deal with a single subject of your choice from two evaluation subjects, given as part of the evaluation of the training module. The combined analyzes reveal practices that were overlooked in the process of assessing students' skills. Indeed, there is a clear trend in the practices of its teachers towards an assessment of knowledge and skills, through the restitution and application of knowledge, far from being a real premise of assessing competence.


Introduction A major challenge in developing new models of palliative care is to identify the current needs of the public patients and carer (Dixon 2015). There is a lack of evidence on people's attitudes towards end of life care (EoLC) in Wales. Aim To increase understanding of people's feelings views knowledge and preferences around EoLC. Method An online survey was conducted using an electronic survey tool. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to perform data analysis. Results 2210 people (Age: Mean +SD; 55+14 years) participated in the survey 43% of those were members of the general public 29% were patients/carers and 23% were health professionals. 49% of respondents thought that available palliative care was inadequate and 92% believed that end of life care for dying people should have equal priority for the NHS. 95% of respondents thought that expressing preferences around EoLC in advance was important but only 13% had done this in practice and 60% did not know how to plan their EoLC. However the top three needs in EoLC were identified as having a trained carer (84%) access to other professionals (59%) and emergency care (44%). The top three preferences for EoLC were being surrounded by loved ones (62%) maintaining dignity (55%) and a feeling of peace (40%). Just 24% respondents would chose to be at home while receiving EoLC. Conclusions Understanding public attitudes is essential to understanding changing contexts of care. Developing a need-based palliative care model enhances an effective service delivery. Reference . Dixon J, et al. Equity in the provision of palliative care in the UK: Review of evidence2015;pg. 1–145. London: Personal Social Services Research Unit. Available at: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/globalassets/media/documents/policy/campaigns/equity-palliative-care-uk-report-full-lse.pdf


Measurements have been made of the friction, electrical resistance, and electrical capacity between rotating steel cylinders with their axes mutually at right angles. The lubricant was a plain hydrocarbon mineral oil. Nominally the surfaces come together at a single point and the apparatus is designed to ensure that this condition is maintained even if the cylinders wear. It is shown that hydrodynamic lubrication exists over a wide range of conditions. At loads of a few kilograms it persists even when the speed falls below 1 cm/s and at higher speeds (~ 100 cm/s) it is maintained even when the load becomes large enough to cause bulk plastic flow of hardened steel. Hitherto it has been considered that only boundary lubrication could occur under these extreme conditions. At very light loads classical hydrodynamic theory applies but as the load is increased a departure from classical theory occurs because the viscosity of the oil increases under the applied pressure. At heavier loads the pressures become large enough to cause appreciable elastic deformation of the surfaces and a state of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication is achieved. Under elasto-hydrodynamic conditions the film thickness can be deduced from the measurements of electrical capacity. A simplified theory of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication at point contacts is developed, and the measured values of film thickness are in fairly good agreement with those derived from the theory. However, the variations of film thickness with viscosity, speed and radius of curvature forecast by the theory differ significantly from those obtained experimentally. The values of the film thickness range from 2 x 10-6 cm to more than 1 x 10-4 cm. The results, over the whole range, conform to a regular pattern and there is no evidence of any disturbing influence of the surface molecular fields, even with the thinnest films.


Software Engineering (SE) researchers are increasingly paying attention to organizational and human factors. Rather than focusing only on variables that can be directly measured, such as lines of code, SE research studies now also consider unobservable variables, such as organizational culture and trust. To measure such latent variables, SE scholars have adopted Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), which is one member of the larger SEM family of statistical analysis techniques. As the SE field is facing the introduction of new methods such as PLS-SEM, a key issue is that not much is known about how to evaluate such studies. To help SE researchers learn about PLS-SEM, we draw on the latest methodological literature on PLS-SEM to synthesize an introduction. Further, we conducted a survey of PLS-SEM studies in the SE literature and evaluated those based on recommended guidelines.


In recent years, the Weihe River basin has experienced dramatic changes and a sharp decrease in runoff, which has constrained the sustainable development of the local society, economy, and ecology. Quantitative attribution analysis of runoff changes in the Weihe River basin can help to illustrate reasons for dramatic runoff changes and to understand its complex hydrological response. In this paper, the trends of hydrological elements in the Weihe River basin from 1970 to 2019 were systematically analyzed using the M–K analysis method, and the effects of meteorological elements and underlying surface changes on runoff were quantitatively analyzed using the Budyko theoretical framework. The results show that potential evapotranspiration and precipitation in the Weihe River basin have no significant change in 1970–2019; runoff depth has an abrupt change around 1990 and then decrease significantly. The study period is divided into the base period (1970–1989), PΙ (1990–2009), and PII (2010–2019). Compared with the base period, the elasticity coefficients (absolute values) of each element show an increasing trend in PΙ and PII. The sensitivity of runoff to these coefficients is increasing. The sensitivity of the precipitation is the highest (2.72~3.17), followed by that of the underlying surface parameter (−2.01~−2.35); the sensitivity of the potential evapotranspiration is the weakest (−1.72~−2.17). In the PΙ period, the runoff depth decreased significantly due to the combination effects of precipitation and underlying surface with the values of 6.18 mm and 13.92 mm, respectively. In the PII period, rainfall turned to an increasing trend, contributing to the increase in runoff by 11.80 mm; the further increase in underlying surface parameters was the main reason for the decrease in runoff by 22.19 mm. The significant increase in runoff by 8.54 mm because of the increased rainfall, compared with the PΙ periods. Overall, the increasing underlying surface parameter makes the largest contribution to the runoff changes while the precipitation change is also an important factor.


During 2020, Taiwan's facemask policy formed a critical part of its relatively successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also served to showcase capacities for coordinated action by state and business actors. This article demonstrates that Taiwan's ability to rapidly increase facemask production called for the government and key industry players to overcome a series of cooperation challenges. The authors show that the effective industry response required concerted action in three domains: the state sector, business?government cooperation, and cooperation among private firms. This article makes two contributions. First, it differentiates the dynamics attached to coordination, commitment and collective action challenges that actors in public and private sectors needed to overcome in order to deliver on the policy. Second, it contributes to the literature by endorsing the view that business?government cooperation and private sector coordination are complementary and interdependent. The findings presented here further illustrate the evolution of Taiwan's state institutions in their capacity to take on new tasks and modes of interaction with private sector actors.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and quantify the evidence for health promotion interventions in children and adolescents.

METHOD
96 independent samples of smoking, physical activity, and diet studies were included. Outcomes included both objective and self-reports of health behavior, as well as proxy measures such as fitness.

RESULTS
The aggregated effect was significant (g = .20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08-0.32, n = 96). A significant effect of intervention was observed at approximately 1-year follow-up (g = .07, 95% CI = 0.02-0.14, n = 20). The greatest risk of bias was failure to blind outcome assessment, which occurred in 21% of studies. Most studies lacked sufficient detail to determine the quality of their randomization sequence (58%). Additional concerns about risk of bias for individual studies were minimal. Overall, the quality of this finding was moderate using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria.

CONCLUSION
Health promotion interventions are effective for modifying health behavior; however, effect sizes are small.


Federated learning (FL) has been facilitating privacy-preserving deep learning in many walks of life such as medical image classification, network intrusion detection, and so forth. Whereas it necessitates a central parameter server for model aggregation, which brings about delayed model communication and vulnerability to adversarial attacks. A fully decentralized architecture like Swarm Learning allows peer-to-peer communication among distributed nodes, without the central server. One of the most challenging issues in decentralized deep learning is that data owned by each node are usually non-independent and identically distributed (non-IID), causing time-consuming convergence of model training. To this end, we propose a decentralized learning model called Homogeneous Learning (HL) for tackling non-IID data with a self-attention mechanism. In HL, training performs on each round's selected node, and the trained model of a node is sent to the next selected node at the end of each round. Notably, for the selection, the self-attention mechanism leverages reinforcement learning to observe a node's inner state and its surrounding environment's state, and find out which node should be selected to optimize the training. We evaluate our method with various scenarios for two different image classification tasks. The result suggests that HL can achieve a better performance compared with standalone learning and greatly reduce both the total training rounds by 50.8% and the communication cost by 74.6% for decentralized learning with non-IID data.


During five months, from September 2011 to January 2012, three campaigns of reentry predictions were carried out for the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and in support of the Italian civil protection authorities. The objects involved were three massive spacecraft, UARS (NASA), ROSAT (DLR) and Fobos-Grunt (Roscosmos), which received widespread attention for the marginal risk on the ground associated with their uncontrolled reentry, probably exceeding a human casualty expectancy of 1 in 10,000, i.e. the alert threshold adopted by several agencies in the United States, Europe and Japan. From the technical point of view, the three above mentioned reentry campaigns offered the occasion to model the orbital evolution, fit the semi-major axis, determine the ballistic coefficients and compare some semiempirical thermospheric density models under varying solar and geomagnetic activity conditions, dealing with spacecraft characterized by quite different configurations, shapes, masses and attitude control. This paper describes the procedures applied to the reentry prediction problem and the results obtained in each campaign, showing the evolution of ballistic coefficients, relative and absolute residual lifetime errors, and reentry windows. For UARS, the average relative residual lifetime error over the campaign was 15%, with a maximum of 28%. For ROSAT the corresponding figures were 3% and 8%, respectively, while for Fobos-Grunt 4% and 8% were found.


The OMICAS alliance is part of the Colombian government's Scientific Ecosystem, established between 2017-2018 to promote world-class research, technological advancement and improved competency of higher education across the nation. Since the program's kick-off, OMICAS has focused on consolidating and validating a multi-scale, multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary strategy and infrastructure to advance discoveries in plant science and the development of new technological solutions for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. The strategy and methods described in this article, involve the characterization of different crop models, using high-throughput, real-time phenotyping technologies as well as experimental tissue characterization at different levels of the omics hierarchy and under contrasting conditions, to elucidate epigenome-, genome-, proteome- and metabolome-phenome relationships. The massive data sets are used to derive in-silico models, methods and tools to discover complex underlying structure-function associations, which are then carried over to the production of new germplasm with improved agricultural traits. Here, we describe OMICAS' R&D trans-disciplinary multi-project architecture, explain the overall strategy and methods for crop-breeding, recent progress and results, and the overarching challenges that lay ahead in the field.


High-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to study the interaction of a synthetic alpha-helical hydrophobic transmembrane peptide, acetyl-Lys(2)-(Leu-Ala)(12)-Lys(2)-amide [(LA)(12)], and members of a homologous series of n-saturated diacylphosphatidylethanolamines (PEs). In the lower range of peptide mole fractions, the DSC endotherms exhibited by the lipid/peptide mixtures consist of two components. The temperature and cooperativity of the sharper, higher temperature component are very similar to those of pure PE bilayers and are almost unaffected by variations in the protein/lipid ratio. However, the fractional contribution of this component to the total enthalpy changes decreases with increases in peptide concentration, and this component completely disappears at higher protein mole fractions. The other component, which is less cooperative and occurs at a lower temperature, predominates at higher protein concentrations. These two components of the DSC endotherm have been assigned to the chain-melting phase transitions of peptide-nonassociated and peptide-associated PE molecules, respectively. Although the temperature at which the peptide-associated PE molecules melt is progressively decreased by increases in (LA)(12) concentration, the magnitude of this downward shift is progressively greater as the length of the PE hydrocarbon chain decreases. As well, mixtures of (LA)(12) with the longer chain PEs exhibit unusual biomodal enthalpy variations, suggesting peptide immiscibility in thicker gel state bilayers. Moreover, the enthalpy of the chain-melting transition of the peptide-associated PE does not decrease to zero even at high peptide concentrations, indicating that (LA)(12) attenuates but does not abolish the cooperative gel/liquid-crystalline phase transition of the lipids with which it is in contact. Our FTIR spectroscopic data indicate that (LA)(12) remains in a predominantly alpha-helical conformation in liquid-crystalline PE bilayers of various hydrophobic thickness but that the helical conformation is altered in gel-state PE bilayers generally, probably due to peptide lateral aggregation. These data also suggest that (LA)(12) significantly disorders the hydrocarbon chains of adjacent PE molecules in both the gel and liquid-crystalline states, relatively independently of lipid hydrocarbon chain length. Many aspects of PE/(LA)(12) interactions exhibit a different dependence on the hydrophobic thickness of the host bilayer than was observed in our previous study of (LA)(12)-phosphatidylcholine (PC) model membranes [Zhang et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 2362-2371]. The differing effects of (LA)(12) incorporation on PE and PC bilayers is ascribed primarily to the much stronger lipid polar headgroup interactions characteristic of the former system. Finally, the considerable differences observed in the behavior of (LA)(12) and the related polyleucine-based peptide P(24) in both PC and PE bilayers indicate that the structure of the hydrophobic core of alpha-helical transmembrane peptides can affect their conformational plasticity and state of aggregation and thus the nature of their interactions with different phospholipid bilayers.


Twenty three soil samples were characterized for the incidence of fungal strains from pesticides contaminated agricultural soils. A total of 59 fungal strains were isolated and 33 fungi were characterized using various isolation and identification methods. Soil samples were also characterized for physiochemical properties. The isolated fungal strains were successfully identified belonging to the phylum ascomycota (7 genera), deuteromycota (2) and zygomycota (1). Alternaria, Aspergillus, Drechslera and Fusarium were predominant genera. Curvularia, Exserohilum, Humicola, Rhizopus and Torula were the most frequently isolated genera. Rests of the strains were not identified owing to the lack of sporulating structures under presently used incubation conditions. Such strains were designated as Mycelia sterilia. Further, these species will be used in biodegradation of commonly used pesticides.


Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for rice. Modern high yielding rice varieties may have differences in accumulating and using N from soil and applied fertilizer. A field experiment with 8 rice genotypes was conducted during 2008 wet season (T.Aman season) to study the effect of different rates of N fertilization on the yield performance and nitrogen nutrition under irrigated condition. Among the tested varieties/lines, BR7155-20-1-3 produced the significantly highest grain yield of 5.04 t/ha at N30 level followed by Swarna (4.66 t/ha) at the same level of N with similar growth duration (140 days). Agronomic efficiency of added N ranged from 0.7 to 23.3 for the promising line   BR7155-20-1-3 and 3.3 to 27.0 for variety Swarna. Grain yield at No was the highest in BR7155-20-1-3 followed by the variety Swarna and the lowest in BR7870-5 *(Nils)- I 0-HR8. Percent nitrogen recovery ranged from 50 to 63 for variety Swarna and 13 to 30 for promising line BR7155-20-1-3. The promising line BR7155– 20-1-3 and the variety Swarna may be economically advantageous over the other varieties/ lines. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v37i2.11222 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(2): 207-213, June 2012


The steering properties of a circular patch antenna array fabricated on a yttrium-iron-garnet substrate containing 6/spl times/6 elements have been calculated. The formulation assumes the interaction between patch elements can be neglected. Also, the Voigt permeability is used as the effective permeability of the substrate. As such, the steering rate of the radiation beam at 12 GHz is found to be 1.67/spl deg//Oe at the broad side direction. Hexagonal ferrites are suggested to avoid permanent external magnetic bias.


ABSTRACT Several models have been proposed to explain the evolution of leks, both in terms of direct or indirect fitness benefits, and in survival. According to kin selection theory, male skewed reproductive success leads unsuccessful males to join successful relatives to increase their inclusive fitness, because their genes would be transmitted indirectly to the next generation. Wedge-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus curvipennis) is a hummingbird species whose males congregate at leks, in which spatially clustered males sing a particular song with marked differences among neighboring males (song neighborhoods). The maintenance of song neighborhoods presumably depends on juvenile newcomers copying the song type of their neighbors when they establish within a lek, and their acceptance could be more likely if a relative has already settled down in a territory, which in turn could offer fitness benefits explained by kin selection theory. To investigate the potential for kin selection in this species, we genotyped 126 hummingbirds at 10 microsatellite loci and estimated pairwise relatedness among males at 6 leks and in 4 song neighborhoods within 1 focal lek. Within leks, most males were unrelated and only a few were relatives. Moreover, even though relatedness within leks was higher than between leks, it was not higher than 0, which is likely due to isolation by distance. Our results do not support the idea of kin selection as an important force acting on the formation of leks in this species. Additionally, we found no evidence for kin clustering within song neighborhoods, suggesting that juveniles attempting to settle in a lek have to learn the song of the neighborhood (regardless of their kinship) to gain access to territories.


Memetic computation is a paradigm that uses the notion of meme(s) as units of information encoded in computational representations for the purpose of problem-solving. It covers a plethora of potentially rich meme-inspired computing methodologies, frameworks and operational algorithms including simple hybrids, adaptive hybrids and memetic automaton. In this paper, a comprehensive multi-facet survey of recent research in memetic computation is presented.


This study is to investigate the effects of phenytoin sodium, lidocaine (sodium channel blockers), propranolol (beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist), amiodarone (drugs prolonging the action potential duration) and verapamil (calcium channel blockers) on arrhythmia of mice induced by Bufonis Venenum (Chansu) and isolated mouse hearts lethal dose of Chansu. Arrhythmia of mice were induced by Chansu and then electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded. The changes of P-R interval, QRS complex, Q-T interval, T wave amplitude, heart rate (HR) were observed. Moreover, arrhythmia rate, survival rate and arrhythmia score were counted. Isolated mouse hearts were prefused, and the lethal dose of Chansu was recorded. Compared with control group, after pretreatment with phenytoin sodium, broadening of QRS complex and HR were inhibited, and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia was reduced dramatically, while survival rate was improved; the isolated mouse hearts lethal dose of Chansu was increased significantly. After pretreatment with lidocaine, the prolongation of P-R interval and broadening of QRS complex were inhibited, and the incidences of ventricular arrhythmia were reduced dramatically, while survival rate was improved; the isolated mouse hearts lethal dose of Chansu was increased significantly. After pretreatment with propranolol, prolongation of P-R interval, broadening of QRS complex, prolongation of Q-T interval and HR were inhibited, and the incidences of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias were reduced dramatically, while survival rate was improved. After pretreatment with amiodarone, HR was inhibited, the incidences of ventricular tachycardia were reduced dramatically. Lastly, after pretreatment with verapamil, the prolongation of P-R interval and Q-T interval were inhibited and the incidences of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias were reduced dramatically; the isolated mouse hearts lethal dose of Chansu was reduced significantly. In in vivo experiments, phenytoin sodium was most effective against the mice arrhythmias induced by Chansu while cautious use of verapamil for Chansu inducing arrhythmia should be noted. It is also concluded that mice ventricular arrhythmias induced by Chansu might be most closely related to sodium channel, supraventricular arrhythmias might be related to beta-adrenergic receptor, and calcium channel plays an important role in conduction block. In in vitro experiments, phenytoin sodium was most effective, followed by lidocaine and propranolol, and amiodarone had no obvious effect and verapamil reduced the lethal dose of Chansu.


SUMMARY

We use cross-correlation of seismic noise recorded at stations in the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) pilot hole to extract P and S waves and measure S-wave anisotropy on the horizontal components. The data are recorded at seven three-component stations at depths from 1857 to 2097 m in the pilot hole. In late September and early 2004 October drilling noise underneath the stations generated propagating waves, which were absent in the rest of October. Estimates of the P- and S-wave velocities from the cross-correlations, on the vertical and horizontal components, respectively, are consistent with velocity measurements taken directly in the borehole. We observe polarization of the S wave, with a fast polarization direction of 120°–130° that is 4 per cent faster than the slow direction. Cross-correlation of the seismic noise can accurately determine S-wave anisotropy.


Background. Children with a mild intellectual disability (ID) and their families often require social services; however, because of the characteristics of the formal service system, these families may be at risk of not receiving necessary services. The aim of this study was to obtain knowledge regarding the types and number of services that families receive from social services because of the child's disability and because of social problems. Another aim was to acquire knowledge regarding the percentage of families receiving services and to evaluate the received services in relation to the child's gender, school setting and age. Method. Utilisation of social services among 84 children with a mild ID and their families in two municipalities in Sweden was examined using existing social services records. Results. Approximately one-third of the families received services because of the child's disability and one-fourth because of social problems. Children integrated into mainstream classes were significantly less likely to receive services from social services because of their disability than children in self-contained classes. The most commonly utilised services because of the child's disability were companion service, short period of supervision for schoolchildren and special transportation services. The services most utilised because of social problems were help from a personal contact, a contact family for the child's siblings and financial assistance for the child's parents. Conclusions. Social services must engage in outreach activities, especially in schools, so that families having a child with mild ID are recognised and receive necessary services.


Three idealized simulations of thunderstorm outflows are presented. Each outflow is a response to an instantaneous low-level cooling. The vertical structures of the coolings differ as do the environments in which the outflows form, and consequently the dynamics of the outflows differ. One outflow is a gravity current, another is a gravity wave, and the third comprises both a gravity current and a gravity wave. The horizontal transport of mass is important for the advance of the gravity-current outflow, but not for the gravity wave outflow, and it is suggested that this is the defining dynamical distinction between the two outflows. The simulations are compared to observations and it is suggested that some outflows previously characterized as gravity currents may better fit the gravity wave or gravity current/wave archetypes. It is also noted that the gravity wave component of an outflow may be generated directly by low-level cooling in addition to the commonly suggested mechanism of the interaction of a gravity current with a stable layer.


The study of habitat selection has long been influenced by the ideal free model, which maintains that young adults settle in habitat according to its inherent quality and the density of conspecifics within it. The model has gained support in recent years from the finding that conspecifics produce cues inadvertently that help prebreeders locate good habitat. Yet abundant evidence shows that animals often fail to occupy habitats that ecologists have identified as those of highest quality, leading to the conclusion that young animals settle on breeding spaces by means not widely understood. Here, we report that a phenomenon virtually unknown in nature, natal habitat preference induction (NHPI), is a strong predictor of territory settlement in both male and female common loons (Gavia immer). NHPI causes young animals to settle on natal-like breeding spaces, but not necessarily those that maximize reproductive success. If widespread, NHPI might explain apparently maladaptive habitat settlement.


Introduction: Minimal change disease (MCD) is a common subtype of primary nephrotic syndrome in adults. The pathogenesis of MCD is still not well understood, but some studies suggest that MCD is a T cell-mediated disease related to podocyte dysfunction. Previous research has also indicated the crucial role of B cells in the pathogenesis of MCD. Rituximab (RTX) is a recombinant chimeric mouse/human antibody targeting CD20 antigen. In recent years, RTX has been increasingly used in adult MCD patients. Methodology: We searched the PubMed database using the keywords "Minimal change disease", "Nephrotic syndrome", and "Rituximab" and obtained a total of 140 articles. We will now provide a literature review based on these 140 articles, according to our research topic. Discussion: This article provides an overview of the mechanisms and clinical research progress of RTX in the treatment of adult MCD. We have also discussed the current treatment methods for MCD, exploring the potential of using RTX as a first-line therapy for refractory adult MCD. Conclusion: MCD is a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome, and the exact mechanisms are still not fully understood. Although RTX as a treatment of adult MCD has shown promising clinical results in patients with refractory adult MCD, the safety and efficacy of RTX still lack high-quality clinical evidence. Further research is needed to explore the pathogenesis of MCD and the RTX treatment for MCD.


Background: Epidemiologic data sets continue to grow larger. Probabilistic-bias analyses, which simulate hundreds of thousands of replications of the original data set, may challenge desktop computational resources. Methods: We implemented a probabilistic-bias analysis to evaluate the direction, magnitude, and uncertainty of the bias arising from misclassification of prepregnancy body mass index when studying its association with early preterm birth in a cohort of 773,625 singleton births. We compared 3 bias analysis strategies: (1) using the full cohort, (2) using a case-cohort design, and (3) weighting records by their frequency in the full cohort. Results: Underweight and overweight mothers were more likely to deliver early preterm. A validation substudy demonstrated misclassification of prepregnancy body mass index derived from birth certificates. Probabilistic-bias analyses suggested that the association between underweight and early preterm birth was overestimated by the conventional approach, whereas the associations between overweight categories and early preterm birth were underestimated. The 3 bias analyses yielded equivalent results and challenged our typical desktop computing environment. Analyses applied to the full cohort, case cohort, and weighted full cohort required 7.75 days and 4 terabytes, 15.8 hours and 287 gigabytes, and 8.5 hours and 202 gigabytes, respectively. Conclusions: Large epidemiologic data sets often include variables that are imperfectly measured, often because data were collected for other purposes. Probabilistic-bias analysis allows quantification of errors but may be difficult in a desktop computing environment. Solutions that allow these analyses in this environment can be achieved without new hardware and within reasonable computational time frames.


Japanese encephalitis is a major cause of encephalitis in Asia. An estimated 50 000 cases occur in largely rural areas of the south and east Asian region resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. While the disease has declined in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and China, it has extended in other parts of the region, including India and Nepal. Diagnosis of the disease is largely based on clinical signs and symptoms, and treatment remains supportive. Further work is needed to provide rapid reliable diagnostics and improved surveillance. Vaccination is the mainstay of preventing serious disease in humans. The mouse brain derived vaccine is the most widely used vaccine though there are safety concerns. A live (SA 14-14-2) vaccine is increasingly being used though regulatory issues around production need to be resolved. There are also promising new vaccines undergoing clinical trials that show potential for wide scale use. Vaccine schedules, surveil- lance of adverse events, and setting up effective vaccination programmes are important issues that need addressing to maximise the impact of the available vaccines.


Outsourcing, the strategy in which organizations employ the services of external providers, has attracted growing interest. Academic and industrial attention has also focused on the role of seamless supply chain processes in achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. This research is based on petrol retailers in the UK that have adopted logistics outsourcing strategies for implementing supply chain solutions to their convenience‐goods operations. Its aim is to identify the factors, which influence outsourcing decisions and the nature and supply chain implications of outsourcing strategies. Research findings indicate that the capability of service providers to facilitate supply chain solutions is largely influenced by four main factors, which in turn substantially determine their role in the supply chain: the strategic orientation of the outsourcing organization; its perception of service providers' role within the logistics strategy; the nature of the resultant client‐provider relationship; and, the extent to which the logistics process is outsourced.


The book is an analysis of the fisrt five-year development plan (1989-1994) contatining various economic sectors. It highlighted business opportunites in each sector including: oil and gas, agriculute and water, industry and mining, health and medical care, transportation and telecommunication, electricity. the possible politcial and financial risks are also adressed. This fact book also could be a good reference showing the govermnment ambitions and policies in the said period


We consider a discrete-time frequency- selective block-fading channel with Rayleigh fading and correlated scattering. This is relevant in the area of UWB and if transceiver filters are included in the capacity analysis. Under an average power constraint, we assume a single-user, single-antenna transmission with full CSI at the receiver and no CSI at the transmitter. For the employed model, we analyze the variance of the random capacity and the outage capacity. The variance together with the ergodic capacity are adequate means to estimate and basically characterize the behavior of the outage capacity via Chebyshev's inequality. Furthermore, expressions for high SNR are derived and the impact of correlated scattering compared to uncorrelated scattering is systematically studied on both, the ergodic and the outage capacity.


I wonder if I should keep these diaries under lock and key. Jenny Spede has disturbed them again...What does she make, I wonder, of an old woman, deformed by arthritis, stripping naked for a young man? The pills worry me more. Ten is such a round number to be missing...Mathilda Gillespie's body was found nearly two days after she had taken an overdose and slashed her wrists with a Stanley knife. But what shocked Dr Sarah Blakeney the most was the scold's bridle obscuring the dead woman's face, a metal contraption grotesquely adorned with a garland of nettles and Michaelmas daisies.What happened at Cedar House in the tortured hours before Mathilda's death? The police assume that the coroner will return a verdict of suicide. Only Dr Blakeney, it seems, doubts the verdict. Until it is discovered that Mathilda's diaries have disappeared...'An atmosphere of tantalizing, overpowering menace...The tradition of the English whodunnit has passed into the safe hands and dangerous imagination of Minette Walters' - "The Times".


Undoped and Eu(3+)-doped glaserite-type orthovanadates CsK2Gd1-xEux[VO4]2 with various Eu(3+) concentrations of x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 were synthesized via the solid-state reaction. The formation of a single phase compound was verified through the X-ray diffraction studies. The photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation (PLE) spectra, PL decay curves, and absolute quantum efficiency (QE) were investigated. Unlike the conventional Eu(3+)-doped vanadates, these Eu(3+)-doped samples showed not only several sharp emission lines due to Eu(3+) but also a broad emission band with a maximum at 530 nm due to the [VO4](3-) host. The intensities of the host and Eu(3+) emissions increased when the Eu(3+) concentration was increased from x = 0 to x = 0.6 and decreased above x = 0.6. Similar concentration dependence was observed for QE. The host emission, even if in the Eu(3+)-condensed host of CsK2Eu(VO4), was never quenched indicating inefficient energy transfer from the host [VO4](3-) to Eu(3+). This inefficient energy transfer is understood by suppression of the energy transfer by the V-O-Eu bond angle deviated from 180° and the separation of Eu(3+) ions at the Gd(3+) site from [VO4](3-). Like the 530 nm charge transfer [VO4](3-) emission, two broad and intense PLE bands with maxima at 330 and 312 nm were observed for the Eu(3+) emission. A maximum QE of 38.5% was obtained from CsK2Gd1-xEux[VO4]2 (x = 0.6). A white-colored emission was obtained by the combination of the broad 530 nm emission band and the intense sharp lines due to Eu(3+) at 590-620 nm.


Differential (balanced) microstrip bandpass filters (BPFs) implemented by combining open split ring resonators (OSRRs) and open complementary split ring resonators (OCSRRs) are proposed. The OSRRs are series connected in both strips of the differential line, whereas the OCSRRs are paired face-to-face and connected between both line strips in a symmetric configuration. For the differential mode, the OCSRRs are virtually connected to ground and the structure can be modeled, to a first-order approximation, by a cascade of series resonators (OSRRs) alternating with shunt resonators (OCSRRs), i.e., the canonical circuit model of a BPF. These filters have the ability to suppress the common mode by properly adjusting the metallic area surrounding the OCSRRs. An order-3 balanced Chebyshev BPF is designed and fabricated to illustrate the possibilities of the approach. The filter does not require vias (contrary to previous single-ended microstrip BPFs based on OSRRs and OCSRRs), filter dimensions are small, and the common mode is efficiently suppressed with more than 20 dB rejection within the differential filter pass band.


In Ethiopian about 85% of the population has been supported by agricultural economy. However, crop production is becoming a risky business in the country in general and in the study area in particular. This study deals with land suitability evaluation of Lenche Dima Watershed by using maximum limitation system for the selected major rainfed cereal crops. Land mapping units were produced by overlaying LULC, soil, elevation and slope maps as well as climatic databases by using ArcInfo GIS 9.2 version; and suitability maps (S1, S2, S3 and N) for dominantly growing crops have been generated by matching the biophysical characteristics with crop requirements. Hence, the main challenging impediments with respect to land use planning and land resource management for sustainable use of the resources are clearly identified in this work. Therefore, the analysis is mainly essential for land use planners, natural resource managers, government officials and research institutions as well as for local farmers to achieve sustainable agriculture.


This paper discusses the phenomenon of brake squeal of a disc brake system used at motorcycle with a capacity of 125 cc. The occurrence of disc brake squeal is associated with the dynamic instability of the system with the influence coefficient of friction. The dynamic instability of the system is predicted using finite element complex eigenvalue analysis. The analysis predicted three unstable modes in the frequency range below 5 kHz. The unstable modes occurred at the frequency of 1250 Hz, 1920 Hz, and 2306 Hz. The occurrence of unstable mode is indicated by the presence of positive real part of the corresponding complex eigenvalue. Unstable mode is shown by the occurrence of coupled vibration between eigenvectors of disc and brake pads vibrating at similar frequency which consists of diametral mode of disc and bending modes of pads. The analysis also showed that the unstable condition could occur at a value of coefficient of friction as low as 0.2.


A curriculum is a planned educational experience. This broad definition includes everything from a single didactic lecture to a rotation or clerkship to an entire training program such as an internship, residency or fellowship. This guide is a six‐step approach for creating any of these curricula. Steps 1 through 6 include: (1) identify the problem, (2) perform a needs assessment, (3) create goals and objectives, (4) develop the program, (5) implement the program, and (6) evaluate participants and the program. Use of these steps may at first seem laborious, yet results are user friendly and simplify subsequent curricula updating. Education accrediting agencies are increasing their expectations for detailed curricula and evaluations. This approach helps meet these standards. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Introduction. Varicocele is detected in 15% of healthy men, in 35% – with primary and in 80% – with secondary infertility. At the moment, microsurgical varicocelectomy by sub-inguinal access is one of the most effective ways to treat varicocele in adult patients. Currently, there is no comprehensive data on the optimal treatment of varicocele recurrence. According to Russian clinical guidelines, testicular vein thrombosis is an extremely rare cause of varicocele development in the practice of a urologist. Material and methods. From November 2018 to February 2023, 118 patients were operated on for varicose veins of the scrotum organs. For all patients with the underlying disease, surgical aid was performed in the amount of micro-surgical subinguinal dissection of the testicular veins from the affected side (sides), or Marmara surgery. Results. The average duration of the operation was 46±11.3 minutes. In all the subjects, the period of hospitalization did not exceed one day. Complications in the postoperative period (according to the Cavien-Dindo scale) were not detected in any of the patients. The severity of the pain syndrome was determined by the VAS scale, and amounted to 0.78 ± 0.6 points. The average dose of non–narcotic analgesics (ketorolac, single dose – 30 mg) was 7.38 ± 3.63 mg. Recurrence of varicocele after microsurgical subinguinal dissection of testicular veins was recorded in 1.7% of patients. Conclusions. Marmara surgery is an effective method of surgical treatment of varicocele in spontaneous thrombosis. Recurrence of varicocele after microsurgical sublingual dissection of the testicular veins was recorded in 1.7% of patients. Spontaneous thrombosis of the branch of the testicular vein is a rare etiological factor of varicocele. The Marmara operation is an effective method of surgical treatment of varicocele with spontaneous thrombosis of the testicular vein.


Controlled transport of molecules across boundaries for energy exchange, sensing, and communication is an essential step toward cell-like synthetic systems. This communication between the gene expression compartment and the external environment requires reaction chambers that are permeable to molecular species that influence expression. In lipid vesicle reaction chambers, species that support expression – from small ions to amino acids – may diffuse across membranes and amplify protein production. However, vesicle-to-vesicle variation in membrane permeability may lead to low total expression and high variability in this expression. We demonstrate a simple optical treatment method that greatly reduces the variability in membrane permeability. When transport across the membrane was essential for expression, this optical treatment increased mean expression level by ~6-fold and reduced expression variability by nearly two orders of magnitude. These results demonstrate membrane engineering may enable essential steps toward cell-like synthetic systems. The experimental platform described here provides a means of understanding controlled transport motifs in individual cells and groups of cells working cooperatively through cell-to-cell molecular signaling.


Th is study investigated the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Scales of Psychological Well-being (Ryff , 1989a). Th e sample of the study consists of 1214 university students. Results of language equivalency showed that correlations between the Turkish and English forms were .94 for autonomy, .97 for environmental mastery, .97 for personal growth, .96 for positive relations with others, .96 for purpose in life, and .95 for self-acceptance. Th e total variance explained was 68% and factor loadings ranged from .30 to .94. Fit index values of the model were RMSEA=.072, NFI=.97, IFI= .98, RFI=.97, CFI=.98, GFI=.93, and SRMR=.062. Internal consistencies varied between .87 and .96 and test-retest reliability coeff icients ranged between .78 and .97 for six subscales. Th ese results demonstrate that the scale is a valid and reliable instrument.


Nowadays, dental implantation has occupied one of the leading places in a complex of methods for treatment of different dental diseases; one cannot but estimate its role in restoration of patients' quality of life. The number of applied dental implants is growing; indications for dental implantation are widening. Reconstructive-restorative surgeries on the jaws are in common ambulatory practice. Wide spreading of dental implantation techniques made it possible to use implants not only for patients with partial and full absence of teeth, but also in such a problematic category of patients as those with acquired jaw-bone defects. One of varieties of dental implantation is mini-dental implantation. Indisputable advantage of this technology is a possibility of direct load that is important for stabilization of both traditional removable dentures and resectional, forming and substitution dentures, used by patients after the performed oral surgery. Fixation of removable dentures with dental mini-implants improves the prosthesis stability, function, phonation and esthetics. Use of these implants is very effective from the economic point of view that should be taken into consideration while planning orthopedic treatment.


The purpose of this study was to describe how well siblings view potential stigma in childhood chronic illness. Results of interview of 27 siblings are discussed using three major categories: revealing of the chronic illness to others, responses to the ill child, and impact of the illness on daily living.


Based on the triangular lattice two-dimensional photonic crystal (PC), the lattice spacing along the transverse direction to propagation is altered, and a gradient PC (GPC) flat lens is designed. The band structures and equal frequency curves of the GPC are calculated; then, the imaging mechanism and feasibility are analyzed. The imaging characteristics of the GPC flat lens are investigated. It is observed that the GPC can achieve multiple types of super-resolution imaging for the point source. This GPC lens is allowed to be applied to imaging and other fields such as filtering and sensing.


The motion control and the programmable logic controller (PLC) are essential sub-modules in the industry automation systems. The integration of motion control teaching components into a course has been successful for the past two years. Practicing programming with a PLC trainer provides a limited range of real world experiences which usually involves various motion control components. Therefore, various assignments using input/output (I/O) devices could be given to students to exercise development of ladder logic diagrams. But more dynamic applications with motion control components are necessary to train and prepare students for the real world. The development of the PLC controlled four-story elevator is the final project assignment for students in the advanced PLC course. This final project requires the following tasks: the development of interfacing software for the human machine interface (HMI) terminal, the design of a hoist using a stepper motor, the implementation of a position-sensing mechanism, the completion of a ladder logic diagram for entire elevator control and the development of a miniature four-story frame that will enclose a carriage. In this paper, various PLC-based motion control topics, which are necessary to complete the final project, are introduced and the implementation details of the PLC controlled four-story elevator is discussed.


Abstract. In this paper we describe the Graz seismo-electromagnetic very low frequency (VLF) facility, as part of the European VLF receiver network, together with the scientific objectives and results from two years operation. After a brief technical summary of the present system – with heritage from a predecessor facility – i.e. hardware, software, operational modes and environmental influences, we discuss results from statistical data and scientific events related to terrestrial VLF propagation over Europe.


The Good Soldier (1915) is a novel famously preoccupied by disorders of the heart, whether real, invented, or misdiagnosed. This essay examines Ford Madox Ford's magnum opus in light of his own experiences of medical treatment (including in the spa town of Nauheim where the novel is set), showing just how directly it reflects contemporary innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. These innovations were a result of the advent of 'the new cardiology,' a movement that sought to disaggregate cardiac and psychiatric diagnoses, bringing to an end a period in which doctors might consider emotions and desires 'matters of the heart' in a more than metaphorical sense. The essay aims, firstly, to illustrate how The Good Soldier captures a crucial moment in heart medicine, and secondly, to model an interdisciplinary approach to representations of affect and the body in modernist fiction that emphasises their enmeshment with early twentieth century medical culture.


The theoretical and data-analytic work on upper and lower atmosphere coupling performed under a NASA Headquarters contract during the period April 1978 to March 1979 are summarized. As such, this report is primarily devoted to an overview of various studies published and to be published under this contract. Individual study reports are collected as exhibits. Work performed under the subject contract are in the following four areas of upper-lower atmosphere coupling: (1) Magnetosphere-ionosphere electrodynamic coupling in the aurora; (2) Troposphere-thermosphere coupling; (3) Ionosphere-neutral-atmosphere coupling; and (4) Planetary wave dynamics in the middle atmosphere.


Summary Micromotions between stem and neck adapter depend on prosthesis design and material coupling. Based on the results of this study, the amount of micromotion seems to reflect the risk of fretting-induced fatigue in vivo.

Introduction Bimodular hip prostheses were developed to allow surgeons an individual reconstruction of the hip joint by varying length, offset and anteversion in the operation theatre. Despite these advantages, the use of these systems led to a high rate of postoperative complications resulting in revision rates of up to 11% ten years after surgical intervention. During daily activities taper connections of modular hip implants are highly stressed regions and contain the potential of micromotions between adjacent components, fretting and corrosion. This might explain why an elevated number of fretting-induced neck fractures occurred in clinics. However, some bi-modular prostheses (e.g. Metha, Aesculap, Ti-Ti) are more often affected by those complications than others (e.g. H-Max M, Limacorporate, Ti-Ti or Metha, Ti-CoCr) implying that the design and the material coupling have an impact on this failure pattern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify whether clinical successful prostheses offer lower micromotions than those with an elevated number of in vivo fractures.

Materials and Methods Two different bimodular hip designs (Metha and H-Max M, n = 6 each) were tested in vitro. Embedded Ti6Al4V (Ti) stems were assembled with Ti or CoCr29Mo (CoCr) necks and sinusoidally loaded (f = 1 Hz, 10,000 cycles) ranging from 0.23 to 4.30 kN (peak to peak, represents going upstairs) using a servohydraulic testing machine (MiniBionix II, MTS). Based on the results of four eddy-current sensors, micromotions were assessed in the region of the crack origin of fractured prostheses (lateral radius). Due to the test set-up, the recorded displacement includes, beside the real micromotions, the elastic deformation between sensor holder and reflector. The amount of the elastic deformation was determined using the finite-element technique. For statistical analyses Twoway-ANOVAs were performed (α = 0.05).

Results The H-Max M prostheses exhibited significantly lower micromotions compared to Metha prostheses (1.8 ± 2.2 µm vs. 4.1 ± 3.2 µm, p = 0.03). For Ti-Ti couplings, Metha prostheses showed a trend towards higher micromotions compared to H-Max M (6.5 ± 1.6 µm vs. 3.6 ± 1.5 µm, p = 0.08). Independent of the design, prostheses with Ti neck adapters caused significantly higher micromotions than those with CoCr adapters (5.1 ± 2.1 µm vs. 0.8 ± 1.6 µm, p < 0.01). No differences between the clinically used Metha prostheses with CoCr neck adapters and H-Max M prostheses with Ti necks were found (2.6 ± 2.0 µm, p = 0.25).

Discussion Both, the material coupling and the design influence the interface micromotions. The magnitude of micromotions might explain why bimodular hip systems are susceptible to fretting-induced fractures; however, the threshold for critical micromotions is still not known. The results of this study indicate that the amount of micromotion at taper interfaces could be directly linked to the risk of clinical failure.


INTRODUCTION
Widespread PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening has resulted in stage migration of prostate cancer. Smaller tumor volumes are being detected in radical prostatectomy specimens. This has coincided with increasing reports about the 'vanishing cancer phenomenon.'

AIMS
To analyse the cases of robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) at our institute in which the pre operative prostate biopsy was positive for adenocarcinoma but no tumor could be identified in the final histopathology, and to review the literature for possible reasons for such a phenomenon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nine patients were identified out of a total of 184 cases of RALP in which the final histopathology did not correlate with the initial biopsy report. The initial biopsy slides as well as the final histopathology slides were reviewed by a second pathologist. The specimens were processed in entirety and additional sections were taken until no tissue was left.

RESULTS
Two patients had cancer diagnosed on TURP (transurethral resection of prostate) chips, while the remaining patients had undergone TRUS biopsy for elevated PSA. The final histopathological diagnosis was benign prostatic hyperplasia in two patients, chronic prostatitis in four patients, and acute florid prostatitis in one patient, granulomatous prostatitis with glandulostromal hyperplasia in one patient and TCC (transitional cell carcinoma) of prostate in one patient.

CONCLUSION
Most cases of pT0 are due to inability of routine histopathological analysis to identify minute tumor focus. Urologists need to be aware of this in view of the potential medico legal implications.


he a prospective study of the effect of body weight of 70 patients with lymphoma on the levels of serum sialic acid forms, total sialic acid, bound sialic acid, free sialic acid and lipid sialic acid were measured. The results were compared with those obtained from control groups which consisted of 50 person of matched age and sex. Objective: To determine the influence of body weight on the serum sialic acid forms. Methods: The patients were categorized into four groups according to the certain statistical methods. The first group comprised 24 patients who have weight 5-20Kg range. The second group comprised 13 patients who have weight 21-40Kg range. The third group comprised 12 patients who have weight 41-60Kg range. The fourth group comprised 21 patients who have weight >60Kg. Results: Significant elevations (P<0.005) of total sialic acid, bound sialic acid, free sialic acid, and lipid associated sialic acid (TSA, BSA, FSA, and LSA respectively) levels were seen in all groups of lymphoma patients when compared with those of the healthy subjects. Total serum protein was decreased significantly (P<0.005) and TSA/TP, BSA/TP, FSA/TP, and LSA/TP ratios raised significantly (P<0.005) in the cancer patients in comparison with those of the healthy individuals. Conclusion: Sialic acid is not specific marker for detecting lymphoma patients.


Boundary spanning links organisations to one another in order to create mutually beneficial relationships; it is a concept developed and used in organisational theory but rarely used to understand organisational structures in higher education (Pruitt & Schwartz, 1999). Yet understanding boundary spanning activity has the capacity to help universities respond to demands for continuous quality improvement, and to increase capacity to react to environmental uncertainty. At a time of rapid change characterised by a fluctuating economic environment, globalisation, increased mobility, and ecological issues, boundary spanning could be viewed as a key element in assisting institutions in effectively understanding and responding to such change. The literature suggests that effective boundary spanning could help universities improve organisational performance, use of infrastructure and resources, intergroup relations, leadership styles, performance and levels of job satisfaction, technology transfer, knowledge creation, and feedback processes, amongst other things.

Our research aims to put a face on boundary spanning (Miller, 2008) by contextualising it within organisational systems and structures in university departments responsible for work related programs i.e. Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Co-operative Education (Co-op). In this paper these approaches are referred to collectively as work related programs. The authors formed a research team in Victoria, British Columbia in 2009 at a sponsored international research forum, Two Days in June. The purpose of the invitation-only forum was to investigate commonalities and differences across programs and to formulate an international research agenda for work related programs over the next five to ten years. Researchers from Queensland University of Technology, University of Cincinnati, Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, University of Ottawa,and Dublin City University agreed that further research was needed into the impact
stakeholders, organisational systems, structures, policies, and practices have on departments delivering work related programs. This paper illustrates how policy and practice across the five institutions can be better understood through the lens of boundary spanning. It is argued that boundary spanning is an area of theory and practice with great applicability to a better understanding of the activity of these departments. The paper concludes by proposing topics for future research to examine how boundary spanning can be used to better understand practice and change in work related programs.