Background: Cervical lymphadenopathy is a commonly encountered clinical problem. Patients either present with palpable neck masses or with malignancy of the head and neck where the preoperative detection of the involved nodes is essential. Ultrasound and color/power Doppler are used to localize the node and evaluate their multiplicity, size, shape (roundness index), hilum status, margin, calcification, necrosis (>3 mm), and perilymphnodal edema. Color and power Doppler is used to know the pattern of vascularity and doppler indices [resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI)].
Objective: To determine the role of ultrasound and color/power Doppler in the differentiatiation of benign and malignant nodes and in tapering the differential diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: Eighty lymph nodes were evaluated with ultrasound and color Doppler and correlated later with histopathology reports over a period of 18 months (May 2013 to November 2014) referred to Department of Radiology at Katuri Medical College and Hospital. Roundness index ( 0.8 ,and PI > 1.5 were the criteria taken to diagnose the malignant involvement of the lymph node.

Results: Of the 80 lymph nodes examined, 22 are proved to be malignant on histopathology examination. Features such as roundness index, absence of hilum, and vascular pattern demonstrated sensitivities of 91%, 86%, and 86% and positive predictive values (PPVs) of 71%, 73%, and 86%, respectively. Among these features, pattern of vascularity and Doppler indices showed high PPV.

Conclusions: Ultrasound and color Doppler findings of roundness index, absence of hilum, vascular pattern, and impedance values revealed good PPV, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy reaching 90% in differentiating benign from malignant lymph nodes.


ABSTRACT The health crisis that began in early 2020 has generated a large amount of interest in the effect of COVID-19 on public health. The majority of this work has centered around trying to better understand how the virus spreads, where it spreads, who is at risk and when, in order to provide evidence-based guidance to the public, and stop the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control has continued to report the largely somber findings; however, there are silver linings. The temporary reduction in daily global CO2 emissions was one of these, but there are others. In this case study on Miami-Dade County, Fl, a regression discontinuity model is used to highlight reductions in both drunk driving crashes and driving under the influence arrests. While we observed immediate reductions in both crashes and arrests as a result of the March 2020 lockdown, more importantly over the duration of the year since the lockdown we observed a staggering reduction of over 800 fewer driving under the influence arrests and almost 150 alcohol-related motor-vehicle crashes.


This paper presents a modified algorithm for the estimation of linear frequency modulated signal of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data, which is based on phase unwrapping and polynomial fitting. On the mathematical model of SAR raw data, the paper analyzes the Doppler parameters estimation of the key problem to generate high quality SAR images, considering the raw signal is embedded in additive noise. The results of simulation show that the new method is reasonable and can make blind processing SAR raw data, and improve images quality


Male rats received LiCl for one week either by continuous intracerebroventricular injection from osmotic minipumps or by oral administration in the diet. Control groups received corresponding treatment with NaCl. The intracerebroventricular lithium treatment produced relatively high lithium levels in brain regions (0.6-2.3 mmol/kg) and negligible lithium levels in plasma (less than 0.1 mmol/l) while the oral treatment produced moderate lithium levels in brain regions as well as in blood (0.5-0.9 mmol/kg and 0.5-0.75 mmol/l, respectively). Body weight loss and enhanced water intake occurred in groups given oral lithium treatment as well as in those given lithium via minipumps. The results suggest that administration of lithium by minipumps may be of use to study central actions of lithium.


An overview of the current state of vacuum-arc-based coating technology is presented, with particular emphasis on defining those areas where further investigation would reap the greatest benefits. Particular attention is given to the 'continuous' cathodic arc, which is currently the best understood approach and which has been most successfully adapted for large-scale commercial coating in the United States. It is noted that the greatest promise of ion-based coating technology based on the vacuum arc is the potential for increased control over the coating process. Unlike the case for neutral coating atoms, the presence of a charge on coating ions gives a 'handle' to exert forces on them using electrostatic fields. One can in theory control the trajectory of these ions between the coating source and part to be coated. One can also control the energy with which they impact the substrate. It may even be possible to control the extent of their reactivity. >


This paper presents an investigation of specific optical fiber core mode leakage behavior that occurs in high-power double-clad fiber lasers as a result of thermally-induced refractive index variations. A model of the power transfer between the core modes and the cladding modes during thermally-induced refractive index variations is established based on the mode coupling theory. The results of numerical simulations based on actual laser parameters are presented. Experimental measurements were also carried out, the results showed good agreement with the corresponding simulation results.


Three disubstituted N-confused porphyrins (2-4) were prepared in ca. 4% yield using a one-pot synthesis. These porphyrins bear 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl groups substituted at the C(5) and C(20) meso positions and para-substituted (Br, NO(2), ethynyl) phenyl groups at the C(10) and C(15) meso positions. The specific orientation of the aryl rings around the macrocycle in porphyrin 2 was definitively determined using a combination of 1D ((1)H and (13)C) and 2D (gHMQC and gHMBC) NMR spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of 2-4 in CH(2)Cl(2) and dimethylacetamide are similar to those of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin in the same solvents but have Soret and Q-bands that are shifted to lower energies. Steady-state fluorescence measurements revealed Q(x)(0,0) and Q(x)(0,1) bands similar in energy to the unsubstituted NCPs 1i and 1e. The fluorescence quantum yield results for two of these NCPs (2, 4) are atypical of porphyrin behavior and are being further investigated by time-resolved spectroscopy.


We consider a recently-proposed alternative explanation of the CV period gap in terms of a revised mass-radius relation for the lower main sequence. We show that no such thermal-equilibrium relation is likely to produce a true gap. Using population synthesis techniques we calculate a model population that obeys the claimed equilibrium mass-radius relation. A theoretical period histogram obtained from this population shows two prominent period spikes rather than a gap. We consider also recent arguments suggesting that the period gap itself may not be real. We argue that, far from demonstrating a weakness of the interrupted-braking picture, the fact that most CV subtypes prefer one side of the gap or the other is actually an expected consequence of it.


Fourteen asthmatics volunteered to stop smoking. Seven managed to stop for only 24 h and seven for 1 week. There was a significant increase in peak flow and specific airways conductance as early as the first 24 h of abstention, while after 7 days of abstention there was a further increase in peak flow and specific airways conductance and a reduction in bronchial responsiveness to histamine. Two subjects felt that their symptoms were worse while abstaining and one of these showed an increase in bronchial responsiveness. After abstention for 1 week, four of the seven subjects recorded an improvement in symptoms. Asthmatics who smoke should be encouraged to stop. Despite an improvement in symptoms and objective measurements, asthmatics may find it difficult to stop smoking and will need considerable help and encouragement if they are to succeed.


This paper presents the modification of a non-iterative algorithm for the component-oriented simulation of the dynamics of multibodies. Now the method can be implemented for the component-oriented simulation of the dynamics of CAD systems with redundant constraints. Also the new version of the method is well-suitable for the implementation of sparse solvers. The algorithm was implemented in the Virtual System Designer (VSD) software, integrated with a CAD tool Autodesk Inventor. The simulation results of two CAD models: a car and a steam machine shows the method's stability and accuracy.Copyright © 2007 by ASME


A sampling design of local stereology is combined with a method from digital stereology to yield a novel estimator of surface area based on counts of configurations observed in a digitization of an isotropic 2dimensional slice with thickness s. As a tool, a result of the second author and J. Rataj on infinitesimal increase of volumes of morphological transforms is refined and used. The proposed surface area estimator is asymptotically unbiased in the case of sets contained in the ball centred at the origin with radius s and in the case of balls centred at the origin with unknown radius. For general shapes bounds for the asymptotic expected relative worst case error are given. A simulation example is discussed for surface area estimation based on 2×2×2-configurations.


BACKGROUND
The assessment of the quality of life among patients and their parents is increasingly recognized as an important chronic disease such as asthma.

OBJECTIVE
The present study assessed the validity and reliability of the Thai Mini PAQLQ in Thai asthmatic children by comparison with the PAQLQ.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
The authors performed a 9-week Descriptive cross sectional study. The mini PAQLQ (Thai version) consists of11 items which are categorized into symptoms, activities, emotions. Cronbach 's alpha was used to test for internal consistency reliability. The Pearson's correlation co-efficients was used to test Criterion validity.

RESULTS
58 patients, aged 7-17 years were recruited in the study. 45 patients completed the study. The mean age ofpatients was 10.5 +/- 2.7 years. The intraclass correlation between PAQLQ andMiniPAQLQfor total, activities and symptoms were moderately strong except in emotion domain (ICC = 0.65). The correlations between the PAQLQ and MiniPAQLQ were 0.80-0.72. Both quality of life questionnaires correlated strongly with the asthma control questionnaire but not with PEFR.

CONCLUSION
The MiniPAQLQ is valid and reliable when compared to the PAQLQ. It can be used with confidencefor monitoring in a pediatric asthma clinic.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of rectus femoris transfer in cerebral palsy children with stiff-knee gait. Thirty-eight affected limbs in 24 children were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively by gait analysis, with 26 limbs in 18 patients having final study, averaging 4.6 years postoperatively. Functional ambulatory status was evaluated based on Hoffer's criteria on ambulation. There were statistically significant improvements of 9.8° in maximum swing-phase knee flexion and 7.0° in total range of knee motion at 1 year, with a small loss of knee extension in stance. At final gait analysis, the improvement in the swing-phase knee flexion was maintained, but improvement in total range of knee motion was decreased. There were no significant changes in temporal parameters. Improvement in swing-phase knee flexion and foot clearance after rectus femoris transfer was associated with loss of knee extension at long-term follow-up. Hamstring lengthening in patients who develop excessive stance-phase knee flexion may be necessary.


In this paper, we propose a coverage control system for a multi-robot team with heterogeneous capabilities to patrol or monitor a bounded environment. The capability could be defined as any criterion of robots like remaining power or mobile speed, depending on the purpose. The proposed control system aims to allocate different portions of the environment to the robots according to their capabilities, i.e., the robot with higher capability takes a larger portion of the environment while the robot with lower capability takes a smaller one. We use the block coordinate descent (BCD) method to optimize the location of portions and the partitioning method alternately. A centralized machine is used to synchronize the robots and the gradient of each robot can be computed in a distributed manner. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed control system.


In this article, we describe and evaluate the extent to which recent changes to state-level policy are related to seclusion and restraint in schools and detail what components of comprehensive restraint and seclusion policy are indicated. We examined state policy documents and coded them for the presence of specific characteristics related to prevention of problem behavior, intervention, and reporting. Results indicate a clear consensus that restraint and seclusion procedures should be used only as a last resort in the case of emergency and not as a punitive measure. Additional policy trends include recommendations for the use of positive behavior supports and the use of deescalation strategies. Some debate exists about the use of time limits and limitations on specific techniques, such as prone restraints.


Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medically complex and life-disrupting condition. It is estimated that 17,700 new traumatic SCI cases are reported each year in the United States. Approximately half of those cases, involves paralysis, sensory loss, and impaired motor control in the upper extremity (UE) and lower extremities. Such impairments could affect the person's independence as well as their family members and caregiver. The limitation at the UE can significantly limit the general activities of daily living (ADL). The purpose of this paper is to determine the daily utilization effects on changing the handgrip AROM and handgrip forces before and after providing upper extremity in-clinic rehabilitation along with at-home utilization using an UE myoelectric powered wearable orthosis (UE-MPWO) in a person with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). This device helps restore function to the weakened or paralyzed UE muscles. We demonstrate that the handgrip AROM and handgrip force improved after 6-weeks of training with the UE-MPWO. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of UE-MPWO (MyoPro) when utilized for in-clinic rehabilitation combined with at-home daily use in improving UE movement and function of people with iSCI.Clinical Relevance— The results of in-clinic rehabilitation combined with at-home daily utilization suggest that this UE-MPWO may improve UE function. The examined UE-MPWO could represent a relatively good example as a rehabilitation and assistive tool for persons with iSCI.


As part of our research on the manufacturing science of micron scale polymer-based devices, an automated production cell has been developed to explore its use in a volume manufacturing environment. This "micro-factory" allows the testing of models and hardware that have resulted from research on material characterization and simulation, tooling and equipment design and control, and process control and metrology. More importantly it has allowed us to identify the problems that exist between and within unit-processes. This paper details our efforts to produce basic micro-fluidic products in high volume at acceptable production rates and quality levels. The device chosen for our first product is a simple binary micromixer with 40x50 micron channel cross section manufactured by embossing of PMMA. The processes in the cell include laser cutting and drilling, hot embossing, thermal bonding and high-speed inspection of the components. Our goal is to create a "lights-out" factory that can make long production runs (e.g. an 8 hour shift) at high rates (Takt time of less than 3 minutes) with consistent quality. This contrasts with device foundries where prototypes in limited quantities but with high variety are the goal. Accordingly, rate and yield are dominant factors in this work, along with the need for precise material handling strategies. Production data will be presented to include process run charts, sampled functional testing of the products and measures of the overall system throughput.


The exogenously hypercholesterolemic (ExHC) rat is an established strain that exhibits a polygenic syndrome of hypercholesterolemia after feeding on a cholesterol-containing diet, and the extent of this differs between male and female rats in the strain. The present study was performed to determine the genetic background of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in ExHC rats. We used quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of the F2 progeny derived from ExHC and Brown-Norway rats. Rats were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol, and a genome-wide scan was then performed. Significant QTLs for serum total cholesterol levels were revealed on chromosomes 5 and 14 in the vicinity of markers D5Rat95 and D14Rat43, having maximum logarithm of the odds scores of 6.0 and 5.8, respectively. A suggestive QTL for the trait was also detected on chromosome 3 at D3Rat140. In particular, the QTL on chromosome 5 was specific for female rats. These loci were novel QTLs for postdietary serum total cholesterol levels. In addition, cross-mating analysis in F1 generations suggested that the responsiveness to dietary cholesterol in ExHC rats is partly attributable to X-linked inheritance. Identifying such genetic factors may be useful in predicting the risks associated with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in humans.


Hydroxysteroid (alcohol) sulfotransferases catalyze the sulfation of several endogenous steroids and many hydrophobic xenobiotic alcohols. The substrate stereoselectivities of sulfotransferases may be critically important in determining their overall roles in metabolism of drugs, carcinogens, and other xenobiotics. In the present work, stereoselectivity of the human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase ST2A3 (also variously named as SULT2A1 or human DHEA-ST) was examined through analysis of its catalytic activities with the enantiomers of 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol and 2-naphthyl-1-ethanol. The kcat/Km value for sulfation of the R-(+)-enantiomer of 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol catalyzed by ST2A3 was 3.3 min-1mM-1, whereas the S-(-)-enantiomer was not a substrate for the enzyme. S-(-)-1-naphthyl-1-ethanol did however interact with ST2A3 as an inhibitor of the sulfation of dehydroepiandrosterone. This substrate stereospecificity was not present with the enantiomers of 2-naphthyl-1-ethanol, since both were substrates for the enzyme. Such differences between the sulfation of 1- and 2-naphthyl-1-ethanol are consistent with the importance of steric interactions between the ethanol group and a hydrogen atom at the peri-position (C8) on the naphthyl ring in 1-naphthyl-1-ethanol that combine with the topology of the enzyme's active site to determine stereospecificity.


The 86-item Midi-Mult was compared with the full MMPI in two studies. In Study 1, the Midi-Mult was extracted from the MMPI answer sheets for 301 patients. Correlations between comparable scales ranged from .65 to .89. Most scales showed significant differences in T-score elevations between the two forms, although the magnitudes were small. High-point codes derived from each form yielded good agreement in less than one quarter of the cases, while agreement improved with increasing pathology. In Study 2, the Midi-Mult was both extracted from the MMPI and administered separately. Correlations and high-point code agreement for 15 psychiatric patients were generally lower with the separately administered form. It was concluded that the Midi-Mult could not be used as an alternative to the MMPI for most clinical applications.


This proceedings consists of papers presented at the Cold Regions Engineering Specialty Conference held in West Lebanon, New Hampshire from February 26-28, 1991. The papers cover nine different subject areas of cold regions engineering: frozen soil mechanics, frost action, sanitary engineering, building construction, river ice hydraulics, roads/airfields, ice mechanics, cold regions instrumentation, and drifting snow. Within these broad categories, such topics as sludge dewatering in freezing beds; research of shock waves in frozen soil; impact of cold weather on construction scheduling; river ice management; soil-stress cell interaction; fractal crushing; and snow fence materials are discussed. The research presented in this proceedings will not only help the engineer to understand many of the problems related to launching any type of activity in the cold regions of the world, but will also provide him with possible solutions to these problems.


The reliability and safety of intravenous urography were studied in 654 patients. The injection consisted of 25 cc. of Renografin (a 60% aqueous solution of the methylglucamine salt of 3,5-diacetylamido-2,4,6-triiodobenzoate) given over a period of three minutes; in only three cases were smaller doses used. There were no severe reactions, but vomiting occurred in 11 patients. One of these had a history of allergy, and another had not been properly prepared. The low incidence of reactions was striking because the ages of the patients ranged from 7 to 84 years and 16 had histories of allergy or severe reactions to previously administered contrast agents. Satisfactory roentgenograms of the kidneys were obtained in 636 (97%) of the cases, demonstrating the great diagnostic value of this procedure.


Modeling landslide susceptibility is one of the important aspects of land use planning and risk management. Several modeling methods are available based either on highly specialized knowledge on causative attributes or on good landslide inventory data to use as training and testing attribute on model development. Understandably, these two criteria are rarely available for local land regulators. This paper presents a new model methodology, which requires minimum knowledge of causative attributes and does not depend on landslide inventory. As landslide causes due to the combined effect of causative attributes, this model utilizes communality (common variance) of the attributes, extracted by exploratory factor analysis and used for calculation of landslide susceptibility index. The model can understand the inter-relationship of different geo-environmental attributes responsible for landslide along with identification and prioritization of attributes on model performance to delineate non-performing attributes. Finally, the model performance is compared with the well established AHP method (knowledge driven) and FRM method (data driven) by cut-off independent ROC curves along with cost-effectiveness. The model shows it's performance almost at par with the established models, involving minimum modeling expertise. The findings and results of the present work will be helpful for the town planners and engineers on a regional scale for generalized planning and assessment.


In search of water-soluble artemisinin derivatives that are more stable than sodium artesunate, over 30 derivatives containing an amino group (compounds 3-5) were synthesized and tested in mice. All products tested (except 5a and 5b) are the beta isomers. These basic compounds combined with organic acids (oxalic acid, maleic acid, etc. ) to yield the corresponding salts. Generally, the maleates have better solubility in water than the corresponding oxalates. The aqueous solutions of these salts can be kept at room temperature for several weeks without any discernible decomposition. Compounds 3f, 3h, and 3r are much more active against P. berghei than artesunic acid by oral administration and therefore were further tested in monkeys. However, their oral efficacies are poorer than that of artesunic acid against P. knowlesi in rhesus monkeys. It is interesting to note that 3f, 3h, and 3r showed much lower efficacies against P. berghei when they were administered subcutaneously than orally.


The most lethal organophosphorus nerve agents (NA), like sarin, soman, agent-VX and Russian-VX, share a methylphosphonate moiety. Pseudomonas diminuta phosphotriesterase (PTE) catalyses the hydrolysis of methylphosphonate NA analogues with a catalytic efficiency orders of magnitude lower than that towards the pesticide paraoxon. With a view to obtaining PTE variants that more readily accept methylphosphonate NA, ~75,000 PTE variants of the substrate-binding residues Gly-60, Ile-106, Leu-303 and Ser-308 were screened with fluorogenic analogues of the NA Russian-VX and cyclosarin. Seven new PTE variants were isolated, purified and their k(cat)/K(M) determined against five phosphotriesters and five methylphosphonate analogues of sarin, cyclosarin, soman, agent-VX and Russian-VX. The novel PTE variants exhibited as much as a 10-fold increase in activity towards the methylphosphonate compounds--many reaching a k(cat)/K(M) of 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹--and as much as a 29,000-fold decrease in their phosphotriesterase activity. The mutations found in two of the variants, SS0.5 (G60V/I106L/S308G) and SS4.5 (G60V/I106A/S308G), were modelled into a high-resolution structure of PTE-wild type and docked with analogues of cyclosarin and Russian-VX using Autodock 4.2. The kinetic data and docking simulations suggest that the increase in activity towards the methylphosphonates and the loss of function against the phosphotriesters were due to an alteration of the shape and hydrophobicity of the binding pocket that hinders the productive binding of non-chiral racemic phosphotriesters, yet allows the binding of the highly asymmetric methylphosphonates.


The Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) was initiated by the Nigerian government to boost agricultural production through the provision of 'smart subsidies' on some farm inputs to small‑scale farmers. This review highlights the successes and challenges of the Scheme's implementation process across the country. The study reviewed scholarly articles and other secondary data from government sources on the scheme. Findings from the study revealed that the Scheme was able to deliver subsidised agricultural inputs to small-scale farmers with relative ease and at affordable rate which was able to boost farm output. However, the scheme is affected majorly by its politicization, the inability of the governments to release funds to agro-dealers leading to late delivery of inputs and the lack of support service (extension) to farmers. Based on these findings, it is therefore recommended that, adequate synergy should be established between all collaborating agencies of the government participating in the scheme to ensure adequate release of funds, timely disbursement of farm inputs and the provision of suitable support services to farmers.


Pain and suffering are the most common, and distressing, complaints of patients. Opiates remain the drugs of choice for severe pain. A review of the current information known about these drugs is essential not only for any anesthesiologist, but for any physician. The term "opioid" refers to any peptide that binds stereospecifically to opioid receptors, regardless of whether it occurs naturally or is chemically synthesized. There are five basic classes of opioid receptors that have been discovered. Understanding each of the receptor's activities and side-effects is essential for proper use of available opiates. This review will provide current information of the opioid receptors. Not only will understanding result in better patient care but it will encourage greater research in this field.


Peterson, S. 2000. Controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders Studies for Program Management in Sub-Saharan Africa. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine 943. 100 pp. Uppsala. ISBN. 91-554-4774-0. Studies were performed to improve iodine deficiency control programs. Goitre rates and cassava processing practices were compared in three Central African Republic (CAR) populations. Short-cuts in cassava processing were associated with elevated urinary thiocyanate and increased goitre rates, suggesting a goitrogenic effect in one population. While improved cassava processing may be beneficial, the priority is to correct the iodine deficiency. The use of the urinary iodine/tiocyanate ratio as indicator of goitrogenic effects was explored using data from Tanzania and CAR. As the ratio can be calculated in four mathematically different ways and has physiological shortcomings, its use is discouraged. Biannual iodised oil capsule (IOC) distribution in a Tanzanian population of 7 million during nine years was studied. Mean distribution coverage was 64%, mean delay of subsequent distribution 1.25 years, and only 43% of targeted person-time was covered. The cost of capsules constituted more than 90% of total program costs. It is cost-effective to invest more funds in communication, support of peripheral staff and supervision. In a highland Tanzanian village, salt iodine content was highly variable compared to national standards. While school-children had adequate urinary iodine, women at delivery and newborns showed signs of inadequate iodine status. Salt iodine concentrations should be monitored during production and distribution down to household level, and iodine status assessed in all vulnerable groups before adjusting recommended salt iodization levels at production. WHO's 1994 change in palpation goitre definition considerably lowered specificity and increased measured goitre rates by 25% in Tanzanian schoolchildren compared to the previous system. Ultrasound estimation of thyroid volume under rugged field conditions requires considerable human and material resources yet had a precision only slightly better than palpation. In resource poor settings appropriately trained palpators using the 1960 WHO definition of goitre remain optimal for estimating thyroid size until precision and cost of ultrasound has improved. Monitoring of process indicators needs to be an ongoing priority activity, separate from periodic evaluations of impact.


Familial colorectal cancer (CRC) is heterogeneous. Screening recommendations do exist for individuals with a mild to moderate family history of CRC, with or without early age at onset. However, most attention has properly focused on the identification of individuals in whom a defined susceptibility gene mutation can be found. The past 20 years has seen the discovery genes for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), its variant forms (attenuated FAP and the recessive MYH-associated polyposis or MAP), nonadenomatous polyposes, and hereditary nonpolyposis CRC (HNPCC). A few retrospective and prospective studies support current recommendations for endoscopic surveillance in FAP and HNPCC, the main subjects of this paper. Where firm data have been lacking, various professional organizations have been very willing to provide consensus clinical practice guidelines. General guidelines need to be tailored to the peculiarities of a patient's circumstances, a task best accomplished in the hands of practitioners familiar with the natural history of the condition. Improvements in the technology of endoscopic treatment of adenomas now enable increasingly aggressive nonsurgical intervention. To this may be added opportunities for chemoprevention, currently consisting mainly of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Surveillance, chemoprevention, and imaginative hybrid surveillance/endoscopic therapy/chemoprevention trials may gradually decrease the present dependence on prophylactic colectomy/proctocolectomy.


String gas cosmology is a natural approach to cosmology within string theory. Two of its novelties are that it provides means to replace the singular evolution of the early universe with a smooth, possibly cyclic phase and that it suggests a dynamical mechanism for selecting at most three spatial dimensions that can grow large cosmologically. This work presents some progress in these two directions. By implementing simple corrections to gravitational dynamics, it is shown how string gas cosmology can give rise to cyclic and bouncing models in the early universe. These models have some attractive features such as an eventual exit to a radiation dominated, big-bang-like expanding universe, and a loitering phase that can address the horizon problem of standard big-bang cosmology. Regarding decompactification, the Brandenberger-Vafa mechanism is explored, and it is shown that within the framework of string gas cosmology, a semiclassical treatment of fundamental string interactions in the early universe largely favors the growth of three, and not more, spatial dimensions to cosmological scales.


The increase in the population and its need to produce food has caused the level of contamination by organic waste to increase exponentially in recent years. Innovative methods have been proposed for the use of this waste and thus to mitigate its impact. One of these is to use it as fuel in microbial fuel cells to generate electricity. This research aims to generate bioelectricity using coriander waste in microbial fuel cells. The maximum voltage and current observed were 0.882 ± 0.154 V and 2.287 ± 0.072 mA on the seventh and tenth day, respectively, these values were obtained working at an optimum operating pH of 3.9 ± 0.16 and with an electrical conductivity of 160.42 ± 4.54 mS/cm. The internal resistance observed in the cells was 75.581 ± 5.892 Ω, with a power density of 304.325 ± 16.51 mW/cm2 at 5.06 A/cm2 current density. While the intensity of the final FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) spectrum peaks decreased compared to the initial one, likewise, with a percentage of identity, it was possible to attribute 98.97, 99.39, and 100% to the species Alcaligenes faecalis, Alcaligenes faecali, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Finally, the cells were connected in series, managing to turn on an LED light (red) with the 2.61 V generated. This research provides an innovative and environmentally friendly way that companies and farmers can use to reuse their waste.


The study aimed to assess and characterize the sustainability of the national diet in Turkey and its association with diet quality, dietary requirements, and sociodemographic factors. Dietary intake was assessed using 24 h recalls from the Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey 2017 (TNHS-2017) (n = 12,527). The environmental footprints were assessed with two environmental indicators: greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) and water footprint (WF). Diet quality was assessed using the diet quality index (DQI) and dietary diversity score (DDS). The dietary GHGEs was 3.21 ± 2.07 kg CO2-eq/person/day and the dietary total WF was 2832 ± 1378 L/person/day. The DQI and DDS were 62.26 ± 8.28 and 6.66 ± 1.31, respectively. Total energy intake was significantly higher in the highest GHGEs and total WF tertiles (2238 ± 722 and 2383 ± 701 kcal, respectively) compared to lower GHGEs and total WF tertiles. Individuals with higher diet-related GHGEs and total WF had a higher daily intake of nutrients with the exception of the percentages of energy supplied from carbohydrates, percentages of meeting nutrients according to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), DQI (excluding DQI total, moderation, and overall balance score), and DDS scores (p < 0.001). GHGEs and total WF value of the national diet in Turkey are lower than the world average. The results would help develop dietary guidelines to encourage sustainable dietary choices.


Two crystal forms of beta-galactosidase have been obtained from Escherichia coli. One crystal form is hexagonal space group P6222 or enantiomorph, with cell dimensions a = b = 154 A, c = 750 A. The second form is monoclinic, space group P21, with cell dimensions a = 107.9 A, b = 207.5 A, c = 509.9 A, beta = 94.7 degrees. The monoclinic form seems better suited to detailed structural analysis. The crystals are radiation-sensitive, but by using synchrotron radiation in conjunction with a long (400 mm) crystal-to-film distance it was possible to resolve the individual reflections. On the basis of crystal density measurements, there are four tetramers each of molecular weight 465,000 per asymmetric unit. The Patterson function strongly suggests that two of the tetramers are related to the other two by translation. The data are consistent with the tetramers having 222 point symmetry, but this is not proven.


Tobacco use is responsible for 6 million deaths globally per year, of which 600,000 deaths are due to secondhand smoke (SHS) mainly among women and children. This study aims to determine the prevalence of SHS exposure among school-going adolescents and highlights the essential determinants in developing successful strategies to prevent adverse health effects in Ethiopia. The analysis is based on a school based cross sectional study where 1673 students with 98.2% of response rate from grade 9-12, aged 13-19 were included. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire that is adapted from the global youth tobacco survey questionnaire. Proportions and 95% confidence intervals were obtained as estimates of prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were made using logistic regression on SPSS version 20.0 software in order to predict factors associated with SHS exposure. About 17% of adolescents were exposed to tobacco smoke in their home, whereas more than half (60.8%) of adolescents were exposed to tobacco smoke in public places. In multivariate analysis, sex, parent smoking, peer smoking, and absence of discussion in the classroom about dangers of smoking were seen significantly associated with SHS exposure. The prevalence of SHS exposure among adolescents in Ethiopia is highest. Moreover, exposure to SHS in public places is much higher than at home.


Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to challenge the conceptual basis upon which the current auditing standards are based. Design/methodology/approach - The paper critically appraises the Auditors' Code published by the Auditing Practices Board and containing the nine fundamental and enduring principles upon which current auditing standards are based. Findings - It is argued that the nine enduring principles should be replaced by seven enduring tensions – the fault lines of auditing – so as to rethink the conceptual basis of auditing standards. Five of these are drawn from the paper's analysis of the Auditors' Code and two are based upon the author's experience of the issues arising in the preparation of the Code and the ensuing debate. Research limitations/implications - Further research should be carried out to test the robustness of the seven enduring tensions as the basis for standard setting. A first step might be to map the existing standards onto the new conceptual basis. Practical implications - Standard setters can deploy a new architecture for auditing standards and one that addresses the tensions inherent in auditing. Standard setting should be recognised as an activity dominated by ethical choices and concerns. Originality/value - The new conceptual basis should provide us with a much closer reading of what auditing is, and its potential for development without expectation gaps.


Antiphospholipid syndrome is an acquired multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent thromboses in the arterial system, venous system, or both. Antiphospholipid syndrome is classified into 2 groups: primary and secondary. Secondary antiphospholipid syndrome is often associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and less frequently with infections, drugs and other diseases. Serologic markers are antiphospholipid antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin. The primary diag- nostic criteria include arterial thrombosis or venous thrombosis and recurrent fetal loss. About 41% of patients with lupus anticoagulant have skin lesions as the first sign of antiphospholipid syndrome. Cutaneous manifestations include livedo reticularis, cutaneous ulceration and livedo vasculitis. The mainstays of prophylaxis and treatment of thrombosis are anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents.


Knowledge of the natural pattern of spatial variation of the variables of interest is fundamental for designing effective sampling strategies to be used in surveys and monitoring programs. Unfortunately, little is known on patterns of spatial variation of structural, morphological and dynamic features of Posidonia oceanica, despite their increasing use as indicators of the status and/or trend of meadows. Here, variations in some such features (such as shoot density, leaf biometry, annual rhizome elongation and leaf formation) were examined on a hierarchy of spatial scales, ranging from cm within individual meadows, to meadows separated by 10 km, using independent full-nested analyses of variance. Overall, at least 3 variables showed significant variations in the mean values on each of the scales examined. Patterns of variability differed among individual traits. Most of the total variation, however, was on the smallest spatial scale examined (i.e. among replicates, shoots or quadrats). For some variables, a significant variation was also associated with the largest scale (i.e. among meadows). Collectively, the results indicated that patchiness in density, morphology and growth exists on a very local scale within P. oceanica meadows along the same isobath. This suggests that sampling designs and analyses which incorporate different spatial scales and appropriate replications should at least be considered in the future when planning large-scale and long-term surveys.


1.In the moth Hyalophora cecropia, injection of the eclosion hormone into pre-emergence (pharate) animals releases a stereotyped series of behaviours that assist the moth in escaping from the pupal cuticle and cocoon. The preeclosion behaviour begins 15 min after injection and lasts for 60 min. The first 30 min is an active period consisting of frequent abdominal rotations; a 30 min quiet period follows. This is followed by the eclosion behaviour which consists of rhythmic peristaltic waves which move up the abdomen at a frequency of 3-5 per min. The same behaviours can be elicited by injection of hormone into isolated pharate abdomens. 2.The completely isolated abdominal CNS responded to the eclosion hormone by the generation of a programme of motor activity that mimicked that expected during the pre-eclosion and eclosion behaviours. 3.The duration of the pre-eclosion behaviour programme in the isolated CNS was related to the general excitatory state of the preparation and varied from 57 to 325 min. In the latter instances, the behaviour lengthened as a unit with proportional increases occurring in the lengths of both the active and the quiet periods. But the structure of the individual rotational bursts appeared to be independent of these changes in the overall timing of the pre-eclosion programme. 4.The frequency of bursts during the eclosion behaviour of the isolated CNS was always lower than that seen in intact animals. The frequency was not correlated with the length of the preceding pre-eclosion behaviour. It was concluded that the eclosion behaviour represented a behavioural programme that was distinct from the pre-eclosion behaviour. The structure of the eclosion bursts was independent of the frequency of bursting. 5.Isolated pharate abdomens that had been aged for 2 days, often lost the ability to perform the pre-eclosion behaviour but still showed eclosion in response to hormone injection. In these cases the eclosion programme did not begin until 70-90 min after injection. Similar results were obtained with an isolated CNS preparation from an aged abdomen. 6.Hormone was added to isolated CNS preparations and then washedout at various times thereafter. After an initial exposure of only a few minutes, the hormone could be removed without interference with the initiation or play-out of either the pre-eclosion or eclosion behaviours. 7.It was concluded that the eclosion hormone acts directly on the CNS to trigger two distinct behavioural programmes. The sequential arrangement of these programmes is due primarily to their respective latencies. Each programme has a two-tier hierarchical arrangement which includes a burst timer and a burst pattern generator. Sensory feedback appears to affect different components of the two programmes. In the pre-eclosion programme, sensory input alters the pattern of the rotary bursts but apparently not the number of bursts generated during the behaviour. In the case of the eclosion programme, sensory feedback influences the frequency of bursting but not the pattern of the individual bursts.


Previous research suggests racial identity and racial cues, such as the extent to which an event is blatantly or ambiguously race-related, individually shape African American (AA) individuals' experiences with racial discrimination (RD). However, scant attention has been paid to the interactive or transactional influences of these factors. The present study examined the direct effects of racial cues and the interactive effects of racial cues and racial identity—specifically, the extent to which AAs believe others view AAs negatively—on 78 AAs' interpretations of and affective responses to lab-based RD. Findings revealed a direct effect of racial cues on participants' perceptions of the event as being race-relevant and on participants' affect. Moreover, racial identity moderated the associations between racial cues and participants' perceptions and affective responses. These findings suggest that AAs' experiences with RD are not homogeneous and that the interplay or transaction between racial cues and racial identity is vital in such experiences.


The significance of the nanophytoplankton in the Firth of Clyde was assessed during the period January 1976 to May 1978 by estimating its contribution to the total chlorophyll and productivity of the area. Its significance both temporally and spatially were investigated. The nanophytoplankton in the Firth of Clyde is made up predominantly of small flagellates of maximum cell dimension less than 10 mum, many being in the size range 2-5 mum. It includes organisms from most algal classes with the exception that the Diatomaceae is poorly represented. One to two cell chains of Skeletonema costatum are included in this group and also small single cells of a Chaetoceros spp, which were occasionally observed. Weekly (followed by fortnightly) samples were collected from a midchannel station in the Fairlie Channel to assess the seasonal significance of the nanophytoplankton. Nutrient analyses, particle size distributions and microscopic examination of the samples were carried out as well as chlorophyll and productivity determinations. To assess how representative the chosen sampling station was of the Fairlie Channel as a whole, several grid surveys were carried out in which the chlorophyll levels from 16 stations covering an area of 0.75 km2 were compared. Although on three out of six occasions significant differences were observed between stations, these being mainly found when inshore stations were compared with those in midchannel, the main sampling station did not differ significantly from the other stations, and the results from this station reflected the seasonal changes which occurred in the Channel. The seasonal patterns of the total phytoplankton and nutrients in the Pairlie Chsinnel were similar to those observed in the past. In terms of total chlorophyll a and productivity, higher levels were recorded in 1976 than in 1977. The total chlorophyll a in 1976 reached values of above 10 mg m-3 during the spring diatom increase in April and also in July when the maximum fixation rate of 66.6 mg carbon m-3 h-1 was recorded. In 1977 maximum values of chlorophyll (7.8 mg m-3) and fixation (55.7 mg C m-3h-1) were observed during an autumnal bloom in September. While the contribution of the netplankton (predominantly diatoms) was high during bloom conditions in spring and summer, over an annual. cycle the nanophytoplankton in the upper 10 metres of the water column contributed at least 50% the activity. During 1976 and 1977 the average % contribution of the nanophytoplankton to the productivity was 50% and its contribution to the chlorophyll was 60%. Figures of up to 100% contribution of the nanophytoplankton to the biomass and productivity have been recorded. The nanophytoplankton formed a more stable component of the phytoplankton fluctuating in terms of chlorophyll and productivity less dramatically over the year than the netplankton. The relative importance of the two fractions of the phytoplankton showed a marked seasonality. The nanophytoplankton was highly significant during late autumn, winter and early spring forming the major part of the biomass at these times. Following the spring diatom increase, the phytoplankton was made up almost exclusively of nanophytoplankton in 1976, while in 1977 it was of slightly less significance. During summer the contribution of the nanophytoplankton to the biomass and productivity was approximately equal to that of the netplankton. Sampling was extended to other areas of the Firth to assess the spatial distribution of the nanophytoplankton and its significance. In the Inner Firth Area, the observed contribution of the nanophytoplankton to the total chlorophyll ranged from 20-98%. Higher netplankton values at stations situated near the estuary in comparison with those found lower down in the Firth were the main cause of variations in the total chlorophyll over the area since the nanophytoplankton varied- less dramatically. In Loch Long and the Gareloch, the nanophytoplankton contributed 11-62% of the chlorophyll and 13-77% of the productivity during a period of investigation in August 1976. In a separate study of two rockpools on Great Cumbrae Island, it was found that the nanophytoplankton was very productive in this type of extreme environment, producing high levels of fixation (maximum recorded rate of 189 mg C m-3h-1) in the early months of 1976 when production in the sea was at a minimum. In these pools, the average contribution of the nanophytoplankton was 83% to the total chlorophyll and 86% to the productivity. The significance of the nanophytoplankton in relation to the rest of the ecosystem in the Firth of Clyde is discussed.


Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the success of first-attempt tracheal intubation in pediatric patients >1-year old performed using video versus direct laryngoscopy and compare the frequency of tracheal intubation–associated events and desaturation among these patients. Prospective observational cohort study conducted in an Academic pediatric tertiary emergency department. We compared 50 children intubated with Mcgrath Mac video laryngoscope (VL group) and an historical series of 141 children intubated with direct laryngoscopy (DL group). All patients were aged 1 to 18 years. The first attempt success rates were 68% (34/50) and 37.6% (53/141) in the VL and DL groups (P < .01), respectively. There was a lower proportion of tracheal intubation–associated events in the VL group (VL, 31.3% [15/50] vs DL, 67.8% [97/141]; P < .01) and no significant differences in desaturation (VL, 35% [14/50] vs DL 51.8% [72/141]; P = .06). The median number of attempts was 1 (range, 1–5) for the VL group and 2 (range, 1–8) for the DL group (P < .01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that video laryngoscope use was associated with higher chances of first-attempt intubation with an odds ratio of 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.9–10.4, P < 0.01). Compared with direct laryngoscopy, VL was associated with higher success rates of first-attempt tracheal intubations and lower rates of tracheal intubation–associated events.


Adjuvant treatment of high-risk cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients (pts) is still an unsolved issue, since the cost-benefit ratio of high-dose IFN-α2b is under discussion. The CSF-470 therapeutic vaccine, a mini-allograft of four lethally-irradiated allogeneic CM cell lines, with BCG and rhGM-CSF as adjuvants, is currently being tested in post-surgical adjuvancy vs medium-dose IFN-2b in stage IIB-III CM pts (phase II/III trial CASVAC-0401, NCT01729663).We present here the results of the phase II part of the study. A total of 31 pts (stage IIC = 2; stage III: 29) were enrolled: 20 pts were randomized to receive CSF-470 vaccine and 11 pts to IFN-α2b. Pts assigned to the vaccine arm received i.d. 1.6×10 7 CSF-470 irradiated cells plus 10 6 cfu BCG and 100μg rhGM-CSF (first day); 100 μg rhGM-CSF/day/3days were injected consecutively i.d. at the vaccination site. During the two-year treatment, pts in the vaccine arm received a total of 13 vaccinations. Pts assigned to the IFN-α2b arm received 10 MU/day/5 days a week for 4 weeks; then 5 MU 3/week for 23 months. Imaging studies were performed to follow the clinical evolution of the disease. Analysis of blood chemistry and differential white blood cell counts were performed to monitor systemic toxicity. Immune monitoring was performed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months from protocol start. Also, pts were evaluated by Quality of Life Questionnaires (QOL) along the study. After including 20 pts who received a total of 176 vaccinations, we conclude that: CSF-470 vaccine was well tolerated; the main toxicity was a grade 2 reaction at the injection site; 3/20 pts presented grade 3 allergic reactions that were easily handled with anti-histamines and corticosteroids. Pts in the IFN-α2b arm presented grade 2-3 hematologic toxicity; 9 pts developed adverse events that forced treatment discontinuation provisionally or permanently. With a mean follow-up of 28 months and a maximum follow-up of 67 months, a significant benefit in the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) for CSF-470 was observed: 14/20 pts (70%) immunized with CSF-470 vaccine and only 4/11 pts (36.4%) in the IFN-α2b arm remain without distant metastases (p = 0.032). No significant differences in OS were yet observed. QOL was significantly superior for CSF-470 vaccine as compared to IFN-α2b treatment (p th and 12 th vaccine as compared to progressing pts. These results demonstrate a clear superiority of CSF-470 vaccine plus BCG plus GM-CSF vs IFN-α2b in the adjuvant setting in pts with high-risk CM. Citation Format: Jose Mordoh, Maria Betina Pampena, Mariana Aris, Paula Blanco, Alicia I. Bravo, Juan Manuel O9Connor, Julio Kaplan, Franco Ramello, Estrella M. Levy, Maria M. Barrio. A randomized phase II study of the CSF-470 therapeutic vaccine plus BCG plus rhGM-CSF versus IFN-α2b in cutaneous melanoma patients stages IIB, IIC and III. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT118. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT118


X-ray diffraction methods are used routinely to identify detrital and authigenic minerals in bulk powders of marine sediment. Semiquantitative bulk XRD analysis, however, is difficult. We employed a mathematical technique using matrix singular value decomposition to solve for reliable normalization factors, thereby allowing accurate conversion of XRD data to relative mineral abundances. Calibration was achieved through measurements of laboratory mixtures with known abundances of mineral standards. Error analysis demonstrates that this method is superior to other common shipboard procedures used by the Ocean Drilling Program; the errors from known standards fall within the range of analytical reproducibility and are better than 3%.


Internal and external processes have reworked the Earth's surface throughout its history. In particular, the effect of meteorite impacts on the early history of the earth is lost due to fluvial, aeolian, volcanic and plate tectonic action. The cratering record on other inner solar system bodies often provides the only clue to the relative cratering rates and intensities that the earth has experienced throughout its history. Of the five major bodies within the inner solar system, Mercury, Mars, and the Moon retain scars of an early episode of high impact rates. The heavily cratered regions on Mercury, Mars, and the Moon show crater size-frequency distribution curves similar in shape and crater density, whereas the lightly cratered plains on the Moon and Mars show distribution curves which, although similar to each other, are statistically different in shape and density from the more heavily cratered units. The similarities among crater size-frequency distribution curves for the Moon, Mercury, and Mars suggest that the entire inner solar system was subjected to the two populations of impacting objects but Earth and Venus have lost their record of heavy bombardment impactors. Thus, based on the cratering record on the Moon, Mercury, and Mars, it can be inferred that the Earth experienced a period of high crater rates and basin formation prior to about 3.8 BY ago. Recent studies have linked mass extinctions to large terrestrial impacts, so life forms were unable to establish themselves until impact rates decreased substantially and terrestrial conditions became more benign. The possible periodicity of mass extinctions has led to the theory of fluctuating impact rates due to comet showers in the post heavy bombardment period. The active erosional environment on the Earth complicates attempts to verify these showers by erasing geological evidence of older impact craters. The estimated size of the impactor purportedly responsible for the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinctions is 10 km in diameter. Thus impactors greater than or equal to the size postulated for K-T impactor are rare within the inner solar system since the end of heavy bombardment.


Both of these books are subtitled A Practical Guide for Clinicians, and the intended audience is researchers who have limited access to biostatistical support. The author assumes a basic familiarity with statistics and acknowledges a debt to more comprehensive works in each of these respective areas, including Glantz (2002), Rosner (2000), Everett (2003), and Friedman, Furberg, and DeMets (1999). References to further details on statistical methodology are provided in footnotes sprinkled liberally throughout. The books eschew any discussion of mathematical derivations, equations, and symbols, but instead focus on statistical concepts and practical advice. The basic layout of both books is a question and answer format that novice readers will find helpful. Although investigators would benefit from reading either book from cover to cover, they also have the option to quickly turn to the topic(s) of interest. In both books, topics are introduced in chronological order: the development of a research question, choosing an appropriate experimental design, the outcome of interest, choosing the appropriate statistical methodology and/or model, the interpretation of the results, and the writing of a research paper. The exposition in both books is greatly enhanced by the author's choice of excellent examples demonstrating many of the methodologies, including relevant tables and figures, culled and referenced from the clinical literature. Important definitions and tips are also provided in boxes in the margins of the texts for quick reference. Although out of the scope of both books, I believe that the practical advice provided should extend to the presentation of annotated output from various statistical software packages. Another aspect these books share is their relatively brief length (approximately 200 pages each). This length is effective for the focused discussion inMultivariable Analysis, but it is much to the detriment of the more broad coverage in Study Design and Statistical Analysis. Chapters 1–4 ofMultivariable Analysis motivate discussion and indicate for which types of research questions and outcomes multivariate methods are useful. The text focuses on the three most common procedures: multiple linear regression, multiple logistic regression, and proportional hazards analysis. Chapters 5–10 are the heart of the book, and they cover the underlying assumptions of each method, how to set up the models, perform the analysis, interpret the results, and check assumptions. Statisticians will be gratified to read the careful explanations of the assumptions necessary for each analysis, as well as how to check that the assumptions after the analysis is complete. Although many statisticians may be put off by the idea of the statistician as a "specialist" rather than a collaborator, there is a useful section (14.4) entitled "How can I get best use of my biostatistician?" Readers would be well served to take the author's advice in this section about consulting with a statistician on sample size, because the earlier discussion of this topic (Section 7.4) is wanting. Since mathematical calculations are outside the realm of this book, the reader is referred to sample size software packages which, in my experience, are not particularly user friendly. Chapters 11–15 review special topics. Curiously, model validation is not covered until Chapter 13 in the context of prognostic models of disease. This second edition is little changed from the first. Topics which now receive more attention include multivariate analysis of variance, general estimating equations, mixed effects models, and propensity scores for matching in clustered samples. In addition, the author urges much more caution in the use of stepwise variable selection algorithms in computer programs. In contrast to Multivariable Analysis, the author of Study Design and Statistical Analysis tries to bite off much more than one can chew in 200 pages. Chapter 1 provides some useful advice on how to choose a research question. However, Chapter 2 covers a litany of topics in designing a study in only 30 pages. This chapter starts by discussing the different types and appropriate uses of randomized versus observational studies. The author then discusses three different types of randomized studies including "randomization to two or more groups" (although curiously he never uses the term "parallel design"), crossover designs, and factorial designs. Different types of observational studies are also covered. The chapter further goes on to a number of important concepts such as bias, confounding, different aspects of randomization (e.g., equipoise, stratification, blocking, equal and unequal allocations), the construction and wording of hypothesis statements, types of outcome variables (e.g., continuous, dichotomous, ordinal, nominal), sample size, study costs, and institutional review boards. Unfortunately, this last topic is the only mention of ethical issues in clinical research. For example, there is no mention of the Declaration of Helsinki. The third chapter on Data Management introduces many important aspects of this critically important function of actually running a clinical trial. However, many important issues are omitted including the need to blind data management personnel to treatment allocation, the coding of medications and adverse experience information using standard terminology such as that provided by MedDRA and WHO, as well as regulatory issues related to source documents and electronic data systems. Chapters 4–6 are the heart of this book, introducing univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics as implemented in clinical trials. As in Multivariable Analysis, the author shines in describing statistical methods and their application to research questions. Basic statistical methods are covered in detail along with important concepts such as underlying distributional assumptions, measures of central tendency and variability, confidence intervals, and measures of association, as well as definitions of important statistics such as odds ratios and relative risk. Also included are discussions of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and degrees of freedom, and their relation to linear regression; nonparametric statistics; multiplicity of testing; survival analysis; censoring; and repeated measures. Chapter 6 provides a brief (seven pages) overview of multivariate statistics. As in the first book, there are many good examples from the literature with tables and figures included. As in earlier chapters, however, there are a number of important omissions. Statisticians may be dismayed to see the discussion of the central limit theorem relegated to a footnote. Chapter 7 covers sample size calculations fairly thoroughly, however, this discussion suffers from the same lack of practical advice on how to do the calculations or how to obtain results from the statistical software programs. Chapters 8–11 discuss special topics such as the development of diagnostic and prognostic tests of disease, statistics and causality, and publishing research. In conclusion, I believe either of these books to be a useful introduction to a novice investigator, especially for those with little access to a biostatistician. Multivariable Analysis is more successful in its coverage of its targeted subject matter. Study Design and Statistical Analysis is less successful due to too broad of a reach. This is not surprising given that entire books have been devoted to most of the individual topics covered in Study Design and Statistical Analysis. I would not recommend either of these books as a teaching tool due to their lack of exercises and their lack of ties to statistical software.


Holograms can reconstruct complete optical wavefronts, capturing images that have a three-dimensional appearance and can be observed from different perspectives. Museum exhibits often use optical hologram technology because it permits presentation of 3D objects with almost no loss in visual quality. Optical holograms are static, however, and lack interactivity. Combining 3D computer graphical elements with stereoscopic presentation techniques provides an alternative that allows interactivity.


BACKGROUND
Current scenarios of global climate change predict a significant increase in ultraviolet B (UV-B) and tropospheric ozone (O₃) in the near future. Both UV-B and O₃ can have detrimental effects on the productivity and yield quality of important agricultural crops. The present study was conducted to investigate the individual and interactive effects of supplemental UV-B (sUV-B) (ambient + 7.2 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹) and O₃ (ambient + 10 ppb) on the yield and oil quality of two cultivars of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.).

RESULTS
The mean monthly ambient O₃ concentration varied from 27.7 to 59.0 ppb during the experimental period. O₃ affected fruit formation, while sUV-B was mainly responsible for ovule abortion. Seed sugar and protein contents showed maximum reduction in O₃-treated plants, while mineral nutrient levels were most affected by sUV-B + O₃ treatment. Rancid oil of low nutritional quality and containing long-chain fatty acids was favoured along with a decrease in oil content.

CONCLUSION
sUV-B and O₃ individually as well as in combination caused deterioration of the yield and quality of oil and seeds of linseed. However, the individual effect of O₃ was more damaging than the effect of sUV-B or sUV-B + O₃, and cultivar T-397 performed better than Padmini.


We have studied phase transitions in epitaxial ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ thin films by Raman spectroscopy. The films are found to remain in a single ferroelectric phase over the temperature range from 5 to 325 K. The low-temperature phase transitions characteristic of bulk ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ (tetragonal-orthorhombic-rhombohedral) are absent in the films. X-ray diffraction shows that the ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ films are under tensile strain due to the thermal expansion mismatch with the buffer layer. A phase-field calculation of the phase diagram and domain structures in ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ thin films predicts, without any priori assumption, that an orthorhombic phase with in-plane polarization is the thermodynamically stable phase for such values of tensile strain and temperature, consistent with the experimental Raman results.


Recent advances of tracer technology have induced a step-change in surveillance opportunities for EOR and IOR projects. Two particularly interesting methodologies, both targeting assessment of how remaining oil saturation can be minimized, are the partitioning inter-well tracer test (PITT) and the single-well chemical tracer test (SWCTT). Upon completion of a SWCTT or a PITT, the remaining oil saturation (ROS) can be estimated from this time-lag and the partitioning coefficient, through a simple relation.Regarding PITTs, new and stable, oil-water partitioning tracers were developed and has now matured into a well-established methodology applicable for a wide range of reservoir conditions. For SWCTTs, new and significantly improved tracers were recently applied in the field and pilot testing demonstrated that required tracer amounts are reduced from tonnes to grams. The reduction in required tracer amounts solves several operational and logistical issues. It also allow for injection of several tracers simultaneously, without compromising the chemical composition of the reservoir fluids. The tracers can be designed to span a wide range of partitioning coefficients. By analysis of interpretation of the production curves from the individual partitioning tracers, an in-situ assessment of fractional flow and how EOR chemicals can affect this fractional flow, can be made.


: In recent years, people's inclination to go to the gym has increased as people begin to care more about a healthy lifestyle. Thermal comfort at the gym affects employees in terms of health, productivity, and satisfaction. External environmental conditions also have a significant impact on non-air-conditioned buildings. This study was conducted to analyze the impact of outdoor environmental conditions from different times on the level of thermal comfort of the occupants and evaluate the best time to go to the gym based on the level of thermal comfort of the gym. The method used for this study was the thermal comfort assessment performed inside the gym. The environments examined were relative humidity (%), air velocity (m/s), air temperature, and radiant temperature (° C). Environmental factor data were collected using the portable anemometer. The thermal comfort of gym occupants was assessed using a thermal sensation scale using Prediction Mean Vote (PMV) and Prediction Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) which was used to estimate the satisfaction and level of thermal comfort. Calculation of PMV and PPD values were done using the CBE thermal comfort tool. The results of the evaluation had shown that the value of PMV at noon and evening was higher than at night. This indicated that at night had a better level of thermal comfort. All PMV values calculated were positive values, an indication that the occupants were experiencing a hot environment in the gym. All PMV values did not fall in the comfort zone even though the environment was good. All the PPD value not in a good range which showed that most of the occupants were dissatisfied with the gym thermal condition. In conclusion, the results obtained in this naturally ventilated gym without air conditioning were not able to meet a good level of thermal comfort.


Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a 53-amino acid polypeptide which is a potent mitogen for cultured cells. The kidney has recently been shown to be a major site of synthesis for the EGF precursor. EGF infusions in sheep result in a diuresis and natriuresis despite a fall in GFR, suggesting a direct tubular effect. Using in vitro microperfusion of rabbit cortical collecting tubules (CCTs) at 37 degrees C, we examined the effect of EGF on the transepithelial voltage (Vt) and arginine vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated hydraulic conductivity (Lp). Pretreatment with peritubular EGF at concentrations from 10(-8) to 10(-12) M resulted in a 50% inhibition of both AVP- and 8-chlorophenythio-cyclic AMP-stimulated peak Lp. This effect was reversed by the protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, but unaffected by indomethacin. CCTs with an initially negative Vt, depolarized after exposure to bath EGF. 10(-8) M EGF applied from the lumen had no effect on either Lp or Vt. Specific binding of 20 nM 125I-EGF to microdissected CCTs was also demonstrated. These results suggest that EGF can modulate both salt and water transport in the CCT via a receptor linked to protein kinase C activation.


In this paper, we study conformal invariants that arise from nodal sets and negative eigenvalues of conformally covariant operators on manifolds with boundary. We also consider applications to curvature prescription problems on manifolds with boundary. We relate Dirichlet and Neumann eigenvalues and put the results developed here for the Escobar problem into the more general framework of boundary operators of arbitrary order. Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). 58J50, 53A30, 53A55, 53C21.


A number of designs, including filterpress-type cells, de Nora's Seachlor cell, Capenhurst's Chemelec cell, Nalco's packed bed cell and Akzo's fluidized-bed cell, are described briefly. An attempt is made to determine the reasons why these particular designs are finding application in industry. It is shown that each performs a necessary function with the minimum of complexity. Thus filterpress-type cells are relatively compact, and provided current densities are not too low will be the first choice where the electrodes do not change dimensions during the reaction. The Seachlor cell, by virtue of its particular bipolar electrode arrangement, controls pH and therefore minimizes any deposition of magnesium hydroxide during the production of hypochlorite from seawater. The Chemelec cell increases limiting currents for metal deposition in a relatively simple manner while the Nalco cell solves the problem of the participation of its lead anodes in the manufacture of lead tetraalkyls. The fluidized-bed electrode, with its high space time yield and the production of very pure metals, makes up for its more complex character. The paper shows why some of the alternatives to the above designs are less attractive to industry. Having decided upon a particular design, the paper then discusses some erroneous ideas on optimization encountered occasionally in the literature. An example is given where the 'optimization' of the cell in isolation of its associated plant can result in a very misleading 'optimum'. It is demonstrated that failure to consider the process as a whole, right from its earliest stages of development in the research laboratory, can lead to severe problems when engineering of the process is eventually required.


Spina bifida is a congenital defect in the spinal column in which one or more vertebrae fail to form. The effect of spina bifida on continence is usually complicated by the effect of hydrocephalus on the ability to learn and master the necessary skills to overcome the problems. The childhood and adolescence of some individuals who have spina bifida has been ruined by professionals who chose to ignore the wider implications of severe congenital disability and its effects upon the child's education, personal and social development, and the quality of family life. A holistic approach to management, from birth onwards, should facilitate the interdisciplinary cooperation which is vital if these human tragedies are to be avoided.


The control and enhancement of resonance energy transfer is highly desirable for a variety of applications ranging from solar cells to spectroscopic rulers. However, the process of direct resonance energy transfer is distance dependent and limited to ∼10 nm for typical donor–acceptor pairs. Here we demonstrate long-range (∼160 nm) direct energy transfer between donor quantum dots and acceptor dye molecules through the use of an optical topological transition (OTT) in a metamaterial. The OTT in a metamaterial, modifies the density of states between the donor and acceptor, resulting in the long-range energy transfer with transfer efficiency of ∼32%. Theoretical calculation based on master-equation formalism is used to model the system and is found to be in good agreement with the experimental observation. The use of OTTs in metamaterials to enhance and control energy transfer process can have wide array of potential applications ranging from organic solar cells to quantum entanglement.


We propose a direction of arrival (DOA) estimation method that combines sound-intensity vector (IV)-based DOA estimation and DNN-based denoising and dereverberation. Since the accuracy of IV-based DOA estimation degrades due to environmental noise and reverberation, two DNNs are used to remove such effects from the observed IVs. DOA is then estimated from the refined IVs based on the physics of wave propagation. Experiments on an open dataset showed that the average DOA error of the proposed method was 0.528 degrees, and it outperformed a conventional IV-based and DNN-based DOA estimation method.


A case of severe ECG abnormalities occurring during pre-eclampsia is presented. Although these electrocardiographic changes were indicative of severe alterations of coronary flow, neither structural nor functional abnormalities could be documented during subsequent diagnostic workup. The pathogenetic pathways potentially involved in this case including coronary spasms are briefly discussed.


This collection features original essays from international superstars in the field of educational change. Each "think piece" draws on the latest knowledge from research, policy, and practice to provide important insights for creating systemic, meaningful reform. The authors directly address contemporary challenges, misconceptions, and failed strategies, while also offering solutions, ideas, and guiding questions for examination. Unique in its breadth of ideas and diversity of voices, Leading Educational Change is must-reading for education decision makers on all levels, frontline practitioners, and everyone involved with children and adolescent learning. Together with the online companion Instructor's Guide, this is also a perfect text for educational leadership and policy courses.


Esters represent one of the most important flavour groups in beer. The aim of this work was focused on the comparison of two optimized, simple, rapid and low cost methods, the solidphase microextraction technique and the stir bar sorptive extraction technique, for the determination of beer esters, in particular isoamyl acetate, ethyl caproate, ethyl caprylate, ethyl caprate, phenylethyl acetate, ethyl laurate, ethyl myristate, and ethyl palmitate. Subsequent gas chromatographic analyses with flame ionization detection were used for the determination of these compounds. Linearity, recovery, and repeatability of these methods were compared. Working parameters of both procedures were similar and characterized by high repeatability (2.1–7.3%) and good linearity (correlation coefficient ranging from 0.9991 to 0.9999). Results obtained by these two procedures were in good correlation.


Introduction Approximately 75% of major mental illness occurs before the age of 25 years. Despite this, our capacity to provide effective, early and personalised interventions is limited by insufficient evidence for characterising early-stage, and less specific, presentations of major mental disorders in youth populations. This article describes the protocol for setting up a large-scale database that will collect longitudinal, prospective data that incorporate clinical, social and occupational function, neuropsychological, circadian, metabolic, family history and genetic metrics. By collecting data in a research-purposed, standardised manner, the 'Neurobiology Youth Follow-up Study' should improve identification, characterisation and profiling of youth attending mental healthcare, to better inform diagnosis and treatment at critical time points. The overall goal is enhanced long-term clinical and functional outcomes. Methods and analysis This longitudinal clinical cohort study will invite participation from youth (12–30 years) who seek help for mental health-related issues at an early intervention service (headspace Camperdown) and linked services. Participants will be prospectively tracked over 3 years with a series of standardised multimodal assessments at baseline, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. Evaluations will include: (1) clinician-administered and self-report assessments determining clinical stage, pathophysiological pathways to illness, diagnosis, symptomatology, social and occupational function; (2) neuropsychological profile; (3) sleep–wake patterns and circadian rhythms; (4) metabolic markers and (5) genetics. These data will be used to: (1) model the impact of demographic, phenomenological and treatment variables, on clinical and functional outcomes; (2) map neurobiological profiles and changes onto a transdiagnostic clinical stage and pathophysiological mechanisms framework. Ethics and dissemination This study protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Sydney Local Health District (2020/ETH01272, protocol V.1.3, 14 October 2020). Research findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences and to user and advocacy groups. Participant data will be de-identified.


The Cassini spacecraft made in‐situ measurements of Titan's plasma environment during 126 close encounters between 2004 and 2017. Here we report on observations from the Radio and Plasma Waves System/Langmuir probe instrument (RPWS/LP) from which we have observed, primarily on the outbound leg, a localized increase of the electron density by up to 150 cm−3 with respect to the background. This feature, appearing as an electron density spike in the data, is found during 28 of the 126 flybys. The data from RPWS/LP, the electron spectrometer from the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer package , and the magnetometer is used to calculate electron densities and magnetic field characteristics. The location of these structures around Titan with respect to the nominal corotation direction and the sun direction is investigated. We find that the electron density spikes are primarily observed on the dayside and ramside of Titan. We also observe magnetic field signatures that could suggest the presence of current sheets in most cases. The density spikes are extended along the trajectory of the spacecraft with the horizontal scale of ∼537 ± 160 km and vertical scale ∼399 ± 163 km. We suggest that the density spikes are formed as a result of the current sheet formation.


This paper considered the relationship between education expenditure and economic growth in Nigeria for the period 1970 – 2003 using a multivariate causality approach. Before and after 1976, there were three levels and four levels of education respectively. Furthermore, it was found that national expenditure on education has been less than the 15% recommended by UNESCO except in 1995 when the percentage of federal government expenditure on education was about 17.3%. The empirical part of the result shows that there is unidirectional relationship between education and economic growth with causality running from education expenditure to economic growth. The result therefore suggests that policy makers should boost expenditure on education as it will further improve economic growth in Nigeria Keywords : GDP, Granger Causality, Education Expenditure Global Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 17-20


Abstract Over the course of the first two decades of the twenty-first century, within the occupied Palestinian territories, photographic technologies and image-oriented politics would grow increasingly central as activist and human-rights tools of bearing witness to Israeli state and settler violence. This essay investigates the Israeli right-wing and international Zionist response to these Palestinian visual archives and their perceived threat. In particular, it tracks the rise and normalization of a repudiation script that impugned the veracity of these images, arguing that they were fraudulent or manipulated to produce a damning portrait of Israel. Drawing on post-colonial and settler-colonial studies, as placed into dialogue with digital media studies, the essay focuses on three cases studies of repudiation (2000, 2008, 2014, respectively) to consider how the long colonial history of repudiation in the Israeli context would be progressively updated by right-wing Israelis and their international supporters to meet the challenges posed by the smartphone age. By the second decade of the twenty-first century, the script had become an increasingly standard Zionist response to viral images of Palestinian death or injury at Israeli state or settler hands. Repudiation was thus marshaled as a solution to the viral visibility of Israeli state violence by bringing the otherwise damning images back into line with dominant Israeli ideology, a process of shifting the narrative from Palestinian injury to Israeli victimhood. The story of the "false" image of Palestinian injury endeavors strips the visual field of its Israeli perpetrators and Palestinian victims, thereby exonerating the state. Or such is the nature of this digital fantasy in the Israeli colonial present.


Objective and Participants: The authors examined cognitive and affective dimensions of body image of a randomized sample of 188 college men on the basis of body mass index (BMI). Methods: They conducted chi-square tests and ANOVAs to determine differences between 4 BMI groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) on demographics and body image measures. Results: The authors found significant differences in regard to total body image (p < .001), weight or shape concern (p < .001), and body dissatisfaction (p < .001). BMI was significantly correlated with negative body image. Overweight and obese participants reported significantly higher levels of negative body image than did normal- and underweight participants. Overweight participants reported significantly higher weight and shape concerns than did underweight, normal-weight, and obese participants. In regard to body dissatisfaction, underweight, overweight, and obese participants reported significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction than that reported by normal-weight participants. Conclusions: BMI may be an important factor in identifying potential body image disorders in college-aged men.


Identifying the patient-zero of an epidemic outbreak, locating the person who started a rumor in a social network, finding the computer that initiated the spreading of a computer virus in a network- these are all applications of localizing the source of diffusion in a network. Since most of the networks of interest are very large, we are usually able to observe only a part of the network. In this paper, we first present a model for the dynamics of network diffusion similar to state update of a linear time-varying system. Based on this model, we provide a sufficient condition for observability of the network, i.e., we establish when is the partial information available to us sufficient to uniquely localize the source. Also, we connect the problem of finding the smallest subset of observed nodes to the problem of metric basis of the graph. We then present different methods to perform source localization depending on network observability.


A standard treatment was designed for hygroscopic grain fissure, and the anti-fissuring character among early rice varieties in Zhejiang Province, China was analyzed and classified. There was significant difference in the percentage of fissure grain among varieties (P=4.23×10^(-16)<0.01). The highest percentage of fissure grain was 73%, and the lowest was 0.5%. The average percentages of fissure grain were 34.19% for 45 indica rice, 55.44% for 8 japonica rice, and 2.25% for 2 japonica rice with long grain. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between anti-fissuring character and grain shape (r=0.46(superscript **)).


This paper presents digital microflow controllers (DMFC), where a fluidic digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is used to achieve high-linearity and fine-levels in flow-rate control for applications to precise biomedical dosing systems. The fluidic DAC, composed of binary-weighted flow resistance, is designed to control the flow-rate based on the ratio of the flow resistance to achieve finer flow-rate levels. The binary-weighted flow resistance has been specified by a serial or a parallel connection of an identical flow resistor to improve the linearity of the flow-rate control by making the flow-resistance ratio insensitive to the size errors of flow resistors in micromachining process. We have designed and fabricated three types of 4-digit DMFC: Prototype S and P with serial and the parallel combinations of an identical flow resistor and Prototype V with width-varied flow resistors. In the experimental study, we perform static DMFC tests at forward and backward flow conditions as well as dynamic DMFC tests at pulsating flow conditions. The present DMFC shows the nonlinearity of 5.0% and finer flow-rate levels of 16(2N) for 4(N) digital valves. From the measured flow-rate deviation due to micromachining errors, Prototype S and P show 27.2% and 27.6% of the deviation measured from Prototype V, respectively; thus, verifying that Prototype S and P are less sensitive to the micromachining errors than Prototype V


Great Animal Gallery takes the reader on a journey around an art gallery to discover how artists have depicted animals throughout the centuries. TreeTops inFact is a non-fiction series that aims to engage children in reading for pleasure as powerfully as fiction does. The variety of topics means there are books to interest every child in this compelling series. The series is written by top children's authors and subject experts. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.


In contracting muscle a chemical reaction takes place in such a way that part of the free energy of the reactants can be converted into mechanical work. Recently Caplan (1965, 1966) has made a theoretical study of certain types of energy converters, using the methods of irreversible thermodynamics. He has extended this study to muscle and he makes several predictions of practical importance, notably about the efficiency of muscular contraction. In this paper a simplified summary of Caplan's theory is given, with the equations rearranged, as far as possible, to provide relations between experimentally observable quantities. Four tests of the theory are then possible, of which the results are: 1. The theory correctly predicts the shape of the force-velocity curve. 2. The theory predicts a relation between the maximum efficiency of energy conversion and the degree of curvature of the force-velocity curve which is probably similar to what is found experimentally. 3. The theory predicts a relation between the force on the muscle and the rate of the driving chemical reaction which is markedly different from that which can be inferred from measurements of heat and work production. 4. The theory requires that there should be large variations in the free energy change of the driving reaction when the force on the muscle changes. It is difficult to see how these could occur in practice. No simple modification of the theory seems to avoid these difficulties. It is concluded that muscle is not an energy converter of the type described by the theory.


Neutrinos drive core-collapse supernovae, launch outflows from neutron star merger accretion disks, and set the ratio of protons to neutrons in ejecta from both systems that generate heavy elements in the universe. Neutrinos of different flavors interact with matter differently, and much recent work has suggested that fast flavor instabilities are likely ubiquitous in both systems, but the final flavor content after the instability saturates has not been well understood. In this work we present particle-in-cell calculations which follow the evolution of all flavors of neutrinos and antineutrinos through saturation and kinematic decoherence. We conduct one-dimensional three-flavor simulations of neutrino quantum kinetics to demonstrate the outcome of this instability in a few example cases. We demonstrate the growth of both axially symmetric and asymmetric modes whose wavelength and growth rate match predictions from linear stability analysis. Finally, we vary the number density, flux magnitude, and flux direction of the neutrinos and antineutrinos and demonstrate that these factors modify both the growth rate and post-saturation neutrino flavor abundances. Weak electron lepton number (ELN) crossings in these simulations produce both slow growth of the instability and little difference between the flavor abundances in the initial and final states. In all of these calculations the same number of neutrinos and antineutrinos change flavor, making the least abundant between them the limiting factor for post-saturation flavor change. Many more simulations and multi-dimensional simulations are needed to fully probe the parameter space of the initial conditions.


Salt adaptation was induced in two successive generations of Sorghum bicolor, and the germination of their seeds was compared. When germinated in the absence of NaCl, the progeny of adapted plants displayed a specific malformation at the first two leaves, which was never observed in progeny of control plants. The frequency of leaf malformation was enhanced in progeny of the second generation of adapted plants, indicating a cumulative influence of salt adaptation. When germinated in the presence of 75 mM NaCl, seedlings from seeds of salt-adapted plants never displayed the leaf malformation, whereas it was observed on seedlings from seeds of control plants germinated in the presence of 75 mM NaCl. The occurrence of leaf malformation was analyzed for progeny of 20 salt-adapted plants germinated in the absence of NaCl. The link with the reproductive characters of the parents indicates a strong parental control on the expression of the leaf malformation. A comparison with previous data relative to the leaf malformation in Sorghum suggests the existence of a developmental window which 'opens' during embryo morphogenesis. This enables the imprinting of the embryo by the parent's physiological environment. This conclusion is related to other data describing a long-term maternal influence in plants.


Insertion of transposable elements is a major cause of genomic expansion in eukaryotes. Less is understood, however, about mechanisms underlying contraction of genomes. In this study, we show that retroelements can, in rare cases, be precisely deleted from primate genomes, most likely via recombination between 10- to 20-bp target site duplications (TSDs) flanking the retroelement. The deleted loci are indistinguishable from pre-integration sites, effectively reversing the insertion. Through human-chimpanzee-Rhesus monkey genomic comparisons, we estimate that 0.5%-1% of apparent retroelement "insertions" distinguishing humans and chimpanzees actually represent deletions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 19% of genomic deletions of 200-500 bp that have occurred since the human-chimpanzee divergence are associated with flanking identical repeats of at least 10 bp. A large number of deletions internal to Alu elements were also found flanked by homologies. These results suggest that illegitimate recombination between short direct repeats has played a significant role in human genome evolution. Moreover, this study lends perspective to the view that insertions of retroelements represent unidirectional genetic events.


We report the performance of a 41 X 41-cm2 amorphous silicon-based flat panel detector designed for radiographic imaging applications. The detector consists of an array of photodiodes and thin film transistor switches on a 0.2-mm pitch with an overlying thallium-doped cesium iodide scintillator. The performance of the detector was evaluated through measurement of the frequency-dependent detective quantum efficiency [DQE(f)]. Measurements of the characteristic curve and modulation transfer function (MTF) are also reported. All measurements were made in a radiographic imaging mode with a readout time of 125 ms. We evaluated a total of 15 detectors. One detector was characterized at a range of exposures and at three different electronic gain settings. Measurements of DQE(f) and MTF were also performed as a function of position on one detector. The measured DQE at an exposure of about 1 mR was 0.66 at zero spatial frequency and fell smoothly with frequency to a value of 0.24 at the Nyquist frequency, 2.5 cycles/mm. The DQE is independent of exposure for exposures in the upper 80% of each gain range, but is reduced somewhat at lower exposures because of the influence of additive system noise. The reduction can be controlled by adjusting the electronic gain. For a gain that allows a maximum exposure of 5 mR, the DQE at 0.056 mR was 0.64 at zero frequency and 0.19 at 2.5 cycles/mm. The standard deviation in DQE among measurements on different detectors was less than 0.02 at any frequency. The presampling MTF was 0.26 at 2.5 cycles/mm. The standard deviation in MTF among measurements on different detectors was less than 0.01 at any frequency. Both MTF and DQE were substantially independent of position on the detector.


Most ad hoc and sensor network research assumes idealized radio propagation models without considering fading and shadowing effects. Experimental results have shown that many well-designed protocols will fail simply because of fading and shadowing experienced in a realistic wireless environment. While fading and shadowing for radio propagation are well understood in wireless communication community, they are rarely studied in network level research for wireless sensor networks. This paper studies the fading and shadowing effects on the performance of different MAC protocols for wireless sensor networks. We show that fading and shadowing can have a significant influence on network performance. We study and compare network performance for three different systems: 1) a multi-channel CDMA system; 2) a pure CDMA system; 3) a contention based system. Through discrete event simulation (using ns-2), we show that the multi-channel CDMA system outperforms the pure CDMA system as well as the contention based system under fading and shadowing environments