Background The ubiquitous spread of smartphone technology throughout global societies offers an unprecedented opportunity to ethically obtain long-term, highly accurate measurements of individual physical activity. For example, the smartphone intrinsic 3-D accelerometer can be queried during normal phone operation to save time series of acceleration magnitudes (in each of the component directions) for near-real time or post processing. Objective We describe simple, straightforward algorithms (based on windowed Fourier analysis) for accelerometer data quality control and behavioral classification. Methods To maximize the clinical utility of our classifications, we focused on differentiating the following conditions: forgotten phone, subject resting, low physical activity, high physical activity. We further differentiated high physical activity into epochs of walking and climbing stairs, and further quantified walking to infer step count and gait speed. Results We validated these algorithms in 75 individuals, in both laboratory (treadmill) and naturalistic settings. Our algorithm performance was quite satisfactory, with accuracies of 92-99% for all behavioral categories, and 87-90% for gait metrics in naturalistic settings. Conclusions We conclude that smartphones are valid and accurate platforms for measuring day-to-day physical activity in ambulatory, community dwelling individuals.


Deposits and blockages are often found in the carotid, coronary, renal and femoral arteries. This paper deals with laser-Doppler velocity measurements in models of bifurcations of the human femoral arteries. Several models were prepared for the studies: a simplified 35 degrees glass model, two elastic-silicone-rubber models with a wall thickness of 1 mm and 2 mm, and true-to-scale rigid and elastic models. These measurements give a clearer picture of how hemodynamics influences the formation of atherosclerotic plaques where there is a hardening of the arterial walls and a loss of elasticity. In addition to the effects of elasticity, the influence of the flow's pulsatility were studied. The measurements were done in steady and pulsatile flow. From the velocity measurements the shear stresses were calculated.


Background: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoid approach of pituitary gland is being effectively replacing microscopic approach. This approach need a lot of training and stepwise learning to reach perfection. This study discuss the experience and pitfalls of an evolving skull base team in one institute. Aim of the work: Analysis of first sixty pituitary adenomas patients operated by an evolving skull base teams in one institute, and highlighting modifications introduced in their technique. Methodology: This is a retrospective analytical study of the medical records of first 60 pituitary adenoma patients who had presented to one center and had endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal approach by conjoined skull base team. Results: There were 60 cases of pituitary adenoma; 23 males, and 37 females. Mean age were 46 years old. 37 cases (61%) had temporal field defect, 22 cases had visual acuity loss, 41 patients (68%) had non-functioning adenomas, and 18% were prolactinomas. Fifty two cases (86.6%) were macroadenoma, and 2 patients (3.3%) were microadenoma. 48 cases (80%) had suprasellar extension, while 19 cases (19%) had parasellar extension. Three cases (5%) were recurrent. Transnasal cavity approach was adopted in 58 cases (96.6%). 4 cases needed middle turbinate resection. Mean operative time was 3 h. Gross total removal of the tumor were achieved in 49 cases (81.6%). Intraoperative CSF leakage occurred in 31 patients (51%). Failure of reconstruction occurred in 4 cases (6.6%). Mean duration of hospital, and ICU stay was 8, 2 days respectively. Postoperative temporary diabetes insipidus occurred in 35 cases (58.3%), 5 of them (8.3%) had permanent DI. Major CNS complications occurred in 2 cases (3%). Conclusion: The more experience gained the more modifications introduced to improve surgical outcome; more gross total resection rate, less morbidity, and mortality rates, less operative time, better quality of life of patients and less time and effort exhaustion of the team work.


Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a rare heterogeneous syndrome of mineralocorticoid resistance resulting in insufficient potassium and hydrogen secretion. Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 is characterized by mineralocorticoid resistance leading to neonatal salt loss, dehydration and failure to thrive. At least two different forms of pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 can be distinguished, showing either a systemic or renal form of mineralocorticoid resistance. This review offers an overview on transepithelial sodium reabsorption and pseudohypoaldosteronism in general, and focuses on the underlying molecular pathology of the renal-restricted pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 form caused by heterozygous mutations in the mineralocorticoid receptor-coding gene NR3C2. The investigation of several NR3C2 mutants in vitro has resulted in important progress in the understanding of the physiology of the mineralocorticoid receptor. However, there are still some families or individuals suffering from renal pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 in whom no genetic defect was found in the NR3C2 or other genes such as SCNN1A, SCNN1B, SCNN1G, NEDD4 or SGK1 that are involved in the epithelial salt transport machinery. Further research in these cases may enable the identification of other pathologies leading to renal pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 and permit deeper insights into the epithelial sodium reabsorption process.


Curbing obesity through taxation of certain beverage products has been a priority in the policy agenda across many U.S. jurisdictions. We assess the effectiveness of this highly debated policy instrument through two measures of its impact: the pass-through rate (the extent to which the tax actually translates into a retail price increase) and the impact on consumption (volume sales). We evaluate the actual effect of two excise taxes on the beverages market: the sugar-sweetened-beverages (SSB) tax of 1¢ per ounce in the city of Berkeley that has been effect since 2015 and the tax of 1/6¢ per ounce on carbonated drinks (soda) that the state of Washington imposed from July through December of 2010. We carry out the analysis with a barcode-level dataset containing price and volume sales information from a large number of retail outlets. Our identification relies on sales data from stores located in taxed areas as well as from stores in nearby localities. We find differences across the two tax events on pass-through: retail prices in Washington reacted sharply (by a larger magnitude than the tax) and promptly whereas in Berkeley retail prices reacted only marginally (by less than 30% the magnitude of the tax). In terms of volume sales, we find a 5% volume reduction in Washington but fail to find any evidence of an effect in Berkeley.


Endorphins are endogenous morphine, neuropeptide, produced from pituitary gland in response to stress and pain. There are three types of endorphins are beta-endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins binds to mu, kappa, and delta receptors found on immune cells and nervous system. Beta-endorphins is a most abundant endorphins synthesized and stored in the anterior pituitary gland. It has got various activities such as immune stimulatory, antiinflammatory, analgesic activity, delay aging, stress buster activity involved in preventive, promotive, therapeutic and palliative treatment of various diseases such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, infectious disease without any adverse effects. This article briefs about the novel roles of endorphins especially beta-endorphins and its action in holistic treatment of diseases.


The processing line of West African soft cheese varieties (processed with Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) and Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) leaf extracts was assessed for nutrient compositions ( nitrogen, crude protein, fat, lactose, moisture content ), pH , total aerobic plate count and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Na, Ca, Mg and K) . The percentage of nutrient composition, pH and the total aerobic plate count of microbes were: milk (nitrogen (2.05), protein (2.78), fat (5.33), lactose (1.86), moisture contents (88.75), pH (3.91) and total aerobic plate count (7.3logcfu/ml); Calotropis procera processed cheese (nitrogen (2.00), protein (2.56), fat (4.43), lac tose (1.72), moisture contents (62.89), pH (3.58) and total aerobic plate count (7.34logcfu/ml); Cymbopogon citratus processed cheese (nitrogen (2.01), protein (2.53), fat (4.33), lactose (1.68), moisture contents (63.56), pH ( 3.56) and total aerobic plate count (7.43 logcfu/ml). There were significant differences between the parameters measured in the raw milk and processed cheese at 95% confi dence limit. However, the parameters measured varied slightly in the two cheese varieties ( Calotropis procera and Cymbopogon citratus ). The total aerobic plate counts in milk and cheese were higher than international standards set by C odex alimentarius. Addition of leave extracts (Calotropis procera and Cymbopogon citratus ) increased the total aerobic plate counts but the counts dropped at the curdling point during processing. Cymbopogon citratus cheese had a higher total aerobic plate count than the Calotr opis procera cheese although not at a significant level . There was an increase in Fe, Zn, Cu and Na along the processing line, but a decrease ensued in Mn, Ca, Mg and K. There was no significant difference in the Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, K, N, protein, fat and lactose contents of the two cheese types although all trace elements and nutrients assayed were higher in the Calotropis procera processed cheese with the exception of Fe content. The study suggests the use of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract as a local milk coagulant due to report s of probable health hazard from the use of C. procera . However , further work on improving the yield of cheese when Cymbopogon citratus is used as coagulant is still necessary.


Background: Although previous studies have investigated the association between GDF5 polymorphism rs143383 and osteoarthritis (OA) or lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), the results were inconsistent. Given the availability of more recent data, we performed a meta-analysis to access the association between GDF5 polymorphism rs143383 and OA or LDD as well as whether the association vary by ethnicity, sex, study design and disease sites.
Method: Published literature from PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were retrieved. ORs and 95%CIs were calculated to estimate the strength of the association between the GDF5 polymorphism rs143383 and the risk of OA or LDD.
Results: A total of 15 articles containing 33 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis. Overall, a statistically association was found between the GDF5 rs143383 polymorphism and the risk of OA or LDD in the allele model(OR=0.86, 95%CI=0.81- 0.91) and dominant model(OR=0.86, 95%CI=0.79-0.91). In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, sex, study design and disease site, we observed a significant association in Caucasian subgroup (allele model, OR=0.91,95%CI=0.87-0.95, dominant model, OR=0.89, 95%CI=0.82-0.96), Asian subgroup (allele model, OR=0.72, 95%CI=0.61-0.84, dominant model, OR=0.69, 95%CI=0.56-0.85), case-control study subgroup (allele model, OR=0.80, 95%CI=0.73-0.88, dominant model, OR=0.80, 95%CI=0.70-0.91), cohort study subgroup (allele model, OR=0.91, 95%CI=0.86-0.97, dominant model, OR=0.87,95%CI=0.79-0.96), males and females subgroup(allele model, OR=0.86, 95%CI=0.81-0.92, dominant model, OR=0.84, 95%CI=0.77-0.92), and weight-bearing joints subgroup(allele model, OR=0.83,95%CI=0.78-0.89, dominant model, OR=0.80, 95%CI=0.73-0.88).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated significant associations between the rs143383 polymorphism and the susceptibility to OA and LDD.


Abstract Water quality within the Rio Chone estuary, a seasonally inverse, tropical estuary, in Ecuador was characterized by modeling the distribution of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) within the water column. These two variables are modeled using modified advection-diffusion equations within a two-dimensional, laterally-averaged hydrodynamic model. The model includes sources of salt, BOD and DIN from shrimp mariculture ponds in the region surrounding the estuary. The model was successful in simulating seasonal concentrations in DIN and BOD over a range in source concentrations. Seasonal BOD measurements along the length of the estuary were coincident with dissolved oxygen concentrations in the estuary (high BOD generally corresponding to low dissolved oxygen). Results suggest that the citing of shrimp ponds near the head of the estuary should be avoided in order maintain estuarine water quality and to maximize production.


Fifty blood samples were collected from patients who were confirmed to have COVID-19 by conducting a diagnostic test using real-time RT-PCR for the direct qualitative detection of the Coronavirus when the patients attended the private clinics at Al Rabeea Private Hospital in Mosul for the period from the beginning of March to the end of May 2021. The patients' ages range from17-59 years, with 23 males (46%), and 27 females (54%). The blood samples were taken before giving any type of treatment for blood culture, biochemical, and immunological tests. Bacteremia is investigated to determine the types of bacteria that cause bacteremia, biochemical tests such as D-dimer, S. Ferritin, CRP, Protein S, Protein C, FBS, LDH, Blood Urea, Serum Creatinine, SGOT & SGPT, and immunological tests such as blood group, IgG & IgM, IL-1B, IL-6, TNF-α alpha, ASOT, ESR, C3, and C4. In this study, the relationship between bacteremia and the types of biomarkers used is determined in addition to the relationship of bacteremia to the patient's age, sex, SPO2, and body temperature. More accurate comparison is also accomplished in cases of bacteremia by adopting the types of bacteria isolated if they were gram-positive or gram-negative. The results of this study show an increase in the severity of COVID-19 disease caused by a secondary bacterial infection. This is determined by measuring several biomarkers used in this study and also by performing bacteriological tests to document bacteremia by blood culture. Also, these results can be adopted in future studies concentrating on the molecular level to determine the genetic changes associated with viral infection with or without secondary bacterial infection to develop an effective treatment protocol.


Day-old broiler chicks were fed a calcium-deficient diet for 30 days. Gross, microscopic, and radiographic examinations of the proximal tibiotarsus were done at 2, 3, and 4 weeks of age. In 2-week-old chicks, the growth-plate proliferating-prehypertrophied zone (P-PHZ) was variably lengthened and disorganized, cartilage columns of the degenerating hypertrophied zone and metaphyseal primary spongiosa were shortened, and bone spicules of the secondary spongiosa were bordered by increased osteoid. In 3-week-old chicks, lesions were either similar or more pronounced, with the additional finding of metaphyseal peritrabecular fibrosis. In 4-week-old chicks, the P-PHZ decreased in relative length, osteoid seams and fibrous connective tissue were less prominent, and tibial dyschondroplasia-like lesions were present. Results demonstrated that dietary calcium deficiency produced rachitic lesions, that the lesions were very different from those of phosphorus deficiency or calcium excess, and that the lesions were variable over time.


Xanthomonas maltophilia has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. In this retrospective analysis, the clinical and epidemiologic factors as well as the response to therapy in patients with xanthomonas bacteremia are examined. During a 6-year period, 24 patients had bacteremia with this organism. The crude mortality rate was 42%. There was no difference in outcome on the basis of sex, age, underlying disease, polymicrobial bacteremia, total leukocyte count, or absolute neutrophil count. Statistically significant differences in mortality were observed in patients with a pulmonary source of infection, septic shock, or inappropriate antimicrobial therapy. The isolates were uniformly resistant to the extended-spectrum penicillins and cephalosporins, except cefoperazone and ceftazidime. Three quarters of the isolates were resistant to all aminoglycosides tested. X. maltophilia bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and antibiotic therapy should be based on in vitro susceptibility.


Green Bonds emerged as a new form of environmental financing in 2007. While the green bond market is viewed as a niche in the global financial market, it has grown rapidly to nearly USD 900 billion in 2017. The aim of the article is to analyze and assess changes taking place in the structure of the global green bond market with particular emphasis on the diversification of issuers undertaking activity in this market area. The first part of the paper summarizes the general theory of green bonds. It also includes an exemplification of different types of green bonds and shows conditions which should be satisfied to call a bond the green bond. Afterward, the growth and diversification of the green bond market are shown and analyzed, what makes a field to draw some conclusions.


Duluth, GA-Less than a month after Pfizer Inc. announced it would consider selling off the surgical business it acquired with its merger with Pharmacia Corp. (Ophthalmology Times, Sept. 1 issue, Page 3), another large manufacturer of ophthalmic surgical products has announced it is pondering selling the surgical segment of its business as well.


Shifts in a species' realized niche can lead to rapid population growth by increasing the carrying capacity of local habitats and allowing colonization of new areas. This process is well known in "invasive" species introduced to novel ranges by humans, but can also occur when native species expand their range. In these cases expansions may be driven either by a shift in the available environment or by a shift in the species' use of existing niche space, but identifying the specific environmental or behavioral changes involved is often hindered by time lags in the process of colonization. Here I document a century of range shifts in the Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) and show that recent abundance in the Pacific Northwest is the product of a series of range and niche expansions that started in the early 20th century following the spread of garden cultivation and introduced plant species in California. Demographic trends in the northwest have tracked simple models of exponential growth since populations became established in the 1960's and 70's, and nest records suggest that the species has delayed the beginning of the breeding season by at least 18 days in the north. Niche models trained on historic climate and occurrence data fail to predict the modern range, suggesting that climate change is not the primary cause of the expansion. Range expansions in the Anna's Hummingbird thus closely track the dynamics of an invasive species spreading across a novel range, and were made possible by a mix of introduced plants, phenological acclimation, and an expansion of the realized climatic niche.


This paper explores how the materiality of the past has been mobilized to simultaneously erase Indigenous presence and create white public space at Spanish mission sites in California. As the site of present-day Santa Clara University, Mission Santa Clara de Asís presents an important case study. The documentary record associated with more than a century of archaeology at the mission reveals its intersections with heritage-making, particularly the maintenance of public memory that privileges and valorizes whiteness. These same records further detail how the university and local residents effectively erased the heritage of the thousands of Ohlone people and members of neighboring Indigenous groups who lived, worked, and died at Mission Santa Clara. Recognizing how archaeology has contributed to the current heritage landscape at Santa Clara and other California mission sites is a necessary first step in the creation of new archaeological and heritage practices that center the experiences and persistence of Native Californian communities.


Normal coordinate analysis has been made for gammexane using the Wilson's G-F matrix method with Urey-Bradley force field. Molecular orbital calculations using CNDO/2 method have also been carried out for the five isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane to give the valence charge densities on the atoms of the molecules. A toxicity parameter that takes into account a shape factor and the valence charge density on the atoms has been defined. On the toxicity scale so defined the gamma-isomer alone has a significant value.


Antidepressants can be classified into 13 different classes based on their pharmacological mechanisms of action. As of this present moment, 11 out of these 13 classes of antidepressants accomplish their pharmacoactivities by blocking one or more of the reuptake transporter pumps and/or receptors for the three monoaminergic neurotransmitters, namely serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The 12th class inhibits the enzyme monoamine oxidase, while the 13th class works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-glutamatergic ionoceptor. Previous experimental results suggest that depression is associated with hyperfunction of NMDA-glutamatergic receptors (NMDARs) in the subcortical regions (i.e., hippocampus, locus coeruleus, and amygdala); whereas at the same time, there is hypofunction of NMDARs in the cortical regions (i.e., prefrontal, perirhinal, and temporal cortices). Moreover, this finding has led to a conclusion that postulates the new "Glutamatergic hypothesis of depression" which is now moving our understanding of the pathophysiology of major depression disorder (MDD), a step further from the several decades' old "Monoaminergic theory of depression." Collectively, clinical data suggest the involvement of the glutamatergic neurotransmission system in the pathophysiology of MDD or bipolar depression or schizoaffective depression, which includes disruptions in glutamatergic substrate concentrations and NMDAR alterations. Although the role of glutamatergic systems is yet to be fully elucidated, a "proof of concept" clinical study reported that the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist ketamine produced rapid-onset and prolonged antidepressant effects in patients suffering from MDD or bipolar depression or schizoaffective depression. Still, this has generated tremendous interest in developing new drugs that will target the glutamatergic neurotransmission mechanisms for the treatment of MDD or bipolar depression or schizoaffective depression. These potential drug targets are the NMDAR as antagonist or inverse agonist or partial agonist, metabotropic glutamatergic receptors as positive or negative modulator, excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT-2) as a reuptake enhancer, and as a terminal presynaptic glutamate release inhibitor.


Lithium carbonate is considered to be a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder; however, this drug has a narrow therapeutic window, and lithium intoxication is commonly induced by various drugs interaction and situations. We herein report a case of lithium intoxication induced by the administration of an antihypertensive agent targeting the angiotensin 1 (AT1) subtype of the angiotensin II receptor in a 65-year-old woman with a 40-year history of bipolar disorder type 1, and 1-year history of essential hypertension. Her bipolar disorder had been well-controlled with 600 mg/day of lithium carbonate for more than 10 years. She was later diagnosed with hypertension and the AT1 receptor blocker, azilsartan was thereafter administrated on a daily basis. After 3 weeks of azilsartan administration, she presented with progressive action tremor and showed a gradual deterioration of her physical state. Four months after the start of azilsartan administration, she presented with alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation. Two weeks before admission to our hospital, she presented with mild consciousness disturbances, myoclonus, truncal ataxia, and appetite loss. She was diagnosed to have lithium intoxication based on an elevated serum lithium concentration of 3.28 mEq/l.It is therefore important to evaluate the serum lithium concentration after the administration of antihypertensive agents, and consider lithium-antihypertensive agent interactions when selecting antihypertensive agents in elderly patients receiving long-term lithium carbonate treatment.


Nine children with arrhythmia (1 automatic atrial tachycardia, 1 premature ventricular construction, and 7 ventricular tachycardia) who started oral treatment using flecainide were studied. All but 2 cases (1 post operative ventricular septal defect, 1 post operative tetralogy of Fallot) had ostensibly normal heart on physical examination, chest X ray and echocardiogram. To raise serum level above 200ng/ml, flecainide dose over 80mg/m2 or 3mg/kg was needed. There was negative correlation between dose (y: mg/kg) and age (x: year) (y = 5.2-0.16x, r = 0.88) in this group. No serious side effect indicating the need to discontinue further medication was detected. In electrocardiogram, PR, QRS and QT interval was not changed before or after the medication. Premature ventricular contraction disappeared in 2 of 8 cases (25%), decreased in number in 3 (38%), did not change in 1 (13%) and increased in number in 2 (25%). However ventricular tachycardia rate decreased or disappeared in all of the 5 cases whose ventricular tachycardia was detected in Holter electrocardiogram. Flecainide seems more effective for sustained ventricular tachycardia than for nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.


Enzymology has permeated the medical literature to such an extent that even clinical papers at the practical level are often difficult to comprehend without some knowledge of metabolic pathways and the governing enzymes. In this handy volume the author has presented diagrams of the principal metabolic systems in such a way as to indicate the points of action of enzymes. Clinical investigators and students of medicine will be able to better orient themselves regarding the place occupied by particular metabolic systems or fragments thereof as these are encountered in communications pertaining to various aspects of metabolism. Thus the locus of a particular inborn error of metabolism may be appreciated in relation to interdependent metabolic systems.


Four-year observation on growth of Pleurozium schreberi in Moscow Province and nearby are summarized. The species is characterized by explosive growth in the periods of continuous rains, whereas dew and even short-term strong rains do not affect its growth. In rainy periods within 3-5 days the increment sometimes exceeds 10 mm. Obtained data of annual increment of 16-75 mm are much higher than previously reported values for this species. Autumn growth is continuous before the temperature drops below +5°N, whereas in spring the growth delays up to and during late May and June. Growth in different habitats differs in its values, but the overall pattern of increment dynamics is the same.


Abstract The paper deals with design and computation of precise positioning mechanism. The aim of mechanism is to transfer applied load without any change of position of parts in question. The stabilization of position is assured by elastic elements connected to reductor which is adjusted into correct position by an actuator. The functionality of mechanism and its stiffness and strength characteristics were checked by the finite element method. The computations were accomplished for prescribed displacement of reductor. On the base of this type of loading the behaviour of the structure was evaluated.


Objectives: Knowledge, barriers/facilitators for pressure ulcer prevention nursing are correlated with attitude and performance of staff nurses. It can be helpful to utilize barriers and facilitators for enhancing the attitude and performance of nurses, there is a gap in the empirical study. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between knowledge- barriers/facilitators for Pressure Ulcer (PU) prevention variable set and attitude-nursing performance variable set. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design using structured survey in 9 hospitals. Data were collected from August to November 2018 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Canonical correlation. Results: The correct answer rates of knowledge for PU risk factor was 75%. Perceived barriers of prevention was 5.03±1.40 and facilitators was 5.87±1.28. The mean score of attitude for PU prevention was 3.53±0.30 and that of nursing performance for PU prevention was 1.42±0.33. The significant pair of canonical variate indicated that more perceived barriers (0.75), less facilitators (-0.51), low knowledge level for risk factor of pressure ulcer (-0.31), and high knowledge level for pressure ulcer prevention (0.59) were associated with poor nursing performance for pressure ulcer prevention (-0.96). Conclusions: To enhance the nursing performance for PU prevention, developing nurse-centered educational program and standardized protocol should be needed. Also, planning sheet for PU prevention can increase the nursing performance.


India is known for its rich flora and fauna, diverse climatic zones and wealth of living ethno-medicinal traditions. It has about 3500 medicinal plant species, which possesses a great diversity of usages in various ailments and it is claimed that ethnic groups of people are the source of all the indigenous drugs. Keeping this in view, an ethno-botanical survey was carried out on the utilization of medicinal plants in major diseases by Dimasa tribe settled in Barak Valley (South Assam). Data was generated by interviewing the traditional the herbalists and several other elderly men and women. The traditional uses of 34 medicinal plants in major diseases belonging to 29 families are presented here with their botanical name, family, parts used, method of preparation and ethnomedicinal uses. These 34 plant species used in major diseases are divided into 8 categories of ailments, which are presented in tabular form. For better understanding, graphical representation of plant parts used, number of plant species used to cure different ailments and utilization pattern of different plant parts are also presented here.


SEBAMAT (semantics-based MT) is a Marie Curie project intended to con-tribute to the state of the art in machine translation (MT). Current MT systems typically take the semantics of a text only in so far into account as they are implicit in the underlying text corpora or dictionaries. Occasionally it has been argued that it may be difficult to advance MT quality to the next level as long as the systems do not make more explicit use of semantic knowledge. SEBAMAT aims to evaluate three approaches incorporating such knowledge into MT.


Four glutamate residues residing at corresponding positions within the four conserved membrane-spanning repeats of L-type Ca2+ channels are important structural determinants for the passage of Ca2+ across the selectivity filter. Mutation of the critical glutamate in Repeat III in the a1S subunit of the skeletal L-type channel (Cav1.1) to lysine virtually eliminates passage of Ca2+ during step depolarizations. In this study, we examined the ability of this mutant Cav1.1 channel (SkEIIIK) to conduct inward Na+ current. When 150 mM Na+ was present as the sole monovalent cation in the bath solution, dysgenic (Cav1.1 null) myotubes expressing SkEIIIK displayed slowly-activating, non-inactivating, nifedipine-sensitive inward currents with a reversal potential (45.6 ± 2.5 mV) near that expected for Na+. Ca2+ block of SkEIIIK-mediated Na+ current was revealed by the substantial enhancement of Na+ current amplitude after reduction of Ca2+ in the external recording solution from 10 mM to near physiological 1 mM. Inward SkEIIIK-mediated currents were potentiated by either ±Bay K 8644 (10 mM) or 200-ms depolarizing prepulses to +90 mV. In contrast, outward monovalent currents were reduced by ±Bay K 8644 and were unaffected by strong depolarization, indicating a preferential potentiation of inward Na+ currents through the mutant Cav1.1 channel. Taken together, our results show that SkEIIIK functions as a non-inactivating, junctionally-targeted Na+ channel when Na+ is the sole monvalent cation present and urge caution when interpreting the impact of mutations designed to ablate Ca2+ permeability mediated by CaV channels on physiological processes that extend beyond channel gating and permeability.


Diabetes type 2, cancers, hypertension and obesity have become problematic diseases worldwide calling for more studies on their prevention and management. Antioxidant phytochemicals have shown potential to reduce cases of such chronic diseases therefore the present study quantified antioxidant phytochemicals in traditional dishes consumed in Zimbabwe. Traditional dishes are readily available therefore are cheap and accessible sources of food. Antioxidant phytochemicals were extracted using matrix solid phase dispersion and thin layer chromatography coupled to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and then quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. The levels of antioxidant phytochemicals ranged from 2 ± 0.5 to 620 ± 3 mg/g for the ethanol extract and 20 ± 3 to 377 ± 5 mg/g for the ethyl acetate extract. Type and amounts of antioxidant phytochemical present in a dish depended upon the thick porridge and relish combination selected. Combinations involving wild vegetables as relish consisted of better levels of antioxidant phytochemicals than meat combinations. No dish consisted of all the types of antioxidant phytochemicals therefore it is necessary to eat a variety.

 Key words: Diabetes type 2, cancers, hypertension, obesity, phytocompounds.


The Melaleuca alternifolia is a Myrtaceae tree of great medicinal importance. Its essential oil is widely used both in human and in veterinary medicine, having great antiseptic power. It is a difficult plant in the process of rooting cuttings. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different concentrations of NAA and IBA on the rooting of M. alternifolia. Melaleuca cuttings with 10 cm in length were submitted to treatments with two regulators, NAA and IBA, in the following concentrations: 0 (control), 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg L -1 . Evaluation occurred at 97 days throughout the live and dead cuttings rooted, medium length, volume and mass of roots. The growth regulator NAA at a concentration of 4000 mg L -1 showed to be phytotoxic to the cuttings of melaleuca; the use of IBA in comparable with NAA at concentration of 4000 mg L -1 provided a higher percentage of rooting and root length increases.


The University of the South Pacific has long been conscious that English is a second language for many of its students, and that this creates special challenges for teaching and learning. In law, where language is often technical and needs to be used with great precision, these challenges are particularly apparent. This article, which is based on the author's experiences in teaching at the University of the South Pacific, discusses different approaches to the teaching of legal writing, and identifies some strategies for improving teaching and learning in this area. These strategies have the advantage of being easy to implement, and apply equally to disciplines other than law.


Abstract 2-Cyano-N-(thiazol-2-yl) acetamide (2a) and 2-cyano-N-(oxazol- 2-yl) acetamide (2b) were obtained via the reaction of ethyl cyanoacetate with either 2-aminothiazole (1a) or 2-aminooxazole (1b). The formed products were directed toward the reaction with cyclopentanone and elemental sulfur in the presence of triethylamine to give cyclopenta[b]thiophene derivatives (3a,b). The latter products were reacted with either ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile to form compounds 4a,b and 5a,b, respectively. Compounds 4a,b were aimed at synthesizing some heterocyclic compounds; thus internal cyclization reactions were introduced to form compounds 6a,b. Also, compounds 4a,b reacted with salicylaldehyde, hydrazine derivatives and either urea or thiourea to produce coumarin derivatives (7a,b), pyrazole derivatives (8a-d) and pyrimidine derivatives (9a-d), respectively. Reaction of either benzaldehyde or benzene diazonium chloride (11) with compounds 4a,b afforded compounds 10a,b and 12a,b, respectively. On the other hand, compounds 5a,b underwent internal cyclization to form pyrimidine derivatives 13a,b. Also, when compounds 5a,b reacted with either ethyl cyanoacetate or malononitrile, they gave pyridine derivatives (15a-d) through the formation of intermediates (14a-d). Finally, formation of fused pyrimidine derivatives (17a,b) was achieved through the reaction of compounds 5a,b and salicylaldehyde applying two different pathways. The first pathway used a catalytic amount of piperidine to form compounds 16a,b; the latter products underwent cyclization to give compounds 17a,b. The second pathway, using a catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide solution directly in one step, afforded compounds 17a,b. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrometry and their antitumor activity was investigated. Some of these compounds showed promising inhibitory effects on three different cell lines. However, fused pyrimidine acetonitrile derivatives 6a and 6b exerted the highest inhibitory effect, comparable to that of doxorubicin.


sentence he gives the object the invalid has in view. "The invalid, leaving the shores of Great Britain and Northern Europe, seeks a warmer temperature, a purer, and, generally, a drier air, a greater amount of solar light, and freedom from rain. In short, he seeks to be placed under circumstances where he is able to take regular daily exercise in the open air, and to be less obnoxious to the causes likely to act injuriously in developing his original malady, or give rise to other causes or diseases to which his already existing tendency renders him predisposed." He enters into a full description of the general conditions of the Egyptian climate; recommends, as we think correctly, Thebes, without the disadvantage of continuous travelling by the Nile boat. There is a glance at the various diseases for which a sojourn in the land of Egypt is advised, and the book winds up with some valuable meteorological tables. On taking up Dr. MADDEN'S book one expects to be overwhelmed with matter, as all the spas in five countries are here discussed; and the table of contents opens out in detail the vast map of thermal springs; but when we come to look into it, we find it not only full of matter, and that for the most part accurate, but withal most readable, chatty, and interesting; so that, instead of being a dry enumeration of baths, etc., it is quite a book of travels. The advantages of spas are thus stated (p. 24): "Almost all the chronic ailments that drive invalids abroad to the spas, are attended with more or less pain, irritation, or discomfort; and if by bathing in, and drinking a thermal water, and at the same time observing a suitable mode of living, this uneasiness can be allayed or soothed; not only is the present condition of the patient thereby improved, but oftentimes a great step is made towards a permanent cure." And we commend the following sentence to the careful consideration of our professional brethren, with the inquiry as to whether the experiment would not be worth trying on the score of economy, as we know large draughts of cold water have already been advantageously administered. "My own opinion is, that, in most cases, mineral waters act only as diluents, and produce their good effects simply as so much pure water would do, could it be swallowed at the same temperature, under the same circumstances, and with the same anticipation of success which mineral waters are used with."


The bit-to-bit interference (BI) of multibit nano-electromechanical memory cells (T cells) has been investigated, and an analytical model of BI has been derived. The relationship between the BI and the cell size is discussed using both the analytical and the finite-element-method models. It has been found that BI is independent of the cell size as long as all the geometrical dimensions are scaled down in proportion. However, in actual cases, BI becomes more severe as the cell size decreases owing to the nonscaling parameters.


BACKGROUND
Nursing is a stressful, physically demanding occupation and a rush setting for musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study is to explore the extent of the association between psychosocial work characteristics and musculoskeletal symptoms among women working in geriatric care.

METHODS
The participants were female employees of all geriatric nursing homes and geriatric hospital wards in Iceland having a staff of 10 or more. A total of 1,886 questionnaires were distributed. The response rate was 80%.

RESULTS
Finding the job mentally difficult, mental exhaustion after one's shift, dissatisfaction with supervisors or the flow of information, insufficient influence at work, dissatisfaction with the hierarchy, intense time pressure, lack of solidarity, dissatisfaction with the job, harassment, violence or threats at work; all of the aforementioned gave crude odds ratios (OR) two or above for one or more musculoskeletal symptoms. Mental exhaustion and harassment, violence, and threats were the factors connected with symptoms from all the body regions studied.

CONCLUSIONS
The extent of the association of work-related psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among the geriatric female nursing staff is substantial and needs to be taken into account by occupational health services and others involved in preventive work. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:679-684, 2003.


Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to be effective antibacterial agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, AgNPs were synthesized using Caesalpinia sappan extract as a reducing agent to convert Ag+ to AgNPs. Seven stabilizers (surfactants and polymers) were added during the reduction step to increase the colloidal stability and to enhance the antibacterial activity of the AgNPs. Spherical and amorphous particles were primarily observed, with estimated diameters ranging from 30.2 to 47.5 nm. X-ray diffraction confirmed the face centered cubic structures of the AgNPs. Among the employed stabilizers, the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against 19 strains of MRSA, followed by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, average molecular weight of 10,000). In contrast, the anionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS) did not exhibit any significant antibacterial activity, suggesting that the cationic surfactant head group contributed to the higher antibacterial activity of the AgNPs against MRSA.


The Wakeham Group is a suite of low-grade (greenschist facies) rocks located in the eastern Grenville Province. In order of volumetric importance, it consists of sandstones, acid volcanics, and gabbro dykes and sills. This report deals with the acid volcanic member of the group. Primary textural features have in large part been preserved. The minerals present include stilpnomelane, white mica, albite, titanite, and zircon. Calculations using 33 chemical analyses show that 29 of the compositions have normative corundum. The rocks would therefore appear to be predominantly peraluminous; however, incompatible trace-element data show affinities with other anorogenic, peralkaline suites. It is proposed that alkali loss, probably during the subsequent Grenvillian orogeny, imposed a peraluminous composition on originally peralkaline rocks. The Wakeham Group cannot be definitively correlated with other metavolcanic rocks found in the region.


The presented contribution reports on the acceleration of physical development and pubescence of school children, based on anthropometrical studies dating of 1895, 1951, 1961 and 1971. Since 1895 the acceleration for the development has been recorded by .2 to 2.5 years. The acceleration of the growth of body height and mass was less during 1961--1971 than within the period of 1951--1961. The higher mean values found 1971 in children and youth of Prague suggest that possible secular acceleration in our adolescents has not been terminated so far.


Design patterns have recently emerged as a vehicle for describing and documenting recurring object-oriented designs. More significantly, they offer up a long-awaited framework for teaching good software design. This paper espouses the use of object-oriented design patterns in the teaching of the second course in computer science, viz., the data structures and algorithms course.To use design patterns effectively, it is necessary to present the various data structures and algorithms in a common programming framework. This paper also espouses the use of a single, unified class hierarchy and the commitment to a single design throughout the teaching of the second course.


In ontology design, an Ontology Design Pattern (ODP) is a modeling solution to a recurrent ontology design problems. As opposed to ODP, antipatterns are bad modeling practices. This paper deals with detection of antipattern for debugging purpose of huge ontologies. We focus on the detection of the Onlyness Is Loneliness (OIL) antipattern. We propose an antipattern detection method based on ontology transfor- mations and SPARQL queries. This approach does not need reasoner to detect antipattern. Our method detects candidates of OIL antipattern. These candidates localize class denitions where OIL occurrences can ap- pear. This enables to draw ontology developer's attention to avoid errors during ontology development process. We conduct some experiments to detect OIL antipattern in an OWL ontology corpus obtained from the Watson ontology search engine.


In this paper we introduce a new type of knowledge operator, called evidencebased knowledge, intended to capture the constructive core of common knowledge. An evidence-based knowledge system is obtained by augmenting a multi-agent logic of knowledge with a system of evidence assertions t :φ ("t is an evidence for φ") based on the following plausible assumptions: 1) each axiom has evidence; 3) evidence is checkable; 3) any evidence implies individual knowledge for each agent. Normally, the following monotonicity property is also assumed: 4) any piece of evidence is compatible with any other evidence. We show that the evidence-based knowledge operator is a stronger version of the common knowledge operator. Evidence-based knowledge is free of logical omniscience, model-independent, and has a natural motivation. Furthermore, evidence-based knowledge can be presented by normal multi-modal logics, which are in the scope of well-developed machinery applicable to modal logic: epistemic models, normalized proofs, automated proof search, etc.


Withdrawn. PHOSPHORESCENCE STUDIES OF REVERSE SATURABLE ABSORPTION MATERIALS FOR OPTICAL LIMITING APPLICATIONS. Eric Pooler, Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education, Dayton, OH; Sean M. Kirkpatrick, Science Applications International Corporation, Dayton, OH; Casey Clark, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH. Time resolved phosphorescence experiments are used to determine the relative energy and radiative lifetime of the rst triplet state of reverse saturable absorption materials (RSA). Halogenated free-base and zinc porphyrins are investigated. Spectra are collected from 700 nm to 5 m. Results are compared to calculations performed by Nguyen and experiments performed by Bhyrappa LIQUID VERSUS SOLID HOST EFFECTS ON EXCITED STATES OF SOME OPTICAL LIMITER MATERIALS. S. Chandra , D.G. McLean , P.A. Fleitz, W. Su , H. Jiang , AFRL/MLPJ, WrightPatterson AFB, OH; R.V. Goedert, TARDEC, Warren, MI; SAIC, Beavercreek, OH, TMC, Beavercreek, OH, Anteon Corp., Dayton, OH. A study is made to compare liquid host vs. solid state host e ects on the excited state properties of silicon napthalocyanine (SiNc), fullerene (C60) and zinc octobromoporphyrin (ZnOBP) using laser ash photolysis. Polymer hosts included epoxy, PMMA and others. Samples were excited at 355 nm and 532 nm wavelengths and the excited state characteristics such as the lifetime and di erential excited state absorbance spectra were measured. Observed spectral shifts and dramatic changes in lifetimes between the hosts will be discussed. SESSION PP3/BB7: JOINT SESSION: TWO-PHOTON ABSORPTION AND APPLICATIONS Chair: Joseph W. Perry Wednesday Morning, December 1, 1999 Salon G (M) MULTIPHOTON EXCITATION (MPE) OF ORGANIC MOLECULES IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS. Watt W. Webb, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Molecular excitation by simultaneous absorption of two or more infrared (low energy) photons by an individual molecule provides a powerful tool for excitation of visible or ultraviolet uorescence for biological and photophysical research at molecular and microscopic scales. Simultaneous at a Heisenberg uncertainty time of 10 s in a typical molecular cross section of 10 cm requires very bright illumination by femtosecond pulses from a mode locked laser. The quantum photophysics of multiphoton excitation and the features that enable convenient application in biological and organic materials will be introduced. Excitation by a strongly focused pulse train provides laser intensity enhancement by 10 in a submicron focal point which can be scanned in a video roster for 3-dimensionally resolved multiphoton uorescence microscopy (MPM). Images in living cells and tissues of the auto uorescence of intrinsic biomolecules such as adenine dinucleotide (NADH), elastin, collagens, serotonin, melatonin and indolamine oxidation products, chitin, and numerous still unknown structures characterize biological structures and processes and provide means for diagnosing disease states. Many common drugs and pathologists stains are conveniently two photon excited in living tissues, providing a convenient means of imaging functional responses. The most important advance of recent years in technology for study of dynamics of molecular process in living animals and tissues is Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene constructs, which can be inserted in the genome of living organisms to label particular proteins and to provide an intrinsic pH indicator. GFP in living materials is best imaged with MPM. In materials applications of MPM and sometimes in biological preparations extrinsic organic uorescent marker molecules are needed. Organic uorophores are notoriously photolabile and of course never bright enough. Unfortunately, the non-organic nanoparticle substitutes have been found to be just as pathological. Nevertheless, the complexity of the photophysics of multiphoton excitation o ers new opportunities. The spectra for two photon excitation tend to be blue shifted and broadened relative to twice the one photon excitation wavelengths because the dipole excitation quantum parity is even instead of odd. Progress in design of uorescent molecules speci cally for two photon excitation has only recent begun and progress will be reported in the following lectures. Our data showing the success of early progress in creating uorophores of large two photon cross sections by electric quadripole moment enhancement will be illustrated. APPLICATIONS OF MOLECULES WITH LARGE TWO-PHOTON ABSORPTION CROSS SECTIONS. K. Cammack, S. Kuebler, S. Marder, J. Perry, Unversity of Arizona, Dept. of Chemistry, Tucson, AZ; B. Cumpston, D. Dyer, California Institute of Technology, Beckman Institute, Pasadena, CA; E. Hendrickx, B. Kippelen, M. Lipson, N. Peyghambarian, University of Arizona, Dept. of Optical Science, Tucson, AZ. Molecules with large two photon cross sections have been recently reported. It has been shown that such molecules can be used to initiate the polymerization of acrylate monomers. In this presentation


Modern GDI engines are efficient power platforms, but produce large quantities of ultra-fine soot particles. Fuel mal-distribution and, in some cases, liquid fuel film are commonly addressed as the primary causes of particulate matter formation. Multi-dimensional engine modelling can be used effectively to gain an improved understanding of the in-cylinder processes leading to particulate matter. The work presented here investigates soot mechanisms in a modern wall-guided GDI engine using commercial CFD software Star-CD. Two part-load operating conditions are investigated, 2300 rev/min 60 Nm, and 2300 rev/min 120 Nm. The multi-stage semi-empirical Soot Sectional Method is used to simulate the physical and chemical in-cylinder mechanisms leading to soot emissions. The results of the simulations show better mixture preparation in the high load case, mostly on account of enhanced fuel atomisation and stronger mixing. The lower load case features wider mixture stratification, with a more confined, lower temperature burning zone. In both cases, a strong temperature drop establishes between the hot core and the cylinder walls. Higher levels of oxygen correspond to regions of lower temperature near the walls and vice-versa. This unfavourable arrangement, compounded to the lack of mixture homogeneity, leads to high levels of EVO soot in the lower engine load case.


The superior features of high manganese TWIP steels under deformation are believed to be originated from the induced twinning boundaries acting as barriers, hence impeding the activity of dislocation slips. We investigate the effect of different deformation mechanisms and grain orientation on mechanical twinning in a low stacking fault energy, Fe–18Mn–0.6C–1.5Al TWIP steel, using microstructure characterization by electron back‐scattered diffraction. Samples were deformed at room temperature in tension and in compression with various strain rates at different strains. The microstructure revealed that under the same amount of deformation, the smaller grain size was found and less twinning boundaries were disclosed in compression. Texture measurements showed that grains strongly oriented to <1 1 1> fiber parallel to the tensile axis when subjecting to tensile loading, while in compression, the brass type component was mainly observed.


94 patients have been operated upon for haemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcer disease in the Wenckebach-Krankenhaus during the years 1986-1990. In all but 6 patients the ulcer has been controlled by an emergency gastroscopy. 25 of these patients had to undergo emergency operation at once for persistent bleeding after gastroscopy. From the other patients, another 31 suffered rebleeding and had to be laparotomised in an emergency procedure, too. Only in 38 cases an interval-operation was possible. No one of these 38 patients died. The overall mortality-rate was 14.9% (14 patients). The mean age of our patients was 68 (26-90) years, none of the patients under 60 years died, whereas the mortality-rate of the elder was as high as 20%. The operative procedures were ulcer excision and suturing of the bleeding vessel and distal gastrectomy. There was no difference in mortality-rates between resective and non resective procedures. Our aim to operate upon the patients in an elective way could be achieved in about one third only. Many patients refused an operation after primary control of bleeding.


Hysteresis is a collective name for strongly nonlinear phenomena which occur in engineering, physical and economic systems. The wording 'strongly nonlinear' means that linearization cannot encapsulate the observed effects. In particular, standard linearization techniques are not applicable in the analysis of dynamical systems with hysteresis nonlinearities. Nevertheless, evolution operators of such dynamical systems typically have derivatives at many ''important'' points, which is enough to develop efficient modifications of gradient methods, linear stability analysis methods, etc. In this paper, we suggest a linearization algorithm for dynamical systems with the Preisach hysteresis operator. We present and justify an algorithm for calculation of the derivative of the Poincare map for scalar equations with a periodic solution of a simple form. We also suggest a version of this algorithm for a general class of non-periodic solutions of multi-dimensional equations with the Preisach nonlinearity.


There is so much to be said about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), much of it impossible to articulate; on the other hand, much has been said already. This strange creature we have created - a political compromise - is both more and less than we anticipated. As the TRC grapples with the past, South Africans grapple with the TRC process. What does it all mean? What has it done to us, collectively and as individuals?


Insulin resistance is a common feature of childhood obesity and is considered to be an important link between adiposity and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. It is also a major contributing factor to renal injury. Microalbuminuria (albumin excretion 20-200 mg∕min or 30-300 mg∕gram creatinine) is now considered an early marker of renal damage in non-diabetic patients.
 Objectives: to evaluate the association of obesity and microalbuminuria among obese subjects and its relation to metabolic syndrome components.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty two obese children and adolescents randomly recruited from the Obesity Clinic, Pediatric Hospital, Ain-Shams University. Anthropometric data were collected, fasting serum insulin, glucose and serum  lipid profile were measured. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to calculate in vivo insulin resistance. Oral glucose tolerance test and urinary albumin concentrations were done.
Results: Microalbuminuria was detected  in  18 cases (29%) , metabolic syndrome in 4 cases (6.4%), impaired OGTT  in 9.6%. Impaired fasting insulin and high serum insulin after 2 hours in OGTT in 3.2% of cases. Abnormal lipid profile was significantly associated with  microalbuminuria.
Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is strongly associated with impaired fasting insulin, and abnormal lipid profile.


Introduction: High surface/volume ratio and 3-dimensionality of nanofibers increases cell-scaffold interactions and promote migration and proliferation of cells. Wet electrospinning is a variant of electrospinning technology that is utilized to produce nanofibrous scaffolds. Altering the parameters governing the wet electrospinning process such as applied voltage, polymer concentration, composition and depth of the coagulation bath, and tip to bath distance can affect the morphology of the produced scaffolds. In this study, the influence of various coagulation baths on the physicochemical properties of the wet-electrospun nanofibers was investigated. Materials and Methods : Poly (e-caprolactone)/Poly (L-lactic) acid 15% (w/v) blends under an applied voltage of 15 kV, and a tip-to-bath distance of 10 cm. were used to prepare fibrous scaffolds via wet-electrospinning technique into aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) (pH~13), distilled water, ethanol, water/ethanol (3:7) (v/v) and water/ethanol/methanol (6:2:2) (v/v). The final products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), liquid displacement technique, contact angle measurement, compressive and tensile tests. As well as, cell adhesion and cell viability through human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) cell culture. Results: Wet-electrospun fibers, except in the almost fully beaded structure of water/ethanol (3:7) (v/v) specimen exhibited random, dispersive and non-woven morphology under SEM observation. The coagulation bath composition significantly influenced on porosity, wettability, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the scaffolds. The porosity measurement via liquid displacement method showed that except for the specimen in which the blend was spun into NaOH, other scaffolds could not meet the accepted ideal porosity percentage of above 80%. According to the contact angle measurement data, it was expected that all scaffolds experience low cellular attachment and proliferation. Conversely, in vitro hADSCs culture demonstrated that the scaffolds presented a non-toxic environment and enhanced cell proliferation and attachment. Conclusion: The data indicated that the scaffold spun into NaOH was the best candidate among other specimens to culture hADSCs.


The purpose of the paper is to investigate the procedure of provision of economic incentives in the sphere of settlements improvement in the context of elements of development, in particular, the provision of tax privileges. Methodology. The survey is based on the analysis of the elaboration of the regulatory framework in the CIS countries regarding the application of tax privileges to economic entities that take an active part in the sphere of settlements improvement in terms of elements of development. The norms, which provide tax incentives in the Tax Codes of the Republics of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine, are considered. Provided proposals for the improvement of the tax legislation of these countries in the direction of application of tax incentives to natural and legal persons are based on the statement of the need to enhance the ecological component of a settlement, maintain its aesthetic appearance, create comfortable conditions for people living in it. Results. In the course of the investigation of the state policy on waste management in the CIS countries and analysing the modern legal and regulatory framework towards the provision of tax incentives to economic entities, which operate in the sphere of waste management, or towards natural persons, who acts in a private procedure, the necessity to grant them benefits on corporate profit tax, value-added tax, personal income tax, land fees is substantiated. Studying the state and regional policy on planting of greenery on the territory of settlements as an element of improvement, it is justified the necessity to grant tax privileges to enterprises, institutions, organizations, which take an active part in the process of planting by virtue of corporate profit tax, and to allow the use of special tax regimes for the enterprises the main activity of which is cultivation and realization of ornamental plants. It is proposed to consider the possibility to relive economic entities belonging to representatives of small business from payment of property tax for small outdoor amenities. Practical implications. The presented proposals for granting tax exemptions to economic entities that take an active part in the improvement of settlements will contribute to increase of motivation for the promotion of waste sorting, the manufacture of containers, garbage trucks, facilities of waste sorting plants; the intensification of activities on waste recycling and manufacture of products made of secondary raw materials; planting of greenery on the territory of settlements, which will contribute to betterment of the appearance of the settlements, creation of favourable, comfortable conditions for the population, improvement of the ecological situation. Value/originality. The article gives action-oriented proposals to bring modifications to the Tax Codes of the CIS countries towards the simulation of natural and legal persons to invest funds in sanitary clean-up of the territory from domestic waste for the implementation of rational waste management and for actions aimed at waste collecting.


We proposed a fluorescent micro-sphere with diameter of 6 μm was manipulated into a micro-tube with inner diameter of 6.2 μm. The Whispering Gallery Modes (WGMs) of fluorescence resonance were observed by 532nm laser pumping the micro-spheres-micro-tube system. Another micro-sphere with the same diameter was manipulated into the micro-tube and mode splitting in the system of two spheres in contact in the micro-tube was demonstrated. We also discussed relationship between WGMs peak intensity and the excitation power. The scheme will bring new insight into the applications of WGMs for biomedical diagnostics and micro-fluidics. Keywords-WGM; Micro-tube; Micro-sphere; Integrated optical


with dosimetric Lu-satoreotide tetraxetan (Lu-DOTA-JR11) SPECT/CT in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors undergoing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2020;47:3047–3057. 3. Mansi R, Fani M. Design and development of the theranostic pair LuOPS201/Ga-OPS202 for targeting somatostatin receptor expressing tumors. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm. 2019;62:635–645. 4. Weber WA, Barthel H, Bengel F, Eiber M, Herrmann K, Sch€afers M. What is theranostics? J Nucl Med. 2023;64:669–670.


Objective: To compare the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) assessed through the CKD-EPI equations based on creatinine, Cystatin C and creatinine-Cystatin C levels for estimating kidney function among patients with diabetes.
Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.
Duration and Place of Study: Nephrology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Mar 2021.
Methodology: A total of 70 patients were recruited. Serum samples were collected for creatinine and Cystatin C levels and 24 hours of urine for creatinine clearance. The eGFR values were calculated using the creatinine, Cystatin C and combined creatinine-Cystatin C CKD-EPI equations and compared with 24 hours of urinary creatinine clearance.
Results: A total of 22 (31.4%) patients had early stage, while 48 (68.6%) had late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). The highest Spearman correlation coefficient was found for eGFR CKD-EPIcr-cys (rho=0.844), followed by CKD-EPIcys (rho= 0.835) and CKD-EPIcr (rho=0.709).
Conclusion: CKD-EPIcr-cys is the most accurate, recommended method of calculating eGFR.


Travel is now the largest online business-to-consumer product in the United States. Online hotel bookings are the second largest segment of online travel. Leisure travelers online spending will increase dramatically from 2002 to 2007. However, a majority of hospitality companies do not currently take advantage of the Internet as the cheapest and most efficient distribution medium. The purpose of this study examined leisure travelers' demographic and psychographic characteristics, online booking and travel frequency that influence travelers' desired hotel Website features and functions. The results found out that demographics (gender, occupation, and ethnicity), and psychographics (travel benefit sought), number of leisure travel trips per year, and number of online hotel bookings per year have impact on hotel Website attribute preferences.


ABSTRACT Quantum computing is one of the most significant anticipation towards the accomplishment of interminable consumer demands of small, high speed, and low-power operable electronics devices. As reversible logic circuits have direct applicability to quantum circuits, design and synthesis of these circuits are finding grounds for emerging nano-technologies of quantum computing. Multiple Controlled Toffoli (MCT) and Multiple Controlled Fredkin (MCF) are the fundamental reversible gates that playing key role in this phase of development. A number of special reversible gates have also been presented so far, which were claimed superior for providing certain purposes like logic development and testing. This paper critically analyses a range of these gates to procure an optimal solution for design, synthesis and testing of reversible circuits. The experimentation is facilitated at three subsequent levels, i.e. gates properties, quantum cost and design & testability. MCT and MCF gates are found up to 50% more cost-effective than special gates at design level and 34.4% at testability level. Maximum reversibility depth (MRD) is included as a new measurement parameter for comparison. Special gates exhibit MRD up to 7 which ideally should be 1 for a system to be physically reversible as that of MCT and MCF gates.


Problem of breach of contract in debt financing is seen increasing day by day in line with rapid development of the Islamic financial system in Malaysia. The bank actually has taken the appropriate measures to overcome this problem. However, question arise related to the basis of valuation of a breach of contract and are there other methods of compensation to help Islamic financial institutions deal with this breach. Thus, this paper reviews previous studies as to issues related to the breach of contract. Analysis of the literature is conducted to evaluate the concept of breach of contract and to identify its solutions according to the Islamic point of view. This is a qualitative study with approach of library research. Result of literature review found that problem of breach of contract often occurs in the case of violations of right and condition. Part of the problem of breach of contract may also be overcome through the use of several methods and contractual supports. Therefore, a study to form a method and mechanism of solution of breach of contract based on Islamic principles should be developed. This is in order to the practice of financial system and Islamic banking will be more transparent and harmonized.


Soai's discovery of chiral amplification in the autocatalytic alkylation of pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde with diisopropylzinc is one of the most noteworthy findings of the last decade of the 20th century. This is the first experimental confirmation of an early theoretical rationalisation of autocatalysis as a mechanism for the evolution of biological homochirality from a racemic environment (Frank, 1953). This thesis describes kinetic and spectroscopic investigations that were conducted with the aim of better understanding the mechanism under which chiral amplification is achieved in the Soai system. The methodology used to perform the kinetic studies that are presented in this thesis focuses on the use of reaction calorimetry as in-situ tool coupled with the appropriate analytical technique for enantiomeric excess measurements. Observations of an unusual temperature effect on the reaction rate and a profound induction period are reported together with extensive kinetic investigations. Kinetic experiments were designed and carried out following Reaction Progress Kinetic Analysis methodology, which is described in detail. These experiments were carried out in order to ascertain the concentration dependence of the substrates and the reaction product, and revealed a 1.6 order in pyrimidyl aldehyde, a zero order in diisopropylzinc and a first order in the reaction product. Meticulous NMR studies of the alkoxide product at low temperature demonstrated its tendency to form tetrameric complexes, which could be either directly involved in the autocatalysis or be the precursors of the active catalytic species. Possible mechanisms that involve tetramers formation are proposed and supported by simulations carried out using COPASI simulation software. This thesis also includes a separate Chapter on the MIB mediated alkylation of benzaldehyde with diethylzinc, a system characterised by a marked nonlinear effect. Kinetic studies demonstrate how the high degree of chiral amplification comes at the expense of the reaction rate.


The Canadian Mesoscale Compressible Community (MC2) model provided daily forecasts across the Alps at 3-km resolution during the Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP) field phase of 1999. Among the results of this endeavor, some have had an immediate impact on MC2 itself as it increasingly became evident that the model was spuriously too sensitive to finescale orographic forcing. The model solves the Euler equations of motion using a semi-implicit semi-Lagrangian scheme in an oblique terrain-following coordinate. To improve model behavior, typical approaches were tried at first. These included a generalization of the coordinate transformation to make the terrain influence decay much more quickly with height as well as the introduction of nonisothermal basic states to diminish the amplitude of numerical truncation errors. The concept of piecewise-constant finite elements was invoked to reduce coding arbitrariness. But it was later pointed out that the problem was very specific and due to a numerical inconsistency. The true height of model grid points is fixed and known in height-based coordinates. Nevertheless, it was discovered that for this semi-Lagrangian scheme to be consistent, the departure height is an unknown that must be obtained in the same manner as the other unknowns.


Background If the predominant means of HIV transmission is heterosexual in the Soconusco region of Mexico, then the female sex workers (FSWs) from Central America who work in this region may be playing a significant role in the heterosexual transmission of HIV. Goal The goal was to estimate the prevalence of several sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection, and to evaluate the population mobility of Mexican and Central American FSWs in the Soconusco region in Chiapas State, Mexico. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted upon the construction of a sampling frame of sex work–related bars in the municipalities of the Soconusco region. Consenting participants answered a questionnaire that recorded sociodemographic characteristics, previous and current experience in commercial sex, and risk indicators for STI. Women also provided blood and endocervical swab specimens to be analyzed. Results A sample of 484 women were enrolled, who were characterized as follows: the average age was 25.6 years, and a high proportion had children, were single, had started sexual activity at an early age, and had a low level of education and low earnings. The global prevalences of infections with Treponema pallidum, HSV-2, HIV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Chlamydia trachomatis were 9.4%, 85.7%, 0.6%, 11.6%, and 14.4%, respectively. Frequencies of HBcAb and HBsAg hepatitis B markers were 17.7% and 1.3%. The cumulative prevalence of treatable gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis was 27.4%. Conclusion The data on women's mobility illustrate that the Soconusco region attracts Central American women to enter the commercial sex trade. The women's sociodemographic characteristics were consistent with high prevalences of STI, except HIV infection. The low frequency of HIV infection suggests that this population may have had little contact with HIV core groups in Central America and in the Soconusco and no history of blood transfusion or intravenous drug use.


SUMMARY Multivariable regression models are powerful tools that are used frequently in studies of clinical outcomes. These models can use a mixture of categorical and continuous variables and can handle partially observed (censored) responses. However, uncritical application of modelling techniques can result in models that poorly fit the dataset at hand, or, even more likely, inaccurately predict outcomes on new subjects. One must know how to measure qualities of a model's fit in order to avoid poorly fitted or overfitted models. Measurement of predictive accuracy can be difficult for survival time data in the presence of censoring. We discuss an easily interpretable index of predictive discrimination as well as methods for assessing calibration of predicted survival probabilities. Both types of predictive accuracy should be unbiasedly validated using bootstrapping or cross-validation, before using predictions in a new data series. We discuss some of the hazards of poorly fitted and overfitted regression models and present one modelling strategy that avoids many of the problems discussed. The methods described are applicable to all regression models, but are particularly needed for binary, ordinal, and time-to-event outcomes. Methods are illustrated with a survival analysis in prostate cancer using Cox regression. Accurate estimation of patient prognosis is important for many reasons. First, prognostic estimates can be used to inform the patient about likely outcomes of her disease. Second, the physician can use estimates of prognosis as a guide for ordering additional tests and selecting appropriate therapies. Third, prognostic assessments are useful in the evaluation of technologies; prognostic estimates derived both with and without using the results of a given test can be compared to measure the incremental prognostic information provided by that test over what is provided by prior information.' Fourth, a researcher may want to estimate the effect of a single factor (for example, treatment given) on prognosis in an observational study in which many uncontrolled confounding factors are also measured. Here the simultaneous effects of the uncontrolled variables must be controlled (held constant mathematically if using a regression model) so that the effect of the factor of interest can be more purely estimated. An analysis of how variables (especially continuous ones) affect the patient outcomes of interest is necessary to


Liver is a key organ responsible for organism's homeostasis. A proper function of this organ is crucial for detoxification of metabolic products and regulation of metabolic processes of macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates). The most important infectious factors, leading to liver damage, are primary hepatotropic viruses, particularly those causing chronic inflammation of the organ (HBV, HCV, HDV), which may subsequently cause cirrhosis and/or primary hepatocellular carcinoma. There has been a growing interest in Helicobacter spp. liver infections as a potential factor promoting injury of the organ towards hepatocellular carcinoma. The association between hepatocellular carcinoma and the presence of Helicobacters in the liver has been well documented in animal models (Helicobacter hepaticus versus liver cancer in mice). Some reports also indicate similar association in humans, where the presence of Helicobacter antigens in patients with liver cancer is detected more often in comparison to healthy or chronically infected population. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying such a phenomenon are not well known, the knowledge on this subject has considerably increased during recent years. The review presents data on the association between the presence of Helicobacter spp. in the liver and injuries of the organ, as well as the role that is played by the bacteria in chronic liver diseases.


AIM
The aim of this study is to evaluate the WhatsApp social networking application for improving knowledge, self-efficacy and awareness about diabetes management.

METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted with intervention and control groups at Teaching Hospital in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The intervention group received weekly educational messages using WhatsApp, while the control group received regular care.

RESULTS
Statistically, compared with the control group, the diabetes knowledge and self-efficacy of the intervention group increased significantly after the intervention with the WhatsApp application.

CONCLUSION
The WhatsApp application can be effectively used for enhancing diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and awareness among the Saudi population.


Background Management of patients with refractory congestion, is one of the most important challenges in the field of heart failure (HF). Diuretic therapy remains the most widely used therapy to achieve euvolemia. However, some patients experience fluid overload despite the use of high-dose diuretics and new strategies to overcome diuretic resistance are needed. Case Summary We report an 85 years-old male patient admitted for decompensated HF with persistent tissue fluid overload (peripheral edema) for more than two weeks despite high dose of intravenous furosemide with the combination of other diuretics. At this point, we performed leg venous compression using elastic bandages for three days. After 72 h, edema disappeared, and additional weight loss was achieved (1 kg/day). No side effects were observed and the patient was discharged home euvolemic. Conclusion Venous leg compression may be an alternative therapy in patients with persistent tissue fluid overload resistant to diuretics.


Introduction: A good medical teacher is one who facilitates the growth of students, make significant impact on the lives of students and pave the way in making quality healthcare professional. The objective of this study was to identify the importance of attributes of good teachers from students' perspectives.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal. The questionnaire containing four attributes of good teacher were distributed among students of third year MBBS of third batch in August 2013. The students endorsed each attribute on 5 Likert's scale- 1= Extremely important, 2= Very important, 3= Important, 4= to some extent important and 5= Not important. The data was analyzed using IBMS SPSS version 20.
Results: Overall all students gave importance to all four attributes assessed for a good medical teacher in this study (2.83± 0.90, 3.04± 0.92, 3.05±0.84, and 2.95±0.88). Majority of the students perceived that the teacher must explain concepts/ideas (75%), stimulates interest in subject (63%), demonstrate enthusiasm in teaching (73%) and use appropriate teaching technique (70%).
Conclusion: The findings of this study are consistent with the various studies conducted on perceptions of students about attributes of a good medical teachers but cannot be generalized as the data was collected only from third year MBBS students of one medical college of Nepal. It is recommended to conduct study involving all years of medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy students and teachers from randomly selected schools of Nepal, compare the findings and recommend strategy for teaching learning of students and training of teachers.
Keywords: Attributes; good teacher; medical teacher; Nepali students' perception.


Alterations in neutrophil extravasation are seen in disease states and in response to therapeutics. To investigate neutrophil extravasation during the acute inflammatory response, a skin-window technique used in humans was adapted for use in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fasicularis). Modulation of neutrophil extravasation was attempted with systemic methotrexate and local application of the anaphylatoxin recombinant C5a (rC5a). On day 1, skin windows were created in 4 ketamine-anesthetized monkeys on both forearms by mildly abrading the skin and then overlaying the abrasions with filter paper either saturated in saline or rC5a for 6 h. At 2.5 h prior to generation of new skin windows on day 2, the monkeys received 4.5 mg methotrexate IM, and skin windows and treatment with saline or rC5a were repeated on new forearm sites on each monkey. All papers were analyzed for albumin, neutrophil number, and the neutrophil chemoattractant IL8. Day 1 albumin levels did not differ between groups, indicating consistent abrasion. Methotrexate given prior to the day 2 abrasions reduced neutrophil extravasation and IL8 levels compared with those on day 1. rC5a partially abrogated the methotrexate-induced reduction in neutrophil extravasation and IL8 production. The skin-window technique was well tolerated by the monkeys and successfully accommodated measurement of changes in neutrophil extravasation in response to inflammatory modulators.


We report calculations of the anisotropy ratio of the electrical conductivity of a simple model of a loose connective biological tissue described as a random assembly of multiscale undeformable core-shell and controlled polydisperse spherical structures. One can estimate a 10% increase in the anisotropy ratio due to the application of electric field (duration 100 μm) above the electroporation threshold (40 kV m−1) up to 120 kV m−1. These findings are consistent with the experimental data on the field-induced anisotropy dependence of the electrical conductivity due to cell membrane electroporation.


Neutralizing and non-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against parapoxviruses (PPV) were generated by immunizing BALB/c-mice with gradient-purified PPV Orf D-1701 or purified envelopes. Epitope specificity studies identified three distinct epitopes localized in the virus envelope. These antigenic sites allowed a differentiation between orf and stomatitis papulosa viruses. For a rapid diagnosis of parapoxviruses transmission-electron microscopy, immunofluorescence- or immunoperoxidase-staining, antigen capture ELISA, and polymerase-chain-reaction were used.


Remote sensing plays an important role in earth oriented research. Most important and challenging problems with remote sensing images are content modeling and retrieval.Existing system uses various methods to retrieve the most relevant remote sensing images.Usually these methods require sufficient labeled samples, this is very critical in complex image like, remote sensing images.For all intents and purposes it is tedious and difficult to get sufficient number of labels for the archives. To overcome this limitation a method is proposed which improves the performance of retrieval and reduce the time require to find most similar images to query image by applying graph matching technique.


Vaginal bleeding in women during their reproductive years is a common presentation with diverse list of potential causes and hence differential diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis relies on meticulous history taking, past obstetric/gynecological and medical history as well as a judicious examination including speculum examination. Leech bites are a recognized cause of bleeding from any human orifice upon exposure to water which is infested with leeches. A high level of suspicion is necessary to make the diagnosis and institute cost-effective definitive treatment for leech bite induced bleeding including vaginal bleeding as has been revealed by the three cases presented in this report.


We explore how the ferroelectric polarization of antiferromagnetic E-type orthorhombic HoMnO3 can be increased, by investigating the effects of in-plane strain on both the magnetic properties and the ferroelectric polarization, using combined density functional theory calculations and a model Hamiltonian technique. Our results show that the net polarization is strongly enhanced under compressive strain, due to an increase of the electronic contribution to the polarization. In contrast, the ionic contribution is found to decrease. We identify the electron-lattice coupling, due to Jahn-Teller (JT) distortions, and its response to strain, to be responsible for the observed behavior. The JT-induced orbital ordering of occupied Mn-e(g)(1) electrons in alternating 3x(2)-r(2)/3y(2)-r(2) orbital states in the unstrained structure, changes under in-plane compressive strain to a mixture with x(2)-z(2)/y(2)-Z(2) states. The asymmetric hopping of e(g) electrons between Mn ions along zigzag spin chains (typical of the AFM-E spin configuration) is therefore enhanced under strain, explaining the large value of the polarization. Using a degenerate double-exchange model including electron-phonon interaction, we reproduce the change in the orbital ordering pattern. In this picture, the orbital ordering change is related to a change of the Berry phase of the e(g) electrons. This causes an increase of the electronic contribution to the polarization.


A system which imposes a range of water stress levels was developed and evaluated. Water stress was controlled by employing a screen to suspend roots above a water column of known height. Levels of water stress were imposed by changing water column height and/or hydraulic conductivity of the medium in the column. The system was evaluated in a series of growth chamber experiments in which sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L. cv NK894) were given three levels of water availability for a period of 3 weeks. Third leaf midday water potentials at the end of the trials ranged from -0.73 +/- 0.04 to -2.35 +/- 0.17 megapascals in waterstressed plants compared to -0.40 +/- 0.02 megapascals for control plants. Repetition of experiments showed no statistical differences in leaf water potentials, plant leaf areas, or plastochron indices between trials. During the experiments, the severity and pattern of water stress developments was related to both water column height and conductivity of the medium. Control plants exhibited normal diurnal water relations and transpirational behavior. Use of this system avoids many problems associated with other techniques and provides a means for subjecting plants to reproducible water stress levels for extended periods of time.


A neodymium laser with a master Raman oscillator, generating pulses of 0.8 ps duration and of 1012 contrast, was used to study harmonic generation by the interaction of radiation of 1015—1016 W cm-2 intensity with a metal target. When the laser pulse had the p polarisation (the angle of incidence of the radiation on the target was 45°C), the second and third harmonics were generated by anharmonic motion of electrons on the plane plasma—vacuum interface. The energy efficiencies of conversion to the second and third harmonics depended weakly on the laser radiation intensity I (they were proportional to I0.2) and amounted to ~1.5×10-5 and ~0.8×10-5, respectively. When the pulse had the s polarisation, the generation efficiency fell by a factor of 10 for the second harmonic and by a factor more than 103 for the third harmonic.


The relationship between the physical work environment and the social practices associated with it has until recently been neglected in studies of organisation and public management. Although there is now growing interest in organisational space, the area is characterised by competing definitions and fragmented contributions. There are still relatively few empirical studies, and no ethnographic studies which have analysed the relationship between organisational space and organisational social processes over time and in depth.
A sociological analysis of the interrelationship between the material environment of an organisation and organisational social structures and processes is undertaken, using a case study of a UK local authority which undertook a spatial reconfiguration of all its staff over a period of four years. During this time, successive groups of staff were moved into new or refurbished buildings which were designed to support 'new ways of working', a term which stood for fluid networking across structural boundaries, in particular, directorates and hierarchical levels. In these new offices, all staff were based in open plan space and no employees had official 'ownership' of a particular desk. The new spatial configuration grouped 'strategic' managers in a central headquarters building, 'back office' employees in an adjacent building, and relocated 'locality' staff in 'Public Service Villages' which integrated staff across directorates. Senior managers expressed ambitious intentions for the way in which this new configuration could reshape what they presented as an outdated bureaucracy into an outward-looking, inspirational organisation based on a networked form. The study focuses chiefly on the strategic centre and back office buildings and compares officially stated intentions with the social processes and structures that actually emerged over time in both buildings.
The case study is ethnographically-oriented and works within Pragmatist criteria of truth and validity. The analysis uses Lefebvre's conceptualisation of the social production of space to integrate social and spatial dimensions, and link the configuration of space with the social structures of capitalism. To compensate for Lefebvre's relative neglect of agency in the production of space, use is made of Berger and Luckmann's analysis of the social construction of reality. Thus, the thesis applies what Harvey terms the 'geographical imagination', which relates everyday spatial processes to the wider sociospatial configuration ofthe society of which they are a part.
The first two contributions link the spatial structure of organisation with the degree of autonomy given to employees. In the strategic centre, new networked structures emerged to an extent, but the transformation to a network form was limited by a hierarchical sociospatial structure, which the study conceptualises as the 'invisible office'. In the back office building, the official priorities appeared to have shifted towards the cost-efficient use of space and the capacity to flex the organisation structure rapidly. This resulted in a sociospatial structure in which the key distinctions were between the top managers and all other staff, and between employees who established unofficial ownership over particular desks and those who could not. In this building, the use of space mapped closely onto the non-inclusive roles which Kallinikos argues are the basic units from which modern organisation is composed. The exchangeable use of space can therefore be understood as a shift in which the efficiency and rationality of bureaucratic organisation is increased. In both buildings, the group of employees at the top of the organisational hierarchy (in what was officially suggested should be an entirely non-hierarchical environment) maintained a semi-private space. While both office environments had the same material capacity for exchangeability, the more powerful organisational members appeared to take root and from this position of spatial stability planned the flexible reconfiguration of other employees.