Mountain bikers often report impaired finger sensitivity caused by mechanical vibrations and misalignment between the wrist and the forearm when using traditional (cylindrical) handles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of ergonomic clip-on handles that allowed the hand to rest on the medial carpal bone, on muscular activity, vibration transmissibility between the cycle ergometer and body segments, and handgrip strength. Sixteen cyclists performed two pedalling exercises at ~200 W lasting 20 minutes on a cycle ergometer that delivered vibrations under the fork (vertical amplitude: 4-25 mm; frequency: 4-17 Hz) whilst using cylindrical handles and ergonomic clip-on handles with a randomized order. Compared to cylindrical handles, ergonomic clip-on handles decreased significantly vibration transmissibility to the extensor digitorum, triceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis muscles by 10, 10 and 7%, respectively. The surface electromyography activity of the flexor carpi radialis decreased by 45%, while that of the triceps brachii increased by 12% (both significantly). Unlike the cylindrical handles, the ergonomic clip-on handles did not involve a significant decrease in the maximal handgrip force after the pedalling exercise. The ergonomic clip-o handles may prevent symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome in mountain bikers and could preserve their ability to effectively manoeuvre and brake the bike.


In the process of conformation of modern sciences, Geography passed through an epistemological construction process, founded on the Kantian difference between "the celestial order above me" and "the moral order inside me". Circumstance that implied the recognition of a strict control over time and space, consolidated as of the domination of the representations field, whose main spatial expression is the Cosmos by Alexander Von Humboldt. Part of the modern state consolidation, and constitutive element of the Enlightenment's mythical ideals, colonial domination and abstract language construction that allows to homogenize reality. Here we explore the particularities of the process, as of the importance of Cosmos.


PURPOSE
To present the Norwegian documentation KPO model (quality assurance, problem solving, and caring). To present the requirements and multiple electronic patient record (EPR) functions the model is designed to address.

METHODS
The model's professional substance, a conceptual framework for nursing practice is developed by examining, reorganizing, and completing existing frameworks. The model's methodology, an information management system, is developed using an expert group. Both model elements were clinically tested over a period of 1 year.

RESULTS
The model is designed for nursing documentation in step with statutory, organizational, and professional requirements. Complete documentation is arranged for by incorporating the Nursing Minimum Data Set. A systematic and comprehensive documentation is arranged for by establishing categories as provided in the model's framework domains. Consistent documentation is arranged for by incorporating NANDA-I Nursing Diagnoses, Nursing Intervention Classification, and Nursing Outcome Classification.

CONCLUSIONS
The model can be used as a tool in cooperation with vendors to ensure the interests of the nursing profession is met when developing EPR solutions in healthcare.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The model can provide clinicians with a framework for documentation in step with legal and organizational requirements and at the same time retain the ability to record all aspects of clinical nursing.


Effects of aging and dietary protein on the L-arginine-nitric oxide (Arg-NO) pathway and the progress of chronic nephropathy were examined. At 6-7 months of age, 10 male Fischer 344 rats were fed a 23% protein diet until 24 or 25 months of age, and another 10 were fed a 12% protein diet until that age. Twenty male Fischer 344 rats that were fed the 23% protein diet from 6 to 8 months of age were used as a control. Urinary excretion of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) at the age of 24 months in the 23% protein group was remarkably decreased, whereas in the 12% protein group, urinary NOx remained comparable to that of the control. Histological examination revealed that chronic nephropathy was highly progressive in the 23% protein group, accompanied by lowered renal function, but these changes were obviously suppressed in the 12% protein group. These results suggest that an age-related decrease in the synthesis of NO could be associated with the progress of chronic nephropathy.


ABSTRACT Percutaneous catheter‐based thrombolysis is commonly used in association with angioplasty to treat thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts. Although major complications of these percutaneous procedures are relatively uncommon, they can result in several potentially serious complications, including pulmonary embolism, cerebral embolism, arterial embolism, bleeding with perigraft hematoma or hemorrhage, and vein rupture. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical significance, and management of these complications.


Purpose of the article: Information and communication technology (ICT) is becoming an integral part of other products and services, thereby increasing their added value and making processes and services provided to the population and to economic entities more effective. In the contemporary environment of the information society, attention is focused on the development of the global information environment and the development of e-Government is its necessary part. Utilization of data boxes by individuals could help improve the quality of living in the economic, ecologic and informatics aspects. Scientific aim: The paper aims to analyze the utilization of data boxes by individuals in the area of Czech Republic's e-Government and to identify key factors for its development. The use of data boxes by individuals on voluntary base is relatively weak in the conditions of Czech Republic in comparison to other countries where the stimulation for the use of data boxes is more effective and not only on legal base. Methodology/methods: The economic theory and especially e-Government theory form the bases of the paper and through analyses and synthesis and with analysis using statistics methods the current state is identified. Subsequently, based on the author's survey, the barriers and limitations for development are formulated. Findings: The conclusions of the analyses presented in the paper show, however, that the state of preparedness of e-Government support and the mentality of the population must be taken in to consideration to ensure continual development and improvement of global information society. Conclusions: On this base, authors select recommendations for improvement of development of this area via strengthening the utilization of data boxes by individuals.


As a starting point of investigating what molecular dynamic simulations can reveal about the nature of atomic level of heating and cooling process, argon described by the LJ potential is considered. Stepwise heating and cooling of constant rates are simulated in the NPT (constant number, pressure and temperature) ensemble. Hysteresis is found due to the superheating and supercooling. Drastic change of volume and energy is involved with phase change, but the melting point can not be obtained by simply observing the changes of these quantities. Since liquid and solid phases can co-exist at the same temperature, Gibbs free energy should be calculated to find the temperature where the Gibbs free energy of liquid is equal to that of the solid since the equilibrium state is the state of minimum Gibbs free energy. The obtained melting temperature, T = 0.685, is close to that of the experiment with only 2% error.


Aims: Several natural products have exhibited synergistic activity against microorganisms. In this study we
investigated the existence of synergistic antifungal effect between Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil and different varieties of raw honey from Algeria.
Methodology: To evaluate antimycotic effects of mixtures of raw honey (RH) and Thymus vulgaris oil (TVO)
using agar disc diffusion assay. The antimycotic capacity was determined against two pathogenic yeasts clinical isolates Candida albicans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa.
Results: The results indicated that the essential oil of TVO and raw honey are efficient against the tested
yeasts. The diameters of inhibition Zone (DIZ) values were all between 8.26-9.5 mm for the RH and between
8.56-10.3 mm for the TVO. RH and TVO interacted synergistically to inhibit Candida albicans and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa.
Conclusion: These results revealed that combinations of TVO with RH can be used for the development of
potent and novel antifungal agents.


This research is motivated by the emergence of the "thugs" as local actors in North Sumatra that play a role in supporting Gatot Pudjonugroho as a candidate for Governor of North Sumatra. The majority of local actors were coming from a cadre of Pemuda Pancasila. They do not just rely on violence and money owned, but they have a network to rulers in the region. They can use that capacity to gain access to the resources of the local government and maximize the power network owned. The main theory is used Bossism theory of John T. Sidel and Group Violence written by Masaaki and Rozaki. A case study approach and qualitative analysis and typology chosen as a way to draw up a written interpretation of the data, interview and observation. The findings show that a form of intimidation by members of the Pemuda Pancasila is threatening physical beatings and create inconvenience voters who did not vote candidate supported. The pattern of mobilization on the basis of patron-client pyramid. Model relationship that exists between the Pemuda Pancasila with the bureaucracy, businessmen, and local print media carried out on symbiotic mutualism. The phenomenon appears and the persistence of local bosses and violent groups identify their distinctive differences in North Sumatra. A contribution to Political Science theory perspective found in this study is called Theory of New Patronage Network of Local Boss


This dissertation examines issues of gender, practice, and sociopolitical reform efforts through the lens of household archaeology. Archaeological and historical research undertaken at the homes of Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826-1898) and May Shepard Cheney (1862-1942) provide a means of examining how gender ideologies were lived and negotiated in practice in contexts of homes that were integrally involved in sociopolitical reform efforts. Gage, who fought for suffrage and woman's rights during the late 19th century, and Cheney, who used her administrative position at the University of California, Berkeley during the early 20th century to advocate for women's social, political, and economic opportunities, both brought elements of their reform work into their homes. By examining artifacts such as tea wares, children's toys, a Japanese garden, and canning jars, I show how the Gage and Cheney households deftly navigated the gendered norms of their time while simultaneously working to reform those norms. Through this, I also highlight the significance of their husbands, Henry Hill Gage and Warren Cheney, and children in these negotiations within the home.The use of material culture in reform pursuits at these sites highlights the multivalent nature of meanings attributable to objects, and emphasizes that ownership of particular household materials does not mean that a particular household necessarily adhered to hegemonic gender ideologies. Instead, household material culture was used by these two households in ways that suited their reform ideals.This dissertation is also an example of feminist-inspired collaborative archaeology. Work at both sites was conducted in ways that sought to demystify the process of research and foster less-hierarchical relationships with stakeholders.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Vemurafenib is a BRAF inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of BRAF V600E-positive metastatic melanoma after a phase III clinical trial demonstrated improved survival in patients taking vemurafenib compared to dacarbazine. As the first personalized treatment for metastatic melanoma to show a survival benefit, vemurafenib is a major breakthrough in the field. Although tumors in patients frequently shrink significantly within weeks of initiation of treatment, resistance eventually develops in many patients, with a median progression free survival of approximately 7 months. Evaluation of the biomarker and phenotypic correlates of response are difficult to determine as paired pre-treatment and on-treatment biopsies generally only represent one on-treatment time point when available. A better in vivo understanding of the effects of BRAF inhibitor-treatment of relevant mouse models may yield insights into the nature of the clinical response and subsequent relapse. The conditional BRAF/PTEN mouse model of melanoma that we co-developed is ideal to study this process. In this non-xenograft model, expression of BRAF V600E and loss of PTEN is under control of the Cre-Lox recombination system. Expression of the Cre recombinase is under control of the tyrosinase promoter, ensuring that recombination is limited to melanocytes. The Cre recombinase is fused to an estrogen receptor that inhibits the activity of the recombinase. Activation of the Cre recombinase requires topical application of 4-hydroxytamoxifen, allowing for induction of recombination at specific time points in the life span of the mouse. The use of this mouse model allows for more thorough evaluation of the time course and phenotype of BRAF-inhibitor response in melanoma in an immunocompetent host. Specific studies include evaluation of the effect of PLX4720 on the expression, localization, and activation of proteins involved with growth arrest, apoptosis, and glucose uptake.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2822. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2822


Parallel decoding based on multiple models has been studied to cover various conditions and speakers at a time on a speech recognition system. However, running many recognizers in parallel applying all models causes the total computational cost to grow in proportion to the number of models. In this paper, an efficient way of finding and pruning unpromising decoding processes during search is proposed. By comparing temporal search statistics at each frame among all decoders, decoders with relatively un-matched model can be pruned in the middle of recognition process to save computational cost. This method allows the model structures to be mutually independent. Two frame-wise pruning measures based on maximum hypothesis likelihoods and top confidence scores respectively, and their combinations are investigated. Experimental results on parallel recognition of seven acoustic models showed that by using the both criteria, the total computational cost was reduced to 36.53% compared to full computation without degrading the recognition accuracy.


Heparin can substitute for double-stranded (ds) RNA in the autophosphorylation and activation of the interferon-inducible, RNA-dependent elF-2 alpha protein kinase (PKR). We have used heparin oligosaccharides of defined lengths to examine the heparin-mediated activation of human PKR. Heparin oligosaccharide with 8 sugar residues was nearly as efficient as 16-residue heparin (Hep-16) in mediating the activation of PKR autophosphorylation, whereas 6-residue heparin was a poor activator. When examined in combination, Hep-16 and dsRNA did not act synergistically in activating PKR autophosphorylation. The RNA-binding activity of recombinant PKR, measured with adenovirus VA RNA, was competed by poly(rl):poly(rC) but not by Hep-16. When the catalytically inactive, histidine-tagged mutant PKR protein [His-PKR(K296R)] was examined as a substrate for purified wild-type PKR, the intermolecular phosphorylation of His-PKR(K296R) was efficiently catalyzed by dsRNA-activated PKR but not by heparin-activated PKR. However, elF-2 alpha phosphorylation was catalyzed by both heparin-and dsRNA-activated PKR. Preincubation of PKR with Hep-16 in the absence of ATP blocked subsequent autophosphorylation mediated either by Hep-16 or dsRNA, whereas preincubation with dsRNA either alone or in combination with Hep-16 did not impair subsequent autophosphorylation. Neither Hep-16 nor dsRNA caused a detectable degradation of PKR during preincubation or subsequent autophosphorylation of PKR. These results suggest that, while both dsRNA and heparin are capable of activating PKR autophosphorylation, the structural and functional basis of PKR activation differs for these two classes of polyanionic biomolecules.


Molybdenum impregnated calcium oxide (Mo/CaO) was prepared via a wet impregnation method by varying Mo loading (1–5 wt%) and calcination temperature (300–800 °C). Powder X-ray diffraction study of the Mo/CaO catalyst supported the homogeneous doping of Mo in CaO as no peak corresponding to molybdenum oxide was obtained. The prepared catalyst was successfully employed for the ethanolysis of high free fatty acid (up to 18 wt%) containing vegetable oils with ethanol to give >99% fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) yield under the optimal reaction conditions of ethanol to oil molar ratio of 12:1, catalyst concentration of 5 wt% (catalyst/oil) and reaction temperature of 65 °C. The catalyst was recovered and reused five times without significant loss in its activity. The Koros–Nowak criterion test demonstrated that catalytic activity was independent from the mass transport phenomenon. Under optimized reaction conditions the activation energy (Ea) for Mo/CaO catalyzed ethanolysis was found to be 66.02 kJ mol−1. Thermodynamic activation parameters of the reactions were evaluated based on activation complex theory (ACT) and obtained values of ΔG‡ = 43.62 kJ mol−1, ΔH‡ = 64.10 kJ mol−1 and ΔS‡ = −60.58 J mol−1 K−1 supported an unspontaneous, endothermic and associative mechanism of reaction.


Abstract We give an affirmative answer to Brendle's and Hrušák's question of whether the club principle together with is consistent. We work with a class of axiom A forcings with countable conditions such that is determined by finitely many elements in the conditions p and q and that all strengthenings of a condition are subsets, and replace many names by actual sets. There are two types of technique: one for tree-like forcings and one for forcings with creatures that are translated into trees. Both lead to new models of the club principle.


Following the endorsement of the Millennium Development Goals, there is an increasing demand for methods to track poverty regularly. This paper develops an economically intuitive and inexpensive methodology to do so in the absence of regular, comparable data on household consumption. The minimum data requirements for the methodology are the availability of a household budget survey and a series of surveys with a comparable set of asset data also contained in the budget survey. The methodology is illustrated using a series of Demographic Health Surveys from Kenya.


Field aligned currents play ap important role in the global coupling betweei! the magnelosphere and the ionosphere and in their relationship to the auroral phenomena. Moreover, there exists evidence that resonant oscillations are related to large-scale Birkeland currents.[9] "['he spatial confinement of the field-aligned currents forms an inhomogeneous system susceptible to low-frequency oscillations, which can be excited due to periodic variations in the solar wind pressure or to the Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability. In this paper we present a study of _dtralow-frequency (ULF) oscillations in an inhomogeneous magnetic field formed by a large-scale current. We investigate the effects of the field-aligned currents on the generation of localized Alfv6n waves. The field oscillations are described by an eigenvalue wave equation which includes the effects of the field aligned currents, and which produces a discrete spectrum of Alfv6n waves. These waves are observed mainly in three regions of the magnetosphere: in the magnetosheath, in the polar cusp and in the plasmasphere. In the present study we limit our investigation to the auroral region. Micropulsations are long-period (usually of the order of minutes) fluctuations of the Earth's magnetic field observed for a large number of wave-periods. An important question is the relation between the micropulsations to other observable quantities on the auroral field lines. A correlated study of precipitating electrons, auroral emissions, Birkeland currents and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field suggests that the precipitating electrons carry simultaneously the Birkeland current and cause the auroral emissions. An analysis of a magnetic field, electric field, X-ray and particle data concluded that wave-particle interaction is a source of periodic variations in the electron precipitation [6:5 t. Oscillations in UV emissions were conjectured as due to a standing Alfvbn wave driven by a large-scale wave in the boundary layer. The theories of magnetic pulsations deal with the excitation mechanisms of the waves and different aspects of resonance with particles [31 . The long-period pulsations are excited by KH instability at the outer magnetosphere or by the pressure gradient of the ring current. Strong observational evidence was presented that Pc5 pulsations on the dawn flank are driven by the KH instability in the low-latitude boundary layer [12].


The aim of this paper is to present an alternative method for the analysis of resistivity data. The methodology was developed during a study to evaluate if electrical resistivity can be used as a tool for analysing subsurface gas dynamics and gas emissions from landfills. The main assumption of this study was that variations in time of resistivity data correspond to variations in the relative amount of gas and water in the soil pores. Field measurements of electrical resistivity, static chamber gas flux and weather data were collected at a landfill in Helsingborg, Sweden. The resistivity survey arrangement consisted of nine lines each with 21 electrodes in an investigation area of 16 x20 m. The ABEM Lund Imaging System provided vertical and horizontal resistivity profiles every second hour. The data were inverted in Res3Dinv using L-1-norm-based optimization method with a standard least-squares formulation. Each horizontal soil layer was then represented as a linear interpolated raster model. Different areas underneath the gas flux measurement points were defined in the resistivity model of the uppermost soil layer, and the vertical extension of the zones could be followed at greater depths in deeper layer models. The average resistivity values of the defined areas were calculated and plotted on a time axis, to provide graphs of the variation in resistivity with time in a specific section of the ground. Residual variation of resistivity was calculated by subtracting the resistivity variations caused by the diurnal temperature variations from the measured resistivity data. The resulting residual resistivity graphs were compared with field data of soil moisture, precipitation, soil temperature and methane flux. The results of the study were qualitative, but promising indications of relationships between electrical resistivity and variations in the relative amount of gas and water in the soil pores were found. Even though more research and better data quality is necessary for verification of the results presented here, we conclude that this alternative methodology of working with resistivity data seems to be a valuable and flexible tool for this application.


tion of the skin. A clinical study of 100 patients. Arch Dermatol 1989; 125:1525–30. 8 Lipsker D, Mitschler A, Grosshans E, Cribier B. Could Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate of the skin be a dermal variant of lupus erythematosus? An analysis of 210 cases. Dermatology 2006; 213:15– 22. 9 Abele DC, Anders KH, Chandler FW. Benign lymphocytic infiltration (Jessner–Kanof): another manifestation of borreliosis? J Am Acad Dermatol 1989; 21:795–7.


In a recent review of intergovernmental finance, George Break states, "if fiscal research is stimulated by rapid growth in the programs to be studied, intergovernmental grants should soon be basking in the warm glow of expert attention."' With the burgeoning debate on the spatial distribution of these grants, we might add that such research will undoubtedly address these spatial patterns. In order to speculate on the direction and value of future fiscal research, in this section we investigate existing approaches. These can be divided into descriptive, causal, and prescriptive studies.


One of the key research agenda of the field of aging is investigation of presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, abnormalities in brain glucose metabolism (as measured by FDG-PET) have been reported among cognitively normal elderly persons. However, little is known about the association of FDG-PET abnormalities with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in a population-based setting. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study derived from the ongoing population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging in order to examine the association between brain glucose metabolism and NPS among cognitively normal (CN) persons aged > 70 years. Participants underwent FDG-PET and completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Cognitive classification was made by an expert consensus panel. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for age, sex, and education. For continuous variables, we used linear regression and Spearman rank-order correlations. Of 668 CN participants (median 78.1 years, 55.4% males), 205 had an abnormal FDG-PET (i.e., standardized uptake value ratio < 1.32 in AD-related regions). Abnormal FDG-PET was associated with depression as measured by NPI-Q (OR = 2.12; 1.23–3.64); the point estimate was further elevated for APOE ɛ4 carriers (OR = 2.59; 1.00–6.69), though marginally significant. Additionally, we observed a significant association between abnormal FDG-PET and depressive and anxiety symptoms when treated as continuous measures. These findings indicate that NPS, even in community-based samples, can be an important additional tool to the biomarker-based investigation of presymptomatic AD.


Background—Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and myocardial dysfunction may be associated with apoptosis. Caspase 3 catalyzes a terminal step in apoptosis, and its expression may serve as a marker of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We synthesized 18F-CP18, a caspase-3 substrate and evaluated cardiac 18F-CP18 uptake in a mouse model of anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Methods and Results—For 12 weeks, mice were injected with doxorubicin, 3 mg/kg/week, or vehicle (control). Left ventricular fractional shortening was quantified by echocardiography. CP18 uptake after intravenous injection of 250 &mgr;Ci of 18F-CP18, 24 hours post-doxorubicin treatment was quantified by microPET, autoradiography, and gamma counting. Apoptosis was assessed by enzymatic assay of myocardial caspase 3 and TUNEL staining of tissue sections. Compared with controls, at 6 and 12 weeks of doxorubicin treatment, fractional shortening was reduced (20.7%±2.5% versus 31%±3.5%, P=0.010; and 20.3%±3.1% versus 32.4%±2.1%, P=0.011). Doxorubicin treatment was associated with increased 18F-CP18 uptake in %ID/g by gamma counting from 0.36±0.01 (week 1) to 0.78±0.01 (week 12), P=0.003. A similar increase in 18F-CP18 uptake was observed by microPET (0.41±0.04 versus 0.73±0.1, P=0.014) and autoradiography (1.1±0.3 versus 2.8±0.2 P=0.001). Caspase 3 enzymatic activity and apoptosis by TUNEL staining were also increased after 12 weeks of doxorubicin compared with weeks 1 and 3. CP18 uptake in controls was relatively unchanged at weeks 1, 3, and 12. Conclusions—In a mouse model of cardiotoxicity, doxorubicin treatment is associated with increased myocardial caspase 3 expression and an increase in CP18 uptake. 18F-CP18 may be useful for detection of anthracycline-induced myocardial apoptosis.


BACKGROUND
Stage I palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and its variants is usually performed by a Norwood operation. The management of pulmonary blood flow during this procedure remains controversial. The RV-to-PA conduit (RVPAC) has been proposed as the better alternative compared to a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt (SPS).

METHODS
A retrospective single center chart review of consecutive patients who underwent a Norwood I procedure between 01/1997 and 09/2006 was performed. All patients were operated in deep hypothermia, with or without circulatory arrest, using different shunt modifications according to surgeon's preference. Patients were divided into two groups depending on surgical management for pulmonary blood flow (modified BT shunt [BT] and non-valved RVPAC [Sano]).

RESULTS
Fifty-four patients were included in the study (BT: 31 patients vs. Sano: 23 patients). Diastolic blood pressure during the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the BT group (BT: 38.6 +/- 6.9 mmHg vs. Sano: 42.4 +/- 7.2 mmHg; P < 0.01) with a trend towards a higher systolic blood pressure (BT: 74.1 +/- 13.5 mmHg vs. Sano: 69.8 +/- 12.1 mmHg; P = 0.08). Mean circulatory arrest time in the BT group was significantly longer compared to the Sano patients (BT: 41 +/- 21 min vs. Sano: 25 +/- 23 min; P < 0.01). The mean hospital stay was 18.5 days for BT patients and 20 days for Sano patients ( P = 0.45). Early mortality for the total cohort was 14.8 % (n = 8) (BT 19.4 % [n = 6] vs. Sano 8.7 % [n = 2]; P = 0.12). There was no significant difference in inter-stage mortality between the two groups (BT: 18.2 % vs. Sano: 21.1 %; P = 0.47).

CONCLUSION
The results for both established surgical methods (BT and Sano) for the palliation of HLHS and its variants have improved over time and are reaching acceptable early mortality rates. There was a trend towards a favorable early outcome for Sano patients, which did not reach statistical significance in this study due to the low patient numbers.


Psoriasis is associated with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Biologic therapy targeting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-23, and IL-17 may improve not only psoriasis but also cardiometabolic diseases. We retrospectively evaluated whether biologic therapy improved various indicators of cardiometabolic disease. Between January 2010 and September 2022, 165 patients with psoriasis were treated with biologics targeting TNF-α, IL-17, or IL-23. The patients' body mass index; serum levels of HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and uric acid (UA); and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded at weeks 0, 12, and 52 of the treatment. Baseline psoriasis area and severity index (week 0) positively correlated with TG and UA levels but negatively correlated with HDL-C levels, which increased at week 12 of IFX treatment compared to those at week 0. UA levels decreased at week 12 after ADA treatment compared with week 0. HDL-C levels decreased 52 weeks after IXE treatment. In patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors, HDL-C levels increased at week 12, and UA levels decreased at week 52, compared to week 0. Thus, the results at two different time points (at weeks 12 and 52) were inconsistent. However, the results still indicated that TNF-α inhibitors may improve hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia.


Wrong or incorrect tumour biopsy diagnosis is often found out by second reading before starting treatment. But overlooked malignancies can escape as well as malignant tumour mistaken for another causing biased treatment with complications. A collection of 59 bioptic mistakes showed not only dispersion but repetition of some of them in nosologic groups. A detailed attention was paid to them and their prevention was recommended. A claim to reproducibility of conclusions represents a withdrawal from presumed clearly empiric nature of bioptic diagnosis.


We observe the dissipative dynamics of a dense, strongly interacting gas of bosonic atom pairs in an optical lattice, controlling the strength of the two-body interactions over a wide parameter regime. We study how three-body losses contribute to the lattice dynamics, addressing a number of open questions related to the effects of strong dissipation in a many-body system, including the relationship to the continuous quantum Zeno effect. We observe rapid break-up of bound pairs for weak interactions, and for stronger interactions we see doublon decay rates that are asymmetric when changing from attractive and repulsive interactions, and which strongly depend on the interactions and on-site loss rates. By comparing our experimental data with a theoretical analysis of few-body dynamics, we show that these features originate from a non-trivial combination of dissipative dynamics described by a lattice model beyond a standard Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian, and the modification of three-atom dynamics on a single site, which is generated alongside strong three-body loss. Our results open new possibilities for investigating bosonic atoms with strong three-body loss features, and allow for the better understanding of the parameter regimes that are required to realize strong effective three-body interactions.


AIM
To examine the antiulcerogenic effects of various extracts of Mentha arvensis Linn on acid, ethanol and pylorus ligated ulcer models in rats and mice.

METHODS
Various crude extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform, or aqueous at a dose of 2 g/kg po did not produce any signs or symptoms of toxicity in treated animals. In the pyloric ligation model oral administration of different extracts such as petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous at 375 mg/kg po, standard drug ranitidine 60 mg/kg po and control group 1% Tween 80, 5 mL/kg po to separate groups of Wister rats of either sex (n = 6) was performed. Total acidity, ulcer number, scoring, incidence, area, and ulcer index were assessed.

RESULTS
There was a decrease in gastric secretion and ulcer index among the treated groups i.e. petroleum ether (53.4%), chloroform (59.2%), aqueous (67.0%) and in standard drug (68.7%) when compared to the negative control. In the 0.6 mol/L HCl induced ulcer model in rats (n = 6) there was a reduction in ulcerative score in animals receiving petroleum ether (50.5%), chloroform (57.4%), aqueous (67.5%) and standard. drug (71.2%) when compared to the negative control. In the case of the 90% ethanol-induced ulceration model (n = 6) in mice, there was a decrease in ulcer score in test groups of petroleum ether (53.11%), chloroform (62.9%), aqueous (65.4%) and standard drug ranitidine (69.7%) when compared to the negative control. It was found that pre-treatment with various extracts of Mentha arvensis Linn in three rat/mice ulcer models ie ibuprofen plus pyloric ligation, 0.6 mol/L HCl and 90% ethanol produced significant action against acid secretion (49.3 ± 0.49 vs 12.0 ± 0.57, P < 0.001). Pre-treatment with various extracts of Mentha arvensis Linn showed highly -significant activity against gastric ulcers (37.1 ± 0.87 vs 12.0 ± 0.57, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION
Various extracts of Mentha arvensis Linn. 375 mg/kg body weight clearly shows a protective effect against acid secretion and gastric ulcers in ibuprofen plus pyloric ligation, 0.6 mol/L HCl induced and 90% ethanol-induced ulcer models.


The spin structure and polarization characters are the dominant aspects in the physical properties of manganite systems with colossal magnetoresistance effect. In this paper, a series of Mn-site doping samples La 2/3 Ca 1/3 Mn 1- x Co x O 3 (0≤ x ≤0.15) have been prepared with Co ion which has mult-spin states. The structure and transport properties of this system have been systematically investigated. The results showed that all the samples show good single phase and the lattice parameters decrease with the increasing of doping concentration x . The abnormal transport properties are induced by Co doping. To be specific, the resistivity exhibits two metal_insulator (M—I) transitions (double peak effect). Both high temperature peak ( T MIH ) and low temperature peaks ( T MIL ) shift to low temperature end with increasing x . While the T MIH shifts to high temperature, the T MIL is almost unchanged under the external field. The corresponding peak values of resistivity show strong dependence on the external field and Co doping concentration x . All the peak values of resistivity increase with the increase of x , and the low temperature peak value seems more sensitive than the high temperature peak. Compared with the magnetization properties, it could be concluded that, the high temperature peak is related with the undoped M-I transition, and the abnormal behavior of low temperature peak has certain relationship with the oxygen vacancy and high spin state induced by Co 3+ substituting Mn 4+ in the present system.


A 4-year-old boy was evaluated for recurrent abdominal pain and failure to thrive over a 1-year period in a pediatric subspecialty clinic. Results of the extensive workup mostly were unremarkable. Eventually, imaging studies of the abdominal aorta revealed an isolated thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery trunk and compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior mesenteric artery. He had been having abdominal angina symptoms and fear of eating. A detailed family history suggested a possible hypercoagulable state. However, an extensive hematologic evaluation did not reveal a recognizable defect that could produce thrombotic events. He was treated by arterial graft bypass surgery and started on conventional anticoagulants. Several months later, he developed repeat, near-total thrombosis of the graft with recurrence of his symptoms. After balloon dilation of the graft and starting him on appropriate anticoagulant maintenance regimen, he had good symptom relief, and the graft remained patent. This presentation was unusually prolonged for the type of vascular problem identified. The possibility of vascular problems in children, therefore, should be considered. Unidentified cause of hereditary clotting tendency is another challenging aspect of this case.


A mechanism for the photochemical conversion of 2-vinyl-1,3-terphenyl to 8,9a-dihydrophenanthrene (Lewis, F. D.; Zuo, X.; Gevorgyan, V.; Rubin, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 13664-13665) is presented in this study, based on ab initio restricted active space self-consistent field calculations and a molecular mechanics-valence bond dynamics simulation of a model system: the syn isomer of 2-vinylbiphenyl. An extended crossing seam between the ground and first excited electronic states was found to be largely responsible for the efficient photocyclization of the photochemically active syn isomer. This mechanism is nonadiabatic in nature, with an excited-state reaction pathway approaching the crossing region during the initial stage of cyclization. Dynamics simulation shows that this seam is easily accessible by vibrational motion in the branching space, once a small barrier is passed on the S1 excited-state potential energy surface. Ultrafast radiationless decay to the ground state then follows, and the cyclization is completed on this surface. A second possible mechanism was identified, which involves complete adiabatic cyclization on the S1 surface, with decay to the ground state (at a different conical intersection) only taking place once the product is formed. Thus, there is a competition between these two mechanisms-nonadiabatic and adiabatic-governed by the dynamics of the system. A large quantum yield is predicted for the photocyclization of the syn isomer of 2-vinylbiphenyl and 2-vinyl-1,3-terphenyl, in agreement with experimental observations.


This paper presents a generalization of the key equation to Hermitian codes. The syndrome is interpreted as a power series and the product of this power series with a locator polynomial gives the error evaluator polynomial. The computation of the evaluator polynomial may be done iteratively using a modified version of a previously published computationally efficient algorithm for computing locator polynomials.


Walnut Blight (WB) is currently the disease which leads to the highest yield reduction in most of the European walnut production countries. In 2006 and 2007, the percentage of fruits falling due to WB measured on 15 plots in the South-East of France ranged from 9 to 56% and from 11 to 66%, respectively. The symptoms of WB include necroses that are clearly visible on fruits and these may be used to identify and quantify WB expression in orchards. However, necroses on fruits can also result from water and/or nutrient stresses occurring during the growing season. This phenomenon has been observed on several species of fruits or annual shoots including tomato or peach. These results indicate that the existence of necroses is not restricted to the expression of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis. Interaction between the physiological status of the tree (water, nutrient) and the presence of the bacteria may explain orchards sensitivity to WB. It means that cropping practices such as irrigation or fertilizing may play an important role on WB expression. Across three years, the monitoring of micrometrical variation of shoots has been used to assess the water status of trees. Water status was also directly recorded at the same time. In 2007, we observed that a higher expression of WB was associated with more frequent stress observed on trees. These results show interesting trends that we will discuss in the context of the improvement of water supply and water resource restriction.


Socioeconomic status and nutrition knowledge are the determining factors of food choices. However, their relationship with diet quality is ambiguous among aboriginal women in Malaysia. Henceforth, the objective of this study was to examine diet quality and its predictors among the aboriginal women from the Mah Meri ethnic group in Malaysia. Data on socioeconomic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, and 24-h dietary recalls were obtained through face-to-face interviews with the respondents. Household food insecurity was assessed using Radimer/Cornell Hunger and Food Insecurity Instrument. The Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used to measure the diet quality of this population. The overall diet quality of the respondents was poor, with a mean Malaysian HEI score of 45.3%. Household income (r = 0.242, p < 0.001) and nutrition knowledge (r = 0.150, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with diet quality. More importantly, the predictors of diet quality were marital status (β = 0.181, p < 0.01), household income (β = 0.237, p < 0.001), food security status (β = −0.151, p < 0.01), and fat intake (β = −0.438, p < 0.001). Women being married and those with higher household income was associated with a better diet quality among Malaysian aborigines.


Methods evolved from the study of wave propagation through geometrically periodic media are used to enhance the probabilistic models used in statistical energy analysis (SEA). These enhanced models are based on calculations of the pass bands of typical elements of periodic structures and allow SEA to reflect the highly non-uniform distribution of natural frequencies found in such structures. Moreover, the enhancements do not require substantial reworking of the principal results of SEA, nor do they involve major exercises in computing. They also cater for the important case of structures that deviate from pure periodicity. By way of example the flow of energy between two parts of a ship's structure is investigated. These investigations contrast the results obtained from an 'exact' modal analysis of the structure, normal SEA approaches and that now proposed. The new approach is shown to provide worthwhile improvements in energy flow predictions when compared to traditional SEA. These improvements are applicable to a wide variety of geometrically periodic structures, ranging from off-shore platforms through box girder bridges to satellites.


This is a survey of some of the recent developments in the theory of complex Monge-Ampère equations. The topics discussed include refinements and simplifications of classical a priori estimates, methods from pluripotential theory, variational methods for big cohomology classes, semiclassical constructions of solutions of homogeneous equations, and envelopes.


Abstract This article considers core issues of practice, method and hermeneutics, as they bear upon the development of a scholarly field concerned with "Autism and Biblical Studies." A small body of scholarship has begun to bring biblical studies into dialogue with research into autism, and to reflect on the pertinent methodological issues; this article acknowledges the preliminary character of this and reflects upon what might be necessary for this emergent area of interest to be established as a mature field of research. The extending of the discussion to incorporate a range of sub-disciplines, each operating with different core "identifications" of the biblical material, is crucial to this, as is the careful use of insights from postcolonial and ideological critical approaches. Pivotally, however, research must also be shaped and led by those who are themselves autistic, so that autism is properly the subject and not merely the object of research.


Environmental change and unexpected crises are major threats to industrial development. Industries must build technological resilience to reduce the impact of shocks. Resilience has become a crucial concept for addressing vulnerabilities and developing flexible methods of adapting to crises. This study examined the concept of technological resilience, particularly at the industry level, as well as the factors that may influence technological resilience. Moreover, the relative capability of industries to maintain their production of technological knowledge during disruptive events was examined by analyzing the growth and crises of patenting. This methodology yielded novel insights into technological resilience with multidimensional perspectives. Collaboration reinforces technological resilience by reducing crisis probability and intensity. In addition, high-quality and diversified technological knowledge enhances technological resilience by reducing the probability, intensity, or duration of crises.


Objective: Based on the problem of aging population, increasing heart disease prevalence and the difficulty of seeing a doctor in hospital, the paper studies on the long-term continuous changes of heart sounds to implement real-time monitoring and remote diagnosis at home. Method: by use of wireless sensor technology, signal processing technology and network transmission technology, the paper designs a remote heart sound detection and analysis system based on internet of things. Results: this method can detect the heart sound, transmit the data and diagnose remotely on real-time. Conclusion: according to the patient information and heart rhythm index storage of hospital database, doctors can make the medical scheme in time to prevent and treat, which has a wide commercialization prospect.


We prove global, or space-time weighted, versions of the Gagliardo-Nirenberg interpolation inequality, with $L^p$ ($p<\infty$) endpoint, adapted to a hyperboloidal foliation. The corresponding versions with $L^\infty$ endpoint was first introduced by Klainerman and is the basis of the classical vector field method, which is now one of the standard techniques for studying long-time behavior of nonlinear evolution equations. We were motivated in our pursuit by settings where the vector field method is applied to an energy hierarchy with growing higher order energies. In these settings the use of the $L^p$ endpoint versions of Sobolev inequalities can allow one to gain essentially one derivative in the estimates, which would then give a corresponding gain of decay rate. The paper closes with the analysis of one such model problem, where our new estimates provide an improvement.


ABSTRACT Objective To characterize the epidemiological profile of patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed as HIV/AIDS, in a Specialized Service of the Public Health System. Methods A retrospective cohort study using secondary data from medical records in the period 2014 to 2018. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and features related to treatment adherence were organized in a database. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean (or median) ± standard deviation (or interquartile range), and categorical variables expressed as number and percentage of patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to assess the probability of overall specific survival. Results Of the 241 initially eligible patients, 149 patients were evaluated, registering 19 deaths in the studied period. There was a predominance of males aged 50-59 years, with severe immunodeficiency upon admission (29.7%), and with a CD4+ T lymphocyte count below 200 cells in 62 (46.3%) of patients. Elderly people aged 61 or over were more adherent. There was an increase in the CD4+ T lymphocyte count by an average of 139.63 in the first 6 months, and 50.51 from the first 6 months to 12 months of follow-up, with an average increase in the first 12 months of 157.63 cells. Specific overall survival in the period was 85%. Conclusion Patients older than 50 years had an immune response and no viral load detection in the 12-month period, deserving further studies to improve survival.


Various architectural power reduction techniques have been proposed for on-chip caches in the last decade. In this paper, we first show that these power reduction techniques can be suboptimal when thermal effects are considered. Then, we propose a thermal-aware cache power-down technique that minimizes the power density of the active parts by turning off alternating rows of memory cells instead of entire banks. The decrease in the power density lowers the temperature, which then exponentially reduces the leakage. Thus, leakage power of the active parts is reduced in addition to the power eliminated from the parts that are turned off. Simulations based on SPEC2000, NetBench, and MediaBench applications in a 70-nm technology show that the proposed thermal-aware architecture can reduce the total energy consumption by 53% compared to a conventional cache, and 14% compared to a cache architecture with thermal-unaware power reduction scheme. Second, we show a block permutation scheme that can be used during the design of the caches to maximize the distance between blocks with consecutive addresses. Because of spatial locality, blocks with consecutive addresses are likely to be accessed within a short time interval. By maximizing the distance between such blocks, we minimize the power density of the hot spots in the cache, and hence reduce the peak temperature. This, in return, results in an average leakage power reduction of 8.7% compared to a conventional cache without affecting the dynamic power and the latency. Overall, both of our architectures add no extra run-time penalty compared to the thermal-unaware power reduction schemes, yet they result in a significant reduction in the total energy consumption of a cache


Thao has extensive lexical and phonological, though not morphosyntactic, borrowing from Bunun. There are hundreds of Thao loanwords from Bunun. The consonants /b, d, l, ?, h/ have acquired phonemic status in Thao due to the great number of loans from Bunun. Linguistic evidence indicates that there are different periods of borrowing. Phonological and morphological adaptation of the forms is made for some lexical items. The problem of determining from which dialect(s) borrowing occurred is discussed in some detail, and so is the problem of some irregular forms. A list of Thao loanwords from Bunun is given in the appendix.


Two key measures of economic performance are calculated and analyzed for three important Italian trawl fisheries (Northern Thyrrenian Sea, South of Sicily, Northern Adriatic Sea): the Net Economic Returns (NER), which informs on the economic performance and is considered a proxy of resource rent in fisheries and the Return on Fixed Tangible Assets (ROFTA), which is used as an approximation of the Return on Investment (ROI) and is a key financial and performance indicator for a fisherman in order to take a decision to operate in a fishery. The trend of these indicators over the last decade highlights a poor economic performance that is associated with an overall poor condition of the state of resources. The trend of economic performance indicators is put in relation, on a time-based approach, with the different types of management measures applied over the last decade. We show that trends of fishing effort and economic indicators as well as statistical analysis return a coherent interpretation of the main factors affecting the profitability levels of the selected fleets. The study reveals that management measures impacted negatively on the profitability of the sector in the short run. However, economic indicators inverted the trend in the last 3 years. An increasing biomass trend as well as the improvement in fishing mortality of some few stocks, together with the reduction of input costs could be considered as positive drivers which impacted positively on economic profitability of the fisheries concerned. The study argues that even the technical and fishery management provisions in the Mediterranean Sea may have started to reverse the trend in economic profitability of the analyzed fleets. An additional management effort needs, however, to be developed on an urgent basis in order to ensure the achievement of the management goals defined by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).


For the past three decades rationale drug design (RDD) has been developing as an innovative, rapid and successful way to discover new drug candidates. Many strategies have been followed and several targets with diverse structures and different biological roles have been investigated. Despite the variety of computational tools available, one can broadly divide them into two major classes that can be adopted either separately or in combination. The first class involves structure-based drug design, when the target's 3-dimensional structure is available or it can be computationally generated using homology modeling. On the other hand, when only a set of active molecules is available, and the structure of the target is unknown, ligand-based drug design tools are usually used. This review describes some recent advances in rational drug design, summarizes a number of their practical applications, and discusses both the advantages and shortcomings of the various techniques used.


Clustering sensor nodes is an effective approach for large-scale wireless sensor networks to enhance their performance. In this paper, we proposed CMA (cluster merging algorithm with link optimization), a new clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks with low density and short communication range of sensor nodes. CMA is a multipoint initiated topology discovery algorithm, which merges small clusters to larger clusters with multi-hop intra-cluster communication by means of neighborhood discovery. During this course, it also optimizes wireless links in clusters to form a well distributed network topology. Residual energy is an important factor for regrouping clusters during network lifetime in order to balance the energy consumption of nodes. With the application of the algorithm, networks can form clustered topology fast and cluster heads can be well elected again after growing energy consumption. The simulation results show that CMA can shorten the topology establish time and reduce network overhead during the course


Mechanisms restricting the accumulation of chloroplast glycolipids in achlorophyllous etiolated or heat-treated 70S ribosome-deficient rye leaves (Secale cereale L. cv "Halo") and thereby coupling glycolipid formation to the availability of chlorophyll, were investigated by comparing [(14)C]acetate incorporation by leaf segments of different age and subsequent chase experiments. In green leaves [(14)C]acetate incorporation into all major glycerolipids increased with age. In etiolated leaves glycerolipid synthesis developed much more slowly. In light-grown, heat-bleached leaves [(14)C]acetate incorporation into glycolipids was high at the youngest stage but declined with age. In green leaves [(14)C]acetate incorporation into unesterified fatty acids and all major glycerolipids was immediately and strongly diminished after application of an inhibitor of chlorophyll synthesis, 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid. The turnover of glyco- or phospholipids did not differ markedly in green, etiolated, or heat-bleached leaves. The total capacity of isolated ribosome-deficient plastids for fatty acid synthesis was not much lower than that of isolated chloroplasts. However, the main products synthesized from [(14)C]acetate by chloroplasts were unesterified fatty acids, phosphatidic acid, and diacylglycerol, while those produced by ribosome-deficient plastids were unesterified fatty acids, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylglycerol. Isolated heat-bleached plastids exhibited a strikingly lower galactosyltransferase activity than chloroplasts, suggesting that this reaction was rate-limiting, and lacked phosphatidate phosphatase activity.


In this article we present the number and composition of clinical laboratory testing, both haematological, biochemical and bacteriological, performed at hospitals, primary care centers and private clinics in Iceland, in the year 1990. Inquiries were sent to 85 institutions, 52 (61%) responded. The number of assays performed at the laboratories/institutions not responding was estimated. The total number of assays performed in 1990 at these Icelandic institutions was 1.7 million which equals to 6.7 tests per person. Comparison to a similar investigation of assays done in 1982 showed that for those institutions which participated both years the number of tests other than bacteriological tests had increased by 23.2%. Tests done at larger hospitals had increased by 30%, at intermediate sized hospitals they had increased by 14.5%, and testing at primary care centers had decreased by 10% between 1982 and 1990. Bacteriological and clinical chemistry tests increased significantly or by 53% and 49% respectively. On the other hand hematological tests increased only by 1% and tests on urine decreased by 25%. By far the most common assay performed was blood count, ESR came second both years.


Abstract A new in situ sensor for the simultaneous measurement of snow water equivalent, snow density and liquid-water content is presented in this paper. The system consists of radio frequency transmission lines of up to 25 m length cast in a flat PVC band, which can be set up either horizontally to monitor single snow-layer properties or sloping from a mast to the soil surface to determine vertical snowpack properties. The dielectric coefficient along the flat-band cable is measured with a time-domain reflectometer at high frequencies, and with a low-frequency impedance analyzer. The performance of the sensor system was tested during two winter seasons (2001–03) at the high-alpine test site Weissfluhjoch, Davos, Switzerland. The cable suspension and set-up of the sloping cable was shown to be critical with regard to stability and the formation of unwanted air gaps along the cable. Overall, the sensing system proved quite robust and produced results in agreement with manual snowpack observations.


INTRODUCTION:
A newborn infant weighing less than 2500g at birth is termed as low birth weight (LBW) neonate. Low birth weight in newborn infant occurs due to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)/small for gestational age (SGA) or prematurity.
Although quantification and data on global distribution of LBW remain limited, World Health Organization estimates that nearly 20 million LBW infants are born every year, affecting approximately 16 percent of all newborns in developing countries. Around 8% of live births are born LBW and 12% of live births are preterm in the USA.
UNICEF estimates put the incidence of LBW neonates in India at 30% while the proportion of IUGR has been found to be 54%. As per the National Neonatal Perinatal Database (NNPD) of the National Neonatology Forum (NNF) the incidence of LBW in tertiary care centres was 31.3% and 9.65% were SGA infants5.It is estimated that nearly 8 million LBW infants are born each ear in India.
This shows that the major low birth weight problem in India stems from intrauterine growth restriction and not prematurity, in contrast to the western world.
LBW is the most significant factor contributing to neonatal mortality and morbidity. These neonates are at higher risk of asphyxia, sepsis, hypothermia, and feeding problems and neonatal jaundice. Common illnesses tend to be more severe and last longer in this group.
Neonatal jaundice is the yellow discolouration of the sclera and skin of newborn infants caused by unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. About 50% of term and 80% of preterm infants develop jaundice in the first week of life. Several risk factors have been identified for the occurrence of exaggerated or severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Low birth weight and preterm birth are major risk factors for exaggerated jaundice warranting intervention. Clinically significant levels that warrant treatment occur in nearly 50% to 80% of preterm neonates. Preterm infants are at risk of developing bilirubin encephalopathy at lower total serum bilirubin levels than term neonates.
The practice parameter published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is followed for the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NNH) in newborn infants 35 weeks or more. The AAP guidelines were framed from data available from babies weighing 2500g or more at birth.
Low birth weight (LBW) babies constitute nearly one third of live births in our country as mentioned earlier. Small for Gestational Age (SGA) infants make up to two thirds of these LBW babies in India unlike the industrialized countries where most of the LBW infants or preterm but not growth restricted.
Although both the terms IUGR and small for gestational age (SGA) are used interchangeably, there is a minor difference in the terminology. Small for gestational age is a statistical definition, and is used for neonates whose birth weight is lower than 10th percentile for the particular gestational age. IUGR is a clinical definition and includes neonates with clinical evidence of malnutrition and recognized growth restriction during antenatal growth monitoring.
Data on neonatal jaundice in LBW infants is scarce. There is particularly no data available about the profile of neonatal jaundice in SGA infants. Whether the "accelerated maturity" of liver enzymes and its effect on bilirubin metabolism and ultimately its toxicity means these babies can handle bilirubin similar to their age matched appropriate weight infants is not well established.
There is no consensus yet on management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia whether it should be gestational age based as maturity of liver enzyme UDP glucuronyl transferase handling bilirubin conjugation is gestational age dependent or weight based as is the more widely prevalent current practice.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
1. To study the incidence, risk factors, duration, interventions and bili- rubin toxicity of neonatal jaundice in low birth weight infants.
2. To compare the profile of jaundice in LBW infants between the AGA and SGA subgroups.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Study type: Prospective descriptive study.
This study was conducted between September 2012 and January 2013 at the Department of Neonatology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore, Chennai.
All consecutively born infants with birth weight <2500g were eligible for inclusion in the study. The babies were recruited after informed consent from the parents. The gestational age was calculated from LMP/ First tri- mester USG and corroborated by New Ballard Scoring. Assignment to Ap- propriate for Gestational Age (AGA) or Small for Gestational Age (SGA) was done based on AIIMS intrauterine growth chart.
The infants were classified as AGA if the weight for GA was between the 10th to 90th centile and SGA if the weight was less than the 10th centile for the GA.AIIMS chart was used as it was constructed with data from Indian infants and that is the chart used by NNF for data collection for National Neonatal Perinatal Data Base (NNPD).
The relevant perinatal and neonatal data were recorded prospectively in a predesigned case reporting form. Maternal anthropometry, pregnancy asso- ciated illnesses, perinatal data and postnatal morbidities along with total bili- rubin values were recorded.
Capillary blood sample was collected from recruited babies at 24 hours (24- 36), 48 hours (48-60), and 72 hours (72-84) and on day 5 of life in hepari- nized micro-capillaries.
Bilirubin estimation:
The bilirubin estimation was done by sphectrometric bilirubin analyzer (Bil- Micro Meter,Kohsoku Denki Co Ltd, Tokyo,Japan).
The micro-capillary tube containing the blood sample was blocked on one end and centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 5 minutes in a micro centrifuge to separate out the serum.
The processed microcapillary was fixed on to the holder of spectrometric bi- lirubin analyzer ensuring the serum column covered the entire length of the slit through which the light passes.
A microprocessor converts the light intensity received by the photo detector into the total bilirubin value which is digitally displayed. This method for estimation of bilirubin is simple, requires no reagents and needs only 50-70
µL of blood.
The analyzer was calibrated as recommended by the manufacturer.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is negative correlation between total serum bilirubin and gesta- tional age from 24 hours to up to 5 days of birth.
2. There is no correlation between birth weight and total serum bilirubin from 24 hrs up to 5 days of life. Lesser the gestational age higher was the peak serum bilirubin observed.
3. The mean bilirubin and the rate of change in bilirubin were similar in both AGA and SGA subgroups for any given gestational age.
4. The intrauterine growth status does not seem to influence the bilirubin level or the rate of rise during the first 5 days of life.
5. Bilirubin level of intervention should be gestational age based rather than weight based in LBW infants.
6. Risk factors associated with significant hyperbilirubinemia in normal birth weight infants like gestational age, perinatal asphyxia, neonatal sepsis were associated with significant jaundice in LBW infants too.


The only national heavy commuter train system in Malaysia, called KTM Komuter, plays a major role in providing long journey rail-based public transport services to people from urban to suburban areas within the Klang Valley. Since its first operation in the mid-1990s, KTM Komuter has had the primary function of alleviating the negative impacts of car use, namely congestion and the associated environmental pollution. However, there are also issues of public transport users overcrowding circumferential links, railway stations, rail cars, bus stops and feeder buses, particularly during peak hours. As a result there is challenge of quality for KTM Komuter services with respect to capacity, service frequency, accessibility, connectivity, mobility, on board crowding and station service quality. This has resulted in this thesis examining the KTM Komuter's level of service and overall service quality as perceived by the passengers. It hence aims to determine the optimal levels of KTM Komuter provision in terms of quantity and quality of service in an economical manner. To achieve this aim, several objectives of this research have been identified. The first is to model the travel behaviour of KTM Komuter users based on the Origin-Destination (O-D) survey results which will then attempt to demonstrate the practical values of the Generalised Journey Time (GJT) and Generalised Travel Cost (GTC) of the KTM Komuter operations. The second objective is to explore and identify the passengers' daily personal perceptions, experiences, needs and situational influences of service quality attributes that best define a high quality rail service based on the factor analysis of the variables of service quality (based on Attitudinal surveys). The third is to evaluate service quality in the KTM Komuter systems by developing empirical, statistical models that will be called KOMIQUAL models to determine which of these variables have the greatest impact on KTM Komuter's quality of service for a network of routes/corridors. The fourth research objective estimates the mean, median, maximum and minimum KTM Komuter passengers per hour for seven time periods based on the Passenger Boarding and Alighting survey results and to gauge optimal headway, optimal fleet size, optimal vehicle capacity and optimal pricing based on an Economic Optimization approach. The number of KTM Komuter train sets will be examined using the ROMAN-D software based on both the actual and design operating service frequencies. As a result, a better KTM Komuter Timetable and Public Timetable will be identified. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed to improve the quality of services of the KTM Komuter system. The key results of the O-D surveys depicted that there were high possibilities for Non-Motorized Transport (NMT)-Public Transport (PT) Integration with mode splits of 21% walk-and 40% PT for access and 39% walk and bicycle and 32% PT for egress. The corresponding mean access and egress travel distances including Walking and PT were 15.0 km and 13.1 km. respectively. The resulting values of the GJT and GTC were high suggesting the importance of these determinants in deterring passengers from choosing KTM Komuter as a main transport mode. For the results of the Attitudinal surveys, both the overall service quality and level of service were mostly rated as being fair by the KTM Komuter passengers. Improving parking facilities, increasing train efficiency, people services and space comfort were the main components out of nine input components (which also included train ambience, ticketing, information and station entry-exit systems, station quality, facilities, and rail structures) in the KOMIQUAL models that best defined high quality KTM Komuter service among KTM Komuter users. The values of mean, median, maximum and minimum KTM Komuter passengers per hour for seven time periods differed widely. The optimal fleet size, optimal vehicle capacity and optimal pricing resulted in two categories of peak period for KL Inbound namely 0630 – 1230 and 1630 – 2130 and these should be designed with the highest fleet sizes of approximately 28 and 21 respectively. Three categories of peak period for KL Outbound were noted namely 0630 – 0930, 1000 - 1300 and 1600 – 2100 and these should be designed with the highest number of fleet size of 28, 26 and 33 respectively. A capacity of up to 249 seats per train, including standees, should be provided for outbound services 1600 – 2100. By contrast, a capacity of up to 161 seats per train, including standees, should be provided for inbound services 0630 – 1230. The average value of the total optimal price is reported to be RM1.83. These average values of the total optimal price for both directions are found to be slightly lower than the yields or average fares per boarding from 2008 to 2013 ranging from RM1.90 in 2011 to RM2.40 in 2013. There will be no more fare reduction in future as the existing fares are considered quite cheap and new KTM Komuter fares for the Klang Valley sector should be structured based on the current rate of fare (or operating cost per day per passenger-km) of RM0.21. These models produced optimized service patterns (train frequency and capacity) and fares. A practical operating service headway should be 10 minutes during 0500 – 1630 hours and 15 minutes during 1630 – 2235 hours for both ways. Based on the findings, the conclusions are to improve the overall services of KTM Komuter. The implications are to define the interactions of KTM Komuter's demand and supply in regard to a trade-off between economically efficient operation and adequate quality of service for the public which are very complex and require detailed analyses and decisions. Some of the policy recommendations to improve the quality of services of the KTM Komuter system include defining the future role for the KTM Komuter system, innovating KTM Komuter Business and regulating KTM Komuter services.


Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, is a pathogen that impacts both animal and human health. Consequently, there is a need to improve understanding of disease dynamics, identification of infected animals, and characterization of the basis of immune protection. This study assessed the transcriptional changes occurring in cattle during the early weeks following a M. bovis infection. RNA-seq analysis of whole blood-cell transcriptomes revealed two distinct transcriptional clusters of infected cattle at both 4- and 10-weeks post-infection that correlated with disease severity. Cattle exhibiting more severe disease were transcriptionally divergent from uninfected animals. At 4-weeks post-infection, 25 genes had commonly increased expression in infected cattle compared to uninfected cattle regardless of disease severity. Ten weeks post-infection, differential gene expression was only observed when severely-affected cattle were compared to uninfected cattle. This indicates a transcriptional divergence based on clinical status following infection. In cattle with more severe disease, biological processes and cell type enrichment analyses revealed overrepresentation of innate immune-related processes and cell types in infected animals. Collectively, our findings demonstrate two distinct transcriptional profiles occur in cattle following M. bovis infection, which correlate to clinical status.


Statically parsing shell scripts is, due to various peculiarities of the shell language, a challenge. One of the difficulties is that the shell language is designed to be executed by intertwining reading chunks of syntax with semantic actions. We have analyzed a corpus of 31.521 POSIX shell scripts occurring as maintainer scripts in the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Our parser, which makes use of recent developments in parser generation technology, succeeds on 99.9% of the corpus. The architecture of our tool allows us to easily plug in various statistical analyzers on the syntax trees constructed from the shell scripts. The statistics obtained by our tool are the basis for the definition of a model which we plan to use in the future for the formal verification of scripts.


"Steganography" is a procedure that defeats unapproved clients to approach the pivotal information, to invisibility and payload capacity using the different technique like discrete cosine transform (DCT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT).The available methods till date result in good robustness but they are not independent of file format. The aim of this research work is to develop a independent of file format and secure hiding data scheme. The independent of file format and secure hiding data scheme in increased by combining DWT and least significant bits (LSB) technique. Accordingly an efficient scheme is developed here that are having better MSE and PSNR against different characters.


We consider an economic geography model with two inter-regional proximity structures, one due to trade linkages and the other due to social interactions. We investigate how the network structure of social interactions, or the social proximity structure, affects the timing of endogenous agglomeration and the spatial distribution of workers across regions. Endogenous agglomeration emerges when inter-regional trade and/or social interactions incur high transportation costs, and the uniform dispersion occurs when these costs become negligibly small (i.e., when distance dies). In many-region geography, the network structure of social proximity emerges as the determinant of the geographical distribution of workers when trade becomes freer. If social proximity is governed by geographical distance (as in ground transportation), a mono-centric concentration emerges. If geographically distant pairs of regions are ``socially close'' (due to, e.g., passenger transportation modes with strong distance economy such as regional airlines), then geographically multi-centric spatial distribution can be sustainable.


BACKGROUND
Aspirin has a beneficial role in prevention of cardiovascular and thromboembolic events. Patients may experience thromboembolic events despite aspirin treatment, a phenomenon called aspirin resistance. We evaluated the frequency of aspirin resistance and its correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters among patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS).

METHODS
A total of 83 patients (50 males, 33 females, age range 18-79 years) with NS using aspirin 100 mg/day were included in the study. Demographic information and aetiology of NS based on the histology of a renal biopsy were recorded for each patient. Blood samples were drawn to investigate the association of aspirin resistance with inflammation and thrombotic risk factors. Aspirin resistance was defined as a normal collagen/epinephrine closure time<159 s using a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100).

RESULTS
Aspirin resistance was determined in 51 patients (61.4%). The number of patients exposed to azathioprine therapy was significantly higher in the aspirin-sensitive group (P=0.043), whereas patients exposed to cyclosporine therapy were significantly higher in the aspirin-resistant group (P=0.017). More patients in the aspirin-resistant group were on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy compared with the aspirin-sensitive group (P=0.024). The aspirin-resistant group showed significantly higher serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (151±47 versus 104±21 mg/dL; P<0.001), triglyceride levels (192±116 versus 134±82 mg/dL; P=0.015) and glomerular filtration rates (91.8±43.0 versus 74.0±35.6 mL/min/1.73 m2; P=0.044) compared with the aspirin-sensitive group. In multivariate analysis, LDL-C was the only parameter associated independently with aspirin resistance [odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.06; P=0.004].

CONCLUSIONS
A significant number of patients with NS are resistant to aspirin therapy. Serum LDL-C level is closely associated with aspirin resistance in NS.


This paper introduces an approach to predict the three-dimensional shape of an object belonging to a specific class of shapes shown in an input image. We use suggestive contour, a shape-suggesting image feature developed in computer graphics in the context of non-photorealistic rendering, to reconstruct 3D shapes. We learn a functional mapping from the shape space of suggestive contours to the space of 3D shapes and use this mapping to predict 3D shapes based on a single input image. We demonstrate that the method can be used to predict the shape of deformable objects and to predict the shape of human faces using synthetic experiments and experiments based on artist drawn sketches and photographs.


Context: There is a variation in the arrangement of structures at hilum which may create problem for the surgeon during dissection of hilum of kidney. Moreover, developmental anomalies like, constriction at pelviureteric region, double renal pelvis, accessory renal arteries etc are not uncommon. So, adequate anatomical knowledge of kidney specially at hilum is required for successful surgery of this reason. Objective: To study the variation in the arrangement of renal vessels and renal pelvis at hilum. Study design: Descriptive type. Place and period: Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from January 2004 to June 2005. Materials and methods: A total of 100 fresh human kidneys of both sexes and sides were collected from the morgue of Mymensingh Medical College at postmortem. The selected cases were between 5 to 60 years of age. The samples were preserved to observe the variations in the arrangement of main structures at hilum of kidneys regardless of age groups. Results: When hilum of the kidneys viewed before backwards, anteriorly and at the middle, there was 1% variation in the arrangement of renal vessels but posteriorly renal pelvis was found in variably and it was double in 2% of kidneys. Posterior division of renal artery was present behind the renal pelvis in 12% of kidneys. Conclusion: Variation in the arrangement of structures at hilum was observed in 1% of kidneys. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bja.v10i2.17322 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy, July 2012, Vol. 10 No. 2 pp 76-79


Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC

Inhibitors targeting specific genomic alterations have revolutionized cancer therapy and dramatically improved patient outcomes; nonetheless, after a period response, patient tumors almost universally develop resistance to these inhibitors and recur. In the case of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, it has been demonstrated that focal amplifications of the FGFR1 gene occur in at least 10% of patients and that a subset of these events are sensitive to FGFR targeted therapies. Here, we describe the generation of resistant clones of the cell line NCI-H2077 to several FGFR inhibitors with clinical potential. This cell line is a squamous lung line with a focal amplification of FGFR1 that demonstrates dependency in the presence of both small molecule inhibitors and knockdown of the FGFR1 protein. After generation of resistant clones, we performed RTK phosphorylation arrays in the presence and absence of inhibitor to determine whether there were changes in the activity of other kinases, and the lines were sequenced to determine whether secondary mutations in FGFR1 had arisen. Follow-up experiments were performed to determine alternative sensitivities of the resistant clones. These experiments contribute to our growing understanding of the resistance mechanisms that arise in response to kinase inhibitors, and it is our hope that they will benefit patients undergoing treatment for FGFR1-amplified lung squamous cell carcinoma.

Citation Format: Rachel G. Liao, Andrey Sivachenko, Gad Getz, Amit Dutt, Peter S. Hammerman, Matthew Meyerson. Characterizing acquired resistance mechanisms to targeted therapy in FGFR1-amplified lung squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 963. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-963


The 'Golfgate' controversy of 2020 caused significant public anger, led to resignations of a number of high-profile figures, and caused questions to be asked about political culture and elitism in Ireland. A more unexpected consequence of this episode was that it exposed the serious inadequacies in the process of appointing judges in Ireland. Scrutiny of the manner in which Judge Seamus Woulfe was appointed to the Supreme Court revealed worrying inconsistencies and a serious lack of transparency in the process. While legislative reform is forthcoming to reform this process, it is not clear that the failings highlighted by this episode will be rectified in this process. This article examines Ireland's appointment process in light of the Woulfe controversy and assesses the proposed reforms currently before the Oireachtas, on their adequacy to address these problems.


The four species of Australian chats differentially occupy arid regions and are considered to have problems of water balance during reproduction. They breed mainly during the winter semester, when ambient temperatures and vapour pressure deficit are lower and evaporative losses of body water are reduced. During a drought breeding is depressed; but chats breed opportunistically after abundant rainfall and exploit, by nomadism, the unpredictable rainfall in semiarid and arid Australia. The breeding season of the most mesic species, Epthianura albifrons, is reduced in the more xeric regions. In arid sympatric breeding areas the more xeric species have the more extended breeding seasons. Chats are territorial only during reproduction. The male protects the receptive female and the eggs and offspring, but not environmental resources. Territorial defence involves plumage pigmentation consistent with Gloger's rule, plumage patterns, postures and ritualized fighting displays. Territoriality and territorial behaviour are reduced in the more mesic species. This is consistent with relative rates of evaporative water loss, synchrony and apparent density of nesting, water requirements and physiological adaptation to aridity. A hypothesis is presented which suggests an adaptive hormonal mechanism relating to physiological adaptation to aridity and determining the different plumages.


Abstract Molecular simulations for gas adsorption in microporous materials with flexible host structures is challenging and, hence, relatively rare. To date, most gas adsorption simulations have been carried out using the grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method, which fundamentally does not allow the structural flexibility of the host to be accounted for. As a result, GCMC simulations preclude investigation into the effect of host flexibility on gas adsorption. On the other hand, approaches such as molecular dynamics (MD) that simulate the dynamic evolution of a system almost always require a fixed number of particles in the simulation box. Here we use a hybrid GCMC/MD scheme to include host flexibility in gas adsorption simulations. We study the adsorption of three gases – CH4, CO2 and SF6 – in the crystal of a porous organic cage (POC) molecule, CC3-R, whose structural flexibility is known by experiment to play an important role in adsorption of large guest molecules [L. Chen, P. S. Reiss, S. Y. Chong, D. Holden, K. E. Jelfs, T. Hasell, M. A. Little, A. Kewley, M. E. Briggs, A. Stephenson, K. Mark Thomas, J. A. Armstrong, J. Bell, J. Busto, R. Noel, J. Liu, D. M. Strachan, P. K. Thallapally, A. I. Cooper, Separation of rare gases and chiral molecules by selective binding in porous organic cages. Nat. Mater.2014, 13, 954, D. Holden, S. Y. Chong, L. Chen, K. E. Jelfs, T. Hasell, A. I. Cooper, Understanding static, dynamic and cooperative porosity in molecular materials. Chem. Sci.2016, 7, 4875]. The results suggest that hybrid GCMC/MD simulations can reproduce experimental adsorption results, without the need to adjust the host–guest interactions in an ad hoc way. Negligible errors in adsorption capacity and isosteric heat are observed with the rigid-host assumption for small gas molecules such as CH4 and CO2 in CC3-R, but the adsorption capacity of the larger SF6 molecule in CC3-R is hugely underestimated if flexibility is ignored. By contrast, hybrid GCMC/MD adsorption simulations of SF6 in CC3-R can accurately reproduce experiment. This work also provides a molecular level understanding of the cooperative adsorption mechanism of SF6 in the CC3-R molecular crystal.


The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the ICDAS and the DIAGNOdent Pen in the diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions without cavitation, and for basing treatment decisions on the results obtained. Eighty permanent molar teeth that were healthy and non-cavitated or that had an initial occlusal lesion were evaluated. All teeth were investigated using DIAGNOdent Pen and ICDAS by four examiners. Histological evaluation of teeth was performed using stereomicroscopy by a histologist and different experienced dentist. For evaluation of the data, weighted kappa values (kw), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratio (LR+) values of the tests were calculated. The diagnostic results obtained using the DIAGNOdent Pen were found to correlate better with the results obtained from histological sections than those obtained using ICDAS. When the treatment decisions of the observers depending on the results of ICDAS, and ICDAS and DIAGNOdent Pen combination were compared with the decisions made based on histological examinations, the decisions based on ICDAS and DIAGNOdent Pen combined (kw: 0.522) were more accurate than the ones based on ICDAS (kw: 0.415) alone. In conclution, professional experience is an effective factor in diagnosing occlusal caries lesions without cavitation with ICDAS and in making treatment decisions for them. DIAGNOdent Pen is sufficient in diagnosing occlusal caries lesions without cavitation.


Economists use various trade dependence indexes as an aggregate measure for comparing across countries the importance of trade and the influence of trade policy. Two commonly used indexes, the trade/GDP index and the export/GDP index, lack mathematical attributes necessary to accurately represent trade dependence. A new index developed in this report, the "trade dependence index" (TDI), should better serve the needs of trade researchers. The TDI unambiguously specifies a country's trade dependence on a scale between zero and 100. Moreover, for any degree of trade dependence there is only one index value.


Background: In addition to disastrous shortage of health professionals in developing countries, turnover is very detrimental and costly for the country as well as to different organizations. Intention to leave is an immediate sign of employee's turnover. It is among the most pressing problems of health system of developing countries. However, intention to leave and its determinants were not well known in Ethiopia especially in peripheral areas. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of intention to leave their current job and associated factors among health professionals working in Guji zone public health centers. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 262 health professional working in Guji zone, Southeast Ethiopia from August 13, to September 02ְ 2018. Intention to leave was measured with intention to leave scale tools with five-point Likert scales items. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Both simple and multiple logistic regression models were fit to identify factors associated with intention to leave. Statistical significant association was declared at p-value less than 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Strength of association was measured through adjusted odd ratio. Results: Two hundred fifty-six (97.7%) respondents participated in the study; out of this 140(54.7%) have an intention to leave the primary health center they are working in. As a predictor intention to leave; looking for high salary (AOR=3.3, 95% CI: (1.69, 6.47), P<.000), higher education opportunity (AOR=0.45, 95%CI: (0.245, .824), P<0.02) and dissatisfaction about the availability of drugs (AOR=0.49, 95% CI: (0.294, 0.824) were significantly associated. Conclusion: The overall intention to leave among health professionals was in highest proportion (54.7).Decision makers are supposed to focus increasing educational opportunities, financial and non-financial benefits, and equipping health centers with necessary materials and drugs to minimizing intention to leave.


Summary The volume of the vascular space was found to represent from 1.0 to 12.4 per cent of the tumor mass in a group of rat and mouse transplanted neoplasms. The estimate of the vascular space was based on an experimental model in which ( a ) high molecular weight dextran was allowed to remain in the vascular system for several hours, ( b ) the exclusive localization of the marker to the vascular space during this time period was ascertained by direct measurement of its concentration in the interstitial fluid, and ( c ) the uniformity of distribution throughout the tumor was established. This method seems to have general applicability to every type of transplantable neoplasm. The vascular space increased linearly with the tumor size when the neoplastic masses were small (4–12 gm.), but no prediction was possible for larger tumors. No correlation between the vascular space and the collagen content of tumors was found. However, in sublines developed from two tumors which showed different cell properties, the vascular space also differed, suggesting that the neoplastic cell population influences the formation of the neoplastic vascular system.


Integrating chemical catalysts for water splitting with photoanode materials is a longstanding challenge in demonstrating light-assisted water oxidation, a process which can be used for the generation of solar fuels. In this work we use a silicon photoanode as a substrate for processing cobalt metal films to form a cobalt-based water oxidation catalyst (Co–Pi) integrated with the silicon photoanode. The Co–Pi coated photoanodes show catalytic onset at 0.85 V under illumination, which is better than silicon photoanodes coated with ITO and solution-deposited Co–Pi (catalytic onset at 1.05 V) and significantly better photoanodes with only ITO contacts (catalytic activity onset at 1.6 V).


The evaluation of natural periods and related mode shapes of earth dams represents a critical issue when performing structure-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analyses (PSHA). The identification of critical scenario events, using techniques such as disaggregation of the seismic hazard, and the calculation of a suitable target spectrum for ground motion selection and scaling procedures (e.g., the conditional mean spectrum), require at least the knowledge of the fundamental period of the system. This problem can be solved using analytical, numerical, and/or empirical techniques. We present several linear elastic modal analyses for an earth dam located in Southern Italy, using a numerical solution of the generalized eigenvalue problem obtained by the finite element method (FEM). Our numerical experiments are performed, testing various assumptions on boundary conditions, degree of saturation, and the distribution of geotechnical characteristics of the dam's materials. We then compare our results against existing analytical solutions. We show that ignoring soil–structure interaction effects due to the flexibility of the dam foundation (i.e., under the assumption of fixed base) can lead to a substantial underestimation of the fundamental period of the dam. This effect should be carefully addressed when modal analysis results are used in PSHA-related applications.


The error correcting properties of the redundant residue number systems (RNS) are investigated through a more natural a approach than was previously known. The necessary and sufficient condition for the correction of a given error affecting a single residue digit of any legitimate number in an RRNS is determined. The minimal redundancy allowing the correction of the whole class of the single residue digit errors is derived and an efficienit procedure for error correction is given. Moreover, it is shown that a smaller redundancy and a single redundant modulus may allow the correction of certain important subclasses of single residue digit errors, e.g., the set of errors affecting a single bit in the code. Examples are given.


Discharged COVID-19 patients have been found to be retested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (re-positive), which has widely raised concern among the public. We investigated the prevalence and transmission risk of re-positive cases in discharged COVID-19 patients and their SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels in Wuhan, China. Of 1065 discharged COVID-19 patients investigated, 518 (48.64%) patients were males; the mean age was 53.29 ± 14.91 years, with a median duration of 40 (IQR: 31–47) days since discharge. 63 patients were tested re-positive for SARS-CoV-2, with the re-positive prevalence to be 5.92% (95%CI: 4.50%-7.33%). The re-positive prevalence was higher in females (7.86%, 95%CI: 5.61%-10.12%) than that in males (3.86%, 95%CI: 2.20%-5.52%, P = 0.006). Re-positive prevalence was similar in patients tested positive and negative for IgG (6.01% vs 5.56%, P = 0.821) or IgM (6.38% vs 5.07%, P = 0.394). Illness severity and duration from illness onset to retest were not associated with the risk of positive results for SARS-CoV-2 after discharge. All 196 environmental samples collected from 49 re-positive patients were tested negative for SAR-CoV-2. Only one close contact to the re-positive patient had been tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; however, he might be a previous COVID-19 case but had not been detected before. Viral culture of 6 nasopharyngeal specimens presented no cytopathic effect of Vero E6 cells. Virus sequencing of 11 nasopharyngeal specimens indicated genomic fragments of SARS-CoV-2. 898 (84.72%) patients and 705 (66.51%) patients were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM, respectively. Self-report symptoms at the survey were similar, regardless of the level of antibody. All the re-positive patients and their matched non-re-positive patients were tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 four months later. These findings indicate that Testing re-positive of SARS-CoV-2 is common in discharged COVID-19 patients, but no evidence showed the transmission risk of these re-positive cases. Further isolation of recovered COVID-19 patients is unnecessary. However, only 85% recovered COVID-19 patients had SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody, which suggested discharged COVID-19 patients still had potential re-infection risk.


August 1976, T. D. Kinman, L. L. Stryker, and James E. Hesser, "RR Lyrae Stars In and Around NGC 1841 and the Extent of the Magellanic Clouds," Vol. 88, p. 400. The lower right portion of Figure 3b did not show two stars, labeled C and H. The correct portion of that figure is produced below. Note that the image of star D in the lower left photo of Figure 3b is bisected by the edge of the photo, but its position is still discernible.