In this research, a study of the determinants of risk and exposure on a particular matter was done in preparation for the areas of abrasive material. Qualification of chemical risks (inorganic powder) using the matrix triple irrigation was performed. In addition, the dust concentration in each position was evaluated using the rules NIOSH 0500 (total dust) and NIOSH 0600 (respirable dust) by statistical criteria NIOSH. Thus, their results are based on the gravimetric method. A sanitary survey to determine the relationship between the study variables with the powder was also performed. After examining the sampling points, 5 points was obtained with overexposure. As a result, a letter of commitment was made with corrective actions. It also re-monitors those exposed points overexposure resulting in a point (primary crusher). However, this works one to two times per month for 4 hours. As a result, no longer exposure would make production workers rotate jobs. Additional corrective actions, to further reduce exposure to dust extractor main advantage powders, were proposed. This, however, results in the generation of optimal environment for workers.


We perform an investigation into the properties of Pr{sup 3+}:Y{sub 2}SiO{sub 5} whispering-gallery-mode resonators as a first step toward achieving the strong coupling regime of cavity QED with rare-earth-metal-ion-doped crystals. Direct measurement of cavity QED parameters are made using photon echoes, giving good agreement with theoretical predictions. By comparing the ions at the surface of the resonator to those in the center, it is determined that the physical process of making the resonator does not negatively affect the properties of the ions. Coupling between the ions and resonator is analyzed through the observation of optical bistability and normal-mode splitting.


A 26-year-old housewife, born of consanguineous parentage, began to have gait and speech disturbance. Her brother had died from suffocation because of dysphagia. At thirty-two, she developed difficulty in swallowing, clumsiness and incontinence. When she was thirty-six she had pseudobulbar palsy, vertical gaze paresis, hyperreflexia and muscular atrophy of the upper half of the body. CT scan showed cerebral atrophy. Her mental function progressively deteriorated and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with dementia was suspected. She died at the age of thirty-seven. Diagnosis was made only by autopsy. There was no particular general pathologic finding excepting aspiration pneumonia. Microscopical examination revealed numerous distended neurons with accumulation of light brown pigments by Luxol fast blue/H & E stains, especially in hypothalamus, substantia nigra and nuclei of oculomotor nerves. To a lesser extent such neurons were noted ubiquitously. The stored material was mainly composed of lipofuscin and ceroid. Ultrastructurally they presented the various structures which have previously been reported, except for finger print profiles. The pigmentary deposits were shown to be immunoreactive with polyclonal antibody directed against amyloid beta-protein.


We consider a model for 2D electrons in a very strong magnetic field (i.e. projected onto a single Landau level) and a random potential V. The computation of the averaged Green function for this system reduces to calculating the averaged density of states. We have constructed a computer algebra program which automatically generates a perturbation expansion in V for these quantities. This is equivalent to computing moments of the density of states. When V is a sum of Gaussians from Poisson distributed impurities, each term in the perturbation expansion can be evaluated automatically. We have done so up to the 12th order. The resulting information can be used to reconstruct the density of states to good precision.


BACKGROUND
A high percentage of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cases harbor cell cycle-related gene mutations and RICTOR amplification. Based on underlying somatic mutations, the authors have conducted a phase 2 biomarker-driven, multiarm umbrella study.

METHODS
The SCLC Umbrella Korea StudiES (SUKSES) is an adaptive platform trial that undergoes continual modification according to the observed outcomes. This study included 286 patients with SCLC who failed platinum therapy and who had known genomic profiles based on a predesigned screening trial. Patients with MYC amplification or CDKN2A and TP53 co-alterations were allocated to adavosertib (SUKSES protocol C [SUKSES-C]; 7 patients) and those with RICTOR amplification were allocated to vistusertib (SUKSES-D; 4 patients). Alternatively, patients who were without any predefined biomarkers were assigned to a non-biomarker-selected arm: adavosertib (SUKSES-N1; 21 patients) or AZD2811NP (SUKSES-N3; 15 patients).

RESULTS
Patients in the SUKSES-C and SUKSES-N1 arms demonstrated no objective response. Three patients presented with stable disease (SD) in SUKSES-C and 6 patients in SUKSES-N1. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.3 months (95% confidence interval, 0.9 months to not available) for SUKSES-C and 1.2 months (95% CI, 1.1-1.4 months) for SUKSES-N1. Patients in the SUKSES-D arm demonstrated no objective response and no SD, with a PFS of 1.2 months (95% CI, 1.0 months to not available). The SUKSES-N3 arm had 5 patients with SD and a PFS of 1.6 months (95% CI, 0.9-1.7 months), without an objective response. Grade≥3 adverse events (graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.03]) were observed as follows: 3.2% in the SUKSES-C and SUKSES-N1 arms and 50.0% in the SUKSES-D arm. Target-related neutropenia (grade≥3) was observed in approximately 60.0% of patients in the AZD2811NP arm using the current dosing schedule.

CONCLUSIONS
To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current study is the first biomarker-driven umbrella study conducted in patients with recurrent SCLC. Although the current study demonstrated the limited clinical efficacy of monotherapy, novel biomarker approaches using other cell cycle inhibitor(s) or combinations warrant further investigation.


53 IL-12 is a Th1 cytokine that harbors anti-angiogenic effects thought to be mediated by an IFN-gamma and angiostatic CXCR3 chemokine ligand cytokine cascade. Naked DNA intra-muscular injection of an expression vector plasmid producing IL-12 resulted in low but significant, well-tolerated elevation of serum IL-12 levels. Injection of the IL-12 plasmid at least 2 days, and up to 20 days, before subcutaneous injection of matrigel with angiogenic factors resulted in strong prevention of angiogenesis in both C57/bl and nude mice. A single injection of the IL-12 plasmid contemporarily with the matrigel or 2 days after resulted in partial, statistically not significant inhibition. Control plasmid injection did not effect either angiogenesis or angiogenesis inhibition by IL-12 protein in vivo. Angiogenesis inhibition was observed in NK cell depleted C57/bl and nude mice as well as in IFN-gamma-/- and CXCR3-/- knock-out mice, indicating NK and/or T-cell initiated IFN-gamma-chemokine cascades were not involved in the angiogenesis inhibition observed in vivo. We then demonstrated that preventive IL-12 plasmid DNA gene transfer significantly reduced the growth and vascularization of highly angiogenic KS-Imm human Kaposi's sarcoma and TS/A murine mammary carcinoma tumors in nude and/or syngeneic mice. To further study the effects of IL-12 angiogenesis inhibiton on tumor growth, KS-Imm or the murine uveal melanoma cell line 99E1 were transfected with a related pIRES IL-12 expression vector driven by the CMV promoter. G418 resistant clones were selected and the level of IL-12 mRNA expression and protein IL-12 protein release were analyzed, respectively, by RT-PCR and ELISA assays. IL-12 transfected KS-Imm cells were essentially unable to form tumors in nude mice; these animals showed high levels of serum IL-12 and toxicity. Mock-transduced 99E1 cells, which do not produce IL-12 on their own, formed tumors when injected subcutaneously in nude mice. In contrast, 99E1 cells transfected with the IL-12 vector formed small tumors, and showed well tolerated, intermediate levels of serum IL-12. Orthotopic intraoccular injection of the IL-12 transduced 99E1 cells rarely formed tumors as compared to the mock and wild-type controls. These data suggest that a preventive gene therapy approach using anti-angiogenic cytokines can effectively inhibit tumor angiogenesis and KS, representing an example of angio-immune-prevention.


This paper proposes a holistic co-design framework with a low-cost approach for a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) that enables to optimize both the electromagnetic and mechanical design, in conjunction with the injection of the maximum available power towards the power grid through a controlled electronic back-to-back converter. The proposed sensorless controller includes a hybrid PLL with a dynamically adjustable tabulated gains system and a feedforward frequency estimator. These add-ons allow to precisely track the speed and angle of the rotor shaft for near-zero speeds. This methodology includes the development of analytical models for the structural, magnetic and electrical components. The efficiency and performance of the machine and controller is verified by simulation under different load conditions and high angular speed variability of a 1.5kW scale prototype in JMAG® and Matlab & Simulink™ environments, reaching an efficiency of 80%.


Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is involved in tumorigenesis by facilitating tumor proliferation and evasion of apoptosis; however, its role in tumor immunity is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of MIF on the progression of the syngenic, CT26 colon carcinoma and the generation of tumor regulatory T cells (Tregs). The results showed that the tumor growth rate was significantly lower in MIF knockout (MIF−/−) mice than in wild-type (MIF+/+) mice. Flow cytometric analysis of both spleen and tumor cells revealed that MIF−/− mice had significantly lower levels of tumor-associated CD4+Tregs than MIF+/+ mice. The splenic cells of MIF−/− mice also showed a decrease in CD8+Tregs, which was accompanied by an increase in CD8-induced tumor cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the inducible Treg response in spleen cells to anti-CD3/CD28 plus IL-2 plus TGF-β was greater in MIF−/− mice than in MIF+/+ mice. Spleen cells of MIF−/− mice, stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28, produced lower levels of IL-2, but not TGF-β, than those of MIF+/+ mice, which was recovered by the addition of recombinant MIF. Conversely, a neutralizing anti-MIF Ab blocked anti-CD3–induced IL-2 production by splenocytes of MIF+/+ mice and suppressed the inducible Treg generation. Moreover, the administration of IL-2 into tumor-bearing MIF−/− mice restored the generation of Tregs and tumor growth. Taken together, our data suggest that MIF promotes tumor growth by increasing Treg generation through the modulation of IL-2 production. Thus, anti-MIF treatment might be useful in enhancing the adaptive immune response to colon cancers.


AIM
We compared changes in tobacco consumption and diet in relation to changes in life expectancy in 1988-1998 in 22 OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries.

METHOD
Between 1985 and 1995 using regression analysis we estimated differences in tobacco consumption per adult and the differences in the sum of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices against life expectancy. Each index was derived from the various fats per gram of food from standard texts, and from the annual measurements of fat in the food balance sheets of each country.

RESULTS
In 1985-1995, New Zealand showed the largest decrease in tobacco consumption per adult (41%) and the greatest decrease (except for Switzerland) in the sum of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices (17%) as a measure of diet. New Zealand ranked first for life expectancy increases from 1988-1998 for men (3.2 years), women (2.8 years) and both sexes combined. Regression analyses revealed that increases in life expectancy across the OECD for males, but not females, were strongly associated with decreases in tobacco consumption, with a weaker effect of diet improvement.

CONCLUSION
These results suggest that reduced tobacco consumption in 1985-1995 likely contributed to New Zealand's gains in life expectancy from 1988-1998.


Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a critically important human pathogen that is also an emerging concern in veterinary medicine and animal agriculture. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus from dogs, pigs, and their handlers in Zaria and Kaduna, Metropolis, Kaduna State. Methods: A total of three (300) samples were obtained from the Skin, anus, and anterior nare of pigs, dogs, and hand swabs of their handlers in three (3) Communities; Buwaya, Gonin-Gora, Maraban Rido, all in Kaduna and Samaru, Zaria in Kaduna state. S. aureus was isolated and characterized using standard microbiological protocols. Results: The results revealed that one Hundred and Sixty-five (165) of the samples isolated were Staphylococcus after the samples were cultured on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA). Ninety-five (95) were confirmed to be Staphylococcus species after the Coagulase test was carried out. Further identification of the Ninety-five (95) isolates using the Microgen Staph-ID kit results revealed that 46(48.4%) of the isolates were S. aureus, 49 (51.5%) other species of Staphylococcus that were coagulase-positive but not S. aureus, like S. Intermedius 6(6.3 %,) S. hyicus 4(4.2%). The coagulase-negative isolates consists of S.xylosus 27 (28.4%), S.chromogenes 8 (8.4 %), S. hominis 4(4.2%). Conclusion: the results of the present study calls for public health concern because of the health risk associated with colonization of individuals with Staphylococcus aureus.


We demonstrate the terahertz coherent control of extraordinary transmission through subwavelength metallic hole arrays with double terahertz pulses. The interference of excitations of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) by two THz pulses sequence is employed to control the propagation of SPPs in the periodical structure. As a result, the THz wave transmission is controllable by adjusting the arriving time of the control THz pulse. Our results reveal that THz extraordinary transmission in subwavelength structure arises from the excitation of SPPs of the structures, which provides a universal ultrafast means to control the SPPs motion in various THz subwavelength structures.


This communication presents a new antenna system designed for cognitive radio applications. The antenna structure consists of a UWB antenna and a frequency reconfigurable antenna system. The UWB antenna scans the channel to discover "white space" frequency bands while tuning the reconfigurable section to communicate within these bands. The frequency agility is achieved via a rotational motion of the antenna patch. The rotation is controlled by a stepper motor mounted on the back of the antenna structure. The motor's rotational motion is controlled by LABVIEW on a computer connected to the motor through its parallel port. The computer's parallel port is connected to a NPN Darlington array that is used to drive the stepper motor. The antenna has been simulated with the driving motor being taken into consideration. A good agreement is found between the simulated and the measured antenna radiation properties.


Abstract Massive protostars have associated bipolar outflows which can produce strong shocks when interact with the surrounding medium. Some theoretical models predict that particle acceleration at relativistic velocities can occur leading to gamma ray emission. In order to identify young stellar objects (YSO) that might emit gamma rays, we have crossed the Fermi First Year Catalog with catalogs of known YSOs, obtaining a set of candidates by spatial correlation. We have conducted Montecarlo simulations to find the probability of chance coincidence. Our results indicate that ~70% of the candidates should be gamma-ray sources with a confidence of ~5σ.


Abstract Strongyloides is a human parasitic nematode that is poorly understood outside a clinical context. This article identifies gaps within the literature, with particular emphasis on gaps that are hindering environmental control of Strongyloides. The prevalence and distribution of Strongyloides is unclear. An estimate of 100–370 million people infected worldwide has been proposed; however, inaccuracy of diagnosis, unreliability of prevalence mapping, and the fact that strongyloidiasis remains a neglected disease suggest that the higher figure of more than 300 million cases is likely to be a more accurate estimate. The complexity of Strongyloides life cycle means that laboratory cultures cannot be maintained outside of a host. This currently limits the range of laboratory-based research, which is vital to controlling Strongyloides through environmental alteration or treatment. Successful clinical treatment with antihelminthic drugs has meant that controlling Strongyloides through environmental control, rather than clinical intervention, has been largely overlooked. These control measures may encompass alteration of the soil environment through physical means, such as desiccation or removal of nutrients, or through chemical or biological agents. Repeated antihelminthic treatment of individuals with recurrent strongyloidiasis has not been observed to result in the selection of resistant strains; however, this has not been explicitly demonstrated, and relying on such assumptions in the long-term may prove to be shortsighted. It is ultimately naive to assume that continued administration of antihelminthics will be without any negative long-term effects. In Australia, strongyloidiasis primarily affects Indigenous communities, including communities from arid central Australia. This suggests that the range of Strongyloides extends beyond the reported tropical/subtropical boundary. Localized conditions that might result in this extended boundary include accumulation of moisture within housing because of malfunctioning health hardware inside and outside the house and the presence of dog fecal matter inside or outside housing areas.


Assessment of lung cancer risk due to environmental asbestos dust exposure in the general population was based on the model of risk extrapolation from the occupational (in asbestos-cement plant) to the environmental concentrations. 24-h determinations of asbestos fibre concentrations in the air varied considerably, from 0.4 f/l to 4.6 f/l. The lung cancer risk due to environmental exposure of the general population to asbestos dust has been estimated to be 22 cases p.a. This seems to be very low, considering that the total number of deaths from lung cancer in Poland in 1992 was about 17.5 thousand. The environmental asbestos exposures and their health effects are limited mainly to the areas located in the vicinity of asbestos plants and are attributable primarily to improper utilization of the plant wastes (for example as the surface of local roads and sports grounds at schools) and their unathorized disposal. The incidence of pleural mesothelioma among the inhabitants of those areas seems to be endemic. The endemic character of pleural mesothelioma occurrence has been recently revealed in the vicinity of one of major Polish asbestos and cement plant.


Title of Dissertation: AFTER THE FIRE THE EMBERS STILL BURN: A THEORY OF JUS POST BELLUM Jesse Lee Kirkpatrick, Doctor of Philosophy, 2013 Dissertation directed by: Associate Professor Karol Soltan Department of Government and Politics Ending wars right and justly has been an ethical imperative since they have first been fought. Given that the postwar periods of numerous wars fought in the recent past have been seriously bungled, the need for postwar ethics has become perspicuously clear. This need is also striking. It is striking because theories of jus post bellum have recently begun to take shape, yet they remain seriously deficient. Jus post bellum theorizing often remains narrowly focused on interstate warfare and is not reflective of the existing complexity and modalities of 21 century conflict. In addition, current theories typically focus on punishment, recriminations, and backward-looking models of justice that do not necessarily prioritize relief and aid to war-torn soldiers, societies, and civilians. By theorizing the concept of jus post bellum as a forward-looking cosmopolitan model of justice, where the central task is on building a just and lasting peace through stabilization, aid, and development, this dissertation aims to fill this gap. In so doing, the dissertation seeks to broaden the scope of jus post bellum by connecting it, and the just war tradition more generally, with the emerging contemporary literature of cosmopolitan global justice.


Modernity in Construction. A Comparative Ethnography of the Internet.
Analyzes a community radio and Internet project in rural Sri Lanka, and argues that new economies, information technologies, and global networks are being constructed in this 'peripheral' site as well as in those that are considered to be the centers of such developments. We demonstrate how the very idea of new economic and organizational forms, widely associated with emergent technologies, are being constructed in relation to colonial and postcolonial experiences that generate different senses of the modern and the global. Technologies do not have inevitable and consistent effects on all places. Moreover, technologies and their properties are enlisted within specific biographical and social projects that in turn are reconfigured by these new objects. Here we investigate some of the ways in which technology, 'freedom', and the 'new economy' were played out within the specific world of one community media center, making the point, that new technologies appear as both idiom and practical rallying point establishing spheres of freedom and innovation in tension with established social structures. 5 References. Adapted from the source document.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The number of older adults is increasing rapidly in Vietnam. They suffer from various health problems, including malnutrition and dysphagia. By using a simple screening questionnaire such as the Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF) and 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), nutritional and dysphagic status were screened in this study. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of and relationship between malnutrition and dysphagia in Vietnamese older adult inpatients.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN
The study was designed as a cross-sectional study and conducted in three large hospitals in northern Vietnam. The data about nutritional status and dysphagia status of 1007 older inpatients were collected by dietitians.

RESULTS
There were 71.6% of subjects at malnourished (MNA-SF score <8) and risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF score: 8-11). The prevalence of dysphagia by EAT-10 was 24.6%. The risk of dysphagia was independently associated with higher risk of malnutrition, with an odds ratio of 3.21 (95% CI: 1.93-5.31, p<0.001). In addition, malnutrition was also an independent predictor for risk of dysphagia, with an odds ratio of 3.09 (95% CI: 1.84- 5.17, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Malnutrition and dysphagia prevalence were high; and malnutrition and dysphagia have a strong relationship among older adult inpatients in Vietnam. Therefore, nutritional and dysphagia screening at hospital admission are very important and recommended.


Twenty evaluable patients with primary or secondary neoplastic liver involvement received FUDR (0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg per day) by continuous infusion to the hepatic artery for 14 days, every 4 weeks, through a surgically implanted Infusaid (USA) pump. In addition to FUDR, MMC (15 mg/m2 every 6 to 8 weeks) was given to 14 patients with colorectal cancer and one patient with breast cancer, and ADR, (40 mg/m2 every 4 to 6 weeks) was given to 5 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. MMC and ADR were given as a bolus injection, through the pump sideport. Radiation therapy to the liver (2,000 rads in fractions of 180 to 200 rads each) was given to eight patients with colorectal carcinoma. In total, the 20 patients received 218 months of treatment and 580 injections. The overall remission rate (complete, partial and minor response) was 55%; one patient with a colorectal carcinoma achieved a CR and seven patients (35%) a PR; three patients (15%) had a MR, and in eight patients (40%) stabilization of disease was observed. Overall median survival was 12 months: 15.5 months for colorectal cancer patients and 7.5 months for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Toxicity consisted mainly of chemical hepatitis, mild to severe peptic disease and sclerosing cholangitis. Hematological toxicity was not observed. These data suggest that chemotherapy through the hepatic artery, while still experimental, may be considered for selected patients with tumor confined to the liver.


A simplified model of gas multiplication in the proportional region is proposed. A linear relationship between ln A and V is derived. The formulae relating the macroscopic parameters of proportional region with the microscopic parameters of gas multiplication are obtained. By analysing the experimental data the values of these parameters under different conditions are determined.


SIR, Kaushik and Binymin raise the interesting suggestion of a link between rheumatoid arthritis and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) [1]. The serum and urine osmolality results and urine sodium excretion do not, however, confirm the diagnosis of SIADH. Previous serum urea and creatinine concentrations and clinical features such as oedema, blood pressure and pulse are not described and liver function tests are not recorded. The differential diagnosis includes the possibility of sick-cell syndrome [2] as part of a chronic inflammatory condition, hypervolaemic hyponatraemia secondary to chronic liver disease, or a reset osmostat [3]. The latter may have been induced by long-term diclofenac therapy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may potentiate the effect of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to water retention [4]. This is mediated by a reduction in renal synthesis of prostaglandins, which normally antagonize the action of ADH. These other mechanisms were not investigated by a water load test, hypertonic saline infusion test or plasma vasopressin estimations. Fluid restriction to one litre per day is only a weak therapy for SIADH and the ADH antagonist demeclocycline was not given a therapeutic trial. My interpretation of the data presented for this case is that the findings suggest a probable drug effect, with diclofenac resetting the osmostat, and a possible acute-phase sick-cell syndrome with reduced ability of the cell membrane sodium pump to correct hyponatraemia. The gradual improvement in serum sodium with control of disease activity favours the latter mechanism, with a reduction in inflammation leading to the recovery of cell membrane sodium pump function. In conclusion, I do not believe that this case report provides convincing evidence that inflammatory arthritis is another cause of SIADH.


Over the past decade, Learning through Service (LTS) has proliferated in higher education as an effective teaching and learning method.  LTS is an umbrella term that includes both curricular and extracurricular activities, recognizing that there are many models that exist currently for how faculty members use opportunities for students to learn while providing service to a community.  Reflection by the students on their service activity provides rich opportunities for students to add meaning to their learning through engagement with community.  While, many colleges and universities in the United States have increased the use of LTS in engineering programs, there has been limited study to evaluate engineering faculty perception of the purpose of reflection in support of facilitating and assessing the expected learning outcomes.  In this research, twenty-six interviews were conducted with engineering LTS practitioners to explore how and why engineering faculty incorporate reflection in LTS efforts.  The findings reveal that majority of engineering LTS faculty practitioners engage students in reflection to enhance the professional development skills of their students, with fewer of the faculty using reflection to develop students' personal skills.


Formulas are derived for the magnetic anomalies caused by irregular polygonal laminas. These are used to obtain the three components of the magnetic anomalies caused by a finite homogeneously magnetized body of arbitrary shape. There is no restriction to the direction of magnetization; in general, it may not be the same as that of the earth's field. Total‐intensity anomalies are also obtained. Use of these formulas in a computer program is discussed and illustrated by computing the anomaly caused by Caryn Seamount. Simplified, formulas are presented for the anomalies caused by finite rectangular laminas. In addition to bodies of complex shape, the computer program can also be profitably used for computing the magnetic anomalies caused by bodies of relatively simple geometry. The second derivatives of the gravitational potential of a massive body, that is, quantities familiarly known as gradient and curvature in torsion‐balance work and the first vertical derivative in gravity work are also obtained by thi...


Purpose – Supply chain management is an increasingly important organizational concern, and proper management of supplier relationships constitutes one essential element of supply chain success. However, there is little empirical research that has tested the effect of supplier development on performance. The main objective is to analyze the effect of supplier development practices with different levels of implementation complexity on the firm's purchasing performance.Design/methodology/approach – Three supplier development constructs were defined: basic supplier development, moderate supplier development, and advanced supplier development. Three structural models were hypothesized and tested using structural equation modeling through field research on a sample of 306 manufacturing companies in Spain.Findings – Identified important interrelationships among the various supplier development practices, basic, moderate, and advanced. Also indicated that the implementation of supplier development practices signi...


We introduce the first example of isoreticular titanium-organic frameworks, MUV-10 and MUV-12, to show how the different affinity of hard Ti(IV) and soft Ca(II) metal sites can be used to direct selective grafting of amines to the last.  This enables the combination of Lewis acid titanium centers and available  -NH2   sites in two sizeable pores for cooperative cycloaddition of CO2  to epoxides at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The s elective grafting of molecules to heterometallic clusters  adds up to the pool of methodologies available for controlling the positioning and distribution of chemical functions in precise positions of the framework required for definitive control of pore chemistry.


_Excessive gingival display can affect the total aesthetics of a smile, becoming the focus instead of the frame of the smile. This can be the result of passive eruption of the gingival complex as the teeth erupt. The condition of delayed or altered passive eruption exists when the gingival complex remains positioned coronal to the cementoenamel junction with the attachment on the enamel instead of the cementum of the root, giving the appearance of short clinical crowns. Crown lengthening4 is critical to the success of creating a smile that is harmoniously balanced with its surrounding facial features5. Patients who clinically display too much gingival tissue and short teeth require a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan to provide a predictable esthetic outcome6. If a patient has altered passive eruption (APE) of the maxillary anterior teeth either secondary to orthodontic treatment or without orthodontic treatment, but the patient has completed facial growth, then the practitioner must fi rst correct the gingival levels with either a gingivectomy or esthetic crown lengthening procedure before the placement of veneers or crowns. Thus ensuring that the eventual gingival margins of the maxillary anterior teeth will be at their correct level relative to the adjacent anterior teeth8.


In medicine the law of action and reaction is peculiarly evident in therapeutics. Remedies arise, are boomed and disappear. Some markedly efficient are flung into the background, not because of lack of value, but because of popular prejudice arising in the minds of neuropaths and for commercial reasons affecting physicians. The influence of sects in medicine in this particular is much less than is usually assumed. Sects based on opposition to any therapeutic procedure are expressions of the opinion of neuropaths rather than their cause. Such sects notoriously long retain primitive therapeutic procedures which the profession has outgrown. Hahnemannism retains the skatologic procedures which the profession long ago rejected with disgust. Thus a Boston homeopathic firm issues a price-list of so-called animal remedies. This offers for sale at a fixed price, on page 20, potentized pediculi pubis, pediculi capitis and pediculi corporis. "Culture" would seem to have something to do


Basing on the working experience,this paper,aims to analyze the problems in construction projects biddings which hould be attended by the proprietor and bidding agencies,and put forword some usefull solutions,as to lay a good foundation for the engineering project carry on.


Burma's relations with ASEAN have changed signifi cantly since 1997. This article examines how Burma-ASEAN relations have been influenced by intense international pressure and ASEAN's desire to maintain regional credibility. As ASEAN continues to redefine its position with Burma, the generals' relations elsewhere may continue to define it for them.


The photophysics of bis(terpyridyl)osmium-(porphinato)zinc-bis(terpyridyl)osmium (OsPZnOs), a D-π-A-π-D symmetric supermolecule, were investigated in the femtosecond and nanosecond regimes. The supermolecule exhibits a two-photon absorption (δpeak ~900 GM) in the near IR (900-1300 nm) and optical pumping by two-photon absorption leads to a broad excited state absorption (σpeak ~1.1 × 10−16 cm2) in the same near IR region. Since the excited state has a long lifetime, OsPZnOs exhibits a strong nanosecond nonlinear absorption in this region. That nonlinear absorption is substantially enhanced when OsPZnOs is incorporated into a multimode waveguide. When two-photon pumping is the dominant mechanism, an additional enhancement of up to ~100 × in the nonlinear absorption is observed in a microchannel waveguide. OsPZnOs is a promising material for photonic applications such as optical noise suppression and optical limiting in the near IR.


Many academics and transportation planners seem convinced that pricing schemes may be one of the most effective policy instruments to change travelers' behavior, to minimize congestion and emissions, or to optimize system use otherwise. Consequently, much empirical work has been conducted, although it is primarily about single pricing policies. Travelers' adaptive behavior toward accumulated transport charges has not yet received much attention; therefore, this study addressed this underresearched issue. This paper documents the construction, implementation, and analysis of a mixture-amount experiment involving three mixtures of pricing schemes—toll road, congestion pricing, and parking price—and three travel budget levels per day. Basic mixed-amount design applications were extended to include an attribute associated with each pricing policy to capture different levels of travel time savings. With seven mixtures of the simplex–lattice design, a second-degree polynomial model was estimated to predict choice of amount and mixture of expenditures to different pricing schemes. This procedure captured the trade-off with level of travel time savings. In February 2012 in the Netherlands, an Internet-based stated choice experiment was conducted with 304 respondents to collect data for the model. A mixed logit model was estimated to model behavioral response. Results indicate the negative attitude of the sample toward their willingness to pay for pricing policies. Respondents seemed more sensitive to congestion pricing than to the two other policies. Furthermore, the effect of sociodemographic variables on choice probabilities was investigated. Income and public transport accessibility for conducting the peak hour trip were the variables that produced the most effect on respondents' preference.


This study is conducted among students in training. Its objective is to analyse, through factorial exploration, students' perceptions of their levels of appropriation of academic competencies and their support needs. To this effect, an exploratory factorial analysis is carried out using data from asurvey composedof 12 dimensions and 62 statements. The latter measures 11 oral skills, 09 written skills, 08 practical skills and 12 parameters for asserting support needs. The factorial exploration determined 10 latent variables or factors. This was based on a sample of 147 participants F (n=53;36.1%) M (n=94;63.9%). The factor structure was examined under SPSS 21 using a maximum likelihood extraction method with Varimax axis rotation assuming moderate inter-factor correlations (Elliot and McGregor, 2001).Our results showed from this analysis the extraction of 10 factors explaining 74.38% of the total variance in the data on competencies required during training, as follows :Written Production (WP).This factor (relating to written competence) explained 6.52% of the variance. The analysis expresses a discrepancy of the items by (-.746 and .512). Participants tend to be less appropriate for compliance with instructions when they are able to organise themselves alone during investigative work or document exploration. Oral and Written Communication (OWC).This factor (relevant to oral competence) emerges with a 6.97% variance ratio and also included 2 items (Speaking in front of the audience, communicating ideas in writing to the teacher). The analysis expresses a variance indicated respectively by (.730 and -.711). The student's mastery of the oral situation does not therefore ensure the student's control of written expression or oral exchanges in a duel (student-teacher).Intensity of Effort and Artistic Expression (IEA).This factor (relating to physicalcompetence) accounted for 9.27% of the variance. The analysis expresses a discrepancy between the items. It is indicated respectively by (-.747 and .645). As a result, the ability to express intense effort is not at all favourable for artistic expression.As a result, intense physical effort is not compatible with grace and artistic expression. It has been found that the prior disparities between students (type of baccalaureate...) reveal pedagogical workcamps to be established later on during the readjustments of the different courses of study. According to these results, not all the participants have the same constraints or expectations in the curriculum of this training course.The declaratives representations on the appropriation of the competences identified, grouped and analysed, affirm that the so-called "university" or less professionally oriented courses are generally considered to be of little interest according to the conclusions of the participants Mean 2.54 ± sd .86, i.e. 45% n=67 of the interviewees. The assertions expressed in the results give rise to a measure of action, which is that of reviewing the theoretical side of the training, making it adequate and up to date in the movement of university changes and more precisely in the sciences and techniques of physical and sports activities (STAPS).


[EMBARGOED UNTIL 12/1/2023] Functionalization of graphene's two-dimensional sheets can be used to modify graphene's physical properties, such as changing its conductivity or inducing ferromagnetism, which is of broad interest for a myriad of applications. However, functionalized graphene nano-powders can exhibit considerable structural disorder that is often overlooked and it is difficult to quantitatively characterize. Hydrogenation of graphene is one such pathway to engineer graphene's properties that has shown remarkable modifications like p-orbital magnetism as well as converting graphene to an insulator, demonstrating a promise for both electronic and spintronic applications. While a plethora of studies have demonstrated various interesting property modifications upon synthesis of H-Gr, the fully hydrogenated graphane structure has yet to be determined experimentally. In this thesis, tools of x-ray and neutron diffraction were used in order to quantify the atomic structure of bulk H-Gr. The electrochemical synthesis of H-Gr was first pursued with the consideration of its accessbility for non-chemists. Attempts to electrochemically exfoliate and subsequently hydrogenate a graphite rod starting material using an ionic-liquid based electrolyte resulted in a highly heterogeneous structure revealed by x-ray diffraction suggesting that graphite domains were intercalated by electrolyte molecules with the relative degree of intercalation in graphite domains being proportional to the electrochemical treatment time. Attempts of electrochemical hydrogenation of a graphene nanopowder starting material with the ionic liquid electrolyte were shown to exfoliate and expand the interlayer distance between few-layer graphene, however no corroborating measurements were performed to elucidate this interlayer functionality. While there was no confirmation of the successful synthesis of H-Gr, future attempts could be guided by the work laid out here. The second part of this work examined the structure of H-Gr synthesized by Birch reduction of graphite-oxide. By combining x-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron diffraction (ND), a method used to quantitatively characterize the H-Gr nano-structure is shown, including the determination of the H content. It's shown that a significant portion of the H-Gr contains highly disordered carbon while a small portion of the sample contains 2-3 layers of graphene with a significantly expanded interlayer spacing due to the H. Modeling the coherent diffuse scattering in XRD and ND, and comparing it with the incoherent ND, H to carbon ratio is determined and it is concluded that the structure is quite different from idealized two-dimensional sheets of H-Gr. The approach and methods used herein have broad relevance to many types of graphitic carbons.


In the course of liberalization, dispersed power producers will increase their infeed into distribution networks more and more. The impact of the new dispersed system components needs to be investigated to achieve the most advantageous operation regarding economy and power quality. The discontinuous and undispatchable character of such dispersed sources like wind turbines or photovoltaic plants requires energy management and load flow analysis for the entire load course of networks with sufficient shares of renewable generation. New simulation models for the static and dynamic behavior are developed for typical kinds of dispersed generation. The application of the new planning and operation management methods for two municipal distribution networks demonstrates that the dispersed generation close to the customers and the power exchange on distribution level may be an economical and ecological favorable alternative for providing a higher level of power quality including both its aspects-reliability of supply and voltage quality.


Malaria is a disease that contributes to low academic performance among students. We investigated the preferred antimalarial drugs and the period prevalence of malaria at exam periods in a University. Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 students who were randomly selected of which 73% were aged 16-25 years. 84% do not use preventive drugs but Fansidar was mostly preferred among 16%. Respondents from Faculties of Science and Social Sciences opted for non-drug preventive measures. The most preferred antimalarial was Amatem (26%) while the least preferred was P-alaxin (0.83%) but 27% preferred injections. 69% did not practice self-medication but 80% used local herbs. The health center records showed that 80% of 146 students tested positive to malaria at exam periods. The prevalence of malaria was higher during exams (83%) than before exams (75 %). Malaria parasitaemia was also higher during exams (47%) than before exams (27%; p<0.05). Female students were more infected than male students before exams (23: 20, p> 0.05) and during exams (41: 33, p< 0.05). Female students had more malaria parasitaemia (26%) than the males before and during exams (26%; 21%, p> 0.05). Therefore, female students should always wear protective clothing and students should use safe and effective mosquito repellants while reading in classes at exam periods in order to avoid mosquito's bites. Early reporting of malaria and health education on appropriate use of malaria drugs amongst students is recommended. Accessible health services and affordable Artemisininbased combination therapies should be made available to students especially at exam periods.


This paper proposes synthesis algorithms for the design of passive state- and output-feedback fault-tolerant controllers. Sufficient conditions for the existence and the construction of such fault-tolerant controllers are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) which can be solved efficiently. The state-feedback fault-tolerant controller consists of a family of state-feedback gains switched appropriately according to a stabilizing switching signal so that the closed-loop system satisfies a performance requirement expressed in terms of system L2 norm. Similarly, the output feedback controller consists of a family of full-order linear, time-invariant controllers switched according to a stabilizing signal that depends only on the controller states. Both approaches are passive in the sense that they do not rely on the detection and/or the estimation of the faults. The proposed approaches are tested on a nonlinear model of a quadcopter. Simulation results show that satisfactory stability, tracking, and disturbance rejection are maintained despite of time-varying actuator faults.


We read with interest the report by Peniket et al (2005) and would support their observation that the presence of del(9q) secondary to t(8;21) appears to be a relatively favourable prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukaemia. We have previously reported this (Rege et al, 2000) with a smaller group of patients: six with t(8;21) and del(9q), had an eventfree survival (EFS) of 67% at 9 years compared with an EFS of 31% for 42 patients with t(8;21) without del(9q) (P 1⁄4 0Æ052). It is unfortunate that Peniket et al (2005) found only the report of Schoch et al (1996), which arrived in a different conclusion. We suspected that the difference in finding might have been due to the different patient demographics.


This paper presents some of the results from the Structural Change Project (the STOP project) conducted at the Swedish Center for Working Life (Arbetslivscentrum). It starts with a summary of the subjects of the project, the issues covered and the methods used, and then presents the main findings of the project. This is followed by a discussion of the specific employment patterns that emerged for men and women in two case-studies that formed part of the project. These two studies describe cutbacks in a shipyard and the closure of a telecommunications plant in the same area. It is thus a comparison of the post-redundancy employment records of men and women.


Earlier measurements using a heavy-ion storage ring and an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) for the determination of the N5+ 1s2s 3S1 level lifetime are improved upon by new EBIT work. The new result, 3.94 ± 0.05 ms, agrees with the previous values, but is more precise. A corresponding measurement on F7+ yields a lifetime of 276 ± 2 µs. The new values corroborate the isoelectronic trend of the most precise data for this isoelectronic sequence and thus help distinguish among theoretical predictions


Purpose: The study investigates the preferences of instructors and students for design and pedagogy features of online instruction at the post-graduate level. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out using questionnaire as a data gathering tool. Characteristics and features were identified through a comprehensive literature review combined with focus groups. Various design and pedagogy features were identified and the items were structured in a Likert Scale format. Respondents were asked to rate their preferences on a five-point scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, for each individual feature. Participants include 7 instructors and 50 students at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).An independent sample T-test was conducted to determine if there was a significant difference between the preferences of instructors and students on the rating of individual features. Scope: To better understand the design and pedagogy features of online instruction, India's largest e-learning academic institution IGNOU was selected. Findings: Major findings include the high level of agreement on design and pedagogy features by instructors and students and the similarities in rank order by both students earning regular university credit and those pursuing professional development goals. When compared with the ranking of instructors and students, low preferences were being placed on social interactive features. Practical Implications: While there are many parallels between face-to-face teaching and online instruction, there are some differences also. Asynchronous online instruction must be designed in advance of being delivered. Keywords: Pedagogy; e-learning; Continuing education; Online instruction; Development expertise Paper Type: Research


The magnetic structure of a geometrically frustrated system Co2Cl(OH)3 is determined by comparing the observed proton NMR spectrum with many magnetic models. The best fit model is obtained as that the magnetic moments of Co2+ ions in the triangular plane are parallel to the principal axis of local crystal field and those of Co2+ ions in the kagome lattice plane are randomly disordered in the a-b plane. Furthermore, the Co2+ ions in the triangular plane have a smaller magnitude of magnetic moment than those in the kagome plane. Our result suggests that the compound Co2Cl(OH)3 is different from the spin ice in magnetic structure, although the crystal structure is similar to rare earth pyrochlores.


There is increasing recognition of the adverse impacts of agricultural practices on microbial water quality leading to increased expectation on farmers to manage environmental impacts on water quality. Therefore, farmers require a tool to help them prioritize mitigations targeted at reducing fecal contamination of surface water. A farm-scale risk-index was developed from modeled data on the predicted losses of from selected farm practices. The farm-scale data were then converted to a catchment scale risk value and calibrated against stream concentration data measured in five catchments. The data from the five catchments indicate that there is a relationship between the risk of losses from some farm practices and the resulting levels in the streams. The results show that the adoption of existing mitigation options for fecal contamination should result in a substantial reduction of concentrations in streams flowing through catchments used for intensive dairy farming. However, the relatively high concentrations in the stream when the calculated risk-index values are low indicate that currently available mitigation practices may not be sufficient to achieve contact recreational water quality standards in many catchments due to other sources of . This risk-index approach can be incorporated into existing decision support tools to enable farmers to manage fecal contamination impacts from their farming operations.


ABSTRACT This paper attempts to identify the existence of displacement in Mexico caused by drug-related violence. We identify two types of migrants: (i) migrants moving from nonviolent to violent states, driven by better economic opportunities and less expensive cost of living at destination and (ii) migrants moving from violent to nonviolent states: they still migrate even if the cost of living at destination is more expensive and economic opportunities are lower. Our hypothesis is that for the second type, migrants are fleeing from violence, and are willing to sacrifice economic opportunities in order to gain safety. For instance, when migrants move from nonviolent to violent states, they demand a salary 25% greater in order to increase the odds of migration in 10%. On the contrary, when migrants move from violent to nonviolent states, they only demand an increase in their salary of 15%.


Within the framework of physical and ecological integrated control of cyanobacteria bloom, because the outbreak of cyanobacteria bloom can form cyanobacteria clustering phenomenon, so a new aquatic ecological model with clustering behavior is proposed to describe the dynamic relationship between cyanobacteria and potential grazers. The biggest advantage of the model is that it depicts physical spraying treatment technology into the existence pattern of cyanobacteria, then integrates the physical and ecological integrated control with the aggregation of cyanobacteria. Mathematical theory works mainly investigate some key threshold conditions to induce Transcritical bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation of the model (2.1), which can force cyanobacteria and potential grazers to form steady-state coexistence mode and periodic oscillation coexistence mode respectively. Numerical simulation works not only explore the influence of clustering on the dynamic relationship between cyanobacteria and potential grazers, but also dynamically show the evolution process of Transcritical bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation, which can be clearly seen that the density of cyanobacteria decreases gradually with the evolution of bifurcation dynamics. Furthermore, it should be worth explaining that the most important role of physical spraying treatment technology can break up clumps of cyanobacteria in the process of controlling cyanobacteria bloom, but cannot change the dynamic essential characteristics of cyanobacteria and potential grazers represented by the model (2.1), this result implies that the physical spraying treatment technology cannot fundamentally eliminate cyanobacteria bloom. In a word, it is hoped that the results of this paper can provide some theoretical support for the physical and ecological integrated control of cyanobacteria bloom.


This book presents very important knowledge about antibiotics, their definitions, their origins and their classification as well. A detailed study was given about actinomycetes, especially the antibiotic makers, streptomycetes, their discovery and their ecology. The author described best methods used for actinomycetes isolation from natural sources and highlighted the role of Streptomyces species and gave a very significant and rapid way to differentiate between the very similar strains, which is, Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, in addition to 16S rRNA gene sequence. Optimum condition for maximum antibiotic production by actinomycetes isolated from Iraqi and Egypt soils was also studied using two different ways, a one-factor-at-a-time approach and statistical experiment design. Extraction and purification of bioactive molecules produced by these microorganisms were also carried out in the University of Warwick,UK. Thus, we can say that this book takes researchers and students up to a level from which they can approach real understanding in this field and encourage their attempt to find out clinically useful antibiotics or screen out new potent actinomycetes.


The bearing bracket, which has produced by the squeeze casting for the high strength in lightweight part of automobile, was developed by the rheocasting process using the H-NCM slurry. Compared with the squeeze casting, the rheocasting process has some merits such as shortening cycle-time, reducing total weight, and increasing productivity. In this study, partial feeding test was carried out by controlling plunger stroke length and compared with semisolid simulation. Optimal casting parameters such as injection speed and stroke variations were established. Sound products with integral microstructure were obtained by the H-NCM slurry and X-ray analysis also showed the integral condition throughout the entire parts.


BACKGROUND
The 2014 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease require to know the probability of success and operative mortality of Mitral Valve Repair (MVR) for Degenerative Mitral Insufficiency (DMI) at a given institution.

AIM
To assess the probability of success, operative mortality and long-term results of MVR for DMI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
The database of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service was reviewed for the period December 1991 to December 2013. Long-term survival information was obtained from death certificate records of the Chilean Identification Service.

RESULTS
One hundred forty seven patients with DMI were identified, all operated by one author (RZ). In 28 (19%) the mitral valve was replaced, including three patients in whom a MVR was intended without success. A successful MVR was performed in 119 patients (81%). The probability of a successful MVR was 97.5% (119 of 122). Prolapsed posterior leaflet was present in 81% and annulus dilatation in 60% of cases. The most frequent surgical procedures were quadrilateral resection (83%) and chordal transfer (13%). A mitral annuloplasty was performed in 92% of cases. Operative mortality was 0.8%. At the end of a 9.9 (0 - 22.7) years follow-up, 87 patients (73%) were alive and mean survival was 16.9 years. Survival rates at 5, 10, 15 and 20 years were 91%, 78%, 71% and 50%, respectively. Six patients were re-operated, due to mitral valve dysfunction in three. Mean re-operation free survival was 21.4 years. Echocardiographic follow-up was 75% completed at an average of 64 months; 84% of cases had no or only 1+ mitral regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS
In our experience, MVR for DMI had an operative mortality below 1% and a probability of success greater than 95%, with excellent long-term results.


In a pot experiment, the P-efficient wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Goldmark was grown in ten soils from South Australia covering a wide range of pH (four acidic, two neutral, and four alkaline soils) with low to moderate P availability. Phosphorus (100 mg P kg -1 ) was supplied as FePO 4 to acidic soils, CaHPO 4 to alkaline, and 1:1 mixture of FePO 4 and CaHPO 4 to neutral soils. Phosphorus uptake was correlated with P availability measured by anion-exchange resin and microbial biomass P in the rhizosphere. Growth and P uptake were best in the neutral soils, lower in the acidic, and poorest in the alkaline soils. The good growth in the neutral soils could be explained by a combination of extensive soil exploitation by the roots and high phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere, indicating microbial facilitation of organic-P mineralization. The plant effect (soil exploitation by roots) appeared to dominate in the acidic soils. Alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in acidic soils were lower than in neutral soils, but strongly increased in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil, suggesting that microorganisms contribute to P uptake in these acidic soils. Shoot and root growth and P uptake per unit root length were lowest in the alkaline soils. Despite high alkaline phosphatase and diesterase activities in the alkaline soils, microbial biomass P was low, suggesting that the enzymes could not mineralize sufficient organic P to meet the demands of plants and microorganisms. Microbial-community composition, assessed by fatty acid methylester (FAME) analysis, was strongly dependent on soil pH, whereas other soil properties (organic-C or CaCO 3 content) were less important or not important at all (soil texture).


Experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on the inactivation of microbial populations suspended in liquids using nonflowing and continuous flowing test chambers. Electric fields of /spl sim/30 kV/cm, and a pulse duration of 500 ns, were generated from a coaxial table Blumlein pulse forming network (PFN) and applied to a parallel plate, circular electrode test configuration. Sample microorganisms were grown under standardized conditions and were introduced into test liquids in order to produce known population densities within the treatment celt. The organisms investigated include the mold Aspergillus niger, the yeast Sacckaromyeces cerevisiae, and the bacterial pathogens Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The PEF studies were undertaken at a sample temperature range of 25/spl deg/C-30/spl deg/C, and the effect of the number of pulses on the test microbial population was studied. The results of this investigation showed that the greater the number of pulses applied, the larger the corresponding reduction in microbial cells/spores obtained. With the exception of dormant fungal spores, all of the test organisms were reduced by -3 to 4 log orders after 3000 pulses. The number of B. Cerus cells was reduced by -7.5 log orders after 15 000 pulses, of which 10 000 pulses were applied in a flowing system followed by 5000 pulses in a static system.


Provided in the present invention is a novel inhibitor of FLT3 kinase, comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, isomer, ester, acid, metabolite or prodrug thereof. Also provided in the present invention are a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) and a use and method for preventing or treating cell proliferative conditions and/or FLT3-related conditions, in particular for conditions responding to the inhibition of FLT3 kinase (especially FLT3/ITD mutant kinases).


Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a viral liver disease affecting approximately 3% of the world's population and 0.1 to 0.4% of the population of the Netherlands. HCV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In addition to the severe burden of disease, the failure to find and treat those infected at an early stage also leads to a considerable economic burden on society. Since treatment success rates have improved substantially in the past years, long term complications can now be largely prevented. Consequently, the need for finding and treating those infected with HCV is on the increase. This thesis aims to improve case finding by evaluating the effectiveness and the economic consequences of a variety of case finding strategies for hepatitis C. Chapter 1 provides an overview of why improvements in case finding of hepatitis C are important. Chapter 2 demonstrates that increased efforts in case finding strategies to reach the target population and medical professionals are worth the effort. Section 2.1 shows that a public campaign aimed at increasing awareness and case finding of HCV in the general population can be effective, but only with a supplementary support programme for primary care. In Section 2.2 we conclude that in a campaign aimed at HCV case finding among injecting and non-injecting hard drug users, pro-actively offering HCV consultation and testing by professionals in addiction care organisations is essential to attain effect. Chapter 3 illuminates the economic side of HCV case finding. Section 3.1 demonstrates that if a case finding strategy is found to be clearly effective it is also likely to be cost-effective. For high-risk populations such as hard drug users the gain in effect is relatively high and costs of case finding can be kept low. In Section 3.2 the current costs of HCV treatment in daily practice in the Netherlands, in relation to treatment outcome and side effects, are discussed. Although success rates have improved substantially in the past decades, the current costs of unsuccessful treatment and side effects are high. Section 3.3 shows the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a nationwide hepatitis C campaign and its interventions in the Netherlands. The intervention aimed at hard drug users in addiction care was clearly effective and cost-effective. The intervention aimed at risk groups in the general population showed only a moderate effect, leading to considerable uncertainty about cost-effectiveness. This could in part be contributed to the unfavourable circumstances of its implementation. However, the overall number of HCV carriers identified by this large scale campaign remains moderate. Chapter 4 describes the effect of a new HCV case finding strategy in primary care practice. We demonstrate that routine testing for HCV in patients with an ALT elevation of 50 to 100IU/L could theoretically lead to the identification of an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 chronic HCV carriers in the Netherlands alone. The final chapter describes the lessons learned from the thesis and the role of different health care professionals in the identification of hepatitis C.


INTRODUCTION
Epidural hematoma (EDH) is generally considered to be a condition with a good prognosis. However, postoperative results of numerous studies have shown that mortality and morbidity remain relatively high. The aim of our article is to evaluate surgical outcomes in patients undergoing EDH evacuation over the last five years.

METHODS
Data were analysed retrospectively. Pre-operative GCS was assessed. Location and incidence of associated head injuries were recorded. Two groups were established: 1. "immediate-care-requiring" and "followed-up" patients. Time interval CT - surgery was measured in the first group and the number of CT scans in the second group. Complications were divided into general and surgical. Outcome was evaluated on GOS.

RESULTS
67 patients underwent the surgery. At admittance, GCS was 13-15 in 55%, 9-12 in 8% and 3-8 in 37% of the patients. EDH was mostly located in the temporal region - in 52%. Associated head injuries occurred in 76%. Mean interval CT - operation lasted 2h 15min in the first group. Two pre-operative CT scans were done in 88% of the patients in the second group. General complications occurred in 34% and surgical in 15%. Mortality rate was 6%. 20% of the patients had a GOS of 1-3 and 80% of them had a GOS of 4-5.

CONCLUSION
Our results have shown that morbidity and mortality after EDH evacuation are still relatively high. 14% of the patients remained disabled, and 6% died. The outcome depends mostly on preoperative clinical picture and timing of the surgery. Key words: epidural hematoma - evacuation - neurological outcome - timing of the surgery.


In electroreceptive jawed vertebrates, embryonic lateral line placodes give rise to electrosensory ampullary organs as well as mechanosensory neuromasts. Previous reports of shared gene expression suggest that conserved mechanisms underlie electroreceptor and mechanosensory hair cell development and that electroreceptors evolved as a transcriptionally related 'sister cell type' to hair cells. We previously identified only one transcription factor gene, Neurod4, as ampullary organ-restricted in the developing lateral line system of a chondrostean ray-finned fish, the Mississippi paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). The other 16 transcription factor genes we previously validated in paddlefish were expressed in both ampullary organs and neuromasts. Here, we used our published lateral line organ-enriched gene-set (arising from differential bulk RNA-seq in late-larval paddlefish), together with a candidate gene approach, to identify 23 transcription factor genes expressed in the developing lateral line system of a more experimentally tractable chondrostean, the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus, a small sturgeon), and/or that of paddlefish. Twelve are expressed in both ampullary organs and neuromasts, consistent with conservation of molecular mechanisms. Six are electrosensory-restricted on the head (Irx5, Insm1, Sp5, Satb2, MafA and Rorc), and five are the first-reported mechanosensory-restricted transcription factor genes (Foxg1, Sox8, Isl1, Hmx2 and Rorb). However, as previously reported, Sox8 is expressed in ampullary organs as well as neuromasts in a shark (Scyliorhinus canicula), suggesting the existence of lineage-specific differences between cartilaginous and ray-finned fishes. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that ampullary organs and neuromasts develop via largely conserved transcriptional mechanisms, and identify multiple transcription factors potentially involved in the formation of electrosensory versus mechanosensory lateral line organs.


Objective:Cardiogenic shock remains an important therapeutic challenge, with high in-hospital mortality rates. Mechanical circulatory support may be beneficial in these patients. Since the efficacy of the intra-aortic balloon pump seems limited, new percutaneously placed mechanical left ventricular support devices, such as the Impella system, have been developed for this purpose. Our current purpose was to describe our experience with the Impella system in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction presenting in profound cardiogenic shock, who were admitted to our intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation. Methods:From January 2004 through August 2010, a total of 34 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with profound cardiogenic shock were admitted to our intensive care unit and treated with either the Impella 2.5 or the Impella 5.0 device. Baseline and follow-up characteristics were collected retrospectively. Measurements and Main Results:Within the study cohort, 25 patients initially received treatment with the Impella 2.5, whereas nine patients received immediate Impella 5.0 support. Eight out of 25 patients in the Impella 2.5 group were upgraded to 5.0 support. After 48 hrs, 14 of 25 patients in the 2.5 group were alive, five of whom had been upgraded. In the 5.0 group, eight out of nine patients were alive. After 30 days, six of 25 patients in the 2.5 group were alive, three of whom had been upgraded. In the 5.0 group, three of nine patients were alive at 30 days. Conclusions:In ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with severe and profound cardiogenic shock, our initial experience suggests improved survival in patients who received immediate Impella 5.0 treatment, as well as in patients who were upgraded from 2.5 to 5.0 support, when compared to patients who received only Impella 2.5 support.


Accumulated data have shown that most human somatic cells or tissues show irreversible telomere shortening with age, and that there are strong associations between telomere attrition and aging‐related diseases, including cancers, diabetes and cognitive disorders. Although it has been largely accepted that telomere attrition is one of the major causes of aging‐related disorders, critical aspects of telomere biology remain unresolved, especially the lack of standardized methodology for quantification of telomere length. Another frustrating issue is that no potentially promising methods for safe prevention of telomere erosion, or for telomere elongation, have been devised. Here, we review several methods for quantification of telomere length currently utilized worldwide, considering their advantages and drawbacks. We also summarize the results of our recent studies of human cells and tissues, mainly using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern blotting, including those derived from patients with progeria‐prone Werner syndrome and trisomy 21, and several strains of induced pluripotent stem cells. We discuss the possible merits of using telomere shortness as an indicator, or a new marker, for diagnosis of precancerous states and aging‐related disorders. In addition, we describe newly found factors that are thought to impact telomere dynamics, providing a new avenue for examining the unsolved issues related to telomere restoration and maintenance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 30–42.


Global software development (GSD) is increasingly the norm. As firms expand into new markets overseas, acquire companies in different countries, and recruit talented developers in new locations, projects become distributed by necessity. As projects become increasingly distributed, and include external participants such as outsourcing vendors, conventional top-down management oversight and control becomes more difficult. How can organizations ensure that the activities of all parties involved are aligned with the strategic objectives and values of a software development undertaking? The Global Teaming Model is a framework that specifies practices and recommendations for Global Software Development. As such, it serves as a means to organize GSD practices relevant to Software Development Governance. We conducted a case study of a small team engaged in Global Software Development, identifying governance shortcomings. Then, we used the Global Teaming Model to identify governance practices that would address those shortcomings. We identified several aspects of the team's interactions with other teams in the company that would be improved by recommendations from the Global Teaming Governance Model. The Global Teaming Model provides a blueprint for Software Development Governance that organizations seeking to globalize their current development projects in a controlled way can use to implement good Software Development Governance.


Marketing and production contracts covered 39 percent of the value of U.S. agricultural production in 2008, up from 36 percent in 2001, and a substantial increase over 28 percent in 1991 and 11 percent in 1969. However, aggregate contract use has stabilized in recent years and no longer suggests a strong trend. Contracts between farmers and their buyers are reached prior to harvest (or before the completion stage for livestock)and govern the terms under which products are transferred from the farm. Contracts are far more likely to be used on large farms than on small farms, and they form one element in a package of risk management tools available to farmers. Production contracts are used widely in livestock production, while marketing contracts are important to the production of many crops.


Codebook-based speech enhancement methods that use trained codebooks of speech and noise spectra provide good performance even under non-stationary noise conditions. A drawback, however, is their high computational cost. For every pair of speech and noise codebook vectors, a likelihood score indicating how well that pair matches the observation is computed. In this paper, a method that identifies and performs only relevant likelihood computations by imposing a hierarchical structure on the speech codebook is proposed. The performance of the proposed method is shown to be close to that of the original scheme but at a significantly lower computational cost.


The aim of this study was to compare two commercial kits (A and B) with our our own assay (C) for the determination of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL). In 42 controls no subject was found to be aCL positive with kit A, seven were aCL positive with kit B and 1 with assay C. In 61 patients, the results were as follows: 50.8% aCL positivity for A, 57.4% for B and 50.8% for C. Only 57.3% of the patients were either positive (20 patients) or negative (15 patients) in the three tests. As for controls the concordance in patients was better between kit A and assay C than between kit B and assay C. Another group of patients with high IgM blank values in assay C were selected; when their blank values as measured with the kits were subtracted, 40% of the aCL positive patients with kit A became negative. In summary this comparison indicates that aCL positivity may vary according to the assay used and that non-specific binding may lead to false positive results.


Abstract Objective: A randomized, two-way crossover study was conducted in 24 fasting healthy male volunteers of Indian origin to compare the bioavailability of two brands of a fixed dose combination of escitalopram oxalate (CAS 219861-08-2) 10 mg and clonazepam (CAS 1622-61-3) 0.5 mg tablets, using Estomine-zee® as test and a commercially available formulation as the reference product. The pharmacokinetics of escitalopram oxalate and clonazepam individually after oral administration of tablet formulation has been extensively evaluated in adult volunteers. However, no published data are available regarding the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of this particular fixed dose combination. Method: The trial was designed as a randomized, balanced, open-label, 2-period cross-over study. The drug was administered with 240 ml of water after a 10-h overnight fasting on two treatment days separated by a 21-day washout period. After dosing, serial blood samples were collected for a period of 96 h. Plasma harvested from blood was analyzed by simple rapid, selective and validated liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) using diazepam (CAS 439-14-5) as an internal standard. Results: The calibration curves were found to be linear in the range of 1–25 ng/ml and 1–10 ng/ml for escitalopram oxalate and clonazepam, respectively, with a mean correlation coefficient of more than 0.99. No statistically significant differences were obtained between the two products with respect to the mean concentration-time profiles or in the pharmacokinetic parameters, including the area under the serum concentration-time curve from the present study. Conclusion: Based on the statistical inferences, it was concluded that the test product is bioequivalent to the reference product. Both preparations were well tolerated with no adverse reactions throughout the study.


This paper describes a digital speaker system with a hybrid PWM digital modulator for a class-D power audio amplifier using the oversampling and noise-shaping techniques. Results of measurements of the output signal spectrum for the audio frequency band with a sinusoidal input signal are shown. The presented speaker system achieves a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) near to 75 dB in the audio band (20 Hz to 20 kHz).


AIM
To assess patients' visual performance with glistenings in one piece soft hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) (Alcon) 2 years postoperatively.

METHODS
This cross section trial included 120 eyes with one piece IOL at 2 years postoperatively. Glistening was classified in 4 groups, ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (most evident) according to their severity in IOLs optics observed under a slit lamp. All eyes underwent a uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity evaluation (UCVA and BCVA, LogMAR scale), a complete clinical examination, a contrast sensitivity (CS) evaluation by F.A.C.T chart, and a visual field test by Humphrey Field Analyzer ‖ (HFA). One-way ANOVA was used for quantitative data, while Pearson χ (2) test was used for qualitative data to analyze the visual function of 4 glistening groups.

RESULTS
Totally 120 eyes were enrolled with 30 eyes in each glistening group. There was no statistical correlation between glistening grades and patients' age, IOLs power, postoperative UCVA and BCVA (P>0.05). Quantificationally, CS values among each group were not statistically different. However, qualitative analysis showed there were more eyes in grade 3 group than in grade 0 group having abnormally declined CS at high spatial frequency (10% vs 36.7% at 18 cpd, P=0.029; 6.7% vs 26.7% at 12 cpd, P=0.013). Mean deviation (MD) of the visual field test was -2.14±2.31, -1.97±2.23, -3.02±3.17, -4.12±3.38 in group 0 to 3 respectively. There was a significant decrease in the most serious glistenings group (P =0.018).

CONCLUSION
Glistenings may potentially have an impact on contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequency and MD in visual field test.


In this work we describe the development of a scalable agent-based modelling framework for simulation of Eurasia population described in terms of demography, migration and transport flows. The simulated system will consist of agents representing individuals and sets of links to other agents, which represent the social interactions of individual. The individual agents in the model will participate in several independent processes, for which different sets of social links is important such as family and neighbors. As a base for our simulation system we have used a combination of a base native layer implemented using C++ language which uses MPI library, and Microsoft .NET platform as an environment for model code written in high-level C# programming language. To perform a load balancing of agents between processes the METIS/ParMETIS algorithms were used. These algorithms allow to split the graph of agents and links into parts of similar size with the least possible number of links between them. A number of numerical experiments were carried out for test model to estimate the influence of the parameters of the model on its performance and parallel scalability. For each combination of parameters a number of simulations were performed to average the results.


Background: Computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFTA) is a recently developed technique for the treatment of lung tumors with growing scientific evidence supporting its use. Aim: Characterize a population of patients with malignant lung tumors that underwent RFTA and evaluate its safety and efficacy. Material and methods: CT-guided percutaneous RFTA performed since 2004 were collected for data purpose. A CT scan performed before and after each procedure evaluated tumor9s size, shape and location and assessed immediate results and complications. A high-density area with a diameter equal to or greater than the initial tumor, surrounded by a ground-glass opacity was defined as complete tumor necrosis. The frequency of local recurrence and disease progression was calculated based on imaging follow-up. Population demographics, tumor9s histological type and primary lung cancer staging were also assessed. Results: A total of 29 tumor lesions (28 patients), 20 primary and 9 metastatic, underwent the procedure. Mean age was 69 yo (range: 16-81 yo). Lung adenocarcinoma and lung metastatic disease were the most frequent histological types, each accounting for 31%. TNM staging identified stage IIIA as the predominant (30%). Total necrosis was achieved in more than 95% of the cases. Procedure-related complications occurred in 55,2% and death in 3,4% of the cases. Mean survival rate post-RFTA was 21 months (range: 0-73 months). Disease-related mortality was 46,4%. Conclusions: CT-guided percutaneous RFTA is a minimally invasive procedure with proven efficacy in the treatment of lung tumors, associated to a low rate of major complications.


Summary

When a moderate heat (75–95 °C) and pressure (100 MPa) treatment (MHPT) was applied to potato, there were changes in texture, colour and tissue sloughing. Water-soluble pectin release was determined and related to potato tissue firmness. Potato texture, after MHPTs at 75–85 °C, was firmer than that after heat treatments (HT). However, the firmness was almost the same in the MHPTs and HTs at 90 and 95 °C, and cooking at 100 °C for 20 min. The release of pectic substances was lower in MHPTs when compared with HTs at 75–85 °C and atmospheric pressure. There were almost no differences in colour between the treatments, and tissue sloughing was slightly higher in MHPTs. These results indicate that MHPT could be an effective alternative to conventional thermal or ultra-high-pressure processing. It provides higher food quality when texture, colour and tissue sloughing of potato are measured.


Objective. It is to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of transobturator tension-free vaginal mesh (Prolift) and concomitant tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O) system as a treatment of female anterior vaginal wall prolapse associated with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Patients and Methods. Between December 2006 and July 2007, 20 patients with anterior genital prolapse and voiding dysfunction were treated with the transobturator tension-free vaginal mesh (Prolift) and concomitant tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O). Sixteen patients had stress urinary incontinence and 4 patients were considered at risk for development of de novo stress incontinence after the prolapse is repaired. All patients underwent a complete urodynamic assessment. All the patients underwent pelvic examination 4–6 weeks after the operation, and anatomical and functional outcomes were recorded. Results. Twenty cystocoeles were repaired: 6 grade II, 12 grade III, and 2 grade IV. There were no vessel or bladder injuries. Eighteen patients had optimal anatomic results and 2 patients had persistent asymptomatic stage I prolapse. Conclusion. These preliminary results suggest that Prolift system offers a safe and effective treatment for female anterior vaginal wall prolapse. However, a long-term followup is necessary in order to support the good result maintenance.


Abstract The main goal of the present paper was to study the physical response of a double side skin (DSS) structure under impact load in a collision event between two ships. Collision energy and damage extent (size and location) during the collision process were observed together with damage patterns on side structure. The ships were modeled after a Ro-Ro passenger ship and cargo reefer which were involved in a ship collision on the Sunda Strait while the analyseswere performed using non-linear simulations FEMto produce virtual simulation data. Several caseswere proposed to be investigated in this work with involvement of parameters i.e. penetration location and ship materials which were embedded on the structure model. A series of material experiments and testing was conducted to obtain detailed material properties which were to be deployed in simulation. It was shown that, after penetration at the transition location, the striking ship was successfully deforming and forming tears to the inner skin. On the other hand, with identical structure and identical mass of construction, the use of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel as the repair material offered considerably better capacity in absorbing the impact load than plain-carbon steel.


Background Dynamic allocation (DA) methods which attempt to balance baseline prognostic factors between treatment arms, can be used in multi-arm clinical trials to sequentially allocate patients to treatment. Although some experts express concern regarding the validity of inference from trials using DA, others believe DA methods produce more credible results. Purpose A review of published multi-arm cancer clinical trials was conducted to explore the frequency of DA use in oncology. Methods Multi-arm phase III clinical trials of at least 100 patients per arm, published in 13 major oncology journals from 1995—2005 were manually reviewed. Information about reported use of DA methods, or randomization via random permuted blocks (PB), was extracted along with trial characteristics. Results Of 476 published clinical trials, 112 (23.5%) reported using some form of DA method, while 103 (21.6%) reported using PB methods. Most trials (403 or 84.7%) reported stratifying on at least one baseline factor. The mean number of stratification factors was 2.70 per trial, and 78.6% of DA trials reported 3 or more stratification factors compared with 30.2% of non-DA trials (p < 0.001). The frequency of DA use increased over time, with 20.2%, 21.3%, 25.8%, 28.8% and 38.9% of trials reported use in 1995—2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively. Use of DA methods was more frequently reported in trials involving an academic co-operative group (28.4% vs. 13.8%), however, no difference was observed between industry-funded and other-funded trials (24.0% vs. 23.2%) or geographical region (19.7% of North American trials, 26.2% of European trials and 21.7% of multinational/other trials). Limitations As a retrospective analysis, the true frequency of DA use is likely underreported. Few trials gave complete details of the allocation method used, thus it is possible some manuscripts reported incorrect allocation methods. Journals were selected which were assumed to publish most large, multi-arm clinical trials in cancer from 1995—2005, however, some trials were likely reported in journals other than what was reviewed. Conclusions DA methods are frequently used in multi-arm cancer clinical trials. The use of DA appears to becoming more common over time and are used more frequently when an academic cooperative group is involved. No relationship between industry funded trials or geographic region and allocation method was observed. Clinical Trials 2010; 7: 227—234. http://ctj.sagepub.com


BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study evaluated whether a mobile health (mHealth) application can instigate healthy behavioral changes and improvements in metabolic disorders in individuals with metabolic abnormalities. SUBJECTS/METHODS Participants were divided into an mHealth intervention group (IG), which used a mobile app for 24 weeks, and a conventional IG. All mobile apps featured activity monitors, with blood pressure and glucose monitors, and body-composition measuring devices. The two groups were compared after 24 weeks in terms of health-behavior practice rate and changes in the proportion of people with health risks, and health behaviors performed by the IG that contributed to reductions in more than one health risk factor were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Preference for low-sodium diet, reading nutritional facts, having breakfast, and performing moderate physical activity significantly increased in the mHealth IG. Furthermore, the mHealth IG showed a significant increase of eight items in the mini-dietary assessment; particularly, the items "I eat at least two types of vegetables of various colors at every meal" and "I consume dairies, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, every day." The proportion of people with health risks, with the exception of fasting glucose, significantly decreased in the mHealth IG, while only the proportion of people with at-risk triglycerides and waist circumference of females significantly decreased in the control group. Finally, compared to those who did not show improvements of health risks, those who showed improvements of health risks in the mHealth IG had an odds ratio of 1.61 for moderate to vigorous physical activity, 1.65 for "I do not add more salt or soy sauce in my food," and 1.77 for "I remove fat in my meat before eating." CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that the additional use of a community-based mHealth service through a mobile application is effective for improving health behaviors and lowering metabolic risks in Koreans.


This First Report and Order allocates 3 MHz of spectrum for paging services in the 929-932 MHz band. Private paging services will use frequency band 929-930 MHz, common carrier services will use frequency band 931-932 MHz, with a flexible boundary between the two bands effective after five years. The 930-931 MHz band will be reserved for advanced technology paging systems. This allocation was made in response to petitions filed by the Ad Hoc Private Paging Committee and Telocator Network of America. These new paging frequencies will allow for substantial growth of the paging industry, which has been restricted by a shortage of frequencies.


ABSTRACT Cyclofructans (CF) are cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of a crown ether core with pendent fructofuranose units. These unique macrocycles were reported recently to be powerful chiral selectors. Derivatized and bonded to silica, CFs make excellent chiral selectors for HPLC. In this study, several new derivatives of cyclofructan 6 (CF6) were prepared by introducing aromatic moieties with electron-withdrawing chloro and nitro groups and an electron-donating methyl group. Their enantioselectivities were evaluated in the normal phase mode in comparison to the commercially available cyclofructan columns (LARIHC CF6-P, LARIHC CF6-RN, and LARIHC CF7-DMP). In several cases, the columns prepared in this work showed improved enantioselectivity over the existing commercially available stationary phases. Furthermore, an evaluation of the number and position of chloro and methyl groups on the phenyl substituents of CF6 is discussed in terms of their ability to alter enantioselectivity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The ability of amphiphilic polymers to self-assemble and form a gel or gel-like layer has been investigated by means of both experimental and theoretical studies on alkylated derivatives of poly(acrylic acid). Experiments were performed to determine the relationship between amphiphilic polymer chemistry, structure, water retention, and friction in the presence of hydrophobic substrates. The results indicate that the amphiphilic polymer forms a water-enriched, friction-reducing adsorbed layer on hydrophobic surfaces. The shear moduli and viscosities of the adsorbed layers, as determined by fitting the Voigt model to QCM-D data, were consistent with the presence of a gel. Computational studies on HPAA-12 were performed and are consistent with the presence of adsorbed conformations, in which the lowest free energy in the model corresponded to a partially adsorbed molecule, with a small fraction of hydrophobic side chains being compelled, for configurational reasons, to point into the bulk water. This would support the possibility of the formation of either a gel-like layer or surface aggregation. However, because the adsorption experiments showed no evidence of aggregation, this strongly suggests the formation of a gel.


Introduction. The education sector has been severely affected by the pandemic caused by the sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), despite the preventive measures taken and innovations brought to mitigate its effects.
Purpose. This study investigated the impact of alienation experienced by EFL teachers as a result of obligatory social distancing that has become the new normal because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, it was determined whether gender, educational level, institution type, and years of experience in the profession were among the active determinants of work alienation.
Methods. A mixed-method approach was adopted for this study. Quantitative data were collected using the Work Alienation scale, completed by 160 EFL teachers working at public and private schools in Mersin, Turkey. Qualitative data were gathered from the responses of 18 teachers within the survey group. The data collected from the scale were analysed, and the data from the open-ended survey were coded and classified into three themes.
Results. The findings indicated that EFL teachers experienced low levels of work alienation during the pandemic, and the survey data provided thought-provoking examples of the damage caused by the pandemic. Although no significant differences were identified in alienation based on gender, institution type, and educational level, significant differences based on the years of experience were found in the powerlessness, meaninglessness, and isolation subscales, whereby teachers with 1–5 years of experience endured a higher level of work alienation than those with more experience.
Conclusion. The findings of the study not only raise awareness regarding the importance of providing guidance to EFL teachers during the pandemic but also raise concerns about their wellbeing and digital literacy.