The Osservatorio Polifunzionale del Chianti is a new astronomical site located in the neighbourhoods of San Donato in Poggio (Firenze), on top of one of the highest hills of the Chianti area, among the darkest places in Tuscany, and it is managed by the University of Florence. The name takes origin from the different observatories that are hosted in the building. Beside the Astronomical Observatory, Geo-seismic, Meteorological and Environmental Observatories fully operate in a fruitful synergic collaboration among themselves. Presently, the main research activity at OPC concerns the observation and follow-up of transiting exoplanets while the team is involved in national and international collaborations, like TESS SG1 follow-up for the observation of exoplanet candidates and GAPS, which exploits several telescopes and facilities in Italy (Asiago, OAVdA) and Canary Islands (HARPS-North and GIANO instruments as well as their improved combined version) for exoplanetary characterization. OPC researchers perform their activity in the framework of collaborations with Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino and Osservatorio Autonomo della Val d'Aosta. From July 2017, to date, commissioning observing runs have been done in order to test the telescope and mount capabilities, systematics and limits and to eventually improve the accuracy of the overall system. A software algorithm has been developed1 in order to estimate the accuracy of any transit observation, so that parameters like the integration time and telescope focus can be chosen to obtain a higher signal to noise ratio, and also to understand the observational limits of the instruments. Currently, the system is able to work within±1 mmag of accuracy and differential photometry error (refer to the error bars in Figure 6) so that exoplanet transits with (see abstract for symbol _5 mmag) of relative depth can be observed fruitfully. The OPC Research Team also aims at the observation of the optical/visible counterpart of gamma ray bursts afterglows, supernovae and GW ToO (Gravitational Waves events / Targets of Opportunity) follow-up along with transiting exoplanets follow-up. The reason is twofold. First of all, the scientific interest on these events of the researchers supporting OPC, and then the demand of the astronomical community for follow-up observations with small telescopes, around the 1-m class, since larger telescopes are often used for primary targets observations. To pursue the target of observing GRBs and the optical counterpart of GW events, it is planned to improve the main instrument accuracy and to develop a consolidated observation procedure, to be ready for the next LIGO-VIRGO O3 run scheduled for the Autumn, 2018.


The conceptual and computational structure of a performance assessment (PA) for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is described. Important parts of this structure are (1) maintenance of a separation between stochastic (i.e., aleatory) and subjective (i.e., epistemic) uncertainty, with stochastic uncertainty arising from the many possible disruptions that could occur over the 10,000-year regulatory period that applies to the WIPP, and subjective uncertainty arising from the imprecision with which many of the quantities required in the analysis are known, (2) use of Latin hypercube sampling to incorporate the effects of subjective uncertainty, (3) use of Monte Carlo (i.e., random) sampling to incorporate the effects of stochastic uncertainty, and (4) efficient use of the necessarily limited number of mechanistic calculations that can be performed to support the analysis. The WIPP is under development by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the geologic (i.e., deep underground) disposal of transuranic (TRU) waste, with the indicated PA supporting a Compliance Certification Application (CCA) by the DOE to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October 1996 for the necessary certifications for the WIPP to begin operation. The EPA certified the WIPP for the disposal of TRU waste in May 1998, with the result that the WIPP will be the first operational facility in the United States for the geologic disposal of radioactive waste.


Congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (ccTGA) is a rare congenital heart disease, and little literature is available that describes its anaesthetic management. We present the perioperative management of a patient with complex, cyanotic ccTGA who underwent electrophysiological study with catheter ablation under general anaesthesia. Good understanding of the patient's complex cardiac anatomy and physiology and multidisciplinary communication are vital to facilitate the successful care of the patient.


In the atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan, the chemical growth is believed to occur through an efficient chemical coupling between radicals and reac-tive charged species. However, the role of positively charged particles in haze formation chemistry is far from being understood. Here, we present a mass spec-trometry investigation with a relatively low pressure interface to chemically characterize the positive ions formed in the pre-haze formation phase starting from the EUV photolysis of N 2 /CH 4 gas mixtures.


Preeclampsia is a devastating multisystem syndrome and is a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal mor- bidity and mortality. Angiogenic factors contribute to the molecular mechanisms of preeclampsia and its main phenotypes such as hypertension and proteinuria. Very recently, novel anti-angiogenic proteins including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng), and one pro-angiogenic protein placental growth factor (PlGF) have been found to be significantly abnormal several weeks preceding the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. Automatic immuno- assays are being developed for sFlt-1 and PlGF. This article will summarize our current knowledge of these markers and their roles on predicting preeclampsia.


INTRODUCTION: Foster® 100/6 pMDI is a well characterized fixed combination of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 100µg and formoterol fumarate (FF) 6µg, licensed for use in adult asthmatic patients. New strenghts (50/6µg and 200/6µg) are investigated to expand the therapeutic opportunity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the proportional lung deposition of the new strenghts of Foster®, when compared to Foster® 100/6µg and the equivalent lung deposition of FF across increasing doses of BDP. METHODS: Open label, randomized, three-way single-dose crossover study in 24 healthy volunteers. Subjects received four inhalations of each strenght corresponding to BDP/FF 200µg/24µg, 400µg/24µg and 800µg/24µg with charcoal block. Pharmacokinetics of BDP/B17MP and FF and cardiovascular effects (heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP)) were studied over 12 hours after administration. RESULTS: Lung bioavailability of B17MP was dose proportional within the dose range tested, since the 90% CI for dose-normalised AUC 0-t , AUC 0-12h , and AUC 0-∞ for all the comparisons were within the acceptance interval 80-125%. Bioequivalence of FF can be concluded since the 90% CI for AUC 0-t were within the acceptance interval 80-125%, when comparing the 50µg vs. 100µg BDP doses and the 200µg vs. 50µg, but slightly below the lower limit for 100µg vs. 200µg. Calculation of time averaged values for HR and BP indicated similar effects across treatments confirming the bioequivalence of FF. CONCLUSIONS : The lung bioavailability of BDP/B17MP was demonstrated to be proportional across three different strengths while the lung deposition of FF remained unchanged across increasing doses of BDP.


Magnetic fields in extragalactic space between galaxy clusters may induce conversions between photons and axion-like particles (ALPs), thereby shielding the photons from absorption on the extragalactic background light. For TeV gamma rays, the oscillation length (losc) of the photon-ALP system becomes inevitably of the same order as the coherence length of the magnetic field l and the length over which the field changes significantly (transition length lt) due to refraction on background photons. We derive exact statistical evolution equations for the mean and variance of the photon and ALP transfer functions in the non-adiabatic regime (losc ∼ l ≫ lt). We also make analytical predictions for the transfer functions in the quasi-adiabatic regime (losc ≪ l, lt). Our results are important in light of the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), and may also be applied to models with non-zero ALP masses.


With the tension between national security and civil liberties as a backdrop, this study examines responses to news coverage of activist groups. This 2 3 2e xperiment presented participants with news stories about government efforts to restrict the civil liberties of an ''extremist'' individual or group (news frame) advocating for a cause supported or opposed by the respondent (cause predisposition). Willingness to take expressive action was greatest for individual-framed stories about a cause opposed by the respondent and for groupframed stories about a cause supported by the respondent. We contend that when reporters frame stories about extremist groups around individuals, fewer people will speak out in favor of causes they agree with and more will rally against causes they oppose.


The current mathematical models for the storage assignment problem are generally established based on the traveling salesman problem(TSP), which has been widely applied in the conventional automated storage and retrieval system(AS/RS). However, the previous mathematical models in conventional AS/RS do not match multi-tier shuttle warehousing systems(MSWS) because the characteristics of parallel retrieval in multiple tiers and progressive vertical movement destroy the foundation of TSP. In this study, a two-stage open queuing network model in which shuttles and a lift are regarded as servers at different stages is proposed to analyze system performance in the terms of shuttle waiting period (SWP) and lift idle period (LIP) during transaction cycle time. A mean arrival time difference matrix for pairwise stock keeping units(SKUs) is presented to determine the mean waiting time and queue length to optimize the storage assignment problem on the basis of SKU correlation. The decomposition method is applied to analyze the interactions among outbound task time, SWP, and LIP. The ant colony clustering algorithm is designed to determine storage partitions using clustering items. In addition, goods are assigned for storage according to the rearranging permutation and the combination of storage partitions in a 2D plane. This combination is derived based on the analysis results of the queuing network model and on three basic principles. The storage assignment method and its entire optimization algorithm method as applied in a MSWS are verified through a practical engineering project conducted in the tobacco industry. The applying results show that the total SWP and LIP can be reduced effectively to improve the utilization rates of all devices and to increase the throughput of the distribution center.


Daily-deal websites have recently been a new and successful way of attracting product service providers since they offer ''free'' advertising and at the same time the opportunity to sell products and services via certain promotional campaigns. However, research on the concept of daily deal consumer behaviour has been somewhat limited in the context of online shopping, especially regarding empirical hypothesis testing. This paper closely examines consumer characteristics into the literature of daily deal websites and extended it into the context of shopping values and behavioural intention. Data was collected through online questionnaires from students in Sweden. About 157 respondents were included within the study, and a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted in order to test the proposed 11 hypotheses. The results showed that both utilitarian and hedonic consumer shopping values influenced consumer shopping preference and intention in daily deal context a positive way, with hedonic value more imperative. Likewise, the studied consumer characteristics (impulsive buying behavior, variety seeking behaviour, and price sensitivity) had an influence on the values whether positively or negatively. Managerial implications are presented based on these findings, and the paper is finalized with some essential limitations and avenues for suture research. (Less)


In this study three complete triticales, three substituted (one gene from rye has been replaced by one gene from wheat) triticales, and parental wheat and rye were analysed for α-amylase inhibitory activity to evaluate whether the genetic modification influenced triticale α-amylase inhibitory activity. Gel filtration chromatography and thermostability analyses were performed to partially isolate and characterize α-amylase inhibitors. Results demonstrated that substituted triticales and wheat had higher α-amylase inhibitory activities and higher water-soluble protein contents than complete triticales and rye. Sodium dodecylsulfate-PAGE-electrophoresis showed that all triticales, irrespective of their classification, inherited the water-soluble protein patterns from their parents: wheat and rye. In a substituted triticale (Pony 'S'), two peaks with α-amylase inhibitory activity were resolved by gel filtration chromatography; they were designated T1 and T2 according to their order of elution. T1 showed a higher inhibitory activity but a lower thermostability at 70 °C than T2; T1 apparently comes from wheat, whereas T2 presumably comes from rye.

© 1999 Society of Chemical Industry


HISTORY
A 61-year-old man was bitten by a tick at Lake Woblitz, near the town of Neustrelitz in former East Germany. Nine days later he saw his general practitioner because of fever and headache. Three weeks after the tick bite he was hospitalized with fever (39.2 degrees C) and mental confusion. Because he had taken a Nile cruise six months earlier, malaria was considered and he was transferred to the department of tropical medicine and infectious diseases of the University of Rostock.

INVESTIGATIONS
The patient was somnolent, his speech was slurred, and he had amnesic aphasia, as well as impaired fine motor control, but no meningism, focal signs, pyramidal tract or sensory impairment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed mild lymphocytosis (9,400 leukocytes per microL; 89% lymphocytes) and elevated protein concentration (1322 mg/L) with blood brain barrier impairment and intrathecal IgM synthesis. Anti-tick-bite encephalitis (TBE) antibodies (ELISA: IgG and IgM) were present in serum and CSF, and serum immunofluorescence showed an eight-fold titer increase within two weeks. These findings confirm the diagnosis of TBE. Other infections (including those with cross-reacting flaviviruses) were excluded by appropriate antibody testing.

THERAPY AND CLINICAL COURSE
There is no specific antiviral treatment for TBE, but on symptomatic therapy the patient recovered fully within four weeks.

CONCLUSION
The site of the patient's infection is located 10 km to the west of an old TBE focus, but no TBE virus had been detected there after 1975. The case demonstrates that TBE should be included in the differential diagnosis of meningoencephalitis, even if the patient has not been in an acknowledged TBE endemic area.


Innovations are important for the development of firms and whole economies. Several theoretic approaches are therefore dealing with innovation and the motivation of firms to motivate. The Resource-based View of the Firm views innovations to be motivated by the use of slack resources while the Behavioral Theory of the Firm predicts problemistic search as an important motivation for innovative maneuvers. Recently, Pitelis proposes an integration of both theories to better explaining the motivation for innovation. This paper empirically tests the predictions from these theories using multiple case studies among small and medium enterprises. The results show that firms' motivation to innovate is best explained using a combination of both theories.


The double Fourier series of functions of the generalized bounded variation class {n/ln(n + 1)}*BV are shown to be Pringsheim convergent everywhere. In a certain sense, this result cannot be improved. In general, functions of class A* BV, defined here, have quadrant limits at every point and, for f E A*BV, there exist at most countable sets P and Q such that, for x ¬∈ P and y ¬∈ Q, f is continuous at (x, y). It is shown that the previously studied class ABV contains essentially discontinuous functions unless the sequence A satisfies a strong condition.


The role of the nucleus accumbens (NA) in forming spatial representations was investigated in C57BL/6 (C57) and DBA/2 (DBA) inbred mice. One week before testing, bilateral excitotoxic lesions were performed in the NA using ibotenic acid. Testing consisted of placing mice in an arena containing 5 objects at a fixed location and, after habituation to the object configuration, examining their reactivity to the displacement (spatial novelty) or the substitution (object novelty) of some of these objects. C57 mice reacted to spatial novelty and DBA mice did not. Both strains, however, reacted to object novelty. The lesion had no effect on C57 mice's performance, but in the DBA mice, it promoted a clear reaction to spatial novelty that was absent in control animals. Radial maze performance also was improved in DBA with NA lesions. Results suggest the NA as a possible site for modulating spatially mediated behaviors in poor-performing subjects.


Success of complete dentures largely depends on accuracy of impression. In fabrication of mandibular complete denture, border molding of an individual tray is an essential step in impression making. It can also trace the future denture's periphery by molding the peripheral of the individual tray and by asking the patient to make functional trimming exercises. The individual tray obtained from a preliminary impression are border molded with modeling compound, and final impression is completed with easily flowable impression material such as zincoxide eugenol paste. By using this border molding and peripheral tracing impression technique, resultant mandibular complete denture favors good retention and stability even in resorbed alveolar ridge. Most prosthodontists accepted this method as a standardized method for complete denture construction. But it is time consuming and often difficult for beginners to master as it require skill and experience. In this study, high viscosity silicone (putty) and light body silicone have been introduced as a new border molding material. It was found that the retention of two base plates resulted from impression making with these two border molding materials were not statistically significant (mean 367 gf for compound and 368 gf for silicone). Silicone impression material has an excellent elasticity and acceptable working time in the mouth during functional trimming. It also has good dimensional stability, acceptable taste and ease of manipulation for every dentist.


OBJECTIVE
To prepare macroporous bone substitute composed of calcium phosphate cements and rhBMP-2 loaded gelatin microspheres, and to investigate ectopic osteoinduction of the composite.

METHODS
After being prepared by improved emulsified cold-condensation method and crosslinked by 5% genipin solution,gelatin microspheres (GMs) were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and loaded with rhBMP-2 by adsorption. Macroporous bone substitute was developed by mixing calcium phosphate cement (CPC) with 2.5% GMs, being as the experimental group,and CPC with rhBMP-2 was the control group. After the both composites had been soaked in the sodium chloride for 1 week or 3 weeks, compressive strength of the composites were tested, and the cross-sections were observed by SEM. Concentrations of rhBMP-2 in the solutions at different time by ELISA method and the cumulative drug release amount was calculated. The composites had been implanted in the muscle bags of the mouses for 3 weeks. Then the tissues around the materials were collected, stained by hematoxylin and eosin, and Ca and ALP in the tissues were also measured.

RESULTS
Gelatin microspheres were spherical with diameters of (62 +/- 18) microm. Macropores appeared in the experimental materials 1 week and 3 weeks after being soaked,and total porosity, macroporosity, cumulative release amount of rhBMP-2 in the experimental group were higher than that in the control. But compressive strength of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group 3 weeks after being soaked. Results of HE stain showed chondral formation in both groups, but there were more chondral tissues in the experiment group, and so were the concentrations of Ca and ALP.

CONCLUSION
Macroporous calcium phosphate cement can be prepared by using rhBMP-2 loaded gelatin microspheres, and it is an excellent bone substitute due to it's proterty of promoting rhBMP release and powerful ectopic osteoinduction.


In recent years, the efficiency of thermoelectric devices has improved greatly due thermoelectric material and device geometrical improvements. However, the efficiency of TEG is still low, being a subject of further research for more improvement. Hence, the main objective of the research carried out in this thesis is to analyse the performance of dc-dc converters with or without MPPT in conditioning the power generated from TEG. In light of this objective, the following case studies have been carried out.

The initial study has analysed the performance of a TEG/dc-dc boost converter system. Results indicate that the converter is able to stabilise and boost the voltage and higher efficiencies are achieved at different hot side temperatures.

The next study proposes the use of MPPT algorithm to harvest maximum power from TEG system. Hence, the analysis of the performance of TEG/dc-dc converter with MPPT enabled by Incremental conductance (IC) method is done. The results indicate that the IC based MPPT approach is able to track the maximum power point but with relatively lower efficiencies than the Perturb and Observe (P&O) based MPPT method. method.

Another study has analysed the parameters for the performance of TEG/dc-dc converter system in different modes with a variable load. The TEG system is subjected to different hot side temperatures, including increasing step, increasing random and constant cold side temperature profiles. The study has demonstrated how the proper selection of converter components is a necessity to avoid converter losses as well interferences on the load connected to TEG/dc-dc converter system.

Furthermore, another study compares the performance of extremum seeking control (ESC) and PO bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) with temperature dependent Seebeck effect (S), electrical conductivity (σ) and thermal conductivity (k); and lead telluride (PbTe) with non-temperature dependent S, σ and k. Results indicate that ESC MPPT method outperforms the P&O technique in terms extracting maximum power and the simulation speed. Results also indicate that ESC outperforms the IC technique in terms of extracting maximum power and the speed of computation. ESC method is faster than the IC method.

In the final study, the application of the concept and the design of a distributed dc-dc converter architecture (DCA) on TEG system is deliberated. The distributed or cascaded converter architecture involves the use of non-isolated per-TEG dc-dc converter connected to the load. Alternatively, for some specific loads, especially in automotive applications, soft-switched, isolated bi-directional dc-dc converters can be used instead of non-isolated converters because these integrated converters enable bi-directional power flow control capability. Simulations and experimental studies have been carried out to demonstrate and prove the necessity of the DCA design application on TEG systems. In addition, some of the factors affecting the performance of TEG systems are correspondingly analysed.


This paper describes research on the prediction of horizontal displacements and internal forces in an anchored wall for the protection of an excavation, using standard field and laboratory tests and a finite-element programme with a soil model that can simulate the key aspects of soil behaviour at a construction site. It is important to be acquainted with the constitutive model incorporated in the programme, and the selection of the appropriate soil parameters for the numerical analysis is a crucial part of the modelling. As a result, it is useful to carry out numerical simulations of standard laboratory tests with well-known soil behaviour in order to select the relevant parameters for the simulation of the actual construction process. It is shown in this paper that the measurements of the shear-wave velocities, which can provide the soil's stiffness at very small strains, can also be useful for determining the static stiffness at a magnitude of the strains relevant for the geotechnical structure under consideration, for both cohesive and noncohesive soils. The research was carried out by a detailed analysis of a case history involving an anchored, reinforced concrete wall supporting the walls of an excavation in a relatively stiff soil. The wall displacements were monitored using an installed inclinometer. The major part of the paper is devoted to an analysis of the selection of parameters, especially the stiffness parameters. The simulation of the triaxial, consolidated, undrained tests was used in order to assess the reduction of the secant stiffness modulus with an increase of the relative mobilized shear strength for the hard clay layer according to the published empirical evidence. It is shown that by selecting the appropriate stiffness parameters for the soil model used in the numerical analysis, it is possible to get an acceptable prediction of the anchored-wall displacements. This is just one example of a successful analysis, but it is encouraging in the way that it shows how it is possible to make reliable predictions based on standard field and laboratory tests and with the use of an available computer programme with a realistic soil model.


Background: The study show the most important demographic and clinical data of a cohort composed by adults treated in a congenital heart clinic. Material and methods: In a retrospective, observational and longitudinal study, data from patients with congenital heart disease, older than 18 years, seen between May 2010 and May 2013, were analyzed. Results: The cohort comprised 409 patients, 280 of them female (69%), whose mean age at the time of the fi rst evaluation was 36.7 ± 14.2 years (range, 18 to 75 years). Thirty-four of them (8%) had cyanotic congenital heart disease (14 cases of tetralogy of Fallot, the rest with a univentricular heart and Eisenmenger). The mean age when heart disease was diagnosed was 33.6 ± 15.9 years (range, from birth to 75 years). One hundred fi ve patients (38%) were aware of having heart disease but did not have regular follow-up. The reason for referral was heart murmur in 143 subjects (35%); in 143 (35%) for deterioration of functional class due to progressive dyspnea; supraventricular arrhythmias in 24 (6%); chest pain in 16 (4%), in 12 arterial hypertension (3%) and in 8 (2%) history of cerebral vascular event. On regard of the types of congenital heart disease, 71% were intracardiac defects (mainly interatrial and interventricular septal defects), 10% left and right obstructive lesions, as well as aortic coarctation, 7% mixed valve lesions, 2% cardiomyopathy, and the rest with diseases like anomalous origin of the left coronary artery, double discordance and univentricular heart. In 188 patients (46%) surgical treatment was opted, meanwhile in other 138 (34%) interventional percutaneous treatments were chosen, and in 83 (20%) medical treatment was selected. Fifteen patients suffered complications related to treatment, 50% of them infections, arrhythmias or heart failure. Mortality occurred in six cases, all from the surgical group. The cause of death was refractory heart failure and cardiogenic shock in the postoperative phase. Pulmonary pressure descended from 48.3 ± 20.4 mmHg before the therapeutic procedure to 36.3 ± 16.2 mmHg RESUMEN


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

OBJECTIVE: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation of undifferentiated tumorigenic cells responsible for tumor initiation, maintenance, drug resistance and metastasis of tumors. CSCs involved in drug resistance and relapse of cancers can significantly affect ovarian cancer therapy. The antibiotics salinomycin has recently been shown to be a potent compound to deplete chemoresistant cells in adenocarcinoma. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of salinomycin on ovarian CSC whereby salinomycin mono-and combination treatment with paclitaxol regimend were analyzed.

METHODS: The CD44+CD117+CSCs were isolated from the primary ovarian cancer cells derived from ascites fluids of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer by using immune magnetic-activated cell sorting system. To evaluate the effect of salinomycin on ovarian CSC, cells were treated in single and combined treatment. The expression was Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2 and ABCG2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR and protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis. The cell viability assay, gelatin zymography and apoptosis assay were applied to evaluate the effects of salinomycin compared with parental tumor cells and CSCs.

RESULTS: The combination of salinomycin with paclitaxel (PTX) was enhanced change cell viability or activating apoptosis in CD44+CD117+ cells, whereas the salinomycin monotreatment did not cause significant changes. Salinomycin treatment reduced stemness gene expression and suppressed invasion of CSCs.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, we concluded that anti-cancer effect of salinomycin with PTX reduced stemness and induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer and cancer stem cells.

Citation Format: So-Jin Shin, Jin-Young Kim, Hyun-Gyo Lee, Eun-Ji Nam, Chi-Heum Cho. Salinomycin have antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on ovarian cancer stem-like cell. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 217. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-217


The reduction of energy costs of manufacturing technologies is both an important and current objective for factory operators. But mostly, this idea to reduce the energy consumption is being implemented after the manufacturing technologies are installed. However, it would be more advantageous if efforts were made to save energy during the early planning process. To achieve an estimation of the energy consumption in this early planning stage, a new suitable forecast method is required. Therefore, this paper shows how the prospective energy consumption can be determined by using Methods-Energy Measurement (MEM). Based on the needs of production planners, future challenges and requirements for MEM are listed. Further-more, the concept of basic energy elements and their value determination techniques are introduced, and different possibilities are outlined and assessed. For an easier determination of the energy demands of a complex production cell or manufacturing equipment, standard equipment patterns will be designed. This template supports both planners and decision-makers to create reliable and standardized Resource Performance Indicators (RPI). Subsequently, the architecture of the MEM-calculation model is presented. This approach enables a holistic estimation of the energy consumption of manufacturing technologies and leads to higher levels of transparency. Furthermore, MEM contributes to identify and realize sustainable solutions in advance and as a result, increases the profitability of a factory.


THE ROLE of preoperative irradiation in the management of laryngeal carcinoma is one of the most promising and yet debatable subjects before us at the present time. We find ourselves in the dilemma of attempting to decide when to intelligently use such therapy, at a time when reports of sufficiently large, and controlled series of patients treated by this form of therapy are unavailable. Accordingly, it would seem desirable, to survey the recent literature regarding this form of therapy as it pertains to carcinoma of the larynx specifically and head and neck surgery in general. On the surface, it would seem that the use of combined irradiation and surgery would be advantageous by the simple principle that two modalities of treatment would be better than one. Unfortunately, it is not nearly this simple. Numerous factors must be considered in prognosticating whether, in individual cases, the combination of irradiation and surgery


Abstract. Developments in information technologies (IT) allow to modelling dynamic and complex form of cities and several studies have been implemented since 1990s. The cellular automata based urban growth simulation model, SLEUTH is the most well-known one among the simulation models. Calibration is the most important stage of the model created in three stages such as test, calibration, prediction. The more precise the calibration is completed, the more accurate the model generates. Several methods have been developed for the calibration step in which growth coefficients values are calculated by metrics. The study aims to investigate success of the Total Exploratory Factor Analysis (T-EFA) technique, which provides using the 13 metrics all together, in rapid grown settlement areas using high resolution data. In this context, the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul was selected as the study area and a simulation model was generated for the year 2050. The obtained results are promising to apply the T-EFA method in different studies.


Abstract. Ice flow velocity over long time series in East Antarctica plays a vital role in estimating and predicting the mass balance of Antarctic Ice Sheet and its contribution to global sea level rise. However, there is no Antarctic ice velocity product with large space scale available showing the East Antarctic ice flow velocity pattern before the 1990s. We proposed three methods including parallax decomposition, grid-based NCC image matching, feature and gird-based image matching with constraints for estimation of surface velocity in East Antarctica based on ARGON KH-5 and LANDSAT imagery, showing the feasibility of using historical optical imagery to obtain Antarctic ice motion. Based on these previous studies, we presented a set of systematic method for developing ice surface velocity product for the entire East Antarctica from the 1960s to the 1980s in this paper.


The ALICE High Level Trigger comprises a large computing cluster, dedicated interfaces and software applications. It allows on-line event reconstruction of the full data stream of the ALICE experiment at up to 25 GByte/s. The commissioning campaign has passed an important phase since the startup of the Large Hadron Collider in November 2009. The system has been transferred into continuous operation with focus on the event reconstruction and first simple trigger applications. The paper reports for the first time on the achieved event reconstruction performance in the ALICE central barrel region.


We present an extension of the single channel source-sink potential approach [F. Goyer, M. Ernzerhof, and M. Zhuang, J. Chem. Phys. 126, 144104 (2007)] for molecular electronic devices (MEDs) to multiple channels. The proposed multichannel source-sink potential method relies on an eigenchannel description of conducting states of the MED which are obtained by a self-consistent algorithm. We use the newly developed model to examine the transport of the 1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene molecule connected to two coupled rows of atoms that act as contacts on the left and right sides. With an eigenchannel description of the wave function in the contacts, we determined that one of the eigenchannels is effectively closed by the interference effects of the side chain. Furthermore, we provide an example where we observe a complete inversion (from bonding to antibonding and vice versa) of the transverse character of the wave function upon passage through the molecule.


This study focused on influence of hydrothermal and thermochemical treatment at elevated temperature on physical, mechanical, chemical characteristics and fibre surfaces properties of high density kenaf fibreboard (HDKF). In this study, water has been used as a medium to transfer heat for hydrothermal treatment and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with 3% concentration as a medium for thermochemical treatment. Three different temperature of 100oe, 1300e and 1500e were used for both hydrothermal and thermochemical treatments. Sample made from untreated fibre (control sample) were compared with samples made from hydrothermal treated and thermochemically treated kenaf fibres. The influence of these different treatments on physical properties that were thickness swelling and water absorption were determined and compared. The samples were also tested for mechanical properties tests that were flexural and internal bonding tests. Furthemore, the characterization of kenaf chemical composition and observation on kenaf fibres surfaces were carried out. In general, the thickness swelling showed some improvement when the fibres were treated with hydrothermal and thermochemical treatments. Results on water absorption for hydrothermal samples showed no improvement because most of the water just filled up spaces and voids in the fibres and did not swell the fibres significantly. Results for mechanical properties showed reduction for MOR after hydrothermal and thermochemical treatment. However it does not significantly affect the service strength of the boards. Results for MOE and IE had improvement after treated with different treatments. In general, HDKF made from both hydrothermal and thermochemical treated kenaf fibres at high temperature appeared to be the practical choice for applications due to low thickness swelling.


Commercially available mistletoe extract standardized for the galactoside-specific lectin (ML-1; Eurixor) and a chromatographically ML-1-depleted preparation (same charge no. and composition of remaining components) were tested for their immunomodulating potency. In BALB/c-mice, regular subcutaneous administration of the optimal immunomodulating dosage (1 ng ML-1/kg body weight) could be shown to induce no influence on spleen weight, a non-significant increase of thymus weight, a significant increase of thymocyte, peritoneal macrophage, peripheral blood leukocyte, lymphocyte and monocyte and monocyte counts, and a significant decrease of peripheral blood granulocyte counts. Administration of analogue volumes (concentrations) of ML-1-depleted extract, however, did not induce any immunopotentiation. Accordingly, it may be assumed, that the galactoside-specific lectin (ML-1) represents the main immunomodulating component in commercially available mistletoe extracts.


Dieting is a popular hobby in the 21st century and the diet industry has been more than happy to offer us thousands of weight loss solutions every year. As predicable failures add up year after year, it is time to rethink our approach to dieting and more importantly to food. "Foodist" is a manifesto about real food and real science designed for you to create a personalized path to lasting weight loss. But unlike typical diets that give you restrictive lists of what you can and can't eat, this book focuses on your most frequent food choices and helps you restructure them for optimal health and enjoyment. You'll get specific instructions on how to set up your home, office and living environment to maximize the number of healthy choices you make each day, freeing you to be selective for those indulgences that are the most worthwhile. "Foodist" will also teach you how and when to shop for groceries, basic food prep and cooking skills, and how to pick the right restaurants and make smart menu choices. Better food choices do not need to be complicated and can be integrated into even the busiest of schedules. A foodist simply has a different way of looking at food, and makes decisions with a clear understanding of how to optimize health and happiness. This is not a new diet, and you will never need to look for one again.


High-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been used to study the thermal denaturation of lysozyme in aqueous mixtures of 3-chloropropane-1-ol, 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol, n-propanol, 4-chlorobutan-1-ol and n-butanol at pH 2.4, 4.5 and 6.0. The chloro-substituted alcohols are more effective destabilizers at all pH values compared with their normal alcohols in the order: 4-chlorobutan-1-ol > n-butanol > 3-chloropropan-1-ol > n-propanol > 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol. Comparison of calorimetric and van't Hoff enthalpies in the presence of these alcohols at all pH values shows the validity of the two-state approximation for the unfolding of lysozyme in these co-solute systems. The reversibility of the thermal denaturation has also been demonstrated by the reversibility of the DSC curves in the presence of above-mentioned alcohols and diol. The quantitative thermodynamic parameters accompanying the thermal denaturation have been evaluated. The thermal denaturation in the presence of 4-chlorobutan-1-ol shows unusual behaviour particularly at pH 4.5: the data shows partial irreversibility in the calorimetric transitions and the cooperativity ratio suggests intermolecular cooperation which increases as the concentration of the alcohol decreases in the mixture. The observed thermal destabilization of the protein in the presence of these systems is explained on the basis of patterns of interactions of the co-solutes with the native and unfolded state of the protein involving a combination of exclusion and binding that change during the course of the native ⇌ denatured reaction.


This manual, \IExisting Sewer Evaluation and Rehabilitation, Second Edition\N, provides general guidance and serves as a source of information in the evaluation and rehabilitation of existing sewers. Recent technological advances, such as high resolution closed-circuit television, in addition to improved analytical methods and materials, make rehabilitation of existing sewers a cost-effective alternative to relief sewer construction. With these advances in mind, this manual explores three major topics: sewer evaluation and monitoring, sewer rehabilitation-methods and materials, and quality assurance. After a short explanation of the purpose and scope of the manual, chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 discuss techniques used for evaluation of existing sewers. The techniques covered are the general approach, methods of structural evaluation, and methods of infiltration and inflow evaluation. In addition, the impact of combined sewer overflow on pollution are described. Chapter 6 discusses sewer flow, quality monitoring, and sewer system hydraulics. Methods and materials used for pipeline rehabilitation are presented in chapters 7 and 8. The final chapter discusses the quality assurance of long-term performance in sewer rehabilitation. A general formulae section and glossary are appended.


Background: In a previous randomized phase 2 study in adolescents, a CRM197 meningococcal conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y (MenACWY-CRM) was well tolerated and immunogenic, compared with a plain polysaccharide vaccine (MenACWY-PS). Methods: This extension study assessed antibody persistence 5 years after primary vaccination with MenACWY-CRM (n = 50) or MenACWY-PS (n = 51), and the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a dose of MenACWY-CRM given 5 years after primary vaccination; antibody response was also compared with vaccine-naive controls (n = 54). The primary endpoints were the percentage of subjects with titers ≥8 by serum bactericidal activity assay using human complement (hSBA) 5 years after primary vaccination and hSBA geometric mean titers 1 month after the MenACWY-CRM dose given in the current study. Results: Five years after primary vaccination, over 70% of subjects who had received MenACWY-CRM were seropositive (hSBA titers ≥8) for serogroups C, W-135 and Y; for serogroups C and Y, the percentages of seropositive subjects were significantly higher in subjects previously vaccinated with MenACWY-CRM than in subjects previously vaccinated with MenACWY-PS. The MenACWY-CRM dose given 5 years postprimary vaccination elicited an anamnestic response across serogroups in those previously vaccinated with MenACWY-CRM. Responses in those previously vaccinated with MenACWY-PS were less robust but adequate and similar to that seen in the vaccine-naive group, both in magnitude and kinetics. MenACWY-CRM was well tolerated in all 3 groups. Conclusion: MenACWY-CRM provided a broad and persistent immune response in adolescents. A subsequent dose of MenACWY-CRM elicited an adequate antibody response, regardless of vaccine history.


A one-dimensional reactive transport model including mass, momentum and volume conservation for the solid, aqueous, and gaseous phases is developed to explore the fate of free methane gas in marine sediments. The model assumes steady–state compaction for the solid phase in addition to decoupled gas and aqueous phase transport, instigated by processes such as buoyancy, externally impressed flows and compaction. Chemical species distributions are governed by gas advection, dissolved advection and diffusion as well as by reaction processes, which include organoclastic sulfate reduction, methanogenesis and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). The model is applied to Eckernförde Bay, a shallow-water environment where acoustic profiles confirm a widespread occurrence of year-round biogenic free methane gas within the muddy regions of the sediment, and where subsurface methanogenesis, overlaid by a zone of AOM has been reported. The model results reveal that, under steady-state conditions, upward gas migration is an effective methane transport mechanism from oversaturated to undersaturated intervals of the sediment. Furthermore, sensitivity tests show that when methanogenesis rates increase, the gas flux to the AOM zone becomes progressively more important and may reach values comparable to those of the aqueous methane diffusive flux. Nevertheless, the model also proves that the gas transport rates always remain smaller than the removal rates by combined gaseous methane dissolution and oxidation. Consequently, for the range of environmental conditions investigated here, the AOM zone acts as an efficient subsurface barrier for both aqueous and gaseous methane, preventing methane escape from the sediments to the water column.


In this paper, we consider the downlink of large-scale multi-cellular OFDMA-based networks and study performance bounds of the system as a function of the number of users $K$, the number of base-stations $B$, and the number of resource-blocks $N$. Here, a resource block is a collection of subcarriers such that all such collections, that are disjoint have associated independently fading channels. We derive novel upper and lower bounds on the sum-utility for a general spatial geometry of base stations, a truncated path loss model, and a variety of fading models (Rayleigh, Nakagami-$m$, Weibull, and LogNormal). We also establish the associated scaling laws and show that, in the special case of fixed number of resource blocks, a grid-based network of base stations, and Rayleigh-fading channels, the sum information capacity of the system scales as $\Theta(B \log\log K/B)$ for extended networks, and as $O(B \log\log K)$ and $\Omega(\log \log K)$ for dense networks. Interpreting these results, we develop some design principles for the service providers along with some guidelines for the regulators in order to achieve provisioning of various QoS guarantees for the end users and, at the same time, maximize revenue for the service providers.


Whether you are a weekend warrior or a serious athlete, most runners fear the possibility of being injured. For those who are physically active or stand on their feet all day, healthy feet are important Highly conditioned runners spend many hours performing foot maintenance to prevent unnecessary injuries. Some of the common foot injuries are: Plantar Fasciitis, Metatarsal Stress Fractures, blisters, Metatarsalgia, Morton's Syndrome, Turf Toe, and Sesamoiditis. Most runners realize that shoes wear from the inside out. Runners should frequently check the inside of the shoe. Attention should focus on the pads of the insole, stitching, toe, heel, and instep areas. Properly lacing the shoe strings may save wear and tear on the shoes and feet. RICE (rest-ice-compression-elevation) treatments are a very important part of healthy foot maintenance and treatment; treatments should be done sooner rather than later. Many running problems may be prevented by focusing attention on your feet. Frequently inspect ones feet before and after running or walking. Foot pain is not normal when running or walking; seek medical assistance as soon as possible. If your goal is to enjoy running for a lifetime, it is sometimes more important to use your head than your feet. If you want to run tomorrow, take care of your feet today!


Objectives:This study is designed to discuss the pros and cons related to the 'separation of drug prescription and dispensation' system when 5 years have passed by since the introduction of this system. Methods:The 592 psychiatrists from 1,107 working places took part in nationwide survey by mail or E-mail from June to September, 2005. The response rate was 23.8%, most of respondents came from private clinics. Results:The average age of psychiatrist was 44.6 years old, ranging from 25 to 75, most of them was predominantly male. The main results were as followings:1) The ratio of psychiatric prescription out of hospital based on out-patients departments was the lowest in clinics, following by hospitals, general hospitals and university hospitals by order. 2) The main reasons of customer's preference for out of hospital prescription were economic advantage and self-awareness of prescription. As for the disliking for it, the most complaints were the anxiety about disclosure of psychiatric treatment, in convenience for delay and concern about drug change. Conclusion:Five years didn't seem to give a change on how the psychiatrists perceive the 'separation of drug prescription and dispensation' system at all. The confidentiality and human right issues on the part of psychiatric patients should never be ignored in order to manage this system successfully. (J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc 2006;45 (4):382-386)


Corneal endothelial cell cultures have a tendency to undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) after loss of cell-to-cell contact. EMT is deleterious for the cells as it reduces their ability to form a mature and functional layer. Here, we present a method for establishing and subculturing human and sheep corneal endothelial cell cultures that minimizes the loss of cell-to-cell contact. Explants of corneal endothelium/Descemet's membrane are taken from donor corneas and placed into tissue culture under conditions that allow the cells to collectively migrate onto the culture surface. Once a culture has been established, the explants are transferred to fresh plates to initiate new cultures. Dispase II is used to gently lift clumps of cells off tissue culture plates for subculturing. Corneal endothelial cell cultures that have been established using this protocol are suitable for transferring to biomaterial membranes to produce tissue-engineered cell layers for transplantation in animal trials. A custom-made device for supporting biomaterial membranes during tissue culture is described and an example of a tissue-engineered graft composed of a layer of corneal endothelial cells and a layer of corneal stromal cells on either side of a collagen type I membrane is presented.


Aims: The western region in Kenya is holoendemic to malaria and experience stable P. falciparum malaria transmission. The use of health care options has a direct influence on the outcome of severe malaria. As such, the current study will assess the health care seeking behavior among caregivers of sick children who had severe malarial anaemia (SMA) in western Kenya.
Study Design: Cross section study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Jaramogi Odinga Oginga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) between September 2014 to July 2015.
Methodology: It was open to all children ≤10 years (n=271) admitted and diagnosed with SMA (hemoglobin <5.0 g/dl and any density of P. falciparum. Caregivers were interviewed on the health care options before seeking care at a heath facility, when the child started to get sick, if they took child to another health centre/dispensary/private hospital before coming to JOOTRH
Results: Majority of the caregivers interviewed, 80.07% (217) had attained Primary education.  Majority of the caregivers were in the age category of 19-24 75(27.67%) years and 25-29 years 75 (27.67%). 74.90% (203) of their children were below five years and 25.09% (68) were above 5 years.  61.62% (167. Majority of the caregivers gave some remainder drugs before presenting to a heath facility 32.5% (88). A good number bought drugs at drug stores/pharmacies 27.7% (75). None visited a traditional healer. A minority used herbs 10% (27). There were no statistically significant differences between most of the pre-hospitalization measures taken s with regard to patient's gender and age, and caretaker's level of education. Caregivers who chose to give herbs to their sick children took longer in deciding to take their children to hospital. This was however statistically significant between those who used herbs and those who bought drugs only (median 4 days vs. 3 days, respectively, p = 0.0063). There was no significant difference in the delay of child admission at JOOTRH between caregivers who had had primary education only and those with a minimum of secondary education (p = 0.9842).
Conclusion: Self-medication is a common practice before seeking care at a heath facility. There is need for community awareness for correct and comprehensive information about drawbacks associated with self-medication practices. Since safety continues to be a major issue with the use of herbal remedies, it becomes imperative, therefore, that relevant regulatory authorities put in place to ensure that all herbal medicines are safe and of suitable quality.


Abstract : The purpose of this study was to validate the results of cognitive diagnoses using the rule-space model and to demonstrate the usefulness of cognitive diagnoses for instruction. The results of the study strongly indicated that the rule-space model can effectively diagnose students' knowledge states and can point out ways for remediating their errors quickly with minimum effort. It was also found that the designing of instructional units for remediation can be effectively guided by the rule-space model, because the determination of all possible ideal item-score patterns, given an incidence matrix, is based on a tree structure of cognitive attributes, knowledge states, and items.


The research of any where founded majority students have common difficulties in abstract physics concept . The result of observation, lecturers have problem  in teaching implementation of abstract concepts on physics learning . The objective of this research is to find out the ways how to overcome this problem. The research place of  physics education programs and senior high school. The data are colected by quetionere , observation and interview. The lecturer behavior to making out this case is use of analogy to make concrete a abstract concept. This action is true, because the analogies are dynamic tools that facilitate understanding, rather than representations of the correct and static explanations. Using analogies not only promoted profound understanding of abstract concept, but also helped students overcome their misconceptions. However used analogy in teaching not yet planed with seriousness, analogy use d spontanously with the result that less optimal. By planing and selecting right analogy, the role of analogy can be achieved the optimal result. Therefore, it is important to maping analogies of abstract consepts on physics learning.


Abstract A structural model of the orthorhombic approximant Al3Co of the Al-Co decagonal quasicrystal has been derived from the monoclinic approximant Al13Co4 by high-resolution electron microscopy. In the [010] projected image, the bright image points correspond to the Co-atom pentagonal networks in these two phases, but the tessellation of pentagons in them is different. The structure of Al3Co can be obtained by introducing repeated (100) faults at the unit-cell level in Al13Co4. There are 78 Al and 24 Co atom sites (some A1 sites are only partially occupied) in a unit cell (a= 1.446 nm, b = 0.8156 nm and c= 1.236 nm) satisfying the symmetry of the Pnmn space group. This structure is also akin to that of the orthorhombic Al3Mn which has similar a and c parameters.


A novel approach to the synthesis of 6-amino-7-hydroxyflavone (1) is described. Reaction in acetone of 2',4'-dihydroxy-5'-nitroacetophenone and benzoyl chloride in the presence of potassium carbonate affords 3-benzoyl-7-hydroxy-6-nitroflavone, which is cleaved in 5% ethanolic potassium hydroxide to give 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-3- phenyl-1,3-propanedione. The 1,3-diketone thus formed is then transformed into 7-hydroxy- 6-nitroflavone, followed by reduction to afford the title compound.


It has previously been considered either impossible or impractical to make tantalum oxide capacitors by applying a metal counter electrode directly to a tantalum oxide film. Attempts in this direction have led to either direct shorts or low breakdown strength. For this reason, it has been presumed that it was essential to use either an electrolyte or a semiconductor in the cathode structure. Using sputtered tantalum films as the base for the anodized oxide film, however, excellent results have been achieved employing evaporated metal counter electrodes. Many of the properties of units made in this way are superior to those of other types of tantalum capacitors. Capacitances obtained are comparable to the capacitance-area relationships for tantalum electrolytic capacitors formed to the same voltages. DC leakages, however, have been found to be much lower than values reported for those of tantalum electrolytic units. Another advantage is that these units are capable of withstanding higher voltages than will tantalum solid electrolytic capacitors formed to the same voltage. Indeed, voltages equal to the anodizing voltage may be maintained on the capacitor without impairment. Capacitors have also been produced with thin films of other anodizable metals, evaporated aluminum in particular. This type of capacitor should find many applications in the lower capacitance areas, and seems ideally suited for printed circuit applications.


Numerous biophysical questions require the quantification of short-range interactions between (functionalized) surfaces and synthetic or biological objects such as cells. Here, we present an original, custom built setup for reflection interference contrast microscopy that can assess distances between a substrate and a flowing object at high speed with nanometric accuracy. We demonstrate its use to decipher the complex biochemical and mechanical interplay regulating blood cell homing at the vessel wall in the microcirculation using an in vitro approach. We show that in the absence of specific biochemical interactions, flowing cells are repelled from the soft layer lining the vessel wall, contributing to red blood cell repulsion in vivo. In contrast, this so-called glycocalyx stabilizes rolling of cells under flow in the presence of a specific receptor naturally present on activated leucocytes and a number of cancer cell lines.


Micro-grids based on rooftop photovoltaic energy systems are rapidly becoming widespread due to the fact that production takes place at the point of consumption. By moving the supply to the demand point, energy transmission costs are reduced in these systems, the demand is met with renewable resources, the damage to the environment is minimized, the supply security is ensured for the societies, and the energy dependency is reduced in countries dependent on conventional energy. For this reason, the orientation to these systems has accelerated. In addition to the advantages of rooftop systems, there are also constraints that prevent their spread. The first of these constraints is the inadequacy of the roof areas that can be installed. For this reason, it is necessary to use these limited areas in an optimal way. Of course, when optimizing the space, economic parameters, a focus on renewables and the right fulfillment of demand must be taken into account. In this study, a solution proposal has been developed for this sizing problem. In this context, Turkey's energy consumption values were scaled and micro Turkey was formed. The energy demands of this microgrid were met by using a rooftop pv system and hydro-based storage unit. And cost optimization was carried out by performing a lifetime cost analysis on this system. It has been ensured that the demand is met entirely from renewable resources with minimum cost. Particle Swarm Optimization technique was used as the optimization method. Optimization was carried out in Matlab Environment. The study was carried out as follows; Hourly loads were analyzed, energy balance equations were created to meet these loads, and lifetime cost analysis was made according to the technical characteristics of this energy balance and resources. With the particle swarm optimization technique, optimal sizing has been achieved at optimal minimum cost.


Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the changes in serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and B after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) or conbercept (IVC) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: In this prospective study, infants with type 1 ROP in both eyes were recruited in our hospital from September 2021 to February 2022, randomly assigned to the ranibizumab and conbercept groups and administered IVR or IVC (0.25 mg/0.025 mL). Blood samples were collected before the operation and 1 and 4 weeks after the operation to measure the concentrations of serum VEGF-A and B. Results: A total of 20 ROP infants were randomly assigned to the ranibizumab (n = 10) and conbercept groups (n = 10). In the ranibizumab group, the serum VEGF-A concentrations before operation and 1 and 4 weeks after the operation were 73.55 ± 40.78, 11.47 ± 7.00, and 75.36 ± 30.87 pg/mL, respectively (p < 0.01). Least Significant Difference (LSD) pairwise comparison did not show any significant difference in the groups between 4 weeks postoperatively and preoperatively (p > 0.05). In the conbercept group, the serum VEGF-A concentrations before operation and 1 and 4 weeks after the operation were 86.69 ± 55.06, 14.68 ± 10.11, and 43.55 ± 57.92 pg/mL, respectively (p < 0.01). LSD comparison showed significant differences between 1 week and 4 weeks postoperatively and preoperatively (p < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed between 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively (p > 0.05). Regarding serum VEGF-B concentrations before the operation and 1 and 4 weeks after the operation, no significant differences were detected in the ranibizumab group (p > 0.05), but significant differences were observed in the conbercept group (7.26 ± 2.34, 3.09 ± 2.41, and 4.55 ± 3.37 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.01). LSD showed significant differences between 1 or 4 weeks postoperatively and preoperatively (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was detected between 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Serum VEGF-A levels in infants with ROP were suppressed after IVR or IVC but returned to preoperative levels at 4 weeks after IVR and remained lower than the preoperative levels at 4 weeks after IVC. Serum VEGF-B was not affected by IVR but was suppressed by IVC for 4 weeks.


Business to business electronic commerce (B2B EC) adoption has experienced rapid growth in recent times and has become one of the fastest technology adoptions among small and medium-sized enterprises to gain and sustain competitive advantage. A firm's resource capabilities and endowments influence the different levels of B2B EC adoption that leads to competitive advantage gain and sustained in proportion to that level of adoption. The purpose of this research is to offer an exploratory analysis into the relationship between B2B EC adoption and competitive advantage. A survey of 315 responses was received from managers and owners of manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. A canonical correlation analysis is used to explore this relationship. The results support the view that there is a positive relationship between B2B EC adoption levels and competitive advantage. Keywords: B2B EC adoption; competitive advantage; SMEs; Canonical correlation analysis; Ghana


Continuous Glucose Monitoring(CGM) devices allow sensor augmented pump therapy for type-1 diabetic patients. They are also useful for physicians to analyze nycthemeral glycemic profile and glucose variability. Noise, deviations, loss of sensitivity and spikes are common sources of error in CGM readings. An off-line wavelet algorithm has been developed to denoise the CGM signal. A typical CGM noise was added to a simulated blood glucose concentration.The objective is to maximize the signal to noise ratio. The Haar wavelet basis has been selected. The chosen scale J of decomposition gives a sequence of scale coefficients which contains an approximation of the signal at the resolution scale J, and a family of detail coefficients dj, 1≤ j ≤ J. Optimal scale of decomposition and threshold levels are computed. CGM data from 16 type-1 diabetic patients were used for this study. The optimal threshold levels were used to denoise the CGM signal off-line. The results showed that noise, deviations, loss of sensitivity and spikes were removed from the signal ; likely pikes and nadirs were not damped ; the algorithm dealt with loss of signal. This algorithm can provide a pre-processing tool for model fitting and allows an accurate reading of CGM to facilitate analysis by the physicians.


Epidemiologic and experimental data suggest that soy may prevent prostate cancer and be beneficial for men with prostate cancer. The mechanisms by which soy may be protective are unclear. Effects of soy constituents on steroid hormones and on angiogenesis, apoptosis, and the insulin growth factor [IGF] axis may be involved. This was examined in a randomized controlled clinical trial testing whether soy reduces biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Men at high risk for PSA failure after surgery were randomized to a daily soy protein supplement or a casein-based placebo (20 g protein/day) as beverage powders (Solae). The soy and placeboi supplements were identical in composition, except for the protein source. The soy supplement provided 24-26 mg genistein and 40-43 mg total isoflavones daily. The placebo did not contain these or other soy-specific constituents. Self-reported compliance was excellent, serum isoflavones are measured as independent compliance measure, and only few minimal averse effects occurred. Serum samples were taken at baseline, and after 2, 4, 8, 12, and 18 months on intervention. Using ELISA and enzyme immuno-assays, we measured serum indicators of angiogenesis (VEGF and bFGF), global apoptotic activity (soluble Fas [sFas] and Fas ligand [FasL]) and the IGF axis (IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 [IGFBP3]) in 8-12 subjects/treatment group, and serum testosterone [T], 17β-estradiol [E2], sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG], and PSA in 12 subjects/group. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to analyze the longitudinal data. FasL increased slightly over time in the placebo group (p=0.05), but sFas did not and there were no differences in change over time between the groups for either. IGF-1 increased slightly over time in placebos (p=0.06), but IGFBP3 did not and there were no differences in change over time between the groups for these endpoints. In contrast, while T levels did not change over time in the placebo group, T levels decreased significantly (p=0.03) from baseline over time by approx. 15% in the soy group. There were no diffrence over time in E2 and SHBG levels in either group. While literature data indicate a lack of soy effects on T and SHBG, this is the first report of soy effects on circulating T and SHBG with repeated serum sampling for up to 1.5 years. This is also the first report of soy effects on serum VEGF, bFGF, sFas, and FasL. The absence of effects on the IGF axis is in line with other studies. Thus, daily consumption of 20 g of soy protein isolate for 18 months slightly reduced serum T levels over time, but did not affect E2, SHBG, and indicators of angiogenesis, apoptosis, and the IGF axis. Despite small sample sizes, several of the group comparisons were close to statistical significance, providing some direction for further studies. (Supported by CA27790 & CA166195 from NIH and the Prevent Cancer Foundation) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2892.


BACKGROUND
Anterior neck injuries vary in pattern and aetiology and may pose management challenges ifnot fatal.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To describe patterns of anterior neck injuries in a tertiary hospital north western Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a prospective study of all cases of anterior neck injuries presenting as cut throat emergencies that were referred from accident and emergency department to the department of otorhinolaryngology over a nine year period (September 1999 to August 2008).

RESULTS
A total number of 19 cases were seen. All were males whose age range was from 5 years to 60 years with a mean age of 21.2 years. About 78.9% of the patients were within the 2nd to 4th decades of life with a peak at the 4th decade (31.6%). Ten (52.6%) patients were cases of attempted suicide with known background of psychiatric illness, Five (26.3%) were homicidal (3 under the influence of illicit drugs), two (10.5%) were from animal assault while one was as a result of road traffic accident and another one from fall on sharp object. Patients with attempted suicide had deep open wounds exposing the pharynx, larynx or both with horizontally positioned incision wounds while homicidal cases had obliquely positioned incision wounds. Restoration of normal neck, pharyngeal and laryngeal architecture was carried out through meticulous surgical repair of various tissue layers with nasogastric tube in situ for 7-9 days. Psychiatric evaluation and treatment were carried out concurrently with patients who attempted suicide and homicide. Two patients required tracheostomy to prevent upper airway obstruction from severe laryngeal trauma.

CONCLUSION
Significant proportion of emergencies from anterior neck cut throat injuries in this study were from suicidal attempts (52.6%) by people with a background history of psychiatric illness, followed by attempted homicide (26.3%) and animal assault (10.5%). Prompt surgical repair and concurrent psychiatric evaluation in attempted suicide and homicide is required.


The filled skutterudite compounds based on the binary skutterudite CoSb3 are currently being investigated for their potential application as thermoelectric materials. One route to optimization of these compounds is by doping on the CO site. An obvious candidate for an n-type dopant is Ni, because it has one more electron in its valence shell than Co. We present electrical resistivity, thermopower, Hall effect, and magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline, ntype Col.,Ni,Sb3 with x less than 0.01. A model which takes into account conduction of electrons residing in the conduction band in addition to hopping conduction within an impurity "band" formed by the Ni atoms is consistent with the observed behavior. The doping dependence suggests Ni acts as an electron donor thus taking the tetravalent state Ni4+ and assuming the 8 electronic configuration. The measured magnetic susceptibility suggests a paramagnetic state implying that Ni may carry a moment at least at low temperatures. We attempt to tie together the transport and magnetic susceptibility data to provide a consistent picture of the overall behavior.


remote surveillance and monitoring of our homes has seen a growing need in emerging times. By means of this paper, we put forward a surveillance robot which can be integrated into any kind of household. The base controller of the bot will be the powerful Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. A webcam attached to the Pi monitors the area and sends a notification when any trespassing or obtrusion is detected. The camera also possesses face recognition algorithm which will possess the ability to identify the person responsible for the motion triggering. If it is an authorized personnel, the on board voice assistant will start talking with the person. The notification will be sent only when it's an unauthorized personnel and will contain pictures clicked of the trespasser and also activate live streaming of the webcam feed. The live streaming ability of the Pi allows the camera feed to be analyzed from any location using internet. With such a system, every user will feel more sheltered while they're not at their place of residence or when they've left their children and old ones alone at home.


Frictional bundling of fibers is accompanied by twists that compel the bundle cohesion force to generate bundle strength. Twists generated by friction occur in two forms; one by fiber arrangement on the bundle layer and the other by torque due to the thickness distribution of the bundle on the friction surface. This study investigates the twists of a friction bundle that occur on the friction surface, and theoretical models of twists are applied to develop total twist and the twist characteristics by simulation. Results showed that the fiber arrangement twists are directionally opposite to the torque twists; fiber arrangement twists occur as S-twists and torque twists as Z-twists. In the steady state the bundle exiting the friction zone had S-twists finally and the twists per length was uniform along the bundle radius. The steady state twists of the bundle at the exit of the friction zone were determined by two model constants and a process variable. The two model constants were composed of model parameters such as slippage ratio, minimum thickness of the fleece for bundling, the density ratio of the bundle to the input fleece, and also of process variables such as friction ratio, the speed ratio of the fleece feeding to bundle takeup, and the thickness of the input fleece. The process variable acting directly on the bundle twist was the fleece feeding width. Thus, the twist angle of the bundle in the friction zone varied with the radial position inside the bundle. The twist angle was the lowest in the vicinity of the bundle axis. As the fiber layer approaches the bundle surface, the twist angle increases.


We develop an analytical framework to quantify the effects of the spreading bandwidth on spread spectrum systems operating in dense multipath environments. The focus of the paper is to characterize the symbol error probability (SEP) performance of a RAKE receiver tracking the L strongest multipath components in frequency-selective fading. By transforming the physical RAKE receiver with correlated ordered paths into the domain of a "virtual RAKE" receiver with independent virtual paths, analytical expressions for the SEP are derived in terms of the spreading bandwidth, multipath spread of the channel and the number of combined paths.


Tropical rust caused by the biotrophic fungus Phakopsora gossypii is an emerging disease in cotton that has caused significant yield losses of crop/cotton cultivated in Brazil. Considering the current importance of tropical rust and the need to obtain additional basic information about its causal agent to better control this disease, the present study aimed to determine the infection process of P. gossypii in cotton leaves using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty-day-old plants were inoculated with a suspension of P. gossypii uredospores, and leaf fragments were collected 42 h after inoculation (hai) as well as 20, 25 and 35 days after inoculation (dai) for SEM observations. By 42 hai, the uredospores of P. gossypii had germinated and produced a germ tube and an appressorium that may directly penetrate the leaf cuticle. At 20 dai, closed uredia containing uredospores were observed on the abaxial leaf surface. At 25 dai, the uredia started to open and became fully open by 35 dai and contained many uredospores. By 25 dai, fungal hyphae were growing abundantly in the mesophyll next to the uredia that formed in the leaf fragments with total or partial removal of the epidermis. The results of the present study provide novel information regarding the infection process of P. gossypii in cotton leaves, which might be useful for the development of new and more effective strategies for tropical rust control.


Abstract This paper studies the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) code in the perspective of system dynamics and Fractional Calculus (FC). DNA includes the history of evolution towards the particular species and the instructions for the growth of each individual during its lifetime. In this study are associated logical and mathematical concepts namely, alphabet coding, Fourier transform and FC for the analysis of the DNA data of different chromosomes. The results reveal important characteristics motivating further research with the formalisms of system dynamics.


The treponemal diseases yaws, bejel and syphilis, all caused by subspecies of the bacterium Treponema pallidum, are re-emerging worldwide, yet their origins and spread remain largely unresolved. Albeit still rare, reconstructed ancient genomes of various T. pallidum strains now exist, to complement the analyses on the modern-day diversity of treponemes. Here, we report a new high-coverage (35X) ancient genome of a historical T. pallidum subsp. pallidum strain from the 17th century. This novel addition, combined with a selection of 76 modern and historical strains, enables a new level of in-depth investigation of treponemal evolution across all humaninfecting strains, with detailed analyses on recombination, positive selection, and divergence history of T. pallidum subspecies. Altogether 18 recombinant genes with strong evidence for effects of positive selection are identified, potentially responsible for virulence and immune evasion. The profound impact of recombination is in particular demonstrated in the diversification of the yaws- and bejel-causing clades, as excluding these recombinant genes from phylogenetic analysis causes these well-separated subspecies to cluster into a single clade. Both the involvement of ancient genomes in several recombination events, and the molecular clock dating of the subspecies' divergence history emphasize the importance of recombination in the early adaptations of all T. pallidum strains. These findings are crucial in resolving the evolutionary history of T. pallidum, and in understanding the functionalities of treponemes beyond what could be achieved with modern genomic data alone.


Bekesy fixed-frequency thresholds for pulsed and continuous tones at 1 kc/s yielded by a descending-only technique were compared for suprathreshold starting levels of 38, 58, 78, and 98 db SPL, and attenuation rates of 1, 2, 4, and 8 db/sec with associated attenuation steps of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 db, respectively, with 3 normal-hearing adults. For pulsed tones of 250 msec (duty cycle 50%), thresholds were not significantly affected by attenuation rate/step size or by starting level. However, for continuous tones, increasing attenuation rate/step size yielded better thresholds for a given starting level. Decreasing starting level yielded better thresholds for a given attenuation rate/step size. Thus, deteriorated thresholds were yielded by the slower attenuations/step sizes and by the higher starting levels. These data may be explained as a manifestation of normal adaptation. The similar relative effects found here of attenuation rate/step size and of starting level, as compared to the data of an earlier study (Harbert and Young, 1968) which used the traditional up-down Bekesy method of threshold tracing lend support to the possible future clinical use of a descending-only technique.


Digitally signed malware can bypass system protection mechanisms that install or launch only programs with valid signatures. It can also evade anti-virus programs, which often forego scanning signed binaries. Known from advanced threats such as Stuxnet and Flame, this type of abuse has not been measured systematically in the broader malware landscape. In particular, the methods, effectiveness window, and security implications of code-signing PKI abuse are not well understood. We propose a threat model that highlights three types of weaknesses in the code-signing PKI. We overcome challenges specific to code-signing measurements by introducing techniques for prioritizing the collection of code signing certificates that are likely abusive. We also introduce an algorithm for distinguishing among different types of threats. These techniques allow us to study threats that breach the trust encoded in the Windows code signing PKI. The threats include stealing the private keys associated with benign certificates and using them to sign malware or by impersonating legitimate companies that do not develop software and, hence, do not own code-signing certificates. Finally, we discuss the actionable implications of our findings and propose concrete steps for improving the security of the code-signing ecosystem.


HIV-1-specific mucosal IgA antibodies may correlate with protection in highly exposed but uninfected individuals, but have been detected at highly variable levels in HIV-1-infected individuals. To determine the best assays for detection of IgA antibodies in mucosal samples, rectal washes from 16 HIV-1-infected and 14 uninfected individuals were distributed to six laboratories experienced in detection of mucosal antibodies. Assays for HIV-1-specific IgA and IgG were performed in a blinded fashion by each of the laboratories using modifications of ELISA and chemiluminescence-enhanced Western blotting. Rectal washes contained easily detectable total IgA levels that did not differ between HIV-1-infected and uninfected groups. Irrespective of the assay used, HIV-1-specific IgA antibodies were absent in most samples; only one laboratory identified a higher frequency of positive samples from HIV-1-infected than uninfected individuals. In spite of 10-fold lower levels of total IgG than IgA, all but one laboratory identified HIV-1-specific IgG in most rectal washes of HIV-1-infected individuals. Comparable and readily detectable levels of influenza-specific IgA antibodies were present in nasal, salivary, and rectal secretions from both HIV-1-infected and uninfected individuals. These observations suggest a selective alteration in the production of HIV-1-specific IgA antibodies in HIV-1-infected individuals.


Mo Yan's Frog has been widely recognized and welcomed by readers since its publication. Apart from the Western readers' love of Chinese culture, it also owes its popularity to the translator's skillful handling of the translation. Specifically, this paper examines the translation strategies used in the English translation of Frog. The term hybrid translation is derived from Homi Bhabha's hybrid theory, which advocates the mixing of different cultures in order to create a hybrid and fuzzy third space. This hybrid translation approach consists of mixing and integrating translation strategies, such as domestication and foreignization, literal translation and free translation, and finally forming a translation that reflects cultural hybridity. To demonstrate a cultural hybrid effect, translators must adopt a variety of approaches to the transformation of the text so that the target readers are able to fully understand its meaning and connotations.


While attention has been paid recently to the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS interventions among injection drug users, less focus has been given to out-of-treatment noninjecting drug users. This study examines the the NIDA Cooperative Agreement standard intervention versus an enhanced intervention for HIV/AIDS risk among noninjecting drug users. Data come from five sites of the NIDA-funded Cooperative Agreement on HIV risk behaviors. The sample is comprised of those who never injected drugs or reported not injecting in the 12 months prior to the interview; and who completed a three-month follow-up assessment. Three risk behaviors in the prior 30 days were analyzed: frequency of crack/cocaine use, number of sex partners, and frequency of condom use. The levels of both baseline and follow-up risk were analyzed. Individuals remaining at low risk or decreasing risk behaviors were classified as "improved." Those increasing risk behavior or remaining at moderate or high levels were classified as "worsened." Of the 1,434 noninjecting crack/cocaine users, 82% improved crack/cocaine use at the follow-up. The enhanced intervention group showed more improvement in crack/cocaine use than the standard intervention group. Overall, 76% reported reducing sexual partners, maintaining a one-partner relationship, or abstaining from sex at both time periods. Women in the enhanced intervention group improved more than women in the standard intervention (81% versus 75%). In terms of condom use, more respondents worsened than improved (55% versus 45%). This study confirms that HIV/AIDS interventions can reduce crack/cocaine use; however, high-risk sexual behaviors are more difficult to change. Reasons for this lack of improvement and suggestions for future interventions are discussed.


We all agree on the strategic role of energy efficiency: industrialists, who view it as a tool to penetrate the market and emerge from the recent crisis years, for politicians, who see therein aspects of the country's growth and employment, for the citizen who pays the energy bills and National HVAC Associations like AiCARR, which promote energy culture. Europe established energy efficiency as one of its 20-20-20 objectives: it is paradoxically the only goal which will be not achieved, despi-te its being aimed at the building sector, which has a potential consumption reducti-on of between 30 ÷ 40 %. However to reach that reduction simplification mecha-nisms and economical support are necessary. At this stage the experiences achieved should be treasured and new goals defined for the future. This paper analyses the status quo and outlines future actions needed at the legislative level, how the introduction of new figures, (for example the aggregator), how new scenarios for energy efficiency in buildings and more particularly also considers the social objectives. Turning all these things into concrete actions will mean having control over our future: energy efficiency is the engine to also change our society.


In applied scientific areas such as economics, finance, biology, and medicine, it is often required to find the relationship between a set of independent variables (predictors) and a set of response variables (i.e., outcomes of an experiment). If we model individual outcomes separately, we potentially miss information of the correlation among outcomes. Therefore, it is desirable to model these outcomes simultaneously by multivariate linear regressions.
With the advent of high-throughput technology, there is an enormous amount of high dimensional multivariate regression data being generated at an extraordinary speed. However, only a small proportion of them are informative. This has imposed a challenge on modern statistics because of this high dimensionality. In this work, we propose methods and algorithms for modelling high-dimensional multivariate regression data. The contributions of this thesis are as follows.

Firstly, we propose two variable screening techniques to reduce the high dimension of predictors. One is a beamforming-based screening method which is based on a statistic called SNR. The second approach is a mixture-based screening where the screening is conducted through the so-called likelihood fusion.

Secondly, we propose a variable selection method called principal variable analysis (PVA). In PVA we take into account the correlation between response variables in the process of variable selection. We compare PVA with some of well-known variable selection methods by simulation studies, showing that PVA can substantially enhance the selection accuracy.

Thirdly, we develop a method for clustering and variable selection simultaneously, by using the likelihood fusion. We show the feature of the proposed method by simulation studies.

Fourthly, we study a Bayesian clustering problem through the mixture of normal distributions where we propose mixing-proportion dependent priors for component parameters.

Finally, we apply the proposed methods to cancer drug data. This data contain expression levels of 13321 genes across 42 cell lines and the responses of these cell lines to 131 drugs, recorded as fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) values. We identify 37 genes which are important for predicting IC50 values. We found that although the expressions of these genes are weakly correlated, they are highly correlated in terms of their regression coefficients. We also identify a regression coefficient-based network between genes. We also show that 34 out of 37 selected genes have played certain roles in at least one type of cancer.
Moreover, by applying the likelihood fusion model to real data we classify the drugs into five groups.


The mutations giving rise to hemophilia are probably of great antiquity, because they occur in at least three orders of placental mammals: the Ungulata; the Carnivora, and the Primates. Hemophilia has been described in the horse1 and in nine breeds of dog,2 as well as in all races of man. The orders to which these groups belong may have been distinct from the end of the Cretaceous – say, 65 million years ago, and the mutations have probably recurred independently many times in all three, since it must be lethal in the wild state.3 The mutation rate has been estimated at about 1 – 4 × 10-5.4 The earliest references to what may have been human hemophilia are attributed to Jewish records of the second Century A.D. A ruling of Rabbi Judah the Patriarch, exempts a woman's third son from circumcision, if two older brothers had died of bleeding following the operation.5 In the tenth Century, males of a certain village bled to death from trivial wounds, described by Khalaf ibn Abbas, known in Europe as Albucassis. fers to hemophilia, is from the 19th Century. For instance, Otto, in 1803,6 describes families in which the males suffer abnormal post-traumatic bleeding. He noted that although only males were symptomatic, the disorder was transmitted by unaffected females to some of their sons. He traced a pedigree back to a woman from Plymouth, New Hampshire, in 1720. Gradually, the clinical syndrome took shape as a considerable literature developed. The curious current name hemophilia or 'love 7


In this paper we present the novel technique for detection of breast boundary (also known as Breast contour, breast edge, skin-air interface or also called skin-line). Breast boundary extraction is an important preprocessing step in Computer Assisted Diagnosis (CAD) systems. The Breast boundary region detection is a tough task because low contrast region near skin line(boundary). The proposed method is noise resistant and uses the concept of entropy estimation for breast boundary detection. The proposed algorithm was tested on 103 mammographic images taken from CityU Image Database of different profiles and visual results were evaluated by the expert.


FDA is alerting healthcare professionals to the possibility that a 32-mg single intravenous dose of ondansetron (Zofran, ondansetron hydrochloride, and generics) could lead to QT interval prolongation, putting patients at risk for a potentially fatal heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes.


As we enter the second decade of the 21st Century the lives of millions of people are shaped by the experience of migration. Immigration is the human face of globalization – the sounds, colors, and smells of a miniaturized, interconnected, and fragile world. This lecture examines the challenges of making migration work with a focus on immigration's inter-generational echo and the transition of immigrant origin youth via education to the labor market, to belonging, to citizenship and to the narrative of the nation.


Although there are adequate numbers of figures the illustrations have been reduced to a minimum, presumably to keep down the cost and it is here that the only criticism can be made. Black and white reproductions of cells are never satisfactory; however one feels that greater attention could have been given to the quality of the photomicrographs chosen and to the way in which the legends were composed. Unfortunately not all of the photographs are typical examples of the abnormality to be demonstrated and it is hoped that if the publication goes into a second edition, as it probably will, that some improvement can be made. The size chosen by the publishers is unfortunate: it is neither a pocket book nor is it of standard textbook size. This may have been dictated by economy, but the material would have been enormously enhanced by being laid out on a larger page with a larger type. This book deserves to become a standard reference for all students in the clinical period. It would also form a useful addition to the library of junior medical staff in hospital.


A model is developed for evaluating the size and distribution of the economic benefits from research that improves the quality of an export commodity. Quality improvement, achieved by research or by agronomic practices, shifts the domestic and/or excess demand curves for an export commodity. Research costs are not modeled, but any shift in the supply curve (due to a change in yield, for example) accompanying the quality improvement is included. The model is used to estimate the gains from research that increases protein content in Australian wheat. It is estimated that Australia has the potential to obtain net benefits up to A$53 million per year from a one percentage point increase in the protein content in wheat. Over 90% of these gains accrue to wheat producers.


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder in females in the reproductive period with estimated prevalence of 5% to 18% [1]. It contributes to the mortality and morbidity in patients with PCOS due to the increased risk of different metabolic and cardiovascular (CV) complications [2]. Despite the presence of obesity in 40-60% of cases [3], the disease may occur in non-obese women. The occurrence of metabolic disorders in non-obese PCOS patients, suggests that the syndrome itself may play a role in the development of metabolic and CV co-morbidities [4]. The identification of early stages of atherosclerosis in patients with PCOS might be useful in the development of new strategies to control modifiable CV risk factors [5]. Assessment of vascular endothelial function (ED) as an initial reversible step in atherosclerosis development, may serve as an integral index for CV risk factor burden [6]. In addition, carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is a helpful marker for atherosclerosis and for the identification of increased risk of CV disease [7]. Our study assessed the early vascular changes in Egyptian women with PCOS both physically and functionally by looking at the CIMT using high resolution Doppler ultrasound and by measuring ED using brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD). Our results indicate that patients with PCOS have significant ED and premature atherosclerosis which is, to a great extent, independent of obesity and IR. This suggests that PCOS patients are at increased risk for premature CVD and may benefit from early detection and management.


Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. Accurate staging is of pivotal importance in the management of MM. Advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are increasingly used for the initial diagnosis and staging of MM. Purpose To compare whole-body (WB) MR diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) with (WB) MR fat-suppressed T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging (T1-CE) in the pre-treatment staging evaluation of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Material and Methods Thirty-six patients with MM were included in the study. T1-CE and DWIBS were performed using a 3 T scanner. The Durie-Salmon plus staging system was used. Kappa statistics was used to assess agreement. Results For all MM stages good to very good agreement was found for both T1-CE and DWIBS. The unweighted kappa statistic indicated a moderate, good and very good agreement between T1-CE and DWIBS for stages I, II, and III, respectively. In particular, in 67% of patients the MM staging according to T1-CE was not different from DWIBS. In the remaining 33% of patients, the MM stage obtained with T1-CE was lower than that provided by DWIBS. Conclusion DWIBS and T1-CE were concordant in the majority of patients. In a minority of cases DWIBS evidenced areas of water restriction that did not correspond to contrast enhancement areas. Studies monitoring therapeutic response in relation to tumour burden and aggressiveness should be performed to assess the clinical relevance of DWIBS findings.


The Ministry of Education of R.O.C evaluates the undergraduate course teaching of English as an academic speciality by five indicators Level and twenty Level with which the vague maths pattern of the overall evaluation can be constructed,and with which self-evaluation as well as the judgement of being "excellent",or "good",or "qualified" by ranking in colleges and universities of the same level is to be ex-ecuted.