This thesis investigates the possibility of exploiting haptic force-feedback technology for interacting with virtual musical instruments. A survey of current software solutions for creating haptic virtual environments is provided, with a discussion on the need to integrate such a platform with currently accepted solutions for audio research. A system was developed to combine a haptic programming library with a physical dynamics engine and to expose its functionality through the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol, an increasingly accepted standard for communication within the audio software and hardware domain. Using OSC messaging, simple 3D objects can be instantiated and constraints on their movement can be specified, allowing the description of physically dynamic mechanisms. Collision events as well as properties of the objects can be transmitted to the audio system continually to be used for modulating audio synthesis parameters. Some examples of simple virtual musical instruments created with the aid of this system are provided.


AIMS
The effectiveness of expert-led (EX) and train-the-trainer (TT) strategies was compared to a self-study approach (SS) for teaching clinicians motivational interviewing (MI).

DESIGN
Twelve community treatment programs were assigned randomly to the three conditions. EX and TT conditions used skill-building workshops and three monthly supervision sessions guided by treatment integrity ratings, performance feedback and coaching techniques. Trainers in TT were first trained and certified in MI and then prepared carefully to deliver the workshops and supervise MI at their programs. Clinicians in SS only received the training materials.

SETTING
Licensed out-patient and residential addiction and mental health treatment programs in the US state of Connecticut were involved in the study.

PARTICIPANTS
Ninety-two clinicians who provided addiction treatment within these programs and had limited experience with MI participated in the study.

MEASUREMENTS
Primary outcomes were the clinicians' MI adherence and competence and the percentage of clinicians meeting clinical trial standards of MI performance. Assessments occurred at baseline, post-workshop, post-supervision and at 12-week follow-up.

FINDINGS
The study found EX and TT, in comparison to SS, improved clinicians' adherence and competence significantly, with higher percentages of clinicians reaching clinical trial standards of MI performance and few differences between EX and TT.

CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the combined use of workshops and supervision to teach community program clinicians MI and suggests the train-the-trainer approach may be a feasible and effective strategy for disseminating empirically supported treatments.


Cryopreservation has been proven to be an effective technology for the cost-effective, longterm preservation of genetic material. A wide range of plant material including cultured cells, tissues, embryos, meristems, pollen and seeds can be effectively preserved for extended periods of time and, when thawed, can be used to rapidly produce stock plants, with good preservation of genetic and physiological characteristics. Numerous protocols including controlled rate cooling, PVS2 vitrification, encapsulation-vitrification, and encapsulation-dehydration have been developed that allow the cryopreservation of a wide range of plant germplasm (Burritt, 2008), but irrespective of the protocol used each step in a cryopreservation protocol has the potential to impose a stress on plant cells. Low temperatures that lead to freezing can impose stress on cells and tissues in two ways, by the direct effects of low temperatures on cell function and integrity or by the cellular dehydration that occurs when the cells water freezes. Several of the mechanisms by which these two forms of stress can damage plant cells are shown in Figure 1.


To prepare an efficient supercapacitor, an activated carbon from agave wastes was prepared and their electrochemical performance was evaluated as a novel electrode for supercapacitor. The carbon was prepared by two thermal pyrolysis processes under nitrogen atmosphere. The first pyrolysis was achieved at 500°C until the charring of the bagasse, in the second pyrolysis step, the char was impregnated with different mass ratios of KOH (1:2 − 1:4) and thermally treated at 800 or 900°C, for 1 h under N2 flow. The textural analysis showed that the activated carbon had a specific surface area of 1462 m2 g− 1 and depicted a type I isotherm (IUPAC) characteristic of a microporous carbon. Raman spectroscopy and XRD measurements confirm that the activated carbon contains a small graphitization degree and a disordered structure. The electrochemical study of the symmetric carbon supercapacitor was carried out in 1M Li2SO4 solution as the electrolyte. The electrochemical performance of the coin cell supercapacitor was evaluated under an accelerated ageing floating test consisting of potentiostatic steps at different voltages (1.5, 1.6 and 1.8 V) for 10 h followed by galvanostatic charge/discharge sequences, the overall procedure summarized a floating time up to 200 h. The highest capacitance was observed at a floating voltage of 1.5 V, with a large initial specific capacitance of 297 F g− 1.


Abstract : Dense, nonaqueous-phase liquid contaminants are a challenge to characterize and remediate at many sites where such contaminants have entered the aquifer due to past use of disposal practices. Chlorinated solvents are common DNPL contaminates at sites where operations, such as aircraft maintenance, dry cleaning, and metal finishing have historically occurred. In the past, because of the difficulty in identifying the DNAPL source zone, most remediation efforts focused on controlling the migration of the dissolved chlorinated volatile organic compounds plume. Recently, many sites owners have had success in locating DNAPL sources. DNAPL source remediation is beneficial because once the source has been significantly mitigated, the strength and duration of the resulting plume can potentially be lowered. The goal of the project is to evaluate the technical and cost performance of chemical oxidation technology for remediation of DNAPL source zones. This innovative technology is based on the ability of strong oxidants to react with and destroy several types of DNAPL contaminants. Treatment of chlorinated volatile organic compounds with oxidants has been used historically for drinking water and wastewater treatment, but the in situ use of these oxidants for DNAPL source treatment is relatively new. The chemical oxidation demonstration is part of a larger demonstration of three different DNAPL remediation technologies being conducted.


Abstract The murine primordial follicle pool develops largely within 3 days after birth through germline nest breakdown and enclosure of oocytes within pregranulosa cells. The mechanisms that trigger primordial follicle formation likely are influenced by a transition from the maternal to fetal hormonal milieu at the time of birth. High levels of maternal estrogen maintain intact germline nest in fetal ovary, and decrease of estrogen after birth is permissive of follicle formation. In the present study, we measured an increase in neonatal serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which corresponded to falling estradiol (E2) levels during the critical window of primordial follicle formation (Postnatal Days 1–3). To determine whether fetal hormones contribute in an active manner to primordial follicle formation, mouse fetal ovaries (17.5 days postcoitus) were cultured in vitro at two concentrations of E2 (meant to reflect maternal and fetal levels of E2) and FSH for 6 days. High levels of E2 (10−6 M) inhibited germline nest breakdown, and this effect was significantly reduced when fetal ovaries were cultured in the low E2 concentration (10−10 M). FSH facilitated germline nest breakdown and primordial follicle formation under both high and low E2 culture conditions. Low E2 was identified as being more permissive for the effects of FSH on primordial follicle formation by stimulating the up-regulation of Fshr and activin betaA subunit (Inhba) expression, pregranulosa cell proliferation, and oocyte survival. The decrease of E2 plus the presence of FSH after birth are critical for primordial follicle formation and the expression of oocyte-specific transcription factors (Figla and Nobox) in that inappropriate exposure to FSH or E2 during follicle formation resulted in premature or delayed primordial folliculogenesis. In conclusion, with the drop of E2 level after birth, FSH promotes primordial follicle formation in mice by stimulating local activin signaling pathways and the expression of oocyte-specific transcription factors.


Abstract. The changes in the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and its precipitation-related teleconnections over the Globe under climate change are investigated in the Community Earth System Model's Large Ensemble from 1950 to 2100. For the investigation, a recently developed ensemble-based method, the snapshot empirical orthogonal function (SEOF) analysis is used. The instantaneous ENSO pattern is defined as the leading mode of the SEOF analysis carried out at a given time instant over the ensemble. The corresponding principal components (PC1s) characterize the ENSO phases. We find that the largest amplitude changes in the variability of the sea surface temperature fields occur in the June–July–August–September (JJAS) season, in the Niño3–Niño3.4 region and in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, however, the increase is also considerable along the Equator in December–January–February (DJF). The Niño3 amplitude shows also an increase of about 20 % and 10 % in JJAS and DJF, respectively. The strength of the precipitation-related teleconnections of the ENSO is found to be non-stationary, as well. For example, the anti-correlation with precipitation in Australia in JJAS and the positive correlation in Central and North Africa in DJF are predicted to be more pronounced by the end of the 21th century. Half-year-lagged correlations, aiming to predict precipitation conditions from ENSO phases, are also studied. The Australian, Indonesian precipitation and that of the eastern part of Africa in both JJAS and DJF seem to be well predictable based on ENSO phase, while the South Indian precipitation is in relation with the half-year previous ENSO phase only in DJF. The strength of these connections increases, especially from the African region to the Arabian Peninsula.


PurposeBrands have started investing heavily in their social media pages. Especially for banks having credence nature, the importance of engaging customers with the brand-related content on their social media pages has become a challenge. The present study explores the role of various characteristics of a brand's social media marketing efforts (SMME) and individual customer's general online social interaction propensity (GOSIP) on the customers' engagement/online brand-related activities (COBRAs). The subsequent effect of COBRAs on key banking outcomes such as satisfaction, trust and loyalty has also been evaluated. The moderating role of the customer–brand relationship length has also been evaluated.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage mixed-method approach was used for the data collection. Two focus group discussions were conducted for the preliminary stage, which resulted in identifying five Indian banking brands as stimuli for further study. For the main study, an online survey link was shared with the members of the stimuli banking brands' social media pages. A total of 552 useable responses were collected. After performing the exploratory factor analysis and common method bias tests, the collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis.FindingsThe results of the present study have added all five characteristics (namely, entertainment, interaction, trendiness, customization and electronic word of mouth) of SMME and GOSIP as the key antecedents of the customers' engagement with brand content on social media pages or COBRAs. COBRAs have been found influencing the customers' satisfaction, but evidence of influence on the trust and loyalty has not been found. The length of the relationship between customers and the banking brand has been observed as an important moderator for the satisfaction–trust–loyalty relationship.Originality/valueThe present study has three unique contributions to the literature. Firstly, the study evaluates the role of customer-brand engagement on the banking brand's favorable outcomes such as satisfaction, trust and loyalty. Secondly, the exploration of the role of various social media marketing activities that can enhance customer–brand engagement. And finally, the study tests the moderating role of the customer–brand length of the relationship on the complete set of marketing activities–engagement–loyalty relationships.


Dupin submanifolds in lie sphere geometry.- The mean curvatures on the tubular hypersurfaces in a space of constant curvature.- Deformation of surfaces preserving principal curvatures.- Lectures on immersion theory.- Surface maps and braid equations, I.- Affine maximal surfaces and harmonic functions.- Codimension 1 and 2 immersions of lens spaces.- On third order nondegenerate immersions and maps of S 1 in R 2.- Complete surfaces in H 3 with a constant principal curvature.- Exceptional simple lie groups and related topics in recent differential geometry.- A remark on the isoparametric polynomials of degree 6.- On the holomorphic maps from riemann surfaces to grassmannians.- Stability of totally real minimal submanifolds.- Dirichlet problems and the Laplacian in affine hypersurface theory.- A class of symmetric functions and Chern classes of projective varieties.- Essential invariant circles of surface automorphisms of finite order.- Jones polynomial and the crossing number of links.- On complete minimal surfaces with parallel and flat ends.- Regularity of harmonic maps into certain homogeneous spaces.- On infinitesimal deformations of surfaces in E 3.- Local expressions of classical geometric elliptic operators.- Volume of geodesic balls.- On complete minimal immersion ?: RP 2 ? {a, b} ? R 3 with total curvature ?10?.- Local atiyah-singer index theorem for families of dirac operators.


The question posed in this paper is how persistent are gender differences in engineering orientation and achievement, once we control for engineering discipline, cohort, and year in the program. The data come from a multi-year survey of engineering students at a mid-Atlantic public university, which has four engineering disciplines: chemical, civil/environmental, electrical/computing, and mechanical, which vary by proportion of women in them. Using multivariate analysis, we control for gender, cohort, year in the program, and major in the analysis of differences in engineering self-confidence, satisfaction with the core course and interpersonal climate, engineering grades, expectations from the undergraduate degree and long-term commitment to a career in engineering. We then are able to isolate the significant gender differences and interaction effects that persist when these other factors are held constant. We find that gender clearly matters with respect to engineering grades, self-confidence, satisfaction with the core course, and commitment to the engineering career, even when major, year, and cohort (and grades, for all of the other dependent variables) are controlled. However, gender differences with regard to peer integration are insignificant; and there are few remaining gender differences with regard to expectations from an engineering degree. Suggestions for further research are proposed.


The experience of providing a 3-month nursing program of care to infants and their families with physical, health, and social-environmental risks is presented. An individualized case approach was used which first involved a nursing assessment of the family, infant, and environmental needs and then was followed by subsequent appropriate nursing intervention. Brammer's conceptual model about the helping process was used to assist the analysis of the success or failure experienced in assisting these high-risk families. The differences that emerged were in the mothers' involvement in the exploration phase which involves goal setting. Families with incomplete progression through the helping process not only participated in less mutual decision making, but they were also less open to the initial assessment phase and had higher social risk. The nurses had less total contact with the uninvolved families. A brief description of a subsequent approach to provide effective nursing to a socially high-risk group of pregnant women is given. The approach involves a more extended period of intervention and emphasizes the development of a therapeutic relationship.


Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication continues to be one of the most common causes of morbidity due to poisoning. The toxicity is caused by a combination of tissue hypoxia and direct CO‐mediated damage at the cellular level (1). Neurologic consequences of CO poisoning have been most often reported. Loss of consciousness, intermittent convulsions and respiratory failure may appear when carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) concentrations of 60–80% are reached (2). However, it is important to recognize that COHb levels do not correlate with the severity of symptoms in a substantial number of cases (1). Pathological findings include necrosis and degeneration of the globus pallidus (3) and destructive lesions of the cerebral white matter (4). Computer tomography (CT) commonly shows bilateral low‐density areas in the globus pallidus (2–6) and low‐density lesions in the white matter (4). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive in detecting these lesions which appear as hyperintense signals in basal ganglia on T2 weighted images (4, 5). Neuropathological and radiological findings are well correlated (3).


People with complex neurological disorders often benefit from a specialist multidisciplinary team approach; however access can be logistically difficult. We run a spasticity management service offering all aspects of treatment including intrathecal baclofen and phenol. Recognising the problem faced by patients living in rural communities, we tried a video linked clinic. How Referrals were approved by GP's and treating neurologists. The patients gave informed consent and attended their local community hospital with family/carers, they were joined by their community physiotherapist who was involved in the consultation and was able to demonstrate aspects of examination. At the neurological centre a Consultant Neurologist, specialist nurse and physiotherapist were present. All patients and clinicians were interviewed afterwards by an independent health research team. Findings Feedback was extremely positive. Patients A "local" service with less travel. Having both groups of clinicians present made patients feel more involved in decisions about their care. They felt at ease asking questions. Clinicians Shorter/faster care pathway; enhanced communication; seamless, patient-centred care planning. Conclusions Patients with complex disability require comprehensive assessment and care management. Creating a local, seamless and patient-centred service for this patient group is both challenging and exciting; using a telemedicine approach seems both feasible and effective.


Culzean Castle is located 45 miles south of Glasgow on the West Coast of Scotland. It is a fine example of the work of architect Robert Adam. The castle is currently owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and is one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions. The stonework has suffered through prolonged exposure in the castle's cliff-top position overlooking the Firth of Clyde. As a result some of the stonework was replaced in the 1970s, and current with this research, more stonework needs to be replaced. The castle was constructed from local sandstones, specifically volcanigenic lithic arenites (quartz-rich sandstones containing feldspars, lithic fragments, clays and micas, cemented together with calcium carbonate). Culzean was built during three periods using local stone. The original Late-Medieval castle was constructed from what has proved to be 'durable sandstone' (OB) which shows little evidence of deterioration in its more sheltered location as the foundations of the current building. During the eighteenth century, Robert Adam designed additions to the castle using another local sandstone (AB). This stone has undergone considerable deterioration (e.g. spalling, contour scaling and surface pitting), and in some instances has failed, with surface material falling from the building. The majority of the AB stones, particularly on the Drum Tower balcony need to be cut back or replaced right away. Finally during the late 1800s a west wing was added to the castle, of redder sandstone from Maybole (VB), which currently exhibits some surface deterioration (mainly contour scaling), but not on the same scale as the AB stone. Research was undertaken to examine the differences between these stones, particularly to determine the characteristics of the AB stone which allow it to weather more rapidly than the others. Cores samples of 75 mm diameter, 150 mm depth were taken from the building using a dry drilling method to prevent chemical alteration. A number of analytical techniques including ion chromatography, x-ray fluorescence, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence microscopy were used to examine the geochemistry and mineralogy of the stone. The role of externally derived soluble salts and the potential for physical change were then determined. Petrographic analysis highlighted a number of characteristic processes. The rock forming minerals, specifically the quartz, feldspars and micas showed similar mechanisms of deterioration in the three sandstones. These mechanisms included dissolution, particularly along lines of weakness and compositional variation, with ionic exchange at mineral edges. Clay minerals were found in abundance in the Culzean sandstones. Of greatest importance were the clays which absorb water, found in the AB stones (combinations of illite/smectite/chlorite species) which with access to ingressing solution and under confining pressures are particularly destructive for their size. There was also evidence for calcium carbonate cement dissolution and reprecipitation. The pore structure of the stones was of fundamental importance, as interconnecting pore channels increased permeability. The AB samples were found to have micro-porosity (< 5μ), created by cement and mineral dissolution, and interconnecting pore-space structures. Geochemical analysis identified the presence of soluble salts in the stone. Halite, gypsum and thenardite were present in abundance, particularly the AB samples. The occurrence of soluble salts at depth in the stone provided important information on the composition of the solutions driven into the stone at Culzean and the depths to which they could penetrate according to porosity and permeability. It also highlighted the presence of moisture at depth allowing salt crystallisation/hydration cycles and chemical reactions to take place. Analysis of the bulk chemistry of these three stones showed that overall the chemical make-up of each individual stone sampled was complicated and unique. There was no evidence for greater movement of specific elements through the stone profiles of the Adam's building stone when compared with the other two. Such was the natural chemical variation found in each of the stone profiles examined. The roles of temperature and humidity, controlling all aspects of moisture movement within the stone were also examined. These factors affected the ability of the stone to dry out and thus where the zone of maximum moisture content was situated and consequently where soluble salt crystallisation/hydration was heightened. There was surface evaporation of the exterior of the stone, behind which a wetting/drying zone allowed soluble salts to crystallise/dissolve. This salt crystallisation/solution zone moved in and out of the stone at depths of 10-40 mm, the zone of maximum moisture content. This resulted in the breakdown of the stone as its exterior surface spalled by the action of contour scaling. The results of this investigation have been used to produce a model for stone decay controlled by the ingress of salts in solution into the stone, and the ineffectual drying out of the stone.


Active origami structures usually have creases made with soft and compliant plates because it is difficult to fabricate real hinges and actuate them. However, most conventional origami modeling techniques fail to capture these compliant creases and simplify them as concentrated rotational springs, which neglects torsional and extensional deformations of the creases. In this paper, an improved formulation of a bar and hinge model is proposed to explicitly capture the geometry and the flexibility of compliant creases with nonnegligible width in an origami, and the model is verified against finite element simulations. The verification shows that the model performs relatively well despite being simple and computationally inexpensive. Moreover, simulation examples demonstrate that the proposed model can capture the bistable behavior of the compliant crease origami with nonnegligible crease width because it explicitly includes the extensional stretching energy into the simulation framework and allows torsional crease deformations.


ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to determine proficiency levels of fundamental movement skills using cluster analysis in a cohort of U.K. primary school children; and to further examine the relationships between fundamental movement skills proficiency and other key aspects of health-related physical activity behavior. Participants were 553 primary children between 9- and 12-years old, 294 boys and 259 girls, who were assessed across eight different fundamental movement skills. Physical activity behaviors included markers of physical fitness, recall of physical activity behavior, and physical self-concept. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to classify groups based on fundamental movement skills proficiencies and discriminant analysis to predict fundamental movement skills proficiency based upon the physical activity variables. This interpretation of fundamental movement skills performance revealed distinct groups of fundamental movement skills proficiency in both genders with several gender-specific components of physical activity shown to discriminate children with differing levels of fundamental movement skills proficiency (p < .05, r > .40).


The imbalanced microbial composition called as dysbiosis constitutes a tendency related to different kind of human diseases. To overcome the disadvantages of dysbiosis, the consumption of probiotics is an emerging and promising topic of the last decade. Kefir is a probiotic fermented beverage produced from the fermentation of kefir grains with changing varieties of milk and displays a symbiotic association of bacteria and yeast. The discovery of the concept that fermented foods/beverages such as kefir could modify gut microbiota in humans has widened the borders of precision medicine and now microbiome therapeutics can be considered as a significant part of this field. Kefir seems to have potential to guide and manipulate future replacement/complementary therapies with a variety of beneficial biological/medical properties it has. The aim of this review was a comprehensive recapitulation of probiotic beverage kefir's significant properties mainly focusing of antioxidative, immunomodulatory, apoptotic, antitumor, neuroprotective. Apoptotic/antimetastatic effects are regulated at the molecular level by increases in TGF-β1, caspase-3, p53, Bax, Bax:Bcl-2 ratio, p21 and decreases in TGF-α, Bcl-2 and MMP polarization. Neuroprotective effects are revealed upon upregulation of SOD/catalase and anti-inflammatory Treg cells, decreases in repetitive behavior and modulation of apoptotic genes. Besides these significant features that may offer quite advantages in supplementary cancer therapies, the scope was also extended to recent emerging medical topics and also discussed and evaluated the concept of "psychobiotics". The therapeutic potential of psychobiotic effect is majorly attributed to the increased ratios of Clostridium butyricum, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.


FOR-173, a 4-page fact sheet by Francisco Escobedo and Michael Andreu, defines what an urban forest inventory is and its advantages, what the conditions for conducting and funding and inventory should be, and some management options. Includes references. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2008.


Abstract Mammalian cortical granules (CG) are membrane-bound organelles located in the cortex of the unfertilized oocytes. Upon fertilization, CG undergo exocytosis to function in blocking polyspermy. While cortical granules are important in fertilization, their exact biochemical composition and reproductive function have not been fully defined. In the present study, a 66 kDa wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 4 (WNT4)-like protein, with mouse CG origin was identified. Oocytes that were double labeled with lectin Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) and WNT4 antibody showed colocalization of the WNT4 molecules and cortical granules. The disappearance of WNT4 molecules in the artificially activated oocytes that were devoid of cortical granules confirmed their granule origin. Following fertilization, WNT4 remained associated with zygotes and blastomeres of 2-cell and 8-cell embryos; however the amount of protein present was reduced more than 2-fold as embryos developed. Prior to implantation, WNT4 appeared to be detectable only in the trophoblast cells. Our functional study revealed that WNT4 molecules were involved in regulating zygotic cleavage and early embryogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating mammalian cortical granules contain signaling molecules that are involved in the regulation of the first phase of embryonic development.


This chapter will explore the reasons why some countries, broadly described as "developed," do not allow their farmers to plant GM crops. It will then go on to discuss the effects that these attitudes held by "the West" have influenced the uptake of GM crops by Africa and "the Rest." I will then investigate some of the myths that have been used to turn politicians, decision-makers, and inhabitants of such countries against GM crops, and to consider the importance of communication. As it is necessary to understand why and how certain countries "got it right" and are currently growing GM crops successfully, the last section deals with these issues. The conclusion points to the necessity for countries to learn from mistakes made in the past as we enter the era of new technologies such as genome editing.


While ABSEL serves many needs in the personal and professional lives of its members, its primary mission is outward looking. We believe that it may be captured in three basic functions: The formation, transfer, and utilization of knowledge regarding the development and use of business simulation and experiential learning techniques to further the well-being of society as a whole. This paper focuses on the functions of knowledge formation and transfer, with specific attention to sub-category of knowledge dissemination. It focuses alternative strategies and how they impact on research motivation and on the efficiency of knowledge dissemination. It does this by drawing on the literature growing out of the "post-hoc versus ad-hoc review process" and the "open access" movement for knowledge dissemination.


Inflammatory monocytes (Ly6Chi CCR2hi) play a critical role in steering the course of responses against microbial infections of the lung. Lung monocytes can take up live fungi or bacteria and transport them to draining mediastinal lymph nodes (mLN). How microbes are taken up and trafficked by monocytes from the pulmonary site of infection is poorly understood. To study monocyte-mediated microbial trafficking, we developed a system to trace monocytes that carry particles from the lung to mLNs. Herein, we used mice expressing GFP or the diphtheria toxin receptor under the control of the CCR2 promoter to determine the impact of intratracheally instilled toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists on trafficking of with fluorescent, polystyrene microspheres from the lung to mLNs. This system recapitulates monocyte recruitment and trafficking seen during in vivo infections. Monocytes infiltrated the interstitial space in response to TLR2 agonists. And while neutrophils were the primary cell population associated with instilled microspheres in the lung, they did not deliver them independently to mLNs. Conversely, adoptively transferred monocytes successfully delivered microspheres to mLNs of CCR2+-cell-depleted mice. Our current system and findings empower us to further dissect the process of monocyte uptake of inhaled particles and antigen delivery to lymphocytes of mLNs, which may in turn inform novel vaccine strategies in an age of increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.


Prior studies suggest that supplemental treatment with thyroid hormone may enhance the patient's response in depression resistant to tricyclic antidepressants. The authors report on the lack of efficacy of adjunctive L-triiodothyronine (T3; 25 micrograms/day) in a sample of 20 outpatient unipolar depressives who had not responded to greater than or equal to 12 weeks of treatment with imipramine (mean dosage = 240 mg/day) and interpersonal psychotherapy. The overall response rate after 4 weeks of T3 was low (25%); the outcome did not differ significantly from a matched historical comparison group who received continued tricyclic treatment but not T3.


In this study, upset forging experiments were performed on various uneven boundary frictional conditions generated using combinations of dies and specimens with differing surface conditions. Experimental points were established based on the experimental results as a regression using the response surface methodology and three-level full-factorial design of experiments. A regression model was constructed from a second-order model with interactive components by adopting a pointer variable and different qualitative parameters. Furthermore, a general regression model involving both frictional isotropy and anisotropy was constructed to predict the plastic deformation of materials after upset forging. The validity of the general regression model for the deformation of a forged piece was examined by conducting a finite-element analysis using the DEFORM-3D software. The simulation results demonstrate the reliability of the model in predicting the inhomogeneous friction pattern from the observed agreement between the finite-element analysis and experimental results.


This study developed an activity-based value-chain model for hotel room experience and identified activity-based value-adding room attributes for college student vacation travelers using an online survey (N = 2545). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of independence, ordinal measures of association, and multinomial logistic regression. Results revealed that the common hotel room activities were overnight sleeping, dressing and taking care of personal hygiene, having a meal and/or snack, taking a nap, relaxing and entertaining, exercising, and, finally, working, studying, and browsing the Internet. Based on student responses, all hotel room attributes were assigned to one of four categories along a value continuum: high-value, medium-value, low-value, and no-value. This study contributes to hospitality research by providing an analysis framework for assessing customer value. This research will help hoteliers focus on room attributes that most likely satisfy their customers' needs and provide high-value experiences, which could result in increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profits.


Lung function, adherence and denial were explored in asthma patients who possess a repressive coping style (repressors). Repressors (low trait anxiety, high defensiveness) and non-repressors were identified by their trait anxiety and defensiveness scores. Participants completed measures of self-reported adherence, denial, morbidity and demographic data. A lung function measure (FEV1) was obtained for a subset of patients. Repressors, who comprised 33% of the sample, had significantly worse lung function but scored significantly higher on self-reported adherence, compared to non-repressors. Age was positively correlated with adherence. Although repressive coping was positively correlated with denial, denial was significantly correlated with defensiveness but not trait anxiety. The study provides evidence that repressors are an important group to identify in future studies of asthma.


It may be a coincidence, but it is a fact that the first clear characterization of hay fever began in England where modern industrialization started in Europe. Only at the end of the 20th century were associations of the increasing prevalence of allergy with outdoor air pollution discussed. The seminal study came from Japan from the group of T. Miyamoto linking the increase in Japanese cedar pollinosis to an increased prevalence of Diesel cars and probably exposure to Diesel exhaust in epidemiological, animal experimental and in vitro studies. In Germany first epidemiological studies were done in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria in 1987 and 1988 showing a striking prevalence of allergic disease of up to 10-20% in preschool children. After German reunification the most surprising observation was a lower prevalence of hay fever in East German children compared to the West, although there was a much higher air pollution with SO2 and large particulate matter. Modern smog as found over West German cities most likely originating from traffic exhaust and consisting of fine and ultrafine particles was shown to be associated with higher incidence rates of allergy and allergic sensitization. In the 10 years after reunification there was a steep increase of allergy prevalence in East German children reaching almost the same level as in West Germany. Obviously, a multitude of lifestyle factors - beyond air pollution - may be involved in the explanation of this phenomenon. Surprisingly the skin manifestation of atopy, namely atopic eczema, was more frequent in East German children compared to the West, thus differing from airway allergy. Meanwhile in vitro studies and animal experiments have shown that a variety of air pollutants mostly from environmental tobacco smoke (indoors) and from traffic exhaust (outdoors) can stimulate immune cells inducing a Th2-dominated response besides their irritative effects. While 50 years ago in allergy textbooks a clear distinction was made between 'toxic' or 'allergic', the newly developed concept of allergotoxicology has stimulated research tremendously, meaning 'the investigation of effects of toxic substances upon the induction, elicitation and maintenance of allergic reactions'.


A collective intelligence system could significantly help to improve decision making. Its advantage is that often collective decisions can be more efficient than individual ones. The paper considers the human-machine collective intelligence as shared intelligence, which is a product of the collaboration between humans and software services, their joint efforts and conformed decisions. Usually, multiple collaborators do not share a common view on the domain or problem they are working on. The paper assumes usage of multi-aspect ontologies to overcome the problem of different views thus enabling humans and intelligent software services to self-organize into a collaborative community for decision support. A methodology for development of the above multi-aspect ontologies is proposed. The major ideas behind the approach are demonstrated by an example from the smart city domain.


Since the early 1900s the food industry has undergone major advances that have led to more than half of the shelves in a modern supermarket being stocked with packaged and processed foods. These boxed, canned, and frozen foods achieve their convenience by using a number of food ingredients and processing aids. The original sources and the details of their processing prior to inclusion in the final food product are not provided to consumers but will determine their acceptability for both halal and kosher food production. While additives are generally declared on a product label, processing aids are not shown on the ingredient statement and thus the consumer is not even aware of their presence. Some additives can be legally grouped into generic categories (such as spices) that also make it difficult for consumers to determine what exactly is in the products they buy and how these products have been processed. Thus, consumers need to put more pressure on the kosher and halal marketing system to use trademarked symbols that represent an organization that the consumer can hold accountable and which provides both the companies and the consumer with confidence in the kosher and/or halal status of the products being offered in the marketplace.


Deep learning (DL) models are known to be highly accurate, yet vulnerable to adversarial examples. While earlier research focused on generating adversarial examples using white-box strategies, later research focused on black-box strategies, as models often are not accessible to external attackers. Prior studies showed that black-box approaches based on approximate gradient descent algorithms combined with meta-heuristic search (i.e., the BMI-FGSM algorithm) outperform previously proposed white- and black-box strategies. In this paper, we propose a novel black-box approach purely based on differential evolution (DE), i.e., without using any gradient approximation method. In particular, we propose two variants of a customized DE with customized variation operators: (1) a single-objective (Pixel-SOO) variant generating attacks that fool DL models, and (2) a multi-objective variant (Pixel-MOO) that also minimizes the number of changes in generated attacks. Our preliminary study on five canonical image classification models shows that Pixel-SOO and Pixel-MOO are more effective than the state-of-the-art BMI-FGSM in generating adversarial attacks. Furthermore, Pixel-SOO is faster than Pixel-MOO, while the latter produces subtler attacks than its single-objective variant.


An investigation was carried out against for bio-control of soil-borne root pathogen (Macrophomina
phaseolina) causing charcoal root rot of groundnut plant in pot culture experiment by inoculating arbuscular
mycorrhiza fungi (Glomus fasciculatum). After inoculation of AM fungi (G. fasciculatum) and pathogen (M.
phaseolina), there was significant decrease in severity of disease due colonization by mycorrhiza as
compared to non-mycorrhizal pathogen inoculated groundnut plants. The various defense related
biochemical parameters showed marked increase in their content or activity such as protein, proline, total
phenol, total chlorophyll content, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity, peroxidase and polyphenol activity
in mycorrhizal healthy or diseased ones in comparison to non-mycorrhizal diseased or control ones.
Moreover, highest increase in defense responses was observed in mycorrhizal diseased ones. The frequency
of mycorrhizal colonization in terms of arbuscular frequency showed higher colonization in mycorrhizal only
treatment as compared to pathogenic mycorrhizal groundnut plants. Lower percentage of arbuscular
frequency in pathogenic mycorrhizal groundnut plants confirmed that there was pathogen's role in
decreasing it when compared to non-pathogenic mycorrhizal ones. In spite of lowered arbuscular frequency
due to pathogens presence, the severity of disease caused by the pathogen was significantly reduced by
inoculation of AM fungi. Therefore, AM fungi may be used as other important option for bio-control purpose


Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are an increasing public health problem. Recently, randomised controlled trials on the use of kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in the treatment of these fractures have been published, but no definitive conclusions have been reached on the role of these interventions. The major problem encountered when trying to perform a meta-analysis of the available studies for the use of cementoplasty in patients with a VCF is that conservative management has not been standardised. Forms of conservative treatment commonly used in these patients include bed rest, analgesic medication, physiotherapy and bracing. In this review, we report the best evidence available on the conservative care of patients with osteoporotic VCFs and associated back pain, focusing on the role of the most commonly used spinal orthoses. Although orthoses are used for the management of these patients, to date, there has been only one randomised controlled trial published evaluating their value. Until the best conservative management for patients with VCFs is defined and standardised, no conclusions can be drawn on the superiority or otherwise of cementoplasty techniques over conservative management.


This quantitative study explored the preparedness of foreign language teachers for technology-mediated instruction and the burnout conditions that characterized their transition from in-person to off-campus second/foreign language education during the covid-19 pandemic. The data were collected from 104 university instructors through a Google Forms® survey and a burnout questionnaire in a Mexican state which was severely hit by the virus in the spring of 2020. The survey elicited information about institutional conditions, teacher education and technology access and use. The burnout questionnaire explored exhaustion, depersonalization and accomplishment during off-campus technology-mediated language instruction. Both survey and questionnaire answers were subject to frequency analyses. In terms of teacher preparedness, data analyses revealed that the participants had a large number of teaching hours; they held sustained computer/Internet access but lacked technology-assisted language teaching training; thus, they independently sought out technological resources for the delivery of their lessons. With regard to burnout, data analyses indicated that many participants experienced exhaustion due to work overload, use of technology, and its proper integration in the lessons. Nonetheless, the use of technology helped them maintain interest in their learners, feel satisfaction and accomplish academic aims.


Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a necessary ancillary technique in surgical pathology laboratories, particularly for oncology tissue specimens. Automation in the IHC technique has an advantage over manual methods in terms of quality, except for the cost of the equipment. Thus, the manual method of IHC staining is the preferred method of choice in countries with limited resources. However, standardization of all steps in the preanalytic phase is critical to obtain reliable immunohistochemistry test results. The current audit was conducted to describe the preanalytic factors affecting manual IHC methods. The most important preanalytic factors were fixative, the composition of dehydrate, pH, drying of sections, and heat-mediated antigen retrieval method (HMAR). The domestic pressure cooker method was found to be the best for HMAR.


This paper examines the efficiency of the Korean banking industry by studying both economies of scale and scope. The Fourier cost function, which is globally flexible, was used to estimate several efficiency measures. The findings of this paper are as follows. First, different data and models can lead to considerable differences. Second, the Fourier flexible functional form is more suitable for estimating an unknown cost function. Third, economies of scale were found in the Korean banking industry, with larger banks being more likely to have a higher scale efficiency than smaller ones. Fourth, the existence of econom ies of scope was somewhat inconclusive, as results varied across different models.


This work compiles a revision of the more relevant work done on the field of nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC). Including manufacture methods and a variety of material sources for its production, CNC properties and their effect on selected applications are presented. Several approaches on CNC surface modification are discussed, as a tool towards enhanced performance in relevant applications. Finally, self-assembly of CNC behaviour is discussed, together with its implications on rheology and stability of CNC dispersions, as well as optical properties. 


Wireless sensor networks consist of sensor nodes with sensing and communication capabilities. As sensor nodes are generally battery-powered devices, the critical aspects to face concern how to reduce the energy consumption of nodes, so that the network life time can be increased to reasonable times. The efficiency of space-time block code-encoded (STBC) cooperative transmission is studied. An energy-efficient virtual multiple-input multiple-output (MEMO) communication architecture based on V-BLAST receiver processing is proposed for energy-constrained, distributed wireless sensor networks. Numerical results show that significant energy saving are offered by the proposed virtual MEMO architecture in distributed wireless sensor networks. Cooperation protocol with low overhead is proposed, and synchronization requirements among cooperating sensors are discussed. Energy efficiency is analyzed as a trade-off between the reduced transmission energy consumption and the increased electronic and overhead energy consumption. Simulations show that with proper design, cooperative transmission can enhance energy efficiency and prolong sensor network lifetime. Simulation results are included.


The digital transformation of higher education demands effective and efficient methods for learning assessment. Research has shown that tests have the potential to be an appropriate medium not only to diagnose learning success but to improve learning outcomes/processes in general. In this study, we examine possible connections between the use of digital tests and learning success. Based on a survey (n=71) and a quantitative analysis (n=214) with logging and exam assessment data, we find three points that indicate positive correlation: Firstly, students perceive digital tests as motivating and useful. Secondly, we detect a positive relation between the points students achieved in the online tests and the exam results (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.39), and thirdly, students who participated continually in the digital testing system on average succeeded and passed the exam. The results show the importance of systematic digital testing in learning management systems, but also the need for more research with respect to other contexts and domains.


In this rapidly changing world and with the advancement of science and technology, the health and patient care sector receive wider attention from engineering and health care professionals. Telemedicine and e-health are the most focused areas and gained more enhancement with the integration of ICT and Big data. The efficiency of e-health and telemedicine greatly rely on the type of communication incorporated. The selection of cheaper and safer communication with good service quality is a challenging task in system designing. The combination of wired and wireless communication medium is proved to be more efficient and more secure for data transmission. The concept of e-health and telemedicine bring revolution in the health industry with the availability of remote patient monitoring, disaster management, and control and secure data transmission from a remote location to the health professional. Thus, the presented work explore the concept of e-health and telemedicine along with the utilization of advantages of ICT and big data. The paper also addresses the obstacles related to the communication infrastructure such as system cost, and it's standard.


Early detection of structural or molecular changes in dysplastic epithelial tissues is crucial for cancer screening and surveillance. Multi-targeting molecular endoscopic fluorescence imaging may improve noninvasive detection of precancerous lesions in the colon. Here, we report the first clinically compatible, wide-field-of-view, multi-color fluorescence endoscopy with a leached fiber bundle scope using a porcine model. A porcine colon model that resembles the human colon is used for the detection of surrogate tumors composed of multiple biocompatible fluorophores (FITC, ICG, and heavy metal-free quantum dots (hfQDs)). With an ex vivo porcine colon tumor model, molecular imaging with hfQDs conjugated with MMP14 antibody was achieved by spraying molecular probes on a mucosa layer that contains xenograft tumors. With an in vivo porcine colon embedded with surrogate tumors, target-to-background ratios of 3.36 ± 0.43, 2.70 ± 0.72, and 2.10 ± 0.13 were achieved for FITC, ICG, and hfQD probes, respectively. This promising endoscopic technology with molecular contrast shows the capacity to reveal hidden tumors and guide treatment strategy decisions.


OBJECTIVE To determine whether age, sex, level of deprivation, and area of residence affect the likelihood of investigation and treatment of patients with coronary heart disease. DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS Routine discharge data were used to identify patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between 1991 and 1993 inclusive. Record linkage provided the proportion undergoing angiography, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over the following two years. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether age, sex, deprivation, and area of residence were independently associated with progression to investigation and revascularisation. SETTING Mainland Scotland 1991 to 1995 inclusive. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two year incidence of angiography, PTCA, and CABG. Results—36 838 patients were admitted with AMI. 4831 (13%) underwent angiography, 587 (2%) PTCA, and 1825 (5%) CABG. Women were significantly less likely to undergo angiography (p < 0.001) and CABG (p < 0.001) but more likely to undergo PTCA (p < 0.05). Older patients were less likely to undergo all three procedures (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic deprivation was associated with a reduced likelihood of both angiography and CABG (p < 0.001). There were significant geographic variations in all three modalities (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Variations in investigation and management were demonstrated by age, sex, geography, and socioeconomic deprivation. These are unlikely to be accounted for by differences in need; differences in clinical practice are, therefore, likely.


Neuropathic pain (NP) represents an unmet medical need, where analgesic responses to different epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFR-Is) have been described. The human EGFR family of receptors consists of four members (human epidermal growth factor receptor, HER 1–4), signalling via different homodimer and heterodimer combinations. A 52-year-old man was treated with the EGFR-I cetuximab in a trial of severe NP. Pain scores decreased dramatically after blinded cetuximab, but not after placebo. On pain recurrence after the trial, he was prescribed the oral EGFR-Is erlotinib, gefitinib, and lapatinib without relief. However, treatment with the pan-HER-inhibitor afatinib was effective. After 4 years on afatinib, pain control remains excellent with manageable side effects. This is the first reported observation of differential effects of EGFR-Is on NP in the same patient and the first report describing NP relief with afatinib. Further understanding of the underlying pathophysiology could lead to development of EGFR-Is specifically targeting NP.


The synthesis of Cu,Zn SOD by rat lung increases spontaneously in the fetus in late gestation and during exposure of neonatal and adult rats to greater than 95% O2. To explore the regulation of these increases, we measured rat lung Cu,Zn SOD synthesis and activity. We also cloned and sequenced a rat lung Cu,Zn SOD cDNA that was used to measure Cu,Zn SOD mRNA concentration. We found that (a) under normal gestational and postgestational conditions the synthesis of this enzyme was regulated pretranslationally; (b) the increased synthesis that occurs under hyperoxia (greater than 95% O2), was pretranslationally mediated in otherwise unmanipulated neonatal rats but translationally controlled in hyperoxic adult rats; and (c) in lungs of rats made tolerant to greater than 95% O2 by allowing 24 h rest in air after an initial 48 h in greater than 95% O2, the increased Cu,Zn SOD synthesis that occurred during the second period of hyperoxia was regulated pretranslationally. We conclude Cu,Zn SOD gene expression in the lung is developmentally regulated under normal conditions and in response to an oxidant challenge. Tolerance, whether endogenous or induced, appears to require the accumulation of increased amounts of Cu,Zn SOD mRNA.


We present three cases of epidural abscess, all in patients in whom an epidural catheter had been inserted for postoperative pain management. In all three cases the infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus and two patients had diabetes. The diagnosis was made within 3 days of epidural catheter removal in two cases, but in one the abscess did not present until after the patient had been discharged from hospital. We have retrospectively calculated the incidence of epidural abscess in our hospital over the 5-yr period 1993-98 to be 1 in 800 (0.12%). We emphasize the importance of using techniques that minimize the risk of bacterial contamination during both catheter placement and the management of infusion, and seek to raise awareness of this relatively rare but significant condition.


Abstract The use of the design guide for start and stop modes, GEMMA guide, is known as a good approach to deal with the task of solving complex automation problems. Even not widely used, constitutes a really nice methodological approach that allows to smooth the transition from academicals examples to industrial settings. The purpose of this communication is to show an additional advantage of the GEMMA guide that should motivate its use as well as to introduce the consideration of the human operator as an integral part of the automation procedure. The inclusion of the human operator as well as his communication with the automation device needs some guidelines that can be drawn from joining the GEMMA structured approach and some concepts borrowed from cognitive ergonomic theory and human-computer interaction


Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are a relatively new supervised classification technique to the land cover mapping community. They have their roots in Statistical Learning Theory and have gained prominence because they are robust, accurate and are effective even when using a small training sample. By their nature SVMs are essentially binary classifiers, however, they can be adopted to handle the multiple classification tasks common in remote sensing studies. The two approaches commonly used are the One-Against-One (1A1) and One-Against-All (1AA) techniques. In this paper, these approaches are evaluated in as far as their impact and implication for land cover mapping. The main finding from this research is that whereas the 1AA technique is more predisposed to yielding unclassified and mixed pixels, the resulting classification accuracy is not significantly different from 1A1 approach. It is the authors conclusions that ultimately the choice of technique adopted boils down to personal preference and the uniqueness of the dataset at hand.


Study Design. An experimental study of respiratory function and kinematics of the diaphragm and pelvic floor in subjects with a clinical diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pain and in a comparable pain-free subject group was conducted. Objective. To gain insight into the motor control strategies of subjects with sacroiliac joint pain and the resultant effect on breathing pattern. Summary of Background Data. The active straight-leg-raise test has been proposed as a clinical test for the assessment of load transfer through the pelvis. Clinical observations show that patients with sacroiliac joint pain have suboptimal motor control strategies and alterations in respiratory function when performing low-load tasks such as an active straight leg raise. Methods. In this study, 13 participants with a clinical diagnosis of sacroiliac joint pain and 13 matched control subjects in the supine resting position were tested with the active straight leg raise and the active straight leg raise with manual compression through the ilia. Respiratory patterns were recorded using spirometry, and minute ventilation was calculated. Diaphragmatic excursion and pelvic floor descent were measured using ultrasonography. Results. The participants with sacroiliac joint pain exhibited increased minute ventilation, decreased diaphragmatic excursion, and increased pelvic floor descent, as compared with pain-free subjects. Considerable variation was observed in respiratory patterns. Enhancement of pelvis stability via manual compression through the ilia reversed these differences. Conclusions. The study findings formally identified altered motor control strategies and alterations of respiratory function in subjects with sacroiliac joint pain. The changes observed appear to represent a compensatory strategy of the neuromuscular system to enhance force closure of the pelvis where stability has been compromised by injury.


Sodium naproxen, a reversible competitive inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, is widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether eye drops containing 0.5% (w/v) sodium naproxen reduce a number of inflammatory responses produced by sodium arachidonate in the rabbit's eye. Sodium naproxen eye drops successfully reduced the primary signs of ocular inflammation elicited by 0.5% sodium arachidonate on conjunctiva and iris. However, the drug was less effective in reducing conjunctival inflammation induced by 1% sodium arachidonate. Sodium naproxen treatment significantly reduced the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), polymorphonuclear leukocytes and protein concentration in aqueous humor samples obtained from the eyes of rabbits treated with 0.5% sodium arachidonate whereas aqueous humor levels of leukotriene B4(LTB4) were not found significantly different from control rabbits. Interestingly, PGE2 as well as LTB 4 "de novo" production by corneas and lenses obtained from rabbits sacrificed 2 h after arachidonate and incubation "in vitro" for 20 min were significantly higher in samples taken from controls than in tissues obtained from the eyes treated with sodium naproxen eye drops. Finally, this drug treatment significantly antagonized the rise in intraocular pressure induced by 0.5% sodium arachidonate. Present data suggest that sodium naproxen may be employed topically to prevent ocular inflammatory reactions where the arachidonic acid cascade is activated.


In the mouse, at least 16 genes regulate vesicle trafficking to specialized lysosome‐related organelles, including platelet dense granules and melanosomes. Fourteen of these genes have been identified by positional cloning. All 16 mouse mutants are models for the genetically heterogeneous human disease, Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome (HPS). Five HPS genes encode known vesicle trafficking proteins. Nine genes are novel, are found only in higher eukaryotes and encode members of three protein complexes termed BLOCs (Biogenesis of Lysosome‐related Organelles Complexes). Mutations in murine HPS genes, which encode protein co‐members of BLOCs, produce essentially identical phenotypes. In addition to their well‐known effects on pigmentation, platelet function and lysosome secretion, HPS genes control a wide range of physiological processes including immune recognition, neuronal functions and lung surfactant trafficking. Studies of the molecular functions of HPS proteins will reveal important details of vesicle trafficking and may lead to therapies for HPS. BioEssays 26:616–628, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Abstract Reflective dialogue is still very much an unexplored area in teacher education in Pakistan. This article presents findings of a study that engaged four teachers in the process of reflective dialogue in a school in Karachi, Pakistan. It explores the teachers' response to the process and possible reasons. It also examines the role played by those who help teachers to become reflective (reflective coaches). Findings indicate that reflective dialogue is an alternative teacher professional development strategy, and that a teacher's level of reflection is dependent on the teacher's commitment to teaching, personal reasons and responsibilities. Teaching experience also influences one's approach to reflective dialogue. It is also suggested that if successful, reflective dialogue empowers teachers by enabling them to take control of teaching and learning in their classrooms. The implications of reflective dialogue for teacher education in Pakistan and similar contexts are also shared.


To increase market leverage, more doctors are forming networks. That's setting off alarms among economists and antitrust experts who say such organizations are mushrooming without proven benefits for consumers. Some argue that more areas of the country could be saddled with monopolies that stifle competition. Hospitals and health plans fear physicians' new power could leave them outgunned.


Architecture and clothing is one of the most notable categories of each area's culture. Clothing of Baluchistan area, with regard to its specific features, has great values and potentials including; decorations and designs of needlework used in Baluch women's dress indicating specific art and delicacy that has been emerged by female artists. Artists who are mostly illiterate and have not studied geometry but have created noble geometric designs with unique delicacy. Baluchistan architecture also has potential and features that are sometimes inspired by clothing. This research aimed at analysis of design of needle-works and its impact on building's facade in Zahedan and the inspiration of architecture from design of needle works with regard to the cultural feature in this area. Baluch Needle work as one of hobby skills among people of this area has a particular position and notable history in this area. Designs of this civil art are not only seen on people clothing in this area but also are observed in buildings facades. As clothing, besides adding beauty to people, it protects and covers them. Architecture, also, besides adding beauty to environment around it, protects it and holds it as clothing. Thus, we can consider cloth as human's secondary clothing or clothing as primary architecture. Apart from these, clothing of each nation is one of the cultural aspects of that nation, as architecture is considered as one of the cultural aspects of that nation. It means that we can study Baluch women's needle work from two artistic and architectural aspects. This research aimed at describing the Iranian artistic and architectural decorative achievements and case study of Baluch art and architecture. The research results showed that the unity and reoccurrence of homogeneous designs is oriented towards their unique perception of clothing and building. This research, with regard to its results, is an applied research and its methods are based on field and library study. This research intends to examine the impact of Baluch needle works designs in architecture of Zahedan city through field and library study methods.


The quantum black hole model with a self-gravitating spherically symmetric thin dust shell as a source is considered. The shell Hamiltonian constraint is written and the corresponding Schroedinger equation is obtained. This equation appeared to be a finite differences equation. Its solutions are required to be analytic functions on the relevant Riemannian surface. The method of finding discrete spectra is suggested based on the analytic properties of the solutions. The large black hole approximation is considered and the discrete spectra for bound states of quantum black holes and wormholes are found. They depend on two quantum numbers and are, in fact, quasi-continuous. The quantum black hole bound state depends not only on mass but also on additional quantum number, and black holes with the same mass have different quantum hairs. These hairs exhibit themselves at the Planckian distances near the black hole horizon. For the observer who can not measure the distances smaller than the Planckian length the black hole has the only parameter, its mass. The other, non-measurable parameter leads to existence of the black hole entropy.


We proposed and studied an impact detection system based on a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor array and multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm to determine the location and the number of low velocity impacts on a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate. A FBG linear array, consisting of seven FBG sensors, was used for detecting the ultrasonic signals from impacts. The edge-filter method was employed for signal demodulation. Shannon wavelet transform was used to extract narrow band signals from the impacts. The Gerschgorin disc theorem was used for estimating the number of impacts. We used the MUSIC algorithm to obtain the coordinates of multi-impacts. The impact detection system was tested on a 500 mm × 500 mm × 1.5 mm CFRP plate. The results show that the maximum error and average error of the multi-impacts' localization are 9.2 mm and 7.4 mm, respectively.


THIS paper has been written in the hope that it will be of help to those clinicians who may have occasion to use the complement fixation test for gonorrhoea in the diagnosis of disease. No details of the technical performance of this test are given, and those readers who are interested in the new technique which I have elaborated are referred to the monograph 1 which I have written on this subject.


In apartheid South African society, racial and ethnic identities were institutionally imposed. The end of apartheid has brought about the need for new identities to be created among South Africans, and for South Africans to forge a new relationship with their society and country. With this objective in mind, the national government is engaged in a process of nation-building. But in post-apartheid South African society, sub-national identities are also strongly coming to the fore. This is an empirical study of established and emerging identities in the Western Cape province, and the processes whereby these are constructed. The investigation shows two parallel flows of identity construction in the Western Cape: on the one hand, political leaders in the province attempt to foster an autonomous provincial identity; on the other, residents of the province show little evidence of strong political identities linked to the Western Cape. Instead, social identities are being constructed around residents' local neighbourhoods and long-existing ethnic, class and racial identities. Rather than the social cohesion sought by the post-apartheid South African government, these identities point to persistent social polarisation.


of paper presented at Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada Meeting, Lake Mary and Sanford, Florida, August 18–21, 2008. Managing Red-Tailed Hawk Perching Sites on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Equipment at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE), Milwaukee, WI Henri A. Woods II USDA Wildlife Services, 5800C South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207 USA General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) located in Milwaukee, WI, has many man-made perching sites used by hawks. Several of these sites need to be addressed to improve air operations safety because of the preference by redtailed hawks. The first perching sites addressed at MKE were six lamp posts at the base of the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard, which were used daily by red-tailed hawks. In order to mitigate the perching, umbrella skeletons (Daddi Long LegsTM or Bird SpiderTM) were recommended to be attached to the top of each lamp post. After installation of the skeletons, perching was reduced from daily to none. The effectiveness of the skeletons on the lamp posts led to a consultation with FAA technicians to request the skeletons be placed on top of several pieces of FAA equipment (i.e., glide slope towers). During these same meetings, the technicians stated plastic cable ties could be used on the antennae and obstruction lights on the glide slopes as a deterrent for red-tailed hawk perching. It has been commonly mentioned that these devices cannot be installed because of interference with sensitive equipment; therefore, an evaluation was conducted. Cable ties and an umbrella skeleton were attached to one of three glide slopes and a flight check was conducted to determine if these devices might interfere with equipment operation. Anti-perching equipment did not interfere with glide slope operation; therefore, an umbrella skeleton and cable ties are scheduled to be placed on one additional glide slope at MKE. There are ongoing adjustments for cable tie spacing and required number for effectiveness but these devices have reduced the perching area used be red-tailed hawks at MKE. Further research is necessary to determine longevity, effectiveness, and potential interference issues of these devices.


A simple ordinary differential equation is derived governing the redshifts of wavefronts propagating through a non-stationary spherically symmetric space–time. Approach to an event horizon corresponds to approach to a fixed point; in general, the phase portrait of the equation illuminates the qualitative features of the geometry. In particular, the asymptotics of the redshift as the horizon is approached, a critical ingredient of Hawking's prediction of radiation from black holes, are easily brought out. This asymptotic behaviour has elements in common with the universal behaviour near phase transitions in statistical physics. The validity of the Unruh vacuum for the Hawking process can be understood in terms of this universality. The concept of surface gravity is extended to non-stationary spherically symmetric black holes. Finally, it is shown that in the non-stationary case, Hawking's predicted flux of radiation from a black hole would be modified.


The title compound, C20H25NO4, was synthesized by a Mitsunobu reaction of sinomenine [(9S,13R,14R)-7,8-didehydro-4-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one] with methanol. The chiral centers were unchanged during the reaction. Intramolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds result in the formation of six-membered rings.


The ubiquitin ligase E6-AP (E6-associated protein) represents a prime example for the notion that deregulated modification of proteins with ubiquitin contributes to the development of human disease: loss of E6-AP function by mutation is responsible for the development of AS (Angelman syndrome), a neurological disorder, and unscheduled activation of E6-AP by complex formation with the E6 oncoprotein of HPVs (human papillomaviruses) contributes to cervical carcinogenesis. However, while there is a considerable amount of data concerning the oncogenic properties of the E6-E6-AP complex, only little is known about the function(s) of E6-AP in neurons. This is mainly due to the fact that although some E6-AP substrates have been identified, it is at present unclear whether deregulated modification/degradation of these proteins is involved in the pathogenesis of AS. Similarly, the cellular pathways involving E6-AP remain enigmatic. To obtain insights into the physiological functions of E6-AP, we are currently employing several strategies, including quantitative affinity proteomics and RNA interference approaches. The results obtained will eventually allow the introduction of E6-AP into functional protein networks and so reveal potential targets for molecular approaches in the treatment of E6-AP-associated diseases.


Innocent bystander suppression has been demonstrated in experimental models of transplantation tolerance and oral tolerance. This phenomenon is associated with expression of cytokines such as TGF-beta or/and type II cytokines (e.g., IL-4, IL-10). However, the mechanism responsible for bystander suppression is poorly understood, as is its role in antigen-specific self-tolerance. Here, we describe a series of investigations using an antigen coimmunization strategy to examine the outcome of bystander suppression in vivo in a well-characterized physiological model, using beef insulin transgenic (BI-Tg) mice, for self-tolerance. Our results demonstrate that: (1) T-cell-mediated peripheral hyporesponsiveness, or CD4(+) regulatory type II Th cell-mediated adoptive transfer of peripheral hyporesponsiveness (defined by an ELISA antibody assay), is antigen-specific at induction but effector-nonspecific (bystander suppression) when the self-antigen (BI) and a control antigen (chicken ovalbumin) are coadministered in BI-Tg mice; (2) bystander suppression is manifest as a local and transient, rather than a systemic and long-term, phenomenon; (3) bystander suppression is both time and antigen dose dependent; and (4) anti-TGF-beta Mab abolishes the effect of bystander suppression in vivo. We suggest that TGF-beta-mediated innocent bystander suppression associated with physiological self-tolerance thus produces no major biological consequence for general immune responsiveness. It may prevent the activation of auto(or cross)-reactive lymphocytes.


OBJECTIVE
To assess prevalence of dietary supplement use among Beijing population.

METHODS
By stratified cluster sampling method, 4561 subjects in 6 different regions in Beijing were investigated distributed. Questionnaire survey was used to collect the information on dietary supplements use and the demographic, health and lifestyle characteristics.

RESULTS
The prevalence of dietary supplements use in Beijing were 11.9% (standardized rate: 10.1%), 9.0% in male persons(standardized rate: 7.7%), and 14.5% in female persons (standardized rate: 12.4%), respectively. Main types of dietary supplements used were compounds multivitamin and multiminerals. The distributions of dietary supplement use were different in population with different characteristics.

CONCLUSION
The prevalence of dietary supplement use was more less of the population in Beijng than that of the population in developed country. Further investigation should be carried out to find the influence factors of dietary supplements use in China.


Abstract In keeping with discipline-specific genre expectations for writing in scientific and technological fields, students enrolled in English writing classes for future engineers are often required to produce collaborative reports on team projects. For freshman engineering students, such collaborative report writing, which constitutes a cornerstone in their academic literacy, is an entirely new genre. Drawing on Engeström's (Engeström, Yrjö. 1987. Learning by expanding: An activity theoretical approach to developmental research. Orienta-Konsultit Oy) activity system and Storch's (Storch, Neomy. 2002. Patterns of interaction in ESL pair work. Language and Learning 52(1). 119–158) interaction model, this paper explores two engineering freshmen's experiences of working collaboratively in separate groups in the same writing class. Our focal students were both native-English-speaking women at a U.S. midwestern university. Over the course of one semester, they provided their class notes and project report drafts, and they and the course teaching assistant participated in interviews. Our findings demonstrate that while both students had similar levels of commitment to the collaborative project, their writing experiences differed depending on their respective group members and their own attitudes and experiences. Our case study has implications for engineering freshman writing education as we illustrate how the ESP class we examined can help students prepare for academic and professional communication. We also discuss ways to help apprentice future engineers overcome discipline-specific communication difficulties as they enter a new discourse community.


To develop 6 conjugate agents of the moribund antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) joined to 6 individual monoterpenes, followed by protocols of medicinal chemistry as potent antibacterials, against multidrug resistant (MDR) human gruesome pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial activities of the proposed conjugates were ascertained by the 'prediction of activity spectra of substances' (PASS) program. Drug-likeness parameters and toxicity profiles of conjugates were standardized with the Lipinski rule of five, using cheminformatic tools, Molsoft, molinspiration, OSIRIS and ProTox. Antibacterial activities of individual chemicals and conjugates were examined by targeting the bacterial folic acid biosynthesis enzyme, dihydropteroate synthases (DHPSs) of bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with 3D structures of DHPSs from protein data bank. According to the PASS program, biological spectral values of conjugate-2, conjugate-5 and conjugate-6 were ascertained effective with 'probably active' or 'Pa' value > 0.5, for anti-infective and anti-tuberculosic activities. Using molecular docking against 5 cited bacterial DHPSs, effective docking scores of 6 monoterpenes in the specified decreasing order (kcal/mol): −9.72 (eugenol against B. anthracis), −9.61 (eugenol against S. pneumoniae), −9.42 (safrol, against B. anthracis), −9.39 (thymol, against M. tuberculosis), −9.34 (myristicin, against S. pneumoniae) and −9.29 (thymol, against B. anthracis); whereas the lowest docking score of SMZ was -8.46 kcal/mol against S. aureus DHPS. Similarly, effective docking scores of conjugates were as specified (kcal/mol.): −10.80 (conjugate-4 consisting SMZ + safrol, against M. tuberculosis), −10.78 (conjugate-5 consisting SMZ + thymol, against M. tuberculosis), −10.60 (conjugate5 against B. anthracis), −10.26 (conjugate-2 consisting SMZ + eugenol, against M. tuberculosis), −10.25 (conjugate5, against S. aureus) and −10.19 (conjugate-2 against S. pneumoniae. Conjugates-2 and -5 were the most effective antibacterials based on Lipinski rule of five with lethal doses 3471 and 3500 mg/kg, respectively and toxicity class levels. Conjugate-2 and conjugate-5 were more effective than individual monoterpenes and SMZ, against pathogenic bacteria. Synthesis, characterization and in vitro antibacterial study with acute toxicity testing for Wister rat model of the conjugate-5 could land at success in the recorded computational trial and it could be promoted for synthesis in the control of MDR bacteria. Citation: Swain, S.S., Paidesetty, S.K. and Padhy, R.N. Computational attempts for synthesis of potent antibacterial sulfamethoxazolemonocyclic terpenes conjugates [Abstract]. In: Abstracts of the NGBT conference; Oct 02-04, 2017; Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India: Can J biotech, Volume 1, Special Issue, Page 52. https://doi.org/10.24870/cjb.2017-a39


This thoughtful, controversial book, by one of the country's leading Latin America scholars, examines the fundamental tenets and ideologies behind America's policy towards Latin America over the course of the last three administrations. Howard Wiarda, who has served as a consultant for the State Department, the Department of the Army, the National Security Council, the Kissinger Commission, and the White House, is ideally situated to provide an insider account of policy decisions and process during the Reagan-Bush era. The combination of Wiarda's academic background and his hands-on knowledge of Washington practices and processes results in a volume that is extremely readable and will serve as a vital link between the scholarly and policymaking communities. Wiarda supplements his incisive analysis on the role of the military in Latin America, shifting U.S. strategic policy, democracy and human rights, and the problems presented by dictators in decline with illuminating case studies of Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, South America, and the Caribbean. The result is a book that will be of interest to both scholars and students of American foreign policy and Latin American studies, as well as policymakers and analysts.


This paper addresses recent debates about body (tsaa) formation and the process of health and illness among the Hupd'ah, also known as Maku of the Uaupés, Papuri and Tiquié rivers. The ethnographic data presented here evinces the relationship between the main substances existing in the body (hãwäg and b'atìb) and manifest in the Hup physiology as well as the potential ways of understanding the processes of health and illness for this people of the Northwest Amazon. Providing an overview of social logistics, this paper intends to provide health care professionals with appropriate curative and preventive actions in this region, especially during flu and tuberculosis outbreaks, the latter being considered the main illness affecting the Hupd'äh. This paper suggests that balance in Hupd'äh life is achieved when the balance between two opposite corporal substances, which are in dispute within the body, is negotiated through quotidian practices. This study is exploratory in character. The questions raised here arose from field work carried out amongst the Hupd'äh-Maku (hup 'people', d'äh 'suffix of plural') who live in the region between the rivers Tiquié and Papuri, tributaries of the left bank of the Uaupés in the Upper Rio Negro, in the State of Amazonas. When carrying out this study we learnt that some Hupd'äh had been removed from their territories to be treated for Tubercle Bacillus (TB). Most of them, were already being treated for TB, but had abandoned the six months treatment half way. In the attempt to understand the reason for this phenomenon, I was led to research how the Hupd'äh perceive and represent the diseases introduced through contact with Brazilian society, better known locally as the sickness of the Teng'hõid'äh1 pée (diseases of the noise-of-burning-wood-that-crackles). This paper therefore represents the beginning of a systematic ordering of representations of the body, through an analysis of health and disease amongst the Hupd'äh population. It is important to stress that in the region known as the Upper Rio Negro a process known as 'interaction' among all peoples (Athias, 1995) has been taking place. The indigenous peoples involved in this process belong to the linguistic groups Maku, Tukano and Arawak. This process enables the indigenous populations of this region to interact and attempt to discover, through their mythology, oral tradition and memory, elements which justify their presence in this territory as distinct groups, each with its identity and, at the same time, integrated into the ecological context of the region (Athias, 1995). These Indians have been in contact with the colonizing pioneers since the XVII century and there are stories to the effect that countless epidemics of measles, smallpox, influenza and colds occurred that decimated part of the population (Buchillet, 1995). Although there are significant differences between the various traditional medical systems of the Tukano, Arawak and Maku, there are nonetheless elements in common among them and especially within the therapeutic processes of shamans. Shamans operate between different clans and are seen and perceived by the various indigenous groups to be intermediate agents able of "seeing" bodies, making a diagnosis and later the cure, in dialogue with the "spirits". Another common element – among the Hupd'äh, Tukano and Arawak – is the use of the word as an important element or agent in therapeutic healing. In this process of cultural assimilation, and the encountering of new illnesses, the indigenous peoples created specific and new knowledge about these diseases, placing them within their portfolio of traditional healing and its associated language. In reality, all are unanimous in stating that, although they do not know the cause of these diseases, they have a mythical explanation for their appearance. The vast experience that indigenous peoples have of infectious diseases, introduced through contact, leads them to identify the river (the means of interethnic communication) as the vehicle of transmission of these infections: The "disease comes via the river" or "influenza comes together with the white-man's products", say the Hupd'äh. The arrival of the Salesian missionaries in the region, around 1914, brought enormous changes in the social and political system of these indigenous groups. The way in which these changes took place broke the balance, with regard to concepts of health and disease and reconfigured how the body was represented. It is not my intention to state here that the new concepts or conceptions of health and disease introduced, based on a mainly discriminatory and hygienist approach, were pacifically accepted by the Indians. Never the less their approach and these ideas, instigated though missionary contact, did put an end to a significant number of shamanistic practices, considered to be "devilish". Many shamans had to go into hiding and accept the prohibition of their practices. Despite many years of a strong missionary presence, indigenous traditional medicine was not destroyed. It lives alongside official biomedicine, to a certain extent pacifically, and perhaps we could say that the two medical systems are complementary. During my health surveys, in 1996 and 2006, three workshops were held with indigenous health workers or the Agente Indígena de Saúde (AIS) and community leaders about their understanding of the prevalent notions of health and disease in the region. During these workshops, the AISs themselves emphasised the importance of the indigenous medical system and the necessity of health workers to learn more and to respect shamanic treatment. As stressed in previous works (Athias, 1995, 1998, 2004), changes in the indigenous economic and social organization have lead to the deterioration of sanitary conditions in almost all villages. The new model of nuclear family housing introduced by the Salesians, which involves small tin houses, for instance, had a negative effect. Furthermore, alternatives put in place in the region, such as the mission hospitals, medical posts, as well as indigenous health agents themselves, all reinforce the western medical system, but they do not provide a sustainable solution to the health problems of these populations. There is an urgent demand on the part of the Tukano and Arawak indigenous health workers (AIS) for improvements in the health situation of the region, as well as for the recognition of indigenous medicine. There is also a demand for "white" medicines amongst the Indians. Between November and December 1996, three important meetings involving both health agents and other indigenous leaders were held to discuss the notion that they held of disease and health in order to set up a new health project.2 From 32 AISs present in these meetings, 20 replied that the main medication that they required were the analgesics dipyrone and aspirin, and anti-parasitics. Many say that they prefer to take the Whites' medicines to get rid of pain than to do what they would otherwise normally do, which is to use a plant known as pinu-pinu (a species of Urticaceae) a kind of nettle that, when rubbed on the body, alleviates pain. On the other hand, an Indian bitten by a snake is unlikely to seek treatment in a health post or hospital, as he/she believes in the efficiency of his/her own traditional remedy. In other words, there is a selective demand depending on the specific type of affliction. Within the health services in operation on the Colombian side with the same ethnic groups, according to the Indians themselves, this dichotomy was partly solved: in the health posts there are shamans paid (by the government) to attend first to the patients who ask for them, and then refer them to the AIS if need be. This work is in a context where indigenous traditional medicine suffers significant changes on the basis of contact, and therefore the knowledge is transformed, and reformulated as new elements are introduced into a social sphere where relations are more intense. The questions and the elements presented here reinforce the fact that all knowledge relating to the body, health and disease is built up culturally, negotiated and renegotiated in a dynamic process which relates to time (in mythology) and place (territory and ecological context) in social terms. The intention here is to argue that the usual classification of 'white men's diseases', and 'doenças-de-índios' (Indians' diseases) is not a straightforward grouping for indigenous populations and is not really important in the way that the Hupd'äh see their therapeutic practices. The views of these populations form part of a broader collection of interpretations and representations in the context of their cosmogony. What one hopes for is that the institutions that are responsible for health in indigenous areas may offer a health service that incorporates this knowledge and thus is accessible to the indigenous population.


Materials and Methods Foreign body impaction has been recorded in bovine [1, 2] and ovine [3] specifically in developing countries due to lack of recycling industries wastes. Additionally, malnutrition and unbalanced dietary habits lead to a variety of nutritional deficiencies which result in pica and ingestion of materials other than normal food including wastes [4]. Most of these wastes are indigestible and their accumulation in the rumen of grazing animals may lead to adverse effect on health [5]. Ingestion of indigestible materials hinders the process of fermentation and mixing of contents leading to indigestion. They also obstruct the orifice between reticulum and omasum and if not removed through surgery, may become fatal. These foreign bodies cannot be digested or passed as such through feces by an animal. In most cases with foreign body impaction there were no or less abnormalities on hematological and biochemical examination [6]. Although, the diagnosis of foreign body impaction in small ruminant based on palpation of abdomen [7], it was difficult to distinguish pregnancy from foreign body impaction. Therefore a further aid is required to reach a definitive diagnosis. Radiography is currently the reference standard method in diagnosis [8], but it has a disadvantage in that both the patient and staff are exposed to radiation and difficulty of its application under field condition. Ultrasonographic examination was considered also important for differential diagnosis between pregnancy and rumino-reticular foreign materials without risk of radiation. To our knowledge there are very scarce reports in the context of using ultrasonography to attain the definite diagnosis of foreign body impaction in ovine. The results of this paper describe the ultrasonographic feature of foreign body as well as the feature of rumen and reticulum in healthy and diseased goats. Additionally, haemato-biochemical, ruminal juice and necropsy findings were reported.


Objectives: The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are difficult to treat and are predictors of poor outcome. New somatic treatments are needed to reverse these symptoms and improve function. One promising approach is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), although results to date have been mixed. This pilot study assessed higher doses of rTMS and assessed particular demographic factors that may influence treatment response. Methods: Five patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder enrolled to receive 20 sessions of rTMS administered with a Magstim Super Rapid device (The Magstim Company Ltd, Wales, UK). Treatment was administered at 20 Hz for 2 seconds, intertrain interval of 28 seconds, and at 100% motor threshold to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in an open-label pilot study. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale symptom assessments occurred at 2-week intervals during treatment and twice at 4-week intervals after termination. Results: Treatments were well tolerated with no adverse events. One patient withdrew from the study in the setting of medication noncompliance. Of the patients who completed treatment, 2 had reductions in positive symptoms by 9% and 26%, maintained at 1 month. A third patient had a 14% reduction in negative symptoms at week 4, and a fourth patient had a 55% reduction at week 4. Negative symptom improvement was not related to depressive or extrapyramidal symptoms, which were unchanged with treatment. Conclusions: This pilot study of rTMS treatment for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia is promising with respect to safety and feasibility. The promising preliminary evidence for improvements in this open-label setting should be followed up with a randomized clinical trial to establish efficacy. Further work may explore the potential utility of rTMS for the otherwise largely untreatable negative symptoms, which account for so much of the morbidity of schizophrenia.