Objectives. To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of health care providers at the Philippine General Hospital towards hypoglycemia among non-critically ill patients using a validated, self-administered survey tool.
Methods. This study covered two phases out of a three-phased project: (1) development and validation of a 43- item KAP survey tool and (2) assessment of KAP among nurses and residents using the tool. Phases 1 and 2 are analytic cross-sectional studies. Data for the KAP survey was collected using the developed tool and focused group discussions (FGDs). Results of this study will be the framework for Phase 3, which is the development of an in-patient hypoglycemia protocol.
Results. The validated KAP survey tool yielded a low overall mean score of 12.56 ± 2.11 in the knowledge domain although high scores (4.88 ± 1) were noted for knowledge on management of hypoglycemia. In terms of attitude, majority (99.31%) of respondents believed that fewer hypoglycemia events correlates to better clinical outcomes and are willing to adopt a nurse-driven protocol. Most respondents (52.8%) employed correct practices in hypo glycemia management. The FGDs identified the perceived facilitators and barriers to hypoglycemia management.
Conclusion. There is a gap in knowledge and practices in managing hypoglycemia among health care providers which needs to be addressed further with education and training. Nevertheless, health care providers have a positive attitude towards having a standard hypoglycemia protocol that will contribute greatly to its implementation in the clinical area.


H9N2 avian influenza virus causes sporadic human infection. Since humans do not possess acquired immunity specific to this virus, we examined the pathogenicity of an H9N2 virus isolated from a human and then analyzed protective effects of a vaccine in cynomolgus macaques. After intranasal challenge with A/Hong Kong/1073/1999 (H9N2) (HK1073) isolated from a human patient, viruses were isolated from nasal and tracheal swabs in unvaccinated macaques with mild fever and body weight loss. A formalin‐inactivated H9N2 whole particle vaccine derived from our virus library was subcutaneously inoculated to macaques. Vaccination induced viral antigen‐specific IgG and neutralization activity in sera. After intranasal challenge with H9N2, the virus was detected only the day after inoculation in the vaccinated macaques. Without vaccination, many bronchus‐associated lymphoid tissues (BALTs) were formed in the lungs after infection, whereas the numbers of BALTs were smaller and the cytokine responses were weaker in the vaccinated macaques than those in the unvaccinated macaques. These findings indicate that the H9N2 avian influenza virus HK1073 is pathogenic in primates but seems to cause milder symptoms than does H7N9 influenza virus as found in our previous studies and that a formalin‐inactivated H9N2 whole particle vaccine induces protective immunity against H9N2 virus.


In experimental investigations of the surface magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials using the Kerr magneto-optical effect, difficulties can arise in the interpretation of signals if the polarizer transmission axis is set at an arbitrary angle to the plane of incidence. A rigorous method of interpretation is given here on the basis of a combination of the transverse and longitudinal Kerr effects. Particular experimental arrangements which allow of simplified interpretation are also briefly discussed.


Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), can be considered as one of the most dynamic and promising technique in the field of analytical spectroscopy. LIBS has turned into a powerful alternative for a wide front of applications, from the geological exploration to the industrial inspection, including the environmental monitoring, the biomedical analysis, the study of patrimonial works, the safety and defense. The advances in LIBS instrumentation have allowed improving gradually the analysis services and quality, on the basis of a better knowledge of the technology principles. Recently, systems of double pulse have facilitated a better dosing of energy, the improvement of the signalnoise relation and the study of the different process stages. Femtosecond lasers offers the possibility of study in detail the ablation and atomic emission processes. New advances like multi-pulse or multi-wavelentgh systems -in fact stilling without exploring, must offer new information to advance in this knowledge. Finally, which it does to this technology really attractive, is the aptitude to be employed in field conditions, or for the detection of the elementary composition at long distances. In this presentation there are discussed the designs of portable instrumentation, compact and low cost, which can improve substantially the LIBS possibilities.


An app user can access information of other users or third parties. We define rogue mobile apps as those that enable a user (abuser) to access information of another user or third party (victim), in a way that violates the victim's privacy expectations. Such apps are dual-use and their identification is nontrivial. We propose iRogue, an approach for identifying rogue apps based on their reviews, posted by victims, abusers, and others. iRogue involves training on deep learning features extracted from their 1,884 manually labeled reviews. iRogue first identifies how alarming a review is with respect to rogue behavior and, second, generates a rogue score for an app. iRogue predicts 100 rogue apps from a seed dataset curated following a previous study. Also, iRogue examines apps in other datasets of scraped reviews, and predicts an additional 139 rogue apps. On labeled ground truth, iRogue achieves the highest recall, and outperforms baseline approaches that leverage app descriptions and reviews. A qualitative analysis of alarming reviews reveals rogue functionalities. App users, platforms, and developers should be aware of such apps and their functionalities and take measures to curb privacy risk.


....................................................................................................................................................... vi Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1 Literature Review ......................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 State of the Practice ...................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 3 Case Study: I-70 ........................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 4 Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................... 16 References ................................................................................................................................................... 18


ABSTRACT Sequential sampling refers to a set of design of experiment (DOE) methods where the next sample point is determined by information from previous experiments. This paper introduces a qualitative and quantitative sequential sampling (Q2S2) technique, in which optimization and user knowledge is used to guide the efficient choice of sample points. This method combines information from multiple fidelity sources including computer simulation models of the product, first principals involved in design, and designer's qualitative intuitions about the design. Both quantitative and qualitative information from different sources are merged together to arrive at a new sampling strategy. This is accomplished by introducing the concept of a confidence function, C, which is represented as a field that is a function of the decision variables, x, and the performance parameter, f. We compare the sampling plans generated by Q2S2 to previously known sample plans on two test functions using various metrics. In each case, the performance of Q2S2 is highly encouraging.


New correlations are developed to more completely capture the physics of downward facing boiling, especially under nuclear accident conditions requiring In Vessel Retention External Reactor Pressure Vessel Cooling (IVR-ERVC) strategies. Extending the length scale correlations used by Rohsenow to derive the heat flux from a flat plate (Reference [16]), a correlation based on bubble size at detachment is obtained for downward facing boiling. To validate this correlation, downward facing boiling data was obtained in the Subscale Boundary Layer Boiling(SBLB) facility, which was refurbished and outfitted with a new data acquisition system. In addition to correlating the heat flux to the wall superheat, video was taken of downward facing boiling so that the volumetric flow rate and the flow area may be better understood and observed. In particular, IVR-ERVC strategies require that adequate steam venting be provided. Because the speed of sound is so slow in saturated water, it is possible that for some designs of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) and their insulation structures, the entrained flow of steam will become choked. If the flow becomes choked, then it will prevent the liquid water from reaching the surface of the RPV, and ERVC will fail. The size and frequency of bubble formation is recorded, and a lower bound on the minimum allowable flow area for an insulation structure is established. The validity of the bubble size correlation is established by using it to back-predict the heat flux. Measurements are made of the wall superheat at various locations on the RPV surface, as well. From these measurements and the extension of the Rohsenow correlation, it was possible to predict the heat flux as a function of location on the RPV and surface temperature. By performing downward facing boiling experiments with differing levels of subcooling, it was possible to predict the effect of subcooling on surface temperature, with known heat flux and position. The validity of these correlations is established by using them to accurately predict the superheat at different locations for downward facing boiling using both saturated and subcooled liquid.


The joint cartilage of the head of the radius, the metacarpal bone, the tibial cochlea, the proximal trochlea of the talus and the metatarsal bone of 26 cattle in the age groups fetuses, 0 days, 2-5 weeks, 2-5 months, 7-13 months, 2-3.5 years, and 5-7 years were examined macroscopically and histologically. Synovial grooves developed on all joint surfaces examined, but at different times. At some locations the development of the grooves began prenatally. During the groove development the same features were in principle observed on all joint surfaces: Degeneration and progressive thinning of the joint cartilage, invasion of connective tissue into the cartilage, cessation of the endochondral ossification, and depression of the groove area into the subchondral bone. The findings indicated that the synovial grooves should be considered as being part of the normal morphology of the joints. In 4 animals aged from 3 weeks to 13 months dyschondroplastic (osteochondrotic) lesions were observed in the joint cartilage both inside and outside the groove areas on one or more joint surfaces.


Due to the central role played by carbohydrates in a multitude of biological processes, there has been a sustained interest in developing effective glycosylation methods to enable more thorough investigation of their essential functions. Among the myriad technologies available for stereoselective glycoside bond formation, dehydrative glycosylation possesses a distinct advantage given the unique properties of C1-alcohols such as straightforward preparation, stability, and a general reactivity compatible with a diverse set of reaction conditions. In this Focus Review, a survey of direct dehydrative glycosylations of C1-alcohols is provided with an emphasis on recent achievements, pervading limitations, mechanistic insights, and applications in total synthesis.


Basic functionality and physical activity level are commonly impaired by aging, and can be influenced by depressive symptoms, global cognitive state and schooling. Purpose: to analyze relationship between schooling and basic functionality, physical activity level, depressive symptoms and global cognitive state in physically active older people. Method: 53 physically active older people, both genders, answered to Physical Activity Level Baecke Questionnaire, Katz Scale of Basic Functionality, Mini-Exam of State Mental and Geriatric Depressive Scale. It was used Spearman coefficient of correlation (p<0,05). Results: it was found significant correlation only between schooling and global cognitive state; physical activity level, basic functionality and depressive symptoms did not correlate to schooling. Conclusion: schooling did not influence physical activity level, basic functionality or depressive symptoms, but it correlated to global cognitive state, according with literature, exerting a protective function.


The article provides information on the outcrops of the Neogene-Quaternary riverine sediments of the North-Western Black Sea coastal area. A description of five outcrops of fluvial deposits located on the territory of the modern basins of the Dniester and Prut rivers is given. Based on the granulometric composition of the sediments and the presence in them of the fossil shells of freshwater bivalve mollusks (Bivalvia: Unionoida), an assumption has been made about the characteristics of the ancient river ecosystems of the Dniester and Prut on different Pliocene and Pleistocene time sections. A review of the data in the body of literature on the geological age of the studied outcrops was undertaken. The localities considered provide information on the sedimentation conditions in this region from the Pliocene to the Late Pleistocene. Previously, various approaches were used for dating such rocks and for determining the stratigraphic position of fossil material found in them. The article considers the method of amino acids racemization as one of the approaches. Racemization allows to obtain new data on the stratigraphy of Neogene-Quaternary riverine sediments and to solve the problem of their dating. The sampling principles of carbonate material for the analysis of amino acids from the mollusk shells and features of sample preparation are described. Five amino acids were used: aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), leucine (Leu), phenylalanine (Phe) and isoleucine (Ile). The D/L ratios were analyzed (amino acid racemization (or AAR) is the interconversion of amino acids from one chiral form (the L – (laevo) amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins) to a mixture of L- and D- (dextro) forms. The extent of racemization is measured by the ratio of D/L isomers (it increases as a function of time and temperature and can be used for geochronology) from the same group of fossils (genera), which were preserved under similar environmental conditions, inorganic geochemistry and thermal histories. Based on the obtained values, it can be concluded that the analysis of the racemization of amino acids is useful for determining the geological age of fossil shells of freshwater bivalve mollusks, but there are limitations regarding age. In the shells of the Pliocene sites, the values of some amino acids are close to one, indicating that the racemization took place. D/L values in shells from Pleistocene localities allowed the determination of their stratigraphic position.


: Stormwater capture systems have the potential to address many urban stormwater management challenges, particularly in water-scarce regions like Southern California. Here, we investigate the potential best-case limits of water supply and stormwater retention bene fi ts delivered by a 10,000 m 3 stormwater capture system equipped with real-time control (RTC) on a university campus in Southern California. Using a copula-based conditional probability analysis, two performance metrics (percent of water demand satis fi ed and the percent of stormwater runo ff captured) are benchmarked relative to (1) precipitation seasonality (historical rainfall and a counterfactual in which the same average annual rainfall is distributed evenly over the year); (2) annual precipitation (dry, median, and wet years); and (3) three RTC algorithms (no knowledge of future rainfall or perfect knowledge of future rainfall 1 or 2 days in advance). RTC improves stormwater retention, particularly for the highly seasonal rainfall patterns in Southern California, but not water supply. Improvements to the latter will likely require implementing stormwater capture RTC in conjunction with other stormwater infrastructure innovations, such as spreading basins for groundwater recharge and widespread adoption of green stormwater infrastructure.


A 50-year-old man with a history of hypertension awakened with acute retrosternal chest pain accompanied by dim consciousness. He was transferred to cardiac catheterization laboratory for emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but diagnostic coronary angiography was difficult and unsuccessful. Therefore, he was immediately conducted the thoracoabdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA). The CTA showed aortic dissection (Stanford type A), involving the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and left anterior descending (LAD). Emergency surgery was executed. Unfortunately, this patient eventually died of multiple organ dysfunction syndromes.


This study evaluates the effect of education diversity on the employees' innovativeness of manufacturing entities in Nigeria. By adopting a descriptive survey design method and utilizing a self-administered closed-end questionnaire, data was collected from 5483 respondents' population who were staff of twelve randomly selected manufacturing entities in south west, Nigeria. Sample size of 522 respondents was drawn from the study population. The finding revealed that education diversity had a positive effect on innovativeness of selected manufacturing entities in Nigeria. In lieu of the finding, the study recommended that the management of the Nigerian manufacturing firms should be resolute in observing the culture of establishing sound training and development among their employees. This will enable the organization to achieve continuous enhancement in employees' productivity and hence leads to innovative capacity of such entities.


Fourier transform methods are employed heavily in digital signal processing. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is among the most commonly used digital signal transforms, The exponential kernel of the DFT has the properties of symmetry and periodicity. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) methods for fast DFT computation exploit these kernel properties in different ways. In this thesis, an approach of grouping data on the basis of the corresponding phase of the exponential kernel of the DFT is exploited to introduce a new digital signal transform, named the M-dimensional Real Transform (MRT), for l-D and 2-D signals. The new transform is developed using numbertheoretic principles as regards its specific features. A few properties of the transform are explored, and an inverse transform presented. A fundamental assumption is that the size of the input signal be even. The transform computation involves only real additions. The MRT is an integer-to-integer transform. There are two kinds of redundancy, complete redundancy & derived redundancy, in MRT. Redundancy is analyzed and removed to arrive at a more compact version called the Unique MRT (UMRT). l-D UMRT is a non-expansive transform for all signal sizes, while the 2-D UMRT is non-expansive for signal sizes that are powers of 2. The 2-D UMRT is applied in image processing applications like image compression and orientation analysis. The MRT & UMRT, being general transforms, will find potential applications in various fields of signal and image processing.


Multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) has become a promising candidate for high performance 4G broadband wireless communications. However, like OFDM, one main disadvantage of MIMO-OFDM is that the signals transmitted on different antennas might exhibit a prohibitively large peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). We will show that the PAPR reduction for MIMO-OFDM needs a more efficient solution than applying existing schemes for OFDM systems separately on each antenna. Further, we suggest a scheme of cross-antenna rotation and inversion (CARI), which utilizes additional degrees of freedom by employing multiple antennas. Two suboptimal schemes, termed successive suboptimal CARI (SS-CARI) and random suboptimal (RS-CARI) show significant performance advantages and lower computational complexity compared to the concurrent selective mapping (SLM) scheme proposed in Y. -L. Lee et al. (2003).


Litter decomposition is a critical process for the maintenance of the fertility and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems. Most studies about litter decomposition were made in temperate forests ecosystems. For this reason a study was made with the aim to determine the decomposition rate of litter from sites of primary and secondary vegetation in the Tamaulipean Thornscrub in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in which the litter bags method was used. Sixty nylon bags were filled with fresh fallen litter from this type of vegetation and were located in four study sites, two with primary vegetation and two with secondary vegetation. Every month five bags were collected from the sites, which were dried and then weighted. The experiment lasted 300 days. For each site annual weight loss, percentage of daily degradation and litter decomposition rate (k) were estimated. Comparisons between sites by mean variance analysis (ANOVA) were made. The maximal percentage of decomposition for the study sites were: 25.92% for site one; 24.58% for site two; 26.16% for site three, and 26.51% for site four. The mean weight after 300 days were: 14.8 g (NS) for site one; 16.1 g (NS) for site two; 14.7 (NS) for site three, and 14.6 (NS) for site four. The litter decomposition rates (k) were: -0.42 (NS) for site one; -0.43 (NS) for site two; -0.47 (NS) for site three, and -0.50 (NS) for site four. No significant differences between the study sites of primary vegetation and the study sites of secondary vegetation were found, even though the sites with primary vegetation showed a slightly higher litter decomposition rate. The k values estimated in this study were similar to those registered for similar vegetation types.


Abstract Background The novel multi-action alkylating deacetylase inhibitor tinostamustine (EDO-S101) has been shown in preclinical studies to improve drug access to DNA strands within cancer cells, break them, and counteract damage repair. Preclinical activity has been seen in models of solid tumours including sarcoma, small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Methods Patients (pts) with advanced solid tumours were recruited to an open-label phase I/II study to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of tinostamustine (NCT03345485) using a standard 3 + 3 design. Six ascending cohorts received 60–100 mg/m2 tinostamustine IV over 30 or 60 minutes. Results The safety population contained 22 pts who had received a median of 5 lines of prior systemic therapy ± radiotherapy (mean ± SD age 59.7 ± 11.1 years, 40.9% male, 77.3% Caucasian, 22.7% Asian). Pts received a (mean ± SD) cumulative tinostamustine dose of 407.3 ± 218.44mg/m2 and spent 10.4 ± 8.6 weeks on therapy. All pts experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), the majority of which were mild or moderate in nature (nausea, 18/22 pts; QTc prolongation, 13/22 pts; thrombocytopenia, 12/22 pts; anaemia, 10/22 pts; lymphopenia, 9/22 pts; fatigue, 8/22 pts; vomiting and leukopenia, both 7/22 pts). Nausea and vomiting were well managed with antiemetics. Five pts experienced ≥1 serious TEAE, 3 of whom withdrew from the study. Only one pt experienced a clinically significant dose-limiting toxicity of Grade 3 QTc-prolongation following 100mg/m2 tinostamustine IV over 60 minutes. The RP2D is 80 mg/m2 IV over 60 minutes, which resulted in mean ± SD Cmax 1540 ± 852ng/ml and AUC0–t 1700 ± 913ng*h/ml on Days 15–16. Overall, 1/22 pts (diagnosis: endometrial cancer) achieved a partial response and 8/22 pts stable disease (SD); 4/8 pts who received the RP2D achieved SD. Conclusions Tinostamustine was generally well tolerated in patients with advanced solid tumours and limited treatment options. The phase II portion of this study will further investigate the efficacy of the RP2D of 80 mg/m2 tinostamustine IV over 60 minutes in SCLC, triple-negative breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. Funding: Mundipharma EDO GmbH. Clinical trial identification NCT03345485. Editorial acknowledgement Editorial support (in the form of writing assistance, collating author comments, grammatical editing and referencing) was provided by Sarah Birch, PhD, at Makara Health Communications Ltd., UK and was funded by Mundibiopharma Ltd. Legal entity responsible for the study Mundipharma EDO GmbH. Funding Mundipharma EDO GmbH. Disclosure M. Loeffler: Full / Part-time employment: Mundipharma EDO. D. Remmy: Full / Part-time employment: Mundipharma EDO. T. Mehrling: Leadership role, Full / Part-time employment: Mundipharma EDO. S. Kummar: Advisory / Consultancy: Mundipharma EDO. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


Caught in a state of LeaderShock? Now it's your turn to thrive. Faced with the chaos of business today, leaders in every field feel overwhelmed and ineffective. They're in LeaderShock. But now there's a way out. Based on seven years of breakthrough research, Greg Hicks' award-winning LeaderShock program has shown thousands how to thrive in our chaotic business culture. And now his revolutionary book offers a practical roadmap of eight behavioral rules you can use to take control and stay in charge. This clear and concise guide will show you how to: * Activate and express "Intentions" to get the outcomes you want * Use "Recasting," a surprising new way to convert stress into strength * Create an accountable and truth-driven culture that excites and motivates * Become proactive and forceful without overpowering others As practical as it is liberating, LeaderShock will systematically guide you to find what every leader wants--powerful effectiveness and personal exhilaration.


The osteogenic potential of the human bone marrow is lately evaluated by in vitro cultures of stem cells. Biological or biochemical methods of characterization which are usually employed only provide qualitative analysis and have the drawback of degrading the samples. A new 50 MHz high frequency acoustical echographic system has been designed in order to characterize these cultures. It has the main advantage to preserve sterility required for cell development.


Fresh horticulture in Argentina has historically been produced by immigrant labor, from European countries
during the first decades of the twentieth century or from borderline countries at the beginning of XXI century.
At present, it could be argued that the migratory flow from Bolivia quasi hegemonizes not only the supply
of labor in this production in almost all the green belts of the country, but also in some key niches dominates
the most important links the food chain. Since the late twentieth and early twenty-first Bolivian immigrants,
drawing on the tradition of European immigration, are now exerting dominance in the production and
marketing of fresh horticulture. While other provinces have recorded the early incorporation of Bolivian
immigrants in horticulture at the interior of the country before the �80s, when it detects its arrival in Buenos
Aires, it can be argued that from the latter date the phenomenon is widespread and growing, and in recent
years, particularly from the economic-social crisis of 2002, we can see a strong development of these
families on the commercial link in the food chain of this production. In this paper we attempt to describe the
historical process that allowed the occurrence of the phenomenon based on the formation of ethnic enclaves
in different territories horticultural Argentina.


Development of crop coefficient (Kc) can enhance crop water requirement estimates at specific crop growth stages. However, local Kc data are lacking for maize in Omu-aran. Therefore, this research was aimed at quantifying water use and specific Kc values at different growth stages for maize (Zea mays L.) inOmu-Aran,a sub-humid agro-geological zone of Nigeria. A 60cm diameter and 45cm high drainage lysimeter was designed, constructed from a 2.5 mm thick plastic drum, and installed. CROPWAT 8.0 model was later used to develop the Kc and ETc(crop evapotranspiration) using the local weather data of the study site. Soil physical and chemical properties, moisture content, bulk density, and porosity of the site were determined. Weather parameters such average monthly temperature, wind speed, rainfall and relative humidity etc. were collected from an automatic meteorological station located around the research site. Also, irrigation requirements and scheduling for the crop were determined from the model. The average ETc values were 14.6, 43.75, 60.38, and 38.67.0 mm during the initial, development, mid-season and late-season stages, respectively, and the total ETc was 561.8 mm, while the average Kc values for maize were 0.30, 0.73, 1.29 and 0.91 for the initial, development, mid-season, and late-season stages, respectively. The values obtained are suitable for a successful design and implementation of irrigation programme for maize in the study area and this will eventually mean higher productivity and economic development.


The author examines the possibilities of the method of mathematical modeling in terms of preparing students for future careers. Stages of the method of mathematical modeling. The influence of the method for the formation of creative thinking in the process of teaching mathematics


Oxygen consumption of the rabbit femoral artery after hemorrhagic shock was studied. Hemorrhagic shock was initiated and maintained at 60 mm Hg of systolic blood pressure for 2 hours. A significant reduction in femoral artery oxygen consumption was observed after hemorrhagic shock (1.64 +/- 0.14 microliter/g/hr) when compared to oxygen consumption in the normal condition (2.52 +/- 0.22 microliter/g/hr). Application of the beta-agonist isoproterenol significantly increased oxygen consumption in the isolated femoral artery after hemorrhagic shock (2.66 +/- 0.20 microliter/g/hr), but did not exceed the normal values recorded without stimulation. Also, isoproterenol significantly increased oxygen consumption in the femoral artery of nonhemorrhagic condition (4.84 +/- 0.42 microliter/g/hr). The increase in oxygen consumption conditioned by isoproterenol was significantly lower after hemorrhagic shock compared with values in the nonhemorrhagic state. The data suggest that oxygen consumption is regulated by beta-adrenergic receptors, and the phenomenon of diminished oxygen consumption after hemorrhagic shock probably occurs because of changes in beta-adrenergic receptors, causing the appearance of change in the mechanism of oxygen consumption.


The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced patterns of mass victimization since the country's inception. As a private domain of King Leopold ii of Belgium, a Belgian colony or an independent state; the country has undergone numerous episodes of violence affecting not only individuals but also entire communities. Socio-political and economic crises have been accompanied by inter-ethnic violence, mostly in eastern provinces. Over the last decade, various mechanisms have been explored in attempts to address past atrocities. In addition to ongoing prosecutions before the International Criminal Court, a number of domestic initiatives have been or are still being explored. The present article examines the suitability of these mechanisms against the backdrop of the politically and ethnically fragmented landscape in the country. The inquiry examines whether domestic or international peace-building processes address not only individual forms of victimization but also subjective experiences and perceptions of collective victimhood.


A method has been developed for optically measuring nanometer-scale displacements of transparent and metal-coated microspheres in both the axial (vertical) and lateral (horizontal) directions. This method works by detecting changes in the internal reflection of a laser beam reflected from the microsphere after it passes through critical-angle prisms. For weakly reflective 10-µm-diameter polystyrene microspheres in water (relative refractive index n=1.2), the detection resolutions as estimated from the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) noise level in the frequency region above 500 Hz in the axial and lateral directions were experimentally found to be as good as 1.7 and 1.1 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the lateral displacement resolution (0.2 nm) of a 10-µm-diameter metal-coated microsphere was better than the axial displacement resolution (0.9 nm) of a conventional flat mirror by more than a factor of four.


The gastric secretion of IF, acid, and pepsin during basal conditions and stimulation by pentagastrin decreased significantly in 8 unoperated duodenal ulcer patients following administration of atropine. The basal concentrations of acid and pepsin decreased, whereas that of IF remained unchanged. An increase of plasma gastrin concentration from the basal value was observed after injection of atropine alone. The secretions of IF and acid decreased significantly from the pre-operative values after proximal gastric vagotomy in 7 duodenal ulcer patients. The basal IF output decreased by 19.8 per cent and the stimulated output by 41.4 per cent. The basal and stimulated secretions of acid decreased by 50.0 and 44.1 per cent, respectively. It is suggested that the smaller reduction of IF than of acid may be of importance for the vitamin B12 absorption after vagotomy. The decreased secretion of IF was secondary to the reduction of volume both after'medical' and surgical vagotomy.


Cast aluminium-silicon alloys containing graphite particles are
reported to offer the potential for use as bearing and cylinder block
materials due to low friction and wear characteristics, good thermal
conductivity and resistance to corrosion. However, a fundamental problem
exists in dispersing graphite particles because liquid aluminium alloys
do not wet graphite and so particles are rejected by the melt.
The first section consists of a literature survey which examines
the potential for graphite aluminium alloys, and reviews various methods
for dispersing graphite particles. The potential for the use of recently
developed methods of casting semi-solid alloys as a means of retaining
graphite particles in melts is then considered.
The second section reports on an investigation into the production
of aluminium-silicon alloys which contain graphite particles and an
evaluation of the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites
produced with various silicon and graphite contents. Processing semisolid
alloys produced an even dispersion of graphite particles without
segregation, agglomeration or rejection. Solidification under pressure
(squeeze casting) was used to optimise the mechanical properties of the
composites. The evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties showed
that strength and ductility were reduced in alloys which contained
graphite. Wear tests showed that graphite additions provided increased
load carrying capacity, reduced coefficient of friction, reduced steady
running temperature and reduced damage to mating components. There
was no evidence of a deterioration in corrosion from corrosion tests
and machinability tests showed that machinability was greatly improved
by the addition of graphite particles.


A variety of techniques exist for synthesizing nanodiamonds. However, it is challenging to produce nanoparticles with a size smaller than 4 nm without aggregation and large volumes of colloidal solutions containing single-digit nanodiamonds. In this study, we demonstrate a facile top–down strategy for the fabrication of monodisperse colloidal fluorescent nanodiamonds with a mean size of 3.6 nm from a suspension of commercial high-pressure and high-temperature diamond microcrystals (raw industrial materials) in an ambient environment using laser ablation in liquids. The formation of colloidal nanodiamonds is ascribed to a mechanism in which diamond microcrystals are first converted into disordered carbon nanoparticles through laser ablation. Subsequently, the amorphous carbon nanoparticles as an intermediate phase are converted into the final nanodiamonds under laser irradiation. Through the in situ covalent linking of ester and ketone groups on the surfaces of the nanodiamonds, tunable, high-performance fluorescence bioimaging can be achieved. The results suggest that single-digit fluorescent nanodiamonds can be generated from colloidal solutions.


We report a nephrotic syndrome patient with eosinophilia who developed ileus, epigastralgia and malabsorption due to strongyloidiasis which became symptomatic by steroid therapy. The patient was then treated with thiabendazole and recovered. A percutaneous renal biopsy revealed minimal change nephrotic syndrome. This renal injury may be brought on by severe infection of Strongyloides stercoralis. It is important to rule out strongyloidiasis prior to corticosteroid therapy to patients from eosinophilia endemic areas.


Imagine arriving at a party that you didn't really want to go to, being dropped off by someone you would rather stay with, entering a loud and busy room and being left to fi nd your way around or pluck up courage to join in established conversations. If your host is ignoring you into the bargain you would be forgiven for turning tail and leaving straightaway!


Biodegradable artificial bone blocks with interconnective pores were prepared using a self-setting apatite/collagen composite cement as a cell scaffold for bone regenerative medicine. The biological behavior of the blocks was tested in rats, and the change in their properties after implantation was measured. One cubic block [10 mm X 10 mm X 10 mm; porous composite (PC)] was obtained from apatite cement (apatite/collagen cement; 80% of apatite:20% of collagen) with 60 interconnecting holes, 500 um in diameter. The other blocks (NC and NN) without holes were obtained from the apatite/collagen and plain apatite cements, respectively. All blocks were implanted in the rats for 56 days. Changes in the amount and density (block mineral mass and block mineral density) of the blocks were evaluated based on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry images, and the order of biodegradation was PC < NC < NN. After implantation, the blocks were removed, and subjected to an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetry (TG). The XRD peaks of all blocks increased significantly. TG revealed that the amount of carbonated apatite also increased with time. However, the organic component of PC depended on the implantation period, consistent with the FT-IR results. Because PC had interconnective macro- and micropores in the apatite/collagen matrices, the results indicated that soft tissue penetrated the block carbonated apatite was generated, bone remodeling was accelerated in the implant.


Non-coding RNA is a kind of non-coding protein RNA which is widely present in most of the organisms. Non-coding RNA plays key roles in the embryonic development,cell fate determination,and growth control in the living organisms. MicroRNA and long non-coding RNA involve in differentiation of endocrine cell,insulin gene expression and secretion,and insulin resistance,which are closely associated with diabetes.


Abstract. Basin-scale salt flow and the evolution of salt structures in rift basin is mainly driven by sub- and supra-salt faulting and sedimentary loading. Crustal extension is often accompanied and followed by thermal subsidence leading to tilting of the graben flanks, which might induce an additional basinward directed driver for salt tectonics. We designed a new experimental analog apparatus capable of integrating the processes of sub-salt graben extension and tilting of the flanks, such that the overlapping effects on the deformation of a viscous substratum and the brittle overburden can be simulated. The presented experimental study was performed to demonstrate the main functionality of the experimental procedure and setup demonstrating the main differences in structural evolution between conditions of pure extension, pure tilting and extension combined with tilting. Digital image correlation of top view stereoscopic images was applied to reveal the 3D displacement and strain patterns. Results of these experiments suggest that in salt basins affected by sub-salt extension and flank inclination, the salt flow and downward movement of overburden affects the entire flanks of the basin. Supra-salt extension occurring close to the graben centre is overprinted by the downward movement, i.e. amount of extension is reduced or extensional faults zones are shortened. At the basin margins, thin-skinned extensional fault developed, which resemble fault zones observed on basin flanks offset from the central graben zone.


A quantum information processor is proposed that combines experimental techniques and technology successfully demonstrated either in nuclear magnetic resonance experiments or with trapped ions. An additional inhomogeneous magnetic field applied to an ion trap (i) shifts individual ionic resonances (qubits), making them distinguishable by frequency, and (ii) mediates the coupling between internal and external degrees of freedom of trapped ions. This scheme permits one to individually address and coherently manipulate ions confined in an electrodynamic trap using radiation in the radiofrequency or microwave regime.


Ann Daly ranks among the most insightful, articulate dance critics and scholars writing today. Spanning the divide between journalism and scholarship, this collection offers a double-sighted view of dance in America from 1986 to the present, documenting the shift in experimental dance from formal to social concerns, and recording the expansion of dance studies in the academy from historical documentation to cultural criticism. Daly examines performance art and visual art as they relate to and influence dance, with a look at the intersection of dance and history. Gender is the subject of the final section of the book. More than 80 reviews, features, essays, interviews and scholarly articles including extended considerations of Pina Bausch, Deborah Hay, Bill T. Jones and Ralph Lemon were originally published in venues ranging from High Performance to The New York Times to TDR: A Journal of Performance Studies."


In this paper, we introduce the R package gendist that computes the probability density function, the cumulative distribution function, the quantile function and generates random values for several generated probability distribution models including the mixture model, the composite model, the folded model, the skewed symmetric model and the arc tan model. These models are extensively used in the literature and the R functions provided here are flexible enough to accommodate various univariate distributions found in other R packages. We also show its applications in graphing, estimation, simulation and risk measurements.


Forty one promising rice varieties of eastern India were evaluated for physico- chemical and cooking characters to study the diversity pattern among the genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into ten clusters. Maximum 11 genotypes were grouped in cluster IV followed by ten in cluster I. The clusters VI, VIII, IX and X are represented by single genotype namely Gayatri, Hanseswari, Satyakrishna and Saket-4 respectively indicating high degree of heterogeneity among the genotypes. The intra cluster distance is highest in cluster IV(D=13.41) followed by cluster V(10.16), cluster II(10.05) and lowest in cluster VII(D=7.31). The coefficient of variation was highest in water uptake(10.1) and volume expansion ratio (6.97)and lowest in hulling%(1.26) The cluster mean for Kernel length and Kernel length after cooking were highest in cluster V. Highest cluster mean was reported in cluster VI for Hulling% and Kernel breadth. Percentage of contribution towards total divergence is highest in alkali spreading value (33.05) and lowest in milling recovery(0.0). Alkali spreading value, kernel length after cooking, amylose content and kernel breadth together accounted for 83.78percent to the total divergence. So these characters should be considered during hybridization programme.


The global requirement for sustainable energy provision will become increasingly important over the next years as the environmental effects of fossil fuels become apparent. Distributed Generation (DG) based on Renewable Energy Technologies (solar, wind, hydro and biomass) is becoming a more important energy option in the future generation system. Depending on the local conditions and energy potential, one or more of the widely used renewable energy sources can be exploited locally. Wind energy for electricity production, biogas from solid waste for heat and electricity production, solar for heat and electricity production, hydro for electricity production. As other energy facilities, DG facilities require a siting review process to acquire the permits and approval needs for construction and operation. Locating optimal sites for power generation facilities is a complex task involving many environmental, economic, and social constraints and factors associated with existing central power plants, substations, transmission and distributions lines, networks of power system, etc. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is an appropriate tool to address this issue, since it efficiently stores, retrieves, analyses, and displays geographically referenced information (i.e., data identified regarding to their locations) according to user-defined specifications. Thus, once a GIS database is developed, it can provide an efficient and affordable means of analyzing potential DG facility site attributes. This paper presents an outline of a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) to select optimal sites to install DG facilities on the island of Lesvos, Greece, where various renewable energy sources can be found. A variety of constraints and factors were identified that address environmental, energy, social, political and economic considerations. The results may help build a developmental vision for sustainable energy systems based on locally available natural resources, and facilitate a transition of national energy and environmental policies towards sustainability.


To engage young children meaningfully in educational research requires careful scrutiny of ethics and of methodological choices [Vandenbroeck, M. and B. de-Bouverne. 2006. "Children's Agency and Educational Norms: A Tensed Negotiation." Childhood (13): 127–143; Dockett, S., J. Einarsdottir, and B. Perry. 2009. "Researching with Children: Ethical Tensions." Journal of Early Childhood Research (7): 283–298; Clark, A., and P. Moss. 2011. Listening to Young Children: The Mosaic Approach. 2nd ed. London: National Children's Bureau]. The increased involvement required of children in participatory research heightens ethical and methodological concerns [Lundy, L., L. McEvoy, and B. Byrne. 2011. "Working with Young Children as Co-researchers: An Approach Informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child." Early Education and Development 22 (5): 714–736]. Rather than focusing on ethical considerations identified prior to the research through standard institutional vetting practices, the gaze of this article lies on ethics-in-action, or ethical considerations emerging throughout research processes. Thus, a focus on ethical encounters throughout the course of school-based fieldwork is framed by the examination of three emerging 'ethically important moments' [Guillemin, M. and L. Gillam. 2004. "Ethics, Reflexivity and Ethically Important Moments in Research." Qualitative Inquiry 10: 261–280]. Themes of representation and researcher relationships are explored as part of this discussion. Mindful of its primary stakeholders, the participant children, the merits for viewing research conducted within the institution of school as an unfolding process of this research, are outlined. The paper concludes that in the interests of both rigour and effect, methodological reflexivity be brought to bear on the varying and complex ethical encounters educational research constitutes.


Histamine-releasing factor (HRF) consists of a group of cytokines that can cause basophil/mast cell to release histamine, however, the composition of HRF still remains undefined. This study was designed to measure the concentrations of chemokines in asthmatic children receiving immunotherapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells culture supernatants were obtained from six asthmatic children before and four, eight months after immunotherapy (IT). The levels of monocyte chemotactic and activating factor (MCAF), macrophage inflammatory protein-1a (MIP-1a), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) spontaneously and after stimulation with PHA and mite allergen in the supernatants. The data showed: 1) The levels of MCAF and MIP-1a increased four months, and decreased eight months, after IT; 2) By contrast, the level of RANTE increased after IT; 3) The level of IL-8 also tended to increase after IT. Abnormal chemokine production may contribute to the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and restoration of normal chemokine production may be used to partially explain the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy.


Abstract Recent climate changes have had a significant impact on the high-mountain glacial environment. Rapid melting of glaciers has resulted in the formation and expansion of moraine-dammed lakes, creating a potential danger from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Most lakes have formed during the second half of the 20th century. Glaciers in the Mount Everest (Sagamartha) region, Nepal, are retreating at an average rate of 10–59 ma–1. From 1976 to 2000, Lumding and Imja Glaciers retreated 42 and 34 ma–1, respectively, a rate that increased to 74 ma–1 for both glaciers from 2000 to 2007. During the past decade, Himalayan glaciers have generally been shrinking and retreating faster while moraine-dammed lakes have been proliferating. Although the number of lakes above 3500 m a.s.l. has decreased, the overall area of moraine-dammed lakes is increasing. Understanding the behaviour of glaciers and glacial lakes is a vital aspect of GLOF disaster management.


This study examined and measured the effectiveness of a triangle congruency (tricon) learning guide in improving the proving skills of Grade 8 learners at Lecheria Integrated School. Quantitative research methodology, namely Quasi Experimental Research Design, was used in this study. To select participants, match pairing techniques were used. There were two groups of students in this study: the experimental group and the comparison group. The students in the experimental group were handed out PIVOT module by DEPED together with the learning guide as supplementary material. Students in the comparison group were handed out PIVOT module only. Mean and standard deviation were used to assess participants' performance in formative testing, pretest, and posttest. Similarly, the independent t-test was used to evaluate the significant difference between the two groups' pretest and posttest scores, and Cohen's d was employed to assess the effect size or quantify the size of the difference between two test results. The study's main findings were evident. It was found out that the pretest mean score of the experimental group and comparison group were the same. The experimental group received higher points in their posttest after gathering all the relevant data. As a result, a considerable distinction between two groups was discovered. The findings revealed that learners who utilized the learning guide as supplementary material were more likely to improve their proving skills. The researcher recommended using this learning guide as supplementary material to enhance students' ability in terms of their proving skills. The results of the study revealed that students in the experimental group did better than those in the comparison group. This showed that the results implied that using a Triangle Congruency (TriCon) Learning Guide might assist students improve their academic performace (proving skills) in Mathematics.


Concerns associated with growing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) numbers in Ottawa, Ontario have motivated several studies related to the distribution and ecology of deer in the Ottawa-Carleton region. This project infers deer-population trends from deer-vehicle collisions in Ottawa, Ontario, and considers the influence of traffic volume on estimates of population dynamics from deer-vehicle collision data. Traffic volume and collision data for various road segments across suburban Ottawa were analyzed to answer questions related to the characteristics and spatial distribution of deer collisions and traffic volume in the city. Deer-vehicle collisions are increasing at a faster rate than traffic volume, suggesting that the deer population is increasing. The distribution of collisions supports the boundaries previously suggested for the location of one deerherd summer range, but not the other. Deer-collision numbers east and west of the Rideau River, a likely barrier to deer movement, were very similar, even though research and concern related to deer numbers has been concentrated west of the Rideau. More collisions occurred on 400-series highways than on other roads, suggesting that highways are a higher risk for deer collisions than other roads. The number of deer-vehicle collisions is much higher on recently constructed 400-series highways than on older 400-series highways, indicating that new highways represent high-risk areas for collisions. This research suggests that deer-vehicle collisions could be a very useful data source for inferring deer population dynamics of suburban deer, but it is imperative that significant factors affecting the number and distribution of collisions, such as category of road and traffic volume, are considered during any analyses.


This research was investigated to evaluate yield and yield components response of two wheat cultivars in interference with two narrow leaf and broad leaf weed species in two separated experiments based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications at Agricultural Faculty of Bu-Ali Sina University, in 2008-2009 growing season. In both Experiments, Alvand and Sayson cultivars were planted with densities of 450 plants m-2. In the 1st experiment, rye with target densities of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 plants m-2 were planted in between wheat rows. In the 2nd experiment, wild mustard density was 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 plants m-2. The results showed that increasing plant density of both weed species reduced significantly biologic and grain yield, number of spikes and reproductive tillers per unit area, grain number per spike, 1000 seed weight and harvest index. In weed density treatments for both weeds, individual plant of wild mustard damaged more than rye individual plant on wheat cultivars. Overall, however in non-interference condition Sayson had higher yield and yield components than Alvand, but was affected more than Alvand by both weed species.


This thesis motivated by concerns over fretting damage in the aerospace engine disc dovetail joint in Ti6Al4V. The dovetail joint behaviour was investigated using a cylinder-on-flat contact geometry setup and fretting amplitude of 300 µm, a frequency of 2.5 Hz and load of 575 N was used. The thesis is concerned about an experimental investigation of the fretting behaviour of Ti6Al4V coated with a commercially available MoS2-based dry film Lubricant (DFL).
Sample performance was determined via analysis of fretting loops, condition of coefficient of friction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of wear scars on plan view and cross section, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.
To study the influence of contact geometry on fretting wear, tests were conducted using cylinders with radii of 15 mm, 80 mm and 160 mm with DFL thicknesses between 12 µm and 86 µm. All tests showed a high level of repeatability. Three stages phenomenological model of the polymer bonded dry film lubricant in the lifetime of the system were identified. In the first stage, the DFL wore with a volumetric rate that was proportional to the number of cycles (under a given load), until the thickness of the DFL was reached. In the second stage, a thin low friction surface layer existed, with its durability being proportional to the contact pressure. In the third stage, metal-metal contact resulted in short-term instabilities in the coefficient of friction and the DFL system was regarded to have failed. A phenomenological model that predicts coating lifetime is developed, which can be applied regardless of contact geometry, thickness and loads.
The model was extended to a system in presence of a Cu-Ni-In underlayer, as DFL behaviour was determined and analysed using the same three stage approach. Higher roughness results in reduced rates of change in behaviour and a significant extension of the stage II duration over which the surface material is made up of a mixture of DFL and metal, accordingly, the high durability of the system with the Cu-Ni-In underlayer is primarily ascribed to the high roughness of the underlayer in its as-sprayed form onto which the DFL was deposited.
The effect of PTFE and graphite additives was determined. 4.77 wt. %, 9.08 wt. % PTFE and 4.76 wt. % graphite extended DFL lifetime. The PTFE appears to slow stage I, the wear of the DFL layer, but once the metallic surface is reached the mechanism of wear of DFL system appears unchanged. Lifetime of the graphite extended significantly with stage I and stage II maintaining lower coefficient of friction, that it was not possible to run tests to completion, even when the wear scar penetrates significantly through the metal. An alternative mechanism appears to be active, thus requires further investigation.


IMPLICATIONS
Nicardipine-induced bradycardia has been reported in experimental animals but not in clinical patients. We report a clinical case of unexpected bradycardia caused by nicardipine. The mechanism of this bradycardia was not clear, and depression of sympathetic tone by epidural anesthesia, hypothermia, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation might have been contributory.


The verb morphology of Kashaya, a Pomoan language of northern California, includes a class of five evidential suffixes. All but one ends in the vowel /a/, whose special behavior is the focus of this paper. A central goal is to lay out the facts clearly and thoroughly, since they are not easily available in existing sources; but I also discuss several possible analyses and their theoretical implications. I first present the evidential suffixes, illustrating contexts in which the /a/ is present and absent, along with the facts of the imperative suffixes and the clitic /ʔ/ that accompanies the imperative verbs. The main point of interest is the interaction of this clitic, whose distribution depends on the position of the imperative verb in the sentence, with the evidential /a/, which has the classic properties of lexical phonology. I discuss theoretical issues that arise under various analyses, including a morpheme-specific rule of /a/ deletion, morphosyntactic feature interaction between the word and phrase, and a phrasal phonological rule that is sensitive to the presence of an Evidential Phrase boundary.


Event extraction aims to identify an event and then extract the arguments participating in the event. Despite the great success in sentence-level event extraction, events are more naturally presented in the form of documents, with event arguments scattered in multiple sentences. However, a major barrier to promote document-level event extraction has been the lack of large-scale and practical training and evaluation datasets. In this paper, we present DocEE, a new document-level event extraction dataset including 27,000+ events, 180,000+ arguments. We highlight three features: large-scale manual annotations, fine-grained argument types and application-oriented settings. Experiments show that there is still a big gap between state-of-the-art models and human beings (41% Vs 85% in F1 score), indicating that DocEE is an open issue. DocEE is now available at https://github.com/tongmeihan1995/DocEE.git.


We demonstrate a facile and general approach for the fabrication of highly dispersed Au, Pd, and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) on MIL-125(Ti) without using extra reducing and capping agents. Noble-metal NP formation is directed by an in situ redox reaction between the reductive MIL-125(Ti) with Ti(3+) and oxidative metal salt precursors. The resulting composites function as efficient photocatalysts.


The urban lifestyle separates many families, forcing members to live alone.
As population grows and cities condense, we need to build up, and live small. However, as we and the space we occupy become smaller relative to the city, we lose the sense of integration with and connection to context (Florian Urban, 2012). Without feeling belonging, we often feel loneliness. Those who live alone need to feel that they are a part of a community while celebrating their individuality.
This thesis explores ways to reduce loneliness through the design of social housing through co-living. It considers the diversity of people and their choices of living needs, creating a place where we feel belonging as part of a community, while having enough privacy to feel safe. The design aspect of the thesis explores the different design techniques which reflect studies of sociology and learnings from precedents in order to support the physical and emotional well-being of the residents while also being more sustainable by being space efficient.


The article centers on psychoanalysts' indifferent attitude to the mutually exclusivity of theoretical conceptualizations and the ensuing technical rules for treatment. In the author's view this indifference is due to psychoanalysts being business people for whom the exchange value of their service is essentially of greater interest than its utility value, which latter is only of interest as a means of realizing the former. The author argues that, as a consequence of the disparate coexisting conceptualizations being treated as equally valid, psychoanalysis becomes a science without truth, that is, a pseudoscience, and demonstrates that all attempts to appropriate the epithet ornans "scientific" to psychoanalysis by linking its concepts to findings in areas beyond its conceptual field have failed. Finally, he offers a proposal of how the situation might be altered.


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

Broadening our understanding of the genetic basis of cancer will facilitate construction of relevant pre-clinical models and provide novel targets for drug development. To identify genes that contribute to the initiation or progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) when mutated or dysregulated, we recently conducted a set of forward genetic screens using transposon insertional mutagenesis to drive intestinal tumor formation in mice. These studies were designed to identify novel cancer genes that function in a wildtype genetic context or cooperate with known predisposing alleles (ApcMin/+ or Trp53R270H/+). Over 150 genes were identified, including several known to be important in human CRC (eg. APC, PTEN, and FBXW7) and many novel candidate cancer genes. WW domain containing adaptor with coiled-coil (WAC), is a gene not previously associated with cancer that was identified in all three screens. While the function of WAC is incompletely understood, previous reports indicate that the WAC protein participates in multiple cellular processes, including golgi biogenesis, modulation of gene expression, and induction of p21CIP1 expression and cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. In this study, we evaluated the role of WAC in cellular transformation by depleting WAC in mouse colonic epithelial cells conditionally immortalized by expression of a temperature sensitive SV40 large T antigen. In this model, loss of WAC expression increased anchorage-independent growth of colonic epithelial cells in cooperation with mutant APC. In human CRC samples, resequencing the WAC gene identified non-silent mutations in 2 of 74 samples. Further, CRC-associated WAC mutants were found to be functionally deficient in induction of p21CIP1 in a zebrafish embryo model. These data are consistent with the model that WAC functions as a tumor suppressor in the colonic epithelium.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 108. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-108


In the last few years, ionic liquids (ILs) have revealed their broad versatility for application towards the synthesis of shape and size controlled nanoscale metal catalysts, respectively metal(0) nanoparticles (M-NPs) in the absence of additive ligand. ILs play the role of solvent and ligand. In our work, we depict the synthesis of M-NPs (M = Cu, Ag, Ni, Ru) using dihydroxyl functionalized imidazolium ILs 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,3-dimethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) [C1C1(EG)Im][NTf2] as solvent, stabilizer and reductive agent simultaneously. In this IL the formation of stable dispersion of NPs from silver and copper salts in the absence of any reducing agent has been observed. The comparison of the 13C-NMR, and IR data of pure IL and IL–NP (Cu and Ag) suspensions proved the oxidation of the hydroxyl group to a carbonyl group, confirming that the dihydroxyl function of the IL acted as the reducing agent. This oxido-reduction depends on the nature of the metal. No reaction occurred with NiII and Ru0 precursors, and with RuII and Ni0 salts the formation of M-NPs is due to the activation of the acidic protons on the imidazolium ring. The Ru-NPs were then further evaluated for selective partial hydrogenation, here we observed good selectivities for α,β-unsaturated compounds such as cyclohexenone and cinnamic aldehyde, which can be converted exclusively into the unsaturated alcohols or saturated alcohols.


It is usual to link respiratory and skin health issues to hairdressing job. The most current papers from throughout the world reported on biomechanics as well. Shoulder, lower back, and upper back joints were the most impacted. Several authors conducted ergonomic risk assessments through standardized protocols, like REBA, founding high-risk levels. Other authors measured shoulder and wrist movement with IMU or inclinometer founding a high biomechanical risk. Only one study used electromyography (sEMG) to compare the activity of male and female hairdressers founding those women had considerably higher sEMG activity. This study only measured the muscle work from upper limb flexors and extensors. To our knowledge, no research has investigated the whole upper body kinematics and sEMG from the upper arm, shoulder, and trunk using instrumentally based tools for hairdressers' risk assessment. The aim of our study is a biomechanical risk assessment of the subtask of hair drying in two different ways (horizontally – HOR and upwardly - UP). We acquired four expert workers using an optoelectronic system and sEMG. sEMG results showed that the left side of the body was generally more involved than the right one in both the assessed tasks. Latissimus Dorsi, Trapezius Superior, Deltoideus Anterior, and Flexor Carpi Ulnaris were severely affected by this. In the UP task, the shoulders (Trapezius Superior and Deltoideus Anterior) had high mean percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%MVC) values. According to our sEMG results, holding a phone that weighs almost 1 kg in a static position is less straining on the upper limb and shoulder than constantly moving the left hand while holding a small comb. Kinematic data seems to support this. The left side showed the highest Range of Motion (RoM) values than the right for shoulder abd-adduction and elevation on the UP task and shoulder horizontal abduction, elbow flex-extension, and wrist prono-supination on both tasks. The shoulder flex-extension showed comparable high RoM values in both tasks.Our findings also show a high standard deviation for RoMs, indicating a high heterogeneity in performing the same task. Our research found that hair-drying is a demanding task for hairdressers. We recommend using wearable technologies to have a more reliable work situation instead of standardized protocols for risk assessment.


Abstract Important physical characteristics, morphological attributes, physiological functions, and genetic properties of mutant tanoak, Notholithocarpus densiflorus f. attenuato-dentatus (Fagaceae), and normal tanoak, Notholithocarpus densiflorus (Hook. & Arn.) Manos, Cannon & S. H. Oh, were studied on the Challenge Experimental Forest in Yuba Co., California in an attempt to explain the cause of the mutation and to determine where in the tree it was manifest. Leaves, stomata, trichomes, foliar nutrients, photosynthesis, transpiration, internal moisture stress, DNA, and genetics (metabolonics) all were examined in detail. In some instances, the plant part or the process favored the mutant; in others, the normal tanoak exceeded. Susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum, the sudden oak death pathogen (SOD) was similar. No all-encompassing functional difference for either type was indicated, other than the size and shape of the leaves and the metabolites in them. We know the two tanoak types differ genetically, but more complete genomic analysis is needed to pinpoint the cause of the mutation. Some thought-provoking enigmas concerning the morphology and physiology of tanoak are presented along with the status (number of plants and location) of the rare mutant.


A much wider variation in many physical and cognitive behaviours exists among left-handers than among right-handers, which is evidence for more than one aetiology of left-handedness. Despite these findings some researchers are still attempting to link left-handedness to a single cause, most recently genetic determination, by pairing left-handedness with a presumed genetically based characteristic. One of these characteristics is scalp hair whorl, which may be clockwise, counter-clockwise (purportedly associated with left-handedness), or a reversal whorl (rare). Results of recent research in this topic are reviewed, our own findings are presented, and we conclude that there is no logical reason for, nor evidence of, a common aetiology of both hair whorl direction and handedness.


Journal of Xenobiotics was launched in 2011 with the mission to publish novel research articles in the fields of the occurrence and biochemical effects of xenobiotics on all living organisms and it has been published over the past nine years by PAGEPress Publications [...].


One of the most important characteristics that determines the quality of forages is their digestibility. Certain structural characteristics of the vegetative organs, such as a high percentage of cells with lignified walls, might limit digestibility. Leaf and stem histological characteristics related to digestibility were examined for nine wild Lathyrus species closely related to cultivated species. The recommended characteristics for plants that could be used as forage on their own are: a small number of stem vascular bundles, a relatively small proportion of stem sclerenchyma and sclerenchymatous parenchyma tissue, thin leaflet cuticle, a small number of leaf vascular bundles, and large mesophyll and epidermal cells. According to the results of the analyses, species with favourable histological characteristics were L. palustris, L. sphaericus and L. aphaca, while the species with the highest proportion of thick-walled cells, unsuitable for use as forage, were L. pratensis, L. niger and L. tuberosus.


The objective of this study was to determine the fifth metatarsal strain generation mechanism during cutting motions performed while playing soccer using a finite element foot model. Five collegiate soccer players performed the side-step cutting and the cross-step cutting motions to measure the three-dimensional foot kinematics, ground reaction force, and plantar pressure distribution. In addition, a finite-element model of a foot consisting of bony structures, ligaments, and skin was constructed from computed tomography images. Simulations were conducted to perform the cutting motions, using the measured foot motion and distributed load on the plantar surface as boundary conditions for the model. During the side-step cutting, the maximum principal strain on the fifth metatarsal was correlated to forefoot adduction angle during stepping out. For cross-step cutting, the maximum principal strain was correlated with plantar pressure at the distal end of the fifth metatarsal. Therefore, to prevent a fracture, it is necessary to take measures to reduce the lateral bending deformation of the forefoot while stepping out during side-step cutting and to reduce the plantar pressure on the distal end of the fifth metatarsal during cross-step cutting.


Background Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for about 10% of strokes in the UK and is a major cause of severe disability and death. Sustained post-acute blood pressure (BP) management arguably holds the most potential to improve long-term prognosis, but there have been no trials to guide the optimal strategy for BP lowering after ICH. Telemetric home BP monitoring is a promising intervention to improve control. Methods 112 adult survivors of hypertension-related ICH across multiple UK sites will be randomised to intensive telemetric home BP monitoring-guided treatment (intervention) to achieve a target of <120/80 mmHg or standard care (control). Outcomes Efficacy: the magnitude of difference in BP at 3 months in the intervention arm versus the control arm compared with baseline measures Feasibility: consent rate; dropout rate from the intervention prior to 1 month; patient approval of the monitoring process Safety: serious adverse events related to reducing BP in the intervention arm Conclusion The BP monitoring component of PROHIBIT-ICH will determine whether a strategy of intensive BP treatment guided by telemetric monitoring for an extended period of time after spontaneous ICH is feasible, safe and effective in reducing BP.


Introduction Obesity is a worldwide problem and has grown in severity in the last few decades making bariatric surgery and, in particular, laparoscopic banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass efficacious and cost-effective procedures. The laparoscopic approach has been shown to offer significant healthcare benefits, of particular interests are reports of decreased postoperative pain resulting in a shorter hospital stay and an earlier return to normal activity. However, many patients still experience significant pain, including shoulder tip pain, that require strong analgesia including opiates during their early recovery period. The aims of this study were to establish the safe use of the aerosolization technique in bariatric surgery and to investigate the possible benefits in reducing postoperative pain. Methods In this study, fifty patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass were recruited and divided into two groups; control (n = 25) and therapeutic (n = 25). The control group received intraperitoneal aerosolization of 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline while the therapeutic group received 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine. All the patients had standard preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Pain scores were carried out by the nursing staff in recovery and 6 h, 12 h and 24 h postoperatively using a standard 0–10 pain scoring scale. In addition, opiate consumption via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was recorded. Results Aerosolized bupivacaine reduced postoperative pain in comparison to normal saline (p < 0.05). However, PCA usage showed no statistically significant change from the control group. Conclusion The aims of this study were achieved and we were able to establish the safe use of the aerosolization technique in bariatric surgery and its benefits in reducing postoperative pain.


This article contends that information security education, training and awareness programs can improve employee security behavior. Empirical studies have analyzed the direct effects of employee security training on security behavior without taking into account the mediating role of employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. Based on employee relations and accountability theories, this study proposes and tests a causal model that estimates the direct effect of employee security training on security behavior as well as its indirect effects as mediated by employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. The empirical analysis relies on a survey data from a cross section of employees from five major industry sectors and a structural equation modeling approach via SmartPLS 3.0. The results show that employee security training has indirect and significant effects on security behavior through its influence on employee relations, monitoring, and accountability. However, the result does not indicate direct and significant effect of security training on employee security behavior.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes of khadori students, towards participation in physical activities. Furthermore, determine the differences in these attitudes according to gender, education program, specialization, academic level, and sport practices variables. A modified Kinon scale was used for collecting data. The sample of the study was consisted of (135) male and female students. The results revealed appositive attitudes, where the percentage of response for the total score was (76%), also, the results indicated that there are no significant differences in the students, attitudes due to gender, educational program, specialization, and academic level variables, while there were a significant different due to sport practices variable. Based on the study findings the researcher recommended to reinforce student's attitudes, and increase attention of female physical activities.


The purpose of this article is to explore spatial orientation and wayfinding behavior of newcomers in an unfamiliar environment and to emphasize the importance of landmarks and spatial differentiation in the acquisition of environmental knowledge. One setting with a symmetrical layout and regularly organized, monotonous units on different floors and another setting with an asymmetrical layout and repetitive units along one side of a linear corridor of one floor were used to explore different strategies for learning about large-scale spatial environments. Wayfinding performance was found to correlate with performances in sketch-map tasks and the answers of a questionnaire about each building. Most of the participants of the asymmetrical setting could complete a sketch map with a minimum of errors. In the symmetrical setting, however, some participants drew incomplete sketch maps but could find their way through the building with a minimum of errors.


Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the clinical outcome of lung cancer patients with a secondary malignancy according to the time sequence between the lung cancer and the secondary malignancy. Retrospective review of all lung cancer patients with any secondary cancer treated from June 2004 to July 2012. The survival of patients with a secondary malignancy was compared to those patients without a secondary malignancy. According to the time sequence between the lung cancer and the secondary malignancy, patients were divided into 4 groups. Group I: lung cancer without any other malignancy, Group II: lung cancer with a secondary malignancy at follow-up, Group III: lung cancer with a pre-existing malignancy, Group IV: synchronous malignancies (diagnosis interval between lung cancer and a secondary malignancy of less than 3 months). Patients with any secondary cancer in their history or at follow up included 157 patients (9.5%). Collectively; the median survival was significantly better for patients with a secondary malignancy, 19.09 months, compared to those without a secondary malignancy, 9.53 months, P < 0.001, HR 0.66 (95% CI 0.55 – 0.79). However, the survival differed significantly according to the time sequence between the lung cancer and the secondary malignancy. The median survival was 47.9 months for group II patients, 12.19 months for group III, 17.51 months for group IV, and 9.53 months for group I; P = 0.001. In Cox proportional hazard analysis, the risk of dying decreased by 68% in group II patients compared to group I patients, HR 0.32 (95% CI 0.21–0.5), P < 0.001. Although the risk of dying for group III and IV decreased by 19% and 16% respectively compared to group I patients, it did not reach statistical significance. Nowadays, secondary malignancy in lung cancer patients is a frequent finding. Better survival was observed for patient with secondary malignancy following lung cancer.


This study investigated the level of knowledge held by dentists about the possible treatment plan procedures for periodontal ligament injuries after dentoalveolar trauma. A 5-item self-applied questionnaire was prepared with questions referring to the professional profile of the interviewees and to the treatment plan they would propose for periodontal ligament injuries secondary to dentoalveolar trauma. The questionnaires were filled out by 693 dentists attending the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Dental Research, and the data obtained were subjected to descriptive analysis. Either the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was applied to assess associations among variables, at a 5% level of significance. The results revealed that dentists experienced difficulty in establishing a treatment plan for subluxation, and for extrusive, lateral and intrusive luxations. In general, holding a dental specialty degree had no influence on the knowledge about treatment plan procedures for the most severe injuries. It could be concluded that the dentists participating in this study, whether specialists or not, did not have sufficient knowledge to treat most of the periodontal ligament injuries resulting from dentoalveolar trauma adequately.


The complexation between folic acid and a typical polyaromatic hydrocarbon, naphthalene, was investigated using FTIR and UV spectra. Appearance of a new IR band at 2376 cm−1 demonstrates that NH2–C=N moiety on pterin ring in folic acid is protonated when naphthalene is introduced. The emergence of two charge transfer bands at 235 nm and 296 nm in UV difference spectra show the presence of π-π complexation between folic acid and naphthalene. These experiments confirm that naphthalene could combine with the pterin ring of folic acid through π-π donor– acceptor interaction and induce the protonation process in folic acid upon strengthening electron accepting ability of pterin ring. The results suggest that complexation between naphthalene and folic acid necessarily changes their charge distribution and the surroundings. It is inferred that not only biotransformation process of folic acid, but also the toxicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons could be changed.


Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) can arise from potentially malignant disorders, such as leukoplakia. The immune system plays an important role recognizing tumour precursor cells. However, due to immuno-editing mechanisms cancer cells are able to escape immune system surveillance.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the profile of dendritic (Langerhans and plasmacytoid) and T cells in OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and correlate these findings with clinical data.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty cases of OSCC and 48 of OED were immunostained for CD1a and CD83 dendritic Langerhans cells (DLC), CD303 plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and CD8 followed by quantitative analysis.

RESULTS
Analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of mature CD83 DLC in OSCC compared with OED. CD303 positivity was significantly increased in the OSCC group when compared to OED. CD8-positive lymphocytes were significantly decreased in OSCC compared with OED lesions. No statistical correlation was found with clinical data.

CONCLUSION
The number of mature dendritic cells (DC) was decreased in OSCC compared with OED lesions suggesting that either these cells might have migrated to lymph nodes to present the tumour antigens and activate the immune system or cytokines secreted by the tumour microenvironment are inhibiting the adequate maturation of DLC. The numbers of pDC were significantly increased in the OSCC group compared with the OED group. This suggests they may play an important role in the defence against tumours although it is not clear whether this is promoting or inhibiting malignant progression.


The postoperative upper airway of nine patients who had undergone Woodman procedures for bilateral vocal cord paralysis were assessed by means of flow volume spirometry using the FIF-50 measurement expressed in percentage of normal. There appears to be a good correlation between the postoperative FIF-50 and the degree of postoperative subjective laryngeal obstruction.


Cyber-Manufacturing Systems (CMS) are vulnerable to cyber-manufacturing attacks ironically because of its very beneficial advance: seamless integration with informational and operational entities. Beyond traditional cyber-attack practices, attackers against CMS have an enlarged attack vectors to penetrate CMS through and have a broader spectrum of eventual consequences. Although the significance of this new problem started being widely recognized, actual occurrences of cyber-manufacturing attacks — that can provide useful empirical data — have been relatively of a low number. Furthermore, recent research has been focused on developing solutions to prevent or detect cyber-manufacturing attacks. However, such solutions can be more effectively devised if a thorough understanding of the nature of various attacks is achieved first. To develop effective solutions against cyber-manufacturing attacks, it is of utmost important to understand motivations of the attacker, behaviors of the attacks, patterns of the attack, and impacts of these attacks. The comprehensive analysis of cyber-manufacturing attacks can be achieved by conducting an in-depth investigation of the attacks, identifying vulnerabilities caused by the attacks, and experimenting the attacks in a controlled CMS environment. This research presents how a cyber-manufacturing testbed can be utilized to achieve the above goal. It contributes toward the goal by accomplishing four tasks. First, it established a cyber-manufacturing system testbed. Second, the research identified attack surfaces in the designed testbed and performed an in-depth investigation for cyber-attacks that can infiltrate the established testbed. Based on the second task, it developed a ranking system. Finally, based on the ranking system, high-impact attack scenarios have been identified, demonstrated and analyzed on the cyber-manufacturing testbed.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

To establish animal models for identifying mechanisms of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) invasion, male human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene transgenic rats (Hras 128) were divided into 5 groups and treated with 0.05% N-butyl-N-(hydroxybutyl)nitrosameine (BBN) in drinking water and/or 0.1% phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) in diet, respectively, as follows: BBN (8 wks)→PEITC (8 wks); PEITC (8 wks)→BBN (8 wks); PEITC alone (16 wks); BBN alone (16 wks); non-treatment. At the end of week 16, incidences of invasive UBC in BBN→PEITC and BBN alone groups were 77% (10/13 rats) and 56% (5/9 rats), respectively. The average number of invasive UBC in BBN→PEITC and BBN alone groups were 1.3 ± 0.9 and 0.7 ± 0.7/rat, respectively. Both incidence and numbers of invasive UBC tended to be higher in BBN→PEITC group compared to the BBN alone group. Furthermore, non-invasive UBC were also found in all rats of above 2 groups. No tumors were found in other groups. p53 positive staining were observed in 58% of invasive UBC and 9% of non-invasive UBC in BBN→PEITC group that is similar to positive incidences in human UBCs. These findings indicated that treatment of Hras 128 rats with BBN followed by PEITC induced high incidences of both non-invasive and invasive UBC, and therefore provide a useful comparison model for explore the mechanisms of UBC invasion.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3237.


OBJECTIVE
To identify potential mutation underlying hereditary coagulation factor XII (FXII) deficiency in a pedigree and explore its molecular pathogenesis.

METHODS
Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), FXII activity (FXII:C) and FXII antigen(FXII:Ag) and other coagulant parameters of the proband and 5 family members were measured. Potential mutations in the 14 exons and intron-exon boundaries of the FXII gene were screened with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing. Suspected mutations were confirmed with reverse sequencing. Corresponding PCR fragments from other family members were also sequenced.

RESULTS
APPT of the proband and his son were significantly prolonged to 121.5 s and 98.5 s, respectively. FXII:C and FXII:Ag of the proband and his son have reduced to 5%, 6.8% and 9%, 12.2%, respectively. Plasma plasminogen activity (PLG:A) in both individuals was slightly higher than the normal reference range. FXII:C of his second daughter and grandson were slightly reduced to 64% and 60%. FXII:C of the other family members were all in the normal range (72%-113%). A heterozygous missense mutation, g.8597G>A, was identified in exon 13 of the FXII gene in the proband, which resulted in an p.Asp538Asn substitution. For the promoter regions of the FXII gene, the genotype of the proband was 46TT. The same mutations and 46T/T were also found in the proband's son but not in other members of the family. The genotypes of the proband's spouse, eldest daughter and grandson were 46CT, and his second daughter was 46TT.

CONCLUSION
The heterozygous mutation of g.8597G>A identified in exon 13 of FXII gene is a novel mutation. Heterozygous p.Asp538Asn mutation and 46TT in the FXII gene can cause hereditary FXII deficiency, which was probably responsible for the low FXII concentrations in this pedigree.


PurposeChinese multinational enterprises' (MNEs) unprecedented, aggressive cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs) have led to several studies examining Chinese CBMAs, which importantly has also led to some degree of "theorising". This study aims to undertake a "non-theoretical" fact-finding exercise before any theorising and empirical "causal" examination for a better understanding of the phenomenon (the rise of Chinese CBMAs).Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a "stylised facts" approach which documents "empirical regularities" concerning Chinese CBMAs and thus guides new research questions.FindingsSeveral facts are documented. Firstly, both the value and frequency of Chinese CBMAs are catching up to greenfield investments, with CBMA deals being larger in scale but lower in frequency. Secondly, Chinese CBMAs show a global reach away from the regional orientation of their early years. Thirdly, Chinese MNEs are possibly transforming their value chain with industrial upgrading as an aim. Fourthly, Chinese "full" acquisitions of targets have surged, especially in OECD countries, suggestive of Chinese MNEs' "radical" acquisition approaches.Originality/valueThe gathered facts lend support to the view of the need for such fact-finding exercises to explicate and shed "new" light on the phenomenon (beyond our "current" views/beliefs). An understanding of the underlying trends beyond bare facts can also identify new knowledge, which can in turn provide new directions for research.


ABSTRACT:The authors report a 49-year-old woman who had been treated with diclofenac for her back pain. Nephrotic syndrome followed by occlusion of the right profound femoral and popliteal arteries occurred. Successful thrombectomy was performed. Another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was administered by injection during hospitalization. Renal biopsy showed minimal change glomerulopathy (MCG). Remission was delayed despite large-dose steroid administration. The delayed remission in this patient may be caused by impaired renal function and the possible effect of a second period of NSAID administration. The authors present the first case of femoral arterial thrombosis associated with nephrotic syndrome secondary to NSAID-associated MCG. Careful history-taking and physical examination may detect early causes and complications of nephrotic syndrome. Any rechallenge of NSAID should be avoided.


The use of color in QR codes brings extra data capacity, but also inflicts tremendous challenges on the decoding process due to chromatic distortion—cross-channel color interference and illumination variation. Particularly, we further discover a new type of chromatic distortion in high-density color QR codes—cross-module color interference—caused by the high density, which also makes the geometric distortion correction more challenging. To address these problems, we propose two approaches, LSVM-CMI and QDA-CMI, which jointly model these different types of chromatic distortion. Extended from SVM and QDA, respectively, both LSVM-CMI and QDA-CMI optimize over a particular objective function and learn a color classifier. Furthermore, a robust geometric transformation method and several pipeline refinements are proposed to boost the decoding performance for mobile applications. We put forth and implement a framework for high-capacity color QR codes equipped with our methods, called HiQ. To evaluate the performance of HiQ, we collect a challenging large-scale color QR code data set, CUHK-CQRC, which consists of 5390 high-density color QR code samples. The comparison with the baseline method on CUHK-CQRC shows that HiQ at least outperforms by 188% in decoding success rate and 60% in bit error rate. Our implementation of HiQ in iOS and Android also demonstrates the effectiveness of our framework in real-world applications.


ABSTRACT Professor Marshall, in her conference opening remarks, asked 'What is a university for?' She then discussed the need for higher education to develop graduates who can offer solutions to global challenges, but that this needs to include not only core skills for each discipline but also wider graduate skills that employers require. Professor Wakeham, in his keynote, questioned whether our current approach to employability development is working, for STEM undergraduates, highlighting the poor employment rates for STEM UK graduates. In this Conference Reflection article, we will respond to the issues raised above by considering what the overarching challenges are for universities trying to teach employability and graduateness. Drawing on the conference keynotes, employer-led reports and using the reviews of Shadbolt and Wakeham, we will consider what problems and issues exist and what solutions are being devised, reflecting on the successes and difficulties reported on at the Manchester conference.


We demonstrate a facile fabrication technique for highly conductive and transparent thin graphene films. Sheet conductivity of Langmuir–Blodgett assembled multi-layer graphene films is enhanced through doping with nitric acid, leading to a fivefold improvement while retaining the same transparency as un-doped films. Sheet resistivity of such chemically improved films reaches 10 k &OHgr; / □ ?> , with optical transmittance 78% in the visible. When the films are encapsulated, the enhanced sheet conductivity effect is stable in time. In addition, stacking of multiple layers, as well as the dependence of the sheet resistivity upon axial strain have been investigated.


Problem localization is a critical part of providing crucial system management capabilities to modern distributed environments. One key open challenge is for problem localization solutions to scale for systems containing hundreds or even thousands of nodes, whilst still remaining fast enough to respond to rapid environment changes and sufficiently cost-effective to avoid overloading any management or application component. This paper meets the challenge by introducing two scalable frameworks applicable to a wide range of existing problem localization solutions: one based on a summary-driven, narrow-down procedure, the other through decomposing and decentralizing the problem localization process. Both frameworks, at their best, are able to achieve O(logN) problem localization time and O(1) per node communication load. The contrasting natures of both frameworks provide them with complimentary strengths that make them suitable for different scenarios in practice. We demonstrate our approaches in simulation settings and two real-world environments and show promising scalability benefits that can make a difference in system management operations.