Looking out of hospital windows at the urban sprawl containing acres of ruined and debilitated communities, it is difficult not to consider the ultimate futility of some of the more successful hospital discharges. Physicians can suture wounds, reduce suffering, and cure infections, but are hard pressed to alleviate the human condition of the patient's social milieu. Coulter's article in this issue ofThe Journal(p 1207) poignantly underscores the lonely battles some patients fight once outside of the clinics and wards. The medical care that salvaged an epileptic patient's life was no match for the social forces that magnified the subsequent morbidity until it became a mortality. Physicians, unfortunately, have no wonder drug for the tragedy of stigma and the heartbreak of isolation. The patient's suicide in Coulter's COMMENTARY represents a tragic finality of a life not uncommon to individuals with permanent disability. Family neglect and official indifference are all


The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of floating water hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes ) to survive under selected concentrations of sago mill effluent (SME) and determine the nutrient uptake by the plant. Phytoremediation at 10, 15, and 20% (V SME /V water ) SME concentrations by water hyacinth was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 30 d in a batch type experiment. After 30 d of phytoremediation, the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand, ammonia and phosphorus from SME wastewater were (86.4% to 97.2%), (91.4% to 97.3%) and (80.4 to 97.2%), respectively. The results proved the efficiency of water hyacinth to polish SME wastewater.


We have investigated the nonlinear properties of high-temperature superconducting films on MgO substrates for microwave applications in the UHF-range. Surface impedance and two-tone frequency intermodulation are different sources of nonlinear microwave response, which are subtly related. We have found correlations between the microwave response of the superconducting films and their electronic and structural properties, which are essential to optimise the device performance. Furthermore, for the first time, we have observed a nonlinear dielectric loss tangent of MgO at temperatures up to 70 K. The dielectric losses contribute significantly to intermodulation distortion. Our findings are relevant for conventional and superconducting microwave components involving usual dielectric materials like MgO. The results may also prove helpful for the development of novel RF dielectrics.


Context. The Event Horizon Telescope recently observed the first shadow of a black hole. Images like this can potentially be used to test or constrain theories of gravity and deepen the understanding in plasma physics at event horizon scales, which requires accurate parameter estimations.
Aims. In this work, we present Deep Horizon, two convolutional deep neural networks that recover the physical parameters from images of black hole shadows. We investigate the effects of a limited telescope resolution and observations at higher frequencies.
Methods. We trained two convolutional deep neural networks on a large image library of simulated mock data. The first network is a Bayesian deep neural regression network and is used to recover the viewing angle i, and position angle, mass accretion rate Ṁ, electron heating prescription Rhigh and the black hole mass MBH. The second network is a classification network that recovers the black hole spin a.
Results. We find that with the current resolution of the Event Horizon Telescope, it is only possible to accurately recover a limited number of parameters of a static image, namely the mass and mass accretion rate. Since potential future space-based observing missions will operate at frequencies above 230 GHz, we also investigated the applicability of our network at a frequency of 690 GHz. The expected resolution of space-based missions is higher than the current resolution of the Event Horizon Telescope, and we show that Deep Horizon can accurately recover the parameters of simulated observations with a comparable resolution to such missions.


ABSTRACT: Bovine mastitis has a negative impact on milk production and can pose risks to public health. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of bovine milk from small farms in the Botucatu/SP region. Somatic cell counts (SCC), identification of pathogens involved in mastitis, and sensitivity antimicrobial profile of staphylococci isolated were performed. The presence of enterotoxin encoding genes in isolates of staphylococci obtained from milk was investigated. Milk samples from individual mammary quarters of cows were submitted to the California mastitis test (CMT) and SCC. Of the 239 dairy cows from 21 dairy herds evaluated (mean = 11.4 animals/property), two cows (0.8%) presented clinical mastitis and 86 (35.9%) subclinical mastitis. Bacterial culture was performed in 177 quarter milk samples. Staphylococci were identified in 55 (31.1%), corynebacteria in 45 (25.4%), streptococci in 25 (14.1%) and coliforms in four (2.3%) milk samples. Average SCC from culture-positive samples was 1598x103 cells/mL, in case of staphylococci was 1362x103 cells/ml, streptococci was 2857x103 cells/mL, corynebacteria was 976x103 cells/mL and in the cases of coliforms 1161x103 cells/mL were obtained. Staphylococci showed a high sensitivity (>95%) to cephalothin, cotrimoxazole, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin, with a 41.2% resistance to penicillin and 11.8% to oxacillin. Both coagulase positive (CPS) and negative staphylococci (CNS) carried genes encoding enterotoxins in 21.6% of the first group and 41.9% in the second. The sea gene was the most detected 45.8% (n=24) between them, followed by seb with 29.2% and sec with 25.0%. The sed gene was not identified. We highlight the potential risk to public health in the possibility of strains of Staphylococcus spp. enterotoxin-producing genes that can cause staphylococcal food poisoning.


In this paper, we describe a software tool for optimizing the path length from primary inputs to primary outputs as well as the number of gates in digital c ir uits. A frame for optimization is extracted from a digital circuit; the extracted frame is divided into two parts and the maximum flexibility for each part is determined by the largest solution to an appropriate FSM equation. We check whether one or some output f unctions of each part can be replaced by a simple function o f two primary input variables that can be implemented as a single gate, while preserving the behavior of the overall fragment. A developed software package can deal with digital circuits whi ch have around 500 gates, and 40 primary inputs and outputs . Experiments were performed for a pack of benchmarks that were first resynthesised by ABC tool [1]. Our resul ts show that the developed package can improve around 15% of ben chmarks.


Vitamin A is adequately distributed within the body to maintain the biological function of retinoids in the periph-eral tissues and the production of the visual chromophore, 11- cis -retinal, in the eye. One of the mysteries in our vision is that humans recognize color by use of a single chromophore molecule (11- cis -retinal), meaning that the chromophore is identical even between blue-absorbing and red-absorbing sensors. Humans have two different types of retinal contain-ing light-sensitive proteins expressed in the retina, rhodopsin (Rh) achieving the twilight vision and three cone pigments, which mediate color vision. Each different chromophore-protein interaction allows preferential absorption of a selected range of wavelengths. While the structural basis for photoreaction and signal transduction of Rh has been well understood by the determination of its atomic-level structure, structural studies of cone pigments lag far behind those of Rh, mainly because of difficulty in sample preparation and lack of suitable methods in structural analysis. We thus attempted to express monkey cone pigments in HEK293 cell lines for structural analysis using light-induced difference Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The first structural information successfully elicited from the highly accurate spectra for each cone pigment showed that the retinal chromophore is structurally similar between Rh and cone pigments, but the hydrogen-bonding network around the retinal chromophore is entirely different between them. In addition, some spectral differences are observed between cone pigments, including protein-bound water molecules. These differences could be interpreted to play a role in spectral tuning.


Estimating the elastic modulus and strength of heterogeneous films requires local measurement techniques. For local mechanical film testing, microcantilevers were cut into suspended many-layer graphene using a focused ion beam. An optical transmittance technique was used to map thickness near the cantilevers, and multipoint force-deflection mapping with an atomic force microscope was used to record the compliance of the cantilevers. These data were used to estimate the elastic modulus of the film by fitting the compliance at multiple locations along the cantilever to a fixed-free Euler-Bernoulli beam model. This method resulted in a lower uncertainty than is possible from analyzing only a single force-deflection. The breaking strength of the film was also found by deflecting cantilevers until fracture. The average modulus and strength of the many-layer graphene films are 300 and 12 GPa, respectively. The multipoint force-deflection method is well suited to analyze films that are heterogeneous in thickness or wrinkled.


New and alternative models for agri-food production and consumption have brought up questions regarding the effects they have on local development processes in terms of the economic exploitation of rural areas as well as environmental, cultural, and social factors. The agri-food system proposed by the Slow Food (SF) Presidia Project, which focuses on farm-to-market systems for local, high-quality, sustainable products, can respond to the new and emerging needs of both rural and urban populaces via several approaches in addition to food production itself. However, evaluating these parameters is challenging. The aim of this study was to develop an indicator-based tool to monitor the sustainability in agri-food systems that considers quality as well as economic, ecological, social, and cultural aspects. We: (i) translated the major SF principles of "good," "clean," and "fair" into five major criteria to evaluate sustainability; (ii) designed multiple indicators to monitor progress toward sustainability for each of those criteria; and (iii) applied the monitoring tools to three case studies as a first attempt at end-use validation. Indicators and criteria were weighted either equally or based on their importance to surveyed stakeholders, i.e., consumers, producers, and scientists/experts. The proposed approach performed well as a tool for a broad sustainability evaluation by effectively combining the indicators with the same feedback. With this approach, we demonstrated that the SF Presidia project increases all dimensions of sustainability and in particular socioeconomic and cultural capital by preserving the environmental and quality aspects of the food products.


RCCS is a passive safety-related system that removes the decay heat of VHTR when normal decay heat removal systems are in failure. Understanding thermo-hydraulics of RCCS is important to design a safer VHTR. RCCS consists of 292 cooling panels, which are placed in the reactor cavity. The layout of RCCS gives an idea that, for CFD simulations, cooling panels can be assumed to be one annulus tube. This assumption can reduce significantly the computational time, especially for the unsteady simulation. To simulate RCCS in an axisymmetric manner, three models were suggested and compared. Each model has (1) the same outer radius, (2) the same cross-sectional area (3) the same pressure drop, respectively, as the RCCS cooling panels. The steady-state simulation was conducted with these three models and the DO radiation model. It is found that over 90% of the heat from the outer wall of the reactor pressure vessel is transported to the RCCS by radiative heat transfer. The simulation with the third model, which has the same pressure drop as the design, estimates the closest wall temperature profiles to a thermo-hydraulic code, GAMMA+, result.


The following article describes the basics for the production of special plaster and mould plaster and focuses on questions arising from practical use. The production of α-and β-hemihydrate is dealt with and the different physical characteristics which result when one takes the mould durability into consideration, according to the requirements of the raw material. The working mechanism between different additives and mould plaster is shown and the consequences for the user are clearly laid out. In conclusion, the quality control according to ISO 9001 which is carried out at Borgardts is described. Directions for incoming product control for the customer are also described, so that optimal results for the production process can be reached.


CDMA is the most efficient multiple access scheme since it has neither frequency limitation like FDMA nor time limitation as in TDMA. Since all the users in CDMA uses the same frequency it is highly prone to interference. Interference decreases the capacity of the system. Estimation of the amount of interference is essential in network design so the interference factor is calculated with the help of distance ratio in various cases such as the user remaining stationary, and the user moving randomly in this paper.


A total of 154 adult patients with dyspeptic symptoms were studied. In case of 115 (74,68%) persons Helicobacter pylori infection was detected, taking into consideration positive results in a rapid urease test and histological examination and presence of antibodies in the serum. In 69,6% predominated high (> 72 IU/ml) level specific anty-H. pylori antibodies. In stool, antigen H. pylori was detected in 100 (64,9%) samples. In 137 cases were obtained results, this same like results of three early tests. Senitivity and specificity of HpSA test were 86,21% and 98,18%, respectively. It was significant (13,91%) percenage of false negative results.


Mezlocillin, 6-[D-2-(2-Oxo-3-mesyl-imidazolidine-1-carboxamido)- 2-phenylacetamido]-penicillanic acid, is a new semisynthetic acylureido-penicillin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The synthesis of mezlocillin from ampicillin and from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and the physicochemical properties are described. Mezlocillin is cleaved by penicillinase to the penicilloate which is degraded further by acids to the penilloate.


Myoblasts from 12-day chick embryos in cell culture transport the nonmetabolizable amino acid alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) two to three-fold more rapidly than multinucleated myotubes which form from them. This decrease in transport is due to a relative decrease in the number of transport sites per unit area of cell surface suggesting a compositional change in the plasma membrane during myogenesis. In studies reported here, AIB transport was monitored throughout myogenesis and correlated with other aspects of differentiation. During myogenesis the number of amino acid transport sites remains constant per myotube nucleus. As myogenesis proceeds, there is a marked increase in cellular protein and cell surface without a commensurate increase in amino acid transport sites. The net consequence of the surface area change is fewer amino acid transport sites per unit area of myotube membrane surface. The decrease in membrane transport sites for AIB per unit area of membrane is not a result of length of time in culture per se, medium depletion, or cell density, but is a result of differentiation, since blocking myoblast fusion by deprivation of calcium delays the decrease in AIB transport sites per unit cell surface area while reversal of the calcium deprivation block is accompanied by a rapid decrease in the number of AIB transport sites per unit cell surface area. Thus, the decrease in AIB transport sites is an aspect of differentiation which accompanies the marked elaboration of surface membrane during myogenesis.


The 'Dream Circle' is a space designed by and operated through Indigenous educator footprints as a safe space for the school's deadly jarjums (Indigenous children). The 'Dream Circle' uses a kinnected methodology drawing on the rich vein of Murri cultural knowledges and Torres Strait Islander supports within the local community to provide a safe and supportive circle. The 'Dream Circle' operates on a school site in the Logan area as an after school homework and cultural studies class. The 'Dream Circle' embodies practices and ritualises processes which ensure cultural safety and integrity. In this way the 'Dream Circle' balances the measures that Sarra (2005) purports are the stronger, smarter realities needed for positive change in Indigenous education.


Objectives Our objectives in this study were to expand a previously reported U.S. market basket survey using a larger sample size and to estimate levels of PBDE intake from food for the U.S. general population by sex and age. Methods We measured concentrations of 13 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in food in 62 food samples. In addition, we estimated levels of PBDE intake from food for the U.S. general population by age (birth through ≥60 years of age) and sex. Results In food samples, concentrations of total PBDEs varied from 7.9 pg/g (parts per trillion) in milk to 3,726 pg/g in canned sardines. Fish were highest in PBDEs (mean, 1,120 pg/g; median, 616 pg/g; range, 11.14–3,726 pg/g). This was followed by meat (mean, 383 pg/g; median, 190 pg/g; range, 39–1,426 pg/g) and dairy products (mean, 116 pg/g; median, 32.2 pg/g; range, 7.9–683 pg/g). However, using estimates for food consumption (excluding nursing infants), meat accounted for the highest U.S. dietary PBDE intake, followed by dairy and fish, with almost equal contributions. Adult females had lower dietary intake of PBDEs than did adult males, based on body weight. We estimated PBDE intake from food to be 307 ng/kg/day for nursing infants and from 2 ng/kg/day at 2–5 years of age for both males and females to 0.9 ng/kg/day in adult females. Conclusion Dietary exposure alone does not appear to account for the very high body burdens measured. The indoor environment (dust, air) may play an important role in PBDE body burdens in addition to food.


We investigated the effect of ultra-high molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid (UHMW γ-PGA) on hair loss in vitro and in vivo. 5-Alpha reductase is an enzyme that metabolizes the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. By performing an in vitro experiment to analyze the inhibitory effects of UHMW γ-PGA on 5-alpha reductase activity, we determined that UHMW γ-PGA did in fact inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity, indicating the use of UHMW γ-PGA as a potential 5-alpha reductase inhibitor in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. To evaluate the promotion of hair growth in vivo, we topically applied UHMW γ-PGA and minoxidil on the shaved dorsal skin of telogenic C57BL/6 mice for 4 weeks. At 4 weeks, the groups treated with UHMW γ-PGA showed hair growth on more than 50% of the shaved skin, whereas the control group showed less hair growth. To investigate the progression of hair follicles in the hair cycle, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed. Histological observations revealed that the appearance of hair follicles was earlier in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group than in the control group. The number of hair follicles on the relative area of shaved skin in the UHMW γ-PGA-treated group was higher than that observed on the shaved skin in the control group. These results indicate that UHMW γ-PGA can promote hair growth by effectively inducing the anagen phase in telogenic C57BL/6 mice.


In this study, the utilisability of Walnut Shell (WS) flour in polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites are investigated due to its relative hardness and availability. The WS flour was compounded with PP and HDPE at 50% (weight) content with and without coupling agent in a single screw extruder. Then, granulated compositions were manufactured by press moulding process. Some mechanical properties (Tensile, impact, flexural strength), TGA and DSC were performed on the polymer composites samples. When WS flour were added 3% coupling agent bending properties of the HDPE and PP samples increased to 1340 MPa and 1514 MPa, respectively. However, WS2 samples which HDPE composites type was added 3% coupling agent in the form showed 26% lower impact factor than WS1. The addition of coupling agents improved the properties of polymer composites. MAPE coupling agents performed better in HDPE while MAPP coupling agents were superior in PP based composites. According to mechanical properties of the composites groups, the lowest strength was in the WS3 which content 50% PP without couple agent. All produced composites provided mechanical properties required by the ASTM D662 standard for plastic lumber decking boards. The analysis showed that MAPE didn't affect to thermal degradation of 47% WS filled HDPE composites samples. Melting temperature was around WS1 and WS2 130 °C while WS3 and WS4 around 165 °C. The second melting peak temperature of WS2 composites with 3% coupling agent was around 170 °C. As a result Walnut shell which was considered agricultural waste can be utilized in polymer composite


One of the biggest challenges associated with testing the linearity of high performance Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) is generating a test stimulus more linear or spectrally more pure than the device under test. In this paper we propose algorithms that allow easy to generate, imprecise sinusoidal excitations that differ by a constant voltage to characterize the Integral nonlinearity (INL) of high resolution ADCs. Simulation results indicate that sine waves with SFDR<40dB can be used to accurately identify the INL of 16-bit ADCs with the proposed methods.


The outcome of sixteen treatment programs for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia reported by cooperative study groups were reviewed and analysed. The rate of disease-free survival for 3 years or more ranged from 34% to 75%, depending on each clinical trial. Remission induction therapy always consists of at least vincristine (V) and prednisone (P). L-asparaginase or daunorubicin is generally added to VP therapy. The following central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis therapies were compared: craniospinal irradiation cranial irradiation (either 2400 rads or 1800 rads) plus intrathecal methotrexate, intrathecal drugs (either methotrexate alone or so-called triple therapy consisting of methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside and hydrocortisone) and intermediate- or high-dose methotrexate plus intrathecal methotrexate. These therapies have reduced the incidence of CNS leukemia to less than 10%. The intensification phase was the most variable component of treatment. In order to obtain maximum leukemic cell killing early in treatment, a number of protocols are investigating the use of an intensive consolidation course. An early consolidation study by the Berlin-Munster-Frankfurt group in West Germany achieved successful results. However, intensive therapy for low-risk patients failed to improve the disease-free survival. Further studies will be needed to assess the effectiveness of prolonged intensification for patients having any of the prognostic risk features. The standard duration of therapy varies between 2 and 3 years, but the minimum duration of effective chemotherapy is still unknown. It should be clarified whether a more intensive chemotherapy, can facilitate a shorter duration of treatment.


Multiple lines of evidence from the attention and performance literature show that attention filtering can be controlled by higher level voluntary processes and lower-level cue-driven processes (for recent reviews see Bugg, 2012; Bugg & Crump, 2012; Egner, 2008). The experiments were designed to test a general hypothesis that cue-driven control learns from context-specific histories of prior acts of selective attention. Several web-based flanker studies were conducted via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Attention filtering demands were induced by a secondary one-back memory task after each trial prompting recall of the last target or distractor letter. Blocking recall demands produced larger flanker effects for the distractor than target recall conditions. Mixing recall demands and associating them with particular stimulus-cues (location, colour, letter, and font) sometimes showed rapid, contextual control of flanker interference, and sometimes did not. The results show that subtle methodological parameters can influence whether or not contextual control is observed. More generally, the results show that contextual control phenomena can be influenced by other sources of control, including other cue-driven sources competing for control.


We analyze the liquidity component in a derivative transaction where both counterparties can default, and the effect of a counterparty's default probability on his funding costs and benefits. The analysis shows that the value of a transaction is influenced not by the total cost of funding of a counterparty, but only by that component of the cost of funding corresponding to his bond-CDS basis spread, and this regulates which trades are possible in the market. Moreover, we find that the DVA can be represented as a funding benefit for the borrower, alternatively to the market standard that considers it a benefit coming from the borrower's own default risk.


Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of dyes in solution allows the study of the differences between ensemble averaged spectroscopic signals and single molecular events. We address several outstanding issues in single molecule detection via SERS; in particular, evidence for single molecule vibrational pumping and/or single molecule laser heating, the statistics of hotspots in the liquid, and anti-Stokes/Stokes anomalies. We demonstrate that anti-Stokes/Stokes ratios are a very unreliable measure of temperature, because the two processes are affected differently by the underlying frequency-dependent plasmon resonances. Subtle hints of vibrational pumping and/or heating in single molecules can only obtained via careful cross correlations between the parameters (frequency position, width, and intensity) of the Stokes signals for different excitation lasers. We introduce the use of single-peak parameter cross correlations for the study of these phenomena.


IL-10, a cytokine with important anti-inflammatory properties, is generated within the CNS during neuroinflammation. The mechanism for its production is poorly understood. Since infiltrating lymphocytes come into close proximity with the macrophage-like cells of the CNS, the microglia, we have used an in vitro human microglia-T cell coculture system to address the mechanisms of IL-10 production. We demonstrate that microglia or activated T cells alone secrete negligible amounts of IL-10, but that their coculture results in significant IL-10 production, which was effected by both cell types. IL-10 generation was cell contact dependent, and treatment with anti-CD40, CTLA-4-Fc, or anti-CD23 decreased the IL-10 content in microglia-T cell cocultures. The combination of anti-CD40 and CTLA-4-Fc reduced IL-10 levels to the negligible amounts seen with T cells or microglia in isolation. By also measuring TNF-alpha levels, specificity of cytokine regulation was observed; while anti-CD40 and CTLA-4-Fc reduced IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels, anti-CD23 did not affect TNF-alpha while attenuating IL-10 generation. Anti-very late Ag-4, which decreased TNF-alpha levels, did not affect IL-10. These results implicate the CD40, B7, and CD23 pathways in IL-10 production following microglia-T cell encounter and have relevance to the regulation of an anti-inflammatory response within the CNS.


In article the basic directions, forms and methods of the international cooperation of the faculty of the Russian high schools are analyzed. Contacts to foreign colleagues, trip abroad, interaction of teachers to scientific funds and the organisations are especially marked. Article is written on actual materials since 1995 on the present. Besides, activity of program TEMPUS is shown, and also the academic mobility, as one of priority directions of the international cooperation of teachers of the Russian and foreign high schools is analysed.


Percutaneous electrical stimulation of the motor cortex was used to evaluate corticospinal conduction to upper-limb motoneurons in 29 patients with multiple sclerosis. Central motor conduction abnormalities were correlated with clinical signs and somatosensory evoked potentials. Muscle responses to cortical stimulation were altered in 20 patients. The most common abnormality was increased central motor conduction time; in two cases the responses to cortical stimulation were absent. Abnormalities were also present in patients with no clinical evidence of corticomotoneuron deficit. Alterations of muscle responses and of somatosensory evoked potentials were usually correlated, but may appear independently. Both testing methods are useful in the study of patients with multiple sclerosis.


1. Thrombelastographic determinations were made in cases of AHG-, PTC- and PTA-deficiencies, in thrombocytopenias and in normal plasmas after the addition, in vitro, of heparin and synthetic heparin-like substances.

2. The components of the thrombelastogram (TEG) were correlated with respect to the reaction time ( r ), the rate of clot formations ( k ), and the maximal amplitude ( ma ).

3. The differentiation of the hemophilic and thrombocytopenic syndromes was made on the basis of the typical variations of r, k and ma : prolonged r and k in hemophilia, prolonged k and decreased ma in thrombocytopenias.

4. The behavior of heparinized blood was characterized by a hemophilia-like prolongation of r and k and a thrombocytopenic-like decrease of ma , with variations depending on the compound used.

5. The correlations between the r, k and ma values of TEG are suggested for the evaluation of thrombelastography.


Mesenteric fibromatosis is a rare benign nonmetastatic neoplasm that appears as a sporadic lesion or occurs in patients with familial polyposis, while chylous ascites associated with aggressive mesenteric fibromatosis during pregnancy has never been reported thus far. Here we present the case of a 28-year old pregnant woman, in whom an aggressive mesenteric fibromatosis with chylous ascites was detected, involving the jejunum, superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and pancreas. One year after a successful surgical excision, the patient had no signs of recurrence. The authors report the case for its rarity and emphasize on combining clinicopathological, radiological and immunohistochemistry analysis for management of the disease.


We now know that a large number of stars are born in multiple systems. Additionally, more than 70% of massive stars are found in close binary systems, meaning that they will interact over the course of their lifetime. This has strong implications for their evolution as well as the transients (e.g supernovae) and the potential gravitational wave progenitors they produce. Therefore, in order to understand and correctly interpret astronomical observations of stellar populations, we must use theoretical models able to account for the effects of binary stars. This is the case of the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis code (BPASS), which has been a staple of the field for over 10 years. As is the case for most other theoretical models, the data products of BPASS are large, varied and complex. As a result, their use requires a level of expertise that is not immediately accessible to a wider community that may hold key observational data. The goal of hoki is to bridge the gap between observation and theory, by providing a set of tools to make BPASS data easily accessible and facilitate analysis. The use of Python is deliberate as it is a ubiquitous language within Astronomy. This allows BPASS results to be used naturally within the pre-existing workflow of most astronomers.


Nucleic acid hybridization techniques have been used for several decades in basic research to isolate genes, to determine their structure or analyse their mechanisms. The possibility of using them in clinical biology has been considered for several years. The transfer from basic to applied research can now take place due to the new technology of non-radioactive probes (cold probes). Hybridization features the use of a probe nucleic acid molecule and of a target nucleic acid molecule. It leads to the formation of a double-stranded molecule, also called duplex, which can be detected with great sensitivity. For this to be done, the probe can be tagged with a variety of labels such as a radio-isotope or a non-isotopic marker which can be detected for its fluorescence, luminescence or enzyme activity or by immuno-reaction(s). Hybridization can be performed either in a liquid solution or on a solid support. In the first case, hybridization is generally followed by a separation step which makes use of solid phase to isolate the hybrid (duplex) formed. This separation can be achieved by biochemical means (adsorption chromatography, differential precipitation, electrophoresis, etc.) or by immunological means (affinity chromatography, immuno-capture). In the second case, the support can be used in different ways according to the assay format employed to perform hybridization. The target DNA can be immobilized by contacting the sample to be tested with the support: simple specimen deposit with a pipette (for low volumes), or by aspiration under vacuum or by (capillary or electrophoretic) transfer from an agarose gel. In the sandwich assay format, probe DNA is immobilized onto the support to specifically extract the target DNA from the medium under assay. Support to be employed for hybridization purpose can be selected from the group consisting of: nylon (N), nitrocellulose (NC) or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes; N+NC mixed membranes; cellulose and its derivatives; polyoside supports (Sephacryl, Sepharose, etc.), latex particles, polystyrene microplates. The coupling procedures and capacity vary according to the type of support used.


The water cloud model (WCM) is a widely used radar backscatter model applied to SAR images to retrieve soil moisture over vegetated areas. The WCM needs vegetation descriptors to account for the impact of vegetation on SAR backscatter. The commonly used vegetation descriptors in WCM, such as Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), are sometimes difficult to obtain due to the constraints in data availability in in-situ measurements or weather dependency in optical remote sensing. To improve soil moisture retrieval, this study investigates the feasibility of using all-weather SAR derived vegetation descriptors in WCM. The in-situ data observed at an agricultural crop region south of Winnipeg in Canada, RapidEye optical images and dual-polarized Radarsat-2 SAR images acquired in growing season were used for WCM model calibration and test. Vegetation descriptors studied include HV polarization backscattering coefficient ( σ H V ° ) and Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) derived from SAR imagery, and NDVI derived from optical imagery. The results show that σ H V ° achieved similar results as NDVI but slightly better than RVI, with a root mean square error of 0.069 m3/m3 and a correlation coefficient of 0.59 between the retrieved and observed soil moisture. The use of σ H V ° can overcome the constraints of the commonly used vegetation descriptors and reduce additional data requirements (e.g., NDVI from optical sensors) in WCM, thus improving soil moisture retrieval and making WCM feasible for operational use.


A new method for representing subgrid-scale cloud structure in which each model column is decomposed into a set of subcolumns has been introduced into the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's global atmospheric model AM2. Each subcolumn in the decomposition is homogeneous, but the ensemble reproduces the initial profiles of cloud properties including cloud fraction, internal variability (if any) in cloud condensate, and arbitrary overlap assumptions that describe vertical correlations. These subcolumns are used in radiation and diagnostic calculations and have allowed the introduction of more realistic overlap assumptions. This paper describes the impact of these new methods for representing cloud structure in instantaneous calculations and long-term integrations. Shortwave radiation computed using subcolumns and the random overlap assumption differs in the global annual average by more than 4Wm 2 from the operational radiation scheme in instantaneous calculations; much of this difference is counteracted by a change in the overlap assumption to one in which overlap varies continuously with the separation distance between layers. Internal variability in cloud condensate, diagnosed from the mean condensate amount and cloud fraction, has about the same effect on radiative fluxes as does the ad hoc tuning accounting for this effect in the operational radiation scheme. Long simulations with the new model configuration show little difference from the operational model configuration, while statistical tests indicate that the model does not respond systematically to the sampling noise introduced by the approximate radiative transfer techniques introduced to work with the subcolumns.


Many-body eigenstates beyond the gaussian approximation can be constructed in terms of local integrals of motion (IOM), although their actual computation has been until now a daunting task. We present a new practical computation of IOMS based on displacement transformations. It represents a general and systematic way to extend Hartree-Fock and configuration interaction theories to higher order. Our method combines minimization of energy and energy variance of a reference state with exact diagonalization. We show that our implementation is able to perform ground state calculations with high precision for relatively large systems. Since it keeps track of the IMO's forming a reference state, our method is particularly efficient dealing with excited states, both in accuracy and the number of different states that can be constructed.


Due to the rapid growth in digital storage technologies, Information Retrieval (IR) has gained a significant importance, both for academia and for the industry. However, very few proposals have been made for the creation of an environment capable of both providing useful IR services and acting as a workbench for the design, implementation, and research of new IR solutions. In this work, we propose IR-BASE, a basic object oriented framework for the integration of components, documentation and services, focused on the rapid development of prototypes for research and teaching. At its core, IR-BASE consists of a set of base classes that provide a skeleton to create new IR components, a set of guidelines to ensure that the developed components are fully interoperable, and a component pool, where IR-BASE users can find implementations of all kinds of functionalities needed to build a full IR system, and to which IR-BASE users can contribute with their own implementations. IR-BASE is of interest not only to IR researchers and professionals, who want to rapidly develop prototypes to test new ideas, but also to teachers and students, who will have an easily configurable, modifiable and extendible set of components to act has a basis for learning, building and experimenting with current IR algorithms.


. The study on the effect of elevated temperature on Geo-polymer concrete (GPC) got its significance because conventional concrete start to deteriorate around 400 0 C. GPC gains attention as it is eco-friendly and economical, by utilizing industrial by-products. GPC also an alternate solution as the raw materials to produce cement are depleting day by day. GPC gains strength by geo-polymerization with the reactions between mineral admixtures and alkaline solutions. This paper presents the studies on general properties and advantages of GPC over conventional concrete which depend on properties of binder, type of curing etc. Current study mainly concentrates on effect of elevated temperatures and post fire properties of GPC depending upon rate of heating, duration of fire and maximum high temperature. Strength and durability recovery of fire damaged concrete is discussed.


The collisional Weibel instability is investigated for a laser-ablated plasma in planar geometry. The exponential time dependence of the linear Weibel eigenmodes is obtained by numerically solving the electron Fokker-Planck and Maxwell's equations in the inhomogeneous spatial direction, with a harmonic perturbation in the transverse direction. A Cartesian tensor expansion is used to approximate the electron distribution function. Local stability analysis predicts maximum growth rates of order 1010 s-1 near the overdense side of the critical surface. The inclusion of longitudinal magnetic diffusion and electron viscosity decreases this by a factor of 5. By further including magnetic convection effects, the Weibel mode is stabilized.


This study aims to determine the structure of traditional Chinese crossbreed in Indonesia wedding ceremonies. The research data is the result of informant interview. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative method by using ceremonial theory and acculturation theory.The author chose this title because it is one of the unique traditions in Indonesia. This tradition is a blend of Chinese culture, Betawi and Sunda. Cio Tou is one of the traditional wedding tradition procession in Teluknaga Tangerang. The tradition of Cio Tou exists only in the tradition of the Chinese crossbreed customs in Teluknaga Tangerang. The results obtained in this research are 7 stages of traditional ceremony in Chinese crossbreed marriage that is the selection of soul mate, applying, dowry, youth evening, Cio Tou tradition, wedding reception, and custom after marriage.


We present a case of inflammatory cloacogenic polyp in a 28-year-old man who had suffered from intermittent rectal bleeding for four years. A colonoscopy showed anal polyps. The patient had no previous medical history and had no known family history of polyps. Histopathology showed changes in the colonic mucous membrane consistent with the diagnosis inflammatory cloacogenic polyp, no dysplasia. Dysplasia has been described in ICP, but is rare. Nonetheless, histological examination of all perianal lesions, even in young adults, is important.


We present the development and evaluation of a situated crowdsourcing mechanism that estimates queue length in real time. The system relies on public interactive kiosks to collect human estimations about their queue waiting time. The system has been designed as a standalone tool that can be retrospectively embedded in a variety of locations without interfacing with billing or customer systems. An initial study was conducted in order to determine whether people who just joined the queue would differ in their estimates from people who were at the front of the queue. We then present our system's evaluation in four different restaurants over 19 weekdays. Our analysis shows how our system is perceived by users, and we develop 2 ways to optimise the waiting time estimation: by correcting the estimations based on the position of the input mechanism, and by changing the sliding window considered inputs to provide better prediction. Our analysis shows that approximately 7% of restaurant customers provided estimations, but even so our system can provide predictions with up to 2 minute mean absolute error.


This article discusses, from the grandmother's perspective, the ways in which support is exchanged in families coping with serious mental illness. A strengths perspective was utilized to identify ways in which family members help each other. Employing a qualitative approach, this study focuses on interviews obtained from a sample of 22 aging mothers, aged 52–90, who are in contact with their daughters who have a mental illness. Grandmothers provided several kinds of support to their mentally ill adult daughters and to their grandchildren, who also supported the aging mother in numerous ways. As social workers seek to assist individuals with mental illness, it is important to assess the existing strengths of their intergenerational family context.


Moringa oleifera (MO) is used for a number of therapeutic purposes. This raises the question of safety and possible toxicity. The objective of the study was to ascertain the safety and possible metabolic toxicity in comparison with metformin, a known drug associated with acidosis. Animals confirmed with diabetes were grouped into 2 groups. The control group only received oral dose of PBS while the test group was treated with ethanolic extract of MO orally twice daily for 5-6 days. Data showed that the extract significantly lowered glucose level to normal values and did not cause any significant cytotoxicity compared to the control group (P = 0.0698); there was no gain in weight between the MO treated and the control groups (P > 0.8115). However, data showed that treatment with an ethanolic extract of MO caused a decrease in bicarbonate (P < 0.0001), and more than twofold increase in anion gap (P < 0.0001); metformin treatment also decreased bicarbonate (P < 0.0001) and resulted in a threefold increase in anion gap (P < 0.0001). Conclusively, these data show that while MO appears to have antidiabetic and noncytotoxic properties, it is associated with statistically significant anion gap acidosis in alloxan induced type 2 diabetic rats.


Warm-mix asphalt technology has been applied to recycled rubber asphalt binder (RAB), which forms warm-mixed crumb rubber-modified asphalt binder (W-RAB) as a "green" material for environmental conservation and to enhance road performance. Furthermore, low-temperature cracking is one of the major distresses for asphalt pavement, which drastically restricts ride quality and service level. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to comparatively analyze the low-temperature properties of W-RABs based on thermal stress and the simple fractional model. W-RABs were obtained by mixing 60 mesh recycled rubber (CR) and two different types of warm-mix additives, namely viscosity reducer (1, 2, and 3%) and surfactant (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8%). First, Hopkins and Hamming's numerical algorithm and the Boltzmann superposition principle were used for obtaining thermal stress σT. Subsequently, critical cracking temperature Tcr was derived using the single asymptote procedure (SAP) theory. Second, the simple fractional viscoelasticity model was used to calculate the creep compliance, damping ratio, and dissipation energy ratio, and the results were compared with the Superpave protocol results obtained with bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests. The results showed that a combination of CR and warm-mix additives could slightly improve the thermal crack resistance of the asphalt binder. The addition of 0.6% surfactant yielded the optimum performance, while only a high dosage (3%) of viscosity reducer provided a marked improvement in efficiency, which decreased with a decrease in temperature. This study recommends the use of RAB composited with 0.6% surfactant for areas with extremely low temperature.


STUDY QUESTION
Is natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (NC-FET) associated with better clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) when compared to modified natural cycle frozen-thawed embryo transfer (mNC-FET)?

SUMMARY ANSWER
NC-FET is associated with a higher CPR compared to mNC-FET.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
There is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of hCG triggering on clinical outcomes after frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET), and information on the effect of luteal phase support (LPS) is lacking.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
This retrospective study included all (n = 2353) consecutive cycles with FET of vitrified cleavage and blastocyst stage embryos warmed between January 2010 and April 2015 in a tertiary centre. The FET cycles were grouped by type as follows: NC (n = 501), NC + LPS (n = 828) or mNC + LPS (n = 1024). Artificial cycles were excluded from the analysis.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
We performed mixed-effect multilevel multivariable regression analysis to account for the clustering of FETs using embryos derived from the same patient and/or ovarian stimulation cycle. Adjustment for the following potential confounders was also performed: female age at oocyte retrieval, number of oocytes retrieved, fresh cycle pregnancy outcome, embryo transfer rank, number of embryos transferred, embryo stage and grade and endometrial thickness. Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons was performed whenever indicated.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The unadjusted CPR per cycle was significantly higher in the NC-FET group (46.9%) when compared with the mNC-FET + LPS groups (29.7%, P < 0.001) but not the NC-FET + LPS group (39.9%, P = 0.069). The lower clinical performance of mNC-FET + LPS remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounders [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) compared to the NC-FET groups: 2.18 (1.64-2.90) and 1.67 (1.31-2.12) for the NC-FET and NC-FET + LPS groups, respectively]. A sensitivity analysis restricting the sample only to the first FET performed by the couple in our centre was also performed. The predicted CPR in this multivariable logistic regression model remained significantly higher in the NC-FET (53.9%) and NC-FET + LPS (44.9%) groups when compared to mNC-FET + LPS (34.2%, all Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons with P ≤ 0.01).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
The interpretation of the findings of this study is limited by the retrospective nature of the analysis and the potential for unmeasured confounding.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The use of mNC-FET, using hCG triggering or progesterone supplementation, should be reconsidered in light of the potential negative effect on pregnancy outcome.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.


[1] The flanks of the Southeast Indian Ridge are characterized by anomalously low subsidence rates for the 0–25 Ma period: less than 300 m Ma−1/2 between 101°E and 120°E and less than 260 m Ma−1/2 within the Australian-Antarctic Discordance (AAD), between 120°E and 128°E. The expected along-axis variation in mantle temperature (∼50°C) is too small to explain this observation, even when the temperature dependence of the mantle physical properties is accounted for. We successively analyze the effect on subsidence of different factors, such as variations in crustal thickness; the dynamic contribution of an old, detached slab supposedly present within the mantle below the AAD; and depletion in ϕm, a parameter here defined as the "ubiquitously distributed melt fraction" within the asthenosphere. These effects may all contribute to the observed, anomalously low subsidence rate of the ridge flanks, with the most significant contribution being probably related to the depletion in ϕm. However, these effects have a deep-seated origin that cannot explain the abruptness of the transition across the fracture zones that delineate the boundaries of the AAD, near 120°E and near 128°E, respectively.


The results of using new bactericidal suturing material, Etikon (Germany), in 534 urgent surgical gynecological interventions are analyzed. Employment of new dissolving surgical threads helped reduce threefold the incidence of postoperative complications and almost 1.5-times the mean hospital stay after surgery. A favorable course of the postoperative period is explained by a more swift healing of the operation wound and reduction of the rate of postoperative complications.


Vernon Young, undoubtedly the best known and most highly honoured nutritionist globally of his generation and a unique personality in the history of nutrition, died March 3


This paper describes an implementation of Tabu Search to cope with long-term transmission network expansion planning problems. Tabu Search is a metaheuristic proposed in 1989 to be applied to combinatorial problems. To assess the potential of our approach we test it with two cases of transmission network expansion planning. The results obtained by our approach let us to conclude that TS is a robust and promising technique to be applied in this problem.


A case of a 44-year-old woman with left ventricular non-compaction which manifested in adulthood as dyspnea, fatique and NYHA class III heart failure, is described. She received treatment typical for heart failure and was offered heart transplantation and cardioverter-defibrillator implantation which she refused. Unfortunately, she died suddenly three months after the diagnosis was established.


Fleet maintenance management is geared towards fleet owners who operate a sizable fleet of vehicles and to whom the maintenance and management of these assets is of critical importance. Preventive maintenance (PM) leads to more efficient operations and therefore substantial costsavings and reduced pollution. A well designed PM program can extend the life of vehicles and equipment and reduce costly repairs. This program provides alert information necessary to track and schedule preventive maintenance that allows fleet owners to improve the productivity of vehicles, equipment, facilities, and personnel.
Moreover, the capacity of the fleet owners is enhanced by developing with the understanding that "prevention is better than cure".


In the present article, the Authors analyze the main documents that determine the development of non-formal education in the world: UNESCO documents, the European Union and Latvia. Based on Eurostat data, the Authors carried out a comparative analysis of the number of unemployed trained in a course and the level of unemployment in the Baltic States and Poland. On the basis of the data presented in the article gives conclusion.


Crustaceans can store excess copper in the hepatopancreas, an organ playing a role in digestive activity as well as in neurosecretory control. Here, we studied the effect of copper exposure on the level of histamine, an indicator of food spoilage in edible crustaceans. Histamine is also a neuromodulator in the intestinal nervous system of crustaceans, and a human allergen. Marbled crayfish (Procambarus fallax forma virginalis) were exposed to average measured values of 0.031 mg Cu/l and 0.38 mg Cu/l, respectively, for 14 days and then transferred to copper-free water for another 14 days. Concentrations of copper and histamine in the hepatopancreas and muscle were evaluated at different time points. Histamine levels were significantly higher in hepatopancreas and muscle tissues at the highest exposure level, but only after transfer of the animals to copper-free water. The increased histamine concentration following copper exposure may be explained by a (delayed) stress response, and by up-regulated histidine synthesis induced by copper, followed by decarboxylation to histamine.


Functional Exercise Capacity (FEC) , a universal predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, is lower in adults and youth with diabetes for reasons that are poorly understood. Skeletal muscle is key determinant of FEC. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle capillary and mitochondrial density are lower with hyperglycemia and respond to exercise training. To test this hypothesis we generated a model of short-term hyperglycemia (HG) with inducible beta cell deletion of glucokinase (GKlox/lox;PdxCreER) . Male (M) and female (F) HG mice and euglycemic littermate controls (EG) completed 3 weeks of treadmill training (Ex) or remained sedentary (Sed) . The gastrocnemius was collected 24 hours after the final exercise bout. Expression of COX1 (mitochondrial marker) , Dystrophin (muscle fiber sarcolemma boundary marker) , and CD31 (capillary marker) was detected by immunofluorescence. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) , an NAD+ dependent deacetylase (mitochondrial homeostasis) was measured using the JESS system. (Fig 1) Mitochondrial density (mitochondria per fiber as quantified by fluorescence intensity units per fiber [FIU/fiber]) was significantly lower in HG vs. EG (p<0.0001) and differed by sex (p=0.0048 sex x glycemia interaction) . Ex resulted in greater mitochondrial density (p=0.0265) independent of sex and glycemia. Capillary density and SIRT3 were unchanged. Sex-differences in muscle response to HG warrant further investigation.

 L.Knaub: None. G.Pott: None. N.A.Hulett: None. S.Hull: None. R.L.Scalzo: None. J.Reusch: Advisory Panel; Medtronic.

 VA Merit (BX002046)


Automatic balancing ac resistance bridges, ASL F18 and F700, and HP 3458A millimetres are the measurement instruments used by Center for Measurement Standards (CMS) for the calibration of standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs), industrial platinum resistance thermometers (IPRTs), and liquid-in-glass thermometers (LIG) respectively. The inherent non-linearity of these measurement instruments could be a significant source of uncertainty and the absolute accuracy is especially critical to the primary instrument. A resistance bridge calibrator RBC 100, manufactured by 2K electronics, is a resistor network for the purpose of assessing their linearity and absolute accuracies of the foregoing thermometry bridges and meters. Each thirty-five normal measurements gives the linearity with 4.781 × 10−8, 4.982 × 10−7, and 6.371 × 10−5 Ω for F18, F700, and HP 3458A, however this deteriorates to 2.661 × 10−7 and 3.227 × 10−6 for two bridges while considering both normal and complementary data. Additionally, the possible contributions from the F18 bridge to the uncertainty of SPRT measurement at ITS-90 fixed points were investigated also.


We would like to thank Drs. Murphy and Howes for their thoughtful editorial, which accompanied our recent study of awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI) practice [1, 2], and for recognising the training opportunities that our institution provides. However, rather than alluding to unanswered questions in our data, we are concerned that they have applied conjecture and inference to ask the wrong questions about AFOI. Murphy and Howes assert that 'placing particular emphasis on any individual component . . . risks losing sight of the bigger picture'. Just as pilots emphasise training on the most critical phases of flight, so too must clinicians. Efforts must be made to train for complex, procedural skills as well as considering the important, but non-specific, 'bigger picture'. The question is – how can we excel at all components of the airway management pathway? The simple answer is self-evident in our data: training. Murphy and Howes cite an editorial [3] written by one of our authors. Our prospective study (rather than audit, as there are no accepted standards) has demonstrated that AFOI is associated with low morbidity and a high success rate, particularly when appropriate training is undertaken. Although we do not state that AFOI should be the 'gold standard', our data clearly highlights that AFOI has a valuable role to play in the management of the difficult airway. Had Drs. Murphy and Howes put Ahmad and Bailey's editorial into context [3], they would have understood that training is recommended for AFOI, and when not undertaken, AFOI should be considered a specialist skill. Performed by appropriately trained and competent clinicians, the utility of a technique that has been part of anaesthetic practice for 50 years is difficult to refute. The question here, then, is: who should train in AFOI? We thank the authors for contextualising our prospective data with retrospective results collected in the USA [4] and Canada [5]. Retrospective data points can be under-reported, and the low complication rates reported by Joseph et al. [4] could be an inaccurate representation of their true incidence. Moreover, the comparable complication rates provided by Law et al. [5] might also be underreported. It would be interesting to know what prospective data from North America shows. Comparing our results with data from unsedated, healthy course delegates (a self-selected group of subjects) is misleading [6]. The immediate complication rate in healthy volunteers was greater than we found in comorbid patients with complex airway pathology (19.5% vs. 11% respectively), and so the co-administration of sedation does not necessarily correlate with increased risk. Interestingly, the Difficult Airway Society has recently commissioned national guidelines on the performance of AFOI. Whether sedation will be recommended as standard practice remains to be seen. The question that needs answering here is: does sedation increase or decrease the safety of performing AFOI? We agree that there is insufficient evidence recommending highflow nasal oxygen (HFNO) for all AFOIs. Murphy and Howes infer our data do not demonstrate that


By matching large-scale patterns in climate fields with patterns in observed station precipitation, this work explores seasonal predictability of precipitation in the contiguous United States for all seasons. Although it is shown that total seasonal precipitation and frequencies of less-than-extreme daily precipitation events can be predicted with much higher skill, the focus of this study is on frequencies of daily precipitation above the seasonal 90th percentile (P90), a variable whose skillful prediction is more challenging. Frequency of heavy daily precipitation is shown to respond to ENSO as well as to non-ENSO interannual and interdecadal variability in the North Pacific. Specification skill achieved by a statistical model based on contemporaneous SST forcing with and without an explicit dynamical atmosphere is compared and contrasted. Statistical models relating the SST forcing patterns directly to observed station precipitation are shown to perform consistently better in all seasons than hybrid (dynamical‐statistical) models where the SST forcing is first translated to atmospheric circulation via three separate general circulation models and the dynamically computed circulation anomalies are statistically related to observed precipitation. Skill is summarized for all seasons, but in detail for January‐February‐March, when it is shown that predictable patterns are spatially robust regardless of the approach used. Predictably, much of the skill is due to ENSO. While the U.S. average skill is modest, regional skill levels can be quite high. It is also found that non-ENSO-related skill is significant, especially for the extreme Southwest and that this is due mostly to non-ENSO interannual and decadal variability in the North Pacific SST forcing. Although useful specification skill is achieved by both approaches, hybrid predictability is not pursued further in this effort. Rather, prognostic analysis is carried out with the purely statistical approach to analyze P90 predictability based on antecedent SST forcing. Skill at various lead times is investigated and it is shown that significant regional skill can be achieved at lead times of several months even in the absence of strong ENSO forcing.


Sir: Homocystinuria is an abnormality of sulphur amino-acid metabolism characterised by a defect in cystathionine synthetase inherited as an autosmal recessive trait.' Major clinical manifestations are mental retardation, seizures, ectopia lentis, skeletal deformities and occlusive vascular disease.2 Dystonia is not a common feature of the disease. We describe a patient with homocystinuria who developed dystonia. This boy, the second of three siblings, was born in 1958 to healthy consanguineous Portuguese parents. There was no family history of neurological disorder. Gestation and birth were normal. The patient walked at 14 months. At the age of 9 years, he was admitted to hospital because of mental retardation and ectopia lentis with cataract. He underwent removal of dislocated lenses and homocystinuria was diagnosed. When 19, a seizure occurred and he was treated with phenobarbitone. He was well until October 1979 when mild spasmodic torticollis developed. In January 1980, the patient was admitted to another hospital with pulmonary disease. During the next 9 months, dystonia progressed. He was admitted to Ste Anne Hospital at age 22. General examination disclosed bilateral genu valgum and arachnodactyly. There was mild scoliosis and marked dystonia of the trunk to the left. The patient walked unsteadily with shuffling irregular steps and a stiff flexed-arm posture. Muscle strength was normal. Muscle tone was slightly increased in the upper and lower limbs, bilaterally, but deep tendon reflexes were not hyperactive and plantar responses were flexor. The knee jerks did not elicit any movement but a short myotonic-like contraction in the quadriceps. There was no passive shortening reaction. All modalities of sensation were intact. Spasmodic torticollis consisted of a tonic attitude of rotation of the head to the right with clonic spasms of the left sternomastoid and right trapezius. Occasionally, rhythmic movements of the left leg were noticed. There was profound, almost unintelligible dysarthria. Eye movements were not limited but were difficult to the right with frequent eyeblinks. Vision appeared normal. There was no optic atrophy. Mental retardation was evidenced by an IQ less than 75 and defective score for Raven matrices. Routine examination of blood and urine were normal. Homocystine in the urine was 2 439 ,mol/g creatinine. In the cerebrospinal fluid, there was 440 mg/l protein and a normal cell count. Homovanillic acid was 170 mmoL/l (N : 230 + 65) and 5 hydroxyindole acetic acid was 170 mmol/l (N: 198 + 73). Electromyographic study showed rhythmic 2-3 Hz contractions of the two sternomastoids and a negative polysynaptic test. There was no evidence of upper motor neuron involvement. Nerve conduction velocities were within normal range. A CT brain scan was not available because of torticollis and the risk of anaesthesia. The patient was started on a therapeutic trial by bromocriptine and pyridoxine. To our knowledge, the only case of homocystinuria reported with a dystonic syndrome was by Hagberg et al.3 After chickenpox, a 15-year-old homocystinuric boy became stiff with unsteady gait and torticollis. There was no spasticity. Two years later, the patient had "an extrapyramidal syndrome of flexion dystonia and rigidity of varying severity" and hyperkinetic movements. A review of the literature reveals many reports of patients with abnormal speech, an abnormal gait or general hypertonus. When increased tone was not associated with increased reflexes or extensor planta responses,4-6 it is likely that it was attributable to an extrapyramidal rigidity. In the present case, there was mild rigidity and dystonia was the main symptom. In a previous report' we described rigidity and dystonia in a case of Leigh's disease with bilateral putaminal lesions and we emphasised the dystonic syndrome in juvenile cases of the disease. In homocystinuria, pathological changes often involve the basal ganglia.6 8-10 It is likely that rigidity and dystonia could develop after multiple minute infarcts in these structures.


The purpose of the article is to present the role of equitable principles in the delimitation of the continental shelf in the specific situation of the Aegean area. First, the theoretical aspects of the equity in international law and its typology are presented, followed by explaining the role of equitable principles in maritime relations. In turn, the author explains the interdependence of equity and geographical conditions, while stressing the unique geography of the Aegean, bearing heavily on delimitation efforts in the region. The context of the Greek-Turkish continental shelf delimitation dispute is explained, drawing attention to the divergent positions of the two countries. The rules applicable to the dispute at hand are then analysed, with a focus on customary law, in the absence of treaty rules applicable between Greece and Turkey as concerns the maritime delimitation. The role of the international courts and tribunals in finding solutions in the disputes involving the delimitation of the continental shelf is discussed, by also presenting their approach to interpreting and applying equity and equitable principles. The three-stage delimitation method elaborated in the case-law based on equitable principles is finally presented, while drawing attention to the difficulties in applying the method in practice and the resulting therefrom inconsistencies.Finally, the conclusions of the above considerations for the Aegean continental shelf delimitation are drawn and the perspectives for finding a solution in the future are presented.


Identifying complex neural circuitry from electron microscopic (EM) images may help unlock the mysteries of the brain. However, identifying this circuitry requires time-consuming, manual tracing (proofreading) due to the size and intricacy of these image datasets, thus limiting state-of-the-art analysis to very small brain regions. Potential avenues to improve scalability include automatic image segmentation and crowd sourcing, but current efforts have had limited success. In this paper, we propose a new strategy, focused proofreading, that works with automatic segmentation and aims to limit proofreading to the regions of a dataset that are most impactful to the resulting circuit. We then introduce a novel workflow, which exploits biological information such as synapses, and apply it to a large dataset in the fly optic lobe. With our techniques, we achieve significant tracing speedups of 3-5x without sacrificing the quality of the resulting circuit. Furthermore, our methodology makes the task of proofreading much more accessible and hence potentially enhances the effectiveness of crowd sourcing.


ABSTRACT Following Mises's foundational paper, 'Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth', first published in 1920, writers in the Austrian tradition have argued that socialism is impossible, because under socialism there would be no private property in the means of production, and without that private property economic calculation could not take place. In the article 'Economic Calculation: Private Property or Several Control?', published in this journal in 2015, I argued that this was mistaken. Not private property, but several control, was required for economic calculation, and since several control is consistent with public ownership, this argument for the impossibility of socialism fails. Another article, 'Private Property and Economic Calculation: A Reply to Andy Denis', by Bylund and Manish, published in this issue of the Review of Political Economy, defends the traditional interpretation of Austrian reasoning, contending that my argument fails. My rejoinder re-states the issues, addressing, and, ultimately rejecting, the Bylund and Manish critique.


The circuit presented in this paper provides increased transfer efficiency for the electric charge generated by a piezoelectric element to the storage device, it also enables a simplified active control circuitry required for switched harvesting solutions as the control transistors are referenced to ground. This is achieved by inverting the voltage potential across the piezoelectric element and thereby maintaining a higher voltage while extracting energy. The increased potential allows vibration harvesters to operate over a broader frequency range. For weakly coupled piezoelectric harvesters, the increased potential allows the electrical power output to be increased. In this paper, the circuit is simulated in SPICE using existing models of discrete components in conjunction with a model of a piezoelectric vibration harvester. The power output and mechanical behavior of the harvester using the presented circuit are compared to two existing technologies: Synchronous Switch Harvesting on Inductor (SSHI) and a full-wave rectifying bridge. The comparison demonstrates that the novel Interleaved Switch Harvesting on Inductor (ISHI) circuit outperforms state-of-the-art active harvesting solutions, e.g., SSHI, as a result of the decreased energy losses from diodes. In addition, the ISHI circuit requires fewer components than does the SSHI circuit and solves the floating transistor source issue that arises in SSHI implementations. To achieve the maximum power conversion efficiency, impedance matching is required, which can be achieved by controlling the voltage of the storage device.


An interacting multi-agent system in a network can behave like a nature-inspired smart system (SS) exhibiting the four salient properties of an artificial life system (ALS): (i) Collective, coordinated and efficient (ii) Self-organization and emergence (iii) Power law scaling or scale invariance under emergence (iv) Adaptive, fault tolerant and resilient against damage. We explain how these basic properties can arise among agents through random enabling, inhibiting, preferential attachment and growth of a multiagent system. However,the quantitative understanding of a Smart system with an arbitrary interactive topology is extremely difficult. Hence we cannot design a general purpose programmable Smart system. However, for specific applications and a predefined static interactive topology among the agents, the quantitative parameters can be obtained through simulation to build a specific SS.


The development of 60 GHz-band ultra-miniature FM/frequency-shift keying (FM/FSK) transmitter/receiver modules fabricated with a complete monolithic-microwave integrated circuits (MMIC) chip set, including dielectrically stabilized fundamental-frequency oscillators for multimedia wireless communication systems, is reported. The 0.9 cc transmitter module, which consists of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and two power amplifiers, exhibits 11.5 MHz/V modulation sensitivity, 10.2 dBm output power, and -2.4 ppm//spl deg/C frequency stability. With the receiver module, which consists of low noise amplifier (LNA), a mixer, and a local oscillator (LO), 5.4 dB double-side band (DSB) noise figure with 10.8 dB downconversion gain has been achieved. The 60 GHz band monolithic dielectric-resonator (DR) stabilized oscillators offer a practical approach to ultra miniature transmitter/receiver modules for high-speed wireless LAN systems with data rates greater than 10 Mbps and for video-signal and compressed HDTV-signal (MUSE) transmission systems.


Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a benign histiocytic tumor predominantly occurring in children as yellowish papules on the head and trunk. Presentations on the volar surfaces are rare and may cause diagnostic confusion with pyogenic granuloma, eccrine poroma and digital fibrokeratoma. We report two patients with unusual presentations of solitary juvenile xanthogranuloma on the palm or sole. Both had lesions lacking the classic yellowish color and demonstrating a well‐defined, peripheral hyperkeratotic rim. Histopathological evaluation revealed prominent orthokeratosis corresponding to the rim. Additional histological features, including dermal histiocytes and Touton giant cells, were consistent with the diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma. Given the unusual locations and colors of the lesions, we conclude that histopathological evaluation is central to diagnosing volar juvenile xanthogranuloma. We additionally suggest that juvenile xanthogranuloma should be included in the differential diagnoses of volar lesions displaying a peripheral hyperkeratotic rim.


Objective To assess variables related to both patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation and retransplantation, using cadaveric donors and related living donors, in Argentina in the last 19 years. Material and Methods Patients included in waiting list (WL) for kidney transplant between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2016. The information was obtained from SINTRA. The results are reported as a percentage in categorical variables and median values for the numerical variables. A Kaplan Meir curve was used to estimate survival rates. Results 12640patients undergoing transplant were assessed; 435 (3.4%) underwent a second transplant (ReTx). The etiologies of the transplant patients were in table 1. Table. No title available. Median age of the recipient at the time of transplantation was 41.78, and 37.51 at ReTx. 57% of patients were male in both groups. Median time expressed in years on WL at the time of transplantation was 1.45, and 1.03 at ReTx; and the median time on dialysis expressed in years at the time of transplantation was 4.38, and 3.53 at ReTx. Both the patient and graft survival rates appear in the graph 1 and 2 Figure. No caption available. Figure. No caption available. Comparison of survival curves (log-rank test)P < 0.0001, considering a randomized group at the time of the first transplant. The findings reported for graft loss show that chronic nephropathy is the most common cause in both cases that is showing in table 2. Table. No title available. PRA is statistically significant for graft loss in the multivariate analysis, p=0.0344 HR: 1.26, CI 95% 1.02to 1.57.The post tx induction percentage was 71% and 79% for Retx. Timoglobuline accounted for 62% in the first case and 82% in the second case. The median PRA was 12 in Tx and 33 for Retx. Conclusions Although the median age and time on dialysis among re-transplant patients are lower as compared to patients undergoing transplant for the first time, the highest immunological risk in retransplanation (represented by PRA)has a negative impact on graft survival. Patient´s age and time on dialysis at the time of transplant has a negative impact on patient survival in both groups.


The investigation of dietary patterns presents a promising approach that may prove informative in the evaluation of diet and cancer risk. Most studies have derived patterns by measuring compliance with pre-established dietary guidance (hypothesis-oriented) or empirical methods such as principal components analysis (PCA). The objective of the present study was to compare the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with dietary patterns identified by both methods. The study sample included 431 incident CRC cases and 726 healthy controls participating in a population-based case-control study in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Participants completed a modified Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) developed by the National Cancer Institute; the DHQ was reviewed during an in-person interview. PCA was performed to identify sex-specific dietary patterns, and the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-05) was calculated to assess participant adherence to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between empirically-derived and index-based patterns with CRC. PCA identified three major dietary patterns among men, which were labeled according to the food groups with the greatest factor loadings (fruits/vegetables, meat/potatoes, and alcohol/sweetened beverages); two of these patterns were also identified among women (fruits/vegetables and meat/potatoes). The fruits/vegetables pattern was high in nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy in women, and fish in men. The meat/potatoes pattern was characterized by greater consumption of high-fat dairy, condiments, sweets, and refined grains. The fruits/vegetables pattern was inversely related to CRC among men (OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.21-0.70) and women (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.23-0.75). Conversely, the meat/potatoes pattern was positively associated with CRC in women (OR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.06-4.37), but did not reach statistical significance in men. There was no evidence of an association between the alcohol/sweetened beverage pattern and CRC in men. Comparable protective effects of greater HEI-05 scores were found for both men and women (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.30-0.93; OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.25-0.78, respectively). In conclusion, both methods may be informative in studies of diet and cancer risk; the more useful tool may depend upon the specific goals of the investigation. Index-based approaches are valuable in assessing compliance with recommended dietary patterns, whereas data-driven analyses are useful in examining actual dietary behavior within a population. Our findings indicate that following the U.S. Dietary Guidelines or a primarily plant-based dietary pattern that includes low-fat dairy and fish may reduce CRC risk, whereas a meat-centered diet rich in high-fat and high-sugar foods may increase risk. 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 2828.


The breakup of a free thin liquid film subjected to an impulsive acceleration is investigated. A soap film is stretched on a frame at the exit of a shock tube. As the shock impacts the film, the film accelerates within a very short time and detaches from the frame at a constant velocity function of the shock strength. The liquid thickness modulations amplify and eventually the film is perforated with a number of holes, subsequently growing in radius and connecting to each other. The initially connex film is left in the form of a web of liquid ligaments which break into droplets. Both the hole density and formation time depend on the film velocity. We analyse these observations with an impulsive Rayleigh–Taylor instability incorporating liquid surface tension. It is shown to account for both the mode selection and its associated time of growth, providing a criterion for the film bursting time and hole density.


The charging and discharging of two types of nonlinear capacitances through a linear resistance are discussed in detail. The response of a capacitor whose capacitance is an increasing exponential function of the potential across it is compared to that of the "space-charge" capacitor whose voltage dependence is of the form C8 = (C0 sinh ¿ Vc/(¿Vc)), where Vc is the potential across the capacitor. The variation of the differential capacitance of the space-charge capacitor with time, during charging and discharging, is considered for various applied potentials and is compared with the somewhat similar behavior to be expected from a linear capacitor exhibiting a distribution of relaxation times.


Magnetic fields permeate the Universe. They are found in planets, stars, galaxies, and the intergalactic medium. The magnetic field found in these astrophysical systems are usually chaotic, disordered, and turbulent. The investigation of the transport of cosmic rays in magnetic turbulence is a subject of considerable interest. One of the important aspects of cosmic ray transport is to understand their diffusive behavior and to calculate the diffusion coefficient in the presence of these turbulent fields. Research has most frequently concentrated on determining the diffusion coefficient in the presence of a mean magnetic field. Here, we will particularly focus on calculating diffusion coefficients of charged particles and magnetic field lines in a fully three-dimensional isotropic turbulent magnetic field with no mean field, which may be pertinent to many astrophysical situations. For charged particles in isotropic turbulence we identify different ranges of particle energy depending upon the ratio of the Larmor radius of the charged particle to the characteristic outer length scale of the turbulence. Different theoretical models are proposed to calculate the diffusion coefficient, each applicable to a distinct range of particle energies. The theoretical ideas are tested against results of detailed numerical experiments using Monte-Carlo simulations of particle propagation in stochastic magnetic fields. We also discuss two different methods of generating random magnetic field to study charged particle propagation using numerical simulation. One method is the usual way of generating random fields with a specified power law in wavenumber space, using Gaussian random variables. Turbulence, however, is non-Gaussian, with variability that comes in bursts called intermittency. We therefore devise a way to generate


A Cookbook with plenty of practical recipes for different uses of Storm. If you are a Java developer with basic knowledge of real-time processing and would like to learn Storm to process unbounded streams of data in real time, then this book is for you.


INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the incidence of implementation of universal cervical length (CL) screening for preterm birth (PTB) prevention among institutions with Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship training in the United States. METHODS: In January 2015, we conducted a national survey of institutions with MFM Fellowship Programs regarding implementation of universal CL screening, defined as CL screening of women with singleton gestations without a prior spontaneous PTB. We also identified whether a transabdominal ultrasound (TAU) or transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) was used for screening. Results were compared by geographical regions. We also assessed if a low obstetrical volume (annual deliveries<3000) affected implementation of TVU CL screening program. RESULTS: We identified 78 MFM fellowship programs, of which 100% responded to the survey. Fifty-three programs (68%) had implemented a CL screening program, with 25 programs (32%) using TVU while the rest (36%) used TAU for CL screening. The Midwest had the highest percent of CL screening (94%), with the highest use of TVU (50%). The South had the lowest percent of CL screening (58%) (OR 0.52 [0.19–1.46]) and the lowest use of TVU (12.5%) (OR 0.22 [0.05–0.78]) compared to rest of the United States. Lower annual obstetrical volume did not affect the likelihood of implementing a program using TVU (7.6%) compared to programs having higher obstetrical volume (24.3%) (OR 0.73 [0.24–2.17]). CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS: Universal CL screening has been implemented by over two thirds of institutions with MFM Fellowship Programs. Of these programs, approximately half screen by TAU and half by TVU.


ABSTRACT In "Group Testimony" (2007) I argued that the testimony of a group cannot be understood (or at least cannot always be understood) in a summative fashion; as the testimony of some or all of the group members. In some cases, it is the group itself that testifies. I also argued that one could extend standard reductionist accounts of the justification of testimonial belief to the case of testimonial belief formed on the basis of group testimony. In this paper, I explore the issue of group testimony in greater detail by focusing on one putative source of testimony, that of Wikipedia. My aim is to the answer the following questions: Is Wikipedia a source of testimony? And if so, what is the nature of that source? Are we to understand Wikipedia entries as a collection of testimonial statements made by individuals, some subset of individuals, or is Wikipedia itself (the organization or the Wikipedia community) the entity that testifies? If Wikipedia itself is a source of testimony, what resources do we have for assessing the trustworthiness of such an unusual epistemic source? In answering these questions I hope to further elucidate the nature of collective epistemic agency (Tollefsen 2006), of which group testimony is a paradigm example. When a mans Discourse begineth…at some saying of another, of whose ability to know the truth, and of whose honesty in not deceiving, he doubteth not; and then the Discourse is not so much concerning the Thing, as the Person; and the Resolution is called Beleefe, and Faith: Faith in the man. (1651/1991, Ch. 7; p. 48)


Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a musculoskeletal condition characterized by pain and reduced function in the temporomandibular joint and/or associated masticatory musculature. Prevalence in the United States is 5% and twice as high among women as men. We conducted a discovery genome-wide association study (GWAS) of TMD in 10,153 participants (769 cases, 9,384 controls) of the US Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). The most promising single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were tested in meta-analysis of 4 independent cohorts. One replication cohort was from the United States, and the others were from Germany, Finland, and Brazil, totaling 1,911 TMD cases and 6,903 controls. A locus near the sarcoglycan alpha (SGCA), rs4794106, was suggestive in the discovery analysis (P = 2.6 × 106) and replicated (i.e., 1-tailed P = 0.016) in the Brazilian cohort. In the discovery cohort, sex-stratified analysis identified 2 additional genome-wide significant loci in females. One lying upstream of the relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (RXP2) (chromosome 13, rs60249166, odds ratio [OR] = 0.65, P = 3.6 × 10−8) was replicated among females in the meta-analysis (1-tailed P = 0.052). The other (chromosome 17, rs1531554, OR = 0.68, P = 2.9 × 10−8) was replicated among females (1-tailed P = 0.002), as well as replicated in meta-analysis of both sexes (1-tailed P = 0.021). A novel locus at genome-wide level of significance (rs73460075, OR = 0.56, P = 3.8 × 10−8) in the intron of the dystrophin gene DMD (X chromosome), and a suggestive locus on chromosome 7 (rs73271865, P = 2.9 × 10−7) upstream of the Sp4 Transcription Factor (SP4) gene were identified in the discovery cohort, but neither of these was replicated. The SGCA gene encodes SGCA, which is involved in the cellular structure of muscle fibers and, along with DMD, forms part of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Functional annotation suggested that several of these variants reside in loci that regulate processes relevant to TMD pathobiologic processes.


In this paper, we briefly go over the homogeneous 5D model field theory: from the 5D space-time inception, to its quantum field solutions given in terms of Higgs vacuum, filled with magnetic monopole bose fields of all energies. Then through the space dimension reduction projections, the Gell-Mann standard model was obtained as well as a quantum to Classical connection was made via introducing Bose distribution to the monopoles to obtain the Perelman entropy and Ricci Flow mappings. This provided us a picture to the creation of Astronomical objects, from galaxies to stars and planets. This method of splitting the monopole energy into ranges is extended to show that below the basic rest mass range of the electron and Quark, it still can be applied to explaining for the creation of the chemical elements periodic table. But perhaps the most interesting is in the lowest hundreds of Hz energy range, obtained from yet another 3 fold space symmetry breaking, into 2D × 1D, producing bio nitrogenous bases composed of 3 Carbon 12 in hexagon structures, due to preservation of the 1D monopole standing waves of this low frequencies. From that by imposing gauge changes the monopole states into DNA spectra. Since such spectra states retain the DLRO, it induces formation of charge carriers periodicity in a spherical bio cell.. It was then argued that due to cell's surface proteins, the structure must contain partial filled VB, with "p" state hole density, and empty CB, separated from VB by a positive band gap. Such band structures resemble known HTC Cuprate ceramics. Since the HTC goes through a Superconductivity transition via the simultaneous bose exciton condensation, providing a Coulomb pressure, which reduces the band gap substantially, and induces the ODLRO transition of the hole density. The same obviously applies to the bio cells. Because of the near continuous exciton levels generated, a matching to the DNA spectra then can always occur by selective choices of proteins on the cell surface. Judging from a numerical study, we did years ago on YBCO, with doping. We found with a large enough VB hole density, the exciton induced superconducting gap can easily lead to Tc in the room temperature range. In fact by EMF excitation can increase the exciton pressure and trigger the ODLRO transition Tc upward. In fact, numerical results then suggest there do exist coherent EMF spectra from three key elements: Water, Carbon and Hydrogen, together with Oxygen, as studied over the years by numerous people, starting from Schrodinger to most recently Geesink.


A series of acetic acid derivatives (2a-c) was synthesized by the condensation of compounds 1a-c with chloroacetic acid. The treatment of carboxylic acid derivatives with thiosemicarbazide in phosphorus oxychloride and subsequent diazotation of the products (3a-c) afforded 5-alkyl-2-[(5-chloro-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methyl]- 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives (4a-c). The treatment of compounds 4a-c with thiourea produced 5-alkyl-2-[(5-mercapto-1,3,4- thiadiazol-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one derivatives (5a-c). Subsequently, compounds 5a-c were converted to acid hydrazides by treatment with hydrazine hydrate after esterification (7a-e). Moreover, the reaction of compounds 7a-c with carbon disulfite in the presence of KOH afforded 5-alkyl-2-[(5-\{[(5- mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl]thio\}-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methyl]- 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones (8a-c).


Eighteen healthy volunteers of both sexes, aged 20-35 years, were tested in the morning after three nights of medication with brotizolam 0.25 mg, nitrazepam 5 mg or placebo on a monotonous simulated driving task. The effect measures were subsidiary auditory reaction time and time outside road. Measurements of self-rated alertness were carried out as well. No effects were demonstrated from treatments on either measure. Nitrazepam however tended to score worst on all measures, except time outside road which could not be analysed with respect to statistical significance because of an insufficient number of subjects leaving the road. Twelve of the subjects were also tested immediately after drug intake on the first night of each medication period. Reaction time decrement was observed in both active drugs conditions with no difference between the two. The other measures, however non-significant, pointed in the same direction with the greatest decrement for nitrazepam.


Extrinsic perturbation always exists in multiple sensors. In this paper, we focus on the extrinsic uncertainty in multi-LiDAR systems for 3D object detection. We first analyze the influence of extrinsic perturbation on geometric tasks with two basic examples. To minimize the detrimental effect of extrinsic perturbation, we propagate an uncertainty prior on each point of input point clouds, and use this information to boost an approach for 3D geometric tasks. Then we extend our findings to propose a multi-LiDAR 3D object detector called MLOD. MLOD is a two-stage network where the multi-LiDAR information is fused through various schemes in stage one, and the extrinsic perturbation is handled in stage two. We conduct extensive experiments on a real-world dataset, and demonstrate both the accuracy and robustness improvement of MLOD. The code, data and supplementary materials are available at: https://ram-lab.com/file/site/mlod.


Ulceration of mouth mucosa is frequently occurs after injuries in oral cavity. Oral ulcers are relatively common and these lesions cause strong pain and discomfort. Frequently, injury of the oral tissues results in abnormal fibroblast activation and keloid formation. This pathological scar formation is often associates with pain and malfunction of the organ. To understand these phenomena and develop effective treatment, reproducible animal models have to be introduced. Athymic nude mice where used to create animal models. 1% HCl acid solution was used for chemical damage of the mucosa tissue. Surgical operation was performed to create traumatic injury in the mouse oral cavity. Tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry methods. All of the HCl treated animals developed ulcers on the skin and mucosa of the oral cavity. Most of the mice on the place of surgical wound developed keloid tissue. Mice in which we induced pathological processes of the oral tissue, did not gain body weight. Moreover their mass had tendency to decrease. Hematoxilyn-eosin staining of the ulcerated mice tissues revealed extended coagulation necrosis - covering all tissue layers of the oral cavity. Strong local inflammatory cell infiltration and absence of proliferative cells has been demonstrated in these ulcerated and adjusted oral tissues. Morphological analysis of scar tissue revealed fibrotic hypertrophy of the injured oral tissues in these animals with the expressed infiltration of inflammatory cells. Our animal models reflect morphology of the specific injury and functionally imitate the disease.


This paper presents techniques that can be used with the Haar MRTD method for time and space adaptive gridding. For the first time, absolute and relative thresholds for wavelet functions are used to change the resolution as a function of time and space. This technique is applied to the composite cell Haar MRTD scheme, which is capable of representing multiple conductors (and other subcell elements) per cell. Using this technique, complex structures can be represented more efficiently than with fixed grid techniques. Included is a comparison of the Haar method with FDTD, as well as the advantages of the Haar time-space adaptive method (10-40% economy in memory and execution time) with fixed grid FDTD and MRTD techniques. A dual patch antenna structure suitable for RF front ends in modern multilayer substrates is presented, the final version will also include an LC CPW structure suitable for metamaterial applications.