Thrombophilia is a condition that may cause venous obstruction, leading to serious illnesses such as stroke, respiratory failure, and even death. This condition is hereditary or related to the immune system. Inherited thrombophilia is screened by analysing genetic variants (allele). In this study, we analyse 4 variations in 3 genes, which occur at high variable frequency, namely Methytetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C), Factor V Leiden (FVL C1691T) and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1 5G/4G), using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). The primers were designed using FastPCR program and PCR conditions were optimized to identify 8 alleles of 4 variants through 3 multiplex ARMS - PCR reactions. The accuracy of the ARMS - PCR results was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and the real time PCR commercial kit (SNP). Mastering the allele specific PCR technique contributes to the survey of genetic variations in the Vietnamese population in order to screen and treat thrombophilia-related diseases.
Keywords
Thrombophilia, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), variants MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, FVL C1691T, PAI-1 4G/5G.
References
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Background The recognition of new diagnostic and prognostic biological markers for lung cancer, the most severe malignant tumor, is an essential and eager study. In a microenvironment, superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) can adjust active oxygen, and it refers to a secreted antioxidant enzyme. It was also found to be cancer-related, and in lung cancer, it was remarkably down-regulated. More and more new cancer research focuses on the function of SOD3. Despite this, there is no good description of SOD3 function in the LC progression. Methods Through bioinformatics analysis, we found that SOD3 was a possible novel lung cancer gene in this study. We analyzed data sets from Gene Expression Comprehensive Database (GEO) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and SOD3 expression was studied in lung cancer. This study estimated the SOD3 diagnosis and prognosis through gene expression differential display, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), enrichment and genomes (KEGG) analysis, and gene ontology (GO). Then in order to investigate the SOD3 presentation in lung cancer cells, we used Western Blot and also applied Flow cytometry to detect the impact of anti-tumor medicine on tumor cell apoptosis. Results We found that the expression level of SOD3 in lung cancer was low (P = 4.218E-29), while the survival of lung cancer patients with high SOD3 expression was shorter (LUSC p =0.00086, LUAD p=0.00038). According to the result of western blot, the expression of SOD3 in tumor cells was higher than that in normal cells. The ratio of early apoptosis induced by anti-cancer drugs was 10.5% in normal cells, 35.1% in squamous cell carcinoma and 36.9% in adenocarcinoma.The SOD3 high expression was associated with poor survival probability by multivariate analysis (HR: 1.006, 95% CI 1.002–1.011, p=0.006). Moreover, SOD3 high expression group had higher ESTIMATE scores, and larger amount of immune infiltrating cells. SOD3 expression is correlated with PDCD1 and CTLA4 expression. Conclusions SOD3 gene can be used as a prognostic gene in lung cancer patients, and lung cancer patients with high expression of this gene can reap worse prognostic outcome. It can be used as a new clinical method and prognosticator for lung cancer patients.


In Reply. —Thank you for allowing us to respond to concerns expressed by Dr Verdery regarding our article, which examined the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of an air suspension bed in the prevention of pressure ulcers. First, he was concerned about the lack of blinding in the diagnosis and categorization of stage I ulcers. As stated in our methods, blinding was impossible. Therefore, we instituted a process to minimize this bias as much as possible. Specifically, with detection and staging of a pressure ulcer by the study nurse, our hospital's skin care team was consulted. The consultant dermatologist then independently addressed the issue of presence or absence of pressure ulcers and staged them when applicable. Our interrater agreement was good (κ>0.80). Second, Verdery noted we had not mentioned whether a specific treatment protocol was instituted. The study's objective was to address prevention, not treatment. Thus, treatment of established ulcers was


SUMMARY The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of feeding dried cabbage leaf residues (DCR) on egg production parameters, egg components, and egg fatty acid, cholesterol, and &agr;‐tocopherol concentrations and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Seventy‐two 34‐week‐old layers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments: 0, 4, 8, or 12% DCR with 6 replicates with 3 birds each. Results showed that feed intake, egg production, and feed conversion ratio were unaffected by dietary treatments. Similar treatment effects also were observed for egg yolk and albumin percentages. However, eggshell percentage decreased (quadratic effect, P = 0.008) with increasing DCR. Egg yolk concentrations of &agr;‐tocopherol (linear effect, P <0.001), polyunsaturated fatty acids (linear effect, P = 0.0288), and linolenic acid (quadratic effect, P = 0.025) increased with increasing dietary DCR. However, inclusion of DCR had no influence on egg yolk cholesterol concentration. ATTD of dry matter (quadratic effect, P = 0.005), organic matter (quadratic effect, P = 0.008), neutral detergent fiber (quadratic effect, P = 0.0012), apparent metabolizable energy (quadratic effect, P = 0.0006), and apparent metabolizable energy corrected‐nitrogen (quadratic effect, P = 0.0006) increased as the level of DCR in the diet increased. However, ATTD of crude protein and gross energy was similar among treatments. It was concluded that DCR can be fed to layers up to 12% without adverse effects on production parameters and may improve total tract nutrient utilization and egg quality.


Liver disease is often associated with abnormal water metabolism, as demonstrated by impaired water diuresis following oral hydration (1-4) and by water retention leading, at times, to edema and contributing, in part, to ascites formation. Because the secretion of the posterior lobe of the pituitary inhibits the excretion of water, attempts have been made to relate this antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to the water retention observed clinically in patients with liver disease. Thus there are several reports on an antidiuretic substance, found in greater amounts than in normals, in both the sera and urines of such patients (5-7). Although this substance (ADS) has been thought to represent the actual secretion of the posterior pituitary (ADH), differences between the two, based chiefly upon the behavior of ADSand Pitressin on dialysis, have been reported. These differences have been summarized by Ames, Moore and Van Dyke, who have undertaken a more detailed characterization of urinary antidiuretic hormone secreted by the intact posterior pituitary gland (8). Their experiments indicate it is a large molecule as shown by its sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge. One explanation for the observed increase in serum and urinary ADSin hepatic disease has been that the damaged liver may not sufficiently inactivate the antidiuretic hormone (5, 3, 9). This supposition has been based on the demonstration in titro that extracts of normal liver tissue have a


Baby weight at birth related to maternal characteristics, infants are more likely to have an average weight of 2500 grams or more if the 20-34 year-old mother gave birth to her first child when the time, the data IDHS showed 74.3 percent prevalence rate. On the whole the same source reported 6 percent of babies had birth weight less than 2500 grams. Several studies on the impact of the work done by the pregnant woman to the fetus have been carried out, including studies conducted by Manshande et al., (1987) who compared pregnant women who perform heavy physical activity in the last week of pregnancy in pregnant women who do not perform physical activity (breaks) in the last weeks of pregnancy. In this study it was reported that all infants born full-term and the long break has a strong influence on birth weight infants, where there is an increase in birth weight of 334 grams on the baby girl, but there was no difference in the birth weight of a baby boy.
The research objective consists of the general objective is to determine whether or not the relationship type of physical labor for expectant mothers with a birth weight babies in hospitals Prof. DR. W.Z.Johannes Kupang in 2010.
This research is explanatory research with design Cross-sectional Study. The study population is all the mothers in hospitals inpartu Prof. DR. Kupang WZJohannes May to October 2010 was 917 people (Register childbirth, 2010), the study sample inpartu some mothers who met the inclusion criteria, among others, mothers with spontaneous labor, action and artificial, and the exclusion criteria were mothers with twin births, diabetes mellitus and mother to smoking.The sampling method is non-probability sampling, with Porposive sampling techniques, sample size of 50 people.
The results that most of the respondents who do strenuous activity during pregnancy give birth to babies with birth weight 2500-4000 grams (82%). Respondents who had parity ≤ 4 (84%) gave birth to infants with birth weight 2500-4000 grams, while 3 respondents (6%) with parity> 4 having a baby with birth weight 2500-4000 grams. While the majority of respondents (82%) with a gestational age range 37-42 weeks of having a baby with birth weight 2500-4000 grams, while 4 respondents (8%) with a gestational age <37 weeks of having a baby with a birth weight of 2500-4000 grams.
Conclusion that most of the mothers inpartu heavy physical activity based total energy released by the average birth weight of 2500-4000 grams. Statistical analysis states that there is no significant relationship between maternal physical work during pregnancy with birth weight infants.


Abstract Aim The early detection of small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetuses and newborns is pivotal in the prevention of perinatal mortality. Objectives To compare the predictive capability of performing ultrasound-based estimated fetal weight (EFW) at 32 versus 36 weeks' gestation on the detection rate of SGA fetuses and SGA newborns at delivery, and to find a better cutoff level to consider a fetus at risk of being born small. Material and methods Nine hundred fifteen low-risk pregnant women were assessed at both 32 and 36 weeks' gestation. EFW centile was calculated in both occasions. The rate of SGA fetuses was compared. SGA fetuses were considered when both abdominal circumference (AC) and EFW were below the 10th centile from a total of 488 delivered at our Hospital. Paired comparisons between ultrasound at 32 and 36 weeks' gestation were done to predict SGA at delivery. Percentages of SGA fetuses were compared by chi-squared test. ANOVA test was used for comparing centiles among groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to find the best cutoff ultrasound centile to predict SGA at delivery. Statistical significance was previously set at 95% level (p < .05). Results Ultrasound-based EFW at 32 weeks showed 23 cases of SGA (2.5%) while at 36 weeks this rate increased up to 4% (37/915) (p < .000001). When comparing both outcomes, 2.8% of those catalogued as adequate-for-gestational age (AGA) at 32 weeks were cases of SGA at 36 weeks. In addition, 47.8% of those diagnosed as SGA were not confirmed at 36 weeks. Only 12.3% of SGA neonates were identified at 32 weeks' gestation ultrasound, while using the 36 weeks' gestation approach this rate increased up to 30.9%. So, only a low proportion of SGA neonates were SGA fetuses at any of these two gestational ages. However, the area under the curve (AUC) at 36 weeks was as high as 0.86. Being a matter of cutoff rather than a matter of choosing the correct variable, ROC analysis showed that the best cutoff for prediction having the best sensitivity (0.80) with the best specificity (0.77) was 28th centile of EFW. This represents 24.9% of the studied women (228/915). Conclusions In general, ultrasound at 36 weeks has better performance detecting SGA fetuses than ultrasound at 32 weeks and we suggest to definitively change from 32 to 36 weeks in order to increase the detection rate of SGA fetuses. Moreover, in order to detect those fetuses who will grow below the lower level of the normal range in the last month of pregnancy, we suggest that those with EFW below the 28th centile at 36 weeks should be rescanned later in pregnancy to identify prenatally as many cases as we can of SGA newborns.


Significance Telomerase synthesizes the telomeric DNA at the 3′ ends of chromosomes and maintains genome integrity. Telomerase RNA (TR) provides the template for telomere-repeat synthesis within a template/pseudoknot (t/PK) domain that is essential for activity. We investigated the structure and dynamics of the t/PK from medaka fish, which contain the smallest vertebrate TR, using NMR and modeling. Despite differences in length, sequence, and predicted secondary structure with human TR, the remarkable similarities between subdomains, including one newly identified in medaka, reveal a conserved architecture for vertebrate t/PK. Combining our model of the full-length pseudoknot and information from the 9-Å structure of Tetrahymena telomerase, we propose models for the interaction of medaka and human t/PK with telomerase reverse transcriptase, providing insight into function. Telomerase is an RNA–protein complex that includes a unique reverse transcriptase that catalyzes the addition of single-stranded telomere DNA repeats onto the 3′ ends of linear chromosomes using an integral telomerase RNA (TR) template. Vertebrate TR contains the template/pseudoknot (t/PK) and CR4/5 domains required for telomerase activity in vitro. All vertebrate pseudoknots include two subdomains: P2ab (helices P2a and P2b with a 5/6-nt internal loop) and the minimal pseudoknot (P2b–P3 and associated loops). A helical extension of P2a, P2a.1, is specific to mammalian TR. Using NMR, we investigated the structures of the full-length TR pseudoknot and isolated subdomains in Oryzias latipes (Japanese medaka fish), which has the smallest vertebrate TR identified to date. We determined the solution NMR structure and studied the dynamics of medaka P2ab, and identified all base pairs and tertiary interactions in the minimal pseudoknot. Despite differences in length and sequence, the structure of medaka P2ab is more similar to human P2ab than predicted, and the medaka minimal pseudoknot has the same tertiary interactions as the human pseudoknot. Significantly, although P2a.1 is not predicted to form in teleost fish, we find that it forms in the full-length pseudoknot via an unexpected hairpin. Model structures of the subdomains are combined to generate a model of t/PK. These results provide evidence that the architecture for the vertebrate t/PK is conserved from teleost fish to human. The organization of the t/PK on telomerase reverse transcriptase for medaka and human is modeled based on the cryoEM structure of Tetrahymena telomerase, providing insight into function.


Compressed Sensing (CS), a popular technique which seeks to capture a discrete signal with a small number of linear measurements, could be used to compress a signal during the process of sampling. As an iterative greedy reconstruction algorithm for practical CS, sparsity adaptive matching pursuit (SAMP) takes advantage of the capability of signal reconstruction without prior information of the sparsity in the process of resuming the original high-dimension-data from low-dimension measurement. This paper presents a backward and adaptive matching pursuit reconstruction algorithm with fixed step sizes to avoid the overestimation phenomena of SAMP by using a standard regularized approach. Firstly, a fixed and biggish step size is set to make sure the size of support set of the signal to be reconstructed increasing stably. The energy difference between adjacent reconstructed signals is then taken as the halting condition of iteration. A standard regularized approach is employed to post-dispose the final iteration results, which backward eliminates superfluous atoms to acquire exact reconstruction. Experimental results show that such an improvement of SAMP is feasible in technology and effective in acquiring quick and exact reconstruction with sufficient measurement.


This project was carried out to study the effects of using nanofluids as abrasive machining coolants. The objective of this project is to study the effect of nanocoolant on precision surface grinding, to investigate the performance of grinding of ductile iron based on response surface method and to develop optimization model for grinding parameters using artificial neural network technique. The abrasive machining process selected was surface grinding and it was carried out two different coolants which are conventional coolant and titanium dioxide nanocoolant. The selected inputs variables are table speed, depth of cut and type of grinding pattern which are single pass and multiple pass. The selected output parameters are temperature rise, surface roughness and material removal rate. The ANOVA test has been carried out to check the adequacy of the developed mathematical model. The second order mathematical model for MRR, surface roughness and temperature rise are developed based on response surface method. The artificial neural network model has been developed and analysis the performance parameters of grinding processes using two different types of coolant including the conventional as well as TiO2nanocoolant. The obtained results shows that nanofluids as grinding coolants produces the better surface finish, good value of material removal rate and acts effectively on minimizing grinding temperature. The developed ANN model can be used as a basis of grinding processes.


This book contains 62 papers which were given at an Immuno-Symposium in Vienna in 1973. The editors apologize for the delay in publication, but it still reads as an up-to-date account of research in various aspects of infections by Gramnegative bacteria. The symposium appears to have been more successful than many such in obtaining papers of a high quality on most important topics and in engendering useful discussion among the contributors, whicn is included in this volume. The heart of the book is a very full consideration of fundamental problems of pathogenesis in Gram-negative infections and in particular of the action of endotoxin. There are sections concerned with immunology, non-specific resistance and endotoxin tolerance, pathophysiology, haemodynamics and metabolism, pharmacology and blood coagulation. Inevitably, the sections dealing with clinical aspects, microbiology, epidemiology and more general immunology, which frame these, are less exhaustive, though here some subjects selected are of great interest; burn disease, for example, has a section to itself with several useful papers. When it is such a valuable review it is a pity that this book is so difficult to read. Partly this is due to the compression of material into short compass, and the rather stiff translation into English of some of the contributions. The main problem, however, is that the lines of print, though clear, are so spaced as to make visual concentration difficult. Exaggerated spacing of letters for emphasisrather than italics or underlining-is another small affront to the eyes. It is nonetheless well worth persevering for the information assembled here.


Background: Generic preference-based measures (pbms), though commonly used, may not be optimal for use in the economic evaluations assessing the impact of breast cancer interventions. Concerns that are unique to women with breast cancer (for example, body image, appearance, treatment-specific adverse effects) are not adequately captured by the existing generic measures. No breast cancer–specific pbm exists. The objective of this study was to construct a health state classification system specific to breast cancer which is amenable to valuation. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews in a heterogeneous sample of women with breast cancer [stages 0–4, any stage of treatment(s)]. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded using the constant comparison approach to develop the conceptual framework. Patients were also asked to describe their most and least important concerns during the interview and to rate items in the related breast-q module (that is, mastectomy, breast-conserving therapy, or reconstruction) on a modified 5-point Likert scale (ranging from Not important to Very important). A faceto- face meeting with an expert panel of health care professionals, health economists, and hrqol researchers was used to obtain feedback on the health state classification system, response levels, and wording of the items. Results: Interviews (n = 59) with patients aged 59.9 years were completed. The resultant conceptual framework included site-specif ic (that is, abdomen, arm, breast) and overall (that is, body image, appearance, cancer, psychological, sexual, and social) domains. Triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative evidence led to the selection of key constructs for inclusion in the new pbm. The field test version of the breast-q utility health state classification system consisted of 13 attributes with 4 response levels each. Conclusions: The health state classification system for the preference-based module of the breast-q (breast-q-u) was derived using patient and expert feedback. The next phase will involve establishing psychometric properties of the breast-q-u, followed by a valuation study to generate utility weights.


This study concerns the consensus of a network of agents with general linear or linearised dynamics, whose communication topology contains a directed spanning tree. An observer-type consensus protocol based on the relative outputs of the neighbouring agents is adopted. The notion of consensus region is introduced, as a measure for the robustness of the protocol and as a basis for the protocol design. For neutrally stable agents, it is shown that there exists a protocol achieving consensus together with a consensus region that is the entire open right-half plane if and only if each agent is stabilisable and detectable. An algorithm is further presented for constructing such a protocol. For consensus with a prescribed convergence speed, a multi-step protocol design procedure is given, which yields an unbounded consensus region and at the same time maintains a favourable decoupling property. Finally, the consensus algorithms are extended to solve the formation control problems.


BACKGROUND
This study was to investigate the effect of high-flux hemodialysis (HD) combined with levocarnitine on vascular calcification, microinflammation, hepcidin, and malnutrition in elderly patients on maintenance HD (MHD).

METHODS
75 MHD elderly patients admitted to hospital between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2019 were selected as the study subjects. They were randomly divided by digital table into three groups: low-flux group (n=25), high-flux group (n=25) and joint group (n=25). In the low-flux group, dialyzer had an ultrafiltration coefficient 12 mL/(h·mmHg) and effective surface area of 1.4 m2 compared with 59 mL/(h·mmHg) and 1.8 m2 in the high-flux group. After treatment, the calcification of blood vessels was examined by lateral X-ray, pelvic plain film and bilateral positive position. For patients in all groups, the concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and β 2-microglobulin (β 2-MG) in serum were measured by automatic chemiluminescence; levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA before and after treatment; and the level of hepcidin was measured by ELISA. Before and 12 weeks after the treatment, the nutritional status of the patients was evaluated by modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA), hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell count (RBC). Complications in the three groups were recorded, including nausea, chest pain, hypotension, hypertension, pruritus, dry heat, muscle spasm, arrhythmia, and restless legs.

RESULTS
Vascular calcification in the joint group was better than the low-flux and high-flux groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum PTH and β 2-mg concentrations in the joint group were lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-6, CRP, TNF-α and hepcidin in the joint group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the MQSGA scores in the joint group were lower than those in the low-flux and high-flux groups (P<0.05), and Hb and RBC were higher (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The combination of high-flux HD and levocarnitine in elderly patients on MHD can increase the clearance of medium and large molecular toxins, effectively correct malnutrition, alleviate microinflammation, delay the progress of vascular calcification, and is safe.


BACKGROUND
We examined trends in the incidence of the 3 AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs; Kaposi sarcoma [KS], non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL], and cervical cancer) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients relative to the general population between 1992 and 2009 in France, focusing on age at ADC diagnosis and on patients with controlled viral load and restored immunity on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

METHODS
Age- and sex-standardized incidence rates were estimated in patients enrolled in the French hospital database on HIV, and in the general population in France during 4 calendar periods (1992-1996, 1997-2000, 2001-2004, and 2005-2009). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for all periods and separately for patients on cART, with CD4 counts ≥500 cells/µL for at least 2 years and viral load ≤500 copies/mL.

RESULTS
Although the incidence of ADCs fell significantly across the calendar periods, the risk remained constantly higher in HIV-infected patients than in the general population. In patients with restored immunity, the relative risk remained significantly elevated for KS (SIR = 35.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.3-61.9), and was similar to that of the general population for NHL (SIR = 1.0; 95% CI, .4-1.8). ADCs were diagnosed at a younger age in HIV-infected patients, with a particularly marked difference for NHL (-11.3 years, P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of all ADCs continued to fall, including cervical cancer, in the cART period, but the risk remained higher than in the general population in 2005-2009. In patients with stably restored immunity, KS remained significantly more frequent than in the general population.


textabstractOften firms lack the necessary internal resources to pursue all profitable investment opportunities at their disposal. One of the most important roles of financial markets is to allocate resources from different economic agents to the firms that will better employ them, thereby enabling productive investment to take place. However, there are informational and incentive-related problems in financial markets that result in agency costs. These costs can hinder the efficient allocation of capital across the economy and, as a result, can impact economic growth. This thesis examines the mechanisms that investors and managers use to reduce the agency costs of outside financing and the impact of such costs on firms' investment decisions and value. The first chapter shows that the voluntary disclosure of information can help overcoming the informational asymmetry between managers and investors. The second chapter provides evidence that institutional ownership of firms can improve firm decisions and increase firm value when coupled with the appropriate incentives. In particular, we show that stock illiquidity is a key incentive in this setting. The last chapter examines the impact of accessing the public debt market on corporate investment. The findings support the hypothesis that firms adjust their investment decisions to offset an increase in agency costs, which in turn enables them to access outside financing on more favorable terms.


Two direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed for detection of sulfonamide antibiotic residues in milk samples. One of them is using magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) for target capture/enrichment (Ab-MNP-ELISA), and the second is performed using microtiter plates. Selective polyclonal antibodies, raised against 5-[6-(4-amino-benzenesulfonylamino)-pyridin-3-yl]-2-methyl-pentanoic acid (SA1), used in combination with an enzyme tracer prepared with the same hapten, has allowed us to reach a limit of detection (LOD) lower than 0.5 microg L(-1) for both ELISA formats. Sulfapyridine, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfathiazole, and sulfachloropyridazine are detected below the maximum residue limits established by the European Union for these antibiotics in milk (100 microg L(-1)). Matrix effects and accuracy studies performed with full-cream milk and hair extracts indicated a lack of interference from these sample matrices and very good recovery values, especially when using the Ab-MNP format. Milk samples and hair extracts can be measured without any previous treatment. The results demonstrate the high potential of these methods as screening tools for food safety and inspection controls.


Solubility equilibrium models and/or adsorption models enable the prediction of phosphorus residuals in an effluent of a wastewater treatment plant over a wide range of operating conditions. A generally valid model cannot be given because the model parameters depend on wastewater composition, e.g. on dissolved and particulate water constituents, above all on phosphorus speciation. Chemical precipitation is able to bind ortho-phosphates proportionally to added chemicals and polyphosphates to a great extent. The P-residuals consist mainly of organically bound phosphorus and some residual polyphosphate. In wastewater treatment plants with enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), an extensive use of precipitation chemicals could suppress the EBPR-ability of the sludge. In EBPR-plants a part of the phosphorus can also be eliminated by chemical precipitation without added chemicals. In experiments with inactivated sludge derived from a wastewater treatment pilot plant, a pH-sensitive and partly reversible precipitation of calcium phosphates was observed at pH values below 8.0. A dynamic model was formulated on the basis of these observations. It contains the following reactions:
 – Fully reversible precipitation of hydroxydicalcium phosphate (Ca 2 HPO 4 (OH) 2 , HDP) as an intermediate, with a solubility product of 10 −22.6 (kmole m −3 ) 5 (20°C). – Formation of hydroxyapatite (Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH, HAP) from HDP. HAP is regarded as a kinetically stable endproduct. If the solubility of HDP is exceeded, then 15.5 gpm −3 d −1 of inorganic calcium phosphate (HAP) is fixated irreversibly in the sludge.


The Musical Ear: Oral Tradition in the USA. By Anne Dhu McLucas. (SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music.) Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2010. [205 p. ISBN 9780754663966. $79.95.] Music transcriptions, footnotes, bibliography index, compact disc. Anne Dhu McLucas, professor emerita from the University of Oregon, has written one of the few books on the topic of oral tradition in music. There are many books on specific oral traditions within the United States, but this is perhaps the only one that begins with oral tradition as the central topic, and then compares the commonalities of oral tradition between many different styles of American music. McLucas uses the term "oral tradition" to cover all facets of a process-the aural, or taking in by ear of sounds, and the oral, or the transmission by mouth (but also understood to cover instrumental performances passed on without notation) . . . . [t]he term "oral tradition" will be understood to encompass all music not handed down in or necessarily learned from a written form" (pp. 1-2 n. 2). There are many places where she uses the duel term "oral/aural." The musical case studies come entirely from the United States. We would expect that most of the examples would be of folk music, but McLucas gives just as many examples from popular, Native American, and art music, from the seventeenth century to the pres - ent. She has drawn examples from her reallife experiences, many locally from Eugene, Oregon. The narrative also shows all the earmarks of extensive teaching experience, with examples that could easily be shared with students, and also examples drawn from students. After each of the four chapters McLucas inserts an "interlude" that explains the underlying psychological research behind the things described in the preceding chapter. She does a fine job explaining this research in plain language, providing a good introduction to the topic for any interested reader. In the first chapter, "The Oral Process and 'Roots' Music," McLucas considers four musicians as examples of the breadth of oral tradition in the United States. These are Hazel Dickens, an Appalachian singer; Willetto Antonio, an Apache singer and healer; Eagle Park Slim (Autry McNeace), a blues singer originally from East St. Louis, Illinois; and Kevin Burke, an Irish- American fiddler. The last two musicians currently live in Oregon. The accompanying compact disc contains examples of music from each of them. In describing these musicians, McLucas touches upon some of the major themes that will be explored later in the book, such as how musicians learn their repertory, the role of memory in performing, and the boundaries of creativity in adding to the repertory. The first "interlude" examines "The Brain, Memory and Oral Tradition." McLucas reviews a wide range of literature from neuroscience, psychology and the psychology of music, studying how music memories are created, stored in the brain, and retrieved during performance. She concludes that musical memories are not like sound recordings, but are stored as various strands of sound, from which complete pieces have to be re-created at every performance. Previous experiences enrich musical memories and influence new performances, thus "memory and creativity are not so far apart" (p. 47). The second chapter covers "Oral Tradition in American Popular Music." Many famous American song writers could not read music, though they composed great songs. Before the age of digital recording and music software, it took someone like Lou Halmy (1912-2005) to transcribe and arrange pieces for publication. Pat Monahan, a guitarist and songwriter from Seattle, records his songs directly, or works with other musicians to write the arrangements. His song "Her Eyes" shows the importance of "the hook" in popular music, a musical or lyrical phrase that stands out and is easily remembered. Andrew Glennon, a hip hop producer from Portland, creates "beats" from samples and loops of other recorded music, forming the underlying foundations for hip hop songs. …


The pudendal plexus and its branches of 20 dogs and 20 cats have been observed macroscopicaly. The main findings are summarized as follows: 1) The pudendal plexus in dogs is formed most frequently by the ventral rami of the first, second and third sacral nerves. 2) The bigeminal nerve of dogs and cats is formed respectively by the union of the ventral rami mentioned above. 3) The perineal nerve in dogs arises with one root from the bigeminal nerve and that of cats two roots, of which the main root arises from the points where the bigeminal nerve joins the asciatic nerve and the accessory one from the bigeminal nerve. 4) In dogs and cats the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris arises from the main trunk of the perineal nerve (Fig. 5, type IB) at an average rate of 57.5%. 5) In the dogs and cats, the inferior rectal nerve consists of two divisions; a division had the branches which are derived the perineal nerve to supply the skin around the anus and the other branches which arises from the muscular branch of the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris to supply the Sphincter ani externus. 6) The muscular branch of dogs and cats which is analogous to that of the perineal nerve in man, arises from the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris. 7) In dogs and cats the muscular branch to the Obturator internus is derived from the dorsal nerve of penis or clitoris. 8) The pelvic splanchnic nerve of dogs originates from the ventral rami of the first, second and third sacral nerves and that of cats from the ventral rami of the first and second sacral nerves. 9) In the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve in dogs, as well as in rats and rabbits, the lateral deviation of the origin from the sciatic to the perineal nerve is observed.


Conservation biologists are concerned that climate change will cause widespread extinctions because limited capacity for migration could compromise species' ability to adjust to geographic shifts in habitat condition. However, commercial plant nurseries may provide a head start for northward range shifts among some plant species. To investigate this possibility, we compared the natural ranges of 357 native European plant species with their commercial ranges, based on 246 plant nurseries throughout Europe. In 73% of native species, commercial northern range limits exceeded natural northern range limits, with a mean difference of ~ 1000 km. With migration rates of ~ 0.1–5 km per year required for geographic ranges to track climate change over the next century, we expect nurseries and gardens to provide a substantial head start on such migration for many native plants. While conservation biologists actively debate whether we should intentionally provide "assisted migration", it is clear that we have already ...


This paper presents a broad-band bandpass filter (BPF) designed as a channel-select filter for wireless applications. It is implemented as a low-pass filter (LPF) in series with a high-pass filter (HPF) for lower power consumption compared to true BPF. Semiscaling of the filter nodes is superior in the wireless receiver over traditional full scaling. The HPF is built with low-pass feedback of an amplifier. The bandwidth is selectable from 625 kHz, 2.5 MHz, or 10 MHz. The filter stopband loss is more than 50 dB extending beyond 100 MHz, and passband ripple less than 2.5 dB. Fabricated in a 0.6-/spl mu/m CMOS process, it provides a minimum input noise of 16 nV//spl radic/Hz noise with 22.5-dBm out-of-band IIP3, while draining an average 14 mA from 3.3 V.


ABSTRACT Traditional Item Response Theory models assume the distribution of the abilities of the population in study to be Gaussian. However, this may not always be a reasonable assumption, which motivates the development of more general models. This paper presents a generalized approach for the distribution of the abilities in dichotomous 3-parameter Item Response models. A mixture of normal distributions is considered, allowing for features like skewness, multimodality and heavy tails. A solution is proposed to deal with model identifiability issues without compromising the flexibility and practical interpretation of the model. Inference is carried out under the Bayesian Paradigm through a novel MCMC algorithm. The algorithm is designed in a way to favour good mixing and convergence properties and is also suitable for inference in traditional IRT models. The efficiency and applicability of our methodology is illustrated in simulated and real examples.


A great deal of effort has been devoted to developing easy-to-use near-infrared probes for detecting analytes due to their advantages in the field of biosensing. Herein, a near-infrared "on–off" fluorescent chemodosimeter PTZ based on dicyano-vinyl-functionalised phenothiazine was designed and synthesised. The PTZ compound was shown to efficiently recognise cyanide ions in aqueous media by virtue of the special nucleophilicity of cyanide ions, which affects the intramolecular charge transfer efficiency in the molecule. Furthermore, it was found that it exhibited a rapid colourimetric and quenchable near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent response to cyanide ions with a detection limit as low as 67 nM, and that other anions showed almost no interference even at high concentrations. Optical spectroscopic measurements, 1H NMR and mass spectrometry titrations, and theoretical simulations were carried out to elucidate the sensing mechanism of compound PTZ. Moreover, potential applications of this compound for biosensing have been exemplified by the successful fluorescent microscopic imaging for the detection of cyanide ions in HeLa cells.


Pseudoaneurysm of the left ventricle (LV) is a rare cardiac disease that occurs after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. Because patients frequently present with nonspecific symptoms, a high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis. This report describes an unusual case demonstrating a large LV pseudoaneurysm after mitral valve replacement performed 30 years earlier.


Background Although there are published BTS guidelines [Thorax 2009;64(Suppl III)] for the management of CAP; its practice across UK hospitals is variable and at times lacking; in achieving satisfactory outcomes. Objectives To audit the management of patients admitted with CAP in a UK DGH. Method A retrospective audit was undertaken between the periods covering 01/10/2010-31/08/2011. We included all patients admitted through the emergency or community referral system with a radiological diagnosis of pneumonia. We excluded patients who were immunocomprised or under 16 years of age. Results A total of 56 patients (59% female; n=33) were included. CURB-65 score was documented in 20% (n=11). With regards to anti-microbial treatment, 12.7% (n=7) patients were given B-lactam alone, 76.3% (n=42) were given B-lactam + Macrolide, 10.9% (n=6) were given Levofloxacin and one patient each received either Metronidazole or gentamycin. Time between diagnosis and first dose of antibiotic was greater than 4 hours in 57.3% (n=32) patients. 27% (n=15) patients received antibiotics against the published local guidelines (local guidelines followed BTS guidelines). Total length of stay varied from 0-101 days with a median of 7.5 days. There were 6 deaths within 30 days of discharge, of which 2 died on admission. Conclusions Despite guidelines, there was poor documentation and recognition of the severity of CAP. There was deviation from recommended prescribing, hence risking emergence of resistant strains. Many patients received antibiotics beyond the recommended time window. Therefore, hospitals need to make sure that guidelines are being followed, in order to achieve further reduction in morbidity and mortality.


Pathophysiology of postpartum depression (PPD) has been associated with many factors, such as neuroendocrine, neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter changes. Fish oil (FO) improves PPD both in humans and animals. However, little is known with regards to its pharmacology on a PPD-like rat model. Hence, the current study aimed at investigating the effects of FO on a PPD-like rat model. Female rats were induced with PPD-like symptoms and then randomly divided into six groups (n = 6) for two experimental protocols. Protocol 1 consisted of PPD-like rats (2 mL distilled water), PPD-like + FO (9 g/kg/d) and PPD-like + Fluoxetine (FLX) (15 mg/kg/d) groups of rats, whereas Protocol 2 consisted of PPD-like rats (2 mL distilled water) + PCPA (p-chlorophenylalanine) 150 mg/kg, PPD-like + FO (9 g/kg/d) + PCPA 150 mg/kg and PPD-like + FLX (15 mg/d) + PCPA 150 mg/kg groups of rats, respectively. All treatments were administered orally for 10 days postpartum, except PCPA, which was given intraperitoneally. Prior to euthanasia, the antidepressant-like effect of the FO was evaluated using the forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT) on day 10 postpartum. Biochemical analysis of serotonin, serotonin metabolite and serotonin turnover from their prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were also measured. The results showed that FO decreased immobility time and increased swimming time significantly, but not climbing time in FST. Further, it also decreased serotonin metabolite and turnover significantly in the hippocampus of the PPD-like rats. In contrast, administration with PCPA reversed all the outcomes. The antidepressant-like effects of FO were found to be similar with that of FLX. Thus, it can be concluded that FO exerts its antidepressant-like effects in PPD-like rats through modulation of serotonergic system.


– Ionization in a strong laser field is a prime example of non-perturbative, correlated electron dynamics. Simulating such processes on a first-principles basis is a major theoretical challenge. We demonstrate that time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) on the basis of a newly developed functional for the correlation potential incorporates the relevant electron interaction effects. The central idea of our approach is to exploit information about exact ground-state correlation in approximate time-dependent calculations. The new functional provides an accurate description of the paradigm problem of the double ionization of the Helium atom, showing that TDDFT is a viable tool for strong-field calculations.


Pioglitazone is a PPAR gamma agonist commonly utilized clinically in the treatment of diabetes. There have been clinical trials with this agent in oral cancer prevention and we sought to potentially expand its use in lung cancer in a B[a]P mouse model. Directed epithelial delivery in lung cancer is an attractive treatment approach and we felt pioglitazone would be amenable to aerosol delivery. Initially, a maximum tolerated dose experiment examining standard toxicity parameters, including animal behavior characteristics, weight, general health, and increases in markers of cytotoxicity in bronchoalveolar lavage was conducted. We found no statistically significant indications of increased toxicity in the animals with administration of aerosolized pioglitazone and proceeded with the prevention protocol. We utilized 192 seven week old female A/J mice. All groups received Benzo[a]pyrene by oral gavage in 3 doses of 3mg/kg body weight over the course of 1 week. Animals were then randomized into 8 groups of 24 mice per group based on weight. Experimental diets, 0, 50, 150, and 450µg/kg body weight pioglitazone formulated into 0.6µm average diameter respiratory particles, were started 1 week or 8 weeks after last dose of B[a]P. Animals were continued on the feeding schedule, weighed weekly, and monitored for weight loss, attenuation, rough hair coat, or other signs of ill health. The study was concluded 16 weeks after administration of B[a]P. The agent was well tolerated for the duration of the experiment and there was no observable toxicity. The average number of adenomas per animal in the late treatment group was 10.69 ± 1.685 in the control, 12.27 ± 1.761 in the 50µg, 6.000 ± 0.6359 in the 150 µg, and 7.267 ± 1.071 in the 450µg groups but low control tumor counts in the early treatment group precluded analysis. The same tumor initation protocol was used with 72 mice. Animals were randomized into 3 groups of 24 animals and treated with 0, 150, or 450µg/kg body weight aerosol pioglitazone for 16 weeks starting 1 week after the last B[a]P dose. The average number of adenomas per animal was 9.217 ± 1.004 in the control, 7.957 ± 0.9440 in the in the 150 µg, and 6.304 ± 0.8653 in the 450µg groups. We conclude aerosol pioglitazone is well tolerated in the A/J mouse model and a promising chemoprevention agent in the aerodigestive tract. Citation Format: Donna Seabloom, Art Galbraith, Beverly Wuertz, Anna Haynes, Jenny Antonides, alisha fujita, Vernon Steele, Lee Wattenberg, Frank G. Ondrey. Efficacy of aerosolized pioglitazone in lung carcinogenesis in A/J mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2140. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2140


Sustainment refers to all activities necessary to keep an existing system operational, continue to manufacture and field versions of the system that satisfy the original requirements, or manufacture and field revised versions of the system that satisfy evolving requirements [3]. The sales data is mainly in the form of number of units shipped. If it is not available, sales in market dollars or percentage market share may be used, as long as the total market does not increase appreciably over time [6]. For some products, within the same type of the product, life cycle curves characterized by parameters k, μ, and σ can vary with some primary attributes of the product. Examples are memory chips whose life cycle curves vary with different memory sizes. Memory size is the primary attribute describing the memory chip that evolves over time [6-8]. For these products, if the primary attributes of the product are not considered, the parameters k, μ, and σ obtained from the sales data of the product are only average values for that product. The time range of the zone of obsolescence can be determined using data mining of historical data (e.g., lastorder or last-ship dates) to achieve more accurate obsolescence forecasting [8].


content on the Social Web is often locked within information silos. Inadequate APIs or, worst, the lack of APIs obstruct reuse and prevent the opportunity to integrate similar content from different communities. In this paper we present a Web mashup which combines information from different social libraries. Aggregated information, including both classic book metadata and user-generated content, is represented as linked data in RDF to allow machine computation and foster reuse among different applications.


To discriminate benign from malignant parathyroid glands lesions is often difficult, because the morphologic features lack absolute diagnostic value. The differential diagnosis between chief cell hyperplasia and parathyroid adenoma is frequently based on physical features such as increased gland weight and number of enlarged glands. A carcinoma is identified by the evidence of local invasion, metastases or recurrence. Nevertheless the lesions classified as benign for lack of histologic features of aggressiveness can show nuclear atypia, increased mitotic figures and broad fibrous bands. Since DNA aneuploidy is present in a great number of human neoplasms and DNA aneuploidy has been suggest to be a marker of malignancy, flow cytometric assessment of ploidy appeared a possible method for rapid and objective distinction between benign and malignant lesions. Flow cytometric DNA content was evaluated on 113 parathyroid glands: the parathyroids were resected from 26 patients with hyperparathyroidism and from 17 patients with adenoma. The analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded specimens according to Hedley with minor modifications. Interpretable histograms were obtained for 103 parathyroids gland (mean CV = 5.3). Aneuploidy was detected in 22.5% of glands; in 12 instances of parathyroid hyperplasia the glands of the same patient showed different DNA Indexes. Cytometric results and morphological features do not correlate as far as aneuploidy and cellular atypia are involved. Although our results fail to show any correlation between morphology of parathyroid cells and DNA content, and abnormal DNA content suggests a careful follow up of these patients.


Patient: Male, 17-year-old Final Diagnosis: Ganglioneuroma Symptoms: Incidental Medication: — Clinical Procedure: CT scan Specialty: Radiology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Ganglioneuroma is a rare benign sympathetic chain neoplasm which rarely arise from the adrenal gland in adults and exceedingly rare for ganglioneuroma to arise from different origins in the same patient. We present a rare case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma concurring with an adrenal ganglioneuroma in an adult patient. Case Report: A 17-year-old healthy male underwent computed tomography (CT) scan after road traffic accident where he was found to have a left adrenal homogeneous hypovascular lesion with another retroperitoneal lesion seen within the right para-colic gutter with similar radiological features. Successful surgical resection was obtained, and histological diagnosis of both lesions was benign ganglioneuroma. Conclusions: Adrenal and extra-adrenal ganglioneuroma can, although rare, concur together. Key findings are the similar radiological appearance of the lesions with typical hypovascular progressive pattern of enhancement. Appropriate pre-surgical diagnosis can aid to proper management since ganglioneuroma needs wide surgical resection due to its high chance of recurrence.


Strong subsurface attenuation leads to distortion of amplitudes and phases of seismic waves propagating inside the earth. Conventional acoustic reverse time migration (RTM) and least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) do not account for this distortion, which can lead to defocusing of migration images in highly attenuative geologic environments. To correct for this distortion, we used a linearized inversion method, denoted as Qp-LSRTM. During the leastsquares iterations, we used a linearized viscoacoustic modeling operator for forward modeling. The adjoint equations were derived using the adjoint-state method for back propagating the residual wavefields. The merit of this approach compared with conventional RTM and LSRTM was that Qp-LSRTM compensated for the amplitude loss due to attenuation and could produce images with better balanced amplitudes and more resolution below highly attenuative layers. Numerical tests on synthetic and field data illustrated the advantages of Qp-LSRTM over RTM and LSRTM when the recorded data had strong attenuation effects. Similar to standard LSRTM, the sensitivity tests for background velocity and Qp errors revealed that the liability of this method is the requirement for smooth and accurate migration velocity and attenuation models.


Over the past years, we have witnessed an explosive growth in the use of multimedia applications such as audio and video streaming with mobile and static devices. Multimedia streaming applications need new approaches to multimedia transmissions to meet the growing volume demand and quality expectations of multimedia traffic. This paper studies network coding which is a promising paradigm that has the potential to improve the performance of networks for multimedia streaming applications in terms of packet delivery ratio (PDR), latency and jitter. This paper examines several network coding protocols for ad hoc wireless mesh networks and compares their performance on multimedia streaming applications with optimized broadcast protocols, e.g., BCast, Simplified Multicast Forwarding (SMF), and Partial Dominant Pruning (PDP). The results show that the performance increases significantly with the Random Linear Network Coding (RLNC) scheme.


This study explores the possible use of a magnetorheological (MR) damper with feedback linearization control law for helicopter lag damping applications. Since this control law is based on an assumed damper model, the helicopter may be susceptible to limit cycle instabilities in the presence of model errors due to uncertainties (even if the prescribed damping using feedback linearization control is greater than the system negative damping). For specified uncertainty bounds, a robust control law can be synthesized which will eliminate limit cycle instability by using a much larger value of prescribed damping ratio. The resulting periodic loads in forward flight, however, would be excessively high. To reduce these periodic loads a band-rejecting filter is introduced that eliminates the 1/rev component of velocity from the feedback control signal. By doing so, stability of perturbation motions can be ensured and periodic loads can be drastically reduced, even in the presence of MR damper model errors.


The method of Maximum (relative) Entropy (ME) is used to translate the information contained in the known form of the likelihood into a prior distribution for Bayesian inference. The argument is guided by intuition gained from the successful use of ME methods in statistical mechanics. For experiments that cannot be repeated the resulting "entropic prior" is formally identical with the Einstein fluctuation formula. For repeatable experiments, however, the expected value of the entropy of the likelihood turns out to be relevant information that must be included in the analysis. As an example the entropic prior for a Gaussian likelihood is calculated.


Objective The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in Iran's and other health systems' risk communication. The accompanying infodemic undermined policy responses, amplified distrust in government and reduced adherence to public health recommendations among the Iranian population. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework for health risk communication and infodemic management (RCIM) during epidemics and health emergencies in Iran that could have potential applications in other contexts. Design This study was designed in two phases. Phase 1 involved semistructured qualitative interviews with key informants to explore effective RCIM strategies across public health settings in Iran and to develop a conceptual framework. Phase 2 involved revising the framework based on feedback from an online expert panel regarding its comprehensiveness and validity. Setting Provincial/national public health settings in Iran. Participants Twenty key informants from provincial and national public health authorities who contributed to COVID-19 response programmes participated in interviews. Nine experts from diverse academic disciplines, provincial and national settings, and geographical locations participated in an online expert panel. Results The conceptual model was created based on qualitative interviews and expert panel discussions and was structured according to six pillars of the WHO health system framework: leadership and governance, information, health workforce and financial resources, along with media and community. Leadership and governance, including trustworthy leaders, were recommended as the foundation for developing RCIM in Iran. Developing an official strategy with information infrastructures, including high-quality surveillance systems, identified personnel and training for specialists among the health workforce, financial resources, communication channels and community engagement were recognised as other dimensions for developing health risk communication in Iran. Conclusion The proposed framework represents a step toward establishing a national RCIM strategy in Iran. Further validation of the conceptual framework and experiments on how it could potentially influence policy and practice is recommended. This model has the potential to be applied in other contexts in its current form or as the foundation for customised local versions.


Calamus leptospadix Griff. belongs to the family Arecaceae, is a very important cluster forming small gregarious cane grown in different parts of the world. Tender shoots of C. leptospadix are used in food and have got medicinal value in addition to its predominant use in the furniture industry. Antioxidant properties of the three extract viz. methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extract of tender shoots of C. leptospadix were evaluated in this study. DPPH, H2O2 scavenging activity, reducing power assay and total phenolic and flavonoids content analysis were carried out. We found that the in methanolic and ethanolic extract of tender shoots of C. leptospadix possess the antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. The total phenolic contents were found to be 79.56 μg GAE in 1mg of methanolic extract and 34.63 μg GAE in 1mg of ethanolic extract. Flavonoids were found to be and 162.33 and 150.62 μg quercetin equivalents in 1mg of methanolic extract and ethanolic extract respectively which contributes to its antioxidant properties. Aqueous extract showed less antioxidant properties as compared to methanolic and ethanolic extract.


We investigate a zone based approach for the reachability problem in timed automata. The challenge is to alleviate the size explosion of the search space when considering networks of timed automata working in parallel. In the timed setting this explosion is particularly visible as even different interleavings of local actions of processes may lead to different zones. Salah et al. in 2006 have shown that the union of all these different zones is also a zone. This observation was used in an algorithm which from time to time detects and aggregates these zones into a single zone.
We show that such aggregated zones can be calculated more efficiently using the local time semantics and the related notion of local zones proposed by Bengtsson et al. in 1998. Next, we point out a flaw in the existing method to ensure termination of the local zone graph computation. We fix this with a new algorithm that builds the local zone graph and uses abstraction techniques over (standard) zones for termination. We evaluate our algorithm on standard examples. On various examples, we observe an order of magnitude decrease in the search space. On the other examples, the algorithm performs like the standard zone algorithm.


The adsorption behavior of a model compound for surface-active component of asphaltenes, N-(1-hexylheptyl)-N'-(12-carboxylicdodecyl) perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic bisimide (C5Pe), and detachment behavior of asphaltene deposit films for high-density polymer brushes were investigated. Zwitterionic poly(3-(N-2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N,N-dimethyl)ammonatopropanesulfonate (PMAPS) brushes and hydrophobic poly(n-hexyl methacrylate) (PHMA) brushes exhibit less C5Pe adsorption than poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The asphaltene deposit films on the PHMA brush detached in a model oil (toluene/n-heptane=1/4 (v/v)), and the asphaltene films on the PMAPS brush detached in water. The antifouling character was explained by the interface free energy for the polymer-brush/asphaltenes (γSA) and polymer-brush/toluene (γSO).


A study on the predominant cultivable microorganisms harbored in the base of deep periodontal pockets of eight patients aged 34-48 years was carried out using the roll tube culture technique. From a total of 475 isolates, 425 (89.5%) were obligate anaerobes, 356(74.9%) were Gram-negative, and 441(92.8%) were categorized as rods. Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Fusobacterium nucleatum constituted the majority of the isolates in seven samples, but their mutual proportions differed considerably between the samples. One sample was dominated by Actinomyces species. Some periodontopathic potentials of the predominating Gram-negative rods are summarized.


In this study, we present a combined computational and experimental methodology that allows a rapid and efficient identification of the ncSecPs from bacteria, in particular the unculturable bacteria like CLas. Meanwhile, the study determined that a number of CLas ncSecPs suppressed HR-based cell death, and thus indicated a novel role for the bacterial ncSecPs in extracellular milieu. ABSTRACT Although emerging evidence indicates that bacteria extracellularly export many cytoplasmic proteins referred to as nonclassically secreted proteins (ncSecPs) for their own benefit, the mechanisms and functional significance of the ncSecPs in the extracellular milieu remain elusive. "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) is a fastidious Gram-negative bacterium that causes Huanglongbing (HLB), the most devastating citrus disease globally. In this study, using the SecretomeP program coupled with an Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase assay, we identified 27 ncSecPs from the CLas genome. Further, we demonstrated that 10 of these exhibited significantly higher levels of gene expression in citrus than in psyllid hosts and particularly suppressed hypersensitive response (HR)-based cell death and H2O2 overaccumulation in Nicotiana benthamiana, indicating their opposing effects on early plant defenses. However, these proteins also dramatically enhanced the gene expression of pathogenesis-related 1 protein (PR-1), PR-2, and PR-5, essential components of plant defense mechanisms. Additional experiments disclosed that the increased expression of these PR genes, in particular PR-1 and PR-5, could negatively regulate HR-based cell death development and H2O2 accumulation. Remarkably, CLas infection clearly induced gene expression of PR-1, PR-2, and PR-5 in both HLB-tolerant and HLB-susceptible species of citrus plants. Taking together these data, we hypothesized that CLas has evolved an arsenal of ncSecPs that function cooperatively to overwhelm the early plant defenses by inducing host PR genes. IMPORTANCE In this study, we present a combined computational and experimental methodology that allows a rapid and efficient identification of the ncSecPs from bacteria, in particular unculturable bacteria like CLas. Meanwhile, the study determined that a number of CLas ncSecPs suppressed HR-based cell death and thus indicated a novel role for the bacterial ncSecPs in the extracellular milieu. More importantly, these ncSecPs were found to suppress cell death presumably by utilizing host PR proteins. The data overall provide a novel clue to understand the CLas pathogenesis and also suggest a new way by which phytopathogens manipulate host cellular machinery to establish infection.


Electrical and optical pulsing allow for manipulating the order parameter and magnetoresistance of antiferromagnets, opening novel prospects for digital and analog data storage in spintronic devices. Recent experiments in CuMnAs have demonstrated giant resistive switching signals in single-layer antiferromagnetic films together with analog switching and relaxation characteristics relevant for neuromorphic computing. Here we report simultaneous electrical pulsing and scanning NV magnetometry of antiferromagnetic domains in CuMnAs performed using a pump-probe scheme. We observe a nano-scale fragmentation of the antiferromagnetic domains, which is controlled by the current amplitude and independent on the current direction. The fragmented antiferromagnetic state conserves a memory of the pristine domain pattern, towards which it relaxes. Domain fragmentation coexists with permanent switching due to the reorientation of the antiferromagnetic moments. Our simultaneous imaging and resistance measurements show a correlation between the antiferromagnetic domain fragmentation and the largest resistive switching signals in CuMnAs.


ABSTRACT The performance of Etest in fluconazole and voriconazole testing of 279 isolates of uncommon Candida spp. was assessed in comparison with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS)-approved standard broth microdilution (BMD) method. The NCCLS method employed RPMI 1640 broth medium, and MICs were read after incubation for 48 h at 35°C. Etest MICs were determined with RPMI agar containing 2% glucose and were read after incubation for 48 h at 35°C. The isolates include Candida krusei, C. lusitaniae, C. guilliermondii, C. kefyr, C. rugosa, C. lipolytica, C. pelliculosa, C. dubliniensis, C. famata, C. zeylanoides, C. inconspicua, and C. norvegensis. Overall agreement between Etest and BMD MICs was 96% for fluconazole and 95% for voriconazole. Where a discrepancy was observed between Etest and the reference method, the Etest tended to give lower values with both fluconazole and voriconazole. The Etest method using RPMI agar appears to be a useful method for determining fluconazole and voriconazole susceptibilities of uncommon species of Candida.


Introduction
Although patients commonly experience psychological disorders such as depression following cerebrovascular events, mania is extremely rare. Here we present a patient who experienced secondary mania while being hospitalized in a convalescent rehabilitation ward following cerebral infarction.

Case
The patient was a 70-year-old man who was hospitalized at our hospital for convalescent rehabilitation after suffering mild right hemiplegia and higher brain dysfunction following cerebral infarction. During hospitalization, the patient experienced a progression-free course. Upon awakening on day 26 after hospitalization, the patient suddenly showed signs of mania. The symptoms included elevated mood, pressured speech, hyperactivity, insomnia, and agitation; these symptoms caused problems in his daily life at the hospital. On day 29 after hospitalization, the patient was referred to a psychiatric hospital as an outpatient. He was diagnosed with organic manic disorder and was hospitalized. The patient was administered lithium carbonate (Limas®; 400 mg daily) and risperidone (Risperdal®; 2 mg daily). Because the mania persisted for more than 1 week, he was diagnosed with secondary mania. His manic state gradually improved, and he was transferred to our hospital. He was able to undergo rehabilitation without any problem and with no exacerbation of mania. The patient was discharged on day 139 after readmission.

Discussion
In cases where patients with cerebrovascular disorders display abnormal behavior, it becomes necessary to differentiate between secondary mania and social behavior disorder. Because mania has a negative impact on the patient's hospitalization and convalescence, if secondary mania is suspected, early consideration of psychiatric treatment is required.


The interaction between microribonucleic acid and long non-coding ribonucleic acid plays a very important role in biological processes, and the prediction of the one is of great significance to the study of its mechanism of action. Due to the limitations of traditional biological experiment methods, more and more computational methods are applied to this field. However, the existing methods often have problems, such as inadequate acquisition of potential features of the sequence due to simple coding and the need to manually extract features as input. We propose a deep learning model, preMLI, based on rna2vec pre-training and deep feature mining mechanism. We use rna2vec to train the ribonucleic acid (RNA) dataset and to obtain the RNA word vector representation and then mine the RNA sequence features separately and finally concatenate the two feature vectors as the input of the prediction task. The preMLI performs better than existing methods on benchmark datasets and has cross-species prediction capabilities. Experiments show that both pre-training and deep feature mining mechanisms have a positive impact on the prediction performance of the model. To be more specific, pre-training can provide more accurate word vector representations. The deep feature mining mechanism also improves the prediction performance of the model. Meanwhile, The preMLI only needs RNA sequence as the input of the model and has better cross-species prediction performance than the most advanced prediction models, which have reference value for related research.


A morphologically structured model is well suited for obtaining a good description of growth and product formation of filamentous fungi for use in a process model, for example. This article describes a new morphologically structured model and its application to an alpha-amylase producing strain of Aspergillus oryzae. The model is based on a division of the fungal hyphae into three different regions: an extension zone, representing the tips of the hyphae; an active region, which is responsible for growth and product formation; and an inactive hyphal region. Two metamorphosis reactions describing branching and inactivation are included in the model, and the kinetics of branching and tip extension are based on known experimentally verified models of fungal microscopic morphology. To verify the structure of the model a double-staining method, based on a combination of fluorescence microscopy and automated image analysis, has been developed for measuring the fraction of active cells. The method employs the fluorescent dye 3, 3'-dihexyloxocarbocyanin to stain organelles inside the hyphae and Calcoflour White to stain the cell wall. The ratio between the projected areas of the organelles and of the entire hyphal element is then taken to be proportional to the fraction of active cells. When applied to chemostat and fed-batch experiments, the double-staining method seemed to confirm the basic morphological structure of the model. The model is able to produce accurate simulations of steady-state and transient conditions in chemostats, of batch cultivations, and even the formation of a single hyphal element from a spore, all with the same values of the model parameters.


Dirivultus spinigulatus sp. nov. (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) is described from vestimentiferans at a deep-water hydrothermal site near Lihir Island in the South Pacific. The species is characterized by several features: sexual dimorphism in the second segment of the antennule, the rostrum with lateral spines, the oral cone with four conspicuous spines, the mandible without palp, the maxilla without an axillary seta, the endopod of leg 1 with segments 1 and 2 partly fused, and leg 5 in the female represented by a conspicuous ventrally located spine but in the male by a free segment having setae. A key is included to the 11 genera of the family Dirivultidae, whose members are endemic to hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.


Introduction: The phimosis condition is characterized by the inability to retract the foreskin on the glans, making it impossible to expose them. Surgical treatment, although effective, has been questioned by the risk to which the patient is exposed. Therefore, we have opted for the use of topical corticosteroids to resolve this pathology. Goals: To compare the effectiveness of Dexamethasone and Hyaluronidase + Betamethasone Valerate associated with preputial massage in the treatment of infantile phimosis, the degree of regression of phimosis, the time needed to achieve complete effi cacy, possible adverse reactions, long-term outcome and parental adherence to treatment in children attending a specialized service in Blumenau, Santa Catarina. Materials and methods: Controlled clinical trial, quantitative, non-blind, prospective and randomized sample analysis through the analysis of 523 patients. Results: After 1 month of treatment, 435 patients presented some degree of regression and 63 children were referred to surgery. The success rate in this period was 45.8% in boys who were taking Hyaluronidase + Betamethasone Valerate and 49.8% in those who used Dexamethasone. In the late evaluation, 398 children reached grade 0, and 213 used Hyaluronidase + Betamethasone Valerate and 185, Dexamethasone; 39 patients were referred to the postectomy. Adherence to treatment was similar in both groups. The average time for degree 0 to be reached similar in both. Conclusion: Both topical corticosteroids were effective in the resolution of phimosis. However, in the evaluation after the fi rst month and in the regression, Dexamethasone proved to be more effective. The time to resolution of the condition was similar for both. The surgical procedure was taken when there was no clinical improvement. No adverse effects were reported in both groups. More Information Submitted: 21 June 2019 Approved: 08 July 2019 Published: 09 July 2019 How to cite this article: da Rocha AK, Meyer KF. Effectiveness of dexamethasone and hyaluronidase + valerate of bethasone associated with prepucial massage in the treatment of child phimosis. J Clini Nephrol. 2019; 3: 111-115. DOI: 10.29328/journal.jcn.1001035 Copyright: © 2019 da Rocha AK, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited


Previous studies find that individuals do not draw down their assets after retirement which is at odds with the predictions of a simple life cycle model without uncertainty. Hurd (1989, 1999) explains saving behavior of elderly singles and couples by adding lifetime uncertainty and bequest motives to the simple life cycle model. In this paper we aim to test whether predictions of the models proposed by Hurd (1989, 1999) hold for a sample of elderly Americans. We also extend the theoretical model of Hurd (1999) for couples. We use data taken from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) supplemented with the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS). In line with theory we find that, on average, individuals' total consumption is greater than their annuity income after retirement and the difference between total consumption and annuity income increases with the wealth level. Our results also suggest that consumption growth decreases with higher mortality rates for elderly singles. On the other hand, for elderly couples, consumption growth does not respond to changes in the mortality risk of the couple.


An interpolation method using Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) technology in the CAD field is proposed and realized in a 5-axis Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) system. In this method, the tool path is represented to two NURBS curves, tool-tip and tool-orientation spline curve, based on the same knot vector. CL data is firstly calculated and then transformed to five motion commands of 5 axes of machine through the real-time post-procession algorithm. The acceleration/deceleration controlling method is also presented to avoid the impact of machine. The proposed 5-axis spline interpolation method is realized in our developing 5-axis machine tool and the result of machining shows that the method is feasible.


ObjectiveTo determine the relationship of tonometrically measured gastric intramucosal pH to clinically accepted indices of systemic oxygenation. DesignProspective, nonintervention study. SettingMedical and surgical ICUs of a university hospital. PatientsCritically ill patients (n = 22) with pulmonary artery catheters in place who also required nasogastric suctioning. Measurements and Main ResultsTonometric measurements of gastric intramucosal pH were compared with concurrently obtained systemic indices of tissue oxygenation. These variables included oxygen delivery (Do2), oxygen consumption (Vo2), oxygen extraction ratio, arterial lac-tate concentrations, mixed venous Po2, and mixed venous pH. The study period ranged from the time of insertion of the pulmonary artery catheter to the time of its removal. We classified patients who were alive by the end of the study as survivors and those patients who died with the pulmonary artery catheter in place as nonsurvivors. Both groups had similar levels of Do2 during the study period, but nonsurvivors had greater levels of Vo2, oxygen extraction ratio, and serum lactate concentrations than survivors. Gastric intramucosal pH, mixed venous pH, and mixed venous Po2 values were lower in nonsurvivors. Both groups demonstrated the phenomenon of oxygen supply dependency.When the final measurements taken before the removal of the pulmonary artery catheter or death were compared, only gastric intramucosal pH and mixed venous pH showed differences between the groups, being lower in nonsurvivors. All the patients who died, except for one, had final gastric intramucosal pH values of <7.32. ConclusionsIn this group of patients, death was associated with increased tissue needs for oxygen that were not adequately satisfied by the available levels of oxygen supply. We also conclude that tonometrically measured gastric intramucosal pH is a useful noninvasive adjunct to current methods of monitoring systemic oxygenation. (Crit Care Med 1992; 20:451–457)


Mobility is a natural personality of Ad Hoc networks. A realistic simulation of user movement in Ad Hoc Network is very important to the network performance. The difficult movement pattern of nodes is significant in the study of Ad hoc Networks. As the existing mobility models cannot realistically model the recognized movement patterns and characteristics of node in any complex area scenarios, this manuscript proposes a person area mobility model that realistically represents the movements of nodes in a personal area scenario. In this manuscript we have used a combine mobility model to analyze the effect of diverse mobility pattern (Random Waypoint Mobility Model and Manhattan Grid Mobility Model) in campus environment to get a realistic simulation. The mobility model is evaluated and compared to existing mobility models in ns-2 simulations with the help of DSR. Therefore, by using mobility a model, this is an important aspect in enhancing the self-confidence in the simulation result of the networks. The results show that Chain Mobility Models better the available mobility model for any site situation.


New movement technology is currently becoming reality around the world. PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) now sometimes called ATN (Automated Transit Network) is currently available at Heathrow airport with systems in various planning stages in South Korea, San Jose, CA -Sam Mineta Airport, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Mazdar City. Technology that allows elevators to move three-dimensionally is currently applied in the Tower of Terror ride at Disneyland, Anaheim, CA. New automobiles are appearing highlighting electric power sources, smaller sizes and even collapsible -- such as the City Mobile car designed at MIT. All of these technologies offer one new important design feature – their ability to interface three-dimensionally both inside and outside of buildings. They can also simultaneously provide freight applications and link multiple transit systems, changing transportations' relationship with urban design and architecture. These new technologies provide the opportunity to create more walkable transit friendly environments by allowing more compact and interconnected ways to design and move through space. They have the ability to arrive more quickly to their destination – even more time-efficiently than a car and more time-efficient than the standard transit loop or line systems; therefore they can encourage and hopefully increase transit use. New integrated solutions that address multiple overlapping issues such as energy sources, the environment and persons of disability accessibility can also be addressed. Several key issues are involved in encouraging more transit use and the solution lies in their interfaces and overlaps, not in their isolation. The issues are: (1) mode of transportation, (2) energy source/sustainability, (3) human interface, (4) physical location, and (5) actual design. All of these issues will be explored independently and then with their interfaces and overlaps providing solutions that these new technologies allow. Integrating new forms of movement is a more sustainable solution that allows for stations within easy walking distance encouraging walking. Initially these systems are being implemented in two areas – local existing environments such as airports and entirely new cities. This paper will examine the linkages for the Southern Polytechnic Campus of 2050 using one or all of these new technologies to create a more fully accessible walkable sustainable campus design. PRT was first implemented in the United States at Morgantown, West Virginia at West Virginia University using small point-to-point driverless vehicles (a system where you go directly from your point of origin to your final destination – no stops in between) called Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) and the system is still functioning today providing unique transportation choices for the university and the town. With the vehicles providing an on demand, point to point service; a small transit vehicle (optimal number is around 4 people) offers many positive benefits along with greater capabilities to move more people more time efficiently. The off-line station concept that is crucial to the efficient functioning of the on demand, point-to-point system presents some new opportunities for station design. This transit system, PRT, has the capabilities to link the 5 key issues mentioned above. The system also allows for expansion of use as needed with only the cost of additional vehicles. The original vehicles upfront costs could be limited to a small fleet; expansion as appropriate. The other technologies offer similar benefits in unique ways. These newly emerging movement systems will allow easier access for all ages as station design can now be integrated within buildings at multiple levels. Navigating steep topography as well as connecting multiple other forms of transit to create a seamless system will allow faster and smoother access for all. Linking spaces and places in entirely new ways, the architects' unique spatial training will become essential in allowing these new technologies to be implemented to their full potential. The students' analysis of existing conditions as well as their unique solutions to connections and interconnections will be presented along with a review of the technologies and their connections to automobiles and other forms of transit.


Human resources as one of the important indicators of achieving organizational goals effectively and efficiently and performance is the answer to the success or failure of organizational goals that have been set. Performance can be seen from the achievement of target employees in an organization. Performance at PT.Interbat Bali Nusra Ambon has decreased in 2017 compared to 2016. The purpose of this research is to confirm the linkage of leadership style to job satisfaction, employee engagement and employee performance of PT.Interbat Bali Nusa Ambon. The population and sample in this study is the total population of 53 employees. The analysis technique used in this research is structural equation modeling (SEM) based on variance or component based SEM, known as Partial Least Square (PLS). From the research result, it is found that leadership style has positive and significant effect to job satisfaction, leadership style has no significant effect on employee engagement, leadership style has no significant effect on employee performance, but leadership style will affect employee's work through work mediation and employee engagement, job satisfaction positive and significant impact on employee engagement, employee engagement has a positive and significant impact on employee performance and employee engagement has a positive and significant impact on employee performance.


Colon carcinoma is a common type of neoplastic transformation. Mechanisms of its establishment and progression have been studying for several decades. Aberrant activation of the canonical Wnt signaling is frequently observed in colon carcinoma cells. Moreover, expression of the "noncanonical" Wnt ligands is also detected in this type of cancer. However, the implication of the noncanonical Wnt signaling in carcinogenesis and colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is still unclear. Here, to elucidate the characteristic features of the noncanonical Wnt signaling activation in CRC the expression of the "noncanonical" ligand hWnt11 has been studied. It was shown for the first time that expression of the hWnt11 in CRC is accompanied by the alternative splicing. The new hWnt11 isoform (hWnt11sp3) has been identified. Unlike to hWnt11, this isoform is not secreted and lacks the ability to inhibit the canonical Wnt signaling. Considering the canonical Wnt signaling inhibiting activity of hWnt11, different functional properties of the ligand and its isoform may reflect a special role of the alternative splicing in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Thus, due to the difference in their functional properties an existence of several Wnt isoforms should be taken into account for the investigation of the role of Wnt ligands.


Tectonic faults display a range of slip behaviors including continuous and episodic slip covering rates of more than 10 orders of magnitude ( m/s). The physical control of such kinematic observations remains ambiguous. To gain insight into the slip behavior of brittle faults we performed laboratory stick-slip experiments using a rock analogue, granular material. We realized conditions under which our seismogenic fault analogue shows a variety of slip behaviors ranging from slow, quasi continuous creep to episodic slow slip to dynamic rupture controlled by a limited number of parameters. We explore a wide parameter space by varying loading rate from those corresponding to interseismic to postseismic rates and normal loads equivalent to hydrostatic to lithostatic conditions at seismogenic depth. The experiments demonstrate that significant interseismic creep and earthquakes may not be mutually exclusive phenomena and that creep signals vary systematically with the fault's seismic potential. Accordingly, the transience of interseismic creep scales with fault strength and seismic coupling as well as with the maturity of the seismic cycle. Loading rate independence of creep signals suggests that mechanical properties of faults (e.g. seismic coupling) can be inferred from shortterm observations (e.g. aftershock sequences). Moreover, we observe the number and size of small episodic slip events to systematically increase towards the end of the seismic cycle providing an observable proxy of the relative shear stress state on seismogenic faults. Modelling the data suggest that for very weak faults in a late stage of their seismic cycle, the observed creep systematics may lead to the chimera of a perennially creeping fault releasing stress by continuous creep and/or transient slow slip instead of large earthquakes.


The article considers issues of efficiency of customs control in the framework and quality of customs services. Analyzes the international experience of implementation of customs control of goods for personal use exported by physical persons in air checkpoints. Focuses on the development of guidelines, aimed at regulating «non-trade turnover of goods» for the personal use of individuals in air checkpoints. Described the scientific and practical insights to solve problems.


Epitaxial strain can play an important role in controlling the local phase dynamics of transition metal oxides. With scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy, we visualize the three dimensional landscape of phase inhomogeneity in strained VO2 films grown on [100]R TiO2 substrates. We demonstrate that three different symmetries are spontaneously broken in the vicinity of the VO2 phase transition: (1) Monoclinic-tetragonal (rutile) crystal symmetry breaking due to the structural phase transition, (2) in-plane (x-y plane) rotational symmetry breaking due to the formation of periodic strain domains, and (3) out-of-plane (z-axis) mirror symmetry breaking at the film cross-section due to substrate-induced epitaxial strain.


There is currently interest in developing the computerised diagnosis of analogue circuits. The presence of both soft faults and feedback effects make the diagnosis difficult. One approach is to measure the response of the faulty circuit to a test input signal. Faults in the circuit may cause the response to be modified. It may then be possible to diagnose the faults by digitally processing their associated responses. One technique for diagnosing the faults is to use the pattern recognition and nonlinear regression properties of multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural networks. While the MLP approach yields the values of the faulty components, both accuracy of prediction and some estimation of the confidence in the predictions are needed. More accurate predictions are obtainable by training the MLPs using Bayesian methods than by using the conventional back-propagation algorithm. Confidence estimates in the predictions may be formed by computing the error bars associated with each prediction, based upon a theory of errors applicable to MLPs derived from Bayesian statistical theory. In practical terms the prediction errors may then be calculated by using a number of committees of MLPs, where each committee contains several MLPs. This technique is illustrated for the case of diagnosing multi-faults in an integrated differential amplifier. (7 pages)


This study was conducted to identify chemical composition of merkus pine resin, rosin and turpentine oil. Initially, pine resin was separated into neutral and acidic fractions with an aqueous 4% sodium hydroxide solution. After methylation, the fraction containing turpentine oil and rosin were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC), and gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The neutral fraction of pine resin and turpentine oil mainly consisted of a-pinene, D-3-carene and b-pinene. Based on mass spectral comparison, the major constituents of the acidic fraction and rosin were identified as sandaracopimaric acid, isopimaric acid, palustric acid, dehydroabietic acid, abietic acid, neoabietic acid, and merkusic acid. The major component of the acidic fractions was palustric acid, while that of rosin was abietic acid. Using TC (tough column) 1 and TC 5 columns, levopimaric acid could not be separated from rosin or acidic fraction of pine resin of Indonesian Pinus merkusii.


Let (Xt, t >= 0) be a diffusion process with jumps, sum of a Brownian motion with drift and a compound Poisson process. We consider T_x the first hitting time of a fixed level x > 0 by (Xt, t >= 0). We prove that the law of T_x has a density (defective when E(X1) < 0) with respect to the Lebesgue measure.


Childhood liver tumors have received great attention for many reasons: their vast histologic variety, uncertainty about pathogenesis and classification, recent gains in genetic understanding, relationship to antecedent diseases, and difficulties in treatment. In this paper we review the main epidemiological aspects of malignant epithelial and nonepithelial liver tumors of children, clinical aspects at presentation of disease, and diagnostic evaluation with biological and imaging studies. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.