Three octahedral chromium(III) complexes of the general formula NaCr(S,S-eddp)L. 2H 2 O, where eddp = the tetradentate O-N-N-O-type ligand ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-S,S-2-propionate and L = a bidentate O-O-type ligand, ei- ther oxalate or malonate, were prepared. The complexes were synthesized by the re- action of chromium(III) chloride, S,S-eddp and malonic acid or sodium oxalate, at 60 oC. The complexes were isolated chromatographically and the geometric config- uration of the complexes was proposed on the basis of their infrared and electronic absorption spectra.


Abstract The flow inside a constant-width wind-tunnel contraction is simulated by solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with an eddy-viscosity turbulence model. The results show the presence of longitudinal vortices near the sidewalls centreline. This confirms a former hypothesis involving the generation of skew-induced longitudinal vorticity within the sidewalls boundary layers. Detailed analysis reveals that the flow structure is influenced by viscous effects in the boundary layers and streamline curvature in the potential flow. Three-dimensional boundary-layer profiles on the contraction sidewall are analysed in the framework of the streamline co-ordinate system and its associated hodographic diagram. The resulting profiles help understand the generation of secondary flows and the associated longitudinal vorticity.


Simultaneous images in different frequencies and polarisations were obtained from the NASA/JPL airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) at a shallow-water site off the Dutch coast (Noordwijk) in 1989. The properties of the mean backscatter and backscatter statistics are analysed to compare the predictions of a Kirchhoff-based scattering model with Bragg and composite-surface models. The frequency dependence is particularly sensitive to assumptions about the description of the sea-surface roughness. Although the composite-surface model provides the most realistic behaviour of the models tested, the results suggest that models which include the polarisation dependence as a correction to the Kirchhoff model are also appropriate.<<ETX>>


The growing concern about economic inequality leads to a similar concern about political inequality. This article explores the seeming contradiction between the literature pointing to inequality in political representation in the United States and the literature showing that public policy does tend to represent public opinion in general. Low-income voters are much less likely to vote or to be politically knowledgeable than high-income voters, which limits their influence and creates an upper-income bias to effective public opinion. Considerable research suggests that low-income voters' opinions count for even less than would be implied by their low participation rate, a matter that should continue to be the subject of research. Seemingly contrary to any upper-income bias to policy making, major legislation usually moves policy in the direction favored by low-income voters (e.g., redistribution, government programs). Upper-income voters and interest groups, however, are able to slow the pace of liberal change.


Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important part of diagnostic pathways in spondyloarthritis (SpA), and can be used to stratify patients and assess severity. However, measurements of the burden of inflammation currently rely on qualitative assessment, which is subjective and time-consuming thus impractical for clinical practice. There is a need for a more objective, faster method for measuring inflammation and damage with potential for automation, and quantitative MRI is a candidate tool. Objectives We aimed to provide proof-of-principle for the BEACH (Bone OEdema and Adiposity quantification with Apparent diffusion coefficient and Chemical shift imaging with histograms) tool, which quantifies bone marrow oedema and fat metaplasia – features of active and chronic inflammation – in the SIJs. Methods Fifty-three patients aged 12–24 years with either SpA or mechanical back pain were recruited prospectively, and underwent quantitative MRI consisting of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and fat fraction (FF) mapping,2,3 and conventional MRI scans. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and FF maps were assessed using the BEACH tool, which automatically propagates ROIs on subchondral bone after the observer defines the SIJ. Pixel values were analysed to derive the histographic parameters for ADC and FF: median, 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentiles (denoted ADC10, ADC25, FF10, FF25, etc), and phigh and plough (the proportion of high and low value pixels respectively). Conventional MRI scans were assessed using visual scoring.4 Patients were deemed to have active inflammation if their inflammation score was ≥2, and to have fat metaplasia if this score was ≥3. Quantitative measurements were compared between inflamed and non-inflamed SIJs. Results Use of the BEACH tool is demonstrated in figure 1(a)-(f). Example ADC histograms are shown in (g),(h). ADC75, ADC90, and phigh(ADC) were significantly increased in inflamed SIJs (P=0.041, 0.006 and 0.003 respectively), although median ADC values did not differ significantly between inflamed and uninflamed joints (P=0.31). Diagnostic performance was superior for histographic parameters (AUC=0.59, 0.67 and 0.69) than for the median (AUC=0.54) Median FF, FF75, FF90 and phigh(FF) were all significantly increased in SIJs with fat metaplasia compared to those without (all p<0.0001). Diagnostic performance was superior for histographic parameters FF75, FF90 and phigh(FF) (AUC=0.89, 0.92 and 0.92) than for the median (AUC=0.87). Conclusions ADC and FF measurements can differentiate between inflamed and non-inflamed SIJs, and between joints with and without fat metaplasia. Compared to simple averages such as the median, histographic parameters can increase diagnostic performance for detecting inflammation and fat metaplasia. There is minimal subjectivity associated with ROI placement using the BEACH tool, which can potentially make inflammation scores more reproducible. References [1] Vendhan K, et al. Br J Radiol. 2016. [2] Bray TJP, et al. Rheumatol. 2017. [3] Bray TJP, et al. Magn Reson Med. 2017. [4] Maksymowych WP, et al. Arthr Care Res. 2005. Acknowledgements Funding: TJPB:ARUK grant 21369;MHC, UCLH BRC;CC, CF:ARUK. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Chemical processes that are environmentally and economically sound are key factors in the development of a sustainable society. Our daily life is, to a great extent, dependent on the process industry. Products from the process industry range from basic organic and inorganic chemicals to more refined products such as food, paper, petroleum, plastics, paint and pharmaceutical products. The process technology that delivers these products is increasingly expected to fulfil a number of requirements: high-quality of products, use of renewable or recyclable raw materials to produce them, efficient use of raw materials and energy, minimal emissions and waste production, and of course commercial competitiveness.
Chalmers University of Technology offers a unique master's programme that prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve and develop processes that are environmentally sustainable as well as economically sound. This Master's programme requires the completion of 60 credit units (courses and thesis), which normally requires one and a half year of studies. The academic courses constitute 40 credit units and include both compulsory and optional courses. The compulsory courses can be divided into three main parts: Chemical Engineering, Applied Environmental Engineering and a Case Study.
The programme has been running since 1997 and has now more than 150 qualified applicants each year for 20 available positions. It attracts students from all over the world with an emphasis on Europe and Asia. Until 2005, 139 students have been accepted for the program and of the 98 students that were expected to fulfil all degree requirements by the end of 2005, 75 had graduated (this does not include students accepted 2004 or 2005).


The article details the development and uses of the water poverty index (WPI). The index was developed as a holistic tool to measure water stress at the household and community levels, designed to aid national decision makers, at community and central government level, as well as donor agencies, to determine priority needs for interventions in the water sector. The index combines into a single number a cluster of data directly and indirectly relevant to water stress. Subcomponents of the index include measures of: access to water; water quantity, quality and variability; water uses (domestic, food, productive purposes); capacity for water management; and environmental aspects. The WPI methodology was developed through pilot projects in South Africa, Tanzania and Sri Lanka and involved intensive participation and consultation with all stakeholders, including water users, politicians, water sector professionals, aid agency personnel and others. The article discusses approaches for the further implementation of the water poverty index, including the possibilities of acquiring the necessary data through existing national surveys or by establishing interdisciplinary water modules in school curricula. The article argues that the WPI fills the need for a simple, open and transparent tool, one that will appeal to politicians and decision makers, and at the same time can empower poor people to participate in the better targeting of water sector interventions and development budgets in general.


PURPOSE
This study was to establish an animal model of tooth moving into newly distracted bone after mandibular distraction osteogenesis in Beagle dog.

METHODS
Eight Beagle dogs were selected in this study four dogs (experiment group) underwent 10 mm of bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis. After 0-week consolidation periods, the bilateral third premolars were moved distally into the regenerated bone with 150g orthodontic force for 8 weeks. Four dogs(control group) were extracted the fourth premolar. Twelve weeks later, the bilateral third premolars were moved distally with 150g orthodontic force for 8 weeks. The force was checked and activated weekly. The characters about the third premolar movement style, movement rate and alveolar bone remodeling were investigated by the following methods: measuring the distance of tooth movement, radiographic examination and histological examination.

RESULTS
The experimental procedure was well tolerated in all animals and 10 mm distraction length was successfully achieved. A dog model for tooth moving into newly distracted bone was established successfully. The rate of movement in the experimental group was faster when the teeth were moved into newly distracted bone after 0-week consolidation periods than that in the control group. We observed significant root resorption extending into the cementum with 150g orthodontic force in the group after 0-week consolidation periods.

CONCLUSION
Beagle dog is a satisfactory animal on the experimental study for tooth moving into newly distracted bone. Supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (S30206).


We present a model for electromagnetic enhancements in surface enhanced Raman optical activity (SEROA) spectroscopy. The model extends previous treatments of SEROA to substrates, such as metal nanoparticles in solution, that are orientationally averaged with respect to the laboratory frame. Our theoretical treatment combines analytical expressions for unenhanced Raman optical activity with molecular polarizability tensors that are dressed by the substrate's electromagnetic enhancements. We evaluate enhancements from model substrates to determine preliminary scaling laws and selection rules for SEROA. We find that dipolar substrates enhance Raman optical activity (ROA) scattering less than Raman scattering. Evanescent gradient contributions to orientationally averaged ROA scale to first or higher orders in the gradient of the incident plane-wave field. These evanescent gradient contributions may be large for substrates with quadrupolar responses to the plane-wave field gradient. Some substrates may also show a ROA contribution that depends only on the molecular electric dipole-electric dipole polarizability. These conclusions are illustrated via numerical calculations of surface enhanced Raman and ROA spectra from (R)-(-)-bromochlorofluoromethane on various model substrates.


The aim of the present study is to represent the orthodontic treatment of a young patient with a skeletal Class III malocclusion(Wits Appraisal −9 mm), in which the extractions of the first lower premolars were performed to obtain a class III camouflage using direct temporary anchorage devices (TADs). The patient reported a history of three years of orthodontic treatment at another clinic and the radiographic evaluation revealed an important impairment of the upper root incisors. A treatment was performed with a fixed appliance in the upper and lower arches using an archwire sequence of 0.16 CuNiTi, 19 × 25 CuNiTi, 19 × 25 SS and was carried out in 18 months. Post-treatment records of our patient show a control of facial esthetics from the frontal and lateral perspectives, with a harmonious soft-tissue profile. A Class I canine was achieved and her overbite and overjet were normalized by retracting the mandibular anterior teeth and carrying out a bodily mesialization of the posterior sector into the extraction space. In conclusion, the "pseudoankylosis system" used in this case allowed the desired result to be achieved with minimal change to the lower incisal inclination and without overloading the anterior upper and lower sectors, thus reducing the risk of further root resorption and patient compliance.


Although conspiracy theories have long been a staple of American political culture, no research has systematically examined the nature of their support in the mass public. Using four nationally representative surveys, sampled between 2006 and 2011, we find that half of the American public consistently endorses at least one conspiracy theory and that many popular conspiracy theories are differentiated along ideological and anomic dimensions. In contrast with many theoretical speculations, we do not find conspiracism to be a product of greater authoritarianism, ignorance, or political conservatism. Rather, the likelihood of supporting conspiracy theories is strongly predicted by a willingness to believe in other unseen, intentional forces and an attraction to Manichean narratives. These findings both demonstrate the widespread allure of conspiracy theories as political explanations and offer new perspectives on the forces that shape mass opinion and American political culture.


[1] Knowledge of the details of the electric field inside the shock is essential forunderstanding ion and electron dynamics. Theoretical modeling of the electric field distribution in the whole structured profile of a quasi-perpendicular collisionless high-Mach-number shock is a difficult problem. Ramp, however, is sufficiently narrow to be analyzed in a simple and efficient way. Behavior of the cross-shock electric field inside the ramp of low-Mach-number shocks and high-Mach-number shocks has a number of features which can be considered as common for most shocks. We reconsider the distribution of the cross-ramp electric potential in low-Mach-number shocks in close connection with the ion motion across the ramp. We derive the relation between the electric potential in the ramp and density of transmitted ions taking into account the narrowness of the ramp. The derivation is based on the ion equations of motion and does not require additional model assumptions. The relation is valid (at least as a good approximation) in a wide range of shock parameters and can be applied (with suitable corrections) to high-Mach-number shocks as well. If the ion and electron β are moderate, it is possible to establish a useful approximate relation of the potential to the magnetic field in the ramp. We suggest that using the derived relations may allow direct testing of the shock models by comparison of high-resolution electric field measurements with measurements of ion density and magnetic field across the ramp. On the other hand, the ion and magnetic field measurements may complete the electric field measurements, when they are insufficient alone (e.g., only two components are measured).


The quality of strategic information is essential to organizations, as it contributes to the identifi cation of challenges, opportunities, risks, and other relevant issues. This study had as objective to evaluate the quality of information, identifying the aspects of information management that infl uence it, through case studies in two Brazilian federal banking organizations, which permitted the creation and implementation of a model for quality evaluation of organizational strategic information. The study was based on the adoption of both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and on the respective triangulation of the data. The conceptual theoretical model of our research establishes that the assessment of the quality of strategic information involves: the classifi cation and evaluation of information, and the identifi cation of aspects that impact its quality through the analysis of the information management process. It was identifi ed that strategic information in the studied context is made of information requested, formal, internal, and treated. The principal constitutive elements of its quality are "error free" and "reliable". The level of quality of strategic information is satisfactory, the management processes are differentiated, and the management phases that impact quality characteristics are similar. The utilized methodological procedures do accredit the results in a positive way, since the created and implemented model demonstrated to be consistent and applicable.


This study aims to determine the determinants of consumer buying interest through marketplace Shopee, Tokopedia and Lazada by adopting interest indicators are transactional interest, referential interest, preferential interest and exploratory interest. Based on these four indicators, the indicators that most influence consumer buying interest from each marketplace are determined. The survey method is used through data from online questionnaires distributed to 300 marketplace users. Data analysis using Structural Equation Modeling Warp Partial Least Square (SEM Warp PLS) 7.0 application. The results in this study are that transactional interest, referential interest, preferential interest and exploratory interest have an effect either partially or simultaneously on buying interest through Shopee, Tokopedia and Lazada. Buying interest using Shopee marketplace is most influenced by preferential interest. While buying interest using Tokopedia's marketplace is most influenced by referential interest. As for buying interest using marketplace Lazada, the value of the biggest influence is from transactional interest.


Driven by the rapid growth of the Internet, communication technologies, pervasive computing, automobiles, airplanes, wireless and portable consumer electronics, Embedded Systems and Systems-on-Chip (SoC) have moved from a craft to an emerging and very promising discipline in today's electronic industry.
Testing of a fabricated chip is a process that applies a sequence of inputs to the chip and analyzes the chip's output sequence to ascertain whether it functions correctly. As the chip density grows to beyond millions of gates, Embedded Systems and Systems-on-Chip testing becomes a formidable task. Vast amounts of time and money have been invested by the industry just to ensure the high testability of products. On the other hand, as design complexity drastically increases, current gate-level design and test methodology alone can no longer satisfy stringent time-to-market requirements. The High-Level Test Synthesis (HLTS) system, which this thesis mainly focuses on, is to develop new systematic techniques to integrate testability consideration, specially with Built-In Self-Test (BIST) techniques into the synthesis process. It makes it possible for an automatic synthesis tool to predict testability of the synthesized embedded systems or chips accurately in the early stage. It also optimizes the designs in terms of test cost as well as performance and hardware area cost.


This paper presents controller design and analysis methods for uncertain piecewise-linear systems based on a piecewise-smooth Lyapunov function. The basic idea of the proposed approaches is to construct controllers for the uncertain piecewise-linear systems in such a way that a piecewise-continuous Lyapunov function can he used to establish the global stability or the global stability with H/sub /spl infin// performance of the resulting closed loop control systems. It is shown that the control laws can be obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities that are numerically feasible with commercially available software. An example is given to illustrate the application of the proposed methods.


This work details a virtual-reality (VR) system developed to evaluate alterations in hand movements and central rhythm formation in Parkinsonian and elderly subjects. One feature of VR systems that is essential for use in clinical evaluation and to warrant presence is the lack of behavioral distortion from real-world execution. Herein, we present a technical description of our VR and its validation to evaluate rhythmic motor patterns when experimental subjects perform a finger tapping test. Execution of the test was performed at different rates in the VR system, and compared to the gold-standard real-world testing. The VR system proved to be as valid and reliable as real-world testing to characterize arrythmokinetic profiles present in Parkinsonian and elderly subjects (compared to young subjects), at the different rates of execution. VR served as a complementary tool in a research setting to isolate subjects from unnaturalistic environments during clinical evaluation, such as labrooms or brain scans, since it did not bias behavior from real-world evaluation in a basic clinical test.


The description of the transformation of shore in larger scales, i.e. the far-field effects, is summarized in Chapter 2 while the near-field mechanisms, encompassing different overall and local failure modes, stability and performance are dealt with in Chapter 3. Both are foliowed by Chapters 4 and 5 with design computations and examples, respectively. Unconventional design is illustrated in Chapter 6, and national policies of coastal management and defence are depicted in the closing Chapter 7. The design procedures for coastal structures should include geometrical design and structural design reflecting respectively the far-field and near-field requirements imposed on structures. This corresponds to our division of design procedures into two basic groups concentrating on • overall layout and configuration of a structure as a whole, and its interaction with the coastal environment to produce desirable sedimentation patterns and coastal management effects • stability and reliability of the structure and its components, hence dimensioning of structural constituents, associated with possible unavoidable and undesirable hazards due to the loadings exerted by the coastal environment. In other words, the first group involves design parameters producing the best environmental effectiveness of a structure in 'ideal' conditions, i.e. upon negligence of possible 'harmful by-effects' such as different modes of failures and instabilities, both overall and internal. The second group is concerned about these 'by-effects' and provides the tools which secure the integrity and proper operation of the structure and its components.


In the hippocampus, parvalbumin‐expressing basket (BC) and axo‐axonic cells (AAC) show different discharge patterns during distinct network states, but the cellular mechanisms underlying these differences are not well understood. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques, we investigated the single‐cell properties and excitatory synaptic features of anatomically identified BCs and AACs in the CA3 region of mouse hippocampal slices. The results showed that BCs had lower threshold for action potential (AP) generation and lower input resistance, narrower AP and afterhyperpolarization than AACs. In addition, BCs fired with higher frequencies and with more modest accommodation compared with AACs. The kinetic properties of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSC), the rectification of AMPA receptor‐mediated currents, the fraction of the NMDA receptor‐mediated component in EPSCs, and the EPSC magnitude necessary to evoke an AP were similar in both cell types. However, smaller excitatory postsynaptic potential and lower intensity fiber stimulation in stratum oriens was necessary to drive firing in BCs. Moreover, the rate of spontaneous EPSCs in BCs was higher than in AACs. Neurolucida analysis revealed that the dendrites of BCs in strata radiatum and oriens were longer and more extensively ramified. Since the density of the excitatory synapses was estimated to be comparable in both cell types, we conclude that the more elaborated dendritic arbor of BCs ensures that they receive a larger number of proximal excitatory inputs. Thus, CA3 pyramidal cells more profoundly innervate BCs than AACs, which could explain, at least in part, their distinct spiking behavior under different hippocampal network activities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Mannich-type condensation products of an aldehyde with an α-aminoacetonitrile and benzotriazole are treated with sodium borohydride or with a Grignard reagent to give unsymmetrical N,N-dialkylaminoacetonitriles, which, on decyanomethylation, provide unsymmetrical secondary amines.


Abstract The Late Permian to Early Triassic (P/T) transition represents one of the most important Phanerozoic mass extinction episodes. Data from this transitional period are very scarce in continental basins, and reliable correlation with marine series is still a matter of debate. In this paper, information on the P/T transition in the continental series of central and NE Spain and the Balearic Islands is presented and compared with some coeval western European basins. The Iberian Ranges sections contain detailed information on the P/T transition, with sediments interpreted as alluvial fans, sandy and gravelly braided rivers and high sinuosity rivers with extensive floodplains, dated by means of pollen and spore assemblages. However, the fossil record contains two barren intervals throughout the study area, one in the Late Permian (Thuringian) and another during the latest Permian to Early Triassic. The possible causes of these gaps include the very likely relationship with the emplacement of the basaltic large igneous provinces (LIP) of SE China and western Siberia during this period of time.


This paper presents a drive system based on a modular multilevel converter (MMC) with high-frequency magnetic channels between adjacent-arm submodules (SMs), suitable for medium-voltage, high-power three-phase variable-speed machines. The configuration employs chains of dual half-bridge (DHB) modules linking adjacent SMs of three-phase symmetrical arms. The DHB modules are operating as power channels enabling energy exchange to restore the power imbalance among the SM capacitors. This allows arms' ripple-powers to be entirely decoupled through bidirectional power transfer between adjacent-arm SMs, resulting in a near ripple-free SM capacitor voltage profile. Therefore, the MMC common problem of wide voltage fluctuation across SM capacitors is comprehensively solved, independent of the operating frequency. Additionally, a significant reduction in the sizing requirement of SM capacitance is achieved. The configuration is able to drive multimegawatt machines from standstill to the rated speed at the rated torque operating condition. The operating principle of the proposed MMC configuration is explained and necessary mathematical analysis is derived. Features and viability of the proposed drive system are verified through simulation and experimentation.


Definitive diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis often requires tissue samples for histologic evidence of fungal infection and culture confirmation of Aspergillus species. However, the culture frequently fails to isolate Aspergillus species. Alternative approaches to confirm Aspergillus infection use polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis on paraffin-embedded sections. These approaches are well characterized in animals and adult patients but not pediatric patients. We studied the immunoreactivity of a commercially available monoclonal antibody, Mab-WF-AF-1 (DAKO, Carpinteria, CA), on paraffin-embedded sections from 16 pediatric cases with invasive aspergillosis, of which 12 were proven by culture. Optimal immunoreactivity required microwave antigen retrieval using high pH; 5 other antigen retrieval approaches were unsuccessful. With optimization, the monoclonal antibody was strongly immunoreactive in all cases with staining of the Aspergillus cell wall, septa, and cytoplasm. Background was minimal with no cross-reactivity to Candida albicans. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of the Mab-WF-AF-1 antibody in pediatric tissues suspected of invasive aspergillosis.


The purpose of the research described in this work is to answer
how to measure the rheologic (viscoelastic) properties
tendo–deformational characteristics of soft tissue. The method
would also resemble muscle palpation examination as it is known
in clinical practice. For this purpose, an instrument with the
working name "myotonometer" has been used. At present, there is
lack of objective methods for assessing the muscle tone by
viscous and elastic properties of soft tissue. That is why we
decided to focus on creating or finding quantitative and
qualitative methodology capable to specify muscle tone.


The goal of Advance Traveler Information System (ATIS) is to improve traffic flow and safety by providing up-to-date information of traffic network. In this paper, traffic information (travel time) estimation based on fused traffic state data is presented. A centralized architecture is used to fuse the traffic sate data from different sensors based fusion by averaging and fusion by median and to estimate the travel time based on the simultaneous travel time estimation model accordingly. Two case studies are selected to investigate the performance of fusion models based on freeway data in USA and the arterial road data in South Korea. The results show that the fusion by median performs best. The model is able to eliminate outliers in the data with less effort of complex mathematical process. It can be used as a benchmark for comparison with other advanced fusion models.


Daidzein, the main bioactive soy isoflavone in Nature, has been found to possess many biological functions. It has been investigated in particular as a phytoestrogen owing to the similarity of its structure with that of the human hormone estrogen. Due to the lack of comprehensive studies on daidzein metabolism, further research is still required to clarify its in vivo metabolic fate and intermediate processes. In this study, an efficient strategy was established using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry to profile the metabolism of daidzein in rats. Meanwhile, multiple data-mining methods including high-resolution extracted ion chromatogram (HREIC), multiple mass defect filtering (MMDF), neutral loss fragment (NLF), and diagnostic product ion (DPI) were utilized to investigate daidzein metabolites from the HR-ESI-MS1 to ESI-MSn stage in both positive and negative ion modes. Consequently, 59 metabolites, including prototype compounds, were positively or tentatively elucidated based on reference standards, accurate mass measurements, mass fragmentation behaviors, chromatographic retention times, and corresponding calculated ClogP values. As a result, dehydration, hydrogenation, methylation, dimethylation, glucuronidation, glucosylation, sulfonation, ring-cleavage, and their composite reactions were ascertained to interpret its in vivo biotransformation. Overall, our results not only revealed the potential pharmacodynamics forms of daidzein, but also aid in establishing a practical strategy for rapid screening and identifying metabolites of natural compounds.


This article discusses the need for person-specific planning for the increasing numbers of disabled children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. It describes the system developed in Nottingham for this client group to have a family-held personal resuscitation plan, (PRP) which is developed with the child and family by their lead paediatrician. The PRP is an emergency medical care plan which supports the provision of the most appropriate level of intervention for the child whether they are at home, school, short break unit or hospital. The PRP template is presented with advice on implementation and case examples. Feedback from families, medical and nursing staff is that PRPs are useful and empowering. The system supports timely discussions about appropriate care in an emergency and the communication of decisionsmade jointly by the child, family and medical team to all concerned. A flexible and person-specific PRP stating what interventions to do such as airway clearance, facial oxygen, trial of bag and mask ventilation is preferable to a do not attempt resuscitation form which is an 'all or nothing system' and can seem very negative to families. A PRP in the home can support appropriate action from local rapid response teams set up to review unexpected child deaths.


High-level hardware generators have significantly increased the productivity of design engineers. They use software engineering constructs to reduce the repetition required to express complex designs and enable more composability. However, these benefits are undermined by a lack of debugging infrastructure, requiring hardware designers to debug generated, usually incomprehensible, RTL code. This paper describes a framework that connects modern software source-level debugging frameworks to RTL created from hardware generators. Our working prototype offers an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) experience for generators such as RocketChip (Chisel), allowing designers to set breakpoints in complex source code, relate RTL simulation state back to source-level variables, and do forward and backward debugging, with almost no simulation overhead (less than 5%).


Nonequilibrium plasmas with cesium metal vapor ionization in helium and argon gases at moderate pressures are excited with microwave power. The structures and behaviour of the seeded plasmas are experimentally examined, particularly under the condition of Full seed (cesium atoms) ionization. By cesium seeding, the minimum power sustaining the plasma is reduced markedly, and both a broad plasma observed in pure helium and unsteady filament-like plasmas in pure argon change to the steady and broad plasma locating close to the inner surface of a discharge tube, it is revealed from the electron temperature measurements that the plasma can be in the regime of full seed ionization for suitable microwave powers, where the electron density is kept almost constant. The thickness of the fully ionized seed (FIS) plasma decreases with increasing the mole fraction of cesium vapor, and is almost independent of noble gas pressure. The thickness almost coincides with the skin depth determined from the electrical conductivity almost uniform in the FIS plasma. These facts suggest that the FIS plasma will be easily produced and maintained as long as the microwave power is consumed to the electron heating.


The application of agro-based adsorbents is growing in the tertiary stage of the wastewater treatment process during the presence of hazardous pollutants. Dye and coffee industries are among the major wastewater pollutant sources negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and human health. The current study attempts to treat a binary mixture of crystal violet (CV) and coffee wastewater using agro-based adsorbents such as peanut hull and onion peel. The performance and efficacy of low-cost adsorbents were evaluated using parameters, including transmittance and non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC). Batch adsorption studies were conducted to optimize both the adsorbent size and dosage that affect the treatment process. The experimental data obtained from the experiment were analyzed to understand whether Langmuir or Freundlich best fits the treatment process's experimental data. It was observed that Langmuir isotherm seems to fit experimental data using peanut hull and Freundlich isotherm using onion peel. The kinetics of the adsorption process appears to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The regression coefficient value of onion peel was 0.91, and uptake was 58.14 mg/g. Similarly, using the peanut hull, the regression coefficient was 0.99, and uptake was 57.47 mg/g. It seems that peanut hull appears to perform better as a low-cost adsorbent compared to onion peel. The adsorption capacity increased with the increasing dosage of low-cost adsorbent (peanut hull) until the adsorbent size of 0.6-0.425 mm and steadily decreased after that.


Background Choosing the appropriate concentration and volume of anesthetics is critical for a successful nerve block. The current study aimed to determine the minimum effective volume (MEV) of 0.5% ropivacaine for US-guided CEB in 90% of patients (MEV90) undergoing anorectal surgery. The aims were to reduce the occurrence of complications associated with a sacral blockade in anorectal surgery, broaden the indications for surgical procedures and treatment, and improve patient satisfaction. This study presents the groundwork for the development of individualized anesthetic programs. We believe that the study would serve as a reference for the use of caudal epidural block (CEB) in lower abdominal surgery for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Methods This study used a biased coin design (BCD) up-and-down method (UDM). We divided the participants into two groups based on gender, and each group independently performed the biased coin design up-and-down method. We used 0.5% ropivacaine for the first patient in each group; however, the volume was 10 ml for men and 8 ml for women. Therefore, the dose of anesthetics given to each patient was determined by the response of the previous patient. If the block of the previous patient failed, the volume was increased by 2 ml in the following patient. Otherwise, the next subject had an 11% chance of receiving a volume of 2 ml less or an 89% chance of receiving no volume change. We defined a successful block as painless surgery with anal sphincter relaxation 15 min after the drug injection. Enrollment was completed after 45 successful caudal blocks for each group. Results Caudal epidural block was successfully performed on 50 men and 49 women. The MEV90 of ropivacaine for CEB was calculated to be 12.88 ml (95% CI: 10.8–14 ml) for men and 10.73 ml (95% CI: 9.67–12 ml) for women. Men had a MEV99 of 13.88 ml (95% CI: 12.97–14 ml), and women had a MEV99 of 11.87 ml (95% CI: 11.72–12 ml). Conclusion With operability and general applicability, it is possible to increase the success rate of CEB for anorectal surgery to 99% as well as decrease the incidence of anesthesia-related complications. CEB can meet the needs of patients for rapid postoperative rehabilitation, improve patient satisfaction, and lay a solid foundation for postoperative analgesia.


We prove the Borg theorem for the vectorial Hill's equation. The Borg theorem is an inverse spectral problem. The vectorial Hill's equation is a generalization of the scalar Hill's equation to systems of equations.


Dairy products play an important role in the human diet. Due to this, cow milk must undergo high-temperature treatments to provide a safer product. This high-temperature treatment also known as pasteurization promotes the accumulation of proteins and minerals on heat exchangers that are known as fouling. In the dairy industry rapid fouling in heating equipment is responsible for more than 50% of the production cost. Microbubbles can become a green cleaning agent. In this study, the effect of temperature and rotation using MicrobubbleInfused Water using a Nikuni Pump and pure water in cow milk fouling behavior were studied by a Spinning Disk Apparatus (SDA). The SDA is capable of controlling two principal factors, temperature and rotation. The experiment consisted on two phases, the first one was to evaluate the effect of temperature. The effect of temperature was evaluated using three different temperatures at the same rotation speed: 25, 40 and 55 °C @ 80 RPM; meanwhile, the effect of rotation was evaluated using three rotation speed at the same temperature: 50, 65, and 80 RPM at 25 °C. In the first phase fouling loss and fouling loss percentage increased as the temperature increased in both MicrobubbleInfused Water and pure water. In the second phase, rotation speed had no significant difference in the fouling loss and fouling loss percentage in both Microbubble-Infused Water and pure water. In the second phase, the rotation speed had no significant difference in the fouling loss.


Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have achieved human-scale speed and accuracy for classification tasks. Current systems do not need to be conscious to recognize patterns and classify them. However, for AI to advance to the next level, it needs to develop capabilities such as metathinking, creativity, and empathy. We contend that such a paradigm shift is possible through a fundamental change in the state of artificial intelligence toward consciousness, similar to what took place for humans through the process of natural selection and evolution. To that end, we propose that consciousness in AI is an emergent phenomenon that primordially appears when two machines cocreate their own language through which they can recall and communicate their internal state of time-varying symbol manipulation. Because, in our view, consciousness arises from the communication of inner states, it leads to empathy. We then provide a link between the empathic quality of machines and better service outcomes associated with empathic human agents that can also lead to accountability in AI services. Graphical Abstract


The formalism described in the first paper in this series is hereafter specialized to a thorough investigation of finite degeneracy contributions to thermoelectronic and mechanical transport coefficients, conveniently expressed as reduced quantities. Temperature corrections are systematically discussed through the analytical properties of the jellium dielectric function. The Thomas-Fermi one appears as a paradigm of regular behavior at q=2kF while the Lindhard and its T-dependent extension head a singular class characterized by diverging derivatives. Specific methods are developed for these important cases. Results are presented in terms of analytic expansions in the degeneracy parameter α, and exact expressions for the above-mentioned corrections are derived up to order α2. Finally we display a number of numerical results pertaining to fully ionized proton-helium binary mixtures of Astrophysical interest. The connection of the present formalism and its numerical outputs with other previous treatments is also carefully examined.


ABSTRACT Mosaic trisomy 14 is associated with impaired intellectual functioning, although no study has examined the cognitive-behavioral profile associated with the syndrome. This study provides the first case description of the cognitive-behavioral phenotype associated with mosaic trisomy 14 by contrasting the performance an adolescent female (T14) with a group of females with Down syndrome (DS; n=9). T14 performed below age expectations on most direct assessments and demonstrated weaknesses relative to the DS group on aspects of language, adaptive functioning, and executive functioning. T14 also demonstrated strengths in delayed visual recall and social skills relative to the DS group.


Every day there are big headlines in the newspapers reminding that the crisis has not ended yet. In the fallout from the financial crisis of 2008-2009, a debate arose with regard to the culpability of credit rating agencies (CRAs) in creating or contributing to the crisis. In recent years, CRAs have been criticized strongly. In particular politicians and the public have been upset by the CRA's steady downgrading of European sovereign debt. Since the European sovereign debt crisis emerged in 2009, more and more concerns about the enormous power possessed by the big CRAs have been expressed. Several years later, CRA's reliability and performance are still being questioned. Increasing regulatory efforts addressing the credit rating industry not only in the US but also in the EU resulted from the financial meltdown, as CRAs were said to have played a central role. This book deals with the regulation of CRAs and addresses the following research question: What is the status quo of current regulatory regimes in the EU and in the US and what are its implications for rating agencies, investors and issuers?


X-ray diffraction patterns show that most samples of Y1-x PrxBa2Cu4O8 examined in the present study contained a single YBa2 Cu4O8 (1-2-4) superconductive phase for x 0. The room-temperature resistivity changes linearly until x=0.7 and increases abruptly at x=-0.75. The critical concentration, xcr, thus was estimated to be 0.7. The effective magnetic moments of Pr in Y 1-x PrxBa2Cu4O8 were 3.63., 3.35, and 3.23, μB for x=0.2, 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. In the R0.8 Pr0.2Ba2Cu4O8 system, the depression of Tcweakly depends on the ionic radius of rare-earth elements. Similarities and differences between Y 1-x PrxBa2Cu4O8 and Y1-xPrx-Ba2Cu3O7-y also were noted and are discussed in this paper.


Effects of a glucose and amino acid mixture prescribed for parenteral alimentation on anti-Candida activity of neutrophils were examined. Neutrophils obtained from peripheral blood of healthy humans inhibited the growth of Candida albicans in vitro. More than 1.0% of glucose inhibited the anti-Candida activity of the neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. This glucose effect was reduced by the addition of an amino acid mixture clinically prescribed with a carbohydrate solution (PN-twin) in Japan. The amino acid mixture neutralized the suppression of anti-Candida activity of neutrophils by dexamethasone. These results suggest that an amino acid mixture prescribed in an alimentation solution may play a role as a neutralizer of the suppressive action of glucose for anti-Candida activity of neutrophils in a limited area near the top of a catheter in a blood vessel.


Mainstream media are increasingly appropriating citizen journalism content-broadly encapsulated under the umbrella of "user-generated content" (UGC)-in part to avoid perceptually undermining traditional journalism's occupational values. Singer and Ashman (Chapter 19) pick up on this tension from the perspective of "journalists at Britain's Guardian newspaper and its internationally popular website," exploring how journalism practice is changing as it is forced to accommodate content from-and interaction with-its audience. Journalists' responses are positioned in relation to traditional occupational values of authenticity, autonomy, and accountability. While "user-generated content" and audience interaction are cautiously embraced, journalists remain wary of the challenges inherent in negotiating new relationships with citizen
contributors.


1. Abstract - This article presents the radiation and scattering patterns, and the interior field distributions, of three inhomogeneous dielectric lenses: the Luneburg, Maxwell fish-eye, and Eaton-Lippmann lenses. The purpose is to provide a picture of wave propagation through these lenses. A better understanding of the field picture, especially the nature of the focal points, is helpful to the practical design of the lenses.


In decentralized network environments, collaborative efforts are crucial to bolstering network security against everevolving threats from malicious actors. Federated Learning has emerged as a promising solution, enabling multiple nodes to collectively train machine learning models while preserving data privacy. This research proposes SentinelNet, a novel Federated Learning framework specifically designed for collaborative network security. The framework emphasizes secure threat intelligence sharing, privacy-preserving techniques, and adaptive learning mechanisms. Through comprehensive evaluations and real-world case studies, SentinelNet demonstrates its efficacy in enhancing network security while maintaining data confidentiality. The research highlights the significance of collaborative approaches and advocates the adoption of Federated Learning to fortify decentralized network ecosystems.


Application of crop production and protection materials is a crucial component in the high productivity of American agriculture. Agricultural chemical application is frequently needed at specific time and location for accurate site-specific management of crop pests. Piloted aircrafts that carry a sprayer can perform agricultural application well over hundreds of acres of crop fields. However, if the concern is only a few tens of acres of crop fields, a piloted aircraft is hard to work well over the fields. An unmanned aerial vehicle can be remotely controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems. This research was to develop a low volume spray system on a fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle to apply crop protection products on small plots or spots within a large crop field. This study discusses the development of the spray system and the integration of this spray system with an unmanned aerial vehicle, a fully autonomous unmanned vertical take-off and landing helicopter. The spray system was designed and developed for the helicopter system. The action of the sprayer was controlled by a global positioning system equipped on the helicopter. This control was realized through the communication between the automatic flight control system on the helicopter and the ground control station via a wireless telemetry system. The developed unmanned aerial vehicle-based spray system also has great potential for vector control in the areas that are not safe or easily accessible by personnel or equipment.


In this paper, we propose NUWA-XL, a novel Diffusion over Diffusion architecture for eXtremely Long video generation. Most current work generates long videos segment by segment sequentially, which normally leads to the gap between training on short videos and inferring long videos, and the sequential generation is inefficient. Instead, our approach adopts a "coarse-to-fine" process, in which the video can be generated in parallel at the same granularity. A global diffusion model is applied to generate the keyframes across the entire time range, and then local diffusion models recursively fill in the content between nearby frames. This simple yet effective strategy allows us to directly train on long videos (3376 frames) to reduce the training-inference gap and makes it possible to generate all segments in parallel. To evaluate our model, we build FlintstonesHD dataset, a new benchmark for long video generation. Experiments show that our model not only generates high-quality long videos with both global and local coherence, but also decreases the average inference time from 7.55min to 26s (by 94.26%) at the same hardware setting when generating 1024 frames. The homepage link is [NUWA-XL](https://msra-nuwa.azurewebsites.net)


Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme that hydrolyses aromatic esters, organophosphates and lactones and can protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidation. These properties are influenced by a well-characterized polymorphism (Q192R) in human PON1. We now report the identification and characterization of a phenotypically similar, but genetically distinct polymorphism in rabbit PON1. This polymorphism in rabbits was detected by phenotyping sera obtained from 16 inbred rabbit strains and 20 outbred New Zealand White rabbits by paraoxonase/arylesterase activity. The genetic basis of the rabbit polymorphism was determined by DNA sequencing and found to reside in a region distinct from the human Q192R and M55L polymorphisms. Three variant nucleotides within exon 4 (corresponding to P82S, K93E and S1O1G) were found to segregate with the observed rabbit PON1 phenotypes (rPON1A and rPON1B). The rPON1A and rPON1B proteins were purified and compared to the two human isoforms (192Q and 192R). The human and rabbit PON1s displayed similar characteristics with respect to physical properties and substrate specificity. However, rPON1A and rPON1B hydrolysed a variety of substrates at different rates. The rPON1A was also at least three-fold more efficient at protecting LDL from oxidation than rPON1B. Our characterization of a rabbit PON1 polymorphism provides useful insights into important functional residues in PON1. In addition, due to the observed similarities between the rabbit and human polymorphisms, the rabbit may serve as a good model to examine the effect of human PON1 polymorphisms in disease development.


I examine how automobile manufacturers change their advertising strategies when gasoline prices rise. In particular, I use a robust OLS regression to estimate how gasoline prices affect advertising expenditures on vehicles with different levels of MPG. I use detailed data from the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, Adspender, and Polk's NVPP. My results show that automakers shift their advertising expenditures toward vehicles with higher MPG in response to higher gas prices. Fuel-efficient vehicles in large and luxury segments are more likely to be advertised in response to rising gas prices than those in the midsize segment. I would like to thank Professor Christopher Timmins and Professor Peter Arcidiacono for their advice and encouragement. I would like thank my classmates in the Honors Seminar for their comments throughout the writing process.


Dopamine receptors in the 7315a transplantable rat anterior pituitary tumor were characterized using radioligand binding assays with [3H]spiroperidol ([3H]SPD) and assays of adenylate cyclase activity. Scatchard analysis of the binding of [3H]SPD yielded linear plots and a Kd value of 73 pM. Studies of the inhibition of the binding of [3H]SPD were performed with a series of competing ligands, including the antagonists domperidone, (+)-butaclamol and sulpiride and the agonists dopamine, bromocriptine and N-propylnorapomorphine. Inhibition curves for the antagonists gave Hill coefficients of approximately 1, consistent with the presence of only a single class of binding sites with a high affinity for [3H]SPD. In contrast, the Hill coefficient for dopamine was significantly less than 1. When assays were carried out in the presence of 300 microM GTP, the inhibition curve for dopamine was shifted to the right and the Hill coefficient increased to approximately 1. An effect of GTP on the affinity of a receptor for agonists is consistent with the existence of at least two agonist affinity states. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]SPD by the partial agonist bromocriptine was not affected when assays were carried out in the presence of GTP. The uniform low affinity of the selective serotonin antagonist ketanserin for these sites indicated that the radioligand was not labeling serotonin-2 receptors in this tissue. A good correlation was observed between the Ki values for competing ligands measured in the tumor and in homogenates of rat striatal tissue. Dopamine was shown to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


This is a useful text that provides concise chapters covering the principal areas of knowledge required for the membership examination of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Topics covered are: neuroanatomy, psychology, genetics, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, sleep, epilepsy, substance misuse, neuropsychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, old age psychiatry, psychotherapy, forensic psychiatry and emergency psychiatry. Each chapter is written by a different author and though there is a fairly common approach across these, there are inevitably differences. Particularly useful are the chapters on neuroanatomy, psychology, psychotherapy and child and adolescent psychiatry. These are areas outside the usual everyday clinical work of most psychiatrists in training, and where many coming to the exam find difficulty. These are well focussed chapters that will be particularly helpful in the days of panic just before the exam. The chapters on the main disorders each have a balanced coverage of classification, aetiology, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, management and outcome. These chapters are all helpful, though they vary in some aspects of detail. For example, the chapter on mood disorders covers some aspects of the clinical pharmacology of antidepressant drugs but that on schizophrenia says little about the clinical pharmacology of antipsychotics. One criticism generally would be a lack of adequate coverage of the clinical pharmacology of the relevant drugs in many of the chapters. However, this is something that may be better covered by a separate book.


BACKGROUND
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic illness affecting more than 5 million Americans, and it continues to lead healthcare-related expenditures in the United States. Hospitalization rates remain high and are caused by many factors, including poor self-care behaviors. Self-care research is growing, and a situation-specific theory for the HF population is now published. Self-care management, which is part of self-care, includes a series of responses and actions that the individual living with HF assumes in response to a change in baseline health. A critical aspect of enacting a self-care management plan is the ability to recognize changes in baseline health as being related to HF.

PURPOSE
This integrative review examined research to date on self-reported patterns of symptom recognition, an antecedent to self-care management, and treatment-seeking behaviors in HF patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Descriptive research strategies were predominantly used to examine symptom recognition, interpretation, and response in HF patients. Seven studies used retrospective approaches, such as chart review or patient recall, to collect data, and 7 studies collected data from the patient prospectively. The quantitative portion of 2 mixed-methods study was also analyzed. Dyspnea was the most frequently reported symptom across all studies reviewed. Dyspnea was characterized in terms of duration and was defined inconsistently across studies. In some studies, duration of dyspnea was associated with treatment-seeking delays. Elderly patients and newly diagnosed HF patients are more likely to delay treatment seeking for onset of symptoms.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Research is limited on symptom recognition and treatment-seeking behaviors in HF patients. Evidence suggests that symptom recognition may be impaired in the elderly population. Research studies to date on symptom recognition have largely been descriptive; no studies in this review followed patients' ability to recognize and respond to symptoms prospectively in their home environment. Symptoms may vary and their pattern may influence patients' recognition and/or response patterns.


Through incentive learning, the emotional experience of a reward in a relevant need state (e.g. hunger for food) sets the incentive value that guides the performance of actions that earn that reward when the need state is encountered again. Opiate withdrawal has been proposed as a need state in which, through experience, opiate value can be increased, resulting in escalated opiate self‐administration. Endogenous opioid transmission plays anatomically dissociable roles in the positive emotional experience of reward consumption and incentive learning. We, therefore, sought to determine if chronic opiate exposure and withdrawal produces a disruption in the fundamental incentive learning process such that reward seeking, even for non‐opiate rewards, can become maladaptive, inconsistent with the emotional experience of reward consumption and irrespective of need. Rats trained to earn sucrose or water on a reward‐seeking chain were treated with morphine (10–30 mg/kg, s.c.) daily for 11 days prior to testing in withdrawal. Opiate‐withdrawn rats showed elevated reward‐seeking actions, but only after they experienced the reward in withdrawal, an effect that was strongest in early (1–3 days), as opposed to late (14–16 days), withdrawal. This was sufficient to overcome a negative reward value change induced by sucrose experience in satiety and, in certain circumstances, was inconsistent with the emotional experience of reward consumption. Lastly, we found that early opiate withdrawal‐induced inflation of reward value was blocked by inactivation of basolateral amygdala mu opioid receptors. These data suggest that in early opiate withdrawal, the incentive learning process is disrupted, resulting in maladaptive reward seeking.


Malignant mesenchymal tumours of the breast are relatively rare tumours that have yet to receive universal approval in terms of terminology. With classification based on histogenesis rapidly gaining acceptance, we present a case with histological features of both fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, with the former predominating. An unusual finding was the presence of large areas with haemangiopericytomatous appearance. The literature on changing concepts regarding classification of malignant mesenchymal tumours of the breast is reviewed.


A segmentation and hierarchical classification approach applied to QuickBird multispectral satellite data was implemented, with the goal of delineating residential land use polygons and identifying low and high socio‐economic status of neighbourhoods within Accra, Ghana. Two types of object‐based classification strategies were tested, one based on spatial frequency characteristics of multispectral data, and the other based on proportions of Vegetation–Impervious–Soil sub‐objects. Both approaches yielded residential land‐use maps with similar overall percentage accuracy (75%) and kappa index of agreement (0.62) values, based on test objects from visual interpretation of QuickBird panchromatic imagery.


A number of female sterile mutations on the first and third chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster have been screened for defects in the yolk proteins using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Two new mutants were identified. 6m45 accumulates all three yolk proteins (YP1, YP2 and YP3) in the haemolymph but they are all absent from the ovaries suggesting it is a yolk-protein-uptake mutant. In contrast, 1163 is a temperature-sensitive mutation with a large reduction in the quantity of YP1 in the haemolymph and ovaries at 29 degrees C. Both mutants are autonomous in ovary transplant experiments.


The direct displacement based design (DDBD) procedure is well developed and used for designing reinforced concrete moment resisting frame structures, wall structures and bridges. However, there is limited number of studies available on designing steel concentric braced frame (CBF) structures using DDBD approach. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a DDBD procedure for CBF structures. On this regards, this paper proposes a DDBD procedure for steel concentric braced frame structures. The proposed procedure utilises yield displacement shape derived on the basis of tensile yielding of the braces, and equivalent viscous damping equation of the system given as a function of system ductility and non-dimensional slenderness ratio by Wijesundara et al. (2011) for concentric braced steel frame structures. Finally, the performance of four steel CBF structures designed according to the proposed DDBD procedure is studied using nonlinear dynamic response of those structures. The results show that the performance of CBF structures is in good agreement with the design considerations.


Methane emissions from natural gas appliances remain the least characterized portion of the fossil-fuel supply chain. Here we examine water heaters from 64 northern California homes to: (1) quantify methane emissions from natural gas leaks and incomplete combustion while off, turning on or off, and in steady-state operation from 35 homes; and (2) characterize daily usage patterns over ~1-2 months per water heater to estimate activity factors from 46 homes. Individual tankless water heaters emitted 2390 [95% CI: 2250, 2540] g CH4/year on average, 0.93% [0.87%, 0.99%] of their natural gas consumed, primarily from On/Off pulses. Storage water heaters emitted 1400 [1240, 1560] g CH4/year on average, 0.39% [0.34%, 0.43%] of their natural gas consumption. Despite higher methane emissions, tankless water heaters generate 29% less CO2e20 than storage water heaters because they use less energy to heat a unit of water. Scaling our measured emissions by the number of storage and tankless water heaters in the United States (56.8 and 1.2 million, respectively), water heaters overall emitted an estimated 82.3 [73.2, 91.5] Gg CH4/yr, 0.40% [0.35%, 0.44%] of all natural gas consumed by these appliances, comparable in percentage to the EPA's estimate of methane emissions from upstream natural gas production.


This study examines the influence of social networks on the sexual relations of migrant construction workers in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Research included observation and interviews with members of two different groups of workers. The first group, together with their employer (cai), came from the same village; the second group came from different villages. Of interest in the present study was how social relationships among workers and their employers influence extra‐marital sexual activity. In the group where workers and their cai came from the same village of origin, fear of acquiring a bad reputation made these workers reluctant to seek sex services, since accounts of their behaviour were transmitted quickly home. In contrast, workers from the group who came from different villages often went out together to purchase sex. The absence of direct links to their villages of origin made it easier for these latter workers to conceal their activity. The implication of these findings for sexual safety and risk are discussed.


The Kokkinakis case is probably the most widely cited judgement of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the freedom of religion or belief. Yet the constant repetition of its key passages tends to obscure the very real, and controversial, developments which have taken place in the Court's jurisprudence. This article outlines this practice and explores its implications. It concludes that "quoting Kokkinakis" runs the risk of have a negative impact upon our understanding of Article 9 of the ECHR today and its famous 'mantra' should be replaced by a more up to date and accurate statement of the conceptual underpinnings of that article.


Many devices are designed to allow skilled users to complete routine tasks quickly, often within a specified amount of time. Predictive human performance modeling has long been able to predict the mean time to accomplish a task, making it possible to compare device designs before building them. However, estimates of the variability of performance are also important, especially in real-time, safety-critical tasks. Until recently, the human factors community lacked tools to predict the variability of skilled performance. In this paper, we describe a combination of theory-based tools (CogTool and SANLab) that address this critical gap and that can easily be used by human factors practitioners or system designers. We describe these tools, their integration, and provide a concrete example of their use in the context of entering the landing speed into the Boeing 777 Flight Management Computer (FMC) using the Control and Display Unit (CDU).


Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation therapy that has become a method of choice for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and OCD. It is considered to be a safe and well-tolerated treatment, with only few side effects. The most serious adverse event during any rTMS treatment is the potential induction of a seizure. rTMS has shown very encouraging results for treatment-resistant OCD, although the optimal target area and the stimulation frequency are still matters of controversy. Here, we present a 19-year-old female patient with OCD who experienced seizure during the 7th session of her rTMS treatment using the FDA-approved 20-Hz protocol for OCD applied bilaterally over the left and right DMPFC using a double-cone coil. Nonetheless, it still unknown whether the seizure occurred as a consequence of rTMS, as the patient was also in a specific seizure risk group. Future reviews are needed to further clarify the mechanisms that may trigger seizures during rTMS treatments in order to reduce the likelihood of rTMS-induced seizures.


The synthesis and characterization of several electron-poor iron(II) porphyrin (FeTFPPBr8) complexes with axial imidazole ligands are reported. The single-crystal X-ray structures have been studied by a combination of crystal packing and Hirshfeld surface calculations, which explained the unusual axial-ligand geometries, e.g., the strong tilt of the Fe-NIm bonds and the imidazole planes. The six-coordinate [Fe(TFPPBr8)(1-MeIm)2] was studied by multiple-temperature solid-state Mössbauer spectroscopy, which suggested that it is a low-spin complex with δ ∼ 0.32-0.38 mm/s and ΔEQ ∼ 1.0 mm/s.


Interleukin (IL) 1 superfamily members are a cornerstone of a variety of inflammatory processes occurring in various organs including the liver. Progression of acute and chronic liver diseases regardless of etiology depends on the stage of hepatocyte damage, the release of inflammatory cytokines and disturbances in gut microbiota. IL1 cytokines and receptors can have pro- or anti-inflammatory roles, even dual functionalities conditioned by the microenvironment. Developing novel therapeutic strategies to block the IL1/IL1R signaling pathways seems like a reasonable option. This mode of action is now exploited by anakinra and canakinumab, which are used to treat different inflammatory illnesses, and studies in liver diseases are on the way. In this mini review, we have focused on the IL1 superfamily members, given their crucial role in liver inflammation diseases, specifically discussing their potential role in developing new treatment strategies.


The materials of Extraordinary Investigation Commission is the unique source for investigating the genocide against Turkish-Muslim population in Azerbaijan from March till September in 1918. These documents are proved arguments show that the genocide against Azerbaijanis is one of the horrible tragedies had been rarely met in the history of humanity. The declaration of independence in 1918 enabled Azerbaijan to investigate crimes against Turks and other Muslim population in their homeland. One of the significant decisions of the newly formed government was the establishment of an Extraordinary Investigation Commission June 15, 1918, to investigate crimes committed by dashnak gangs. This is the indicator of national memory to tragedic events happened in the life of Azerbaijani people and its state powers.


In order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ventriculo-pleural shunting as an alternative to conventional atrial and peritoneal procedures, we have carried out a retrospective study of 88 pleural shunting procedures. There was a 7% complication rate related to the use of the pleural space as the shunt terminus. Complications at the pleural end included shunt obstruction (functional or structural), pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and other technical problems. There were no deaths associated with shunt dysfunction or other complications. Ventriculo-pleural shunting for hydrocephalus, when used with appropriate precautions and with careful patient selection is a viable alternative for the treatment of adult hydrocephalus. The complications that are unique to this procedure are pneumothorax and pleural effusion. They were encountered infrequently in this series. Ventriculo-pleural shunting may be indicated when other routes are not available.


Vertical and horizontal migration of estuarine intertidal meiofauna were observed. Distinct vertical migration occurred in the top 10cm of the sediment. Strong horizontal movements were observed during receding tides. Differential movement of individual fraction of a meiofaunal community may be attributed either to its reaction to any of the environmental factors such as tide, water-table dessication and bacterial population or to the combined effect of all these factors


This interim final rule sets forth the State requirements to provide information to us for purposes of estimating improper payments in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), as required under the Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA) of 2002. The IPIA requires heads of Federal agencies to annually estimate and report to the Congress these estimates of improper payments for the programs they oversee and, submit a report on actions the agency is taking to reduce erroneous payments. We published a proposed rule on August 27, 2004 to propose that States measure improper payments in Medicaid and SCHIP and report the State-specific error rates to us for purposes of computing the improper payment estimates for these programs. After extensive analysis of the issues related to having States measure improper payments in Medicaid and SCHIP, including public comments on the provisions in the proposed rule, we are revising our proposed approach. Our new approach incorporates commenters' suggestions to engage a Federal contractor by contracting with that entity to complete the data processing and medical reviews and calculate the State-specific error rates. Based on the States' error rates, the contractor also will calculate the improper payment estimates for these programs which will be reported by the Department of Health and Human Services as required by the IPIA. This interim final rule sets out the types of information that States would need to submit to allow CMS to conduct medical and data processing reviews on claims made in the fee-for-service (FFS) setting. CMS will address estimating improper payments for Medicaid managed care and eligibility and SCHIP FFS, managed care and eligibility at a later time. This rule responds to the public comments on the proposed rule, sets forth the requirements for States to assist us and the contractor to produce State-specific error rates in Medicaid and SCHIP which will be used as the basis for a national error rate, and outlines future plans for measuring eligibility, which may include greater State involvement than the level required for the medical and data processing reviews.


Renal cell carcinoma has a high propensity for metastatic spread. There are several case reports of metastatic renal cell carcinomas associated with rare metastatic sites, in many cases more than ten years after the initial diagnosis. We present a 60-year-old man with perianal pain and a mass in the ischiorectal space, revealed by computed tomography. The patient had a history of clear cell renal carcinoma operated on 17 years ago. A wire localization surgical excision of the ischiorectal fossa mass was performed. The pathological report revealed a metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a clear cell renal carcinoma metastasizing to the ischiorectal fossa reported in the literature. We therefore recommend that any newly discovered mass in any site of a patient with a history of renal cell carcinoma should be carefully explored and biopsied.


ABSTRACT There is current debate as to whether spatial attention can modulate V1 activity during the initial wave of visual processing. Research on this topic has focused on the event-related potential (ERP) C1 component, which primarily reflects activity in V1. The purpose of the present selective review was to compare experimental parameters across spatial attention studies to determine whether certain stimulus, task, or analysis conditions were more likely to produce significant C1 attention effects. Specifically, C1 attention effects were evaluated as a function of visual field location, presence or absence of distractors, load (perceptual or attentional), cue type (endogenous or exogenous), and electrode location. As the C1 component has its peak magnitude at midline parietal-occipital electrodes, only studies that measured C1 attention effects at these electrode locations were considered. Furthermore, only studies that manipulated spatial attention, and no other factors, were considered. The current analysis indicated that to maximize sensitivity to C1 attention effects, stimuli should be in the upper visual field, there should be distractors, conditions should be high perceptual or attentional load, there should be exogenous cuing, and effects should be measured at midline parietal-occipital electrodes POz, Pz, and CPz.


The otic placode takes its origin from surface ectoderm. Prior to the arrival of neural crest cells, surface epithelial cells adjacent to the neural folds are squamous in shape and synthesize primarily interstitial bodies. However, by 26 hours of development, neural crest cells, using the undersurface of the epithelium as a substratum, migrate away from the neural tube. Cells of surface epithelium above the neural crest cells assume a columnar shape, and the amount of intercellular space between adjacent epithelial cells is consequently reduced. Placode cells show extensive interdigitation apically as they pseudostratify and invaginate, while it appears that many of the basal cells contribute components to the underlying extracellular matrix. This extracellular matrix interface between surface epithelium and neural crest cells is distinctly fibrillar and less granular than that found between ordinary head ectoderm and primary mesenchymal cells. Just prior to complete invagination as an otocyst, otic placode cells in a region near the ventrolateral wall of the hindbrain extend cell processes through discontinuities in the basal lamina and leave the otocyst. These are likely to be the cells which contribute to the formation of the acoustico‐facialis ganglion. These observations support the hypothesis that the development of the otic placode is the result of a tissue interaction between surface epithelium and neural crest cells.


This paper identifies the researches that have had the greatest impact on the Information Systems (IS) discipline and analyses the changes that have taken place in the intellectual structure of this discipline within the ongoing paradigmatic debates between Europe and North America. The methodology applies citation analysis and social network analysis to the articles published in four European and North American journals with the highest impact factors in the IS field. The findings of the study reveal a significant difference between the research styles and publication patterns of European and North American research traditions.


OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of survivin gene in thyroid carcinoma and its significance.

METHODS
Samples of thyroid carcinoma were collected from 98 patients during operation. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of survivin in the carcinoma tissue and the tissue around the carcinoma. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptotic index (AI).

RESULTS
Western blotting and RT-PCR methods showed similar results. The positive expression rates of survivin protein and mRNA in the thyroid carcinoma were both 68.37%; however, survivin was not expressed in all of the tissues around the thyroid carcinoma at both the mRNA and protein levels. The expression rate of survivin was closely related to the pathological typing, lymph node metastasis, and hematogenous metastasis. Apoptotic cells were found in all thyroid carcinoma. The mean AI of the surviving positive group was 0.48 +/- 0.38, significantly lower than that of the survivin negative group (2.98 +/- 0.12, P = 0.0082).

CONCLUSION
Survivin gene is expressed in most of the thyroid carcinoma. The positive expression rate of survivin is significantly linked to cell proliferating activity, lymph node metastasis, and hematogenous metastasis. Survivin gene will be a new target of gene therapy in thyroid carcinoma.


Field D, Milner A, Hlopkin 1. Manipulation of ventilator settings to prevent active cxpiraition against positive pressure inflation. Arch Dis Child 1985:60:1036-40. 2 Greenough A, Wood S, Moricy CJ. Davis JA. Pancuronium prevcnts pneumothoraces in ventilated prcmaturc babics who actively cxpirc against positivc prcssurc vcntilation. Laticet 1984:i: 1-3. 3 Greenough A, Morley CJ, Davis JA. Intcraictions of spontancous respiration with artificial ventilation in prcterm babics. J Pediatr 1983; 103:769-73. 4 Greenough A, Moricy CJ. Pool J. Active cxpiration-are fast rates an effectivc alltcrnative to paralysis'? Early Hwln Dev (In press). Greenough A, Morlcy CJ, Daivis JA. Rcspiratory reflexes in ventilatcd prenmaturc babics. Earls Humn Dev, 1983,8:65-75. Curzi-Daiscalova L. Lebrun F, Korn G. Rcspiratory frcquency according to slecp staitcs and agc in normal prcmaturc infants: a comparison with full tcrm infants. Pediatr Res 1983;17:152-6.


A case of precocious puberty and diabetes insipidus in a 7 years old boy due to a malignant teratoma in the IVth ventricle is reported. The tumor had grown into the IIIrd and lateral ventricles as found on the necropsy. The original site of the tumor and the possible physiopathological mechanisms for the precocious puberty are discussed.


Soil processes are significantly regulated by biological activities. Soil ecosystem engineers (predominantly termites, earthworms and ants) and roots produce biogenic structures, aggregates or pores that determine the structure and architecture of soil. The sum of structures produced by a population or community of invertebrate engineers creates a specific environment defined here as a functional domain. Functional domains are characterized by (i) the nature and spatial array of the biogenic structures, solid aggregates, mounds or constructs and pores of different shapes or sizes; (ii) the specific communities of smaller organisms from the meso- and microfauna and micro-organisms that they host; and (iii) the spatial and temporal scales at which soil processes operate. The regulation of processes caused by the physical organization of the soil environment and the redistribution of organic resources have been described and quantified in several studies. In soil, the relative importance of regulation imposed by ecosystem engineering is likely to be greater than regulation by trophic relationships because of the specific ecological constraints observed in this environment when compared to above-ground conditions.


Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a class of antimicrobial agents, possess considerable potential to treat various microbial ailments. The broad range of activity and rare complete bacterial resistance to AMPs make them ideal candidates for commercial development. These peptides with widely varying compositions and sources share recurrent structural and functional features in mechanisms of action. Studying the mechanisms of AMP activity against bacteria may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents that are more potent. Generally, AMPs are effective against bacteria by forming pores or disrupting membrane barriers. The important structural aspects of cytoplasmic membranes of pathogens and host cells will also be outlined to understand the selective antimicrobial actions. The antimicrobial activities of AMPs are related to multiple physicochemical properties, such as length, sequence, helicity, charge, hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, polar angle, and also self-association. These parameters are interrelated and need to be considered in combination. So, gathering the most relevant available information will help to design and choose the most effective AMPs.


The article reviews recent studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of herbal extracts with emphasis on different assays that are frequently used to test the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of herbal constituents. Protein denaturation assays and membrane stabilization assays are frequently used to evaluate in vitro antiinflammatory activities. Many researchers have used minimum of three in vitro assays to evaluate antiinflammatory activity of herbal constituents. Diclofenac, acetyl salicylic acid and indomethacin are the drugs used as reference standard more frequently. We suggest to reduce the use of animals in conducting anti-inflammatory activity in vitro studies as animal ethics is important as human welfare.


In their seminal 1971-paper, W. J. Baumol and W. E. Oates analyzed effluent charges and "command and control" regarding their ability to attain a given standard of environmental quality at minimum cost. In the subsequent literature transferable discharge permits (TDPs) have been added to the portfolio of standard oriented environmental policy instruments. We put these instruments in a dynamic context. There, cost minimization is defined in an intertemporal setting allowing for induced technical change. It turns out that the relative performance of alternative policy instruments regarding their "dynamic cost-effectiveness" cruicially depends upon the information available to the involved agents. Under adverse informational conditions only a TDP-system with future markets is dynamically cost-effective.


Precise control of dendritic spine density and synapse formation is critical for normal and pathological brain functions. Therefore, signaling pathways influencing dendrite outgrowth and remodeling remain a subject of extensive investigations. Here, we report that prolonged activation of the serotonin 5‐HT7 receptor (5‐HT7R) with selective agonist LP‐211 promotes formation of dendritic spines and facilitates synaptogenesis in postnatal cortical and striatal neurons. Critical role of 5‐HT7R in neuronal morphogenesis was confirmed by analysis of neurons isolated from 5‐HT7R‐deficient mice and by pharmacological inactivation of the receptor. Acute activation of 5‐HT7R results in pronounced neurite elongation in postnatal striatal and cortical neurons, thus extending previous data on the morphogenic role of 5‐HT7R in embryonic and hippocampal neurons. We also observed decreased number of spines in neurons with either genetically (i.e. 5‐HT7R‐knock‐out) or pharmacologically (i.e. antagonist treatment) blocked 5‐HT7R, suggesting that constitutive 5‐HT7R activity is critically involved in the spinogenesis. Moreover, cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 and small GTPase Cdc42 were identified as important downstream effectors mediating morphogenic effects of 5‐HT7R in neurons. Altogether, our data suggest that the 5‐HT7R‐mediated structural reorganization during the postnatal development might have a crucial role for the development and plasticity of forebrain areas such as cortex and striatum, and thereby can be implicated in regulation of the higher cognitive functions.


Degasification of mixed liquor by subjecting it to vacuum is a physical process used in biological nutrient removal (BNR) to improve settleability and allow for achieving higher mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS). Vacuum degassing installation is located between the last cell of the bioreactor and secondary clarifiers. In this process two operations are performed: gas bubbles contained in mixed liquor leaving the bioreactor are removed and concentration of gasses (mainly nitrogen gas) dissolved in the liquid is reduced. Lack of gas bubbles and concentration of dissolved nitrogen gas below saturation in mixed liquor significantly improved sludge settling in secondary clarifiers and eliminated floating scum formation. Presented settleability tests of degasified MLSS and return activated sludge (RAS) from various BNR facilities showed continued settling and/or thickening for over 3 h at room temperature, without exhibiting any solids separation. Settleability tests of biomass that was not degasified typically led to flotation of portion of the sludge after about 1.5 h. Plants equipped with vacuum degasification consistently operate at larger than typically recommended final clarifier sludge surface loading rates. Rates as high as 180-220 kg TSS/m 2 d and deep sludge blankets have been employed. Such plants were shown to maintain operational levels of MLSS at 4500 to 6000 mg/L and higher.


The claudin (CLDN) genes encode a family of proteins involved in the formation and function of tight junctions. CLDN gene expression is frequently altered in several human cancers, and in particular, CLDN3 and CLDN4 are commonly overexpressed in ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms leading to the deregulation of these genes in cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we have examined the CLDN3 promoter and have identified a minimal region containing an Sp1 site crucial for its activity. In addition, we find that the CLDN3 promoter is regulated through epigenetic processes. Cells that express high levels of CLDN3 exhibit low DNA methylation and high histone H3 acetylation of the critical CLDN3 promoter region, and the reverse is observed in cells that do not express this gene. CLDN3-negative cells can be induced to express CLDN3 through treatment with DNA methyltransferase or histone deacetylase inhibitors. Interestingly, in vitro binding experiments, as well as chip assays show that Sp1 binds the unmethylated promoter much more efficiently, providing a mechanism for CLDN3 silencing in non-expressing cells. Finally, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sp1 led to a significant decrease of CLDN3 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, demonstrating a crucial role for this transcription factor in the regulation of CLDN3. Our data provide a basis for CLDN3 expression in ovarian cancer cells, as well as a mechanism for the silencing of this promoter in tumors lacking expression of claudin-3.


(1) State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China


The study was conducted on weaned New Zealand White rabbits aged 4 to 5 months. First milking liquid bovine colostrum (BC) was lyophilized to make powder. Three different doses of BC (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.wt. per os for 15 days) were evaluated for immunomodulatory potential against cow milk control. The best immunomodulatory dose was then evaluated for assessing the potential of BC for the prevention ofEscherichia coli diarrhea. It was observed that lyophilization decreased IgG non-significantly by 10.52%. Further, BC supplementation enhanced the cell mediated immune response with significant protective potential on causation of E. coli diarrhea, as long as it was given with residual effect as well.

 Key words: Bovine colostrum, immunomodulation, Escherichia coli diarrhea, rabbit.


INTRODUCTION
Optogenetic is an experimental technique that combines genetic engineering and optical physics procedures to mark specific neurons in the brain and activate them at will through rays of light of certain frequency.

AIM
To explain, to readers not versed in genetics the history, the rationale and the present and future applications of optogenetic in brain and mental processes research.

DEVELOPMENT
The current development of this technique is allowing considerable advances in accurate knowledge about the neural circuits that control behavior and motivational and cognitive states, like hunger and thirst, pain, sleep or learning and memory. Among the first shocking results there are the creation and control of false memories.

CONCLUSIONS
The optogenetics is a revolutionary experimental technique called to replace some of the classics techniques in brain behavior research and an important way in the development and control of mental processes and in the treatment of their diseases.


In Korea, no CRA(comparative risk analysis) studies have been undertaken, nor have their methodologies of such studies been established. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to establish the framework of CRA consisting of health risk, economic risk and perceived risk, and to estimate and compare these risks among the three environmental problems of air pollution, indoor air pollution and drinking water contamination, which are themselves subject to the eight sub-problems of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), regulated pollutants (representative as PM10) and dioxins (PCDDs/PCDFs) in air pollution, indoor air pollutants (lAPs) and radon in indoor air pollution, and drinking water pollutants (DWPs), disinfection by-products (DBPs) and radionuclides in drinking water contamination in Seoul, Korea. After which, the priorities of these problems were set by individual and integrated risk. From the results, the rankings of both health risk and economical risk were in the following order radon, PM10, lAPs, HAPs, DWPs, dioxins, DBPs, and radionuclides among the eight sub-problems. On the contrary, the ranking of perceived risk was in the following order HAPs, dioxins, radionuclides, PM10, DWPs, lAPs, Radon and then DBPs among the eight sub-problems.


In this paper, the influence of voids on thermal conductivity of solder joints is analyzed using the finite element method. The conclusions come that: for single-void case, with the size of void increasing, the influence of void on thermal conductivity growing, void near the heat source has a greater influence than that far away. Then, the situation of multi-voids get similar results, but the temperature distribution of solder joints presents the comprehensive function of the two factors, particularly, the voids far away from the heat source may have little influence on the thermal conducting performance.


Bis(alkylsulfanyl) derivatives of 1,2,5-thiadiazoles fused with aromatic and heteroaromatic rings containing long alkyl chains are of interest as compounds with liquid crystalline properties. In this communication, 4,7-bis(dodecylthio)-[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridine 1 was obtained from 4,7-dibromo-[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridine 2 by a combination of two reactions—aromatic nucleophilic substitution SNAr and Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling. The structure of the newly synthesized compounds was established by means of elemental analysis; high-resolution mass spectrometry; 1H, 13C NMR, IR and UV spectroscopy; and mass spectrometry.


Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the need for well-trained public health workers to interpret evidence, make informed decisions, and disseminate information to the general public. As public health courses in Ontario universities have moved online due to this pandemic, instructors were required to simulate their teaching online while maintaining student engagement. Previous research has shown that there is a lack of description for the development of online public health courses. As such, the objective of this article is to outline the development and layout of a Professional Development Studio course offered in the Masters of Public Health program at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. We use the Salmon model, previously described by Salmon and colleagues in 2013, to form the course outline. The Salmon model provides a five-stage framework for the development of a concise, engaging, and impactful online course. Based on student feedback, we found that the Salmon model positively shaped the development of the course by aiding the formulation of a course layout that was easily accessible, discussion threads to communicate in an inclusive and safe space, and relevant assessments requiring the use of tools to make judgments and appropriately disseminate information publicly. We conclude that the Salmon model is a helpful framework to use in developing an engaging online public health course. Further assessments based on student feedback should be completed to continually evolve the online course to better tailor the needs and interests of public health students preparing them for the public health workforce.


Background: The world is currently facing a pandemic due to a new species of the Coronaviridae family called SARS-CoV-2,discovered in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. The WHO has named the resulting disease COVID-19 (CoronavirusDisease 2019). It has been a global health problem due to its major socio-economic damage. The aim of this study was toshow the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations in symptomatic children with COVID-19.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including 36 symptomatic children infected by SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at themother and child hospital of university hospital of Mohammed VI, Marrakech in Morocco, over a period of 7 months. Clinicaland biological manifestations of the digestive system were evaluated for all patients.
Results: The digestive symptomatology came in second place after the respiratory manifestations. 14 patients (38.89 % ofsymptomatic patients) in our study had digestive symptoms on admission: 12 (33.33%) presented with diarrhea, 4 (11.11%) hadabdominal pain and only one child (2.78%) had vomiting. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was elevated in one patient, whilealanine transaminase (ALT) was elevated in 6 patients. The prothrombin level was normal in all patients. All patients were dischargedwith good general condition without morbidity and mortality.
Conclusion: This study concludes with the high prevalence of digestive manifestations of COVID-19 in symptomatic children.There were no severe clinical or biological abnormalities in our study. Digestive manifestations during COVID-19 in childrenare frequent, which requires the awareness of health professionals
Keywords: COVID-19; digestive manifestations; children.